Posted by Chris Radcliff in Calendar on February 26, 2009
Sat, Mar 28, 2009
8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location:
DART Fiesta Island launch site (directions)
Mission Bay, San Diego, CA
The Diego Area Rocket Team (DART) is having a rocketry contest. The contest is open to DART members and all NAR members in the Southern California area. NAR membership is required.
More information is available at the DART blog entry. If you would like to know more about contest flying, please contact Chris Flanigan for more information. They’re always looking for new contestants and especially young contestants.
Posted by Jesse Clark in News on February 25, 2009
That’s how many U.S. citizens value space exploration, according to a recent survey commissioned by the Coalition for Space Exploration.
With such strong support, it is unacceptable for NASA to be expected to operate without adequate funding to continue its legacy of discovery and innovation, both in space and here on Earth.
Despite the tough economic climate in the U.S., almost 90 percent of Americans see value in the U.S. space program. A recent survey conducted by the Coalition for Space Exploration proves that space is still very important to the American people.
- 88% value the space exploration program. When presented with basic information about the space program, the overall statistic increases to 96%.
- Value for the program is centered in three areas:
- A source of technological innovation and advancement (77%)
- Consumer product development based on technology used for space exploration (73%)
- Inspiring students to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and math (69%)
“These latest survey results demonstrate that the more familiar Americans are with the U.S. space program, the more likely they are to place a higher value on it. We are in agreement with the new administration whose space policy states that a revitalized NASA can help America contribute to our country’s economic growth and maintain its edge in innovation.” ~ Dean Acosta, Chairman of the Coalition’s Public Affairs Team
Learn more about the survey results, the benefits of Space Exploration, and President Obama’s Space Policy.
Posted by Chris Radcliff in Calendar on February 24, 2009
Wed, Mar 4, 2009
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Location:
Balboa Park (map)
El Prado & Village Pl, San Diego, CA
At dusk on the first Wednesday of each month, following the monthly “Sky Tonight” planetarium show in the Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater, members of the SDAA set up telescopes west of the Fleet on The Prado, for free public sky viewing.
The Mars Society San Diego and the San Diego Space Society set up displays near the telescopes. Stop by and say hello, or contact events@sdspace.org if you’re interested in volunteering.
Posted by Chris Radcliff in Calendar on February 23, 2009
Tue, Feb 24, 2009
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location:
NASA JPL Channel
on Ustream.TV
JPL is building a rover for Mars, and they invite you to watch it happen!
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory will give an unprecedented view into the cleanroom where they’re building the Mars Science Laboratory. Just go to the NASA JPL Channel on Ustream to watch the assembly of MSL and chat with JPL staff.
[via Veronica McGregor] (more…)
Posted by Chris Radcliff in Contests on February 20, 2009
NASA is asking for your help naming the next piece of the International Space Station. It’s currently called Node 3, but I bet you can be more imaginative than that! The Help NASA Name Node 3 page has all the details:
The name should reflect the spirit of exploration and cooperation embodied by the space station, and follow in the tradition set by Node 1 “Unity” and Node 2 “Harmony”. Node 3 will connect to the port side of the Unity Node and will provide room for many of the station’s life support systems, in the form of eight refrigerator-sized racks.
Once the cupola is attached to one of the module’s six ports, it will offer astronauts a spectacular view of both their home planet and their home in space. The cupola’s six rectangular windows and one circular window overhead will show a panoramic view that will be unrivaled by any other spacecraft ever flown. Aside from providing a perfect location to observe and photograph the Earth, the cupola also will contain a robotics workstation, where astronauts will be able to control the station’s giant robotic arm.
Voting will be open until March 20th, and NASA will announce the winning name in April. If you submit a name (or just think of a funny one), share it in the comments here.
