April 2009 Space News

Boeing Completes Successful Preliminary Design Review for Tracking and Data Relay Satellite Series K-L Boeing 29 Apr 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has successfully completed the system-level Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for its Tracking and Data Relay Satellite system (TDRS) K-L program, an important design milestone as the program moves toward integration of the TDRS K satellite for NASA.
Boeing-IAI Missile Defense Interceptor Shoots Down Target in Test Boeing 29 Apr 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] built part of the Arrow II interceptor that successfully shot down a ballistic missile target April 7 in a test of Israel's national missile defense system.
Northrop Grumman's Jeff Hartlove, Airborne Laser Teammates Receive Missile Defense Agency Award for High-Energy Laser Successes Northrop Grumman 29 Apr 2009 -- Jeff Hartlove, Airborne Laser (ABL) deputy program manager for Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), has received a U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Technology Pioneer Award as one of six government and industry team members recognized for developing and integrating crucial technologies that would enable ABL to engage in boost phase ballistic missile defense.
Raytheon Names Roketsan Key Supplier for Patriot Missile Assembly Raytheon 29 Apr 2009 -- Raytheon Company has named a Turkish missile manufacturer as an international supplier of a key component of the Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical (GEM-T).
STEREO Reveals the Anatomy of a Solar Storm in 3D Navy NewsStand 29 Apr 2009 -- NASA's twin Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory spacecraft allowed scientists to reveal shape of solar explosions.
Hanscom group works to develop acquisition strategy for space ops system AFNS 29 Apr 2009 -- Space debris yields collision and subsequent loss if it crosses path of a space asset.
Retro Space Crew Module Undergoes Tests at Navy Facility AFPS 29 Apr 2009 -- When future astronauts prepare, their craft will look suspiciously familiar.
Galileo satellite GIOVE-B marks its first year in orbit EADS 28 Apr 2009 -- The GIOVE-B navigation satellite has successfully completed its first year in orbit.
Agencies Team Up to Improve Missile Defense Training AFPS 28 Apr 2009 -- A group of U.S. military organizations are teaming up to develop improved, better-integrated missile defense training.
Five-Satellite Milstar Constellation Built By Lockheed Martin Achieves 50 Years Of Combined On Orbit Operations Lockheed Martin 27 Apr 2009 -- A U.S. Air Force/Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team announced today that the five-satellite Milstar constellation has accumulated 50 years of combined on-orbit operations and continues to provide secure, reliable and robust communications to U.S. and Allied Forces around the globe.
SMDC-ONE Technology Demonstration Army News 26 Apr 2009 -- US Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command technology demonstration will design and test nanosatellites.
NRL's SoloHI Selected for European-led Solar Orbiter Mission Navy NewsStand 25 Apr 2009 -- The Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL's) Heliospheric Imager (SoloHI) has been chosen as part of the scientific payload for the European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter mission. SoloHI will provide revolutionary measurements to pinpoint solar storms known as coronal mass ejections or CMEs.
Boeing Airborne Laser Team Begins Weapon System Flight Tests Boeing 24 Apr 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency have begun Airborne Laser (ABL) flight tests with the entire weapon system integrated aboard the ABL aircraft.
NATO, Russia to share information on airborne threats RIA Novosti 24 Apr 2009 -- Poland, Norway and Turkey planning to set up a radar early warning network which will exchange information with Russia.
KCNA Ridicules Japan's Poor Political Charade KCNA 22 Apr 2009 -- The Japanese reactionaries are busy with reckless anti-DPRK campaign, finding fault with the DPRK's legitimate satellite launch.
Raytheon Awarded $23.5 Million Risk Reduction Contract for Next-Generation GPS Ground Control Segment Raytheon 21 Apr 2009 -- Raytheon Company received a contract extension to perform additional risk-reduction activities for the U.S. Air Force's next-generation Global Positioning System Operational Ground Control Segment, or GPS OCX.
Scientists glimpse 'end of the world' by analyzing dying stars IRNA 21 Apr 2009 -- A research into dying stars has revealed a glimpse of the 'end of the world', which awaits the Earth billions of years from now.
Lockheed Martin Friction Stir Weld Now Under Way On Orion Test Article Lockheed Martin 20 Apr 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has begun its first friction stir weld process on an Orion crew module Ground Test Article at the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, La.
Critical Missile Warning Payload For Second SBIRS Geo Satellite Delivered To Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin 20 Apr 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced today a major milestone on the U.S. Air Force's Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) with the successful delivery of the fully-integrated payload for the second geosynchronous orbit (GEO) spacecraft in the program constellation.
Northrop Grumman Delivers SBIRS GEO-2 Payload to Lockheed Martin Northrop Grumman 20 Apr 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), the payload integrator for the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS), the nation's next-generation missile warning system, has delivered the second geosynchronous orbit (GEO) payload to prime contractor Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) for integration into the spacecraft and final system-level testing.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Prepares Hardware for NASA’s First Ares I-X Test Flight Pratt & Whitney 20 Apr 2009 -- In preparation for NASA’s first Ares I-X test flight in August, engineers from Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne have finished pressurizing and loading 1,423 pounds of propellants into heritage hardware from the Peacekeeper missile system that will be used to help return humans to the moon by 2020.
Raytheon Awarded $27 Million Option for Patriot Engineering Services Raytheon 20 Apr 2009 -- Raytheon Company has been awarded $27 million for engineering services for the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System.
India orbits two satellites in single launch RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2009 -- India successfully launched a carrier rocket to orbit a radar imaging satellite with "spying" capabilities and an indigenous telecoms micro satellite.
India Launches High-Tech Imaging Satellite VOA 20 Apr 2009 -- India has launched a sophisticated Israeli-built all-weather imaging satellite.
DOD's eye in the sky supporting troops on the ground AFNS 17 Apr 2009 -- For the troops on the ground in hot zones all around the world, there are many items they rely on that are vital in their day-to-day operations: their weapons, their wingmen, their body armor. But what about their space assets?
TacSat-3 to demonstrate rapid delivery of imagery AFNS 17 Apr 2009 -- Providing up-to-the-minute data to the in-theater commander a capability that has been planned for the Tactical Satellite-3's upcoming mission.
U.S. scientist says tie up asteroids to protect Earth from strike RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2009 -- US Scientist: Best way to avoid a global catastrophe could be to attach a long tether with a weight at the end to deflect its orbit.
SKY Perfect JSAT Awards Lockheed Martin Contract To Build JCSAT-13 Communications Satellite Lockheed Martin 16 Apr 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract by SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation (SKY Perfect JSAT) of Japan to build its next geostationary communications satellite.
Boeing Ships IndoStar II / ProtoStar II Satellite to Baikonur Launch Site Boeing 15 Apr 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it has shipped the IndoStar II/ProtoStar II satellite from the company's satellite manufacturing facility in El Segundo to the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch facility in Kazakhstan.
China launches second navigation satellite RIA Novosti 15 Apr 2009 -- China has successfully launched its second navigation satellite as part of a project to develop its own global satellite navigation system.
Space station module name honors Apollo 11 anniversary AFNS 15 Apr 2009 -- After more than a million online responses, the node will be called "Tranquility."
Second Advanced EHF Military Communications Satellite Built By Lockheed Martin Completes Environmental Testing Lockheed Martin 14 Apr 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has successfully completed thermal vacuum testing of the second Advanced Extremely High Frequency (EHF) military communications satellite, a major program milestone that proves spacecraft performance and functionality in a complete test-like-you-fly environment.
Northrop Grumman-Led Kinetic Energy Interceptors Team Completes Booster Flight 'Pathfinder' Operations At Vandenberg Air Force Base Northrop Grumman 14 Apr 2009 -- The Kinetic Energy Interceptors (KEI) industry team, led by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), has completed full-scale "pathfinder" ground operations in preparation for the weapon system's booster flight test scheduled for later this year.
GOCE satellite payload is activated Thales 14 Apr 2009 -- Following the successful launch of the GOCE satellite on March 17, the sophisticated Electrostatic Gravity Gradiometer for measuring the terrestrial gravitational field and main payload instrument, was gradually activated from April 3 to 7 for in-orbit acceptance tests.
Lockheed Martin Rolls Out THAAD Launchers and Fire Control and Communications Units Lockheed Martin 13 Apr 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] officially rolled out the new Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System launcher and Fire Control and Communications unit today in a ceremony at the company’s THAAD Launcher Integration Complex in Camden, AR.
Russia to start flight-testing new cargo spacecraft in 2016-17 RIA Novosti 13 Apr 2009 -- Flight tests of Russia's new cargo spacecraft will start in 2016-17.
Academy space fleet continues to grow AFNS 13 Apr 2009 -- USAF Academy's space fleet grows larger with launch of satellite, continued operations of a second satellite and design work underway for a third.
Pararescuemen conduct water test of new NASA capsule AFNS 10 Apr 2009 -- Six pararescuemen from Patrick Air Force Base conducted recovery testing on a mockup of NASA's next-generation spacecraft.
Space Station module name to be announced April 14 AFNS 10 Apr 2009 -- NASA's newest module for the International Space Station will get a new name on April 14.
Russian astronaut denies rumors of ISS squabble RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2009 -- Russian astronaut Lonchakov dismissed reports that Russian and American crewmembers discriminating against each other.
Lockheed Martin SBIRS Team Advancing To Follow-On Production Phase Lockheed Martin 09 Apr 2009 -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) team has submitted its proposal for the program's follow-on production phase and has completed a major Preliminary Design Review (PDR) milestone with the U.S. Air Force.
Italian satellite SICRAL 1B ready for launch on April 19 Thales 09 Apr 2009 -- Thales Alenia Space was in charge of developing the system and building the SICRAL 1B satellite as prime contractor.
Russia able to shoot down North Korean missiles - Air Force RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2009 -- Russian air-defense systems are capable of shooting down missiles of the type recently launched by North Korea.
Lavrov rejects link between Iran dispute and U.S. missile shield RIA Novosti 09 Apr 2009 -- Russia's FM: No link between dispute over Iran's nuclear program and Russia-U.S. differences on missile defense.
India's spy satellite to eye terrorists, infiltrators IRNA 08 Apr 2009 -- India will launch a spy satellite from Sriharikota spaceport on April 20 primarily to keep an eye on its borders and help anti-terrorist operations.
Airmen help launch satellite into orbit AFNS 08 Apr 2009 -- The Air Force's second Wibeband Global Satellite Communications satellite was successfully launched into orbit April 3.
Omid satellite accomplished all missions successfully IRNA 08 Apr 2009 -- Omid (Hope) satellite which was placed into orbit last year by home-made rocket accomplished all its missions successfully.
ISS crew, space tourist land safely in Kazakhstan RIA Novosti 08 Apr 2009 -- A Soyuz capsule with the 18th Expedition ISS crew, together with two-times space tourist Charles Simonyi, has landed safely in Kazakhstan.
Improved Arrow Missile Destroys Target in Latest Test of the System Israel Aerospace Industries 07 Apr 2009 -- The following announcement was issued by Israel's Ministry of Defence spokesman on April 7th, 2009
ATK Composite Technology Supports Atlas V Launch of Wideband Global SATCOM Spacecraft ATK 06 Apr 2009 -- Alliant Techsystems' composite technology supported Friday's successful launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
Boeing-Built Satellite WGS-2 Sends 1st Signals From Space Boeing 06 Apr 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has acquired the first on-orbit signals from the second of six Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellites that the company is building for the U.S. Air Force.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Successfully Tests Propulsion Technology to Send Humans to Moon, Mars and Beyond Pratt & Whitney 06 Apr 2009 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne completed a series of successful hot-fire tests for a propulsion system that could lead to increased mission capability and flexibility in sending humans to the moon, Mars and beyond
Qashqavi: Iran's space program independent from that of North Korea IRNA 06 Apr 2009 -- FM spokesman Qashqavi: Space programs of the Islamic Republic of Iran and N Korea completely independent.
Successful launch for Eutelsat's W2A satellite built by Thales Alenia Space Thales 04 Apr 2009 -- Eutelsat's W2A satellite 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 services at the 10 degrees East longitude orbital position.
Military communications satellite successfully launched AFNS 04 Apr 2009 -- An Air Force team successfully launched a new-generation military communication satellite from here April 3 at 8:31 p.m. (EDT) when an Atlas V rocket carried a Wideband Global Satellite Communication satellite into space.
Czechs Protest US Radar Plan VOA 04 Apr 2009 -- About 300 opponents of a planned U.S. missile defense radar base in the Czech Republic protested in Prague Saturday, as U.S. President Barack Obama arrived for a visit.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Marks 400th RL10 Engine Powering Upper-Stage Rocket Launches Pratt & Whitney 03 Apr 2009 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne marked the 400th RL10 rocket engine to power a payload into space with the launch of an Atlas V rocket at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., today.
Czechs Bracing For Anti-Missile Protests Ahead of Obama Visit VOA 03 Apr 2009 -- Czechs opposed to US plans to install part of a missile defense system in their country say they will go ahead with protest.
Generals discuss future issues at National Space Symposium AFNS 03 Apr 2009 -- The commander of Air Force Space Command was the keynote speaker for the 25th National Space Symposium.
Soyuz spacecraft return to Earth postponed until April 8 RIA Novosti 03 Apr 2009 -- Landing of a Soyuz spacecraft with members of the 18th Expedition to the ISS has been delayed by one day.
Raytheon Introduces Rapidly Deployable Space Payload Design Raytheon 02 Apr 2009 -- Raytheon Company today unveiled Responder™, an innovative payload design concept featuring a suite of interchangeable mission-specific sensors that could be deployed rapidly to meet immediate customer needs.
KPA General Staff Warns against Any Interception of Satellite KCNA 02 Apr 2009 -- General Staff of the Korean People's Army warned if forces move to intercept satellite, KPA will make just retaliatory strike.
Kehler: Spherical battlespace is new theater of operations AFNS 02 Apr 2009 -- The world is no longer flat and information is no longer static.
Big Tactical Aerostat Flies for First Time Army News 02 Apr 2009 -- The Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System Product Office has announced a major milestone in JLENS System.
Russia may not answer missile defense with Iskanders - Medvedev RIA Novosti 02 Apr 2009 -- Medvedev: Good chance Russia will not have to place missiles in Kaliningrad in response to US missile shield.
Medvedev says got honest answers from Obama RIA Novosti 02 Apr 2009 -- Russian President Medvedev: US President Barack Obama a constructive individual who can honestly answer difficult questions.
Russia to launch another 3 Soyuz spacecraft to ISS in 2009 RIA Novosti 02 Apr 2009 -- Russia is planning to launch three more Soyuz piloted spacecraft to the International Space Station this year.
NASA and Orion Industry Team Successfully Test Orion Launch Abort System Attitude Control Motor Thruster System ATK 01 Apr 2009 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) , NASA, and industry partners Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) and Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE:ORB) have successfully performed a ground test firing of a sub-scale attitude control motor thruster system for the launch abort system (LAS) of NASA's Orion crew exploration vehicle (CEV).
NASA and Orion Industry Team Successfully Test Orion Launch Abort System Attitude Control Motor Thruster System Orbital Sciences Corp. 01 Apr 2009 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK), NASA, and industry partners Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) and Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) have successfully performed a ground test firing of a sub-scale attitude control motor thruster system for the launch abort system (LAS) of NASA's Orion crew exploration vehicle (CEV).
Kinetic Energy Interceptors Team Delivers Pathfinder Ground Test Missile Avionics Raytheon 01 Apr 2009 -- Raytheon Company , a member of the Northrop Grumman-led Kinetic Energy Interceptors team, delivered the Pathfinder ground test missile avionics module and associated support equipment to Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
N. Korea calls Japan's threat to destroy rocket 'act of war' RIA Novosti 01 Apr 2009 -- Pyongyang has announced that any attempt by Japan to shoot down a rocket would be considered an act of war.
Obama, Medvedev Commit to Reduce Nuclear Arms, Reset Relationship AFPS 01 Apr 2009 -- The leaders of the world’s two largest nuclear superpowers today agreed to use the platform to “reset” relationships.
Russia, U.S. leaders still disagree on European missile shield RIA Novosti 01 Apr 2009 -- Russian President Medvedev and US President Barack Obama still in disagreement on US missile shield.

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