November 30, 1998

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HEADLINE NEWS

Station Commercialization Set as Assembly Flight Readied

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER The crucial first shuttle mission to assemble initial elements of the International Space Station is set for liftoff this week as NASA unveils a major new commercialization plan that would turn the multibillion-dollar facility into a “fee-for-service commercial technology testbed.”

By CRAIG COVAULT5 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Antitrust Issues Cloud Bfg-coltec Union

NEW YORK In one of its boldest merger attempts thus far, BFGoodrich hopes to purchase Coltec Industries and become a much more diversified supplier of integrated systems to major aerospace customers such as the Boeing Co. The transaction, which was announced last week, is valued at about $2.2 billion.

By ANTHONY L. VELOCCI3 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Russian Commercial Satcom Launched

CAPE CANAVERAL The first commercial communications spacecraft to be funded and operated by a Russian company is undergoing checkout this week following its launch into geosynchronous transfer orbit from Cape Canaveral Nov. 22 on a Boeing Delta 2.

By CRAIG COVAULT3 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Europe Advances Atv Development for Iss

PARIS After a year of delicate negotiations, the European Space Agency has concluded agreements for full-scale development of the Automated Transfer Vehicle, a critical International Space Station component that, in conjunction with the Ariane 5 heavy-lift booster, will resupply the complex in cargo and fuel and periodically reboost it to proper orbit.

By MICHAEL A. TAVERNA3 min

November 231998

December 71998

November 30, 1998

November 30, 1998

North Korea Plans Booster Tests Soon

By DAVID A. FULGHUM6 min