Jeff has been involved in aerospace journalism since the mid 1990s. Prior to joining Aviation Week, Jeff served as managing editor of Launchspace magazine and the International Space Industry Report. He has been the editor and chief of Aviation Week's Aerospace Daily & Defense Report since 2007 and has been a regular contributor to Aviation Week magazine. He received his B.A. from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va.
Iridium Satellite LLC has tapped Lockheed Martin and Thales Alenia Space for the final phase of the procurement process for the company’s replacement satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT. During this last nine-month phase, the two companies will vie for the Iridium NEXT prime contract, slated to be awarded by midyear 2009. The current generation of Iridium satellites are expected to begin reaching the end of their operational life around 2014.
JSC CLOSES: NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston closed at 12 p.m. CDT Aug. 4 and is slated to remain closed through Aug. 6 because of the threat of tropical storm Edouard. Edouard is predicted to cross the Texas coast early Aug. 5. Flight control of the International Space Station will continue from Houston, and the Space Station Mission Control Center at Johnson will remain open.
Boeing’s earnings per share dropped 14 percent to $1.16 during the second quarter of 2008, in part due to the $248 million charge the company incurred as a result of delays in the Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) program. Boeing’s overall revenue for the quarter stayed relatively steady at $17 billion, and was affected by both the Wedgetail charge and lower profitability “due to mix and timing in Commercial Airplanes, partially offset by lower centralized costs,” the company said in announcing its results July 23.
