May 2009 Space News

'Endeavour' Shuttle Mission on Schedule for Mid-June VOA 29 May 2009 -- NASA announced that the space shuttle Endeavour is on schedule for a mid-June rendezvous with the International Space Station.
Soyuz spacecraft carrying new crew docks with ISS RIA Novosti 29 May 2009 -- A Soyuz TMA-15 spacecraft with members of the 20th Expedition on board has docked with the ISS.
NASA extends contract with Russia for trips to space station RIA Novosti 29 May 2009 -- NASA has signed a $306 million deal with Roscosmos extending the current contract for transporting crew to the ISS.
Russian Space Agency Agrees to Ferry US Astronauts VOA 29 May 2009 -- NASA has signed a multi-million dollar deal with the Russian space agency to ferry U.S. astronauts to the international space station in 2012.
ISS to welcome first full crew RIA Novosti 28 May 2009 -- Space mission 20, which launched today and which will be known as expedition 21 after Soyuz TMA-15 docks, has particular historical significance.
VP and wife visit 'Space Cowboys,' Troops will deploy in July Army News 27 May 2009 -- VP Biden and his wife visited a handful of Colorado Army National Guard troops from the 117th Space Battalion May 27.
Soyuz launch to increase ISS crew to six for first time RIA Novosti 27 May 2009 -- The Soyuz TMA-15 launch vehicle set to take off to deliver astronauts ISS, increasing the total number to six for the first time.
Space Command officials exceed GPS standard AFNS 26 May 2009 -- USAF Space Command officials maintain the Global Positioning System constellation that now has 6 more satellites than the standard.
Space operations vital to Air Force, nation AFNS 26 May 2009 -- USAF officials discussed the importance of space as a warfighting domain before members of the Senate May 20 on Capitol Hill.
Shuttle Lands in California VOA 24 May 2009 -- The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis has landed at Edwards Air Force Base in the western state of California, after bad weather thwarted landing plans on Friday and Saturday.
NASA again postpones Atlantis shuttle landing due to bad weather RIA Novosti 23 May 2009 -- NASA has once again postponed the landing of the Atlantis space shuttle due to the rainy weather, moving the date for Sunday, the U.S. space agency said on Saturday.
Shuttle Atlantis Landing Delayed for 2nd Day VOA 23 May 2009 -- NASA says bad weather in Florida has delayed plans to bring Space Shuttle Atlantis back to Earth Saturday.
Northrop Grumman-Led Team Submits Bid for Phase II of the Army's Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System Competition Northrop Grumman 22 May 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) this month submitted its Phase II bid for the prime contractor role for the U.S. Army's Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) competition.
Team helps put tactical satellite in orbit AFNS 22 May 2009 -- Air Force officials helped launch an Air Force Minotaur I rocket launches into orbirt carrying the Air Force Research Laboratory's TacSat-3 satellite, NASA's PharmaSat microsatellite and NASA's CubeSat Technology Demonstration at 7:55 p.m. EDT May 19 from Wallops Flight Facility, Va.
Russia launches military satellite into orbit RIA Novosti 22 May 2009 -- A Soyuz-2 carrier rocket put an advanced Meridian 2 military satellite into orbit.
Bad Weather Delays Space Shuttle Landing VOA 22 May 2009 -- Astronauts aboard the space shuttle Atlantis will have an extra day in orbit, after bad weather forced a delay of their return.
Change of Command at Nation's only Missile Defense Brigade Army News 22 May 2009 -- Only unit tasked with the mission of defending the United States against ballistic missile attack gained a new commander.
Lockheed Martin GPS III Team Successfully Completes Major Design Review Phase On Schedule Lockheed Martin 21 May 2009 -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team developing the U.S. Air Force's next-generation Global Positioning System (GPS) spacecraft, known as GPS III, has successfully completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) phase, a major program milestone that allows the team to begin the Critical Design Review (CDR) stage.
Report Gives Obama A Potential Out On Missile Shield RFE/RL 21 May 2009 -- Iran's test of a rocket that it says can reach as far as Europe adds new urgency to US missile defense plan.
Poland to host Patriot missiles, U.S. troops by yearend RIA Novosti 21 May 2009 -- US Patriot air defense missiles and US personnel will be deployed in Poland by the end of this year.
Orbiting Astronauts Beam into US Congressional Hearing VOA 21 May 2009 -- The seven-member crew of the U.S. space shuttle Atlantis has made history.
ISS crew starts drinking water purified from urine RIA Novosti 21 May 2009 -- NASA has given astronauts on board the ISS permission to drink water that the station's new recycling system has purified from urine.
ATK's Responsive Space Modular Bus Allows TacSat-3 to Demonstrate Potential Operationally Responsive Space Capability ATK 20 May 2009 -- Alliant Techsystems' (NYSE: ATK) Responsive Space Modular Bus (RSMB) was successfully launched as part of the Department of Defense's Tactical Satellite-3's mission from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Va.
ATK and NASA Team Complete Successful Ares I Main Parachute Drop Test ATK 20 May 2009 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK), the prime contractor for the first stage of the Ares I launch vehicle, along with NASA, the U.S. Army, and the United Space Alliance (USA), successfully conducted a drop test of the three main parachutes that will slow the descent of the Ares I first stage booster, allowing it to be recovered, refurbished, and reused.
Northrop Grumman Awarded Contract to Build CERES Sensor Northrop Grumman 20 May 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) was awarded a contract by NASA Langley Research Center to build a sensor that measures the time and space distributions of incoming energy from the sun and outgoing thermal and reflected energy from Earth (known as Earth's radiation budget).
Russia: Arms Treaty with US Must Include Missile Defense VOA 20 May 2009 -- Russian FM Lavrov: Plans for a US missile defense system must be taken into account in a new strategic arms agreement.
Iranian-made missiles, satellite launched from Semnan IRNA 20 May 2009 -- President Ahmadinejad: Launch pad for Iran's missiles and satellites is located in Semnan province.
Astronauts Declare Hubble Mission a NASA Victory VOA 20 May 2009 -- U.S. astronauts are declaring their daring repair of the Hubble Space Telescope a success.
Astrium signs strategic partnership agreement with Kazakhstan EADS 19 May 2009 -- Within the framework of the agreement, Astrium will build a major satellite integration centre that will be part of the future Kazakhstan national space centre planned for the country’s new capital, Astana.
Key NPOESS Sensor Starts Thermal Vacuum Testing Northrop Grumman 19 May 2009 -- A key sensor for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) has started its final and most critical environmental test at Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) subcontractor, Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN).
Orbital Successfully Launches Minotaur I Rocket Carrying TacSat-3 Satellite for U.S. Air Force Orbital Sciences Corp. 19 May 2009 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that its Minotaur I rocket successfully launched the Tactical Satellite-3 (TacSat-3) for the U.S. Air Force.
Key NPOESS sensor starts thermal vacuum testing Raytheon 19 May 2009 -- A key sensor for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) has started its final and most critical environmental test at Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), subcontractor on the program to Northrop Grumman Corporation.
Russian-U.S. panel says missile shield in Europe ineffective RIA Novosti 19 May 2009 -- A missile shield planned to protect Europe would be ineffective against the kinds of missiles Iran could deploy.
Hubble Telescope Gets New Life VOA 19 May 2009 -- US space shuttle Atlantis has said final goodbye to the Hubble Telescope after conducting days of complex repairs.
Astronauts Release Renewed Hubble Telescope Into Orbit VOA 19 May 2009 -- US astronauts released renewed Hubble Telescope back into orbit, where it is expected to continue mission for at least 5 more years.
Boeing Receives 1st Signals From IndoStar II/ProtoStar II Satellite Following Successful Launch Boeing 18 May 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and ProtoStar Ltd. today announced that the IndoStar II/ProtoStar II satellite is healthy and operating normally following the successful acquisition of the spacecraft's first on-orbit signals
Boeing, Denmark’s Systematic Pursuing Missile Defense Collaboration Boeing 18 May 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Danish systems integration and software development company Systematic today announced that they are jointly exploring opportunities in global ballistic missile defense, including potential collaboration on NATO projects
Northrop Grumman Team Completes Review of NPOESS Against Critical Design Criteria Northrop Grumman 18 May 2009 -- A Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC)-led team completed the initial review of the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) design against the critical design review (CDR) criteria.
U.S. missile shield may hamper arms reduction talks in Russia RIA Novosti 18 May 2009 -- Controversy over US plans for a missile shield in Europe may prevent a new strategic arms reduction deal.
Putin says Russia needs new rockets to increase launch market share RIA Novosti 18 May 2009 -- PM: Russia must strengthen its competitive positions on the global commercial space launch market.
Node 3 leaves Thales Alenia Space's plants, heading towards Cape Canaveral Thales 18 May 2009 -- Node 3 left Saturday 16 the Turin plant of Thales Alenia Space, heading towards NASA's Kennedy Space Center, from where it will be launched towards the International Space Station. Node 3 is an additional European-built element which will be permanently attached to the Space Station, contributing to its completion and extension. With Node 3, life in space will be more comfortable: its innovative life support system is the most sophisticated ever to be sent to space.
Russian space freighter to be 'buried' in Pacific RIA Novosti 18 May 2009 -- Progress M-66 cargo spacecraft will reenter the Earth's atmosphere before plunging into a "spaceship cemetery" in the southern Pacific.
US Astronauts Undertake 4th Spacewalk for Hubble Repairs VOA 17 May 2009 -- U.S. astronauts are wrapping up their fourth in a series of five spacewalks to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.
US Astronauts Complete 3rd Spacewalk for Hubble Repairs VOA 17 May 2009 -- Two U.S. astronauts have completed a six and a half-hour spacewalk to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.
Astronauts make 3rd spacewalk to complete Hubble repairs RIA Novosti 17 May 2009 -- Two astronauts have made a third spacewalk to complete repairs of the Hubble Space Telescope, NASA reported.
Proton-M lifts off from Baikonur with telecoms satellite onboard RIA Novosti 16 May 2009 -- A Proton-M rocket with a ProtoStar-2 telecommunication satellite has lifted off from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, Russia's space agency Roscosmos said on Saturday.
US Astronauts Work on Complex Hubble Repairs VOA 16 May 2009 -- Two U.S. astronauts on the space shuttle Atlantis are on a third spacewalk for what is expected to be the most challenging and complex repair work on the Hubble Space Telescope.
US Astronauts on 2nd Hubble Spacewalk VOA 15 May 2009 -- US astronauts on a second spacewalk as the shuttle Atlantis crew continues an ambitious and dangerous mission to service the Hubble Telescope.
Herschel - The largest space observatory on its way EADS 14 May 2009 -- The two satellites are being launched towards the Lagrange Point L-2 once again demonstrating the operational capabilities of Ariane 5. This is the only launch vehicle on the commercial market today capable of launching two payloads simultaneously, and handling a complete array of missions, from commercial launches into geostationary orbit, to scientific missions into special orbits.
Successful launch for Herschel and Planck scientific satellites Thales 14 May 2009 -- The Herschel and Planck satellites, built by Thales Alenia Space as prime and platform contractor for the European Space Agency, have been successfully launched by an Ariane 5 rocket from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou. These two space observatories, the most complex ever built in Europe, will drift to reach a stable point 1.5 million kilometers from Earth (Lagrange 2 point), to ensure the thermal conditions needed to observe some of the coldest radiation in the Universe.
US Astronauts Begin Marathon Spacewalk to Repair Hubble Telescope VOA 14 May 2009 -- Marathon spacewalk to begin making complicated and unprecedented upgrades and repairs to Hubble Telescope.
European Space Agency Seeks Secrets of Universe VOA 14 May 2009 -- European Space Agency has launched into orbit, 2 space observatories that will help scientists understand the information of the universe.
Ramstein Airmen support NASA shuttle launch AFNS 14 May 2009 -- Ramstein Air Base Airmen teamed up with New York Air National Guard members to support NASA's launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis in May.
Shuttle Captures Hubble Telescope for Repairs VOA 13 May 2009 -- Astronauts using the robot arm on the space shuttle Atlantis have captured the Hubble Space Telescope, set to undergo complex repair job.
Space Shuttle Ready to Grab Hubble Telescope VOA 13 May 2009 -- The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis and its crew have moved in close to the Hubble Space Telescope to begin an ambitious repair mission.
46th Test Wing integral part of Hubble repair AFNS 13 May 2009 -- May 13 is rendezvous time for the crew of the space shuttle Atlantis and the Hubble Space Telescope.
Russia to charge NASA $51 mln for seats on Soyuz spacecraft RIA Novosti 13 May 2009 -- Russia's Federal Space Agency and NASA have agreed on a new price for ferrying U.S. astronauts to the ISS after 2012.
Russian space freighter docks with ISS RIA Novosti 13 May 2009 -- Russia's unmanned Progress M-02M cargo spacecraft docked with the International Space Station as scheduled late on Tuesday.
Boeing to Move Missile Defense Division Headquarters to Alabama Boeing 12 May 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] will relocate the headquarters for its Missile Defense Systems (MDS) division from Arlington, Va., to the company's facilities in Huntsville, starting immediately.
Russia Offers Use of Territory for North Korean Satellite Launches VOA 12 May 2009 -- Russia is a member of the six-party talks aimed at persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program.
Atlantis to Enter Dangerous Debris Field in Earth's Orbit VOA 12 May 2009 -- Crew of the space shuttle Atlantis has discovered a 53-centimeter stretch of nicks on a few thermal tiles on the bottom of the vehicle.
Russia's Glonass system to get full state support RIA Novosti 12 May 2009 -- Russia will not cut funding for its Glonass satellite navigation program despite the current economic crisis.
New York Air Guard Conducts 100th Shuttle Mission AFPS 12 May 2009 -- Pararescuemen from the New York Air National Guard, breathed a collective sigh of relief as the space shuttle Atlantis reached orbit.
ATK Supports NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch and Plays Critical Role in Hubble Servicing Mission ATK 11 May 2009 -- Alliant Techsystem's Reusable Solid Rocket Motors (RSRM) ignited and sent NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis and its crew on their journey to repair and upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne’s Space Shuttle Main Engines Launch Astronauts for Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission Pratt & Whitney 11 May 2009 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne (PWR) once again is helping to push the boundaries of how far humanity can see into the depths of space.
Atlantis Shuttle Launched on Hubble Repair Mission VOA 11 May 2009 -- The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis has lifed off for an ambitious repair mission to the Hubble Space Telescope.
Research Lab Technology to Launch Aboard NASA Shuttle Navy NewsStand 11 May 2009 -- NRL's Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment 2 scheduled for launch aboard NASA's Space Shuttle Endeavour.
NASA Set for Final Repairs on Space Telescope VOA 08 May 2009 -- The space shuttle Atlantis is due to blast off on Monday, May 11, on its way to a rendezvous in orbit with the Hubble Space Telescope. It will be the fifth and final space repair flight to the orbiting observatory.
Russia to link missile defense in Europe with nuclear arms treaty RIA Novosti 09 May 2009 -- Russia will link U.S. plans for a missile shield in Europe with the issues of strategic offensive armaments in relations with the United States, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Sunday.
Satellites used for guiding missiles, helicopters, submarines IRNA 09 May 2009 -- Defense Minister Mohammad Mostafa-Najjar said here Saturday that the ministry uses satellites and modern facilities to guide missiles, helicopters and submarines.
Boeing Processing Skills Ensure Smooth Hubble Repair Mission Boeing 08 May 2009 -- A Boeing [NYSE: BA] team in Florida has ensured that all necessary interfaces, data systems, and hardware are ready for Space Shuttle Atlantis' mission to the Hubble Space Telescope.
Lockheed Martin Breaks Ground On New PAC-3 Missile Facility in Camden, Arkansas Lockheed Martin 08 May 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] broke ground today on an expansion of its state-of-the-art Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile production complex in Camden, AR.
Russia to launch Proton rocket with telecoms satellite on May 16 RIA Novosti 08 May 2009 -- Launch of a Proton-M rocket carrying the ProtoStar-2 telecoms satellite has been scheduled for May 16.
Russia successfully launches space freighter to ISS RIA Novosti 08 May 2009 -- Russia launched a Progress M-02M cargo spacecraft from Baikonur space center on a resupply mission to the ISS.
Transcript: DoD News Briefing with David Altwegg from the Pentagon Briefing Room, Arlington, Va. DoD 07 May 2009 -- Presenter: Executive Director, Missile Defense Agency David Altwegg
ATK Propulsion and Composites Instrumental in Successful Delta II Launch ATK 06 May 2009 -- Alliant Techsystems propulsion, composites and spacecraft technologies have key roles in the successful launch of United Launch Alliance's Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, and the mission of the Missile Defense Agency's Space Tracking and Surveillance System - Advanced Technology Risk Reduction (STSS-ATRR) satellite.
Raytheon Awarded $115 Million for Additional Patriot 'Pure Fleet' Upgrades Raytheon 06 May 2009 -- Raytheon Company has been awarded a new contract to continue "Pure Fleet" upgrades of U.S. Army Patriot Air and Missile Defense Systems.
Delta II launch successful AFNS 06 May 2009 -- Teams from the 30th Space Wing and various agencies successfully launched a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex-2 at 1:24 p.m May 5.
Japanese Reactionaries' Moves to Introduce Early Warning Satellite Blasted KCNA 06 May 2009 -- Japanese intention to introduce an early warning satellite nothing but a trick to justify turning into military giant.
Russian space freighter Progress M-66 undocks from ISS RIA Novosti 06 May 2009 -- The Russian Progress M-66 cargo spacecraft undocked from the ISS and become a temporary space lab.
Russia's Progress spacecraft ready to undock from ISS RIA Novosti 06 May 2009 -- The Russian Progress M-66 cargo spacecraft will undock from the ISS and become a temporary space lab.
Russia's Medvedev welcomes new U.S. stance on missile defense RIA Novosti 05 May 2009 -- Russian President welcomed readiness of new US administration to take on board objections to US missile shield.
Russian, Polish foreign ministers to talk missile defense, energy RIA Novosti 05 May 2009 -- Polish FM Sikorski in Moscow for a 2-day working visit to discuss European security and missile defense.
Complement on the purchasing price of the space activities acquired by Thales from Alcatel-Lucent Thales 04 May 2009 -- The 2007 agreements relative to the acquisition by Thales of the 67% stake of Alcatel-Lucent in Alcatel Alenia Space's capital included an earn-out clause whereby the final purchasing price would be subject to a re-examination by both parties in 2009, which could lead to a price complement in favour of Alcatel-Lucent.
Lockheed Martin Team Supporting Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission Lockheed Martin 04 May 2009 -- A team led by Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) is providing support to the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in the planning, training and implementation of Servicing Mission 4 (SM-4) to the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), scheduled for launch on May 11.
SAIC Launches Web-Based Processing System, Delivering Custom Landsat Imagery Directly to Customer Desktops SAIC 04 May 2009 -- Science Applications International Corporation [NYSE: SAI] today announced it has launched an innovative, web-based processing system delivering custom Landsat imagery directly to customer desktops.
Raytheon Awarded $9 Million Option for Patriot Technical Services Raytheon 01 May 2009 -- Raytheon Company has been awarded $9 million to support Patriot missile maintenance and facilities in the United States and at overseas locations.
Unit marks 50 years of NASA support AFNS 01 May 2009 -- Three NASA astronauts visited Patrick Air Force Base members April 24 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of support from the Air Force to the American space program.

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