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NASA and aerospace company ATK Aerospace Systems successfully have tested the most powerful solid-fuel rocket engine ever, even though its future in the space program remains in doubt.

A huge roar and massive flames accompanied the two-minute “static” or non-flight test of the five-segment DM-2 (Demonstration Motor 2) rocket booster in the western desert state of Utah.

The DM-2 was designed as the first stage of the Ares I rocket to provide the lift-off thrust for the next generation of Orion spacecraft, which NASA hoped would return astronauts to the moon by 2020.

US President Barack Obama has said he plans to cancel the Constellation program in which the boosters would have been used, throwing the fate of the next-generation engine into question.

The second test of the DM-2 was aimed at seeing if it could work at lower temperatures and verify the performance of new design materials.

The solid rocket boosters are an upgrade in design over ones used to propel NASA’s shuttle fleet into space and are the largest and most powerful ever designed for flight.

Once the shuttle program ends early next year, the United States will rely on Russia’s Soyuz rockets to carry its astronauts to the International Space Station until a commercial US launcher can be developed, scheduled for 2015.

The second test of the DM-2, aided by more than 760 on-board measurement devices, showed the motor’s performance had met all expectations.

“For every few degrees the temperature rises, solid propellant burns slightly faster,” said Alex Priskos, first stage manager for Ares Projects at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

“Only through robust ground testing can we understand how material and motor performance is impacted by different operating conditions.”

Seeking to cut the massive US budget deficit, Obama’s administration has proposed scrapping the costly and over budget Constellation rocket program.

Instead, NASA would concentrate on research and development that could, over a longer time-frame, eventually see astronauts travel outside low Earth orbit and even aim for Mars.

The US space agency would also be encouraged to develop operations with commercial partners to fly astronauts to the space station. (NZ-01/09)

Indian Hindi and South film industry Superstar actor Rajinikanth’s younger daughter Soundarya has tied the knot with a Chennai based entrepreneur Ashwin at a high profile ceremony at Rani Meyammai Hall in Chennai on Thursday 2nd September 2010.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, Indian Hindi film industry Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and a host of other high profile guests are expected to attend Superstar Rajinikanth’s younger daughter Soundarya’s wedding.

According to media reports, Superstar Rajinikanth has requested his fans not to attend his younger daughter Soundarya’s wedding ceremony.

In a statement to media the Superstar Rajinikanth said that the “though he wanted to invite all the fans to his daughter’s marriage” and “he was unable to do so because of space constraint and logistic reasons

The Haleem Makers Association has applied for a patent for Hyderabadi Haleem with the Geographical Indicator Registry of India.

A popular Hyderabadi meat delicacy, Haleem is likely to get the patent soon and get identified with Geographical Indicator.

Disclosing this, the Haleem Makers Association of Hyderabad President Mohammad Abdul Majeed said once the patent is granted, no other city will be able to make or market the dish as Hyderabadi Haleem and the unique distinction is similar to Kancheevaram Saree, Banarasi Silk and Darjeeling Tea.

In Himachal Pradesh, an acute shortage of apple trays and cartons has added to the woes of growers who have been facing unending problems in transportation of produce due to bad roads and non-availability of trucks.

Respite from incessant rains over the past one week has allowed the growers to harvest the crop. However, they are unable to send the produce to the market as trays and cartons are not available.

With state-agencies like the HPMC and HIMFED having failed to make adequate arrangements for the supply of packaging material for the bumper season, the growers are virtually left at the mercy of traders who are exploiting the situation to the hilt.

Automatic apple trays are being supplied at Rs 8 to Rs 10 per piece as against the normal rate of Rs 4.50 per tray. Sun-dried trays, which are normally available for Rs 2.50 to Rs 3 each, are also being sold at more than double the rate.

Cartons, which were available for Rs 33 at the start of the season, are now being supplied for Rs 42 or even more. So far, 4 lakh tonnes of apple have reached the market and every day about 1,200 trucks are being sent out from the state.

Besides, 18,000 tonnes of apple have been procured under the market intervention scheme (MIS). Shortage of trucks forced the authorities to deploy vehicles available with various government departments for transportation of fruit procured under the MIS, some of which had started rotting.

Still, more than one crore boxes are yet to be transported out and trucks and packaging material are needed urgently.

The returns have been poor, particularly in the past fortnight, as the market, which hit rock-bottom last week, has not recovered due to continuing heavy arrival.

Annual food inflation rose slightly to 10.86 per cent for the week ended August 21, after the previous, two-week decline, despite a fall in vegetables prices.

Food inflation had softened to 10.05 per cent for the week ended August 14, from 10.35 per cent in the previous week.

On a yearly basis, potatoes became cheaper by over 51 per cent, while vegetables overall saw a decline of 9.9 per cent. Onion prices fell 8.97 per cent, official data released today showed.

Cereal prices, however, rose 6.76 per cent, driven mainly by higher prices of pulses, rice and wheat, compared to the same period last year. Milk prices soared 18.22 per cent, and fruits became dearer by 9.27 per cent during the week, over the same period last year.

Japan’s cabinet has approved new sanctions against Iran including an assets freeze and tighter restrictions on financial transactions. Media reports said, the new sanctions include a freeze on the assets of more than 100 groups and individuals linked to the country’s nuclear programme.

The new package of sanctions also bar Japanese financial institutions from buying bonds issued by Iran’s central bank. The step comes a month after Tokyo approved punitive measures in line with a June UN Security Council resolution which slapped a fourth set of sanctions on Iran over its refusal to halt uranium enrichment work.

The United States, the European Union, Canada and Australia have also announced additional sanctions, which have been opposed by Russia and China, now Iran’s closest trading partner.

The meeting of the Central Board of Trustees, CBT of the Employees Provident Fund which is scheduled on 10th of this month has been deferred.

Talking to reporters on sidelines of a function in New Delhi on Friday, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Harish Rawat said that the next meeting of the board is likely to be held this month itself.

The meeting is likely to recommend the rate of interest to be paid to EPF subscribers for the current financial year. The existing EPF interest rate is 8.5 percent per year.

Replying to a question on the issue of investing the fund in the share market, the Minister said that the security of the fund is paramount. Mr. Rawt said that the portfolio manager provide more returns than the other investment instruments available in the market.

Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday held a meeting with Delhi health minister Kiran Walia to review the situation arising out of rise in dengue cases. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Kiran Walia said Mr Azad emphasised on a coordinated effort to tackle the outbreak.

Dengue has till now shown no signs of abating in the national capital where the number of cases reached 1,081 on Thursday with 67 more patients testing positive.

AIR correspondent reports, schools have asked their students to wear full sleeves and pants, instead of the customary shorts and skirts.

The Delhi government has also swung into action to contain the rise in dengue cases by issuing a host of advisories and announcing several services while urging Delhiites not to panic.

With the Commonwealth Games round the corner, officials of the health department are working overtime to control the dengue menace before October .

The much awaited Delhi Metro corridor from Central Secretariat to Qutab Minar section was inaugurated by the Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy by flagging off the ceremonial train from Udyog Bhawan metro station in New Delhi on Friday. It will be thrown open to the general public from 3 P.M.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Reddy said that the government wants Metro to connect all parts of the capital.

AIR correspondent says that the 12 and half kilometer long corridor from Central Secretariat to Qutub Minar has nine underground stations including Race Course, Malviya Ngar, Saket and elevated Qutab Minar.

With the opening of the line, the entire stretch running from Jahangirpuri to Huda City Centre in Gurgaon will become 45 kilometers Metro route which will be covered within one hour and 20 minutes. The total fare on this entire route will cost 29 rupees for a passenger.

In US open, Sweden’s Robin Soderling beat American Taylor Dent 6-2 6-2 6-4 to reach the third round of the tournament.

His next opponent, is the tall Dutchman Thiemo de Bakker and Soderling said he is taking nothing for granted.

In another match Roger Federer did not deliver any trick shots during a straightforward 6-3 6-4 6-3 thumping of German left-hander Andreas Beck that moved the Swiss master into the third round of the US Open.

Federer’s third-round opponent will be the winner of the match between Paul-Henri Mathieu and fellow-Frenchman Guillaume Rufin.