New data and video satellite, Intelsat 15, launched into orbit aboard Zenit 3SLB rocket.

On November 30th, a Zenit 3SLB launched the new Intelsat 15 data and communications satellite into orbit. It will reach an orbit as high as 22,300 miles above the earth.



A Zenit 3SLB blasts off from Kazakhstan Saturday morning, carrying the Intelsat 15 communications satellite to orbit.


The rocket launched from launch pad 45A at the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 3 A.M local time in Kazakhstan. General Manager Kjell Karlsen of Sea Launch said this, “I want to congratulate Intelsat and Orbital for a very successful mission. This is the 10th satellite we've orbited for Intelsat and we look forward to launching many more satellites for you in the future.”


Intelsat 15’s next step is to expand its power-generating solar arrays. In a couple weeks, it will deploy two 7.5 ft. antenna reflectors. Intel Sat will provide data and video communications for multiple regions, and its coverage stretches from North Africa to Siberia. The satellite will replace the Intelsat 709.



A graphic depicting the orbital insertion plan for the Zenit rocket’s burn to put Intelsat 15 into orbit.


Plans are already ahead for the launch of the Intelsat 18 in 2011 using the Land Launch system. This also marks the 3rd Intelsat launch within a month. The Norwegian Thor 6 launched on October 29th and the Intelsat 14 on the 23rd of November.

Solar Dynamics Observatory hopes to bring better understanding of Sun’s influence on Earth

Scheduled for an upcoming winter launch is a new observatory to study the sun’s influence on Earth and the space around with the use of several instruments studying our star simultaneously on multiple wavelengths.Just one of several upcoming missions to study the sun, the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)’s goal is to better understand the energy that generates the suns magnetic field, and the energy used for the creation of solar winds, and other variations in solar activity.

This image illustrates the resolution capabilities of the SDO, STEREO, and SOHO spacecrafts. SDO's AIA instrument (right image) will have 1/2 greater image resolution than STEREO (middle image) and 3/4 greater imaging resolution than SOHO (left image). The image cadience also varies. SDO takes 1 image every .10 of a second. At best STEREO takes 1 image every 3 minutes and SOHO takes 1 image every 12 minutes.

SDO will measure the sun’s interior, its magnetic field, the plasmas of its solar corona, and other areas using 3 instruments. The Atmospheric Imaging Assembly which will image the sun’s atmosphere in multiple wavelengths, and compare data from sun’s interior. The Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager which will extend the capabilities and resolution of the SDO. And the Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment which will measure the EUVs spectral irradiance to better understand the effects on the Earth’s Climate and Near-Earth space.

Just one of many instruments aboard the SDO. This is The Extreme Ultraviolet Variablity Experiment. It will measure the solar extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) irradiance with unprecedented spectral resolution, temporal cadence, and precision.

A February 3, 2010 launch date is the current target.

Overview of the Solar Dynamics Observatory mission.