Topic: Satellite Communications

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Blast-off: 6 recent missile advances

Missiles have been prominent in the news with India’s successful test, North Korea’s failed one, and much talk of missile defense systems in Europe and the Persian Gulf. Here are six recent noteworthy missile-technology advances.
In Pictures: Space photos of the day: The Sun
In Pictures: Space photos of the day: Space Robots
In Pictures: Space photos of the day: Mission Patches
In Pictures: Space photos of the day 08/26

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SpaceX launch: private industry inspires new generation of rocketeers (+video)

SpaceX launch a reminder that NASA isn't the only game in town anymore. Aspiring engineers, rocket designers, space geeks look to 'New Space' companies to boldly go where only governments used to go.
SpaceX mission to space station scrubbed for now

SpaceX's first attempt to send its Dragon cargo capsule to the International Space Station ended abruptly Saturday morning when computers aboard the company's Falcon 9 rocket shut off the craft's engines just after ignition.
Blast-off: 6 recent missile advances

Missiles have been prominent in the news with India’s successful test, North Korea’s failed one, and much talk of missile defense systems in Europe and the Persian Gulf. Here are six recent noteworthy missile-technology advances.
Astronauts scramble for escape pods as space junk threat gets serious

Some 22,000 chunks of space junk zip around the earth. On Saturday, six International Space Station astronauts scrambled for safety as a piece of a Russian satellite whizzed by.
North Korea vows satellite launch, with rocket that could reach Hawaii

North Korea says it wants to peacefully use space. Analysts say the regime wants to test a missile that could deliver a nuclear warhead to the US.
String of accidents could leave International Space Station without crew

When the International Space Station's crew departs this fall, the station could be left unmanned. Flights there have been halted until the cause of last week's space freighter crash is determined.
Russian spacecraft falls from the sky. Is the International Space Station in trouble?

The second embarrassing loss of a Russian space vehicle in a week spells trouble for Russia's space program and its ability to maintain the International Space Station.
Final shuttle mission: Who'll supply the International Space Station now?

Atlantis and its four-member crew, in the final mission of the space shuttle program, shrugged off concerns about the weather and took off for one last supply run to the International Space Station.
In race to replace space shuttles, NASA boosts four front-runners

NASA is turning to private companies to replace the space shuttles, and it will give four proposals from the likes of Boeing and SpaceX $269 million this year.
In Pictures: Space photos of the day: The Sun
In Pictures: Space photos of the day: Space Robots
Vandenberg rocket: largest American rocket blasted off today on West Coast

Vandenberg rocket: The unmanned Delta 4-Heavy rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 1:10 p.m. PST (4:10 p.m. EST) carrying a secret satellite for the US National Reconnaissance Office, making it the largest rocket launch ever from the country's West Coast.
Do we need a code of conduct for space?

Some experts are calling for an international code of conduct for spacefaring nations. But defining misconduct isn't easy.
In Pictures: Space photos of the day: Mission Patches
'Too good to be true': SpaceX mission appears nearly flawless

With a successful mission, SpaceX takes a major step toward proving the Falcon 9 rocket and its Dragon capsule can pick up where the retiring space shuttles leave off.
World's biggest spy satellite: The newest 'ear' in space?

The US satellite, called NROL-32, was lifted into space Sunday atop a giant Delta 4 rocket. The satellite's purpose is secret, but analysts suspect that it's a giant electronic ear.
Congressional tug-of-war holds NASA's new direction in the balance

As the space shuttle program folds, the House and Senate – and broader spaceflight community – have struggled to reach consensus on NASA's new human spaceflight focus.
Pair of asteroids to buzz past the earth

In an unprecedented event, two asteroids will pass our planet Wednesday at a distance closer than the moon. Neither rock threatens to strike the earth, say astronomers.
In Pictures: Space photos of the day 08/26
Zombie satellite forces other spacecraft to get out of its way

Zombie satellite Galaxy 15, which stopped responding to commands in April and has drifted out of its orbit, is forcing evasive maneuvers by its Intelsat siblings Galaxy 13 and Galaxy 14.
Did sun eruption spawn zombie satellite?

A coronal mass ejection – a massive bubble of magnetically charge gas cast out from the sun – may have been responsible for disabling the Intelsat communications satellite Galaxy 15 in April.
Zombie satellite still careening through space

Zombie satellite, frustrating scientists, continues drifting through space, but could possibly collide with other satellites.
Draconid meteor shower: NASA prepares for potentially damaging 2011 meteor shower

Draconid meteor shower: NASA is assessing the risk to spacecraft posed by the upcoming 2011 Draconid meteor shower, a seven-hour storm of tiny space rocks.
SpaceX signs largest-ever commercial rocket launch deal (Falcon 9 will be busy)

SpaceX, fresh off the success of its Falcon 9 rocket debut, has signed the largest commercial launch contract, worth $492 million.
SpaceX signs satellite deal with Iridium; Falcon 9 rocket to carry satellites

SpaceX will carry satellites from Iridium Communications aboard its Falcon 9 rocket.