The European Space Agency has approved spending 80 million euros ($98 million) to evaluate socio-economic spinoffs from Europe's planned Global Monitoring for Environment and Security network, begin design of the space segment and continue studying potential services begun under an earlier funding phase.
Contrary to Rick Schreiner's and others' assertions, the space shuttle fleet is neither obsolete nor unsafe (AW&ST Aug. 23/30, p. 6). The shuttle is the most technologically advanced reusable orbital spacecraft. It is a reliable, rugged and versatile vehicle that provides unmatched capabilities.
Brian A. Hathaway suggests the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) can be saved by placing it in the orbit and at the altitude of the International Space Station (ISS) where it can be repaired and moved to an orbit where HST will satisfy the needs of astronomers (AW&ST Sept. 6, p. 7).
Pre-emptive war with Iran is a last-resort option that can't be discarded, says Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.). "I don't want to saber-rattle, but I wouldn't take anything off the table," Lieberman declares, voicing worries about Iran's Islamic government's growing power, its increasing support of terrorists and its spending on advanced weapons. "These folks are clearly thumbing their nose at world opinion in terms of going forward with their nuclear program," he says.
The 2005 French budget bill presented last week calls for a 1-billion-euro ($1.2-billion) hike in civil research spending, including a 300-million-euro increase in tax credits for industry R&D. The budget also provides for an 8% boost in defense research. An agreement between the defense and research ministries to collaborate on technologies is expected to be signed soon (see pp. 33 and 37).
The House Appropriations subcommittee overseeing NASA funding has set a Fiscal 2005 spending level for the agency about $1 billion below the administration's request. The $15.2-billion measure cuts $438 million because of delays associated with the Crew Exploration Vehicle. Project Prometheus takes a $230-million funding hit, while International Space Station funding is reduced $120 million to account for money NASA isn't expected to spend because of continued lack of space shuttle operations.
The U.S. Army has awarded Huntsville, Ala.-based Miltec a contract for the second of three phases of the low-cost interceptor (LCI) project. The contract covers one year, with two option years that could total almost $50 million. The effort is intended to develop a $100,000 weapon that can shoot down cruise missiles and eliminate the need for more expensive interceptors, such as Patriot missiles. LCI has survived largely through congressional largess, a situation not expected to change.
Delta's pilot union members will soon decide whether the airline may recall retired pilots to stave off operational disruptions. Ironically, early pilot retirements are sparking concerns about the very operational problems Delta is trying to avoid. If a large number opt to retire by Oct. 1--and they need only give notice the last day of September--the airline could come up short on cockpit crews. This could lead to flight cancellations, revenue loss--and a speedier opening of Delta's books to Chapter 11 (AW&ST Sept. 20, p. 40).
My I suggest Capt. Paul Havis look to the marine industry for some answers. Avia- tion's roots are soaked in salt water. Merchant Marine ships' masters and military ships' captains are always responsible for their ships and crews. How does the Air Force handle this? Is there not an aircraft commander in addition to the pilots?
You can now register ONLINE for Aviation Week Events. Go to www.AviationNow.com/conferences or call Ryan Leeds at +1 (212) 904-3892/+1 (800) 240-7645 (U.S. and Canada Only) Oct. 12-14--MRO/Asia. Shanghai Convention Center. Nov. 16-17--A&D Programs. Biltmore Hotel, Phoenix. PARTNERSHIPS Oct. 12-14--Shephard Heli-Asia 2004, Bangkok. Oct. 20--Shephard ARA 2004, Bangkok Nov. 1-7--Air Show China, Zhuhai. www.airshow.com.cn Dec. 15-16--Shephard UV North America 2004, Washington.
Following the signing of a new three-year wage pact between Singapore Airlines and its union, the carrier says it will outsource an undisclosed number of information technology jobs from its 14,000-member staff later this year (AW&ST Sept. 13, p. 56). Elder statesman and unofficial adviser Lee Kuan Yew cautioned in a letter to the union that the carrier must not be derailed by American-style union practices that could drive it into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, referring to the recent filing by U.S Airways.
Predicting that the "the enemy will come at us very, very tough" and that U.S. troops will have to fight for the elections in both Afghanistan and Iraq, Gen. John Abizaid, chief of U.S.
Virgin Express and SN Brussels Airlines next week are tentatively scheduled to complete a merger agreement. The British Branson group, which owns Belgium-based Virgin Express (and controls Virgin Atlantic Airways) and Belgian investors owning SNBA plan to jointly establish a Brussels-based holding company that would acquire both carriers and tightly coordinate their strategies and operations. Virgin would focus on low-fare European routes while SNBA would concentrate on high-yield market segments and African destinations.
James McIntyre, who is president of aerospace marketing and advertising firm Romeo Oscar Inc. of Montreal, has been elected to the board of directors of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame, Wetaskiwin, Alberta.
Tamara Kolda (see photo), a researcher at Sandia National Laboratories in California, has been named to receive a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the U.S.' highest honor for scientists and engineers embarking on an independent research career. She is an applied mathematician and computational scientist who was cited for contributions in optimization, nonlinear equations, tensor decompositions, graph algorithms, parallel computing and the design of scientific software.
Randy Znamenak (see photo) has become vice president-sales and marketing of Stevens Aviation, Greenville, S.C. He was sales and marketing manager for Cessna's Citation Service Centers.
More than $800 million in work to support extravehicular activity (EVA) on the space shuttle and International Space Station will be managed by Hamilton Sundstrand in Windsor Locks, Conn., under a new contract from NASA that consolidates previous EVA contracts. The work includes integrating new EVA requirements, performing sustaining engineering for spacesuits and EVA hardware, including tools and crew aids. The five-year contract covers work being done under separate contracts by Hamilton Sundstrand, United Space Alliance, Oceaneering Space Systems and ILC Dover Inc.
Over the last decade, airlines and investors have benefited from the growing use of Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates to finance fleet expansion. But matters usually got complicated if an airline defaulted. Troubled airlines can lose valuable aircraft, as investors have prior rights and may sell the assets. Even with ironclad protections at work, investors might not do well, either.
Art Stephenson (see photo), retired director of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, has been named to the advisory board of the Starsys Research Corp., Boulder, Colo.
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. Chair- man N.R Mohanty says the Indian company is exploring taking a 5% stake, worth about $22 million, in the Sukhoi-led Russian Regional Jet program. EADS Co-CEO Philippe Camus adds that his company, too, could take a share in the twinjet project as part of a broad push into the Russian market. Last week, French Finance Minister Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed that France will grant a refundable loan to Snecma Moteurs, which has already signed on as a risk-sharing partner, to help fund the RRJ's new SaM146 powerplant.
Three years beyond its estimated design life, the NASA/Ball Aerospace QuikSCAT (Quick Scatterometer) satellite remains healthy and continues to return critical global climate data, say program officials. QuikSCAT data have improved two-to-five-day weather forecasts and warnings, particularly at sea, NASA says. Its image of Hurricane Frances is shown here.
Also, Alliot-Marie confirmed that France will participate in the NATO mission, approved last week, to help train Iraqi military and police forces. However, she insisted that no French instructors will be among the 300 or so personnel to be dispatched to Iraq. Instead, French training will be dispensed from neighboring countries.
