News Summaries for November 8

Rocketplane Kistler and ATK Agreement on K-1 Launch Vehicle and COTS Program (Source: SpaceRef.com)
Rocketplane Kistler (RpK) and Alliant Techsystems (ATK) announced that ATK will be the lead contractor for RpK's K-1 launch vehicle for the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. The K-1 is a fully reusable space transportation system designed to provide cost-effective and reliable transport of cargo and science payloads to and from the International Space Station.

IADB Lends Argentina $50 Million for Satellite Program (Source: Xinhua)
The Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) signed an agreement with Argentina to provide a loan for the country's satellite program. The funds will expand the country's satellite system, including launching two new orbiters in 2010 and 2011. The total satellite program would cost $200 million, and the Italian government would also lend $50 million.

TerreStar Networks Picks Arianespace to Launch Satellite (Source: SpaceRef.com)
Arianespace and TerreStar Networks, an emerging North American mobile communications operator, signed a "Launch on Demand" contract for TerreStar I, which will be the largest commercial communications satellite ever launched into geostationary orbit. The "Launch on Demand" contract is a first in the industry, providing for up to three dedicated launch vehicles. The first launch could be in November 2007, and the contract includes options for two additional launches, which TerreStar may assign to affiliates for operations in Europe or elsewhere. TerreStar I will be launched into geostationary transfer orbit by an Ariane 5 from the Guiana Space Center, Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. This is the 277th launch contract won by Arianespace since being founded in March 1980.

Russia Launches Arab Satellite (Source: Itar Tass)
A Russian Proton-M rocket with the Arabsat-4B telecommunications satellite blasted off from the Baikonur spaceport on Wednesday. The four-stage modernized heavy-class booster lofted Arabsat, a fourth-generation commercial satellite manufactured by the European EADS Astrium company.

Putin Warns of Threat of Space Arms Race (Source: Itar Tass)
President Vladimir Putin said the threat of so-called destabilising weapons – low-yield weapons and strategic missiles with non-nuclear warheads – was growing in the world. “Some countries are seeking to untie their hands in order to take weapons to outer space, including nuclear weapons,” Putin said at the Chief Military Intelligence Department on Wednesday.

Congressman Skelton Withholding Judgement on Space Weapons (Source: Space News)
The presumptive Democratic chairman of the House Armed Services Committee says he will hold hearings on space-based weapons and missile interceptors before taking a position on the controversial issue.

Space: What Will Life Be Like 100 Years From Now? (Source: The Independent)
What will life be like in the year 2107? Will humans be living on Mars? Will we be nuking asteroids hurtling our way? Patrick Moore reveals his vision of a century of challenges, discoveries - and extraordinary voyages. Visit http://news.independent.co.uk/world/science_technology/article1962571.ece to view the article.