Local space agencies join on Ares bid

Boeing VP says it's important that work is done near MSFC

Thursday, March 29, 2007

By SHELBY G. SPIRES

Times Aerospace Writer shelby.spires@htimes.com

A team of Huntsville aerospace and technology companies headed by Boeing Co. will pursue work on the upper stage of NASA's Ares I, which will take astronauts to the International Space Station and the moon.

Ares I's two stages will launch the Orion crew capsule into Earth orbit, taking six astronauts to the space station and eventually four to the moon. Boeing is seeking to win a NASA contract in August to build the upper stage.

Jim Chilton, Boeing vice president for Exploration Launch Systems, said the team will focus on using Boeing's experienced aerospace workers in North Alabama along with Huntsville-based business.

"This is really good for small business," Chilton said in an interview Wednesday. "It's important that this is local work. Huntsville and Marshall Space Flight Center is the center of propulsion work and management for these launch vehicles and we believe we have to be" close to Marshall managers.

The Ares is being designed by NASA chiefly at Marshall, which manages the program. This is similar to the Saturn rocket program designed and managed by Marshall Director Dr. Wernher von Braun's rocket team in the 1960s.

"This breaks with the way things have been done on the shuttle program for the past 20 or 30 years," Chilton said. "For Ares, NASA is seeking aerospace companies to build to their design. For the shuttle, they sought proposals from companies for a design to be built and supported.

"It's a different approach this time around."

The Ares I upper stage will use the J-2X engine and an instrument unit for navigation guidance and control. Both will be developed under a separate contract. The first stage will consist of a single reusable solid rocket booster and motor similar to those used on the space shuttle.

Chilton declined to release details about the Boeing team's proposal. "We can't start talking about numbers of people working directly on this program or the competition will figure out" trade secrets.

Boeing does employ more than 3,000 people in North Alabama, Chilton said, "and more than 1,000 of those are veteran space workers. We have a large pool of people and experience to draw from."

The Boeing-led team will compete against a group comprising ATK Launch Systems, Lockheed Martin Inc. and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. That team also has an office in Huntsville.



Local space agencies join on Ares bid Boeing VP says it's important that work is done near MSFC Thursday, March 29, 2007 By SHELBY G. SPIRES Times Aerospace Writer shelby.spires@htimes.com A team of Huntsville aerospace and technology companies headed by Boeing Co. will pursue work on the upper stage of NASA's Ares I, which will take astronauts to the International Space Station and the moon. Ares I's two stages will launch the Orion crew capsule into Earth orbit, taking six astronauts to the space station and eventually four to the moon. Boeing is seeking to win a NASA contract in August to build the upper stage. Jim Chilton, Boeing vice president for Exploration Launch Systems, said the team will focus on using Boeing's experienced aerospace workers in North Alabama along with Huntsville-based business. "This is really good for small business," Chilton said in an interview Wednesday. "It's important that this is local work. Huntsville and Marshall Space Flight Center is the center of propulsion work and management for these launch vehicles and we believe we have to be" close to Marshall managers. The Ares is being designed by NASA chiefly at Marshall, which manages the program. This is similar to the Saturn rocket program designed and managed by Marshall Director Dr. Wernher von Braun's rocket team in the 1960s. "This breaks with the way things have been done on the shuttle program for the past 20 or 30 years," Chilton said. "For Ares, NASA is seeking aerospace companies to build to their design. For the shuttle, they sought proposals from companies for a design to be built and supported. "It's a different approach this time around." The Ares I upper stage will use the J-2X engine and an instrument unit for navigation guidance and control. Both will be developed under a separate contract. The first stage will consist of a single reusable solid rocket booster and motor similar to those used on the space shuttle. Chilton declined to release details about the Boeing team's proposal. "We can't start talking about numbers of people working directly on this program or the competition will figure out" trade secrets. Boeing does employ more than 3,000 people in North Alabama, Chilton said, "and more than 1,000 of those are veteran space workers. We have a large pool of people and experience to draw from." The Boeing-led team will compete against a group comprising ATK Launch Systems, Lockheed Martin Inc. and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. That team also has an office in Huntsville. © 2007 The Huntsville Times © 2007 al.com All Rights Reserved.