Seven California Companies Share $1 Million in Grants to Promote Commercial Space Activities; Program Targets Organizations Developing Commercial Space Infrastructure.

Business Editors

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 2000

In an effort to keep California competitive in the 21st century commercial space industry, seven companies will share $1 million in matching grants, on projects including improving launch capabilities and low-earth-orbiting for satellites weighing up to 10,000 pounds, the Trade and Commerce Agency announced today.

"These grants are a vital component in advancing California's ability to more effectively compete in the emerging commercial space industry," said Agency Secretary, Lon S. Hatamiya. "The industry produces high-wage jobs and has the potential to develop a plethora of technologies."

Secretary Hatamiya noted that California has already reaped benefits from the commercial space industry: more than 50 percent of satellites currently in orbit were built in California, and four of the world's six largest satellite manufacturers are headquartered in the Golden State.

Administered through the Agency's Division of Science, Technology & Innovation, the Highway To Space Program is designed to support key infrastructure projects and help California more effectively compete in the emerging commercial space marketplace.

Following is a listing of the seven grant recipients, name of project, and project description.

JP Aerospace, Inc. (Davis), $67,500

MicroSat Launch System. The MicroSat Launch System is a launch vehicle designed to place small payloads into low Earth orbit. The goal of this project is to reduce the cost of small satellite launches by a factor of four. This system will provide space access for payloads from one to five pounds. The program will include the construction of two development rockets, single and two stage test launches, and one launch platform flight to 100,000 feet. Key contact: John Powell (530/757-1808).

Pioneer Rocketplane, Inc. (Solvang), $200,000

Pathfinder Space Launch System. Pioneer Rocketplane is developing Pathfinder, a space launch system for small and medium payloads at low cost. By using a variety of upper stages, payloads ranging from 200 to 6,000 pounds can be launched economically. Pioneer proposes an upper stage design program incorporating new technologies in conjunction with potential suppliers. This project is designed to provide technology advancement to aid in future national reusable launch vehicle development decisions. Key contact: Mitchell Clapp (805/693-8812).

SpaceDev, Inc. (Poway), $200,000

Small Spacecraft Assembly and Test Facility. SpaceDev proposes to build a Satellite Assembly and Test (SAT) facility capable of manufacturing and operating low cost satellites for California academic institutions, government programs and commercial industry. SpaceDev's SAT will be able to accommodate both rough sub-orbital and sophisticated deep-space spacecraft in the same low cost environment. SpaceDev will co-locate a spacecraft Mission Operations and Control Center (MOCC) with the proposed Spacecraft Assembly and Test facility. Key contact: Charles Lloyd (858/375-2030).

Kelly Space & Technology, Inc., (San Bernardino), $145,989

Astroliner Launch System Project. The Astroliner Launch System project addresses the emerging low-earth-orbit (LEO) market for satellites weighing up to 10,000 pounds. The system consists of a tow-launched Astroliner Launch Vehicle that includes a reusable, fly-back first stage and expendable upper stage(s). The project is currently entering into full-scale engineering design and development. Key contact: Chief Operating Officer Michael Gallo (909/382-5642).

Satellite Power, Inc. (Rancho Cucamonga), $45,000

Low Cost Flash Solar Simulator. This project will produce a power supply and lamp house for a flash solar simulation system, which will have the same performance as current simulators, with significantly lower cost than existing commercial systems. Key contact: Mark Bower (909/987-8838).

McDonnell Douglas Corp. (Huntington Beach), $200,000

Vandenberg Air Force Base Harbor Dredging Project. The Boeing Company is currently designing launch facilities at Vandenberg Air Force Base, which will be the headquarters for our West coast operations for the Delta IV launch vehicle. The first scheduled launch at VAFB of a Boeing Delta IV rocket is in 2002, with planned launches through 2020. This project will assist in re-establishing a navigable harbor and functional wharf area to load and unload shipments of construction materials, large launch vehicle components, and space flight hardware. Key contact: Mark Fiduccia (703/549-8697).

Spaceport System International LLP, (Lompoc), $141,511

Medium Satellite Encapsulation Capability. This project seeks to increase the capability of Spaceport System International's Integrated Processing Facility (IPF), an existing and operating facility, at a fraction of the cost required to build a new facility. This modification will substantially improve the profitability of their commercial satellite processing enterprise by increasing the number of satellites that can be accommodated. Key contact: Orlando C. Severo, Jr. (805/733-7370).

The California Trade and Commerce Agency is the state's lead agency for business development, corporate attraction and job creation, and includes the Division of Science, Technology & Innovation.