Aerospace
4,382 news found
AerospaceERS satellite missions complete after 20 years
Paris, France - "Valuable data archive"
After a final thruster firing last week to deplete its remaining fuel, ESA's venerable ERS-2 observation satellite has been safely taken out of service. Ground controllers also ensured the space environment... more
AerospaceJapan successfully test-fired the engine of its "Akatsuki" space probe
Tokyo, Japan - It will be sent around Venus
The Japanese Space Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced the successful test on the engine of its space probe "Akatsuki"; the test was run yesterday and was intended to last for 2 seconds according to the... more
AerospaceRussia will invest in the Plesetsk space centre
Moscow, Russia - 170 million dollars allocated
A spokesman for the Russian space forces, Colonel Alexei Zolotukhin, announced that the government has decided to invest around 5 billion rubles (170 million dollars) for "The construction and reconstruction... more
AerospaceTwo lunar orbiters will be launched by NASA to map Moon's gravity
Cape Canaveral, USA - In unprecedented detail
NASA will launch two space probes, Graili-A and Graili-B, from Cape Canaveral tomorrow respectively at 08:37 EDT and 09:16 EDT; the agency said that the two twin satellites will map the Moon's gravity... more
AerospaceIranian air force monitors national airspace
Tehran, Iran - General Farzad Esmali comments
In view of the presentation of the new Iranian land-to-air missile "Shalamche" (see AVIONEWS), Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili who commands the Khatam-ol-Anbiya air defense base (near the capital Tehran),... more
AerospaceTests on "Skylon" aircraft's rocket motor proceed
Oxford, UK - Projected by the British Reaction Engines
Tests are proceeding on the rocket motor "Sabre" by the company Reaction Engines which is working on the space aircraft project "Skylon"; in particular, tests on the technology of the heat exchanger extremely... more
AerospaceNASA: Chandra satellite discovers two supermassive black holes in a spiral galaxy for the first time
Cape Canaveral, USA - Could this be the first example of a merger between a larger galaxy and a much smaller one?
NASA unveiled yesterday on its website that thanks to the use of the orbital X-ray Chandra observatory some astronomers, including the Italian Guido Risaliti from INAF, Astrophysics Observatory of Arcetri-... more
AerospaceAriane 5 mission leaving on September 9: payload integration implemented
Cayenne, French Guyana - Arabsat-5C satellite -built by Thales Alenia Space and EADS- was installed under SYLDA system
It's going on the launch preparation to th 5th "Ariane 5" mission of the year, which should occur on September 9 from Kourou spaceport in French Guyana. Yesterday, it occurred the payload integration... more
AerospaceRoscosmos postpones next launch to ISS until the end of October or the beginning of November
Moscow, Russia - Due to the disaster recently occurred to Progress M-12M spacecraft
Alexei Krasnov, head of the manned flight program of Roscosmos, stated that the Russian Space Agency established to postpone the next manned launch to the ISS, International Space Station, from September,... more
AerospaceFrom nuclear energy to space shuttles and bases on Luna and Mars
Denver, USA - Solar panels will be replaced by small suitcases
During a conference of the American chemical society, American researchers at Idaho National Laboratory (INLA) today announced that they are working on compact nuclear reactors expected to become the novel... more
AerospaceNASA: GRAIL Moon mission departing on September, 8th from Cape Canaveral
Cape Canaveral, USA - Ongoing the last preparations
Are currently ongoing the final preparations for "GRAIL", "Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory". It's a NASA Moon mission departing on September, 8th (with a launch window extending through October... more
AerospaceFirst unit of pressurized cargo module Cygnus arrived in Virginia on An-26 airplane
Wallops, USA - After a transatlantic flight from Italy
Orbital Science Corporation announced it's arrived at NASA base in Wallops, in the east of Virginia, the first unit of the new Pressurized Cargo Module Cygnus, designed for the cargo transport to the ISS,... more
AerospaceTheles Alenia Space, first unit of PMC-Cygnus for ISS resupply flying to the US on An-24 aircraft
Rome, Italy - It's the first of 9 module for cargo transportation to be consigned to Orbital Science Corporation
It's departed from Turin on an Antonov An-24 aircraft, headed to the NASA's base in Wallops, Virginia, the first unit of the new pressurized module for cargo transportation to the ISS, International Space... more
AerospaceState of emergency in the Republic of Altai in Siberia, where the fragments of the Progress M-12M spacecraft fell (VIDEO)
Irkutsk, Siberia - The launch of the spacecraft, scheduled for yesterday, failed and now- as it often happens- its wreckage has started falling in the area
In the Altai Republic in the South of Siberia was imposed the state of emergency after yesterday fragments of the cargo spacecraft Progress M-12M started falling on the territory. The launch, scheduled... more
AerospaceLaunch of cargo spacecraft Progress M-12 M failed
Moscow, Russia - Its wreckage fell in the South of Siberia
The launch of Progress M-12M cargo spacecraft is failed. Departed today to the ISS, International Space Station, from Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, with 3.5 ton supplies including water, food,... more
AerospaceBoeing completed tests on the second GPS IIF satellite
El Segundo, USA - Equipped with OCS system
Boeing has announced that it has completed the testing phase on the second of 12 GPS IIF satellites produced for US Air Force and the device, dubbed SVN-63 and launched into space on July 16, has achieved... more
AerospaceFirst humanoid robot in space, Robonaut 2, opens its eyes
Cape Canaveral, USA - Waited for September 1, 2011, its first movement
It was unveiled that Robonaut 2 or R2, the first human-like robot in space, yesterday was switched on and received an order from Earth for the first time: the powering of all its systems. During the... more
AerospaceRussian cargo spacecraft Progress M-11M undocks from ISS
Moscow, Russia - It will deorbit and burn up following a 9-day-long scientific experiment
Russian Mission Control centre announced it is scheduled for 1:35 Moscow time (9:35 GMT) today the undocking of cargo spacecraft Progress M-11M from ISS, International Space Station. Before being undocked,... more
AerospaceChina launched Paksat-1R communications satellite for Pakistan
Beijing, China - On a Long March 3B/E rocket
At 00:15 am on Friday (1615 GMT Thursday) China launched Paksat-1R communications satellite for Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) of Pakistan, inaugurating the cooperation between... more
AerospaceNASA, contracts with seven companies operating commercial space flights
Washington, USA - For a total value of 10 million dollars
NASA has recently unveiled it has signed two-year contracts, for a total value of 10 million dollars, with seven companies operating commercial space flights, most of which have already worked with the... more
AerospaceSSTL announces NigeriaSat-2 satellite launch
Guildford, Britain - It will happen on August 17
Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL), a British company specializing in mini-satellites, has announced via press release that on August 17, 2011 NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X satellites will be launched... more
AerospaceNASA will fund 30 new space research projects
Washington, USA - As part of "NIAC", "NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts"
NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, announced yesterday its intention to support for one year 30 new projects -whose choice will be based on their potential for the improvement of the... more
AerospaceNASA hypotizes the existence of salty water on Mars
Cape Canaveral, USA - It would be present in small amounts only in the summer season
Based on the images taken by the telescope Hirise from MRO, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, some NASA's experts hypothesize the existence of salty water on Mars. The theory originates from the observation... more
AerospaceJuno spacecraft ready for tomorrow's launch to Jupiter
Washington, USA - With on board JIRAM and KaT of Italian space agency ASI
NASA unveils on its website that everything's ready for the start of its first mission after the end of "Space Shuttle" program. It's in fact scheduled for tomorrow Juno's lift-off to Jupiter. It will... more
AerospaceKedr mini-satellite launched at second try
Moscow, Russia - In honor of the first man in space
As preannounced (see AVIONEWS) has been completed the 35th spacewalk of Russian cosmonauts Sergei Volkov and Alexander Samokutyaev for the launch of mini-satellite Kedr from the International Space Station... more
AerospaceSurrey opens a competition on "Facebook" for a satellite launch
London, England - To create 4 smartphone applications
Surrey experts in space technology have called yesterday August 1st an on-line competition on the social network "Facebook" to develop innovative applications that will be used on smartphone-powered satellite... more
AerospaceFinmeccanica. Performance by sector: Space
Rome, Italy - Revenues: EUR 480 million (+17%); Adj. EBITA:EUR 10 million (+100%)
Telespazio, Thales Alenia Space (The figures relate to the two joint-ventures – Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space – which are consolidated on a proportionate basis at 67% and 33%, respectively) Revenues: Thi... more
AerospaceISS will be used until approximately 2020
Moscow, Russia - The station will be sunk
On July 27 the Russian space agency announced that the International Space Station (ISS), used in conjunction with agencies of the United States, Europe, Japan and Canada, will be sunk at the end of its... more
AerospaceChina launched the ninth satellite of "Beidou" system
Beijing, China - A navigation system totally developed by China
China has successfully launched the ninth satellite navigation that makes up the "Beidou" navigation system. The launch occurred at 05:44 local time (2144 GMT on July 26) from the Xichang Satellite Launching... more
AerospaceTaiwan reports two Chinese fighter aircraft entered into national airspace
Taipei, Taiwan - It happened on June, 29
The defence minister of Taiwan has announced on July 25 an incident in which two Chinese Su-27 fighter aircraft flew briefly over national space, one of which crossing the Taiwan Strait on June 29. According... more
AerospaceMini-satellite Kedr will be launched from ISS
Moscow, Russia - On next August, 3; it will convey wishes messages in 15 languages, and not only this..
Today we read on Russian press that on next August, 3 from the orbiting International Space Station (ISS) the mini-satellite Kedr will be launched, operated by RKK Energy as part of the Radio Amateur,... more
AerospaceEnd the 30-year Space Shuttle Atlantis program (VIDEO)
Cape Canaveral, USA - Also concluded STS-135 mission
Landed right on time this morning, Thursday, July 21 at the Kennedy Space Center the US Space shuttle Atlantis, which has thus completed the Space Shuttle program that in 30 years has transported 355 astronauts... more
AerospaceAssembly of Soyuz-2.1A rocket started
Baikonur, Kazakhstan - It will put into orbit the next 6 Globastar-2 satellites in October
It started on Wednesday at the hands of experts from Progress and Yuzhny Space Centers the assembly of the Soyuz-2.1A rocket at the integration and test facility number 31 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in... more
AerospaceLaunch campaign of rocket Proton-M with telecommunication satellite Express AM-4 started
Baikonur, Kazakhstan - The lift-off will take place on August, 18th
It's started the launch preparation of Russian telecommunication satellite Express AM-4. It was unveiled by the Russian Federal Space Agency Roscosmos. Together with the tests on Soyuz TMA-22 spacecraft,... more
AerospaceStarted pre-launch tests of Soyuz TMA-22 spacecraft
Baikonur, Kazakhstan - At Baikonur cosmodrome
According to today's reports from Russian Federal Space Agency Roscosmos, are started the pre-launch tests of Soyuz TMA-22 spacecraft at Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The tests for preparation... more
AerospaceAtlantis space shuttle undocks from ISS
Cape Canaveral, USA - The return to Earth is scheduled for Thursday
Atlantis started its last flight to Earth. At 2:28 am EDT today the shuttle undocked from ISS, International Space Station, after 8 days, 15 hours and 21 minutes attached to the orbiting laboratory. The... more
AerospaceItalian Space Agency: DAWN "Captured" Vesta
Rome, Italy - NASA's spacecraft entered orbit on July 16 and early will begin to study the structure
PASADENA, Calif.NASA's Dawn spacecraft on Saturday became the first probe ever to enter orbit around an object in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Dawn will study the asteroid, named... more
AerospaceSpectrum-R reaches designed orbit through Zenith-3M with Fregat-SB upper stage
Baikonur, Kazakhstan - The launch occurred this morning from Baikonur cosmodrome
Russian Federal Space Agency Roscosmos unveils on its website that the space telescope Spectrum-R (also known as Spektr-R or Radioastron) was successfully launched and has already reached the designated... more
AerospaceSoyuz-2.1/Fregat with six Globalstar-2 satellites launched successfully at third attempt (VIDEO)
Baikonur, Kazakhstan - From Baikonur cosmodrome
Today at 6:27 Moscow time (2:27 GMT) the launch of the Soyuz-2.1A rocket with the six American Globalstar-2 satellites from Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The lift-off of the spacecraft produced... more
AerospaceChina launched data relay satellite Tianlian I-02
Beijing, China - Yesterday from Xichang Satellite Launch Center
As reported today by the Chinese news agencies, the Country launched yesterday at 11:41 pm (Beijing time) the data relay satellite Tianlian I-02 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province,... more
AerospaceESA awards contract to Astrium for development of two Sentinel-4 sensors for MTG weather satellites
Paris, France - That will be launched in 2019 and 2027
Paris-based ESA, European Space Agency, announced yesterday on its web-site it has signed a nearly 150-million-dollar-Euro contract with Astrium -the EADS' subsidiary aerospace company providing space... more
AerospaceExtended by one day the 33rd mission of space shuttle Atlantis
Cape Canaveral, USA - Today will be held the only spacewalk scheduled for STS-135
Mission Management Team established to extend by one day the STS-135 mission, the 33rd and last mission of the space shuttle Atlantis. according to the latest schedule -notified by Megan McArthur to Atlantis... more
AerospaceAstronauts Hurley and Magnus move Canadarm2 to move module Raffaello module to ISS
Cape Canaveral, USA - Already at work the crew of Atlantis after yesterday's docking
This morning -after the awakening with "Tubthumping" of Chumbawamba- the Atlantis astronauts, whose docking with ISS, International Space Station, occurred yesterday at 15:07, started working on the Multi-Purpose... more
AerospaceTechnical problems: launch of Globalstar-2 satellites scheduled for today postponed
Baikonur, Kazakhstan - Until backup date, on July 12
The Russian agencies inform that has been postponed the launch of the six Globalstar-2 satellites, that could have been occurred from Kazakh Baikonur cosmodrome today at 2:58 GMT through a Soyuz-2.1 rocket... more
AerospaceStarted last Atlantis and "Space Shuttle" program mission (VIDEO)
Cape Canaveral, USA - Perfect lift-off from Cape Canaveral for the spacecraft, contrarily to forecasts weather conditions were not adverse
More than half a million people gathered today out of Kennedy Space Center to watch the historic last departure of Atlantis, that is also the final lift-off of "Space Shuttle" program. During its lifetime,... more
AerospaceGoes on the launch preparation for Proton-M/Breeze-M
Baikonur, Kazakhstan - And for KazSat-2 and SES-3 satellites
Continues the launch campaign of Proton/Breeze M vehicle on board of which on July 16 it will take place -under ILS, International Launch Services Inc., contract- the lift-off of two telecommunication... more
AerospaceRoll-out of Soyuz-2.1A rocket with Fregat and Globalstar-2 satellites implemented this morning
Baikonur, Kazakhstan - At Baikonur cosmodrome
Roscosmos, Russian Federal Space Agency, reports that is going on the launch campaign of the second-generation Globalstar satellites from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. This morning, in fact, following... more
AerospaceScientific observatory Spectrum-R launch campaign goes on
Baikonur, Kazakhstan - At Baikonur cosmodrome
Continues the launch campaign of scientific observatory Spectrum-R or RadioAstron from Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. According to reports from the web-site of Roscosmos, Russian Federal Space Agency,... more
AerospaceEverything's ready for last mission of shuttle Atlantis, but weather forecasts rise worries
Cape Canaveral, USA - At the moment ,a postponement is not taken into consideration; lift-off should be watched by at least half a million people
Everything's ready for the last mission of the "Space Shuttle" program, which will also mark the retirement of Atlantis, launched into orbit for the first time in 1985. On Wednesday -after a meeting... more
AerospaceArrived at Baikonur cosmodrome the Breeze-M upper stage for Proton-M
Baikonur, Kazakhstan - Used in the launch of Express AM-4 satellite
Russian Federal Space Agency "Roscosmos" unveils today on its web-site that it's arrived at Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan the Breeze-M upper stage gpt Proton-M launcher on which will be launched Express... more