Rare Sight: Two Shuttles On Launch Pads At The Same Time

For the first time in seven years, and possibly the last time ever, NASA has two space shuttles sitting atop both launch pads at Kennedy Space Center at the same time. Workers retracted the massive rotating service structures around the shuttles Friday night and, on Saturday, NASA took members of the media on a tour around the launch complexes to get photos and video of this unique and special event. Click on the links below to watch video clips of the scene around the space center today.

STS-125 PHOTO AND IMAGE GALLERY

FOUR FLORIDA COMPANIES HELP NASA BUILD, TEST, FLY AMERICA'S ARES I LAUNCH VEHICLE

The Ares I rocket, America's next flagship in space, is now in development by NASA and its industry partners, and soon will carry human explorers and new missions of discovery to the moon and beyond. And Florida workers are helping make it happen.

Planning and building the Ares I, the first launch vehicle in NASA's robust, next-generation Constellation Program fleet, is truly a national effort, supported by more than 200 companies in 32 states and Puerto Rico -- including Florida firms Honeywell International Inc. in Clearwater; Parker Hannifin Corp. in Jacksonville; Tara Technologies Corp. in Daytona Beach; and The Bernd Group Inc. in Dunedin. All four companies support NASA's Ares I Upper Stage Engine Project.

Florida-based Ares I contracts have a combined value of more than $1.4 million.
"Like these Florida companies, contributors across the nation are providing critical engineering expertise, hardware and materials fabrication and testing and a wide spectrum of support services," said Steve Cook, manager of Ares Projects at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. "Their work ensures that NASA will, in the next decade, successfully fly the Ares I rocket to orbit to support the International Space Station and send Americans back to the moon, preparing the way for rewarding new journeys of discovery throughout the solar system."
The 84-foot-long Ares I upper stage is propelled by a J-2X main engine fueled with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. The J-2X is an evolved variation of two historic predecessors: the powerful J-2 engine that propelled the Apollo-era Saturn IB and Saturn V rockets, and the J-2S, a simplified version of the J-2 developed and tested in the early 1970s but never flown.

Approximately 133 seconds and 36 miles into flight, after the Ares I first stage expends its propellant, the first stage is jettisoned. The J-2X ignites, burning for approximately 465 seconds to consume more than 302,200 pounds of propellant as it pushes Ares I to an altitude of roughly 83 miles. The Orion crew exploration vehicle then separates from the upper stage, and its own engine fires to insert the spacecraft into low Earth orbit. The upper stage reenters Earth's atmosphere and splashes down in the Indian Ocean.

NASA's Constellation Program fleet -- now more than four years into development -- includes the Ares I, the Ares V heavy cargo launch vehicle and the Orion spacecraft. The Ares V will serve as NASA's primary vessel for safe, reliable delivery of large-scale hardware to space, including the Altair lunar lander, also now in development, and supplies needed to establish a sustained human presence on the moon. The Orion will safely ferry a crew of four to six astronauts to a variety of destinations in space.

The first Ares I test flight, called Ares I-X, is scheduled for 2009.

The first crewed launch of the Ares I rocket is planned for no later than 2015, and NASA plans to send the first missions back to the moon around 2020.

"We're proud to help continue the nation's tradition of leadership in space," Cook said. "Since NASA's creation 50 years ago, our endeavors have yielded or inspired technology innovations that enrich nearly every commercial industry and benefit Americans and people around the world in countless ways. Our team effort on Ares I will continue that legacy, and also help to stimulate our economy and reignite the country's passion to journey to worlds beyond our own.
"It takes a nation to build a rocket," Cook added. "And this is the rocket that will inspire our nation."

The Marshall Center manages Ares Projects for NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate in Washington. The Constellation Program Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston leads the next-generation launch vehicle development program.

Three prime contractors lead NASA's Ares I effort for industry. NASA awarded the contract to lead the Ares I First Stage Project, valued at approximately $1.8 billion, to Alliant Techsystems (ATK) of Minneapolis in August 2007. The Boeing Co. of Huntsville, Ala., was awarded Ares I contracts valued at approximately $2 billion -- $1.2 billion for the Upper Stage production contract, awarded in September 2007, and $800 million for the Ares I Upper Stage Avionics Unit, awarded in December 2007. The contract for the Ares I Upper Stage Engine Project, valued at approximately $1.2 billion, was awarded to Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Inc., of Canoga Park, Calif., in June 2006.

SpaceX Receives USAF Operational License for Cape Canaveral Launch Site

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) has been granted an Operational License by the US Air Force for the use of Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on the Florida coast. Receipt of the license, in conjunction with the approved Site Plan, paves the way for SpaceX to initiate Falcon 9 launch operations later this year.

“We are developing Falcon 9 to be a valuable asset to the American space launch fleet,” said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX. “The support we received from General Helms and the US Air Force has been immensely helpful in developing the pathfinder processes necessary for SpaceX to realize commercial space flights from the Cape.”

“Our developments at Complex 40 continue with great speed,” added Brian Mosdell, Director of Florida Launch Operations for SpaceX. “We have moved our massive oxygen storage tank into place, and expect to complete construction of our hangar later this year.”

Mosdell cited other supporters instrumental to SpaceX’s efforts including the members of the Florida congressional delegation, the USAF Space Command, Col. Scott Henderson, Commander, 45th Launch Group, Col. (ret.) Mark Bontrager, formerly Commander of the 45th Mission Support Group, the public-private partnership Space Florida, and the Space Coast Economic Development Commission.

In operation since 1965, and located south of NASA’s launch sites for the Apollo moon missions and Space Shuttle flights, SLC-40 has hosted numerous historic launches, including the departure of two interplanetary missions: the Mars Observer satellite, and the Cassini spacecraft now exploring the rings and moons of the planet Saturn.

Senate Field Hearing On Life After Shuttle Draws Hundreds Of Demonstrators

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL - As Florida's Space Coast, home to Kennedy Space Center, grapples with the potentially devastating impact of thousands of lost jobs brought about by the retirement of the space shuttle in 2010, the state's two U.S. Senators held a special field hearing at Port Canaveral today to highlight the problems the local community and NASA face in the coming years, and options the space agency may be able to undertake to help mitigate the losses.

Senator Bill Nelson (D - Melbourne) chaired the hearing and was the only Senate committee member in attendance, but was joined by Sen. Mel Martinez (R - Orlando) in a show of bipartisan support for an issue that crosses party lines.

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin testified first during the 2-hour session. Griffin did have some good news for worried space center workers and citizens, both in terms of job losses and potential future work for the space center.

Contrasting previous worst-case estimates of up to 6,400 job losses post-shuttle, Griffin said the number will actually be between 3,000 and4,000. While still significant, it's substantially less than the earlier figure. Previous estimates didn't take into account work for contracts that hadn't been awarded yet or new work that will flow into the space center, said Griffin.

Additionally, Griffin said that engineering work for sustaining Project Constellation (Ares, Orion and the Altair lunar lander) will be based at Kennedy Space Center, which is a departure from the shuttle program, which has sustaining engineering based mainly at Johnson Space Center in Texas and Marshall Spaceflight Center in Alabama. Basing the engineering work at Kennedy will likely result in hundreds, if not more, new positions being created at the center.

Griffing remained adamant that the shuttle must be retired in 2010 in order to keep Ares and Orion on schedule, due primarily to the shifting of funds from shuttle to Constellation and the need to turn over infrastructure for modification for the new program. However, under questioning from Sen. Nelson, he admitted NASA could fly an additional shuttle mission for another $300-400 million.

Nelson, other Senators and Congressmen as well as many scientists want the additional flight in order to fly the $1.5 billion Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer which was dropped from the shuttle manifest after the Columbia accident in order that the agency could focus on completing assembly of the space station by 2010. Griffin said that if the go-ahead were given by February 2009, that "we could execute the mission in the late summer of 2010."

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill this year authorizing the additional funds, as well as an extra $1 billion to accelerate Constellation, by a whopping majority of 405 to 19. However, the Senate still has to take up the matter, and the White House has threatened to veto any budget that exceeds its request. The House authorization is $2.8 billion more than the President requested.

After the NASA Administrator finished and a short resess, a second panel of witnesses took the stand for questioning. Testifying during the session round of questioning were local leaders Lynda Weatherman of the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast, Steve Kohler of Space Florida and Lisa Rice of Brevard Work Force Development, Inc.

Rice informed the assembled crowd that the Aerospace Career Development Council managed to obtain $1.25 million in funding for retraining aerospace workers worried about the prospect of being laid off. Affected workers can turn to Brevard Work Force Development, Inc. to explore the opportunities available for retraining.

Local agencies such as the Space Coast EDS and Space Florida are engaging in a variety of projects to attract non-NASA (commercial) space projects to the area, and also new companies outside of the space industry, as highlighted by the recent agreement with Brazilian light jet manufacturer Embraer to locate an aircraft manufacturing facility in Mellbourne, FL., bringing with it 200 highly paid jobs.

In a show of community support for the space program, a grass-roots effort called Link To Launch (http://www.linktolaunch.org/) organized a demonstration outside the hearing venue at the Canaveral Port Authority. Over 1,000 people, both space workers and community residents, gathered at 8:30 to hear Nelson and Martinez speak to the crowd.

At 9 o'clock, the assembly, numbering in excess of 1,000 demonstrators, linked hands and raised them to the sky in a symbolic show of support for NASA and the U.S. space program. The demonstration was meant to highlight the potential economic impact of the shuttle's retirement in a personal and highly visual way for the dignitaries as well as news media.

Public Invited To Join Pro-space Demonstration Before Senatorial Hearing At Cape Canaveral

Link to Launch is a movement started by people of the Space Coast to raise the awareness of the nation and our policy makers that space needs to be a priority for America.
At the request of Florida Senator Bill Nelson, a United States Senate Sub-committee field hearing on Space is meeting in Brevard, at the Port Authority, to discuss NASA's future and funding. Dozens of Space Coast residents are developing an event that will provide a visual, high-profile opportunity for people to unite for a few minutes to show lawmakers, the nation and the world that we appreciate the importance of space to our nation, our state and our community, and so should they.

Who: You and your friends, neighbors and co-workers

What: Link to Launch -- A Movement started by people of Florida’s Space Coast to raise the awareness of the nation and our policy makers that space needs to be a priority for America.

When: Monday, June 23, 2008 @ 8:30am (Participants should be in place by 8:30am. Please plan to factor in time for parking and transportation to event site.)


Where: Cape Canaveral Port Authority Grounds, George King Boulevard, Port Canaveral [MAP]

Why: This event will provide a visual, high-profile opportunity for people to unite and show lawmakers the importance of space to our community.

During the Event

• There will be water and shade available in designated areas.
• There will be restroom facilities available in designated areas.
• Link to Launch should last from approximately 8:30am to 10am.
• If you can, please wear Red, White & Blue to show your support.

We HIGHLY encourage you to bring family, friends, church members or anyone else interested. Children are very important to this event as they represent our future of the Space Program.

Where do I park?

Arrive by 8:30 a.m. and park in Lot # 1 Canaveral Cove Phase ll, Lot # 2 at Freddie Patrick Park, and Lot # 3 Cruise Terminal 3 parking in the port. People will be on hand to direct traffic and guide you to a bus to take you to the rally near by.

Right now, less than 1% of our Federal Budget goes to NASA, a literal drop in the bucket to keep such an important aspect of our government doing the science, engineering and exploration to advance the technologies we will need to survive into the future. Other countries are investing more in space, inspiring more youth to go into engineering and science, and are starting to overtake our position as a world economic leader. It is not a coincidence.

Link to Launch is a movement started by people in Florida to raise the awareness of the nation and our policy makers that Space Needs to be a priority for America. Space is undisputedly a critical element in security, our culture and global economic competitiveness.

NASA exploration efforts are the reason we have satellite communications, advanced computer technology, and the jobs, entrepreneurs and commercial success that make the US a world power. Our leaders need to understand. They need to see that there is a clear link to security, our culture, or economic competitiveness and our Space Program.

Discovery Astronauts Take Part In Practice Launch Countdown

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL - The crew of space shuttle Discovery's upcoming STS-124 mission boarded the orbiter on the launch pad today for a practice countdown simulation during the last major training activity before Discovery lifts off on a critical mission to deliver the largest space station component to the orbiting complex, the Japanese Kibo Pressurized Module.

Commander Mark Kelly, along with pilot Ken Ham and mission specialists Ron Garan, Karen Nyberg, Gregory Chamitoff and Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide awoke early this morning for breakfast and donning their launch and entry suits before heading to Launch Complex 39-A at 7:45 a.m. EDT.

Read more: http://www.spacearium.com/article.php?story=20080510155718971

Launch tower at complex 40 to be toppled April 27

More than 6,500 tons of steel will crash to the surface at Space Launch Complex 40 on Sunday, April 27 when the old mobile service tower (MST) here is toppled as part of the ongoing project to demolish the historic site.

Just over 200 pounds of various types of high explosives and explosive-initiating materials placed at approximately 500 locations from the 1st through 9th levels will be detonated between 9 and 11 a.m. to knock the 265-foot-tall tower down.

Complex 40 was built for the Titan IIIC program and was operated from the program's first launch in 1965 until the last TITAN IV launch on 30 April 2005. It hosted a total of 55 historic missions over the years including the Mars Observer interplanetary mission in 1992, the Cassini mission to Saturn launched in 1997, six MILSTAR communications satellite, and numerous Defense Support Program payloads.

"For almost four decades, Complexes 40 and 41 were the backbone of the Air Force's heavy-lift capability at Cape Canaveral," said Mark Cleary, 45th Space Wing historian.

Previously considered the largest moving structure in the world, Complex 40's Mobile Service Tower was replaced in 1992 and included a state-of-the-art satellite processing facility for Department of Defense and National Reconnaissance Office payloads. It housed one of the largest class 100, 000 clean room facilities in the industry and when rolling to the launch position, it moved at a stately pace of 40 feet per minute.

AMEC Earth and Environmental is managing the demolition of the SLC-40 MST under a base-wide demolition program following the end of the Atlas and Titan rocket programs.

"There is a significant amount of recyclable metals in the MST, and with the recycled values recovered from this demolition, the Air Force is able to fund this demolition and other demolitions as part of the Titan deactivation" said project officer Jonathan Vanho of the 45th Civil Engineer Squadron.

The explosives sequence, from the time of initiation, is expected to take approximately 6 seconds through impact of the structure to the north, away from the facility being renovated for use by Space X.

(Source: USAF 45th Space Wing)

NASA Awards Launch Contract To SpaceX

WASHINGTON, DC - NASA has awarded Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, a NASA Launch Services contract for the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 launch vehicles.

The NASA Launch Services contracts are multiple awards to multiple launch service providers. Twice per year, there is an opportunity for existing and emerging domestic launch service providers to submit proposals if their vehicles meet the minimum contract requirements.

The contract is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract where NASA may order launch services through June 30, 2010, for launches to occur through December 2012. Under the NASA Launch Services IDIQ contracts, the potential total contract value is between $20,000 and $1 billion, depending on the number of missions awarded.

The contract seeks a launch capability for payloads weighing 551 pounds or heavier into a circular orbit of 124 miles at an orbital inclination of 28.5 degrees. Payloads would be launched to support three NASA mission directorates: Science, Space Operations and Exploration Systems.
Because an IDIQ contract has been awarded to SpaceX, it can compete for NASA missions using the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 launch vehicles as specified by the NASA Launch Services contract process.

NASA's Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space Center is responsible for program management. This award to SpaceX adds to the stable of launch vehicles available to NASA under previously awarded contracts.

The original request for proposal was issued in 1999.

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/

NASA Deputy Speaks At 50th Anniversary Future Forum In Miami

MIAMI, FL - NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist discussed Friday how space exploration gives Floridians a more competitive economy and better quality of life during a NASA Future Forum at the University of Miami.

As an example, Crist used the event to announce a partnership between state-funded Space Florida and SPACEHAB of Webster, Texas. They plan to use the International Space Station's national laboratory designation and the Space Life Sciences Lab at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. to carry out space-based biomedical and biotech research.

NASA Approves March 11 Launch For Shuttle Endeavour

Following the two-day Flight Readiness Review, NASA's senior space shuttle program managers set Friday, March 11 at 2:28 a.m. EDT is the official launch time for space shuttle Endeavour's STS-123 mission. Approval to press ahead with launch preparations came at the conclusion of a very smooth review of the readiness of the shuttle, flight crew and payload for the next flight to the International Space Station.

"It was a very thorough review, we covered lots information, lots of data," Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations. "The teams are truly ready." He added that there are very few issues being worked and the shuttle is ready to go. "It's a tribute to the teams that they worked so well with the vehicle... they've done a phenomenal job," said Gerstenmaier.

Read the full story and watch the readiness press conference here:

http://www.spacearium.com/article.php?story=20080302172118832

This Week In Space, February 27, 2008

This week we look at some events that will affect the space industry in Florida. A partnership between the state and Google Lunar x-Prize, Orbital Sciences Corp. wining the NASA COTS contract and a proposal from Kennedy Space Center to bulid two new launch pads at KSC for private launch providers.


Space Florida has partnered with Google and the X Prize Foundation to add $2 million to the $200 million Google Lunar X Prize. The incentive is for companies to launch their prize entries from Florida. If the winner launches from Florida, they will get the additional $2 million. Orbital Science Corporation won the second of NASa's 2 Phase 1 COTS demonstration contracts. They plan to launch from Virginia, which is not good new s for Florida, although their operational flights might take off from the Space Coast of Florida. Kennedy Space Center has started the process for possibly building two new launch pads on KSC property which would be leased out to a private operator who would then market them to private companies in the launch business and who could launch their vehicles from the new complexes. The local community isn't thrilled about it, believe it or not. Fish seem to be more important to the local residents of the SPACE COAST.


Listen: http://www.thisweekinspace.com/programs/thisweekinspace_022708.mp3

Proposed Commercial Vertical Launch Complex (CVLC) at J. F. Kennedy Space Center

NASA is proposing a project which would allow for the development and operation of a Commercial Vertical Launch Complex (CVLC) on approximately 200 acres of Kennedy Space Center. The land use agreement would be with a non- NASA entity. This web page provides a brief description of the proposed project and the associated Environmental Assessment, links to more in-depth information, and correspondence contact information.

http://environmental.ksc.nasa.gov/projects/ksc-cvlc.htm

Giuliani Wants Funding Increase For NASA

Republican Presidential candidate has announced his intention to seek a funding increase for NASA if elected President. His remarks come in a guest column published in Florida Today:

"We will maintain America's technological advantage in space. We will send Americans back to the moon and onto the next great frontier in human space exploration: Mars.

"We will support the Commercial Orbital Transportation Systems Program to stimulate important private entrepreneurial efforts in spaceflight.

"We will expand private-sector access to Cape Canaveral launch pads. To help prepare astronauts for longer stays in space, we will fund the Space Life Sciences Lab.

"NASA currently receives less than 1 percent of the federal budget -- six-tenths of 1 percent, to be more exact. An increase would do wonders without affecting 99 percent of the federal budget. That's the fiscally conservative approach: getting a good return on your dollar."

Giuliani is fighting for his political life in Florida right now. Polls in the state show him continuing to slide while McCain and Romney make gains. In the latest polling data, he is now fourth, behind McCain and Romney (virtually tied) and Huckabee.

Perhaps his remarks are an effort to drum up support along the Space Coast, but he seemed genuinely concerned about the time it will take to bring Orion online after the space shuttle retires. At a roundtable visit to Cape Canaveral, he voiced conern for the lag and, at the time, called it unacceptable. Today's statements represent his followup to that visit and a first look at a possible Giuliani space policy.

If nothing else, these are words that supporters of space exploration rarely hear from a Presidential candidate and so should be welcome.

Giuliani has a visit scheduled today, Jan. 27, at Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach.

Coincidentally. this is the 41-year anniversary of the tragic Apollo 1 fire.

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080126/COLUMNISTS0205/801260311/1138/OPINION

Space Coast Loses A Vital Ally In Washington

It was bound to happen. U.S. Representative Dave Weldon announced he is going to retire and return to private life. NASA and the Space Coast will be losing a valuable ally in Washington.

Weldon, in his 7th term, holds a seat on the powerful Appropriations Committee. His position has enabled him to fight for space issues during critical times leading up to the initial assembly of the space station, during the aftermath of the Columbia accident and work to position Kennedy Space Center to move forward with Constellation.

His efforts have resulted in the preservation of necessary funding for the space center. He helped KSC secure the role as the site for final assembly of the Orion spacecraft. More recently, he proposed legislation to give NASA a $10 billion increase in funding in order to eliminate the now-infamous "gap" in human launch capability between the shuttle and Orion.

A number of Republicans have expressed interest in running for Weldon's seat, and most of them are supporters of space exploration. Unfortunately, regardless of how supportive any freshman Congressman may be, the Space Coast will lose Weldon's seniority, and influence, during the most critical time for NASA and the space industry since the early 1970's.

Read more: http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080126/NEWS01/801260345/-1/archives

Rep. Weldon's SPACE Act: http://weldon.house.gov/space_act/

Sen. Martinez Supports Increasing NASA's Budget

Maybe it's just election year babble, but Florida Republican U.S. Senator Mel Martinez spoke out in favor of bosting NASA's budget to eliminate the 5 year gap between the retirement of the space shuttle and Orion becoming operational.

"That gap of time is critical," Martinez said. "Can you imagine the United States having to rely on Vladimir Putin to put a man or woman in space? I believe the United States should not be dependent on anyone else."

"We have a national security imperative in being pre-eminent in space," Martinez said, citing the Global Positioning System satellite, as well as military communications satellites. "If all of that was to go dark, we'd have a heck of a problem."

It's important to note that Martinez' seat isn't up for election this year, so I wouldn't necessarily consider his statements to be pandering for votes.

I also took note that he didn't speak of any specific dollar amounts, proposals or legislative action that he's taken. At this point it seems more a symbolic statement than anything else. However, more politicians (and candidates for political office) have voiced concern about the gap, which isn't a bad thing.

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080116/NEWS02/801160345/1007/NEWS02

United Launch Alliance Announces Management Changes

United Launch Alliance President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Gass today named Rick Navarro as director, Delta II Programs and Jerry Jamison as director, Launch Operations.

Previously, both men served in the dual capacity of Director, Launch Operations since the formation of ULA Dec. 1, 2006.

Navarro fills a new position executing ULA's strategic business strategy of remaining the leader in the medium launch market for current and future Delta II program business.

Jamison, will continue to lead the more than 1,200 employees at launch sites at Cape Canaveral AFS, and Vandenberg AFB, Calif. He is responsible for integrating the launch services for ULA's three launch vehicles, the Atlas V, Delta II and Delta IV and associated product lines.

United Space Alliance Prepares For Workforce Transition

Florida Today reports that NASA's space shuttle primary contractor United Space Alliance is offering a plan to help ease the transition to the post-shuttle era for workers at Kennedy Space Center.

"NASA and contractor United Space Alliance plan to give enhanced severance packages to most laid-off shuttle workers and “completion bonuses” to some highly-skilled employees who stay through the final mission, which is scheduled for 2010. In some cases, long-time workers could get as much as a year’s pay after they finish their work with the company," reported the newspaper following a meeting with United Space Alliance chief executive officer Dick Covey.

Read the article here

PlanetSpace Unveils Rocket That Could Fly From Cape Canaveral

PROMONTORY, UTAH, Jan 9-10, 2008 -- The PlanetSpace team, comprised of teammates Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Alliant Techsystems (ATK), and the Bank of Montreal (Financial Advisor), hosted a future space transportation open house at ATK’s facilities in Promontory, Utah. Available launch vehicle and spacecraft hardware provided assurance that a low-risk path is available for commercial-type space transportation. Congressional and senior representatives from several government agencies participated in this event where the team revealed plans addressing NASA’s near term, ISS space cargo delivery requirements driven by the retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2010 and other space vehicle requirements placing an assortment of payloads in specific orbits.

The team gathered together at ATK’s facilities in Promontory, Utah, surrounded by solid rocket motors, modular cargo carriers, and a mockup of the Conestoga, a space personnel carrier. Attendees were impressed at the sheer size of the existing systems. “Here is the proof showing that we can leverage our flight proven systems and component capabilities at Lockheed Martin and ATK meeting future Space transportation needs for NASA and other customers” said Dr Chirinjeev Kathuria Chairman of PlanetSpace.

ATK, the world’s leading provider of solid rocket propulsion, is currently developing the first stage for NASA’s Ares I launch vehicle and manufactures the Shuttle SRBs. Combining existing solid rocket boosters with minor upper stage enhancements provides a low cost launch capability paving the way for near term demonstrations. “Our ability to utilize propulsion elements currently in production greatly reduces the development time and enables us to provide a near-term, low-risk solution,” said Joel Crook, Director of Advanced Programs at ATK. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, using it’s vast interplanetary and autonomous spacecraft design, build, system integration, and mission operations experience, is developing the Orbital Transfer Vehicles (OTVs) for PlanetSpace. The OTVs include a modular cargo carrier and the Conestoga. “Basing our spacecraft design and performance on existing systems, including the Genesis on display to my right, brings a sense of reality to achieving highly reliable cargo delivery in the near future” said Al Simpson, Director Advanced Programs, Human Space Flight at Lockheed Martin.

Romney Visits The Space Coast But Makes No Promises

Presidential candidate mitt Romney paid a visit to Florida's Space Coast on Monday, but offered little more than vague support for NASA and the space industry. While he has expressed support for the space industry as well as the Vision for Space Exploration as outlined by President Bush (and made law by Congress), he declined, outright refused, to make any specific commitments to the space program during his visit.

"I do not have a budget for you on the gap," he said. "I'm not making promises, because I shouldn't make promises until I've studied something."

It's fair to note that Romney comes from a busines background, and was successful in his past endeavours. In business, promises shouldn't be made hastily or without knowing all the facts first. Perhaps that explains his slightly disappointing statements.

Romney definitely needs to do his homework. At one point he remarked, regarding the 5 year gay in U.S. human spaceflight beginning in 2010, "I would have guessed that would have been something we would have anticipated."

Well, in fact, the "gap" has been an unpleasant feature of the Vision since the beginning. Since the bulk of funding for Constellation (Ares V and the lunar lander, specifically) has to come from money freed up by retiring the shuttle, Constellation development won't be able to really ramp up until AFTER the shuttle is gone, and then it will take several years before it'll be operational.

The "gap" isn't a surprise to anyone except Romney. It is, however, a pending crisis which Giuliani recognized and spoke of it being "unacceptable." It would have been nice if Romney had, at the very least, voiced similar concern and desire to help.

I credit Mitt's lack of understanding to he and his staff not studying the issue closely (yet). There are a lot of other issues on the minds of Americans. Of course, before someone campaigns in the SPACE COAST, it might be a good idea to study up on the whole space program thing.

Hopefully, the Romney campaign will come up with some sort of science/space position paper before the primary. Other candidates have. Even Clinton and Obama have. As someone who professes to recognize the value of technology and R&D pre-eminence, Romney should realize that the space program is just about the biggest technology and R&D program in the country.

In spite of the tepid remarks during his visit, I actually expect Romney to be a strong supporter of space if he becomes president. I expect it because he understands the importance of national leadership in science, techology and, as I said, research and development. There's no mistaking that he wants to maintain the superiority of the U.S. in those areas, to strengthen the country at home and globally. I think that would translate over into his support for the space program.

I could be wrong, of course. In 2000, who would have thought that then Gov. Bush would end up being the President to set the country on a course back to the Moon and then to Mars. He certainly wasn't credited with having vision in 2000, but somehow (somewhat) it came through in 2004. In politics, there's always room for surprises.

Huckabee may visit Brevard County and KSC this week, but right now it looks like he won't. He'll be in Gainesville on the 22nd, then Ft. Lauderdale and Boca Raton on the 23rd and 24th. I didn't see a stop in Brevard in his schedule. He has, however, expressed support for the space program in the past.

Mitt Romney To Visit the Space Coast, Tour KSC

Following on the heels of Rudy Giuliani, Republican Presidential candidate Frm. Gov. Mitt Romney is scheduled to make a swing through Brevard County today. He will take a tour of KSC and see Atlantis on the launch pad and then will participate in a roundtable with space industry officials at Port Canaveral (AJT & Associates). Sponsored by the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast, the seminar is the latest attempt at spurring the candidates' interest in , and hopefully support of, the space program, NASA and the need to devise a better transition to Constellation following the retirement of the space shuttle in a few years.

I'll be interesting to see what Romney has to say. His only previous comment regarding space was that he didn't see any need to change the direction the Vision for Space Exploration is taking the country. While not a condemnation of NASA or the Vision, it wasn't exactly a ringing endorsement either. Now that the battle for Florida is underway, I'm sure he'll have more (good) things to say. If we're lucky, he won't forget them on Jan. 30.

Republican Presidential Candidate Giuliani Voices Support For Kennedy Space Center

GOP Presidential candidate Rudolph Giuliani visited the Space Caost last Friday as he continues the campaign leading up to the state's Jan. 29 primary. He toured Kennedy Space Center, where he remarked, after seeing the space shuttle Atlantis on the launch pad, "It's remarkable to see it up close. The space program is one of America's remarkable achievements."

See Florida Today's report here: http://www.floridatoday.com/floridatoday/blogs/spaceteam/

The most important thing to come out of Giuliani's visit was his statements in support of providing the necessary support to NASA to minimize the gap between the retirement of the space shuttle and manned operational flights of Orion. During a projected 5-year gap, the U.S. will be dependent upon the Russians for supplying the International Space Station with supplies and crew transport using the Progress and Soyuz spacecraft.

Following a meeting with space industry leaders, who warned of serious consequences of "The Gap", Giuliani stressed his desire to minimize the the U.S. manned spaceflight downtime. "This is not acceptable," said Giuliani. "America should be No. 1 and shouldn't have to be dependent on other countries... Our goal is, let's make sure we close this gap."

Hopefully, his words won't be like those of so many politicians running for office: empty and quickly forgotten once power is gained. Rudy Giuliani is perhaps the most concered candidate regarding U.S. supremacy, especially in areas of national security and "high ground," so I'm cautiously optimistic his words can survive the remainder of the campaign.

It's interesting to note that of all the candidates who have the most realistic chances of becoming the next U.S. President, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Barak Obama, Senc John McCain, Gov. Mitt Romney and Hon. Rudolph Giuliani, have expressed the strongest verbal support for continuing development of Orion and minimizing the transition time between shuttle and Constellation, although promises and plans are woefully lacking.

Let's hope they don't forget. But... I'm not going to take bets on it.