spacetoday.net: News briefs: October 17

Posted: Thu, Oct 18, 2001, 2:50 AM ET (0650 GMT)
The launch table for the new Delta 4 launch site arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Wednesday. The 650-ton table will serve as the platform at the refurbished Space Launch Complex 6 (SLC-6) that will host Delta 4 launches... American company United Technologies signed an agreement with Russian space agency Rosaviakosmos Wednesday to cooperate on aviation and space activities. United Technologies is the parent of rocket engine company Pratt and Whitney, who has cooperated with Russian companies on engine development over the past several years... A Japanese advertising agency announced Wednesday that Russian cosmonauts will film a soft drink commercial on the International Space Station later this month. The two Russian members of the Soyuz taxi mission scheduled for launch Sunday will use a high-definition TV camera provided by the Japanese space agency NASDA to film a commercial for the "Pocari Sweat" soft drink while on the station. The commercial is scheduled to air on Japanese television in January.