May 17 News Items

Lawmakers Seek Stronger U.S.-World Ties in Space (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
President Bush had a simple plan for NASA in 2004. Stick another American flag on the moon and launch a new American-led space age. Four years later, Democrats in Congress have unveiled another idea. Going it alone is expensive; let's invite the world. The plan is part of a new congressional blueprint for the space agency. If successful, it could significantly shift the direction of NASA and change its next big project from a purely American push for the stars to a global science project.

Proponents of international cooperation see it as an easy way for the U.S. to project leadership in space while sharing the costs. The international space station is supported by a total of 15 countries, including Russia, Canada, Japan and most of western Europe. But the bill, which would authorize NASA to spend $20.2 billion in the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, is likely to face an uphill struggle. In part, that's because it would give NASA $2.6 billion more than the White House has proposed. (5/17)

Intelsat Reports First Quarter 2008 Results (Source: Intelsat)
Intelsat, Ltd., the world’s leading provider of fixed satellite services, reported revenue of $572.7 million and a net loss of $412.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. (5/17)

Japan Adjusts Space Policy (Source: UPI)
The Japanese Parliament formally agreed to permit the deployment of space surveillance satellites as part of the country's ballistic missile defense program. That decision marks a highly important reversal of more than a half-century of Japanese policy refusing to contemplate taking any action to militarize space. The Diet, the lower and main house of the Japanese Parliament, formally approved the legislation that will remove exclusive control of space policy from the country's Technology, Space and Education ministries. Space policy will now be shaped by the entire Cabinet. Significantly, it also included a provision to set up a space policy task force that will report directly to the prime minister. Effectively, that will be the thriving center that shapes national space policy in the future with the education, space and technology ministries sidelined to provide only input. (5/17)