April 26 News Items

Pegasus Launches NASA Earth Science Spacecraft (Source: SpaceToday.net)
A Pegasus rocket successfully launched a small satellite designed to study clouds in the Earth's upper atmosphere. The Pegasus XL was deployed from its L-1011 carrier aircraft off the coast from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California and placed the 200-kilogram Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) spacecraft into polar orbit. AIM is designed to study high-altitude noctilucent clouds, usually only seen in polar regions at night but increasingly found at lower latitudes. The launch was the first this year for the Pegasus, a small launcher developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation.

XM 1Q Loss Narrows, Subscriptions Rise (Source: AP)
XM Satellite Radio, which is seeking regulatory approval to be acquired by its biggest rival, said its first-quarter loss narrowed as subscription revenue rose sharply. XM, which in February agreed to a buyout offer from Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., reported a loss of $122.4 million, versus a loss of $151.4 million in the year-ago period. Revenue rose 27 percent to $264.1 million from $208 million last year.

ILS Signs Contract for Proton Launch of Canada's Nimiq 5 (Source: NasaSpaceFlight.com)
International Launch Services (ILS) will launch its sixth satellite for Telesat Canada on a Proton Breeze M vehicle, following the signing of contracts for the 2009 launch of Nimiq 5 communications satellite. The 2009 launch will be from the Baikonur spaceport in Kazakhstan, adding to the 2008 launch of Telesat's Nimiq 4. ILS have already signed three new satellite launch contracts in 2007.

A Step Closer to a European Space Policy (Source: ESA)
Space is a strategic asset which Europe must exploit more effectively. Europe cannot afford to lose out when it comes to securing the economic and societal benefits of space for its citizens. The European Space Policy will soon give Europe a comprehensive tool with which to widen its dimension vis-à-vis space activities. The College of European Commissioners in Brussels adopted a document on the European Space Policy which has been jointly drafted by the European Commission and the European Space Agency’s Director General. Over the past two years, the two organizations have been working on establishing a comprehensive political framework for the development and exploitation of space technologies and systems. The policy will be presented by ESA’s Director General as a proposal at the next delegate-level meeting of ESA’s ruling Council on 9 May.

New UF Research Center Expected to Improve Powerful Computers (Source: UF)
A new national NSF-sponsored research center led by the University of Florida will explore technologies that could revolutionize high-performance computing, a field crucial in areas of science ranging from space exploration to weather forecasting to medicine. The Center for High-Performance Reconfigurable Computing will seek solutions to the increasingly urgent problems confronting today’s powerful computers underlying science and business. The center’s goal is to develop new methods whereby next-generation computers can “morph” or adapt their internal hardware structure so as to best achieve the task at hand. That would make them faster, more energy-efficient, more compact and more versatile.

Raytheon, General Dynamics Report Higher Net Profits (Source: AIA)
Continued growth in DOD spending pushed up first-quarter profits at Raytheon and General Dynamics. General Dynamics' profit rose 16% to $434 million, while Raytheon's earnings climbed 21% to $346 million.

New Mexico Spaceport Launch, Take Two (Source: Las Cruces Sun-News)
When UP Aerospace launched its SpaceLoft XL rocket from Spaceport America last September, a cheer went out over the loud speakers. Seconds passed and a monotone voice announced the rocket had encountered an anomaly, later blamed for the rocket failing to reach space and crashing west of White Sands Missile Range. On Wednesday, UP and state officials were back at the spaceport site with renewed optimism and putting the finishing touches — checking equipment and weather balloons, going through launch procedures and conducting "dry runs" — on the company's second launch attempt, scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Saturday. UP President Jerry Larson said the rocket was assembled Tuesday and is now on the launch rail. Everything seems to be lining up for a successful launch, he said.

Brevard County Student Plays Body Double for Hawking Test Flight (Source: ERAU)
Stone Middle School student Ted Straight flew aboard ZERO-G's G-Force One aircraft the day before Stephen Hawking's historic flight. Accompanied by Hawking's physicians, Straight supported a practice-run to develop the procedures required to ensure Hawking's comfort and safety during the next day's flight. Straight was nominated for the opportunity by Brevard County School Board member Larry Hughes. Straight and Hawking met after the test flight during a Hawking lecture and reception, sponsored by Space Florida in Orlando.

SpaceX Cleared for Cape Launches (Source: Florida Today)
A new rocket could be flying out of Cape Canaveral. Air Force Space Command announced it has given its blessing for SpaceX to operate Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. That's the old Titan 4 complex on the northern end of the Cape. "The SpaceX license agreement is a good news story for the Air Force and Nation," said Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, commander of Air Force Space Command. "These types of agreements encourage entrepreneurial space achievement which can benefit both the DoD and commercial space industries.