Thu, Sep 15, 2011
Two Teams, Experiments To Fly In 2012
NASA is offering undergraduate students the opportunity to test
an experiment in microgravity as part of the agency's Reduced
Gravity Education Flight Program. The program is accepting
proposals for two different flight experiences in 2012. Teams
interested in conducting student-driven research should submit a
letter of intent by Sept. 14. This step is optional, but serves as
an introductory notice that a team plans to submit a proposal for
the competition. Proposals for student-driven experiments are due
Oct. 26, and selected teams will be announced Dec. 7. The actual
flight experience will take place in June 2012.
The initiative, managed by the Education Office at NASA's
Johnson Space Center in Houston, provides future scientists and
engineers an opportunity to design, build and fly an experiment
aboard a microgravity aircraft. The aircraft is a modified jet that
flies approximately 30 roller-coaster-like climbs and dips to
simulate micro- and hyper-gravity. The overall experience includes
scientific research, hands-on experimental design, test operations
and public outreach activities. "This program leverages NASA's
unique resources and allows students to determine what it takes to
be a real world scientist or engineer," said Reduced Gravity
Education Flight Program Manager Doug Goforth.
NASA personnel also have identified student opportunities
related to ongoing systems engineering projects that are pertinent
to future agency research and missions. Students interested in
working on these projects are encouraged to apply for the Systems
Engineering Educational Discovery (SEED) flight week opportunity.
Proposals are due by Oct. 26, and selected teams will be announced
Nov. 30. The SEED flight week will take place in April 2012.
All applicants for these programs must be U.S. citizens.
Full-time students must be at least 18 years old. Selected teams
may invite an accredited journalist to fly with them to document
the experience.
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