U.S. guards Russian Atlas V engine options as tensions mount

The U.S. decision to extend operational funding for the International Space Station (ISS) until 2024 is increasing the odds there will be some significant return on the $100 billion orbiting investment. So is a growing awareness of its unique utility for industrial and academic research, and some long-delayed traction for the commercial-space incubator NASA set up to promote U.S. National Laboratory assets on the station.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's move to annex the Crimean Peninsula is a “wake-up call,” says NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who urged Europe to increase defense spending—particularly in the missile defense, cyber and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance arenas. “Developments in Ukraine are a stark reminder that security in Europe cannot be taken for granted,” he said last week. Russia's actions must have consequences, he warned.

On-orbit satellite servicing will soon become a reality

The aerospace industry is replete with innovators, but occasionally there comes someone whose ideas and accomplishments make the term “innovator” seem not broad enough. Harold Rosen is that sort of innovator. A team led by Rosen produced breakthroughs that kick-started an entire sector of the aerospace industry. That sector remains the most important commercial application of space technology. More than anyone, Rosen deserves to be called the father of the communications satellite.

Jean-Yves Le Gall, the newly named president of France's Centre Nationale d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), is Aviation Week's 2014 Laureate for Space, based on his work as chairman and CEO of Arianespace. Named to the helm of Europe's world-beating launch service provider in 2007, Le Gall turned around the performance of the Ariane 5 during his tenure at the company. Under his leadership, Arianespace accomplished 54 consecutive successful missions.

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A roundup of timely insights from recent aerospace and defense industry research.