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.
STATION SUPPORT: NASA has awarded a $144 million follow-on contract to ARES Corp. for International Space Station support. The Burlingame, Calif.-based company will provide support for configuration management, data management, information technology, safety and mission assurance, vehicle integrated performance, resource and budget analysis, program schedule development, engineering and technical services, spacecraft integration, international partner integration and strategic analysis planning, according to NASA. The contract runs through Sept.
Independent reviewers testifying before House lawmakers in Washington June 16 pointed to continued problems with the tri-agency National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) program, calling for changes in management structure and for the program to once and for all develop a realistic budget.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The U.S. Air Force has pinpointed the likely cause of the distorted signals coming from the latest Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite to reach orbit. The problem appears to be related to the interface for the L5 payload, which is demonstrating a new signal for civil GPS users. Launched on March 24, the Lockheed Martin-built GPS IIR-20(M) spacecraft was still in its checkout phase when the distortion was discovered, so there has been no affect on GPS users.
