GNSS

Japan launches navigation satellite

A Japanese H-2A rocket launched Japan’s third Michibiki satellite to join a constellation of navigation aids to improve positioning services across the country. Weather pushed back the mission’s initial Aug. 11 launch date, and a leaky helium pressurization system scrubbed a launch attempt Aug. 12, forcing ground crews to roll the rocket back to its hangar for repairs. The 174-foot-tall (53-meter) H-2A launcher, powered by a hydrogen-fueled main engine and four strap-on solid rocket boosters, headed east from the Tanegashima Space Center, a spaceport built on an island at the southwestern edge of the country. Climbing through a clear afternoon sky on 2.5 million pounds of thrust, the H-2A rocket quickly exceeded the speed of sound and left a twirling column of exhaust in its wake. The four solid rocket boosters let go from the launcher around two minutes after liftoff, and the shroud covering the Michibiki 3 spacecraft jettisoned a couple of minutes later. https://spaceflightnow.com

Project to densify GNSS/GPS Network

In A move to densify the nation’s GNSS/GPS Network, the Geodetic Section of the Survey Department, Ministry of Development, Brunei conducted a simulation for a Field Reconnaissance Project at several key locations around the Sultanate.

The final list comprised 15 out of 19 proposed sites for the project using Primary Order Network which covers an area within 25 kilometres – two areas were delayed due to technical difficulties while the remaining two were ruled-out due to not meeting the quality criteria.

The survey was conducted by a project team led by the Geodetic Section of the Survey Department with testing procedures conducted using equipment based on the started regulations of geomatics (Work Instruction Geodetic 2016). The field reconnaissance project used levelling mount and GPS antenna secured to a stainless steel pin which is anchored within the top pillar which is generally simple and easy to construct almost in every terrain.

Results show that the most important factors for the successful survey focussed on collaboration to develop and improve the task standards in accordance with international standards applied consistently. According to Abdul Khaliq, the task design and implementation was “well-planned” using technological, spatial data computational and surveying viewpoints as well as consistent reviews and updates that were also factors to the success. http://borneobulletin.com.bn

Highly elliptical orbit segment for Glonass

The work to create a highly elliptical orbit segment for Russia’s Glonass satellite navigation system will begin in 2019, according to the CEO of Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems Company Nikolai Testoyedov.

“The same concept envisages adjusting the Glonass target program and introducing a highly elliptical navigation segment of six satellites. This work will most likely start from 2019, if the concept is accepted and we are almost sure of that,” the chief executive was quoted as saying in the company’s corporate publication, Siberian Satellite. http://tass.com

Two more satellites join Galileo service provision

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) and the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC), have announced the commissioning of two additional satellites, bringing the total number of satellites available for the Galileo service provision to 18.

The GSA is pleased to announce the completion of in-orbit testing (IOT) of two new Galileo satellites, GSAT0212-SV ID 03 and GSAT0213-SV ID 04. Having passed all initial tests, the two satellites are now officially commissioned for operational use and are usable for the Galileo service provision. http://www.gsa.europa.eu