April 2020 Space News

US Air Force's Mysterious X-37B Preparing for Next Space Flight Sputnik 30 Apr 2020 -- The US Air Force's strange little space plane, the experimental X-37B, is preparing for its sixth mission. Dubbed the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), little is known about its mission, apart from that the Pentagon claims it exists to test new technology.
NASA Selects Blue Origin National Team to Return Humans to the Moon Blue Origin 30 Apr 2020 -- Today the Blue Origin National Team, which includes Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Draper, was selected by NASA to begin to develop the Artemis Human Landing System.
NASA Awards US Companies Contracts for Human Moon Landing VOA 30 Apr 2020 -- The U.S. space agency NASA has awarded contracts to three American companies to develop spacecraft to land humans on the moon by 2024.
Space Force Acquisition Council looks to safeguard space industrial base from COVID-19 impacts US Air Force 28 Apr 2020 -- In response to COVID-19, the Department of the Air Force is posturing to identify and provide support to the space industrial base, assessing sectors most impacted by the pandemic while creating an environment where companies in need can compete fairly in the event of supplemental federal relief funds.
US rants on IRGC satellite launch irrelevant: Veteran Iranian MP Press TV 28 Apr 2020 -- A senior Iranian lawmaker has dismissed allegations by Washington that Tehran's recent satellite launch was in breach of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, saying it was in fact the United States that violated the UN document by abandoning a 2015 multinational nuclear deal.
China's Mars exploration mission makes new progress PLA Daily 27 Apr 2020 -- China unveiled the name "Tianwen-1" for its first Mars exploration mission, which means exploring the secrets of the space. It was announced by China National Space Administration (CNSA) in an online ceremony celebrating China's fifth Space Day on April 24.
Russia slams US 'hypocrisy' for condemning IRGC satellite with 2231 UNSC resolution Press TV 27 Apr 2020 -- Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations has slammed Washington's "hypocrisy" for condemning Iran's recent launch of an Islamic Revolution Guards Corps satellite citing UN Security Council resolution 2231.
US Calls On Europe, Others To Take Action Against Iran After Satellite Launch Radio Farda 26 Apr 2020 -- In its latest move to garner diplomatic support against Iran for having launched a military satellite, the U.S. State Department issued a statement on April 25 calling on other countries to "reject" Iran's move.
Rouhani hails launch of satellite 'Noor' as valuable, national success IRNA 25 Apr 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani congratulated the national and valuable success of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) young experts in launching satellite 'Noor' into orbit, saying that the achievement boasts of double value amid coronavirus spread and public concern.
Iran Lying About Peacefulness Of Space Program, Pompeo Says Radio Farda 25 Apr 2020 -- In a tweet on April 25, the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Iran continues to lie that the Revolutionary Guard's space program is peaceful when in reality it is part of the country's nuclear weapons program.
Iran's Space Program is Dangerous, Not Peaceful US Dept. of State 25 Apr 2020 -- For years, Iran has claimed its space program is purely peaceful and civilian. The Trump Administration has never believed this fiction. This week's launch of a military satellite by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, makes clear what we have said all along: Iran's space program is neither peaceful nor entirely civilian.
Xi: Build 'great space power' PLA Daily 25 Apr 2020 -- President Xi Jinping extended greetings to elder scientists who participated in the country's first satellite program 50 years ago and said he expected space industry workers to learn from their predecessors' spirit and strive to build the nation into a stronger space power.
US Next Generation Missile Interceptor Programme Officially Launched Sputnik 25 Apr 2020 -- The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has been extolling plans for a next-generation interceptor for the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) systems, with the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Mike Griffin pulling the plug on its updated Redesigned Kill Vehicle (RKV) last year, citing "technical design problems".
China's first Mars exploration mission named Tianwen-1 Global Times 24 Apr 2020 -- China's first Mars exploration mission has been named Tianwen-1, announced the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Friday, China's Space Day.
China's first Mars exploration mission named Tianwen-1 PLA Daily 24 Apr 2020 -- China's first Mars exploration mission has been named Tianwen-1, announced the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Friday, China's Space Day.
China Names First Exploration Mission to Mars 'Tianwen-1' - National Space Administration Sputnik 24 Apr 2020 -- The China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Friday announced that its first exploration mission to Mars will be named "Tianwen-1".
IRGC's Noor-1 satellite: A new chapter in Iran's defense power Press TV 24 Apr 2020 -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) successfully placed the Islamic Republic's first ever military satellite in its designated orbit on Wednesday, using a rocket which is also the country's first three-stage launch vehicle to successfully deliver its load.
Iran receives signals from military satellite, vows new surprises Press TV 24 Apr 2020 -- The Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Aerospace Division has said that the country is receiving signals from its recently launched Noor satellite and that it plans to launch a future satellite in higher orbit.
US Allies Condemn Iran's Satellite Launch As Russia Defends The Move Radio Farda 24 Apr 2020 -- Following strong condemnation by the Unites States two of its major European allies, France and Germany, have also criticized Iran's launch of a military satellite into space.
U.K. Says Iranian Military Satellite Launch 'Of Significant Concern' RFE/RL 24 Apr 2020 -- Britain says it is concerned over Iran's launching of a military satellite and urged Tehran to uphold a United Nations resolution on refraining from such activities.
NASA Marks 30 Years Anniversary of Hubble Telescope Launch VOA 24 Apr 2020 -- Friday marks 30 years since the groundbreaking Hubble Telescope, the first optical telescope to be put into space, was sent into orbit.
Launch of satellite into orbit, start of formation of a global power, IRGC commander says IRNA 23 Apr 2020 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps Major General Hossein Salami described the launch of a military satellite by the IRGC Aerospace Force into space as the start of the formation of a global power.
Space Force Commander Says Iran's Military Satellite Launches Will Continue Radio Farda 23 Apr 2020 -- Amid international condemnation of Iran's space satellite launch, a commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard (IRGC) told the state-run television there will be other military satellite launches in the future.
Russia dismisses as 'baseless' US claims on IRGC satellite launch Press TV 23 Apr 2020 -- Russia has dismissed as "baseless" claims by the United States that the recent launch of Iran's first-ever military satellite by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) violates a United Nations Security Council resolution endorsing the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.
Iran's Launch of Military Satellite Complies With UNSC Resolution on Nuke Programme - Moscow Sputnik 23 Apr 2020 -- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched Iran's first military satellite, Noor, into orbit by using a Qassed rocket. The US said it was keeping track of the satellite, also describing its launch as a "hostile" act by Tehran.
US tracks Iran's 'Nour' satellite as it enters into orbit Press TV 23 Apr 2020 -- The United States says it has tracked Iran's successful launch and the entry into orbit of its first military satellite.
IRGC comdr hails successful launching of Iran's 1st military satellite IRNA 22 Apr 2020 -- Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri in a message on Wednesday congratulated successful launching of Noor-1 military satellite in earth orbit.
Commander lauds IRGC's joining space IRNA 22 Apr 2020 -- The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) congratulated the successful launch of 'Noor Satellite', and said that today, the IRGC's joining space where the realization of this important goal means that "we can have significant and global success in any field by relying on God Almighty and our inner talents".
Guards Commander Says Iran's Eye In Sky Makes It 'A World Power' Radio Farda 22 Apr 2020 -- IRGC Commander Hossein Salami says the launch of Iran's first military satellite on Wednesday April 22 marks the "beginning of the formation of a world power."
Iran's first military satellite put on orbit IRNA 22 Apr 2020 -- The first military satellite of Iran was successfully put on orbit by the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps on Wednesday.
Iran's 1st satellite successfully put into orbit by IRGC ISNA 22 Apr 2020 -- Iran's first satellite was successfully put on orbit on Wednesday by the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps.
IRGC shoots Iran's first military satellite into orbit Press TV 22 Apr 2020 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has successfully launched and placed the country's first military satellite into the orbit.
Iran Revolutionary Guard Says Country's First Military Satellite 'Successfully Placed In Orbit' Radio Farda 22 Apr 2020 -- Iran's Revolutionary Guard on Wednesday said the country's first military satellite has successfully been placed in orbit.
Iran Claims It 'Successfully' Launched Military Satellite RFE/RL 22 Apr 2020 -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on April 22 that it launched a military satellite into orbit, after months of failed attempts.
Iran Says It Put Military Satellite Into Orbit VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- Iran's Revolutionary Guard said Wednesday it successfully launched the country's first military satellite into orbit.
China to announce name of its first Mars exploration mission PLA Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- The name and logo of China's first Mars exploration mission will be made public on the Space Day of China, which will fall on April 24, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
US Places Some Missile Defence Crews in Full Isolation Amid COVID-19 Pandemic - NORAD Sputnik 21 Apr 2020 -- The US military has placed some of its ballistic missile defence personnel in full isolation to ensure they do not contract the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and can perform their mission, Northern Command (NORTCOM) and North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) head Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy told reporters on Tuesday.
Russia Starts Adapting RD-180 Engine Used in US for Super-Heavy Yenisei Rocket - Roscosmos Sputnik 21 Apr 2020 -- Russia's Energomash rocket engine manufacturer, which is part of state space corporation Roscosmos, has started to adapt RD-180 engines, which have been in use for US Atlas carrier rockets, and the medium-class Soyuz-6 and super-heavy Yenisei launch vehicles, Energomash Director General Igor Arbuzov has said.
Moscow Will Be Able to Sleep Soundly With Its Next-Gen Missile Shield: Here's Why Sputnik 20 Apr 2020 -- The Russian military has been extremely tight-lipped about the development of a successor to the A-135 Amur anti-ballistic missile system, which has guarded the skies of the Russian capital for the past 25 years now. Still, occasionally a bit of information gets through, enabling observers to piece together details about the system's capabilities.
Space Force welcomes first academy graduates to its ranks US Air Force 18 Apr 2020 -- Eighty-six graduates from the United States Air Force Academy celebrated receiving their diplomas April 18 and moved directly into the U.S. Space Force, marking the first infusion of commissioned personnel into the new service since its creation last year.
NASA To Launch Astronauts To ISS From U.S. For First Time Since 2011 RFE/RL 18 Apr 2020 -- The U.S. space agency NASA and the private company SpaceX have chosen May 27 as the date for the first launch of a crewed flight to the International Space Station (ISS) from the United States since 2011.
China's Chang'e-4 probe resumes work for 17th lunar day PLA Daily 17 Apr 2020 -- The lander and rover of the Chang'e-4 probe have resumed work for the 17th lunar day on the far side of the moon after "sleeping" during the extremely cold night.
U.S.-Russian Crew Lands Safely In Kazakhstan After More Than 200 Days In Space RFE/RL 17 Apr 2020 -- Three members of the U.S.-Russian crew have returned to Earth after spending several months at the International Space Station (ISS).
US Building Ground-Based Network of Offensive Weapons to Jam Russian Satellites – Report Sputnik 17 Apr 2020 -- The Space Force, the newest branch of the US military, has requested over $15.3 billion in funding for operations, equipment and satellite equipment for fiscal year 2021.
Moscow: US Accusing Russia of Missile Tests to Distract From Deployment of American Weapons in Space Sputnik 17 Apr 2020 -- US Space Command accused Russia of testing a direct-ascent anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) missile on Wednesday, claiming that the test was "another example that the threats to US and allied space systems" were " real, serious and growing."
US Space Command Claims Russia Tested Direct-Ascent Anti-Satellite Missile Sputnik 15 Apr 2020 -- The US Space Command issued an announcement Wednesday, claiming it had knowledge that Russia had reportedly conducted a test for a direct-ascent anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) missile.
Russia tests direct-ascent anti-satellite missile USSPACECOM 15 Apr 2020 -- U.S. Space Command is aware and tracking Russia's direct-ascent anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) missile test April 15.
Chinese space industry insiders debunk Western media claims launch failures due to US chip restrictions Global Times 13 Apr 2020 -- Chinese space industry insiders on Monday debunked Western media claims that attest China's recent rocket launch failures to US chip export restrictions on China, pointing out that the country's rocket control systems have mastered complete localization for a long time, and China's space development sector is independent of any Western influence.
Meeting on rocket and space sector development President of Russia 10 Apr 2020 -- The President held a videoconference meeting on the rocket and space industry's development.
3 Proton-M Rockets Sent Back to Manufacturer Over Quality Control Issues – Space Industry Source Sputnik 10 Apr 2020 -- Russian space agency Roscosmos recently introduced more stringent quality control measures in a bid to reduce the amount of defective components and equipment in both the commercial and state space sector orders.
New version of Long March to make its debut PLA Daily 09 Apr 2020 -- China's Long March 5B carrier rocket is scheduled to make its debut flight later this month at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
Russian-U.S. Crew Blasts Off For International Space Station RFE/RL 09 Apr 2020 -- A U.S. astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts has blasted off for the International Space Station (ISS) from the Russian-operated Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
China to launch last satellite for BeiDou navigation system in May PLA Daily 06 Apr 2020 -- China is expected to launch the last satellite for its BeiDou-3 Navigation Satellite System in May from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province.
Pentagon Will Make Firms Compete for Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Contracts Sputnik 03 Apr 2020 -- Rather than just renew its contract with Boeing, the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) plans on opening up bidding among defense contractors for modernizing the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) systems that defend the homeland from ballistic missile attack.
US Space Force Pens $1 Billion in Contracts for Unjammable Modems Sputnik 01 Apr 2020 -- The US Space Force (USSF) has awarded two $500 million contracts to develop and produce satellite communications modems secure from enemy jamming.
China May Have Operational Anti-Satellite Program - Reports Sputnik 01 Apr 2020 -- Recent reports on global space threats suggest that at least one of China's direct-ascent anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) programs may be operational and is expected to soon field launchers.

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