NASA CENTER MAY GET ARMSTRONG NAME FOUR STATE CONGRESSMEN GIVE LIFTOFF TO BILL.

Byline: JIM SKEEN

Staff Writer

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE -- Four California congressmen, including both of the Antelope Valley's representatives, have introduced legislation to rename the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center after test pilot and Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first to walk on the moon.

The legislation would re-designate NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center as the Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center, but would still honor the center's current namesake by naming the Western Aeronautical Test Range as the Hugh L. Dryden Aeronautical Test Range.

The legislation was presented by Rep. Ken Calvert, the ranking Republican on the House Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee; Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, whose district covers the Kern County portion of the Antelope Valley as well as parts of Lancaster; Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon, R-Santa Clarita; and Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena.

"It is fitting that we pay tribute to these two American heroes who contributed to the great success of the American space program," McCarthy said in a statement. "Neil Armstrong and Dr. Hugh Dryden embody the innovative spirit that continues to move NASA forward, inspiring the next generation of aerospace pioneers and advancing our legacy as the global leader in space exploration."

The goals of the legislation, HR 3245, are to honor Armstrong while retaining honors for Dryden and to highlight the contributions of the center to NASA's space-exploration mission. The change, supported by space-advocacy organizations, is also aimed at inspiring a new generation of scientists and researchers to explore space.

"Neil Armstrong and Hugh Dryden are true American heroes," Schiff said. "Naming NASA's Flight Research Center and the Western Aeronautical Test Range after these men is not only a fitting way to honor them but it is a great way to help inspire our next generation to strive to follow in their footsteps."

Although Armstrong is best known for the historic Apollo 11 moon mission in July 1969, he also had a distinguished career as a test pilot at Dryden from 1955 to 1962, including flying the famed X-15 rocket plane.

Armstrong made seven flights in the rocket plane from December 1960 until July 1962. During those fights, he reached a peak altitude of 207,500 feet in the X-15-3, and a speed of 3,989 mph in the X-15-1.

As a research pilot, Armstrong served as project pilot on the F-100A and F-100C aircraft, the F-101, and the F-104A. He also flew the X-1B, X-5, F-105, F-106, B-47, KC-135 and Paresev. When he left Dryden to become an astronaut, Armstrong had logged more than 2,450 flying hours.

Calvert said he told Armstrong about the idea and that the former astronaut said he would not take a position on the matter.

The legislation would still honor Dryden by naming the Western Aeronautical Test Range for him. The test range is a network of radars, global positioning satellite equipment, and telemetry gear that covers restricted airspace over and to the north of Edwards Air Force Base.

Dryden was a noted expert in aerodynamics who served as director of NASA's forerunner -- the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics -- and later as deputy administrator for the then newly formed NASA.

Dryden, who died in 1965, is credited with helping launch the X-15 rocket-plane program and helping oversee the technical aspects of the early manned space programs.

"Developing the United States space program has become one of the greatest endeavors this country has undertaken, so it is with tremendous honor that I help memorialize two of our most notable aeronautical contributors, Neil A. Armstrong and Dr. Hugh L. Dryden," McKeon said. "The success of these two men helped advance NASA to be one of the finest exploration programs in the world."

There is a precedent for such a name change. In 1999, NASA's Lewis Research Center in Ohio was renamed for astronaut and Sen. John Glenn. The new name, John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field, still honors George Lewis, the first executive director of the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics.

james.skeen@dailynews

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