April 30, 1990

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HEADLINE NEWS

Astronauts Deploy Hubble Space Telescope After Solar Array Problems Are Resolved

HOUSTON Successful launch of the Hubble Space Telescope has established the equivalent of a large Earth-based observatory 331 naut. mi. above the planet’s turbulent atmosphere, fulfilling the dreams of astronomers worldwide. Its successful release Apr. 25 followed a hectic 6-hr. period when solar array problems delayed the $2-billion mission.

By CRAIG COVAULT7 min

HEADLINE NEWS

USAF Display of F-117A Reveals New Details of Stealth Aircraft

NELLIS AFB, NEV. A variety of previously fuzzy or invisible details on the U. S. Air Force/Lockheed F-117A became apparent when the stealth attack aircraft made its public debut here on Apr. 21. The aircraft could be approached within 10-20 ft.

By MICHAEL A. DORNHEIM5 min

HEADLINE NEWS

AMRAAM Failures May Be Linked To Time Missiles Carried on F-15s

LANCASTER, CALIF. Failures in Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles that have occurred during captive carriage tests may be related to the number of flight hours that a particular missile is exposed to severe vibrations, although Air Force officials discount that possibility.

By WILLIAM B. SCOTT4 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Discovery Flies Unique Trajectory To Achieve Record Shuttle Altitude

HOUSTON The shuttle orbiter Discovery flew a unique launch trajectory with enhanced abort capabilities to reach a record-high altitude to deploy the Hubble Space Telescope. The 332 X 33l-naut.-mi. altitude, which equates to 380 stat, mi., is a record for the space shuttle program and the highest U. S. astronauts have flown since the Apollo lunar missions ended in 1972.

HEADLINE NEWS

Hubble Countdown Sequence Stresses Safety of Automatic Processing System

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER The orbiter Discovery carrying the Hubble Space Telescope lifted off at 8:34 a. m. EDT Apr. 24 to begin what NASA calls the most significant mission in the nine years of space shuttle flight. Launch was 3 min. late because of a software problem that automatically stopped the ground launch sequencer at T-31 sec., but the overall countdown process was virtually flawless.

By EDWARD H. KOLCUM4 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Orbital Sciences Becomes First Commercial Space Firm to Go Public

WASHINGTON After a false start, Orbital Sciences Corp. has rebounded with its plan to sell stock on the open market and become the first commercial space start-up company to go public. A block of 2.4 million shares of OSC common stock was sold last week at $14 a share—$1 more than the company had intended last month before it abruptly suspended the plan.

By JAMES R. ASKER4 min

HEADLINE NEWS

Transfer of DARPA Chief Draws Criticism in Congress

WASHINGTON The director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has been reassigned in what congressional opponents see as a move against attempts to broaden U. S. government support for technology development. A top Defense Dept. official denied that the shift reflects policy issues.

By DAVID F. BOND3 min

AVIATION WEEK FLIGHT REPORT

F-15E’s Night Attack Capability Assessed in Low-Level Flight

EDWARDS AFB, CALIF. The Air Force’s new F-15E dual-role fighter is well suited for its primary air-to-ground, long-range interdiction mission, while retaining the excellent air-to-air combat capabilities of earlier F15 versions.

By WILLIAM B. SCOTT16 min

April 231990

May 71990

April 30, 1990

April 30, 1990