July 2011
July 1 Ariane 5 • ASTRA 1N & BSAT 3c
Launch window: 2143-2306 GMT (5:43-7:06 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
Arianespace will use an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA203, to launch the
ASTRA 1N and BSAT 3c communications satellites. ASTRA 1N will provide digital
and HD television services to Germany, France and Spain for SES ASTRA. BSAT 3c
will broadcast direct-to-home television signals to Japan for B-SAT Corp. and
SKY Perfect JSAT Corp. Delayed from June 29. [June 14]
July 8 Shuttle Atlantis • ULF 7
Launch time: 1526 GMT (11:26 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
STS-135 will be the 37th U.S. mission to the International Space Station. The
flight will carry the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module with supplies for
the International Space Station. Atlantis will also launch a robotic satellite
refueling experiment and return a failed ammonia pump module to Earth. Delayed
from June 28. [May 21]
An Arianespace Soyuz rocket will launch six second-generation Globalstar mobile
communications satellites. The Soyuz rocket will use a Fregat upper stage.
Arianespace will oversee the commercial launch. Delayed from February, April and
May. [June 24]
July 14 Delta 4 • GPS 2F-2
Launch window: 0649-0708 GMT (2:49-3:08 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
The United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket will deploy the Air Force's second
Block 2F navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System. The rocket will
fly in the Medium+ (4,2) configuration with two solid rocket boosters. Delayed
from June 23. [June 26]
July Dnepr • Multi-payload
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Yasny, Russia
An ISC Kosmotras Dnepr rocket will launch the Sich 2 Earth observation satellite
for Ukraine, the NigeriaSat 2 and NigeriaSat X remote sensing satellites for
Nigeria, the RASAT demonstration satellite for Turkey, the EduSAT spacecraft for
the University of Rome, and other payloads. Delayed from December, February,
April and June 20. [June 14]
July 15 PSLV • GSAT 12
Launch window: 1118-1138 GMT (7:18-7:38 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India
India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) will launch the GSAT 12
communications satellite for the Indian Space Research Organization. The mission
is codenamed PSLV C17. Delayed from June. [July 1]
An International Launch Services Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage will
deploy the SES 3 and Kazsat 2 communications satellites. SES 3 will provide
communications services for the United States and the Caribbean for SES World
Skies. Kazsat 2 will relay television signals across Kazakhstan. Delayed from
March 31, April 25 and June 10. [July 1]
July 17/18 Zenit 3F • Spektr R
Launch time: 0231 GMT on 18th (10:31 p.m. EDT on 17th)
Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
A Zenit rocket will launch the Spektr R radio astronomy observatory. The rocket
will use a Fregat upper stage to boost the telescope into a highly elliptical
orbit above Earth. Spektr R will work in conjunction with ground telescopes to
study a variety of astronomical objects. Delayed from summer 2010 and May and
June 2011. [June 24]
An International Launch Services Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage will
deploy the ViaSat 1 satellite to provide high-speed Ka-band Internet services
over the United States. [June 24]
August 2011
Aug. 5 Atlas 5 • Juno
Launch window: 1539-1709 GMT (11:39 a.m.-1:09 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket will launch NASA's Juno spacecraft to
Jupiter. Built by Lockheed Martin, Juno will investigate the giant planet's
formation, evolution and structure from an elliptical orbit. The rocket will fly
in the 551 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, five solid rocket
boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. [April 18]
A Russian government Proton rocket and Block DM upper stage will launch three
Glonass M navigation satellites for the Russian space agency. Delayed from July.
[May 21]
Late August Ariane 5 • Arabsat 5C & SES 2
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: ELA-3, Kourou, French Guiana
Arianespace will use an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, designated VA204, to launch the
Arabsat 5C and SES 2 communications satellites. Arabsat 5C will provide
communications and television broadcast services to the Middle East and Africa.
SES 2 will serve the continental United States. [June 14]
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