January 2008 Space News

ATK to Seek Investment Canada Act Approval for MDA Acquisition ATK 31 Jan 2008 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announced today that it will file an Investment Canada Act (ICA) Registration relating to its planned acquisition of the Information Systems and Geospatial Businesses of MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates (TSX: MDA).
Japan's Moves to Build Missile Shield under Fire KCNA 31 Jan 2008 -- The Japan Defense Ministry recently conducted a field survey of the central part of Tokyo for deploying "PAC-3" of the "Self-Defense Forces" (SDF) in the capital.
ISS Crew Conducts Spacewalk to Repair Solar Wing VOA 30 Jan 2008 -- Astronauts aboard the International Space Station have conducted a risky spacewalk to repair a faulty solar wing on the orbiting outpost.
Russia to rearrange troops due to U.S. missile shield RIA Novosti 30 Jan 2008 -- Russia's Defense Ministry plans to change the configuration of troops in Kaliningrad in response to U.S. missile shield plans in Central Europe, a high-ranking army official said on Wednesday.
Russia upper house scraps early-warning radar deal with Ukraine RIA Novosti 30 Jan 2008 -- Russia's upper house of parliament voted Wednesday to cancel an agreement with Ukraine on early warning and space monitoring systems, citing inadequate technical support by Ukraine for radar facilities.
Russia to launch space project to monitor the Arctic in 2010 RIA Novosti 29 Jan 2008 -- Russia's Lavochkin research and production association said on Tuesday it would start implementing a space research project to monitor the Earth's polar regions in 2010.
Russia may build new shuttle spacecraft by 2015 RIA Novosti 29 Jan 2008 -- Russia's rocket and space corporation Energia may build a new-generation piloted spacecraft by 2015, the company president said on Tuesday.
International Space Station marks its 10th anniversary RIA Novosti 29 Jan 2008 -- The International Space Station (ISS) is celebrating its 10th anniversary on Tuesday.
Boeing Completes On-Orbit Handover of Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite to U.S. Air Force Boeing 28 Jan 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced the successful on-orbit handover of the first of six Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellites to the U.S. Air Force.
Russian Space Forces to launch new military satellite in 2009 RIA Novosti 25 Jan 2008 -- Russia's Space Forces will launch a new relay satellite in 2009, the forces' commander said Friday.
Manufacturer cites lack of chips for GPS/Glonass navigation RIA Novosti 24 Jan 2008 -- A shortage of chipsets, or groups of integrated circuits, is holding back the commercial production of dual-band GPS/Glonass receivers, a Russian navigation equipment producer said on Thursday.
S.Korea's 1st astronaut to fly to ISS with Russian crew in April RIA Novosti 24 Jan 2008 -- South Korea's Ko San, set to become the country's first astronaut, will fly to the International Space Station (ISS) with a Russian crew on April 8, Russian space agency Roscosmos said on Thursday.
Pratt & Whitney Canada Joins Virgin Galactic to Celebrate Unveiling of SpaceshipTwo and WhiteKnightTwo Models Prett & Whitney 23 Jan 2008 -- Pratt & Whitney Canada today joins Virgin Galactic in New York City to unveil detailed scale models of the world’s first commercial passenger suborbital spaceship, SpaceShipTwo (SS2), together with the launch aircraft, WhiteKnightTwo (WK2).
Northrop Grumman-Built Antennas Helping Provide Data On Moon's Thermal History for Japan's KAGUYA (SELENE) Mission Northrop Grumman 22 Jan 2008 -- Four specialized antennas built by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) for the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are functioning as expected after deploying successfully onboard the SELenological and ENgineering Explorer "KAGUYA" (SELENE), Japan's first large lunar explorer.
LOCKHEED MARTIN-BUILT GPS SATELLITES PASS 75 YEAR MARK OF COMBINED ON-ORBIT OPERATIONS Lockheed Martin 23 Jan 2008 -- The Global Positioning System (GPS) Block IIR and IIR-M satellite constellation, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] to provide significantly improved navigation capabilities for military and civilian users worldwide, has accumulated over 75 years of successful on-orbit operations.
Ivanov says Russia must not turn into 'space cabman' RIA Novosti 23 Jan 2008 -- Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said on Wednesday that if space launches remain Russia's only services in the sector, the country risks becoming a "space cabman."
First deputy PM Ivanov slams agency over Glonass failings RIA Novosti 23 Jan 2008 -- Russian space agency Roscosmos must take responsibility for the operational shortcomings of the Glonass satellite navigation system, a first deputy prime minister said on Wednesday.
India successfully launches 'Polaris' satellite IRNA 22 Jan 2008 -- India Monday "successfully" launched an Israeli satellite 'Polaris' from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota by a homegrown Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
Russian Earth-orbiting satellites to use U.S. microchips RIA Novosti 22 Jan 2008 -- Russia's major producer of Earth-orbiting satellites said on Tuesday it intends to use microprocessors produced by the U.S.-based firm Aeroflex on its relay satellites.
Progress spacecraft will sink in Pacific RIA Novosti 21 Jan 2008 -- The Progress M-61 cargo spacecraft, which undocked from the International Space Station last year, will crash into the Pacific on Tuesday evening, a Mission Control center spokesman said on Monday.
Russia will not pressure Poland on U.S. missile shield - Lavrov RIA Novosti 21 Jan 2008 -- Russia will not pressure Poland over its intention to host U.S. missile shield elements, although Moscow is still concerned over the plans, the Russian foreign minister said on Monday.
Russia to raise space funding 13%, build new space center RIA Novosti 21 Jan 2008 -- Russia will increase funding for space projects by 13% and start the construction of a new space center this year, a first deputy prime minister said on Monday.
Indian carrier rocket launches Israeli military satellite RIA Novosti 21 Jan 2008 -- An Indian carrier rocket launched from India's Shriharikota space center has delivered an Israeli military satellite into orbit, Israeli television said on Monday.
Astrium And ESA Sign Contract For Mercury Probe EADS 18 Jan 2008 -- Astrium is set to build the Mercury probe BepiColombo on behalf of the European Space Agency, ESA
Zenit rocket to orbit Israeli satellite in March RIA Novosti 18 Jan 2008 -- The launch of a modified Zenit rocket to put an Israeli communications satellite into orbit has been scheduled for March 2008, a Baikonur space center official said on Friday.
U.S. offers to help India develop missile shield RIA Novosti 18 Jan 2008 -- Lockheed Martin, a U.S. defense industry giant, has expressed an interest in helping India develop its own missile defense network, an Indian news agency said on Friday.
Russia to launch two telecom satellites on Jan. 28 and Feb. 10 RIA Novosti 17 Jan 2008 -- Russia is to launch two communication satellites in the coming weeks from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, a leading Russian space company said on Thursday.
Czech firms may take part in planned U.S. missile defense project RIA Novosti 17 Jan 2008 -- Prague and Washington will prepare a treaty on missile defense cooperation, with the involvement of Czech firms, by June 2008, the Czech foreign minister said on Thursday.
U.S. AIR FORCE/LOCKHEED MARTIN TEAM COMPLETES ON-ORBIT DEPLOYMENT OF MODERNIZED GPS SATELLITE IN RECORD TIME Lockheed Martin 16 Jan 2008 -- The modernized Global Positioning System Block IIR (GPS IIR-M) satellite, launched from Cape Canaveral on Dec. 20, 2007, has been declared fully operational for military and civilian navigation users around the globe, following a record-setting on-orbit deployment by a joint U.S. Air Force/Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team.
MEADS Receives $66 Million Contract to Incorporate New PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement Lockheed Martin 16 Jan 2008 -- The NATO Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) Management Agency awarded a $66 million contract to incorporate the Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) Missile as the baseline interceptor for the tri-national program
Poland rejects calls for three-way talks on missile shield RIA Novosti 16 Jan 2008 -- Warsaw sees no need to hold three-way talks involving Russia on U.S. plans to deploy missile defense elements in Poland, the country's foreign minister said on Wednesday.
ATK’s Constellation of Five Micro Satellites Collecting Crucial Scientific Data for NASA’s THEMIS Mission ATK 15 Jan 2008 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) reported today that the constellation of five micro satellites it built for NASA's THEMIS (Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms) mission successfully completed its initial Coast Phase science operations.
Boeing Receives Signals from Thuraya-3 Commercial Satellite Following Launch Boeing 15 Jan 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has acquired the first signals from the Thuraya-3 Geo-mobile satellite following today's launch aboard a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket, indicating that the Boeing-built spacecraft for Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company is healthy and operating as designed.
Polish Missile-Defense Site Would Benefit All Europe, Official Says AFPS 15 Jan 2008 -- A proposed anti-ballistic missile defense site in Poland would benefit all of Europe, a senior Pentagon spokesman said here today.
Zenit rocket orbits Thuraya-3 communications satellite RIA Novosti 15 Jan 2008 -- A Zenit-3SL rocket successfully orbited on Tuesday a Thuraya-3 communications satellite after numerous delays caused by poor weather, a Russian space official said.
Polish defense minister to discuss U.S. missile plans in Washington RIA Novosti 15 Jan 2008 -- Polish Defense Minister Bogdan Klich is to discuss Washington's plans for a missile defense base in Poland during his current visit to the U.S., a Polish Defense Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Messenger Flies Past Mercury in Preparation for Permanent Mission VOA 15 Jan 2008 -- The US space agency spacecraft "Messenger" zipped past the planet Mercury, Monday, in preparation for a permanent orbit, beginning in 2011
Russian spacecraft to lift off to ISS two days early RIA Novosti 14 Jan 2008 -- The launch of Russia's Progress M-63 to the International Space Station has been rescheduled from February 7 to 5, Russian Mission Control said on Monday.
Czech firms seek U.S. missile defense contracts RIA Novosti 14 Jan 2008 -- Prague is looking to sign an exclusive contract with Washington for the involvement of Czech companies in the construction of a planned European missile shield, national radio reported on Monday.
Boeing Awarded Contract for Direct-to-Home Entertainment Satellite Boeing 14 Jan 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has been awarded a contract to build a commercial satellite for ProtoStar Ltd.
LOCKHEED MARTIN AWARDED $40.4 MILLION TO PROVIDE AEGIS BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE TO THIRD JAPANESE DESTROYER Lockheed Martin 14 Jan 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] received a $40.4 million contract modification to provide Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) capability to the Aegis-equipped Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force destroyer JS Myoko.
ISS orbit raised to host spacecraft RIA Novosti 12 Jan 2008 -- Russian Mission Control said on Saturday it had successfully adjusted the International Space Station's orbit in preparation for the docking of a Russian cargo spacecraft and a U.S. space shuttle.
ATK Selected by Lockheed Martin to Design and Build Solar Arrays for NASA's Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle ATK 11 Jan 2008 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has been selected by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, a division of Lockheed Martin Corporation to design, develop and build UltraFlex solar arrays for NASA's next generation Orion crew exploration vehicle.
Poland to continue missile defense talks with Russia RIA Novosti 10 Jan 2008 -- Poland will continue consultations with Russia over U.S. plans to deploy missile defense elements in Europe, a senior Polish defense official said after a round of bilateral talks on Thursday.
Undocked Russian ship to conduct experiments until Jan. 22 RIA Novosti 10 Jan 2008 -- Russia's Progress M-61 cargo spacecraft will continue to carry out technical experiments remaining in orbit until January 22, a Mission Control spokesperson said Thursday.
Czech government to submit missile defense bill to parliament RIA Novosti 10 Jan 2008 -- The Czech government will submit to parliament in April a missile defense bill that includes the placement of a U.S. radar on the country's territory, the Czech prime minister said on Thursday.
Polish PM Wants New US Security Guarantees on Missile Shield VOA 09 Jan 2008 -- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says he wants extra security guarantees from the United States, before his government will agree to U.S. plans for a missile defense shield on Polish soil.
Russia-U.S. space co. ILS reports orders worth $1.5 bln in 2007 RIA Novosti 09 Jan 2008 -- Russian-American joint venture International Launch Services (ILS) received $1.5 billion in new launch orders in 2007, the company said on its Web site.
Senior Russian diplomat flies to Warsaw for missile shield talks RIA Novosti 09 Jan 2008 -- Russia's deputy foreign minister will fly to Warsaw on Wednesday night to discuss the planned deployment of U.S. missile shield elements in Poland, a ministry spokesman said.
Astrium to build new-generation Ka-band satellite for Eutelsat EADS 08 Jan 2008 -- Astrium has been selected by Eutelsat Communications, one of the world’s leading satellite operators, to deliver a satellite, currently designated as KA-SAT, the first European multi-beam satellite to operate exclusively in the Ka-band and dedicated to providing broadband and broadcast services across the wider Europe.
Lockheed Martin Receives Contracts Totaling $556 Million for the Combat-Proven PAC-3 Missile Program Lockheed Martin 08 Jan 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has received contracts totaling $556 million from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) for hardware and services associated with the combat-proven Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile program.
Lockheed Martin and United Space Alliance Agree to Team for Johnson Space Center Support Contract Competition Lockheed Martin 08 Jan 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has signed a memorandum of understanding with United Space Alliance to support Lockheed Martin's pursuit of the Facilities Development and Operations Contract (FDOC) at NASA's Johnson Space Center.
SAIC Awarded NASA Environmental Management and Safety Contract SAIC 08 Jan 2008 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) today announced that it has been awarded a contract by NASA's Glenn Research Center to provide environmental and safety support services to facility-wide operations.
Boeing Responds to Missile Defense Agency's GMD Information Request Boeing 07 Jan 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has responded to a U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) request for industry feedback on the follow-on Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program.
Warsaw still undecided on US missile shield: official IRNA 05 Jan 2008 -- Poland is still undecided on given its green light for the deployment of the US missile shield, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told Saturday's edition of the Polish Gazeta Wyborcza newspaper.
U.S. missile shield may not be built in Poland - Sikorski RIA Novosti 05 Jan 2008 -- Poland's foreign minister has said he can see no threat coming from Iran and does not rule out that a U.S. missile-defense base in his country may not be built after all.
Polish, Czech PMs to discuss U.S. missile shield plans next week RIA Novosti 04 Jan 2008 -- Poland's prime minister, Donald Tusk, will visit the Czech Republic next week to discuss U.S. missile shield plans with his Czech counterpart Mirek Topolànek, the Polish government spokeswoman said Friday.
Boeing and Airborne Laser Teammates Achieve Final 2007 Milestone Boeing 03 Jan 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency have achieved the final 2007 milestone for the Airborne Laser (ABL) program, capping a successful year for the revolutionary airborne directed energy weapon system.
Northrop Grumman Achieves Two Milestones Toward Integrating High-Energy Laser With Missile Defense Agency's Airborne Laser Aircraft Northrop Grumman 03 Jan 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has achieved two milestones that helped prepare the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Airborne Laser (ABL) aircraft for integration of the Northrop Grumman-developed high-energy laser.