spacetoday.net: News briefs: December 22-26

Posted: Thu, Dec 27, 2001, 7:56 AM ET (1256 GMT)

A Tsiklon-3 rocket is scheduled for launch Friday from Plesetsk, RIA Novosti reported Wednesday. The rocket will place six small communications satellites, three military and three civilian, into low Earth orbit.
SPACEHAB is one of a number of companies that could be delisted from the Nasdaq stock exchange next year, the Washington Post reported Tuesday. Nasdaq has recently reinstituted rules that require companies traded there have a minimum share price of $1; SPACEHAB closed Wednesday at 65 cents. Any delisting would not take place before April, however.
Former astronaut Charles Bolden may join NASA as a deputy for new administrator Sean O'Keefe, NASA Watch reported Wednesday. Bolden, a Marine Corps major general, currently is the commanding general of the Third Marine Air Wing in California, but a Marshall Space Flight Center memo states that Bolden would go to NASA on February 1. Bolden flew on four shuttle missions, including serving as commander of STS-45 in 1992 and STS-60 in 1994.
Loral Space and Communications announced Monday that it worked with bankers to extend lines of credit worth $1.1 billion through 2005. The extension reduces the principal payments on the loans by $535 million in 2002, but will require larger interest payments. Loral officials said the extension will allow the company to support expansion of its satellite fleet.