NASA's Northrop Grumman-built Aura satellite was launched by Boeing Delta II on 15 July, joining the Aqua and Terra Earth observing system (EOS) spacecraft. Aura is expected to begin measuring atmospheric gases from its 705km (440 mile) -high Sun-synchronous orbit within three months. Launch of NASA's Mercury probe, Messenger, has been scheduled for 2 August. The radar-imaging craft will not enter orbit until March 2011.
Source: Flight International
China’s AVIC has secured a contract from the China Manned Space Agency to develop a winged, reusable spacecraft called Haolong.
The UK Space Command’s first owned earth observation microsatellite has been launched, providing the inaugural element of a planned space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) constellation.
Orbital launch pioneer SpaceX is being contracted by the American space agency NASA to develop a so-called “US Deorbit Vehicle” that can safely return the International Space Station to Earth via controlled re-entry.
