Feb 2 2012
From The Space Library
RELEASE: 12-031 COLBERT ADVOCATES NASA SPACE STATION RESEARCH
HAMPTON, Va. -- Stephen Colbert, host of the nightly 'The Colbert Report,' said in a new NASA public service announcement released today that he's always been a huge fan of space. The talk show host tells his Colbert Nation -- and the world -- that he now likes space even more "because NASA is doing great things on the International Space Station (ISS)." The completion of the ISS ushered in a new era of research and discovery in a near gravity-free environment. Research on the orbital laboratory is focused on four areas: human health and exploration; basic life and physical sciences; earth and space science; and technology development to enable future exploration. Colbert specifically mentions the agency's work aboard the space station to develop new vaccines to fight infectious and deadly diseases, such as salmonella and pneumonia. As resistance toward current antibiotics becomes more common, there is an increasing need for alternative treatments. The Comedy Central comedian has had a continuing interest in the ISS. In 2009, when NASA asked the public to help name the station's Node 3, Colbert urged his followers to submit the name "Colbert." The name received the most entries and astronauts continue to exercise on the most famous treadmill in the world, the Combined Operational Load-Bearing External Resistance Treadmill or COLBERT, in the station's Tranquility module.
RELEASE: 12-042 NASA SEEKS PROPOSALS FOR EDISON SMALL SATELLITE DEMONSTRATIONS
WASHINGTON -- NASA is seeking proposals for flight demonstrations of small satellite technologies with the goal of increasing the technical capabilities and range of uses for this emerging category of spacecraft. Small satellites typically weigh less than 400 pounds (180 kg) and are generally launched as secondary payloads on rockets carrying larger spacecraft. The small satellite category includes softball-sized "CubeSats," which are standardized, small, cube-shaped spacecraft that can carry small payloads, and even smaller experimental spacecraft. "NASA's Edison SmallSat program helps to continue America's leadership in space through the further development of this class of satellites -- small, agile and relatively inexpensive spacecraft that could perform many tasks in space enabling new missions and providing unique educational opportunities," said Michael Gazarik, director of NASA's Space Technology Program at the agency's headquarters in Washington. "These spacecraft represent a new opportunity among the many ways that NASA can approach its diverse goals in science, exploration and education." NASA's Edison Small Satellite Demonstration Program has released a broad agency announcement seeking low-cost, flight demonstration proposals for small satellite technology. The topic areas for this solicitation will be limited to demonstrations of communications systems for small satellites, proximity operations with small satellites and propulsion systems for Cubesat-scale satellites. Other technology and application demonstrations will be addressed in future solicitations. "Encouraging the growth of small-spacecraft technology also benefits our economy," said Andrew Petro, Edison program executive at NASA Headquarters. "Many of the technologies that enable small spacecraft come from the world of small business, where commercial practices provide innovative and cost-effective solutions. Those technologies will continue to advance as demand and competition drive companies to excel." The advancement of small spacecraft technologies offers the potential for small satellites to expand the types of science and exploration at NASA. These spacecraft can accomplish new types of missions never before possible, and they are expected to provide space access to more technologists and scientists. Their small size means that they are less expensive to build and launch, which allows NASA to engage the expanding small-space community, including small businesses and university researchers, in technology that helps enable larger goals. Executive summaries of proposals must be submitted by March 4, 2012. NASA expects to invite full proposals this spring, with selections made this fall. A selected project must be completed within two to three years at a total cost of no more than $15 million. The number of awards will depend on the quality and cost of proposals and availability of funding. The Edison Small Satellite Demonstration Program is managed by NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, Calif., for the Space Technology Program, which works to provide the technologies and capabilities that will enable NASA's future missions.
MEDIA ADVISORY: M12-020 NASA ADMINISTRATOR LEADS ACTION SESSION OF PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON JOBS AND COMPETITIVENESS
WASHINGTON -- NASA Administrator Charles Bolden will lead a discussion with business leaders and higher education professionals at a Listening and Action Session of the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. PST on Friday, Feb. 3, in Seattle. Bolden will be joined by Darlene Miller, president and CEO of Permac Industries and a member of the President's Council; Brad Smith, general counsel at Microsoft; John Vechey, founder and CEO of PopCap Games (Electronic Arts); Nicolas J. Hanauer, partner at Second Avenue Partners; and Don Graves, executive director of the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. The group will discuss how businesses and organizations like NASA can enhance educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics beyond the classroom to develop a competitive and innovative workforce. The council will meet as part of the Business Higher Education Forum taking place on Friday. Members of the media wishing to attend the Listening and Action Session should contact Lauren Worley at 202-386-5406 or lauren.b.worley@nasa.gov.
MEDIA ADVISORY: M12-021 NASA TO HOST MEDIA TELECON ON SPACE STATION STATUS
HOUSTON -- NASA will host a media telecon at 2 p.m. CST today to discuss the status of the International Space Station and the progress toward an updated launch schedule, including international partner and commercial space vehicles. International Space Station Program Manager Michael Suffredini will answer reporters' questions.
