October 2017 Space News

'Nothing to Apologize For' - Still, Seoul Won't Install More THAAD Systems Sputnik 31 Oct 2017 -- Seoul will not move forward with deploying more Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile batteries.
Pyongyang Unveils Plan to Accelerate Space Satellite Program Sputnik 31 Oct 2017 -- North Korean newspaper Rodong Sinmun published a commentary laying out the country's plans to send more satellites into space over the next five years. The program "can contribute to improving the economy and people's lives," the article reads.
South Korea considering no more THAAD deployment: FM Press TV 30 Oct 2017 -- South Korea's foreign minister says Seoul is not considering any additional deployment of a controversial US missile system, THAAD, which has sparked anger both inside and outside the country.
South Korea Not Considering Additional US THAAD Deployments - Foreign Minister Sputnik 30 Oct 2017 -- Seoul has reiterated the purpose of the THAAD deployment in South Korea amid the aggravation of the North Korean crisis.
S Korea, China Aim to Ease Dispute Over THAAD Before Leaders Meeting - Reports Sputnik 29 Oct 2017 -- Beijing has been concerned with the deployment of the US-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) defense systems in South Korea, as Seoul has made the decision to install more systems on its territory.
Army deploys Kestrel Eye satellite Army News 25 Oct 2017 -- While the Army has long been considered America's land force, many of the Army's Soldiers and civilians depend upon space to perform their missions.
US Forces Officially Complete THAAD Unit Setup in South Korea - Reports Sputnik 22 Oct 2017 -- The US has been deploying THAAD systems in South Korea since 2016 in response to the continuing missile and nuclear tests performed by the North.
South Korean Military Wants Massive Missile Interceptor to Counter DPRK Barrage Sputnik 20 Oct 2017 -- South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff have announced that the military is working on a new missile interceptor that could, in theory, deflect a massive North Korean artillery barrage. Such a technology would be a game-changer on the Korean peninsula.
Formidable Shield 2017: Ship Engages BMD Target During NATO Exercise, MDA and Navy Conduct SM-6 Test Launch NNS 16 Oct 2017 -- Ships from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States participated in a live-fire integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) scenario, defending against a ballistic missile target as well as three anti-ship cruise missiles Oct. 15 as part of exercise Formidable Shield 2017 (FS17).
Formidable Shield 2017: Ship Engages BMD Target during NATO exercise, MDA and Navy conduct SM-6 test launch MDA 15 Oct 2017 -- Ships from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States participated in a live-fire integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) scenario, defending against a ballistic missile target as well as three anti-ship cruise missiles Oct. 15 as part of exercise Formidable Shield 2017 (FS17). Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) is conducting Formidable Shield on behalf of the U.S. 6th Fleet. The U.S. Missile Defense Agency is also a major participant in this exercise.
Atlas V US Carrier Rocket Lifts Off From Cape Canaveral After Three Delays Sputnik 15 Oct 2017 -- After being delayed for three times due to Hurricane Irma and technical issues, the Atlas V carrier rocket has been finally launched.
Russia's Rokot Carries Sentinel Satellite Into Orbit for Atmosphere Monitoring Sputnik 13 Oct 2017 -- The new Sentinel-5P satellite will be able to monitor the atmosphere of the entire planet.
Chinese Military Urges US to Remove THAAD from S Korea Over Security Concerns Sputnik 13 Oct 2017 -- Amid the mounting tensions over Pyongyang's ongoing nuclear program, South Korea made the decision to install the four remaining THAAD launchers, causing concern in Moscow and Beijing, since this move could deteriorate the situation in the region.
US Global Missile Defenses Provoke New Spiral of Arms Race - Russian MoD Sputnik 13 Oct 2017 -- The extension of the US ballistic missile defense system causes growing concern since it is likely to impede the balance of power on the global scale and increase the feasibility of nuclear conflict.
Falcon 9 Rocket With Telecom Satellite Blasts Off Into Space Sputnik 12 Oct 2017 -- The first stage of Falcon 9 rocket successfully landed after deployment of the commercial satellite to geostationary transfer orbit.
US THAAD Missile Defense Systems in S Korea Target Russia, China - Moscow Sputnik 11 Oct 2017 -- According to Russian senior diplomat, Washington uses alleged N Korean missile threat as a pretext for deploying THAAD systems close to the borders of Russia and China.
US Missile Defense Deployment in Romania Threatens Russia - Senior Diplomat Sputnik 11 Oct 2017 -- According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the US deployment of its missile launchers at a base in Romania violates the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
Plutonium Production and Shortages Threaten Future NASA Programs Sputnik 11 Oct 2017 -- The US Department of Energy "faces challenges meeting NASA's expected need" for a plutonium isotope required for missions into deep space that could jeopardize new missions altogether, according to a new Government Accountability Office report.
China calls for better bilateral ties with South Korea amid missile dispute People's Daily 11 Oct 2017 -- Chinese authorities on Tuesday said they hoped that the new Republic of Korea (ROK) ambassador to China would contribute more to the sound development of bilateral ties, sending a friendly signal amid Seoul's deployment of a US missile defense system.
Chinese satellites capable of providing high-resolution images for foreign clients People's Daily 10 Oct 2017 -- China's remote sensing satellites have started to provide "sub-meter" images for foreign clients by using continuously upgraded technologies, stdaily.com reported on Tuesday.
Venezuelan president hails "historic" satellite launch from China People's Daily 10 Oct 2017 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday hailed China's launch of the South American nation's satellite as a "historic event" key to furthering national independence.
China Launches Third Remote Sensing Satellite for Venezuela - Reports Sputnik 09 Oct 2017 -- China launches a remote sensing satellite for Venezuela with its Long March-2D carrier rocket.
U.S. approves possible 15-bln-USD sale of THAAD missiles to Saudi Arabia People's Daily 07 Oct 2017 -- The U.S. State Department has approved on Friday a possible 15-billion-U.S. dollar sale of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems to Saudi Arabia, according to a statement released by the Pentagon.
Saudi Arabia - Terminal High Altitude Area Defense and Related Support, Equipment and Services DSCA 06 Oct 2017 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Saudi Arabia for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and related support, equipment and services for an estimated cost of $15 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
SecAF addresses air and space innovation AFNS 05 Oct 2017 -- Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson spoke about the importance of modernization and innovation in space during a Center for Strategic and International Studies forum in Washington, D.C., Oct. 5, 2017.
18th Space Control Squadron: Keeping watch up above AFNS 05 Oct 2017 -- While the everyday activities of life continue down below, what is taking place overhead doesn't usually warrant a thought.
Declassified CIA Papers Show U.S. Aware In Advance Of Sputnik Possibilities RFE/RL 05 Oct 2017 -- The CIA has released newly declassified documents showing that U.S. intelligence agencies were aware of Russia's impending launch of the Sputnik 1 satellite -- an event that shocked the American public when the news broke exactly 60 years ago.

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