MILITARY SPACE NEWS- Engineers at the Stennis Space Center have completed a series of three tests of the XRS-2000 Linear Aerospike Engines. These were originally intended for use in the X-33 project (which has been cancelled) but the tests were completed to study some engine components (electromechanical actuator technology) that may be used in other new launch vehicles. Arianespace has set the next launch of the Ariane-5 space booster for November, and says it is confident that analyses of previous launch failures have solved the problems. NASA has sent astronaut Robert D Cabana to Moscow as its top liaison to the Russian space program. He will deal mostly with issues regarding the International Space Station. --Stephen V Cole