January 7, 1991

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LAURELS 1990

AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY presents its Aero space Laurels selections, honoring individuals and teams who have made significant contributions in the global field of aerospace in the past year or during a lifetime of ser vice. Honorees were selected from nominations submitted by Aviation Week's editors.

HEADLINES NEWS

Firms Selling Remote-Sensing Data Forecast Double-Digit Sales Growth

WASHINGTON The international market for Earth remote-sensing data from U. S. and European satellites has begun to accelerate rapidly, and the French Spot and U. S. Eosat companies forecast double-digit growth in sales during 1991. Both companies also achieved strong sales in late 1990 for their satellite Earth images, one of the few commercial space enterprises to show such success.

By CRAIG COVAULT

HEADLINES NEWS

NASA to Establish Office For Nuclear Propulsion

SAN FRANCISCO NASA will establish a Nuclear Propulsion Systems Office at Lewis Research Center early this year to serve as the focal point for a renewed effort to develop nuclear propulsion for spacecraft. The joint development project will also include the Defense and Energy departments, which have been pursuing spacebased nuclear power systems for the Strategic Defense Initiative.

HEADLINES NEWS

Propellant Leak Causes Failure Of Japan’s Superbird-A Satellite

TOKYO A nearly new, $ 150-million Japanese communications satellite has failed in geosynchronous orbit because most of its attitude control propellant leaked overboard. Japan’s Space Communications Corp. (SCC) lost its ability to provide communications services Dec. 23, when it was forced to shut down its Superbird-A spacecraft.

HEADLINES NEWS

Japan Approves Five-Year Defense Spending Plan

TOKYO Japan has approved a $ 168.5-billion defense spending blueprint for 1991-95 that is less ambitious than previously planned but still calls for annual spending increases of 3% per year. The Japanese Self-Defense Agency had originally requested $173.3 billion in 1990 dollars over the five-year period.

AIR TRANSPORT

Pan Am Cash Squeeze Looms As Financial Noose Tightens

NEW YORK Pan Am Corp. is fast running out of cash and may be out of business within two weeks, several senior industry officials and airline analysts have told AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY. The New York-based airline company has acknowledged that it lacks the cash to stay in business through Mar. 1.

By JAMES T. MCKENNA

AIR TRANSPORT

Airline Blasts Pilots for Delays; Contract Talks Climate Sours

FT. WORTH American Airlines’ effort to blame the actions of dissident pilots for many of the delays that the carrier has experienced recently appears to be polarizing opinions and could affect negotiations for a new pilot contract. The next round of negotiations is scheduled to begin Jan. 7 in Washington.

By DAVID A. BROWN

December 311990

January 141991

January 7, 1991

January 7, 1991

LAURELS 1990

AEROSPACE LAUREATE.

By Kurt Heftman,David Wilkins

Kelly Johnson, Founder Of 'Skunk Works,' Dies

LAURELS 1990

AEROSPACE LAUREATE.

By Kurt Heftman,David Wilkins

Kelly Johnson, Founder Of 'Skunk Works,' Dies