May 2008 Space News

Amended Glonass program to be approved this year RIA Novosti 30 May 2008 -- The amended federal Glonass program will be approved this year, the general designer of the global navigation system said on Friday.
Shuttle Discovery to Bring Space Station Lab - and Toilet Parts VOA 30 May 2008 -- Saturday's shuttle mission to the International Space Station can come none too soon for station crew members
Czech president says missile shield not Russia's business RIA Novosti 30 May 2008 -- The Czech government will make its own decision on the U.S. missile defense shield, based on the country's interests, not on how Russia feels about the matter, the Czech president told The Washington Times.
SAIC Awarded $500 Million Contract from U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command SAIC 29 May 2008 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a prime contract by the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command
Retiring satellite a cornerstone of space situational awareness AFPN 29 May 2008 -- People in the 1st Space Operations Squadron will say goodbye June 2 to a satellite that has been a cornerstone of Air Force space situational awareness for more than 10 years.
Study Finds Mars Water Too Salty to Sustain Life VOA 29 May 2008 -- As the newly deployed Phoenix spacecraft begins its mission in search of life near Mars' northern pole, scientists say an analysis of Martian deposits suggest there was once water on the planet, but it was too salty to sustain life
Lockheed Martin Team Demonstrates Engagement Management Algorithms For MDA’s Multiple Kill Vehicle-L Lockheed Martin 29 May 2008 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced today that it has achieved a key milestone for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s Multiple Kill Vehicle-L (MKV-L) payload by successfully demonstrating engagement management algorithms in a software test bed environment in Huntsville, Ala.
Boeing's Airborne Laser Team Begins Laser Activation Tests Boeing 28 May 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency achieved another significant milestone for the Airborne Laser (ABL) missile defense program this month by completing the first laser activation testing on the ground at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
Boeing Submits Bid for Space Situational Awareness Program to U.S. Air Force Boeing 28 May 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced that it submitted a bid to the U.S. Air Force earlier this month for the Self-Awareness Space Situational Awareness (SASSA) program.
Skynet 5C satellite ready for launch on 30 May EADS 28 May 2008 -- Astrium is on target for the third Skynet 5 satellite launch with Skynet 5C scheduled for launch from Kourou, French Guiana on 30 May 2008 on an Ariane 5 launch vehicle.
Astronauts repair main toilet at space station RIA Novosti 28 May 2008 -- The crew of the International Space Station have repaired the main toilet, which broke last week, leaving the astronauts with almost nowhere to go, a Mission Control spokesman said.
Astrium wins satellite contract worth €263 million EADS 27 May 2008 -- Europe’s leading space company, Astrium, has been commissioned by the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop and build the EarthCARE Earth observation satellite
ATK Ultraflex Solar Arrays Deploy and Provide Critical Power to the Mars Phoenix Lander ATK 26 May 2008 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announces that the Ultraflex Solar Arrays deployed and now provide power to the Mars Phoenix Lander.
NASA Lander Sending Pictures of Mars Surface VOA 26 May 2008 -- NASA scientists are poring over photographs sent from the Phoenix spacecraft after it landed on Mars late Sunday
US Phoenix Space Probe Lands on Mars VOA 26 May 2008 -- The U.S. space agency's Phoenix space probe has landed successfully near Mars' northern pole to begin a three-month mission to explore Martian soil and look for buried ice
NASA's Phoenix Spacecraft Lands at Martian Arctic Site NASA 26 May 2008 -- NASA's Phoenix spacecraft landed in the northern polar region of Mars Sunday to begin three months of examining a site chosen for its likelihood of having frozen water within reach of the lander's robotic arm.
Lockheed Martin-Built Phoenix Spacecraft Successfully Lands On Mars Lockheed Martin 25 May 2008 -- NASA has a new spacecraft operating on the surface of Mars. This afternoon, the Phoenix Mars Lander, built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT], navigated a dramatic blazing descent through the planet’s atmosphere, positioning Phoenix to dig down and touch the planet’s subsurface ice.
LOCKHEED MARTIN-BUILT PHOENIX MARS LANDER PRIMED FOR LANDING AT THE RED PLANET Lockheed Martin 23 May 2008 -- As the Phoenix Mars Lander nears its final destination – the planet Mars – Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory are in final preparations to land the spacecraft on the surface.
Russia, China denounce U.S. plans for global missile defense RIA Novosti 23 May 2008 -- The presidents of Russia and China denounced in a joint statement on Friday U.S. moves to establish a global missile defense system, saying the plans threaten the global strategic balance.
Russia to orbit three military satellites RIA Novosti 23 May 2008 -- A Russian Rokot launch vehicle is to put into orbit three military satellites and a civilian spacecraft, a satellite designer and manufacturer said on Friday.
Phoenix Spacecraft Nears Mars Touchdown VOA 22 May 2008 -- The U.S. space agency's latest mission to Mars, NASA's Phoenix Lander spacecraft, is on its final approach to the Red Planet
Russia ready for more talks on U.S. missile shield in Europe RIA Novosti 22 May 2008 -- Russia is ready to continue comprehensive consultations with the United States on its plans to deploy a missile shield in Central Europe, President Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday.
Russian insurers expect $107 mln claim after satellite failure RIA Novosti 22 May 2008 -- Insurers are expecting losses of $107 million after the Express AM-22, a Russian communications satellite, malfunctioned, the head of a Russian insurance company's international space risk program said Thursday.
Boeing to Reduce Work Force at Satellite Engineering Facilities in Southern California Boeing 21 May 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] announced today that it plans to lay off approximately 750 employees in Southern California because of a downturn in its satellite assembly and integration business.
Official Cites Uncertainty Over Chinese Space Intentions AFPS 21 May 2008 -- China’s lack of openness about its space program’s intentions has U.S. officials concerned, a senior military officer said here yesterday.
Zenit rocket orbits U.S. communications satellite RIA Novosti 21 May 2008 -- A Zenit rocket successfully delivered a U.S. communications satellite into orbit as part of the Sea Launch project, the company said on Wednesday.
Soyuz bumpy re-entry caused by technical glitch RIA Novosti 21 May 2008 -- A technical glitch caused the ballistic landing of Russia's Soyuz TMA-11 capsule in April this year, the head of the Federal Space Agency's department for manned flights said on Wednesday.
Lockheed Martin Team Completes Calibration Of Key Component For MDA’s Multiple Kill Vehicle-L Lockheed Martin 20 May 2008 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced today that its team has completed an important milestone for a key element of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s Multiple Kill Vehicle-L (MKV-L) payload by successfully calibrating an operational pathfinder seeker for the carrier vehicle at the Space Dynamics Laboratory in North Logan, Utah.
Northrop Grumman Team Successfully Completes GPS OCX System Requirements Review Northrop Grumman 20 May 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) recently completed the system requirements review for the U.S. Air Force Next-Generation Global Positioning System (GPS) Ground Control Segment (OCX).
Russia 'had laser cannons before U.S.' RIA Novosti 20 May 2008 -- Russia started developing tactical laser weapons before the United States and has several prototypes of high-precision combat chemical lasers in its arsenal, a defense industry source said on Tuesday.
Boeing tests airborne laser gun RIA Novosti 20 May 2008 -- The Boeing Company said it has fired a high-energy chemical laser aboard a C-130H aircraft in ground tests for the first time.
Shuttle Discovery to lift off for ISS May 31 RIA Novosti 20 May 2008 -- NASA officials said the STS-124 space shuttle launch to the ISS from Cape Canaveral in Florida is scheduled for May 31.
Emergency Response in China benefits from TerraSAR-X and Spot 5 EADS 19 May 2008 -- Emergency response operations following the recent earthquake in the province of Sichuan, China, are now being supported through the rapid provision of high-quality radar and optical satellite imagery as well as detailed evaluations of this data by Infoterra GmbH and Spot Image SA.
Boeing Begins Firing High-Energy Laser Aboard Advanced Tactical Laser Aircraft Boeing 19 May 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has fired a high-energy chemical laser aboard a C-130H aircraft in ground tests for the first time, achieving a key milestone for the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration program.
Exclusive Northrop Grumman Resonating Gyro Achieves 10 Million Operating Hours in Space Northrop Grumman 19 May 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) patented hemispherical resonating gyro (HRG) technology recently surpassed 10 million hours of continuous service in support of myriad commercial and military space applications dating back to February of 1996.
European Space Agency Recruiting Astronauts VOA 19 May 2008 -- For the first time in more than 15 years, the European Space Agency is recruiting new astronauts to expand its staff for missions to the International Space Station
Russian cargo spacecraft docks with ISS RIA Novosti 17 May 2008 -- The Russian Progress M-64 cargo spacecraft has successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS), a Mission Control spokesman said on Saturday.
U.S. Air Force Awards Lockheed Martin Team $1.4 Billion Contract To Build GPS III Space System Lockheed Martin 15 May 2008 -- The U.S. Air Force today announced that a team led by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has won the competition to build the next-generation Global Positioning System (GPS) Space System program, known as GPS III.
Boeing Contributes $700 Million Annually to Alabama Economy through GMD Program Boeing 15 May 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], through its work on the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program, contributed more than $700 million to Alabama's economy in 2007 and supported nearly 5,600 direct and indirect jobs, according to a new University of Alabama study.
Indian scientist says Phobos will turn into a ring around Mars RIA Novosti 15 May 2008 -- Phobos, a satellite of Mars, will become a ring around the Red Planet in a few million years, an Indian scientist has calculated.
Russia launches Progress space freighter to ISS RIA Novosti 15 May 2008 -- Russia has successfully launched a Progress M-64 cargo spacecraft to deliver fuel, food and other supplies to the International Space Station (ISS), a Mission Control spokesman said on Thursday.
US House Panel Confirms Cuts to European Missile Program VOA 15 May 2008 -- A House of Representatives committee has voted down attempts by Republicans to restore more than $200 million for a planned U.S. missile defense system in Europe
Scientists Discover Milky Way's Youngest Exploding Star VOA 14 May 2008 -- Scientists have announced the discovery of the youngest known exploding star, or supernova, in our Milky Way galaxy
LOCKHEED MARTIN SUBMITS BID FOR U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS PROGRAM Lockhed Martin 13 May 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] today announced that it has submitted its proposal to the U.S. Air Force for the Self-Awareness Space Situational Awareness (SASSA) program.
Polish PM says no decision yet on U.S. missile shield RIA Novosti 13 May 2008 -- Warsaw is not yet satisfied with U.S. proposals to modernize the Polish army in exchange for the placement of a U.S. missile base in Poland, the prime minister said on Tuesday.
Raytheon Reaches Key Milestone on NASA Glory Space Program Raytheon 12 May 2008 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has completed manufacture and testing of the optics detector module for the aerosol polarimetry sensor
Boeing's 1st Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite Now Operational Boeing 12 May 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that the U.S. Air Force has placed the first Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite into operation over the Pacific region.
Guardian Challenge competition kicks off with spirit AFPN 09 May 2008 -- Guardian Challenge, the only space warfighter competition in the Air Force, is 17 years old and going strong.
Astrium switches on the first Galileo* signals from space: Giove-B is “on air” EADS 07 May 2008 -- Astrium with the Giove-B navigation satellite, has started operations in orbit exactly on schedule, and has been transmitting the highly precise Galileo* signal since 02.05 a.m. o’clock on 7 May.
Poland not expecting breakthrough at U.S. missile shield talks RIA Novosti 07 May 2008 -- Polish government officials do not expect a breakthrough during an ongoing round of missile shield negotiations with the U.S., Poland's IAR news agency said on Wednesday.
Boeing Seeks Mission Support Systems Talent for NASA Work Boeing 06 May 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] is seeking talented mission operations specialists with current NASA experience in the Houston area in support of its bid for NASA's Facilities Development and Operations Contract (FDOC).
Poland ready to continue missile shield talks with the U.S. RIA Novosti 06 May 2008 -- Warsaw is ready to continue a dialogue with Washington on the deployment of elements of a U.S. missile shield in Poland, a deputy prime minister said on Tuesday.
Russia's Energomash to double production of rocket engines RIA Novosti 06 May 2008 -- Russia's Energomash, a leading rocket engine manufacturer, is planning to double the number of engines produced for Atlas and Zenit launch vehicles in the future, the head of the company said on Tuesday.
NATO: Alliance Chief Calls Missile Defense A Key Element For Security RFE/RL 05 May 2008 -- NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer says missile-defense shields are a key element for trans-Atlantic security.
U.S. 'set for new Polish armed forces offer over missile shield' RIA Novosti 05 May 2008 -- The U.S. is to make an official proposal to modernize the Polish armed forces in exchange for the deployment of a missile-defense system in the country, Poland's Defense Ministry spokesman said on Monday.
Russia still concerned by U.S. missile plans for Europe-FM RIA Novosti 02 May 2008 -- Russia remains concerned by U.S. missile plans for Europe, but talks are continuing, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.
ATK Conducts Successful Test Firing of Space Shuttle Reusable Solid Rocket Motor ATK 01 May 2008 -- The Utah desert was filled with the sight and sound of power today as Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) conducted a successful test firing of NASA's space shuttle reusable solid rocket motor (RSRM) as part of continuous testing to improve performance and ensure safety of the space shuttle and to aid development of the first stage of Ares I.