VEGAS INC Magazine - Latest Las Vegas business news, features and commentaries about gaming, tourism, real estate and more
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/105502
In business technology las vegas company secures $18 million space contract By Eli Segall staff writer A North Las Vegas aerospace firm has received an $18 million contract from NASA to test space-habitat technology. NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver announced that Bigelow Aerospace will provide a Bigelow Expandable Activity Module, or BEAM, to the International Space Station. The BEAM is an inflatable room that can be compressed into a 7-foot tube. If it proves durable, it could help lead to space stations on the moon and missions to Mars. The 10-foot-diameter, blimp-like module is expected to arrive at the orbiting laboratory in 2015 for a two-year test period. If the test is successful, Bigelow plans to begin selling inflatable space stations in 2016 to countries looking to increase their presence in the heavens. NASA engineer Glen Miller said the new technology provides three times as much room as existing options and is far cheaper. When the test period ends, the module will be jettisoned from the station, burning up on re-entry, NASA said. The space station, about the size of a football field, weighs almost 862,000 pounds. The Associated Press contributed to this story. state of the city NLV mayor has optimistic vision for the future of the city | 28 JANUARY 2013 20130128_VI07_F.indd 7 | Providing online access, presenting innovative ways of doing things, coming in to train our staff – all these are part of City National's service commitment. Teir solutions improve our school's operations and allow us to focus on being educators. City National is Te way up® for our school. Henry Chanin Head of Te Meadows School Hear the complete story about Te Meadows School at cnb.com/thewayup. Experience the City National Difference. SM Call (702) 425-6559 or visit cnb.com to find a business banker near you. ©2013 City National Bank By Brian Nordli staff writer North Las Vegas Mayor Shari Buck's State of the City address focused on rebuilding. Speaking at the Texas Station convention center under a backdrop of construction tools, Buck began by addressing the difficulties of 2012. "To be honest, you all know this has been a time of challenge, a time of change," Buck said. "But we are confident we can begin to rebuild our city." The city faced 2012 with a budget gap exceeding $30 million. After stalled negotiations with its police, firefighter and teamster unions, the city council voted unanimously to declare a state of fiscal emergency. The unprecedented decision allowed City Manager Tim Hacker to force concessions on the unions to close the gap. They shut down the North Las Vegas Detention Center, laid off 108 city employees, limited overtime hours for firefighters and shortened days that libraries and recreation centers would be open. Buck assured residents the move paved the way for a more stable future. At the start of 2013, the city's property tax revenue is declining for the fourth straight year, and it will need to ask its unions to once again forgo pay raises. But Buck reassured residents that a return to prosperity was on its way. "We're stable right now," she said. "We expect next year we will still see the economic downturn with a little light at the end of the tunnel as the economy is coming back." She cited companies such as DaVita, Flexible Foam, Chelyon House and ViaWest moving into the city creating more than 175 jobs. She also said other large employers have purchased land space, but could not yet announce them. "City National – financial technology and great service. " City National Business Banking Member FDIC 7 1/24/13 2:35:44 PM