DISCOVERY SET TO DELIVER LARGEST EVER ISS PAYLOAD
LAUNCH NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery was expected to launch at 17:02 local time on 31 May from Florida's Kennedy Space Center for its mission STS-124 to the International Space Station. The orbiter is delivering Japan's pressurised module and robotic arm for its Kibo laboratory at the ISS on its 14-day flight that has three spacewalks. According to NASA the Kibo pressurised module is the largest payload ever for the station. The orbiter will also deliver parts needed to repair a toilet on board the ISS that is not working.
COMPOSITE BLADES VENTURE JOINS ROLLS-ROYCE AND GKN
TECHNOLOGY Rolls-Royce and GKN are to establish a joint venture to develop aero engine fan blades in composite materials. Funding for the research and development is expected to reach £11 million ($21.7 million) Rolls-Royce will fund and own 51% of the venture, with GKN Aerospace responsible for 49%. GKN senior vice-president business development and strategy Frank Bamford says the venture is intended "to establish how far we can push the boundaries" of composite materials compared with the current and potential performance of titanium-based blades used today.
CASH-STRAPPED SILVERJET SUSPENDS OPERATIONS
BUSINESS CLASS CARRIERS UK all-premium carrier Silverjet has suspended operations after failing to secure much-needed funding from prospective investor Viceroy Holdings. Viceroy had been planning to acquire a 28% share in Silverjet in exchange for an $8.5 million equity investment and a loan of up to $16.5 million. London Luton-based Silverjet's shares have been suspended since 23 May. Silverjet began transatlantic operations between Luton and New York Newark in January last year, deploying three Boeing 767s configured in an all-business layout. It added Dubai to its fledgling network last November.
EX-EADS CHIEF FORGEARD FACES FORMAL INSIDER DEALING PROBE
INVESTIGATION Former EADS co-chief executive Noel Forgeard is said to have been placed under formal investigation for alleged insider dealing during his time with Airbus's parent firm. The criminal inquiry centres on share sales that took place ahead of a profit warning issued by EADS in June 2006, when problems with its A380 programme became known. French stock market regulator AMF - which has performed its own investigation into the share deals involving a number of current and former EADS executives - and EADS both declined to comment.
UNITED, US AIRWAYS NO LONGER IN MARKET FOR MERGER
CONSOLIDATION US Airways and United Airlines have stopped pursuing merger opportunities, as skyrocketing fuel prices force the carriers to place renewed focus on adapting their business strategies. Both US majors have been assessing strategic options for several months, including a possible tie-up of their own, following a merger announcement from Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines. In a letter to employees, US Airways chief executive Doug Parker says of a merger that it is "simply unlikely that anything will happen in 2008 as our industry continues to struggle with how to function in a world with $130 a barrel oil prices".
BOEING ENGINEERING STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD
CALL FOR ENTRIES If you are an engineering student whose work has an impact on aeronautical or space technology, enter the Engineering Student of the Year award, sponsored by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. The winner and a companion will be guests of Boeing for a presentation during Flight International's 100th anniversary celebrations at the 2008 Farnborough air show. Details and entry instructions at flightglobal.com/student
Source: Flight International
