Posted: Thu, Jan 22, 2009, 7:29 AM ET (1229 GMT)
The Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) announced Wednesday that it will acquire Universal Space Network (USN), a US company that operates a set of ground stations for communicating with spacecraft. The two companies had been cooperating since 1999 in PrioraNet, a combined global network of ground stations for satellite operations, and SSC already had a 12-percent stake in the company. USN dates back to the mid-1990s creation of Universal Space Lines by former astronaut Pete Conrad. Terms of the deal, which is expected to close in the next 90-120 days, were not disclosed; USN will operate afterwards as a US-based subsidiary of SSC.

Related Links:

•  Space News article (subscription required)
•  SSC press release