April 30, 2020 - No. 031 In This Issue IATA urges regulators to aid civil aviation industry amid the pandemic Dallas private aviation service JetSuite files for bankruptcy GA-ASI Partners with Conflux on Additive Manufacturing New Garmin Portable Adds Approach Overlays Digitization Will Help Aviation Rebound Stronger Than Ever. COLLEGE FLIGHT SCHOOLS ADAPT TO NEW LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS ICAO Council establishes COVID-19 Aviation Recovery Task Force Propeller Airports Implements Fever Detection System at Paine Field. GE lands huge $707M jet engine Wright-Patt contract Aerion to build supersonic aircraft at Orlando Melbourne airport. SpaceX, Blue Origin and Dynetics will build human lunar landers for NASA's next trip back to the Moon IATA urges regulators to aid civil aviation industry amid the pandemic The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has asked aviation regulators to take immediate action to aid civil aviation amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The regulators have been urged to ensure that civil aviation operations are seamless and safe, as well as to aid in the restart of aviation when the outbreak is contained. IATA has urged the countries to partner with the aviation industry to implement temporary measures, which will ensure that the licenses and certificates for aviation safety are valid. The regulators should submit the temporary measures with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and identify the measures implemented by other states. Currently, many aviation regulators have adopted necessary measures to offer flexibility, ratings and certificates to airlines and licensed crew so that the operations can continue. IATA stated that it is important that the measures should be filed with ICAO so that counterpart states can view and recognise the measures. IATA Safety and Flight Operations senior vice-president Gilberto Lopez Meyer said: "Safety is always the top priority. We therefore commend ICAO for their swift action to facilitate the sharing of states' temporary regulatory extensions, making it easier for states to extend their mutual recognition.'' Many of the aviation regulators around the world are unable to carry out the standard administration of various licenses as the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the operations. To avoid further disturbance to aviation, ICAO has introduced the Covid-19 Contingency Related Differences (CCRD) system. With this system, all states can identify any differences to their standard policies and mention that they accept the differences of another state using a new form. Last week, IATA released its latest estimates that indicate that the impact of Covid-19 on the aviation industry in the Asia-Pacific region has worsened. Earlier this month, IATA released its updated analysis stating that global airline passenger revenues will decrease by $314bn this year, which marks a decline of 55% compared to the previous year. https://www.airport-technology.com/news/iata-regulators-civil-aviation-industry/ Back to Top Dallas private aviation service JetSuite files for bankruptcy Dallas-based private aviation service JetSuite filed for bankruptcy Tuesday in Delaware. Superior Air Charter LLC, the operating company for the on-demand flight service, listed assets of less than $10 million and debts of $50 million to $100 million in its Chapter 11 petition, according to U.S. Bankruptcy Court documents. JetSuite abruptly shut down operations April 15, citing a "dramatic downturn" in its business in a posting on the company's website. It catered to upscale travelers who wanted more flexible flight schedules than commerical airlines offer. JetSuite's notice apologized to customers planning to travel for "this sudden, but unavoidable and necessary, cancellation of all flights until further notice." The bankruptcy filing appointed a restructuring officer to guide the company through bankruptcy, including potentially selling off assets or the entire company. Dozens of customers are owed thousands of dollars by JetSuite and are identified in court documents as unsecured creditors. The petition said the company doesn't expect to be able to repay those creditors. Streaming TV company Netflix topped the creditors' list at $931,098. Other customers owed money include a Texas cattle rancher, a California real estate developer and Cognizant Technology Solutions' Southlake office. The private jet business saw a short-lived uptick in February and early March as major airlines began cutting routes to adjust to travel restrictions around the globe to control the spread of COVID-19. By late March, CEO Alex Wilcox told Skift that 90% of the company's business disappeared as stay-at-home orders went into effect around the country. JetSuite arrived in North Texas in 2018 from California as one of the most high-profile additions to the region's aviation economy in years. It was described at the time as a well-capitalized veteran of the competitive and fractured private aviation landscape. https://www.dallasnews.com/business/local-companies/2020/04/28/dallas-private-aviation-business-jetsuite-files-for-bankruptcy/ Back to Top GA-ASI Partners with Conflux on Additive Manufacturing General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has partnered with Australia-based Conflux Technology on the development of a heat exchanger. The part is being developed using a metal Additive Manufacturing process for possible integration onto GA-ASI's line of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). Conflux Technology is an Additive Manufacturing applications company based in Geelong, Victoria that specializes in thermal and fluid engineering. Conflux is providing design expertise in the optimization of Additive Manufacturing heat exchangers to increase the performance of RPA. "GA-ASI and Conflux are developing novel and state-of-the-art thermal solutions for application to our existing and next generation RPAS. This will allow enhanced endurance and lower manufacturing cost, as well as more flexibility in our product design and integration," said Linden Blue, GA-ASI CEO. "Fundamental efficiency gains require heat transfer innovations. In Conflux we have a highly innovative engineering team that blends first principles thermo-fluid dynamics with design creativity and Additive Manufacturing process expertise," said Michael Fuller, Conflux Technology CEO. "Conflux heat exchangers derive their performance from highly complex geometries enabled by Additive Manufacturing. Our scientists and engineers, alongside their GA-ASI counterparts, will now develop heat exchange applications to improve fundamental efficiencies for GA-ASI's RPA systems." The Australian Government recently selected GA-ASI's MQ-9B SkyGuardian variant to provide the Armed RPAS for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) under Project Air 7003. Australia joins other top-tier military forces in choosing MQ-9 because of its proven, multi-role combat performance and ability to support ad-hoc communications networks and interoperability with Allies. MQ-9B follows the legacy of GA-ASI's Predator series of RPAS, the world's most trusted and capable armed Medium-altitude, Long-endurance (MALE) RPA Systems. The entire fleet has accumulated more than six million flight hours to date. https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/unmanned/press-release/21136373/general-atomics-aeronautical-systems-inc-gaasi-gaasi-partners-with-conflux-on-additive-manufacturing Back to Top New Garmin Portable Adds Approach Overlays The proliferation of powerful tablet electronic flight bags (EFBs) hasn't killed the market for portable GPS navigators, and Garmin today introduced the aera 760 portable GPS navigator with some EFB- and avionics-like features. Shipping begins in May, and the new unit retails for $1,599. The aera 760's seven-inch touchscreen display allows pilots to load instrument approach, arrival, and departure procedures in a flight plan. Approach procedures can also be overlaid on the moving-map. The GPS receiver works on both the U.S. GPS and Russian Glonass networks. With a user interface mirroring typical Garmin avionics conventions, as well as those of the Garmin Pilot EFB app, the aera 760 was designed by Garmin's TeamX, a group of pilots and aircraft builders. The aera 760 stores IFR en route charts, VFR sectionals, and Garmin FliteCharts, and it can also display optional Jeppesen charts for access to instrument approaches worldwide. Flight planning can include victor airways and user-defined holds over an existing navigation fix. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are built into the aera 760, which allows for downloading software updates and databases wirelessly. The portable can also connect to Garmin's GTX 345 ADS-B transponder or GDL 52 ADS-B receiver for display of free ADS-B In traffic and weather. SiriusXM weather is also an option when paired with the appropriate receiver. Hard-wiring of the aera 760's power, audio, and dual RS-232 connections to a Garmin GTN or GNS series navigator allows the devices to share and synchronize flight plans. The aera 760 can also connect wirelessly to navigators via a Garmin Flight Stream 210 or 510 wireless gateway. Connection to Garmin GTR 225, GNC 255, or GTR 200 navcoms enables the pilot to input frequencies on the aera 760 and then transfer them to the navcom. Autopilot connections are also available for flying lateral GPS and single-point vertical navigation in visual conditions. Garmin's 3D Vision technology is available on the aera 760, including an HSI display with lateral and vertical deviation bars and "a virtual 3D visual perspective view of surrounding terrain, obstacles, and airports." Full synthetic vision with backup attitude information is also available when the aera 760 is paired with a compatible attitude source, including the GDL 52 or GTX 345. Other features include fuel price information, an E6B computer, weight and balance calculator, optional WireAware wire-strike avoidance technology, and optional map data to allow entry of street intersection or non-aviation waypoints. Battery life is up to four hours, and a USB-C connector is available for external power and charging. Loading of topography and street maps and user waypoints is via a microSD card slot. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2020-04-29/new-garmin-portable-adds-approach-overlays Back to Top Digitization Will Help Aviation Rebound Stronger Than Ever With the aviation industry facing its toughest crisis in history, much attention is being focussed on how the industry will recover and what it will look like when it does. While a multitude of factors will undoubtedly come into play, connectivity and digitization have a considerable role to play. Charting a course for the future Yesterday's virtual event 'FlightPlan,' hosted by Inmarsat in collaboration with the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), set out to look to the future of the industry. While the day was packed with interesting viewpoints and insight, a key point was raised by Inmarsat's own executives regarding the role digitization could play in the revival of aviation. Rupert Pearce, CEO of Inmarsat, outlined his thoughts, saying, "I believe that digitalization lies at the heart of our abilities first survive this crisis and then to drive our ability to rebound from it and start to thrive in whatever new reality lies in front of us. I believe that those who fully embraced the power of digitalization now will be best placed to emerge quicker and stronger than their peers. Why? Because digitalization drives greater business efficiency and effectiveness, greater autonomy and automation, higher quality business intelligence, and above all, better customer intimacy and engagement." Pearce highlighted the plight of the merchant maritime industry, which was hit hard by the global financial crisis in the early part of this century. It was the deepest recession felt by the industry since the 1930s, leaving it struggling with high fuel costs, inherent oversupply and stagnant demand. While the cause of the downturn was very different, the result was the same. Pearce drew some interesting parallels between that event and the situation facing global aviation right now. Learning from the maritime response While speculators expected the industry to pull back from investing, to defer new ship deliveries and use older vessels for longer, what happened, in reality, was quite the opposite. Despite the industry being historically somewhat slow to adopt new technology, it swung into action to respond to the crisis. New, more efficient ships replaced older vessels rapidly, each one arriving equipped with the most modern systems and technology and, of course, satellite broadband. In fact, it was at that moment that the maritime industry really jumped into digitization in a big way, shaping the future as it is today. Pearce said, "...indeed, it was quickly proven that those shipowners and managers that embrace the power of digitalization were the first to stabilize their businesses and then begin to thrive in the new economic and commercial reality." It's interesting to draw some parallels between what happened in shipping some years ago and what's happening right now in aviation. How could digitization lead the way? The recovery of the aviation industry depends on a multitude of factors, but the theme running through the whole recovery process is that digitization will make it all so much easier. Embracing modern technologies and the benefits of connectivity will drive efficiency across the industry, making it easier to make informed decisions and to balance demand and supply. As well as orchestrating a successful reset, technology and connectivity have the ability to help meet the shifting priorities in aviation and travel in general. From monitoring health and wellbeing to protecting workers and offering reassurance to passengers, a more connected industry has the potential to ensure a successful return to operations. Philip Balaam, CEO of Inmarsat Aviation, also spoke during FlightPlan on this subject. His overarching take was, "Recovery will depend upon a more effective, more creative and more digital approach. These are extraordinarily turbulent times for the industry; there will clearly be winners and losers. My conviction is that the survivors will take a strategic, agile, and technology-led approach, and they will be the ones to bounce back more quickly and stronger." https://simpleflying.com/digitization-aviation-recovery/ Back to Top COLLEGE FLIGHT SCHOOLS ADAPT TO NEW LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS College flight schools are adapting to learning environment changes by implementing virtual reality options, wellness checks, social distancing, mandatory face mask usage, and other personal safety measures during the coronavirus pandemic. Three top aviation educators shared drastic changes that are underway as colleges and schools that specialize in flight training prepare to resume classes with a modified educational experience for students, instructors, and staff. Aviation International News Editor in Chief Matt Thurber hosted a webinar April 28 with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Assistant Dean and Department Chair of Flight Kenneth Byrnes, CAE Chief Learning Officer Chris Ranganathan, and Fulcrum Labs Senior Vice President of Brand Experience Craig Joiner. The group discussed how the aviation learning environment had drastically changed in the past 60 days since the coronavirus pandemic took hold. Byrnes said enrollment for the incoming fall class at ERAU hasn't been affected by the downturn in commercial aviation. "The numbers thus far for the fall semester look very strong and that's good. The pilot shortage was years in the making and it's not going to end here. It might take a breather for a year or two or three ... but the interest remains strong." Flight training at the Daytona campus ceased in mid-March after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued stay-at-home orders. "We completely switched to online training, even our [Part] 141 ground schools," said Byrnes. ERAU plans to restart training flights soon in Florida and Arizona pending guidance from state, local, and federal governments. Mitigations include instructors and students wearing face masks during flights, additional aircraft disinfection procedures, and students and staff adapting familiar aviation procedures for indoor use: "We actually have hold short lines at every office where you have to announce your presence" before proceeding. Byrnes said Daytona air traffic controllers are wearing face masks while they are on tower duty and there haven't been significant issues with radio communications or understandability. There are plans to research "mask fatigue," a phenomenon that requires further study but could coincide with extended face mask use. "I do see wearing masks in the cockpit for the foreseeable future," he said. The college is maximizing live streaming, the use of 360-degree cameras in the teaching environment, and other technology to get ground-bound students familiar with aircraft, procedures, and regulations. ERAU's virtual reality lab includes a seminar on preflighting a Cessna 172 in place of having students in close proximity to each other on the ramp. Byrnes said 360-degree camera views of aircraft in flight with voice-overs by instructors were especially helpful to explain flight maneuvers step by step. It's also a quality assurance program for the instructors because it helps them become better teachers, he noted. The school is also on track to continually improve courseware, instructor guidebooks, lesson scripts, and videos to keep them current and topical. The school is allowing flight operations for instructional staff to meet instrument and night currency requirements so that the college can be ready when training for students resumes. The return to full flight status will be accomplished in phases beginning with local students who haven't left campus. Those returning from other locations will be vetted and training will ramp up as conditions warrant. When students do fly in an aircraft, their flight scheduling will be spaced out to keep them socially separated in the flight operations facility and on the ramps. "We're keeping the numbers low and spreading the activity out" so individuals' paths don't cross, he said. "They're wearing masks as well, and every day they get a wellness check," which includes a temperature check, a Q&A on encounters with others, and the issuance of color-coded wristbands that are checked throughout campus. Ranganathan, who joined the webinar from Australia, said CAE has switched to virtual training when possible and the company is working with "authorities worldwide" for guidelines "to adapt to local conditions" that make the learning environment safe for students and teachers. "We're getting better at it" as the days go by, he confided. He agreed with Byrnes that the aviation industry remains an attractive profession but predicted the recent commercial aviation downturn could last "about three years. It's a great industry to get into" but "timing is the key." Fulcrum Labs provides online solutions for higher education and corporate training, and Joiner said the company noted a "dramatic uptick" for an adaptive learning platform "coming from Part 147 aviation maintenance schools. They really need an online learning solution ASAP." He added that "many institutions had already expressed interest in seeing what those tools can do, and the urgency for the crisis has accelerated those desires." Joiner noted that aviation technician students are used to a more "dynamic, hands on approach" to maintenance procedures, which can be challenging-but not impossible-for instructors in an online situation. The teaching specialists recently helped the Aviation Institute of Maintenance program move into the online learning arena. He said the Virginia-based school with 12 locations "flipped the switch" for an adaptive training platform about four weeks ago and is now "100 percent online." Joiner's vision for the future of aviation education includes a "blended experience between VR and in-person" training. With continued advancements in technology and the embracing of online solutions, he predicted that the industry is "going to come out of this even stronger than before." https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2020/april/29/college-flight-schools-adapt-to-new-learning-environments Back to Top ICAO Council establishes COVID-19 Aviation Recovery Task Force MONTREAL - In response to the serious impacts being felt across the international civil aviation sector as a result of COVID-19, and the need for wide-ranging government and industry coordination to help reconnect the world, representatives from the 36 countries on the Governing Council of the UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have established a new COVID-19 Aviation Recovery Task Force. The aim of the new Council Task Force will be to identify and recommend strategic priorities and policies for States and industry operators. It will leverage all available government and industry data toward solutions to the immediate challenges being felt sector-wide, and the priorities to be addressed to reboot the network for a post-COVID world, and make it more resilient and responsive in the process. "As we know, air connectivity is critical to economic and sustainable development in every region of the world. Consequently, an effective recovery of international air transport is essential to support the post COVID-19 pandemic worldwide economic recovery," noted ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano as he addressed the first meeting of the Task Force today. "We are not talking of a recovery after an international air transport crisis. International air transport has faced several crises in the past from which it was able to regain its position thanks to timely initiatives by ICAO. The progress achieved over the course of decades could be entirely erased if international air transport does not resume soon and effectively." "In these uncertain times and exceptional circumstances, ICAO is being called upon to rescue international air transport and facilitate the resumption of operations," President Sciacchitano underscored in his remarks to the Task Force. The new Council Task Force is composed of Council Members and high-level aviation industry representatives including the Directors General of all major air transport industry associations. UN entities such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) are also represented, as well as the heads of several national and regional aviation administrations. As Chairperson of the Council's Air Transport Committee, Mr. Philippe Bertoux, Representative for France on the ICAO Council, was appointed by President Sciacchitano to serve as the Chairperson of the Task Force. Mr. Boubacar Djibo, Director of the ICAO Air Transport Bureau, will serve as its Secretary. The Council expects the first outcome by the Task Force by the end of May 2020. https://www.traveldailynews.com/post/icao-council-establishes-covid-19-aviation-recovery-task-force Back to Top Propeller Airports Implements Fever Detection System at Paine Field As part of its continuing commitment to be a national leader in protecting customers and staff, in effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, Influenza and other illnesses, Propeller Airports announced the implementation of a new fever detection system. Developed by Athena Security, the Elevated Body Temperature Detection System is a non-invasive, non-contact technology that alerts airport personnel when a passenger has a fever. The system was recently installed at Everett's Paine Field and is now fully operational. The new temperature checks follow Propeller's introduction last month of an innovative and proprietary UV technology used to disinfect the terminal. The technology being deployed at Paine Field is the latest in a line of similar technology that has been used effectively for years in Asia and other parts of the world. Prior to entering the TSA checkpoint, all passengers will be screened by a thermal camera that reads their body temperature. Passengers flagged as having a temperature will be offered secondary screening and if a fever is confirmed, the passenger and the airline will determine their ability to travel. "During this difficult time, the addition of Athena's Elevated Body Temperature Detection System is a vital step to ensure the health and safety of our passengers, airline partners and staff," said Brett Smith, CEO of Propeller Airports, which designed, built and financed the terminal through a public-private partnership with Snohomish County. "Since opening, we have been committed to staying on the forefront of trends and innovations to provide the best possible experience to our passengers, and we're proud to be the first U.S. passenger terminal to roll out this type of technology. The use of this system will allow us to maintain the seamless, safe and modern travel experience our customers have come to expect." "Propeller Airports is clearly leading the push to innovate and create the future of travel, making it safer and more efficient for travelers to get where they need to be and Athena Security is proud to help," stated Lisa Falzone, CEO of Athena Security. "As global air travel has come to a halt, the ability to pre-screen for COVID-19 fevers is proving to be a life-saving option to funnel infected travelers away from large groups now and in the future as other pandemics and flu-seasons arise." https://www.aviationpros.com/airports/press-release/21136155/propeller-airports-propeller-airports-implements-fever-detection-system-at-paine-field Back to Top GE lands huge $707M jet engine Wright-Patt contract GE Aviation in Cincinnati has been awarded four contract actions, valued at $707 million for jet engine work, winning the contract from the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. General Electric Co. has been awarded $707,274,997 for four contract actions under an existing F110 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for production of F110-GE-129 engines, the Department of Defense said late Tuesday.These actions provide for F110 engine production, including installs, spares and modernized engine management system computers, the Pentagon said. The F110 family of engines powers F-15 and F-16 fighter aircraft, according to GE. "GE Aviation is honored to support the U.S. Air Force and foreign military sale customers," the company said in a statement Wednesday. "Backed by continuous infusion of new technology, GE's F110 engine remains the engine of choice of modern F-15 and F-16 fleets around the world." To date, 3,400 F110s have been ordered worldwide and the engine has surpassed 10 million flight hours. GE's F110 engine powers 86 percent of F-15s delivered globally over the last 15 years, GE also said. Work will be performed in Cincinnati and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2026, the DoD said.The contract is for foreign military sales to Slovakia, Bulgaria, Taiwan and Qatar, the DoD also said.Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $353,637,499 are being obligated at the time of award.The award is coming at a time when GE and all of the American aviation industry is severely challenged. On March 23, GE announced that it is planning to reduce about 10 percent of its total U.S. workforce. The company also froze hiring, canceled salaried merit increases, cut non-essential spending and reduced its contingent workforce.The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, based at Wright-Patterson, was the contracting office. https://www.daytondailynews.com/business/just-lands-huge-707m-jet-engine-wright-patt-contract/nsXRAcKFySIQ69d826z88L/ Back to Top Aerion to build supersonic aircraft at Orlando Melbourne airport MELBOURNE - Aerion Supersonic has selected Orlando Melbourne International Airport (MLB) for its worldwide headquarters and integrated campus for research, design, build and maintenance of the company's supersonic aircraft. Aerion Park will house manufacturing of the company's new AS2 supersonic business jet with plans to create at least 675 new jobs by 2026 as part of a multi-year $300 million investment. The development will take place on more than 60 acres of vacant airport property located at the northwest corner of MLB. "We are incredibly honored and thrilled to bring this news to our community at a time when it's needed the most," said Greg Donovan, A.A.E., executive director at Orlando Melbourne International Airport (MLB). "We are proud to be the location of the future where Aerion will innovate, create and introduce new technologies and products to the aviation industry worldwide." Aerion is prepared to reshape the general aviation industry with the AS2 - the first privately built supersonic commercial aircraft ever which is designed to reach speeds of Mach 1.4 (over 1,000 mph) with the ability to accept 100% biofuels. "The Space Coast has become a hub for the aviation and aerospace industry, and my administration continues to make it a priority to expand this high-wage and important business sector," said Governor Ron DeSantis. "We are thrilled that Aerion has selected Melbourne for its new global headquarters and will create 675 new jobs here in Florida." "We are building the next generation of high-speed transportation networks that will revolutionize global mobility without leaving a carbon footprint on our world," said Tom Vice, Aerion Supersonic Chairman, President & CEO. "Our AS2 business jet - the world's first privately built supersonic aircraft - is the first stage in that exciting endeavor. Having evaluated a number of potential locations for our new home, we are excited to partner with Florida and the Melbourne community to create a sustainable supersonic future." The decision to launch the assembly of the AS2 at MLB, located in the heart of Florida's Space Coast, will allow Aerion to tap into the highly-skilled local workforce as well as attract some of the best aerospace talents in the world to Melbourne. "The impact Aerion will have on our community and the state will be truly extraordinary," added MLB Director of Marketing and Business Development Mark Busalacchi. "In addition to the major workforce investment Aerion plans to make at the airport, there will also be hundreds of indirect jobs that will have a lasting effect in fueling our local economy." Airport officials have worked to recruit Aerion to Florida since December 2018 with collaboration between several economic partners including the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast, Enterprise Florida, Inc., Space Florida and City of Melbourne. "Brevard County is home to the pioneers of space exploration and now the pioneers of sustainable supersonic transportation." said Lynda Weatherman, Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast President and CEO . "Aerion Park raises the profile of the Space Coast as the premier site for the most innovative aerospace companies in the world and is an example of what can be accomplished, even in the most challenging times, when the EDC and its state and local partners work together." "Aerion is an excellent addition to our tenant base, affirming MLB as a global epicenter for the aviation, aerospace and defense industries," said Jack L. Ryals, Melbourne Airport Authority Chairman C.C.I.M. "They will also add an entirely new dimension to our airfield with leading-edge technology." MLB's airfield has been completely revived over the last few years with three rehabilitated runways and a new air traffic control tower. Additional taxiway and roadway improvements are on the way to accommodate Aerion's operational plans thanks to funding support from Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. https://www.hometownnewsbrevard.com/news/aerion-to-build-supersonic-aircraft-at-orlando-melbourne-airport/article_349728e4-897f-11ea-9aed-5f30a8a815b1.html Back to Top SpaceX, Blue Origin and Dynetics will build human lunar landers for NASA's next trip back to the Moon NASA has selected the companies that will provide them with the human landing system for their Artemis Moon missions, including a lander vehicle that will carry astronauts from space to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972. Blue Origin, SpaceX and Dynetics were picked from a larger field of competitors to develop and build human landing systems (HLS) to carry the first woman and the next man to the Moon, a goal which NASA still hopes to accomplish by 2024. SpaceX's Starship was selected as a lander that will launch using the SpaceX Super Heavy rocket. Starship is the spacecraft that SpaceX currently has in development, which is designed as a fully reusable spacecraft for missions to orbit, to the Moon and to Mars . Super Heavy is also currently in development, and will act as a fully reusable booster that's capable of propelling the large mass of Starship to orbit with a full payload. Starship as a lander choice is an interesting one, because it's a very different model and design from landers that have made the trip previously. NASA says that the Starship selection can help its long-term goals because of its flexible design, enabling it to provide fuel transfer in Earth orbit for the longer trip transporting crew, including from Orion or the Gateway Moon-orbital station to the lunar surface. SpaceX's proposal included providing a demonstration of in-space propellant transfer between vehicles, as well as an uncrewed test landing on the Moon. Interestingly, while the Space Launch System (SLS) developed to take the Orion crew capsule to the Moon by 2024 will be the only human-rated rocket capable of transporting people there, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine noted on the call that this doesn't necessarily mean human-rated landers need to make it to the Moon using the SLS as well. So, in theory, Super Heavy could launch Starship and take it to the Moon, where it would potentially dock with Orion (which made the trip using SLS) and then make that final leg of the trip to the lunar surface. Blue Origin's Blue Moon is more traditionally designed, as far as dedicated landers go, and involves a multipart descent and ascent system that's less integrated than Starship. At last year's International Astronautical Congress, Jeff Bezos presented a more detailed look at Blue Origin's bid for the job, along with his partners and what roles they'll play. That "national team" sees Lockheed Martin building the "ascent element" part of the launch system, which will provide liftoff for their HLS, while Northrop Grumman will provide the system for transferring the lander craft from the launch vehicle to its descent position, and then Blue Origin is building the lander and the descent system for actually bringing it down to the Moon's surface. Draper is providing avionics and descent guidance. Blue Moon will be able to be launched on both Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket and ULA's Vulcan. Like Starship, then the Blue Moon lander system could use a different launch vehicle to make the trip before carrying astronauts. Dynetics, which is a subsidiary of Leidos (formerly SAIC) has a long history of demonstrated expertise in space and defense, and was originally founded in 1969. It'll be developing its Dynetics Human Landing System, which includes one lander with ascent and descent capabilities, and it'll be carried aboard the ULA Vulcan launch system on its trip to the Moon. Dynetics is working with a number of subcontractors on its system, including Sierra Nevada Corp. The full list of companies vying for this contract included Blue Origin, with Jeff Bezos' company taking the lead for its collaborative industry-spanning team; Boeing, which is one of NASA's providers for its Commercial Crew program; SpaceX, which developed the other vehicle for Commercial Crew, and is targeting its first crewed flight for late May; and other smaller companies, including Sierra Nevada Corporation, which has been developing a reusable space plane for use in various missions, including space station resupply, and Dynetics, which was a surprise winner in the race. The award here reflects NASA's stated goal to have at least two systems in parallel development from multiple providers, which offers redundancy in case of any major setbacks, and which also means that the agency will theoretically have at least two human landing systems to choose from going forward. The purpose of Artemis is to not only return humans to the lunar surface, but help NASA establish a permanent deep space presence for human exploration, including to Mars and potentially beyond. In total, the contracts represent a combined $967 million in award value, with payouts dependent on providers hitting milestones over the course of a 10-month period. NASA noted on the call that this is a very different scenario to last time it went to the Moon, since many of the technologies required to do so already exist, and since many of the companies participating have already themselves invested significantly in pursuing the development of these vehicles. https://techcrunch.com/2020/04/30/spacex-blue-origin-and-dynetics-will-build-human-lunar-landers-for-nasas-next-trip-back-to-the-moon/ Curt Lewis