Space News for April 23, 1999

Delta III Launch Aborted
The Boeing Delta III continues to disappoint, after the latest launch attempt of the Orion 3 satellite was aborted when the rocket's engine failed to start. Engineers will wait at least another 48 hours before trying again - their fifth attempt.

CNN Space Fox News Space Central SpaceViews

Argentine Craters Could Be Russian Satellite Crashsite
Argentine officials are investigating a set of small craters (4 meters across), which could be the remains of a crashed Russian space probe. Officials are concerned, as the probe was carrying 200 grams of highly-radioactive plutonium.

CNN Space

Possible Cause Found for Air Force Satellite Glitch
Investigators suspect that a malfunctioning nozzle on the second stage of the Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) probably caused the misplaced Air Force Defense Support Program satellite. It's also unlikely that the satellite can be recovered, and is locked in a useless orbit.

SpaceViews

Oldest Known Map of the Moon Uncovered
A Canadian researcher has discovered what he believes is the oldest known map of the moon, carved into the rock at a Neolithic site in Ireland. Believed to be over 5,000 years old, the carving predates any other drawing of the moon by 4,500 years.

Fraser Cain

Fraser Cain

Fraser Cain is the publisher of Universe Today, founding the website in March 1999. He's also the co-host of Astronomy Cast.