February 28, 2019 - No. 017 In This Issue Air BP Launches Airfield Automation Digital Technology in Africa to Help Prevent Misfueling Aviation Industry Votes AAR Top Shop for Repair of Landing Gear and Wheels and Brakes in Miami IATA Warns Of Aviation Security Risks, Calls For Better Collaboration With Governments UN aviation agency concealed serious hack: media NAV CANADA and Canada Aviation and Space Museum partner to develop next generation of aviation leaders Honeywell to Unveil Hybrid-Electric Turbogenerator for Electric Aircraft What's being done to keep drones of future from crashing into each other (or worse) Emirates uses technology to increase Kabul cargo capacity Frequentis to set up digital ATC tower at Invercargill Airport. Airbus, OneWeb aim for new satellite era with first launch Air BP Launches Airfield Automation Digital Technology in Africa to Help Prevent Misfueling Air BP, the international aviation fuel products and service supplier is delighted to be returning to the 4th Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition in Kigali, Rwanda as sponsor and exhibitor. During the event, the company will reinforce its commitment to Africa and highlight the rollout of its new Airfield Automation digital technology recently installed at nine locations across South Africa and Mozambique. The cloud-based platform is designed to prevent misfuelling by enhancing safety, reliability and compliance in airport fueling operations, as well as to provide data in real time to airline customers. Importantly, it strengthens safety barriers and mitigates risks during the fueling process. It is the first commercially deployed system in the world to provide an engineering barrier to actively help prevent misfuelling. The platform consolidates the data related to airport fueling operations and works via an app on a handheld device in the fueling vehicles. The appropriately named 'safe2go'app captures fuel volume readings and provides fuel grade checks to add an additional misfuelling barrier. It then electronically captures customer details which are confirmed with an electronic signature from the pilot or airline. By using this automated, end-to-end, paperless system, accuracy is enhanced and any potential miskeying errors minimized. Aside from the enhanced safety barriers, aircraft operators will also benefit from faster, more comprehensive and more accurate fueling and delivery data. The cloud-based technology will enable Air BP to offer increasingly integrated information to customers, such as delivery records and precise delivery timings. Anthony Leon, general manager, Southern Africa, Air BP, who will be attending Aviation Africa, comments: "Africa is an important market for us andwe plan to continue to grow our business here. We are pleased to have successfully installed Airfield Automation in Mozambique and South Africa. Misfuelling is one of the biggest risks we face in our industry and in particular at locations serving General Aviation aircraft. Our new technology provides an engineering barrier to stop it happening which is good news all round." Air BP has been present in Africa for more than 75 years. The company currently supplies fuel at 40 network locations and works with around 50 customers across all three sectors (Commercial, General and Military) at nine locations in South Africa; 10 in Egypt; seven in Tunisia; seven in Mozambique; two in Morocco; two in Cape Verde and one each in Mauritius, Ivory Coast and Nigeria. The company's operations in Africa are supported by around 180 employees. https://www.aviationpros.com/fbos-tenants/press-release/21070097/air-bp-air-bp-launches- airfield-automation-digital-technology-in-africa-to-help-prevent-misfuelling Back to Top Aviation Industry Votes AAR Top Shop for Repair of Landing Gear and Wheels and Brakes in Miami WOOD DALE, Ill., Feb. 26, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- AAR (NYSE: AIR), an independent provider of aviation aftermarket services, announces that it has won the 2019 Top Shop Award for Best Landing Gear Repair and the 2019 Top Shop Award for Best Wheels and Brake Repair. AAR Landing Gear and Wheels and Brakes Miami received votes from hundreds of airlines and suppliers around the world. "It's humbling and exciting to be recognized by our peers with these 2019 Top Shop Awards," said Scott Ingold, Vice President and General Manager, AAR Landing Gear Services. "Combined with our latest FAA Diamond Award for AMT training, these honors show the dedication of our workforce. I am so proud of our employees and their commitment to ensuring that we deliver the highest quality standard to our customers." AAR will receive its Top Shop award on April 8 in Atlanta ahead of Aviation Week's MRO Americas. The highly coveted Top Shop Awards were created by the global aviation technology company, The 145, to honor shops that deliver technical expertise, quality of service, vision, exceptional turnaround times, competitive pricing and excellent customer relations. Peers in the aviation industry nominate shops - no self-nomination is allowed - and those with the most nominations are named finalists. From the list of finalists, airlines and suppliers around the world vote for the winners in 22 categories. About AAR AAR is a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company that employs more than 6,000 people in over 20 countries. Headquartered in the Chicago area, AAR supports commercial and government customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Expeditionary Services. AAR's Aviation Services include parts supply; OEM solutions; integrated solutions; maintenance, repair, overhaul; and engineering. AAR's Expeditionary Services include mobility systems and composite manufacturing operations. Additional information can be found at www.aarcorp.com. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aviation-industry-votes-aar-top-shop-for-repair-of- landing-gear-and-wheels-and-brakes-in-miami-300802440.html Back to Top IATA Warns Of Aviation Security Risks, Calls For Better Collaboration With Governments At the IATA Aviation Security Conference (AVSEC World) in Miami, FL, IATA Director General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac called on governments to work with the aviation industry to ensure greater coordination in aviation security initiatives and warned against a lack of communication on critical security matters, as was the case during the 2017 ban on personal electronic devices (PEDs). "We all remember how we were all caught on the back foot in 2017 when the US and the UK introduced portable electronic device (PED) restrictions on some flights originating in the Middle East. Governments were neither talking to each other or to the industry. Passengers were confused and airlines struggled to comply," he said. "Two things emerged from that which are positive. First, we deepened our partnership on security with both the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA). And second, doing so helped us move towards alternative measures that have improved security globally." DeJuniac emphasized that aviation is under constant threat by bad-actors, including terrorists, and that this threat is growing as technology advances. "Threats will continue to evolve and become ever more complex. Those wishing to do us harm have no state allegiance; they cross borders to share information and collaborate to refine their methods of causing chaos and destruction. The focus of governments must be on protecting people. And that cannot be done with insular thinking," de Juniac said. Today's threats the misuse of drones around sensitive infrastructure. The drone incident that shut down Gatwick airport for three days around the busy Christmas holidays was followed by drone sightings at various airports around the world, leading to brief shutdowns of operations at HeathrowAirport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and Dubai International Airport. While the scope of damage that drones might do to aircraft in-flight is difficult to determine, contact with other small flying objects, like birds, is known to cause severe damage to aircraft and crashes. Another concern is that drones might be used to launch a coordinated terrorist attack. "We had a 'wake-up call' of sorts with the Gatwick drone incident in December that disrupted holiday travel for thousands. We look forward to accelerating the cooperation between the industry, drone manufacturers and governments to reduce the risks of rogue drone operations, or worse, terrorism-related occurrences," de Juniac said. https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisagarcia/2019/02/27/iata-warns-of-aviation-security-risks-calls- for-better-collaboration-with-governments/#76615aee36e2 Back to Top UN aviation agency concealed serious hack: media The Montreal-based United Nations aviation agency concealed for months a hack of its computers and allowed malware to spread throughout the airline industry, Canada's public broadcaster reported Wednesday. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) had in November 2016 been the victim of the "most serious cyberattack in its history," Radio-Canada said. Internal documents obtained by the broadcaster revealed a flawed response to the attack-believed to have been launched by a Chinese hacker group-mired in delays, obstruction and negligence, and attempts by staff to hide their incompetence. American airplane maker and defense contractor Lockheed Martin was the first to raise concerns, alerting the ICAO that its servers had been hijacked to spread malware to government and airline computers. In an email to the ICAO, the Lockheed Martin cyberintelligence analyst described the attack as "a significant threat to the aviation industry." It had the characteristics of a "watering hole attack" that targets visitors to a website. The UN agency, working with 192 member states and industry groups, is responsible for setting international civil aviation standards, including for safety and security. The ICAO information technology team reached out to a New York-based IT agency affiliated with the UN to analyze the attack, but then rejected its expertise-not bothering to respond to emails for several days or transmitting unusable data. It would take a fortnight before an analysis revealed that the intrusion was actually an even bigger problem. Mail server, domain administrator and system administrator accounts were affected, giving hackers access to the passwords of more than 2,000 ICAO users to read, send or delete emails. Within 30 minutes of the ICAO piracy, at least one member state's website, Turkey, had been infected. But the ICAO tech chief continued to downplay its seriousness. An independent investigation in 2017 would conclude that the malicious software used in the attack had been identified by ICAO antivirus software a year earlier, but that the computers had still not been disinfected. The ICAO told AFP that the Radio-Canada report contained "many erroneous interpretations and conclusions," saying the gravity of the malware found on its servers "has been greatly exaggerated." "We're not aware of any serious cybersecurity ramifications for external partners which resulted from this incident," it said. "And as a standards-setting body, with no operational role or mandate in aviation, the inference that our data security could pose risks to the combined aviation and aerospace sectors, or the general public, is grossly inaccurate." The agency also has made "robust improvements to its cybersecurity posture and approaches to mitigate further incidents," it said. In Ottawa, Canadian Transportation Minister Marc Garneau called the revelations "worrying" and vowed to discuss them with ICAO boss Fang Liu. https://phys.org/news/2019-02-aviation-agency-conceals-hack-media.html Back to Top NAV CANADA and Canada Aviation and Space Museum partner to develop next generation of aviation leaders OTTAWA, Feb. 26, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) converge at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum - one of three museums under Ingenium - Canada's Museums of Science and Innovation - thanks to a new $1.5-million investment and multi-year partnership with NAV CANADA, Canada's Air Navigation Service Provider. The partnership aims to inspire the next generation, from all walks of life, to consider a career in aviation. It's a natural fit to combine NAV CANADA's efforts with the Canada Aviation and Space Museum's knowledge, and an opportunity to expose youth to NAV CANADA's unique role and ground-breaking innovations in the aviation sector. Through the development of a permanent exhibition at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, an accompanying travelling exhibition, and educational programming and materials, this long-term partnership will raise public awareness about Canada's dynamic aviation and space industry. Rooted in discovery and innovation, the sector requires new talent to design, develop, deploy, and maintain sophisticated air traffic management technologies, in order to keep Canada's skies safe for the future. "With Canadian air traffic on the rise, there is a growing demand for skilled professionals in our industry. These are incredibly rewarding jobs; helping people of all ages and backgrounds learn about careers in aviation will bring tremendous benefits to the future of air travel in Canada," said Neil Wilson, President and CEO of NAV CANADA. "The new exhibition will offer a window into our industry; it will honour the men and women who make Canada's air navigation service the safest in the world, while offering inspiration for some to become part of Canada's future aviation story." To foster the next generation of industry leaders, innovators, and employees, the museum and NAV CANADA are working together with national industry, government, and academic partners from the Aero/Space Network to engage directly with youth through special events such as Fly to the Future. To mark the launch of the partnership, this two-day Aviation and Space Career Exploration Fair (Feb. 26-27) will offer students the opportunity to meet over 20 exhibitors representing an astounding array of careers in the aviation and aerospace sector. "Workers in the aviation and space sector play a critical role in the past, present, and future of our aerospace industry - which touches the lives of all Canadians," said Christina Tessier, President and CEO of Ingenium. "Through high-quality educational programming developed through this partnership with NAV CANADA, we hope to share the important history of this work and inspire a new generation of leaders that can make their mark on the industry." Currently under development, the interactive exhibition at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum will engage visitors by showcasing the history of air traffic control, today's advanced technology and innovations, the many faces behind Canada's air navigation system, and a glimpse at where the industry is headed. A travelling exhibition, featuring similar artifacts and information, will take a cross-country tour to other museums and public venues across Canada. Both are scheduled to be unveiled in 2020. About NAV CANADA NAV CANADA is a private, not-for-profit company, established in 1996, providing air traffic control, airport advisory services, weather briefings and aeronautical information services for more than 18 million square kilometres of Canadian domestic and international airspace. The Company is internationally recognized for its safety record, and technology innovation. Air traffic management systems developed by NAV CANADA are used by air navigation service providers in countries worldwide. NAV CANADA is a partner in Aireon LLC, an international joint venture deploying a space based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system that will expand air traffic surveillance to all regions of the globe. About the Canada Aviation and Space Museum One of three museums under Ingenium - Canada's Museums of Science and Innovation, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum is aptly located at Ottawa's historic Rockcliffe Airport, which previously functioned as a military air base. The museum takes visitors on a journey through Canada's aviation and space history - from the early days of flight to the future of space exploration. Spanning 1909 to the present day, the museum focuses on aviation in Canada within an international context. As Canada's contribution to aviation expanded to include aerospace technology, the museum's collection and mandate grew to include space flight. The collection itself consists of more than 130 aircraft and artifacts (propellers, engines) from both civil and military service. The most extensive aviation collection in Canada, it is also considered one of the finest aviation museums in the world. https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/02/26/1742650/0/en/NAV-CANADA-and-Canada- Aviation-and-Space-Museum-partner-to-develop-next-generation-of-aviation-leaders.html Back to Top Honeywell to Unveil Hybrid-Electric Turbogenerator for Electric Aircraft Honeywell will debut its prototype hybrid-electric turbocharger at the HAI Heli-Expoin March. The engine is a showcase for the company's expanding presence in the urban air mobility market. The prototype combines Honeywell's existing, flight-proven Honeywell HTS900 engine with two compact electric generators capable of providing 200 kilowatts together--enough to power 40 homes running the air conditioner on a hot summer day. The engine will burn conventional fuel or biofuel to either feed motors or charge batteries. The turbocharger promises to be an ideal fit for urban air mobility vehicles. By incorporating multiple motors and batteries into an aircraft, a vehicle could be able to turn certain motors on or off to power vertical or horizontal flight--which could extend the craft's range and reduce fuel consumption. This technology could enable aircraft designers to create vehicles that would deliver people and goods quietly and efficiently: in fact, several of an aircraft's electric motors could be powered by a single Honeywell turbocharger. "This redefines powered flight by providing electricity to spare in a safe, light package built for aviation," said Bryan Wood, senior director of Honeywell's hybrid-electric and electric propulsion programs. Honeywell already has a significant footprint in the aerospace industry, providing systems for airlines, business jets, military and rotary aircraft. But it has been committing more resources to the urban mobility market--a growing aviation industry segment made up of on-demand and automated passenger vehicles and cargo-carrying air transportation services. These services promise to open up new ways of getting people and goods to their destinations while reducing congestion on conventional transportation routes. Urban Air Mobility - Let Us Help You Fly The company offers an extensive suite of technologies to aviation companies developing vehicles for the growing market: avionics, propulsion, flight controls, navigation, collision avoidance, power generation, actuation, logistics, and satellite communication and connectivity technologies. As an example, Honeywell is partnering with aircraft manufacturer Pipistrel to develop engines and flight systems for eVTOL vehicles that will form Uber's fleet of air taxis. With its hybrid turbocharger Honeywell is increasing its commitment to the electric air vehicle sector--enabling aircraft makers to bring more advanced and consumer-ready products to market. "As the urban air mobility segment grows, Honeywell is providing safe, reliable propulsion solutions as well as a host of other aviation technologies that are ready to install today on next-generation vehicles." Read more about technological advances in the urban air mobility market at Boeing's Autonomous Passenger Flying Vehicle Takes Its First Flight. https://www.engineering.com/AdvancedManufacturing/ArticleID/18574/Honeywell-to-Unveil- Hybrid-Electric-Turbogenerator-for-Electric-Aircraft.aspx Back to Top What's being done to keep drones of future from crashing into each other (or worse) WASHINGTON - The promise of unmanned drones delivering packages, smoothing congested commutes, observing dangers and solving crimes is being tested and developed by companies and agencies, but one large question remains: What's to keep all of the drones of the future from slamming into each other, and other flying objects? Managing unmanned aircraft systems in a shared airspace can't be done the same way it is accomplished with airplanes and helicopters piloted by humans. "We don't have a pilot in the cockpit that can talk to (an air traffic) controller, and it's not easy to relay communications from the aircraft down to a pilot on the ground," said Mark Blanks, director of the Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership, or MAAP. The group is a Federal Aviation Administration-designated test site for unmanned aircraft systems. With more than a million drones already registered with the FAA, Blanks said the volume of drone traffic is already greater than the current air traffic management system is designed to handle. "We probably couldn't hire enough air traffic controllers to meet the need or the demand down the road," Blanks said. Unlike traditional air traffic management, which is handled by the federal government, the control of unmanned aircraft is a partnership between industry and the FAA. Private companies have been developing the technology, but the FAA will maintain oversight of the management system. "We're using software that's already predominantly on the aircraft," Blanks said. "So it can define its mission - where it's going and when it will be there - and share that information with a central traffic management system." While leveraging the intent of the drone, and the volume of airspace that will be required to complete the mission, and the time that it will occur, the system "will separate other aircraft that also want to fly in the same airspace." Blanks said a similar automated system is already fully implemented: the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability, or LAANC. "It's a system that allows operators to request permission to fly in controlled airspace, around airports," Blanks said. With the LAANC system, a drone pilot can use a smartphone app to request and receive near- instant authorization to fly in controlled airspace under 400 feet. As the MAAP group begins work on developing a system that would help planes and drones to share airspace, Blanks expects it will take years, as smaller pieces are implemented when they are ready. "In testing, we'll identify some weaknesses and some strengths, and we'll leverage that knowledge in order to improve the system, down the road," he said. https://wtop.com/tech/2019/02/whats-being-done-to-keep-drones-of-future-from-crashing-into- each-other-or-worse/ Back to Top Emirates uses technology to increase Kabul cargo capacity Emirates Flight Operations has developed a navigation technique that allows the Middle East-based airline to carry additional bellyhold cargo into Afghanistan's Kabul International airport. The missed-approach* procedure developed by Emirates has replaced an older technique that required cargo bound for Kabul to be offloaded in Dubai during low-cloud or poor visibility weather conditions at destination. Dubai-headquartered Emirates operates a daily flight into Kabul International airport on its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, and within the first three months of implementation the new solution gave Emirates the capability for carrying an additional 250 tonnes of cargo into Kabul during low-cloud conditions. Emirates said that the procedure has also resulted in "more streamlined cargo operations to Kabul, increased customer satisfaction, and enhanced fuel efficiency". Kabul airport is situated in a wide valley at an elevation of 5,800 feet and is surrounded by mountains that are over 11,000 feet high. The airport has a number of constraints associated with it because of the challenging terrain, Air Traffic Control (ATC) and other security requirements. Kabul airport's primary Runway 29 has two established missed-approach procedures with one of them requiring that an aircraft be able to climb at a steep angle when cloud cover is lower than 1,200 feet. Added the Emirates spokesperson: "Previously, whenever meteorological reports predicted cloud cover below this level at Kabul airport, cargo was offloaded in Dubai to make the aircraft lighter to ensure that in the event the aircraft had to execute a missed-approach* at Kabul airport, it could achieve the required climb gradient. "However, this measure often resulted in cargo not arriving on time at Kabul leading to other associated costs for both Emirates as well as the customer." The spokesperson continued: "In order to optimise cargo loads without compromising on safety, Emirates Flight Operations Support developed a new missed-approach navigation procedure with an easier climb gradient for Kabul airport's Runway 29 taking advantage of the Boeing 777 aircraft's superior navigational accuracy. "The team worked with a specialist flight design agency, DFS Aviation Services, with regulatory credentials to analyse the terrain around the airport and develop a new procedure that could be implemented without delays in working with the local ATC." Once the initial design was ready, it was coded into the Emirates Flight Management System and tested extensively on flight simulators to confirm theoretical performance calculations as well as ensuring that the aircraft would indeed be able to clear any obstacles in the case of a go around. Finally, the Flight Operations Systems team then developed detailed training guidance in order to support pilots flying to the airport. Emirates' Flight Operations Support team have also used similar technology to successfully enhance operational efficiency at other airports such as Seychelles, Addis Ababa, Eldoret and Basra. * A Missed Approach is a published procedure which must be followed in the event that an aircraft conducting an Instrument Approach for landing is unable to continue the approach and/or achieve the required visual references to be able to complete a landing. A Go Around is the term used for a discontinued landing. A Go Around may include a missed approach but can occur for a variety of reasons including after when the aircraft has transitioned onto visual reference. https://www.aircargonews.net/uncategorized/emirates-uses-advanced-navigation-technology-to- increase-cargo-capacity-to-kabul/ Back to Top Frequentis to set up digital ATC tower at Invercargill Airport Air navigation services provider Airways has awarded a contract to Austria-based technology company Frequentis to develop a digital air traffic control (ATC) system for Invercargill Airport in New Zealand. The new remotely operated digital ATC tower will provide improved aviation safety and weather resiliency, as well as the option to deliver extended levels of services in the country. Airways air traffic services general manager Tim Boyle said: "A digital tower at Invercargill Airport is the first step in our journey to modernise the way we provide air traffic services at airports. "We're excited about the safety and efficiency advantages the technology offers to the airport, airlines, and ultimately travellers." Airways and Frequentis will collaborate to deploy the digital system at the airport under the contract. Upon becoming operational by 2020, the digital tower will initially be operated by controllers based at the airfield. The operation command will subsequently be transferred to a centralised hub to deliver services to various regional locations. Digital tower technology allows controllers to manage air traffic, even in low light, or during adverse weather conditions. Its augmented reality features provide aircraft information, including altitude and speed in real- time, to be overlaid on screens. Frequentis Australasia managing director Martin Rampl said: "As the application of remote tower technology becomes more widespread, the safety and capacity benefits that controllers can obtain become clearer. "We are absolutely delighted to have been selected by Airways New Zealand to implement the Frequentis smartVISION solution in Invercargill and very much look forward to supporting them in their goal to enhance their regional air traffic control services." Airways is planning to replace its existing network of ageing towers with digital air traffic services in the future. After Invercargill Airport, Airways aims to install a digital tower at Auckland International Airport in 2020. https://www.airport-technology.com/news/frequentis-invercargill-airport/ Back to Top Airbus, OneWeb aim for new satellite era with first launch A rocket carrying six satellites built by Airbus SE and partner OneWeb blasted off from French Guiana on Wednesday, the first step in a plan to give millions of people in remote and rural areas high-speed internet beamed down from space. A successful launch could mark a new era in the satellite services industry. Companies like Elon Musk's SpaceX, LeoSat Enterprises, and Canada's Telesat are working to enable data networks with hundreds or even thousands of tiny satellites that orbit closer to Earth than traditional communications satellites, a radical shift made possible by leaps in laser technology and computer chips. The growth in satellites will spur demand for rocket launch services, and a handful of venture- backed rocket companies are developing smaller boosters to deploy the smaller satellites at lower cost. "We are looking in the next five years at potentially 10,000 satellites needing to be launched and we don't have the launch capacity at this moment to do that," aerospace consultancy Teal Group analyst Marco Caceres said. The Arianespace Soyuz rocket lifted off from Kourou, French Guiana, at 6.37 p.m. (2137 GMT) carrying satellites made by the Airbus-OneWeb joint venture called OneWeb Satellites in Toulouse, France. The refrigerator-sized satellites were expected to reach an altitude of 1,000 km (620 miles) more than an hour after launch. It could take 24 hours to fully assess the health of the satellites. OneWeb and others aim to expand the availability and speed of satellite-based internet compared to existing providers such as Hughes Network Systems, whose network is in a higher-altitude geostationary orbit. Hughes is also an investor in OneWeb and helping to build out its ground infrastructure. OneWeb has raised more than $2 billion from investors including Airbus, Coca-Cola, Virgin Group, Qualcomm Inc and SoftBank. It aims to have global broadband coverage in 2021 from about 650 satellites. OneWeb plans to begin launching more than 30 satellites at a time every month starting as early as September so its constellation is nearly 25 percent complete by year-end, a person with direct knowledge of the project said. Other firms say they are not far behind. Telesat, backed by Loral Space & Communications Inc, is targeting 2022 for broadband services from nearly 300 satellites. Washington, D.C.-based LeoSat Enterprises says it has already signed more than $1 billion in pre- launch provisional agreements for secure data transfers for global banks, telecoms providers and governments beginning in 2022. Fast assembly required Reuters reported a major shake-up last year at SpaceX's Starlink project, which Chief Executive Musk has said is critical as a funding source for his broader space transportation ambitions but faces challenges on development and testing. A person with direct knowledge of the program said SpaceX was driving toward a first "production launch" with money-making satellites in mid-2019. SpaceX already has two test satellites in space and plans to launch a new design based on those "soon," said one SpaceX official, who asked not to be named. SpaceX has not chosen a location to manufacture the satellites or made a final decision on how it will build, sell and service the terminals that will link the satellite-based internet to users, people with direct knowledge of the project said. Musk told employees in at least one meeting last year that SpaceX could decide to sell broadband to existing internet providers initially and worry about building out its own network later, according to a person who attended the meeting. SpaceX spokeswoman Eva Behrend declined to comment. A SpaceX official said its initial batch of satellites were currently being manufactured, and its internal launch targets were on track, but the company has not announced a launch date. The OneWeb project has forced Airbus to rethink the way it builds satellites, overhauling a painstaking, bespoke effort to introduce industrial methods and speed using assembly lines and automation. The two companies plan to open what they say is the world's first satellite mass-production factory at Florida's Kennedy Space Center in March for $85 million. Production will ramp up to 15 satellites per week at a cost of $1 million per satellite, executives say. OneWeb Satellites Chief Executive Officer Tony Gingiss told Reuters the goal is to be making two to three satellites a day by early summer. "That's revolutionary in an industry where it costs $50 million to build one satellite and normally takes months and a team of engineers to do," Gingiss said. OneWeb has ground stations in Canada, Italy and Norway that allow the satellites to communicate with Earth, and has signed a partnership with Qualcomm to develop the technology that links the internet from space to different users, such as airlines. https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2019/02/28/airbus-oneweb-aim-for-new-satellite-era-with- first-launch.html Curt Lewis