'The Aerospace Corporation' is a private, non-profit corporation headquartered in
El Segundo,
California that has operated a
Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) for the
United States Air Force since
1960. As the FFRDC for national-security space, Aerospace works closely with organizations such as the U.S. Air Force
Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) and the
National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) to provide "objective technical analyses and assessments for space programs that serve the national interest."
[1]
History
On
June 25,
1960, at a press conference held at the U.S. Air Force Ballistic Missile Division headquarters in El Segundo, California,
Lt. Gen. Bernard A. Schriever announced the “formation of a new nonprofit organization, The Aerospace Corporation, to serve the Air Force in the scientific and technical planning and management of missile-space programs.”
[2] The
United States Congress wanted the establishment of an organization, free from conflict of interest, to aid the Air Force in “applying the full resources of modern science and technology to the problem of achieving those continuing advances in
ballistic missiles and military space systems.”
[3] Later that year, Aerospace was officially established out of the for-profit company,
TRW.
[4]
Among the earliest projects it supported were the
Dyna-Soar orbital spaceplane,
Project Mercury, and the man-rating of the
Atlas (rocket) intercontinental ballistic missile. The Aerospace Corporation provided general systems engineering and technical direction for the
Titan II missile, first tested in
1962, which became the launch vehicle for
Project Gemini. Other notable projects of the 1960s include the advanced ballistic re-entry system (ABRES), the Air Force's
Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL), the
Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS), and the
Defense Support Program (DSP).
During the
1970s, Aerospace began performing advance space program analysis and program studies for
NASA’s development of the space shuttle, and began tests on airborne UHF terminals for the Air Force Satellite Communications System, AFSATCOM. Beginning in
1973, a program office was established to assist the Air Force in the creation of the
Global Positioning System (GPS). In recognition of their involvement, the corporation later shared the
Robert J. Collier Trophy, the nation’s highest award for aeronautical achievement, in
1992.
Throughout the
1980s, Aerospace became involved with the
Inertial Upper Stage (IUS), the
Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), and the
antisatellite (ASAT). During that same time period, the company also provided systems engineering and integration for launch vehicles, including the
Titan II,
Titan IV, and
Delta II.
In
1994, Aerospace participated in the planning and development of system requirements of the
Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV), supporting the launch of the
Atlas II. Throughout the second half of the
90s, the corporation conducted independent assessments for the
International Space Station, provided technical support for the
Cassini spacecraft, and became involved in the
Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) satellite constellation.
Most recently, The Aerospace Corporation provided further technical assistance to EELV programs including the
Atlas V and
Delta IV, and supported planning for
Space Radar to provide global persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to the
Department of Defense. In
2005, it also supported the Air Force Affordable Responsive Spacelift (ARES) launch system demonstration program.
Capabilities
The Aerospace Corporation, as the
FFRDC for national security space, primarily supports the
Space and Missile Systems Center of the Air Force Space Command, as well as the
National Reconnaissance Office. They provide scientific and engineering support for launch, space, and related ground systems that serve the national interest.
The
Department of Defense has identified five core competencies for the Aerospace FFRDC: launch certification, system-of-systems engineering, systems development and acquisition, process implementation, and technology application.
[5]
Aerospace also manages support to programs for
NASA and the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as well as other civil and some commercial space customers.
Organization
Space Launch Operations
Space Launch Operations (SLO) members support Air Force and NRO launch programs by monitoring and collecting data from national security launches. It is responsible for conducting the Aerospace independent launch readiness verification process for legacy and EELV launches. The group focuses on lessons learned, data, and best practices sharing among launch programs.
Space Program Operations
Space Program Operations (SPO) works with the Air Force, government, and industry partners to develop military satellites and advanced national-security satellite systems. It oversees four major spacecraft and space system areas: communications, surveillance, weather, and navigation.
[6] Much emphasis is placed upon the life cycle for systems--as space programs are architected, acquired, and fielded.
Engineering and Technology Group
The Engineering and Technology Group (ETG) is Aerospace's core science and engineering organization, providing cross-program technical support to a variety of military, civil, commercial, and corporate projects. Consisting of nearly half of the company's technical force, the group is made up of six specialty organizations: Laboratory Operations, Communications and Networking Division, Computers and Software Division, Electronics and Sensors Division, Systems Engineering Division, Vehicle Systems Division.
[7] Members of ETG assess and evaluate existing and new space technologies, investigate and resolve anomalies, and conduct research and development.
National Systems Group
National Systems Group (NSG) is responsible for systems engineering and integrations support for NRO space programs. Through methods such as technical and engineering analyses, concept design studies, and direct on-site support, they provide planning, development, and deployment services for reconnaissance space systems.
NSG's focus is to apply a systems engineering approach to national intelligence programs in order to provide objective technical recommendations and solutions.
Systems Planning and Engineering
Systems Planning and Engineering (SPE) provides customer support to all national-security space (NSS) programs. Activities within the group include requirements analysis, cross-mission planning and architecture development, strategic awareness planning, cross-program engineering, and systems acquisition development.
Civil and Commercial Operations
Civil and Commercial Operations (CCO) supports both developing and operational civil space systems for
NASA and the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Commercially, the group supports satellite owner-operators, spacecraft manufacturers, insurance companies, and space-consulting and legal firms.
It plays a key role in spacecraft operations, acquisition planning, strategic planning, acquisition management, and risk assessment for operational, near-term and future NOAA satellite programs.
Corporate Governance
Current Corporate Officers
★ Dr. William F. Ballhaus, Jr.
★ Dr. Joe M. Straus
★ Dr. Wanda M. Austin
★ Marlene M. Dennis
★ Jerry M. “Mike” Drennan
★ Dr. David J. Gorney
★ Dr. Lawrence T. Greenberg
★ Ray F. Johnson
★ Gordon J. Louttit
★ Gary P. Pulliam
★ Dr. Rami R. Razouk
★ Donald R. Walker
★ Dale E. Wallis
★ Jack R. Wormington | President/CEO |
References
1.
2. Making Space Work Since 1960
3. Aerospace History Timeline
4. The Art of Systems Engineering, , M.W., Maier, CRC Press LLC, 2000, ISBN 0-8493-0440-7 , ''"...led Congress to mandate the formation in 1960 of a non-profit engineering company, The Aerospace Corporation, out of the for-profit TRW Corporation..."''
5. What is an FFRDC?
6.
Organizations
7. Engineering and Technology Group
See Also
★
Federally Funded Research and Development Center
★
Global Positioning System
★
Planetary defense
★
United States Air Force
External links
★
The Aerospace Corporation (official corporate website)
★
Planetary Defense Conference sponsored by The Aerospace Corporation
★
Space Systems Engineering & Risk Management Symposium sponsored by The Aerospace Corporation
★
Spacecraft Thermal Control Workshop sponsored by The Aerospace Corporation
★
Space Power Workshop sponsored by The Aerospace Corporation
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