NASA News  
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration

John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899
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KSC contact: Bruce Buckingham			For Release: 	April 11,
2000

 KSC Release No. 35 - 00

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER PREPARES FOR FREEZE

	The Cryogenics Testbed Facility, a new venture in technology
and research collaboration, will be unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony
on Friday, April 14 at 11:30 a.m. 

	James Fesmire of the Engineering Development Directorate at
NASA has envisioned this unique facility since 1994. Cryogenic and high
vacuum techniques and technology are being used more widely all around the
world. Kennedy Space Center, to better apply cryogenics to our lives in
the fields of medicine, biology, food, computers, industry, rocket
propulsion and the spaceports of the future, has created the Cryogenics
Testbed. 

	"The goal of the facility is to establish the Cryogenics Testbed
at Kennedy Space Center as a main resource for cryogenics and cryogenic
engineering," said Fesmire.  "It's often said that it's a long way
from the laboratory to the marketplace.  In a similar way, it's a big jump
from the laboratory to outer space.  That niche is the testbed.  We aim to
fill the gap by bringing together under one virtual roof the elements of
research, engineering, operations and industry."

	NASA, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and the University of
Florida partnered with Dynacs Engineering Co. to set in motion the
development of the Cryogenics Testbed. The State of Florida invested
$750,000 for facility design and construction. NASA contributed $1.56
million for test support equipment. Dynacs invested $20,000 for start-up
and marketing. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and the University of
Florida offered consulting support and analysis to Dynacs as they created
a business model for customers desiring such services. NASA and Dynacs
Engineering Co. will jointly manage the facility.

	KSC's Cryogenics Testbed facilities include the Cryogenics Test
Laboratory, Liquid Nitrogen Flow Test Area, Hazardous Test Area and the
Launch Equipment Test Facility. There are four technology focus areas, or
core lines of work, that are linked to key targets of the long-range
strategic initiatives of NASA. They include thermal insulation systems,
cryogenic components, propellant process systems, and low temperature
applications.

	"The Cryogenics Testbed Facility is another good example of
our progress as a Spaceport Technology Center," said KSC Director Roy
Bridges. "This facility will help us advance and commercialize technology
in the field of cryogenics."

	Speakers for the ceremony will include: KSC Director Roy D.
Bridges; Brian E. Chase, district director for U.S. Congressman Dave
Weldon; Susan Felming, Department of Community Affairs with the Florida
Energy Office; Frank Kinney, executive director of Technology Research
and Development Authority; Dr. Norman Fitz-Coy, professor of aerospace
engineering at the University of Florida; Thomas Portland, vice president
of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.; and Ramen P. Singh, president and CEO
of Dynacs, Inc. 

	The special facility was made possible under a jointly
funded agreement between Dynacs Engineering Co., Florida Department of
Community Affairs and the Technological Research and Development
Authority.

	Near term activities of the Testbed include outfitting of
the facility, conducting core research and developing key projects for
aerospace and industry interests. Potential aerospace areas include
exploration initiatives, future vehicles, Space Shuttle upgrades, energy
efficient storage, transfer, and use of cryogens and cryogenic propellants
on Earth and in space.


		-end-