■ United States
Senate approves space bill
The US Senate has approved legislation shaping US space policy, continuing the shuttle and international space station programs and giving a boost to President George W. Bush's vision of a new era of space exploration. The bill calls for the completion of the international space station, and designates the US portion of that project a national laboratory facility. It also increases funding for the space shuttle program to allow for transition to the next generation of manned space flight vehicles. NASA's shuttle fleet is scheduled to be retired in 2010.
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