Legislature(2021 - 2022)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/17/2021 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation(s): Aerospace Day at the Alaska State Capitol | |
| Flying to the Future - Building the Foundation for an Unmanned Aircraft Industry in Alaska | |
| Aerospace Research and Operations at the Geophysical Institute | |
| Alaska Aerospace Corporation Presentation | |
| Aerospace States Association | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
March 17, 2021
1:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Mia Costello, Chair
Senator Roger Holland, Vice Chair
Senator Joshua Revak
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
Senator Gary Stevens
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present.
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION(S): AEROSPACE DAY AT THE ALASKA STATE CAPITOL
FLYING TO THE FUTURE - BUILDING THE FOUNDATION FOR AN UNMANNED
AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY IN ALASKA
- HEARD
AEROSPACE RESEARCH AND OPERATIONS AT THE GEOPHYSICAL INSTITUTE
- HEARD
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE AEROSPACE DAY
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR KEVIN MEYER
State of Alaska
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced Alaska Aerospace Day at the
Alaska State Capitol.
KATHY CAHILL, PhD, Director
Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration
University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Delivered a presentation on Building the
Foundation for an Unmanned Aircraft Industry in Alaska
ROBERT MCCOY, PhD, Director
Geophysical Institute
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Delivered a presentation about Aerospace
Research and Operations at the UAF Geophysical Institute.
MARK LESTER, President and CEO
Alaska Aerospace Corporation
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Delivered a presentation on the work Alaska
Aerospace Corporation has done to advance the aerospace industry
in Alaska.
ROSS GARELICK BELL, Executive Director
Aerospace States Association
Washington, DC
POSITION STATEMENT: Delivered a presentation on the Aerospace
States Association.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:30:49 PM
CHAIR MIA COSTELLO called the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Gray-Jackson, Revak, Holland, and Chair
Costello. Senator Stevens arrived during the introduction.
^PRESENTATION(S): Aerospace Day at the Alaska State Capitol
PRESENTATION(S): Aerospace Day at the Alaska State Capitol
1:31:35 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO stated that the business before the committee is
to hear presentations in celebration of Alaska Aerospace Day at
the Alaska State Capitol. She welcomed Lieutenant Governor Meyer
to provide the introductions.
1:32:32 PM
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR KEVIN MEYER, State of Alaska, Juneau,
Alaska, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to talk about
the aerospace activities in the state and their importance in
diversifying the overall economy of the state.
He advised that aerospace includes rocket launches, drones,
satellites, and both military and general aviation. It is an
emerging industry with great growth potential. He posited that
after the presentation the committee would agree that the state
should do what it can to support and help this industry grow.
Doing so will help the economy and create jobs.
1:33:47 PM
At ease
1:34:25 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO reconvened the meeting and invited Lieutenant
Governor Meyer to continue the introduction.
1:34:39 PM
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MEYER advised that the committee will first
hear from Dr. Kathy Cahill from the University of Alaska,
Fairbanks (UAF) who will talk about the emerging market for and
use of drones statewide and across the world. The next speaker
will be Dr. Robert McCoy from the Geophysical Institute at UAF
who will talk about rocket launches, the Poker Flat Research
Range outside of Fairbanks, and the long-term contract with
NASA. The third speaker will be Mark Lester with the Alaska
Aerospace Corporation who will talk about rocket launches,
satellites, and tourism activities at the Kodiak launch site.
The final speaker will be Ross Garelick Bell from the Aerospace
States Association who will talk about aerospace states and the
new Alaska Chapter. He noted that Senator Stevens from Kodiak
and Representative Hopkins from Fairbanks were joining him as
co-chairs of the Alaska Chapter.
CHAIR COSTELLO welcomed Dr. Cahill.
^Flying to the Future - Building the Foundation for an Unmanned
Aircraft Industry in Alaska
Flying to the Future - Building the Foundation for an Unmanned
Aircraft Industry in Alaska
1:37:26 PM
KATHY CAHILL, PhD; Director, Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft
Systems Integration, University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF),
Fairbanks, Alaska, thanked the committee for the invitation to
talk about unmanned aircraft opportunities in Alaska. She said
UAF is trying to build the foundation for this industry because
it is an opportunity to lead the world.
DR. CAHILL displayed a graphic of the parts of an unmanned
aircraft system (UAS) that includes the aircraft, the payload,
the crew, system integration and engineering, command & control,
and data link. The next slide depicts the wide variety of
unmanned aircraft, most of which the university either owns or
has done aerospace for. They helped do aerospace in Hawaii for
the 255-foot wingspan Hawk 30 high-altitude-drone. The Griffon
SeaHunter on the bottom right of the slide has a 16-foot
wingspan, weighs 300 pounds, and has about 12.5 hours endurance.
It is used to demonstrate uses to the FAA.
1:40:12 PM
DR. CAHILL displayed the list of potential UAS missions.
- Cargo delivery to remote communities for medical
supplies and emergency response
- Infrastructure surveillance for the Trans-Alaska
Pipeline
- Oil spill response including in-situ remediation.
For example, unmanned aircraft released a clumping
agent on oil spilled in a test basin and an aircraft
with a torch lighted the oil.
- Mammal surveys, fish surveys, and fisheries
compliance with unmanned aircraft.
- Wildfire response
- Search and Rescue
1:41:20 PM
DR. CAHILL turned to slide 5 and pointed out that unmanned
aircraft can perform many aviation missions safely when manned
aircraft cannot fly under visual flight rules, and they are more
cost effective. She said another opportunity is for Alaskan kids
to receive their education at the University of Alaska and work
in the state in this high-tech field. UA is using and testing
the technologies to conduct these operations and is working with
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop appropriate
rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to prevent a
manned/unmanned aircraft incident.
She explained that the Alaska Center for UAS Integration
(ACUASI) is the University of Alaska's UAS Center of Excellence.
The return on investment in 2021 is estimated to be about 14:1.
It is an opportunity to get outside funding into the state. The
challenge is to have the personnel and capability to do the
work. Because of the prohibition against competing with
commercial industry, the university is laying the foundation and
is transitioning the work to industry users in Alaska. She
listed the missions:
- Working with the FAA on the safe integration of the
UAS into the National Airspace System,
- Supporting Alaskan UAS users and industry, and
- Conducting scientific research.
1:44:20 PM
DR. CAHILL displayed a Venn diagram to illustrate that ACUASI is
the only organization in the country that is one of the seven
FAA UAS Test Sites, one of the 15 core schools in the FAA Center
of Excellence, and one of the eight FAA Beyond sites. The FAA
recognizes ACUASI's expertise, she said.
She explained that the Beyond program started to accelerate the
commercial use of unmanned aircraft in the national air space.
The pilot was successful and the FAA asked US to continue this
work for four more years to develop the technologies and
policies and procedures for safe implementation. She pointed to
the list of partners in the Beyond program listed on slide 8,
many of which are Alaska based or have said they intend to move
to Alaska to continue the work.
DR. CAHILL described the Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities (ADOTPF) as a key partner. DOTPF:
- works with the FAA to enhance UAS access to Alaskan airspace
- operates airports across the state, facilitating UAS
integration at airports and providing ingress and egress from
coastal launch sites to permanent areas in the Arctic.
- operates UAS for a wide variety of infrastructure monitoring
use cases
1:48:11 PM
DR. CAHILL reviewed the FAA Center of Excellence for UAS
Research (ASSURE) that is centered on safety.
• Involved in multiple projects focused on:
- Ensuring safety of cargo operations
- Minimizing risks from operations at airports
- Safely flying Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) of
the Pilot in Command
She said the last safety point is key for Alaska. Flying beyond
the visual line of sight of the pilot in command is essential
for many missions in Alaska but almost impossible under current
FAA rules and regulations.
DR. CAHILL discussed ACUASI's work to advance unmanned aircraft
operations with Transport Canada and the Canadian equivalent of
the FAA. They have flown over 20,000 nautical miles of BVLOS
flights in the last four years. The most important program has
been to advance the health of the 400 North Atlantic Right
Whales that congregate in the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Artificial
intelligence is used onboard the aircraft to locate the whales
in real time to avoid contact with ships transiting the area.
She explained that ACUASI and its partners are testing onboard
and ground-based detect and avoid (DAA) systems that identify
aircraft near the UAS and either alert the UAS plot to avoid or
autonomously move to avoid the aircraft. She said this is
essential for opening the state for business.
DR. CAHILL displayed the image of the first FAA certificate of
waiver that authorized "Small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS)
operations beyond the visual line of sight of the remote pilot
in command (PIC) and Visual Observer (VO), in lieu of visual
line of sight (VLOS)". This waiver was under the small, unmanned
aircraft rule (Part 107). In addition to the 20,000 nautical
miles of BVLOS flights in Canada, ACUASI has flown 3.9 nautical
miles of BVLOS flights in the US under this rule. She described
it as an essential step forward. She displayed the picture of
the numerous people that it took to conduct the US flight,
including seven people from the FAA. She highlighted that many
of the FAA personnel were from headquarters, which shows the
value of unmanned aircraft to the FAA and aviation industry.
1:52:30 PM
DR. CAHILL said the next step includes a single flight of the
entire Trans Alaska Pipeline. The aircraft technology is
available but the ground-based detect and avoid system and rules
and regulations are lacking. The FAA currently has authorized a
20-mile test area over the pipeline. Multiple companies are
interested in coming to Alaska to participate in this testing,
which helps local companies see the technologies other companies
are developing.
She said this is all moving towards the goal of actual cargo
deliveries to remote communities via UAS, potentially reducing
costs. Cargo carrying BVLOS for hire can only be done under a
Part 135 certificate, so the university is working with local
air carriers in Fairbanks to get them certified.
DR. CAHILL said UAF is also looking at medical supply
deliveries. They will be doing test flights in the next few
months between Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and the Tanana Valley
Clinic. This is a pilot for longer distance flights and they are
working with a major pharmaceutical company to advance the
technology.
DR. CAHILL reviewed ACUASI's future.
ACUASI will continue to lead the way to the way to the
safe integration of UAS into the Alaskan airspace
• ACUASI will be fling large UAS from Alaskan airports
to demonstrate UAS capabilities and test Alaskan
business cases
• ACUASI and its partners will be developing the
technology and processes for monitoring oil and gas
infrastructure
• ACUASI will be transferring commercial operations it
pioneered to Alaskan companies
1:55:55 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked her for the presentation.
SENATOR STEVENS described the opportunities as tremendously
exciting and specifically mentioned flights to spot herring and
deliveries to remote areas.
DR CAHILL replied Alaska is the perfect place to change aviation
for the better by keeping the best of the traditional industry
and providing additional options.
SENATOR STEVENS asked her to expand on how the detect and avoid
system works.
DR. CAHILL replied ACUASI is testing systems that are radar
based, optical that use a camera for spotting, and acoustic that
listen to signatures of other aircraft. The purpose is to spot
the aircraft, determine its direction, and have the system
perform an autonomous avoid in order to prevent situations of
near miss or actual collision. The FAA is very interested in
this technology and the ongoing tests at the Poker Flat Research
Range.
She said Alaska is looking for onboard the aircraft solutions
because it does not have the infrastructure to do an entire
ground-based system that the state of North Dakota is doing.
Onboard solutions assure that if ground communications do not
work, the aircraft will still avoid a collision.
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked her for the presentation.
^Aerospace Research and Operations at the Geophysical Institute
Aerospace Research and Operations at the Geophysical Institute
1:59:11 PM
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MEYER introduced Dr. Robert McCoy, the
Director of the Geophysical Institute at the University of
Alaska Fairbanks.
1:59:30 PM
ROBERT MCCOY, PhD; Director, Geophysical Institute, University
of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska started the presentation
with a graphic of a rocket and satellite dishes in front of the
building that houses the UAF Geophysical Institute (the
Institute). He described Fairbanks as a very good location to
download satellite data and launch rockets into the aurora. The
Institute has nine satellite dishes; seven are used in work with
the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) or the
Department of Defense and two are used in work with the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). He said he is
pointing this out to define aerospace a little broader than just
the research at Poker Flat because a lot of the work is
operational.
2:00:34 PM
DR. MCCOY turned to the map of Alaska on the next slide that
depicted the aerospace facilities across the state, including
Alaska Aerospace Corporation. He explained that from Poker Flat
they launch suborbital to the Brooks Range and out into the
Arctic Ocean. He said the Institute also controls the High-
frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) located in
Gakona and collaborates with the Alaska Aerospace Corporation.
They are also working on an unmanned aircraft station at Oliktok
Point.
He said the next slide was part of a talk he and Mark Lester
from the Alaska Aerospace Corporation gave about how Alaska is
an aerospace state that perhaps can be the low-cost gateway to
space with Poker Flat Research Station and the Pacific Spaceport
Complex Alaska (PSCA) on Kodiak Island. He said they both are
working on ways to keep costs down and promote work and research
in Alaska. He pointed to the slide on the right and highlighted
their ability to launch five rockets within a matter of seconds
to do science or for operational activities. He described
launches from Poker Flat and noted that the Alaska Aerospace
Corporation can launch both suborbital and into orbit from
Kodiak.
DR. MCCOY displayed snapshots of the Poker Flat Research Range.
He said the Institute has been launching rockets for about 50
years, mostly into the aurora. He pointed to one of the five
rocket launch rails and the building on a railroad track that
houses the launch rail. He also mentioned that the range has
radars and a LIDAR facility. He highlighted that this is the
largest land-based rocket range in the world and the only one
owned by a university.
He stated that launching rockets with a scientific payload
provides quite an economic boost for Fairbanks because 20 to 30
people arrive for 2 to 3 weeks for each rocket launch. He
explained that the payload is built up over several weeks, put
on the rail encapsulated in Styrofoam, and elevated. Heat is
pumped in and the rocket can be held in that state for weeks. He
compared this to the DoD launches at the White Sands Missile
Range in New Mexico that can only hold for 45 minutes. He
highlighted that the payload from Poker Flat launches can be
recovered by helicopter and launched again. He predicted the
launch of 14 sounding rockets in the next couple of years from
Poker Flat. It has the capability of launching higher than White
Sands and still recover the payload. He noted that NASA
scientists are interested in studying the sun. From Poker Flat
they can launch volleys of rockets up to 1,000 kilometers and
get more hang time than at White Sands.
2:04:37 PM
DR. MCCOY displayed slides 6 and 7 and explained that the Army
and the Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) developed a hybrid-rocket-
round that has a range of more than 70 kilometers. Because the
YPG range is limited, he said the Institute is in discussion
with the Army to experiment at the Poker Flat Research Range.
He related that this is the 75th year that the Geophysical
Institute has studied the ionosphere and the aurora. He
mentioned the instrumentation throughout Alaska and the work
with the Missile Defense Agency to provide information for long-
range discrimination radar (LRDR) at Clear Air Force Station.
DR. MCCOY displayed the next slide and reported that Alaska is a
good place to downlink data from polar orbiting satellites. To
map the earth, satellites orbit the poles 14 times and 11 of
those go over Fairbanks. He pointed to a picture of the 11-meter
satellite dishes on campus and noted that the one on the roof of
the Institute is the highest point in Fairbanks. He explained
that the Institute downloads most of NASA's synthetic aperture
radar (SAR) data, day or night and through clouds. He noted that
the colorful image on the right is the SAR image of Cook Inlet.
He also mentioned work regarding domain awareness.
2:07:58 PM
DR. MCCOY turned to the image of the High frequency Active
Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility in Gakona. DoD built
the facility, Senator Ted Stevens started the program and the
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Navy, and
the Air Force finished it for $290 million. The facility is one
of three in the world. It is powered with five 3,600 HP diesel
engines (shown on the next slide) and can transmit 3.7
megawatts. Currently, the Air Force, the Navy, the Department of
Energy, and several universities come to HAARP to do experiments
in the ionosphere that can't be done anywhere else. He cited
creating an artificial aurora as an example.
He said the next slide illustrates the possibility of over the
horizon radar using HAARP as a transmitter and a receiver at
Delta Junction. This can be used to look for aircraft, cruise
missiles, hypersonic vehicles, or to measure sea ice. He noted
the capability to look in both directions. He also mentioned an
experimenter at the Naval Research Lab who is working with the
Institute and the Alaska Aerospace Corporation to put a receiver
in Kodiak to transmit south. He believes it is possible to see
Hawaii in over the horizon radar mode.
DR. MCCOY displayed the last slide and advised that Mark Lester
would talk about a hypersonic vehicle test range along the
Aleutians. He said hypersonic vehicles leave a plasma scar and
he believes these signals can be received using HAARP as a radio
transmitter. He concluded that Alaska is an aerospace state that
already has a breadth of activity.
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked him for the amazing presentation.
SENATOR STEVENS asked what he projects for the future of over
the horizon radar.
DR. MCCOY said he believes it could be used soon but he would
defer to Mark Lester for a more detailed answer.
^Alaska Aerospace Corporation Presentation
Alaska Aerospace Corporation Presentation
2:13:00 PM
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MEYER introduced Mark Lester, President and
CEO of the Alaska Aerospace Corporation and part of the
leadership team for the Alaska Chapter of the Aerospace States
Association.
2:13:24 PM
MARK LESTER, President and CEO, Alaska Aerospace Corporation,
Anchorage, Alaska, reported that the corporation is celebrating
its 30th anniversary as a public corporation of the state. They
have primarily focused on the spaceport in Kodiak but have a
strong collaboration with the university. Formerly known as the
Kodiak Launch Complex, the Pacific Spaceport Complex - Alaska
(PSCA) was one of the first locations to have a commercial
spaceport. They have defined what it means to deliver spaceport
capability to commercial and government customers. He said he
would give a virtual tour of the site and welcomes legislators
to visit and see a launch.
He said the corporation has focused on running as a business and
he is proud to report that since 2015 they have not received any
sustainment funding from either the state or federal government.
One mechanism to deliver the economic value envisioned by Ted
Stevens was to create the wholly owned subsidiary, Aurora Launch
Services. It provides flexibility to increase staff when needed
for missions and launches and then pulling back to a core group
between missions.
2:16:00 PM
MR. LESTER pointed to the large green launch area and said PSCA
has more flexibility than anywhere else to do suborbital and
orbital launches to do tests like missile defense intercept or
to launch into Polar orbit where the satellite goes over the
North or South Pole. He described the Kodiak location as a great
natural resource; it is a safe place to launch, has a low
population, and has strong logistics capabilities with a deep
water ice-free port, an airport that is co-located with the
Coast Guard station, and fiberoptic capabilities so some
customers can get the data they need while working away from
Alaska. He noted that extending the fiberoptic to Unalaska will
provide more flexibility to support launches in the Aleutian
Test Range and provide communities with fiberoptic broadband
connectivity. He reported about $120 million in capital
investment to support both DoD and commercial launches. He
posited that aerospace could leverage the moto, "From the Last
Frontier, to the Final Frontier."
2:17:59 PM
MR. LESTER said the next slide provides a virtual tour of the
Pacific Spaceport Complex - Alaska (PSCA). It is one of just
four stations to launch into orbit and it has launch and mission
control centers, instrumentation to track rockets and shut them
down within the safety corridors, payload processing, rocket
storage, and a number of launch pads. He directed attention to
the six launch pads at PSCA. Launch Pad 1 (LP-1) is the
traditional tower that can handle larger solid-fueled rockets
and LP-2 next to it is a flat-pad for smaller vehicles. He said
the area 3 pads are for both military and commercial launches
and the new commercial space company Astra consistently uses LP-
3B. He noted that he had a 90-second video that he would show at
the end of the presentation that has highlights of Astra getting
its vehicle into space in December 2020.
MR. LESTER directed attention to the launch graphic on slide 6
and the chart on the right that lists the year, month, and
sponsor of every launch from ASCA for the last 23 years. He said
the world is now turning to Kodiak and Alaska to understand how
to launch in other locations. He reviewed the list of sponsors
and noted that last year DARPA highlighted Kodiak as the only
place in the US that could support responsive and agile space to
meet DoD needs.
2:20:31 PM
MR. LESTER said the graphic on slide 7 depicts Astra's light-
lift launch vehicle. It is about 40 feet tall and fits into a
traditional tractor-trailer for shipping. It launches CubeSats
that are the size of a toaster or toaster oven and can be up to
the size of a small refrigerator. Several hundred pounds can be
launched and it can carry up to 1,000 gallons of kerosene and
liquid oxygen. From Kodiak there is responsive access to
replenish high-inclination/polar constellations, the ability to
launch low-cost R&D satellites, and the ability to test new
rocket systems.
He turned to slide 8 that lists the commercial customers, in
addition to Astra, that are using the Pacific Spaceport Complex
- Alaska. He noted that two of the companies are foreign. These
are Taiwan Innovative Space and the India-based company AgniKul
Cosmos. He said they are working with the Department of State to
get permission for these foreign companies to launch from the
US. He said it is exciting that they see Alaska as a leader in
space launch and space activities. He said Phoenix Launch
Systems is interested in launching from Kodiak in the future and
AAC is also in negotiations with other companies. He highlighted
the economic boost in the next step, which is building rockets
in Alaska.
2:23:57 PM
MR. LESTER said the next slide features space tourism. PSCA has
signed with Space Perspective to launch a capsule that holds up
to eight people to the edge of space. From about 100,000 feet
these people will get an astronaut's view of the world before
the capsule floats back down for pick-up in either the Bering
Sea or the Gulf of Alaska, depending on the direction of the
wind. He said this is another example of how the Kodiak
Spaceport is looking at being a multiuser facility. The system
is being tested in Florida and is expected in Alaska in the next
few years.
He said the next slide highlights the activities the Alaska
Aerospace Corporation (AAC) is being asked to do in other states
and overseas. He explained that Rocket Lab is a US company that
has a launch site in New Zealand. Between May 2017 and December
2019, AAC deployed their antennas for range safety and telemetry
system (RSTS) to New Zealand and supported the first 10 launches
of the Electron Rocket, some of which were DoD and NASA
missions. Rocket Lab got its rocket certified for autonomous
flight termination during those missions. Since then, AAC has
received requests to support other missions and has signed an
agreement with Spaceport in Camden, Georgia.
2:26:39 PM
MR. LESTER described the economic impact that Alaska Aerospace
Corporation and the Spaceport have had on the Alaskan economy.
He pointed out that AAC's activities are 100 percent funded by
contracts. Since the first launch in 1998, they have brought in
more than $200 million in launch revenue. COVID-19 has caused
revenue to drop about 45 percent, but they continue to work with
federal and commercial customers on new opportunities. He
reported that the Spaceport launches have generated about $80
million for Kodiak. He predicted that this would grow as
commercial companies increase launches. More people will be
hired to work not just for the Spaceport but also at the
Spaceport, he said. AAC spends about $16 million annually in the
state on goods, services, and labor. He said he is also proud to
report AAC's support of Alaska's 'New Space' entrepreneurs. He
cited The Launch Company that is Anchorage-based as an example.
He turned to the slide Building an Alaskan Space Workforce. He
reported that 95 percent of the AAC workforce supporting
commercial launch is from Alaska, 75 percent of which is in
Kodiak. He highlighted that both the Spaceport manager and
deputy managers were born and raised on Kodiak Island. He
identified several other employees from Kodiak and emphasized
the STEM [science, technology, engineering and math] jobs that
are being created in Alaska. He noted that they received the
Denali Peak Performance Exceptional Team Award.
2:30:11 PM
MR. LESTER described AAC's partnerships and collaboration.
- Collaboration with Dr. McCoy and UA on the Rapid &
Agile Space Launch (RASL) Innovation Center on how to
support deployed spaceports and how to bring in
digital capabilities. Plans include an innovation lab
at Kodiak, interactive STEM learning for K through
graduate level entrepreneurs.
- Strengthening collaboration with DMVA and the Alaska
National Guard on military launches and security
support. Exploring additional collaboration on DoD
test flights.
- Working with Dr. McCoy and UA to get a commercial
spaceport license for Poker Flat Research Range.
- Working with UA to establish a professional
certificate in spaceport operations and management.
This is both teaching Alaskans about running a
spaceport and exporting this knowledge.
MR. LESTER explained that AAC works to integrate space launch
into the way of life at Kodiak. They pre-coordinate with the
community before launches to promote transparency and ensure
safety. They have been working with the Civil Air Patrol and
received an invitation to join the Kodiak Economic Development
Corporation. Astra's launch.
He pointed to the image of the spaceport on the last slide and
invited the committee to watch the 90-second video of an Astra
launch.
2:34:38 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO asked what advice he has for young Alaskans who
want to pursue aerospace as a career.
MR. LESTER replied science, technology, and math are important
but it's not necessary to be an engineer. Having an interest in
the field and being willing to do the hard work is just as
important for the diverse group of non-engineering staff that
work in the field.
SENATOR STEVENS commented on the 30-year aerospace history in
Kodiak and noted that Senator Ted Stevens was responsible for
the $120 million to build the rocket launch and the state funded
a substantial amount every year. The rocket launch is now self-
sufficient and annual state funding is no longer necessary.
SENATOR HOLLAND commented on his visit to the Spaceport about
five years ago and interest in space tourism and advancing the
aerospace industry.
^Aerospace States Association
Aerospace States Association
2:38:34 PM
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MEYER introduced Ross Garelick Bell,
Executive Director of the Aerospace States Association.
2:40:04 PM
ROSS GARELICK BELL, Executive Director Aerospace States
Association, Washington, DC, explained that ASA is a non-
partisan 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization of state
governments. Their funding comes from state governments and
their focus is on aerospace policy. The organization's main
objective is to facilitate the discussion on how to improve the
aerospace community and to advocate these interests to Congress
and the executive branch. He highlighted the role state
governments' play to support federal programs. "The way that ASA
views it is each state is a star on the flag and the only way
that flag is put on the side of an F35 jet is if all 50 states
are building it." He said ASA promotes economic development and
support of the aerospace industry, R&D funding, workforce
training, STEM education in every state, and competition in the
global marketplace.
2:44:41 PM
MR. BELL discussed the following points on ASA policy
development:
- ASA brings together aviation and aerospace interests
across each state to educate state legislators on
issues specific to their state.
- As leaders in state governments, ASA members affect
policy at both the state and federal level by
informing their congressional delegations on aerospace
priorities.
He highlighted that ASA has been targeted to participate in
hypersonics for rapid global transportation with spaceports as
the new gate entry point. He noted that there would be new
associated policies.
2:47:12 PM
MR. BELL explained that each ASA member state has chapters to
coordinate the state to work on programs for the betterment of
the entire state. He noted ASA's role in educating legislators
on the needs and opportunities of the aviation and aerospace
community of their state through aerospace days at the state
capitol. Activities have included a rocket in front of the
Arizona capitol building, drones that flew over capitol domes to
do imaging, and discussions with experts like these today.
He advised that ASA plans to hold its annual meeting in Denver
if the state is open and hopes to piggyback with the Space
Symposium. It will be more low-key than usual because of COVID-
19, but the event in Alaska in 2022 is expected to be a return
to normal. He noted that the last big event was the 2019
celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo mission in
Huntsville Alabama that featured Dr. Buzz Aldrin as the keynote
speaker. He said the hope is to bring that type of effort to
Alaska in 2022 and he looks forward to working with members of
the Alaska chapter.
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked Mr. Bell and asked Lieutenant Governor
Meyer for closing comments.
2:48:55 PM
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MEYER thanked the chair and committee for
hosting the first Aerospace Day at the Alaska Capitol and the
presenters for taking the time to prepare and deliver their
presentations. He related his excitement about the future of
aerospace and aviation in Alaska.
2:52:07 PM
CHAIR COSTELLO thanked Lieutenant Governor Meyer and the
presenters and related her interest in engaging young people in
careers where they can stay in Alaska as contributing citizens.
She said she is proud to have a high school in her district that
has a rigorous engineering program that offers students the
opportunity to graduate with the honor of having earned an
Engineering Cord.
2:53:56 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Costello adjourned the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting at 2:53 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Presentation 1 - Dr Cahill UAF 3.17.21.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2021 1:30:00 PM |
Alaska Aerospace Day |
| Aerospace Presentation 2 - Dr McCoy UAF 3.17.21.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2021 1:30:00 PM |
Alaska Aerospace Day |
| Aerospace Presentation 3 - Mark Lester AK Aerospace Corp 3.17.21.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2021 1:30:00 PM |
ALASKA AEROSPACE DAY |
| Aerospace Presentation 4 - Garelick Bell Aerospace States 3.17.21.pdf |
SL&C 3/17/2021 1:30:00 PM |
ALASKA AEROSPACE DAY |