Aerospace and Defense Review : News

Airbus, with fifty years of experience, is an example of a truly integrated European company. Born out of political foresight to implement an extensive industrial collaboration between several European countries, the company is one of the genuine challengers to the U.S.' worldwide monopoly, ensuring that they compete on equal terms  Over the last 50 years, the close collaboration of Europe's visionary leaders has contributed to the successful growth of the global aerospace industry . After achieving many milestones, the space industry now looks to reach the next frontier of achieving zero-emission electric flights. Initially expected to run over short distances, the electric aircraft will fly over long distances and across borders over time. The European aerospace and defense industry is vital to the economic success and security as it employs 844,000 people and the total output from the sector amounts to USD 242.5 billion. Airbus, with fifty years of experience, is an example of a truly integrated European company. Born out of political foresight to implement an extensive industrial collaboration between several European countries, the company is one of the genuine challengers to the U.S.' worldwide monopoly, ensuring that they compete on equal terms. Airbus is one of the global market leaders in the aerospace and defense industry, enabling Europe to regain its autonomy in a strategic sector. As of today, an Airbus aircraft takes off or lands every second of the day somewhere around the world. Airbus Helicopters, a subdivision of Airbus, has produced nearly half the helicopters operating worldwide. Currently, Airbus is working on exploring sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. The company looks to implement innovative and disruptive flying solutions. However, the challenge Airbus faces is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft. The company has also set itself ambitious targets for the same with industry partners like the Air Transport Action Group. Simultaneously, Airbus looks to preserve Europe's leadership in aerospace by making considerable investments in research and technology that will lead to the progressive decarbonization of air transport with new aircraft designs, new propulsion technologies, and alternative fuels. Airbus recently demonstrated its latest innovative technologies, products, and services that meet the aerospace industry's requirements for today and tomorrow. The company has been working on the development of electric and hybrid-electric propulsion technology for air vehicles as well as commercial aircraft . In order to achieve zero-emission flights over long distances, Airbus is developing the E-Fan-X, a hybrid-electric aircraft demonstrator, along with cleaner alternative fuels for its existing fleet. The E-Fan is expected to pave the way for the future of zero-emission flights, which should become a reality by the 2050s. Airbus' electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle demonstrator, Vahana, will transform the way people travel within cities. The urban air vehicle will provide emission-free journeys over short distances helping to alleviate congestion. Vahana's design and concept are now being used to rethink the architecture of larger aircraft. However, to maintain and reinforce its position as the center of innovation for future decades and achieve its emission-free goals, Europe needs continued support and funding from the European Union. The close cooperation across borders in the aerospace industry is unmatched. France, Germany, and Spain have collaborated to develop the Future Combat Air System, which shall connect manned and unmanned aviation systems and platforms. Programs like CleanSky and SESAR have been the catalysts for the deployment of new technology-based solutions in the aerospace sector, making flying cleaner, safer, and quieter. Currently, the European Union enjoys a position of strength in the industry. With continued support and smart investments in research and development to shape the future of this strategic sector, The European Union can retrace the steps of its visionary leader who had set out to achieve space domination. ...Read more

The MILO Institute aims at speed and cost control, seeking to perform missions within five years that cost $200 million or less. The organization was built around the premise that many worthwhile space science missions don’t receive the government backing they need to reach orbit The nonprofit MILO Institute has revealed names of some of the governments and universities across the world signing onto its plan of sharing the costs of deep space science missions across multiple organizations. The MILO Institute, unveiled at the 2018 International Astronautical Congress in Bremen Germany, is a research collaborative led by Arizona State University with support from Lockheed Martin and Lockheed Martin subsidiary GEOShare. The organization was built around the premise that many worthwhile space science missions don’t receive the government backing they need to reach orbit. “There is more compelling space science that should be getting done, that needs to get done but is simply not getting done,” said GEOShare CEO Lon Levin. MILO Institute executive director and CEO of the ASU Research Enterprise (ASURE) David Thomas believes that if organizations pool their resources, more missions could fly and more engineers, scientists and students would have opportunities to participate. Also, the MILO Institute aims at speed and cost control, seeking to perform missions within five years that cost $200 million or less. "A scientific panel will ensure MILO Institute missions perform decadal level science," said Levin. The lunar missions have been scheduled to fly alongside NASA payloads. In case there is enough payload, then the mission could fly alone on the McCandless Lunar Lander. This would provide an opportunity for MILO Institute members to perform compelling science on the surface of the moon at a small fraction of the traditional mission cost. Lockheed Martin was one among the nine countries selected by NASA last year in the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program to bid on task orders to send payloads to the lunar surface. However, Lockheed Martin is yet to get any task order of nature. Besides, the Milo Institute will be inviting members to perform close flybys of asteroids and comets in a mission called NEOShare and travel to Apophis, before 2029 when the asteroid comes within 30,000 kilometers of Earth's surface. Check This Out:- Top Aerospace Manufacturing Solution Companies ...Read more

The first 3D printer to the ISS was launched by Made in Space in 2014, as part of its partnership with NASA. The pioneering machine is now controlled by NASA, while Made in Space retained ownership of the AMF California-based Made in Space is prepared to launch its plastic recycler towards the orbiting International Space Station on board Northrop Grumman's Robotic Cygnus cargo spacecraft . This new recycler will be able to process plastic into feedstock for Made in Space's Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF), a 3D printer available for commercial use. "The Recycler will complete the plastic sustainability life cycle on-orbit by providing astronauts with the ability to convert plastic packaging and trash as well as objects previously fabricated by the 3D printer into feedstock to be reused by the printer," said a Made in Space representative. The first 3D printer to the ISS was launched by Made in Space in 2014, as part of its partnership with NASA. The pioneering machine is now controlled by NASA, while Made in Space retained ownership of the AMF. "The invention will improve the autonomy and sustainability of long-duration space missions, while also helping to reduce the cost and weight of payloads carried from Earth," the representative added. Made in Space also manufactured the valuable optic fibre ZBLAN aboard the ISS multiple times, using a microwave sized machine that was transported to and from the ISS onboard SpaceX's Dragon cargo capsule. This machine has the potential to be far more superior than traditional silica-based optic fibre but is equally challenging to produce. The company believes that making ZBLAN in orbit could help kick-start the off-Earth manufacturing economy. As per the company's plans, they will be sending up other gear up to the ISS soon. Recently NASA awarded a USD 73.7 million contract to Made in Space, to launch the first test mission of Archinaut. The Archinaut is a spacecraft that is equipped with robotic arms and a 3D printer. The 3D printer is designed to augment and repair existing satellites as well as build large structures while in orbit. The Archinuat One mission is expected to take off sometime in 2022 on board a Rocket Lab Electron Booster.  Check out:  Top Plastic Tech Companies ...Read more