French Satellite Launch Specialist To Build Domestic Reusable Launch System

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire recently voiced plans for local space services purveyor ArianeGroup to compete with businesses in the U.S. by developing a series of reusable launch systems. "For the first time Europe...will have access to a reusable launcher. In other words, we will have our SpaceX, we will have our Falcon 9. We will make up for a bad strategic choice made 10 years ago," Le Maire said during a trip to their Normandy factory. The area builds their current single-use rocket systems used in satellite delivery.

AFMs to Prohibit Radio Altimeter Use by NOTAMS At Appropriate Airports

The FAA has issued 2 new airworthiness directives regarding the impending (and temporarily postponed) rollout of 5G networks. An addition to the approved AFMs for transport and commuter category aircraft will be amended with updated radio altimeter flight restrictions, for select locations to be named by NOTAMs for the area. The agency also invites aeronautical, avionics, and telecommunications companies to help identify exactly which areas are most likely to develop signal interference or altimeter errors. The agency is on a shorter timeline than usual, noting that a number of 5G network providers are due to begin service in January 2022. The public has 45 days to review and comment on the changes, with the amendments effective once published to the federal register.

First of the Artemis Generation Set to Begin Training in January

The National Aeronautic Space Administration released the list of its newest class of astronaut candidates, naming 10 of the newest generation to a pilot corps that hasn't seen new blood in more than 4 years. Administrator Bill Nelson presented the membership at an event at Ellington Field Near the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. “Today we welcome 10 new explorers, 10 members of the Artemis generation, NASA’s 2021 astronaut candidate class,” Nelson said in his address. “Alone, each candidate has ‘the right stuff,’ but together they represent the creed of our country: E pluribus unum – out of many, one." 

Panel Farms Need Automated Cleaning, Say Israeli Firms

Airobotics will bring its UAS, drone, and aerial data expertise to bear alongside Solar Drone's know-how in solar farm services. The two companies will develop and supply a unique, automated panel cleaning system that includes the necessary docking system, battery replacement, and cleaner replenishment services. In the sustainable, green future so often imagined by writers and dreamers of a better world, few watch the vast sci-fi landscapes with thought towards who will actually clean everything. Those acquainted with even small, domestic solar panels are quickly acquainted with the drop in output when obscured with dirt, sand, or grime.

'SpaceX Crew Transportation System Is The Only One Certified To Meet NASA’s Safety Requirements'

NASA intends to issue a sole source modification to SpaceX to acquire up to three additional crew flights to the International Space Station as part of its Commercial Crew Transportation Capabilities (CCtCap) contract. The additional crew flights allow NASA to maintain an uninterrupted U.S. capability for human access to the space station. In October, NASA issued a request for information from American industry capable of providing safe, reliable, and cost-effective human space transportation services to and from the International Space Station to ensure a continuous human presence aboard the microgravity laboratory.

Tragically, This Is The Accident That Took The Life of Blue Origin Space Tourist Glenn de Vries

On November 11, 2021, about 1048 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172S, N90559, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Branchville, New Jersey. The flight instructor and a private pilot receiving instruction were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. Preliminary flight track data was obtained from OpsVue, a commercially available web-based product that geo-reference’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data sources. Review of the flight track data revealed the airplane departed from Essex County Airport (CDW), Caldwell, New Jersey about 1030 and flew predominately in a northwesterly direction as it climbed.