Lockheed To Deliver BSAT-3A and JCSAT-11 Spacecraft In July-September

Lockheed Martin Corp. [LMT] plans to deliver spacecraft during July-September for Broadcasting Satellite System Corp. (B-SAT) and JSAT Corp. (JSAT), both based in Japan.

BSAT-3a, designed and built for B-SAT, recently completed its pre-shipment review and is being prepared for shipment to the Arianespace launch site in French Guiana.

It contains 12 130-Watt Ku-band channels (eight operating at one time) and will be located at 110 degrees east longitude.

With a design life of more than 13 years, BSAT-3a is based on the A2100A platform by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS) in Newtown, Pa.

JCSAT-11 is scheduled to launch in autumn on a Proton launch vehicle provided by International Launch Services.

This is a high-powered hybrid satellite consisting of 30 active Ku-band transponders and 12 active C-band transponders that will provide coverage to Japan, the Asia-Pacific region and Hawaii.

JCSAT-11 is designed for a minimum service life of 15 years and will serve as a back up satellite for other JSAT satellites following its scheduled launch.

Miniature Air Launched Decoy Deployed From F-16

The Miniature Air Launched Decoy (MALD) demonstrated successful powered flight performance when launched from an Air Force F-16 aircraft, Raytheon Co. [RTN] announced.

The flight test took place at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., under a development contract managed by the 728th Armament Systems Group.

MALD was launched over the Gulf of Mexico where it entered engine powered flight, executed a series of maneuvers and operated its payload during the mission.

Russian Space Company Leader Ousted; Progress Launches July 23

A top Russian space company leader was removed from his post, according to Itar-Tass, the official Russian space agency.

It quoted a company source as saying that the board of directors of the Energia Aerospace Corp. decided to suspend powers of its president, Nikolai Sevastyanov.

In his place, Alexander Strekalov has been appointed as acting chief of the corporation until a general meeting of shareholders, board Chairman Nikolai Moiseyev said.

There will be no changes in the schedule of launches of manned spacecraft and freighters to the International Space Station because of the change of administration at the company, according to Moiseyev.

“There will be no change of plans. The next Progress freighter will be launched to the ISS on July 23,” he said.

That launch had been advanced to July from an earlier scheduled August liftoff as the space station developed computer problems, woes that since appear to have been resolved, although Russian and U.S. experts continue attempting to discover just why the failure occurred. (Please see full story in this issue.)