April 10, 1989

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HEADLINE NEWS

Soviet Sale of Su-24 Deepens Concern About Mideast Weapons Proliferation

WASHINGTON The Soviet Union has confounded Middle East analysts by supplying Libya with 12-15 Sukhoi Su-24D deep interdiction fighters at a time when it has pledged to help defuse regional conflicts. The appearance of the Fencer swingwing fighters comes amid growing concern in the U. S. about Libya’s intentions, in particular, and the proliferation of missile, nuclear, chemical and biological warfare capabilities in the Middle East, in general.

By MICHAEL MECHAM

HEADLINE NEWS

Senate Bill Would Increase Flight Pay To Stem Loss of Military Pilots

WASHINGTON Increases in flight pay and flying time are key elements of a Senate bill aimed at reducing the loss of military pilots to commercial airlines. Under the terms of the proposed Aviation Career Improvement Act, introduced by Sen. John H. Glenn, Jr. (D.-Ohio), flight pay for pilots with more than six years of active-duty flying would increase from the current $400 per month to $650 per month.

HEADLINE NEWS

Quayle Denounces U. S. Reliance On Foreign Space Launch Vehicles

ON BOARD AIR FORCE TWO The plight of commercial space, a perennial problem for federal policy makers, will be examined by the National Space Council as its first priority. But the council’s ability to help space entrepreneurs will be limited by the tight budget environment.

By THERESA M. FOLEY

HEADLINE NEWS

Potential Increasing For Profitable Ventures

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. New relationships forming between government and industry, and maturing space markets are increasing the potential for profitable U. S. commercial space ventures. But numerous space entrepreneurs meeting here last week say the outlook remains clouded by uncertainty over how the Bush Administration’s new space policy apparatus will function.

By CRAIG COVAULT

HEADLINE NEWS

Galileo Thrusters Approved for Flight But Mission Plan May Be Abbreviated

LOS ANGELES Maneuvering thrusters for the NASA Galileo probe to Jupiter have been approved for flight and are being reattached, putting the spacecraft back on a tight schedule to prepare for its October launch. Tests conducted in February and March have convinced officials that units that did not meet design criteria will perform adequately for the eight-year mission.

By MICHAEL A. DORNHEIM

HEADLINE NEWS

General Dynamics Offers Four Atlas-Centaur Versions

SAN DIEGO General Dynamics Commercial Launch Services is offering four versions of the Atlas-Centaur rocket with payload capabilities of 5,000-8,000 lb. to geosynchronous transfer orbit, which the company believes covers about 90% of the commercial satellite market.

HEADLINE NEWS

Soviets Abandon Efforts to Regain Contact With Phobos 2

PARIS The Soviet Union has given up its efforts to reestablish communications with the Phobos 2 spacecraft, bringing the country’s ambitious dual-space mission to explore Mars and its moon Phobos to a premature end. Mission directors last week said there was no hope of regaining contact with Phobos 2 after the Mar. 27 failure to reestablish communications.

HEADLINE NEWS

LTV, BPD Consider Building Increased-Lift Scout 2 Launcher

PARIS An increased-lift version of the U. S./Italian Scout 2 launcher with four solid propellant strap-on boosters is under study by program partners LTV and BPD to improve the vehicle’s expected performance. The Scout 2 with four boosters could place payloads weighing at least 600 kg. (1,320 lb.) into a 278-km. (172-mi.) circular orbit when launched from the seabased Italian San Marco platform off the coast of Kenya, according to Milton Green, Missiles Div. director of space programs at the LTV Missiles and Electronics Group.

By JEFFREY M. LENOROVITZ

HEADLINE NEWS

A-6E With Composite Wing Begins Flight Test Program

WASHINGTON The first U. S. Navy A-6E with a Boeing composite wing flew last week at the company’s Wichita, Kan., facility. The flight on Apr. 3 marked the beginning of a test program intended to certify the new wing for fleet use by early next year.

By BRENDAN M. GREELEY

HEADLINE NEWS

Senators Criticize Defense Nominee For Statement on Acquisition Chief

WASHINGTON Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee assailed Deputy Secretary of Defense-designate Donald J. Atwood, Jr., last week in a dispute over the power of the Pentagon’s under secretary of acquisition. The nomination of Atwood for the No. 2 Defense post is not in jeopardy, but lawmakers want Atwood to clarify his views on acquisition management before the full Senate considers his confirmation.

By PATRICIA A. GILMARTIN

April 31989

April 171989

April 10, 1989

April 10, 1989