SLS update provided

NEW ORLEANS -- NASA provided businesses an update on the Space Launch System during a seminar at Michoud Assembly Facility last week. It drew about 150 people -- 90 businesses from 10 states and the District of Columbia. The core stage of the 70-ton SLS, designed to carry astronauts into deep space, will be built at Michoud by Boeing. The engines that will power two stages will be tested at Stennis Space Center, about 40 miles away in Mississippi. An unmanned test of SLS is scheduled for 2017. (Sources: New Orleans Times Picayune, 10/24/12, Baton Rouge Advocate, 10/28/12) Previous

Blue Origin tests thrust chamber

BE-3 test. NASA photo

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- Blue Origin successfully fired the thrust chamber assembly for its new 100,000 pound thrust BE-3 liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen rocket engine. As part of the company's Reusable Booster System, the engines are designed eventually to launch the biconic-shaped space vehicle the company is developing. The test took place early this month on the E-1 test stand. Blue Origin engineers powered the thrust chamber to its full power level. Blue Origin of Washington is one of the companies developing commercial space transportation systems. (Source: NASA, 10/15/12)

MSU center to open

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- Mississippi State University will open its $9 million science and technology center Tuesday. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., is the scheduled speaker. The center will be home of the Northern Gulf Institute, MSU's Geosystems Research Institute, NOAA's National Coastal Data Development Center and an engineering branch of NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service. The building was funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Source: AP via Mississippi Press, 10/15/12)

ONR honored for STEM work

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) earned accolades as a national "pacesetter" during an Oct. 8 ceremony for its efforts to promote education in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. ONR's executive director, Dr. Walter F. Jones, accepted the ASM Materials Education Foundation's 2012 Pacesetter Award at a leadership luncheon at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. The recognition highlights the Navy's efforts to address a critical shortage in the science and engineering workforce. Among its efforts to boost STEM education, ONR has funded a series of summer camps along the Gulf Coast to train middle and high school teachers in physics and materials science, electronic engineering, chemistry and polymer science. The Naval Research Laboratory detachment at Stennis Space Center, Miss., worked with the foundation to organize the program, which could expand to other parts of the country as the Navy seeks to double its STEM investments by fiscal year 2015. (Source: NNS, 10/09/12)

SLS industry day set

NEW ORLEANS -- NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center will host a Space Launch System Industry Day at Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans on Oct. 24. The event will begin with registration at 7:00 a.m., and adjourn at 2:00 p.m. to be followed by a tour of MAF. For those interested, there will be another tour of the Stennis Space Center, Miss., some 30 miles away, on the morning of Oct. 25. Those in attendance will be provided SLS Program updates, and will be afforded an opportunity to network with SLS prime contractors, NASA and Huntsville, Ala.'s, MSFC procurement and technical personnel, and representatives from federal and state organizations throughout the day. To register, click here. (Source: Space Ref, 10/09/12)

Beasley designated CEcD

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. – The president and CEO of Mississippi Enterprise for Technology, Charlie Beasley, has earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). The national recognition denotes a mastery of principal skills in economic development, professional attainment and a commitment to personal and professional growth. With nearly 15 years of economic development experience, Beasley has spent the past four years in his current position at MSET facilitating regional economic development efforts by leveraging the resources of Stennis Space Center to foster business opportunities among public and private entities. The CEcD exam was administered by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) on Sept. 29 and 30 in Houston.(Source: MSET, 10/05/12)

Scheuermann leaving SSC

Patrick Scheuermann, director of NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center, Miss., since 2010, is moving to Huntsville, Ala., to become director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. He'll be replaced at SSC by Richard J. Gilbrech, currently deputy director and a former director of SSC. At Marshall Scheuermann will replace Robin Henderson, who filled the position in Huntsville temporarily when Gene Goldman retired Aug. 3. The changes were announced Tuesday by NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. (Source: NASA, 09/25/12)

NASA picks 26 proposals

NASA has selected 26 proposals from academia and industry for advanced development activities for the nation's next heavy lift rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS). Proposals from universities in the four-state Aerospace Alliance region were among the programs selected. They are Auburn University, Louisiana State University, Mississippi State University and the University of Florida. Proposals selected under this NASA Research Announcement seek innovative and affordable solutions to evolve the launch vehicle from its initial configuration to its full lift capacity capable of sending humans farther into deep space than ever before. NASA sought proposals in a variety of areas, including concept development, trades and analyses, propulsion, structures, materials, manufacturing, avionics and software. (Source: NASA, 09/21/12) Stennis Space Center, Miss., will be testing the engines for the SLS; Michoud Assembly Facility, New Orleans, is fabricating Orion crew capsules and will be building the core stage for the SLS.

Contract mod awarded for NSSC

NASA has exercised the third option year under its existing contract with Computer Sciences Corporation of Falls Church, Va. This is a one-year option period for the continuation of financial management, human resources, procurement and information technology support services to NASA. The option increases the existing NASA Shared Services Center support contract by more than $45 million and provides services through Sept. 30, 2013. The NSSC is a partnership among NASA, CSC, and the states of Mississippi and Louisiana. The center performs selected business activities for all 10 NASA centers. (Source: NASA/NSSC, 09/20/12)

SSC boat startles residents

MARY ESTHER, Fla. -- Unidentified boats that worried some residents along the Santa Rosa Sound in Northwest Florida were part of a training exercise from a Navy team based at Stennis Space Center, Miss. The gunfire they heard? Blanks. The exercise was part of a training course run by the Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School (NAVSCIATTS). Students were learning how to operate patrol craft for counterterrorism and counternarcotics operations. Authorities received calls about loud booms and gunshots Tuesday night. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 09/20/12)

Crowd watches flyover

The Space Shuttle Endeavour, riding piggyback on a 747, flew low over Stennis Space Center, Miss., today just before 8:30 a.m. CDT on its final ferry flight. More than 1,000 center employees and visitors were outside to watch. Endeavour left Florida early this morning. (Source: Sun Herald, 09/19/12) The pair then moved on to Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, where others watched as the youngest shuttle of the fleet passed overhead. Endeavour is heading for Los Angeles where it will spend its retirement years. (Source: Times-Picayune, 09/19/12)

Jacobs gets contract option year

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. announced today that it has been awarded a third option year for its Facility Operations Service Contract at NASA's Stennis Space Center, Miss. The option year award term is valued at $51.8 million. It is the third of seven award term periods following the three-year base period of the contract. Jacobs supports NASA and SSC missions in the areas of administration, facility engineering, food, mail, fire protection, custodial, multimedia, public affairs and education. In addition, Jacobs provides facility maintenance and operations; safety, quality and environmental assurance; medical and occupational health; and logistics and transportation services. (Source: Business Wire, 09/18/12)

Endeavour flight delayed again

The ferry flight of space shuttle Endeavour atop the 747 is rescheduled for Wednesday due to an unfavorable weather forecast along the flight path. Endeavour now is expected to arrive at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday, Sept. 21. The pair will still make low level flyovers at about 1,500 feet over Stennis Space Center, Miss., Michoud Assembly Facility, New Orleans, and other locations along the way. The flight was originally planned for Monday. (Source: NASA, 09/17/12) Previous

Endeavour flight delayed a day

NASA's planned ferry flight of space shuttle Endeavour atop the 747 has been pushed back a day due to an unfavorable weather forecast. The decision was made Sunday to push back the departure from Monday to Tuesday. The pair will still make low level flyovers at about 1,500 feet over Stennis Space Center, Miss., Michoud Assembly Facility, New Orleans, and other locations along the route to Los Angeles. Endeavour completed 25 missions, spent 299 days in orbit, and orbited Earth 4,671 times while traveling 122,883,151 miles. (Source: NASA, 09/16/12) Previous

SLS marks first year

NASA's Space Launch System, designed to bring astronauts further into space than ever before, has marked its first year of progress. The heavy-lift program was announced Sept. 14, 2011. It borrowed pieces from the canceled Constellation program and other proven NASA systems. Along the Gulf Coast, both Stennis Space Center, Miss., and Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans are involved. SSC has run a series of tests on the J-2X that will power the upper stage, and will also test the RS-25s that will power the first stage. Michoud has been building Orion crew vehicles, and will also build the core stage. (Source: NASA/MSFC, 09/12/12)

More construction contracts picked

NASA has selected four more companies for indefinite-delivery, indefinite- quantity multiple-award construction contracts at the agency’s Stennis Space Center. These are in addition to six companies selected in August. The fixed price contracts consist of a performance period of five years, with a total value not to exceed $700 million. The companies selected are: American Contractor & Technology, Inc., Scott, La.; D.N.P. Inc., Biloxi, Miss.; Healtheon Inc., New Orleans, La.; and Southeast Cherokee Construction Inc., Montgomery, Ala. Work under the contract includes building and facility maintenance, repair and alteration; mechanical, civil and electrical engineering; heating and air conditioning maintenance; demolition; painting; earthwork; fencing; steel fabrication and welding. Additional work also may include design-and-build projects for new construction of buildings or facilities. (Source: NASA, 09/13/12) Previous

Lockheed marks 10 at SSC

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- Lockheed Martin Mississippi Space & Technology Center on Wednesday marked its 10th anniversary at the NASA facility. Site director Dave Hartley said the center has delivered four satellite propulsion systems this year and has six more in production. The propulsion systems are for the popular A2100 satellites and maneuver the craft in space. Dennis Little, vice president at Lockheed Martin headquarters in Bethesda, Md., said future projects include propulsion systems for the next generation of GPS and weather satellites and the Orion crew vehicle. (Source: Sun Herald, WLOX-TV, 09/12/12)

Shuttle's 'ride' arrives

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- The modified Boeing 747 that will haul the space shuttle Endeavour piggyback-style to Los Angeles next week arrived at Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday to pick up its passenger. Endeavour is in the Vehicle Assembly Building and will be towed to the landing strip Friday morning. A lifting structure will hoist it so the 747 can pull underneath. It will take off Monday morning for its trip to California, which will include several stops as well as low fly-bys at multiple locations, including Stennis Space Center, Miss., and Michoud Assembly Facility, New Orleans. Infinity Science Center, just outside Stennis Space Center, is opening at 8 a.m. and is offering a bus tour to the space center to view the event between 9 and 9:30 a.m. The cost is $5. (Source: Spaceflight Now, Infinity Science Center, 09/11/12) Previous

Endeavour's final ferry flight set

Space Shuttle Endeavour, mounted atop NASA's modified 747, will make its final ferry flight when it leaves Sept. 17 from Kennedy Space Center, Fla., for a flight to Los Angeles International Airport. Plans are for low-level fly-overs at multiple locations, including Stennis Space Center, Miss., and Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. SSC is where all the shuttle main engines were tested and Michoud is where all the external tanks were built. The 747 will fly at about 1,500 feet at each location, depending upon conditions. Stops are also scheduled in Houston, El Paso and Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., before it's final touchdown at Los Angeles. (Source: NASA, 09/07/12)

Blankets to shield RS-25s

The heat shield around the Space Launch System RS-25 engines will be flexible blankets rather than the type used in the Space Shuttle Program. The lighter blankets are similar to the ones used on other vehicles and on the aft skirt of the Solid Rocket Boosters. The new blanket design will save about 700 pounds and will be easier to produce, assemble and install. The design change will debut during the "green run" test firings at NASA's Stennis Space Center. (Source: NASA Spaceflight, 09/03/12)