May 12, 1997

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HEADLINE NEWS

Atlantis Readied for Critical Mir Resupply

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER and MOSCOW Space shuttle Mission 84 is set to liftoff this week bound for Mir with the heaviest logistics load ever delivered to the station. It will carry substantial hardware to replace or repair Mir’s aging systems.

By CRAIG COVAULT6 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Five Iridium Satellites Placed in Orbit

LOS ANGELES Establishment of a planned 66-satellite constellation for the Iridium global communications system is underway with the launch of five of the spacecraft on a single McDonnell Douglas Delta 2 booster from Vandenberg AFB, Calif.

By BRUCE A. SMITH5 min

HEADLINE NEWS

National Missile Defense to Get Big Funding Boost

Washington The Clinton Administration plans to add as much as $2 billion for U.S. National Missile Defense (NMD) efforts to beef up a test program that has been widely criticized as inadequate. The Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) had planned just three NMD intercept tests through 1999.

By Joseph C. Anselmo2 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Boeing-led Team Takes Share of Aero Vodochody

Los Angeles A joint venture of Boeing Enterprises, McDonnell Douglas Aerospace and CSA Czech Airlines is expected to become a strategic partner of Aero Vodochody, the Czech builder of L-39 and L-59 jet trainers and L-159 light attack aircraft.

REGIONAL AIRLINES SPECIAL REPORT

More Small Jets Enter Regional Fleets

WASHINGTON Orders for small jet aircraft from U.S. regional airlines have accelerated in the past year and are expected to account for a growing share of the regional airline industry’s fleet over the next decades. The jets are increasingly popular with regional carriers because of their perceived passenger preference, higher speeds and greater range than older turboprops.

By CAROLE A. SHIFRIN8 min

May 51997

May 191997

May 12, 1997

May 12, 1997