News briefs: February 14
Posted: Fri, Feb 15, 2002, 8:56 AM ET (1356 GMT)
- Loral Space and Communications reported a net loss of $277 million in 2001 on Thursday, far less than the $1.5 billion it lost the previous year. Company officials credited improved performance by its fixed satellite services and satellite manufacturing units for the gains, as well as several financing measures to reduce debt.
- The Moon may have a partially molten interior, JPL scientists said Thursday. Laser ranging experiments have shown that the moon's surface may bulge by up to 10 centimeters per lunar day; that would be consistent with the presence of a partially molten zone around a solid core.
- The Defense Department has named Air Force Lt. General Lance W. Lord to be the new head of the Air Force Space Command, Space News reported Thursday. Lord, who will be promoted to full general, will replace General Ralph Eberhart, who will remain head of the U.S. Space Command. Traditionally the same general led both commands, but the split was recommended last year by a panel led by current Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
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