posted 07-19-2010 01:01 PM               

About the Commercial Spaceflight Federation

The mission of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF) is to promote the development of commercial human spaceflight, pursue ever-higher levels of safety, and share best practices and expertise throughout the industry.

The Commercial Spaceflight Federation's member companies, which include commercial spaceflight developers, operators, spaceports, suppliers, and service providers, are creating thousands of high-tech jobs nationwide, working to preserve American leadership in aerospace through technology innovation, and inspiring young people to pursue careers in science and engineering.

Currently, over twenty businesses and organizations are members of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation. Executive Members include commercial spaceflight developers, operators, and spaceports. Associate Members include suppliers supporting commercial spaceflight, with recent members including suppliers of mission support services and suppliers of training, medical, and life-support products and services.

• Armadillo Aerospace
  
• Bigelow Aerospace
  
• Blue Origin
  
• Excalibur Almaz
  
• Jacksonville - Cecil Field Spaceport
  
• Masten Space Systems
  
• Mojave Spaceport
  
• Sierra Nevada Corporation
  
• Southwest Research Institute
  
• Space Adventures
  
• Space Florida
  
• Spaceport America
  
• SpaceX
  
• United Launch Alliance
  
• Virgin Galactic
  
• XCOR Aerospace
  
• X PRIZE Foundation

• DCI Services and Consulting
  
• ETC - NASTAR Center
  
• Jacobs Technology
  
• OSIDA
  
• Paragon SDC
  
• Raytheon
  
• Scaled Composites
  
• Special Aerospace Services
  
• Wyle
  
• Aeroports de Catalunya

posted 07-19-2010 01:02 PM               

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Joins the CSF, Endorses NASA's New Direction

The Commercial Spaceflight Federation is pleased to announce that Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne has joined the Federation as an Associate Member. With 3,100 employees across Florida, California, Alabama, and Mississippi, including more than 1,800 employees in Southern California, the company is a leading provider of propulsion and power systems for space flight.

James G. Maser, President of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, stated, "Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is excited to be a part of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation. Joining the Commercial Spaceflight Federation will enable us to better collaborate with industry to serve both NASA's new technology and exploration programs and the expanding commercial space market."

Maser continued, "We believe our proven expertise in rocket engine development, human-rating requirements and propulsion system verification will help contribute to the growth of commercial spaceflight. Since our beginnings in the late 1940s, our company has been at the forefront of the commercial spaceflight industry with a number of private engine developments for commercial launch vehicles, and we are excited to participate in the further growth of this vital sector."

Maser added, "Clearly, we support the continuation of the U.S. human spaceflight program, as well as fostering a safe, more cost-effective and commercial approach for crew to Low Earth Orbit. Participation with CSF demonstrates our determination to maintain the country's aerospace technology base with proven commercial capabilities to transport crew to Low Earth Orbit while NASA moves on a course for exploration missions beyond Low Earth Orbit. We are especially pleased to see NASA's desire to make new investments in liquid propulsion and fundamental propulsion research."

Mark Sirangelo, Chairman of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, commented, "On behalf of the member companies of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, we are proud to welcome Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is respected throughout the industry for its high-performance propulsion systems and the company will be a strong asset to the Commercial Spaceflight Federation. We're excited to have them onboard."

Bretton Alexander, President of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, added, "It's very gratifying to see the aerospace industry continue to unite behind a common goal of expanding the commercial space economy. The payoff will be thousands of new high-tech jobs, enhanced access to space for civil, military, and commercial customers, and exciting a new generation of young people to embark on science and technology careers. We are pleased to welcome the entire Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne team."