WASHINGTON The Senate has cleared a three-year, multibillion-dollar FAA reauthorization bill that includes the phaseout of some slot controls, but HouseSenate differences put the bill’s fate in doubt. After a year of operating under a disruptive series of short-term budget extensions, the FAA and the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) would be funded through 2002 by the Senate bill.

AMSTERDAM New space tugs to service the International Space Station and liquid fly-back boosters intended to bridge the gap between expendable and next-generation reusable launchers were proposed at the annual International Astronautical Foundation (IAF) convention last week.

WASHINGTON Congress has sent President Clinton a multiyear, $50-billion Transportation appropriations bill that boosts FAA funds and airport upgrades, but zeroes out general revenues in support of the FAA’s annual budget. The final version of the bill also addresses two major policy issues.

Washington A study of how to improve airborne electronic warfare recommends that the U.S. Air Force buy a new jamming aircraft, elevate EW investments on a par with stealth and reorganize acquisition and operations of these esoteric skills.

Amsterdam The effort to form an International Space Transportation Assn, has fizzled in the wake of the U.S. government’s introduction of tougher satellite export controls, but the space industry may see Washington get a comeuppance of sorts: Intelsat is threatening to pull its headquarters out of the U.S. capital.