March 2011 Space News

Missile Defense Agency Awards Raytheon $312 Million for New SM-3 Block IB Raytheon 31 Mar 2011 -- The Missile Defense Agency awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $312 million manufacturing contract for the Standard Missile-3 Block IB program. The contract provides the funding necessary to complete the development phase of the SM-3 Block IB program and deliver the rounds to the MDA.
Technology Extends Stratcom's Priorities AFPS 30 Mar 2011 -- U.S. Strategic Command’s priority is to deter nuclear attack on the United States and its allies.
Lockheed Martin Awarded $789.8 Million THAAD Production Contract Lockheed Martin 30 Mar 2011 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] has received a production contract totaling $789.8 million to produce the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System for the Missile Defense Agency.
STSS Demonstration Satellites Track Short-Range Missile During Airborne Laser Test Bed Exercise Northrop Grumman 30 Mar 2011 -- The U.S. Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) Demonstration satellites kept an unblinking watch on a boosting missile during an Airborne Laser Test Bed (ALTB) exercise off the Central California coast Sept. 1, 2010. The STSS satellites were built by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN).
NASA's Messenger makes first orbital photo of Mercury RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2011 -- NASA's Messenger spacecraft, the first ever to enter the orbit of Mercury, has fetched its first photo.
Japanese spacecraft survive powerful earthquake and tsunami RIA Novosti 30 Mar 2011 -- Japan's HTV-3 space freighter and two satellites were not damaged in the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami.
UN in pact with satellite firms to restore communications after disaster UN News Centre 29 Mar 2011 -- The UN telecommunications agency today announced that it has reached agreement with two organizations to expedite the restoration of vital telecommunications services in the aftermath of natural disasters.
Russia to launch space freighter to ISS on April 27 RIA Novosti 29 Mar 2011 -- A Russian cargo spacecraft will be sent to the International Space Station on April 27.
Yahsat Y1A set for launch EADS 28 Mar 2011 -- The Yahsat Y1A satellite, which was designed and built by Astrium and Thales Alenia Space, has been fully fuelled and integrated with the Ariane 5 launch vehicle at the European spaceport in French Guiana.
Yahsat Y1A set for launch Thales 28 Mar 2011 -- The Yahsat Y1A satellite, which was designed and built by Astrium and Thales Alenia Space, has been fully fuelled and integrated with the Ariane 5 launch vehicle at the European spaceport in French Guiana
Japan's HTV-2 cargo spaceship undocks from ISS RIA Novosti 28 Mar 2011 -- Japan's HTV-2 Konotori robotic cargo space ship undocked from the International Space Station.
Russia, Israel agree on cooperation in outer space RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2011 -- The space agencies of Russia and Israel have signed an agreement on cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space, the press office of the Russian federal space agency Roscosmos said on Sunday.
China Plans to Launch Meteorological Satellites KCNA 26 Mar 2011 -- China is planning to launch 13 meteorological satellites from this year till 2020.
Lockheed Martin’s Huntsville Integrated Test Center to Provide Effective Support for Missile Defense Systems Lockheed Martin 25 Mar 2011 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its Huntsville Integrated Test (HIT) Center in Huntsville, Ala. The Lockheed Martin HIT Center will enable cost-effective and realistic testing of full-scale missile defense systems in a laboratory environment.
NASA and Lockheed Martin Say Goodbye to Historic Stardust Spacecraft Lockheed Martin 25 Mar 2011 -- NASA's Stardust spacecraft, built and flown by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT], sent its last transmission to Earth at 7:33 p.m. EDT Thursday, March 24, shortly after depleting fuel and ceasing operations. During a 12-year period, the venerable spacecraft collected and returned comet material to Earth and was reused after the end of its prime mission in 2006 to observe and study another comet during February 2011.
Russia, NATO plan to resume theatre missile defense drills in early 2012 RIA Novosti 25 Mar 2011 -- Russia and NATO are planning to resume joint theatre missile defense drills in early 2012, the new head of the NATO Information Office in Moscow said on Friday.
Russia's new Angara rockets to be test launched before 2014 - Space Forces RIA Novosti 24 Mar 2011 -- Test launches of Russia's new generation Angara booster rockets will begin no later than 2013, a spokesman for the Russian Space Forces said.
Thales Alenia Space España supplies Telecommunications equipment for Orbital's Cygnus Spacecraft Thales 24 Mar 2011 -- Thales Alenia Space España, has provided Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE:ORB) with advanced telecommunications systems for Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TTC) data for the Cygnus unmanned cargo resupply vehicle.The contract is worth more than 4 million Euros.
First Lockheed Martin-Built Milstar II Satellite Marks 10 Years in Service Lockheed Martin 23 Mar 2011 -- The first Milstar II military communications satellite, built by a Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team for the U.S. Air Force, has surpassed its 10-year design life of on-orbit service, providing our nation's warfighters with secure and reliable communications since its successful launch on Feb. 27, 2001.
Medvedev, Gates to discuss missile defense in Moscow RIA Novosti 22 Mar 2011 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will discuss the issues of Russian-U.S. military and technical cooperation, including those related to missile defense, during their meeting in Moscow on Tuesday, the Kremlin has said.
U.S. welcomes 'mutually reinforcing' missile defense cooperation with Russia RIA Novosti 22 Mar 2011 -- The United States sees Russia as a full-fledged participant in the European missile defense system, Ellen Tauscher, the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs, has said.
Russian investigators probe Roscosmos workers for Glonass loss RIA Novosti 22 Mar 2011 -- The Russian Investigative Committee said on Tuesday it is probing workers at Russia's Federal Space Agency, Roscosmos, for negligence that may have caused the loss of three Glonass-M satellites in December.
Official Outlines Global Missile Defense Strategy AFPS 21 Mar 2011 -- U.S. efforts to build effective missile defenses are more important than ever for defending the nation and its deployed forces and for cooperating with allies and partners, a senior defense policy official said today.
MEADS System Integration Begins at Italian Test Site Lockheed Martin 21 Mar 2011 -- A Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) launcher and BMC4I Tactical Operations Center (TOC) have entered system test and integration at Pratica di Mare (PdM) Air Force Base in Italy. This milestone marks the first integration tests involving two completed MEADS system elements.
Lockheed Martin Makes Strides in Human Space Exploration Lockheed Martin 21 Mar 2011 -- Forging a new path forward to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable human exploration beyond low Earth orbit, Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] today unveiled the first Orion spacecraft and a spacious state-of-the-art Space Operations Simulation Center (SOSC). These two major projects, located at Lockheed Martin’s Waterton Facility near Denver, Colo., showcase the NASA-industry teams’ progress for human space flight, the Orion Project and NASA’s Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle.
Air Force officials take space budget, acquisition strategy to Capitol Hill AFNS 18 Mar 2011 -- Air Force senior leaders testified about the service's fiscal 2012 budget and space capabilities investments.
NASA's Messenger spacecraft enters Mercury orbit RIA Novosti 18 Mar 2011 -- NASA's Messenger spacecraft has become the first to enter orbit of Mercury.
Iran tests new life-support capsule in space RIA Novosti 17 Mar 2011 -- Iran has launched a rocket into space with a test capsule designed to carry a monkey.
Iran Test Launches Rocket VOA 17 Mar 2011 -- Iran has launched a rocket that is designed to carry living creatures into space.
Iran Claims Launch Of New Space Capsule RFE/RL 17 Mar 2011 -- Iran says it has successfully launched a test spacecraft meant to sustain life in orbit.
ISS orbit to be readjusted before next arrival RIA Novosti 17 Mar 2011 -- The orbit of the International Space Station will be raised by 3.7 kilometers (2.3 miles) on Friday.
Launch of new ISS mission slated for April 5 RIA Novosti 17 Mar 2011 -- The launch of the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft carrying members of a new crew to the International Space Station has been tentatively scheduled for April 5.
Russia may reset launch of Soyuz spacecraft for early April RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2011 -- Launch of the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft carrying members of a new crew to the ISS could be conducted between April 5-10.
Russian Soyuz capsule lands in Kazakhstan RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2011 -- Russia's Soyuz TMA-M capsule landed in Kazakhstan ferrying 3 astronauts from the ISS safely back to Earth.
Russian Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft undocks from ISS RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2011 -- The advanced Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft with a crew of 3 undocked from the International Space Station in automated mode.
Raytheon Completes Work on Upgraded Early Warning Radar in Greenland Raytheon 16 Mar 2011 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has completed all system requirements and testing of the Upgraded Early Warning Radar at Thule Air Base, Greenland. With this upgrade, the UEWR at Thule is ready to conduct the missile defense mission as a critical component of the Ballistic Missile Defense System.
BAE Systems Engineers Support Global Project to Unlock Secrets of the Universe BAE Systems 15 Mar 2011 -- BAE Systems has signed a two-year Statement of Mutual Interest (SoMI) to support the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) - the world's largest ever radio telescope network.
Lockheed Martin GPS III Team Completes Key Flight Software Milestone Lockheed Martin 15 Mar 2011 -- The Lockheed Martin-led team developing the U.S. Air Force’s next generation Global Position System, known as GPS III, has successfully completed the program’s first major flight software integration milestone at the company’s software integration laboratory in Newtown, Pa.
Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services Selected to Launch DigitalGlobe WorldView-3 Earth Imaging Satellite Lockheed Martin 15 Mar 2011 -- Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lockheed Martin Corporation [NYSE: LMT], announced today that it has been chosen by DigitalGlobe (NYSE: DGI) to launch that company's next-generation, high-resolution Earth-imaging satellite, WorldView-3, on an Atlas V rocket. The commercial imagery satellite is scheduled to launch in 2014 from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. Financial terms were not disclosed.
ONR-funded Military Satellite Arrives at Alaska Launch Pad NNS 15 Mar 2011 -- The Navy's new joint tactical communications satellite arrived at Alaska's Kodiak Launch Complex, March 1.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Successfully Hot-Fire Tests Launch Abort Demonstration Engine for Boeing's CST-100 Spacecraft Pratt & Whitney 14 Mar 2011 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne successfully completed a series of hot-fire tests of the Bantam demonstration engine for an innovative “pusher” launch abort system on The Boeing Company’s CST-100 spacecraft. The launch abort engine is a critical component of future commercial crew transportation to low-Earth orbit.
45th Space Wing officials launches satellite atop Delta IV AFNS 14 Mar 2011 -- Members from the 45th Space Wing successfully launched a Delta IV Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle March 13.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Successfully Boosts Government Satellite into Orbit Pratt & Whitney 14 Mar 2011 -- In another display of its commitment to national security, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne today successfully helped boost a satellite for the U.S. government from Cape Canaveral Air Force station, Fla.
Return of ISS crew to Earth on schedule - Russia's space agency RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2011 -- Three members of the current crew on board the International Space Station will return to Earth as scheduled.
Russia postpones launch of next mission to orbital station RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2011 -- Russian space agency Roscosmos postponed the launch of a Soyuz spacecraft due to technical problems.
Iran starts building local telecommunications satellite ISNA 12 Mar 2011 -- Iran has started building the first indigenous telecommunications satellite to be launched into space in 2017.
Northrop Grumman and Boeing Submit Proposal for Missile Defense Agency Simulation Architecture Proposal Northrop Grumman 11 Mar 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and industry partner The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) today submitted a joint proposal for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Objective Simulation Framework (OSF) program.
Space team improves GPS capability for warfighters AFNS 10 Mar 2011 -- Joint force warfighters around the globe will soon be able to assess real-time and future GPS accuracy, both where they are and where they're going, with a new capability developed by the 2nd Space Operations Squadron's Global Positioning System User Operations team here.
MDA Awards Major Contract for Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile Target Rockets to Orbital Orbital Sciences Corp. 10 Mar 2011 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that it has been awarded a major new contract by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to supply Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) target vehicles for use in future tests of missile defense systems.
Russia concerned over U.S. missile plans in Poland - Foreign Ministry RIA Novosti 10 Mar 2011 -- Russia is unhappy over U.S. plans to deploy permanent missile defenses and air force units in Poland, 100 kilometers from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
'Farewell, Discovery,' as Shuttle's Space Career Ends VOA 09 Mar 2011 -- The U.S. space shuttle Discovery and its crew ended a 13-day mission and a journey of more than 8 million kilometers Wednesday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This is the end of a mission and the end of a storied career.
Boeing Completes Preliminary Design Review for Inmarsat-5 Satellites Boeing 09 Mar 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it has completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the Inmarsat-5 spacecraft and hosted payloads. Boeing is building three Ka-band satellites to add to Inmarsat's current mobile satellite services fleet.
Space Shuttle Discovery Returns Home VOA 09 Mar 2011 -- The U.S. space shuttle Discovery has touched down on Earth, successfully ending its final voyage into space.
First geosynchronous satellite arrives in Florida for May launch AFNS 08 Mar 2011 -- Officials with the Air Force's Space Based Infrared Systems program completed a program milestone recently, successfully delivering the first geosynchronous satellite, known as GEO-1, to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Juno Spacecraft Currently Undergoing Environmental Testing at Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin 07 Mar 2011 -- NASA’s Juno spacecraft is currently undergoing environmental testing at Lockheed Martin’s [NYSE: LMT] test facility near Denver, Colo. The solar-powered Juno will orbit Jupiter’s poles 33 times to find out more about the gas giant’s origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere. The launch window for Juno from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida opens Aug. 5, 2011.
U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin Deliver First-Of-Its-Kind Missile Warning Spacecraft Lockheed Martin 07 Mar 2011 -- The U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team has delivered the first geosynchronous (GEO-1) Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) spacecraft to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., where it will be prepared for an early May liftoff aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch vehicle.
Shuttle Discovery undocks from ISS, heads for retirement RIA Novosti 07 Mar 2011 -- The space shuttle Discovery on Monday undocked from the U.S. segment of the International Space Station (ISS), a statement on NASA's website said.
India successfully test-fires indigenous interceptor missile IRNA 06 Mar 2011 -- India successfully test-fired indigenously developed interceptor missile, capable of destroying any incoming hostile ballistic missile, Sunday from Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Wheeler Island off Orissa coast.
India successfully test-fires ballistic missile interceptor RIA Novosti 06 Mar 2011 -- India has successfully test-fired its domestically developed interceptor missile capable of destroying hostile missiles, the Indian news agency IANS reported on Sunday, referring to official sources.
U.S. Air Force launches second prototype space plane RIA Novosti 06 Mar 2011 -- The U.S. Air Force launched its second prototype unmanned space mini-shuttle under a classified X-37B program, the Los Angeles Times said Sunday.
Air Force launches second unmanned spacecraft AFNS 05 Mar 2011 -- In the latest step to improve space capability and further develop an affordable, reusable space vehicle, Air Force technicians launched the second X-37B here March 5, officials said.
Russia to start operating new Glonass-K satellite by yearend RIA Novosti 05 Mar 2011 -- Russia will start operating its new Glonass-K navigation satellite, which is now undergoing in-orbit tests, by the end of the year, the head of the Russian Space Systems construction bureau has said.
U.S. 7th Fleet Completes Bi-lateral and Joint Ballistic Missile Defense Training Exercise NNS 04 Mar 2011 -- Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F), Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) and various other commands throughout Japan, the Pacific and continental United States completed Fleet Synthetic Training (FST) joint exercise 11-71, March 3.
Northrop Grumman Submits Final Proposal Revision for Missile Defense Agency's Next Generation Aegis Missile Northrop Grumman 04 Mar 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) today announced it has submitted its final proposal revision for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Next Generation Aegis Missile (NGAM) concept definition and program planning procurement.
Orbital's Launch of Taurus XL Rocket is Unsuccessful Orbital Sciences Corp. 04 Mar 2011 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) today announced that the launch of its Taurus XL rocket, which lifted off earlier today at 2:09 a.m. (PST), from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California carrying the company-built Glory satellite for NASA, was unsuccessful.
NASA extends Discovery shuttle's last mission RIA Novosti 04 Mar 2011 -- The Discovery shuttle will undock from the International Space Station (ISS) one day later than previously planned.
British archives release more UFO files RIA Novosti 04 Mar 2011 -- The U.K. has declassified thousands of close-encounter documents from the defense ministry archives.
Russia may only be part of joint European missile shield - NATO envoy RIA Novosti 03 Mar 2011 -- Russia would cooperate with NATO only on a joint European missile defense network project.
Astronauts Complete Final Discovery Spacewalk VOA 03 Mar 2011 -- Two American astronauts have completed the last shuttle Discovery spacewalk before the craft is retired from service.
Lockheed Martin Conducts Second Successful PAC-3 MSE Intercept Flight Test Lockheed Martin 02 Mar 2011 -- Lockheed Martin’s [NYSE: LMT] enhanced version of the combat-proven PAC-3 Missile, the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE), successfully intercepted a threat representative tactical ballistic missile target in the MSE battlespace today at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
Orbital Successfully Launches Patriot Target Vehicle for Missile Defense Test Orbital Sciences Corp. 02 Mar 2011 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that it successfully launched a Patriot Target Vehicle (PTV) under a direct contract with the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) Space Development and Test Directorate (SD).
Milestone Nears for European Missile Defense Plan AFPS 02 Mar 2011 -- The US plan to defend Europe from a rapidly increasing ballistic missile threat will reach a milestone next week.
U.S. Says Radar Ship Deployment Part Of Missile-Defense Shield RFE/RL 02 Mar 2011 -- The US military says it is sending a radar-equipped warship to the Mediterranean.
'No-targeting' pact key to missile defense deal with NATO RIA Novosti 02 Mar 2011 -- Formal agreement that NATO and Russian missile defense systems are not directed against each other is key.
Russian upper house ratifies rocket technology deal with Ukraine RIA Novosti 02 Mar 2011 -- Russia's upper house of parliament ratified a government agreement with Ukraine on the protection of rocket and space technology.
Russia lacks enough carrier rockets to fulfill 2011 launch plans RIA Novosti 02 Mar 2011 -- Russia lacks carrier rockets to carry out all space launches scheduled for 2011.
Russia to keep number of space launches to ISS unchanged RIA Novosti 02 Mar 2011 -- Russia's space agency Roscosmos has no plans to increase the number of piloted and cargo missions to the International Space Station.
Thales Alenia Space to open its German subsidiary, Thales Alenia Space Deutschland GmbH Thales 01 Mar 2011 -- Thales Alenia Space announced today the creation of its separately owned German subsidiary, Thales Alenia Space Deutschland GmbH, located in the Stuttgart area. This strategic move reflects the importance for Thales Alenia Space to play a growing role in Germany, a country committed to strongly supporting European institutional and national R&D space programs.
Kwajalein (Part I) Army News 01 Mar 2011 -- If Kwajalein Atoll is just two things-at least from the perspective of the Americans who work there-it might be both a paradise and a target.
Kwajalein (Part II) Army News 01 Mar 2011 -- Mark Bradford makes sure Mother Nature is going to cooperate with the mission at the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site on Kwajalein.
International Space Station Gets New Permanent Storage Unit VOA 01 Mar 2011 -- Astronauts aboard the International Space Station have installed a new permanent storage unit.
NASA astronauts complete six-hour spacewalk RIA Novosti 01 Mar 2011 -- U.S. astronauts Steve Bowen and Alvin Drew completed a six-hour spacewalk, the first of the STS-133 mission.
Russia rejects historic photo shoot at ISS RIA Novosti 01 Mar 2011 -- NASA announced that an historic fly-around photo session of the International Space Station will not go ahead.

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