SSI News
Senator Bill Nelson becomes NASA’s Administrator
Former Democrat Senator Bill Nelson was sworn in as NASA’s Administrator on 3 May after being unanimously confirmed by the US Senate – a much smoother path through Congress than his predecessor Jim Bridenstine’s experience. Bridenstine, another former Administrator...
Prospective German launch start-ups add bookings to manifests whilst competing for funding (Updated)
Two of the three upcoming German small launcher developers: Isar Aerospace and Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), have been the recipients of launch contracts (or bookings) in recent weeks. Both of these start-ups are developing new small launch vehicles, Spectrum (Isar)...
China launches Yaogan 34 optical remote sensing satellite
At 0727 GMT on 30 April China launched the YAOGAN 34 optical remote sensing satellite into a sun-synchronous Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The mission was carried by a Long March 4C (CZ-4C) rocket and lifted-off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China. It is believed...
China launches first module in its new Space Station in low Earth orbit
China successfully launched its 22.5 metric ton Tianhe 1 (“Heavenly Harmony 1”) space station module into low Earth orbit (LEO) on a Long March 5B/Y2 (CZ-5BY2) vehicle at 0318 GMT on 29 April from the Wenchang satellite launch centre, on Hainan Island, China. The...
SpaceX Falcon 9 and Arianespace Vega rockets both conduct early morning launches
The first launch that took place on 29 April was conducted by Arianespace. This mission saw a Vega rocket successfully lift-off from Kourou, French Guiana, at 0150 GMT. The targeted orbit for the mission was Sun-synchronous orbit at 628 km (613 km for the rideshare...
On a sadder note: Apollo 11 Command Module Pilot Mike Collins dies of cancer at 90
We are sad to report that the former Apollo 11 command module pilot and astronaut - and very much an unsung hero of the mission - Mike Collins has died of cancer at the age of 90. It was Collins' role to orbit the Moon on his own in return Command and Service module -...
Eutelsat to invest US$550m in OneWeb bringing constellation funding to 80 per cent
European satellite operator Eutelsat has announced its intention to invest US$550 million in OneWeb, the low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation developer. Eutelsat, which primarily operates a fleet of 27 GEO satellites, has been developing a LEO Internet of Things...
Long March 6 rocket launches multiple satellites to LEO
At 0320 GMT on 27 April China launched a Long March 6 (CZ-6) rocket carry several small satellites into sun-synchronous LEO. The majority of the payloads on-board were Earth-observation in nature and came from different Chinese companies with varying degrees of...
Delta IV Heavy launches NRO L-82 reconnaissance satellite
A Delta IV Heavy rocket, operated by the United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched the NRO L-82 payload into orbit on behalf of the US National Reconnaissance Office. The launch took place from Vandenberg, California at 2047 GMT on 26 April 2021. The Delta IV Heavy...
Another 36 OneWeb satellites are sent into orbit via a Soyuz 2-1b/Fregat
A Soyuz 2-1b/Fregat rocket was launched into orbit from the launched from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the far east of Russia at 2214 GMT on 25 April 2021. Aboard were 36 OneWeb constellation communications satellite. The satellites were delivered and dispensed into an...
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