spacetoday.net: News briefs: September 4

Posted: Thu, Sep 5, 2002, 8:02 AM ET (1202 GMT)

The US Defense Department has established a new office to oversee space communications. The office is charged with coordinating military communications via satellite, including data from intelligence satellites and remote operation of unmanned aircraft. Air Force undersecretary Peter Teets said that the office would also investigate the use of laser communications.
NASA is expected to announce this week the company that will build the Next Generation Space Telescope, UPI reported Tuesday. Lockheed Martin and TRW are the two finalists to build the spacecraft for an estimated total cost of $1.5 billion. NGST will use a six-meter mirror, near three times the diameter of the Hubble Space Telescope, and is scheduled for launch in 2010.
If Lance Bass's plans to fly to the International Space Station don't pan out, he does have a fallback plan — of sorts. Rock star Ted Nugent has offered to teach Bass hunting on Nugent's Michigan ranch for a mere $1 million. "Bass needs to quit worrying about going into outer space and embrace and celebrate life by learning how to kill his own food," the AP quoted Nugent as saying. Bass's spokesperson had no comment.