News Summaries for January 4

Matrix Composites Wins F22 Composites Work (Source: Matrix)
Lockheed Martin has selected Matrix Composites of Rockledge, Florida, to produce carbon fiber composite structures for the F22 Raptor fighter aircraft program. Matrix will produce airframe, fuselage, and vertical fin components for more than 60 aircraft using state-of-the-art composite molding technologies. The $8.4 million contract will cover production through 2010.

Parsons Assumes Role as KSC Director (Source: NASA)
NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida gets new leadership today as William W. Parsons assumes the role as the facility's ninth director, succeeding James W. Kennedy, who is retiring from the agency.

Doña Ana, Otero, Sierra Counties to Discuss Spaceport (Source: Las Cruces Sun-News)
Commissioners from three counties plan to meet in Las Cruces this month to discuss a proposed spaceport near Upham in Sierra County. "It's basically a hearing," said Doña Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley, a spaceport supporter. "The whole purpose of this is to make sure both the county officials and the public are as informed about the details as they can be." The meeting, set for Jan. 15, will be in a work session format, meaning officials won't be able to take action.

Doña Ana County commissioners are scheduled later in the month to vote whether to place a one-quarter of 1 percent sales tax for Spaceport America before voters. McCamley is backing the tax and has appeared before Sierra and Otero county commissioners to promote it; however, he said the Jan. 15 meeting isn't to drum up support for the measure.