There are lots of leadership positions; CEO, CFO, and COO to name a few. And, there are lots of industries in which to lead, but I want to suggest one that might be close to the pinnacle, Flight Director at NASA. Talk about tough! You’re corralling, pilots, engineers, doctors, researchers, countless technicians, and an ocean of support staff, all around the completion of a mission taking place in the harshest conditions known to man. Add to that that there are lives in the balance, and you have one of the most stressful leadership environments on the planet. Their success is based on their ability to work the problems they face as they arise.
Steely-Eyed Missile Man
Perhaps the most famous of these stellar leaders was Gene Kranz. They said he defined the tough and competent model that created the highest compliment given to mission folks and he was a steely-eyed missile man!
Kranz was the flight director on Gemini missions and then, as the space program transitioned, he moved to the fabled Apollo program. He directed Apollo 11’s mission to the moon as well as Apollo 17, our last manned exploration of our moon. He also guided STS-51-L, the shuttle mission that repaired the Hubble Space Telescope giving us a peek into creation.
Kranz was perhaps most famous for leading the teams that brought safely home the astronauts of the trouble-plagued Apollo 13 mission.
Apollo 13 experienced what seemed to be an insurmountable series of problems. One disaster after another piled up, each with numerous problems to be solved. As the lives of the three astronauts were clinging to a seemingly unsolvable situation, Kranz directed his team through setback after setback. Each trouble represented a new challenge. He did this by utilizing a leader’s most critical skill set – FOCUS. He chanted WORK THE PROBLEM after each obstacle. WORK THE PROBLEM. He warned; “don’t make it worse by guessing.” Let’s make sure we have a firm understanding of what’s going on and when we have that in hand; WORK THE PROBLEM. Many of the problems he faced were cursed with complex puzzles, but Kranz knew he could only get through them one piece at a time.
The Benefits of Experience
Kranz knew what he was doing. He had been there at the Apollo 1 disaster when three astronauts lost their lives in an explosive fire during ground testing of the capsule. “We didn’t do our job. We rolled the dice and hoped things would come together by launch day. In our hearts, we were just hoping for a miracle.” Instead, it was a gut-wrenching heartbreaking disaster.
Kranz never let his focus waver – WORK THE PROBLEM.
Andy Weir’s fantastic novel, The Martian, and the equally wonderful Ridley Scott film of the same name is all about this three-word mantra – WORK THE PROBLEM.
Mar’s astronaut, Mark Whatley, was stranded alone on the red planet. Every decision he had to make revolved around WORKING THE PROBLEM. At the end of the film he told a group of NASA student astronauts;
“You begin. You do the math. You solve one problem, then the next one and then the next one. If you solve enough problems, you get to come home.”
How to Work the Problem
The formula is elegantly simple:
- Define the problem so there is understanding. State it out loud. Sketch it out so you can see it.
- Break it into pieces if you need to.
- WORK THE PROBLEM.
Stay focused. Lead your teams. WORK THE PROBLEM!
If you’re looking for more resources on how to lead your teams, here is a quick piece we did on the 3 keys to leading effective teams.


Welcome to the official AIR-ONE web site.
The AIR-ONE Emergency Response Coalition, Inc. supports the AIR-ONE Public Agency, which in turn supports first-responder agencies with helicopter air-support for search & rescue, disaster relief and numerous other missions.
Known by their familiar "AIR-ONE" call sign, these helicopters are frequently called upon by emergency management, law enforcement and fire/rescue agencies who would otherwise not have air support capabilities available.
AIR-ONE Emergency Response Coalition, Inc. is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3, charitable organization, supporting the Air-One Public Agency which is managed and staffed by experienced professionals, most volunteers, from the aviation, law enforcement, emergency management and fire-rescue sectors.
All of us at AIR-ONE welcome you to our web site. We encourage you to visit each section to learn more about our mission, our people and the aircraft involved in providing this much needed air support service. We also encourage you to consider supporting the mission. Since 2003 AIR-ONE has been supporting this valuable service which is focused on increased safety for the public and all first responders.
We need your support to help continue this mission well into the future!
Thank you for visiting.


Drone footage takes a video project to the next level, accommodating for stunning aerial landscape and cityscape shots. We provide drone footage for special events, real estate advertisement materials, large scale art displays, live performances and more! If you’re curious about shooting with drones, contact our team and we’ll be happy to do the background research on fly zone regulations in your area. Check out some of our previous projects with drone videography below!
Qualifications: Licensed by the FAA with Part 107 Small Drone Pilot License


Victoria Pedraza | 2/1/2024
Amelia Earhart's impact on the world of aviation is an indelible testament to her courage and adventurous spirit. Born in the heartland of America in 1897, in Atchison, Kansas, Earhart's fascination with flight began at an early age. Her journey, however, was no ordinary one. In an era when aviation was predominantly a male domain, Earhart fearlessly charted her course through the skies, defying societal expectations. Her groundbreaking achievements, such as becoming the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, were not just milestones for her but represented a giant leap forward for women in aeronautics. Amelia Earhart emerged as a symbol of tenacity, proving that the sky was not the limit for women with dreams as vast as the horizon.
Yet, amidst her triumphs, the narrative of Amelia Earhart takes a mysterious turn. The pinnacle of her aviation career was shadowed by the inexplicable disappearance during her daring attempt to circumnavigate the globe in 1937. This unexpected turn of events transformed Earhart from a celebrated aviator into an enduring enigma. The circumstances surrounding her vanishing act have fueled endless speculation, creating a captivating mystery that has persisted for decades. The very uncertainty of her fate has added layers to the legacy of Amelia Earhart, turning her into an iconic figure whose life and disappearance continue to captivate the imagination of people across the globe.
Amelia Earhart's story resonates not only as a tale of personal triumph but as a beacon of inspiration for future generations. Her fearless pursuit of dreams, coupled with the undeniable mark she left on aviation, has empowered countless women to soar to new heights. The mystery surrounding her disappearance serves as a poignant reminder that even in the face of uncertainty, the spirit of adventure and the pursuit of dreams are forces that transcend time. Amelia Earhart's legacy endures as a narrative of courage, achievement, and the enduring allure of the unexplored skies.
Amelia Earhart's early life laid the foundation for the extraordinary career that would unfold against the backdrop of the aviation revolution. Born in the heartland of America in 1897, Earhart's curiosity about the skies was ignited at a young age. Growing up in Atchison, Kansas, she was captivated by the daredevil aviators who took to the air in the nascent days of flight. This early fascination with aviation became the spark that ignited a lifelong passion, propelling her toward a destiny that would transcend the conventional roles assigned to women in the early 20th century.
In a time when societal norms were rigidly defined, Earhart courageously challenged the status quo by venturing into the male-dominated realm of aviation. Driven by an unwavering determination, she sought to unravel the mysteries of the skies and earn her place among the pioneering aviators of her time. Her groundbreaking achievements were not only a testament to her skill but also a resounding declaration that gender should never be a barrier to pursuing one's aspirations. The turning point came when Earhart achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first female aviator to fly solo across the treacherous expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. This milestone not only showcased her mastery of aviation but also shattered preconceived notions about the capabilities of women in a field traditionally dominated by men.
Undeterred by challenges, Amelia Earhart's list of accomplishments continued to grow, reinforcing her position as a trailblazer in the world of aviation. Her solo flight from Hawaii to California stands as another testament to her audacity and skill. Each achievement not only etched her name in the annals of aviation history but also opened doors for aspiring female pilots, paving the way for future generations to follow in her trail. Earhart's unwavering passion for pushing the boundaries of what was deemed possible made her a beacon of inspiration, leaving an indelible mark on the history of flight and redefining the possibilities for women in aviation.
Why was she important?
Amelia Earhart's significance transcends the realm of aviation, positioning her as a symbol of empowerment and a catalyst for social change. Beyond the accolades of record-breaking flights, Earhart emerged as a trailblazer who shattered the glass ceiling of gender norms, leaving an enduring impact on the trajectory of women's empowerment.
At a time when societal expectations dictated restrictive roles for women, Earhart fearlessly challenged the status quo. Her achievements in aviation served as more than personal triumphs; they became a rallying point for women aspiring to break free from the constraints of traditional gender roles. As a symbol of empowerment, Earhart inspired countless individuals to pursue their dreams with unwavering determination, irrespective of gender barriers.
Amelia Earhart's commitment to the cause of women's rights extended beyond the cockpit. Recognizing the power of her platform, she became a tireless advocate for gender equality, using her influence to challenge ingrained beliefs that certain professions were reserved exclusively for men. By speaking out against societal limitations and advocating for women's rights, Earhart not only paved the way for women in aviation but also became a beacon of hope for those striving to defy expectations in various fields.
In the realm of aviation, Earhart's achievements were transformative. By proving that women could excel in a field traditionally dominated by men, she not only dismantled stereotypes but also opened doors for future generations of female pilots and astronauts. Earhart's legacy continues to inspire women worldwide, reminding them that the sky is not the limit, but rather a canvas upon which they can paint their dreams, unburdened by societal constraints. Her impact on the ongoing journey toward gender equality remains a testament to the enduring power of individual determination to reshape the course of history.
The Mystery of Her Disappearance
The enigma surrounding Amelia Earhart's disappearance in 1937 has become an enduring puzzle, casting a shadow over her illustrious career and adding an air of mystery to her legacy. As one of the greatest mysteries in aviation history, Earhart's vanishing act occurred during her audacious attempt to circumnavigate the globe, a daring endeavor that gripped the world's imagination.
Countless theories and speculations have emerged over the years, attempting to unravel the circumstances of her disappearance. Some propose the possibility of navigational errors, suggesting that Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan might have strayed off course, leading to an unforeseen tragedy. Others delve into more mysterious and sinister possibilities, invoking tales of secret missions, espionage, or encounters with uncharted territories.
Despite the passage of decades, the allure of Amelia Earhart's mystery persists. Ongoing search efforts, fueled by advances in technology, continue to captivate the public's attention. The quest to uncover the truth behind her disappearance has led to expeditions, deep-sea dives, and cutting-edge forensic analyses. While some discoveries have offered tantalizing clues, the ultimate fate of Amelia Earhart remains elusive, perpetuating the fascination with her story.
The mystery of her disappearance adds a poignant layer to an already remarkable narrative. It transforms Earhart from a mere historical figure into an icon shrouded in intrigue. The unresolved nature of her fate ensures that discussions and debates surrounding her disappearance endure, keeping her legacy alive in the collective consciousness. Amelia Earhart's story, marked by triumphs and mysteries alike, serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of exploration and the insatiable human curiosity that persists in the face of the unknown.
Amelia Earhart's legacy is a rich tapestry woven with threads of triumphs and mysteries that have left an indelible mark on the annals of history. Her pioneering spirit, soaring through the skies and breaking barriers, not only elevated her own achievements in aviation but also became a guiding light for women around the world. As the first female aviator to accomplish groundbreaking feats, Earhart shattered the constraints of gender norms and became a symbol of empowerment.
Yet, her story is not one that ends neatly with a final chapter. The enduring mystery surrounding her disappearance in 1937 adds a layer of complexity to her narrative. While the enigma may persist, Amelia Earhart's impact on the world of aviation and women's empowerment remains resolute and undeniable. Her legacy is etched in the aspirations of countless women who have been inspired to defy expectations and pursue their dreams with unyielding determination.
As we reflect on Amelia Earhart's life and celebrate her remarkable achievements, it is crucial to acknowledge the enduring fascination with the unresolved mystery of her disappearance. Her story serves as a powerful reminder to embrace the unknown, to push the boundaries of what is deemed possible, and to celebrate the indomitable spirit of those who dare to dream. Amelia Earhart's legacy continues to inspire, encouraging us to navigate uncharted territories, both in the skies and in our own aspirations, and to honor the courageous trailblazers who pave the way for future generations.


In today’s fast-paced world, time is a precious commodity. For those who can afford it, chartering a private jet can be an efficient and luxurious way to travel. However, while private jets offer convenience and comfort, it’s essential to prioritize safety above all else. This article delves into four crucial aspects of private jet safety that every traveler should be aware of when considering charter jet services.
1. Stringent Maintenance Standards
One of the fundamental pillars of private jet safety is the rigorous maintenance standards that these aircraft must adhere to. Unlike commercial airlines, private jet operators typically own and maintain their fleets, which means they have a direct stake in ensuring the aircraft’s safety and reliability.
A charter jet in NYC includes regular inspections, servicing, and adherence to manufacturer-recommended maintenance schedules. Maintenance crews are highly trained and certified to handle various technical issues, ensuring that the aircraft is in optimal condition before every flight.
Additionally, private jet operators often invest in state-of-the-art maintenance facilities equipped with advanced diagnostic tools. These facilities play a critical role in promptly identifying and addressing potential safety concerns.
2. Experienced and Well-Trained Crew
The quality and experience of the flight crew are paramount to private jet safety. Private jet pilots undergo rigorous training and certification processes, often surpassing the requirements of commercial airline pilots. Their training includes emergency procedures, advanced navigation systems, and proficiency in operating specific aircraft models.
Furthermore, private jet crews are generally more experienced due to the smaller and more exclusive nature of the industry. These seasoned professionals are well-versed in handling a wide range of scenarios, from adverse weather conditions to medical emergencies.
Before every flight, the crew conducts thorough pre-flight safety checks, ensuring that all systems are functioning correctly. This dedication to safety extends to the cabin crew, who are trained to provide excellent service while being prepared to handle emergency situations with composure and efficiency.
3. Stringent Safety Regulations and Auditing
The private jet industry operates under strict regulatory oversight to maintain the highest safety standards. National aviation authorities, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States, impose stringent regulations on private jet operations. These regulations cover everything from pilot qualifications to aircraft maintenance and safety procedures.
In addition to government regulations, many private jet operators voluntarily undergo third-party safety audits and certifications. Independent organizations like the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) and the Aviation Research Group/US (ARG/US) conduct these audits. Successfully passing these audits demonstrates a commitment to safety that goes beyond mere compliance with legal requirements.
For travelers, this means that when you choose a private jet charter company that has undergone these safety audits, you can have confidence in the high level of safety and professionalism that they offer.
4. Modern Aircraft and Advanced Technology
Advancements in aircraft technology have played a significant role in enhancing private jet safety. Many private jet operators invest in new and modern aircraft equipped with cutting-edge safety features. These aircraft often incorporate the latest in avionics, navigation systems, and communication tools, ensuring higher safety and reliability.
One notable safety feature found in modern private jets is the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS). EGPWS provides real-time alerts to pilots about potential collisions with terrain, helping to prevent accidents in challenging weather conditions or unfamiliar terrain. Moreover, private jets are equipped with advanced weather radar systems that allow pilots to navigate around severe weather, minimizing turbulence and ensuring a smoother and safer flight experience for passengers.
When it comes to private jet safety, there’s more to it than just the luxurious travel experience. Stringent maintenance standards, experienced and well-trained crews, rigorous safety regulations, and modern aircraft with advanced technology collectively contribute to heightened safety for private jet travelers. Choosing a private jet charter company that prioritizes safety and adheres to these principles ensures that you can enjoy the convenience and comfort of chartering a private jet while having peace of mind on your journey.


Blue Origin, billionaire Jeff Bezos’ rocket company, disclosed US$2 million as the current highest bid for a seat on its New Shepherd spacecraft after the startup closed the first phase of its auction, Reuters reports.
The second phase of the auction is underway and will last until June 10. The process will conclude in a final phase on June 12 with a live online auction. (www.blueorigin.com) The rocket company is targeting July 20 for its first suborbital sightseeing trip on its spacecraft, a landmark moment in a competition to usher in a new era of private commercial space travel.
The New Shepard rocket-and-capsule combo is designed to autonomously fly six passengers more than 62 miles (100 km) above Earth into suborbital space.


Oklahoma Jet Support Center specializes in Inspections, repair, modification, and troubleshooting for the Citation 500/550 Series, Hawker 600/700 Series, Learjet 20 Series, 1125 Astra, and 1124 Westwind aircraft. We also provide Avionics support, fuel leak repairs or cell replacement.
All Inspections include at no additional cost:
- 5 Point Run on Hawker, Westwind, and Astra
- Avionics Check
- Fuel Leak Check
- Cap Check and/or Deep Cycle Ships Batteries
- All Inspection Materials
- Post Inspection Pre-Flight Run
- Complete Log Book Research and Future Maintenance Report
Oklahoma Jet Support Center is an FAA Certified Repair Station.
Owners rely on our many years of Citation, Hawker, Learjet, Astra, and Westwind maintenance and support experience because we are known for quality and safety, fully complying with the FAA's safety and regulatory standards.
We can conduct major maintenance workscopes, with a team of Technicians who have the training and tooling to perform the simplest to the most complex repairs on your aircraft.
Oklahoma Jet Support Center is an Authorized 1124 Westwind Maintenance Service Center and a Turbine Engine Specialist Service Center for the TFE731 engines. We have fuel leak repair and fuel cell replacement Technicians at our maintenance facility on a full time basis. Our back shop capabilities provide many other services required to support the Citation, Hawker, Learjet, Astra, and Westwind aircraft.
The Oklahoma Jet Support Center facility has a modern hangar and back shops that can accommodate seven Corporate Business Aircraft at one time. A large Pilots' Lounge with cable television and vending area. Office and crew car is provided for our customers' use.
Our owner, Wayne O'Berg, is widely respected by owners, pilots and other service facilities. Wayne is the Owner and Director of Operations at Oklahoma Jet Support Center and is considered an expert in the Business Aviation industry where his name earns him instant recognition.
Wayne has an Aeronautical Engineering Degree, Airframe and Powerplant License (since 1960), and assisted with the systems engineering on the Jet Commander. Wayne has worked on incident reconstruction with the NTSB, FAA, IAI, Insurance Companies and owners and has been instrumental in initiating several Service Bulletins during his career.
Wayne has traveled as far as South America to teach maintenance courses.
To reach Wayne anytime:
Call (405) 787-8111
Oklahoma Jet Support Center is usually scheduled at full capacity and appreciates scheduling your Aircraft for maintenance as far in advance as possible. However, if you have an emergency, we will as always make every effort to satisfy your needs.
Oklahoma Jet Support Center will always work with our customers to establish a compatible schedule. Your schedule is very important to us, as well as to you, so you can expect to see our lights burning all night if that is what it takes to return your aircraft to you in the time you requested.
Oklahoma Jet Support Center is pleased to answer any questions you have regarding your Flight Department needs. Because our customerís needs are very important, no question is insignificant.
Oklahoma Jet Support Center has a convenient 24 hour-a-day, 7 day-a-week number where you can leave a message. Wayne also provides home and cell phone numbers to all of his clients.


This fulldome planetarium show about asteroids explores how they can tell us more about the origins of our solar system, how they could provide stepping-stones for human space exploration, and how they can pose a potential danger to life on Earth. There is so much to learn about asteroids in this visually stunning fulldome planetarium show from National Geographic. If you want to see asteroids as if you just landed on one, this is the show for you! Plus, each screening will include a “Live” planetarium show about the NASA’s OSIRIS-REX mission to return a sample from an asteroid! The University of Arizona is leading the first NASA mission that will fly to an asteroid and return to Earth with a pristine sample.
Show Times (January January 9th - May 11, 2017)


The Apollo 11 mission was the first manned lunar landing. It was the fifth manned mission in the Apollo program.
The first Apollo landing site, in the southern Sea of Tranquility about 20 km (12 mi) southwest of the crater Sabine D, was selected in part because it had been characterized as relatively flat and smooth by the automated Ranger 8 and Surveyor 5 landers, as well as by Lunar Orbiter mapping spacecraft, and therefore unlikely to present major landing or EVA challenges. Armstrong bestowed the name ‘Tranquillity Base’ on the landing site immediately after touchdown.
On July 20, 1969, while on the far side of the Moon, the lunar module, called “Eagle,” separated from the Command Module, named “Columbia”. Collins, now alone aboard Columbia, carefully inspected Eagle as it pirouetted before him. Soon after, Armstrong and Aldrin fired Eagle’s engine and began their descent. They soon saw that they were “running long”; Eagle was 4 seconds further along its descent trajectory than planned, and would land miles west of the intended site. The LM navigation and guidance computer reported several “program alarms” as it guided the LM’s descent. These alarms tore the crew’s attention away from the scene outside as the descent proceeded. In NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston, Texas, a young controller named Steve Bales was able to tell the flight director that it was safe to continue the descent in spite of the alarms. Once they were able to return their attention to the view outside, the astronauts saw that their computer was guiding them toward a landing site full of large rocks scattered around a large crater. Armstrong took manual control of the lunar module at that point, and guided it to a landing at 4:17 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on July 20 with less than 30 seconds’ worth of fuel left.
The program alarms were “executive overflows”, indicating that the computer could not finish its work in the time allotted. The cause was later determined to be that the LM rendezvous radar was left on during the descent, causing the computer to spend unplanned time servicing the unused radar. Steve Bales received a Medal of Freedom for his “go” call under pressure.
At 2:56 UTC, six and a half hours after landing, Armstrong made his descent to the Moon surface and took his famous “one giant leap for mankind.” Aldrin joined him, and the two spent two-and-a-half hours drilling core samples, photographing what they saw and collecting rocks.
After describing the surface (“very fine grained… almost like a powder”), Armstrong stepped off Eagle’s footpad and into history as the first human to set foot on another world. He reported that moving in the Moon’s gravity, one-sixth of Earth’s, was “perhaps even easier than the simulations.”
During this period Mission Control used a coded phrase to warn Armstrong that his metabolic rates were high and that he should slow down. He was moving rapidly from task to task as time ran out. Rates remained generally lower than expected for both astronauts throughout the walk, however, so Mission Control granted the astronauts a 15 minute extension.
After more than 21½ hours on the lunar surface, they returned to Collins on board “Columbia,” bringing 20.87 kilograms of lunar samples with them. The two Moon-walkers had left behind scientific instruments such as a retroreflector array used for the Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment. They also left an American flag and other mementos, including a plaque bearing two drawings of Earth (of the Western and Eastern Hemispheres), an inscription, and signatures of the astronauts and Richard Nixon. The inscription read:Here Men From Planet EarthFirst Set Foot Upon the MoonJuly 1969 A.D.We Came in Peace For All Mankind.
The astronauts returned to earth on July 24, welcomed as heroes. The splashdown point was 13°19′N 169°9′W, 400 miles (640 km) SSW of Wake Island and 24 km (15 mi) from the recovery ship, USS Hornet.


Fly high with realistic paper models of some of the most astonishing aircraft and spacecraft ever designed!
The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum hosts seven million visitors annually--a testament to our enduring fascination with flight. Noted origami artist John Szinger has created this unique collection of paper airplane and rocket models inspired by real life flying machines.
Let your imagination soar with 14 original designs, including:
Air and Space Origami Kit contains everything you need to create high quality air and space models:
Each model comes complete with a set of interesting facts about the vehicle, as well as detailed step-by-step instructions showing you how to fold it. Air and Space Origami Kit is perfect for aspiring astronauts and origami beginners of all ages!


17 November 2023
Nuku’alofa- His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala and Crown Princess, Sinaitakala Tuku’aho were Guest of Honours at the commissioning of the new Lulutai aircraft at the Fua’amotu Domestic Airport, this morning.
Today we are adding a third aircraft to Lulutai Airline’s fleet and there is potential for additional aircraft in the near future,” the Hon Prime Minister, Hu’akavameiliku told guests during his key note address.
The Twin Otter is well suited for Tonga’s outer islands. The aircraft has short takeoff and landing capabilities. The Twin Otter will be at ease in the dirt and grass airports of the two Niuas, as well as the short runway in ‘Eua. It can easily handle the high altitude runway in Vava’u and the low sea level airport in Ha’apai.
The Hon Hu’akavameiliku acknowledged the commitment of the Government of Australia, to Tonga’s economic development.
“Your Excellency Racheal Moore, without your Government’s financial and technical support, today would not have been possible. The commissioning today is a significant milestone in the Tonga Australia relationship, and a project that will continue to provide benefits for many years to come not just for Tongans but also for visitors to our shore.”
Lulutai Airlines began operations with two (2) aircraft in September 2020 in the middle of the covid 19 pandemic. Tonga in 2022 experienced the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai natural disaster, where Lulutai cancelled all flights to show how safety came first.
The commissioning program was also attended by Ministers of the Crown, Members of Parliament, Australian High Commissioner Rachael Moore and members of Diplomatic Corps, Church Leaders, Aviation Stakeholders and guests.


Michael Van Gheem Joins Veracity as Senior Director
September 21, 2015
Veracity Forecasting and Analysis, Inc. is pleased to announce that Michael Van Gheem, CAPT USN (ret), has joined the company as a Senior Director. In support of Veracity’s analytical work, he will provide strategic communications with the Naval Aviation Enterprise and subject matter expertise in Naval Aviation fleet management, support, and engineering paradigms. Mr. Van Gheem’s responsibilities will also include Department of Defense business development and capture management.


With incredible engine output, a lightweight frame, and precise thrusters for close maneuvering, the TIE/in interceptor is a vessel for the most elite Imperial aces. Only those with nerves of steel can ride the knife’s edge to draw out this craft’s full potential. This includes the ship’s four wing-mounted laser cannons, a dramatic increase in firepower over its predecessors.
The TIE/in Interceptor Expansion Pack gives you the chance to put the legendary Soontir Fel and three other pilots at the controls of this swift and deadly craft. Joining them are five upgrade cards that give these elite pilots even more advantages in the thick of a space battle. Finally, two Quick Build cards provide useful combinations of pilots and upgrades, allowing you to test all of the TIE/in interceptor’s capabilities.


Airport Fire & Rescue
Minden Tahoe Airport, an uncontrolled airport, is operated by a private contractor, representing Douglas County. Uncontrolled means our airport does not have a tower to control air traffic. The airport serves gliders, recreational pilots, and commercial companies. The aircraft run the range from hot air balloons, high altitude gliders, prop planes and limited commercial jet aircraft. The airfield is used by Federal contractors for wildland firefighting for both rotary and fixed wing aircraft. The airfield can be used as an air tanker base where Small Engine Air Tanker (SEAT’s) mobile base support is provided as needed. At one time the airport served as a regional large air tanker base.


The artwork of second-graders from Morning Star Elementary School in Bozeman was launched into space this week for a six-month stay on the International Space Station as part of a larger Montana State University research project into developing more durable computers for NASA.
Stickers bearing a mission patch logo created by students in Cheri Jakovac’s class were aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 resupply rocket that was launched Sunday night and broadcasted live on NASA TV. The stickers will remain on the ISS until December when they will be loaded onto a return capsule to be given back to the students.
The logo art activity was an outreach component of an ongoing research project at MSU to develop a new radiation-tolerant computer technology. MSU has been researching this technology for nearly a decade under the direction of Brock LaMeres, associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the College of Engineering and principal investigator of the project.
“Future NASA missions will require faster computers, but the radiation environment of space causes earthbound computers to fail,” LaMeres said. “MSU has been researching how to make computers that not only meet the computing needs of future missions, but that will be reliable in the harsh environment of outer space.”
MSU’s computer has been tested in radiation chambers, on high altitude balloons, and on rockets that reach the beginning of outer space. The current project to put the computer on the ISS will be its most rigorous test yet and will set the stage for the next level of development, LaMeres said.
“Our next milestone is to operate the computer in a real space environment for an extended amount of time,” he said. “The ISS is the perfect platform for the next stage of our development.”
The MSU computer will be flown to the space station this fall. There, astronauts will install it in an experiment locker owned by NanoRacks, a Texas-based company that facilitates access to the space station.
NanoRacks contacted LaMeres in January about flying a small amount of memorabilia related to his current ISS project. NASA provides scientists who are working on ISS research an opportunity to fly memorabilia to the station and be returned as keepsakes for the research team. LaMeres contacted Jakovac, his daughter Kylie’s teacher, about having her class design a logo for the project as a way to show them how the math and science they are learning is used in real world applications.
“Exposing students at an early age to the exciting things that people working in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) get to do is very important,” LaMeres said. “Hopefully having them hear about the research we are doing at MSU will leave a lasting impression that might lead to them choosing degrees, and ultimately careers, in STEM.”
Working with LaMeres on the project are Connor Julien, an electrical engineering graduate student, Daniel Mills, a senior in electrical engineering and Brandon Klise, a sophomore in computer engineering. They, with LaMeres, visited the class in February and explained the current mission. The students were shown examples of mission logos and asked to draw their own version that represented MSU’s work. The research team used the common themes in the students’ drawings to create the final mission logo, which depicts the process of going to and returning from the ISS through illustrations of a rocket being launched, the ISS, and the return capsule bearing Montana’s 406 area code floating down via parachute.
Also on the logo is the acronym RTcMISS, pronounced “Artemis,” which stands for “Radiation Tolerant computer Mission on the International Space Station.” “NanoRacks” also appears on the logo along with acronyms designating the Montana Space Grant Consortium, MSU’s College of Engineering, NASA EPSCoR and the MSU Space Science and Engineering Laboratory.
Student designers from Jakovac’s class are: Connor Baller, Jaden Bateson, Cooper Bourret, Grace Brandon, Claire Brown, Oliver Carey, Myles Faerber, Geno Graf, Ibrahim Al-Kaisy, Inga Lee-Eichenwald, Kylie LaMeres, Cameron Mansfield, Olivia Morgner, Reese Navarro, Helen Nelson, Katelyn Pahut, Daniel Peace, Bobby Pratt, Heidi Rich, Owen Riendeau and Quinn Werner.
A video of the logo design process can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx9_n9znXhA. A full recording of the launch can be viewed on the SpaceX website at http://www.spacex.com/webcast.


Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS)
The Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) Program went into effect on June 12, 2018, requiring the submission of advanced air cargo information on shipments arriving in the United States from a foreign location. The program’s requirements are now mandatory for airlines flying to the United States. This is a necessary measure as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to raise the baseline on aviation security worldwide.
Full announcement in Portuguese, Spanish and English:
For more information on the ACAS program, check out the links below.


AS 9100 is the QMS for organizations that provide products or services to the aviation, space and defense industries.
Unlike ISO, AS 9100 is governed by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) with the help of representatives from aviation, space and defense companies in the Americas, Asia and Europe.
AS 9100 builds off general ISO 9001 standards for QMS’, but adds industry-specific guidelines for the safe development, production and distribution of quality aerospace parts, products and services. Though not required by law, AS9100 certification is often required by aerospace OEMs in order to become an approved supplier.
Whether you’re in Boston, Hartford, Springfield or Providence, our industry professionals are ready to apply our AS9100 experience and knowledge to help you achieve certification in the fastest, most efficient manner possible. We say that because the New England Lean Quality Team is exclusively made up of industry professionals – people who have worked on the shop floor, who have made parts that fly overhead or sail the seas every day. We don’t just check a list of requirements so that you can pass an audit; instead, we help the organization realize the full value that can be derived out of the AS 9100 certification process.


Hollywood’s Captain Kirk, 90-year-old WILLIAM SHATNER, blasted into space Wednesday in a convergence of science fiction and science reality, reaching the final frontier aboard a ship built by Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin company.
The Star Trek actor and three fellow passengers hurtled to an altitude of 66.5 miles (107 kilometers) over the West Texas desert in the fully automated capsule then safely parachuted back to Earth. The flight lasted just over 10 minutes.
“What you have given me is the most profound experience,” an exhilarated Shatner told Bezos after climbing out the hatch. The words spilling from him in a soliloquy almost as long as the flight. “I hope I never recover from this, I hope that I can maintain what I feel now, I don’t want to lose it.”
What you have given me is the most profound experience. I hope I never recover from this.Shatner on his experience going into space.
He said that going from the blue sky to the utter blackness of space was moving. “In an instant you go, ‘Whoa, that’s death.’ That’s what I saw.”
Shatner became the oldest person in space. He eclipsed the previous record set by a passenger on a similar jaunt on a Bezos spaceship by eight years. The flight included about three minutes of weightlessness and a view of the curvature of the Earth.
#GetSOM via @djgojabean @StraightOfficialMag
#WilliamShatner #CaptainKirk #NewShepard #JeffBezoz #MissionNS18 #SpaceTravel


Everyone knows that Valtteri Bottas and Kalle Rovanperä are among the world elite in their respective fields of motorsport. But what happens when these guys leave their four-wheeled vehicles, tarmac and gravel behind, switch them for the 1,200 km/h and 8 G Hawk jet trainers and take to the skies? A unique opportunity to see these star drivers in Finland presents itself in conjunction with the Finnish Air Force 100 Air Show on Saturday 16 June at the Tikkakoski airport, where the Finnish motorsport aces join top air combat instructors for some amazing aerobatics.
The theme of this historic show-stopping number is “Flying Finns – Challenge in the Sky”, echoing the Finnish ASN’s driver path as well as the opportunity offered by the Finnish Airforce. Both blue-and-white drivers have already earned the legendary title of Flying Finn, and when you add some professional Finnish Air Force instructors into the fighter jet cockpits together with Valtteri and Kalle, we can talk about a real Flying Finns super number, full of Finnish speed, skill, “sisu”, responsibility and above all amazing experiences.
Formula One ace Valtteri Bottas is eagerly awaiting the chance to climb aboard a jet.
“It’s an honour to celebrate the Finnish Air Force centennial and fly with the AKK Flying Finn insignia. At the start of my career, I got important support from the AKK driver path. I have no idea what to expect from the upcoming air show, but I believe that the Hawks pilots are going to provide us with a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will remember forever.”
Rally prodigy Kalle Rovanperä doesn’t stress about the ‘air battle looming ahead’.
“I’m sure that just before boarding the jet I’ll get the same feeling that I get before the start of a special stage – the ‘here we go’ feeling in my gut. It’s great to get to the skies with Valtteri and experience first-hand what the top Finnish Air Force pilots can do. We’ll have several Flying Finns together demonstrating their talents and showing what the Finnish top drivers and pilots can do.”
Hawk instructor, Major Timo Rauhala is already revelling in the spirit of the upcoming show.
“It’s fantastic to be a part of this joint Flying Finns team and meet the super talented AKK drivers. It is especially amazing to offer them this challenging but unique experience – we’ll see how they cope with the G-forces and what the over 1,000 km/h speeds feel like! The challenge is in the air, but I believe that the Flying Finn drivers will do great. We can offer the spectators a one-of-a-kind show – so welcome to Tikkakoski to see it all live.”
“Flying Finns – Challenge in the Sky” at the Tikkakoski airport, Saturday 16 June 2018, as part of the Finnish Air Force 100. Side events linked to the Flying Finn challenge take place at approx. 10:30 - 13:30 and the Flying Finn air show itself at approx. 12:00 - 12:30. More information to follow. Changes to the schedule possible. Please click here for a more detailed schedule. The Flying Finns -themed air shows will continue at the end of July in Rally Finland, with the Midnight Hawks aerobatics team performing e.g. on the Neste Rally Finland opening day 26 July over the Lutakko and Harju areas in Jyväskylä.
Further information about the event:
Timo Rauhala / Finnish Air Force, Major, [email protected], +358 40 357 3699
Rita Pasanen / AKK, Communications Manager, [email protected], +358 44 545 9919
Jarmo Majapuro / Finnish Aeronautical Association, Event Director, [email protected], +358 40 168 6115
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Finnish Air Force 100 Air Show is the main event of the 100th anniversary celebrations. The air show will take place 16 - 17 June 2018 at the Tikkakoski airport, Jyväskylä. The theme of the show is Know the history – Experience the present – See the future. The event is organised by the Finnish Aeronautical Association.


Bulova made space history on August 2nd, 1971 – during the Apollo 15 mission, a lunar pilot chronograph, customised for lunar conditions by Bulova engineers, was worn on the moon. Now Bulova makes history again with the special edition Lunar Pilot Chronograph Watch, updated with Bulova’s exclusive high performance quartz movement with a frequency of 262 kHz for unparalleled accuracy, continuing a history of precision timing. Features include super-luminous hands and markers, anti-reflective sapphire glass, tachymeter and calendar all housed in a solid 316L surgical-grade stainless steel in silver-tone with black dial. Two interchangeable straps are included – one a textured black leather; the other, a black nylon with a nubuck leather patch that commemorates the date of mission (DOM) as 08021971. Gift-box presentation includes a Certificate of Authenticity.
Movement: High Performance Quartz
Material: Stainless steel
Strap: Leather / Nylon
Water resistance: 50m / 5atm
Crystal: Sapphire crystal
As an authorised stockist, this product comes with manufacturers 3 year warranty, box, and the Jewellers Ark Money back guarantee.


Meet the Pilot
Nathan K. Hammond
Born and raised in Rhinebeck, New York; the airplanes and airshows of Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome started his love of aviation and pursuit of an Aerospace career. Soloing an airplane at age 16, and earning his pilot’s license at 17; Nathan has logged over 8,000 hours of flight time, from 1917 Curtiss Jenny’s to Cessna Citations. Nathan started flying the DeHaviland Chipmunk, known as GhostWriter in 1998, quickly learning the techniques and nuances of Skywriting and Airshow flying. Today, Nathan flies GhostWriter in both daytime and nighttime airshows; as well as skywriting across North America. Along with being a Commercial rated pilot, he also maintains an Airframe and Power Plant Mechanics License.
Kelley is the backbone of GhostWriter Airshows. She handles all logistics of the business and day-to-day airshow needs. Kelley has become affectionately known as the "GhostWirer", as you'll often see her preparing the 250lbs. of pyrotechnics for Nathan's show. By day, she is an elementary school teacher and spends her weekends in the summer at airports across the country enjoying the airshow life.
Alex joined GhostWriter Airshows in 2021 as a Crew Chief and Ferry Pilot. You will also see him flying our photo plane at certain airshows nationwide. When not working with the team, Alex flies at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum and is a Captain within the airline industry.


video (animation), 2016.
Sky in Ruins (di sotto in sù) is an illusionistic ceiling video projection that alludes to the tradition of Renaissance ceiling painting and its illusionistic depictions of limitless space with an architectural vanishing point on the ceiling. The vanishing point was vertically directly above, the gaze was directed di sotto in sù, “from below, upward,” to the illusory open skies.
The vanishing point in the Sky in Ruins project is in the blackness of the orbits along which satellites circle the Earth. The projection is a window into the nearby cosmos, where there is far more space trash than satellites. It is a ceiling illusion that provides a dystopian view of space in our vicinity. A series of close-ups of collisions between satellites and space trash is projected onto the space dumping ground opening up above us.
The 3-D animation is a homemade visual illusion. It is made with Blender open source software, with realistically fashioned models of satellites, and is accompanied by recordings of actual space sounds. The main purpose of the work, however, is not so much to portray a real situation in nearby space as it is to point out that the universe, despite its vastness, is not so unlimited that we could go on simply moving our bad habits from Earth out into space.
Project documentation: Beyond the Globe | 8th Triennial of Contemporary Art – U3, Museum of Contemporary Art (+MSUM), Ljubljana, Slovenia. Curated by: Boris Groys
Making-of and sketches


Rocco A. Petrone graduated from the United States Military Academy and was commissioned an Ordnance officer in 1946.
After serving in maintenance units for three years in Germany, the Army sent him to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He earned a masters degree in mechanical engineering from MIT in 1951 and was well on his way to completing a doctorate when the Army transferred him to Redstone Arsenal in 1952 to join the Ordnance Corps' Redstone Missile Program. While assigned to the Arsenal, he participated in the development of the Redstone, the nation's first ballistic missile and was a member of the Missile Firing Laboratory when the first Redstone launch took place at Cape Canaveral in August 1953. Thus, began Petrone's long association with America's missile development program, first with the Ordnance Corps and then with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
From 1956 to 1960, he served on the Army General Staff where he worked closely with the Office of the Chief of Ordnance to develop maintenance support packages for the emerging family of Army rockets and guided missiles. Afterwards, the Army agreed to loan him to NASA at Cape Kennedy as the Saturn project officer, and in 1961, he was assigned as the Apollo Program Manager. While on loan to NASA, he was involved in the first 4 Saturn launches and was responsible for the planning, construction, and activation of the launch facilities for the Apollo Program.
In 1966, he retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel and joined the civilian workforce at NASA as the Director of Launch Operations. His launch team was responsible for the checkout and launching of all space vehicles, to include the famous Apollo 11, the first lunar landing. Subsequently, he was promoted to Director of the Apollo Program in Washington, DC, where he was responsible for the overall direction and management of the remaining Apollo launches, and then assigned as Program Director for the Joint US/Soviet Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. In recognition of his contributions to the nation, Rollins College awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Science in 1969.
In 1973, NASA appointed him as the Director of the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and shortly thereafter as the Associate Administrator at NASA Headquarters. In this position, he was the third-ranking executive in NASA and responsible for all of NASA's research and development programs.
When he left NASA in 1975, he was appointed President and Chief Executive of the non-profit National Center for Resource Recovery, dedicated to the recovery of materials and energy from solid waste.
In 1981, Dr. Petrone joined Rockwell International and became President of the Space Transportation Systems Division where he was charged with the development and production of the space shuttle orbiter and continued his work as one of America's pioneers in guided missile and space flight development.


Flight cancellations a result of Sandy
Hurricane Sandy has caused many flight cancellations to and from Yeager Airport in Charleston. There were many flights on American, United, and US Airways that didn't leave Charleston on Monday, and more flights are cancelled today. Officials are encouraging passengers to visit their airlines website to check flight status and re-booking options. Across the country, as many as ten thousand flight cancellations have been reported because of the storm, and it may cost the airlines $600 million.


The aircraft left Dhaka with a number of passengers and arrived Chittagong at around 10.30pm, 5 hours delayed from its scheduled time. During landing, left side wheel of the front pair of wheels had friction with a piece of sharp corrugated iron sheet and was cut slightly. Despite this, the aircraft landed safely without any casualties. After necessary repairing, the flight departed Chittagong again for Abu Dhabi at around 1230 am.
According to sources, the piece of tin (corrugated iron sheet) may have been on the runway due to the inclement weather derived from the incoming Cyclone “Mohasen” which is assumed to hit coastal area of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar area this evening.


ISRO has achieved another milestone with the successful launch of Aditya L1 using the PSLV-C57 launch vehicle, its pioneering solar exploration mission.
Departing from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre today 2 September 2023 at 11:50 IST, the mission promises to revolutionize our understanding of solar phenomena.
All systems were nominal during the entire launch process.
This marks India’s first focused endeavor to investigate the Sun’s outermost layer, the corona, and its magnetic behavior.
Earlier, Chandrayaan-3 made a successful soft landing on the lunar south pole, and now the successful launch of Aditya-L1 just days after is a major achievement for ISRO.
Aditya L1 is not just an orbital mission but an exploratory endeavor that aligns with global scientific pursuits to better understand the role of solar activity on the Earth’s climate and satellite functionality.
With advanced instruments like VELC and SUIT, the mission aims to decipher key mysteries surrounding solar activities, like magnetic fields and solar flares.
Aditya L1 will position itself at the L1 Lagrange point, enabling an uninterrupted view of the Sun, a first for Indian space exploration.
As the Sun is an immediate cosmic entity influencing various aspects of life on Earth, the insights from Aditya L1 could be transformative for multiple scientific disciplines, including astrophysics, climate science, and space technology.
What’s Next for Aditya-L1?
The spacecraft is fitted with groundbreaking instruments, such as the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) and the Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT).
These are designed to measure key parameters like magnetic field variations, solar flare intensities, and characteristics of coronal mass ejections.
This will further our understanding of the Sun’s intricate processes that have far-reaching effects on our solar system.
Aditya-L1 spacecraft will now undergo complex maneuvers to position itself at the L1 Lagrange point.
This location allows for a stable gravitational relationship between the Earth and the Sun, providing an uninterrupted observational platform.
Once stationed, it will commence its mission phase, offering real-time data that will be invaluable for ongoing and future scientific research.
The mission’s successful launch places India into a league of select countries capable of solar observation and data collection at this scale.
With the successful launch of Aditya-L1 ISRO becomes the 3rd space agency to have a mission at the L1 point.
This will not only boost India’s image as a formidable player in space exploration but also offer avenues for international collaboration.
The data collected could play an essential role in preparing humanity for space weather events that can impact global communications and energy grids.


(From Singapore Airlines press release) Singapore Airlines (SIA) has launched its highly-anticipated new cabin products, which will be rolled out on its Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 fleet in the coming weeks. This elevates the customer experience on board the Airline’s narrowbody aircraft fleet to a level similar to its widebody aircraft, offering a consistent and premium travel journey across the entire Singapore Airlines network.
All of SIA’s 737-8 aircraft will have 154 seats in two classes, 10 in Business Class and 144 in Economy Class, with new cabin products featuring bespoke elements that have been designed especially for the SIA customer.
The lie-flat Business Class seats have been designed by London-based Factorydesign, and manufactured for Singapore Airlines by Thompson Aero Seating. The Economy Class cabin will feature the latest generation sleek and slim-line seats, which have been built by Collins Aerospace. The 737-8 cabin has been designed with a special focus on ergonomics, helping to ensure that everything is within easy reach for customers.
The aircraft feature Panasonic’s X-Series seat-back in-flight entertainment, allowing all customers to enjoy the latest KrisWorld entertainment content. The fleet is also fitted with Panasonic’s in-flight Wi-Fi service, as well as mobile data connectivity services.
Singapore Airlines has invested around S$230 million on the development, design, and installation of the new industry-leading cabin products, which elevate the standard for short- and medium-haul travel on board narrowbody aircraft. SIA’s 737-8 aircraft will progressively enter into service on short- to medium-haul flights across the Airline’s network in the coming weeks. This includes services to points in Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, and Thailand, subject to regulatory approvals. Further details on these flights will be announced in due time.
Designed by London-based Factorydesign and manufactured for Singapore Airlines by Thompson Aero Seating based in Craigavon Northern Ireland, the Business Class seat features ample storage spaces, high-definition touch screen monitors that provide in-flight entertainment akin to a home theatre experience, as well as high-quality material and finishes, to provide a luxurious and private space for the customer.
Seats in the Business Class cabin are arranged in a forward-facing staggered 2-2, 1-1, 2-2 abreast configuration. Measuring up to 22 inches in width, the Business Class seat reclines directly into a comfortable full-flat bed (76 inches). These seats are made with premium materials with bespoke embroidery in custom patterns and textures. The seat cushions and covers use the same soft furnishings as those found on our medium-haul aircraft, providing a higher level of comfort for short-haul flights.
The Business Class seat is designed to wrap smoothly in a cocoon-like formation around the customer, which enlarges personal space and provides better privacy. A divider between the adjacent seats provides a new stowage area for personal items, as well as the bi-fold meal table. Other features include USB charging ports and in-seat power supply, a reading light with adjustable brightness, mood lighting, and a pocket under the monitor that provides easy stowage during taxi, take-off and landing.
The two standalone Business Class seats (seats 12B and 12J) have additional table-top and stowage spaces, and a side stowage compartment equipped with a mirror and LED light.
For more information, visit https://www.singaporeair.com
All images are © Singapore Airlines


By agency report
Preparations for a large-scale NATO air force exercise over parts of Germany have been completed, the country’s military said on Friday.
Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, who serves as inspector of the air force, said at the Jagel airbase in northern Germany that “a total of 25 nations are ready to start this exercise on Monday.”
He said 190 fighters and 60 other types of aircraft would be involved in the operation, called Air Defender 2023.
“This unique deployment has been completed in less than a week,” Gerhartz said. “The different air forces have demonstrated that we can all react and act very quickly.”
He said the US Air Force alone had flown 1,500 tons of material into Germany in the past few days. “The redeployment has gone absolutely smoothly so far.”
The German-led exercise will last until June 23. It is the largest deployment exercise of air forces in NATO’s history.


Solid mechanics, structural design and materials intersect in the engineering of all mechanical systems and so this research area is broad and inclusive. The types of inquiry include experiment and computation to understand basic phenomena and complex systems. Applications supported by our research are broad, including aircraft structures, propulsion systems, power generation equipment, ground vehicles, pressurized systems, biomechanical implants and heavy equipment. The intersection with materials is often related to minimum weight design and the development of structural systems robust to failure by impact, corrosion and fatigue. The influence of manufacturing process is also included. Material types of interest include metals, ceramics and composites, where the study of composites includes the behavior of thin-walled structures under bending, torsion and axial loads. For aerostructures, areas of emphasis include complex loadings such as residual stress fields or vibratory loads assessed through the study of structural dynamics and aeroelasticity. Specialized work includes degradation of composite materials, aeroelasticity, biomechanics, residual stress measurement, fatigue design and development of advanced finite element methods to solve advanced problems. Composite materials are being used extensively in new airplanes and helicopters, space structures and in other engineering areas such as wind energy, ships, transportation, infrastructure and biomedical joints. Areas of current research in composite structures that encompass several areas of engineering include durability of composites due to in service load (e.g., thermo-hygro-mechanical fatigue, impact) and structural health monitoring methods.


DENVER, Colorado — A medical helicopter crash that killed the pilot and seriously injured a flight nurse and flight paramedic was preventable, according to federal investigators.
On Tuesday, The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that the July 3, 2015, crash in Frisco stemmed from a pre-flight check in which the pilot, Patrick Mahany, turned off a switch that cut hydraulic pressure to the tail rotor.
Mahany, 64, probably did not turn the switch back on and did not complete a “hover check” while taking off, which would have identified the problem at an altitude that could have allowed for a safe landing, according to the NTSB report.
The Flight For Life helicopter reached an altitude of about 100 feet before the pilot lost control. The helicopter went down and immediately burst into flames next to the St. Anthony Summit Medical Center, killing Mahany and critically injuring flight paramedic David Repsher and flight nurse Matthew Bowe.
Video of the crash showed the helicopter lifting off and then twisting to the left before rotating several times and crashing into a recreational vehicle near the helipad.
The NTSB report says investigators found several safety issues that, if addressed, could have prevented the crash.
The two stand-out issues are:
- Lack of a cockpit warning to alert the pilot of the hydraulic problem.
- The helicopter was not equipped with a crash-resistant fuel system.
If not for these two issues, it is believed the medical helicopter crash would have been survivable.
Federal investigators highlighted that, going forward, the type of Airbus helicopter involved in the crash must have better crash protections, including spill-resistant fuel tanks.
Additional information supporting the conclusion the aircraft design contributed to the severity of injuries in this crash is here.
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The Chinese robotic probe Chang’e 4 has landed on the dark side of the moon, becoming the first manmade craft to alight on the unexplored surface, according to reports from Chinese state media.
The probe reportedly landed in the South Pole-Aitken basin, the oldest, largest, and deepest crater on the moon’s surface. The moon’s dark side remains largely unexplored because its position shields it from radio frequencies, preventing direct contact with the Earth. To solve that problem, China launched the relay satellite Queqiao earlier this year to transmit signals from the dark side.
Chang’e 4 will perform several experiments while on the moon, including testing whether plants will grow in the low gravity environment, exploring the poles to find water or other resources, observing the interaction between solar winds and the lunar surface, and conducting the first lunar low-frequency radio astronomy experiment.


Dr. Lynda Spilker talked about Going out in a Blaze of Glory: Cassini Science Highlights and the Grand Finale at our Paul Sykes Memorial Lecture back in January of this year. More remarkable discovers from Cassini are expected when it repeatedly dives between the innermost ring and the top of Saturn’s atmosphere during its final six months starting this week. The first of the spaceship’s 22 deep, daring dives is scheduled for April 26 at 2:00am PDT.
When Cassini passed close by Titan on April 22, the moon’s gravity pulled strongly on the spacecraft. The flyby gave Cassini a change in velocity of about 800 meters per second that started the spacecraft on its first of the ring-gap orbits.
A grand finale dive will plunge Cassini into Saturn’s atmosphere on September 15th, vaporizing the spacecraft to protect tiny Enceladus, one of Saturn’s ocean worlds, from hardy Earth-based microbes that may have stowed-away on Cassini.
The Cassini mission’s findings have revolutionized our understanding of Saturn, its complex rings, the amazing assortment of moons and the planet’s dynamic magnetic environment. The robotic spacecraft arrived in 2004 after a 7-year flight from Earth, dropped a parachuted probe named Huygens to study the atmosphere and surface of Saturn’s big moon Titan. Some of the mission highlights include:
- The Huygens probe makes first landing on a moon in the outer solar system (Titan)
- The discovery of active, icy plumes on the Saturnian moon Enceladus
- Saturn’s rings revealed as active and dynamic — a laboratory for how planets form
- First complete view of the north polar hexagon and discovery of giant hurricanes at both of Saturn’s poles
- First Deep Seafloor Hydrothermal Vents Found Beyond Earth
The Cassini mission is a cooperative undertaking by NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Italian space agency Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI).


Release date: 25th October 2013
Published by: Hotegg Creative Design Ltd
ISBN No: 978 0957550704
Commemorating 30 years of space shuttle exploration, this beautifully crafted photography book comprises some of the most breath-taking and awe-inspiring NASA images ever to be published in one impressive collection. From launch to landing, this Limited First Edition of 1981 copies worldwide is a spectacular piece of photographic history you will want to revisit time and time again. This stunning piece of work commemorates 30 years of manned space flight aboard an American treasure, a world phenomenon and arguably, the most technologically advanced vehicle ever made - The NASA space shuttle. This book pays tribute to the 5 space worthy orbiters built by NASA: Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour, and exhibits them in some of the most amazing images you will ever see. From the dangerous launch sequence to some of the most vivid mission photographs, such as space walks, extraordinary astronaut maintenance work, docking with the International Space Station and more. The photographs are presented beautifully and displayed in a fashion which lets the images do the talking. Within the book, you will find details on every single space shuttle mission flown, including launch dates, crew members for each mission, plus a fantastic gallery of all 135 mission patches.
Copyright: Amazon Synopsis


The Yorkshire Air Museum and Allied Air Forces Memorial announced that the Chief of the French Air Force is to be their new vice president yesterday.
General Denis Mercier taking on the role is another cause for celebration for the museum, as the former French Air Force Chief, General Jean-Paul Paloméros, who remains a vice president of the museum, was promoted in September to NATO Supreme Allied Commander. This is an extremely high level position.
Museum Director, Ian Reed: “As the sole allied air forces memorial in Europe we are delighted to welcome the chief of the French Air Force, which along with the chief of the Royal Air Force (RAF) Sir Stephen Dalton who is also a vice president, shows the importance placed upon our work by the European air force.”
The news comes in time for the Yorkshire Air Museums’ (YAM) Remembrance Sunday services. On November 11 they will be putting on a traditional service at the French Memorial in Elvington Village.
For the 55th act of remembrance at the French Memorial to Elvingtion’s World War II French squadrons there will be a parade of the Scouts, Guides, Cubs and Brownies and wreaths will be laid at 11am in the village. Around 400 people are expected to attend, including representatives from regional RAF bases and Air Attaches of Allied nations.
Later there will be a service at the YAM Station Chapel and Memorial garden at 1.30pm, which is to incorporate the laying of the standard of the six group (bomber command) association, 70 years after the standard was inaugurated. Representatives from the Canadian Air Force and Embassy are set to attend the ceremony.


When it comes to building the interior of a spacecraft, engineers often prioritize function over aesthetics, focusing on materials and hardware that are both safe and effective for executing the vehicle’s intended mission. But some scientists say it’s time to consider another crucial factor when designing a spacecraft’s insides: how it will affect the behavior of the passengers?
For astronauts traveling vast distances — perhaps on a trip to Mars — the design of a spacecraft’s interior could be a critical tool for keeping people happy and healthy during the journey. Room will likely be limited on any vehicle we send to the Red Planet; getting massive objects into space takes a lot of energy and money, so the interiors on these transports could be tight. And passengers will be stuck with the same group of people for the entire ride — a trip that could take years to complete. All of those conditions could create a nightmare scenario for a person’s psychological health, causing stress, bad sleep schedules, depression, and other negative feelings that might affect their time in space.
That’s why a new workshop next week plans to address this often-overlooked aspect of space travel. Called Space^2, the event will bring together astronauts, health professionals, and design experts in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to discuss what types of technologies and hardware deep space missions can include inside their spacecraft to make interplanetary journeys a more enjoyable experience. Up until now, astronauts have mostly experienced short trips to space, usually lasting less than a year. Because of this, spacecraft interiors have revolved around optimizing volume and less on giving people peace of mind. And some experts say that needs to change.
“Not much has been done in terms of the design and interior of the spacecraft,” Dorit Donoviel, director for the Translational Research Institute for Space Health and one of the conference organizers, tells The Verge. “It’s really about where they want to place their levers, their displays, what kind of materials they’ll use in terms of preventing bacterial growth. I don’t think there’s been too much emphasis on the behavioral or really the human side of some of these interior environments.”
Unfortunately, there isn’t a ton of research out there to guide engineers on the best spacecraft design for keeping astronauts in good spirits. That’s because conducting research on isolation can be tough to pull off. “These are difficult experiments to do ethically anywhere in the world, really,” Ted Smith, director of the Center for Healthy Air, Water and Soil at the University of Louisville, tells The Verge. “There’s really a lot more that we don’t know than we do know about how the social psychology and the personal individual psychology degrades when circumstances degrade.”
But some investigations have been done in this area, looking at how small groups of astronauts might fare when trapped together in confined quarters for an extended period of time. For the last six years, the University of Hawaii has overseen simulated Mars missions on the side of an active volcano, Mauna Loa, on Hawaii’s Big Island. During these missions, small groups of people live together in a fake Martian habitat called HI-SEAS for months at a time, allowing scientists to better understand how people might interact when on a mission to Mars. (The owner of HI-SEAS now plans to run fake Moon missions at the habitat, now that NASA is focused on a return to the Moon.)
Between 2010 and 2011, Russia and Europa studied a crew of six, who lived together in a simulated spacecraft for 520 days, the approximate length of a human mission to fly by Mars. They only had 775 square feet of space for the entire experiment, about the size of a tiny one-bedroom apartment. Investigators found that some stopped moving around as much toward the end of the experiment, a few experienced an increase in depressive symptoms, and most of the participants had abnormal sleep schedules. One crew member no longer had a day / night sleep cycle.
Some historical situations provide context for what might happen on a mission to Mars. One Russian cosmonaut, Valentin Lebedev, wrote about his strained experience spending 211 days on board a tiny space station called Salyut-7 in 1982, with just one other crew member. “It’s a really compelling story, because there were periods of time they weren’t even talking to each other,” Jay Buckey, a former NASA astronaut and a professor of medicine at the Geisel School of Medicine, tells The Verge. Numerous expeditions to Antarctica have also put scientists in close quarters, surrounded by an unwelcoming environment. The Belgica, the first expedition to spend winter at the continent in the late 1890s, experienced significant struggles when the ship became trapped in ice. The crew on board couldn’t go outside much, and many experienced severe mental health issues as a result of the experience. “They had a really high rate of psychosocial problems, part of which might have been due to the environment they were in,” Buckey says.
Ultimately, humans are physical and visual human beings, says Donoviel, and space travel can deprive individuals of some of their basic desires. Plus, the longer people stay on a spacecraft, the harder it can be for them. “It’s a challenge to live with a small group of people for a long period of time, and there are definitely issues with stress, conflict, and sometimes depression,” says Buckey. For instance, when NASA shifted from doing Space Shuttle missions, which lasted for just weeks at a time, to six-month stays on the International Space Station, there were anecdotal reports of astronauts experiencing much more psychological stress, according to the space agency.
It will all be much worse on a mission to Mars than it is for those on the ISS. The ISS has about 32,333 cubic feet of interior space, about the volume of a Boeing 747, NASA says. That allows crews a bit more room to move around. But for a Mars mission, NASA has estimated that the minimal acceptable volume for a human mission to the Red Planet will be about 883 cubic feet per person. For a four-person crew, that adds up to about the size of a 17-foot U-Haul trailer. Donoviel hopes that this number could potentially grow based on some more behavioral research. “Unless we bring forward the requirements for the humans to the engineers, we’re going to be given a number we’re just going to have to live with, and I’m not sure it’s going to be sufficient for health,” she says.
Of course, there are others who want to go to Mars, too, and make it a luxurious experience. Private spaceflight company SpaceX, dreams of creating a more spacious vehicle, the Starship, to take people to the Moon and Mars. During a presentation, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has said the interior pressurized volume of the vehicle would be about that of the ISS. And the company is known for valuing aesthetics as much as function in its designs, which could make things a little more pleasing to the eye. Still, SpaceX runs into the same problem of isolation. Astronauts on the International Space Station are able to look out the window and see Earth whenever they please, feeling a connection to home. Earth will only be a speck in the distance for those on a mission to Mars.
One way experts are thinking of combatting this is through the use of virtual reality. VR headsets were given to crews on the simulated HI-SEAS missions in Hawaii, showing them scenes from the Bavarian Alps and beaches in Australia, something they very much enjoyed, according to Buckey. Such technology could be a way for astronauts to momentarily escape the daunting task of going to Mars.
Another concern for astronauts is that they will have to stay with the same group of people for such a long period of time. The astronauts on the ISS rotate crews every few months, so they can work with different groups of people from time to time. Mars astronauts will not have that luxury. This lack of diversity, combined with a lack of privacy, is thought to be a stressor too, says Smith. “It’s a thought experiment we can all do about how we can become very sensitive over periods of time to small annoyances from each other,” says Smith. “There’s abundant evidence that we as humans require interaction with lots of other folks, and when you reduce those numbers and you hold them constant, the variability that we look for goes hungry.”
To combat this, it’s possible that engineers and designers might want to introduce certain smells and sounds inside the cabin. “It turns out there are certain smells that make people feel like they’re surrounded more closely by people and certain smells that make you feel like you’ve got a little more space between you and your fellow humans,” says Smith. In fact, various cedar scents and bright colors were used on the British Antarctic Survey’s research station in Antarctica to combat the blues of being cooped up all winter. Smith also notes the possibility of creating synthetic human beings with visuals on walls or conversational bots akin to Siri or Alexa.
There aren’t any correct solutions to these problems yet, but the Space^2 conference could put engineers on the right path. “This is a great chance for us to think about things great and small that we can bring with us and things that are analogue and digital we can bring with us,” says Smith. And while a human mission to Mars is still many years away, experts say it’s time to think about this now so we can plan the design of these spacecraft well in advance. If behavioral health isn’t taken into consideration, adverse reactions could be disastrous for deep space travel.
“We really don’t know how these folks will react to such a confined space. And the consequence of that is loss of crew or loss of mission,” says Donoviel.


Recently, Metaspectral received funding as part of the smartEarth Canadian Space Agency initiative to build a method to systematically and methodically quantify the carbon dioxide (CO2) levels present at ground-elevation using hyperspectral data.
Metaspectral has created a hybrid on-premise and cloud-based software platform that is used in a variety of industries to identify materials and their characteristics that are otherwise invisible. Preliminary analysis of the data that is captured by satellites and processed using the platform has been shown to accurately measure global carbon emissions within a 3% margin of error.
Accurate, real-time data on GHG levels on the Earth’s surface has a multitude of potential applications that include environmental monitoring (soils, forests, sea ice levels, and more), and can also help to measure emissions from oil and gas pipelines, leaks from deepwater drilling activity, and monitor for other hazards.
This project is being undertaken with the financial support of the Canadian Space Agency. Metaspectral is currently hiring deep learning engineers and scientists, remote sensing scientists, and full-stack engineers. A full list of available positions is available at Metaspectral.com.
“Reaching our climate goals will require access to the best available data on emissions levels. Our technology makes it possible to track and measure carbon emissions and carbon sequestration levels at Earth’s surface,” said Metaspectral Co-founder and CTO, Miguel Tissera. “We achieve this by analyzing hyperspectral satellite imagery, which contains data from across the electromagnetic spectrum, making it possible to identify and quantify the gases present.. Climate change is the most serious threat facing humanity. Many governments, including the Canadian government, have introduced pricing mechanisms for carbon emissions. This technology will make it possible to provide both the public and private sectors with the insights needed to adjust their environmental and climate change policies and plans, as well as reap the potential economic benefits of carbon credits..”
Additionally, Metaspectral and HySpeed Computing to develop an EO payload for the ISS.
The payload is known as Onboard Programmable Technology for Image Classification and Analysis (OPTICA) and will enable real-time compression, streaming and analysis of hyperspectral data from LEO.
OPTICA is scheduled for launch in early 2023 on the SpaceX CRS-27 mission, with a six-month deployment on the ISS following soon thereafter. The mission is sponsored by the ISS National Laboratorywhich works in collaboration with NASA to use the orbiting laboratory on the ISS to its fullest research and technology development potential.
Hyperspectral imagery captured by satellites contains data from across the electromagnetic spectrum which, when analyzed with artificial intelligence (AI), can be used to quickly identify events on the Earth such as forest fires, methane leaks, and oil spills. It can also provide crucial time-sensitive data to intelligence, surveillance, or reconnaissance missions.
Metaspectral’s software is used in a variety of industries to identify materials, their chemical composition, and other invisible properties. Metaspectral will be providing the hardware and software for the payload, with HySpeed Computing being responsible for creating the necessary data processing pipeline and analysis tools.
Metaspectral and HySpeed Computing have selected Nanoracks to serve as the implementation partner for the project, providing infrastructure and operations support using the Nanoracks External Platform (NREP) for payload hosting onboard the ISS.
“The quality and quantity of imagery captured in space have been continuously increasing yet the bandwidth available to downlink it to Earth for analysis has been doing so at a much slower rate. Our technology makes it possible to bypass bandwidth constraints with our advances in data compression and machine learning. This project will demonstrate our platform’s ability to produce actionable insights within 15 minutes or less,” said Francis Doumet, Metaspectral Co-Founder & CEO. “Great strides have been made with optical intersatellite links in increasing the reliability of satellite communications, and our technology complements this by bringing in advanced data compression and streaming for hyperspectral data from orbit..”
“OPTICA represents the next evolution in space- and ground-based image processing,” said Dr. James Goodman, CEO of HySpeed Computing. “As the volume, variety, and velocity of Earth observation data continue to increase, developing efficiencies in data processing and information delivery will be paramount throughout the remote sensing industry. OPTICA addresses this need by demonstrating the ability to rapidly acquire, process, and analyze imagery from a high-data-volume hyperspectral sensor.“
Metaspectral delivers the next generation of computer vision, capable of remotely identifying materials and determining their chemical composition, defects, and other properties otherwise invisible to conventional cameras. It achieves this by leveraging hyperspectral sensors and analyzing the data captured in real-time using artificial intelligence (AI), via its scalable, cloud-based platform. The software is already deployed in a range of industries including aerospace, defense, agriculture, manufacturing, and more. Learn more: https://metaspectral.com/


C|M|LAW Professor Mark J. Sundahl has published an article regarding the procedural aspects of the ancient Athenian maritime commercial courts. The piece was published in Symposion 2015, a book published by the Austrian Academy of Sciences collecting the papers presented at the 20th Symposium of the International Society for Greek and Hellenistic Legal History which took place in August 2015 in Coimbra, Portugal.
Professor Sundahl has also published an article describing the recent evolution of U.S. regulation of new space ventures including on-orbit servicing and refueling of satellites, private lunar missions, and asteroid mining. The article examines how U.S. regulations are expanding along with new types of space activity and explores what degree of regulation is required in order to comply with international law. Regulating Non-Traditional Space Activities in the Wake of the Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act was published in the Air & Space Law, a peer-reviewed journal published by Wolters Kluwer.


Flights from Millau To Alvor
Millau to Alvor DistanceDistance between Millau and Alvor is 1252 KM.
Millau to Alvor Flying TimeThe flying time is approximately 2h 2m.
Current local time in Millau and AlvorCurrent time in Millau is 22:18:00 CEST and date is Monday 20 August 2018
Current time in Alvor is 21:18:00 WEST and date is Monday 20 August 2018


Haapsalu Airfield or Kiltsi Airfield (ICAO: EEHU; Estonian: Haapsalu lennuväli) is a disused airfield in Estonia, located 4 km southwest of Haapsalu. During the Soviet era it was an interceptor aircraft base. It was a small fighter airfield with a few revetments. It was home to 425 IAP (425th Interceptor Aviation Regiment) flying up to 38 MiG-23 jets in 1991. The airfield has been abandoned since the Soviet army left it in early 1990s and the Soviet Union was reorganized.
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Buzz Aldrin and Larry Bell
Buzz Aldrin, globally renowned as one of the first two humans to travel to the Moon, is a West Point graduate, former USAF Korean War combat pilot, MIT doctorate recipient and NASA Gemini 12 mission pilot.
Buzz undertook three pioneering Gemini spacewalks, was instrumental in establishing underwater astronaut training, developed the Aldrin Cycler Mars spacecraft trajectory concept and is Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient.
Larry Bell is an Endowed Professor of Space Architecture at the University of Houston where he founded the Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture and Space Architecture Graduate Program.
Larry, former NASA Johnson Space Center Chief Engineer Max Faget, and two other partners also co-founded Space Industries, Inc., where Neil Armstrong and two retired NASA JSC Directors served as board members.


Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) has reportedly completed a project covering the hybrid production of large prototype components using laser metal deposition (LMD).
How to save time in manufacturing processes?
In nearly every field of manufacturing, components and the resulting products are becoming increasingly complex and more individual. At the same time, nowadays companies need to shorten the time between developing an idea for a new product and launching it on the market.
According to the Fraunhofer Institute, established manufacturing processes offer little or no scope for improvement in this respect. Additive manufacturing could help to save time and innovate the process in way to create value in manufacturing companies as well as the ability to realize entirely new product features. To achieve these goals, some aspects of the process need to be made available at an early stage of the product development process, including product, process and material data for additive manufacturing processes, innovative materials, and new kinds of production equipment.
Hybrid manufacturing of large, high-performance components
Today’s methods of producing high-performance and lightweight components (e.g. for aircraft) typically involve ablating up to 90 percent of the raw material, which must then be recycled. Hybrid manufacturing offers an alternative to these standard methods. Starting with conventionally produced blanks, it makes use of additive manufacturing processes to add additional geometric elements. Laser cladding, also known as laser metal deposition (LMD), is a particularly suitable additive process in this context. Its advantages include the ability to add geometric elements to three-dimensional parts of virtually unlimited size using an automated process. Compared to other additive processes, LMD also offers relatively high build rates.
However, commercially available LMD machines are expensive and can only handle parts up to a certain size. This is because laser metal deposition requires the use of a shielding gas to protect sensitive materials against oxidation. The current approach of placing the entire chamber in an inert gas atmosphere incurs significant costs while limiting the size of the components that can be machined.
The aim of the ProLMD project is to develop an economical process chain including the systems technology and LMD processes. In particular, the results of the project will be demonstrated on demonstrator components provided by the industry partners involved in the project. The ProLMD systems technology is based on industrial robots, an approach that reduces costs and boosts flexibility in terms of component geometry and size. Further benefits will arise from the development of a flexible shielding gas system which will only deploy shielding gas where it is actually required. The system will be rounded off with a new laser machining head that can work with both wire and powder as the filler material, plus a suitable CAM system for hybrid manufacturing. In parallel, research into LMD processes is being conducted for a range of materials in both wire and powder form. Experts will be performing detailed material analyses as a basis for applying the technique to highly loaded components and implementing geometric inspections of the built-up components.
The process chain will be demonstrated with applications from the project partners MTU Aero Engines (adding functional elements to an engine casing), Airbus (reinforcing components using 3D ribbing) and Daimler (adapting a press tool in car body manufacturing).
1 – Featured image: © Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.
Example of hybrid additive manufacturing.
2 – Image in the text: © MTU Aero Engines AG, München, Germany.
Turbine center frame of a GEnx engine.


Discover Istanbul, home of Hezarfen airport
Istanbul Hezarfen Airport is Turkey's internationally registered, first private airport. Hezarfen Airport is also licensed from the Ministry of Transport and Green Certified Organisation.
Hezarfen Airport's name comes from Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi, the first flying Turk during the Ottoman Empire of the 17th century.
Hezarfen Airport is located in Catalca district of Istanbul, at 20 kilometers west of Istanbul Ataturk International Airport. The airport has a single landing field for full size motor aircrafts and small planes.
The airport code:
ICAO Code: LTBW
Hezarfen Airport, Istanbul
© 2019 - Go Turkey Tourism


Lucky Store extends warm congratulations to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the remarkable success of Chandrayaan 3, the latest milestone in India's space exploration journey. We are thrilled to join the global community in celebrating this extraordinary achievement, which represents a giant leap forward in unraveling the mysteries of our cosmic neighbor.
1. Acknowledging Excellence
Lucky Store takes immense pride in congratulating ISRO on the triumphant Chandrayaan 3 mission. This accomplishment demonstrates the dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment of ISRO's scientists and engineers.
2. Journey to Lunar Success
Chandrayaan 3's journey from Earth to the Moon is a testament to human ingenuity. The precision in launch, navigation, and lunar descent showcases ISRO's prowess in space technology.
3. Unlocking Lunar Mysteries
ISRO's dedication to unraveling the Moon's mysteries is evident through Chandrayaan 3's scientific objectives. By analyzing lunar composition and topography, we are poised to gain insights into our celestial companion's evolution.
4. Looking Ahead
As Chandrayaan 3 blazes a trail of success, we eagerly anticipate the future of lunar exploration. ISRO's accomplishments inspire us to dream bigger and reach for the stars, fostering a legacy of continuous innovation.
5. A Cosmic Inspiration
Chandrayaan 3's achievements resonate beyond scientific circles. They inspire humanity's innate curiosity and remind us of the limitless possibilities that await us in the cosmos.
Lucky Store joins hands with the world in applauding ISRO's brilliance, perseverance, and remarkable achievements in the realm of space exploration. As we celebrate Chandrayaan 3's success, we are reminded that humanity's journey into the unknown is fueled by the spirit of exploration and the pursuit of knowledge.


Launched in 1977 NASA's Voyager 1 & 2 spacecraft have travelled further & faster than any other man-made objects. In late August 2012 Voyager 1 finally crossed over into interstellar space, though it took over over a year to be sure that this milestone had in fact been achieved. Voyager 2 is not far behind in the race to leave the confines of our solar system.
These two small probes represent the pinnacle of human exploration & ingenuity - they are envoys for all the inhabitants of planet Earth.
Running on what little power remains in their fuel cells, the Voyagers travel on...far, far from home. They are distant ambassadors, the very fingertips of humankind's outstretched hand in the vast & uncharted reaches of the Universe...
released 01 December 2013
All music by Impulse Array
Mastered by Shawn Hatfield @ AudibleOddities
Artwork by Annamarie Lightfoot @ The Space Lounge
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Balloon Trajectory Archive
Figures showing the forecast balloon trajectories are listed by the
date that the meteorological forecast was started (the `base
time'). There are eight forecasts corresponding to "balloon launches"
at 0, 16, 24, 40, 48, 64, 72 and 88 hours after the base time. Since
all base times are at 12GMT, these correspond to a balloon launch at
12GMT the same day, at 04GMT the following morning and then 12 and
04GMT for the following three days. The most likely launch time will
be in the early morning.
Note that the balloon flight plan includes the 2 hours taken to
inflate the balloon on the deck of Qinetiq's ship Triton. The ship
will be moving with the wind to prevent the balloon being blown
over. The forecast balloon releases occur immediately after inflation
(at 14 and 06GMT).