Finance

[Via Satellite 03-25-2014] Approximately one month after beginning its search for a new prime contractor, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) selected Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to develop the agency’s new flagship launch vehicle. MHI is tasked with leading a consortium of companies from the private sector and will be responsible for development and launch...

[Via Satellite 03-24-2014] Arianespace has successfully launched SES’ Astra 5B and Hispasat’s Amazonas 4A aboard the Ariane 5 launch vehicle from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. This launch marks 59 consecutive successful launches of the Ariane 5. Built by Airbus Defence and Space Systems, the Astra 5 satellite will extend SES’ transponder capacity...

[Via Satellite 03-21-2014] Skybox Imaging’s decision to use Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) subsidiary ECAPS’ High Performance Green Propellant (HPGP) system on its new satellite fleet marks the first large-scale use of the environmentally friendly HPGP system. HPGP uses Ammonium DiNitrimide (ADN) instead of the corrosive and highly toxic hydrazine. “The full lifecycle cost of the...

[Via Satellite 03-20-2014] Arianepsace is preparing for the launch of SES’ Astra 5B satellite and Hispasat’s Amazonas 4A satellite aboard an Ariane 5 launcher on March 21. The launch was previously delayed twice in order to allow Hispasat to conduct additional checks to its payload. Astra 5B, the first of six telecommunications satellites SES plans...

[Via Satellite 03-14-2014] Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services (LMCLS), a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, has introduced a 100 percent space launch vehicle “refund or reflight” program to protect customers in the event of a total launch vehicle malfunction. The program will also provide partial refunds for partial malfunctions, and applies to all future LMCLS non-U.S....

[Via Satellite 03-07-2014] Spaceflight Inc. has appointed Curt Blake as its new president. Blake previously served as SVP and general council, and has led efforts to expand the company’s global network of launch service providers. He has also built relationships with key commercial-, civilian- and defense-related customers. Blake holds more than 25 years of executive...

[Via Satellite 03-05-2014] The United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense held an open session meeting with United Launch Alliance (ULA) President and CEO Michael Gass, and SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk. During the meeting both companies testified before Congress on the topic of introducing more competition into the Evolved Extended Launch Vehicle...

[Via Satellite 03-05-2014] Thales Alenia Space has delivered two complete Iridium high-fidelity satellite simulators and several low-fidelity simulators to SpaceX. The simulators have the same mechanical interface and mass properties of actual satellites, and will be used in a variety of launch tests to ensure structural integrity and functionality, vibration testing for durability, and deployment...

[Via Satellite 03-03-2014] The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is making its final preparations for the development of its new flagship launch vehicle from Japan Fiscal Year (JFY) 2014, and is seeking a prime contractor to conduct its development, manufacturing and launch services. The new vehicle is being designed with a goal of securing the...

[Via Satellite 02-27-2014] Sea Launch AG has announced that its president, Kjell Karlsen will resign on Feb. 28, 2014 to pursue other opportunities outside the space industry. The company’s senior executive team will carry out Karlsen’s responsibilities after his departure. Karlsen started with Sea Launch in 1999, and has been president since 2008. “I am...