Contract: HII, $302.6M

Huntington Ingalls Inc., Ingalls Shipbuilding Division, Pascagoula, Miss., is awarded a $302,642,828 hybrid cost-plus-award-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee with a special performance incentive, and cost-only-type contract for planning yard support for LPD 17 amphibious transport dock ships, LHD 1/LHA 6 amphibious assault ships, LSD 41/49 dock landing ships and LCC 19 amphibious command ship. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $724,273,053. Work will be performed in Pascagoula with as needed on-site technical support for Chief of Naval Operations availabilities at Mayport, Fla.; Norfolk, Va.; San Diego, Calif.; and Sasebo, Japan. Work is expected to be completed by May 2028. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $4,156,961 (85%); and fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $733,581 (15%) will be obligated at time of award, of which funds in the amount of $4,156,961 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with two offers received via the Federal Business Opportunities website. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-21-C-4205). (Source: DoD, 05/28/21)

Contract: Multiple, $74.5M

Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, Va. (N00189-18-D-Z042); CACI, Inc. – Federal, Chantilly, Va. (N00189-18-D-Z043); Deloitte & Touche LLP, Arlington, Va. (N00189-18-D-Z044); Systems Planning and Analysis Inc., Alexandria, Va. (N00189-18-D-Z045); and Whitney, Bradley & Brown Inc., Reston, Va. (N00189-18-D-Z046), are awarded an estimated $74,464,554 for modification P00004 under previously awarded multiple award cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts with fixed-price provisions to exercise the first 36-month option period to provide contractor support of strategic assessment and planning; manpower assessment; planning and programming analysis support; financial program management; manpower, personnel, training and education program and policy assessment and management; and quantitative analysis, forecasting, performance assessment, and research, development, test and evaluation program management support in support of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (DCNO) Manpower, Personnel, Training & Education domain comprised of the DCNO, the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Navy Personnel Command, the Navy Manpower Analysis Center, Commander Naval Education and Training, and Commander Navy Recruiting Command. The contracts run concurrently and if all options are exercised, the total value of this contract is estimated to be $249,987,356. The exercise of this option is expected to begin August 2021 and be completed by August 2024; if all options are exercised, the ordering period will be completed by August 2027. Work will be performed in Millington, Tenn. (50%); Arlington, Va. (30%); Pensacola, Fla. (10%); various locations throughout the continental U.S. (8%); and various contractor facilities (2%). Appropriate annual fiscal operation and maintenance (Navy) funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued, and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured for the award of multiple contracts pursuant to the authority set forth in Federal Acquisition Regulation 16.504. The requirement was solicited through the Federal Business Opportunities website, with eleven offers received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, Contracting Department, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/28/21)

Contract: Leidos, $38M

Leidos Inc., Reston, Va., is awarded a $38,047,689 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract action for engineering support services for planning, design, specification, development, fabrication, installation, integration and support of the British Undersea Test and Evaluation Center High Gain Measurement System. This contract includes purchases to the government of the United Kingdom under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in Long Beach, Miss. (53%); Poulsbo, Wash. (43%); Lynnwood, Wash. (1%); Bayview, Idaho (1%); Vandalia, Ohio (1%); and Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland, United Kingdom (1%), and is expected to be completed in May 2026. FMS United Kingdom funding in the amount of $3,159,887 will be obligated at time of award and not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(4) — written directions of a foreign government reimbursing the agency for the cost of the procurement of the property or services for such government, have the effect of requiring the use of procedures other than competitive procedures. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division, West Bethesda, Md., is the contracting activity (N0016721D0006). (Source: DoD, 05/28/21)
 

Contract: Lockheed, $24.3M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $24,295,051 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. This contract provides non-recurring engineering and logistics and sustainment program support for F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft in support of the government of Poland. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (72%); Orlando, Fla. (19%); El Segundo, Calif. (5%); Samlesbury, United Kingdom (2%); Baltimore, Md. (1%); and Redondo, Calif. (1%), and is expected to be completed in April 2024. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $24,295,051 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(4). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N0001921C0024). (Source: DoD, 05/28/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Stephenson Stellar, $22.7M

Stephenson Stellar Corp., Baton Rouge, La., has been awarded a $22,738,300 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for a Stellar Space Cyber Range Software/Hardware prototype. This contract provides the Air Force with tools and techniques to facilitate defensive cyber operations for space through the research and development of a land and space-based cyber experimentation platform entitled the “Stellar Space Cyber Range.” Work will be performed in Baton Rouge and Ann Arbor, Mich., and is expected to be completed May 28, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, N.Y., is the contracting activity (FA8750-21-C-1503). (Source: DoD, 05/27/21)

Contract: Vectrus Systems, $16.4M

Vectrus Systems Corp., Colorado Springs, Colo., has been awarded a $16,376,364 firm-fixed-price modification (A00095) to contract FA3002-17-C-0001 for base operations support services. Work will be performed at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., and is expected to be completed May 31, 2022. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $16,358,575 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $102,722,760. The 81st Contracting Squadron, Keesler AFB, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/27/21)

Contract: Whiting-Turner, $20.3M

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., Greenbelt, Md., is awarded a $20,236,813 firm-fixed-price contract for design-bid-build of a vertical lift fan test facility located at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. Work will be performed in Cherry Point, N.C., and is expected to be completed by January 2023. The work includes the construction of a vertical lift fan test facility, which is integral in operation of the F-35B aircraft. The project also requires fire protection, plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, lighting, site improvements, and supporting utilities. Fiscal 2018 military construction contract funds in the amount of $20,236,813 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the beta.sam.gov website with four proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-21-C-0035). (Source: DoD, 05/27/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: Mountain Horse, $7.9M

Mountain Horse LLC, doing business as Mountain Horse Solutions, Union City, Tenn., is awarded a $7,911,552 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modification to previously awarded contract N61331-20-D-0014 for maritime buoyant plates, to support the antiterrorism afloat equipage program. This modification will increase the contract value up to a maximum of $20,599,334. Work will be performed in Union City and is expected to be completed by June 2022. No funding will be obligated at time of award. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, Panama City, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/27/21) 

Contract: Atlantic Diving, $8.8M

Atlantic Diving Supply Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., is awarded an $8,836,885 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modification to previously awarded contract N61331-20-D-0015 for maritime buoyant plates to support the antiterrorism afloat equipage program. This modification will increase the contract value up to a maximum of $22,824,762. Work will be performed in Virginia Beach and is expected to be completed by June 2022. No funding will be obligated at time of award. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, Panama City, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/27/21)

Santa Rosa eyes aviation program

Growth of the aviation sector is prompting Santa Rosa County School Disrict and Locklin Technial College to look at ways to expand, including creating an aviation maintenance program. Locklin, which has 19 career training programs, has run out of space at its facility on Berryhill Road, and local advocates and a group of stakeholders are working to find a solution that would allow the school and its programs to grow. The aviation maintenance program would accommodate growth in the field, particularly with Leonardo Helicopters bringing a new support facility to the Whiting Aviation Park in Milton. That facility promises to bring up to 50 jobs to the community with more growth expected. Typically, Locklin can hold about 24 students in its day programs at a time, but Charlin Knight, the workforce education director, said the school is looking into offering an evening aviation maintenance program as well. Local advocates with the Stewart Street Project, a grassroots group in Milton, first proposed moving Locklin to a 62,000-square-foot vacant facility on that street. The possible move is still in the exploratory phase. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 05/27/21)

No rent for Leonardo temp hangar

MILTON, Fla. - Santa Rosa County Commissioners on Tuesday agreed to allow Leonardo Helicopters to move into the $2 million Helo-Hangar - just built at the Peter Prince Airport and was funded with the economic development franchise fee. The 24-month lease at the hangar will help Leonardo establish its official presence in Santa Rosa County while it begins construction on its 100,000-square-foot support center at Whiting Aviation Park. The county is not charging Leonardo rent at the hangar, contingent upon the company's $25 million capital investment at the industrial park. When Leonardo moves to the new facility, the county will market the facility at Peter Prince to other aviation companies. The county broke ground at Whiting Aviation Park in August 2020, and recently finished a $9.8 million infrastructure project that laid the groundwork for Leonardo and other future buildings to be constructed at the park. Leonardo, awarded a $176 million contract to supply new training helicopters for the Navy, said it hopes to open at the park in the first quarter of 2023. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 05/26/21) Previous

Airport swap moves forward

MOBILE, Ala. - Mobile’s move to swap commercial flights from Mobile Regional Airport to the downtown airport at the Mobile Aeroplex is on track to be completed by 2024 with the building of a new terminal and parking garage. The Mobile Airport Authority (MAA) on Monday took a step toward assigning the project’s lead to Birmingham-based Hoar Program Management (HPM). The firm scored the highest among competitors for the project management job for the design and construction of a proposed $160 million terminal complex southeast of downtown Mobile. The final selection of a project manager comes less than two months after the Federal Aviation Administration approved the MAA’s 20-year master plan for swapping commercial aviation operations from west Mobile to downtown. The airport has a three-year goal to open the new terminal, an eight-gate building that will be around 130,000 square feet. The new terminal will be close to six times larger than the existing two-gate, 22,800-square-foot Downtown Mobile Airport terminal. That terminal was retrofitted in a warehouse as part of an $8 million project completed in May 2019 to accommodate low-cost carriers. (Source: aldotcom, 05/24/21) Previous

Contract: Multiple, $9.8M

Accurate Machine & Tool Corp., Madison, Ala. (FA2487-21-D0008); Greene Machine & Manufacturing Inc., Macon, Ga. (FA2487-21-D-0018); Zitec Inc., Niceville, Fla. (FA2487-21-D-0028; and Willerding Acquisition Corp., O’Fallon, Mo. (FA2487-21-D-0038), have each been awarded a ceiling $9,800,000 multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for munitions material handling equipment (MMHE). This contract provides for manufacturing and refurbishing in support of MMHE. Work will be performed at each contractor’s facilities and is expected to be completed May 25, 2026. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with four offers received. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds will be used and each contractor proposed a different amount for the first delivery order at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/25/21)

PNS looking to expand

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Pensacola city officials will start looking into expanding the terminal at the Pensacola International Airport (PNS). The airport's daily travel numbers have moved above pre-pandemic level in the past month. "I think we're going to need a second terminal," Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said during his weekly press conference Monday. Robinson said the airport is beginning to struggle with housing planes that land, and the airport is coming close to capacity. Spirit Airlines will begin operating at the airport in June, and United Airlines is adding four more routes to Milwaukee, Pittsburg, Cincinnati and Cleveland next week. Last week, the number of passengers was 10 percent above the same week in 2019. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 05/24/21)

Blue Angels executive officer named

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Chief of Naval Air Training Rear Adm. Robert Westendorff named Cmdr. Jonathan Fay as the incoming executive officer of the 2022 Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Fay attended the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., and received his commission May 2000. Fay was designated a naval flight officer in January 2002. Fay will join Blue Angels Commanding Officer Cmdr. Brian Kesselring to assume his role for the 2022 show season following the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show at NAS Pensacola, scheduled Nov. 6. The Blue Angels are scheduled to perform 54 flight demonstrations at 27 locations across the United States and Canada in 2021.(Source: DVIDS, 05/21/21)

Visits to Confederate-named bases

Fort Rucker, Ala., is among the first sites that will be visited as the military's look at changing the names of bases that honor the Confederacy. The Defense Department commission tasked with evaluating whether to remove symbols and rename militay installations, buildings and ships honoring the Confederacy announced its first site visits for the summer and fall. In addition to Fort Rucker, they are Fort A.P. Hill, Fort Bragg, Fort Benning, Fort Gordon, Fort Hood, Fort Lee, Fort Polk, Fort Belvoir, and Fort Pickett. The Navy has also selected the U.S. Naval Ship Maury for consideration. The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act mandated the creation of an eight-person commission to develop a plan for renaming assets or removing symbols that commemorate soldiers who voluntarily served in the Confederacy or honored it. Commission members will meet with commanders and hear input from the communities at each of the sites, according to the chair or the commission, retired Admiral Michelle Howard. (Source: CBSNews, 05/22/21)

Contract: Stephenson Stellar, $19.7M

Stephenson Stellar Corp., Baton Rouge, La., has been awarded a $19,700,950 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide tools and techniques to enhance 5th generation wireless testing and design. This contract provides for the design, creation and operation of a fully functional 5G Independent Testing Laboratory while providing the 5G, cyber, and space expertise required to establish efficacious evaluation techniques, commensurate with the technology’s evolving complexity. Work will be performed in Baton Rouge and is expected to be completed May 23, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $4,001,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, N.Y., is the contracting activity (FA8750-21-C-1502). (Source: DoD, 05/24/21)

Fourth RS-25 test conducted

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - NASA conducted its fourth RS-25 single-engine hot fire of the year May 20, a continuation of its seven-part test series to support development and production of engines for the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket on future missions to the Moon. The engine was fired for more than 8 minutes on the A-1 Test Stand, the same amount of time RS-25 engines need to fire for launch of the SLS rocket. The test series is designed to provide data to Aerojet Rocketdyne, prime contractor for the SLS engines, as it begins production of new engines for use after the first four SLS flights. (Source: NASA/SSC, 05/20/21)

Tyndall hosting Checkered Flag

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Tyndall Air Force Base is hosting more than 2,000 personnel and more than 70 fighter jets from the Air Force and Navy for Checkered Flag air-to-air combat training. Checkered Flag started last week and will run through Friday. Tyndall hosts Checkered Flag twice a year, with the other one usually scheduled in November. Tyndall resembled the Air Force base of old on Friday with the number of jets that were on the flight line. Tyndall has been in rebuild mode since it was devastated by Hurricane Michael in 2018. There were F-18E Super Hornets, F-22 Raptors, F-15E Strike Eagles and the F-35A Lightnings, which will land at Tyndall with three squadrons in 2023. (Source: Panama City News Herald, 05/17/21)

VT-6 command changes

NAVAL AIR STATION WHITING FIELD, Fla. – Lt. Col. Jason N. Dale, U.S. Marine Corps, relieved Cmdr. R. David Mims, U.S. Navy, as the 57th commanding officer of the “Shooters,” Training Squadron Six (VT-6), in a ceremony at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in late April. The squadron is one of three fixed-wing aircraft training squadrons under Training Air Wing Five (TRAWING FIVE). Mims and Dale conducted their change of command in an airborne ceremony. Three T-6B aircraft participated in a formation flight with the first flown by Mims, the second by Dale, and the third with the commodore of Training Air Wing Five (TW-5), Col. Jeffrey Pavelko, serving as the ceremony’s officiating officer. (Source: NAS Whiting Field, 05/17/21)

Eglin Overwatch test upcoming

U.S. Special Operations Command will put five prototype aircraft through a series of tests next month at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., as it decides which to select for missions including surveilling extremist organizations and patrolling austere parts of the globe. In a round table with reporters Monday at the virtual 2021 Special Operations Forces Industry Conference, SOCOM acquisition executive James Smith said tests to select an Armed Overwatch platform will run from about June 14 to July 23 at Eglin, weather permitting. SOCOM has awarded $19.2 million in contracts to five vendors producing prototype aircraft for Armed Overwatch: The Bronco II from Leidos Inc.; MC-208 Guardian from MAG Aerospace; AT-6E Wolverine from Textron Aviation Defense; AT-802U Sky Warden from L-3 Communications Integrated Systems; and MC-145B Wily Coyote from Sierra Nevada Corp. The Armed Overwatch program wants to field about 75 fixed-wing aircraft that could be deployed to austere regions and need only a light logistical footprint to operate. In the Eglin testing, each of the aircraft will conduct five flights. The first three flights will test how well each aircraft handles. SOCOM will also have the planes test their weapons on a firing range, and they must demonstrate their communications capabilities, both line-of-sight and beyond the line of sight. (Source: militarydotcom, 05/18/21) Previous

Contract: Lockheed, $7.6M

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla, has been awarded a $7,594,682 firm-fixed-price modification (P00002) to contract FA8682-21-C-0004 for 137 Lots 4 and 5 Long-Range-Anti-Ship Missiles and tooling and test equipment. This modification provides for initial spares of production parts being produced under the basic contract for future repairs. Work will be performed in Orlando and is expected to be completed Sept. 20, 2024. Fiscal 2020 U.S. Navy (USN) weapon procurement funds in the amount of $76,087; fiscal 2021 USN weapon procurement funds in the amount of $5,241,135; fiscal 2020 U.S. Air Force missile procurement funds in the amount of $384,435; and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $1,893,025 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $424,771,696. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/17/21)

Contract: Webco. $15.2M

Web LLC, doing business as WEBCO, Springfield, Va., is awarded a $15,154,358 firm-fixed-price task order (N6945021F0280) under previously-awarded multiple-award construction contract N69450-19-D-1085 for the P253 air traffic control tower at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla. Work will be performed in Milton, Fla., and is expected to be completed by May 2024. Fiscal 2021 military construction (Navy) funds in the amount of $15,154,358 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Six proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/12/21)

Contract: Western Metal, $9.4M

Western Metal Supply Co. Inc., Escondido, Calif., has been awarded a $9,399,778 contract for the design and build of F-35A aircraft shelters. This contract provides for design, manufacture, and installation of F-35A aircraft shelters. Work will be performed at Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath, U.K., and is expected to be completed June 30, 2022. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Fiscal 2020 other procurement funds in the full amount of are being obligated at the time of award. The 48th Contracting Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, U.K., is the contracting activity (FA5587-21-F-0119). (Source: DoD, 05/04/21) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of an F-35 training center and reprogramming labs.

Contract: General Dynamics, $17.4M

General Dynamics Mission Systems, Pittsfield, Mass., was awarded a $17,367,349 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, for engineering and technical services to support combat systems and command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C5I); and hull, mechanical and electrical (HM&E) equipment, components, software, training and equipment for the Austal Independence variant of the Littoral Combat Ship program. Work under this contract will be performed in Pittsfield (80%); San Diego, Calif. (5%); Philadelphia, Pa. (5%); Mobile, Ala. (5%); Singapore (5%), and is expected to be completed by May 2026. Fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,300,000 ($500 indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract minimum guarantee) will be obligated at time of award via an individual task order and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. All other funding will be made available at the task order level as contracting actions occur. This contract was not competitively procured via beta.sam.gov. This contract was procured on a sole source basis in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) — only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N6449821D4021). (Awarded May 3, 2021) (Source: DoD, 05/04/21)

Contract: Serco, $37.6M

Serco - IPS Corp., Herndon, Va., is awarded a $37,644,745 cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-only modification to previously awarded contract N00174-18-C-0015 for professional support services in the areas of program management, administrative support, surface ship modernization, inactive ships, surface ships readiness, surface training systems, business and financial management, records management, and information technology support for Naval Sea Systems Command Surface Warfare (SEA 21). Work will be performed in Washington, D.C. (55%); Norfolk, Va. (19%); San Diego, Calif. (18%); Mayport, Fla. (2%); Yokosuka, Japan (2%); Sasebo, Japan (1%); Manama, Bahrain (1%); Pascagoula, Miss. (1%); and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (1%), and is expected to be complete by April 2021. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $80,128; fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,457,333; and fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $21,380,463 will be obligated at time of award, of which $21,460,591 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/03/21)

Spacecraft lands off Panama City

PANAMA CITY, Fla. - Four astronauts in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule safely splashed down into the Gulf of Mexico off the Panama City coast early Sunday, wrapping up their six-month mission to the International Space Station. After departing the night before, Victor Glover, Mike Hopkins, Soichi Noguchi and Shannon Walker descemded into the Gulf of Mexico under four main parachutes at 1:57 a.m. CDT. The capsule slowed from 17,000 mph in orbit to 16 mph at splashdown. SpaceX boats stationed near Panama City swarmed the capsule Resilience for recovery. It was the first night landing since 1968, when three astronauts of Apollo 8, the first to orbit the moon, returned to Earth. The astronauts' safe return marks the end to NASA and SpaceX's landmark mission, Crew-1, which set a record as the longest time in space, over 5 months, by a crew that launched aboard an American-built spacecraft. After transport to Panama City via helicopter, Crew-1 will fly to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, for a short quarantine period and more detailed medical checkouts. (Sources: multiple, including USA Today, CNN, New York Times, 05/02/21) Previous related