Government/Military

[Via Satellite 04-03-2014] The third Lockheed Martin-produced Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite has started transmitting via its protected communications payload. Along with two other satellites undergoing the system test in orbit, this satellite is a part of a United States Air Force program. Launched in September 2013, the AEHF 3 began transmitting in January....

[Via Satellite 04-02-2014] The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced that its Thales Alenia Space-built Sentinel 1A satellite is ready to be launched. This satellite is the first in the Copernicus program, Europe’s Earth observation program coordinated by the European Commission and ESA. The program is expected to give the region independence in the acquisition...

[Via Satellite 04-02-2014] Euroconsult’s recent research report “Profiles of Government Space Programs,” has revealed a decline in global budgets for space programs, decreasing from $72.9 billion in 2012 to $72.1 billion in 2013. This is the first time that public space programs worldwide have entered a downward trend since 1995, and is a result of...

[Via Satellite 04-02-2014] The United States Air Force has scheduled the launch of the 19th Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman built Defense Meteorological Satellite for April 3. A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 launch vehicle will carry the satellite from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The satellite, as a part of the Defense...

[Via Satellite 03-28-2014] Airbus Defence and Space has signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to be the prime contractor for the development and construction of the high-precision Sentinel 5 instrument. The instrument, worth approximately $200 million, will monitor the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere on a daily basis by measuring trace gases...

[Via Satellite 03-27-2014] The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has announced the launch of its second satellite, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System 1B (IRNSS 1B) to take place on April 4. The satellite will be launched aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from Satish Dhawan Space Center (SDSC) SHAR at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh....

[Via Satellite 03-26-2014] NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) have released the first images captured by the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory, an Earth-observing satellite launched Feb. 27. The images show precipitation from a March 10 cyclone in northwest Pacific Ocean near Japan. The data was collected with JAXA’s dual-frequency precipitation radar...

[Via Satellite 03-25-2014] Russia’s Glonass M satellite has successfully separated from the upper stage “Fregat” and is now in orbit. The satellite carries 54 set accessories as well as a high-heat setting module for testing before installation on the next generation Global Navigation Satellite System spacecraft. This additional module is expected to improve the navigational...

[Via Satellite 03-24-2014] Lockheed Martin has awarded General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems a $26 million contract to support the U.S. Air Force Global Positioning System (GPS) 3 Network Communications Element (NCE). These next-generation GPS 3 satellites are expected to improve position, navigation and timing services and also provide advanced anti-jam capabilities with improved system security,...

[Via Satellite 03-21-2014] A Lockheed Martin-built Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) is now encapsulated into its payload fairing in preparation for its April 3 launch aboard an Atlas 5 rocket at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The satellite will enable military forecasters to find, track and forecast weather systems around the globe, especially in remote...