December 10, 2001

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COVER STORY

U.S. Firms Could Face Stiffer European Threat

PARIS and ROME A renewed show of government support and a commitment to further industry restructuring stand to make Europe a tougher competitor for U.S. contractors, provided that these gains do not unravel in the face of differing national political agendas.

By MICHAEL A. TAVERNA9 min

COVER STORY

Delta IV-Key Element In Boeings Strategy

CAPE CANAVERAL Boeing Delta IV Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle managers believe their strong early manifest will provide an immediate chance to demonstrate the reliability and long-term marketability of the Delta IV. That’s important, because the Delta IV has fewer major flight tested systems— but perhaps more early flights—than its Lockheed Martin competitor.

By CRAIG COVAULT6 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Security Dominates Endeavour Launch

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER The Endeavour astronauts are to complete eight days of crew transfer, logistics and EVA operations at the International Space Station this week following their launch under unprecedented wartime security. Mission STS-108 commander Navy Capt. Dom Gorie and copilot Navy Lt. Cdr. Mark Kelly piloted Endeavour through a spectacular sunset launch Dec. 5 following liftoff from Pad 39B at 5:19 p.m. EST. Referring to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Gorie radioed just before liftoff, “Freedom rings loud and clear across this country . . . now it’s time to let freedom roar—let’s light ’em up.”

By CRAIG COVAULT6 min

COVER STORY

Lockheed Martin Hangs Onto Space Science Missions

DENVER Although its commercial satellite business is struggling in a depressed market, Lockheed Martin remains a powerhouse in the space science arena. Its recent win of the 2005 Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter contract reaffirmed the company’s long-held dominance in planetary exploration, and it is a strong contender for the Next Generation Space Telescope.

By WILLIAM B. SCOTT6 min

COVER STORY

LockMart Bets Launch Future on Atlas V

CAPE CANAVERAL Lockheed Martin faces the challenge of carrying the momentum gained through its Russian RD-180 powered Atlas III to the new, more cost-effective Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle. The Atlas V EELV is set for its first flight in May with a European Eutelsat Hot Bird payload.

By CRAIG COVAULT6 min

COVER STORY

New Company Markets Services For Delta, Sea Launch Programs

LOS ANGELES Boeing has taken a page from Lockheed Martin’s book with the establishment of Boeing Launch Services (BLS), a wholly owned subsidiary which appears to mirror the operations of competitor International Launch Services (ILS).

By BRUCE A. SMITH6 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

T-6A Texan II Trainer Production Gets OK

WASHINGTON The development program has been anything but smooth and engineering changes are still in the works, but U.S. Air Force acquisition officials nevertheless have decided that Raytheon’s T-6A Texan II Joint Primary Aircraft Training System is ready for the assembly line.

By ROBERT WALL,DAVID A. FULGHUM5 min

COVER STORY

FIA Outline Takes Shape

LOS ANGELES Boeing won big when it beat out incumbent Lockheed Martin to build the next generation of recce satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office, but there is so much work and technical risk involved that there may still be roles for Lockheed Martin and other companies to play in the near term.

By MICHAEL A. DORNHEIM4 min

COVER STORY

Companies Probing Space Support Markets

WASHINGTON NASA managers and pork barrel politicians like to stress that money for space projects isn’t spent in space, but on the ground. In addition to their manufacturing and systems work, Boeing and Lockheed Martin compete for the money to be earned on the ground in supporting space operations and selling services generated in space.

By FRANK MORRING4 min

December 32001

December 172001

December 10, 2001

December 10, 2001