December 2007 Space News

RASCOM-QAF1’s Launch Early Operation Procedures have been stopped Thales 29 Dec 2007 -- Thales Alenia Space announced today that RASCOM-QAF1's Launch Early Operation Procedures have been stopped due to a leakage of the Helium sub-system. The satellite was immediately put in a stable configuration.
Poland, Russia to discuss missile defense in Warsaw, Jan. 10 RIA Novosti 28 Dec 2007 -- A Russian delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak, will visit Warsaw on January 10, 2008 to discuss the U.S. missile shield plans, a Polish official said on Friday.
Russia set to launch communications satellite after delay RIA Novosti 28 Dec 2007 -- Russia will launch January 28 a Proton M carrier rocket to orbit a communication satellite after a four-month delay, the Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) said Friday.
Von Braun Complex Phase III Contract Awarded MDA 27 Dec 2007 -- The U.S Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a $221.2 million contract to Archer Western Contractors, Ltd., headquartered in Atlanta, for design and construction of the third and largest phase of the Von Braun Complex on Redstone Arsenal, Ala
Russia has 101 operating satellites in 2007 - Roscosmos RIA Novosti 27 Dec 2007 -- The number of Russian-made satellites in orbit this year has increased to 101, the head of the Russian Federal Space Agency said Thursday.
Russian cargo spacecraft docks with ISS RIA Novosti 26 Dec 2007 -- A Russian cargo spacecraft, Progress M-62, has docked with the International Space Station (ISS), Russia's mission control said on Wednesday.
New Glonass satellites due to operate for seven years RIA Novosti 26 Dec 2007 -- The three Glonass-M navigation satellites that Russia launched on Tuesday will be operational for seven years, a design and production bureau spokesman said on Wednesday.
Proton booster rocket orbits Glonass satellites RIA Novosti 25 Dec 2007 -- Russia successfully orbited at 10:42 p.m. Moscow time (7:42 p.m. GMT) on Tuesday three Glonass navigation satellites, a spokesman for the Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) said.
Japan continues to boost its missile defenses RIA Novosti 24 Dec 2007 -- Japan's Cabinet endorsed Monday a review of emergency missile defense rules giving Self-Defense Forces (SDF) the discretion to fire missile interceptors without the premier's go ahead, the Kyodo agency said.
Russia sees U.S. missile shield as threat to nuclear deterrent RIA Novosti 24 Dec 2007 -- Moscow regards U.S. plans to deploy missile defense bases in Central Europe as an attempt to weaken Russia's nuclear deterrent, the official Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday.
Orbital-Built Horizons-2 Communications Satellite Successfully Launched Orbital Sciences Corp. 24 Dec 2007 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB), the world’s leading manufacturer of smaller-sized geosynchronous (GEO) communications satellites, announced today that the Horizons-2 satellite was successfully launched into orbit during a mission that took place on Friday, December 21, 2007.
Russian cargo spacecraft blasts off to ISS RIA Novosti 23 Dec 2007 -- A Russian cargo spacecraft, Progress M-62, has lifted off for the International Space Station (ISS) from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, Russia's mission control said on Sunday.
Russian cargo spacecraft undocks from ISS RIA Novosti 22 Dec 2007 -- Russia's Progress M-61 cargo spacecraft has been detached from the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday, mission control said.
ATK Extendible Support Structure Operates Successfully on the RADARSAT-2 Mission ATK 21 Dec 2007 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announced today that its extendible support structure (ESS) operated as designed on the RADARSAT-2 mission that was launched Saturday, Dec. 14th on a Soyuz vehicle from Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan
Delta II with GPS payload successfully launches AFPN 21 Dec 2007 -- Air Force space technicians successfully launched a United Launch Alliance Delta II booster Dec. 21 carrying the fifth modernized NAVSTAR Global Positioning System satellite into space
ATK Propulsion and Composite Technologies Support Successful Launch of GPS Satellite ATK 20 Dec 2007 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) propulsion and composite technologies supported today's successful launch of the United Launch Alliance's Delta II rocket carrying the U.S. Air Force's fifth modernized Global Positioning System Block IIR (GPS IIR-M) navigation satellite built by Lockheed Martin.
MODERNIZED GPS SATELLITE BUILT BY LOCKHEED MARTIN SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED FROM CAPE CANAVERAL Lockheed Martin 20 Dec 2007 -- A U.S. Air Force modernized Global Positioning System Block IIR (GPS IIR-M) satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT], was launched successfully today from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta II launch vehicle.
NEW PAYLOAD WITH GPS DEMONSTRATION SIGNAL DELIVERED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE TO LOCKHEED MARTIN Lockheed Martin 20 Dec 2007 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced today that its navigation payload provider, ITT Corporation, has delivered a new demonstration payload for a modernized Global Positioning System Block IIR (GPS IIR-M) satellite to Lockheed Martin's facilities in Valley Forge, Pa. for integration on the spacecraft and final system-level testing in preparation for launch next year.
LOCKHEED MARTIN AWARDED CONTRACT FOR GOES-R GEOSTATIONARY LIGHTNING MAPPER Lockheed Martin 19 Dec 2007 -- The Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (NYSE:LMT) has been awarded a $96.7 million contract by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center to provide the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) instrument that will fly on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) GOES-R Series environmental satellites
JAPAN SUCCESSFULLY DESTROYS BALLISTIC MISSILE DURING FIRST TEST OF LOCKHEED MARTIN AEGIS BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM Lockheed Martin 18 Dec 2007 -- The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force made history yesterday when, for the first time, a Japan Aegis guided missile destroyer equipped with Lockheed Martin's [NYSE: LMT] Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile target in space.
Pan-African communications satellite RASCOM-QAF1 ready for launch Thales 18 Dec 2007 -- Thales Alenia Space and RASCOMSTAR-QAF (RSQ) are pleased to announce the upcoming launch of RASCOM-QAF1, the first communications satellite dedicated to Africa. The satellite is scheduled for launch by an Ariane 5 GS on Thursday, December 20 at the launch site in Kourou, French Guiana.
NASA astronauts complete 100th spacewalk RIA Novosti 18 Dec 2007 -- Two U.S. astronauts completed on Tuesday the 100th spacewalk from the International Space Station to inspect joints that move the station's solar arrays, NASA said.
Russia to launch space base for missions to Moon, Mars after 2020 RIA Novosti 18 Dec 2007 -- Russia plans to deploy an orbiting base for manned and unmanned missions to the Moon and Mars after 2020, the head of the space agency said on Tuesday.
Japan Intercepts Test Missile Above Pacific Ocean VOA 18 Dec 2007 -- Japan says it has successfully completed its first test of a U.S.-developed missile interceptor, striking down a ballistic missile over the Pacific Ocean early Tuesday
Astrium delivers its 1000th satellite engine EADS 17 Dec 2007 -- Astrium delivered the 1000th 10-Newton satellite thruster today
LOCKHEED MARTIN-BUILT GPS SATELLITE POISED FOR LIFTOFF FROM CAPE CANAVERAL LAUNCH PAD Lockheed Martin 17 Dec 2007 -- The fifth in a series of eight modernized Global Positioning System Block IIR (GPS IIR-M) satellites built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] for the U.S. Air Force is ready for launch aboard a Delta II rocket on Dec. 20, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Japan/U.S. Missile Defense Flight Test Successful MDA 17 Dec 2007 -- Rear Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and Lt. General Henry "Trey" Obering III, Director of the United States Missile Defense Agency, announced today the successful completion of the cooperative Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) intercept flight test, off the coast of Kauai in Hawaii
Japan Successfully Test Fires Its First Raytheon-Built Standard Missile-3 Raytheon 17 Dec 2007 -- The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force successfully flight tested its first Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN)-built Standard Missile-3
Boeing TSAT Technology Passes 'Spiral' Testing Boeing 17 Dec 2007 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has successfully completed the third demonstration of its next generation processor/router (NGPR) technologies for the Transformational Satellite Communications System Space Segment (TSAT SS).
L-3 Awarded Multi-Million Dollar Modernized User Equipment (MUE) Program Option for GPS Receiver Enhancements L-3 Communications 17 Dec 2007 -- L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced today that it has been awarded a $33 million option on an existing contract with the United States Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), to develop standard cards for the Air Force's Modernized User Equipment (MUE) Program.
Lockheed Martin Delivers Atomspheric Imaging Assembly To Goddard Space Flight Center For NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory Lockheed Martin 17 Dec 2007 -- The Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), a suite of four telescopes for NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), has
Polish premier slams Russian army chief's missile warning RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2007 -- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Sunday slammed as impermissible a warning by the Russian army chief that a possible U.S. anti-missile launch from Poland could provoke a Russian counterattack.
Russian Army Chief Accuses West of Corroding Arms Control VOA 15 Dec 2007 -- Russia's top general has accused the West of turning the arms control system into a political tool, warning that a launch of a U.S. interceptor missile in Europe could trigger a Russian ballistic missile strike.
US antimissile launch may provoke counterattack, Russia army chief IRNA 15 Dec 2007 -- A possible US launch of an interceptor missile from Central Europe may provoke a counterattack by intercontinental ballistic missiles (IBMs), Russia's top military commander said.
U.S. antimissile launch may provoke counterattack - army chief RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2007 -- A possible U.S. launch of an interceptor missile from Central Europe may provoke a counterattack by intercontinental ballistic missiles, Russia's top military commander said.
NATION'S NEWEST USAF WEATHER SATELLITE DELIVERED TO LAUNCH SITE Lockheed Martin 14 Dec 2007 -- The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) F-18 Block 5D-3 spacecraft, built under contract for the U.S. Air Force by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been delivered to Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., in preparation for a July 2008 launch.
Soyuz-FG carrier rocket puts Canadian satellite into orbit RIA Novoti 14 Dec 2007 -- Russia successfully launched Friday a Soyuz-FG carrier rocket with a Canadian satellite on board from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported.
New success for Thales Alenia Space: RADARSAT2 Earth observation satellite launched Thales 14 Dec 2007 -- Thales Alenia Space, the provider of the RADARSAT2 platform and key elements of the active antenna for the prime contractor MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA), applauds today's successful launch of the Earth Observation Satellite from the Baikonur Cosmodrome (Kazakhstan) by a Soyuz Fregat rocket.
US, Russian Officials Discuss Controversial Missile Defense Plan VOA 13 Dec 2007 -- A U.S. arms control official says Washington's planned missile defense system for Europe remains necessary despite reports that Iran abandoned its nuclear arms program several years ago
Russian cargo spacecraft to undock from ISS RIA Novosti 13 Dec 2007 -- Russia's Progress M-61 cargo spacecraft is to be detached from the International Space Station (ISS) on December 22 and used as a platform for technical experiments, mission control said on Thursday.
India Plans Missile Shield by 2010 VOA 13 Dec 2007 -- Indian defense officials say the country will have a shield in place by 2010 to protect India from incoming missile that could be fired by Pakistan or China
ATK Successfully Test Fires 3,500 lbf Liquid Oxygen/Methane Rocket Engine in Vacuum ATK 12 Dec 2007 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) recently demonstrated a critical capability of its liquid oxygen (LOX)/Methane rocket engine by igniting it in a vacuum chamber
Boeing Selected to Build Instrument Unit Avionics for NASA's Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle Boeing 12 Dec 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has been awarded an initial NASA contract valued at approximately $265 million to produce the Ares I crew launch vehicle's instrument unit avionics (IUA).
Lockheed Martin Team Opens New Space Exploration Development Laboratory For Orion And Constellation Lockheed Martin 12 Dec 2007 -- Houston, TX, December 12th, 2007 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced today the opening of its new space Exploration Development Laboratory in a ceremony dedicating the facility to support the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Project Orion and Constellation Program
Northrop Grumman to Respond to Missile Defense Agency GMD Follow-on Effort Request for Information Northrop Grumman 12 Dec 2007 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) announced today it will respond to the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Request for Information (RFI) for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Segment Follow-on Effort.
Russian, U.S. officials to discuss missile defense in Budapest RIA Novosti 12 Dec 2007 -- High-ranking diplomats from Russia and the United States will meet in Budapest on Thursday to discuss an ongoing missile defense dispute, a source in the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
ATK Composite Technology Supports Atlas V Launch ATK 11 Dec 2007 -- Alliant Techsystems' (NYSE: ATK) composite technology supported yesterday's successful launch of the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Boeing Completes Key Space Based Space Surveillance System Tests Boeing 11 Dec 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has successfully completed a series of Space Based Space Surveillance (SBSS) system tests as part of the development of a new operational sensor for the U.S. Space Surveillance Network.
Boeing Selected to Help Develop New U.S. Air Force GPS Ground System Boeing 11 Dec 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced that it has been selected to participate in the development of the next-generation Global Positioning System (GPS) ground system for the U.S. Air Force.
Russia, France developing new satellite platform RIA Novosti 11 Dec 2007 -- Russia's Reshetnev Applied Mechanics Production Association (NPO-PM) and France's Thales Alenia Space are developing a new multifunctional satellite platform, Express-4000, the Russian company said on Tuesday.
Northrop Grumman to Help Air Force Develop, Demonstrate Technologies for Reusable Launch Vehicles Northrop Grumman 10 Dec 2007 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) will help the U.S. Air Force develop and demonstrate technologies critical to a future "aircraft-like" reusable launch vehicle under a contract awarded Dec. 4 by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Dayton, Ohio.
Vandenberg officals successfully launch Delta II rocket AFPN 10 Dec 2007 -- Officals at Vandenberg Air Force Base successfully launched a Delta II rocket Dec. 8 at 6:31 p.m. The rocket took off from Space Launch Complex-2 carrying the Thales Alenia-Space COSMO-SkyMed 2 Satellite.
COSMO-SkyMed 2 satellite successfully launched from Vandenberg US base Thales 10 Dec 2007 -- At 18.30 PST/Pacific Standard Time (03.30 Paris time on December 9th), the second satellite of the COSMO-SkyMed constellation, designed and manufactured by Thales Alenia Space as prime contractor, was launched from the US Air Force base at Vandenberg (California) by a Delta II rocket.
ATK Propulsion and Composite Technologies Help Launch COSMO Satellite ATK 09 Dec 2007 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) propulsion and composite technologies supported the successful launch of the United Launch Alliance's Delta II rocket procured by Boeing Launch Services carrying an Italian COSMO-SkyMed-2 Earth-imaging satellite
Boeing Launches Second Italian Earth Observation Satellite Boeing 08 Dec 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], through its commercial launch business, today successfully launched the second of four Italian Constellation of Small Satellites for Mediterranean basin Observation (COSMO) SkyMed spacecraft aboard a Delta II rocket for Thales Alenia Space Italia.
NASA cancels shuttle's second launch attempt RIA Novosti 09 Dec 2007 -- NASA has cancelled its second attempt to launch the Atlantis shuttle for technical reasons, the space agency's website said on Sunday.
Russian carrier rocket Proton puts military satellite into orbit RIA Novosti 09 Dec 2007 -- A Russian Proton-M carrier rocket, launched from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, has put a military satellite into orbit, Russia's space agency (Roskosmos) said on Sunday.
Space Shuttle Launch Delayed Until January VOA 09 Dec 2007 -- The U.S. space agency NASA has assigned a team of engineers to find out what caused fuel sensors to fail, leading to the postponement of today's launch of the space shuttle Atlantis.
Russia sees hope for U.S. missile shield talks RIA Novosti 08 Dec 2007 -- Russia and the U.S. still have a chance to reach an understanding on the issue of Washington's plans for a missile defense system in Central Europe, Russia's foreign minister said on Saturday.
NASA Delays Launch of Atlantis Until Sunday VOA 08 Dec 2007 -- Following rollback of the rotating service structure on Launch Pad 39A, space shuttle Atlantis stands bathed in lights atop a mobile launch platform
Russia successfully tests engine for Angara carrier rocket RIA Novosti 07 Dec 2007 -- Russia has successfully conducted preliminary tests of an engine for the first stage of the new-generation Angara carrier rocket, the Khrunichev State Research and Production Center said on Friday.
U.S. Atlantis shuttle launch delayed until December 8 RIA Novosti 07 Dec 2007 -- NASA has delayed the U.S. Atlantis shuttle launch until Saturday for technical reasons, the space agency's website said.
Thales Alenia Space and NPO-PM to finalize an industrial cooperation agreement Thales 06 Dec 2007 -- Thales Alenia Space and NPO-PM strengthen their position by announcing today that they are about to finalize an industrial cooperation program concerning the development of a multi-mission satellite platform.
NASA Delays Launch Due to Fuel Tank Problem VOA 06 Dec 2007 -- The U.S. space agency has postponed Thursday's planned launch of the space shuttle Atlantis after detecting problems with sensors in the spacecraft's fuel tank.
ATK Receives $35 Million Contract and Delivers 100th Orion Solid Rocket Motor ATK 05 Dec 2007 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) received a $35 million contract from Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) to continue providing Orion motors, and also celebrated the delivery of its 100th flight set of Orion rocket motors.
Russia's Lavrov gives details on U.S. missile proposal response RIA Novosti 05 Dec 2007 -- Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday Washington's reply to Russia's missile defense cooperation proposals was a major setback from previous agreements.
Russia to launch Thai satellite into orbit next year RIA Novosti 05 Dec 2007 -- Kosmotras, a Russian-Ukrainian joint venture, will launch Thailand's first Earth observation satellite into orbit at the beginning of 2008, a company official said on Wednesday.
Shuttle Atlantis Poised for Thursday Launch VOA 05 Dec 2007 -- The Shuttle Atlantis is on the launch pad and ready to lift off on Thursday.
Thales Alenia Space, a key contributor to the European laboratory Columbus and the ISS Thales 04 Dec 2007 -- ESA's Columbus laboratory, developed with Thales Alenia Space as main contributor will be launched on December 6, from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida (USA) on-board the Shuttle Atlantis to the International Space Station (ISS).
Successful Missile Defense Intercept Test Takes Place at White Sands Missile Range MDA 03 Dec 2007 -- Missile Defense Agency Director Lieutenant General Henry "Trey" Obering III, announced that a seeker characterization test for the Net-Centric Airborne Defense Element (NCADE) was successfully conducted today at approximately 11:07 a.m. EST at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), NM. Preliminary indications are that planned flight test objectives were achieved
NGA and Lockheed Martin Work to Improve Delivery of Geospatial Data to UsersLockheed Martin 04 Dec 2007 -- The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] are working to streamline and speed the delivery of critical maps, imagery and other geospatial data to users worldwide. The Demand-Based Geospatial Intelligence (DBGI) program is an automated supply chain management system that allows users to request and access geospatial data in the format and delivery method of their choosing.
James Webb Space Telescope Marks Significant Milestone With Successful Completion of Optical Telescope Element Design Review Northrop Grumman 03 Dec 2007 -- Prime contractor Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) moved NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) a step closer to fabrication today with the completion of a preliminary design review (PDR) that verified the integrated performance of all subsystems in the Optical Telescope Element (OTE).
Photo Release -- Northrop Grumman Starts Integration and Test On LCROSS Spacecraft Northrop Grumman 03 Dec 2007 -- A satellite that will impact the Moon in 2009 in a search for water has started to come together in a manufacturing high bay at Northrop Grumman's (NYSE:NOC) Space Technology sector.
Russia's army chief to talk missile defense in U.S. December 3-7 RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2007 -- Gen. Yury Baluyevsky, chief of the Russian General Staff, will discuss bilateral military issues, including the U.S. missile shield in Europe, during a five-day visit to the U.S., which starts on Monday, a military source said.

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