October 22, 1990

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HEADLINE NEWS

Compromise Defense Bill Preserves B-2 But Future Production Uncertain

WASHINGTON House and Senate conferees approved a compromise defense authorization bill that dropped the House’s language to terminate the B-2 program as well as the Senate’s provision funding production of two aircraft in Fiscal 1991.

By PATRICIA A. GILMARTIN

HEADLINE NEWS

White House Ready to Alter Station, Broaden Soviet Ties, Fight for SEI Funds

WASHINGTON The Bush Administration is ready to make major changes to the $37-billion Freedom space station program if a NASA/White House review finds significant problems with the international effort, according to Vice President Dan Quayle.

By CRAIG COVAULT

HEADLINE NEWS

U. S. Astronaut to Visit Soviet Station; Cosmonaut to Fly on U. S. Shuttle

WASHINGTON AU. S. astronaut will be launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft to visit the Mir space station, and a Soviet cosmonaut will fly a mission on board the U. S. space shuttle under a major new U. S./Soviet space initiative.

HEADLINE NEWS

Congress Moves Toward $ 13-Billion NASA Budget, Cutting Space Station and Mars Initiative

WASHINGTON House and Senate conferees have trimmed NASA's 1991 funding request to $13.88 billion. The appropriators tightened the space station budget substantially and virtually eliminated efforts aimed at manned missions to the Moon and Mars.

HEADLINE NEWS

Administration Sees No SDI Redirection; Quayle Rejects Reagan Offer to Soviets

WASHINGTON The Bush Administration is denying that the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization has been redirected, despite a controversial move by the SDI agency to reorient the missile defense plan to a smaller, less costly system with modified objectives.

HEADLINE NEWS

Florida Urges Quayle to Back Spaceport Launch Upgrade Proposal

CAPE CANAVERAL Florida Gov. Bob Martinez last week asked Vice President Dan Quayle to support a Florida Spaceport Authority request for a $25-million grant to upgrade commercial launch facilities here. The authority also took its first steps to issue up to $50 million in revenue bonds to build six launch operations buildings and lease them to General Dynamics for commercial Atlas operations.

HEADLINE NEWS

Next Shuttle Flight to Carry Sensors For Providing Intelligence on Persian Gulf

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER The Defense Dept. satellite to be launched on the next space shuttle flight will carry digital cameras and other sensors which will focus on the Persian Gulf region to provide both strategic and tactical reconnaissance information for Desert Shield air and ground commanders there.

By EDWARD H. KOLCUM

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HEADLINE NEWS

YF-23 Prototype Undergoes Flutter Tests, May Finish Flight Evaluations Next Month

LANCASTER, CALIF. The Northrop/McDonnell Douglas team expects to fly a total of about 30 test flights on its two YF-23 prototypes, possibly concluding demonstration/validation flight tests in November. The first aircraft, known as Prototype Air Vehicle One (PAV-1), started flutter clearance tests Oct. 9 on the 10th flight.

By WILLIAM B. SCOTT

114

HEADLINE NEWS

YF-23’s VMS Integrates Most Aircraft Systems For Improved Flight Controls Operation

LANCASTER, CALIF. The Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23 prototypes are equipped with highly integrated aircraft systems that are either monitored or controlled by a Vehicle Management System (VMS). This unit’s primary function is to optimize flight control operation, allowing the aircraft to make maximum use of all its surfaces.

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HEADLINE NEWS

Engine Shutdown, Computer Glitch Delay YF-22A Test

LOS ANGELES An in-flight engine shutdown and a landing gear retraction computer glitch have caused a one-week delay in testing of the Lockheed/Boeing/General Dynamics advanced tactical fighter prototype. The first prototype had made three flights as of late last week.

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October 22, 1990

October 22, 1990