Vitter: Michoud will build SLS components

NASA has chosen Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to build components of its new heavy-lift rocket, according to Sen. David Vitter, R-La. Vitter released a statement today saying the decision is "big big news for southeast Louisiana." Earlier this month NASA unveiled the design of the rocket. NASA plans to build several components at Michoud, including manufacturing core stage and upper stage, the instrument ring and integrating engines with core and upper stages. (Source: Sen. David Vitter, 09/29/11) Stennis Space Center, Miss., is testing the engines for the SLS.

NASA tests commercial AJ26 engine

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - Engineers at NASA's Stennis Space Center conducted a test of an Aerojet AJ26 flight engine Sept. 28 that will power the first stage of Orbital Sciences Corp's Taurus II space launch vehicle. The AJ26 engine test supports Orbital's development activities to provide commercial cargo resupply flights to the International Space Station that are scheduled to begin in 2012. The company is scheduled to demonstrate its Taurus II rocket and its Cygnus cargo transportation system in a mission scheduled for later this year under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) research and development initiative. The test on the E-1 Test Stand was performed by a team of Orbital, Aerojet and Stennis engineers. Data from the test will be reviewed and verified before the engine is delivered to the Wallops Flight Facility launch site in Virginia for installation on the Taurus II rocket's first-stage core. (Source: NASA, 09/28/11)

NASA conducts J-2X test

NASA/SSC photo

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - NASA conducted a 40-second test of the J-2X rocket engine Sept. 28, the most recent in a series of tests of the next-generation engine selected as part of the Space Launch System designed to carry humans into deep space. It was a test at the 99 percent power level to gain a better understanding of start and shutdown systems as well as modifications that had been made from previous test firing results. The test came two weeks after NASA announced plans for the new SLS to be powered by core-stage RS-25 D/E and upper-stage J-2X engines. The liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen J-2X is being developed for NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. (Source: NASA, 09/28/11)

NASA restructuring contracting program

NASA is restructuring its contracting program as the agency's missions change. Contractors are anticipating a new initiative worth millions over nearly 10 years. The initiative, known as the Test and Operations Support Contract, covers ground systems work now being done by Boeing and the United Space Alliance. The new program would provide NASA with services related to managing the ground systems used for flight launches, such as maintaining equipment, overseeing landings and performing simulations and experiments. (Source: Washington Post, 09/25/11) Gulf Coast note: In this region NASA has Stennis Space Center, Miss., and Michoud Assembly Facility, New Orleans.

September Lagniappe available

The September issue of Lagniappe, the monthly newsletter about NASA activities at Stennis Space Center, is available for download. The issue includes a story about the transfer of the former Mississippi Army Ammunition Plant to NASA, as well as an item about the visit of dignitaries to the Infinity Science Center; a story and photos about the testing of the J-2X engine; the visit to Stennis Space Center by the crew of STS-135, and more. (Source: Lagniappe, September 2011)

RS-68A completes test series

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne successfully completed a series of hot-fire tests on the certified RS-68A engine, the world's most powerful hydrogen-fueled engine, at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center, Miss. The tests demonstrated the capability of the engine to operate for 4,800 seconds of cumulative run time, four times the design life of the engine and more than 10 times what's needed to boost a United Launch Alliance heavy-lift rocket into space. The RS-68A, which evolved from the RS-68, is a liquid-hydrogen/liquid-oxygen booster engine designed for the Delta IV family of launch vehicles. In addition, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne and NASA has begun testing on the upper-stage J-2X engine. To date, five hot-fire tests have been conducted on the J-2X, which could be used to boost humans beyond low-Earth orbit. (Source: Pratt & Whitney via PRNewswire, 09/22/11)

New STEM curriculum released

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. – The Stennis Education Office has released its new "Food for Thought" teaching curriculum and interactive website. It uses the idea of food in space to teach students such topics as caloric content and nutritional value of food, while challenging them to build space robots, design a better microgravity coffee cup and create a space cookie recipe. The curriculum is the third produced by the Stennis education team, all within the last 15 months. It's part of NASA's Teaching from Space initiative, designed to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning by students. (Source: NASA, 09/09/11)

NASA unveils SLS

NASA unveiled plans for the Space Launch System rocket, designed to take astronauts into deep space. Administrator Charles Bolden said at a Wednesday news conference that the heavy-lift SLS, more powerful than the Saturn V, will fly in 2017. It will allow astronauts to reach asteroids and Mars. SLS will be designed to carry the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, as well as cargo, equipment and science experiments, and serve as backup for transportation services to the International Space Station. It will use technologies from the Space Shuttle and Constellation programs to leverage proven hardware and tooling and manufacturing technology. It will use a liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propulsion system, which will include the RS-25D/E from the Space Shuttle for the core stage and the J-2X engine for the upper stage. (Sources: Multiple, including Huntsville Times, Space Travel, Los Angeles Times, 09/14/11) Gulf Coast note: Stennis Space Center, Miss., does rocket engine testing and assembly of the J-2X. It's also where all the Space Shuttle Main Engines were tested. Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans has been working on Orion.(Story) It's likely to play a role in development of SLS as well.

Flight worthy Orion build begins

NASA photo

NEW ORLEANS, La. - Construction began last week on the first new NASA spacecraft built to take humans to orbit since space shuttle Endeavour left the factory in 1991. Engineers at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans started welding together the first space-bound Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. The first welds were completed Friday using an innovative new friction stir welding process, developed especially for Orion construction. The process creates a seamless, leak-proof bond that has proven stronger and higher in quality than can be achieved with conventional welding. After welding is completed at Michoud, the Orion spacecraft orbital test article will be shipped to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where the heat shield will be installed. At Kennedy, it will undergo final assembly and checkout operations for flight. The first “flight worthy” Orion is set to launch in the summer of 2013. (Source: NASA, 09/09/11)

Jacobs gets SSC FOSC term 2

NASA's Stennis Space Center, Miss., has exercised award term period 2 of the Facility Operating Services Contract with Jacobs Technology Inc. of Tullahoma, Tenn. The FOSC provides a broad range of services to support NASA missions and more than 30 resident agencies sharing and using Stennis facilities and services. The term 2 award is valued at $58.7 million and is the second of seven award term periods in addition to the three-year base period. Jacobs Technology provides administrative; facility engineering; food; mail; fire protection; custodial; multimedia; public affairs; education; facility maintenance and operations; safety, quality and environmental; medical and occupational health; and logistics and transportation services. (Source: NASA via PRNewswire, 09/06/11)

September Messenger available

The September issue of Michoud Messenger, a monthly newsletter about activities at Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, is available for download. The issue includes a story about the visit by STS-135 crew to thank employees for their work; an item on Operation Clean Sweep; a story about Michoud Credit union and more. (Source: Michoud Messenger, September 2011)

Lunch and Learn scheduled

The September "Lunch and Learn," hosted by the Mississippi Enterprise for Technology, is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 8, in the Herman Glazier Conference Room of Building 1103. Featured speaker is Al Watkins from A2Research. At SSC, A2R manages laboratories services. A summary will be provided at the event. The company is looking for collaborative partners to utilize the laboratory services available at SSC in other contract activities, proposals or other business ventures. Networking and lunch begin at 11:30 a.m., with the presentation beginning at noon. There is no charge for MSET resident companies and members of MSET's new affiliates program. For other guests the charge is $10. (Source: MSET) For more information.