BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) is a leader in the production of nuclear fuel for CANDU® reactors, providing high-quality and reliable fuel bundles since the 1950s. With manufacturing facilities located in Peterborough, Toronto, and Arnprior, Ontario, BWXT employs advanced automated technologies to ensure optimal product quality and traceability. The company has supplied over half a million fuel bundles, actively participating in the design and development of CANDU® fuel to meet the growing demand for electricity worldwide. BWXT's commitment to excellence is reflected in its continuous improvement initiatives, including Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing, which ensure that their products meet the stringent requirements of nuclear reactor operations while responding effectively to customer needs.
BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) is a leading provider of complex operations management for high-stakes nuclear and national security initiatives, serving the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). With a strong focus on safety and security, BWXT excels in managing high-hazard nuclear facilities, offering comprehensive services that include licensing, quality assurance, commissioning, and operational readiness. The company oversees multiple geographically dispersed sites and projects, ensuring effective operations interface as part of a cohesive execution strategy. BWXT's expertise extends to nuclear materials management, environmental safety and health management, program management, lean manufacturing, reactor operations and maintenance, and asset care, delivering enduring value and fostering customer confidence through disciplined operational excellence.
BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) is at the forefront of environmental management, partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy on critical projects aimed at cleaning up legacy materials from sites associated with high-consequence operations, particularly from the Cold War era. With over 30 years of experience in decontamination and decommissioning (D&D) services, BWXT utilizes advanced technologies and best practices to ensure safety, security, and cost efficiency in waste management processes. Their comprehensive services include waste characterization, retrieval, packaging, transportation, and disposal, as well as spent fuel storage, remediation, and regulatory compliance. BWXT is committed to fostering a strong nuclear safety culture while promoting environmental safety and health in all their operations.
The novel satellite deorbiting method developed by The Aerospace Corporation addresses the escalating crisis of space debris in low Earth orbit (LEO). As the number of satellites is projected to surge over the next decade, the risk of collisions between active and inactive satellites, as well as other debris, significantly increases. Current deorbiting practices primarily rely on atmospheric drag, which often leaves small satellites in orbit long after their operational life, contributing to the self-sustaining cycle of space junk. This innovative technology aims to enhance the safe disposal of satellites, thereby minimizing the potential for further debris generation and ensuring a sustainable environment for future space missions.
The University Partnership Program (UPP) at The Aerospace Corporation is designed to inspire and equip the next generation of aerospace innovators by fostering collaboration between top universities and industry experts. This initiative provides students with invaluable resources, mentorship, and hands-on experience in the rapidly evolving space sector. Through UPP, students engage in sponsored research and development projects, network with seasoned professionals, and gain practical insights via internships. The program not only enhances academic learning but also prepares students for exciting career opportunities in aerospace engineering and related fields, ensuring a pipeline of talent ready to tackle the challenges of the future.
The Aerospace Corporation has embraced the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic by innovating its small satellite operations, particularly through its AeroCube program. As traditional work environments shifted dramatically, the AeroCube team adapted by maintaining spacecraft commissioning processes with a reduced on-site workforce, demonstrating resilience and flexibility. This shift not only allowed for continued operations but also paved the way for enhanced remote collaboration and operational methods. The experience gained during this period is expected to influence future practices, potentially leading to more efficient and agile service delivery in the aerospace sector.
The Aerospace Corporation has recently launched its new xLab facility at the El Segundo campus, a state-of-the-art 12,000-square-foot space designed to enhance prototyping capabilities in the aerospace sector. This renovated facility features a Prototype Design Center, Electronics Testing Lab, Fabrication Lab, and Assembly and Integration Lab, along with collaborative open office spaces and huddle rooms to foster communication and creativity among technical experts. Principal Director Lynn Friesen expressed enthusiasm about the facility's potential to facilitate effective collaboration, anticipating significant advancements in space technology through the innovative prototypes and instruments developed within these labs. xLab is dedicated to rapidly architecting, developing, and transitioning prototypes that meet the evolving demands of the aerospace industry, delivering a range of products including hardware, software, and major testbeds for ground, airborne, and space flight systems.
The Aerospace Virtual Tours offer an immersive digital experience that allows users to explore the advanced laboratories of The Aerospace Corporation, showcasing the innovative research and development efforts that drive space capabilities forward. Visitors can navigate through the Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL), which leverage cutting-edge tools and expertise to deliver applied scientific research supporting the space enterprise. The tours also feature the newly renovated xLab, where technical experts design and prototype groundbreaking instruments essential for evolving space technology. Additionally, the iLab promotes a culture of innovation by funding transformative ideas and collaborating across various sectors within the space industry, making these virtual tours a gateway to understanding the future of aerospace advancements.
The Aerospace Corporation is pioneering advancements in on-orbit cyber defense for spacecraft, addressing the growing complexity of cyber threats in space systems. By integrating onboard machine learning and anomaly detection capabilities, this initiative allows for real-time identification and response to unusual command sequences, significantly reducing the time needed for threat mitigation. Traditionally, defensive operations depended on telemetry data sent back to ground control, which introduced delays in processing and response. By shifting these critical functions to the spacecraft itself, The Aerospace Corporation enhances resilience and operational efficiency, ensuring that space systems can effectively counteract potential cyber threats as they arise.
The AeroCube-10 is an innovative dual CubeSat mission launched from the Cygnus automated cargo spacecraft, featuring a groundbreaking set of atmospheric probes designed to gather in-situ measurements of the Earth's thermosphere. Developed by The Aerospace Corporation, this mission includes a unique dispenser that releases 28 lightweight probes, each weighing only 16 grams and unfolding into three orthogonal disks with a diameter of 98 mm. These probes are set to reenter the atmosphere within months, providing valuable data on density variations in the thermosphere, a region that has been largely unexplored. The concept originated from a collaborative discussion between Aerospace engineers Jerry Fuller and Andrew Abraham, highlighting the potential of CubeSats for real-time atmospheric research.
This paper, titled "Outpacing the Threat With an Agile Defense Space Enterprise," discusses the urgent need to transform the defense space enterprise in response to evolving threats in space. As adversaries increasingly recognize and seek to exploit U.S. dependence on high-value space assets, the need for an agile architecture becomes paramount. The Aerospace Corporation introduces Project Thor, which outlines four key actions aimed at enhancing resilience and adaptability within the space enterprise, aligning it with the new National Defense Strategy. By leveraging its technical expertise and innovative tools, Aerospace is committed to leading this transformation and ensuring the U.S. maintains its strategic advantage in an increasingly contested space environment.
The Strategic Foresight Team at The Aerospace Corporation's Center for Space Policy and Strategy (CSPS) focuses on fostering a futures mindset to enhance the space enterprise. By employing systematic approaches to envisioning possible futures, the team empowers decision-makers to create aspirational outcomes today. Their work emphasizes that foresight is not about predicting the future, but rather about rigorously challenging assumptions and preparing for diverse potential scenarios amidst uncertainty. A key resource, the Pathfinder’s Guide to the Space Enterprise, offers an engaging exploration of the evolving space ecosystem, highlighting potential challenges and opportunities through expert interviews and innovative insights, making it an essential tool for navigating the complexities of the future in space exploration.
The 2021 Value of Space Summit, organized by The Aerospace Corporation and the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space ISAC), addressed the increasing reliance on space-based systems in modern society. This two-day event, held on October 19 and 20, focused on the theme "Securing the Value of Space," building upon discussions from the inaugural summit in 2020. Key stakeholders from the space enterprise gathered to explore critical issues affecting space operations, emphasizing the significance of space infrastructure for current and future generations. Erin Miller, Executive Director of Space ISAC, highlighted the summit's mission to enhance understanding and collaboration within the space community to ensure the sustainability and security of space assets.
csps.aerospace.org /research-areas Research Areas | Aerospace Center for Space Policy and Strategy 3-4 minutes Page 1 National Security Space has become a contested domain and remains critical to ensuring US national security and security of our allies. CSPS research aims to evolve understanding of the threat, potential responses, and the agile strategies and defense partnerships needed to enable success. See All Space Traffic Operations & Debris The increase of orbital debris and spectrum competition are just a couple of the ways that space is growing more crowded. To address the growing risks to operating in space safely and to our ability to sustain current and future space activities, CSPS research raises awareness of these issues and explores solutions for safe and sustainable space operations. See All National Policies & International Relations U.S. national space policy must continue to benefit from our current international partnerships as well as leverage those of emerging space nations. CSPS looks at how space activities are addressed through governance and policy at national and international levels. See All The Business of Space From cislunar development to public-private-partnerships, building up the space enterprise to meet future demands will require flexible workforce and business models
The Small Satellite Cost Model (SSCM) is a sophisticated parametric cost estimation tool developed by The Aerospace Corporation, drawing on over 30 years of research. Designed specifically for modern small satellites weighing up to 1000 kilograms, SSCM addresses the limitations of traditional cost models that often overestimate expenses for these smaller systems. Particularly effective during the early conceptual phases of spacecraft development, SSCM allows for comprehensive cost and performance trade-offs through its collection of cost-estimating relationships. The latest iteration, SSCM19, released in December 2019, provides accurate estimates for various subsystems, including attitude determination and control, propulsion, power, telemetry, and thermal management, making it an invaluable resource for aerospace professionals engaged in small satellite projects.
