Rob Wilson / 1:32 pm March 28th, 2006

Andrews Space has announced two new contracts in the last couple of weeks. One is an award from DARPA to test components of their in flight propellant generation system, ACES. the other is to test thermal protection concepts for a ballute re-entry system, which they have been studying under an SBIR contract for NASA Dryden.

Andrews Awarded DARPA/AFRL Contract to Demonstrate In-Flight Propellant Generation For Advanced Space Transportation

SEATTLE, Wash., — March 27, 2006 — Andrews Space, Inc. (Andrews) was awarded additional Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) / Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) funding to demonstrate operational capabilities of its Alchemist™ Air Collection and Enrichment System (ACES). The Alchemist™ ACES is an in-flight propellant generation system that allows future launch vehicles to take of and land horizontally at conventional airports.

Col. Michael L. Wolfert (USAF, Retired), Andrews Space Director of Military and Homeland Security Programs, said, “The current partnership between DARPA/AFRL and Andrews is continuing to develop technologies, which will permit the Air Force to field future systems earlier to meet its space launch, satellite deployment and global strike missions. Development and demonstration of these technologies offers a new hybrid approach to rocket propulsion which can significantly reduce takeoff gross weight and offers interesting new capabilities for the nation’s national security and space exploration programs.”

Initial Alchemist™ ACES technology assessments were funded by NASA and verified overall feasibility. Last year, DARPA awarded Andrews a contract to conduct system testing. Under this initial contract, valued at $653,000, Andrews demonstrated basic system technologies. In addition, Andrews designed and built a rotating test apparatus to conduct advanced cryogenic testing.

Under the new contract, valued close to $350,000, Andrews will advance the state-of-the-art and demonstrate critical ACES components and operating parameters. This bridge funding permits early demonstration of the technologies required and reduces significantly program risk for the demonstration program.

Andrews Space, Inc. Wins Contract to Study Flexible Tranpiration Cooled TPS Concepts For Ballute Re-Entry Capabilities

SEATTLE, Wash., — March 16, 2006 — Andrews Space, Inc. (Andrews) announced today that it has been awarded a $69,480 Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase I contract from NASA Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC) to study Flexible Transpiration Cooled Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) for Inflatable Atmospheric Capture & Entry Systems. These concepts are directly applicable to Ballute technologies, which Andrews is in the process of developing.

A Ballute is a pressure-stabilized, inflatable membrane that provides a large, blunt, high-drag surface for aero-braking systems. Ballutes offer significant advantages over rigid shells for aerocapture and reentry of spacecraft by providing simplified packaging and lower total weight.

During the Phase I SBIR, Andrews will study and develop tests for a prototype TPS that is cooled through gas flow out of the inflatable membrane during reentry. The transpiration cooled membrane will allow Ballutes to utilize thinner material stacks and existing material technologies by lowering the effective heat flux to the fabric. Study data will be used to refine the Ballute design and develop a concept to enable larger operational systems.

The SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs provide an opportunity for small, high technology companies and research institutions to participate in Government sponsored research and development efforts in key technology areas.

About the Company

Andrews Space, Inc. was founded in 1999 to be a catalyst in the commercialization and development of space. The company is an affordable integrator of aerospace systems and developer of advanced space technologies. To learn more, please visit: www.andrews-space.com.