Page 31 - World Airnews Magazine February Edition 2021

SPACE

POWERING UP THE ISS

oeing will support the International

BSpace Stati on’s growing research

capabilities and commercial opportunities

with solar arrays to increase the orbiting
laboratory’s power supply.

The modification to Boeing’s ISS sustain-

ment contract with NASA calls for Boeing
to deliver six additional solar arrays to

NASA for installation beginning in 2021.
The new 19-metre-by-six-metre arrays will

together produce more than 120 kilowatts
of electricity from the sun’s energy, enough
to power more than 40 average US homes.
Combined with the eight original, larger es of future deep-space exploration and make the new arrays that was successfully tested

arrays, this advanced hardware will provide discoveries that improve life on Earth.” aboard the ISS in June 2017.
a 20 to 30 percent increase in power, helping Most of the ISS systems, including its com- Spectrolab, a Boeing company based in

to maximise the station’s capabilities for munications systems, batteries and scientific Sylmar, California, produces the arrays’ XTJ

years to come. The arrays will provide ISS equipment racks, have been upgraded since Prime solar cells, which will be some of the
with electricity to sustain its systems and humans began a continuous presence on the most powerful ever launched into space.

equipment, plus augment the electricity orbiting laboratory in November 2000. Two They are the same solar cells that power Boe-

available to continue a wide variety of public International Docking Adapters, manufac- ing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft in flight and

and private experiments and research in the tured by Boeing, have been attached to the while docked to the ISS. Spectrolab also pro-

station’s unique microgravity environment. ISS to allow commercial spacecraft to dock au- duced the station’s original solar cells, as well

“When it comes to game-changing tonomously to the station. Boeing is the prime as the solar cells tested on the prototype.

research and technological development, contractor for ISS sustainment; the company’s “The XTJ Prime space solar cells are much
the space station is currently hitting its full studies have determined that the ISS could more efficient than any of their predeces-

stride,” said John Mulholland, ISS vice pres- safely operate beyond 2030 if NASA and its sors and are fit to support the cutting-edge

ident and programme manager for Boeing. international partners choose to do so. research being done aboard the Interna-

“These arrays, along with other recent Deployable Space Systems of Santa Bar- tional Space Station,” said Tony Mueller,

upgrades to the station’s power system and bara, California, will produce the structure president of Spectrolab.

data-transfer speed, will ensure that ISS re- of the new arrays, including the canister For more information on Spectrolab, visit

mains an incubator and business model in the and frame that will unfurl to hold the www.spectrolab.com. For more informa-
commercial space ecosystem for the coming solar-array blankets in place. Deployable tion on Boeing Defence, Space & Security,

decades. Access to this unique lab will contin- Space Systems also built the canister, frame visit www.boeing.com. Follow us on Twitter

ue to pay off as researchers study the challeng- and solar array blanket for a prototype of at @BoeingSpace Q

NEWS
BIEBEL APPOINTED
Lübke will move back to MTU Aero En- corporate development and in charge of
gines’ headquarters and take on the role all of MTU’s mergers and acquisitions and

atrick Biebel (34) has taken over of senior vice president corporate devel- business development activities - ensuring

Pthe helm of MTU Maintenance opment reporting to group CEO Reiner the future growth and success of MTU’s

Lease Services BV - a joint venture be- Winkler. In this position, she heads up aftermarket division. Biebel joined MTU in

tween MTU Aero Engines and Sumitomo the strategy, business development, 2012 and has assumed various positions

Corporation headquartered in Amsterdam. mergers and acquisitions and innovation with increasing responsibilities within

In his role as managing director Biebel teams for the entire MTU group. MTU’s commercial MRO, finance and cor-

takes over from Andrea Lübke and is “We are delighted that Patrick will porate development organizations.
responsible for MTU’s leasing business, be managing MTU Maintenance Lease MTU Maintenance Lease Services was

asset management activities and driving Services,” said Friis-Petersen. established in 2019 as an 80/20 joint ven-

the company forward. “We are confident he will build on the ture with Sumitomo Corporation. It offers

“We would like to thank Andrea for strong reputation MTU has developed in a wide range of short and medium-term

her excellent leadership and dedication the engine leasing and trading commu- leasing solutions for a broad portfolio of

over the past years and wish her the nity and continue to develop our service engines, including the popular CFM56,

very best in her new role,” said Martin portfolio to anticipate and meet market GE90 and V2500 engines, for operators,
Friis-Petersen, senior vice president and customer needs.” as well as technical support and asset and
MRO programmes, MTU Aero Engines. Prior to this, Biebel was vice president material management for engine owners. Q
World Airnews | February 2021
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