AFRL ground breaking

Air Force Research laboratory officials at Kirtland AFB broke ground March 26 on the base’s west side for the Infrared Radiation Effects Laboratory. From left, Col. Bill Cooley, AFRL Space Vehicles director; Dr. Jim Riker, AFRL Space Vehicles chief scientist; Lt. Col. Antoinette Gant, commander, Army Corps of Engineers Albuquerque District; Dr. B.K. “Babu” Singaraju, AFRL Space Technology division chief; Capt. Dustin Guidry, AFRL Space Based Advanced Sensing and Protection deputy branch chief; Dr. Vincent Cowan , AFRL scientist; Brent Wilson, Kirtland AFB civil engineer; Susan Atwood, AFRL Space Vehicles deputy director; Maria Cornay, president, GranCor Construction; and Mike Grandjean, executive vice president, GranCor Construction. (Photo by Dennis Carlson)

AFRL ground breaking

Officials cut the ceremonial ribbon March 26 for the new Space Sensors Laboratory at the Air Force Research Laboratory. Front row, from left: Dr. Jim Riker, AFRL Space Vehicles chief scientist; Col. Bill Cooley, AFRL Space Vehicles director; Lt. Col. Antoinette Gant, commander, Army Corps of Engineers Albuquerque District; Maria Cornay, president, GranCor Construction; and Dr. Vincent Cowan, AFRL scientist. Back row, from left: Dr. Mayer Landau, AFRL scientist, Dr. B.K. “Babu” Singaraju, AFRL Space Technology division chief; Brent Wilson, Kirtland AFB civil engineer; Capt. Dustin Guidry, Space Based Advanced Sensing and Protection deputy branch chief; Susan Atwood, AFRL Space Vehicles deputy director; and Mike Grandjean, executive vice president, GranCor Construction. At far left is Terrance Anez, AFRL Space Vehicles construction manager. (Photo by Dennis Carlson)

AFRL opens new space research buildings

Published April 11, 2013
By Eva Blaylock
Air Force Research Laboratory

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- In a dual-ceremony event March 26, two Air Force Research Laboratory buildings dedicated to space sensor research and development and space radiation effects were featured at a ribbon-cutting and a groundbreaking.

As part of a lab revitalization project at the laboratory, the Space Sensors Laboratory was ceremonially opened for business with a ribbon cutting.

The SSL, built in the latter half of 2012, is a 6,000-square-foot structure comprised of two light labs and office space for 15 employees.

Adjoining the SSL will be the Infrared Radiation Effects Laboratory, the newest AFRL building to begin construction.

The IRREL will be a 5,600-square-foot space to accommodate a lab and 15 employees, and will house a DOD capability for performing and evaluating maturing radiation technology for space-based platforms.

The Laboratory Revitalization authority that was added in the FY12 National Defense Authorization Act allowed AFRL to build projects up to $2 million - a hefty increase from the previous $750,000 limit.

"The Act and the revitalization authority has been game-changing for the Air Force Research Lab and specifically the Space Vehicles Directorate here at Kirtland," said Michael D. Gallegos, chief of the Infrastructure Management Branch. "It has created two cutting-edge laboratories that will allow scientists and engineers to perform better research and improve the scientific process while aiding in recruitment and retention of quality people. The labs and the improved capabilities will fundamentally improve space sensor technologies and systems."

Authority for the construction of the two buildings on the campus of the Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate fell under section 2805 of title 10, United States Code, Unspecified Minor Construction, Laboratory Revitalization.