All articles by Dan Thisdell – Page 2
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NewsCatalyst turboprop flight testing “to start this spring”
GE Aviation’s delayed Catalyst turboprop programme has advanced enough that a maiden flight test is now scheduled for this spring with certification targeted for autumn 2021, according to the company’s European aero engines unit, Avio Aero.
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NewsBAE joins high-altitude race with maiden PHASA-35 flight
BAE Systems has performed a maiden sortie of its solar-powered PHASA-35 high-altitude pseudo-satellite (HAPS) from the Woomera Test Range in South Australia. Further flights will follow this year, says BAE.
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In depthLaunch race reaches UK
London is adding the missing link of access to orbit to its plan to turn the country into a world space power
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In depthFor Reaction Engines, cool is the key
Radical rocket concept could propel the next-generation of hypersonic transports
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In depthAriane 6, Vega C fuel Europe's new launch era
Light and heavy rocket upgrades make a family built for cost, performance and versatility
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In depthIndustry must grasp ‘technology shift’
Obvious to casual observers and enthusiasts alike is the dramatic technological development trajectory of a century of aviation. But while enthusiasts attuned to very fine details may have more to say about recent developments, casual observers will legitimately note that aircraft are much the same as they have been for ...
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In depthHow aviation is falling behind when it comes to cybersecurity
Many industries have encouraged independent security researchers’ efforts to help make their systems cyber secure - but aviation has some catching up to do
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NewsRolls-Royce electric speed record bid ‘on track’
Rolls-Royce is “on track” to go to the 2020 Farnborough air show touting a world speed record for electric flight – and to be a leader in electrification – after unveiling the airframe it hopes to push to 260kt (480kmh) in the second quarter
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In depthVirgin Galactic gains its wings
It’s been a busy year for Virgin Galactic, the Richard Branson-led bid to shape the future of human spaceflight. After some 15 years in development marked by delays and two fatal accidents – one on the ground and one in flight – 2019 opened with the hangover of celebrations from ...
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In depthMilestones of 2019
From the end of the Airbus A380 to the influence of Greta Thunberg, 2019 presented a shift in the way we fly and view the future of aerospace
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Thales connected cockpit puts 5D flight management on horizon
Thales is promising a “game-changer” in flight management systems (FMS) with an internet-connected but secure system designed to let pilots take advantage of the full spectrum of available flight, weather and air traffic data to realise optimised flight trajectories for time and fuel efficiency – from 2024.
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UK space sector eyes future outside EU
Echoing ongoing speculation about the United Kingdom’s post-Brexit future as an economic and diplomatic player, the county’s future as a space power remains uncertain.
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NewsEurope ready for 4D flying with cockpit satcom trials
An ambitious bid to improve flight safety and efficiency over Europe by replacing legacy VHF radio communications with high-bandwidth satellite-based voice and data links between air traffic controllers and pilots is set to begin flight trials. If successful, the Iris system – developed by the European Space Agency and a consortium of companies led by air and marine communications specialist Inmarsat – is expected to shorten flown routes, minimize delays free up overcrowded air space by assigning aircraft flight trajectories in “4D”: latitude, longitude, altitude and time.
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AnalysisHow Europe may join NASA's Moon effort
The USA may be leading the charge, but when it comes to humankind’s return to the Moon, NASA is clear - this must be an international effort
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AnalysisIn space, it's best to eat a good meal as astronaut Luca Parmitano knows first hand
Never let it be said that Italians do not know about food. But knowing a bit more is firmly on the agenda, too. For European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Luca Parmitano, a highlight of his second stint on board the International Space Station is to run an experiment called NutrISS - Nutrition Monitoring for the International Space Station.
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NewsAmbitious EcoPulse project must overcome significant hurdles
An all-French bid to devise a technical path to hybrid-powered flight highlights one of the most daunting challenges facing engineers looking to enlist electric propulsion in the battle against noise and emissions: the high voltages required by such systems.
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Cobham snapped up by US private equity group
Cobham, the publicly listed UK-based aviation equipment, electronics and services business, is to be taken over private by a US private equity group in a cash deal pegging its value at approximately £4 billion ($5 billion).
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NewsWhat the new Neil Armstrong film can teach us about history
As detailed in a new documentary film, the life of Neil Armstrong chronicles a recent century which, today, feels dizzyingly long ago.
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NewsVirgin Orbit drop test is prelude to first spaceflight
Virgin Orbit is but a step away from a live launch to orbit, having completed a successful drop-test from its 747-400 carrier vehicle.
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NewsPARIS: Europe joins forces to meet climate change challenge
Europe has declared its intention to tackle aviation’s climate change problem, with Airbus, Safran, Rolls-Royce and Leonardo chief executives Guillaume Faury, Philippe Petitcolin, Warren East and Alessandro Profumo leading a group of 23 high-level signatories to put their names – and their company’s and institution’s reputations – on the line ...