ROCKET LAB'S CHIEF FORESEES SOARING FUTURE : RESEARCHERS HOPE TO CUT LAUNCHING COSTS.Byline: Jim Skeen Daily News Staff WriterThe word ``affordability'' creeps into Col. John Rogacki's discussions about the future of the Air Force's Phillips Laboratory Propulsion Directorate, better known as ``the rocket lab.'' An example of that is the evolved expendable launch vehicle The Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program was a United States government, primarily a Department of Defense–sponsored effort to develop at least one family of space launch vehicles, that would meet the long term needs of the military and fulfill commercial , an effort to reduce the cost of putting a payload (1) Refers to the "actual data" in a packet or file minus all headers attached for transport and minus all descriptive meta-data. In a network packet, headers are appended to the payload for transport and then discarded at their destination. such as a satellite into orbit by 25 percent to 50 percent. The EELV EELV Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle EELV End-Expiratory Lung Volume EELV Extended Expendable Launch Vehicle program is intended to produce a new rocket motor to replace the fleet of Delta, Atlas and Titan rockets Titan rocket Any of a series of U.S. liquid-fueled rockets originally developed as ICBMs but later used as space launch vehicles. The Titan I missile (deployed 1962–65) was designed to deliver a four-megaton nuclear warhead over 5,000 mi (8,000 km) to targets in the , all created in the 1950s. ``We are looking at affordability,'' said Rogacki, the rocket lab's new leader. ``We want to provide affordable space systems.'' About $6.7 million in renovation work is almost finished on a 13-story, concrete and steel test stand for the EELV program at the rocket lab. The test stand will be ready in 1997. Rogacki commands a staff of 232 military and civilian employees, including 65 with doctorates. About 300 others work for the lab as personnel of a contractor. ``I want to provide an environment for those brilliant people to work,'' Rogacki said. ``I want to make sure they have the right facilities to do their work.'' Rogacki oversees a budget of about $60 million and is responsible for about $1 billion worth of test facilities. The rocket lab's budget and number of workers looks to be relatively stable, he said. There may, however, be a name change as the Air Force re-examines the structure of its research laboratories. The Air Force is considering consolidating its four ``super'' laboratories in an effort to streamline management and speed up the integration of new technology into weapon systems. A decision is expected soon, Rogacki said. Rogacki took charge of the rocket lab in October, replacing Col. Robert Karner, who was assigned to the Pentagon. Rogacki came to California from Ohio, where he was the deputy director of the Flight Dynamics Directorate at Wright Laboratory. ``I think I was selected by virtue of my performance at Wright Lab,'' Rogacki said. ``This is an opportunity to increase the cross-talk between the laboratories.'' Projects in the works at Edwards include preparations for 1999 launches of the X-33, a prototype of a spacecraft intended to cut the cost of getting payloads into space. Plans are to launch the X-33 from a site near Haystack Butte Butte, city, United States Butte (by  t), city (1990 pop. 33,336), seat of Silver Bow co., SW Mont.; inc. 1879. It is a trade, ranching, and industrial center. , located in the southeast portion of Edwards. Laboratory personnel also are in the early stages of working with Japanese researchers on a tactical air-to-air missile Noun 1. air-to-air missile - a missile designed to be launched from one airplane at another missile - a rocket carrying a warhead of conventional or nuclear explosives; may be ballistic or directed by remote control that uses both liquid and solid fuels. One project is to look at using liquid oxygen to replace ball bearings ball bearings n → roulement m à billes , saving weight and allowing turbines to operate at higher revolutions per minute. Rogacki is a 1973 graduate of the Air Force Academy. His Air Force career includes stints as a B-52 bomber pilot and as a faculty member at the academy. Rogacki has logged more than 3,000 hours as a pilot in aircraft ranging from motorized mo·tor·ize tr.v. mo·tor·ized, mo·tor·iz·ing, mo·tor·iz·es 1. To equip with a motor. 2. To supply with motor-driven vehicles. 3. To provide with automobiles. gliders Abbott-Baynes Sailplanes Ltd Abrial
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