Monday, July 3, 2017

Space Highlights - July 3, 2017

July 3, 2017


A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has launched 10 communications satellites for Iridium Communications from Vandenberg AFB in California.  Shortly thereafter, in a separate launch from Cape Canaveral in Florida, another SpaceX Falcon 9 booster placed a Bulgarian communications satellite into orbit.
https://www.space.com/37303-spacex-iridium-satellite-launch-watch-live.html
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/spacex-set-launch-satellites-california-air-base-48266878
https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/06/23/bulgarias-first-communications-satellite-heaved-into-orbit/


An ISRO PSLV rocket successfully placed 31 satellites into orbit, including the Cartosat-2 Earth observation satellite and 30 smaller satellites from 14 countries.
http://www.newsnation.in/science-news/isro-pslv-c-38-launch-live-cartosat-2-30-other-satellites-launch-from-satish-dhawan-space-centre-sriharikota-andhra-pradesh-article-174929.html


An Ariane 5 rocket placed two geosynchronous communications satellites into orbit, marking the 80th consecutive successful launch for the Ariane 5 booster.  The two satellites comprised the Indian-built GSAT 17, and the European Hellas-Sat 3/Inmarsat S EAN spacecraft.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/06/28/ariane-5-rocket-tallies-80th-straight-success-with-on-target-satellite-launch/


China successfully launched an X-ray telescope into orbit aboard a Long March 4B rocket.  The Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope is intended to search for evidence of black holes.
http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/06/china-successfully-launches-x-ray-satellite


The smallest experimental satellite yet built was recently launched into space from NASA's Wallop Island facility.  The microsatellite, which weighed in at 64 g, was designed by a student in India.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/nasa-launches-worlds-lightest-satellite-designed-by-18-year-old-tamil-nadu-student/smallest-3d-printed-satellite/slideshow/59283141.cms


An upper stage booster malfunction has left the Chinasat-9A communications satellite in a lower-than-planned orbit.  This was the first failure involving a Long March 3B rocket since 2009.  The satellite is reportedly healthy, but will not be able to fulfill its planned role from its current, low earth orbit.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/06/19/chinese-broadcasting-satellite-ends-up-in-wrong-orbit-after-rocket-failure/


Upgraded software recently uploaded to Curiosity will allow NASA's Mars rover greater autonomy to identify targets for investigation.  The new AI software is being tested as a means to reduce idle time between when the rover initially surveys an area, and when human controllers on Earth can relay radio signals directing the rover to further investigate specific features.
https://www.space.com/37326-curisoty-rover-picks-its-own-targets.html


NASA has released new images of sunrise on Saturn, as well as of Saturn's moon Iapetus, captured by the Cassini spacecraft as it winds down its mission to the ringed planet.  Cassini recently marked the 13-year anniversary of its arrival at Saturn.
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/cassini-probe-captures-saturns-dawn-in-stunning-image/article19154008.ece
http://www.sci-news.com/space/cassini-image-iapetus-04949.html
https://www.space.com/37353-nasa-cassini-saturn-mission-anniversary.html


NASA's Juno spacecraft has now completed five up-close passes of Jupiter, mapping atmospheric conditions at the gas giant.
https://phys.org/news/2017-06-gemini-images-juno-spacecraft-discovery.html


A new study claims that a survey of the orbital patterns of four newly discovered Kuiper belt objects suggests that previous claims that orbital distributions in the outer solar system were indicative of a previously unidentified, Neptune-sized "Planet Nine" may have been premature.  However, the team which assembled the original "Planet Nine" study have countered that three of the four new objects actually do bolster the case for a ninth planet - and that only one of the newly discovered objects does not.
http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/06/new-haul-distant-worlds-casts-doubt-planet-nine
https://www.nature.com/news/solar-system-survey-casts-doubt-on-mysterious-planet-nine-1.22177


A separate study of inner-Kuiper belt objects has suggested that another candidate planet my exist in the outer solar system: pointing to a much smaller, Mars-sized planet as being responsible for the orbital inclination of these inner Kuiper belt objects.  The proposed new object would be much smaller than the Neptune-sized "Planet Nine" that was first proposed in 2016, and would also lie much closer to the sun - close to the orbit of Pluto.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/06/27/a-mysterious-mars-sized-planet-may-be-hiding-at-the-edge-of-our-solar-system/?utm_term=.438e9c4d2116


A new theory for the behavior of dark matter suggests that part of the reason that it may be so difficult to detect is that it behaves differently at different scales - forming a "superfluid" or Bose-Einstein condensate at a galactic level, but acting like a low-density gas or vapor when viewed from an inter-galactic scale.
https://www.sciencealert.com/this-new-explanation-for-dark-matter-could-be-the-best-one-yet


A separate study has also attempted to resolve the differences in observed dark matter distributions and behavior at the galactic level - as compared to the intergalactic scale - by conducting a series of numerical simulations to pinpoint the dark matter characteristics that best match all observed phenomena.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/2017/06/29/dark-matter-theory-triumphs-in-sweeping-new-study/#2f28045252d8

Wide Body Report - July 2, 2017

July 2, 2017


Qatar Airways expects to receive its first A350-1000 later this year.  Qatar is the launch customer for the stretched version of the A350.
http://www.gulf-times.com/story/553059/Qatar-Airways-likely-to-receive-first-Airbus-A350-


Airbus has rolled out plans for a revised wing-tip for the A380 superjumbo, aimed at enhancing the airplane's fuel efficiency.  A prototype was rolled-out at this year's Paris Air Show.
http://fortune.com/2017/06/17/airbus-a380-design-wingtip/


Boeing has announced its first layoffs at its South Carolina factory which produces the 787 Dreamliner.  Fewer than 200 workers are expected to be let go, through a combination of voluntary and involuntary separation packages.
http://www.postandcourier.com/business/layoffs-announced-for-first-time-at-boeing-s-dreamliner-campus/article_05e36a64-573f-11e7-bd09-2fe3c806b828.html


Israel's El Al firmed up orders for three Boeing 787 Dreamliners.  The orders were part of a purchase originally announced in 2015, but not finalized until now.
http://atwonline.com/paris-air-show-2017/el-al-firms-three-boeing-787-orders


Lessor AirCap has placed orders for 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-airshow-paris-aercap-idUSKBN19A1OW


Ethiopian Airlines has announced a commitment for two Boeing 777 freighters.  The order was previously announced as being made by an unidentified customer.
http://www.eturbonews.com/157732/ethiopian-airlines-orders-two-boeing-777-freighters


Iran Air expects to receive its first Boeing 777-300ER in April of 2018.
http://atwonline.com/airframes/iran-air-take-first-boeing-777-300er-april-2018

Single Aisle News - June 30, 2017

June 30, 2017


Bombardier is evaluating whether to update its official specification for the C-Series aircraft, to reflect better than expected fuel efficiency, as reported by operators Swiss and airBaltic.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-bombardier-considers-updating-cseries-specifi-438325/


Bombardier officials expect to receive additional C-Series orders by year-end, but announced no new aircraft orders during the Paris Air Show.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2017-06-19/bombardier-sees-more-c-series-orders-by-end-of-year-video


Embraer announced a total of 30 orders and commitments for its E-Jet E2 family of aircraft during this year's Paris Air Show.  This included firm orders for 10 E195-E2s from an undisclosed customer (with purchase rights on another 10 aircraft), and a commitment to purchase 20 E190-E2s from a second undisclosed customer (with purchase rights for another 20 aircraft).  Embraer also announced sales for 8 current-generation E-Jet aircraft.
http://atwonline.com/paris-air-show-2017/embraer-tallies-orders-and-commitments-38-e-jets


Embraer has officially increased the MTOW (maximum take-off weight) for its E195-E2 aircraft now in flight test, and has improved the short-field performance numbers for its E190-E2 model, also in flight test.
https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2017-06-14/embraer-improves-e-jet-e2-performance-figures


This year's Paris Air Show marked the debut for the Bombardier E195-E2, KC-390 and Legacy 450 aircraft - all on display for the first time in Paris.
http://www.aerospacemanufacturinganddesign.com/article/embraer-e195-e2-kc-390--legcy-450-paris-debut-062017/
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-e195-e2-with-unique-livery-touches-down-in-438255/


Observers at Paris noted the muted tones to the first appearance of Japan's Mitsubishi Regional Jet at the Air Show.  Customer deliveries for the MRJ have already been delayed five times, dampening interest in the airplane.
http://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Mitsubishi-Regional-Jet-unveiling-subdued-as-interest-flags


China Development Bank announced an order for 45 Airbus A320 NEO family aircraft during this year's Paris Air Show.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-06-19/china-s-cdb-said-to-plan-4-3-billion-airbus-a320neo-plane-order
https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2017-06-21/factbox-airbus-boeing-commercial-aircraft-deals-at-paris-airshow


Lessor GECAS placed an order for 100 Airbus A320 NEO family aircraft during this year's Paris Air Show.  The GECAS aircraft will be powered by CFM Internaional LEAP-1A engines.  CFM is a 50-percent partnership between GE Aviation and France's Snecma.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-airshow-paris-airbus-idUSKBN19A142


UK's low-cost carrier EasyJet took delivery of its first A320 NEO, out of a standing order for 130 aircraft.  EasyJet's aircraft will be powered by the CFM International LEAP-1A.
http://atwonline.com/airframes/easyjet-takes-first-airbus-a320neo


Spain's Iberia announced an order for 20 new Airbus A320 NEO aircraft.  The aircraft will be powered by CFM International LEAP-1A engines.
http://aviationtribune.com/airlines/europe/iberia-orders-20-airbus-a320neo/


Air Lease Corp ordered an additional 12 Airbus A321 NEOs during this year's Paris Air Show.  No engine selection was announced, although Air Lease Corp. has historically split its engine orders between the CFM LEAP-1A and Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines.
http://www.eturbonews.com/157614/air-lease-corporation-inks-order-12-additional-a321neo-aircraft


Boeing rolled-out its new 737 MAX-10 model at this year's Paris Airshow, with orders and commitments from more than 10 customers, totaling over 240 aircraft.  Customers included 50 aircraft for Lion Air Group, 40 for India's SpiceJet, 20 for GECAS, 18 for Germany's TUI Group, 20 for Tibet Financial Leasing, and 10 each for China's CDB Aviation and BOC Aviation.  Some of these orders, however, were Boeing 737 MAX-8 or -9 orders that were converted to the 737 MAX-10.
http://money.cnn.com/2017/06/19/news/companies/boeing-737-max-10-launch/index.html
https://www.geekwire.com/2017/amid-talk-slowdown-boeing-makes-splash-paris-launch-737-max-10-jet/


Boeing also announced a contract for 125 Boeing 737 MAX-8 aircraft, signed with an unidentified customer.  The 737 MAX is powered exclusively by the CFM International LEAP-1B engine.
https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/265328/boeing-ba-wins-order-for-125-737-max-8-jets-worth-14b


Taken together, the orders total from Boeing surpassed that of Airbus at this year's Paris Air Show by twice the total order value, taken at list prices.
http://www.irishtimes.com/business/transport-and-tourism/boeing-secures-twice-as-much-order-value-as-airbus-1.3129194
https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2017-06-21/factbox-airbus-boeing-commercial-aircraft-deals-at-paris-airshow


Boeing confirmed at the Paris Air Show that it is in the concept design stage for a new single-aisle airliner to replace its out-of-production 757.  The new airplane has been widely labeled as the 797, although design details remain sparse.
http://money.cnn.com/2017/06/20/news/companies/boeing-797-paris-first-peek/index.html


China's Comac announced a deal to sell 30 C919 aircraft to China's Everbright Financial Leasing.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-comac-everbright-financial-leasing-idUSKBN1940D9


Russia's Irkut MC-21 prototype has completed two more flights this past week, including the first flight where the landing gear was retracted.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/irkut-extends-mc-21-flight-test-envelope-438262/