U.S. cargo ship blasts off with supplies for space station

13 July 2014 Sunday

An unmanned Orbital Sciences Corp Antares rocket blasted off from a seaside launch pad in Virginia on Sunday, sending a Cygnus cargo ship on its way to the International Space Station, a NASA Television broadcast showed.

The 133-foot-tall (41-meter-tall) rocket lifted off at 12:52 p.m. EDT/1652 GMT from a commercially operated launch pad at NASA's Wallops Island Flight Facility on the Virginia coast.

Perched on top of the rocket was a Cygnus spacecraft, built by Orbital Sciences in partnership with Italy's Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture of Thales SA and Finmeccanica SpA.

The freighter was loaded with more than 3,660 pounds (1,660 kg) of food, science equipment and supplies for the space station, a $100 billion research laboratory that flies about 264 miles (425 km) above Earth. The capsule was slated to reach the orbital outpost on Wednesday.

The mission is the second of eight station cargo runs by Orbital Sciences under a $1.9 billion contract with NASA.

Orbital Sciences made its first cargo run to the station in January. It has not yet announced other customers for its medium-lift Antares rocket, a two-stage booster that relies on Russian-built AJ-26 engines to power its first stage.

Orbital Sciences named the Cygnus ship launched on Sunday the SS Janice Voss, a tribute to Voss, a five-time shuttle astronaut and former Orbital Sciences engineer who died of breast cancer in 2012.

The capsule is expected to remain berthed at the space station for about a month. Once unloaded, it will be filled with garbage and items no longer needed by the station crew and redirected into the atmosphere for incineration.

Source: World Bulletin.
Link: http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/140622/us-cargo-ship-blasts-off-with-supplies-for-space-station.

Russia test launches first new space rocket since Soviet era

09 July 2014 Wednesday

Russia launched its first new design of space rocket since the Soviet era from the northern military space port of Plesetsk on Wednesday, aiming to break its reliance on foreign suppliers as well as the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The Angara rocket's quiet debut was in marked contrast to the live broadcast of an embarrassing aborted first launch attempt, watched by President Vladimir Putin via video link from the Kremlin.

"The first test launch of the light-class Angara-1.2PP space rocket was conducted by the Air and Space Defence Forces," Russia's Defense Ministry said in a statement, cited by Russian news agencies.

The rocket blasted off at 1600 Moscow time (1200 GMT), it said, on a planned roughly 20 minute suborbital short flight across Russia's Arctic coast line.

More than two decades in the works, the new generation Angara rockets are a key to President Vladimir Putin's effort to reform a once-pioneering space industry hobbled after years of budget cuts and a brain drain in the 1990s.

The designer of the first stage RD-191 engine, Energomash, blamed the failure on its first trial launch on a drop in the pressure of the liquid oxygen tank.

The rocket is the first entirely designed and built within post-Soviet Russia's borders - ordered by then President Boris Yeltsin in the 1990s to break dependence on other ex-Soviet republics and a launch pad Russia leases from Kazakhstan.

A potential commercial rival to Arianespace of France and Californian-based SpaceX, a heavier version of the modular launcher is designed to replace Russia's workhorse Proton rocket which has suffered an embarrassing litany of failures.

But industry experts estimate its development has cost billions of dollars and the Angara rockets will only become commercially viable in another decade if launched from a new cosmodrome Russia is building in the far east.

Source: World Bulletin.
Link: http://www.worldbulletin.net/haber/140357/russia-test-launches-first-new-space-rocket-since-soviet-era.

Putin signs nuclear energy deal with Argentina

July 12, 2014

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin signed agreements on nuclear energy generation with Argentina on Saturday as part of a Latin American tour aimed at building Russia's influence in the region.

Argentina has been building nuclear-powered electricity plants to revive its nuclear program and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels amid an energy crunch. Putin and President Cristina Fernandez said the Russian atomic energy corporation, Rosatom, would be involved with the construction of units in Argentina's Atucha III nuclear power plant.

"These are very important agreements," said Fernandez, who had been out of the public eye for a week due to a throat infection. "Argentina is a leader in Latin America in terms of nuclear energy generation," Fernandez said at a joint news conference at the presidential palace. "They reaffirm our bonds of friendship and strategic links."

Argentina has one of the world's largest deposits of shale oil and gas, but only a few companies have made commitments to develop the fields as many fear the government's interventionist energy policies.

Although a deal on the shale deposits was not announced Saturday, Fernandez said members of the Russian delegation traveling with Putin will visit Argentina's Vaca Muerta (Dead Cow) deposit in Neuquen province.

"We're talking about Russia — one of the world's top producers of gas and oil in the world. But we Argentines also have our own and it seems like others have noticed," Fernandez said. After a dinner, the Russian leader was heading to Brazil for a summit of leaders from the BRICS nations: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

"Argentina is one of Russia's top strategic partners in Latin America. We cooperate in vast sectors and I'm in constant contact with the president," Putin said. "We also have similar positions in the international arena."

About 150 members of the local Ukrainian community waved flags and held large banners outside the Pink House presidential palace to protest Russia's annexation of Crimea and alleged support for separatists elsewhere in Ukraine.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande urged Russia this week to use its influence on rebels in eastern Ukraine so a meeting on a possible cease-fire can take place as soon as possible.

Merkel is due to watch her country's team play Argentina in the World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. Putin, whose country is hosting the 2018 tournament, also is attending the game, and Brazil's Foreign Ministry announced Saturday that Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko also would be there.

So far, the countries on Putin's itinerary have been sympathetic or uncritical of Russia's position on the conflict. Fernandez has accused the United States and Britain of a double standard for criticizing a pro-Russian secession vote held in Crimea while backing a status referendum in the Falkland Islands claimed by Argentina.

A few dozen activists also turned out to protest anti-gay laws and prejudice in Russia, which does not recognize gay marriages or civil unions. Putin approved a law last year banning what it calls gay "propaganda" from reaching minors.

"It's not only the government's problem but the Russian society, which discriminates against us. I have friends who have committed suicide because of this," said Marina Mironova, a teacher who said she lost her job in Russia because of her sexual orientation and who is now seeking asylum in Argentina with her partner.

"We want to stay here and marry legally. There's freedom, nice people and the president is tolerant." Argentina is the first country in Latin America to legalize gay marriage. Two Russian homosexuals married in Argentina earlier this year and are also seeking asylum.

Putin in Argentina, building Russian ties

July 12, 2014

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin met Argentina's president on Saturday as part of a Latin American tour aimed at building Russia's influence and investments in the region.

Putin and President Cristina Fernandez, who has been out of the public eye for a week due to an acute throat infection, were expected to sign a series of agreements, including cooperation on nuclear energy generation.

The Russian leader then was heading to Brazil for a summit of leaders from the so-called BRICS nations: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. About 150 members of the local Ukrainian community waved flags and held large banners outside the Pink House presidential palace to protest Russia's annexation of Crimea and alleged support for separatists elsewhere in the country.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande urged Russia this week to use its influence on rebels in eastern Ukraine so that a meeting on a possible cease-fire can take place as soon as possible.

Merkel is due to watch her country's team play in the World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, the same day Putin is expected to be in the city. So far, the countries on Putin's itinerary have been sympathetic or uncritical of Russia's position on the conflict. Fernandez has accused the United States and Britain a double standard for criticizing a pro-Russian secession vote held in Crimea while backing a status referendum in the Falkland Islands claimed by Argentina.

A few dozen activists also turned out to protest anti-gay laws and prejudice in Russia, which does not recognize gay marriages or civil unions. Putin approved a law last year banning what it calls gay "propaganda" from reaching minors.

"It's not only the government's problem but the Russian society, which discriminates against us. I have friends who have committed suicide because of this," said Marina Mironova, 38, a teacher who said she lost her job in Russia because of her sexual orientation and who is now seeking asylum in Argentina with her partner.

"We want to stay here and marry legally. There's freedom, nice people and the president is tolerant." Argentina is the first country in Latin America to legalize gay marriage. Two Russian homosexuals married in Argentina earlier this year and are also seeking asylum.

Putin kicks off Latin America tour with Cuba stop

July 12, 2014

HAVANA (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin began a six-day Latin American tour aimed at boosting trade and ties in the region with a stop Friday in Cuba, a key Soviet ally during the Cold War that has backed Moscow in its dispute with the West over Ukraine.

The two countries signed about a dozen accords in areas such as energy, industry, health and disaster prevention. Russian companies will participate in petroleum projects around Boca de Jaruco on the island's north coast, and that cooperation will extend to offshore oil deposits, Cuban government website Cubadebate said.

Another agreement covered infrastructure at a big new port project that Cuba hopes will become a regional shipping center and attract much-needed foreign investment. "We are talking about the possibility of creating in Cuba a grand transportation hub with a possible modernization of the maritime port of Mariel and the construction of a modern airport with its respective cargo terminal," Putin said, according to an official Spanish translation of his remarks in Russian.

Moscow is also forgiving 90 percent of Cuba's Soviet-era debt, which totals more than $35 billion. The remainder will be invested in education on the island, Putin added. The debt agreement is "another great, tangible generosity of the Russian people toward Cuba," President Raul Castro said.

Cuban state media carried photos in the evening of Putin's meeting with retired leader Fidel Castro. Putin and Raul Castro also participated in a ceremony at Havana's Memorial to the Soviet Internationalist Soldier.

Amid the crisis in Ukraine, the countries on Putin's itinerary have shown themselves to be sympathetic to Russia's position on the conflict, or at least not overtly critical. Cuban official newspapers tend to characterize it as a struggle against right-wing extremism threatening ethnic Russians in Ukraine. Earlier this year, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez criticized U.S. and European Union sanctions imposed on Russian individuals and pro-Russian Ukrainians.

"In the international arena, we agree with the current policy of strength and political intelligence that the Soviet Union — I mean Russia — is carrying out," Castro said. Putin made a stop in Nicaragua on Friday night for a one-hour meeting with President Daniel Ortega. He then flew on to Argentina, whose president, Cristina Fernandez, accused the United States and Britain in March of having a double standard for criticizing a pro-Russian secession vote held in Crimea while backing a status referendum in the disputed Falkland Islands.

After that, he goes to Brazil, which was among several nations opposing Russia's possible exclusion from an upcoming G20 summit in Australia due to the crisis. "We are grateful to South Americans for the support of our international initiatives, including outer space demilitarization, strengthening international information security and combating the glorification of Nazism," Putin said in an interview with Prensa Latina before the trip.

On Friday he reiterated Russia's opposition to the 52-year-old U.S. embargo against Cuba, which aims to isolate the communist-run nation economically and financially. Havana and Moscow have a shared history dating to the Cold War, when they were united by ideology and opposition to U.S. influence. They drifted apart in the 1990s, however, as the collapse of the Soviet Union ended billions of dollars in trade and subsidies for Cuba.

In December 2000, shortly after his first election, Putin visited the island and pledged to reinvigorate relations. Russia said in February that it was looking to expand its worldwide military presence, including asking permission for its navy ships to use ports in Cuba and elsewhere in Latin America. A Russian intelligence-gathering vessel has docked in Havana on multiple occasions in recent months.

Putin plans to attend a presidential summit of the BRICS group of nations in Fortaleza, Brazil, in the coming days. He is to be in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday for the World Cup final and ceremonial handover of host duties for soccer's marquee tournament, which next takes place in Russia in 2018.

Iran calls for end to Israeli strikes, defends Hamas

12 July 2014 Saturday

Iran has called for an “immediate end” to Israeli military strikes on Gaza.

In a television interview to be broadcast on Sunday, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said “the United States and the rest of the members of the [UN] Security Council have a moral and legal responsibility to put an end to this.”

Asked to condemn Hamas rocket attacks on Israel, Zarif told the NBC program Meet the Press: “We do not condemn people who are defending themselves."

He added: “We believe that Israel aims to make Palestinians suffer from hunger by the initiatives endangering civilians in [the] Gaza Strip, restricting civilians’ access to food and medicine."

Meanwhile, Amnesty International has called on the UN to investigate the actions of both sides.

“More than 100 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip, more than 600 people have been wounded, many of them seriously,” Amnesty said in a statement. “In Israel, at least 20 people have been wounded by rocket attacks and property damaged since Israel launched Operation Protective Edge in the early morning of 8 July.”

The campaign group called for an arms embargo on Israel, Hamas and Palestinian armed groups.

Israel’s military operation is the third in Gaza within six years.

Source: World Bulletin.
Link: http://www.worldbulletin.net/haber/140559/iran-calls-for-end-to-israeli-strikes-defends-hamas.

India increases defense spending, invites foreign investment

New Delhi (AFP)
July 10, 2014

India announced Thursday it would lift the cap on foreign direct investment in the defense sector to 49 percent and announced a 12-percent rise in military spending as part of efforts to modernize its armed forces.

In his first budget, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley raised defense spending for the current financial year to 2.29 trillion rupees ($38.3 billion), up from 2.03 trillion rupees budgeted in the 2013-2014 year.

Jaitley, who is also defense minister, said he planned to open up the military industry to foreign investment, lifting the limit from 26 percent to 49 percent, with Indian companies retaining management and overall control.

"There can be no compromise with the defense of our country," Jaitley told parliament.

"Modernization of the armed forces is critical to enable them to play their role effectively in the defense of India's strategic interests."

- Investor skepticism? -

Thursday's budget also included 10 billion rupees ($167 million) for railway lines in border areas that is expected to be targeted at areas neighboring rivals Pakistan and China.

India has eyed Chinese investment in railways near its border anxiously, with Beijing ploughing billions of dollars into infrastructure in Tibet.

India is one of the world's biggest arms importers, traditionally relying on Russia and in more recent years the United States for equipment and technology due to weaknesses with its own industry.

But slow procurement over decades and the collapse of a string of defense deals during the previous center-left Congress party government's rule has left the military short of key equipment.

Jaitley said last month he aimed to speed up buying in the interests of "national security", while experts expect a more muscular foreign policy under the new administration.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a hardline nationalist, won landslide elections in May, pledging to reform and revive the economy which has slumped to a decade-low level.

India's military has grown increasingly frustrated at the state of its equipment as it looks to defend itself against an increasingly assertive China and from Pakistan.

Defense analyst Rahul Bedi said the new cap would fail to lure foreign companies because it was less than 50 percent and they feared losing rights to their sensitive technology.

"It doesn't matter if it's 26 percent or 49, it's not 51 percent which puts them in control, so foreign investors are going to look at this with skepticism," Bedi from IHS Jane's Defense Weekly told AFP.

India hiked its military spending by a huge 34 percent in 2009-2010 over the previous year after the 2008 attacks in Mumbai by Pakistan-based gunmen killed 166 people and revealed gaping holes in the country's security setup.

India overtook China to become the world's biggest importer of arms in 2010, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which monitors the global arms trade.

The US has displaced Russia as India's biggest arms supplier, importing $1.9 billion of military kit from the US in 2013, according to research from IHS Jane's.

Source: Space War.
Link: http://www.spacewar.com/reports/India_increases_defence_spending_invites_foreign_investment_999.html.