Daily Business Report: Monday, June 7, 2021
New book on history of Scripps Institution
of Oceanography hits bookstores today
A new book on the history of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego hits bookstore shelves and online sites today. Images of America: Scripps Institution of Oceanography joins many others in this popular photobook series that highlights historical points of interest across the country.
“This is really the first comprehensive publication of Scripps Oceanography history in several decades,” said Robert Monroe, author of the book and communications officer at Scripps. “I hope the book allows readers to appreciate one of the world’s greatest research centers in an approachable way.”
The 127-page book features more than 200 photographs spanning the period from Scripps’ founding in 1903 to 21st century research on climate change and other hazards to society and natural systems, the achievements of groundbreaking alumni, and technological advances in the institution’s second century of research.
The book is available at the UC San Diego Bookstore and its online site through retail sites such as Amazon and barnesandnoble.com, and in most major bookstores in the San Diego area.
Southwest Airlines begins nonstop flights to
Kahului, Maui from San Diego International Airport
Southwest Airlines has begun daily nonstop service to Kahului, Maui via Kahului Airport from San Diego International Airport. The route will add a second daily flight beginning June 27. Southwest Airlines also will add a second daily flight to Honolulu, Hawaii.
“Southwest Airlines continues to grow its presence at San Diego International Airport and we are thankful for the new flights to Maui and added a daily flight to Honolulu,” said Kimberly Becker, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority President and CEO. “Hawaii and Southern California are popular vacation destinations, both offering an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities.”
Northrop Gumman’s MQ-8C Fire Scout
completes fit check aboard USS Anchorage
A Northrop Grumman Corporation MQ-8C Fire Scout, the U.S. Navy’s only ship-based autonomous helicopter program, passed the initial fit check aboard the USS Anchorage at Naval Base San Diego demonstrating the aircrafts’ suitability for the U.S. Marine Corps’ amphibious warfare mission.
MQ-8C Fire Scout, which has integrated the AN/ZPY-8 radar, is expected to reach Initial Operating Capability in this new configuration this summer and begin replacing MQ-8B aircraft on upcoming deployments.
Click here for more information about Fire Scout
General Atomics conducts successful demonstration
of its LINCS System for delivery to Cape Canaveral
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) said it has successfully conducted a free space interconnect demonstration ground test of its Laser Interconnect and Networking Communication System (LINCS) spacecraft.
The fully autonomous acquisition, tracking and pointing of the Optical Communication Terminals (OCT) on both spacecraft marked the final acceptance testing in preparation for delivery of the system to Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Fla. for a June 2021 launch in partnership with the Space Development Agency.
“This was critical milestone that demonstrates GA-EMS’ OCT’s ability to communicate with each other and potentially interoperate with other assets in an environment that closely replicates the conditions in space,” stated Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. “Interoperability is key to reaping the benefits of proliferating this critical technology. We are excited to work with SDA to reach TRL-9 by demonstrating our system in orbit later this summer.”
PHOTO: General Atomics Free Space Optical Communication Terminals in acceptance test prior to integration into spacecraft for June launch.
East County Advanced Water Purification
Program awarded $388 million loan from EPA
The East County Advanced Water Purification Program (AWP) was awarded a $388 million loan from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help finance the program. This will be the first loan awarded to the program and marks the EPA’s largest loan awarded to projects in East County and the second largest in San Diego County.
Scheduled to be complete in 2025, the East County AWP Program will create a new, local, sustainable and drought-proof drinking water supply using state-of-the-art technology to purify East San Diego County’s recycled water. The program will generate up to 11.5 million gallons per day of new drinking water—approximately 30 percent of current drinking water demands for East County residents.
Once complete, the program will use four advanced water purification steps to produce water that is near-distilled in quality. The purified water will be blended with water in Lake Jennings and treated again at the R.M. Levy Water Treatment Plant before being distributed as drinking water.
Cazador Investments acquires Las Brisas,
a 22-unit multifamily property in Vista
Cazador Investments, a Del Mar-based private equity real estate investor and operator, has acquired Las Brisas, a 22-unit multifamily property in Vista.
Built in 1980 and featuring mostly 2-bedroom units, Las Brisas is on 1.5 acres. The property has value-add, redevelopment and Accessory Dwelling Unit potential. Mark Bridge of Cushman & Wakefield represented both Cazador and seller. Cazador plans to continue an interior renovation plan, build multiple ADUs, and entitle additional multifamily units on the oversized parcel.
Viasat to bring Internet service to Nigeria
Carlsbad-based Viasat has been granted a full suite of operating licenses to bring satellite Internet connectivity to Nigerian communities where adequate service is currently unavailable. A ViaSat-3 satellite is scheduled for launch in 2022 and will serve Africa Europe and the Middle East.
WowYow attracts investors from GoFundMe, Launch Factory
WowYow, a North Park-based startup that builds computer vision technologies, has attracted significant investment from local startup studio Launch Factory and from the co-founder of GoFundMe. With plans to disrupt the AI space, the startup currently uses its technology to help publishers like The Hill, Gannett and CNN automate the placement of relevant advertisements on their video content.
BAE Systems wins $165 million U.S. Navy contract
The U.S. Navy awarded BAE Systems a design contract for work on a portion of the Mk 41 verticle launch system used to launch a variety of missiles from ships including destroyers and cruisers. Of the funds awarded, $29 million worth of work will be completed in San Diego.
