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.
The first Global Positioning System IIF satellite is in its final phase of in-orbit checkout following its arrival on station Aug. 1. Orbital testing should be completed by September, when the satellite will be cleared to serve as part of the operational constellation. Launched in May, the Boeing-built satellite features a new civil safety-of-life signal, known as L5.
Scientists have discovered a so-called Trojan asteroid in the L5 Lagrangian point at Neptune, where the gravitational tug between the gas giant and the Sun cancel each other out, allowing smaller bodies to remain stable. Sharing a planet’s orbit, Trojan asteroids give astronomers insight into how the planet and the Solar System formed. Other Trojans have been discovered at other Lagrangian points near Neptune and Jupiter.
Thales Alenia Space has delivered its first trio of Globalstar second-generation communication satellites and is set to deliver a second group of three by the end of the month. The six spacecraft are scheduled to be launched to low Earth orbit in October on a Soyuz rocket. The company is under contract to build 48 of these satellites, each weighing 700 kg. and generating 1.7 kw. of power. They are equipped with 16 C- and S- band transponders and are expected to have a 15-year operational life.
