SMAC BARRIER® is a new product developed by SMAC to complete the missing link between the visco-constrained layer such as SMACSONIC® and the side wall panels damped with SMACWRAP®.
SMAC BARRIER® is a family of damping materials, dense and fine, easy to install and integrate, either in thermal blankets or in stand alone, behind the composite panels.
The bulk property of the material, its fire resistance makes it a valuable asset for installers of aircraft interiors.
SMAC BARRIER® is available in several thicknesses and densities.
Please click here to view SMAC BARRIER® on our website
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Vega ready for flight
Arianespace has begun the Vega qualification launch campaign.
The Vega launch vehicle programme has recently taken several major steps towards operation.
Arianespace and the ELV company - the European Launch Vehicle, Avio Group, have signed a frame contract for five launch vehicles, with a firm order of one.
Vega is the new European launcher developed within the area of the ESA, in order to transfer satellites up to 1,500 kg into polar orbit (700 km), typically for institutional and scientific use such as Earth observation and monitoring of the environment.
Italy is the leading contributor to the VEGA programme along with France, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Sweden.
In 2012, the small Italian launcher will begin its commercial activities within Arianespace launchers range: Ariane 5 (heavy launcher) and Soyouz (middle launcher).
Eurocopter has successfully tested a hybrid helicopter that combines a turboshaft internal combustion engine with an electric motor for a world premiere, marking a new milestone in its innovation roadmap that opens the way for further enhancements in rotary-wing aircraft safety.
For this initial breakthrough in exploring the hybrid concept, Eurocopter is using the supplemental electric system to increase maneuverability of a single-engine helicopter during an autorotation landing – which is performed by helicopters in the event of a main engine failure.
The demonstrator helicopter is a production version of Eurocopter’s highly successful light single-engine AS350, which has been equipped with a supplementary electric motor. In the event of an engine failure, the electric motor provides power to the rotor, allowing a pilot to control the helicopter very easily during the descent to a safe touchdown. The next step is to bring this concept to maturity and evaluate its implementation on Eurocopter’s series production helicopters.
Hybrid propulsion is an important element of Eurocopter’s innovation roadmap in developing the next generation of helicopters. It offers new opportunities for improvements in safety, along with the potential for reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
On Friday, October 21, at 7:30 am local time (10:30 UT), Arianespace successfully launched the first Soyuz rocket from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in French Guiana, orbiting the first two satellites in the Galileo constellation. This historic launch signals the advent of the world's broadest range of commercial launch services, and will ensure Europe's independence in satellite positioning and navigation services.
A success story for Europe and Russia
The "Soyuz at CSG" program carries on the partnership between Europe and Russia. Galileo is a European program designed to develop a new global satellite navigation system under civilian control, offering a high-precision, guaranteed positioning service.
“This launch represents a lot for Europe: we have placed in orbit the first two satellites of Galileo, a system that will position our continent as a world-class player in the strategic domain of satellite navigation, a domain with huge economic perspectives,” said Jean-Jacques Dordain, Director General of ESA.
With the success of the Soyuz launch, ArianeSpace offers his perspective on the satellite market's future with 3 key launchers: Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega.
By launching from near the equator (5°N), the Soyuz gains about a 50% performance boost from 1.7 tons to nearly 3 tons to geostationary orbit due to the Earth’s faster spin.
In Guyana, the rythm will increase. 10 to 12 launches per year (6 for Ariane 5 ; 2 to 4 for Soyuz and 1 or 2 for Vega) with hundreds of engineers and technicians.
