ESA and ANU make space propulsion breakthrough

Posted at: Thu Jan 12th, 2006

The European Space Agency and the Australian National University have successfully tested a new design of spacecraft ion engine that dramatically improves performance over present thrusters and marks a major step forward in space propulsion capability.

Missile Defense Program Moves Forward

Posted at: Thu Jan 12th, 2006

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2006 - The Missile Defense Agency continues to move forward in its efforts to protect the nation against a ballistic missile attack. In December, the Missile Defense Agency placed its eighth interceptor missile into an underground silo at Fort Greely, Alaska. Two ...

Japan to deploy either the Predator or Global Hawk UAV by 2007

Posted at: Thu Jan 12th, 2006

LONDON--Defense Agency chief Fukushiro Nukaga confirmed Wednesday that Japan will deploy U.S.-made unmanned reconnaissance planes as early as fiscal 2007, and that the selection process will move into high gear in March. In response to questions from reporters accompanying him on a v...

NASA Drops Requirement For Methane Engine From CEV

Posted at: Thu Jan 12th, 2006

Congressional pressure to avoid a gap in U.S. human space access is behind a NASA push to accelerate the first piloted flight of the planned Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV). While President Bush originally wanted an operation CEV by 2014, the final RFP for the shuttle replacement call...

Air Force cuts F-117, B-52, adds F-22s

Posted at: Thu Jan 12th, 2006

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- The Air Force wants to retire the entire F-117 stealth fighter fleet by 2008 and cut the fleet of B-52 bombers in half, but increase the buy of its cherished F-22 fighter from 17...

Sweden in further bid to entice deal on jets

Posted at: Thu Jan 12th, 2006

With a decision on the procurement of new jetfighters for the Royal Thai Air Force reportedly having come down to either Russian or US aircraft, Sweden, the other prospective vendor, was pressing the case for its aircraft yesterday. Lars Danielsson, deputy minister of the Swedish Prime Minister’s ...