COCOA BEACH, Florida -- Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) Space
Systems announced its interest in Florida's Space Coast as a possible location for commercial human spaceflight programs and facilities.
In attendance at the announcement at the Hilton in Cocoa Beach, Florida was Florida Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll, Florida U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, Space Florida President Frank DiBello, SNC's Space Systems Head Mark Sirangelo, Former Space Shuttle Astronaut Steve Lindsey, Economic Development Comission of Florida's Space Coast CEO Lynda Weatherman, and Brevard Work Force President Lisa Rice.
SNC’s winged orbital crew
vehicle, the Dream Chaser®, is in development with plans to
launch on the United Launch Alliance Atlas V vehicle from Launch
Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. In addition
to launch
operations, SNC is interested in exploring landing, vehicle processing
and other capabilities within the state. Space Florida and State and
Local
Officials met with SNC leadership today to discuss the potential for
basing expanded Commercial Crew operations in Florida.
“Florida
has always been at the forefront of America’s
spaceflight program,” said Sirangelo. “We want to continue the Shuttle’s
legacy,
working in partnership with NASA, to fly innovative, next-generation
vehicles like the Dream Chaser. The Space Coast has a highly-experienced
space workforce and launch experience that will be invaluable to us. We
are working with Space Florida to implement our plans and our presence
on the Space Coast.”
One of the exceptional features of the Dream Chaser would be instant access to crew and cargo once the mini-shuttle lands because there are no hazardous materials associated with the spacecraft and vehicle re-entry would only experience a force one-and-a-half times that of Earth's gravity. The Dream Chaser is one of several projects competing for NASA contracts to ferry crew and cargo to the International Space Station.
“Companies
like Sierra Nevada
Corporation are extremely important to Florida,” said Florida Lt.
Governor Jennifer Carroll. “We will work with their leadership team
closely to make it as beneficial as possible for them broaden their
presence here – from
launch to landing, engine manufacturing and much
more.”
“Growth
of innovative commercial aerospace companies like Sierra Nevada
Corporation is the key to ensuring our state’s aerospace
economy continues to thrive in the years to come,” noted Space Florida
President Frank DiBello. “We look forward to continuing to work with Mr.
Sirangelo and his team to expand their operations in
Florida.”
“Sierra
Nevada Corporation’s interest in
the Space Coast further illustrates our capacity to build on our
heritage
launch capabilities, emerging as a premier spacecraft assembly and
R&D location. We are pleased to be a part of the project team
working
with Space Florida and Sierra Nevada Corporation to demonstrate the
advantages of expanding the company’s commercial crew operation on the
Space Coast,” said Lynda Weatherman, president & CEO of the Economic
Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast.
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson impressed upon the continued need to invest in space and cited the important work that is still ongoing aboard the International Space Station such as two research vaccines, one for MERSA and the other for Salmonella.
SNC
Space
Systems, a Colorado-based designer and manufacturer of advanced
spacecraft, space vehicles and spacecraft subsystems and components for
commercial and government customers, was awarded two funded Space Act
Agreements as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Development Program in 2009
and 2011.
SNC
is considering a number of U.S. locations for its expanding commercial
crew operations and currently
awaits details of possible State incentive packages to determine if
Florida will be the selected location for future commercial space
facilities.
