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Category Archives: Aerospace

Aerospace Day at the Colorado Capitol on Monday

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President and CEO of United Launch Alliance, Tory Bruno points at the Orion space craft that will be carried into space with by the Delta IV Heavy rockets designed by ULA on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at Space Launch Complex 37 at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. (Brent Lewis, The Denver Post)

The halls and chambers of Colorado's Capitol will be filled with talk of rockets, satellites, planetary science and astronomy Monday.

March 23 is Aerospace Day at the Capitol, when the science, engineering and ingenuity of the state's space industry and how space impacts our daily lives takes center stage.

The goal, Colorado Space Business Roundtable board member Joe Rice said, is to educate the public while also getting more lawmakers to advocate for Colorado aerospace.

"It gives legislators an opportunity to learn about the important work we do here in Colorado like GPS, weather satellites and spacecraft," said Rice, who is also Lockheed Martin's director of government relations. "When you inform the legislators, they're connected with other people in the community ... and then we get requests to come and talk to their chambers of commerce and talk to their schools.

"We find when people learn about these things, they see the value in supporting aerospace and a good business climate."

Despite the state's collective aerospace and space science communities being involved in almost every major aerospace story in the last year NASA's Orion Exploration Flight Test-1, NASA's MAVEN and the Rosetta comet landing Colorado isn't the first state that comes to mind when space exploration is mentioned.

It's a big problem, said Stacey DeFore, CSBR chairwoman.

"I did not know that I could work for an aerospace company here in Colorado growing up here as a kid," she said. I thought that's what people in Florida or Houston did ... so as a mom of a 9-year-old daughter, I want to make sure that she knows that she can stay here in Colorado and be an integral piece of the space program."

Aerospace Day aims to bolster the state's reputation. The public is invited to attend the free "space fair" and talk firsthand to the people involved in space exploration. Booths from companies like Lockheed Martin Space Systems, United Launch Alliance, Ball Aerospace, Sierra Nevada Space Systems, top colleges and universities and several space advocacy groups such as Citizens for Space Exploration will be set up inside the Capitol.

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Aerospace Day at the Colorado Capitol on Monday

U.S. Air Force: Bioastronautics Research | Aerospace Medical Research Lab – Video

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U.S. Air Force: Bioastronautics Research | Aerospace Medical Research Lab
Summary: Coverage of research at the Aerospace Medical Division Hq 657Oth Aerospace Medical Research Laboratories including scenes of F-104 seat ejection; drop tests from C-130 and ejection...

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U.S. Air Force: Bioastronautics Research | Aerospace Medical Research Lab - Video

Beckwood Installs Large-Format Triform Fluid Cell Sheet Hydroforming Press At Aerospace Manufacturer

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Beckwood, manufacturer of advanced hydraulic press solutions and the Triform line of aerospace focused forming machinery, is proud to announce the installation of a 24 x 96 Fluid Cell sheet hydroforming press within the aircraft manufacturing facility of a US-headquartered company.

St. Louis, MO (PRWEB) - Beckwood, manufacturer of advanced hydraulic press solutions and the Triform line of aerospace focused forming machinery, is proud to announce the installation of a 24 x 96 Fluid Cell sheet hydroforming press within the aircraft manufacturing facility of a US-headquartered company.

The Triform, Model 2496-5BD, has a specific appeal to industries and operations involved with forming a variety of part sizes in low volume, high mix environments. The 2496-5BD offers a maximum of 5000 PSI of evenly distributed forming pressure which can be used to form a variety of parts using the low-cost tooling associated with the Triform process. The press is offered with either a single bed shuttle, or dual shuttles with front and rear control stations for increased productivity.

Aircraft manufacturers are learning the advantages of our Triform 2496-5BD, including its ability to accommodate a significant percentage of their aerospace parts, said Beckwoods President, Jeffrey Debus. Companies forming aerospace ribs, panels, trim pieces, brackets and more will appreciate the versatility the 2496-5BD offers. Additionally, manufacturers currently using traditional press brakes to form multiple bends in a single part, through several operations, will benefit from a consolidation of process steps and overall manufacturing time, by transitioning those parts over to the Triform process, continued Debus.

Like its counterparts in the Triform forming equipment family, the 2496-5BD is fully programmable, designed for simple operation and features a structure which is engineered for Infinite Life. It features programmable pressure, on-board diagnostics, multi-level password protection, and a compact design for flush floor operation. The Triform is also exceedingly durable with low maintenance requirements including fast bladder changes which require approximately 2 hours to complete, and standard, catalogued components from premium suppliers.

This particular Triform model features an OEE, or Overall Equipment Effectiveness system, for maximizing the users manufacturing productivity, Debus continued. Triforms OEE system helps management identify production problems fast, through real-time monitoring of various criteria, including machine status, shift performance data, labor productivity tracking and more, he concluded.

The Triform 2496-5BD features a variable frequency drive (VFD) to maximize energy efficiency by varying the motors speed & torque, based on actual demand requirements. Additional benefits of the integrated VFD system include reduced noise levels and a reduction in the operating temperature of the presses, thereby minimizing the on-board cooling requirements.

In addition to the Triform Model 2496-5BD, Beckwood offers an entire line of aerospace forming equipment, including several other Fluid Cell sheet hydroforming models, a full line of Deep Draw sheet hydroforming models, extrusion and sheet / leading edge stretch forming machines, hot joggle presses and more.

About Beckwood Press Company The Beckwood Press Company is a leading hydraulic press supplier, located in St. Louis, MO USA. They offer quality, custom hydraulic presses for virtually every industry & application, including a line of high-temperature hot forming / SPF presses for forming structural aerospace components. Beckwood also manufactures the Triform line of Sheet Hydroforming Presses in both fluid cell and deep draw models, hydraulic ring expanders / sizers, hot joggle presses, as well as a line of stretch forming machines for both extrusion, sheet and leading edge applications. Get the latest news from Beckwood at http://www.beckwoodpress.com/news.

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Beckwood Installs Large-Format Triform Fluid Cell Sheet Hydroforming Press At Aerospace Manufacturer

Bigelow Aerospace's Inflatable Habitat Ready for Space Station Trip

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A new, inflatable addition to the International Space Station is ready for its close-up.

NASA officials viewed Bigelow Aerospace's Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) at the company's facility in Las Vegas on March 12. BEAM is scheduled to depart later this year for NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and then blast toward the station atop SpaceX's Falcon 9 booster.

BEAM's time attached to the orbiting lab should provide a key test for expandable space habitats, which represent a dramatic departure from traditional metallic designs. [Bigelow's Inflatable Space Station Idea in Photos]

"We're fortunate to have the space station to demonstrate potential habitation capabilities like BEAM," Jason Crusan, director of Advanced Exploration Systems at NASA Headquarters in Washington, said in a statement. "Station provides us with a long-duration microgravity platform with constant crew access to evaluate systems and technologies we are considering for future missions farther into deep space."

According to Bigelow Aerospace, the demonstration of expandable space habitat technology supports NASA's plans in the realm of human spaceflight, which ultimately lead to putting boots on Mars. Developing a deep-space habitat is an important step along the path to the Red Planet, agency officials say.

Founded in 1999 by entrepreneur Robert Bigelow, Bigelow Aerospace has as a goal the creation of a new paradigm in space commerce and exploration via the development and use of expandable habitat technology. Expandable habitats are viewed as offering dramatically larger volumes than rigid, metallic structures as well as enhanced protection against both radiation and physical debris.

Additionally, expandable habitats are lighter than traditional systems, take up less room in a rocket fairing for launch, and are seen by advocates as a less-costly alternative.

As an example, BEAM will measure just 8 feet (2.4 meters) wide in its packed configuration aboard SpaceX's robotic Dragon resupply spacecraft. Once is deployed and inflated, it will add an additional 565 cubic feet (16 cubic m) of volume about the size of a large family camping tent that is accessible to astronauts aboard the orbiting laboratory.

NASA awarded a $17.8 million contract to Bigelow Aerospace to provide BEAM, which will arrive at the space station in 2015 for a two-year technology demonstration.

After the module is berthed to the station's Tranquility node, astronauts will activate a pressurization system to expand the structure to its full size using air stored within the packed module.

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Bigelow Aerospace's Inflatable Habitat Ready for Space Station Trip

The Aerospace Corporation Announces Leadership Changes

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El Segundo, Calif. (Mar. 19, 2015) The Aerospace Corporation has announced leadership changes in the areas of Space Launch Operations and Civil and Commercial Operations.Randy Kendall will become vice president, Space Launch Operations, succeeding Ray Johnson who retires on July 1. Ed Swallow will join Aerospace as the new vice president for Civil and Commercial Operations replacing Kendall.With these leadership changes, we are positioned to expand into new markets, and provide innovative solutions that add unique value to our current and future customers, said Dr. Wanda Austin, president and CEO.Kendall will assume the position of vice president, Space Launch Operations, succeeding Johnson upon his retirement on July 1. Prior to this assignment, Kendall was vice president for Civil and Commercial Operations, responsible for more than $100 million in annual revenue from civil and commercial business. Prior to holding this position, Kendall was general manager of the Launch Systems Division. His responsibilities included leading Aerospace systems engineering support to the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles programs, as well as managing Space Launch Operations' support to NASA, the FAA, and other commercial programs.Swallow will join Aerospace on April 4 from Northrop Grumman Information Systems. There he held the position of vice president, business development for the Federal & Defense Technologies Division. Swallow led all business development activities across the division. He was responsible for developing win strategies for the divisions captures and for all activities associated with the identification, qualification, shaping and pursuit of new business opportunities with both current and prospective customers.In addition to his 12 years of experience with Northrop Grumman, Swallow worked for Steven Myers and Associates, Space Applications Corporation, Logicon Corporation, and most recently served as the president and CEO of Pegasus Strategic Advisors, LLC. In addition to his professional achievements, he has consistently Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematicseducation and development within local communities across the United States throughout his career. Swallow has a bachelors degree in physics and astronomy from State University of New York, a bachelors degree in electrical engineering from Syracuse University, and a masters degree in systems management from the University of Southern California. He is a retired Air Force reserve officer and was the Air Force Academy liaison officer director for the Washington D.C. area.As vice president of Civil and Commercial Operations, Swallow will be responsible for ongoing programs and developing new business for the corporation. Key customers include the NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and a wide number of other civil and commercial organizations in the United States and overseas. In addition to his responsibilities in Civil and Commercial Operations, Swallow is corporate director of government relations.The Aerospace Corporation is a California nonprofit corporation that operates a federally funded research and development center and has approximately 3,500 employees. It provides guidance and advice to military, civil, and commercial customers to ensure the success of complex, technology-based programs. The Aerospace Corporation is headquartered in El Segundo, Calif., with multiple locations across the United States.

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The Aerospace Corporation Announces Leadership Changes

Aerospace Machining Technology (A Student Perspective) Yakima Valley Community College – Video

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Aerospace Machining Technology (A Student Perspective) Yakima Valley Community College
YVCC #39;s Aerospace Machining Technology program prepare students for entry-level positions in the manufacturing industry. Students can earn an associate of applied science degree in aerospace...

By: YakimaValleyCC

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Aerospace Machining Technology (A Student Perspective) Yakima Valley Community College - Video

Kerbal Space Program EDB Aerospace 09 – Hypersonic Aircraft Testing – Video

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Kerbal Space Program EDB Aerospace 09 - Hypersonic Aircraft Testing
In the quest for an Earth-orbit spaceplane, the EDB has conducted numerous tests over the past few months, with various results. Series playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3_9DyRP49h...

By: Tyler Raiz

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Kerbal Space Program EDB Aerospace 09 - Hypersonic Aircraft Testing - Video

Colorado Aerospace and Defense Caucus convenes at Capitol

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Dr. Jeffrey Forrest, chair of Metro State University, Denver's Aerospace and Aviation Department, addresses the group of industry leaders and lawmakers gathered for the Aerospace and Defense Caucus on Monday, March 16, 2015. (Laura Keeney, The Denver Post)

What started out as a group of "Star Trek"-loving space enthusiasts gathering on lunch breaks to watch the adventures of the USS Enterprise and talk about Colorado aerospace has spawned what could become one of the statehouse's most influential groups.

"We had a Star Trek Caucus last session and nobody came, so we decided to rename it and look, everybody came," said Rep. Paul Rosenthal, D-Denver.

The Colorado Aerospace and Defense Caucus officially met at the Colorado State Capitol on Monday for the first time in years, bringing together top aerospace industry leaders, educators and space advocates with a bipartisan group of state legislators.

Rosenthal, along with Rep. Dan Nordberg, R-Colorado Springs, Sen. Larry Crowder, R-Alamosa, and Sen. Nancy Todd, D-Aurora, head up the nonpartisan caucus.

Space is a hot topic right now, and Colorado is at the industry's epicenter. Colorado ranks first in the nation for private aerospace employment as a percentage of total employment, according to data from the Colorado Economic Development Commission. And the state's universities and research centers are at the core of nearly every ongoing space mission while training the next generation of aerospace workers.

"One thing I've learned about aerospace in Colorado is not only how important it is, but how it's woven into the fabric of our economy. We are an aerospace state," said Jay Lindell, an aerospace industry champion with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. "Ten percent of the NASA budget is spent here in Colorado. ... All this means that we do have a growing and expanding space industry, but it also means that there's a lot of competition in the industry from other states."

This increased competition both at home and abroad means lawmakers need to stay abreast of all aspects of the industry, including new advances in unmanned air system (drone) technology, defense, space exploration and science, Lindell said.

The caucus hasn't yet set any measurable goals, Rosenthal said, but supporting the state's aerospace industry and educating both lawmakers and constituents will be at its core.

"We need to make sure that people are continuously informed about how important this industry is," Rosenthal said. "But also, how do we generate the next generation of dreamers who want to go to the sky? Kids need to know that they can still dream to do that, and it's up to us in our districts and to send it out in our newsletters and bring kids here to the Capitol these are all things that we need to do that we're maybe not doing enough."

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Colorado Aerospace and Defense Caucus convenes at Capitol


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