USAF Cape Canaveral: First Stage of Atlas V rocket

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 41 in Florida, preparations are underway to erect the first stage of the Atlas V rocket that will carry the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, TDRS-K, into orbit.

TDRS-K is the first of three next-generation communications satellites designed to ensure vital operational continuity for NASA.

The seven TDRS spacecraft currently in orbit provide tracking, telemetry, command and high-bandwidth data return services for numerous science and human exploration missions orbiting Earth.

These include NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station. TDRS-K has a high-performance solar panel designed for more spacecraft power to meet growing S-band communications requirements.

Image Credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

Ukraine Postpones Delivery Of Taurus-II Launch Vehicle's First Stage To US

Ukraine's state owned company "Yuzhmash" based in eastern city Dnipropetrovsk postponed the delivery of the basic part of the Taurus-II launch vehicle's first stage to a U.S. company, the Ukranian company said in a statement on Tuesday.

"For some technical reasons, the delivery date has been put off to September-October," the statement said.

The delivery was reportedly scheduled for August.

The two-stage launch vehicle is designed to transport loads of up to five tons into low orbit.

In 2008, Ukraine's companies "Yuzhnoye" and "Yuzhmash" signed a long-term contract with U.S. Orbital Sciences Corp. on cooperation in producing Taurus-II rocket till 2019.

According to the document the Ukrainian side is responsible for designing and producing the first stage of the launch vehicle, the U.S. side for the second stage, ground complex and assembly.

The Taurus-II program is funded by NASA.