Malmstrom Space Base, Says Burns

Sen. Conrad Burns said Thursday that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will definitely choose Malmstrom Air Force Base as the landing site for a spacecraft prototype.

NASA officials aren’t so sure.

The Montana Republican said he based his confidence on a comment made during a congressional briefing by a Lockheed Martin Co. official who said Malmstrom would be the long-term landing site.

Lockheed Martin is NASA’s partner in developing the X-33, a half-scale prototype of the potential space shuttle successor.

Jim Cast, a NASA spokesman, said such declarations may be premature. Among other things, the space agency must wait the outcome of an X-33 environmental impact statement due Oct. 15.

“Right now, it’s still an open book …,” Cast said.

Burns acknowledged the final decision has not been made but said he remains confident.

“NASA’s confidence in Montana is a solid first step in showing that we can handle vital high-tech situations and that Malmstrom is an integral part of our national defense system and space program,” he said. Moses Lake’s Grant County Airport is among possible landing sites for the X-33 tests.