February 2021 Space News

US Space Force Chief Sees 'Fused Connection' With Commercial Industry as Key to Success Sputnik 26 Feb 2021 -- Because of its small size and high dependency on advanced technology, the US Space Force is perhaps better positioned than any branch of the US military to become a cash-cow for private industry.
U.S. Access to Space Is a Vital National Interest DoD News 25 Feb 2021 -- The United States' freedom to maneuver in space is a vital national interest that underpins national security, intelligence efforts, treaty verification and the economy, Chief of Space Operations, Space Force Gen. John W. "Jay" Raymond said.
Tianwen-1 probe's successful entry into Mars orbit represents China's ambitious endeavor to make innovations People's Daily 25 Feb 2021 -- China's first Mars exploration mission Tianwen-1 successfully slowed down for the third time near Mars at 06:29 a.m. on Feb. 24 Beijing time and entered the Mars parking orbit. The Mars probe will spend about three months conducting scientific surveys in the parking orbit.
Republic of Korea tests homegrown space rocket's first-stage engines SPA 25 Feb 2021 -- Republic of Korea successfully conducted the second combustion test for the first-stage engines of its locally built space launch vehicle, pushing forward for a launch set for October this year, the science ministry said Thursday, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Tianwen-1 enters preset Mars parking orbit Global Times 24 Feb 2021 -- China's first Mars probe, Tianwen-1, successfully entered the Mars parking orbit at 6:29 am on Wednesday following a third braking maneuver. The probe will operate in the orbit for three months with all payloads onboard the orbiter powered on.
China's Tianwen-1 Spacecraft Enters Mars 'Parking Orbit' VOA 24 Feb 2021 -- China's state media reported Wednesday the country's Tianwen-1 spacecraft has entered a temporary "parking orbit' around the planet Mars, where it will stay for about three months before attempting to land a rover on the surface.
NASA Supply Ship Arrives at ISS VOA 22 Feb 2021 -- A NASA unmanned resupply ship docked at the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday carrying more than 3,600 kilograms of research equipment and supplies to the orbiting laboratory.
Meeting with Head of Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin President of Russia 20 Feb 2021 -- General Director of the Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities Dmitry Rogozin reported to the President on the corporation's performance in 2020 and plans for the near term.
IARPA Program Driving New Capabilities to Capture Clearer Images of Satellites Orbiting (Very) High Above Earth Director of National Intelligence 19 Feb 2021 -- The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) is developing new scientific approaches to take high-definition-like pictures of geosynchronous satellites from the ground. The goal is to better account for the behavior and movement of these high orbiting objects in space.
NASA Rover Lands On Mars In Crater Named After Bosnian Town RFE/RL 18 Feb 2021 -- NASA says its Perseverance aircraft has successfully landed in a Mars crater named after the Bosnian town of Jezero -- the third visit to the red planet in just over a week.
The Israel Missile Defense Organization and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency Commence Development of the Arrow-4 Weapon System Israel Aerospace Industries 18 Feb 2021 -- The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), in the Directorate of Defense R&D (MAFAT) of the Israel Ministry of Defense, and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), have commenced the development of the Arrow-4 system. Arrow-4 will be the next generation of endo-exoatmospheric interceptors in the Arrow weapon system, which today consists of Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 interceptors.
Defence Ministry Announces Joint Israeli-US Project to Create New Ballistic Missile Shield Sputnik 18 Feb 2021 -- Israel's defence sector has already created a range of advanced air and missile defence systems, including the Arrow 3, the Iron Dome, the Barak 8, and David's Sling. The systems are designed to defend against a variety of threats – from small rockets to ballistic and cruise missiles.
Perseverance Probe Successfully Lands on Mars VOA 18 Feb 2021 -- NASA's Perseverance probe landed safely and on time on Mars, at 3:55 p.m. EST, Thursday, marking another success for the U.S. space agency.
Following UAE, China, US latest country to reach Mars in 2021 Global Times 18 Feb 2021 -- Following the Hope orbiter from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Tianwen-1 Mars probe from China, US NASA's Perseverance rover is homing in on the Red Planet and is expected to perform a "most precise" landing on Earth's neighbor on Thursday.
Latest progress in China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System PLA Daily 18 Feb 2021 -- China has been making continuous progress in the satellite navigation and positioning industry with significant moves and industrial applications in more diversified fields.
Taiwan's Cabinet approves space development promotion act (update) CNA 18 Feb 2021 -- Taiwan's Cabinet on Thursday approved a draft act regulating space-based activities and promoting the development of space-related industries.
China's Tianwen-1 probe performs orbital adjustment around Mars People's Daily 16 Feb 2021 -- China's Tianwen-1 probe on Monday performed an orbital maneuver around Mars after it became the country's first spacecraft to explore an extraterrestrial planet.
Russia Launches Unmanned Cargo Ship To Space Station RFE/RL 15 Feb 2021 -- Russia has launched an unmanned cargo ship to resupply the International Space Station (ISS).
Director Explains Approaches to Fielding New Space Capability DoD News 12 Feb 2021 -- The Space Development Agency is responsible for unifying and integrating the Defense Department's space development efforts and accelerating the fielding of new military space capabilities.
China's Tianwen-1 probe enters orbit around Mars People's Daily 11 Feb 2021 -- China's Tianwen-1 probe successfully entered the orbit around Mars on Wednesday after a nearly seven-month voyage from Earth.
China's Tianwen-1 probe successfully enters Mars orbit Global Times 10 Feb 2021 -- Tianwen-1, China's first Mars probe, successfully reached the Red Planet on Wednesday at around 7:52 pm, homing in on the Earth's planetary neighbor after an epic seven-month journey of nearly 500 million kilometers.
Chinese tracking vessel sets sail for monitoring missions in Indian Ocean PLA Daily 10 Feb 2021 -- China's tracking vessel Yuanwang-6 on Wednesday departed from a port in east China's Jiangsu Province for maritime spacecraft monitoring missions in the Indian Ocean.
China Probe Becomes Second in Two Days to Reach Mars VOA 10 Feb 2021 -- Chinese state media reported Wednesday a spacecraft known as Tianwen-1 has successfully entered orbit around Mars, the first step in an ambitious mission that includes landing a rover on the surface of the planet.
UAE's Hope Probe successfully enters Mars' orbit Global Times 10 Feb 2021 -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Mars mission Hope Probe successfully entered the orbit of Mars at 8:13 p.m. local time (1613 GMT) on Tuesday, making the UAE's space agency the fifth in the world to achieve the feat, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) announced.
Training of Astronauts and Progress of Gaganyaan Mission India PIB 10 Feb 2021 -- Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr.Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today said that ffollowing initiatives have been taken by the Government for Indian leg of crew training:
India has launched 328 satellites from 33 different countries till date: Dr Jitendra Singh India PIB 10 Feb 2021 -- Private participation in space activities will lead to development of cutting edge Technologies, new applications & services: Dr Jitendra Singh
26 Companies/startups have approached ISRO seeking technical guidance and facility sharing for their space activity: DrJitendra Singh India PIB 10 Feb 2021 -- Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr.Jitendra Singh said that 26 Companies/startups have approached ISRO seeking technical guidance and facility sharing for their space activity.
China's control center examines 52 BeiDou satellites PLA Daily 09 Feb 2021 -- China's Xi'an Satellite Control Center has completed a health check of 52 in-orbit BeiDou navigation satellites (BDS) ahead of the Spring Festival holiday, the Chinese Lunar New Year, the center said Tuesday.
China publishes technical requirements for key civilian BDS products PLA Daily 09 Feb 2021 -- China has published six documents detailing technical requirements and test methods for key, or basic, civilian products using the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS).
UAE Probe Successfully Begins Orbit of Mars VOA 09 Feb 2021 -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) space agency announced Tuesday that its unmanned Mars probe has arrived at the red planet and successfully entered orbit.
Interception capability strengthens defense shield PLA Daily 08 Feb 2021 -- On Thursday, China conducted a land-based, midcourse missile interception test, which is the fifth land-based, anti-ballistic missile test the country has publicly announced.
NATO plans new center in France amid space militarization Press TV 06 Feb 2021 -- The US-led military alliance of NATO has formally announced plans to create a new space center in France, which already hosts one of the 27 space organizations of the alliance.
NATO Picks France's Toulouse for New Military Space 'Center of Excellence' Sputnik 06 Feb 2021 -- While the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has disavowed an interest in militarizing space, several members of the alliance, including the US, UK, and France, have oriented themselves toward conflict in the space domain in recent years.
China successfully tests missile interception People's Daily 05 Feb 2021 -- China conducted a land-based, mid-course missile interception test on Thursday, the Defense Ministry said, noting the test had achieved its goals.
China conducts mid-course antiballistic missile test, system 'becomes more mature, reliable' Global Times 04 Feb 2021 -- China successfully conducted a land-based, mid-course antiballistic missile (ABM) technical test on Thursday in a move experts said showed China's mastery of the technology as the country's antiballistic missile system gradually matures and becomes more reliable.
China conducts land-based mid-course missile interception test PLA Daily 04 Feb 2021 -- According to a written statement by China's Defense Ministry on Thursday, China conducted a land-based mid-course missile interception test on February 4, 2021 and achieved the desired test objective. The test is defensive in nature and not targeted against any country.
Tianwen 1 probe set to enter Mars orbit before New Year PLA Daily 04 Feb 2021 -- China's Tianwen 1 Mars probe is set to enter the orbit of the red planet around Feb 10, two days before Chinese New Year, according to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, the nation's leading space contractor.
Prime Minister's vision for space technology will create large scale employment opportunities in this sector: Dr Jitendra Singh India PIB 04 Feb 2021 -- Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh said today that the Prime Minister's vision for space technology is to unlock India's potential in space sector; to transform skill, capacity and creativity to make the country self-reliant and technologically advanced.
Space Activities in India India PIB 03 Feb 2021 -- Government today said that ISRO has got a structured technology transfer mechanism to transfer the identified technologies developed by ISRO for spin-off and other commercial applications on non-exclusive basis.
Milestone for Iran; Sending human into orbit in 2031 IRNA 02 Feb 2021 -- Iran has planned to send humans to space in 10 years (2031), Head of Iran's Aerospace Research Institute Fathollah Ommi said on Tuesday.
Iran successfully launches 'Zol-Janah' satellite carrier into space IRNA 01 Feb 2021 -- Iran has successfully sent 'Zol Janah' satellite carrier into space, Spokesman for Iran Aerospace Organization Ahmad Hosseini on Monday announced.
Defense Minister: Iran's spatial progress continues with strong determination IRNA 01 Feb 2021 -- Iran's Minister of Defense Brigadier General Amir Hatami in a message on the occasion of the National Space Technology Day on Monday said that Iran proved its domestic capability in advanced science and technology monopolized by the world's major scientific and technological powers.
Iran test-launches new domestically-manufactured satellite satellite launch vehicle Press TV 01 Feb 2021 -- Iran's Defense Ministry has unveiled a new domestically-designed and manufactured satellite launch vehicle capable of putting satellites into an orbit of 500km above the ground.
Iran Tests New Solid Fuel Satellite Launch Vehicle - Video Sputnik 01 Feb 2021 -- Tensions between the US and Iran have been especially high ever since Trump in 2018 withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and reinstated harsh sanctions against Iran. The JCPOA stipulated that Iran would receive waivers from sanctions if it agreed to limit its nuclear programme.

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