July 9, 1984

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Space Technology

U. S. Space Agency Narrows Station Concepts

Johnson Space Center—The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has narrowed its space station project to three reference concepts, each with five pressurized modules and rigid framework structures up to 300 ft. long. The reference concepts will help guide the station contractor competition beginning in August and provide some idea of what the $8-billion permanently manned U. S. space station would actually look like in orbit.

By Craig Covault8 min

Missile Engineering

Army Testing Hit-to-kill, Radar-guided Interceptor

Washington—Army’s Ballistic Missile Defense Advanced Technology Center is conducting flight tests with a new hit-to-kill interceptor missile using an on-board millimeter wave radar sensor designed to acquire and home on nuclear-armed reentry vehicles within the atmosphere.

By Clarence A. Robinson8 min

Business Flying

Electro-impulse Deicing Shows Promise

Wichita—Initial ground and flight test results of electro-impulse deicing show the system could have wide application among general aviation and transport aircraft and helicopters. The program to test the feasibility of electro-impulse deicing on general aviation aircraft is being managed by Wichita State University, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Lewis Research Center, Ohio, is providing the funding and direction for the joint program.

Aeronautical Engineering

Floatwall Combustor Design May Extend Component Life

East Hartford, Conn.—Research projects conducted by Pratt & Whitney and studies done as part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Energy Efficient Engine (E3) program are leading to a new combustor design that may greatly improve the reliability and life expectancy of combustor components.

By Keith F. Mordoff6 min

Space Technology

Brazil Plans to Launch Its Own Satellites in 1990s

Sao Jose dos Campos—Brazil’s Institute for Space Research (INPE) intends to use the experience gained in assisting launches of two Spar Aerospace communication satellites and four of its own satellites as the technology base for launching its own communication satellites in the 1990s.

By David M. North5 min

Space Technology

Esa Approves Two Studies for Future Space Presence

Paris—European Space Agency has approved parallel preparatory programs for the Columbus space station and HM60 launch vehicle cryogenic engine as a potential long-term evolution of an independent, permanent European manned capability in space as well as near-term participation in the U. S. space station program.

By Jeffrey M. Lenorovitz5 min

Air Transport

Postal Service Negotiates Mail Contracts

Washington—The U. S. Postal Service is negotiating with 100 U. S. airlines, including scheduled, commuter and cargo carriers, on contracts to carry mail. The contracts will be awarded in November and go into effect when the Civil Aeronautics Board closes at the end of the year.

By James Ott5 min

July 21984

July 161984

July 9, 1984

July 9, 1984

U. S. Plan Will Boost Nato Air Defense

By Clarence A. Robinson10 min

Congress Backs Aeronautical Research

By Whitt Flora8 min