Page 3 - Aerotech News and Review, October 2, 2020

NASA significantly benefits U.S., local economy

On Sept. 25, NASA released the re- include: veloped, in just 37 days, a ventilator
sults of its first ever agency-wide eco- • Every state in the country benefits specifically for coronavirus patients
nomic impact report. economically through NASA activities. and, after securing an emergency use
The report shows that, through all Forty-three states have an economic authorization from the Food and Drug
NASA activities, the agency generated impact of more than $10 million. Of Administration, made the design avail-
more than $64.3 billion in total eco- those 43 states, eight have an economic able to select manufacturers at no cost.
nomic output during fiscal year 2019, impact of $1 billion or more. • Scientific research and develop-
supported more than 312,000 jobs na- • The agency’s Moon to Mars initia- ment — which fuels advancements in
tionwide, and generated an estimated tive, which includes the Artemis pro- science and technology that can help
$7 billion in federal, state, and local gram, supports more than 69,000 jobs, improve daily life on Earth and for
taxes throughout the United States. $14 billion in economic output, and humanity — enjoys the largest single-
In California in 2019, 1,848 NASA $1.5 billion in tax revenue. The agen- sector impact, accounting for 16 per-
civil service employees living and cy’s Moon to Mars programs provided cent of the overall economic impact of
working in the state earned $308 mil- about 22 percent of NASA’s economic NASA’s Moon to Mars program.
lion in labor income. NASA contracts worth of economic output generated by taxpayer investment in America’s space impact. These figures are expected to
sourced in California in the same year NASA employees, an additional $21.9 program yields tremendous returns that double in 2021. The study was conducted by the Na-
totaled more than $5.2 billion. million worth of output is sustained strengthen our nation on several fronts • NASA has more than 700 active thalie P. Voorhees Center for Neighbor-
The total economic impact resulting throughout the state economy. — a stronger economy, advances in international agreements for various hood and Community Improvement at
from these activities is 69,725 jobs, “In this new era of human space- science and technology, and improve- scientific research and technology the University of Illinois at Chicago.
$6.3 billion in labor income, and $16.6 flight, NASA is contributing to econo- ments to humanity.” development activities in fiscal year UIC has worked with NASA’s Marshall
billion in economic output. These eco- mies locally and nationally, fueling The agency commissioned an eco- 2019. The International Space Station Space Flight Center on economic im-
nomic activities generate more than growth in industries that will define nomic impact study to better under- is a significant representative of inter- pact reports conducted for the center
$787.2 million in tax revenues for the the future, and supporting tens of stand how the U.S. economy benefited national partnerships — representing and the Voorhees Center is widely rec-
state and local governments in Cali- thousands of new jobs in America,” in fiscal year 2019 from America’s 15 nations and five space agencies and ognized as one of the foremost orga-
fornia. said NASA Administrator Jim Briden- lunar and Mars exploration efforts. has been operating for 20 years. nizations conducting economic impact
The employment multiplier is 41.5, stine. “With an investment of just The study found the agency’s Moon to • NASA spinoff technologies pro- studies for corporations, communities,
meaning that for every NASA job lo- one-half of 1 percent of the federal Mars exploration approach generated vide an impact on American lives and government agencies.
cated in California, an additional 40.5 budget, NASA generates significant more than $14 billion in total economic beyond dollars and jobs. The agency A summary of the study is available
jobs are supported in the state econo- total economic output annually. This output and supported more than 69,000 has recorded more than 2,000 spinoffs at https://go.nasa.gov/3cxsYlU
my. The output multiplier of 22.9 in- study confirms, and puts numbers, to jobs nationwide in fiscal year 2019. since 1976. For example, engineers at The full study available at https://
dicates that for every million dollars’ what we have long understood — that Additional key findings of the study NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory de- go.nasa.gov/3i2tycr
Gathering of Eagles goes virtual for 2020

The Gathering of Eagles is a yearly son, but this is your chance to hear stories via email,” said the foundation. “Then
celebration of the Flight Test Historical firsthand and even “mingle” before and on Oct. 17, find a comfy chair, grab a
Foundation to acknowledge significant after the event with old friends in small snack and you’re one click away from
achievements in the flight testing of aero- group chats,” said a foundation release. celebrating 20 years of the Battle of the
space vehicles. At press time, Fred Knox, Tom Mor- X-Planes.”
The 2020 theme was scheduled to be genfeld, Rick Rezabek, Paul Smith, Art The usual celebration honors both sig-
“Battle of the X-Planes.” Tomassetti and Justin Paines have said nificant events and individuals that have
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they will be there. made these events possible. The Gath-
the foundation is postponing the in-per- Following the formal discussion, par- ering of Eagles is meant to provide an
son event until 2021. ticipants are invited to socialize. avenue for camaraderie, education and as
However, the foundation will host a a way to memorialize some of the history
virtual event from 5-6:30 p.m., Oct. 17. Free registration online of these programs.
During this time, the foundation The event is free, but registration is re- The event is also a fundraiser, provid-
will host a live chat with a few of the quired. To register, visit https://www.af- ing resources to the Air Force Flight Test
key pilots and engineers from both ftcmuseum.org/gathering-of-eagles#dm. Museum at Edwards Air Force Base, Ca-
the X-32 and X-35 programs. “Simply register with your name and lif., university scholarships and a variety The in-person event is scheduled for For more information, contact the
“We will miss seeing everyone in per- email and you will receive all the info of STEM education programs. Oct. 23, 2021, in Lancaster, Calif. foundation at fthfgoe@gmail.com.
A brief history of complex systems

by Charles T. Vono Factory Floor.” It will also direct you to the Mount Vernon
special to Aerotech News video mentioned above, or “google it” directly.
From this point in 1790, a straight line can be drawn
In 1790, President George Washington signed the Unit- through any number of historical events demonstrating
ed States patent number 3 for Oliver Evans’ flour mill. that complex systems have become ever more ubiquitous
Washington was so impressed with Evans, that he ordered and ever more complex, and ever more long-lived as time
one for Mount Vernon. goes on. This article will pick combat aerospace events
The Evans Flour Mill is often cited as the first, best to demonstrate:
example of today’s modern factory. • The American Civil War
It was, in fact, a complex system that ran from a single • World War I with its killing machines
source of power, took in various grains, ran them through and defensive trenches
a series of machines, and produced high quality flour, corn • Spanish Civil War air bombardments
meal, or whatever the input and processes determined. • U.S. Army Air Forces doctrine of Strategic
See “The Young Mill-Wright and Miller’s Guide” by Bombardment
Oliver and Cadwallader Evans book, available at amazon. • World War II Allied Bomber Forces
com. • Cold War Strategic Air Command’s submarines,
The illustration is “Plate VIII” from the book and is bombers, and missiles.
used to describe his systemic process. I have used this
history and this book to create a presentation comparing The American Civil War is considered the first modern
“the first factory” to the new factory floor of commercial
space: “Oliver Evans’ Flour Mill and Tomorrow’s Orbital See SYSTEMS, Page 4
Courtesy graphic
Right: Oliver Evans details his systemic process in his book The Young Mill-Wright and Miller’s Guide.

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