Sep 21 2010
From The Space Library
RELEASE: 10-270
NASA ADMINISTRATOR STATEMENT ON CHINA VISIT
WASHINGTON -- On October 16-21, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden led a small delegation to China. The following is a statement from the Administrator regarding his visit: "On behalf of the NASA delegation that traveled to China, I want to express my appreciation to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, our hosts for my visit. Our delegation conducted a very comprehensive visit to Chinese human spaceflight related facilities including the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and conducted meetings with relevant senior officials in the Chinese government. "I am pleased that NASA was able to meet its objectives for the visit, which included becoming acquainted with relevant Chinese space officials and institutions, better understanding Chinese human spaceflight programs and plans, and reaching a common understanding of the importance of transparency, reciprocity and mutual benefit as the underlying principles of any future interaction between our two nations in the area of human spaceflight. "I also had an opportunity to meet with my counterpart at the China National Space Administration to review the ongoing efforts of Space and Earth Science working groups, established in 2007, to explore areas of mutual interest. "Although my visit did not include consideration of any specific proposals for future cooperation, I believe that my delegation's visit to China increased mutual understanding on the issue of human spaceflight and space exploration, which can form the basis for further dialogue and cooperation in a manner that is consistent with the national interests of both of our countries. The full text of the November 2009 U.S.-China Joint Statement is available online at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/us-china-joint-statement
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RELEASE: 10-322
NASA SELECTS SMALL BUSINESS RESEARCH AND TECH PROJECTS
WASHINGTON -- NASA is negotiating contracts with 350 small businesses that had the best proposals to address critical research and technology needs for agency programs and projects. The proposals are part of NASA's Small Business Innovation Research Program, known as SBIR, and the Small Business Technology Transfer program, known as STTR. "The SBIR and STTR programs help facilitate innovative research and technology development among America's most creative small businesses, said Bobby Braun, NASA chief technologist at the agency's Headquarters in Washington. These Phase 1 awards will serve as seed funds for transformative research and technology projects that have the potential to mature new products and services of great benefit to NASA and the nation. The SBIR program selected 450 proposals for negotiation of Phase 1 contracts with a total value of approximately $45 million. The STTR program chose 45 proposals for negotiation of Phase 1 contracts with a total value of approximately $4.5 million. The SBIR contracts will be awarded to 309 small, high technology firms in 37 states. The STTR contracts will be awarded to 41 small high technology firms in 16 states. As part of the STTR program, the firms will partner with 41 universities or research institutions in 22 states. For a complete list of selected companies, visit: http://sbir.nasa.gov Innovative research areas among these selected proposals include: - Analytical and experimental methodologies for reliably predicting the effects of aeroelasticity and its impact on aircraft performance, flight dynamics, and safety of flight; - Advanced photovoltaic systems to enable low cost, low mass, high reliability and efficient power generation systems for a wide variety of deep space exploration missions; - Innovative technologies for accurate measurements of atmospheric parameters and surface topography of the Earth, Mars, the moon and other planetary bodies; - Technologies that provide innovative ways to leverage existing International Space Station facilities for new scientific payloads and on orbit analysis to enhance capabilities and reduce sample return requirements. The programs address specific technology gaps in NASA missions while striving to complement other agency research investments. Program results have benefited numerous NASA efforts, including air traffic control systems, Earth observing spacecraft, the space shuttle and International Space Station, and robotic explorers. The highly competitive SBIR/STTR program is a three-phase award system. It provides qualified small businesses with opportunities to propose unique ideas that meet specific research and development needs of the federal government. Phase I is a feasibility study to evaluate the scientific and technical merit of an idea. Awards are typically for six months for the SBIR contracts and twelve months for the STTR contracts, in amounts up to $100,000. Firms successfully completing a Phase I are eligible to submit a Phase II proposal expanding on the results of the developments in Phase I, providing awards for as long as two years in amounts up to $750,000. Phase III is for the commercialization of the results of Phase II and requires the use of private sector or non-SBIR federal funding. NASA received 1,876 Phase I proposals. The winners were selected based on technical merit and feasibility, experience, qualifications and facilities, effectiveness of the work plan and commercial potential and feasibility. NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., manages the SBIR and STTR programs for NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist. NASA collaborates with U.S. industry to develop pioneering technologies, infuse them into agency missions and transition them into commercially available products and services. NASA's 10 field centers manage individual projects.
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MEDIA ADVISORY: M10-173
NASA TELEVISION WILL AIR SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY TANKING TEST
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA will conduct a tanking test at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday, Dec. 17, to evaluate repairs made to space shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank. Managers decided Dec. 3 to perform more tests and analysis before proceeding with Discovery's STS-133 mission to the International Space Station. The test will air live on NASA Television beginning at 6:45 a.m. EST. Discovery's external tank will be filled with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, as it is before launch. Technicians placed 89 instruments on the tank to assess its performance during the fuel loading. Strain and thermal sensors will record movement and temperatures from the tank's ribbed intertank area as it chills and warms during fuel loading and emptying. The tank holds super-cold liquid oxygen chilled to minus 297 degrees Fahrenheit and liquid hydrogen at minus 423 F. The cryogenic propellants cause the tank to shrink by about one-half inch. The test will help verify repairs associated with cracks on the tops of two 21-foot-long, U-shaped aluminum brackets, called stringers, on the external tank. It also will help engineers determine what caused the cracks during Discovery's launch countdown on Nov. 5. Technicians repaired the cracks and reapplied foam insulation on the stringers last month. Results of the instrumented test will not be known immediately. Managers and engineers will review the test data and determine the next course of action. Discovery's next launch opportunity is no earlier than 1:34 a.m. on Feb. 3. For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv For STS-133 crew and mission information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
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