May 14 2013

From The Space Library

RELEASE: 13-139 - NASA'S GOOGLE+ HANGOUT CONNECTS SPACE STATION, "STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS" CREWS --WASHINGTON -- The director, a writer and some actors in the film "Star Trek Into Darkness" will join NASA as it hosts a Google+ Hangout from noon to 12:45 p.m. EDT, May 16, about how work aboard the International Space Station is turning science fiction into reality. Google+ Hangouts allow as many as 10 people or groups to chat face-to-face, while thousands more can tune in to watch the conversation live on Google+ or YouTube. The hangout also will be carried live on NASA Television and the agency's website. Participating in the hangout will be NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy, who currently is living and working aboard the space station; astronauts Michael Fincke and Kjell Lindgren at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston; director J.J. Abrams, screenwriter and producer Damon Lindelof; and stars of the film, Chris Pine, Alice Eve and John Cho. The participants will ask questions of each other and take questions from the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City (home of the space shuttle Enterprise), the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, and social media followers. Cassidy will provide insights about life aboard the station. Crews conduct a variety of science experiments and perform station maintenance during their six-month stay on the outpost. Their life in weightlessness requires different approaches to everyday activities such as eating, sleeping and exercising. NASA's social media followers may submit video questions prior to the hangout. Several video questions will be selected and answered by astronauts and the movie cast. Unique and original questions are more likely to be selected. The deadline to submit video questions is 3 a.m. Wednesday, May 15. To be considered, video clips must be no longer than 30 seconds and uploaded to YouTube and tagged with #askNASA. Submitters should introduce themselves and mention their location before asking their question. NASA also will take questions submitted leading up to and during the event by fans on YouTube, Google+, Twitter and Facebook using #askNASA. On the morning of the event, NASA will open a thread on its Facebook page where questions may be posted.

MEDIA ADVISORY: M13-072 - NASA HONORS SALLY RIDE WITH A NATIONAL TRIBUTE AT KENNEDY CENTER --WASHINGTON -- NASA and Sally Ride Science are inviting the general public and journalists to "Sally Ride: A Lifetime of Accomplishment, A Champion of Science Literacy," an educational tribute to America's first woman in space on Monday, May 20. The special event will be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., at 7 p.m. EDT. The celebration will highlight Ride's contributions and her legacies. These include her long-time focus on education, and her passion for inspiring girls and under-represented minority students to become scientifically literate and consider pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The tribute will include the talents of Patti Austin, Damian Kulash of the band OK Go, Maria Shriver, Emil de Cou and Billie Jean King, with music by Tena Clark and choreography by Twyla Tharp. Talented students who will perform include the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra, the Centreville High School Choral Union from Virginia and dancers from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, NASA Associate Administrator for Education Leland Melvin and former astronaut Pam Melroy will be among those speaking about Ride's lifetime accomplishments. The tribute is presented and sponsored by Sally Ride Science. A limited number of tickets is available for the general public on a first-come, first-served basis. To attend the free event, complete this online RSVP Form by Wednesday, May 15. Please indicate if you need wheelchair access. Tickets for those who RSVP will be available at NASA's Will Call tables, which will be staffed in front of the Concert Hall (in the Grand Foyer) from 5 to 6:15 p.m. Monday, May 20. The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum and Sally Ride Science are hosting a panel discussion as a salute to Women in Science. “Sally Ride: How Her Historic Mission Opened Doors for Women in Science” will be held in the museum's Moving Beyond Earth gallery at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 17. The panel will be broadcast live on NASA Television and the agency's website. The panel includes NASA Johnson Space Center Director and former astronaut Ellen Ochoa, Dan Vergano of USA Today, Rene McCormick of the National Math and Science Initiative, and National Air and Space Museum curator Margaret Weitekamp. The discussion is hosted by NBC News' Tom Costello.

MEDIA ADVISORY: M13-076 - NASA ADMINISTRATOR VISITS HOUSTON, MEETS MEDIA --HOUSTON -- NASA Administrator Charles Bolden will be at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston on Thursday, May 16, to discuss the future of human space exploration and the critical role the International Space Station performs in support of those efforts. Johnson Center Director Ellen Ochoa, a veteran NASA astronaut, will join Bolden at 10:30 a.m. CST in the center's Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility for a short question and answer session with journalists. The event will not be televised. Johnson is home to the International Space Station and Orion Program offices and the primary training facility for NASA's astronaut corps.