December 2009 Space News

Roscosmos to consider project to save Earth from asteroid RIA Novosti 30 Dec 2009 -- Roscosmos will soon consider a project to prevent a large asteroid from colliding with Earth after 2030, the head of Russia's space agency said on Wednesday.
Boeing-Built DIRECTV 12 Satellite Delivers 1st Signals From Space Boeing 29 Dec 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has received the first on-orbit signals from DIRECTV 12 nine hours after launch, indicating that the satellite is healthy and operating normally
Russian Proton rocket delivers U.S. telecoms satellite into orbit RIA Novosti 29 Dec 2009 -- A Russian Proton-M carrier rocket has delivered into orbit the U.S. telecommunications satellite DirecTV-12, the Russian Space Agency Roscosmos said.
Putin Urges US to Provide Missile Defense Information VOA 29 Dec 2009 -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Tuesday urged the United States to provide Moscow with data about U.S. missile defense developments as part of an information exchange under a new arms treaty. The previous treaty expired December 5.
Russia to continue offensive arms to balance U.S. shield - Putin RIA Novosti 29 Dec 2009 -- Russia will continue developing offensive armaments to counter U.S. missile defenses, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin told reporters on Tuesday.
U.S. firm wins contracts to produce Patriot system for Taiwan CNA 24 Dec 2009 -- U.S. defense manufacturer Raytheon Company said Wednesday that it has been awarded contracts worth a total of US$1.1 billion to produce new Patriot Air and Missile Defense System for Taiwan.
U.S. to deliver Patriot air defense systems to Taiwan RIA Novosti 24 Dec 2009 -- U.S. Raytheon Company has announced it has received defense orders worth $1.1 billion to supply Taiwan with advanced Patriot air defense systems.
Orbital and Thales Alenia Space Receive Contract for OverHorizon Commerical Communications Satellite Orbital Sciences Corp. 23 Dec 2009 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that it has signed a contract for a new geosynchronous (GEO) communications satellite contract with OverHorizon, with offices in the U.S., Sweden and Cyprus.
Raytheon Receives $1.1 Billion Order to Advance Taiwan's Patriot Capability Raytheon 23 Dec 2009 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has received Foreign Military Sales contract awards totaling $1.1 billion to fund new production of the combat-proven Patriot Air and Missile Defense System for Taiwan. The awards include ground-system hardware through an initial contract valued at $965.6 million and an initial spares contract valued at $134.4 million.
Rocket-motor test supports NASA, DOD and commercial missions AFNS 23 Dec 2009 -- A high-visibility test on a second-stage developmental rocket motor set a new record in the Arnold Engineering Development Center's J-6 large-rocket motor-testing facility Dec. 9.
Naval Research Lab Studies Solar Storms AFPS 23 Dec 2009 -- Imagine a threat to the global community with the potential to damage communication satellites, interrupt navigation systems, shut down regional power grids, impede oil and gas exploration, expose aircraft crews to high levels of radiation, and endanger the lives of astronauts.
Iran to unveil military satellite in February RIA Novosti 23 Dec 2009 -- Iran will present a new-generation military satellite in early February, the country's defense minister said on Wednesday.
Russia's Soyuz TMA-17 docks with space station RIA Novosti 23 Dec 2009 -- Russia's Soyuz TMA-17 spacecraft carrying a crew of three has docked with the International Space Station (ISS), Mission Control said Wednesday.
European Space Agency (ESA) awards development contract for Ariane 5 Midlife Evolution (ME) to Astrium EADS 21 Dec 2009 -- The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a contract with Astrium for the initial development phase of its programme to enhance the performance of the Ariane launch vehicle and make it even more competitive.
Orbital Receives Contract for HYLAS 2 Commercial Communications Satellite From Avanti Orbital Sciences Corp. 21 Dec 2009 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that it has signed a contract with London-based Avanti Communications Group plc for a new geosynchronous (GEO) communications satellite.
Soyuz spacecraft blasts off to space station RIA Novosti 21 Dec 2009 -- The Soyuz TMA-17 spacecraft which is to carry three astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) was launched in the early hours of Monday, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported.
Soyuz spaceship crew ready for blastoff to space station RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2009 -- The crew of a Russian Soyuz spaceship is ready for early Monday's blastoff to the International Space Station (ISS), the spaceship commander said Sunday.
Russia, Japan to draft space cooperation agreement RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2009 -- Russia's Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will draft an agreement on space cooperation, the Roscosmos chief said Sunday.
Russia to start research into spacecraft nuclear engines in 2010 RIA Novosti 20 Dec 2009 -- Russia will launch research into nuclear engines for spaceships from 2010, the head of the Federal Space Agency said on Sunday.
Orbital Awarded Phase 2 Contract for "System F6" Satellite Program by DARPA Orbital Sciences Corp. 18 Dec 2009 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB), a world leader in smaller-sized civil government and national security satellites, announced today that it has been awarded a Phase 2 contract by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Arlington, VA, to develop the final design for “System F6” (Future Fast, Flexible, Fractionated, Free-Flying Spacecraft).
Successful launch of Helios 2B satellite Thales 18 Dec 2009 -- The Helios 2B military observation satellite, built for the French Ministry of Defence by EADS Astrium as prime contractor and featuring a very-high-resolution optical imaging instrument produced by Thales Alenia Space, was successfully launched today by Arianespace, using an Ariane 5 rocket, from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.
BAE SYSTEMS SPACE COMPUTER GIVES WISDOM TO THE WISE BAE Systems 17 Dec 2009 -- A BAE Systems space computer has taken flight on a NASA satellite that is creating an infrared map of the universe. The BAE Systems RAD750® computer processes data and performs other critical functions aboard NASA's WISE (Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer) satellite, built by Ball Aerospace and launched Dec. 14.
Orbital Awarded New Contract for IS-23 Communications Satellite by Intelsat Orbital Sciences Corp. 17 Dec 2009 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB), one of the world’s leading space technology companies, today announced that it has been selected by Intelsat, S.A., the leading provider of fixed satellite services, to design, build and deliver the Intelsat 23 (IS-23) commercial communications satellite.
Army Astronaut T.J. Creamer prepares for first spaceflight Army News 17 Dec 2009 -- Army Astronaut Col. Timothy J. Creamer will be heading to the ISS as part of Expedition 22 via the Russian Soyuz TMA-17.
Boeing-Built GOES-14 Weather Satellite Accepted Into Service by NASA, NOAA Boeing 17 Dec 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that GOES-14 (formerly GOES-O), the second satellite in a series of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites built by Boeing for NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has completed on-orbit testing and been accepted into service. NOAA will use GOES-14 to accurately predict storms and monitor weather conditions across approximately 60 percent of the planet, including the United States.
Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System Upgrade Successfully Tracks Sophisticated Missile Targets in Exercise Series Lockheed Martin 17 Dec 2009 -- The second generation of Lockheed Martin’s [NYSE: LMT] Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system, BMD 4.0.1, successfully detected, tracked and conducted simulated engagements against a variety of different ballistic missile targets during a series of tracking exercises in the Pacific.
Lockheed Martin Team Passes Critical Design Review for Solar Ultraviolet Imager for GOES-R Satellite Series Lockheed Martin 17 Dec 2009 -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team, awarded a contract by NASA in 2007 to design and build the agency’s Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI) for the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-R Series, has met the requirements of a Critical Design Review.
Combatant Commands Conduct Missile Exercise AFPS 17 Dec 2009 -- U.S. Joint Forces Command, in partnership with U.S. Strategic Command, concluded a two-day proof-of-concept missile exercise.
NATO chief expects joint missile defense with Russia by 2020 RIA Novosti 17 Dec 2009 -- NATO Secretary General expressed hope that the alliance and Russia would establish a joint missile defense system by 2020.
France to launch reconnaissance satellite on Thursday RIA Novosti 17 Dec 2009 -- An Ariane-5 carrier rocket carrying a French defense ministry reconnaissance satellite will be launched from the Kourou launch site.
Iran attends APSCO meeting in China IRNA 17 Dec 2009 -- A number of Iranian officials attended the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization meeting that started its work officially.
ATK Successfully Tests Orion Launch Abort System Attitude Control Motor ATK 16 Dec 2009 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) performed a ground test of a full-scale attitude control motor (ACM) for the launch abort system (LAS) of NASA's Orion crew exploration vehicle. The test was conducted at ATK's facility in Elkton, Md. on Dec. 15.
Lockheed Martin Achieves Critical Global Ballistic Missile Defense Milestones in 2009 Lockheed Martin 16 Dec 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] missile defense systems achieved several key milestones in 2009, including five successful intercepts and numerous other major accomplishments, further solidifying Lockheed Martin as a world leader in air and missile defense.
Northrop Grumman to Supply Scalable Space Inertial Reference Unit for NASA Global Precipitation Measurement Mission Northrop Grumman 16 Dec 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been selected to supply a Scalable Space Inertial Reference Unit (Scalable SIRU(TM)) for NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission.
Significant Design, Mirror and Cryotest Progress Mark 2009 Milestones for Northrop Grumman-built James Webb Space Telescope Northrop Grumman 16 Dec 2009 -- NASA's James Webb Space Telescope reached some notable milestones in several important areas in 2009, making steady progress towards its expected 2014 launch date. The Observatory is being designed and developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) under contract to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
Turkey opposed to U.S. missile defense deployment RIA Novosti 16 Dec 2009 -- Turkey objects to plans of deploying US missile defense elements on its soil because it could worsen relations with Russia and Iran.
Close encounters of the FalconSAT kind AFNS 16 Dec 2009 -- Satellites from the US Air Force Academy and the Department of Energy intentionally passed within five kilometers of each other in orbit Dec. 13.
NASA WISE Delta II launch successful AFNS 15 Dec 2009 -- Mission planners are celebrating Vandenberg's final launch of the year following the successful launch of a Delta II from Space Launch Complex-2.
China launches first public-welfare mini satellite RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2009 -- China has put into orbit its first public-welfare mini satellite.
Customer takes control of 3 new Glonass satellites RIA Novosti 15 Dec 2009 -- The operator of the Glonass satellite navigation project has taken control of three newly orbited satellites.
ATK Propulsion and Composite Technologies Key to Successful Delta II Launch ATK 14 Dec 2009 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) played a key role in the successful launch of United Launch Alliance's Delta II rocket today from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., carrying the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) satellite for NASA. The company provided solid rocket boosters and the composite payload fairing.
Boeing Responds to Request for Proposal on Ground-based Midcourse Defense System's Core Completion Contract Boeing 14 Dec 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] on Dec. 11 responded to a U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) request for proposal on the follow-on core completion contract for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program. The contract covers all remaining development and deployment work for the GMD core element. Boeing's response will assist MDA in determining its plan for future GMD work.
NASA Craft To Photograph Entire Universe VOA 14 Dec 2009 -- NASA has launched a new space telescope that will allow scientists to look at the universe closer than ever before.
NASA prepares to launch orbital telescope RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2009 -- NASA is set to launch a Delta II rocket on carrying a space observation telescope that scientists hope will show up previously hidden cosmic objects.
Russia orbits three new Glonass navigation satellites RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2009 -- A Proton-M carrier vehicle on Monday orbited three new Glonass-M navigation satellites.
Russia launches Proton rocket with three Glonass satellites RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2009 -- A Proton M booster rocket with 3 Glonass M navigation satellites blasted off from the Baikonur space center.
Russia to launch three Glonass satellites RIA Novosti 14 Dec 2009 -- The Proton carrier rocket with 3 Glonass navigation satellites will be launched from the Baikonur space center.
ATK Successfully Ground Tests New CASTOR® 30 Upper Stage Solid Rocket Motor ATK 10 Dec 2009 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) successfully tested its newly developed CASTOR® 30 upper stage solid rocket motor today at the U.S. Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) in Tennessee.
Second Stage Rocket Motor Of Orbital's Taurus II Launcher Successfully Ground Tested Orbital Sciences Corp. 10 Dec 2009 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB), one of the world’s leading space technology companies, today announced that Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) and the U.S. Air Force’s Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) successfully ground tested the second stage rocket motor of the company’s Taurus® II launch vehicle at AEDC in Tennessee
Air Force officials launch satellite to enhance military communications AFNS 10 Dec 2009 -- Air Force officials successfully launched a new-generation military communications satellite from here at 8:47 p.m. EST Dec. 5 when a Delta IV rocket carried a Wideband Global SATCOM into space.
Japan's Launch of Spy Satellite Lambasted KCNA 09 Dec 2009 -- Shortly ago, the Japanese reactionaries put into orbit a spy satellite capable of identifying and monitoring objects by H-2A for the fifth time.
Lockheed Martin Cryostat To Fly On NASA’s Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer Mission Lockheed Martin 09 Dec 2009 -- NASA’s Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) – scheduled for launch on Dec. 11, 2009 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – will scan the entire sky in infrared light, picking up the glow of hundreds of millions of objects and producing millions of images.
Hubble Telescope Spots Oldest Galaxies Ever Seen VOA 08 Dec 2009 -- U.S. and European scientists say the upgraded Hubble space telescope has spotted the oldest galaxies ever seen.
General Dynamics-Built Landsat Data Continuity Mission Spacecraft Passes Critical Design Review General Dynamics 08 Dec 2009 -- General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems successfully completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) spacecraft which is scheduled for launch in December 2012.
Virgin Galactic unveils its first space tourism craft RIA Novosti 08 Dec 2009 -- Virgin Galactic, a U.S. space tourism company, has unveiled to the public its first SpaceShipTwo commercial six-passenger space vehicle.
ATK Plays Key Roles in Successful Launch of Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-3) ATK 07 Dec 2009 -- Alliant Techsystems' (NYSE: ATK) composite, propulsion and spacecraft technologies supported the successful launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., carrying the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-3) for the U.S. Air Force.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Boosts U.S. Department of Defense Satellite to Increase Worldwide Military Communications Pratt & Whitney 07 Dec 2009 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne helped boost into orbit the third in a series of Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellites designed to increase communications capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense.
SAIC Receives $235 Million NASA Contract Extension SAIC 07 Dec 2009 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) today announced that it has been awarded a contract extension from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to continue work on the Unified NASA Information Technology Services (UNITeS) contract.
Virgin Galactic to unveil its first space tourism craft RIA Novosti 07 Dec 2009 -- Virgin Galactic, a U.S. space tourism company, will unveil to the public on Monday its first SpaceShipTwo commercial six-passenger space vehicle.
Boeing's 3rd WGS Satellite Sends 1st Signals From Space Boeing 06 Dec 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has acquired the first on-orbit signals from the third of six Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellites. The signals indicate that the spacecraft is healthy and ready to begin orbital maneuvers and operational testing. WGS is the latest U.S. Department of Defense satellite communications system.
Russia, NATO form working group on missile defence - Rogozin RIA Novosti 05 Dec 2009 -- Russia and NATO have formed a working group on missile defense issues and the first meeting will be held in January, Russia's envoy to the military alliance said on Friday.
Tests of Angara rocket postponed to 2012 over lack of funds RIA Novosti 05 Dec 2009 -- The test launch of Russia's new Angara carrier rocket, which had been scheduled for 2011, have been put back by one year due to lack of financing, space agency Roscosmos said on Saturday.
Russia plans to send 10 spacecraft to ISS next year RIA Novosti 04 Dec 2009 -- Russia will launch 4 manned and 6 cargo supply missions to the International Space Station in 2010.
Russian government commission approves new ISS crew RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- A Russian government commission has approved the basic and back-up crews for a new expedition to the ISS.
NRL Sensor Observes First Light Navy NewsStand 03 Dec 2009 -- Special Sensor Ultraviolet Limb Imager launched on USAF Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F18 satellite, observed first light on Dec. 1.
Northrop Grumman Reaffirms Interest in Ground-based Midcourse Defense Contract Northrop Grumman 03 Dec 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) issued this statement about the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's published intent to combine contracts for two elements of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system.
World's largest atom smasher back to life after power cut RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- Scientists continue efforts to resume the regular operation of the Large Hadron Collider following a recent power failure.
Moscow Region to get its own collider RIA Novosti 03 Dec 2009 -- The attention of physicists worldwide is currently riveted on the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), which is operating the Large Hadron Collider.
Boeing Statement on Competitive Contract for Missile Defense System Boeing 02 Dec 2009 -- The Boeing Company today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's intention to pursue a competitive development and sustainment contract for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program:
Northrop Grumman to Work With U.S. Air Force on Designing "Plug and Play" Capability for Future Spacecraft Northrop Grumman 02 Dec 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) will help the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) design a spacecraft "bus" with plug-and-play capability to reduce cost and schedule in developing future space systems.
Boeing Ships High-Definition Broadcasting Satellite DIRECTV 12 to Launch Site Boeing 01 Dec 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced today that DIRECTV 12 was shipped Nov. 25 from Boeing's satellite manufacturing facility in El Segundo to the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch facility in Kazakhstan.
Lockheed Martin To Leverage Its Capabilities For Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Development And Sustainment Lockheed Martin 01 Dec 2009 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced today that it will leverage its capabilities for the Development and Sustainment Contract for the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system and associated facilities in the competitive acquisition that the U.S. Missile Defense Agency intends to conduct.
U.S Air Force/Lockheed Martin-Led Team Successfully Complete Environmental Testing Of First-Of-Its-Kind Missile Warning Satellite Lockheed Martin 01 Dec 2009 -- A joint U.S. Air Force/Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]-led team announced today that it has successfully completed thermal vacuum testing of the first Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous (GEO-1) satellite, one of the most significant program milestones that validates spacecraft performance in a simulated space environment.
Orbital-Built Intelsat 15 Communications Satellite Successfully Launched Orbital Sciences Corp. 01 Dec 2009 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB), one of the world’s leading space technology companies, announced today that the Intelsat 15 (IS-15) satellite, built by the company for Intelsat, Ltd., was successfully launched into orbit aboard a Land Launch Zenit-3 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Raytheon Awarded $17 Million To Upgrade South Korea's Patriot Systems Raytheon 01 Dec 2009 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a $17.2 million Foreign Military Sales contract modification to deliver capability upgrades for South Korea's Patriot Air and Missile Defense System.
Poll says 80% of Czechs hail cancellation of U.S. radar plans RIA Novosti 01 Dec 2009 -- A majority of Czechs welcome the cancellation of US plans to build a radar base in the country, according to an opinion poll.
Soyuz module lands in Kazakhstan with ISS expedition crew RIA Novosti 01 Dec 2009 -- Soyuz-TMA-15 space capsule carrying 3 astronauts from the ISS successfully landed in north Kazakhstan.
Soyuz crew warned about poor weather in landing zone RIA Novosti 01 Dec 2009 -- Three astronauts who left the ISS have been warned that the weather in the landing area was worse than expected.
Russia successfully launches Intelsat-15 satellite into orbit RIA Novosti 01 Dec 2009 -- Russia's Zenit-3SLB carrier rocket has successfully put into orbit a U.S. telecommunications satellite, the Intelsat-15.
Second Moon Landing 40 Years Ago Featured All Navy Crew Navy NewsStand 01 Dec 2009 -- 40th anniversary of the Apollo 12 mission, second manned mission to the moon and the only one that boasted an all-Navy crew.

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