‘Galactic Gathering’ Senator Tim Kaine and NASA officials talk space exploration at BWXT in Lynchburg

LYNCHBURG, Va (WFXR) — A company in Lynchburg could play an important part in national defense and space exploration.

On Friday, Senator Tim Kaine was joined by NASA Administrator, Bill Nelson, and two NASA astronauts to visit BWXT, a nuclear technology company based in Lynchburg that employs thousands of people both in the hill city and across the nation

“If you think about what this has meant to Lynchburg since the 1950s and then you say not only are we doing more and more and more in the navy, now it’s going to be NASA, it’s going to be other parts of the military and other civilian uses,” said Kaine.

Taylor Swift’s candlelight concert to ‘shake up’ the Hill City

BWXT is the only manufacturer of Naval nuclear reactors for US submarines and aircraft carriers.

And now it’s taking its skills to space.

Nelson says one goal is top of mind for space exploration.

“To be able to produce a rocket that can go faster to Mars,” said Nelson.

Right now, it would take at least six months to get a spaceship to Mars, astronauts would then have to stay there for at least a year, or longer. Then it would take another six months to get back.

Right now, it’s just not possible.

However, Nelson says BWXT is working to change that.

VT researchers create new software focused on impacts of alternative fuels on freight trains

“But the technologies that are being developed here, are the technologies that will propel us faster to Mars,” said Nelson.

One Lynchburg native turned astronaut, Leland Melvin, says this will change the nature of space travel.

“This is revolutionizing how we travel as astronauts,” said Melvin.

After visiting BWXT, Senator Kaine and the NASA officials headed to Heritage Elementary School to talk all things space with the kids.

Nelson says the younger generation is vital in the future of space exploration.

“It’s the kids in elementary school that will be the astronauts that will go first to Mars,” said Nelson.

He said now, Virginia isn’t just for lovers, it’s also for Space.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.