March 26, 2018 - No. 024 In This Issue China creates "super hangar" to nest surging civil fleet Former UI Aviation Institute Now a Parkland College Program Huawei joins IATA to develop airports and airlines of future New rotorcraft technology being developed at Redstone Arsenal's AMRDEC Hexcel opens aerospace-grade materials manufacturing facility Advances In Fuel Cell Technology Target Drones Safety and flight ops conference looks at technology-driven change Gulfstream Extends Student Leadership Program To Dallas-Fort Worth Darwin to host world-first air race in 2019 Delta Air Lines is exploring wearable robotic suits to augment employee safety for some of its employees NASA receives response from Voyager 1 spacecraft 13 billion miles away after 37 years of inactivity SPACEX: FALCON 9 ROCKET LAUNCH BLEW HOLE IN EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE, PRODUCED HUGE SHOCK WAVE China creates "super hangar" to nest surging civil fleet BEIJING, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Legendary Chinese engineer Lu Ban is believed to have created a flying wooden bird in ancient times. Today, Zhao Boyou claims he makes "nests" for aircraft. "People need to rest after working hard. So do aircraft. Jumbos need spacious hangars," says Zhao, 47, vice chief structural engineer of China Aviation Planning and Design Institute (CAPDI) of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Ltd. (AVIC), the state-owned aviation giant. His team is making a big column-free hangar for Beijing's new airport, which will be able to hold about 11 civil aircraft. "We create hangars for aircraft 'health checks', maintenance, repairs and overhaul," says Zhao. The maintenance hangar for China Southern Airlines will set an Asian record. It will be 405 meters across, 100 meters deep, and have a clearance height of 30 meters. It will be about 46 meters wider than the current Asian record holder: the A380 hangar at Beijing International Airport, also created by CAPDI. "It will hold two A380 jumbos, three B777 wide-body aircraft and six narrow-bodies, such as the B737or A320," says Zhao, sketching a rectangular building. "And about 1,200-tonne maintenance facilities will be suspended from the roof." BOOM TIME CAPDI has designed more than 95 percent of civil aircraft maintenance hangars in China, and all the painting hangars. China's civil aviation industry is mushrooming in fleet size and passenger and cargo loads. At the end of 2017, the civil fleet stood at 3,296 aircraft and the industry logged more than 10 million flight hours for the first time, according to Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). "After arriving at your destination, have you ever thought of where the plane goes?" asks Zheng Yingping, executive deputy director of the Civil Aviation Engineering Design and Research Institute of CAPDI. "It's the hangar, a place for aircraft rest and restoration for the next trip. Safety is the lifeline of civil aviation, and the hangar is a critical point to ensure safety," Zheng says. Beijing's new airport, which will relieve pressure on Beijing International Airport, is sited 46 kilometers from the downtown area and is expected to start test operations in late 2019. But more airports mean more pressure on construction land. The long-span hangar is the "secret weapon", the most feasible and economical solution to meet the challenges, says Zheng. SUPERSIZING "We are exploring creative methods to make bigger, longer hangars, but lighter and stronger in structure," says Zhao. The long-span hangar is more than just a "big building with a massive roof." It is a functional building with many cradles and suspension maintenance equipment, tailored to huge aircraft bodies and maintenance services. An array of pipelines must supply power, water, ventilation, gas and other necessities. "It is a huge challenge for engineers to balance strength and flexibility," says Zhao. Numerous other factors such as costs, land area and time limits are also in their minds. As hangars are mostly built near runways, height is severely restricted. However, traditional hangars have "big heads," a gate truss structure to support the roof. But the cost of a "big head" for the super hangar was prohibitive. "We tried and experimented time and again. Finally, we got a creative design that adopted high- strength cables for leverage," says Zhao. The patented design could also use about 1,500 tonnes of steel less than the traditional design, enough to build a hangar roof the size of a football field. CAPDI has previously set records with the 80-meter maintenance hangar in Guangzhou in 1985, the 352-meter A380 hanger in Beijing in 2005, and a group of hangars at Shanghai's Pudong Airport in 2006. "China has ambitions to integrate into the global aviation industry chain. China-developed aircraft are flying overseas, and so are our creative designs and engineering services," says CAPDI chairman Lian Dawei. "We've cast our eyes on the markets of Africa and Southeast Asia, supporting them to fly higher with 'China span' and 'China speed'." http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-03/25/c_137063872.htm Back to Top Former UI Aviation Institute Now a Parkland College Program SAVOY, Ill. (AP) - The former University of Illinois aviation institute will become part of a regular academic program at Parkland College in Champaign. Parkland trustees approved the change during a Wednesday meeting at the Institute of Aviation in the old Willard Airport terminal, The News-Gazette reported. Board member Greg Knott said the program is important to the airport and for aviation students who "will be the pilots who will fly us around the country and the world in the future." "And I also got a lot of pressure from community members who wanted to keep the institute here at the airport and for the future jobs that could spin out from this," said Knott of the program. Pam Lau is the vice president for academic services at Parkland. She said the college's aviation program began in fall 2014 with $3 million in grant funding from UI and a $1 annual building lease. Lau said that the number of aviation students has increased from 42 in fiscal year 2015 to 67 this year. The number of earned credit hours taken also has nearly doubled from 180 in fiscal year 2015 to 353 this year. "Everything is going in the right directions," Lau said. Lau said the institute will begin offering a six-credit-hour certificate this year in unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, and also will look into upgrading the technology in its aircraft while downsizing the fleet. Parkland President Tom Ramage said institute's 28 planes would be reduced. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/illinois/articles/2018-03-23/former-ui-aviation- institute-now-a-parkland-college-program Back to Top Huawei joins IATA to develop airports and airlines of future Chinese ICT solutions provider Huawei has joined the Strategic Partnerships Program of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to help develop airports and airlines of the future. Through the IATA, the trade association of the world's airlines, the company will use its advanced ICT innovations and expertise for the development of airports and airlines, as well as optimising air cargo operations. IATA marketing and commercial services senior vice-president Mark Hubble said: "The IATA Strategic Partnerships Program is open to companies that add value and bring benefits to the air transport industry directly and indirectly by means of their services, products and solutions." Huawei Enterprise transportation sector president Yuan Xilin said: "IATA provides an invaluable platform for members to collaborate with other aviation leaders on areas of mutual concern, and it enables airlines to benefit from a wide range of cutting-edge products and expertise to achieve safer, more efficient, and cost-effective operations. "With global airports and airlines evolving toward Smart Airports and Smart Airlines, Huawei is committed to becoming the best partner for aviation digital transformation by providing one-stop ICT solutions to help customers enhance services and create a seamless passenger experience." As a member of the programme, the company will apply new ICT technologies to strengthen digital transformation of the aviation industry. Additionally, the collaboration with IATA will help customers build smart and dynamic airports and airlines that fulfil the requirements of airports, airlines and passengers for safety and personalised services. Huawei's ICT products, solutions, and services are currently used by more than 50 airports, airlines, and air traffic control authorities. https://www.airport-technology.com/news/huawei-joins-iata-develop-airports-airlines-future/ Back to Top New rotorcraft technology being developed at Redstone Arsenal's AMRDEC HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) - Important and exciting work is underway at Redstone Arsenal to help develop new helicopters for the Army. They're designed to better help soldiers in combat. Redstone Arsenal shed light on innovation happening at the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center (AMRDEC). They're expanding and demonstrating new capabilities in vertical lift technology. It's all part of the Army's Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstration (JMR-TD) program, which funded the new Bell V-280 Valor. "Vertical lift, since its inception, has been a key enabler to the ground force commander and has been increasing over the past 15 years," explained Dan Bailey, JMR-TD program director. "It allows them freedom of maneuver and a surprise aspect to combat, meaning coming from different angles and different directions, speed in the battlefield, resupply and not using ground transportation." AMRDEC leads the JMR-TD effort, a precursor to the Department of Defense Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program. FVL is a plan to develop a family of next generation military helicopters. It will replace aging helicopters. Four agreements were awarded under the JMR-TD to Sikorsky-Boeing, Bell Helicopter, AVX Aircraft, and Karem, with the Bell and Sikorsky-Boeing efforts funded to build and fly technology demonstrator aircraft. "The Army has set off to create some new rotorcraft. We don't call them helicopters anymore. They can still operate vertically but they're much more than helicopters. Helicopters traditionally have a main rotor and then a tail rotor for anti-torque. These rotorcraft are compounded, meaning they have methods of pushing themselves through the air and they might have wings on them, they might have different types of tilting engines and rotor systems," Bailey stated. The Army decided in 2010 to start to develop new configurations of rotorcraft with the anticipation that their legacy and current fleet is reaching its life cycle end for being able to modernize them. "We've done a lot of work to those aircraft over the last several years to keep them viable in combat and we've done a great job with that. But we know there's a next generational capability is needed," Bailey said. The Army started a science and technology demonstration effort at AMRDEC. AMRDEC employs nearly 10,000 civilian scientists, engineers, and contract support. "That's what we do. We develop technologies. We mature those technologies and perform risk reductions for future programs," Bailey stated. "We anticipate there's a future vertical lift program that's going to inherit these technologies and aircraft configurations." That will allow increased performance, which will help soldiers in combat in several ways. The new rotorcraft are faster and can go farther. "Speed is a critical enabler in combat. Then there's reach, being able to reach longer distances without setting up infrastructure for refueling points and being able to get to those long distances faster," Bailey added. The current fleet are 1960s and 70s configuration designs. They cost too much to maintain and modernize. "They're good but they're becoming somewhat unaffordable to sustain long term," Bailey said. "We get both things by going with a new configuration aircraft. We're able to design an aircraft from the ground up for that integrated sustainability and support to the war fighter and given those key advantages in combat for speed and long distances." Two industry partners are under contract to build two full scale aircraft. One aircraft is completely built and it's in flight tests. The Bell V-280 Valor successfully achieved first flight back in December in Amarillo, Texas. It was flown for the first time by an Army pilot in February. "We have another that's going to be flying within the next several months and then we have another couple of industry partners that are building subsystem scale technologies just to further that understanding and knowledge base and risk reduction towards future configuration because we don't know exactly what the requirements will be for these new configuration aircraft of the future so we're broadening this tech maturity has much as we can," Bailey explained. Along with working on the platform piece of the project, which is an aircraft that has better flight performance, AMRDEC is also creating their digital backbone. "It's key as we think about technologies today like our phones, as an example. We have new applications that come around very quickly and new capabilities that we want to have on our phones and they allow us to fairly easily get those new capabilities onto our phone very rapidly. We want an aircraft that's capable of that as well," Bailey added. "We think about future threat and future operating environments, we need to be able to put new technologies on very quickly on and off. We need to give that to the war fighter." The Future Vertical Lift program is one of the things that will be highlighted during next week's big Army Global Force Symposium in Huntsville as it continues to shape the military's helicopter fleet of the future. http://www.waff.com/story/37798488/new-rotorcraft-technology-being-developed-at-redstone- arsenals-amrdec Back to Top Hexcel opens aerospace-grade materials manufacturing facility Hexcel has opened an aerospace-grade advanced composite materials manufacturing facility at the MidParc Free Trade Zone in Casablanca, Morocco. The $20m facility is capable of transforming lightweight honeycomb materials into engineered core parts that offer structural reinforcement for aerospace applications, including aircraft structures, engine nacelles, and helicopter blades. The facility expects to employ more than 200 people by 2020. Its first product was delivered in December. It represents Hexcel's ongoing global investment that seeks to establish a diversified and global supply chain to support aerospace customers' growing demand for an engineered core. Over the recent years, the company has increased the capacity of its existing plants to support its engineered core business and is planning further expansions to capture additional opportunities in the global market. Hexcel chairman, CEO and president Nick Stanage said: "This facility is critical to our success because it positions us to secure additional growth with our aerospace customers in Morocco and around the world." The company currently serves various aerospace customers, including Airbus, Boeing, Safran and Bombardier. In September, Hexcel announced plans to launch the £7.4m Multi AXial Infused Materials (MAXIM) research and development project and to expand its manufacturing facility in Leicester, UK. Supported by the UK Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and match-funded by the UK's Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, MAXIM will focus on the development of new and cost-effective materials, as well as manufacturing solutions for large aerospace and automotive composite structures. http://www.aerospace-technology.com/news/hexcel-opens-new-aerospace-grade-composite- materials-manufacturing-facility/ Back to Top Advances In Fuel Cell Technology Target Drones As drone technology continues to evolve, fuel cells appear to be becoming more practical as power sources. Although still expensive and slower to respond to load changes, fuel cells have power-to- weight ratios currently two to five times higher than standard lithium ion batteries. And in the past couple of months, several projects have surfaced that point to significant advancements in the technology and its applications. The first comes from HES Energy Systems. The Singapore-based company recently announced that it's manufacturing hydrogen fuel cells for drones that, according to HES CEO Taras Wankewycz, are the smallest and lightest for the power delivered or energy stored in the world. As an example of the applications of the ultralight fuel cells, he points out in an interview with Commercial UAV News that HES fuel-cell technology was used to power a drone that set an FAI World Record for distance for a lighter-than-5kg UAV. On the larger side of the drone market, Germany's Lange Research Aircraft is developing a surveillance aircraft called the Antares E2. The company says the drone's six methanol fuel cells can keep it in the air for up to 40 hours. The Antares E2, which can operate manned or unmanned, can also haul a payload of about 440 pounds. Taking a best-of-all-worlds approach, researchers at the University of Sydney are testing out a triple hybrid approach. By powering a propulsion system with a hydrogen fuel cell, a battery and a supercapacitor the research team says it hoped to balance the limitations of each. They report that the design was able to improve peak power and load response in the propulsion system. As discussed in an earlier podcast from the Sustainable Aviation Symposium, fuel cell technology presents interesting possibilities for manned aircraft as well. The hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered HY4, which flew for the first time in September 2016, can carry four. Though not yet ready to compete with most gas-powered four seaters, the zero-emission HY4 has reached a maximum speed of about 108 knots and has a max range of about 810 nautical miles. The project was developed by the DLR Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics in partnership with Hydrogenics, Pipistrel, H2FLY, the University of Ulm and Stuttgart Airport. Also in the works for manned applications is the Zodiac Aerospace-led HYCARUS project. The HYCARUS team is developing a fuel cell system designed to power non-essential equipment and act as a secondary power source on business and commercial aircraft. The project, which includes partner companies from France, Germany, Belgium, Spain and the Czech Republic, has been running since 2013. https://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Advances-In-Fuel-Cell-Technology-Target-Drones- 230485-1.html Back to Top Safety and flight ops conference looks at technology-driven change MONTREAL - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that "Technological Progress and Safe Operations - Embracing Technology-Driven Change," will be the theme for the 2018 Safety and Flight Ops Conference. "Advances in technology have contributed to improvements in safety and operational efficiency throughout aviation's history. At the same, some of these advances have also introduced new challenges to be addressed. The Safety and Flight Ops Conference provides a forum for safety and operations experts to come together to understand and discuss the opportunities and challenges being created by aviation's latest technology advances," said Gilberto Lopez Meyer, IATA's Senior Vice President, Safety and Flight Operations. The 2018 Safety and Flight Ops Conference will take place in Montreal, Canada, 17-19 April. IATA's Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac, and Dr. Fang Liu, Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), will deliver keynote remarks. Other presenters include: * Ali Bahrami, Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety, FAA * Steve Creamer, Director Air Navigation Bureau, ICAO * Sara de la Rosa, UAS Program Lead, UNICEF * Steve Lee, CIO, Changi Airport Group * Eric Laliberte, Director General, Space Utilization, Canadian Space Agency * Patrick Magisson, Executive Vice President, Safety and Technical Affairs, IFALPA * Jeff Poole, Director General, CANSO * Claudio Trevisan, Head of Air Operations Department, EASA * Jorge Vargas, Executive President, COCESNA "Aviation safety is built on global standards and working together. The diverse stakeholder groups participating in this event illustrate this partnership approach, which has been so important to making aviation the safest form of long distance travel the world has ever known," said Lopez Meyer. Session tracks will cover: * Aircraft Data: Who Owns It? * UTM, ATM and Space Traffic Management * Rethinking the Way We Train Our Pilots * Technology - Optimizing Airline Operations * Regulatory Preparedness * Developing the Future Leaders of Aviation A new feature this year is the "SFO (Safety and Flight Ops) Bistro" speed networking event in which delegates will have the opportunity to visit up to five tables hosted by experts on more than a dozen subjects including fatigue management, cyber security, cabin safety and pilot training. All attendees will have the opportunity to interact, engage and contribute in this small round-table environment. The conference will also offer a number of specialized workshops on safety and operations-related subjects. https://www.traveldailynews.com/post/safety-and-flight-ops-conference-looks-at-technology- driven-change Back to Top Gulfstream Extends Student Leadership Program To Dallas-Fort Worth SAVANNAH, Georgia, March 23, 2018 - Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has announced it is extending its Student Leadership Program to Dallas-Fort Worth, home of the company's midcabin completions facility and a service center. The multicity student program leverages community and business partnerships to introduce high school students to careers in aviation, manufacturing, science, technology, engineering and math. More than 300 local students each year are expected to attend and benefit from the program, which will include a curriculum focused on developing work readiness, instilling leadership skills, providing in-depth information related to career pathways in aviation and other STEM-related fields, and providing hands-on tours of Gulfstream Dallas and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. "We hope students participating in the program will learn more about the opportunities that exist for them, whether it's building or maintaining the next generation of aircraft or developing the next breakthrough technology," said Robby Harless, vice president and general manager, Gulfstream Dallas. "We are grateful for the support from the community and our partners - the Dallas Independent School District, the State Fair of Texas and the Frontiers of Flight Museum - for making this program a reality for the Dallas area." Launched in Savannah in 2008, the Student Leadership Program is designed to equip students with tangible skills to explore options beyond the classroom. Since its inception, more than 1,000 students have participated in the program, and more than four dozen businesses and community partners provide support. In addition to Savannah and Dallas, the program is offered in Appleton, Wisconsin, and Brunswick, Georgia. To learn more about the program, visit: www.discoverslp.com. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12404518/gulfstream-extends-student-leadership- program-to-dallas-fort-worth Back to Top Darwin to host world-first air race in 2019 Electric-powered aircraft will be used to re-enact the London to Darwin Great Air Race next year. Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner said a series of special events in 2019 will celebrate 100 years since Captain Ross Smith, Lieutenant Keith Smith and Sergeants Wally Shiers and Jim Bennett won the 1919 Great Air Race. The Government will partner with event management company, Inspire Strategic Solutions to mark the historic event. "The 1919 Great Air Race captured the imagination of people across the globe," Mr Gunner said. "Under the command of Captain Ross Smith, the journey has been described as the flight that changed the world and paved the way for national and international air travel." Mr Gunner said the Centenary E-Race will start in London and land in Darwin, stopping in at least 15 countries, and offering unique opportunities to promote the Territory to the world. It is hoped that world-leading technology companies including Tesla, NASA, Airbus, Virgin and Boeing will enter the Race, which will be a celebration of a century of aviation innovation and achievement by engineers, designers and aircraft constructors. "The 2019 Centenary E- Race will be restricted to low pollution, electrically-powered and highly efficient aircraft, ushering in the next century of quiet, environmentally-friendly aviation," he said. "This will be one of the most logistically complex events the Territory has ever been part of. Just as Darwin was the centre of attention in 1919, 2019 provides a new opportunity to capture the hearts and minds of people around the world... telling the story of the amazing Great Air Race and promoting Darwin as an exciting destination." Captain Smith and his colleagues flew a Vickers Vimy Biplane over 18,000 km in 28 days after the conclusion of WWI, with the race providing a catalyst for international aviation travel and improved communications, connecting Australia to the world. Emeritus Professor John Storey, Australia's leading expert in battery and solar technology and long- time collaborator on the World Solar Challenge, said this Race will fast track renewable flight technology by years and contribute to improving the e-aviation industry. "The event is technically feasible, however, completing the route in an electric aircraft is by no means a foregone conclusion," Professor Storey said. "That makes 2019 the right time to stage it: in 2009 it would have been impossible, in 2029 it will be routine. Inspire Strategic Solutions Managing Director Craig Sheridan said the Great Air Race of 1919 celebrated the incredible spirit of Australians. "It epitomised our sense of adventure and unrivalled bravery and it inspired us to think outside the box," Mr Sheridan said. "The Centenary E-Race provides corporations, aviation enthusiasts and pilots in Australia and around the world with a unique opportunity to get involved in a modern-day adventure and become a part of history." The program of celebrations in Darwin will include an air show, centenary ball, commemorative ceremonies and education programs for schools. https://www.katherinetimes.com.au/story/5303731/darwin-to-host-world-first-air-race-in-2019/ Back to Top Delta Air Lines is exploring wearable robotic suits to augment employee safety for some of its employees The Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines is exploring the possibility of outfitting some of its employees with "wearable robotics." The airline said Thursday in an announcement on its website. The new robotic suit technology would protect employees from injury by giving them an additional layer of strength and protection. The plan is part of the Exoskeleton Technical Advisory Group (X-TAG) that will think about the best ways to bring full-body, powered industrial exoskeleton systems to the workforce. The groups is led by Sarcos Robotics with other X-TAG members include Bechtel, BMW, Caterpillar, GE, Schlumberger and additional leading companies representing aviation, construction, heavy machinery and utilities. Delta Airline is not a stranger to futuristic technologies, In May 2017, Delta invest $600,000 in four automated self-service bag checking kiosks, including one that will incorporate artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology. The airline claimed that facial recognition technology will be used to verify customer identity by matching customer faces to passport photos. Delta is an initial member in an Exoskeleton Technical Advisory Group (X-TAG) that will think about the best ways to bring full-body, powered industrial exoskeleton systems to the workforce. Led by Sarcos Robotics, other X-TAG members include Bechtel, BMW, Caterpillar, GE, Schlumberger and additional leading companies representing aviation, construction, heavy machinery and utilities. In a separate company release, Sarcos Robotics announced the formation of an industry focused Exoskeleton Technical Advisory Group ("X-TAG"). The group is comprised of executives from leading companies across a variety of industries including industrial manufacturing, automotive, aviation and aerospace, construction, oil & gas, and utilities, the X-TAG is working with Sarcos and industry groups to identify key performance and safety requirements necessary to bring powered and quasi-passive, full-body industrial exoskeleton systems to the work force. "There is no greater responsibility we have than to keep our people and our customers safe," said Gil West, Delta's Chief Operating Officer. "This X-TAG is an innovative opportunity to think about how fitting our employees with wearable robotics can build on our strong personal safety culture and further protect our people from injury by giving them an additional layer of strength and protection." Sarcos is a global leader in producing robots that combine human intelligence and dexterity with the strength, endurance and precision of machines to improve efficiency and reduce occupational injuries for complex or non-repetitive tasks. The company' CEO announced the partnership during a WearRAcon talk where he shared the Sarcos' vision of using wearable robotics to safely support and protect the current workforce, not replace it. "The opportunity to deploy powered, full-body industrial exoskeletons that reduce injury and dramatically enhance human strength, endurance and precision is more proximate than most people realize" said Ben Wolff, chairman and CEO of Sarcos Robotics. "Top innovators, thought leaders and industry experts across key industries have joined with us to create the safest, most productive and cost-effective workforce in the world and provide us with industry and safety requirements guidance to ensure we meet industry needs in advance of commercial deployment." https://techstartups.com/2018/03/23/delta-air-lines-exploring-wearable-robotic-suits-augment- employee-safety-employees/ Back to Top NASA receives response from Voyager 1 spacecraft 13 billion miles away after 37 years of inactivity The thrusters aboard the Voyager 1 spacecraft just did what we thought was impossible. After 37 years of inactivity, NASA just received response from spacecraft 13 billion miles away, NASA said in a statement on its website. Voyager 1 is NASA's farthest and fastest spacecraft. It was launched on September 5, 1977. Having operated for 40 years, 6 months and 14 days as of March 19, 2018, the spacecraft relies on small devices called thrusters to orient itself so it can communicate with Earth. These thrusters fire in tiny pulses, or "puffs," lasting mere milliseconds, to subtly rotate the spacecraft so that its antenna points at our planet. Now, the Voyager team is able to use a set of four backup thrusters, dormant since 1980. In a statement on its website, NASA said: "The Voyager team assembled a group of propulsion experts at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, to study the problem. Chris Jones, Robert Shotwell, Carl Guernsey and Todd Barber analyzed options and predicted how the spacecraft would respond in different scenarios. They agreed on an unusual solution: Try giving the job of orientation to a set of thrusters that had been asleep for 37 years." "With these thrusters that are still functional after 37 years without use, we will be able to extend the life of the Voyager 1 spacecraft by two to three years," said Suzanne Dodd, project manager for Voyager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California. "The Voyager flight team dug up decades-old data and examined the software that was coded in an outdated assembler language, to make sure we could safely test the thrusters," said Jones, chief engineer at JPL. In a further testament to the robustness of Voyager 1, the Voyager team completed a successful test of the spacecraft's "trajectory correction maneuver" (TCM) thrusters on November 28, 2017. The last time these backup thrusters were fired up was in November 1980. Voyager project manager Suzanne Dodd anticipates that successful utilization of the TCM thrusters will extend the Voyager mission by an additional "two to three years". Voyager 1's extended mission is expected to continue until around 2025 when its radioisotope thermoelectric generators will no longer supply enough electric power to operate its scientific instruments. https://techstartups.com/2018/03/22/nasa-receives-response-from-voyager-1-spacecraft-13- billion-miles-away-after-37-years-of-inactivity/ Back to Top SPACEX: FALCON 9 ROCKET LAUNCH BLEW HOLE IN EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE, PRODUCED HUGE SHOCK WAVE A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch on August 24, 2017 created a record-breaking shock wave that four times larger than the state of California. The launch also punched a temporary hole in the Earth's atmosphere, according to a new study. Most rockets follow a curved trajectory after lift off to deliver their payload into orbit-usually at an altitude of around 120 miles high-which creates a V-shaped shock wave. However, when the Falcon 9 took off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, it was able to take an almost directly vertical path towards its final destination because its payload-a Taiwanese Earth observation satellite known as FORMOSAT-5-was unusually light. This created an extremely rare, perfectly circular shock wave, the first such event recorded after a rocket launch. It was the largest rocket shock wave the team had ever seen, researchers from the National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan said in the study, which was published in the journal Space Weather. In addition to the shock wave, the rocket also punched a temporary hole in the ionosphere, a part of the Earth's upper atmosphere which extends between around 37 miles and 620 miles in altitude. This hole was caused by "rapid chemical reactions of rocket exhaust plumes" and charged particles in the atmosphere, the researchers wrote. Charles Lin and his team from the National Cheng Kung University used computer modelling to simulate the rocket launch and its effects on the upper atmosphere. This type of analysis could have important implications in the near future, as the cost of putting satellites into orbit falls and the number of launches increases. "Understanding how the rocket launches affect our upper atmosphere and space environment is important, as these anthropogenic space weather events are expected to increase at an enormous rate in the near future," the researchers wrote. http://www.newsweek.com/spacex-falcon-9-rocket-launch-blew-hole-earths-atmosphere-and- produced-858961 Curt Lewis