Saturday, August 29, 2009 | Posted in | Read More »
NASA's Shuttle Discovery Launches to Enhance Space Station Science
Click here for more news / Clique aqui para mais notíciasCAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery, with its seven-member
crew, launched at 11:59 p.m. EDT Friday from NASA's Kennedy Space
Center in Florida. The shuttle will deliver supplies, equipment and a
new crew member to the International Space Station.
Inside the shuttle's cargo bay is the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics
Module, a pressurized "moving van" that will be temporarily installed
to the station. The module will deliver storage racks; materials and
fluids science racks; a freezer to store research samples; a new
sleeping compartment; an air purification system; and a treadmill
named after comedian Stephen Colbert. The name "Colbert" received the
most entries in NASA's online poll to name the station's Node 3. NASA
named the node Tranquility.
Shortly before liftoff, Commander Rick Sturckow said, "Thanks to
everyone who helped prepare for this mission. Let's go step up the
science on the International Space Station!"
The 13-day flight will include three spacewalks to replace experiments
outside the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory, install a
new ammonia storage tank and return the used one. Ammonia is needed
to move excess heat from inside the station to the radiators located
outside.
Sturckow is joined on the STS-128 mission by Pilot Kevin Ford, Mission
Specialists Pat Forrester, Jose Hernandez, Danny Olivas and European
Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang. NASA astronaut Nicole
Stott will fly to the complex aboard Discovery to begin a three-month
mission as a station resident. She replaces NASA's Tim Kopra, who
will return home on Discovery. Ford, Hernandez and Stott are
first-time space fliers.
The mission marks the start of the transition from assembling the
space station to using it for continuous scientific research.
Assembly and maintenance activities have dominated the available time
for crew work. As completion nears, additional facilities and the
crew members to operate them will enable a measured increase in time
devoted to research as a national and multinational orbiting
laboratory.
Discovery's first landing opportunity at Kennedy is scheduled for
Thursday, Sept. 10, at 7:09 p.m. EDT. This mission is the 128th space
shuttle flight, the 30th to the station, the 37th for Discovery and
the fourth in 2009.
NASA is providing continuous television and Internet coverage of
Discovery's mission. NASA Television features live mission events,
daily mission status news conferences and 24-hour commentary. For
NASA TV streaming video, downlink and schedule information, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
NASA's Web coverage of STS-128 includes mission information,
interactive features, news conference images, graphics and videos.
Mission coverage, including the latest NASA TV schedule, is available
on the main space shuttle Web site at:
http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
Hernandez and Stott are providing mission updates on Twitter. For
their Twitter feeds and other NASA social media Web sites, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/
Live updates to the NASA News Twitter feed will be added throughout
the shuttle mission and landing. To access the NASA News Twitter
feed, visit:
http://www.twitter.com/nasa
Daily news conferences with STS-128 mission managers will take place
at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. During normal business
hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday, reporters may
ask questions from participating NASA locations. Please contact your
preferred NASA facility before its daily close of business to confirm
its availability before each event.
Johnson will operate a telephone bridge for media briefings that occur
outside of normal business hours. To be eligible to use this service,
reporters must possess valid media credentials either issued by a
NASA center or issued specifically for the STS-128 mission.
Media representatives planning to use the service must contact the
Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111 no later than 15 minutes prior to
the start of a briefing in which they wish to participate. Newsroom
personnel will verify their credentials and transfer them to the
phone bridge. The capacity of the phone bridge is limited and will be
available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
NASA Sets Briefing, TV Coverage of Japan's First Cargo Spacecraft
Click here for more news / Clique aqui para mais notíciasHOUSTON -- NASA will hold a news briefing at 12:30 p.m. CDT on
Wednesday, Sept. 2, to preview the maiden launch and flight of
Japan's unpiloted H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) cargo spacecraft to the
International Space Station.
NASA Television will broadcast the briefing live from NASA's Johnson
Space Center in Houston. Participants in the briefing will include
officials from NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
(JAXA). NASA TV also will broadcast live HTV's launch and flight.
The HTV is scheduled to lift off on an H-IIB rocket from JAXA's
Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan at approximately noon
Sept. 10 (about 2 a.m. Sept. 11 Japan time). NASA TV coverage of the
launch will begin at 11:45 a.m. The HTV will augment the European
Space Agency's Automated Transportation Vehicles and the Russian
Progress ships that deliver supplies to the space station.
NASA conducted an HTV readiness review on Aug. 27. The HTV was
formally approved for flight and rendezvous. The launch window will
be open from Sept. 10-30. In the event of a launch postponement after
the H-IIB rocket is fueled, a 72-hour turnaround will be required
before the next launch attempt.
As the 16.5-ton cargo craft makes its week-long journey to the space
station, flight controllers in Tsukuba, Japan, and at Mission Control
in Houston will conduct a number of tests of HTV's rendezvous and
navigation systems.
NASA TV coverage of the cargo craft's arrival at the station will
begin at 2 p.m. Sept. 17. As the HTV moves within about 40 feet of
the orbiting laboratory, space station crew members will capture the
craft using the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm. The crew then will
attach the HTV to an Earth-facing docking port on the station's
Harmony connecting module. The robotic maneuvers are set to begin at
about 2:50 p.m. Sept. 17.
The HTV will remain attached to the station for about six weeks while
supplies are transferred. In addition to interior supplies and
equipment, two new experiments carried on the exterior of the HTV
will be moved to the Japanese Kibo module's external experiment porch
using a combination of maneuvers with the station's Canadarm2 and
Kibo's robotic arm.
For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and streaming video,
visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
For more information about the space station, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/station
NASA Selects 16 Small Business Research and Technology Projects
Click here for more news / Clique aqui para mais notíciasWASHINGTON -- NASA has selected 16 small business projects to address
important research and technology needs. The awards are part of
NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business
Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
The SBIR program selected 12 proposals for negotiation of phase II
contracts, with a total value of approximately $7.2 million. The
awards went to 12 small, high technology firms in nine states.
The STTR program selected four proposals for negotiation of phase II
contract awards, with a total value of approximately $2.4 million.
The awards went to four small high technology firms in four states
partnered with three research institutions in three states.
These selections are supplementary to the 142 phase II SBIR awards
announced Oct. 28, 2008, and the 16 STTR phase II awards announced on
April 15, 2009.
SBIR and STTR are part of the Innovative Partnerships Program Office
at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The office partners with U.S.
industry to infuse innovative technologies into NASA missions and
transition them into commercially available products and services for
the agency and other markets.
A few of the research areas being pursued among this group of selected
proposals include:
- Innovative technologies for improvement in design and analysis
of flight deck automation
- Technologies for long-term cryogenic propellant storage
applications in-space, on the lunar surface and on Earth. The
technologies also include fluid system components, cryogenic
insulation and conditioning systems.
- Development of advanced power conversion, energy storage and
power electronics to enable or enhance the capabilities of future
science missions
- Technologies providing novel approaches in reconfigurable,
reprogrammable communication systems for human and robotic missions
NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, Calif., manages the SBIR
and STTR programs for the Innovative Partnerships Program. Individual
projects are managed by NASA's field installations.
For a list of selected proposals, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/offices/
For more information about the Innovative Partnerships Program, visit:
http://www.ipp.nasa.gov
USAF C-130 Avionics Upgrades Fate Unclear
Click here for more news / Clique aqui para mais notíciasAmy Butler
The U.S. Air Force is reviewing the C-130 Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) as part of its fiscal 2011 budget review, and it is unclear when -- or whether -- it will enter production....
USAF C-130 Avionics Upgrades Fate Unclear
Lufthansa Cleared To Take Over Austrian
Click here for more news / Clique aqui para mais notíciasRobert Wall/London wall@aviationweek.com
Lufthansa will officially sign for Austrian Airlines on Sept. 3, with the deal formally closing in mid-September after European Union antitrust authorities clear the deal....
Lufthansa Cleared To Take Over AustrianJASSM Production Gap Manageable, USAF Says
Click here for more news / Clique aqui para mais notíciasBy Amy Butler
As the U.S. Air Force prepares for a critical set of flight-tests to gauge the reliability of retrofits on the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), production on the Lockheed Martin assembly line is hampered....
JASSM Production Gap Manageable, USAF SaysNTSB Plans New Emergency Medical Helo Rules
Click here for more news / Clique aqui para mais notíciasFrances Fiorino fiorino@aviationweek.com
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) plans to propose 19 new safety recommendations aimed at minimizing the risks of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operations at a Sept. 1 board meeting in Washington, D.C....
NTSB Plans New Emergency Medical Helo RulesShuttle Discovery Departs For ISS
Click here for more news / Clique aqui para mais notíciasFrank Morring, Jr. morring@aviationweek.com
More updates on the mission will be posted as developments warrant at the On Space blog.
A crew of seven astronauts lifted off for the International Space Station on the shuttle Discovery tonight, dodging Florida weather to make a stunning liftoff into the midnight sky....
Shuttle Discovery Departs For ISSBoeing Celebrates 70 Years in St. Louis
Click here for more news / Clique aqui para mais notíciasST. LOUIS, Aug. 28, 2009 -- Boeing Integrated Defense Systems President and CEO Jim Albaugh addresses the audience at the Boeing St. Louis 70th anniversary celebration on Aug. 27.
Hundreds of Boeing employees were joined at the site by community leaders, politicians, company executives and others to celebrate the anniversary of James S. McDonnell founding the company that for decades bore his name and is now part of The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA].
The ceremony also highlighted production milestones for several Boeing products built in St. Louis, including delivery of more than 1,600 F-15 Eagles; 400 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets; 200 C-17 subassemblies; 220 T-45 Goshawks; 220,000 Joint Direct Attack Munitions; 7,000 Harpoon missiles and 4,000 Small Diameter Bombs.
Seated behind Albaugh from right to left are former Chairman and CEO of McDonnell Douglas Corporation and current Boeing Board of Directors member John McDonnell, Sens. Christopher "Kit" Bond and Claire McCaskill, Rep. Russ Carnahan, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837 President and Directing Business Representative Gordon King, St. Louis Central Labor Council President Robert Soutier, and Department of Economic Development Representative Linda Martinez. Click the below links to watch videos of their speeches.
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is the largest manufacturer in Missouri and the state’s second largest employer, with approximately 16,000 employees.
Airbus delivers its 4000th A320 Family aircraft to TAM
Click here for more news / Clique aqui para mais notícias Ferry flight to deliver charity donation to support schoolsAirbus has delivered its 4000th A320 Family aircraft to Brazilian flag carrier TAM from its Final Assembly Line in Hamburg. The aircraft, an A319, was handed over to TAM in the presence of the President of the Board of TAM, Maria Claudia Oliveira Amaro as well as Airbus President and CEO, Tom Enders. The aircraft is powered with IAE engines and configured in a comfortable single-class lay-out seating 144 passengers. On the A319's ferry flight from Hamburg to Brazil, TAM will transport goods for schools for handicapped children in the region. The equipment was donated by Aviation without Borders Germany (LOG) and facilitated by the Airbus Foundation. Maria Claudia Oliveira Amaro, Chairman of the Board of Directors of TAM said: "TAM's acquisition of the 4000th A320 Family aircraft is another milestone in our partnership with Airbus. It will be an even bigger excitement when TAM's aircraft heads for Brazil, as it will also be contributing to an important initiative in the social responsibility arena." "The delivery of our 4000th A320 Family aircraft to TAM not only speaks for the tremendous success of the A320 programme, but also for our strong relationship with TAM , the largest Airbus operator in the Southern Hemisphere" said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO. Daniel Baubil, Executive Vice President A320 Family Programme added: "The A320 Family is without doubt the world's most eco-efficient, modern and reliable aircraft family in its market segment. And the programme's success will continue as constant improvements in aerodynamics, weight reduction, operational improvements and increased cabin comfort will further strengthen the A320 Family's market leadership." In July more than 10,000 Airbus employees involved in the programme at all Airbus' sites celebrated the production of the 4000th A320 Family aircraft. TAM became an Airbus A319 operator in 1998 with a historic combined order of 90 aircraft together with the airlines TACA and LAN. Today the airline operates a fleet of 125 Airbus aircraft. More than 350 Airbus aircraft are in operation in Latin America with 22 carriers. This represents more than 40 per cent of aircraft over 100 seats in service in Latin America. The A320 Family, which includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321, is recognized as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Each aircraft features fly–by-wire controls and all share a unique cockpit and operational commonality across the range. More than 6,400 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been sold to 221 customers worldwide, making it the world's best-selling commercial jetliner ever. With proven reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single-aisle aircraft. Uniquely, the A320 Family offers a containerized cargo system, which is compatible with the world wide standard wide-body system. |
Lufthansa May Drop Cargo Fleet If Night Flight Ban
Click here for more news / Clique aqui para mais notíciasLufthansa could give up its fleet of cargo planes if night flights were banned at its main hub in Frankfurt, Lufthansa Cargo chief executive Carsten Spohr said....
Lufthansa May Drop Cargo Fleet If Night Flight Ban
NTSB Seeks Changes In New York Air Traffic
Click here for more news / Clique aqui para mais notíciasUS safety regulators on Thursday recommended tighter guidelines for handling air traffic over New York's Hudson River in response to a collision between a helicopter and a plane that killed nine people....
NTSB Seeks Changes In New York Air TrafficAer Lingus Staff Face Jobs And Pay Cuts
Click here for more news / Clique aqui para mais notíciasAer Lingus will cut wages and probably jobs to ensure the loss-making Irish airline survives, its chairman said on Friday....
Aer Lingus Staff Face Jobs And Pay CutsAegean Air H1 Profit Jumps 143 Percent
Click here for more news / Clique aqui para mais notíciasGreek carrier Aegean Airlines on Friday reported a 143 percent jump in first-half net profit on improved revenues and higher passenger traffic but declined to give a forecast....
Aegean Air H1 Profit Jumps 143 PercentIberia vai tirar mais aviões de operação; Corte de capacidade acelera para 6%
Click here for more news / Clique aqui para mais notíciasA companhia espanhola Iberia anunciou hoje que vai parar mais três Airbus A320, elevando para dez o número de aviões retirados de operação, porque vai cortar mais capacidade do que inicialmente previa, elevando a redução de uma média anual de 4,3% para 6%....
Iberia vai tirar mais aviões de operaçãoCorte de capacidade acelera para 6%
OceanAir realiza debate sobre atual cenário da aviação comercial brasileira
Click here for more news / Clique aqui para mais notíciasNa próxima quarta-feira (02/09), Renato Pascowitch, Diretor Executivo da OceanAir/Avianca, e Renato Aranha, Superintendente Comercial da OceanAir, participam de debate com diretores de agências de turismo sobre o cenário atual da aviação brasileira....
OceanAir realiza debate sobre atual cenário da aviação comercial brasileira 
