April 2012 Space News

Airborne radar prepped for missile defense testing Army News 30 Apr 2012 -- A new air defense radar system is undergoing testing on White Sands Missile Range to ready it for later integrated testing with the Navy this fall.
China Launches Two Navigation Satellites into Orbit RIA Novosti 30 Apr 2012 -- China successfully launched two satellites into space for its Beidou global navigation and positioning network.
Iran slams Russian miltiary official's remarks on US missile system IRNA 28 Apr 2012 -- Iran on Saturday lashed out at a Russian military official for his surprising statement that deploying US missile system does not pose a threat to Russia.
Russian Progress M-14M Splashes Down in Pacific RIA Novosti 28 Apr 2012 -- Russia's Progress M-14M cargo spacecraft has been sent on its final journey to the waters of the Pacific Ocean, Mission Control said on Saturday.
Russia to Send Manned Mission to Moon by 2030 RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2012 -- Russia is planning to send a manned mission to the moon by 2030, Russian space agency Roscosmos said on its website on Friday.
Space Station Crew Lands Safely in Kazakhstan RIA Novosti 27 Apr 2012 -- A Soyuz reentry capsule with three members of the International Space Station (ISS) crew landed safely in Kazakhstan on Friday afternoon, the Russian-based ISS mission control center said.
India Successfully Launches 'All-Weather' Surveillance Satellite VOA 26 Apr 2012 -- India has successfully launched a satellite that experts say will dramatically boost the country's ability to view detailed images of the earth.
Private Company Announces Asteroid Mining Plans RIA Novosti 25 Apr 2012 -- Planetary Resources, Inc. will mine Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs) for raw materials, ranging from water to precious metals, the company said in a statement.
First Private Spacecraft Launch to ISS Delayed RIA Novosti 25 Apr 2012 -- Dragon, the first private spacecraft to be launched to the International Space Station (ISS), is scheduled to blast off on May 7, a week later than previously scheduled, NASA said on its website.
Rogozin Recalled as NATO Missile Defense Envoy RIA Novosti 25 Apr 2012 -- Outgoing President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday relieved Dmitry Rogozin of his duties as Russia's representative to NATO over a planned U.S.-led missile shield in Europe, the Kremlin's press service said.
Russia Repeats Iskander Deployment Threat RIA Novosti 24 Apr 2012 -- Moscow reiterated on Tuesday it may deploy Iskander theater ballistic missiles in the Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad that will be capable of effectively engaging elements of the U.S. missile defense system in Poland.
Russia Launches Proton-M Rocket with Arab Telecoms Satellite RIA Novosti 24 Apr 2012 -- A Proton-M carrier rocket with the YahSat 1B telecommunications satellite on board has been launched from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan, Russia's Federal Space Agency Roscosmos said.
People to Land on Mars in 'Next 40 Yrs' - Scientist RIA Novosti 23 Apr 2012 -- The world may see a manned spaceflight to Mars in the first half of this century, a prominent Russian academic said on Monday.
Mars Astronauts Risk DNA Damage – Scientists RIA Novosti 23 Apr 2012 -- Future astronauts working on the Red Planet's surface risk general changes in health at the DNA level because of increased radiation exposure, a prominent Russian academic said on Monday.
Progress Freighter Docks with Space Station RIA Novosti 22 Apr 2012 -- Russia's Progress M-15M cargo spacecraft launched from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan on April 20 dock with the International Space Station on Sunday, a mission control spokesman said on Sunday.
North Korea Vows to Continue Satellite Launches RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2012 -- North Korea will continue satellite launches for peaceful purposes, a spokesman for the Korean Committee for Space Technology said.
No Russian-Italian Deal on Missile Defense RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2012 -- Russia failed to sway Italy on NATO’s missile defense shield that is to be deployed in Europe, Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said.
Progress Space Freighter Launched from Baikonur RIA Novosti 20 Apr 2012 -- A Progress M-15M cargo spacecraft was launched from the Baikonur launching site in Kazakhstan for the International Space Station.
Indian Space agency in active mode for Mars mission: Report IRNA 20 Apr 2012 -- India has completed a significant amount of work on next year’s planned Mars mission for which scientific payloads have been short-listed.
U.S. Missile Defense Counters Growing Threat AFPS 19 Apr 2012 -- Head of the Defense Department’s Missile Defense Agency testified on Capitol Hill about bolstering U.S. defenses against missile threat.
N.Korea Space Program no Threat to U.S. - Missile Defense Chief RIA Novosti 19 Apr 2012 -- North Korea is far from being able to threaten the United States with a long-range missile, Director of the Missile Defense Agency Lt. Gen. Patrick O'Reilly said.
DPRK's Satellites for Peaceful Purposes to Continue Orbiting Space KCNA 19 Apr 2012 -- A spokesman for the Korean Committee for Space Technology released the following statement.
Army Commander: US unilateralist policies crisis builder IRNA 19 Apr 2012 -- IRI Army Commander said US unilateralist policies and overt and covert interventions here and there in world, such as its missile defense shield that is spreading regional among Muslim countries has become crisis builder.
NATO Chief Says Missile Defense Shield Will Not Threaten Russia RFE/RL 19 Apr 2012 -- NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has reiterated that the alliance's plan to build a missile-defense shield in Europe will not "threaten" Russia.
U.S. Could Benefit From Russian Radars - Pentagon official RIA Novosti 19 Apr 2012 -- Missile defense cooperation with Russia, including the use of Russian radars, would benefit the United States, Director of the Missile Defense Agency Lt. Gen. Patrick O'Reilly said.
Russian Military Orders Missile Early Warning Satellites RIA Novosti 19 Apr 2012 -- The Russian Defense Ministry has signed contracts on the development and construction of satellites capable of detecting launches of ballistic missiles.
Progress Space Freighter to Undock from ISS RIA Novosti 19 Apr 2012 -- The Progress M-14M cargo spacecraft will undock from the ISS and will conduct a series of tests before being buried in the Pacific.
Space Shuttle Discovery Becomes Museum Exhibit VOA 19 Apr 2012 -- More than a year after its last mission, the retired U.S. space shuttle Discovery was officially welcomed into its new home.
FACT SHEET: Release of National Security Report on Revising U.S. Export Controls on Satellites The White House 18 Apr 2012
DOD Announces Release of Section 1248 Report - Space Export Control Policy Reform Supported DoD 18 Apr 2012
Report Urges Lifting Some Satellite Export Controls AFPS 18 Apr 2012 -- Officials from the Defense and State departments released a report that urges Congress to move communications and some remote-sensing satellites off the tightly controlled U.S. Munitions List and into the commercial enterprise.
Discovery flies for last time, ends chapter in aerospace history AFNS 18 Apr 2012 -- After almost 27 years and 39 flights in Earth's orbit, the space shuttle Discovery arrived at Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C., April 17 on its way to its final resting place.
North Korea Vows to Go Ahead with Space Program RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2012 -- North Korea will continue further development of its aerospace technologies, including a satellite program, despite the UN Security Council condemnation.
DPRK Rejects UNSC's Act to Violate DPRK's Legitimate Right to Launch Satellite KCNA 17 Apr 2012 -- The DPRK Foreign Ministry Tuesday issued the following statement.
Discovery Departs Kennedy Space Center NASA 17 Apr 2012 -- Space shuttle Discovery departed NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the last time with an early-morning takeoff atop NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.
Retired Space Shuttle Makes Final Voyage VOA 17 Apr 2012 -- The retired U.S. space shuttle Discovery has landed at the Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia on the way to its new home.
Shuttle 'Discovery' Salutes Washington In Last Flight RFE/RL 17 Apr 2012 -- The retired space shuttle "Discovery" flew over the center of the U.S. capital as it headed to its final resting place in a museum.
Dwindling US Space Budget Worries Scientist VOA 17 Apr 2012 -- The landing of two Americans on the moon, in July 1969, was among the most inspiring scientific and technical achievements in human history.
Russia to Test Second Glonass-K Satellite in 2013 RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2012 -- Russia plans to begin testing its second Glonass-K navigation satellite in 2013, Grigory Stupak, the deputy head of the Russian Space Systems company producing navigation and other equipment for the satellite, said.
Russia to Increase Number of Space Service Centers to 25 RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2012 -- The overall number of Russian centers providing services based on data received via Glonass satellites will reach 25.
Roscosmos Ready to Give Phobos-Grunt Second Try RIA Novosti 17 Apr 2012 -- Russia’s space agency Roscosmos backed an initiative to give the Phobos-Grunt project a second chance.
Russia Says U.S., NATO Must Change Position On Missile Shield RFE/RL 16 Apr 2012 -- Russian Deputy FM Grushko has called for the US and NATO to change their position on a missile-defense system.
Russian Ministry Backs Space Observatory Entry Proposal RIA Novosti 16 Apr 2012 -- Russia’s Education Ministry supports a proposal by Russian astronomers for the country to join the European Southern Observatory.
DPRK's Satellite Fails to Enter Its Orbit KCNA 13 Apr 2012 -- The DPRK launched its first application satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station in Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province at 07:38:55 a.m. on Friday.
Largest Kim Jong-il Monument Unveiled in Pyongyang RIA Novosti 13 Apr 2012 -- The largest North Korean monument of the country's late leader Kim Jong-il was unveiled in the capital of Pyongyang on Friday.
Russia Opposes New Sanctions on N. Korea - Lavrov RIA Novosti 13 Apr 2012 -- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov opposed new sanctions against North Korea after the country's much-hyped rocket launch failed on Friday.
North Korea Rocket Launch Fails RIA Novosti 13 Apr 2012 -- North Korea's much-hyped rocket launch has failed, the country admitted on Friday.
North Koreans to Try Next Missile Launch in 2-3 Yrs - French Expert RIA Novosti 13 Apr 2012 -- Reports that a North Korean rocket plunged into the Yellow Sea this morning will not spell the end of North Korea's rocket program, said a space and aeronautics expert from Pyongyang today.
Launch of DPR Korea's satellite 'deplorable', says Ban UN News Centre 13 Apr 2012 -- Despite its failure, the launch of a so-called 'application satellite' by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is 'deplorable', Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today and urged the country to not undertake further actions that could increase tension in the region.
North Korea Admits Rocket Failed Shortly After Launch VOA 13 Apr 2012 -- North Korea has acknowledged a multi-stage rocket it launched early Friday failed to reach orbit.
World Reacts to Failed North Korea Rocket Launch VOA 13 Apr 2012 -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and many other international leaders have condemned North Korea's launch of a long-range missile, even though the test was a failure. The rocket fell into the sea about one minute after liftoff.
North Korean Rocket Launch Fails RFE/RL 13 Apr 2012 -- Despite warnings and appeals from many countries, North Korea went ahead with a rocket launch Friday but officials in South Korea, Japan and the U.S. said it appeared the rocket was failed not long after the launch.
White House Blasts N.Korea Rocket Launch RIA Novosti 13 Apr 2012 -- The White House blasted on Friday the launch of a long-range rocket by North Korea.
G8 Ministers 'Ready to Consider' Measures against N.Korea RIA Novosti 13 Apr 2012 -- The Group of Eight industrialized nations lambasted North Korea's rocket launch.
North Korea Launches Long-Range Rocket - Yonhap RIA Novosti 13 Apr 2012 -- North Korea on Friday launched a long-range rocket, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.
N. Korea Rocket 'May Have Broken Apart' RIA Novosti 13 Apr 2012 -- North Korea's rocket, launched on Friday, appears to have broken apart minutes after blastoff, CNN quoted U.S. officials as saying.
Northcom Acknowledges North Korean Missile Launch, Failure AFPS 12 Apr 2012 -- North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command officials acknowledged today that U.S. systems detected and tracked a launch of a North Korean TaepoDong-2 missile at 6:39 p.m. EDT.
North Korea's Rocket Launch Fails VOA 12 Apr 2012 -- The United States and several Asian nations say North Korea launched a three-stage, long-range rocket early Friday, but that it appeared to fall apart and harmlessly crash into the sea shortly after blast off.
Ban renews call on DPR Korea to reconsider planned 'satellite' launch UN News Centre 12 Apr 2012 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today renewed his call on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to reconsider its decision to launch a so-called 'application satellite' in a few days time, noting that such action is a clear violation of relevant Security Council resolutions.
Russian Firm to Roll Out Moon Rover RIA Novosti 12 Apr 2012 -- The prototype of the Russian moon rover competing for the Google Lunar X PRIZE will be finished by summer, developers said on Thursday.
Putin Calls for Space Launch Development Strategy RIA Novosti 12 Apr 2012 -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Thursday a national strategy was needed for the development of the country's space launch centers.
Russia Looks for Commercial Space Projects RIA Novosti 12 Apr 2012 -- Russia needs to invigorate its efforts to implement commercial space projects jointly with the European Space Agency and individual space powers, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.
Space Experts, Media Persons Visit General Satellite Control and Command Center KCNA 11 Apr 2012 -- Experts on space science and technology and media persons from different countries Wednesday visited the General Satellite Control and Command Center in Pyongyang in the run-up to the DPRK's launch of the first working satellite.
Russia to Go Back to the Moon Before Reaching for Mars RIA Novosti 11 Apr 2012 -- Recent setbacks have not stopped the Russian space effort but have drastically modified its plans.
North Korean Officials Say All Preparations Done For Launch RFE/RL 10 Apr 2012 -- North Korean officials say preparations for this week's planned satellite launch are on track.
DPRK Satellite Launch Disregards UN Says Russia RIA Novosti 10 Apr 2012 -- Russia considers Pyongyang's decision to launch a scientific rocket to place a satellite in earth orbit as disregarding UN Security Council resolutions , Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said on Tuesday.
US: N. Korea Rocket Would Violate UN Resolutions VOA 10 Apr 2012 -- The United States says a planned North Korean rocket launch would represent a'clear and serious violation' of the country's obligations under U.N. Security Council resolutions.
Japan Heightens Military Alert for North Korean 'Space Launch' VOA 09 Apr 2012 -- North Korea's plan for a third attempt to propel a satellite into orbit is prompting a military alert in Japan. Authorities there and in other countries say the blast-off, expected by mid-April, would violate U.N. resolutions banning North Korea from utilizing ballistic missile technology.
N. Korea Prepares 'Space Launch' Amid Reports of Plans for Nuclear Test VOA 09 Apr 2012 -- North Korea has placed a three-stage rocket on the launch pad at a new, more sophisticated facility facing the Yellow Sea. It plans to launch what it calls an earth observation satellite as early as Thursday. There are also indications the reclusive and impoverished country is preparing for a third nuclear weapons test, as well.
Foreign Media Persons and Experts on Space Science and Technology Visit Sohae Satellite Launching Station KCNA 08 Apr 2012 -- Foreign media persons and experts on space science and technology Sunday toured the Sohae Satellite Launching Station situated in Cholsan County of North Phyongan Province. The DPRK announced its plan to launch the first working satellite on the centenary of the birth of President Kim Il Sung.
Russia Plans to Launch Lunar Rovers to Moon after 2020 RIA Novosti 07 Apr 2012 -- Russia plans to send two lunar rovers to Moon after 2020 and a landing station after 2022 as the first steps to form the future manned lunar base there, the country's Academy of Sciences said in its report on Saturday.
Russia Plans to Bind Satellite to Apophis Asteroid RIA Novosti 07 Apr 2012 -- Russia plans to send a satellite with a radio beacon to near-Earth asteroid of 99942 Apophis for finding out how big is a threat of its collision with Earth, the country's Academy of Sciences said in its report on Saturday.
Russian Military Satellite Falls in Pacific RIA Novosti 07 Apr 2012 -- Fragments of a defunct Russian military communication satellite, Molniya-1-89, fell into the Pacific Ocean on Saturday night, a source from the space agency said.
U.S. Missile Defense in Gulf Signals Strike on Iran RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2012 -- A US-backed plan to build a missile defense shield within the Gulf States may signal preparation for a military strike on Iran.
Iran opposes US missile shield in Persian Gulf IRNA 06 Apr 2012 -- The Islamic Republic of Iran on Friday strongly opposed deployment of the US missile shield in the Persian Gulf region.
Russian Military Satellite to Splash Down in Pacific RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2012 -- A defunct Russian military communication satellite, Molniya-1-89, is expected to fall Saturday morning in the Pacific Ocean.
International Space Station’s Orbit Adjusted by 4 km RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2012 -- Europe’s ATV-3 unmanned resupply spacecraft, which docked with the ISS last week, readjusted the space station’s orbit once again.
Roscosmos, ESA Agree Joint Mars Research RIA Novosti 06 Apr 2012 -- Russia’s space agency Roscosmos said it agreed Russia’s participation in a Mars research project with the European Space Agency.
Upgraded PAC-2 missiles delivered to Taiwan: defense minister CNA 05 Apr 2012 -- Defense Minister Kao: Upgrade of Patriot PAC-2 missile defense systems has been completed and the missiles sent back to Taiwan.
First Spaceport to be Built in Russia RIA Novosti 05 Apr 2012 -- The Uniparx Development company said on it was planning to build a spaceport in central Russia near the birthplace of Yury Gagarin.
McFaul Statement on Missile Defense ‘Arrogant’ - Lavrov RIA Novosti 04 Apr 2012 -- Russian FM Lavrov described as "arrogant" a recent statement by U.S. Ambassador to Moscow McFaul on missile defense.
Armenia Ready to Provide Site for Russian Radar RIA Novosti 04 Apr 2012 -- If Russia fails to agree with Azerbaijan lease of the Gabala missile defense radar, Armenia is ready to provide a site on its territory for construction of the radar.
No Limitations on U.S. Missile Defense: Envoy RIA Novosti 03 Apr 2012 -- The United States will accept no limits on its missile defense plans but will work with Russia in the coming years to assuage Moscow’s concerns over the project.
Indian Space Agency bags Rs 100-crore deal to launch French satellite IRNA 03 Apr 2012 -- Indian Space Research Organisation has signed a deal worth Rs 100 crore to launch a 800 kg satellite of French company.
South Africa Vies to Host Super Telescope VOA 03 Apr 2012 -- Discussions get underway in Amsterdam Tuesday to decide who should host the world’s most powerful radio telescope - South Africa or Australia.
Europe's ATV-3 Space Freighter Adjusts Space Station Orbit RIA Novosti 01 Apr 2012 -- Europe's ATV-3 unmanned resupply spacecraft, which docked with the ISS earlier this week, readjusted the space station's orbit on Sunday, the Mission Control said.

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