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PARIS — The launch manifests of NASA’s two commercial cargo service providers will bump up against one another in December when Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and Orbital Sciences Corp. are slated to send competing rockets and spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS). NASA says both missions were intentionally scheduled for the end of 2013 in anticipation that one will experience delays in meeting target launch dates.

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LOST ALLY: Deputy NASA Administrator Lori Garver is losing a key ally in her ongoing battles with more traditional NASA management. President Barack Obama has named Beth Robinson, NASA’s chief financial officer, as undersecretary of energy, that department’s No. 3 post. A Ph.D.

Delivers 2.8 tons of supplies including troubleshooting tool kit

FRANKFURT — Berhard Gerwert is expected to be named as the CEO of EADS’ new joint defense and space unit. Industry sources tell Aviation Week that the current CEO of EADS defense division Cassidian will run the joint entity. The future of Astrium’s current CEO, Francois Auque, is unclear.

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