November 20, 1995

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HEADLINE NEWS

ATLANTIS PASSES FIRST STATION ASSEMBLY TEST

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER NASA has passed what it regards as its first true test of space station assembly techniques with Atlantis' virtually flawless addition of a new docking module to Russia's Mir space station. In one of the most challenging piloting tasks attempted in the space shuttle program, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Kenneth D. Cameron and his crew brought the shuttle to Mir precisely in position and eased the new module onto the Russian station within 3 sec. of the appointed time.

By JAMES R. ASKER

HEADLINE NEWS

NASA REVIEWS RULES ON LANDING SITES

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER Flight controllers and engineers are reviewing restrictions on emergency space shuttle landing sites that forced NASA managers to scrub their first attempt to launch Atlantis on its second flight to Mir. "I think we could have launched on time" on Nov. 11 except for those restrictions, Wayne Hale, the NASA flight director in charge of Atlantis' ascent, told AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY.

By JAMES T. McKENNA

HEADLINE NEWS

ROCKETDYNE WITHDRAWS FROM ATLAS 2AR COMPETITION

WASNINGTON Rocketdyne has removed itself from the three-way competition to supply the main engine for the Atlas 2AR upgrade, leaving Lockheed Martin to choose from two Russian engines that were also being considered. The Rockwell International subsidiary decided not to bid a derivative of the MA-5A, currently the main Atlas engine, after determining that it could not be developed in time to meet Lockheed Martin's schedule of flying the new 2AR in September, 1998, according to Rocketdyne President Paul Smith.

By JOSEPH C. ANSELMO

INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT

COSTS, COMPETITION DRIVE LABOR ISSUES

Labor has accepted pay cuts and work rule changes to keep airlines afloat and for a role in governance—but for how long? Job security becomes the No. 1 issue

By JAMES OTT

INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT

UNIONS PLEDGE TO TAKE U.S. CARRIERS TO TASK

NEW YORK Organized airline machinists, frustrated by weak wage growth and sensing a growing vulnerability to outsourcing, are vowing to take a more militant stand in future labor negotiations. "Workers are fed up with the way they are being treated by corporate America," William Scheri said.

By ANTHONY L. VELOCCI

November 131995

November 271995

November 20, 1995

November 20, 1995