Arianespace
Arianespace assessing impact of crewed Soyuz failure on satellite-launching variant
Arianespace said Oct. 11 it’s too soon to say whether the Soyuz-ST rockets it uses to launch satellites from South America will be grounded following the failure of a Russian Soyuz-FG rocket carrying crew to the International Space Station.
Price swings expected during launch industry shakeout
The next two to three years will be a time of adjustment in the space launch industry, according to panelists at Satellite Innovation 2018 here.
Arianespace launches 100th Ariane 5, completes Intelsat Epic constellation
European launch provider Arianespace completed the 100th launch of a heavy-lift Ariane 5 rocket Sept. 25, carrying two satellites co-owned between Intelsat and partner satellite operators.
Arianespace signs fifth Vega C contract
European launch provider Arianespace signed a contract with the Korean Aerospace Research Institute for a Vega C mission Sept. 20, growing the rocket’s backlog to five as its debut launch nears.
Amid GEO downturn, launch operators look for new markets
With orders for geostationary orbit satellites declining, potentially permanently, commercial launch service providers are looking to government and other markets to make up for lost business.
Arianespace Vega launches long-awaited Aeolus wind-mapping satellite
A European wind-mapping satellite 15 years in the making lifted off Aug. 22 on a Vega rocket from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
French space agency pledges 10-million-euro boost to French Guiana economy
The French space agency CNES has agreed to allocate an additional 10 million euros ($11.7 million) to further the economic and social development of French Guiana, the South American territory home to Europe’s spaceport.
European solid rocket passes key test
A solid rocket booster designed for both the Ariane 6 and Vega C next-generation launchers completed a successful test firing Monday, clearing a hurdle for the maiden flights of both vehicles.
OneWeb shifts first launch to year’s end
OneWeb has shifted the debut launch for its satellite megaconstellation to the fourth quarter of the year.
Avio eyes larger chunk of smallsat launch market
The light-lift Vega rocket is Europe’s vehicle of choice for small satellites, but has mainly launched spacecraft weighing hundreds of kilograms. While that’s smaller than what Arianespace normally launches on an Ariane 5 or Soyuz, it’s not the “small” that people generally think of when they think smallsats.
Arianespace cancels Ariane 5 launch over ISRO satellite issue
An Ariane 5 launch has been cancelled after an unexplained problem with an Indian space agency satellite that was supposed to ride on the mission.
Arianespace to launch Japanese broadcast satellite
Arianespace on April 19 announced a agreement Japan’s Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation BSAT and satellite manufacturer Space Systems Loral to launch the BSAT-4b satellite on an Ariane 5 rocket in 2020.
Spaceflight books launch slots on two Arianespace Vega missions
Spaceflight Industries has secured rideshare opportunities on two Vega rocket missions for tiny satellites.
Ariane 5 lofts two long-awaited telecom satellites
Arianespace on April 5 launched two satellites for telecom operators that for separate reasons were both more than a year behind their original launch schedules.
O3b MEO constellation grows to 16 with latest Soyuz launch
A Soyuz rocket from Arianespace successfully delivered four telecommunications satellites into medium Earth orbit for fleet operator SES.
Bad coordinates led Ariane 5 launch astray, investigators conclude
The Ariane 5 rocket that deviated from its expected flight path Jan. 25 and lost contact with ground control was fed the wrong coordinates, according to the independent commission Arianespace tasked last month to find out what caused the close call.
