September 2007 Space News

Missile Defense Exercise and Flight Test Successfully Completed Missile Defense Agency 28 Sep 2007 -- The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) announced today it has completed an important exercise and flight test involving a successful intercept by a ground-based interceptor missile designed to protect the United States against a limited long-range ballistic missile attack
Raytheon Missile Defense Systems Key in Successful Ballistic Missile Intercept in Space Raytheon 28 Sep 2007 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) components built under contract to The Boeing Company, the prime contractor for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system, played key roles in the destruction of a ballistic missile target during GMD's latest successful flight test conducted Sept. 28 by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency.
Boeing-led Missile Defense Team Completes Flight Test and Intercepts Target Missile Boeing 28 Sep 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], working with industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, successfully completed a missile defense flight test today that resulted in the intercept of a target warhead and demonstrated the capability and reliability of the nation's only defense against long-range ballistic missiles.
ATK Composite and Propulsion Technologies Help Launch NASA's Dawn Space Craft Satellite ATK 27 Sep 2007 -- Sept. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) propulsion and composite technologies supported the successful launch of the United Launch Alliance's Delta II rocket carrying NASA's Dawn spacecraft that will use an ion propulsion system to visit and orbit the asteroids Vesta and Ceres.
Orbital-Built Dawn Spacecraft Successfully Launched From Cape Canaveral On 3-Billion-Mile, 8-Year Asteroid Rendezvous Mission For Nasa Orbital Sciences Corp. 27 Sep 2007 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that Dawn, its first interplanetary spacecraft, was successfully launched this morning from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Rocket Engine System Sends Spacecraft to Probe Beginnings of Solar System Pratt & Whitney 27 Sep 2007 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RS-27A boosted a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket today from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
U.S. space mission to explore origins of solar system RIA Novosti 27 Sep 2007 -- A U.S. spacecraft named Dawn has blasted off from Cape Canaveral on an exploration mission to the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, NASA said.
Russia promises retaliation if weapons deployed in space RIA Novosti 27 Sep 2007 -- Russia is ready to take appropriate measures if weapons are deployed in space, the commander of the Russian Space Forces said Thursday.
Russia to again decontaminate Proton-M crash site RIA Novosti 27 Sep 2007 -- Russia is due to carry out on Thursday the third decontamination of the launch site of a Proton-M rocket which crashed earlier this month, a Kazakh emergencies ministry spokesman said.
Orbital's Dawn Spacecraft Ready For Launch On 3-Billion-Mile 8-Year Journey To Explore Main Asteroid Belt Orbital Sciences Corp. 26 Sep 2007 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that it is in final preparations for the launch of its Dawn spacecraft on a historic NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) mission to rendezvous with and study Vesta and Ceres, the two largest asteroids in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Progress M-60 ditched in Pacific after research mission RIA Novosti 26 Sep 2007 -- The Russian Progress M-60 cargo spacecraft ended its five-day research mission, and was ditched in the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday night, a mission control spokesman said.
Foton-M bio-satellite successfully lands in northern Kazakhstan RIA Novosti 26 Sep 2007 -- The re-entry module of the Foton-M bio-satellite successfully landed at 11.58 a.m. Moscow time Wednesday (7.58 a.m. GMT) RIA Novosti reported.
Russia may build civilian launch site in Far East RIA Novosti 26 Sep 2007 -- Russia is to close a military space center in the Far East and find a suitable location for a new civilian launch site in the region, a first deputy prime minister said Wednesday.
Russian-U.S. missile defense talks to be held in Moscow Oct. 12 RIA Novosti 26 Sep 2007 -- The foreign and defense ministers of Russia and the United States are set to meet on October 12 in Moscow for missile defense talks, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday.
India Hosts International Conference of Space Scientists VOA 26 Sep 2007 -- A gathering of international scientists in India is highlighting the new capabilities of Asian nations to reach outer space
Air Force Space Command general speaks at AFA conference AFPN 26 Sep 2007 -- General Kevin Chilton, Air Force Space Command commander, addressed hundreds of military members and civilians at the Air Force Association's Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 25.
LOCKHEED MARTIN AWARDED NASA CONTRACT TO DESIGN AND BUILD SOLAR ULTRAVIOLET IMAGER FOR GOES-R SATELLITE SERIES Lockheed Martin 25 Sep 2007 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has been awarded a $178 million contract by NASA to design and build the agency's Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI).
Russia hopes NATO states will join missile defense plans RIA Novosti 24 Sep 2007 -- Russia hopes NATO member states will take part in Russia's initiative to set up a non-strategic missile defense system for Europe, the country's foreign minister said.
Scientists, Engineers Reflect on Space Progress in 50 Years Since Sputnik VOA 21 Sep 2007 -- The space age began 50 years ago this October, when the former Soviet Union launched the first satellite, Sputnik, sparking a U.S.-Soviet space race
Schriever Airmen transition to new GPS control system AFPN 21 Sep 2007 -- Space systems experts with the 2nd Space Operations Squadron here reached a crucial milestone in deploying the $800-million Architecture Evolution Plan ground control system Sept. 14.
Boeing Supports New U.S. Air Force GPS Ground Control System Boeing 20 Sep 2007 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has successfully assisted the U.S. Air Force in deploying a new ground control system that will enhance the operation of 32 Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites currently in orbit.
Baku Says Radar Issue Should Be Decided By Experts RFE/RL 20 Sep 2007 -- Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov says Baku is willing to collaborate with the United States and Russia to provide joint usage of the Qabala (Gabala) radar station.
Boeing Announces Completion of Sea-Based Radar's Mooring System Boeing 20 Sep 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced that the Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX) mooring system has been installed at SBX's homeport in Alaska, completing a key piece of infrastructure for the missile defense sensor.
Boeing Awarded Launch Services Contract for Third Italian Earth Observation Satellite Boeing 20 Sep 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], through its commercial launch business, has been awarded a contract to launch the third COSMO-Skymed commercial satellite for Thales Alenia Space Italia, the prime contractor of the Italian Space Agency.
Space station Expedition 16 crew approved - commission RIA Novosti 20 Sep 2007 -- A Russian space flight commission has approved the members of the main and reserve crews for the 16th expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), a RIA Novosti correspondent reported Thursday.
Russian space launch vehicle firing tests set for 2008 RIA Novosti 19 Sep 2007 -- The Angara space launch vehicle first stage firing tests will take place in 2008, the Khrunichev State Research and Production Center web site said Wednesday.
Russia still worried by U.S. missile defense plan - chief of staff RIA Novosti 19 Sep 2007 -- Moscow views the U.S. missile defense program in Central Europe as anti-Russian, but has sufficient capability to counter it, a top military official said Wednesday.
Russia says no progress on missile shield talks with U.S. RIA Novosti 19 Sep 2007 -- Russia and the United States have failed to make progress during two rounds of consultations on the deployment of U.S. missile defense elements in Europe, a senior Russian diplomat said Wednesday.
China launches 3rd earth observation satellite - news agency RIA Novosti 19 Sep 2007 -- China successfully launched Wednesday the third earth observation satellite jointly developed with Brazil, China's Xinhua news agency reported.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne's RS-27A Powers New-Generation Imaging Satellite to Orbit 20 Sep 2007 -- A Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RS-27A boosted a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket into space today from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
Boeing Launches WorldView-1 Earth-Imaging Satellite Boeing 18 Sep 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], through its commercial launch business, today successfully launched the WorldView-1 satellite for DigitalGlobe aboard a Delta II rocket.
DoD Permanently Discontinues Procurement Of Global Positioning System Selective Availability 18 Sep 2007 -- The Department of Defense announced today that it intends to stop procuring Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites with the capability to intentionally degrade the accuracy of civil signals.
Azerbaijan: U.S. Experts Visit Qabala Radar RFE/RL 18 Sep 2007 -- U.S. military experts have visited the Russian-operated Qabala (Gabala) radar station in Azerbaijan, which Moscow has offered to share with the United States to counter rogue missile threats.
ATK Delivers TacSat-3 Spacecraft Bus for Integration and Test by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory ATK 18 Sep 2007 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announced today that it has delivered the Department of Defense's Tactical Satellite 3 Spacecraft Bus (TacSat-3) to the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for final integration and test.
Azerbaijan: U.S., Russian Experts Arrive For Missile-Defense Talks RFE/RL 17 Sep 2007 -- Military experts from Azerbaijan, Russia, and the United States are to meet in Azerbaijan on September 18 to discuss the possibility of Washington using the country's Qabala (Gabala) radar station as part of its planned missile-defense shield.
Azerbaijan: U.S., Russian Experts Arrive For Missile-Defense Talks RFE/RL 17 Sep 2007 -- Military experts from Azerbaijan, Russia, and the United States are to meet in Azerbaijan on September 18 to discuss the possibility of Washington using the country's Qabala (Gabala) radar station as part of its planned missile-defense shield.
Progress M-60 to serve science before burning up in atmosphere RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2007 -- The Russian Progress M-60 cargo spacecraft will undock from the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday and spend several days engaged in research, a mission control official said Monday.
SAIC Receives Option Award on NASA UNITeS Contract SAIC 17 Sep 2007 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) announced today that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has exercised an option to continue a cost-plus-award-fee contract previously awarded to SAIC in January 2004, to provide information technology services to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Ala.
SAIC Awarded Contract to Support Air Force Space Command SAIC 17 Sep 2007 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) announced today that it was awarded the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, single-award Consolidated Logistics Advisory and Assistance Service Support (CLASS) Contract to provide systems support to Air Force Space Command (AFSPC).
Internet's Google Offers Prize for Private Moon Landing VOA 14 Sep 2007 -- Internet search company Google is offering $20 million for about a gigabyte of digital data -- from the moon.
Astronomers Search for Origin of What Cannot be Seen in Universe VOA 14 Sep 2007 -- Scientists have known for some time that most of the stuff in the Universe is so-called dark matter, material that cannot be seen directly because it does not interact with light.
Doing space a different way AFPN 14 Sep 2007 -- Space community representatives are gearing up to meet to discuss ways to think differently and conduct business differently to make operationally responsive space a success.
Russian, U.S. experts to consider joint use of Gabala radar Tuesday RIA Novosti 15 Sep 2007 -- Russian and U.S. experts accompanied by Azerbaijani officials will visit Tuesday the Gabala radar in Azerbaijan to consider the use of the radar for monitoring, a senior Russian military official said Saturday.
October Mission To Ready Space Station for International Partners Washington File 14 Sep 2007 -- In October -- the month that marks the 50th anniversary of the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, and the space age -- space shuttle Discovery and its crew will begin a 13-day journey to the International Space Station.
All systems go for Russian cockroach-carrying bio-satellite RIA Novosti 14 Sep 2007 -- The first experiments are due to begin on board the Foton-M bio-satellite, launched Friday on a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur space center, the head of the project told journalists.
Space Probes Head Beyond Solar System VOA 14 Sep 2007
Japan successfully launches Selene lunar orbiter RIA Novosti 14 Sep 2007 -- Japan has successfully launched and put into Earth orbit its Selene lunar orbit explorer, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said Friday.
Japan Launches Much-Delayed Lunar Orbiter VOA 14 Sep 2007 -- Almost 40 years after the U.S. moon missions, Japan's Space Agency has launched its much-delayed lunar orbiter
Lizards, insects, mammals to blast into space from Baikonur RIA Novosti 13 Sep 2007 -- Lizards, gerbils, snails and cockroaches will be passengers on a Foton-M bio-satellite, which is due to be launched on a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur space center Friday, a biomedical institute spokesman said.
Boeing Builds First GPS IIF Satellite Boeing 12 Sep 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has successfully assembled and integrated all flight hardware onto the first Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF satellite.
Experts to visit Gabala radar station next week RIA Novosti 12 Sep 2007 -- Azerbaijani-Russian-U.S. consultations on the joint use of the Gabala radar station that Russia leases from Azerbaijan will be held within a week, a spokesman for Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
ATK Awarded $3.3 Million Multi-Mode Spacecraft Propulsion System Development Contract with Air Force Research Lab ATK 11 Sep 2007 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announced today that the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Edwards Air Force Base, CA has awarded the company a $3.3 million contract, with options worth an additional $4.7 million, to develop a multi-mode propulsion system for small spacecraft.
Satellite launch to go ahead despite rocket crash - Space Agency RIA Novosti 11 Sep 2007 -- The recent crash of a Russian Proton-M rocket will not affect the launch of a Foton bio-satellite piggybacked on a Soyuz rocket, since the two rockets are entirely different, a spokesman for the Federal Space Agency said Tuesday.
LOCKHEED MARTIN ACHIEVES KEY INTEGRATION MILESTONE ON FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND MISSILE WARNING SATELLITE Lockheed Martin 10 Sep 2007 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced today that it has successfully mated the spacecraft bus and the payload for the first Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous orbit (GEO-1) satellite.
Putin: Compromise With US on Anti-Missile System Still Possible VOA 10 Sep 2007 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says he still hopes for a compromise agreement with the United States on American plans for deploying an anti-missile defense system in eastern Europe.
ATK and KEI Missile Defense Team Successfully Test Fire First-Stage Rocket Motor ATK 10 Sep 2007 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) completed a successful test firing late last week of a first-stage rocket motor for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI), bringing the program closer to a high-tech defense system that will protect our homeland, deployed troops and allied forces.
Russia to launch UAE spacecraft in 2008 from Baikonur RIA Novosti 10 Sep 2007 -- The chief of Russia's space agency said Monday Russia would launch a spacecraft for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2008 from the launch site in Kazakhstan.
Northrop Grumman KEI Team Completes Fourth Rocket Motor Test Northrop Grumman 07 Sep 2007 -- On the heels of a successful Stage 1 test burn just three months ago, and with its eye on a booster flight test next year, the Kinetic Energy Interceptors (KEI) program team fired another powerful Stage 1 rocket motor today, its fourth consecutive test in the past 18 months
Russia, U.S. agree to continue missile defense talks - Putin RIA Novosti 07 Sep 2007 -- Russia and the United States will continue looking for a solution to the ongoing dispute on U.S. plans to deploy missile defense elements in Central Europe, President Vladimir Putin said Friday.
Japanese Satellite Lost in Russian Rocket Explosion VOA 06 Sep 2007 -- Kazakhstan has suspended launches of the Russian Proton rocket at the Baikonur Space Center following a failed liftoff and loss of the payload, a Japanese communications satellite
Key Sensor for Northrop Grumman NPOESS Program Passes Critical Structural Test Northrop Grumman 06 Sep 2007 -- A key sensor being built for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) passed a critical test last month
Kazakhs Announce Probe Into Russian Rocket Crash RFE/RL 06 Sep 2007 -- An unmanned Russian rocket has crashed after blasting off from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan.
Russia, U.S. can agree on missile defense and CFE - Lavrov RIA Novosti 06 Sep 2007 -- An agreement can be reached between Russia and the United States on an ongoing missile defense dispute and the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), Russia's foreign minister said Thursday.
Russian, U.S. officials to hold missile shield talks in Paris RIA Novosti 06 Sep 2007 -- High-ranking diplomats from Russia and the United States will meet in Paris Monday to discuss U.S. plans to deploy missile defense elements in Central Europe, a Russian Foreign Ministry source said.
Crashed Proton-M rocket was insured for $300 million RIA Novosti 06 Sep 2007 -- A proton-M rocket with a Japanese communications satellite on board that crashed shortly after launch early Thursday was insured for $300 million, an insurance company spokesman said.
Russia calls on UN to keep space weapon free RIA Novosti 06 Sep 2007 -- Russia is to put forward a draft resolution to the United Nations banning the deployment of weapons in outer space, a Russian UN mission official statement said Thursday.
Russian Proton-M rocket with Japanese satellite crashes on launch RIA Novosti 06 Sep 2007 -- A Russian Proton-M booster rocket carrying a Japanese communications satellite exploded shortly after lift-off early Thursday, a space agency spokesman said.
Former boxer set to become South Korea's first astronaut RIA Novsoti 05 Sep 2007 -- Ko San, a former South Korean national amateur boxing bronze medalist, is to become the country's first astronaut, Seoul's news agency Yonhap reported Wednesday.
S. Korea Names Astronaut for the Country's First Voyage into Space VOA 05 Sep 2007 -- South Korea has chosen an expert on artificial intelligence for the country's first foray into space
Scientists, Space Enthusiasts Share Vision for Mars VOA 04 Sep 2007 -- Humans could get to Mars in less than 10 years, if they put their minds to it
Boeing Demonstrates FAB-T Interoperability with Milstar Satellite Boeing 04 Sep 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has successfully demonstrated for the first time that its Family of Advanced Beyond line-of-sight Terminals (FAB-T) system can acquire an operational satellite and complete downlink data transmissions.
LOCKHEED MARTIN-BUILT JCSAT-11 SATELLITE READY FOR LAUNCH FROM BAIKONUR COSMODROME Lockheed Martin 04 Sep 2007 -- The JCSAT-11 communications satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] for the JSAT Corporation (JSAT) of Japan, is ready for its scheduled launch on Sept. 6 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard a Proton/Breeze M launch vehicle provided by International Launch Services.
LOCKHEED MARTIN TEAM SHIFTS INTO PRODUCTION EFFORT TO ADD GPS DEMONSTRATION SIGNAL TO MODERNIZED SATELLITE Lockheed Martin 04 Sep 2007 -- A Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]-led team has begun production activities to reconfigure a modernized Global Positioning System Block IIR (GPS IIR-M) satellite to include a new demonstration payload that will temporarily transmit a third civil signal following a successful review with the Air Force.
Bush, Putin to discuss U.S. missile plans at Sydney APEC summit RIA Novosti 04 Sep 2007 -- George W. Bush and Vladimir Putin are to discuss U.S. plans for anti-missile technology in Europe at an September 8-9 Asia-Pacific leaders' summit in Sydney, a Russian presidential aide said Tuesday.
India seeks to capture 10% of world space launch market RIA Novosti 03 Sep 2007 -- India plans to control up to 10% of commercial space launches in the world within five years, the director of the Indian Space Research Organization said Monday.
Two Europeans, four Russians to take part in "Mars mission" RIA Novosti 03 Sep 2007 -- Two Europeans and four Russians have been selected to participate in an experimental Mars mission simulation, Mars-500, a medical institute spokesman said Monday.

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