NEW DELHI — India is preparing to install a shield to protect against intermediate-range ballistic missiles and ICBMs in some of the country’s major cities. “The final locations, which have adequate stealth features and protection against enemy sabotage, will soon be determined by the government to install the ballistic missile defense [BMD] system,” a defense ministry official says. A detailed proposal is currently being prepared for approval by the Indian government.

As U.S. weather satellite programs struggle with delays and spending problems, a House Science subcommittee has been looking for help — in the form of contingency plans — in filling potential gaps in weather and climate data.

Alliant Techsystems is developing an extended cargo version of its two-stage Liberty spacecraft

VINASAT-2: The Vinasat-2 communications satellite has been checked out in orbit and is ready for service, according to manufacturer Lockheed Martin. Based on Lockheed’s A2100 bus, the satellite sports 24 Ku-band channels and will provide fixed satellite services to Vietnam and neighboring countries from 131.8 deg. E. Long. Built to last 15 years, Vinasat-2 will be operated by the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT).

ORION ARRIVAL: The first Orion spacecraft destined to fly in space is being checked out at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla., following its delivery to KSC’s Operations and Checkout Building last week. The capsule was shipped after undergoing final friction stir welding at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. Orion is now being prepared for Exploration Flight Test 1 (EFT-1) in 2014, in which the uncrewed capsule will be launched on a Delta IV rocket.

Some House members still would choose the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration over NASA

Inmarsat CEO Rupert Pearce sees ISR data from unmanned aircraft as a significant driver of demand for the company’s upcoming Global Xpress Ka-band satellite service.

Click here to view the pdf