News on key developments at SupremeSAT, and general news on the Space and Satellite industry from across the web
Harris Corporation has received an US$84 million contract to produce Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3), an experimental satellite that will demonstrate new position, navigation and timing capabilities to improve the resiliency of the Global Positioning System (GPS). http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2019040901
The first two-line elements (TLEs) are in for debris originating from India’s anti-satellite (ASAT) test on 27 March. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2019040700
All 16 RS-25 engines slated for the first four of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) missions have successfully demonstrated flight worthiness. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2019040701
Northrop Grumman Corporation conducted its second ground test of a 160-cm diameter Graphite Epoxy Motor (GEM 63). The company developed this new side-mounted rocket motor to add power to the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V launch vehicle. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2019040702
Apparently under pressure from the White House, NASA has resumed co-operation with its Indian counterpart ISRO reversing a recent decision to suspend it over orbital debris resulting from the recent Indian anti-satellite test. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2019040703
Rocket: Soyuz 2-1a; Payload: Progress MS-11 (Progress 72); Date: 4 April 2019, 1101 UTC; Launch site: Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The Progress MS-11 cargo spacecraft was accurately placed on the target orbit for the ISS resupplying mission. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2019040400
Rocket: Soyuz 2-1b (Soyuz ST-B) / Fregat; Payload: O3b F5; Date: 4 April 2019, 1630 UTC; Launch site: Sinnamary, French Guiana. The launch vehicle delivered the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th O3b satellites into a circular orbit during a flight lasting 2 hours and 22 minutes until final separation. Total payload lift performance was estimated…
Rocket Lab announced that it will launch three experimental research and development (R&D) satellites for the U.S. Air Force in April. The mission will lift-off from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, carrying three R&D spacecraft to Low Earth Orbit aboard an Electron launch vehicle. The launch will be Rocket Lab’s second orbital mission of…
China’s first rocket for commercial use, the Smart Dragon-1 (SD-1), has finished its engine test, paving way for its maiden flight in the first half of 2019, according to the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT). http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2019040403
Authorisation has been granted for tomorrow’s Arianespace Soyuz launch from the Spaceport in French Guiana, providing the "green light" for this mission to orbit the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th satellites in SES’ O3b constellation. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2019040300