Eurockot successfully launches MOM
Erfolgreicher Start von Rockot
Eurockot Launch Services GmbH successfully launched the Multiple Orbit Mission into different orbits on 30 June at 14:15 GMT using the ROCKOT launch system from Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Northern Russia. The multiple payload consisted of 8 micro- and nano-satellites for scientific purposes as well as a satellite simulator. This launch is Eurockot`s first sun-synchronous mission. The ROCKOT launch vehicle successfully deployed the Czech republic`s MIMOSA spacecraft into an elliptical orbit of 820 x 320 km and the Canadian Space Agency`s MOST spacecraft, together with a host of nano-satellites, including the Japanese Cubesat and CUTE-1, the Canadian Can X-1, the Danish AAU Cubesat and DTUsat, the US Quakesat, into a sun-synchronous orbit of 820 km. Next to demonstrating the multiple orbit deployment capability of its Breeze upper stage, this launch was also Eurockot`s first sun-synchronous mission. The ninth payload of this mission, a mass frequency simulator of the Russian MONITOR satellite, intentionally remained on Breeze and will burn up during deorbiting.
Like most of its co-passengers, MIMOSA will perform a scientific mission. The Czech Astronomical Institute will use it to measure the density of the earth's upper atmosphere. MOST will carry Canada`s first space telescope and will probe the age of planets and stars for the Canadian Space Agency. The Japan spacecraft Cubesat Xl and CUTE-1 are educational nano-satellites of the University of Tokyo and the Tokyo Institute of Technology. The main purposes of CanX-1, AAU Cubesat and DTUsat is star-imaging. They will be operated for the University of Toronto, Aalborg University and the Danish Technical University respectively. Quake-sat`s mission will be the detection of earthquakes for the Quake-Finder Institute. With the Mutiple Orbit Mission (MOM), Eurockot demonstrated the unique capability of its Breeze upper stage: multiple reignitions allow it to be precisely positioned into different orbits and release several spacecraft successively.
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NEWS IN BRIEF / KURZMELDUNGEN
The budget committee of the German Bundestag approved funds to procure self-protection equipment for the fleet of C-160 Transall transport aircraft. In order to increase the self-protection capabilities of the aircraft in relation to the threat posed by surface-to-air missiles in crisis areas, the current equipment dating from 1992 - 1993 will be replaced, according to the project. Altogether, 18 aircraft ship-sets will be procured. Twelve aircraft will be fitted with the new equipment, and a further 12 will be prepared for future installation as necessary. The new, uprated self protection equipment improves the survivability of crew and aircraft against the threat by air defense weapons. It indicates the aircraft's acquisition by search and tracking radar (radar warning receiver) and warns the crew of approaching missiles (missile detection system). The systems can react to indicated threats by launching chaff (in the case of radar-guided missiles) or flares (against infrared seeking missiles). The equipment creates a protected zone around the aircraft. The project is particularly important for the protection of life and health of the crews and passengers in the context of the international employments of the German Federal Armed Forces. The total value of the project amounts to approximately 55.3 millions EUR.
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Sagem and STN Atlas Elektronik have signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of UAVs. The first aim of this agreement is to develop full interoperability between the two companies' UAV systems, more particularly between Sagem's SPERWER and STN Atlas' KZO/TAIFUN. Through such interoperability, the six countries operating these UAVs will benefit from a common command and control infrastructure for the evaluation and exchange of tactical intelligence, surveillance and targeting data. Using the two companies' skills and experience will allow widening the scope of the missions until now carried by the existing tactical systems. The agreement also plans to complement the existing UAV range thus constituted by adding further elements which will meet the new requirements the armed forces are facing as regards the tactical UAV segment.
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BAE SYSTEMS has been selected by The Boeing Company to provide the AN/ALQ-196 Low Band Jammer for the U.S. Air Force's Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The value of the contract could reach $80 million over the next five years. BAE SYSTEMS Information & Electronic Warfare Systems (IEWS), headquartered in Nashua, New Hampshire, will work with the prime contractor, Boeing, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, to integrate the ALQ-196 Low Band Jammer onboard AFSOC's MC-130H Talon II and AC-130U gunship aircraft. The ALQ-196 gives aircrews a highly effective defense against current and future radio frequency (RF) missile threats. The ALQ-196 system has been in operation on AFSOC MC-130E Talon I aircraft since 1994 and a similar system onboard on the Air Force's U-2 Dragon Lady aircraft has proven its effectiveness for more than two decades.
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The U.S. Navy has awarded a $91.8 million contract to Northrop Grumman Corporation for low-rate initial production of the Increased Capability (ICAP) III electronic attack system. For this first contract the company will design and produce 10 ICAP III upgrade kits plus spares and install them in fleet EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft. First delivery is in 2004 and Initial Operational Capability of the first squadron will be in 2005. ICAP III also will be the airborne electronic attack weapon system for the EA-18G, the variant of the F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft that will begin to replace Prowler aircraft in the 2009 timeframe. Work on the ICAP III is being led by the Airborne Early Warning and Electronic Warfare (AEW&EW) Systems unit, headquartered in Bethpage, N.Y. AEW&EW Systems is a unit of Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector. "Providing our military with an electronic attack capability that can defeat modern surface-to-air missile systems and interrupt communications has been a technologically formidable challenge," said Philip A. Teel, sector vice president, AEW&EW Systems. "But our team has made great achievements in software design and system engineering and integration to develop this remarkable new weapon."
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Raytheon was recently awarded an $11.2 million Program Research and Development Announcement (PRDA) contract for initial development work related to the Air Force¹s next generation of military Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. Under the contract, Raytheon´s Space and Airborne Systems business will study the implementation, certification, integration and operation of a modernized military global positioning user equipment (MUE) security architecture; the ability to design, develop and produce MUE; and the feasibility and advisability of implementing the military¹s Y-Code GPS signal in MUE. "The MUE PRDA studies will provide a vital foundation for the development of more robust and accurate military GPS user equipment that our armed forces will need by the end of this decade," said Dr. Mark Youhanaie, Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems¹ leader for the Precision Engagement strategic business area. Contract work will be completed by February 2005, in time to support the start of the MUE engineering development phase.
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Boeing confirmed that All Nippon Airways (ANA) has finalized its agreement to purchase 45 Boeing 737-700 airplanes. The signing of this definitive agreement increases Boeing Commercial Airplanes' 2003 order total to 86 airplanes. "This order allows us to simplify our narrow-body fleet with the most cost-efficient and superior-performance airplane in its class," said Yoji Ohashi, president and CEO - All Nippon Airways. "The Boeing 737 will help us meet our goal of reducing operating costs and increasing return on investment for our shareholders. Additionally, with its passenger-pleasing interior, the new 737s will carry our customers in utmost comfort on even the shortest of distances." ANA will take delivery of its new 737s starting in 2005. The single-class airplanes will be operated on ANA's domestic and regional networks.
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EADS will carry out target presentation for air defense training of the German Air Force with the new DO-DT 25 drone system. Following a competition, Dornier GmbH, a unit of EADS, obtained the order for the supply of drones and the performance of missions. As reported by the company on Monday, this order was awarded for four exercise campaigns by the Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB). The Systems & Defence Electronics (S&DE) Business Unit will be responsible for the production, delivery and operation of the drone systems. The DO-DT 25 drone was specifically developed in accordance with the user requirements to be met by an aerial target system for V/SHORADS (short-range air defense systems). It has a length of 3m, a wing span of 2.5m and a take-off weight of 120kg. It is driven by two turbo air-jet engines and is equipped with an advanced GPS-supported flight guidance and navigation system. The launch is carried out by a pneumatically operating catapult, the landing is assured by a two-step parachute recovery system. The drone can fly maneuvers up to load factors of 5g and reach speeds of up to 450 km/h in straight flight.
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Boeing has been named by the Department of Energy (DOE) to lead in the creation of a next-generation power system for future Mars surface missions and the exploration of deep space. Boeing Rocketdyne Propulsion and Power in Canoga Park, Calif., is teamed with Teledyne Energy Systems, Inc. to develop, qualify, and deliver electrical power generation systems for interplanetary missions and probes. The new compact power system, a multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator (MMRTG), will provide unique in-space and planetary surface power capability. The announcement follows the successful launch of the Boeing Delta II, powered by the Rocketdyne RS-27A engine, which sent Mars Exploration Rovers A, otherwise known as “Unity”, on its way to the red planet.
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Class began June 30 at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. for the first group of naval flight officer students to train with the T-6A Texan II, the Navy's newest trainer aircraft. NAVAIR's Undergraduate Flight Training System Program Office (PMA-273) accepted the first two T-6 Texans in November 2002 and has been accepting one or two every month since for a current inventory total of 15. The T-6 will replace the T-34 trainers and provide increased capabilities allowing pilots to fly higher and faster. The first few weeks of the syllabus will be ground training only, which combines academic and computer-based training with the use of simulator exercises. There are currently three T-6 simulators in place at Pensacola with two more scheduled to arrive in November 2004. Actual flights for the NFOs in the T-6 will begin in August. By then, the Navy should have a total of 19 Texans in its inventory. Ultimately, the goal is to buy 328 T-6s.
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Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) and Connexion by Boeing, a business unit of Boeing announced the signing of a definitive service agreement for equipping the European air carrier's long-haul aircraft with the broadband mobile information service. Based on the terms of the agreement, 11 SAS long-haul aircraft will be equipped with leading-edge wireless technology that will allow airline passengers to access the Connexion by Boeing service. An undisclosed number of options for expansion of the service onto additional SAS aircraft also are part of the agreement. Service installations will commence in early 2004, while aircraft model types and flight routes will be determined in the months ahead. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
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After a number of tests and new insights, SOHO engineers now say there will be no 'blackout' periods for SOHO science data. High-rate transmissions from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) were initially interrupted on 27 June 2003. The interruption was expected due to a recent malfunction in the pointing mechanism of the spacecraft's high-gain antenna (HGA). The loss of signal occurred on a 26-metre station of NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN). Until 30 June 2003, however, the spacecraft continued beaming down its science data, which were successfully picked up by larger 34-metre DSN stations (when available). In addition, dumping on-board recorder data during these contacts has further reduced data losses so far.
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Northrop Grumman announced today that the U.S. Navy has awarded the company a contract for the planning of an extended selected restricted availability on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Northrop Grumman's Newport News sector is the prime contractor for this award. The contract is valued at approximately $10.4 million and will include tank preservation, propulsion and ship system repairs and limited enhancements to various hull, mechanical and electrical systems. Work is scheduled to begin in 2004.
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Sagem, a European leader in navigation systems, Sukhoi Corporation, the Russian defense technology sales company Rosoboronexport and the Russian avionics Technocomplex Corporation have signed a protocol at the 45th International Paris Air Show, in Le Bourget, near Paris. The protocol outlines opportunities for co-operation in the areas of joint development of prospective aviation systems, for the upgrade of already delivered Sukhoi aircraft and thorough modernization of SU-27 family aircraft for future deliveries and UCAV. According to Sagem's Vice-President, Jacques Paccard, “this cooperation is based on a wide and successful experience in the field of integration of Sagem navigation system on Sukhoi aircraft for foreign customers”.
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Following the approval of the competition authorities and completion of the necessary due diligence procedures, Aeronautica Macchi, a leading producer of training aircraft, is officially part of the Finmeccanica group from July 1. The purchase of 67.2% of Aermacchi was originally agreed in December 2002. The purchase price for the stake is EUR 154.9 million. Finmeccanica already owned 27.4% of the company via Alenia Aeronautica. Aermacchi offers a strong strategic fit with Finmeccanica's aerostructure activities, and will expand the group's product range and technology base. Aermacchi is currently involved in Alenia Aeronautica's most important programmes in the military sector, while in the civil sector it has important partnership with major international groups such as Airbus Industrie and Dassault.
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The new facilities of EADS CASA “Bahía de Cádiz” in Puerto de Santa María were inaugurated today. This event was presided over by Manuel Chaves, president of the Andalusian Board, accompanied by the government representative, Juan Ignacio Zoido, the mayor of Puerto de Santa María, Hernán Díaz Cortés and other officials. On EADS CASA's part, the president Francisco Fernández Sáinz was present, together with the director of the facilities, Jesús García Argüelles and other executives from the company. The “Bahía de Cádiz” center replaces the one located in Puntales, built in 1927 to house the construction of the hydroplane Dornier Do J Wal. It has been a reference in the Spanish aeronautic industry. The new center covers a total surface of 78,840 square meters, of which 20.056 are covered, and is located on the road from Puerto de Santa María to Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Km 5.5. From this modern production center, EADS CASA wants to become Europe's leader in costs, quality and flexibility in the production processes of Sheet Metal Work, Superplastic Forming and Fibre Placement.
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The Austrian Airlines Group is continuing to expand its route network in Central and Eastern Europe. From 20 August 2003 onwards the company will operate a new direct connection to Baku, capital of Azerbaijan. Chief Commercial Officer Dr. Josef E. Burger made the following statement on this initiative: “This new development means that Austrian Airlines is the only airline to fly to all three Caucasian republics, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. We offer a total of eight weekly connections to this region, emphatically proving our unrivalled competence in Eastern Europe.”
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Alcatel, Europe's largest satellite manufacturer, announced today that it will acquire Loral Space & Communications, Ltd.'s 47% share of the Europe*Star satellite system as part of a transaction that successfully terminates Alcatel's joint ventures with Loral and resolves Alcatel's litigation against Loral and its subsidiary, Space Systems/Loral, Inc. Acquiring Loral's share in Europe*Star will increase Alcatel's stake to 95%. The Europe*Star transfer is subject to German antitrust review, which Alcatel expects to complete this summer. Loral also agreed to pay Alcatel $13 million in cash, $5 million now and $8 million no later than one year from now. In addition, Loral has transferred its interest in the SkyBridge satellite project to Alcatel, while Alcatel has given up its interest in Loral's Cyberstar partnership. As part of these arrangements, Alcatel plans to terminate its arbitration and lawsuits against Loral. At the same time, Alcatel, Intelsat and Loral have agreed that Intelsat will pay Alcatel directly, rather than through Loral, for Alcatel's share of orbital incentives on the Intelsat IX and VII satellite programs. Alcatel expects these direct payments to reach in the range of $60 million over the next few years.
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With the introduction of the new Airbus A340-313, SWISS is embarking on the renewal of its long-haul fleet. SWISS will be taking delivery of a total of seven A340-313s, scheduled to progressively replace the existing Boeing MD-11s. Reclining seats in Swiss Business, the largest individual screens in the airline branch for Swiss Economy and a camera mounted beneath the cockpit are just some of the highlights of the new aircraft. A binding basic agreement for the financing of the nine aircraft has been concluded with Airbus, the manufacturer. SWISS negotiated until the last moment before delivery and has now reached agreement on the leasing rates which totally conform with the market for the nine A340s which are to be delivered in 2003/2004. SWISS is relieved that Airbus, as the prime partner, has made the necessary concessions which are essential for the implementation of the new Business Plan. The contracts for all nine machines are valid for 12 years.
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The Mirage F1CG has been officially withdrawn from operational service by the Hellenic Air Force. During an official ceremony held at Tanagra HAF airbase, General Y. Papanikolaou, Chief of Staff of the Hellenic Air Force, has praised the 28 years of faithful and reliable service provided by the Dassault Aviation single-engine fighter to the defence of Hellenic airspace. In his answer, Serge Dassault, Honorary Chairman of Dassault Aviation, stressed the fact that the Mirage F1 is at the origin of a very long and exemplary partnership between the air forces and the industries of Greece and France. He said that this partnership has been further reinforced by the selection of the Mirage 2000 multirole fighter by Greece in the eighties, and, more recently by the order for the Mirage 2000-5 Mk.2. The Mirage F1CG had been ordered by Greece in 1974 and 40 units had been delivered from 1975. The Mirage F1CG logged more than 160.000 flying hours with the HAF. Throughout 28 years of operational service, they demonstrated their ruggedness, their reliability and their capability to ensure total security of Hellenic airspace, in full independence and autonomy.
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