November 23, 1998

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HEADLINE NEWS

Tricks Panicked Iraq, Triggered Agreement

WASHINGTON The U.S. used a ruse to panic Iraqi leaders into making an early agreement to permit unfettered U.N. inspections, says a senior Joint Chiefs of Staff official. But some Air Force officials question whether there was such a trick and, if there was, whether the surprise was responsible for Iraq’s last-minute accession to unconditional U.N. arms inspections.

By DAVID A. FULGHUM7 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Satellites Ride Out Leonids Meteor ‘Storm’

SCHRIEVER AFB, COLO. Spacecraft operators across the globe literally dodged a “speeding bullet” when the potentially damaging Leonids meteor storm expected this year manifested as a relatively benign shower. Still, the 1998 Leonids near-miss prompted satellite owners and operators to develop mitigating measures that should ensure orbital assets are better protected against future space environmental threats.

By WILLIAM B. SCOTT6 min

HEADLINE NEWS

White House Upbraided For Lack of Iraq Strategy

WASHINGTON President Clintons decision to abort air strikes on Iraq drew mixed reviews, but there is strong agreement that another confrontation is inevitable. Some strategic analysts believe that by “going the extra mile,” Clinton has positioned himself perfectly for an all-out attack the next time Iraqi President Saddam Hussein challenges the United Nations.

By PAUL MANN6 min

HEADLINE NEWS

DS 1 Overcomes Glitch; Engine Restart Readied

Washington NASA’s Deep Space 1 (DS 1) technology test satellite was sent into its second safe mode in a week during testing of an autonomous navigation system on Nov. 17. But the spacecraft was returned to normal operation, and program officials remained confident none of the glitches encountered so far—including the earlier shutdown of DS l’s ion engine—will turn into major problems.

By Joseph C. Anselmo3 min

HEADLINE NEWS

European Firms Offer Poland Upgrade, Training Package

LONDON British Aerospace, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace and Saab, backed by their respective governments, have offered to upgrade Poland’s MiG-29s and allow aircrews to train on Hawk, Viggen and Gripen aircraft. The Western European proposal is an alternative to U.S. government offers to lease Poland surplus Lockheed Martin F-l6s or Boeing F/A-18s to help it meet its NATO obligations as the country prepares for entry into the alliance next April.

By JOHN D. MORROCCO3 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Five Spacecraft Proposals Vie for Discovery Funding

Washington Proposals to send spacecraft to study Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, two Martian moons and a comet were selected by NASA as the five finalists for the next round of the agency’s low-cost “Discovery” missions. The finalists were chosen from 30 mission proposals received earlier this year.

By Joseph C. Anselmo3 min

DEFENSE PREPAREDNESS

Info Technologies Transform National Security Doctrine

WASHINGTON As the end of the first post-Cold War decade approaches, America’s policy elite is readying to remake the nation’s far-flung security and foreign affairs apparatus, exploiting information age technologies. It would mark the biggest top-down restructuring of U.S. national security institutions in 50 years if carried out.

By PAUL MANN7 min

November 161998

November 301998

November 23, 1998

November 23, 1998