400 LAYOFFS LOOM AS SHUTTLE WORK WANES JOB FORCE WILL RATCHET UP AGAIN FOR DISCOVERY PROJECT.Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer PALMDALE - With a date for the arrival of the orbiter Discovery uncertain and work winding down on the space shuttle space shuttle, reusable U.S. space vehicle. Developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), it consists of a winged orbiter, two solid-rocket boosters, and an external tank. Columbia, Boeing plans to lay off about 400 workers early next year. Layoffs at Boeing Space Systems' Palmdale facility will begin in January. The company has been modifying the shuttle Columbia, a project which will wrap up in February or March. ``We haven't been notified as to when work on the sister ship Discovery will begin,'' said Boeing spokesman Larry Salazar. ``When Discovery is brought in to Palmdale we'll ramp up Ramp Up To increase a company's operations in anticipation of increased demand. Notes: A company might 'ramp up' operations if they just signed a contract creating substantially more demand for their product. See also: Demand, Economies of Scale on work force again.'' The National Aeronautics and Space Administration National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), civilian agency of the U.S. federal government with the mission of conducting research and developing operational programs in the areas of space exploration, artificial satellites (see satellite, artificial), is looking at bringing Discovery to Palmdale in late August, but a contract has not yet been negotiated, NASA NASA: see National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA in full National Aeronautics and Space Administration Independent U.S. spokeswoman Kirsten Larsen said. The layoffs are a recurring re·cur intr.v. re·curred, re·cur·ring, re·curs 1. To happen, come up, or show up again or repeatedly. 2. To return to one's attention or memory. 3. To return in thought or discourse. situation for Palmdale space shuttle workers because of the time gap between projects. Boeing was able to soften the blow after the last modification period, when the orbiter Atlantis was in Palmdale in 1998, by finding other jobs for shuttle workers within Boeing. There were about 100 layoffs after that project. Boeing management is continuing to look for other additional work for the Palmdale facility, Salazar said. NASA is spending $90 million for inspection and modification work on Columbia. Columbia arrived in Palmdale in September 1999. By the end of its stay, the orbiter will have received 80 major modifications, including better protection for its radiators against space debris Space debris or orbital debris, also called space junk and space waste, are the objects in orbit around Earth created by humans, that no longer serve any useful purpose. , upgrades to its thermal protection, weight reductions and the installation of a multifunction electronic display system or ``glass cockpit A glass cockpit is an aircraft cockpit that features electronic instrument displays. A relatively recent development, glass cockpits are highly sought-after upgrades from traditional cockpits. .'' The glass cockpit, similar to those used in the latest airliners, consists of touch-screen electronic panels to replace the orbiter's 1970s video screens and mechanical gauges. Discovery is also due to get the glass cockpit as well as other modernizations and inspections. |
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