Japan's National Space Development Agency has raised the perigee of the orbit of the Comets communications technology satellite stranded by an H2 launch mishap on 21 February, from 248km to 390km. The 1,884km apogee remains unchanged. A further series of firings of the satellite's engine is hoped to place the craft in a 17,500km by 500km orbit, instead of its planned geostationery one.
Source: Flight International
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.
BAE Systems has completed its acquisition of Ball Aerospace, with the move further strengthening its US business presence.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has retired its Mars helicopter Ingenuity after the craft suffered damage upon landing.
