The Sunnyvale Sun

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$8 billion NASA contract could be economic boon for city

City officials, Lockheed say the project will mean jobs, subcontracts

By JASON GOLDMAN-HALL

Sunnyvale has always prided itself on such globally known residents as Lockheed-Martin Space Systems and Moffett Field's NASA-Ames. Now, those two entities will work together, here in Sunnyvale and around the United States, to launch a new century of space exploration.

NASA announced last month that Sunnyvale's Lockheed Martin facility will be the prime contractor in the space agency's $8 billion Orion project. The project was a hot topic at the Space 2006 conference held in San Jose last week, where Sunnyvale's Mayor Ron Swegles got a tour of the conference and the project.

NASA Ames Research Center director S. Pete Worden said the Orion project would replace the current space shuttle system and provide transportation that in theory could bring people back to the moon, to Mars for the first time, and even to nearby asteroids.

"We're going to indirectly get a number of benefits from the project," Swegles said. "It's always a plus when you have an internationally recognized entity like NASA or Lockheed here."

He also said he hopes some of the open office space in the Moffett Park area will be filled, either by expanding Lockheed programs or by partner companies working on Orion.

Worden and Lockheed Martin executive vice-president Joanne Maguire said there will be substantial opportunities for local companies to be involved in the Orion project.

Although the majority of the Orion work will be done in Gulf Coast states, Worden said the demand on both Lockheed and NASA's facility at Moffett Field to develop new heat-shielding systems will bring continued work and new job opportunities to the South Bay.

"We're pleased to see our partner right next door have a part in the Orion program," Worden said.

Swegles said the recognition that comes from having two large agencies in the area will bring more companies and skilled employees to Sunnyvale. Worden agreed, saying, "Silicon Valley is not only welcome in NASA, but we're counting on that to bring in a number of new ideas and people."