Russians Launch US Telecoms Satellite From Kazakh Base

LAUNCH PAD

Moscow (AFP) May 22, 2005
A Russian Proton-M rocket carrying a US telecommunications satellite blasted off from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Sunday, in the sixth such launch since the beginning of last year, the ITAR-TASS news agency said quoting a space-station official.

The satellite, belonging to the DirecTV group in the United States, which broadcasts digital television to 14 million homes, was scheduled to separate from the rocket early Monday.

Five further launches for US operators were scheduled later this year.

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LAUNCH PAD

Industry Cartels Leave US Space Neutered

Washington (UPI) May 19, 2005
The May 2 announcement that Boeing and Lockheed Martin are forming a joint venture to build and launch rockets for the U.S. government is another sign the established sector of the American rocket industry continues to shrink and stagnate.