Satellite News

“U.S. diplomatic and military officials remain perplexed and unsatisfied with China’s nonexplanatory responses to international protests regarding the Asian giant’s January anti-satellite (ASAT) ballistic missile test.” (Aerospace Daily and Defense Report)

“Amidst all of the controversy over funding for the beleaguered Galileo system, Europe’s answer to the U.S.-based GPS, comes official acknowledgment that Galileo will have its military and defense uses, alongside civilian applications.” (GPS World)

As a result of a five month-long study by SpaceDev, Benson Space Company (BSC) has chosen to pursue a fresh approach in the design of its Dream Chaser spaceship.

China has officially joined the global disaster relief regime by signing the International Charter “Space and Major Disasters.”

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems has successfully completed the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) of the Near Field Infrared Experiment (NFIRE) and has turned satellite control authority over to the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA).

NASA this week wrapped up six months of system requirements reviews for the Orion spacecraft, the Ares launch vehicles and other support systems, bringing together the Constellation Program’s list of basic capability needs.

Alliant Techsystems conducted a successful test firing of NASA’s Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) as part of continuous testing to improve performance and ensure safety of the Space Shuttle, which also transfers improvements into the shuttle-derived first-stage of the Ares I crew launch vehicle.

Rocket: Chang Zheng 2D; Payload: Yaogan 2 (Remote Sensing Satellite No. 2); Date:25 May 2007, 0712 UTC; Launch site: Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China. The previously unannounced launch was successful, Chinese state media said.