Date Line 7-15-2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

ASTRO-CAT LEAKS TOP SECRET PHOTOS OF NIBBLES ROCKET--ARMY, NAVY AND RUSSIANS REACT. NASA AND EUROPEANS JOIN FRAY. S.E.T.I. NOW INVOLVED. MOVIE DEAL RUMORED:

Unidentified sources within Astro-Cat International today released the first known photos of the complete vehicle that is to send "Nibbles the Astro-Cat" into near-space just days from now. The first photo shows Astro-Cat founder Kurt Gugisberg standing next to "The Flying Space Cat of Death". The famous Nibbles is seen sitting in the cockpit. The second was reportedly taken during the final "plugs out" rehearsal for the flight and clearly shows the national hero at the controls. The test was said to have been flawless. Reaction came quickly from the branches of the military involved in the event, as well as the Russian Space Agency. The event known as LDRS is to be held this week at the dry lake in Lucerne, CA. The Astro-Cat project is the only one known to carry passengers. Gen. Carl Delzell, the three star who commands the Army's "WAFOS" division--also known as "WERFULOSIT", commented, "We are not in anyway in any competition with the civilian project--our goal is simply to beat the Navy, and the Ruski's. . . period! "However, Rear Admiral Dirk Gates, commander of the Command Authority for Gathering Information in Upper Atmosphere, or "CANT-GET-IT-UP", in Navy jargon, refused comment on the motives behind choosing LDRS for the unveiling of their new project, or the reported competition with other projects involved. "We refuse to be sucked into the media frenzy concerning our involvement. Though we totally plan on kicking butt on the Army and the Russians, we are watching the civilian project with great interest. . ." referring the Nibbles flight. John Cokerinski, who reportedly heads up the Russian project, a resurrected N1 space booster was tight-lipped, "We have no comment of our project, we are not headed for earth orbit--we want the moon! But the project being flown with that cat, by the capitalist industrial dogs known as Astro-Cat, has garnered much interest in our intelligence community. We are watching this closely. . . ", said Cokerinski.

And it now appears the both NASA and the European Space Agency are joining the fray. "NASA is sending down one of our upgraded Saturn 5 projects. However, we, too, are watching the Astro-Cat project with great interest. . ." said project manager Ken Biba. The Europeans are reported to be test-flying a newly scaled down Ariane rocket. Juerg Thuering, head of the Ariane project, issued the following statement:

"Though we have no interest in passenger vehicles at this time--the Astro-Cat project is quite interesting. . . " , said Thuering.

Even if there is no competition with Astro-Cat/Nibbles project, the Nibbles flight seems to have the greatest public interest. The town of Lake Geneva, WI is still recovering from a flood of Nibbles fan's that descended on the town when reports leaked out Nibbles would attend an animal shelter opening. Over a quarter of a million well-wishers invaded the exclusive resort community.

And in a twist that can be only be termed as "out of this world" the Director of S.E.T.I, Dr. Stephen D. Roberson has issued a statement that appears to confirm that alien intelligence could possibly be monitoring the flight. "We have been receiving coded transmissions from just outside the moon's orbit. Though we are not able to translate all of the message, one line appears to read "Nibbles is coming! Nibbles is coming! Nibbles is coming!" said Dr. Roberson. When asked to comment further the Doctor simply replied "I make it a point never to respond to the tabloids. . ."

In related news, Larry "Bubba" Jacobs, Astro-Cat International spokesperson tried to play down that there is a movie deal involving Steven Spielberg in the works. "I can not comment on any conversation that may or may have occurred between Astro-Cat and DreamWorks. I will issue a statement shortly. . . ". However, industry insider Kerry Garrison says the deal has been signed, and DreamWorks is already in pre-production. "It's a done deal--I have on good authority the project will be called "Distant encounters of the 9th kind". Casting is underway, but it is not known who will play Nibbles. . . ", reported Garrison.

Astro-Cat CEO, Kurt Gugisberg, seemed to confirm that it was a TV deal, movie deal or both . In a written statement issued early this morning that reads ""The movie rights are still in negotiations. However, the TV series following the life of an Astro Cat is already in the works. Nibbles has signed on as the technical advisor only and does not have any plans to star in the series." When asked to comment on completion of the space vehicle, Gugisberg reports that Nibbles had this to say: "This will be a small step for a cat, but a Giant Leap*(registered trademark) for Felinedom".

Jacobs issed a further statement saying Nibbles is resting and perparing for the flight. "Nibbles could not be here today on the advice of his personal assistant, Mrs. Van Norman. He sends his warmest regards. Nibbles is enjoying his last days before the historic flight relaxing by the pool and reading the voluminous letters from well wishers all around the world. . . ", said Jacobs.

By far this biggest news is the photo's that were leaked today. Though the source demanded to remain nameless the photo's could be the PR scoop of the year.