November 2009 Space News

3rd Boeing WGS Satellite Set to Launch From Cape Canaveral Boeing 30 Nov 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced today that the third Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite it has built for the U.S. Air Force has completed prelaunch testing.
Key NPOESS Sensor Ready for Delivery; Testing on VIIRS Completed Northrop Grumman 30 Nov 2009 -- A critical sensor for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environment Satellite System (NPOESS) has successfully completed all testing at Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) subcontractor, Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN), and is ready for delivery.
Japanese Troops Conduct Successful Training and Patriot Test Firings at Fort Bliss Raytheon 30 Nov 2009 -- The Japanese Air Self Defense Forces (JASDF) concluded its annual training exercise at Fort Bliss, Texas.
ISS astronauts prepare for return to Earth RIA Novosti 30 Nov 2009 -- Three members of the International Space Station crew are making preparations for their return to Earth on a Russian spacecraft.
Russia to launch Intelsat-15 satellite after delay RIA Novosti 30 Nov 2009 -- Russia will launch a Zenit carrier rocket with a U.S. telecommunications satellite on Monday night.
U.S. telecoms satellite launch postponed RIA Novosti 30 Nov 2009 -- Launch of Zenit carrier rocket with US telecommunications satellite originally scheduled for Sunday midnight has been delayed for technical reasons.
Russia's space industry output to grow 18% in 2009 - Putin RIA Novosti 30 Nov 2009 -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Monday that the output of the national space industry in 2009 will increase by about 18%.
Large Hadron Collider sets world record - CERN RIA Novosti 30 Nov 2009 -- The Large Hadron Collider set a new world record on Monday, accelerating its twin beams of protons to unprecedented energy levels.
Space Shuttle Atlantis Returns to Earth VOA 27 Nov 2009 -- The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis and its seven astronauts are back on earth, after a smooth landing at Florida's Kennedy Space Center. The eleven-day flight resupplied the International Space Station and was one of the last for the shuttle program.
Atlantis shuttle returns from space station RIA Novosti 27 Nov 2009 -- The Atlantis shuttle landed at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday, ending a mission to deliver spare parts to the International Space Station.
Russia completes engine tests for Angara rocket RIA Novosti 27 Nov 2009 -- Russia has successfully completed bench trials of the first stage of the new Angara carrier rocket, Russia's Khrunichev Space and Research Center said on Friday.
China plans to launch second lunar orbiter in 2010 RIA Novosti 27 Nov 2009 -- China will launch its second lunar probe, Chang'e-2, in October 2010, and its first lunar rover before 2013, national media reported on Friday, citing a top space scientist.
Koreasat-6 payload left Thales Alenia Space plant in Toulouse to Orbital in Dulles, Virginia, for final assembly Thales 27 Nov 2009 -- Koreasat-6 satellite prime contractor Thales Alenia Space announced today that it has shipped the payload to Orbital Sciences Corporation for final integration aboard their STARTM platform.
Shuttle Atlantis Returns to Earth VOA 27 Nov 2009 -- The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis has returned safely to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, after completing an 11-day mission to the International Space Station.
Soyuz TMA-17 crews take final tests before flight to ISS RIA Novosti 26 Nov 2009 -- The main and backup crews for the next mission to the International Space Station (ISS) will begin on Thursday their final tests at a space training center near Moscow.
Atlantis separates from ISS, landing due Friday RIA Novosti 25 Nov 2009 -- U.S. space shuttle Atlantis undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday and is set to return to earth on Friday, NASA said.
Kazakhstan moves to play down Baikonur spat with Russia RIA Novosti 25 Nov 2009 -- Kazakhstan moved to play down a spat with Russia over a delay in a rocket launch from the Russian-leased space center in the Central Asian republic earlier this week, saying it was a result of a misunderstanding.
Successful launch for Eutelsat’s W7 satellite built by Thales Alenia Space Thales 25 Nov 2009 -- Eutelsat’s W7 satellite was successfully launched last night 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 36 degrees East longitude orbital position.
US Shuttle Atlantis Returning to Earth After Space Station Visit VOA 25 Nov 2009 -- The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis is returning to Earth after spending a week at the International Space Station to deliver tons of spare parts to the orbiting outpost.
Russia launches Eutelsat satellite RIA Novosti 24 Nov 2009 -- After a one-day delay, Russia on Tuesday finally launched a Proton-M rocket carrying the European Eutelsat W7 satellite, the Federal Space Agency said.
NASA astronauts complete third, final spacewalk RIA Novosti 24 Nov 2009 -- Astronauts Robert Satcher Jr. and Randy Bresnik have completed a third, final spacewalk, fulfilling all assignments they were supposed to, NASA said.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Successfully Powers Launch of Intelsat Communications Satellite with First Internet Router in Space Pratt & Whitney 23 Nov 2009 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne today helped boost into orbit an Intelsat communications satellite that will provide data, voice and video services for the Americas, Europe and Africa.
Lockheed Martin Successfully Launches Intelsat 14 Spacecraft Lockheed Martin 23 Nov 2009 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) this morning successfully delivered a commercial telecommunications satellite for Intelsat, the leading provider of fixed satellite services, into orbit aboard an Atlas V booster provided by United Launch Alliance.
Launch of Proton rocket carrying European satellite delayed RIA Novosti 23 Nov 2009 -- The launch of a Proton-M carrier rocket bearing the European Eutelsat W7 satellite has been delayed, the Russian Federal Space Agency Roscosmos said on Monday.
As Shuttle Nears Retirement, U.S. Weighs Options For Future Space Exploration RFE/RL 22 Nov 2009 -- With just five space shuttle flights remaining, the program that has come to symbolize U.S. space superiority for the last 30 years is coming to an end, with no replacement on the near horizon
Air Force leaders speak at 2009 Global Warfare Symposium AFNS 20 Nov 2009 -- Air Force senior leaders discussed the service's priorities, capabilities and vision in space, cyberspace and strategic deterrence.
Atlantis astronauts conduct ISS maintenance spacewalk RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2009 -- Two astronauts from U.S. shuttle Atlantis crew have completed the first spacewalk of their current mission to the ISS.
Russia launches Cosmos-series military satellite RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2009 -- Russia's Space Forces on Friday launched a Soyuz-U carrier rocket with a Cosmos-series military satellite.
Ukraine seeking part in Russia's Glonass project RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2009 -- Ukrainian PM Tymoshenko has offered Russia her country's participation in the ambitious Glonass global positioning project.
First proton beam completes loop through Large Hadron Collider RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2009 -- The first circulating beam of protons successfully made it through the entirety of the Large Hadron Collider.
Tranquility Node and Cupola, developed by Thales Alenia Space, continue their path towards next year launch Thales 20 Nov 2009 -- Astronauts on board the International Space station are moving a step closer to getting extra living and working space as the Tranquillity Node and the Cupola continue their journey towards their scheduled delivery to the space station early next year. Built by Thales Alenia Space in Italy for the European Space Agency, the Tranquillity Node ownership is being transferred from ESA to NASA during a ceremony at the Kennedy Space Centre today.
U.S. Atlantis shuttle successfully docks with ISS RIA Novosti 19 Nov 2009 -- The Atlantis shuttle successfully docked with the International Space Station.
Thales Alenia Space to deliver second flight model very-high-resolution optical imaging instrument to EADS Astrium for European Pleiades program Thales 19 Nov 2009 -- Thales Alenia Space has delivered the second flight model high-resolution (HR) optical imaging instrument for integration, testing and validation in the Pleiades earth observation satellite in construction at Astrium facilities in Toulouse.
Navy Trains NASA Astronaut Candidates Navy NewsStand 19 Nov 2009 -- Members of the 2009 astronaut candidates completed water survival, aviation physiology and aviation indoctrination flight training at Pensacola.
Large Hadron Collider to start operations in few days - CERN RIA Novosti 19 Nov 2009 -- The Large Hadron Collider will be re-launched in a few days.
Space Shuttle Atlantis Docks at ISS VOA 18 Nov 2009 -- The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis has docked at the International Space Station.
Russia could delay maiden launch of Angara rocket RIA Novosti 18 Nov 2009 -- The maiden launch of Russia's new Angara carrier rocket could be postponed for at least one year due to shortage of funds.
Northrop Grumman to Help U.S. Missile Defense Agency Integrate, Demonstrate Early Intercept Initiative Northrop Grumman 17 Nov 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) will help the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) integrate and demonstrate an early-intercept capability under a task order received September 29. The company's initial effort includes planning demonstration experiments that will enable MDA to assess technologies to intercept a missile earlier in flight using current interceptor systems.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Successfully Tests Thruster for Unmanned Lunar Lander Pratt & Whitney 17 Nov 2009 -- Using technology developed for the nation’s ballistic missile defense system, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne successfully completed hot-fire thruster tests demonstrating the ability of miniaturized thrusters to perform the descent and landing operation for a new generation of multi-use robotic lunar landers. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.
U.S. to continue using Russian spacecraft after 2010 - envoy RIA Novosti 17 Nov 2009 -- US ambassador to Moscow confirmed that US will continue to use Soyuz spacecraft after space shuttles retire from service in 2010.
NASA sends Atlantis space shuttle to ISS RIA Novosti 17 Nov 2009 -- NASA has successfully launched space shuttle Atlantis on an 11-day supply and crew rotation mission to the International Space Station.
Collider almost ready for activation RIA Novosti 17 Nov 2009 -- There have been several news announcements from CERN associated with the planned restart of the Large Hadron Collider.
ATK's Two Reusable Solid Rocket Boosters Successfully Launched Space Shuttle Atlantis ATK 16 Nov 2009 -- Alliant Techsystems' (NYSE: ATK) Reusable Solid Rocket Motors (RSRMs) once again performed flawlessly as they ignited at 2:28 p.m. EST, launching the Space Shuttle Atlantis on its mission to resupply the International Space Station (ISS) and conduct the final crew rotation for the shuttle program.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne's Space Shuttle Main Engines Deliver Hardware to Support Science Experiments Onboard the International Space Station Pratt & Whitney 16 Nov 2009 -- Three Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME) today successfully powered the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on Mission STS-129 to deliver experiments, hardware and supplies to the International Space Station (ISS). The SSME is the only fully reusable high performance rocket engine rated for human space flight. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.
Island Paradise at the Forefront of Missile Defense Army News 16 Nov 2009 -- The 32nd largest island in the U.S., Guam, currently finds its self the primary focus of world-wide missile defense.
Acadamy space weather experiment heads into space AFNS 16 Nov 2009 -- US Air Force Academy space weather experiment heads for the International Space Station aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis.
Space Shuttle Atlantis Lifts Off VOA 16 Nov 2009 -- The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis is on its way to the International Space Station.
Thales Alenia Space statement concerning In Orbit Acceptance Review of the Palapa-D satellite Thales 16 Nov 2009 -- Thales Alenia Space announced that the Palapa-D communications satellite has successfully passed the In Orbit Acceptance Review.
CERN's particle collider could be re-launched this week RIA Novosti 16 Nov 2009 -- The European Organization for Nuclear Research could re-start its Large Hadron Collider this week.
Raytheon Awarded $20 Million for Spares to Support Upgraded Kuwait Patriot Radar Systems Raytheon 15 Nov 2009 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a $20.5 million Foreign Military Sales contract for spares to support planned Patriot Configuration-3 system upgrades for the State of Kuwait.
NASA experiment reveals large volume of water on moon RIA Novosti 14 Nov 2009 -- Data from last month's lunar research mission has revealed that the grey planet contains a large amount of frozen water, NASA has said.
NASA finds water reserves on Moon RIA Novosti 14 Nov 2009 -- A NASA lunar mission has uncovered ice reserves in a crater near the Moon's south pole, NASA has said on its website.
Three-ton Rosetta's journey to a comet RIA Novosti 14 Nov 2009 -- The spacecraft Rosetta, designed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and launched five years ago, completed a high-orbit "flyby" of Earth on November 13, taking advantage of our planet's gravitational energy to catapult it towards its destination
Boeing Provides and Processes Large Spare Parts for International Space Station Boeing 13 Nov 2009 -- When Space Shuttle Atlantis launches from Kennedy Space Center on Nov. 16 to begin its journey to the International Space Station (ISS), it will carry more than 14 tons of large spare parts, many of which were designed or built by The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA]. The parts, which Boeing also processed for launch, are critical to sustaining the ISS once the space shuttle fleet retires in late 2010.
Orbital Successfully Launches Medium Range Target for Japanese Missile Defense Test Orbital Sciences Corp. 13 Nov 2009 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that it successfully launched a medium range target (MRT) vehicle under a direct contract with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
Italy dismisses participation in Iran satellite launch project RIA Novosti 11 Nov 2009 -- Italy's foreign ministry has dismissed media reports about the country's participation in the Iranian project to launch a low orbiting research satellite, the ANSA news agency has said.
Lockheed Martin Ready For Launch Of Intelsat 14 Spacecraft Lockheed Martin 11 Nov 2009 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) is in the final stages of preparation for Saturday’s launch of a commercial telecommunications satellite for Intelsat, the world’s leading provider of fixed satellite services, aboard an Atlas V booster provided by United Launch Alliance. The launch window opens at 12:48 a.m. EST and extends until 2:18 a.m. The launch can be viewed live at www.ulalaunch.com beginning at 12:30 a.m. EST.
Commentary: Russia to develop nuclear-powered spacecraft for Mars mission RIA Novosti 11 Nov 2009 -- At its recent meeting, the Presidential Commission for Modernization and Technological Development of Russia's Economy called for developing a transport-energy module with a megawatt-class nuclear propulsion unit
Russia sends research module to ISS RIA Novosti 10 Nov 2009 -- Russia launched on Tuesday a Soyuz carrier rocket with a fourth Russian module for the International Space Station, the Russian Federal Space Agency Roscosmos said.
Russian company set to bail out Sea Launch project RIA Novosti 10 Nov 2009 -- RSC-Energia, a leading Russian spacecraft maker, is putting a strong effort to revive its bankrupt Sea Launch joint international project, the head of the company said on Tuesday.
Iran to launch satellite with Italian help in 2011 RIA Novosti 10 Nov 2009 -- Iran will launch a low orbiting research satellite in cooperation with an Italian company in 2011, Iranian media reported on Tuesday.
Russia's Energia Corp. 'doubles' spacecraft production RIA Novosti 09 Nov 2009 -- Russia's space corporation Energia is doubling production of manned spacecraft, Energia's president said on Monday.
General Dynamics Achieves Satellite Ground System Milestone for U.S. Navy’s Mobile User Objective System General Dynamics 09 Nov 2009 -- A team led by General Dynamics C4 Systems has successfully completed the second of three incremental ground segment tests for the U.S. Navy’s Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), the U.S. military’s next-generation narrowband satellite communications system. The company will provide the user entry and integrated ground segments to Lockheed Martin, prime contactor for the MUOS program.
Mini Space Elevator Races for $900K Prize VOA 07 Nov 2009 -- A team from the U.S. state of Washington has won $900,000 from NASA for building a miniature space elevator.
Russia ships Soyuz carrier rockets to Kourou spaceport RIA Novosti 07 Nov 2009 -- A special cargo ship carrying parts of two Russian Soyuz-ST rockets on Saturday left the port of St. Petersburg, heading to the Kourou space site, the Russian space agency said.
Warsaw denies asking for U.S. troops to defend Poland RIA Novosti 06 Nov 2009 -- Warsaw denied Russian media reports that Polish FM Sikorski asked Washington to deploy US troops to protect Poland from Russia.
Russian Deputy Says Polish Comments Could Hurt Relations RFE/RL 06 Nov 2009 -- A Russian Duma deputy says that comments by Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski could harm Russian-Polish relations.
NASA seeks student payloads for high-flying research balloon AFNS 06 Nov 2009 -- NASA is accepting applications from students at US colleges and universities who want to send experiments to the edge of space.
General calls for focus on protecting satellites AFNS 05 Nov 2009 -- The chief of U.S. Strategic Command wants better tools for protecting against threats from space debris.
Lavrov says surprised Poland seeking U.S. protection from Russia RIA Novosti 05 Nov 2009 -- Moscow is surprised at media reports that Poland is seeking to host U.S. troops to protect it from Russia.
Russia set to ship Soyuz carrier rockets to Kourou RIA Novosti 05 Nov 2009 -- Ship carrying parts of two Russian Soyuz-ST rockets will leave St. Petersburg on November 7, heading to the Kourou space center.
Raytheon Awarded $6 Million for Patriot Engineering ServicesRaytheon 04 Nov 2009 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a $5.8 million contract modification for engineering services for the Patriot Air and Missile Defense system.
NRL Sensor Provides Critical Space Weather Observations Navy NewsStand 03 Nov 2009 -- The Navy Research Laboratory's Special Sensor Ultraviolet Limb Imager launched Oct. 18, 2009.
Soil moisture and ocean salinity to be measured from space RIA Novosti 03 Nov 2009 -- Early in the morning of November 2, a Rokot carrier rocket was launched into orbit from Russia's Plesetsk Space Center.
Astrium to provide satellite communications for the German navyEADS 02 Nov 2009 -- The contract, which will be delivered by Astrium’s Secure Satcom Systems Division, will provide the F125 with the capability to conduct operations on a global scale by providing secure high bandwidth communications over Germany’s forthcoming SATCOM BW2 and other allied networks.
SMOS Earth observation satellite successfully launched Thales 02 Nov 2009 -- The SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) Earth observation satellite has been successfully launched by a Rockot launcher from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia.
SMOS – The latest satellite to monitor climate change is placed in orbitEADS 02 Nov 2009 -- The SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity mission) satellite was launched this morning by a Rockot launcher from the Plesetsk cosmodrome. The satellite is a Franco-Spanish project, which involves the Centre of National Space Studies, CNES in France, the Centre for the Technological and Industrial Development, CDTI in Spain and the European Space Agency, ESA, as part of its “Living Planet” Earth observation programme.
Lockheed Martin Team Avionics And Ground Systems Soar On NASA’s Ares I-X Successful Flight TestLockheed Martin 02 Nov 2009 -- Lockheed Martin’s [NYSE: LMT] avionics and ground system were fundamental to last week’s picture perfect flight test of NASA’s Ares I-X launch vehicle from Kennedy Space Center, FL.
Lockheed Martin-Built GPS Satellite Achieves 10 Years Of On-Orbit OperationsLockheed Martin 02 Nov 2009 -- The third Global Positioning System Block IIR (GPS IIR-3) satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] to provide significantly improved navigation capabilities for military and civilian users worldwide, has reached 10 years of successful on-orbit operational service.
Russian rocket puts 2 European satellites into orbit RIA Novosti 02 Nov 2009 -- Two European satellites, the SMOS spacecraft and the Proba-2 mini-satellite, were successfully put into orbit by a Rokot carrier rocket.

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