Project could bring a couple of thousand jobs to Michoud
WASHINGTON -- NASA has chosen the Michoud Assembly Facility in eastern New Orleans to construct components of its new heavy-lift rocket for the next phase of American space exploration, Sen. David Vitter, R-La., said Thursday.
Michoud Assembly Facility in eastern New Orleans has been selected by NASA to build components of the new heavy-lift rocket.A NASA spokesman said no announcement had been made, but Vitter's office said he had been told by an official in a position to know that Michoud will be involved in manufacturing several of the rocket components, including manufacturing the core stage and upper stage, the instrument ring and integrating engines with core and upper stages.
Sen. Mary Landrieu's office also received confirmation of the selection of Michoud, which from 1973 until the end of the space shuttle program this year had, at its peak, thousands of people working on the orbiter's massive external tank.
Stephen Doering, NASA's director at Michoud, said earlier this month that a likely role in constructing the new rocket could once again mean on the order of a couple of thousand jobs at Michoud.
"NASA's selection of Michoud is big, big news for southeast Louisiana," Vitter said. "Michoud is the only NASA facility that is currently ready to do the large manufacturing that will be required for the heavy-lift rocket. I've been working for years with the Louisiana delegation to ensure Michoud remains well positioned for this kind of work, and with local companies in the high-tech Stennis-Michoud corridor to ensure the area remains a vital part of the space program."
The rocket is intended to enable NASA to meet President Barack Obama's challenge to send astronauts into deep space -- to an asteroid by 2025 and on to Mars by the mid-2030s.
"President Obama challenged us to be bold and dream big, and that's exactly what we are doing at NASA," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, a former astronaut, said when the agency revealed the design for its next-generation, heavy-lift rocket earlier this month. "This launch system will create good-paying American jobs, ensure continued U.S. leadership in space, and inspire millions around the world."
Mayor Mitch Landrieu said the choice of Michoud "is a big economic development win for New Orleans. Michoud is a world-class facility with a world-class workforce. We've already seen major jobs announcements there with wind turbine manufacturing at Blade Dynamics. I want to thank President Obama and NASA. This federal investment is going to create jobs for our community. And we are now positioned to be a major part of the next chapter of America's space exploration story."
Money for the rocket program is contained in House and Senate Commerce, Justice, Science appropriations bills, but still await congressional action.
Vitter and Sen. Landrieu both pledged to make sure Congress acts favorably.
"I look forward to making sure NASA has the funds to get this project off the ground. New Orleans east is, and remains, a critical part of NASA's future space endeavors," Sen. Landrieu said. "Michoud's long-standing contribution as a key NASA manufacturing hub to U.S. spaceflight will continue long into the future "
Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, said he would be meeting with NASA's associate administrator for space operations in two weeks, and "I look forward to a more detailed discussion of this plan. ... and I will continue pressing to ensure that Michoud and Louisiana remain integral parts of America's space program for years to come."
"The space program is vital to the security and technological advancement of our nation, and provides essential jobs across the country, particularly in Louisiana," Scalise said.
Jonathan Tilove can be reached at jtilove@timespicayune.com or 202.450.1404.