 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
NASA Selects 21 Tech Projects For Reduced-Gravity Flight Testing
Washington DC (SPX) May 20, 2009 NASA has selected 21 technology demonstration projects to fly on reduced gravity aircraft flights during the week of Aug. 10 through its Facilitated Access to the Space Environment for Technology Development and Training program known as FAST. The FAST program is designed to enable new technologies to be incorporated into NASA's flight programs and other commercial space applications. FAST provides an opportunity to demonstrate whether emerging technologies will perform as expected in the zero-gravity environment of Earth orbit or the reduced gravity environment of the moon or Mars. The selected projects will demonstrate new technologies from U.S. companies, universities and NASA laboratories located in 13 states. These gravity conditions can be simulated for periods of 20 to 30 seconds at a time in an aircraft flying repeated parabolic trajectories. The FAST program can reduce the risk of using new technologies during space missions by providing those technologies with an opportunity to prove how they work in a reduced-gravity environment or understand why they do not work. The technology demonstration projects will address important issues such as lunar regolith processing and handling, lunar dust mitigation, demonstration of new mechanisms, manufacturing in space, and validation of variable gravity phenomena. NASA's Innovative Partnership Program prioritized technology needs and selection of these projects through close collaboration with the agency's mission directorates. NASA will provide reduced-gravity flight time for the tests at no cost to the selected project teams. The teams will be responsible for all other expenses. The flights will be conducted using commercially available services from the Zero Gravity Corporation, provided under a commercial contract with NASA. The aircraft will fly approximately 30 to 40 reduced-gravity parabolas per day for four consecutive flight days during the week of Aug. 10. The Reduced Gravity Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston oversees the test operations, and NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland will provide technical support to the project teams. Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links FAST Space Tourism, Space Transport and Space Exploration News
Wake Up And Smell The Coffee - On The Moon!Hunstville AL (SPX) May 19, 2009 Have you ever wondered how you'd make your morning cup of java if you lived on another planet, or perhaps the moon? That steaming beverage would be a must on a cold lunar morning. But with rare sunlight, no coal or wood to burn, and no flowing water for hydro-electrical power, how would you make that cup of coffee, much less cook breakfast, heat your abode, and power the life support equipment and tools ... read more |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2009 - SpaceDaily. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
YahooMyWeb
Google
Facebook