November 27, 1989

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HEADLINE NEWS

Night Launch of Discovery Boosts Secret Military Satellite Into Orbit

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER The space shuttle orbiter Discovery was launched successfully at 7:23 p.m. (EST) on Nov. 22 carrying a secret satellite designed to monitor signal transmissions originating in the Soviet Union and China. Launch took place under clear, dark skies in balmy weather. Ignition of the two solid motors and the three main engines lit up the East Coast and much of Central Florida.

By EDWARD H. KOLCUM5 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Soviet Heavyweight Astronomy Satellite To Be Launched With International Payload

PARIS The Soviet Union has begun pre-launch preparations on a heavyweight astronomy satellite that carries an international payload dominated by a 1-metric-ton (2,200-lb.) French gamma ray telescope. Launch of the Granat satellite is scheduled Dec. 1 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on a Proton booster.

By JEFFREY M. LENOROVITZ2 min

HEADLINE NEWS

GE Offers F110-GE-100 Engine as Alternative To Pratt & Whitney Powerplant in New F-16A/Bs

OHIO General Electric is proposing the F110GE-100 powerplant to General Dynamics and potential customers as an alternative to the Pratt & Whitney F100PW-200 in newly built F-16A/Bs. GE has been virtually excluded from the F-16A/B propulsion market, and the company is seeking the new application to soften the potential effects of declining U. S. defense budgets.

By EVENDALE2 min

EUROPE’S PROGRAMS

Europe’s Industry Banks on Success, Pushes Ahead

THE AMBITIOUS PLANS intended to establish European space independence are based on a long history of success and continuity. Banking on that success, individual countries and industry leaders are working to develop new space systems. Early teething troubles, both with satellites and U.S. launchers, were largely worked out with the first satellites from the European Space Research Organization (ESRO), set up in 1964.

RELOCATABLE OVER-THE-HORIZON RADAR

Navy Installs ROTHR System in Alaska To Protect Battle Groups in Pacific

The U. S. Navy is installing the first Raytheon designed and built Relocatable Over-The-Horizon Radar at Amchitka, Alaska, in the Aleutian Islands to provide wide area surveillance of the Pacific Ocean. Relocatable Over-The-Horizon Radar (ROTHR) is a bistatic, ionospheric backscatter radar system that can track ships and aircraft.

By DAVID HUGHES9 min

November 201989

December 41989

November 27, 1989

November 27, 1989