Apr 4 1979

From The Space Library

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Current revision

NASA reported that improved components and techniques could lower the "now prohibitive" cost of using turbine rather than piston engines in small general aviation aircraft. If turbines cost only half again instead of three times as much as piston engines, small plane users could reap the advantages of one-third the weight, proven reliability and safety, multifuel capability, and less maintenance, vibration, noise, or pollution.

A study by Lewis Research Center (LeRC) said that an advance turbine aircraft would be 25 % cheaper to operate, would use 10 % less fuel, and would cost 15% less to purchase than an equivalent aircraft powered by a typical reciprocating engine. Although only 8% of general aviation aircraft flying in the United States, were turbine powered, the study said that the market for an advanced turbine engine could reach 25,000 units per year by the late 1980s. The general aviation field included 98% of U.S. civilian aircraft. (NASA Release 79-29)

INTELSAT reported that two new regional satellite systems proposed by member groups would be technically compatible with its present system and would not threaten its economic well-being. A proposed European Communications Satellite (ECS) system would provide telecommunications service to countries in Eastern and Western Europe and North Africa beginning in 1982, working with Europe's terrestrial network. A Palapa B system, a joint venture of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, would serve remote areas not having access to INTELSAT's system, also beginning in 1982. (INTELSAT Releases 79-07-I, 79-09-I)

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