NASA’s uncertainty over its future space exploration program is making it hard for contractors to develop business plans. As Jim Maser, President of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, was testifying to Congress to this effect on behalf of the corporate membership of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, I was amongst a group of journalists visiting the company’s West Palm Beach facility in Florida where the space shuttle main engines (SSME) are refurbished. Or should that be ‘were’ refurbished. As we peered through the window into the refurbishment area a single, lonely-looking high pressure turbopump pump assembly sat awaiting delivery back to NASA. The hydrogen pump had flown on several missions into space and was the last visible part of PWR’s highly successful SSME production line. The engine remains the only operational, reusable liquid booster engine designed for human space flight and has notched up a 100% success record. Turbopump production manager and site manager Bruce McDavid says “our goal is to leave NASA with at least 15 good engines, and what you’re looking at is probably the last one.”
Our visit coincided with news that NASA has awarded PWR a $36.9 million contract extension for pre-launch and launch support of the SSMEs, through July 21 covering the last two missions - STS-134 is tentatively scheduled to lift off April 19 on a two week mission for delivery of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to the International Space Station, and STS 135, tentatively set for a June 28 lift off on a 12-day supply mission to the orbiting science laboratory.
As we gazed at this part of iconic space propulsion technology for an iconic spacecraft the lights in the assembly bay – symbolically – blinked out.
Last of the line - SSMEs in action. (PWR)
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