Topic: KwajMissleDefense

Importance of Kwajalein: Three Vandenberg to Kwajalein Missile Launches in June

Minuteman III flight test on June 30 - missile's single re-entry test vehicle reached its pre-determined target near the Kwajalein

Vandenberg conducts Minuteman III flight test - June 16, traveled approximately 4,190 miles before hitting its pre-determined target near the Kwajalein Atoll .

Vandenberg launches ground-based interceptor - June 6, from North Vandenberg had no target launch or intercept attempt.

MORE:

• VIDEO: Kwajalein & Vandenberg launches - January 31, Kwajalein target missile from the U.S. Army’s Reagan Test Site at Kwajalein Atoll
• TESTIMONY: Lieutenant General Patrick J. O’Reilly, USA, Director, Missile Defense Agency, April 20, 2010 - "newly-designed LV-2 long-range target successfully flew for the first time out of the Reagan Test Site in the Kwajalein Atoll."

YOKWE ONLINE COVER STORY: Marshall Islands' Kwajalein - Rockets Away!

Welcome to Rocket Island! In July, Mark Corcoran and film crew visited Kwajalein Atoll, in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, for ABC's Foreign Correspondent program.

He reported on the mission activities of the U.S. missile base there, even filming a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile's three re-entry vehicles splashing into the ocean.

Minuteman III Successfully Launched from Vandenberg to Kwajalein

An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile configured with a National Nuclear Security Administration test assembly launched from North Vandenberg today at 3:01 a.m. The launch was an operational test to verify the weapon system's reliability and accuracy.

The missile carried three unarmed re-entry vehicles approximately 4,190 miles at speeds in excess of 24,000 mph to their pre-determined targets near the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

Falcon 1 - F4 Soars into Space from its Launch Pad in the Kwajalein Atoll

Yesterday, Falcon 1 became the first privately developed liquid fuel rocket to orbit the Earth. Flight four was launched at 4:15 p.m. (PDT) / 23:15 (UTC) from the Reagan Test Site (RTS) from the Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) facility at Omelek Island on the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) in the Central Pacific.

"This is a great day for SpaceX and the culmination of an enormous amount of work by a great team," said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX.

Fourth Launch for Falcon 1 Now Planned for End of Month

The static fire for Falcon 1, Flight 4, took place at Omelek, at the U.S. Army's Reagan Test Site at Kwajalein, in the Marshall Islands, on Saturday, Sept. 20 (California time). All went as expected, and no major issues came up, according to Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX.

"However, after a detailed analysis of data, we decided to replace a component in the 2nd stage engine LOX supply line. There is a good chance we would be ok flying as is, but we are being extremely cautious.This adds a few extra days to the schedule, so the updated launch window estimate is now Sept. 28 through Oct. 1."

Missile successfully launches from Vandenberg

A Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile configured with a National Nuclear Security Administration, or NNSA, test assembly was launched from North Vandenberg today at 1:01 a.m.

The launch was an operational test to determine the weapon system's reliability and accuracy. The missile's three unarmed re-entry vehicles traveled approximately 4,220 nautical miles to pre-determined targets near the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

Marshall Islands Hit Hard by U.S. Missile Base Transformation Scheme

Over the next five years, transformation activities of the United States Army at Kwajalein Atoll will adversely impact the host nation, the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The RMI is already reeling from an energy crisis and, earlier this month, declared State of Economic Emergency.

The Marshallese workforce on Kwajalein will be reduced from 1,000 to less than 700 by 2012. Yearly RMI employee tax contributions will decrease from $1.5 million to $1 million, and yearly U.S. contractor tax contributions will drop from $2.5 million to $1.5 million.

Static Test Firing of Next Falcon 1 Rocket Conducted on Kwajalein

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) successfully conducted a full launch dress rehearsal and hold down firing of the Falcon 1 Flight 3 vehicle on June 25, 2008 on Omelek Island, SpaceX’s launch site at the Kwajalein Atoll, located in the Marshall Islands.

This test is the final step before launch of the Falcon 1 rocket. Space X announced that the launch has been postponed from its June date to sometime in late July through early September.

Contract Awarded for Kwajalein Cable System

A contract awarded June 11 to establish a secure fiber optic cable system will allow the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll to be connected to the continental U.S. through facilities on Guam. The Kwajalein Cable System (KCS) is a positive move by U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll/Reagan Test Site (USAKA/RTS) to continue supporting national defense missions.

The Kwajalein Cable System is scheduled for completion in March 2010.

Kwajalein Landowners Want Fair Deal for Premier U.S. Missile Range

Marshalls In Showdown With U.S. Over Kwajalein - Kwajalein Senator and traditional chief Michael Kabua said that landowners “just want a fair deal.” But he made it clear that the landowners aren¹t going to jump for the $20 million if it means signing the current deal on the table.

C/NOFS Launch From Kwajalein Considered A Success - Lockheed L-1011 took off from Kwajalein Atoll in the Ralik Islands and upon reaching its optimal launch altitude dropped the Pegasus Air Launch System from the underside of the aircraft.

Speeding Up COTS Crew Option Studied - A crucial milestone for SpaceX will be the next launch attempt for its smaller Falcon 1, which is set for June from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

All Systems Go For RazakSAT Launch - This 180 kg satellite is expected to be carried into space on a Falcon One rocket owned by SpaceX from Kwajalein in the Republic of Marshall Islands.

ARMY '08 Space and Missile Defense Resolutions - Includes: Continue funding the recapitalization and modernization of the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll / Reagan Test Site (USAKA/RTS) in the Republic of the Marshall Islands,

US Missile "Glory Trip 196GM" to Kwajalein Missile Range Successful

A Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile configured with a National Nuclear Security Administration, or NNSA, test assembly launched from North Vandenberg today at 1:01 a.m. The missile's single unarmed re-entry vehicle traveled approximately 4,200 miles to its pre-determined target at the Reagan Test Site located in the Marshall Islands.

The launch tested the weapon system's reliability and accuracy. What makes this launch different is that it is also the certification flight for the new Developmental Joint Test Assembly on board the MK-21 re-entry vehicle.

Controversy over Kwajalein Agreement between RMI and US

Kwajalein leader says ‘no’ to extending US agreement - LUA is critical because all land in the Marshall Islands is privately held

AUDIO: Landowners want more rent for missile site - Pacific Beat interview with Senator Tony deBrum

Islanders block US missile testing range - Will not accept another 70 years of failing services and poor conditions on Ebeye Island

Kwajalein Blog That Shows Interesting Pipeline To Insider Info - includes memos regarding US Army at Kwajalein and RMI agreement.

Czech Delegation to Visit Kwajalein this Month

The Marshall Islands will receive a visit from Czech senators and deputies this month to see the local U.S. radar installation at the U.S. missile facilities on Kwajalein Atoll.

Last week, during a Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) held on Ebeye, Kwajalein, between officials of Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and the United States, RMI Kwajalein Senator Tony deBrum was able to ask about the Czech-Marshalls connection. The Commander of the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) said that a 20-member Czech delegation is due there on April 20 to look over the installation.

Radar from Kwajalein May Go to Czech Republic

A U.S. radar installation from Kwajalein will be transferred to the Czech Republic if negotiations succeed. A visit to Alaska and the Marshall Islands where the U.S. radar installations are stationed is being prepared for a Czech delegation said deputy defence minister Karel Bartak while in Washington, D.C. two weeks ago, reported the Russian newspaper, Prava. Although there has been wide-spread opposition to the building of a U.S. missile defense installation in the Czech Republic, the Government is considering the U.S. request.