VIETNAM'S FIRST SATELLITE SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED AFTER 13-YEAR PREPARATION - The 2.6-ton medium-sized satellite, Vinasat-1, was successfully launched to its geostationary orbit position using rocket Ariane-5in Kourou site in French Guiana at 5:16 a.m. Saturday (2016 GMT Friday). The satellite project was first approved by the Vietnamese government in 1995, with an aim to serve increasing local demand for better communication services with lower costs.    More
(Source: Xinhua - Apr 20)

THE JASON-2 SATELLITE (OSTM/JASON-2) - The Ocean Surface Topography Mission on the Jason-2 satellite (OSTM/Jason-2) will be a follow-on to the Jason mission. It is scheduled to launch in June of 2008. Science Objectives - Extend the time series of ocean surface topography measurements beyond TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P) and Jason to accomplish two decades of observations - Provide a minimum of 3 years measurement of global ocean surface topography - Determine the variability of ocean circulation at decadal time scales from combined data record with T/P and Jason   More
(Source: Technology News Daily - Apr 20)

DECISION TO LAUNCH ISRAELI SATELLITE CONSIDERED AT TOP - The decision to launch an Israeli satellite by India, which angered a section of polity, was considered at the highest level, Minister of State in PMO Prithviraj Chavan told the Lok Sabha today. He said Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of ISRO, treated the launch of the Israeli satellite as a purely commerical venture and added that india has also put in orbit an Italian satellite Agile.    More
(Source: Zee News - Apr 16)

DISCOVERY'S STS-124 MISSION TARGETED FOR LAUNCH MAY 31 - NASA is targeting May 31 as the launch date for space shuttle Discovery's STS-124 mission. The Japanese Pressurized Module will be the station's largest science laboratory, measuring 37 feet long and 14 feet in diameter, about the size of a large tour bus. The shuttle also will deliver the lab's robotic arm system that support operations outside of Kibo.   More
(Source: Southgate Amateur Radio Club - Apr 12)

NEXT GPS SATELLITE ARRIVES AT FLORIDA SPACEPORT FOR LAUNCH - The penultimate satellite in the current generation of Global Positioning System spacecraft was airborne this morning, jetting from its Lockheed Martin factory in Pennsylvania to the Florida launch site. Boxed in a protective shipping container, the GPS 2R-20 satellite was flown to Cape Canaveral on an Air Force C-17 transport aircraft to begin preparations for this summer's trip into space.    More
(Source: Spaceflight Now - Apr 4)

UNMANNED SHIP DOCKS AT SPACE STATION - A new European cargo ship flew up to the international space station and docked Thursday, successfully delivering food, water and clothes in its orbital debut. The unmanned cargo ship, called Jules Verne, was operated by flight controllers at a European Space Agency center in Toulouse, France.    More
(Source: CNN.com - Apr 3)

JULES VERNE DOES WELL IN SPACE DRESS REHEARSAL - Europe's automated space freighter, the Jules Verne, crept within 36 feet of the international space station Monday as part of a dress rehearsal for a docking between the two later this week. The six-hour test checked out the new freighter's satellite and laser guidance systems as well as the ability of the station's crew to stop the rendezvous and turn away the 44,000-pound vessel if it veers out of control during the linkup.    More
(Source: Houston Chronicle - Apr 1)

AUTOMATED JULES VERNE CRAFT CARRIES CARGO, SPACE STATION RISK - Inside the International Space Station is a big red button with a plastic cover. It means only one thing if the astronauts press it: their lives are in danger. It's the button to abort the pending arrival of a new European-made cargo carrier, the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), which is now hurtling toward the space station. How well that ship works is a life-or-death matter for the station's three residents.   More
(Source: USA Today - Apr 1)

NASA SETS MEDIA CREDENTIALS DEADLINES FOR NEXT SHUTTLE FLIGHT - NASA has set media accreditation deadlines for space shuttle Discovery's STS-124 mission, targeted to launch May 31. The 13-day flight to the International Space Station will include three spacewalks to continue assembly of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. The shuttle's seven-member crew will work with the station crew and ground teams to install a new pressurized lab and a robotic arm for Kibo.   More
(Source: NewsBlaze - Apr 1)

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