July 2010 Space News

Czech early warning facility to be part of NATO defense - PM Necas RIA Novosti 31 Jul 2010 -- An early warning center on Czech soil will be part of NATO missile defense, Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas said on Saturday.
Lockheed Martin Commends Bi-Partisan Support For NASA FY 2011 Budget Lockheed Martin 30 Jul 2010 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] today applauded the recent actions taken by House and Senate NASA oversight committees as Congress moves forward on a bi-partisan spending plan for NASA. This important legislation provides an achievable path forward for a robust human space flight program that continues the Orion crew exploration vehicle to help achieve that goal and includes funding for advancements in technology that will ensure U.S. leadership in space.
NASA Selects Orbital for Major Sounding Rocket Program Prime Contract Orbital Sciences Corp. 30 Jul 2010 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB), one of the world’s leading space technology companies, today announced that it was selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the prime contractor role on the NASA Sounding Rocket Operations Contract II (NSROC II) program.
Russia to launch 3 Glonass satellites in September RIA Novosti 30 Jul 2010 -- A Proton-M carrier rocket bearing three Glonass-M navigation satellites will be launched from the Baikonur space center September 2.
China leads in outer space pollution - Russian space agency RIA Novosti 30 Jul 2010 -- China has topped the list of the world's major polluters of the near-Earth space environment, followed by the US and Russia.
Team successfully completes GEO-1 command and control interface testing AFNS 29 Jul 2010 -- Researchers in the Space Based Infrared Systems program office at Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile Systems Center successfully completed a major system-level test.
Japan's Space Exploration Plan Takes Off VOA 29 Jul 2010 -- An expert advisory panel is urging the Japanese government to move forward with its $2-billion moon exploration program.
Russian cosmonauts complete 6-hour spacewalk RIA Novosti 27 Jul 2010 -- Two Russian cosmonauts completed a 6-hour spacewalk to fix a video camera and cable connections to an ISS module.
Boeing Completes Critical Design Review of Intelsat 22 Spacecraft Boeing 26 Jul 2010 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it met or exceeded all the requirements of the Critical Design Review (CDR) of the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) hosted payload and its host spacecraft, the Intelsat 22 satellite (IS-22). Boeing is building IS-22 for Intelsat, the leading provider of fixed satellite services worldwide. The UHF payload, built by Boeing, is being placed on the satellite by Intelsat to be used by the Australian Defence Force (ADF). When operational, IS-22 also will provide commercial video, network and voice services to Intelsat's customers throughout the Indian Ocean region.
Ball Aerospace, Lockheed Martin Demonstrate New Docking System Technology Lockheed Martin 26 Jul 2010 -- Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company and NASA conducted a successful technology demonstration of an inventive navigation system that will make docking operations safer and easier for spacecraft flying to the International Space Station (ISS). The demonstration that took place at the Ball facility in Boulder, Colo., showcased the dynamic nature of the sensors by simulating crewed and uncrewed docking operations.
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Radar Performs Successfully in Missile Defense Test at Pacific Range Raytheon 26 Jul 2010 -- The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) radar built by Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) performed successfully in the latest integrated THAAD flight test. The test, conducted by the Missile Defense Agency and Lockheed Martin, (NYSE: LMT) THAAD prime contractor and system integrator, occurred at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii June 29, 2010.
SAIC Awarded $80 Million Subcontract to Support NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center SAIC 26 Jul 2010 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a subcontract by Primus Solutions, Inc., a subsidiary of ASRC Federal Holding Company, to support the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) with information technology (IT) services. The five-year subcontract is valued at more than $80 million. Work will be performed at the GSFC in Greenbelt, Md.
Ten years of the ISS: Russia faces new problems RIA Novosti 26 Jul 2010 -- On July 26, 2000 the Russian-made Zvezda module docked with the US-made Unity and the Russian-made Zarya modules.
Australian Company Develops Junk-Tracking Space Laser VOA 24 Jul 2010 -- Australian researchers say they have developed a laser tracking system that will stop chunks of space debris colliding with spacecraft and satellites in the Earth's orbit. The team at Electro Optic Systems, a company based in Canberra, claims their technology will help reduce the dangers posed by fast-moving pieces of man-made space junk that are hurtling at speeds over 35,000 kilometers per hour.
Two Arabsat satellites delivered in orbit Thales 23 Jul 2010 -- The Arabsat-5A and BADR-5 satellites have been handed over to Arabsat by Astrium and Thales Alenia Space as part of the in-orbit delivery contract and have entered commercial service.
Lockheed Martin Partners With Nana Development Corporation For Critical Gmd Missile Defense Contract Lockheed Martin 22 Jul 2010 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and NANA Development Corporation announced today that they are partnering in the competition for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Development and Sustainment Contract.
Raytheon Achieves First Milestone for Patriot United Arab Emirates Program Raytheon 22 Jul 2010 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) achieved an important first milestone in support of its Patriot United Arab Emirates (UAE) program.
Russian aerospace company to send mission to Mercury in 4-5 years RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2010 -- Russian NPO Lavochkin intends to send an interplanetary research mission to Mercury in 4-5 years, Lavochkin's deputy general designer said at the Farnborough International Airshow 2010.
Thales aboard the Korean Navy Type 214 submarines Thales 21 Jul 2010 -- Thales and Samsung Thales have been selected by the German submarine shipbuilder HDW as the providers of the X-band Satcom Terminal for the six Type 214 submarines to be delivered to the Republic of Korea’s Navy as part of the KSS II Batch 2 programme.
Astrium to develop an Earth Observation Hub at the International Space Innovation Centre (ISIC) EADS 21 Jul 2010 -- Astrium, Europe’s leading space company, has been selected by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) to develop an Earth Observation (EO) Hub at the new International Space Innovation Centre (ISIC) in Harwell, Oxfordshire.
U.S.-Soviet spacemen share impressions of historic Apollo-Soyuz docking 35 years ago RIA Novosti 21 Jul 2010 -- Legendary Soviet cosmonauts Valery Kubasov, Alexei Leonov, and U.S. astronauts Thomas Stafford and Vance Brand shared their impressions of the historic docking of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project mission 35 years ago during a video linkup with RIA Novosti in Moscow on Wednesday.
Astrium launches the next generation airborne satcom terminal - AirPatrol EADS 20 Jul 2010 -- Astrium has today launched an innovative airborne terminal – AirPatrol – designed to provide end users with a light-weight, high performance communications module capable of operating in the most demanding conditions.
Raytheon Unveils New Modernized Patriot System Interface Raytheon 20 Jul 2010 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is providing attendees at the Farnborough International Airshow with a hands-on experience of its new state-of-the-art Patriot modern man station (MMS).
Boeing CST-100 Spacecraft to Provide Commercial Crew Transportation Services Boeing 19 Jul 2010 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] released artist's renderings of its Crew Space Transportation (CST)-100 spacecraft during a media briefing with Bigelow Aerospace today at the Farnborough Airshow.
Space Tracking and Surveillance System Demonstration Satellites Observe June 28 THAAD Intercept Flight Test Northrop Grumman 19 Jul 2010 -- The Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) built Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) Demonstration program satellites participated in a test of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's (MDA's) Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system on June 28 in the most thorough indication yet of the space-based sensor's capabilities.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Signs Historic NASA Mentor-Protege Agreement Pratt & Whitney 19 Jul 2010 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne signed a NASA Mentor-Protégé Agreement on July 7 with Avans Machine & Tool, a flight-approved supplier and certified Historically Under-Utilized Business (HUB) Zone small business located in Skyline, Ala. It is the first such agreement between a NASA prime contractor and a certified HUBZone small business. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.
Raytheon to Construct Standard Missile Production Facility in Huntsville, Ala. Raytheon 19 Jul 2010 -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) Missile Systems business plans to build an all-up-round Standard Missile production facility in Huntsville, Ala. Raytheon intends to construct the state-of-the-art integration center on the U.S. Army's Redstone Arsenal site.
Russia set to occupy 15% of world's space services RIA Novosti 19 Jul 2010 -- Russia plans to occupy at least 15% of the world's space services under the national aerospace industry's development strategy for 2015, Russia's top space official said on Monday.
STSS Demonstration Satellites Detect, Track Test Launch of an ICBM Minuteman Missile Northrop Grumman 16 Jul 2010 -- The Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) Demonstration program satellites, built by Northrop Grumman Corp (NYSE:NOC) and Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN), detected and tracked an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) launched on June 16 by the U.S. Air Force. The launch, designated Glory Trip 200GM-1, was the 200th scheduled test launch of an ICBM Minuteman Missile.
AFRL test marks return to 'in-house' rocket fuel development AFNS 16 Jul 2010 -- Air Force Research Laboratory scientists here returned to the organization's roots with their latest rocket test.
Russia's Mission Control Center says ISS orbit to be raised by over 3 km RIA Novosti 16 Jul 2010 -- Russia's Mission Control will readjust the orbit of the International Space Station by raising it by 3.7 kilometers.
US Accused of Escalating Arms Race KCNA 15 Jul 2010 -- Some days ago, the United States test-fired an interceptor missile in the Pacific.
Astrium and Cisco to explore space-based Internet Protocol (IP) routing EADS 15 Jul 2010 -- Astrium Services and Cisco, the world-wide leader in networking, today signed a Technology Partnership Agreement (TPA) to study the applications of space-based routers.
Russia to start testing new Angara rocket in 2013 RIA Novosti 15 Jul 2010 -- Test launches of Russia's new booster rocket, the Angara, are to start in 2013.
Team shows unity during first month of Mars flight simulation RIA Novosti 15 Jul 2010 -- Six participants in the Mars-500 simulation demonstrated team spirit and unity during the first month of the project.
Space control squadron team marks 5 years of continuous deployment AFNS 13 Jul 2010 -- Members of the 16th and 380th Space Control Squadrons' missiom surpassed 5 years of continuous operations.
Russia against placing weapons in space - Medvedev RIA Novosti 12 Jul 2010 -- Russian President Medvedev reiterated that Russia was strictly against the placement of weapons in space.
Orbital Successfully Launches First High-Altitude Coyote Supersonic Target Vehicle for U.S. Navy Orbital Sciences Corp. 12 Jul 2010 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB), one of the world’s leading space technology companies, today announced that it successfully launched the “High Diver” Coyote supersonic target vehicle from San Nicolas Island, California, validating its suitability for future high-altitude naval threat simulations and anti-missile response system tests.
India Launches Five Satellites Into Orbit VOA 12 Jul 2010 -- India's ambitions of developing a successful commercial space program received a boost Monday with the successful launch of five satellites into orbit.
India successfully placed 5 satellites in orbit IRNA 12 Jul 2010 -- Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle successfully placed into orbit remote sensing satellite Cartosat-2B and four other satellites.
Russia's Proton booster delivers U.S. satellite into orbit RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2010 -- Russia's Proton-M carrier rocket launched on Saturday from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan has delivered a U.S. EchoStar 15 telecommunications satellite into the designated orbit, Russian space agency Roscosmos said on Sunday.
Russia's Proton-M with U.S. EchoStar 15 telecom satellite launched from Baikonur RIA Novosti 10 Jul 2010 -- Russia's Proton-M carrier rocket with a U.S. EchoStar 15 telecommunications satellite was launched on Saturday from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, Roscosmos' official said.
Japanese "space yacht" IKAROS proves photon acceleration works RIA Novosti 10 Jul 2010 -- Japan's space agency JAXA confirmed on Saturday that its experimental spacecraft IKAROS started to accelerate after unfurling its kite-like solar sail, proving that the new fuel-saving propulsion technique is no science fiction.
In-orbit delivery: Astrium hands over second communications satellite to German armed forces EADS 09 Jul 2010 -- The second dedicated military communications satellite for the German armed forces is now operational, having completed in-orbit testing on 8 July 2010. The latest series of tests covered the satellite platform, the payload, and the components of the satellite’s secure control system. With this final milestone, the conditions for in-orbit delivery of the second satellite to the Bundeswehr IT Office have been fully met, and today Astrium will be handing over the COMSATBw-2 satellite to its future end user, the German armed forces, only seven weeks after it was launched into space.
NASA Ceremony Honors Shuttle External Tank Workforce Lockheed Martin 08 Jul 2010 -- NASA and Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company paid tribute to the workforce who built the external tanks for the space shuttle fleet on Thursday at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. ET-138, the last newly manufactured tank to roll out of the assembly building, served as a backdrop for speakers praising the employees.
Space Tracking and Surveillance System Demonstration Satellites Track Two-Stage Interceptor in Missile Defense Test Northrop Grumman 08 Jul 2010 -- The Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) Demonstration satellites, built by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN), successfully detected and tracked a two-stage Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) during a U.S. Missile Defense Agency flight test on June 6, 2010.
Russia denies working on missile defense deal with U.S. RIA Novosti 08 Jul 2010 -- Neither the Russian Defense Ministry nor the General Staff is drafting a new missile defense pact with the United States, a senior military official said on Thursday.
ATK Completes Installation of World's Largest Solid Rocket Motor for Ground Test ATK 07 Jul 2010 -- Engineers and technicians at Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) and NASA have completed installation work on the second Ares I First Stage five-segment Development Motor (DM-2), in preparation for its static-fire, which is currently scheduled for early September.
BAE Systems Seeker Performs in Detecting Complex Target in Latest THAAD Test BAE Systems 07 Jul 2010 -- A BAE Systems seeker detected and destroyed a unitary target performing the lowest endo-atmospheric intercept to date for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense weapon system flight test program on June 28 at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii.
Astrium and the European Space Agency to develop the launch vehicle of the future EADS 07 Jul 2010 -- Astrium has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to undertake initial development studies for a Next Generation Launcher (NGL) for future satellite launches.
Iran plans to launch new satellite in August RIA Novosti 07 Jul 2010 -- The Iranian telecommunications minister announced plans to launch a new domestically-developed satellite into orbit at the end of August, the Mehr news agency said Wednesday.
Moscow says European missile defense unjustified RIA Novosti 06 Jul 2010 -- Russia is convinced that there are no threats for Europe that would justify the deployment of a missile defense system near Russian borders, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.
Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle Passes Key NASA Milestone Lockheed Martin 06 Jul 2010 -- The Orion crew exploration vehicle has successfully completed the Phase 1 Safety Review of NASA’s Human Rating Requirements for space exploration in low Earth orbit and beyond. The NASA/Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] Orion team earned the approval from NASA’s Constellation Safety & Engineering Review Panel (CSERP) upon completion of the review, an essential requirement for the Orion program to move forward to the Critical Design Review and Phase 2 Safety Review.
ThalesRaytheonSystems awarded NATO contract to make enhanced Ballistic Missile Defense capabilities operational this year Thales 05 Jul 2010 -- ThalesRaytheonSystems (TRS) has been awarded a contract by NATO’s Active Layered Theater Ballistic Missile Defense (ALTBMD) Program Office to provide the alliance commanders with real-time interim ballistic missile defense capabilities for deployed forces by the end of 2010.
Russian space freighter successfully docks with ISS RIA Novosti 04 Jul 2010 -- Progress M-06M cargo spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS), RIA Novosti correspondent reported from Mission Control on Sunday.
On Visit To Poland, Clinton Says Missile Shield 'Not Directed At Russia' RFE/RL 03 Jul 2010 -- The United States and Poland have signed a revised agreement to deploy elements of a missile-defense system in Central Europe, overriding Russia's objections.
Clinton signs amendment to Bush-era missile shield deal in Poland RIA Novosti 03 Jul 2010 -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signed a technical amendment to a revamped George W Bush-era missile defence shield deal with Poland in Krakow on Saturday.
Space freighter's orbit to be adjusted for new docking attempt RIA Novosti 03 Jul 2010 -- The orbit of a Russian space freighter will be adjusted twice on Saturday to ensure a successful docking with the International Space Station on Sunday, a source at the Mission Control Center told RIA Novosti.
US, Poland, Sign Revised Missile-Defense Accord VOA 03 Jul 2010 -- The United States and Poland Saturday signed an amended agreement under which U.S. missile interceptors, aimed against a developing Iranian threat, will be based on Polish soil. Secretary of State Clinton said the revised program will make a system operational sooner than one promoted by the Bush administration, and will pose no threat to Russia.
Army Launched NASA 50 Years Ago Army News 02 Jul 2010 -- This was like a base realignment and closure move - only it all happened within the confines of Redstone Arsenal.
Russian space freighter to dock with ISS as scheduled - Mission Control RIA Novosti 02 Jul 2010 -- Russian cargo spacecraft Progress M-06M will dock with the International Space Station as scheduled on Friday night, a spokesman for the Russian Mission Control said.
Lockheed Martin Opens Expansion Of Newtown, Pa Facility Lockheed Martin 01 Jul 2010 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] today ope [Align left] ned the doors to new facilities at its Space Systems Company operations in Newtown, Pa. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies with community leaders and customers were conducted today for the $24 million expansion project which includes an addition to the facility’s manufacturing capabilities as well as a conference center.
Orbital's Pegasus and Taurus Rockets Selected to Launch Two NASA Scientific Satellites Orbital Sciences Corp. 01 Jul 2010 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB), one of the world’s leading space technology companies, today announced it has received two separate orders from NASA to launch scientific satellites on its industry-leading small rockets, Pegasus® XL and Taurus® XL.
THADD nails lowest target, seventh of seven in testing Army News 01 Jul 2010 -- The Army launched a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile, June 28, from Kauai, Hawaii, which successfully intercepted and destroyed another missile launched just minutes earlier.
Russian space freighter deorbited, dumped in Pacific RIA Novosti 01 Jul 2010 -- Russia's Progress M-03M cargo spacecraft was taken out of orbit and buried in the Pacific Ocean after its service life came to an end on Thursday, mission control said.

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