March 26, 2010

NASA Glenn Awards Propulsion R&D Contracts (Source: NASA)
NASA Glenn Research Center has awarded contracts to five companies to provide air-breathing engine technologies in support of the center's aerospace propulsion R&D. Each of the five contracts have a maximum value of $125 million over the next five years. The companies selected are GE Aviation; Honeywell; Pratt & Whitney; Rolls-Royce; and Williams International. The work will provide for the development and demonstration of advanced turbine engine technologies to enhance aviation safety and reduce aircraft emissions, noise and fuel burning. (3/26)

Space Florida: State and Federal Funds Available for Multi-User Athena Pad (Source: Space Florida)
Space Florida is in discussions now with Lockheed Martin and ATK to ease their access to Launch Complex 46 for their new Athena family of rockets. The pad is also being readied for Minotaur and other solid-fuel rockets. "We continue working with a number of launch providers to make SLC-46 a multi-use site, and ultimately increase the total number of launches from Florida.”

Space Florida received directed 2009 federal appropriations from Senator Nelson, through NASA, and will utilize this funding toward planning infrastructure improvements at SLC-46 and SLC-36, as NASA-directed funding cannot be used for construction. Additionally, the Florida House and Senate each have passed legislation to free-up funding for infrastructure investments at multiple launch pads. (3/26)

Air Safety Investigator Speaks at Embry-Riddle on Mar. 31 (Source: ERAU)
Dr. Bob Matthews, Senior Safety Analyst with the FAA's Office of Accident Investigation, will be a guest speaker at an International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI) student chapter meeting at Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach campus on Mar. 31. The meeting, which is open to non ISASI students and faculty at the university, will be held in the College of Aviation, Room 354.

Editor's Note: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) (an agency separate from USDOT and the FAA), has asked Congress to give it explicit responsibility for commercial space transportation accident investigations. Also, there was some debate last week in the U.S. Senate over whether NASA or the FAA would be responsible for crew safety during commercial launches of astronauts. Mr. Matthews may provide some insight to ERAU students on how these issues are evolving at the FAA. (3/26)

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