Endorses NASA's New Direction, Supports Continuation Of Human
Spaceflight
The Commercial Spaceflight Federation announced
Monday 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."