A.V. TO APPLY FOR STATE FUNDS; OFFICIALS MEET ABOUT HIGHWAY TO SPACE GRANT PROPOSALS.Byline: Jim Skeen Daily News Staff Writer In a sign of the Antelope Valley's involvement in the commercialization of space Commercialization of space is the use of outer space for the purpose of generating a profit, either by a corporation or state. Global positioning systems (GPS), satellite television and satellite radio are current examples of this concept. , representatives of aerospace companies and the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale met Thursday to hear how to apply for state Highway to Space grants. The state's Highway to Space program will allocate grants of $100,000 to $200,000 from a pool of $1 million, aimed at bolstering California's competitiveness in the space industry by assisting commercial space projects. ``We would like to see more money directed toward that (Highway to Space), but this is a first step,'' said Judy Tuner, regional director for the state's Trade and Commerce Agency. Among those attending the briefing were representatives of Boeing Reusable Space Systems Division, Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is an aerospace and defense conglomerate that is the result of the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company is the third largest defense contractor for the U.S. , the Air Force Research Laboratory's Propulsion Directorate, and Space Access, a start-up Palmdale entrepreneurial firm that is developing an unconventional two-stage launch system. The briefing was made by Richard Snodey of Western Commercial Space Center, Inc., a nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. that bills itself as California's Spaceflight Infrastructure headquarters. WCSC WCSC Window Covering Safety Council WCSC Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center WCSC Women's Coalition of St. Croix WCSC West Carleton Soccer Club (Ottawa, Canada) WCSC World Class Supply Chain WCSC Weapons Control System Coordinator is soliciting proposals for Highway to Space grants on behalf of the state Trade and Commerce Agency. ``What we want to see is that your proposal will be creating useful, high-tech jobs,'' Snodey told the gathering. Among the possible applications for grant funds is the Future-X Pathfinder, an experimental spacecraft that will test technologies aimed at lowering the cost of getting into orbit. Boeing and 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), are negotiating a four-year, $150 million agreement leading to the assembly of an unpiloted, computer-controlled test craft capable of traveling up to Mach 25 - about 17,500 mph. ``That would be an interesting application of grant money. That's our next space vehicle,'' said Mark Johnstone, Palmdale site director for Boeing's Reusable Space Systems Division. The Antelope Valley has had success with the Highway to Space grant program. In October, the city of Lancaster The City of Lancaster (2002 population: 133,914) is a local government district with city status in Lancashire, England. Its main town is Lancaster, from which it obtained its city status. Other towns in the district include Morecambe, Heysham, Slyne, and Carnforth. presented a $1 million check, with funding secured through the grant program, to Lockheed Martin Skunk skunk, name for several related New World mammals of the weasel family, characterized by their conspicuous black and white markings and use of a strong, highly offensive odor for defense. Works to purchase a power system and liquid propellent pro·pel·lant also pro·pel·lent n. 1. Something, such as an explosive charge or a rocket fuel, that propels or provides thrust. 2. tanks for the X-33 launch site at Edwards Air Force Base Edwards Air Force Base, U.S. military installation, 301,000 acres (121,805 hectares), S Calif., NE of Lancaster; est. 1933. It is one of the largest air force bases in the United States and has the world's longest runway. . The $1.1 billion X-33 is a wingless, wedge-shape, unmanned aircraft that will test technologies for the future spacecraft VentureStar, a reusable, commercial space vehicle. The X-33 is scheduled to make its first flight from Edwards in December. The grant will be used on the X-33 project, but the equipment will remain property of the city of Lancaster. Once testing is completed with the X-33, the equipment will be returned to the city and possibly used for the VentureStar, being developed by Skunk Works to use technologies tested on X-33. Grant applications must be submitted by Feb. 15. The state will select the grant winners by June 30. |
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