SANFORD — Charlie Summers says if Maine voters send him to the U.S. Senate, he’ll work to boost funding for space exploration and for entities like the Office of Naval Research to make sure the military has the tools and technology to stay on top.

Summers toured Applied Thermal Sciences, a Sanford firm specializing in research and development of a number of space and military-related applications, Monday. He watched a video of a test flight of a missile interceptor called Ramjet, developed by ATS, over the blueberry barrens in Cherryfield, and examined a unique piston engine that is long on fuel economy and aimed at use in unmanned military vehicles.

“The less fuel the military uses, the better,” said ATS President Karl Hoose, pointing out the high cost of fuel and the need for military convoys to carry it. “The Department of Defense needs fuel efficiency and specific power,” he said of the new engine design.

Summers took a look at some laser-welded steel designed for use in the new DDG 1000 warships being built at Bath Iron Works for the U.S. Navy. The web of welded steel looks not unlike a profile of corrugated cardboard, and it took 1.7 million pounds of pressure before it was crushed ”“ and the welds held, said Hoose.

Summers is a former state senator who has made a couple of recent runs for national office, most recently against Chellie Pingree for the 1st Congressional District in 2008. He is currently serving as Maine’s Secretary of State.

On Monday, he called for more, not less, funding for space initiatives and for research and development projects for military applications, and called cutbacks to those programs “disgraceful.”

“Why in the world should the U.S. take a back seat on this?” asked Summers, noting the nation’s young people are behind in math and science.

Summers called President John Kennedy’s call for space exploration a rallying cry for the entire country.

“Now, to recede back and think our ability to be innovative is past us ”“ I won’t accept that, and I think it is disgraceful the President has done that,” Summers said.

Summers has been a business owner and is a former aide to Sen. Olympia Snowe. He was the regional head of the Small Business Administration and worked in the office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under its former chairman, retired admiral Michael Mullen. He served in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of his service with the U.S Navy Reserves.

Summers said it is those experiences that make him the best candidate for the job and in the best position to be able to understand the needs of Maine companies like Applied Thermal Sciences that rely heavily on funding from the military. Companies like ATS produce valuable space and military applications and provide jobs for Maine citizens, Summers said. He said his military experience gives him an understanding of the needs of veterans.

He is among seven candidates seeking the Republican nod for Senate in the wake of Sen. Olympia Snowe’s announcement she is retiring. Others seeking the GOP nod in the June 12 primary are Rick Bennett, Scott D’Amboise, Debra Plowman, Bruce Poliquin and William Schneider. Joining the pack as a declared write-in candidate April 30 was Michael Stoddard of Saco, according to the Maine Bureau of Elections.

There are a number of Democratic candidates also facing a primary vote, including Cynthia Dill, Matthew Dunlap, Jon Hinck and Benjamin Pollard.

Whoever wins the primaries in their party will also face independent candidate Angus King Nov. 8.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, Ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.