NASA signs contract option

NASA signed a one-year contract option with Jacobs Technology Inc., of New Orleans to continue manufacturing support and facilities operations at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. The one-year contract option begins May 1, 2012. The mission services contract has a potential mission services value of $37 million and a potential maximum order quantity value of $137 million, with the exercise of this first option period. The contract was originally awarded in May 2009. (Source: PRNewswire, 02/27/12)

Second AEHF delivered

Lockheed Martin delivered the second Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) military communications satellite to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., where it will be readied for an April 2012 liftoff aboard an Atlas V. The AEHF system will replace the five-satellite Milstar constellation. One AEHF satellite will provide greater total capacity than the entire Milstar system. Individual user data rates will be five times improved, providing transmission of tactical military communications, such as real-time video, battlefield maps and targeting data. (Source: Lockheed Martin via PR Newswire, 02/27/12) Note: The core propulsion work for the AEHF is done at Stennis Space Center, Miss.

FST finishes Colombia survey

The Naval Oceanographic Office Fleet Survey Team from Stennis Space Center, Miss., completed survey operations in the coastal waters of Cartagena, Colombia Feb. 23. The surveys of Cartagena Bay provided an opportunity to assist Colombia in surveying the area including the Magdalena River in Barranquilla. The FST used a 10 meter SeaArk survey boat equipped with multiple types of depth sounding equipment. The data is processed at Stennis Space Center, then sent to the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency to update the nautical charts. The host nations receive a copy of the final dataset to updated information in their charts. The FST conducts about 14 surveys a year worldwide. The Naval Oceanographic Office, part of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, collects and analyzes global ocean and littoral data. (Source: NNS, 02/24/12)

Orion drop test Wednesday

The Orion Parachute Test Vehicle is slated for a drop test Wednesday at the Army Proving Grounds in Yuma, Ariz. The vehicle will be dropped from a C-17 aircraft for the test of the parachute system. Elsewhere, the Exploration Flight Test Orion is continuing construction in New Orleans, while the Ground Test Article is undergoing vibration testing in Denver. (Source: Spaceflight, 02/26/12) Orion will be launched atop NASA's Space Launch System. The rocket engines are being tested at Stennis Space Center, Miss. Previous post on parachute test

Garver visits SSC

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver was at Stennis Space Center today, and said the proposed NASA budget "will keep us on the cutting edge of the space program, the very best space program in the world." She said the $17.7 billion budget, $70 million less than the previous year, allows NASA to continue to utilize the International Space Station and develop the space vehicles -- the Space Launch System and Orion crew vehicle -- that will allow NASA to explore further into space than ever before. Stennis Space Center tests the rocket engines for the Space Launch System and Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans is involved in building both Orion and the SLS. Garver also visited Michoud Thursday. (Source: Tcp, 02/23/12)

RR XWB takes to skies

XWB at SSC. Rolls-Royce photo

The Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine took to the skies for the first time, powering an Airbus A380 test aircraft in Toulouse, France. The aircraft flew with one of its four Trent 900 engines replaced by a Trent XWB. The Trent XWB will power the new Airbus A350 XWB. (Source: Rolls-Royce, 02/18/12, Aviation Week, 02/21/12) Gulf Coast note: The Trent XWB engine type has been tested at Stennis Space Center.

NASA tests J-2X powerpack

J-2X powerpack test. NASA phoito

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- Engineers conducted an initial test of the J-2X engine powerpack Feb. 15, launching a series of tests in development of the rocket engine that will help power the Space Launch System. This test is the first of about a dozen that will be conducted throughout the year at SSC. The first test was the first time cryogenic fuels were introduced into the powerpack to ensure the integrity of the facility and the test article in preparation for full power, longer duration testing. The powerpack is on the top portion of the J-2X and includes the gas generator, oxygen and fuel turbopumps along with related ducts and valves. (Source: NASA, Pratt and Whitney, 02/15/12)

Report: UT eyes selling Rocketdyne

United Technologies is studying the sale of a pump- and compressor-making division to raise cash for the planned purchase of aerospace supplier Goodrich Corp., according to Bloomberg, citing people with knowledge of the matter. Also under way is an effort to find a buyer for Pratt and Whiteny Rocketdyne, which makes engines for civilian and military rockets, the same sources said. (Source: Bloomberg, 02/09/12) Note: Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne has an operation at Stennis Space Center, Miss.

Becoming astronaut still popular

More than 6,300 people applied between Nov. 15, 2011 and Jan. 27 to become a NASA astronaut, the second highest number of applications ever received by the agency. The highest response occurred in 1978 with 8,000 applicants. After a thorough selection process, which includes interviews and medical examinations, nine to 15 people will be selected to become part of the 21st astronaut class. NASA expects to announce a final selection in the spring of 2013. The new astronauts will be the first to launch aboard a commercial rocket to the space station, said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. (Source: NASA, 02/03/12) This region is involved in space programs through NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center.