May 2004

Space Watch
Week of May 3-7, 2004

Welcome to Space Watch. This is a weekly update compiled by The Eisenhower Institute of the most significant news items in civil, military and commercial space.
Please check back each week for the latest news!

Civil Space

NASA Status Report Lays Out Plans for Return to Flight
A new report entitled "NASA's Implementation Plan for Space Shuttle Return to Flight and Beyond - Revision 2" discusses extensive plans intended to make the next Shuttle launch "the safest it's ever been." The report lays out plans to minimize ascent debris, the cause of the Columbia accident, and to utilize on-orbit assets to examine the shuttle in space and to enable the crew to repair the shuttle at the ISS, among other things. (Leonard David, http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/rtf_schedule_040430.html, 4/30/04)

Robotic Mission to Hubble Looks Promising
NASA's chief scientist, John Grunsfeld, has reported that NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe is "conceptually sold" on a robotic mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. Grunsfeld reported that the apparatus used by astronauts to train for Hubble servicing missions had been shipped to Goddard Space Flight Center and other locations where other robotic space research was being done. (Robert Roy Britt,
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/hubble_robotic_040504.html, 5/4/04)

Testimony Before Commission Promotes International Cooperation in Space
Panelists from the European Space Agency and Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency before the Commission on Implementation of U.S. Space Exploration Policy encouraged the commissioners to consider the importance of international cooperation in NASA's future endeavors. These partners on the International Space Station and other space endeavors would like to be able to contribute to and gain from joint future space exploration. (Tariq Malik, http://www.space.com/news/commission_ny_040504.html, 5/4/04)

Lockheed Martin VP Promotes EELV in Senate Testimony
Lockheed Martin VP for Space Exploration, John Karas, testified before the Senate Subcommitteee on Science, Technology and Space that the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) or a system derived from it might be the best way forward under Bush's new vision for NASA. He cautioned that the mission's requirements need to be fully examined before a way forward is decided upon. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/spacetravel-04v.html, 5/5/04)

O'Keefe Recommends NASA Reorganization
NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe advised President Bush's Commission on Implementation of U.S. Space Exploration Policy that NASA's current structure was inappropriate for its new vision. He reiterated criticisms of recent months that NASA's culture is too much "business as usual" and not oriented towards innovation and the open competition of ideas. O'Keefe also suggested that international cooperation will need to play a role in the new space effort.
(Tariq Malik, http://www.space.com/news/commission_okeefe_040505.html, 5/5/04)

Eleven New Astronauts
NASA has selected a group of eleven new astronauts to begin training at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The new class, which includes three teachers, is the smallest class of astronauts in the shuttle program's history. In spite of all the problems plaguing NASA's shuttle program, the new astronauts are optimistic about their chances at space exploration. NASA reports the class may be scheduled for a flight as soon as 2009, and could be among the most senior members of the astronaut corps for the scheduled return to the moon in 2020. (Matthew Barakat, Associated Press, 5/6/04, as reported on space.com, http://www.space.com/news/commission_okeefe_040505.html)

European Unmanned Phoenix Prototype Has Successful Test Flight
A test flight for a European unmanned reusable spacecraft prototype was successfully carried out on Saturday, May 8. Dropped from a helicopter and guided by GPS navigation, the Phoenix prototype landed flawlessly after a 90-second flight. The next test flight will likely drop the prototype from a higher altitude, as the completed shuttle must be able to glide to a landing from a height of approximately 80 miles. The prototype is one-sixth the size of the planned vehicle, which is set to be completed between 2015 and 2020.
(The Associated Press, reported on CNN.com, 5/10/04 http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/05/10/europe.shuttle.ap/index.html)

 

Military Space

First GPS-Guided Weapon Released from UAV
An X-45A unmanned demonstrator aircraft, operated remotely by the Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems program, successfully released a GPS-guided inert smart bomb over a test range in California. This event marks the first time a GPS-guided munition has been released from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/unmanned-combat-04b.html, 5/4/04)

Advanced Extremely High Frequency Program On Schedule
Lockheed Martin has announced the completion of the "critical design review phase" of its Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) program, which is planned to replace the Milstar satellite system in delivering survivable, global and protected communication to all branches within the Department of Defense. AEHF will supply warfighters with 10 times greater capacity than the current Milstar II satellites. With the design now validated by over 350 representatives from DOD, Lockheed will begin production. Delivery of the first satellite is due in early 2007. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/milspace-comms-04x.html, 5/7/04)

 

Commercial Space

Three-Way Launch Services Alliance Invoked for First Time
A DirecTV geostationary satellite was place in orbit by Sea Launch this week, invoking for the first time ever a cooperative agreement signed by Arianespace, Sea Launch and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan. Under the agreement each company agrees to serve as a backup if another member cannot fulfill its obligation. In this case, the satellite was originally to be launched by Arianespace, but the launch had to be cancelled to fit in a scientific launch by ESA. (http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040504152717.cpzr7qi0.html, 5/4/04)

Arianespace Turns a Profit
A net profit of 9.2 million Euros was announced at Arianespace's meeting of general shareholders. Arianespace attributes the profit to reaffirmed support by ESA's member states, a restructured European launcher industry and the flexibility allowed by the availability of three vehicles - Ariane, Vega and Soyuz - and the new Launch Service Alliance, which provides backup options for Arianespace, Sea Launch and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Arianespace won nearly 50% of launch service contracts open for competition in 2003.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040504152717.cpzr7qi0.html, 5/4/04)

Credits

Compiled and Edited by Suzanne Vogel

Space Watch
Week of May 10-14, 2004

Welcome to Space Watch. This is a weekly update compiled by The Eisenhower Institute of the most significant news items in civil, military and commercial space.
Please check back each week for the latest news!

Civil Space

Projected Russian Mars Mission Within the Decade
Russia's space agency chief endorsed an ambitious mission to Mars within the next decade and called for international cooperation in the endeavor. A researcher at the leading Russian space equipment design institute said that the project would be carried out on a very small budget through the use of pre-existent spacecraft.
(AP, http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/russia_mars_040510.html, 5/10/04)

President To Re-affirm Call for Advanced Human Space Exploration
Coinciding with the release of the Commission on the Implementation of U.S. Space Exploration Policy report, President Bush will make a major speech defending plans for new space exploration initiatives. The speech is scheduled to take place early this summer.
(Frank Sietzen, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/spacetravel-04x.html, 5/10/04)

New U.S. Exploration Initiative Named Project Constellation
The new NASA space initiative is now named "Project Constellation." Rear Adm. Craig E. Steidle, the newly appointed head of the Office of Exploration Systems, is pushing to move the project forward at a fast pace, with the cornerstone piece of the project being the design and development of the new Constellation space ships. Widely varying designs are being solicited from industry.
(Frank Sietzen, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/spacetravel-04y.html, 5/11/04)

President To Receive Report on Space Exploration Initiative
The Presidential Commission on the Implementation of U.S. Space Exploration Policy is set to present its report to President Bush on June 2. The analysis does not detail the implementation of the multi-decade exploration plan, but rather identifies the hurdles and makes recommendations for a long-term strategy to execute the plan. The monumental task lies ahead in the actual design and development of the systems that will carry out the initiative. (Tariq Malik, http://www.space.com/news/commission_prepare_040511.html, 5/11/04)

Mars Express Reports
The Martian explorer's systems are back up after a mid April upload of new Solid State Mass Memory software. Science operations have intensified, although the deployment of the MARSIS radar booms has been postponed. Science Instruments have thus far produced the best photographs of the planet: maps of water ice, CO2 ice and surface topography, along with atmospheric measurements.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/marsexpress-04m.html, 5/12/04)

Virtual Archives Open Astronomer Access to NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope Data
Spitzer Science Center at California Institute of Technology has granted astronomers virtual access to scientific data as the mission is ongoing. The Spitzer Space Telescope, launched in 2003, continues to yield new views of galaxies and newly forming stars and planetary systems. Scientists around the world now have access to scientific data from Spitzer through the internet. (http://www.spacedaily.com/news/telescopes-04g.html, 5/12/04)

Aging Hubble Gets a Check Up
Hubble, a 14-year-old observatory, is said to be doing its best science work ever, according to NASA scientists. Despite the degeneration of its batteries and its reliance on only 4 gyroscopes now, robotic servicing missions - in the absence of the shuttle - are being considered in an effort to extend the life of this vital science tool. The status report on the Hubble was recently presented to a gathering of astronomers and cosmologists gathered to discuss the Hubble's future. (Robert Roy Britt, http://ww.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/hubble_life_040512.html, 5/12/04)

Russian-European Space Collaboration Signed
The Russian Federation Council ratified the new agreement between Russia's space program and the European Space Agency in a cooperation whose mission is to collaborate in the peaceful use of space. (RIA Novosti, http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=4303356&startrow=11&date=2004-05-12&do_alert=0, 5/12/04)

New Biomedical Sensor for Astronauts
Stanford researchers have developed a health monitoring system that astronauts can wear. The LifeGuard system relays biosensor data to a compact unit that is worn by the astronaut. This will enable continuous vital sign monitoring without being harnesses to bulky machines by cords. (Tariq Malik, http://ww.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/astronaut_lifeguard_040513.html, 5/13/04)

Russia Advocates Russian-U.S. Joint Effort Towards Mars Mission
Russian Space Agency officials highlighted the benefits of a U.S.-Russian cooperative effort in crafting a mission to Mars at recent conference. The Russian advantage in space research and their design for a Martian orbiting station combined with the U.S. Apollo experience in landing a crew on the surface could possibly propel a mission to Mars plan forward much faster than a space race. Russian officials asserted that a mission to Mars without International cooperation is an impossible undertaking.
(Andrei Kislyakov, http://ww.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/astronaut_lifeguard_040513.html, 5/13/04)

National Science Board Reports on Public Opinion on Space Exploration
National Science Board released its biennial report, Science and Engineering Indicators 2004, which sought to gauge public opinion towards manned space flight following the Columbia shuttle tragedy last year. Public opinion polls, such as Gallup, showed marked uncertainty over the future goals of the space program, but did not indicate that public opinion has turned against manned space flight. The report detailed public opinion on several issues - the loss of Columbia, NASA funding, manned vs. unmanned missions, global warming, and extraterrestrial visitors.
(Leonard David, http://ww.space.com/news/public_space_040514.html, 5/14/04)

 

Commercial Space

Ansari X Prize Competitors Race for the Skies
The competition for the world's first privately funded and developed suborbital manned space flight is in full throttle with the deadline of January 1 quickly approaching. Canadian Arrow, one of 24 teams competing to launch a suborbital passenger vehicle, is set to conduct tests of its suborbital passenger spaceships. Unmanned tests will be conducted on abort systems to ensure safety in future manned tests. To win the X Prize the team must send a 3 person crew 62.5 miles up and return them safely, repeating the feat within two weeks using the same vehicle.
(Leonard David, http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/arrow_xprize_040511.html, 5/11/04)

The Future of Propulsion: Guns
Development of a gun powered propulsion system for satellites began through collaboration between Columbiad Launch Services and Heron Aerospace Corporation. Bragg sensor technology will be employed to measure the pressure in the gun barrel, greatly improving efficiency and making the launch system the best of its kind.
(SPX, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/rocketscience-04o.html, 5/13/04)

X Prize Competitor Flight Sets Civilian Altitude Record
SpaceShipOne, a civilian spacecraft designed by Scaled Composites and one of 24 vehicles competing for the Ansari X Prize, soared to an altitude of 40 miles in its quest for suborbital flight. SpaceShipOne is one of many private efforts to build an efficient, reusable passenger vehicle. The race to launch civil space flight forward has been prompted by a non-profit foundation sponsored contest for the "X Prize." Currently, 24 companies are competing to be the first privately funded group to send three people 62.5 miles high, repeating the flight in two weeks time. The contest is designed to set into action the design of an efficient, reusable civilian passenger spacecraft.
(Dave Santucci, http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/05/13/private.space.ship/index.html, 5/14/04)

Environmental Space

Asteroid Impact Threat Addressed in Congressional Testimony
The chairman of the B612 Foundation testified before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space on defense against asteroid impacts. The testimony addressed the public policy issues surrounding near Earth objects that threaten life on earth. The testimony advocated the importance of addressing this issue given the serious repercussions, although the frequency of impacts and magnitude is not intense at this time. The study claims that extensive destruction due to asteroid impacts is likely to take place in the next 100 years. The report calls for a mission to an asteroid with the aim of gathering data and proving technology capable of deflecting an asteroid off course.
(Russell L. Schweickart Congressional Tesimony, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/deepimpact-04f.html, 5/13/04)

Credits

Compiled by Katie Gordon
Edited by Suzanne Vogel

 

 

 

Space Watch
Week of May 17-21, 2004

Welcome to Space Watch. This is a weekly update compiled by The Eisenhower Institute of the most significant news items in civil, military and commercial space.
Please check back each week for the latest news!

Civil Space

NASA Looks to Reduce Radiation Risks for Future Missions
Researchers at NASA are looking for ways to reduce the risk of harmful radiation to astronauts in preparation for possible future missions to the moon and Mars. Long-term exposure to radiation in space can cause numerous health problems. Since a mission to Mars would take over a year, developing ways to protect astronauts from radiation is one of NASA's top priorities in the coming years.
(Tariq Malik, http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/radiation_risk_040517.html, 5/17/04)

Russian Supply Ship Set to Dock with International Space Station
On May 25th the Russian Progress 9 will dock with the International Space Station (ISS). This will be the 5th launch of a progress freighter this year. The craft will carry food, water, and other supplies needed for the crew as well as fuel and equipment for the space station. Since the suspension of NASA's space shuttle, Russian spacecraft have been the sole means of delivering cargo and supplies to the ISS.
(http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=4324622&startrow=1&find=space, 5/17/04)

Russian-Ukrainian Company Will Develop New Space Tugboat
Russia's federal space agency has approved plans by Cosmotrans, a Russian-Ukrainian company, to produce a space tugboat to work in conjunction with Dnper, the Russian booster. The tugboat, when separated from Dnper, will be able to carry satellites and other space objects to different orbits.
(http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=4324436&startrow=1&find=space, 5/17/04)

Europe Cautious on Joint Space Cooperation with U.S.
European officials expressed skepticism at plans to join with the U.S. in a long-term space exploration initiative fearing that it is a means to insure further U.S. space domination. Europeans have voiced concern that President Bush's initiative to send a manned mission to the moon and Mars is a way to "corral other nations' future exploration plans into a single, U.S.-led program in which Washington calls the shots." (Peter B. de Selding, SpaceNews, 5/1704)

China Plans Manned Space Station, Shelves Manned Moon Mission
China has announced its intention to have its own manned space station in operation by 2020. The station is expected to take around 15 years to build. Because of financial constraints China has put its plans for a manned mission to the moon on hold but is planning to launch a lunar satellite and an unmanned mission to the moon by the end of the decade.
(Reuters, http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/05/18/space.china.reut/index.html, 5/18/04)

 

Chinese Astronaut Visits the U.S.
The first Chinese astronaut, Col. Yang Liwei, began a week-long visit to the U.S. with his arrival in New York on Wednesday. Col. Yang's itinerary included a visit with Kofi Annan, where he presented the Secretary General with a UN flag that accompanied him on his mission to space. Further stops include Washington, DC, Houston, Texas, and a tour of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
(http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/liwei_ustour_040518.html, 5/18/04)

Asteroid-Killing Robots Developed
A Georgia company is currently developing a plan to deal with the threat of an asteroid colliding with Earth. The so-called MADMEN (Modular Asteroid Deflection Mission Ejector Node), developed by Spaceworks Engineering Inc., consists of nuclear-powered robots designed to throw an asteroid off course if it were headed for Earth. The concept involves a number of nuclear-powered robots that would drill into the side of an asteroid causing chunks to break off, thus altering the course of the asteroid.
(Tariq Malik, http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5014594, 5/19/04)

NASA Facing Possible Worker Shortage
Because of the creation of new safety departments following the Columbia disaster, NASA is facing a worker shortage. Workers from existing operations departments are not being replaced after moving to their new jobs in safety, according to the ‘Return to Flight' task force. According to the task force "the ability of the Space Shuttle Program to carry out its mission may be hampered."
(http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/05/19/space.shuttle.reut/index.htmlv, 5/19/04)

International Space Station to Serve as Shelter in Case of Shuttle Emergency
A NASA task force has concluded that the International Space Station (ISS) could shelter astronauts in the event of a space shuttle emergency. The task force, which is working on the shuttle's planned return to space in 2005, is also recommending that a device be installed on the space shuttle to scan for damage similar to what caused the shuttle Columbia's destruction.
(Agence-France Presse, http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040519154953.vrozt8sd.html, 5/19/04)

NASA Task Force Casts Doubt on Shuttle's Return to Space
The task force charged with recommending policy changes after last year's fatal Columbia accident claims that the challenges of fixing any post-launch damages could force the agency to look for alternatives to the space shuttle. Though noting that NASA has made progress on many of the recommended improvements to the shuttle, significant obstacles remain in developing an effective warning system for problems with the shuttle's heat protection system.
(Warren E. Leary, http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/20/national/nationalspecial/20nasa.html, 5/20/04)

 

Commercial Space

Last Atlas II Rocket Set for Launch
Lockheed Martin announced the last of its Atlas II rockets was rolled out of the production line last Saturday. The Atlas II program has been hugely successful with 61 consecutive missions performed over 13 years. The last Atlas II launch is set for June 30th. The company will continue to produce its more advanced Atlas V series, with launches scheduled throughout the decade.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/launchers-04k.html, 5/18/04)

Military Space

Lockheed Martin Developing Space Traffic Control System
Lockheed Martin has reached an important step in developing its mobile launch range plan.
According to USAF Col. Shelby Syckes, the technology "a first step on the road to a Space Traffic Control system that will allow space vehicles the same freedom of mobility commercial aircraft have today."
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/spacetravel-04za.html, 5/20/04)

Taiwan Launches Satellite from U.S. Base
On Thursday Taiwan completed its second successful satellite launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The ROCSAT-2 satellite is intended to monitor water, environmental, and atmospheric conditions in the area around Taiwan, although officials claim that it can also be used for military purposes. The 1,650-pound French-made satellite was originally planned for launch in January, but had been delayed for several months.
(Agence-France Presse, http://www.spacedaily.com/2004/040520222422.3oqhev83.html, 5/21/04)


Credits

Compiled by Mark Puskar
Edited by Suzanne Vogel

 

 

Space Watch
Week of May 24-28, 2004

Welcome to Space Watch. This is a weekly update compiled by The Eisenhower Institute of the most significant news items in civil, military and commercial space.
Please check back each week for the latest news!

Civil Space

NASA Deems U.S. Spacesuits Unusable
According to NASA, the U.S. spacesuits on the International Space Station are not usable due to a malfunction in the suits' cooling systems. A planned spacewalk in mid-June will now require the astronauts to wear the gear of their Russian counterparts. The astronauts were scheduled to make a space walk to repair a broken power supply unit on the American section of the Station's exterior.
(AP, http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/05/24/spacestation.ap/index.htmlv, 5/24/04)

Chinese to Use Advanced Robot for Lunar Exploration
China has plans to explore the lunar surface with a high-tech, lightweight robot. Chinese space officials claim that the robot has special new features for added safety and stability.
In the past few months, China has made a flurry of announcements in regards to their plans for space exploration.
(Xinhua News Agency, http://www.spacedaily.com/news/china-04zg.html, 5/24/04)

Japanese Spacecraft on Course to Meet Asteroid
Japan's Hayabusa spacecraft has successfully made a low-orbit swing around Earth and is now headed for the Itokawa asteroid. The spacecraft, set to reach Itokawa in 2005, will orbit the asteroid in order to take measurements and collect date and images. A small craft called MINERVA will then collect surface samples of the asteroid to be brought back to Earth for further study.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/asteroid-04d.html, 5/24/04)

First Chinese ‘Taikonaut' Visits NASA, Kennedy Space Cetner
Continuing his tour of the United States last week, Col. Yang Liwei, the first Chinese Taikonaut in space, paid a visit to Florida's Kennedy Space Center. The visit included a meeting with the executive director of the Florida Space Authority where the two exchanged gifts and praised each other's respective space programs. A visit to a space exhibit at Disney's Epcot Center in Orlando was also on the itinerary for Col. Yang.
(Chris Kridler, Florida Today, http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/liwei_ksc_, 5/25/04)

Future of Hubble Telescope Uncertain
Scientists assembled at the Space Telescope Science Institute at John's Hopkins University discussed the future of the Hubble Space Telescope at a conference in early May. The scientists, many of whom worked on the original plans for the Hubble, voiced objections to plans by NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe to cancel a scheduled mission to perform maintenance and install new instruments. NASA has announced that it may send robots to dock with the telescope and perform any needed repairs.
(Dennis Overbye, http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/25/science/space/25hubb.html, 5/25/04)

British Investigators Probe Beagle 2 Loss
A report on the loss of the British Beagle 2 spacecraft was submitted to the UK Minister for Science and Innovation. The Commission investigating the loss of contact with Beagle after its landing on Mars was unable to find a sole reason for the loss of contact. Although the bulk of the report is confidential, a number of recommendations were released to insure a more successful future mission.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/beagle2-04g.html, 5/25/04)

Fate of Bush Space Plan Uncertain
NASA's future funding and President Bush's ambitious future space exploration remain uncertain as the U.S. Congress has yet to act on NASA's fiscal year 2005 budget request. $136 million of the agency's $866 million request in funding increases are geared toward the President's space exploration proposals. There is significant concern that election-year politics and the Congressional adjournment for the fall campaign will lead Congress to brush aside the Agency's requests.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/spacetravel-04ze.html, 5/25/04)

Russia Launches ‘Progress' for ISS
On Tuesday Russia launched its ‘Progress M-49' spacecraft bound for the International Space Station. The craft, which lifted off from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, will deliver fuel and supplies to the space station's American-Russian crew. Since the U.S. Shuttle Columbia disaster over a year ago, Russia has been the sole means of providing the ISS with supplies and equipment.
(AP, http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/05/25/russia.space.ap/index., 5/25/04)

NASA Advances Planned Mission to Jupiter's Moons
NASA has released detailed plans about the requirements for its planned Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter. The spacecraft's mission includes a planned orbit of Callisto, Ganymede, and Europa-three of Jupiter's largest moons. NASA is currently seeking proposals from Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, and Northrop Grumman on initial designs for the mission.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/news/nuclearspace-04f.htmlhttp://www.spacedaily.com/news/nuclearspace-04f.html, 5/27/04)

Commercial Space

California to be Home of Future ‘Spaceport.'
A site in the Mojave Desert is set to become a launchport for future reusable spacecraft. Although the market for commercial space travel is still in its planning and development stages, many officials and in government and private industry expect horizontally launched spacecraft to become quite common in the coming decades. The FAA is expected to officially certify the Mojave spaceport site next month.
(Leonard David, http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/05/24/mojave.spaceport/index, 5/25/04)

Japan Plans Private Satellite
A group of small Japanese companies are planning to launch their own private satellite in 2005. The Higachi-Osaka based companies have received the support of the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency for the mission. The satellite, named ‘Maido,' will also be funded through public and private subsidies.
(http://www.spacedaily.com/://www.spacedaily.com/news/japan-general-04b.html, 5/27/04)

 

Credits

Compiled by Mark Puskar
Edited by Suzanne Vogel