Nation briefs 4/17/05

NASA robotic craft's mission ended early

LOS ANGELES -- A NASA robotic spacecraft located a Pentagon satellite in space without any help from human controllers, but the mission ended early when the computer-driven craft detected a fuel problem, the mission manager said Saturday. The experimental craft had moved to within 300 feet of the satellite orbiting 472 miles above the Earth but backed off late Friday, about 11 hours into the mission, manager Jim Snoddy said. The spacecraft was supposed to have maneuvered around the satellite, getting as close as 15 feet, for another 12 hours. After the problem arose, the 800-pound craft began coasting; it will eventually disintegrate in orbit.

Magnitude-5.1 quake strikes Southern Calif.

MARICOPA, Calif. -- A magnitude-5.1 earthquake struck in Southern California on Saturday and could be felt in downtown Los Angeles, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. The quake struck shortly after noon and was centered about 13 miles east of Maricopa and 25 miles south-southwest of Bakersfield, according to a preliminary report from the U.S. Geological Survey. Several small aftershocks were felt throughout the afternoon. Maricopa is about 85 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, a Kern County Sheriff's Department supervisor said.

DeLay borrows $100,000 for re-election campaign

WASHINGTON -- The ethics troubles of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay have not hurt his ability to raise money for his re-election. In the first three months of this year, DeLay's personal campaign committee took in $438,235, including $100,000 he borrowed personally for his campaign, according to the latest records from the Federal Election Commission. DeLay still owed $88,330 on the loan at the end of March.