October 2010 Space News

The U.S. - India Partnership: the fact sheets The White House 08 Nov 2010
Lockheed Martin’s Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System Defeats Ballistic Missile Target in Japanese Test Lockheed Martin 29 Oct 2010 -- JS Kirishima, Japan’s fourth destroyer equipped with Lockheed Martin’s [NYSE: LMT] Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system, successfully intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile target above the atmosphere during an international test event.
Orbital Successfully Launches Medium Range Target for Joint U.S./Japan Missile Defense Test Orbital Sciences Corp. 29 Oct 2010 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that it successfully launched a Medium Range Target (MRT) vehicle under a direct contract from the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
Japan Achieves Third Ballistic Missile Intercept Using Raytheon Standard Missile-3 Raytheon 29 Oct 2010 -- The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) achieved its third ballistic missile intercept using a Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) Standard Missile-3.
Russian space freighter docks with orbital station RIA Novosti 30 Oct 2010 -- A Russian space freighter docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday.
Russia 'continues work' on U.S. missile shield plans - minister RIA Novosti 30 Oct 2010 -- Russia continues talks over U.S.'s missile defense shield program with Washington and with NATO, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday.
NASA Delays Start of Shuttle Discovery's Final Mission VOA 29 Oct 2010 -- The space shuttle Discovery is set to embark on its last mission in November, but leaks have forced NASA to delay the launch date.
Lockheed Martin’s Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System Defeats Ballistic Missile Target in Japanese Test Lockheed Martin 29 Oct 2010 -- JS Kirishima, Japan’s fourth destroyer equipped with Lockheed Martin’s [NYSE: LMT] Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system, successfully intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile target above the atmosphere during an international test event.
Orbital Successfully Launches Medium Range Target for Joint U.S./Japan Missile Defense Test Orbital Sciences Corp. 29 Oct 2010 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that it successfully launched a Medium Range Target (MRT) vehicle under a direct contract from the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
Japan Achieves Third Ballistic Missile Intercept Using Raytheon Standard Missile-3 Raytheon 29 Oct 2010 -- The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) achieved its third ballistic missile intercept using a Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) Standard Missile-3.
Space Fence design moves into next phase AFNS 28 Oct 2010 -- Officials released a request for proposal for next phase of program that will revamp the way space objects and debris are identified and tracked.
Lockheed Martin Completes System Testing For Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite Communications Services Lockheed Martin 28 Oct 2010 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has completed Intersegment System Testing (IST) of the second Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) military communications satellite at the company’s facilities in Sunnyvale, Calif. This critical milestone marks the completion of pre-launch verification for the new eXtended Data Rate (XDR) service which will provide substantial enhancements in the capacity, coverage and connectivity of protected communications for warfighters around the globe.
Lockheed Martin-Built BSAT-3b Satellite Successfully Launched for the Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation of Japan Lockheed Martin 28 Oct 2010 -- The BSAT-3b broadcasting satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] for Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) of Japan, was successfully launched today from Kourou, French Guiana. Lift-off occurred at 5:51 p.m. EDT aboard an Ariane 5-ECA launch vehicle provided by Arianespace of Evry, France. Initial contact with the satellite was confirmed at 6:52 p.m. EDT from Lockheed Martin's satellite tracking station in Uralla, Australia.
Russia ready to discuss training Ukrainian astronauts RIA Novosti 28 Oct 2010 -- Russia is ready to consider training Ukrainian astronauts as soon as it gets an official request from Kiev.
ATK and NASA Report Initial 30-Day Findings From Development Motor (DM-2) ATK 27 Oct 2010 -- Data from the second successful five segment Development Motor (DM-2) test conducted by ATK (NYSE: ATK) and NASA show that the new motor performed precisely as designed, providing substantially higher performance and reliability than the heritage space shuttle solid rocket booster at a lower cost.
Astrium to fully equip Kazakhstan’s Satellite Integration and Test Centre EADS 27 Oct 2010 -- The partnership between Astrium and JSC NC Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary (KGS), the national company charged with the development of Kazakhstan’s space programme, has reached another major milestone with the signature of a contract for a Satellite Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) Centre in Astana.
Raytheon's Advanced Airborne Optical Sensor System Studied for Missile Defense Application Raytheon 27 Oct 2010 -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) advanced Airborne Optical Sensor system is now an integral part of the Missile Defense Agency's experimentation with forward-deployed, advanced infrared sensors for missile defense applications.
Missile Defense Agency Selects Raytheon to Provide New Missile Defense Radar Raytheon 27 Oct 2010 -- The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $190 million fixed price incentive fee contract to construct, integrate and test a new Army/Navy Transportable Radar Surveillance (AN/TPY-2) radar. The AN/TPY-2 is the most capable and reliable radar currently deployed to defend against the ballistic missile threat.
Space leaders discuss operating in resource-constrained environments AFNS 27 Oct 2010 -- Air Force Space Command leaders along with civilian officials came together to discuss the future and lessons learned.
Russia may grant Ukraine access to Glonass for military use RIA Novosti 27 Oct 2010 -- Russia is ready to consider giving Ukraine access to high-precision targeting signals provided by the Glonass system.
Russia sends new space freighter to orbital station RIA Novosti 27 Oct 2010 -- A Russian space freighter has separated from its launch vehicle and is heading to the ISS on a resupply mission.
Lockheed Martin-Raytheon Team Takes Next Steps in Assuring Continuity for Ground-based Midcourse Defense Lockheed Martin 26 Oct 2010 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced today that it has taken the next steps toward assuring continuity for Army war fighters, as its team prepares to bid for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Development and Sustainment contract. Raytheon’s Reid Davis has been appointed deputy program manager for the Lockheed Martin-Raytheon GMD team. Orbital Sciences Corporation has joined the team as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the GMD Orbital Boost Vehicle, and Northrop Grumman has joined the team as an OEM for the GMD Fire Control and Communications.
Lockheed Martin-Built BSAT-3b Satellite Ready For Launch For The Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation Of Japan Lockheed Martin 26 Oct 2010 -- The BSAT-3b broadcasting satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] for the Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) of Japan, is ready for liftoff on Oct. 28 aboard an Ariane 5-ECA launch vehicle provided by Arianespace. The launch window opens at 5:51 p.m. ET and closes at 7:01 p.m. ET.
Thales Alenia Space announces that Iridium NEXT contract is now in full effect Thales 26 Oct 2010 -- Thales Alenia Space announced today that its contract with Iridium Communication (Nasdaq: IRDM), providing for the construction of 81 communication satellites in the Iridium NEXT low-orbit constellation, is now in full effect. With the closing of Iridium’s Coface credit facility, the FSD (Full Scale System Development) contract between Iridium and Thales Alenia Space replaces the Authorization to Proceed (ATP), signed by the companies on June 1, 2010. As of June, Thales Alenia Space has, in fact, had full-scale system design and development underway through its work under the ATP.
Russian space freighter departs ISS on scientific mission RIA Novosti 26 Oct 2010 -- Russia's Progress M-05M cargo spacecraft was undocked from the ISS to begin an independent scientific mission.
Lockheed Martin Delivers First MEADS Intra-Fire Unit Communications Hardware Lockheed Martin 25 Oct 2010 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] recently delivered the first two intra-fire unit communications hardware components for the tri-national Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS). The two Message Routing Subsystem units are essential elements of the MEADS Internal Communications Subsystem (MICS) hardware, which will support the system-level integration and test of intra-fire unit communications for the air and missile defense system.
Russia's Progress craft to be undocked from ISS RIA Novosti 25 Oct 2010 -- The Progress M-05M cargo spacecraft will be undocked from the International Space Station on Monday.
Airborne Laser Test Bed Exercise Conducted MDA 21 Oct 2010 -- The Missile Defense Agency conducted a planned exercise of the Airborne Laser Test Bed (ALTB) this morning (late evening Pacific Daylight Time) at the Point Mugu Naval Air Warfare Center-Weapons Division Sea Range off the central California coast. The objective of this mission was for the ALTB to destroy a solid-fuel, short-range ballistic missile while its rocket motors were still thrusting.
Russia to launch 8 Glonass navigation satellites in 2011-2013 RIA Novosti 22 Oct 2010 -- Russia will put eight Glonass-M satellites into orbit in 2011-2013 to ensure the effective operation of its satellite navigation network, a Russian space industry official said.
NASA Searches for Water on Moon VOA 21 Oct 2010 -- Last October, a NASA rocket, traveling at a speed of 9,000 kilometers per hour, smashed into a dark crater on the moon's south pole.
Second SBIRS satellite successfully completes panel integration AFNS 21 Oct 2010 -- The U.S. Air Force's second geosynchronous Space-Based Infrared Systems satellite successfully completed the integration of its two equipment panels onto the spacecraft core module on Oct. 6 at the development site in Sunnyvale, Calif. This is a major milestone in the GEO-2 program and represents the first instance of a fully assembled and integrated GEO-2 space vehicle.
HYLAS 1 arrives at its launch site EADS 19 Oct 2010 -- The Highly Adaptable Satellite (HYLAS 1), which was designed and built by Astrium for the satellite broadband operator Avanti Communications, has now arrived at the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana, ahead of its planned launch aboard an Ariane 5 in late November.
Raytheon Names Aselsan Key Patriot Supplier Raytheon 19 Oct 2010 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has entered into an agreement with a leading Turkish defense systems manufacturer for the codevelopment of a major end item for the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System. Under the agreement, Raytheon will subcontract to Aselsan of Ankara, Turkey, the codevelopment of the antenna mast group for Patriot Configuration-3 systems for the United Arab Emirates.
First batch of six second-generation Globalstar satellites built by Thales Alenia Space now in orbit Thales 19 Oct 2010 -- The first six satellites in the Globalstar-2 second-generation constellation, built by Thales Alenia Space, were successfully launched today by Arianespace and Starsem on a Soyuz launcher from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 11:00 pm local time (7:00 pm in Paris).
Boeing Ships LightSquared's SkyTerra 1 Mobile Communications Satellite to Launch Site Boeing 19 Oct 2010 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it has shipped the LightSquared SkyTerra 1, a high-capacity mobile communications satellite, from the company's integration and test complex in El Segundo to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Upon arrival, the satellite will undergo final preparations for a Nov. 14 launch aboard an International Launch Services Proton rocket.
Medvedev Cautious, But Open For Talks On European Missile Shield RFE/RL 19 Oct 2010 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said he will attend a NATO summit next month in Lisbon, but wants more details on an offer to cooperate with the alliance on an antimissile shield.
Astrium reinforces the excellence and reliability of the Ariane programme EADS 18 Oct 2010 -- Astrium has called together its institutional partner ESA, its key European industrial partners and Arianespace, the Ariane launch operator, to harmonise activities in the Ariane programme
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Systems Engineering Evolves to Meet Demands of Integration and Test Phase Northrop Grumman 18 Oct 2010 -- As the James Webb Space Telescope enters its next critical phase of development, NASA and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) have forged an integrated, consolidated and "badgeless" Mission Systems Engineering team.
Raytheon Reaches Production Milestone in $1 Billion Naval SATCOM Program Raytheon 18 Oct 2010 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) achieved a key milestone in its Navy Multiband Terminal program with the first production order for next-generation NMT satellite communication terminals. The U.S. Navy award follows a successful field test and "Milestone C Review," which marks the completion of complex system development.
Russia hopes NATO summit clarifies European missile defense plan - envoy RIA Novosti 18 Oct 2010 -- Moscow hopes the Russian-NATO Council summit due to be held in November in Lisbon will make clear the situation with the European missile defense plan, Russia's envoy to the military alliance said on Monday.
Agency Director Offers U.S. Missile Defense Outline AFPS 15 Oct 2010 -- “To have effective missile defense, you need more than one layer,” the director of the Defense Missile Agency said this week.
Russia puts U.S. telecoms satellite into orbit RIA Novosti 15 Oct 2010 -- Russia's Proton-M heavy carrier rocket put a U.S. Sirius XM-5 satellite into orbit on Friday, a spokesman for Russia's space agency, Roskosmos, said.
Press Conference by Director of Office for Outer Space Affairs United Nations 14 Oct 2010
NATO Chief Calls For Missile Defense Despite Austerity RFE/RL 14 Oct 2010 -- NATO's secretary-general has urged member states to endorse a proposed antimissile system that would link alliance members into a common network despite financial constraints due to the global economic crisis.
Lockheed Martin Completes Third Tracking Exercise with Open Architecture Multi-Mission Signal Processor Lockheed Martin 13 Oct 2010 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] successfully identified and tracked a target using its Multi-Mission Signal Processor for the U.S. Navy's Aegis system. This is the third test in a series of scheduled exercises that began earlier this year.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Awarded $60.3 Million NASA Contract for Continued Support of the Space Shuttle Main Engine Pratt & Whitney 13 Oct 2010 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne received a $60.3 million contract from NASA to provide continued Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) pre-launch, launch and post-launch support through March 31, 2011. The contract is an extension to the current space shuttle program flight manifest launch schedule, which shifted the last two scheduled launch dates for missions STS-133 and STS-134 to fiscal year 2011. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.
Boeing and Northrop Grumman GMD Team Announces Partners for Competitive Missile Defense Contract Boeing 12 Oct 2010 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Northrop Grumman Corporation [NYSE: NOC] today announced their comprehensive partner team formed to pursue the competitive development and sustainment contract for future work on the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency.
Obama Signs Legislation on NASA's Future VOA 11 Oct 2010 -- President Barack Obama signed into law on Monday a plan for the U.S. space program. NASA's chief praised the president and Congress for the 2010 NASA Authorization Act that sets a course for Mars.
Key Mirror Support Hardware Delivered for James Webb Space Telescope's High Fidelity Pathfinder Northrop Grumman 11 Oct 2010 -- Four Secondary Mirror Support Structure (SMSS) struts for the James Webb Space Telescope's (JWST) pathfinder were delivered in late August to Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) by teammate Alliant Techsystems (ATK). Northrop Grumman is leading the design and development effort for NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
U.S. suborbital spaceship signs up Russian space tourist RIA Novosti 11 Oct 2010 -- The U.S. Armadillo Aerospace company, which is developing the suborbital spaceship for space tourist flights, announced on Monday that a Russian has become its first confirmed passenger.
Space hotel project to be launched after contract is signed - Energia RIA Novosti 10 Oct 2010 -- The implementation of the project to build the first space hotel will only start after a contract between Russian state-owned rocket and space corporation Energia and Moscow-based company Orbital Technologies is signed, the Energia head said.
Russia's Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft docks with space station RIA Novosti 10 Oct 2010 -- Russia's upgraded Soyuz TMA-M manned spacecraft has docked with the International Space Station (ISS), Mission Control reported.
India to launch series of military satellites IRNA 09 Oct 2010 -- India plans to launch a series of indigenously built military satellites with surveillance, imaging and navigation capabilities to keep a watch on its neighbourhood and help guide cruise missiles, a top defence scientist said Saturday.
James Webb Space Telescope Sunshield Passes Launch Depressurization Tests to Verify Flight Design Northrop Grumman 08 Oct 2010 -- NASA's James Webb Space Telescope continues to make significant progress, successfully completing a series of sunshield vent tests that validate the telescope's sunshield design. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is leading Webb's design and development effort for the space agency's Goddard Space Flight Center. Tests were conducted the last week of August in vacuum chambers at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems' Redondo Beach facility.
Sozyuz TMA-20 launch may be put off until 2011 RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2010 -- The launch of the Soyuz TMA-20 manned spacecraft may be postponed until 2011 due to a transportation accident, a source said on Friday.
Russia's Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft blasts for ISS from Baikonur RIA Novosti 08 Oct 2010 -- Russia's Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft blasted off on Friday for the International Space Station (ISS) from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan.
North Korea Appears Capable of Jamming GPS Receivers VOA 07 Oct 2010 -- Defense officials in South Korea and military analysts elsewhere are expressing concern about what they call a new type of threat from Pyongyang. The North Koreans, according to South Korea's government, are now capable of disrupting GPS receivers, which are a critical component of modern military and civilian navigation.
Canadian forces contribute to space mission AFNS 06 Oct 2010 -- When servicemembers here perform a mission, whether it is space surveillance or launching a payload into space, it is not solely an American effort, but rather a joint effort.
Raytheon to Design Technology Demonstrator for Air and Missile Defense Radar Raytheon 06 Oct 2010 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) received a $112.3 million contract to design and develop an S-band radar and radar suite controller technology demonstrator for the U.S. Navy's new Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR). This highly advanced system will provide unprecedented capabilities for the Navy's Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.
NASA’s MAVEN Mission To Mars Passes Confirmation Review Lockheed Martin 05 Oct 2010 -- NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) project passed its Mission Confirmation Review on Oct. 4. As a result, NASA has given approval for the development and 2013 launch of the MAVEN mission. Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] is the industry partner for the mission and will design and build the spacecraft and perform flight operations.
Astrium to acquire Jena-Optronik GmbH EADS 04 Oct 2010 -- Astrium, Europe’s leading space company, will acquire Jena-Optronik, a German specialist in space sensors and optical systems. Jena-Optronik is a leading company in the development of attitude sensors as well as space-based optics for a variety of different platforms, including Earth observation (EO) satellites, and the laser guidance system for the European International Space Station supply vessel, ATV. The acquisition of Jena-Optronik will complement Astrium’s optical expertise in Germany and enhance its reputation in the development and production of sophisticated Earth observation satellites.
Lockheed Martin-Built Commercial Earth Imaging Satellite Marks 11 Years On-Orbit Lockheed Martin 04 Oct 2010 -- IKONOS, the world’s first commercial, high-resolution Earth-imaging satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and currently operated by GeoEye, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEOY), has achieved 11 years of successful on-orbit operations.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Marks Milestone, Completes Final Polishing of First Flight Mirror Segment Northrop Grumman 04 Oct 2010 -- The first flight mirror segment for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope's (JWST) primary mirror has completed its final polishing process, the first of 18 segments that comprise the Observatory's 21 ft. primary mirror. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is leading the design and development effort for the space agency's Goddard Space Flight Center.
Russia's Rokot carrier rockets to launch two ESA satellites RIA Novosti 04 Oct 2010 -- Russia's Rokot carrier rockets will take two European Space Agency (ESA) scientific satellites to orbit in 2012-2013, the head of the ESA Moscow Office said on Monday.
New missile shield proposals to be presented to Russia in Nov. - NATO RIA Novosti 04 Oct 2010 -- New proposals on a missile defense plan for Europe will be presented to Moscow at a Russia-NATO Council summit in November, the alliance's spokesman said on Monday.
New Glonass-K satellite to be launched in December RIA Novosti 01 Oct 2010 -- The first launch of the new generation Glonass-K navigation satellite from Russia's Plesetsk space center will take place in December.

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