Civil Air Patrol - Paine Field Squadron - Latest Aerospace News

Air Force Top Stories: Ramstein Airmen test skills at Allied Strike 10

afnews@dma.mil (Senior Airman Caleb Pierce) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:36:15 +0000

Joint terminal attack controllers test their skills in directing combat aircraft to enemy targets and providing close air support to units here July 23 during Exercise Allied Strike 10.

View the slideshow.

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Air Force Top Stories: VA officials approve $2.8 million for Gulf War illness research

afnews@dma.mil — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:28:46 +0000

Department of Veterans Affairs officials have approved $2.8 million to fund three new research projects that focus on testing or developing new treatments for illnesses affecting veterans who served in the Gulf War from 1990 to 1991.

The research incorporates recommendations of the department's Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Task Force.

"Reaching out to Gulf War Veterans is essential to the transformation of VA," said John R. Gingrich, the Veterans Affairs chief of staff. "This research is a great opportunity to do something that will improve the care and services these veterans have earned."
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Air Force Top Stories: 22nd Fighter Squadron participates in Allied Strike 2010

afnews@dma.mil (1st Lt. Kathleen Polesnak) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:25:27 +0000

Members of the 22nd Fighter Squadron here will participate in Allied Strike 2010 when they launch two F-16 Fighting Falcons twice a day Aug. 2 through 5.

The 16 pilots flying the sorties are part of approximately 200 servicemembers and 24 aircraft from the U.S. and five European nations participating in AS10. The exercise is Europe's annual close-air support exercise held to conduct robust, realistic CAS training and assists in building partnership capacity among allied NATO nations and joint services to refine the latest operational CAS tactics.
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Air Force Top Stories: Airmen provide expertise, medical support at 100th National Boy Scout Jamboree

afnews@dma.mil (Staff Sgt. Jessica Switzer) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:19:00 +0000

More than 200 Airmen are here supporting the 100th National Scout Jamboree July 26 through Aug. 4. Approximately 46,000 Boy Scouts are attending the jamboree from throughout the country.

The Airmen, including several U.S. Air Force Academy cadets, ran merit badge booths, and provided behind-the-scenes support like running a field hospital and supplying weather support, air traffic control for flyovers and safety oversight.

"We've got a huge safety mission here," said Col. Lee-Ann Perkins, the 334th Air Expeditionary Group commander. "There's a lot of stuff out there that could potentially hurt someone so we've got a lot of folks here making sure this is a safe environment for the Scouts. It's a big job with the number of Scouts who are attending the Jamboree."
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Popular Science - Military, Aviation and Space: IKAROS Solar-Sail Craft Successfully Steers With Strategically Placed LCDs, Using No Propellant

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:30:00 +0000

IKAROS's Attitude-Shifting LCD Scheme JAXA

Japan's IKAROS spacecraft is still solar sailing its way across the solar system in a proof of concept experiment that has gone, by all outward appearances, extremely well thus far. Marking another milestone for the mission, JAXA (Japan's space agency) announced earlier this week the completion of another successful experiment as IKAROS executed attitude control using thin LCD panel devices built into the edges of its membrane-like solar sail.

One thing that may go unnoticed when you look at static images of IKAROS is that the sail rotates as the spacecraft glides along, collecting photons from sunlight as it goes to keep its forward momentum. IKAROS usually corrects its attitude via onboard thrusters attached to its main body, but if long-term space sailing is to become reality mission handlers need a way to create a disparity between the thrust on one part of the sail's surface versus the rest of the sail.

To do this, JAXA researchers built eight blocks of thin liquid crystal panels into the edges of the solar sail, two on each edge. The panels are designed to be operated independently, so the LCDs can be activated on any part of the sail while on other parts they remain off. When activated, the LCDs reflect the incoming photons straight back, producing increased forward thrust; when deactivated, the incoming light is diffused, decreasing pressure on that portion of the sail.

In this way, mission controllers can keep sunlight pressure on a certain fixed spot by activating and deactivating LCDs even as the sail spins, causing a gradual shift in the craft's attitude. The experiment continues, but for now it seems that JAXA engineers have figured out how to control the direction of a solar sailing spacecraft without using up precious propellant. That brings us one step closer to serious deep space travel beyond the boundaries imposed on conventional spacecraft by their limited fuel capacities.

[JAXA]

General Aviation News: DOT secretary to GA: Keep on keeping on

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 05:39:48 +0000

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood made a surprise appearance at the Meet the Administrator forum with FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt Thursday at AirVenture. LaHood, who was making his first visit to AirVenture as transportation secretary, told the standing room only crowd that he wanted to be at the show to “support GA.”

“The Department of Transportation cares about what you do and about Oshkosh,” he said. “GA is absolutely an important part of our aviation system in this country and around the world.”

In his short remarks, LaHood said he was “delighted” to be at the show and wanted to give all pilots encouragement to “keep on keeping on.” “I know how important what you do is,” he said. “I will continue to make sure your flag of honor flies high at the Department of Transportation.”

For more information: DOT.gov

===> Posted on July 29, 2010 by Janice Wood. No comments. © GAN 2010

Air Force Top Stories: Air Force Week in Photos

afnews@dma.mil — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 05:10:00 +0000

This week's photo highlights feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

View the slideshow.
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General Aviation News: Avgas concerns take center stage at OSH

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:05:57 +0000

FAA Administrator has a message for GA pilots: He is “keenly” aware of our concerns about avgas.

“I can assure you we have a good relationship with the EPA,” he told an AirVenture crowd in Oshkosh Thursday. “We both have roles to play, but it’s important for you to know that we are just beginning to look at the process.” In April the EPA released an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule Making seeking comments on phasing out 100LL. Since then, there’s been a lot of discussions within the GA industry about possible replacements for the leaded fuel.

Babbitt, who met during Oshkosh with the GA Avgas Coalition, noted the “community is committed to finding a solution to bring this to a successful conclusion so there will be no interruption in the supply.”

“We all recognize that aviation is not unique — that we have an environmental responsibility,” he continued, adding that GA has a “very solid commitment from the FAA to find a solution.”

===> Posted on July 29, 2010 by Janice Wood. No comments. © GAN 2010

NASA: Breaking News: NASA's Hibernating Mars Rover May Not Call Home

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:00:00 +0000

NASA mission controllers have not heard from the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit since March 22, and the rover is facing its toughest challenge yet – trying to survive the harsh Martian winter.

General Aviation News: The show must go on

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:59:37 +0000

Officials at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in New York said that the Aerodrome’s Saturday Air Show featuring flying antique airplanes of the pioneer and barnstorming era will take place as planned at 2 p.m. TFRs over Rhinebeck for Chelsea Clinton’s wedding will be respected by re-routing biplane air tours away from the restricted area during the TFR period between 3 p.m. on Saturday through 3:30 a.m. Sunday morning. The 2 p.m. World War I Air Show and biplane rides on Sunday will not be affected, officials added.

“There are abundant opportunities to fly our biplane ride passengers over beautiful areas of the Hudson River Valley other than over Rhinebeck,” said Don Fleming, Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome vice president, “but folks signing up for a biplane ride on Saturday should not expect to be treated to a birds-eye-view of the Clinton-Mezvinski nuptials.”

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome holds weekend air shows from mid-June through mid-October. Up to four passengers can fly together in the Aerodrome’s D-25 New standard biplane for $65 per passenger. The museum and grounds are open from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily. There are four hangars full of 1909–1940s airplanes, automobiles and related artifacts to browse.

For more information: OldRhinebeck.org

===> Posted on July 29, 2010 by Janice Wood. No comments. © GAN 2010

General Aviation News: From ‘rough’ to recovery

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:52:32 +0000

Like every other company in GA, it’s been a “rough” couple of years at BRS Aerospace, which manufactures whole airplane parachute systems. But that’s changing, the company’s president, Larry Williams, reported at AirVenture. “We’re starting to see a bit of recovery,” he said. “In May we had the highest sales ever in the history of the company.”

===> Posted on July 29, 2010 by Janice Wood. No comments. © GAN 2010

General Aviation News: Weeks, Tucker join Lindbergh Foundation board

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:40:48 +0000

Two of aviation’s best-known names, air show ace Sean D. Tucker and aircraft collection icon Kermit Weeks, have joined the board of The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation. Both say they were drawn to the foundation by its substantial programs within the aviation community to further the Lindberghs’ strong interest in applying technology to solve environmental problems.

Lindbergh Foundation director John Peterson announced the addition of Kermit Weeks (second from left) and Sean Tucker (second from right) to the foundation's board. Also participating in the announcement during AirVenture was David Treinis, Lindbergh Foundation executive.

===> Posted on July 29, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments. © GAN 2010

General Aviation News: Yet another FAA extension

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:42:45 +0000

Congress is giving the FAA another short extension, this time until Sept. 30. The FAA has been operating without extended authority since the last authorization expired in 2007. That authority was passed in 2003 and Congress has been unable to agree since that time, passing extension after extension to keep the FAA funded.

Included in this short extension is aviation safety and pilot training language brought about after the crash of a commuter aircraft the night of Feb. 12, 2009. Members of both the Senate and House who are charged with preparing legislation for reauthorization said they did not want to hold up the safety issues while they try to resolve differences that have resulted in the stalemate for permanent authorization.

===> Posted on July 29, 2010 by Charles Spence. No comments. © GAN 2010

General Aviation News: Are you willing to go that extra mile?

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:36:21 +0000

The FAA can’t regulate professionalism, but it can ask pilots to take that extra step to continue training, Randy Babbitt, the agency’s administrator, said during a visit to AirVenture in Oshkosh.

“Professionalism isn’t limited to commercial flying,” he said. “It pertains to all aspects of flying. The good news is that a vast majority of pilots are willing to that extra mile.”

He pointed out that FAA, the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association all have websites that offer online courses, as well as links to where pilots can get training.

===> Posted on July 29, 2010 by Janice Wood. No comments. © GAN 2010

General Aviation News: Rockin’ at Oshkosh

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:20:46 +0000

Musician and pilot Carl Keating performs at the Sennheiser exhibit Thursday afternoon at AirVenture. Keating was one of a handful of musicians who performed at the exhibit during the week. All are members of the Flying Pilots Association. For more information: Sennheiser.com or FlyingMusicians.org.

===> Posted on July 29, 2010 by Janice Wood. No comments. © GAN 2010

General Aviation News: Piper goes into the match-making business

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:19:34 +0000

Piper Aircraft unveiled its new PiperMatch program at this year’s AirVenture, designed to connect pilots who want to partner on a new Piper aircraft. “It’s like online dating,” said Randy Grooms, the company’s executive vp, adding, “We want to open up ownership to a wider audience.”

Under the program, PiperMatch specialists work to link aviators with other pilots who share location, a similar budget, and have compatible profiles. The matching program, which is free, results in interested pilots receiving a list of potential co-owners who meet specific criteria. “It’s leveraging technology to take advantage of what is out there,” Grooms said. “We’re hoping to take partnership to a whole new level.”

The program also offers participants a “bundle” of services to make ownership easier, including help from experts in everything from forming legal structures for co-ownership to assistance with tax, finance and insurance matters. The tax, legal, finance and insurance expertise is provided by the collaborative efforts of PiperMatch Ownership Services and the AOPA Insurance Agency.

For more information: PiperMatch.com.

===> Posted on July 29, 2010 by Janice Wood. No comments. © GAN 2010

Air Force Top Stories: Team successfully completes GEO-1 command and control interface testing

afnews@dma.mil — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:59:00 +0000

Researchers in the Space Based Infrared Systems program office at Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile Systems Center here successfully completed a major system-level test of the interfaces between all SBIRS ground facilities and the GEO-1 satellite, June 30.

"Successful completion of the 5001.2 system-level test demonstrates the program's positive progress towards delivery and launch," said Capt. James Palmer, the SBIRS Systems Test program manager.

The test successfully demonstrated the command and control capability of the GEO-1 satellite using the Tri-band Antenna/Modem Suite modem. The test also demonstrated the ability to perform the process of transmitting and receiving data between the ground system and the satellite using rapidly changing frequencies known as frequency hopping.
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Air Force Top Stories: Senior Indian air force leaders visit Kirtland AFB

afnews@dma.mil (Stefan Bocchino) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:46:00 +0000

Senior Indian air force leaders visited the 705th Combat Training Squadron here July 26 and 27.

The IAF leaders were here to learn how the U.S. Air Force operators use simulators for different aircraft and how to do distributed mission operations, according to Maj. Mark Hadley, 705th CTS assistant director of operations. DMO is the networking of different simulators together across not only the same building, but across the world.

IAF officers toured the 705th CTS facilities to learn more about the employment of simulators for basic pilot training as well as for combined coalition operations. They are currently looking to upgrade their own simulators and this visit was part of a fact finding mission as they determine a way forward for the future.
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Air Force Top Stories: HUD, VA officials launch $15 million demo program to prevent veteran homelessness

afnews@dma.mil — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:10:00 +0000

In an effort to prevent homelessness among veterans, primarily those returning from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Veterans Affairs today announced that both agencies will invest a combined $15 million in five selected communities near military installations.

The HUD and VA grant funding is intended to provide housing assistance and supportive services to veterans who might otherwise be living in homeless shelters or on the streets.
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Aviation Week and Space Technology: Chinese Anti-Sat Debris Bears Down On ISS

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:50:13 +0000

The six-person U.S. and Russian crew aboard the Space Station was almost forced to seek shelter.

Air Force Top Stories: ICBM test launches showcase Global Strike capabilities

afnews@dma.mil (Tech. Sgt. Marcus McDonald) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:43:00 +0000

Two Global Strike Command missile crews launched Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile test vehicles June 16 and 30, respectively, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

Missile maintenance and operational task forces from F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., and Malmstrom AFB, Mont., combined with the 576th Flight Test Squadron at Vandenberg AFB to launch the missiles.

The launches give the crews a unique training opportunity to turn the launch keys that send an actual missile rocketing into the sky, said Capt. Isaac Earnhart, the 341st Operations Support Squadron missile combat crew commander..
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Air Force Top Stories: Innovative training aids support EOD mission

afnews@dma.mil (Tech. Sgt. Vernon Cunningham) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:29:44 +0000

Explosive ordnance disposal technicians are trained to apply classified techniques and special procedures to lessen or remove hazards created by the presence of unexploded military, criminal, biological, nuclear or terrorist homemade ordnance.

Airmen here help provide this training by fabricating EOD training aids for military customers.

The devices that are replicated at the 982nd Maintenance Squadron represent a considerable cost savings to the customer, said Roberto Huezo, the 982nd MXS trainer development flight chief.
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Air Force Top Stories: Lynn: Guam tours provide insight, perspective

afnews@dma.mil (Elaine Wilson) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:50:06 +0000

Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said a series of tours he'd taken on and above the island of Guam gave him broader insight into the challenges that lie ahead for that U.S. territory, as well as an appreciation of the historical significance of the region.

"It's very helpful to see the geography," Mr. Lynn said July 28 while en route home from Guam. "These are relatively small islands and understanding the limits and capacity of the islands is very important. It's difficult to do that without putting your eyes on location."
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Air Force Top Stories: Metals technology Airmen provide precision for unique challenges

afnews@dma.mil (Staff Sgt. Phillip Butterfield) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:45:03 +0000

When an aircraft comes back from a sortie broken, and the part to repair it doesn't exist in the supply chain, all hope for repair might feel lost. However, in the distance, an Airman wields a glimmering, 35,000 degree Fahrenheit light of hope.

The 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron's metals technology flight uses a lathe, drill press, torch and imagination to repair, and at times create, parts that are no longer available.

"If it's made of metal, and it's on this base, or you have a schematic of it, we can fix it or make it," said Senior Airman Lloyd Davis, a 332 EMXS metals technology journeyman.
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Air Force Top Stories: Wounded warriors help cancer survivor cycle to recovery

afnews@dma.mil (Senior Master Sgt. Michael Sanders) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:32:26 +0000

Last week, I hit the 2.5 year mark of being cancer free, and in that time I have been learning to accept the "new normal" that comes with that. Not everything will be as it was, but I do know that the Air Force that I serve in will be there to ensure I'm taken care of.

Earlier this year, I was selected to participate in the Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo., which was the military's first Paralympic-style competition of nine sports. Initially, I thought running would be my sport, but during preparation for the games, recumbent cycling unexpectedly made its way into my life.
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Aviation eBrief: Former Cirrus CEO to launch Kestrel brand in U.S.

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:21:47 +0000

Former Cirrus CEO Alan Klapmeier will lead Kestrel Aircraft, a company bringing the Kestrel turboprop single to the U.S. -More-

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Aviation eBrief: It's a buyer's market for business jets

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:21:47 +0000

Businesses looking at purchasing corporate aircraft should take advantage of a buyer's market for business jets, according to -More-

Aviation eBrief: PrivateSky Aviation receives certification for G550 repairs

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:21:47 +0000

PrivateSky Aviation Services in Fort Myers, Fla., is expanding its repair business to include Gulfstream G550 jets. -More-

Aviation eBrief: Q2 profit increases 4% at Honeywell, topping expectations

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:21:47 +0000

-More-

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Aviation eBrief: Indiana airport's takeoff, landing numbers are questioned

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:21:47 +0000

A TV station questioned the methodology for counting takeoffs and landings at the Peru Municipal Airport in Miami County, Ind -More-

Aviation eBrief: Montana airspace is restricted; Biden to visit

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:21:47 +0000

Airspace over Gallatin Field in Montana will be restricted intermittently over the next few days, which led to speculation th -More-

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Aviation eBrief: Aerospace manufacturers show off latest fuel-saving technologies

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:21:47 +0000

Fuel efficiency has been a major theme at the Farnborough International Airshow in England. -More-

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Aviation eBrief: Florida pilots restore Stearman biplane

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:21:47 +0000

Florida pilots Liz and Jonathan Amundsen spent their second date and honeymoon at the EAA Airventure in Oshkosh, Wis., and wi -More-

Aviation eBrief: Savor the views from ballooning over Napa Valley, Calif.

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:21:47 +0000

Hot air ballooning over Napa Valley, Calif., provides views of vineyards from a few hundred feet above the ground, according -More-

Aviation eBrief: 40 days and 40 nights: Pilot to visit 50 states

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:21:47 +0000

Pilot Michael Combs plans to travel to all 50 U.S. states in 40 days. -More-

Aviation eBrief: FAA establishes ADS-B rule-making committee

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:21:47 +0000

The Federal Aviation Administration has established an ADS-B In aviation rule-making committee with around 24 members. -More-

Aviation eBrief: Class C airspace over Long Beach not justified

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:21:47 +0000

The Los Angeles area contains some of the most complex and congested airspace in the country. -More-

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Aviation eBrief: Linda Henley,American consultant and motivational speaker

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:21:47 +0000

If you think of yourself as the woman in the Cartier watch and the Hermes scarf, a house fire will destroy not only your poss -More-

Popular Science - Military, Aviation and Space: The Army's New Robotic Tentacle Manipulator Uses Teams of Snakebots to Manipulate Objects

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:36:35 +0000

The Robotic Tentacle Manipulator T'Jae Gibson

Snake-like robots are nothing new -- for instance, Virginia Tech has developed some pretty amazing pole-climbing snakebots, and the Israeli military has a weaponized recon 'bot in the works -- but the U.S. Army Research Lab is taking military snakebots to a new level. Its Robotic Tentacle Manipulator is using snakebot tech to develop a scalable system in which several robots work in unison to manipulate objects.

Like many of its counterparts, the individual RTM snake can slither into tight spaces, climb impassible obstacles, or swim where soldiers cannot, all the while beaming back images to the soldier controlling it by remote. Each snake is equipped with a sensor array, not least of which is a LIDAR scanner that lets it render 3-D depictions of objects, landscapes, or faces.

But the snakes also work in groups, acting more like fingers or the tentacles of an octopus. Arranging several of them on a circular base creates an array that can gingerly pick up, rotate, and inspect an IED or possibly even open a door -- a seemingly simple task that falls outside the capabilities of most robotic platforms. Its touch sensitivity allows it to do delicate work -- you don't want to squeeze a live munition, for instance -- yet in tandem the snakes could be reasonably strong.

The developmental hardware that the RTM program is currently working with spun out of research into snakebots conducted in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Institute and consists of three 9.5-inch tentacles and a large screen laptop for the operator. The master program runs advanced algorithms that are able to manipulate the motors in each link of the snakes to work in concert as though they belong to single organism. But the system is completely scalable, so a small custom array could be designed to give the Army's Warrior robot system a more dexterous "hand," while larger tentacle arrays could be fitted to larger vehicles or robots.

[U.S. Army via CNET]

Air Force Top Stories: Last Air Force police transition team completes mission

afnews@dma.mil (Staff Sgt. Sanjay Allen) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:32:22 +0000

The final Air Force police transition team in Iraq completed its mission July 26 as Iraqi police officials have reached a self-sustaining level.

In a ceremony here, 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Det. 2 officials transferred authority to officials from the Army's 94th Military Police Company, who will be taking over in an advise and assist role with the Iraqi police.

"We're officially the final Air Force police transition team in Iraq," said Maj. David Lederer, the Det. 2 commander.
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General Aviation News: Tempest debuts spark plugs

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:37:03 +0000

Tempest has added a line of spark plugs to its brand of aviation products.

Aero Accessories, which manufactures carburetors and fuel pumps, ignition components, starters, oil and pneumatic filtration products and more, purchased the Unison AutoLite line of spark plugs last year and has now completed the relocation of spark plug manufacturing from Rockford, Ill., to its new manufacturing facility in Gibsonville, N.C. , John Herman, vp, said at this week’s AirVenture. He added the company has received FAA/PMA approvals and started shipping its massive premium spark plugs. Premium fine wire plugs will begin shipping in about four weeks, he said.

For more information: TempestPlus.com.

===> Posted on July 29, 2010 by Janice Wood. No comments. © GAN 2010

Popular Science - Military, Aviation and Space: X-Prize Challenge Offers $1.4 Million for Revolutionary Oil Cleanup Tech

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:26:44 +0000

The Spill is Capped, but the Oil Remains NASA

From the people that brought you private spaceflight and super-fuel-efficient automobiles comes the $1.4 million Wendy Schmidt Oil Cleanup X Challenge. X-Prize officials announced today a $1 million purse for the team that can demonstrate the most efficient method of capturing crude oil from the ocean surface.

Inspired, of course, by the ongoing Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico -- which as of this writing appears to still be contained -- the new X Challenge aims to provide impetus for both venture capital and innovative talent gravitate toward next-gen oil cleanup technology.

"The devastating impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill will last for years and it is inevitable that future spills will occur -- both from wells and from transport tankers," stated X-Prize Chairman Dr. Peter Diamandis at this morning's official announcement of the prize in Washington, D.C.

The challenge will be a two-stage affair. Phase one calls for those vying for the prize to put their technical approaches to the problem before a panel of judges that will evaluate them for feasibility, cost, scalability, environmental impact, and the degree to which the technology improves over current methods like skimming and booms.

Phase two, of course, is the demonstration of the technology in action. Competitors won't actually take their ideas to the Gulf for testing -- all evaluations will take place at the National Oil Spill Response Research & Renewable Energy Test Facility (OHSMETT) in New Jersey. But with any luck some of that technology will make it to the field eventually. The team with the single best technology will receive a $1 million prize purse, with second and third place taking home $300,000 and $100,000 respectively.

The prize's namesake and benefactor, Wendy Schmidt, is the wife of Google CEO Eric Schmidt and the philanthropic force behind a handful of charitable foundations, including the Schmidt Marine Science Research Institute, which she co-founded with her husband.

Popular Science - Military, Aviation and Space: As Debris Threatens ISS, NASA Releases Top-Ten List of Space Junk Culprits

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:27:57 +0000

Orbital Debris The dots on this NASA-generated chart represent known pieces of large orbital debris. NASA

The Fengyun satellite that China blew up in 2007 is space enemy number one

NASA has been tracking a piece of space junk on course for a near collision with the International Space Station this week, but while the agency continues to monitor the debris -- a leftover from China's brilliant shooting down of the Fengyun 1C weather satellite during a missile test in 2007 -- Russian Flight Control authorities have issued an all-clear, saying an avoidance maneuver will not be necessary.

This month, NASA's Orbital Debris Program Office released data naming the top ten incidents contributing to the space junk problem. The Fengyun fiasco is hands down the largest single contributor to the growing space junk crisis. NASA has identified some 19,000 objects larger than four inches that are running loose in orbit at extremely high rates of speed just waiting for a functioning satellite, a spacecraft, or the ISS to get in their paths. Of those, 2,841 are thought to have come from the destruction of Fengyun 1C.

Most of the garbage hurtling through space belongs to China and the Soviet Union, the report says, though Western commercial interests and space agencies also shoulder their shares of the blame. Some of the blame can even be divvied up; last year an operational Iridium communications satellite collided with a spent Russian Cosmos spacecraft, spawning nearly 2,000 pieces of smaller debris.

But Europe could soon take the top spot on the space junk tally. When the European Space Agency's Envisat Earth observation satellite goes defunct in three years, the ESA will be the proud owner of the largest and most dangerous piece of junk out there: a nearly 9-ton, $2.9 billion piece of orbiting detritus that won't be pulled into Earth's atmosphere for 150 years. The danger isn't that the massive satellite might slam into the ISS -- the chances of that are quite slim. But if it collides with another large piece of junk at high speed -- say, a rocket stage or another retired satellite -- the impact could release 10 times as much junk as the Iridium-Cosmos smash up.

With so much junk up there, the DoD has even warned of a scenario in which such a massive collision could trigger a cataclysmic chain reaction in which one impact begets another and then another until entire orbits are unusable. Unlikely, sure, but some insist it's possible. The good news is we're working on the problem. Northrop Grumman is working with DARPA to develop a ground-based radar system to help track space debris from the ground, and the U.S. Air Force is planning to launch a Space-Based Space Surveillance satellite in the near future that will help direct traffic in space. Assuming, of course, a piece of orbiting junk doesn't knock it clean out of the sky.

[Space, Network World, Voice of Russia]

Aviation eBrief: Congress delays FAA reauthorization; safety rules to move separately