News on key developments at SupremeSAT, and general news on the Space and Satellite industry from across the web
Rocket: Falcon 9: Payload: 58 Starlink satellites, three SkySat satellites; Date: 13 June 2020, 0921 UTC; Launch site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, USA. The SkySats were deployed sequentially beginning about 12 minutes after lift-off, and the Starlink satellites deployed approximately 26 minutes after lift-off. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2020061401
The final satellite to complete the third-generation network of China’s Beidou Navigation Satellite System is now ready for launch, according to the China Satellite Navigation Office. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2020061402
The first satellite of the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation (CSG) constellation, launched 18 December, is now completing the Orbit Test stage that will make it capable of fully-fledged operational co-operation with the four COSMO-SkyMed First Generation satellites, increasing the overall capabilities of the system. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2020061403
Two satellites for China’s space-based Internet-of-Things (IoT) project have completed phase-1 tests in orbit, sources with the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) said. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2020061404
Spaceflight Industries, Inc. announced the finalisation of the sale of its rideshare business, Spaceflight, Inc., to Mitsui & Co., Ltd., in partnership with Yamasa Co., Ltd. following the completion of the review process by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). BlackSky Global LLC (BlackSky) was not part of the Mitusi transaction…
Rocket: Chang Zheng 2C; Payload: Haiyang-1D (HY-1D); Date: 10 June 2020, 1831 UTC; Launch site: Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, China. The satellite was released into a 770 km x 785 km x 98.44 degrees Sun-synchronous orbit. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2020061100
Rocket Lab has scrubbed the launch of an Electron rocket into orbit from New Zealand because of strong ground winds. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2020061101
NASA has awarded Astrobotic of Pittsburgh US$199.5 million to deliver NASA’s Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) to the Moon’s South Pole in late 2023. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2020061102
The Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) has started a two year research project to demonstrate military Ultra High Frequency (UHF) tactical communications via a polar Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite. FFI has selected GomSpace to develop and build the satellite. The test satellite is to be launched in October 2021. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2020061103
The 53 satellite passengers for Arianespace’s rideshare flight with its Vega light-lift launcher have been integrated at the Spaceport in French Guiana, marking a key milestone in preparation for the 18 June Proof of Concept mission with Europe’s Small Spacecraft Mission Service (SSMS). http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2020061000