Colorado Ranks 3rd In U.S. For High-Tech Workers
TechAmerica Foundation released on October 5, 2011, its 14th annual Cyberstates report detailing national and state
trends in high-tech employment, wages, and other key economic factors. Cyberstates 2011: The Definitive State-byState Analysis of the U.S. High-Tech Industry covers all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Colorado's high-tech industry lost 5,300 net jobs, with its workforce totaling 156,900 in 2010. Colorado had the 7th
largest decrease in jobs with the largest employment losses in Internet and telecommunications services (-1,800
jobs) and engineering services (-1,800). Colorado's tech concentration in the workforce remains in 3rd place for the
fifth consecutive year. These jobs also are high paying, with the average tech worker in Colorado earning $90,800 in
2010 or 96 percent more than the average private sector wage.
"Colorado's high-tech industry continues to be one of the cornerstones of the state's economy as evidenced by the
fact that only two states have a higher proportion of tech workers in their states' private sector," said Jeff Clark, Vice
President of Governmental Affairs for TechAmerica. "Nevertheless, we did lose tech jobs in 2010, as did the vast
majority of states. Colorado must continue to invest in math and science education to have a pipeline of qualified
workers to attract technology companies to Colorado."
Nationally, the U.S. high-tech industry did lose 115,800 jobs in 2010, but still boasts 5.75 million workers. Showing
an improving trend, this two percent decline was less than half of the 249,500 jobs lost in 2009 following several
years of sustained growth. Software services added jobs in 2010 - 22,800, a gain of one percent.
TechAmerica Foundation also today released a midyear jobs report for 2011 based on a different monthly data set
from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This report shows that between January and June 2011, the tech industry
added a net 115,000 jobs, a two percent gain, not adjusted for seasonality. During this time period, job growth
occurred in all four technology industry sectors, with the fastest growth in engineering and tech services. A 12
month review of June 2010 in comparison with June 2011 also shows growth in three of the four tech industry
sectors, with job losses occurring in communication services.
Cyberstates 2011 may be purchased for $150.
The 2011 midyear report may be freely downloaded. Both reports can be accessed at:
www.techamericafoundation.org/cyberstates.
What Does High Tech Mean for Colorado?
 157,000 high-tech workers in 2010 (14th ranked cyberstate)
 5,300 jobs lost between 2009 and 2010
 High-tech firms employed 87 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2010, ranked 3rd nationwide
 High-tech workers earned an average wage of $90,800 (8th ranked), or 96 percent more than Colorado's
average private sector wage
 A high-tech payroll of $14.2 billion in 2010, ranked 12th nationwide
 12,700 high-tech establishments in 2010, ranked 11th nationwide
Colorado's National Industry Sector Rankings:
 7th in computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing employment with 4,700 jobs
 9th in engineering services employment with 30,600 jobs
Space Foundation Survey Reveals How People Learn About Space
To learn about space, people go out; to be inspired, they go to the movies.
Participants in a Space Foundation survey gave a clear picture of how popular culture -- including books, movies
and television -- play a large role in how we learn and get inspired to learn about the wonders and mysteries of
space.
The survey, which concluded at the beginning of World Space Week, Oct. 4, showed that when people really want
an education, they like to go to museums or participate in targeted space education programs. Destinations are
considered the most effective at space education, followed by organized programs, publications and television:
 47 percent named venues as great places to learn about space, including the Smithsonian National Air and
Space Museum (20 percent), Kennedy Space Center, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the
Hayden Planetarium and the U.S. Air Force Museum, among others
 25 percent named organizations that offer education programs, including the Space Foundation, NASA,
Discovery Education and the Star Fleet Academy (a branch of the International Star Trek Fan Association)
 The rest cited books, magazines, television science shows, websites and tools, such as model rockets and
NOAA's Science on a Sphere
When asked what inspires them to learn about space, respondents overwhelming cited popular entertainment media,
followed by real-life events:
 43 percent mentioned films, including Apollo 13 (13 percent), Star Wars, The Right Stuff and many more
 30 percent cited television programs, with a mix of science fiction and just plain science; the mostmentioned were Star Trek, NOVA and Discovery Channel programming
 13 percent said they were inspired by real events, including NASA Space Shuttle missions, the entire
history of space travel and simply looking at the night sky
 The remaining responses ran the gamut from LEGO® robots to books to the Space Foundation's National
Space Symposium
"We asked these questions in the time leading up to World Space Week because we wanted to get a picture of how
to better inspire people to learn about space and how space exploration improves their lives," said Space Foundation
Vice President -- Marketing and Communications Janet Stevens. "It validated that much of what we do at the Space
Foundation is right on target."
How the Space Foundation educates and inspires
The foremost advocate for all sectors of the space industry and an expert in all aspects of space, the Space
Foundation is a global, nonprofit leader in space awareness activities, educational programs that bring space into the
classroom and major industry events, including the National Space Symposium, all in support of its mission "to
advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity." The Space Foundation publishes The
Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity and provides three indices that track daily
performance of the space industry. Through its Space Certification and Space Technology Hall of Fame® programs,
the Space Foundation recognizes space-based technologies and innovations that have been adapted to improve life
on Earth.
To further educate and inspire, the Space Foundation annually honors outstanding individuals and organizations for
achievements in space exploration, advocacy, education, innovation and accomplishment with five prestigious
awards, including the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award, the Alan Shepard Technology in
Education Award, the Space Achievement Award, the John L. "Jack" Swigert Award for Space Exploration and the
Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach Award. The Morrow award has recognized a number of sources of inspiration
cited in the survey, including Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy; Hayden Planetarium Director Dr. Neil deGrasse
Tyson; former Space Shuttle Commander Col. Eileen M. Collins, USAF (Retired); Apollo 13 star and From the
Earth to the Moon co-producer Tom Hanks; Star Trek creators Gene and Majel Barrett Roddenberry; the crew of the
Space Shuttle Mission STS-95; the Apollo 13 movie team; and Discovery Communication, Inc.
Headquartered in Colorado Springs, the Space Foundation conducts research and analysis and government affairs
activities from its Washington, D.C., office and a field office in Houston, Texas. For more information, visit
www.SpaceFoundation.org. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, and read about the latest space news and
Space Foundation activities in Space Watch.
About World Space Week
Billed as the largest public space event on Earth and celebrated in more than 55 nations, World Space Week is held
every October 4-10, dates chosen to recognize the launch of Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1957, and the signing of the
Outer Space Treaty on October 10, 1967. World Space Week was established by the United Nations General
Assembly to be an international celebration of science and technology and is coordinated by the United Nations
Office for Outer Space Affairs with the support of World Space Week Association. The 2011 theme is "50 Years of
Human Spaceflight" and emphasizes that international collaboration has been key to the success of humans in space.
According to the World Space Week Association, as of 2010, human spaceflight missions have been conducted by
the former Soviet Union, Russia, the United States, the People's Republic of China and by the private space flight
company Scaled Composites. Several other countries and space agencies have announced and begun human
spaceflight programs by their own technology, including India (ISRO), Ecuador (EXA), Japan (JAXA), Iran (ISA)
and Malaysia (MNSA). See more about World Space Week at www.worldspaceweek.org/.
Ball Aerospace To Sponsor 28th National Space Symposium Exhibit Center
2012 event features new exhibit space
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. will sponsor the 28th National Space Symposium exhibit center with an
impressive and comprehensive array of the latest space technology, equipment and services. The Ball Aerospace
Exhibit Center will now include the new Ball Aerospace Exhibit Center Pavilion, located adjacent to the Carriage
Museum at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo. The new exhibit space will offer better access and
exposure for every Symposium exhibitor.
With more than 9,000 expected participants, the 28th National Space Symposium is the premier annual gathering of
the global space community. Scheduled for April 16-19, the Symposium brings together all sectors of the space
industry to highlight accomplishments and address opportunities and issues facing the global space community
today.
"Now more than ever our exhibitors are realizing the importance of their visibility at the National Space
Symposium," said Space Foundation Chief Executive Officer Elliot Pulham. "We appreciate their support."
The Ball Aerospace Exhibit Center will open Monday evening, April 16, immediately following the Symposium's
opening ceremony. The exhibits will be open through Thursday, April 19, for Symposium registrants, invited guests,
uniformed military and select groups of teachers and students.
To secure exhibit space at the 28th National Space Symposium in the Ball Aerospace Exhibit Center, contact
Exhibitor@SpaceFoundation.org.
Metro State Flight Team Winner Of Loening Trophy
Metropolitan State College of Denver’s Department of Aviation and Aerospace Science was awarded the Loening
Trophy, the oldest and most prestigious collegiate aviation award. The award recognizes the most outstanding allaround collegiate aviation program in the country.
Metro State’s Precision Flight Team was awarded the coveted Loening Trophy at the 2011 SAFECON (Safety
andFlight Evaluation Conference) competition hosted by Ohio State University, May 16-21, 2011. The award is
presented annually by the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) foundation. A special trophy
presentation is planned in Denver later this year.
The award represents excellence in aeronautical skills and sets the current benchmark for an overall outstanding
collegiate aviation program. Key grading elements of the award include academics, community involvement,
aviation skills, combined with a comprehensive safety program and an ability to advance the profession.
The perpetual trophy is made of pure silver, designed by Tiffany & Co. and dates back to 1929; it was named after
aviation pioneer and inventor Dr. Grover Loening. As the first aeronautical engineer hired by the Wright Brothers
to manage the Wright Aircraft Company in 1913, Loening judged the first award competiton with Charles
Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart at his side.
“Our students have consistently been raising the bar at competitions in recent years, both regionally and nationally,”
says Jeff Forrest, Metro State professor and chair of aviation and aerospace science. “I’m so proud of our students
and our faculty, who inspire them to perform at such a high level of professionalism in our field.”
The Metro State Flight Team placed 14th overall in the national competition, after securing second place in the
NIFA regionals at Metro State in October 2010. Other notable national SAFECON 2011 accomplishments include
Emily Applegate winning the women’s achievement award, and Tommy Staudt placing second in the ground trainer
(flight simulator) event and third in the message-drop competitionswith Shaun Lee as his pilot.
Other team members who competed and contributed to the Loening award submission include: Joshua Falgoust,
Nicholas Marchese, Anthony DeFranco, Vincent Martis, Mitchell Ambrosich, Thomas Staudt and Zack Floto.
Preparation for the competition was support by affiliate faculty Zach Pegg and Audrey Scully (graduates of Metro
State’s aviation and aerospace department and prior Flight Team competitors), supervised by Professor Bruce
Christian.
About Aviation & Aerospace Science
Metro State has the fifth largest collegiate aviation program in the country. The program owns and operates the
Robert K. Mock World Indoor Airport, one of the finest collegiate aviation and aerospace computer and flight
simulator training laboratories in the world. Prior to their appointment as professional educators, all retained
department faculty accumulated a wealth of diverse aviation or aerospace career experience. For more information,
visit www.mscd.edu/aviation.
About Metropolitan State College of Denver
With more than 24,000 students, Metro State is Colorado’s leader in educating undergraduate Coloradans. The
College now offers master’s degrees in accounting and teacher education, and will offer a master’s in social work
starting fall 2011. The College enrolls the highest number of students of color among four-year colleges in the state.
It boasts more than 70,000 alumni, the bulk of whom remain in Colorado after graduation.
Aerospace Firms Look To Hitch Rides To Send Satellites Into Orbit
By Ann Schrader
The Denver Post
Sending a small satellite into space is not cheap, though rocket companies and "hitchhikers" believe ride-share
programs may be the answer in tight budget times.
For aerospace companies, universities, researchers and even NASA, ride-sharing on rockets with hefty primary
payloads offers an affordable alternative for satellites that may weigh up to 440 pounds. For some rocket
companies, it's a potential source of business, and for others, it's already happening. Sierra Nevada designs and
builds small satellites that weigh 110 to 2,200 pounds at its Littleton facility. "Some of them may require their own
launch vehicles, but we would like to take advantage of ride-share opportunities that are out there," said John Roth,
Sierra Nevada's vice president of business development.
In December, Sierra Nevada will launch the first of 18 330- pound communications satellites it is building for
Orbcomm of New Jersey. The launch will be as a secondary payload on Space Exploration Technologies' Falcon 9
rocket.
On Friday, several tiny satellites called CubeSats built by college students will go up on a Delta II rocket provided
by Centennial-based United Launch Alliance, thanks to a NASA ride-share program that curtails the launch cost for
educational groups.
Read more at http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_19186549
Digitalglobe Wins $38 Million NGA Contract
Longmont-based DigitalGlobe, a leading global provider of high-resolution earth imagery solutions, announced that
it has been awarded a one-year contract at a funded level of $37.9 million by the U.S. Government via the National
Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) under the NGA's new Enhanced GEOINT Delivery (EGD) program.
The award will enable value-added support to NGA, as DigitalGlobe continues to meet more advanced imagery
requirements and provide final product deliverables. This award advances the production capabilities of the
company's "Rapid Delivery of Online Geospatial Intelligence" (RDOG), a capability first pioneered jointly by
DigitalGlobe and NGA in 2009, and which NGA has since used to develop imagery and map-based intelligence
solutions for U.S. national defense, homeland security and safety of navigation in multiple geographic locations
around the world.
EGD expands the EnhancedView contract to meet the government's evolving requirements for ortho-rectified
products in large quantities. The new EGD product deliverables will include three elements: a nearly cloud-free
wide-area mapping layer; continuous delivery of daily images via the web within 24 hours of collection; and quickturnaround images of NGA-designated high-priority geographic locations.
"We're delighted to have this opportunity to deliver more value to the NGA as a result of our continued focus on
innovation and execution," said Jeffrey R. Tarr, President and Chief Executive Officer. "This program will better
enable NGA to serve its many constituents including our troops, first responders, relief workers and others across
many government agencies with near real time commercial imagery delivered over the web."
Initial production and deliveries under the agreement are expected to ramp beginning in the fourth quarter 2011,
with revenue to be recognized in accordance with deliveries.
NTT GEOSPACE Launches New Digitalglobe-Powered Geospatial Intelligence Service In
Japan
On-demand delivery of DigitalGlobe imagery gives users significantly higher quality of content and service
Longmont Colorado-based DigitalGlobe, a leading global provider of high-resolution earth imagery solutions, today
announced that NTT GEOSPACE has launched a new online geospatial intelligence service powered by
DigitalGlobe. The service, named GEOSPACE CDS, features on-demand access to imagery sourced from
DigitalGlobe's suite of content services, including DigitalGlobe Global Basemap™ and DigitalGlobe FirstLook™.
"On-demand access to the DigitalGlobe service suite allows us to offer our end-users a significantly higher level of
content and service quality," said Mr. Takashi Inose, CEO of NTT GEOSPACE Corporation. "Many of our
customers require maximum accuracy and resolution, but most importantly the imagery must be current, and it must
be delivered as quickly as possible. DigitalGlobe's capabilities are unmatched in these areas, enabling us to provide
our users more up-to-date imagery, faster."
Using the web-based GEOSPACE CDS interface, users quickly find and begin using the images they need from the
complete DigitalGlobe imagery archive of the region, which is the largest and most frequently refreshed library
available today. The archive includes more than 80 million photo tiles, covering the majority of the Japanese
landmass.
New images of the region are being consistently captured by DigitalGlobe satellites and added to the library, so
users can be confident they are finding and accessing the most up-to-date imagery available.
"NTT GEOSPACE has created a comprehensive solution addressing the full spectrum of users' imagery needs," said
Takayuki Odawara, head of DigitalGlobe's North Asia commercial operations. "From land resource management, to
communications network planning, to emergency planning and response, GEOSPACE CDS powered by
DigitalGlobe gives users the content they need to quickly make the best decisions and take the most effective
action."
NTT GEOSPACE, a recently launched affiliate company of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NYSE: NTT),
operates in partnership with Hitachi Solutions in the region. The two companies recently signed an agreement
establishing NTT GEOSPACE as an authorized provider of DigitalGlobe imagery.
"Hitachi Solutions is honored to develop this best-in-class service with DigitalGlobe and provide it to NTT
GEOSPACE. We believe this is the beginning of continued mutual development among our three companies,
working jointly to create innovative Location Intelligence services for customers," said Masakazu Kuji, executive
officer of Hitachi Solutions.
"The NTT partnership with Hitachi Solutions ultimately expands and strengthens our own long and successful
reseller relationship with Hitachi," added Odawara. "We look forward to many years of success in combining our
efforts and capabilities. Together we can deliver higher value to our customers and end-users throughout the region."
United Launch Alliance To Launch NASA’s Mars Science Lab
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is set to launch NASA’s Mars Science Lab (MSL) mission with the
Curiosity rover on Saturday, November 26.
This mission will be launched aboard an Atlas V 541 configuration vehicle, which includes a 5-meter diameter
RUAG Space payload fairing along with four Aerojet solid rocket motors attached to the Atlas booster. The Atlas
booster for this mission will be powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine and the Centaur upper stage will be
powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RL10A engine.
"ULA is proud to be a part of this very special mission for NASA,” said Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Mission
Operations. “MSL is the last of five critical missions ULA is scheduled to launch for NASA this year and the entire
team is extremely focused on mission success for the launch of this mission.”
Once liftoff has occurred, solid rocket motor jettison will take place at nearly two minutes into flight, followed by
the jettison of the payload fairing at almost three and a half minutes. Separation of the first stage will occur at 4
minutes and 27 seconds into the flight, followed by two upper stage engine burns separated by an approximately 21minute coast phase. Approximately 44 minutes into flight, spacecraft separation from the Centaur upper stage will
occur, sending Curiosity on its 9-month journey to the red planet. The coast phase durations and spacecraft
separation times can vary by as much as 5-10 minutes from these nominal times, depending on the time and date of
the launch.
After landing on Mars in August 2012, MSL’s prime mission will last one Martian year (nearly two Earth years).
Researchers will use the rover’s tools to study whether the landing region has environmental conditions favorable
for supporting microbial life.
ULA program management, engineering, test, and mission support functions are headquartered in Denver, Colo.
Manufacturing, assembly and integration operations are located at Decatur, Ala., and Harlingen, Texas. Launch
operations are located at Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., and Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
For more information on ULA, visit the ULA Web site at www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at
1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321).
ULA Atlas V Successfully Launches Mission To Mars
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the Mars Science Lab (MSL) for NASA lifted off from Space
Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 10:02 a.m. EST Nov.26, 2011. This is ULA's 11th
launch of the year and marked the 56th successful launch for the company in 60 months.
"ULA is extremely proud to have launched the Curiosity rover on its nine-month journey to the red planet," said Jim
Sponnick, ULA vice president, Mission Operations. "The technological innovations on this extremely sophisticated
MSL mission are most impressive and we are all looking forward to the operations and scientific learning on Mars
starting next August."
This mission was launched aboard an Atlas V 541 configuration vehicle, which includes a 5-meter diameter RUAG
Space payload fairing along with four Aerojet solid rocket motors attached to the Atlas booster. The Atlas booster
for this mission was powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine and the Centaur upper stage was powered by a
single Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RL10A engine.
MSL is the last of five critical missions ULA launched for NASA within a six month period. "These five launches
were launched both successfully and on-time as a result of the exceptional performance and teamwork demonstrated
by the combined ULA, mission partner, and NASA Launch Services Program team," said Sponnick. "We all look
forward to these missions providing a much greater understanding of Earth's climate, life on other planets and the
origins of our solar system."
After landing on Mars in August 2012, MSL's prime mission will last one Martian year (nearly two Earth years).
Researchers will use the rover's tools to study whether the landing region has environmental conditions favorable for
supporting microbial life.
ULA's next launch is the Delta IV Wideband Global Satcom (WGS)-4 mission for the United States Air Force
scheduled for Jan. 19, 2012, from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
NASA's Mars Science Lab. Protected By Lockheed Aeroshell
NASA's Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft launched on November 26, 2011 from Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station, Fla. at 10:02 a.m. ET aboard an Atlas V-541 rocket provided by United Launch Alliance. The mission's
large Curiosity rover is encapsulated and protected in an aeroshell that was designed and built by Lockheed Martin
[LMT: NYSE].
MSL aeroshell video: http://www.youtube.com/user/LockheedMartinVideos?feature=mhee#p/u/6/OYsezwD_AIs
With its Curiosity rover - built by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory - the Mars Science Laboratory mission will seek to
determine whether the Red Planet was, or still is, habitable for microbial life. In addition, the mission will
characterize the climate and geology of Mars near its landing site at the foot of a mountain inside Gale crater.
The aeroshell is a blunt-nosed cone that encapsulates and protects Curiosity during its deep space cruise to Mars,
and from the intense heat and friction that will be generated as the system descends through the Martian atmosphere.
Lockheed Martin has designed and built every aeroshell flown by NASA to Mars dating back to the Viking landers.
"This is the biggest most challenging aeroshell we've ever built," said Rich Hund, MSL aeroshell program manager
at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "Even though the basic design draws from the many previous entry
systems we've built for NASA, this mission had many unique requirements, mostly centered around delivering the
one-ton rover to a specific landing site in the Gale crater."
The aeroshell measures 14.8 feet (4.5 meters) in diameter. For comparison, the heatshields of the Spirit and
Opportunity Mars Exploration Rovers measured 8.7 feet and Apollo capsule heatshields measured just less than 13
feet. Because of its large size, the weight of the overall spacecraft, and the unique entry trajectory through the
Martian atmosphere, the heat shield was designed with a different thermal protection system than previous Mars
missions. First used for the Stardust Sample Return Capsule, the MSL heat shield is covered with tiles of phenolic
impregnated carbon ablator (PICA). This material will be instrumental in protecting the Curiosity rover from the
expected 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit temperature as the spacecraft descends through the Martian atmosphere on Aug.
5, 2012.
In addition to the aeroshell, Lockheed Martin's Information Systems & Global Solutions (IS&GS) also provided
information technology (IT) support services to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's (JPL's) scientists, researchers and
engineers at Kennedy Space Center. Through the JPL Desktop and Institutional Computing Environment (DICE)
subcontract, Lockheed Martin onsite service technicians and service desk employees worked around the clock
during the launch window to provide highly responsive technology support.
More information on the MSL mission and the aeroshell can be found at:
About the MSL aeroshell: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/MarsScienceLaboratoryAeroshell
NASA MSL fact sheet: http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/news/pdfs/MSL_Fact_Sheet.pdf
MSL Web site: http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/
United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches NPOESS Preparatory Project
A United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket carrying the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) spacecraft for NASA
lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base October 28. This is ULA's 10th launch of the year and marked the 55th
successful launch for the company.
"ULA is proud to have served NASA with 50 Delta II launches, achieving 100 percent mission success for a very
diverse array of exceptionally important science missions," said Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Mission
Operations. "Today's successful NPP launch is a critical first step in demonstrating our country's next-generation
earth-observing satellite system. NPP will monitor weather conditions and gather climate data to greatly improve
our knowledge of Earth's systems."
This mission was launched aboard a Delta II 7920-10 configuration vehicle featuring a ULA first stage booster
powered by a Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and nine Alliant Techsystems (ATK) strap-on solid
rocket motors. An Aerojet AJ10-118K engine powered the second stage. The payload was encased by a 10-footdiameter composite payload fairing.
"In addition to the NPP spacecraft, the Delta II also carried three Poly Picosatellite Orbital Deployers (P-POD)
dispensers on the upper stage that deployed six cubesats following completion of the primary NPP mission," said
Sponnick. "We are pleased that ULA can provide access to space for these university research satellites and expand
the reach of the science community."
NPP will extend and improve upon the Earth climate data records established by NASA's Earth Observing System
(EOS) fleet of satellites that have provided critical insights into the dynamics of the entire Earth system: clouds,
oceans, vegetation, ice, solid Earth and atmosphere.
"The Delta II vehicle continues to offer excellent reliability and best value to our customers," said Sponnick. "We
look forward to working with our customers to provide future Delta II launches here at Vandenberg."
ULA's next launch is the Atlas V Mars Science Laboratory mission for NASA scheduled for Nov. 25, 2011 from
Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Congressman Mike Coffman: Unnecessary Controls A Burden
Castle Rock News
Posted: Friday, November 18, 2011 5:38 am
Colorado is home to the third largest aerospace economy in the nation with more than 160,000 space-related jobs
with approximately $9.7 billion in annual payroll. Some of the country’s leading aerospace contractors, such as
Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace, Northrop Grumman, and United Launch Alliance, all have major operations in
Colorado.
Unfortunately, a federal law enacted in 1999 has weakened our nation’s aerospace industry and caused many of
those highly skilled jobs that should have been created in Colorado and elsewhere in the United States to move
overseas.
Before 1999, the United States commercial satellite industry led the world in exports by a significant margin — at
that time, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the U.S. commercial satellite industry had
83 percent of the global market. However, by 2005 the U.S. global market share had dropped below 50 percent.
The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) are a series of federal regulations that were initiated during
the Cold War and govern the import and export of defense-related services and articles listed on the U.S. Munitions
List (USML). They are intended to ensure we do not export sensitive military technologies that could fall into the
wrong hands.
With the 1999 change in the law, passed after a controversy involving the sharing of information between U.S.
aerospace companies and their Chinese counterparts became public, Congress put commercial satellites and their
components on the USML, thus subjecting them to much stricter export controls under the ITAR. If even a battery
or bolt was designed with space travel in mind, it is now classified as a technology with arduous license
requirements to be exported under federal law. Following this change in federal policy the U.S. commercial satellite
industry lost its competitive global edge.
Since all commercial satellites used U.S. parts in 1999, the Congressional action was thought to be effective, but the
law had unintended consequences because it motivated the aerospace industry in China and Europe to expand and
fill the void left by U.S. export restrictions. Many large European aerospace manufacturers have actually started
making and marketing commercial satellites that are “ITAR-free” — made without any U.S. components in an effort
to avoid the challenges associated with ITAR compliance.
Unnecessarily strict export controls are a serious burden on our commercial aerospace manufacturing sector and hurt
our ability to compete in the global market. This excessively broad and severe regulatory environment under ITAR
must be reformed. There are simply no reasons why we should be losing market share to our European competitors
in an industry that the United States pioneered and dominated throughout the 20th century.
This month, I announced that I am co-sponsoring a bipartisan measure with Rep. Howard Berman, D-Calif., that
would provide commercial satellites and related components flexibility regarding the USML, therefore providing
much-needed relief to America’s commercial satellite manufacturers caught under the strict ITAR export controls.
While this bill, the “Safeguarding United States Satellite Leadership and Security Act of 2011,” allows U.S.
aerospace companies greater access to international customers, it still protects American security interests by
prohibiting the sale of satellite components to China as well as nations that engage in the state sponsorship of
terrorism, such as North Korea, Iran, Syria, Sudan and Cuba.
When I spoke to the Colorado Space Coalition in August, it was clear that reforming ITAR export controls is one of
their top legislative priorities because changing this federal policy will help our commercial aerospace
manufacturers reach potential international customers with far greater ease, allowing them to expand their
businesses and create more jobs in Colorado.
We must allow our commercial satellite manufacturers to regain their competitive global edge, so we can bring back
some of the jobs that have been lost to our competitors overseas. With this bill, I am confident that we can do just
that.
U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman serves Colorado’s 6th Congressional District, which includes Douglas and Elbert counties
and parts of Arapahoe, Jefferson and Park counties.