spacetoday.net: News briefs: July 31

Posted: Thu, Aug 1, 2002, 7:45 AM ET (1145 GMT)

Contrary to previous reports, Boeing is not investing in antigravity research, SPACE.com reported Wednesday. A Boeing spokesperson told SPACE.com that the original report, published Monday by Jane's Defence Weekly, misrepresented Boeing's interest in the project. The "project" was actually just a presentation by a Boeing engineer who outlined past work and proposed that the company monitor research in the project and "perhaps even conduct some low-cost experiments", according to the spokesperson.
Scientists have discovered an ancient impact crater under the North Sea off the coast of Britain. The Silverpit crater, discovered during an analysis of geophysical data collected in a search for oil and gas deposits, has a core 3 km across and is surrounded by a series of concentric rings 20 km in diameter. It is believed to be 60-65 million years old. The crater's concentric rings make it more closely resemble impact craters on the icy moons of the outer planets than other terrestrial craters.
Loral Space and Communications reported increased revenues and a narrowed loss in its fiscal second quarter. Loral reported revenues of $316 million in the quarter, up 15 from the same quarter a year ago; revenues for the first six months were $625 million, a 17 percent increase over the first half of 2001. Loral reported a loss of $63.5 million for the quarter and $95.3 million for the year to date, compared to $95.4 million for the second quarter of 2001 and $169 million for the first half of 2001.