SIRIUS XM ANNOUNCES SIRIUS FM-5 SATELLITE HAS BEEN PLACED INTO SERVICE - SIRIUS XM Radio announced today that SIRIUS FM-5, the newest addition to the SIRIUS XM satellite fleet, was recently placed into service on the SIRIUS network. The new satellite, which was manufactured by Space Systems/Loral, provides improved signal penetration and reception to millions of SIRIUS subscribers nationwide. More (Source: Reuters - Sep 9)
UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE ATLAS V SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES PAN SATELLITE - A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, on behalf of the Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, successfully launched the PAN satellite at 5:35 p.m. EDT, today from Space Launch Complex- 41 as a commercial launch service. This launch marks the 10th overall mission for ULA in 2009 and the third Atlas V mission of the year. More (Source: Reuters - Sep 9)
DISCOVERY UNDOCKS - Pilot Kevin Ford undocked Space shuttle Discovery from the International Space Station at 3:26 p.m. EDT while the two spacecraft flew 223 miles above western China, near the Mongolian border. After backing Discovery away to a distance of 400 feet, Ford will perform a fly-around at 3:55 p.m. The 3/4 -lap around the station will enable the shuttle crew to survey and photograph the complex. Discovery will perform a maneuver to separate from the station at 5:09 p.m. More (Source: NASA - Sep 8)
SPACE CREWS SAY GOODBYE, SHUTTLE DEPARTING TUESDAY - The farewell hugs and handshakes are over. Now all that's left for the crews of the space shuttle and space station is the release of the docking latches. Discovery will pull away from the international space station Tuesday afternoon, ending a resupply visit that spanned just over a week. The shuttle will bring home seven astronauts and a Buzz Lightyear doll that was launched last year. The hatches between the spacecraft were closed late Monday. More (Source: The Associated Press - Sep 8)
EUTELSAT STATEMENT ON LAUNCH OF W7 SATELLITE - Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) announces that it has signed a contract with International Launch Services (ILS) for the launch in mid-November 2009 of the W7 satellite on an ILS Proton. Built by Thales Alenia Space, the satellite will now undergo final preparation for delivery to the Baikonour Cosmodrome. More (Source: Reuters - Sep 8)
NASA TRACKS CHINESE SATELLITE DEBRIS HEADED NEAR SPACE STATION - NASA is tracking a piece of leftover space junk from a 2007 Chinese anti-satellite test that is expected to fly near the International Space Station twice on Wednesday, a day after the shuttle Discovery leaves the orbiting lab. The satellite debris is expected to come within 31 miles (50 km) of the space station at about 4:30 a.m. EDT (0830 GMT) Wednesday morning, then zip around again two hours later to pass within 15 miles (25 km), NASA officials said. More (Source: Space.com - Sep 8)
JAPAN'S FIRST SPACE CARGO SHIP READY TO FLY - Japan's first unmanned spacecraft to haul cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) is nearly ready for its maiden launch next week. The new cargo ship is poised to launch toward the station on Sept. 10 at 1:01 p.m. EDT (1701 GMT) from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan on a shakedown cruise. If all goes well, the inaugural spacecraft, called the H-2 Transfer Vehicle 1 (HTV-1), should arrive at the station on Sept. 17. More (Source: Space.com - Sep 6)
ASTRONAUTS MAKE FINAL SPACEWALK - Astronauts from the US space shuttle Discovery have made their third and final spacewalk, installing equipment on the International Space Station. However, Nasa officials said one job had to be left undone after cables failed to connect. Nasa flight director Heather Rarick said repairs to the connector would be attempted on a future mission, possibly Atlantis's flight in November. More (Source: BBC News - Sep 6)
NASA ANALYZING JUNK THAT COULD THREATEN ASTRONAUTS - NASA is keeping tabs on a piece of space junk that could threaten the shuttle-station complex and its 13 astronauts. Mission Control said Wednesday there is a chance, however unlikely, that part of an old rocket could come too close or even hit the linked space shuttle and space station if their path is not altered. Right now, the debris is expected to pass within seven miles of the outpost on Friday. More (Source: The Associated Press - Sep 3)
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