SSI News
Three satellite problem: solar array explosion-during-launch mystery finally solved
An obscure mechanism which caused three Space Systems/Loral-manufactured satellites, Telstar 14, Telstar 14R and Intelsat 19 to have solar array failures during their launches/deployments has finally been discovered. In an interview conducted in the space newspaper Space News (7 January 2013), John Celli, President of the US spacecraft manufacturer Space Systems/Loral, revealed that the eight-year-old mystery into why three satellites had major solar array failures had been solved by an independent investigation team. It found that it was inadvertent solar array pressurisation and exposive decompression that was the underlying cause.
NASA displays “solar quilt” collage of Sun taken at different wavelengths
NASA has released a collage image of the Sun looking very much like “a quilt made by your Auntie Joanie” which has been created from solar images taken at different wavelengths by the Solar Dynamics Observatory. The images taken at different wavelengths are used to analyse the Sun and its atmosphere. For example, while the Sun’s yellow light (wavelength of 5800 Angstroms) which humans can see, emanates from material of 5700 degrees C on the surface of the sun, extreme ultraviolet light of wavelength 94 Angstroms, comes from atoms of 6,300,000 degrees C and is a good wavelength for looking at solar flares, which can reach such high temperatures.
Proton launches from Baikonur limited to 12 flights for 2013
The website of the Voice of Russia radio station has reported that authorities in Kazakhstan plan to limit the number of Proton launches from the Baikonur launch site (near Tyuratam) in Kazakhstan to just 12 launch attempts. While this is more than the 11 Proton flight attempts managed during 2012, this lower than expected number was because the Proton schedule was slowed by flight suspensions after upper stage failures in August and December.
Asteroid mining: Deep Space Industries is the latest entrant in race
Deep Space Industries has announced plans to use robot spacecraft to mine asteroids for precious metals and other minerals. It joins Planetary Resources announced plans in 2012 to “mine” asteroids to return precious metals back to Earth or lunar orbit. However Deep Space Industries is planning a different business model. Instead of sending raw materials directly back to Earth, it plans to use the materials to eventually manufacture components in space which would be sent to construct spacecraft and space stations in space or even to supply components to remote outposts on Earth.
Astrium/Thales Alenia consortium finally gets construction contract for Badr 7(Arabsat 6B)
The pan-Arabic satelite operator Arabsat has finally awarded its construction to in-orbit delivery contract for its Badr-7 (Arabsat 6B) satellite to a consortium of Astrium and Thales Alenia Space. The organisation had originallly selected these two firms to build this satellite in February 2009.
Dr. David Parker is new head of UK Space Agency
As Canada loses its space agency head, the UK Space Agency gets a new one.Dr. David Parker has been appointed as the next Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency. He has been acting Chief Executive of the agency since December 2012, and will take up the role with immediate effect.
Kepler spacecraft suspends science operations to rest reaction wheel
Following the failure of Reaction Wheel No 2 (out of four available) in July 2012, NASA’s Kepler “planet finder” spacecraft has been suspended from normal operations after another reaction wheel began showing signs of increased friction during January 2013. As a precaution, NASA has now decided to put the Kepler spacecraft into a 10 day safe mode, resting the remaing reaction wheels and relying on thrusters for control. All observations were suspended during this period. Three working reaction wheels are needed for scientific operations.
Moon-faced Mona Lisa is beamed towards lunar orbit
While she is famous for her Moon-face and her inscrutable smile, Leanardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa has now travelled 240,000 miles to the Moon itself, or rather to lunar orbit at the speed of light via a laser.
Comsat confidence remains as Amazonas and Orbcomm projects get loans
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) has authorised an $87.1 million guarantee of a loan extended by Crédit Agricole and other European lenders to a subsidiary of the Spanish satellite operator, Hispasat for the manufacture of the communications satellite Amazonas 4A. The satellite is to be constructed by the US spacecraft manufacturer Orbital Sciences Corporation and will carry 24 Ku-band transponders. The satellite is expected to be launched in 2014 and will be located over Brazil to provide direct-to-home high-definition television broadcasts to the Americas region.
Did the Rockot’s Briz-KM upper stage fail to complete its mission?
According to the page describing a typical mission on Eurockot's website, step 5 states that after the last spacecraft has separated the upper stage conducts a "final ignition of the main engine to reduce the orbit velocity and hence perigee for a rapid decay to...
Stay Informed with Seradata
Stay informed on the latest news, insights, and more from Seradata by signing up for our newsletter.