Government/Military

[Satellite Today 10-29-08] The U.S. Army has placed orders for additional VSAT equipment from TeleCommunication Systems Inc., the company announced Oct. 29.     TCS will provide the Army Secure Internet Protocol Router and Non-secure Internet Protocol Router Access Point (SNAP) VSAT systems. The SNAP program includes options for about 1,500 terminals and supporting equipment to...

[Satellite Today 10-29-08] The U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a contract for the development phase of the Self-Awareness Space Situational Awareness technology demonstration program, the company announced Oct. 29.     Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will develop a technology demonstration payload to provide tactical space situational awareness with dedicated communications. The surveillance system is...

Real Russian Worry Isn’t European Missile Defense Interceptors In Poland, But Rather U.S.-Run Radar: Vershbow Russians Act Out Of Anger Over Perceived Slights, But Can Be Brought Around By Giving Them Role In EMD System: Experts Russia is exaggerating when it vows to use nuclear weapons to annihilate the European Missile Defense (EMD) interceptors that...

In Seven Years Since Anthrax Attacks, Much Is Undone In Countering Biological Threat; Prevention, Response Needed Multiplicity Of Sensor Systems Available, But No Decision Made On Which To Buy Seven years after deadly anthrax attacks along the Eastern seaboard struck congressional offices, postal facilities, a New York TV network and more, the United States still...

Updated — October 22, 2008 – 3:45 p.m. EDT Legend: + Targeted For | *No Earlier Than (Tentative) | **To Be Determined 2008 Launches Date: Nov. 14 + Mission: STS-126 Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Endeavour Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center – Launch Pad 39A Launch Time: 7:55 p.m. EST Landing Date and Time: Nov. 25...

[Satellite Today 10-27-08] Boeing Launch Services launched the third Cosmo-SkyMed satellite Oct. 24 aboard a Delta 2 rocket procured from United Launch Alliance, Boeing announced.     Cosmo-SkyMed 3, manufactured by Thales Alenia Space, is an Earth observation satellite system funded by the Italian Ministry of Research and Italian Ministry of Defense and conducted by the...

[Satellite Today 10-27-08] Lockheed Martin completed acoustic testing of the first geosynchronous orbit spacecraft in the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) program, GEO-1, the company announced Oct. 27.     Thermal vacuum testing is scheduled for March in preparation for delivery of the satellite to the U.S. Air Force for a planned launch in 2010.    ...

Israel would have a tough time destroying Iranian nuclear facilities, which are numerous, buried deep underground and shielded by barriers 60 feet thick, a Newsweek story said. Thus short of invading Iran, it is inevitable that Tehran will be able to develop nuclear weapons, leaving the United States with only one remaining option: to defy...

Talks With Iran Already Have Failed, And Yet Obama Seeks Further Talks, Bolton Says; Israel May Strike Iran Soon Military Strike Might Not Kill Facilities; Bolton Urges European Missile Defense As Shield Against Iranian Missile Attacks A defiant Iran won’t agree to abandon its nuclear program that in coming years likely will produce nuclear weapons,...

Chinese Submarines Can Be Armed With Anti-Ship Missiles Deadly To Carriers In two separate incidents, Chinese submarines recently crept up near the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier George Washington, according to news reports. A Chinese Han Class nuclear powered submarine and, separately, a Song Class diesel attack submarine slipped along as the George Washington was headed...