The NASA Bermuda Tracking Station opened its facility on Cooper’s Island in the east end, with an official ribbon cutting ceremony on November 5th.
U.S. Consul General to Bermuda Constance Dierman welcomed Deputy Premier Walter Roban, former Premier Sir John Swan, Director of NASA’s International Space Station Sam Scimemi, Director of the Wallops Flight Facility Bill Wrobel, senior NASA officials, Bermuda Government ministers and officials, and distinguished guests to the special occasion.
The tracking station will assist NASA in monitoring current and future missions, including the use of launch vehicles, which are designed to deliver satellites and rockets into orbit and supplies to the International Space Station.
The delegation of senior NASA officials will engage with civic leaders during their visit to discuss how the tracking station will support the agency’s mission and vision.
Mr. Scimemi and Mr. Wrobel will also participate in a series of outreach events organized by the U.S. Consulate to provide resources and information about NASA’s contributions in exploration, science, technology and aeronautics to educators, students and non-governmental organizations.
Bermuda has been a long-time partner with NASA dating back to the Mercury Project and the Apollo lunar program in the1960s, when Bermuda hosted a radar tracking station that monitored the progress of spacecraft lifting off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in the same location as the new facility.
Consul General Dierman noted “Now, as then, Bermuda is helping make possible new advances in space flight and in advancing science, engineering, technology, and math education objectives. We are delighted they are here to recognize and further our important U.S. –Bermuda relationship.” Historically, Bermuda has formed an important part of NASA’s worldwide network of tracking and data stations.
