June 3, 2002

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WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Water Find Will Shape Mars Exploration Plan

WASHINGTON Scientists already are modifying Mars exploration plans to accommodate the discovery of vast quantities of water ice just beneath the planet’s surface, with new kinds of data on the long-suspected finding possible as early as next year.

By FRANK MORRING5 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Israel Launches Recon Satellite, Pushes Global Space Marketing

CAPE CANAVERAL Israel’s launch of its new Ofec-5 military imaging reconnaissance satellite on a Shavit booster last week should bolster the country’s ability to monitor independently and, if necessary, target ballistic missile threats in Syria, Iran and Iraq.

By CRAIG COVAULT5 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Europe Revamps Space Science Program

PARIS Despite lower than expected funding levels, the European Space Agency has managed to devise a new long-term science program containing most of the missions scientists wanted. But the agency served notice that further budget cuts would force Europe to roll back its space ambitions.

By MICHAEL A. TAVERNA4 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

China Builds On Russian Adder To Develop Active Radar Missile

LONDON With key technology support from Russia, China is developing a new active radar-guided beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile that could be fielded in the latter half of this decade. The weapon should significantly improve the Chinese air force’s air combat capability.

By DOUGLAS BARRIE4 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Monster Debt Hounds Wartime Spending Bill

Washington Senate floor action on a $32.1-billion supplemental spending bill is scheduled this week, and final congressional passage is assured despite a partisan divide over raising the national debt ceiling in the middle of an election year.

By Paul Mann3 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

SES/Star One Inks Latin Deal

Paris The Brazilian affiliate of SES Global has established a partnership with a consortium from five other South American nations that will permit the deployment of a vast satellite communications system stretching from Patagonia to Florida.

By Michael A. Taverna2 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Lufthansa Technik Eyes Fbo Sector

GENEVA Lufthansa Technik plans to reorganize its executive jet service and VIP businesses in a move that’s expected to take the German maintenance overhaul and repair provider into the fixed base operator (FBO) business. Business jet life-cycle support/modifications and VIP completion activities are currently located together in a single business unit at LT’s large Hamburg engineering facility, where they share a common support staff.

By MICHAEL A. TAVERNA2 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

V-22 Reenters Flight Tests

Dallas Flight tests of the MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor resumed late last week at NAS Patuxent River, Md., ending an 18-month halt in the program to resolve problems stemming from two fatal accidents. Marine Col. Dan Schultz, program manager for the MV-22, said technical problems, including faulty titanium hydraulic lines and errant software codes, “have been fixed” and that the U.S. Navy “has left no stone unturned” in its quest to provide a “safe and operational aircraft” to the Marine Corps.

By Edward H. Phillips2 min

WORLD NEWS & ANALYSIS

Ebace Briefs

Although only in its second year, the European Business Aviation Assn. Convention and Exhibit appears here to stay. The Geneva event had drawn nearly 4,200 professional visitors by the end of the last week. EBACE also welcomed 219 exhibitors—15% more than a year ago—and 35 aircraft versus 31 in 2001.

May 272002

June 102002

June 3, 2002

June 3, 2002

747 Inflight Breakup: A Puzzle Under Scrutiny

By MICHAEL A. DORNHEIM8 min