NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) began its mission on June 13, 2012, aboard a Pegasus XL rocket launched into the morning skies from the Ronald Reagan Test Site on Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, in the central Pacific Ocean. The spacecraft entered safely in its intended orbit, beginning its two-year mission to unveil secrets of buried black holes and other exotic objects.

AUDIO INTERVIEW: Kwajalein Atoll launch site for new NASA space telescope

 A scheduled unarmed operational test Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launch occurred at 6:35 a.m. June 22 from Launch Facility-10 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The missile's single reentry test vehicle traveled approximately 4,200 miles to a pre-determined target near the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) successfully conducted a flight test of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) element of the nation’s Ballistic Missile Defense System, resulting in the intercept of a separating ballistic missile target over the Pacific Ocean. At 2:52 a.m. EDT (6:52 p.m. April 15 Marshall Island Time), an intermediate-range ballistic missile target was launched from the Reagan Test Site, located on Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, approximately 2,300 miles southwest of Hawaii.

The Missile Defense Agency plans to conduct a flight test involving the launch of a ground-based interceptor from the Ronald W. Reagan Missile Defense Site at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, Dec. 14 with a launch window of 8 a.m. to noon.

The ground-based interceptor test will defend against an intermediate-range ballistic missile target launched from Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.

Site Investigations Announced for Kwajalein Missile Base Clean-up



The Alaska native-owned company, Sivuniq, announced last month that it has been tasked by the the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command to help with environmental site investigations at nine locations on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.



"The Army is putting forth a good faith effort to clean up spills, restore the sites and make them productive," said project manager Norm Straub.

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.

SpaceX Targets Late June for Next Rocket Launch Attempt - Rocket's first stage is already in place at the company's private island launch complex in the Kwajalein Atoll, with the second stage to join it there in a "couple of weeks."

Satellite launched to forecast communication outages - The Reagan Test Site has just been fantastic, everything we've needed." The next scheduled Pegasus mission will use Kwajalein too, July 15.

DARPA reveals hypersonic test plans - In 2009: While the two flights have separate trajectories they will both impact near the Kwajalein Atoll test site in the Pacific Ocean.

Missile successfully launches from Vandenberg - 1,000 miles farther than Marshall Islands

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.

UPDATE: After about 5 minutes into flight, the second stage shut down early, but owner Musk said it was a "good day" for SpaceX. They are to provide information later tonight about whether a low orbit was achieved or if the rocket re-entered.



Success over Kwajalein: Falcon I Finally Flies



If at first you don't succeed try and try again. That is what Elon Musk's SpaceX company did today out on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. With a live internet feed providing an up-close view and audio of the Falcon I countdown procedures, the launch was a real nail-biter with all-systems go until an abort with only one second remaining.



Then, after discussion among the launch personnel, one could hear in the background, "Wrap it around and try again! The decision was made to recycle, and within the hour, after 50% drain of fuel and refuel, a new countdown was started at T minus 16 minutes.

"Version 2" Falcon Launch Planned from Kwajalein



SpaceX is set for a second-try at launching its Falcon I rocket next week, possible as soon as Monday. "We had a very successful static fire yesterday that proceeded smoothly with no aborts," said CEO Elon Musk in a March 16 announcement from California-based Space Exploration Technologies.



Lift-off will take place during a window of March 19-22 (California time) from Omelek, a small islet at the U.S. military’s Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Test Site located on Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean’s Marshall Islands, which SpaceX has adapted for its private launches.

Vandenberg team launches Minuteman III



An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from North Vandenberg Feb. 7 at 12:14 a.m. The launch was part of an operational test to determine the weapon system's reliability and accuracy. The missile's single unarmed re-entry vehicle traveled approximately 4,200 miles before hitting its pre-determined target at the Reagan Test Site on the Marshall Islands.



"This program is key to our constant assessment of the reliability of our ICBM fleet," said Brig. Gen. C. Donald Alston, director of Air Force Space Command's Air, Space and Information Operations.

Fiber Optics Offers New Capability at Reagan Test Site



A new undersea fiber optic cable from Kwajalein to Guam and with a direct link to the United States will enable U.S. Army at Kwajalein Atoll, Reagan Test Site, or USAKA/RTS, to distribute mission operations and personnel positions back to Huntsville, Ala. This initiative is scheduled to be completed March 2008.



Located in the Republic of Marshall Islands, USAKA/RTSs principal mission areas are primarily ballistic missile defense testing and space surveillance operations. The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/ARSTRAT is the Army’s proponent for space and missile defense and is responsible for the operation of Reagan Test Site and other facilities located at Kwajalein Atoll.

Marshallese Join Kwajalein Group Relocating to Huntsville



Thirty-six employees at the Kwajalein missile range facility, including 6 Marshallese, will be relocating to Huntsville, Alabama, before the end of the summer.



"Kwajalein Range Services is currently working with the Marshallese employees, some with family members, on quality of life issues such as ESL and driver license, etc., to prepare them for an easier transition to the United States," according to Col. Beverly Stipe, United States Army at Kwajalein Atoll Commander.