Courtesy of AGI's Launch Notification e-mails. AGI's E-mails are sent after every launch and include key spacecraft information such as: the date, time, launch site, launcher, international number, name, and owner. Get more information on thousands of satellites and other vehicles by viewing STK models, animations, and our encyclopedic "Spacecraft Digest" database at www.agi.com/scdigest.
New Launch: 2010 December 8, 1543 UTC
Site: Air Force Eastern Test Range, Florida, USA
Launcher: Falcon 9
International Designator(s): 2010-066A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J
SSC Name Owner
37244 DRAGON C1 US
37245 QBX2 US
37246 SMDC ONE US
37247 PERSEUS 003 US
37248 PERSEUS 001 US
37249 QBX1 US
37250 PERSEUS 002 US
37251 PERSEUS 000 US
37252 MAYFLOWER US
"A private rocket company launched an unmanned spacecraft and returned it safely to earth on Wednesday in a test flight to demonstrate future ferry flights to the International Space Station.
"Space Exploration Technologies or Space X is a private company founded by PayPal founder Elon Musk. The company has developed their Falcon 9 rocket in support of lofting an unmanned cargo craft to the space station in 2011, and attempt human space flights over the next decade."
"The 180-foot [55-m] tall Falcon 9 launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida with an active Dragon C1 craft at 10:43 am EST, following a brief delay due to a technical issue.
"The white candle stick darted straight up and then out over the central Atlantic Ocean on a chilly, beautiful morning along the Space Coast.
"The Falcon 9 later delivered the Dragon module into an orbital inclination of 34.53 degrees, and an altitude of about 140 miles [225 km].
"The active cargo craft performed two orbits of earth testing on board systems and performing several firings of its eighteen cone-shaped thrusters.
"The Dragon, loaded with patches, ID badges and not much else from the company's hundreds of employees, completed two orbits of the earth before being maneuvered for it's return to earth.
"The craft made an on target splashdown at 2:04 pm about 500 miles [800 km] east of the Mexican coastline, SpaceX announced."
"The ten-foot [3-m] high capsule worked solely on lithium ion batteries on this brief flight. Future flights lasting several weeks will use dual solar arrays to generate power.
"SpaceX is working toward launching a fully loaded supply craft to the space station as early as next November as NASA prepares to retire the space shuttle program. The Falcon 9 is rated to carry as much as 23,050 pounds [10,455 kg] to the space station.
Musk said on Wednesday he feels confident that his company can launch an empty craft to the station, fly it around and return it back home. The first docking flight with the complex is scheduled for around November."
[Note: This report was updated to reflect the identification of eight previously unreported objects associated with this launch: QBX1 & 2, SMDC ONE, PERSEUS 000-003, and MAYFLOWER.]
Source: Atlanta NASA Examiner, "Private spacecraft launches, successfully returns to earth"
Showing posts with label Spacecraft Launch Notification. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spacecraft Launch Notification. Show all posts
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Launch Notification: Beidou IGSO 2
Courtesy of AGI's Launch Notification e-mails. AGI's E-mails are sent after every launch and include key spacecraft information such as: the date, time, launch site, launcher, international number, name, and owner. Get more information on thousands of satellites and other vehicles by viewing STK models, animations, and our encyclopedic "Spacecraft Digest" database at www.agi.com/scdigest.
New Launch: 2010 December 17, 2020 UTC
Site: Xichang Launch Facility, PRC
Launcher: Long March 3A (Chang Zheng 3A)
International Designator(s): 2010-068A
SSC Name Owner
37256 BEIDOU IGSO 2 PRC
"Another Chinese Beidou navigation satellite soared into space Friday, the fifth craft to join the country's fleet of positioning satellites in 2010.
"The successful launch also marked the 15th time this year a Chinese rocket has reached orbit, extending the country's record number of space missions in a single year. China has not announced any more satellite launches before the end of 2010.
"A Long March 3A rocket blasted off at 2020 GMT (3:20 p.m. EST) from the Xichang launching center in southwestern China's Sichuan province, according to the Xinhua news agency.
"Liftoff was at 12:20 a.m. Beijing time Saturday.
"The 172-foot-tall [52-m-tall] rocket was supposed to haul the Beidou navigation payload to a temporary orbit stretching from 100 miles [160 km] to more than 22,000 miles [35,400 km] above Earth. The three-stage booster was targeting an orbital inclination angle of 55 degrees.
"The rocket's launch was successful, according to the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.
"The spacecraft will fire an on-board engine to raise its altitude to about 22,300 miles [35,900 km]. The high-inclination orbit will put the satellite in range of users in polar regions.
"It is the seventh operational Beidou satellite launched since 2007. Five Beidou craft have been sent into orbit this year.
"Four spacecraft are in geosynchronous orbit over the equator, one satellite circles about 13,000 [miles or 21,000 km] above the planet, and two craft are in high-inclination orbits, including the Beidou launched Friday.
"The Beidou, or Compass, network should be ready to provide positioning and navigation services for China and neighboring countries by 2012. Global service should be available from up to 35 Beidou satellites by 2020, according to Chinese officials.
"The Beidou fleet will provide Chinese military and citizens an indigenous source of precise navigation information. The country currently relies on the U.S. Air Force's Global Positioning System.
"The constellation is China's counterpart to the U.S. GPS system, Russia's Glonass navigation satellites and the Galileo network being developed by Europe.
"China says Beidou services will be available at no charge to civilians with positioning accuracy of about 10 meters, or 33 feet. More precise navigation data will be given to Chinese government and military users."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "Chinese rocket sends navigation satellite to space"
New Launch: 2010 December 17, 2020 UTC
Site: Xichang Launch Facility, PRC
Launcher: Long March 3A (Chang Zheng 3A)
International Designator(s): 2010-068A
SSC Name Owner
37256 BEIDOU IGSO 2 PRC
"Another Chinese Beidou navigation satellite soared into space Friday, the fifth craft to join the country's fleet of positioning satellites in 2010.
"The successful launch also marked the 15th time this year a Chinese rocket has reached orbit, extending the country's record number of space missions in a single year. China has not announced any more satellite launches before the end of 2010.
"A Long March 3A rocket blasted off at 2020 GMT (3:20 p.m. EST) from the Xichang launching center in southwestern China's Sichuan province, according to the Xinhua news agency.
"Liftoff was at 12:20 a.m. Beijing time Saturday.
"The 172-foot-tall [52-m-tall] rocket was supposed to haul the Beidou navigation payload to a temporary orbit stretching from 100 miles [160 km] to more than 22,000 miles [35,400 km] above Earth. The three-stage booster was targeting an orbital inclination angle of 55 degrees.
"The rocket's launch was successful, according to the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.
"The spacecraft will fire an on-board engine to raise its altitude to about 22,300 miles [35,900 km]. The high-inclination orbit will put the satellite in range of users in polar regions.
"It is the seventh operational Beidou satellite launched since 2007. Five Beidou craft have been sent into orbit this year.
"Four spacecraft are in geosynchronous orbit over the equator, one satellite circles about 13,000 [miles or 21,000 km] above the planet, and two craft are in high-inclination orbits, including the Beidou launched Friday.
"The Beidou, or Compass, network should be ready to provide positioning and navigation services for China and neighboring countries by 2012. Global service should be available from up to 35 Beidou satellites by 2020, according to Chinese officials.
"The Beidou fleet will provide Chinese military and citizens an indigenous source of precise navigation information. The country currently relies on the U.S. Air Force's Global Positioning System.
"The constellation is China's counterpart to the U.S. GPS system, Russia's Glonass navigation satellites and the Galileo network being developed by Europe.
"China says Beidou services will be available at no charge to civilians with positioning accuracy of about 10 meters, or 33 feet. More precise navigation data will be given to Chinese government and military users."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "Chinese rocket sends navigation satellite to space"
Monday, December 20, 2010
Launch Notification: Soyuz-TMA 20
Courtesy of AGI's Launch Notification e-mails. AGI's E-mails are sent after every launch and include key spacecraft information such as: the date, time, launch site, launcher, international number, name, and owner. Get more information on thousands of satellites and other vehicles by viewing STK models, animations, and our encyclopedic "Spacecraft Digest" database at www.agi.com/scdigest.
New Launch: 2010 December 15, 1909 UTC
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Soyuz-U
International Designator(s): 2010-067A
SSC Name Owner
37254 SOYUZ-TMA 20 CIS
"A Russian Soyuz rocket carrying three crew members bound for the International Space Station blasted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Wednesday, kicking off a two-day flight to catch up and dock with the orbital lab complex.
"With Russian commander Dmitry "Dima" Kondratyev at the controls, the booster's first-stage engines roared to life on time and the rocket lifted off at 2:09:25 p.m. EST (1:09 am. Thursday local time), quickly climbing away from the same pad used by Yuri Gagarin at the dawn of the space age 50 years ago next April.
"Live television shots from inside the cabin showed Kondratyev in the capsule's center seat, flanked by Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli on his left and NASA astronaut Catherine "Cady" Coleman on his right. All three appeared relaxed and in good spirits as the rocket streaked toward space.
'Nine-and-a-half minutes later, the Soyuz TMA-20 capsule separated from the rocket's third stage and slipped into its planned preliminary orbit. Solar arrays and antennas deployed a few moments later and Russian flight controllers said the spacecraft was healthy and on course for a docking with the International Space Station around 3:12 p.m. Friday."
"If all goes well, Kondratyev will oversee an automated docking with the space station's Rassvet mini-research module Friday afternoon. Waiting to welcome them aboard will be Expedition 26 commander Scott Kelly, Alexander Kaleri and Oleg Skripochka, who were launched to the station Oct. 7."
"The six-member Expedition 26 crew faces a busy timeline that includes research, normal maintenance, two Russian-segment spacewalks and work to unload a variety of supply ships. A Japanese HTV cargo craft is scheduled to arrive in late January, followed by a Russian Progress supply ship, the shuttle Discovery in early February and a European Automated Transfer Vehicle, or ATV, at the end of the month that will deliver another load of supplies and equipment.
"The shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to show up in early April along with another Progress later that month."
"Along with the government-sponsored supply ships and crew rotation flights, Coleman, Nespoli and Kondratyev also may get a chance to oversee the first visit by a commercial cargo craft, the Dragon capsule developed by SpaceX. The company carried out a successful test flight earlier this month and is pushing to combine the next two test flights into a single mission that would deliver supplies to the station next spring or summer."
"Kelly, Kaleri and Skripochka are scheduled to return to Earth in the Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft on March 16, leaving Kondratyev, Coleman and Nespoli behind as the core members of the Expedition 27 crew. They will be joined on April 1 by Alexander Samokutyaev, Andrei Borisenko and Ronald Garan, scheduled for launch March 30 aboard the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "Crew from three nations launches aboard Soyuz"
New Launch: 2010 December 15, 1909 UTC
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Soyuz-U
International Designator(s): 2010-067A
SSC Name Owner
37254 SOYUZ-TMA 20 CIS
"A Russian Soyuz rocket carrying three crew members bound for the International Space Station blasted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Wednesday, kicking off a two-day flight to catch up and dock with the orbital lab complex.
"With Russian commander Dmitry "Dima" Kondratyev at the controls, the booster's first-stage engines roared to life on time and the rocket lifted off at 2:09:25 p.m. EST (1:09 am. Thursday local time), quickly climbing away from the same pad used by Yuri Gagarin at the dawn of the space age 50 years ago next April.
"Live television shots from inside the cabin showed Kondratyev in the capsule's center seat, flanked by Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli on his left and NASA astronaut Catherine "Cady" Coleman on his right. All three appeared relaxed and in good spirits as the rocket streaked toward space.
'Nine-and-a-half minutes later, the Soyuz TMA-20 capsule separated from the rocket's third stage and slipped into its planned preliminary orbit. Solar arrays and antennas deployed a few moments later and Russian flight controllers said the spacecraft was healthy and on course for a docking with the International Space Station around 3:12 p.m. Friday."
"If all goes well, Kondratyev will oversee an automated docking with the space station's Rassvet mini-research module Friday afternoon. Waiting to welcome them aboard will be Expedition 26 commander Scott Kelly, Alexander Kaleri and Oleg Skripochka, who were launched to the station Oct. 7."
"The six-member Expedition 26 crew faces a busy timeline that includes research, normal maintenance, two Russian-segment spacewalks and work to unload a variety of supply ships. A Japanese HTV cargo craft is scheduled to arrive in late January, followed by a Russian Progress supply ship, the shuttle Discovery in early February and a European Automated Transfer Vehicle, or ATV, at the end of the month that will deliver another load of supplies and equipment.
"The shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to show up in early April along with another Progress later that month."
"Along with the government-sponsored supply ships and crew rotation flights, Coleman, Nespoli and Kondratyev also may get a chance to oversee the first visit by a commercial cargo craft, the Dragon capsule developed by SpaceX. The company carried out a successful test flight earlier this month and is pushing to combine the next two test flights into a single mission that would deliver supplies to the station next spring or summer."
"Kelly, Kaleri and Skripochka are scheduled to return to Earth in the Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft on March 16, leaving Kondratyev, Coleman and Nespoli behind as the core members of the Expedition 27 crew. They will be joined on April 1 by Alexander Samokutyaev, Andrei Borisenko and Ronald Garan, scheduled for launch March 30 aboard the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "Crew from three nations launches aboard Soyuz"
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Launch Notification: Strela 3, Cosmos 2467 and 2468
Courtesy of AGI's Launch Notification e-mails. AGI's E-mails are sent after every launch and include key spacecraft information such as: the date, time, launch site, launcher, international number, name, and owner. Get more information on thousands of satellites and other vehicles by viewing STK models, animations, and our encyclopedic "Spacecraft Digest" database at www.agi.com/scdigest.
New Launch: 2010 September 8, 0330 UTC
Site: Plesetsk Missile and Space Complex, Russia
Launcher: Rockot
International Designator(s): 2010-043A, 2010-043B, 2010-043C
SSC Name Owner
37152 COSMOS 2467 CIS
37153 STRELA 3 CIS
37154 COSMOS 2468 CIS
"Three small communications satellite blasted off Wednesday from northern Russia into low Earth orbit on a converted ballistic missile.
"The 95-foot-tall [29-m-tall] Rockot launcher lifted off at 0330 GMT Wednesday (11:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday) from Complex 133 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome about 500 miles north of Moscow.
"Made of retired missile parts, the Rockot's two core stages finished their work a few minutes after launch. A Breeze KM upper stage later injected the payloads in the planned orbit, according to Khrunichev, the launch vehicle's prime contractor.
"Spacecraft separation was scheduled for 0514 GMT (1:14 a.m. EDT), according to the Novosti news agency.
"It was the 14th flight of the space-rated Rockot vehicle, which also launches international commercial and research satellites.
"The rocket was carrying three satellites for the Russian government, including the second civilian Gonets M communications spacecraft designed to store and relay personal messages.
"Gonets satellites are built by Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev Co.
"The 617-pound [280-kg] satellite was joined by two Russian military payloads. Russia did not disclose the identity of the other payloads, but they are likely Strela communications satellites, military variants of the Gonets system."
[Note: This launch notification was delayed awaiting official identification by USSTRATCOM.]
Source: Spaceflight Now, "Rockot hauls three Russian satellites into space"
New Launch: 2010 September 8, 0330 UTC
Site: Plesetsk Missile and Space Complex, Russia
Launcher: Rockot
International Designator(s): 2010-043A, 2010-043B, 2010-043C
SSC Name Owner
37152 COSMOS 2467 CIS
37153 STRELA 3 CIS
37154 COSMOS 2468 CIS
"Three small communications satellite blasted off Wednesday from northern Russia into low Earth orbit on a converted ballistic missile.
"The 95-foot-tall [29-m-tall] Rockot launcher lifted off at 0330 GMT Wednesday (11:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday) from Complex 133 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome about 500 miles north of Moscow.
"Made of retired missile parts, the Rockot's two core stages finished their work a few minutes after launch. A Breeze KM upper stage later injected the payloads in the planned orbit, according to Khrunichev, the launch vehicle's prime contractor.
"Spacecraft separation was scheduled for 0514 GMT (1:14 a.m. EDT), according to the Novosti news agency.
"It was the 14th flight of the space-rated Rockot vehicle, which also launches international commercial and research satellites.
"The rocket was carrying three satellites for the Russian government, including the second civilian Gonets M communications spacecraft designed to store and relay personal messages.
"Gonets satellites are built by Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev Co.
"The 617-pound [280-kg] satellite was joined by two Russian military payloads. Russia did not disclose the identity of the other payloads, but they are likely Strela communications satellites, military variants of the Gonets system."
[Note: This launch notification was delayed awaiting official identification by USSTRATCOM.]
Source: Spaceflight Now, "Rockot hauls three Russian satellites into space"
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Launch Notification: COSMO-SKYMED 4
Courtesy of AGI's Launch Notification e-mails. AGI's E-mails are sent after every launch and include key spacecraft information such as: the date, time, launch site, launcher, international number, name, and owner. Get more information on thousands of satellites and other vehicles by viewing STK models, animations, and our encyclopedic "Spacecraft Digest" database at www.agi.com/scdigest.
New Launch: 2010 November 6, 0220 UTC
Site: Air Force Western Test Range, California, USA
Launcher: Delta II
International Designator(s): 2010-060A
SSC Name Owner
37216 COSMO-SKYMED 4 IT
"There was a sentimental blastoff from California on Friday night as the venerable Delta 2 made its one-and-only flight of the year, chalking up a major milestone for the rocket family's lasting legacy while also finishing deployment of Italy's radar satellite quartet that images the world for peace and security.
"Launching at 7:20 p.m. from Vandenberg Air Force Base, the space booster that has defined dependability for two decades successfully shot the COSMO-SkyMed 4 craft into orbit."
"The purpose of Friday's launch was hauling the COSMO-SkyMed 4 satellite into its desired orbital perch, joining three sister-craft deployed by previous Delta 2 rockets in 2007 and 2008.
"It is Italy's home-grown Earth observing system, a constellation of radar satellites built for civil and military reconnaissance in a flagship program carrying a 1 billion euro price tag.
"Developed by Thales Alenia Space Italia for the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defence, the COSMO-SkyMed system is the country's largest space project.
"Each satellite is equipped with an X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar instrument for environmental monitoring, resource management and territorial security surveillance. They are capable of seeing the ground in daylight or darkness, with clear skies or cloudy ones.
"The craft can produce 450 images per day and the picture-collecting time between civil and military uses is proportional to the financial contributions made during development of the system. The Italian Space Agency funded about 70 percent and the Ministry of Defence provided about 30 percent.
"Imagery released for civilian purposes have a resolution of 1 meter, meaning objects as small as that size can be seen. The military capability is even sharper, though its exact resolution is classified.
"The satellites have proved themselves beneficial to humanitarian organizations responding to natural disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes.
"The constellation of four satellites enables any specific region of the planet to be observed by COSMO-SkyMed every six hours. That allow authorities to assess and begin responding when a crisis strikes."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "350 launches and counting for family of Delta rockets"
New Launch: 2010 November 6, 0220 UTC
Site: Air Force Western Test Range, California, USA
Launcher: Delta II
International Designator(s): 2010-060A
SSC Name Owner
37216 COSMO-SKYMED 4 IT
"There was a sentimental blastoff from California on Friday night as the venerable Delta 2 made its one-and-only flight of the year, chalking up a major milestone for the rocket family's lasting legacy while also finishing deployment of Italy's radar satellite quartet that images the world for peace and security.
"Launching at 7:20 p.m. from Vandenberg Air Force Base, the space booster that has defined dependability for two decades successfully shot the COSMO-SkyMed 4 craft into orbit."
"The purpose of Friday's launch was hauling the COSMO-SkyMed 4 satellite into its desired orbital perch, joining three sister-craft deployed by previous Delta 2 rockets in 2007 and 2008.
"It is Italy's home-grown Earth observing system, a constellation of radar satellites built for civil and military reconnaissance in a flagship program carrying a 1 billion euro price tag.
"Developed by Thales Alenia Space Italia for the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defence, the COSMO-SkyMed system is the country's largest space project.
"Each satellite is equipped with an X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar instrument for environmental monitoring, resource management and territorial security surveillance. They are capable of seeing the ground in daylight or darkness, with clear skies or cloudy ones.
"The craft can produce 450 images per day and the picture-collecting time between civil and military uses is proportional to the financial contributions made during development of the system. The Italian Space Agency funded about 70 percent and the Ministry of Defence provided about 30 percent.
"Imagery released for civilian purposes have a resolution of 1 meter, meaning objects as small as that size can be seen. The military capability is even sharper, though its exact resolution is classified.
"The satellites have proved themselves beneficial to humanitarian organizations responding to natural disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes.
"The constellation of four satellites enables any specific region of the planet to be observed by COSMO-SkyMed every six hours. That allow authorities to assess and begin responding when a crisis strikes."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "350 launches and counting for family of Delta rockets"
Launch Notification: Fengyun 3B
Courtesy of AGI's Launch Notification e-mails. AGI's E-mails are sent after every launch and include key spacecraft information such as: the date, time, launch site, launcher, international number, name, and owner. Get more information on thousands of satellites and other vehicles by viewing STK models, animations, and our encyclopedic "Spacecraft Digest" database at www.agi.com/scdigest.
New Launch: 2010 November 4, 1837 UTC
Site: Taiyuan Space Center, PRC
Launcher: Long March 4C (Chang Zheng 4C)
International Designator(s): 2010-059A
SSC Name Owner
37214 FENGYUN 3B PRC
"China launched a new meteorological satellite early Friday morning, from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern China's Shanxi Province.
"A Long March-4C carrier rocket carried the satellite, the second of China's Fengyun-3 (FY-3) series, into space at 2:37 a.m. (Beijing Time).
"The satellite entered the sun-synchronous preset orbit 19 minutes later, according to data sent by the Xi'an Satellite Control Center in northwestern Shaanxi Province.
"After in-orbit testing, the launch center will hand over control of the satellite to the National Satellite Meteorological Center under the China Meteorological Administration.
"A statement of the launch center said the satellite was equipped with a dozen advanced detectors and was able to carry out a three-dimensional, all-weather, multi-spectrum quantitative detection to acquire data from the ground surface, the ocean and space.
"The satellite would form a network with the first FY-3 satellite, launched May 27, 2008, to improve China's meteorological observation and medium-range weather forecast capabilities, it said.
"The FY-3 series would continue to play an important role in monitoring natural disasters and environment, and researching environment and climate change and disaster prevention and reduction.
"Both the satellite and the rocket were developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology affiliated to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
"The launch was the 134th mission of China's Long March series of rockets since April 24, 1970, when a Long March-1 rocket successfully sent China's first satellite Dongfanghong-1 into the space.
"China will launch a total of 12 satellites of the FY-3 series and six of the FY-4 series by 2020."
Source: Xinhuanet, "China launches new weather satellite"
New Launch: 2010 November 4, 1837 UTC
Site: Taiyuan Space Center, PRC
Launcher: Long March 4C (Chang Zheng 4C)
International Designator(s): 2010-059A
SSC Name Owner
37214 FENGYUN 3B PRC
"China launched a new meteorological satellite early Friday morning, from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern China's Shanxi Province.
"A Long March-4C carrier rocket carried the satellite, the second of China's Fengyun-3 (FY-3) series, into space at 2:37 a.m. (Beijing Time).
"The satellite entered the sun-synchronous preset orbit 19 minutes later, according to data sent by the Xi'an Satellite Control Center in northwestern Shaanxi Province.
"After in-orbit testing, the launch center will hand over control of the satellite to the National Satellite Meteorological Center under the China Meteorological Administration.
"A statement of the launch center said the satellite was equipped with a dozen advanced detectors and was able to carry out a three-dimensional, all-weather, multi-spectrum quantitative detection to acquire data from the ground surface, the ocean and space.
"The satellite would form a network with the first FY-3 satellite, launched May 27, 2008, to improve China's meteorological observation and medium-range weather forecast capabilities, it said.
"The FY-3 series would continue to play an important role in monitoring natural disasters and environment, and researching environment and climate change and disaster prevention and reduction.
"Both the satellite and the rocket were developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology affiliated to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
"The launch was the 134th mission of China's Long March series of rockets since April 24, 1970, when a Long March-1 rocket successfully sent China's first satellite Dongfanghong-1 into the space.
"China will launch a total of 12 satellites of the FY-3 series and six of the FY-4 series by 2020."
Source: Xinhuanet, "China launches new weather satellite"
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Launch Notification: Beidou G4
Courtesy of AGI's Launch Notification e-mails. AGI's E-mails are sent after every launch and include key spacecraft information such as: the date, time, launch site, launcher, international number, name, and owner. Get more information on thousands of satellites and other vehicles by viewing STK models, animations, and our encyclopedic "Spacecraft Digest" database at www.agi.com/scdigest.
New Launch: 2010 October 31, 1626 UTC
Site: Xichang Launch Facility, PRC
Launcher: Long March 3C (Chang Zheng 3C)
International Designator(s): 2010-057A
SSC Name Owner
37210 BEIDOU G4 PRC
"China launched its sixth Beidou navigation satellite Sunday, reaching another step in a program to provide precise positioning services across the Asia-Pacific region by 2012.
"The satellite lifted off on a Long March 3C rocket at 1626 GMT (12:26 p.m. EDT) Sunday. It was just after midnight at the Xichang launch base in southwestern China's Sichuan province.
"The three-stage rocket, standing 180 feet [55 m] tall at liftoff, placed the Beidou payload on course toward geosynchronous orbit, according to the Chinese government.
"According to tracking data, the spacecraft is in a preliminary orbit stretching from a low point of 115 miles [185 km] to a high point of about 22,260 miles [35,820 km]. Its inclination angle is 20.5 degrees.
"The Beidou, or Compass, satellite will fire its own engine to reach a circular orbit 22,300 miles [35,900 km] above the equator. It is the sixth satellite launched in the first phase of the system's operational fleet.
"The craft launched Sunday is the fourth platform designed for geosynchronous orbit over the equator. One satellite is in a medium-altitude orbit more than 13,000 miles [20,900 km] high, and another spacecraft was injected in an inclined orbit to cover Earth's polar regions.
"Four Beidou satellites have been sent into space so far this year."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "China deploys another navigation satellite to orbit"
New Launch: 2010 October 31, 1626 UTC
Site: Xichang Launch Facility, PRC
Launcher: Long March 3C (Chang Zheng 3C)
International Designator(s): 2010-057A
SSC Name Owner
37210 BEIDOU G4 PRC
"China launched its sixth Beidou navigation satellite Sunday, reaching another step in a program to provide precise positioning services across the Asia-Pacific region by 2012.
"The satellite lifted off on a Long March 3C rocket at 1626 GMT (12:26 p.m. EDT) Sunday. It was just after midnight at the Xichang launch base in southwestern China's Sichuan province.
"The three-stage rocket, standing 180 feet [55 m] tall at liftoff, placed the Beidou payload on course toward geosynchronous orbit, according to the Chinese government.
"According to tracking data, the spacecraft is in a preliminary orbit stretching from a low point of 115 miles [185 km] to a high point of about 22,260 miles [35,820 km]. Its inclination angle is 20.5 degrees.
"The Beidou, or Compass, satellite will fire its own engine to reach a circular orbit 22,300 miles [35,900 km] above the equator. It is the sixth satellite launched in the first phase of the system's operational fleet.
"The craft launched Sunday is the fourth platform designed for geosynchronous orbit over the equator. One satellite is in a medium-altitude orbit more than 13,000 miles [20,900 km] high, and another spacecraft was injected in an inclined orbit to cover Earth's polar regions.
"Four Beidou satellites have been sent into space so far this year."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "China deploys another navigation satellite to orbit"
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
Launch Notification: Progress-M 08M
Courtesy of AGI's Launch Notification e-mails. AGI's E-mails are sent after every launch and include key spacecraft information such as: the date, time, launch site, launcher, international number, name, and owner. Get more information on thousands of satellites and other vehicles by viewing STK models, animations, and our encyclopedic "Spacecraft Digest" database at www.agi.com/scdigest.
New Launch: 2010 October 27, 1511 UTC
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Soyuz-U
International Designator(s): 2010-055A
SSC Name Owner
37196 PROGRESS-M 08M CIS
"Just a week before the shuttle Discovery arrives at the International Space Station for its construction mission, a Russian resupply ship has launched to deliver a load of equipment, fuel and provisions to the orbiting science laboratory.
"Liftoff of the cargo freighter atop a Soyuz booster from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan occurred today at 11:11 a.m. EDT (1511 GMT).
"The preliminary orbit was achieved after a nine-minute ascent provided by the three-stage rocket, and onboard commands were issued to unfurl the craft's communications and navigation antennas and extend two power-generating solar arrays that span 35 feet [11 m].
"A series of precise engine firings over the next three days will guide the Progress toward an automated rendezvous with the station. The docking is slated for Saturday at 12:39 p.m. EDT (1639 GMT).
"The 24-foot [7-m] long ship will attach itself to the open port on the Pirs compartment, which was vacated Monday when a previous Progress was jettisoned.
"Today's launch was known in the station's assembly matrix as Progress mission 40P. The spacecraft's formal Russian designation is Progress M-08M.
"The craft will bring two-and-a-half tons of supplies to the station. The "dry" cargo tucked aboard the Progress amounts to 2,804 pounds [1,272 kg] in the form of food, spare parts, life support gear and experiment hardware.
"The refueling module carries 1,918 pounds [870 kg] of propellant for transfer into the Russian segment of the complex to feed the station's maneuvering thrusters. The vessel also has 498 pounds [226 kg] of water and 110 pounds [50 kg] of oxygen.
"It'll remain attached to the station through mid-January."
Source: Spaceflght Now, "Cargo craft begins pursuit of International Space Station"
New Launch: 2010 October 27, 1511 UTC
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Soyuz-U
International Designator(s): 2010-055A
SSC Name Owner
37196 PROGRESS-M 08M CIS
"Just a week before the shuttle Discovery arrives at the International Space Station for its construction mission, a Russian resupply ship has launched to deliver a load of equipment, fuel and provisions to the orbiting science laboratory.
"Liftoff of the cargo freighter atop a Soyuz booster from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan occurred today at 11:11 a.m. EDT (1511 GMT).
"The preliminary orbit was achieved after a nine-minute ascent provided by the three-stage rocket, and onboard commands were issued to unfurl the craft's communications and navigation antennas and extend two power-generating solar arrays that span 35 feet [11 m].
"A series of precise engine firings over the next three days will guide the Progress toward an automated rendezvous with the station. The docking is slated for Saturday at 12:39 p.m. EDT (1639 GMT).
"The 24-foot [7-m] long ship will attach itself to the open port on the Pirs compartment, which was vacated Monday when a previous Progress was jettisoned.
"Today's launch was known in the station's assembly matrix as Progress mission 40P. The spacecraft's formal Russian designation is Progress M-08M.
"The craft will bring two-and-a-half tons of supplies to the station. The "dry" cargo tucked aboard the Progress amounts to 2,804 pounds [1,272 kg] in the form of food, spare parts, life support gear and experiment hardware.
"The refueling module carries 1,918 pounds [870 kg] of propellant for transfer into the Russian segment of the complex to feed the station's maneuvering thrusters. The vessel also has 498 pounds [226 kg] of water and 110 pounds [50 kg] of oxygen.
"It'll remain attached to the station through mid-January."
Source: Spaceflght Now, "Cargo craft begins pursuit of International Space Station"
Monday, November 01, 2010
Launch Notification: XM-5
Courtesy of AGI's Launch Notification e-mails. AGI's E-mails are sent after every launch and include key spacecraft information such as: the date, time, launch site, launcher, international number, name, and owner. Get more information on thousands of satellites and other vehicles by viewing STK models, animations, and our encyclopedic "Spacecraft Digest" database at www.agi.com/scdigest.
New Launch: 2010 October 14, 1853 UTC
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Proton-M
International Designator(s): 2010-053A
SSC Name Owner
37185 XM-5 US
"Sirius XM Radio's next broadcasting satellite rocketed away from Earth and into space Thursday, reaching a lofty perch high above Earth for a 15-year mission serving nearly 20 million subscribers in North America with music, news and variety programming.
"The company's ninth satellite lifted off at 1853 GMT (2:53 p.m. EDT) from Pad 24 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the first commercial Proton rocket launch from that complex in more than five years.
"The Proton lofted the Sirius XM 5 payload on a suborbital trajectory in less than 10 minutes, then a Breeze M upper stage fired as planned, according to International Launch Services, the Russian-owned, U.S.-based firm responsible for commercial Proton sales.
"The upper stage fired four more times overnight to raise its altitude and reduce its inclination, eventually arriving in an elliptical transfer orbit stretching more than 22,200 miles [35,700 km] from Earth at its furthest point.
"Deployment of Sirius XM 5 occurred at 0405 GMT (12:05 a.m. EDT) Wednesday, more than nine hours after liftoff."
"Sirius XM 5 will fire an on-board kick engine several times over the next few weeks to reach an orbit 22,300 miles [35,900 km] above the equator. Controllers will park the satellite at 80 degrees west longitude for a month of in-orbit testing, then the craft will drift to its long-term home at 85.2 degrees west longitude.
"The satellite will be an orbital spare for the XM 3 and XM 4 satellites currently transmitting operational radio signals, according to Lincoln Day, executive director at Space Systems/Loral, the satellite's prime contractor.
"Sirius XM 5 will join a fleet of spacecraft already beaming radio signals to receivers in cars, trucks, boats, aircraft, homes and mobile devices of more than 19.8 million subscribers."
"Two 29.5-foot-diameter [9-m-diameter] unfurlable mesh antennas will broadcast Sirius XM Radio's 135 audio channels. The antennas will be connected to an S-band downlink and X-band uplink communications payload.
"The satellite is designed to last for at least 15 years in space. Based on Loral's 1300 spacecraft bus, Sirius XM 5 will produce nearly 20 kilowatts of power at the end of its mission."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "Sirius XM Radio satellite launched by Russian rocket"
New Launch: 2010 October 14, 1853 UTC
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Proton-M
International Designator(s): 2010-053A
SSC Name Owner
37185 XM-5 US
"Sirius XM Radio's next broadcasting satellite rocketed away from Earth and into space Thursday, reaching a lofty perch high above Earth for a 15-year mission serving nearly 20 million subscribers in North America with music, news and variety programming.
"The company's ninth satellite lifted off at 1853 GMT (2:53 p.m. EDT) from Pad 24 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the first commercial Proton rocket launch from that complex in more than five years.
"The Proton lofted the Sirius XM 5 payload on a suborbital trajectory in less than 10 minutes, then a Breeze M upper stage fired as planned, according to International Launch Services, the Russian-owned, U.S.-based firm responsible for commercial Proton sales.
"The upper stage fired four more times overnight to raise its altitude and reduce its inclination, eventually arriving in an elliptical transfer orbit stretching more than 22,200 miles [35,700 km] from Earth at its furthest point.
"Deployment of Sirius XM 5 occurred at 0405 GMT (12:05 a.m. EDT) Wednesday, more than nine hours after liftoff."
"Sirius XM 5 will fire an on-board kick engine several times over the next few weeks to reach an orbit 22,300 miles [35,900 km] above the equator. Controllers will park the satellite at 80 degrees west longitude for a month of in-orbit testing, then the craft will drift to its long-term home at 85.2 degrees west longitude.
"The satellite will be an orbital spare for the XM 3 and XM 4 satellites currently transmitting operational radio signals, according to Lincoln Day, executive director at Space Systems/Loral, the satellite's prime contractor.
"Sirius XM 5 will join a fleet of spacecraft already beaming radio signals to receivers in cars, trucks, boats, aircraft, homes and mobile devices of more than 19.8 million subscribers."
"Two 29.5-foot-diameter [9-m-diameter] unfurlable mesh antennas will broadcast Sirius XM Radio's 135 audio channels. The antennas will be connected to an S-band downlink and X-band uplink communications payload.
"The satellite is designed to last for at least 15 years in space. Based on Loral's 1300 spacecraft bus, Sirius XM 5 will produce nearly 20 kilowatts of power at the end of its mission."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "Sirius XM Radio satellite launched by Russian rocket"
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Launch Notification: GLOBALSTAR M079, GLOBALSTAR M074, GLOBALSTAR M076, GLOBALSTAR M077, GLOBALSTAR M075, GLOBALSTAR M073
Courtesy of AGI's Launch Notification e-mails. AGI's E-mails are sent after every launch and include key spacecraft information such as: the date, time, launch site, launcher, international number, name, and owner. Get more information on thousands of satellites and other vehicles by viewing STK models, animations, and our encyclopedic "Spacecraft Digest" database at www.agi.com/scdigest.
New Launch: 2010 October 19, 1711 UTC
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Soyuz 2
International Designator(s): 2010-054A, 2010-054B, 2010-054C, 2010-054D, 2010-054E, 2010-054F
SSC Name Owner
37188 GLOBALSTAR M079 GLOB
37189 GLOBALSTAR M074 GLOB
37190 GLOBALSTAR M076 GLOB
37191 GLOBALSTAR M077 GLOB
37192 GLOBALSTAR M075 GLOB
37193 GLOBALSTAR M073 GLOB
"Globalstar's fleet of orbiting communications satellites received reinforcements Tuesday, when a commercial Soyuz rocket launched from Kazakhstan and deployed six advanced spacecraft to restore the company's diminished two-way voice and data services.
"Built by Thales Alenia Space, the satellites are also the cornerstone of a rejuvenated Globalstar constellation Three more Soyuz launches are planned through the summer of 2011, bringing the company's fleet of second-generation satellites to 24 platforms.
"Globalstar officials say the transition to the new satellite fleet will be seamless for the company's 400,000 subscribers, except for a marked improvement in mobile two-way communications service.
"S-band antenna degradation on Globalstar's existing satellites has limited voice and duplex data communications since 2007. The problem has not affected Globalstar's simplex data relay and asset tracking product, according to the company.
"Globalstar subscribers use the satellite network to make mobile phone calls and data transmissions, especially in rural zones where terrestrial coverage is spotty or non-existent.
"By the middle of 2011, Globalstar officials say customers can expect a return to reliable voice and data transmissions. Until then, subscribers can use an application on the company's website to plug in their location and determine what hours satellite coverage is available."
"A Soyuz rocket launched at 1710:59 GMT (1:10:59 p.m. EDT) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Soaring into a partly cloudy night sky, the Soyuz 2-1a booster and Fregat upper stage accelerated to orbital velocity a few minutes after liftoff.
"After coasting around the world for more than an hour, the Fregat upper stage ignited again to reach the planned separation orbit. The rocket was targeting a circular orbit 572 miles [921 km] high with an inclination of 52 degrees
"Mounted on a specially-built satellite dispenser during launch, the Globalstar spacecraft were released in a choreographed sequence to avoid collisions. Two satellites bolted to the top of the cone-shaped adapter separated first, then four craft on the lower portion of the structure deployed 96 seconds later.
"The satellites' first radio signals were received by ground stations moments after spacecraft separation, according to Jean-Yves Le Gall, chairman and CEO of Arianespace, which oversees commercial Soyuz launches through its Starsem subsidiary."
"In a phone interview from Baikonur on the eve of launch, Navarra said two of the satellites launched Tuesday will enter service in about one month. It will take up to four months for the other four craft to drift to their prescribed orbital locations."
"The new satellites weigh 1,543 pounds [700 kg] at launch and are supposed to operate for 15 years, extending Globalstar's constellation life through at least 2025
"When the Globalstar launch campaign ends next year, the company's fleet will include 24 second-generation spacecraft and eight leftover first-generation satellites built as spares and launched in 2007."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "Six improved Globalstar craft orbited by Soyuz rocket"
New Launch: 2010 October 19, 1711 UTC
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Soyuz 2
International Designator(s): 2010-054A, 2010-054B, 2010-054C, 2010-054D, 2010-054E, 2010-054F
SSC Name Owner
37188 GLOBALSTAR M079 GLOB
37189 GLOBALSTAR M074 GLOB
37190 GLOBALSTAR M076 GLOB
37191 GLOBALSTAR M077 GLOB
37192 GLOBALSTAR M075 GLOB
37193 GLOBALSTAR M073 GLOB
"Globalstar's fleet of orbiting communications satellites received reinforcements Tuesday, when a commercial Soyuz rocket launched from Kazakhstan and deployed six advanced spacecraft to restore the company's diminished two-way voice and data services.
"Built by Thales Alenia Space, the satellites are also the cornerstone of a rejuvenated Globalstar constellation Three more Soyuz launches are planned through the summer of 2011, bringing the company's fleet of second-generation satellites to 24 platforms.
"Globalstar officials say the transition to the new satellite fleet will be seamless for the company's 400,000 subscribers, except for a marked improvement in mobile two-way communications service.
"S-band antenna degradation on Globalstar's existing satellites has limited voice and duplex data communications since 2007. The problem has not affected Globalstar's simplex data relay and asset tracking product, according to the company.
"Globalstar subscribers use the satellite network to make mobile phone calls and data transmissions, especially in rural zones where terrestrial coverage is spotty or non-existent.
"By the middle of 2011, Globalstar officials say customers can expect a return to reliable voice and data transmissions. Until then, subscribers can use an application on the company's website to plug in their location and determine what hours satellite coverage is available."
"A Soyuz rocket launched at 1710:59 GMT (1:10:59 p.m. EDT) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Soaring into a partly cloudy night sky, the Soyuz 2-1a booster and Fregat upper stage accelerated to orbital velocity a few minutes after liftoff.
"After coasting around the world for more than an hour, the Fregat upper stage ignited again to reach the planned separation orbit. The rocket was targeting a circular orbit 572 miles [921 km] high with an inclination of 52 degrees
"Mounted on a specially-built satellite dispenser during launch, the Globalstar spacecraft were released in a choreographed sequence to avoid collisions. Two satellites bolted to the top of the cone-shaped adapter separated first, then four craft on the lower portion of the structure deployed 96 seconds later.
"The satellites' first radio signals were received by ground stations moments after spacecraft separation, according to Jean-Yves Le Gall, chairman and CEO of Arianespace, which oversees commercial Soyuz launches through its Starsem subsidiary."
"In a phone interview from Baikonur on the eve of launch, Navarra said two of the satellites launched Tuesday will enter service in about one month. It will take up to four months for the other four craft to drift to their prescribed orbital locations."
"The new satellites weigh 1,543 pounds [700 kg] at launch and are supposed to operate for 15 years, extending Globalstar's constellation life through at least 2025
"When the Globalstar launch campaign ends next year, the company's fleet will include 24 second-generation spacecraft and eight leftover first-generation satellites built as spares and launched in 2007."
Source: Spaceflight Now, "Six improved Globalstar craft orbited by Soyuz rocket"
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