SMAC in the clouds with SMACFOAM®!
SMAC is proud to launch its latest innovation: the SMACFOAM®, solution developed by SMAC for an optimal acoustic isolation.
SMAC is able to propose some expertise in the association of foams and solid materials to optimize damping and insulation properties “spring mass system”. Two viscoelastic layers are separated by a damping foam. The bulk property of the material, its fire resistance makes it a valuable asset for installers of aircraft interiors.
SMAC has developed sound absorbing material dedicated to be used in aerospace and defence activities thanks to its good acoustic properties, its lightweight and its fire retardant properties.

This product is specifically dedicated for aircraft with less than 19 PAX .

Successful Pleiades 1A Launch

Kourou, December 19, 2011 – Pleiades 1A, the first new-generation observation satellite operated by French space agency CNES was orbited by ArianeSpace on-board a Soyuz launcher from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana.

Pleiades 1A imagers have a 70-centimeter ground sampling distance. When subjected to the same software treatment, the result is a 50-centimeter-resolution image.
The Pleiades satellites were built by Astrium Satellites and Thales Alenia Space under contract to the French space agency, CNES. The Pleiades satellites are dedicated to dual (military/civil) observation applications: cartography, urban development, hydrology, geophysics, volcanology, etc.
The Pleiades satellites are French dual-use observation satellites which will meet the needs of both civil and military users in Europe for a wide range of applications, including mapping, urban development, hydrology, geophysics, vulcanology, etc.
"With this major contribution to Pleiades, Thales Alenia Space is proud of once again being able to contribute our expertise in optical imaging systems to CNES and Astrium," said Reynald Seznec, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space.

Sharp-eyed Pleiades returns first pictures

A view of the Bay Bridge heading out of San Francisco

Casablanca mosquee, Marocco

Credits: © ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique vidéo du CSG
© Cnes/Astrium Geo-Information Services

Boeing 787 sets two world records !

Boeing has established two world records with the 787 Dreamliner, setting new marks for both speed and distance for the airplane's weight class.
"Speed and distance capabilities are fundamental to the value the 787 brings to the market," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is the first airplane to provide both long distance capabilities with mid-size capacity (210-250 passengers in a three-class seating), allowing airlines to open new non-stop routes preferred by the traveling public. The airplane is 20 percent more fuel efficient than similarly sized airplanes.

The sixth 787, ZA006, powered by General Electric GEnx engines, departed from Boeing Field in Seattle at 11:02 a.m. on Dec. 6 and set the distance record for its class (440,000-550,000 lbs.) with a 10,710 nmi (19,835 km) flight to Dhaka, Bangladesh, with credit for 10,337 nmi (19,144 km). This record had previously been held by the Airbus A330 based on a 9,127 nmi (16,903 km) flight in 2002.

Following an approximately two-hour stop for refueling in Dhaka, the airplane returned to Seattle on a 9,734 nmi (18,027 km) flight. The airplane landed at 5:29 a.m. on Dec. 8, setting a new record for speed around the world (eastbound) with a total trip time of 42 hours and 27 minutes. There was no previous around-the-world speed record for this weight class.

"GE Aviation is thrilled to be a part of the record-setting flights on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner," said Bill Fitzgerald, Vice President and General Manager, GEnx Program at GE Aviation. "These world records showcase the extreme reliability and durability of the GEnx-1B engines and the advanced technologies that are incorporated."

Credits: Boeing