Previous Spaceflight Launches
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Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat | METOP A
Progress Rocket Space Center | RussiaBaikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan
Oct. 19, 2006, 4:28 p.m.
Ariane 5 ECA | DirecTV-9S, Optus D1, LDREX-2
ArianeGroup | FranceGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Oct. 13, 2006, 8:56 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
DirecTV 9S is a high-power spot beam satellite that will enable DirecTV to serve additional markets. Serving high-quality local and national digit video service. Optus D1 is a communications satellite serving many customers. LDREX was an engineering test to validate the antenna on the ETS-8.
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
Delta II | GPS IIR-15(M)
United Launch Alliance | United States of AmericaCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Sept. 25, 2006, 6:50 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
The GPS-IIR replenishment satellites are produced by General Electric Astrospace (later Martin Marietta and Lockheed Missiles & Space) under a contract issued in 1989, which included 21 satellites based on the commercial AS-4000 bus. These provided improved navigation accuracy and longer autonomous satellite operation than earlier model GPS satellites. The satellites were three-axis stabilized and operated at downlink frequencies of 1572.42 MHz and 1227.6 MHz (L-Band) and 2227.5 MHz (S-Band). Lockheed was responsible for launch and flight operations support of the GPS-IIR through 2006.
Medium Earth OrbitM-V | Hinode
IHI Corporation | JapanUchinoura Space Center, Japan
Sept. 22, 2006, 9:36 p.m.
Soyuz-FG | Soyuz TMA-9
Progress Rocket Space Center | RussiaBaikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan
Sept. 18, 2006, 4:08 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
Soyuz TMA-9 begins Expedition 14 by carrying 3 astronauts and cosmonauts to the International Space Station. Russian Commander, cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin alongside Flight Engineers, Michael López-AlegrÃa (NASA) & spaceflight participant Anousheh Ansari (Space Adventures) will launch aboard the Soyuz spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and then rendezvous with the station. It landed on 21 April 2007, 12:31 UTC
Low Earth OrbitSoyuz-U-PVB | Orlets-1 8
Progress Rocket Space Center | RussiaBaikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan
Sept. 14, 2006, 1:41 p.m.
Long March 3A | Zhongxing 22A
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | ChinaXichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Sept. 12, 2006, 4:02 p.m.
H-IIA 202 | IGS Optical 2
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | JapanTanegashima Space Center, Japan
Sept. 11, 2006, 4:35 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
The IGS-Optical (Intelligence Gathering Satellite), built by Mitsubishi Electric (MELCO), is an optical reconnaissance satellite with a projected life of 5 years. The satellite will be operated by the Cabinet Satellite Information Center. The 850 kg IGS-Optical 1 is equipped with an optical sensor. The resolution is probably about 1 meter. The satellite serves both Japan's national defense and civil natural disaster monitoring.
Sun-Synchronous Orbit
Space Shuttle Atlantis / OV-104 | STS-115
National Aeronautics and Space Administration | United States of AmericaKennedy Space Center, FL, USA
Sept. 9, 2006, 3:14 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
STS-115 was a Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS) flown by Space Shuttle Atlantis. It was the first assembly mission to the ISS after the Columbia disaster, following the two successful Return to Flight missions, STS-114 and STS-121. STS-115 launched from Pad 39-B at the Kennedy Space Center on 9 September 2006 at 11:14:55 EDT (15:14:55 UTC). The mission is also referred to as ISS-12A by the ISS program. The mission delivered the second port-side truss segment (ITS P3/P4), a pair of solar arrays (2A and 4A), and batteries. A total of three spacewalks were performed, during which the crew connected the systems on the installed trusses, prepared them for deployment, and did other maintenance work on the station.
Low Earth Orbit
Long March 2C | Shi Jian 8
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | ChinaJiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Sept. 9, 2006, 7 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
SJ 8 (Shijian 8) is a recoverable satellite based on the FSW type reentry vehicle, which is used to expose 215 kilograms of seeds of plants and fungus to the space environment. It was recovered after several weeks. Once the space-bred seeds are recovered, the Ministry of Agriculture organized research institutions to develop new seeds featuring high yield, good quality and high efficiency.
Low Earth Orbit
