June 2021 Space News

Space Development Agency Successfully Launches First Missions DoD 30 Jun 2021 -- The Space Development Agency today announced the successful launch of its first two satellite missions, Mandrake II and Laser Interconnect Networking Communications System (LINCS) and the Prototype On-orbit Experimental Testbed (POET) payload, on June 30 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla.
India Looks to Enhance Military Capabilities in Space VOA 27 Jun 2021 -- Driven by national security concerns and the emergence of China as a significant threat, India is looking to expand its military capabilities in space, according to analysts.
Sierra Space Provides Integration Services for New Nuclear Propulsion System as Part of DARPA's DRACO Program Sierra Space 24 Jun 2021 -- Sierra Space, the new commercial space subsidiary of global aerospace and national security leader Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), will supply the propulsion components and integration services for a Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) system under a recent contract with General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS). GA-EMS and Sierra Space will develop and demonstrate an on-orbit NTP system for a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program called Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO).
Aboard Commercial Rocket, Space Defense Agency Sends Up Satellites for First Time DoD News 23 Jun 2021 -- The Space Development Agency — charged with building the National Defense Space Architecture — will, for the first time, put satellites into orbit aboard SpaceX's Transporter 2 commercial rocket when it launches Friday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Leaders Discuss Space-Based Sensors That Can Track Missiles DoD News 23 Jun 2021 -- The Space Development Agency and the Missile Defense Agency are collaborating on new space-related activities, including missile tracking and targeting.
NASA Head Seeks New Funding for Annual Moon Landings 'Over a Dozen Years' VOA 23 Jun 2021 -- The U.S. space agency NASA aspires to land humans on the moon every year for 12 consecutive years, Administrator Bill Nelson testified to a congressional committee Wednesday in support of a request to boost the agency's fiscal 2022 budget.
China's space-tracking ship completes tasks for Tianzhou-2, Shenzhou-12 missions PLA Daily 22 Jun 2021 -- China's Yuanwang-6 space-tracking ship returned to its homeport on Monday after completing its telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) tasks for the Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft and Shenzhou-12 manned spaceship missions.
FAA, Department of the Air Force sign commercial space agreement US Air Force 21 Jun 2021 -- The Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of the Air Force signed an agreement June 15 aimed at eliminating red tape while protecting public safety during commercial space activities at ranges operated by the U.S. Space Force.
Russia, China begin drawing up ambitious plans for space missions Press TV 19 Jun 2021 -- Russia and China have teamed up for ambitious space missions that would directly compete with those of the United States and its allies.
Scoop: Turkey Invites Russia to Take Part in Construction of Country's Spaceport Sputnik 18 Jun 2021 -- Earlier this year, media reported that Ankara was planning to build a spaceport in Somalia as part of a $1 billion investment in the nation's nascent space programme. Turkish authorities did not confirm this information, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan did announce in February that Turkey would make a hard landing on the Moon by the year 2023.
Astronauts Arrive at China's New Permanent Space Station VOA 17 Jun 2021 -- The first manned crew of China's new permanent space station docked with the outpost Thursday evening.
China's space station core module receives first group of residents Global Times 17 Jun 2021 -- As the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-12 manned spacecraft crew successfully moved into the Tianhe space core module at 6:48 pm Thursday, following the epic rendezvous and docking with the orbiting destination in a rapid and automated fashion, Chinese people have entered its own space station for the first time in history.
Shenzhou-12 astronauts enter space station core module PLA Daily 17 Jun 2021 -- The three Chinese astronauts onboard the Shenzhou-12 spaceship entered the country's space station core module Tianhe on Thursday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
China launches first crewed mission for space station construction People's Daily 17 Jun 2021 -- Three Chinese astronauts aboard the Shenzhou-12 spaceship have entered the country's space station core module Tianhe, dedicating to four major tasks in the in-orbit construction of the station in the following three months.
China launches first crewed mission for space station construction PLA Daily 17 Jun 2021 -- China on Thursday successfully launched the crewed spacecraft Shenzhou-12, sending three astronauts to its space station core module Tianhe for a three-month mission.
China Launches First Crew to New Permanent Space Station VOA 17 Jun 2021 -- China launched the first crew of its new permanent space station into orbit Thursday morning.
China, Russia invite international partners in lunar research station cooperation People's Daily 17 Jun 2021 -- China and Russia's aerospace authorities have jointly released a roadmap and a guide for the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), inviting all interested countries, international organizations and partners to cooperate in the project.
Official Details DOD Missile Defense Strategy DoD News 16 Jun 2021 -- Missile defense plays a key role in U.S. national security. However, as missile technology matures and proliferates among potential adversaries China, Russia, North Korea and Iran, the threat to the U.S., deployed forces, allies and partners is increasing, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and missile defense policy said.
China, Russia jointly release road map on lunar station program, emphasizing openness to intl partners Global Times 16 Jun 2021 -- In the latest show of the determination and confidence of China-Russia cooperation in the field of lunar and deeper-space exploration, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) and its Russian counterpart jointly released the International Lunar Research Station Roadmap (V1.0) and Guide for Partnership (V1.0), stressing once again their openness to all interested countries, international organizations and partners to join the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project, Global Times learned from the China National Space Agency (CNSA) on Wednesday.
China set to send three astronauts into space ahead of CPC centenary celebration Global Times 16 Jun 2021 -- Space, here we come!
China to Send 1st Crewed Mission to New Space Station on Thursday, Space Agency Says Sputnik 16 Jun 2021 -- China plans to send three astronauts aboard the Shenzhou-12 manned spacecraft to its new orbital station on 17 June, Ji Qiming, an assistant director at the China Manned Space Program, said on Wednesday.
Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio win contract for SICRAL 3 secure satellite communications system and associated ground segment Thales 16 Jun 2021 -- Thales Alenia Space, the joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), and Telespazio, the joint venture between Leonardo (67%) and Thales (33%), have signed a contract with the Italian Ministry of Defense, represented by TELEDIFE / Secretariat General of Defense, for the development of the SICRAL 3 secure satellite communications system, including its ground segment.
Iran's Interest in Russian Satellite 'Not Particularly Concerning' to US Security, CENTCOM Chief Tells VOA VOA 16 Jun 2021 -- Iran's reported desire to purchase a Russian advanced satellite system is not "particularly concerning" to U.S. security in the region, according to the commander who oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East.
NATO and Luxembourg boost Alliance Space Situational Awareness NATO 15 Jun 2021 -- Supported by Luxembourg, NATO plans to develop a Space Situational Awareness Capability that will provide NATO Headquarters with a clearer situational awareness of space.
China making plans for future space exploration: official PLA Daily 13 Jun 2021 -- China is making plans for the future development of its space program, including exploring asteroids and the Jovian system, collecting samples from Mars and exploring the polar region of the moon, said an official from the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Saturday.
Putin dismisses as 'fake' Washington Post report on Russia's plan to give Iran advanced satellite system Press TV 12 Jun 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed as "fake news" a report by the Washington Post that Moscow is preparing to supply Iran with an advanced satellite system that would enable Tehran to track potential military targets across the Middle East and beyond.
Missile Defense Review Will Address Growing Threats From Iran, North Korea, Others DoD News 11 Jun 2021 -- With nations such as North Korea, Iran, Russia and China all maturing their missile technology, the Defense Department plans to launch a review of its own missile defense policies, strategies and capabilities over the next few months, said the deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and missile defense policy.
Russia Said Ready To Send Advanced Satellite System To Iran RFE/RL 11 Jun 2021 -- The Washington Post has quoted current and former U.S. and Middle Eastern officials as saying that Russia is preparing to supply Iran with an advanced satellite system that could greatly advance Tehran's surveillance in the region and beyond.
Russia threatens to exit space station unless US lifts sanctions on space sector Press TV 07 Jun 2021 -- Russia has threatened to withdraw from the International Space Station (ISS) in 2025 unless the United States removes sanctions against the country's space sector.
Department of the Air Force announces fourth Vanguard program US Air Force 04 Jun 2021 -- The Department of the Air Force announced June 4 the designation of Rocket Cargo as the fourth Vanguard program as part of its transformational science and technology portfolio identified in the DAF 2030 Science and Technology strategy for the next decade. Additionally, the U.S. Space Force was designated as the lead service for Rocket Cargo Vanguard, marking the service's first such program.

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