The Air Force has opened a new dormitory for entry-level enlisted airmen at Shaw AFB, S.C., that features an innovative, energy-saving geothermal climate-control system. The Associated Press reported March 9 (via Columbia’s WIS TV 10 news station) that the $17 million three-story dorm uses a system of 174 wells to circulate water underground to heat and cool the building, which will house 144 airmen in private rooms that share kitchenettes. A second such dorm is planned for Shaw.
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.

