August 2006 Space News

NASA Selects Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle Prime Contractor NASA 31 Aug 2006 -- NASA selected Thursday Lockheed Martin Corp., based in Bethesda, Md., as the prime contractor to design, develop, and build Orion, America's spacecraft for a new generation of explorers.
Russia postpones launch of expedition to ISS until Sept.18 RIA Novosti 31 Aug 2006 -- Russia said Thursday it had postponed the launch of the next mission to the International Space Station from September 14 until September 18.
Russia plans to launch first flight to the Moon in 2011-2012 RIA Novosti 31 Aug 2006 -- Russia plans to conduct its first manned flight around the Moon in 2011-2012, the president of a leading spacecraft company said Thursday.
Russia proposes extending ISS service life RIA Novosti 31 Aug 2006 -- A leading Russian space concern proposed Thursday using the International Space Station for continued research after its operational life comes to an end in just under 10 years' time.
Lockheed Martin Selected By NASA For Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle Lockheed Martin 31 Aug 2006 -- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced today that it has selected the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team to design and build the agency’s next-generation human space flight crew transportation system known as Orion, with an initial contract value of approximately $4 billion.
Iranian tourist dreams of seeing Earth from space IRNA 30 Aug 2006 -- The first woman space tourist, Iranian-born American Anousheh Ansari dreams of seeing the Earth from space.
Glonass to be deployed in full by 2010 - Defense Ministry RIA Novosti 30 Aug 2006 -- Russia's 24-satellite navigational and global positioning system, Glonass, will be fully deployed by 2010, the country's Defense Ministry said Wednesday.
Next ISS mission could be postponed after shuttle delay RIA Novosti 30 Aug 2006 -- The lift-off of the 14th expedition to the International Space Station could be put off from September 14 to 18 after a shuttle launch was delayed, the head of a leading Russian space company said Wednesday.
Hamilton Sundstrand awarded systems work on NASA Crew Exploration Vehicle Hamilton Sundstrand 30 Aug 2006 -- Hamilton Sundstrand, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), will provide multiple systems on NASA's new Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) as part of the Lockheed Martin-led team selected Thursday by NASA to build America’s next spacecraft for a new generation of explorers. The work is worth several hundred million dollars to Hamilton Sundstrand.
Space Shuttle Atlantis Returns to Launch Pad VOA 29 Aug 2006 -- A drop in storm intensity has caused the U.S. space agency NASA to return the shuttle Atlantis back to the launch pad after it was being pulled toward its hangar for shelter.
Russia plans to launch 30 satellites, probes to Mars, Venus RIA Novosti 29 Aug 2006 -- Russia plans to orbit at least 30 telecom satellites and launch probes to Mars and Venus under the federal space program for 2006-2015, a Russian Space Agency official said Tuesday.
Russia mulls new space station, missions to Moon, Mars RIA Novosti 29 Aug 2006 -- The International Space Station will be dismantled after 2015 to be replaced with a new orbital station, a Russian Space Agency official said Tuesday.
General Dynamics to Support Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Program General Dynamics 29 Aug 2006 -- The U.S. Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) has awarded General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), a contract to provide program management and administrative support as well as technical services and systems engineering to the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Program Directorate (PD-452). The total potential value of the contract if all options are exercised is $41.8 million over a 12-month period of performance.<
New Missile Warning Satellite Built By Lockheed Martin Completes Critical Functional Test Milestone Lockheed Martin 29 Aug 2006 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced today that it has successfully completed an extensive test phase of the first Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellite.
Storm Forces Space Shuttle Removal From Launch Pad VOA 28 Aug 2006 -- The U.S. space agency NASA is taking the unusual step of preparing to return a space shuttle to its hangar from the launch pad because of an Atlantic tropical storm
U.S. missile defense plans should be transparent - Ivanov RIA Novosti 28 Aug 2006 -- U.S. plans to deploy missile defense systems in eastern Europe should be transparent, Russia's defense minister said.
Transcript: Media Availability with Secretary Rumsfeld and Lt. Gen. Obering on Missile Defense 27 Aug 2006 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Director of the Missile Defense Agency Lt. Gen. Henry "Trey" Obering III
Tropical Storm Delays Space Shuttle Launch VOA 26 Aug 2006 -- NASA managers, wary of the approaching tropical storm, Ernesto, has postponed its decision on whether to keep the space shuttle Atlantis at the launch pad or indoors or roll it back to the assembly facility.
NASA Delays Atlantis Shuttle Launch Until Monday VOA 26 Aug 2006 -- Officials at the U.S. space agency, NASA, have decided to delay until Monday the launch of the space shuttle Atlantis, on a mission to continue construction on the half-finished International Space Station.
Shuttle Crew Readies for Planned Sunday Launch VOA 24 Aug 2006 -- The U.S. space agency, NASA, is making final preparations for the planned launch of the space shuttle Atlantis on Sunday.
Boeing Completes GOES-P Weather Satellite Thermal Vacuum Testing Boeing 23 Aug 2006 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that GOES-P, the third of three Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) built for NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has successfully completed testing designed to ensure that the spacecraft will operate in the extremely harsh environs of space.
ATK Receives $22 Million Dollar Contract to Develop Composite Production Technologies for Expendable Launch Structures ATK 22 Aug 2006 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has received a five-year, $22 million contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to develop automated composite technologies designed to reduce the manufacturing costs, and increase the performance of large composite launch vehicle structures.
Boeing-Built, On-Orbit Commercial Satellite Proves Technology Proposed for Future Military Satellite System Boeing 22 Aug 2006 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA], in conjunction with Hughes Network Systems, LLC [HUGHES], has successfully demonstrated the space-based delivery of MP-3 files, a streaming video multi-cast and voice over Internet protocol services to a government audience, validating key elements of the Boeing communications approach for the Transformational Satellite Communications Space Segment (TSAT SS) program.
Orbital Ships Optus D1 Communications Satellite to South American Launch Site Orbital Sciences Corp. 22 Aug 2006 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that the company-built Optus D1 geosynchronous (GEO) communications satellite has been delivered to the space launch complex in Kourou, French Guiana, where it is scheduled to be launched aboard an Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket in September. The Optus D1 satellite is the first of two high-power satellites that Orbital is building for Optus Networks of Australia.
Successful launch of Koreasat 5 hybrid communications satellite Thales 22 Aug 2006 -- Koreasat 5 hybrid communications satellite was built by Alcatel Alenia Space as prime contractor.
Massive Lockheed Martin Solar Arrays To Be Launched To International Space Station Lockheed Martin 21 Aug 2006 -- The second of four pairs of massive solar arrays and a 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 August 27, 2006. Atlantis’ launch window extends through September 13, 2006. During the 11-day STS-115 mission, astronauts will connect the package of giant solar arrays and the rotary joint – incorporated into an integrated truss segment – to the Station. A second rotary joint and a third pair of solar arrays will be delivered to ISS on STS-117.
Refurbishing of Airborne Laser's Megawatt-Class Laser Proceeds with Redelivery of First Turbopump to Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman 21 Aug 2006 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has received the second of six turbopumps that are being refurbished during the disassembly and inspection of the megawatt-class laser the company provides for the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Airborne Laser (ABL) program.
Orbital to Oversee Production and Operation of Rocketplane Kistler's K-1 Reusable Launch Vehicle Orbital Sciences Corp. 21 Aug 2006 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) will oversee the final development, production and launch operations activities of Rocketplane Kistler’s (RpK) K-1 reusable launch vehicle system, the company announced today. RpK’s K-1 vehicle was selected last Friday by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the space agency’s Commercial Orbital Transportation System (COTS) program to provide unmanned cargo transportation services to and from the International Space Station (ISS).
US Hopes to Transfer Space Station Resupply to Private Sector VOA 19 Aug 2006 -- The U.S. space agency NASA has taken a step to transfer the job of resupplying the International Space Station to the private sector
Raytheon Company Awarded $266 Million Standard Missile-3 Contract Raytheon 17 Aug 2006 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a contract with a total value of $266 million to build, test and deliver Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) rounds to the Missile Defense Agency to meet the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense deployment requirements. Initial funding of $168 million has been issued.
Space Command focuses on tailoring mission with new triad AFPN 17 Aug 2006 -- Strategic deterrence, securing the space domain and recapitalizing on a lesser budget are among the priorities for the Air Force Space Command commander.
Belarus to announce tender for new national satellite RIA Novosti 17 Aug 2006 -- Belarus will announce a tender by the end of the week for a new national BelKa satellite to replace the one destroyed when a Russian rocket crashed in Kazakhstan in July, a source involved in the negotiations said Thursday.
Solar System Could Gain New Planets Under Definition Change VOA 16 Aug 2006 -- There may soon be three new planets in our solar system. The expansion would be the result of a proposed new definition of what a planet is.
NASA Searches for Missing Tapes of 1969 Moon Landing VOA 15 Aug 2006 -- The U.S. space agency NASA has stepped up its search for the original videotapes of the first moon landing in 1969
Raytheon and Aerojet Demonstrate SM-3 Throttling Divert and Attitude Control System Raytheon 15 Aug 2006 -- Raytheon Company and Aerojet have successfully demonstrated the capability of a Throttling Divert and Attitude Control System (TDACS) for Standard Missile-3 (SM-3).
Boeing-built Components Advance International Space Station Assembly Boeing 14 Aug 2006 -- This month's scheduled Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-115 mission resumes assembly of the International Space Station (ISS) with delivery of the Boeing [NYSE: BA] Port 3/Port 4 (P3/P4) truss segment and two power-producing solar arrays. STS-115 is the first assembly mission since November 2002.
Successful launch of French military satellite Syracuse 3B, built by Alcatel Alenia Space Thales 14 Aug 2006 -- The new-generation military communications satellite Syracuse 3B, built by Alcatel Alenia Space as prime contractor for French defense procurement agency DGA, has been successfully orbited by an Ariane 5 ECA from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.
Mirror system successfully demonstrated AFPN 11 Aug 2006 -- A dual-mirror system, designed to extend the range of high-energy lasers by receiving and redirecting laser energy, is being tested here.
LOCKHEED MARTIN MARKS 30TH CONSECUTIVE A2100 SUCCESS WITH THE LAUNCH OF JCSAT-10 SATELLITE Lockheed Martin 11 Aug 2006 -- The JCSAT-10 telecommunications satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] for JSAT Corporation of Japan, was successfully launched today from Kourou, French Guiana. Lift-off occurred at 6:15 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle provided by Arianespace of Evry, France. Initial contact with the satellite, called acquisition of signal, was confirmed at 7:07 p.m. EDT from Lockheed Martin's satellite tracking station in Uralla, Australia.
Northrop Grumman's Stellar Navigation System Makes its First Flight on RC-135 Aircraft Northrop Grumman 11 Aug 2006 -- The new LN-120G stellar navigation system developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has successfully completed its first flight test on RC-135 aircraft.
Raytheon Team Completes Successful SDACS Propulsion System Test in Support of U.S. Sea-Based Missile Defense Raytheon 11 Aug 2006 -- Raytheon Company and Alliant Techsystems have successfully completed the second ground test of an advanced version of the Solid Divert and Attitude Control System (SDACS).
Indian space agency bags European contracts to build satellites IRNA 10 Aug 2006 -- The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has bagged commercial contracts to build two communication satellites for European customers.
Boeing Demonstrates TSAT Operational Capabilities Boeing 09 Aug 2006 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] recently demonstrated the interoperability of the Transformational Satellite Communications (TSAT) Space Segment program with other transformational military systems during a quarterly program management review.
Kazakhstan asks too much for rocket crash - Russian space agency RIA Novosti 09 Aug 2006 -- Kazakhstan has over valuated the damage a July 27 Russian carrier rocket crash caused to the country, a spokesman for the Russian Space Agency said Wednesday.
Lockheed Martin And ATK Complete Second Motor Test For Proposed U.S. Navy Intermediate-Range Missile Lockheed Martin 08 Aug 2006 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) successfully test fired a second-stage booster motor under the Submarine Launched Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (SLIRBM) Booster System Demonstration for the U.S. Navy. This is the second static test firing conducted this summer under the demonstration.
Lockheed Martin-Built JCSAT-10 Satellite Ready For Launch Lockheed Martin 08 Aug 2006 -- The JCSAT-10 telecommunications satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] for JSAT Corporation of Japan, is ready for launch Aug. 11. The launch is scheduled for 6:14 p.m. EDT aboard an Ariane V launch vehicle provided by Arianespace.
NASA, Air Force agree to aeronautics cooperation AFPN 07 Aug 2006 -- NASA and the Air Force have formed an aeronautics research partnership that builds upon and expands on the longstanding relationship between the two organizations.
Shuttle, Station Missions Ahead Are Most Challenging Ever NASA 07 Aug 2006 -- With the remaining shuttle missions, NASA will embark on a series of flights as difficult as any in history to complete the International Space Station.
Space brings invisible power to the fight AFPN 07 Aug 2006 -- When space professionals deploy, they learn how to better provide combat effects, and warfighters learn more about the invisible power space brings to the fight.
Reiter Breaks European Space Endurance Record ESA 07 Aug 2006 -- ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter set a new record for the number of days spent in space by a European astronaut last week when he completed a total of over 209 days in orbit.
BAE Systems THAAD Seeker Scores Successful Intercept BAE Systems 07 Aug 2006 -- The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system detected an incoming ballistic missile target using a BAE Systems seeker and achieved a successful intercept in a July 12 test firing at White Sands Missile Range. The test was conducted by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Army and Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT], the prime contractor and systems integrator.
Boeing Demonstrates Aerospace Relay Mirror System Boeing 07 Aug 2006 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the U.S. Air Force achieved major progress in their relay system development program by successfully redirecting a laser beam to a target using their Aerospace Relay Mirror System (ARMS).
Russian rocket puts into orbit French satellite RIA Novosti 05 Aug 2006 -- A Russian carrier rocker has successfully put into orbit a French satellite that was launched from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, the Russian space agency said Saturday.
New AFSPC commander touts 'invisible force' AFPN 04 Aug 2006 -- The new commander of Air Force Space Command visited the 90th Space Wing and 20th Air Force July 28 to Aug. 1, touting what he called the "invisible force" with the big hammer.
New structures, names for SMC organization AFPN 04 Aug 2006 -- The Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center has reorganized and renamed its organizations to mirror the traditional Air Force structure in a ceremony July 31.
SMART-1 Towards Final Impact ESA 04 Aug 2006 -- SMART-1, the successful first European spacecraft to the Moon, is now about to end its exploration adventure
Russian rocket to orbit U.S. satellite on August 5 RIA Novosti 04 Aug 2006 -- A Russian carrier rocker with a U.S. satellite will be launched from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan on Saturday, a spokesperson for the Russian space agency said Friday.
Williams and Reiter Perform Spacewalk NASA 03 Aug 2006 -- Space station crewmen Jeff Williams and Thomas Reiter worked quickly through scheduled spacewalk tasks Thursday.
ATK Receives $90 Million Contract to Supply Orion Motors for Missile Defense and Commercial Satellite Launch Vehicles ATK 02 Aug 2006 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has received a $90 million contract to provide first, second, and third stage Orion solid rocket motors to Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) for use in a variety of launch platforms including the nation's Ground-based Missile Defense (GMD) program. ATK's Launch Systems Group will perform the work at its manufacturing facilities in Utah. Production will run through February 2009.
Lockheed Martin Delivers Second Spacecraft Structure For Advanced Military Communications Program Lockheed Martin 02 Aug 2006 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced today the successful delivery of the flight structure for the second Advanced Extremely High Frequency (EHF) spacecraft. The Advanced EHF system will provide global, highly secure, protected, survivable communications for all warfighters serving under the U.S. Department of Defense.
Lockheed Martin Awarded Air Force Contract For Angels Nanosatellite Program Lockheed Martin 02 Aug 2006 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced today that the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate, located at Kirtland Air Force Base, NM, has chosen the company to provide engineering design and development support for the Autonomous Nanosatellite Guardian Evaluating Local Space (ANGELS) satellite program. The contract, valued at $8 million, will extend the ANGELS Phase 3 basic effort from Preliminary Design Review (PDR) through Critical Design Review (CDR), August 2006 through August 2007. Following completion of the CDR, the Air Force will pursue a follow-on contract for production of a protoflight unit.
NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis Moves to Launch Pad NASA 02 Aug 2006 -- The Space Shuttle Atlantis arrived at its launch pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
Boeing Laser Communications Demonstration Validates a Critical Element of TSAT Network Boeing 01 Aug 2006 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has demonstrated the ability of the Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) to link from one satellite to another using a laser beam in a simulated space environment. The demonstration, performed in cooperation with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratories (MIT/LL), marked the third of four planned laser communication milestone demonstrations.

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