SSI News
Ex-Im makes $343.3 million loan to Asiasat
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) has announced that it is to loan $343.3 million to Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co. Ltd. (AsiaSat) for the construction of Asisat 6 and Asiasat 8 communications satellites by Space Systems/Loral. The launch of the satellites which are planned for the first half of 2014. Apart from the construction, the financing will support launch services supplied by Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX)and launch insurance arranged by Marsh USA,
BBC and other broadcasters note that satellite and radio jamming is damaging media freedom
To coincide with the United Nations “World Press Freedom Day” which was on 3 May, the BBC has issued a joint statement with a group of international broadcasters noting that the jamming of news broadcasts by certain nation states is damaging freedom.
BBC and other broadcasters note that satellite and radio jamming is damaging media freedom
To coincide with the United Nations “World Press Freedom Day” which was on 3 May, the BBC has issued a joint statement with a group of international broadcasters noting that the jamming of news broadcasts by certain nation states is damaging freedom.
SES-6 is released into correct supersynchronous transfer orbit
Following its Proton M launch on 3 June which included an overnight 5-burn Breeze M mission sequence that involved parking in a circular parking orbit, and transition to an intermediate orbit, a transfer orbit, and finally to a super-synchronous transfer orbit, the SES-6 commercial communications satellite was finally released.
ILS Proton Launches SES-6
The SES-6 commercial communications satellite was successfully launched at 0918 GMT on 3 June 2013 by a Russian-built Proton M/Breeze M from the Baikonur space centre, near Tyuaratam, Kazakhstan. The satellite is not planned to be separated from the Breeze M (Briz M) upper stage until 0049 GMT on 4 June.
SLS design may ditch J-2X upper stage engine for four RL-10 engines
As NASA’s SLS Heavy Lift launch Vehicle (HLV) heads for its Preliminary Design Review (PDR), NASA engineers are reported to be considering changing the engines used for the upper stage of the vehicle.
Pool game shot could save Earth one day
The “close pass” of Earth (well actually it was 5.8 million km away) on at 2159GMT on 31 May by an asteroid 1998 QE 2 which even had its own moon, continues to make some fret that one day an asteroid or comet fragment may have Earth in the middle of its flghtpath. As such, according to RIA Nnvosti, Russian scientists (as Chinese scientists have done previously) are now seriously suggesting using rocket power to fire one asteroid against another asteroid in order to deflect it. Maybe the inspiration for the idea came from an episode of the BBC TV Red Dwarf comedy science fiction television sereis. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Hole_(Red_Dwarf)
An ex-NASA astronaut and a former test pilot joint Virgin Galactic’s pilot Corps
Virgin Galactic has hired two new pilots for its SpaceShipTwo flights. Frederick “CJ” Sturckow is a former US Marine Corps fighter jet pilot and an ex-NASA astronaut who flew four times on the Space Shuttle commanding two of the missions. Michael “Sooch” Masucci is a retired U.S. Air Force (USAF) fast jet and U-2 test pilot who joins Virgin Galactic from the private airline XOJET Inc where he flew Citation X aircraft.
Robotic Refuelling Mission (RRM) tests ended
While the economic benefits of refuelling in orbit have been questioned, progress has at least been made in testing out the concept. On 10 May, the Canadian Dextre Robot and the International Space Station’s Canadarm 2 were stood down after completing their experiemnts into satellite refuelling/serviciing techniques as part of the Robotic Refuelling Mission (RRM).
NASA awards contract to modify Ares V mobile launcher for SLS
The Mobile Launcher (ML) which had been built provide services to the planned Ares V launch vehicle of Project Constellation will not go to waste despite the cancellation of that programme. It will now be used to carry the heavy lift SLS (Space Launch System) to its launch pad (39B) at the Kennedy Sapce Center.
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