Tracy Young
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
tracy.g.young@nasa.gov



RELEASE 17-13

NASA Signs Agreement with BRS Aerospace for Use of Unique Facility

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. � NASA�s Kennedy Space Center in Florida has signed a new partnership agreement with Ballistic Recovery Systems Inc., or BRS Aerospace, of Miami, Fla., for use of the Parachute Refurbishment Facility, or PRF.

The PRF previously was used during NASA�s Space Shuttle Program to manufacture and refurbish the solid rocket booster parachutes. Because of NASA�s transition from the shuttle to future commercial and government mission activities, this agreement allows NASA to preserve the unique facility capabilities for future spaceflight projects.

�Kennedy continues working with the commercial community to bring new partnerships to the center, and this latest agreement is a great example of pairing a NASA facility having a previously specialized focus with a U.S. company that has a similar engineering and manufacturing focus,� said Kennedy Director Bob Cabana. �This partnership would not have been possible without the support of the Economic Development Commission of Florida�s Space Coast. We welcome BRS Aerospace to Kennedy Space Center and look forward to a long-standing partnership.�

BRS Aerospace is engaged in the business of developing and commercializing parachutes, including whole-airframe emergency recovery parachute systems, personnel parachute systems, low-cost aerial delivery systems, and precision guided aerial delivery systems. The company will utilize the facility to establish a technical research and development center for advanced parachute systems and for manufacturing prototype systems.

Under a 10-year lease agreement, BRS Aerospace will operate and maintain the facility at its own expense. The company will access the facility to begin work on Sept. 3 and will hire approximately 34 full-time employees by the end of the year.

Kennedy�s center planning and development team and the Economic Development Commission of Florida�s Space Coast worked with the company to establish the agreement.

For more information about BRS Aerospace visit:

http://www.brsparachutes.com

For more information about NASA�s Kennedy Space Center, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy