Even as the Air Force attempts to centralize its space acquisition programs, problems still loom for the Space Based Infrared System High (SBIRS High) and Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM), according to Gen. Ralph "Ed" Eberhart, head of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and Air Force Space Command. "[The] SBIRS program is in a certain amount of trouble," Eberhart said, speaking April 9 at the 18th National Space Symposium here.
of Colorado Springs, Colo., will deliver Ka-band spot antennas for use on a U.S. Department of Defense Wideband Gapfiller Satellite (WGS), under a contract awarded by Boeing Satellite Systems. Harris will deliver 10 antennas for the third WGS satellite.
Coleman Aerospace will complete the development of the Long Range Air Launch Target (LRALT) and perform a demonstration of the system under a $10.4 million task order from the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, for the Missile Defense Agency. The Orlando, Fla.-based company, a subsidiary of L-3 Communications, is developing the LRALT system for the MDA's theater missile defense program. The company's proposed design is for an air-launched ballistic missile target, based on Coleman's existing Short Range Air Launch Target.
of Paris has signed a contract with Eutelsat to deliver the W5 communications satellite. The satellite, which will be ready for launch this summer, will provide video distribution, Internet backbone connections and satellite newsgathering. W5 will carry 24 Ku-band transponders, which can be operated simultaneously for fixed coverage across Europe. It also has two mobile spotbeams, which can be steered to cover different market zones. The satellite has a design life of more than 12 years.
SHUTTLE DOCK: Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station on April 10, according to NASA. Atlantis launched April 8 on an 11-day mission to install a key segment of the station's truss.
of Salt Lake City, which builds customized input technology solutions for the consumer market, said its Smart Cat touchpad has been selected by Bradford Engineering as a control device for the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) Video Drawer used on the International Space Station. The MSG is used to conduct microgravity experiments, which require an enclosed environment. The Smart Cat requires no finger pressure, which will allow the astronauts to wear gloves when conducting experiments. The MSG is slated to be delivered to the station's U.S.
The Indian air force (IAF) has asked the Indian defense ministry to buy advanced jet trainers (AJTs) as soon as possible, warning that further delay could seriously hamper the air force's combat readiness. The Indian government has been negotiating with the United Kingdom's BAE Systems to buy 66 Hawk 100 trainers. Although funds were made available in last year's defense budget, the deal has not gone through due to a price dispute between the Indian defense ministry and BAE Systems, according to a senior defense ministry official.
H-92 IMPROVEMENTS: The first H-92, a military variant of Sikorsky's S-92, has returned to flight testing after being fitted with major structural enhancements, including an extended main rotor shaft, a redesigned electrical system and a lighter tail structure. These improvements will be fitted to all future S/H-92 helicopters, according to Sikorsky.
of Sunnyvale, Calif., is testing NASA's Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF). The company received SIRTF's Cryogenic Telescope Assembly, which includes its scientific instruments, from Ball Aerospace of Boulder, Colo., and has integrated it with the Lockheed Martin-built spacecraft. "We have completed the careful process of integrating the payload and spacecraft, and are beginning to perform environmental and other tests that will verify SIRTF is ready for launch early next year," said Tom Dougherty, Lockheed Martin's SIRTF program manager.
Raytheon hopes its Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), which will be formally turned over to the FAA next year, eventually could become a one-stop global satellite navigation system for users around the world. WAAS corrects and enhances Global Positioning System (GPS) signals by comparing them with position information from ground stations and two satellites in geosynchronous orbit.
The Bush Administration's fiscal 2002 supplemental appropriations request and FY '03 defense budget request include funding to replace wing center sections on about 23 of the Navy's EA-6B Prowler electronic attack aircraft, according to Navy officials and industry sources. Naval Air Systems Command indicated in a statement April 9 that the Administration's FY '03 budget includes funding for 15 new Northrop Grumman wing center sections. The command issued the statement in response to questions.
have signed a "certificate of substantial completion" signifying that the new launch pad for the Atlas V/Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle is ready to support launch operations. The pad is located at Launch Complex 41 (LC 41) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Pad construction began in October 1999, after the existing Titan launch towers at LC 41 were demolished. Hensel Phelps Construction, of Greeley, Colo., is the general contractor for the LC 41 project. The Atlas V is slated to make its inaugural launch this summer.
Equipment launched aboard a Chinese spacecraft, Shenzhou III, indicates the country's spacecraft environment control and life support systems are ready for manned space flights, said a spokesman at the Beijing Aerospace Direction and Control Centre. China's third unmanned spacecraft, Shenzhou III, landed safely in the central Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on April 1, after orbiting the Earth 108 times in just under a week.
have formed a new company to provide two-way satellite broadband communications services to companies, consumers and small office/home office users in Europe. The company's name, its management team and board of directors have not been announced. The new company's value is more than 200 million euros ($174 million), including 50 million euros in cash and contributions of facilities and equipment from each partner company.
Boeing will launch a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office in 2004 aboard its Delta IV Heavy booster, the company announced April 9. Details of the launch, which will take place from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., were not released. However, Boeing said the launch is part of the Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. The Delta IV Heavy is the largest of the Delta family of boosters, and can lift up to 28,950 pounds to geosynchronous transfer orbit, according to the company.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark has given the go-ahead to consolidate the Navy's helicopter fleet from seven models to two, a move that is intended to make maintenance, logistics and training more efficient, according to Rear Adm. Michael McCabe, director of the service's air warfare division. The Navy will restructure its helicopter forces around two "linchpin airframes," the Sikorsky MH-60R and MH-60S, McCabe testified April 9 before the Senate Armed Services seapower subcommittee.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark has given the go-ahead to consolidate the Navy's helicopter fleet from seven models to two, a move that is intended to make maintenance, logistics and training more efficient, according to Rear Adm. Michael McCabe, director of the service's air warfare division. The Navy will restructure its helicopter forces around two "linchpin airframes," the Sikorsky MH-60R and MH-60S, McCabe testified April 9 before the Senate Armed Services seapower subcommittee.
Coleman Aerospace will complete the development of the Long Range Air Launch Target (LRALT) and perform a demonstration of the system under a $10.4 million task order from the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, for the Missile Defense Agency. The Orlando, Fla.-based company, a subsidiary of L-3 Communications, is developing the LRALT system for the MDA's theater missile defense program. The company's proposed design is for an air-launched ballistic missile target, based on Coleman's existing Short Range Air Launch Target.
Equipment launched aboard a Chinese spacecraft, Shenzhou III, indicates the country's spacecraft environment control and life support systems are ready for manned space flights, said a spokesman at the Beijing Aerospace Direction and Control Centre. China's third unmanned spacecraft, Shenzhou III, landed safely in the central Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on April 1, after orbiting the Earth 108 times in just under a week.
Lufthansa Technik AG and LHT Acquisition Corp. have completed their tender offer for shares of Hawker Pacific Aerospace stock, the companies announced April 9. Lufthansa Technik, of Hamburg, Germany, announced its intention to acquire Hawker Pacific Aerospace of Sun Valley, Calif., last month (DAILY, March 13). The company formed LHT Acquisition Corp. to handle the tender offer.
Lufthansa Technik AG and LHT Acquisition Corp. have completed their tender offer for shares of Hawker Pacific Aerospace stock, the companies announced April 9. Lufthansa Technik, of Hamburg, Germany, announced its intention to acquire Hawker Pacific Aerospace of Sun Valley, Calif., last month (DAILY, March 13). The company formed LHT Acquisition Corp. to handle the tender offer.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Even as the Air Force attempts to centralize its space acquisition programs, problems still loom for the Space Based Infrared System High (SBIRS High) and Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM), according to Gen. Ralph "Ed" Eberhart, head of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and Air Force Space Command. "[The] SBIRS program is in a certain amount of trouble," Eberhart said, speaking April 9 at the 18th National Space Symposium here.
LOCKHEED MARTIN SPACE SYSTEMS of Sunnyvale, Calif., is testing NASA's Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF). The company received SIRTF's Cryogenic Telescope Assembly, which includes its scientific instruments, from Ball Aerospace of Boulder, Colo., and has integrated it with the Lockheed Martin-built spacecraft.
Boeing will launch a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office in 2004 aboard its Delta IV Heavy booster, the company announced April 9. Details of the launch, which will take place from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., were not released. However, Boeing said the launch is part of the Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program.
Two U.S. congressmen from California are seeking to add hundreds of millions of dollars to the Bush Administration's fiscal 2003 defense budget to benefit the Global Hawk and Predator B unmanned aerial vehicles, the Navy's Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV-N), the B-2 bomber, the Black Hawk helicopter and other aerospace programs that have local interest.
