Former F-22A Raptor test pilot Lt. Col. James Dutton has entered the ranks of space pilots, graduating from NASA’s astronaut training course last month. During his two years with the 411th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards AFB, Calif., Dutton racked up more than 350 flight hours in the Raptor—which should prove a benefit in his new line of work. “I think that experience is going to be invaluable in terms of developing a new vehicle, understanding what a moderate cockpit is capable of and adapting that to a space mission,” Dutton said. Dutton’s first assignment with NASA is working on the development of the crew exploration vehicle cockpit, the vehicle that is slated to replace the space shuttle fleet.
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
