HYDERABAD: Besides Friday’s solar eclipse, three more eclipses will occur during 2010.
According to A B G Siddharth, Director, Birla Science Centre here, there will be partial eclipse of the moon on June 26 followed by a total solar eclipse on July 11, this year. The solar eclipse, however, will not be visible in India.
The last eclipse during the year will be on December 21, a total lunar eclipse, which will also be visible from India.
In any given year there are a minimum of two eclipses.
This year, there are in all four eclipses.
Friday’s eclipse will begin at 11.30 am and cover 77 per cent of the sun at 1.32 pm. It will be over by 3.15 pm.
Inclement weather is likely to play spoilsport.
While in Hyderabad, the eclipse will be partial as it covers 77 per cent of the sun, it will be annular at the extreme tip of south near Kanyakumari where one can see the peripheral ring with the sun being covered 92 per cent and a ring like formation will appear.
Siddharth cautioned the people that the eclipse should not be seen with X-ray films or through smoked glasses or photographic films but should be seen only through certified solar eclipse special goggles or certified solar filters.
Jan 15, 2010
Sukhoi-27 crashes in Russia, fate of pilot unknown
MOSCOW: A Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter crashed on Thursday while on a routine sortie in Khabarovsk region in the country's far east and the fate of its pilot is still not clear, according to reports.
“The fighter disappeared at 9.27 AM Moscow time (11.57 IST) from the radar screen. It belonged to the Far Eastern unit of Air Force and Air Defence,” Defence Ministry spokesman Col. Alexei Kuznetsov told 'Rossiya 24' channel.
The fighter was on routine sortie from Dzemgi aerodrome in Komsomolsk-on-Amur.
“According to preliminary data available, the plane went missing about 30 kilometres from its base. It was piloted by an experienced officer,” Kuznetsov told the channel.
He said helicopters have been pressed into service to look for the missing plane; however, night darkness is hampering search operation.
Designed by Sukhoi Su-27 in 1977 (NATO name Flanker), the plane is a multi role combat aircraft and its modifications, including Indian Air Force's Su-30MKI, are in service with various countries.
Lately, several Su-27 fighters have crashed mainly due to human error, including two aircraft crashed during an air show last August near Moscow.
“The fighter disappeared at 9.27 AM Moscow time (11.57 IST) from the radar screen. It belonged to the Far Eastern unit of Air Force and Air Defence,” Defence Ministry spokesman Col. Alexei Kuznetsov told 'Rossiya 24' channel.
The fighter was on routine sortie from Dzemgi aerodrome in Komsomolsk-on-Amur.
“According to preliminary data available, the plane went missing about 30 kilometres from its base. It was piloted by an experienced officer,” Kuznetsov told the channel.
He said helicopters have been pressed into service to look for the missing plane; however, night darkness is hampering search operation.
Designed by Sukhoi Su-27 in 1977 (NATO name Flanker), the plane is a multi role combat aircraft and its modifications, including Indian Air Force's Su-30MKI, are in service with various countries.
Lately, several Su-27 fighters have crashed mainly due to human error, including two aircraft crashed during an air show last August near Moscow.
Jan 14, 2010
US Navy awards Lockheed Martin contract for JATAS demonstration
FLORIDA (BNS): US Navy has awarded Lockheed MartinCorporation $33 million contract for the technology demonstration phase of the Joint and Allied Threat Awareness System (JATAS).
According to a news release by Lockheed Martin, the JATAS programme is designed for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps fighter aircraft. The programme will increase the survivability of the planes in hostile environments.
“We’re looking forward to leveraging more than two decades of experience in infrared missile warning development, production and field sustainment to provide an affordable JATAS threat warning solution that will increase the survivability of the pilots and aircrews,” said Matt Milligan, Platform Survivability programme director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, as reported in the release.
JATAS will provide rotary-wing assault aircraft with an advanced missile warning capability; a hostile fire indication for small arms, grenades, rockets, and other threats; and aircrew warning of laser-based weapon systems such as range finders, illuminators, and beam riders.
Under the demonstration contract, Lockheed Martin will work with DRS Infrared Technologies and Goodrich ISR Systems to design, develop and demonstrate JATAS prototypes during a 16-month period of performance ending January 2011.
According to a news release by Lockheed Martin, the JATAS programme is designed for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps fighter aircraft. The programme will increase the survivability of the planes in hostile environments.
“We’re looking forward to leveraging more than two decades of experience in infrared missile warning development, production and field sustainment to provide an affordable JATAS threat warning solution that will increase the survivability of the pilots and aircrews,” said Matt Milligan, Platform Survivability programme director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, as reported in the release.
JATAS will provide rotary-wing assault aircraft with an advanced missile warning capability; a hostile fire indication for small arms, grenades, rockets, and other threats; and aircrew warning of laser-based weapon systems such as range finders, illuminators, and beam riders.
Under the demonstration contract, Lockheed Martin will work with DRS Infrared Technologies and Goodrich ISR Systems to design, develop and demonstrate JATAS prototypes during a 16-month period of performance ending January 2011.
Astronomers solve 'cold dark matter' puzzle
WASHINGTON (BNS): A long-drawn puzzle of why small galaxies bear less stars and dark matter inside their wombs, contradicting the ‘cold dark matter’ theory, appears to have been solved by a team of internationalastronomers.
The ‘cold dark matter’ theory states that small structures in our Universe form first and then merge with each other to form more massive halos which in turn give birth to galaxies.
As per this theory, small or dwarf galaxies ought to have been containing more dark matter and stars inside them.
However, each such galaxy contains less than one percent of the stars found in larger galaxies such as the Milky Way.
The researchers, led by a University of Washington astronomer, now claim to have found an answer to the anomaly.
“Most previous work included only a simple description of how and where stars formed within galaxies, or neglected star formation altogether,” said Fabio Governato, a University of Washington research associate professor of astronomy and lead author of the paper published in the journal Nature.
“Instead we performed new computer simulations, run over several national supercomputing facilities, and included a better description of where and how star formation happens in galaxies,” he said.
The process showed that as most massive new stars exploded as supernovas, the blasts generated enormous winds that swept huge amounts of gas away from the centre of what would become dwarf galaxies, thereby preventing the birth of millions of new stars inside them.
With so much mass suddenly removed from the galaxy’s centre, the pull of gravity on the dark matter there is diminished and the dark matter drifts away, Governato explained.
“It is similar to what would happen if our Sun suddenly disappeared and the loss of its gravitational pull allowed the Earth to drift off into space,” the researcher said.
These cosmic explosions were indeed the missing link the ‘cold dark matter’ puzzle, the researchers said.
The ‘cold dark matter’ theory states that small structures in our Universe form first and then merge with each other to form more massive halos which in turn give birth to galaxies.
As per this theory, small or dwarf galaxies ought to have been containing more dark matter and stars inside them.
However, each such galaxy contains less than one percent of the stars found in larger galaxies such as the Milky Way.
The researchers, led by a University of Washington astronomer, now claim to have found an answer to the anomaly.
“Most previous work included only a simple description of how and where stars formed within galaxies, or neglected star formation altogether,” said Fabio Governato, a University of Washington research associate professor of astronomy and lead author of the paper published in the journal Nature.
“Instead we performed new computer simulations, run over several national supercomputing facilities, and included a better description of where and how star formation happens in galaxies,” he said.
The process showed that as most massive new stars exploded as supernovas, the blasts generated enormous winds that swept huge amounts of gas away from the centre of what would become dwarf galaxies, thereby preventing the birth of millions of new stars inside them.
With so much mass suddenly removed from the galaxy’s centre, the pull of gravity on the dark matter there is diminished and the dark matter drifts away, Governato explained.
“It is similar to what would happen if our Sun suddenly disappeared and the loss of its gravitational pull allowed the Earth to drift off into space,” the researcher said.
These cosmic explosions were indeed the missing link the ‘cold dark matter’ puzzle, the researchers said.
UK to buy third F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft
LONDON (BNS): The Joint Strike Fighter programme has got a boost with Britain recently announcing to buy its third F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft for operational testing.
The combat aircraft is being developed by the US defence major Lockheed Martin in partnership with eight other countries.
Britain will acquire the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft for operational test and evaluation.
Its decision comes at a time when other partner countries in the project, including Australia, Norway, the Netherlands, Italy and the US, committing to procure the aircraft under production.
Britain has invested the highest amount – $2 billion – for the F-35's development. Over 100 British firms are involved in the project, including BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce.
“The United Kingdom's participation in F-35 Operational Test and Evaluation, and the associated commitment to purchase F-35s in early production lots, help ensure production stability as we move from the current assembly rate of one aircraft per month to our goal of one per day,” Matt Maxwell, Lockheed Martin director for F-35 Low Rate Initial Production, said.
The F-35 is a fifth-generation multi-role stealth combat aircraft capable of performing close air support, tactical bombing and air defence missions. It is being designed to replace the existing fleet of fighter aircraft of the nine partnering countries.
The combat aircraft is being developed by the US defence major Lockheed Martin in partnership with eight other countries.
Britain will acquire the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft for operational test and evaluation.
Its decision comes at a time when other partner countries in the project, including Australia, Norway, the Netherlands, Italy and the US, committing to procure the aircraft under production.
Britain has invested the highest amount – $2 billion – for the F-35's development. Over 100 British firms are involved in the project, including BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce.
“The United Kingdom's participation in F-35 Operational Test and Evaluation, and the associated commitment to purchase F-35s in early production lots, help ensure production stability as we move from the current assembly rate of one aircraft per month to our goal of one per day,” Matt Maxwell, Lockheed Martin director for F-35 Low Rate Initial Production, said.
The F-35 is a fifth-generation multi-role stealth combat aircraft capable of performing close air support, tactical bombing and air defence missions. It is being designed to replace the existing fleet of fighter aircraft of the nine partnering countries.
US to deploy F-22 fighters at Air Force base in Guam
HAWAII (BNS): To bolster its presence in the Western Pacific region, the US will deploy 15 F-22 Raptor fighters at its Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in January for three months.
The fighter aircraft along with the air force personnel will be deployed from the 90th Fighter Squadron Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, US Air Force said in its website.
“The deployment supports US Pacific Command's theatersecurity packages in the Western Pacific and follows the recent departure from the theater of two deployed squadrons of F-22s that also were supporting US PACOM's TSP,” it said.
The fighters and personnel deployed in Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and Kadena Air Base, Japan, completed their redeployment in October 2009, it said.
The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation multi-role combat aircraft used for its stealth features, air superiority, ground attack, electronic warfare and signal intelligence roles. It flies at supersonic speed and is capable of simultaneously conducting air-to-air-to-ground missions.
The combat aircraft was formally inducted in the US Air Force in 2005.
The fighter aircraft along with the air force personnel will be deployed from the 90th Fighter Squadron Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, US Air Force said in its website.
“The deployment supports US Pacific Command's theatersecurity packages in the Western Pacific and follows the recent departure from the theater of two deployed squadrons of F-22s that also were supporting US PACOM's TSP,” it said.
The fighters and personnel deployed in Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and Kadena Air Base, Japan, completed their redeployment in October 2009, it said.
The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation multi-role combat aircraft used for its stealth features, air superiority, ground attack, electronic warfare and signal intelligence roles. It flies at supersonic speed and is capable of simultaneously conducting air-to-air-to-ground missions.
The combat aircraft was formally inducted in the US Air Force in 2005.
Millennium's longest solar eclipse on January 15
KOCHI (PTI): India's first 'Eclipse Cruise' will leave Kochi port on Wednesday, with about 750 'astro tourists' to view the longest annular solar eclipse of the third millennium from Male in Maldives on January 15.
Space Technology and Education Private Ltd (SPACE), a pioneer organisation working for development of science and astronomy in India, is organising the cruise along with Louis cruises on board M V Aquamarine.
Charges for the four-day-three-night trip would work to between Rs 17,000 to Rs 50,000.
SPACE has launched astro tourism, the perfect mix oftravel and astronomy in India for the first time and aims to bring together the exciting sphere of astronomy, space services and unraveling the wonders of the sky, SPACE Chief Executive Officer Amit Verma said.
The last time such an annular solar eclipse was viewed in India was on November 22, 1965 and the phenomenon is not expected to be repeated before June 21, 2020. This will be the longest annular eclipse of the millennium with its duration being 11 minutes and 08 seconds over the Indian Ocean.
The ship would leave Kochi for Maldives tomorrow at around 3 pm and reach Male the next day at around 5 pm.
On January 15, on the day of the eclipse, the annularity (also known as ring of fire) would be visible for 10 min 46 sec. The eclipse will start at 10:15:20 peaking at 12:25:43 and ending at 13:23:14 (all Maldives local time), the organisers said.
"We would be carrying telescopes, binoculars to show deep sky objects, different galaxies, nebulae and star clusters," Verma said.
Space Technology and Education Private Ltd (SPACE), a pioneer organisation working for development of science and astronomy in India, is organising the cruise along with Louis cruises on board M V Aquamarine.
Charges for the four-day-three-night trip would work to between Rs 17,000 to Rs 50,000.
SPACE has launched astro tourism, the perfect mix oftravel and astronomy in India for the first time and aims to bring together the exciting sphere of astronomy, space services and unraveling the wonders of the sky, SPACE Chief Executive Officer Amit Verma said.
The last time such an annular solar eclipse was viewed in India was on November 22, 1965 and the phenomenon is not expected to be repeated before June 21, 2020. This will be the longest annular eclipse of the millennium with its duration being 11 minutes and 08 seconds over the Indian Ocean.
The ship would leave Kochi for Maldives tomorrow at around 3 pm and reach Male the next day at around 5 pm.
On January 15, on the day of the eclipse, the annularity (also known as ring of fire) would be visible for 10 min 46 sec. The eclipse will start at 10:15:20 peaking at 12:25:43 and ending at 13:23:14 (all Maldives local time), the organisers said.
"We would be carrying telescopes, binoculars to show deep sky objects, different galaxies, nebulae and star clusters," Verma said.
IAF's plan to acquire mid-air refuelers will be delayed: Naik
NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik has said the Air Force's plans to buy six air-to-air refuelers will be “delayed” with the Government cancelling the tenders recently, as it would have to go through the procurement process once again.
“I am not talking about strategic reach, but we need more refuelers, which will be delayed now. We will have to restart the action now,” Naik told reporters when asked if the IAF's strategic reach might be adversely impacted by the withdrawal of the tenders.
The Defence Ministry had last week cancelled the tenders worth Rs 6,000 crore after Finance Ministry objected to the price of the Airbus A330 multi-role transport tanker (MRTT) aircraft that the IAF had chosen to buy after a two-year procurement process, in a major setback to its plans to expand its long reach capabilities.
The refueler enables in-flight transfer of fuel from it to fighter aircraft and transport planes, thereby enhancing their flying hours.
Russian IL-78 aircraft, six of which India already possesses, was the other contender who could not win the race for the IAF tenders.
The Finance Ministry's objection was to the high price quoted by Airbus, much more than what the Russians had asked for their aircraft.
But the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) norms stipulated that the Government buy the product that satisfied the qualitative requirements of the armed forces, but also has the lowest price.
“I am not talking about strategic reach, but we need more refuelers, which will be delayed now. We will have to restart the action now,” Naik told reporters when asked if the IAF's strategic reach might be adversely impacted by the withdrawal of the tenders.
The Defence Ministry had last week cancelled the tenders worth Rs 6,000 crore after Finance Ministry objected to the price of the Airbus A330 multi-role transport tanker (MRTT) aircraft that the IAF had chosen to buy after a two-year procurement process, in a major setback to its plans to expand its long reach capabilities.
The refueler enables in-flight transfer of fuel from it to fighter aircraft and transport planes, thereby enhancing their flying hours.
Russian IL-78 aircraft, six of which India already possesses, was the other contender who could not win the race for the IAF tenders.
The Finance Ministry's objection was to the high price quoted by Airbus, much more than what the Russians had asked for their aircraft.
But the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) norms stipulated that the Government buy the product that satisfied the qualitative requirements of the armed forces, but also has the lowest price.
ISRO to launch 'sounding' rockets to study solar eclipse data
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (PTI): The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), an unit of ISRO, has made elaborate arrangements including launch of sounding rockets to gather data for a comprehensive analysis of the annular solar eclipse, which would occur on January 15.
The atmospheric-ionospheric parameters to be conducted in India would be one of the most comprehensive scientific campaigns ever attempted during a solar eclipse anywhere in the world, a VSSC release said here on Wednesday.
As part of the campaign, nine sounding rockets would be launched before and during the eclipse from Thumba attached to the VSCC and Satish Dhawan Space Centre, also known as the Sriharikota Range (SHAR) to collect data on the event.
At 11.14 am on January 15, the eclipse will pass close to Thumba with 91 per cent obscuration of the Sun and its edges would touch Sriharikota with 85 per cent obscuration.
The eclipse would be a unique one since it will take place during noontime, when the incoming solar radiation would be at its maximum, the VSSC release said.
It is also significant since the obscuration of the Sun during the eclipse would be exceptionally long, about 11 minutes and eight seconds, providing an opportunity to study, perhaps for the first time, the eclipse induced effects in the noontime equatorial region.
The interpretation of the space data would give new insights of the celestial phenomenon, it said.
The atmospheric-ionospheric parameters to be conducted in India would be one of the most comprehensive scientific campaigns ever attempted during a solar eclipse anywhere in the world, a VSSC release said here on Wednesday.
As part of the campaign, nine sounding rockets would be launched before and during the eclipse from Thumba attached to the VSCC and Satish Dhawan Space Centre, also known as the Sriharikota Range (SHAR) to collect data on the event.
At 11.14 am on January 15, the eclipse will pass close to Thumba with 91 per cent obscuration of the Sun and its edges would touch Sriharikota with 85 per cent obscuration.
The eclipse would be a unique one since it will take place during noontime, when the incoming solar radiation would be at its maximum, the VSSC release said.
It is also significant since the obscuration of the Sun during the eclipse would be exceptionally long, about 11 minutes and eight seconds, providing an opportunity to study, perhaps for the first time, the eclipse induced effects in the noontime equatorial region.
The interpretation of the space data would give new insights of the celestial phenomenon, it said.
Jan 12, 2010
Five nuclear energy parks for India by 2032
KOLKATA (PTI): India would set up five energy parks by 2032 to rise the generation of nuclear energy.
"The selected sites for the energy parks are Haripur inWest Bengal, Mithi Virdi in Gujarat, Jaitapur inMaharashtra, Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh and Kudamkulam in Tamil Nadu," chairman of Atomic Energy Commission and secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, Srikumar Banerjee said on Monday.
The country plans to have 35,000 MW of installed capacity by 2020 and 60,000 MW by 2032, Banerjee said at the 60th foundation day of Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics here.
Out of this, 40,000 MW to 45,000 MW would come from energy parks and the balance from the other installations.
He said going by the present economics, nuclear power was more competitive than other sources of energy like thermal.
Banerjee said that India would be able to generate at most 10,000 MW of nuclear energy from its assured uranium reserves. Since India did not have enough and good quality uranium, the country was importing it from Russia and France.
The current generation level was around 4500 MW.
"The selected sites for the energy parks are Haripur inWest Bengal, Mithi Virdi in Gujarat, Jaitapur inMaharashtra, Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh and Kudamkulam in Tamil Nadu," chairman of Atomic Energy Commission and secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, Srikumar Banerjee said on Monday.
The country plans to have 35,000 MW of installed capacity by 2020 and 60,000 MW by 2032, Banerjee said at the 60th foundation day of Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics here.
Out of this, 40,000 MW to 45,000 MW would come from energy parks and the balance from the other installations.
He said going by the present economics, nuclear power was more competitive than other sources of energy like thermal.
Banerjee said that India would be able to generate at most 10,000 MW of nuclear energy from its assured uranium reserves. Since India did not have enough and good quality uranium, the country was importing it from Russia and France.
The current generation level was around 4500 MW.
Jan 11, 2010
Another super-Earth spotted
WASHINGTON (BNS): Adding to their repertoire of low mass extrasolar planets, astronomers have discovered a new exoplanet four times the mass of Earth and the second smallest one spotted to date.
The planet – HD156668b – orbits its host star in just over four days and lies roughly 80 light years away from Earth in the constellation of Hercules. It is the second smallest exoplanet discovered yet.
Astronomers spotted the new planet with the help of Keck I telescope located in Hawaii.
“This is quite a remarkable discovery. It shows that we can push down and find smaller and smaller planets,” said astronomer Andrew Howard of the University ofCalifornia at Berkeley while announcing the discovery at the 215th American Astronomical Society meeting held here.
Scientists, so far, have detected over 400 exoplanets majority of which are the size of Jupiter or even larger.
“It’s been astronomers’ long-standing goal to find low mass planets, but they are really hard to detect,” Howard said.
The latest discovery would help researchers know more about the evolution of such planets and planetary systems, he said.
The tiniest extrasolar planet detected so far is Gliese 581 e. At a minimum of 1.9 Earth masses, it is the closest in mass to Earth. It was the fourth exoplanet discovered by astronomers and revolves around a red dwarf star, Gliese 581 and lies in the constellation of Libra.
The planet – HD156668b – orbits its host star in just over four days and lies roughly 80 light years away from Earth in the constellation of Hercules. It is the second smallest exoplanet discovered yet.
Astronomers spotted the new planet with the help of Keck I telescope located in Hawaii.
“This is quite a remarkable discovery. It shows that we can push down and find smaller and smaller planets,” said astronomer Andrew Howard of the University ofCalifornia at Berkeley while announcing the discovery at the 215th American Astronomical Society meeting held here.
Scientists, so far, have detected over 400 exoplanets majority of which are the size of Jupiter or even larger.
“It’s been astronomers’ long-standing goal to find low mass planets, but they are really hard to detect,” Howard said.
The latest discovery would help researchers know more about the evolution of such planets and planetary systems, he said.
The tiniest extrasolar planet detected so far is Gliese 581 e. At a minimum of 1.9 Earth masses, it is the closest in mass to Earth. It was the fourth exoplanet discovered by astronomers and revolves around a red dwarf star, Gliese 581 and lies in the constellation of Libra.
Pak Army allocated additional Rs 35 bn defence budget to counter India: Report
ISLAMABAD (PTI): The Pakistan government Friday allocated an additional amount of Rs 35 billion for the 2009-10 defence budget due to expenses on anti-militancy operations and the need to acquire modern equipment to counter a perceived threat from India, according to a media report.
Following the additional allocation, Pakistan's defence budget will increase to about Rs 378 billion.
In June, Pakistan hiked its defence spending for 2009-10 to Rs 342.9 billion, marking a 15.3 per cent increase over the outlay of Rs 296 billion for the previous fiscal.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani approved the additional outlay following demands from army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Gen Tariq Majid, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Dawn News channel quoted sources as saying.
The military told the government that the additional amount is needed for expenses on operations against the Taliban in Swat and Waziristan tribal region and to procure modern equipment in the face of a perceived threat from India, the sources were quoted as saying.
Pakistan has mobilised over 30,000 soldiers to flush out Taliban militants from South Waziristan.
Troops are also conducting operations against rebels in the northwestern Swat valley.
Following the additional allocation, Pakistan's defence budget will increase to about Rs 378 billion.
In June, Pakistan hiked its defence spending for 2009-10 to Rs 342.9 billion, marking a 15.3 per cent increase over the outlay of Rs 296 billion for the previous fiscal.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani approved the additional outlay following demands from army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Gen Tariq Majid, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Dawn News channel quoted sources as saying.
The military told the government that the additional amount is needed for expenses on operations against the Taliban in Swat and Waziristan tribal region and to procure modern equipment in the face of a perceived threat from India, the sources were quoted as saying.
Pakistan has mobilised over 30,000 soldiers to flush out Taliban militants from South Waziristan.
Troops are also conducting operations against rebels in the northwestern Swat valley.
India eyes Boeing's C-17 Globemaster aircraft
NEW DELHI (PTI): US defence major Boeing has saidIndia is planning to buy 10 C-17 Globemaster heavy-lift aircraft and the US Government has received a ‘Letter of Request’ in this regard.
“Boeing is very pleased that the Indian Government has expressed interest in acquiring the C-17 to modernise its airlift capabilities, and we look forward to working closely with them,” Boeing Integrated Defense System's India head Vivek Lall said here.
Defence Ministry sources said the request to the US Government for the acquisition of C-17s was sent last year.
The IAF wants to procure the C-17 with a payload of around 75-80 tonnes, the only aircraft in this category, for augmenting its fleet of Russian IL-76 and An-32 transport aircraft.
The aircraft can lift around 200 fully-geared troops and can be used for carrying armoured vehicles, artillery guns and medium-sized helicopters from one place to another.
About the capabilities of the aircraft, Lall said the C-17 needs only 3,000 feet runway for take off and a very small crew to operate.
In the last three to four years, India has placed orders worth over $ 3.2 billion for procuring eight P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft and six C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft.
The C-17 deal, expected to be worth over $ 2.5 billion, would be done through Pentagon's Foreign Military Sales route under which inter-governmental deal is signed for arms sales. The C-130Js were also procured through the same route.
“Boeing is very pleased that the Indian Government has expressed interest in acquiring the C-17 to modernise its airlift capabilities, and we look forward to working closely with them,” Boeing Integrated Defense System's India head Vivek Lall said here.
Defence Ministry sources said the request to the US Government for the acquisition of C-17s was sent last year.
The IAF wants to procure the C-17 with a payload of around 75-80 tonnes, the only aircraft in this category, for augmenting its fleet of Russian IL-76 and An-32 transport aircraft.
The aircraft can lift around 200 fully-geared troops and can be used for carrying armoured vehicles, artillery guns and medium-sized helicopters from one place to another.
About the capabilities of the aircraft, Lall said the C-17 needs only 3,000 feet runway for take off and a very small crew to operate.
In the last three to four years, India has placed orders worth over $ 3.2 billion for procuring eight P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft and six C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft.
The C-17 deal, expected to be worth over $ 2.5 billion, would be done through Pentagon's Foreign Military Sales route under which inter-governmental deal is signed for arms sales. The C-130Js were also procured through the same route.
Jan 7, 2010
Satellites on Mars and Venus soon: NASA
CHENNAI (PTI): US space agency NASA plans to send satellites to Mars and Venus to study chemical and geological parameters of the planets, Nobel laureate and NASA scientist John C Mather said on Tuesday.
India to set up dedicated aeronautics and avionics academy soon
India will get its first dedicated academy in aeronautics and avionics this month to train students in the emerging sector.
The Indian Institute of Aerospace Engineering and Management, with a campus in Bangalore, will start offering MBA and M.Tech courses in avionics and aeronautics management this month end, G Krishnadas Nair, Chairman and Managing Director of Cochin International Airport Limited, told PTI on the sidelines of the 97th Indian Science Congress here.
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The Indian Institute of Aerospace Engineering and Management, with a campus in Bangalore, will start offering MBA and M.Tech courses in avionics and aeronautics management this month end, G Krishnadas Nair, Chairman and Managing Director of Cochin International Airport Limited, told PTI on the sidelines of the 97th Indian Science Congress here.
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IAF to induct BRAHMOS missile in 2012
The country's prestigious 'BRAHMOS' missile would be inducted into the Air Force in 2012 that would ensure all the three wings of the military are equipped with the supersonic cruise missile, a top Defence official said on Tuesday.
"We have developed the airborne missile part, and process of integrating it with the Aircraft 'Sukhoi' was progressing', BrahMos Aerospace Ltd CMD A Shivathanu Pillai told PTI at the BrahMos Aerospace's facility here.
Trial run of Airborne BRAHMOS missile would be held next year and the target was to integrate it with the Aircraft in 2012, he said.
"We have developed the airborne missile part, and process of integrating it with the Aircraft 'Sukhoi' was progressing', BrahMos Aerospace Ltd CMD A Shivathanu Pillai told PTI at the BrahMos Aerospace's facility here.
Trial run of Airborne BRAHMOS missile would be held next year and the target was to integrate it with the Aircraft in 2012, he said.
Air-to-air refueling aircraft contract for IAF cancelled
In a setback to Indian Air Force's plans to expand its capabilities, the Defence Ministry has cancelled a tender worth around Rs 6,000 crore for procuring six air-to-air refuelling aircraft.
The contract was cancelled after the Finance Ministry had raised objections over the price of the aircraft recommended and chosen by the IAF after an over two-year-long process, Defence Ministry sources said.
The contract was cancelled after the Finance Ministry had raised objections over the price of the aircraft recommended and chosen by the IAF after an over two-year-long process, Defence Ministry sources said.
NASA's WISE telescope sends first images from space
NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) has captured its first look at the starry sky that it will soon begin mapping in the infrared light.
According to a news release by NASA, WISE, launched on Dec. 14 will scan the space in search of millions of hidden objects like asteroids, and other numerous stars.
As soon as the space telescope's cover was removed, WISE captured a new infrared image thus exposing the instrument's detectors to starlight for the first time.
The image covers a patch of sky about three times larger than the full moon. The patch was selected because it does not contain any unusually bright objects, which could damage instrument detectors if observed for too long. The picture was taken while thespacecraft was staring at a fixed patch of sky and is being used to calibrate the spacecraft's pointing system, as reported in the release.
According to a news release by NASA, WISE, launched on Dec. 14 will scan the space in search of millions of hidden objects like asteroids, and other numerous stars.
As soon as the space telescope's cover was removed, WISE captured a new infrared image thus exposing the instrument's detectors to starlight for the first time.
The image covers a patch of sky about three times larger than the full moon. The patch was selected because it does not contain any unusually bright objects, which could damage instrument detectors if observed for too long. The picture was taken while thespacecraft was staring at a fixed patch of sky and is being used to calibrate the spacecraft's pointing system, as reported in the release.
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