As reported by the local news correspondent at CitySpur, The skies above the Gulf might get even more crowded next year as plans for a new Abu Dhabi-based low-cost airline get underway. The new airline to come out of the capital emirate will be the United Arab Emirates’ third budget airline, following in the footsteps of flyDubai based in Dubai and Air Arabian in Sharjah. “The Middle East is still playing ‘catch up’ with the rest of the world as far as LCCs [Low Cost Carriers] go,” David J Bentley, Joint Managing Director of Big Pond Aviation, told The Media Line. “The rest of the world is moving on with the continuing evolution of the hybrid model that superficially keeps costs and prices low while pandering to the needs of business travelers.” In parallel with the Gulf’s premium airlines, the low cost segment of the market has seen substantial growth, with six new carriers established over as many years, including Air Arabian in 2003 in Sharjah, Kuwaiti Jazeera Airways and Saudi Arabian Sama Airlines.

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Real-Time Innovations announced that NASA is using RTI middleware to control a fleet of experimental robots. The NASA Human-Robotic Systems Project is developing four prototype robots at four major research centers. The robots share a network data architecture that uses RTI middleware.

The Human-Robotic Systems Project includes four robots with four very different missions. NASA’s Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., is building a robot called K10. Because it carries an array of cameras and laser scanners, this robot can operate in an unstructured environment by itself or with human oversight. ATHLETE, a large, six-limbed robot built at the Jet Propulsion Lab, is designed to transport large payloads across a wide range of terrain, including steep slopes and rocks. Johnson Space Center has built a Lunar Electric Rover—or LER—that could transport astronauts across long distances on the moon or Mars someday. Finally, Langley Research Center is building a crane-like robot called the Lunar Surface Manipulator System (LSMS) to help with assembly and loading missions on planetary surfaces.

These systems are prototypes for vehicles that will someday operate on extraterrestrial surfaces. Today, the prototypes are being tested in harsh analogue environments. For instance, during the summer, K10, ATHLETE and the LER spent weeks at Black Point Lava Flow in Northern Arizona.

Terry Fong, director of the Intelligent Robotics Group at NASA Ames, said, “Although ATHLETE, K10, and LER have very different designs and are used for different missions, they share common needs. For example, all of these robots will sometimes be “teleoperated” with direct joystick control. This requires high-speed communications with the operator. At other times, these robots will be operated with long transmission delays over low-bandwidth communication links. In addition, each system must integrate many other applications, including sensors, graphical interfaces and navigation. The robots also run a variety of operating systems, including Linux, Mac OS, VxWorks and Windows.”

All the NASA robots are designed to share a common data communications interface. This saves significant deployment costs, reduces training requirements and leverages code and experience between the centers. Someday, when NASA launches the systems, having only one communications architecture will eliminate the need for duplicate testing, simplify operator equipment and reduce ground staffing.

Fong continued, “Getting four complex robots with very different designs to use a common data system was challenging. The Data Distribution Service for Real-Time Systems [DDS] standard supports very flexible service parameters. We found that we could adapt the middleware to the unique needs of each robotic system.”

Stan Schneider, CEO of RTI commented, “NASA Ames was our first middleware customer in the early 1990s. The advances in the NASA robotics program are striking; we are proud to be a part of it.”

Nextant Aerospace announced lowered entry level pricing for the 400NEXT Beechjet 400A/XP modernization. The new price of $3.9 Million is a $1.0 Million reduction from the previous published price.

“The dramatic reduction in the value of a pre-owned aircraft over the past 12 months has allowed us to reevaluate the pricing for the base model 400NEXT. It is unfortunate that lower aircraft values have negatively affected so many but Nextant is fortunate to be able to turn that into a positive offering to our customers,” said Kenn Ricci, CEO of Nextant Aerospace.

The Nextant Aerospace 400NEXT was designed to overcome significant limitations to the popular Hawker Beechjet 400A/400XP. By replacing the existing out dated Pratt & Whitney JT15D engines with the new modern fuel efficient Williams International FJ44-3AP computer controlled engines and incorporating the new Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21™ avionics suite, the range of the 400NEXT will be increased from 1333 nautical miles to over 2000 nautical miles (4 passenger, NBAA IFR range). In addition to a 30% reduction in operating costs based on fuel savings alone.

Nextant Aerospace announced today that all requirements have been completed for issuance of an STC for the Beechjet 400A/XP Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 to Pro Line 21 Flight Deck Upgrade.

The Pro Line 21 upgrade program combines one of the most popular avionics suites available with one of the most popular light/medium business jets. “We are excited to have completed the requirements for this STC. Not only does it mark the first certification of Pro Line 21 in a Beechjet it also concludes an important milestone in the development of the 400NEXT aircraft. Pilots and owners like the increased safety and reliability this upgrade brings to the Beechjet 400A/XP in addition to the decreased maintenance and weight.” said Mark O’Donnell, VP of Manufacturing for Nextant Aerospace.

Base price for the Beechjet 400A/XP Pro Line 21 upgrade, consisting of three displays, is $390,000. Additional options are available for four displays, IFIS (Integrated Flight Information System) and XM Satellite NEXRAD Radar. Orders placed before the end of year can include the fourth display at 50% off.

The Pro Line 21 avionics upgrade is key element of the complete 400NEXT program. The Nextant 400NEXT is designed to overcome significant limitations to the popular Hawker Beechcraft 400XP/400A by replacing the existing Pratt & Whitney JT15D engines with the new modern Williams International FJ44-3AP computer controlled engines along with the new Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics. The range of the 400NEXT will be increased from 1333 nautical miles to over 2000 (4 passenger, NBAA IFR range) with a 30% reduction in operating costs based on fuel savings alone. The 400NEXT will be offered as a remanufactured serially produced aircraft as well as a modification retrofit program.

SpaceX announced the successful completion of acceptance testing of both the Falcon 9 first and second stages in preparation for the first flight of Falcon 9. Acceptance testing took place at SpaceX’s Texas Test Site, a 300-acre structural and propulsion testing facility, located just outside of Waco, Texas.

This recent series of tests subjected both stages to a variety of structural load and proof pressure tests to verify acceptability for flight. Acceptance testing began in late summer with the first stage and concluded last week at SpaceX’s Texas facility with completion of acceptance testing for the second stage.

“The successful completion of these tests marks another key milestone in our preparation for Falcon 9’s first flight,” said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX. “Our team will now move forward with a static fire of the first and second stages, the last major milestone before hardware is transferred to SpaceX’s launch pad at Cape Canaveral.”

The inaugural flight of Falcon 9 is a demonstration flight, and is expected to occur one to three months after Falcon 9 arrival at Cape Canaveral next month. The final launch date will depend on range scheduling, weather conditions and time required to make adjustments for any vehicle-to-ground equipment interactions. For its first flight, Falcon 9 will launch a Dragon spacecraft qualification unit into orbit to provide SpaceX with valuable aerodynamic and performance information.

The second flight of the Falcon 9/Dragon system is the first flight under NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, a new commercial-government partnership under which SpaceX will demonstrate the ability to dock with the International Space Station, transfer cargo, and return cargo safely to Earth.

Flightstar has announced that it will be expanding its facilities at Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Florida. The planned 100,000 square foot facility will include an Aircraft Coating Facility for narrow and wide-body aircraft, a Learning Center in conjunction with Florida State College at Jacksonville, and additional space for the company’s Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul operations. Flightstar has signed a Term Agreement and plan with the Jacksonville Aviation Authority for a long term lease to be finalized shortly. Expected staffing levels will reach an additional 200 employees at peak production. The facility expansion groundbreaking is scheduled for September 28th and will be completed in late 2010.

Jerry Hernandez, Flightstar’s President said, “Flightstar is completing its tenth year in Jacksonville and we just couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than to expand our business in such a diversified and business friendly city.”

Flightstar began providing heavy maintenance and modification services at Jacksonville International Airport in 2000 and in 2005 moved to a larger facility at Cecil Commerce Center at Cecil Field in Jacksonville. The company has since continued to expand its customer base and has added new aircraft platforms to its service offering.

SpaceX announced this past week the successful demonstration of a proximity sensor, called DragonEye, on NASA’s STS-127 shuttle mission. DragonEye launched aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on July 15th, 2009, and was tested in proximity of the International Space Station (ISS) in preparation for future visits by SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.

With the help of NASA’s Commercial Crew and Cargo Program Office, DragonEye, a Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensor, has undergone flight system trials aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour in preparation for guiding the Dragon spacecraft as it approaches the ISS. The DragonEye LIDAR system provides three-dimensional images based on the amount of time it takes for a single laser pulse from the sensor to the reach a target and bounce back, providing range and bearing information from the Dragon spacecraft to the ISS.

DragonEye will make its operational debut on the final flight of the Dragon spacecraft under NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, where the spacecraft will demonstrate the ability to berth with the ISS.

Developed in just 10 months from concept to final hardware, DragonEye was delivered to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on February 16th, 2009, for integration with the Space Shuttle Endeavour, successfully completing all of NASA’s payload safety milestones.

Using flight data gathered onboard Space Shuttle Endeavour, DragonEye was able to detect the ISS and track it through various approach and departure maneuvers. Upon Endeavour’s return, the DragonEye system was returned to SpaceX, where flight data from the sensor was retrieved and is currently under evaluation.

“The verification and functionality of SpaceX’s DragonEye are a testament to the unique government-commercial partnership created by NASA’s COTS program,” said Gwynne Shotwell, President, SpaceX. “SpaceX appreciates NASA’s support with DragonEye and is proud to be a part of a program that is shaping the future of American spaceflight.”

Together with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch vehicle, the Dragon spacecraft is under contract with NASA to provide cargo resupply to the ISS when the Space Shuttle retires. This contract includes 12 flights between 2010 and 2015, with a guaranteed minimum of 20,000 kg of pressurized and unpressurized cargo to be carried to the ISS. SpaceX is the only COTS contender that has the capability to return cargo to Earth.

AeroMechanical Services announced that it has completed its first installation of afirs UpTime on a business aircraft and conducted a flawless flight test on a Hawker Beechcraft business jet in Europe. The aircraft, operated by a large fleet operator, will now enter an in-service evaluation of afirs UpTime flight watch, real time event reporting, UpTime Fuel and Emissions Management, flight data monitoring support, and emergency mode data streaming. The certifications (by Transport Canada, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”), and European Aviation Safety Agency (“EASA”)) that result from the flight test will supplement previously-granted certifications for the installation provisions. These activation approvals, normally expected within a period of several weeks, will apply to the Hawker Beechcraft 750, 800XP, 850XP and 900XP models, of which over 700 are in service or on order.

Richard Hayden, President of AMA, stated, “We are delighted, but not surprised, with the successful integration and testing of afirs on this popular business aircraft series. This represents a key milestone in AMA’s long term strategy to expand our customer base into the business aviation market, where our capabilities will be highly valued. We believe that the scope of services that we have now deployed is unrivaled in the business aviation sector. Thanks to all involved for the tremendous team effort to make this day possible”.

SpaceX has announced the successful completion of qualification testing for the Falcon 9 launch vehicle first stage tank and interstage. Testing took place at SpaceX’s Texas Test Site, a 300 acre structural and propulsion testing facility, located just outside of Waco, Texas.

The first stage tank and interstage hardware were subjected to a proof test of 1.1 times the maximum expected operating pressure (MEOP), and a burst pressure proof test of 1.4 MEOP; qualifying both articles with a 1.4 factor of safety. The 1.4 factor of safety designation means that the first stage tank and the interstage can withstand 140 percent the maximum internal pressure expected during flight, and qualifies both pieces of hardware to meet human rating safety requirements, as defined by NASA. The first stage also passed this human rating milestone when subjected to structural bending tests.

The testing regimen included over 150 pressurization cycles, exceeding the number of required life cycles by more than 100. In addition, the first stage and interstage were subjected to stiffness tests, maximum dynamic pressure loading and main engine cutoff conditions; all at expected values, as well as ultimate loads.

“Falcon 9 continues to pass qualification testing in preparation for its first flight, scheduled for 2009,” said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX. “All hardware was designed to be man-rated, and these tests confirm that SpaceX is one step closer to flying humans on the Falcon 9/Dragon system.”

Falcon 9’s first stage and interstage also passed ground wind qualification tests, critical for when the vehicle is vertical on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Both components were designed, built and tested by SpaceX.

Nextreme Thermal Solutions and Lockheed Martin have entered into a cooperation agreement to develop new products based on Nextreme’s thin-film thermoelectric materials.

The agreement allows Lockheed Martin to use Nextreme’s thin-film thermoelectric products and thermal and power management design services in solutions it is developing for government and civil applications.

“Lockheed Martin is proud to enter into this cooperation agreement with Nextreme,” said Brad Pietras, Director of Nanotechnology Programs at Lockheed Martin. “The agreement gives us the opportunity to offer our customers new and differentiated products for enhanced thermal and power management.”

“Lockheed Martin is a global leader and engaging with them is a tremendous step forward for Nextreme,” said Jesko von Windheim, CEO of Nextreme. “They represent leading-edge technology and offer an exceptional channel into the government sector, both of which can accelerate the development of next generation products.”

Nextreme’s team of engineers offers thermal modeling, design and engineering services to deliver fully optimized microscale thermal and power management solutions using standard and customized products.