May 08, 2017 - No. 037 In This Issue SpaceX plans to begin testing their high-speed satellite broadband later this year Maiden flight of first China-made passenger plane important in aviation industry New Aerospace Technology and Business Aviation Tanzania: Dodoma Airport to Operate 24hrs Jeppesen and ForeFlight Announce Strategic Alliance to Combine Aviation Industry-leading Capabilities and Worldwide Content Pakistan, Turkey to enhance cooperation in aviation sector SOLAR IMPULSE CO-FOUNDER AIMS TO MAKE ELECTRIC AVIATION A REALITY WITH NEW COMPANY Mumtalakat invests in FAI Aviation Group SolarStratos plane flies for the first time - but not quite to the stratosphere X-37B spaceplane returns to Earth and makes autopilot landing in Florida SpaceX plans to begin testing their high-speed satellite broadband later this year Not content with disrupting just the spaceflight industry, SpaceX looks to have its sights set on upending traditional broadband services as well. More than two years ago, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced the NewSpace company's intention to build an internet constellation, consisting of several thousand satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO), providing 1 gigabit-per-second (1 Gbps) broadband to customers across the globe. They plan to begin on-orbit tests later in 2017 and begin full launch operations in 2019 through 2024. GAINING POLITICAL SUPPORT In a Senate hearing on May 3, 2017, Patricia Cooper, SpaceX's Vice President of Satellite Government Affairs, addressed the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, outlining the company's goal of becoming a satellite broadband Internet Service Provider (ISP). "We plan to design, develop, produce, launch, and operate a constellation of 4,000 satellites," Cooper explained to the committee. "These will provide high-speed, low-latency, and affordable broadband to the underserved, and unserved, populations throughout the United States and abroad. The company hopes to bring broadband service to the 34 million Americans, 23 million of which are in rural areas, who are currently unserved by traditional broadband operators. SpaceX feels it is in a unique position to leverage its ability to vertically integrate the entire process, from design through launch and operations to low running costs while still providing the high speeds customers expect. However, in order for the company to be treated like other broadband service providers, SpaceX contends a change in rules and regulations will be necessary so that satellite services aren't treated unfairly when compared to their terrestrial counterparts. REGULATORY ROADBLOCKS Bringing satellite service to customers involves far more than simply launching a multitude of satellites and providing Internet access. Indeed, the greatest hurdle to large-scale endeavors like satellite internet service is often the red tape imposed by governmental regulatory agencies. With SpaceX planning to greatly increase their launch cadence, going from one launch per month to potentially one every few days, the company posits a change in the licensing process from the FAA and FCC will be imperative if such a schedule is to be maintained. The processes those agencies follow, who are responsible for granting launch and radio frequency licenses, are a significant impediment to a heightened cadence, and Cooper said that SpaceX is eager to work with the government to streamline the workflow. Moreover, the very definition of broadband service itself may need to be re-worked so as to not exclude satellite Internet service from consideration from government investment projects. Historically, satellite data services have not been classified as broadband due to their high latency and comparatively low data rates. SpaceX, though, argues their service will be considerably different than other offerings. NOT ALL SATELLITE INTERNET SERVICE IS THE SAME While technology advancements have increased the speed of computer processors from single-digit megahertz to today's state-of-the-art silicon that can clock-in at thousands of times faster, one thing has not changed: the speed of light. The speed at which information can flow through fiber optic cable, copper, or even the vacuum of space cannot travel faster than the speed of light. Though 186,000 miles per second (300,000 kilometers per second) is incredibly fast, even Earthly distances can impart a delay, or latency, in the communications stream. For instance, if the broadband satellite is in geostationary orbit 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above the equator, communications would take at least a quarter of a second to make the round trip. This assumes that the device is directly under the satellite and there are no other devices or mediums - routers, switches, fiber optic cabling, microwave links, or even copper cabling - between it and the satellite. Considering there is likely to be a significant angular separation between the satellite and ground station, plus other network infrastructure, it is reasonable to expect there to be a least a half of a second of latency. Though this delay may be largely unnoticed in traditional web browsing, it seriously degrades real- time communications, such as video conferencing, voice over IP (VoIP), and live video streaming services. Rather than place their satellites in geostationary orbit above the equator, SpaceX plans to launch a constellation of 4,425 satellites in a much lower orbit of 690 miles (1,110 kilometers) to 823 miles (1,325 kilometers). This lower altitude translates to less distance for the communications to travel and would be usable for even real-time needs. In fact, SpaceX indicates a latency of less than 35 milliseconds, which is comparable to many Earthbound ISPs. Additionally, with several satellites being within view of a receiving station, the SpaceX service will be able to address the need for higher data capacities. POTENTIAL ISSUES Operating a satellite-based Internet service does not come without risk, especially for one the size SpaceX wants to field. The company plans to launch a prototype later in 2017, with another in early 2018. Beyond needing to design, build, and launch such a large fleet of spacecraft, the 4,425 satellites themselves represent a significant concern. Operating in the congested environment of LEO, a sizable satellite constellation greatly increases the number of active spacecraft and may enhance the risk of collision. It's a worry of many in the industry. There is also a concern about the finite amount of licensable spectrum that can be used for such a large undertaking. With SpaceX not being the only company vying to provide worldwide satellite broadband service, the limited frequency space becomes even more precious. However, should the regulatory and engineering hurdles be overcome, SpaceX may be able to count another industry they were able to disrupt. "Our goal is to provide fiber-like services at market-prevailing prices, with a different construct of a satellite architecture," stated Cooper. http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/space-exploration-technologies/spacex-plans- testing-high-speed-satellite-broadband/ Back to Top Maiden flight of first China-made passenger plane important in aviation industry BEIJING, May 5 (Xinhua) -- China's homegrown large passenger plane, the C919, took to the skies on Friday in the eastern city of Shanghai, marking a great improvement of China's innovative capability and high technology in aviation and aerospace industry. Departing from Shanghai Pudong International Airport at around 2 pm (0700GMT) with five crew members on board but no passengers, the twin-engine plane signals the country's entry into the global aviation market as a strong competitor. CHINA'S EFFORTS IN AVIATION Within only 10 days, China has successively launched its first home-made aircraft carrier and large passenger plane, showing its determination to implement "Made in China 2025," a plan to transform China from a manufacturing giant into a world manufacturing power. Douglas Royce, an aerospace expert at Forecast International, an aerospace market research firm, told Xinhua that "the Chinese government is interested in establishing independence and self- sufficiency in all aspects of aviation, so it is as much a national project as it is a commercial venture." In 2007, plans to develop a Chinese-built large passenger jet were approved by the State Council. In November 2015, the first C919 jet rolled off the assembly line. The "C" in the aircraft's name stands for both China and COMAC, while 9 symbolizes "forever" in Chinese culture, and 19 represents the 190 seats at maximum capacity. With a standard range of 4,075 kilometers, the narrow-body jet is comparable with updated Airbus 320 and Boeing's new generation 737. Royce believed that "the Chinese government is engaged in a long-term process of catching up to Europe, the United States, and Russia in commercial aircraft. This is one step in that direction." Michel Merluzeau, director of AirInsightResearch, an aerospace & defence market analysis and consulting group, based in Seattle, told Xinhua that he was impressed by the role of the Chinese government and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), the manufacturer of the C919, to accelerate innovation and implement innovative programs. ACCESSING TO INT'L MARKET So far, 23 foreign and domestic customers, including China's national carrier Air China and leasing company GE Capital Aviation Service, have placed orders for 570 aircraft, according to COMAC. Merluzeau anticipated that by the mid-2030s, COMAC is going to become an important partner to the global aerospace supply chains, owing to the growth of supply chains in China proper and partnership and the importance of market. "It cannot be ignored," he said. However, "at least in the early years of service, demand will be centered in the Chinese market and a few satellite markets," Royce commented on C919's competitiveness with Airbus and Boeing, which are competitive rivals for China's jet and have spent decades competing fiercely against each other. In Merluzeau's view, Western certification is a major challenge facing the Chinese passenger jet now. Getting European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification would be a huge win for the program as it carries different weight comparing with China's certification recognition. "If achieved, I think it will greatly enhance the accessible market of C919," he said. Royce anticipated that the COMAC is likely to become a major player in the airline segment over a very long term. "It's not something that will happen over the next decade, but rather is a long-term process that will require ongoing support from the Chinese government," he said. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-05/05/c_136259947.htm Back to Top New Aerospace Technology and Business Aviation While industry leaders debate the possibilities for fully automated aircraft in the future, the most recent-generation business jets-and the next generation-are already introducing technologies that set the stage for that possibility. The new aircraft are coming to market wholly integrated, with fly by wire, Fadec and more extensive electrification, said Greg Bowles, v-p of global innovation and policy for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). "All are necessary steps to put in the final piece, which is automation." These changes are starting with the design and integration of systems, he said. "We are seeing aircraft that are designed so the entire layout is integrated in a way that is straightforward to operate, much simpler to follow and much, much more intuitive," he said. In the past systems were designed separately, and the approach to certification would be separate. The avionics interface with the pilot, the engine controls and information displays and the hydraulics would all be separate, with various gauges and displays. But glass cockpits, touchscreen controls and new approaches to design allow that information to be presented as a holistic picture of the aircraft and its operation. Airframers are "working with vendors to integrate the airplane. From the moment you sit down, it all flows," Bowles said. The result is much more intuitive, he added, particularly for the next generation of pilots. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2017-05-05/new-aerospace- technology-and-business-aviation Back to Top Tanzania: Dodoma Airport to Operate 24hrs Dodoma - Dodoma Airport has opened a 24-hour domestic and international flights operation, just months after embarking on a 12 billion/- renovation plan - putting the capital into new hotspot for the aviation industry. Works, Transport and Communication Minister, Prof Makame Mbarawa announced yesterday shortly after inspecting installation of airfield ground lighting (AGL), commissioned by the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) and implemented through a Chinese firm - Shanghai Chiko Solar Technology Company Limited. "Effective from now, Dodoma Airport can accommodate flight operations 24/7. The plan is to ensure that it meets international standards and save as immediate national airport in the country's capital," he said. Ten flights, including domestic and international, arrive and depart at the airport daily, thanks to the completion of the expansion plan that included construction of a 2.5km runway. The installation exercise of nearly 150 airfield ground lights took 14 days, according to TAA's AGL Installation Supervisor, Mr Samwel Mruma. It involved installation of runway lights, wind sock, taxiway lights and turn-up lights - the modern solar aviation lighting technology -making Dodoma Airport the first in East Africa to apply the latest technology. Minister Mbarawa said that the technology allows minimum maintenance and has the highest lifespan of 12 years and can be on up to 100,000 hours. This is ten times the lifespan of lights installed at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in Dar es Salaam, which last for 10,000 hours. The lights are radio-frequency controlled, meaning cannot be used anywhere without a remote control. Prof Mbarawa warned the public surrounding the un-fenced airport not to tamper with the new gadgets, saying they can only be used as toys when removed from location. "We should not be the first to sabotage our economy. It's high time that we all protect this new facility for our own good," he said. Dodoma Airport Manager, Mr Julius Mlungwana and Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication, Dr Leonard Chamuriho, announced that the authority was well organised to protect the area. Mr Mlungwana said the airport had increased ten more security personnel, but the police were also considering beefing up daily patrols and a number of security officers at the area. http://allafrica.com/stories/201705050279.html Back to Top Jeppesen and ForeFlight Announce Strategic Alliance to Combine Aviation Industry- leading Capabilities and Worldwide Content ALEXANDRIA, VA., May 4, 2017 - Jeppesen, a Boeing Company and a leader in aviation navigation and operational efficiency solutions, and ForeFlight, the innovative provider of mobile and web aviation applications, today announced that the companies have entered into in a long-term strategic alliance to combine their industry-leading capabilities and worldwide content. Together, Jeppesen and ForeFlight will build on their common heritage of delivering superior data and software to pilots and flight operations around the globe. "We are thrilled to bring together Jeppesen's world-class aeronautical data with the unmatched advanced technology of ForeFlight," said Ken Sain, chief operating officer, Jeppesen. "This will create a new benchmark for delivering navigation, flight information and operational solutions with greater regularity and speed for every aviation segment, from recreational pilots to the world's largest airlines." "This strategic alliance will enable ForeFlight and Jeppesen together to bring advances in capability to customers globally that neither company could accomplish on its own," said Tyson Weihs, co- founder and chief executive officer, ForeFlight. "Both companies share common values and purpose - delivering next generation power and productivity to pilots with superior customer service." "We're excited to bring Jeppesen charts and data to ForeFlight Mobile customers. The combination makes ForeFlight Mobile the premier all-in-one mobile solution for planning, briefing, filing, flying, and logging flights across personal and business aviation. Over the years, many customers have requested Jeppesen charts and data in ForeFlight Mobile, and we're so pleased that we can now meet that need," said Weihs. The alliance focuses initially in two areas. First, beginning this summer, all ForeFlight subscribers will see Jeppesen global navigational, terrain and obstacle data in ForeFlight Mobile. ForeFlight subscribers on individual plans will be able to link their Jeppesen license in ForeFlight Mobile and purchase standard worldwide Jeppesen charts for use inside the app through a simple e-commerce experience on foreflight.com. General aviation pilots will be able to choose between Jeppesen Mobile FliteDeck and ForeFlight Mobile as their preferred cockpit solution. Subscribers to ForeFlight Business Plans will purchase chart coverages through Jeppesen and then link them to their ForeFlight subscription for use inside the ForeFlight Mobile app. The alliance's second area of focus serves users of Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro, the leading EFB solution for airlines and large-scale operators. Jeppesen and ForeFlight will work together on a next- generation release of FliteDeck Pro for both iOS and Windows that will deliver a combination of the familiar capabilities in FliteDeck Pro and significant features and functionality from ForeFlight Mobile. The solution will respect the heritage of FliteDeck Pro, while also embracing capabilities from ForeFlight Mobile that many professional pilots already have experience using. Jeppesen and ForeFlight are working together closely with FliteDeck Pro customers in advance of bringing this to market to ensure the training impact is minimized. FliteDeck Pro customers will continue to receive application and content updates from Jeppesen. This alliance builds upon Jeppesen's major new release of Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro, which is being deployed worldwide. FliteDeck Pro 3.0 for iOS and 9.0 for Windows includes three major features, SmartNotes which revolutionizes pilot access to charting information relevant to the flight plan, Tailored Enroute Data for customers to add their own company-specific content, and integrated high-resolution Airport Moving Map content for nearly 1,000 airports worldwide. To view more information on combined Jeppesen and ForeFlight products, please see www.foreflight.com/jeppesen and www.jeppesen.com/foreflight. About Jeppesen For more than 80 years, Jeppesen has made it possible for pilots and their passengers to safely and efficiently reach their destinations. Today, this pioneering spirit continues as Jeppesen delivers transformative information and optimization solutions to improve the efficiency of air operations around the globe. Jeppesen is a Boeing subsidiary and part of the Digital Aviation business unit within Boeing Commercial Aviation Services. Boeing offers the industry's largest portfolio of support and services solutions, providing customers a competitive advantage by solving real operational problems, enabling better decisions, maximizing efficiency and improving environmental performance - intelligent information solutions across the entire aviation ecosystem. About ForeFlight ForeFlight was founded in 2007 by aviation entrepreneurs who set out to build elegant, high- performing flight planning and flight bag apps for pilots. ForeFlight Mobile, the company's flagship product, is used by individual pilots and professional flight crews all over the world to efficiently gather weather and destination information, route plan and file, access and manage electronic charts and maps, organize flight publications, reference as an enroute navigation aid, and manage iPad deployments. ForeFlight serves pilots in all segments of aviation, including personal, business, commercial, and military. In addition, the company's Fanatical Pilot Support™ Team delivers amazingly fast and friendly customer service. Learn more at foreflight.com. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12332061/jeppesen-and-foreflight-announce-strategic- alliance-to-combine-aviation-industry-leading-capabilities-and-worldwide-content Back to Top Pakistan, Turkey to enhance cooperation in aviation sector ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkey have mutually agreed to work together in different areas, particularly enhancing their competitiveness in civil aviation. It was decided in a meeting between Adviser to Prime Minister on Aviation Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan and Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan S Babur Girjin on Friday. Matters related to strengthening ties between the two countries, particularly regarding the aviation industry, were discussed in a meeting. The adviser highlighted various steps underway for ongoing advancement of the national flag carrier, specifically flight safety, punctuality, ground handling, maintenance and induction of latest technology, as well for the promotion of aviation. The Turkish envoy highly appreciated all endeavours by the incumbent government and the advisor in this regard. Sardar Mehtab acknowledged the significant and protagonist contribution of Turkey in the region under the leadership of Tayyip Erdogan and expressed that being functioning democracies, Pakistan and Turkey were important icons of the Muslim community and they "owe important geographical positions in the region". He also shared that both the countries were bound in fraternal ties, which should be cultivated constantly. He said that both the countries always strived to increase mutual understanding not only with their neighbours but also with Islamic countries. He further shared that Pakistan had always wanted to establish close relations with Turkey by removing all gaps and barriers as per the vision of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. In the meeting, it was mutually decided that in order to follow a fast-pace sustainable development model and to embark on solid infrastructure of aviation sector, both the counties should exchange the skills and technology to boost the performance of the aviation industry. http://dailytimes.com.pk/pakistan/06-May-17/pakistan-turkey-to-enhance-cooperation-in-aviation- sector Back to Top SOLAR IMPULSE CO-FOUNDER AIMS TO MAKE ELECTRIC AVIATION A REALITY WITH NEW COMPANY Electricity as a vehicle fuel has revealed various benefits. In a day and age where we yearn for both sustainability and efficiency, finding ways to increase energy security, improve fuel economy, lower fuel costs, and reduce emissions has become essential, and electricity does just that. Building on this knowledge, European and Asian countries have been taking advantage of electric high-speed trains for decades. We're also seeing more and more electric cars at affordable prices popping up, too, including the Tesla Model 3. Now, aviation is coming into the picture. André Borschberg is the co-founder of Solar Impulse, a Swiss long-range experimental solar- powered aircraft project that, just last year, flew electric airplanes for five days and nights nonstop over the Pacific. This marked the longest flight ever of a single pilot airplane. Such success prompted Borschberg to take his electric propulsion technology even further with a new company called H55. The concept behind the venture is to make air transport cleaner, quieter, safer, and - perhaps even more enticing - more affordable! H55, which will focus on the entire propulsion chain, ranging from the energy source to thrust and power to pilot interface and control systems, has successfully finished 50-plus hours of flight testing already via its electric demonstrator aircraft called the aEro1. Discussing the prospects of electric propulsion, Borschberg says that "electric air transport will undoubtedly disrupt the aviation industry." "Fifteen years ago," he continues, "when I started with Solar Impulse, electric propulsion was anecdotal. Today is a major development path of every large aeronautical organisation as well as attracting many start-ups and new players. What is science fiction today will be the reality of tomorrow." The representation of H55 is promising, with co-founders (along with Chairman of the board André Borschberg) including: Sebastien Demont, the former Head of Electrical Engineering at Solar Impulse; Dominique Steffen, a former Red Bull paraglider world champion and experienced Head of Engineering for large-scale projects at Kissling & Zbinden; Thomas Pfammatter, a professional airplane and helicopter pilot with over 10,000 flight hours, former CEO and CFO of Swiss companies, and founder of different start-ups; and Gregory Blatt, former Managing Director for Marketing and External Relations at Solar Pulse. Let's hope we hear a whole lot more about electric propulsion in the near future, as it offers potentially exciting outcomes. It's extremely efficient and light, for instance, and has flexible and reliable software. Electric airplanes - a cost efficient and therefore less expensive design than the classic combustion aircraft - will also offer far less noise than we're used to, and less environmental impact, too. http://www.collective-evolution.com/2017/05/05/solar-impulse-co-founder-aims-to-make-electric- aviation-a-reality-with-new-company/ Back to Top Mumtalakat invests in FAI Aviation Group FAI is a leading global provider of mission-critical aviation services, offering fixed-wing air ambulance, special missions, charter and aircraft management, as well as full MRO services. "It has perhaps never been as important as it is today to support rapid aviation response to crisis situations. Over the last 30 years, FAI has significantly grown its capabilities and service offerings, establishing stable and lasting relationships across a diverse set of customers, helping critical aid services reach people across the world," said Mahmood H. Alkooheji, Chief Executive Officer, Mumtalakat. He added that the investment is aligned with Mumtalakat's objective to invest in companies with strong track records of growth and experienced management teams. Aviation is a key component of our portfolio and we aim to leverage our sector knowledge and expertise to add value to the company and support its potential expansion into the wider GCC region. "We are pleased that our specialized expertise in aviation services is globally recognized and delighted about the opportunity to cooperate with a powerful partner such as Mumtalakat. Together we will expand FAI as the leading player in the sector and increase our share in the General Aviation Market in the Middle East, adding value to the corporate and humanitarian sectors alike. Safety, efficient delivery and environmental protection are at the heart of our business," said Siegfried Axtmann, Chairman, FAI. Founded in 1986, FAI operates from its base in Albrecht Dürer International airport in Nuremberg, Germany. With over 30 years of experience in business aviation, FAI is one of the largest General Aviation operators in Europe. A market leader in intercontinental air ambulance patient transport, FAI offers continuous worldwide air ambulance services staffed with qualified medical personnel and state of the art medical technology. Its aircraft fly more than 13,000 flight hours annually and its clientele include the world´s leading insurance- and assistance companies, NGO´s and prominent health authorities in the wider GCC region. Jefferies International Limited acted as sell-side advisor on the transaction. The transaction is still subject to the approval by Cypriot and German Merger Control Authorities. http://cpifinancial.net/news/category/investments/post/40936/mumtalakat-invests-in-fai-aviation- group Back to Top SolarStratos plane flies for the first time - but not quite to the stratosphere It was in November of 2016 that we first heard about SolarStratos, a 2-seater solar-electric aircraft that's ultimately intended to fly to an altitude of 25,000 m (82,000 ft) - the edge of space, essentially. The plane was unveiled to the public last December, and made its first flight this Friday. The flight took place in the team's home country of Switzerland, at the Payerne airport. Flown by test pilot Damian Hischier, the aircraft took off at 8am and proceeded to fly for seven minutes at an altitude of 300 metres (984 ft) before landing and returning to its hangar. Raphael Domjan, who will pilot the plane on its stratospheric mission, looked on from the runway throughout. "The plane is very nice to fly," Hischier said afterwards. "It is responsive and it is obvious that it has been very well designed and built." SolarStratos is equipped with 22 sq m (237 sq ft) of solar panels. These charge a 20 kWh lithium- ion battery pack, which powers a 32-kW electric motor that in turn drives a 2.2-m (7.2-ft) propeller. It measures 8.5 m (27.9 ft) long, has a wingspan of 24.9 m (81.7 ft) and weighs in at just 450 kg (992 lb). Designed by Calin Gologan, it is reportedly able to fly continuously for over 24 hours, which is more than enough to cover the expected two-and-a-half hours it will take to reach the stratosphere, 15 minutes cruising at peak altitude and three hours to return to the Earth. Other test flights at higher altitudes are now in the works, with the final mission scheduled to take place next year. "Our plane, which can fly at 25,000 metres, opens a window to electric and solar-powered high- altitude aviation - something that has never before been attempted," said Domjan. "Only by flying can we work out the plane's limits and today's short flight was an important first step on this pathway." http://newatlas.com/solarstratos-first-flight/49391/ Back to Top X-37B spaceplane returns to Earth and makes autopilot landing in Florida CAPE CANAVERAL - The Air Force's robotic X-37B mini space shuttle swooped out of obscurity today after 718 days spent in orbit on a secretive military mission, touching down at the Kennedy Space Center's orbiter runway on autopilot, the military announced on Twitter. It was the fourth flight for the unmanned test project, an enigmatic program that has used twin reusable vehicles to amass 2,086 cumulative days in space by launching like a satellite atop Atlas 5 rockets and then landing like an airplane. But today marked the first X-37B landing at the Kennedy Space Center and used the same Shuttle Landing Facility runway as NASA's manned orbiters from 1984 to 2011, signaling a long-sought programmatic evolution to consolidate both launch and landing operations at a single homeport. "The landing of OTV-4 marks another success for the X-37B program and the nation," said Lt. Col. Ron Fehlen, X-37B program manager. "This mission once again set an on-orbit endurance record and marks the vehicle's first landing in the state of Florida. We are incredibly pleased with the performance of the space vehicle and are excited about the data gathered to support the scientific and space communities. We are extremely proud of the dedication and hard work by the entire team." The stubbed-winged orbiter will be towed later today from the Florida runway to a modified NASA shuttle hangar, left over from retirement of the civilian program, for post-flight deservicing. Early this morning, the craft received the ground-issued command to return to Earth, initiating a fully autonomous sequence of events to fire its propulsion system and brake from orbit. Plunging through the atmosphere for a super-hot reentry, the spaceplane executed a series of turns to dissipate speed as it flew towards the Cape. A concussive sonic boom announced the Orbital Test Vehicle's arrival in the skies over Kennedy Space Center. With Runway 15 fast approaching the glider dropped its landing gear with dinner plate-sized wheels for a tire-smoking touchdown some time around 8 a.m. EDT (1200 GMT) while flying on a sophisticated autopilot fed with GPS navigation. "Today marks an incredibly exciting day for the 45th Space Wing as we continue to break barriers," said Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, 45th Space Wing commander at Cape Canaveral. "Our team has been preparing for this event for several years, and I am extremely proud to see our hard work and dedication culminate in today's safe and successful landing of the X-37B." Although it had maneuvered to various altitudes throughout its two years in space, hobbyist satellite observers had tracked the vehicle in a 200 by 220 mile orbit tilted 38 degrees to the equator, before it lowered to a 191 x 199 mile orbit in February and then raising to 220 x 225 miles. Today's landing capped the fourth spaceflight for X-37B, also known as the Orbital Test Vehicle program. The Air Force has never identified which of its two spaceplanes flew this specific mission. "The X-37B testbed platform is unique because we can tailor to specific user needs and return experiments back to post-flight inspection," Ken Torok, Boeing's director of experimental systems, aid at launch. "Reliability, reusability and responsiveness of the X-37B will fundamentally change how we perform future space missions." Officials have said early flights would test out the system and twin vehicles themselves in a proof of concept to operate a fleet of unmanned spaceplanes economically and technologically for the U.S. military. But this X-37B carried at least two payloads on its latest voyage. The military revealed before the ship took off that it was carrying an experimental electric propulsion thruster to be tested in orbit and a pallet to expose sample materials to the space environment. Made by Aerojet Rocketdyne, the enhanced five-kW Hall Thruster, called the XR-5A, was tested aboard the spaceplane for the Air Force Research Laboratory and Space and Missile Systems Center. Operation of the modified thruster - said to have improved performance and operating range - was checked by measuring the thrust imparted on the vehicle before inclusion aboard the military's future Advanced Extremely High Frequency ultra-secure communications satellites. The electric propulsion system produces a whisper-like thrust by ionizing and accelerating xenon gas. The fuel economy is a distinct advantage of such systems over conventional chemical rockets, keeping the weight down and enabling launch aboard a smaller, cheaper rocket. There also was a NASA advanced materials investigation aboard the X-37B. Known as the Materials Exposure and Technology Innovation in Space, or METIS, the experiment exposed nearly 100 different quarter-sized samples of polymers, composites and coatings to the harshness of space. What else this craft carried, if anything, was not divulged by Pentagon officials. "We're very pleased with the experiments lined-up for our fourth OTV Mission, OTV 4," said Randy Walden, the director of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, when this craft launched. "We'll continue to evaluate improvements to the space vehicle's performance, but we're honored to host these collaborative experiments that will help advance the state-of-the-art for space technology." Orbital Test Vehicle Mission 1 (first flight of Vehicle No. 1) Launch: April 22, 2010 Landing: Dec. 3 2010 Duration: 224 days Orbital Test Vehicle Mission 2 (first flight of Vehicle No. 2) Launch: March 5, 2011 Landing: June 16, 2012 Duration: 469 days Orbital Test Vehicle Mission 3 (second flight of Vehicle No. 1) Launch: Dec. 11, 2012 Landing: Oct. 17, 2014 Duration: 675 days Orbital Test Vehicle Mission 4 (unconfirmed which vehicle) Launch: May 20, 2015 Landing: May 7, 2017 Duration: 718 days Mounted atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 booster, the shuttle was tucked inside the voluminous nose cone and simply along for the ride as it left Cape Canaveral's Complex 41 on May 20, 2015. It was delivered into low-Earth orbit, opened its clamshell payload bay doors and extended a power-generating solar array. The mission operated in total secrecy, except for satellite-tracking hobbyists who monitored the vehicle and its changing orbit when it made bright, visible passes in the early morning or early evening sky at observers' locations around the world. Although the launch was publicized in advance, the landing came with no official notification. The Air Force broke with its own precedent set on the three previous landings and offered no advance warning this time. One-quarter the size of NASA's now-retired space shuttle, the robotic X-37B conducts its mission and then autonomously returns to Earth for a pinpoint touchdown on a conventional runway to be refurbished and reused. It harkens back to the manned space shuttle era, taking payloads up and down, and flying the same orbital trucks over and over again. While the first three X-37B missions touched down at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Air Force had acknowledged it was looking to land this latest flight at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. "We're seeking to leverage previous space shuttle investments and are investigating the possibility of using the former shuttle infrastructure for X-37B OTV landing operations," an Air Force spokesperson said before launch. That infrastructure includes the former space shuttle hangars, known as Orbiter Processing Facility bays, where the ships underwent post-flight operations and were readied for the next mission. In early January 2014, Boeing announced it would proceed with creation of a homeport for X-37B in Florida and create technology, engineering and support jobs. "Investments will be made to convert the former space shuttle facility, OPF-1, to a facility that would enable the U.S. Air Force to efficiently land, recover, refurbish and re-launch the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle," Boeing said a press release. "This is a great opportunity to utilize Brevard County's talented workforce in support of our nation's next-generation space vehicle research platform," Mary Bolin Lewis, chairman, Brevard County Board of County Commissioners, said at the time. "Kennedy is positioning itself for the future, transitioning to a multi-user launch facility for both commercial and government customers, while embarking on NASA's new deep space exploration plans," KSC Center Director Robert Cabana said in 2014. "A dynamic infrastructure is taking shape, designed to host many kinds of spacecraft and rockets." KSC has a three-mile-long concrete landing strip where space shuttles landed for three decades. It is the same length as the Vandenberg runway that X-37B has used. Built in 1975, KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility is a concrete strip 300 feet wide and 15,000 feet long with 1,000-foot overruns at each end. The runway is located about three miles northwest of the 525-foot tall Vehicle Assembly Building. NASA's space shuttles landed in Florida 78 times. X-37B features a pickup truck-size cargo bay, seven feet long and four feet wide, that could be filled with equipment being exposed to the harsh environment of space for proof testing or could contain experimental instruments intended for use by future military and reconnaissance satellites. The craft's unique capability to drop from orbit and land on a runway allows technicians to get their hands on the hardware after it spent a long period of time in space. Wild speculation about the spaceplanes and their missions has ranged from secret flyby surveillance of China's orbital station to the weaponization of space. But the Air Force stresses that the X-37B is a test bed to carry experiments into space. "It's really for cool things. For instance, it goes up to space but, unlike other satellites, it actually comes back. Anything that we put in the payload bay that we take up to space, we can now bring back, and we can learn from that," Gen. John Hyten, formerly the head of Space Command, told CBS News on its "60 Minutes" program a month before this X-37B was launched. Built by Boeing's Phantom Works division, the spaceplane is 29 feet long with a wing span of 15 feet, made of light-weight composite structures instead of aluminum. On-orbit maneuverability is accomplished through small thrusters on the ship's nose and tail, plus a large engine in the back. The craft is shielded with high-temperature wing leading-edge tiles made of toughened uni-piece fibrous refractory oxidation-resistant ceramic, or TUFROC, instead of reinforced carbon-carbon panels used on NASA shuttles. It also has a next-generation shuttle silica tile that's more durable and toughened with uni-piece fibrous insulation, and is the first space vehicle to use advanced conformal reusable insulation (CRI) blankets. There are no hydraulics aboard the X-37B. Flight controls and brakes use electromechanical actuation. And unlike the space shuttles that used cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen reactants to generate electricity through onboard fuel cells, limiting the mission lengths by the amount of consumables that could be carried, the OTV is powered by a deployable solar array. The longest shuttle flight was 18 days. The spaceplane can weigh up to 11,000 pounds fueled for launch. The cost of the OTV program is classified. A fifth X-37B flight is planned to launch later in 2017, the Air Force says. https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/05/07/x-37b-spaceplane-returns-to-earth-and-makes-precision- autopilot-landing/ Curt Lewis