May 1 News Items

NASA to Launch GRAIL Satellite at Cape Canaveral Spaceport on Delta II (Source: ULA)
NASA has designated the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission to fly aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. The launch will be provided under terms of a launch service agreement procured previously by NASA for this vehicle. The liftoff will occur from Launch Complex 17B at the Cape Canaveral Spaceport in the third quarter of 2011.

GRAIL will fly twin spacecraft in tandem orbits around the moon for several months to measure its gravity field in unprecedented detail. The mission will also answer longstanding questions about Earth's moon and provide scientists a better understanding of how the Earth and other rocky planets in the solar system formed. (5/1)

Virgin Galactic Seeks Space Agents (Source: ArabianBusiness.com)
Virgin Galactic will be inviting travel agents to boldly go where no travel agent has gone before. Travel agents will have the opportunity to apply to sell space travel in partnership with the Virgin Galactic Accredited Space Office in Dubai, with selected applicants joining a shortlist from which the chosen sales agents will be announced. "We want to create a network of agents in the Middle East who are knowledgeable, well informed and know how to deliver the highest levels of service when selling unique travel experiences," said Carolyn Wincer, head of astronaut sales. (5/1)

MacDonald Dettwiler Tries to Salvage Alliant Deal (Source: CanWest)
MacDonald Dettwiler & Associates does not rule out selling ownership of Radarsat 2 to the Canadian government if it means salvaging a $1.33-billion deal with U.S. company Alliant Techsystems (ATK). MDA is trying to save a proposed deal to sell one of the company's divisions to ATK. (5/1)