Unmanned Aerial & Space Systems & Launch Industry Feasibility Study
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Unmanned Aerial & Space Systems & Launch Industry Feasibility Study July 2013 For the Tri County Council Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development Prepared by: LJT & Associates 9881 Broken Land Parkway, Suite 400 Columbia, Maryland 21046 Exceeding Expectations through Innovation and Quality Tri County Council Feasibility Study LJT & Associates, Inc. 1 Executive Summary ................................................................................. 5 2 Background ............................................................................................. 9 3 Commercial Space Launch .................................................................... 11 3.1 Provide Critical Context........................................................................... 11 3.2 Identify Competing Commercial Spaceflight Activity Locations .................. 18 3.3 Identify Wallops’ Competitive Advantages ................................................ 25 3.4 Identify Planned Launches ....................................................................... 33 3.5 Specific ELV-Related Growth Opportunities ............................................. 34 4 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Industry ............................................ 54 4.1 Provide Critical Context........................................................................... 54 4.2 Identify Other UAV/UAS Competing Locations ......................................... 59 4.3 Prospective Test and Evaluation Clients and Opportunities .......................... 65 4.4 Specific UAS Growth Opportunities ......................................................... 66 4.5 Educational and Workforce Considerations ................................................ 67 5 Other Potential Activity not related to Launch or UAS. .......................... 69 5.1 Sounding Rocket Activity ........................................................................ 69 5.2 Navy Activity ......................................................................................... 70 5.3 MDA Test Launch Activity ...................................................................... 71 5.4 Commercial Aircraft Testing .................................................................... 71 6 Appendix A: Select UAS Company Profiles ............................................ 73 7 Appendix B: Select ELV Industry Company Profiles ............................. 75 8 Appendix C: References ........................................................................ 79 9 Appendix D: Acronyms and Abbreviations ........................................... 81 3 | P a g e Tri County Council Feasibility Study LJT & Associates, Inc. 4 | P a g e Tri County Council Feasibility Study LJT & Associates, Inc. 1 Executive Summary National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) is a unique aerospace installation that has significantly impacted the local Eastern Shore economy since its inception in the 1940’s. In recent years the underutilization of range resources coupled with strategic business development at Wallops has enabled growth of NASA and commercial utilization of the facility. Two business areas that have been the center of this growth are Expendable Launch Vehicle (ELV) launches and Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) test and development. Historically, launches from Wallops were in support of Science research utilizing the Sounding Rocket Program. In partnership with Mid Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), Wallops has established the launch capabilities to support Minotaur and Antares ELVs in support of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the commercial launch industry. The UAS industry continues to grow through new and innovative applications for both military and commercial industry. WFF is an ideal location for the test and development of new systems and their applications through their controlled airspace and underutilized airport facilities. ELV and UAS business at Wallops is forecasted to continue to grow under Wallops’ current leadership and their strategic plan. This feasibility study identifies strategic areas of potential investment that could help enhance the growth of ELV and UAS business at Wallops, enable sustainment of this business, and significantly impact the economy of the Lower Eastern Shore. Launch Range Services/Research Range: To sustain continued growth, investment in infrastructure is needed to accommodate processing of multiple payloads. This could involve NASA construction funding, commercial investments, or a combination of both. Lower Shore Tourism: ELV launches will bring increased interest from the highly populated cities in the Northeast. Instead of traveling to Florida, interested viewers will be capable of day trips and overnight trips to the area to view the launch. Wallops as well as the local tourism industry will need to establish marketing plans to capture this increasing interest and potential tourism revenue. Workforce: The workforce required to support these missions are in high demand in an area where the local universities and community colleges do not have programs to supply the required skills. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Facilities: To attract new UAS business, additional infrastructure investment is required. The current UAS runaway is restricted due to the new MARS Launch complex. The north end runway has been planned but not yet funded. 5 | P a g e Tri County Council Feasibility Study LJT & Associates, Inc. This study also recognizes and discusses the several challenges facing a significant expansion of commercial launch/UAV at Wallops, such as: UAV Policies: Current federal and state policies being established are restrictive in nature for the development, testing and operation of UAS and could significantly impact growth of the UAS industry at Wallops (and elsewhere). Federal Discretionary Funding/NASA Budget Shortfalls: The federal government and NASA are living under the first of what could be many years of “sequester” budget cuts, mandated by the Budget Control Act of 2011. Unless this and other issues are resolved, overall NASA funding could be constrained in coming year, limiting funds needed for expanded launch and other facilities at Wallops. Launch Vehicle and UAV Company Locations: Few are currently near Wallops, and given the remoteness of the WFF, it will be difficult to attract already established industry players that have operational manufacturing facilities elsewhere. Table 1 Compliance Matrix and Table of Key Recommendations # Category Recommendation Page Workforce Education in the fields of Radar, Telemetry, High Pressure Systems Operations, Safety, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering are areas to consider investing in and enhancing local educational 3 Education programs. These jobs are paying between $50k to $100k per year. Many of these 34 positions have been filled with candidates from outside of the Eastern Shore. Local universities and colleges are not producing viable candidates so in the future we will continue to look beyond the Eastern Shore. A growth opportunity exists to grow future Wallops-related aerospace industry by improving local student interest and awareness of NASA, Wallops, and the aerospace field by incorporating field trips and activities into the curriculum of 1st 14 Education through 12th graders. Teacher In-Service Days could be used to take large groups of 51 Tri-County teachers (STEM and non-STEM subjects) to Wallops to tour the facility, make contacts, and have a better understanding of space launch that could be worked into their curriculums. A growth opportunity exists to reintroduce an aerospace training program similar to the UAS Maintenance Program that was developed to retrain dislocated workers, 15 Education which was sponsored by the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance. As long as the 51 training program works closely with Wallops and related industry, the right number of staff could be trained and placed locally to meet growing demands. Team with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University to bring an appropriate level of 16 Education 52 aerospace training and education to the Eastern Shore to lure aerospace industry A stronger relationship can still be forged between Salisbury University and Wallops 17 Education 52 with regard to science and engineer programs as well as management programs. 6 | P a g e Tri County Council Feasibility Study LJT & Associates, Inc. # Category Recommendation Page A strong growth potential exists by partnering local schools of higher education, particularly UMES or SU, with the University of North Dakota or Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). Both of these schools are recognized leaders in aviation, aerospace, and UAS fields, offering associates through doctorate degrees 23 Education 67 in the subjects. They are ideal to partner with since they have a very strong distance learning program, ERAU having remote campuses all over the world. Joint programs would bring the research and development to the region, as well as educating the local workforce. Wallops Island is running out of room… there is no more room for launch pads, runways, instrumentation, processing facilities… the range can sustain an increased 1 Infrastructure 31 ops tempo, there is just no room to do it. Growth potential for Wallops area is to establish off-site private processing facilities and launch complexes Under the law, the FAA can provide matching funds for specific projects being carried out by public entities involved in commercial