Matra Marconi Space (MMS) has won an order from Egypt to build a second Nilesat communications satellite, to be launched next year. The contract covers the satellite, insurance and launch delivery into orbit. The craft will be similar to the 101 model built by MMS. The 1,800kg (3,960lb) satellite will be the 25th Eurostar spacecraft bus built by MMS.
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.
