August 29 News Items

Peacekeeper Repurposement Leads To E’Prime Time (Source: SatNews.com)
When you discuss launch with E’Prime Aerospace, the discussion will turn to their “cold launch” and “canister” technologies. Light to medium lift single core vehicles will launch from a launch tube that propels the rocket approximately 200 feet into the air before the first stage is ignited. This method, according to the company, increases the payload capacity by about 10 percent. It also prevents costly refurbishment to the launch facility. The launch vehicles use technology derived from the Peacekeeper (MX missile) program through a commercialization agreement the company has with the U.S. Air Force. E’Prime also secured the only rapidly deployable launch systems worldwide with the exclusive rights to use steam gas generator technology from the Peacekeeper Program. The company believes they would have the capability of launching multiple payloads in a very short period of time.

NASA's Star Wars Stunt (Source: IGN)
In honor of the 30th anniversary of Star Wars, NASA will launch Luke Skywalker's original Jedi lightsaber into space along with the crew of the space shuttle Discovery. The launch is slated for October.

Weldon Speaks to KSC Workforce on Shuttle-Constellation Transition (Source: NASA)
Congressman Dave Weldon held two hour-long briefings at Kennedy Space Center to provide a Congressional budget update and discuss the transition from the Shuttle to the Constellation Program.

Insanity Could Be Hard Sell as Former Astronaut Lisa Nowak's Defense (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
Claiming insanity at the time of a crime is one thing. Getting a jury to buy the argument is another. That's the challenge former NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak could face if she goes to trial on charges of attacking romantic rival Colleen Shipman at Orlando International Airport last February. In a notice made public Tuesday, Nowak's defense alerted the judge and prosecutors of her intent to rely on an insanity defense. The document says the Navy captain has depression, obsessive behavior and other mental problems.

Alliant Reaffirms Outlook After Losing Out on Ares Deal (Source: Reuters)
Alliant Techsystems reaffirmed its 2008 fiscal year outlook on Wednesday after losing out on a NASA contract. The weapon and space systems company continues to expect fiscal year sales of $4 billion to $4.1 billion. Alliant also still expects orders of about $6 billion. The company said its previous financial outlook excluded consideration of the NASA Ares I upper stage contract.