Dragon ends successful mission

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft splashed down Thursday in the Pacific after a successful cargo mission to the International Space Station. The historic nine-day mission, the first privately owned and operated spacecraft to dock with the ISS, has ushered in what is expected to be a highly competitive field of private space flight. The capsule splashed down west of Baja California. It delivered cargo to the ISS and brought back cargo that will be turned over to NASA. SpaceX is short for Space Exploration Technologies, based in Hawthorne, Calif. (Sources: multiple, including Los Angeles Times, MSNBC, CNET, 05/31/12) Stennis Space Center, Miss., is testing rocket engines for other companies planning commercial space flights.

Brown to lead command

Capt. Brian B. Brown, who has been selected for the rank of rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, Stennis Space Center, Miss. Brown is currently serving as executive assistant to the director, Oceanography, Space, and Maritime Domain Awareness, N2/N6E, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. (Source: DoD, 05/29/12) Before he was assigned to Washington D.C., post in 2011, Brown headed the Naval Oceanographic Office at SSC.

Lockheed delivers SBIRS core

SBIRS core. Lockheed photo

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- Lockheed Martin received the core structure for the U.S. Air Force's fourth Space Based Infrared System geosynchronous satellite. SBIRS delivers improved missile warning capabilities, while simultaneously providing intelligence and battlespace awareness missions. The structure was delivered to Lockheed Martin's Mississippi Space and Technology Center, where engineers and technicians will integrate the spacecraft's propulsion subsystem, essential for maneuvering the satellite during transfer orbit to its final location and conducting on-orbit repositioning maneuvers throughout its mission life. The integrated core propulsion module will then be shipped to Sunnyvale, Calif., for final assembly, integration and test. SBIRS GEO-4 is on schedule to be available for launch in 2015. (Source: Lockheed Martin, 05/24/12)

J-2X marks first in test

J-2X marks a first at SSC. NASA/SSC photo

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- A J-2X engine that will eventually be used in the NASA Space Launch System had a 40-second test on the A-2 Test Stand Friday. For the first time, test conductors fired the J-2X in both the secondary and primary modes of operation, 20 seconds in each. Previous tests were run in one mode only; combining the two allowed operators to collect critical data on engine performance. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is developing the J-2X engine for NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. (Source: NASA/SSC, 05/25/12)

ISS captures Dragon

The cargo-carrying spacecraft Dragon successfully hooked up to the International Space Station Friday. It’s a major first for a commercial space ventures. SpaceX's unmanned Dragon capsule was captured by the space station's robotic arm by astronaut Don Pettit aboard the space station. The linkup took place about 250 miles above Australia. (Sources: multiple, 05/25/12)

SpaceX launches rocket

Falcon 9 lift off. SpaceX photo

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The SpaceX rocket launched Tuesday from a pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for a cargo mission to the International Space Station. Falcon 9 lifted the Dragon capsule at 3:44 a.m. Eastern Time. Before docking with the ISS, the capsule will undergo a series of tests to determine if the vehicle is ready to berth with the station. (Sources: multiple, 05/22/12) Stennis Space Center, Miss., tests rocket engines for other private companies involved in space flight.

Delta IV stage eyed for Orion test

NASA plans to use a modified Delta IV second stage atop an early version of the Space Launch System for the unmanned Orion test flight in 2017, as well as for the manned flight four years later. In a May 3 procurement notice, NASA said the Boeing-designed Delta IV second stage is the only means available to support the immediate propulsion needs, and it’s the only one that requires relatively minor modifications to launch astronauts by 2021. (Source: Florida Today, 05/16/12; NASA procurement notice, 05/03/12) The SLS first stage will use RD-25 engines tested at Stennis Space Center.

May Lagniappe newsletter available

The May issue of Lagniappe, the monthly newsletters about activities at Stennis Space Center, Miss., is available for download. The issue includes an item about the Administrator's Cup award given to SSC; an item about NASA Administrator Charles Bolden's visit to the E-1 test stand where Blue Origin's BE-3 will be tested; a feature on the harvest of lettuce at Infinity, and more. (Source: Lagniappe, May 2012)

May Messenger newsletter available

The May issue of Michoud Messenger, a monthly newsletter about activities at Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, is available for download. The issue includes an item about employee awards for volunteer service; an update on an April test of the Capsule Parachute Assembly System built at Michoud; an item on a safety stand down; the visit by NASA Chief of Staff Daniel Radzanowski, and more. (Source: Michoud Messenger, May 2012)

J-2X tested seven seconds

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- A Rocketdyne J-2X had a seven-second test firing Wednesday that focused on a modified nozzle extension that dissipates heat generated by the engine. The test was on the A-2 stand at the NASA center in South Mississippi. The Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne J-2X is being developed for use in the second stage of NASA's Space Launch System. Another J-2X test, this one a powerpack, is expected next week. The powerpack sits on top of the engine and feeds the thrust chamber system, which produces engine thrust. (Source: GCAC, photo release, 05/16/12)

RS-68A tested at SSC

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- A Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne RS-68A engine was tested Tuesday at Stennis Space Center, Miss. The engine, an upgrade of the RS-68 engine, is a liquid-hydrogen/liquid-oxygen booster engine designed to provide increased thrust and improved fuel efficiency for the Delta IV family of launch vehicles. Each RS-68A provides 702,000 pounds of lift-off thrust, or 39,000 more pounds of thrust than a basic RS-68 engine. After testing at Stennis Space Center, the engines are shipped to Decatur, Ala., for integration into a United Launch Alliance Delta IV to lift government payloads. (Source: GCAC, 05/16/12) Previous

J-2X powerpack tested

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- NASA conducted a 340-second test of the J-2X powerpack Thursday as part of the development of the next-generation rocket engine for the Space Launch System. Thursday's test is part of a series of firings on the J-2X powerpack, a system of components on the top of the J-2X, including the gas generator, oxygen and fuel turbopumps, and related ducts and valves. On the full J-2X engine, the powerpack feeds the thrust chamber system, which produces engine thrust. The test was to operate the turbopumps over a range of speeds by varying the gas generator valve positions. (Source: NASA/SSC, 05/10/12) Previous

Students try out space salads

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- Fourth and fifth-graders helped harvest aeroponically grown lettuce on Monday at Infinity Science Center, then ate the same salads an astronaut might eat. The students from Mays Prepatory in New Orleans assisted in the first harvest from the Controlled Environment Agriculture exhibit, which grows lettuce in about 35 days without the use of soil. The CEA is a prototype developed and built by Innovative Imaging & Research with funding from Stennis Space Center's Chief Technologist’s Office and the University of Southern Mississippi's Business and Innovation Assistance Center in partnership with the Mississippi Enterprise for Technology. (Source: Sun Herald, 05/07/12)

SSC to celebrate Old Timers' Day

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- NASA Stennis Space Center will celebrate its annual Old Timers' Day on Friday, May 18, beginning at 4 p.m. at the Cypress House pavilion. Former and current SSC employees, regardless of their organizational affiliations or length of service, are invited to attend. Each retiree and one guest are invited to the reunion at no charge. Cost for current employees is $3 per person. Old Timers' Day is sponsored by the SSC Recreational Association. For information, call Jeanne Kellar at 228-688-2396. (Source: NASA/SSC, 05/07/12)

2nd AEHF launched

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. -- The 45th Space Wing on Friday successfully launched the second Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite onboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V vehicle. AEHF-1 was launched from here in August of 2010. AEHF is a joint service satellite communications system that will provide communications for high-priority military ground, sea and air assets. The AEHF system is the follow-on to the Milstar system. (Source: 45th Space Wing Public Affairs, 05/04/12) United Launch Alliance is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing. Previous on AEHF. Note: Core propulsion work for the AEHF is done by Lockheed Martin at Stennis Space Center, Miss.

AJ26 has acceptance test

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- Engineers at NASA's Stennis Space Center conducted a 55-second hot-fire engine acceptance test of the Aerojet AJ26 engine E9 on Thursday. The test on the E-1 test stand involved engineers from NASA, Orbital Science Corp. and Aerojet. After test data is reviewed and the engine inspected, it will be shipped to the Wallops Flight Facility launch site in Virginia for installation on Orbital's Antares rocket. A pair of Aerojet engines will provide first-stage power for the rockets on missions to the International Space Station. Orbital is a partner in NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services joint research and development program. (Source: NASA/SSC, 05/03/12)

Garver visits NSSC

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- Lori Garver, NASA's deputy administrator, visited the NASA Shared Services Center Wednesday and was guest speaker for an employee of the quarter and all-hands ceremony. Garver also met with the NSSC's senior leadership team, toured the Customer Contact Center and the newly implemented Enterprise Service Desk. NSSC is a private/public partnership between NASA, CSC and the states of Mississippi and Louisiana. It performs selected business activities for all 10 NASA centers in financial management, human resources, information technology and procurement. (Source: NASA/NSSC, 05/03/12)

Science center to show off harvest

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- Infinity Science Center on May 7 will show off its first major aeroponically-grown lettuce harvest from the center's Controlled Environment Agriculture exhibit. The exhibit demonstrates methods astronauts on long-duration space missions can use to grow food, in this case lettuce grown without soil. The prototype exhibit was developed and built by Innovative Imaging and Research with funding from the SSC's Chief Technologist's Office and the University of Southern Mississippi's Business and Innovation Assistance Center, in partnership with the Mississippi Enterprise for Technology. (Source: NASA/SSC, 05/03/12) The Infinity Science Center is located south of Interstate 10 at Exit 2, not far from the Mississippi-Louisiana state line.

Airport gets improvements grant

KILN, Miss. -- Stennis International Airport, just outside NASA's Stennis Space Center, is receiving a federal grant of $855,000 for several improvement projects associated with a new terminal. The projects include construction of a new aircraft parking apron, rehabilitation of part of another apron and repainting taxiway markings. Some of the funds also will be used to improve a runway safety area, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. (Sources: Sun Herald, 05/02/12, FAA, 05/03/12)

UT eyes one Rocketdyne buyer

United Technologies' talks to sell its Rocketdyne space unit are focused on one possible buyer, the head of the company's Pratt & Whitney engine unit told Reuters. UT in March put up for sale Rocketdyne, which makes engines for space programs. It's part of an effort to avoid selling new common shares to fund its $16.5 billion pending takeover of aerospace components maker Goodrich Corp. (Source: Reuters, 05/02/12) Rocketdyne has an operation at Stennis Space Center, Miss.

SpaceX launch delayed again

The launch of SpaceX's Falcon 9 is being delayed again while software issues are worked out. The rocket, carrying the Dragon capsule, is the first attempt by a private company to send cargo to the International Space Station. It was originally scheduled to launch April 30, delayed until May 7 and now delayed again. SpaceX has a $1.6 billion NASA contract to fly 12 cargo missions to the ISS. Orbital Sciences has a similar contract and is developing a rocket for a test flight this summer from Wallops Islands, Va. (Sources: multiple, including AFP via Space Travel, Washington Post, Huntsville Times, 05/02/12) NASA's Stennis Space Center, Miss., tests rocket engines for NASA and commercial companies, including Orbital Sciences.

NASA picks 10 STTR projects

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- NASA selected 10 proposals, one involving technology for Stennis Space Center, from small business and research institution teams to continue work on innovative technologies that could advance future missions. The Phase II winners in the agency's Small Business Technology Transfer Program now can enter negotiations for possible contract awards, with a total for all projects of about $7.49 million. The Stennis-related project is for technology being developed for the Office of the Chief Technologist by Combustion Research and Flow Technology of Pipersville, Pa., and the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Ala. Another selected project involves Mississippi State University's Engineering Research Center and Tetra Research Corp. of Princeton, Ill. (Source: NASA/SSC, 05/02/12)