PARIS After lengthy preparation, Europe is finally inaugurating an ambitious aeronautics research and development program that’s expected to involve up to $ 100 billion over the next 20 years. The program—coordinated by the Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (Acare) and under the umbrella of the European Commission (EC)—is expected to accelerate R&D initiatives implemented by the newly established European Research Area (ERA).

WASHINGTON NASA’S revised Fiscal 2003 budget plan could lead to a larger International Space Station (ISS) crew than the seven planned before funding shortfalls cut it back to three, but it doesn’t resolve how even those three will be accommodated after 2006.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER The launch of Endeavour carrying a $390-million Boeing systems truss and the Expedition 6 crew to the International Space Station was, as of late last week, tentatively rescheduled for late Nov. 18, following the repair of a gaseous oxygen leak that scrubbed the original launch attempt Nov. 11.

PARIS Along decision-making roadblock at Italian space agency ASI that has stalled several important European space programs, including a major Venus mission and the Galileo satellite navigation system, appears to be coming to an end.

WASHINGTON U.S. Air Force officials are scrambling to determine how big a financial mess the F/A-22 program is, with the prospect of a massive cost increase hanging over the development program. Service leaders have convened a team of experts to review the situation, and determine if predictions of a $690-million cost overrun in the $20-billion development program are correct.