Jeff has been involved in aerospace journalism since the mid 1990s. Prior to joining Aviation Week, Jeff served as managing editor of Launchspace magazine and the International Space Industry Report. He has been the editor and chief of Aviation Week's Aerospace Daily & Defense Report since 2007 and has been a regular contributor to Aviation Week magazine. He received his B.A. from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va.
The International Space Station's Expedition 11 crew has a "lengthy list" of experiments to conduct that will help enable long-duration missions by astronauts beyond Earth orbit, according to NASA Station Science Officer John Phillips. Phillips and Expedition 11 commander Sergei Krikalev will fly to the ISS onboard a Soyuz rocket on April 15. During their stay, "we will emphasize science that will lead us to go farther and longer into space," Phillips said during a press conference Feb. 3.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is planning a second industry day Feb. 11 for the Walrus cargo-carrying hybrid airship program. Walrus is intended to demonstrate the feasibility of a large hybrid airship capable of carrying a complete Army Unit of Action from "Fort to Fight," according to DARPA. The future vehicle would be able to bring 500 tons of cargo across intercontinental distances into unprepared landing sites, including water landings.
A panel of witnesses from outside NASA debated the future of the Hubble Space Telescope during a hearing on Capitol Hill Feb. 2, endorsing options ranging from shuttle or robotic servicing to flying the telescope's replacement instruments on a new spacecraft. The debate took place against a backdrop of rumors that NASA has cut all funding for Hubble servicing from its fiscal year 2006 budget, and plans only to fund a disposal mission to de-orbit the telescope safely (DAILY, Jan. 25). NASA's budget will be released Feb. 7.
