Dynetics, Inc. will join Maxar Technologies in the development and demo of operations for the cornerstone power and propulsion element of NASA’s Gateway.
The lengthy statement of administration policy highlighting concerns in the areas of aviation, the nuclear enterprise and space, among others, was sent to the House Rules Committee July 9. Aerospace DAILY obtained a copy of the letter.
LOCKHEED MARTIN has $41.3m U.S. Navy contract modification for flight test instrumentation and data processing for Tech Refresh-3 and Modernization Block 4 configuration of F-35 test aircraft.
China-based drone manufacturer DJI said the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has authorized the use of customized “Government Edition” (GE) versions of its multirotor models following a 15-month assessment that included data security testing.
The 344-sq.-foot, four-segment, reflective Mylar Light Sail 2 will undergo additional testing of the altitude control system and possible spacecraft software updates.
The update package, named LRASM 1.1, includes unspecified changes to the shape of the wing for better range, a Lockheed spokesman confirmed to Aerospace DAILY on July 9.
The world’s largest military institution—the Pentagon—“is a place with a strong compass or a deep keel,” former Defense Secretary Ash Carter said July 9. “No organization … can move forward without a leader.”
Skyworks Global has partnered with Scaled Composites to build a high-speed rotorcraft demonstrator, the Vertijet, based on a concept developed under DARPA’s Heliplane program and inspired by the late-1950s Fairey Rotodyne.
India’s first indigenously-developed seaborne aircraft carrier—INS Vikrant—is making headway and should be delivered to the country’s navy in two years.
The contract is funded through the ESA/OneWeb Sunrise project, part of the space agency’s long-running ARTES research program to support development of advanced products and services in satellite communications.
The German aerospace cluster of Berlin-Brandenburg plans to fly a technology demonstrator for low-emission hybrid-electric propulsion systems for future 19-seat regional airliners.
NASA has awarded SpaceX a $50 million contract to launch an X-ray observatory designed to measure polarized light from black holes, neutron stars and other high-energy astrophysical objects.
The British defense ministry is widening the scope of its directed energy weapons research with plans for three new demonstrators to help accelerate the introduction of the technology to the front line.
This week the House is expected to begin consideration of the fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. On Tuesday afternoon Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) will convene a hearing to examine NASA’s human spaceflight plans with witnesses including famed Apollo Flight Director Gene Kranz.
