Presentation: December 2016

This month's AE presenter: David

Date of presentation: 12-Dec-2016

Subject: The GOES Satellite Program

Description: David discussed the Geostationary Orbital Environmental Satellite (GOES) program. This program started in 1975 to provide geostationary satellites for weather forecasting. There are two satellites active at any given time, GOES East and GOES West, with an online, or in-orbit, spare. This gives complete coverage of the Western Hemisphere to image clouds in the visible and infrared spectrums, and provide soundings to determine the amount of water vapor, cloud heights, and ozone layer. Current satellites also monitor solar weather. The satellites have the ability to receive and retransmit signals from the earth, and even have been used as communications satellites for Antarctic research stations. GOES satellites also used by the AFRCC to listen for ELTs. 

Aerospace Minute by David

On 7 Nov, David talked about the new international space station proposed by the International Space Craft Working Group (ISCWG). It would be built around 2020 and positioned in a cislunar orbit. If built, components would be placed in orbit using the Orion system. Electric thrusters would be used on the space station, and all environmental systems will be closed circuit.

Presentation: June 2016

This month's AE presenter: David

Date of presentation: 27-June-2016

Subject: The Stratolaunch Aircraft

Description: The Stratolaunch is a dual-fuselage, 6-engined aircraft designed to carry spacecraft to high altitudes for an aerial launch. It is under construction with a planned first-flight in late 2016. The all-composite aircraft's conceptual design was by Burt Rutan, and the intial project funding came from Paul Allen. When complete, it will be the largest aircraft (by wingspan) to ever fly. Engines and flight controls came from two Boeing 747's. It will be capable of launching spacecraft up to 500,000lb in weight. Potential spacecraft include the Dream Chaser IIS resupply ship.

Aerospace Minute by David

On 14 March, David talked about the new Virgin Galactic spacecraft, the Unity.  This spacecraft replaces the spacecraft that crashed in 2014. The spacecraft's wings are hinged to rotate into a feathered position. This allows the wings to create drag and prevent high heat on re-entry, yet not produce lift until it is needed. In 2014, the wings came unlocked, causing the fatal crash. The hinge mechanism has now been redesigned, and the new spacecraft is ready for testing. The spacecraft it piloted manually vs. through automation for simplicity and reliability. Tickets will cost approximately $250K for a flight. No word yet on the a date for the first flight.  Source for this AE Minute came from CNN  news.

Brewer Award

Squadron 80 is proud to announce that our External AE Officer was awarded the prestigious Frank G. Brewer, Sr Award for efforts to evangelize aviation to youth.

Aerospace Minute by David

On 25 January, David talked about the Dragon 2 program from SpaceX. SpaceX is a commercial spacecraft company founded by Elan Musk, who also founded eBay and Tesla. The goal of SpaceX is to build reusable commercial spacecraft. The Falcon 9 booster has successfully launched capsules to the ISS and been recovered using rockets to soften the landing. To date, it has not successfully landed on its landing gear, but they are close to making it work. The Dragon 2 will be a manned capsule. It will also be recovered using rockets. Currently, it is undergoing testing tethered to a crane. Tests will culminate with it being dropped from a helicopter and recovered on its landing gear.