December 27, 2021 - No. 95 In This Issue : Why Improving Aviation Efficiency Relies On Blockchain Technology : Airliner MС-21-300 with Wings Made of Russian Composites Performs its First Flight : Sky Surveillance with Multi-Sensor Tracking Technology : Embraer’s Eve eVTOL unit inks civil and defense UAM deals : Department of Energy Issues New Request for Information on Renewable Fuel Scale-Up and Demonstration : GMR signs agreements to develop Indonesia’s Kualanamu Airport : Next Generation of Flight Simulator Available at Sask Polytech : 2025 Flight Plan - ENAIRE launches Green Sky, its new environmental strategy for sustainable aviation : Centre considers industry feedback to refine drone policy : More private rocket companies set launches for 2022 : 'Pile of space junk': Chinese citizens lambast SpaceX after space station near-misses Why Improving Aviation Efficiency Relies On Blockchain Technology With blockchain technology still a relatively new kid on the block in the mainstream, its utilization in aviation systems is still in its infancy. Nonetheless, several processes are already deploying blockchain systems well. Altogether, the tech’s distinct ability to share information instantly and securely between relevant stakeholders, whether they are carriers, passengers, or manufacturers, gives endless opportunities for blockchain. Thus, we can expect its usage to catalyze in 2022. Keeping record One particular sector that will benefit significantly from blockchain is the supply chain. For instance, the market spends $50 billion on spare aircraft parts. However, airlines, suppliers, and lessors waste so much time in the manual tracking and tracing of the equipment. So, the introduction of blockchain will do wonders to efficiently record transactions between all those involved. Overall, time and funds are saved with a refined approach. Additionally, with a clear record of numerous transactions on display, inconsistencies can be identified, which will lead to operational improvements. Subsequently, further mishaps can be addressed in the long term. Getting the ball rolling With these benefits in mind, SITA, the IT provider for the air transport industry, has implemented innovations for the next chapter of aviation. The organization is tackling challenges on both the airline and passenger sides. With a plethora of new requirements arising across the industry, blockchain will prove vital in the mission to robustly record and present information. “For pilots, SITA has developed a proven blockchain-based solution enabling the verification of an electronic personnel license (EPL) without network connectivity. Allowing offline verification in an efficient and privacy-preserving way, SITA’s contribution supports the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) adoption of an industry-wide digital standard for the use of EPLs on international flights,” SITA shares in a statement sent to Simple Flying. “On the passenger side, blockchain could solve many of the efficiency challenges the industry faces today. In 2021 SITA, together with Indicio.tech and the Aruba Health Department, trialed the Aruba Health App, a pilot that makes it easy for visitors to share a trusted traveler credential – based on their health status – privately and securely on their mobile device. This credential will provide access to participating hospitality sites on the island.” SITA highlights that centralized databases with sensitive details are proven to be vulnerable to breaches and errors. Moreover, a central data management system is not so suitable to the requirements of the complicated network of civil aviation authorities, involving different governments. Therefore, a blockchain-based solution that eliminates the demand for a centralized database is a must in the ever-changing aviation industry landscape. Covering all angles Blockchain is also showing its worth in other aviation departments, such as refueling. Digital refueling is making it far more straightforward and safer to fuel aircraft, again cutting costs for carriers. The likes of Gazpromnet have broken ground by using blockchain for digital contracts in the refueling process. This system does away with paper fiddling in favor of using a tablet to complete a transaction and recording the details via blockchain. As a result, the transfer of money is conducted far more efficiently while sustainability targets are considered. Again, on the ground, airports are starting to turn to blockchain-related processes. For instance, Venezuela’s Caracas International Airport is starting to receive cryptocurrency as a form of payment. With there being several unpredictable and sensitive economies around the world, this revolution will undoubtedly help many passenger segments to hit the skies in challenging times. Ultimately, during this period of transition within the aviation industry, every penny counts. So, we can expect more and more suppliers, manufacturers, airlines, and airports to turn to blockchain to drive efficiency this decade. https://simpleflying.com/blockchain-airline-2022/ Airliner MС-21-300 with Wings Made of Russian Composites Performs its First Flight Today an MС-21-300 aircraft, whose wings are made of polymer composite materials produced in Russia, has performed its first flight. The airliner became airborne from the airfield of the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, a branch of Irkut (a subsidiary of UAC of Rostec State Corporation). The flight was performed in normal mode. The aircraft was piloted by a crew consisting of test pilot, Hero of Russia Roman Taskaev, and test pilot, Hero of Russia Oleg Kononenko. “The flight mission was fully completed. The aircraft systems were operating normally,” Roman Taskaev said. MС-21-300/310 is a new generation medium-haul aircraft with capacity of 163 to 211 passengers. Its key distinction consists in its wings made of composites. “The first flight of an airliner with wings made of Russian composites corroborates the fact that we have done everything right, the MC-21 program is developing consistently and unswervingly in spite of sanctions and unfair competition. This is a result of accumulating knowledge and expertise in the aviation industry, as well as unprecedented government support. The total amount of funds allocated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade for the creation of a composite wing adds up to 4.4 billion rubles. This Russian technology has a number of advantages over the traditional prepreg autoclave technology, which makes it possible to increase productivity, reduce labor and production costs, provide conditions for forming large parts and high quality of mass-produced products. To date, a composite wing has already been made for two aircraft, and the manufacture of a third set is in progress. We plan to obtain changes to the type certificate regarding the composite wing made of Russian materials in the second half of 2022,” said Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation. Domestic materials for composite bearing structures of the wings were developed in close cooperation with scientists from Moscow State University, Rosatom and aviation industry specialists. The qualification tests of the materials showed that they meet requirements of MС-21 structure. Wing panels and the center section of the MС-21-300 aircraft are made at the AeroComposite-Ulyanovsk plant. The wing is manufactured using unique vacuum infusion technology, patented in Russia. “The share of composites in the MС-21 airframe is about 40%, which is unprecedented for medium-haul aircraft. The use of strong and lightweight composite materials has enabled the design of a wing with unique aerodynamic characteristics unattainable for a metal wing. Improved aerodynamics have made it possible to increase the width of the MC-21 fuselage and expand the cabin, which brings new advantages in terms of passenger comfort. MС-21 is the world's first ever mid-haul aircraft with such solutions,” said Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Rostec. MС-21 is focused on the most mass-market segment in passenger transportation in Russia and in the world. At present, the certification of the MС-21-300 aircraft is nearing completion, we plan to launch deliveries of it to airlines in 2022. At the same time, tests are underway of MС-21-310 with the new Russian PD-14 engine. “There are six MС-21-300 aircraft in production, intended for delivery to customers. All of them are equipped with wings made of Russian composites. An impressive step forward has been made in strengthening cooperation between Russian aircraft manufacturing plants as part of the MС-21 program. Centers of competence have been created within the UAC system, specializing in the production of individual units, e.g., Aviastar produces fuselage panels and tail unit for MC-21, and Voronezh Aircraft Plant makes engine pylons and landing gear fairings. AeroComposite-Ulyanovsk manufactures the wing box, and KAPO-Composite – the wing high lift devices. These centers are involved in ambitious projects in the Russian aircraft industry,” said Yuri Slyusar, General Director of United Aircraft Corporation. https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/commercial-airline/press-release/21251270/rostec-airliner-m21300-with-wings-made-of-russian-composites-performs-its-first-flight Sky Surveillance with Multi-Sensor Tracking Technology A distributed Surveillance Data Processing System (SDPS) called ARTAS uses multiple sensors in a distributed network to provide the best air traffic control (ATC) data in real-time, with high accuracy and fail-proof reliability. ARTAS provides sky surveillance to airports' and agencies' ATC operations around the continent by combining classical radar, Mode-S, WAM, and ADS sensor sources. ARTAS tracks nearly 90% of daily flights in Europe from 43 ATC centers. The system has 23 total users (with some using it to effectively manage multiple centers), employing up to 30 surveillance sensors to generate 2,000 surveillance reports every second. There are approximately 100 ARTAS sky surveillance units in deployment now or scheduled for deployment soon. The system is even being used in countries where its developer organization, EUROCONTROL, has no jurisdiction. These so-called Non-EUROCONTROL Member States Organisations (NEMSOs), which include Iceland, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the U.S.A., are all beginning to integrate ARTAS units with their ATC operations. EUROCONTROL (or the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation) works toward safe ATC operations across the European continent. The international organization was founded in Brussels, Belgium, in 1960. The organization includes 41 member states cooperating to develop the best possible ATC systems and controls. Multi-Sensor Tracking for ATC Surveillance The ARTAS system utilizes up to 30 surveillance sensors covering a range of types to ensure absolute reliability. Classical radar sensors determine the distance (or ranging), angle, and velocity of aircraft. Radar sensors use a transmitter to produce electromagnetic waves, a transmission antenna to amplify the signal, and a receiving antenna. Here, one antenna is often used for both transmission and receiving. When electromagnetic waves are sent from the transmitter, they bounce off objects in the sky and return through the receiver's antenna. The receiver and a processor identify and determine the above properties about flying objects within the ATC's operational area. Mode-S surveillance uses unique 24-bit addresses assigned to every aircraft in the skies to bolster classic radar with selective interrogation capacity for individual aircraft. Wide area multilateration (WAM) utilizes 1090 MHz transmissions that every aircraft broadcasts. These signals are used to track relevant parameters such as the aircraft's unique identifier, position in three-dimensional space, velocity, the direction of travel, and so on. Automatic dependent surveillance (ADS) systems provide data from aircraft's on-board navigation and position-fixing systems to the ATC through a data link. ADS can identify aircraft, position them in time and the three dimensions of space, and share information about fuel and oxygen levels or faults. ARTAS systems can make use of these and many more advanced sky surveillance sensor systems, with a unique distribution architecture that ties multiple data sources together in real-time. Distributed Multi-sensor Surveillance Systems ARTAS combines sensor technology in distributed systems, a concept that differentiates ARTAS from any other SDPD in use. Distributed systems consist of identical units that can coordinate, acting as one integrated surveillance system covering an entire area. A regional surveillance WAN (wide area network) connects the sensors to one another and then to data processing and server units. The servers work with EUROCONTROL's own Surveillance Data Distributed System (SDDS) program to provide continuous aircraft tracking data. ARTAS units combine all of the hardware and software needed for this real-time processing task and all the relevant communications hardware needed to maintain a connection to the distributed network of units, all doing the same thing. Flexibility for Different Operational Needs The ARTAS system uses so-called "Tracker Tuning Areas" to provide reliable ATC sensing flexible to different operational needs. These areas are polygons that users can set parameters for to customize how the ARTAS system works. The tracker can also record other data that ARTAS system users need or find interesting. This can include flight plan information like flight call signs, airports of departure or arrival, the type and class of aircraft, and the airline or the pilots flying it. ARTAS Units: The Cornerstones of the Distributed Sensor System A massive software product comes packaged with the system to make ARTAS units work with all of the various data sources, sensors, and network responsibilities that make the whole system so effective. The ARTAS software is written over approximately 2.1 million lines of source code. Programmers used a combination of Ada, C, Java, Python, and shell scripts to write the software, including online and offline components, middleware, and application software. Computer software configuration items (CSCI) in ARTAS are the four groupings of main functions that make the data work. They include the tracker, which processes data from the sensors and maintains the real-time situation in the air. The tracker's output is the tracking database that provides data on aircraft positions in the three spatial dimensions plus time. The server provides track and sensor information services, managing user requests and transmitting track database information back to them. The router bridge processes different external interfaces for different types of network users, including normal users, broadcast users, adjacent ARTAS units, and the surveillance sensors themselves. Finally, the system manager supervises and manages the whole ARTAS unit. Some ARTAS units house two identical computers and sets of peripheral equipment, connected with a wired internal LAN (local area network). https://www.azosensors.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2411 Embraer’s Eve eVTOL unit inks civil and defense UAM deals The Embraer group’s urban air mobility (UAM) unit, Eve, has signed another deal to sell its future electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles to a US passenger airline, and will also examine the craft’s development for potential defense and security clients through a partnership with the UK’s BAE. The news comes amid a flurry of moves by Eve, including accords to sell 300 of its craft to two airline transport sector customers, and the decision to take the company public with a Wall Street listing. The additional announcements involve a letter of understanding with the regional North American airline Republic Airways to buy up to 200 of the eVTOL planes. The other is based on an agreement between Embraer Defense & Security and BAE to examine ways Eve’s UAM craft could be used as a cost-effective, sustainable, and adaptable alternative to traditional aerial vehicles by militaries and security companies. According to an Eve press release, the agreement with Republic will focus on workforce development initiatives and exploring the future of air travel. The airline will notably work with Eve to examine UAM opportunities within Republic subsidiaries like its Lift Academy. As part of that, the partnership will map out the creation of a regional air transport network across US central and East Coast markets, starting with the Boston, New York, and Washington, DC, areas. “Republic’s commitment to provide sustainable aviation solutions to our codeshare partners, American, Delta, and United, relies on continued investments in both workforce development and emerging clean technologies,” said Republic Airways president and CEO Bryan Bedford. “The strategic relationship with Eve builds upon decades of a successful relationship with Embraer that has expanded access to regional airports across the country, and we believe Eve’s UAM platform could play a critical role in our future workforce development initiatives.” A similar thinking is at work in the BAE link-up with Embraer Defense & Security to look for ways to adapt and market Eve eVTOL aircraft to defense and security markets. The effort will seek to modify initial designs for passenger travel and business uses to military applications that include personnel transportation, surveillance and reconnaissance, disaster relief, and humanitarian response. It is hoped the Eve eVTOL alternatives will provide a carbon-free and considerably cheaper option to current, heavy transport technologies for defense clients. The joint study furthers BAE’s support of Eve’s UAM activities, in which it has already invested $10 million. “Bringing together Embraer’s innovative technology in the commercial sector with our extensive defense engineering and systems integration experience will help us to accelerate the pace of new innovations,” said Ian Muldowney, BAE Systems Air sector COO. “This joint study is a great example of how we’re delivering against our commitment to collaborate to explore new and sustainable technologies for our customers.” https://dronedj.com/2021/12/27/embraers-eve-evtol-unit-inks-civil-and-defense-uam-deals/ Department of Energy Issues New Request for Information on Renewable Fuel Scale-Up and Demonstration The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released a new Request for Information (RFI) on the scale-up and demonstration of renewable fuels. The RFI, titled “Overcoming Barriers to Renewable Fuel Scale-Up and Demonstration,” seeks input from biofuels producers and technology developers about their readiness to scale process technologies to pilot- and demonstration-scale sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), renewable diesel, and renewable marine fuels. The RFI also seeks input on how existing first-generation ethanol and other existing industries could be leveraged to provide low-cost feedstock and infrastructure for biofuels production, including information on practices that can reduce the carbon intensity of corn production. This information is necessary for DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) to chart the potential growth of domestic renewable fuels production by 2030, and to understand the barriers in scaling renewable fuel production pathways. The RFI also seeks information on how DOE can best assist biofuels production stakeholders in their research and development and scaling up of their technologies through demonstration scale. Constructing and operating pilot- and demonstration-scale facilities is essential to de-risk technology and ensure the success of subsequent commercial scale projects. BETO recognizes the availability of financing for first-of-a-kind process systems can be a barrier to commercializing advanced biofuels. Input is sought from bioenergy companies that are planning to scale up and demonstrate SAF, renewable diesel, and renewable marine fuel technologies from the lower Technology Readiness Levels) to pilot and demonstration stage and eventual commercialization. This information will inform a multi-year scale-up strategy resulting in the construction and operation of several SAF, renewable diesel, and/or renewable marine fuel production pathways. Feedback is requested from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders on issues related to the scale-up of renewable fuel production technologies. Specifically, the RFI has six categories in which DOE is interested in receiving information and input: -- Biofuel Pathway Scale-Up Forecasts – plans by developers to scale SAF, marine, and renewable diesel production -- Barriers to Scale-Up of SAF, Marine, and Renewable Diesel Technologies – input on technical, financial, legal, contractual, policy and other barriers -- Leveraging First Generation Ethanol and Other Incumbent Industries – information on technological improvements that could enhance low-carbon fuel production -- BETO Scale-Up of Biotechnologies Strategy – input on BETO’s scale-up strategy and other forms of financial assistance to support biofuel scale-up and commercialization -- Leveraging National Laboratory PDU to Scale-Up Renewable Fuels – insight on how DOE National Laboratory capabilities can support biofuel scale-up and commercialization -- Feedstock Production & Supply – information on sustainable corn farming practices and challenges in establishing robust biomass feedstock supply chains Responses to this RFI must be submitted electronically to Biofuels_FY22_RFI@ee.doe.gov no later than 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 31, 2022. In addition to, or in lieu of, providing written responses to this RFI, respondents may request a 30-minute individual discussion with a BETO staff member regarding the content of their written responses to the RFI questions via Biofuels_FY22_RFI@ee.doe.gov. View the full RFI on EERE Exchange or Grants.gov. https://renewablesnow.com/news/department-of-energy-issues-new-request-for-information-on-renewable-fuel-scale-up-and-demonstration-767192/ GMR signs agreements to develop Indonesia’s Kualanamu Airport GMR Airports Limited (GAL) has signed two agreements with Angkasa Pura II (AP II) to develop and run Indonesia’s Kualanamu International Airport. The agreements, which includes the Shareholders’ Agreement (SHA) and Share Subscription Agreement (SSA), has been signed by GAL step-down subsidiary GMR Airports Netherlands. As agreed, GMR has formed a 49:51 partnership with APII, the state-owned enterprise and the bidding authority for the Kualanamu International Airport. The scope of the project covers operation, development, and extension of the airport over a period of 25 years. Kualanamu International Airport, an operating aviation gateway with healthy cash flows, managed over ten million passengers in 2018. Last month, GAL emerged as the winning bidder to develop and run Kualanamu International Airport. This came after APII concluded the final evaluation process for selection of strategic partnership for the airport. GAL, in a consortium with its 100% subsidiary GMR Airports International, had bid for the project. GMR Group energy and international airports chairman Srinivas Bommidala said: “GMR’s entry into the Indonesian aviation sector is a significant step in support of the Indian government’s policy to ‘Look East’. “With our global aviation expertise, we aspire to transform Kualanamu International Airport into a Western International hub of Indonesia and contribute to the overall infrastructure development of the country. Our partnership with Angkasa Pura II (AP II) is testimony to the trust placed in us by the Indonesian government and authorities. We will strive to bring our best to this beautiful and strategic country of ASEAN.” In February this year, GMR Group and Airbus signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on numerous aircraft maintenance and airport services. https://www.airport-technology.com/news/gmr-indonesia-kualanamu-airport/ Next Generation of Flight Simulator Available at Sask Polytech Saskatchewan Polytechnic has upgraded its equipment for those who want to learn to fly. The ALSIM flight simulator provides commercial pilot students programmable real-life scenarios that include flying in all kinds of weather and dealing with emergencies and standard operating procedures, risk free. Sask Polytech’s previous simulator, which they have owned since 2011, has multiple configurations which include single engine, multi-engine, piston engine, turbine engine and jet aircraft. The new AL250 simulator has six configurations that represent several different types of piston aircraft. It includes technology that sends vibration cues that mimic actions like the engine starting to enhance the feeling of flying. The new simulator will be an integral part of Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s newly revamped Commercial Pilot diploma program. It artificial intelligence also integrates data from the previous simulator which the is intended to help improve flight training that can be approved to occur within flight simulators. This will help lower the cost and improve the effectiveness of flight simulator training. Sask Polytech’s Commercial Pilot diploma program provides a foundation in the basic principles of aviation. Students alternate ground school training sessions with actual flying experience. https://www.cjwwradio.com/2021/12/26/136381/ 2025 Flight Plan - ENAIRE launches Green Sky, its new environmental strategy for sustainable aviation ENAIRE's strategy will prevent the release of 185,000 tonnes of CO2 over five years - The more direct routes will save 9.8 million kilometres from 2021 to 2025 - The programme is expected to save 58,500 tonnes of fuel and 18.7 million euros With this new strategy, called "Green Sky", ENAIRE wants to contribute to more sustainable aviation and air transport through all kinds of activities and improvements involving air traffic management. One of the goals of the 2025 Flight Plan is sustainability: "Contributing to sustainable mobility in the air transport sector by minimising the impact of ENAIRE's activity on the environment and committing to its decarbonisation". This goal translates into the "Green Sky" environmental sustainability plan, which contains three initiatives: Fly Clean, Fly Quiet and Eco-ENAIRE. Fly Clean Fly Clean is ENAIRE's initiative to reduce aircraft emissions by improving the efficiency of flights operating in Spanish airspace. Horizontal flight efficiency will reduce the distances and times of air routes and taxi distances at airports. It will do so by relying on civil-military coordination to optimise the route network, which will enhance the flexibility of the airspace set aside for defence purposes, and implementing free routes to provide for direct, point-to-point flights within Spanish airspace. To improve vertical efficiency, ENAIRE is proposing take-offs and landings with continuous climbs and descents, as well as the use of optimal flight levels. These more direct routes will save 9.8 million kilometres from 2021 to 2025, equivalent to circling the Earth 246 times. They are also estimated to save 58,500 tonnes of fuel, reducing airlines' costs by 18.7 million euros in the process. Over this period, the more direct routes will avoid the emission of 185,000 tonnes of CO2, equivalent to the CO2 absorbed by 9.2 million trees. Fly Quiet Fly Quiet is ENAIRE's initiative to reduce the noise that can negatively affect people and biodiversity. To this end, ENAIRE is working to design more efficient routes based on satellite technology (PBN) in order to avoid flying over cities and towns, and is conducting a systematic analysis of the possible acoustic effects of each air manoeuvre project. With regard to biodiversity, ENAIRE is analysing the potential effects, especially on birds in protected natural spaces. The result will be a reduction in the acoustic effects associated with air traffic and a lower impact on biodiversity thanks to a detailed analysis of 100% of ENAIRE's projects. Eco-ENAIRE Eco-ENAIRE is ENAIRE's initiative to reduce emissions from its own facilities by using renewable energies, upgrading to more efficient vehicles and other energy efficiency and circular economy actions. Since 2015, 100% of the energy used by ENAIRE has come from renewable sources. ENAIRE will promote renewable energy and self-supply. This is expected to result in 13% of its energy being self-supplied with respect to its 2020 consumption. ENAIRE also hopes to reduce its total energy consumption by 10% compared to 2011. Photovoltaic plants will be installed in the centres with the highest consumption, as will alternative sources in ENAIRE buildings (wind, geothermal, etc.). Lighting consumption will be reduced by introducing more efficient alternative technologies, promoting the circular economy by including sustainability criteria in purchasing procedures and in waste recycling and reduction processes, as well as in its buildings, and by phasing out carbon from its vehicle fleet. Importance of the aviation sector in society Air transport plays an important role in economic and social development. One of its current and future challenges is its environmental sustainability. The sector generates significant social and economic benefits by connecting society. It is a leading creator of employment and it supports economic development in Spain, Europe and all over the world. In Spain, the air transport sector accounts for 1.8 million jobs, provides 109 billion euros to the gross domestic product and moves 275 million passengers (source: ATAG 2020 with 2019 data). http://www.automobilsport.com/lifestyle--38/lifestyle--38,232554,2025-Flight-Plan---ENAIRE-launches-Green-Sky-its-new-environmental-strategy-for-sustainable-aviation,news.htm Centre considers industry feedback to refine drone policy Five months after new regulations for the drone industry came into effect in India, the centre proposes to refine and use the policy framework basis feedback from industry and other stakeholders. Sources have told Business Today TV that a meeting with the officials of the ministries of home, civil aviation and the Niti Aayog is scheduled in the first week of January. Subsequently, a review meeting is also likely to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards the end of the month. The centre had issued the Drone Rules, 2021 framework earlier this August to regulate the use and operations of drones in India. The policy sought to reduce the number of permits and fees for owning and operating drones. Some technical restrictions were also relaxed to facilitate the growth of this nascent sector in the country. Accordingly, the requirement for several approvals including that of unique authorisation number, prototype identification number, certificate of manufacturing and airworthiness, certificate of conformance, certificate of maintenance, import clearance, acceptance of existing drones, operator permits, student remote pilot licence, remote pilot instructor authorization and drone port authorisation has been abolished. The eased norms have received an enthusiastic response from the start-up industry and stakeholders have provided detailed feedback to the government. While the August rules provided significant clarity, there is expectation that the government will issue further regulations, including on imports, manufacturing traffic management and various safety features. The rules have proposed the setting up of an Unmanned Aircraft System Promotion Council. https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/economy/story/centre-considers-industry-feedback-to-refine-drone-policy-316941-2021-12-27 More private rocket companies set launches for 2022 While SpaceX and United Launch Alliance have been sending rockets up at an increased pace the past several years, the Space Coast is about to get much busier with more commercial rocket companies set to join the launch party. The first half of 2022 is slated to see two companies launch for the first time from Cape Canaveral from two older launch complexes while some massive new rockets are waiting on new engines in the hopes of lifting off before the end of the year. For one company, Relativity Space based in Long Beach, California, its first planned launch from Space Launch Complex 16, will be its first liftoff ever. Its rockets are fabricated using 3D printing technology and are projected to take as little as 30 days to create, from the nose cone to the engine. Its first rocket is called Terran 1 while a much larger reusable version is in the works called Terran R. While its first launch will be a test mission to make sure the craft can make it into orbit, Relativity has lined up eight customers including the U.S. Department of Defense and NASA, which awarded the company $3 million as part of its Venture Class Launch Services Demonstration 2 contract. “NASA’s efforts to expand launch options are vital for the future growth of space access,” said company CEO and cofounder Tim Ellis. “We appreciate NASA’s selection of our 3D printing approach for our launch vehicle, Terran 1.” All of Relativity’s initial launches will be from SLC-16, which has not had a launch since 1988 but was used for Titan and Pershing missiles as well as test for the Apollo and Gemini programs. While work continues on that initial rocket in California, construction at SLC-16 is getting close as well, company officials said. “The Relativity team has been busy to stay on track for launch in 2022,” said Relativity’s Launch Operations Program Manager Joy Mosdell, who said so far in 2021, the company has completed the installation of the propellant farms for liquified natural gas and oxygen and constructed the launch vehicle integration hangar among other benchmarks while licensing continues with the Federal Aviation Administration. Astra isn’t new to liftoffs It may get beaten to the punch, though, by another commercial rocket company Astra, which recently secured launch rights from Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 46 through the efforts of Space Florida, the state’s aerospace economic development agency. Astra, based in Alameda, California, has already reached orbit with a rocket that took off from Alaska, and will now launch as early as January to satisfy the same demonstration contract for NASA that Relativity has in the works. Astra’s “Rocket 3″ is small in relation to others in the market, standing only 38 feet tall and with a payload capacity of 331 pounds. Relativity’s Terran 1 in comparison will stand at 80 feet tall with a payload capacity of more than 2,750 pounds. The Astra business plan is to provide a much lower cost to customers to reach orbit. To that end, it has lined up several customers including three more launches for NASA to put small satellites into orbit to track hurricanes, although the company has yet to say from which spaceport those missions will launch. The two new small- to mid-size rocket companies will join a big lineup of launches planned from both SpaceX and ULA from existing launch pads at Canaveral while SpaceX will continue its missions from Kennedy Space Center as well. In 2021, SpaceX had a record 16 launches of its Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40, as well as another record 12 at KSC, and it plans to keep up that pace in 2022. ULA had three launches in 2021 from Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41 with four on tap from Canaveral in the first half of 2022. Those will continue to be on Atlas rockets, but ULA is waiting to move forward with its new Vulcan Centaur rocket. Progress on Vulcan, though, means waiting on another company looking to leave a big footprint on the Space Coast - Blue Origin. Both Blue Origin’s massive New Glenn rocket and ULA’s Vulcan will use BE-4 engines fabricated by Blue Origin, but there have been some delays. “We’ve made critical progress this year on BE-4 engines,” the company wrote in an emailed statement. “The program continues to move along with engine qualification starting end of year.” That qualification run, though, means ULA, which was to have had the engines in hand by this month will now likely not get them until April. “We are disappointed that we will not be receiving Vulcan flight engines from Blue Origin by the end of the year, but they will be arriving early next year,” the company said in a statement. “The certification program is moving along very well and the production engines are being manufactured. We look forward to Vulcan’s first launch in 2022.” Vulcan will be the next generation for ULA, which still flies Atlas and Delta IV rockets. It will stand 202 feet tall with a nearly 18-foot diameter fairing that can carry nearly 58,000 pounds to low-Earth orbit. For New Glenn, also targeting liftoff in 2022, the company has completed work at Space Launch Complex-36, so now it awaits the 313-foot-tall completed rocket with its 50,000-pound payload capacity. Qualifications for the rocket’s fairing, the largest in the industry at 23 feet in diameter, are under way while the company continues to manufacture flight hardware while further testing rocket components at its factory in Merritt Island and onsite in Cape Canaveral. “All of these milestones are helping us achieve our launch target in partnership with our commercial customers. We will fly when we’re ready, and we’re driving to launch as soon as possible,” the company stated. Both Blue Origin and ULA have agreed to engine modifications, though, which have pushed original plans to get both rockets up and running in early 2022 now likely to late in the year. “A variety of factors have driven the delay, including COVID impacts, supply chain issues, development testing, and a few key production processes that have proven more challenging to arrive at the final flight designs and processes,” according to the company statement. Delays aside, 2022 could see five companies performing regular launches from Cape Canaveral with many more from Kennedy. Space Force Brigadier Gen. Stephen Purdy, commander of Space Launch Delta 45, previously known as the 45th Space Wing when it was part of the Air Force, and director of the Eastern Range said the increase in operations has required a shift in mindset. “This year, the focus has largely been to change the thinking and nature of the base – to use launch requests and approvals as indicators of demand for the unique and specialized services Space Launch Delta 45 provides its partners,” Purdy said. “The Eastern Range received 225 requests to launch from the Cape in the past 365 days. We prepared to launch 172 times and entered countdown for 41 of those, with 36 successful launches.” Those 36 liftoffs could climb significantly in 2022 and, eventually, rocket launches could happen daily or beyond. “As we welcome more commercial providers to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, we’re ready to support the increased launch cadence, offering each mission access to customized range services, toward the ultimate goal of multiple launches a day,” Purdy said. https://www.macon.com/news/business/article256851442.html 'Pile of space junk': Chinese citizens lambast SpaceX after space station near-misses Chinese citizens slammed Elon Musk's company SpaceX for its ''close encounter'' with the country's space station. They took to Weibo, China's Twitter-like platform, and called the company "just a pile of space junk" while accusing America of "space warfare weapons." A user called Chen Haiying said on Weibo "The risks of Starlink are being gradually exposed, the whole human race will pay for their business activities." Some satellites under the Starlink programme of SpaceX nearly collided with China's space station on July 1 and October 21. The move reignites concerns about the growing space arms race, encompassing everything from the development of satellites capable of shunting others out of orbit to laser weapons. According to a document submitted by China to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, "For safety reasons, the China Space Station implemented preventive collision avoidance control." There are currently more than 4,500 satellites whizzing around Earth, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, with companies like SpaceX planning to launch up to tens of thousands more, as the private space industry experiences rapid growth. With the launch of Tianhe, China had the construction of the space station in April and it is expected to be completed by 2022. Citing risks posed by space debris, US space agency NASA was forced to abruptly call off a spacewalk at the end of November. https://www.wionews.com/world/pile-of-space-junk-chinese-citizens-lambast-spacex-after-space-station-near-misses-440415 Curt Lewis