News on key developments at SupremeSAT, and general news on the Space and Satellite industry from across the web
Rocket: Chang Zheng-3B/Y1; Payload: Beidou-3M11, Beidou-3M12 [Beidou-35, Beidou-36]; Date: 24 August 2018, 2352 UTC; Launch site: Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China. The twin satellites entered Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) orbit more than three hours after the launch. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018082600
The U.S. Air Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Directorate achieved a major programme milestone on 21 August successfully delivering the first GPS III satellite to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida to begin launch processing. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018082601
The Kepler spacecraft went into sleep mode after successfully downloading Campaign 18 data, NASA said. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018082602
Powered by Aerojet Rocketdyne propulsion, OSIRIS-REx’s long-awaited approach of Asteroid Bennu has officially begun. With the asteroid now in sight, the spacecraft’s onboard thrusters will begin to conduct a number of approach manoeuvres to match Bennu’s orbital velocity to prepare for arrival on 3 December. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018082603
China will launch its first solid-propellant rocket developed by a Chinese private company late this year. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018082300
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) has confirmed the successful commissioning in-orbit of the RemoveDEBRIS spacecraft, which was deployed from the International Space Station on 20 June 2018. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018082301
Cargo spacecraft Progress MS-08 has been undocked from the International Space Station (ISS). Its deorbiting is due on 30 August the rocket and spacecraft scientific centre TsNIIMash said. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018082302
Aerojet Rocketdyne said the company’s XR-5 Hall Thruster system aboard Al Yah 3 operated for more than 600 hours (over 25 days of firing) to propel the spacecraft to the intended orbit, which aided recovery from a launch insertion anomaly last January. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018082303
Rocket: Vega; Payload: Aeolus; Date: 22 August 2018, 2119 UTC; Launch site: Kourou, French Guiana. The satellite was deployed into Sun-synchronous orbit 55 minutes after lift-off. Acquisition of satellite telemetry was confirmed about 15 minutes later. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018082200
As the first Lockheed Martin-built GPS III satellite prepares to ship to the launch pad, the U.S. Air Force has declared that the second GPS III satellite is complete, fully tested and ready to launch. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018082201