Apr 9 2012
From The Space Library
RELEASE: 12-107 NASA RELEASES NEW OPEN GOVERNMENT PLAN
WASHINGTON -- NASA today released version 2.0 of its Open Government Plan, which includes a flagship initiative to build a new web architecture and a renewed focus on open data sharing, open source development and a variety of technology acceleration efforts. The plan also features a directory of more than 100 participatory, collaborative and transparent projects, offering citizens opportunities to understand, support and engage with the agency. Throughout the next year, NASA will continue to add projects to the directory. NASA's Open Government efforts launched two years ago in response to the December 2009 Open Government Directive, which called on executive agencies to become more open and accountable. Since then, the agency has worked to implement 147 goals addressing policy, technology and culture throughout its centers and offices. Also released today is an infographic summarizing the status of progress made toward these goals. "Open Government principles are already evident in numerous activities underway throughout the agency," said Sasi Pillay, NASA chief technology officer for IT at the NASA Headquarters in Washington. "This revision of the Plan captures these activities in one place for the benefit of all." The new plan provides a strong framework to better support the agency's vision to reach for new heights and reveal the unknown. -
MEDIA ADVISORY: M12-062 SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY TO FLY OVER WASHINGTON METRO AREA APRIL 17
WASHINGTON -- NASA's 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) with space shuttle Discovery mounted atop will fly approximately 1,500 feet above various parts of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area on Tuesday, April 17. The flight, in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration, is scheduled to occur between 10 and 11 a.m. EDT. NASA Television and the agency's web site will provide live coverage. The exact route and timing of the flight depend on weather and operational constraints. However, the aircraft is expected to fly near a variety of landmarks in the metropolitan area, including the National Mall, Reagan National Airport, National Harbor and the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center. When the flyover is complete, the SCA will land at Dulles International Airport. Discovery completed 39 missions, spent 365 days in space, orbited the Earth 5,830 times, and traveled 148,221,675 miles. NASA will transfer Discovery to the National Air and Space Museum to begin its new mission to commemorate past achievements in space and to educate and inspire future generations of explorers. If the flight must be postponed for any reason, an additional notice will be released.
MEDIA ADVISORY: M12-063 NASA TECHNOLOGY OFFICIALS VISIT CASE WESTERN RESERVE WEDNESDAY
WASHINGTON -- NASA Chief Technologist Mason Peck and Space Technology Program Director Michael Gazarik will visit Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland on Wednesday, April 11, to meet with students and faculty and learn about the school's engineering and science programs. Peck and Gazarik will hear about progress on NASA-funded research and meet with three Case Western Reserve graduate students who were selected as members of the inaugural class of NASA Space Technology Research Fellows. Peck and Case Western Reserve faculty and students will be available to speak briefly with members of the media at 10:40 a.m. EDT. Peck serves as the principal technology advisor to the NASA Administrator and is the agency advocate on matters concerning technology policy and programs. Gazarik oversees NASA's Space Technology Program, which develops and demonstrates advanced space systems concepts and technologies that enable new approaches to achieving NASA's current and future missions. Case Western Reserve University is one of the country's leading private research institutions. Leading-edge faculty engage in teaching and research in a collaborative, hands-on environment.
