February 17 News Items

British Government May Ease Regulations on Space Companies (Source: Space News)
The British government is reviewing ways to stimulate commercial space activity by reducing insurance obligations on companies that launch satellites, and by removing regulatory barriers to future space tourism for British-based operators, according to the head of the British National Space Centre (BNSC). BNSC Director-General David Williams said Britain's new space strategy, which was announced Feb. 14, includes a suite of proposed regulatory amendments to make it easier for space companies to operate in Britain.

Russia: US Satellite Shot a Weapons Test (Sourcee: AP)
Russia said that U.S. military plans to shoot down a damaged spy satellite may be a veiled test of America's missile defense system. The Pentagon failed to provide "enough arguments" to back its plan to smash the satellite next week with a missile, Russia's Defense Ministry said. "There is an impression that the United States is trying to use the accident with its satellite to test its national anti-missile defense system's capability to destroy other countries' satellites," the ministry said.

The Bush administration says the operation is not a test of a program to kill other nations' orbiting communications and intelligence capabilities. U.S. diplomats around the world have been instructed to inform governments that it is meant to protect people from 1,000 pounds of toxic fuel on the bus-sized satellite hurtling toward Earth. The diplomats were told to distinguish the upcoming attempt from last year's test by China of a missile specifically designed to take out satellites, which was criticized by the United States and other countries.

Space Development, Korean Dream and Hope (Source: Korea.net)
Korea is set to have a monumental year for space development in 2008. The first Korean astronaut with the Korean flag on his chest will perform space science experiments in the International Space Station in April. Korea’s first space center which is the outpost for space exploration will be completed in September. Also, the Korean Space Launch Vehicle will be launched from our space center in December.

Although Korea began to invest in space development 30 to 40 years later than other space powers, we have already experienced good results in the space field. We have started to develop space technology, launching the first Korean satellite KITSAT 1 in 1992, followed by 11 other satellites including KOMPSATs, STSATs, and Korea Satellites. From developing a sounding rocket KSR-3 with a liquid rocket engine in 2002, we acquired the fundamental technology for further space science. Additionally, we have successfully developed and launched KOMPSAT 2 in 2006 which provides Earth with high resolution images.

Editorial: Constellation, Ares Right for America (Source: Huntsville Times)
As voters decide pros and cons of presidential candidates, there is also an important debate in the space community on whether NASA and the nation have chosen the right path for our future in space. As someone who has been privileged to pilot NASA's Space Shuttle and to lead NASA and contractor teams in execution of human space flight objectives, I believe strongly that NASA's plans - to ensure reliable transportation to the International Space Station and to go on to the moon by 2020 - represent the right choice. Many others share this view. Click here to view the editorial.

Iran Says its Space Probe Sending Data to Earth (Source: SpaceDaily.com)
Iran on Sunday said a probe it sent into space on the back of rocket whose launch caused international concern was sending data back to earth from an altitude of up to 250 kilometers. Kavoshgar (Explorer) was launched earlier this month on what Iran touted as its first rocket to be sent into space on a mission to prepare for the launch of its first home-produced Iranian satellite later this year.

Diplomatic Tiff Looms in South African Satellite Disagreement (Source: Business Report)
The department of science and technology is so fed up with Russia's refusal to launch South Africa's R26 million civilian satellite, Sumbandila, that it could turn to launch partners from India or China. This could be the beginning of a diplomatic row between South Africa and Russia after Russia's defence ministry allegedly refused to conduct the launch, claiming the SA National Defense Force had refused to use its satellite.

Attempts to get comment from the department of defense were unsuccessful as spokesperson Sam Mkwananazi could not provide more details. He would only make a statement tomorrow. Media reports this week said reference by the Russian military to South Africa's refusal to use a Russian satellite must have been referring to a specific military space project, not involving the department of science and technology. Sumbandila's launch was supposed to have taken place in December 2006 from a Russian submarine near Murmansk.

NASA Proposes Commercial Launch Pad (Source: Florida Today)
NASA will unveil plans this week that would enable Florida or private companies to build and operate a new commercial launch complex at Kennedy Space Center. The complex could pave the way for an American company to launch U.S. astronauts and supplies to the Space Station. It could help the U.S. regain a larger share of a global commercial launch-services market dominated by foreign competitors. However, people are concerned about the impact on coastal wetlands and on endangered and threatened species. Potential threats to areas of high historical or archeological value likely will be questioned, too.

NASA, consequently, will hold four public hearings next week as part of an environmental assessment required by federal law. Agency officials will seek comment about the proposed project in general and about two specific sites now under evaluation. A 150-acre parcel was required. Rockets could not fly over KSC facilities. The complex had to be at least five miles from residential areas. Tracts subject to flooding by a Category One hurricane's storm surge were eliminated. The sites selected include one on the Atlantic coast south of shuttle launch pad 39A and north of Atlas 5 complex 41 at the air base. The other is inland. Near the western edge of Mosquito Lagoon.

The cost of building the two-pad complex would be $504 million to $590 million, according to site selection study estimates. No NASA money would be invested. NASA would provide the real estate, but it would be up to the state or commercial companies to foot the bill for building and operating the complex. "A facility like this would certainly, in our opinion, move us back in the direction where we need to be, where we are more competitive," said Steve Kohler, president of Space Florida. "In order for us to re-emerge as a major competitor, this is the kind of thing we feel we need. It could put the state of Florida in a position where we would become a leader among the states and a competitor among the nations again."

Editorial: Share Your Views on Proposed Launch Complex (Source: ERAU)
Four public "scoping meetings" are planned on Feb. 25 and Feb. 28 to gauge public opinion on the proposed new commercial launch complex at Kennedy Space Center. Given the plan to develop this facility on protected land, it is expected that opponents to the project will make their opposition known at these meetings. For the project to move forward, advocates for space industry development in Florida must also participate in this process.

Like all the federal land within the Cape Canaveral Spaceport, the property proposed for the project has always been intended for space-related use, but had been entrusted decades ago to wildlife management agencies until needed for space launch operations. NASA and its partner agencies have been excellent stewards of the property and have proven that launch activities and wildlife preservation are highly compatible. Make your voice heard by participating in the public meetings and by sending your comments to mailto:KSC-CVLC@nasa.gov. Visit http://www.flatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080217/NEWS02/802170346/1007 for information.

Facility Could Threaten Birds (Source: Florida Today)
Birders fear a new launch pad may clear a 200-acre moonscape through pristine Florida scrub jay habitat. And NASA's proposed Commercial Vertical Launch Complex also would clear out fishermen and kayakers. The proposed new launch complex at Kennedy Space Center would mean more frequent closings of some of east Central Florida's best spots for redfish, manatees and scrub jays.

Delta II Yields to Allow Two Space Shuttle Launch Attempts (Source: NasaSpaceFlight.com)
Shuttle manager Wayne Hale requested the program looked at launching STS-123 as early as March 9, due to a range conflict with a Delta II launch. However, given no contingency days remain in the flow, the launch was under threat of moving to the middle of the month. However, following a debate on Saturday, the Delta II launch will yield priority to Endeavour, allowing two launch attempts on March 11 and 12, before standing down for the Delta II to launch on the 15th.

Commanders Say Satellite Shoot-Down No Threat to Shuttle (Source: SpaceFlightNow.com)
The commanders of the shuttle Atlantis and the space station said they have no safety concerns about an upcoming attempt to destroy a falling spy satellite. The dramatic shoot-down will be attempted after Atlantis returns to Earth Wednesday and to give the Pentagon as much time as possible, NASA will staff a backup landing site in California in case of problems that might prevent a Florida touchdown.

British Moon Probe Wins UK-NASA Backing (Source: Reuters)
A plan for the first British-led mission to the Moon won the backing of an Anglo-American space committee on Friday. The Joint Working Group on lunar exploration named the proposed unmanned MoonLITE launch as its primary mission for collaboration. The launch would fire three or four darts carrying measuring instruments into the surface of the moon from an orbiting satellite. Scientific data recorded by the darts would be transmitted up to the satellite and relayed back to Earth.

GMES Secures European Commission Funding (Source: Space News)
Europe's planned $2 billion, multi-satellite system for environmental and security-related Earth observation locked in a large chunk of its budget Feb. 15 with a European Space Agency (ESA) approval of financing terms, according to ESA officials.

Universal Space Networks Buys Datalynx (Source: Space News)
Universal Space Networks Inc. (USN) has purchased the satellite tracking and control assets of Honeywell Technology Solutions Inc.'s Datalynx division in a deal that includes a contract to provide tracking services for more than 20 NASA satellites currently in orbit, USN officials said.

Saab Lands Component Contract With Orbital (Source: Space News)
Saab Space, in what it described as a breakthrough contract, will provide Ku-band receivers and frequency converters to Orbital Sciences Corp. for the Orbital-built Intelsat 16 satellite, the Gothenburg, Sweden-based company announced Feb. 14.

Eutelsat Set to Order Large Satellite (Source: Space News)
Satellite-fleet operator Eutelsat will order a large Ku- and Ka-band satellite in the coming weeks to reinforce its capacity at the 7 degrees east orbital slot, where its lone existing satellite is 90 percent full and with growth prospects in Eastern Europe and southern Africa remaining strong, the Paris-based company announced Feb. 14.