INDUSTRY NEWS

Boeing unveils world’s longest passenger aircraft — Boeing has reportedly launched the 777X, the world’s longest passenger aircraft, at its wide-body manufacturing facility in Everett, Washington. The company’s latest offering was unveiled at a ‘low key employee-only event’. Boeing initially planned to host an unveiling ceremony for the newest aircraft. However, the company chose a quiet launch in the wake of the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 plane crash earlier this month that killed all 157 people on board. The 777X is expected to be in service next year and set to be the biggest twin-engine airliner. The 252 foot-long 777X is longer than its predecessor, the 777-300ER, as well as the super-stretched Airbus A340-600 and the 747-8, which holds the record for the longest aircraft. Boeing also claims that the 777X is the most efficient twin-engine jet in the world. Several customers have so far placed orders for the aircraft, including British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines. It is expected to have a seating capacity of up to 425 in two classes, 777X-8 and 777X-9. While the 777X-8 will have a range of 8,700nm, the 777X-9 will have the ability to cover 7,600nm ...

NASA may opt for commercial rockets for Orion moon mission — NASA is exploring the idea of using a commercial rocket to launch its Orion crew capsule around the Moon next year as it is struggling to get the Space Launch System (SLS) ready in time. The agency planned to use the SLS, which is based on a large two-stage rocket design, to launch astronauts towards the Moon and even Mars. Boeing is the prime contractor for the SLS rocket. The SLS was supposed to launch the Orion crew capsule. However, increasing delays and cost overruns have meant the launch system is highly unlikely to be ready in time to carry out the planned task. The first Orion mission is an uncrewed mission, known as Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1), which will be followed by a crewed SLS/Orion mission EM-2.