Work Done in Space Park Bldgs. R8 & R12

[George Grena]

After 4 decades of continuous use, R9 has almost completely been vacated as its lease soon expires. It’s been like Christmas in summer for me, being able to rummage through all the TRW-era ephemera left behind, especially in previously locked areas where I found some true treasures (e.g., a TRW wall thermometer, TRW smock with a “DSP-1” patch, photos of lab-tests on automobile doors (likely for air-bag sensors), TRW new-hire employment forms & policies/practices booklets).

While researching periodicals kept in the TRA’s spectacular archive, I was only able to find a single article on any of the 5 RBBC “R” bldgs. (i.e., the former site of Aviation High). Spotlight (“A Quarterly for the TRW Space & Technology Group”) vol. 3 #1 (Winter 1987) announced the grand opening of R11, the last of the cluster to be occupied following their construction: “It is now the headquarters for MSSD, FSD, the OMV project, the Human Relations staff, and S&TG Publications.”

Based on my research of Space Park maps in phone-books, here’s the full range of leases:
R8 = 1986 – 1991, 1996 – 2012
R9 = 1986 – 2026
R10 = 1986 – 1993, 1996 – present (F-35 personnel moved there from R4 in 2024 along with their iconic outdoor model)
R12 = 1987 – 1992 (its occupancy preceded R11)
R11 = 1987 – 1992, 2005 – present

(Note: With CC1, “The Launching Pad” also vacating after 34 years next month, only R10 & R11 will remain.)

So if any of you retirees worked in R8 or R12, or knew co-workers who did, I’d enjoy learning about which projects or groups worked there. Thanks,
George

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