X-33 VentureStar
10/22/97 A description of the X-33 with a focus on new technology, including some information about the use of composites. From Scientific American. Human Powered Flight
10/19/97 A brief history of human powered flight and lightweight aircraft, culminating in the unmanned, solar powered Pathfinder. From Scientific American.
Tiltrotor Aircraft
10/19/97 A story about the V-22 Osprey. The author states that "most important technical innovation, however, is its use of advanced composite materials throughout its primary structure." From Scientific American. STRV Satellites Ready for Launch
11/15/00 The STRV satellites are ready for launch on 14 November. Several experiments will be flown, including one to measure the effects of atomic oxygen on spacecraft materials. Concorde Fuel Tanks to be Reinforced
11/15/00 Concorde jets will most likely have their fuel tanks reinforced with a rubber and Kevlar liner to prevent serious fuel leaks in the event of a wing rupture. Alliant to Build Delta IV Aeroskirts
11/03/00 Alliant Techsystems has been awarded a contract to manufacture composite aeroskirts for the Boeing Delta IV launch vehicle. Microwave Space Sail
10/25/00 Researcher and author Gregory Benford is working on a space sail design powered by microwaves and made from layers of lightweight carbon. Solar-Powered Aircraft May Set Record
10/18/00 Helios, an unmanned solar-powered aircraft, will be launched next year from Kauai. The lightweight craft, with a composite body and an innovative power system, will attempt to fly to 100,000 feet, which would set an altitude record. X-33 Hangs On, Scraps Composite Tanks
10/01/00 NASA agreed to keep the X-33 program funded through March 2001. At that time, Lockheed Martin must apply for a new contract. In any case, the composite tanks will be replaced with aluminum. Delta III Launch Successful
09/01/00 The Delta III logged its first successful launch, helped in part by nine strap-on graphite epoxy moters (GEMs) from Alliant Techsystems. Titan IV Launch Successful
09/01/00 With the aid of two composite solid rocket boosters, a Titan IVB was successfully launched from Vandenberg AFB. Toughened Composites for Tethers
09/01/00 By oberving the failure modes of plastic mesh grocery bags, researchers have developed a method for toughening flexible composites that uses redundant load paths. Cheaper Missiles
08/14/00 A joint US Navy-industry team recently completed the third successful test of a solid rocket motor that used low-cost commercial technology and manufacturing methods. Technologies used include a co-cured and composite prepreg for the chamber; and Rayon-free, low-cost materials and net-molding processing for the nozzle. X-33 Tank Failure Report
08/14/00 NASA has finally released its report on the X-33 liquid hydrogen tanks. A combination of design errors and manufacturing flaws led to the failure of the tanks during testing. Boeing Considers Composite 737 Wing
07/30/00 Boeing is considering an all-composite wing for the next generation 737. This would be the first all-composite wing for Boeing. A decision is expected in six months. Airbags for Mars 2003
07/11/00 NASA may return to the use of airbags for its next Mars mission in 2003. The bags, made from several layers of Vectran fibers, cushion the lander on touchdown. Space Tethers
06/16/00 Tethers have many applications in space, from orbit boosting to power generation. This article provides an overview; some of the links point to information about the materials being considered. X-33 Report Overdue
06/03/00 Last April, NASA promised Congress a report on the problems with the X-33 composite tanks. It has yet to be delivered. At least one critic says switching to aluminum doesn't make sense. Giant Airships for Cargo Transport
05/30/00 The Germans have reinvented the Zeppelin in the form of the CargoLifter, a giant lighter-than-air cargo transport craft. Using helium and a carbon composite keel, it can carry 160 tonnes. Thin-Film Space Mirrors
05/17/00 Sandia National Labs is developing a deployable thin-film technology that would allow very large aperture telescopes. After deployment, an electron gun can be used to correct mirror shape. Solar Sail Materials
05/16/00 NASA is currently developing solar sails, and one of the biggest challenges is finding the right material. Candidates include mylar and an aluminum-coated graphite cloth. Solar Sails Tested
07/11/00 Carbon composite solar sails have been tested on the ground by irradiating them with laser and microwave radiation. Accelerations of several g's were seen during the tests. Related story. Advanced Space Propulsion Workshop
05/31/00 Topics at NASA's 11th annual Advanced Space Propulsion Research Workshop will include solar sails and tethers, two technologies that use composites. AstroMesh Reflector Shipped
07/03/00 TRW has shipped the third AstroMesh antenna to Hughes. AstroMesh is a deployable space reflector made from graphite epoxy composite tubes. Aurora Completes Global Hawk Model
06/07/00 Aurora Flight Sciences of West Virginia has completed manufacture of a full-sclae model of the Global Hawk UAV. The model will be shipped to England for the Farnborough International Air Show.
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