The Farnborough air show offers more in the way of space-industry exhibitors.
Tim Furniss/LONDON
TRADITIONALLY, the Farnborough air show is not an important event for the space industry. This year, however, the Lockheed Martin (E5) Skunk Works X-33 will give more prominence to this area of aerospace, albeit only as one feature of the US aerospace company's exhibit.
Lockheed Martin says that it will be "-pushing the success of the consolidation of our satellite facilities and successful launch history" at Farnborough. In addition to running the X-33 project, Lockheed Martin is also the major player in the ILS International Launch Services (E5) company which markets and launches the US Atlas and Russian Proton satellite boosters.
The former Martin Marietta Astro Space satellite-building business is now integrated with Lockheed, a fusion which is enabling the company to compete more effectively with market leader Hughes Space and Communications (3/A19). Lockheed Martin's new A2100 satellite bus is poised to rival Hughes' HS-601 veteran. Loral Space and Communications (4J6), another satellite rival, is also exhibiting, as are Europe's Aerospatiale (I/C10) and Matra Marconi Space (Chalet A9).
The European Space Agency (E3) has again agreed to participate at Farnborough, following its success two years ago in a space pavilion which featured the UK's space applications. A similar exhibition is promised this year.
China Great Wall Industry's traditional display of Long March rockets will be missed this year, but. Japan's space prowess, will be featured in many of its aerospace companies stands.
Source: Flight International