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NASA Reinstalls Main Mirror
Engineers and technicians fr
10/28/08
| Description |
Engineers and technicians from NASA, the German Space Agency and the Deutsches SOFIA Institut recently reinstalled the German-built primary mirror assembly into NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, airborne observatory. Technicians removed the glass mirror from the modified 747SP observatory in April 2008 and transported it to NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., where it received its reflective aluminum coating in a vacuum chamber in June 2008. The coating, five one-millionths of an inch thick, will be reapplied as necessary during the 20-year life of the program. "We had completed system tests of our mirror coater but this is the first time we've actually coated SOFIA's mirror. The team and equipment performed flawlessly and the results are magnificent," says Ed Austin, SOFIA science project manager at Ames. The mirror assembly was transported back to NASA's Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., mid-September and reinstalled Oct. 8. "The reinstallation of the mirror is a significant program milestone on the path to science observations with the SOFIA observatory in the summer of 2009," said Bob Meyer, SOFIA program manager at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif. › Read more Photo Description A technician guides SOFIA's primary mirror assembly into the aircraft's telescope cavity completing the mirror reinstallation following its initial coating. October 8, 2008 NASA Photo / Carla Thomas ED08-0262-54 |
| Date |
10/28/08 |
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NASA TV's This Week @NASA, M
** STS-131 UPDATE -- JSC/KSC
03/05/2010
| Description |
** STS-131 UPDATE -- JSC/KSC The STS-131 Crew and space shuttle Discovery continues their progress toward an April 5 launch to the International Space Station. Discovery has been rolled out to Launch Pad 39A, while the seven STS-131 astronauts participated in launch countdown dress rehearsal activities and other prelaunch training. ** AMES CREATES A WINNER -- ARC The World Wind Java computer program developed at the Ames Research Center has earned NASA's 2009 Software of the Year Award. World-Wind is an open-source platform used to display NASA and U.S. Geological Survey data on virtual 3-D globes of Earth and other planets. ** DEEP SPACE DOWN UNDER - JPL NASA is replacing an aging fleet of 230-foot-wide antennas used in the Deep Space Network with new ''beam wave guide'' antennas that enable the network to operate on several different frequency bands within the same antenna. The replacement antennas are approximately half the size of the originals. The NASA Deep Space Network - or DSN - is an international network of antennas that supports interplanetary spacecraft missions and radio and radar astronomy observations for the exploration of the solar system and the universe. The network also supports selected Earth-orbiting missions. ** 2009 QASAR AWARD -- GRC Christopher DellaCorte, of the Glenn Research Center's Tribology & Mechanical Components branch has received the 2009 Quality and Safety Achievement or Qasar Award for figuring out what caused severe degradation of a starboard solar array alpha rotary joint on the International Space Station. ** STEM EDUCATORS WORKSHOP -- LARC Teachers became students while participating in the second annual NASA Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics -- STEM -- Educators, Workshops held this year in Charlotte, N.C. The 40-session workshop provided elementary, middle and high school teachers with creative hands-on ways to incorporate NASA content into their classrooms. The workshops are specifically designed to give teachers tangible resources for immediate use in classrooms. ** FIRST ROBOTICS KICKOFF -- HQ The NASA supported ''For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology'' Robotics program began its 19th year with regional competitions like this one held in Washington, D.C. FIRST is a nationwide competition that teams young people with professionals to solve engineering design problems in a competitive way. |
| Date |
03/05/2010 |
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Airship Ventures Dedication
NASA Ames Director S. Pete W
11/21/08
| Description |
NASA Ames Director S. Pete Worden, Airship Ventures Founders Brian and Alex Hall, and Retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Colonel William Moffett III, grandson of U.S. Navy Adm. Moffett, enjoy Moffett Field's 75th anniversary celebration as they walk away from the newly named "Eureka" Zeppelin airship. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center |
| Date |
11/21/08 |
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3-D laser scanner
The K10 Red planetary rover
12/8/08
| Description |
The K10 Red planetary rover scouts the Marscape at NASA's Ames Research Center with a 3-D laser scanner, color panoramic camera and high-resolution terrain imager. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center / Eric James |
| Date |
12/8/08 |
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Macon
Blimp inside Hangar One. Pho
12/12/08
| Description |
Blimp inside Hangar One. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center |
| Date |
12/12/08 |
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Hangar One
Hangar One at Moffett Field,
12/22/08
| Description |
Hangar One at Moffett Field, Calif. 1993. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center |
| Date |
12/22/08 |
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Hangar One
Circa 1934 photo of Hangar O
12/22/08
| Description |
Circa 1934 photo of Hangar One with the dirigible U.S.S. Macon. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center |
| Date |
12/22/08 |
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Hangar One
Hangar One at Moffett Field,
12/22/08
| Description |
Hangar One at Moffett Field, Calif., 1999. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center |
| Date |
12/22/08 |
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Cops that Care
A little girl gets ready to
12/19/08
| Description |
A little girl gets ready to take her picture with Santa Claus at the Cops Care Cancer Foundation's 2008 Christmas Fantasy Flight event. The San Jose Police Department hangar at NASA Ames Research Center was transformed into the 'North Pole' for children battling cancer and other life threatening illnesses. The children from San Francisco Bay Area hospitals were treated to a day of fun with their families complete with hands-on activities, food, drinks, music and Santa being flown in via police helicopter. Each child, as well as their parents, were given gifts to make the holiday season a little brighter. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center |
| Date |
12/19/08 |
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Hangar One
Hangar One at Moffett Field,
12/22/08
| Description |
Hangar One at Moffett Field, Calif., a circa 1934 photo of the U.S.S. Macon in the hangar. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center |
| Date |
12/22/08 |
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Burrowing Owl
Burrowing owls keep watch ov
12/23/08
| Description |
Burrowing owls keep watch over Moffett Field wetlands. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center / Dominic Hart |
| Date |
12/23/08 |
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FIRST Robotics
Photo Credit: NASA Ames Rese
1/2/09
| Description |
Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center NASA Kicks Off 2009 First Robotics Season With Live Broadcast MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. - NASA Television will broadcast the annual FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Kickoff event on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009, at 7 a.m. PST from Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester. Read More |
| Date |
1/2/09 |
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Pleiades Ribbon Cutting
NASA held a ribbon-cutting c
1/9/09
| Description |
NASA held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Pleiades, the world's third-fastest supercomputer, on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008. Pictured from left to right: Silicon Graphics, Inc. CEO, Robert Ôò__É__BoÔò__É__ Ewald, Ames Center Director S. Pete Worden, High-End Computing Capability Deputy Project Manager, William Thigpen, SCAP Director, Walter Hussey, Intel Corp. Senior Vice President, Patrick Gelsinger, High-End Computing Capability Project Manager, Rupak Biswas. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center |
| Date |
1/9/09 |
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4x3scanner
This is a shuttle tile scann
1/28/09
| Description |
This is a shuttle tile scanner using 3-D technology that is being developed at NASA Ames Research Center. <br\> <br\> Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center/Dominic Hart. |
| Date |
1/28/09 |
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Kepler Launch Event at the E
An excited crowd of space en
3/9/09
| Description |
An excited crowd of space enthusiasts watched the launch of the Delta II carrying Kepler spacecraft into space. The Kepler mission will search for Earth-like planets in the Milky Way. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center / Dominic Hart |
| Date |
3/9/09 |
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Crystal
This is a single crystal, ab
3/10/09
| Description |
This is a single crystal, about 6 cm tall, purity grade 99.99% that NASA Ames Research Center's Friedemann Freund grew in the early 1980s. There are tiny bubbles in the center of this large crystal that Freund infused into the crystal. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center |
| Date |
3/10/09 |
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Ames Hall of Fame Inductees
NASA Ames Research Center we
3/16/09
| Description |
NASA Ames Research Center welcomed nine new inductees into the NASA Ames Hall of Fame on Feb. 23, 2009. Recipients were (from left to right) John Billingham, John "Jack" Boyd, Henry McDonald, David Seiff (son of Alvin Seiff accepting), Estelle Condon, Heinz Erzberger, Emily Morey-Holton, Paul Yaggy, Elizabeth Eggers (wife of Alfred Eggers accepting). Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center |
| Date |
3/16/09 |
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Earth Resources Project
Ames Earth Resources project
3/23/09
| Description |
Ames Earth Resources project U-2 aircraft shot this oblique image off the coast of California, USA in 1972. The Golden Gate is in the foreground. As the image looks out across California the blue spot at the top enter is Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada. Photo Credit: NASA Ames Research Center |
| Date |
3/23/09 |
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Moonfest
Moonfest 2009 was hosted by
8/14/09
| Description |
Moonfest 2009 was hosted by the LCROSS mission and the NASA Lunar Science Institute at NASA Ames Research Center on July 19, 2009. More than 11,000 people braved the heat and traffic to join in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the moon landings, the LCROSS mission and space exploration. |
| Date |
8/14/09 |
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Sustainability Base Groundbr
NASA held a ceremonial groun
8/27/09
| Description |
NASA held a ceremonial groundbreaking and dedication event on Aug. 25, 2009 for what is expected to become the highest-performing building in the federal government. The new, environmentally friendly building at NASA's Ames Research Center is being named 'Sustainability Base' in honor of the first humans to walk on the surface of another world from their Tranquility Base Apollo 11 lunar landing site 40 years ago. Pictured (left to right): Steve Zornetzer (associate center director), Lt. Gov John Garamendi, June Grant (AECOM), Pete Worden (center director), Kevin Burke (McDonough + Partners) and John Elwood (Swinerton Builders). Image credit: NASA/Eric James. |
| Date |
8/27/09 |
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Astronaut Family Call
Being far from home can feel
8/28/09
| Description |
Being far from home can feel lonely at times, but on Aug. 21, Astronaut Timothy Kopra had the opportunity to talk with his sister, Lauri Kopra and her husband, Aaron Mashoian. The video downlink was provided by NASA's Ames Research Center. Kopra is the Expedition 20 flight engineer on the International Space Station and is scheduled to return with STS-128 in early September. |
| Date |
8/28/09 |
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Impact Night at NASA Ames
Astronomy buffs young and ol
10/14/09
| Description |
Astronomy buffs young and old eagerly await the LCROSS impact at NASA Ames Research Center. Photo credit: Dominic Hart |
| Date |
10/14/09 |
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LCROSS Impact Night
Spectators watch movies at N
10/9/09
| Description |
Spectators watch movies at NASA Ames Research Center during LCROSS Impact Night. Photo credit: Eric James/NASA |
| Date |
10/9/09 |
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LCROSS campers
People set up camp in antici
10/14/09
| Description |
People set up camp in anticipation for viewing the LCROSS impacts at NASA Ames Research Center. Photo credit: Dominic Hart |
| Date |
10/14/09 |
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LCROSS Impact Night
Violinist Kenji Williams pla
10/14/09
| Description |
Violinist Kenji Williams plays for the crowd at NASA Ames Research Center on LCROSS Impact Night. Photo credit: Dominic Hart |
| Date |
10/14/09 |
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California Governor Visits N
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger v
7/17/08
| Title |
California Governor Visits NASA Ames Research Center |
| Date |
7/17/08 |
| Description |
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger visited NASA's Ames Research Center July 17 to see first-hand how the agency is helping firefighters battle the widespread wildfires raging throughout the state. |
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Mars Science Laboratory
The parachute for NASA's Mar
4/15/09
| Description |
The parachute for NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) passed flight-qualification after testing in March and April 2009 inside the world's largest wind tunnel at NASA's Ames Research Center. In this image, an engineer is dwarfed by the parachute, the largest ever built to fly on an extraterrestrial flight. It is designed to survive deployment at Mach 2.2 in the Martian atmosphere, where it will generate up to 65,000 lb of drag force. The parachute, built by Pioneer Aerospace, has 80 suspension lines, measures more than 165 feet in length, and opens to a diameter of nearly 51 feet. The wind tunnel itself is 80 feet tall and 120 feet wide -- large enough to house a Boeing 737. JPL is building and testing the MSL spacecraft, which is slated to launch in 2011. The mission will land a roving analytical laboratory on the surface of Mars in 2012. Image Credit: NASA/Ames Research Center/JPL |
| Date |
4/15/09 |
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SOFIA 747SP
ED08-0110-13 May 1, 2008 A N
6/5/08
| Description |
ED08-0110-13 May 1, 2008 A NASA technician directs loading of the crated SOFIA primary mirror assembly into a C-17 for shipment to NASA Ames Research Center for finish coating. NASA photo by Tony Landis |
| Date |
6/5/08 |
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Ikhana
NASA Aircraft Aiding Souther
7/9/08
| Description |
NASA Aircraft Aiding Southern California Firefighting EffortRelease: 07-57 In response to a request from the California Office of Emergency Services and the National Interagency Fire Center, NASA is flying an aircraft equipped with sophisticated infrared imaging equipment today to assist firefighters battling several of the Southern California wildfires. The Ikhana unmanned aircraft system, a Predator B modified for civil science and research missions, was launched about 8:45 a.m. PDT from its base at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base. It is expected to fly over the major blazes burning in the Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs areas and possibly down into San Diego County to image wildfires raging in that area. The aircraft is controlled remotely by pilots in a ground control station at NASA Dryden. The Ikhana is carrying the Autonomous Modular Scanner, a thermal-infrared imaging system developed at NASA's Ames Research Center in Northern California. The system is capable of peering through heavy smoke and darkness to see hot spots, flames and temperature differences, processing the imagery on-board, and then transmitting that information in near real time so it can aid fire incident commanders in allocating their firefighting resources...Read more Photo Description: With smoke from the Lake Arrowhead, CA area fires streaming in the background, NASA's Ikhana unmanned aircraft heads out on a wildfire imaging mission. October 24, 2007 NASA Photo / Jim Ross ED07-0243-37 |
| Date |
7/9/08 |
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Newly Coated SOFIA Mirror As
September 17, 2008 Safely pr
10/16/08
| Description |
September 17, 2008 Safely protected in its shipping crate, the telescope mirror assembly for NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, is carefully unloaded from an Air Force C-17 transport plane upon arrival at the NASA Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif. on Sept. 17, 2008. The mirror had received its reflective coating at NASA's Ames Research Center's Mirror Coating Facility in late June, and is due to be re-installed in the SOFIA aircraft, a highly modified Boeing 747SP, in October. NASA photo by Tony Landis ED08-0234-11 |
| Date |
10/16/08 |
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NASA Reinstalls Main Mirror
October 8, 2008 Engineers an
10/17/08
| Description |
October 8, 2008 Engineers and technicians from NASA, the German Space Agency and the Deutsches SOFIA Institut recently reinstalled the German-built primary mirror assembly into NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, airborne observatory. Technicians removed the glass mirror from the modified 747SP observatory in April 2008 and transported it to NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., where it received its reflective aluminum coating in a vacuum chamber in June 2008. The coating, five one-millionths of an inch thick, will be reapplied as necessary during the 20-year life of the program. "We had completed system tests of our mirror coater but this is the first time we've actually coated SOFIA's mirror. The team and equipment performed flawlessly and the results are magnificent," says Ed Austin, SOFIA science project manager at Ames. The mirror assembly was transported back to NASA's Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., mid-September and reinstalled Oct. 8. ›, Read News Release 08-50 Photo Description: A technician guides SOFIA's primary mirror assembly into the aircraft's telescope cavity completing the mirror reinstallation following its initial coating. NASA Photo / Carla Thomas ED08-0262-54 |
| Date |
10/17/08 |
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POLAR STRATOSPHERIC CLOUDS
Polar stratospheric clouds o
4/5/00
| Date |
4/5/00 |
| Description |
Polar stratospheric clouds over Kiruna, Sweden, on Jan. 27, 2000. The colorful appearance of these clouds is due to the small size of their droplets and their high altitude, approximately 21,300 meters (70,000 ft). The small droplets in the clouds result in separation of light of different colors due to refraction of sunlight. Their high altitude allows for full solar illumination for up to 20 minutes following sunset at the ground. These clouds, which have long been called "Mother of Pearl" by Scandinavians, participate in a chain of events that leads to ozone depletion by human-produced chlorine. Between November 1999 and March 2000, the SAGE III Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment (SOLVE) provided scientists with measurements of ozone using a variety of satellite-, airplane-, balloon- and ground-based instruments. Scientists also obtained a comprehensive inventory of numerous other atmospheric gases and information on the physical and chemical properties of polar stratospheric clouds. The SOLVE mission was co-sponsored by the Upper Atmosphere Research Program, Atmospheric Effects of Aviation Project, Atmospheric Chemistry Modeling and Analysis Program, and Earth Observing System of NASA's Earth Science Enterprise as part of the validation program for the SAGE III instrument. Based primarily in Kiruna, Sweden, the campaign included scientists from the United States, Europe, Canada, Russia and Japan. A key aspect to the success of this mission was the permission to fly both NASA research aircraft over Russia. SOLVE was managed by the Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, with extensive participation by science teams from Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, as well as a number of other government laboratories and universities. The ER-2 and DC-8 aircraft are based at Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA, and the U.S. balloon operations in Sweden were conducted by a team from the National Scientific Balloon Facility, Palestine, TX. |
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HIGH ALTITUDE BALLOON/ARCTIC
A NASA high-altitude researc
4/5/00
| Date |
4/5/00 |
| Description |
A NASA high-altitude research balloon climbing to study the composition of the Arctic stratosphere from the Esrange Balloon Launch Facility near Kiruna, Sweden. With its helium bubble expanding to the size of a large building while in the stratosphere, the balloon carried a payload of about 450 Kg. (1000 lbs) to an altitude of about 30,500 meters (100,000 ft.). Following flight, the instrument payload lands by parachute and is recovered for subsequent flights. Between November 1999 and March 2000, the SAGE III Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment (SOLVE) provided scientists with measurements of ozone using a variety of satellite-, airplane-, balloon- and ground-based instruments. Scientists also obtained a comprehensive inventory of numerous other atmospheric gases and information on the physical and chemical properties of polar stratospheric clouds. The SOLVE mission was co-sponsored by the Upper Atmosphere Research Program, Atmospheric Effects of Aviation Project, Atmospheric Chemistry Modeling and Analysis Program, and Earth Observing System of NASA's Earth Science Enterprise as part of the validation program for the SAGE III instrument. Based primarily in Kiruna, Sweden, the campaign included scientists from the United States, Europe, Canada, Russia and Japan. A key aspect to the success of this mission was the permission to fly both NASA research aircraft over Russia. SOLVE was managed by the Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, with extensive participation by science teams from Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, as well as a number of other government laboratories and universities. The ER-2 and DC-8 aircraft are based at Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA, and the U.S. balloon operations in Sweden were conducted by a team from the National Scientific Balloon Facility, Palestine, TX. |
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OZONE INSTRUMENTS LOADED ON
Scientists preparing their i
4/5/00
| Date |
4/5/00 |
| Description |
Scientists preparing their instruments for flight on the NASA ER-2 research aircraft inside the Arena Arctica hangar, Kiruna, Sweden. The plane carries dozens of instruments in two pods attached to the wings, in the Q-bay area below the cockpit and in the nose. These pieces of the plane can be detached allowing access to the instruments prior to take-off. Between November 1999 and March 2000, the SAGE III Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment (SOLVE) provided scientists with measurements of ozone using a variety of satellite-, airplane-, balloon- and ground-based instruments. Scientists also obtained a comprehensive inventory of numerous other atmospheric gases and information on the physical and chemical properties of polar stratospheric clouds. The SOLVE mission was co-sponsored by the Upper Atmosphere Research Program, Atmospheric Effects of Aviation Project, Atmospheric Chemistry Modeling and Analysis Program, and Earth Observing System of NASA's Earth Science Enterprise as part of the validation program for the SAGE III instrument. Based primarily in Kiruna, Sweden, the campaign included scientists from the United States, Europe, Canada, Russia and Japan. A key aspect to the success of this mission was the permission to fly both NASA research aircraft over Russia. SOLVE was managed by the Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, with extensive participation by science teams from Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, as well as a number of other government laboratories and universities. The ER-2 and DC-8 aircraft are based at Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA, and the U.S. balloon operations in Sweden were conducted by a team from the National Scientific Balloon Facility, Palestine, TX. |
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ER-2 USED IN ARCTIC OZONE RE
The NASA ER-2 high-altitude
4/5/00
| Date |
4/5/00 |
| Description |
The NASA ER-2 high-altitude research plane on the runway of Kiruna, Sweden. The airplane -- a civilian variant of the U-2 reconnaissance plane capable of reaching altitudes as high as 21,330 meters (70,000 feet) -- carried into the stratosphere dozens of scientific instruments that measure the composition of Earth's ozone layer. The only person on board is the pilot, who must wear a pressurized spacesuit to guard against the dangers of high-altitude flight. Between November 1999 and March 2000, the SAGE III Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment (SOLVE) provided scientists with measurements of ozone using a variety of satellite-, airplane-, balloon- and ground-based instruments. Scientists also obtained a comprehensive inventory of numerous other atmospheric gases and information on the physical and chemical properties of polar stratospheric clouds. The SOLVE mission was co-sponsored by the Upper Atmosphere Research Program, Atmospheric Effects of Aviation Project, Atmospheric Chemistry Modeling and Analysis Program, and Earth Observing System of NASA's Earth Science Enterprise as part of the validation program for the SAGE III instrument. Based primarily in Kiruna, Sweden, the campaign included scientists from the United States, Europe, Canada, Russia and Japan. A key aspect to the success of this mission was the permission to fly both NASA research aircraft over Russia. SOLVE was managed by the Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, with extensive participation by science teams from Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, as well as a number of other government laboratories and universities. The ER-2 and DC-8 aircraft are based at Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA, and the U.S. balloon operations in Sweden were conducted by a team from the National Scientific Balloon Facility, Palestine, TX. |
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San Jose region, California
This radar image provides a
1/22/98
| Date |
1/22/98 |
| Description |
This radar image provides a high-tech view of Silicon Valley and shows the utility of radar data for mapping land use patterns. This image shows the San Jose metropolitan area in the Santa Clara Valley in central California. The Valley lies between the Santa Cruz Mountains to the southwest (left side of image) and the Diablo Range to the northeast (right side of image). The San Andreas fault is the linear feature along the left side of the image. Dark patches in the Diablo Range are sparsely vegetated slopes. Blue features at the top of the image are salt evaporators at the southern end of San Francisco Bay (black area). The dark linear feature in the image center is San Jose airport. The runways of Moffett Field Naval Air Station/NASA Ames Research Center are visible along the edge of the bay. The Stanford University Linear Accelerator is the bright white linear feature in the upper left of the image. The area shown is 49 by 64 kilometers (30 by 40 miles) centered at 37.31 degrees north latitude, 121.8 degrees west longitude. Colors are assigned to different radar frequencies and polarizations as follows: red is L-band horizontally transmitted, horizontally received, green is C-band horizontally transmitted, horizontally received, and blue is C-band horizontally transmitted, vertically received. The image was acquired by the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) imaging radar when it flew aboard the space shuttle Endeavour on October 2, 1994. |
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San Jose close-up, Californi
The city of San Jose is seen
1/22/98
| Date |
1/22/98 |
| Description |
The city of San Jose is seen on this radar image of the northern end of the Santa Clara Valley in central California. The Valley lies between the Santa Cruz Mountains to the southwest (left side of image) and the Diablo Range to the northeast (right side of image). The San Andreas fault is the linear feature along the left side of the image. Dark patches in the Diablo Range are sparsely vegetated slopes. Blue features at the top of the image are salt evaporators at the southern end of San Francisco Bay (black area). The dark linear feature in the lower center is the San Jose airport. The runways of Moffett Field Naval Air Station/NASA Ames Research Center are visible along the edge of the bay. The Stanford University Linear Accelerator is the bright white linear feature in the upper left of the image. The area shown is 35 by 27 kilometers (22 by 17 miles) centered at 37.4 degrees north latitude, 122.1 degrees west longitude. Colors are assigned to different radar frequencies and polarizations as follows: red is L-band horizontally transmitted, horizontally received, green is C-band horizontally transmitted, horizontally received, and blue is C-band horizontally transmitted, vertically received. The image was acquired by the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) imaging radar when it flew aboard the space shuttle Endeavour on October 2, 1994. |
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Galileo at Jupiter
This artist's rendering show
7/11/95
| Date |
7/11/95 |
| Description |
This artist's rendering shows the Galileo orbiter arriving at Jupiter on Dec. 7, 1995. A few hours before arrival, the orbiter will have flown within about 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) of Jupiter's moon lo, shown as the crescent to the left of the spacecraft. The sun is visible between Io and the spacecraft, near the spacecraft's long magnetometer. Jupiter is to the right. A faint white streak above the planet's clouds shows the atmospheric probe beginning to decelerate before it deploys a parachute for its scientific mission to collect data as it descends into the atmosphere and relay that data to the orbiter. About an hour after the probe's mission is over, the orbiter will brake with its rocket engine to go into orbit around Jupiter for a two-year, 11-orbit study of Jupiter, its satellites and its magnetosphere. The Galileo mission is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for NASA's Office of Space Science, Washington, D.C. The Galileo probe is managed by NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field. Calif. |
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NASA MOSES LAKE DEMONSTRATIO
NASA's Human Robotic Systems
6/9/08
| Description |
NASA's Human Robotic Systems Project, part of the agency's Exploration Technology Development Program, focused on human and robotic mobility systems for the moon, but also looked at communication and command and control systems that will connect the explorers with Earth and each other. The Moses Lake dunes provided a wide variety of soil consistencies and terrain that allowed the team to put prototype scout robots, rovers, cargo carriers, cranes and spacesuits through tests in a harsh and changing environment. The prototype tests will be used to inform developers of specific requirements needed in lunar surface support systems for the Constellation Program. The program is building the launch vehicles and spacecraft that will take a new generation of explorers to the moon, as well as lunar landers, habitats, life support systems, vehicles and robots to support them. A ground control team located thousands of miles away at Johnson operated the robots an d coordinated the movements of the suited explorers. NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., tested two K10 rovers that surveyed simulated lunar landing sites and built topographic and panoramic 3-D terrain models. One rover used a ground-penetrating radar to assess subsurface structures. The other used a 3-D scanning laser system known as LIDAR to create topographic maps. The scout robots are designed to perform highly repetitive and long-duration tasks, such as site mapping and science reconnaissance.JPL tested two ATHLETE cargo-moving rovers. Each rover has six legs capable of rolling or walking over extremely rough or steep terrain. This will allow robotic or human missions on the surface of the moon to load, manipulate, deposit and transport payloads to desired sites. The team includes members from Johnson, Ames, Stanford University and The Boeing Co. of Chicago. NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, and Carnegie Mellon University of Pittsburgh test ed an autonomous drilling rover that could be used to search for valuable resources under the lunar surface in the moon's polar regions. The team also includes members from Ames, Johnson, NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Canadian Space Agency and the Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. in Sudbury, Ontario. |
| Date |
6/9/08 |
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NASA MOSES LAKE DEMONSTRATIO
NASA's Human Robotic Systems
6/9/08
| Description |
NASA's Human Robotic Systems Project, part of the agency's Exploration Technology Development Program, focused on human and robotic mobility systems for the moon, but also looked at communication and command and control systems that will connect the explorers with Earth and each other. The Moses Lake dunes provided a wide variety of soil consistencies and terrain that allowed the team to put prototype scout robots, rovers, cargo carriers, cranes and spacesuits through tests in a harsh and changing environment. The prototype tests will be used to inform developers of specific requirements needed in lunar surface support systems for the Constellation Program. The program is building the launch vehicles and spacecraft that will take a new generation of explorers to the moon, as well as lunar landers, habitats, life support systems, vehicles and robots to support them. A ground control team located thousands of miles away at Johnson operated the robots an d coordinated the movements of the suited explorers. NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., tested two K10 rovers that surveyed simulated lunar landing sites and built topographic and panoramic 3-D terrain models. One rover used a ground-penetrating radar to assess subsurface structures. The other used a 3-D scanning laser system known as LIDAR to create topographic maps. The scout robots are designed to perform highly repetitive and long-duration tasks, such as site mapping and science reconnaissance.JPL tested two ATHLETE cargo-moving rovers. Each rover has six legs capable of rolling or walking over extremely rough or steep terrain. This will allow robotic or human missions on the surface of the moon to load, manipulate, deposit and transport payloads to desired sites. The team includes members from Johnson, Ames, Stanford University and The Boeing Co. of Chicago. NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, and Carnegie Mellon University of Pittsburgh test ed an autonomous drilling rover that could be used to search for valuable resources under the lunar surface in the moon's polar regions. The team also includes members from Ames, Johnson, NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Canadian Space Agency and the Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. in Sudbury, Ontario. |
| Date |
6/9/08 |
|
NASA MOSES LAKE DEMONSTRATIO
NASA's Human Robotic Systems
6/9/08
| Description |
NASA's Human Robotic Systems Project, part of the agency's Exploration Technology Development Program, focused on human and robotic mobility systems for the moon, but also looked at communication and command and control systems that will connect the explorers with Earth and each other. The Moses Lake dunes provided a wide variety of soil consistencies and terrain that allowed the team to put prototype scout robots, rovers, cargo carriers, cranes and spacesuits through tests in a harsh and changing environment. The prototype tests will be used to inform developers of specific requirements needed in lunar surface support systems for the Constellation Program. The program is building the launch vehicles and spacecraft that will take a new generation of explorers to the moon, as well as lunar landers, habitats, life support systems, vehicles and robots to support them. A ground control team located thousands of miles away at Johnson operated the robots an d coordinated the movements of the suited explorers. NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., tested two K10 rovers that surveyed simulated lunar landing sites and built topographic and panoramic 3-D terrain models. One rover used a ground-penetrating radar to assess subsurface structures. The other used a 3-D scanning laser system known as LIDAR to create topographic maps. The scout robots are designed to perform highly repetitive and long-duration tasks, such as site mapping and science reconnaissance.JPL tested two ATHLETE cargo-moving rovers. Each rover has six legs capable of rolling or walking over extremely rough or steep terrain. This will allow robotic or human missions on the surface of the moon to load, manipulate, deposit and transport payloads to desired sites. The team includes members from Johnson, Ames, Stanford University and The Boeing Co. of Chicago. NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, and Carnegie Mellon University of Pittsburgh test ed an autonomous drilling rover that could be used to search for valuable resources under the lunar surface in the moon's polar regions. The team also includes members from Ames, Johnson, NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Canadian Space Agency and the Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. in Sudbury, Ontario. |
| Date |
6/9/08 |
|
NASA MOSES LAKE DEMONSTRATIO
NASA's Human Robotic Systems
7/9/08
| Description |
NASA's Human Robotic Systems Project, part of the agency's Exploration Technology Development Program, focused on human and robotic mobility systems for the moon, but also looked at communication and command and control systems that will connect the explorers with Earth and each other. The Moses Lake dunes provided a wide variety of soil consistencies and terrain that allowed the team to put prototype scout robots, rovers, cargo carriers, cranes and spacesuits through tests in a harsh and changing environment. The prototype tests will be used to inform developers of specific requirements needed in lunar surface support systems for the Constellation Program. The program is building the launch vehicles and spacecraft that will take a new generation of explorers to the moon, as well as lunar landers, habitats, life support systems, vehicles and robots to support them. A ground control team located thousands of miles away at Johnson operated the robots and coordinated the movements of the suited explorers. NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., tested two K10 rovers that surveyed simulated lunar landing sites and built topographic and panoramic 3-D terrain models. One rover used a ground-penetrating radar to assess subsurface structures. The other used a 3-D scanning laser system known as LIDAR to create topographic maps. The scout robots are designed to perform highly repetitive and long-duration tasks, such as site mapping and science reconnaissance.JPL tested two ATHLETE cargo-moving rovers. Each rover has six legs capable of rolling or walking over extremely rough or steep terrain. This will allow robotic or human missions on the surface of the moon to load, manipulate, deposit and transport payloads to desired sites. The team includes members from Johnson, Ames, Stanford University and The Boeing Co. of Chicago. NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, and Carnegie Mellon University of Pittsburgh tested an autonomous drilling rover that could be used to search for valuable resources under the lunar surface in the moon's polar regions. The team also includes members from Ames, Johnson, NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Canadian Space Agency and the Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. in Sudbury, Ontario. |
| Date |
7/9/08 |
|
NASA MOSES LAKE DEMONSTRATIO
NASA's Human Robotic Systems
7/9/08
| Description |
NASA's Human Robotic Systems Project, part of the agency's Exploration Technology Development Program, focused on human and robotic mobility systems for the moon, but also looked at communication and command and control systems that will connect the explorers with Earth and each other. The Moses Lake dunes provided a wide variety of soil consistencies and terrain that allowed the team to put prototype scout robots, rovers, cargo carriers, cranes and spacesuits through tests in a harsh and changing environment. The prototype tests will be used to inform developers of specific requirements needed in lunar surface support systems for the Constellation Program. The program is building the launch vehicles and spacecraft that will take a new generation of explorers to the moon, as well as lunar landers, habitats, life support systems, vehicles and robots to support them. A ground control team located thousands of miles away at Johnson operated the robots and coordinated the movements of the suited explorers. NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., tested two K10 rovers that surveyed simulated lunar landing sites and built topographic and panoramic 3-D terrain models. One rover used a ground-penetrating radar to assess subsurface structures. The other used a 3-D scanning laser system known as LIDAR to create topographic maps. The scout robots are designed to perform highly repetitive and long-duration tasks, such as site mapping and science reconnaissance.JPL tested two ATHLETE cargo-moving rovers. Each rover has six legs capable of rolling or walking over extremely rough or steep terrain. This will allow robotic or human missions on the surface of the moon to load, manipulate, deposit and transport payloads to desired sites. The team includes members from Johnson, Ames, Stanford University and The Boeing Co. of Chicago. NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, and Carnegie Mellon University of Pittsburgh tested an autonomous drilling rover that could be used to search for valuable resources under the lunar surface in the moon's polar regions. The team also includes members from Ames, Johnson, NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Canadian Space Agency and the Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. in Sudbury, Ontario. |
| Date |
7/9/08 |
|
NASA MOSES LAKE DEMONSTRATIO
NASA's Human Robotic Systems
7/9/08
| Description |
NASA's Human Robotic Systems Project, part of the agency's Exploration Technology Development Program, focused on human and robotic mobility systems for the moon, but also looked at communication and command and control systems that will connect the explorers with Earth and each other. The Moses Lake dunes provided a wide variety of soil consistencies and terrain that allowed the team to put prototype scout robots, rovers, cargo carriers, cranes and spacesuits through tests in a harsh and changing environment. The prototype tests will be used to inform developers of specific requirements needed in lunar surface support systems for the Constellation Program. The program is building the launch vehicles and spacecraft that will take a new generation of explorers to the moon, as well as lunar landers, habitats, life support systems, vehicles and robots to support them. A ground control team located thousands of miles away at Johnson operated the robots and coordinated the movements of the suited explorers. NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., tested two K10 rovers that surveyed simulated lunar landing sites and built topographic and panoramic 3-D terrain models. One rover used a ground-penetrating radar to assess subsurface structures. The other used a 3-D scanning laser system known as LIDAR to create topographic maps. The scout robots are designed to perform highly repetitive and long-duration tasks, such as site mapping and science reconnaissance.JPL tested two ATHLETE cargo-moving rovers. Each rover has six legs capable of rolling or walking over extremely rough or steep terrain. This will allow robotic or human missions on the surface of the moon to load, manipulate, deposit and transport payloads to desired sites. The team includes members from Johnson, Ames, Stanford University and The Boeing Co. of Chicago. NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, and Carnegie Mellon University of Pittsburgh tested an autonomous drilling rover that could be used to search for valuable resources under the lunar surface in the moon's polar regions. The team also includes members from Ames, Johnson, NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Canadian Space Agency and the Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. in Sudbury, Ontario. |
| Date |
7/9/08 |
|
NASA MOSES LAKE DEMONSTRATIO
NASA's Human Robotic Systems
7/9/08
| Description |
NASA's Human Robotic Systems Project, part of the agency's Exploration Technology Development Program, focused on human and robotic mobility systems for the moon, but also looked at communication and command and control systems that will connect the explorers with Earth and each other. The Moses Lake dunes provided a wide variety of soil consistencies and terrain that allowed the team to put prototype scout robots, rovers, cargo carriers, cranes and spacesuits through tests in a harsh and changing environment. The prototype tests will be used to inform developers of specific requirements needed in lunar surface support systems for the Constellation Program. The program is building the launch vehicles and spacecraft that will take a new generation of explorers to the moon, as well as lunar landers, habitats, life support systems, vehicles and robots to support them. A ground control team located thousands of miles away at Johnson operated the robots and coordinated the movements of the suited explorers. NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., tested two K10 rovers that surveyed simulated lunar landing sites and built topographic and panoramic 3-D terrain models. One rover used a ground-penetrating radar to assess subsurface structures. The other used a 3-D scanning laser system known as LIDAR to create topographic maps. The scout robots are designed to perform highly repetitive and long-duration tasks, such as site mapping and science reconnaissance.JPL tested two ATHLETE cargo-moving rovers. Each rover has six legs capable of rolling or walking over extremely rough or steep terrain. This will allow robotic or human missions on the surface of the moon to load, manipulate, deposit and transport payloads to desired sites. The team includes members from Johnson, Ames, Stanford University and The Boeing Co. of Chicago. NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, and Carnegie Mellon University of Pittsburgh tested an autonomous drilling rover that could be used to search for valuable resources under the lunar surface in the moon's polar regions. The team also includes members from Ames, Johnson, NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Canadian Space Agency and the Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. in Sudbury, Ontario. |
| Date |
7/9/08 |
|
NASA MOSES LAKE DEMONSTRATIO
NASA's Human Robotic Systems
7/9/08
| Description |
NASA's Human Robotic Systems Project, part of the agency's Exploration Technology Development Program, focused on human and robotic mobility systems for the moon, but also looked at communication and command and control systems that will connect the explorers with Earth and each other. The Moses Lake dunes provided a wide variety of soil consistencies and terrain that allowed the team to put prototype scout robots, rovers, cargo carriers, cranes and spacesuits through tests in a harsh and changing environment. The prototype tests will be used to inform developers of specific requirements needed in lunar surface support systems for the Constellation Program. The program is building the launch vehicles and spacecraft that will take a new generation of explorers to the moon, as well as lunar landers, habitats, life support systems, vehicles and robots to support them. A ground control team located thousands of miles away at Johnson operated the robots and coordinated the movements of the suited explorers. NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., tested two K10 rovers that surveyed simulated lunar landing sites and built topographic and panoramic 3-D terrain models. One rover used a ground-penetrating radar to assess subsurface structures. The other used a 3-D scanning laser system known as LIDAR to create topographic maps. The scout robots are designed to perform highly repetitive and long-duration tasks, such as site mapping and science reconnaissance.JPL tested two ATHLETE cargo-moving rovers. Each rover has six legs capable of rolling or walking over extremely rough or steep terrain. This will allow robotic or human missions on the surface of the moon to load, manipulate, deposit and transport payloads to desired sites. The team includes members from Johnson, Ames, Stanford University and The Boeing Co. of Chicago. NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, and Carnegie Mellon University of Pittsburgh tested an autonomous drilling rover that could be used to search for valuable resources under the lunar surface in the moon's polar regions. The team also includes members from Ames, Johnson, NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Canadian Space Agency and the Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. in Sudbury, Ontario. |
| Date |
7/9/08 |
|
NASA MOSES LAKE DEMONSTRATIO
NASA's Human Robotic Systems
7/9/08
| Description |
NASA's Human Robotic Systems Project, part of the agency's Exploration Technology Development Program, focused on human and robotic mobility systems for the moon, but also looked at communication and command and control systems that will connect the explorers with Earth and each other. The Moses Lake dunes provided a wide variety of soil consistencies and terrain that allowed the team to put prototype scout robots, rovers, cargo carriers, cranes and spacesuits through tests in a harsh and changing environment. The prototype tests will be used to inform developers of specific requirements needed in lunar surface support systems for the Constellation Program. The program is building the launch vehicles and spacecraft that will take a new generation of explorers to the moon, as well as lunar landers, habitats, life support systems, vehicles and robots to support them. A ground control team located thousands of miles away at Johnson operated the robots and coordinated the movements of the suited explorers. NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., tested two K10 rovers that surveyed simulated lunar landing sites and built topographic and panoramic 3-D terrain models. One rover used a ground-penetrating radar to assess subsurface structures. The other used a 3-D scanning laser system known as LIDAR to create topographic maps. The scout robots are designed to perform highly repetitive and long-duration tasks, such as site mapping and science reconnaissance.JPL tested two ATHLETE cargo-moving rovers. Each rover has six legs capable of rolling or walking over extremely rough or steep terrain. This will allow robotic or human missions on the surface of the moon to load, manipulate, deposit and transport payloads to desired sites. The team includes members from Johnson, Ames, Stanford University and The Boeing Co. of Chicago. NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, and Carnegie Mellon University of Pittsburgh tested an autonomous drilling rover that could be used to search for valuable resources under the lunar surface in the moon's polar regions. The team also includes members from Ames, Johnson, NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Canadian Space Agency and the Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. in Sudbury, Ontario. |
| Date |
7/9/08 |
|
NASA MOSES LAKE DEMONSTRATIO
NASA's Human Robotic Systems
7/9/08
| Description |
NASA's Human Robotic Systems Project, part of the agency's Exploration Technology Development Program, focused on human and robotic mobility systems for the moon, but also looked at communication and command and control systems that will connect the explorers with Earth and each other. The Moses Lake dunes provided a wide variety of soil consistencies and terrain that allowed the team to put prototype scout robots, rovers, cargo carriers, cranes and spacesuits through tests in a harsh and changing environment. The prototype tests will be used to inform developers of specific requirements needed in lunar surface support systems for the Constellation Program. The program is building the launch vehicles and spacecraft that will take a new generation of explorers to the moon, as well as lunar landers, habitats, life support systems, vehicles and robots to support them. A ground control team located thousands of miles away at Johnson operated the robots and coordinated the movements of the suited explorers. NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., tested two K10 rovers that surveyed simulated lunar landing sites and built topographic and panoramic 3-D terrain models. One rover used a ground-penetrating radar to assess subsurface structures. The other used a 3-D scanning laser system known as LIDAR to create topographic maps. The scout robots are designed to perform highly repetitive and long-duration tasks, such as site mapping and science reconnaissance.JPL tested two ATHLETE cargo-moving rovers. Each rover has six legs capable of rolling or walking over extremely rough or steep terrain. This will allow robotic or human missions on the surface of the moon to load, manipulate, deposit and transport payloads to desired sites. The team includes members from Johnson, Ames, Stanford University and The Boeing Co. of Chicago. NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, and Carnegie Mellon University of Pittsburgh tested an autonomous drilling rover that could be used to search for valuable resources under the lunar surface in the moon's polar regions. The team also includes members from Ames, Johnson, NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Canadian Space Agency and the Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. in Sudbury, Ontario. |
| Date |
7/9/08 |
|
NASA MOSES LAKE DEMONSTRATIO
NASA's Human Robotic Systems
7/9/08
| Description |
NASA's Human Robotic Systems Project, part of the agency's Exploration Technology Development Program, focused on human and robotic mobility systems for the moon, but also looked at communication and command and control systems that will connect the explorers with Earth and each other. The Moses Lake dunes provided a wide variety of soil consistencies and terrain that allowed the team to put prototype scout robots, rovers, cargo carriers, cranes and spacesuits through tests in a harsh and changing environment. The prototype tests will be used to inform developers of specific requirements needed in lunar surface support systems for the Constellation Program. The program is building the launch vehicles and spacecraft that will take a new generation of explorers to the moon, as well as lunar landers, habitats, life support systems, vehicles and robots to support them. A ground control team located thousands of miles away at Johnson operated the robots and coordinated the movements of the suited explorers. NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., tested two K10 rovers that surveyed simulated lunar landing sites and built topographic and panoramic 3-D terrain models. One rover used a ground-penetrating radar to assess subsurface structures. The other used a 3-D scanning laser system known as LIDAR to create topographic maps. The scout robots are designed to perform highly repetitive and long-duration tasks, such as site mapping and science reconnaissance.JPL tested two ATHLETE cargo-moving rovers. Each rover has six legs capable of rolling or walking over extremely rough or steep terrain. This will allow robotic or human missions on the surface of the moon to load, manipulate, deposit and transport payloads to desired sites. The team includes members from Johnson, Ames, Stanford University and The Boeing Co. of Chicago. NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, and Carnegie Mellon University of Pittsburgh tested an autonomous drilling rover that could be used to search for valuable resources under the lunar surface in the moon's polar regions. The team also includes members from Ames, Johnson, NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Canadian Space Agency and the Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. in Sudbury, Ontario. |
| Date |
7/9/08 |
|
NASA MOSES LAKE DEMONSTRATIO
NASA's Human Robotic Systems
7/9/08
| Description |
NASA's Human Robotic Systems Project, part of the agency's Exploration Technology Development Program, focused on human and robotic mobility systems for the moon, but also looked at communication and command and control systems that will connect the explorers with Earth and each other. The Moses Lake dunes provided a wide variety of soil consistencies and terrain that allowed the team to put prototype scout robots, rovers, cargo carriers, cranes and spacesuits through tests in a harsh and changing environment. The prototype tests will be used to inform developers of specific requirements needed in lunar surface support systems for the Constellation Program. The program is building the launch vehicles and spacecraft that will take a new generation of explorers to the moon, as well as lunar landers, habitats, life support systems, vehicles and robots to support them. A ground control team located thousands of miles away at Johnson operated the robots and coordinated the movements of the suited explorers. NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., tested two K10 rovers that surveyed simulated lunar landing sites and built topographic and panoramic 3-D terrain models. One rover used a ground-penetrating radar to assess subsurface structures. The other used a 3-D scanning laser system known as LIDAR to create topographic maps. The scout robots are designed to perform highly repetitive and long-duration tasks, such as site mapping and science reconnaissance.JPL tested two ATHLETE cargo-moving rovers. Each rover has six legs capable of rolling or walking over extremely rough or steep terrain. This will allow robotic or human missions on the surface of the moon to load, manipulate, deposit and transport payloads to desired sites. The team includes members from Johnson, Ames, Stanford University and The Boeing Co. of Chicago. NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, and Carnegie Mellon University of Pittsburgh tested an autonomous drilling rover that could be used to search for valuable resources under the lunar surface in the moon's polar regions. The team also includes members from Ames, Johnson, NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Canadian Space Agency and the Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. in Sudbury, Ontario. |
| Date |
7/9/08 |
|
|