OrbitalHub

On August 21, the fourth flight of the Ariane 5 launch vehicle this year orbited two Asia-Pacific telecommunications satellites. This was the 32nd consecutive mission success for Ariane 5. The JCSAT-12 and Optus D3 payloads were injected into geostationary transfer orbit during a flight that lasted just over 34 minutes.

JCSAT-12 was built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems. The satellite carries 30 Ku-band transponders plus 12 C-band transponders.

Optus D3 was manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation. Optus D3 is designed to provide fixed communications and direct television broadcasting services for Australia and New Zealand. The spacecraft is equipped with 32 Ku-band transponders.

Read more about the Ariane 5 launch…

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) was launched on August 12, 2005. MRO reached Martian orbit on March 10, 2006, and, after five months of aerobraking, it entered its final science orbit and began its primary science phase.

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One important variation of the typical ATV mission is the Advanced Re-entry Vehicle (ARV). The ARV configuration will consist of a large cargo capsule capable of bringing back on Earth hundreds of kilograms of cargo and valuable experiment results. ARV would be able to dock to the US side of the ISS that has larger docking ports and would make possible the transfer of complete payload racks.

Atmospheric re-entry is not a new challenge for ESA engineers. Past programs – like the Atmospheric Re-entry Demonstrator – and future programs – like the Intermediate Experimental Vehicle (IXV) – will help validate models used for the simulation of the re-entry phase and also provide a solid base in designing materials for the thermal protection system.

On July 29, 2009, a Russian Dniepr launch vehicle placed in orbit six small satellites. The satellites weigh from 12 kg to 200 kg. Three of the six satellites are European: Deimos-1 and UK-DMC2 built by SSTL, and NanoSat-1B, which is a Spanish experimental satellite. The Dniepr launch vehicle is based on the SS-18 ballistic missile.

On July 31, 2009, Space Shuttle Endeavour landed at Kennedy Space Center at 10:48 AM EDT, completing a 16 day mission. STS-127 was the 29th Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station.

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STS-127 EVA #5 total time was four hours and fifty-four minutes. EVA #5 spacewalkers were Christopher Cassidy and Thomas Marshburn.

Read more about STS-127…