WASHINGTON Unfunded homeland security demands are taxing the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, which, along with its intelligence agency counterparts, is in the middle of a difficult balancing act to deal with the military’s operational requirements, domestic concerns and the need to modernize.

CAPE CANAVERAL The U.S. Air Force is beginning to replenish the GPS, Milstar and Defense Satellite Communications System constellations with critical spacecraft as the navigation and military communications systems are readied to provide unprecedented warfighting capabilities to the U.S. forces arrayed against Iraq.

LES MUREAUX, FRANCE The European Space Agency says it is close to initiating series production of the ATV space tug, a key item of the International Space Station, as things continue to improve for the longbeleaguered orbital facility.