CANOGA PARK : 3 Astronauts Thank Workers at Rocketdyne

The “Star Trek” theme blared from loudspeakers as Frank Edwards stepped up to the podium Tuesday.

“Gimme an S!” shouted Edwards, Rocketdyne director of space shuttle manufacturing. “Gimme a P-A-C-E! What does it spell? What do we want? What do we need?”

“Space!” the crowd of more than 1,000 aerospace workers screamed back, in a greeting to three visiting astronauts that they had helped send into orbit.

The three--crew members of September’s Discovery space shuttle mission--came to Rockwell International’s Rocketdyne Division in Canoga Park, where shuttle engines are manufactured, to say thanks for the ride.

“What a ride, what a view, what a team,” said Mission Specialist Dan Bursch.

The astronauts’ visit was a welcome treat for employees of the company, which came under scrutiny this year because of launch delays blamed on engine problems. Inspections were ordered at the Canoga Park facility.

“I know there’s been a lot of scrutiny here,” said Shuttle Commander Frank Culbertson. “I’m here to testify that you know what you’re doing because you took us into space and it was a heck of a ride.”

Culbertson said he wanted to lend his support to the people who make space exploration possible.

“The space program is made up of people,” he said. “It’s not the hardware, it’s the people who make the hardware.”

Those words meant a lot to Denise Cunningham, who with husband Greg works on turbo pumps for the 7,000-pound engines, three of which propel each shuttle.

“I think it’s great that they come out and tell us about the mission,” said Cunningham, who said she feels a thrill during launches. “It’s a part of you that’s going up there.”

Rocketdyne has contracted with NASA since 1972 and its engines have been sending shuttles into space since the first launch in 1981, said Bob Paster, division president.

“The astronauts are the ultimate customer,” he said after the rally.

The astronauts visited two Canoga Park facilities where engine components are made and where engines are assembled. Later, they met employees and their families at the company’s recreation center.

“The reason we’re able to continue working for the future is we have the best space program in the entire world,” Mission Specialist Carl Walz told the crowds. “Every one of you is just as big a part of that as I am.”