NASA plans to launch an exterior Earth-observation platform to the International Space Station under a cooperative agreement with Teledyne Brown Engineering Inc., which builds the flight releasable attachment mechanism manufactured by Huntsville, Ala.-based subsidiary Teledyne Technologies Inc. The Multi-User System for Earth Sensing (Muses) is due for delivery by the end of 2014 and expected to provide precision pointing and other accommodation for high-resolution digital cameras and other Earth sensors.
“Sagas of Valor” by Anthony Velocci, Jr., is excellent. The article postulates that due to the changing dynamics of combat flying, it is less likely that an aviator will be in a situation that meets the criteria for MOH consideration. One might also speculate that changes in rules of engagement (ROE) have unfavorably impacted aviators, although I believe trained and motivated aviators will do whatever is necessary, regardless of the ROE.
It was refreshing to read about the Medal of Honor aviators in “Sagas of Valor” (AW&ST May 28, p. 54). However, at least one MOH awardee was conspicuous by his absence—U.S. Navy Vice Adm. James Stockdale from the Vietnam War era. In addition to being awarded the MOH, Stockdale received two Distinguished Flying Crosses. The DFC was established in 1926 to recognize military aviators who distinguished themselves by heroism or extraordinary achievement in flight.
Despite an appeal to protect the Gravity and Extreme Magnetism Small Explorer (GEMS), the mission is a casualty of NASA's efforts to squeeze its astrophysics budget. The explorer, slated for a November 2014 launch, was intended to study the origin of polarized X-ray emissions in the strong magnetic fields around black holes, neutron stars and supernova remnants. But GEMS's $119 million cost was projected to grow by up to 30%, and NASA opted to kill it this month.
Simone Menne (see photo) has been appointed to the executive board of Deutsche Lufthansa as CFO, effective July 1. She succeeds Stephan Gemkow, who will become CEO of the Haniel Group.
By Bradley Perrett, Adrian Schofield, Jens Flottau
As international pressure mounts against Europe's attempt to make airlines pay for emissions, progress is being made on a global plan that offers the best hope of preventing a political standoff from turning into a full-blown trade war. The inclusion in the European Union's emissions trading system (ETS) of non-European carriers that operate in the region has raised the ire of governments around the world. And as the first deadline to buy emissions credits draws closer, Europe's refusal to back down is giving all parties less room to maneuver.
The nomination of Michael Huerta, the acting director of the FAA since last December, may finally advance. The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee has scheduled a hearing for June 21. Huerta was the agency's deputy under Administrator Randy Babbitt, who resigned after being charged with driving while intoxicated. Those charges were later dismissed.
Manin bin Khalifa Al-Said (see photo) has become general manager for quality and safety of Oman Air. He was an IOSA-qualified auditor and consultant with Aviation Services.
Tom Chambers has been appointed director of aviation services at Solomon Cordwell Buenz of Chicago. His architectural portfolio includes the design of the United Airlines Terminal One at Chicago O'Hare International Airport and work at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.
Josh Salzman has been tapped to become VP-global government affairs at Washington-based Airlines for America. He was an aide to Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas).
J. Bruce Hoffman, DFCS Director (Upper Jay, N.Y. )
Your article on the Medal of Honor awarded to aviators was a wonderful tribute to the heroism of those who have received the U.S.'s highest award for valor. U.S. Air Force Gen. Norton Schwartz talks about the roles that subjectivity and judgment play in making the tough call between an Air Force Cross and an MOH. He notes that does not diminish the heroism that occurred to earn the lesser award, but only draws attention to the conclusions that were reached by the particular review board as they dealt with “shades of gray.”
May 10, 2012, was a big night for Boeing, whose 787 Dreamliner was awarded the Collier trophy during a black-tie dinner at Reagan Washington National Airport where Signature Flight Support's hangar was transformed into a glittering, grand hall. The star of the evening was the 787 itself, which dominated the ramp in floodlit glory just beyond the open hangar doors.
Spacecraft engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) hope to land the Mars Curiosity rover closer to its target than originally planned, moving the “sky crane” touchdown about 4 mi. nearer the base of the mountain where scientists seek to explore layers of sedimentary rock for evidence that a wetter Mars could have supported life.
The recent revelation that the U.S. may have used cyberworms to infiltrate Iranian centrifuges has Washington abuzz with leak rumors. But as politicians argue about whose lips should be zipped, the incident may bring out a more public discussion of cyberwarfare.
On your roster of MOH aviator recipients, Pfc. Raymond M. Clausen, Jr., is listed as “Crew Chief and Pilot.” He was a crew chief, but not a pilot. I was a pilot in HMM-263, Clausen's squadron at the time of the incident. Though I did not fly on the mission he was lauded for, I researched and wrote the original citation. The aircraft commander on the mission was Lt. Col. Walter Ledbetter, who received a Navy Cross; the co-pilot was Lt. Paul Parker, who received a Silver Star.
In “Sagas of Valor” the “Miracle at Kham Duc” describes the gallant action of Col. Joe M. Jackson. I am the proud owner of the oil painting by Keith Ferris that illustrates the article. It also is the cover art for my book, “Hit My Smoke—Forward Air Controllers in Southeast Asia.” The call sign for Jackson's C-123 was “Bookie 771.” The co-pilot was Maj. Jesse W. Campbell. The combat controllers who were rescued were Sgts. Mort Freedman and Jim Lundie. The third man rescued was Maj. John Gallagher, a C-130 pilot.
Low-cost carriers and charter operators in Central Europe face stiff competition, among themselves and from state carriers that “run on an emotional basis and are treated like they will go on forever,” says Sandor Szomora, deputy chief executive of Lufthansa Technik Budapest. Szomora, who worked for a Malev Hungarian Airlines joint venture before joining LHT, says these state carriers often are “not nimble or adaptive.”
Chris Monroe has been promoted to treasurer from senior financial analyst at Southwest Airlines. He succeeds Scott Topping, who left the airline last year.
New Zealand's government will face an uphill political battle convincing the public that buying 11 ex-Australian navy Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite helicopters makes sense. Nonetheless, officials seem convinced the purchase is worth the money.
