International Aerospace Discussion - Jan 2018

[sanman]

[sanman]

SpaceX carried out their first static fire test of Booster 10 in preparation for their Integrated Flight Test #3, which will likely launch in Jan 2024.

It should be appreciated that they got all 33 engines firing for a full 10 seconds on this very first test for Booster 10.
The previous Booster 9's static fire test had only been for 5 seconds, by comparison.
Amazing admirable work.

[Neela]

Gents,
can someone identify the aircraft
https://twitter.com/tesscornsystems/sta ... 9654035911

[chiru]

Saab Gripen

[sanman]

Astrobotics Peregrine Lunar Lander, the first US moon-landing attempt in 50 years, has suffered some serious problems, including a significant fuel leak, and may not be able to carry out its mission:

https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireSto ... -106186243

Apparently, the spacecraft started losing its orientation towards the sun, which is required for its solar panels to charge its batteries.
They tried a correction maneuver, but again found it was losing its orientation. Fuel pressure was dropping, so they realized it was a fuel leak which was blowing the spacecraft out of position. At this rate, they will not even be able to achieve lunar orbit insertion. Very sad and unfortunate -- hopefully they'll be able to try again.

[Najunamar]

I don’t like the scientific payload going waste, but the idea of human remains to litter the moon in some grandiose gesture died a good death. Somewhat good if it propels them to think of better experiments than that.

[sanman]

So J-31 is meant for lower-speed role, based on its intakes? Or else what?

[Rakesh]

Dassault Aviation receives an order for 42 Rafales for the French Air and Space Force
https://www.dassault-aviation.com/en/gr ... ace-force/
12 January 2024

[sanman]

NASA unveils its extremely long-nosed X-59 test aircraft, meant to develop quiet supersonic transport technology:

[sanman]

An eye-opening display of Boeing's manufacturing quality -- or lack of it:

[drnayar]

China parts from suppliers?!

[sanman]

Elon Musk recaps 2023 SpaceX achievements, and reveals amazing 2024 plans

[hgupta]

Elon is just amazing. Without Elon, the world wouldn't be where it is now. I am actually envious of Elon.

[sanman]

Elon is just amazing. Without Elon, the world wouldn't be where it is now. I am actually envious of Elon.

Just imagine - 80% of all payload mass going to orbit is now done thru SpaceX. With the much larger Starship soon coming into service, that percentage will only increase. ISRO will definitely have to prioritize development of NGLV in order to remain viable in the marketplace.

Nevertheless, Musk's promises of landing humans on Mars in 8 years seems wildly optimistic.
Any such attempt would be at high risk of being a one-way trip.


Meanwhile, other US space outfits are coming out with their interesting products, like the upcoming Dreamchaser shuttle:

[hgupta]

Elon is just amazing. Without Elon, the world wouldn't be where it is now. I am actually envious of Elon.

Just imagine - 80% of all payload mass going to orbit is now done thru SpaceX. With the much larger Starship soon coming into service, that percentage will only increase. ISRO will definitely have to prioritize development of NGLV in order to remain viable in the marketplace.

Nevertheless, Musk's promises of landing humans on Mars in 8 years seems wildly optimistic.
Any such attempt would be at high risk of being a one-way trip.


Meanwhile, other US space outfits are coming out with their interesting products, like the upcoming Dreamchaser shuttle:

And you should pay attention to what the Chinese space companies are doing. Last I heard, there are over 5 Chinese space companies with rockets already launched!! And they launched 66 rockets. China is seeking to match SpaceX's cadence.

[sanman]

And you should pay attention to what the Chinese space companies are doing. Last I heard, there are over 5 Chinese space companies with rockets already launched!! And they launched 66 rockets. China is seeking to match SpaceX's cadence.

I do follow what they're doing. Here's a good channel that follows their activities:

[Rakesh]

France buys 42 Rafale jets for more than $5.5 billion
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2024/01 ... 5-billion/
12 Jan 2024

The purchase comes as French lawmakers express concerns about the Franco-German project to develop a successor to the Rafale. The Future Combat Air System, as it’s known, isn’t expected to enter service before 2045 or 2050, according to the French Senate’s defense committee.

[sanman]

Japan has landed on the Moon -- but their lander seems to be losing power at a rapid rate.

There's a possibility that it tipped over when it landed, so that it's tilted on its side with its solar panels pointing the wrong way:

[hanumadu]

They attempted something unique and cool. The lander becomes the rover but the crucial manoeuvre of turning on to the side so it could land on the wheels failed.

[sanman]

They attempted something unique and cool. The lander becomes the rover but the crucial manoeuvre of turning on to the side so it could land on the wheels failed.

I don't think that's how it works. The lander is just a lander, and is not meant to be a rover. There are 2 mobile "rovers" -- one of them hops around, and the other is a ball that rolls around.

The thing is that this lander was supposed to come in at a tilted angle, and then go upright just before touchdown -- and that last part is what it failed to do properly. That's why it's now sitting on its side, with its solar panels pointed the wrong way, and losing power.

[sanman]

Why the world is rushing back to the Moon

[sanman]

Iran launches satellite into orbit

[Rakesh]

The only way is Tempest
https://www.aerosociety.com/news/the-on ... s-tempest/

Comment on the above article...

https://x.com/elmihiro/status/1748015530236416136?s=20 ---> Illuminating read on why the F-35 experience was a big letdown for the UK. A Level 1 partner that contributed some key technologies to the program is unable to pull sensor data and share it with other platforms, and has no control over mission data files.

https://x.com/elmihiro/status/1748016102540800441?s=20 --->

[Rakesh]

The only way is Tempest
https://www.aerosociety.com/news/the-on ... s-tempest/

Comment on the above article...

Another comment on the article...

https://x.com/MacaulaysMonkey/status/17 ... 22461?s=20 ---> The only way to create a credible Indian defence ecosystem is Indian designed, developed & manufactured, i.e. IDDM. Britain learnt to its cost that the F-35 just didn’t work for it despite the claim of 15% British content. The only way to build that defence ecosystem is the DRDO.

[sanman]

Hermeus hypersonic transport jet

[hanumadu]

They attempted something unique and cool. The lander becomes the rover but the crucial manoeuvre of turning on to the side so it could land on the wheels failed.

I don't think that's how it works. The lander is just a lander, and is not meant to be a rover. There are 2 mobile "rovers" -- one of them hops around, and the other is a ball that rolls around.

The thing is that this lander was supposed to come in at a tilted angle, and then go upright just before touchdown -- and that last part is what it failed to do properly. That's why it's now sitting on its side, with its solar panels pointed the wrong way, and losing power.

At 2:30 in the video you posted by Scott Manly clearly says the lander has wheels on one of the sides and it was to be tilted to the side so it can land on the wheels. I am assuming if it has wheels, it's meant to be moved around.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/Gabriel64869839/status/17 ... 64716?s=20 ---> The software for the GCAP/Tempest demonstrator has been written and is already being "tested to a very high standard of maturity", while the aircraft itself is in build, according to Herman Claesen, managing director FCAS at BAE Systems.

https://x.com/Gabriel64869839/status/17 ... 31728?s=20 ---> He also says that, while BAE continues to work with the MOD to define the uncrewed part of the future combat air solution, "we are looking at building a demonstrator". There have been, notoriously, mock ups, but having a flying demonstrator would be a step up.

https://x.com/Gabriel64869839/status/17 ... 06048?s=20 ---> Nick Laird, Managing Director at Spirit AeroSystem is also upbeat despite the "managed closure" of MOSQUITO project for their own demonstrator. Both the company and MOD gathered precious data, says the programme is still considered a success. Spirit joined team Tempest in 2020.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/AdithyaKM_/status/1751118 ... 93927?s=20 ---> Turkey may spend ~ $23 billion for 40 new F-16 Block 70s and comprehensively modernize 79 F-16s. Plus lots of American munitions, although Turkey has equivalents. Similarly, India will comprehensively upgrade Su-30MKI, but fully with Indian munitions & avionics. Affordable & scalable.

[sanman]

At 2:30 in the video you posted by Scott Manly clearly says the lander has wheels on one of the sides and it was to be tilted to the side so it can land on the wheels. I am assuming if it has wheels, it's meant to be moved around.

Japan's lander is back in operation, after shutting down for 10 days

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orkHpy_EUD0

[Rakesh]

France wants to turn to the Swedish Saab GlobalEye to replace its Awacs planes
https://meta-defense.fr/2024/01/30/saab ... ron-suede/
30 Jan 2024

[Rakesh]

South Korea to start mass production of KF-21 fighter jets
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2024/02 ... hter-jets/
02 Feb 2024

[Rakesh]

First Phase of Taiwan F-16V Program Is Complete
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/first ... -complete/
05 Feb 2024

[Rakesh]

From the stealth of the Rafale to the stealth of the F-22
https://aircosmosinternational.com/arti ... adars-3258
14 Oct 2022

The concept of stealth is much broader than the simple principle of avoiding the return of radar waves to its transmitter. The Rafale and the F-22 are thus based on different concepts.

[pravula]

Indonesia scraps plan to buy Mirage fighter jets from Qatar
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerosp ... 024-02-11/
11 Feb 2024

[Rakesh]

Indonesia scraps plan to buy Mirage fighter jets from Qatar
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerosp ... 024-02-11/
11 Feb 2024

Some more info in this article...

Indonesia says it canceled purchase of 12 used Mirage 2000-5s from Qatar
https://www.opex360.com/2024/02/11/lind ... -du-qatar/
11 Feb 2024

[Rakesh]

Mirage-2000: Indonesia Officially Rejects 2nd-Hand Qatari Jets; India Potential Buyer Of Greek Jets?
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/mirage-20 ... nd-qatari/
11 Feb 2024

About the sturdiness of the aircraft, Colonel Zikidis drew attention to an incident from 1991 involving a Mirage-2000 of the Hellenic Air Force (Serial Number 215). He said, “In 1991, one Mirage-2000 of the Hellenic Air Force (S/N 215) had an issue with its engine. The pilot aligned the aircraft course with train rails and ejected safely, and the aircraft landed itself on the train rails! Subsequently, the aircraft was repaired (we replaced the wings), and it flew for another three decades!”

Colonel Zikidis recounted another incident from 1997 when a Greek pilot experienced spatial disorientation during a nighttime flight and executed an almost flawless landing on the sea. “However, the aircraft sank, and unfortunately, the pilot drowned (he did not eject, and he remained tied to his seat). After three days, we took the aircraft (S/N 210) out of the sea. There was a special process to inhibit corrosion, and the aircraft was checked for structural damage without any found! He added that it was repaired in France some years later and flew for another two decades!” he added.

[Rakesh]

Dutch court orders halt to export of F-35 jet parts to Israel
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/12/dutch-c ... srael.html
12 Feb 2024

[Rakesh]

Turkey's 5th generation fighter, Kaan just had her first flight.

VIDEO: https://x.com/Fighterman_FFRC/status/17 ... 06331?s=20 ---> Official footage of Turkiye's KAAN fighter first flight.

VIDEO: https://x.com/halukgorgun/status/176023 ... 80501?s=20

https://x.com/alpha_defense/status/1760 ... 46421?s=20 ---> KAAN fighter jet during take off.

[basant]

South Korea and Turkey may have flying 4.5+/5G fighters but we will have better specs.

[Vivek K]

Their fighters are no match for IAFs spec writers and quality demanders! Should send them on a witches broom to fight the opposition.