WASHINGTON (NASA PR) — NASA has selected 39 small business proposals to enter into negotiations for Phase 2 contract awards through the agency’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. The SBIR program partners with small businesses to catalyze efforts to develop new technologies to support NASA’s technology needs.

NASA will award contracts to 36 small high-technology firms in 17 states with a total value of approximately $27 million. These competitive, awards-based programs encourage U.S. small businesses to engage in federal research and development, and bring new technologies to the global marketplace.

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Florida Gov. Rick Scott

Cape Canaveral, FL, November 8, 2012 (Space Florida PR) –Today, the U.S. Navy, Florida Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll, Space Florida, and the Economic Development Commission (EDC) of Florida’s Space Coast – broke ground on the new Strategic Weapons System Ashore (SWS Ashore) facility at Cape Canaveral AFS. Space Florida and the EDC anticipate 100 jobs may be created within three years as a result of the project, with average annual salaries of $90,000 and approximately 85% of the projected workforce from civilian contractors, including former Space Shuttle workers sourced locally.

Governor Rick Scott said, “Florida has a uniquely skilled workforce for aerospace research and development projects – and I’m proud to see this community will be the centerpiece of this project. I’ve made job creation my number one priority, and while our work isn’t done this is a step in the right direction.”

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The New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) has awarded $1.1 million in construction contracts for additional work at Spaceport America, the $209 million custom-built facility for Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic. The New Mexico Business Weekly reports the the following contracts were awarded: AMEC Environment and Infrastructure Inc., of Albuquerque: Quality Assurance Testing Services, $488,969, 1 year; SDV Construction of Albuquerque:  Management of Phase 2 construction, $647,389, 18 months. “The spaceport has […]

In a move that could bring 250 to 300 skilled aerospace and construction jobs to the hard-hit Florida Space Coast, United Launch Alliance (ULA) has selected Hensel Phelps Construction Co. of Orlando to help plan modifications to Space Launch Complex (SLS) 41 to support commercial crew missions to the International Space Station.

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By Douglas Messier Parabolic Arc Managing Editor NASA Dryden is looking to place one of its employees at the Mojave Air and Space Port for six to 12 months to learn how the private sector space community operates. The placement would be made under a NASA program that details promising employees at companies and other organizations to give them broader business and management expertise, said Mojave spaceport CEO Stu Witt. […]

Mojave Air and Space Port. (Credit: Douglas Messier)

MOJAVE (MMC PR) — A medical device that will help crash-rescue firefighters at the Mojave Air and Space Port treat medical patients was donated to the East Kern Airport District by the directors of the Mojave Community Medical Center, Inc. (MMC) Tuesday.

The pulse-oximeter allows firefighters to check the amount of oxygen and in a patient’s blood, expressed as a percentage, plus the patient’s pulse rate, said MMC President Bill Deaver.

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The leadership of the East Kern Airport District (EKAD) Board of Directors, which oversees the Mojave Air and Space Port, will undergo a shakeup as a result of Tuesday’s elections. The official results are below. (I is for incumbent.) EAST KERN AIRPORT DIRECTOR – Vote For 3 Completed Precincts: 13 of 13 VOTE COUNT PERCENTAGE DICK RUTAN (I) 2225 27.29% ALLEN L. PETERSON 2093 25.67% CATHY HANSEN (I) 2065 25.33% […]

Bethesda MD, November 5, 2012 (Futron PR) – Futron is pleased to release a benchmarking assessment that evaluates the space competitiveness of the Isle of Man. The Isle of Man’s space sector enjoys a competitive advantage against its peers which derives from the unique business model that the Manx government has adopted in developing the space sector on the Island.  The study, an update of an analysis originally done in 2010, finds that the Isle has strengthened and grown its space sector.

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By Douglas Messier
Parabolic Arc Managing Editor

President Barack Obama handily won re-election against Republican challenger Mitt Romney on Tuesday, ensuring that American space policy will remain largely unchanged over the next four years.

Although there will be no major policy shifts, NASA will likely face budgetary pressures as the nation grapples with the need to reduce the deficit. The first challenge comes with sequestration, which would trigger a series of deep spending cuts in the federal budget this January unless Obama and Congress can work out a deal.

Meanwhile, the song remains largely the same in Congress in terms of members on key NASA committees. And developments in California appear to bode well for strengthening a state informed consent law backed by commercial space proponents.

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By Douglas Messier
Parabolic Arc Managing Editor

Tenants at the Mojave Air and Space Port will have access to broadband fiber services beginning in December. In a related move, officials are moving forward with a plan to extend broadband, power and water utilities to the test area on the north side of the spaceport, where there are currently no services.

Jim Miller, CEO of High Desert Wireless Broadband Communications (HDWBC), told the East Kern Airport District (EKAD) Board of Directors on Tuesday that the airport’s broadband network has been connected to a main fiber line running out from Los Angeles. Several clients have been provided service, and HDWBC and its partner, Race Communications, are using them for a 30-day testing period.

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