Space

China's leading satellite broadcasting company, China Satcom, is investigating alternative business models as it braces for the impact of the 5G network revolution that will likely render satellite television a thing of the past, according to a report in the Nikkei Asian Review.

A four co-primes consortium formed by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space (both in Spain and France) has been selected by Hisdesat Servicios Estratégicos S.A. (Spanish Governmental Satellite Operator) to build two SpainSAT NG satellites. Used for governmental communications, these new generation satellites will replace the existing SpainSAT and Xtar-EUR satellites. Airbus will act as lead partner of the consortium.

Airbus has been selected by MEASAT Global Berhad (MEASAT), the leading Malaysian operator, to build MEASAT-3D, a new multimission telecommunications satellite to replace capacity and augment its core business in Malaysia, Asia, Middle East, and Africa.

Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace AS (Kongsberg) will supply communications equipment (TC and R) to Astranis Space Technologies Corp. The delivery consists of the functional interface between the satellite and the ground and includes all the equipment needed to transmit data in the form of telemetry.

Switzerland's RUAG Space provided the microsatellite separation system to Rocket Lab's Electron Launch Vehicle. The 15 inch system serves as an adapter between satellite and rocket, and ensures a smooth separation in orbit. The first Electron launch with this particular separation system was used on the recent 5 May 2019 Electron launch from the Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand.

NanoRacks is pleased to announce Veronica La Regina as the Director of Global Engagement (Europe) and will be directing NanoRacks Space Outpost S.r.l, an Italian company, co-located at ALTEC in Torino. She will be moving to Torino along with NanoRacks Head of European Operations, Peter Bak. NanoRacks Space Outpost S.r.l. officially opened its doors for business on 1 April 2019.

CGI has signed an agreement with Thales Alenia Space France to enhance and maintain security software for the Galileo satellite navigation system. Valued at approximately 14 million euros, the contract will last until the end of 2020. CGI experts are working on this strategic project from Rotterdam and Toulouse.

Japanese New Space launch vehicle startup Interstellar Technologies conducted a successful test launch of its Momo-3 sounding rocket at 05:45am local time on 5 May 2019 when it reached an altitude of 113 kilometres within four minutes of being lofted from the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.

A Rocket Lab Electron launch vehicle successfully lifted off from Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula at 06:00 UTC, Sunday 5 May 2019 (18:00 NZST). The STP-27RD mission launched three research and development satellites for the DoD Space Test Program that will demonstrate advanced space technologies, including a satellite to evaluate new ways of tracking space debris.

GetSAT and Inmarsat, the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications, have today announced that Inmarsat has type approved GetSAT’s MilliSAT-H-GX and MilliSAT-W-GX for use on its Global Xpress service.