Ariane 5 ECA Launch with Intelsat-17 & HYLAS-1 (2011-08-31)

November 26, 2010 - Kourou Space Center. The fifth Arianespace mission of 2010 orbited two telecommunications payloads today: one for an emerging new player in the broadband marketplace; and the other for a long-time customer that is the world's leading provider of fixed satellite services. Lifting off this afternoon from the Spaceport's ELA 3 launch zone in French Guiana, the heavy-lift Ariane 5 deployed its Intelsat 17 and HYLAS 1 passengers during a daytime mission lasting 49 minutes. It was the 54th mission for the workhorse Arianespace vehicle and the 198th flight of an Ariane family launcher.

Beidou-2 G4 Launched atop CZ-3C chinese rocket (2011-09-04)

October 31, 2010 - Xichang Satellite Launch Center. China launched its sixth Beidou navigation satellite Sunday, reaching another step in a program to provide precise positioning services across the Asia-Pacific region by 2012. The satellite lifted off on a Long March 3C rocket at 1626 GMT (12:26 pm EDT) Sunday. It was just after midnight at the Xichang launch base in southwestern China's Sichuan province. The three-stage rocket, standing 180 feet tall at liftoff, placed the Beidou payload on course toward geosynchronous orbit, according to the Chinese government. According to tracking data, the spacecraft is in a preliminary orbit stretching from a low point of 115 miles to a high point of about 22260 miles. Its inclination angle is 20.5 degrees. The Beidou, or Compass, satellite will fire its own engine to reach a circular orbit 22300 miles above the equator. It is the sixth satellite launched in the first phase of the system's operational fleet. The craft launched Sunday is the fourth platform designed for geosynchronous orbit over the equator. One satellite is in a medium-altitude orbit more than 13000 miles high, and another spacecraft was injected in an inclined orbit to cover Earth's polar regions. Four Beidou satellites have been sent into space so far this year. China plans one more Beidou launch in December, when another satellite will be sent to cover high latitude and polar users.

Delta 2 Launch with COSMO-SkyMed 4 satellite (2011-09-04)

November 5, 2010 - Vandenberg Air Force Base. There was a sentimental blastoff from California on Friday night as the venerable Delta 2 made its one-and-only flight of the year, chalking up a major milestone for the rocket family's lasting legacy while also finishing deployment of Italy's radar satellite quartet that images the world for peace and security. Launching at 7:20 pm from Vandenberg Air Force Base, the space booster that has defined dependability for two decades successfully shot the COSMO-SkyMed 4 craft into orbit. It's the last commercial mission currently booked for the Delta 2 rocket, which faces an uncertain future in the years ahead. Three launches carrying satellites for NASA will occur in 2011, but whether the program flies beyond next year depends whether five additional vehicles in inventory can be sold.

KSLV-1 "Naro-1" Second Test Flight EXPLODED after lift off (HD) (2011-07-09)

June 10, 2010 - Naro Space Center. The Korea Space Launch Vehicle, or KSLV 1, blasted off from the Naro Space Center at 0801 GMT (4:01 am EDT), or at 5:01 pm local time. The rocket flew through a nearly transparent deck of clouds about a minute after liftoff. Live video from the space center showed no signs of any problems during the early moments of the launch, but officials with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) say they lost contact with the rocket 137 seconds into the flight. At that point, the booster should have been flying between 40 and 50 miles in altitude on the power of a Russian first stage built by Khrunichev, the contractor in charge of the workhorse Proton launcher. Some Korean news reports say the rocket appears to have exploded and crashed as controllers lost communications with the booster. Nearly 375000 pounds of thrust from the Russian-made first stage RD-151 engine was supposed to propel the 108-foot-tall rocket more than 100 miles above the East China Sea in less than four minutes. The KSLV's nose cone was expected to separate 215 seconds after liftoff. Khrunichev built the kerosene-burning first stage and lended expertise in construction of the Naro launch pad and control center under a 2004 contract signed with KARI. After pulling free of the first stage, the Korean second stage was programmed to coast for nearly three minutes before firing its solid motor for a 58-second burn to inject the flight's 219-pound payload into orbit. The ...

Long March 3C Launched Beidou-2 G1 / First Launch of 2010 (2011-10-09)

January 16, 2010 - Xichang Satellite Launch Center. A Chinese Long March rocket hauled a new navigation satellite to a high-altitude perch over Earth on Saturday, marking the first space launch of the year for the world's space programs. The Long March 3C rocket blasted off from the Xichang space center at 1612 GMT (11:12 am EST) Saturday, or just after midnight Sunday morning local time, state media reported. The 180-foot-tall booster flew east from Xichang, which is situated in Sichuan province in southwestern China. The Beidou, or Compass, navigation satellite was placed on a trajectory toward geosynchronous orbit, according to the Xinhua news agency. The satellite is the third member of the second-generation Beidou constellation. Two spacecraft were launched to medium Earth orbit and geosynchronous orbit in 2007 and 2009, respectively. First-generation satellites were launched between 2000 and 2007 to test the Beidou concept in space and provide limited services for China. China eventually expects to launch 35 Beidou satellites, allowing the system to have a global reach similar to the US Global Positioning System. Russia operates a fleet of Glonass navigation satellites, and Europe is developing the Galileo satellite navigation system. Officials hope the Beidou system will provide navigation, timing and messaging services to the Asia-Pacific region by 2012, Xinhua reported. China says Beidou services will be available at no charge to civilians with positioning ...

Minotaur 4 rocket Launch with Military SBSS satellite (2011-05-29)

September 25, 2010 - Vandenberg Air Force Base. Orbital, one of the world's leading space technology companies, today announced that it successfully launched the US Air Force's Space Based Space Surveillance (SBSS) Satellite, also known as SBSS Block 10, aboard a Minotaur IV rocket. The launch, which took place on Saturday, September 25, 2010 from Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) in California, extends Orbital's record of launches with the Minotaur family of rockets to a perfect 18 successes out of a total of 18 missions. The Minotaur IV rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex-8 at VAFB at 9:41 pm (PDT). The rocket flew an orbital trajectory downrange over the Pacific Ocean and delivered the SBSS satellite to the desired separation conditions. The Minotaur IV launch vehicle is based on decommissioned Peacekeeper rocket motors that Orbital has upgraded and integrated with modern avionics and other subsystems to produce a cost-effective launcher based on flight-proven hardware. The launch of the SBSS satellite marks the first orbital mission for the Minotaur IV, which currently has a manifest of eight missions over the next several years.

Progress M-02M (33) succesfully launches atop Soyuz-U rocket (2011-06-25)

May 7, 2009 - Baikonur Cosmodrome. Flying atop a Russian Soyuz U booster, the Progress M-02M spacecraft rocketed away from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 1837 GMT (2:37 pm EDT). A preliminary orbit was achieved after a nine-minute ascent provided by the three-stage rocket. Onboard commands then extended the Progress craft's two power-generating solar arrays that span 35 feet and unfurled communications and navigation antennas. But instead of aiming for a docking with the station two days after launch, this freighter will spend a few extra days in free-flight to test new avionics, according to NASA. A series of precise engine firings spread over today, Friday and Monday will guide the Progress toward its automated linkup. The docking is planned to occur next Tuesday at 1923 GMT (3:23 pm EDT). The 24-foot long ship will attach itself to the Earth-facing port on the Pirs docking module, a spot vacated by the previous Progress vessel that undocked Wednesday. The old vehicle, packed with trash, will remain in orbit through May 18 to perform some experiments on the interaction between the craft's engine firings and the plasma environmental around Earth, NASA said. Today's launch, known in the station's assembly matrix as Progress mission 33P, will deliver two-and-a-half tons of supplies to the station. The "dry" cargo tucked aboard the Progress amounts to 3384 pounds in the form of spare parts, life support gear and equipment hardware. The refueling module carries ...

Progress M-10M (42) Launched atop Soyuz-U rocket (2011-05-29)

April 27, 2011 - Baikonur Cosmodrome. At 17 hours: 05 minutes: 21 seconds Moscow Time transport cargo vehicle Progress M-10M was launched. The launch is aimed at ensuring further in-orbit operation of the International Space Station (ISS) in accordance with the Russian side obligations undertaken under this Project. Main mission task is to deliver different cargoes of more than 2.6 tons by mass onboard the station. These cargoes are necessary for crew life support and sustained ISS flight in a manned mode. Also these cargoes include a stowage with Georgievsky ribbons to be delivered to the ISS under the action known as "Georgievsky Ribbon-2011".

Proton-M succesfully launches Asian TV satellite PROTOSTAR 2 (2011-06-22)

May 16, 2009 - Baikonur Cosmodrome. International Launch Services (ILS), successfully carried the Indostar 2/Protostar 2 satellite into orbit today, marking the second commercial mission of the year for International Launch Services (ILS) and the fourth successful Proton launch of 2009. The May 16th launch comes on the heels of the milestone 50th ILS Proton launch on April 3rd. The Indostar 2/Protostar 2 satellite was launched for Protostar LTD of Bermuda and will be commercially operated for Indovision of Jakarta, Indonesia, the largest Direct to Home operator in Indonesia. The ILS Proton Breeze M launched from Pad 39 at the cosmodrome at 6:57 am today local time (8:57 pm EDT, 00:57 GMT). After a 9 hour 15 minute mission, the Breeze M successfully released the satellite into the planned geo-transfer orbit. This was the 345th launch for the Proton. The Proton Breeze M vehicle is developed and built by Khrunichev Research and Production Space Center of Moscow, Russias premier space manufacturer. The Indostar 2/Protostar 2 satellite, located at 107.7 degrees East, was built on the Boeing 601 HP platform and is the second satellite in Protostars evolving constellation. This satellite replaces the existing Chakarawarta 1 and will bring high power S-band and Ku-band capacity over Indonesia, with expanded service to India, the Philippines and Taiwan. The satellites S-band transponders will support Direct to Home TV and Radio services for Indovision. The satellite will also ...

QSZ-1 MICHIBIKI Launches atop H-2A japanese rocket (HD) (2011-09-09)

September 11, 2010 - Tanegashima Space Center. The H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 18 (H-IIA F18) with the first quasi-zenith satellite "MICHIBIKI" onboard was launched at 8:17 pm on September 11 (Japan Standard Time) from the Tanegashima Space Center. The H-IIA F18 flew smoothly, and, at 28 minutes and 27 seconds after liftoff, the MICHIBIKI was separated from the H-IIA. We will update you with the latest information on the MICHIBIKI on the special site.

Rockot Launch with Gonets-M 2 & two Strela-3 Russian Satellites (2011-09-09)

September 8, 2010 - Plesetsk Cosmodrome. Three small communications satellite blasted off Wednesday from northern Russia into low Earth orbit on a converted ballistic missile. The 95-foot-tall Rockot launcher lifted off at 0330 GMT Wednesday (11:30 pm EDT Tuesday) from Complex 133 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome about 500 miles north of Moscow. Made of retired missile parts, the Rockot's two core stages finished their work a few minutes after launch. A Breeze KM upper stage later injected the payloads in the planned orbit, according to Khrunichev, the launch vehicle's prime contractor. Spacecraft separation was scheduled for 0514 GMT (1:14 am EDT), according to the Novosti news agency. It was the 14th flight of the space-rated Rockot vehicle, which also launches international commercial and research satellites. The rocket was carrying three satellites for the Russian government, including the second civilian Gonets M communications spacecraft designed to store and relay personal messages. Gonets satellites are built by Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev Co. The 617-pound satellite was joined by two Russian military payloads. Russia did not disclose the identity of the other payloads, but they are likely Strela communications satellites, military variants of the Gonets system, this satellites are Strela 3 #142 (Kosmos 2467) and Strela 3#143 (Kosmos 2468) Wednesday's flight was the 43rd space launch to reach orbit worldwide this year. It was the 20th successful Russian ...

Shavit-2 rocket Launch with OFEQ-9 Spy Satellite (HD) (2011-09-22)

June 22, 2010 - Palmachim Air Base. "Today 06.22.2010 at 22:00 hrs, Israel's "Ofeq 9" satellite was launched and successfully injected into orbit by means of a "Shavit" satellite launcher. In the next phase, the satellite will undergo several tests for validation of its serviceability and satisfactory performance. "Ofeq-9" is an advanced remote sensing satellite. Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd (IAI) developed and produced the satellite in response to an order placed by the IMOD, in cooperation with various other local industrial companies, including: El-Op, IMI, Rafael, Tadiran-Spectralink, Elisra and others. The launch was conducted from the Israel Air Force test range."

Soyuz TMA-02M Night Launch to the ISS from Baikonur (2011-08-17)

June 7, 2011 - Baikonur Cosmodrome. At 00:12 Moscow time, June 8, Russian crew vehicle Soyuz TMA-02M was launched by Soyuz-FG rocket from Baikonur's pad 1 (Gagarin's Launch Pad). The vehicle will carry three crew -- commander Sergey Volkov (Roscosmos), flight engineers Satoshi Furukawa (JAXA), Michael Fossum (NASA) to the International Space Station. Soyuz TMA-02M is a vehicle of new series, equipped with digital control system. It undergoes the second stage of flight testing. Soyuz TMA-02M is due to dock to Russian module Rassvet on June 10, at 01.16 MSK. * A MISTAKE: IN THE FIRST IMAGE, THE ROCKET WAS THE SOYUZ-FG - NOT SOYUZ U, I AM SORRY!

STS-132 Space Shuttle Atlantis Final Launch (HD-1080p) (2011-06-17)

May 14, 2010 - Kennedy Space Center. The space shuttle Atlantis launched majestically into space Friday on its final planned orbital trek before NASA retires the reusable space plane and its two sister ships for good. Atlantis soared into clear skies from Launch Pad 39A here at Kennedy Space Center at 2:20 pm EDT (1820 GMT). Commander Kenneth Ham is leading Atlantis' crew of six veteran astronauts on a 12-day sojourn to the International Space Station. After this flight there are only two space shuttle missions left before the orbiters are retired and sent to museums around the country. This is Atlantis' 32nd journey to space, and the 132nd space shuttle mission since the fleet began flying in April 1981. On a lark,sts-132 space shuttle atlantis final launch iss international station rassvyet mrm- the final crew of Atlantis took a break to pose for a photo in matching tuxedos with bow-ties before suiting up in their orange launch-and-entry suits Friday morning. There was some last-minute drama over a tiny ball bearing found in Atlantis' cargo bay earlier this week. Mission managers wanted to make sure the metal BB wasn't a sign of loose hardware in the shuttle's cargo bay. In the end, it was no concern and Atlantis blasted off as planned.