April 11, 1988

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HEADLINE NEWS

Air Force Halves Contracts for Midgetman Development

WASHINGTON The U. S. Air Force has begun restructuring the small intercontinental ballistic missile (SICBM) program to meet budget reductions, cutting the work content of full-scale development contracts for the project in half. Seven contracts with six firms totaling $2.02 billion have been cut by $999 million as a result of funding reductions in the Fiscal 1988 budget and plans to place the SICBM program on hold in Fiscal 1989 (AW&ST Apr. 4, p. 34).

By JOHN D. MORROCCO4 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Second Firm Seeks Access to Expended Shuttle Tanks

WASHINGTON A second entrepreneurial company has entered the competition to convert expended space shuttle external tanks into private orbital facilities, as offered by President Reagan in his commercial space initiative earlier this year. Global Outpost, Inc., based in Alexandria, Va., said it has approached NASA seeking use of the tanks and a cooperative relationship with the government.

By THERESA M. FOLEY3 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Nasa Selects Telescoping Pole for Shuttle Crew Escape System

NASA has selected a 9.8-ft. telescoping pole crew escape system for space shuttle orbiters, enabling astronauts to bail out of the vehicle under controlled conditions below an altitude of about 20,000 ft. Modifications to orbiter No. 103 (Discovery) and fit checks of a prototype pole are scheduled for completion this week.

By WILLIAM B. SCOTT3 min

HEADLINE NEWS

House Panel Urges Tighter Simulator Management

WASHINGTON A House committee recommended last week that the Pentagon tighten management of threat simulators, charging they misrepresent the Soviet anti-aircraft threat and compromise U. S. pilots’ combat training. The Governmental Affairs Committee also recommended that the secretary of Defense require the services to strengthen internal controls over simulator development and purchasing.

By PAUL MANN3 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Ford Completes Qualification Tests for Japanese Superbird Satellite

Ford Aerospace has completed qualification testing of flight hardware for the first Japanese Superbird communications satellite, which is scheduled for launch in April, 1989, on an Ariane booster. Christopher F. Hoeber, Superbird program manager for Ford, said the satellite will undergo another six months of acceptance and environmental testing.

April 41988

April 181988

April 11, 1988

April 11, 1988

Nasa, Contractors Assess Impact of Propulsion Issues

By EDWARD H. KOLCUM4 min