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[[A small company devoted to low-cost space launch systems will take part in an upcoming mission to put an uncrewed lander on the moon. As Mike O’Sullivan reports, it’s one of many small companies hoping for a role in a future moon base. ]
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/Script Moon Launch Company
HEADLINE: Small Aerospace Company Joins Moon Mission
TEASER: Scorpius Space Launch Company manufactures lightweight fuel tank, helping put lander on moon in upcoming mission
PUBLISHED AT: 05/24/2023 at 8:30pm
BYLINE: Mike O’Sullivan
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Los Angeles
VIDEOGRAPHER: Roy Kim
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: MAS, Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, NASA
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:38
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TV/Radio PKG
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRODUCTION))
[[A small company devoted to low-cost space launch systems will take part in an upcoming mission to put an uncrewed lander on the moon. As Mike O’Sullivan reports, it’s one of many small companies hoping for a role in a future moon base. ]]
((NARRATOR))
Workers at Scorpius Space Launch Company make a carbon fiber panel for a fuel tank,
something like the tank that will take the Nova-C IM-1
((CREDIT: NASA/Goddard))
lander to the moon’s surface as early as June of this year.
The small Torrance, California-based company is keeping down costs for a scientific venture that will run experiments on the moon, providing a tough lightweight fuel tank that resists extremely low temperatures.
((FOR RADIO: Scorpius president and CEO Markus Rufer.))
((Markus Rufer, Scorpius Space Launch Company President))
“It uses liquid methane and liquid oxygen to create the propulsion as opposed to some of the very highly toxic liquids that we use traditionally.”
((CREDIT: NASA/Goddard))
((NARRATOR))
The Nova-C lander is designed by a Texas company called Intuitive Machines, and the data it collects will support the international Artemis program led by the U.S. space agency NASA,
((CREDIT: NASA/Harrison Schmidt))
… that will return humans to the moon as early as 2025, for the first time since 1972.
((CREDIT: NASA/Goddard/ASU))
Near the south pole of the moon, the lander will conduct experiments that will help future
((CREDIT: NASA))
human crews extract resources from the lunar soil, for example.
((end courtesy))
Engineers and technicians at Scorpius rely on ingenuity, not big research budgets.
((FOR RADIO: Chris Maruyama is manager of composite operations at Scorpius.))
((Chris Maruyama, Scorpius Composite Operations))
“Because we are small and nimble, we were able to produce the tank that they needed in the time frame and the cost required.”
((NARRATOR))
For small companies, such missions are a challenge.
[[FOR RADIO. Scorpius president Markus Rufer.]]
((Markus Rufer, Scorpius Space Launch Company President))
“Going through space, of course, is a very difficult endeavor and naturally kind of favors large organizations, companies that have the means to mitigate risk, have access to all the technology, all the labs, all the testing, so for a small team like us, that’s rather unusual.”
James Wertz is the president of Microcosm, Scorpius’ parent company.
He’s also an author and adjunct professor at University of Southern California. He tells students...
((James Wertz, Microcosm President))
“There’s a big universe out there, and there’s a chance to explore, and you are the very first people that are going to have a chance to explore it.”
((NARRATOR))
There will be excitement here when the mission gets off the ground and lands, says Rufer.
((Markus Rufer, Scorpius Space Launch Company President))
“We are very proud that we’ve made it to this point, and obviously we’re on pins and needles to see when this rocket takes off. There will be a lot of jumping up and down for sure.”
((CREDIT: NASA/Goddard))
((NARRATOR))
As humans enter a new era of exploration, and nations and private companies make plans to cooperate and compete in space. Mike O’Sullivan, VOA News, Los Angeles
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Los Angeles
Embargo DateMay 24, 2023 19:17 EDT
Byline
Mike O’Sullivan, VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
