December 2008 Space News

U.S. firm advertizes private space walk at $45-55 mln RIA Novosti 31 Dec 2008 -- Space Adventures, a U.S.-based company that organizes private space flights under an arrangement with Russia's space agency, has published a price list for "space services" on its website.
NASA Issues Safety Report On Columbia Disaster VOA 31 Dec 2008 -- The US space agency NASA issued a report on the 2003 Columbia space shuttle disaster Tuesday, concluding that nothing could have been done to save the shuttle's seven crewmembers.
Moscow says offer to U.S. on joint radar use still stands RIA Novosti 29 Dec 2008 -- Russia's offer to the U.S. on joint use of the Gabala radar station it leases from Azerbaijan is still on the table, a first Russian deputy foreign minister said on Monday.
Kazakhstan bans foreigners from Baikonur, other areas RIA Novosti 26 Dec 2008 -- The Kazakh government issued a decree on Friday banning foreigners from visiting four areas of the country, including the city of Baikonur, which services the eponymous space center.
Solar mission launch starts busy year for Russia's space agency RIA Novosti 25 Dec 2008 -- Russia will start off its new space year in January by launching an orbital laboratory to study the sun's activity, a spokesman for Russia's space agency told RIA Novosti on Thursday.
Russia launches rocket with three new Glonass satellites RIA Novosti 25 Dec 2008 -- Russia launched a Proton-M carrier rocket on Thursday with three Glonass navigation satellites on board from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, a space agency spokesman said.
Astronauts Remember 40th Anniversary of Apollo 8 Moon Mission VOA 24 Dec 2008 -- The U.S. space agency, NASA, is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 8 space mission. The spacecraft's three-man crew conducted the first mission to orbit the Moon.
Orbital Selected by NASA For $1.9 Billion Space Station Cargo Delivery Contract Orbital Sciences Corp. 23 Dec 2008 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB), one of the world’s leading space technology companies, today announced that it has been selected for a long-term contract by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to provide cargo transportation services to and from the International Space Station (ISS).
China successfully orbits its 3rd weather satellite RIA Novosti 23 Dec 2008 -- China has successfully orbited its third meteorological satellite, the Fengyun-2-06, the country's central television CCTV reported on Tuesday.
Russian, U.S. ISS astronauts successfully complete spacewalk RIA Novosti 23 Dec 2008 -- Astronauts aboard the International Space Station successfully completed their spacewalk on Tuesday, Russia's Mission Control said.
Russian, U.S. ISS astronauts taking part in spacewalk RIA Novosti 23 Dec 2008 -- Astronauts aboard the International Space Station started a spacewalk on Tuesday that is expected to last around six hours, Russia's Mission Control said.
NASA Looks Forward Beyond 2008 Successes VOA 22 Dec 2008 -- At NASA, 2008 will be remembered for shuttle missions, discoveries on Mars, and mysteries revealed across the solar system and beyond.
ATK Receives $49 Million Contract for Orion Solid Rocket Motors ATK 22 Dec 2008 -- Alliant Techsystems has received a $49 million contract from Orbital Sciences Corporation to provide at least nine flight sets of Orion solid rocket motors.
Lockheed Martin SBIRS Team Delivers Major Subsystems For Second GEO Satellite Lockheed Martin 22 Dec 2008 -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]-led team developing the U.S. Air Force's Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) has achieved major milestones on the second geosynchronous orbit (GEO-2) spacecraft with the completion and delivery of the remaining major spacecraft bus subsystems.
NASA Building For the Future VOA 22 Dec 2008 -- At NASA, 2008 will be remembered for shuttle missions, discoveries on Mars, and mysteries revealed across the solar system and beyond.
Boeing to Launch 4th Earth-Observation Satellite for Italy Boeing 19 Dec 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], through its commercial launch business, has received a contract to launch the fourth satellite for the COSMO-SkyMed (Constellation of Small Satellites for Mediterranean basin Observation) program for Thales Alenia Space Italia, prime contractor of the Italian Space Agency.
Belarus backs Russia's missile plan to counter U.S. shield RIA Novosti 19 Dec 2008 -- The Belarusian president said on Friday he fully supported Russia's idea to deploy short-range missiles in its Kaliningrad exclave in response to a U.S. missile shield in Central Europe.
Lockheed Martin, Thales Alenia Space Partner To Deliver Space Radar Solutions For Global Customers Lockheed Martin 18 Dec 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and Thales Alenia Space of Italy announced today they are forming a strategic partnership to jointly develop and deliver a new family of space-based remote sensing systems for customers around the world.
Sensor Activation Extends Raytheon's 40-Year Record of On-Orbit Success Raytheon 18 Dec 2008 -- Raytheon Company has received confirmation from NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization that a water-detecting sensor system on the Chandrayaan-1 lunar-orbiting spacecraft has been activated and is fully functional.
Raytheon Awarded Not-To-Exceed $3.3 Billion Patriot Order for the UAE Raytheon 18 Dec 2008 -- Raytheon Company has been awarded a not-to-exceed $3.3 billion order to provide advanced Patriot air and missile defense capability, whole life support and training for the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Lockheed Martin, Thales Alenia Space partner to deliver space radar solutions for global customers Thales 18 Dec 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and Thales Alenia Space Italy announced today that they are forming a strategic partnership to jointly develop and deliver a new family of space-based remote sensing systems for customers around the world.
Russia to make 39 space launches in 2009 RIA Novosti 18 Dec 2008 -- The Russian space agency will make 39 space launches next year from the Baikonur and Plesetsk space centers, the agency press service said on Thursday.
Operational Focus Critical to Missile Defense Tests, General Says AFPS 17 Dec 2008 -- Anticipated budget constraints and the growing threat posed by rogue nations make it more important than ever that future U.S. missile defense tests be operationally focused, the commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command said today.
US Says Russia Hardening Stance Against European Missile Defense Plan VOA 17 Dec 2008 -- The Bush administration's top arms control official says Moscow is hardening its stance against a proposed U.S. missile defense system in Europe - apparently intending to "test the mettle" of incoming President Obama on the issue.
Astronomers Detect Water at Record Distance From Earth VOA 17 Dec 2008 -- The water vapor was found 11.5 billion light years from Earth, using the 100-meter Effelsberg radio telescope at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Leipzig, Germany.
Scientists Say Universe is Expanding VOA 17 Dec 2008 -- Astronomers say the Universe is accelerating. They say the rapid expansion appears to be caused by the mysterious black space surrounding planets and stars.
Mission Operations Readiness Review for NPOESS Preparatory Project Completed; NPP Will be First System Element to be Launched Northrop Grumman 16 Dec 2008 -- A comprehensive Mission Operations Readiness (MOR) review of the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Preparatory Project (NPP) was successfully completed last month.
Siberian shepherd sues Roscosmos over rocket debris RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2008 -- A villager in southwest Siberia is to take legal action against Russia's space agency, Roscosmos, after a rocket fragment fell on his land, a local administration official said on Tuesday.
First Lockheed Martin SBIRS HEO System Achieves USSTRATCOM Certification Lockheed Martin 15 Dec 2008 -- The first Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO-1) payload and ground system, built by a Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team, has been certified for operations by U.S. Strategic Command.
B-SAT and SKY Perfect JSAT Award Lockheed Martin Contract For B-SAT3c/JCSAT-110R Lockheed Martin 15 Dec 2008 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has been awarded a contract by the Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) and SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation (SKY Perfect JSAT) of Japan to build their next geostationary broadcasting and telecommunications satellite.
Russia hopes for deal on START-1, missile defense by 2010 RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2008 -- Russia is hoping to draft a new arms reduction treaty with the U.S. and reach a compromise on the U.S. missile shield in Europe by the end of 2009, a Russian deputy foreign minister said on Monday.
Russia to launch solar probe in January RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2008 -- Russia will launch on January 29 a scientific satellite to study the Sun's interaction with the Earth, the federal space agency said on Monday.
SAIC Awarded NASA Contract to Support Kennedy Space Center SAIC 15 Dec 2008 -- Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a contract by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to provide engineering and technical services to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Ground Operations Project Office in support of NASA's Constellation Program
Lockheed Martin-Built Military Communications Satellite Marks 15 Years In Service Lockheed Martin 11 Dec 2008 -- The U.S. Air Force’s Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) B10 satellite, built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT], has achieved 15 years of on orbit operations, far exceeding its original 10 year design life.
Successful launch for Ciel II satellite built by Thales Alenia Space Thales 11 Dec 2008 -- The Ciel II satellite, of Canada's Ciel Satellite Group, was successfully launched today by International Launch Services (ILS) from the Baïkonour Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Thales Alenia Space is the prime contractor of the spacecraft which will deliver service over North America at 129 degrees West longitude orbital position.
Soldiers intercept, destroy ballistic missile in space Army News 10 Dec 2008 -- Alaska Army National Guard troops from the 49th Missile Defense Battalion launched and directed a ground-based interceptor Friday that destroyed a target ballistic missile in space, miles above the Pacific Ocean
Proton-M rocket with Canadian commsat launched from Baikonur RIA Novosti 10 Dec 2008 -- A Proton-M carrier rocket with a Ciel 2 Canadian telecommunications satellite on board was launched on Wednesday from the Baikonur space center Russia leases from Kazakhstan.
Russian defense chief reiterates concerns over U.S. missile shield RIA Novosti 10 Dec 2008 -- The deployment of a U.S. missile shield in central Europe would disrupt the strategic balance among the world's nuclear powers, the Russian defense minister said on Wednesday.
Russia against U.S. missiles in any European anti-missile plans RIA Novosti 08 Dec 2008 -- Any European missile defense network that includes elements of a U.S. missile shield in Poland and the Czech republic would be aimed against Russia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
Launch of Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou postponed until Dec. 21 RIA Novosti 08 Dec 2008 -- The launch of an Ariane 5 carrier rocket with two telecoms satellites from the Kourou space center in French Guiana has been moved to December 21, French media said on Monday.
Russia's Progress cargo spacecraft 'buried' in Pacific RIA Novosti 07 Dec 2008 -- The Progress M-65 cargo spacecraft, which undocked from the International Space Station on September 17 and served as a temporary space lab, has been "buried" in the Pacific Ocean, Russia's Mission Control said Sunday.
US Conducts Another Successful Missile Defense Test VOA 06 Dec 2008 -- The Pentagon says its forces successfully conducted a ballistic missile defense test over the Pacific on Friday, further demonstrating the capabilities of the ground-based system the United States wants to deploy to Poland and the Czech Republic.
Missile Defense Flight Test Results in Successful Intercept MDA 05 Dec 2008 -- The Missile Defense Agency 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
Boeing-led Missile Defense Team Intercepts Target in Most Complex Test to Date Boeing 05 Dec 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], working with industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, today completed the successful intercept of a target warhead in the most challenging test to date of the United States' only long-range ballistic missile defense system.
Northrop Grumman's Fire Control Products Play Key Role in Guiding Interceptor During Today's Successful Missile Defense Test Northrop Grumman 05 Dec 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) advanced fire control products played a key role today in the most challenging test to-date of the nation's Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system, the nation's only defense against long-range ballistic missiles.
Raytheon Kill Vehicle and Radars Key to Ballistic Missile Intercept Raytheon 05 Dec 2008 -- Raytheon Company components played key roles in the destruction of a ballistic missile target during the latest flight test of the Missile Defense Agency's Ground-based Midcourse Defense system.
Military Launches Most Complex Missile Defense Test to Date AFPS 05 Dec 2008 -- The military today shot down a mock enemy missile, employing a synchronized network of sensors in what officials called the largest and most complex test of the missile defense system to date.
Orbital's OBV Rocket Successfully Launched for Missile Defense Interceptor System Test Orbital Sciences Corp. 05 Dec 2008 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB), announced today that its Orbital Boost Vehicle (OBV), which is the booster rocket for the Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), was successfully launched as part of a test of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program
Transcript: DoD News Briefing with Lt. Gen. O'Reilly From the Pentagon DoD 05 Dec 2008 -- Presenter: Director, Missile Defense Agency, Lt. Gen. Patrick J. O'Reilly
Raytheon Achieves Early Data Transfer Testing on Environmental Satellite System Raytheon 05 Dec 2008 -- Raytheon Company , Northrop Grumman Corp. and the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Integrated Program Office achieved another significant program milestone by successfully completing the next phase of compatibility testing for the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP).
China to launch probe to Mars with Russian help in 2009 RIA Novosti 05 Dec 2008 -- China will send a space probe to Mars with Russia's assistance in October 2009, a Chinese newspaper said on Friday.
NASA delays unmanned Mars mission for two years RIA Novosti 05 Dec 2008 -- The head of the NASA space agency has announced that the Mars Science Laboratory's unmanned mission to the Red Planet will be delayed for two years until the fall of 2011 due to technical difficulties.
Lockheed Martin Team Conducts Free-Flight Hover Test Of MDA’S Multiple Kill Vehicle-L Lockheed Martin 04 Dec 2008 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced today that its team successfully conducted a free-flight hover test of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s Multiple Kill Vehicle-L..
NASA Delays 2009 Mars Mission Due to Technical Problems VOA 04 Dec 2008 -- NASA says its next mission to check for life on Mars will have to wait two more years.
NASA trains pilots to fly high AFNS 04 Dec 2008 -- To achieve their dreams of space flight, NASA astronauts must overcome many challenges -- challenges they can only receive at one place.
ATK and NASA Conduct Successful Test Fire of Space Shuttle Reusable Solid Rocket Motor ATK 04 Dec 2008 -- The Utah desert was filled with the sound of a rocket as Alliant Techsystems once again conducted a successful test firing of NASA's reusable solid rocket motor (RSRM).
ATK and Goodrich Win Contract to Provide First Operational ORS Satellite ATK 04 Dec 2008 -- Alliant Techsystems , in partnership with Goodrich ISR Systems Division, was awarded a contract to produce the first operational Air Force ORS satellite, designated ORS Sat-1.
Raytheon Awarded $77 Million for Patriot Upgrades Raytheon 04 Dec 2008 -- Raytheon Company has been awarded a contract to continue upgrading Patriot missiles by adding the capability to engage and destroy cruise and ballistic missiles.
Multiple Kill Vehicle Completes Hover Test MDA 03 Dec 2008 -- Missile Defense Agency Director Lieutenant General Patrick O'Reilly announced that a test of the Multiple Kill Vehicle-L (MKV-L) was conducted Tuesday, Dec. 2 at the National Hover Test Facility at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
NATO Ministers Affirm Support for US Missile Deployment VOA 03 Dec 2008 -- NATO foreign ministers have confirmed their support for U.S. plans to deploy a missile defense system in central Europe, despite strong protests from Russia.
Russia to launch two telecoms satellites in February 2009 RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2008 -- Russia will launch two telecoms satellites on February 11, the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) said on Wednesday.
NASA signs modification to contract with Russian space agency RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2008 -- NASA has signed a $141 million modification to the current International Space Station (ISS) contract with the Russian space agency for crew transportation services planned through the spring of 2012.
Lockheed Martin Selected For Contract By NASA For Next Generation GOES-R Series Weather Satellites Lockheed Martin 02 Dec 2008 -- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced today it has selected Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] for award of a contract to build the next-generation Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R-Series, known as GOES-R, for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Space shuttle diverted, lands at Edwards AFNS 02 Dec 2008 -- Space Shuttle Endeavour and its crew of seven astronauts landed after a 15-day mission to the International Space Station at about 1:25 p.m. PST Nov. 30 at Edwards Air Force Base.
Iran to send animals into space RIA Novosti 02 Dec 2008 -- Iran plans to send exploratory rockets into space with live animals on board, paving the way for manned space flights, a space research official said on Tuesday.
Kazakhstan admits losing satellite RIA Novosti 02 Dec 2008 -- Kazakhstan has lost its first Kazsat-1 satellite, the head of the national space agency said on Tuesday.
Russia orbits Cosmos-series military satellite RIA Novosti 02 Dec 2008 -- A Russian Molniya-M carrier rocket has successfully put into orbit a Cosmos-series military satellite to increase its orbital reconnaissance grouping, a Space Forces spokesman said on Tuesday.
VIIRS Completes Ambient Electro-Magnetic Interference Tests; NPOESS Sensor Ready for Final Environmental Tests Northrop Grumman 01 Dec 2008 -- Ambient Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI) testing was successfully completed on the Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Sensor (VIIRS) for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) by Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) subcontractor, Raytheon Company.
ATK Awarded $26.1 Million Contract to Develop and Manufacture the Space Threat Assessment Testbed System (STAT) ATK 01 Dec 2008 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announced today that it has been awarded a $26.1 million contract by the U.S. Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) for the design, fabrication, installation and testing of the Space Threat Assessment Testbed (STAT) System.
Boeing Airborne Laser Team Fires High-Energy Laser Through Beam Control System Boeing 01 Dec 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency last week fired a high-energy laser through the Airborne Laser's (ABL) beam control/fire control system, completing the first ground test of the entire weapon system integrated aboard the aircraft.
Lockheed Martin-Built System Successfully Directs Laser Beam For Missile Defense Agency's Airborne Laser Lockheed Martin 01 Dec 2008 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced today that the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s Airborne Laser (ABL) team has successfully fired the High Energy Laser through the Lockheed Martin-developed Beam Control/Fire Control system.
Airborne Laser Achieves Weapon System 'First Light' by Firing Beam From Northrop Grumman-Built High-Energy Laser Through Beam Steering System Northrop Grumman 01 Dec 2008 -- The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) successfully operated the Airborne Laser's (ABL) complete weapon system for the first time last week by projecting a beam from the Northrop Grumman Corporation-built (NYSE:NOC) high-energy laser through the precision beam steering system.
U.S. space shuttle Endeavour lands safely after successful mission RIA Novosti 01 Dec 2008 -- The U.S. space shuttle Endeavour has made a successful landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California after being forced to abandon plans to land in Florida, a NASA spokesman said.

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