Tuesday 18 October 2016

Ready for the Red Planet


MARSDAILY
Ready for the Red Planet Paris (ESA) Oct 18, 2016 - Next week, ESA's ExoMars has just a single chance to get captured by Mars' gravity. The spacecraft and the mission controllers who will make it so are ready for arrival. The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter is on a multiyear mission to understand the methane and other gases in Mars' atmosphere at low levels and could be evidence for possible biological or geological activity. The 3.7 tonne mother ... more

The Pressure is On for SLS Hardware in Upcoming Test


ROCKET SCIENCE
The Pressure is On for SLS Hardware in Upcoming Test Huntsville AL (SPX) Oct 18, 2016 - Engineers are getting ready to put the pressure on hardware for the world's most powerful rocket, NASA's Space Launch System, as part of a rigorous test series to ensure each structure can withstand the incredible stresses of launch. SLS and the agency's Orion spacecraft will travel to new destinations in deep space as NASA continues to prepare for its Journey to Mars. "Not only is this se ... more

In space, the looming threat of a new arms race


SPACEWAR
In space, the looming threat of a new arms race Washington (AFP) Oct 16, 2016 - Killer satellites, blinding lasers, sophisticated jammers: the world's military powers are quietly readying for a war in outer space - at the risk of fueling a dangerous new arms race. US military officials have in recent years sounded growing alarm about the potential vulnerabilities of their satellites, which underpin US military power. Initially, the reserve of the United States and ... more

Tools Drive NASA's TReK to New Discoveries


STATION NEWS
Tools Drive NASA's TReK to New Discoveries Huntsville AL (SPX) Oct 18, 2016 - Technology has made it easier for people to conduct their jobs and connect with others across the country and around the world. The job can be particularly tricky, though, if you're a scientist whose laboratory is orbiting the planet 250 miles up at 17,500 mph, and even trickier if you're one of the first people working on Mars. Researchers are testing new software on the International Spa ... more

First launch for Orbital's Antares rocket since '14 blast


ROCKET SCIENCE
First launch for Orbital's Antares rocket since '14 blast Washington (AFP) Oct 18, 2016 - Orbital ATK on Monday blasted off its revamped Antares rocket carrying supplies and science experiments to the International Space Station two years after a major rocket explosion. The unmanned Cygnus cargo ship launched from Wallops Island, Virginia at 7:45 pm (2345 GMT), packed with some 5,100 pounds (2,300 kilograms) of gear bound for the station's astronauts living in orbit. The rock ... more

Thales targeting pod integrated, tested on Rafale fighter


MILTECH
Thales targeting pod integrated, tested on Rafale fighter Paris (UPI) Oct 17, 2016 - Thales' new-generation TALIOS laser targeting pod has successfully completed a more than two-hour first flight on a Rafale fighter. The prototype targeting long-range identification optronic system collected high-quality images taken using the "day" channel, and offered remarkable performances in pointing and telemetry, Thales said. "TALIOS is the first optronic targeting pod to ... more

UN Security Council condemns N.Korea failed missile launch


NUKEWARS
UN Security Council condemns N.Korea failed missile launch United Nations, United States (AFP) Oct 17, 2016 - The UN Security Council on Monday strongly condemned North Korea after a failed missile launch, threatening further measures against Pyongyang. North Korea tested a medium-range Musudan missile on Saturday, the latest in series of launches in defiance of UN resolutions. The rocket exploded soon after lift-off. In a unanimous statement backed by China, Pyongyang's ally, the council "stron ... more

UN Security Council condemns N.Korea failed missile launch

NUKEWARS
UN Security Council condemns N.Korea failed missile launch United Nations, United States (AFP) Oct 17, 2016 - The UN Security Council on Monday strongly condemned North Korea after a failed missile launch, threatening further measures against Pyongyang. North Korea tested a medium-range Musudan missile on Saturday, the latest in series of launches in defiance of UN resolutions. The rocket exploded soon after lift-off. In a unanimous statement backed by China, Pyongyang's ally, the council "stron ... more

MILTECH
Thales targeting pod integrated, tested on Rafale fighter Paris (UPI) Oct 17, 2016 - Thales' new-generation TALIOS laser targeting pod has successfully completed a more than two-hour first flight on a Rafale fighter. The prototype targeting long-range identification optronic system collected high-quality images taken using the "day" channel, and offered remarkable performances in pointing and telemetry, Thales said. "TALIOS is the first optronic targeting pod to ... more


+ Iraq forces launch battle to retake IS stronghold
+ Iraqi forces 'ahead of schedule' in Mosul: Pentagon
+ Suicide car bomb blast kills 10 south of Baghdad
+ US says Mosul a 'decisive moment' in anti-IS campaign
+ Mosul offensive provides a pre-election boon for Obama
+ U.S. Army patents new blast debris protection system
+ Terma, BAE continue noise-reduction effort for pilot helmets
+ As Trump bashed China, he sought deals with its govt
+ U.S. State Dept. approves $194 million radar sale to Kuwait
+ Best-selling Guantanamo inmate released to Mauritania: Pentagon
+ Colombian army op kills ELN rebel 10 days from peace talks
+ Duterte won't 'barter' away Philippine territory to China
+ US military detects failed N. Korean missile launch
+ Russia 'may consider' giving air defence systems to Turkey
+ As US ties slump, Russian war rhetoric spikes at home
+ Thai military remain power brokers in royal succession
+ NATO head backs stronger European defence
+ Argentina protests planned UK army exercises in Falklands
+ Xi, Modi hold talks amid India frustrations
+ Anyone can chat with the White House... through a bot

USS Nimitz completes sea trials


FLOATING STEEL
USS Nimitz completes sea trials San Diego (UPI) Oct 16, 2016 - The USS Nimitz has successfully completed sea trails following 20 months of maintenance, repairs and upgrades, the U.S. Navy reports. The aircraft carrier (CVN 68) pulled into San Diego on Oct. 10 after completing a successful six-day sea trials and officially marking the completion of a 20-month extended planned incremental availability. Nimitz got underway for the first time si ... more

Medical delivery drones take flight over Rwanda


UAV NEWS
Medical delivery drones take flight over Rwanda Muhanga, Rwanda (AFP) Oct 14, 2016 - "Three, two, one, launch!" And with that, catapulted from a ramp, the small fixed-wing drone buzzes into the air towards its pre-programmed destination, the Kabgayi hospital two kilometres away. On Friday Rwanda inaugurated a drone operation that its backers hope will kickstart a revolution in the supply of medical care in rural parts of Africa, in the first instance by delivering batches of ... more

Vice Premier calls for more contributions to China's space program


DRAGON SPACE
Vice Premier calls for more contributions to China's space program Beijing (XNA) Oct 14, 2016 - Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai on Wednesday called for more contributions to the country's space program. During a seminar marking the 60th anniversary of China's space program, Ma said that with the leadership of the central authority and the contributions of scientists, China has established a full space innovation system and made a series of achievements. The space industry should ad ... more

'Disaster' as residential blocks bombed in Syria's Aleppo


WAR REPORT
'Disaster' as residential blocks bombed in Syria's Aleppo Aleppo, Syria (AFP) Oct 17, 2016 - Dozens of civilians were killed as air strikes flattened residential buildings in rebel-held east Aleppo Monday, despite Western warnings of sanctions against Syria and Russia over attacks on the city. Once Syria's thriving commercial hub, Aleppo has been ravaged by bombing raids and intensifying clashes as President Bashar al-Assad's forces fight to capture opposition-held parts of the city ... more

N. Korea missile exploded shortly after lift-off: Seoul


MISSILE NEWS
N. Korea missile exploded shortly after lift-off: Seoul Seoul (AFP) Oct 17, 2016 - An explosion almost immediately after launch was behind the failure of North Korea's latest test-firing of a powerful medium-range missile, the South Korean military confirmed Monday. North Korea tested a Musudan missile - capable of hitting US bases as far away as Guam - shortly after midday Saturday near an air base in the northwestern city of Kusong. Such launches are usually report ... more

Russian Defense Ministry Can Soon Get Five New Reconnaissance Satellites


SPACEWAR
Russian Defense Ministry Can Soon Get Five New Reconnaissance Satellites Moscow (Sputnik) Oct 18, 2016 - The Russian Defense Ministry has signed a contract with the Lavochkin Research and Production Association on the development of a radar reconnaissance satellite system, the Russian Izvestia newspaper reports. Under the deal, the Defense Ministry will get five satellites that will need to be able to distinguish live objects on the ground under any weather conditions, the newspaper said citi ... more

Battle of Mosul: Anti-IS coalition to take stock on Oct 25


IRAQ WARS
Battle of Mosul: Anti-IS coalition to take stock on Oct 25 Paris (AFP) Oct 17, 2016 - Defence ministers from the international coalition fighting the Islamic State group in Mosul and elsewhere in Iraq and Syria will meet in Paris on October 25, France said on Monday. US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter will be among 13 ministers who will assess progress in the battle to drive IS jihadists from Iraq's second-biggest city, which Iraqi forces launched on Monday. "The aim is t ... more

Philippine leader open to war games with China, Russia


SUPERPOWERS
Philippine leader open to war games with China, Russia Manila (AFP) Oct 17, 2016 - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is willing to hold military exercises with China but not longtime ally the United States, Chinese media quoted him Monday as saying on the eve of a state visit. Duterte heads to Beijing on Tuesday for a four-day trip that appears set to cement his dramatic foreign policy tilt away from United States, which he has railed against for criticising his deadly ... more