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.
COMMANDING ROBOTS: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Aurora Flight Sciences are partnered on an effort for NASA to develop a software system for commanding diverse teams of mobile robots engaged in planetary exploration. Future robots exploring planets such as Mars will have to be able to coordinate with each other autonomously, since communications delays will preclude continuous, direct supervision from Earth.
GALAXY AWARDS: The U.S. Air Force recently awarded Lockheed Martin a $299 million contract for the C-5M Super Galaxy Reliability Enhancement and Re-Engining Program (RERP) and a $25 million contract for the airlifter’s Interim Contractor Support (ICS) program. The RERP award funds installation on one aircraft, material and fabrication of three aircraft, and long-lead funding for five aircraft. Two C-5Ms have already been delivered to the Air Force, and current service plans call for 52 C-5Ms to be delivered by 2016.
PIECE BY PIECE: The last newly manufactured section of the Ares I-X test rocket arrived at the Assembly and Refurbishment Facility of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Feb. 20. Called the frustum, the funnel-shaped section serves to transition the primary flight loads from the rocket’s upper stage to the first stage, and is located between the upper stage and the forward skirt extension. The part is built by Major Tool and Machine Inc. of Indiana under a subcontract with Ares I prime ATK.
