spacetoday.net: News briefs: August 15

Posted: Fri, Aug 16, 2002, 8:16 AM ET (1216 GMT)

EchoStar reported a second-quarter profit on Thursday. The direct television broadcaster said it recorded a profit of $37 million, or $.08 a share, in the second quarter, compared to a $6 million loss in the same quarter a year ago. The company also reported that it is under investigation by ten states for failure to comply with consumer protection laws.
German doctors are studying ways to prevent future long-duration space crews from suffering boredom and depression. Doctors say that astronauts on long-duration station flights may not have enough interesting work to keep them occupied, leading to emotional problems. They say this could be a major problem for crews on future human missions to Mars.
NASA has assigned astronauts to a future shuttle mission and ISS expedition. Six astronauts have been assigned to STS-117, a shuttle mission tentatively planned for the fall of 2003; the mission will be commanded by Fred Sturckow, a two-time shuttle pilot. NASA has also selected Leroy Chiao, John Phillips, and Salizhan Sharipov as the crew for the Expedition Ten ISS crew.