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Space Propulsion Group running new tests at Butte facility

Posted: Oct 24, 2012 8:31 PM by KXLF Media Center
Updated: Oct 24, 2012 8:55 PM

The Space Propulsion Group (SPG) that operates at the Butte Aero Tec Facility is running a new form of tests, according to Dave Micheletti, chairman of the Montana Aerospace Development Association.

SPG has partnered with a California based company called Scaled Composites, according to Micheletti. Scaled Composites is currently under contract with Virgin Galactic, a company owned by Richard Branson who plans to begin space tourism within the next two years. Scaled Composites has reached out to SPG to make that possible.

For the past three months SPG have been running material compatibility tests for the spaceship two propellant system, Micheletti said. They are trying to find out what materials they can use in the propellant system safely.

"We're very fortunate to have SPG as a partner and to have SPG performing all their testing here at the Butte Aero Tec Facility," Micheletti said. "Really it's exciting for us because it represents a new test program and a new customer for our facility."

Scaled Composites is reviewing the test results from the past three months. Soon SPG may run their tests on a larger scale.