May 2007 Space News

General Dynamics Awarded $31 Million Option for Production of Tactical Satellite Communications Terminals General Dynamics 31 May 2007 -- General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies has been awarded a $30.5 million follow-on order for satellite communications terminals that will be used in the U.S. Marine Corps Support Wide Area Network (SWAN) program
Two Russians install debris protection panels in ISS spacewalk RIA Novosti 31 May 2007 -- Two Russian cosmonauts have made a successful spacewalk to install panels to protect the international space station (ISS) from space debris.
Lithuanian minister denies inviting U.S. to deploy missile shield RIA Novosti 30 May 2007 -- Lithuania's defense minister rejected Wednesday international media reports that he had approached NATO with a proposal to deploy elements of a U.S. missile shield in his country.
Russia successfully launches four U.S. satellites into orbit RIA Novosti 30 May 2007 -- Russia has successfully launched four U.S. Globalstar satellites into orbit on board a Soyuz-FG carrier rocket from a space center in Kazakhstan, the Russian space agency said Wednesday.
No plans for missile shield talks with Russia - Polish president RIA Novosti 28 May 2007 -- Poland has no intention of conducting a discussion with Russia on the proposed deployment of a U.S. missile defense base on its territory, Poland's president said in an interview Monday.
Proton-M carrier with U.S. telecom satellite to lift off in June RIA Novosti 28 May 2007 -- A Proton-M rocket carrying a U.S. telecommunications satellite, DirecTV-10, has been scheduled for launch in June this year from a space center in Kazakhstan, a leading Russian space company said Monday.
Missile Defense Test a “No Test” MDA 25 May 2007 -- A scheduled flight test, of the long range missile defense system, by the Missile Defense Agency, was not completed and designated a “no test” when the target, launched from the Kodiak Launch Complex, in Alaska, failed to reach the defended area, and the Ground-Based Interceptor, which would have come from the Ronald W. Reagan Missile Defense Site, located at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. was not launched.
General Dynamics Successfully Completes On-Orbit Checkout of NFIRE Satellite for U.S. Missile Defense Agency 25 May 2007 -- General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has successfully completed the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) of the Near Field Infrared Experiment (NFIRE) and has turned satellite control authority over to the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
No plans to join NASA lunar program - Russian space agency RIA Novosti 25 May 2007 -- Russia will not participate in joint lunar exploration with NASA, but will assist the U.S. with its shuttle program until 2015, a spokesman for the Russian space agency said.
ATK Conducts Successful Test Firing Of Space Shuttle Reusable Solid Rocket Motor ATK 24 May 2007 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) conducted a successful test firing today of NASA's Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) as part of continuous testing to improve performance and ensure safety of the Space Shuttle, which also transfers improvements into the shuttle-derived first-stage of the Ares I crew launch vehicle.
Astronaut Teaches U.S., Foreign Military About Space Technology Washignton File 24 May 2007 -- In 2002 astronaut James Newman was tethered to the space shuttle helping to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.
Space official says Glonass to equal precision of GPS by 2011 RIA Novosti 24 May 2007 -- A senior space official said Thursday Russia's Glonass global positioning system should reach the same precision level as the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS) by 2011.
Pentagon reaffirms U.S. right to deny adversaries use of space RIA Novosti 24 May 2007 -- The United States has the inherent right of self-defense to protect its national interests in space and can deny its adversaries the use of hostile space capabilities, a senior Pentagon official said Wednesday.
Moscow still negative on U.S. missile defense in C.Europe -Putin RIA Novosti 23 May 2007 -- After recent contacts with U.S. representatives, Moscow has not changed its negative attitude toward U.S. plans to deploy missile defense elements in Central Europe, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.
DOD stands up joint space office AFPN 22 May 2007 -- The Department of Defense stood up the joint service Operationally Responsive Space Office in a ceremony May 21 at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
U.S. missile shield to boost Polish Czech ties -Vaclav Klaus RIA Novosti 22 May 2007 -- A U.S. missile defense system in Europe will strengthen Polish-Czech ties, the Czech president said Tuesday.
U.S. missile shield in Europe puts Russia at risk - FM Lavrov RIA Novosti 22 May 2007 -- The U.S.'s unilateral decision to deploy elements of a national defense system in Central and Eastern European countries jeopardizes Russia, as well as the whole of Europe, Russia's foreign minister said Tuesday.
China to launch first Moon probe before year-end RIA Novosti 21 May 2007 -- China plans to launch a probe called Chang'e-1 that will fly to the Moon and enter lunar orbit before the end of the year, the director of the Chinese National Space Administration said Monday.
China to Launch Moon Probe This Year VOA 20 May 2007 -- China's state media say Beijing plans to launch a lunar orbiter later this year.
Russian Cosmonauts Target Kazakh City for Earth Return VOA 18 May 2007 -- A Russian cosmonaut and two American astronauts returned to Earth last month, landing in Central Kazakhstan aboard the Soyuz re-entry vehicle
BAE SYSTEMS TEAM PURSUING AVIONICS CONTRACT FOR ARES I CREW LAUNCH VEHICLE BAE Systems 17 May 2007 -- BAE Systems will lead an industry team in pursuit of a contract to support NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center with the design, development and production of Instrument Unit Avionics (IUA) on the new Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle
Asia Nations Gaining Ground in Space Race VOA 17 May 2007 -- A number of Asian nations are not content with being economic powerhouses - they have become serious contenders in the race to control space
Air Force secretary sets sights on space AFPN 16 May 2007 -- "Setting the strategic conditions for victory starts right here in (Air Force) Space Command," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne as he visited here May 7.
General Dynamics Awarded Contract for NASA’s Landsat Data Continuity Mission Study 15 May 2007 -- General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), was awarded a Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) Spacecraft Accommodation study contract by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
Rice, Putin Agree to Disagree, Respectfully VOA 15 May 2007 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to ease tensions and tone down harsh rhetoric, but after two days of extensive talks in Moscow, stark differences remain over missile defense and Kosovo
Russian space freighter Progress moors with ISS - Mission Control RIA Novosti 15 May 2007 -- A Russian supply vehicle has successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS), Russia's Mission Control said Tuesday.
Rice Continues Missile Defense Talks in Moscow VOA 15 May 2007 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, later Tuesday for talks aimed at improving ailing U.S.-Russian relations ahead of next month's G-Eight Summit in Germany, when President Putin will meet President George Bush
Losyukov: Russia to confront US' missile defense shield plan IRNA 14 May 2007 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov said on Monday that Russia considers any US plan to place elements of a missile defense shield near its borders in East Europe as a factor of instability and will confront it.
Raytheon, Aerojet Test New Propulsion System for Air-Launched Missile Defense System Raytheon 14 May 2007 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has demonstrated a key propulsion component of the Network Centric Airborne Defense Element (NCADE) program.
Rice in Russia for Missile Defense Talks VOA 14 May 2007 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice begins discussions in Moscow later Monday with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, aimed at smoothing over Russian objections and mistrust over Washington's missile defense plans in Europe
US, Chinese Military Officers Sharply Disagree Over Anti-Satellite Issue VOA 11 May 2007 -- Senior U.S. and Chinese military commanders sharply disagreed Friday on the impact of China's anti-satellite weapon test in January
Raytheon to Pursue Avionics Contract for NASA Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle Raytheon 11 May 2007 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) will submit a proposal as the prime contractor to partner with NASA on the development and manufacture of the Instrument Unit Avionics on NASA's Ares I, the Crew Launch Vehicle that will carry future space pioneers into orbit when the Space Shuttle is retired in 2010.
Poland to open talks with U.S. on shield Monday - FM RIA Novosti 11 May 2007 -- The Polish premier has signed a regulation Thursday night to open talks with the U.S. over the planned deployment of part of its missile shield in the country, the foreign minister told the parliament Friday.
American space mission commander praises space tourists RIA Novosti 11 May 2007 -- The American commander of Expedition 14 to the International Space Station, called space tourism "a good idea" as his crew returned to the base near Moscow Friday.
ISS crews to be increased from 3 to 6 people by 2009 RIA Novosti 11 May 2007 -- Crews on the International Space Station will be increased from the current number of three up to six people by 2009, a senior official with the Russian Space Agency said Friday.
Northrop Grumman Demonstrates On-Orbit Propellant Re-Supply for Orbital Express Program Northrop Grumman 10 May 2007 -- Using a payload provided by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and support from a team of the company's mission specialists, the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency's (DARPA) Orbital Express (OE) team has successfully performed multiple on-orbit fluid transfers between two space vehicles.
Charleston C-17 transports NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander AFPN 10 May 2007 -- The Phoenix Mars Lander began its journey to the red planet in May by first flying on board a C-17 Globemaster III from Charleston Air Force Base.
Boeing Orbital Express Completes First Autonomous Free Flight and Capture Boeing 10 May 2007 -- The Boeing [NYSE: BA] Orbital Express system has completed another industry first by successfully performing a fully autonomous free-flight rendezvous and capture operation
Kazakh cosmonauts to complete training in Russia by yearend RIA Novosti 10 May 2007 -- Two Kazakh cosmonauts will complete a training course before the yearend, but a date for their flight to the International Space Station has not been fixed, the head of Russia's space agency said Thursday.
U.S., Czech Republic start talks on missile shield RIA Novosti 10 May 2007 -- The United States and the Czech Republic will start negotiations over the possible deployment of a missile defense radar on Czech territory, the CTK news agency reported Thursday.
U.S. Congress cuts missile defense, space weapons, nuke funding RIA Novosti 10 May 2007 -- A United State congressional panel has cut administration defense spending for next year by 9% of the total requested, blocking funds to build a missile base in Poland.
Airborne Laser Successfully Completes High-Speed Tracking Test MDA 09 May 2007 -- Lt. General Henry A. “Trey” Obering, Missile Defense Agency director, announced today that the prototype Airborne Laser (ABL) aircraft successfully passively tracked a vertically dynamic target for the first time.
Japanese Reactionaries' Moves to Establish MD under Fire KCNA 09 May 2007 -- The Japanese reactionaries are displaying feverish activities to establish the Missile Defence System (MD) at the earliest date possible while acting separately, not fully depending on cooperation with the United States in this matter.
LOCKHEED MARTIN DELIVERS PHOENIX MARS LANDER SPACECRAFT TO NASA Lockheed Martin 08 May 2007 -- A NASA spacecraft touched down on the coast of Florida after a brief 3-1/2 hour trip from the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, but the spacecraft’s next and final trip will be a 9-1/2 month journey to Mars.
Analysis: The Logic of Missile Defense cfr.org 07 May 2007 -- U.S. missile defense policy has a checkered history
Brightest Star Explosion Yet Seen Astonishes Astronomers VOA 07 May 2007 -- Astronomers have witnessed the biggest star explosion ever observed
Rice to Go to Moscow for Talks on Missile Defense, Kosovo VOA 07 May 2007 -- The U.S. State Department said Monday Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will visit Moscow next week for talks on problem issues including Kosovo and U.S. missile defense plans for central Europe
LOCKHEED MARTIN TEAM SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES MAJOR DESIGN REVIEW FOR TSAT PROGRAM Lockheed Martin 07 May 2007 -- A Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]/Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) team has successfully completed a key design review of the Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) Space Segment, signaling the team's readiness to proceed with the next development phase of the program
Russia forces development plan unaffected by U.S. missile shield RIA Novosti 07 May 2007 -- Russia's mid-tem military development program will not be reviewed despite U.S. plans to deploy a missile defense system in Central Europe, a Russian senior military official said Monday.
State Dept. confirms timeframe for missile defense talks with Russia RIA Novosti 05 May 2007 -- U.S.-Russia missile defense talks will go ahead as planned in early fall, Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia Daniel Fried said Friday.
US, Russia Agree to High-Level Missile Defense Talks VOA 04 May 2007 -- The United States and Russia have agreed to hold special cabinet-level talks in an effort to resolve a dispute over U.S. plans to put elements of a missile defense system in central Europe
US Congress Debates US Missile Defense Plan for Europe VOA 04 May 2007 -- The U.S. plan to base defensive missile system in Poland and the Czech Republic to defend Europe against potential future threats from Iran was the subject of a congressional hearing Thursday
NASA's Northrop Grumman-Built Aqua Satellite Celebrates Fifth Anniversary On-Orbit Northrop Grumman 04 May 2007 -- NASA's Aqua satellite, built by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), marked its fifth year on-orbit today observing the Earth's water systems, producing a massive data flow that is giving the world's scientists insight into the Earth's climate
Georgia: No talks on hosting U.S. missile defense system - FM RIA Novosti 04 May 2007 -- Georgia has denied being involved in any talks or discussions on basing elements of a U.S. missile shield system on its soil, the country's foreign minister said Friday.
Missile Plan for Europe Seen as Shield Against Iranian Ambitions Washington File 03 May 2007 -- The elements of a limited missile defense system the United States proposes to place in Central Europe will have “no offensive capability,” State Department officials tell a congressional panel.

Pioneer US Astronaut Schirra Dies at 84

VOA

Space ops critical to air, ground, naval forces AFPN 03 May 2007 -- With the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility spanning 6.5 million square miles and 27 countries, the high ground of space continues to be critical to coalition air, ground and naval forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
No launch delay after train with shuttle booster derails in U.S. RIA Novosti 03 May 2007 -- An accident in which a freight train carrying segments of the space shuttle's solid rocket boosters ran off the tracks in Alabama will not cause any delays in shuttle launches, U.S. space officials said.
NASA Review Board Validates New Technologies Developed for Northrop Grumman-built James Webb Space Telescope Northrop Grumman 02 May 2007 -- Technologies developed for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) are mature enough to move into the detailed engineering phase. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is prime contractor, leading an industry team in the Webb's design and development under contract to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, Md.
Georgia considering hosting U.S. missile defense system RIA Novosti 02 May 2007 -- Georgia is prepared to consider basing elements of a U.S. missile shield system on its soil, the country's foreign minister said Wednesday.
Czech Republic, U.S. start talks on missile defense May 10 RIA Novosti 02 May 2007 -- The Czech Republic will start negotiations on the deployment of an interceptor radar with the United States on May 10, the Czech CTK news agency reported Wednesday.
U.S./EU: Summit Presents United Front On Missile Defense, Iran RFE/RL 01 May 2007 -- The United States and Europe have presented a united front on Iran's nuclear program and Russia's objections to a missile-defense system that includes components in Poland and the Czech Republic.
LOCKHEED MARTIN-BUILT ASTRA 1L SATELLITE READY FOR LAUNCH Lokcheed Martin 01 May 2007 -- The ASTRA 1L broadcasting satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] for SES ASTRA, an SES company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), is ready for launch Thursday aboard an Ariane 5-ECA launch vehicle provided by Arianespace
Raytheon Tallies $100 Million in Awards for Upgrades of Patriot Missiles Raytheon 01 May 2007 -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missile-T (GEM-T) upgrade program reached its first-ever $100 million sales award.