Aerospace

A Dutch court finds 3 persons guilty of murder in the downing of MH17 over Ukraine.

Dutch court to deliver long-awaited MH17 verdict

A Dutch court found three Russians and one pro-Moscow rebel from Ukraine guilty and sentenced them to life in prison for downing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014.

The three men were found guilty of murder by a Dutch court for their involvement in shooting down the passenger plane. They and a fourth person were both tried in absentia. On November 17, the court’s long-awaited decision was made, and it cleared the fourth suspect due to a lack of supporting evidence.

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Ukraine praised the choice, while Moscow called it “scandalous” and said it would not extradite its citizens. The MH17 plane carrying 283 passengers and 15 crew members crashed in July 2014 after taking off from Schiphol Airport outside of Amsterdam. Although victims came from more than a dozen different countries, more than two-thirds of them were Dutch citizens.

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Foreign Secretary James Cleverly gave a statement following the conclusion of the flight MH17 trial, in which 3 people were found guilty of murder.

Today’s guilty verdict, convicting 3 individuals of murder in relation to the downing of MH17, is an important step in securing justice for the families of the victims.
Two hundred and ninety-eight lives, including those of 10 British nationals, were tragically lost on 17 July 2014. Thousands more have been devastated in the years since, as family and friends continue to grieve for their loved ones.
The downing of MH17 was a shocking violation of international norms which keep our societies safe. It serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of Russia’s actions in Ukraine over many years.

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US statement :

The United States welcomes today’s decision finding three members of Russian proxy forces in eastern Ukraine guilty of their roles in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. The decision by the District Court of The Hague is an important moment in ongoing efforts to deliver justice for the 298 individuals who lost their lives on July 17, 2014.

Aerospace

Boeing Transfers Rocket Stage to NASA, Paving Way for Human Moon Mission

Image:Boeing

Boeing has achieved a significant milestone by providing NASA with the second core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

This crucial component, crafted at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), is set to propel the Artemis II crew into lunar orbit, marking humanity’s return to deep space after a 50-year hiatus.

The monumental Boeing-built rocket stage, the largest element of the Artemis II mission, will embark on a journey aboard the Pegasus barge, traveling 900 miles to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

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Upon arrival, it will be meticulously integrated with other essential Artemis II components, including the upper stage, solid rocket boosters, and NASA’s Orion spacecraft within the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building. This intricate integration process is a vital step toward the eagerly anticipated Artemis II launch, slated for 2025.

“Boeing-built products helped land humankind on the moon in 1969, and we’re proud to continue that legacy through the Artemis generation,” remarked Dave Dutcher, vice president and program manager for Boeing’s SLS program. “Together, with NASA and our industry partners and suppliers, we are building the world’s most capable rocket and paving the way to deep space through America’s rocket factory in New Orleans.”

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The delivery of Core Stage 2 marks a significant achievement in the evolution of the SLS rocket. Towering over 200 feet and powered by four RS-25 engines, this core stage, coupled with two solid-fueled booster rockets, will generate a staggering 8.8 million pounds of thrust. This immense power is crucial to launching Artemis II and future missions into the vast expanse of space.

The SLS rocket stands unparalleled in its capability to transport both crew and substantial cargo to the moon and beyond in a single launch. Its extraordinary capacity will facilitate the delivery of human-rated spacecraft, habitats, and scientific missions to destinations including the moon and Mars, ushering in a new era of space exploration.