International Conference Focuses on Low-Energy Trajectories, Lagrange Points, Weak Stability Boundaries. Mathematical dynamics-based theory and powerful numerical simulations have been fused to develop orbits and mission design concepts. The main purpose of 'New Trends in Astrodynamics and Applications', which ends today in College Park MD, is to bridge the gap between theoretical and applied astrodynamics by bringing together prominent people in the critical fields. Other goals include discussion of non-chemical high-energy propulsion, dynamical astronomy and space policy issues. The main organizer of the event is Ed Belbruno, who developed the first systematic application of chaos to space travel called Weak Stability Boundary theory. In 1991 it was used to find a new route to the Moon successfully used by the Japanese spacecraft Hiten. It also played a key role in the salvage of the satellite HGS-1 using the Moon in 1998. Other topics covered include ballistic capture; halo orbits; low-thrust transfers; algorithms; high-energy nuclear, electric and plasma propulsion; and space policy issues. Speakers include Wendell Mendell, Robert Farquhar, Jeff Xia and Martin Lo. It is important to remember that from Lagrange Point 1 any spot on the Moon is reachable with minimal energy. Info Ed Belbruno, belbruno@math.princeton.edu.

Sea Launch, Intelsat Agree to New Contract. Following a decision to cancel their 10-01 mission, Intelsat Global Service Corporation has recently re-signed Sea Launch Company, LLC, as their firm future launch service. This year, Sea Launch will deliver Intelsat's 10-02 payload into geosynchronous orbit using a Proton vehicle instead of the previously contracted Zenit-3SL rocket. Although preparations were well underway for the Intelsat 10-01 mission, Sea Launch is now well prepared to meet the needs of this next assignment, according to Sea Launch president Jim Maser. He also said that the new contract "reflects the strong relationship already established…and reiterates Intelsat's confidence in Sea Launch's growing record of reliability and accuracy." "Our experience in working with Sea Launch has been nothing but exemplary…they exceeded our expectations," added director of Intelsat's Launch Vehicle Program Office Terry Edwards. Sea Launch, LLC, with five missions planned for 2003, is based in Long Beach, CA and provides cost-effective, heavy-lift launch services for commercial satellite customers from the Equator, the most advantageous point for sending spacecraft into Geostationary Orbit. Info: http://www.sea-launch.com

Space Frontier Foundation Looks Toward New Era. Space Frontier Foundation founder Rick Tumlinson remains optimistic about future space plans despite the loss of a potential source of funding from the dot-coms, many of whom went out of business after the economic downturn. "I do see signs that arising from the ashes of these disappointments, there is a new hope for our cause ... the seeds of a new space revolution have been sown," he writes in the current issue of Space Front, SFF's quarterly journal. The foundation has reorganized in a way that will distribute leadership among its members and create chances for more involvement. "I am excited, as I see a more mature and serious community growing from the Foundation we created over 13 years ago," writes Tumlinson. He cites the growing list of private enterprises that are gaining momentum and credibility for space and lunar programs including TransOrbital's Lunar Orbiter, LunaCorp's negotiation for a TV commercial filmed aboard the ISS, Dennis Tito's historic trip as the first private citizen to tour space and Celestis space memorial services. Writes Tumlinson, "The space frontier community is ... a community of leaders who are no longer naively throwing themselves at the glass ceiling that keeps us locked on this rock, but who are finding a thousand new ways to go around and through it to lead the breakout onto space for which we stand!" Info: www.spacefrontierfoundation.org.

Taiwan Issue Is the Political Hurdle in Sino-US Cooperation in Space. The recent success of the Shenzhou-4 mission once again raises the question among the space community of whether the United States should begin to cooperate with this emerging space power. "I really don't think America is taking this seriously," said Paul Dickson, author of the book, Sputnik: The Shock of the Century, according to Leonard David of Space.com. "Americans may wake up some morning in the not so distant future to hear that the Chinese have planted their flag on the lunar surface," warned Dickson. U.S. State Department's charges against Hughes and Boeing, that the firms illegally passed rocket technology to China in the 1990s, have been regarded as Washington's response to Beijing's recent success in space. Although NASA officials have showed willingness to work with their Chinese counterparts, whether to cooperate in space with China is not NASA's decision to make, as John Logsdon of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University pointed out. The key policy issues to be handled between the two nations are the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NNPT). But as long as the U.S. continues to sell advanced weapons to Taiwan, China will unlikely compromise its sovereignty.