Test Pilot School Training Sends Air Force Toward "Space Force"

SPACEWAR

Students at the Aerospace Vehicle Test Course check out the X-38 Crew Return Vehicle during their trip to NASA Dryden Research Center also located on Edwards AFB, Calif. (photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Ball)

by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Ball
Edwards - Nov 12, 2001
After attending a space-based training course, six Air Force engineers are moving the Air Force toward a true aerospace force. The four-week Aerospace Vehicle Test Course wrapped up Nov. 2 at U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards. Now in its second year, the course is designed to prepare space testers for an increasing number of programs using trans-atmospheric vehicles, space-based assets and sensor-to-shooter systems, said Maj. Kelly Greene, AVTC course director.

"The Air Force has a stake in a number of space projects such a the X-38 Crew Return Vehicle and the X-40 Space Maneuver Vehicle," she said. "Unfortunately, we only have a small number of trained space testers. This course was designed to meet this shortfall and provide the proper training."

This years' students included Maj. Bob Jones, a developmental engineer with the 412th Test Wing at Edwards, and Capt. Bob Bodwell and 1st Lt. Ted Earp, both aerospace engineers with Edwards' Access to Space Office. In addition, Capt. Tom Lenz, 2nd Lt. Mike Walter and 2nd Lt. Dave Drummond, all of Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., also graduated Nov. 2.

According to Earp, his new knowledge will benefit his office, Access to Space, because the office works closely with the aerospace vehicle programs at NASA. "It has also allowed me to see a side that we don't get to do, which is the actual space operation," he said.

Emphasizing aerospace plane and X-vehicle testing, the course curriculum includes approximately 80 hours of academics, space test projects, field trips and flights in several different aircraft -- including a glider, a T-38 and an F-16.

The students visited several sites during their field trips, including Johnson Space Center in Houston, the Vandenberg Air Force Base Spaceport, and Dryden Flight Research Center here. The visits included briefings on the X-38 Crew Return Vehicle, being developed for use with the International Space Station, and a landing in a space shuttle simulator at Johnson. The visit to Dryden included experience in an X-33 simulator and a look at the X-38 demonstrator used here.

"Going to Johnson Space Center and see what the astronauts go through, the shuttle simulators, and getting the opportunity to fly -- it's been a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Klemz.

"I got a glimpse into aircraft tests and space tests and the bridge between them, between NASA and the Air Force."

One of the highlights of the course was a two-hour presentation on the X-15 given by California State Senator Pete Knight, retired Maj. Gen. Joe Engle and Bill Dana, all X-15 pilots, and Johnny Armstrong, an X-15 flight test engineer. They were joined for a third hour by retired Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager and Fitz Fulton, who piloted the B-52 that released the X-15 and X-1.

"It seems all the focus is on the current launch vehicles and satellites," Klemz said. "But the aircraft side, the X-15 and all the past projects, aren't talked about much. Having the opportunity to listen to Chuck Yeager and the X-15 pilots like Joe Engle speak, it's just been great."

SPACEWAR

Space Warriors Add New Wrinkle To Red Flag

by 2nd Lt. Virgil Magee
Schriever AFB - Sept. 5, 2001
The pilot of an F-16 studied the dry hills and arroyos of southern Nevada under her as she banked in search of the target on the ground. This was no ordinary target she was seeking. The opposition force's space threat -- a truck loaded with sophisticated electronic warfare equipment -- was hiding along the desert floor.

Army's First Space Operations Course Ends

by Donald J. Montoya
Colorado Springs - Aug. 8, 2001
Fourteen officers graduated Aug. 3 from the Army's inaugural Space Operations Officer Qualification Course. "There is only a small cadre of space operational officers," said guest speaker Lt. Gen. Joseph M. Cosumano Jr., commanding general of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command and U.S. Army Space Command, before a group of 75 military and civilian personnel during the graduation ceremony in the U.S. Air Force Space Command Headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

AFA Conference Brings Space Stars Together

Colorado Springs - June 25, 2001
The "stars" of military and industrial space gathered for an annual Air Force Association conference May 24 to discuss the future of space operations for the United States. In a one-day conference in Colorado Springs leaders of the aerospace industry mingled with the military men and women who will make sure the United States maintains its superiority in space.

Course Trains 'Space Cowboys'

Peterson AFB - May 16, 2001
Cowboys have to know how to rope and brand a steer to ride the range. Space cowboys have to know about launch trajectory, satellite apogee and boosters to ride the space range.

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