Official portrait of Expedition 45/46 long duration astronaut Scott Kelly in EMU.
Astronaut Scott Kelly sure has captivated the attention of SLO residents, even businesses too! Empirical Systems Aerospace (ESAero) and Next Intent have come aboard as sponsors of An Evening with Scott Kelly. Both Next Intent and ESAreo are aerospace strongholds as they work with and create necessary products for the aerospace industry- like the wheels of the Mars Rover!
Since 2003, Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. (ESAero), an aerospace engineering design and manufacturing company, has served the needs of the aerospace engineering industry through its work on military and commercial conceptual air vehicle designs, electric and hybrid propulsion system development, aircraft modifications, sub-scale technology demonstrators, rapid system prototyping, design for manufacturing, low-rate initial production, manufacturing, and niche engineering support. An “Advanced Design Group to Advanced Design Groups”, ESAero is the Prime Contractor and Integrator of the NASA X-57 “Maxwell” all-electric airplane. ESAero customers include multiple NASA Centers, AFRL, AMRDEC, Lockheed Martin, General Atomics, Electricore, and AeroVironment. With a 32,200 sq.ft. design & manufacturing facility located in San Luis Obispo, CA and an 8,000 sq.ft. integration and test location at the Oceano (CA) County Airport (L52), ESAero has expanded operations and takes full advantage of available airport space for system testing and product development. ESAero will continue to provide the aviation and aerospace industries with cutting-edge systems solutions and optimized manufacturing practices.
Next Intent is a key supplier to NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory. So, in a way, Scott Kelly and Next Intent have the same employer!
They have manufactured components for the 2003 Mars Exploration Rovers, 2011 Mars Curiosity Rover, and are currently working on components for the Mars 2020 mission. Next Intent was founded in 1996 by Rodney and Cayse Babcock. They employ 32 people (full-time). Rodney is a member of the Industrial Advisory Board for Cal Poly Engineering Dept. He has over 39 yrs of manufacturing experience. Next Intent is a key supplier to Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., ITT Aerospace Controls, Moog Space & Defense, SpaceX & Orbital ATK. Next Intent specializes in CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) and EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) of all type of metals (Titanium, Stainless Steel, Invar, Copper, Aluminum, Kovar). Next Intent is the sole source supplier for vibration isolation system hardware for Moog Space & Defense. This hardware resides on top of launch vehicle, and reduces the vibrations during launch to the payload (satellites, instruments, etc.).
SLO Classical Academy is very excited to have the support of ESAero and Next Intent. For tickets to the event, please visit pacslo.org. You won’t want to miss this glimpse into Captain Kelly’s experience in space!
About San Luis Obispo Classical Academy
San Luis Obispo Classical Academy is a 501(c)(3), providing classical education (with a twist) for grades Pre-K-12. SLOCA unites in-class instruction with home-study to create the first-of-its kind hybrid model, serving families on the Central Coast for 13 years.