March 24, 2008
Proposal Overdue for Non-Proliferation Relief (Source:
Space News)
The White House missed the March 14 deadline U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson
(D-Fla.) set for sending Congress a legislative proposal for granting
NASA additional relief from a non-proliferation law that bars the U.S.
space agency from buying space station-related goods and services from
Russia beyond 2011. NASA Administrator Mike Griffin told the Senate
Commerce space and aeronautics subcommittee in February that the agency
needs relief from the Iran-North Korea-Syria Non-proliferation Act soon
in order to enter negotiations with the Russian space agency for the
Soyuz and Progress vehicles needed to staff and maintain the
international space station in the years immediately following the
space shuttle's planned 2010 retirement.
Griffin said U.S. dependence on the Russian
spaceships could continue until 2016, because Orion would need to be in
service for the better part of a year before it could be certified to
serve as the station's crew lifeboat. Nelson, chairman of the Senate
Commerce space and aeronautics subcommittee, said the White House would
need to submit a formal proposal by March 14 to give Congress enough
time to act. Nelson spokesman Dan McLaughlin said March 20 that the
subcommittee had yet to receive a legislative proposal from the White
House. "The space agency has made a strong case for why they need it
this year, but everything first has to go through [the White House
Office of Management and Budget], which seems to be a choke point," he
said.
Kristen Scuderi, a spokeswoman for the White House Office of Science
and Technology Policy (OSTP) said March 20 that a proposal was in the
works. "OSTP is working with NASA and other appropriate offices and
agencies to coordinate the Administration's next steps on this issue,"
she said. "We expect this process to be completed soon." NASA has
already agreed to pay Russia $780 million for Soyuz
and Progress services the United States needs through 2011
fulfill its long-standing international space station commitments.
(3/22)
ITAR's Failure (Source: Space Review)
Current US export control regulations make it difficult for companies,
particularly smaller ones, to compete on the international market.
Taylor Dinerman makes the case for some degree of reform that will ease
the regulatory burden on these companies. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1086/1
to view the article. (3/17)
Pentagon, Intelligence
Community to Jointly Manage Procurement (Source: Space News)
The U.S. intelligence community will have more influence over
procurements funded by the intelligence budget under a top-level
agreement that some national security experts say likely will limit the
discretion of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) in managing spy
satellite programs. Under an initial March 11 agreement, the Pentagon
and intelligence community will share what is known as milestone
decision authority for programs funded wholly or primarily by the
so-called National Intelligence Program. This includes programs
executed by the NRO and its sister agencies, including the National
Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency and Defense
Intelligence Agency. (3/22)
Clinton-Obama Standoffs in
April
(Source: Spaceports Blog)
Space industry advocates may have more chances to ask space-related
questions in what may be the last two Democratic presidential debates
between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama on April 16 and 19. Too few
space questions have been asked of the presidential candidates outside
of brief editorial questions in Texas and a TV news segments in
Ohio. Someone may yet ask a
question about commercial space launches, ITAR space technologies,
and/or space treaties. Clinton and Obama will debate April 16 in Pennsylvania sponsored by ABC News and
April 19 in North Carolina sponsored by CBS. Pennsylvania voters go to the primary
polls April 22 and North Carolina voters on May 6. And, who
knows, there may yet be a Space Coast, Florida debate?! (3/13)
Editorial: No Place for Partisans on NASA, Space Exploration
(Source: Houston Chronicle)
Because of the 2008 presidential election, our nation's human
spaceflight program is at a perilous crossroad. While Hillary Clinton,
Barack Obama and John McCain all have made allusions to supporting the
program, none has made it a priority. In fact, in late 2007 Obama went
on record as saying he planned to pay for his $18 billion education
plan by taking it out of the hide of NASA. In defending his desire to
delay the Orion and Ares programs (the next generation crew spacecraft
and rockets), he stressed, "We're not going to have the engineers and
scientists to continue space exploration if we don't have kids who are
able to read, write and compute."
Perhaps now would be a good time to remind Sen. Obama of the sage and
relevant words spoken by a president with whom he has been compared on
occasion. On Sept. 12, 1962, at Rice University, President John F.
Kennedy addressed the importance of the United States having a vibrant and
preeminent space program. "We mean to be part of it we mean to lead it.
For the eyes of the world now look into space, to the moon and to the
planets beyond. Our leadership in science and in industry, our hopes
for peace and security, our obligations to ourselves as well as others,
all require us to become the world's leading spacefaring nation."
No matter who is our next president, he or she is either going to have
to buy in completely to the premise of that young president, or stand
aside and watch as other nations lay claim to the promise of space.
There is no middle ground. John F. Kennedy understood it then, and the
People's Republic of China, with its ambitious
manned space program run by its military, understands it now.
Preeminence in space translates to economic, scientific, educational
and national security advantages. (3/23)
Utah Space Research
Initiative Receives Funding (Source: Salt Lake City
Tribune)
If scientists could achieve breakthroughs in forecasting this "space
weather" and devise technologies to ease the chaos generated by solar
winds, millions in taxpayer dollars would be saved annually, according
to a Utah State University professor. "Now is the time to get in the
field and get moving," says the professor. "People are realizing space
weather is causing problems in a number of industries." His space
weather team is one of eight groups of USU and University of Utah scientists vying for
taxpayer money under the Utah Science, Technology and Research (USTAR)
Initiative to explore commercial applications for their research. The
Legislature has allocated $15 million a year for the USTAR initiative,
with a promise to increase that figure to $25 million if the taxpayer
investment produces tangible results.
The budget increase has yet to materialize. Lower-than-anticipated
revenue led lawmakers to allocate just $2.5 million more to USTAR this
year, even though observers say the initiative so far has exceeded
expectations. USTAR was the brainchild of Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., who
pushed the project to legislative leaders as a way to position Utah as a center for research.
(3/22)
Hawaiian Lawmakers Seek Money For Space Tourism Travel
(Source: KHNL)
A really far out idea That's getting some attention from Hawaii's top leaders. Backers
believe it will take Hawaii tourism to new heights;
literally. In a few years you could travel into space, from commercial
spaceports at Honolulu and Kona international
airports. Lawmakers are asking for half a million dollars to apply for
a spaceport license. "This money would go to the office of Aerospace
development within DBEDT they would be tasked with putting together an
application that would go to the FAA and request that Hawaii is designated one of
these commercial spaceports," said Sen. Will Espero. (3/19)
New Mexico Space Museum Wants to Collect More History
(Source: Alamogordo Daily News)
Most museums are filled with history of one kind or another, but the
New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo is looking for all it
can get and not necessarily things that have flown in space. What they
are seeking, according to the museum's education specialist Mike
Shinabery, is all the oral history people involved in the space program
are willing to provide. "We sit down with them and record their stories
on audio and video tape," he said. "One of our volunteers transcribes
the interview." (3/19)
Florida Lt. Governor
Visits Orbital's Virginia HQ (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp toured the Dulles, Va., facilities of Orbital
Sciences Corp. as part of Florida’s effort to coax the company into
using the Space Coast as its launching site for re-supplying the
International Space Station. Orbital recently won a coveted $170
million NASA contract to re-supply the space station after the shuttle
fleet is retired in 2010, but stunned Florida by announcing it favored
launching from the Wallops Flight Facility along Virginia’s Eastern Shores. Kottkamp said the
company has laid out the general type of package it would need from Florida in order to launch from
the Cape, generally including:
help with launch pad infrastructure, fueling equipment, buildings and
support infrastructure, and utility hook-ups. “All of them are
extremely achievable on our part,” said Kottkamp.
“They made it clear today they’re proud of their Virginia home, but they’re open on
this because it’s a long-term proposition, and a big deal,” he added.
“They’re going to weigh the pros and cons of both locations.” One
obvious advantage for Florida will be the thousands of
highly trained shuttle workers who could be out of work once the
shuttle is mothballed. The state plans follow-up meetings with the
company, with the rough deadline of late spring for trying to land
Orbital’s business, Kottkamp said. (3/10)
Editorial: NASA Shouldn't Even Be Considering KSC Site for
Launch Pad (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
This isn't rocket science. Even NASA admits it isn't rocket science.
Deciding where to build a new 200-acre, dual-launchpad complex for
private users, a NASA administrator agrees, "is essentially about land
use." That's why congressmen, environmentalists, businessmen, this
Editorial Board and about everyone who has commented publicly about the
project can't abide NASA siting it in either of two environmentally
precious locations along the Space Coast. And why we all question
why NASA doesn't immediately let go of one of the locations, a
veritable Eden just west of Mosquito
Lagoon called Site 2 that's in both the Merritt Island National
Wildlife Refuge and the Cape Canaveral National Seashore.
Instead, it should immediately do everything possible to locate the
complex farther south inside Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, at an
abandoned launch site. We're negotiating that, NASA says. But it began
doing so only a few weeks ago. It's not easy, the agency says, getting
the Air Force to approve building a commercial-launch complex on its
property. But Sen. Bill Nelson and Rep. Tom Feeney note that the Air
Force recently OK'd giving Space Exploration Technologies a five-year
license at its Launch Complex 40. They add that one-to-three other Air
Force sites might accommodate commercial launches. And Mr. Feeney says
that because the base's current commander is more sensitive to the
needs of the Space Coast community than some of
her predecessors, NASA should have negotiated with her long ago.
If NASA doesn't step up, Mr. Feeney vows that he, Mr. Nelson, Sen. Mel
Martinez and Rep. Dave Weldon will approach the secretaries of Defense
and the Air Force. Good. Visit http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-ed23108mar23,0,7551470.story
to view the editorial. (3/23)
The "Mars Curse": Why Have So Many Missions Failed?
(Source: Universe Today)
Admittedly, Mars has drawn more space missions than the rest of the
Solar System's planets, but why have nearly two thirds of all Mars
missions failed in some way? Is the "Galactic Ghoul" or the "Mars
Triangle" real? Or is it a case of technological trial-and-error? In
any case, the Mars Curse has been a matter of debate for many years,
but recent missions to the Red Planet haven't only reached their
destination, they are surpassing our wildest expectations. Perhaps our
luck is changing… Click here
to view the article. (3/22)
The End of the Golden Age of Mars Exploration? (Source:
Space Review)
While NASA is celebrating the continued successes of its current Mars
missions, the future of its robotic Mars exploration efforts is
uncertain. Jeff Foust reports on concerns some scientists are
expressing about a possible break in the steady stream of landers and
orbiters going to the Red Planet. Visit http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1085/1
to view the article. (3/17)
NASA Probes to Explore Beyond Mars (Source: Spaceports
Blog)
NASA Administrator Michael Griffin told the 39th Lunar and Planetary
Science Conference that the space agency is cutting its planetary
exploration budget to $343 million, which is just nearly half of the
$620 million in last year’s budget estimates but will focus more on the
outer planets of the solar system in the future. Dr. Griffin said that
NASA is now planning in earnest for an outer planets flagship mission
to Europa, Titan or Ganymede. Europa and Ganymede are moons of Jupiter.
Titan is a moon of Saturn. The major funding cuts would come at the
expense of future Mars programs. (3/18)
An 'Astounding Time' for Planetary Discoveries (Source:
Washington Post)
It used to be that planets were familiar places such as Mars and Saturn
that orbited our sun and were well known to all schoolchildren. Since
astronomers identified the first planet outside our solar system 13
years ago, however, that idea has become downright quaint. Because now,
according to the Extrasolar Planets Encyclopedia, there are 277
confirmed "extrasolar" planets, and quite a few more on the list of
those suspected but not yet confirmed. This explosion in planetary
discoveries is taking place at such warp speed that even those most
intimately involved are often amazed -- especially because their
ultimate goal is nothing less than finding life elsewhere in the
universe. Visit http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/23/AR2008032301237.html?sub=new
to view the article. (3/23)
Marburger: U.S. Has Time To Resume Making Plutonium
(Source: Space News)
White House science advisor John Marburger said the United States has
not abandoned plans to resume production of plutonium-238, a material
used to power long-lasting nuclear batteries critical for deep space
missions. "NASA has access to enough plutonium to meet its known
mission requirements through much of the next decade, and the
administration ultimately determined that funding to restart pu-238
production was not required in FY2009," Marburger said. NASA
Administrator Mike Griffin told the House Appropriations commerce,
justice, science subcommittee March 6 that the U.S. Department of
Energy is running out of plutonium-238 and would not be able to meet
the space agency's demand beyond 2017 without resuming production of
the radioactive material.
While the Department of Energy has been buying plutonium from Russia to help meet NASA's
demand, Griffin said the agency has been
informed that Russia is down to its last 10
kilograms -- an amount equivalent to less than half of what NASA
expects to use of its outer planets flagship-class mission slated for
2016 or 2017. Restarting production would take about seven years, Griffin said. (3/22)
Sir Arthur Clarke's Legacy Will Live On (Source: NSS)
The members and board of the National Space Society are saddened by the
passing of Sir Arthur Clarke, a longtime member of the society's Board
of Governors. Clarke's legacy will live on in the decades to come, as
humanity continues the great adventure of space travel and exploration.
"Sir Arthur's positive vision of the future excited generations about
space exploration, and inspired millions to pursue scientific careers,"
said Buzz Aldrin, Apollo astronaut and fellow member of the NSS Board
of Governors. George Whitesides, NSS Executive Director, stated:
"Arthur C. Clarke invented the concept of geostationary satellites in
1945, and the orbit of such satellites is named in his honor. It is
highly fitting that future space explorers setting out for distant
moons and planets will forever pass Clarke's Orbit on their way." (3/18)
NASA Seeks Ideas for New Investigations Using Existing
Spacecraft (Source: NASA)
NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) currently sponsors
approximately 85 flight missions, involving over 90 spacecraft, divided
between missions in development and missions in operations. One of
SMD's programmatic objectives is to maximize the science return for the
Nation within the available budget. NASA solicits input from the broad
space science community that would identify possible new uses for
current NASA spacecraft beyond their current missions. Visit http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=27375 for
information. (3/17)
Cassini Spacecraft Finds
Ocean May Exist Beneath Titan's Crust (Source: NASA)
Using radar measurements of Titan's rotation, NASA's Cassini spacecraft
has discovered evidence that points to the existence of an underground
ocean of water and ammonia on Saturn's moon. "With its organic dunes,
lakes, channels and mountains, Titan has one of the most varied, active
and Earth-like surfaces in the solar system," said Ralph Lorenz, a
Cassini radar scientist at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics
Laboratory, "Now we see changes in the way Titan rotates, giving us a
window into Titan's interior beneath the surface." (3/20)
Methane Detected on Distant Planet (Source: AP)
The Hubble Space Telescope has found methane in the atmosphere of a
distant planet — the same planet where water was found last year. Such
discoveries could aid efforts to find life on planets outside our solar
system, scientists said. The organic molecule was detected in the
atmosphere of a Jupiter-sized planet that circles a star 63 light-years
away in the constellation Vulpecula. The planet, HD 189733b, is too
close to a nearby star to support life as we know it. But researchers
said the observations show the astronomers' technique for detecting
essential life ingredients can be used on cooler, potentially habitable
Earth-sized planets. (3/19)
Conserve the Moon for Radio Astronomy (Source: New
Scientist)
As potential conservation areas go, it has to be the bleakest. But this
hasn't stopped one astronomer from suggesting that a protected area be
set up on the far side of the moon. Like many of his colleagues,
Claudio Maccone of the International Academy of Astronautics in Paris
thinks that the moon's far side will one day be a haven for radio
telescopes, free from the electronic chatter of Earth and the many
satellites now orbiting it. Maccone is calling on the United Nations to
recognise a 1820-kilometer-diameter zone on the moon's far side as the "Protected Antipode Circle". A crater called
Daedalus within this area would be suitable for a future
radio-astronomy base, he says.
No one has put the idea to the UN in the past, according to Sergiy
Negoda, legal officer at the UN's Office for Outer Space Affairs in Vienna, Austria. Creating a legal
framework for something so novel can take "years, sometimes decades",
he warns. Firms claiming to sell moon land say they would welcome a
lunar conservation area. "Anything that protects the moon, front side
or back, is to our minds a positive thing," says William Folkes of
MoonEstates in the UK. (3/23)
Building a Base on the Moon: Infrastructure and Transportation
(Source: Universe Today)
Imagine trying to build a structure on the surface of the Moon. Two of
the biggest obstacles the first lunar settlers will come across are the
very low gravity and the fine dust causing all sorts of construction
issues. Although it seems likely that the first habitats will be built
by automated processes before mankind even sets foot on the moon,
fabrication of a settlement infrastructure will be of a primary concern
to engineers so construction can be made as efficient as possible.
Click here
to view the article. (3/23)
Pulav, Dessert on Moon Mission Menu (Source: Times of India)
Would it be 'Bon Voyage' or 'Bon Appetite'? The answer is both, if the
mouth-watering menu for astronauts of India's manned Moon mission
planned for next decade is any indication. Mysore's Defense Food Research
Laboratory (DFRL) is applying its mind 10 years ahead on the food that
the space travelers should carry. Pulav and chapatti top a tentative
menu, which also has soups, fruit juices and desserts. There will also
be more mood-elevating food. And if there is a refrigerator inside
Chandrayan II, the space vehicle, even ice creams are no problem. Due
to the extreme conditions, the food taken to space has to be of high
micro-biological quality. "The packaging should suit gravitational
conditions. Most importantly, it has to be tasty and nutritious." (3/20)
Japanese Space Food a Hit in Orbit (Source: Space.com)
When visiting someone's house - even in space - bring food. That was
Japanese astronaut Takao Doi's motto and his country's orbital eats are
apparently a hit aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Doi
packed three types of Japanese noodles, some salmon and steamed rice
for his crewmates aboard the shuttle Endeavour and space station. The
10 astronauts aboard the station and shuttle sat down together for a
joint meal early Wednesday, where they sampled Doi's Japanese treats.
(3/20)
Radiation-Eating Chernobyl Fungus, More Space Food? (Source: Doug's Darkworld)
Last year there was an exciting biological discovery inside the tomb of
the Chernobyl reactor. A robot sent
into the reactor discovered a thick coat of black slime growing on the
walls. Since it is highly radioactive in there, scientists didn’t
expect to find anything living, let alone thriving. This slime, a
collection of several fungi actually, was more than just surviving in a
radioactive environment, it was actually using gamma radiation as a
food source. Samples of these fungi grew significantly faster when
exposed to gamma radiation at 500 times the normal background radiation
level. The fungi appear to use melanin, a chemical found in human skin
as well, in the same fashion as plants use chlorophyll. That is to say,
the melanin molecule gets struck by a gamma ray and its chemistry is
altered. This is an amazing discovery, no one had even suspected that
something like this was possible.
This discovery leads to some interesting speculation and potential
research. Humans have melanin molecules in their skin cells, does this
mean that humans are getting some of their energy from radiation? This
also implies there could be organisms living in space where ionizing
radiation is plentiful. Possibly this could also be used to create
plants or mushrooms that could grow in space, serving as a food source
for space travelers. Maybe these fungi could be modified and used
somehow to clean up radiation contaminated environments. (2007)
Proposed Space Food Suffers From 'Smell Problem' (Source:
New Scientist)
If you'd like to travel to Mars someday, make sure you have a strong
stomach. The latest diet proposed for Martian astronauts includes a
plant called mosquito fern, which apparently has a pungent and not
entirely pleasant odor. The variety of foods available to humans trying
to eke out an existence on Mars would naturally be limited. The plants
and animals brought along for food would have to be carefully chosen in
order to maximize nutrition while using the smallest amount of
resources possible.
With that in mind, researchers have previously proposed that Martian
diets include cookies made from silkworm pupae. Taste is a very
subjective thing and plenty of people happily eat silkworm pupae on a
regular basis here on Earth. The same cannot be said of the malodorous
mosquito fern. It is rich in nutrients like potassium and phosphorous.
As an added benefit, symbiotic bacteria that grow with Azolla take
nitrogen from the air, making important nitrogen-containing nutrients
needed by other food crops like rice. While the taste of Azolla may be
okay, its odoriferous properties leave something to be desired. (3/19)
NASA Mission Finds New Clues to Guide
Search for Life (and Food Seasoning) on Mars (Source: NASA)
NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter has found evidence of salt deposits. These
deposits point to places where water once was abundant and where
evidence might exist of possible Martian life from the Red Planet's
past. A team led by Mikki Osterloo of the University of Hawaii, found approximately 200
places on southern Mars that show spectral characteristics consistent
with chloride minerals. Chloride is part of many types of salt, such as
sodium chloride or table salt. The sites range from about half of a
square mile to 25 times that size. "The sites are disconnected, so they
are unlikely to be the remnants of a global ocean." Scientists used
Odyssey's Thermal Emission Imaging System, a camera designed and
operated by Arizona State University, Tempe, to take images in a
range of visible light and infrared wavelengths. (3/20)
NASA Awards Contracts for Lunar Lander Design (Source:
NASA)
NASA's Constellation Program has selected five companies to receive
contracts for a 210-day study to independently evaluate NASA's in-house
design concept for a lunar lander that will deliver four astronauts to
the surface of the moon by 2020. The awards total approximately $1.5
million, with a maximum individual award of $350,000. The study
recommendations will be used to increase the technical maturity of the
existing design in preparation for the development of vehicle
requirements. The selected companies are Andrews Space of Seattle,
Boeing of Houston, Lockheed Martin of Denver, Northrop Grumman El
Segundo, and Odyssey Space Research of Houston. (3/17)
ATK Wins $50 Million Orion Solar Array Contract (Source:
NoozHawk)
Alliant Techsystems has been selected by Lockheed Martin to design,
develop and build UltraFlex solar arrays for NASA's next generation
Orion crew exploration vehicle. The value of the initial design and
development contract is expected to exceed $50 million. Program
management, design, engineering, analysis, manufacturing, assembly and
test work for the solar arrays will be conducted at ATK's facility in Goleta, california. Because the flight solar
array system is expendable for each Orion mission, ATK expects
continuous production through 2020 and beyond. Powered by ATK's solar
arrays, Orion is being designed to carry astronauts to the moon. It
also will transport crew and cargo to the International Space Station.
(3/22)
Astronauts Take a Break,
Ahead of Return Trip to Earth (Source: SpaceDaily.com)
Their fifth and final spacewalk behind them, the seven-member crew of
the US space shuttle Endeavour enjoyed a break in their busy work
schedule Sunday, ahead of their trip back to Earth later this week. Two
astronauts from the Endeavour -- mission specialists Robert Behnken and
Mike Foreman -- on Sunday attached a 50-foot sensory boom to the
outside of the International Space Station. Their six-hour spacewalk
was hailed by NASA as yet another ringing success. Endeavour, whose
mission at the ISS is the longest ever, is scheduled to undock on
Monday and return to Earth on Wednesday.
Space Robot Goes Operational at ISS (Source: The Register)
Dextre, the mighty ton-and-a-half space robot intended for repair and
servicing tasks at the International Space Station (ISS), is now fully
operational. The 12-foot-tall mechanical maintenance man, a product of
cutting-edge Canadian space robotics tech, has been fully assembled and
is ready for work. It seems that the Canadian droid will pretty much
eliminate the need for spacewalking astronauts, as it can carry out
almost any task a human can. Typical jobs, according to NASA, might
include changing batteries or other parts in modules and "payloads"
attached to the space station. The mechanoid is apparently designed for
"high precision and a gentle touch", though it can also heave the likes
of two-hundred-pound power units about with ease. (3/18)
Fuel Tank May Stall Atlantis for Hubble Mission (Source: Florida Today)
Shuttle Atlantis' August mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope
might be delayed by problems with building the shuttle's redesigned
external tanks. That possibility exists," said a NASA spokesman. "Right
now, we are still officially targeting Aug. 28, while managers do an
assessment of the tank schedule." NASA redesigned the tank to reduce
foam shedding, which doomed Columbia in 2003. Incorporating
design changes is taking longer than expected. We're now in the process
of building tanks from scratch instead of modifying previously built
tanks. The changes and redesigns of the (external tank) have increased
the amount of work required to build tanks," said another NASA manager.
NASA needs two tanks to launch the Hubble flight. A second shuttle must
be poised for a rescue launch because Atlantis could not reach the
International Space Station if damaged. (3/22)
External Tank's Delay Virtually Wipes Out Days Off Before
Discovery Launch (Source: Florida Today)
A five-day delay in the arrival of a newly designed external tank is
not expected to delay Discovery's May 25 launch. However, the loss of
time virtually eliminates days off for technicians. External Tank 128,
scheduled to arrive from the New Orleans factory on Thursday, was
delayed by bad weather and is now scheduled to arrive Tuesday. The tank
has titanium brackets on the liquid oxygen feed line, soldered
ECO-sensor connectors, a redesigned ice-frost ramp and minor changes to
the metal structure. Discovery is scheduled to be attached to the tank
and a pair of solid rocket boosters on April 27 and then to roll out to
the launch pad on May 5. (3/22)
Could COTS Close the Gap? (Sources: Lurio Report,
Space Politics)
Not long ago, some in Washington were speaking of
extending the shuttle’s operating life or accelerating Orion as a fix
for the human spaceflight gap. Neither makes fiscal sense. But the
reality of the end of Shuttle has really started to sink in in
Congress, as has the distaste for depending on Russia’s Soyuz for U.S. human transport to orbit.
Some Members appear to have noticed that COTS could fill that gap.
Florida Senator Bill Nelson and Senator Vitter of Louisiana suggested to NASA's
Administrator Mike Griffin during a recent hearing that the agency
should consider accelerating COTS and increasing its budget.
Griffin said he was working with
SpaceX to try to speed up progress towards using the Falcon 9/Dragon
for astronaut transport as well as cargo supply to the ISS. But
additional money would be required to accelerate COTS’s human flight
option. Under present planning, the COTS human flight demonstration
program would start under an optional COTS ‘phase D,’ projected for
2011. But as yet there is no funding there for ‘phase D.’ In an
interview with the Washington Post, Elon Musk asserted that SpaceX
"might have a manned spacecraft capability by the end of 2011 if NASA
exercises its option under a 2006 agreement to provide cargo service.
With that go-ahead, SpaceX would put its manned rocket program into
high gear...” (3/20)
Air Force Pays $4M for Ride on SpaceX Falcon 1 (Source:
Florida Today)
Internet tycoon Elon Musk has landed another payload for his third
rocket launch, even though SpaceX's first two rockets failed to reach
orbit. The Air Force will pay $4 million to "ride along" on the third
SpaceX launch in June from Kwajalein Atoll in the Central Pacific. The
first Falcon 1 rocket caught fire after launch, while the second spun
out of control after the second stage fired. The "ride along" is part
of an Air Force experiment to "to rapidly integrate and execute a
mission, from initial call-up to launch." SpaceX believes it has solved
the problem that caused fuel in the second stage to slosh and force the
vehicle off course. (3/20)
California’s Space Vector, Three
Others, Win Air Force Suborbital Launch Contracts (Source: DOD)
California-based Space
Vector Corp., Florida-based L-3 Coleman Aerospace, Orbital Science
Corp.'s Arizona-based Launch Systems Group, and Utah-based ATK Launch
Systems, are being awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity
contract for $250,000,000 to provide multiple awards with a seven year
ordering period to provide engineering and technical services necessary
to support the Air Force's Sounding Rocket Program. The Sounding Rocket
Program provides launch systems and services for sub-orbital ballistic
trajectories up to 5,500 km downrange. At this time $200,000 has been
obligated. (3/18)
Russian Rockot Vehicle to Launch European Satellite
(Source: RIA Novosti)
A Russian Rockot launch vehicle is due this year to deliver into orbit
Europe's first GOCE satellite which will measure the Earth's
gravitational field. The European Space Agency (ESA) Gravity field and
steady state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) mission is designed to
provide unique models of the Earth's gravity field and of the geoid, on
a global scale and with unprecedented accuracy and spatial resolution.
GOCE will be launched from the Plesetsk space center in northwest Russia in spring 2008 and put
into a low earth orbit (LEO) of 270-300 km (170-186 miles). (3/22)
Sea Launch Zenit-3SL Launches HDTV Satellite (Source:
SpaceToday.net)
A Sea Launch rocket success launched a new DIRECTV satellite designed
to provide HDTV programming to customers in the US. The Russian/Ukrainian
Zenit-3SL lifted off from the Odyssey launch platform on the Equator in
the Pacific
Ocean and placed the DIRECTV 11
satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit. The satellite will
provide high-definition TV services to viewers in the US. The launch is the second
of six planned for Sea Launch in 2008, with up to three additional Land
Launch missions, using a variant of the Zenit-3 launched from the
Baikonur spaceport in Kazakhstan, are scheduled as well.
(3/20)
Dish Network Satellite Launched Into Wrong Orbit (Source:
Denver Business Journal)
Launches of high-definition direct-to-home satellites for two leading
satellite TV companies hit snags on opposite sides of the world.
Unusual instrument readings during Monday's countdown at the Pacific Ocean launch site of DirecTV
Group Inc.'s latest satellite forced blastoff to be postponed for at
least a day. It's not yet clear what or how serious the issues are with
the Sea Launch consortium's Zenit rocket carrying the DirecTV
satellite. No new launch time had been set as of Monday morning.
The delay is not related to the problems experienced by competitor Dish
Network Corp.'s launch Friday. In that launch, handled by McLean,
Va.-based International Launch Service and the Russian space agency, a
Russian-built Proton Briz-M rocket malfunctioned and left the Dish
Network satellite in a potentially unusable orbit. That may delay the
rollout of some of its planned high-definition channels and local
programming, the company announced. (3/17)
Proton Upper-Stage Failure Creates Tough Choices for Companies
(Source: Space News)
The recent Proton launch mishap was the second Breeze-M upper-stage
failure in 25 months and the third overall for the commercial Proton-M
rocket, whose sales are managed by International Launch Services (ILS)
of McLean, Virginia. ILS officials had said they expected to perform
six or seven commercial launches in 2008, which was expected to reflect
the rebound in the commercial-satellite market. Next up for ILS is the
launch of a satellite for mobile satellite services operator Inmarsat
of London, which only weeks earlier had canceled a contract for a 2009
Atlas 5 rocket launch from the Cape Canaveral Spaceport in favor of the
earlier Proton-M date.
Inmarsat had been counting on a late-April launch, but now has little
choice but to wait for the conclusions of the Russian government
commission investigating the failure. Inmarsat and its insurers will
need to be fully reassured that Proton manufacturers have understood
the problem before agreeing to put Inmarsat's satellite on the next
commercial Proton flight. Returning to its original plan of an Atlas 5
launch is no longer an option. That mid-2009 launch slot has since been
sold to the U.S. Air Force, Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services
President Dave Markham said. The earliest available Atlas 5 date is now
2010.
Proton's prime contractor, Khrunichev State Research and Production
Space Center of Moscow, in 2007 was given full control of Proton's
component builders, including the Isayev Design Bureau of Chemical
Machine-Building (KBKhM), which builds the Breeze-M motor in question.
A Khrunichev official said the company is aware that Proton's recent
performance is raising concerns among customers. He said Khrunichev
intends to "sort out things" at KBKhM. The official said that despite
the February 2007 government decree that gave Khrunichev full authority
over Proton contractors, it was not until this year that the
reorganization was completed. (3/22)
Engineers Will Try to
Correct Satellite Orbit (Source: Rocky Mountain
News)
The Dish Network said it is waiting for more detail from the failed
Proton launch, and engineers from SES Americom and Lockheed Martin are
exploring options to bring the satellite into its proper orbit. If
those efforts are successful, the fuel required to do so would
substantially reduce the service life of the satellite. (3/18)
Inmarsat Postpones Satellite Launch After Proton Launcher
Failure (Source: EE Times)
Mobile satellite communications services provider Inmarsat has
postponed the launch of its third Inmarsat-4 satellite -- that was to
give a major boost to its provision of broadband networks throughout
Europe -- following the failure of International Launch Services'
Proton rocket to place the AMC-14 communications satellite into
geosynchrononous transfer orbit. Inmarsat immediately suspended plans
to ship the third Inmarsat-4 satellite to its launch site and expects
the scheduled late-April launch to be postponed pending an
investigation into the failed launch of the Russian rocket. (3/17)
Siberian Farmer's Claim that Rocket Fuel Killed his Horses
Dismissed (Source: RIA Novosti)
Scientists in Siberia rejected on Tuesday a farmer's claim that four of
his horses were killed by toxic pollution from part of a carrier rocket
that fell nearby. In early March, Sergei Kazantsev told district
authorities in southwest Siberia's Altai Republic that in the year since a
fragment of a rocket launched from the Baikonur spaceport in Kazakhstan fell near his herd of
horses, four of the horses had died. However, the deputy head of the
regional Institute for Water and Ecological Problems said: "The deaths
of the animals cannot be associated with the falling of rocket
fragments. We have to look elsewhere for the cause." (3/18)
Japan’s Space Development Proves Financial Black Hole
(Source: Daily Yomiuri)
Astronaut Takao Doi's recent installation of the first logistics module
of Japan's Kibo laboratory on the Space Station instilled a sense of
pride in Japanese over their first "territory" in space. But many
citizens also harbor skepticism over the cost-efficiency of the
government's 1 trillion yen, 20-year construction plan. On the
political front, lawmakers have started to review previous space
development policies. Discontent within the space industry has prompted
the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to review its space policies.
Of the government's 250 billion yen space development budget, which has
declined over the past several years, 180 billion yen is allotted to
the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the only space
organization in the country, which places orders with companies for
machines and equipment. An official of the Society of Japanese
Aerospace Companies, an aerospace industry organization, said that
since 2003, government demands have fallen more than budget cuts,
resulting in less funds trickling down to aerospace firms. With many
companies withdrawing from the aerospace industry, the official said
the society is concerned about the hollowing and weakening of the
aerospace sector. (3/22)
Editorial: Canada in Need of Space Strategy (Source: The Star)
There are no crossroads in the vastness of space but Canada, nonetheless, must choose
a direction. Much depends on setting a clear course now for our future
role beyond the confines of Earth. Few countries have been more
successful in breaching the final frontier. With the 1962 launch of its
Alouette satellite, Canada was the third country in
space, after the U.S.S.R. and the United States. Our amazing Dextre robot
arm module is currently orbiting on the International Space Station.
And just last December, Canada launched its
world-beating Radarsat-2 satellite, providing images of startling
detail to document what's happening on our planet. All Canadians can
take pride in that legacy of achievement. But much of it is drawing to
a close.
Marc Garneau, former astronaut and past head of the Canadian Space
Agency (and a future Liberal candidate), says what we need is a
comprehensive space strategy. "We are very much at a crossroads, at a
time when even India, China and Brazil have got very ambitious
space programs," says Garneau. "It seems everybody's going up there
while we are beginning to slip." (3/23)
Canadian Feds Delay Ruling on Sale of Canada's Top Space Firm
(Source: CTV)
In the face of mounting domestic pressure, Industry Minister Jim
Prentice is holding off government approval of the $1.3-billion sale of
MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates and a multi-million dollar
taxpayer-funded Radarsat-2 satellite to U.S. weapons maker Alliant
Techsystems. Government insiders say Prentice has ordered another
30-day review of the proposal sale that has been strongly denounced by
Canadian scientists, editorial writers, and Calgary Conservative MP Art
Hanger. Critics say the sale of Radarsat-2's state-of-the-art
capability to monitor the Arctic would be lost to the U.S., just as Canada's Arctic sovereignty is
being promoted by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. It would also mean the
loss of high-quality technological jobs in Canada. (3/20)
Editorial: MDA Sale to ATK Not in Canada's Best Interest
(Source: National Post)
It's been 50 years since the almost mythical Avro Arrow supersonic jet
fighter was scrubbed and scrapped, a sacrificed $400-million government
investment that lingers still as a defining blow to Canada's patriotic
pride. We never learn. In a matter of days, the Conservative government
is scheduled to rule on the sale of Canada's world-class satellite
builder to American interests, selling $430-million worth of taxpayer
investment south of the border for a $1.3-billion shareholder payday.
In the lofty dare-to-dream department, the MacDonald Dettwiler and
Associates (MDA) sale to Alliant Techsystems ranks as a far greater sin
than killing off a jet of questionable economics, even one allegedly
superior enough to offend American aviation sensitivities at the height
of the Cold War. (3/19)
Space Adventures Buys Zero-G (Source: Space News)
Space tourists came closer to a one-stop shop as Space Adventures
announced its Jan. 1 purchase of Zero Gravity Corp. The acquisition
cements Space Adventures' control of Zero-G, in which it had been a
substantial investor, according to Eric Anderson, president and chief
executive officer of Space Adventures. Terms of the sale were not
disclosed. "Bringing the companies together allows us to provide a
range of exclusive commercial spaceflight services from parabolic
flights to orbital missions," said Peter Diamandis, Zero-G's chief
executive officer. Diamandis, who also co-founded Space Adventures,
will remain as Zero-G's chief executive and becomes a managing director
of Space Adventures. Byron Lichtenberg, former NASA astronaut,
continues as Zero-G's chief technology officer. Zero--G has carried
more than 5,000 customers on more than 175 flights since 2004. The
company won a research and training contract from NASA in January worth
as much as $25 million. (3/19)
European Space Planes 'To Meet Big Demand' for Tourism Flights
(Source: BBC)
Aerospace giant EADS says it will need a production line of rocket
planes to satisfy the space tourism market. The European company's
Astrium division, makers of the Ariane rocket, has plans for a
commercial vehicle to take ticketed passengers above 100km. Its market
assessment suggests there would be 15,000 people a year prepared to
part with some 200,000 euros (£160,000) for the ride of a lifetime.
Astrium anticipates it be will be producing about 10 planes a year. "To
satisfy the market you will need more planes than you think, because
once there is regular operation, the price will decrease which means
there will be more customers," Robert Laine, chief technical officer
(CTO) of the pan-European company, told BBC News.
Astrium does not intend to run a space tourism marketing operation
itself. Rather, it intends simply to supply vehicles to those who will.
Visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7298511.stm
to view the article. (3/17)
Italy’s SpaceLand Opens Space Training Camp on Olympic Alps
(Source: SpaceLand)
The world's first Lunar-Gravity, Zero-Gravity Flight Training Alpine
Camp officially opened by SpaceLand at 2000 meter elevation on the
Olympic Alps of Piemonte. Journalists from all over Europe were brought
last week to the SpaceLand Camp by Discovery Channel Europe to
familiarize with aerospace underwater & psycho-physical basic
training as well as functional simulations of manned space missions
paving the way to SpaceLand low gravity and weightless research and
educational flights at Kennedy Space Center planned for the upcoming
months. Visit http://www.SpaceLand.it
for information. (3/20)
Space Cruise Participants To Experience Real Space Training At
The NASTAR Center (Source: eMediaWire)
Participants attending Space Cruise Week in April 2009 will also
receive a 2-day space training experience at the NASTAR Center near
Philadelphia. At the center, participants will experience G forces,
weightlessness and view the Earth in simulators that recreate what a
sub-orbital spaceflight will be like. As announced last week by
Mitchell J Schultz, Director of XtraOrdinary Adventures, "ninety-six
possible participants from around the globe are expected to register"
and all ninety-six will get an authentic space training experience at
the NASTAR Center where NASA has trained
several Astronauts. This will enable cruise week attendees to get a
real taste of the flavors of spaceflight.
Additional festivities include a zero-G flight taking off and landing
on the same runway our space shuttle lands on at the Kennedy Space Center. A tour of the center and
a finale spectacular with many noted space enthusiasts and
entertainment that all in attendance will not soon forget. For more
information visit http://www.XtraOrdinaryAdventures.com.
(3/17)
Americans in Orbit-50 Years Inc., Announces Astronaut
Selection! (Source: PR Newswire)
Americans in Orbit-50 Years was founded to commemorate the first U.S. manned orbital space
flight and to establish a national education outreach program. For
decades, American universities had access to space in order to conduct
space science experiments and allow future engineers valuable hands-on
experience. This access to space has dwindled over the last few years
to virtually zero. Americans in Orbit-50 Years, is proceeding with
plans to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Friendship 7
mission with "America's Launch". We plan to
launch two astronauts, and up to 10,000 lbs. of space science
experiments in Feb. 2012. After the initial launch, we plan to launch
on a regular basis so engineering students will continue to have the
opportunity to work on space science experiments and small satellites.
In partnership with the National Space Science Education Program, the
project will not be limited to universities. There will also be
programs for high school and elementary students. Two (2) astronauts
have now been selected as the primary crew for the mission: Dr. Howard
Chipman (Commander) and Veronique Koken (Second-in-Command). Dr.
Chipman, an experienced pilot, has participated in cosmonaut training
in Russia. Co-Pilot Koken's
background includes aeronautics, physics, and education. She is
currently flight training with Commander Chipman in the L-39 jet. Final
decisions have been made on the construction of the spacecraft. A U.S. aerospace company will be
selected to build both the manned capsule and the Space Science Module
(SSM). The latest proven technology will be incorporated into the
design to enhance safety. Visit http://sev.prnewswire.com/aerospace-defense/20080319/DC1721119032008-1.html for
information. (3/20)
Flagsuit LLC Delivers First Commercial Space Suit Gloves
(Source: eMediaWire)
Flagsuit LLC, a new startup founded by NASA Astronaut Glove Challenge
winner Peter Homer, shipped their first commercially produced space
suit gloves to Los Angeles-based Orbital Outfitters last month under a
joint development agreement. The gloves are designed to be used with
the Industrial Suborbital Space Suit-Crew (IS3C) which was unveiled by
Orbital Outfitters in October 2007. The gloves will feature a
patent-pending joint design that makes the fingers more flexible under
pressure, increasing dexterity while reducing hand fatigue. The gloves
are manufactured using a new process that eliminates time consuming
adjustments to adapt the fit to the wearer's hands, producing a
ready-to-wear garment that literally "fits like a glove." Flagsuit is
currently implementing a preliminary production capability with support
from the Maine Technology Institute.
Orbital Outfitters announced the collaboration with Homer last
November. "Orbital Outfitters is committed to making the best
performing and best looking commercial space suits available, without
the premium price tag," says CEO Jeff Feige. "Flagsuit is helping us
realize that goal." Orbital Outfitters has a contract to deliver
emergency pressure suits for a piloted suborbital vehicle being
developed by XCOR Aerospace of Mojave, CA, among others and will be
conducting tests on the suit in a near vacuum this summer. (3/17)
U.S. Space Tourist to Give Lessons from ISS (Source: RIA
Novosti)
The U.S. space tourist Richard Garriott, scheduled to fly to the
International Space Station (ISS) this fall, intends to give lessons
from orbit. "He [Garriott] plans to conduct a series of interactive
webcasts associated with his spaceflight training in Russia, conduct
podcasts discussing activities related to both his training and
spaceflight..., and perform experiments that can be replicated by
students using everyday objects to demonstrate important concepts in
physics," his website said. U.S. games developer Garriott,
46, the son of former NASA astronaut Owen K. Garriott, and another
would-be space tourist Nik Halik, 38, an Australian entrepreneur, are
already undergoing physical training and studying Russian in
preparation for their trip. (3/19)
Astronauts Offer Personal
Memorabilia for Charity (Source: ASF)
More than thirty astronauts (John Glenn, Jim Lovell, Scott Carpenter,
Buzz Aldrin and many more) have delved into their collections to
provide artifacts of personal significance, autographed items, and are
offering one-on-one adventures for an online auction to raise funds for
scholarships provided by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF).
Experiences include SCUBA diving with Apollo 16 moonwalker Charlie
Duke; Skydiving with 5-time Space Shuttle Astronaut Robert “Hoot”
Gibson; Attending a Space Shuttle Launch with STS-1 Astronaut Bob
Crippen. Artifacts include an Apollo 13 parachute segment flown in
space; a John Glenn autographed LIFE magazine; Apollo 9 lunar module
insulation flown in space; and more! Visit http://astronautscholarship.org/auction.pl
to bid and for information. (3/19)
Veteran Shuttle Astronauts Selected for 2008 Hall of Fame
Induction (Source: KSCVC)
John E. Blaha, Robert D. Cabana, Bryan D. O’Connor and Loren J. Shriver
will join an elite group of American space heroes as they are inducted
into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame during a public ceremony at
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on May 3. They will be welcomed to
the ranks of legendary space pioneers like Neil Armstrong, John Glenn,
Alan Shepard, Jim Lovell, Sally Ride and John Young|–|distinguished
members of this unique Hall of Fame. They will bring the number of
space explorers enshrined in the Astronaut Hall of Fame to 70. (3/20)
With NASA Teaching
Resource, The Sky Isn't The Limit (Source: Highlands Today)
Annesly Wood admits she was never really interested in astronauts or
space, but when a job opportunity came up at NASA, she knew better than
to pass it by. Wood, a graduate of South Florida Community College, was
working on her bachelor's degree in math education at the University of
Central Florida when a professor told her about an internship teaching
through NASA's Digital Learning Network. "It was a freak accident that
I happened to find out about it and actually get it," Wood, 21, said.
"But it has definitely been a blessing." (3/17)
Through video conferencing technology, Wood connects to schools
throughout the country and teaches lessons ranging from touring the
Kennedy Space Center to experiments with liquid nitrogen. She teaches
to a camera, and the picture is transmitted through the Internet to a
screen in the classroom. The Web cam in the classroom captures a
picture of the student that Wood can see. Damon Talley, coordinator of
Digital Learning Network for NASA, said lessons can be tailored for any
grade level and any subject. "It's not our job to teach the curriculum;
you do an excellent job of that," Talley told teachers who gathered for
a demonstration Thursday afternoon. "We are here to enrich the
curriculum and allow students to have some exciting experiences with
math and science." (3/17)
Globalstar Plans $700M Stock Offering (Source: Reuters)
Globalstar, a provider of mobile voice and data communications services
via satellite, may periodically sell up to $700 million in debt
securities, common and preferred stock, warrants and depositary shares.
The company said it intends to use a part of the net proceeds to meet
capital expenditures relating to procuring and deploying
second-generation satellite constellation and related ground
facilities. (3/19)
Struggling WorldSpace Eyes Italy, Switzerland (Source:
Space News)
Satellite-radio service provider WorldSpace is focusing its attention
on Italy and Switzerland in hopes of introducing a hybrid
satellite-terrestrial service in 2009 and generating revenue before it
runs out of money. But they admitted that WorldSpace's survival is now
at stake if the company does not find fresh sources of cash and
strategic partners needed to finance the European service rollout. The
Silver Spring, Md.-based company had $10.9 million cash and marketable
securities as of Dec. 31. WorldSpace spent $19 million in the three
months ending Dec. 31. (3/22)
Astrium Teaming with Khrunichev to Build Large Russian
Communications Satellite (Source: EADS)
The Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) has selected a team
of Khrunichev Space Center and Astrium to build the Express AM4
communications satellite. Express AM4, to be delivered late 2010, is by
far the largest Express satellite ever ordered. RSCC is focused
primarily on the development of satellite communications and the
broadcasting network in the Russian Federation to secure the common
information space across the country. RSCC currently operates 11
satellites in geostationary orbit, and is currently looking for high
power satellites to complement the existing fleet and fulfill growing
needs for satellite capacity. (3/17)
Spacehab Debuts New Spacetech Product at Aviation Industry Expo
(Source: Spacehab)
Spacehab has completed development and testing activities for its new
AirWard Container Systems. Planned for unveiling at the Dallas Aviation
Industry Expo in Dallas, AirWard Containers are the first product to go
to market from the Company’s new Spacetech, Inc. subsidiary. Spacetech
is a technology transfer, product development, and sales-focused
Spacehab business created to transform space-based technologies and
products into commercial applications.
AirWard Containers were created as a solution to a Department of
Transportation regulation regarding the air transport of hazardous
materials such as oxygen cylinders. The revised regulation places much
more stringent heat and flame resistance requirements on these
containers. In 2007, through a Space Alliance Technology Outreach
Program (SATOP) initiative (enabled by Florida's Technological Research
& Development Authority) Spacehab lent its support to Texas
Calibration, a woman-owned small business, to identify materials for
the development of a DOT-compliant oxygen bottle transportation
container. Spacehab applied over 20 years of space engineering
expertise to this terrestrial problem and developed the AirWard
Containers which fully meet, and exceed, all of the applicable
requirements. Upon completion of the SATOP partnership, Spacetech
formally joined the project for full-scale development and marketing of
the container. (3/17)
|
Last Week’s DOD
Contract Awards in California
Lockheed Martin Space
Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif.,
is being awarded a $15,484,128 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for United
Kingdom technical services in support of the TRIDENT Strategic Weapon
System. Work will be performed in Sunnyvale, Calif. (74.47
percent); Cape Canaveral, Fla. (17,37 percent); St. Mary’s, Ga. (1.35
percent); Silverdale, Wash. (.73 percent); Jenkintown, Pa. (.34
percent); Indianapolis, Ind. (.05 percent); Broomfield, Col. (.03
percent) ; Herndon, Va. (.02 percent); other U.S. locations to be
determined (.32 percent); locations to be determined in the United
Kingdom and Italy (5.32 percent), and work is expected to be completed
March 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current
fiscal year. The contract was not competitively procured. Strategic
Systems Programs, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity.
General Dynamics, Electric
Boat Corp.,
Groton, Conn., is being awarded a not-to-exceed $324,937,789
modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-03-C-2101) for long
lead time material associated with the FY 09 Va., Class Submarine (SSN
784) and the FY 11 Va., Class Submarine (SSN 787). This contract
provides long lead time material for steam and electric plant
components; the main propulsion unit and ship service turbine generator
set; components that are critical to maintaining the submarine
component industrial base; and miscellaneous Hull, Mechanical and
Electrical system components to support ship construction of SSN 784
and SSN 787. Work will be performed in Groton,
Conn.,/Quonset Point, R.I., (7 percent); Newport News, Va., (7
percent); Sunnyvale and South El Monte, Calif., (50 percent);
Coatesville, York and Cheswick, Penn. (5 percent); Linden, Philipsburg,
and Florence, N.J. (5 percent); and at various sites throughout the
United States (26 percent), and is expected to be completed by Mar.
2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal
year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the
contracting activity.
The Engineering Partners,
Inc., San
Diego, Calif., is being awarded a maximum $7,500,000 (base and
options - with a guaranteed minimum of $5000) firm-fixed-price,
indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect/engineering contract
for electrical engineering services in the Naval Facilities Engineering
Command Southwest area of responsibility (AOR). The work to be
performed includes electrical engineering studies and reports; site
investigation reports; preparation of Requests for Proposals for
design-build projects; preparation of fully designed plans and
specifications for Invitation for Bid projects; cost estimates,
evaluations and construction support services. Work will be performed
at various Navy and Marine Corps installations within the NAVFAC
Southwest AOR including, but not limited to Calif., (87
percent); Ariz., (5 percent), Nev., (5 percent), Colo., (1 percent),
N.M. (1 percent) and Utah (1 percent), and work is expected to be
competed Mar. 2009 (Mar. 2013 with options exercised). Contract funds
will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract
was competitively procured as an eight (a) set-aside, with eight offers
solicited via the NAVFAC e-solicitation website,with nine proposals
received. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest is the
contracting activity.
RBF Consulting, San Diego, Calif.,
is being awarded a maximum $7,500,000 (base year and options - with a
guaranteed minimum of $5,000) firm-fixed-price,
indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity architect/engineering contract
for Civil Engineering Services in the Naval Facilities Engineering
Command (NAVFAC) Southwest area of responsibility (AOR).
The work to be performed includes engineering studies and
site investigations to support new development on raw land, or
re-development of existing developed sites; preparation of Requests for
Proposals for design-build projects; preparation of fully designed
plans and specifications for Invitation for Bid projects; other civil
engineering studies, reports, cost estimates, and evaluations; and
construction support services including surveying, geotechnical, and
environmental engineering services. Work will be performed at various
Navy and Marine Corps installations within the NAVFAC Southwest AOR
including, but not limited to Calif., (87 percent); Ariz., (5
percent), Nev., (5 percent), Colo. (1 percent), N.M. (1 percent) and
Utah (1 percent). The term of this contract is not to exceed 60 months,
with an expected completion date of Mar. 2009 (Mar. 2013 with options
exercised). Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current
fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with 22 proposals
solicited via the NAVFAC e-solicitation website,with 14 offers
received. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest is the
contracting activity.
Lockheed Martin Space
Systems Co.,
Sunnyvale, Calif., is being awarded a $25,000,000
modification (PH0006) under previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee
contract (N00030-07-C-0100) alternate release assembly design,
modeling, and testing efforts. The modification increases the total
contract value to $1,026,269,387. Work will be performed primarily in Sunnyvale,
Calif., and places yet to be determined. Work
is expected to be completed May 2009. Contract funds will not expire at
the end of the current fiscal year (FY2008). The contract was not
competitively procured. Strategic Systems
Programs, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity.
ITT Communications &
Countermeasures Systems, Thousand Oaks, Calif.,
is being awarded a $24,754,858 modification to previously awarded
contract N00024-07-C-6311 to exercise an option for the production and
support of 325 JCREW 2.1 Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device
Electronic Warfare systems to meet urgent Department of Defense
requirements in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Work will be
performed in Thousand Oaks, Calif., (87 percent) and Lancaster,
Calif., (13 percent), and is expected to be completed by Nov. 2008.
Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the
contracting activity.
Wyle Laboratories, Inc., Huntsville, Ala., is
being awarded an $11,320,335 cost-plus-award-fee contract for the
services and materials necessary to support the analysis, design,
development, test, integration, deployment, and operations of
information technology (IT) systems and services. Work will be
performed in China Lake, Calif., (90 percent) and Pt. Mugu,
Calif.,(10 percent)and is expected to be completed in Jul. 2008.
Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Warfare
Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., is the contracting
activity.
Orbital Science Corp.,
Launch Systems Group of Chandler, Ariz.; Space Vector Corp., of
Chatsworth, Calif.; L-3 Communications Corp., Coleman
Aerospace of Orlando, Fla.; and ATK Launch Systems of ATK Launch
Systems of Brigham City, Utah, are being awarded an indefinite
delivery/indefinite quantity contract for $250,000,000. This action
will provide multiple awards with a seven year ordering period to
provide engineering and technical services necessary to support the
Sounding Rocket Program three. The Sounding Rocket Program three
provides launch systems and services for sun-orbital ballistic
trajectories up to 5,500 km downrange. At this time $200,000 has been
obligated. Robins AFB, Ga., is the contracting activity.
EDO RSS, Morgan Hill, Calif.,
is being awarded a $7,751,810 delivery order against a previously
issued basic ordering agreement (N68335-05-G-0006) for manufacturing
and delivery of 38 R-4100 chassis with internal TN-500 Digital RF Tuner
and Automatic Identification System (AIS) capabilities for the P-3
aircraft. Work will be conducted in Morgan Hill, Calif. and
work is expected to be completed in Feb. 2010. Contract funds will not
expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare
Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity.
Omega Aerial Refueling
Services, Inc., Alexandria, Va., is
being awarded a $30,810,320 modification to a previously awarded
indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract (N00019-07-D-0009) to
exercise an option for contractor owned and operated aircraft in
support of the commercial air services program, which provides aerial
refueling tanking for Navy and other Department of Defense and
government agency aircraft. Work will be performed in Oceana, Va. (45
percent); Point Mugu, Calif. (35 percent); and various military
activities across the United States and OCONUS (20 percent), and is
expected to be completed in March 2009. Contract funds will not expire
at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command,
Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
McDonnell Douglas Corp., A wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Boeing Co., of Long Beach, California, is
being awarded a modified contract for $9,357,173. This action is for
the procurement of Combat Lighting Phase I Spares. At this time
$9,357,173 has been obligated. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the
contracting activity.
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