September 2011 Space News

NATO-Russia summit possible in 2012 - Rasmussen RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2011 -- A NATO-Russia summit could be held next year in Chicago if the parties can agree on a substantive agenda.
No truth behind Russian-Iran missile shield - NATO envoy RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2011 -- Russia's envoy to NATO dismissed as "false" media reports that Russia and Iran planned to set up a joint missile defense shield.
China orbits future ISS rival RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2011 -- China has successfully launched the Tiangong-1, a prototype laboratory for an orbiting space station.
Orbital station avoids collision with space junk RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2011 -- The Russian Mission Control has carried out an emergency adjustment of the ISSs orbit to avoid its possible collision.
Russia's Proton-M carrier rocket launches Mexican satellite RIA Novosti 30 Sep 2011 -- A Russia's Proton-M space rocket has put a Mexican QuetzSat-1 telecommunications satellite into a designated orbit.
Russia's asymmetrical response to U.S. missile defense RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2011 -- A missile tipped with a newly designed warhead failed during the first test firing near Plesetsk in the north of Russia.
Officials break ground for Camp Roberts satellite station Army News 29 Sep 2011 -- Leaders of the 514th Signal Company hosted a ground-breaking ceremony at the Camp Roberts Satellite Communications Station.
China Launches Spacecraft, Eyes Space Station VOA 29 Sep 2011 -- China has launched an unmanned spacecraft, in what is described as Beijing's first step toward building its own space station.
China Readies For Next Space Leap RFE/RL 29 Sep 2011 -- China is making final preparations for the planned launch of a space capsule designed to test systems to be used in a permanent space station.
China launches its first space lab module RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2011 -- China launched its first space lab module Tiangong-1 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Thursday.
Russia set for launch of Proton-M carrier rocket with Mexican satellite RIA Novosti 29 Sep 2011 -- Russia's Proton-M carrier rocket with a Mexican telecommunications satellite, QuetzSat-1, will be launched from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan.
Netherlands to join NATO missile defense program RIA Novosti 28 Sep 2011 -- The Netherlands will contribute to the NATO missile shield to protect Europe against missile attacks from countries such as Iran.
KCNA on Japan's Launch of Spy Satellite KCNA 28 Sep 2011 -- Recently, Japan launched a new intelligence gathering satellite at Tanegashima Space Center for the purpose of monitoring the military facilities of the DPRK.
NASA Satellite Falls Over Pacific Ocean VOA 28 Sep 2011 -- NASA has confirmed that its defunct 20-year-old Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite fell to Earth in a remote part of the Pacific Ocean.
Astrium selected to help define missile defence system for NATO EADS 27 Sep 2011 -- Astrium has been selected by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to define the first step of the systems architecture for its territorial ballistic missile defence programme.
Orbital Successfully Launches Minotaur IV Rocket for U.S. Air Force Carrying TacSat-4 Satellite Orbital Sciences Corp. 27 Sep 2011 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation, one of the world's leading space technology companies, announced today that its Minotaur IV space launch vehicle was successfully launched for the U.S. Air Force, placing the U.S. Navy's Tactical Satellite-4 (TacSat-4) into a precise orbit of the Earth
Russia Wants Missile-Defense Legal Guarantees RFE/RL 27 Sep 2011 -- Russia's FM has reiterated concerns over U.S. missile-defense plans in Europe.
Strategic missile defense affects global security - Lavrov RIA Novosti 27 Sep 2011 -- The deployment of strategic missile defense systems will alter the international security configuration.
No progress in Russia-U.S. missile shield talks RIA Novosti 27 Sep 2011 -- No progress has been made in Russia - U.S. talks on the projected deployment of a U.S. missile defense system in Europe.
China Tiangong 1 Readied for Orbit VOA 27 Sep 2011 -- Beijing says it will launch an experimental space platform later this week as the growing Asian economic power moves with plans for its own space station.
Minju Joson on Japan's Military Moves against DPRK KCNA 27 Sep 2011 -- Some time ago, Japan launched a new intelligence gathering satellite.
Ukraine ready to invest in joint space project with Brazil RIA Novosti 27 Sep 2011 -- Ukraine is ready to invest funds in a joint space project with Brazil to launch Cyclone 4 rockets from a Brazilian site.
Lockheed Martin Completes Primary Structure of NASA's MAVEN Spacecraft Lockheed Martin 26 Sep 2011 -- – Lockheed Martin has completed building the primary structure of NASA's MAVEN spacecraft at its Space Systems Company facility near Denver. The Mars Atmosphere And Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft is scheduled to launch in November 2013 and will be the first mission devoted to understanding the Martian upper atmosphere.
Lockheed Martin-Built BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R Satellite Handed Over to Japanese Customers Lockheed Martin 26 Sep 2011 -- The BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R broadcasting satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin for the Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) and SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, is now ready for service following successful on-orbit deployment and checkout of all spacecraft systems. The satellite is located at orbital location 110 degrees east and will provide service for Japanese companies B-SAT and SKY Perfect JSAT, which jointly procured the satellite.
Raytheon GPS OCX Successfully Completes Preliminary Design Review Raytheon 26 Sep 2011 -- Raytheon Company has successfully completed preliminary design review for the Global Positioning System Next Generation Operational Control System (GPS OCX), an important milestone in determining the program's development approach, cost estimates and delivery schedule. The review, which was conducted by the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center's (SMC) GPS Directorate, assessed the architectural and technical maturity of the program design.
NATO defense system poses no threat to Iran: Turkish Ambassador ISNA 25 Sep 2011 -- Turkish Ambassador to Tehran Umit Yardim said deployment of NATO defense system pose no threat to any country particularly Iran.
Sea Launch resumes operations after 2-year break RIA Novosti 25 Sep 2011 -- International consortium Sea Launch resumed its operations on Saturday with a launch of a Russian-Ukrainian Zenit-3SL rocket carrying a European telecoms satellite, the company said.
SAIC Helps Launch Commercially-Hosted Infrared Payload Sensor for U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center SAIC 23 Sep 2011 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) announced today the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), SES Government Solutions, Orbital Sciences Corporation (Orbital), and SAIC team has successfully launched the Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload (CHIRP) sensor into space.
Rasmussen expects missile shield deal with Russia by May RIA Novosti 23 Sep 2011 -- NATO Secretary General Fogh Rasmussen expects Russia and NATO will agree on missile defense at the alliance's summit.
Taiwan more vulnerable to satellite debris at 4 a.m.: space agency CNA 23 Sep 2011 -- Fragments from a falling US-owned satellite crash likely to land nearer Taiwan if they plunge out of orbit at around 4 a.m. Saturday.
46th successful launch in a row of the Astrium-built Ariane 5 EADS 22 Sep 2011 -- Ariane 5, the European launch vehicle developed and manufactured by Astrium, today successfully lifted-off from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
Orbital-Built SES-2 Communications Satellite with CHIRP Hosted Payload Successfully Launched Orbital Sciences Corp. 22 Sep 2011 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation, one of the world's leading space technology companies, announced today that it is in final preparations for the launch later today of the SES-2 commercial communications satellite for its customer SES of Luxembourg
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Continues Tests on Department of Defense, NASA Engines Pratt & Whitney 22 Sep 2011 -- In an impressive display of power and technology, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne successfully completed a series of hot-fire tests on the certified RS-68A engine, the world's most powerful hydrogen-fueled engine.
Iran says deployment of NATO shield in Turkey "inefficient" ISNA 22 Sep 2011 -- An Iranian IRGC Commander said Thursday deployment of NATO missile shield would be inefficient in Turkey.
Russia to build sea-based 'missile shield' - diplomat RIA Novosti 22 Sep 2011 -- Russia is planning to develop its own sea-based missile defense system.
Military Tracks Errant Satellite for NASA AFPS 22 Sep 2011 -- As a 6.5-ton NASA satellite makes its way back to Earth later this week.
Russian space agency needs reforms - Roscosmos head RIA Novosti 22 Sep 2011 -- Head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos: Recent failed launches were a reflection of the agency's management problems.
Russia may launch its first Earth remote sensing satellite in 2012 RIA Novosti 22 Sep 2011 -- Russia’s first Earth remote sensing satellite, the Kondor, may be launched in January 2012.
ATK Spacecraft Bus Contributes to Significant ORS-1 Milestone ATK 21 Sep 2011 -- ATK joins the U.S. Air Force in marking a significant milestone for the Department of Defense's Operationally Responsive Space-1 (ORS-1) satellite. The space vehicle was declared fully operational on Friday, September 16th, 2011 by the U.S. Air Force Space Command at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado following successful on-orbit deployment and checkout of all systems.
General Dynamics Receives FCC License for Communication Satellite Access Using Vehicle-based SATCOM Terminals General Dynamics 21 Sep 2011 -- General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies has received a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enabling continuous access to private- and government-owned communication satellites while on-the-move in vehicles
Northrop Grumman Receives Systems Engineering Contract for Missile Defense Agency's Precision Tracking Space System Northrop Grumman 21 Sep 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation has received a contract from the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), a division of The Johns Hopkins University, to perform manufacturing and production readiness systems engineering for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Precision Tracking Space System (PTSS).
Orbital Preparing for Launch of SES-2 Commercial Satellite Carrying CHIRP Hosted Payload Sensor Orbital Sciences Corp. 21 Sep 2011
Russia not dramatizing situation with U.S. missile shield deals RIA Novosti 21 Sep 2011 -- Russia is concerned over U.S. plans on the deployment of its missile shield elements in Romania and Turkey.
Proton-M successfully puts military purpose spacecraft into orbit RIA Novosti 21 Sep 2011 -- Russia's Proton-M carrier rocket successfully put a military satellite into orbit.
Lockheed Martin is Leveraging Satellite and Missile Defense Expertise on Precision Tracking Space System Team Lockheed Martin 20 Sep 2011 -- Lockheed Martin is leveraging its satellite and missile defense expertise on the Manufacturing and Production Readiness Integrated Systems Engineering Team for the Precision Tracking Space System (PTSS). PTSS will provide the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) with a space-based system for post-boost tracking of ballistic missile threats in a global infrastructure.
NATO signs first contracts for territorial missile defence NATO 20 Sep 2011 -- The NATO Active Layered Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence Programme Office contracted today with an industry team led by SAIC an effort worth 2.5 million Euro.
ATK Delivers First Satellite Structures and Tanks for Air Force GPS III Satellites ATK 19 Sep 2011 -- ATK delivered the first two A2100 composite satellite structures and the first ship set of propellant tanks for the GPS III satellites Lockheed Martin is building for the U.S. Air Force.
Astrium signs new GMES contract with ESA EADS 19 Sep 2011 -- Astrium Services has signed a three-year contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) for the delivery of satellite images under the terms of the European GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment & Security) programme
Northrop Grumman Begins Tests on Full-Size Sunshield Layers for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Northrop Grumman 19 Sep 2011 -- The five tennis-court sized sunshield layers that will protect NASA's Webb telescope mirrors and instruments from the heat of the sun have entered an important new test phase.
Raytheon's Air and Missile Defense Radar Modules Excel During Testing Raytheon 19 Sep 2011 -- Raytheon Company's transmit/receive (T/R) modules for the U.S. Navy's Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) program have passed a significant developmental testing milestone. Raytheon's Gallium Nitride modules exceeded Navy-specified requirements for extended, measured performance, demonstrating no degradation after more than 1,000 hours of testing.
Raytheon Fields First AEHF Satellite Communications Terminals to Tactical Units Raytheon 19 Sep 2011 -- Raytheon Company fielded the first Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) Secure Mobile Anti-jam Reliable Tactical Terminal (SMART-T) satellite communications solution to the U.S. armed services.
Department Seeks to Protect GPS Operations AFPS 16 Sep 2011 -- Defense Department officials are raising concerns that a company's proposed wireless broadband network would cause harmful interference to essential Global Positioning System operations.
NATO welcomes U.S.-Polish start of missile defense agreement RIA Novosti 16 Sep 2011 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has welcomed an agreement on missile defense deployment that has come into force between the United States and Poland.
Private U.S. capsule not to dock with ISS RIA Novosti 16 Sep 2011 -- The U.S. private space capsule Dragon will conduct a flight near the International Space Station (ISS), but docking between them is not planned, Vladimir Solovyov, head of the Russian segment of the ISS mission control center said on Friday.
ISS astronauts land in Kazakhstan, crew in good mood - Mission Control RIA Novosti 16 Sep 2011 -- A special search group on Friday opened the hatch to the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft and reported that all three crewmembers returning to Earth from the International Space Station are in good condition.
Missile defense exercise spans globe Army News 15 Sep 2011 -- When it comes to defending the county from foreign missiles falling from the sky, the units associated with the Ground-based Midcourse Defense do a great job of being at the ready and making sure that no missile ever gets in range to harm the citizens of the United States.
U.S. to deploy ballistic missiles in Poland by 2018 RIA Novosti 15 Sep 2011 -- The United States will deploy elements of a missile defense shield in Poland by 2018, the U.S. and Poland said in a joint statement on Thursday.
ATK Applauds NASA Decision on Space Launch System Architecture ATK 14 Sep 2011 -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) released the following statement regarding NASA's announcement of its Space Launch System architecture:
Boeing Statement on NASA's Selection for Space Launch System Architecture Boeing 14 Sep 2011 -- NASA today announced its chosen configuration for the Space Launch System (SLS). Boeing released the following statement from Exploration Launch Systems Vice President Jim Chilton:
Northrop Grumman to Complete Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder for NASA for the Joint Polar Satellite Systems Northrop Grumman 14 Sep 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) will build and deliver the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) for the Joint Polar Satellite Systems (JPSS) under a contract with NASA.
Thales Alenia Space ships first two Galileo satellites to launch site Thales 14 Sep 2011 -- Thales Alenia Space has shipped the first two flight model of a Galileo navigation satellite to Europe's launch base in French Guiana.
Army certifying earth terminals to leverage military satellites Army News 14 Sep 2011 -- With more expansive satellite communications requirements, the Army is moving away from expensive commercial satellites and leveraging those of the U.S. military.
Turkey agrees to host powerful U.S. radar RIA Novosti 14 Sep 2011 -- Turkey and the United States signed on Wednesday a memorandum on the deployment of a U.S. radar on Turkish territory as part of a 'missile shield' to protect NATO allies from potential ballistic missile threats.
NATO 'welcomes' Romania agreement to host U.S. interceptors RIA Novosti 14 Sep 2011 -- NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has welcomed Romania's agreement to host missile interceptors as part of a new U.S. missile defense shield for Europe.
NASA Announces Design for New Deep Space Exploration System NASA 14 Sep 2011 -- NASA is ready to move forward with the development of the Space Launch System, an advanced heavy-lift launch vehicle that will provide an entirely new national capability for human exploration beyond Earth's orbit.
ATK and NASA Sign Space Act Agreement for Liberty Launch System ATK 13 Sep 2011 -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) and NASA announced a partnership today to work together during the development of ATK's commercial Liberty™ Launch System, an agreement that also supports the 2010 National Space Policy by furthering international partnerships.
Boeing Receives Additional Wideband Global SATCOM Orders Boeing 13 Sep 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] on Sept. 1 received a $1.09 billion contract modification from the U.S. Air Force adding funding to the existing Block II follow-on contract for full production, launch and on-orbit activation of the seventh Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite and procurement of long-lead materials for an eighth satellite.
NASA's Webb Telescope Completes Mirror Coating Milestone Northrop Grumman 13 Sep 2011 -- NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has reached a major milestone in its development. The mirrors that will fly aboard the telescope have completed the coating process at Quantum Coating Inc. in Moorestown, N.J. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is leading the telescope's design and development effort for the space agency's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
U.S., Romania set to sign missile shield agreement RIA Novosti 13 Sep 2011 -- The United States will sign on Tuesday an agreement with Romania on the deployment of elements of its missile shield, the U.S. Department of State said.
Russia announces launch of 2 spacecraft in Oct.-Nov. RIA Novosti 13 Sep 2011 -- Russian space agency Roscosmos said on Tuesday it has tentatively set the nearest launch of a Progress space freighter on October 30 and a Soyuz manned spacecraft on November 12.
Astrium Galileo satellites accepted by ESA EADS 12 Sep 2011 -- The European Space Agency (ESA) has accepted the first and second Astrium-built Galileo In-Orbit Validation (IOV) satellites as part of their quality acceptance review.
Countdown Begins for Launch of Navy Communications Satellite NNS 12 Sep 2011 -- The Department of the Navy began counting down the final days to a Sept. 27 launch of its new joint tactical satellite, which will bring on-the-go communications to the battlefield.
NASA'S GRAIL Spacecraft, Built By Lockheed Martin, Successfully Launched For The Moon Lockheed Martin 10 Sep 2011 -- NASA's two GRAIL spacecraft, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT], launched this morning from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. at 9:08 a.m. EDT aboard a Delta II Heavy rocket provided by United Launch Alliance.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Helps Boost Twin Satellites to Study the Moon Pratt & Whitney 10 Sep 2011 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne today demonstrated its continued support of NASA and space exploration by successfully boosting the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) spacecraft, which scientists will use to unlock the mysteries of the Moon.
NATO may provide Russia with legal guarantee on missile shield RIA Novosti 09 Sep 2011 -- NATO does not rule out the issuing of a written guarantee that it will not direct missile defense shield in Europe against Russia.
Roscosmos to enhance control of Soyuz rocket engines' production RIA Novosti 09 Sep 2011 -- Special commission recommended enhancing the control of the production of engines for Soyuz rockets.
ATK Conducts Third Successful Test of Next-Generation Solid Rocket Motor ATK 08 Sep 2011 -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) today conducted a third successful ground test of the next-generation solid rocket motor. The successful test, known as Development Motor (DM-3), is an important milestone in further validating the rocket's potential use in heavy lift and commercial launch vehicles.
NASA prepares for GRAIL moon mission launch RIA Novosti 08 Sep 2011 -- Final preparations for the launch of the GRAIL moon probe are underway at Cape Canaveral.
SAIC Awarded Contract by U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) SAIC 07 Sep 2011 -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) announced today it was awarded a competitive indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to provide advisory and analytical services in support of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS).
Russia to sink $170 mln into Plesetsk space center RIA Novosti 07 Sep 2011 -- Russia will spend over 5 billion rubles ($170 mln) on the development and expansion of the Plesetsk space center.
NASA's GRAIL to Map the Moon VOA 07 Sep 2011 -- The U.S. space agency NASA is preparing to launch a new, nearly half-billion dollar lunar mission.
Lockheed Martin Completes Environmental Testing of New Military Communications Satellite Lockheed Martin 06 Sep 2011 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has successfully completed thermal vacuum testing of the U.S. Navy’s first Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite, a major program milestone that validates spacecraft performance in a simulated test-like-you-fly space environment.
Iran Criticizes Turkey Over Plans For NATO Radar Station RFE/RL 06 Sep 2011 -- Iran has criticized Turkey for planning to station a NATO early-warning radar system on its territory.
Thales Alenia Space has delivered the atmospheric sounder for the Megha-Tropiques environmental satellite Thales 05 Sep 2011 -- Thales Alenia Space has delivered to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) the flight model of the Radio Occultation Sounder for the Atmosphere (ROSA), which will be integrated into the Indian-French Megha-Tropiques mission designed to study our planet’s atmosphere.
Defense minister inaugurates major geographical projects IRNA 05 Sep 2011 -- Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi inaugurated the first Iranian satellite site designed to receive meteorological images.
Iranian probe to be launched soon ISNA 05 Sep 2011 -- Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said maritime patrol aircraft is being produced in Iranian defense ministry and would be unveiled in near future.
U.S. unwilling to cooperate with Russia on missile defense RIA Novosti 03 Sep 2011 -- Russian FM Lavrov: Washington does not cooperate with Moscow on the European missile defense issue.
Test of new U.S. interceptor missile results in failure RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2011 -- A modernized version of the SM-3 missile has failed to intercept a ballistic missile target during a test over the Pacific Ocean.
Turkey To Host NATO Missile-Defense Radar RFE/RL 02 Sep 2011 -- Turkey says it has reached agreement on the deployment of a radar on its territory as part of NATO's missile-defense system.
Anti-missile radar to be deployed in Turkey - Foreign Ministry RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2011 -- An early warning radar system will be deployed in Turkey within the NATO missile defense program.
Russian NATO envoy to discuss Iranian missiles in Tehran RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2011 -- Russia's ambassador to NATO announced plans to travel to Iran later this month to discuss its ballistic missile program and the U.S.-led missile shield in Europe.
Bad weather hampers search for debris of Russian space freighter RIA Novosti 02 Sep 2011 -- Poor weather conditions in South Siberia's Altai Republic may prevent the search for the crash site of a Progress-M spacecraft.
Orbital Awarded $135 Million Contract by NASA for ICESat-2 Earth Science Satellite Program Orbital Sciences Corp. 01 Sep 2011 -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB), one of the world’s leading space technology companies, today announced that NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has selected the company to design, build and test the Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) Earth science satellite.
FM Lavrov: U.S. could threaten Russian strategic nuclear forces RIA Novosti 01 Sep 2011 -- The United States continues to refuse to guarantee that the European missile defense shield will not be directed at Russia.
117th Space team arrives home again Army News 01 Sep 2011 -- The six Soldiers of the 117th Space Battalion's Army Space Support Team 22 were welcomed back home here Aug. 19.

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