Aerospace

A former U.S. fighter pilot who worked in China arrested in Australia

A former US fighter pilot and aviation instructor who worked in China has been detained by the Australian Federal Police as a result of a request from the US government. That person was detained last Friday as a result of a request from the US government, according to a spokesperson for the attorney general’s office. It would not be appropriate to comment further, the spokesperson said, as the matter is still pending in the courts.

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The individual has been identified as Daniel Edmund Duggan, 54, who was arrested by the AFP in Orange, in the NSW Central Tablelands. His last Friday appearance before the bench was documented in court records. A subsequent court appearance in Sydney was set for next month after his request for bail was denied.

Duggan, a former citizen of the US, would probably be the subject of formal extradition proceedings. The arrest occurred the same week that the Australian government announced it was looking into claims that some Australian Defense Force pilots had been approached about jobs in China.

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Richard Marles, the minister of defence, announced that an investigation had been opened. According to the UK government, the Chinese Liberation Army Air Force had recruited up to 30 former British military pilots for training.

According to the UK Defence Ministry, China is using third parties to find British and other western pilots to train Chinese pilots in-house, along with state-owned defence industry firms and research facilities.

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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.