May 2016 Space News

Russia to Complete Construction of New Space Intelligence Center in 2017 Sputnik 30 May 2016 -- A new space surveillance and tracking center will be completed by late 2017 in the Russian Far Eastern town of Zeya, the Russian Federal Agency for Special Construction (Spetsstroy) said Monday.
India Presses Ahead With Space Ambitions VOA 29 May 2016 -- Indian scientists pronounced the testing of an indigenously developed reusable space rocket this week, "Mission accomplished successfully."
Russian Glonass-M Satellite Reaches Target Orbit on Soyuz Carrier Rocket Sputnik 29 May 2016 -- The Glonass-M navigation satellite, launched from Russia's Plesetsk space center atop a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket, was brought to its target orbit by the Fregat upper stage, the Russian Defense Ministry said Sunday.
Russia to launch regular manned moon missions as of 2025 Press TV 28 May 2016 -- Russia will commence regular manned missions to the moon between 2025 and 2040, says Russia's federal space agency.
Dirigible Down: Military Committees Shut Down Runaway Blimp Program Sputnik 28 May 2016 -- The expensive JLENS surveillance blimp program has been virtually shut down after four congressional committees severely curtailed the Army's blimp budget.
Putin: Russia Will Respond to US Missile Shield in Europe VOA 28 May 2016 -- Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin says he will respond to the defensive missile system the United States and its partners are building in Eastern Europe, because it threatens Russia's security.
PACFLT Participates in Multi-National Missile Defense Forum NNS 27 May 2016 -- The head of U.S. Pacific Fleet Maritime Operations participated in the Maritime Theater Missile Defense Forum's planning session in Waikiki, Hawaii, May 24.
Satellite Kwangmyongsong-4 Officially Registered by UN KCNA 27 May 2016 -- The DPRK presented the UN with a document for registering a satellite as a signatory to the "Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space" as it successfully launched its earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong-4 on Feb. 7, Juche 105 (2016).
US Government Delays Launch of Classified NROL-37 Spy Satellite Sputnik 27 May 2016 -- The US National Reconnaissance Office's Delta IV heavy rocket NROL-37 launch is delayed at the request of the customer, according to United Launch Alliance (ULA).
Roscosmos Proposes International Team to Create Super-Heavy Carrier Rocket Sputnik 24 May 2016 -- The deputy head of Russia's space agency Roscosmos said that Russia offers its international partners to jointly create a new super-heavy-lift launch vehicle.
Russian Soyuz Rocket Launched From Guiana Space Center Sputnik 24 May 2016 -- Russian Soyuz ST rocket carrying two satellites for the European Galileo navigation system was successfully launched at 08:48 GMT from the Guiana space center, according to Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos).
Russia to Respond to US Missile Shield in Europe - Security Council Sputnik 23 May 2016 -- Russia will find ways to respond properly to the deployment of US missile defense systems in eastern Europe, Deputy Secretary of Russia's Security Council Yevgeny Lukyanov said Monday.
Russia's Space Station Mir Plunged Into Ocean Before Time Sputnik 23 May 2016 -- The first ever space station Mir could have been kept aloft a little longer, although this would hardly be viable financially, a Russian space agency Roscosmos executive in charge of manned missions said.
India Launches Country's First Reusable Carrier Rocket Sputnik 23 May 2016 -- India successfully launched on Monday its first-ever reusable carrier rocket, local media reported Monday.
Russian Satellites Resistant to Any Possible Control Interception Sputnik 21 May 2016 -- The control system of Russia's satellite constellation is protected from any outside intervention, and disabling Russian satellites or intercepting control over them is not possible, Russia's Titov Main Test and Space Systems Control Center said Saturday.
Russia to Carry Out Four Commercial Launches From Vostochny Cosmodrome Sputnik 19 May 2016 -- Russia will conduct four commercial launches from the Vostochny space center in Russia's Far East in 2018, the director of Roscosmos state corporation's representative office at Vostochny said Thursday.
Rodong Sinmun Rebukes U.S. Accusations against DPRK's Satellites KCNA 19 May 2016 -- False stories about the DPRK's satellites are floating in the U.S. A national defence expert of the U.S. said there are two satellites of north Korea flying past the air over the U.S. mainland. He noted these satellites have likelihood of de-orbiting its course to directly strike the U.S. or emitting powerful electromagnetic wave capable of disrupting the state power grid when they blow up themselves in the air. The U.S. moves to cope with this are at a snail's pace, he added.
Russia's Vostochny Cosmodrome to Have 3 Launch Pads - Energia Corporation Sputnik 17 May 2016 -- Russia's Energia Space Corporation said that newly-built Vostochny space center in Russia's Far East will eventually have three launch pads.
AF demonstrates key rocket engine technologies for next generation launch systems AFNS 16 May 2016 -- The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and contractor Aerojet Rocketdyne achieved a major milestone under the Hydrocarbon Boost (HCB) program, which is advancing domestic rocket engine technologies in support of next generation launch systems. The HCB program completed full power, full duration tests of the oxygen-rich staged combustion (ORSC) sub-scale preburner. Testing was conducted at the historic rocket Test Stand 2A at Edwards Air Force Base; the facility was first utilized to test the F-1 engine used to power Saturn V rockets in the Apollo program to reach the moon.
Russian, Belarusian FMs Criticize U.S. Missile-Defense Plans RFE/RL 16 May 2016 -- Belarusian Foreign Minister Uladzimer Makey says Belarus and Russia are concerned about the establishment of U.S. missile-defense systems in Eastern Europe.
Big Leap: Indian Space Agency Sets Sights on Homemade Space Shuttle Sputnik 16 May 2016 -- The Indian space agency has an ambitious program, and is now taking the first steps towards developing its very own 'space shuttle' program.
China launches Yaogan-30 remote sensing satellite People's Daily 15 May 2016 -- China's Yaogan-30 remote sensing satellite was sent into space on Sunday at 10:43 a.m. from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China's gobi desert.
'Colorado secret space facility to help fight against Daesh' Press TV 14 May 2016 -- The Pentagon is reportedly seeking to use its new secretive space facility in the military campaign against the Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group in Iraq and Syria.
Pentagon Wants Its New Secretive Space Center to Join Fight Against Daesh Sputnik 14 May 2016 -- US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Thursday that he wants the Pentagon's new space center, the Joint Interagency Combined Space Operations Center, to be involved in the fight against Daesh, The Washington Post reported.
Work Joins Groundbreaking for Ballistic Missile Defense Site in Poland AFPS 13 May 2016 -- At a groundbreaking ceremony here for an Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense site today, Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work emphasized the system is for the protection of NATO members and not directed at Russia.
Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work's Visit to Romania and Poland DoD 13 May 2016
Russia will put end to US missile system threat: Putin Press TV 13 May 2016 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has strongly criticized the deployment of US missile system in Eastern Europe near Russia, and vowed to neutralize any threats by the complex against his country's security.
U.S. Breaks Ground On NATO Shield Site In Poland RFE/RL 13 May 2016 -- The United States has broken ground on a military installation in Poland that will form part of NATO's larger European missile shield.
US Anti-Missile Base Drives Poland Into 'New Phase' of Security Buildup Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- Poland enters a new phase of strengthening of the country's security while constructing a military base, which will be a part of an US-designed ballistic missile defense system in Europe, Polish President Andrzej Duda said Friday.
US Missile Defense System in Poland Not Directed Against Russia - Warsaw Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- The US Aegis Ashore missile defense system due to be built in the Polish village of Redzikowo is not directed against Russia, Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski said Friday.
Russia Spent $1.3 Bln on Vostochny Cosmodrome So Far Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- Russia has so far spent 84 billion rubles ($1.3 billion) on the construction of the Vostochny cosmodrome, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said Friday.
Space Eye: Russian Armed Forces Use Glonass Satellites for Aiming in Syria Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- The Glonass navigation system helps the Russian Armed Forces to precisely strike terrorist targets in Syria.
US Air Defense Shield Not Defense, But Nuclear Potential in Europe - Putin Sputnik 13 May 2016 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that the US defense shield in Eastern Europe is not part of defense, but Washington's nuclear potential in Europe.
Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System-Romania Operationally Certified NNS 12 May 2016 -- U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th (CNE-CNA/C6F), recognized a key milestone to complete Phase II of the European Phased Adaptive Approach by deeming the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System in Romania as operationally certified in a ceremony held in Deveselu, May 12.
Secretary General in Bucharest: NATO is committed to Romania's security NATO 12 May 2016 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg praised Romania's contributions to Allied security in Bucharest on Thursday (12 May 2016). Meeting with President Klaus Werner Iohannis, Mr. Stoltenberg commended Romania for its contributions to Black Sea security, its commitment to raise defence spending to 2% of GDP and its continued participation in NATO-led missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo. Calling Romania "a steadfast Ally," Mr. Stoltenberg stressed that NATO is committed to Romania's security.
GPS registers most accurate signal yet AFNS 12 May 2016 -- On April 25, the Air Force's GPS registered its most accurate signal yet, according to the Aerospace Corporation, which has been monitoring the data since 2002.
Defending our nations from ballistic missile threats - Opinion piece by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg NATO 12 May 2016 -- NATO's purpose is clear: to protect our citizens and territory against any threats.
Key missile defence site declared operational NATO 12 May 2016 -- A United States missile defence system aimed at protecting European NATO Allies from ballistic missiles threats was declared operational at a ceremony in Deveselu, Romania on Thursday (12 May 2016).
US missile system in Romania poses threat to Russia: Kremlin Press TV 12 May 2016 -- A senior Russian official has said the activation of a US missile system in Romania would constitute a threat to Russia's national security.
U.S. Activates Missile-Defense Site In Romania, Despite Russian Protests RFE/RL 12 May 2016 -- The United States has activated a missile-defense site in Romania, prompting an angry reaction from Moscow.
New US Missile Defense Systems in Europe 'Not Directed Against Russia' Sputnik 12 May 2016 -- The new US missile defense systems planned for deployment in Europe are not directed against Russia, US Department of State spokesman Noel Clay told Sputnik on Thursday.
Pentagon Pledges to Protect NATO From Iran's Ballistic Missiles Sputnik 12 May 2016 -- The United States promises to protect its NATO allies from the threat of Iranian ballistic missile as long as Tehran continues to develop such capabilities, US Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work said on Thursday.
US Inaugurates Aegis Missile Defense Outpost in Romania Sputnik 12 May 2016 -- A ground-based Aegis battle management system in Romania has been integrated into a planned missile defense network for Europe, Commander of US Naval Forces Europe-Africa Adm. Mark Ferguson said.
Missile Defense Program in Romania to Increase NATO 'Defensive' Coverage Sputnik 12 May 2016 -- Activation of the Aegis Ashore missile defense system in Romania will enhance NATO defense capabilities against medium and short-range missile attacks, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday.
US, NATO Activate Missile Defense Site in Romania VOA 12 May 2016 -- The U.S. has switched on an $800 million (700 million euro) missile defense site in southern Romania Thursday, a move that has infuriated Moscow.
US activating missiles in Europe despite Russia warning Press TV 11 May 2016 -- The United States is about to activate its missile systems across Europe, despite Russia's warnings against a systematically increasing US-led arms deployment near its borders.
U.S. Missile-Defense System In Romania To Go Operational As Russia Fumes RFE/RL 11 May 2016 -- The ambitious U.S. plan to protect Europe from ballistic missiles goes online this week, and Russia is already making clear that a stern, if not outright belligerent, response may be forthcoming.
AF Space Command leader releases strategic intent doc AFNS 09 May 2016 -- The head of the Air Force Space Command revealed his updated Commander's Strategic IntentMay 6. The strategic intent document serves as the overarching document guiding the command.
No More Space Race for US, Rivalry Gives Way to Collaboration VOA 06 May 2016 -- While many Americans celebrate May 5 as Cinco de Mayo, the anniversary of a Mexican military victory, science nerds recognize the date as a technological milestone: the day the United States first put a man into space.
Top US Official: Washington Seeking THAAD Dialogue With Beijing VOA 05 May 2016 -- A top U.S. official says Washington still hopes to hold a dialogue with Beijing on the possible deployment of an advanced missile defense system, known as THAAD, in South Korea.

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