WEATHERNASA Plum Brook to partner with European Space Agency
Feb 06
2012
The European Space Agency has taken aim at the NASA Plum Brook Station.
European aerospace leaders recently approached area NASA officials with a proposal to test its new Ariane 5-ME upper-stage rocket engine — which takes satellites into orbit — at the B-2 Facility inside Plum Brook.
President Barack Obama has redirected NASA's mission to include partnering with commercial space contractors, which creates new opportunities for NASA's testing facilities, station director Gen. David Stringer said.
An international partnership benefits both agencies, said Gen. David Stringer, Plum Brook Station director.
“It’s one of several efforts to continue underlining Plum Brook’s growing importance to the space community,” Stringer said. “You would like to make sure people come to you with ideas for testing as the Europeans have done without you having to go and get people interested in your facility.”
NASA officials expect Europe aerospace leaders to determine whether testing will occur at the Perkins Township facility by May.
If the two sides reach an agreement in three months, then testing could begin as early as November, Stringer said.
The partnership would infuse about $45 million to NASA and the area testing facility, Stringer said.
Read more about this development in Tuesday's Register.
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08:34 PM
Woody Hayes says
9mm:
It wouldn't suprise me to see how much "red tape" would get cut to build one.
07:37 PM
eriemom says
Unassumer: Not put people on the Moon or Mars; put communication satelites in orbit. Just exactley whom do you consider to be the "elite"? You watch TV and use a phone? How about using GPS?
12:42 PM
NineMM says
@Woody..................If it costs 10 mil for a gaurd shack and a new gate, doubt very much that they'll be building the airport with the remainder of the 45 million. They wouldn't even be able to complete a study on the feasability of having an airport there for that much, or break ground, with the way government spends.
10:29 AM
Unassumer says
This is all so Obama and other elites can go to the moon or Mars when this planet takes a nosedive. Even Newt wants to go to the moon Alice!
01:43 AM
lugnut2511 says
Hey $45 million? That may finish construction on the new main gate?
08:57 PM
jacwildcat says
Have they ever cleaned up the toxic T & T that was suppose to be there? What happened to all of the large windmills that were suppose to be built here (from a year or so ago)
06:46 PM
Retiredfirefighter says
It's about time that facility started getting used. I had the chance to tour that facility when i was a firefighter and it is perfect for testing any that needs to be tested for space.
06:14 PM
Woody Hayes says
Now see how fast you get an airport in there.
04:39 PM
CurtisBaillie says
So now we know the rest of the story regarding the $10M for the new gate/guardhouse,