TITAN
I ROCKET TO BE SAVED FOR EDUCATION
Titusville, FL – September 23, 2005 -
- - The Titan I Rocket located along US Highway
1 for 35 years in Titusville will be “Saved for Education.”
In February, Stage I of the rocket was relocated to
Maritime Millworks at Port Canaveral for paint and body work refurbishment.
After advanced assessment of the rocket by many aerospace restoration
experts, it was determined the skins of the rocket were too compromised
to continue with the project.
Angie Sharkey, Chair of the Save the Rocket Foundation
commented, “We are saddened the project will not be completed as
we originally envisioned. The Save the Rocket Foundation, along
with our supporters in the community, had hoped we would be able
to preserve the display of the Titan I in front of Titusville High
School. The condition of the rocket skins has always been the principle
concern for refurbishment; but it was unclear until the body work
was slated to begin as to the full extent of their condition.”
Fortunately, the Titan I Rocket will be “Saved for
Education.”
On Thursday, September 22nd, Titusville City Council
approved the transfer of the vehicle to SpaceTEC,
the National Science Foundation Center of Excellence for Aerospace
Technological Education led by Brevard Community College. The Center
is a resource for aerospace technical education and engages in the
development and delivery of curriculum for post-secondary associate
degrees, as well as initiating and managing the first-ever nationwide
certification program for aerospace technicians. It is based at
the Kennedy Space Center/Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
The Titan I will be used as a training tool for future
aerospace technicians.
Dr. Koller, executive director Brevard Community College
Aerospace Programs and SpaceTEC Principal Investigator, indicated,
"It would be hard for me to express to you how important this could
be to our program. We are very much in need of real training aids
for our program."
# # #
|