Orbital: 3rd AJ26 test not needed

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - Two tests of an Aerojet AJ26 engine were so successful that Orbital Science Corp. engineers decided a planned third test unnecessary. The AJ26 engine was removed from the E-1 test stand Jan. 24 and will be returned to Aerojet to be refurbished and used on an upcoming Taurus II mission. The same day the engine was removed, the first flight engine was installed to begin regularly planned "acceptance testing" at SSC. The AJ26 flight unit will be tested in February, and then delivered to Orbital at the Wallops Flight Facility launch site in Virginia for integration with the rocket's first stage core. Orbital's Taurus II rocket will first be used to carry out commercial cargo supply mission to the International Space Station. Orbital is developing the cargo logistics system under the joint Commercial Orbital Transportation Services research and development project with NASA, and is scheduled to carry out the first of eight cargo missions under the Commercial Resupply Services contract beginning in early 2012. (Source: NASA, 01/28/11)

MSU gets new Carnegie classification

Mississippi State University has moved up in the latest Carnegie classifications from the "high research activity" to the "very high research activity" category. It's the highest research category for doctorate-granting universities. The University of Mississippi, Jackson State University and University of Southern Mississippi all are classified as "high research activity" universities. It's the first update of the list since 2005. MSU, Ole Miss and Southern Miss all have operations at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center. (Source: Tcp, 01/27/11)

Mississippi, Louisiana move up in tech index

Mississippi and Louisiana improved their overall ranking in the latest Milken Institute State Science and Technology Index. Louisiana is ranked 45, up one spot from 2008, while Mississippi improved two spots to 48. Mississippi had its best showing in technology concentration and dynamism, where it ranked 40. In that same category, Louisiana had its biggest gain, up 13 positions to 37. The study uses 79 indicators to come up with its rankings. Massachusetts had the best overall rank among the states. (Source: Tcp, 01/25/11) Study

New director, deputy join NGI

Two research professors from Mississippi State University have joined the leadership team at Stennis Space Center's Northern Gulf Institute. They are Robert J. Moorhead, professor of electrical and computing engineering, and Donald C. Jackson, professor of fisheries, chosen to serve as NGI director and deputy director, respectively. The previous director, Mike Carron, left NGI to accept a position with the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative. NGI is a NOAA cooperative institute led by MSU. Other academic partners are the University of Southern Mississippi, Louisiana State University, Florida State University and Dauphin Island Sea Lab. (Source: NGI, 01/25/11)

Palazzo tapped to chair subcommittee

Rep. Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., has been named chairman of the House Science and Technology Committee's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, a key appointment for a freshman congressman who represents an area that includes NASA's Stennis Space Center. The appointment must still be approved by the full committee. Palazzo defeated incumbent Gene Taylor, a Democrat, in the November elections. (Sources: Multiple, 01/24/11)

NOAA satellites aid in rescues in 2010

NOAA satellites in 2010 aided in the rescues of 295 people throughout the United States and its surrounding waters. The satellites picked up distress signals from emergency beacons carried by downed pilots, shipwrecked boaters and stranded hikers, and relayed the information to first responders on the ground. NOAA's polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites, along with Russia's COSPAS spacecraft, are part of the international Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking system, called COSPAS-SARSAT. Alaska had the most people rescued last year with 77, followed by Florida with 37, and West Virginia with 17, who were aboard a downed Army Reserve helicopter. (Source: NOAA, 01/20/11) NOAA is a tenant at Stennis Space Center, Miss.

Signup begins for SSC special olympics

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. – The annual John C. Stennis Area III Special Olympics Track and Field Competitions is scheduled for March 19. Athletes must be at least eight years old, be mentally handicapped, and must have a current medical form on file with the Special Olympics. The event draws participants from Hancock, Harrison, Pearl River, and Stone counties. Athletes can sign up through their school's Special Education Office or by calling Penny Replogle at 228-343-1009 or 601-201-2103. She can be emailed at penawanda@aol.com. (Source: Stennis Space Center, 01/24/11)

Patent group showcased in newsletter

The January issue of the Mississippi Enterprise for Technology newsletter has a feature story about a new group called the Gulf Coast Patent Association, composed of people and groups involved with intellectual property issues. It includes patent practitioners, intellectual property specialists, business development specialists, technology transfer offices and others. (Source: MsET, January 2011)

January Lagniappe available

The January issue of Lagniappe, a monthly newsletter about NASA activities at Stennis Space Center, is available for download. This issue has a story about Stennis Space Center completing the initial AJ26 test series; an update on STS-133's mission to the International Space Station; a story about NASA and the Navy teaming up on a teacher project; the kickoff of the FIRST robotics competition and more. (Source: Lagniappe, January 2011)

Blade Dynamics begins hiring

NEW ORLEANS - Blade Dynamics, the wind turbine manufacturer at the Michoud Assembly Facility, plans to hire 40 salaried, technical operator positions. The positions require a minimum of one-year manufacturing or production experience, performance of industrial math and the ability to work rotating shifts. By 2015 Blade Dynamics plans to have some 600 employees on its payroll with an annual salary of about $48,000. (Source: The Advocate, 01/12/11) The Michoud facility is about 40 miles from Stennis Space Center, Miss.

NASA names deputy chief technologist

WASHINGTON - NASA Chief Technologist Bobby Braun has announced the appointment of Michael J. Gazarik as the agency's deputy chief technologist. Gazarik, who was deputy director for programs in the Engineering Directorate at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., will be a key member of the office responsible for coordination, integration and tracking of all technology investments across the agency, as well as management of NASA's Space Technology programs. (Source: NASA, 01/12/11) NASA has facilities at Stennis Space Center, Miss., and Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.

30 teams show up for FIRST

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - Thirty teams from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi high schools were at NASA's Stennis Space Center Saturday for the kickoff of the FIRST robotics competition. Teams were given parts kits to build robots in the next six weeks for the competition to be held in the spring. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is designed to inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Each year teams across the nation are given identical parts kits to build robots. The teams then use the robots to compete in regional events and a season-ending national tournament. The 2011 Bayou Regional FIRST Robotics Competition will be held at the Alario Center in Westwego, La., on March 17-19. (Source: NASA, 01/10/11) Previous story

NGI newsletter available

The Northern Gulf Institute's newsletter, The Portal, has been released. The 12-page publication includes stories about the NGI Gulf of Mexico BP research project; a new research framework for NGI; student and research spotlights; a farewell letter from former co-director Michael Carron and more. Stennis Space Center's NGI, a NOAA cooperative institute established in 2006, is a research cooperative involving Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Louisiana State, Florida State and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. (Source: NGI, 01/10/11)

Week in review column

When it comes to defense spending, the Gulf Coast region is all ears. That's not surprising, given that the region between South Louisiana and Northwest Florida has a wealth of military bases and activities, large and small contractors and businesses that rely on the military. It's a safe bet a lot of folks were paying attention when Defense Secretary Robert Gates during the week announced some additional spending cuts. (Source: Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor, 01/08/11) Note: Column mentions Stennis Space Center.

Date set for Orbital's COTS mission

NASA has set Dec. 14 as the target launch date for Orbital Sciences Corp.'s Commercial Orbital Transportation System cargo demonstration mission. The company says it continues to make progress toward attaining safety clearance for the mission, in which its Cygnus spacecraft will dock with the International Space Station. Tests of the Aerojet AJ26 engine that will power the first stage also continue at NASA's Stennis Space Center, Miss., where engineers are preparing for a third hot-fire test of the engine following earlier runs in November and December. "Every month we'll be bringing another AJ26 through Stennis," said Carl Walz, Orbital's vice president of human spaceflight operations. (Source: Aviation Week, 01/06/11)

Lunch and Learn speaker scheduled

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. – Craig A. Peterson, project manager for NASA's Applied Sciences Program, will be guest speaker at the next "Lunch and Learn" series of the Mississippi Enterprise for Technology. It will be held Jan. 13 at the Herman C. Glazier Conference Room, Building 1130, Stennis Space Center. Peterson will present an overview of the applied sciences program, Gulf of Mexico Initiative. He'll describe NASA's strategic goal for earth science, and provide background on the Gulf of Mexico initiative. For more information, contact Belinda Gill at MsET by e-mail or by calling 228-688-3144. (Source: MsET, 01/04/11)

Moret sees new tenants at Michoud

Louisiana's chief economic development official told the Press Club in Baton Rouge that several entities are interested in locating at Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. But Stephen Moret declined to name names. Michoud is NASA's huge manufacturing facility that built the external tanks for the Space Shuttle. "We will attract thousands of private-sector jobs," said Moret, secretary of the Department of Economic Development. Turbine-maker Blade Dynamics announced last year it would set up shop at Michoud. (Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune, 01/04/11)

FIRST kickoff set

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - The FIRST Robotics Competition begins Jan. 8 with a regional kickoff at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center. Members of 33 participating teams from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi are involved in this year’s competition. Teams will be given parts kits to build robots for the competitions to be held in the spring. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) aims to inspire students in the pursuit of engineering and technology. (Source: NASA, 01/04/11)