MetroNews Affiliate WMOV Radio in Ravenswood contributed to this report.
RAVENSWOOD, W.Va. -- Workers at Jackson County's Constellium plant got a chance Wednesday to meet some of the individuals whose lives will depend on their level of work. NASA officials paid a visit to the plant in Ravenswood where sheets of aluminum are produced and become the first step in the process of building rockets which will take man back to the moon.
"It's always important for us to go and talk to people who build the parts that go into the rocket. A lot of times we don't get to see them. When we do get to see them, it seems to create a new sense of interest in what they do and how they play a part in the overall mission," said John Honeycutt, SLS Program Manager for NASA at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.
Along with Honeycutt was Astronaut Doug Wheelock.
"The message we wanted to deliver is the end product is going into a rocket that is carrying America's astronauts to the moon. We're really proud of Constellium and it's a real thrill to be here," he said.
The visit surveyed the work done by the Constellium workers and also served to make them understand they are a key part of space exploration which is only now getting restarted.
"John mentioned in his speech, 'Work it like you own it.' I think that's some of what they took home today and they left here feeling really good about our partnership," said Constellium Plant Manager Brian McCallie. "It's really inspirational and meaningful stuff. It gives you a sense of the stuff we do here every day and how significant and meaningful it is."
Honeycutt stressed that was not cliché, it truly is a team effort with everybody helping to do their part.
"I work for the Executive Branch which is run by the President of the United States. The President wants to go back to the moon and I know he wants us to go back during his Administration, so it's extremely urgent," said Honeycutt.
"We talk about the moon and getting back to the moon for the first time in so long, but that's just a stepping stone. The next is Mars and beyond," McCallie said. "To think we're in on the ground level and we're participating in this program we all hope has a very, very long future,"