January 2007 Space News

Statement on Launch Anomaly and Total Loss of Boeing-built NSS-8 Satellite Boeing 31 Jan 2007 -- A Sea Launch Zenit-3SL vehicle, carrying the Boeing-built NSS-8 satellite, experienced an anomaly Tuesday during launch.
ISS crew start first spacewalk of the year RIA Novosti 31 Jan 2007 -- Two astronauts from the International Space Station have begun their first spacewalk of 2007, NASA reported Wednesday.
U.S. missile defense in Europe could threaten Russia - viewpoint RIA Novosti 31 Jan 2007 -- Although elements of a missile defense system the U.S. plans to deploy in Europe would not present an immediate danger to Russia, they could threaten the country in the future, a Russian expert said Wednesday.
Update: Sea Launch to be resumed despite liftoff failure - space agency RIA Novosti 31 Jan 2007 -- Russia's Federal Space Agency said Wednesday it hopes the Sea Launch project will be resumed despite the explosion of a Zenit-3SL rocket carrying a commercial communications satellite.
Sea Launch rocket explodes on lift-off in Pacific RIA Novosti 31 Jan 2007 -- A Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket carrying a commercial communications satellite exploded during lift-off from an oceangoing platform in the Pacific, a company spokeswoman said Wednesday.
LOCKHEED MARTIN READIES FOR ORION CREW EXPLORATION VEHICLE AT NASA'S KENNEDY SPACE CENTER Lockheed Martin 30 Jan 2007 -- another milestone marking steady progress on the Orion crew exploration vehicle program, the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team accepted responsibility today for the Operations & Checkout (O&C) Building at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Kennedy Space Center. Lockheed Martin will use the historic facility to process Orion, America's next-generation human spacecraft.
ISS to operate until 2025, only Russia to orbit crews by 2015 RIA Novosti 30 Jan 2007 -- The International Space Station will likely remain operational until 2025, the head of the Russian spacecraft manufacturer Energia said Tuesday, adding that by 2009-2015, Russia will be the only country able to deliver crews to the station.
US Official: China's Anti-Satellite Weapon No Threat to US Missile Defense VOA 30 Jan 2007 -- The deputy director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency says his organization could fairly easily develop a system to counter China's new anti-satellite weapon, but it has not been told to do so
Lawmaker Faults US Response to Chinese Anti-Satellite Test VOA 30 Jan 2007 -- A Republican senator is criticizing what he calls the Bush administration's weak response to China's recent anti-satellite test, saying the test shows the United States needs to pursue all its options when it comes to space defense
Hubble Telescope Shuts Down, Loses Most of Main Camera VOA 30 Jan 2007 -- The Hubble Space Telescope is temporarily idle because of power supply problems
Remarks by Senator Kyl at The Heritage Foundation: China's ASAT Test and American National Security Senator Kyl 29 Jan 2007
THAAD Weapon System Scores Second Intercept - With A Divert and Attitude Control System from Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Pratt & Whitney 29 Jan 2007 -- The U.S. Missile Defense Agency's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon system on Friday successfully intercepted a target vehicle with a defensive kinetic energy weapon - or "kill vehicle" - in a test flight
European Missile Defense Would Protect Against Mideast Threats Washington File 29 Jan 2007 -- The U.S. goal to have elements of a missile defense system based in Europe by 2011 is intended to protect American and allied assets against emerging hostile Middle Eastern threats -- not against Russia, a senior U.S. military official says.
Oriental satellite killer: case No. 1 (Part 2) RIA Novosti 29 Jan 2007
NATION'S NEWEST USAF ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE BEGINS OPERATION Lockheed Martin 29 Jan 2007 -- The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) F-17 Block 5D-3 spacecraft, built under contract for the U.S. Air Force by Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT], has been turned over to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for operational use worldwide.
BAE SYSTEMS SEEKER DETECTS TARGET AS THAAD WEAPON SYSTEM SCORES SUCCESSFUL INTERCEPT BAE Systems 29 Jan 2007 -- The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System detected and intercepted an incoming ballistic missile target using a BAE Systems-built seeker during a Jan. 26 test firing at the Pacific Missile Range Facility.
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Radar Successful in Integrated Flight Test Raytheon 29 Jan 2007 -- The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) radar built by Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) performed successfully in a flight test conducted by the Missile Defense Agency at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii, Jan. 26.
Successful Missile Defense Intercept Test Takes Place Off Hawaii MDA 29 Jan 2007 -- Missile Defense Agency Director Lieutenant General Henry "Trey" Obering announced that a planned intercept test for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense element was successfully conducted today at 12:20 a.m. EST (January 26, 7:20 p.m. Hawaii Time) at the Pacific Missile Range Facility off the island of Kauai in Hawaii
International Space Station Partners Applaud Year's Achievements Washington File 26 Jan 2007 -- At a meeting in Paris January 23, the heads of the space agencies that have partnered for the International Space Station (ISS) -- from Canada, Europe, Japan, Russia and the United States -- noted significant milestones over the last year, including the return to a three-person crew and the resumption of construction of the orbiting laboratory.
Airborne Laser returns for more testing AFPN 26 Jan 2007 -- The YAL-1A, a modified Boeing 747-400F known as the Airborne Laser, is undergoing a long-term test phase at the Air Force Flight Test Center here that includes test firing the aircraft's low-power lasers in flight for the first time.
U.S. Missile Defense in Europe to Counter Rogue States AFPS 26 Jan 2007 -- Missile defense assets the United States is planning to base in Eastern Europe will be aimed at countering threats posed by rogue nations, such as Iran, and will not pose a threat to allies in the region, a senior defense official said here yesterday.
U.S. Missile Defense To Counter Iranian, 'Rogue' Threat RFE/RL 26 Jan 2007 -- A U.S. general in charge of missile defense says the system that Washington wants to deploy in Poland and the Czech Republic is not aimed at countering a threat from Russia, but from a potential long-range missile attack by Iran or "rogue nations."
Russia criticizes U.S. missile shield plans in Europe RIA Novosti 26 Jan 2007 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry said Friday that U.S. plans to deploy elements of its missile defense shield in Poland and the Czech Republic were "a move in the wrong direction" that could threaten global security.
Oriental satellite killer: case No. 1 RIA Novosti 26 Jan 2007
Russia Calls US Plans for Missile Defense in Europe a 'Mistake' VOA 26 Jan 2007 -- Russia says a U.S. plan to set up a missile defense system in central Europe is a "mistake."
Life at Thule AFPN 25 Jan 2007 -- Landing on a snow-packed winter runway 700 miles north of the Arctic Circle can be a harrowing experience for anyone who journeys here.
US willing to install THAAD anti-missile system in Poland: report IRNA 25 Jan 2007 -- The United States is apparently ready to send its super modern anti-missile system -- dubbed the Theater High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) -- to Poland, provided Warsaw gives green light to the deployment of the anti-missile batteries on its soil, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper said Thursday.
Russia, India sign agreements on Glonass navigation system RIA Novosti 25 Jan 2007 -- Russia and India signed two cooperation agreements Thursday on Russia's global space navigation system Glonass, which will be used by Moscow's long-time partner in the military-technical sector.
Russian Defense Chief: Iranian, N. Korean Missiles No Threat to Europe VOA 24 Jan 2007 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov has criticized U.S. plans to deploy a missile defense system in central Europe, saying Iran and North Korea do not and will not have missiles capable of striking European targets.
TAIWAN CALLS FOR INT'L ATTENTION TO CHINA'S ANTI-SATELLITE PROGRAM CNA 24 Jan 2007 -- China's anti-satellite technology development has posed a threat to other countries including Taiwan, which deserves the concern of the international community, a Taiwan official said in the Japanese capital Tuesday.
US Opening Anti-Missile Talks With Poland, Czech Republic VOA 24 Jan 2007 -- The United States is opening formal negotiations with Poland and the Czech Republic about basing elements of a U.S. anti-ballistic missile system in those countries
Polish MEP warns of imminent tensions with EU over US Patriot missiles IRNA 23 Jan 2007 -- Poland has to anticipate new tensions with the European Union, if Warsaw allows the deployment of an American anti-missile system on its territory, the online site of the German ARD television network cited a Polish member of the European Parliament as saying on Tuesday.
India working on development of missile shield for satellites IRNA 23 Jan 2007 -- Fearing that its satellites could be under threat from missiles, India is working on development of a shield for which it is in talks with Russia and other countries having such technology.
Northrop Grumman Integrates All Phased Array Antennas on First Advanced EHF Flight Payload Northrop Grumman 23 Jan 2007 -- The uplink and downlink phased array antennas developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) for the first Advanced Extremely High Frequency (EHF) military satellite communications payload have been successfully integrated onto the first flight structure, and their performance has been verified alongside other essential payload components
Latest revision signed to space operations doctrine AFPN 22 Jan 2007 -- The Air Force chief of staff has approved the latest revision to Air Force Doctrine Document 2-2, Space Operations, outlining the operations of space power.
China Confirms It Shot Down Satellite RFE/RL 23 Jan 2007 -- China today confirmed that it used a land-based missile system to shoot down one of its own satellites.
Glonass to cover all Russian territory by yearend RIA Novosti 23 Jan 2007 -- Russia's global navigation satellite system Glonass will cover all Russia's territory by the end of the year, Russia's defense minister said Tuesday.
Russia opposed to militarization of space - DM Ivanov RIA Novosti 23 Jan 2007 -- Moscow will continue working to prevent the deployment of offensive weapons in space, the Russian defense minister said Tuesday.
US, Japan Criticize China Over Space Test VOA 23 Jan 2007 -- China has publicly confirmed for the first time that it carried out an anti-satellite test on January 11
China: Test Could Bring Militarization Of Space A Step Closer RFE/RL 22 Jan 2007 -- China's successful use of a missile-launched space vehicle to destroy an orbiting satellite has at a stroke threatened to change the world's military balance.
Russia to stop spacecraft launches from Far East in 2007 RIA Novosti 22 Jan 2007 -- Russia will stop launching spacecraft from the Svobodny space center in the country's Far East in 2007, the space forces commander said Monday.
Test flights of Angara boosters to start in 2010 RIA Novosti 22 Jan 2007 -- A new-generation launch vehicle being built by Russians will undergo flight tests in 2010, the Space Forces commander said Monday.
Russian General Calls Planned US Anti-Missile Radar a 'Threat' VOA 22 Jan 2007 -- A Russian general says placing elements of a U.S. anti-missile system in Poland and the Czech Republic would be a "clear threat" to Moscow.
Russia to put new radar station on combat duty in 2007 - commander RIA Novosti 22 Jan 2007 -- Russian Space Forces plan to place a new radar system in the south of Russia on combat duty this year, the commander of the Space Forces said Monday.
U.S. asks Czech Republic to deploy missile defense radar RIA Novosti 20 Jan 2007 -- The United States has officially proposed to deploy a missile defense radar on the territory of the Czech Republic, the Czech prime minister said Saturday.
Progress cargo spaceship docks with ISS - mission control RIA Novosti 20 Jan 2007 -- The Progress M-59 cargo spacecraft, carrying fuel, water, food and scientific equipment, has docked with the International Space Station, Russia's Mission Control Center said Saturday.
US Calls On China to Explain Anti-Satellite Weapon VOA 20 Jan 2007 -- The U.S. government has asked China to clarify its intentions following the successful test of an anti-satellite weapon last week, that was reported this week by the publication Aviation Week and Space Technology
Analysis: China Ups Ante in Space cfr.org 19 Jan 2007 -- News of China's successful satellite-killing missile test (BBC) on January 11 raises new questions for the United States with regard to its national space policy.
Nations Share U.S. Concern After China Space Missile Test Washignton File 19 Jan 2007 -- The United States and other nations have expressed concern to China about its January 11 test in which a Chinese missile destroyed an aging satellite, scattering debris and possibly threatening the peaceful use of outer space.
Chinese Spokesman Says No Knowledge of Anti-Satellite Test VOA 19 Jan 2007 -- China's Foreign Ministry says it can not confirm reports that the nation successfully tested a new anti-satellite weapon last week.
Japan Protests China's Satellite-Killer Test RFE/RL 19 Jan 2007 -- Japan has joined the United States in expressing concern over China's apparent test of a weapon that attacks satellites in space.
Russia's defense minister denies satellite destruction rumors RIA Novosti 19 Jan 2007 -- The Russian defense minister denied Friday allegations that China launched a ballistic missile January 11 that destroyed a satellite.
Beijing Mum as World Expresses Concern Over Anti-Satellite Weapon Test VOA 19 Jan 2007 -- Governments worldwide have voiced concern to China after U.S. officials confirmed that Beijing successfully tested a new anti-satellite weapon last week.
China Tests Anti-Satellite Weapon VOA 18 Jan 2007 -- Space experts have confirmed a report that China successfully tested a new anti-satellite weapon last week, firing the weapon to destroy one of its own old satellites
MARKEY DENOUNCES CHINESE MISSILE TEST; CALLS ON BUSH ADMIN. TO STRIKE AGREEMENT TO BAN FUTURE TESTS Office of Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) 18 Jan 2007 -- Today Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Co-Chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force on Nonproliferation and Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, denounced the reported Chinese test of an anti-satellite missile system
Alcatel Alenia Space has signed a Euro 103 million contract to provide SICRAL-1B satellite Thales 18 Jan 2007 -- Alcatel Alenia Space announced that it has signed a Euro 103 million contract with the Italian Ministry of Defense to provide the telecommunication satellite SICRAL-1B. The satellite, dedicated to the Italian Armed Forces, will ensure strategic and tactical communications on the Italian and foreign territories as well as mobile communications between terrestrial, naval and air platforms.
James Webb Space Telescope Mirror Backplane Prototype Passes Critical NASA Space Readiness Tests Northrop Grumman 17 Jan 2007 -- A prototype structure that holds the primary mirrors for the optical element of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) passed a key readiness milestone after undergoing a series of rigorous cryogenic tests at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.
Russia's space agency irked by Moon program debate RIA Novosti 18 Jan 2007 -- The Russian Federal Space Agency said Thursday it was unpleasantly surprised by an ongoing media debate over the country's Moon exploration program, sparked by statements made a week ago by a top space industry official.
Russian rocket with Progress cargo ship launched to ISS RIA Novosti 18 Jan 2007 -- A Russian Soyuz-U booster rocket with a Progress M-59 space freighter has been launched from the Baikonur space center to the International Space Station, a spokesman for the Russian Federal Space Agency said Thursday.
Russian space freighter sinks in Pacific after end of mission RIA Novosti 17 Jan 2007 -- A Progress M-57 launch vehicle carrying refuse from the International Space Station sank in the Pacific Ocean after being undocked from the orbital station early in the morning, a Russian Mission Control spokesman said Wednesday.
Boeing, U.S. Air Force Demonstrate Advanced Airborne Networking First Boeing 16 Jan 2007 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the U.S. Air Force have demonstrated for the first time how -- with advanced airborne networking and information management technology -- a near-space vehicle can be used as a flexible, low-cost, theater-wide information broker that provides real-time tactical information to ground forces to enhance their effectiveness and survivability.
Flight Model of the SMOS payload, built by EADS Astrium in Spain, ready for final testing at ESA EADS 16 Jan 2007 -- The EADS Astrium built payload for SMOS, The MIRAS (Microwave Imaging Radiometer using Aperture Synthesis) instrument is set to leave Spain following final integration and handover to ESA. The payload will undergo exhaustive testing at ESTEC, the ESA test centre, expected last for most of 2007 before launch due early in 2008.
LOCKHEED MARTIN RECEIVES $3 MILLION CONTRACT TO CONTINUE STUDY OF AIR-LAUNCHED PAC-3 MISSILES Lockheed Martin 16 Jan 2007 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has received a $3 million contract from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to continue the Air-Launched Hit-to-Kill (ALHTK) initiative, which would enable fighter aircraft to carry and launch Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missiles to intercept hostile ballistic and cruise missiles.
DARPA AWARDS NOVEL SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS CONTRACT TO BAE SYSTEMS BAE Systems 16 Jan 2007 -- The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has selected BAE Systems to lead a team of 10 companies in the next development phases of the Novel Satellite Communications (NSC) program.
India's PSLV-C7 puts 4 satellites into orbit IRNA 11 Jan 2007 -- India Wednesday added yet another feather to its cap in space techonology when its tenth Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C7) put four satellites into orbit.
Russia in talks to build 12 spacecraft for NASA, ESA RIA Novosti 11 Jan 2007 -- Russian spacecraft manufacturer Energia is in talks with NASA and ESA on contracts to build 12 rocket carriers for the U.S. and European space agencies, the head of the corporation said Thursday.
SBIRS instructors hold keys to ground floor of new payload AFPN 10 Jan 2007 -- Future Space Based Infrared System crews will get in on the ground level of Air Force Space Command's most advanced payload when they begin training at the 460th Operations Group's Detachment 1 on Jan. 12.
India Tests Technology for Space Vehicles VOA 10 Jan 2007 -- India has launched a satellite designed to test re-entry technology that could be used to prepare for a future manned mission
Boeing to Begin Second Phase of Enhanced Polar System Payload Study Boeing 09 Jan 2007 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the U.S. Air Force MILSATCOM Systems Wing have exercised an $8.4 million contract option to activate Phase II of the Enhanced Polar System (EPS) payload study. Phase I began in July 2006 with a $1.5 million award to Boeing to define the next-generation communications payload for a polar-orbiting satellite.
Boeing Completes Critical Design Review for Space Based Space Surveillance Boeing 08 Jan 2007 -- The Boeing [NYSE: BA] team that is building the Space Based Space Surveillance (SBSS) system has successfully passed the System Critical Design Review (CDR) as the U.S. Air Force authorized the program to proceed toward a December 2008 launch.
ATK Awarded Follow-On Options Worth $225 Million for Minuteman III Propulsion Replacement Program ATK 08 Jan 2007 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has received contract options worth $225 million from Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) to refurbish components and replace propellant on Minuteman III Stage 1, 2 and 3 rocket motors.
Russia for equality in Euro missile defense - AF CinC RIA Novosti 05 Jan 2007 -- Equal participation should be the basic principle of international cooperation in the missile defense sphere, the commander-in-chief of the Russian Air Force said Friday.
Three Years Later Mars Rovers Keep Going VOA 04 Jan 2007 -- Two U.S. robotic rovers are entering their fourth year exploring opposite sides of Mars, an unexpected length of time for a mission planned for only three months.
NORAD, NORTHCOM Trace Space Junk to Soviet Rocket AFPS 04 Jan 2007 -- That bright flash that fell from space early today over Wyoming wasn't a bird, a plane or a superhero, but a Russian SL-4 rocket body reentering the earth's atmosphere, officials at North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command confirmed today.
Boeing GPS Ground Station Test Validates Ability to Command GPS Fleet Boeing 04 Jan 2007 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has successfully completed a live demonstration of the Global Positioning System (GPS) ground station, which, when fully operational, will control the 32 GPS satellites now in orbit as well as those that will join the fleet in the coming months.
Raytheon Awarded $32.7 Million Subcontract for Sea-Based X-Band Radar Sustainment Support Raytheon 04 Jan 2007 -- Raytheon Company has been awarded a $32.7 million subcontract to provide sustainment support for the X- Band Radar (XBR) portion of the Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX).
Methane Lakes Found on Saturn's Largest Moon VOA 03 Jan 2007 -- U.S. scientists have found lakes on the largest moon on the second largest planet in our solar system, Saturn
LOCKHEED MARTIN PROVIDES PROVEN SOLUTIONS FOR NATION'S MISSILE DEFENSE Lockheed Martin 03 Jan 2007 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] achieved significant milestones on several critical missile defense programs during 2006, and was the only company to lead the development of new technology for boost-, mid-course- and terminal-phase systems.
LOCKHEED MARTIN RECEIVES $619 MILLION CONTRACT TO BEGIN PRODUCTION OF THAAD WEAPON SYSTEM Lockheed Martin 03 Jan 2007 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has been awarded a $619 million contract from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to begin production of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System
Northrop Grumman to Develop System Definition Requirements for U.S. Air Force's Alternate Infrared Satellite System Northrop Grumman 03 Jan 2007 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) will develop system definition requirements for the U.S. Air Force's Alternate Infrared Satellite System (AIRSS) that would provide uninterrupted space-based early missile detection.
Northrop Grumman's High-Energy Laser Systems Have One of the Most Successful Years Ever in 2006 Northrop Grumman 03 Jan 2007 -- Last year will go down as one of the most successful on record for Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) high-energy laser systems, which generated the most intense laser beams, the highest power levels, and the longest operating times yet seen in industry.
Raytheon Completes Negotiations on $1.4 Billion Contract for JLENS Development Raytheon 03 Jan 2007 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) recently completed negotiations with the U.S. Army resulting in finalizing a contract modification for system development and demonstration of the Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS).
Boeing GOES-N Satellite Completes On-Orbit Testing Boeing 03 Jan 2007 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that GOES-13 (GOES-N), the first of three Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) that will support more accurate prediction and tracking of severe storms and other weather phenomena, has completed on-orbit testing and has been accepted by NASA.
Boeing Passes GPS III Milestone and Receives Follow-on Funding Boeing 02 Jan 2007 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has successfully completed a critical U.S. Air Force review of its Global Positioning System (GPS) Space Segment III program and has been awarded a $50 million contract for additional system design activities.

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