Aerospace & Defence News

Airguide Online, August 27, 2007

Aug 27, 2007

NFIRE satellite successfully tracks missile. The U.S. Near Field Infrared Experiment research satellite successfully carried out a data-collection experiment that will aid in the development of space-based missile defense technology. The satellite tracked a modified Minuteman II booster vehicle that was fired from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Aug 24, 2007

University of Colorado wins $92M contract for satellite gear to forecast solar disturbances. The University of Colorado's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics has landed a $92 million contract to build satellite instruments to forecast solar disturbances. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA tapped the school to build four satellite instruments for detecting and measuring solar flare activity and radiation. LASP will deliver the first of the four instruments in 2012. Aug 24, 2007

Cassini may encounter plumes of ice particles near Saturn moon. Small particles of ice or space dust could damage the Cassini spacecraft as it passes Enceladus, a Saturn moon, scientists say. The March 2008 flyby of the spacecraft will provide researchers a great view of plumes from the moon's south polar region, but will also put the craft in the path of the spray, which some scientists believe could be water spurting out from the moon. Aug 23, 2007

Fewer MRAPs than hoped to reach U.S. troops. Pentagon officials say that only about 1,500 mine-resistant vehicles are expected to reach troops by the end of the year, far short of the planned 3,500. Production of the vehicles is on target, but the military is taking longer than expected to fully outfit and deliver the vehicles. Aug 23, 2007

NASA testing drone to monitor wildfires. A Predator B aircraft flown remotely from a ground control station at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California has begun flights over the West. The craft will test technology for real-time thermal imaging and mapping of wildfires, with data transmitted as a Google Earth overlay. Aug 23, 2007

Shift in US DoD priorities could benefit small businesses. Small businesses could benefit as the Pentagon and large contractors shift gears to embrace a global war on terror that will require innovations produced quickly and inexpensively. "Affordability is becoming the No. 1 objective," said a US DoD spokeswoman. "Cost and schedule overruns are so commonplace that affordability becomes paramount." Aug 23, 2007

Endeavour lands safely in Florida, fuel tank modifications unlikely. The space shuttle Endeavour returned safely yesterday, despite a gouge in its protective thermal tiles that had engineers weighing the risks of in-space repairs against the danger of damage on re-entry. The gouge was caused by foam from fuel tank brackets, which struck the tiles during launch. Changes to the brackets have been ruled out for now. Aug 22, 2007

FAA's Blakey tapped to be chief of AIA. The Aerospace Industries Association has named FAA Administrator Marion Blakey to become its next president and CEO. She'll replace John Douglass, who is retiring. The change in leadership will take place in November. Aug 22, 2007

NASA expects Endeavour returned safely despite gouge. NASA managers expect Endeavour to travel back to Earth safely. The shuttle has a deep gouge near its right main landing-gear door. NASA officials are basing their assessment on review of damage to shuttles on prior flights. "I can assure you that Endeavour is not going to suffer any catastrophic damage," NASA flight director Steve Stich said Monday. "And in fact, I suspect we'll probably not have much of a turnaround issue at all associated with this tile damage." Endeavour landed safely on August 21 at the Cape on schedule 12:30 EST. Aug 21, 2007

Private-sector rocket venture lacks investors. A project to develop a private-sector rocket has not secured investors, and alternative funding is uncertain, according to industry officials. Closely held Rocketplane Kistler is leading the venture, which was formed to develop a rocket to serve the International Space Station. Aug 21, 2007

A U.K. satellite mission aims to improve the accuracy of Earth observation satellites that deliver climate change data. The mission will launch a central calibration laboratory that will provide a statistical baseline to monitor and predict climate changes. Aug 21, 2007

US DoD mandate urges Air Force to collaborate on satellites, rockets. The Pentagon wants the US Air Force to find partners for developing and acquiring small satellites and rockets. The DoD mandate, signed in April, instructs the Air Force to work with reserve components, the intelligence community and civil organizations such as NASA. Collaboration on the rockets could lower costs and expand the customer base. Aug 21, 2007

Army tests vehicles with hybrid engines. The Army has unveiled a new fleet of Manned Ground Vehicles--the first with hybrid engines. The Army's 15 Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Teams will have eight new MGV variants. All eight variants will use the same chassis to save on costs. Production of the vehicles will begin in late 2008. Aug 20, 2007