NASA Dryden flying higher

Valley Press on ^ | Sunday, August 19, 2007. | ALLISON GATLIN

[BenLurkin]

EDWARDS AFB - NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, the space agency's primary flight test facility, historically has been a key component of the first "A" in National Aeronautical and Space Administration. But as NASA priorities shifted over the last three years to focus more on spaceflight, and aeronautical research declined, Dryden was seen as in danger of losing its mission.

Now, however, Dryden's outlook is greatly improved: The center has broadened its reach, added to its stable of research aircraft and is trying to hire engineers to handle the increased workload.

After offering buyouts and early-retirement incentives to workers just two years ago, Dryden is now recruiting new employees, and its civil service work force stands at about 525 people, with a similar number of people working for private firms under NASA contracts.

"2008 is going to be very busy here," Dryden Center director Kevin Petersen said.

Although the character of the work will be different than during the days of multiple flight test programs flying missions on a regular basis, Petersen said the pace of work will be "similar to as busy as Dryden has ever been."

Established in 1946 for the X-1 rocket plane flights that broke the sound barrier and famous in the 1960s for the X-15 rocket planes flights, Dryden is getting expanded roles in support of NASA's missions other than aeronautics. It now supports all four of NASA's mission areas: aeronautics, science, space exploration and the space shuttle operations.

"It provides the center with a more balanced portfolio," Petersen said.

[BenLurkin]

EE-KAH-NAH - Silhouetted by the morning sun, NASA's Ikhana aircraft is readied for a flight in March by NASA Dryden Flight Research Center crew chief Joe Kinn. Dryden's outlook has greatly improved as it has broadened its reach and added to its stable of research aircraft. NASA files

[OCC]

Cant wait to see a full scale version of this fly!