An Orbital Sciences Corp. Antares rocket first stage apparently will be able to undergo a hot-fire test later this month on its seaside launch pad, despite the high winds and water that blasted NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia during Hurricane Sandy. A company spokesman said Nov. 2 that work crews were able to reach access hatches and environmental-data recorders on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 to complete their initial inspection of the kerosene-fueled rocket stage. “Everything apparently looks good,” he said. Dress Rehearsal

BRUSSELS — The European Space Agency (ESA) is seeking ideas for an orbital waste-management service capable of grabbing defunct satellites circling in low Earth orbit and disposing of them through controlled reentry into the atmosphere. By year-end, the 20-nation space agency plans to issue a tender for up to three industry study contracts dealing with concepts for orbital-debris removal o be awarded early next year.

As Iridium readies to launch its Aireon global aviation monitoring venture, the level of investment to come from partner Nav Canada remains in question. Iridium established Aireon in June to provide global aircraft tracking capability through Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) receivers to be built into Iridium NEXT, the McLean, Va.-based satellite fleet operator’s second-generation communications satellite constellation scheduled to launch in 2015.

The launch of the reusable X-37B spacecraft has now been slipped to Nov. 27

Equipped with a 35-meter dish antenna and super-cold, low-noise amplifiers

Isolated thermal control system radiator, rerouted flow of ammonia coolant

ALL GROWN UP: The U.S. Air Force’s second Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite has completed its on-orbit testing in preparation for transfer for operational use. The satellite, built by Lockheed Martin, was launched in May. In addition to the on-orbit testing of its own systems, it also executed trials to link with AEHF-1.

Carried nearly 5,800 lb. of propellant, water, compressed air and oxygen, spare parts and research gear