January 2017 Space News

U.S., S.Korea defense chiefs reaffirm THAAD deployment People's Daily 31 Jan 2017 -- Defense chiefs of South Korea and the United States on Tuesday reaffirmed the bilateral agreement to deploy the U.S. missile shield, called Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), in South Korean soil.
US reaffirms commitment to THAAD plan in South Korea Press TV 31 Jan 2017 -- South Korea and the US have pledged to push ahead with their plan to deploy a missile system which has sparked strong opposition from China and Russia.
China looks to Mars, Jupiter exploration People's Daily 30 Jan 2017 -- China's plans for deep-space exploration included two Mars missions and one Jupiter probe.
Moscow's Missile Defense System to Receive Upgrade in 2-3 Years Sputnik 28 Jan 2017 -- In two or three years the Moscow's missile defense system will be fully upgraded, according to the Russian Defense Ministry's department of combat programs Ilgar Tagiev.
China plans moon-sampling mission for November Press TV 27 Jan 2017 -- China plans to send a robot attached to a rocket to the moon to bring back samples of the lunar surface.
Hyten: Deterrence in Space Means No War Will be Fought There AFPS 26 Jan 2017 -- Space capabilities have created a revolution in military affairs, an environment in which information is key to the battlespace and deterrence means war will never be fought in space, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command said this week at Stanford University in California.
South Korea mulls taking China to WTO over THAAD 'retaliation' Press TV 26 Jan 2017 -- A South Korean Foreign Ministry official says Seoul is considering countermeasures against what it says is Chinese retaliation for Seoul's decision to allow the deployment of an advanced US missile system on Korean soil.
First Ever: 'Pacifist' Japan Launches Military Communications Satellite Sputnik 25 Jan 2017 -- Japan has launched a large military satellite from a base on the country's southern-most islands, just across from China, an area in which Tokyo and Beijing have clashed over the gas-rich East China Sea.
Japan launches X-band defense communications satellite People's Daily 24 Jan 2017 -- Japan launched an X-band defense communications satellite on Tuesday for the Japanese Ministry of Defense.
China schedules Chang'e-5 lunar probe launch People's Daily 23 Jan 2017 -- China plans to launch the Chang'e-5 lunar probe at the end of November this year, from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in southern China's Hainan province, aboard the heavy-lift carrier rocket Long March-5.
South Korea says can't delay THAAD deployment, cites 'imminent' threat from North Press TV 23 Jan 2017 -- South Korea says it cannot delay the deployment of an American missile system in the face of the "imminent" threat posed by North Korea's advancing nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
South Korea Reaffirms THAAD Deployment Despite Growing Opposition VOA 23 Jan 2017 -- Amid reports that China may be bringing economic retribution against South Korea for the deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), Seoul vowed a swift deployment of the U.S. anti-missile system.
South Korean media claims expansion of China's restrictions due to THAAD deployment People's Daily 22 Jan 2017 -- South Korea's Seoul Broadcasting System quoted an insider from Lotte Group on Jan. 21 stating that Lotte would hold a board meeting after Spring Festival to approve relevant agreements about the deployment site of its Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, the Global Times reported.
First quantum satellite surpasses expectations People's Daily 19 Jan 2017 -- Micius, the world's first quantum satellite, has successfully completed four months of in-orbit tests since China launched it on Aug 16, the Chinese Academy of Sciences has announced.
China Should Cease Attempts to Undermine South Korea's Defense Ability - McCain Sputnik 19 Jan 2017 -- US Senator John McCain said that China should stop its retaliation campaign against South Korea over the deployment of anti-missile Terminal High Altitude Area Defense systems to the peninsula.
Defending from Outer Space? Israel Introduces Arrow-3 Missile Interceptor System Sputnik 20 Jan 2017 -- Arrow-3, a missile-defense system capable of destroying targets in space, codeveloped by Israel Aerospace Industries and Boeing, has officially entered service, according to Jerusalem.
Israel Enters 'New Era' With Arrow 3 Anti-Ballistic Missiles Sputnik 18 Jan 2017 -- The Israeli Air Force enters a "new era" as it has received Arrow 3 anti-ballistic missiles from Israeli Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), the IMDO director said Wednesday.
Falcon 9 launches from Vandenberg AFB AFNS 17 Jan 2017 -- Members of Vandenberg Air Force Base, alongside SpaceX and Iridium partners, recently launched the Iridium NEXT satellite on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex-4, here, Jan. 14.
Russia, China Work on Joint High-Precision Satellite Navigation System Sputnik 17 Jan 2017 -- Russia and China are setting up a joint Differential Corrections and Monitoring (SDCM) high-precision satellite navigation system, China National Space Administration (CNSA) chief representative in Russia Zhang Yuan said Tuesday.
Suspicions of economic retaliation policies against THAAD agreement further sours Korea-China relations ARIRANG 16 Jan 2017 -- Suspicions of economic retaliation policies against THAAD agreement further sours Korea-China relations
THAAD economic retaliations? ARIRANG 16 Jan 2017 -- Since Korea and the U.S. announced in July that they had reached an agreement to deploy THAAD on the Korean peninsula, China has opposed the decision.
Contract on THAAD deployment site may be delayed: S.Korean military People's Daily 16 Jan 2017 -- Contract between South Korean military and Lotte Group to exchange military land for a golf course to deploy a US missile shield may be delayed, Seoul's defense ministry said Monday.
Lotte Group Delays Acquisition of THAAD Deployment Site in South Korea Sputnik 16 Jan 2017 -- The acquisition of a site for the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD) by the South Korean military from the Lotte Group has been delayed due to administrative proceedings, a Lotte Group official said Monday.
THAAD is Becoming a South Korean Election Issue VOA 16 Jan 2017 -- A deepening partisan divide over the deployment of the controversial U.S. THAAD missile defense system is becoming a key national security issue in South Korea's emerging presidential race.
Russia's 'Liana' Satellites Can Keep an Eye on Ships, Subs or Even Fishing Boats Sputnik 14 Jan 2017 -- Last week, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu confirmed that work is continuing on Liana, a new constellation of military satellites capable of advanced scanning for ground and sea-based radio signal emissions. Expected to be completed this year, the system will significantly improve Russia's space-based electronic intelligence capabilities.
SpaceX Completes Successful Rocket Launch VOA 14 Jan 2017 -- Private space exploration company SpaceX has conducted its first successful launch since the explosion of a rocket on the launchpad in September.
China, Russia work out 'countermeasures' against THAAD deployment in S Korea Press TV 13 Jan 2017 -- China and Russia have reportedly agreed to take new "countermeasures" against the United States' decision to install an advanced missile system in South Korea.
Opposition to THAAD deployment "understandable": Chinese FM People's Daily 13 Jan 2017 -- It is understandable for China and regional countries to take necessary countermeasures to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) deployment due to reasonable security concerns, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Friday.
China, Russia Promise 'Countermeasures' To U.S.-Korean Defense System RFE/RL 13 Jan 2017 -- China and Russia have expressed concern about a U.S. plan to deploy an antimissile system in South Korea and vowed to take unspecified "countermeasures," state media reported.
U.S., French Astronauts Complete Spacewalk To Upgrade ISS Power System RFE/RL 13 Jan 2017 -- A pair of astronauts on January 13 successfully completed a six-hour spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS), plugging in modern new batteries for use by the craft's solar power system.
South 'to protest Chinese retaliation over THAAD deployment' Press TV 12 Jan 2017 -- South Korea says it may formally protest to China over actions perceived to have been taken in retaliation for Seoul's decision to allow the deployment of an advanced US missile system on its territory.
US THAAD in Japan Aimed at Containing Russia, China's Nuclear Capabilities Sputnik 10 Jan 2017 -- Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada plans to visit the US territory of Guam on Thursday in order to see the newest Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in a search for better defense capabilities against a possible nuclear attack by North Korea.
Ambiguous THAAD photos cause unease in China People's Daily 09 Jan 2017 -- Chinese netizens have expressed discomfort with photos depicting Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors targeting the Chinese national flag. Eight such photos have appeared in Yonhap News Agency reports within half a year.e
China's Carrier Rocket Puts 3 Satellites in Space in First Commercial Mission Sputnik 09 Jan 2017 -- China's solid-fueled carrier rocket Kuaizhou-1A (KZ-1A) put in space on Monday three satellites as part of its first commercial launch, Xinhua news agency reported.
Eagle Eye: Russia Restoring Its Early Missile Attack Warning System Sputnik 08 Jan 2017 -- In 2017 Russia will have a missile attack warning system covering its entire territory with advanced Voronezh radars capable of detecting enemy missile launches up to 6,000 kilometers away.
China taking indirect retaliatory action against THAAD deployment in S Korea: Seoul Press TV 06 Jan 2017 -- South Korea says China is taking "indirect action" against Seoul's months-long decision to deploy a US advanced missile system on its territory.
China Launches Next-Gen Telecommunications Satellite Sputnik 06 Jan 2017 -- China has successfully launched a new-generation telecommunications satellite, the country's Defense Ministry has announced.
China urges proper settlement with ROK on THAAD issue People's Daily 05 Jan 2017 -- China on Thursday urged communication with the Republic of Korea (ROK) to find a proper solution to the ROK's deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).
S.Korea re-affirms THAAD deployment as planned People's Daily 05 Jan 2017 -- South Korea on Thursday re-affirmed its position to deploy a U.S. missile defense system in its soil as planned despite strong opposition from neighboring countries.
China reiterates opposition to US deployment of THAAD in South Korea Press TV 05 Jan 2017 -- A senior Chinese official has reiterated Beijing's opposition to a US deployment of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to South Korea.
China Hopes to Find Settlement With South Korea Over THAAD Deployment Sputnik 05 Jan 2017 -- Beijing hopes to resolve the THAAD deployment issue with South Korea through dialogue.
White House Releases Strategy in Case of 'Killer Asteroid' Sputnik 05 Jan 2017 -- The White House has published a 25-page report on 'National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Strategy,' detailing preparations in the event that a celestial object such as a 'killer asteroid' is found to be on a collision course with Earth.
US-Qatar Radar Deal: What's the Real Reason for the Purchase Sputnik 05 Jan 2017 -- In a follow up to the recently announced deal reached between the US and Qatar on the purchase by Doha of the US' 5,000 km range early warning radar with the announced purpose to "mitigate the threat from Iranian ballistic missiles," various media sources speculate why Qatar needs such a long-range facility if Iran is only 821 km away.
China to send record 30 missions into space in 2017 People's Daily 04 Jan 2017 -- China plans to conduct some 30 space launch missions in 2017, a record-breaking number in the country's space history, said China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
China's lunar probe sets 'small goal': to retrieve moon dust samples in 2017 People's Daily 03 Jan 2017 -- In 2017, China's space industry will continue to move forward with a number of important projects, from lunar probes and the Beidou navigation system to experimental satellites.
South Korean Opposition Lawmakers to Discuss THAAD Deployment With Beijing Sputnik 02 Jan 2017 -- Eight South Korean lawmakers from the country's main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), including presidential-hopeful Moon Jae-in, will visit China on Wednesday for a three-day visit in an attempt to ease tensions with Beijing over the planned deployment of US missile defense systems in South Korea, one of the delegates said on Monday.

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