November 9 News Items

French Satellite Forced To Avoid Chinese Debris (Source: Space News)
A French microsatellite flying in formation with NASA's Aqua and Aura Earth-observing science satellites had to maneuver in October to avoid debris from the Fengyun weather satellite China destroyed in a January 2007 antisatellite missile test, according to the U.S. Air Force Space Command. The October incident follows a June 2007 debris-avoidance maneuver by NASA's Terra satellite. A few months later, an Orbcomm messaging satellite had to be maneuvered. (11/9)

Raytheon Nabs MDA Contract For Multiple Kill Vehicle (Source: Space News)
Raytheon Missile Systems of Tucson, Ariz., was awarded a one-year, $54 million contract by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) for development work on the Multiple Kill Vehicle (MKV) program. The company has received $32 million during the past two years for MKV work. (11/9)

Foam Still a Big Risk to Shuttle (Source: Florida Today)
Nearly six years after the Columbia accident, the external tank trouble that doomed seven astronauts still ranks among the top risks to NASA's shuttle program, internal agency documents show. Safety changes have significantly decreased the likelihood of a repeat, but the consequences of pop-off foam insulation are so great that NASA safety officials still focus on reducing the risk. The highest-ranking hazards to NASA's $3-billion-a-year shuttle program are outlined in a Top Risk Review obtained by Florida Today. The other risks include: wing panel trouble, torn spacesuits, space debris, workforce exodus, fuel tank burst, and slippage of tile gap fillers. (11/9)