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Californian Space Port Opens For Business
 Integrated Processing Facility Vandenberg - January 26, 2000 - Spaceport Systems International (SSI), a limited partnership of ITT Industries, Inc. and California Commercial Spaceport, and the first privately-owned commercial spaceport in the United States, today ushered in a new age for the commercial space industry by providing range and launch services for the first successful space launch of a converted Minuteman II/ Pegasus XL upper stages spacelift vehicle.

The new Air Force Orbital Suborbital Space Launch Vehicle with a JAWSAT (Joint Air Force Academy-Weber State University Satellite) payload lifted off from SSI's Spaceport on Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Wednesday evening.

"Today we witnessed many firsts," said Earl Severo, CEO of SSI. "The launch is not only the first launch from SSI's Spaceport; but also the first launch of an Air Force converted Minuteman II for space lift, from the first FAA licensed Spaceport in the United States. "For the record book, this launch is the Millennium's first successful launch into space. SSI is proud to be a part of the JAWSAT mission team," added Severo.

SSI was formed through a limited partnership between ITT Industries and California Commercial Spaceport; SSI is the first privately owned spaceport.

ITT Industries has provided the business leadership to enable this commercial spaceport to achieve many successes leading up to this first successful launch. "We have assembled an amazing team here and are working with some of the best people in the industry. With our premier facilities and the first successful launch behind us, we envision great things for the future of SSI and the commercial space industry," said Earl Severo.

SSI was selected to provide commercial payload processing, range and launch site services for the Orbital/Suborbital program Space Launch Vehicle (OSPSLV) JAWSAT mission in June 1998.

The OSPSLV launch vehicle consists of Minuteman II and Pegasus rocket motors. JAWSAT consists of a Multi- Payload Adapter (MPA), which supports four free-flying sub-satellites to be released after attaining orbit. Additionally, it carries an Imaging system, Attitude Control Platform and a NASA scientific experiment that will stay attached to the MPA.

"Through a competitive process, the Air Force chose SSI's Commercial Spaceport because it represented the best value to the government when considering mission requirements and cost," said Lt. Luis Marina, Air Force Mission Manager for JAWSAT.

SSI also was selected to provide these same services for the OSPSLV MightySat Mission, which is scheduled to launch mid-year 2000.

"I believe we provide the best value," said Severo. "We provide the most important essentials in one package: infrastructure, expertise, location and affordability."

Spaceport Systems International was formed in 1995 as a limited partnership between ITT Industries, Inc., and California Commercial Spaceport, Inc., to foster and facilitate commercial space boosters and satellites. Since its formation, the company has focused its efforts to bring commercial space services to the central coast of California.

  • Spaceport Systems International
  • ITT Industries, Inc.

    SPACE-SHIP.COM
     Hybrid Rocket Opens Low Cost Flight
     Vandenberg - January 26, 2000 - The Orbital Suborbital Program (OSP) is a contract that was let by SMC/TE in Albuquerque about two years ago. SMC owns all the excess Minuteman II motors that are in storage. The reason for the contract was two fold. First, it was designed to use excess MM II motors to put government payloads into space cheaply. Secondly, the MSLS contract with Lockheed is up this year and they wanted to let a new contract to do the same work.




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