Posted on 07/13/2005 11:06:20 AM PDT by BenLurkin
Even as NASA prepares to return to space with the space shuttle, efforts are under way to ensure the agency's next manned spacecraft will share the same California birthplace. Each of the five space shuttle orbiters and one test vehicle were built at the Rockwell International - now The Boeing Co. - facility at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale.
Now, NASA has awarded contracts to two teams in a competition to develop and build a replacement spacecraft, the crew exploration vehicle.
Both teams, one headed by Lockheed Martin and the other a joint project of Northrop Grumman Corp. and Boeing, have existing facilities in the Antelope Valley and elsewhere in California.
Lockheed already has indicated that the bulk of its CEV work will be at its Colorado facility, but the Northrop Grumman-led team has yet to determine where it will base its efforts.
Several entities are gathering forces to mount a statewide campaign to encourage basing the CEV effort within California, especially the Antelope Valley.
"It's an exciting opportunity that the state of California needs to pursue," said Eric Daniels, director of state and local government relations for the California Space Authority. The authority is a private, nonprofit organization created to promote and support the state's space industry.
While CSA supports bringing the project anywhere in the state, the Antelope Valley is the most likely place for it to land.
"The infrastructure is ready and waiting in the Antelope Valley; it simply needs to be taken advantage of," Daniels said.
In a letter to the state's Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, the authority asks for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to establish an "A-Team" of officials to work with the Valley community "to help prepare a package that will solidify the decision for Boeing/Northrop."
The letter goes on to note "Florida and Alabama are standing up strong efforts to win the project in their states. California must be active in this competition, too."
Valley Republican legislators Sen. George Runner and Assemblywoman Sharon Runner have added their voices to the effort, with a letter to the governor asking him to form a team "to do everything in their power to clear away bureaucratic hurdles for this project, actively promote the state's advantages to the contractor teams and evaluate whether specific policy changes are also necessary to make our state competitive."
"The first thing that needs to take place is the governor's office needs to see this is an opportunity for California," not just the Antelope Valley, George Runner said Tuesday. "Everybody should be calling the governor's attention to it."
Beyond that, the arguments can be made that the Valley is the best location within the state.
"There is no doubt in my mind the Antelope Valley has the assets and resources that will really bring it to the top of the table," Runner said.
The next phase in the lobbying effort could be to take a look at tax incentives, such as those used to attract the joint strike fighter program, he said.
The Antelope Valley Board of Trade is taking the lead locally, working with the California Space Authority and developing a position paper detailing the advantages of completing the work here.
"The governor's office needs to be lobbying for some of this CEV work to come to California," said AVBOT Executive Director Cathy Hart.
Congressman Howard P. "Buck" McKeon is involved at the federal level. The Santa Clarita Republican plans to circulate a letter among the entire California Congressional delegation supporting basing the CEV work within the state, said Lew Stults, McKeon field representative in Palmdale.
Coordination among the various state and local entities will be important in presenting California's case, Daniels said.
"It is important that this effort be a unified effort, with a single point of contact," he said. "(We have) a much larger voice if we do that."
Much remains to be determined about the CEV itself. The agency's requirements for the spacecraft have yet to be precisely defined, as the program itself undergoes a re-evaluation in order to hasten its operational capability.
The vehicle is envisioned as the centerpiece of NASA's plans for manned spaceflight, returning to the moon and eventually traveling to Mars and beyond.
NASA and new Administrator Mike Griffin have decided to close the gap between the space shuttle fleet's retirement in 2010 and the original operational date for the vehicle of 2014.
The program is under review, with new requirements expected in the next few weeks. The competitors will be asked to submit revised proposals reflecting those requirements, NASA spokesman Michael Braukus said.
The revised proposals will be the basis for the contract competition, with one team being chosen in early 2006 to continue with development of the vehicle hardware.
"The idea is to accelerate the program so a vehicle is ready in 2010," Braukus said.
Although the CEV requirements are not yet finalized, two needs are known: The vehicle must carry six crew members and be capable of serving the international space station.
"Although the CEV requirements are not yet finalized, two needs are known: The vehicle must carry six crew members and be capable of serving the international space station."
ping
Does anyone know where in Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution does the federal government find its authority to run a multi-billion dollar space agency?
Build them in Korea. They'll work well, be cheaper and get great gas mileage..........
the upolstory could be done in tiajunna some nice tuck n roll
Entities? Are we now talking to formless creatures of pure mental energy?
8. To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries:
That's the authority for the patent office.
I know, They (Congress)stop after the word science........
Sure. It's right here in Clause 1:
"provide for the common Defence"
That only gives the federal government the authority to grant patents and copyrights. It was really a rhetorical question...because there is no authority.
Oh well...I guess we are long past the time when the federal government recognized any Constitutional limits on its powers...I just wish the President and every congressman would stop the charade and refuse to take the oath to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
A family friend had that done many years ago down in TJ. It looked great, but after a few days he noticed an odor in his car. They had used carrots to form the curved part of the upholstery.
Please put me on the Space Ping List
Thanks
Probably in the same section that authorized the Air Force.
Oh, I don't know. Perhaps the same place they found authorization to run a multi-billion dollar air force? What -- you mean there's no air force clause in Article I, Section 8, but only a reference to "land and naval forces?" Begone, USAF!!!! Begone ballistic missile defense. Begone ICBM capabilities!!!!
(PS: I think one would place such things under the "common Defence and general Welfare of the United States" clause.)
The interstate commerce clause can always suffice to allow Congress to do ANYTHING THEY WANT..........
The Air Force is Authorized?........why?...........;^) USMC.........
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