October 16, 1989

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HEADLINE NEWS

Reentry of Solar Max Satellite to Pose Falling Debris Hazard

COVAULT/KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. The 3-ton NASA Solar Maximum spacecraft is about to fall out of orbit and is expected to spread multiple chunks of debris weighing 200-400 lb. onto areas under its reentry flight path. The Solar Max satellite returned landmark data on the Sun and was the first satellite ever captured and repaired in space by shuttle astronauts.

By CRAIG COVAULT6 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Fairchild Prepares for Metro 25 Commuter Production Decision

SAN ANTONIO The prototype Fairchild SA227-DC Metro 25, designed, built and flown in less than three months, is viewed by company officials as possibly the last step before a jet-powered commuter aircraft can be produced in the late 1990s.

By DAVID A. BROWN4 min

HEADLINE NEWS

U. S. Army Collaboration 'blueprint’ Could Boost European Lhx Role

WASHINGTON The U. S. Army has begun a new analysis of international collaboration in aviation programs, renewing prospects for a European role as the service develops the LHX helicopter. The analysis, ordered Sept. 1 by Gen. Carl E. Vuono, Army chief of staff, will apply mainly to the LHX armed reconnaissance/light attack helicopter because other major aviation programs are well established and in production, Maj. Gen. Ronald K. Andreson, LHX program manager, commented.

By DAVID F. BOND4 min

HEADLINE NEWS

European Industry Submits Proposal for Space Station Design/development

LENOROVITZ/TORREMOLINOS, SPAIN The European Space Agency has begun evaluating the 150,000-page industry proposal for the Columbus space station program’s design and development phase, while concern mounts in Europe over U. S. handling of the Freedom international space station.

By JEFFREY M. LENOROVITZ4 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Court Rejects Activists’ Bid to Halt Galileo/shuttle Launch

WASHINGTON Three groups concerned about the risks of an accident involving radioactive plutonium on board the Galileo spacecraft failed in federal court to halt its launching on a space shuttle. However, activists are appealing U. S. District Judge Oliver Gasch’s denial of a temporary restraining order barring liftoff of the Atlantis.

HEADLINE NEWS

Hughes May Build Lightsat to Gather Ocean Data

WASHINGTON Hughes Aircraft Co. is considering a commercial venture to develop a small satellite to monitor oceans, gathering data to sell to fishing and environmental interests. The SeaWiFS spacecraft, which would carry multispectral instruments and weigh about 250 lb., could be operating as early as 1991, company officials said.

By JAMES R. ASKER3 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Sweden Says Jas-39 Gripen Stretchout Will Boost Program’s Cost By 16%

WASHINGTON The Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) has reported a 16% increase in the cost of the JAS-39 Gripen aircraft program. The program has been stretched by a year, and the total cost to build 140 of the multi-role combat aircraft will increase from $6.9 billion to $8 billion, the FMV said.

HEADLINE NEWS

Army to Broaden Effort to Develop Extended-range Interceptor

WASHINGTON The Army Strategic Defense Command plans to broaden an existing effort to develop an extended-range interceptor that could play a key role in theater missile defense. The revised program, known as ERINT-1 for extended range intercept technology, will place new emphasis on tactical operations.

By PATRICIA A. GILMARTIN3 min

October 91989

October 231989

October 16, 1989

October 16, 1989