December 2006 Space News

NASA Rovers, Mars Orbiter Changing Understanding of Mars Washington File 29 Dec 2006 -- Long-lived robotic explorers nearing third anniversary of landings
Five volunteers picked for simulated Mars mission in Russia RIA Novosti 29 Dec 2006 -- Five volunteers have been selected for a simulated Mars mission, expected to be launched in Russia late next year, a spokesman for the Russian Space Agency said Friday.
Successful launch of the Corot scientific satellite Thales 27 Dec 2006 -- The Corot scientific satellite was successfully launched today by a Soyuz 2-1b rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. French space agency CNES was the prime contractor for this satellite, assigning industrial responsibility to Alcatel Alenia Space. The Corot satellite is designed to study the structure of stars and also search for new planets outside our solar system.
New Russian carrier rocket launched from Baikonur RIA Novosti 27 Dec 2006 -- A new Russian carrier rocket Soyuz 2-1B with a French satellite Corot on board has lifted off from the Baikonur space center in the Central Asian Republic of Kazakhstan, a spokesman for the Federal Space Agency said Wednesday.
Russia launches three Glonass satellites RIA Novosti 26 Dec 2006 -- Russia has expanded its global navigation satellite system (Glonass) with three satellites, a spokesman for the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) said Tuesday.
Russian carrier rocket puts communications satellite into orbit RIA Novosti 24 Dec 2006 -- A carrier rocket launched from a site in northern Russia has delivered a communications satellite into orbit, the press office of the Russian Space Forces said Sunday.
After Discovery Mission, Space Station Construction Progresses Washington File 23 Dec 2006 -- NASA recorded a stellar month in December, completing the third space shuttle mission of the year and unveiling critical tools -- an exploration strategy and a proposed lunar architecture -- needed to establish a manned base on the moon by 2020.
Russian Soyuz-2 rocket launch further delayed by computer breakdown RIA Novosti 23 Dec 2006 -- Russia's Space Forces said a Soyuz-2 booster rocket's launch rescheduled for Saturday will again have to be postponed owing to technical problems.
Space Shuttle Lands in Florida VOA 22 Dec 2006 -- The U.S. space shuttle Discovery has returned to Earth after a mission to continue assembly of the International Space Station
LOCKHEED MARTIN DELIVERS KEY HARDWARE FOR THIRD ADVANCED EHF MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE Lockheed Martin 22 Dec 2006 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] today announced that it has delivered ahead of schedule the flight structure for the third space vehicle in the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) program to the company's Mississippi facility for integration with its propulsion subsystem. AEHF satellites will provide global, highly secure, protected, survivable communications for warfighters in all services within the Department of Defense.
Russia against U.S. missile defense plans for Europe - DM Ivanov RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2006 -- Russia is opposed to the United States' plans to deploy an anti-missile shield in Central Europe, the defense minister said Friday.
Astrium To Build New Astra Satellite EADS 21 Dec 2006 -- SES ASTRA, an SES GLOBAL company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), has announced today that it has awarded the contract for the construction of its new satellite, ASTRA 3B, to the European satellite manufacturer ASTRIUM. As prime contractor for ASTRA 3B, ASTRIUM will design and build the satellite.
Eutelsat selects Alcatel Alenia Space for W7 satellite Thales 21 Dec 2006 -- Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris : ETL) and Alcatel Alenia Space today announced that the two companies have signed a contract under which Alcatel Alenia Space will manufacture and deliver Eutelsat's W7 communications satellite.
LOCKHEED MARTIN GPS III TEAM PREPARES FOR KEY DESIGN MILESTONE UNDER U.S. AIR FORCE-AWARDED $50 MILLION CONTRACT Lockheed Martin 21 Dec 2006 -- The U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] a contract valued at approximately $50 million to execute a System Design Review for the next generation Global Positioning System Space Segment program, known as GPS Block III.
Alaska Guard Troops Conduct Vital Missile Defense Mission AFPS 20 Dec 2006 -- Just a few years ago, this snow-swept central Alaskan post lay dormant, closed through the Base Realignment and Closure process
LOCKHEED MARTIN INSTRUMENT ON LATEST NASA SUN MISSION SEES FIRST LIGHT Lockheed Martin 20 Dec 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 - has begun returning images of the Sun's corona as part of NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO).
LOCKHEED MARTIN-BUILT GPS SATELLITE DECLARED OPERATIONAL FOR USERS WORLDWIDE Lockheed Martin 19 Dec 2006 -- The newest modernized Global Positioning System Block IIR (GPS IIR-M) satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT], has been declared fully operational by the U.S. Air Force following successful on-orbit deployment and checkout of all spacecraft systems.
Russian booster with German satellite launched from Plesetsk RIA Novosti 19 Dec 2006 -- A Russian Cosmos 3M booster carrying Germany's SAR-Lupe satellite was launched from the Plesetsk space center in northern Russia Tuesday, a spokesman for the Space Forces said.
Space Walking Astronauts Retract Stubborn Solar Panel VOA 19 Dec 2006 -- Astronauts from the American space shuttle Discovery have freed a stuck solar array on the International Space Station
TacSat-2 launched into space with flawless liftoff AFPN 19 Dec 2006 -- Successfully launched onboard a Minotaur I rocket, the TacSat-2 spacecraft has commenced operations on a planned six to 12-month experimental mission Dec. 16 from the NASA's Wallops Island Flight Facility near Wallops Island, Va.
Vandenberg successfully launches Delta II AFPN 19 Dec 2006 -- Vandenberg AFB officials successfully launched a Delta II rocket carrying a National Reconnaissance Office payload from Space Launch Complex-2 at 1 p.m. Dec. 14 here.
Satellites launched successfully AFPN 19 Dec 2006 -- The Air Force Research Laboratory's TacSat-2 satellite and NASA's GeneSat-1 microsatellite were successfully launched today aboard an Air Force Minotaur 1 rocket from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on the east coast of the state.
The first German SAR-Lupe reconnaissance satellite equipped with Alcatel Alenia Space’s SAR sensor Thales 19 Dec 2006 -- The first SAR-Lupe satellite, the German reconnaissance satellite-based system was successfully boosted into orbit today from the Plesezsk space center. Alcatel Alenia Space has supplied the Sensor Electronic units forming the core of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), set to provide high-resolution radar imagery to the German defense forces starting in 2007.
6th SOPS delivers critical weather data to warfighters AFPN 18 Dec 2006 -- The motto, "Get data or die" holds special significance for the 6th Space Operations Squadron, an Air Force Reserve Command unit here whose Airmen must deliver data to their customers within 10 minutes of downloading it from their satellites.
New antenna begins testing AFPN 18 Dec 2006 -- The 23rd Space Operations Squadron here began operations confidence testing of its newest Air Force Satellite Control Network antenna Dec. 14.
Orbital Successfully Launches Minotaur Rocket Carrying U.S. Air Force's TacSat-2 Satellite Orbital Sciences Corp. 18 Dec 2006 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) today announced that it successfully launched the TACSAT-2 satellite for the U.S. Air Force aboard a Minotaur I space launch vehicle. The Minotaur launch was carried out by Orbital for the U.S. Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) Space Development and Test Wing (SDTW) located at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.
NASA Extends Shuttle Visit to Space Station to Fix Solar Panel VOA 17 Dec 2006 -- U.S. space officials have extended the visit of the shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station one day so astronauts can spend more time retracting a stubborn solar panel
ATK Composite and Propulsion Technologies Help Launch National Reconnaissance Office Satellite ATK 15 Dec 2006 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) propulsion and composite technologies supported yesterday's successful launch of a Boeing Delta II rocket carrying a classified payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.
Boeing Transfers 25th Payload Accommodations Package to Sea Launch Boeing 15 Dec 2006 -- Boeing Commercial Space Company (BCSC), a subsidiary of The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], Thursday celebrated the transfer of the 25th Payload Accommodations package to Sea Launch Company, LLC.
Astronauts Begin Space Station Rewiring VOA 15 Dec 2006 -- Astronauts from the U.S. space shuttle Discovery have successfully rewired half of the International Space Station to run on its permanent power system.
Orbital Awarded $27 Million Contract By U.S. Air Force For Two Launches To Support Hypersonic Flight Testing Orbital Sciences Corp. 14 Dec 2006 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) today announced that it has been awarded a $27 million contract for two Minotaur IV launch vehicles by the U.S. Air Force Space and Missiles Systems (SMC) Space Development and Test Wing (SDTW). The SDTW organization responsible for this contract is the 3rd Space Test Squadron (3STS).
U.S. Policy Aims To Safeguard, Expand Peaceful Use of Space Washington File 13 Dec 2006 -- The United States is committed to safeguarding and expanding the peaceful uses of space, a senior State Department official says.
Raytheon Experimental Space-Optical Payload Brings Air Force Closer to On-Demand Satellites Raytheon 12 Dec 2006 -- Designed to spot terrestrial targets and built in a matter of months, Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) first rapid-development space-optical payload was delivered recently to the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.
Astronauts complete spacewalk to attach new ISS segment RIA Novosti 13 Dec 2006 -- Two astronauts from the U.S. shuttle Discovery, currently docked with the International Space Station, successfully completed Wednesday the first of three spacewalks scheduled during shuttle's week-long stay with the ISS.
Astronauts Move Forward With Space Station Maintenance VOA 13 Dec 2006 -- The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration says the current shuttle crew's first space walk outside the International Space Station was a huge success
Russian military chief warns of U.S. anti-missile shield impact RIA Novosti 13 Dec 2006 -- Russia disapproves of U.S. plans to deploy an anti-missile shield in Eastern Europe, and believes the move may adversely affect global as well as European security, the head of the Russian armed forces' general staff said Wednesday.
Northrop Grumman Among Companies Awarded NASA Engineering Services Contract Northrop Grumman 12 Dec 2006 -- NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center has selected a team of companies, including Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), to provide engineering-related services for the Mechanical Systems Engineering Services (MSES) II/A contract.
Discovery docks with ISS; NASA to check shuttle's damage RIA Novosti 12 Dec 2006 -- U.S. space shuttle Discovery has successfully docked with the International Space Station, and NASA has seven days to check whether damage to the shuttle's left wing could affect its mission.
US Shuttle 'Discovery' Docks With Space Station VOA 12 Dec 2006 -- The American space shuttle Discovery has docked with the International Space Station, beginning a week-long mission of major renovations to the orbiting laboratory
Florida base provides mix of support for shuttle launch AFPN 11 Dec 2006 -- The Air Force's 45th Space Wing out of Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. supported NASA's launch of Space Shuttle Discovery from Kennedy Space Center Dec. 9 on the shuttle's first night launch in four years.
Raytheon Ships Second Ballistic Missile Defense System Radar Raytheon 11 Dec 2006 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has shipped ahead of schedule and under budget the second Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) Forward Based X-Band Transportable (FBX-T) radar to the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., for final testing and acceptance.
Russia set to launch defense spacecraft from domestic soil soon RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2006 -- Russia's defense ministry said Monday it intends to begin spacecraft launches from domestic soil in three years.
Boeing Delta II to Launch Pair of Alcatel Alenia COSMO-SkyMed Satellites Boeing 11 Dec 2006 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has been awarded a contract to launch two commercial satellites in 2007 for Alcatel Alenia Space Italia, the prime contractor of the Italian Space Agency.
NASA Launches Space Shuttle 'Discovery' RFE/RL 10 Dec 2006 -- The U.S. space shuttle "Discovery" blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a mission to the International Space Station.
Discovery expected to dock with ISS December 12 - official RIA Novosti 10 Dec 2006 -- U.S. space shuttle Discovery is expected to dock with the world's sole orbital station December 12, the press secretary of the Russian Space Agency said Sunday.
Space Shuttle Lifts Off in First Night Launch Since Columbia Accident Washington File 10 Dec 2006 -- Space shuttle Discovery successfully launched at 8:47 p.m. EST December 9 for the first nighttime liftoff since the loss of the space shuttle Columbia.
Hamilton Sundstrand equipment to activate permanent power system on the International Space Station Hamilton Sundstrand 10 Dec 2006 -- The Space Shuttle Discovery Saturday night carried a collection of new electrical and structural hardware developed and built by Hamilton Sundstrand, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. [NYSE:UTX]. This was the second consecutive launch to expand the electrical power system on board the International Space Station (ISS).
ATK Propulsion Supports the Successful Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery ATK 11 Dec 2006 -- Alliant Techsystems' (NYSE: ATK) reusable solid rocket motors (RSRM) performed flawlessly earlier this evening as NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery launched into orbit to begin a 13-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
Shuttle Heads to Space Station in First Night Launch in Four Years VOA 09 Dec 2006 -- After a two-day launch delay, the U.S. space shuttle Discovery is back in orbit, heading to a Monday rendezvous with the International Space Station
U.S. Air Force Awards General Dynamics Contract For Alternative Infrared Satellite System General Dynamics 08 Dec 2006 -- General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) was awarded a $23.3 million contract by the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles, Calif., to support research and development efforts on the Alternative Infrared Satellite System (AIRSS) program
LOCKHEED MARTIN MARKS 31ST CONSECUTIVE A2100 SUCCESS WITH THE LAUNCH OF AMC-18 SATELLITE Lockheed Martin 08 Dec 2006 -- The AMC-18 telecommunications satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] for SES GLOBAL (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges SESG), was successfully launched today from Kourou, French Guiana.
Thales on track in TBMD Thales 08 Dec 2006 -- For this purpose Thales' SMART-L Volume Search Radar was fitted with a test version of the recently developed Extended Long Range (ELR) Mode, performing out to maximum instrumented range of 480 km. SMART-L with the ELR Mode incontrovertibly proved to be able to detect and track targets representing Tactical Ballistic Missiles.
SEA-BASED INTERCEPT TEST Missile Defence Agency 07 Dec 2006 -- The planned sea-based missile intercept test scheduled for today by the Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy was not completed due to an incorrect system setting aboard the Aegis-class cruiser USS Lake Erie prior to the launch of two interceptor missiles from the ship
Russia to launch major lunar mission in 2012 RIA Novosti 07 Dec 2006 -- Russia will launch its first major mission to the Moon, Luna-Glob, in 2012 after a 30-year break from lunar exploration, a space agency spokesman said Thursday.
Arabsat's BADR-4 payload provided by Alcatel Alenia Space ready for commercial services Thales 06 Dec 2006 -- The BADR-4 payload, provided by Alcatel Alenia Space, successfully completed the In-Orbit Acceptance Review (IOAR) and is ready for operational services. BADR-4 is the second of the Arab Satellite Communications Organization's (Arabsat) fourth generation satellites, built by the prime contractor Astrium Satellites. The BADR-4 satellite has been boosted into orbit on Nov. 8th from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan by a Proton/Breeze-M launcher provided by International Launch Service (ILS).
Analysis: Toward American 'Space Dominance' cfr.org 05 Dec 2006 -- Fateful decisions over Iraq dominate the American foreign policy and national security debate at the moment, yet at least part of the Pentagon is focused like a laser beam on the cosmos
Northrop Grumman Completes First Phase and Enters Second Phase of U.S. Air Force Next-Generation Polar Communications Payload Northrop Grumman 05 Dec 2006 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has completed Phase I of a study contract to assist the U.S. Air Force in defining a payload for next-generation polar military satellite communications.
LOCKHEED MARTIN-BUILT AMC-18 SATELLITE READY FOR LAUNCH Lockheed Martin 05 Dec 2006 -- The AMC-18 telecommunications satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] for SES GLOBAL (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges SESG) is ready for launch Friday aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle provided by Arianespace.
LOCKHEED MARTIN UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEM FIRST TO FLY HIGH-RESOLUTION SYNTHETIC APERTURE SURVEILLANCE RADAR Lockheed Martin 05 Dec 2006 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] recently accomplished a first for unmanned aerial systems (UAS), demonstrating that high-resolution, broad-area imaging from a Miniaturized Synthetic Aperture Radar (MiniSAR) could effectively be delivered by a UAS into the hands of tactical unit commanders, regardless of smoke, dust, heavy rain or nighttime conditions
Russia in talks with other countries on joint Glonass use RIA Novosti 05 Dec 2006 -- Russia is negotiating with other countries on the possible joint use of Russia's global positioning satellite system Glonass, the head of the Russian Space Agency said Tuesday.
Russia to join U.S. lunar exploration program if funded RIA Novosti 05 Dec 2006 -- Russia will join the U.S Moon exploration program if Washington provides the necessary funding, a Russian space representative said Tuesday.
Russia conducts test of missile defense system RIA Novosti 05 Dec 2006 -- A spokesman for Russia's Space Forces said Tuesday an anti-missile of the country's missile defense system was launched from a testing range in Kazakhstan.
ISS orbit raised 5 miles to host U.S. shuttle RIA Novosti 05 Dec 2006 -- The International Space Station's orbit has been raised 8.5 kilometers (5 miles) to prepare for the docking of a U.S. space shuttle, a space agency official said Tuesday.
US Announces Moon Base, Lunar Lander Plan VOA 04 Dec 2006 -- The United States says it plans to establish the first permanent human base on the moon by 2020 at the latest.
Boeing Demonstrates Interoperability between TSAT and BAE Systems' Airborne Lasercom Risk Reduction Terminal Boeing 04 Dec 2006 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] recently demonstrated communication capabilities between its Transformational Satellite Communications (TSAT) laser communications terminal and BAE Systems' Airborne Lasercom Risk Reduction Terminal (ALT), which included a telescope, optical bench assembly, and closed-loop pointing and tracking hardware.
Alcatel Alenia Space signs a Euro 661 million contract with Globalstar Thales 04 Dec 2006 -- Alcatel Alenia Space today announced it has signed a Euro 661 million contract with Globalstar, Inc. (NASDAQ: GSAT), a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses, government and individuals, to provide their second-generation satellite constellation. Per this contract, Alcatel Alenia Space, as prime contractor, will design, manufacture and deliver 48 low-earth-orbit (LEO) Globalstar satellites as well as launch support services prior to and during the launches and mission operations support.
Russia to adjust ISS orbit on NASA request to host U.S. shuttle RIA Novosti 04 Dec 2006 -- Russia's Mission Control will adjust the International Space Station's orbit on NASA's request, to prepare for the docking of a U.S. space shuttle, a space agency official said Friday.
NORAD to patrol space shuttle operations AFPN 01 Dec 2006 -- The Air Force is stepping up its air patrols in the Cape Canaveral, Fla., area to increase security for upcoming space shuttle operations.
Boeing and Lockheed Martin Complete United Launch Alliance Transaction Boeing 01 Dec 2006 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE:BA] and Lockheed Martin Corporation [NYSE:LMT] today announced that they have completed the transaction combining their expendable launch vehicle businesses, forming the joint venture called United Launch Alliance, LLC (ULA)
LOCKHEED MARTIN AND BOEING COMPLETE UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE TRANSACTION Lockheed Martin 01 Dec 2006 -- Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) and The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) today announced that they have completed the transaction combining their expendable launch vehicle businesses, forming the joint venture called United Launch Alliance, LLC (ULA)
Prosecutors end probe into Russian space firm chief's case RIA Novosti 01 Dec 2006 -- Prosecutors have completed their investigation in the case of an aerospace engineering firm head charged with divulging sensitive technology to China, his lawyer said Friday.
Russia cancels ISS orbit correction before shuttle arrival RIA Novosti 01 Dec 2006 -- Russia's Mission Control Center will not make an additional correction to the orbit of the International Space Station (ISS) following Thursday's abortive attempt, a Federal Space Agency spokesman said Friday.

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