NASA Awards Systems Engineering Contract For In-Space Servicing







GREENBELT, Md. -- NASA has awarded a sole source contract to Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (LMSSC) of Greenbelt, Md., for Systems Engineering for In-Space Servicing (SEISS). This cost-plus-fixed-fee, 18-month contract has a value of $31.2 million.

LMSSC will provide systems and discipline engineering support to develop and execute two demonstrations to test and verify new robotic servicing capabilities using the Dextre robot aboard the International Space Station. The Canadian Space Agency's Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator, or Dextre, is a two-armed robotic system designed to perform intricate maintenance and servicing tasks, which previously would have required spacewalks.

The first demonstration will use a customized payload task box, Dextre
and specialized tools to robotically demonstrate refueling and repair
tasks in orbit. Tasks will include locating, accessing and uncapping
valves and transferring simulated liquid fuel. During the second
demonstration, Dextre will test and evaluate a variety of tools,
sensors and instruments to support autonomous rendezvous and capture
capabilities for orbiting spacecraft systems.

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., is developing
both demonstration payloads. These demonstrations are intended to
increase NASA's technical capability to conduct robotic in-space
servicing. The contract encompasses requirements definition and
verification, hardware design, support of flight and ground
hardware/software development, and mission planning support.

For information about NASA's programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

Source: NASA



Friday, December 31, 2010 | Posted in , | Read More »

China's J-20 Stealth Fighter In Taxi Tests







By Bill Sweetman
Washington

China’s first known stealth aircraft just emerged from a secret development program and was undergoing high-speed taxi tests late last week at Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute’s airfield. Said to be designated J-20, it is larger than most observers expected—pointing to long range and heavy weapon loads.

Its timing, Chengdu’s development record and official ...







Friday, December 31, 2010 | Posted in | Read More »

China Eastern To Buy 50 A320s







By Robert Wall wall@aviationweek.com
LONDON

China Eastern expects to take delivery of the latest batch of A320s the carrier has ordered between 2012 and 2015.

The airline notified the Hong Kong stock market on December 30 of its plan to acquire 50 of the Airbus narrowbodies in a deal valued at $3.2 billion (according to 2005 list prices) ...







Friday, December 31, 2010 | Posted in , | Read More »

Energia, Roscosmos Officials Sacked Over Glon







By Michael A. Taverna mike_taverna@aviationweek.com

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has sacked two top executives involved in a Dec. 5 Proton Block DM launch failure that destroyed three Glonass M spacecraft.

The firings, which were accompanied by an official reprimand to Anatoly Perminov, head of national space agency Roscosmos, reflect Medvedev’s fury over the incident, which prevented him from meeting a promised ...







Friday, December 31, 2010 | Posted in | Read More »

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