The National Space Club Florida Committee is one of three regional committees of the National Space Club in Washington, D.C. We provide information on space activities through monthly luncheons, promoting space leadership, stimulating advancement of space applications, sponsoring educational activities, and providing recognition for contributions to advancements in aerospace science, operations, research, and education.

2011

2011 Brevard Space Week

Brevard Space Days 2010 was a rousing success with over 6500 Brevard County sixth graders and their science teachers participating in a full day of organized and hands-on activities at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). All of us in the National Space Club can take great pride in knowing that we initiated this program and through the generosity of our individual members, company sponsors, and individuals have contributed $200,000 towards the program’s overall cost since its inception. This year’s program will be held over a nine day period from November 29 through December 9, 2011. The program was started seven years ago and it gets better each year. From the beginning, funding for this program has come from outside the Brevard School’s operating budget and is dependent on contributions from the community. The National Space Club has again pledged a minimum of $25,000 from the aerospace community towards this important program with the Brevard schools foundation raising funds from the community at large and through possible grants that match funding from private industry.

According to a report from the National Science Foundation, the United States could soon lose its prominence in science and technology with twenty-four nations in 2000 awarding a higher percentage of science and engineering degrees. Space Days has proven to motivate our school. On behalf of the National Space Club, I am requesting our community’s financial help again. All contributions to the National Space Club (a 501c3 entity) will go directly to Space Days. Click here to read more about NSCFL's need for financial support for this year's Space Week.

Space Ball 2011 Photos

Please click here to view the photos from this year's Space Ball Dinner.

Click on any photo to show a high-resolution version. If you download a copy, please use the release notice. Please read the release notice for our Space Ball photographer, Al Scotti.

Ellis, Neiman and Wasileski Received Lifetime Achievement Award at Space Club Meeting

The National Space Club (NSC) of Florida recently announced that Larry Ellis, Norm Neiman and Chester Wasileski are the 2011 annual Lifetime Achievement Award recipients. They will be recognized for their distinguished roles in the space community at the September 13, monthly luncheon meeting. Megan Jaunich will also be recognized as the 2011 Rising Star Honoree. The event will be held at the Radisson at the Port, Cape Canaveral, at 11:30 am.

“Larry, Norm and Chester each have made significant contributions to the space community through their impressive careers,” said Dr. Stephen Feldman, NSC Board Chairman. “The Space Club is proud to acknowledge their achievements.” The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes people for life-long achievement and contributions to the U.S. Space Program.

This year the NSC added the Rising Star Award that recognizes younger club members for their “above and beyond” accomplishments in the space program during the past year. “We are excited to also acknowledge Megan Jaunich as our first Rising Star Honoree;” said Dr. Feldman. “Megan’s dedication to her profession and her strong community outreach is an inspiration for our current and future space professionals.” Click here to read more about these honorees.

Jerry A. Jamison Selected as Debus Award Winner


Jerry A. Jamison, vice president of Launch Operations for United Launch Alliance (ULA), has been selected by the National Space Club Florida Committee to receive its 2011 Dr. Kurt H. Debus Award.

Jamison was honored at the Debus Award Dinner on Saturday, April 16, 2011. The formal event, which begins at 6:30 pm, will be held at the Debus Conference Facility at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Visitor Complex. “The Space Club is proud to honor Jerry for this prestigious award,” said National Space Club Chair Dr. Stephen Feldman.

“Jerry has over 27 years of service to our nation’s space program including both Air Force and NASA payloads and currently leads over 1,000 Cape and Vandenberg employees. His dedication and influence in our space program is exemplary.” Annual Florida National Defense Space Awards Luncheon Photosce Club Chair Dr. Stephen Feldman. “Jerry has over 27 years of service to our nation’s space program including both Air Force and NASA payloads and currently leads over 1,000 Cape and Vandenberg employees. His dedication and influence in our space program is exemplary.”

Click here to read more about our Debus Winner  

National Space Club Rising Star Awardee: Megan Jaunich

Megan Jaunich works as a System Safety Engineer supporting NASA/Kennedy Space Center on the Safety and Mission Assurance Support Services (SMASS) contract for Millennium Engineering and Integration Company. Megan is currently 26 years old.

Megan is a Graduate student in Systems Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology with a 4.0 GPA. She earned her BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology. She is part of the Florida Board of Professional Engineers as an Engineer in Training. She will sit for the Professional Engineering exam in April 2012. Click here to read more about this awardee.

Schilling commended for heroism, quick response

The National Space Club (NSC) presented an eagle statue to Scott Schilling, an Abacus Technology Corporation employee, for his heroism at the July 19, meeting. NSC Florida Committee Chairman Dr. Steve Feldman praised Schilling’s quick actions at the June 14, meeting when he responded by administering the Heimlich maneuver to a NSC member who was choking.

“Scott’s quick response in coming to the aid of our NSC member was admirable. It is only fitting that we recognize his actions that led to a very successful outcome,” said Dr. Feldman.

2010

NSCFL Receives an Honorary Plaque


This is the Space Club plaque installed on pylon 15 side 1 with the other contributors. This is the Apollo pylon where we place pylons of this nature.

National Space Club Donates $40,000 to Brevard Schools Foundation for Space Week

National Space Club Florida Committee has donated $40,000 to the Brevard Schools Foundation for Space Week, a program that over a two week period in December allows all 5,300 Brevard County sixth grade students and their science teachers to participate in a full day of organized and hands-on activities at Kennedy Space Center designed to inspire them about the Vision for Space Exploration. Their contribution is matched by a grant from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. Click here to view press release.

Congratulations to Harry Kolcum Memorial News & Communication Award Winners

Please join us in congratulating Tracy Yates (Communications and Public Relations Manager United Space Alliance) and John Glisch (Florida Today Editorial Page Editor) on winning 2010 Harry Kolcum Memorial News & Communication Award

Craig Technologies Wins NASA Work at Langley

Woman-Owned engineering and technical services firm ing and technical services firm ces firm ing and technical services firm Craig Technologies has earned work share at their fifth NASA project site- Langley Research Center (LaRC)- as part of the LaRC Information Technology Enhanced Services (LITES) contract award. 

As subcontractor to SGT, Inc. Craig Technologies will provide technical support for high-end systems used by Mission and Mission-support staff at LaRC, necessary for such operations as high performance computing, geometry modeling, grid generation, data visualization, image processing, computational analysis, and airspace and traffic operations simulation.

Currently performing under contract at NASA Headquarters, Kennedy Space Center, Johnson Space Center, and NASA Ames Research Center, Craig Technologies is pleased to contribute to Langley’s reputation for exceptional research of “solving the tough problems in air, space and earth science”.  According to NASA.gov, “researchers at Langley are focusing on some of the biggest technical challenges of our time: global climate change, access to space and revolutionizing airplanes and the air transportation system.”

“This is a big win for us,” commented CEO Carol Craig.  “It’s an honor to partner with Langley in supporting the innovative development our Nation’s future state depends on.”  Headquartered in Cape Canaveral, FL, Craig Technologies’ nationwide team of experts in the fields of engineering, instructional design, and analysis meet the diverse needs of clients such as the US Navy, US Air Force, US Central Command, and Department of Homeland Security.  

NASA Awards Rapid Response Space Works Contract

Serving as a contracting agent for the Department of Defense’s Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) Office, NASA has selected Millennium Engineering and Integration Co., of Arlington, Va., to receive a contract for Rapid Response Space Works (RRSW).

This is an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity, cost-plus fixed-fee single award contract that begins Wednesday. The contract consists of a five-year period of performance.

Under the terms of the contract, the company will provide support for the ORS Office within the Department of Defense. In partnership with the DOD, NASA will play a role in planning, acquisition and operations of ORS efforts.

Specifically, the company will design, develop, build, operate and sustain the RRSW to enable rapid access to space for DOD. The RRSW activities include mission coordination, design, development, procurement, assembly, integration, test, on-orbit support, launch support and ground system support.

NASA released a Request for Proposals to industry on Feb. 1, 2010, to solicit two individual requirements, including this RRSW contract and a Modular Space Vehicles (MSV) contract, which will be awarded at a later date. The RRSW and MSV contracts share a maximum value of $500 million.

The work will be performed at Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, N.M. The contract with Millennium Engineering and Integration Co. includes a subcontract with Raytheon Co., of Tucson, Ariz.For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit: http://www.nasa.gov

Roy Tharpe:  National Space Club Florida Committee Debus Award Winner

On behalf of our National Space Club Florida Committee Chairman, Mike Maier, please join us in congratulating our National Space Club Florida Committee's 2010 Dr. Kurt H. Debus Award recipient, Space Gateway Support's Roy Tharpe.

Please click here to read about Roy Tharpe.

Falcons & Dragons: A SpaceX Strategic Update

Click here to see a presentation about SpaceX and the future of Falcon and Dragon.

Space Spinoffs

Have you ever wondered how space exploration impacts your daily life? Click this link to see NASA's interactive 'Trace space back to you!'

2009

Space Week "Thank You" Letters

The National Space Club Florida Committee is posting the "Thank You" letters from Brevard County students who attended 2009 Brevard County Space Week. Please click here to learn about Space Week and read these letters.