September 4, 1989

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HEADLINE NEWS

U. S. Reenters Commercial Launch Arena with Private Delta Mission

CAPE CANAVERAL McDonnell Douglas’ successful launch of a British spacecraft marked the first satellite mission by a private U. S. company, as well as the U. S.’s reentry into the increasingly competitive international launch market. Marcopolo 1, a British Satellite Broadcasting Ltd.

By EDWARD H. KOLCUM6 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Delays in Navy Atf Program Bolster Case for F-14d

WASHINGTON Delays in the Air Force’s advanced tactical fighter program and uncertainties about the Navy’s commitment to a carrier-capable version of the aircraft are bolstering the argument for continued production of the Grumman F-14D.

By JOHN D. MORROCCO4 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Hipparcos Remains in Transfer Orbit, Reducing Useful Astronomy Data

PARIS Europe is working to salvage the maximum amount of scientific data from its Hipparcos astronomy satellite after the spacecraft failed to reach its final geostationary orbit position. Estimates of the spacecraft’s useful lifetime in its current geostationary transfer orbit ranged from as little as six months to approximately 18 months.

By JEFFREY M. LENOROVIT4 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Soviets to Launch Two Cosmonauts, Reestablish Presence on Board Mir

PARIS The Soviet Union is to resume manned activity on its Mir space station this week and will undertake a major expansion of the facility by docking two large building-block growth modules to it during the next 4-5 months. A two-man cosmonaut crew is scheduled to be launched Sept. 6 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in a Soyuz transport spacecraft that will mate with Mir Sept. 8.

August 281989

September 111989

September 4, 1989

September 4, 1989