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Pluto spacecraft
The Pluto New Horizons spacecraft, destined to become the first robotic probe to visit Pluto and its moon Charon, arrives at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in advance of its January blastoff.

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Life on the station
NASA astronauts Bill McArthur and John Phillips chat with Associated Press space reporter Marcia Dunn about life aboard the International Space Station in this live space-to-Earth interview from the Destiny laboratory module on October 5.

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West Coast Delta 4
In preparation for the West Coast launch of Boeing's next-generation Delta 4 rocket, the two-stage vehicle is rolled out of its horizontal hangar and driven to the Space Launch Complex-6 pad for erection. The nose cone for the NRO payload is then brought to the pad.

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West Coast shuttle
Boeing's Delta 4 rocket pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base was renovated in recent years, transforming Space Launch Complex-6 from the West Coast space shuttle launch site into a facility for the next-generation unmanned booster. This collection of footage shows the 1985 launch pad test using NASA's orbiter Enterprise.

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News briefing from ISS
The Expedition 11 and Expedition 12 crews, along with space tourist Greg Olsen, hold a live news conference with American and Russian reporters on October 4. (26min 36sec file)

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Next ISS crew lifts off
A Russian Soyuz spacecraft safely launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome Friday night with the International Space Station's twelfth resident crew and a paying tourist aboard.

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Discovery crew's movies
The seven astronauts of space shuttle Discovery's return to flight mission recently gathered for a public celebration of their mission. They narrated an entertaining movie of highlights and personal footage taken during the mission.

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Japanese JCSAT-11 satellite to be built by Lockheed Martin
LOCKHEED MARTIN NEWS RELEASE
Posted: October 7, 2005

Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract by JSAT Corporation (JSAT) of Japan to build its next geostationary telecommunications satellite, designated JCSAT-11. JCSAT-11 will be reserved entirely in orbit as a back up satellite for other JCSAT satellites following its scheduled launch in 2007.  Financial terms were not disclosed.

"We are extremely pleased to be awarded JCSAT-11, the third consecutive satellite order that JSAT has contracted to Lockheed Martin in the last two years," said Ted Gavrilis, President of Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS).

"JSAT is a world-class operator and a highly valued business partner.  We truly appreciate the strong relationship we have developed with JSAT and once again look forward to delivering an outstanding product on schedule to meet JSAT's business requirements."

Based on Lockheed Martin's award-winning A2100AX platform, JCSAT-11 will be a hybrid satellite featuring Ku-band high-power and C-band medium power transponders. LMCSS is currently building JCSAT-9 and JCSAT-10, both based on the A2100AX satellite platform. JCSAT-9 and JCSAT-10 will serve Asia and Japan following planned launches in 2006. 

JCSAT-11 is the fourth satellite award for Lockheed Martin this year based on signed manufacturing contracts.  In January, Nordic Satellite AB (NSAB) awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to build its next geostationary direct broadcast satellite, designated SIRIUS 4.  Earlier this year, SES AMERICOM and the Broadcast Satellite System Corporation of Japan awarded Lockheed Martin contracts to build AMC-18 and BSAT-3a respectively, both small-class satellites based on the A2100A platform.

The Lockheed Martin A2100 geosynchronous spacecraft series is designed to meet a wide variety of telecommunications needs including Ka-band broadband and broadcast services, fixed satellite services in C-band and Ku-band, high-power direct broadcast services using the Ku-band frequency spectrum and mobile satellite services using UHF, L-band, and S-band payloads.  The A2100's modular design features a reduction in parts, simplified construction, increased on-orbit reliability and reduced weight and cost.

JSAT is the leading satellite operator in the Asia-Pacific region. The company owns and operates nine satellites in eight orbital slots. JSAT's communications satellites are opening up new opportunities with applications ranging from SKY Perfec TV! digital broadcasting services to television relays, video transmissions to retail outlet, and nationwide auctions. Implementing its corporate slogan, "JSAT, Creating Satellite Solutions," the company is actively expanding its business throughout the Pacific region. JSAT is listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2004 sales of $35.5 billion.