July 2009 Space News

Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Test Successful Navy NewsStand 31 Jul 2009 -- In conjunction with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), U.S. Pacific Fleet ships and crews successfully conducted the latest Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) at-sea firing event on July 30.
Boeing Supports Successful Intercept Test of Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System Boeing 31 Jul 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] played a key role yesterday in the U.S. Navy's successful test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) weapon system, which intercepted a ballistic missile target with a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3).
Lockheed Martin Aegis BMD Weapon System Intercepts Ballistic Missile Target, Successfully Tests New Capabilities Lockheed Martin 31 Jul 2009 -- Lockheed Martin’s [NYSE: LMT] Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) System today destroyed a ballistic missile target in an at-sea firing under operationally realistic conditions.
Raytheon Standard Missile-3 Achieves 15th Hit-To-Kill Intercept in Space Raytheon 31 Jul 2009 -- A Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) Standard Missile-3 destroyed a short-range ballistic missile target in space July 30. The test marked the 15th hit-to-kill intercept for SM-3 and the 19th missile intercept of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense program.
Space Fence program awards contracts for concept development AFNS 31 Jul 2009 -- Last month's award of three $30-million concept development contracts for the Space Fence program will yield an outcropping of risk reduction activities designed to improve the overall space surveillance network.
Space Shuttle Endeavour Returns Home VOA 31 Jul 2009 -- The U.S. space shuttle Endeavour has returned home, capping a nearly two-week mission to the International Space Station that included a series of spacewalks.
Russia delivers 6 new international satellites into orbit RIA Novosti 30 Jul 2009 -- A converted Russian ICBM has placed six scientific and commercial foreign satellites into orbit, the Russian Space Agency Roscosmos announced on Thursday.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Conducts Final Planned Test on Historic Space Shuttle Main Engine Pratt & Whitney 29 Jul 2009 -- Capping a legacy that spans 34 years, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne completed the final planned test on a Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) today at the John C. Stennis Space Center (SSC) in Mississippi.
Boeing to Bid as Prime Contractor for NASA Exploration Ground Launch Services Contract Boeing 29 Jul 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it plans to bid as prime contractor for the Exploration Ground Launch Services (EGLS) program to provide ground systems integration and launch operations for Constellation, NASA's next-generation space-exploration initiative.
Russian space freighter docks with ISS RIA Novosti 29 Jul 2009 -- Russia's Progress M-67 cargo spacecraft successfully docked on Wednesday with the International Space Station (ISS), Russian Mission Control said.
Boeing Tracking and Data Relay Satellite Program Completes Ground System Review Boeing 28 Jul 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced today that the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) K program successfully completed its Ground Detailed Design Review (GDDR), held June 2-4 at NASA’s White Sands Complex, N.M.
Raytheon Technology to Help Pave Way for Man's Next Journey to Moon Raytheon 27 Jul 2009 -- Sensing technology developed by Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) for the U.S. Navy's miniaturized radio frequency system has begun its one-year mission to determine whether the polar regions of the moon contain ice.
Shuttle Astronauts On Final Spacewalk of Current Mission VOA 27 Jul 2009 -- Two astronauts aboard the U.S. space shuttle Endeavour are on the final spacewalk of their mission, to continue work on the International Space Station.
Russia set to launch Progress M-67 space freighter to ISS RIA Novosti 24 Jul 2009 -- A Russian Soyuz-U carrier rocket will lift off on Friday from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan with the Progress M-67 space freighter for the International Space Station (ISS).
U.S. Air Force Accepts Second Lockheed Martin SBIRS HEO System For Operations Lockheed Martin 24 Jul 2009 -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]-led team developing the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) announced today that the second Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO-2) payload and ground system modifications have been accepted for operations by the U.S Air Force, paving the way for U.S. Strategic Command’s formal certification of the HEO-2 system next month.
Astronauts Begin Long Spacewalk VOA 24 Jul 2009 -- U.S. astronauts Chris Cassidy and Tom Marshburn have embarked on a seven-and-a-half hour spacewalk to catch up on leftover tasks.
Arrow Missile Defense Test Conducted in the US Israel Aerospace Industries 23 Jul 2009 -- The following announcement was issued by Israel's Ministry of Defence spokesman on July, 23th, 2009:
NASA's Northrop Grumman-Built Chandra X-Ray Observatory Marks 10th Anniversary On-Orbit Northrop Grumman 22 Jul 2009 -- Chandra X-ray Observatory, NASA's flagship mission for X-ray astronomy built by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), was launched into orbit by the Space Shuttle 10 years ago on July 23, 1999 and almost immediately began to expand the frontiers of astronomy.
Hawaii chosen to host world's largest telescope RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2009 -- The world's largest telescope will be built on top of the dormant Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii.
Century's longest eclipse leaves Asia in the dark RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2009 -- Millions of people gathered across Asia on Wednesday as the 21st century's longest eclipse swept across the continent.
Army colonel completes first spacewalk Army News 21 Jul 2009 -- Army Col. Tim Kopra participated in the first space walk of the Space Shuttle Endeavor, STS-127.
U.S. astronauts make 202nd spacewalk since first moon landing RIA Novosti 21 Jul 2009 -- Astronauts from space shuttle Endeavour carried out a spacewalk to mark the 40th anniversary of first moon landing.
Russian Cosmos-3M rocket puts 2 satellites in orbit RIA Novosti 21 Jul 2009 -- A Russian carrier rocket has successfully put one military and one civilian satellite into orbit.
Russia launches 2 satellites from Plesetsk space center RIA Novosti 21 Jul 2009 -- A Russian rocket carrying one military and one civilian satellite lifted off from the Plesetsk space center in northern Russia.
ATK and NASA Unveil Ares I First Stage Five-Segment Solid Rocket Booster ATK 20 Jul 2009 -- NASA and Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) marked a major milestone on the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing on the moon, signifying the next steps in space travel to the moon and beyond, as they unveiled the first completed Ares I first stage five-segment solid rocket booster.
Boeing to Build Spin Mechanism for Earth-Observing NASA Spacecraft Boeing 20 Jul 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] on July 8 received a contract from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to provide a subsystem for a new spacecraft that will help scientists understand the effects of global warming on water systems and crop yields.
New Lockheed Martin-Built Military Communications Satellite Completes Environmental Testing Lockheed Martin 20 Jul 2009 -- The first of a new generation of military communications satellites built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] for the U.S. Air Force has successfully completed final thermal vacuum testing at the company's Sunnyvale, Calif. facilities.
Northrop Grumman-Built NPOESS Instrument Achieves Key Milestone; ATMS Approved for Manufacturing and Production Northrop Grumman 20 Jul 2009 -- An instrument being built by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) has completed a key production milestone, Manufacturing Readiness Review (MRR).
European Space Agency and Thales Alenia Space sign a contract for the development of EXPERT Thales 20 Jul 2009 -- The European Space Agency (ESA) and Thales Alenia Space have signed a contract for the development of the atmospheric re-entry test-bed EXPERT (EPERimental Re-entry Test-bed).
Astronauts Embark on Spacewalk VOA 20 Jul 2009 -- Astronauts aboard the International Space Station are on a spacewalk, the second of five scheduled during the shuttle Endeavour's 11-day mission at the station.
America Marks 40th Anniversary of Apollo 11 Moon Landing VOA 20 Jul 2009 -- US President Obama reaffirming commitment to space exploration as America marks the 40th anniversary of first moon landing.
Astronaut Armstrong Remembers Historic Apollo 11 Mission VOA 20 Jul 2009 -- First man to set foot on the moon has hailed the space race of the 1950s and '60s as an example of peaceful competition.
John Glenn Champions Exploration in Space, Public Service on Earth VOA 20 Jul 2009 -- Flight has defined most of John Glenn's life.
Man Who Walked on Moon Looks to Mars VOA 19 Jul 2009 -- Legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who landed on the moon 40 years ago Monday, says the United States should set its sights on a mission to Mars.
Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Supports Air Force Launch Navy NewsStand 19 Jul 2009 -- NSCW Port Hueneme engineers served as sensor mission managers in support of the MDA participation in USAF's "Glory Trip 199" Minuteman III launch.
Endeavour Crew Begins First Spacewalk VOA 18 Jul 2009 -- Astronauts from the U.S. space shuttle Endeavour have set out on the first spacewalk of their mission at the International Space Station.
Navy's ANDE-2 Launched Aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour Navy NewsStand 17 Jul 2009 -- The Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL) satellite suite, the Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment 2 (ANDE-2), launched aboard NASA's Space Shuttle Endeavour July 15.
NASA Prepares for Return to Moon, Missions Beyond VOA 17 Jul 2009 -- US agency working on plans for a return to the moon and an even more ambitious plan to use the moon as a base for missions to Mars.
Shuttle Endeavour Docks With Space Station VOA 17 Jul 2009 -- The space shuttle Endeavour has docked with the International Space Station, after a two-day trip to reach the orbiting outpost.
Boeing Statement on Missile Defense Staffing Reductions Boeing 16 Jul 2009 -- The Boeing Company today issued the following statement regarding work force reductions on the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program
US Remembers 40-Year Anniversary of Moon Landing VOA 16 Jul 2009 -- Forty years ago, on July 20, 1969, the first person set foot on the moon, a monumental feat that captivated an audience of one billion people around the globe and heralded in the era of modern space flight.
Boeing Signs 4-Satellite Contract With Intelsat Boeing 16 Jul 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced that Intelsat Ltd., the world's leading provider of fixed satellite services, has selected Boeing to build four telecommunication satellites that will refresh and add new capacity to Intelsat's global satellite fleet
Astronauts Survey Shuttle for Damage After Launch VOA 16 Jul 2009 -- Astronauts aboard Endeavour began inspecting the shuttle's heat shield for possible damage after launch.
Endeavour shuttle blasts off to ISS RIA Novosti 16 Jul 2009 -- The Endeavour space shuttle has been launched to the International Space Station after a month's delay, carrying seven astronauts.
Apollo 11 Moon Landing Opened New Vistas VOA 16 Jul 2009 -- The Apollo 11 lunar landing on July 20, 1969, was the culmination of the longtime human dream of reaching the moon.
NASA Unveils Newly Restored Moonwalk Video VOA 16 Jul 2009 -- Forty years to the day after Apollo 11 astronauts blasted off, NASA previewed restored video of the first moon walk.
ATK's Solid Rockets Instrumental to the Launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour ATK 15 Jul 2009 -- Alliant Techsystems' (NYSE: ATK) Reusable Solid Rocket Motors (RSRM) ignited at 6:03 p.m. EDT, launching the Space Shuttle Endeavour and its crew on their 16-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
NPOESS Preparatory Project Ground Segment Ready for Operations Raytheon 15 Jul 2009 -- The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) team reached a major milestone as the final portion of the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) ground system was transitioned to operations.
Raytheon Awarded $30 Million for Space Fence System Design and Prototyping Raytheon 15 Jul 2009 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) was awarded one of three $30 million contracts for Phase A system design and prototype of the Space Fence system.
Missile Defense and Arms Control: Are They Linked? VOA 15 Jul 2009 -- Russia continues to strongly oppose the U.S. plan to station a ballistic-missile defense system in Eastern Europe.
Russia outwitted U.S. strategic defenses with missile test RIA Novosti 15 Jul 2009 -- US unable to detect the presence of Russian strategic submarines in the Arctic before they test-launched two ballistic missiles.
Shuttle Carrying Japanese Lab to Space Station VOA 15 Jul 2009 -- Space shuttle Endeavour has launched on a mission to finish construction of a new science lab at the International Space Station.
Moon Rocks Led to New Insights in Early Solar System VOA 15 Jul 2009 -- Forty years ago this month, the first astronauts landed on the moon.
First Advanced Satellite Communications Production Terminals Complete Testing Raytheon 14 Jul 2009 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and the U.S. Army recently completed successful testing of the first Advanced Extremely High Frequency, or AEHF, satellite communications production terminals.
Missile Defense Diversity Equals Strength, General Says AFPS 14 Jul 2009 -- Missile Defense Agency’s director: Layers and diversity of US missile defense program are its biggest strengths.
Lockheed Martin to Develop Concept for New U.S. Navy Air and Missile Defense Radar Lockheed Martin 14 Jul 2009 -- The U.S. Navy has awarded Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] a $10 million firm-fixed-price contract to perform concept studies for the Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR), a scalable solid-state radar suite for future surface combatants.
NASA postpones shuttle Endeavour launch until Wednesday RIA Novosti 14 Jul 2009 -- Launch of space shuttle Endeavour has been put back once again due to bad weather around the launch pad.
Third Space Shuttle Delay Due to Weather VOA 14 Jul 2009 -- Once again, thunderstorms have forced a delay for the launch of the U.S. space shuttle Endeavour.
Mars-500 crew report good health after experiment RIA Novosti 14 Jul 2009 -- Russian and foreign volunteers felt well after a 105-day experiment to simulate a flight to Mars.
Second Mars-500 flight simulation experiment to end in Moscow RIA Novosti 14 Jul 2009 -- Experiment to simulate a flight to Mars will be concluded at the Institute of Medical and Biological Studies in Moscow.
Northrop Grumman Awarded Contract to Develop Space Fence Technology Northrop Grumman 13 Jul 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded the first phase of a $30 million firm-fixed price U.S. Air Force contract to develop a global space surveillance ground radar system.
Raytheon Standard Missile-3 Block IB Completes Major Development Milestone Raytheon 13 Jul 2009 -- The Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) Standard Missile-3 Block IB program completed its critical design review. Completing the CDR clears the way for a 2010 flight test and eventual deployment to the Missile Defense Agency's Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense systems.
Storms Threaten Monday Launch of Space Shuttle VOA 13 Jul 2009 -- Space shuttle Endeavour is set to launch on a mission to the International Space Station, after a series of weather delays.
NASA again delays shuttle Endeavour launch RIA Novosti 13 Jul 2009 -- Launch of space shuttle Endeavour put back once again due to bad weather around the launch pad at Cape Canaveral.
Countdown to Launch for Endeavor, Army Astronaut Army News 13 Jul 2009 -- After a two-day delay, the countdown to launch of space shuttle Endeavour is under way.
Space Shuttle Launch Delayed VOA 11 Jul 2009 -- The U.S. space agency NASA has postponed the launch of the space shuttle Endeavour, to investigate possible damage to instrument panels from lightning strikes at the launch pad.
NASA delays Endeavour launch by 24 hours RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2009 -- The launch of space shuttle Endeavour has been delayed by 24 hours to "allow technical teams additional time to evaluate lightning strikes at Launch Pad 39A that occurred during Friday's thunderstorm," NASA said Saturday.
Boeing/Iridium Team Completes High Integrity GPS Program Milestones Boeing 10 Jul 2009 -- A team led by Boeing [NYSE: BA] with support from Iridium Satellite LLC today announced that it has achieved two major milestones to further develop and demonstrate capability enhancements to the High Integrity Global Positioning System (GPS) program for the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory.
ESC, MITRE officials take hands-on approach to terminal management AFNS 09 Jul 2009 -- Officials at Electronic Systems Center and MITRE Corp. are taking a hands-on approach to managing a major satellite communications terminal program, especially now that they have purchased and set one up in their own backyard.
Raytheon Completes Critical Milestone for Mobile X-band Radar System Raytheon 09 Jul 2009 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) recently completed integration and acceptance testing of an integral element of the mobile and adaptable AN/TPY-2 X-band radar system at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
2 Airmen chosen as astronaut candidates AFNS 09 Jul 2009 -- Two Air Force officers have been chosen by NASA officials for the 2009 Astronaut Candidate Class July 9.
Northrop Grumman Plays Major Role in NASA's Development of Alternate Astronaut Escape System Northrop Grumman 08 Jul 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) played a major role in NASA's development of an alternate astronaut escape system that was successfully demonstrated today in a simulated launch abort test.
Orbital Selected by NASA to Build New Space Science Satellite to Study X-Ray Polarization Orbital Sciences Corp. 08 Jul 2009 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that it has been selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to design, manufacture, integrate and test a new low-Earth orbit (LEO) space science satellite that will study X-ray polarization in space
U.S. puts missile defense on hold - Russian MP RIA Novosti 08 Jul 2009 -- Senior Russian MP: Washington has frozen its missile defense plans for Europe and could subsequently review them.
Astrium conducts European Space Agency (ESA) study on a new transport system for return to Earth: the Advanced Re-entry Vehicle (ARV) EADS 07 Jul 2009 -- “Astrium, in its role as industrial prime contractor for the Columbus laboratory and the ATV, has built up leading edge competencies which will pave the way for the development of transporting cargo for return to Earth,” said Dr. Michael Menking, Head of Orbital Systems and Space Exploration, Astrium. “It would be possible to have a European unmanned cargo transport system based on the ATV ready for its first demonstration flight by 2016.”
Russia's Lavrov says U.S. missile shield plans counterproductive RIA Novosti 07 Jul 2009 -- Moscow hopes Washington will realize the 'counter productivity' of its plan to deploy missile shield in central Europe.
Obama pledges to consider Russia's missile defense concerns RIA Novosti 07 Jul 2009 -- US President Obama pledged to consider Russia's concerns on missile defense.
NASA research to help aircraft avoid ocean storms, turbulence AFNS 07 Jul 2009 -- NASA officials funding development of system to provide aircraft with updates about severe storms and turbulence as they fly.
Joint Statement by Russian President Medvedev and US Obama on Missile Defense Issues The White House 06 Jul 2009
James Webb Space Telescope Core Completes Thermal Testing Northrop Grumman 06 Jul 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has completed testing on a model of the "core" section of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to validate the observatory's sophisticated thermal modeling and design.
Medvedev says U.S. missile shield must balance others' interests RIA Novosti 06 Jul 2009 -- Medvedev: Necessary to link any resolution of missile defense in Europe with other countries' interests.
Russia orbits three Cosmos-series military satellites RIA Novosti 06 Jul 2009 -- A Rokot carrier rocket has orbited three Russian military satellites.
Thales Alenia Space welcomes Globalstar funding news ensuring second-generation constellation production Thales 05 Jul 2009 -- Thales Alenia Space welcomes the announcement by Globalstar, Inc. that it has received complete financing for its second-generation satellite constellation. As prime contractor on this program, Thales Alenia Space had adjusted its satellite production rate to enable its customer to finalize negotiations with its consortium of banks. Thales Alenia Space had also supported the company’s application to receive a guarantee from the trade-credit insurance company Coface.
U.S. to give up missile shield plans - Russian upper house speaker RIA Novosti 04 Jul 2009 -- The speaker of the Russian parliament's upper house said Saturday the United States could give up its plans to deploy a missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Putin: US-Russia Ties Will Improve if US Halts Missile Defense Plans VOA 03 Jul 2009 -- Russian PM: US-Russian relations will move forward if the United States gives up missile defense system in Central Europe.
Northrop Grumman Delivers Second Demonstration Satellite for Space Tracking and Surveillance System Northrop Grumman 02 Jul 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) completed delivery of both Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) demonstration satellites on June 25, 2009, when the second satellite arrived at the U.S. Air Force's Cape Canaveral Air Station for launch preparation. The company delivered the first STSS demonstration satellite on May 1, 2009.
Russia to push link between missile defense, strategic arms cuts RIA Novosti 02 Jul 2009 -- Moscow will discuss arms reduction only in connection with US plans for a missile shield in central Europe.
Space shuttle Endeavour due for launch on July 11 - NASA RIA Novosti 02 Jul 2009 -- Launch of space shuttle Endeavour planned to go ahead on July 11 after tests on the craft's external fuel tanks.
Russia Still Opposes US Plan for Missile Shield in Eastern Europe VOA 01 Jul 2009 -- Russia strongly opposes the U.S. plan to station a missile defense system in Eastern Europe.
Russian Proton-M carrier rocket orbits U.S. telecoms satellite RIA Novosti 01 Jul 2009 -- A Proton-M carrier rocket put into orbit on Wednesday a US telecommunications satellite.
ATK Awarded Contract for Ares I Upper Stage Ullage Motor ATK 01 Jul 2009 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) was selected by The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) to manufacture the upper stage ullage motors for the new Ares I launch vehicle.
Astrium’s 45th Ariane 5 successfully launched EADS 01 Jul 2009 -- On 1 July 2009, at 2.52 p.m. (Kourou time), 6.52 p.m. (UK time), another Ariane 5 developed and built by Astrium was successfully launched from Kourou, French Guiana, with the world’s largest commercial telecommunications satellite on board, TerreStar-1.

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