spacetoday.net: News briefs: May 1

Posted: Fri, May 3, 2002, 10:42 AM ET (1442 GMT)

The Defense Department on Thursday cleared the way to continue work on a space-based missile warning system despite the program's cost overruns. Pete Aldridge, the undersecretary of defense for acquisitions, notified Congress that he had certified the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) High system for continued development. SBIRS High, a replacement for the current Defense Support Program satellites, has seen its costs double since the program's inception.
Mark Shuttleworth is wrapping up his visit to the International Space Station in good health and good spirits. A Russian medical expert said that Shuttleworth, who has now been in space for over a week, is in better health than the first commercial space tourist, Dennis Tito. Shuttleworth has been busy conducting a number of experiments as well as interviews with South Africans. Shuttleworth is scheduled to leave the station and return to Earth late Saturday.
Erik Lindbergh, grandson of famous aviator Charles Lindbergh, landed in Paris early Thursday after duplicating his grandfather's historic solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic. The flight, made just shy of the 75th anniversary of Charles Lindbergh's flight, was made in part to promote the X Prize space tourism competition.