Embry-Riddle, FIT, UCF And UF Among 17 R&D Programs Selected

Seventeen proposals for conducting scientific research and development will receive funding in 2008 from the Florida Joint Matching Grant Program, a collaboration of the NASA Florida Space Grant Consortium and Space Florida.

A total of $375,000 will be distributed to:

• 4Frontiers Corporation, New Port Richey, FL
• The Astronauts Memorial Foundation, Kennedy Space Center, FL
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL
• Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL
• The University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
• University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

This annual program combines available Federal and State funds for projects that will diversify Florida's space industry and maintain the state's position at the forefront of the scientific research community.

"This seed funding can really be a stepping stone for the recipients," said Dr. Jaydeep Mukherjee, Director of the Florida Space Grant Consortium and administrator of the program. "It allows them to compete for larger awards. Many of our past beneficiaries have gone on to receive some very prestigious grants."

"Any assistance we can offer local educators only helps further our mission to strengthen Florida's position as the leader in global aerospace research," said Percy Luney, Vice President of Education, Research and Development for Space Florida. "We are so pleased to be a partner in this program."

The 2008 research projects cover a range of activities including:

• Simulation of ground processing of orbital replacement units for the International Space Station.
• Development of a small satellite attitude determination & control system.
• Design and analysis of high energy efficiency DC-DC converters for small satellites.
• Development of a high-powered density magnet motor for future spacecraft applications.

The Florida Joint Matching Grant Program is an opportunity for Space Florida and the Grant Consortium to cooperatively achieve their mutual goals of promoting and developing Florida's aerospace industry while simultaneously supporting space research and education projects. All proposals were reviewed by NASA personnel and a selection of university researchers. A total of 49 proposals were received.

FMI: http://fsgc.engr.ucf.edu, www.spaceflorida.gov