TURKEY PREPARES TO ACCELERATE SPACE EFFORTS

ANKARA [MENL] -- Turkey appears ready to conclude plans to establish a spaceagency as part of an effort to accelerate a project to launch militarysatellites. Officials said the first step is the establishment of a national spaceboard. The board will oversee and monitor both military and civilian spaceprograms and comprise senior defense officials and military commanders.Officials said the combination of civilian and military programs will lowerthe cost of satellite development.