By Gayla Schaefer

When John “Dick” Lyon thinks about the future of the space industry, this self described “gray beard” of the space program is excited.

“Personally, I am excited about this opportunity,” said the vice president of Florida operations and University Affiliated Spaceport Technology Development Contract (USTDC) program manager for ASTEC Aerospace, who has been involved in the space industry since the days of the Apollo program. “I haven’t seen people this excited (in years). The industry is doing something it hasn’t done in 25 years – build a new vehicle and launch pad.”

ASRC Aerospace Corp. team members (from left): John Taylor, Tony Eckhoff, Jeff Ake, Carlos Mata, Trish Gryn, and Vice President of Florida Operations Dick Lyon

As Brevard County prepares for the retirement of the Shuttle program, the entire space industry is coming together to ensure that the required new infrastructure is in place, not only for the new space vehicles, but also to keep the Space Coast at the forefront of space endeavors.

“As the promises of Moon, Mars and Beyond continue to come to fruition, the most important aspect of the future will not be technology, but rather strategic partnerships,” Matthew S. Hegler, director of business development and international affairs for the Florida Space Authority said.

Hegler noted that 20 organizations partnered with the Space Authority to present the Florida Space exhibit at the 22nd National Space Symposium, April 3 through 6, in Colorado. The exhibit will highlight company capabilities, and showcase Brevard’s workforce and business climate to the national space industry.

“The (symposium) is not only an opportunity to listen to our nation’s key aerospace executives discuss the future of space exploration, but it also provides the premier forum for aerospace

companies to share ideas and market capabilities,” David M. Walsh, vice president and chief technical officer for United Paradyne Corporation (UPC) said. UPC is a privately held small business that specializes in rocket and satellite fuels, such as propellants and pressurants/cryogenics, and engineering services.

“This certainly helps Florida companies by being represented at the nation’s premier space symposium, but also assists with recruitment of other business to come to Florida,” Hegler said.
Of the 20 partners, many see commercialization and privatization coming in many facets of the industry.

“There has been the emergence of several new and innovative launch providers,” Walsh said. “Return to the moon and exploration to Mars will require an understanding of the past to develop the launch systems and infrastructure of the future. Ultimately the future will lead to more affordable, safe access, to space for government, commercial, and tourism activities.”
“As a community, we have unique experience on the Space Coast and it would be foolhardy for companies not to utilize that knowledge in their ventures,” Darren DiPatri, public relations representative for Communications Concepts (CCI) said. “The key is getting the message out that we possess this unique experience, and that is where we see our part: helping the entities and major stakeholders craft their message and getting that message heard through media in arenas such as the Space symposium.”

CCI President Jim Lewis agreed with DiPatri and is also excited about the many new opportunities the new program brings. He also thinks, however, that the jury is still out on whether the commercialization of space will help or hurt the Space Coast in the long run.
“Commercial entrepreneurs will play an increasingly large role in the future of space,” Winston Scott, executive director of the Florida Space Authority said. “We have already seen companies such as Scaled Composites and the Virgin Group join to manufacture and market spaceships for the new sub-orbital personal spaceflight industry.”

There is also a great focus on inspiring the leaders of tomorrow and providing proper technical education.

“Revitalizing interest in space - starting at the grade school level, is a job that a lot of us need to take on,” George Hauer, vice president of launch operations support for Wyle Lab and Aerospace Group said.

Hauer emphasized that education needs to be readily available and encouraged for technicians as well as engineers.

“We have to get high school students involved,” said Dr. Michael Hickey, associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. “The reality of it is that the general population – taxpayers – have to be supportive and we can’t expect them to be if they don’t understand.”

Embry Riddle offers three “TeachSpace” programs for high school teachers from across the country to learn to integrate space into their curriculum.

Billions of dollars will be spent to upgrade the infrastructure to support the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), the Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV) and eventually the Heavy Launch Vehicle (HLV). Preparing the infrastructure will include upgrading the Vehicle Assembly Building, the pads, the Mobile Launch Platform, the Crawler and all the other facilities and systems that now support Shuttle.

These changes must be completed over the next four years while the shuttle is still flying. The CEV is scheduled for unmanned launches in three years.

“We, as a community of residents, businesses and local governments need to work cooperatively to impress upon our elected officials that we are unified in our belief that the business of space should continue and expand in Brevard; that it greatly benefits not only our county, but Florida as a whole, as well as the nation,” Geo A. Ropert, director of Brevard Tomorrow said.

Events such as the recent Space Day and Brevard Council of Chambers Day in Tallahassee and the upcoming Citizens for Space Exploration visit to Washington, D.C., are helping area leaders spread the word about the space industry and Brevard County’s strategic role in it.

“Groups of concerned business and community leaders are meeting with our legislators and others who hold influence over space-related funding and development, sharing with them our views on the importance of the space program to our economic prosperity and quality of life,” Ropert said.

ASRC Aerospace, the prime contractor for ground support equipment, received the 2006 Florida Space Business Award during the space days at the capitol. The company was recognized for commitment to the space program highlighted by investment in the Spaceport Research and Technology Institute (SRTI), a UCF partnership bringing together 20 universities and the Spaceport Research and Technology Fund (SRTF), a multi-million dollar investment pool started by ASRC. Both SRTI and SRTF were created to promote local technology development to prepare the next generation of the space industry workforce.

NASA and the nation are counting on the Space Coast to be ready and Brevard County space leaders do not plan on letting them down.

“We have two responsibilities at KSC that must be our focus,” Dale Ketcham, director of Spaceport Research and Technology Institute (SRTI) said. “First, the safe 'Return to Flight' of the Shuttle through its retirement to assemble the Space Station. And second, to assure that this center is prepared to receive the new vehicles and spacecraft that will arrive in a few years. Anything that distracts from that mission is just that, a distraction.”
For more information on the 22nd Annual National Space Symposium visit www.spacesymposium.org

2006 National Space Symposium - Florida Space Authority Business Exhibit Partners

Moon Partners
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University/TeachSpace
Enterprise Florida
Lunar Rocket & Rover Corporation
Zero-G
LEO (Lower Earth Orbit) Partners
ASRC Aerospace Corporation
321 MediaGroup
Astronauts Memorial Foundation
Belmont Publishing
Brandt Ronat & Company
BRPH
C&C International Computers and Consultants
Coleman Aerospace
Creative Management Technology
Dynamac
Florida Aerospace Financing Corporation
Florida Institute of Technology
SGT
SpaceTEC
United Paradyne
Wyle Labs