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A Message from the Director
John C. Stennis Space Center: An Investment in the Future
For nearly three decades now, the John C. Stennis Space Center (SSC) has served the space program as NASA’s premier rocket test facility. We’ve played a major role in testing stages and propulsion systems for both the Saturn V moon rocket in the Apollo lunar landing program and for the present-day Space Shuttle. And as NASA focuses its vision on the year 2000 and beyond, the need for new modes of space transportation is inevitable to accomplish the President’s plans to expand human expeditions far beyond the confines of Earth—to return to the moon and then venture out to Mars.
On the immediate horizon, we are building new test facilities to advance turbomachinery technology for the propulsion systems of future generations of vehicles. We plan to test the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor beginning in 1994 to replace the shuttle’s current solid rocket motors. This next generation of rocket boosters will give the shuttle even greater reliability and lift power to help us place heavier payloads in orbit.
In addition to propulsion testing, SSC has excellent capabilities in the areas of remote sensing, earth science and applications development. Stennis currently has earth science projects and environmental research with national and international significance in the areas of forestry, geology, urban climatology, archaeology, coastal zone, environmental monitoring, and air and water purification. SSC is NASA’s lead center for the commercial development of space remote sensing technology and has substantial work under way in the transfer of technology to the public sector.
SSC has also begun research and development work in the field of rocket plume diagnostics which will lead to improved ability to measure the operating health of future engines.
Of critical importance at SSC are the goals and missions of the 18 other federal and state agencies in residence. SSC is unique in that the host agency, NASA, and the other agencies share common facilities, services and capabilities in order that each may accomplish its own autonomous mission in a more cost effective manner.
Space is a good investment and a symbol of pride for our country. Other exciting programs at SSC are essential to the defense, environmental understanding and management of our country and its resources. All of us here at the John C. Stennis Space Center are committed to making the public investment profitable for us and the generations to come.
Roy Estess Center Director