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.

The most advanced spy satellite of Japan was launched Saturday morning from the Yoshinobu space complex. The satellite was launched into polar orbit by a 2 stage launcher.



A 174-ft tall H2-A rocket carrying Japan's Gathering Satellite, launches from the Yoshinobu space complex Saturday morning.


The launch was not announced by JAXA and was very secretive. However, the country has acknowledged the launch, and declared it a success.

Along with 4 other orbiting craft which can use radar to monitor day and night weather, the new gathering satellite is fitted with a camera and telescope. It will be used for both defense and intelligence.



Although no technical data was released regarding the specifications of the satellite, here is an artist's representation as to what it may look like.


Recent events such as the North Korean missile test over Japanese territory back in April created a need for increased security, and quick detection of any future missile launches.



Saturday morning launch of an H2-A rocket carrying Japan's Gathering Satellite into orbit.

Mission STS-129 ends with Space Shuttle Atlantis landing safely in Florida

Shuttle Mission STS-129 came to a completion with Space Shuttle Atlantis landing in Florida on Friday. Atlantis launched on November, 16 and flew nearly 4,500,000 miles.

As the remaining missions for the shuttle fleet wind down, NASA used STS-129 to deliver a slew of replacement parts, and backup devices to the International Space Station, and completed 3 spacewalks.



Space shuttle Atlantis lands on runway 33 at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility concluding the STS-129 mission.
Photo credit: NASA Jack Pfaller


The landing also saw the return of astronaut Nicole Stott. After 91 days in space after serving as Expedition 20/21 flight engineer, her return marks the last time an I.S.S. crew member will be transferred to or from the space station.



The STS-129 crew in front of Atlantis, dressed in their launch-and-entry suits prior to launch. From left are Mission Specialists Leland Melvin and Randy Bresnik; Pilot Barry E. Wilmore; Commander Charles O. Hobaugh; and Mission Specialists Mike Foreman and Robert L. Satcher Jr.
Image credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett


This is the final shuttle flight of 2009 with the next launch to be STS-130 as Space Shuttle Endeavour heads to I.S.S. in February.




Space shuttle Atlantis and its crew of seven astronauts ended an 11-day journey of nearly 4.5 million miles with a 9:44 a.m. EST landing Friday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Japanese astronaut receives award from Prime Minister

Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, received an award from Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Wednesday.



Astronaut Koichi Wakata (left) receives an award from Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (right) on Wednesday. Wakata is the first Japanese astronaut to serve on an I.S.S. crew and the first Japanese astronaut to stay in space for a prolonged period of time.
Credit: JAXA


Wakata received the award for being the first Japanese astronaut to stay in space for a prolonged period of time. He was on the International Space Station for 4 ½ months before returning to Earth on July, 31.

Wakata’s first journey to space was during the STS-72 mission of Space Shuttle Endeavour, launched on January 11, 1996. His work on I.S.S. began in October of 2000 as a Mission Specialist on the STS-92 mission of Space Shuttle Discovery to I.S.S. This assembly work prepared I.S.S. for its first resident crew.



File photo of Wakata from March, 2007.
Credit: NASA


His most recent trip to I.S.S. began as a Flight Engineer on the STS-119 mission of Space Shuttle Discovery in March of 2009. While on I.S.S, Wakata served as Flight Engineer 2 on crews Expedition 18, Expedition 19, and Expedition 20. He became the first Japanese astronaut of an I.S.S. crew. He returned home in July aboard the STS-127 mission of Space Shuttle Endeavour.


Wakata demonstrating a "flying carpet" during his stay on I.S.S.

ESA Hands over NODE 3 to NASA during ceremony at Kennedy Space Center

A significant event in the life of the International Space Station took place on the 20th of November. ESA, the European Space Agency handed over a new interconnecting module for I.S.S. over to NASA. Node 3, or Tranquility as it was named by NASA, is one of Europe’s final major hardware contributions to the construction of I.S.S., along with a connected observation module known as Cupola

Ownership of ESA's Node 3, Tranquility, the final European-built habitable module for the International Space Station (ISS), was transferred from the European Space Agency to NASA on 20 November 2009.

Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja

Hi RES VERSION AVAILABLE HERE

Those in attendance at the handover were Bernardo Patti, ISS Program Manager in ESA's Directorate of Human Spaceflight, NASA's ISS Program Manager Michael Suffredini, Robert Cabana, NASA's Director of the Kennedy Space Center, William Dowdell, NASA's Deputy for Operations for ISS and Spacecraft Processing, Secondino Brondolo, Head of the Space Infrastructure at Thales Alenia Space Italy and selected media organizations.

ESA's Cupola was mated to Node 3 in September 2009, and is now ready for launch.

Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja

Hi RES VERSION AVAILABLE HERE

Tranquility and Cupola will be carried to I.S.S. by Space Shuttle Endeavor. The current launch date right now is February 4, 2010.

Tranquility will house many systems related to life support including oxygen generation and water recovery. Also, equipment such as a treadmill will be housed there for the purpose of physical conditioning of the crew.

Node 3 consists of a pressurised cylindrical hull 4.5 m in diameter with a shallow conical section enclosing each end. It is almost 7 m long and will weigh together with the Cupola over 13.5 tonnes at launch.

Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja

Hi RES VERSION AVAILABLE HERE