ab space junk and then pull it into Earth’s atmosphere where it
is burned up. The little craft, named RemoveDebris, is due to launch from the
Kennedy Space Centre on Monday, on board one of Elon Musk’s
SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets. The spaceship will dock at the ISS first
and then deploy on its own on a test mission to snare a small
satellite using a harpoon and net.
[IT] IS estimated that there are more than 7,600 tonnes of
space junk in and around Earth’s orbit - with some moving
faster than a speeding bullet, approaching speeds of 30,000
miles per hour, which are a huge threat to satellites and
space stations.
…
with the new Meteor missile launched in defence of UK airspace. RAF Typhoons maintain a constant state of readiness to defend the sovereignty of British skies. Quick Reaction Alert jets based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland are regularly scrambled to deter Russian aircraft approaching UK airspace over the North Sea.
The exact nature of last week's incident remained classified.
The introduction of Meteor represents the culmination of many years of research, development and testing to bring the advanced weapon into service on front-line aircraft.
The Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson, said: “This latest missile system demonstrates the next chapter of the Typhoon which will see the jet evolve its ability to target and destroy any airborne threat at great distances.
“The Meteor missile will provide an unrelenting deterrence to those who wish harm upon the UK and our Armed Forces. The RAF’s prized Typhoon Force is unquestionably now the cornerstone of British and Nato military power. It has proved itself in combat roles over Libya, Iraq and Syria, protecting UK skies and overseas territories, and providing critical support to our NATO Allies in Eastern Europe.”
Meteor can fly in any weather condition at over four times the speed of sound. It has been designed to defeat all current and known future threats, including combat aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles or missiles. The range of the weapon is classified, but it will eventually operate from the F-35 Lightning stealth jet.
The missile - weighing 185kgs and measuring 3.7m long - uses an air-breathing ramjet to boost the weapon away from the launch aircraft. It then remains under power until warhead detonation, giving the missile the energy to pursue and destroy the fastest and most agile aircraft. The warhead carries impact and proximity fuses so targets can be destroyed even if the missile does not score a direct hit.
The pilot flying the first Meteor equipped Typhoon said: “The responsibility of flying such a capable platform, armed with this formidable weapon is immense, but the options this gives us in responding to an emergency situation cannot be understated.”
Meteor has been developed by a six-nation European partnership led by the UK. It is built and manufactured by MBDA in Stevenage and has created 430 jobs across the country. The Meteor programme partners include the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden.
…
Added by Michael Grove at 10:06 on December 10, 2018
of
broadcast journalism - as a result of reading his brilliant book The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich - in the library during free
periods, which I see has recently been published in KINDLE FORMAT.
I had a lot of free time because I studied Physics, Maths Pure
& Maths Applied whilst regarding them ALL as one subject and
doing Art on the side so to speak and making visits on occasion to
The Design Centre in London, Rolls Royce Aerospace in Derby
and de Havilland in Hatfield.
…
Added by Michael Grove at 15:44 on September 11, 2019