September 2008 Space News

Northrop Grumman Awarded Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System Contract Northrop Grumman 30 Sep 2008 -- The U.S. Army has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a contract for Phase 1 of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) program.
SAIC Awarded Two Major Task Orders by Army Aviation and Missile Command SAIC 30 Sep 2008 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded two task orders by the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) to provide modeling and simulation support to the Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) -- Systems Simulation and Development Directorate (SSDD).
Boeing Delivers 1st Standard Missile-3 Kinetic Warhead Kit Built in Huntsville Boeing 30 Sep 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] last month delivered on schedule the first production Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) kinetic warhead kit built in Huntsville, Ala.
NASA Remembers First 50 Years of Manned Space Flight VOA 30 Sep 2008 -- On October 1, 1958, the U.S. space agency NASA first opened its doors.
Boeing Uses Flight-Proven Satellite Technology for TSAT Review Boeing 29 Sep 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it has used an operational, commercial communications satellite to demonstrate the maturity of its Internet-like, space-based packet-switching technology during a program review of the company's proposed Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).
International success for Astrium: Europe’s Jules Verne mission accomplished EADS 29 Sep 2008 -- Astrium CEO François Auque commented on this successful manoeuvre: “The Jules Verne mission is a series of technical achievements greeted by the international community.
Astrium down-selected as candidate for Galileo FOC and invites Expressions of Interest EADS 29 Sep 2008 -- Astrium has been selected by ESA and EU as a prime candidate for both the Galileo FOC Space Segment and Ground Control Segment.
Defense Contributions Help NASA's 50-Year Legacy AFPS 29 Sep 2008 -- The Defense Department can take a bow for role it played in lending technology and expertise to NASA's space exploration and research mission.
US Deploys Radar in Israel Amid Fears of Iranian Attack VOA 28 Sep 2008 -- The United States is beefing up missile defenses in Israel amid fears of a conflict with Iran.
Chinese Space Mission Returns to Earth VOA 28 Sep 2008 -- Chinese astronauts have returned safely to earth after a three-day orbital mission that included a space walk.
China Leaves Footprints in Space VOA 27 Sep 2008 -- A Chinese astronaut has made the historic first step in outer space for his country.
Chinese astronaut conducts successful debut spacewalk RIA Novosti 27 Sep 2008 -- A Chinese astronaut successfully returned to his spacecraft after the first spacewalk in the history of the Chinese space program.
Chinese astronaut takes first ever space walk IRNA 27 Sep 2008 -- A Chinese astronaut has begun the nation's first ever space walk.
Russia refuses to allow NATO inspectors at its missile bases RIA Novosti 27 Sep 2008 -- Russia will not allow inspectors at missile bases, but is ready for talks on observers at US missile shield sites in Europe.
Northrop Grumman's Kinetic Energy Interceptor Team Conducts Successful Stage 2 Rocket Motor Test Northrop Grumman 26 Sep 2008 -- The Northrop Grumman Corporation-led (NYSE:NOC) Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) team successfully completed the third of five planned static fire tests of the second stage motor on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008.
Kinetic Energy Interceptor Team Completes Missile Defense Test of Enhanced Rocket Motor Raytheon 26 Sep 2008 -- The Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and Northrop Grumman Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) team fired a Stage 2 rocket motor featuring an enhanced nozzle and upgraded ballistics.
International Space Station conducts tests for Air Force AFPN 26 Sep 2008 -- Air Force Research Laboratory officials partnered with NASA to conduct materials experiments aboard the International Space Station.
Kinetic Energy Interceptors Team Completes Successful Rocket Motor Test MDA 25 Sep 2008 -- Lieutenant General Henry "Trey" Obering III, Missile Defense Agency director, announced today the completion of a successful static firing test of the Kinetic Energy Interceptor's (KEI) second stage rocket motor
Iran to conduct first satellite launch soon - Ahmadinejad RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2008 -- Iran's president says his country will soon send up a rocket that will put the country's first domestically launched satellite into orbit, his press service said Thursday.
Orbital Successfully Launches Minotaur II Target Launch Vehicle In Support of Near-Field Infrared Experiment Orbital Sciences Corp. 25 Sep 2008 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that its Minotaur II+ rocket was successfully launched for the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) in support of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Near-Field Infrared Experiment (NFIRE).
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Successfully Completes Hot-Fire Tests on New RS-68A Rocket Engine Pratt & Whitney 25 Sep 2008 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company, has begun a series of hot-fire tests on the new RS-68A rocket engine, designed to power heavier payloads than currently possible on the Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle.
Russia puts 3 Glonass satellites into orbit RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2008 -- Russia has put into orbit three Glonass navigation satellites after a successful launch from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, Russia's space agency said on Thursday.
NASA again postpones Atlantis trip to Hubble RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2008 -- The launch date for space shuttle Atlantis to service the Hubble Space Telescope has been postponed from October 10 to 14, NASA said in a statement.
China Launches Manned Space Mission VOA 25 Sep 2008 -- China has successfully launched its third manned mission to outer space
Sea Launch successfully puts U.S. telecom satellite in orbit RIA Novosti 24 Sep 2008 -- The Sea Launch consortium successfully put a new telecommunications satellite into orbit Wednesday from its ocean-based platform in the Pacific, a company spokesperson said.
U.S. military experts discuss missile radar in Prague RIA Novosti 24 Sep 2008 -- U.S. military experts have started consultations in Prague on the deployment of a missile-defense radar in the Czech Republic, the Czech Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
Commercial Remote Sensing Satellite Built By Lockheed Martin Achieves Nine Years In Service Lockheed Martin 24 Sep 2008 -- The IKONOS commercial remote sensing satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT], today achieved its ninth year of on-orbit service and continues to provide high-resolution imagery of the Earth to commercial and government customers around the world.
Raytheon Completes Ground Segment Acceptance Testing Early for the National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Raytheon 24 Sep 2008 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) achieved a significant program milestone for the National Polar- orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) by successfully completing ground segment acceptance testing of the data processing segment at the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility three weeks ahead of schedule.
Russian experts to support China's first spacewalk RIA Novosti 24 Sep 2008 -- Russian experts will have a role in overseeing the upcoming mission of Chinese astronauts, which will include China's first spacewalk, a spokesman for country's manned space program said Wednesday.
All Systems Go for China's Manned Space Launch VOA 24 Sep 2008 -- China says all systems have passed through final preparations and are ready for the country's third manned trip to outer space, which is scheduled to launch Thursday night
China says spacecraft launch has no military goals RIA Novosti 23 Sep 2008 -- China's launch later this week of a manned spacecraft will be geared toward economic and scientific goals with no military implications, the Xinhua news agency quoted the launch center's director as saying on Tuesday.
Missile Defense Data Collection Experiment Successfully Completed MDA 23 Sep 2008 -- Lieutenant General Henry "Trey" Obering III, Missile Defense Agency director, today announced the successful execution of an important flight test designed to collect data on a boosting long-range target missile by the Near Field Infrared Experiment (NFIRE) research satellite
General Dynamics Awarded $4 Million for Landsat Data Continuity Mission Integration General Dynamics 23 Sep 2008 -- General Dynamics C4 Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a five-year, $4 million contract by the Hammers Company, Inc., to provide the systems engineering and integration services needed to build the ground-based command and control system for the Mission Operations Element (MOE) of the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) satellite.
Russia's Space Agency confirms 18th ISS expedition RIA Novosti 23 Sep 2008 -- Russia's Space Agency confirmed Tuesday the composition of the main crew for the 18th International Space Station expedition.
Proton-M carrier rocket orbits Nimiq-4 telecoms satellite RIA Novosti 20 Sep 2008 -- A Russian carrier rocket Proton-M, launched early on Saturday, successfully orbited Canada's Nimiq-4 telecommunications satellite.
Russia, France sign contract to launch 10 rockets from Kourou RIA Novosti 20 Sep 2008 -- Russia's space agency and French satellite launch firm Arianespace sign contract to launch 10 Russian Soyuz-ST carrier rockets from the Kourou space center in French Guiana.
U.S., Czechs Sign Ballistic Defense Treaties AFPS 19 Sep 2008 -- The United States and the Czech Republic signed agreements to build a limited ballistic missile defense system.
Russia to orbit six Glonass satellites by year end RIA Novosti 19 Sep 2008 -- Russia plans to launch 6 satellites in the next 3 months to increase the existing Glonass grouping to 18-19 spacecraft.
Lockheed Martin Spacecraft To Be Flown For NASA’S MAVEN Mars Mission Lockheed Martin 18 Sep 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has been selected by NASA to design, build and operate the spacecraft for NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) program.
Lockheed Martin Supports First Successful International PAC-3 Missile Test at White Sands Missile Range Lockheed Martin 18 Sep 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and Airmen of the Japanese Self Defense Force successfully supported the first international PAC-3 Missile flight test yesterday at White Sands Missile Range, NM.
Orbital Awarded New Minotaur IV Mission By U.S. Air Force Orbital Sciences Corp. 18 Sep 2008 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) today announced that the U.S. Air Force Space and Missiles Systems Center (SMC) recently placed an order for a new Minotaur IV launch vehicle under the company's Orbital/Suborbital Program-2 (OSP-2) contract
Raytheon Awarded $10 million to Develop New Missile Defense Interceptor Raytheon 18 Sep 2008 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a $10 million Missile Defense Agency contract to continue research and development of the Network Centric Airborne Defense Element.
NASA Extends SAIC Contract Valued at $212 Million SAIC 18 Sep 2008 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) today announced that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has extended the period of performance for the Unified NASA Information Technology Services (UNITeS) contract, previously awarded to SAIC in January 2004.
Progress cargo spacecraft docks with ISS RIA Novosti 18 Sep 2008 -- A Progress freighter has successfully docked with the ISS after a 4-day delay caused by Hurricane Ike.
Missile Defense Test Conducted MDA 17 Sep 2008 -- The Missile Defense Agency was unable to complete a planned flight test tonight exercising elements of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system due to an apparent malfunction with the target missile shortly after launch (4:05 pm Hawaii time; 10:05 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time).
General Dynamics Successfully Completes On-Orbit Checkout of NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope General Dynamics 17 Sep 2008 -- General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has successfully completed the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) of NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope
Lockheed Martin Team Successfully Demonstrates High Performance Radiator Technology For TSAT Program Lockheed Martin 17 Sep 2008 -- A Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]/Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) team has successfully tested a high performance deployable radiator system to meet the stringent mission requirements of the Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) constellation.
Russia to share space technology with Cuba RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2008 -- Russia intends to share its space technology with Cuba, and has begun discussions on building a space center in the country, the Russian space agency said on Wednesday.
Russia to address militarization of space at UN General Assembly RIA Novosti 17 Sep 2008 -- The demilitarization of space and preventing the glorification of Nazism will be top priorities for the Russian delegation at the UN General Assembly, Russia's envoy to the UN said.
Ribbon-Cutting for the Joint Ballistic Missile Defense System Training and Education Center MDA 16 Sep 2008 -- Lieutenant General Henry "Trey" Obering, Missile Defense Agency director, announced today that the Joint Ballistic Missile Defense System Training and Education Centers' (JBTEC) new facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado is completed and open for training
Orbital Completes Minotaur IV Launch Vehicle Pathfinder Operations At Vandenberg Air Force Base Orbital Sciences Corp. 16 Sep 2008 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) today announced that it has completed the full-scale "pathfinder" ground operations of the Minotaur IV space launch vehicle in preparation for its inaugural flight that is currently scheduled to take place in early 2009
Boeing Delivers Software-Defined FAB-T Radio Prototype Boeing 16 Sep 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has moved a step closer to linking military ground, air and space assets with the delivery of its next-generation Family of Advanced Beyond line-of-sight Terminals (FAB-T) prototype to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, Mass.
Northrop Grumman Completes Integration of Third Payload Module for Advanced EHF Military Communications Satellites Northrop Grumman 16 Sep 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has completed integrating all electronic units of the payload module for the third Advanced Extremely High Frequency (EHF) military communications satellite.
Space Operations a Key Focus for the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Navy NewsStand 15 Sep 2008 -- The Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) is blazing trails in the area of space operations and taking advantage of every opportunity to employ this concept.
Lockheed Martin Upgrades Space Communications Processing System for USAF Space Commanders Lockheed Martin 15 Sep 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] today announced the successful delivery of a space communications system that will bring more accurate and timely decision-making information to U.S. Air Force Space Commanders.
Analysts Say Russia-Georgia Conflict Could Hurt US Space Program VOA 11 Sep 2008 -- Some lawmakers and analysts fear that Russia's invasion of Georgia may hurt U.S. space exploration
Putin orders additional $2.6 bln on Glonass development RIA Novosti 12 Sep 2008 -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin signed a directive on Friday on allocating an additional $2.6 billion to develop the country's Glonass satellite system.
Hurricane Ike delays Progress docking with ISS RIA Novosti 12 Sep 2008 -- The docking of a Progress spacecraft with the ISS has been postponed for four days due to the evacuation of U.S. colleagues in the face of a looming hurricane, a Russian Mission Control spokesman said Friday.
China to launch 3rd manned space flight Sep. 25 RIA Novosti 12 Sep 2008 -- China will launch its Shenzhou 7 manned spacecraft at 13:10 GMT on September 25, weather permitting, the Sohu news service reported Friday.
Sea Launch to put U.S. telecom satellite in orbit Sept. 23 RIA Novosti 12 Sep 2008 -- The Sea Launch consortium will put a new telecommunications satellite into orbit on September 23 from its ocean-based platform in the Pacific, a company spokesperson said Friday.
Russia to continue talks with Poland over U.S. missile shield RIA Novosti 11 Sep 2008 -- Russia will continue talks with Warsaw on the deployment of elements of a U.S. missile shield in Poland, the Russian foreign minister said on Thursday.
Russian FM to talk U.S. missile shield, S.Ossetia in Poland RIA Novosti 11 Sep 2008 -- Russia's foreign minister will visit Poland on Thursday to discuss U.S. missile shield plans, the Georgia conflict, and ties with the EU.
Russia launches Progress M-65 space freighter to ISS RIA Novosti 11 Sep 2008 -- Russia has successfully launched a Progress spacecraft on board a Soyuz-U rocket from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan to deliver supplies to the ISS, a Mission Control spokesman said Thursday.
Russia Warns it May Target US Missiles in Europe VOA 10 Sep 2008 -- Russian news reports say a top defense official has warned that Russia may point ballistic weapons at a U.S. missile defense system in Europe.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Contracted to Provide Additional J-2X Testing Pratt & Whitney 09 Sep 2008 -- NASA has awarded Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne a contract change to provide additional sea-level and simulated-altitude ground tests for the J-2X rocket engine. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.
Astrium-built Inmarsat-4 F3 satellite successfully deployed in orbit EADS 09 Sep 2008 -- Further to its launch by Proton on 18 August 2008, the third Astrium-built Inmarsat-4 satellite took four apogee engine firings to reach geosynchronous orbit
Thales Alenia Space to supply RASCOMSTAR-QAF with a new telecommunication satellite Thales 09 Sep 2008 -- Thales Alenia Space announced today the signature of a contract with RASCOMSTAR-QAF for the construction of the RASCOM-QAF1R telecommunication satellite.
Thales Alenia Space building a new satellite constellation for O3b Networks Ltd. Thales 09 Sep 2008 -- Thales Alenia Space today announced it has started construction of 16 of its Low Earth Orbit communications satellites for Jersey, Channel Islands based O3b Networks Limited, with options for additional spacecrafts.
Thales Alenia Space to cooperate with JSC-ISS of Russia for the Amos-5 satellite Thales 09 Sep 2008 -- Thales Alenia Space announces a contract with JSC "ISS - Reshetnev Company" (formerly NPO-PM) to supply the Amos-5 communications satellite payload. ISS, prime contractor, is building the satellite for Israeli satellite operator Spacecom Ltd.
Northrop Grumman Completes Transition to Latest Resonating Gyro Product With Delivery of 100th System Northrop Grumman 09 Sep 2008 -- The delivery of the 100th hemispherical resonating gyro (HRG)-based product marks a milestone in the evolution of Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) exclusive HRG technology
Russia's Progress spacecraft 'buried' in the Pacific RIA Novosti 09 Sep 2008 -- The Russian space freighter Progress M-64 reentered the atmosphere and was 'buried' early on Tuesday at a 'spaceship cemetery' in the southern Pacific, a Mission Control spokesman said.
Airborne Laser Completion of “First Light” MDA 08 Sep 2008 -- Lt. General Henry A. "Trey" Obering, Missile Defense Agency director, announced today the first successful firing on September 7, 2008 of the megawatt-class Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser (COIL) of the Airborne Laser (ABL) program since it was installed on board the YAL-1A demonstrator
Boeing, Airborne Laser Team Begin Firing High-Energy Laser on ABL Aircraft Boeing 08 Sep 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency on Sept. 7 achieved a major milestone in the development of the Airborne Laser (ABL) missile defense program by firing a high-energy chemical laser onboard the ABL aircraft for the first time during ground testing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
Northrop Grumman-Built High-Energy Laser Fires for First Time Onboard Airborne Laser Aircraft Northrop Grumman 09 Sep 2008 -- The high-energy laser installed earlier this year on the Missile Defense Agency's Airborne Laser (ABL) aircraft fired successfully Sept. 7 in a ground test at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), under contract to The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA), ABL's prime contractor, designed and built the megawatt-class laser, the most powerful directed energy weapon ever developed for airborne use.
ATK Propulsion and Composite Technologies Key to Successful Delta II Launch ATK 08 Sep 2008 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) played a key role in the successful launch of United Launch Alliance's Delta II rocket Saturday, Sept. 6 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Completes Successful Test of J-2X Gas Generator Pratt & Whitney 08 Sep 2008 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company, completed a series of successful tests on a gas generator for the J-2X rocket engine
Boeing Launches GeoEye-1 Earth-Imaging Satellite Boeing 06 Sep 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA], through its commercial launch business, successfully launched the GeoEye-1 satellite today aboard a Delta II rocket procured from United Launch Alliance (ULA).
General Dynamics-built GeoEye-1 Satellite Successfully Launched Today General Dynamics 06 Sep 2008 -- The GeoEye-1 satellite, designed and built by General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, was successfully launched into a 423-mile orbit today from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
First East Coast DDG With Ballistic Missile Defense System Deploys as Part of Iwo Jima ESG Navy NewsStand 06 Sep 2008 -- The Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) is underway in the Navy's 5th and 6th fleet area of operations with new technology added to its arsenal.
Russia backs intl. cooperation to address asteroid threat RIA Novosti 05 Sep 2008 -- Russia supports the idea of international cooperation to deal with the threat of an asteroid collision, the head of the federal space agency said on Friday.
Russia's Glonass system to comprise 30 satellites by 2011 RIA Novosti 05 Sep 2008 -- The number of satellites comprising Russia's Glonass navigation system will be increased from the current 16 to 30 by 2011, the head of the Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos) said on Friday.
Thales Alenia Space statement concerning Eutelsat W5 Thales 03 Sep 2008 -- The W5 satellite operated by Eutelsat Communications experienced an anomaly on June 16, 2008, concerning its power supply subsystem.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne's Heritage Lunar Engine Fired Up Once Again - This Time With Liquid Methane Pratt & Whitney 02 Sep 2008 -- Engineers from NASA and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne successfully completed a series of hot-fire altitude tests using liquid methane on the RS-18 engine
Russia set to test second-stage booster for Angara rocket RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2008 -- A second stage URM-2 booster for a new Russian carrier rocket has been delivered to an engine test facility in the Moscow Region for "cold" firing tests, the Khrunichev Space Research and Production center said on Tuesday.
Progress cargo module undocks from ISS, converted into space lab RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2008 -- Russian space freighter Progress M-64 has undocked from the International Space Station and been turned into an orbital laboratory, the federal space agency said on Tuesday.
NASA postpones Atlantis mission to Hubble again RIA Novosti 01 Sep 2008 -- NASA has postponed the Atlantis shuttle's launch to the Hubble Space Telescope for another two or three days to October 10-11, to complete work on an external fuel tank.

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