Sen. Jake Garn, R-Utah, is pushing NASA to save money by using the same facilities - preferably in Utah - to build nozzles for both current and future space shuttle boosters.
That could stop Thiokol from possibly moving nozzle production from Utah to Louisiana.And it could also result in construction of a new plant - possibly in Weber County - that would have the capability of building nozzles for both the current shuttle boosters and a planned new generation of them.
Thiokol Public Relations Manager Steve Lawson said he didn't want to comment at this time.
The current booster is made at Thiokol facilities 30 miles west of Brigham City. That booster is to be replaced by the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor, to be built at a planned government-owned facility in Mississippi operated by a team of contractors led by Lockheed and Aerojet.
That contractor team has announced its intention to subcontract with Thiokol to build nozzles for the new boosters. A Thiokol spokesman had been quoted as saying that production would likely take place in Louisiana, not Utah.
But Garn said Thiokol and NASA could save money by keeping nozzle production in Utah and using the same facilities - possibly updated from present plants - to build nozzles for both current and future boosters.
"The potential for savings seems obvious to me. We already have a trained, experienced work force in Utah. Fabrication of either nozzle involves the same basic processes, materials and skills," Garn said.
"If the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor ever totally replaces the (current) Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor - about which I still have doubts - a joint facility would be ideal in terms of limiting equipment and worker disruptions or costly layoffs and relocations."
Garn added, "I have encouraged Thiokol to formulate a proposal for NASA's consideration since both the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor contract as well as the next option under the existing Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor contract are currently under negotiation in NASA.
"Until Thiokol comes forward with this proposal, we won't have any real details or estimates as to the extent of the savings. Specifically, we need to know what would be involved in developing a joint facility."
A possible site for a new joint nozzle facility is Weber County, congressional aides said. Because nozzle production does not involve use of dangerous propellants, it does not require a remote location - as rocket motor production itself does.
Garn also reiterated opposition to plans for the new government-owned booster plant in Mississippi, which he sees as a waste of money.
"While I remain opposed to the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor, if NASA does proceed with this program, I will do all I can to assure that it is developed in an efficient manner that maximizes the benefits it may have for our nation's space program.
Rep. Jim Hansen, R-Utah, whose district contains Thiokol's plant, also is concerned about reports of moving shuttle nozzle operations, according to his press secretary, Rick Guldan.