Satellites are continuously subject to radiation stress in orbit that may damage electronic components. In addition, this hostile environment is very variable. Its dynamics are characterized by time scales ranging from a few minutes to one solar cycle (11 years).

Buffeting is a vibration of the aircraft that may appear during maneuvers at cruising speed. Depending on the angle of attack, the flow may contain separations, which constitute an aerodynamic excitation. The aircraft's structure shakes, due to this excitation, and this buffeting may endanger the stability of the flight.

If there is a question of a wind instrument in the Sacso project, it is not a matter of music but of flight mechanics and aerodynamics. Sacso designates a very particular model testing mechanism in a wind tunnel, dedicated to predicting the behavior of aircraft in flight.

Researchers at ONERA are thinking about what an air transport system with no pilot and with no controller would be like. Their goal: to see what level of automation could be achieved in the future.

This experiment can be seen at the Palais de la Découverte, in Paris, as part of the scientific exhibition Light, lights - to explore the invisible".

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Onera is developing a propeller designed to reduce the noise from light aircraft without sacrificing performance or safety. Flight tests are planned for February 2008.

April 27, 2005: The A380 Super jumbo makes first flight.
December 19, 2000: the production stage began for the Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane, which will also have the lowest per-passenger and per-kilometer operating costs for high load capacity aircrafts.