October 4 News Items

Missile Defense Tests to Get Trickier (Source: Defense News)
The next major test of the U.S. missile defense system will incorporate countermeasures in the target vehicle, officials say. Critics have said that simple measures, such as decoy balloons, could divert missiles from their intended targets. The next test could be as early as February or March, or as late as May, according to a spokesman for the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency.

The Age of the Satellite (Source: CNET News)
The satellite industry has grown by leaps and bounds in the 50 years since the Russian government launched Sputnik, generating more than $100 billion annually. The technology itself has improved exponentially, offering a slew of commercial communications services that were once only dreamed of. But as the satellite industry matures, it faces issues in the sky and on the ground that could dampen growth. Visit http://www.news.com/The-age-of-the-satellite/2009-1033_3-6210986.html to view the article.

Congressmen Comment on Benefits of Space Exploration (Sources: SpaceRef.com, The Hill)
According to Rep. Mark Udall: "As chairman of the House Science and Technology Committee's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, I see the unique role [NASA] plays in supporting math and science education. NASA's inspiring science, aeronautics, and human space flight and exploration missions are a natural attraction for children and students. In addition, NASA's educational initiatives can provide direct assistance to building science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills in pre-kindergarten through post-doctoral students."

According to Rep. Ralph Hall: "America's manned space exploration inspired generations of students, but we are falling behind other nations in the number of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) graduates. Congress is working to improve those numbers in a host of ways, and keeping manned space exploration a top priority is one of the best motivators we could have."

Russia, US to Cooperate on Space Trips (Source: AP)
Russian and U.S. space chiefs signed agreements Wednesday to cooperate on unmanned missions that would search for potential water deposits beneath the surface of the moon and Mars. The agreements deal with putting Russian instruments on board NASA probes that would be sent to the moon and Mars. The first Russian instrument, called LEND, will be mounted on an unmanned NASA probe called Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, which is to be launched in October 2008 to search for possible sources of water under the moon's poles.

Australia to Pay $800 Million To Use New Pentagon Satellites (Source: Wall Street Journal)
Pentagon brass and Australia's military leaders have signed off on an agreement under which Australia is committing more than $800 million for a guaranteed share of the capacity of an expanded U.S. military satellite-communications system being built by Boeing Co. The pact, which had been expected, means that the proposed $1.8 billion project called Wideband Global Satcom will be expanded to at least six high-earth-orbit satellites, versus the five-satellite constellation previously under contract.

Judge Won't Block NASA Background Checks (Source: AP)
A federal judge on Wednesday denied a request by more than two dozen workers at one of NASA's research labs to block a Bush administration directive requiring background checks and access to personal information. A group of 28 employees at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena said the new security checks invaded their privacy, and sued in August to overturn the requirements. NASA maintained it was following a government-wide policy applying to millions of civil servants and contractors. JPL workers have until Friday to fill out forms authorizing the background checks. Those who don't will be barred from the 177-acre campus east of Los Angeles and be "voluntarily terminated" as of Oct. 27.

NASA Picks Atlas 5 for Juno and LDCM Launches (Source: Space News)
United Launch Alliance of Denver will launch an Earth-observing spacecraft and a planetary probe for NASA in 2011 aboard separate Atlas 5 rockets under contracts announced by the U.S. space agency Oct. 3.

Colorado's Aerospace Economy Propels to 2nd in the Nation (Source: Metro Denver EDC)
With 26,650 people employed in aerospace throughout Colorado, the state’s direct industry employment grew 12.9 percent from 2006-2007, compared to a 0.8 percent growth rate nationwide. From 2002-2007, Colorado tallied a 27.4 percent aerospace employment growth rate, compared to a national growth rate of 2.7 percent. 2006 Total Aerospace Employment included: #1 – California; #2 – Colorado; #3 – Texas; #4 – New Jersey; #5 - Florida.