Aerospace

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Nose Gear Collapse Incident At Kadena Air Base

The U.S. Marine Corps F-35B stealth aircraft was damaged today at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan

The U.S. Marine Corps F-35B stealth aircraft was damaged today at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, as a result of a nose-gear collapse. The short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) plane was being towed when the incident occurred; having just returned to the base for a precautionary landing. The aircraft is based at the Marine Corps Air Station in Iwakuni, Japan.

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Video of today's incident with the F-35 fighter jet of the 121st squadron of the #USMC at the Kadena Air Force Base on the #Japanese island of #Okinawa
When towing the aircraft, the front landing gear dropped.pic.twitter.com/xIkJZYxXns
— Indo-Pacific News – Geo-Politics & Military News (@IndoPac_Info) December 1, 2022
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After the F-35B had touched down and was being towed back to the flight line at around 1:40 PM local time, the Incident happened. A video shows the aeroplane being towed while unusually banging up and down. After that, the nose gear oleo then gives way and the aircraft ends up sitting on its nose on the taxiway. No injuries were reported to any of those involved and the jet was soon surrounded by firefighting and other emergency vehicles.

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The “Green Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121) were flying a jet, and Maj. Rob Martins, a spokesperson for the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, indicated in a release that the pilot had to return to base due to a suspected electrical issue.

“The pilot did as instructed and picked the safest alternative, safely landing the aircraft in accordance with standard procedures… Our aviators take tremendous steps to protect the safety of the aircrew and the surrounding areas, and operating our aircraft safely and successfully is a high concern.” The F-35B was on a routine training mission using local ranges at the time of the incident.

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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.