Aerospace & Defense News - Space

AirGuide Business, April 7, 2008

Apr 7, 2008

A government report found multiple problems with new rockets and spaceships that will replace the space shuttle. The report, which was prepared by the House Science and Technology's space subcommittee, said the Ares 1 rocket faces a compressed time line and excessive shaking. Apr 4, 2008

Report cites numerous problems with new spaceships. A government report found multiple problems with new rockets and spaceships that will replace the space shuttle. The report, which was prepared by the House Science and Technology's space subcommittee, said the Ares 1 rocket faces a compressed time line and excessive shaking. Apr 4, 2008

A New Supply Ship for the Space StationThe robotic spacecraft, gingerly approaching the station at one-tenth of a foot per second, docked with the space station at 10:45 a.m. Eastern time while the two vehicles flew more than 200 miles above the Atlantic Ocean. Seven minutes later, a series of clamps firmly secured the vehicles.[sup.3]We have contact,[sup.2] the Russian astronaut Col. Yuri I. Malenchenko said from inside the space station, where he and the American commander of the station, Peggy A. Whitson, were monitoring the operation. The comment brought applause and cheers from the cargo craft[sup.1]s European control center in Toulouse, France. Apr 3, 2008

Europe[sup.1]s new Jules Verne cargo ship made a nearly flawless first docking at the International Space Station on Thursday, carrying tons of needed supplies and expanding Europe[sup.1]s role in space. Apr 3, 2008

IBM announced the completion of its approximately $845 million USD (approximately 5 billion Swedish Kronor) tender offer for the shares of Telelogic AB (Nordic Exchange/MidCap/TLOGThe tender offer, announced on June 11, 2007, was finalized after IBM obtained acceptance from 96.9 percent of stock ownership in Telelogic as well as satisfaction of other conditions of the offer, including necessary worldwide regulatory approvals.Telelogic is a leading provider of software to develop technical systems and enterprise architecture, and has more than 8,000 customers worldwide. Headquartered in Malmo, Sweden, and Irvine, California, Telelogic has more than 1,200 employees and operations in 22 countries around the world.Together, IBM, Telelogic, and business partners will help customers deliver high quality systems to the market faster while reducing costs. Customers will benefit from the combined technologies and services of both companies, providing them a wide range of software and system development capabilities, along with support from a worldwide sales and services organization. Together, IBM and Telelogic provide a comprehensive offering for defining, modeling, building, testing and delivering the software used in systems in the aerospace and defense, telecommunications, electronics, automotive and other industries. Apr 3, 2008

The government has published its long awaited Marine Bill, promising better protection for wildlife including a new network of nature reserves at sea.The bill also pledges better management of inshore fisheries and measures to speed up the approvals process for offshore windfarms by about a year.In England, it will open a new right of public access to coastal lands.Environmental groups say UK seas are "in crisis", and need more protection than the government is offering.The draft bill creates a new agency, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), to enforce environmental laws and regulate development at sea. Apr 3, 2008

Florida panel passes bills to boost space industry. A Florida Senate panel passed a package of bills aimed at stimulating growth in the state's space industry. One measure would provide $15 million to refurbish a launch complex at Kennedy Space Center. Supporters say the improvements are necessary to attract more businesses to the state. Apr 2, 2008

NASA on Tuesday said it may shed 8,000 contractor jobs after the space shuttle program ends in 2010. It is expected to cut 80% of its private contractor work force at Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Fla. "Our greatest challenge over the next several years will be managing this extremely talented, experienced and geographically dispersed workforce as we transition from operating the space shuttle to utilizing the International Space Station," NASA said in a report. Apr 2, 2008

Europe[sup.1]s new Jules Verne cargo ship made a nearly flawless first docking to the International Space Station on Thursday, bringing with it tons of needed supplies and an expanded role in space for Europe. The robotic spacecraft, gingerly approaching the station at one-tenth of a foot per second, docked with the space station at 10:45 a.m. Eastern time while the two vehicles flew more than 200 miles above the Atlantic Ocean. Seven minutes later, a series of clamps firmly secured the two vehicles. Apr 1, 2008

More than 8,000 NASA contractor jobs in the nation[sup.1]s manned space program could be eliminated after the space shuttle program is shut down in 2010, the agency said Tuesday. The number of civil servants is expected to remain roughly the same, but dramatic job cuts are possible among private contractors as NASA transitions to the Constellation program, which is developing the next-generation vehicle and rockets to go to the moon and later to Mars. Apr 1, 2008