August 2 News Items

New Foundation to Develop Science and Technology Education for Girls in Africa (Source: Brightest Stars)
The newly formed Brightest Stars Foundation announced the kick-off of the organizational website and its 1st project: the Space and Science Academy for Girls. The Brightest Stars Foundation is a new national non-profit, 501(3)(c) organization dedicated to educating, empowering and inspiring young women around the world to be future leaders through the study of science, mathematics and technology. The Space and Science Academy for Girls will be a four-year college preparatory high school located in Kenya.

Loral Gets SIRIUS (Source: Loral)
Loral has been awarded a contract from SIRIUS Satellite Radio to build SIRIUS FM-6, a new, high-power satellite designed to operate in a highly inclined elliptical orbit (HIEO). This satellite will be the sixth SS/L-built spacecraft in the SIRIUS fleet. SIRIUS FM-6 will provide nearly double the power of the satellites in SIRIUS' existing, in-orbit constellation, continuing to improve service for SIRIUS subscribers. Scheduled for completion in 2010, the new satellite will provide more than 15 years of service life.

Alliant Techsystems 1st Quarter Profit Climbs 35 Percent (Source: AP)
Aerospace/defense contractor Alliant Techsystems' fiscal first-quarter profit surged 35 percent, handily beating Wall Street expectations on improved margins and increased sales. Net income for the quarter was $52.4 million, up from $38.9 million in the year-ago period. Revenue for the quarter was $958.4 million, up 16 percent from $824.1 million in the first quarter of 2006. Margins for the quarter were 10.6 percent, up from 9.6 percent in the year-ago period. The company attributed the margin improvement to reduced pension expenses and operating efficiencies.

Registration Open for $9,000 Pete Conrad Spirit of Innovation Award (Source: NASA Watch)
The X PRIZE Foundation announced the availability of online registration for a new education competition designed to interest students in space, science and technology. The Pete Conrad Spirit of Innovation Award, named in honor of the celebrated Apollo astronaut, will be presented for the first time at this year's Wirefly X PRIZE Cup in October. The award will be presented to the high school team that develops the most creative, new space concept to benefit the emerging personal spaceflight industry. Visit http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=23166 for information.

Spaceport America Design Team Selected (Source: Spaceport America)
A team of U.S. and British architects and designers has been recommended for award to design the primary terminal and hangar facility at Spaceport America, announced Kelly O’Donnell, Chair of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA). URS Corporation, one of the world’s largest design and engineering firms, teamed with lead designer Foster + Partners of the United Kingdom to submit the winning design.

NASA Center May Get Armstrong Name (Source: LA Daily News)
Four California congressmen, including both of the Antelope Valley's representatives, have introduced legislation to rename the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center after test pilot and Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first to walk on the moon. The legislation would re-designate NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center as the Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center, but would still honor the center's current namesake by naming the Western Aeronautical Test Range as the Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical Test Range. The legislation was presented by Rep. Ken Calvert, the ranking Republican on the House Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee; Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, whose district covers the Kern County portion of the Antelope Valley as well as parts of Lancaster; Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon, R-Santa Clarita; and Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena.

Progress Cargo Ship Leaves Station, Burns Over Pacific (Source: RIA Novosti)
Russia's Progress M-59 space cargo ship carrying garbage from the International Space Station (ISS) burned up over the Pacific Ocean Wednesday, Mission Control said. Mission Control is preparing another cargo ship - Progress M-61 - for launch to the orbital station in line with the ISS flight program. Mission Control said last week it successfully adjusted the station's orbit in preparation for the docking of the U.S. space shuttle Endeavour. The launch of the NASA STS-118 mission is targeted for August 7. It will be the 22nd flight to the ISS and the first flight for Endeavour since 2002.

Shuttle Valve to be Replaced Without Impact to Launch (Source: SpaceFlightNow.com)
NASA managers ordered engineers to replace a suspect positive pressure relief valve in the shuttle Endeavour's crew module to fix an apparent leak that showed up over the weekend during routine launch pad testing. While the schedule is tight, engineers expect to complete the work in time for Endeavour's launch Tuesday on a space station assembly mission. "It's extremely tight," a NASA spokesman said late today. "On paper, yes, we can make it. But everything has to go right from this point forward."