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December 20, 2000

NASA has completed negotiations on a $1.15 billion six-year contract with Lockheed Martin to produce 35 external fuel tanks for the space shuttle. These new tanks will be 7,500 pounds lighter than the previous ones (due to changes in design and materials). This could reduce the amount of fuel the shuttle has to burn, allow heavier payloads, or send the shuttle into a higher orbit.--Stephen V Cole