NASA Florida Space Grant Consortium And Space Florida Award $453,000

The NASA Florida Space Grant Consortium (FSGC), and Space Florida have announced the selection and award of 22 space research and education grants for 2009. The Florida Space Research Program (FSRP) will provide a total of $453,191 in funding to selected recipients.

The FSRP combines both Federal and State funds for projects that diversify Florida's space industry and research efforts, while also supporting aerospace workforce development statewide.  The program is comprised of three categories - The Space Education & Training Program, Space Exploration & Spaceport Technical Development, and Space-Based Research and Payload Development.

"I believe this is the year in which our two organizations have shown an outstanding commitment to research", said Dr. Jaydeep Mukherjee, Director of FSGC, and administrator of the program. "Continuing to fuel the fire of research, despite economic conditions, affirms just how important we believe space research is to our universities, our space industry, and the future of our state."    

"Space Florida is proud to be a partner in the Florida Space Research Program," said Frank DiBello, Space Florida President. "These special grants will stimulate research activities throughout the state and strengthen long-term cooperation between universities and industry, as well as form a basis for increased research funding in the future."

The State of Florida and Space Florida have been significant contributors to the Florida Space Research Program for five years. Space Florida contributed $62,500 to the 2009 program.

The FSRP 2009 awardees include eight Florida universities: the University of North Florida, Florida State University, University of Florida, University of Central Florida, Florida Institute of Technology, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, and two additional Florida educational entities - The Astronaut Memorial Foundation's Teacher Connect program and the Jacksonville based 'Tekna-Theos' group.

Research projects selected include:

• Development of a Propellant-less Propulsion System for LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites (UCF)
• Development, design and distribution of innovative CRATERSCAPE Curriculum (FSU)
• Expansion of Internet Embedded Systems Lab to Enhance Space-Related Courses (FGCU)
• Aerodynamic Stability Research for Satellites in Elliptic Low Earth Orbits (ERAU)
• Learning Chemistry through Mars-Themed Experiments in a Virtual Lab (FIT)

A total of 50 proposals were received. Each submission was independently evaluated by a team of experienced professionals from Kennedy Space Center, other NASA centers and Grant Consortia located throughout the U.S.

The FSRP provides an opportunity for FSGC and Space Florida to cooperatively achieve the goal of promoting and developing Florida's aerospace industry while simultaneously supporting space research and education projects.

FMI: www.floridaspacegrant.org, www.spaceflorida.gov