October 2008 Space News

Shuttle launch to repair Hubble put off again RIA Novosti 31 Oct 2008 -- NASA announced it postponed the Atlantis space shuttle's mission due to carry out repairs to the Hubble space telescope.
Russia starts preparations to launch U.S. telecoms satellite RIA Novosti 31 Oct 2008 -- Russian space technicians started preparations for launch of Zenit carrier rocket with a US Telstar telecom satellite on board.
Russia invites Cuba to join Glonass satellite navigation system RIA Novosti 31 Oct 2008 -- Russia's communications minister: Russia invited Cuba to join its satellite navigation system, Glonass.
Kazakh satellite brought back into orbit RIA Novosti 31 Oct 2008 -- Specialists have brought a malfunctioning Kazakh satellite, KazSat-1, back into geostationary orbit.
ASTRA 1M satellite ready for launch EADS 30 Oct 2008 -- As prime contractor for ASTRA 1M, Astrium is responsible for the design and build of the satellite and the supply of both the payload and the Eurostar E3000 platform.
Hubble Space Telescope Working Again VOA 30 Oct 2008 -- The Hubble Space Telescope is back to work, after a month-long shutdown to fix problems sending information to Earth.
China launches telecom satellite for Venezuela RIA Novosti 30 Oct 2008 -- China has successfully launched a carrier rocket with a Venezuelan telecommunications satellite on board.
Lockheed Martin Receives $30 Million Contract For U.S. Air Force Self-Awareness Space Situational Awareness Program Lockheed Martin 29 Oct 2008 -- The U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] a $30 million contract for the development phase of the Self-Awareness Space Situational Awareness (SASSA) technology demonstration program.
Czech MPs consider ratification of U.S. shield deal RIA Novosti 29 Oct 2008 -- Lower house of Czech parliament began discussions on the ratification of a Czech-US missile defense treaty.
Mercury Spacecraft Reveals New Details of Mysterious Planet VOA 29 Oct 2008 -- US space scientists revealed new information about Mercury, the solar system's smallest and hottest planet.
Russians Know Missile Defenses Not Aimed at Them, Gates Says AFPS 28 Oct 2008 -- SecDef Gates dismissed Russian objections to the system as politically based.
ATK Propulsion and Composite Technologies Key to Successful Delta II Launch ATK 27 Oct 2008 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) played a key role in the successful launch of United Launch Alliance's Delta II rocket Friday, Oct. 24 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
New Missile Warning Satellite Built By Lockheed Martin Completes Rigorous Environmental Testing Lockheed Martin 27 Oct 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has successfully completed acoustic testing of the first geosynchronous orbit (GEO-1) spacecraft in the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) program.
Vandenberg officials launch Delta II rocket AFPN 27 Oct 2008 -- Vandenberg AFB officials successfully launched a Delta II rocket carrying the Thales Alenia-Space COSMO-SkyMed 3 satellite.
Air Force leaders work to develop cyberspace roadmap AFPN 24 Oct 2008 -- USAF leaders to create roadmap of service's cyberspace mission while adjusting to new organizational construct outlined in October.
Lasers may aid missile defense, engine crack detection AFPN 24 Oct 2008 -- USAF Office of Scientific Research-funded work at Uni. of Colorado could lead to technologies that use high densities of lasers.
Boeing Launches Third Italian Earth Observation Satellite Boeing 24 Oct 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today successfully launched the third of four Italian Constellation of Small Satellites for Mediterranean basin Observation (COSMO) SkyMed spacecraft.
Soyuz capsule safely lands in Kazakhstan RIA Novosti 24 Oct 2008 -- A Soyuz-TMA-12 space capsule carrying 2 Russian cosmonauts and an American space tourist landed in north-central Kazakhstan.
PlanetSpace Adds Boeing to Lockheed Martin/ATK Team for NASA ISS Commercial Resupply Services Bid ATK 22 Oct 2008 -- PlanetSpace announced today it has added the Space Exploration division of The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) to its existing teammates, Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) and Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT), on the proposed solution to NASA for the Commercial Resupply Services to the International Space Station.
Key Flight Software Delivered For Missile Warning Satellite Built By Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin 22 Oct 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has delivered the latest block of flight software for the first geosynchronous orbit (GEO-1) spacecraft in the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) program.
Raytheon Technology to Assist in Hunt for Ice on Moon Raytheon 22 Oct 2008 -- Sensing technology developed by Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) will help to determine whether the polar regions of the moon contain ice.
Launch complex now available for civil, commercial launches AFPN 22 Oct 2008 -- Officials with USAF and Space Florida made history when Space Launch Complex 36 made officially available for State of Florida.
India to launch next lunar probe in 2010 with Russian help RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2008 -- The Indian Space Research Organization said it could launch second lunar probe in 2010 with Russian participation.
India launches first lunar probe RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2008 -- India launched its first unmanned mission to the moon on Wednesday, becoming the third Asian country to do so after Japan and China.
India Launches First Unmanned Mission to Moon VOA 22 Oct 2008 -- Mission a major boost to the country's space program, as India joins Asian nations China and Japan in exploring the Moon.
Northrop Grumman NPOESS Program Marks Key Milestone; Testing Completed On High-Performance Spacecraft Single Board Computer Engineering Models Northrop Grumman 21 Oct 2008 -- Qualification testing ofsingle board computer (SBC) engineering models for one of the mostpowerful computing systems ever flown in space has been completed byNorthrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) with subcontractor, MaxwellTechnologies.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne to Boost Italian Defense and Disaster Prevention Satellite Pratt & Whitney 21 Oct 2008 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company, will help Italy further its national defense and disaster prevention by boosting a radar satellite into space on Oct. 24.
India's first moon mission 'Chandrayaan-I' to leave earth Wednesday: Report IRNA 21 Oct 2008 -- 'Chandrayaan-I', India's first moon mission is ready to leave earth on board PSLV-C11 on Wednesday.
ATK Provides Propulsion and Composite Structures for Successful Launch of IBEX Spacecraft on a Pegasus Rocket ATK 20 Oct 2008 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) supported the successful launch of an Orbital Sciences Corporation air-launched Pegasus XL® vehicle from the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site from Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean.
Orbital Successfully Launches Company-Built IBEX Satellite Aboard Pegasus Rocket For NASA Orbital Sciences Corp. 20 Oct 2008 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that its Pegasus® rocket successfully launched the company-built Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) satellite for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) into its intended highly elliptical orbit.
NASA Probe to Observe Edge of Solar System VOA 19 Oct 2008 -- The US space agency has launched a probe Sunday to monitor the violence and turbulence at the very edge of the solar system.
Orbital Set to Launch Company-Built IBEX Scientific Spacecraft for NASA Aboard Pegasus Rocket Orbital Sciences Corp. 18 Oct 2008 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) today announced that it is in final preparations to launch the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) satellite that the company designed, manufactured and tested at its Dulles, VA production facilities
Russia to have five weather satellites by 2013 RIA Novosti 17 Oct 2008 -- Russia will have 5 weather satellites in orbit by 2013, with the first to be launched later this year.
ATK and USA Announce Agreement on Ares I Subcontract Work ATK 16 Oct 2008 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announced today that it reached an agreement with United Space Alliance (USA) to perform subcontractor support to ATK for NASA's Ares I launch vehicle.
Lockheed Martin Delivers Mars Science Laboratory Backshell To NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Lockheed Martin 16 Oct 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] recently delivered the backshell for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.
U.S. Army and Lockheed Martin Support Second Successful International PAC-3 Missile Test at White Sands Missile Range Lockheed Martin 16 Oct 2008 -- Airmen of the German Air Force (Luftwaffe), supported by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and the U.S. Army Lower Tier Project Office, successfully conducted the second international PAC-3 Missile flight test today at White Sands Missile Range, NM.
Argentina wants Russian helicopters, space assistance RIA Novosti 15 Oct 2008 -- Russian Security Council secretary: Argentina is seeking to buy Russian helicopters and send an astronaut into space.
NASA to Fix Hubble by Remote Control VOA 14 Oct 2008 -- The US space agency NASA plans to fix the Hubble Space Telescope by remote control.
Russia's Soyuz spacecraft brings U.S. space tourist to ISS RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2008 -- A Russian Soyuz spacecraft carrying a US space tourist ocked with the International Space Station (ISS).
Boeing Awarded Contract to Continue Testing Advanced Tactical Laser Boeing 14 Oct 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has been awarded a U.S. Air Force contract valued at up to $30 million to continue testing the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL).
Northrop Grumman's Reflector System Successfully Deploys Aboard Fourth Inmarsat Communications Satellite Northrop Grumman 13 Oct 2008 -- deployable reflector system made by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) successfully deployed on-orbit Aug. 28 aboard the Inmarsat 4 F3 satellite.
Russia's carrier rocket blasts off for space station RIA Novosti 12 Oct 2008 -- A Soyuz-FG carrier rocket lifted off from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan to take a crew of three to the International Space Station.
Orbital Completes Work on NSS-9 Commercial Communications Satellite Orbital Sciences Corp. 10 Oct 2008 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) has completed final testing on the SES New Skies NSS-9 commercial communications satellite, the company announced today
NASA and ATK Successfully Deploy 18-Foot Diameter Solar Array for ST8 Program ATK 09 Oct 2008 -- NASA and Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) have successfully concluded initial testing and deployment of the UltraFlex solar arrays for NASA's New Millennium Program Space Technology 8 Project (NMP ST8).
Soyuz spacecraft ready for trip to ISS on Oct. 12 RIA Novosti 9 Oct 2008 -- Installation of a Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft on carrier rocket completed in preparation for launch expedition to the International Space Station.
Boeing Submits Final Proposal Revisions for NASA's Facilities Development and Operations Contract Boeing 08 Oct 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today submitted its final proposal revisions to its bid for the NASA Facilities Development and Operations Contract (FDOC) at Johnson Space Center, Houston.
Lockheed Martin Sensor Aboard For Interstellar Boundary Explorer (Ibex) Mission Launch Lockheed Martin 08 Oct 2008 -- NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) mission -- the first designed to globally image the extreme edge of our solar system -- is ready for launch on a Pegasus rocket from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, on October 19.
India to launch first Moon mission on Oct. 22 RIA Novosti 7 Oct 2008 -- The launch of India's first unmanned mission to the Moon has been scheduled for October 22.
General Dynamics Awarded $13 Million to Continue Developing Maritime Air and Missile Defense Planning System General Dynamics 07 Oct 2008 -- The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems a contract valued at up to $13.5 million for engineering services in support of the Maritime Integrated Air and Missile Defense Planning System (MIPS), a successor to the AADC Area Air Defense Commander Capability (AADC).
NASA tracks meteorite before entering atmosphere for first time RIA Novosti 7 Oct 2008 -- NASA said that its scientists calculated a meteorite's trajectory and tracked its entry into Earth's atmosphere for first time history.
NASA: The Next 50 Years VOA 3 Oct 2008 -- The US space agency NASA has been promoting and celebrating its fiftieth anniversary, but the current state of the agency and its uncertain future has many concerned.
European GOCE satellite launch set for Oct. 27 RIA Novosti 3 Oct 2008 -- The European Space Agency has set October 27 as the new tentative date for the launch of the GOCE satellite.
US Spacecraft MESSENGER Prepares Second Flyby With Mercury VOA 2 Oct 2008 -- US spacecraft MESSENGER will fly past Mercury a 2nd time in preparation for orbit around the planet closest to the Sun.
Boeing Receives $650M International Space Station Contract Extension Boeing 01 Oct 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today was awarded a $650 million sole-source contract from NASA to continue to deliver and integrate the remaining components and software for the International Space Station (ISS).
Successful launch of THEOS EADS 01 Oct 2008 -- Astrium has successfully placed the THEOS observation satellite, built for Thailand, into orbit.
Czech MPs may launch ratification of U.S. shield deal in Nov. RIA Novosti 1 Oct 2008 -- The Czech parliament may begin discussions on the ratification of a Czech-US missile defense treaty in November.
Russia launches Thai satellite on converted missile RIA Novosti 1 Oct 2008 -- Russia launched a converted intercontinental ballistic missile to put a Thai earth observation satellite into orbit on Wednesday.
Hubble Trouble Delays Repair Mission VOA 1 Oct 2008 -- The US space agency says it will delay a planned repair mission to the Hubble space telescope because of a new malfunction of the orbiting observatory.