ONR's railgun hits milestone

ARLINGTON, Va - Scientists at the Naval Research Laboratory hit a materials research milestone in the Office of Naval Research's Electromagnetic Railgun (EMRG) program when they fired a laboratory-scale system for the 1,000th time Oct. 31. The EMRG is a long-range weapon that launches projectiles using electricity instead of chemical propellants. Launched at up to 5,600 mph, the projectile reaches its target at speeds that require only a small charge like that found in automobile airbags to dispense its payload, eliminating the objective through kinetic energy. The railgun launches projectiles by generating magnetic fields created by high electrical currents that accelerate a sliding metal conductor, or armature, between two rails. NRL has experimented with a variety of materials and geometries to determine which ones can withstand the metal-melting temperatures and pressures. Scientists have been working to increase the railgun's barrel life, muzzle energy and size. The goal is for a 64-megajoule railgun with a range of about 220 nautical miles. (Source: NNS, 10/31/11) Note: The Naval Research Lab has a detachment at Stennis Space Center, Miss.

CSC to continue NSSC work

CSC has received a $41 million modification that exercises the second option period for the NASA Shared Services Center contract. The contract modification applies to the contract NASA awarded CSC in 2005. CSC will continue to provide financial management, human resources, procurement and information technology support services to NASA. The NSSC is a cooperative partnership between NASA, CSC and the states of Mississippi and Louisiana. The NSSC performs selected business activities for all 10 NASA centers. (Source: Business Wire, 10/27/11)

Partner progress report released

NASA's industry partners continue to meet established milestones in developing commercial crew transportation capabilities that will ferry U.S. astronauts to and from the International Space Station, according to NASA’s third status report. NASA will rely on private industry to transport cargo and crew to the International Space Station, while NASA focuses on deep space exploration. NASA has posted the third status report on its Commercial Crew Development 2 (CCDev2) program to the agency's Commercial Space Transportation website. (Source: NASA, 10/25/11) Gulf Coast note: The region is home to Stennis Space Center, Miss., and Michoud Assembly Facility, New Orleans.

October Lagniappe available

The October issue of Lagniappe, the monthly newsletter about NASA activities at Stennis Space Center, is available for download. The issue has special coverage of the 50-year anniversary of John C. Stennis Space Center, as well as a story about NASA's plans for the heavy-lift Space Launch System, an item about the busy times at the A Test Complex and more. (Source: Lagniappe, October 2011)

NASA tries to find room for SLS in budget

NASA will store some rocket engines, slow work on others and study still more as it tries to fit the Space Launch System into a $3 billion annual budget for development. Early flights of the SLS will use surplus space shuttle main engines and, as side-mounted strap-ons, the five-segment solid-fuel motors developed for the terminated Ares I crew launch vehicle's first stage. The J-2X upper-stage engine will be slowed as managers try to maintain enough development momentum to avoid a costly stop and restart in engine development as the big new rocket evolves. (Source: Aviation Week, 10/24/11) Gulf Coast note: Stennis Space Center, Miss., is where space shuttle main engines were tested and where the J-2X is being assembled and tested. Michoud Assembly Facility, New Orleans, is where portions of the SLS will be built.

Resolution honors SSC

The U.S. Senate Friday approved a resolution sponsored by senators from Mississippi and Louisiana honoring the 50th anniversary of the John C. Stennis Space Center, Miss., and its economic impact on the region. The testing facility in Hancock County was established in 1961 and today is home to more than 30 federal organizations, including the biggest tenant, the Navy. It will continue to play a role as the test site for NASA programs and commercial ventures (Source: Sun Herald, 10/23/11)

Teachers to hear about Mission Oceans

The curriculum for the Navy-sponsored academic outreach, "Mission Ocean," will be presented at the 2011 Mississippi Science Teacher's Association Conference at the Marriott Hotel in Jackson, Oct. 23-25. The curriculum is being offered in association with the December 2011 christening of the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Mississippi (SSN-782), which is scheduled for commissioning in Gulfport, Miss., in 2012. The submarine-related science curriculum, approved by the Mississippi Department of Education for 6th and 7th grades, that will be available beginning with the 2012-2013 school year. Developed by a team at Purdue University, the year-long curriculum focuses on science activities and missions in a simulated submarine control room. Participation in the Mission Ocean program, developed in 1997, has produced statistically significant improvement in standardized test scores in the content areas of science, mathematics and social studies. (Source: Tcp, 10/20/11) Note: The Navy is a major tenant at Stennis Space Center, Miss. SSC is home of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command.

SSMEs bound for SSC

All fifteen Space Shuttle Main Engines are together inside NASA's Engine Shop at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., and are being prepped for shipment to Stennis Space Center, Miss. At SSC, they'll become part of the propulsion used on NASA's next generation heavy-lift rocket, the Space Launch System. The engines are built by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, and each is 14 feet long and more than 7 feet in diameter at the end of its nozzle. (Source: Universe Today, 10/19/11) In addition to testing the SLS engines at SSC, NASA will have portions of the SLS fabricated at Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. (Previous story)

Lockheed center officially opens

CLINTON, Miss. - Lockheed Martin held a ceremonial opening Wednesday for its new 33,000 square-foot technology support center at South Pointe Business Park. Lockheed Martin announced in April that it planned to create 350 new jobs at the center in Clinton, Miss. The mission support center will serve several of Lockheed Martin’s federal customers. The center is in part of the former corporate headquarters of WorldCom, the telecommunications company that went into bankruptcy in 2002. (Source: multiple, including Clarion-Ledger, WJTV, 10/19/11) Note: Lockheed Martin assembles satellite components at Stennis Space Center.

Service provider seminar scheduled

The next Service Provider Seminar scheduled for Oct. 31 features Jonathan Koenig and Bryan Ehricht of Wegmann Dazet. Entrepreneurs are sometimes weak in accounting and tax issues. What should your financial statements look like? What will a lender want to see on your company’s performance? Are there tax credits or deductions that my current accountant hasn't told you about? Guidance in all these issues and more will be offered by Wegmann Dazet, a CPA Business Consulting firm with nearly 65 on staff in two offices. The seminar is at noon in the Building 1103 conference room. Lunch will be provided. Seating is limited to 40 individuals on a first come first served bases. Register by noon Oct. 27. (Source: MSET, 10/19/11)

Infinity seeks restaurant operator

Proposals are being sought to operate a full-service restaurant at the Infinity Science Center at NASA's Stennis Space Center. Written proposals are due by Nov. 9, and a selection will be made Dec. 8, 2011. Proposals must have the requisite demonstrated competence and experience and a knowledge of restaurant, baker, deli and catering operations, including financing, marketing, design, leasing, management and oversight. Infinity is located next to the Welcome Center on Interstate 10, near the Mississippi and Louisiana state line. (Source: Infinity Science Center, 10/17/11) A pre-proposal meeting will be held Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. to discuss this project. Contact Tommie Staten for more information on the pre-proposal meeting.

MUOS satellite tested

The first Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) military communications satellite built by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Navy has successfully completed a major end-to-end system test, validating satellite performance and functionality with user ground terminals. Completion of this key milestone confirms the system meets requirements and allows the satellite to proceed to final factory test activities prior to launch. MUOS will augment and replace the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Follow-On system (UFO) providing communications, including simultaneous voice, video and data, for mobile warfighters. (Source: Lockheed Martin via PRNewswire, 10/12/11) Gulf Coast note: Work on the propulsion system for the MUOS, an A2100 satellite-based spacecraft, is done at Stennis Space Center, Miss.

Fleet Survey Team helping Albania

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - Fleet Survey Team is conducting a hydrographic survey in the harbor of Durres, Albania, its approaches and anchorages in a cooperative survey with the Albanian government. FST deployed a seven-person survey team, comprised of both military and civilian surveyors, and a nine-meter survey vessel for the mission, which includes the collection of sounding data, tidal information and geodetics. Durres, located on the Adriatic Sea, is one of Albania's major commercial ports and is home to the Albanian Hydrographic Service. Albanian hydrographers are working alongside the U.S. Navy hydrographers and participating in every aspect of the project. FST is a rapid-response team with capabilities to conduct quick-turnaround hydrographic surveys anywhere in the world. (Source: NNS, 10/12/11)

October Messenger available

The October 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 NASA picking Michoud to make the Space Launch System core stage, upper stage, and instrument ring. Also included is a story about construction beginning on the Orion MPCV flight article and more. (Source: Michoud Messenger, October 2011)

Mine warfare center has new commander

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - The Naval Oceanography Mine Warfare Center at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center, Miss., has a new commanding officer. Cmdr. Chris Gabriel relieved Cmdr. Matthew Borbash Oct. 7. Gabriel comes to the center after serving on the staff of the U.S. Africa Command. Borbash is now director of expeditionary warfare at the Naval Oceanography Operations Command, also at Stennis Space Center. (Source: AP via Hattisburg American, 10/12/11)

First openings set at Infinity

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. – The restaurant and initial exhibit showcasing earth and space science will open at Infinity Science Center in early 2012. The building will be finished in late October, said John Wilson, education program development director for Infinity. The exhibits were created by ESI Design and interactive designer Edwin Schlossberg, who also designed the Ellis Island experience and other major interactive exhibits across the country. Infinity Science Center, expected to cost $42 million, is at Exit 2 of Interstate 10, south of the entrance to NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center. It will be both a state-of-the-art science center and a major visitor attraction. (Source: Sun Herald, 10/06/11)

Astronaut applicants sought

HOUSTON – Early next month NASA will seek applicants for its next class of astronaut candidates who will support long-duration missions to the International Space Station and future deep space exploration activities. "For scientists, engineers and other professionals who have always dreamed of experiencing spaceflight, this is an exciting time to join the astronaut corps," said Janet Kavandi, director of flight crew operations at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. "This next class will support missions to the station and will arrive via transportation systems now in development. They also will have the opportunity to participate in NASA's continuing exploration programs that will include missions beyond low Earth orbit." A bachelor's degree in engineering, science or math and three years of relevant professional experience are required. Typically, successful applicants have significant qualifications in engineering or science, or extensive experience flying high-performance jet-aircraft. Additional information about the Astronaut Candidate Program is available by calling the Astronaut Selection Office at 281-483-5907. (Source: NASA, 10/03/11) Gulf Coast note: NASA tests rocket engines and Stennis Space Center, Miss., and will build portions of the Space Launch System at Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.

StenniSphere closed Oct. 8

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - StenniSphere, the visitor center at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center, will be closed to the general public Oct. 8 for an onsite event. The visitor center will reopen Oct. 12 and resume normal operating hours. StenniSphere is open to the public 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, and is closed on major holidays. Public tours run throughout each day from the Launch Pad at the Hancock County Welcome Center, Interstate 10, Exit 2. (Source: NASA, 10/03/11)