Centennial's United Launch Alliance taking off with smaller crew

United Launch Alliance, based in Centennial, is earning some nice ink today in relation to its Atlas V rocket, which is scheduled to boost the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) into space from a Florida launchpad at between 3:12 p.m. and 3:32 p.m...

By Michael Roberts

June 18, 2009

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United Launch Alliance, based in Centennial, is earning some nice ink today in relation to its Atlas V rocket, which is scheduled to boost the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) into space from a Florida launchpad at between 3:12 p.m. and 3:32 p.m. our time this afternoon. The mission is billed as the first step toward a return to the moon. But the excitement surrounding today's blastoff isn't accompanied by a boom at the Colorado company.

Budget cuts have taken a tremendous toll on all businesses affiliated with NASA, including ULA, which announced a series of 2009 layoffs last fall: 350 job cuts in February, with further trims possible (make that likely) by year's end. No doubt today's event will mark a welcome distraction from such problems. These days, space seems considerably less troubled than it is down here on Earth.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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