December 2019 Space News

14th Air Force redesignated as Space Operations Command US Air Force 30 Dec 2019 -- By order of Secretary of the Air Force Barbara M. Barrett, effective Dec. 20, Fourteenth Air Force was officially redesignated as Space Operations Command.
The return of Long March-5 inspires China to reach for the stars PLA Daily 29 Dec 2019 -- With a long-cherished Chinese space dream, China's largest carrier rocket Long March-5 made a successful flight Friday evening, inspiring China to explore deeper into space.
China's largest carrier rocket Long March-5 makes new flight People's Daily 28 Dec 2019 -- China launched the third Long March-5, the largest carrier rocket of the country, from Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province on Friday evening.
China's state-of-the-art carrier rocket sends satellite to orbit Global Times 27 Dec 2019 -- China's heavy-lift launch vehicle Long March-5 returned to flight after a break of more than two years, as it successfully sent a high-throughput communication satellite Shijian-20 into planned orbit on Friday, marking a huge comeback for the currently strongest member of the country's carrier rocket family.
Russia Launches Rokot Carrier Rocket, Its Last Space Launch of 2019 Sputnik 27 Dec 2019 -- The rocket is carrying three Gonets-M communication satellites and a Blitz-M technology satellite to orbit and marks Russia's 25th space launch this year.
Chinese company successfully tests reusable liquid rocket engine Global Times 26 Dec 2019-- China's private rocket sector has achieved another major breakthrough as Beijing-based firm i-Space successfully conducted a 500-second, whole-process test run of its 15-ton reusable liquid oxygen-methane engine on Wednesday.
Long March-5 rocket ready to be launched by year-end Global Times 25 Dec 2019 -- The Long March-5, China's most powerful rocket and a critical ingredient in the nation's ambitious space program, will be launched a third time by the end of December.
Commercial space industry is soaring Global Times 25 Dec 2019 -- China's commercial space sector is growing rapidly and its development is reaching a climax this year with domestic players making technology breakthroughs, executives and industry analysts told the Global Times on Wednesday.
Venture capital dreams of investing in China's private satellite launches Global Times 25 Dec 2019 -- Could China's private companies dream of soaring into space? Yes, of course - with the support of venture capital (VC) investors.
Roscosmos Says Russia Will Take Part in US Lunar Gateway Space Station Project Sputnik 25 Dec 2019 -- Russia has decided to resume talks on its participation in the US Lunar Gateway space station project, Director General of Russian State Space Corporation Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin said.
Boeing to Review Starliner Mission Data to Determine Future of Crewed Flight Sputnik 22 Dec 2019 -- Boeing will have to do a full review of data collected from the aborted uncrewed mission to the International Space Station to determine the future of the manned test, its senior official said Sunday.
China prepares to launch Long March-5 rocket People's Daily 21 Dec 2019 -- The third Long March-5 rocket, China's largest carrier rocket, was vertically transported to the launching area at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province on Saturday.
Trump signs military budget to create controversial Space Force Press TV 21 Dec 2019 -- US President Donald Trump has signed the annual military budget bill, allocating funds for a controversial Space Force that could one day become a separate military branch on an equal footing to the US army and navy.
Trump Signs Law Establishing U.S. Space Force As Competition With China, Russia Grows RFE/RL 21 Dec 2019 -- President Donald Trump has signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), creating the U.S. Space Force, the sixth branch of the armed forces.
Memo: Establishment of the United States Space Force DoD 20 Dec 2019
Memo: United States Space Force DoD 20 Dec 2019
Department of Defense Establishes U.S. Space Force DoD 20 Dec 2019 -- Today the President signed the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act and with it, directed the establishment of the U.S. Space Force as the sixth branch of the armed forces.
Space Force Briefing DoD 20 Dec 2019 -- Hon. Barbara Barrett, Secretary of the U.S. Air Force; General John "Jay" Raymond, Commander, U.S. Space Command, and Commander, Air Force Space Command, and Commander, Joint Force Space Component; Stephen Kitay, Deputy Assistant Secretary Of Defense for Space Policy
Trump Signs Law Establishing U.S. Space Force DoD News 20 Dec 2019 -- President Donald J. Trump signed into law legislation creating the first new armed service since 1947 – the U.S. Space Force.
With the stroke of a pen, U.S. Space Force becomes a reality US Air Force 20 Dec 2019 -- President Trump signed into law Dec. 20 the sprawling, $738 billion defense bill, making history by creating the Space Force as a stand-alone, sixth branch of the U.S. military and guaranteeing for the first time 12 weeks of paid parental leave for federal workers.
Barrett, Air Force leaders applaud Space Force's formal creation US Air Force 20 Dec 2019 -- Secretary of the Air Force Barbara M. Barrett praised the formal creation of the U.S. Space Force Dec. 20, identifying it as a critical capability in defending the nation and pledging that the first new branch of the military since 1947 would be established with speed and clarity of purpose.
Boeing Update on Starliner Orbital Flight Test Boeing 20 Dec 2019 -- The CST-100 Starliner is in a safe, stable orbit after an anomaly this morning following launch and spacecraft separation from the Atlas V. The anomaly appears to have been the result of a mission elapsed timer (MET) using an unexpected timeline, which delayed orbital insertion thruster firings, putting Starliner in an unplanned orbit.
NASA Statement on Boeing Orbital Flight Test NASA 20 Dec 2019 -- NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine released the following statement regarding the Boeing Orbital Flight test:
Mishap That Thwarted Boeing's Starliner Space Mission Revealed by NASA Sputnik 20 Dec 2019 -- As NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine explained during a press conference, had the Starliner been manned, the astronauts would've been able to override the automated system which caused the error.
Russia's Roscosmos Approves Preliminary Design of Super Heavy-Lift Launch Vehicle- Rogozin Sputnik 20 Dec 2019 -- Russian State Space Corporation Roscosmos has approved a preliminary design of a super heavy-lift launch vehicle and also appointed the head of the project, Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin said on Friday.
Ethiopia Launches First Satellite VOA 20 Dec 2019 -- Ethiopia has launched its first satellite.
BeiDou Navigation Satellite System completes deployment Global Times 17 Dec 2019 -- The pair are the last two medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites of their kind for the BDS-3 constellation, marking the completion of the global navigation system's core constellation deployment, according to officials on Monday.
Successful Deployment of India's Spy Satellite's Hi-Tech Antenna in Orbit Sputnik 16 Dec 2019 -- Besides the main RISAT-2BR1 satellite, on 11 December, the ISRO's PSLV-C48 carried nine international satellites – six from the US and one each from Israel, Italy and Japan. The advance antenna is meant to increase the capacity of the satellite.
Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense System successfully intercepts test targets Army News 12 Dec 2019 -- The U.S. Army conducted a successful intercept test today with the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Battle Command System (IBCS).
China leads world in successful orbital launches Global Times 12 Dec 2019 -- There have 29 successful rocket launches in China this year and with a few more scheduled for the last days of 2019, Chinese experts said they expect China to lead the world for a second year and showcase the nation's high-performing aerospace technology.
US House approves Space Force, family leave in $738bn defense bill Press TV 12 Dec 2019 -- The US House of Representatives approved on Wednesday a $738 billion defense policy bill providing the first paid family leave for all federal workers and the creation of a Space Force, a top military priority for President Donald Trump.
ISRO Successfully Launches High Resolution Spy Satellite #RISAT-2BR1 Sputnik 11 Dec 2019 -- The RISAT-2BR1 is an all-weather radar reconnaissance satellite, able to image the Earth in both daylight and at night, regardless of any clouds obscuring the surface. It is the second spacecraft in a new series of RISAT-2B satellites which are replacing and upgrading India's radar imaging capabilities.
Time to Move Forward With Space Force, Air Force Secretary Says DoD News 08 Dec 2019 -- A lack of understanding by Americans of the importance of space is hurting the effort to establish the Space Force, the secretary of the Air Force said yesterday.
N. Korea claims "important" test conducted at Sohae satellite site ARIRANG 08 Dec 2019 -- North Korea claims it conducted a (quote) "very important test" on Saturday at its Sohae Satellite Launching Ground.
N. Korea Says it Conducted 'Very Significant' Test at Satellite Launch Site KBS World Radio 08 Dec 2019 -- North Korea said on Sunday that it has carried out a crucial test at its key space launch facility amid renewed tensions with the United States.
North Korea conducts 'very important test' amid tensions with US Press TV 08 Dec 2019 -- North Korea has carried out a "successful test of great significance" at its space launch center, state media say, as tensions ramp up between Washington and Pyongyang over stalled denuclearization talks.
Statement of Spokesman for Academy of National Defence Science Issued KCNA 08 Dec 2019 -- A spokesman for the Academy of the National Defence Science of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea made public the following statement:
DPRK Says 'Very Serious Test' Conducted at Space Satellite Site Sputnik 08 Dec 2019 -- The state Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said that late on Saturday Pyongyang conducted at a satellite site a test that will be used to upgrade the nation's "strategic status". The news agency did not elaborate on the details of the test.
China launches new optical remote sensing satellite Global Times 07 Dec 2019 -- China sent a new optical remote sensing satellite into space from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern China's Shanxi Province at 10:55 a.m. Saturday (Beijing Time).
China sends six satellites into orbit with single rocket Global Times 07 Dec 2019 -- China sent six satellites into space from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern Shanxi Province at 4:52 p.m. Saturday (Beijing Time).
North Korea Reports 'Very Important Test' at Rocket Launch Site VOA 07 Dec 2019 -- North Korea conducted "a very important test" at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, the country's state media said Sunday.
Putin says US militarization of space can't go unchecked Press TV 05 Dec 2019 -- Russia has expressed concern about the growing militarization of space by the United States and its allies, warning that such hostile measures should be counterbalanced.
Green Light for BRICS Satellite Amid Space Arms Race Fears Sputnik 05 Dec 2019 -- The plan was first mooted by China to improve co-operation around natural disasters. But it took shape later when BRICS space agencies agreed to build a "virtual constellation of remote sensing satellites".
Air Force Space Command Works to Counter Adversary Exploits DoD News 04 Dec 2019 -- From GPS location services to communications, the United States' dependence on space capabilities is well documented, the vice commander of Air Force Space Command said.
United States Regards Space as Theatre of War - President Putin Sputnik 04 Dec 2019 -- The comment comes as leaders of NATO approved the decision to recognise space as 'potential theatre for operations' at a summit that is currently taking place in London.
Russia to Create New Radar Field Against Cruise Missiles Sputnik 02 Dec 2019 -- At the moment, the country is using several types of early-warning radars, providing long-distance monitoring of airspace against ballistic missile attacks. The military reportedly plans to replace older systems with Voronezh by 2020.

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