Meteorites that excavated fresh craters have revealed evidence of frozen water hiding just below the surface in the mid latitudes of Mars, scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., report. Using instruments on NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, they found bright ice exposed in five Martian sites that range from 1.5-8 ft. deep. The craters did not exist in earlier images of the same sites. The findings indicate water ice exists at lower latitudes than previously expected.
More than a year after scathing accusations rocked the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), key senators, government investigators and Obama administration officials appear skeptical about the pace of reform. DCAA Director April Stephenson asserts that the agency has made substantial progress since news broke in mid-2008 that lower-level DCAA auditors were hindered or subverted in some investigations of defense contracts, and that auditors or their reports had become subservient to contractors.
China Great Wall Industry Corp. and the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmospheric Research Commission will jointly develop a communications satellite, Paksat-1R, under an agreement signed Sept. 18 in Islamabad. China is backing the project with a soft loan of roughly $200 million, according to China Daily. The new satellite, intended to support the goal of improved satellite communications for Pakistan under its medium-term development plan, will carry 12 C-band and 18 Ku-band transponders, and be ready in about three years.
The ERJ 135/140/145 family is a series of twin-engine, 37-50-seat regional jets. The initial model was the 50-seat ERJ 145, which first flew in August 1995. Deliveries began in late 1996. The next model was the 37-seat ERJ 135, which made its initial flight in July 1998. Deliveries began in July 1999. The 44-passenger ERJ 140 first flew in June 2000, with initial deliveries in July 2001. A longer-range version of the ERJ 145, called the ERJ 145XR, has also been developed. The Rolls-Royce AE 3007A is the engine used on these aircraft.
ATR is a joint venture of EADS and Alenia Aeronautica that builds turboprop-powered regional transport aircraft. The first ATR 42 was delivered in 1985, to Air Littoral. The ATR 72 entered service in 1989. Current production versions are the ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-500. The ATR 42-500 seats 46-50 passengers, and is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127E engines (2,160-shp. each). The ATR 72-500 seats 66-74 passengers, and is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127F engines (2,475 shp. each).
Ruag Space and AAC Microtec of Sweden are preparing to fly a package of miniaturized control, computer and mass memory components intended to show the feasibility of carrying advanced subsystems on nanosat-class spacecraft. The package, weighing just 120 grams (4.23 oz.), will be the first in space based entirely on 3D wafer-level packaged (3D-WLP) microsystem technology. It features a plug-and-play 3D-WLP architecture, dubbed Inovator, built for OHB System with funding from the Swedish National Space Board.
Avic General Aircraft hopes to begin production next year of two new models—one a jet and one piston engine—as part of a broad push by Chinese manufacturers into the business aviation market. Separately, the Chinese company has launched a four-engine amphibious aircraft, evidently an extensive update of the SH-5 flying boat developed and built in small quantities from the 1960s to 1980s.
Air France-KLM is cutting its winter capacity 2% from last year’s level, the second year running the airline group is taking this action. The medium-haul network will be affected the most with a 2.9% reduction planned, whereas long-haul will see capacity curtailed merely 1.8%. Compared with 2007, total capacity is down 3.6%; in medium-haul operations, 6.4%; and long-haul, 2.8%. Air France says its share of the reduction is 1.7% this year, with the winter season capacity down 4.8% from 2007 levels.
Mitsubishi Aircraft formally launched the Mitsubishi Regional Jet family in March 2008. Two basic models, powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1000G geared turbofans, are planned: the 70-80-passenger MRJ70 and 86-96-passenger MRJ90. Extended- and long-range versions of each basic model are also envisioned. Service entry is targeted for 2014.
Qantas this month took delivery of its 76th Boeing 737 (shown), an -800, and is to receive its 77th in October as that type closes in on another distinction. As of August (the latest data available), Boeing has recorded 3,105 orders for the 737-800, which nominally seats 162 in a two-class layout. That is about double the order rate for the next-best-selling member of the Next Generation series, the 126-seat 737-700. It also underscores the industry’s general trend toward higher seating capacity in narrow-body aircraft.
Brad Blettner has become director of sales and marketing for Cincinnati-based Delta AirElite Business Jets . He was vice president-business development for the Cincinnati Reds.
South Korea has awarded two contracts to Israel Aerospace Industries worth $280 million for FA/TA-50 training aircraft radars as well as advanced ground radars for air defense. The EL/M 2032 multimode fire control radar, co-produced by Elta Systems and Korea’s LIGNex1, will be installed in aircraft built by Korea Aerospace Industries. The IAI-built air defense radar is to be operational in South Korea by 2012.
Planning details are tucked deep in the new Afghanistan war assessment by Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal. Aviation assets for border control, customs collection and counternarcotics are lacking. Infantry and combat service support troops will be increased at the expense of engineers, artillery and motorized quick-reaction troops. International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) are to serve shoulder to shoulder with Afghan forces to establish a common “battle rhythm.” The plan would break some combat traditions.
The U.S. Air Force expects to announce preferred U.S. basing locations for its Joint Strike Fighter force in late spring 2010. Final decisions are slated for calendar 2011, after environmental studies are performed. The Air Force will evaluate more than 200 sites. The data will be used to identify two candidate basing lists, one for operations and the other for training, to place the 250-300 JSF aircraft scheduled for delivery through 2017.
AerCap’s purchase of Genesis Lease makes it the world’s largest independent leasing company, and has kicked off what is expected to be a prolonged period of reshaping for the multibillion-dollar aircraft leasing market.
The Sukhoi Superjet 100, formerly known as the Russian Regional Jet, is a family of twin-engine regional transports powered by PowerJet SaM146 turbofan engines rated at 13,500-17,500 lb. thrust each. Two models are being developed: a 95-98-seater (which will be the lead version) and 75-78-seat version. Development of a 110-130-passenger variant as well as a smaller 60-seater is also being considered, but this development will depend on sales of the baseline model. The Superjet 100 made its first flight in May 2008.
China’s first mission to Mars is on hold for 26 months following a last-minute decision by the Russian space agency Roscosmos to postpone launch of its Phobos-Grunt probe. Originally set for launch on a Zenit rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in a planetary window opening Oct. 6, the mission was delayed until the 2011 Mars launch window, apparently because of problems with the return vehicle that was to bring back samples from the Martian moon Phobos, according to Ma Yongping, deputy director of the Beijing Aerospace Control Center.
The CRJ is a family of twin-engine, 44-100-seat regional jets. The initial model was the 50-seat CRJ100, which is no longer in production. It first flew in May 1991, and deliveries began in October 1992. The CRJ100 was replaced by the 50-seat CRJ200, which is powered by a pair of 9,220-lb.-thrust GE CF34-3B1 turbofans. Other variants have included the 44-seat CRJ440, which is also powered by CF34-3B1s; the 64-78 seat CRJ700, powered by two 13,790-lb.-thrust CF34-8C5 turbofans; and the 86-90-seat CRJ900, powered by two 14,255-lb.-thrust CF34-8C5s.
The E-Jet family consists of twin-engine, 70-122-seat regional jet aircraft. The 70-80-passenger 170 made its first flight in February 2002, and deliveries began in March 2004. The 78-88-seat 175 flew for the first time in June 2003. The 170 and the 175 are powered by 14,200-lb.-thrust GE CF34-8E engines. The 94-114-seat 190 made its initial flight in March 2004, while the 106-122-passenger 195 first flew in December 2004. The 190 and 195 are powered by 20,000-lb.-thrust CF34-10E engines. Through 2008, 498 aircraft in the series were produced.
The MA60 turboprop is a stretched version of the Xi’an Y7-200A. It can accommodate 56-60 passengers, and is powered by two 2,750-shp. Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127J engines. The aircraft made its initial flight in 2000. Deliveries began in August 2000, to Sichuan Airlines. A freighter version, the MA60-500, is also marketed. Through 2008, approximately 36 MA60s were produced. An improved version of the MA60, dubbed the MA600, is being developed. A total of 115 MA60/MA600s are forecast to be produced in 2009-18.
The German air force is introducing into operational service in Afghanistan a new airborne reconnaissance system. Tornados deployed to Mazar-i-Sharif as part of the country’s support of NATO forces are cleared to start flying operationally with the RecceLite pod. Tornado crews have been training with RecceLite for several weeks. The wet-film reconnaissance system will continue to be used in parallel, the German air force says. It has bought two RecceLite pods along with the support equipment.
Pentagon leaders hope a painstakingly recrafted source-selection strategy for the U.S. Air Force’s KC-X replacement tanker will make clear to competitors and Congress alike, when the winner is named in mid-2010, why they won and so avoid the protests and politics that doomed the last competition.
Tital, a supplier of aluminum and titanium castings, has been qualified by Airbus France as a strategic supplier for the A400M turboprop military airlifter and single-aisle jet aircraft. The company previously supplied Airbus but now is allowed to perform a higher level of work as part of Airbus’s strategy to work with fewer suppliers that provide components at an elevated level of completion. Tital has been seeking higher status in the Airbus supply chain for the past three years.
The A330 twin-engine, wide-body commercial passenger transport was developed by Airbus to replace aircraft such as the A300, DC-10-10 and L-1011. An A330 prototype first flew in November 1992. Deliveries began in December 1993. Customers have a choice of turbofan engines in the 64,000-72,000-lb.-thrust class: the GE CF6-80E1, Pratt & Whitney PW4000 or Rolls-Royce Trent 700. Three A330 models are available. The A330-300 seats 335 passengers in two classes or 295 in three classes. The A330-200 seats 293 in two classe, or 253 in three.
I’m afraid Dale L. Jensen (AW&ST Aug. 24/31, p. 8) doesn’t know what to do with NASA either. The real key to not just “lesser” cost but low cost is not to develop “advanced performance rocket engines” to increase payload, but to develop a fully reusable launch vehicle with a relatively simple design (two-stage, vertical-takeoff-or-landing), with proven technologies throughout, and generous safety margins to ensure reliability.
