June 2007 Space News

NASA Rover To Descend into Massive Martian Crater Washington File 29 Jun 2007 -- One of NASA's robotic explorers, Opportunity, is about to descend into one of the largest craters on Mars, opening a window for scientists into the ancient environment of the fourth planet from the sun.
Indosat appoints Thales Alenia Space as the partner to build and launch Palapa-D satellite Thales 29 Jun 2007 -- PT Indosat Tbk, today appointed Thales Alenia Space to build and launch the Palapa-D satellite. Palapa-D, which launch is expected during second half 2009, will replace Palapa-C2 satellite which will expired in 2011 placed in slot 113º BT.
Russia puts Cosmos military satellite in orbit - space agency RIA Novosti 29 Jun 2007 -- Russia has successfully put a Cosmos-series military satellite into orbit after a launch from a space center in Kazakhstan, Russia's space agency said Friday.
Venezuela opposed to U.S. missile shield in Europe - Chavez RIA Novosti 28 Jun 2007 -- Venezuela supports Russia's opposition to the deployment of a U.S missile shield in Europe, President Hugo Chavez said Thursday.
Missile Defense Agency Conducts Successful Interceptor "Fly-Out" Test Missile Defense Agency 27 Jun 2007 -- Lieutenant General Henry "Trey" Obering, Missile Defense Agency director, announced today the successful completion June 26, 2007 of an important test exercise of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System
NASA Harnesses Power of Virtual Worlds for Exploration, Outreach Washington File 27 Jun 2007 -- NASA has created two islands in the popular real-time virtual world called Second Life, where anyone interested in space travel or technology can explore, discover and contribute to the space agency's mission.
LOCKHEED MARTIN'S THAAD WEAPON SYSTEM PROGRAM CONDUCTS SUCCESSFUL ENDO-ATMOSPHERIC INTERCEPTOR TEST Lockheed Martin 27 Jun 2007 -- The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] conducted a successful low endo-atmospheric test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System interceptor, at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), NM.
LOCKHEED MARTIN-LED TEAM COMPLETES INTEGRATED BASELINE REVIEW FOR SPACE RADAR Lockheed Martin 27 Jun 2007 -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] Space Radar team has successfully completed on-schedule an Integrated Baseline Review (IBR) with the U.S. Air Force, an important program milestone that precedes the System Requirements Review
Poland says U.S. missile base construction may start in 2008 RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2007 -- The construction of a base for U.S. interceptor missiles in Poland could begin in February 2008, a Polish deputy foreign minister said Wednesday during talks in Washington.
U.S. shield risks Russia's security dialogue with EU, NATO - minister RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2007 -- U.S. plans to deploy a missile defense system in Central Europe may undermine Russia's security cooperation with the European Union and NATO, Russia's defense minister said Wednesday.
Space Station May Open to Government, Commercial Clients Washington File 26 Jun 2007 -- NASA has formulated a plan to open part of the U.S. segment of the International Space Station to U.S. government and commercial clients for their own research projects beginning in 2011.
Raytheon Ships Second Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Radar To Missile Defense Agency Raytheon 26 Jun 2007 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has completed all factory acceptance testing on its second Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) radar.
Navy Ships Key to Missile Test Success Navy NewsStand 25 Jun 2007 -- Two U.S. Navy warships, a Spanish frigate, and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) mobile ground-based radar participated in a successful "hit to kill" intercept flight test conducted off the coast of Kauai on June 22.
Boeing Supports Ninth Successful Intercept Test of Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System Boeing 25 Jun 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] played a key role in Friday's successful intercept of a ballistic missile target outside the Earth's atmosphere by the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) and the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense weapon system.
Northrop Grumman Exceeds All Demonstration Requirements for First Building Block of Joint High Power Solid State Laser Phase 3 Program Northrop Grumman 25 Jun 2007 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has entered the integration and test phase for the Joint High Power Solid State Laser (JHPSSL) Phase 3 program after exceeding all demonstration requirements for the first gain module, or building block, that forms the core of its 100 kW solid-state laser system.
Lockheed Martin/Northrop Grumman TSAT Team Demonstrates Technology Maturity of Laser Communications Subsystem Northrop Grumman 25 Jun 2007 -- A recent test conducted by the Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)/Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) Transformational Satellite Communications (TSAT) space segment team has validated that its laser communications technology developed for the Risk Reduction and System Definition phase has achieved the goal of Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL-6) -- a key milestone on the path to flight for the TSAT program.
Raytheon Standard Missile-3 Achieves Ninth Hit-to-Kill Intercept in Space Raytheon 25 Jun 2007 -- A Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN)-produced Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) successfully engaged a ballistic missile target outside the earth's atmosphere during a flight test over the Pacific Ocean.
LOCKHEED MARTIN AEGIS BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM SUCCESSFULLY DESTROYS MEDIUM-RANGE SEPARATING BALLISTIC MISSILE DURING TEST Lockheed Martin 22 Jun 2007 -- During a test today, Lockheed Martin's [NYSE: LMT] Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) System intercepted and destroyed a separating ballistic missile target during its midcourse phase of flight.
Sea-Based Missile Defense "Hit to Kill" Intercept Achieved Missile Defense Agency 22 Jun 2007 -- Lieutenant General Henry A. 'Trey" Obering, Missile Defense Agency (MDA) director, announced the successful completion today of MDA's latest "hit to kill" intercept flight test conducted jointly with the U.S. Navy off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii.
Space Shuttle Atlantis Lands in California VOA 22 Jun 2007 -- The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis has landed in California, after bad weather kept it from returning to its home base in Florida.
Boeing Orbital Express Achieves Another First in Space Boeing 22 Jun 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced that the Orbital Express system, a program to validate spacecraft servicing capability led by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), has performed a fully-autonomous "fly-around and capture" of its NextSat client spacecraft, marking another industry first for the innovative program.
Russia says it hopes for missile defense agreement with U.S. RIA Novosti 22 Jun 2007 -- Moscow hopes to reach an agreement on missile defense with the U.S., Russia's foreign minister said Friday in an interview with TV network Vesti 24.
Airborne Laser Aircraft Slated to Provide Missile Defense AFPS 21 Jun 2007 -- A typical-looking 747 aircraft on the tarmac here today -- distinguishable from other 747s only by its glass, bulb-shaped nose -- could one day be the silver bullet that shoots ballistic missiles out of the sky.
Northrop Grumman Successfully Completes Major Milestone Towards Delivering and Launching MDA's Space Tracking and Surveillance System Satellites Northrop Grumman 21 Jun 2007 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), the prime contractor for the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) missile detecting Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS), announced today the successful completion of thermal vacuum testing of space vehicle number 1.
NASA Postpones Shuttle Landing Until Friday VOA 21 Jun 2007 -- The U.S. space agency NASA says it will not try to land the space shuttle Atlantis Thursday because of low clouds and the possibility of thunderstorms at the landing site at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Boeing Showcases Operational TSAT System during Critical Review Boeing 21 Jun 2007 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and its industry teammates recently demonstrated the advanced capabilities the Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) will offer the nation's warfighters during a critical Space Segment Design Review (SSDR).
Weather Threatens Planned Return of US Space Shuttle VOA 21 Jun 2007 -- The crew of the U.S. space shuttle Atlantis is preparing for its first attempt at landing Thursday in the southeastern U.S. state of Florida, but thunderstorms could delay the touchdown.
Thales Alenia Space and Arianespace sign launch contract for first pan-African satellite RASCOM 1 Thales 21 Jun 2007 -- Thales Alenia Space and Arianespace today announced the signature of the launch Service & Solutions contract for the first pan-African communications satellite, RASCOM 1, dedicated to the African continent. The satellite is scheduled for launch into a geostationary transfer orbit in the last quarter of 2007 by an Ariane 5 launcher from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
Kazakhstan ratifies agreements with Russia on test sites RIA Novosti 21 Jun 2007 -- The upper house of Kazakhstan's parliament ratified Thursday protocols on changes to Russian-Kazakh agreements on the lease of four military test sites in the ex-Soviet Central Asian republic.
ESA awards S-band onboard satellite mobile broadcast repeater development to Thales Alenia Space Thales 20 Jun 2007 -- The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected Thales Alenia Space to develop an advanced S-band onboard satellite mobile broadcast repeater and to develop and qualify repeater's key equipment. This equipment will be fully compliant with hybrid satellite/terrestrial systems based on DVB-SH, the new mobile broadcast standard whose technical specifications have been adopted by the DVB Project.
Russia's space agency strikes multiple deals at Le Bourget RIA Novosti 20 Jun 2007 -- Russia's space agency signed three contracts, five agreements, and a memorandum at an international air show in France, the agency's head said Wednesday.
U.S. Air Force Awards General Dynamics $6 Million for Alternative Infrared Satellite System Work General Dynamics 19 Jun 2007 -- The U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center has awarded General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), a $6.4 million contract modification to continue work on the Alternative Infrared Satellite System (AIRSS) program.
Shuttle Atlantis Leaves Space Station VOA 19 Jun 2007 -- The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis undocked from the International Space Station Tuesday on the first leg of its trip back to Earth
Thales Alenia Space to supply repeaters equipment for Russian satellites Loutch-5A and Loutch-5B Thales 19 Jun 2007 -- Thales Alenia Space announced today that it has signed a contract with Russian satellite manufacturer NPO-PM to supply two repeater equipment sets for the Loutch-5A and Loutch-5B communications satellites ordered by Russian space agency (Roskosmos).
Northrop Grumman Delivers First Production Stellar Navigation System to U.S. Air Force Northrop Grumman 19 Jun 2007 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has delivered to the U.S. Air Force the first of 31 production LN-120G stellar-inertial navigation systems for the RC-135 aircraft.
U.S. Air Force Contract Continues Northrop Grumman's Work On Upper Stage Engine Technology Program Northrop Grumman 19 Jun 2007 -- A contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) will allow Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) to continue technology development for the Upper Stage Engine Technology (USET) program.
NASA sticks to original Atlantis return schedule RIA Novosti 19 Jun 2007 -- NASA experts decided not to extend the space shuttle Atlantis mission following a successful test of onboard computers on the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS), Houston mission control said Monday.
Boeing Completes First Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite and Prepares Spacecraft for Shipment Boeing 18 Jun 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has completed integration and test of the U.S. Air Force's first Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite, bringing unprecedented satellite communications services one step closer to the warfighter.
IAI/MBT Space Division Unveils the OpTSat 3000 New Generation Very High Resolution Observation Satellite at the 2007 Paris Air Show Israel Aerospace Industries 18 Jun 2007 -- IAI/MBT Space Division, the Prime Contractor for Israel's space programs, is unveiling it's third generation, low weight, very high performance optical observation satellite, the OptSat 3000.
Sagem Défense Sécurité to make mirrors for Gaia scientific satellite Sagem (Safran group) 18 Jun 2007 -- Sagem Défense Sécurité (SAFRAN Group) has signed a contract with EADS Astrium to produce large mirrors for the European Space Agency’s Gaia satellite. The mirrors will be delivered in 2008, with the launch of Gaia slated for 2011.
ESA awards Thales Alenia Space a 229 million euro contract to provide Sentinel-1 Thales 18 Jun 2007 -- Thales Alenia Space is proud to announce that it has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to provide the first Sentinel Earth observation satellite dedicated to the GMES program.
LOCKHEED MARTIN INSTRUMENTS STUDY DYNAMIC SOLAR ACTIVITY ON NEW SUN MISSIONS Lockheed Martin 18 Jun 2007 -- Fresh insights into long-standing solar mysteries and the first 3-D views of the Sun have been made possible by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] space instruments on two new Sun-watching space missions. Hinode, an international cooperative mission, and NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) are providing solar physicists a treasure trove of new data on the roiling turbulent nuclear furnace at the center of our solar system.
MAJOR INTEGRATION MILESTONE ACHIEVED ON LOCKHEED MARTIN-BUILT ADVANCED MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE Lockheed Martin 18 Jun 2007 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced today that it has successfully integrated the spacecraft propulsion core structure and the payload module for the first Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite.
Iran: Tehran Says It Has Kremlin Assurance It Won't Share Radar With U.S. RFE/RL 18 Jun 2007 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry says it has received assurances that Moscow willl not let the United States share a Russian radar facility in Azerbaijan as part of a missile shield against Iran -- despite an offer by President Vladimir Putin to U.S. President George W. Bush to do exactly that.
ILS, SES sign satellite launch contract - press-release RIA Novosti 18 Jun 2007 -- International Launch Services Inc (ILS) and SES Satellite Leasing signed a contract to launch five telecommunications satellites on board Proton-M carrier rockets by the end of 2013, a Russian spacecraft manufacturer said Monday.
Ukraine plans satellite launch in 2008 - national space agency RIA Novosti 18 Jun 2007 -- Ukraine is planning to launch a Sich-2 Earth remote sensing satellite into orbit in 2008, the National Space Agency said on its web site.
US Space Shuttle Astronauts Prepare for Return VOA 17 Jun 2007 -- Astronauts aboard the U.S. space shuttle Atlantis are making final preparations to return home this week
Astrium and Thales Alenia Space win Arabsat contract for 5th generation satellites Thales 17 Jun 2007 -- Arabsat, the 30-year old leading Arab communications satellite operator based in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has selected a consortium of European companies Astrium and Thales Alenia Space to build their 5th Generation satellites. A firm contract for the two first satellites, Arabsat-5A and BADR-5, was signed in Riyadh on 16 June 2007.
DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesman Blasts U.S. Establishment of MD KCNA 16 Jun 2007 -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK Friday issued the following statement in connection with the fact that the U.S. attempt to establish the Missile Defense System (MD) has now entered a grave phase, disturbing the world
International Space Station Computers Are Back On Line VOA 16 Jun 2007 -- A potential crisis was averted Friday when Russian space engineers managed to jump start critical computers aboard the International Space Station
Azeri Radar Would Not Replace Czech Anti-Missile Site, U.S. Says Washington File 15 Jun 2007 -- NATO's 26 nations have agreed to assess by February 2008 the political and military implications of planned missile-defense systems in Europe, and U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said alliance members have voiced no criticism of the U.S. portion of the plan.
NATO, Russia disagree on US missile system for Europe IRNA 15 Jun 2007 -- NATO Defence Ministers agreed Thursday to assess by February 2008 the political and military implications for the 26-member Alliance of the US missile system in Europe.
TerraSAR-X Launched Successfully EADS 15 Jun 2007 -- This day marks the beginning of a new period in the history of Infoterra GmbH, one of Europe's leading geo-information service providers, based in Friedrichshafen, Germany:
NATO defense ministers favor missile shield talks with Russia RIA Novosti 15 Jun 2007 -- Defense ministers of 26 NATO member states have spoken out for continuing consultations with Russia on plans to deploy U.S. missile defense elements in Central Europe.
U.S., Russian Defense Chiefs Meet, Avoid Missile Issue RFE/RL 15 Jun 2007 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates held a brief meeting today with his Russian counterpart, Anatoly Serdyukov, on the sidelines of a conference of NATO defense ministers, which ended today in Brussels.
Joint use of Azeri radar does not remove Iran threat - Obering RIA Novosti 15 Jun 2007 -- The joint use of a radar in Azerbaijan, which Russia has proposed to Washington, would not remove the threat of a missile attack from Iran, the U.S. missile defense chief said Friday.
Problems on ISS pose no threat to crews - Russian space agency RIA Novosti 15 Jun 2007 -- Problems on the world's sole orbiter caused by computer faults pose no threat to the space crews, the spokesman for the Russian space agency said Friday.
Russia puts German satellite in orbit - space agency RIA Novosti 15 Jun 2007 -- A Russian Dnepr carrier rocket has successfully put Germany's TerraSAR-X satellite in orbit, the Russian space agency said Friday.
Noise Suspected As Cause of Computer Failure on ISS VOA 15 Jun 2007 -- Officials of the US space agency NASA say mission controllers now suspect that noise from a newly-installed segment caused a massive computer crash within the International Space Station's Russian Zarya module
NATO Allies Discuss U.S. Missile Defense Proposals AFPS 14 Jun 2007 -- Today's formal meetings of NATO's North Atlantic Council ended with no formal opposition to U.S. proposals for a European missile defense plan.
ATK and KEI Missile Defense Team Successfully Test Fire First-Stage Rocket Motor ATK 14 Jun 2007 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) completed a successful test firing earlier today of a first-stage rocket motor for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI), bringing the program closer to a high-tech defense system that will protect our homeland, deployed troops and allied forces.
Boeing-led Team Responding to TSAT Space Segment Request for Proposals Boeing 14 Jun 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and its best-of-industry TEAM TSAT are preparing a response to a U.S. Air Force Request for Proposals issued for the development and production of the Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) Space Segment.
Northrop Grumman/Raytheon Team Completes Third Successful KEI Motor-Fire Test 14 Jun 2007 -- The Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) team for the Kinetic Energy Interceptors (KEI) program fired a powerful Stage 1 rocket motor today, marking the third consecutive successful ground-fire test leading up to the program's first booster flight in 2008.
NATO Accepts US Missile Defense System VOA 14 Jun 2007 -- NATO nations have accepted the controversial U.S. missile defense system, and decided to focus the alliances' own missile defense efforts on protecting its southern flank against short and medium-range missiles from the Middle East
Iran: Lawmakers Reject Nearby Missile-Shield Presence RFE/RL 14 Jun 2007 -- Iranian politicians have responded disapprovingly to a Russian proposal that the United States deploy components of a proposed antiballistic-missile shield in Azerbaijan instead of Central Europe.
EADS unveils jet for space tourism RIA Novosti 14 Jun 2007 -- EADS Astrium, a subsidiary of the European aerospace company (EADS), has unveiled a new vehicle designed to take tourists 100 kilometers (60 miles) up into space.
Atlantis crew carry out ISS spacewalk, fail to complete tasks RIA Novosti 14 Jun 2007 -- U.S. astronauts completed a second spacewalk on the International Space Station, but were unable to retract a solar power unit, NASA spokesperson Brandi Dean said Thursday.
MDA Conducts Successful Test of Rocket Motor for Next Generation Interceptor Missile Missile Defense Agency 14 Jun 2007 -- Lieutenant General Henry A. "Trey" Obering, Missile Defense Agency director, announced today the successful completion of an important test of the first stage rocket motor of the new Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI), a high-speed, three-stage interceptor system designed to destroy hostile ballistic missiles.
Computer Systems Fail Aboard the International Space Station VOA 14 Jun 2007 -- Officials at the U.S. space agency NASA says they are working to help restore computers that crashed in the Russian section of the International Space Station, threatening to lengthen the mission of the U.S. space shuttle Atlantis
Russia confirms arrest of space official for spying in Austria RIA Novosti 14 Jun 2007 -- A Russian national detained by Austrian police on allegations of spying is a 51-year-old employee of the Russian Space Agency, an agency spokesman said Thursday.
Astrium rockets into space tourism EADS 13 Jun 2007 -- Astrium has unveiled a revolutionary new vehicle for space tourism at a special VIP event in Paris ahead of the Le Bourget Airshow
NATO: U.S. Missile Shield, Afghanistan To Dominate Ministerial Meeting RFE/RL 13 Jun 2007 -- U.S. missile-defense plans for Central Europe and NATO's difficulties in Afghanistan will top the agenda at the alliance's annual meeting of defense ministers, which opens in Brussels on June 14.
Team Ares Reaches Key Milestones on Ares I Upper Stage Risk Reduction Efforts ATK 13 Jun 2007 -- As part of their Ares I Upper Stage production proposal, the three core companies that make-up Team Ares - Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK), Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc. (NYSE: UTX)-- have been utilizing internal company funds that will help NASA mitigate the development risk for its future fleet of exploration launch vehicles.
Northrop Grumman Provides Powerful Radar Support to NASA Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch Northrop Grumman 13 Jun 2007 -- Three powerful radars supplied by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) provided valuable data about debris during this week's liftoff of the space shuttle Atlantis from Launch Pad 39A in support of STS-117, a mission to deliver truss segment and solar arrays to the International Space Station
Proton-M rocket with U.S. satellite to lift off July 7 RIA Novosti 13 Jun 2007 -- The launch of a U.S. telecommunications satellite, DirecTV-10, on board a Russian Proton-M carrier rocket has been scheduled for July 7, a leading Russian space company said Wednesday.
THIRD PAIR OF MASSIVE LOCKHEED MARTIN SOLAR ARRAYS BEGIN PROVIDING POWER TO INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION Lockheed Martin 12 Jun 2007 -- The third of four pairs of massive solar arrays and a second Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ), built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] at its Space Systems facility in Sunnyvale, have been installed on the International Space Station by the crew of the space shuttle Atlantis.
Astronauts Deploy Solar Panels on International Space Station VOA 12 Jun 2007 -- Astronauts aboard the U.S. space shuttle Atlantis have finished unfolding solar panels on the newest component of the International Space Station, in a move to increase electrical power to the station.
NASA Extends Shuttle Mission to Fix Insulation Problem VOA 11 Jun 2007 -- NASA Extends Shuttle Mission to Fix Insulation Problem
Boeing-built Hardware to Provide Electrical Boost to International Space Station Boeing 11 Jun 2007 -- With training from Boeing [NYSE: BA] engineers and help from two robotic arms, Space Shuttle Atlantis astronauts today will install a Boeing-built truss element that will provide an extra boost of power to the International Space Station (ISS).
Northrop Grumman Will Mature System Design for Alternate Infrared Satellite System Under U.S. Air Force Contract Option Northrop Grumman 11 Jun 2007 -- The U.S. Air Force has exercised an option on its Alternate Infrared Satellite System (AIRSS) contract with Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) to move the program to a System Design Review (SDR) level of maturity
Raytheon Ships ARTEMIS Sensor for On-Demand Surveillance from Space Raytheon 11 Jun 2007 -- A hyper-spectral imaging sensor developed by Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) to demonstrate and assess military applications from satellites launched on demand has been delivered to Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
Bush Says Azerbaijan Radar Proposal 'Interesting' RFE/RL 11 Jun 2007 -- U.S. President George W. Bush has again described an offer by Russian President Vladimir Putin to jointly use a radar station in Azerbaijan as an "interesting proposal."
Atlantis crew to make first spacewalk after docking with ISS RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2007 -- Russian specialists monitoring the current Atlantis mission to the International Space Station said the U.S. space shuttle's crew were preparing for their first spacewalk Monday, a day after docking with the orbital station, run jointly by Russia's Federal Space Agency and NASA.
Bush Thanks Poland for Missile Defense Support Washington File 11 Jun 2007 -- European nations and the United States will negotiate a missile-defense agreement that protects the entire European continent, President Bush said during a visit to Poland -- a proposed host-nation for U.S. anti-missile interceptors.
IAI's OFEK 7 Satellite was Launched into Space Israel Aerospace Industries 11 Jun 2007 -- Today, 11/06/07 at 02:40 hrs, Israel's 'OFEK 7' satellite was launched and successfully injected into orbit by means of a 'Shavit' satellite launcher.
Space Shuttle Crew Greeted Aboard International Space Station VOA 11 Jun 2007 -- The crew of the U.S. space shuttle Atlantis has been welcomed aboard the International Space Station after docking successfully with the space station, high above Earth's surface.
Bush, Parvanov Discuss Missile Defense VOA 11 Jun 2007 -- President Bush is in Bulgaria for talks on plans for an American missile defense system in Europe and to thank the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) members for contributing troops to Iraq and Afghanistan
Russia urges U.S. to shelve missile plans, look for alternatives RIA Novosti 09 Jun 2007 -- Russia's foreign minister said Saturday the U.S. should put on hold moves to deploy a missile shield in Europe pending talks on Moscow's recent offer to jointly use a radar in Azerbaijan.
First deputy PM says Russian radar proposal most effective RIA Novosti 09 Jun 2007 -- A Russian first deputy prime minister said Saturday that the joint U.S.-Russian use of a radar in Azerbaijan would be the most effective way of controlling any missile launches from a southerly direction.
Space shuttle makes successful launch, heads for ISS RIA Novosti 09 Jun 2007 -- The Atlantis space shuttle completed a successful lift off from Kennedy space center on a 11-day mission on the International Space Station, its first since December.
US Space Shuttle Atlantis Blasts Off Into Space VOA 09 Jun 2007 -- The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis lifted off into outer space Friday to repair the international space station
US Astronauts to Inspect Shuttle For Post-Launch Damage VOA 09 Jun 2007 -- Astronauts aboard the U.S. space shuttle Atlantis are conducting a video inspection of the shuttle's outer hull Saturday as it orbits the Earth.
ATK Supports the Successful Launch of Space Shuttle Atantis and STS-117 Mission ATK 08 Jun 2007 -- Alliant Techsystems' (NYSE: ATK) reusable solid rocket motors (RSRM) performed flawlessly today, providing more than six million pounds of thrust as NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis launched into orbit to begin a 11-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) to continue installation of two additional solar panels.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne-Powered Launch Provides New Eye Over Mediterranean Pratt & Whitney 08 Jun 2007 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne powered a Delta II rocket as it roared off the launch pad yesterday at California's Vandenberg Air Force Base
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Engines Use New Performance Monitors On Shuttle Launch Pratt & Whitney 08 Jun 2007 -- A trio of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME), fitted with new controllers to actively monitor engine health and performance, powered the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis from NASA's Kennedy Space Center today
Shuttle Atlantis Begins 11-Day Mission to Space Station Washington File 08 Jun 2007 -- After a nearly three-month delay caused by hail damage and repairs to the external fuel tank, space shuttle Atlantis roared into a deep-blue Florida sky June 8 on the program's 21st mission to the International Space Station.
Russia: Is Putin's Azerbaijan Radar Proposal Serious? RFE/RL 08 Jun 2007 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal on June 7 at the G8 summit in Germany to use the Qabala (Gabala) radar station in Azerbaijan as an element in the U.S. planned missile shield is a well-crafted diplomatic step.
U.S./Russia: Russian Military Analyst Fleshes Out Radar Proposal RFE/RL 08 Jun 2007 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's offer to the United States to jointly operate a radar station in Azerbaijan, as part of a missile defense shield, seems to have caught the White House off guard.
Azerbaijan: Locals Worry About Health Effects Of Radar RFE/RL 08 Jun 2007 -- The locals of Qabala (Gabala) call it "the dragon."
Analysis: Putin Offers Compromise on Missile Defenses cfr.org 08 Jun 2007
U.S./Russia: Missile Expert Assesses Azerbaijan Radar Proposal RFE/RL 08 Jun 2007 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's offer jointly to operate a radar station in Azerbaijan to guard against missile attacks from rogue states has drawn a cautious response.
U.S./Russia: Analyst Says 'Surprise' Missile-Shield Proposal Was Planned RFE/RL 08 Jun 2007 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's June 7 offer to drop objections to a planned U.S. antimissile shield if it were placed in Azerbaijan has added a new wrinkle to the standoff over the system.
Gabala radar can detect cruise missiles, ICBMs - Ivanov RIA Novosti 08 Jun 2007 -- Russia's first deputy prime minister said the Gabala radar, leased by Russia in Azerbaijan, is capable of detecting both cruise and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
Russia awaits U.S. response on new radar proposal - senior MP RIA Novosti 08 Jun 2007 -- U.S. reaction to Russia's proposal to jointly use a radar in Azerbaijan as part of a global missile shield will show Washington's motives behind its planned missile defense system in Europe, a senior Russian lawmaker said Friday.
ATK Team Selected to Develop Australian Propellent Manufacturing Facility ATK 08 Jun 2007 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) will provide the key technologies and equipment for a team selected by the Australian Department of Defence to significantly enhance the capabilities of the Mulwala gun propellant facility at Mulwala, New South Wales, Australia
Successful launch of the Italian Earth observation COSMO-SkyMed satellite Thales 08 Jun 2007 -- The first of the four satellites of the COSMO-SkyMed constellation was launched today from Vandenberg, California (USA), at 19h35 local time,/ 04h35 Italian time. The Italian dual-use satellite system dedicated to Earth observation was developed under an agreement between the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Italian Ministry of Defense, and built under the prime contractorship of Thales Alenia Space; Telespazio being responsible for the realization of the civilian and military Earth segments.
Boeing Launches Italian Earth Observation Satellite Boeing 08 Jun 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], through its commercial launch business, successfully launched the first of four Italian Constellation of Small Satellites for Mediterranean basin Observation (COSMO) SkyMed spacecraft June 7 aboard a Delta II rocket.
Sea Based X-Band Radar Returns to Pearl Harbor for Maintenance Missile Defense Agency 07 Jun 2007 -- Air Force Lieutenant General Henry "Trey" Obering III, Missile Defense Agency Director, today announced the giant 28-story Sea Based X-Band Radar (SBX) will return to Pearl Harbor for scheduled maintenance and planned system upgrades later this month
Russia had a strong case for joint use of Azeri radar - Putin aide RIA Novosti 07 Jun 2007 -- Russia believes the U.S. will agree to Vladimir Putin's proposal to use a radar rented by Russia in Azerbaijan as part of a joint missile defense effort, a key Putin aide said Thursday.
Azerbaijan ready to discuss radar use with Russia, U.S. - diplomat RIA Novosti 07 Jun 2007 -- Azerbaijan is willing to hold bilateral and multilateral talks with Russia and the United States on the joint use of a radar installation in the country, a senior diplomat said Thursday.
NASA says Atlantis launch delay still 20% possible RIA Novosti 07 Jun 2007 -- NASA said Thursday there is still a 20% probability that the launch of the first U.S. space shuttle this year, already delayed for three months, will be postponed further until July.
Russia, U.S. agree on missile defense dialogue RIA Novosti 07 Jun 2007 -- The presidents of Russia and the United States agreed Thursday to cooperate on missile defense issues, and discussed the possibility of jointly using a radar installation in Azerbaijan.
THIRD PAIR OF MASSIVE LOCKHEED MARTIN SOLAR ARRAYS TO BE LAUNCHED TO INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION Lockheed Martin 07 Jun 2007 -- The third of four pairs of massive solar arrays and a second Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ), built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] at its Space Systems facility in Sunnyvale, will be launched aboard the space shuttle Atlantis to the International Space Station (ISS) as early as June 8, 2007
Putin Offers Alternative To U.S. Missile Shield In Europe RFE/RL 07 Jun 2007 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered the United States to deploy a joint antimissile radar base in Azerbaijan.
White House Welcomes Russian Missile Defense Offer Washington File 07 Jun 2007 -- President Bush welcomed an offer from Russian President Vladimir Putin that could transform a dispute over a proposed European missile defense system into a new partnership opportunity for Washington and Moscow.
Putin Offers to Join US Missile Defense Plan VOA 07 Jun 2007 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to use a Soviet-built radar base in Azerbaijan as part of a U.S. plan for a missile defense system in Europe
LOCKHEED MARTIN AWARDED CONTRACT FROM AIR FORCE SPACE AND MISSILE SYSTEMS CENTER Lockheed Martin 07 Jun 2007 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] was selected by the Air Force Space Command, Space and Missile Systems Center to continue providing support and evolutionary growth to the command's premier weather satellite receiving stations. If all options are exercised, the contract is valued at $47 million over the next nine years.
Latvia ready to host U.S. missile shield - PM RIA Novosti 07 Jun 2007 -- Latvia is ready to consider the possibility of placing elements of a U.S. missile shield on its territory if necessary, the country's prime minister said Thursday.
Russians at International Space Station complete second walk RIA Novosti 07 Jun 2007 -- Russian cosmonauts Fyodor Yurchikhin and Oleg Kotov conducted the second spacewalk of their current mission on the ISS station carrying out maintenance operations and experiments, Mission Control said Thursday.
Bush, Putin to Discuss Missile Defense VOA 07 Jun 2007 -- U.S. President George Bush says his plans for a missile defense system in Europe are no threat to Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin says it is the start of a new arms race
Bush Works to Ease Russian Concerns Over Missile Defense Plan VOA 06 Jun 2007 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin is threatening to aim missiles at new targets in Europe if America goes through with plans for a missile defense program
Boeing Demonstrates Integrated Voice, Data and Video Services with TSAT Tests Boeing 06 Jun 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has further demonstrated that its Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) can provide warfighters with rapid access to integrated voice, data and video services.
G8 Summit Opens Amid Tensions Over U.S. Antimissile Plan RFE/RL 06 Jun 2007 -- Leaders of the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized economies are beginning a summit in Germany today amid tensions over the U.S. plan to deploy an antimissile system in Poland and the Czech Republic.
U.S. telecoms satellite arrives at Baikonur for launch preparation RIA Novosti 06 Jun 2007 -- A U.S. telecommunications satellite, DirecTV-10, has been delivered to a space center in Kazakhstan in preparation for a launch scheduled for the first half of July, a leading Russian space company said Wednesday.
Pentagon plans three missile interceptor tests this summer RIA Novosti 06 Jun 2007 -- The United States is planning to conduct three test launches of ballistic missile interceptors by the end of September as part of its missile defense program, a spokesman for Missile Defense Agency (MDA) said.
Defense Ministry to mothball space center in Russia's Far East RIA Novosti 06 Jun 2007 -- The Russian defense minister and a group of military inspectors arrived Wednesday at a space center in Russia's Far East, slated to be put out of operation later this year, a spokesman for the local governor said.
Gates 'Puzzled' By Russian Response to U.S. Missile Defense Plans AFPS 05 Jun 2007 -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today that he and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice "are both puzzled by what the Russians are doing" in response to U.S. plans to build missile defense sites in Eastern Europe.
Missile Defense System No Threat to Russia, Bush Says AFPS 05 Jun 2007 -- The U.S. missile defense initiative in Europe is not aimed at Russia, but against the possibility of rogue states seeking to blackmail the West, President Bush said today during a news conference in Prague, Czech Republic.
Boeing Completes Critical Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite Tests Boeing 05 Jun 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has successfully completed end-to-end testing of the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) payload command and control system, paving the way for the launch of the first WGS satellite this summer.
Bush Says Missile-Defense Plan Aimed At 'True Threats,' Not Russia RFE/RL 05 Jun 2007 -- U.S. President George W. Bush said today in Prague that the "Cold War is over" and that Russia has nothing to fear from a missile-defense system that Washington wants to set up in the Czech Republic and Poland.
Australia mulls joining U.S.-Japan missile shield RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2007 -- Australia is looking into the possibility of joining a U.S.-Japanese missile defense system, the country's defense minister said Tuesday.
Russia to reply adequately to U.S. missile shield in Europe - FM RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2007 -- Russian military will make decisions necessary for the country's national defense, in response to U.S. plans to deploy elements of its missile shield in Central Europe, the Russian foreign minister said Tuesday.
Bush Says Missile Defense No Threat to Russia VOA 05 Jun 2007 -- President Bush says U.S. plans for a missile defense system in Europe pose no threat to Russia. Russia's president says it is the start of a new arms race
China Criticizes US Plan for Missile Shield in Eastern Europe VOA 05 Jun 2007 -- China has voiced its opposition to a proposed U.S. missile defense system in Eastern Europe
Air operations center opens at Tyndall AFPN 04 Jun 2007 -- First Air Force celebrated the opening of the 601st Air and Space Operations Center here June 1 with a ceremony and tour of the 37,000-square-foot, $30 million combat center.
Larijani: US claim on missile shield project 'joke of the year' IRNA 04 Jun 2007 -- Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani said Sunday the US claim that their missile shield project in Europe is intended to safeguard Europe against Iranian missiles should be called the "Joke of the year" since Iranian missiles cannot reach Europe.
Bush to Discuss Missile Defense in Czech Republic VOA 04 Jun 2007 -- President Bush is in Prague at the start of a six-nation tour of Europe, where tensions with Russia have been heating up over the U.S. plan to deploy a missile defense system in the Czech Republic and Poland
LOCKHEED MARTIN COMPLETES SIGNIFICANT SYSTEM DESIGN MILESTONE ON TMOS PROGRAM Lockheed Martin 04 Jun 2007 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has completed a successful System Design Review (SDR) of the TSAT Mission Operations System (TMOS) with the U.S. Air Force
U.S.: Bush In Prague To Convince Czechs On Radar RFE/RL 04 Jun 2007 -- U.S. President George W. Bush arrives today in Prague where he will try to persuade Czech officials to support a U.S. proposal to deploy parts of a missile-defense system in the country.
U.S. missile defense in Asia aimed at North Korea, China - expert RIA Novosti 04 Jun 2007 -- The deployment of U.S. missile defense system elements in East Asia is aimed not only against North Korea but also against China, an expert with the Hong Kong think-tank Kanwa said Monday.
U.S. claims to defend from Iran's missiles "a joke" - Larijani RIA Novosti 04 Jun 2007 -- Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said allegations by the United States that extending Washington's air defense shield to Europe was needed to counter possible strikes from Iran could not be taken seriously.
Bush to talk missile defense with Czech, Polish leaders RIA Novosti 04 Jun 2007 -- President George W. Bush will discuss U.S. missile defense plans in Europe as part of his eight-day tour of seven European countries starting later Monday, the White House said.
Putin warns of measures against U.S. missile shield in Europe RIA Novosti 04 Jun 2007 -- Russia's president warned of retaliatory steps against Washington's missile shield plans in Europe, and ridiculed a Pentagon missile defense cooperation offer to Russia.
Bush calls Putin's missile shield statements harsh rhetoric RIA Novosti 01 May 2007 -- U.S. President George W. Bush told German television that Russian leader Vladimir Putin's remarks about Washington's plans to deploy a missile shield in Europe were harsh rhetoric.
Bush Urges Russia To Reconsider Missile Defense Washington File 01 May 2007 -- The United States would welcome Russian participation in a European-based missile defense system, President Bush said in a series of interviews.
Space Shuttle Atlantis To Launch June 8, NASA Managers Say Washington File 01 Jun 2007 -- The space shuttle Atlantis will launch June 8 from the Kennedy Space Station in Florida, three months after a surprise hail storm damaged the external fuel tank, according to NASA officials.
U.S. Encourages Responsible Behavior in Space-Faring Nations Washington File 01 Jun 2007 -- U.S. officials say the National Space Policy, released in October 2006, is the natural evolution of a half-century of space-related policies, and that China's anti-satellite test in January, though cause for concern, is not part of a new "arms race" in orbit.
TerraSAR-X to be launched on 15 June from Baikonur EADS 01 Jun 2007 -- The German radar satellite TerraSAR-X is to be launched on 15 June at 04:14 (CEST) from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The launch of the satellite has been postponed a number of times due to technical problems with the Russian Dnjepr launch vehicle. However, teams of engineers from Europe’s leading space company Astrium and the German Aerospace Center DLR are now in Kazakhstan, preparing the 1.3-metric-ton satellite for lift-off.
NASA confirms June 8 as Atlantis shuttle launch date RIA Novosti 01 Jun 2007 -- NASA confirmed Friday that the launch of its Atlantis shuttle to the International Space Station will take place on June 8, after a three-month delay.

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