January 24 News Items

Astronaut Launches Black History Month at Embry-Riddle (Source: ERAU)
On Feb. 4 and 5, NASA astronaut and USAF Colonel Benjamin Alvin Drew will return to his alma mater, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, to launch Black History Month activities at the university’s Daytona Beach campus. He will also speak to students at two Volusia County public schools. His visit is sponsored by the university’s Office of Diversity Initiatives.

GenCorp Reports 2007 Fourth Quarter and Annual Results (Source: GenCorp)
GenCorp Inc. reported fourth quarter of 2007 sales at $203.8 million, 22% above the fourth quarter of 2006. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2007 was $12.4 million, compared to a net loss of $2.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2006. Sales for fiscal year 2007 were $745.4 million, a 20% increase from fiscal year 2006.

Presidential Candidates Considering Space (Source: ERAU)
As a result of sustained outreach efforts by Space Coast economic development and space policy officials, the campaign of Senator John McCain reached out to Florida space industry leaders in advance of the Florida primary. A McCain advisor met with Brevard County officials to add space issues to the Senator's platform.

Local Candidates Considering Space (Source: Hometown News)
In the race to replace State Representative Bob Allen in the Florida Legislature, some candidates have made specific mention of their plans to support the space industry. Lance Armstrong supports the development of next-generation national defense communication systems, and a Zero-G weightless flight program. Sean Campbell supports near-term efforts to address the space jobs situation. Apryl Marie Fogel supports working with Congress to promote funding and resources for NASA. Dawn Hooley supports attracting companies to use our launch facilities, and enabling space tourism. Anthony LaCourt supports delaying the retirement of the Space Shuttle until 2012. And Tony Sasso supports space-related economic development and university programs, including the Space Technology and Research Diversification Initiative.

Embry-Riddle Completes New College of Business Facility (Source: ERAU)
Embry-Riddle’s aerospace research and learning programs will expand next week when a new College of Business building opens. The grand opening of Embry-Riddle’s newest academic hall will be held Thursday, Jan. 31, at 5 p.m. The two-story building contains faculty and administrative offices; wireless, energy-efficient classrooms; seminar and conference rooms; computer labs with 90 workstations; graduate research facilities; a Business and Transportation Research Center that includes the Aviation Operations Simulation Lab; a Marketing Focus Group Suite; and a Collaborative Decision-Making Suite. The building also houses Information Technology offices and workspace.

Japanese Astronaut to Throw Boomerang in Space (Source: SpaceDaily.com)
A Japanese astronaut plans to throw a paper boomerang inside the space station to test how it can fly in zero gravity. Astronaut Takao Doi, 53, is set to travel on a US shuttle in March to the International Space Station, where he will be in charge of construction of a Japanese scientific testing room. It is believed gravity is needed for a boomerang to fly back to the throwing spot, but no one has tried in zero gravity. Doi reportedly decided on boomerang tests after he received a request from Yasuhiro Togai, a world boomerang champion from the western Japanese metropolis of Osaka.

Ivanov Says Russia Must Not Turn Into Space Cabman (Source: SpaceDaily.com)
Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said if space launches remain Russia's only services in the sector, the country risks becoming a "space cabman." "Roscosmos today earns most of its money by putting foreign satellites into orbit," he said. He urged for the development and production of new space technology enabling the country to provide other services in the sphere. "If we fail to do this, we will gradually turn into a kind of 'space cabman' working for foreign overlords," he said.

Virgin Galactic Plans Alternative Satellite-Launch Program (Source: AIA)
Virgin Galactic plans to use a carrier plane to launch satellites high in the atmosphere, according to media reports. The project could help defray costs related to the company's space tourism operation. Founder Richard Branson said the launch system would create less pollution than the rockets now used to launch satellites.

Commercial Aerospace Flourish on Healthy Industry Conditions (Source: Forbes)
Commercial aerospace manufacturers and suppliers worldwide continue to thrive on healthy industry conditions, said Standard & Poor's Ratings Services in a report. The rating actions on commercial aerospace companies in 2007 reflected continuation of a generally positive trend, although year-end and early 2008 actions were mixed.

Aerospace/Defense Earnings Edge Higher (Source: Wall Street Journal)
Lockheed Martin, the nation's largest defense contractor, saw fourth-quarter net income rise 9.6%, and the company raised its 2008 earnings outlook. Fellow aerospace defense contractor Rockwell Collins Corp.'s fiscal first-quarter net income grew 7.7%, and it boosted the lower end of its 2008 outlook. Northrop Grumman Corp., another aerospace giant, posted flat net income for the fourth quarter. Lockheed Martin posted net income of $799 million, up from $729 million a year earlier. Revenue was flat at $10.84 billion.

National Space Society Plans Legislative Blitz in Washington (Source: NSS)
Space Exploration is under attack from Congress. For the 2008 Fiscal Year, Congress cut over $170 million dollars from key programs in NASA's budget, putting the future of human exploration of space in jeopardy. Funding must be restored for human exploration of the moon, Mars, and beyond. Join NSS and the Space Exploration Alliance as we march on Capitol Hill as the 2009 budget is released and let your voice be heard. Help us save the future of space exploration. Visit http://www.spaceexplorationalliance.org/blitz for information and registration.

SpaceTEC Supports "America's Edge" Workforce Rally (Source: SpaceTEC)
Labor and workforce representatives nationwide visited Brevard Community College on Jan. 26 for an "America's Edge" rally focused on affordable training for the nation's next generation of workers. SpaceTEC, which is supported by a national network of colleges and universities, provided information on its training certification program for aerospace technicians.

Space Contractor Offers Incentive for Retaining Shuttle Workers (Source: Florida Today)
Thousands of loyal space shuttle workers are being promised a financial safety net if they stick it out until the end of the program. NASA and contractor United Space Alliance plan to give enhanced severance packages to most laid-off shuttle workers and “completion bonuses” to some highly-skilled employees who stay through the final mission, which is scheduled for 2010. In some cases, long-time workers could get as much as a year’s pay after they finish their work with the company.