Government/Military

[Satellite TODAY 12-23-10] The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will orbit the GSAT-5P satellite on its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F06) Dec. 25 after the rocket engine’s valve was tested and cleared for launch, the agency announced Dec. 22.     The mission was delayed after a leak was discovered in a valve located on the...

[Satellite TODAY 12-23-10] NASA is seeking proposals for testing new technologies during suborbital flights and requesting information from commercial suborbital reusable launch vehicle providers and commercial payload integrators about carrying technology payloads, the agency announced Dec. 22.     The solicitation is part of NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program designed to foster development of a commercial reusable...

[Satellite TODAY 12-22-10] Harris Corp. won a $42 million contract from prime contractor Sierra Nevada Corp. to supply antenna and radar electronics for a satellite that will provide high-resolution radar imagery of the Earth to military users, Harris announced Dec. 21.     The 30-month contract will see Harris design, build, and integrate the synthetic aperture...

[Satellite TODAY 12-22-10] The Russian Defense Ministry has postponed the launch of the Glonass-K satellite until 2011, Russian officials announced Dec. 21.     The satellite was scheduled to launch on a Soyuz carrier rocket from the Plesetsk Space Center Dec. 28. The Russian Defense Ministry said the delay was caused by the fact that preparations...

[Satellite TODAY 12-22-10] Raytheon BBN Technologies was awarded $2.1 million in funding by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for two projects under the Information in a Photon program.      The goal of the projects is to develop techniques that enable optical communications and imaging systems to operate at their limits of information...

[Satellite TODAY 12-21-10] The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) postponed the Dec. 19 launch of GSAT-5P satellite aboard its Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F06) after a leak was discovered in a valve located on the rocket’s Russian-built cryogenic stage during pre-countdown checks, ISRO announced Dec. 19.     ISRO officials released a statement claiming that the...

[Satellite TODAY 12-21-10] NASA has test-fired the Aerojet liquid fuel AJ26 engine, which was built to power the first stage of Orbital Sciences‘ Taurus 2 rocket, the agency announced Dec.20.     The test was conducted Dec. 17 at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. The 55-second firing was the second in a series of verification...

[Satellite TODAY Insider 12-21-10] Raytheon signed a definitive agreement to acquire communications specialist Applied Signal Technology for approximately $490 million in cash, Raytheon announced Dec. 20.      Raytheon Chairman and CEO William Swanson said the acquisition would enhance his company’s full-spectrum integrated sensor solution capabilities for classified and other government customers. “Applied Signal brings world...

[Satellite TODAY 12-20-10] Lockheed Martin Space Systems won a $1.3 billion contract modification from the U.S. Air Force to build the fourth Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) secure communications satellite, Lockheed Martin announced Dec. 15.     The modification follows a $22 million contract awarded to Lockheed Martin by the Air Force in September 2009 to...

[Satellite TODAY 12-20-10] NASA named Richard Keegan associate deputy administrator, replacing Charles Scales, who is retiring after serving in the position since April 2007, the agency announced Dec. 17.     Keegan will assist and support NASA Administrator Charles Bolden in day-to-day agency operations, institutional and workforce issues, and with contingency and continuity of operations planning....