Says Monopolistic Merger Limits Competition, Costs Taxpayers

Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) Thursday urged the Air Force against granting sole-source contracts for heavy satellite launches to United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Regulators are expected to rule on the merger shortly and the companies are now jointly negotiating for the third round of launches under the $32 billion Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program, which will cover 23 missions lasting through 2011 and beyond. Despite the cost overruns, schedule delays, and scandals that have plagued EELV, there is no legal requirement for the Air Force to consider additional bidders that may emerge before 2011.

And Heading Right For ANN HQ... Wish Us Luck!

Television cameras aboard the international space station are showing dramatic views of record-setting Hurricane Wilma. The video captured from 222 miles above the storm is airing on the NASA TV Video File segment.