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UPDATE
Week ending May 11, 2003
+++ A400M gets European engine +++ Shuttle disaster latest +++ ISS crew six down to Earth +++ A380 hall in Hamburg: foundation stone laid +++ Eurocontrol and NATO boost cooperation +++ EADS confirms 2003 forecast +++ News in brief +++
A400M gets European engine
Entscheidung für EPI-Triebwerk
Following a full and thorough evaluation of the engine manufacturers' proposals, Airbus Military has announced that the engine selected to power the A400M will be the TP400-D6, to be developed and manufactured by EPI (EuroProp International), a European consortium. The chosen engine, offered in response to a second RFP (Request for Proposal) issued by Airbus Military in April 2002, is an entirely new design in the ten thousand horsepower category, based on proven technology and incorporating three-shaft civil aero engine architecture. The TP400-D6 fully meets the required specification. The choice of the TP400-D6 is the result of an exhaustive evaluation of two separate engine proposals submitted by Pratt & Whitney Canada and EPI. EPI is a European joint venture company consisting of Rolls-Royce, Snecma Moteurs, MTU Aero Engines and Industria de Turbopropulsores (ITP), brought together to manage the programme.
"The satisfactory outcome of what has been a complex and demanding evaluation process shows that re-opening the engine competition was the right course of action," said Noel Forgeard, President and CEO of Airbus and Chairman of Airbus Military. "Only by insisting on the highest standards can we guarantee the best solution both technically and commercially." The TP400-D6 will be the most powerful turbo-prop engine ever produced in the western world and, combined with the aircraft's aerodynamic qualities, will make the A400M the world's fastest new-generation turbo-prop aircraft.
The TP400-D6 is a three-shaft configuration that will deliver a maximum power output in excess of 11,000 shaft horsepower. Measuring 5.3 meters in propeller diameter, it will be the Western world's largest turboprop engine. It benefits from the proven technologies the four partners have developed in many civil and military engine programs. Further applications for the TP400-D6 may come up later. ITP is responsible for the low-pressure turbine including the turbine exit casing, the dressing and the front frame. MTU is responsible for the intermediate-pressure spool, comprising the intermediate-pressure compressor and turbine. It also cooperates with Snecma Moteurs in producing the engine control system and also has final assembly responsibility for all of the engines produced. Rolls-Royce is responsible for engine integration, the high-pressure compressor, low-pressure shaft, intermediate casing and the structural parts for the bearing supports. In addition to its engine control system role, Snecma Moteurs is responsible for the combustor and the high-pressure turbine as well as the powerplant installation on aircraft.
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Shuttle disaster latest
Untersuchungskomission mit neuen Ergebnissen
After three months of intense investigation including thorough reviews of hardware forensic analysis, orbiter telemetry, Modular Auxiliary Data System (MADS) recorder measurements, general public still and video photography, hypersonic wind tunnel testing, and aerodynamic and thermal analysis, the Columbia Accident Investigation Board, with the assistance of the NASA Accident Investigation Team (NAIT), has reached the following preliminary conclusions.
Launch: Approximately 81 seconds after a 10:39 EST launch on January 16, 2003, post launch photographic analysis determined that foam from the External Tank (ET) left bipod ramp area impacted Columbia in the vicinity of the lower left wing RCC panels 5-9.
Orbit: While Columbia was on orbit for 16 days, there was no indication of damage based on orbiter telemetry, crew downlinked video, still photography or crew reports.
An Air Force Space Command post flight evaluation of radar tracking data indicated an object in the vicinity of the orbiter on flight day two, remained on orbit for approximately two and a half days, then reentered the atmosphere. Radar testing and ballistics analysis of various thermal protection system items and thermal blankets, along with careful inspection of downlinked orbiter payload bay video, has been used in an attempt to identify that object. Testing and analysis to date have eliminated from consideration all but a piece of an RCC T-seal or RCC panel with a rib. However, there is no conclusive evidence that either of these items was the object that departed the orbiter.
Entry: The de-orbit burn and entry targeting were accomplished using well-established Mission Control Center procedures. There were no problems identified with this process.
On the morning of February 1, Columbia entered with unknown damage to an RCC panel or T-seal in the left wing RCC panel 5-9 area. Hardware forensic analysis and a review of MADS temperature and strain measurements on the left wing leading edge structure point to the RCC panel 8/9 area as the most likely area of damage. The forensic evidence indicated the RCC panel 8/9 area was subjected to extreme entry heating over a long period of time, leading to RCC rib erosion, severely slumped carrier panel tiles, and substantial metallic slag deposition on the RCC panels nearest the damaged area.
MADS data indicated the RCC cavity temperature and the temperature behind the wing leading edge spar began to rise at approximately 8:49:00 EST. This indicates that hot gas flowed into the RCC cavity between entry interface 8:44:09 EST and 8:49:00 EST. Three minutes later, at 8:52:00 EST, temperature and strain measurements indicated that hot gas penetrated the internal part of the wing via a breach in the wing leading edge spar. Immediately, the hot gas inside the wing began to heat wire bundles containing real-time telemetry and MADS data. A MADS upper left wing pressure measurement was the first to fail at approximately 8:52:16 EST. Over the next four minutes, 164 other measurements fail, with the last failure at approximately 8:56:24 EST. Most measurements failed very quickly, within the first two minutes of the breach.
Columbia's flight control system began to sense increased drag on the left wing due to the damage at 8:52:05 EST. The vehicle easily compensated for the initial aerodynamic disturbance. A significant change in the vehicle aerodynamics was observed at 8:54:20 EST, indicating a change in the damage to the left wing. At the same time several very bright debris events were seen in ground-based videos.
Soon after the hot gas entered the left wing multiple debris events were captured on video by observers on the ground. These video images begin at 8:53:46 EST (20 seconds after California coastal crossing) and end with Columbia's final break-up. The exact source of the debris may never be fully understood. However, upper wing skin and Thermal Protection System (TPS) parts are possible candidates. Damage to the internal aluminum wing structure was most probable during this timeframe as well. These debris events appeared to affect orbiter communication. There were 13 unexplained communication dropouts in this timeframe.
By 8:56:16 EST hot gas had penetrated the wheel well wall as indicated by an off-nominal rise in hydraulic line temperatures. Another significant change in Columbia's aerodynamics occurred at 8:58:09 EST, accompanied by several more debris events. The vehicle responded to this event with a sharp change in its aileron trim. Additionally, by 8:58:56 EST all left main gear tire pressure and temperature measurements were lost, indicating a rapid progression of damage inside the wheel well. A continual progression of left wing damage caused another abrupt change in the vehicle's aerodynamics at 8:59:29 EST. Columbia attempted to compensate by firing all four right yaw jets. By 8:59:32 EST the Mission Control Center had lost all telemetry data. MADS recorder data was lost at 9:00:14 EST. Based on video imagery, main vehicle aerodynamic break-up occurred at 9:00:23 EST.
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ISS crew six down to Earth
Raumstation mit neuer Besatzung
The Expedition 6 crew touched down in northern Kazakhstan in its Soyuz spacecraft at 9:07 p.m. CDT Saturday, May 4, after an undocking from the International Space Station. The Soyuz landed well short of the predicted site and it took almost three hours for a search plane to find the capsule and report that all appeared well. The Soyuz landed about 275 miles west and a little south of its predicted touchdown point. The aircraft found the capsule and established radio contact with the crew at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday. The plane's crew subsequently reported seeing Expedition 6 crewmembers outside the Soyuz, waving and apparently well.
The crew, Commander Ken Bowersox, Soyuz Commander Nikolai Budarin and NASA ISS Science Officer Don Pettit, spent about 5½ months in space, all but two days of it on the station. The landing ended a mission that began with their launch on Nov. 23 and their docking to the orbiting laboratory two days later. It marked the first landing of an advanced Soyuz TMA spacecraft, and it was the first time U.S. astronauts have landed in any Soyuz capsule.
Expedition 7 Commander Yuri Malenchenko and NASA ISS Science Officer Ed Lu, who arrived at the station early last Monday, formally began their increment on the station with the departure of their predecessors. A change-of-command ceremony began at 1:15 p.m. Saturday. After farewells, hatches between the station and the Soyuz TMA-1 were closed at 2:38 p.m. Malenchenko and Lu will be aboard the orbiting laboratory for about six months.
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A380 hall in Hamburg: foundation stone laid
Große Halle in Hamburg im Bau
The foundation stone for the new A380 equipment hall was laid today at the Mühlenberger Loch site in Hamburg. The hall will be used to outfit the A380 cabin, a key element in passenger appeal and comfort, to airlines' specifications. Cabin outfitting includes the installation of the entire cabin equipment such as the entertainment and communications systems and all the associated electronics systems. The A380 cabin concept is highly innovative and will provide maximum passenger comfort combined with cutting-edge technology. The equipment hall will be 370m/1,214ft long and approximately 100m/328ft wide, with bays for four A380 aircraft. A six-storey section will house offices, workshops and various other rooms. The hall has a clearance height of 17m/55ft but the roof in the centre of each of the assembly bays is over 31m/102ft high to accommodate the vertical tail units. The complete process for equipping the cabin of an A380 will take 20 days and the plant is designed to produce 48 aircraft per year. Delivery of the fully equipped aircraft to customers will then take place in Hamburg and Toulouse.
The new A380 equipment hall is the third large-scale construction project currently underway on the 140 hectare extension of the Airbus site in Hamburg. Construction of the structural assembly hall began in December 2001 and the hall will be officially opened on 21 May, while the foundation stone for the first A380 paintshop was laid on 28 March 2003.
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Eurocontrol and NATO boost cooperation
Vereinbarung zwischen NATO und Eurocontrol
The EUROCONTROL Director General, Víctor M. Aguado, and NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson, met at EUROCONTROL Brussels headquarters for the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the two organisations. The Memorandum of Cooperation will formalise and further enhance existing cooperation between the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in air traffic management. This cooperation proved already very successful in crisis situations as in Kosovo in 1999 where the impact for civil aviation was reduced to the minimum possible.
Both parties recognise the benefits of working more closely towards the development of a seamless European air navigation system. This is because of their respective role and experience in the field of air navigation and more specifically in civil and military cooperation and coordination, on a European and international level. Furthermore, the new security environment calls for enhanced international civil and military coordination and exchange of information. Cooperation between the two organisations will focus, among others, on: the implementation of the European component of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Air Traffic Management/Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (ATM/CNS) Global Plan, taking due account of present and future NATO air navigation requirements, plans and developments; the examination of the implication for NATO aviation of EUROCONTROL's various programmes; the implementation of peace time airspace organisation rules and procedures under the responsibility of Member States; specific NATO needs; ATM issues of common interest during crisis and war; ATM/CNS procedures in response to acts of unlawful interference against civil aviation as defined by ICAO.
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EADS confirms 2003 forecast
Schwierige Zeiten für EADS
EADS has confirmed its forecast for the 2003 business year. The company expects 2003 EBIT (Earnings before interest and taxes, pre goodwill amortisation and exceptionals) in the same range as 2002, based on 300 deliveries by Airbus. The EADS CEOs, Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich, noted: "In the first quarter of 2003, EADS results reflect the strong seasonal influences on our businesses. Nevertheless, we expect to achieve our full year targets for 2003 thanks to ongoing commercial success and strict financial discipline."
The EADS CEOs said: "We are confident that the business figures will stay on track according to our plan during the course of the year. Seasonality is normal for the aerospace industry in general and for EADS. Whilst the conclusion of the war in Iraq gives us hope for a gradual improvement in the international business climate, we continue to closely monitor the possible impact of SARS on the aviation market and the general economic slowdown. However at this point in time there is no reason for changing our forecast."
Actions taken in the first quarter reinforced EADS' growing focus on defence. The CEOs noted that "our recent decision to reinforce our Defence and Security Systems Division through the inclusion of our military combat aircraft business, will further enhance our ability to deliver integrated systems able to meet the demands of future defence markets." EADS' defence and parapublic businesses, which are mainly part of the Aeronautics and Defence and Civil Systems Divisions, are subject to strong seasonal influences. Typically, revenues and earnings are significantly stronger in the second half of the year.
EADS recorded Net Income pre-goodwill and exceptionals of EUR 62 million, or EUR 0.08 per share, for the first quarter of 2003. This compares with EUR 139 million, or EUR 0.17 per share, for the same period last year, reflecting the EBIT decrease which was partly offset by tax effects. As usual at EADS, Net Income was significantly affected by non-cash amortisation of goodwill, amounting to EUR -140 million in the first quarter. Net Income after goodwill and exceptionals stood at EUR -93 million (first quarter 2002: EUR -25 million).
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
According to press reports from Manila, the Supreme Court of the Philippines today announced a decision that the project and concession contracts for the construction and operation of the new international passenger terminal (IPT 3) at Manila Airport are completely null and void. These contracts were signed in 1997 between the Philippine state and the PIATCO concession consortium. Fraport AG has been a member of this consortium since 1999. On the basis of the reasons for the supreme court decision, which are expected to be available soon, the PIATCO partners will coordinate in the coming days further steps to be taken. Fraport expects that PIATCO - upon decision of the majority partner - will take legal action against this decision in Manila and, at the same time, will continue with its arbitration proceedings currently underway in Singapore. If today's supreme court decision becomes final and conclusive, then PIATCO should be able to claim compensatory damages for the completed terminal. Simultaneously, Fraport will continue to make its own and direct claims against the Philippine state for compensation: for example, on the basis of the German-Philippine Investment Guarantee Treaty.
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Just before midnight on 2 June (23:45 local time, 19:45 CEST) a Soyuz rocket operated by Starsem will lift off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, and Mars Express will be on its way. The spacecraft was given the green light to launch following completion of a successful flight readiness review on 3 May. The Mars Express launch window opens on 23 May and lasts only four weeks. However, just before the spacecraft was due to leave Toulouse, France, for its trip to Baikonur in Kazakhstan, engineers discovered a fault in one of the electronics modules. „Of course, it was the most difficult box to remove from the spacecraft,“ says with a smile Rudi Schmidt, Mars Express Project Manager. In view of the estimated time needed to correct the fault, the launch date was initially put back from 23 May to 6 June, still within the launch window. However, thanks to the skill and dedication of the engineering team, the job was completed sooner than expected and the launch date was brought forward.
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Northrop Grumman Corporation was awarded a contract from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., to continue development of an engine that will increase the safety, reliability and affordability of next-generation reusable space launch and transportation vehicles. The $21 million contract for the TR107, a one-million-pound thrust class liquid oxygen/kerosene reusable engine that operates on an oxidizer-rich staged combustion cycle, is part of Next Generation Launch Technology under the Space Launch Initiative (SLI). Under this 18-month contract, engine components will be subjected to hot fire testing to demonstrate technology developments. "We are pleased to be part of NASA's continued emphasis on technology development to provide our nation with low-cost access to space," said Tom Romesser, Northrop Grumman Space Technology, vice president, technology development. "The award of this contract enables NASA to use our innovative propulsion technologies to achieve its Next Generation Launch Technology goals." The TR107 has been under development for two years under an earlier phase of NASA's SLI program. Northrop Grumman conducted trade studies and developed baseline conceptual designs. Northrop Grumman leads a team that includes Allison Advanced Development Company, Indianapolis, Ind.; Concepts NREC, White River Junction, Vt.; Barber Nichols, Inc., Arvada, Colo.; Sierra Engineering, Carson City, Nev.; and several independent experts. These technologies include a duct-cooled main chamber, a pre-burner pintle injector and materials that do not require coatings for the oxidizer-rich environment.
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Northrop Grumman Corporation's Space Technology sector announced that it has selected Marconi Selenia Communications S.p.A. to supply the backup radio for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. Northrop Grumman Space Technology is developing the F-35 advanced communications, navigation and identification (CNI) avionics suite under contract to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. The backup radio provides emergency voice communication capability for the CNI system.
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Executives from Japan Airlines and Boeing broke open a sake (rice wine) barrel May 7 to commemorate JAL's 149th and 150th Boeing twin-aisle airplane deliveries. The latest 777-200 and 777-200ER will be joining the JAL Group's predominantly Boeing fleet of 737s, 747s, 767s, 777s, DC-10s, MD-11s and Airbus A300 types.
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easyJet reported record revenues of £373m for the first half, up 92% from the same period in the prior year. On a proforma basis, assuming a combined easyJet and Go Fly in 2002, the underlying revenue increase is 25%. easyJet plc generated a loss before tax, goodwill and non-recurring items for the six month period of £24m which compares to a reported profit of £8.3m for the same period in the prior year. The loss after tax for the period was £46.9m, which compares to a reported profit of £0.8 million in the same period of the prior year. In the first half net cash inflow from operating activities was £24m. Highlights of the results (with comparisons on a pro forma basis, assuming a combined easyJet and Go Fly on 2002) include: Passenger numbers up 40% to 9.3m; load factor up 1.1% pts to 82.2%; average fare £37.45, 10.7% lower than last year; revenue up 25% to £373m. "The loss for the first half primarily results from the normal seasonality of the business. In the first half demand is traditionally weaker, we schedule most of our planned maintenance and we experience more weather-related delays. In this half-year we also lost most of the benefit of the Easter period, as it has fallen in the second half.
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NASA selected several radioisotope-based power-conversion technologies for research and development (R&D). The awards are the first competitive technology procurement funded wholly by NASA's Project Prometheus. These systems are distinguished by their use of new technologies for converting heat from radioisotope fuel into electrical power. The technologies are intended for use in improved radioisotope-power systems, which could provide higher efficiencies and power levels than those used on existing devices, enabling more sophisticated science instruments and spacecraft subsystems. The awards cover several distinct power-conversion technology areas: Thermoelectrics, Thermophotovoltaics, Stirling Engines, and Brayton Engines.
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Boeing unveiled the 717 Business Express, the newest variant of the Boeing 717-200, at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, or EBACE 2003. Boeing is discussing the airplane with corporate customers as a new business travel solution. "The Boeing 717 Business Express is a new concept for corporations to help deal with high-volume business travel," said Thad Dworkin, sales director, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "A company with significant and regular employee movement between two or more key business facilities would be a candidate for a 717 Business Express airplane." The 717 Business Express is designed to provide corporate employees with more productive space and improved use of travel time compared to typical business travel . The airplane can be configured to seat from 40 to 80 passengers in first- and/or business-class comfort.
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The Beechcraft Premier I is now capable of flying in tightly defined airspace throughout the world after receiving FAA Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) Group Certification. "Receiving group certification enables our owners to fly in the preferred flight paths, wherever they fly," said Bob Horowitz, president of Raytheon Aircraft's Beechcraft Division. "One of the Premier's greatest strengths is its performance in congested areas, and this group certification enhances that reputation."Field kits for delivered Premier I aircraft are now available. The first delivered aircraft with RVSM capability is serial number 70. RVSM is a requirement for operating in Europe, across the North Atlantic, Pacific, and will be a requirement in the United States by 2005. Aircraft not certified for RVSM flight are not permitted to fly between 29,000 and 41,000 feet – the flight path with the highest use. Aircraft flying in this flight path are spaced at a vertical separation of 1,000 feet and must be capable of maintaining altitude settings within a 200-foot band.
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Boeing Business Jets today signed an agreement with Lufthansa Technik that designates the company as an authorized warranty repair facility and service center, providing Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) operators another service option in Europe. The contract allows Lufthansa Technik to perform warranty work on the BBJ on behalf of Boeing. In addition, the Hamburg, Germany-based company will provide other maintenance, repair and overhaul services as required.
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Lufthansa, German Railways and Fraport are extending their joint program: passengers can now travel with the ICE 3 (Intercity express) on the new high-speed route between Cologne Central Station and Frankfurt Airport. The "train to the plane" runs on this route way up to 16 times a day with a Lufthansa flight number and Intercity train number. As an alternative to the existing flight service - it offers an optimal and fast connection to the airport at hourly intervals. The journey time is just 57 minutes. At Cologne Central Station, passengers can already check in their baggage and only pick it up again after the flight at their final destination. Lufthansa has already been offering this service in cooperation with its AIRail partners Deutsche Bahn and Fraport since March 2001 on the Stuttgart Central Station to Frankfurt Airport route. "The cooperation between Lufthansa, German Railways and Fraport in this form is unique worldwide. It sets standards for the networking of rail and air traffic, of transport systems and an efficiently operating hub which supplement themselves with their different strengths", said Ralf Teckentrup, Executive Vice President Network Management and Marketing at Lufthansa German Airlines. "Now we can also offer our customers fast and optimal connections from Cologne to our hub in Frankfurt by rail. It is a logical extension of our joint project which we initiated on the Stuttgart-Frankfurt route. We want to cooperate with our partners in order to advance our ambitious aim of further integrating the transport systems in a network and in the long term shifting short-range traffic to the rails."
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The first European installation of Rockwell Collins' Pro Line 21 Continuum avionics is underway on a Hawker 700. The installation and supplemental type certifications are being completed by Gulfstream Aerospace, Ltd., UK. System certification is expected this summer. The Hawker 700 installation features a four-display Collins FDS-2000 Flight Display System, Collins TCAS-4000 Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance System and dual Collins AHS-3000 Attitude Heading Reference Systems. The system is also equipped to meet European requirements for Mode S Elementary Surveillance.
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SWISS reported to its shareholders on the 2002 financial year at the General Assembly. A large majority of shareholders agreed with all the Board of Directors' proposals. Amongst other things, shareholders voted in favour of a reduction in capital, elected two new Board members and formally approved the actions of the Board of Directors. As already announced, SWISS generated consolidated sales of CHF 4278 million in 2002 and posted a loss of CHF 980 million. Excluding non-recurring expenses, losses amounted to CHF 658 million. The enduring economic slowdown, the after-effects of the conflict in Iraq, the SARS virus and modest demand in the air travel sector continue to impact negatively on the current financial year. Given that the company cannot operate profitably for the moment, and that the possibility of net equity falling below half the amount of the share capital cannot be ruled out, the General Assembly approved a motion to cut the company's capital by reducing the nominal value of each share by CHF 18, i.e. from CHF 50 to CHF 32. The share capital was also reduced by the same proportion, i.e. from CHF 2.627 billion to CHF 1.681 billion, to absorb the deficit balance of CHF 946 million. Amounts owing to creditors remain fully covered, even after this reduction in capital. The Board of Directors has reduced the number of its members from eleven to nine. Mr Peter Wagner left the Board some months ago, on 16 December 2002. Messrs Kevin E. Benson, Philip H. Geier and Riccardo Gullotti resigned with effect from 6 May 2003. The General Assembly elected the two candidates proposed by the Board of Directors, Walter Bosch and Jan Audun Reinås, each for a 3-year period of office. The new Board now comprises the two most recently elected members, Pieter Bouw (Chairman), Claudio Generali, Jacques Aigrain, André Kudelski, Michael Pieper, Urs Rohner and Peter Siegenthaler.
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In the reporting period of the first quarter of 2003, the EBITDAR of Austrian Airlines of EUR 63.0m rose by EUR 22.4m or 55.2 % compared to the figure for the same period the previous year (EUR 40.6m). The EBIT fell by EUR 7.6m (19.0 %) to EUR –47.7m. The profit before tax was EUR -53.3m following EUR -51.5m in the same period last year. Flight revenue fell slightly, by 2.8 % to EUR 416.6m, due to the lower demand and reduced yields. In an interim balance sheet statement, Vagn Soerensen, Chief Executive Officer of the Austrian Airlines Group, said the following: “Regrettably, the first quarter of 2003 was badly affected by the global economic downturn, the crisis in Iraq and the early effects of SARS. Only by taking immediate measures to cut our production and costs were we able to begin bringing the negative effects under control. This programme will be followed on the costs side by further far-reaching cuts, and on the revenue side by a broad series of marketing offensives. Despite the welcome conclusion to the war in Iraq, the continuing negative influence of the other factors means that demand has not yet picked up again.”
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The second developmental test flight of India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, GSLV, was successfully carried out this evening May 8, 2003 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre - SHAR, Sriharikota, about 100 km north of Chennai, marking a major milestone in the Indian space program. With this launch, India has moved further in establishing its capability to launch geo-synchronous communication satellites. The 414 ton, 49 m tall GSLV, carrying an experimental 1,825 kg satellite GSAT-2 lifted off from Sriharikota at 4.58 pm IST. About seventeen minutes after lift off, GSAT-2 was successfully placed in an orbit of 180.04 km perigee (nearest point to earth) and an apogee (farthest point to earth) 36,000 km with an orbital inclination of 19.2 degree with respect to the equator. As the count down for the launch smoothly proceeded, at 4.8 seconds before the count zero, the four liquid propulsion strap on stages, each carrying 42 tons of propellant, were ignited. At count zero and after confirming the normal performance of the liquid propulsion strap on motors, the mammoth 138 tons solid propellant first stage motor was ignited and GSLV blazed into the evening sky. The first stage burned for 105.03 seconds while the liquid propulsion strap on stages continued thrusting up to 148.4 seconds from lift-off taking the vehicle to an altitude of 69 km. At the end of the first stage burn- out, the GSLV had reached a velocity of 2.8 km per second.
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United Space Alliance Chief Operating Officer Michael J. McCulley has been named to succeed Russell D. Turner as President and Chief Executive Officer of United Space Alliance, effective May 15. Boeing Vice President and Deputy General Manager of NASA Systems, Brewster H. Shaw, has been selected to replace McCulley as USA COO, later this spring. Turner has accepted the position of President of Honeywell Engines, Systems and Services in Phoenix, AZ, after serving in the top leadership position at USA since June 1998.
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Lockheed Martin and Spectrum Astro announced a partnership agreement to pursue the development of GPS III, the next generation global positioning satellite system. This team is intensely focused on meeting the government's challenging requirement of this critical asset, and is committed to providing a solution that includes hyper- accurate positioning, velocity and timing data with confidence and security. "Lockheed Martin brings a wealth of experience and advanced technology to the table, as well as expertise in integrating large, complex systems. The outcome of this partnership will be a team the government can rely on to provide an incredibly more capable GPS system," said John Sundquist, Vice President of Lockheed Martin Navigation Systems. GPS III will address the challenging military transformational and civil needs across the globe, including advanced anti-jam capabilities, improved system security and accuracy, and reliability. The new satellite system will enhance space-based navigation and performance and set a new world standard for positioning and timing services. The team selected to meet this challenge will provide system and sustaining engineering, satellite development and production, Control Segment upgrades, and continuous research and development for this evolutionary system.
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SaabTech served the county labor board notice regarding 200 employees involved in company operations in Järfälla, Kista and Uppsala. Half of this group consists of development engineers, while the other half are administrative personnel. 'We have had to serve notice because several of our major development projects are entering the production phase without having been replaced by new development orders of corresponding magnitude. At the same time, this notice represents a rationalization that strengthens our competitive clout,' says Björn Erman, SaabTech's Managing Director. 'It's unfortunate but necessary that we implement these cutbacks. On the other hand, the company will do its best to provide support to employees who are affected by the change. '
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Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Marion Blakey spoke out on several issues of importance to the international general aviation community during a recent trip to Europe. These included global air traffic management, global aviation systems, and fractional ownership. Blakey spoke Tuesday, May 6, to attendees at the Civil-Military Air Traffic management Conference in Prague, in the Czech Republic, where she articulated her vision for future global ATM systems. "My vision … is one where a pilot can fly into JFK International Airport in New York … the Eldorado International Airport in Bogota … or the Ruzyne International Airport here in Prague without any noticeable difference in procedures or the quality of air traffic services," Blakey said. "I'm not talking about science fiction. It's within our reach if we make it a global priority." On Wednesday, May 8, Blakey delivered the keynote address at the 3rd annual NBAA/European Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition in Geneva, Switzerland. She again took the opportunity to promote cooperation and information sharing in order to develop a global aviation system that will be safe, efficient, and benefit operators as well as the industry. "Aerospace trade between the United States and the European Community exceeds $40 billion," she said. "There's a lot at stake." Blakey also praised the European Commission's Single European Sky initiative. "We are encouraged by the potential for a more harmonized and seamless operating environment in Europe," she said. As Europeans transition from the old Joint Aviation Authority to the new European Aviation Safety Agency, Blakey said she hopes that Europeans will consult with the United States and the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) to prevent potential conflict in the future. She also said she hoped that transition would include the creation of regulations to address environmental concerns.
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Northrop Grumman announced that the nation's newest and most advanced nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), returned to the Newport News sector following successful completion of initial sea trials. The sea trials are an aggressive series of operational tests to demonstrate that Reagan's two nuclear propulsion plants and their operators are fully mission capable. "Builder's trials went extremely well," said Bob Gunter, Northrop Grumman Newport News senior vice president, Aircraft Carrier Program. "We had about 450 Northrop Grumman Newport News employees riding sea trials, and we were all very pleased and proud to see the Ronald Reagan successfully underway for the first time. All indications are that our customer, the U.S. Navy, is equally as pleased. We've successfully demonstrated and tested critical ship's systems and they have met or exceeded our expectations."
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A new boost for research in the aerospace industry was announced today by UK Industry Minister Alan Johnson. Almost £1.5 million will help develop new technologies and processes to reduce waste during the manufacture of aerospace components. The project will be run by Finite Element Analysis in conjunction with other supply chain companies. A further £1.2 million will help create new materials and processes to develop the next generation of gas turbines, which will reduce fuel consumption and harmful emissions. This project will be led by Rolls Royce in conjunction with the University of Birmingham, the University of Wales Swansea, the University of Oxford and the Victoria University of Manchester.
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PT. Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), last April 28 kept its promise to hand over the A380 wing to the British Aerospace Systems (BAE Systems). This special occasion took place at PT. DI Fabrication Hangar, Bandung. The hand-over ceremony was attended by BAE Procurement Director, John Catteral and PT. DI President Director Edwin Sudarmo, and it was witnessed by the British Ambassador Richard Gozney. The presence of the ambassador proves what a serious attention the Government of UK pays to this project. Edwin explained that the contract for the A-380 wing production would last ten years with a US$ 90 millions worth contract, with an initial order for 50 wing sets. As stated by BAE representative, John Caterral, the initial 50 set order was to meet the need for 50 unit A-380 aircraft already ordered by commercial airlines from several countries such as Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.
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