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Aviation History
1991
1991 - 0470.PDF
TECHNICAL: SPACEFLIGHT ESA programmes threatened by reduced German funding BY TIM FURNISS Germany's intention to re duce its cash contribution to the European Space Agency's (ESA's) Hermes and Columbus space programmes is set to delay the launches of both spacecraft. Hermes will not fly the first manned space missions until well after the year 2000 — although with question marks against the programme it is still possible that full development will not go-ahead. The Columbus polar platform will be launched by either Ari- ane 4 or 5 in 1995 at the earliest. The Columbus pressur ised module, to be attached to the NASA Freedom international Space Station, will not fly on the Shuttle until possibly early 1997. The Columbus man- tended free flyer will be launched by Ariane 5 in 1998. Germany, the second largest contributor to these program mes, and several other member states are reducing space spend ing and as a result, "...it will be necessary to elongate the planned schedule", says ESA. A meeting of member states earlier this month came to the conclusion that the programme schedule would have to be changed. It also decided that the ESA Council of Ministers meet ing set for June should be moved, most likely to October or November. The extension of the schedule was forced by Germany despite efforts by France, the prime contributor, to maintain the schedule at increased cost. Germany also feels that the Columbus free flyer should be delayed until well into the next century. Several other members are concerned about the ability of Ariane 5 to carry the Hermes spaceplane without modifica tions. The lift capability of the new European launcher, which is also to take over commercial operations from Ariane 4 later this decade, is causing concern. Despite the delays, "...the spirit of The Hague remains", says ESA. The ESA Council meeting at The Hague in No vember 1987 gave the green light to the next phase of the Columbus and Hermes pro grammes and the go-ahead for the development of the Ariane 5 launcher which "...remains unaffected by the budget prob lems and delays". n MARS TESTBED FOR ANTARCTICA The parallels between the climate, terrain, temperature and isolation of Antarctica and conditions on the surface of the planet Mars have led to NASA and the VS National Science Foundation agreeing to established a simulated Mars base on the continent. Lockheed Missiles & Space is supporting the initiative to "...develop a testbed for first-generation Mars systems and equipment at two sites on the continent", says the company. US commercial space plans lift off The US Government has out lined plans to help US com panies capitalise on commercial space opportunities. Approving the US Commercial Space Pol icy Guidelines, president Bush has added impetus to the aim of "...expanding private sector in vestment in space by the mar ket-driven commercial space sector". The guidelines were the result of a nine-month review by the National Space Council, under the leadership of vice- president Dan Quayle, which recognises that "...a robust com mercial space sector has the potential to generate new tech nologies, markets, jobs and other important economic bene fits". The guidelines to all Gov ernment agencies include: • the use of commercially avail able space products and services to the fullest extent possible; 0 promoting the transfer of US Government-developed technol ogy to the private sector; • making unused space assets, services and infrastructure avail able for commercial space sector use; • avoiding regulating domestic space activities in a manner that precludes or deters commercial space activities; • entering into agreements to encourage and advance private sector basic research and devel opment and operations. • Ariane proposes Palapa barter In an unprecedented bid to capture a major contract in fierce competition against the USA and China, Arianespace has offered to launch Indone sia's Palapa B4 telecommunica tions satellite in mid-1992 as part of a barter deal. "Arianespace is ready to ac cept an 'offset' deal covering the whole cost of launching Palapa B4," says Arianespace commer cial director Pierre Girodet. It is the first time the Euro pean launcher company has of fered such a deal — although they are common in other sec tors of the aerospace business. "We have offered the Indone sian Government a financial package deal, including insur ance cover, and we are even ready to accept commodities in payment," says the company. Girodet, who accompanied Ari anespace chairman and chief executive officer Charles Bigot to Jakarta for talks with Indone sian Minister of Research and Technology Bacharuddin Habibie, says competition is very tough from the US Delta and China's Long March III launch systems. Indonesian telecommunica tions satellites in orbit have so far been built and launched by the USA. Palapa B4, a C-band system built by Hughes, is designed to provide television, telephony, radio and Government commu nications services to the Indonesian mainland and its 5,000-plus islands, as well as to countries in south-east Asia. Arianespace tendered for Pal apa B2R last year but lost it to McDonell Douglas. D GE loses NASA deal N ASA's Goddard Space Flight Center has cancelled a contract with GE Astro Space for the Attached Payload Acco mmodation Equipment element of the Freedom Space Station. The $555 million contract was signed in 1987 but deferred indefinitely during the early phases of a Congressionally mandated 90-day restructuring review of the station. D FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 27 February - 5 March, 1991
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