As Always, Agency Looking Towards The Future

With a 1/15 scale model of the Ares 1 rocket towering over the entrance, and an actual Space Shuttle engine on a trailer sitting nearby, the NASA Pavilion at AirVenture beckons the passerby to check out the latest happenings in America’s space agency.

Inside, a smaller model of the Ares 1 with a cutaway shows how the next generation of launch vehicles may be configured.

Given the age of the Space Shuttle fleet and the problems that have plagued it of late, NASA’s top overall priority is searching for a reliable and economical replacement. At this point, that appears to be the three-stage Ares 1. After several attempts at a single-stage launch vehicle, NASA has determined that it is not currently feasible.

The pavilion offers a variety of stations, some designed to peak children’s interest in science.

Says Kevin Kempton of NASA, "Our target audience is anyone with an interest in aerospace. We’re looking for the high school kid who wants to be an astronaut, but there are also older folks that are very knowledgeable.  We’re getting a good mix through here."

While the Space Shuttle missions are high profile, NASA currently has a number of missions in progress.  At this time, spacecraft are enroute or soon to be launched to Mercury, Mars and Pluto.

NASA also provides funding to universities for robotics research.

FMI: www.nasa.gov