Jun 22 2010
From The Space Library
RELEASE: 10-070
NASA RELEASES STUNNING HUBBLE TELESCOPE 20TH ANNIVERSARY BOOK
WASHINGTON -- NASA set out on a monumental journey with the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope in April 1990. Since then, it has captured the minds and imaginations of people around the world. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of this scientific icon, NASA has collaborated with leading illustrated book publisher Abrams to release a dynamic and unique collection of Hubble images and commentary. "Hubble: A Journey Through Space and Time takes an in-depth look at this unique, ground-breaking telescope. It serves as an authoritative account of the observatory, which has revolutionized astronomy and photography. The book highlights Hubble's spectacular visual legacy to humanity in stunning images and includes what many consider Hubble's 20 most important scientific findings to date. The classic images, all selected by NASA astronomers, show stars being born and dying; galaxies colliding and reforming; and the young universe in the throes of creation. "This book represents a sampling of 20 years of Hubble discoveries that have forever changed the view of the universe and our place within it, said Ed Weiler, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington and the book's author. The new and improved Hubble will continue to have a positive impact on the world for decades with many of its greatest discoveries yet to come. Complementing the stunning imagery are commentaries by notable scientists and testimonies by the veteran astronauts who manned NASA's missions to repair and maintain the telescope. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, who piloted the space shuttle that launched the telescope, contributed the foreword. The result is a firsthand, complete story of one of history's most important astronomical tools. The book is available at bookstores.
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RELEASE: 10-079
INNOVATIVE NASA-JAXA PARTNERSHIP BENEFITS GLOBAL EARTH SCIENCE
WASHINGTON -- In a unique collaboration between national space agencies, the United States and Japan began combining elements of their satellite resources on Monday to increase a critical type of Earth observation data. The partnership will more than double the quantity of this data that is used to explore earthquake hazards, forest declines, and changing water resources in the Americas. This new partnership between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, known as JAXA, uses NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System to download observations over North and South America taken by instruments on JAXA's Advanced Land Observing Satellite, or ALOS. By combining NASA and JAXA data-relay satellite resources, coverage of North and South America nearly doubles. Observations will be made about twice as often. "This is a great example of the value to be gained through international collaboration between the world's Earth-observing nations, said Michael Freilich, director of the Earth Science Division in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. By working together and sharing satellite resources like this, we can produce more data more rapidly and cost-effectively than if each of us went it alone. The Phased Array type L-band synthetic aperture radar, known as PALSAR, is one of the instruments aboard ALOS. It precisely measures the distance to Earth's surface under all weather conditions during day and night. Measurements from this instrument are used for detecting changes in the ground surface associated with earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides; mapping forest cover and flooding in the tropics that affect the carbon balance in land-based ecosystems; and determining the speed at which ice sheets and glaciers move, which contributes to sea-level rise. NASA does not currently have this type of instrument in orbit, but a NASA synthetic aperture radar mission is planned to launch later this decade. NASA has been obtaining these data from JAXA and other international space agencies for use by U.S. scientists. Under the new agreement with JAXA, NASA will have access to all the ALOS data acquired over the Americas and can make it available to scientists affiliated with U.S. government agencies for peaceful scientific purposes. The Alaska Satellite Facility, a NASA data center located at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, will process and distribute the PALSAR data. "The expanded ALOS data flow will significantly improve our scientists' ability to monitor regions at risk to earthquake hazards, such as Haiti and Chile, said Craig Dobson, natural hazards program manager in the Earth Science Division at NASA Headquarters. Now we will be able to see very small changes in surface elevation associated with the build-up and release of strain in seismic zones over virtually the entire area of the Americas, with measurements made as often as every 46 days. Scientists also will be able to monitor seasonal changes in groundwater resources. NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System consists of eight communication satellites stationed in geosynchronous orbits. With ground stations at the White Sands Complex near Las Cruces, N.M., and at Guam, the system can provide complete coverage of user spacecraft. The system supports communications with the International Space Station, the Hubble Space Telescope, and many other NASA missions. ALOS data began to be distributed to users by the Alaska Satellite Facility today under the new agreement. The partnership is the result of development and testing work accomplished by a joint NASA-JAXA team that was started three years ago. This new NASA-JAXA agreement continues a long and productive partnership between the nations in satellite observation of Earth. Japanese instruments are flying on NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites, and NASA sensors have flown on previous Japanese Earth-observation missions. The NASA-JAXA Global Precipitation Mission, to be launched in 2013, will include both NASA- and JAXA-supplied sensors on a NASA satellite launched on a JAXA rocket. The mission will provide the first frequent, accurate measurements of rainfall over the entire globe for use by scientists and weather forecasters.
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MEDIA ADVISORY: M10-90
NEW YORK STUDENTS CONNECT WITH INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION ASTRONAUT FOR OUT OF THIS WORLD CONVERSATION
WASHINGTON -- Astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, orbiting 220 miles above Earth, will discuss living and working in space with students gathered at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, N.Y., on Thursday, June 10. The call between the students and International Space Station crew member will take place at about 11 a.m. EDT. The students participating are from Northside School, New Visions School, Wantagh Horizons Program, Westbury High School and Drexel Avenue School, all in New York. Reporters interested in attending the event should contact Andrew Parton of the Cradle of Aviation Museum at 516-572-4038. This downlink event is part of a series with educational organizations in the U.S. and abroad to improve teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM. It is an integral component of Teaching From Space, a NASA project that uses the unique environment of human spaceflight to promote learning opportunities and to build partnerships with the kindergarten through 12th grade education community. The Cradle of Aviation Museum has the mission of encouraging students to consider careers in STEM through hands-on activities and demonstrations while heightening the public's awareness, understanding and appreciation of Long Island's role in the history and development of aviation and space technology. The Cradle of Aviation Museum plans to work with NASA's Space Education Center in New York on their education initiatives. NASA Television will air video from the space station during the event. For NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
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RELEASE: 10-132
NASA ADMINISTRATOR'S STATEMENT ON FIRST FALCON 9 LAUNCH
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The following is a statement by NASA Administrator Charles Bolden regarding Friday's launch of Space Exploration Technologies' Falcon 9 rocket. "Congratulations to Space X on today's launch of its Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Space X's accomplishment is an important milestone in the commercial transportation effort and puts the company a step closer to providing cargo services to the International Space Station. "Preparations are proceeding for the first NASA-sponsored test launch under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services project later this year. COTS is a vital development and demonstration partnership to create a commercial space transportation system capable of providing cargo to the station. "This launch of the Falcon 9 gives us even more confidence that a resupply vehicle will be available after the space shuttle fleet is retired.
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RELEASE: 10-105
NASA OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR 'INSPIRED' HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
WASHINGTON -- High school students in the United States are invited to participate in NASA's Interdisciplinary National Science Program Incorporating Research Experience, or INSPIRE, through the program's online learning community. Applications are being accepted from Monday, May 3 through Wednesday, June 30. NASA will make selections for the program in September. Selectees and their parents will participate in an online learning community with opportunities to interact with peers, NASA engineers and scientists. The online community also provides appropriate grade level educational activities, discussion boards and chat rooms for participants to gain exposure to careers and opportunities available at NASA. Students selected for the program will have the option to compete for unique grade-appropriate experiences during the summer of 2011 at NASA facilities and participating universities. INSPIRE is designed to encourage students in ninth through 12th grades to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM. The summer experience provides students with a hands-on opportunity to investigate education and careers in those disciplines. INSPIRE is part of NASA's education strategy to attract and retain students in the STEM disciplines critical to NASA's missions. For information about INSPIRE, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/education/INSPIRE To apply for the program, visit: https://inspire.okstate.edu/index.cfm?liftoff=login.LoginForm
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