Florida Spacegram 7 Feb 2001
FROM: EDWARD ELLEGOOD ( 321-730-5301; edward@spaceportflorida.com;
http://www.spaceportflorida.com )
State Provides Grant for Astronaut Hall of Fame — The Florida Department
of State has awarded nearly $32,000 in grant funds to U.S. Space
Camp/Astronaut Hall of Fame in Titusville to support the expansion of
Space Camp educational outreach programs, including teacher “” workshops
and partnerships with as many as 21 K-12 schools. Contact Linn Burnaw at
321-269-6101, extension 6166, for information.
State Provides Grant for Patrick Air Force Base — Governor Jeb Bush, in
cooperation with Enterprise Florida and the Florida Defense Alliance, has
announced $4 million in grant awards to support local efforts to work
with the state’ military installations, including investments in
non-military infrastructure (roads, utilities, etc.) that is required for
base operations. Among the grants is a $90,000 award to support upgrade
maintenance for State Road A-1-A at Patrick Air Force Base, home of the
45th Space Wing.
Enterprise Florida Producing Statewide Aerospace Directory — Enterprise
Florida is updating its statewide directory of Florida aviation and
aerospace companies and organizations. To add or update your
organization at no cost, visit www.x-cd.com/faaa and follow the simple
instructions. The completed directory will be available in print,
CD-ROM, and online. Enterprise Florida will distribute the directory at
all major domestic and international aerospace trade shows and
conferences. Advertising opportunities are available. Call Ken Cooksey
at 850-922-8832 for information. Ken is also taking reservations for
space within the Florida Pavilion for the 44th Paris Air Show.
California Funds $1 Million Study of Reusable Launch Vehicle Operations
— California Governor Gray Davis has announced a $1 million grant to the
California spaceport authority to conduct a study of airspace
requirements for launching next-generation reusable launch vehicles in
California. “We can put California ahead of the pack in the Reusable
Launch Vehicle race to space,” said Governor Davis.
South Korea Selects Site for Spaceport — The South Korean government has
selected the island of Woe Narodo as the site for a new $102 million
spaceport that will be used to launch the nation’ planned indigenous
launch vehicle beginning in 2005, according to Orbital Report.
European Space Official Opposes Russian Tourist Visit to Space Station —
The head of Europe’s International Space Station program has condemned as
irresponsible the Russian government’ plans to send U.S. millionaire
Dennis Tito to the International Space Station as a Russian cosmonaut
crew member, according to Space News. Tito has signed a $20 million
contract with Russian officials. The European official suggested that
Russia should not send amateurs to the unfinished orbiting laboratory
until its safety and security are fully assured. Meanwhile, Russian
officials question the right of its international partners to interfere
with its crew planning.
Globalstar Venture Loses Support — The Globalstar satellite
constellation, designed to provide global satellite-based mobile
telephone services, has lost its backing by Loral Space & Communications
and its future viability is increasingly questioned, according.
According to Orbital Report, Loral has current contracts with Boeing to
launch two Delta rockets carrying replenishment satellites for
Globalstar.
Weldon Calls for Renewed Military Use of Shuttle — Florida Congressman
Dave Weldon, vice chair of the Space & Aeronautics Subcommittee, told a
group of space transportation industry leaders this week that military
payloads should once again fly aboard the Space Shuttle, according to
SpaceRef.com. Weldon said that Space Shuttle Columbia might be best
suited to carrying military payloads, since it is less capable than other
Shuttles to support Space Station assembly missions.
Research Institute Plans Space Day Meeting — The industry-led board of
the Florida Space Research Institute plans to meet in Tallahassee on
April 2 during the state’s annual “Space Day” schedule of events. For
more information contact Melissa Glover at 321-452-3418.
