Harvard University has reversed its policy of barring on-campus access for military recruiters. The university had barred such recruiters from using office space in its law school in protest of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, aimed at banning openly gay persons from serving in the US armed forces. Harvard officials felt secure in their action because a federal appeals court late last year suspended enforcement of the Solomon Amendment, a law that enables the Pentagon to withhold federal grant funds from uncooperative schools. However, the Pentagon appealed the ruling, and the Supreme Court agreed to take the case—effectively setting aside the appellate court ruling. Faced once again with loss of federal funding, Harvard said “uncle”—at least until the Supreme Court takes up the matter in December.
The Space Development Agency added 21 satellites to its nascent data transport network in an Oct. 15 launch, the second mission in 10-month campaign to field 154 operational spacecraft.
