Military Space Update

@ Teledesic has selected Alenia Spazio (of Italy) and Lockheed Martin as finalists to design and build a satellite broadband communications system. While a commercial venture, NATO and the military forces of several Western countries are expected to be major customers.

@ Boeing Satellite Systems is expanding its satellite test and assembly facility in El Segundo to build a dozen GPS Block II-F satellites.
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@ An old Russian SL3 Vostock booster that had been in orbit for 25 years crashed into the ocean about 100 miles east of Delaware on 6 Sept, touching off a flood of phone calls from east coast residents who watched its fiery crash.

@ Russia's NPO Energomash is testing the new RD-170 rocket engine, designed to power the future Angara launch booster. This booster, intended to fly in 2003, will put 4,400 pounds into Low Earth Orbit.--Stephen V Cole