global briefing
WORLD
test update
// ORION CAPSULE
UNDERGOES FINAL TESTING
The capsule for NASA’s Orion
spacecraft has been assembled
and is undergoing final
integrated systems testing at
the Kennedy Space Center in
Florida, USA.
The crew module capsule will
be used for the first mission to
the Moon, which is planned for
next year. The Artemis 1 mission
is an uncrewed test flight before
the first manned mission using
the capsule, planned to happen
in 2023.
Technicians and engineers
from Lockheed Martin, NASA
and other contractors have
spent the last three years
assembling and testing the
capsule at the Kennedy Space
Center. The work included
installing the capsule’s avionic
computers, harnesses,
propulsion system and its 12
engines, 11 parachutes,
its large 16ft
-diameter heat
shield, forward bay
cover and numerous
other systems.
Florida, USA
6 SEPTEMBER \\ AEROSPACETESTINGINTERNATIONAL.COM
// GERMAN RESEARCHERS
TEST GYROCOPTER DRONES
Researchers at the German
Research Center DLR have
successfully conducted test
flights with unmanned
gyrocopters carrying freight at
low altitudes.
The ALAADy (Automated Low
Altitude Air Delivery) system aims
to develop a flexible, safe and
cost-effective way of transporting
by air important cargo to the
desired location.
The tests were conducted in
July at Cochstedt Airport.
The uncrewed civilian aerial
vehicle developed by DLR
researchers for the ALAADy
demonstrator project is one of
the largest currently available.
During the development of the
transport drone, the 450kg
gyrocopter underwent extensive
modifications, including
the installation of equipment so
it can carry freight..
The aircraft has also been
retrofitted with sensors, actuators
and a flight control computer.
Cochstedt, Germany
// SCOTLAND’S SKYRORA
TESTS 3D PRINTED ROCKET
Scottish space company Skyrora
has successfully carried out
testing on a fully 3D-printed,
commercial rocket engine for
the first time ever in the UK.
The Edinburgh-based
firm used its base in
Cornwall to carry
out engine checks
on its XL rocket, the
firm’s main orbital
launch vehicle.
The engine boasts stopstart
technology, meaning
Skyrora’s rocket can deliver
satellites to different orbits.
The engine’s 3D-printed
technology allows cooling
channels to be embedded into
the walls of the combustion
chamber. According to Skyrora
this means the engine requires
fewer parts.
Edinburgh, UK
// COMMERCIAL HYBRID
ELECTRIC FLIGHT TEST
The Los Angeles-based Ampaire
is to start testing its hybrid
commercial aircraft on
commercial routes in Hawaii
later this year.
The company has begun a
flight test program of its Electric
EEL, a twin-engine Cessna 337
Skymaster aircraft modified to
fly with one conventional
combustion engine and one
electric motor. The six-seat
aircraft is the largest hybridelectric
aircraft flying today,
according to Ampaire.
The aircraft, which made its
first flight in June, was retrofitted
with Ampaire’s proprietary
electric propulsion system and is
powered by a lightweight
battery system. The system is a
parallel hybrid, meaning the
internal combustion engine and
electric motor work in concert to
optimize power output as the
plane flies.
The Electric EEL, the name of
which is the characters of its
original name reversed, will start
flight trials on commercial routes
with Mokulele Airlines in Hawaii
later this year. FAA certification
of the Electric EEL is expected
during 2021.
Los Angeles, USA
READ MORE
on our
website
Read more
onLINE
/AEROSPACETESTINGINTERNATIONAL.COM