Originally Posted by Darkland

Probably because it WAS them and there are very few countries that would and since we for sure didn't it only leaves a few logical choices with the European Space Agency right after us.

http://news.in.msn.com/international...mentid=3016786



Even though it is actually closer to 350 miles out, that still is not very far out and widely limits its uses. Just think about it, you can drive that distance in a bit over 4 hours. Now look at a map and draw a line from where you started and where you ended. That orbit is a bit close to earth and the crazy thing is that the space station orbits an even more ridiculously close distance of just 220 miles. I can't even reach the closest border of my state in 220 miles.