India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) will launch the GSAT 5
communications satellite to cover India, Asia, Africa and parts of Europe. The
satellite is also called INSAT 4D. The rocket will fly in the GSLV Mk.1
configuration with a Russian cryogenic third stage. The mission is codenamed
GSLV-F06. [Dec. 11]
A Russian government Zenit 3F rocket will launch the first Electro-L weather
satellite. The rocket will use a Fregat upper stage to boost the spacecraft to
geosynchronous orbit. The Electro-L satellite will collect visible and infrared
satellite imagery for Russian meteorologists. [Dec. 11]
Arianespace Flight 199 will use an Ariane 5 rocket with a cryogenic upper stage
to launch the Spanish Hispasat 1E communications satellite to serve Europe,
North America and South America. The Koreasat 6 broadcasting satellite will also
launch on the Ariane 5 for South Korea. Delayed from Dec. 21. [Dec. 14]
An International Launch Services Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage will
deploy the KA-SAT communications satellite for Eutelsat to provide broadband
Internet services to Europe. Delayed from November. Delayed from Dec. 19 by
Proton mishap investigation. [Dec. 10]
January 2011
January PSLV • Resourcesat 2
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Satish
Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, India
India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) will launch the Resourcesat 2
Earth observation satellite, the XSAT demonstration satellite for Singapore, and
the Youthsat payload for India and Russia. The mission is codenamed PSLV-C16.
[Nov. 26]
The United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket will launch a classified spy
satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The largest of the
Delta 4 family, the Heavy version features three Common Booster Cores mounted
together to form a triple-body rocket. Delayed from Dec. 1. Moved up from Jan.
15. [Oct. 27]
The Japanese H-2B rocket will launch the second H-2 Transfer Vehicle. The HTV
serves as an unmanned cargo vehicle to deliver equipment and supplies to the
International Space Station. [Nov. 10]
A Russian government Soyuz rocket will launch the 41st Progress cargo delivery
ship to the International Space Station. Delayed from Dec. 27. [Sept. 2]
February 2011
Feb. 3 Shuttle Discovery • ULF 5
Launch time: 0634 GMT (1:34 a.m. EST)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
STS-133 will be the 35th U.S. mission to the International Space Station. The
flight will carry the fourth ExPRESS Logistics Carrier with spare parts for the
station. Discovery will also deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM).
Delayed from Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. Moved again from Nov. 3 by main engine
controller issue. Scrubbed on Nov. 4 by weather. Scrubbed on Nov. 5 for gaseous
hydrogen leak on ground umbilical carrier plate. Delayed from Nov. 30, Dec. 3
and Dec. 17 due to external tank stringer cracks. See our Mission Status Center.
[Dec. 4]
Feb. 5 Minotaur 1 • NROL-66
Launch window: TBD
Launch site: SLC-8, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
The Air Force Minotaur 1 rocket will launch a classified satellite payload for
the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. Moved up from March. [Nov. 23]
February 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. [Nov. 26]
Arianespace Flight 200 will use an Ariane 5 ES rocket to launch the European
Space Agency's second Automated Transfer Vehicle, named Johannes Kepler. The ATV
is a cargo-carrying spacecraft to deliver supplies and equipment to the orbiting
International Space Station. Delayed from December. [Dec. 17]
Feb. 23 Taurus • Glory
Launch time: 1010 GMT (5:10 a.m. EST; 2:10 a.m. PST)
Launch site: SLC-576E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
The Orbital Sciences Taurus rocket will launch NASA's Glory Earth observation
satellite. Glory will collect data on black carbon and aerosols in the Earth's
atmosphere and solar irradiance and its affects on Earth's long-term climate
record. Delayed from Nov. 22 to finish fairing separation redesign effort and
troubleshoot spacecraft solar array drive motor problem. [Oct. 1]
Launch information supplied by:
http://spaceflightnow.com/tracking/
.COM
