April 22, 1985

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SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Spacelab Flight to Test Commercial Processing Hardware, Operations

Washington—Spacelab 3 mission set for launch Apr. 29 on the orbiter Challenger will be a shakedown cruise for the kind of commercial materials processing hardware and flight operations required later by more advanced shuttle and space station commercial processing flights.

By Craig Covault14 min

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

DARPA Envisions New Generation Of Machine Intelligence Technology

Washington—Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has set its sights on creating a new generation of machine intelligence technology through its Strategic Computing Program, bringing unprecedented capabilities to critical problems in defense by drawing on a broad base of advances in artificial intelligence, computer science and microelectronics.

By Philip J. Klass12 min

HUGHES/NAVY SATELLITE FAILURE

Astronauts, Controllers Mobilize For Leasat Rescue Attempt

Johnson Space Center—Failure of the $85-million Hughes/Navy Leasat/Syncom satellite after it was deployed successfully from the shuttle orbiter Discovery and the subsequent unsuccessful attempt by the Mission 51-D crew to activate the spacecraft will force future satellite designers to include more backup capabilities that will enable shuttle astronauts to overcome such malfunctions while still in orbit.

By Craig Covault11 min

AVIONICS

Caltech, JPL Advancing Supercomputer As Low-Cost Tool in Aerospace Work

Pasadena, Calif.—California Institute of Technology and Jet Propulsion Laboratory here are developing advanced versions of a new type of supercomputer that promises continued growth in computational speed. Caltech and JPL researchers are investigating how to best apply this new tool toward scientific and engineering problems.

By Michael A. Dornheim10 min

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

DARPA Stressing Development Of Pilot’s Associate System

Washington—Major application effort derived from Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Strategic Computing program will exploit expected advances in expert system technology to evolve an intelligent, personalized Pilot’s Associate airborne computer system.

By Kenneth J. Stein10 min

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Wright Laboratories Broadens Advanced Technology Initiatives

Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio—Air Force Wright Aeronautical Laboratories (AFWAL) is devoting special attention to artificial intelligence initiatives, already exerting a pervasive influence across a broad range of activities here.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

NASA Space Station Effort Drives Expert Systems Research at Johnson

Johnson Space Center—Efforts to develop operational artificial intelligence systems in time for use on the space station are driving the rapid expansion of research here into expert systems that also promise benefits for present space operations.

By Alton K. Marsh9 min

AIR TRANSPORT

NASA Studies New Pian to Develop Advanced Supersonic Transport

Washington—The U. S. could be operating advanced supersonic transports early in the next century if a program leading to full-scale development is started now, according to Richard H. Peterson, director, National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Langley Research Center.

By Herbert J. Coleman5 min

April 151985

April 291985

April 22, 1985

April 22, 1985