July 2011 Space News

U.S. in talks with NATO states on deployment of radar system in Europe RIA Novosti 29 Jul 2011 -- The United States is in talks with a number of NATO states on the deployment of a radar system as part of its mooted missile shield in Europe, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of State said.
U.S. missile shield may be precursor for Iran attack RIA Novosti 28 Jul 2011 -- Russia's envoy to NATO said that the US might use the European missile defense project as preparation for an attack on Iran.
Russia against U.S. missile shield elements in Black Sea RIA Novosti 28 Jul 2011 -- Russia is opposed to deploying sea-based missiles and radars of the planned U.S. missile shield in Europe in Black Sea region.
Russian radio telescope makes first loop around Earth RIA Novosti 28 Jul 2011 -- Russia's Spectr-R spacecraft with a powerful radio telescope passed the lowest point of its highly elliptical orbit for the first time.
Eutelsat orders new Eutelsat 3B satellite from Astrium EADS 28 Jul 2011 -- Eutelsat has selected Astrium, Europe's leading space company, to design and manufacture Eutelsat 3B, a new telecommunications satellite to provide video, data, Internet and telecom services across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and parts of South America, notably Brazil.
Rogozin on Russia-U.S relations RIA Novosti 27 Jul 2011 -- Rogozin: Russia must ensure the protection of its interests in case if radical Republicans come to power in the United States after the upcoming elections.
ISS to be de-orbited and sunk after 2020 RIA Novosti 27 Jul 2011 -- The International Space Station will be de-orbited and sunk in the Pacific Ocean after 2020 like its Russian predecessor Mir.
China launches another global navigation satellite RIA Novosti 27 Jul 2011 -- China launched an indigenous satellite as part of its expanding navigation and global positioning network.
Touch down ends Reserve rescue role in shuttle program AFNS 25 Jul 2011 -- As the sun rose on July 21, it shed light on both the final landing of the space shuttle Atlantis.
Fifty years of defending NATO’s skies NATO 22 Jul 2011 -- NATO’s Integrated Air Defence and the supporting NATO Integrated Air Defence System (NATINADS) mark 50 years of safeguarding NATO's skies.
Ukraine's Only Astronaut Sad To See Space Shuttle Program End RFE/RL 22 Jul 2011 -- Leonid Kadenyuk, the only Ukrainian citizen to fly into space on a U.S. space shuttle, has expressed regret at the end of the program.
ISS crew to launch mini-satellite on August 3 RIA Novosti 22 Jul 2011 -- Russian cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station will launch a mini-satellite during a spacewalk on August 3.
NASA Administrator Commemorates Final Space Shuttle Landing NASA 21 Jul 2011
NASA's Proud Space Shuttle Program Ends With Atlantis Landing NASA 21 Jul 2011
Space Shuttle Era Ends with Atlantis Landing NASA 21 Jul 2011 -- Space shuttle Atlantis touched down on the Shuttle Landing Facility's Runway 15 at 5:57 a.m. EDT on July 21.
'Mission Complete' for Shuttle Atlantis VOA 21 Jul 2011 -- The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis has landed for the final time, marking the end of the shuttle era.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Bids Farewell to the Space Shuttle Program, Encourages Plan for Future Human Spaceflight Pratt & Whitney 21 Jul 2011 -- Space Shuttle Atlantis touched down at NASA Kennedy Space Center, officially bringing an end to the nation's space shuttle program and a 30-year legacy of boosting astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).
'Atlantis' Makes Final Landing, Bringing End to Space-Shuttle Era RFE/RL 21 Jul 2011 -- The space shuttle "Atlantis" has landed back on Earth, bringing an end to the era of the space shuttle after more than three decades.
U.S. shuttle Atlantis lands in Florida after final mission RIA Novosti 21 Jul 2011 -- The U.S. shuttle Atlantis made its final landing on Thursday at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, putting an end to NASA's 30-year Space Shuttle program.
Panetta, Serdyukov discuss missile shield RIA Novosti 20 Jul 2011 -- Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov and his U.S. counterpart Leon Panetta have discussed issues of international security.
Astronauts Check Shuttle for Thursday's Landing VOA 20 Jul 2011 -- NASA astronauts onboard the space shuttle Atlantis made preparations for Thursday's planned touchdown.
Weather forecast favorable for last shuttle landing RIA Novosti 20 Jul 2011 -- Weather forecasts are favorable for the last landing under the Space Shuttle program.
Orbital-Built Dawn Spacecraft Achieves Orbit Around the Asteroid Vesta After Four-Year Journey Orbital Sciences Corp. 20 Jul 2011 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) announced today that the Dawn interplanetary spacecraft, which the company designed and built for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), has successfully completed rendezvous and achieved orbit around the solar system's second most massive asteroid, Vesta.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne's Next Generation J-2X Upper-Stage Engine for Future Human Spaceflight Successfully Begins Demonstration Testing Pratt & Whitney 20 Jul 2011 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne has successfully completed a chill test and 1.9 second ignition test of NASA's J-2X engine at John C. Stennis Space Center, Miss. The J-2X upper-stage engine is in development to power NASA's next era of human spaceflight. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.
Thales Alenia Space wins Phase B contracts for Solar Orbiter METIS and SWA instruments Thales 20 Jul 2011 -- Thales Alenia Space announced today that it has won the Phase B contracts from Italian space agency ASI for the entire METIS (Multi Element Telescope for Imaging and Spectroscopy) instrument and the Data Processing Unit (DPU) on the Solar Wind Analyser (SWA), both part of the Solar Orbiter Mission in the European Space Agency's Cosmic Vision program.
Atlantis Heading Home - Goodbye International Space Station VOA 19 Jul 2011 -- The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis is on its way home after undocking from the International Space Station.
Shuttle Atlantis undocks from ISS for last time RIA Novosti 19 Jul 2011 -- The U.S. shuttle Atlantis undocked from the International Space Station for the last time.
DOD Space Program Broadens Industry, Foreign Partnerships AFPS 19 Jul 2011 -- The DoD is expanding partnerships with spacefaring companies and nations to maintain the strategic advantage it gains in space.
NASA Probe Returns First Images of Asteroid Vesta VOA 19 Jul 2011 -- NASA's Dawn spacecraft has returned the first high-resolution images of the asteroid Vesta, the second largest object in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Northrop Grumman Honored by IEEE for Development of Lunar Module Northrop Grumman 19 Jul 2011 -- The Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) demonstration satellites successfully acquired and tracked a short-range, air-launched target (SRALT) July 8 in a test that showed their ability to track dim objects that have extremely short flight timelines. The satellites were built by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), prime contractor, and Raytheon Company, sensor payload provider, for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The exercise verified target capabilities and did not involve an intercept attempt.
Boeing FAB-T Satellite Communications Program Making Progress Boeing 18 Jul 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that the hardware and software development of its Family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals (FAB-T) program is nearly complete. Boeing is working closely with the U.S. Air Force to ensure that the FAB-T program can provide protected wideband satellite communications in support of command and control of U.S. nuclear forces.
Orbital-Built SES-3 Communications Satellite Successfully Launched Orbital Sciences Corp. 18 Jul 2011 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB), one of the world's leading space technology companies, announced today that the SES-3 satellite, built by the company for SES, was successfully launched into orbit aboard an International Launch Services (ILS) Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Thales Alenia Space Italia awarded lead mandate for MUSIS-CIL Program Thales 18 Jul 2011 -- Thales Alenia Space Italia announces the signature of a contract with OCCAR-EA (Organization for Joint Armament Co-operation) for the study phase for the definition and feasibility of the Multinational Space-based Imaging System (MUSIS) () Federated Activities program. OCCAR-EA acted on behalf of the French and Italian Ministries of Defense, and awarded the contract to a Temporary Grouping of Companies made up of Astrium France and Thales Alenia Space France, led by Thales Alenia Space Italia.
Russia vows not to exploit manned space flight monopoly RIA Novosti 18 Jul 2011 -- Russia will not take advantage of its temporary monopoly on flying astronauts to the International Space Station.
2nd Boeing GPS IIF Satellite Sends 1st Signals from Space Boeing 16 Jul 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has received the first on-orbit signals from the second of 12 Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF satellites it is building for the U.S. Air Force. GPS IIF-2, renamed SVN-63, is functioning normally and ready to begin on-orbit maneuvers and operational testing.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Again Demonstrates its Large-Payload Lift Capability by Boosting Latest Navigation Satellite Pratt & Whitney 16 Jul 2011 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne again demonstrated its large payload lift capabilities by successfully boosting the second GPS- IIF2 navigation satellite for the U.S. government launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force station, Fla. The satellite was onboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV-Medium rocket, powered by a Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RS-68 booster engine and an RL10B-2 upper-stage engine. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.
Russia launches 2 foreign satellites into orbit RIA Novosti 16 Jul 2011 -- Russia launched early on Saturday a Proton-M rocket carrying a Kazakh and a U.S. communications satellites from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, Russian Space Agency Roscosmos said.
Russia, NATO end talks on sectoral missile defense - source RIA Novosti 15 Jul 2011 -- The subject of the so-called sectoral missile defense has been taken off the agenda of Russian-NATO negotiations.
India successfully launches latest communication satellite GSAT-12 IRNA 15 Jul 2011 -- India successfully launched its latest communication satellite GSAT-12 onboard PSLV-C17, from the spaceport in Sriharikota.
2nd Boeing GPS IIF Satellite Ready for Launch from Cape Canaveral Boeing 14 Jul 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced today that the second of 12 GPS IIF satellites it is building for the U.S. Air Force has successfully completed prelaunch testing. GPS IIF-2 is ready for launch on July 15 aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. (UPDATE at 8:40 p.m. Eastern time: Launch has been rescheduled for July 16 due to unfavorable weather that prevented the launch team from rolling the Mobile Service Tower away from the vehicle. The opening of the new 19-minute launch window is 2:41 a.m. Eastern time.)
Airmen at Zaragosa Air Base support NASA's final shuttle launch AFNS 14 Jul 2011 -- Airmen from U.S. Air Forces in Europe provided support at the Transoceanic Abort Landing Site in Zaragoza, Spain.
Contingency response team stands down after last shuttle support alert AFNS 13 Jul 2011 -- An audience of millions watched the last launch of the space shuttle Atlantis from Kennedy Space Center.
Russia's Soyuz spacecraft with U.S. satellites blasts off from Baikonur RIA Novosti 13 Jul 2011 -- Soyuz-2.1a space carrier with six U.S. Globalstar-2 communications satellites blasted off from the Baikonur space center.
European missile defense stalls Russia-NATO cooperation RIA Novosti 12 Jul 2011 -- The possible deployment of a NATO missile defense shield in Europe is the only disputable point between Russia and NATO.
Astronauts Conducting Final Spacewalk of US Shuttle Era VOA 12 Jul 2011 -- The final spacewalk of NASA's 30-year shuttle program is underway.
Atlantis mission extended until July 21 RIA Novosti 12 Jul 2011 -- The 33rd mission of Atlantis and the last shuttle mission in history was extended by one day, until July 21.
Sentinel-4: Astrium awarded a further Earth observation contract EADS 11 Jul 2011 -- Astrium, Europe's leading space company, will be the European Space Agency's (ESA) prime contractor for the development and construction of two highly accurate instruments designed to monitor the atmosphere
Russia postpones launch of Soyuz spacecraft with U.S. satellites RIA Novosti 11 Jul 2011 -- The launch of Russia's Soyuz-2.1a space carrier with six U.S. Globalstar-2 communications sas, has been postponed.
Indian space agency eyes taking foreign satellite on rent to meet demand IRNA 09 Jul 2011 -- Faced with transponder capacity crunch, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is exploring the possibilities of taking 'on rent' a foreign satellite for a couple of years and acquiring more foreign transponders on lease.
Statement by the President on the Launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis The White House 08 Jul 2011
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne's Space Shuttle Main Engines Power Final Flight to International Space Station Pratt & Whitney 08 Jul 2011 -- In an awesome display of technology and immense power that capped a 30-year legacy of boosting orbiters into space, three Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) today successfully powered the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on the program's final flight to the International Space Station (ISS). The SSME is the only fully reusable high-performance rocket engine rated for human spaceflight, having delivered the majority of U.S. astronauts into space since its maiden Mission STS-1 on April 12, 1981. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is the SSME prime integrator since program inception and is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.
ATK Solid Rocket Motors Boost Final Launch of the Space Shuttle Program ATK 08 Jul 2011 -- An unprecedented crowd of over one million witnessed the Shuttle program's final liftoff today from the Kennedy Space Center. Space Shuttle Atlantis had a picture perfect launch at 11:26 a.m. EDT boosted by ATK's (NYSE: ATK) Reusable Solid Rocket Motors (RSRMs). This launch culminates a remarkable, three-decade-long program and marks the beginning of a noble legacy in space exploration.
Hamilton Sundstrand supports final space shuttle mission; plans continued involvement with U.S. Space Program Hamilton Sundstrand 08 Jul 2011 -- Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX), today supported the final launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, continuing its legacy of contributions to every launch since the shuttle's maiden mission in 1981.
As Space Shuttle Program Ends Lockheed Martin Looks Back With Pride and Forward With Promise Lockheed Martin 08 Jul 2011 -- The final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle program is underway, and Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) Space Systems Company (LMSSC) has played a significant role from the very beginning. In addition to important shuttle systems that were a part of every flight, the company has had payloads on at least 30 missions that included spacecraft, satellites, instruments, telescopes, experiments, and various components.
45th Space Wing supports successful final shuttle launch AFNS 08 Jul 2011 -- Members of the 45th Space Wing provided Eastern Range support for NASA's successful launch of the final flight of Space Shuttle.
CONR supports final space shuttle launch AFNS 08 Jul 2011 -- Spectators looked on as Space Shuttle Atlantis roared to life for the final time, as the orbiter and crew launched into space from here July 8.
Space Shuttle Atlantis Lifts Off on Final Mission VOA 08 Jul 2011 -- The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis blasted off on a mission to the International Space Station, the 135th and final flight of the space shuttle program.
Atlantis blasts off in last shuttle launch RIA Novosti 08 Jul 2011 -- The last ever shuttle launch was performed on Friday as Atlantis lifted off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center.
Russia's Soyuz spacecraft with six U.S. satellites to blast off July 11 RIA Novosti 08 Jul 2011 -- Russia's Soyuz-2.1a space carrier with six U.S. Globalstar-2 communications satellites will be launched on July 11.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization Opposes US Missile Defense Plan VOA 07 Jul 2011 -- Russia continues to oppose U.S. plans for a ballistic missile defense system.
Reset in Russia-U.S. relations 'working out' - Lavrov RIA Novosti 07 Jul 2011 -- The reset in Russia-U.S. relations is bearing good fruit, but several disputable points are still eclipsing bilateral ties.
Possible Weather Delays Loom for Final Space Shuttle Launch VOA 07 Jul 2011 -- The final U.S. space shuttle launch remains on schedule for Friday, but NASA mission managers are keeping a close eye on the weather.
Nation's New Missile Warning Satellite Delivers First Infrared Imagery Lockheed Martin 07 Jul 2011 -- The first Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]-built Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous (GEO-1) spacecraft beamed down its first infrared image on June 21 to the SBIRS ground station. Following its May 7 launch, the satellite is performing as expected, and is now undergoing early orbit testing.
Boeing Prepares Space Shuttle Atlantis for Final Mission Boeing 06 Jul 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] engineers and technicians are preparing Space Shuttle Atlantis and its payload for the program's final mission, which is scheduled to launch from Kennedy Space Center on July 8.
Farewell Atlantis! Farewell Space Shuttle! EADS 06 Jul 2011 -- On 8 July 2011, when Space Shuttle Atlantis blasts off from the Cape Canaveral spaceport on its final mission, the end of the Space Shuttle fleet will be almost upon us: flight STS-135 will be the last time a Space Shuttle sees active service.
Satellite Command & Control System Developed By Lockheed Martin Extends Capability With Launch Of Ors-1 Satellite Lockheed Martin 06 Jul 2011 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced that the Multi-Mission Satellite Operations Center Ground System Architecture recently extended its mission capability to Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., with the successful launch of a new Air Force Operationally Responsive Space mission satellite, ORS-1. The ORS mission will be deployed by the 1st Space Operations Squadron, a component of the 50th Space Wing at Schriever.
STSS Demonstration Satellites, Built by Northrop Grumman, Show New 'Remote Cueing' Capabilities During Aegis Test Northrop Grumman 06 Jul 2011 -- The Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) demonstration satellites, built and operated by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), contributed to a successful sea-based missile defense test April 15 by acquiring, after being cued remotely, a target missile during the midcourse phase of its flight.
Russia, NATO must settle 'missile shield' issue soon RIA Novosti 06 Jul 2011 -- Russia and NATO still have time to resolve the controversy over the future European missile defense network.
'Nuisance Weather' Could Delay Shuttle Launch VOA 06 Jul 2011 -- A weather expert for the U.S. space agency says there is a 70 percent chance that the final U.S. space shuttle launch will be delayed Friday.
Speech by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen: "Russia and NATO: so much to gain" NATO 05 Jul 2011
NATO Secretary General stresses Russia cooperation in St Petersburg NATO 05 Jul 2011 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen stressed the importance of developing cooperation with Russia.
Russia's threats to create new offensive system 'unnecessary' - NATO chief RIA Novosti 05 Jul 2011 -- NATO secretary general: Russia should not seek new weapons to counter nonexistent threats from the West.
US Missile Defense Plan Goes Ahead Without Czech Support VOA 05 Jul 2011 -- The Czech Republic has decided not to participate in the U.S. ballistic missile system for Europe.
Atlantis Astronauts Arrive for Final Shuttle Launch VOA 05 Jul 2011 -- The astronauts who make up the crew of the space shuttle Atlantis have arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
Countdown Begins for Final Shuttle Mission VOA 05 Jul 2011 -- The countdown has begun for Friday's launch of the space shuttle Atlantis - the final shuttle flight in the 30-year U.S. shuttle program.
Lockheed Martin Team Completes Design Milestone for GPS III Program Lockheed Martin 05 Jul 2011 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has successfully completed on-schedule a System Design Review (SDR) for future Global Positioning System (GPS) III satellite increments planned under the U.S. Air Force's next generation GPS III program.
Press conference by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in his capacity as NRC Chairman, after the Informal morning session of the NATO-Russia Council in Sochi, Russian Federation NATO 04 Jul 2011
NATO-Russia Council makes progress in Sochi NATO 04 Jul 2011 -- The 29 nations of the NATO-Russia Council restated their commitment to pursuing cooperation on missile defence as well as other security areas of common interest.
Russia admits no chance of sectoral missile defense with NATO RIA Novosti 04 Jul 2011 -- Russia and NATO cannot agree on the establishment of a so-called sectoral missile defense system in Europe.
Rasmussen says Russia, NATO can cooperate on anti-missile shield RIA Novosti 04 Jul 2011 -- NATO is ready to cooperate with Russia on the anti-missile shield issue but there is much to be resolved.
Thales Alenia Space España is awarded contracts for more than 9 million Euros for its line of Telecom Systems in the first months of 2011 Thales 04 Jul 2011 -- The company, a leader in Telecommunication Systems and equipments within the Spanish space sector, reinvests 35% of its sales into the national industry.

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