With Dynetics-PWR contract, outer space is still Huntsville's aim

While the space program may or may not be a topic in tonight's presidential debate, it is still a fixture in Huntsville.
In fact, just this week, one of the city's largest companies received a contract from NASA to continue its research into the next phase of the space program.
Dynetics received a contract Monday calling for the Huntsville-based company to improve an advanced booster for the Space Launch System.
The improvements are in affordability, reliability and performance.
And how will Dynetics do that? Well, by taking a step ... backward.
Actually, it's a step backward in history to move forward.
According to a press release, Dynetics will use "modern manufacturing techniques to produce and test several primary components of the F-1 rocket engine ..."
So, how is that a step backward? 
The F-1 engine was originally developed for the Apollo program, which took Americans to the moon. The engine was produced by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne.
Dynetics and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne teamed up to compete for this contract and have agreed to team to bid on other contracts relating to the advanced booster program.

“Dynetics and PWR have put together a team for the advanced booster risk reduction effort that can balance affordability, innovation and experience throughout the life cycle of the project," said Kim Doering, Dynetics program manager. "We are confident we can help NASA achieve its goals.”

The F-1 was the most powerful U.S. liquid rocket engine flown and was selected because of its performance and, in this day and age of tight budgets, affordability.  

Because the high-cost non-recurring engineering work associated with engine development took place during the Apollo-Saturn Program and significant risks were eliminated, the Dynetics team is able to focus on affordability rather than technical risks, Doering said.

"We are confident our team will produce an affordable and effective engineering demonstration and risk-reduction effort for NASA," said David King, Dynetics executive vice president. "With proven leadership, relevant experience, and innovative and affordable systems in place, we are prepared to take on the challenge and appreciate NASA’s confidence in our ability to do so."