KTUU News:
For more than a year, the Alaska Aerospace Corporation (AAC) has known state funding for the Pacific Spaceport Complex on Kodiak Island would be ending. As Alaska’s governor announced a 37 percent reduction to the Department of Veteran and Military Affairs, AAC learned it was awarded a sole source contract from the Missile Defense Agency totaling up to $80.4 million.
“So the good news is at the same time coincidentally the Missile Defense Agency was making their announcement they’re going to be using the Pacific Space Complex Alaska for a multi-year contract for a number activities out there,” said AAC President and CEO Craig Campbell.
The contract will support tests for MDA’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System, or THAAD. Campbell says two launches are planned for 2017 that will require a new gravel road, a couple gravel pads and the construction of a Life Support Area.
“We’re going to build and provide a small area for solider to come and live like soldiers, not living in a hotel but live as in field conditions,” said Campbell. He says the contract could lead to additional work in the future.
