October 8, 1979

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Safety

Dutch Dispute Report By Spanish on Tenerife

Every accident merits the greatest possible attention from the point of view of prevention. This applies, of course, even more in the present case, where the magnitude of the accident makes it necessary that all concerned examine with the greatest care how such an event can be avoided in the future.

Space Technology

Landsat Problems Cloud Supply of Data

Washington—National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Landsat earth resources program is encountering serious technical difficulties that threaten both near-and far-term data supply to users. As NASA assessed the problems, the Carter Administration was preparing late last week to decide on the structure of an operational remote sensing system, a decision that will strongly affect U. S. space applications planning for many years.

By Craig Covault

Manufacturing Technology

Research Center Explores Capabilities of Advanced Industrial Lasers

East Hartford, Conn.—United Technologies Research Center has developed a substantial capability in industrial lasers, including welding, cutting, surface treating and drilling. “We are unique [at UTRC] in the sense of our mission,” Jeffrey P. Carstens, manager of the Industrial Laser Dept., told AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY.

By Warren C. Wetmore

Avionics

Comsat Diversifies to Exploit Expertise

Washington—International Electronic Post, an electronic transoceanic mail service that recently began trial operations between New York, Washington and London and will be expanded to other countries, typifies Communications Satellite Corp.’s new internal diversification effort to enlarge business and profit horizons.

By Philip J. Klass

Space Technology

Intelsat Weighs 1984-92 Satellite Needs

San Francisco—Intelsat, the International Telecommunications Satellite consortium, expects to reach major decisions late next year regarding the number and type of satellites required for service during the 1984-1992 period. The decision-making timetable is being driven by the prospect that growth of satellite communications traffic in the Indian Ocean region will saturate available satellite capacity by late 1984.

By Benjamin M. Elson

Management

Air Force Studies Impact Of Engine Delivery Delay

Washington—Two Pratt & Whitney vendor strikes are having a ripple effect that could, in the worst case, mean a delay in delivery of one wing each of two Air Force fighters, the McDonnell Douglas F-15 and the General Dynamics F-16. The problem still is being assessed, but Air Force officials so far have determined that the gap in powerplant delivery could affect as many as 200 Pratt & Whitney F100 engines as a result of the five-month-long strikes (AW&ST Sept. 24, p. 19).

By David R. Griffiths

October 11979

October 151979

October 8, 1979

October 8, 1979

Dutch Dispute Report By Spanish on Tenerife