US EXIM returns to the scene supporting SpaceX launch contract for Hispasat
Spanish GEO satellite operator Hispasat secured a launch contract with SpaceX on 21 June. The mission will utilise a Falcon 9 vehicle and is intended to launch in time for the new Amazonas Nexus satellite to replace the older Amazonas-2 retiring in 2024. The contract...
Following on from its crewed launch China orbits more mundane ocean surveillance trio
China successfully launched a Long March 2C (CZ-2C) vehicle carrying the YAOGAN 30-09A, B, and C and TIANQI 14 satellites from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China, at 0630 GMT on 18 June. The three YAOGAN satellites are assessed to be used for Ocean...
SpaceX launches GPS 3 satellite on a previously flown first-stage for the first time
The USA successfully launched the GPS III SV05 satellite on a Falcon 9 vehicle from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, USA, at 1609 GMT on 17 June. The GPS III SV05 satellite was deployed by the upper-stage at 1738 GMT. Initially left in an intermediate...
China launches space station crew
China launched its first crew to the Tianhe core module of the formative China Space Station (CSS) on 17 June 2021, marking an historic development for this relatively new spacefaring nation. The Shenzhou-12 spacecraft was launched to a 380 km low Earth orbit on a...
Work begins on fitting first iROSA solar panel to ISS but encounters issues (Updated)
Crew members of Expedition 65, ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet and NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough switched to internal battery power and opened the Quest Airlock hatch at 1211 GMT on 16 June. The planned six-and-a-half-hour mission was to fit the first of six new ISS...
AAC Clyde to build and operate two more CubeSats for Horizon Technologies
British company Horizon Technologies has returned to AAC Clyde Space - builder of its precursor satellite - for two further units. A new turn-key contract signed on 16 June orders two 6U-CubeSats from AAC Clyde for the Horizon Technologies, Amber Space RF-based...
NATO extends protection to space
A summit held in Brussels on 14 June 2021 has extended NATO’s overarching prerogative to the domain of space, which means that a space-based attack on one or more member nations is now considered an attack against them all. This focus was previously applied, by the 30...
Hungarian company proposes to buy Israeli AMOS Spacecom
A Hungarian telecommunications company and aspiring satellite operator, 4iG Plc, has proposed to buy 51 per cent of Israeli operator AMOS Spacecom. The deal is reportedly valued at US$65 million (Israeli New Shekel NIS215 million). This values AMOS shares 68 per cent...
Three NRO payloads launched by a Minotaur rocket
The USA successfully launched a Minotaur 1 vehicle for the US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) at 1335 GMT on 15 June from Wallops Island Flight Facility, Virginia, USA. The vehicle was carrying the NRO L-111A, NRO L-111B and NRO L-111C satellites which are owned...
New Shepard seat auctioned for US$28m
The final bids are in and Blue Origin has raised US$28 million for a seat on the first crewed flight of its New Shepard vehicle. The name of the winner has yet to be released, but they will join Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos and his younger brother, Mark, on the...
