ISS SKIN PEELING UNDER IMPACT OF COSMIC RADIATION - RUSSIAN SCIENTISTS - The skin of the International Space Station (ISS) Russian segment is decaying because of the use of materials that cannot withstand cosmic radiation, Russian scientists said. "We made a project for the Khrunichev Space Center late last year and the results were astonishing - the ISS coating, its skin, is decaying under the impact of radiation.   More
(Source: The Voice of Russia - Jan 31)

CHINA TO BUILD SPACE STATION DURING THE NEXT DECADE - China plans to launch its first space station in 2020, which will allow its astronauts to stay in space for at least 180 days and will make it possible for wealthy members of the public to experience space travel, said Chen Shanguang, chief designer at China Manned Space Engineering. China invented key technology and established a fundamental system for manning spacecraft through 11 rocket launchers over a period of 21 years, Chen stated at the Beijing's National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.   More
(Source: WantChinaTimes - Jan 29)

MINI SATELLITES USED AS 'SPACE COPS' TO CLEAR DEBRIS - Space debris can damage functional satellites, which is why a team of scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are trying to control the traffic in space using mini satellites. Researchers used a series of six images from ground based satellite taken over a period of 60 hours to show that it is possible to refine the orbit of another satellite in low Earth orbit.    More
(Source: Science World Report - Jan 25)

ATLAS V SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES FROM CAPE CANAVERAL - NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite L (TDRS-L) successfully launched atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at 9:33 p.m. EST from the Cape Canaveral Air Force. The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System is NASA’s network of specialized communications satellites that orbit 22,300 miles above the Earth. As the name suggests, the satellites relay signals between spacecraft including the International Space Station and ground control stations on Earth.    More
(Source: SpaceCoastDaily.com - Jan 24)

NASA SET FOR A BIG YEAR IN EARTH SCIENCE WITH FIVE NEW MISSIONS - For the first time in more than a decade, five NASA Earth science missions will be launched into space in the same year, opening new and improved remote eyes to monitor our changing planet. The five launches, including two to the International Space Station (ISS), are part of an active year for NASA Earth science researchers, who also will conduct airborne campaigns to the poles and hurricanes, develop advanced sensor technologies, and use satellite data and analytical tools to improve natural hazard and climate change preparedness.   More
(Source: OfficialWire - Jan 23)

OFFICIALS HOPE 2014 IS A COMEBACK YEAR FOR PROTON BY STEPHEN CLARK - With a backlog of 14 missions worth more than $1 billion, International Launch Services has up to a half-dozen commercial Proton rocket missions planned this year as the U.S.-based firm fills its manifest for 2015. Counting commercial and government flights, the Russian Proton launcher has up to 12 missions scheduled for 2014, according to Karen Monaghan, an ILS spokesperson.    More
(Source: SpaceFlight Now - Jan 21)

EGYPT PLANS SATELLITE AND SPACE AGENCY LAUNCH - Egypt plans to launch its second satellite for scientific research and establish a new space authority and national space agency as well as work with other African states to pave the way for a new African space agency. But some experts have warned that the aspirations may exceed Egypt's financial and human resources, and that the country is rushing to launch a new satellite despite having learnt little from the loss of its first one in 2010 after just three years of operation.   More
(Source: AllAfrica.com - Jan 18)

TURKISH TELECOMS SATELLITE TO LAUNCH FROM BAIKONUR FEB. 15 - A Turkish telecommunications satellite will be launched Febuary 15 from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan aboard a Proton-M heavy-lift rocket, Russia’s space agency Roscosmos said Thursday. The satellite was delivered to Baikonur on a cargo airplane Thursday. “Following customs procedures it will be sent to a testing facility, where it will be held in a cleanroom for further launch preparations,” Roscomos said on its website.   More
(Source: RIA Novosti - Jan 18)

HAM RADIO CUBESATS LAUNCHED TO ISS - An unmanned Orbital Sciences Corp Antares rocket that blasted off from NASA's Wallops Island launch pad on Virginia's Eastern Shore January 10, carried aloft an Orbital Sciences Corp (OSC http://www.orbital.com/) Cygnus freighter with a bevy of Amateur Radio CubeSats aboard, bound for the International Space Station (ISS). "We're in good shape," Orbital Sciences Executive Vice President Frank Culbertson, ex-KD5OPQ, told reporters after launch. The launch had been delayed twice, first by cold weather and then by high radiation levels due to a massive solar flare on January 7. Both events could have affected critical rocket systems.   More
(Source: eHam.com - Jan 18)

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