Earlier today I visited Kegman Inc., a woman-owned,veteran-owned business in Melbourne, Florida, that is providing valuabledata to assist with Saturday’s expected launch of the Mars Science LaboratoryCuriosity.
Curiosity’s mission is to get Mars to give up itssecrets. But we can’t get to Mars without companies like Kegman who contributetechnology, innovation, component parts and know-how to the project.
Small businesses play a big part in the work NASA doesevery day, and are a big part of the American economy. For the Mars ScienceLaboratory mission, more than two dozen small companies supplied componentparts, engineering design and other technical assistance to the project. More than 5,000 people in 31 states worked on Curiosity. The world’s mostsophisticated interplanetary rover was created, designed, built and will beflown to the Red Planet in large part due to the work of American smallbusinesses.
Small businesses are a critical piece of the Americaneconomy, employing 1 in every 3 Americans. As we recognize Small BusinessSaturday this week, I’m proud that NASA is working with great small businesseslike Kegman, as well as supporting the small businesses that provide otherservices and benefits to the NASA family.
Above: NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden (right); Susan Glasgow, president and CEO of Kegman, Inc., and other members of the Kegman team.