Aerospace and Defense Review : News

The handbook discusses the tracking, maneuverability, reliability, and disposal of space hardware. NASA has launched the first iteration of its Spacecraft Conjunction Assessment and Collision Avoidance Best Practices Handbook in order to share information on best practices for coordinating in-orbit activity in a safe and responsible manner. The agency aims for these best practices to strengthen stability, decrease current and future operational risks, as well as contribute to a sustainable space environment for future private and public sector activities.   Emerging commercial ventures, such as in-space manufacturing, satellite servicing, and tourism, as well as new technologies enabling large constellations of satellites and small satellites, present serious challenges for responsibly and safely utilizing space in a sustainable, stable manner. These challenges impact not only the United States but also its allies and industry partners. "Due to the growing amount of space activity and debris, it's becoming more difficult to ensure the safety and integrity of our space assets and the overall orbital environment," stated NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. "Now is the time for all space operators to leverage innovative commercially available space situational awareness data, information, and analysis to mitigate the potential for in-orbit collisions and sustain key orbital regimes." See Also: Top Aerospace Tech Solution Companies The best practices handbook shows how NASA presently operates in space. The agency developed the handbook in order to support the goals of Space Policy Directive-3, the National Space Traffic Management Policy, in close collaboration with US Space Command, one of NASA's closest interagency partners in making sure safe operations in space. The handbook discusses the tracking, maneuverability, reliability, and disposal of space hardware. Additional topics include constellation design and space vehicle, prelaunch preparation, spacecraft trackability and early launch activities, in-orbit collision avoidance, as well as automated trajectory guidance and maneuvering. The approaches outlined in the best practices handbook are voluntary and would evolve to address new operations and technologies. ...Read more

On Rocket Lab’s new launch November 19, the rocket’s first stage made a controlled reentry following stage separation, then released a drogue as well as the main parachute before splashing down about 400 kilometers downrange from its New Zealand launch site, where it was recovered by a boat. Rocket Lab stated its attempt to recover the first stage from its new Electron launch was a “complete success,” but that the company still has a lot to do before it is ready to attempt to reuse the stage. On Rocket Lab’s new launch November 19, the rocket’s first stage made a controlled reentry following stage separation, then released a drogue as well as the main parachute before splashing down about 400 kilometers downrange from its New Zealand launch site, where it was recovered by a boat The recovery itself has been executed as planned. “The test was a complete success,” Peter Beck, chief executive of Rocket Lab, stated on November 23. “The stage splashed down completely intact. What it proved to us is that this is a feasible approach, and we’re really confident that we can make Electron a reusable launch vehicle from here.” The several steps in that reentry process went as expected, with the stage splashing down at the targeted location as well as at a speed of nine meters per second. The biggest problem, he mentioned, were rough seas that created a “pretty tough recovery operation” of the stage after splashdown. That stage has now returned to Rocket Lab’s factory. One area of improvement, he stated, is the thermal protection system at the base of the stage. “We knew that the thermal protection system on the vehicle was not perfect because we didn’t have the data,” he stated. During reentry, “it got pretty roasty down there, as we kind of expected.” That included heat shield panels that were blown out, exposing the engines. ...Read more

The Aviation Hub offers users access to more than 1,700 technical publication libraries across 90 OEMs, as well as EASA and FAA regulatory content. With the release of the new integration, Flightdocs users can instantly access their libraries from their maintenance duelist, reducing several steps in the process to get to aircraft maintenance manuals. ATP, a leading provider of aviation software solutions and information services, has declared the launch of a new integration between the Aviation Hub and Flightdocs. The integration provides users the capability to access their library of OEM technical publications as well as regulatory content from directly within the Flightdocs maintenance tracking platform. "When Flightdocs became part of the ATP family, one of the first things we wanted to do was create powerful integrations between our suite of products," stated Rick Noble, CEO of ATP. "The launch of this new integration gives our customers instant access to maintenance manuals, technical publications, and regulatory information without leaving their maintenance system." The Aviation Hub offers users access to more than 1,700 technical publication libraries across 90 OEMs, as well as EASA and FAA regulatory content. With the release of the new integration, Flightdocs users can instantly access their libraries from their maintenance duelist, reducing multiple steps in the process to get to aircraft maintenance manuals. "We continue to invest heavily in the evolution of the products we're delivering to aircraft owners, operators, and OEMs," stated Greg Heine, Chief Strategy Officer at ATP. "The merge of ATP and Flightdocs just a few months ago strengthened our ability to develop new products, features, and integrations across all of our platforms. We're excited about this new launch and have numerous major releases planned over the next year." ATP is expected to attend the NBAA virtual event, VBACE, December 2-3rd, 2020, and would be showcasing this new integration and latest features on both the Flightdocs and Aviation Hub platforms. Check This Out:  Top Aerospace Technology Companies ...Read more