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Aviation History
2004
2004-09 - 1425.PDF
HEADLINES SPACEFLIGHT STEPHEN TRIMBLE / WASHINGTON DC & TIM FURNISS / LONDON Rutan confident of September success As Scaled Composites prepares to bid for the X-Prize, US Congress debate rages over definition of "suborbital vehicle" Scaled Composites intends to bid for the $10 million Ansari X Prize in late September by launching two manned suborbital spaceflights within a two-week period. But a debate still rages in the US Congress over how to regulate a space tourism industry that is likely to boom if Scaled Composites founder Burt Rutan's attempt is suc cessful. The dispute centres on the definition of "suborbital vehicle". Lawmakers are trying to update the Commercial Space Launch Act of 1984 to include the then-unfore seen market for space tourism, but the effort has led to competing defi nitions of suborbital transport between the House and Senate. A House-approved bill limits sub orbital craft to rocket-based designs that generate more thrust than lift for most of the flight. On 22 July, Sen James Inhofe, of Oklahoma, introduced a Senate bill, the Space Commercial Human Ascent Serving Expeditions Act, also called Space CHASE. Inhofe's legislation amends the House's def inition to include hybrid designs that use both jet and rocket propul sion, which is a design being pro posed by Oklahoma-based com pany Rocketplane. Addressing the Senate, Inhofe said his definition will allow Rocket- plane to "avoid being forced to go through a lengthy two-step licens ing process formally required for launch vehicles and commercial air craft, and will have the opportunity to be licensed to carry civilian pas sengers much more quickly". But it is not clear whether law makers in the House will go along with the new definition. Sherwood Boehlert, House Science Com mittee chairman, says he looks for ward to "revisiting the issue", but did not endorse Inhofe's definition. Scaled Composites, which flew a suborbital mission with Mike Melvill at the controls on 21 June, plans to launch SpaceShipOne on 29 September and 4 October. A third flight is scheduled in case one fails to reach the required 100km (62 miles) altitude. Rutan has suggested he might attempt to win the X-Prize by carry ing two passengers. But prize organ isers now say the requirement is only to carry the equivalent weight of two passengers, plus the pilot. Rutan is determined to eventually use SpaceShipOne as a commercial Certification and service entry of the first dedicated light-sport aircraft in the USA is not expected for about six months, despite the recent adop tion of new sport pilot rules. Speaking at its annual Air- Venture air show in Oshkosh, Wis consin last week, the US Experi mental Aircraft Association (EAA) said a delay until next year is likely to allow for materials testing on new aircraft. Although the sport pilot/light- sport aircraft rule was published last passenger-carrying venture, kick- starting space tourism. Rutan is backed by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who has invested $20- 30 million. Canadian Ansari X-Prize con tender da Vinci Project will unveil its Wild Fire balloon-lofted rocket- spacecraft on 5 August. The Toronto-based company hopes to make its first demonstration flight this year. The da Vinci project will involve sending a balloon to 80,000ft to deploy the rocketship. The craft would be cocooned during the return in an inflatable shield. Russia's Myasishchev has also unveiled a suborbital space tourist craft, C-XX. The rocket glider, oper ated by ZAO Sub-Orbital, would make its flight in 2005. Tickets for tourist flights would cost $100,000. week by the US Federal Aviation Administration (Flight International, 20-26 July), the American Society of Testing and Materials now has to refine the consensus standards for the design and production of the two-seat aircraft. "Once the rule takes effect on 1 September," says the EAA, "industry must develop standards for each light-sport aircraft type and the manufacturer must build in accor dance with those standards." SEE SHOW REPORT P18 AWARDS Flight journalists honoured Two Flight International writers have won Aerospace Journalist of the Year Awards. Guy Norris (above left) took the Royal Aeronautical Society propulsion award for "Pulse Power" (17-23 June 2003), from Keith Mans. Justin Wastnage (below left) received the Embraer regional aircraft award for "Delayed Reaction" (16-22 September) from Horacio Forjaz. BUSINESS European engine groups grow Europe's biggest engine manufacturing groups have both recorded first-half sales growth, with Rolls-Royce figures up 16% and the Snecma group recording a rise of 8.1%. Both companies released figures for the six-month period to June last week. R-R saw its revenues rise to £15 billion ($2.75 bil lion), up £200 million on the same period last year, which the UK group says is "in line with its expectations". Sir John Rose, R-R chief executive, says a £4 billion orderbook combined with cost reduction exercises place the group on target to achieve a 10% return on sales. Meanwhile, the Snecma group's sales stood at €3.3 billion, an 8.1% rise over 2003's first-half figure of €3 bil lion. Jean-Paul Bechat, Snecma group chief executive, says sales figures adjusted for exceptional items and exchange rate fluctuations rose by 7.3% to €6.4 billion, up slightly on original forecasts for a flat period. Snecma propulsion sales rose by 9.6% to €2.2 billion. AIRVENTURE KATE SARSFIELD / OSHKOSH Light-sport wait is likely 6 3-9 AUGUST 2004 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL www.flightinternational.com
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