Πέμπτη 9 Αυγούστου 2012
Τετάρτη 8 Αυγούστου 2012
2013 Bridalwear by International Flavours | White Gallery Bridal Collect...
LONDON - White Gallery Bridal Collections in London presents a preview of the International Flavours 2013 collection which includes crafted mermaid gowns and sleek dresses by Lusan Mandongus/Annasul Y, unique ball gowns from Elizabeth Stuart, sleek gowns and puffy shoulders from Sanyukta Shrestha, embellished and pleated skirts from Kisui, unique headwear from Victoria Kyriakides, fringed gowns from Yolan Cris, and satin and silk refinery from Victorio & Lucchino Novias/Raimon Bundo.
Hair by Joseph Koniak and makeup by Benefit
Hair by Joseph Koniak and makeup by Benefit
Transformed X-48C Makes Successful First Flight
Transformed X-48C Makes Successful First Flight
The remotely operated X-48C Blended Wing Body aircraft lifts off Rogers Dry Lake at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on its first test flight Aug. 7. The sub-scale technology demonstrator, modified from the prior X-48B configuration, is entering a new flight test phase in a partnership between NASA and The Boeing Company's Phantom Works research and technology division. (NASA / Carla Thomas) › View Larger Image
EDWARDS AFB, Calif. - The remotely piloted X-48C aircraft successfully flew for the first time on Aug. 7, 2012, at Edwards Air Force Base in California's Mojave Desert.
The aircraft, designed by the Boeing Co. and built by Cranfield Aerospace Ltd. of the United Kingdom, is flying again in partnership with NASA. The new X-48C model, which was formerly the X-48B Blended Wing Body aircraft, was modified to evaluate the low-speed stability and control of a low-noise version of a notional, future Hybrid Wing Body (HWB) aircraft design. The HWB design stems from concept studies being conducted by NASA's Environmentally Responsible Aviation project of future potential aircraft designs 20 years from now.
"We are thrilled to get back in the air to start collecting data in this low-noise configuration," said Heather Maliska, X-48C project manager at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. "Our dedicated team has worked hard to get the X-48C off the ground for this first flight and we are excited to learn about the stability and control characteristics of this low-noise configuration of the Blended Wing Body."
Primary changes to the C-model from the B-model, which flew 92 flights at NASA Dryden between 2007 and 2010, were geared to transforming it to an airframe noise-shielding configuration. External modifications included relocating the wingtip winglets inboard next to the engines, effectively turning them into twin tails. The aft deck of the aircraft was also extended about two feet to the rear. Finally, the project team replaced the X-48B’s three 50-pound-thrust jet engines with two 89-pound-thrust engines.
Because handling qualities of the X-48C will be different than those of the X-48B, the project team developed flight control system software modifications, including flight control limiters to keep the airplane flying within a safe flight envelope. This will enable a stronger and safer prototype flight control system suitable for future full-scale commercial hybrid or blended wing aircraft.
"We are very pleased to begin flight tests of the X-48C," said Mike Kisska, Boeing X-48C project manager. "Working with NASA, we’ve successfully passed another milestone in our work to explore and validate the aerodynamic characteristics and efficiencies of the blended wing body concept."
Additionally, the upcoming flight experiments with the X-48C will help researchers further develop methods to validate the design’s aerodynamics and control laws, including a goal of reducing aerodynamic drag through engine yaw control tests.
During the planned second block of flight testing this fall, NASA will test engine yaw control software incorporated in the X-48C’s flight computer. This research will use asymmetric engine thrust to create yaw, or nose left or right movements, for trim and for relatively slow maneuvers.
NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate and Boeing are funding the X-48 technology demonstration research effort, which supports NASA’s goals of reduced fuel burn, emissions and noise.
The X-48C retains most dimensions of the B-model, with a wingspan just longer than 20 feet, and a weight of about 500 pounds. The aircraft has an estimated top speed of about 140 mph, and a maximum altitude of 10,000 feet.
The Air Force Research Laboratory, Dayton, Ohio, is also a member of the project team.
For more information about NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, visit:
For more about NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, visit:
The remotely operated X-48C Blended Wing Body aircraft lifts off Rogers Dry Lake at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on its first test flight Aug. 7. The sub-scale technology demonstrator, modified from the prior X-48B configuration, is entering a new flight test phase in a partnership between NASA and The Boeing Company's Phantom Works research and technology division. (NASA / Carla Thomas) › View Larger ImageEDWARDS AFB, Calif. - The remotely piloted X-48C aircraft successfully flew for the first time on Aug. 7, 2012, at Edwards Air Force Base in California's Mojave Desert.
The aircraft, designed by the Boeing Co. and built by Cranfield Aerospace Ltd. of the United Kingdom, is flying again in partnership with NASA. The new X-48C model, which was formerly the X-48B Blended Wing Body aircraft, was modified to evaluate the low-speed stability and control of a low-noise version of a notional, future Hybrid Wing Body (HWB) aircraft design. The HWB design stems from concept studies being conducted by NASA's Environmentally Responsible Aviation project of future potential aircraft designs 20 years from now.
"We are thrilled to get back in the air to start collecting data in this low-noise configuration," said Heather Maliska, X-48C project manager at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center. "Our dedicated team has worked hard to get the X-48C off the ground for this first flight and we are excited to learn about the stability and control characteristics of this low-noise configuration of the Blended Wing Body."
Primary changes to the C-model from the B-model, which flew 92 flights at NASA Dryden between 2007 and 2010, were geared to transforming it to an airframe noise-shielding configuration. External modifications included relocating the wingtip winglets inboard next to the engines, effectively turning them into twin tails. The aft deck of the aircraft was also extended about two feet to the rear. Finally, the project team replaced the X-48B’s three 50-pound-thrust jet engines with two 89-pound-thrust engines.
Because handling qualities of the X-48C will be different than those of the X-48B, the project team developed flight control system software modifications, including flight control limiters to keep the airplane flying within a safe flight envelope. This will enable a stronger and safer prototype flight control system suitable for future full-scale commercial hybrid or blended wing aircraft.
"We are very pleased to begin flight tests of the X-48C," said Mike Kisska, Boeing X-48C project manager. "Working with NASA, we’ve successfully passed another milestone in our work to explore and validate the aerodynamic characteristics and efficiencies of the blended wing body concept."
Additionally, the upcoming flight experiments with the X-48C will help researchers further develop methods to validate the design’s aerodynamics and control laws, including a goal of reducing aerodynamic drag through engine yaw control tests.
During the planned second block of flight testing this fall, NASA will test engine yaw control software incorporated in the X-48C’s flight computer. This research will use asymmetric engine thrust to create yaw, or nose left or right movements, for trim and for relatively slow maneuvers.
NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate and Boeing are funding the X-48 technology demonstration research effort, which supports NASA’s goals of reduced fuel burn, emissions and noise.
The X-48C retains most dimensions of the B-model, with a wingspan just longer than 20 feet, and a weight of about 500 pounds. The aircraft has an estimated top speed of about 140 mph, and a maximum altitude of 10,000 feet.
The Air Force Research Laboratory, Dayton, Ohio, is also a member of the project team.
For more information about NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, visit:
For more about NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, visit:
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Δευτέρα 6 Αυγούστου 2012
Inside Syria's War
This powerful exclusive is the first film to access the Free Syrian Army's secret labyrinth of caves and also holds a rare interview with the FSA leader. A fascinating insight to how the battle for Syria is being fought.
"Please don't film!" one fighter says, as two rebels argue in the pitch black over the presence of a journalist. In this increasingly violent war the rebels have been using their local knowledge to great advantage. And these 3,000 year old caves are of huge strategic importance. "The army besieged us many times and we always slipped through." But local knowledge will only go so far and the rebels are hard pressed to counter the might of the Syrian army with limited resources. As one failed test run of a home-made mortar shows, they don't have much to work with. They are disheartened by months of fighting without help. "America and Europe hide behind the Russian veto. They lie to us." Even the head of the Free Syrian Army, Colonel Riad al-Assad, is unable to help. As rebel groups come to him for guidance he can only encourage coordination. When asked about the suicide bomb that killed the minister of defence he says, "This is an integral part of the revolutionary action. It could break the regime's back." As things get increasingly desperate, anything that hastens the end of the bloodshed in Syria will form a part of their strategy.
Female Fighters of Kurdistan - Iraq
Fighting to carve a homeland in a region not known for its women's rights, the female guerrillas of the Kurdish Liberation Movement have quite a challenge ahead. Can they really equal their male comrades?
"It is not right to consider a woman fragile", argues one female fighter. For the armed women of PJAK - a rebel group fighting for Kurdish independence in the mountains of northern Iraq, Turkey and Iran - their mission is to defend women from the "persecution" of sharia law, whilst also creating a Kurdish homeland. Their male comrades support their vision of an emancipated Kurdish nation; "women are much better than men at leadership and organisation", one PKK fighter insists. It isn't an easy path: "You are not allowed to be a guerrilla and have a family. You will be distracted". Yet from their remote mountain outpost this ragtag group are determined that their sacrifices will lead to "equality and equity".
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