October 2006 Space News

Astrium-built BADR-4 satellite ready for launch EADS 31 Oct 2006 -- The BADR-4 satellite, built by Astrium Satellites for ARABSAT, the communications satellite operator based in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will carry direct-to-home television services, together with voice and data services, across the Middle East, North Africa and parts of Europe.
Successful launch of XM-4 satellite with Alcatel Alenia Space payload Thales 31 Oct 2006 -- The XM-4 broadcast satellite was successfully launched from the Odyssey Sea Launch Platform on a Zenit-3SL rocket. Alcatel Alenia Space, worldwide leader in Digital Audio Broadcasting Systems payloads, supplied the S-Band one to the satellite prime contractor Boeing Satellite Systems International. Boeing and Alcatel Alenia Space will be responsible for in-orbit tests.
NASA Approves Repair Mission for Hubble Space Telescope Washington File 31 Oct 2006 -- A standing ovation greeted the news from NASA Administrator Mike Griffin October 31 that the agency will send one more space shuttle mission to the Hubble Space Telescope in 2008 to extend and improve the observatory's capabilities through 2013.
LOCKHEED MARTIN TEAM TO SUPPORT HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE SERVICING MISSION Lockheed Martin 31 Oct 2006 -- A team led by Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) will provide support to the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in the planning, training and implementation of Servicing Mission 4 (SM-4) to the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), scheduled for 2008.
Hubble Telescope Given Reprieve; Astronauts to Repair It Again VOA 31 Oct 2006 -- The U.S. space agency says it will send space shuttle astronauts one more time to extend the life of the Hubble Space Telescope
Eutelsat confirms to Alcatel Alenia Space the S-band mission on the W2A satellite Thales 30 Oct 2006 -- Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris : ETL), one of the world's leading satellite operators, and Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) today announced that Eutelsat has confirmed the decision to embark an S-Band payload on the W2A satellite for which the construction contract was awarded earlier this year.
Delta II STEREO launches from Cape Canaveral AFPN 27 Oct 2006 -- Two NASA observatories called "STEREO" blasted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., Oct. 25 starting a two-year mission to study solar flares.
Boeing Airborne Laser Team Rolls Out Modified Aircraft and Prepares for Flight Tests Boeing 27 Oct 2006 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE:BA], along with industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, rolled out the Airborne Laser (ABL) aircraft today from a modification facility in Wichita, Kan., during a ceremony marking major program achievements on several fronts.
LOCKHEED MARTIN VERIFIES INTEGRATED BEAM CONTROL PERFORMANCE FOR MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY'S AIRBORNE LASER Lockheed Martin 27 Oct 2006 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced today that the performance of the fully integrated beam control/fire control system for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's Airborne Laser (ABL) has been confirmed in a series of ground tests.
Northrop Grumman Posts Major Airborne Laser Program Achievements Northrop Grumman 27 Oct 2006 -- Laser systems built by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) reached significant landmarks for the Missile Defense Agency's Airborne Laser (ABL) with the completion of critical subsystem tests and upgrades for the high-energy Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser (COIL) and ground testing of the Beacon Illuminator Laser (BILL).
ISS crew confirms Progress linked properly with station RIA Novosti 27 Oct 2006 -- The International Space Station crew reported that the Progress M-58 cargo spaceship has been fully linked with the ISS, a spokesman for the Russian Mission Control Center said Friday.
After Delay, Space Station Crew Opens Hatch to Cargo Supply Ship VOA 27 Oct 2006 -- A technical problem that plagued Thursday's docking of a Russian cargo ship to the orbiting International Space Station has been resolved, allowing the crew to unload fresh supplies.
NASA Posts Panorama To Celebrate Rover's 1,000th Martian Day Washington File 26 Oct 2006 -- NASA's durable Mars Exploration Rover Spirit finished its 1,000th Martian day October 26, continuing a successful mission originally planned for 90 Martian days.
NASA Launches First Three-Dimensional Solar Imaging Mission Washington File 26 Oct 2006 -- NASA's twin Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatories (STEREO) mission, two nearly identical golf-cart-sized spacecraft, launched October 25 from Cape Canaveral in Florida.
Russian Supply Rocket Fails to Dock Tightly to Space Station VOA 26 Oct 2006 -- A Russian cargo rocket has arrived at the International Space Station, but is having problems docking securely.
ATK Propulsion and Composite Technologies Support Successful Launch of Delta II Rocket ATK 26 Oct 2006 -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) solid propulsion and composite technologies supported last night's successful launch of a Boeing Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla
NATION'S NEWEST USAF WEATHER SATELLITE READY FOR LAUNCH Lockheed Martin 26 Oct 2006 -- The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) F-17 Block 5D-3 spacecraft, built under contract for the U.S. Air Force by Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT], is undergoing final preparation for a launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. on November 4.
LOCKHEED MARTIN DELIVERS KEY PAYLOAD HARDWARE FOR SECOND MISSILE WARNING SATELLITE Lockheed Martin 26 Oct 2006 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has delivered a critical payload subsystem for the second geosynchronous orbit (GEO-2) satellite in the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) program.
Progress M-58 cargo spaceship docks with ISS - mission control RIA Novosti 26 Oct 2006 -- The Progress M-58 cargo spaceship, carrying fuel, water, food and scientific equipment, has docked with the International Space Station, Russia's Mission Control Center said Thursday.
IAI's ELTA Systems Group was Awarded Several Contracts for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Systems Israel Aerospace Industries 26 Oct 2006 -- EuroNaval 2006, Paris, France - Elta Systems Group, a subsidiary of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), has received contracts for its Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) mounted on airborne platforms from several undisclosed customers. The total value of the contracts is estimated to be $59 million.
Boeing Delta II Launches NASA Solar Eruptions Study Boeing 26 Oct 2006 -- A Boeing [NYSE: BA] Delta II rocket today launched a NASA spacecraft to provide a new perspective on solar eruptions.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne's RS-27A Sends Solar Observatory on Mission to Study the Sun Pratt & Whitney 25 Oct 2006 -- A Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne (PWR) RS-27A rocket engine powered a new observatory into space today that will study eruptions from the surface of the sun.
U.S. Opposes Restrictions on Use of Space Washington File 25 Oct 2006 -- Freedom of action in space is the centerpiece of a new U.S. National Space Policy, the first update in nearly 10 years, that accounts for technology advances and the growing importance of space to international commerce, science, peace and security.
SECOND MODERNIZED GPS SATELLITE BUILT BY LOCKHEED MARTIN BEGINS SERVICE FOR USERS WORLDWIDE Lockheed Martin 25 Oct 2006 -- The second modernized Global Positioning System Block IIR (GPS IIR-M) satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has been declared fully operational for military and civilian navigation users around the globe.
U.S. Army Awards Raytheon $8 Million Patriot Engineering Services Contract Raytheon 25 Oct 2006 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded an $8 million contract modification from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command to provide engineering services support to the Patriot Air and Missile Defense program.
SAIC Awarded Contract to Assist the Air Force in Its Alternative Infrared Satellite System Risk Reduction Program SAIC 24 Oct 2006 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) announced today it won a cost-plus award fee contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory and Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/VS) with a ceiling value of approximately $25 million, and a 29-month period of performance.
Russia, NATO conduct missile defense exercises RIA Novosti 24 Oct 2006 -- Russia and NATO practiced Tuesday a simulated scenario to repel a potential ballistic missile attack.
Astrium-built METOP satellite for EUMETSAT successfully deployed in orbit EADS 23 Oct 2006 -- Following its launch on 19 October 2006 by a STARSEM Soyuz rocket, EUMETSAT’s MetOp satellite has reached polar orbit. Astrium’s satellites business unit is prime contractor for the satellite.
ATK Receives $17.5 Million Contract for CASTOR 120® Motors ATK 23 Oct 2006 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has received a $17.5 million contract from Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) for CASTOR 120 motors
Russian rocket with Progress cargo ship launched to ISS RIA Novosti 23 Oct 2006 -- A Russian Soyuz-U booster rocket with a Progress M-58 cargo spacecraft has been launched from the Baikonur space center to the International Space Station, a spokesman for the Russian Federal Space Agency said Monday.
Russian space co. to launch at least 11 satellites by 2009 RIA Novosti 23 Oct 2006 -- A leading Russian space company said Monday it holds commercial orders for 11 satellite launches up to 2009.
Rocket scientists gather at space propulsion program review AFPN 20 Oct 2006 -- The Air Force Office of Scientific Research here recently completed a program review on space propulsion and power in Annapolis, Md.
EUTELSAT awards contract to deliver HOT BIRD™ 10 broadcast satellite to Astrium EADS 19 Oct 2006 -- The procurement of HOT BIRD™ 10 underpins Eutelsat’s objectives to continue to renew capacity at its HOT BIRD™ neighbourhood, to raise in-orbit redundancy and security for broadcasting clients and to increase overall flexibility across its satellite fleet. Eutelsat’s 13 degrees East neighbourhood today broadcasts 950 television channels and 540 radio stations to 110 million cable and satellite homes across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Astrium-built MetOp satellite successfully launched EADS 19 Oct 2006 -- Astrium’s MetOp satellite has been successfully launched by Starsem on 19 October, at 10:28 pm, Baikonur time (4:28 pm UTC), using a Soyuz rocket. Astrium is the satellite prime contractor and responsible for three of the 11 instruments on board the spacecraft. MetOp has reached low Earth orbit, becoming Europe’s first polar-orbiting satellite dedicated to operational meteorology. It represents Europe’s contribution to a new co-operative venture with the United States, providing data that will be used to monitor our climate and improve weather forecasting.
NASA Announces New International Space Station Crew Washington File 19 Oct 2006 -- NASA and Roscosmos, the Russian Federal Space Agency, have named two astronauts and two cosmonauts to the next International Space Station crew, designated Expedition 15.
Astronomers Find Moon Lacks Ice VOA 19 Oct 2006 -- The latest effort by astronomers to seek water on the moon has dampened hopes that it has much, if any, with which to establish a lunar colony
LOCKHEED MARTIN INSTRUMENT TO MONITOR SOLAR ERUPTIONS ON LATEST NASA SUN MISSION Lokcheed Martin 19 Oct 2006 -- The Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUVI) instrument - designed and built at the Solar and Astrophysics Laboratory of the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] Advanced Technology Center (ATC) in Palo Alto - will soon begin returning stereo images of the Sun's corona as part of NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO).
Boeing to Build More Wideband Gapfiller Satellites Boeing 18 Oct 2006 -- Boeing [NYSE:BA] and the U.S. Air Force MILSATCOM Systems Wing have signed a $1.067 billion contract for up to three more Wideband Gapfiller Satellites (WGS), if all options are exercised.
The October 17 liftoff of the European polar-orbiting satellite, MetOp-A, will mark a major milestone in the U.S.- European Initial Joint Polar System (IJPS). Washington File 18 Oct 2006 -- During its first week of observations from low orbit, NASA's newest Mars spacecraft already is revealing new clues about recent and ancient environments on the Red Planet.
President Bush Forms New Space Policy VOA 18 Oct 2006 -- President Bush has approved a new National Space Policy that emphasizes security issues and encourages private investment.
New Russian spaceship will be able to fly to Moon - space corp. RIA Novosti 18 Oct 2006 -- Russia's Rocket and Space Corporation Energia said Wednesday it will create a new spaceship capable of flying to the Moon.
ISS crew landing put off to avoid spring floods on Kazakh steppe RIA Novosti 18 Oct 2006 -- Astronauts currently working at the International Space Station will have their six-month mission extended by another month to avoid early-spring flooding on the Kazakh steppe where they will be landing, a Russian space official said Wednesday.
Satellite Launch Is Milestone in U.S.-European Cooperation Washington File 16 Oct 2006 -- The October 17 liftoff of the European polar-orbiting satellite, MetOp-A, will mark a major milestone in the U.S.- European Initial Joint Polar System (IJPS).
Newest US Mars Orbiter Reveals Red Planet in Unprecedented Detail VOA 16 Oct 2006 -- The most powerful spacecraft ever sent to Mars has begun revealing new clues to the red planet's changing environment, including more hints of past water flow
Raytheon Sensor Offers Air Force Early Missile Warning Alternative Raytheon 16 Oct 2006 -- A payload consisting of a sensor with a focal plane array large enough to capture images of the entire earth from a geosynchronous missile warning satellite is in development by Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) under a $54.4 million contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.
Russia asks U.S. to clarify its missile defense plans in Europe RIA Novosti 16 Oct 2006 -- Russia wants the U.S. to clarify its plans for the deployment of its anti-missile shield in Europe, the chief of the General Staff of Russia's Armed Forces said Monday.
Orbital-Built Optus D1 Communications Satellite Successfully Launched Aboard Ariane Rocket Orbital Sciences Corp. 16 Oct 2006 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that the Optus D1 commercial communications satellite, built by Orbital for Optus Networks Pty Limited (Optus) of Australia, was successfully launched into its targeted orbit aboard an Ariane 5 rocket on Friday, October 13.
Russia, NATO launch exercise next week - Defense Ministry RIA Novosti 14 Oct 2006 -- Russia and NATO will launch a joint theater missile defense exercise next week, Russia's Defense Ministry said Saturday.
NASA Finds Saturn Moons Might Be Creating New Rings Washington File 12 Oct 2006 -- Scientists involved in the Cassini-Huygens mission are looking for the missing moons of Saturn. .
Boeing Delivers Hardware and Completes Software Testing for Global Positioning System Boeing 12 Oct 2006 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has announced the delivery of satellite hardware and the completion of new software tests for the next-generation Global Positioning System (GPS).
LOCKHEED MARTIN AWARDED CONTRACT FOR GLOBAL COMBAT SUPPORT SYSTEM - AIR FORCE DATA AND LOGISTICS SERVICES Lockheed Martin 12 Oct 2006 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has been awarded a $9.4 million, one-year Data Services Logistics Enterprise Dashboard spiral task order to provide aircraft maintenance status, supply chain visibility, balanced scorecard information, predictive analysis and other logistics capabilities through the Global Combat Support System - Air Force (GCSS-AF) portal and the Air Force Common Operating Picture (AF COP).
China intends to launch its first lunar orbiter in 2007 RIA Novosti 12 Oct 2006 -- China is planning to launch a research satellite to orbit the Moon in 2007, the head of the national space agency said Thursday.
Future of Space Exploration Depends on International Cooperation Washington File 11 Oct 2006 -- The following article appears in the October issue of the State Department's electronic journal, Global Issues
LOCKHEED MARTIN COMPLETES SALE OF INTERNATIONAL LAUNCH SERVICES Lockheed Martin 11 Oct 2006 -- Lockheed Martin Corporation [NYSE: LMT], has completed the sale of its interests in Lockheed Khrunichev Energia International, Inc. (LKEI) and ILS International Launch Services, Inc. (ILS) to Space Transport Inc.
LOCKHEED MARTIN, ITT ANNOUNCE ALLIANCE FOR GPS III SPACE SEGMENT COMPETITION Lockheed Martin 11 Oct 2006 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and ITT Corporation (NYSE: ITT) have formed an alliance in the competition to build the U.S. Air Force's next generation Global Positioning System Space Segment program, known as GPS Block III.
First MetOp launch scheduled for 17th of October EADS 11 Oct 2006 -- MetOp is scheduled for launch by Starsem on the 17th of October, using a Soyuz rocket. Astrium Satellites business unit is the satellite prime contractor and responsible for three of the eleven instruments on board the spacecraft.
Northrop Grumman to Sponsor Lunar Lander Challenge Northrop Grumman 11 Oct 2006 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has signed an agreement with the X PRIZE Foundation, Santa Monica, Calif. to become the title sponsor for NASA's Lunar Lander Challenge, an engineering competition designed to motivate entrepreneurial companies to develop and prove concepts for space vehicles that could safely ferry humans or cargo back and forth between the lunar surface and lunar orbit.
No missile defense deployment offer from U.S. yet - Polish min. RIA Novosti 11 Oct 2006 -- The U.S. has not yet officially proposed to Poland that American missile defense elements be deployed on the European country's territory, the Polish defense minister said Wednesday.
BAE SYSTEMS WINS $132 MILLION COSMIC CONTRACT BAE Systems 10 Oct 2006 -- BAE Systems has been awarded the Concepts and Operations for Space and Missile Defense Integration Capabilities (COSMIC) contract for $132 million from the U.S. Army.
Alcatel signs initial agreement with Globalstar for 2nd generation LEO satellite constellation Thales 10 Oct 2006 -- Alcatel Alenia Space today announced it has signed an initial agreement (Authorization To Proceed or ATP) with Globalstar, Inc., a provider of mobile satellite voice and data services, to commence work on Globalstar's second-generation satellite constellation.
ATK Completes Successful Pathfinder for Its New Launch Vehicle VOA 10 Oct 2006 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) recently completed a successful on-pad assembly, or pathfinder operation, of an ATK-designed launch vehicle, the ALV.
Northrop Grumman Establishes Premier Missile Defense Engineering Center Northrop Grumman 09 Oct 2006 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced today the company has established a high technology Missile Defense Engineering and Analysis Center (MDEAC), a state-of-the-art capability that will support the nation's integrated air and missile defense mission, at the company's Cummings Research Park complex in Huntsville, Ala.
RAFAEL Receives Space Contracts From Astrium Rafael 04 Oct 2006 -- Astrium Space Transportation GmbH of Germany has awarded RAFAEL Armament Development Authority Ltd. two contracts for the delivery of propellant tanks and hydrazine thrusters for the propulsion sub-system of the Galileo Navigation System constellation. The contracts are for the In-Orbit-Validation (IOV) phase of the Galileo system.
ATK Awarded $12.5M Contract for Former Peacekeeper Rocket Motor Aging Surveillance Program Alliant Techsystems 04 Oct 2006 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has received a $12.5 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to provide aging surveillance support for the Stage I, II and III rocket motors of the former Peacekeeper (PK) intercontinental ballistic missile system.
Russia, India to use Glonass satellite system together RIA Novosti 04 Oct 2006 -- Russia and India will use a 24-satellite navigational and global positioning system, Glonass, together, a spokesman for the Russian Federal Space Agency said.
United Launch Alliance Joint Rocket Venture Cleared by Federal Trade Commission Boeing 03 Oct 2006 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today confirmed that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has granted anti-trust clearance to proceed toward closure of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) joint venture.
FTC Gives Clearance To United Launch Alliance Lockheed Martin 03 Oct 2006 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today confirmed that United Launch Alliance, L.L.C. (ULA), its joint venture with the Boeing Co., had received anti-trust clearance from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The clearance is subject to compliance with a consent order that both parties have approved and which upon closing of the transaction will govern certain activities of ULA, Lockheed Martin and Boeing.
FTC GIVES CLEARANCE TO UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE Lockheed Martin 03 Oct 2006 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today confirmed that United Launch Alliance, L.L.C. (ULA), its joint venture with the Boeing Co., had received anti-trust clearance from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Northrop Grumman Completes Payload Acoustic Testing for SBIRS GEO-1 Missile Warning Payload Northrop Grumman 05 Oct 2006 -- Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:NOC) announced today that it has successfully completed acoustic testing of the payload for the first Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellite
Alcatel Alenia Space to build SIRAL-2 radar altimeter for CryoSat-2 Earth observation satellite Thales 02 Oct 2006 -- Alcatel Alenia Space has signed a contract with EADS SPACE, the satellite prime contractor, to manufacture the SIRAL-2 radar altimeter to be used on the ice sheet monitoring satellite CryoSat-2. As main instrument of the CryoSat mission, SIRAL-2 will be used to determine the thickness of ice sheets on both land and at sea with unprecedented precision.
ATK Completes Milestone Test in Development Program for the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle Alliant Techsystems 02 Oct 2006 -- NASA's next-generation crew launch vehicle may be years away from flying its first astronauts to space, but Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) is already completing tests and building hardware to ensure that Ares I will fly on schedule.
Unit stands up at Vandenberg AFPN 02 Oct 2006 -- U.S. Strategic Command officials have split a single function into two in order to transform and enhance U.S. space capabilities.

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