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 fiscal 2008 Air Force budget will put greater emphasis on operationally responsive space (ORS) systems, Undersecretary Ron Sega told lawmakers during a hearing on Capitol Hill March 16. "I believe [ORS] should have a greater role in our look forward in space," Sega told members of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces subcommittee. Responsive space already has been part of early discussions on the FY '08 budget request, Sega said. "I would look on that as having a more prominent role going forward."
Wind tunnel tests are under way at Ames Research Center and Glenn Research Center to ensure that the removal of foam from certain areas on the space shuttle's external tank will not create potentially dangerous aerodynamic effects.
NASA has given up on making the space shuttle's May launch window and is focused now on launching Discovery in July, Program Manager Wayne Hale announced March 14. The decision to shoot for the July 1-19 window for mission STS-121 followed a two-day meeting on the external fuel tank's engine cutoff (ECO) sensors, one of which is showing warning signs that it may be developing a problem (DAILY, March 9).
