Nov 6 1995
From The Space Library
NASA's unmanned spacecraft Wind, patrolling interplanetary space 662,000 miles from Earth, detected a "giant magnetic cloud" on October 18. An updated "space weather alert" was issued to commercial satellite operators, electrical utilities and other organizations worldwide. The disturbance was speeding to Earth at over 2.1 million miles per hour. It produced a magnetic storm and auroral displays that persisted for two days. Future disturbances are anticipated as the 11-year sunspot cycle is expected to peak shortly after the year 2000. The Wind spacecraft was launched November 1, 1994. (NASA Release 95-202; Space News, Oct 30/95)
NASA suspended the X-34 program for two weeks on November 2 over the issue of whether a U.S. or a Russian engine would be used. The next day White House officials denied NASA's request to withdraw from the government-industry team building the unmanned reusable launcher. (Space News, Nov 6/95; Av Wk, Nov 6/95)
Lockheed Martin plans to develop an advanced Atlas rocket to launch large commercial satellites. The "IIAR" would be ready to launch medium-lift to intermediate-lift payloads in December, 1998. This new rocket is a challenge to Arianespace, the 53-member European space consortium, and to the McDonnell Douglas Corp. (WSJ, Nov 6/95)
Boeing Co. is developing a venture to use converted oil-drilling platforms to launch satellites atop Zenit rockets, which are built by NPO Yuzhnoye of the Ukraine. The plan would allow as many as 22 launches through 2001, as long as world demand for launches to geosynchronous orbits remains strong. (Space News, Dec 11/95; WSJ, Nov 6/95 & Dec 6/95)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
