Space Florida Signs Deal With Avera Motors; Could Salvage Shuttle Jobs

The synergy between space and Florida's tech sector got rolling in Brevard County today.

The Space Florida board of directors approved a research and development partnership with Avera Motors, a Rockledge-based firm whose parent company has a history of advancing space-related technologies.

Under the partnership, Space Florida will purchase a prototype from Avera Motors, slated for delivery by early November.

The vehicle development and testing phase will result in approximately 25 local engineering and business management positions over the next six months.

Citing Avera Motors "development of advanced energy conservation capabilities, hybrid propulsion, alternative fuel utilization and advanced materials research tied to their new vehicle fleet," Space Florida Chairman Frank DiBello said, "these technologies -- combined with the potential of job placement for our local shuttle work force -- make the partnership a solid fit.''

Rockledge-based Mainstream Engineering, the parent company of Avera, has a longstanding relationship with NASA and the Department of Defense, which has resulted in the development of numerous innovative space applications over the years.

Among their past innovations, Mainstream designed and built the lightest diesel generator in the world, a vapor compression refrigeration system currently operating on board the International Space Station, and the worlds first magnetic-bearing centrifugal compressor chiller.

Averas first vehicle is an ultra-efficient, four-passenger sports car. The company will build additional models off a shared platform and employ more than 1,100 people by 2015.

Company officials said the shuttle's technical work force is "ideally suited" for Avera Motors advanced manufacturing process. Brevard County is among several locations under consideration for final manufacturing-site selection.

Terms of the R&D agreement were not disclosed.