December 2023 Space News

North Korea to Launch 3 More Reconnaissance Satellites in 2024 Sputnik 31 Dec 2023 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the country intends to launch three more spy satellites in 2024, after the successful deployment of the first one earlier this year, the state-run news agency reported on Sunday.
China's state-owned space giant CASC completes all 48 launch missions for 2023 with a perfect success rate Global Times 30 Dec 2023 -- Having successfully launched an internet technology test satellite using a Long March-2C rocket on Saturday morning from the Northwest China's Gansu Province, China's state-owned space giant China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced that it has completed all 48 missions scheduled for the year of 2023, with a perfect success rate.
Year End Review of Department of Space India PIB 29 Dec 2023
2023 Yearender: China's commercial space industry delivers unprecedented progress Global Times 29 Dec 2023 -- China's commercial space industry has experienced a year of robust and all-around advancement in 2023, which has been lauded by industry insiders and observers as a prominent feature of China's overall development of its space program, with the unprecedentedly rapid emergence of private space companies a particular highlight.
Russian Aerospace Forces launch Soyuz-2.1v rocket carrier from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Russia MoD 27 Dec 2023
China launches new satellites to enhance BDS-3 services People's Daily 27 Dec 2023 -- China on Tuesday sent two new satellites for the BeiDou-3 Navigation Satellite System (BDS-3) into space successfully from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province.
China adds two more satellites to mega BeiDou constellation Global Times 26 Dec 2023 -- The BeiDou Satellite Navigation System, also known as the BDS - China's largest space-borne infrastructure to date that provides quality services to worldwide users - added two more satellites to its mega constellation on Tuesday.
Milestone Pending: Secretive X-37B Space Plane Preparing for Thursday Lift-Off Sputnik 26 Dec 2023 -- Originally scheduled for December 7, the launch faced delays due to weather conditions and technical issues. The spacecraft, set to lift off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, has a four-hour launch window beginning at 7 p.m. local time.
First Angara-A5 Rocket Shipped to Vostochny Cosmodrome Sputnik 24 Dec 2023 -- The Angara-A5 is a rocket developed by Russia's Roscosmos space agency and is part of the Angara rocket family. The Angara-A5 has a payload capacity of up to 24 metric tons and can be launched from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia.
U.S. Department of Defense Statement on Japan's Decision to Transfer Patriot Missiles to the United States DoD 22 Dec 2023 -- The United States welcomes Japan's announcement that it will transfer Patriot interceptor missiles to the United States to replenish U.S. inventories.
Statement from National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Japan's Decision to Transfer Patriot Missiles to the United States The White House 22 Dec 2023
Enough Space for Everyone? US, China Target Africa VOA 22 Dec 2023 -- As a new space race between the United States and China takes off, Africa is increasingly an arena for competition between the two superpowers. And so far, analysts say, China is ahead.
India launched 396 foreign and 70 domestic satellites during the period 2014-23 as compared to 33 and 31 satellites respectively during 2003-14, says Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh India PIB 20 Dec 2023 -- The number of foreign and domestic satellites launched by India during period 2014-23 were 396 and 70 respectively, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said today, while the number of foreign and domestic satellites launched by India during period 2003-13 were 33 and 31 respectively
Secretary Antony J. Blinken at a U.S. National Space Council Meeting US Dept. of State 20 Dec 2023
Remarks by Vice President Harris at a Meeting of the U.S. National Space Council The White House 20 Dec 2023
The Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System in Naval Support Facility Redizkowo, Poland, Transfers Ownership from Missile Defense Agency to the U.S. Navy US Navy 18 Dec 2023 -- The Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System (AAMDS) located in Redzikowo, Poland, will be accepted by the U.S. Navy on Dec. 15, 2023, where AAMDS will enter a planned maintenance period to upgrade the network and computer systems. Once finalized, AAMDS Poland will be a fully integrated and tested element of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System, and made ready to operate under NATO command and control. The official transfer to NATO is scheduled to occur spring to summer of 2024.
Lengthened Long March-5 becomes height benchmark of China's launch vehicles in commission People's Daily 18 Dec 2023 -- China's newly-launched Long March-5 rocket has for the first time used an 18.5-meter-long fairing, setting a new height benchmark for China's carrier rockets in commission.
China firmly opposes arms race in outer space: defense spokeperson People's Daily 15 Dec 2023 -- A Chinese defense spokesperson reiterated China's firm opposition to the arms race in outer space at a Thursday press conference.
DOD Prioritizing Cooperation With Allies in Space DoD News 14 Dec 2023 -- Cooperation among allies is critical as global competitors increasingly look to space as the next frontier of warfare, the Pentagon's top space policy official said, yesterday.
First reusable launch vehicle test flight completed, marking milestone for China's space industry Global Times 11 Dec 2023 -- Chinese private aerospace firm iSpace completed the country's first reusable launch vehicle test on Sunday. The achievement marks a milestone in China's development of space technology.
Homeland Missile Defense System Conducts Successful Intercept Of Target MDA 11 Dec 2023 -- The U.S. Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with U.S. Northern Command, the U.S. Space Force Space Launch Delta 30, and the U.S. Space Command Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense, conducted a successful intercept today of an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) by an upgraded Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI).
USEUCOM, USAFRICOM and Space Force activate U.S. Space Forces in Europe and Africa as new service component command AFRICOM 10 Dec 2023 -- U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Space Force officially activated the U.S. Space Forces Europe and Africa (SPACEFOREUR-AF) component command at a ceremony in Ramstein, Germany, on Dec. 8, 2023.
China launches new remote sensing satellite People's Daily 11 Dec 2023 -- China on Sunday launched a Long March-2D carrier rocket, placing a remote sensing satellite in space.
Private firm unveils nation's first reusable stainless steel carrier rocket Global Times 10 Dec 2023 -- Beijing-based Chinese private aerospace company LandSpace on Saturday unveiled a reusable stainless steel carrier rocket ZQ-3, which is scheduled to test its first flight in 2025.
Iran plans to launch astronauts into orbit with indigenous bio-capsule IRNA 10 Dec 2023 -- Iran's Minister of Information and Communications Technology Issa Zarepour has said that the Islamic Republic of Iran will launch astronauts into orbit with indigenous bio-capsule by the end of 2028.
Chinese private space company sends second methane-propelled rocket into orbit Global Times 09 Dec 2023 -- The ZQ-2 Y3 rocket, developed by Chinese privately-owned aerospace company LandSpace, blasted off on Saturday morning from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China's Gansu Province, taking three satellites into planned orbit.
Space traffic management: Council adopts conclusions on the current state of play EC/CEU 08 Dec 2023 -- The Council has today adopted conclusions on 'Space traffic management: state of play'. The conclusions address the challenges of an increasingly congested orbital space and the need for a common approach to ensure a safe and sustainable European space policy.
Space Development Agency Providing Capability to Warfighters DoD News 07 Dec 2023 -- The development goal of the Defense Department's Joint All-Domain Command and Control, or JADC2, is to connect sensors to shooters to targets, as well as communications connecting Link 16 radios across the military services globally.
More Nations Meet to Address Space Security DoD News 07 Dec 2023 -- The Defense Department participated in a meeting of the Combined Space Operations Initiative Principals Board, known as CSpO, in Berlin.
Australian Laser Technology to Help Future NASA Missions to Mars VOA 07 Dec 2023 -- A new optical ground station has been built by the Australian National University to help the U.S. space agency, NASA, and others explore space and safely reach Mars.
China, Egypt sign deals to boost lunar exploration, spacecraft launching Global Times 06 Dec 2023 -- China and Egypt have signed cooperation documents in space exploration in Beijing on Wednesday to boost deep space exploration, spacecraft development and construction of space infrastructure, which is of great significance to foster a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
China urges efforts from certain countries to prevent outer space arms race Global Times 06 Dec 2023 -- China hopes that relevant countries will demonstrate the political willingness to correct their erroneous practices and actively participate in the negotiation of legal documents on outer space arms control, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated on Wednesday, given that some countries are unwilling to have their own space military capabilities constrained and have long denied negotiating legal instruments on technical grounds.
Chinese rocket Smart Dragon-3 launches test satellite People's Daily 06 Dec 2023 -- China on Wednesday used a Smart Dragon-3 (SD-3) carrier rocket to launch a test satellite into planned orbit, where it will test satellite internet technologies.
Iran sends into space biological capsule aboard indigenous launcher Press TV 06 Dec 2023 -- Iran has successfully put into orbit its newest bio-space capsule with the domestically-built Salman launcher.
Iran successfully fires indigenous bio-capsule: minister IRNA 06 Dec 2023 -- The Iranian minister of information and communications technology has announced a successful test fire of an indigenous bio-capsule to send astronauts into space.
Chinese giant commercial rocket pulls off country's first long-distance sea-based launch Global Times 06 Dec 2023 -- China's Smart Dragon-3 - one of the country's largest solid propellent rockets - thundered into the sky from waters in the South China Sea off the coast of South China's Guangdong Province at 3:24 am on Wednesday, placing a satellite for internet technology experiments into its intended orbit, marking a full success of the rocket model's first operational launch as well as that of the country's first long-distance sea-based launch, the Global Times learned from the rocket developers.
Private rocket start-up Galactic Energy sends 2 satellites into twilight orbit Global Times 05 Dec 2023 -- Beijing-based private carrier rocket developer Galactic Energy said it had completed its most recent launch mission on Tuesday, sending two satellites into the twilight orbit, the company's first such launch.
Successful launch of a private commercial satellite using solid-propellant space launch vehicle technology ROK MND 04 Dec 2023 -- On December 4, 2023, the launch of a commercial commercial satellite using the solid propulsion space launch vehicle technology of the Agency for Defense Development was successfully completed in the sea near Jeju Island.
United Kingdom joins Horizon Europe programme European Commission 04 Dec 2023 -- As of 1 January 2024, the United Kingdom becomes an associated country to Horizon Europe. Its researchers will be able to participate in this research and innovation programme of the EU on the same terms as researchers from other associated countries and will have access to Horizon Europe funding.
United States Welcomes the Republic of Angola's Signature of the Artemis Accords US Dept. of State 04 Dec 2023 -- The Republic of Angola became the thirty-third country worldwide and the third in Africa to sign the Artemis Accords on November 30th.
DPRK warns against attack against its space assets People's Daily 04 Dec 2023 -- The Ministry of National Defense of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) warned in a statement Saturday that "any attack against the country's space assets will be deemed as declaration of war," the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
Statement by Spokesperson for NATA of DPRK KCNA 04 Dec 2023 -- A spokesperson for the National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issued the following statement under the title "Illegal double standards can never be allowed in space, common asset of mankind" on Monday:
North Korea begins reconnaissance satellite operations Press TV 03 Dec 2023 -- North Korea has begun its reconnaissance satellite operations, the state news agency has said, after Pyongyang successfully launched its first military satellite last month.
Progress MS-25 Cargo Spacecraft Docks to ISS - Roscosmos Sputnik 03 Dec 2023 -- Russia's Progress MS-25 cargo spacecraft, launched on December 1 from the Baikonur spaceport atop a Soyuz-2.1a rocket, docked on Sunday to the Poisk module of the International Space Station (ISS), according to a broadcast by Russian state space corporation Roscosmos.
New deep space radar will transform UK security UK MOD 02 Dec 2023 -- A new landmark radar initiative will increase UK security by being able to better detect, track and identify objects in deep space.
Reconnaissance Satellite Operation Office of NATA Pyongyang General Control Center Begins Its Mission KCNA 03 Dec 2023 -- The reconnaissance satellite operation office, organized at the Pyongyang General Control Centre of the National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA), started to discharge its mission on December 2.
Second Place: South Korea Puts First Spy Satellite in Orbit Following North's Launch Sputnik 01 Dec 2023 -- The South Korean Defense Ministry is preparing to place its first reconnaissance satellite in Earth's orbit, an official told reporters on Friday. The launch comes just days after the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), their rivals to the north, launched their own spy satellite.
Russia's 15th Launch in One Year: Progress MS-25 Soars to ISS From Baikonur Sputnik 01 Dec 2023 -- This first winter launch of 2023 is the fourth Russian cargo ship to reach the ISS this year and the 15th Russian rocket launched this year.

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