February 2012 Space News

Russia Sees No Progress at Missile Defense Talks RIA Novosti 29 Feb 2012 -- Russia has seen no progress in missile defense talks with NATO.
NATO Military Committee visits US Navy Destroyer with BMD Capabilities NATO 29 Feb 2012 -- The USS Laboon's Ballistic Missile Defence capabilities are also a good example of a design belonging to the Connected Forces Initiative.
Lockheed Martin Team Completes On-Orbit Testing Of First AEHF Satellite Lockheed Martin 29 Feb 2012 -- Lockheed Martin announced today the successful completion of on-orbit testing for the first Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) military communications space vehicle (SV-1).
Thales Alenia Space ETCA to supply the electrical core of eight Galileo satellites Thales 29 Feb 2012 -- Thales Alenia Space ETCA, a subsidiary of Thales Alenia Space based in Charleroi, received an order from the German company OHB System to supply eight electronic modules for the last eight satellites in the Galileo* constellation.
Russia’s Baltic Radar to Go on Stream 2014 RIA Novosti 29 Feb 2012 -- Russia’s new radar in the Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad will go into operation in 2014.
Space Station Orbit Readjusted for Progress Docking RIA Novosti 29 Feb 2012 -- Russian Mission Control specialists readjusted the orbit of the International Space Station by 2.1 kilometers to ensure the best conditions for the docking of Russia’s Progress M-15M cargo spacecraft.
ATK to Prepare Orion Abort Motor for 2014 Test Flight of NASA's Orion Capsule ATK 28 Feb 2012 -- ATK today began conversion of the main abort motor for NASA's first Exploration Flight Test of the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle slated for 2014 from Kennedy Space Center.
National Museum USAF to receive retired space shuttle trainer AFNS 28 Feb 2012 -- A retired NASA space shuttle crew compartment trainer is expected to arrive this summer at the National Museum of the USAF.
Lockheed Martin Delivers Second AEHF Satellite To U.S. Air Force For Upcoming Launch Lockheed Martin 27 Feb 2012 -- Lockheed Martin today announced that it has delivered the second Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) military communications satellite to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., where it will be readied for an April 2012 liftoff aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle.
Final Optical Components on Northrop Grumman-Built James Webb Space Telescope Complete Integration Milestone, Begin Test Series Northrop Grumman 27 Feb 2012 -- The auxiliary mirrors that focus the light from the primary mirror into the science instruments on NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have been integrated into the aft-optics subsystem (AOS) by Northrop Grumman Corporation teammate Ball Aerospace and are ready for the next level of testing.
Raytheon's US Air Force Satellite Terminal Achieves Two Critical Milestones Raytheon 27 Feb 2012 -- Raytheon Company's U.S. Air Force satellite terminal system that provides protected communications to warfighters has received a successful Milestone C decision and subsequent production award.
Tunguska-Sized Asteroid Homing on Earth RIA Novosti 26 Feb 2012 -- An asteroid of the same class as one that allegedly detonated over Tunguska River in 1908 will pass by Earth next year.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Powers 200th Mission of Centaur Rocket, Places Communications Satellite for U.S. Navy into Orbit Pratt & Whitney 25 Feb 2012 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne once again demonstrated the consistent reliability of its propulsion systems by successfully powering the Centaur upper-stage rocket on its 200th mission and placing the first in a series of Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) communications satellites for the U.S. Navy into orbit.
Navy Successfully Launches Next Generation Communications Satellite NNS 25 Feb 2012 -- The Navy's first Mobile User Objective System satellite was launched Feb. 24 from Space Launch Complex 41.
New Military Communications Satellite Built By Lockheed Martin Launched Successfully Lockheed Martin 24 Feb 2012 -- The first Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite, built by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Navy, was successfully launched today from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.
Thales Alenia Space signs ESA contract for third-generation Meteosat weather satellites Thales 24 Feb 2012 -- Thales Alenia Space today signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to supply Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) satellites for Eumetsat, the European meteorological satellite organization.
Airborne Laser Test Bed bids adieu to Edwards AFB AFNS 24 Feb 2012 -- YAL-1A Airborne Laser Test Bed took to the skies here for the last time during its final ferry flight to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
Air Force fiscal 2013 budget invests in critical space capabilities AFNS 23 Feb 2012 -- Investment in space programs was a priority in this year's Air Force budget.
Russia to Launch 100 Military Satellites in Next Decade RIA Novosti 22 Feb 2012 -- Russia is planning to launch at least 100 military satellites in the next 10 years to boost its reconnaissance and missile detection capabilities.
Iran to launch home-made satellite in 3 months ISNA 22 Feb 2012 -- Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Vahidi said Fajr (Dawn) satellite would be sent into space by the next three months.
Russia to Launch 2 Glonass Satellites in 2012 RIA Novosti 22 Feb 2012 -- Russia will launch two Glonass satellites in 2012 to expand its global satellite navigation network in orbit.
Third MEADS Battle Manager Arrives In Huntsville for Integration Testing Lockheed Martin 22 Feb 2012 -- Lockheed Martin has begun integration testing on the third completed Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) battle manager at its facility in Huntsville, Ala.
Medvedev: Russia Will Counter U.S. Missile Defense RIA Novosti 21 Feb 2012 -- Russia will continue with the overhaul of its missile defense unless the United States drops its plans or proposes a scheme for a joint effort.
India plans to develop next-generation electronic warfare systems IRNA 21 Feb 2012 -- India plans to develop new-generation Electronic Warfare systems to be fitted on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, aircraft and satellites.
Iran to launch Fajr satellite in next Iranian year IRNA 21 Feb 2012 -- Caretaker of Iran's Aerospace Industries Organization announced Tuesday the domestically-built Fajr satellite would be launched in the early months of next Iranian year.
Iran receives telemetry images from indigenous satellite ISNA 21 Feb 2012 -- The Head of State Aerospace Organization of Iran Hamid Fazeli said the country has managed to receive telemetry images from home-built Navid-e Elm-o Sanat satellite.
US Marks 50 Years Since Glenn's Historic Orbit of Earth VOA 20 Feb 2012 -- The U.S. space agency is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first time an American orbited the Earth.
U.S. Marks 50 Years Since Its First Space Flight RFE/RL 20 Feb 2012 -- The United States is marking the 50th anniversary of the first flight of an American into orbit.
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen: "New NATO – New Turkey" NATO 17 Feb 2012
Turkey Pledges No Third Country Use of NATO Defenses VOA 17 Feb 2012 -- Davutoglu said Turkey "will never allow any third country to use any NATO facility."
Astrium’s Swarm satellite fleet successfully tested and ready for space mission EADS 17 Feb 2012 -- The three Astrium built satellites of the Swarm constellation have completed a series of environmental tests designed to demonstrate their fitness for space flight.
U.S. Faces Broad Spectrum of Threats AFPS 16 Feb 2012 -- The United States and its allies face a broad spectrum of national security threats from terrorism, nuclear proliferation and cyber attacks.
Russian Cosmonauts Go on 6-Hour Spacewalk RIA Novosti 16 Feb 2012 -- Two Russian cosmonauts ventured outside the International Space Station to carry out tasks under the Russian space program.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Successfully Completes J-2X Powerpack Test Pratt & Whitney 15 Feb 2012 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne successfully completed the first in a series of powerpack hot-fire tests on the J-2X engine, which is being developed for NASA to power humans further into space than ever before.
SMDC successfully launches short range ballistic target Army News 15 Feb 2012 -- The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command successfully completed a test flight of the new Economical Target-1.
Russia Launches Dutch Telecoms Satellite RIA Novosti 15 Feb 2012 -- A Russian Proton-M launch vehicle carrying the Dutch SES-4 telecoms satellite lifted off from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan.
Iran to launch satellite by home-built carrier ISNA 14 Feb 2012 -- Iran would launch Toloo (Sun Rise) satellite with Simorgh (Phoenix) satellite carrier form new space station.
Russia Set to Launch Dutch Telecoms Satellite RIA Novosti 14 Feb 2012 -- A Russian Proton-M launch vehicle carrying the Dutch SES-4 satellite is scheduled to lift off on Tuesday after a series of delays.
Russian Cosmonaut Recruitment Drive Lures 43 Applicants RIA Novosti 14 Feb 2012 -- Only 43 people applied for the first open cosmonaut selection drive in the history of the Russian space industry a month before the deadline.
NASA To Cancel Mars Mission Plans RFE/RL 14 Feb 2012 -- NASA intends to cancel plans for the U.S. to join Europe on a Mars sampling mission that is considered important to learning if life appeared beyond Earth.
U.S. Air Force’s New Missile Warning Satellite Providing Vital Infrared Data to Users Lockheed Martin 13 Feb 2012 -- The first Lockheed Martin-built Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) geosynchronous (GEO-1) satellite is now delivering critical infrared data to users.
ESA’s Vega Launcher Lifts Off from Kourou RIA Novosti 13 Feb 2012 -- Europe’s new launch vehicle, Vega, debuted at the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana.
New European Rocket Lifts Off With Nine Satellites RFE/RL 13 Feb 2012 -- A new European-made lightweight rocket has blasted off on a mission to put nine satellites into orbit.
Israel Successfully Tests Missile Defense System RIA Novosti 10 Feb 2012 -- Israel successfully tested its Arrow missile defense system on Friday, the Defense Ministry said.
India successfully test-fires supersonic interceptor missile IRNA 10 Feb 2012 -- India successfully test-fired its indigenously developed supersonic interceptor missile from the Integrated Test Range off Odisha coast.
India Tests Ballistic Missile Interceptor RIA Novosti 10 Feb 2012 -- India has test-fired a domestically developed interceptor missile capable of destroying ballistic missiles.
Chavez Says Venezuela May Send Mission to Mars After 2030 RIA Novosti 10 Feb 2012 -- Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez said on Friday his country would be able to send a mission to Mars after 2030.
Lockheed Martin-Built Milstar Satellite Surpasses 10-Year On-Orbit Design Life Lockheed Martin 10 Feb 2012 -- The second Milstar II military communications satellite, built by a Lockheed Martin team for the U.S. Air Force, has surpassed its 10-year design life of on-orbit service, providing our nation's warfighters with secure and reliable communications since its successful launch on Jan 16, 2002.
St. Petersburg Radar to be Put on Alert in Feb. RIA Novosti 09 Feb 2012 -- This month a new radar of the Voronezh class will be put on alert duty near Russia’s second largest city of St. Petersburg as part of Russia’s early warning system.
Iranian satellite sends photos from Earth IRNA 09 Feb 2012 -- For the second consecutive day, Navid satellite sent to stations the latest photos it has taken from Earth, project manager of Navid Satellite project, Hossein Bolandi said.
Russia Maps Rebel Forces for Assad RIA Novosti 08 Feb 2012 -- Russia used its satellites to help the Syrian government fight growing insurgency in the country.
Russia Says NATO Missile-Defense Talks At 'Dead End' RFE/RL 06 Feb 2012 -- Anatoly Antonov, Russia's lead negotiator with NATO on missile-defense, said the discussions have reached "a dead end."
Russia to Build Effective Shield against NATO Missile Threat – Rogozin RIA Novosti 05 Feb 2012 -- Russia will build a reliable aerospace defense system to effectively counter NATO missile threats, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Sunday.
Astrium solar arrays provide maximum power in space EADS 03 Feb 2012 -- For nearly 50 years, Astrium’s centre of competence for solar arrays in Ottobrunn has been equipping spacecraft of every class with these highly efficient ‘power plants’.
Putin Says NATO Missile System Pointed At Russia RFE/RL 03 Feb 2012 -- Russian PM Putin has accused the United States and NATO of aiming an antimissile system at Russia.
Putin Slams U.S. Missile Shield Ahead of Munich Security Talks RIA Novosti 03 Feb 2012 -- PM Putin reiterated his confidence that U.S. missile shield plans were aimed at undermining Russia’s defense capabilities.
Russia to Build Two Space-Defense Missile Plants RIA Novosti 03 Feb 2012 -- Two space-defense missile plants will be built in central Russia, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said.
Iran to Set Up Space Launch Base RIA Novosti 03 Feb 2012 -- Iran plans to establish a national satellite launch base in the southeast of the country, adjacent to the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean.
Iran Launches Observation Satellite RIA Novosti 03 Feb 2012 -- Iran has successfully launched an observation satellite.
Iran Launches Observation Satellite RFE/RL 03 Feb 2012 -- Iran has successfully launched an observation satellite into orbit.
National satellite ‘Promise of Science, Industry’ launched successfully IRNA 03 Feb 2012 -- Concurrent with the 33rd victory anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and on the order of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, national satellite ‘Promise of Science and Industry’ was launched into space successfully.
Satellite ‘Promise of Science, Industry’ put on orbit successfully: Defense Min IRNA 03 Feb 2012 -- Defense Minister, General Ahmad Vahidi, said here on Friday that the fully-indigenous satellite ‘Promise of Science and Industry’ as a brilliant achievement in the field of space technology was put on orbit successfully.
Heavy Ions Killed Mars Probe – Investigators RIA Novosti 03 Feb 2012 -- Russian Mars probe Phobos-Grunt was lost because space radiation disrupted its computer system, a commission investigating the incident said on Friday.
Raytheon Awarded $38.1 Million Contract for Missile Defense System Raytheon 02 Feb 2012 -- Raytheon Company has been awarded a $38.1 million contract to provide engineering support to the Command, Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) program for the Missile Defense Agency.
Russia, NATO May Hold Missile Defense Drills in March RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2012 -- Russia and NATO are planning to hold joint computer-simulated missile defense exercises in Germany in March.
New Satellite Data Helping Navy Forecasters Do a Better Job NNS 02 Feb 2012 -- The Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command Chief of Staff said new atmospheric and ocean satellite systems and their data are helping the Navy provide new and better tools for warfighters.
Phobos Crash Test Dismisses U.S. Link RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2012 -- Tests carried out by Russian space agency Roscosmos have ruled out the possibility a U.S. radar could be linked to the failure of the Phobos-Grunt Mars probe.
Manned Moon Shot Possible by 2020 – Roscosmos RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2012 -- A crewed mission to the moon is possible by 2020, the head of Russia’s space agency Roscosmos, Vladimir Popovkin.
Roscosmos Aims to Make Sea Launch Profitable RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2012 -- Russian space agency Roscosmos and rocket and space-station hardware builder RSC Energia are working to restore commercial viability to the Sea Launch floating platform project.
Russia May Repeat Mars-500 Simulation on Space Station RIA Novosti 02 Feb 2012 -- Russia may repeat the Mars-500 experiment simulating a crewed flight to the Red Planet on the International Space Station.
Lockheed Martin-Built Mobile User Objective System Satellite Encapsulated In Launch Vehicle Payload Fairing Lockheed Martin 01 Feb 2012 -- The first Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite, built by Lockheed Martin, was encapsulated into its payload fairing January 29 in preparation for a February 16 liftoff aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Russia to Start Own Search for Extrasolar Planets RIA Novosti 01 Feb 2012 -- Russian astronomers are planning to start their own search for planets outside the Solar System using ground-based telescopes.

NEWSLETTER

Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list