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 Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite communications program has fallen a year behind schedule and gone $1 billion over budget due to delays in the delivery of cryptographic user equipment being furnished by the National Security Agency (NSA), according to the Air Force. Facing a 20% overrun on the $5 billion program, the Air Force on Dec. 3 notified Congress that AEHF was in violation of the Nunn-McCurdy Act. If the overrun reaches 25%, the program will have to be certified as essential by the Pentagon or face cancellation.
NASA's Galaxy Explorer (GALEX) telescope has discovered several dozen "newborn" galaxies that provide an unprecedented close-up look at galaxy formation, NASA announced Dec. 21.
Northrop Grumman is leading a team in the development of a spider-like autonomous robot that could reduce the maintenance burden for future astronauts by crawling over the exterior of spacecraft such as the proposed Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) inspecting and repairing damage. The six-legged robot also could assist astronauts during spacewalks, possibly even rescuing them if they become incapacitated, according to Northrop Grumman.
