March 2013 Space News

WGS-5 Launch Aboard a Delta IV Confirmed for May 8 AFNS 29 Mar 2013 -- The launch of the U.S. Air Force's Wideband Global SATCOM mission on a United Launch Alliance Delta IV vehicle has been placed on the 45th Space Wing range schedule for May 8.
Russia's Soyuz Spacecraft Docks with ISS RIA Novosti 29 Mar 2013 -- The Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft, carrying new crew members to the International Space Station (ISS), docked with the station as scheduled on Friday, a spokesman for the Russian space agency Roscosmos said.
Proton Rocket Successfully Launches Satmex-8 into Orbit RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2013 -- Russia's Proton-M carrier rocket has successfully put a Mexican telecommunications satellite into orbit, a spokesperson for the Russian Federal Space Agency Roscosmos said on Wednesday.
Joint Russia-NATO Missile Shield Inefficient - Rasmussen RIA Novosti 27 Mar 2013 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on Thursday that he did not see a joint Russia-NATO missile shield in Europe as the most efficient option.
US, Russian Defense Chiefs Agree to Resume Missile Defense Talks RIA Novosti 26 Mar 2013 -- Russian and US defense chiefs agreed to resume missile defense talks at the deputy minister level.
Hagel, Russian Counterpart Discuss Mutual Security Issues AFPS 26 Mar 2013 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu made a congratulatory call to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, and the two leaders discussed a range of issues.
SpaceX Capsule Returns from ISS Mission VOA 26 Mar 2013 -- The privately-owned cargo spaceship Dragon returned to Earth Tuesday, after completing its mission at the International Space Station.
SpaceX Dragon Capsule to Return to Earth after Delay RIA Novosti 26 Mar 2013 -- About three weeks after arriving at the International Space Station, the Dragon spacecraft will return to Earth.
Russia to Put 68 Spacecraft Into Orbit by 2015 RIA Novosti 26 Mar 2013 -- Russia plans to put 68 spacecraft into orbit by 2015 and to almost double the number of its communications satellites to 44 by 2020.
Russia May Build Own Space Station From New Modules – Energia RIA Novosti 26 Mar 2013 -- Russia may use future modules of its segment of the International Space Station to build its own orbital station.
Russia Launches Mexican Telecoms Satellite RIA Novosti 26 Mar 2013 -- Russia’s Proton-M carrier rocket carrying a Mexican telecommunications satellite blasted off from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan.
Troubled Proton-M to Blast off after December 2012 Embargo RIA Novosti 26 Mar 2013 -- Russia’s Proton-M carrier rocket will blast off from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan for the first time since last December’s failure.
Shoigu Urges Pentagon to Revive Missile Defense Dialogue RIA Novosti 25 Mar 2013 -- Russia wants to resume regular consultations with the United States on a range of security issues, including missile defense, a top military official said Monday.
Prosecutors Probe Alleged $1 Mln Space Forces Fraud RIA Novosti 25 Mar 2013 -- Military prosecutors are investigating the suspected embezzlement of over 30 million rubles (about $1 million) at the Space Defense Forces (SDF), the Chief Military Prosecutor's Office said on Monday.
Russia Extends Space Cooperation With US RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2013 -- Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree set to extend the U.S.-Russia agreement on cooperation in the use and exploration of outer space till 2020, the government reported on Saturday.
Dragon Return from Space Station Postponed – NASA RIA Novosti 23 Mar 2013 -- The return of the US Dragon space freighter from the International Space Station (ISS) to Earth has been postponed by one day due to poor weather conditions, NASA reported Friday.
45th Space Wing launches second SBIRS GEO satellite AFNS 22 Mar 2013 -- The 45th Space Wing successfully launched a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the second Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) GEO-2 satellite into orbit from Space Complex 41 here March 19.
US Cancels Part of Missile Defense System VOA 21 Mar 2013 -- The Obama administration recently announced plans to deploy ballistic-missile defenses in the state of Alaska. At the same time, though, it canceled a key component of its European-based missile-defense system.
US sends military satellite into space Iran Press TV 20 Mar 2013 -- The United States has sent a new military satellite into orbit in a bid to detect missile launches and provide early warnings for the US Army and Washington's allies.
Moscow to Discuss Changes in US Missile Defense Plans RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2013 -- Security officials from Russia and the United States will meet in May to discuss a recent US decision to curtail its planned European missile defense system, a senior Russian defense official said on Wednesday.
US Military Launches New Missile Defense Satellite RIA Novosti 20 Mar 2013 -- The United States launched on Tuesday a military satellite designed for infrared detection of ballistic missile launches, the US media reported.
Missile Defenses Must Evolve With Threat, Northcom Chief Says AFPS 19 Mar 2013 -- U.S. defenses are sufficient to stand up to current ballistic missile threats, but must continue to evolve because "the threat of ballistic missiles is not going down," the commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command told Congress today.
ISS Cosmonauts Model Manually Controlled Landing on Mars RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2013 -- For the first time, two Russian cosmonauts simulated a manually controlled landing from the orbit on Mars after they spent half a year in the space, a deputy head of the Russian Space Training Center said on Monday.
China, Russia to Stand Together on Missile Defense in AsPac RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2013 -- Russia and China will coordinate their reactions to US plans to boost its missile defense in the Asia-Pacific region, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Tuesday.
China warns US over missile plans against North Korea Iran Press TV 18 Mar 2013 -- China has warned that the United States plans to strengthen its missile systems in response to North Korea's alleged threat would only "intensify antagonism."
Russia sees no concession in US defense plan for Europe Iran Press TV 18 Mar 2013 -- Russia says it saw 'no concession' in a decision by the United States to discard the final phase of Washington's missile shield plan for Europe.
Sea Launch, EchoStar Announce Comsat Launch with Zenit-3SL RIA Novosti 18 Mar 2013 -- Sea Launch AG plans to launch a satellite for US satellite services provider Echostar Corp. from its Pacific Ocean-based Odyssey platform in 2015, the companies said Monday.
US Missile Defense Shift 'No Way About' Russia RIA Novosti 17 Mar 2013 -- Washington's plans to abandon a key part of a European missile defense plan strongly opposed by Russia are 'no way' linked to Moscow, The New York Times has reported citing a Pentagon spokesman.
US to Strengthen Missile Defense Against N. Korea RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2013 -- The United States announced Friday it will add additional ballistic-missile interceptors on the West Coast in response to what Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called "irresponsible and reckless provocations" from North Korea.
Space Station Crew Departs to Earth RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2013 -- The Soyuz TMA-06M manned spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) early on Saturday, beginning its voyage to bring three ISS crew members back to Earth, the Mission Control said.
ISS Crew Lands Safely in Kazakhstan RIA Novosti 16 Mar 2013 -- The Soyuz TMA-06M manned spacecraft touched down on Saturday ending its three-and-a-half hour voyage to bring three International Space Station (ISS) crew members to Earth after 142 days in orbit.
DOD News Briefing on Missile Defense from the Pentagon DoD 15 Mar 2013 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel; James Miller, Undersecretary for Policy, Department Of Defense; Admiral James Winnefeld, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs Of Staff
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel: Missile Defense Announcement DoD 15 Mar 2013
Hagel: U.S. Bolstering Missile Defense AFPS 15 Mar 2013 -- The United States will add more ground-based ballistic missile interceptors to its arsenal to guard against increased threats from North Korea and Iran, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced.
US to Bolster Missile Defense to Counter N. Korea Threat VOA 15 Mar 2013 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has announced plans to counter growing military threats from North Korea with 14 additional ground-based missile interceptors in Alaska.
Space Station Crew to Land Saturday RIA Novosti 15 Mar 2013 -- A Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft with three crewmembers from the International Space Station is due to land on Saturday.
Crew Departure from Space Station Postponed RIA Novosti 15 Mar 2013 -- Unfavorable weather conditions have forced the Russian space agency Roscosmos to postpone the return of three Expedition 34 crewmember.
Bad Weather Delays Return Of Space Station Crew Members RFE/RL 15 Mar 2013 -- The return to Earth of two Russian cosmonauts and a U.S. astronaut from the International Space Station has been delayed due to bad weather at the landing site in Kazakhstan.
Russia Delays New Soyuz 2.1V Rocket Launch RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2013 -- The first launch of Russia's new Soyuz-2.1V lightweight carrier rocket, scheduled for early 2013, is now likely to be delayed until the second half of 2013.
Europe, Russia to Launch Mission for Martian Dirt VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- Europe and Russia signed a deal for a joint Mars mission to sample dirt from the Red Planet that they hope will answer the mystery of whether there is life beyond Earth.
Russia, Europe Sign Mars Probe Project Deal RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2013 -- Russia's space agency Roscosmos and the European Space Agency signed a final agreement giving the green light to the ExoMars project to send unmanned probes to Mars.
Chile Inaugurates World's Most Powerful Space Telescope VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- After two decades of construction, the world's largest and most powerful radio telescope has begun operating in the Chilean desert.
Strong Signs 'God Particle' Has Been Found VOA 14 Mar 2013 -- Physicists who last summer triumphantly announced the discovery of a new particle but held back from saying what it was, declared there was now little doubt it was the long-sought Higgs boson.
Physicists Confirm Higgs Boson Discovery RIA Novosti 14 Mar 2013 -- Researchers operating the Large Hadron Collider particle accelerator confirmed that a particle discovered in July 2012 is indeed the so-called Higgs boson.
Russia to Test New Star Sensor for GLONASS RIA Novosti 13 Mar 2013 -- German firm Jena-Optronik GmbH has delivered an advanced star sensor to Russia's Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems company, which will test and integrate it on a GLONASS navigation satellite.
NASA Says Mars Could Have Supported Life RFE/RL 13 Mar 2013 -- NASA says samples taken by its "Curiosity" rover on the surface of Mars show the red planet could have supported life long ago.
One Month On, Russia's Meteor Still A Hot Topic RFE/RL 13 Mar 2013 -- It's been nearly a month since a fireball lit up the crisp blue skies over Ural Russia as an unusually large meteor plunged to earth.
First European theatre missile interceptor system achieves NATO interoperability NATO 12 Mar 2013 -- On 6 March, the French/Italian SAMP/T surface-to-air missile system successfully engaged and destroyed a theatre ballistic missile target in a live-fire test.
U.S, Japan refine integrated air and missile defense during exercise AFNS 12 Mar 2013 -- Members of the U.S. military and Japan Self Defense Forces teamed up here recently to conduct a week-long exercise focused on operational issues relating to missile defense in the Pacific theater.
Russia to Complete Asteroid Shield Plan by Yearend RIA Novosti 12 Mar 2013 -- Russia will complete a plan for a program to protect itself against threats from space by the end of this year.
NASA: Life May Have Existed on Mars VOA 02 Mar 2013 -- NASA says that its Mars Curiosity rover has collected definitive proof that the planet could have once supported life.
NASA Says Mars Could Have Supported Life RFE/RL 12 Mar 2013 -- Scientists at NASA have given details about findings from the "Curiosity" rover that landed on Mars seven months ago and say tests show the planet had all the elements to support life.
Joint Statement from the First Meeting of the Japan-U.S. Comprehensive Dialogue on Space US Dept. of State 11 Mar 2013
Russia, US In For Serious Missile Defense Talks - Ambassador RIA Novosti 08 Mar 2013 -- US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul expects to hold talks on missile defense issues this year.
Missile, Space Intelligence Center Saves Warfighter Lives AFPS 08 Mar 2013 -- Engineers, scientists and analysts of the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Missile and Space Intelligence Center provide high-confidence assessments of foreign missile and space systems.
Space Station to Forecast Natural Disasters RIA Novosti 08 Mar 2013 -- The crew of a new expedition to the International Space Station will install special equipment to monitor Earth’s atmosphere and forecast natural disasters.
Two Asteroids to Pass Near Earth on Saturday RIA Novosti 08 Mar 2013 -- Two asteroids, one of them bigger in size than the celestial body that burst over Russia last month, will fly by the Earth on Saturday, though not as close as to threaten collision.
Combat Ops Space Cell: Defending critical satellite links AFNS 07 Mar 2013 -- The mission to defend and protect the operability of that satellite rests at the Combat Operations Division's Space Cell.
Galactic Neighbor Closer Than Previously Thought VOA 07 Mar 2013 -- An international team of astronomers has discovered that one of our closest galactic neighbors is about 40,000 light years closer than previously thought.
Russia Invites US Military Chief to Missile Defense Talks RIA Novosti 06 Mar 2013 -- Russia has invited US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Martin Dempsey to Moscow for talks which will include the missile defense issue.
Royal Navy destroyer to join ballistic defence trial UK MOD 06 Mar 2013 -- The potential for Type 45 destroyers to help protect deployed UK and Allied forces from threat of ballistic missiles is to be investigated.
US reassures Israeli regime of military funding PressTV 06 Mar 2013 -- The United States' new Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has met with Israeli Minister for Military Affairs Ehud Barak, reassuring that Washington will continue funding the Israeli regime’s costly missile system known as the Iron Dome.
Mars Mission Marks Milestone in India's Space Program VOA 06 Mar 2013 -- India’s ambitious plan to send a spacecraft to Mars later this year marks a major milestone in its space program.
Jupiter Moon Lander Project to Get First Funding in 2014 RIA Novosti 05 Mar 2013 -- Russia’s Jupiter research project, which includes a Ganymede lander mission, will receive its first funding next year.
Jumbo rocket design poses challenges China Daily 04 Mar 2013 -- Problems in the development of China's largest rocket have delayed its launch, probably until 2015, said a senior official working on the launch vehicle's design.
Israel boasts about Iron Dome PressTV 04 Mar 2013 -- Israel has boasted about its Iron Dome short-range missile system, which is mainly funded by the United States, calling it Israel’s cutting-edge missile technology.
Iran to launch first professional telecom satellite: Official PressTV 04 Mar 2013 -- Head of Iran Space Agency says the country plans to launch its first professional telecom satellite named Qa’em into space in the coming years to cover Iranian TV channels and radio programs.
‘Fire! Fire!:’ ISS Crew Tested Ahead of Shortened Journey RIA Novosti 04 Mar 2013 -- The standard pre-flight exam, which simulates various emergencies in space, was revised for the ISS mission set to launch from Baikonur on March 29.
SpaceX Dragon Capsule Docks at Space Station RIA Novosti 03 Mar 2013 -- A SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule successfully docked with the International Space Station on Sunday, arriving one day late due to a temporary technical problem, NASA said.
SpaceX Fixes Dragon Spacecraft Thrusters RIA Novosti 02 Mar 2013 -- Specialists of a private US company, SpaceX, have started all thrusters of its Dragon capsule launched on Friday, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk said on Saturday, Moscow time.
'Dragon' Space Capsule Heads to Space Station VOA 01 Mar 2013 -- A privately owned spacecraft heading to the International Space Station ran into problems Friday shortly after blastoff.
Dragon Space Capsule Faces Trouble in Orbit VOA 01 Mar 2013 -- After a successful Friday liftoff, SpaceX's privately-owned Falcon 9 rocket, which is carrying the Dragon resupply capsule to the International Space Station, encountered trouble in orbit.
SpaceX Rocket Thrusters Experience Problem After Liftoff RIA Novosti 01 Mar 2013 -- US private company SpaceX launched on Friday its Dragon space freighter on a second resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS), but the capsule experienced an issue with its thruster pods, NASA and SpaceX reported.
Russia Starts Designing Launch Pad for Amur Rocket RIA Novosti 01 Mar 2013 -- Russia began designing a new launch pad for the Amur heavy carrier rocket at the Vostochny Space Center that is currently under construction in the Amur Region in the country's Far East, the Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) reported on Friday.

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