May 2011 Space News

NASA, Lockheed Martin & Ball Aerospace Team Complete On-Orbit Orion MPCV Navigation System Test During STS-134 Shuttle Mission Lockheed Martin 30 May 2011 -- In an unprecedented on-orbit maneuver, Commander Mark Kelly completed the first ever Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV)-like approach to the International Space Station at 3:24 a.m. CDT today as part of the Sensor Test for Orion Relative Navigation Risk Mitigation (STORRM). The orbital rendezvous verified the successful operation of the MPCV's next generation docking sensor, which NASA has identified as a critical technology needed for future space exploration missions.
Thales Alenia Space delivers first Cygnus PCM to Orbital Sciences Corporation Thales 30 May 2011 -- Turin, May 30, 2011 – Thales Alenia Space announced that it has delivered to Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) its first Pressurized Cargo Module (PCM) developed to transport cargo to the International Space Station.
Obama invites Russia to participate in missile defense plans in Europe RIA Novosti 28 May 2011 -- The United States President Barack Obama during his visit to Poland has invited Moscow to participate in missile defense plans in Europe, world media reported.
Endeavor Prepares to Fly Home from Final Mission VOA 28 May 2011 -- Astronauts on board the Space Shuttle Endeavour are making preparations to return to Earth on the spacecraft's final flight. One of the astronauts says being in space has shown him the fragility of the Earth's environment.
Boeing Awarded PAC-3 Seeker Production Contract Boeing 27 May 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced it has received a $274 million contract from Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] to produce more than 300 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile seekers.
Russia, U.S. unlikely to agree on MD by end of Obama's tenure RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- Russia and the US are unlikely to agree on the missile defense issue by the end of U.S. President Barack Obama's term.
Medvedev says Russia, U.S. 'losing time' on missile defense RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed his dissatisfaction with how the negotiations with the US on the missile defense are continuing.
Russia, U.S. fail to agree on missile defense guarantees RIA Novosti 27 May 2011 -- Russia and the US have failed to agree a final draft on legally binding guarantees on missile defense.
Army receives first THAAD missiles Army News 27 May 2011 -- Lockheed Martin delivered the first two Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Missiles to the U.S. Army.
Remarks by President Obama and President Medvedev of Russia after Bilateral Meeting in Deauville, France The White House 26 May 2011
FACT SHEET: U.S.-Russia Agreements and Joint Statements The White House 26 May 2011
Missile Defense is Key Issue of Obama's Poland Visit VOA 26 May 2011 -- U.S. President Barack Obama is preparing to visit Poland, the last stop on his European trip.
Obama: U.S., Russia To Work On Missile Defense RFE/RL 26 May 2011 -- President Barack Obama has said the US and Russia are committed to a planned European-based U.S. missile shield.
Russia, U.S. may agree on European missile shield by 2020 - Medvedev RIA Novosti 26 May 2011 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev: Russia and the US have until 2020 to reach agreement on a missile shield.
Russia Faces off with U.S. over MD KCNA 25 May 2011 -- Russia is taking active measures against the U.S. threat to his country.
Russia Plans to Develop New Type Interceptor Missile System KCNA 25 May 2011 -- Russia plans to develop a new type mobile interceptor missile system in the near future to cope with the threat from space.
Joint Fact Sheet: U.S.-UK Higher Education, Science, and Innovation Collaboration The White House 25 May 2011
ATK Propulsion and Controls Supports Most Challenging Missile Defense Test to Date ATK 25 May 2011 -- ATK (NYSE: ATK), the nation's leading solid rocket motor producer, provided a key component for the latest successful missile defense test of a Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block IA missile.
NASA Selects OSIRIS-REx As Next New Frontiers Mission Lockheed Martin 25 May 2011 -- NASA has selected the University of Arizona to lead a sample-return mission to an asteroid. The OSIRIS-REx team is led by Dr. Michael Drake, Director of the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt Md. will manage the mission for NASA. Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] will build the spacecraft.
Northrop Grumman Receives Authorization From U.S. Air Force to Begin Work on Defense Weather Satellite System Northrop Grumman 25 May 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has received authorization and funding to proceed on a Department of Defense weather satellite system projected for launch in 2018. The Defense Weather Satellite System (DWSS) will leverage the accomplishments and momentum of the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) program.
NASA to focus on deep space exploration with new spacecraft RIA Novosti 25 May 2011 -- NASA has decided to use designs originally planned for Orion Vehicle as the basis for a new transportation system.
NASA to make final attempt to contact Mars rover RIA Novosti 25 May 2011 -- NASA will make its last attempt to make contact with the Mars rover Spirit, which has been silent since March 2010.
US Endeavour Astronauts Complete 3rd Spacewalk VOA 25 May 2011 -- U.S. astronauts Andrew Feustel and Mike Fincke have completed the third spacewalk of their mission servicing the International Space Station.
Endeavor astronauts make third spacewalk RIA Novosti 25 May 2011 -- Shuttle Endeavor astronauts have made their third spacewalk to carry out maintenance work on the International Space Station.
JFK Library Releases Recording of President Kennedy Discussing Race to the Moon JFK Library and Museum 25 May 2011
Next Generation Missile Warning Satellite Successfully Reaches Orbit Lockheed Martin 24 May 2011 -- The first Lockheed Martin-built Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous (GEO-1) spacecraft has successfully reached its intended orbit and is performing as required following its successful May 7 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Lockheed Martin Statement On NASA MPCV Announcement Lockheed Martin 24 May 2011 -- NASA's designation of the Orion crew exploration vehicle as the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) provides our nation with a sound solution for deep space mission capability within the currently proposed budgets. This path forward will soon enable humans to venture out into the cosmos to explore and study interplanetary destinations never before seen or touched by mankind. NASA's commitment will ensure that our nation maintains a strong global leadership position in space exploration through a robust program designed to be safe, affordable and sustainable over the next several decades.
Space Station Crew Lands Safely In Kazakhstan RFE/RL 24 May 2011 -- Russian mission control says a Soyuz space capsule carrying an Italian, a Russian, and an American back from the ISS has landed safely.
Soyuz-TMA spacecraft safely lands in Kazakhstan RIA Novosti 24 May 2011 -- The Soyuz-TMA spacecraft with three crew members onboard safely landed in Kazakhstan.
New ISS crew to carry out 43 scientific experiments while in orbit RIA Novosti 24 May 2011 -- The new expedition to the ISS will conduct 43 scientific experiments.
'Man on the Moon' Challenge, 50 Years On VOA 24 May 2011 -- Fifty years ago, on May 25, 1961, U.S. President John F. Kennedy issued a grand challenge that changed the world as humankind knew it.
Lockheed Martin Ships Twin GRAIL Spacecraft To Launch Site Lockheed Martin 23 May 2011 -- NASA's twin GRAIL spacecraft were delivered by its builder Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] to Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on May 20. The two vehicles will undergo four months of final testing and processing in preparation for launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on a United Launch Alliance Delta II Heavy launch vehicle in early September.
Russia opens negligence case over loss of Glonass satellites RIA Novosti 23 May 2011 -- Russian prosecutors have opened a criminal case on charges of negligence that led to the loss of three Glonass satellites last year, the Prosecutor General's Office said on Monday.
Shuttle astronauts complete 6th-longest spacewalk RIA Novosti 22 May 2011 -- Two NASA astronauts from the space shuttle Endeavour completed the sixth-longest spacewalk in history on Sunday after needing extra time to finish maintenance work on the International Space Station.
India successfully injects GSAT-8 satellite into space IRNA 21 May 2011 -- India on Saturday successfully injected latest communication satellite GSAT-8 by Arianespace from Kourou in French Guiana to give a boost to direct-to-home services in the country.
Russia, U.S. should have separate anti-missile systems, Poland says RIA Novosti 21 May 2011 -- Russia and the United States should have separate, but cooperating missile defense systems, Polish Defense Minister Bogdan Klikh said on Saturday.
Russia sends two Soyuz carrier rockets to French Guiana RIA Novosti 21 May 2011 -- Two Russian Soyuz-ST carrier rockets are on the way from Samara to St. Petersburg to be shipped to French Guiana for future launches from the Kourou space center, the Progress design bureau said.
Russia launches U.S. telecoms satellite RIA Novosti 21 May 2011 -- Russia has launched a Proton-M heavy carrier rocket with a U.S. telstar-14R telecommunications satellite from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, the Russian space agency Roscosmos said.
U.S. missile defense in Europe 'real threat' to Russia - General Staff RIA Novosti 20 May 2011 -- U.S. plans for a missile defense system in Europe will pose a genuine threat to Russia's nuclear deterrence capability if they are carried out in full, a General Staff official said on Friday.
Raytheon Achieves Major Production Milestone for Air and Missile Defense Radar Raytheon 19 May 2011 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has produced the first group of S-band transmit/receive (T/R) modules for the U.S. Navy's Air & Missile Defense Radar program.
National Guard supports final Endeavour flight AFNS 19 May 2011 -- Air National Guard members from Illinois, New York and Virginia were on hand for the final launch of NASA's space shuttle Endeavour here May 16.
Endeavour Astronauts Begin Work on International Space Station VOA 18 May 2011 -- The crew members of the U.S. space shuttle Endeavour have begun a nearly two-week mission on the International Space Station, where they will install a $2 billion magnetic device that scientists hope will unravel some mysteries of the universe.
Russia to enhance strike potential if missile cooperation with NATO fails RIA Novosti 18 May 2011 -- Russia will boost its strike nuclear capabilities if NATO refuses to cooperate with Moscow in the European missile defense project, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday.
Missile defense cooperation best way to ease Russia's concerns - U.S. official RIA Novosti 17 May 2011 -- Moscow's participation in the European missile defense is the best way to ease Russia's concern about the project, a high-ranking U.S. Department of State official told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.
Endeavour to dock with ISS on Wednesday RIA Novosti 17 May 2011 -- The U.S. space shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station at 2.15 pm Moscow time (10:15 GMT) on Wednesday, Russian Mission Control said.
Space shuttle Endeavour takes off on final mission RIA Novosti 17 May 2011 -- The U.S. space shuttle Endeavour took off on its penultimate mission (STS-134) on May 16 after having been postponed several times due to additional engineering preparations and malfunctions at the launch site in Florida.
Endeavour Crew Prepares for Space Station VOA 17 May 2011 -- The crew on the U.S. space shuttle Endeavour is getting ready for Wednesday's docking at the International Space Station.
SAIC Selected for the Integrated Communications Services Contract by NASA SAIC 16 May 2011 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) today announced it was selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to provide managerial and technical expertise in support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) for corporate and mission communications needs, including local area network management at all NASA centers. .
ATK Solid Rocket Boosters Help Launch Space Shuttle Endeavour's Final Mission ATK 16 May 2011 -- ATK's (NYSE: ATK) Reusable Solid Rocket Motors (RSRMs) supported the final flight of Space Shuttle Endeavour today as they ignited at 8:56 a.m. EDT sending her crew on their 11-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS). A piece of history also launched on this flight as one of the cases on the left booster was previously used on STS-49, Endeavour's first flight.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne's Space Shuttle Main Engines Power Space Shuttle Endeavour to the International Space Station Pratt & Whitney 16 May 2011 -- Three Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) today successfully powered the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour on Mission STS-134 to deliver a permanent experiment module to the International Space Station that will allow scientists to study anti-matter in the universe.
Russia 'disappointed' by U.S. failure to provide missile guarantees RIA Novosti 16 May 2011 -- Moscow is concerned by the United States' refusal to provide legally binding guarantees that its European missile defense system will not be directed against Russia, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Monday.
NASA launches Endeavour for final voyage RIA Novosti 16 May 2011 -- NASA's Endeavour shuttle blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center on Monday for its last ever flight.
Shuttle Endeavour Blasts Off Toward ISS VOA 16 May 2011 -- The space shuttle Endeavour has lifted off on its 25th and final mission.
NASA confirms final Endeavour blastoff scheduled for Monday RIA Novosti 15 May 2011 -- NASA on Saturday confirmed that the final launch of the shuttle Endeavour, which has been put off several times due to technical failures, will take place on Monday.
Europe missile shield must be safe for Russia - Medvedev RIA Novosti 14 May 2011 -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sent a letter to the Russia-NATO Council asking for guarantees that the European missile defense project would be safe for Russia, the Kremlin press service said on Saturday.
Mars Science Laboratory Aeroshell Delivered To Launch Site Lockheed Martin 13 May 2011 -- NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) aeroshell and cruise stage were delivered to Kennedy Space Center, Fla. yesterday. Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] built the aeroshell and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory built the cruise stage. The aeroshell will encapsulate and protect the Curiosity rover during its deep space cruise to Mars, and from the intense heat and friction that will be generated as the system descends through the Martian atmosphere.
Russia may take action over U.S. missile shield RIA Novosti 13 May 2011 -- Russia's deputy defense minister has said action could be taken if the US deploys its new missile defense system near Russia's borders.
Missile defense talks with U.S. 'difficult' - Russian FM RIA Novosti 13 May 2011 -- Missile defense talks between Moscow and Washington are going through a complicated phase.
Veteran Astronauts Look Beyond Space Shuttle Program VOA 13 May 2011 -- NASA plans to end the 30-year-old Space Shuttle program later this year.
Boeing to Begin Maintenance Work on SBX Missile Defense Radar Boeing 12 May 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] will begin maintenance and upgrade activities this week in Seattle for the Sea-based X-band Radar (SBX), which arrived in port on May 10, passing through Puget Sound and Elliott Bay.
Rasmussen calls for NATO, Russia to 'build security together' RIA Novosti 12 May 2011 -- NATO General Secretary Anders Fogh Rasmussen stressed the importance of cooperation with Russia on a European missile defense shield.
Mayflower Test Satellite, Jointly Developed by Northrop Grumman and Applied Minds, Proves Successful During Recent SpaceX Mission Northrop Grumman 11 May 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation and Applied Minds, LLC announced the success of a recent launch and orbit of a Mayflower test microsatellite. Data gathered from around the world was analyzed, showing all tested systems functioned correctly including a new, previously unproven advanced solar cell deployment system.
Rasmussen: "NATO and Russia: why cooperation counts" NATO 11 May 2011
Russian firm accused of selling rocket engines to U.S. at half cost RIA Novosti 11 May 2011 -- Russian engineering corporation Energomash sold rocket engines to the United States at half production cost.
Iran to send "Mesbah1" satellite into space by 2013 ISNA 10 May 2011 -- Iran is to send "Mesbah1" satellite into space by 2013, said the Head of Aerospace Industries of Iran's Electronic Industries Asghar Ebrahimi.
Iran to send two satellites into space by February ISNA 10 May 2011 -- An Iranian Space Agency official Asghar Ebrahimi said the country is going to send two satellites into space by February.
Northrop Grumman's Astro Aerospace Delivers Deployable Reflector to Astrium for Alphasat I-XL Spacecraft Northrop Grumman 09 May 2011 -- Astro Aerospace, a strategic business unit of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), has delivered its fourth deployable AstroMesh reflector to Astrium in Toulouse, France, this one for the Alphasat I-XL spacecraft that will provide commercial, broadband telecommunications services to Europe, Middle East, Africa and parts of Asia.
Northrop Grumman Scalable SIRU(TM) Guides MESSENGER Spacecraft to Orbit Mercury Northrop Grumman 09 May 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's space navigation aid recently provided key guidance and control information that allowed NASA's MESSENGER to become the first spacecraft to successfully orbit Mercury, marking the culmination of a more-than six-year, 4.9 billion-mile journey to the innermost planet.
NASA is Confident that Shuttle Endeavour Problem is Fixed VOA 09 May 2011 -- NASA: "Extremely high confidence" that technicians have fixed problem that canceled launch of the space shuttle Endeavour.
Lockheed Martin-Built Next Generation Missile Warning Satellite Launched Successfully Lockheed Martin 07 May 2011 -- The first Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous (GEO-1) spacecraft, built by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Air Force, was successfully launched today at 2:10 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Boosts Early-Warning Missile Detection System into Orbit Pratt & Whitney 07 May 2011 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne today demonstrated its ongoing commitment to national defense by boosting into orbit the U.S. military’s first Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous satellite (SBIRS GEO 1) for early-warning missile detection. The mission was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida by a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.
Space Adventures proposes modified Soyuz TMA for moon tourists RIA Novosti 06 May 2011 -- U.S. Space Adventures, the only company currently offering tourist orbital spaceflights, has offered to equip the Russian Soyuz TMA spaceship with additional living space for eight-day commercial flights around the moon, the company said late on Thursday.
United States unfolding missile defense in Europe de facto - Rogozin RIA Novosti 06 May 2011 -- The United States is already deploying its missile defense system in Europe without waiting for an agreement with Russia, Russia's envoy to NATO Dmitry Rogozin said.
NASA to Launch Telescope That Will See Into the Past VOA 05 May 2011 -- Light from distant galaxies, billions of light years away from us, is so faint that it shifts from the visible spectrum ino the infrared segment and becomes heat. It can be detected only by instruments cooled to almost absolute zero. The U.S. space agency NASA is building a new space telescope that will be cool in both senses of the word.
Russia orbits military communications satellite RIA Novosti 05 May 2011 -- A Russian Meridian series military communications satellite has been put into a designated orbit, a spokesman for the Russian Space Forces said on Thursday.
ISS orbit to be readjusted for Soyuz TMA-20 return RIA Novosti 05 May 2011 -- The orbit of the International Space Station (ISS) will be raised by 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) on Thursday, Russian Mission Control said.
Gravity Probe B Data Confirms Frame-Dragging and Geodetic Effect in Support of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity Lockheed Martin 04 May 2011 -- Launched on April 20, 2004, Gravity Probe B (GP-B) gathered data during its 16-month mission that have now provided verification for two subtle physical effects predicted by Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, which provides the foundation for an understanding of the large-scale structure of the Universe.
U.S. Air Force Poised To Launch First-Of-Its-Kind Space Based Infrared System Satellite Lockheed Martin 04 May 2011 -- The U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin [NYSE : LMT] are ready to launch the first Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous (GEO-1) spacecraft on Friday, May 6 aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The launch window is 2:14 p.m. EDT to 2:54 p.m. EDT. A live launch broadcast will begin at 1:54 p.m. EDT and will be accessible via the ULA webcast.
Patriot Test Fires PAC-3 MSE Missile Raytheon 04 May 2011 -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) Patriot Air and Missile Defense System successfully test fired Lockheed Martin's PAC-3 MSE (Missile Segment Enhancement) missile recently at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
Russia ready to discuss all European missile defense proposals RIA Novosti 04 May 2011 -- Russia is ready to discuss all proposals on the European missile shield, the chief of Russian General Staff, Army Gen. Nikolai Makarov said after a Russia-NATO council meeting on Wednesday.
Russia may counter U.S.-Romanian missile shield deal - lawmaker RIA Novosti 04 May 2011 -- Romania and the United States should expect counter measures from Russia in response to a missile shield agreement, a senior Russian lawmaker said on Wednesday.
SPAWAR Provides Critical Link during Missile Defense Agency Test NNS 02 May 2011 -- Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific's (SPAWAR) Combined Test Bed (CTB) announced today that it recently participated in a missile-on-missile intercept test.
Raytheon Awarded $15.7 Million for Patriot Missile Support Services Raytheon 02 May 2011 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has received a $15.7 million contract to provide material and technical services in support of the Patriot Missile Field Surveillance Program.
Russian, U.S. military officials discuss European missile defense in Brussels RIA Novosti 02 May 2011 -- High-ranking Russian and U.S. military officials are meeting at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Monday to discuss the possibilities for Russian-U.S. cooperation in the creation of the European missile defense network, Russia's envoy to NATO Dmitry Rogozin said.
Space shuttle Endeavour's final launch postponed again RIA Novosti 01 May 2011 -- The final launch of the space shuttle Endeavour, scheduled for Monday, has been postponed again as NASA specialists have failed to fix technical problems with the spacecraft's engine compartment, the U.S. space agency said.

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