Posts Tagged ‘White Sands Missile Range’

Article courtesy of the Las Cruces Bulletin

By Todd G. Dickson

Rick Homans, who starts his second stint as the New Mexico Spaceport Authority’s executive director this week, said the $198 million Spaceport America should be fully operational by mid-2011.

Speaking before the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce Thursday, June 24, at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, Homans said a number of new potential tenants are interested in the spaceport.

Homans said new and existing aerospace companies are especially interested in the spaceport’s vertical launch area to develop new launch systems as NASA changes its focus.

The potential for new jobs and economic opportunity is what has always drawn him to the spaceport effort, Homans said.

“I’m absolutely honored to be back on the job,” he said.

But just as the spaceport authority still has many issues to work through to make Spaceport America operational, local businesses need to get ready as well, said Mark Butler, operations program manager for Virgin Galactic, Spaceport America’s anchor tenant.

“A lot of things need to happen,” Butler said of Virgin Galactic safety testing its newly developed spaceliner system. “But let’s say that if we start flying 18 months from now, a lot of supply chain issues need to be worked on now.”

That’s because, Butler emphasized, Virgin Galactic’s primary focus will be flying customers into suborbital space at $200,000 a ticket. With these people paying so much for their trips, Virgin Galactic can’t allow the cancellation of a single flight because of something as minor as a lack of spare parts, fuel or materials – let alone something as miniscule as running out of bolts, he said.

Local businesses need to realize that these new passengers aren’t just going to be coming for a quick flight and leave. It will be at least a two and- a-half-day stay during which the passengers will go through training to prepare them for their spaceflight experience.

That means hotel stays – nice hotels. Butler said he believes one nice hotel near the spaceport won’t be enough.

These customers will want to find fine dining, preferably food made with quality local ingredients. Their visits will require reliable transportation to and from the spaceport in the desert between Las Cruces and Truth or Consequences.

There will be a need to provide activities for friends and families of the passengers while they are going through their pre-flight training. Though local businesses should offer experiences for these accompanying families and friends. Butler admitted that a jaunt to Las Vegas, Nev., is not that far of a trip for them and will likely be a draw away from local sites.

There are many needs in the direct supply chain of the Virgin Galactic flight system that should preferably be made readily available locally, Butler said, such as repair materials for the specialized carbon fiber composite materials manufactured by Burt Rutan’s Scaled Composites operation in California.

Virgin’s owner, British billionaire Richard Branson, is requiring his network of companies to reduce its carbon footprint and be as ecologically sensitive as possible. Part of the philosophy includes having these kinds of resources close to operations, which requires less shipping, Butler said.

Each flight of the spaceliner will require the replacement of the hybrid rocket engine, fueled by specially shaped rubber particles and nitrous oxide. Having the manufacturing of those fuels locally would provide additional assurance as well as satisfy the company’s ecological desires.

Considering the money at stake, reliability of those suppliers also will be tantamount, he said.

Because Virgin Galactic’s primary mission is making sure the customers experience safe flights, Butler said the company isn’t interested in coming up with all the “trinkets” and mementos passengers will want to take home from their trip. That is another opportunity for local businesses, he said.

Since Virgin Galactic is an international company, all of its American employees will have be U.S. citizens to comply with international trade agreements, he noted.

These are some of the reasons why the chamber has created a working group for the spaceport, said Wayne Savage, who chairs the committee. Butler’s talk gave some insight to kinds of jobs and money the spaceport could bring to the region, he said.

“We haven’t seen this kind of a catalyst for the local economy since the creation of White Sands Missile Range,” Savage said.

Article courtesy of Las Cruces Sun-News

By Steve Ramirez

A standing ovation for Don Reed, manager of the Orion Flight Test Office, and the word “flawless” summed up the feelings of Thursday’s successful test of Orion’s pad abort system, at White Sands Missile Range.

The 95-second launch went off without a hitch as a prototype of Orion’s crew capsule lifted off at exactly 7 a.m., flew to an altitude of 6,090 feet, rolled over on cue, and floated back to WSMR’s desert floor at a rate of 24 feet per second. Many of the approximately 1,100 people who have worked on the project for four years hugged each other, applauded and shouted encouragement, or shook hands as their efforts proved successful for technology never tested before.

“This truly talented team showed we can do it,” said Doug Cooke, manager of NASA’s Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, referring to NASA, Lockheed Martin, Orbital Sciences Corp., Alliant Techsystems, Aerojet, Honeywell, and WSMR employees who collaborated on the launch. “It was a flawless flight, and it looked great.”

A smiling Reed said the launch abort system didn’t perform exactly as it should have – it was better. The 55.5-foot-tall launch abort vehicle and crew module mock-up reached a speed of about 445 mph in three seconds. Aboard the crew capsule were 692 sensors that will provide key data to engineers as further development of the spacecraft and its launch safety system continues.

“This is a very complex system, but it all came together,” Reed said. “The performance was outstanding.”

Article courtesy of Las Cruces Sun-News

By Diana M. Alba

As the 20-foot, 1,100-pound rocket fired gracefully skyward against the backdrop of a New Mexico sunrise Tuesday, something struck a chord in the heart of 19-year-old Quang Tran.

A Vietnam native who’s studying computer science at New Mexico Highlands University, Tran and his classmates were among the roughly 100 college and high school students from around the state who had science projects aboard the rocket. Going into the launch, Tran said, he was excited but didn’t realize how much the event would affect him.

“When I put on my camera and pointed to the rocket right at the time it went up, I just felt: ‘This is so emotional I can’t find any words to express it, and I think it’s one of the best moments I’ve ever experienced,” said Tran, a freshman.

Organizers called the second-ever educational launch at Spaceport America a success. The SL-4 rocket, made by the Colorado-based UP Aerospace, reached suborbital space — about 73 miles up — and fell to earth without many glitches. That’s in contrast to last year, when the first educational rocket launch only made it part of the way to space.

Though it reached suborbital space, UP Aerospace President Jerry Larson said the rocket didn’t reach its goal of 80 miles. Still, “we exceeded space by 10 miles,” he said.

In addition to students’ experiments, 30 cremated remains of people were on board, paid for by family members seeking a novel tribute to their loved ones. Charles Chafer, CEO of Celestis, which sells the memorial flights, said the most well-known figure included was the late Ralph White, discoverer of the sunken location of the Titanic. White’s remains were first flown last year, but, because the rocket didn’t reach space, had to be flown again this year.

Asked if there were additional famous names, Chafer replied: “None others, but, as I like to say, everyone has a story. Everyone has lived an interesting life.”

After a launch delay because of a crashed computer, the rocket shot into the air around 6:40 a.m. with a rushing sound. It disappeared quickly from sight.

Tran wasn’t the only one mesmerized by the event. Virginia Grossetete, 74, of Albuquerque, bought one of the $20 attendance tickets that were sold to the general public. She had glowing remarks about the launch, saying she’s optimistic about the spaceport’s future. “We didn’t think it was going to be so vivid,” she said. “Just think what it would be like to be inside.” Added Liz Crain of Albuquerque, who attended with Grossetete: “It makes us proud to be New Mexicans.”

The rocket reached its peak about 2.5 minutes into flight, officials said. Meanwhile, it took about 13 minutes to descend, landing on White Sands Missile Range ground. Officials said the rocket was quickly located and the payloads were expected to be returned to students starting Tuesday.

In all, roughly 200 spectators attended: a mix of students, their parents, state officials, journalists and members of the general public. A group of sixth-graders from Truth or Consequences took a field trip to watch the event, though they didn’t have a payload on board. “It’s an opportunity to come out here and see things others can’t,” said Skylar Green of Truth or Consequences, 12. “We’re going to hear and see with our own eyes the launch, instead of seeing it on TV.”

Students from New Mexico State University and the University of New Mexico were involved with rocket projects, but didn’t attend because of final exams, said Aaron Perez, program coordinator for the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium, which hosted the launch.

Officials also offered a tour of the spaceport site, about five miles north of where the rocket was launched. Workers appeared to be making significant headway on the 10,000-foot runway and the terminal-hangar facility.

Said Rick Homans, chairman of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority: “As Spaceport America continues to move forward, it’s gratifying to see another successful launch take flight and to see the excitement in the faces of the students who launched their experiments.”

Perez said carrying out the program — including the launch and mission assurance and conducting training for students — cost about $350,000. A large part of the funding, he said, is coming from a grant aimed at helping minority students.

Tran, participating in the student launch for the first time, said it was life-changing, and he sees a future for himself in aerospace. “It is not about the project, it’s how you feel about it — how you contribute to something that carries both your hopes and faith into the sky and brings you something back,” he said.

Spaceport America, located about 45 miles north of Las Cruces, is an under-construction launch site for commercial space vehicles in southeastern Sierra County.

Article courtesy of Las Cruces Sun-News

By Steve Ramirez

Next to the site where America’s space and missile program began more than 60 years ago, NASA technicians were busy Friday preparing for the next generation of space flight.

Covered in a yellow thermal blanket to protect it from the wind and spotty rain and to keep its 4,000 pounds of fuel at a cool temperature — the 55.58-foot tall Orion space exploration vehicle stood poised for its first test flight. Jay Estes, deputy manager of the Orion Flight Test Office, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, in Houston, said that the historical first flight is now scheduled for 7 a.m. May 6. The flight will be at WSMR’s Launch Complex 32, a short distance west of where the first American V-2 rocket lifted off, from Launch Complex 33.

“We’re very glad to be a part of this program,” said WSMR spokeswoman Monte Marlin. “White Sands Missile Range has a long relationship with space. It’s a part of our past, and hopefully, part of our future.”

Estes was one of nine NASA officials who conducted a briefing Friday on the Orion Pad Abort-1 test flight. Wide public interest in the test is expected since Orion is being billed as NASA’s next generation of space vehicle. It will replace the space shuttle.

“There’s going to be at least a thousand people coming in to view this test launch,” said Brent Cobleigh, director of NASA’s Exploration Mission Directorate, at Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base in California. “This will definitely make an economic impact, particularly in Las Cruces, where a lot of these people will stay.”

Estes said the test flight’s importance is significant because it is the first for the new space vehicle. Whether the flight is successful or not, NASA engineers and technicians will be keenly interested in the data gathered from the 99 second test.

“Sometimes in failure you learn even more than you would if it were a success,” Estes said. “These tests are critical for determining the human rating of the (crew capsule).  There’s more risks and unknowns because this will be the first test flight. It’s risky but it’s the time to go test it. “We have an excellent chance of getting all the data back.”

David McAllister, flight operations engineer, added, “If it’s going to be a failure we want it on this type of test. This data is going to be extremely useful no matter what happens.”

But the greatest concern among NASA officials is inclement weather. It is a primary reason why the 7 a.m. launch on May 6 is listed as tentative. Had the launch been on Friday, it would have probably been scrubbed because of windy conditions.

“Wind is our biggest enemy,” Estes said. “Low clouds, much like we have today (Friday) would have made a launch difficult.”

As a contingency, Cobleigh said there will be a two-day window to conduct the first test launch. If there are poor weather conditions on May 6 the test flight would be rescheduled the following day. “There’s a 74 percent chance of launch on that first day,” Cobleigh said. “For the two days that improves to a 95 percent chance.”

Orion’s first flight is expected to be noisy and quick. Estes said the sound levels from the spacecraft’s engines, are expected to reach between 160 to 170 decibels as it lifts off. To put the noise level in perspective, he said 180 decibels can cause the death of hearing tissues in people. “It will be an extreme environment,” Estes said.

McAllister said the thrust from Orion’s engines will propel it 5,000 feet above the Earth and approximately the same distance north of the launch site. “It’s going to go fast,” McAllister said. “At liftoff it will expend 4,000 pounds of propellant in three seconds. At peak thrust, Orion will be traveling 600 mph.”

He also promised a spectacular view if Orion’s first flight is a success. “It’ll be a good show,” McAllister said.

MVEDA’s Business on the Border Luncheon this past Tuesday featured a group of commercial lenders who addressed some of the obstacles to obtaining financing faced by today’s business owners.  Our panelists/speakers included Kim Hakes from Citizens Bank, Michael Cheney from Wells Fargo, and Clyde Hudson from USDA, each providing perspectives on the state of available financing in today’s economy.   We thank them for taking their time and expertise they provided to the group.  Access to financing is a subject matter that is not only important for the sustainability of all local businesses, but it is also extremely relevant with respect to economic development and business attraction.

Photo by Gabriel Vasquez, Las Cruces Bulletin

We find that as economic developers, we are being asked more and more to find localized financing solutions to companies looking at expanding into the region.   This is a significant shift from just two years ago when the primary concerns of clients were workforce labor and real estate.  Therefore it was positive to hear from our banking panelists that they were beginning to see a recovery in commercial lending and it was great to hear from Mr. Hudson how active USDA has been in their lending programs during these challenging economic times.

At MVEDA, we are also looking to identify and work with programs that might assist with business financing needs.  We are also pro-actively marketing and promoting the business assets we have in the region that make us great destination for certain industries.  In mid-March, MVEDA joined the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce and New Mexico State University as part of a delegation that went to Washington, D.C. to promote and support activities at White Sands Missile Range.  In April, MVEDA will be participating in two aerospace tradeshows, Space Access 2010 in Phoenix, and the National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs.  This is part of MVEDA’s continued support of Spaceport America and growing our commercial aerospace potential.  Finally, in the last week of April, MVEDA will be attending the International Asset Management Council (IAMC) Conference which is made-up of leading site selection consultants and corporate real estate decision makers from throughout the country.

MVEDA’s lead generation is still very active led by the renewable energy cluster which makes up 34% of all of our leads for the year.  This past month showed stronger industry balance in new leads generated with the biggest increase in lead generation found in the business/finance sector.