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This article reports that the orbiter Discovery's 8-min. 30-sec., zero-to-Mach 25 launch to orbit will be propelled by Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME) and Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB) that have undergone substantially increased testing and rigorous quality oversight in the two years since the Columbia space shuttle accident. Any serious propulsion emergency on the 4.5-million-lb. vehicle, climbing initially on 7.4 million lb. thrust, could be a life-or-death issue for the seven-member STS-114 crew. In preparation for the return-to-flight, testing has been doubled for the SSME and SRB programs during the last year, even though neither system was involved in the Columbia accident.

This article reports that scientists at Deep Impact will set a new trajectory this month for a possible visit to the comet 9P/Tempel 1. The flyby spacecraft and its instruments are in excellent shape after the close pass by the dusty comet. Later this month, controllers will fire thrusters to target an Earth flyby in January 2008, to prepare for a not-yet-approved extended mission, possibly to the comet Boethin. The science payoff highlights the comeback of Deep Impact, which at one point was almost canceled. As development progressed, the difficulty of finding and targeting a desired spot on a completely unknown body using scene recognition algorithms while closing at 22,800 mph.

The article reports on the challenges faced by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the U.S. National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) for fitting space shuttle propulsion hardware in the Orion crew capsule flight around the Moon. Topics discussed include challenges faced by the engineers at Airbus Defense and Space in finding documentation for the system without violating the U.S. arms-export regulations and meeting NASA safety standards, and the launch of the spacecraft by 2029.

Alliant Techsystems Inc. has been pursuing a growth strategy that emphasizes its expertise in precision munitions, clearly one of the defense industry's "sweet spots" in terms of market opportunities. Two recent strategic acquisitions should enhance those growth prospects, while strengthening Alliant's position in leading-edge propulsion technologies for the next generation of space vehicles. Added to the company's portfolio of businesses in a transaction valued at around $40 million were GASL and Micro Craft, both of which are leaders in oxygen-burning jet engines. GASL is the prime contractor on a program jointly funded by the U.S. Army, Navy and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop supersonic combustion ramjet projectile and missile technology.

Focuses on the cause of the hydrogen propulsion system crack of the Atlantis space shuttle in the U.S. Uncertainty on the ability of the orbiter hydrogen lines to sustain years of shuttle flight; Duration on designing and fabricating hydrogen lines; Mechanics on the installation of Space shuttle main engines in the orbiter Atlantis.

Reports that the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration's rocket engine contractors on the Space Launch Initiative are working on cryogenic rocket engines based on the Space Shuttle Main Engine. Development of propulsion for the shuttle's replacement; Concepts proposed by Boeing's Rocketdyne unit and Aerojet/Pratt & Whitney.

Reports on Boeing Co.'s air drop and water retrieval of a propulsion system. Rationale for the testing; Contract acquired to validate its concept for the US Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program; Similar EELV contracts inked by other companies; Agreement signed by Boeing with the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Reports that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Rocketdyne and Pratt & Whitney are beefing up test plans for space shuttle fuel pumps. Aggressive test regime to shakeout potential problems; Efforts to increase safety, reliability and capability of Rocketdyne engines; Schedule of testing for the pumps.

Reports that five astronauts on board Discovery shuttle will test out a redesigned shuttle main engine during their ascent to orbit on a mission to deploy a NASA geosynchronous data-relay satellite. Possible delay of liftoff for Shuttle Mission 70 due to damages in Discovery's external tank; Extent and cause of damage; Problems casued by a damaged tank insulation; Upgrades to the shuttle main engine.

This article reflects on the unlikely improvements in space launch architecture as a result of an ongoing debate concerning feasibility of various flyback boosters. As always, having the right concept at the start is critical to success of space access activity, such as the rapid-response system being pursued by the U.S. Air Force. It is apparent from the arguments for the different types of flyback boosters that their use would not only be very risky and costly, but would require long development time.

The article focuses on various developments in the U.S. aviation industry. Three different advanced space propulsion systems have reached important testing milestones recently under the auspices of NASA and the U.S. Air Force. Aerojet developed the first flight-capable oxygen-rich preburner for a large rocket in the U.S. and tested it at company facilities in Sacramento, California. Search-and-rescue experts continue to refine the techniques they would use in the aftermath of a space shuttle crash that is deemed survivable. Teams led by Boeing Co. and the FAA have used both broadband and narrowband satellite signals to demonstrate precision surveillance and control of an aircraft out of range of direct radio and radar coverage. The Global Communications, Navigation and Surveillance System tests over the Gulf of Mexico used the low-Earth-orbit Iridium satellites for the narrowband link, and a leased Ku-band transponder on Telstar VI in geostationary orbit to demonstrate two-way voice communications, automatic dependent surveillance and uninterrupted transition between radar and offshore air traffic domains.

Reports on Marshall Space Flight Center engineers' scouring of inspection requirements for Pratt & Whitney Corp.'s space shuttle main engine pumps. Call for review following the discovery in one pump of a metal seal bent into the unit's hot gas stream; Concern about impact damage to the heat exchanger; Pumps as critical components of effort to improve the reliability and safety of the space shuttle's main engines.

Reports on the increase by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the `redline' for hypergolic propellant reserved for space shuttles' re-entry. Investigation for the heavy use of critical control rocket during the space shuttle Endeavour's reentry; Demand for additional exact planning and management of maneuvering and control thrusters by crews and ground controllers; Martin Marietta Aero-Space's review of its internal space operations.