June 2011 Space News

ORS-1 satellite successfully launched from NASA Wallops Flight Facility AFNS 30 Jun 2011 -- An Air Force team successfully launched the first Operationally Responsive Space prototype satellite aboard a Minotaur I launch vehicle at 11:09 p.m. EDT June 29 from the NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Va. ORS-1 deployed 12 minutes after launch.
Battalion recapitalizes Patriot air defense systems Army News 30 Jun 2011 -- Patriot air defense units in South Korea play a critical role in protecting Allied assets from the threat of tactical ballistic missiles.
ATK Spacecraft Bus Supports ORS-1 Satellite Launch ATK 30 Jun 2011 -- ATK's (NYSE: ATK) RSMB (Responsive Space Modular Bus) is included in the Department of Defense's Operationally Responsive Space-1 (ORS-1) satellite, which was successfully launched from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Va. on June 29th, 2011.
Lockheed Martin Team Completes GeoEye-2 Design Phase Early Lockheed Martin 30 Jun 2011 -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team developing GeoEye's (NASDAQ: GEOY) next-generation, high-resolution Earth-imaging satellite, known as GeoEye-2, has successfully completed the Space System Critical Design Review (CDR) two weeks ahead of schedule. The review validated the detailed design of the spacecraft and command and control portion of the ground system to ensure it meets all program requirements for GeoEye's commercial and government users and marks the program's transition to production.
NASA Completes Mirror Polishing for James Webb Space Telescope Northrop Grumman 30 Jun 2011 -- Mirrors are a critical part of a telescope. The quality is crucial, so completion of mirror polishing represents a major milestone. All of the mirrors that will fly aboard NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have been polished so the observatory can see objects as far away as the first galaxies in the universe. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is the prime contractor for the Webb telescope under contract to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.
Orbital Successfully Launches Minotaur I Rocket Carrying ORS-1 Satellite for the U.S. Air Force Orbital Sciences Corp. 30 Jun 2011 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that its Minotaur I rocket successfully launched the Department of Defense Operationally Responsive Space Office's ORS-1 satellite.
Lockheed Martin-Built Communications Satellite Ready For Launch For Japanese Customers Lockheed Martin 29 Jun 2011 -- The BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R broadcasting and telecommunications satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] for the Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) and SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, is ready for liftoff on July 1 aboard an Ariane 5-ECA launch vehicle provided by Arianespace. The launch window opens at 5:43 p.m. ET and closes at 7:06 p.m. ET.
Russia launches Cosmos-series military satellite RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2011 -- Russia's Space Forces launched on Monday a Soyuz-U carrier rocket with a Cosmos class military satellite on board, spokesman Lt. Col. Alexey Zolotukhin said.
Small Asteroid to Whip Past Earth on June 27, 2011 NASA/JPL 24 Jun 2011 -- Near-Earth asteroid 2011 MD will pass only 12,000 kilometers (7,500 miles) above the Earth's surface on Monday June 27 at about 9:30 EDT.
Raytheon Delivers Patriot GEM-T Test Missiles for UAE Raytheon 23 Jun 2011 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has completed the first major delivery of materials under the UAE contract.
Progress M-11M space freighter to dock with ISS on Thursday RIA Novosti 23 Jun 2011 -- Russia's Progress M-11M cargo spacecraft will dock with International Space Station late on Thursday.
Atlantis Crew 'Honored' to Be On Final Shuttle Mission VOA 22 Jun 2011 -- The space shuttle Atlantis is preparing for the final mission of the U.S. shuttle program next month.
Lockheed Martin Completes Antenna Installation on Guam to Support U.S. Air Force Weather Mission Lockheed Martin 22 Jun 2011 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] engineers have completed installation of a XLS-band antenna at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam that will allow military commanders to receive real time weather information for operational use. This is one in a series of six installations around the globe under the U.S. Air Force MARK IVB program with remaining antennas to be installed in Kuwait and Hawaii by October.
Northrop Grumman's Exclusive Resonator Gyro Achieves 18 Million Operating Hours in Space Northrop Grumman 22 Jun 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) patented hemispherical resonator gyro (HRG) technology, which is used for various space and military applications, recently achieved a major milestone of 18 million hours of continuous operation with 100 percent mission success.
Sagem delivers first prototype primary mirror segments for the European Extremely Large Telescope Sagem (Safran group) 22 Jun 2011 -- Sagem (Safran group) has delivered to ESO (European Southern Observatory) the first five prototype segments for the primary mirror on the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), a major step forward in proving the feasibility of this exciting new instrument.
European Space Agency and Thales Alenia Space sign production agreement for Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) Thales 22 Jun 2011 -- The European Space Agency (ESA) and Thales Alenia Space have signed yesterday an agreement for the production of the atmospheric reentry demonstrator IXV (Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle) and its Ground Segment, paving the way for the signature of the contract by end June.
MEADS Partner Nations Approve Flight Test Demonstrations of Advanced System Capability Lockheed Martin 21 Jun 2011 -- The National Armaments Directors of Germany, Italy and the United States have approved a revised set of development objectives for the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) program, including two intercept flight tests by 2014.
Raytheon Receives $1.7 Billion to Upgrade Patriot for Saudi Arabia Raytheon 21 Jun 2011 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has received a $1.7 billion Direct Commercial Sales contract to upgrade Saudi Arabia's Patriot Air and Missile Defense System to the latest Configuration-3. The award includes ground-system hardware, a full training package and support equipment upgrades.
Thales Alenia Space announces that Express AM8, AT1 and AT2 programmes are now in full effect Thales 21 Jun 2011 -- Thales Alenia Space announces today the official start of the Express AM8, AT1 and AT2 programs. The tri-partite contract was signed in September 2010 with RSCC (Russian Space Operator) and JSC 'ISS – Reshetnev Company and the global financing is now completed.
Thales Alenia Space wins contract to built payload for Kazakhstan's KazSat3 satellite Thales 21 Jun 2011 -- Thales Alenia Space announces contract with JSC 'ISS – Reshetnev Company' to supply the KazSat3 communications satellite payload.
Iran to launch new satellites into space ISNA 21 Jun 2011 -- Iran said on Tuesday that it intends to send "Navid" and "Fajr" satellites into space by March 2012 and build "Rasad 2" satellite.
Progress M-11M space freighter launched into orbit RIA Novosti 21 Jun 2011 -- A Russian cargo spacecraft undocked from a Soyuz-U carrier rocket and was launched into orbit.
Russia prepares to launch Progress M-11M space freighter to ISS RIA Novosti 21 Jun 2011 -- A Russian cargo spacecraft will be sent to the International Space Station on Tuesday at 18:38 Moscow time.
Second Meads Launcher Passes Key Acceptance Test Lockheed Martin 20 Jun 2011 -- The Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) successfully passed another hardware milestone when its second Launcher Platform Group (LPG) completed formal acceptance testing during March in Dello, Italy.
Raytheon to Provide Airborne Processing for Missile Defense Application Raytheon 20 Jun 2011 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has received a $10 million contract to provide advanced airborne data processing for the Missile Defense Agency.
Ahmadinejad says Iran to launch satellites 35,000 km away from earth ISNA 20 Jun 2011 -- Iranian President Ahmadinejad: Country plans to launch bigger satellites to the altitude of 35,000 kilometers.
Iran's Rasad satellite sends 1st images from space IRNA 19 Jun 2011 -- First images have been received Sunday from Iran's Rasad satellite which was launched into orbit last Wednesday.
IAI Presents Its Compact Man Portable Satellite Communication Terminal- MAPSAT Israel Aerospace Industries 19 Jun 2011 -- Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is building and integrating nano-satellites for scientific applications. Such nano-satellites typically weigh less than 10 kg and are commonly used to demonstrate new technologies and execute space missions having a short duration, of typically up to two years.
Israel Aerospace Industries is Developing and Building Nano-Satellites in Cooperation with the Israeli Nano-Satellites Association (INSA) Israel Aerospace Industries 19 Jun 2011 -- ELTA Systems Ltd., an Israel Aerospace Industries' group and subsidiary, presents the MAPSAT (ELK 1895), a tactical Man Portable Satellite Communication (SATCOM) Terminal.
Raytheon's First-of-Its-Kind Space-Based Hyperspectral Sensor Marks Second Year on Orbit Raytheon 19 Jun 2011 -- A groundbreaking space sensor built by Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has completed its second year on orbit, exceeding its design life by 100 percent.
India to testflight cryogenic telecom satellite launcher rocket IRNA 18 Jun 2011 -- India will undertake the test-flight of its indigenous cryogenic stage onboard homegrown rocket GSLV-D5 which will launch GSAT-14 by the middle of 2012.
Rasad Satellite turning around earth 29 times since launching IRNA 17 Jun 2011 -- Rasad (Observation) Satellite has turned around the earth about 29 times since launching on Wednesday, said an official at Iran Aerospace Organization here on Friday.
'Iran to launch three other satellites into space' IRNA 17 Jun 2011 -- Head of Iran's Space Agency Hamid Fazeli said on Thursday that his organization plans to launch three other research satellites into space.
Raytheon Receives $51.6 Million U.S. Navy Contract to Support Satellite Communication System Raytheon 16 Jun 2011 -- The U.S. Navy has awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $51.6 million contract to provide logistics support for the communication terminals of the Navy's Extremely High Frequency Satellite Program (NESP).
50th Space Wing completes GPS constellation expansion AFNS 15 Jun 2011 -- The 50th Space Wing successfully completed a two-phase GPS constellation expansion known as 'Expandable 24' June 15. The expansion increased global GPS coverage and is now providing civil, military and commercial GPS users with a more robust signal and a higher probability of signal acquisition in terrain-challenged environments officials said.
Iranian satellite Rasad launched successfully into earth orbit IRNA 15 Jun 2011 -- On auspicious birth anniversary night of Imam Ali ibn Abu-Taleb (P), pride-inspiring technicians of IRI Aerospace Org (IAO) successfully launched Iran's Rasad satellite into earth space Wednesday evening.
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory Detects Superfast Solar Waves Moving At 2,000 Km Per Second Lockheed Martin 15 Jun 2011 -- Scientists using the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) instrument on board NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), have detected quasi-periodic waves in the low solar corona that travel at speeds as high as 2,000 kilometers per second (4.5 million miles per hour).
Lockheed Martin Delivers Tactical Hardware for MEADS Intra-Fire Unit Communications Lockheed Martin 15 Jun 2011 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] recently delivered the first intra-fire unit communications kit qualified for use with the tri-national Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS). This kit, also known as the MEADS Internal Communications Subsystem (MICS) Message Routing Subsystem, will support MEADS launcher integration, test and qualification.
SCO slams U.S. missile defense plans RIA Novosti 15 Jun 2011 -- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) opposes Western missile defense plans that could jeopardize international stability, the regional security group said in a declaration on Wednesday.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne J-2X Engine for NASA's Future Human Spaceflight Ready for Test Pratt & Whitney 13 Jun 2011 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne completed assembly of the first J-2X upper-stage engine for NASA's next era of human spaceflight in preparation for demonstration testing expected to begin this month at Stennis Space Center, Miss.
Boeing Completes Delta System Definition Review of Crew Space Transportation Design Boeing 13 Jun 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] on May 19 completed the Delta System Definition Review (SDR) of the company's Crew Space Transportation (CST)-100 space capsule design. The milestone follows NASA's award of a Commercial Crew Development Phase 2 (CCDev2) contract to Boeing in April.
Orbital Awarded Contract for Thaicom 6 Communications Satellite Orbital Sciences Corp. 13 Jun 2011 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that THAICOM Plc. (SET Index: THCOM) has awarded the company a firm contract for the Thaicom 6 communications satellite.
Russia's Mission Control raises ISS orbit by 19.2 km RIA Novosti 13 Jun 2011 -- Russia's Mission Control has adjusted the orbit of the International Space Station (ISS) by raising it 19.2 kilometers (11.9 miles) to 364.6 km (226.5 miles), a spokesman for the Mission Control said.
Russia's Soyuz spacecraft docks with International Space Station RIA Novosti 10 Jun 2011 -- Russia's Soyuz TMA-02M manned spacecraft docked with the International Space Station.
Russia says European missiles talks 'not deadlocked' RIA Novosti 09 Jun 2011 -- Russia does not view the talks with NATO over the European missile defense shield as deadlocked.
Manufacturing IranSat one of Iran's greatest requests from Russia IRNA 09 Jun 2011 -- Head of Aerospace Organization of Iran: Manufacturing IranSat satellite is one of Iran’s greatest requests from Russia.
The Reset Hits a Pothole RFE/RL 09 Jun 2011 -- For a while now, well out of the limelight, Russia and NATO have been negotiating about how to cooperate on missile defense.
Northrop Grumman Space Program Completes Critical Review Northrop Grumman 09 Jun 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) recently completed a systems requirement review (SRR), the first of several important steps to design, build and deliver a new spacecraft bus to reduce costs to space operations. Under the Modular Space Vehicle (MSV) program, the successful SRR and future preliminary design reviews and system implementation is part of a contract with National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ames in support of the Department of Defense (DoD) Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) office at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
Northrop Grumman Solar Array Capabilities Enable MESSENGER Probe to Operate in Extreme Temperatures Orbiting Mercury Northrop Grumman 08 Jun 2011 -- Key technologies and hardware developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) gave the first spacecraft to orbit Mercury a power system that works to its maximum even in the searing heat that surrounds the planet closest to the sun.
Russia may develop nuclear offensive, arms race - Serdyukov RIA Novosti 08 Jun 2011 -- Russian Defense Minister Serdyukov: Russia would develop offensive nuclear force if NATO fails to come to agreement over the European defense shield.
Monterey Sailors Integrate EPAA in Romania NNS 08 Jun 2011 -- USS Monterey arrived in Constanta for a scheduled three-day port visit as part of the European Phased Adaptive Approach, June 6.
Soyuz blasts off for International Space Station RIA Novosti 08 Jun 2011 -- Russia's Soyuz TMA-02M spacecraft has lifted off for the International Space Station from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan.
Russia will counter any NATO missile defense - Russian envoy RIA Novosti 07 Jun 2011 -- Russia can develop missile systems capable of penetrating any missile defense deployed by NATO.
U.S. Navy cruiser in Romania for missile shield project RIA Novosti 07 Jun 2011 -- The Monterey anchored in the Romanian Port of Constanta on the Black Sea within the NATO European missile shield project.
ATK Announces TacSat-3 Satellite Has Exceeded Planned Mission Life, Reaching Two Year Anniversary On-Orbit ATK 07 Jun 2011 -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) joins the U.S. Air Force Space Command in observing the two year anniversary on-orbit for the Tactical Satellite-3 (TacSat-3). Originally designed for six months of operation with a one year goal, the spacecraft successfully transitioned from experimental to operational status last year, outliving its design life and surpassing original mission requirements.
MEASAT orders latest satellite from Astrium EADS 07 Jun 2011 -- MEASAT Global Berhad ('MEASAT') has selected Astrium to build MEASAT-3b, a new satellite to augment its core Ku-band business in Malaysia, India and Indonesia.
Raytheon Conducts Key Customer Review for Air and Missile Defense Radar Raytheon 07 Jun 2011 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) conducted its system requirements review (SRR) for Phase II of the U.S. Navy's Air and Missile Defense Radar program. This review marks a major milestone for AMDR, for which Raytheon is currently developing a technology demonstrator for the system's S-band radar and radar suite controller.
Raytheon Completes Satellite Downlink in Antarctica for Critical Weather Systems Raytheon 07 Jun 2011 -- A Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) team successfully completed the third major communications upgrade at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, in support of future scientific and environmental satellite missions. McMurdo is the largest of the three, year-round U.S.-Antarctic Program research stations.
Spanish Space Technology for observation and intelligence missions Thales 07 Jun 2011 -- Thales Alenia Space España is awarded contracts worth more than 11 million Euros for the European Earth Observation MUSIS program.
Thales Alenia Space España is awarded contracts worth more than 11 million Euros for the European Earth Observation MUSIS program Thales 07 Jun 2011 -- The Spanish Company leads the national market in optical observation instruments and is at the foremost position in technology for observation and science missions
Minju Joson on US Spy Satellite KCNA 07 Jun 2011 -- The United States putting GEO-1, an ultramodern spy satellite, into orbit to replace DSP which the U.S. Department of Defense operated for 30 years.
Wind tunnels at NASA Langley being removed by Facilities Reduction Program Army News 07 Jun 2011 --Project to remove wind tunnels and supporting facilities at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va.
Fact Sheet: U.S.-Germany Science and Technology Cooperation The White House 07 Jun 2011
Boeing Announces Workforce Reductions in Space Exploration Division Boeing 03 Jun 2011 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today issued 60-day advance layoff notices to approximately 510 employees in its Space Exploration division, resulting primarily from the planned completion of the Space Shuttle program.
Czech Republic wants to join NATO missile shield project RIA Novosti 03 Jun 2011 -- Czech Republic would like to join the NATO European missile shield project, but no practical schemes have been discussed so far, First Deputy Prime Minister Karel Schwarzenberg said.
European ATV-2 space freighter readjusts ISS orbit RIA Novosti 03 Jun 2011 -- Russia's Mission Control raised the orbit of the International Space Station (ISS) by 3.74 km (2.3 miles), to 346,4 km (215.2 miles), a Mission Control spokesman said on Friday.
Army receives first THAAD missiles Army News 01 Jun 2011 -- Lockheed Martin delivered the first two Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Missiles to the U.S. Army, capping off years of planning and development.
Detachment One formally activated, changes commanders Army News 01 Jun 2011 -- The 100th Missile Defense Brigade (Ground-based Midcourse Defense) officially unfurled the guidon for its Detachment One during an Activation and Change of Command ceremony here May 13.
UN stresses need for global cooperation on using outer space UN News Centre 01 Jun 2011 -- As the world marks the 50th anniversary of humankind's first flight into outer space, the United Nations today reaffirmed the importance of international cooperation in developing norms of law to ensure adherence to treaties that promote peaceful and beneficial uses of outer space.
Space shuttle Endeavor lands for last time AFNS 01 Jun 2011 -- The space shuttle Endeavor touched down at the Kennedy Space Center June 1 at 2:35 a.m. EDT, ending the shuttle's 19-year flying career.

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