Update 2: Start postponed a second time. For further info, please go with the livestream player.

Update: Due to bad weather conditions the launch is postponed. New launch Date: today, 23.04.16, 22:30h (CET). Stay tuned.

Tonight at 23:02 Central European Time a Soyuz rocket with a precious cargo launches from the European spaceport near Kourou in French Guiana: Not only the satellite Sentinel-1B, the fourth "guardian" of the European Earth observation program Copernicus is on board, but also a Laser Communication Terminal (LCT) from Tesat-Spacecom, to collect and send more precise data from earth to earth. Sentinel-1B joins his twin satellites 1A, which circulates already for two years to the Earth and the other Sentinels 2A and 3A.

March 2016 – As the first company worldwide, Tesat-Spacecom, one of the largest space technology companies in Germany, has pioneered the application of additive manufacturing techniques, also known as 3D printing, for the production of microwave components. The breakthrough took place within the framework of an activity supported by ESA through the Competitiveness & Growth Element of the ARTES programme.

On 14th March 2016 the communication module (CM) of the EDRS-C payload was delivered to OHB. On the 16th March the incoming inspection in Bremen could also be completed successfully. Thereby two of the three components of the payload – CM and antenna – as also the testing system for the following satellite testing phase at OHB in Bremen respectively at IABG in Ottobrunn are ready. The last essential component for the function of the hybrid payload, the LCT, is in the final acceptance test phase at Tesat-Spacecom.

Early March 2016 in the civic center of Waiblingen: Roundabout 8,000 visitors gathered information from 120 exhibitors about training offers in the region.

Already on Friday morning numerous students pressed, gathered in school classes, through the narrow aisles. On Saturday many students came with their parents to inform on training offers with all the individual companies.

Last Friday we awarded for the eleventh time now our coveted supplier award. From around 1,100 active suppliers are about 400 suppliers in a constant supplier evaluation. Five companies were honored this year for outstanding achievements in the field of quality and delivery.

Behind the award is also an entrepreneurial advantage: the continuous improvement. Mr. Collissy, department manager of purchasing, places emphasis on the internal instructions: "The supplier evaluation serves to measure the quality of the cooperation and to improve it. Through this continuous measurement it is possible to identify potential for improvement and to make changes visible."

Some of our products are made out of more than 7,500 individual parts and have to ensure their service in orbit over a period of 15 years, "the importance of reliable and high quality suppliers is obvious here," so Collissy added.

The engineering office for precision mechanics Wolf from Winnenden received the supplier award this year for the third time after 2011 and 2015. The cooperation exists since 2004, whereat the work focuses on the development and production of special devices for tools in manufacturing, assembly and quality control as well as the manufacturing and supply of precision parts in small series.

For the fourth time after 2009, 2012 and 2014 Schenz milling technology from Auenwald received the supplier award for top quality, punctuality and flexibility. Schenz manufactures high-precision mechanical components and is a specialist in their field. The company has been a supplier of us since 1968.

After 2008, 2012 and 2014 Mielenz CNC Technik from Loßburg received last Friday its fourth supplier award for outstanding achievement in high precision mechanics. Founded by Heinz Friedrich Mielenz in Köngen in 1980 Mielenz CNC Technik is a manufacturer of vacuum clamping units and contract manufacturer for the areas of automotive, aerospace and telecommunications.

Blinzinger electronics from Sindringen received their first supplier price this year. Established in 1986, they develop and manufacture electronic products for industrial purposes. The product range extends from technical ceramics such as soft magnetic ferrite cores and their processing, magnetic components such as transformers up to complete devices in the field of industrial power supplies.

The rich in tradition company Böhm & Wiedemann from Eching, founded in 1784, was awarded this year also for the first time with the supplier award. Founded as “bohemian glassware” it now focuses on optical precision machinery and is a certified supplier of the aerospace industry.

The certificate is handed out along with a statue called "Steps to Success". The artist and creator of the bronze sculpture, Louise Kött Gardener, describes it as follows: "A positive and life-affirming attitude helps to cope the steps to success lightly, nearly playfully".

On January 29, 2016 at 23:20h (CET) the first laser node oft the European Data Relay Satellite System (EDRS) was successfully sent to orbit aboard a Proton launcher. After about nine hours of flight the telecommunications satellite Eutelsat 9B reached its target altitude of 36,000 kilometers above the equator, where it is subjected to immediate in-orbit tests.

On 05 December 2015, there had come: After years of effort and many obstacles that had to be overcome, the Technology Forum was opened with a small ceremony. On more than 1,000 m2 industrial history of Backnang is presented with ist four main industries: tannery, mill, automotive and telecommunications.

On November 30, 2015 Andreas Hammer was officially welcomed by mayor Dr. Frank Nopper in the historic city hall of Backnang and thus welcomed into the city of Backnang. Although the men already have met before in various occasions, the date was now called the first visit.

The Parts Agency was represented together with the EEE-Centre from 17 to 19 November 2015 on the Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen. The booth and two held lectures were well received by the professional audience.

On Saturday 10 October 2015, there was again pure motorsport on the indoor track of the Indy Cart GmbH at the 18th city tournaments of Backnang. During the event, nine teams came together to crown the best team of company and club teams. The winner of the ever-popular and coveted trophy was presented, which lies dormant in the custody of the MSC Backnang now for several years.