Local man works with U.S. rockets

Local man works

with U.S. rockets

EDWARDS AIR

FORCE BASE, Calif. On a remote stretch of high desert, on the edge of

California's Mojave Desert, the son of a Tyrone couple is playing a part

in aviation's future from a place steeped in legendary exploits of aviation's

past.

Air Force 2nd

Lt. Christopher S. Charles, son of Steven and Susan Charles of Tyrone,

is part of an elite program that over the decades has left countless marks

in aviation history. From Capt. Chuck Yeager's shattering of the sound

barrier to numerous world speed records to the test and launch of the

first space shuttle, this base in California's "Aerospace Valley"

has been pushing the envelope in air and space exploration.

Charles plays

an important part in aviation's future as a rocket research scientist

for the Air Force Research Agency Rocket Lab at Edwards.

"I'm a

research scientist, working in electric propulsion, testing 'Hall,' micro-plasma

pulse and colloid thrusters. My day-to-day job includes working with vacuum

chambers and laser optics to measure the composition, density and velocity

of exhaust plumes," said the 1997 graduate of The Heritage School.

"I also help manage some of the small business innovative research

proposals. And I research or order parts needed for continuing operation

of the projects I work on."

The 360-degree

vew from Charles' centrally-located control tower is worth a peek. It

features the most military runways in one location at least 20 tarmacs

are active with X-planes over a 12 million year old dry lakebed. This

maze of airfields within airfields supports aviation's upper crust, from

a NASA 747 that carries space shuttles on its