Sample records for globe hosts launch

  1. The GLOBE Contrail Protocol: Initial Analysis of Results

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chambers, Lin; Duda, David

    2004-01-01

    The GLOBE contrail protocol was launched in March 2003 to obtain surface observer reports of contrail occurrence to complement satellite and model studies underway at NASA Langley, among others. During the first year, more than 30,000 ground observations of contrails were submitted to GLOBE. An initial analysis comparing the GLOBE observations to weather prediction model results for relative humidity at flight altitudes is in progress. This paper reports on the findings to date from this effort.

  2. GLOBE Goes GO with Mosquitoes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Boger, R. A.; Low, R.

    2016-12-01

    The GLOBE Mosquito Larvae protocol and a new citizen science initiative, GLOBE Observers (GO), were both launched in Summer 2016. While the GLOBE Mosquito Larvae Protocol and associated educational materials target K-16 student inquiry and research, the GO protocol version is simplified to enable citizen scientists of all ages from all walks of life to participate. GO allows citizen scientists to collect and submit environmental data through an easy-to-use smart phone app available for both Apple and Android mobile devices. GO mosquito asks for photos of larvae mosquito genus or species, location, and type of water source (e.g., container or pond) where the larvae were found. To initiate the new mosquito GLOBE/GO opportunities, workshops have been held in Barbuda, Thailand, West Indies, US Gulf Coast, New York City, and at the GLOBE Annual Meeting in Colorado. Through these venues, the protocols have been refined and a field campaign has been initiated so that GO and GLOBE citizen scientists (K-16 students and all others) can contribute data. Quality assurance measures are taken through the online training required to participate and the validation of identification by other citizen sciences and mosquito experts. Furthermore, initial research is underway to develop optical recognition software starting with the species that carry the Zika virus (Aedes aegypti and A. albopictus). With this launch, we plan to move forward by providing opportunities throughout the world to engage people in meaningful environmental and public health data collection and to promote citizen scientists to become agents of change in their communities.

  3. STS-99 Mission Specialist Voss dons suit for launch

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2000-01-01

    In the Operations and Checkout Building, a smiling STS-99 Mission Specialist Janice Voss holds an inflated map globe of the stars after donning her launch and entry suit during final launch preparations. The globe is being signed by the entire crew as a gift for Delores Abraham, with Crew Quarters. STS-99, known as the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), is scheduled for liftoff at 12:30 p.m. EST from Launch Pad 39A. The SRTM will chart a new course to produce unrivaled 3-D images of the Earth's surface. The result of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission could be close to 1 trillion measurements of the Earth's topography. The mission is expected to last 11days, with Endeavour landing at KSC Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 4:36 p.m. EST. This is the 97th Shuttle flight and 14th for Shuttle Endeavour.

  4. Teaching earth science

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Alpha, Tau Rho; Diggles, Michael F.

    1998-01-01

    This CD-ROM contains 17 teaching tools: 16 interactive HyperCard 'stacks' and a printable model. They are separated into the following categories: Geologic Processes, Earthquakes and Faulting, and Map Projections and Globes. A 'navigation' stack, Earth Science, is provided as a 'launching' place from which to access all of the other stacks. You can also open the HyperCard Stacks folder and launch any of the 16 stacks yourself. In addition, a 17th tool, Earth and Tectonic Globes, is provided as a printable document. Each of the tools can be copied onto a 1.4-MB floppy disk and distributed freely.

  5. ScienceCast 135: Follow the Water

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2014-02-21

    NASA and JAXA launched a new satellite that can see through storms, tracking rain and snow around the globe better than any previous observatory. The Global Precipitation Measurement Core Observatory lifted off from Japan on Feb. 27th

  6. Benefits to Host Organizations from Participating in Internship Programs in Botswana

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mgaya, Klodwig; Mbekomize, Christian

    2014-01-01

    Across the globe internship programs have gained the attention of many tertiary institutions. Many researchers have found the internship programs to be beneficial to the students, tertiary institutions and host organizations. The Faculty of Business at the University of Botswana runs an internship program which attaches students to various…

  7. The GLOBE Earth Day 2004 Contrail Count-a-Thon

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chambers, Lin H.; Cole, Julia

    2004-01-01

    Early in 2004 the GLOBE Science team suggested a contrail count activity to celebrate Earth Day 2004, which was held this year on April 22nd in the United States and some other countries around the world. The GLOBE contrail team embraced this idea and developed a simplified data collection sheet for this special project. Information about the event was shared through the GLOBE site, UCAR and NASA press releases, the NASA portal (http://www.nasa.gov) and the CERES S'COOL Project (http://scool.larc.nasa.gov). On Earth Day, about 120 observations were received through the GLOBE Contrail Count-a-Thon website, about 70 contrail observations were received through regular GLOBE data reporting, and 19 contrail observations were received through regular S'COOL data reporting. Only observations between 11:00 and 13:00 local time were included in the Count-a-Thon. The event was reported in the Boulder Daily Camera beforehand and in the Oregon Register-Guard after the fact. It was also reported on National Public Radio s Day-to-Day show; whose host even submitted an observation. This poster discusses the Count-a-Thon experience and reports the results.

  8. Light Pollution Awareness through Globe at Night & IYL2015

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Walker, Constance E.

    2015-01-01

    The International Astronomical Union (IAU) will be coordinating extensive activities to raise awareness of light pollution through running the Cosmic Light theme of the International Year of Light (IYL2015) and by partnering in particular with the popular Globe at Night program.Globe at Night (www.globeatnight.org) is an international campaign to raise public awareness of the impact of light pollution by having people measure night-sky brightness and submit observations in real-time with smart phone or later with a computer. In 2015, Globe at Night will run for 10-nights each month, an hour after sunset til before the Moon rises. Students can use the data to monitor levels of light pollution around the world, as well as understand light pollution's effects on energy consumption, plants, wildlife, human health and our ability to enjoy a starry night sky.Since its inception in 2006, more than 115,000 measurements from 115 countries have been reported. The last 9 years of data can be explored with Globe at Night's interactive world map or with the 'map app' to view a particular area. A spreadsheet of the data is downloadable from any year. One can compare Globe at Night data with a variety of other databases to see, for example, how light pollution affects the foraging habits of bats.To encourage public participation in Globe at Night during IYL2015, each month will target an area of the world that habitually contributes during that time. Special concerns for how light pollution affects that area and solutions will be featured on the Globe at Night website (www.globeatnight.org), through its Facebook page, in its newsletter or in the 365DaysofAstronomy.org podcasts.Twice during IYL there will be a global Flash Mob event, one on Super Pi Day (March 14, 2015) and a second in mid-September, where the public will be invited to take night-sky brightness measurements en masse. In April, the International Dark-Sky Week hosted by the International Dark-Sky Association will be featured (www.darksky.org/int-l-dark-sky-week-main) and The World at Night will co-host the sixth annual International Earth and Sky Photo Contest (www.TWANight.org/contest).The poster will provide further updates.

  9. Mitigating Mosquito Disease Vectors with Citizen Science: a Review of the GLOBE Observer Mosquito Habitat Mapper Pilot and Implications for Wide-scale Implementation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Riebeek Kohl, H.; Low, R.; Boger, R. A.; Schwerin, T. G.; Janney, D. W.

    2017-12-01

    The spread of disease vectors, including mosquitoes, is an increasingly significant global environmental issue driven by a warming climate. In 2017, the GLOBE Observer Program launched a new citizen science initiative to map mosquito habitats using the free GLOBE Observer App for smart phones and tablets. The app guides people to identify mosquito larvae and breeding sites, and then once documented, to eliminate or treat the site to prevent further breeding. It also gives citizen scientists the option to identify the mosquito larvae species to determine whether it is one of three genera that potentially could transmit Zika, dengue fever, yellow fever, chikungunya, and other diseases. This data is uploaded to an international database that is freely available to the public and science community. GLOBE Observer piloted the initiative with educators in the United States, Brazil, and Peru, and it is now open for global participation. This presentation will discuss lessons learned in the pilot phase as well as plans to implement the initiative worldwide in partnership with science museums and science centers. GLOBE Observer is the non-student citizen science arm of the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program, a long-standing, international science and education program that provides students and citizen scientists with the opportunity to participate in data collection and the scientific process, and contribute meaningfully to our understanding of the Earth system and global environment. GLOBE Observer data collection also includes cloud cover and cloud type and land cover/land use (in late 2017).

  10. World Family Map Project. Prototype Report

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Wilcox, W. Bradford; Lippman, Laura; Whitney, Camille

    2009-01-01

    In 2010, the "World Family Map Project" seeks to launch a research initiative that will track central indicators of family strength around the globe. The "World Family Map Project" (WFMP) would partner with Child Trends, a nonpartisan research organization in Washington, D.C., the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada, and…

  11. KSC-62PC-0078

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1962-10-03

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- An Atlas launch vehicle lifts off with the Mercury spacecraft Sigma 7 atop with astronaut Walter M. Schirra Jr. aboard. The fifth American into space and the third to orbit the Earth plans to circle the globe six time prior to a planned splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: NASA

  12. Effects of Multimedia Instructional Strategy for Enhancing Students' Learning and Retention in Mathematics

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kumar, R. Raj; Hema, G.

    2017-01-01

    Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has infused in every walk of life effecting the technology fields, such as launching satellites, managing businesses across the globe, and also enabling social networking. The technological tools provide students in discovering, classifying, and enhancing the knowledge towards mathematical concepts…

  13. Crowd-Sourcing with K-12 citizen scientists: The Continuing Evolution of the GLOBE Program

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Murphy, T.; Wegner, K.; Andersen, T. J.

    2016-12-01

    Twenty years ago, the Internet was still in its infancy, citizen science was a relatively unknown term, and the idea of a global citizen science database was unheard of. Then the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program was proposed and this all changed. GLOBE was one of the first K-12 citizen science programs on a global scale. An initial large scale ramp-up of the program was followed by the establishment of a network of partners in countries and within the U.S. Now in the 21st century, the program has over 50 protocols in atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and pedosphere, almost 140 million measurements in the database, a visualization system, collaborations with NASA satellite mission scientists (GPM, SMAP) and other scientists, as well as research projects by GLOBE students. As technology changed over the past two decades, it was integrated into the program's outreach efforts to existing and new members with the result that the program now has a strong social media presence. In 2016, a new app was launched which opened up GLOBE and data entry to citizen scientists of all ages. The app is aimed at fresh audiences, beyond the traditional GLOBE K-12 community. Groups targeted included: scouting organizations, museums, 4H, science learning centers, retirement communities, etc. to broaden participation in the program and increase the number of data available to students and scientists. Through the 20 years of GLOBE, lessons have been learned about changing the management of this type of large-scale program, the use of technology to enhance and improve the experience for members, and increasing community involvement in the program.

  14. Targeting U.S. Technologies: A Trend Analysis of Reporting from Defense Industry 2008

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-01-16

    involving attempts to intrude or “ hack ” into the defense industrial base’s computer systems or networks originated from East Asia and the Pacifi c...easily mask IP addresses, utilize freely available anonymous proxies, or launch attacks from any of the open WiFi hotspots across the globe. These

  15. Rationales for the Lightning Launch Commit Criteria

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Willett, John C. (Editor); Merceret, Francis J. (Editor); Krider, E. Philip; O'Brien, T. Paul; Dye, James E.; Walterscheid, Richard L.; Stolzenburg, Maribeth; Cummins, Kenneth; Christian, Hugh J.; Madura, John T.

    2016-01-01

    Since natural and triggered lightning are demonstrated hazards to launch vehicles, payloads, and spacecraft, NASA and the Department of Defense (DoD) follow the Lightning Launch Commit Criteria (LLCC) for launches from Federal Ranges. The LLCC were developed to prevent future instances of a rocket intercepting natural lightning or triggering a lightning flash during launch from a Federal Range. NASA and DoD utilize the Lightning Advisory Panel (LAP) to establish and develop robust rationale from which the criteria originate. The rationale document also contains appendices that provide additional scientific background, including detailed descriptions of the theory and observations behind the rationales. The LLCC in whole or part are used across the globe due to the rigor of the documented criteria and associated rationale. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) adopted the LLCC in 2006 for commercial space transportation and the criteria were codified in the FAA's Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for Safety of an Expendable Launch Vehicle (Appendix G to 14 CFR Part 417, (G417)) and renamed Lightning Flight Commit Criteria in G417.

  16. Dagik Earth: A Digital Globe Project for Classrooms, Science Museums, and Research Institutes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saito, A.; Tsugawa, T.

    2017-12-01

    Digital globe system is a powerful tool to make the audiences understand phenomena on the Earth and planets in intuitive way. Geo-cosmos of Miraikan, Japan uses 6-m spherical LED, and is one of the largest systems of digital globe. Science on a Sphere (SOS) by NOAA is a digital globe system that is most widely used in science museums around the world. These systems are so expensive that the usage of the digital globes is mainly limited to large-scale science museums. Dagik Earth is a digital globe project that promotes educational programs using digital globe with low cost. It aims to be used especially in classrooms. The cost for the digital globe of Dagik Earth is from several US dollars if PC and PC projector are available. It uses white spheres, such as balloons and balance balls, as the screen. The software is provided by the project with free of charge for the educational usage. The software runs on devices of Windows, Mac and iOS. There are English and Chinese language versions of the PC software besides Japanese version. The number of the registered users of Dagik Earth is about 1,400 in Japan. About 60% of them belongs to schools, 30% to universities and research institutes, and 8% to science museums. In schools, it is used in classes by teachers, and science activities by students. Several teachers have used the system for five years and more. In a students' activity, Dagik Earth contents on the typhoon, solar eclipse, and satellite launch were created and presented in a school festival. This is a good example of the usage of Dagik Earth for STEM education. In the presentation, the system and activity of Dagik Earth will be presented, and the future expansion of the project will be discussed.

  17. Space Shuttle Projects

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1988-01-01

    This artist's concept drawing depicts the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-C (TDRS-C), which was the primary payload of the Space Shuttle Discovery on the STS-26 mission, launched on September 29, 1988. The TDRS system provides almost uninterrupted communications with Earth-orbiting Shuttles and satellites, and had replaced the intermittent coverage provided by globe-encircling ground tracking stations used during the early space program. The TDRS can transmit and receive data, and track a user spacecraft in a low Earth orbit. The deployment of TDRS-G on the STS-70 mission being the latest in the series, NASA has successfully launched six TDRSs.

  18. Adult Literacy: Monitoring and Evaluation for Practice and Policy

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Wagner, Daniel A.

    2008-01-01

    With the advent of the UN Literacy Decade launched in 2003, there is increased emphasis on monitoring and evaluation of adult literacy around the globe. The present paper presents an overview of the main approaches that have been taken to measure adult literacy within and across countries. A particular focus of the present review is to compare and…

  19. Water Cluster Leaders Meeting Summary Report 2016

    EPA Science Inventory

    As part of its efforts to support environmental technology innovation clusters, U.S. EPA hosted a Water Technology Innovation Cluster Leaders Meeting on September 25, 2016, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The meeting was an opportunity for cluster leaders from across the globe to meet...

  20. DISCOVERY OF A PSEUDOBULGE GALAXY LAUNCHING POWERFUL RELATIVISTIC JETS

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kotilainen, Jari K.; Olguín-Iglesias, Alejandro; León-Tavares, Jonathan

    Supermassive black holes launching plasma jets at close to the speed of light, producing gamma-rays, have ubiquitously been found to be hosted by massive elliptical galaxies. Since elliptical galaxies are generally believed to be built through galaxy mergers, active galactic nuclei (AGN) launching relativistic jets are associated with the latest stages of galaxy evolution. We have discovered a pseudobulge morphology in the host galaxy of the gamma-ray AGN PKS 2004-447. This is the first gamma-ray emitter radio-loud AGN found to have been launched from a system where both the black hole and host galaxy have been actively growing via secularmore » processes. This is evidence of an alternative black hole–galaxy co-evolutionary path to develop powerful relativistic jets, which is not merger driven.« less

  1. CloudSat Education Network: Partnerships for Outreach

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    TeBockhorst, D.

    2014-12-01

    CloudSat Education Network (CEN): Partnerships to improve the understanding of clouds in formal and informal settings. Since The CloudSat satellite launched in 2006 the Formal and Informal education programs for the mission have been focused on bringing an understanding about the mission science and the importance of clouds, climate & weather science. This has been done by creating and strengthening partnership and collaboration within scientific and educational communities around the country and the world. Because CloudSat was formally recognized as a Earth System Science Pathfinder campaign with the GLOBE program, the CEN developed a set of field protocols for student observations that augmented the GLOBE atmosphere protocols when there was a satellite overpass. This shared process between GLOBE & CloudSat resulted in the training & creation of CEN schools that are both GLOBE schools and CloudSat schools, and also produced three GLOBE partnerships that specialize in cloud science education and outreach. In addition, the CEN has developed productive relationships with other NASA missions and EPO teams. Specifically, in collaboration with the NASA CERES mission projects S'Cool and MyNASAData, we have co-presented at NSTA conferences and with schools participating in a NASA EPOESS-funded formal education project. This collaborative work has been a very real benefit to a wide variety of audiences needing to strengthen their understanding of clouds and their roles in the earth system, and we hope will serve as a model to future missions looking to involve the public in mission science.

  2. Observations of El Niño impacts using in situ GLOBE protocols and satellite data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Srinivasan, M. M.; Destaerke, D.

    2015-12-01

    The El Niño phenomenon is a periodic ocean condition that occurs every two to ten years in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific Ocean. It alters the normal patterns of ocean circulation, surface temperature, and evaporation, causing noticeable and often severe changes in weather conditions in many areas of the world. El Niño is the warm phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and usually reaches its peak between December and February time period. El Niño and its worldwide consequences are studied by the school network of the GLOBE Program (www.globe.gov) which brings together students, teachers, and scientists in support of student research and validation of international Earth science research projects. Since the start of the GLOBE Program over 20 years ago, GLOBE classrooms utilize carefully developed daily, weekly, or seasonally protocols such as maximum, minimum and current temperatures, rainfall, soil moisture, and others, to measure changes in the environment. The data collected by the students is entered in an online GLOBE database. In addition to the student-contributed data, automated stations also collect and send measurements to the GLOBE database.Students compare their data with global data acquired by satellites to help validate the satellite data. With a potentially historic-level El Niño event thought to be on the horizon--possibly one of the strongest in 50 years—we will propose an emphasis on measurements from GLOBE schools that will support studies and satellite observations of El Niño. We plan to provide the schools with additional satellite data sets such as ocean temperature measurements from Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), sea surface elevation measurements from Jason-2 and 3 (after it launches), and others to be identified. We wish to address and support the following educational objectives: - Demonstrate how El Niño affects local precipitation and temperature across the globe, - Link teachers, scientists and students to improve understanding of the local effects of El Niño on weather, ecosystems, and society, and compare these effects in different countries, - Provide insights to the essential elements of satellite images and their use in identifying physical changes on Earth's surface, - Strengthen scientific reasoning abilities in GLOBE students.

  3. The Importance of Post-Launch, On-Orbit Absolute Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing Applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kuester, M. A.

    2015-12-01

    Remote sensing is a powerful tool for monitoring changes on the surface of the Earth at a local or global scale. The use of data sets from different sensors across many platforms, or even a single sensor over time, can bring a wealth of information when exploring anthropogenic changes to the environment. For example, variations in crop yield and health for a specific region can be detected by observing changes in the spectral signature of the particular species under study. However, changes in the atmosphere, sun illumination and viewing geometries during image capture can result in inconsistent image data, hindering automated information extraction. Additionally, an incorrect spectral radiometric calibration will lead to false or misleading results. It is therefore critical that the data being used are normalized and calibrated on a regular basis to ensure that physically derived variables are as close to truth as is possible. Although most earth observing sensors are well-calibrated in a laboratory prior to launch, a change in the radiometric response of the system is inevitable due to thermal, mechanical or electrical effects caused during the rigors of launch or by the space environment itself. Outgassing and exposure to ultra-violet radiation will also have an effect on the sensor's filter responses. Pre-launch lamps and other laboratory calibration systems can also fall short in representing the actual output of the Sun. A presentation of the differences in the results of some example cases (e.g. geology, agriculture) derived for science variables using pre- and post-launch calibration will be presented using DigitalGlobe's WorldView-3 super spectral sensor, with bands in the visible and near infrared, as well as in the shortwave infrared. Important defects caused by an incomplete (i.e. pre-launch only) calibration will be discussed using validation data where available. In addition, the benefits of using a well-validated surface reflectance product will be presented. DigitalGlobe is committed to providing ongoing assessment of the radiometric performance of our sensors, which allows customers to get the most out of our extensive multi-sensor constellation.

  4. Aflatoxin-free transgenic maize using host-induced gene silencing

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Aflatoxins are potent carcinogenic anti-nutritionals that suppress immune systems and contaminate staple foods in warm regions across the globe as the result of crop infection by certain Aspergillus species. Despite decades of control efforts, millions of tons of crops are produced annually that exc...

  5. Sugarbeet root maggot resistace from a red globe-shaped beet (PI 179180)

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Sugarbeet root maggot (Tetanops myopaeformis) is a major insect pest of sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris) in many North American production areas. Chemical insecticides have been the primary control method. Host-plant resistance that provides consistent reliable control would provide both an economical and ...

  6. Induction of innate immunity and its perturbation by influenza viruses.

    PubMed

    Goraya, Mohsan Ullah; Wang, Song; Munir, Muhammad; Chen, Ji-Long

    2015-10-01

    Influenza A viruses (IAV) are highly contagious pathogens causing dreadful losses to human and animal, around the globe. IAVs first interact with the host through epithelial cells, and the viral RNA containing a 5'-triphosphate group is thought to be the critical trigger for activation of effective innate immunity via pattern recognition receptors-dependent signaling pathways. These induced immune responses establish the antiviral state of the host for effective suppression of viral replication and enhancing viral clearance. However, IAVs have evolved a variety of mechanisms by which they can invade host cells, circumvent the host immune responses, and use the machineries of host cells to synthesize and transport their own components, which help them to establish a successful infection and replication. In this review, we will highlight the molecular mechanisms of how IAV infection stimulates the host innate immune system and strategies by which IAV evades host responses.

  7. Jansky Array mapping of Gravitational Bursts as Afterglows in Radio (JAGWAR): The VLA Large Program and Initial Results

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mooley, Kunal; Hallinan, Gregg; Hotokezaka, Kenta; Frail, Dale; Myers, Steven T.; Horesh, Assaf; Kasliwal, Mansi; Kulkarni, Shri; Pound Singer, Leo; nissanke, Samaya; Rana, Javed

    2018-01-01

    The era of gravitational waves and multi-messenger astronomy has begun. Telescopes around the globe are now in hot pursuit of electromagnetic counterparts (EM) to aLIGO/VIRGO sources, especially double-neutron star (NS-NS) and neutron star-black hole mergers (NS-BH). The EM counterparts are crucial for 1) providing arcsecond localization and identifying the precise host galaxy and merger redshift, 2) understanding the energetics and physics of the merger, 3) mapping their environments and pre-merger mass ejection processes, and 4) confirming the validity of the GW signals at low signal-to-noise ratios. Radio wavelengths provide one of the best diagnostics of both the dynamical sub-relativistic ejecta and any ultra-relativistic jet launched, as well as the possible interaction of these two components. In this talk I will introduce the Jansky Array mapping of Gravitational Bursts as Afterglows in Radio (JAGWAR) program, running on the VLA, aimed at maximizing the discoveries of the radio afterglows of NS-NS and NS-BH mergers. I will also present the JAGWAR results from the aLIGO/VIRGO observing run O2, which concluded in August 2017.

  8. Analysis of in situ resources of for the Soil Moisture Active Passive Validation Experiments in 2015 and 2016

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    With the launch of the Soil Moisture Active Passive Mission (SMAP) in 2015, a new era of soil moisture monitoring was begun. Soil moisture is available on a near daily basis at a 36 km resolution for the globe. But this dataset is only as valuable if its products are accurate and reliableas its acc...

  9. KSC-08pd1797

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-06-20

    PASADENA, Calif. – A Delta II rocket carrying the Ocean Surface Topography Mission/Jason 2 satellite, is prepared for launch at Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The OSTM/Jason 2 satellite will embark on a globe-circling voyage to continue charting sea level, a vital indicator of global climate change. The mission will return a vast amount of new data that will improve weather, climate and ocean forecasts. OSTM/Jason 2's expected lifetime of at least three years will extend into the next decade the continuous record of these data started in 1992 by NASA and the French space agency Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, or CNES, with the TOPEX/Poseidon mission. The data collection was continued by the two agencies on Jason 1 in 2001. Photo credit: Carleton Bailie photograph for United Launch Alliance

  10. KSC-08pd1812

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-06-19

    VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The mobile service tower on Space Launch Complex 2 begins to roll back from the Delta II launch vehicle in preparation for launch of the Ocean Surface Topography Mission, or OSTM/Jason 2. The OSTM/Jason 2 satellite will embark on a globe-circling voyage to continue charting sea level, a vital indicator of global climate change. The mission will return a vast amount of new data that will improve weather, climate and ocean forecasts. OSTM/Jason 2's expected lifetime of at least three years will extend into the next decade the continuous record of these data started in 1992 by NASA and the French space agency Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, or CNES, with the TOPEX/Poseidon mission. The data collection was continued by the two agencies on Jason-1 in 2001. The launch window extends from 12:46 a.m. to 12:55 a.m. PDT. The satellite will be placed in an 830-mile-high orbit at an inclination of 66 degrees after separating from the Delta II 55 minutes after liftoff. Photo credit: Photograph by Carleton Bailie for United Launch Alliance

  11. JPSS Products, Applications and Training

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Torres, J. R.; Connell, B. H.; Miller, S. D.

    2017-12-01

    The Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) is a new generation polar-orbiting operational environmental satellite system that will monitor the weather and environment around the globe. JPSS will provide technological and scientific improvements in environmental monitoring via high resolution satellite imagery and derived products that stand to improve weather forecasting capabilities for National Weather Service (NWS) forecasters and complement operational Geostationary satellites. JPSS will consist of four satellites, JPSS-1 through JPSS-4, where JPSS-1 is due to launch in Fall 2017. A predecessor, prototype and operational risk-reduction for JPSS is the Suomi-National Polar-orbiting Partnership (S-NPP) satellite, launched on 28 October 2011. The following instruments on-board S-NPP will also be hosted on JPSS-1: Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS), Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS), Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) and the Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES). JPSS-1 instruments will provide satellite imagery, products and applications to users. The applications include detecting water and ice clouds, snow, sea surface temperatures, fog, fire, severe weather, vegetation health, aerosols, and sensing reflected lunar and emitted visible-wavelength light during the nighttime via the Day/Night Band (DNB) sensor included on VIIRS. Currently, there are only a few polar products that are operational for forecasters, however, more products will become available in the near future via Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System-II (AWIPS-II)-a forecasting analysis software package that forecasters can use to analyze meteorological data. To complement the polar products an wealth of training materials are currently in development. Denoted as the Satellite Foundational Course for JPSS (SatFC-J), this training will benefit NWS forecasters to utilize satellite data in their forecasts and daily operations as they discover their operational value in the NWS forecast process. As JPSS-1 launch nears, training materials will be produced in the form of modules, videos, quick guides, fact sheets, and hands-on exercises.

  12. JPL-20180410-GRACEFOf-0001-Facebook

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-10

    GRACE-Follow On (GRACE-FO) is a satellite mission scheduled for launch in May 2018. GRACE-FO will continue the work of the GRACE satellite mission tracking Earth's water movement around the globe. These discoveries provide a unique view of Earth's climate and have far-reaching benefits to society and the world's population. For more information about this mission, visit https://www.nasa.gov/missions/grace-fo and https://gracefo.jpl.nasa.gov/

  13. School Nurses Can Address Existing Gaps in School-Age Sleep Research

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Willgerodt, Mayumi A.; Kieckhefer, Gail M.

    2013-01-01

    Sleep has been linked to a host of physical, behavioral, and emotional outcomes, and research has documented that youth across the globe are experiencing inadequate sleep. Despite this knowledge, however, very little research has been conducted on school-age children; much of the extant research has focused on infants, toddlers, preschoolers,…

  14. Required Skill Sets of Information Technology Workers in Managed Hosting Environments in Higher Education

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Wood, Scott

    2017-01-01

    Through the rise of online learning, the playing field has been leveled for colleges across the globe. As costs continue to increase, greater emphasis is being placed on higher education institutions to maximize existing resources while adapting to technological advances. Building on Christensen's theory of disruptive innovation, and further…

  15. GLOBE at Night: a Citizen-Science, Dark Skies Awareness Star Hunt during the International Year of Astronomy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Walker, C. E.; Pompea, S. M.

    2008-12-01

    GLOBE at Night is an international citizen-science event encouraging everyone, students, the general public, scientists and non-scientists, to measure local levels of light pollution and contribute observations online to a world map. This program is part of the Dark Skies Awareness Global Cornerstone Project for the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) in 2009. Its goal is to raise public awareness of the impact of artificial lighting on local environments by getting people involved. Utilizing the international networks of its hosts, the GLOBE program at UCAR and the National Optical Astronomy Observatory, as well as Astronomical Society of the Pacific, the Association of Science and Technology Centers, the Astronomical League and the International Dark-Sky Association, GLOBE at Night is able to engage people from around the world. Data collection and online reporting is simple and user-friendly. During a 13-day campaign in February or March, citizen-scientists take data on light pollution levels by comparing observations with stellar maps of limiting magnitudes toward the constellation, Orion. For more precise measurements, citizen-scientists use digital sky brightness meters. During the campaign period over the last 3 years, 20,000 measurements from 100 countries have been logged. The collected data is available online in a variety of formats and for comparison with data from previous years, Earth at Night satellite data and population density data. We will discuss how students and scientists worldwide can explore and analyze these results. We will provide the "know-how" and the means for session participants to become community advocates for GLOBE at Night in their hometowns. We will also discuss lessons learned, best practices and campaign plans during IYA (March 16-28, 2009). For more information, visit http://www.globe.gov/GaN/.

  16. Citizen Scientist Contributions to Observations Benefiting the Earth through the GLOBE Program

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chambers, L. H.; Riebeek Kohl, H.; Murphy, A.; Butler, D. M.

    2017-12-01

    Citizen science has proliferated recently due to widespread use of the internet and mobile devices, but it has a long history (i.e., the Christmas Bird Count). Since the mid-1990s, the GLOBE Program has engaged participants at a global scale. Though initially focused on teachers and students in formal education settings, it quickly attracted interest from the public as well. In 2016, GLOBE formally launched an initiative to widely engage citizen scientists in its 117 countries through release of a mobile app called GLOBE Observer (GO). GO seeks to increase the number and distribution of participants by providing a simple, engaging - and fun - interface to collect and report data. Observations featured in the app are a carefully selected subset of 50+ GLOBE measurement protocols. They must leverage app features, require little to no equipment besides the mobile device, and have scientists or other stakeholders ready to use the data. The app is designed to minimize barriers to participation, but for those who want to do or know more GLOBE also offers on-line training to turn observers into community members with recognized certification in a protocol area. First released was a cloud observation protocol, supporting validation of a variety of Earth imaging sensors. Second was a mosquito habitat mapping protocol, poised to greatly increase the amount and distribution of local data to validate disease forecast models based on remotely sensed conditions, with additional focus on eliminating disease-carrying mosquito breeding sites. Next in development is a land cover protocol to obtain ground truth imagery for the Landsat science team. The app is also being leveraged for quick development of a short-term eclipse mini-app, to be used on August 21st only during the North American eclipse. This app is designed to make it easy for large numbers of people observing the eclipse, throughout North America, to take and record high time resolution observations of cloud cover and air temperature through the phases of the eclipse. This presentation will review GLOBE's history in citizen science and highlight recent contributions to understanding our planet.

  17. A Citizen Science Soil Moisture Sensor to Support SMAP Calibration/Validation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Podest, E.; Das, N. N.

    2016-12-01

    The Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite mission was launched in Jan. 2015 and is currently acquiring global measurements of soil moisture in the top 5 cm of the soil every 3 days. SMAP has partnered with the GLOBE program to engage students from around the world to collect in situ soil moisture and help validate SMAP measurements. The current GLOBE SMAP soil moisture protocol consists in collecting a soil sample, weighing, drying and weighing it again in order to determine the amount of water in the soil. Preparation and soil sample collection can take up to 20 minutes and drying can take up to 3 days. We have hence developed a soil moisture measurement device based on Arduino-like microcontrollers along with off-the-shelf and homemade sensors that are accurate, robust, inexpensive and quick and easy to use so that they can be implemented by the GLOBE community and citizen scientists alike. This talk will discuss building, calibration and validation of the soil moisture measuring device and assessing the quality of the measurements collected. This work was carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

  18. CPTAC Launches Proteomics Data Portal | Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research

    Cancer.gov

    The National Cancer Institute’s Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) announces the launch of the CPTAC Data Portal. The Data Portal hosts all the data that is currently being produced by the consortium with additional historic data from CPTAC 1. The total amount of hosted data exceeds over 500 GB of RAW data in over 800 files.

  19. Metabolic Engineering X Conference

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Flach, Evan

    The International Metabolic Engineering Society (IMES) and the Society for Biological Engineering (SBE), both technological communities of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), hosted the Metabolic Engineering X Conference (ME-X) on June 15-19, 2014 at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver, British Columbia. It attracted 395 metabolic engineers from academia, industry and government from around the globe.

  20. The College Experiences of International Black Women in the United States: A Caribbean Perspective

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Talley Matthews, Sheikia T.

    2017-01-01

    Institutions of higher education in the United States enroll the largest number of international students in the world each year (Bain & Cummings, 2005). In 2014-2015, the United States hosted 974,926 international students from around the globe (Open Doors, 2016). The number of students attending college in the United States from Latin…

  1. Cost Considerations of Transition toward a Disaggregated Satellite Architecture

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-02-14

    an average cost of $464M per launch, more than double the previous cost of $230M per launch. 16 To pursue alternatives, the Pentagon took a...High Frequency (AEHF) satellites have two payloads, one that requires nuclear hardening while the other does not. Finally, note that hosted payloads...such as the recent flight of the Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload (CHIRP) experimental missile-warning sensor on an SES Americom communications

  2. KSC-08pd1816

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-06-19

    VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Delta II rocket with the Ocean Surface Topography Mission, or OSTM/Jason 2, aboard is poised for launch on Space Launch Complex 2 after rollback of the mobile service tower. The OSTM/Jason 2 satellite will embark on a globe-circling voyage to continue charting sea level, a vital indicator of global climate change. The mission will return a vast amount of new data that will improve weather, climate and ocean forecasts. OSTM/Jason 2's expected lifetime of at least three years will extend into the next decade the continuous record of these data started in 1992 by NASA and the French space agency Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, or CNES, with the TOPEX/Poseidon mission. The data collection was continued by the two agencies on Jason-1 in 2001. The launch window extends from 12:46 a.m. to 12:55 a.m. PDT. The satellite will be placed in an 830-mile-high orbit at an inclination of 66 degrees after separating from the Delta II 55 minutes after liftoff. Photo credit: Photograph by Carleton Bailie for United Launch Alliance

  3. KSC-08pd1815

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-06-19

    VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Delta II rocket with the Ocean Surface Topography Mission, or OSTM/Jason 2, aboard is poised for launch on Space Launch Complex 2 after rollback of the mobile service tower. The OSTM/Jason 2 satellite will embark on a globe-circling voyage to continue charting sea level, a vital indicator of global climate change. The mission will return a vast amount of new data that will improve weather, climate and ocean forecasts. OSTM/Jason 2's expected lifetime of at least three years will extend into the next decade the continuous record of these data started in 1992 by NASA and the French space agency Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, or CNES, with the TOPEX/Poseidon mission. The data collection was continued by the two agencies on Jason-1 in 2001. The launch window extends from 12:46 a.m. to 12:55 a.m. PDT. The satellite will be placed in an 830-mile-high orbit at an inclination of 66 degrees after separating from the Delta II 55 minutes after liftoff. Photo credit: Photograph by Carleton Bailie for United Launch Alliance

  4. KSC-08pd1822

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-06-20

    VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Clouds of smoke and steam rise spread across the launch pad on Space Launch Complex-2 as the Delta II rocket lifts off with the Ocean Surface Topography Mission, or OSTM/Jason 2, spacecraft aboard. The OSTM/Jason 2 satellite will embark on a globe-circling voyage to continue charting sea level, a vital indicator of global climate change. The mission will return a vast amount of new data that will improve weather, climate and ocean forecasts. OSTM/Jason 2's expected lifetime of at least three years will extend into the next decade the continuous record of these data started in 1992 by NASA and the French space agency Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, or CNES, with the TOPEX/Poseidon mission. The data collection was continued by the two agencies on Jason-1 in 2001. The launch window extends from 12:46 a.m. to 12:55 a.m. PDT. The satellite will be placed in an 830-mile-high orbit at an inclination of 66 degrees after separating from the Delta II 55 minutes after liftoff. Photo credit: Photograph by Carleton Bailie for United Launch Alliance

  5. KSC-08pd1813

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-06-19

    VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Delta II rocket with the Ocean Surface Topography Mission, or OSTM/Jason 2, aboard is poised for launch on Space Launch Complex 2 after rollback of the mobile service tower. The OSTM/Jason 2 satellite will embark on a globe-circling voyage to continue charting sea level, a vital indicator of global climate change. The mission will return a vast amount of new data that will improve weather, climate and ocean forecasts. OSTM/Jason 2's expected lifetime of at least three years will extend into the next decade the continuous record of these data started in 1992 by NASA and the French space agency Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, or CNES, with the TOPEX/Poseidon mission. The data collection was continued by the two agencies on Jason-1 in 2001. The launch window extends from 12:46 a.m. to 12:55 a.m. PDT. The satellite will be placed in an 830-mile-high orbit at an inclination of 66 degrees after separating from the Delta II 55 minutes after liftoff. Photo credit: Photograph by Carleton Bailie for United Launch Alliance

  6. KSC-08pd1814

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-06-19

    VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Delta II rocket with the Ocean Surface Topography Mission, or OSTM/Jason 2, aboard is poised for launch on Space Launch Complex 2 after rollback of the mobile service tower (at left). The OSTM/Jason 2 satellite will embark on a globe-circling voyage to continue charting sea level, a vital indicator of global climate change. The mission will return a vast amount of new data that will improve weather, climate and ocean forecasts. OSTM/Jason 2's expected lifetime of at least three years will extend into the next decade the continuous record of these data started in 1992 by NASA and the French space agency Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, or CNES, with the TOPEX/Poseidon mission. The data collection was continued by the two agencies on Jason-1 in 2001. The launch window extends from 12:46 a.m. to 12:55 a.m. PDT. The satellite will be placed in an 830-mile-high orbit at an inclination of 66 degrees after separating from the Delta II 55 minutes after liftoff. Photo credit: Photograph by Carleton Bailie for United Launch Alliance

  7. KSC-08pd1820

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-06-20

    VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Fiery clouds floating over the launch pad on Space Launch Complex-2 signal the liftoff of the Delta II rocket carrying the Ocean Surface Topography Mission, or OSTM/Jason 2, spacecraft. The OSTM/Jason 2 satellite will embark on a globe-circling voyage to continue charting sea level, a vital indicator of global climate change. The mission will return a vast amount of new data that will improve weather, climate and ocean forecasts. OSTM/Jason 2's expected lifetime of at least three years will extend into the next decade the continuous record of these data started in 1992 by NASA and the French space agency Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, or CNES, with the TOPEX/Poseidon mission. The data collection was continued by the two agencies on Jason-1 in 2001. The launch window extends from 12:46 a.m. to 12:55 a.m. PDT. The satellite will be placed in an 830-mile-high orbit at an inclination of 66 degrees after separating from the Delta II 55 minutes after liftoff. Photo credit: Photograph by Carleton Bailie for United Launch Alliance

  8. Long duration balloon flights in the middle stratosphere

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Malaterre, P.

    1993-02-01

    Research and development performed by the French Space Agency (CNES) over the past 10 years has given the scientific community the Infrared Montgolfiere, a balloon capable of lifting 50-kg payloads into the stratosphere for periods of several weeks. The Infrared Montgolfiere is a hot air balloon that captures infrared radiation using the earth as a heat source. Thirty flights have been launched so far, some lasting more than sixty days and circling the globe twice.

  9. Misconceptions Highlighted among Medical Students in the Annual International Intermedical School Physiology Quiz

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Cheng, Hwee-Ming; Durairajanayagam, Damayanthi

    2012-01-01

    The annual Intermedical School Physiology Quiz (IMSPQ), initiated in 2003, is now an event that attracts a unique, large gathering of selected medical students from medical schools across the globe. The 8th IMSPQ, in 2010, hosted by the Department of Physiology, University of Malaya, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, had 200 students representing 41…

  10. FD-CHIRP: hosted payload system engineering lessons

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schueler, Carl F.

    2012-10-01

    The Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload (CHIRP) Flight Demonstration (FD-CHIRP) launched 21 Sept 2011 was designated a "resounding success" as the first Wide Field-of-View (WFOV) staring infrared (IR) sensor flown in geostationary earth orbit (GEO) with a primary mission of Missile Warning (MW). FD-CHIRP was an Air Force research and development project initiated in July 2008 via an unsolicited industry proposal aimed to mature and reduce the risk of WFOV sensors and ground processing technologies. Unlike the Defense Support Program (DSP) and the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) which were acquired via traditional integrated sensor and satellite design, FDCHIRP was developed using the "commercially hosted" approach. The FD-CHIRP host spacecraft and sensor were independently designed, creating significant development risk to the industry proposer, especially under a Firm Fixed Price contract. Yet, within 39 months of contract initiation, FD-CHIRP was launched and successfully operated in GEO to 30 June 2012 at a total cost of 111M including the 82.9M CHIRP commercial-hosting contract and a $28M sensor upgrade. The commercial-hosting contract included sensor and spacecraft modifications, integration and test, design and development of secure Mission Operations and Analysis Centers, launch, and nearly a year of GEO operations with 70 Mbps secure data acquisition. The Air Force extended the contract for six months to continue operations through the end of calendar 2012. This paper outlines system engineering challenges FD-CHIRP overcame and key lessons to smooth development of future commercially hosted missions.

  11. JPSS-1 Prelaunch News Conference

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-11-12

    JPSS-1 Prelaunch News Conference at Vandenberg Air Force Base hosted by Tori Mclendon, with Steve Volz, NOAA Satellite and Information Service, Greg Mandt, Director, NOAA Joint Polar Satellite Systems Program, Sandra Smalley, NASA Joint Agency Satellite Division, Omar Baez, Launch Manager, NASA Launch Services Program, Scott Messer, Program Manager for NASA Missions, United Launch Alliance, and Ross Malugani, Launch Weather Officer, VAFB 30th Space Wing.

  12. KSC-02pd0403

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2002-03-01

    VANDENBERG AFB,CALIF. - On the SLC-2 launch pad, the gantry closes in on the Delta II rocket to enable mating of the second stage. The Delta II will launch the Aqua-EOS satellite. Aqua is one of a series of spacebased platforms that are central to NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE), a long-term study of the scope, dynamics and implications of global change. The Aqua program is composed of Aqua and other spacecraft (including Terra and Aura) and a data distribution system (ESDIS, and Mission Operations Center Implementation Team). Flying in an orbit that covers the globe every 16 days, Aqua will provide a six-year chronology of the planet and its processes. Comprehensive measurements taken by its onboard instruments will allow multidisciplinary teams of scientists and researchers from North and South America, Asia, Australia and Europe to assess long-term change, identify its human and natural causes and advance the development of models for long-term forecasting. Launch is scheduled for April 26 from Vandenberg

  13. KSC-02pd0394

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2002-02-26

    VANDENBERG AFB, CALIF. -- On the launch pad, an overhead crane lifts a solid rocket booster to vertical for mating with the Delta II rocket that will launch the Aqua-EOS satellite. Aqua is one of a series of spacebased platforms that are central to NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE), a long-term study of the scope, dynamics and implications of global change. The Aqua program is composed of Aqua and other spacecraft (including Terra and Aura) and a data distribution system (ESDIS, and Mission Operations Center Implementation Team). Flying in an orbit that covers the globe every 16 days, Aqua will provide a six-year chronology of the planet and its processes. Comprehensive measurements taken by its onboard instruments will allow multidisciplinary teams of scientists and researchers from North and South America, Asia, Australia and Europe to assess long-term change, identify its human and natural causes and advance the development of models for long-term forecasting. Launch is scheduled for April 26 from Vandenberg

  14. KSC-02pd0406

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2002-03-01

    VANDENBERG AFB, CALIF. - On the SLC-2 launch pad, the first half of the Delta II fairing for the Aqua-EOS satellite arrives at the gantry. The Delta II will launch the Aqua-EOS satellite. Aqua is one of a series of spacebased platforms that are central to NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE), a long-term study of the scope, dynamics and implications of global change. The Aqua program is composed of Aqua and other spacecraft (including Terra and Aura) and a data distribution system (ESDIS, and Mission Operations Center Implementation Team). Flying in an orbit that covers the globe every 16 days, Aqua will provide a six-year chronology of the planet and its processes. Comprehensive measurements taken by its onboard instruments will allow multidisciplinary teams of scientists and researchers from North and South America, Asia, Australia and Europe to assess long-term change, identify its human and natural causes and advance the development of models for long-term forecasting. Launch is scheduled for April 26 from Vandenberg

  15. KSC-02pd0408

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2002-03-01

    VANDENBERG AFB, CALIF. - On the SLC-2 launch pad, the first half of the Delta II fairing for the Aqua-EOS satellite nears the top of the gantry. The Delta II will launch the Aqua-EOS satellite, one of a series of spacebased platforms that are central to NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE), a long-term study of the scope, dynamics and implications of global change. The Aqua program is composed of Aqua and other spacecraft (including Terra and Aura) and a data distribution system (ESDIS, and Mission Operations Center Implementation Team). Flying in an orbit that covers the globe every 16 days, Aqua will provide a six-year chronology of the planet and its processes. Comprehensive measurements taken by its onboard instruments will allow multidisciplinary teams of scientists and researchers from North and South America, Asia, Australia and Europe to assess long-term change, identify its human and natural causes and advance the development of models for long-term forecasting. Launch is scheduled for April 26 from Vandenberg

  16. KSC-08pd1798

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-06-20

    PASADENA, Calif. – The NASA-French space agency Ocean Surface Topography Mission/Jason 2 satellite launched aboard a Delta II rocket from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., at 12:46 a.m. PDT. Fifty-five minutes later, OSTM/Jason 2 separated from the rocket’s second stage, and then, unfurled its twin sets of solar arrays. The OSTM/Jason 2 satellite will embark on a globe-circling voyage to continue charting sea level, a vital indicator of global climate change. The mission will return a vast amount of new data that will improve weather, climate and ocean forecasts. OSTM/Jason 2's expected lifetime of at least three years will extend into the next decade the continuous record of these data started in 1992 by NASA and the French space agency Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, or CNES, with the TOPEX/Poseidon mission. The data collection was continued by the two agencies on Jason 1 in 2001. Photo credit: Carleton Bailie photograph for United Launch Alliance

  17. Globe At Night: A Dark-skies Awareness Campaign During The International Year Of Astronomy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Walker, Constance E.; Isbell, D.; Pompea, S. M.; Smith, D. A.; Baker, T.

    2009-01-01

    GLOBE at Night is an international citizen-science event encouraging everyone, scientists, non-scientists, students and the general public, to measure local levels of light pollution and contribute the observations online to a world map. This program is a centerpiece of the Dark Skies Awareness Global Cornerstone Project for the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) as well as the US IYA "Dark Skies are a Universal Resource” theme for 2009. Its goal is to raise public awareness of the impact of artificial lighting on local environments by getting people involved. Utilizing the international networks of its hosts, the GLOBE program at the National Optical Astronomy Observatory, the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and the Environmental Systems Research Institute, along with the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, the Association of Science and Technology Centers, the Astronomical League and the International Dark-Sky Association, GLOBE at Night is able to engage people from around the world. Data collection and online reporting is simple and user-friendly. During a 13-day campaign in each spring, citizen-scientists take data on light pollution levels by comparing observations with stellar maps of limiting magnitudes toward the constellation, Orion. For more precise measurements, citizen-scientists use digital sky brightness meters. During the campaign period over the last 3 years, 20,000 measurements from 100 countries have been logged. The collected data is available online in a variety of formats and for comparison with data from previous years, Earth at Night satellite data and population density data. We will discuss how students and scientists worldwide can explore and analyze these results. We will provide the "know-how” and the means for session participants to become community advocates for GLOBE at Night in their hometowns. We will also discuss lessons learned, best practices and campaign plans during IYA (March 16-28, 2009). For more information, visit http://www.globe.gov/GaN/.

  18. International network of cancer genome projects

    PubMed Central

    2010-01-01

    The International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) was launched to coordinate large-scale cancer genome studies in tumors from 50 different cancer types and/or subtypes that are of clinical and societal importance across the globe. Systematic studies of over 25,000 cancer genomes at the genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic levels will reveal the repertoire of oncogenic mutations, uncover traces of the mutagenic influences, define clinically-relevant subtypes for prognosis and therapeutic management, and enable the development of new cancer therapies. PMID:20393554

  19. Resistance evaluation of Chinese wild Vitis genotypes against Botrytis cinerea and different responses of resistant and susceptible hosts to the infection.

    PubMed

    Wan, Ran; Hou, Xiaoqing; Wang, Xianhang; Qu, Jingwu; Singer, Stacy D; Wang, Yuejin; Wang, Xiping

    2015-01-01

    The necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea is a major threat to grapevine cultivation worldwide. A screen of 41 Vitis genotypes for leaf resistance to B. cinerea suggested species independent variation and revealed 18 resistant Chinese wild Vitis genotypes, while most investigated V. vinifera, or its hybrids, were susceptible. A particularly resistant Chinese wild Vitis, "Pingli-5" (V. sp. [Qinling grape]) and a very susceptible V. vinifera cultivar, "Red Globe" were selected for further study. Microscopic analysis demonstrated that B. cinerea growth was limited during early infection on "Pingli-5" before 24 h post-inoculation (hpi) but not on Red Globe. It was found that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidative system were associated with fungal growth. O[Formula: see text] accumulated similarly in B. cinerea 4 hpi on both Vitis genotypes. Lower levels of O[Formula: see text] (not H2O2) were detected 4 hpi and ROS (H2O2 and O[Formula: see text]) accumulation from 8 hpi onwards was also lower in "Pingli-5" leaves than in "Red Globe" leaves. B. cinerea triggered sustained ROS production in "Red Globe" but not in "Pingli-5" with subsequent infection progresses. Red Globe displayed little change in antioxidative activities in response to B. cinerea infection, instead, antioxidative activities were highly and timely elevated in resistant "Pingli-5" which correlated with its minimal ROS increases and its high resistance. These findings not only enhance our understanding of the resistance of Chinese wild Vitis species to B. cinerea, but also lay the foundation for breeding B. cinerea resistant grapes in the future.

  20. Fleas, hosts and habitat: What can we predict about the spread of vector-borne zoonotic diseases?

    Treesearch

    Megan M. Friggens

    2010-01-01

    Vector-borne diseases of humans and wildlife are experiencing resurgence across the globe. I examine the dynamics of flea borne diseases through a comparative analysis of flea literature and analyses of field data collected from three sites in New Mexico: The Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, the Sandia Mountains and the Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP). My...

  1. "Who Would They Talk about if We Weren't Here?": Muslim Youth, Liberal Schooling, and the Politics of Concern

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Jaffe-Walter, Reva

    2013-01-01

    With the growing number of immigrant youth moving into new communities and host nations across the globe (Suarez-Orozco, 2007), it is critical that we deepen our understanding of the ways in which schools enable either the civic engagement or the social marginalization of these young people. In this article Reva Jaffe-Walter presents the results…

  2. JPSS-1 VIIRS Pre-Launch Radiometric Performance

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Oudrari, Hassan; McIntire, Jeff; Xiong, Xiaoxiong; Butler, James; Efremova, Boryana; Ji, Jack; Lee, Shihyan; Schwarting, Tom

    2015-01-01

    The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on-board the first Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) completed its sensor level testing on December 2014. The JPSS-1 (J1) mission is scheduled to launch in December 2016, and will be very similar to the Suomi-National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP) mission. VIIRS instrument was designed to provide measurements of the globe twice daily. It is a wide-swath (3,040 kilometers) cross-track scanning radiometer with spatial resolutions of 370 and 740 meters at nadir for imaging and moderate bands, respectively. It covers the wavelength spectrum from reflective to long-wave infrared through 22 spectral bands [0.412 microns to 12.01 microns]. VIIRS observations are used to generate 22 environmental data products (EDRs). This paper will briefly describe J1 VIIRS characterization and calibration performance and methodologies executed during the pre-launch testing phases by the independent government team, to generate the at-launch baseline radiometric performance, and the metrics needed to populate the sensor data record (SDR) Look-Up-Tables (LUTs). This paper will also provide an assessment of the sensor pre-launch radiometric performance, such as the sensor signal to noise ratios (SNRs), dynamic range, reflective and emissive bands calibration performance, polarization sensitivity, bands spectral performance, response-vs-scan (RVS), near field and stray light responses. A set of performance metrics generated during the pre-launch testing program will be compared to the SNPP VIIRS pre-launch performance.

  3. KSC-2012-3181

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2012-06-04

    MELBOURNE, Fla. – NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver addresses the audience during opening ceremonies for the International Space University's 25th annual Space Studies Program session at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla. The nine-week intensive course is designed for post-graduate university students and professionals during the summer. The program is hosted by a different country each year, providing a unique educational experience for participants from around the globe. NASA Kennedy Space Center and Florida Tech are co-hosting this year's event which runs from June 4 to Aug. 3. This year, there are about 125 participants representing 31 countries. For more information, visit http://www.isunet.edu. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

  4. KSC-2012-3171

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2012-06-04

    MELBOURNE, Fla. – NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver addresses students on the opening day of the International Space University's 25th annual Space Studies Program session at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla. The nine-week intensive course is designed for post-graduate university students and professionals during the summer. The program is hosted by a different country each year, providing a unique educational experience for participants from around the globe. NASA Kennedy Space Center and Florida Tech are co-hosting this year's event which runs from June 4 to Aug. 3. This year, there are about 125 participants representing 31 countries. For more information, visit http://www.isunet.edu. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

  5. KSC-2012-3175

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2012-06-04

    MELBOURNE, Fla. – NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver addresses the audience during opening ceremonies for the International Space University's 25th annual Space Studies Program session at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla. The nine-week intensive course is designed for post-graduate university students and professionals during the summer. The program is hosted by a different country each year, providing a unique educational experience for participants from around the globe. NASA Kennedy Space Center and Florida Tech are co-hosting this year's event which runs from June 4 to Aug. 3. This year, there are about 125 participants representing 31 countries. For more information, visit http://www.isunet.edu. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

  6. KSC-2012-3180

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2012-06-04

    MELBOURNE, Fla. – NASA Kennedy Space Center Director and former astronaut Bob Cabana addresses the audience during opening ceremonies for the university's 25th annual Space Studies Program session at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla. The nine-week intensive course is designed for post-graduate university students and professionals during the summer. The program is hosted by a different country each year, providing a unique educational experience for participants from around the globe. NASA Kennedy Space Center and Florida Tech are co-hosting this year's event which runs from June 4 to Aug. 3. This year, there are about 125 participants representing 31 countries. For more information, visit http://www.isunet.edu. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

  7. KSC-2012-3173

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2012-06-04

    MELBOURNE, Fla. – NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana participates in the opening ceremonies for the International Space University's 25th annual Space Studies Program session at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla. The nine-week intensive course is designed for post-graduate university students and professionals during the summer. The program is hosted by a different country each year, providing a unique educational experience for participants from around the globe. NASA Kennedy Space Center and Florida Tech are co-hosting this year's event which runs from June 4 to Aug. 3. This year, there are about 125 participants representing 31 countries. For more information, visit http://www.isunet.edu. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

  8. KSC-2012-3170

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2012-06-04

    MELBOURNE, Fla. – NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver addresses students on the opening day of the International Space University's 25th annual Space Studies Program session at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla. The nine-week intensive course is designed for post-graduate university students and professionals during the summer. The program is hosted by a different country each year, providing a unique educational experience for participants from around the globe. NASA Kennedy Space Center and Florida Tech are co-hosting this year's event which runs from June 4 to Aug. 3. This year, there are about 125 participants representing 31 countries. For more information, visit http://www.isunet.edu. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

  9. KSC-2012-3176

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2012-06-04

    MELBOURNE, Fla. – NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver addresses the audience during opening ceremonies for the International Space University's 25th annual Space Studies Program session at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla. The nine-week intensive course is designed for post-graduate university students and professionals during the summer. The program is hosted by a different country each year, providing a unique educational experience for participants from around the globe. NASA Kennedy Space Center and Florida Tech are co-hosting this year's event which runs from June 4 to Aug. 3. This year, there are about 125 participants representing 31 countries. For more information, visit http://www.isunet.edu. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

  10. HIGH OPERATIONS TEMPO ENERGETIC ACCESS TO GLOBE AND LAUNCH EXPERIMENT (HOT EAGLE). Phase 1

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2006-01-01

    accordance with typical specifications (i.e., MIL-STD-1540, EWR 127-1 (replaced by AFSPCMAN 91 - 710 as of 1 July 2004), RCC 319-99, etc.). Dedicated... AFSPCMAN 91 - 710 , RCC319-99, RCC 324-01, or similar documents) to track vehicle flight and terminate flight in the event of anomalous flight. Two...pressure vessel also had a structural requirement for a 3.0 Min-lbf bending and a 50 kip axial load. Total tank volume was 684 ft^ 3 . For this trade no

  11. Prospects for commercialization of SELV-based in-space operations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Katzberg, Stephen J. (Compiler); Garrison, James L., Jr. (Compiler)

    1995-01-01

    A workshop was hosted by the Langley Research Center as a part of an activity to assess the commercialization potential of Small Expendible Launch Vehicle-based in-space operations. Representatives of the space launch insurance industry, industrial consultants, producers of spacecraft, launch vehicle manufacturers, and government researchers constituted the participants. The workshop was broken into four sessions: Customers Small Expendible Launch Systems, Representative Missions, and Synthesis-Government role. This publication contains the presentation material, written synopses of the sessions, and conclusions developed at the workshop.

  12. KSC-08pd1821

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-06-20

    VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Clouds of smoke and steam rise around the Delta II rocket as it lifts off Space Launch Complex-2 with the Ocean Surface Topography Mission, or OSTM/Jason 2, spacecraft aboard. The OSTM/Jason 2 satellite will embark on a globe-circling voyage to continue charting sea level, a vital indicator of global climate change. The mission will return a vast amount of new data that will improve weather, climate and ocean forecasts. OSTM/Jason 2's expected lifetime of at least three years will extend into the next decade the continuous record of these data started in 1992 by NASA and the French space agency Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, or CNES, with the TOPEX/Poseidon mission. The data collection was continued by the two agencies on Jason-1 in 2001. The launch window extends from 12:46 a.m. to 12:55 a.m. PDT. The satellite will be placed in an 830-mile-high orbit at an inclination of 66 degrees after separating from the Delta II 55 minutes after liftoff. Photo credit: Photograph by Carleton Bailie for United Launch Alliance

  13. KSC-08pd1819

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-06-20

    VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Fiery clouds light up Space Launch Complex-2 at the liftoff of the Delta II rocket carrying the Ocean Surface Topography Mission, or OSTM/Jason 2, spacecraft. The OSTM/Jason 2 satellite will embark on a globe-circling voyage to continue charting sea level, a vital indicator of global climate change. The mission will return a vast amount of new data that will improve weather, climate and ocean forecasts. OSTM/Jason 2's expected lifetime of at least three years will extend into the next decade the continuous record of these data started in 1992 by NASA and the French space agency Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, or CNES, with the TOPEX/Poseidon mission. The data collection was continued by the two agencies on Jason-1 in 2001. The launch window extends from 12:46 a.m. to 12:55 a.m. PDT. The satellite will be placed in an 830-mile-high orbit at an inclination of 66 degrees after separating from the Delta II 55 minutes after liftoff. Photo credit: Photograph by Carleton Bailie for United Launch Alliance

  14. KSC-08pd1818

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-06-20

    VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Fiery clouds floating over the launch pad signal the liftoff of the Delta II rocket carrying the Ocean Surface Topography Mission, or OSTM/Jason 2, spacecraft. The OSTM/Jason 2 satellite will embark on a globe-circling voyage to continue charting sea level, a vital indicator of global climate change. The mission will return a vast amount of new data that will improve weather, climate and ocean forecasts. OSTM/Jason 2's expected lifetime of at least three years will extend into the next decade the continuous record of these data started in 1992 by NASA and the French space agency Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, or CNES, with the TOPEX/Poseidon mission. The data collection was continued by the two agencies on Jason-1 in 2001. The launch window extends from 12:46 a.m. to 12:55 a.m. PDT. The satellite will be placed in an 830-mile-high orbit at an inclination of 66 degrees after separating from the Delta II 55 minutes after liftoff. Photo credit: Photograph by Carleton Bailie for United Launch Alliance

  15. Parasites or Cohabitants: Cruel Omnipresent Usurpers or Creative “Éminences Grises”?

    PubMed Central

    Vannier-Santos, Marcos A.; Lenzi, Henrique L.

    2011-01-01

    This paper presents many types of interplays between parasites and the host, showing the history of parasites, the effects of parasites on the outcome of wars, invasions, migrations, and on the development of numerous regions of the globe, and the impact of parasitic diseases on the society and on the course of human evolution. It also emphasizes the pressing need to change the look at the parasitism phenomenon, proposing that the term “cohabitant” is more accurate than parasite, because every living being, from bacteria to mammals, is a consortium of living beings in the pangenome. Even the term parasitology should be replaced by cohabitology because there is no parasite alone and host alone: both together compose a new adaptive system: the parasitized-host or the cohabitant-cohabited being. It also suggests switching the old paradigm based on attrition and destruction, to a new one founded on adaptation and living together. PMID:21785696

  16. Design and Performance of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Super NiCd Batteries

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ahmad, Anisa J.; Rao, Gopalakrishna M.; Jallice, Doris E.; Moran Vickie E.

    1999-01-01

    The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) is a joint mission between NASA and the National Space Development Agency (NASDA) of Japan. The observatory is designed to monitor and study tropical rainfall and the associated release of energy that helps to power the global atmospheric circulation shaping both weather and climate around the globe. The spacecraft was launched from Japan on November 27,1997 via the NASDA H-2 launch vehicle. The TRMM Power Subsystem is a Peak Power Tracking system that can support the maximum TRMM load of 815 watts at the end of its three year life. The Power Subsystem consists of two 50 Ampere Hour Super NiCd batteries, Gallium Arsenide Solar Array and the Power System Electronics. This paper describes the TRMM Power Subsystem, battery design, cell and battery ground test performance, and in-orbit battery operations and performance.

  17. GOES-S Prelaunch News Conference

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-02-27

    GOES-S Prelaunch News Conference hosted by NASA Communications' Tori Mclendon, with Stephen Volz, Director for Satellite and Information Services, NOAA; Tim Walsh, GOES-R system program director (acting), NOAA; Sandra Smalley, Director, NASA Joint Agency Satellite Division; Tim Dunn, NASA Launch Director, Kennedy Space Center, Florida; Scott Messer, Program Manager, NASA Missions, United Launch Alliance; and Kathy Winters, Launch Weather Officer, 45th Weather Squadron, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

  18. Ventilation loss and pressurization in the NASA launch/entry suit: Potential for heat stress

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kaufman, Jonathan W.; Dejneka, Katherine Y.; Askew, Gregory K.

    1989-01-01

    The potential of the NASA Launch/Entry Suit (LES) for producing heat stress in a simulated Space Shuttle cabin environment was studied. The testing was designed to identify potential heat stress hazards if the LES were pressurized or if ventilation were lost. Conditions were designed to simulate an extreme pre-launch situation with chamber temperatures maintained at dry bulb temperature = 27.2 +/- 0.1 C, globe temperature = 27.3 +/- 0.1 C, and wet bulb temperature = 21.1 +/- 0.3 C. Two females and two males, 23 to 34 years of age, were employed in this study, with two subjects having exposures in all 3 conditions. Test durations in the ventilated (V) and unventilated (UV) conditions were designed for 480 minutes, which all subjects achieved. Pressurized runs (Pr) were designed for 45 minutes, which all subjects also achieved. While some significant differences related to experimental conditions were noted in rectal and mean skin temperatures, evaporation rates, sweat rates, and heart rate, these differences were not thought to be physiologically significant. The results indicate that the LES garment, in either the Pr or UV state, poses no danger of inducing unacceptable heat stress under the conditions expected within the Space Shuttle cabin during launch or reentry.

  19. KSC-2012-3177

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2012-06-04

    MELBOURNE, Fla. – NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver has a rapt audience of space program managers and students for her remarks during opening ceremonies for the International Space University's 25th annual Space Studies Program session at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla. The nine-week intensive course is designed for post-graduate university students and professionals during the summer. The program is hosted by a different country each year, providing a unique educational experience for participants from around the globe. NASA Kennedy Space Center and Florida Tech are co-hosting this year's event which runs from June 4 to Aug. 3. This year, there are about 125 participants representing 31 countries. For more information, visit http://www.isunet.edu. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

  20. KSC-2012-3183

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2012-06-04

    MELBOURNE, Fla. – Entertainment during the opening ceremonies for the International Space University's 25th annual Space Studies Program session at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla., is provided by Jim Sawgrass and the Deep Forest Native American Indian Program dancers. The nine-week intensive course is designed for post-graduate university students and professionals during the summer. The program is hosted by a different country each year, providing a unique educational experience for participants from around the globe. NASA Kennedy Space Center and Florida Tech are co-hosting this year's event which runs from June 4 to Aug. 3. This year, there are about 125 participants representing 31 countries. For more information, visit http://www.isunet.edu. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

  1. KSC-2012-3179

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2012-06-04

    MELBOURNE, Fla. – Entertainment during the opening ceremonies for the International Space University's 25th annual Space Studies Program session at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla., is provided by Jim Sawgrass and the Deep Forest Native American Indian Program dancers. The nine-week intensive course is designed for post-graduate university students and professionals during the summer. The program is hosted by a different country each year, providing a unique educational experience for participants from around the globe. NASA Kennedy Space Center and Florida Tech are co-hosting this year's event which runs from June 4 to Aug. 3. This year, there are about 125 participants representing 31 countries. For more information, visit http://www.isunet.edu. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

  2. KSC-2012-3182

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2012-06-04

    MELBOURNE, Fla. – Entertainment during the opening ceremonies for the International Space University's 25th annual Space Studies Program session at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla., is provided by Jim Sawgrass and the Deep Forest Native American Indian Program dancers. The nine-week intensive course is designed for post-graduate university students and professionals during the summer. The program is hosted by a different country each year, providing a unique educational experience for participants from around the globe. NASA Kennedy Space Center and Florida Tech are co-hosting this year's event which runs from June 4 to Aug. 3. This year, there are about 125 participants representing 31 countries. For more information, visit http://www.isunet.edu. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

  3. KSC-2012-3178

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2012-06-04

    MELBOURNE, Fla. – Entertainment during the opening ceremonies for the International Space University's 25th annual Space Studies Program session at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla., is provided by Jim Sawgrass and the Deep Forest Native American Indian Program dancers. The nine-week intensive course is designed for post-graduate university students and professionals during the summer. The program is hosted by a different country each year, providing a unique educational experience for participants from around the globe. NASA Kennedy Space Center and Florida Tech are co-hosting this year's event which runs from June 4 to Aug. 3. This year, there are about 125 participants representing 31 countries. For more information, visit http://www.isunet.edu. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

  4. Ceremony celebrates 50 years of rocket launches

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2000-01-01

    Ceremony celebrates 50 years of rocket launches PL00C-10364.16 At the 50th anniversary ceremony celebrating the first rocket launch from what is now Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Brig. Gen. Donald Pettit addresses an audience that included members of the team who successfully launched the first rocket, known as Bumper 8. The ceremony was hosted by the Air Force Space & Missile Museum Foundation, Inc. , and included launch of a Bumper 8 model rocket, presentation of a Bumper Award to Florida Sen. George Kirkpatrick by the National Space Club; plus remarks by Sen. Kirkpatrick, KSC's Center Director Roy Bridges, and Pettit. A reception followed at Hangar C. Since 1950 there have been a total of 3,245 launches from Cape Canaveral.

  5. KSC00pp0932

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2000-07-15

    At the 50th anniversary gala that capped a year-long celebration of 50 years of rocket launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, gala chairman Ed Gormel (left) presents a plaque to Capt. Harry Sheffield, Commander, Naval Ordnance Test Unit, Cape Canaveral. The first launch at CCAFS took place at 9:28 a.m. on July 24, 1950, with the liftoff of Bumper 8 from Launch Complex 3. The gala was hosted by the Cape Canaveral Chapter Air Force Association

  6. KSC-00pp0932

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2000-07-15

    At the 50th anniversary gala that capped a year-long celebration of 50 years of rocket launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, gala chairman Ed Gormel (left) presents a plaque to Capt. Harry Sheffield, Commander, Naval Ordnance Test Unit, Cape Canaveral. The first launch at CCAFS took place at 9:28 a.m. on July 24, 1950, with the liftoff of Bumper 8 from Launch Complex 3. The gala was hosted by the Cape Canaveral Chapter Air Force Association

  7. Microbial cultures in open globe injuries in southern India.

    PubMed

    Gupta, Arvind; Srinivasan, Renuka; Kaliaperumal, Subashini; Setia, Sajita

    2007-07-01

    To determine the risk factors leading to positive intraocular culture in patients with open globe injury. A prospective interventional study involving 110 eyes of 110 patients of more than 15 years of age, presenting with open globe injury, was undertaken. Emergency repair of the injured globe was done. Prolapsed intraocular tissue or aqueous humour was sent for microbial work up before repair. In endophthalmitis cases intravitreal antibiotics were given according to the antimicrobial sensitivity. Chi-square and logistic regression analysis were used to determine the risk factors. Fifty-six patients showed microbial contamination. Bacteria were cultured in 42 patients and fungi in 14 patients. Nineteen patients developed endophthalmitis, of which 18 patients showed microbial growth initially. In univariate analysis, initial visual acuity (<6/360, P = 0.002), presence of uveal tissue prolapse (P < 0.001), vitreous prolapse (P < 0.001) and length of laceration (>8 mm, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with positive microbial culture, however, in the multivariate stepwise logistic regression delay in surgical intervention (>72 h, P < 0.001), uveal tissue prolapse (P = 0.004) and corneosclearal laceration (>8 mm, P = 0.013) were associated with increased risk of positive microbial culture. Six patients had intraocular foreign body but were culture negative. Age, gender, site of injury and presence of cataract did not significantly affect the culture positivity. Microbial contamination is a risk factor for the development for endophthalmitis. Despite the high frequency of microbial contamination, it develops only in few cases. Systemic antibiotics, virulence of the organism and host factors play a role in the manifestation of endophthalmitis. Prophylaxis with intraocular antibiotics should be strongly considered in cases with poor vision at presentation, larger corneoscleral laceration, delayed surgical intervention and uveal tissue or vitreous prolapse.

  8. Sugary beverages represent a threat to global health.

    PubMed

    Popkin, Barry M

    2012-12-01

    Sugary beverages represent a major global threat to the health of all populations. The shifts in distribution, marketing, and sales have made them the plague of the globe in terms of obesity, diabetes, and a host of other chronic health problems. The fructose-laden beverages have unique properties that lead to lack of dietary compensation and direct adverse effects on our health. Global efforts to limit marketing and sales are necessary to protect the health of the planet. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. Virulence genotyping of Pasteurella multocida isolated from multiple hosts from India.

    PubMed

    Sarangi, Laxmi Narayan; Priyadarshini, Adyasha; Kumar, Santosh; Thomas, Prasad; Gupta, Santosh Kumar; Nagaleekar, Viswas Konasagara; Singh, Vijendra Pal

    2014-01-01

    In this study, 108 P. multocida isolates recovered from various host animals such as cattle, buffalo, swine, poultry (chicken, duck, and emu) and rabbits were screened for carriage of 8 virulence associated genes. The results revealed some unique information on the prevalence of virulence associated genes among Indian isolates. With the exception of toxA gene, all other virulence associated genes were found to be regularly distributed among host species. Association study between capsule type and virulence genes suggested that pfhA, nanB, and nanH genes were regularly distributed among all serotypes with the exception of CapD, whereas toxA gene was found to be positively associated with CapD and CapA. The frequency of hgbA and nanH genes among swine isolates of Indian origin was found to be less in comparison to its equivalents around the globe. Interestingly, very high prevalence of tbpA gene was observed among poultry, swine, and rabbit isolates. Likewise, very high prevalence of pfhA gene (95.3%) was observed among Indian isolates, irrespective of host species origin.

  10. CrowdOutAIDS: crowdsourcing youth perspectives for action.

    PubMed

    Hildebrand, Mikaela; Ahumada, Claudia; Watson, Sharon

    2013-05-01

    To develop a strategy for how to better engage young people in decision-making processes on AIDS, UNAIDS launched the participatory online policy project CrowdOutAIDS in 2011. A total of 3,497 young people aged 15-29 from 79 countries signed up to nine online forums, and volunteers recruited through the online platform hosted 39 community-based offline forums with an additional 1,605 participants. This article describes the participatory approach of using social media and crowdsourcing solutions to integrate youth perspectives into strategy and policy processes. In these forums, youth consistently identified the need to change the way sex and relationships are dealt with through changing how sex is talked about, putting comprehensive sexuality education in place, and overcoming social and cultural taboos. The outcome document recommended three major priorities: dispel taboos surrounding sex and sexuality, eliminate stigma and discrimination against young people living with HIV, and remove social and legal barriers. Six strategic actions were also recommended: strengthen young people's skills for effective leadership, ensure full youth participation in the AIDS response, increase access to HIV-related information, strengthen strategic networks, increase UNAIDS's outreach to young people, and increase young people's access to financial support. Through leveraging social media and crowdsourcing, it is possible to integrate grassroots perspectives from across the globe into a new model of engagement and participation, which should be further explored for community empowerment and mobilization. Copyright © 2013 Reproductive Health Matters. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. Sally Ride EarthKAM: 15 Years of STEM Education and Outreach from Aboard the International Space Station

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Finley, T.; Griffin, R.; Klug, T.; Harbour, S.; Au, B.; Graves, S. J.

    2016-12-01

    Sally Ride EarthKAM @ Space Camp is a digital camera payload on board the International Space Station (ISS) that allows students from around the globe to request photos of the Earth from space. Since its launch to the ISS in 2001, approximately 110,000 images have been requested by students from over 90 countries. EarthKAM provides the ultimate platform for STEM engagement in both formal and informal educational settings, as it is currently the only earth observation science payload on station completely controlled by students. Images are requested and accessed through a web portal and can be used by educators in a multitude of ways to promote interest in geosciences, math, physics, and numerous other fields. EarthKAM is currently operated out of the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama and is incorporated into many Space Camp programs. Space Camp hosts nearly 25,000 students and 500 educators each year, vastly improving EarthKAM exposure. Future concepts currently in development include the ability to collect new data products such as night-time and near-infrared imagery, additional science curricula in the form of focused lesson plans and image applications, and a redesigned graphical user interface for requesting photos. The EarthKAM project, a NASA educational outreach program, is currently managed by the US Space and Rocket Center, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.

  12. Ceremony celebrates 50 years of rocket launches

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2000-01-01

    Ceremony celebrates 50 years of rocket launches PL00C-10364.21 At the 50th anniversary ceremony celebrating the first rocket launch from pad 3 on what is now Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, KSC's Center Director Roy Bridges Jr. addresses an audience that included members of the team who successfully launched the first rocket, known as Bumper 8. The original launch occurred July 24, 1950. The anniversary ceremony was hosted by the Air Force Space & Missile Museum Foundation, Inc., and included launch of a Bumper 8 model rocket, presentation of a Bumper Award to Florida Sen. George Kirkpatrick by the National Space Club; plus remarks by Sen. Kirkpatrick, Bridges, and the Commander of the 45th Space Wing, Brig. Gen. Donald Pettit. A reception followed at Hangar C. Since 1950 there have been a total of 3,245 launches from Cape Canaveral.

  13. KSC-2012-6402

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2012-11-16

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Firing Room 1, also known as the Young-Crippen Firing Room, has been outfitted with computer, communications and networking systems to host rockets and spacecraft that are currently under development. The firing room is where the launch of rockets and spacecraft are controlled at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Flight controllers also monitor processing and preparations of launch vehicles from the firing room. There are four firing rooms inside the Launch Control Center at Kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Dmitri Gerondidakis

  14. KSC-2012-6401

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2012-11-16

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Firing Room 1, also known as the Young-Crippen Firing Room, has been outfitted with computer, communications and networking systems to host rockets and spacecraft that are currently under development. The firing room is where the launch of rockets and spacecraft are controlled at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Flight controllers also monitor processing and preparations of launch vehicles from the firing room. There are four firing rooms inside the Launch Control Center at Kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Dmitri Gerondidakis

  15. HOST payload for STS-95 being moved into SSPF

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1998-01-01

    The HOST (the Hubble Space Telescope Orbital Systems Test) payload is uncrated in the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF). HOST is scheduled to fly on the STS-95 mission, planned for launch on Oct. 29, 1998. The mission includes other research payloads such as the Spartan solar-observing deployable spacecraft, the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker, as well as the SPACEHAB single module with experiments on space flight and the aging process.

  16. Monitoring Space Radiation Hazards with the Responsive Environmental Assessment Commercially Hosted (REACH) Project

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mazur, J. E.; Guild, T. B.; Crain, W.; Crain, S.; Holker, D.; Quintana, S.; O'Brien, T. P., III; Kelly, M. A.; Barnes, R. J.; Sotirelis, T.

    2017-12-01

    The Responsive Environmental Assessment Commercial Hosting (REACH) project uses radiation dosimeters on a commercial satellite constellation in low Earth orbit to provide unprecedented spatial and time sampling of space weather radiation hazards. The spatial and time scales of natural space radiation environments coupled with constraints for the hosting accommodation drove the instrumentation requirements and the plan for the final orbital constellation. The project has delivered a total of thirty two radiation dosimeter instruments for launch with each instrument containing two dosimeters with different passive shielding and electronic thresholds to address proton-induced single-event effects, vehicle charging, and total ionizing dose. There are two REACH instruments currently operating with four more planned for launch by the time of the 2017 meeting. Our aim is to field a long-lived system of highly-capable radiation detectors to monitor the hazards of single-event effects, total ionizing dose, and spacecraft charging with maximized spatial coverage and with minimal time latency. We combined a robust detection technology with a commercial satellite hosting to produce a new demonstration for satellite situational awareness and for other engineering and science applications.

  17. KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach throws out the first pitch at a local baseball game at Manatees Stadium. KSC employees were hosted by the Brevard Manatees, a minor league baseball team in Central Florida. Before the game, attendees offered a moment of silence to honor the STS-107 crew and two recovery workers who died in a helicopter crash.

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2003-05-07

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach throws out the first pitch at a local baseball game at Manatees Stadium. KSC employees were hosted by the Brevard Manatees, a minor league baseball team in Central Florida. Before the game, attendees offered a moment of silence to honor the STS-107 crew and two recovery workers who died in a helicopter crash.

  18. KSC-02pd0402

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2002-03-01

    VANDENBERG AFB,CALIF. - The gantry (left) on SLC-2 moves toward the first stage of the Delta II rocket, for mating with the second stage. The Delta II will launch the Aqua-EOS satellite. Aqua is one of a series of spacebased platforms that are central to NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE), a long-term study of the scope, dynamics and implications of global change. The Aqua program is composed of Aqua and other spacecraft (including Terra and Aura) and a data distribution system (ESDIS, and Mission Operations Center Implementation Team). Flying in an orbit that covers the globe every 16 days, Aqua will provide a six-year chronology of the planet and its processes. Comprehensive measurements taken by its onboard instruments will allow multidisciplinary teams of scientists and researchers from North and South America, Asia, Australia and Europe to assess long-term change, identify its human and natural causes and advance the development of models for long-term forecasting. Launch is scheduled for April 26 from Vandenberg

  19. Exploring sexual behaviors and health communication among older women.

    PubMed

    Bergeron, Caroline D; Goltz, Heather Honoré; Szucs, Leigh E; Reyes, Jovanni V; Wilson, Kelly L; Ory, Marcia G; Smith, Matthew Lee

    2017-12-01

    Older women around the globe are generally depicted as asexual beings, which may impact patient-provider discussions about sex. We examined data on 703 aging women in the United States to compare factors associated with women perceiving sex as important and women discussing sex with their physicians since turning 50. While 65.1% of participants perceived sex to be important, only 23.8% discussed sex with their providers since turning 50. Factors related to discussing sex included age, education, having a chronic condition, and consuming alcohol. Provider training and tools about sexual health communication could help launch those discussions about sex and increase advocacy for older women's sexual health.

  20. HOST payload for STS-95 being moved into SSPF

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1998-01-01

    The HOST (the Hubble Space Telescope Orbital Systems Test) payload is moved into the high bay of the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF). HOST is scheduled to fly on the STS- 95 mission, planned for launch on Oct. 29, 1998. The mission includes other research payloads such as the Spartan solar- observing deployable spacecraft, the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker, as well as the SPACEHAB single module with experiments on space flight and the aging process.

  1. The international council of ophthalmology: vision for ophthalmic education in an interdependent world.

    PubMed

    Lee, Andrew G; Golnik, Karl C; Tso, Mark O M; Spivey, Bruce; Miller, Kathleen; Gauthier, Tina-Marie

    2012-10-01

    To describe the emerging strategic global perspective of the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) efforts in ophthalmic education. A global perspective describing how the development of sophisticated educational tools in tandem with information technology can revolutionize ophthalmic education worldwide. Review of ICO educational tools, resources, and programs that are available to ophthalmic educators across the globe. With the explosive growth of the Internet, the ability to access medical information in the most isolated of locations is now possible. Through specific ICO initiatives, including the ICO curricula, the "Teaching the Teachers" program, and the launching of the new ICO Center for Ophthalmic Educators, the ICO is providing ophthalmic educators across the globe with access to standardized but customizable educational programs and tools to better train ophthalmologists and allied eye care professionals throughout the world. Access to educational tools and strengthening of global learning will help providers meet the goals of VISION 2020 and beyond in eliminating avoidable blindness. It is the intent of the ICO that its programs for ophthalmic educators, including conferences, courses, curricula, and online resources, result in better-trained ophthalmologists and eye care professionals worldwide. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. Stennis hosts NASA Night at Zephyr Field

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2010-08-20

    Stennis employee Chris Smith helps a young child 'launch' a balloon rocket. Employees from NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center traveled to New Orleans on Aug. 20 to host NASA Night at Zephyr Field. Stennis personnel provided a variety of activities and materials for persons attending a game between the New Orleans Zephyrs and the Las Vegas 51s.

  3. Regeneration, morphogenesis and self-organization.

    PubMed

    Goldman, Daniel

    2014-07-01

    The RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology in Kobe, Japan, hosted a meeting entitled 'Regeneration of Organs: Programming and Self-Organization' in March, 2014. Scientists from across the globe met to discuss current research on regeneration, organ morphogenesis and self-organization - and the links between these fields. A diverse range of experimental models and organ systems was presented, and the speakers aptly illustrated the unique power of each. This Meeting Review describes the major advances reported and themes emerging from this exciting meeting. © 2014. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

  4. NASA TESS Prelaunch News Conference

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    In Kennedy Space Center's Press Site auditorium, members of the media participate in a mission briefing on NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Omar Baez, launch director, NASA’s Launch Services Program, answers questions during the briefing. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  5. Cultivating a Global Pool of Future Geoscientists and Mentors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sparrow, E. B.; Yule, S.; Murphy, A.; Fenzel, M.; Buali, S.; Bourgeault, J.; Tunkl, T.; Lawani, Y.; Elwan, M.; Ruairuen, W.; Altin, L.; Boonkhot, P.

    2015-12-01

    The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program ( www.globe.gov) is an international science and education program in over 28,000 schools in 114 countries. GLOBE students conduct real science - ask questions, make observations, do measurements, analyze data, and participate in research collaborations with other students and Earth scientists. In the U.S., GLOBE operates through a GLOBE Implementation Office and partnerships with U.S. organizations that recruit schools, train teachers at professional development workshops, and mentor teachers and their students to engage in GLOBE learning and research activities. Internationally, GLOBE is implemented through bilateral agreements between the U.S. government and those of partner countries that provide the structure and funding to fulfill the responsibilities and functions of a GLOBE Partnership. GLOBE students have contributed more than 129 million measurements to ongoing science investigations. GLOBE, in its 20th year, has been successful in engaging students in Earth as a system and environmental science studies during K-12 schooling and beyond as students go into college and in their careers. GLOBE Alumni is a grassroots community of former GLOBE students committed to continue GLOBE activities at a higher level. They have worked with GLOBE in Estonia, Czech Republic, Benin, Thailand and Peru, to support teachers and students in student scientific research to better understand the Earth as a system and the environment. Survey results of participants at the 2014 GLOBE Learning Expedition indicate that 53% of GLOBE students would likely choose GLOBE involvement beyond secondary school, 80 % of teachers are likely to engage former GLOBE students as near-peer mentors to their students, 70% of GLOBE Partners are likely to use the assistance of former GLOBE students when training teachers and 100% of GLOBE Partners and teachers consider former GLOBE students who may be in college or graduated, valuable as research mentors to their GLOBE students. Scientists asked how valuable they think GLOBE alumni can be to a GLOBE-wide student collaborative scientific research project; all responded in the affirmative with one scientist saying "Extremely valuable, one of the best things that happened proving the value of the program".

  6. Ceremony celebrates 50 years of rocket launches

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2000-01-01

    Ceremony celebrates 50 years of rocket launches PL00C-10364.12 At the 50th anniversary ceremony celebrating the first rocket launch from pad 3 on what is now Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Norris Gray waves to the audience. Gray was part of the team who successfully launched the first rocket, known as Bumper 8. The ceremony was hosted by the Air Force Space & Missile Museum Foundation, Inc. , and included launch of a Bumper 8 model rocket, presentation of a Bumper Award to Florida Sen. George Kirkpatrick by the National Space Club; plus remarks by Sen. Kirkpatrick, KSC's Center Director Roy Bridges, and the Commander of the 45th Space Wing, Brig. Gen. Donald Pettit. Also attending the ceremony were other members of the original Bumper 8 team. A reception followed at Hangar C. Since 1950 there have been a total of 3,245 launches from Cape Canaveral.

  7. Visualization of High-Resolution LiDAR Topography in Google Earth

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Crosby, C. J.; Nandigam, V.; Arrowsmith, R.; Blair, J. L.

    2009-12-01

    The growing availability of high-resolution LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) topographic data has proven to be revolutionary for Earth science research. These data allow scientists to study the processes acting on the Earth’s surfaces at resolutions not previously possible yet essential for their appropriate representation. In addition to their utility for research, the data have also been recognized as powerful tools for communicating earth science concepts for education and outreach purposes. Unfortunately, the massive volume of data produced by LiDAR mapping technology can be a barrier to their use. To facilitate access to these powerful data for research and educational purposes, we have been exploring the use of Keyhole Markup Language (KML) and Google Earth to deliver LiDAR-derived visualizations. The OpenTopography Portal (http://www.opentopography.org/) is a National Science Foundation-funded facility designed to provide access to Earth science-oriented LiDAR data. OpenTopography hosts a growing collection of LiDAR data for a variety of geologic domains, including many of the active faults in the western United States. We have found that the wide spectrum of LiDAR users have variable scientific applications, computing resources, and technical experience and thus require a data distribution system that provides various levels of access to the data. For users seeking a synoptic view of the data, and for education and outreach purposes, delivering full-resolution images derived from LiDAR topography into the Google Earth virtual globe is powerful. The virtual globe environment provides a freely available and easily navigated viewer and enables quick integration of the LiDAR visualizations with imagery, geographic layers, and other relevant data available in KML format. Through region-dependant network linked KML, OpenTopography currently delivers over 20 GB of LiDAR-derived imagery to users via simple, easily downloaded KMZ files hosted at the Portal. This method provides seamlessly access to hillshaded imagery for both bare earth and first return terrain models with various angles of illumination. Seamless access to LiDAR-derived imagery in Google Earth has proven to be the most popular product available in the OpenTopography Portal. The hillshade KMZ files have been downloaded over 3000 times by users ranging from earthquake scientists to K-12 educators who wish to introduce cutting edge real world data into their earth science lessons. OpenTopography also provides dynamically generated KMZ visualizations of LiDAR data products produced when users choose to use the OpenTopography point cloud access and processing system. These Google Earth compatible products allow users to quickly visualize the custom terrain products they have generated without the burden of loading the data into a GIS environment. For users who have installed the Google Earth browser plug-in, these visualizations can be launched directly from the OpenTopography results page and viewed directly in the browser.

  8. NASA missions CALIPSO and CloudSat partner with the GLOBE program to provide student opportunities for data collection to aid scientists researching climate change

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Robinson, D. Q.; Maggi, B. H.; Krumm, D. K.

    2004-12-01

    NASA places great emphasis on developing partnerships with education communities, including collaborations with university scientists, K-16 science educators and students. Two universities contributing to this effort through their involvement with NASA satellite based research missions, CALIPSO and CloudSat, are Hampton University and Colorado State University. Both universities provide atmospheric research scientists for the missions and leadership for the Education and Outreach Programs developed for CALIPSO and CloudSat. These satellite-based research missions are co-manifested for launch during the spring 2004 and are included in the Afternoon Constellation also known as the "A-Train" satellite formation. The A-Train will consist of six missions flying in close proximity, providing combined detailed observations about the Earth's atmosphere allowing scientists to make better predictions related to climate change. CloudSat will use radar and provide a global survey of cloud properties to aid with improving cloud models and the accuracy of weather forecasts. CALIPSO will use Lidar to detect size and distribution of aerosols that will aid in improving our understanding of the role aerosols and clouds play in Earth's climate system. Each of the A-Train missions has a unique education and outreach program for students and teachers. Included in the CALIPSO and CloudSat education and outreach is a partnership with the GLOBE Program. GLOBE involves students worldwide in data collection and mission observations. The GLOBE program is a network of K-14 schools, science centers, after school programs, and environmental clubs from over 105 countries. Students participating in GLOBE collect scientific data according to precise protocols and enter the data into a central database allowing both scientists and students to utilize the information collected. The CALIPSO and CloudSat partnership with GLOBE involves the enlistment of student assistance worldwide for data collection that will be used by both missions. Students use the existing GLOBE protocols on aerosols and clouds to collect data as the satellites pass over their schools. CloudSat scientists will involve students by having them report visual observations related to cloud cover, cloud type and precipitation. This information will be compared to the CloudSat radar data to determine the accuracy of the satellite radar unit. CALIPSO will have students collect and report on aerosol measurements taken with a handheld sun photometer. These measurements will then be compared to those taken with the lidar riding on the satellite. Climate change and the effects aerosols have on climate are current topics in schools today. It now appears likely that anthropogenic aerosols resulting from industrial activities and agricultural burning are affecting weather and climate in some regions of the world. The data collected by students internationally for CALIPSO and CloudSat will allow them to better understand the impacts made by humans on Earth's atmosphere and how these impacts are global in scope. In return, scientists gain a valuable resource giving them ground-based data in more locations than would be possible using established weather stations and research laboratories. The partnership established by the CALIPSO and CloudSat missions with the GLOBE program will provide an opportunity to enrich earth science education in schools with a sustainable connection to NASA education.

  9. Global Hail Model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Werner, A.; Sanderson, M.; Hand, W.; Blyth, A.; Groenemeijer, P.; Kunz, M.; Puskeiler, M.; Saville, G.; Michel, G.

    2012-04-01

    Hail risk models are rare for the insurance industry. This is opposed to the fact that average annual hail losses can be large and hail dominates losses for many motor portfolios worldwide. Insufficient observational data, high spatio-temporal variability and data inhomogenity have hindered creation of credible models so far. In January 2012, a selected group of hail experts met at Willis in London in order to discuss ways to model hail risk at various scales. Discussions aimed at improving our understanding of hail occurrence and severity, and covered recent progress in the understanding of microphysical processes and climatological behaviour and hail vulnerability. The final outcome of the meeting was the formation of a global hail risk model initiative and the launch of a realistic global hail model in order to assess hail loss occurrence and severities for the globe. The following projects will be tackled: Microphysics of Hail and hail severity measures: Understand the physical drivers of hail and hailstone size development in different regions on the globe. Proposed factors include updraft and supercooled liquid water content in the troposphere. What are the thresholds drivers of hail formation around the globe? Hail Climatology: Consider ways to build a realistic global climatological set of hail events based on physical parameters including spatial variations in total availability of moisture, aerosols, among others, and using neural networks. Vulnerability, Exposure, and financial model: Use historical losses and event footprints available in the insurance market to approximate fragility distributions and damage potential for various hail sizes for property, motor, and agricultural business. Propagate uncertainty distributions and consider effects of policy conditions along with aggregating and disaggregating exposure and losses. This presentation provides an overview of ideas and tasks that lead towards a comprehensive global understanding of hail risk for the insurance sector.

  10. Using Online Citizen Science to Assess Giant Kelp Abundances Across the Globe with Satellite Imagery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Byrnes, J.; Cavanaugh, K. C.; Haupt, A. J.; Trouille, L.; Rosenthal, I.; Bell, T. W.; Rassweiler, A.; Pérez-Matus, A.; Assis, J.

    2017-12-01

    Global scale long-term data sets that document the patterns and variability of human impacts on marine ecosystems are rare. This lack is particularly glaring for underwater species - even moreso for ecologically important ones. Here we demonstrate how online Citizen Science combined with Landsat satellite imagery can help build a picture of change in the dynamics of giant kelp, an important coastal foundation species around the globe, from the 1984 to the present. Giant kelp canopy is visible from Landsat images, but these images defy easy machine classification. To get useful data, images must be processed by hand. While academic researchers have applied this method successfully at sub-regional scales, unlocking the value of the full global dataset has not been possible until given the massive effort required. Here we present Floating Forests (http://floatingforests.org), an international collaboration between kelp forest researchers and the citizen science organization Zooniverse. Floating Forests provides an interface that allows citizen scientists to identify canopy cover of giant kelp on Landsat images, enabling us to scale up the dataset to the globe. We discuss lessons learned from the initial version of the project launched in 2014, a prototype of an image processing pipeline to bring Landsat imagery to citizen science platforms, methods of assessing accuracy of citizen scientists, and preliminary data from our relaunch of the project. Through this project we have developed generalizable tools to facilitate citizen science-based analysis of Landsat and other satellite and aerial imagery. We hope that this create a powerful dataset to unlock our understanding of how global change has altered these critically important species in the sea.

  11. Solving the Martian meteorite age conundrum using micro-baddeleyite and launch-generated zircon.

    PubMed

    Moser, D E; Chamberlain, K R; Tait, K T; Schmitt, A K; Darling, J R; Barker, I R; Hyde, B C

    2013-07-25

    Invaluable records of planetary dynamics and evolution can be recovered from the geochemical systematics of single meteorites. However, the interpreted ages of the ejected igneous crust of Mars differ by up to four billion years, a conundrum due in part to the difficulty of using geochemistry alone to distinguish between the ages of formation and the ages of the impact events that launched debris towards Earth. Here we solve the conundrum by combining in situ electron-beam nanostructural analyses and U-Pb (uranium-lead) isotopic measurements of the resistant micromineral baddeleyite (ZrO2) and host igneous minerals in the highly shock-metamorphosed shergottite Northwest Africa 5298 (ref. 8), which is a basaltic Martian meteorite. We establish that the micro-baddeleyite grains pre-date the launch event because they are shocked, cogenetic with host igneous minerals, and preserve primary igneous growth zoning. The grains least affected by shock disturbance, and which are rich in radiogenic Pb, date the basalt crystallization near the Martian surface to 187 ± 33 million years before present. Primitive, non-radiogenic Pb isotope compositions of the host minerals, common to most shergottites, do not help us to date the meteorite, instead indicating a magma source region that was fractionated more than four billion years ago to form a persistent reservoir so far unique to Mars. Local impact melting during ejection from Mars less than 22 ± 2 million years ago caused the growth of unshocked, launch-generated zircon and the partial disturbance of baddeleyite dates. We can thus confirm the presence of ancient, non-convecting mantle beneath young volcanic Mars, place an upper bound on the interplanetary travel time of the ejected Martian crust, and validate a new approach to the geochronology of the inner Solar System.

  12. Launch Vehicle Manual Steering with Adaptive Augmenting Control In-flight Evaluations Using a Piloted Aircraft

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hanson, Curt

    2014-01-01

    An adaptive augmenting control algorithm for the Space Launch System has been developed at the Marshall Space Flight Center as part of the launch vehicles baseline flight control system. A prototype version of the SLS flight control software was hosted on a piloted aircraft at the Armstrong Flight Research Center to demonstrate the adaptive controller on a full-scale realistic application in a relevant flight environment. Concerns regarding adverse interactions between the adaptive controller and a proposed manual steering mode were investigated by giving the pilot trajectory deviation cues and pitch rate command authority.

  13. 12348_GLOBE_Observer_App_Promo

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2016-08-25

    GLOBE Observer invites you to make environmental observations that complement NASA satellite observations to help scientists studying Earth and the global environment. Version 1.1 includes GLOBE Clouds, which allows you to photograph clouds and record sky observations and compare them with NASA satellite images. GLOBE is now the major source of human observations of clouds, which provide more information than automated systems. Future versions of GLOBE Observer will add additional tools for you to use as a citizen environmental scientist. By using the GLOBE Observer app, you are joining the GLOBE community and contributing important scientific data to NASA and GLOBE, your local community, and students and scientists worldwide. New and interested users are encouraged to go to observer.globe.gov to learn more about the GLOBE program, or learn more about the GLOBE Clouds protocol.

  14. Earth

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2012-01-30

    Behold one of the more detailed images of the Earth yet created. This Blue Marble Earth montage shown above -- created from photographs taken by the Visible/Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument on board the new Suomi NPP satellite -- shows many stunning details of our home planet. The Suomi NPP satellite was launched last October and renamed last week after Verner Suomi, commonly deemed the father of satellite meteorology. The composite was created from the data collected during four orbits of the robotic satellite taken earlier this month and digitally projected onto the globe. Many features of North America and the Western Hemisphere are particularly visible on a high resolution version of the image. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA18033

  15. The APRU Global Health Program: Past and Future.

    PubMed

    Samet, Jonathan; Withers, Mellissa

    2016-01-01

    The Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) is an international consortium of 45 universities in the Pacific Rim, representing 16 economies, 130 000 faculty members and more than two million students. The APRU Global Health Program aims to expand existing collaborative research efforts among universities to address regional and global health issues. Since its launch in 2007-08, the program has covered a significant range of topics including emerging public health threats, ageing and chronic diseases, infectious diseases and health security issues, among others. The Program's activities in research, training, and service around the globe illustrate the diverse dimensions of global health. In this paper, the major activities to date are outlined and future planned activities are discussed.

  16. Women's History Month Event

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-03-27

    JoAnn Morgan, at right, former associate director of Kennedy Space Center, was the keynote speaker during a Women's History Month event at the center. With the theme "Nevertheless She Persisted," Morgan described her experience as the first female engineer working in the space program in the 1960s. Morgan was the first female in the Launch Control Center firing room during the Apollo 11 launch. Morgan is speaking to Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, the first female launch director, who will lead countdown and launch for Exploration Mission-1. The event was hosted by the center's Kennedy Networking Opportunities for Women (KNOW) and Launching Leaders organizations. The purpose of KNOW is to provide focus on issues such as employment, retention, promotion, training, career and personal development, education, and identify and eliminate barriers that hinder the advancement of women in the workforce.

  17. Wet-Bulb-Globe Temperature Data Report

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-03-01

    Hour Min Pressure Dry Nat Wet Globe Dry Nat Wet Globe Dry Nat Wet Globe Wind Cld amt Cld type Obscuration Quest RH Kestrel RH VPSc RH S1 WBGT Q WBGT...Wet Globe Dry Nat Wet Globe Dry Nat Wet Globe Wind Cld amt Cld type Obscuration Quest RH Kestrel RH VPSc RH S1 WBGT Q WBGT K2 WBGT GMT millibars deg F...Dry Nat Wet Globe Dry Nat Wet Globe Wind Cld amt Cld type Obscuration Quest RH Kestrel RH VPSc RH S1 WBGT Q WBGT K2 WBGT GMT millibars deg F deg F deg

  18. Women's History Month Event

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-03-27

    JoAnn Morgan, former associate director of Kennedy Space Center, was the keynote speaker during a Women's History Month event at the center. With the theme "Nevertheless She Persisted," Morgan described her experience as the first female engineer working in the space program in the 1960s. Morgan was the first female in the Launch Control Center firing room during the Apollo 11 launch. Third from the left is Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, launch director for Exploration Mission-1. The event was hosted by the center's Kennedy Networking Opportunities for Women (KNOW) and Launching Leaders organizations. The purpose of KNOW is to provide focus on issues such as employment, retention, promotion, training, career and personal development, education, and identify and eliminate barriers that hinder the advancement of women in the workforce.

  19. KSC-2010-5375

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2010-10-30

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Mikkel Vestergaard, the president of Vestergaard Frandsen in Lausanne, Switzerland, participates in a news conference at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida following the "LAUNCH: Health" forum. During the two-day forum, 10 international participants showcased new innovations that could address health problems on Earth and in space. LAUNCH is a global initiative to identify and support innovative work that will contribute to a sustainable future. Through a series of forums focused on key challenge areas, including water, air, food, energy, mobility and sustainable cities, LAUNCH gives leaders an opportunity to present innovative ideas among peers and join in collaborative, solution-driven discussions. This is the second forum hosted at Kennedy. The first was "LAUNCH: Water" in March 2010. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

  20. KSC-2012-3174

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2012-06-04

    MELBOURNE, Fla. – Professor Angie Bukley, dean and vice president for Academic Affairs, International Space University, addresses the audience during opening ceremonies for the university's 25th annual Space Studies Program session at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla. Seated from left are Anthony J. Catanese, president of Florida Tech NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana Bukley and Dr. Guy A. Boy, chair of the Space Studies Program’s local organizing committee. The nine-week intensive course is designed for post-graduate university students and professionals during the summer. The program is hosted by a different country each year, providing a unique educational experience for participants from around the globe. NASA Kennedy Space Center and Florida Tech are co-hosting this year's event which runs from June 4 to Aug. 3. This year, there are about 125 participants representing 31 countries. For more information, visit http://www.isunet.edu. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

  1. KSC-2012-3172

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2012-06-04

    MELBOURNE, Fla. – Anthony J. Catanese, president of the Florida Institute of Technology, participates in the opening ceremonies for the International Space University's 25th annual Space Studies Program session at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla. Seated from left are Catanese NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana Professor Angie Bukley, dean and vice president for Academic Affairs, International Space University and Dr. Guy A. Boy, chair of the Space Studies Program’s local organizing committee. The nine-week intensive course is designed for post-graduate university students and professionals during the summer. The program is hosted by a different country each year, providing a unique educational experience for participants from around the globe. NASA Kennedy Space Center and Florida Tech are co-hosting this year's event which runs from June 4 to Aug. 3. This year, there are about 125 participants representing 31 countries. For more information, visit http://www.isunet.edu. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

  2. Diacetin, a reliable cue and private communication channel in a specialized pollination system

    PubMed Central

    Schäffler, Irmgard; Steiner, Kim E.; Haid, Mark; van Berkel, Sander S.; Gerlach, Günter; Johnson, Steven D.; Wessjohann, Ludger; Dötterl, Stefan

    2015-01-01

    The interaction between floral oil secreting plants and oil-collecting bees is one of the most specialized of all pollination mutualisms. Yet, the specific stimuli used by the bees to locate their host flowers have remained elusive. This study identifies diacetin, a volatile acetylated glycerol, as a floral signal compound shared by unrelated oil plants from around the globe. Electrophysiological measurements of antennae and behavioural assays identified diacetin as the key volatile used by oil-collecting bees to locate their host flowers. Furthermore, electrophysiological measurements indicate that only oil-collecting bees are capable of detecting diacetin. The structural and obvious biosynthetic similarity between diacetin and associated floral oils make it a reliable cue for oil-collecting bees. It is easily perceived by oil bees, but can’t be detected by other potential pollinators. Therefore, diacetin represents the first demonstrated private communication channel in a pollination system. PMID:26245141

  3. The invasive fish tapeworm Atractolytocestus huronensis (Cestoda), a parasite of carp, colonises Africa.

    PubMed

    Scholz, Tomáš; Tavakol, Sareh; Halajian, Ali; Luus-Powell, Wilmien J

    2015-09-01

    Biological invasions represent a serious threat for aquaculture because many of introduced parasites may negatively affect the health state of feral and cultured fish. In the present account, the invasive tapeworm Atractolytocestus huronensis Anthony, 1958 (Cestoda: Caryophyllidea), which was originally described from North America and has been introduced to Europe including the British Isles with its specific host, common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.), is reported from Africa for the first time. Its recent introduction to South Africa, where it was found in four localities where common carp is cultured, is another evidence of insufficient prophylactic measures and inadequate veterinary control during transfers of cultured fish, especially common carp, between continents. Together with the Asian fish tapeworm, Bothriocephalus acheilognathi, A. huronensis is another fish tapeworm with ability to spread throughout the globe as a result of man-made introductions of its fish hosts.

  4. Raspberry Shake- A World-Wide Citizen Seismograph Network

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Christensen, B. C.; Blanco Chia, J. F.

    2017-12-01

    Raspberry Shake was conceived as an inexpensive plug-and-play solution to satisfy the need for universal, quick and accurate earthquake detections. First launched on Kickstarter's crowdfunding platform in July of 2016, the Raspberry Shake project was funded within hours of the launch date and, by the end of the campaign, reached more than 1000% of its initial funding goal. This demonstrated for the first time that there exists a strong interest among Makers, Hobbyists and Do It Yourselfers for personal seismographs. From here, a citizen scientist network was created and it has steadily been growing. The Raspberry Shake network is currently being used in conjunction with publicly available broadband data from the GSN and other state-run seismic networks available through the IRIS, Geoscope and GEOFON data centers to detect and locate earthquakes large and small around the globe. Raspberry Shake looks well positioned to improve local monitoring of earthquakes on a global scale, deepen community's understanding of earthquakes, and serve as a formidable teaching tool. We present the main results of the project, the current state of the network, and the new Raspberry Shake models that are being built.

  5. Life Cycle Cost Assessments for Military Transatmospheric Vehicles,

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1997-01-01

    earth orbit (GEO) that fall within the Titan-IV heavy launch vehicle (HLV) class are outside the practical design limits for a marketable RLV SSTO ...information is from the RAND-hosted TAV Workshop. Three SSTO concepts for X-33 were proposed during Phase I, all with either different takeoff or landing...1996 indicated some observed general differences in vehicles depending on the launch and landing modes:4 • Single stage to orbit ( SSTO ) TAVs for

  6. Globes: A Librarian's Guide to Selection and Purchase.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Coombs, James

    1981-01-01

    Provides a guide for librarians to use in selecting globes by discussing how globes are made, types of globes, special and extraterrestrial globes, selecting criteria, and comparing such features as aesthetic appeal, readability, and currency of political information. A list of globe manufacturers and a selected bibliography are provided. (CHC)

  7. The CPEX Data Portal: Bringing Together Different Types of Data for Different Types of Users

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Knosp, B.; Li, P.; Vu, Q. A.; Hristova-Veleva, S. M.; Turk, J.; Lambrigtsen, B.

    2017-12-01

    The NASA Convective Processes Experiment (CPEX) aircraft field campaign took place in the summer of 2017 in the North Atlantic / Caribbean Ocean region. During this campaign, the NASA DC-8 aircraft carried several instruments that took measurements with the goal of collecting data to help answer questions about convective storm initiation, organization, growth, and dissipation. To help researchers answer science questions about convective storms, the CPEX Data Portal (https://cpexportal.jpl.nasa.gov) was created to bring together relevant satellite and model data, along with aircraft data observed during the campaign. The CPEX Data Portal was designed for two major functions: 1) assist with mission planning by providing a near real-time snapshot of what was going on in the broader North Atlantic domain and 2) bring together different types of data after the aircraft flights had finished to allow researchers to dive deeper into the data. Both functions necessitated collecting a host of disparate data from different instrument types that inherently have differences in resolution, spatial and temporal domain, and quality. Additionally, users of this data portal had varying levels of experience with the different data types (e.g. some used aircraft data before, but not with satellite data). Users were also at different points in their careers - both students and seasoned researchers participated in the campaign and brought different understandings of the physical processes depicted in the portal's visualizations. The CPEX Data Portal team used the existing JPL Tropical Cyclone Information System's near real-time data portal software package to launch a campaign-specific portal to host data during and after the CPEX campaign. This web-based portal includes the ability to visualize pre-generated images of physical quantities from satellites, models, and aircraft instruments, and brings them together in a common virtual globe for given spatial and temporal criteria. Users can also utilize on-line analysis tools to further interrogate the data. In this talk, we will describe how the CPEX Data Portal was able to curate campaign-relevant data, display different types of data in different ways, and make the data digestible and informative for different types of Earth science data user communities.

  8. GLOBE Program's Data and Information System

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Memarsadeghi, N.; Overoye, D.; Lewis, C.; Butler, D. M.; Ramapriyan, H.

    2016-12-01

    "The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program is an international science and education program that provides students and the public worldwide with the opportunity to participate in data collection and the scientific process, and contribute meaningfully to our understanding of the Earth system and global environment" (www.globe.gov ). GLOBE Program has a rich community of students, teachers, scientists, trainers, country coordinators, and alumni across the world, technologically spanning both high- and low-end users. There are 117 GLOBE participating countries from around the world. GLOBE's Science data protocols and educational material span atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, soil (pedosphere), and Earth as a System scientific areas (http://www.globe.gov/do-globe/globe-teachers-guide). GLOBE's Data and Information System (DIS), when first introduced in 1995, was a cutting edge system that was well-received and innovative for its time. However, internet-based technologies have changed dramatically since then. Projects to modernize and evolve the GLOBE DIS started in 2010, resulting in today's GLOBE DIS. The current GLOBE DIS is now built upon the latest information technologies and is engaging and supporting the user community with advanced tools and services to further the goals of the GLOBE Program. GLOBE DIS consists of over 20 years of observation and training data, a rich set of software systems and applications for data entry, visualization, and analysis, as well as tools for training users in various science data protocols and enabling collaborations among members of the international user community. We present the existing GLOBE DIS, application technologies, and lessons learned for their operations, development, sustaining engineering, and data management practices. Examples of GLOBE DIS technologies include Liferay System for integrated user and content management, a Postgress/PostGIS database, Ruby on Rails for Data Entry systems, and OpenGeo for Visualization system.

  9. Weather from 250 Miles Up: Visualizing Precipitation Satellite Data (and Other Weather Applications) Using CesiumJS

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lammers, Matt

    2017-01-01

    Geospatial weather visualization remains predominately a two-dimensional endeavor. Even popular advanced tools like the Nullschool Earth display 2-dimensional fields on a 3-dimensional globe. Yet much of the observational data and model output contains detailed three-dimensional fields. In 2014, NASA and JAXA (Japanese Space Agency) launched the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite. Its two instruments, the Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) and GPM Microwave Imager (GMI) observe much of the Earth's atmosphere between 65 degrees North Latitude and 65 degrees South Latitude. As part of the analysis and visualization tools developed by the Precipitation Processing System (PPS) Group at NASA Goddard, a series of CesiumJS [Using Cesium Markup Language (CZML), JavaScript (JS) and JavaScript Object Notation (JSON)] -based globe viewers have been developed to improve data acquisition decision making and to enhance scientific investigation of the satellite data. Other demos have also been built to illustrate the capabilities of CesiumJS in presenting atmospheric data, including model forecasts of hurricanes, observed surface radar data, and gridded analyses of global precipitation. This talk will present these websites and the various workflows used to convert binary satellite and model data into a form easily integrated with CesiumJS.

  10. 77 FR 38584 - Oil and Gas Trade Mission to Israel-Clarification and Amendment

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-06-28

    ....zhtml?c=160695&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1464492&highlight= . [7] ``Oil Shale Country Notes: Israel.'' World....'' Globes Israel Business News. 13 Mar. 2012. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did... Field Development.'' Globes Israel Business News, 30 Jan. 2012. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes...

  11. CERN launches high-school internship programme

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Johnston, Hamish

    2017-07-01

    The CERN particle-physics lab has hosted 22 high-school students from Hungary in a pilot programme designed to show teenagers how science, technology, engineering and mathematics is used at the particle-physics lab.

  12. KSC-2010-5374

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2010-10-30

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Dave Ferguson, the director of Global Development Common for the U.S. Agency for International Development, participates in a news conference at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida following the "LAUNCH: Health" forum. During the two-day forum, 10 international participants showcased new innovations that could address health problems on Earth and in space. LAUNCH is a global initiative to identify and support innovative work that will contribute to a sustainable future. Through a series of forums focused on key challenge areas, including water, air, food, energy, mobility and sustainable cities, LAUNCH gives leaders an opportunity to present innovative ideas among peers and join in collaborative, solution-driven discussions. This is the second forum hosted at Kennedy. The first was "LAUNCH: Water" in March 2010. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

  13. KSC-2010-5373

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2010-10-30

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Dr. Jeff Davis, the director of Space and Life Sciences at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, participates in a news conference at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida following the "LAUNCH: Health" forum. During the two-day forum, 10 international participants showcased new innovations that could address health problems on Earth and in space. LAUNCH is a global initiative to identify and support innovative work that will contribute to a sustainable future. Through a series of forums focused on key challenge areas, including water, air, food, energy, mobility and sustainable cities, LAUNCH gives leaders an opportunity to present innovative ideas among peers and join in collaborative, solution-driven discussions. This is the second forum hosted at Kennedy. The first was "LAUNCH: Water" in March 2010. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

  14. Linking the GLOBE Program With NASA and NSF Large-Scale Experiments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Filmer, P. E.

    2005-12-01

    NASA and the NSF, the sponsoring Federal agencies for the GLOBE Program, are seeking the participation of science teams who are working at the cutting edge of Earth systems science in large integrated Earth systems science programs. Connecting the GLOBE concept and structure with NASA and NSF's leading Earth systems science programs will give GLOBE schools and students access to top scientists, and expose them to programs that have been designated as scientific priorities. Students, teachers, parents, and their communities will be able to see how scientists of many disciplines work together to learn about the Earth system. The GLOBE solicitation released by the NSF targets partnerships between GLOBE and NSF/NASA-funded integrated Earth systems science programs. This presentation will focus on the goals and requirements of the NSF solicitation. Proponents will be expected to provide ways for the GLOBE community to interact with a group of scientists from their science programs as part of a wider joint Earth systems science educational strategy (the sponsoring agencies', GLOBE's, and the proposing programs'). Teams proposing to this solicitation must demonstrate: - A focus on direct connections with major NSF Geosciences and/or Polar Programs and/or NASA Earth-Sun research programs that are related to Earth systems science; - A demonstrable benefit to GLOBE and to NSF Geosciences and/or Polar Programs or NASA Earth-Sun education goals (providing access to program researchers and data, working with GLOBE in setting up campaigns where possible, using tested GLOBE or non-GLOBE protocols to the greatest extent possible, actively participating in the wider GLOBE community including schools, among other goals); - An international component; - How the existing educational efforts of the large science program will coordinate with GLOBE; - An Earth systems science education focus, rather than a GLOBE protocol-support focus; - A rigorous evaluation and assessment component that will collaborate with the Geosciences Education assessment contractor and with the GLOBE Office's evaluation and assessment activities; and - Contact and discussions with the GLOBE Office regarding understandings of roles and responsibilities. The following link is a PDF document with full explanation of the GLOBE Program's new direction.

  15. HOST payload for STS-95 being moved into SSPF

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1998-01-01

    The Hubble Space Telescope Orbiting Systems Test (HOST) is checked out by technicians in the Space Shuttle Processing Facility. One of the payloads on the STS-95 mission, the HOST platform is carrying four experiments to validate components planned for installation during the third Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission and to evaluate new technologies in an earth orbiting environment. The STS-95 mission is scheduled to launch Oct. 29. It will carry three other payloads: the Spartan solar- observing deployable spacecraft, the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker, and the SPACEHAB single module with experiments on space flight and the aging process.

  16. HOST payload for STS-95 being moved into SSPF

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1998-01-01

    Workers watch as the Hubble Space Telescope Orbiting Systems Test (HOST)is moved inside the Space Shuttle Processing Facility. The HOST platform, one of the payloads on the STS-95 mission, is carrying four experiments to validate components planned for installation during the third Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission and to evaluate new technologies in an earth orbiting environment. The STS-95 mission is scheduled to launch Oct. 29. It will carry three other payloads: the Spartan solar-observing deployable spacecraft, the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker, and the SPACEHAB single module with experiments on space flight and the aging process.

  17. Rapid Trust Establishment for Transient Use of Unmanaged Hardware

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2006-12-01

    unclassified b . ABSTRACT unclassified c. THIS PAGE unclassified Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18 Keywords: Establishing...Validate OS Trusted Host OS (From Disk) Validate App 1 Untrusted code Trusted code (a) Boot with trust initiator ( b ) Boot trusted Host OS (c) Launch...be validated. Execution of process with Id 3535 has been blocked to minimize security risks. ( b ) Notification to the user from the trust alerter

  18. Liberating Virtual Machines from Physical Boundaries through Execution Knowledge

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-12-01

    trivial infrastructures such as VM distribution networks, clients need to wait for an extended period of time before launching a VM. In cloud settings...hardware support. MobiDesk [28] efficiently supports virtual desktops in mobile environments by decou- pling the user’s workload from host systems and...experiment set-up. VMs are migrated between a pair of source and destination hosts, which are connected through a backend 10 Gbps network for

  19. The EUMETSAT Polar System - Second Generation (EPS-SG) micro-wave imaging (MWI) mission

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bojkov, B. R.; Accadia, C.; Klaes, D.; Canestri, A.; Cohen, M.

    2017-12-01

    The EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS) will be followed by a second generation system called EPS-SG. This new family of missions will contribute to the Joint Polar System being jointly set up with NOAA in the timeframe 2020-2040. These satellites will fly, like Metop (EPS), in a sun synchronous, low earth orbit at 830 km altitude and 09:30 local time descending node, providing observations over the full globe with revisit times of 12 hours. EPS-SG consists of two different satellites configurations, the EPS-SGa series dedicated to IR and MW sounding, and the EPS-SGb series dedicated to microwave imaging and scatterometry. The EPS-SG family will consist of three successive launches of each satellite-type. The Microwave Imager (MWI) will be hosted on Metop-SGb series of satellites, with the primary objective of supporting Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) at regional and global scales. Other applications will be observation of surface parameters such as sea ice concentration and hydrology applications. The 18 MWI instrument frequencies range from 18.7 GHz to 183 GHz. All MWI channels up to 89 GHz will measure V- and H polarizations. The MWI was also designed to provide continuity of measurements for select heritage microwave imager channels (e.g. SSM/I, AMSR-E). The additional sounding channels such as the 50-55 and 118 GHz bands will provide additional cloud and precipitation information over sea and land. This combination of channels was successfully tested on the NPOESS Aircraft Sounder Testbed - Microwave Sounder (NAST-M) airborne radiometer, and it is the first time that will be implemented in a conical scanning configuration in a single instrument. An overview of the EPS-SG programme and the MWI instrument will be presented.

  20. NASA’s First Nations Launch Bolsters Skills, Broadens Horizons For Tribal Students

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-04-20

    Fifteen teams of STEM-minded students from 14 tribal and other U.S. colleges and universities competed in NASA’s Eighth Annual First Nations Launch Competition, or FNL, hosted at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on April 20 – 22, 2017. The three-day event, featuring technical workshops, design-sharing and a spirit of collaboration, culminated on Saturday, April 22, at the Richard Bong Recreation Area in nearby Kansasville, Wisconsin, where teams gathered to launch the high-powered rockets they’d designed and built this school year. FNL empowers Native American college students to pursue academic and professional opportunities in STEM and other fields. First Nations Launch is a STEM Education and Accountability Project (SEAP) managed at the Kennedy Space Center through the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium located at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

  1. Women's History Month Event

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-03-27

    JoAnn Morgan, former associate director of NASA Kennedy Space Center, speaks to workers during a Women's History Month event at the center. With the theme "Nevertheless She Persisted," Morgan described her experience as the first female engineer working in the space program in the 1960s. Morgan was the first female in the Launch Control Center firing room during the Apollo 11 launch. The event was hosted by the center's Kennedy Networking Opportunities for Women (KNOW) and Launching Leaders organizations. The purpose of KNOW is to provide focus on issues such as employment, retention, promotion, training, career and personal development, education, and identify and eliminate barriers that hinder the advancement of women in the workforce.

  2. Women's History Month Event

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-03-27

    JoAnn Morgan, far left at the podium, former associate director of Kennedy Space Center, was the keynote speaker during a Women's History Month event at the center. With the theme "Nevertheless She Persisted," Morgan described her experience as the first female engineer working in the space program in the 1960s. Morgan was the first female in the Launch Control Center firing room during the Apollo 11 launch. The event was hosted by the center's Kennedy Networking Opportunities for Women (KNOW) and Launching Leaders organizations. The purpose of KNOW is to provide focus on issues such as employment, retention, promotion, training, career and personal development, education, and identify and eliminate barriers that hinder the advancement of women in the workforce.

  3. Women's History Month Event

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-03-27

    JoAnn Morgan, former associate director of NASA Kennedy Space Center, was the keynote speaker during a Women's History Month event at the center. With the theme "Nevertheless She Persisted," Morgan described her experience as the first female engineer working in the space program in the 1960s. Morgan was the first female in the Launch Control Center firing room during the Apollo 11 launch. The event was hosted by the center's Kennedy Networking Opportunities for Women (KNOW) and Launching Leaders organizations. The purpose of KNOW is to provide focus on issues such as employment, retention, promotion, training, career and personal development, education, and identify and eliminate barriers that hinder the advancement of women in the workforce.

  4. Women's History Month Event

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-03-27

    JoAnn Morgan, former associate director of Kennedy Space Center, was the keynote speaker during a Women's History Month event at the center. With the theme "Nevertheless She Persisted," Morgan described her experience as the first female engineer working in the space program in the 1960s. Morgan was the first female in the Launch Control Center firing room during the Apollo 11 launch. The event was hosted by the center's Kennedy Networking Opportunities for Women (KNOW) and Launching Leaders organizations. The purpose of KNOW is to provide focus on issues such as employment, retention, promotion, training, career and personal development, education, and identify and eliminate barriers that hinder the advancement of women in the workforce.

  5. Tropical veterinary parasites at Harvard University's Museum of Comparative Zoology.

    PubMed

    Conn, David Bruce

    2008-12-01

    Tropical veterinary parasites have been maintained by the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ) at Harvard University since the mid 1800s. Most of these are maintained by the Department of Invertebrate Zoology, but many vectors and intermediate hosts are maintained by the Departments of Entomology and Malacology. The largest collections are of avian and mammalian ticks (Acarina) that are important as both parasites and vectors. Nematodes are second in numbers, followed by cestodes, trematodes, and several minor helminth groups, crustacean parasites of fish, and protozoan parasites of various hosts. The MCZ directed or participated in several major expeditions to tropical areas around the globe in the early 1900s. Many of these expeditions focused on human parasites, but hundreds of veterinary and zoonotic parasites were also collected from these and numerous, smaller, tropical expeditions. Host sources include companion animals, livestock, laboratory species, domestic fowl, reptiles, amphibians, exotics/zoo animals, commercially important fishes, and other wildlife. Specimens are curated, either fixed whole in vials or mounted on slides as whole mounts or histopathological sections. The primary emphasis of MCZ's current work with tropical veterinary parasites is on voucher specimens from epidemiological, experimental, and clinical research.

  6. jsc2018m000189_ISS_As_Art-MP4

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-03-13

    International Space Station as Art------- The International Space Station has been humanity’s outpost in space for nearly two decades, hosting astronauts from around the globe working on groundbreaking science to push the boundaries in a variety of fields. NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik sought to capture the beauty of the immense spacecraft amidst the endless tangle of cables and hardware in this series of photos taken during his most recent stay onboard. Follow Randy Bresnik on social media at: https://twitter.com/astrokomrade https://www.instagram.com/astrokomrade _______________________________________ FOLLOW THE SPACE STATION! Twitter: https://twitter.com/Space_Station Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISS Instagram: https://instagram.com/iss/

  7. F-cell world drive 2011: are tactical medicine principles applicable to a civilian scenario?

    PubMed

    Burkert, Manuel G

    2012-01-01

    In 2011, a Mercedes Benz (MB) conducted the F-Cell World Drive tour around the globe in 125 days. While crossing Asia from Shanghai (China) to Helsinki (Finland) by car, en route medical care was provided by embedded emergency physicians. The designated route crossed four different countries, multiple climate zones, and challenging road conditions. There was only limited information provided about hospitals and emergency medical services within different host nations in the planning phase, so we adopted tactical medical principles for mission planning and execution, as we were facing remote conditions and limitations to equipment, staffing, and patient transport. 2012.

  8. Displaying Annotations for Digitised Globes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gede, Mátyás; Farbinger, Anna

    2018-05-01

    Thanks to the efforts of the various globe digitising projects, nowadays there are plenty of old globes that can be examined as 3D models on the computer screen. These globes usually contain a lot of interesting details that an average observer would not entirely discover for the first time. The authors developed a website that can display annotations for such digitised globes. These annotations help observers of the globe to discover all the important, interesting details. Annotations consist of a plain text title, a HTML formatted descriptive text and a corresponding polygon and are stored in KML format. The website is powered by the Cesium virtual globe engine.

  9. Hosting the first EDRS payload

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Poncet, D.; Glynn, S.; Heine, F.

    2017-11-01

    The European Data Relay System (EDRS) will provide optical and microwave data relay services between Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites at altitudes up to 2000 km and the ground through geostationary (GEO) satellite nodes. Currently, two such nodes have been procured as part of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) between Astrium (now Airbus Defence and Space) and ESA. The first node (EDRS-A) is a hosted payload embarked upon the Eutelsat 9B satellite and scheduled for launch in early 2015.

  10. Building Learning Communities for Research Collaboration and Cross-Cultural Enrichment in Science Education

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sparrow, E. B.

    2003-12-01

    The GLOBE program has provided opportunities for environmental science research and education collaborations among scientists, teachers and K-12 students, and for cross-cultural enrichment nationally and abroad. In Alaska, GLOBE has also provided funding leverage in some cases, and a base for several other science education programs that share a common goal of increasing student interest, understanding, process skills and achievement in science, through involvement in ongoing research investigations. These programs that use GLOBE methodologies (standardized scientific measurements and learning activities developed by scientists and educators) are: Global Change Education Using Western Science and Native Knowledge also known as "Observing Locally, Connecting Globally" (OLCG); Alaska Earth System Science Education Alliance: Improving Understanding of Climate Variability and Its Relevance to Rural Alaska; Schoolyard Long Term Ecological Research; Alaska Rural Research Partnership; Alaska Partnership for Teacher Enhancement; Alaska Lake Ice and Snow Observatory Network; Alaska Boreal Forest Council Education Outreach; Calypso Farm and Ecology Center; Environmental Education Outreach; and also GLOBE Arctic POPs (persistent organic pollutants) a program that involves countries in the circumpolar North. The University of Alaska GLOBE Partnership has collaborated with the BLM Campbell Creek Science Center Globe Partnership in facilitating GLOBE Training Workshops and providing teacher support. GLOBE's extensive website including data entry, archive, analysis and visualization capabilities; GLOBE Teacher Guide, videos and other materials provided; excellent GLOBE science research and education staff, training support office, GLOBE help desk, alignment of GLOBE curriculum with national science education standards and GLOBE certification of teachers trained on even just one GLOBE investigation, have made it easier to implement GLOBE in the classroom. Using GLOBE, whole classes of students have engaged in and contributed data to science investigations. In Alaska, classes and individual students have conducted their own inquiry studies and have successfully presented their investigations and competed at science fairs and statewide high school science symposium and international conferences. Two students presented their research investigations at the GLOBE Learning Expedition in Croatia and four students presented their study at the GLOBE Arctic POPs Conference in Sweden. These students increased not only their understanding and knowledge of science but also in appreciation of people in other countries and their cultures. Friendships have also bloomed. The learning community in Alaska has expanded to include family and community members including Native elders (using OLCG), teachers, scientists and students from other countries. The following challenges remain: 1) getting funds to be able to provide GLOBE equipment and continuous support to GLOBE teachers and students throughout the year, 2) reaching teachers and students in remote areas, 3) rapid teacher turn-over rate in rural areas, 4) using inquiry-based pedagogies during GLOBE professional development workshops including the opportunity for teacher participants to conduct their own inquiries during the workshop, 5) time, school curriculum and national education requirement constraints, 6) involving school administrators, and more local scientists and community members, and 7) providing culturally relevant and responsive science education programs and life-long learning communities.

  11. Houston, We Have a Podcast. Episode 41 The Space Launch System Part.1

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-20

    Production Transcript for Ep41 The Space Launch System Part.1.mp3 Gary Jordan (Host): Houston, we have a podcast. Welcome to the official podcast of the NASA Johnson Space Center Episode 41, the Space Launch System part one. I'm Gary Jordan, and I'll be your host today. On this podcast, we bring in the experts, NASA scientists, engineers, astronauts, all to let you know the coolest information right here at NASA. So, today, we're talking about the most powerful rocket since the Saturn V moon rocket. It's called NASA's Space Launch System. So, we've got two guests from Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama here with us today to tell us a little bit about the rocket, the payloads it will carry. Don't worry. We'll define what a payload is. And then, where it's going to go. Spoiler alert, it will bring people big stuff and little stuff all farther than we've ever gone before. Wait. Why did I do that? That totally ruins the, oh wait. Never mind. It doesn't ruin anything. This is a really good topic, jam packed with information. So much information that we're going to do this in two parts. This is part one. So, with us today are David Smith and Paul Bookout. David is the Vice President for Advanced Programs at Victory Solutions in Huntsville, Alabama. He has a long career in aerospace engineering and is a Subject Matter Expert on rocket architecture and how payloads fit inside the rocket. He wrote the SLS mission planner's guide which gives payload developers a general idea of the capabilities of the rocket and some technical specifications, so they can determine how their payloads might fit inside of it. He looks after some of the big payloads. Our other guest is Dr. Paul Bookout, EM-1 Secondary Payloads Integration Manager who manages integration of five CubeSats in the giant rocket as well as the avionics that will control deployment of the 13 small satellite payloads on the first mission of SLS and Orion called Exploration Mission-1, EM-1. He spends his time managing the little payloads, not much bigger than a shoebox, that goes inside of a skyscraper-sized rocket. So, we're going to be talking about just how powerful this monster rocket is, its unique capabilities, and what it will be used for, where it is in its development, its first mission with the Orion crew vehicle, and then look ahead to the future to missions to the moon, to Mars, and throughout the solar system. So, we are go for launch with Mr. David Smith and Dr. Paul Bookout for the Space Launch System Program. T minus five, four, three, two, one, zero, and liftoff of Episode 41 of Houston, We Have a Podcast. Always wanted to do that. Feel like I just ruined it. You know what? Let's just start. [ Music ] Host: T minus five second and counting. Mark. [ Music ] Host: There she goes. Host: Houston, we have a podcast. [ Music ] Host: All right. Paul and David, thanks so much for coming on the podcast today. We talked about Orion on a few episodes so far but really haven't had the privilege to talk about he giant rocket that Orion is going to be on, the SLS. And, we have you guys here from Marshall to actually talk to us about this rocket. So, thank you very much for coming on. David Smith: Sure. David Smith: Thank you for having us. Host: Our pleasure. Host: All right. Just to sort of back up, we have Paul Bookout and David Smith, so you guys want to talk a little bit about each one, so we can identify your voices. Paul Bookout: David, go ahead. David Smith: Well, sure. I'm just an engineer. My associate Dr. Bookout is a doctor. Host: Okay. David Smith: But, we both work together on trying to find innovative ways to associate payloads with the capability of SLS which is going to be the world's largest rocket. So, I kind of look at the larger payloads, and Dr. Bookout looks at maybe some of the other kind, smaller payloads that can fit in the niches that are left over. Paul Bookout: Well, thank you Vice President David. David Smith: Yes. Paul Bookout: I appreciate you talking about introducing myself. So, what we have is secondary payloads. Again, we're just trying to understand the whole utilization of SLS since it's going to be the most powerful rocket built since the Saturn V. It's going to have a lot more capability, so we want to utilize it to its fullest. Host: Okay. So, you said there's going to be, basically, we're going to utilize the rocket to its maximum potential. We got this big rocket, and we're going to test it. But, while we test it, let's put some cool stuff on it. Paul Bookout: Exactly. Host: So, let's back up and talk about just SLS. What is SLS? What is this giant rocket that we're talking about? Paul Bookout: SLS is America's rocket. It's the next NASA's launch vehicle that's going to be able to put humans back to the moon and further out into deep space. Of course, a lot of it's built on shuttle hardware heritage. The SLS rocket's made up of the solar rocket boosters, a main core, an upper stage, and then the crew Orion spacecraft with a co-manifest payload or a primary payload. And, David will talk a little bit more about that later. So, of course, this is NASA's first exploration class launch vehicle since Saturn V, so we're going to be putting humans back to the moon, out to deep space, and eventually, you know, to Mars systems. It has a very large mass lift capability and also volume, so some of these larger probes that are satellites or probes that are going to outer planets that they'll be able to arrive at their destination in just a few years instead of maybe eight to ten years. [00:05:24] You're cutting that trip down to one or two years. So, it's a lot of savings there. Host: So, that's a really important part to kind of hone in on is just the versatility of this rocket. You're talking about a giant rocket that can take people, giant payloads, faster, farther. That's pretty much the whole summary of the SLS, right? Paul Bookout: Yes. Definitely. Host: So, what's, what does it take to be human rated? So, I guess the difference between something that's not a rocket and something that is. Paul Bookout: Of course, it goes through the whole development process, starts at the beginning. You have to have safety emission assurances involved from the very beginning. Just an overview, you have to have, like redundant systems. If something goes wrong with one system, there's another system to kick in to back up to still make the vehicle safe. There's safety reviews throughout the whole process. We do additional testing, a lot more testing than other commercial launch vehicles do just to make sure that the vehicle is safe for humans. Host: That's really the main thing, right? Paul Bookout: Yeah. [00:06:33] Host: The safety. But, then, also the redundancy because I guess redundancy is cost. Redundancy is weight. So, you have to factor that into a rocket where you can just say, "Oh, if it fails, you know, with the primary systems, it fails." But, at least the only thing we lose is this piece of hardware. And, not to say that that's not a bad thing, but. Paul Bookout: Right. Host: It's very different from human life. So, I guess, absolutely, you need to be considerate of that. Paul Bookout: Right. And, there is a tradeoff, as you was saying. Additional systems, more mass, and that's mass that is being taken away from your primary payloads. Host: Yeah. Paul Bookout: And lift capability, but we need that to be safe. Host: You know what? I actually always wanted to ask this question, but you said primary payloads. I get this question all the time from folks not in NASA, and it's just, we use this term all the time, but what, to you, is a payload? [00:07:22] Paul Bookout: A payload is anything that goes up on top of the rocket that's lifted into space. It can be a satellite. I can be probes. Of course, the Orion spacecraft, once it's on the rocket, it can have its own second co-manifested payload along with it. So, just anything, really, that's launched into space. Host: Does a person count as a payload. Paul Bookout: We don't like to refer to. [ Laughter ] Host: It doesn't humanize it as much, right? Paul Bookout: No, it doesn't. No. Host: So, I guess, for example, going back to that co-manifest thing, the Orion. The Orion would be the payload. That would be the primary thing that you want to bring into orbit. Paul Bookout: Correct. Host: But, then, there's something that is, something called co-manifested which means it's not the primary thing, but it's also part of the part that you want to lift the mission. Paul Bookout: Correct. Host: Okay. Paul Bookout: For example, on the second generation of the SLS rocket, it will have capability of launching a co-manifest payload along with Orion, and it could be anywhere from additional probe going out into the moon, or it can be call separation bus, propulsion system that's launched. And, then, when a habitat is launched, then they can be combined and go to the moon. So, it's, allows us to build capabilities out in space, too, with co-manifested payloads. Host: Okay. Paul Bookout: Along with Orion. Host: Is that one of the things you're working on? Or, you're working on, I guess, secondary payload? Paul Bookout: Yes. I'm mainly focused in on secondary payloads. Host: So, what's secondary payloads? Paul Bookout: Okay. Secondary payloads, or they call auxiliary payloads. Host: Okay. Paul Bookout: They're payloads that do not drive the primary mission of the, of that launch. For example, on EM-1, we have secondary payloads on that. That's EM-1, Exploration Mission-1. Host: Okay. Paul Bookout: First launch of SLS rocket. David Smith: Yeah. Paul Bookout: We have 13 payloads on that, and I'll talk a little bit more about that later. But, the primary requirements they have is for secondary payloads in general is do no harm to the vehicle and minimal impact. So, the do no harm aspect is that we have to fly safe. The whole system, deployment system and everything, is designed to be safe. Like, all the CubeSats are turned off during launch. They have to have, like, redundant systems, as in two separation switches that allow them to turn on. Because, if one fails while we're being launched, it could turn on the systems. So, we have two there. Host: Oh, okay. Paul Bookout: To back that up, to keep it safe. And then, minimal requirements, of course, if the rocket is ready to launch and the secondary payload's not ready yet, it's going to launch. Because it does not affect the primary mission of the payload, of the launch. Host: Right. Paul Bookout: Of that. Host: Well, that puts a lot of constraints on you, then, huh? Paul Bookout: Yes, yes it does. Host: Because, not only do you have to worry about these, and I guess we can kind of hone in on the CubeSats a little bit later. But, you have to worry about the CubeSats, but now you have to add something else to it. Now, you have to add these redundant systems. And then, there's no guarantee that if you're not ready, that's okay. We're going to go without you. Paul Bookout: Right. Exactly. SLS is, the first rocket's not going to be the only configuration of SLS. And, of course, SLS is Space Launch System. We, the first launch is going to be called Block 1. Then, we're going to be stepping up to Block 1B which means we're going to be adding a different upper stage. Right now, we're utilizing an existing Boeing ULA upper stage to use on this mission, mainly to save initial money so we can develop the core stage. And, once the core stage has been developed, then we can have additional funds to start developing the new upper stage or exploration upper stage. Host: Okay. Paul Bookout: Okay? And, that's going to be the Block 1B configuration. And, Block 1B will have actually two configurations. It'll be a crew which was, as we talked about before, the Orion spacecraft with a co-manifested payload. The other configuration will be the Block 1B cargo where that would be your primary payloads. So, the only payload will be that major payload. Host: Okay. So, when you say "Block", you're looking at the entire rocket configuration. Paul Bookout: Correct. Host: And, Block 1 is this configuration with the ULE booster, right? Paul Bookout: Right. Host: Okay. And then, Block 1B has the NASA booster on top. Paul Bookout: Correct. Host: Instead of the ULA, but then you can do crew or cargo on that one. Paul Bookout: Exactly. Host: Whereas, EM-1 you don't, and EM-1, we can get into this later, is, you're not going to have crew on it, right? That's not part of the test. That's for one of the later missions. Paul Bookout: Correct. Host: I see. So, really, the blocks are kind of the stages of developing the rocket into its full capability of. Paul Bookout: Right. Host: Of this eventual Mars lander. That's awesome. So, now, you're using these commercial elements. You're using ULA in Block 1 and the leftover solid rocket boosters until, eventually, 1B, 1B crew, you get to Block 2. Now, you have the configuration. New boosters. You got the NASA upper stage. You got all of these configurations, and now you can go to, where can you go? David Smith: Well. Host: Is it just to Mars? David Smith: Well, you really need Block 2, ultimately, to fulfill a human settlement on the lunar surface as well. Host: Really? David Smith: You need a kind of lift capability. But, if you want to assemble an architecture, because it'll take multiple flights of a Block 2 to assemble a human architecture capable of transiting to Mars, you'll need four to five Block 2 flights at a time to assemble that stack that can go to Mars. Host: So, what's, I guess, how much more power does Block 2 provide you that, I guess, Block 1B would not? David Smith: Well, it nominally, you're talking another 25 tons or so. So, it could bring a second Orion vehicle in comparison because Orion weighs about 25 tons. So, it, really, from a lift standpoint, is maybe a fifth more powerful than the Block 1B, and it gives you that extra diameter, potentially for the payload ferrying that would allow, you know, the smaller the diameter of the ferrying, the taller a lander needs to be. And, think about a lander on the surface of the moon or Mars, if it's three or four stories, that's a lot of vertical height an astronaut has to overcome every time they're taking stuff back and forth. Host: That's right. David Smith: So, we're, the larger the diameter, the shorter can be the squatter, can be the easier it is to manipulate items on and off a lander. Whether it's on the moon or Mars. Host: Okay. Wow. So, then, you're talking about once this Block 2 configuration is done with the new solid rocket boosters, you can actually have a wider payload go on top of the rocket. David Smith: Right. Well, there's a nuclear thermal propulsion that's out there that has the potential of getting people to Mars a lot sooner. It needs a much larger diameter because it used hydrogen as a fuel. Hydrogen is very bulky because it isn't very dense. And so, if we were ever to use a new kind of propulsion that would lower the time to get to Mars, you need a Block 2 vehicle. A smaller rocket will never allow you to do nuclear thermal propulsion. Host: Okay. Let's go back to some of these other configurations. I kind of want to get a sense of the look and feel of this rocket. We sort of talked about it, but to just sort of go into detail. If I was looking at let's just say the Block 1 configuration, the one that's actually going to go for EM-1, what does that look like? How tall is it? What's the weight of it? How much power? David Smith: Right. So, roughly Block 1 and 1B are somewhat similar. Host: Okay. David Smith: They're going to be about the same height as the Saturn V. Host: Oh. David Smith: Which means it's a big rocket, but part of that's because we can't really exceed the vehicle assembly building limitations that are at the Cape. So, you want to make it as big as you can, so you can put as much fuel in it as you can. Basically, the thrust of the Block 1 vehicle which is similar to the Block 1B for the solid rocket motors is about 3.6 million pounds each. Those only fly for about two minutes. Then, you have the core engines. There's four space shuttle era type SSMEs that each have about 512,000 pounds of thrust. You multiply that by four. They operate for about eight minutes. Together, you get about a total thrust of about 8.8 million pounds which gives you an escape velocity of over 22,000 miles an hour. The core stage itself is about 2/3 the length of a football field which is pretty tremendous. One single stage of this vehicle's about 2/3 of a football stadium. And, which is around 212 feet, and the Block 1B ferrying that we talked about, the 8.4-meter diameter ferrying, could accommodate up to three school buses inside its volume. So, that's pretty incredible when you think about the size of what can be lofted in a single vehicle like that. In comparison, the Block 1 vehicle, you know, can throw 70 tons to lower earth orbit where the shuttle can only do 28 tons to low earth orbit. So, it's about three times more powerful than the shuttle. Host: Wow. So, you're talking, you're comparing it to the Saturn V in terms of its size but talking about these efficient engines. What makes, what is it about the engines that's more efficient that's giving you this extra power? David Smith: Well, they, you know, the shuttle engines were rated at 100% thrust originally, and I think they got them up to 109%. So, they actually got them to work 9% more efficiently at the end of the shuttle program. We're taking these up to 11% more thrust, and maybe even 13% more thrust. So, you're really pushing these engines to their limit, and the, it's really coupling their efficiency now at 113% thrust with the reliability of the shuttle system. Host: Unbelievable. The engine itself is called an RS25, right? Paul Bookout: Yes. Host: That's what it's called. And, these are the engines that were on the shuttle. Now, you're pretty much just putting it on the SLS, but it sounds like there's a good reason for that. It's because you've flown the shuttle so many times, improved the capability of it past its, like, total 100% thrust ratio. Now, you're going, you're going past the 100%. So, basically, is like why would we, why would we do something else? We worked so hard on this one. This one is, like, extremely efficient. Why would we, and we can make it even more efficient. That's the logic behind it? Paul Bookout: Well, right. Initially, of course, we have about, I believe, 16 space shuttle main engines or these RS25s left over from the shuttle program. So, we're utilizing the existing hardware to save cost while we're developing the core stage. You know, the first part of the SLS. Host: Yeah. Paul Bookout: And, as you mentioned, we are updating the engines, getting more capability out of them. So, to that point, we can do four per, so we can do about four launches, four rocket, or four engines on each launch. So, we can do about four launches with the current RS25s. Host: Okay. And, that, is that for one of the later configurations? Paul Bookout: That's correct. Host: Okay. Paul Bookout: Yeah. Host: Is it the Block 2? Paul Bookout: The Block 2. Host: Block 2? Paul Bookout: Block 2 and beyond. Host: Oh, okay. I see. I see where the whole idea of staging this whole thing comes from, right? Paul Bookout: Correct. Host: You've got, you're using the leftover solid rocket boosters, and you're using this commercial upper stage. And, it's just basically getting to this point where you're going to maximize the efficiency of the rocket. Paul Bookout: Right. Host: Unbelievable. So, three school buses inside of the 1B configuration, right? That's, is it about the weight of three school buses? Is like taking three school buses to space? David Smith: No, it would be, it would be more than that. Host: More than that? David Smith: I mean, nominally, if you went to the moon, we're going to take, the Block 1B could take roughly 40 tons to lunar vicinity which is, which is pretty incredible. Host: Wow, and just in terms of not only, like, quantity, you're talking three school buses. But, also size. David Smith: Yeah, and mass. Host: Also weight. David Smith: Right. Host: You know, you got all of these, all these different components. So, I guess we can kind of focus in on now that we kind of understand the rocket and the evolution of the rocket, let's go to that first, that first test flight, EM-1. We've talked about EM-1 on the podcast before, especially from testing Orion and that. But, really haven't focused in on what is it about, what is it about EM-1 that we're testing SLS for? So, let's start with that. What are we going to test, and I guess we can kind of start with the overview of EM-1 for those who haven't listened to it before. Paul Bookout: Right. So, EM-1 is, of course, going to be the first launch of the SLS rocket. Its primary segments are, of course, solid rocket motors which are a heritage from shuttle hardware. Shuttle had four segments, where EM-1 is going to have five segment motors. Then, of course, the core stage which is heritage off the shuttle external tank but made longer for additional capability of fuel. And, we're also using the main engines from the shuttle program with updated technology and ratings to get more power out of those four rockets on there. So, that makes up the primary lift capability of the SLS rocket. On top of that, we have an interim cryogenic propulsion stage, which, or second stage, upper stage, that we're utilizing from Boeing, existing hardware for EM-1 mission. And then, of course, in addition to adaptors, then there will be the Orion spacecraft, which is the primary mission of EM-1 is to test out the SLS rocket. Then, also, to test out the Orion spacecraft with its trajectory and telemetries and communications. It's going to be on about a 25 1/2 day mission to distant retrograde orbit. That really means just go way past the moon and come back. Host: Yeah. Paul Bookout: You know, a 25 1/2 day trip. Of course, and, you know, we're doing all this because, again, for the safety aspects. We want to test the vehicle out and Orion spacecraft before we put humans in it. Host: Right. Paul Bookout: So, we want to make sure it's safe, make sure everything works. And, that's that safety aspect, that human rated part of a launch vehicle. Host: So, the human rated part is the Orion can go to 25.5 days, or is this going past what it's expected to possibly operate at? David Smith: I think that's a nominal timeframe for the Orion with crew. So, this is pretty much, I think, its extreme capability. Host: Yeah. David Smith: But, you know, part of it is testing just the systems period. You always, for human rating, you always want to test it far in, you know, far from what the humans will actually experience so that you have a safety factor that's sufficient for human use. Host: Oh, yeah. Because if you're going to be operating on, say, 16 day missions, you don't really want to, okay. Well, let's just test 16. Paul Bookout: Exactly. Host: You really want to go kind of further out and see, all right. Let's see how far this puppy can go. David Smith: And, I think part of this mission's objective is to bring it in at a lunar return velocity to test that heat shield. Host: Yeah. David Smith: You can't do it from low earth orbit. You got to kind of go out and bring it in fast, so. Host: So, what's the difference with EFT-1? That was one of the first test flights we did where we didn't go all the way out to the moon, but we did kind of a, this large apogee so that we can get up to, I think it was some, like 25,000 miles. Or, maybe it was a little slower than that. The difference is between EFT-1 and EM-1. David Smith: I think, I think it was very close to what they would experience in a lunar return, but it's not the actual lunar return. Host: I see. David Smith: Right, so you want to be able to stage it. You want to go out in orbit. You want to test the time that you're out in orbit. That was a very short mission, maybe five or six hours. Now, we're talking 25 days. Well, all the equipment still work when it's, you know, soaked in a cold temperature, hot temperature, all those days. And, now, you're coming in. Will it all work when it comes to the right moment. So, this really puts the pedal to the metal. Host: That's right. So, what is it? I guess the relationship between what are you guys looking at for SLS versus Orion on this particular mission, EM-1? Paul Bookout: So, for SLS, again, we want to test all the systems, make sure they're fully functional. We'll be checking out redundant systems indirectly, of course. And, communications with the vehicle, since it's the first time the vehicle's being launched. We're all, we're talking with the vehicle all the way up. Host: Yeah. Paul Bookout: So, we want to make sure all those ground systems are ready to support, actually, human flight mission. So, it's just not the vehicle. It's the overall architecture of everything that goes into supporting a launch that we want to verify and check out. Host: Oh, that's right. Now, we're preparing to go into fly deep space missions. So, not only is it, all right, let's test the hardware, but let's test to operational aspect. Paul Bookout: Exactly. Host: Let's test what it's going to take to actually do these missions from the broadest perspective possible. David Smith: And, that includes, even, just bringing the, you know, the pieces are being built all over the place. Host: Yeah. David Smith: And, tested all over the place. So, just bringing them together at the cape and making sure they can be integrated in a safe and timely fashion for launch. That, in itself, is a really important objective. We're talking about such a large rocket. Paul Bookout: Yeah, so this is the first time all those components going to be coming together, and there's going to be hiccups along the way. And, we just need to understand how this vehicle goes together and make sure we do it correctly. Host: So, you say the vehicle's going to be talking to you guys throughout its flight. What is it going to be telling you? What kinds of data are you really looking for that's really going to tell you that this thing is working how we're expecting it to work? David Smith: Well, remember, you're talking to payload guys, so, you know, we're more interested in seeing what the payload's going to experience. Host: Yeah. David Smith: But, think about this. When it launches on the pad, it has an incredible noise issue coming off that mobile launch platform. That's why, if you remember, they had these things called rainbirds, the big sprinklers that start spraying as soon as the engines go to try to mitigate that noise. Host: Right. David Smith: The payload is particularly sensitive to it. Obviously, the vehicle itself is sensitive to that noise as well. So, acoustic mitigation is one of the most important things at launch. Then, we have a thermal issue, right? We go up to max Q, max dynamic pressure. We have a certain heating that is, occurs on the outside of the vehicle. And, before, we got to get through all that heating before we can make sure that the crew is going to be safe, that we can take the shielding off the Orion and so forth. So, we're going to be testing all those environmental concerns as we go forward, and of course, the jettisoning of, you know, the SRBs off the core stage. Then, the ICPS in Orion off the core stage. And then, of course, then, the Orion off the ICPS. All these jettison events, and there's quite a few of them, are extremely important, and we need to test those. Each one has its associated thermal and acoustic issues. So, we're going to test each one of those as it goes forward. Paul Bookout: Since this is the first launch of SLS rocket, we don't really understand the full environments that it's going to be launched in. As David mentioned, the thermal, interior thermal, acoustic, vibration. It's the first time we're going to launch it. So, what we're also have is a lot of instrumentation on this vehicle to be able to measure the actual vibration levels and everything else. So, we can, once we go back to designing and looking at what we call safety factors, reducing those so we can have more margin on the vehicle and means that goes into more mass lift capabilities. So, we're trying to understand the overall characteristics of the vehicle itself. So, in addition, for secondary payload, or payloads in general, we can give them more of an accurate environment that they will see during launch. As in, how much vibration they'll feel, how much thermal environments that they'll see. So, when they start designing their payloads for, to run the ride on this vehicle, they can have more of an accurate environment. And, maybe not have, make it a lot more efficient design. Host: Okay. So, then, what data are you going off of now based on, you guess you haven't launched the SLS. So, what are you assuming, or where are you getting the data from? David Smith: We have, we started off with assuming, at least for the payloads, that we would provide an ELV, and expendable launch vehicle class environment. Host: Okay. David Smith: So, if you've flown on Atlas or Delta, you should expect nothing worse than that. Host: Okay. David Smith: That's our starting point. Host: Oh, okay. David Smith: Now, what Paul's going into is we're going to try to characterize is that really true? So, the first flight's important. Are we in? Are we out? What do we have to do? Is there more foam that you got to put in the payload section to mitigate the noise? That's what we're trying to figure out. But, we should be within an ELV class is what we're projecting right now. Host: Okay. So, then, I'm assuming you're going to have some actual science on board EM-1, right? Because you're testing, you're testing the structure of EM-1. You're testing the rocket. But then, you have this mission. Why not take advantage of it? Is there anything else going on the EM-1? Paul Bookout: Oh, definitely. Host: Okay, good. Paul Bookout: Yes. We have, we'll have 13 secondary payloads that we're going to be launching on EM-1. Host: Wow. Paul Bookout: That'll, that is located in the Orion stage adapter. That's the segment that connects the SLS rocket to the Orion spacecraft. So, it's a small ring about five feet high. About 18 or so feet in diameter. And, along the inner circumference of that is where we are mounting these 13 secondary payloads. Host: Oh, so I guess they have to be kind of small, right? That's not a lot of space compared to the, what's in the ferrying. Paul Bookout: Correct. So, on EM-1, we have 13 CubeSats. CubeSats are defined as a, we call a 1U, which is about ten by ten by ten-centimeter cube. Host: Okay. Paul Bookout: So, what we're having on EM-1 is allowing them to go up to what we call a 6U. So, it's a CubeSat that's about the, a little bit larger than the size of a shoebox, a large shoebox. Host: Okay. Paul Bookout: And, that's kind of the dimensions of these 6U CubeSats that we're having on EM-1. David Smith: Which is the most common CubeSat, really, today, right? Paul Bookout: Correct. Exactly. So, we have multiple missions that these payloads are going to be doing. So, we've got one destination is to the moon. We have Lunar Flashlight which is out of Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and their primary mission is to search for ice deposits and resources on the moon using a laser. Host: Ooh. Paul Bookout: Okay. And, the second one is Lunar IceCube which is Morehead State University up in Kentucky. And, they're going to also be searching for water of all forms and volatiles on the moon using infrared spectrometer. These are some big words that I can't even define, so. [ Laughter ] LunaH-Map is from Arizona State University, and they're going to be creating high fidelity map of near surface hydrogen in craters on the moon. Lunar IR is from Lockheed Martin in Colorado, and they're going to be performing advanced infrared imagery of lunar surface. We've got one that's going to the sun facility, and it's called CuSP. It's from Southwest Research Institute here in Texas, and it's going to be measuring particles and magnetic fields of space weather between us and the sun. We have one that's going around the Earth. It's called EQUULEUS. It's a Japanese payload, and we actually have three international payloads on this mission. And, I'll touch on those others. Host: Awesome. Paul Bookout: So, again, EQUULEUS is from JAXA. It's the University of Tokyo supporting that. I mean, it's imaging the Earth's plasma sphere for a better understanding of Earth radiation environment. And also, it's going to be initially on the far side of the moon and detecting any meteor crater flashes that may impact the far side of the moon. Host: Wow. Paul Bookout: So, they'll be out there for about two months or so and just hopefully they'll be able to catch something. Some of the other missions are BioSentinel. It's from Ames Research Center, and they're going to be using baker's yeast to see the effects of radiation on actual live items, you know, live yeast. And, then, ArgoMoon, which is the European Space Agency, is built in Italy. It's going to be observing the interim cryogenic propulsion stage. That's upper stage is going to be deployed. Look at that upper stage, and then it's going to go on some additional missions. And, it's going to look at the upper stage to see what kind of effects the environment has during liftoff on the upper stage. Because, until now, we, once the upper stage is launched, we usually don't get a chance to look the conditions of that. This will give us some feedback and see what the upper stage has went through, if there's any damage or anything. Host: It sounds like these CubeSats are all over the place. Paul Bookout: Yes. Yeah. I've got a couple more here. Host: Oh, really. Paul Bookout: I haven't got to my two favorite yet. So. Host: Oh, we're standing by. Paul Bookout: Okay. Centennial Challenge. That was a challenge that NASA set up called Cube Quest, and it's to help develop communications for these smaller CubeSats. There's two challenges. One was a lunar challenge to around the lunar surface and for longevity. And, the other one was a deep space mission which was a CubeSat, as it says, going out into deep space to see how far and long and what burst rates and clarity that you can have in your signals. So, there's total prizes for everything through all the development and final missions. It's up to $5 million. Host: Wow. Paul Bookout: So, that's a lot of money. Host: Yeah. Paul Bookout: Spread out over those. So, you did, you asked what my two favorite payloads are. Host: Oh, yeah. Paul Bookout: Let me tell you. One of them is NEA Scout. That's developed at Marshall Spaceflight Center. What's unique about that is NEA Scout means Near Earth Asteroid. So, they're going to be going to a near earth asteroid. But, the exciting thing about it is that they're going to be using solar cell to get there for their propulsion system. So, this is the first time a solar cell will be used to, for propulsion out into deep space. There have been other missions in low earth orbit to check out the technology and feasibility of solar cells, but this is the first time going out to deep space. And, for a CubeSat that's a little bit larger than a shoebox, it will be deploying the cell that will be 40 by 40 feet. Host: Whoa. Paul Bookout: So, that's huge. Host: Wait, and a little CubeSat. Paul Bookout: In a little CubeSat. Host: And, it deploys a 40 foot. Paul Bookout: Yes. Host: Oh, wow. Paul Bookout: Yeah, so that solar cell is very thin material. Host: Yeah. It must be to fold up into, like, this ten-centimeter cube thing. Paul Bookout: Exactly. Host: So, so, the solar. Paul Bookout: You said ten centimeters. 6U CubeSat is 10 by 20 by 30. Host: Oh, because this is 6U. Paul Bookout: 6U, correct. Host: Oh, okay. Okay. Okay. So, solar sails, though, this is, it basically unfurls this 40-foot sail, and is it the one where the high-power laser that pushes it? Paul Bookout: No. Paul Bookout: That's different. Paul Bookout: This is going to ride the solar winds. Paul Bookout: Ride the solar winds. Paul Bookout: Solar particles will be pushing it along. It'll do actually a fly by the near-earth asteroid as it comes up. It'll be taking images all the way around as it passes. Host: Okay. Wow. Paul Bookout: So, and my ultimate favorite one is. Host: Yeah, we didn't get the last one. Paul Bookout: Is actually the one that I'm the Secondary Payload Integration Manager for. Host: Oh. Paul Bookout: So, it's one of my CubeSats. Host: So, it's an unbiased favorite, then. Paul Bookout: Yes. Host: Okay. Paul Bookout: Yeah, still. It's called OMOTENASHI. It's another Japanese CubeSat. Host: Okay. Paul Bookout: And, their mission is to land on the moon. Host: Oh. Paul Bookout: Can you imagine a small little CubeSat, you know, a little bit larger than a shoebox, land on the moon? Of course, and the big thing about it is that they're going to be using a solid rocket motor to slow down to be able to land on the moon. So, that's one of the things on EM-1 that we're offering that previous commercial launch vehicles and that don't offer propulsion systems for secondary payload to be able to utilize that. That's one thing EM-1 and SLS is allowing. So, that's a huge deal. Host: Yeah. Paul Bookout: For those. So, if OMOTENASHI is successful at landing on the moon, they'll be the fourth nation in the world to have actually land and do some science on the moon. Host: Wow. Paul Bookout: You know. Host: So, what kind of science? Paul Bookout: Well, because, again, they're still a small payload, so they can't get large science instruments to the moon, when they land, actually land on the moon, all that will be left is about the size of a sandwich box. Because they have to get rid of all the extra weight to be able to slow down enough to be able to land. And, they'll probably so some soil impact measurements, as in how soft vibration, shock, as it's landing on the moon. And, I, so, and they're only going to be able to do it for about 30 minutes or so. Again, because of the size, what we're limiting them to. Host: Yeah. Paul Bookout: They can't get the mechanics, orbital mechanics and velocities and everything. I'm sorry. Host: So, it's, it's kind of general on where you can land, then? It's just like, it's just going to land. It's not going to land in a targeted spot, I guess? Paul Bookout: Correct. They know the general vicinity where it's going to land. Host: Okay. Paul Bookout: But, they can't have ultimate control, like any of the other landers that have larger systems, propulsion systems, to slow them down. So, they would be actually, once the solar motor fires, they'll still be traveling at about 60 miles an hour when they impact the moon. So, they're going to inflate these impact balloons to actually bounce, similar to what they've done on Mars, some of the Mars Rovers. Host: Okay. Paul Bookout: So, it'll come and impact moon and bounce and then finally rest on the moon. Host: Okay. Paul Bookout: And, do about 30 minutes of impact soil measurements. Host: Wow. How would that be, though? I'm imagining, I mean, landing at 60 miles an hour. That's, you know. Paul Bookout: Well. Host: That's not slow, but at the same time, it's the moon, right? It's. Paul Bookout: Right. Yes, but then again, you're not going directly into it. You know, you're coming in at an angle, too. Host: At an angle. Paul Bookout: So, it's not a fully impact. Host: Okay. Great. Paul Bookout: Direct impact, so. Host: So, you got all these CubeSats going around the Earth, around the upper stage, around the moon, on the moon, to deep space. Where do you deploy, how does that work? Where do you deploy everything? It's not just like you just let everything go at all. It has to be pretty controlled because each one has a very specific mission. Paul Bookout: Right. We've created what we call bus stops. Host: Oh. Paul Bookout: They're basically different aspects of the trajectory of the upper stage. So, the first bus stop is when you're in between the two radiation belts or Van Allen belts. Bus stop two is when you've passed all the radiation belts. Bus stop three is half way between the Earth and the moon. Bus stop four is the closest proximity to the moon, and bus stop five is when you're going into a heliosynchronous or sun orbit. And, that's where the upper stage will be disposed into the sun orbit. So, when a payload says, "Hey, I want to get off at 200,000 miles away from the Earth." Well, okay, where is that exactly? So, that's why we kind of created these bus stops. Host: I see. Paul Bookout: They can get off anywhere they want to, but it helps us relate to the areas where they want off. So, most of them are wanting off at stop one. About seven or eight of them. Because they need to get out and start changing their trajectory as soon as possible. Again, we're offering propulsion systems, but they're not large enough to have really change their directions further on. So, a little change at first makes a big change later. Host: Yeah. Paul Bookout: So, they want to get off to be able to do that, make those little changes. Most of the payloads that are going to lunar orbit, what they're wanting to do is slow down because the ICPS, you know, is launching Orion into this distant retrograde orbit. And, you know, way past the moon. Host: Yeah. Paul Bookout: So, it has a lot of velocity heading that way, and if the payloads don't slow down, they'll just go flying past the moon. The moon can't, doesn't have enough gravity to pull them back into an orbit. And, some of them, even though they are going to the moon, they'll actually fly past the moon, and it may take a month or so for them to come back, to slow down enough to come back and get hooked into the moon's gravity and start orbiting the moon. Host: Oh, wow. Paul Bookout: So, it's not a direct flight into the moon orbit, just because they don't have the propulsion systems large enough to be able to do that. Host: So, is it fair to say they're all going to be in a very similar orbit, or are they all going to kind of go their respective directions? Paul Bookout: They're going to do their respective ways. Host: Okay. Paul Bookout: Some of them wants to do in the crater, so they're going to be going to the pole system, up to the poles to look see if there's ice up in there. And, some of them will just be doing a regular geosynchronous type of orbit. Host: Okay. Paul Bookout: Type thing. Host: All right. Paul Bookout: We talked about where these, what the payloads are and where they're going to want to get off. To be able to allow them to get off, again, we have to have a deployment system where, again, some of the primary requirements for EM-1 was or SLS is to do no harm and to have minimal impact to the vehicle. Host: Yes. Paul Bookout: Well, to do that latter one, what we've come up with a system is that we will receive an energy, the avionics unit for deploying the secondary payloads will receive an energy pulse for, from Orion. Or, I'm sorry. Will receive an energy pulse from the upper stage once Orion has already left and the upper stage has gone through its disposal maneuvers. That means burning off extra fuel and everything making it safe. Right before it shuts down, it will turn on the avionics unit for deploying the secondary payloads. Then, the upper stage turns off. So, we wake up, and we've got our own internal battery system. And, each payload is inside of a dispenser, and so, the dispenser operates as the, has a spring-loaded lid. And, the payloads inside are installed by compressing the spring. So, when the, when it's time for that particular payload to be deployed, we get an energy pulse from the avionics unit sent to the dispenser to open the door. The door flings open, and then the secondary payload is pushed out by springs. So, that's how they're deployed. Host: Okay. So, like a, so, like an SLS jack in the box. [laughter] Paul Bookout: If you will. Host: That's what I'm imagining. Obviously, it's going to shoot out. Paul Bookout: We have pulled those analogies before, but I'll let you state it. Host: And then, I guess there's, you get this power pulse that's going to, I guess, be directed to whatever seven is going to be part of bus stop one, and whatever the next ones for bus stop two. Paul Bookout: Correct. Host: Okay. Paul Bookout: And, they'll be deployed, if there's multiple at a particular bus stop, they'll be deployed a minute or two away from each other, after each other because we don't want to be able to deploy one and then deploy another one right behind it. Host: Yeah. Paul Bookout: And then, they have recontact. Host: So, I'm trying to imagine the way everything is situated in my head, and at this part of the flight when you're starting to deploy these secondary payloads, what does, what does the rocket, I guess, or what does the piece that's actually flying, what does it look like? I guess you have Orion and then there's this deployment system, and then there's, is it the upper stage behind it? Paul Bookout: Okay. So, once we've launched. Host: Yeah. Paul Bookout: After about two minutes, the solar rocket motors are. David Smith: Jettisoned. Paul Bookout: Jettisoned. And then, the core stage lifts the rest of the vehicle up into orbit. And, after that time, when the core stage is spent, then it'll be jettisoned. And then, you'll have your upper stage and your Orion spacecraft which of course the secondary payloads are still in part of that. And then, then, it'll go into what they call a translunar injection that's basically the upper stage will ignite and put Orion into its mission profile going past the moon. Host: So, at this point, right before it ignites, it's still in, I guess, Earth orbit, and the translunar injection gets it to the moon. Paul Bookout: Correct. Host: Okay. Paul Bookout: Okay. So, once the upper stage has spent its fuel, the Orion spacecraft will separate, okay? From the upper stage. So, it'll go through on to its mission. And then, about 30 minutes later, 20, 30 minutes later, the secondary payloads will start their deployment. Host: I see. Okay. Paul Bookout: So, Orion is well away and actually speeding faster away from the upper stage. Host: Yeah. Paul Bookout: The upper stage, once it goes through its disposal maneuver, is actually flying kind of, you would say, backwards, engine first, towards the moon. Host: Oh. Paul Bookout: So, the secondary payloads will be ejected out the other direction. So. Host: Okay. So, so. Paul Bookout: So, when they're deployed, the ICPS won't run back into them. Host: That's right. Paul Bookout: Okay. So, they'll be deployed in the other direction. Host: But, now, Orion is going in, it's doing its own thing. Paul Bookout: Correct. Host: Because it did its job. It delivered Orion. That's the primary payload. Now, it's off. But, the secondary payloads are still part of this upper stage. They haven't gone with Orion. They're totally separate. Paul Bookout: Correct. They have their own. Host: So, it's like, they're kind of doing, they're going. Paul Bookout: Yeah. Host: Different ways. Interesting. Paul Bookout: Yeah, they have their own mission profiles going in all different directions. Host: Okay. Okay. I don't know why that wasn't clear to me before but thank you. All right. So, I guess kind of backing up from there, you're talking about the solid rocket boosters are disposed. The core stage is disposed. Where are all these pieces going? Paul Bookout: Okay. Depending on their mission profile, all the secondary payloads are going to end of missions at different places. Some of them will be actually crashing into the moon, and that's common where the other countries and their lunar missions depositing on the moon. Some will, one or two will burn up in Earth's atmosphere as it comes back. Some of the other ones that are going out into deep space, of course, just keep going. The CuSP, which is going to solar. I'm sorry. CuSP, which is going to the sun's vicinity will just stay out there and eventually be pulled into the sun. Host: Okay. Host: So, that's all the secondary payloads. Paul Bookout: Correct. And, for each mission, each payload that's launched on U.S. rockets, they all have to have an end of mission plan. What are they going to do to end their mission, not just to be left out there as space junk. Because that's, we're having, sorry. We're starting to have a lot of problems with, as you know, there's a lot of space junk around Earth. Host: Oh, yeah. Paul Bookout: And, you don't want that same situation around other planets, too. Host: That's fair. That's fair. And, that's why, that's part of the, I mean, this is going back, but Cassini, right? That was the whole. It did its thing, and instead of just letting it be. It had a controlled entry into Saturn so that it didn't contaminate any other. Paul Bookout: Exactly. Yes. Host: Any other bodies. Yes, yes, of course. Paul Bookout: And, it doesn't matter what size you are. Host: Yeah. Paul Bookout: Even these small CubeSats have to have an end of mission. Host: Have to have an end of mission. Paul Bookout: Yes. Host: Awesome. But, I did want to go back to some of the earlier parts of the mission, right after launch. You know, you're talking about solid rocket boosters separating being. David Smith: Those go into the ocean. Host: Ocean? Okay. David Smith: Still, but they're not recovered this time. Host: Oh, okay. David Smith: You know, for shuttle, they were recovered. This time, it's too difficult. They're too large. So, they're just going to sink. Host: Okay. [00:48:19] David Smith: The external tank is, it can't go into orbit, so it's kind of lofted in such a way that it'll break up over the Indian Ocean safely. Host: Ah. David Smith: So, it's a very large tank. You know, this is much larger than the external tank of shuttle, so it's very important that it break up safely. So, that's, that's why you need the upper stage to actually bring the payload up into a circular orbit around the Earth. Otherwise, the payload would go down with the core module as well. Host: Okay. Okay. And, what about the, I guess, the upper stage. You said it's going to be doing this deployment, but then, after it deploys [inaudible]. David Smith: It's heliocentric. It goes into a sun, heliocentric disposal. Host: Sun heliocentric disposal. David Smith: So, it kind of goes away, and we should, hopefully, not see it again. Host: Okay. All right. That's a very nice summary of EM-1, and I feel like there's so much more to talk about. I kind of wanted to get into, you know, where are we now with SLS, all the history of it. So, I think we should take a break and just sort of let this one be Episode 41. We'll come back, and we'll do Episode 42 and just sort of get into the process behind building the SLS and then the journeys of where it's going to go and beyond. So, guys, thank you so much for coming on. We'll take a break. I'll see you in a few minutes. And, for everyone else, I guess we'll see you for the next episode. David Smith: All right. David Smith: Great, thank you. Look forward to it. Paul Bookout: Thank you. [ Music ] Houston, go ahead. [ Inaudible Comment ] [inaudible] for all mankind. Not because they are easy, but because they are hard. Welcome to space [echo]. Host: Hey, thanks for sticking around. So, the best places to follow development and delivery of the rocket as we test the major components and deliver it piece by piece to the Kennedy Space Center are on the social media channels on the web for the Space Launch System. So, first the website. You can go to www.nasa.gov/ guess what? SLS. That's where you can get the latest, the greatest on the Space Launch System. On Twitter, it's @nasa underscore SLS. On Facebook, it's NASASLS, that's one word. Or, this is one of the things that actually David Smith wrote. You can actually search SLS Mission Planner's Guide. And, it's a document that you can find on the web. You can download it, and it actually has a lot of great information on just the whole scope of the Space Launch System. We're really looking forward to the first launch of SLS and Orion from the Kennedy in a couple years. Sounds like we're well on our way to the pad, and we'll be launching astronauts back to the moon in just a few short years. If you have questions on SLS and its development, use the hashtag asknasa on your favorite platform. Just go to the Johnson accounts. Those are the ones we look at. The NASA Johnson Space Center accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can send an idea or a question, and we'll make sure to mention it's for, or just make sure to mention it's for Houston, We Have a Podcast, and we'll bring it up in a later episode. Or, maybe address it in an entire episode. The whole episode will be dedicated to the question. Who knows? So, this podcast was recorded on March 20, 2018. Thanks to Alex Perryman, Rachel Craft, Laura Reshawn [assumed spelling], Kelly Humphries, Pat Ryan, Tyler Martin, Bev Perry, and all the folks at the Marshall Spaceflight Center for coming on to help to put this together. Thanks again to Dr. Paul Bookout and Mr. David Smith for coming on the show. We'll be back next week with part two.

  12. Measurements of induced voltages and currents in a distribution power line and associated atmospheric parameters

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Santiago-Perez, Julio

    1988-01-01

    The frequency and intensity of thunderstorms around the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) has affected scheduled launch, landing, and other ground operations for many years. In order to protect against and provide safe working facilities, KSC has performed and hosted several studies on lightning phenomena. For the reasons mentioned above, KSC has established the Atmospheric Science Field Laboratory (ASFL). At these facilities KSC launches wire-towing rockets into thunderstorms to trigger natural lightning to the launch site. A program named Rocket Triggered Lightning Program (RTLP) is being conducted at the ASFL. This report calls for two of the experiments conducted in the summer 1988 Rocket Triggered Lightning Program. One experiment suspended an electric field mill over the launching areas from a balloon about 500 meters high to measure the space charges over the launching area. The other was to connect a waveform recorder to a nearby distribution power line to record currents and voltages wave forms induced by natural and triggered lightning.

  13. Measurements of induced voltages and currents in a distribution power line and associated atmospheric parameters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Santiago-Perez, Julio

    1988-10-01

    The frequency and intensity of thunderstorms around the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) has affected scheduled launch, landing, and other ground operations for many years. In order to protect against and provide safe working facilities, KSC has performed and hosted several studies on lightning phenomena. For the reasons mentioned above, KSC has established the Atmospheric Science Field Laboratory (ASFL). At these facilities KSC launches wire-towing rockets into thunderstorms to trigger natural lightning to the launch site. A program named Rocket Triggered Lightning Program (RTLP) is being conducted at the ASFL. This report calls for two of the experiments conducted in the summer 1988 Rocket Triggered Lightning Program. One experiment suspended an electric field mill over the launching areas from a balloon about 500 meters high to measure the space charges over the launching area. The other was to connect a waveform recorder to a nearby distribution power line to record currents and voltages wave forms induced by natural and triggered lightning.

  14. HOST payload for STS-95 being moved into SSPF

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1998-01-01

    The Hubble Space Telescope Orbiting Systems Test (HOST)is being raised to a workstand by technicians in the Space Shuttle Processing Facility. One of the payloads on the STS-95 mission, the HOST platform is carrying four experiments to validate components planned for installation during the third Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission and to evaluate new technologies in an earth orbiting environment. The STS-95 mission is scheduled to launch Oct. 29. It will carry three other payloads: the Spartan solar-observing deployable spacecraft, the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker, and the SPACEHAB single module with experiments on space flight and the aging process.

  15. Should the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae be of wider concern for veterinary and medical science?

    PubMed

    George, David R; Finn, Robert D; Graham, Kirsty M; Mul, Monique F; Maurer, Veronika; Moro, Claire Valiente; Sparagano, Olivier Ae

    2015-03-25

    The poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae is best known as a threat to the laying-hen industry; adversely affecting production and hen health and welfare throughout the globe, both directly and through its role as a disease vector. Nevertheless, D. gallinae is being increasingly implemented in dermatological complaints in non-avian hosts, suggesting that its significance may extend beyond poultry. The main objective of the current work was to review the potential of D. gallinae as a wider veterinary and medical threat. Results demonstrated that, as an avian mite, D. gallinae is unsurprisingly an occasional pest of pet birds. However, research also supports that these mites will feed from a range of other animals including: cats, dogs, rodents, rabbits, horses and man. We conclude that although reported cases of D. gallinae infesting mammals are relatively rare, when coupled with the reported genetic plasticity of this species and evidence of permanent infestations on non-avian hosts, potential for host-expansion may exist. The impact of, and mechanisms and risk factors for such expansion are discussed, and suggestions for further work made. Given the potential severity of any level of host-expansion in D. gallinae, we conclude that further research should be urgently conducted to confirm the full extent of the threat posed by D. gallinae to (non-avian) veterinary and medical sectors.

  16. Phytomonas: Trypanosomatids Adapted to Plant Environments

    PubMed Central

    Jaskowska, Eleanor; Butler, Claire; Preston, Gail; Kelly, Steven

    2015-01-01

    Over 100 years after trypanosomatids were first discovered in plant tissues, Phytomonas parasites have now been isolated across the globe from members of 24 different plant families. Most identified species have not been associated with any plant pathology and to date only two species are definitively known to cause plant disease. These diseases (wilt of palm and coffee phloem necrosis) are problematic in areas of South America where they threaten the economies of developing countries. In contrast to their mammalian infective relatives, our knowledge of the biology of Phytomonas parasites and how they interact with their plant hosts is limited. This review draws together a century of research into plant trypanosomatids, from the first isolations and experimental infections to the recent publication of the first Phytomonas genomes. The availability of genomic data for these plant parasites opens a new avenue for comparative investigations into trypanosomatid biology and provides fresh insight into how this important group of parasites have adapted to survive in a spectrum of hosts from crocodiles to coconuts. PMID:25607944

  17. Mathematical modeling of infectious disease dynamics

    PubMed Central

    Siettos, Constantinos I.; Russo, Lucia

    2013-01-01

    Over the last years, an intensive worldwide effort is speeding up the developments in the establishment of a global surveillance network for combating pandemics of emergent and re-emergent infectious diseases. Scientists from different fields extending from medicine and molecular biology to computer science and applied mathematics have teamed up for rapid assessment of potentially urgent situations. Toward this aim mathematical modeling plays an important role in efforts that focus on predicting, assessing, and controlling potential outbreaks. To better understand and model the contagious dynamics the impact of numerous variables ranging from the micro host–pathogen level to host-to-host interactions, as well as prevailing ecological, social, economic, and demographic factors across the globe have to be analyzed and thoroughly studied. Here, we present and discuss the main approaches that are used for the surveillance and modeling of infectious disease dynamics. We present the basic concepts underpinning their implementation and practice and for each category we give an annotated list of representative works. PMID:23552814

  18. Phytomonas: trypanosomatids adapted to plant environments.

    PubMed

    Jaskowska, Eleanor; Butler, Claire; Preston, Gail; Kelly, Steven

    2015-01-01

    Over 100 years after trypanosomatids were first discovered in plant tissues, Phytomonas parasites have now been isolated across the globe from members of 24 different plant families. Most identified species have not been associated with any plant pathology and to date only two species are definitively known to cause plant disease. These diseases (wilt of palm and coffee phloem necrosis) are problematic in areas of South America where they threaten the economies of developing countries. In contrast to their mammalian infective relatives, our knowledge of the biology of Phytomonas parasites and how they interact with their plant hosts is limited. This review draws together a century of research into plant trypanosomatids, from the first isolations and experimental infections to the recent publication of the first Phytomonas genomes. The availability of genomic data for these plant parasites opens a new avenue for comparative investigations into trypanosomatid biology and provides fresh insight into how this important group of parasites have adapted to survive in a spectrum of hosts from crocodiles to coconuts.

  19. Antibiotic Adjuvants: Diverse Strategies for Controlling Drug-Resistant Pathogens

    PubMed Central

    Gill, Erin E; Franco, Octavio L; Hancock, Robert E W

    2015-01-01

    The growing number of bacterial pathogens that are resistant to numerous antibiotics is a cause for concern around the globe. There have been no new broad-spectrum antibiotics developed in the last 40 years, and the drugs we have currently are quickly becoming ineffective. In this article, we explore a range of therapeutic strategies that could be employed in conjunction with antibiotics and may help to prolong the life span of these life-saving drugs. Discussed topics include antiresistance drugs, which are administered to potentiate the effects of current antimicrobials in bacteria where they are no longer (or never were) effective; antivirulence drugs, which are directed against bacterial virulence factors; host-directed therapies, which modulate the host's immune system to facilitate infection clearance; and alternative treatments, which include such therapies as oral rehydration for diarrhea, phage therapy, and probiotics. All of these avenues show promise for the treatment of bacterial infections and should be further investigated to explore their full potential in the face of a postantibiotic era. PMID:25393203

  20. Unfolding Leonardo DA Vinci's Globe (ad 1504) to Reveal its Historical World Map

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Verhoeven, G. J.; Missinne, S. J.

    2017-08-01

    This paper reports in detail on the image-based modelling and unwrapping approach used to create a two-dimensional projected map of an astonishing ostrich egg globe from AD 1504. This miniature egg globe is not only the oldest extant engraved globe, but it is also the oldest post-Columbian globe of the world and the first ever to depict Newfoundland and many other territories. The intention of digitally recording the surface geometry and colour of this unique artefact was to portray the original layout of the world map used by the Florentine Renaissance artist to make this globe. In addition, it was expected to substantiate iconographical details, which are hard to study at its scale of 1:80,000,000. The ostrich egg globe is the prototype of the Lenox Globe kept at the New York Public Library. The latter is very beneficial to examine how the egg globe looked like before being glued together at its equator. On the other hand, unfolding the map engraved in the ostrich egg halves enables a more detailed study of the remarkable details visible on both globes, since the engravings on the quasi-white egg surface are much easier to discern than those of the highly reflective red copper Lenox Globe. Finally, a detailed study of the unwrapped 3D surface is essential to learn more about the world vision of its creator and the incredible efforts that went into making this globe. Thanks to some particular pictographic details as well as the way in which the engravings are applied (by a left-handed person), the globe artist can be identified as Leonardo da Vinci.

  1. GPM's H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.23, First stage VOS

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-12-08

    GPM's launch vehicle, the H-IIA No.23, first stage VOS (Vehicle On Stand). GPM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The Core Observatory will link data from a constellation of current and planned satellites to produce next-generation global measurements of rainfall and snowfall from space. The GPM mission is the first coordinated international satellite network to provide near real-time observations of rain and snow every three hours anywhere on the globe. The GPM Core Observatory anchors this network by providing observations on all types of precipitation. The observatory's data acts as the measuring stick by which partner observations can be combined into a unified data set. The data will be used by scientists to study climate change, freshwater resources, floods and droughts, and hurricane formation and tracking. Credit: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

  2. Ventilation Loss in the NASA Space Shuttle Crew Protective Garments: Potential for Heat Stress

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Askew, Gregory K.; Kaufman, Jonathan W.

    1991-01-01

    The potential of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) S1035 Launch/Entry suit (LES) for producing heat stress in a simulated Space Shuttle cabin environment has been studied. The testing was designed to determine if the NASA S1035 poses a greater threat of inducing heat stress than the NASA S1032. Conditions were designed to simulate an extreme prelaunch situation, with chamber temperatures maintained at dry bulb temperature 27.2 +/- 0.1 C, globe temperature - 27.3 +/- 0.1 C, and wet bulb temperature 21.1 +/- 0.3 C. Four males, aged 28-48, were employed in this study, with three subjects having exposures in all four conditions and the fourth subject exposed to 3 conditions. Test durations in the ventilated (V) and unventilated (UV) conditions were designed for 480 minutes, which all subjects achieved. No significant differences related to experimental conditions were noted in rectal temperatures, heart rates or sweat rates. The results indicate that the S1032 and S1035 garments, in either the V or UV state, poses no danger of inducing unacceptable heat stress under the conditions expected within the Shuttle cabin during launch or re-entry.

  3. The Potential for Hosted Payloads at NASA

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Andraschko, Mark; Antol, Jeffrey; Baize, Rosemary; Horan, Stephen; Neil, Doreen; Rinsland, Pamela; Zaiceva, Rita

    2012-01-01

    The 2010 National Space Policy encourages federal agencies to actively explore the use of inventive, nontraditional arrangements for acquiring commercial space goods and services to meet United States Government requirements, including...hosting government capabilities on commercial spacecraft. NASA's Science Mission Directorate has taken an important step towards this goal by adding an option for hosted payload responses to its recent Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for Earth Venture-2 missions. Since NASA selects a significant portion of its science missions through a competitive process, it is useful to understand the implications that this process has on the feasibility of successfully proposing a commercially hosted payload mission. This paper describes some of the impediments associated with proposing a hosted payload mission to NASA, and offers suggestions on how these impediments might be addressed. Commercially hosted payloads provide a novel way to serve the needs of the science and technology demonstration communities at a fraction of the cost of a traditional Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) mission. The commercial communications industry launches over 20 satellites to GEO each year. By exercising this repeatable commercial paradigm of privately financed access to space with proven vendors, NASA can achieve science goals at a significantly lower cost than the current dedicated spacecraft and launch vehicle approach affords. Commercial hosting could open up a new realm of opportunities for NASA science missions to make measurements from GEO. This paper also briefly describes two GEO missions recommended by the National Academies of Science Earth Science Decadal Survey, the Geostationary Coastal and Air Pollution Events (GEO-CAPE) mission and the Precipitation and All-weather Temperature and Humidity (PATH) mission. Hosted payload missions recently selected for implementation by the Office of the Chief Technologist are also discussed. Finally, there are technical differences specific to hosted payloads and the GEO environment that must be considered when planning and developing a hosted payload mission. This paper addresses some of payload accommodation differences from the typical NASA LEO mission, including spacecraft interfaces, attitude control and knowledge, communications, data handling, mission operations, ground systems, and the thermal, radiation, and electromagnetic environment. The paper also discusses technical and programmatic differences such as limits to NASA's involvement with commercial quality assurance processes to conform to the commercial schedule and minimizing the price that makes hosted payloads an attractive option.

  4. GPM Launch Day at NASA Goddard (Feb. 27, 2014)

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2014-02-27

    Children at the visitor center at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., receive a rainfall demonstration as part of activities tied to the launch of the Global Precipitation Measurement mission's Core Observatory on Feb. 27, 2014. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Debbie McCallum GPM's Core Observatory is poised for launch from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Tanegashima Space Center, scheduled for the afternoon of Feb. 27, 2014 (EST). GPM is a joint venture between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The GPM Core Observatory will link data from a constellation of current and planned satellites to produce next-generation global measurements of rainfall and snowfall from space. The GPM mission is the first coordinated international satellite network to provide near real-time observations of rain and snow every three hours anywhere on the globe. The GPM Core Observatory anchors this network by providing observations on all types of precipitation. The observatory's data acts as the measuring stick by which partner observations can be combined into a unified data set. The data will be used by scientists to study climate change, freshwater resources, floods and droughts, and hurricane formation and tracking. NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

  5. Variable Length Inflatable Ramp Launch and Recovery System

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-09-22

    deployment and when not in use, for retraction . [0017] The positioning cart is the primary interface with the tow body by hosting a capture and swing...the air beams 20. The tow cable winch 14 also extends the tow cable 15 into the water to tow a tow body 100 during deployment and retraction during...for deployment and retract back into the ABDF when not in use. The positioning cart 24 is the primary interface with the tow body by hosting the

  6. Using The GLOBE Program to address the Global Development Goals

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wegner, K.; Murphy, T.; Wigbels, L.; Mauriello, H.; Kucera, P. A.

    2016-12-01

    The GLOBE Program (globe.gov) is an international science and education program in more than 110 countries that provides students and the public worldwide the opportunity to participate in the scientific process through Earth observations and geospatial information. To address the Global Goals for Sustainable Development, The GLOBE Program has collaborated with with international organizations such as the UNEP, Peace Corps, USAID, UNESCO, Eco-Schools, and SciStarter to address the Goals for Sustainable Development. In this presentation, GLOBE will share the alignment materials that they have created to provide pathways to achieving the goals, as well as present case studies that demonstrate how the GLOBE community uses GLOBE protocols as Earth observations to monitor and communicate environmental indicators aligned to the Global Development Goals.

  7. Radiometric and Spatial Characterization of High-Spatial Resolution Sensors

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Thome, Kurtis; Zanoni, Vicki (Technical Monitor)

    2002-01-01

    The development and improvement of commercial hyperspatial sensors in recent years has increased the breadth of information that can be retrieved from spaceborne and airborne imagery. NASA, through it's Scientific Data Purchases, has successfully provided such data sets to its user community. A key element to the usefulness of these data are an understanding of the radiometric and spatial response quality of the imagery. This proposal seeks funding to examine the absolute radiometric calibration of the Ikonos sensor operated by Space Imaging and the recently-launched Quickbird sensor from DigitalGlobe. In addition, we propose to evaluate the spatial response of the two sensors. The proposed methods rely on well-understood, ground-based targets that have been used by the University of Arizona for more than a decade.

  8. Women's History Month Event

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-03-27

    NASA Kennedy Space Center's Deputy Director Janet Petro welcomes workers to the center's Women's History Month event, with the theme "Nevertheless She Persisted." Keynote speaker, JoAnn Morgan, former associate director of the center, spoke to the group about her experience as the first female engineer working in the space program in the 1960s. Morgan was the first female in the Launch Control Center firing room during the Apollo 11 launch. The event was hosted by the center's Kennedy Networking Opportunities for Women (KNOW) and Launching Leaders organizations. The purpose of KNOW is to provide focus on issues such as employment, retention, promotion, training, career and personal development, education, and identify and eliminate barriers that hinder the advancement of women in the workforce.

  9. Women's History Month Event

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-03-27

    JoAnn Morgan, former associate director of Kennedy Space Center, at left, accepts a special coin from Janet Petro, deputy director of Kennedy, during a Women's History Month event at the center. With the theme "Nevertheless She Persisted," Morgan described her experience as the first female engineer working in the space program in the 1960s. Morgan was the first female in the Launch Control Center firing room during the Apollo 11 launch. The event was hosted by the center's Kennedy Networking Opportunities for Women (KNOW) and Launching Leaders organizations. The purpose of KNOW is to provide focus on issues such as employment, retention, promotion, training, career and personal development, education, and identify and eliminate barriers that hinder the advancement of women in the workforce.

  10. KSC-2009-2301

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2009-03-25

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA's Kennedy Space Center management host a ceremony near Launch Pad 39B to mark the handover of Mobile Launcher Platform-1 (behind them) from NASA's Space Shuttle Program to the Constellation Program for the Ares I-X flight test targeted for this summer. Seated are (left) Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach and (right) Pepper E. Phillips, director of the Constellation Project Office, and Brett Raulerson, manager of MLP Operations with United Space Alliance. At the podium is Rita Willcoxon, director of Launch Vehicle Processing at Kennedy. Constructed in 1964, the mobile launchers used in Apollo/Saturn operations were modified for use in shuttle operations. With cranes, umbilical towers and swing arms removed, the mobile launchers were renamed Mobile Launcher Platforms, or MLPs. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

  11. NASA Social Briefing on Planet-Hunting Mission Launch

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    NASA and industry leaders speak to NASA Social participants about the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in the Press Site auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Speaking to the group is Tom Barclay, TESS scientist, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  12. NASA Social Briefing on Planet-Hunting Mission Launch

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    NASA and industry leaders speak to NASA Social participants about the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in the Press Site auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Speaking to the group is Zach Berta-Thompson, assistant professor, University of Colorado Boulder. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  13. NASA Social Briefing on Planet-Hunting Mission Launch

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    NASA and industry leaders speak to NASA Social participants about the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in the Press Site auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Speaking to the group is Elisa Quintana, TESS scientist, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  14. NASA Science Review of Next Planet-Hunting Mission Launch

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    NASA and science investigators from MIT participate in a science briefing for the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in the Press Site auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Felicia Chou, NASA Communications, asks questions from online participants during the briefing. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  15. NASA Social Briefing on Planet-Hunting Mission Launch

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    NASA and industry leaders speak to NASA Social participants about the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in the Press Site auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Speaking to the group is Natalia Guerrero, TESS researcher, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  16. NASA Science Review of Next Planet-Hunting Mission Launch

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    NASA and science investigators from MIT participate in a science briefing for the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in the Press Site auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Claire Saravia, NASA Communications, moderated the briefing. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  17. NASA Science Review of Next Planet-Hunting Mission Launch

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    NASA and science investigators from MIT participate in a science briefing for the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in the Press Site auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Paul Hertz, Astrophysics Division director, NASA Headquarters, answered questions during the briefing. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  18. GLOBE at Night: Scientific Research outside of the Classroom

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Henderson, S.; Walker, C. E.; Geary, E.; Pompea, S. M.

    2005-12-01

    Increased and robust understanding of our environment requires learning opportunities that take place outside of the traditional K-12 classroom and beyond the confines of the school day. GLOBE at Night is a new event within The GLOBE Program that provides a mechanism for a nontraditional learning activity involving teachers, students, and their families taking observations of the night sky around the world and reporting their observations via a central data base for analysis. To support activities centered on authentic research experiences such as GLOBE at Night, The GLOBE Program has changed its approach to professional development (PD). The new focus of GLOBE PD efforts is centered on teachers being able to facilitate student research in and out of the classroom reflective of authentic scientific research experiences. It has been recognized that there is a critical need for effective teacher professional development programs that support teacher involvement in meaningful scientific research that encourages partnerships between scientists, teachers, and students. Partnerships promoting scientific research for K-12 audiences provides the foundation for The GLOBE Program, an international inquiry-based program designed to engage teachers with their students in partnership with research scientists to better understand the environment at local, regional, and global scales. GLOBE is an ongoing international science and education program that unites students, teachers, and scientists in the study of the Earth System. Students participating in GLOBE engage in hands-on activities, including the collection, analysis, and sharing of research quality scientific data with their peers around the world. Students interact with members of the science community who use the data collected from locations around the world in their research - data that would often not be available otherwise. As of September 2005, over 30,000 teachers representing over 16,000 schools worldwide have participated in GLOBE workshops resulting in over 13 million environmental measurements reported by students to the GLOBE Web site. GLOBE at Night will utilize the GLOBE infrastructure and network to promote a week of night observations (February 2006) by teachers and students. The quality of the night sky for stellar observations is impacted by several factors, including human influences. GLOBE at Night will help scientists assess how the quality of the night sky varies around the world. The data that is collected will be accessible via the GLOBE Web site by scientists studying light pollution and will be available for use by teachers and students worldwide. GLOBE at Night is a collaborative effort of the NASA-sponsored GLOBE Program and the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO).

  19. The GLOBE Program: Partnerships in Action

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Henderson, S.; Kennedy, T.; Lemone, M.; Blurton, C.

    2004-12-01

    The GLOBE Program is a worldwide science and education partnership endeavor designed to increase scientific understanding of Earth as a system, support improved student achievement in science and math, and enhance environmental awareness through inquiry-based learning activities. GLOBE began on the premise that teachers and their students would partner with scientists to collect and analyze environmental data using specific protocols in five study areas - atmosphere, soils, hydrology, land cover, and phenology. As the GLOBE network grew, additional partnerships flourished making GLOBE an unprecedented collaboration of individuals worldwide - primary, secondary, and tertiary students, teachers and teacher educators, scientists, government officials, and others - to improve K-12 education. Since its inception in 1994, more than one million students in over 14,000 schools around the world have taken part in The GLOBE Program. The GLOBE Web site (http://www.globe.gov) is the repository for over 11 million student-collected data measurements easily accessible to students and scientists worldwide. Utilizing the advantages of the Internet for information sharing and communication, GLOBE has created an international community. GLOBE enriches students by giving them the knowledge and skills that they will need to become informed citizens and responsible decision-makers in an increasingly complex world. Understanding that all members of a community must support change if it is to be sustainable, GLOBE actively encourages the development of GLOBE Learning Communities (GLCs) which are designed to get diverse stakeholder groups involved in a local or regional environmental issue. Central to the GLC is the engagement of local schools. GLCs go beyond individual teachers implementing GLOBE in the isolation of their classrooms. Instead, the GLC brings multiple teachers and grade levels together to examine environmental issues encouraging the participation of a broad range of community members who share a common commitment to supporting teachers and students in the implementation of GLOBE for the benefit of their community. A GLC might begin as a GLOBE Partner based at a university works with teachers and students from primary and secondary schools in the local school district, and then branches out to include parents, youth clubs, scientists, senior citizens, other colleges and universities, daycare centers, museums, businesses, government agencies and more. In the past decade, as the variety and diversity of partnerships within the GLOBE Program expanded, lessons have been learned that may be of use to other programs intent on implementing partnership programs to sustain systemic changes in K-12 Earth Science Education. This presentation will chronicle the GLOBE journey including results of annual program evaluations.

  20. Solar hydrogen generator

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sebacher, D. I.; Sabol, A. P. (Inventor)

    1977-01-01

    An apparatus, using solar energy to manufacture hydrogen by dissociating water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen molecules is described. Solar energy is concentrated on a globe containing water thereby heating the water to its dissociation temperature. The globe is pervious to hydrogen molecules permitting them to pass through the globe while being essentially impervious to oxygen molecules. The hydrogen molecules are collected after passing through the globe and the oxygen molecules are removed from the globe.

  1. NASA Hosts News Conference with Crew Launching to Space Station in June

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-02-14

    NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor, along with Alexander Gerst of ESA (European Space Agency), and Sergey Prokopyev of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, participated in a news conference Feb. 14, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. The trio is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station in June and will be part of Expeditions 56 and 57. This will be the first trip to the space station for Auñón-Chancellor and Prokopyev, and the second for Gerst.

  2. NASA Ames Hosts Viewing Party for Final Shuttle Launch (Reporter Package)

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2011-07-12

    The public was invited to NASA's Ames Research Center to observe a live televised broadcast of the final space shuttle launch on July 8, 2011. The STS-135 mission is the final flight of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. The orbiter Atlantis is carrying a system to investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing spacecraft and bring back a failed ammonia pump to help NASA better understand and improve pump designs for future systems. It also will deliver spare parts to sustain space station operations after the shuttles retire from service.

  3. TESS SpaceX Rollout

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is rolled out to Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, with NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) secured in its payload fairing. TESS will launch on the Falcon 9 no earlier than 6:51 p.m. EDT on April 18. TESS will search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets.

  4. Programs Automate Complex Operations Monitoring

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2009-01-01

    Kennedy Space Center, just off the east coast of Florida on Merritt Island, has been the starting place of every human space flight in NASA s history. It is where the first Americans left Earth during Project Mercury, the terrestrial departure point of the lunar-bound Apollo astronauts, as well as the last solid ground many astronauts step foot on before beginning their long stays aboard the International Space Station. It will also be the starting point for future NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and temporary host of the new Ares series rockets designed to take us there. Since the first days of the early NASA missions, in order to keep up with the demands of the intricate and critical Space Program, the launch complex - host to the large Vehicle Assembly Building, two launch pads, and myriad support facilities - has grown increasingly complex to accommodate the sophisticated technologies needed to manage today s space missions. To handle the complicated launch coordination safely, NASA found ways to automate mission-critical applications, resulting in streamlined decision-making. One of these methods, management software called the Control Monitor Unit (CMU), created in conjunction with McDonnell Douglas Space & Defense Systems, has since left NASA, and is finding its way into additional applications.

  5. ETIB tests safety and effectiveness of Baricitinib for chronic GVHD | Center for Cancer Research

    Cancer.gov

    The Center for Cancer Research has launched a new clinical trial focusing on improving the treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease, a common adverse reaction that may develop after certain bone marrow transplants.  Learn more...

  6. GLOBE Program Teacher's Guide.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    1997

    The GLOBE Program is a worldwide, hands-on educational program for elementary and secondary school students. GLOBE aims to increase student achievement in mathematics and science, awareness towards the environment, and improve science process skills through network technology. This teacher's guide provides an overview of the GLOBE program and…

  7. Long Term Measurement of the Earth's Radiation Budget using a constellation of Broadband Radiometers hosted on Iridium NEXT

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gupta, Om Prakash; Thoma, Donald; Chaloner, Chris; Russell, Jacqueline; Simpson, Bill; Spilling, David; Morris, Nigel; Caldwell, Martin; Oneill, Alan

    The WMO called for "bringing new missions to operational status" and that "ERB should be measured through a constellation of sensors". A unique opportu-nity exists to host a set of Earth Radiation Budget (ERB) sensors on the Iridium NEXT (NEXT) LEO constellation in a cost effective manner that can deliver these requirements. The NEXT constellation, with 66 interconnected satellites in 6 near polar orbiting planes, provides a unique platform for hosting a variety of Earth observation missions including ERB. Launches are planned to begin in 2014 through 2016. The ERB both drives and responds to global climate and monitoring it can provide much insight into the climate system and how it might be changing. A climate quality measurement of the ERB requires high absolute accuracy and excellent stability and a long-term (decades) data record in order to inform the debate about global warming. Measurement of the ERB in terms of the broadband reflected solar (0.3 to 4 µm) and emitted thermal (4 to 200 µm) components have been identified as high priority by the WMO for climate observations. High temporal resolution is the key advantage offered by the NEXT platform and can provide a great step forward in accurately monitoring the energy balance of the planet. The sensor we propose will consist of a broad band instrument and associated imager for scene identification and cloud classification. There is the chance to place two such sensors in each of six different orbital planes this will improve the product refresh time from currently 12 hours to 3 hours. The increased temporal resolution will allow direct measure-ment of the changes to the broadband radiances that result from rapidly varying components of the climate such as cloud and aerosol, and avoid the need of relying on narrow band sensors to infer such changes. Considering that the prediction of cloud response to climate change is still a major source of uncertainty; improved measurement of the cloud effect and possible changes in this quantity are of particular interest. This proposed configuration of twelve ERB sensors on NEXT has been analyzed in a detailed study by this team and demonstrated to have compatibility with proposed NEXT satellites. This study has also demonstrated the following: 1. Full globe coverage, including the poles, and 3 hourly temporal resolution even at the equator 2. Spatial coverage with a swath of each sensor of 1000 km and resolution of 10 km at nadir 3. LEO orbits which are not sun-synchronous so aliasing effects, which are always a concern with single sensors in sun-synchronous orbits, are no longer of concern 4. Twelve sensors in orbit simultaneously, with frequent near-coincidences at high latitudes, so cross-calibration will become a normal part of the system operation. Cross-calibration will also be possible against current sensors such as CERES in LEO and GERB in GEO and offers the possibly of combined products with the sensors. 5. The data stream will be in real-time via the NEXT communications network 6. System robustness is assured since loss of a sensor or satellite is not mission critical 7. Low risk and short lead times because heritage sensors are to be deployed 8. Low chance of launch delays or mission creep, since timing is crucial to the Iridium's business 9. Planned long constellation design life reduces long term cost and continuity problems 10. Near-certain continuity missions as follow-on constellations are part of the host's business plans 11. A move to truly operational observations using real, rather than virtual, constellation 12. A significantly lower cost alternative to traditional methods for collecting this data.

  8. Traumatic globe luxation associated with orbital fracture in a child: a case report and literature review.

    PubMed

    Amaral, Márcio Bruno Figueiredo; Carvalho, Matheus Furtado; Ferreira, André Baptista; Mesquita, Ricardo Alves

    2015-03-01

    Orbital fracture associated with traumatic globe luxation is rare, as it generally requires trauma with high energy for this to occur. The present case report focused on a child who had been hit by a motorcycle, leading to a globe luxation of the left eye and fractures of the superolateral orbital walls. The patient presented initial cosmetic and psychological benefits from the repositioning of the intact globe and the reduction of the orbital fractures. However, a subsequent evisceration of the globe was required due to persistent proptosis and pain. An ocular prosthesis was also implanted, thus recovering the patient's aesthetics. Thirty-four well-documented cases of traumatic globe luxation could be found in the English literature since 1970. The mean age of patients presenting traumatic globe luxation was 29.5 years. The male gender proved to be more prevalent, with traffic collisions representing the most common accident etiology. Direct orbital trauma with fractures of medial and floor walls displacing the globe into the maxillary sinus represented the most common injury mechanism (38.2 %), followed by an elongated object entering the orbit (26.5 %). Optical nerve avulsion is the most serious complication seen in association with traumatic globe luxation, with the repositioning of the initial globe, with no enucleation or evisceration, representing the main form of management.

  9. GLOBE Earth Science Education and Public Outreach in Developing Countries GLOBE Earth Science Education and Public Outreach in Developing Countries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sparrow, E. B.; Boger, R. A.

    2005-12-01

    GLOBE is an international hands-on earth science education program that involves scientists, teachers and students in more than 16,000 primary and secondary schools. GLOBE is funded by the National Aeronautics Administration (NASA), the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of State. GLOBE works with schools (teachers and students) through more than 100 U.S. GLOBE partnerships with universities, state and local school systems, and non-government organizations. Internationally, GLOBE is partnered with 109 countries that include many developing nations throughout the world. In addition to the GLOBE's different areas of investigation e.g. Atmosphere/ Weather, Hydrology, Soils, Land Cover Biology and Phenology ( plant and animal), there are special projects such as the GLOBE Urban Phenology Year Project (GUPY) that engages developing and developed countries ( Finland, United States, Japan, Philippines, Thailand, Jordan, Kyrgystan, Senegal, Poland, Estonia, and the Dominican Republic) in studying the effects of urbanization on vegetation phenology, a sensitive indicator of climate change. Vegetation phenology integrates different components of the Earth system i.e. carbon and geochemical cycling, water cycling and energy cycling and is an excellent way to engage students in collaborative projects. This presentation will highlight the GUPY project and provide additional examples of local initiatives and collaborations with indigenous communities that use GLOBE and an inquiry approach to revise science education in developing countries .

  10. School nurses can address existing gaps in school-age sleep research.

    PubMed

    Willgerodt, Mayumi A; Kieckhefer, Gail M

    2013-06-01

    Sleep has been linked to a host of physical, behavioral, and emotional outcomes, and research has documented that youth across the globe are experiencing inadequate sleep. Despite this knowledge, however, very little research has been conducted on school-age children; much of the extant research has focused on infants, toddlers, preschoolers, adolescents, and adults. School-age children exhibit increasing independence around health-related behaviors, which provide health professionals the opportunity to educate and promote healthy sleep behaviors. This commentary extends previous research reviews by identifying the current gaps in sleep research, highlighting future directions needed in sleep research, and explaining why school nurses are best suited to address this growing public health issue.

  11. GLOBE Observer: Earth Science in the Palm of Your Hand

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Weaver, K. L. K.; Riebeek Kohl, H.

    2017-12-01

    You can get involved in doing Earth system science research tied to NASA research and data. This demo will introduce GLOBE and GLOBE Observer, a student and citizen science program designed to collect observations of the environment. The GLOBE Observer app, released in September 2016, harnesses smart phone technology to simplify select GLOBE observations to open the program to new audiences and to increase data volume. The end goal is to facilitate new student and scientific research. The demo will provide an overview of the app and show you how to access GLOBE Observer environmental data. The app includes a protocol for observing clouds and sky color (air quality proxy), mosquito habitats, and land cover/land use. The GLOBE Observer observations may be matched to NASA satellite data for a more in-depth analysis.

  12. KSC-07pd1528

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2007-06-16

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- This panoramic view of Space Launch Complex 36 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station shows the two mobile service towers on the ground after their demolition. The old towers are being toppled as part of the ongoing project to demolish the historic site to prevent corrosion from becoming a safety concern. A majority of the steel will be recycled and the rest will be taken to the landfill at CCAFS. Complex 36 was the birthplace of NASA's planetary launch program. It was built for the Atlas/Centaur development program and was operated under NASA's sponsorship until the late 1980s. Complex 36 hosted many historic missions over the years including Surveyor that landed on the moon and Mariner that orbited Mars and included one to Mercury. Two of the most historic launches were the Pioneer 10 and 11 space probes that were launched to Jupiter and are now outside of the solar system in interstellar space. Also, the historic Pioneer Venus spacecraft included an orbiter and a set of probes that were dispatched to the surface. While Launch Complex 36 is gone, the Atlas/Centaur rocket continues to be launched as the Atlas V from Complex 41. Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nahser

  13. KSC-07pd1520

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2007-06-16

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Space Launch Complex 36 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the 209-foot-tall mobile service tower on Pad 36-B has been identified for demolition. The old towers are being toppled as part of the ongoing project to demolish the historic site to prevent corrosion from becoming a safety concern. A majority of the steel will be recycled and the rest will be taken to the landfill at CCAFS. Complex 36 was the birthplace of NASA's planetary launch program. It was built for the Atlas/Centaur development program and was operated under NASA's sponsorship until the late 1980s. Complex 36 hosted many historic missions over the years including Surveyor that landed on the moon and Mariner that orbited Mars and included one to Mercury. Two of the most historic launches were the Pioneer 10 and 11 space probes that were launched to Jupiter and are now outside of the solar system in interstellar space. Also, the historic Pioneer Venus spacecraft included an orbiter and a set of probes that were dispatched to the surface. While Launch Complex 36 is gone, the Atlas/Centaur rocket continues to be launched as the Atlas V from Complex 41. Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nahser

  14. Indirect Plant Defense against Insect Herbivores: A Review

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Plants respond to herbivore attack by launching two types of defenses: direct defense and indirect defense. Direct defense includes all plant traits that increase the resistance of host plants to attacking insect herbivores by affecting the physiology and/or behavior of the attackers. Indirect defe...

  15. NASA Social Briefing on Planet-Hunting Mission Launch

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    NASA and industry leaders speak to NASA Social participants about the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in the Press Site auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Speaking to the group is Jessie Christiansen, staff scientiest, NASA Exoplaneet Science Institute, California Institute of Technology. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  16. NASA Social Briefing on Planet-Hunting Mission Launch

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    NASA and industry leaders speak to NASA Social participants about the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in the Press Site auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Speaking to the group, at left is Hans Koenigsmann, vice president of Build and Flight Reliability at SpaceX. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  17. NASA Social Briefing on Planet-Hunting Mission Launch

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    NASA and industry leaders speak to NASA Social participants about the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in the Press Site auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Speaking to the group is Hans Koenigsmann, vice president of Build and Flight Reliability at SpaceX. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  18. Launch Vehicle Manual Steering with Adaptive Augmenting Control In-flight Evaluations of Adverse Interactions Using a Piloted Aircraft

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hanson, Curt; Miller, Chris; Wall, John H.; Vanzwieten, Tannen S.; Gilligan, Eric; Orr, Jeb S.

    2015-01-01

    An adaptive augmenting control algorithm for the Space Launch System has been developed at the Marshall Space Flight Center as part of the launch vehicles baseline flight control system. A prototype version of the SLS flight control software was hosted on a piloted aircraft at the Armstrong Flight Research Center to demonstrate the adaptive controller on a full-scale realistic application in a relevant flight environment. Concerns regarding adverse interactions between the adaptive controller and a proposed manual steering mode were investigated by giving the pilot trajectory deviation cues and pitch rate command authority. Two NASA research pilots flew a total of twenty five constant pitch-rate trajectories using a prototype manual steering mode with and without adaptive control.

  19. NASA Science Review of Next Planet-Hunting Mission Launch

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    NASA and science investigators from MIT participate in a science briefing for the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in the Press Site auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Padi Boyd, TESS Guest Investigator Program lead, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, answered questions during the briefing. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  20. NASA Science Review of Next Planet-Hunting Mission Launch

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    NASA and science investigators from MIT participate in a science briefing for the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in the Press Site auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Diana Dragomir, NASA Hubble Postdoctoral Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, answered questions during the briefing. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  1. NASA Science Review of Next Planet-Hunting Mission Launch

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    NASA and science investigators from MIT participate in a science briefing for the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in the Press Site auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Stephen Rinehart, TESS Project scientist, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, answered questions during the briefing. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  2. NASA Science Review of Next Planet-Hunting Mission Launch

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    NASA and science investigators from MIT participate in a science briefing for the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in the Press Site auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. George Ricker, TESS principal investigator, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, answered questions during the briefing. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  3. A Review of Global Learning & Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE)

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Executive Office of the President, 2010

    2010-01-01

    The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program is a worldwide, hands-on, primary and secondary school-based science and education program. GLOBE supports students, teachers, and scientists in collaborations using inquiry-based investigations of the environment and the earth system. GLOBE currently works in close…

  4. GLOBE-al Impact through Diversity Bootcamps and Student Research Symposia

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bourgeault, J.; Murphy, T.; Johnson, J.; Sparrow, E. B.; Czajkowski, K. P.; Herron, S.; Falcon, P.

    2016-12-01

    Inclusion, diversity, underrepresented groups, underserved populations...the key words and phrases that represent the students, we, as science education professionals, want to reach and encourage to enter the geoscience pipeline. Wanting to do this is one thing and having the skills to succeed is very different. It is also one that the GLOBE Program, an international science and education program, is working on as a community. GLOBE encourages students from around the world to participate in authentic scientific research of the Earth system. Students use scientific protocols to explore their local environments, compare their findings with other GLOBE schools both in the U.S. and in other participating countries, and then share their findings via the GLOBE.gov website. In the last year, two initiatives, six face-to-face Student Research Symposia and two diversity-focused GLOBE Partner Bootcamps, set the GLOBE community of Partners, teachers and students on the path to being able to address this challenge. This presentation will include the framework for the student research symposia, the barriers the leadership team faced when recruiting and getting students there and the lessons learned. Agendas for the GLOBE Partner Bootcamps will be shared to demonstrate how facilitators supplemented a standard GLOBE Partner workshop to model a more inclusive environment, along with future improvements to the format.

  5. Elementary GLOBE: Inquiring About the Earth System Through Elementary Student Investigations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Henderson, S.; Hatheway, B.; Gardiner, L.; Gallagher, S.

    2006-12-01

    Elementary GLOBE was designed to introduce K-4 students to the study of Earth System Science (ESS). Elementary GLOBE forms an instructional unit comprised of five modules that address ESS and interrelated subjects including weather, hydrology, seasons, and soils. Each Elementary GLOBE module contains a science based storybook, classroom learning activities that complement the science content covered in each book, and teacher's notes. The storybooks explore a component of the Earth system and the associated classroom learning activities provide students with a meaningful introduction to technology, a basic understanding of the methods of inquiry, and connection to math and literacy skills. The science content in the books and activities serves as a springboard to GLOBE's scientific protocols. All Elementary GLOBE materials are freely downloadable (www.globe.gov/elementaryglobe) The use of science storybooks with elementary students has proven to be an effective practice in exposing students to science content while providing opportunities for students to improve their reading, writing, and oral communication skills. The Elementary GLOBE storybooks portray kids asking questions about the natural world, doing science investigations, and exploring the world around them. Through the storybook characters, scientific inquiry is modeled for young learners. The associated learning activities provide opportunities for students to practice science inquiry and investigation skills, including observation, recording, measuring, etc. Students also gain exposure and increase their comfort with different tools that scientists use. The learning activities give students experiences with asking questions, conducting scientific investigations, and scientific journaling. Elementary GLOBE fills an important niche in K-4 instruction. The international GLOBE Program brings together students, teachers, and scientists with the basic goals of increasing scientific understanding of the Earth, supporting improved student achievement in science and math, and enhancing environmental awareness. NASA provides the primary source of funding for GLOBE.

  6. Pangaea, She No Spin

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McDowell, M.

    2002-12-01

    Looking at lopsided Pangaea, shown imaginatively on many illustrated proposals, I wondered what would happen if the configuration were put in high relief on a globe and spun on axis. Then I wondered if the present configuration of land masses would itself balance as a spinning top. So I got two Replogle globes, two boxes of colored modeling clay sticks, and two fat knitting needles, to fit through the capped holes at the poles of the globes. The clay sticks I cut up into 3 mm. (1/8") slices, using a different color for each continent, and applied to the first globe, assuming the extreme exaggeration above the geoid, no matter how crude, would tell the story. Inserting one needle through the globe and securing it, I balanced the globe on the point of the needle and twirled it like a top. Result: Wobbly! Top end of needle gyrated unevenly, and here it was supposed to make a smooth precessional cone. Oh boy. For the second globe, I used a Scotese "free stuff" interpretation of Pangaea, which I had to augment considerably using USGS, DuToit, Irving and other references, fitting it on the globe and applying identical clay color slices to what I judged generally accepted land surfaces. Result: the thing would hardly stand up, let alone spin. Conclusion: Although a refinement of application on the "today" globe might eliminate nutation, creating a smoother spin, there is no way any refinement of Pangaea on the same size globe can come close. While the concept of a supercontinent may be viable, I theorize that it had to have evolved on a far smaller globe, where land mass could balance, and the "breakup" would not have caused us to wildly gyrate on our axis. Because Pangaea, she no spin.

  7. The GLOBE Program 10 Years On: Challenges and Opportunities

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Blurton, C.

    2004-12-01

    The initiative for the GLOBE Program, a hands-on primary and secondary school-based Earth science and education program that unites students, teachers and scientists in study and research about the dynamics of the Earth's environment, was first announced on Earth Day, April 22, 1994, by then-Vice President Al Gore. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was designated as GLOBE's lead agency. Along with NOAA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided funding, and the Department of State, although not a funding agency, was involved in the development and implementation of the international aspects of the program. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Peace Corps have also provided support to GLOBE in other countries. GLOBE started up with just a few hundred schools and teachers but quickly grew over the years largely through the efforts of the growing number of International Partners and U.S. Partners such as universities, school districts and others. In December 2003, over 25,000 teachers in more than 14,500 schools in 105 countries had been trained to implement GLOBE in their classrooms. Students in those classrooms had contributed over 11,000,000 individual environmental measurements to the GLOBE database. In September 2002, NASA assumed lead U.S. federal agency responsibility for GLOBE and shortly thereafter issued a Cooperative Agreement Notice to solicit proposals to assume responsibility in assisting NASA in the management of the GLOBE Program, including both worldwide implementation and coordination in the U.S. A Cooperative Agreement between NASA and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) for the Program entitled: Inspiring the Next Generation of Explorers: The GLOBE Program (NCC5-735) was signed June 16, 2003. UCAR's partner in implementing GLOBE is Colorado State University (CSU). This session will examine what was accomplished during GLOBE's first 10 years as a Federal program, what challenges the Program faces, and what plans are afoot for GLOBE's next ten years under UCAR's leadership.

  8. First experience with the new .cern Top Level Domain

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alvarez, E.; Malo de Molina, M.; Salwerowicz, M.; Silva De Sousa, B.; Smith, T.; Wagner, A.

    2017-10-01

    In October 2015, CERN’s core website has been moved to a new address, http://home.cern, marking the launch of the brand new top-level domain .cern. In combination with a formal governance and registration policy, the IT infrastructure needed to be extended to accommodate the hosting of Web sites in this new top level domain. We will present the technical implementation in the framework of the CERN Web Services that allows to provide virtual hosting, a reverse proxy solution and that also includes the provisioning of SSL server certificates for secure communications.

  9. Program Development for Disadvantaged High-Ability Students

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kim, Mihyeon; Cross, Jennifer; Cross, Tracy

    2017-01-01

    Examining lessons learned through 4 years of experience of hosting Camp Launch, a university-based residential science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) enrichment program for low-income, high-ability, middle school students, this article explores components of the program and offers suggestions for implementing programs that serve…

  10. Mitochondrial genome sequencing reveals potential origins of the scabies mite Sarcoptes scabiei infesting two iconic Australian marsupials.

    PubMed

    Fraser, Tamieka A; Shao, Renfu; Fountain-Jones, Nicholas M; Charleston, Michael; Martin, Alynn; Whiteley, Pam; Holme, Roz; Carver, Scott; Polkinghorne, Adam

    2017-11-28

    Debilitating skin infestations caused by the mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, have a profound impact on human and animal health globally. In Australia, this impact is evident across different segments of Australian society, with a growing recognition that it can contribute to rapid declines of native Australian marsupials. Cross-host transmission has been suggested to play a significant role in the epidemiology and origin of mite infestations in different species but a chronic lack of genetic resources has made further inferences difficult. To investigate the origins and molecular epidemiology of S. scabiei in Australian wildlife, we sequenced the mitochondrial genomes of S. scabiei from diseased wombats (Vombatus ursinus) and koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) spanning New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, and compared them with the recently sequenced mitochondrial genome sequences of S. scabiei from humans. We found unique S. scabiei haplotypes among individual wombat and koala hosts with high sequence similarity (99.1% - 100%). Phylogenetic analysis of near full-length mitochondrial genomes revealed three clades of S. scabiei (one human and two marsupial), with no apparent geographic or host species pattern, suggestive of multiple introductions. The availability of additional mitochondrial gene sequences also enabled a re-evaluation of a range of putative molecular markers of S. scabiei, revealing that cox1 is the most informative gene for molecular epidemiological investigations. Utilising this gene target, we provide additional evidence to support cross-host transmission between different animal hosts. Our results suggest a history of parasite invasion through colonisation of Australia from hosts across the globe and the potential for cross-host transmission being a common feature of the epidemiology of this neglected pathogen. If this is the case, comparable patterns may exist elsewhere in the 'New World'. This work provides a basis for expanded molecular studies into mange epidemiology in humans and animals in Australia and other geographic regions.

  11. Parasite spread at the domestic animal - wildlife interface: anthropogenic habitat use, phylogeny and body mass drive risk of cat and dog flea (Ctenocephalides spp.) infestation in wild mammals.

    PubMed

    Clark, Nicholas J; Seddon, Jennifer M; Šlapeta, Jan; Wells, Konstans

    2018-01-08

    Spillover of parasites at the domestic animal - wildlife interface is a pervasive threat to animal health. Cat and dog fleas (Ctenocephalides felis and C. canis) are among the world's most invasive and economically important ectoparasites. Although both species are presumed to infest a diversity of host species across the globe, knowledge on their distributions in wildlife is poor. We built a global dataset of wild mammal host associations for cat and dog fleas, and used Bayesian hierarchical models to identify traits that predict wildlife infestation probability. We complemented this by calculating functional-phylogenetic host specificity to assess whether fleas are restricted to hosts with similar evolutionary histories, diet or habitat niches. Over 130 wildlife species have been found to harbour cat fleas, representing nearly 20% of all mammal species sampled for fleas. Phylogenetic models indicate cat fleas are capable of infesting a broad diversity of wild mammal species through ecological fitting. Those that use anthropogenic habitats are at highest risk. Dog fleas, by contrast, have been recorded in 31 mammal species that are primarily restricted to certain phylogenetic clades, including canids, felids and murids. Both flea species are commonly reported infesting mammals that are feral (free-roaming cats and dogs) or introduced (red foxes, black rats and brown rats), suggesting the breakdown of barriers between wildlife and invasive reservoir species will increase spillover at the domestic animal - wildlife interface. Our empirical evidence shows that cat fleas are incredibly host-generalist, likely exhibiting a host range that is among the broadest of all ectoparasites. Reducing wild species' contact rates with domestic animals across natural and anthropogenic habitats, together with mitigating impacts of invasive reservoir hosts, will be crucial for reducing invasive flea infestations in wild mammals.

  12. NASA/SpaceX TESS Rollout

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-16

    The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is ready to roll out to Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, with NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) secured in its payload fairing. TESS will launch on the Falcon 9 no earlier than 6:51 p.m. EDT on April 18. TESS will search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets.

  13. KSC-04PD-0774

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2004-01-01

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Florida Gov. Jeb Bush thanks KSC Director James W. Kennedy (right) for hosting the ceremony to launch the new Florida quarter at the KSC Visitor Complex. The backdrop is a map of the United States, illustrating the state quarters issued to date. Also on stage are, from left, U.S. Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Samuel W. Bodman, and NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. The quarter celebrates Florida as the gateway to discovery -- a destination for explorers in the past, a launch site for space explorers of the future, and an inviting place for visitors today.

  14. KSC-04pd0774

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2004-04-07

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Florida Gov. Jeb Bush thanks KSC Director James W. Kennedy (right) for hosting the ceremony to launch the new Florida quarter at the KSC Visitor Complex. The backdrop is a map of the United States, illustrating the state quarters issued to date. Also on stage are, from left, U.S. Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Samuel W. Bodman, and NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. The quarter celebrates Florida as the gateway to discovery -- a destination for explorers in the past, a launch site for space explorers of the future, and an inviting place for visitors today.

  15. Space Shuttle Projects

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1991-08-01

    The free-flying Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-E (TDRS-E), still attached to an Inertial Upper Stage (IUS), was photographed by one of the crewmembers during the STS-43 mission. The TDRS-E was boosted by the IUS into geosynchronous orbit and positioned to remain stationary 22,400 miles above the Pacific Ocean southwest of Hawaii. The TDRS system provides almost uninterrupted communications with Earth-orbiting Shuttles and satellites, and had replaced the intermittent coverage provided by globe-encircling ground tracking stations used during the early space program. The TDRS can transmit and receive data, and track a user spacecraft in a low Earth orbit. The IUS is an unmarned transportation system designed to ferry payloads from low Earth orbit to higher orbits that are unattainable by the Shuttle. The Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis for the STS-43 mission was launched on August 2, 1991.

  16. The Apollo Lightcraft Project

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1988-01-01

    The overall goal for this NASA/USRA-sponsored 'Apollo Lightcraft Project' is to develop a revolutionary launch vehicle technology that can reduce payload transport costs by a factor of 1000 below the Space Shuttle Orbiter. The RPI design team proposes to utilize advanced, highly energetic, beamed-energy sources (laser, microwave) and innovative combined-cycle (airbreathing/rocket) engines to accomplish this goal. This second year focused on systems integration and analysis of the 'Apollo Lightcraft'. This beam-powered, single-stage-to-orbit vehicle is envisioned as the globe-trotting family shuttlecraft of the 21st century. Detailed investigations of the Apollo Lightcraft Project during the second year of study helped evolve the propulsion system design, while focusing on the following areas: (1) man/machine interface; (2) flight control systems; (3) power beaming system architecture; (4) reentry aerodynamics; (5) shroud structural dynamics; and (6) optimal trajectory analysis.

  17. The Aerosonde Robotic Aircraft: A New Paradigm for Environmental Observations.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Holland, G. J.; Webster, P. J.; Curry, J. A.; Tyrell, G.; Gauntlett, D.; Brett, G.; Becker, J.; Hoag, R.; Vaglienti, W.

    2001-05-01

    The Aerosonde is a small robotic aircraft designed for highly flexible and inexpensive operations. Missions are conducted in a completely robotic mode, with the aircraft under the command of a ground controller who monitors the mission. Here we provide an update on the Aerosonde development and operations and expand on the vision for the future, including instrument payloads, observational strategies, and platform capabilities. The aircraft was conceived in 1992 and developed to operational status in 1995-98, after a period of early prototyping. Continuing field operations and development since 1998 have led to the Aerosonde Mark 3, with ~2000 flight hours completed. A defined development path through to 2002 will enable the aircraft to become increasingly more robust with increased flexibility in the range and type of operations that can be achieved. An Aerosonde global reconnaissance facility is being developed that consists of launch and recovery sites dispersed around the globe. The use of satellite communications and internet technology enables an operation in which all aircraft around the globe are under the command of a single center. During operation, users will receive data at their home institution in near-real time via the virtual field environment, allowing the user to update the mission through interaction with the global command center. Sophisticated applications of the Aerosonde will be enabled by the development of a variety of interchangeable instrument payloads and the operation of Smart Aerosonde Clusters that allow a cluster of Aerosondes to interact intelligently in response to the data being collected.

  18. KSC-2010-5372

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2010-10-30

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Attendees from the "LAUNCH: Health" forum participate in a news conference at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. From left, are NASA Public Affairs Officer David Steitz, Dr. Jeff Davis, the director of Space and Life Sciences at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Dave Ferguson, the director of Global Development Common for the U.S. Agency for International Development, and Mikkel Vestergaard, the president of Vestergaard Frandsen in Lausanne, Switzerland. During the two-day forum, 10 international participants showcased new innovations that could address health problems on Earth and in space. LAUNCH is a global initiative to identify and support innovative work that will contribute to a sustainable future. Through a series of forums focused on key challenge areas, including water, air, food, energy, mobility and sustainable cities, LAUNCH gives leaders an opportunity to present innovative ideas among peers and join in collaborative, solution-driven discussions. This is the second forum hosted at Kennedy. The first was "LAUNCH: Water" in March 2010. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

  19. A Teacher Professional Development Program for an Authentic Citizen-Science Program: GLOBE at Night

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Walker, C. E.; Pompea, S. M.; Sparks, R.

    2009-12-01

    An authentic science research program in the classroom can take many forms as can the teacher professional development that accompanies the programs. One different approach invites educators to invoke 21st century skills with their students while focusing on a real-world issue of both local and global concern. The citizen-science program on light pollution, GLOBE at Night, has students and the general public measure the darkness of their local skies and contribute observations online to a world map. They do this by looking toward Orion for the faintest stars and matching what they see to one of seven different star maps. (For more precise measurements, digital sky-brightness meters are used.) These measurements can be compared with data from the previous 4 years, as well as with satellite data, population densities, and electrical power-usage maps. Measurements can be examined online via Google Earth or other tools and are downloadable as datasets from the website. Data from multiple locations in one city or region are especially interesting, and have been used as the basis of research in a classroom or science fair project or even to inform the development of public policy. This year, GLOBE at Night has been expanding its role in training educators on fundamental concepts and data collection to include more data analysis for a topical variety of local projects. Many on-site workshops have and are being given to teachers in grades 5 through high school. Some of the U.S. school communities created mini-campaigns that combined local students with public advocates and representatives from local city and county governments, and also collaborated with students in Wales, Canada, Romania and north-central Chile (near major observatories). Internationally, training has been given via on-line forums, telecon-powerpoint presentations, videoconferencing via Skype, and blogs. Informal educators have come from national and international networks of science, technology and nature centers, as well as amateur astronomer associations. From these various experiences, we will discuss success stories and lessons learned as well as future plans for sustainability. This work was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Astronomy Division. GLOBE at Night is hosted by the National Optical Astronomy Observatory, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), Inc. under cooperative agreement with NSF.

  20. Regional forest land cover characterisation using medium spatial resolution satellite data

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Huang, Chengquan; Homer, Collin G.; Yang, Limin; Wulder, Michael A.; Franklin, Steven E.

    2003-01-01

    Increasing demands on forest resources require comprehensive, consistent and up-to-date information on those resources at spatial scales appropriate for management decision-making and for scientific analysis. While such information can be derived using coarse spatial resolution satellite data (e.g. Tucker et al. 1984; Zhu and Evans 1994; Cihlar et al. 1996; Cihlar et al., Chapter 12), many regional applications require more spatial and thematic details than can be derived by using coarse resolution imagery. High spatial resolution satellite data such as IKONOS and Quick Bird images (Aplin et al. 1997), though usable for deriving detailed forest information (Culvenor, Chapter 9), are currently not feasible for wall-to-wall regional applications because of extremely high data cost, huge data volume, and lack of contiguous coverage over large areas. Forest studies over large areas have often been accomplished using data acquired by intermediate spatial resolution sensor systems, including the Multi-Spectral Scanner (MSS), Thematic Mapper (TM) and the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) of Landsat, the High Resolution Visible (HRV) of the Systeme Pour l'Observation de la Terre (SPOT), and the Linear Image Self-Scanner (LISS) of the Indian Remote Sensing satellite. These sensor systems are more appropriate for regional applications because they can routinely produce spatially contiguous data over large areas at relatively low cost, and can be used to derive a host of forest attributes (e.g. Cohen et al. 1995; Kimes et al. 1999; Cohen et al. 2001; Huang et al. 2001; Sugumaran 2001). Of the above intermediate spatial resolution satellites, Landsat is perhaps the most widely used in various types of land remote sensing applications, in part because it has provided more extensive spatial and temporal coverage of the globe than any other intermediate resolution satellite. Spatially contiguous Landsat data have been developed for many regions of the globe (e.g. Lunetta and Sturdevant 1993; Fuller et al. 1994b; Skole et al. 1997), and a circa 1990 Landsat image data set covering the entire land area of the globe has also been developed recently (Jones and Smith 2001). An acquisition strategy aimed at acquiring at least one cloud free image per year for the entire land area of the globe has been initiated for Landsat-7 (Arvidson et al. 2001). This will probably ensure the continued dominance of Landsat in the near future.

  1. NASA Scientific Balloon Team Hopes to Break Flight Duration Record with New Zealand Launch

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-12-08

    After years of tests and development, NASA’s Balloon Program team is on the cusp of expanding the envelope in high-altitude, heavy-lift ballooning with its super pressure balloon (SPB) technology. NASA’s scientific balloon experts are in Wanaka, New Zealand, prepping for the fourth flight of an 18.8 million-cubic-foot (532,000 cubic-meter) balloon, with the ambitious goal of achieving an ultra-long-duration flight of up to 100 days at mid-latitudes. Launch of the pumpkin-shaped, football stadium-size balloon is scheduled for sometime after April 1, 2016, from Wanaka Airport, pending final checkouts and flight readiness of the balloon and supporting systems. Once launched, the SPB, which is made from 22-acres of polyethylene film – similar to a sandwich bag, but stronger and more durable – will ascend to a nearly constant float altitude of 110,000 feet (33.5 km). The balloon will travel eastward carrying a 2,260-pound (1,025 kg) payload consisting of tracking, communications and scientific instruments. NASA expects the SPB to circumnavigate the globe once every one to three weeks, depending on wind speeds in the stratosphere. Read more: go.nasa.gov/1p56xKR NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

  2. Eclipse project QF-106 and C-141A climbs out under tow on first tethered flight December 20, 1997

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1997-01-01

    TOW LAUNCH DEMONSTRATION - The Kelly Space & Technology (KST)/USAF/NASA Eclipse project's modified QF-106 climbs out under tow by a USAF C-141A on the project's first tethered flight on December 20, 1997. The successful 18-minute-long flight reached an altitude of 10,000 feet. NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, hosted the project, providing engineering and facility support as well as the project pilot. In 1997 and 1998, the Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, California, supported and hosted a Kelly Space & Technology, Inc. project called Eclipse, which sought to demonstrate the feasibility of a reusable tow-launch vehicle concept. The project goal was to successfully tow, inflight, a modified QF-106 delta-wing aircraft with an Air Force C-141A transport aircraft. This would demonstrate the possibility of towing and launching an actual launch vehicle from behind a tow plane. Dryden was the responsible test organization and had flight safety responsibility for the Eclipse project. Dryden provided engineering, instrumentation, simulation, modification, maintenance, range support, and research pilots for the test program. The Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC), Edwards, California, supplied the C-141A transport aircraft and crew and configured the aircraft as needed for the tests. The AFFTC also provided the concept and detail design and analysis as well as hardware for the tow system and QF-106 modifications. Dryden performed the modifications to convert the QF-106 drone into the piloted EXD-01 (Eclipse eXperimental Demonstrator-01) experimental aircraft. Kelly Space & Technology hoped to use the results gleaned from the tow test in developing a series of low-cost, reusable launch vehicles. These tests demonstrated the validity of towing a delta-wing aircraft having high wing loading, validated the tow simulation model, and demonstrated various operational procedures, such as ground processing of in-flight maneuvers and emergency abort scenarios.

  3. Raised Relief Mars Globe Brings the Red Planet Closer

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2006-01-01

    The Mars Globe 20x is the first digitally produced raised relief globe to be sold at retail establishments. The rises and dips of the Martian landscape have been multiplied by 20 to make the shapes more noticeable to human touch and sight. They make this globe, with its over 1 million elevation points, a visually stunning introduction to the planet. Spectrum 3D used the NASA digital land elevation data to aim lasers that then shaped and defined the master globe s surface. Subsequent copies were then made by creating a master globe mold. The molded copies are hand finished by workers who remove errant edges or lines that may appear on the raw globes and then paint the surfaces. The result is a globe that measures in at 18 inches in diameter, roughly 1:15,729,473 scale of the actual planet. The exaggerated raised relief is like having a 3-D digital microscope for planetary shapes. This makes the landmarks easier to learn and understand, as it provides easy visuals for orientation. People have a natural propensity for understanding 3-D shapes more easily than numbers or words. The 3-D globes appeal to both the kinetic and visual learning aspects of the brain, making it easy for people to readily memorize the landmarks and to make a mental model that they will remember for a long time.

  4. Using Digital Globes to Explore the Deep Sea and Advance Public Literacy in Earth System Science

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Beaulieu, Stace E.; Emery, Emery; Brickley, Annette; Spargo, Abbey; Patterson, Kathleen; Joyce, Katherine; Silva, Tim; Madin, Katherine

    2015-01-01

    Digital globes are new technologies increasingly used in informal and formal education to display global datasets and show connections among Earth systems. But how effective are digital globes in advancing public literacy in Earth system science? We addressed this question by developing new content for digital globes with the intent to educate and…

  5. Average Annual Rainfall over the Globe

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Agrawal, D. C.

    2013-01-01

    The atmospheric recycling of water is a very important phenomenon on the globe because it not only refreshes the water but it also redistributes it over land and oceans/rivers/lakes throughout the globe. This is made possible by the solar energy intercepted by the Earth. The half of the globe facing the Sun, on the average, intercepts 1.74 ×…

  6. HOST payload for STS-95 being moved into SSPF

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1998-01-01

    Workers watch as the Hubble Space Telescope Orbiting Systems Test (HOST)is lowered onto a workstand in the Space Shuttle Processing Facility. To the right can be seen the Rack Insertion Device and Leonardo, a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module. The HOST platform, one of the payloads on the STS-95 mission, is carrying four experiments to validate components planned for installation during the third Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission and to evaluate new technologies in an earth orbiting environment. The STS-95 mission is scheduled to launch Oct. 29. It will carry three other payloads: the Spartan solar-observing deployable spacecraft, the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker, and the SPACEHAB single module with experiments on space flight and the aging process.

  7. Bilateral Traumatic Globe Luxation with Optic Nerve Transection

    PubMed Central

    Tok, Levent; Tok, Ozlem Yalcin; Argun, Tugba Cakmak; Yilmaz, Omer; Gunes, Alime; Unlu, Elif Nisa; Sezer, Sezgin; Ibisoglu, Seda; Argun, Mehmet

    2014-01-01

    Purpose The purpose of this study was to document clinical findings and management of a patient with bilateral globe luxation and optic nerve transection. Materials and Methods A 25-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency department with bilateral traumatic globe luxation following a motor vehicle accident. Results Visual acuity testing showed no light perception. The right pupil was dilated and bilaterally did not react to light. The globes were bilaterally intact. A computed tomography scan revealed Le Fort type II fractures, bilateral optic nerve transection and disruption of all extraocular muscles. The globes of the patient were bilaterally reduced into the orbit. However, the patient developed phthisis bulbi in the right eye at month 3. Conclusion Globe luxation presents a dramatic clinical picture, and may lead to the development of severe complications due to the concomitance of complete optic nerve dissection and multiple traumas. Even if the luxated globe is repositioned into the orbit, there is still an increased risk of the development of phthisis due to ischemia. PMID:25606034

  8. Promoting La Cultura Hispana

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Pluviose, David

    2007-01-01

    Launched in 1985 at Arizona State University, the Hispanic Research Center's (HRC) efforts to promote Latino and Chicano art and issues have flourished in recent years. In 2004, the HRC hosted the Arizona International Latina/o Arts Festival in collaboration with the Mesa Southwest Museum. The HRC has also founded a mentoring institute for…

  9. AntiArthritis Therapies 2005.

    PubMed

    Braddock, Martin

    2005-04-01

    This meeting, hosted by Visiongain and B2B conferences, comprised approximately 35 delegates, predominantly from the pharmaceutical industry, and promoted interactive discussion. It covered a broad range of drug discovery and development activities, ranging from preclinical studies with compounds requiring further optimisation, through to launched drugs used in the treatment of arthritis today.

  10. Teacher Preparation with GLOBE and NASA Assets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Czajkowski, K. P.; Templin, M.; Struble, J.; Mierzwiak, S.; Hedley, M. L.; Padgett, D.

    2017-12-01

    The GLOBE Program has been a working with teachers and students for over 20 years. Pre-service education students can be a target audience as well. Mission EARTH is a NASA funded project through the NASA Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) from the Science Mission Directorate. A goal of Mission EARTH is to improve student understanding of Earth System Science and to engage the next generation of scientists and global citizens. This presentation will discuss Weather and Climate courses offered at both the University of Toledo and Tennessee State University for pre-service education students. Students engaged in atmospheric observations through the GLOBE protocols and developed research projects to study El Nino. Undergraduate students helped K-12 students take GLOBE observations as well by partnering with in-service GLOBE teachers affiliated with these GLOBE partnerships.

  11. Implementing GLOBE in the New York City Metropolitan Area: Trials, Errors, and Successes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ludman, A.; Schmidt, P.; Borman, G.

    2003-12-01

    The Queens College GLOBE NY Metro Partnership was created to introduce GLOBE to more than 1.5 million students in southern NY State and provide continuing support for their teachers. In our first 18 months, we have trained 185 teachers from 82 schools and will triple these numbers this year. Teachers and administrators are attracted to GLOBE by its scientific rigor, the authentic research it offers students, and its fit with NYS standards. They are also eager to interact with our science faculty. Early difficulties included problems with the "standard" 5-day GLOBE training format and misconceptions that protocols are not suitable for urban settings and that preparing for the NYS Regents exams leaves no room for GLOBE. We held information meetings for school districts and for Queens high schools before our first workshop. These identified the most committed schools, energetic teachers, and potential implementation problems. Creative participants at these meetings countered the misconceptions and suggested solutions to the problems better than any outsider could, and generated an atmosphere leading to nearly 100% recruitment. The following stratagems have worked well: a close working relationship with the NYC Dept of Education, BOCES, and other environmental educators; affiliations with government agencies and community environmental groups; two bribes (giving a GLOBE instrument kit and GPS unit to each school that we train and awarding graduate or professional development credits for GLOBE training); a user-friendly training format (an initial 3-day workshop followed by two optional days for hydrology and land use); lending seldom-used items (e.g. soil auger) when needed; building a sense of GLOBE community with a graduation "ceremony", local website (www.qc.edu/qcglobe) and newsletter, phone and email helplines, and annual pedagogy and student research conferences. We also urge that three teachers be trained from each school in order to build local GLOBE support systems. To stimulate data entry, one half-day during the 3-day workshop is devoted to exploring the GLOBE website, and another to generating student research problems using the site's advanced capabilities. Three "carrots" have also improved data submission: (1)a vendor gives a probe and software to the first school in each workshop that submits 250 data items, (2)individual competitiveness (the record is 22 hours from end of training to first submission of data), and (3)congratulatory emails to teachers when they submit their first data. The "stick": a threat to repossess the instruments if no data are submitted within 6 months. We also offer training in GLOBE-related skills, such as acquiring free satellite images and digital elevation data, and workshops on the geological and environmental settings of the NYC area. Suggestions from our teachers for the future include: urbanize protocols to better welcome inner city schools to GLOBE; add protocols involving flora and fauna to fit GLOBE better into Biology classes; develop more links with researchers so GLOBE participants feel they are making a real contribution; create a NYC area listserve so teachers can discuss common issues and concerns; and develop correlations between GLOBE protocols and NYS Curricula in Earth Science, Living Environment, Chemistry, and Physics. The last would vastly improve integration of GLOBE into these Regents-level courses. Our teacher trainees are vehement in their appreciation of GLOBE for its high standards and scientific rigor.

  12. GPM's Launch Vehicle Arrives at Tanegashima Space Center

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2014-02-20

    The launch vehicle for the Global Precipitation Measurement, or GPM, mission's Core Observatory arrived at Tanegashima Space Center, Japan, in the pre-dawn hours of Tuesday, Jan. 21, local time. Credits: NASA/Goddard/Warren Schultzaburger GPM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The Core Observatory will link data from a constellation of current and planned satellites to produce next-generation global measurements of rainfall and snowfall from space. The GPM mission is the first coordinated international satellite network to provide near real-time observations of rain and snow every three hours anywhere on the globe. The GPM Core Observatory anchors this network by providing observations on all types of precipitation. The observatory's data acts as the measuring stick by which partner observations can be combined into a unified data set. The data will be used by scientists to study climate change, freshwater resources, floods and droughts, and hurricane formation and tracking. Credit: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

  13. The International Lunar Decade: A Giant Leap Forward in Understanding the Moon and Opportunities for its Development

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Beldavs, Vid; Atvars, Aigars; Ubelis, Arnolds; Salmins, Kalvis; Crisafulli, Jim; Dunlop, David; Foing, Bernard

    2015-04-01

    In 1957 at the dawn of the space age the United Nations launched the International Geophysical Year which had a profound impact on collaboration among scientists around the globe. Its legacy includes several major scientific organizations as well as the beginnings of collaboration among nations that see themselves as competitors on Earth. The Soviet Union and the United States made many attempts at collaboration in space while building weapons systems to destroy each other. Space technologies have become the infrastructure for the ubiquitous smart phone with global telecommunications, navigation, weather forecasting, environmental monitoring, and hundreds of other applications. In 2015, the International Year of Light, several conferences will be held exploring the idea of an International Lunar Decade1 An informal group, the International Lunar Decade Working Group (ILDWG) has been formed to plan the launch of the International Lunar Decade in 2017, the 60th Anniversary of the International Geophysical Year. This report will cover the progress of the ILDWG covering conferences planned, international organizations involved and key publications. The activities of the ILDWG can be followed at http://2014giantleap.aerospacehawaii.info/. References [1] V. Beldavs, 2014 'The International Lunar Decade', The Space Review, http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2431/1

  14. Application of graph-based semi-supervised learning for development of cyber COP and network intrusion detection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Levchuk, Georgiy; Colonna-Romano, John; Eslami, Mohammed

    2017-05-01

    The United States increasingly relies on cyber-physical systems to conduct military and commercial operations. Attacks on these systems have increased dramatically around the globe. The attackers constantly change their methods, making state-of-the-art commercial and military intrusion detection systems ineffective. In this paper, we present a model to identify functional behavior of network devices from netflow traces. Our model includes two innovations. First, we define novel features for a host IP using detection of application graph patterns in IP's host graph constructed from 5-min aggregated packet flows. Second, we present the first application, to the best of our knowledge, of Graph Semi-Supervised Learning (GSSL) to the space of IP behavior classification. Using a cyber-attack dataset collected from NetFlow packet traces, we show that GSSL trained with only 20% of the data achieves higher attack detection rates than Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Naïve Bayes (NB) classifiers trained with 80% of data points. We also show how to improve detection quality by filtering out web browsing data, and conclude with discussion of future research directions.

  15. Assortative sociality, limited dispersal, infectious disease and the genesis of the global pattern of religion diversity

    PubMed Central

    Fincher, Corey L; Thornhill, Randy

    2008-01-01

    Why are religions far more numerous in the tropics compared with the temperate areas? We propose, as an answer, that more religions have emerged and are maintained in the tropics because, through localized coevolutionary races with hosts, infectious diseases select for three anticontagion behaviours: in-group assortative sociality; out-group avoidance; and limited dispersal. These behaviours, in turn, create intergroup boundaries that effectively fractionate, isolate and diversify an original culture leading to the genesis of two or more groups from one. Religion is one aspect of a group's culture that undergoes this process. If this argument is correct then, across the globe, religion diversity should correlate positively with infectious disease diversity, reflecting an evolutionary history of antagonistic coevolution between parasites and hosts and subsequent religion genesis. We present evidence that supports this model: for a global sample of traditional societies, societal range size is reduced in areas with more pathogens compared with areas with few pathogens, and in contemporary countries religion diversity is positively related to two measures of parasite stress. PMID:18664438

  16. KSC-2012-3323

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2012-06-12

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A panel session for participants in the International Space University's Space Studies Program 2012, or SSP, is held in the Operations Support Building II at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. From left are Pete Worden, director, NASA Ames Research Center Yvonne Pendleton, observational astronomer, NASA Ames Research Center Scott Hubbard, professor, Stanford University Bill Nye, CEO, The Planetary Society and George Tahu, NASA program executive, Planetary Science Division, NASA Headquarters. The Soffen Memorial Panel session provided the opportunity for participants to engage with today's leaders in the planetary science field. The panel session is named in honor of Gerald Soffen, NASA scientist and leader of NASA's Viking Mars mission. The nine-week intensive SSP course is designed for post-graduate university students and professionals during the summer. The program is hosted by a different country each year, providing a unique educational experience for participants from around the globe. NASA Kennedy Space Center and Florida Tech are co-hosting this year's event which runs from June 4 to Aug. 3. For more information about the International Space University, visit http://www.isunet.edu. Photo credit: NASA/Tim Jacobs

  17. STS-114: Discovery L-2 Countdown Status Briefing

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2005-01-01

    George Diller of NASA Public Affairs hosted this briefing. Pete Nickolenko, NASA Test Director; Scott Higgenbotham, STS-114 Payload-Mission Manager; Cathy Winters, Shuttle Weather Officer were present. Pete reports his team has completed the avionics system check ups, servicing of the cryogenic tanks will take about seven hours that day, and will perform engine system checks and pad close outs come evening. Pete also summarized other standard close out activities: check ups of the Orbiter and ground communications network, rotary service, structure retraction, and external tank load (ETL). Pete reported that the mission will be 12 days with two weather contingency days, and end of mission landing scheduled at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) at approximately 11:00 in the morning, Eastern time on July 25th. Scott briefly reported that all hardware is on board Discovery, closed out, and ready to fly. Cathy reported that hurricane Dennis moved to the North and looking forward to launch. She mentioned of a new hurricane looming and will be named Emily, spotted some crosswinds which will migrate to the west, there is 30% probability weather prohibiting launch. Cathy further gave current weather forecast supported with charts: the Launch Forecast, Tanking Forecast, SRB (Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster) Forecast, CONUS and TAL Launch Sites Forecast, and with 24 hours and 48 hours turn around plan. Launch constraints, weather, crosswinds, cloud cover, ground imagery system, launch countdown, launch crews, mission management simulations, launch team simulations were topics covered with the News Media.

  18. VRPI Temporal Progression of Closed Globe Injury from Blast Exposure

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-09-01

    significant increases in VEGF have been reported in many ocular disorders including diabetic retinopathy , diffuse macular edema, retinal vein...Open globe injury is often readily identifiable and typically undergoes urgent surgical repair. However, closed globe injury may not be detected ...including shrapnel or debris to the eye, is easily identified and rapidly treated. Closed globe trauma may not be detected right away, and little is

  19. KSC-07pd1527

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2007-06-16

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Smoke and dust rising from the ground of Space Launch Complex 36 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station signifies the destruction of the 209-foot-tall mobile service tower on Pad 39-A. The tower is one of two that were identified for demolition. The old towers are being toppled as part of the ongoing project to demolish the historic site to prevent corrosion from becoming a safety concern. A majority of the steel will be recycled and the rest will be taken to the landfill at CCAFS. Complex 36 was the birthplace of NASA's planetary launch program. It was built for the Atlas/Centaur development program and was operated under NASA's sponsorship until the late 1980s. Complex 36 hosted many historic missions over the years including Surveyor that landed on the moon and Mariner that orbited Mars and included one to Mercury. Two of the most historic launches were the Pioneer 10 and 11 space probes that were launched to Jupiter and are now outside of the solar system in interstellar space. Also, the historic Pioneer Venus spacecraft included an orbiter and a set of probes that were dispatched to the surface. While Launch Complex 36 is gone, the Atlas/Centaur rocket continues to be launched as the Atlas V from Complex 41. Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nahser

  20. KSC-07pd1522

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2007-06-16

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The destruction of the 209-foot-tall mobile service tower on Pad 39-B at Space Launch Complex 36 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station kicks up a wall of dust. The tower is one of two that were identified for demolition. The old towers are being toppled as part of the ongoing project to demolish the historic site to prevent corrosion from becoming a safety concern. A majority of the steel will be recycled and the rest will be taken to the landfill at CCAFS. Complex 36 was the birthplace of NASA's planetary launch program. It was built for the Atlas/Centaur development program and was operated under NASA's sponsorship until the late 1980s. Complex 36 hosted many historic missions over the years including Surveyor that landed on the moon and Mariner that orbited Mars and included one to Mercury. Two of the most historic launches were the Pioneer 10 and 11 space probes that were launched to Jupiter and are now outside of the solar system in interstellar space. Also, the historic Pioneer Venus spacecraft included an orbiter and a set of probes that were dispatched to the surface. While Launch Complex 36 is gone, the Atlas/Centaur rocket continues to be launched as the Atlas V from Complex 41. Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nahser

  1. KSC-07pd1525

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2007-06-16

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The 209-foot-tall mobile service tower on Pad 39-A of Space Launch Complex 36 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station careens to the left after 122 pounds of explosives eliminated the base. The tower is one of two that were identified for demolition. The old towers are being toppled as part of the ongoing project to demolish the historic site to prevent corrosion from becoming a safety concern. A majority of the steel will be recycled and the rest will be taken to the landfill at CCAFS. Complex 36 was the birthplace of NASA's planetary launch program. It was built for the Atlas/Centaur development program and was operated under NASA's sponsorship until the late 1980s. Complex 36 hosted many historic missions over the years including Surveyor that landed on the moon and Mariner that orbited Mars and included one to Mercury. Two of the most historic launches were the Pioneer 10 and 11 space probes that were launched to Jupiter and are now outside of the solar system in interstellar space. Also, the historic Pioneer Venus spacecraft included an orbiter and a set of probes that were dispatched to the surface. While Launch Complex 36 is gone, the Atlas/Centaur rocket continues to be launched as the Atlas V from Complex 41. Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nahser

  2. KSC-07pd1521

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2007-06-16

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At Space Launch Complex 36 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the 209-foot-tall mobile service tower on Pad 36-B crashes to the ground. It is one of two that were identified for demolition. The old towers are being toppled as part of the ongoing project to demolish the historic site to prevent corrosion from becoming a safety concern. A majority of the steel will be recycled and the rest will be taken to the landfill at CCAFS. Complex 36 was the birthplace of NASA's planetary launch program. It was built for the Atlas/Centaur development program and was operated under NASA's sponsorship until the late 1980s. Complex 36 hosted many historic missions over the years including Surveyor that landed on the moon and Mariner that orbited Mars and included one to Mercury. Two of the most historic launches were the Pioneer 10 and 11 space probes that were launched to Jupiter and are now outside of the solar system in interstellar space. Also, the historic Pioneer Venus spacecraft included an orbiter and a set of probes that were dispatched to the surface. While Launch Complex 36 is gone, the Atlas/Centaur rocket continues to be launched as the Atlas V from Complex 41. Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nahser

  3. KSC-07pd1523

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2007-06-16

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- After the dust settles at Space Launch Complex 36 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the ruins of the 209-foot-tall mobile service tower on Pad 39-B are visible. The tower is one of two that were identified for demolition. The old towers are being toppled as part of the ongoing project to demolish the historic site to prevent corrosion from becoming a safety concern. A majority of the steel will be recycled and the rest will be taken to the landfill at CCAFS. Complex 36 was the birthplace of NASA's planetary launch program. It was built for the Atlas/Centaur development program and was operated under NASA's sponsorship until the late 1980s. Complex 36 hosted many historic missions over the years including Surveyor that landed on the moon and Mariner that orbited Mars and included one to Mercury. Two of the most historic launches were the Pioneer 10 and 11 space probes that were launched to Jupiter and are now outside of the solar system in interstellar space. Also, the historic Pioneer Venus spacecraft included an orbiter and a set of probes that were dispatched to the surface. While Launch Complex 36 is gone, the Atlas/Centaur rocket continues to be launched as the Atlas V from Complex 41. Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nahser

  4. KSC-07pd1526

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2007-06-16

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Smoke and dust rising from the ground of Space Launch Complex 36 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station signifies the destruction of the 209-foot-tall mobile service tower on Pad 39-A. The tower is one of two that were identified for demolition. The old towers are being toppled as part of the ongoing project to demolish the historic site to prevent corrosion from becoming a safety concern. A majority of the steel will be recycled and the rest will be taken to the landfill at CCAFS. Complex 36 was the birthplace of NASA's planetary launch program. It was built for the Atlas/Centaur development program and was operated under NASA's sponsorship until the late 1980s. Complex 36 hosted many historic missions over the years including Surveyor that landed on the moon and Mariner that orbited Mars and included one to Mercury. Two of the most historic launches were the Pioneer 10 and 11 space probes that were launched to Jupiter and are now outside of the solar system in interstellar space. Also, the historic Pioneer Venus spacecraft included an orbiter and a set of probes that were dispatched to the surface. While Launch Complex 36 is gone, the Atlas/Centaur rocket continues to be launched as the Atlas V from Complex 41. Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nahser

  5. NASA Social Briefing on Planet-Hunting Mission Launch

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    NASA and industry leaders speak to NASA Social participants about the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in the Press Site auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Speaking to the group, from left are Tom Barclay, TESS scientist, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, and Jenn Burt, Torres Postdoctoral Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  6. NASA Social Briefing on Planet-Hunting Mission Launch

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    NASA and industry leaders speak to NASA Social participants about the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in the Press Site auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Speaking to the group from left are Tom Barclay, TESS scientist, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, and Jenn Burt, Torres Postdoctoral Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  7. NASA Social Briefing on Planet-Hunting Mission Launch

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    NASA and industry leaders speak to NASA Social participants about the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in the Press Site auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Speaking to the group, from left are Natalia Guerrero, TESS researcher, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Robert Lockwood, TESS Spacecraft Program Manager, Orbital ATK. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  8. Partnering Students, Scientists, and the Local Community in a Regionally-focused Field Campaign

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McLaughlin, J. W.; Lemone, M. A.; Seavey, M. M.; Washburne, J. C.

    2006-05-01

    The GLOBE Program (www.globe.gov) involves students and scientists in a worldwide environmental data collection effort. The GLOBE ONE field campaign (www.globe.gov/globeone) represents a model for a focused implementation of GLOBE via a geographically-specific project. The campaign, which occurred in Black Hawk County, Iowa from February 2004 to February 2006, was developed by GLOBE Principal Investigators (PIs), the GLOBE Program Office, and GLOBE Iowa. The central scientific objective was to compare quantitatively the environmental effects of various soil tillage techniques. In addition, student research projects were supported that spanned a variety of Earth science topics. The campaign established a partnership between students and scientists to collect a structured, multidisciplinary data set and also increase GLOBE visibility. The fact that GLOBE ONE occurred in a focused geographic area made it necessary to form a network for local support. This started with choosing an active GLOBE partner, namely the Iowa Academy of Science, who had the ability to oversee the local implementation of such a project. Once this partner was chosen, additional local groups needed to be recruited to support the project. The local network included K-12 schools, the County Conservation Board, the University of Northern Iowa, Hawkeye Community College, and community volunteers. This network collected data via automated instrumentation, first-hand observations, and through special events organized with a focus on a specific measurement. The first major step in supporting student research was a teacher training workshop held in March of 2006 that helped to provide tools for, and increase comfort levels with, promoting scientific inquiry in the classroom. Student-scientists interactions were promoted via scientist visits, video conferences, letters, and email exchanges. The culminating event was a Student Research Symposium held in February 2006 which gave students and scientists a chance to share their research efforts.

  9. Infectious diseases - new and ancient threats to world health.

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Olshansky, S. J.; Carnes, B.; Rogers, R. G.

    1997-07-01

    When smallpox was eradicated from the globe in the late 1970s, many health experts assumed that infectious and parasitic diseases (IPDs) could at long last be conquered. Death rates from infectious and parasitic diseases had declined during the late 19th century and throughout the 20th century thanks to better public health and sanitation as well as medical advances made possible by economic development. During this period, scientists discovered the germ theory of disease, identified the epidemiology and natural history of many infectious diseases, and created a host of potent antibiotic drugs that helped save millions of lives. Medical researchers learnedmore » to identify and cultivate viruses, which led to vaccines for increasing numbers of diseases.« less

  10. Launch Vehicles

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2007-09-09

    Under the goals of the Vision for Space Exploration, Ares I is a chief component of the cost-effective space transportation infrastructure being developed by NASA's Constellation Program. This transportation system will safely and reliably carry human explorers back to the moon, and then onward to Mars and other destinations in the solar system. Launch Pad 39B of the Kennedy Space Flight Center (KSC), currently used for Space Shuttle launches, will be revised to host the Ares launch vehicles. The fixed and rotating service structures standing at the pad will be dismantled sometime after the Ares I-X test flight. A new launch tower for Ares I will be built onto a new mobile launch platform. The gantry for the shuttle doesn't reach much higher than the top of the four segments of the solid rocket booster. Pad access above the current shuttle launch pad structure will not be required for Ares I-X because the stages above the solid rocket booster are inert. For the test scheduled in 2012 or for the crewed flights, workers and astronauts will need access to the highest levels of the rocket and capsule. When the Ares I rocket rolls out to the launch pad on the back of the same crawler-transporters used now, its launch gantry will be with it. The mobile launchers will nestle under three lightning protection towers to be erected around the pad area. Ares time at the launch pad will be significantly less than the three weeks or more the shuttle requires. This “clean pad” approach minimizes equipment and servicing at the launch pad. It is the same plan NASA used with the Saturn V rockets and industry employs it with more modern launchers. The launch pad will also get a new emergency escape system for astronauts, one that looks very much like a roller coaster. Cars riding on a rail will replace the familiar baskets hanging from steel cables. This artist's concept illustrates the Ares I on launch pad 39B.

  11. Anatomic features of the cetacean globe.

    PubMed

    Miller, Sarah; Samuelson, Don; Dubielzig, Richard

    2013-07-01

    To provide measurements of globe dimensions and describe morphological characteristics of the cetacean globe with an emphasis on Bowman's layer and encapsulated sensory corpuscles (ESC) for available cetacean species. Cetacean globes housed at the Comparative Ocular Pathology Laboratory of Wisconsin from various odontocete and two mysticete species. Measurements were taken from formalin fixed globes and images of formalin fixed globes with embedded rulers. Histological sections of globes were used to count ESC and measure Bowman's layer. The horizontal diameter of the globe was longer than the vertical diameter. The posterior sclera was thick, causing the internal axial length (and therefore the optical axis) to be shorter than the vertical diameter. The cornea was composed of an epithelium, Bowman's layer, collagenous stroma, thin Descemet's membrane and endothelial layer. Bowman's layer was present in all specimens except one Kogia breviceps. The thickness was variable, with the acellular layer thickest in Tursiops truncatus and thinnest in Kogia sp. The iris was well vascularized and muscled while the ciliary body lacked musculature, but retained vasculature. Single and clustered ESC were found in the anterior uvea, sclera surrounding the anterior uvea, trabecular meshwork, or some combination of these locations. They were often regionally grouped and varied from 0 to 21. There were three species where no ESC were found, L. borealis, D. capensis, and S. bredanensis, but the presence of these corpuscles cannot be ruled as only one section of the globe was analyzed. © 2013 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

  12. Tablet and Face-to-Face Hybrid Professional Development: Providing Earth Systems Science Educators Authentic Research Opportunities through The GLOBE Program at Purdue University

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wegner, K.; Branch, B. D.; Smith, S. C.

    2013-12-01

    The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program is a worldwide hands-on, primary and secondary school-based science and education program (www.globe.gov). GLOBE's vision promotes and supports students, teachers and scientists to collaborate on inquiry-based authentic science investigations of the environment and the Earth system working in close partnership with NASA, NOAA and NSF Earth System Science Projects (ESSP's) in study and research about the dynamics of Earth's environment. GLOBE Partners conduct face-to-face Professional Development in more than 110 countries, providing authentic scientific research experience in five investigation areas: atmosphere, earth as a system, hydrology, land cover, and soil. This presentation will provide a sample for a new framework of Professional Development that was implemented in July 2013 at Purdue University lead by Mr. Steven Smith who has tested GLOBE training materials for future training. The presentation will demonstrate how institutions can provide educators authentic scientific research opportunities through various components, including: - Carrying out authentic research investigations - Learning how to enter their authentic research data into the GLOBE database and visualize it on the GLOBE website - Learn how to access to NASA's Earth System Science resources via GLOBE's new online 'e-Training Program' - Exploring the connections of their soil protocol measurements and the history of the soil in their area through iPad soils app - LIDAR data exposure, Hydrology data exposure

  13. The GLOBAL Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Data Visualization and Retrieval System. Building a robust system for scientists and students.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Overoye, D.; Lewis, C.; Butler, D. M.; Andersen, T. J.

    2016-12-01

    The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program is a worldwide hands-on, primary and secondary school-based science and education program founded on Earth Day 1995. Implemented in 117 countries, GLOBE promotes the teaching and learning of science, supporting students, teachers and scientists worldwide to collaborate with each other on inquiry-based investigations of the Earth system. The GLOBE Data Information System (DIS) currently supports users with the ability to enter data from over 50 different science protocols. GLOBE's Data Access and Visualization tools have been developed to accommodate the need to display and retrieve data from this large number of protocols. The community of users is also diverse, including NASA scientists, citizen scientists and grade school students. The challenge for GLOBE is to meet the needs from this diverse set of users with protocol specific displays that are simple enough for a GLOBE school to use, but also provide enough features for a NASA Scientist to retrieve data sets they are interested in. During the last 3 years, the GLOBE visualization system has evolved to meet the needs of these various users, leveraging user feedback and technological advances. Further refinements and enhancements continue. In this session we review the design and capabilities of the GLOBE visualization and data retrieval tool set, discuss the evolution of these tools, and discuss coming directions.

  14. Science Preparations for the Orbiting Carbon Observatory - 2 (OCO-2) Launch

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gunson, M. R.; Crisp, D.; Eldering, A.

    2013-12-01

    The Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) is the first NASA satellite designed to collect the measurements needed measure atmospheric CO2 with the precision, resolution, and coverage needed to identify and quantify atmospheric sources and sinks on regional scales over the globe. OCO-2 is currently scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 3 AM 1 July 2014. After a series of maneuvers, OCO-2 will be inserted at the head of the 705-km Afternoon Constellation (A-Train), about 6 minutes ahead of the GCOM-W1 satellite. OCO-2 will fly along a ground track that is displaced 217.3 km to the east of the World Reference System-2 (WRS-2) track followed by the NASA Aqua platform, such that it overflies the ground footprints of the CloudSat radar and the CALIPSO lidar. The OCO-2 spacecraft carries a single instrument that incorporates three, high-resolution, imaging spectrometers designed to measure the absorption of reflected sunlight by CO2 and O2. This instrument will collect about 1,000,000 soundings over the sunlit hemisphere each day. Rigorous instrument characterization has been completed to verify that it will meet requirements for sensitivity, with a high signal to noise ratio, large dynamic range, over a small sounding footprint (< 3 km2) that will enable OCO-2 to determine CO2 concentrations at regional scales with better that 1 ppm uncertainty. These capabilities have been incorporated into the main data processing and retrieval software for testing. This paper will describe pre-launch plans for testing both based on simulations and with the continuing data stream from the Japanese GOSAT instrument. We describe post-launch plans to further down-select the 1,000,000 soundings to those for immediate processing, user help in data quality assessment, and the schedule for data release to the science community.

  15. The Orbiting Carbon Observatory - 2 (OCO-2) Mission and Preparation for 2014 Launch

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Eldering, Annmarie; Gunson, Michael; Crisp, David

    2014-05-01

    The Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) is the first NASA satellite designed to collect the measurements needed measure atmospheric CO2 with the precision, resolution, and coverage needed to identify and quantify atmospheric sources and sinks on regional scales over the globe. OCO-2 is currently scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 3 AM 1 July 2014. After a series of maneuvers, OCO-2 will be inserted at the head of the 705-km Afternoon Constellation (A-Train), about 6 minutes ahead of the GCOM-W1 satellite. OCO-2 will fly along a ground track that is displaced 217.3 km to the east of the World Reference System-2 (WRS-2) track followed by the NASA Aqua platform, such that it overflies the ground footprints of the CloudSat radar and the CALIPSO lidar. The OCO-2 spacecraft carries a single instrument that incorporates three, high-resolution, imaging spectrometers designed to measure the absorption of reflected sunlight by CO2 and O2. This instrument will collect about 1,000,000 soundings over the sunlit hemisphere each day. Rigorous instrument characterization has been completed to verify that it will meet requirements for sensitivity, with a high signal to noise ratio, large dynamic range, over a small sounding footprint (< 3 km2) that will enable OCO-2 to determine CO2 concentrations at regional scales with better that 1 ppm uncertainty. These capabilities have been incorporated into the main data processing and retrieval software for testing. This paper will describe pre-launch plans for testing both based on simulations and with the continuing data stream from the Japanese GOSAT instrument. We describe post-launch plans to further down-select the 1,000,000 soundings to those for immediate processing, user help in data quality assessment, and the schedule for data release to the science community.

  16. Leveraging Commercial Communication Satellites to support the Space Situational

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Deaver, T.

    The majority of USSTRATCOM detect and track requirements in the geosynchronous regime could be met via strategic placement of medium grade optical sensors on select geosynchronous satellites at relatively low cost in less than 48 months. An architecture which includes hosting SSA sensors on eight to ten commercial communication satellites could provide for highly accurate, timely and relatively inexpensive detect and track capabilities. The major factors considered when hosting any sensor on a commercial communications satellite are size, weight (mass) and power or SWAP. Additional sensor specific items must also be considered to form a complete feasibility analysis. These include data rate, mounting constraints, thermal balance, timing accuracy, and attitude stability requirements. All of these factors directly impact the cost and flexibility of hosting such a sensor on a geosynchronous communication satellite. By choosing a relatively light weight, low power consumption sensor which requires a small amount of bandwidth to transmit its data, the cost of hosting the sensor is kept to a minimum. Once the type of sensor or sensors is identified, the next step is to identify idea geosynchronous locations for the "hosted" sensors. Once these locations are identified, then one would identify a potential host which needs to be replaced within the desired timeframe. Once the host is identified, then the satellite owner / operator should be approached about hosting a "neighborhood" watch sensor aboard their spacecraft. Commercial satellites are routinely replaced based on age, lack of available station keeping fuel or to allow a service provider to upgrade its capabilities. Each commercial communication satellite operator maintains a plan of replacing spacecraft. Between the two largest commercial SATCOM providers, INTELSAT and SES, six to eight spacecraft will be replaced each year (100 plus spacecraft with 15 year average lifetimes). The satellites are usually procured, designed, built, launched and operational within 36 months. In order for the US Government to adapt to this timeline, a sensor specification would need to be established as well as a sensor procurement pipeline. The sensors would then be provided to the satellite bus manufacturer for integration onto the bus. The spacecraft would then be launched and operated by the commercial SATCOM operator for the life of the spacecraft. Based on this approach, it is highly conceivable that a complete geosynchronous "neighborhood" watch program could be completed within 48 months of initiation.

  17. KSC-98pc1039

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1998-09-04

    Workers watch as the Hubble Space Telescope Orbiting Systems Test (HOST)is moved inside the Space Shuttle Processing Facility. The HOST platform, one of the payloads on the STS-95 mission, is carrying four experiments to validate components planned for installation during the third Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission and to evaluate new technologies in an earth orbiting environment. The STS-95 mission is scheduled to launch Oct. 29. It will carry three other payloads: the Spartan solar-observing deployable spacecraft, the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker, and the SPACEHAB single module with experiments on space flight and the aging process

  18. KSC-98pc1037

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1998-09-04

    The Hubble Space Telescope Orbiting Systems Test (HOST)is being raised to a workstand by technicians in the Space Shuttle Processing Facility. One of the payloads on the STS-95 mission, the HOST platform is carrying four experiments to validate components planned for installation during the third Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission and to evaluate new technologies in an earth orbiting environment. The STS-95 mission is scheduled to launch Oct. 29. It will carry three other payloads: the Spartan solar-observing deployable spacecraft, the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker, and the SPACEHAB single module with experiments on space flight and the aging process

  19. KSC-98pc1137

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1998-09-23

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Hubble Space Telescope Orbiting Systems Test (HOST) is suspended above its work stand in the Space Station Processing Facility before moving it to its payload canister. The HOST platform is carrying four experiments to validate components planned for installation during the third Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission and to evaluate new technologies in an Earth-orbiting environment. The STS-95 mission is scheduled to launch Oct. 29. It will carry other payloads such as the Spartan solar-observing deployable spacecraft, the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker (IEH-3), and the SPACEHAB single module with experiments on space flight and the aging process

  20. KSC-98pc1036

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1998-09-04

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Hubble Space Telescope Orbiting Systems Test (HOST) is checked out by technicians in the Space Shuttle Processing Facility. One of the payloads on the STS-95 mission, the HOST platform is carrying four experiments to validate components planned for installation during the third Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission and to evaluate new technologies in an earth orbiting environment. The STS-95 mission is scheduled to launch Oct. 29. It will carry three other payloads: the Spartan solar-observing deployable spacecraft, the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker, and the SPACEHAB single module with experiments on space flight and the aging process

  1. Leaf polyphenol profile and SSR-based fingerprinting of new segregant Cynara cardunculus genotypes

    PubMed Central

    Pandino, Gaetano; Lombardo, Sara; Moglia, Andrea; Portis, Ezio; Lanteri, Sergio; Mauromicale, Giovanni

    2015-01-01

    The dietary value of many plant polyphenols lies in the protection given against degenerative pathologies. Their in planta role is associated with the host's defense response against biotic and abiotic stress. The polyphenol content of a given plant tissue is strongly influenced by the growing environment, but is also genetically determined. Plants belonging to the Cynara cardunculus species (globe artichoke and the cultivated and wild cardoon) accumulate substantial quantities of polyphenols mainly mono and di-caffeoylquinic acid (CQA) in their foliage. Transgressive segregation for CQA content in an F1 population bred from a cross between a globe artichoke and a cultivated cardoon led to the selection of eight segregants which accumulated more CQA in their leaves than did those of either of their parental genotypes. The selections were grown over two seasons to assess their polyphenol profile (CQAs, apigenin and luteolin derivatives and narirutin), and were also fingerprinted using a set of 217 microsatellite markers. The growing environment exerted a strong effect on polyphenol content, but two of the selections were able to accumulate up to an order of magnitude more CQA than either parent in both growing seasons. Since the species is readily vegetatively propagable, such genotypes can be straightforwardly exploited as a source of pharmaceutically valuable compounds, while their SSR-based fingerprinting will allow the genetic identity of clonally propagated material to be easily verified. PMID:25653660

  2. Development of an Anatomically Accurate Finite Element Human Ocular Globe Model for Blast-Related Fluid-Structure Interaction Studies

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-02-01

    ARL-TR-7945 ● FEB 2017 US Army Research Laboratory Development of an Anatomically Accurate Finite Element Human Ocular Globe...ARL-TR-7945 ● FEB 2017 US Army Research Laboratory Development of an Anatomically Accurate Finite Element Human Ocular Globe Model... Finite Element Human Ocular Globe Model for Blast-Related Fluid-Structure Interaction Studies 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM

  3. Modeling the wet bulb globe temperature using standard meteorological measurements.

    PubMed

    Liljegren, James C; Carhart, Richard A; Lawday, Philip; Tschopp, Stephen; Sharp, Robert

    2008-10-01

    The U.S. Army has a need for continuous, accurate estimates of the wet bulb globe temperature to protect soldiers and civilian workers from heat-related injuries, including those involved in the storage and destruction of aging chemical munitions at depots across the United States. At these depots, workers must don protective clothing that increases their risk of heat-related injury. Because of the difficulty in making continuous, accurate measurements of wet bulb globe temperature outdoors, the authors have developed a model of the wet bulb globe temperature that relies only on standard meteorological data available at each storage depot for input. The model is composed of separate submodels of the natural wet bulb and globe temperatures that are based on fundamental principles of heat and mass transfer, has no site-dependent parameters, and achieves an accuracy of better than 1 degree C based on comparisons with wet bulb globe temperature measurements at all depots.

  4. Why Major Programs Need Innovation Support Labs: An Example from the Space Shuttle Launch Program at KSC

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Youngquist, Robert C.; Starr, Stanley O.; Stevenson, G.; Rivera, Jorge E.; Sullivan, Steven J.

    2011-01-01

    For over 30 years the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) has processed the Space Shuttle; handling all hands-on aspects from receiving the Orbiter, External Tanks, Solid Rocket Booster Segments, and Payloads, through certification, check-out, and assembly, and ending with fueling, count-down, and launch. A team of thousands have worked this highly complicated, yet supremely organized, process and have, as a consequence, generated an exceptional amount of technology to solve a host of problems. This paper describes the contributions of one team that formed with the express purpose to help solve some of these diverse Shuttle ground processing problems.

  5. SpaceX CRS-14 What's On Board Science Briefing

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-01

    Rich Boling, vice president for corporate advancement at Techshot Inc., discusses the Multi-purpose Variable-g Platform, developed, owned and operated by Techshot. The new test bed will be able to host six separate experiment modules with samples such as plants, cells, protein crystals and fruit flies. The test bed is one of the scientific investigations that will be aboard a Dragon spacecraft scheduled for liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 40 at 4:30 p.m. EST, on April 2, 2018. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the company's 14th Commercial Resupply Services mission to the space station.

  6. SpaceX CRS-14 What's On Board Science Briefing

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-01

    Sharmila Bhattacharya, a senior scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center, discusses the Multi-purpose Variable-g Platform, developed, owned and operated by Techshot. The new test bed will be able to host six separate experiment modules with samples such as plants, cells, protein crystals and fruit flies. The test bed is one of the scientific investigations that will be aboard a Dragon spacecraft scheduled for liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 40 at 4:30 p.m. EST, on April 2, 2018. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the company's 14th Commercial Resupply Services mission to the space station.

  7. NASA TESS Prelaunch News Conference

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    In Kennedy Space Center's Press Site auditorium, members of the media participate in a mission briefing on NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Josh Finch, NASA Communications, moderates the briefing. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  8. A Balancing Act: Interpreting Tragedy at the 9/11 Memorial Museum

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Rauch, Noah

    2018-01-01

    The 9/11 Memorial Museum's docent program offers visitors artifact-based entry-points into a difficult, emotional history. The program's launch raised a host of questions, many centered on how to balance and convey strongly held, often traumatic, and sometimes conflicting experiences with a newly constructed institutional narrative. This article…

  9. The Ed Media Center: A Second Life Professional Development Model for Relational Aesthetics

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Julian, June; Crooks, Julian Glynn

    2014-01-01

    The Ed Media Center in Second Life provides multiple professional development opportunities for art educators to explore the educational potential of virtual worlds together. Since it's launch in 2009, it has hosted numerous events that address contemporary students' learning preferences and that enable artists and art educators to become…

  10. Detailed Globes Enhance Education and Recreation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2007-01-01

    Orbis World Globes creates inflatable globes-Earthballs-in many sizes that depict Earth as it is seen from space, complete with atmospheric cloud cover. Orbis designs and produces the most visually authentic replicas of Earth ever created, and NASA took notice of Orbis globes and employed a 16-inch diameter EarthBall for an educational film it made aboard the STS-45 shuttle mission. Orbis later collaborated with NASA to create two 16-foot diameter world globes for display at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, using more detailed satellite imagery. The satellite image now printed on all Orbis globes displays 1-kilometer resolution and is 21,600 by 43,200 pixels in size, and Orbis globes are otherwise meteorologically accurate, though the cloud cover has been slightly reduced in order for most of the landforms to be visible. Orbis also developed the exclusive NightGlow Cities feature, enabling EarthBalls to display the world's cities as they appear as the Earth revolves from daylight into night. Orbis inflatable globes are available in sizes from 1 to 100 feet in diameter, with the most common being the standard 16-inch and 1-meter diameter EarthBalls. Applications include educational uses from preschools to universities, games, and for a variety of display purposes at conferences, trade shows, festivals, concerts, and parades. A 16-foot diameter Orbis globe was exhibited at the United Nations' World Urban Forum, in Vancouver, Canada; the Space 2006 conference, in San Jose, California; and the X-Prize Cup Personal Spaceflight Exposition in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

  11. A Multi-year Search for Transits of Proxima Centauri. I. Light Curves Corresponding to Published Ephemerides

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Blank, David L.; Feliz, Dax; Collins, Karen A.; White, Graeme L.; Stassun, Keivan G.; Curtis, Ivan A.; Hart, Rhodes; Kielkopf, John F.; Nelson, Peter; Relles, Howard; Stockdale, Christopher; Jayawardene, Bandupriya; Pennypacker, Carlton R.; Shankland, Paul; Reichart, Daniel E.; Haislip, Joshua B.; Kouprianov, Vladimir V.

    2018-06-01

    Proxima Centauri has become the subject of intense study since the radial-velocity (RV) discovery by Anglada-Escudé et al. of a planet orbiting this nearby M dwarf every ∼11.2 days. If Proxima Centauri b transits its host star, independent confirmation of its existence is possible, and its mass and radius can be measured in units of the stellar host mass and radius. To date, there have been three independent claims of possible transit-like event detections in light curve observations obtained by the MOST satellite (in 2014–15), the Bright Star Survey Telescope telescope in Antarctica (in 2016), and the Las Campanas Observatory (in 2016). The claimed possible detections are tentative, due in part to the variability intrinsic to the host star, and in the case of the ground-based observations, also due to the limited duration of the light curve observations. Here, we present preliminary results from an extensive photometric monitoring campaign of Proxima Centauri, using telescopes around the globe and spanning from 2006 to 2017, comprising a total of 329 observations. Considering our data that coincide directly and/or phased with the previously published tentative transit detections, we are unable to independently verify those claims. We do, however, verify the previously reported ubiquitous and complex variability of the host star. We discuss possible interpretations of the data in light of the previous claims, and we discuss future analyses of these data that could more definitively verify or refute the presence of transits associated with the RV-discovered planet.

  12. Making Supermassive Black Holes Spin

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kohler, Susanna

    2016-12-01

    Where does the angular momentum come from that causes supermassive black holes (SMBHs) to spin on their axes and launch powerful jets? A new study of nearby SMBHs may help to answer this question.High-mass SMBHs are thought to form when two galaxies collide and the SMBHs at their centers merge. [NASA/Hubble Heritage Team (STScI)]High- vs. Low-Mass MonstersObservational evidence suggests a dichotomy between low-mass SMBHs (those with 106-7 M) and high-mass ones (those with 108-10 M). High-mass SMBHs are thought to form via the merger of two smaller black holes, and the final black hole is likely spun up by the rotational dynamics of the merger. But what spins up low-mass SMBHs, which are thought to build up very gradually via accretion?A team of scientists led by Jing Wang (National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences) have attempted to address this puzzle by examining the properties of the galaxies hosting low-mass SMBHs.A Sample of Neighboring SMBHsWang and collaborators began by constructing a sample of radio-selected nearby Seyfert 2 galaxies: those galaxies in which the stellar population and morphology of the host galaxy are visible to us, instead of being overwhelmed by continuum emission from the galaxys active nucleus.An example of a galaxy with a concentrated, classical bulge (M87; top) and a one with a disk-like pseudo bulge (Triangulum Galaxy; bottom). The authors find that for galaxies hosting low-mass SMBHs, those with more disk-like bulges appear to have more powerful radio jets. [Top: NASA/Hubble Heritage Team (STScI), Bottom: Hewholooks]From this sample, the authors then selected 31 galaxies that have low-mass SMBHs at their centers, as measured using the surrounding stellar dynamics. Wang and collaborators cataloged radio information revealing properties of the powerful jets launched by the SMBHs, and they analyzed the host galaxies properties by modeling their brightness profiles.Spin-Up From Accreting GasBy examining this sample, the authors discovered an intriguing relationship: the radio power of jets launched by an SMBH appears to be dependent upon its host galaxys bulge surface brightness. Specifically, Wang and collaborators found that more powerful radio emission comes from SMBHs associated with less-concentrated bulges, i.e. those that are more disk-like.The authors findings allow them to rule out many common explanations for the radio-loudness of such galaxies with small SMBH masses. Instead, they argue that the tendency for galaxies with more disk-like bulges to host SMBHs with more powerful jets is evidence that low-mass SMBHs are spun up by the accretion of surrounding gas.In this scenario, the angular momentum of gas with significant disk-like rotational dynamics provides the spin to the SMBH, and this rotational energy can then be extracted to launch the powerful jets. If this explanation is correct, it strengthens the dichotomy between low-mass and high-mass SMBHs, supporting the idea that the two categories of black holes are indeed formed and spun up via completely different mechanisms.CitationJ. Wang et al 2016 ApJL 833 L2.doi:10.3847/2041-8205/833/1/L2

  13. New tools: potential medical applications of data from new and old environmental satellites.

    PubMed

    Huh, O K; Malone, J B

    2001-04-27

    The last 40 years, beginning with the first TIROS (television infrared observational satellite) launched on 1 April 1960, has seen an explosion of earth environmental satellite systems and their capabilities. They can provide measurements in globe encircling arrays or small select areas, with increasing resolutions, and new capabilities. Concurrently there are expanding numbers of existing and emerging infectious diseases, many distributed according to areal patterns of physical conditions at the earth's surface. For these reasons, the medical and remote sensing communities can beneficially collaborate with the objective of making needed progress in public health activities by exploiting the advances of the national and international space programs. Major improvements in applicability of remotely sensed data are becoming possible with increases in the four kinds of resolution: spatial, temporal, radiometric and spectral, scheduled over the next few years. Much collaborative research will be necessary before data from these systems are fully exploited by the medical community.

  14. Space Shuttle Projects

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1991-08-01

    The primary payload of the STS-43 mission, Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-E (TDRS-E) attached to an Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) was photographed at the moment of its release from the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis. The TDRS-E was boosted by the IUS into geosynchronous orbit and positioned to remain stationary 22,400 miles above the Pacific Ocean southwest of Hawaii. The TDRS system provides almost uninterrupted communications with Earth-orbiting Shuttles and satellites, and had replaced the intermittent coverage provided by globe-encircling ground tracking stations used during the early space program. The TDRS can transmit and receive data, and track a user spacecraft in a low Earth orbit. The IUS is an unmarned transportation system designed to ferry payloads from low Earth orbit to higher orbits that are unattainable by the Shuttle. The launch of STS-43 occurred on August 2, 1991.

  15. Identifying, Licensing, and Commercializing Technology: An Entrepreneur's View

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Appel, Kris

    2013-03-01

    A linguist by trade, Kris Appel left government service to pursue entrepreneurship. She knew she wanted to start a company, but she did not have a business idea. After researching various technologies available for commercialization, she began to focus on a prototype medical device at the University of Maryland Medical School, which had been developed to help stroke survivors recover their arm movement. The device was based upon emerging science into brain re-training, and was backed by very convincing clinical trials. Working closely with University researchers, she licensed the rights to the device, developed a commercial version, and launched it in 2009. Today the device is used around the globe, and has helped thousands of stroke and brain injury survivors improve their arm function and way of life. Kris will tell the story of the device, and how it got from idea to prototype to successful rehabilitation product.

  16. OCO-2 Solar-induced Fluorescence Data Portal and Applications to Crop Yield Estimation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhai, A. J.; Jiang, J. H.; Frankenberg, C.; Yung, Y. L.; Choi, Y. S.

    2016-12-01

    Solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) is a direct byproduct of photosynthesis and is an index that can represent overall plant productivity level of any region around the globe. Recently, in 2014, NASA launched the Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2 (OCO-2) satellite, which collects SIF measurements at a higher spatial resolution than any previous instrument has. We have first assembled a web-based data portal, which can be easily utilized by both farmers and researchers, to allow convenient access to the SIF data from OCO-2. One possible use of SIF is to estimate agricultural status of crop fields anywhere in the world. We are using OCO-2 level 2 measurements in conjunction with the USDA's Cropland Data Layer and reported crop yield data to study how effectively SIF can estimate agricultural yield on various types of landscape and various species of crops. Results, methods, and future implications will be presented.

  17. GLOBE Cornerstones: Advancing Student Research Worldwide through Virtual and Regional Symposia

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bourgeault, J.; Malmberg, J. S.; Murphy, T.; Darche, S.; Ruscher, P.; Jabot, M.; Odell, M. R. L.; Kennedy, T.

    2016-12-01

    The GLOBE Program, an international science and education program, encourages students from around the world to participate in authentic scientific research of the Earth system. Students use scientific protocols to explore their local environments, compare their findings with other GLOBE schools both in the U.S. and in other participating countries, and then share their findings via the GLOBE.gov website. In order to facilitate this scientific communication, GLOBE held an international virtual science fair in 2016. The science fair included 105 research projects submitted from GLOBE students in various countries, 37 mentoring scientists, and 24 judges. Mentors and judges were members of the GLOBE International STEM Professionals Network and located around the world. On a national level, NSF funded six face-to-face U.S. regional student research symposia where 164 students presented 67 research projects to scientists for review. The 1.5 day events included student activities, teacher professional development, tours of NASA centers, and opportunities for students to engage with scientists to discover both traditional and non-traditional STEM career pathways. To support teachers, the leadership team offered and archived webinars on science practices; from field investigation basics to creating a poster and GLOBE partners provided guidance along the way. This presentation will include the framework for the regional and international science symposia , the scoring rubrics and evaluation, recruitment of judges and mentors, and lessons learned.

  18. The globe and orbit in Laron syndrome.

    PubMed

    Kornreich, L; Konen, O; Lilos, P; Laron, Z

    2011-09-01

    Patients with LS have an inborn growth hormone resistance, resulting in failure to generate IGF-1. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the size of the eye and orbit in LS. We retrospectively reviewed the MR imaging of the brain in 9 patients with LS for the following parameters: axial diameter of the globe, interzygomatic distance, perpendicular distance from the interzygomatic line to margins of the globe, medial-to-lateral diameter of the orbit at the anterior orbital rim, distance from the anterior orbital rim to the anterior globe, maximal distance between the medial walls of the orbits, lateral orbital wall angle, lateral orbital wall length, and mediolateral thickness of the intraorbital fat in the most cranial image of the orbit. All measurements were made bilaterally. Twenty patients referred for MR imaging for unrelated reasons served as control subjects. Compared with the control group, the patients with LS had a significantly smaller maximal globe diameter and shallower but wider orbits due to a shorter lateral wall, a smaller medial distance between the orbits, and a larger angle of the orbit. The ratio between the most anterior orbital diameter and the globe was greater than that in controls. The position of the globe was more anterior in relation to the interzygomatic line. Shallow and wide orbits and small globes relative to orbital size are seen in LS and may be secondary to IGF-1 deficiency.

  19. NASA Social Briefing on Planet-Hunting Mission Launch

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    NASA and industry leaders speak to NASA Social participants about the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in the Press Site auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Speaking to the group from center, are Martin Still, TESS Program Scientist, NASA Headquarters, and Jessie Christiansen, Staff scientist, NASA Exoplanet Science Institute, California Institute of Technology. At far left is Jason Townsend, NASA Communications. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  20. Students Compete in NASA's Student Launch Competition

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-03-30

    NASA's Student Launch competition challenges middle school, high school and college teams to design, build, test and fly a high-powered, reusable rocket to an altitude of one mile above ground level while carrying a payload. During the eight-month process, the selected teams will go through a series of design, test and readiness reviews that resemble the real-world process of rocket development. In addition to building and preparing their rocket and payload, the teams must also create and execute an education and outreach program that will share their work with their communities and help inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and explorers. Student Launch is hosted by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and is managed by Marshall's Academic Affairs Office to further NASA’s major education goal of attracting and encouraging students to pursue degrees and careers in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

  1. NASA Social Briefing on Planet-Hunting Mission Launch

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    NASA and industry leaders speak to NASA Social participants about the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in the Press Site auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Speaking to the group from center are Natalia Guerrero, TESS researcher, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Robert Lockwood, TESS Spacecraft Program Manager, Orbital ATK. At far left is Jason Townsend, NASA Communications. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  2. Analysis of the Dryden Wet Bulb GLobe Temperature Algorithm for White Sands Missile Range

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    LaQuay, Ryan Matthew

    2011-01-01

    In locations where workforce is exposed to high relative humidity and light winds, heat stress is a significant concern. Such is the case at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Heat stress is depicted by the wet bulb globe temperature, which is the official measurement used by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. The wet bulb globe temperature is measured by an instrument which was designed to be portable and needing routine maintenance. As an alternative form for measuring the wet bulb globe temperature, algorithms have been created to calculate the wet bulb globe temperature from basic meteorological observations. The algorithms are location dependent; therefore a specific algorithm is usually not suitable for multiple locations. Due to climatology similarities, the algorithm developed for use at the Dryden Flight Research Center was applied to data from the White Sands Missile Range. A study was performed that compared a wet bulb globe instrument to data from two Surface Atmospheric Measurement Systems that was applied to the Dryden wet bulb globe temperature algorithm. The period of study was from June to September of2009, with focus being applied from 0900 to 1800, local time. Analysis showed that the algorithm worked well, with a few exceptions. The algorithm becomes less accurate to the measurement when the dew point temperature is over 10 Celsius. Cloud cover also has a significant effect on the measured wet bulb globe temperature. The algorithm does not show red and black heat stress flags well due to shorter time scales of such events. The results of this study show that it is plausible that the Dryden Flight Research wet bulb globe temperature algorithm is compatible with the White Sands Missile Range, except for when there are increased dew point temperatures and cloud cover or precipitation. During such occasions, the wet bulb globe temperature instrument would be the preferred method of measurement. Out of the 30 dates examined, 23 fell under the category of having good accuracy.

  3. Teachers Learning to Research Climate: Development of hybrid teacher professional development to support climate inquiry and research in the classroom

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Odell, M. R.; Charlevoix, D. J.; Kennedy, T.

    2011-12-01

    The GLOBE Program is an international science and education focused on connecting scientists, teachers and students around relevant, local environmental issues. GLOBE's focus during the next two years in on climate, global change and understanding climate from a scientific perspective. The GLOBE Student Climate Research Campaign (SCRFC) will engage youth from around the world in understanding and researching climate through investigations of local climate challenges. GLOBE teachers are trained in implementation of inquiry in the classroom and the use of scientific data collection protocols to develop inquiry and research projects of the Earth System. In preparation for the SCRC, GLOBE teachers will need additional training in climate science, global change and communicating climate science in the classroom. GLOBE's reach to 111 countries around the world requires development of scalable models for training teachers. In June GLOBE held the first teacher professional development workshop (Learning to Research Summer Institute) in a hybrid format with two-thirds of the teachers participating face-to-face and the remaining teachers participating virtually using Adobe Connect. The week long workshop prepared teachers to integrate climate science inquiry and research projects in the classrooms in the 2011-12 academic year. GLOBE scientists and other climate science experts will work with teachers and their students throughout the year in designing and executing a climate science research project. Final projects and research results will be presented in May 2012 through a virtual conference. This presentation will provide the framework for hybrid teacher professional development in climate science research and inquiry projects as well as summarize the findings from this inaugural session. The GLOBE Program office, headquartered in Boulder, is funded through cooperative agreements with NASA and NOAA with additional support from NSF and the U.S. Department of State. GLOBE is supported in countries around the world through bi-lateral agreements between U.S. Department of state and national governments.

  4. CeREs_VCLS_CubeSat_0002

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-10

    A host of CubeSats, or small satellites, are undergoing the final stages of processing at Rocket Lab USA’s facility in Huntington Beach, California, for NASA’s first mission dedicated solely to spacecraft of their size. This will be the first launch under the agency’s new Venture Class Launch Services. Scientists, including those from NASA and various universities, began arriving at the facility in early April with spacecraft small enough to be a carry-on to be prepared for launch. A team from NASA’s Goddard Spaceflight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, completed final checkouts of a CubeSat called the Compact Radiation Belt Explorer (CeREs), before placing the satellite into a dispenser to hold the spacecraft during launch inside the payload fairing. Among its missions, the satellite will examine the radiation belt and how electrons are energized and lost, particularly during events called microbursts — when sudden swarms of electrons stream into the atmosphere. This facility is the final stop for designers and builders of the CubeSats, but the journey will continue for the spacecraft. Rocket Lab will soon ship the satellites to New Zealand for launch aboard the company’s Electron orbital rocket on the Mahia Peninsula this summer. The CubeSats will be flown on an Educational Launch of Nanosatellites (ELaNa) mission to space through NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative. CeREs is one of the 10 ELaNa CubeSats scheduled to be a part of this mission.

  5. STS-95 Mission Highlights Resources Tape

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1999-01-01

    The STS-95 flight crew, Commander Curtis L. Brown, Pilot Steven W. Lindsey, Mission Specialists Scott E. Parazynski, Stephen K. Robinson, and Pedro Duque, and Payload Specialists Chiaki Mukai and John H. Glenn present a video overview of their space flight. They are seen performing pre-launch activities such as eating the traditional breakfast, crew suit-up, and the ride out to the launch pad. Also, included are various panoramic views of the shuttle on the pad. The crew is readied in the 'white room' for their mission. After the closing of the hatch and arm retraction, launch activities are shown including countdown, engine ignition, launch, and the separation of the Solid Rocket Boosters. Once on-orbit the primary objectives include conducting a variety of science experiments in the pressurized SPACEHAB module, the deployment and retrieval of the Spartan free-flyer payload, and operations with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Orbiting Systems Test (HOST) and the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker (IEH) payloads being carried in the payload bay. Throughout the presentation, the astronauts take turns narrating particular aspects of the mission with which they were involved.

  6. Simulated JWST/NIRISS Spectroscopy of Anticipated TESS Planets and Selected Super-Earths Discovered from K2 and Ground-Based Surveys

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Louie, Dana; Albert, Loic; Deming, Drake

    2017-01-01

    The 2018 launch of James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), coupled with the 2017 launch of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), heralds a new era in Exoplanet Science, with TESS projected to detect over one thousand transiting sub-Neptune-sized planets (Ricker et al, 2014), and JWST offering unprecedented spectroscopic capabilities. Sullivan et al (2015) used Monte Carlo simulations to predict the properties of the planets that TESS is likely to detect, and published a catalog of 962 simulated TESS planets. Prior to TESS launch, the re-scoped Kepler K2 mission and ground-based surveys such as MEarth continue to seek nearby Earth-like exoplanets orbiting M-dwarf host stars. The exoplanet community will undoubtedly employ JWST for atmospheric characterization follow-up studies of promising exoplanets, but the targeted planets for these studies must be chosen wisely to maximize JWST science return. The goal of this project is to estimate the capabilities of JWST’s Near InfraRed Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS)—operating with the GR700XD grism in Single Object Slitless Spectrography (SOSS) mode—during observations of exoplanets transiting their host stars. We compare results obtained for the simulated TESS planets, confirmed K2-discovered super-Earths, and exoplanets discovered using ground-based surveys. By determining the target planet characteristics that result in the most favorable JWST observing conditions, we can optimize the choice of target planets in future JWST follow-on atmospheric characterization studies.

  7. Turning Content into Conversation: How The GLOBE Program is Growing its Brand Online

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zwerin, R.; Randolph, J. G.; Andersen, T.; Mackaro, J.; Malmberg, J.; Tessendorf, S. A.; Wegner, K.

    2012-12-01

    Social Media is now a ubiquitous way for individuals, corporations, governments and communities to communicate. However, the same does not hold quite as true for the science community as many science educators, thought leaders and science programs are either reluctant or unable to build and cultivate a meaningful social media strategy. This presentation will show how The GLOBE Program uses social media to disseminate messages, build a meaningful and engaged following and grow a brand on an international scale using a proprietary Inside-Out strategy that leverages social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Blogs to significantly increase influencers on a worldwide scale. In addition, this poster presentation will be interactive, so viewers will be able to touch and feel the social experience. Moreover, GLOBE representatives will be on hand to talk viewers through how they can implement a social media strategy that will allow them to turn their content into meaningful conversation. About The GLOBE Program: GLOBE is a science and education program that connects a network of students, teachers and scientists from around the world to better understand, sustain and improve Earth's environment at local, regional and global scales. By engaging students in hands-on learning of Earth system science, GLOBE is an innovative way for teachers to get students of all ages excited about scientific discovery locally and globally. To date, more than 23 million measurements have been contributed to the GLOBE database, creating meaningful, standardized, global research-quality data sets that can be used in support of student and professional scientific research. Since beginning operations in 1995, over 58,000 trained teachers and 1.5 million students in 112 countries have participated in GLOBE. For more information or to become involved, visit www.globe.gov.

  8. GPM Launch Day at NASA Goddard (Feb. 27, 2014)

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2014-02-27

    The Daruma doll is a symbol of good luck and in Japan is often given as a gift for encouragement to reach a goal. When the goal is set, one eye is colored in. When the goal is achieved, the other eye is colored. An identical doll sits in the control room at the Japan Aerospace Agency’s (JAXA) Tanegashima Space Center, leading up to the launch of the joint NASA-JAXA Global Precipitation Measurement mission’s Core Observatory. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Debbie McCallum GPM's Core Observatory is poised for launch from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Tanegashima Space Center, scheduled for the afternoon of Feb. 27, 2014 (EST). GPM is a joint venture between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The GPM Core Observatory will link data from a constellation of current and planned satellites to produce next-generation global measurements of rainfall and snowfall from space. The GPM mission is the first coordinated international satellite network to provide near real-time observations of rain and snow every three hours anywhere on the globe. The GPM Core Observatory anchors this network by providing observations on all types of precipitation. The observatory's data acts as the measuring stick by which partner observations can be combined into a unified data set. The data will be used by scientists to study climate change, freshwater resources, floods and droughts, and hurricane formation and tracking. NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

  9. The NASA CYGNSS Satellite Constellation for Tropical Cyclone Observations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ruf, C. S.; Provost, D.; Rose, R.; Scherrer, J.; Atlas, R. M.; Chang, P.; Clarizia, M. P.; Garrison, J. L.; Gleason, S.; Katzberg, S. J.; Jelenak, Z.; Johnson, J. T.; Majumdar, S.; O'Brien, A.; Posselt, D. J.; Ridley, A. J.; Said, F.; Soisuvarn, S.; Zavorotny, V. U.

    2016-12-01

    The NASA Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) is scheduled for launch in November 2016 to study the surface wind structure in and near the inner core of tropical cyclones. CYGNSS consists of a constellation of eight observatories carried into orbit on a single launch vehicle. Each observatory carries a 4-channel bistatic radar receiver tuned to receive GPS navigation signals scattered from the ocean surface. The eight satellites are spaced approximately twelve minutes apart in a common circular, low inclination orbit plane to provide frequent temporal sampling in the tropics. The 35deg orbit inclination results in coverage of the full globe between 38deg N and 38deg S latitude with a median(mean) revisit time of 3(7) hours The 32 CYGNSS radars operate in L-Band at a wavelength of 19 cm. This allows for adequate penetration to enable surface wind observations under all levels of precipitation, including those encountered in the inner core and eyewall of tropical cyclones. The combination of operation unaffected by heavy precipitation together with high temporal resolution throughout the life cycle of storms is expected to support significant improvements in the forecast skill of storm track and intensity, as well as better situational awareness of the extent and structure of storms in near real time. A summary of the properties of the CYGNSS science data products will be presented, together with an update on the results of ongoing Observation System Simulation Experiments performed by members of the CYGNSS science team over the past four years, in particular addressing the expected impact on storm track and intensity forecast skill. With launch scheduled for the month prior to AGU, the on orbit status of the constellation will also be presented.

  10. KSC-07pd1524

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2007-06-16

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Within sight of the KSC Vehicle Assembly Building (at left on the horizon), the 209-foot-tall mobile service tower on Pad 39-A of Space Launch Complex 36 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station waits for its demise. The tower is one of two that were identified for demolition. The old towers are being toppled as part of the ongoing project to demolish the historic site to prevent corrosion from becoming a safety concern. A majority of the steel will be recycled and the rest will be taken to the landfill at CCAFS. Complex 36 was the birthplace of NASA's planetary launch program. It was built for the Atlas/Centaur development program and was operated under NASA's sponsorship until the late 1980s. Complex 36 hosted many historic missions over the years including Surveyor that landed on the moon and Mariner that orbited Mars and included one to Mercury. Two of the most historic launches were the Pioneer 10 and 11 space probes that were launched to Jupiter and are now outside of the solar system in interstellar space. Also, the historic Pioneer Venus spacecraft included an orbiter and a set of probes that were dispatched to the surface. While Launch Complex 36 is gone, the Atlas/Centaur rocket continues to be launched as the Atlas V from Complex 41. Photo credit: NASA/Charisse Nahser

  11. Protecting Dynamic Mobile Agent against Denial of Service Attacks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aggarwal, Mayank; Nipur, Pallavi

    2010-11-01

    Mobile Agents are softwares migrating from one node to another to fulfill the task of its owner. The introduction of mobile agents has reduced network latency, network traffic a lot but at the same time it has increased the vulnerability for attacks by malicious hosts. One such attack is `Denial of Service', once the agent is launched it is free to roam without any control of its owner, this on one hand decreases the cost of agent—owner interaction and on the other hand increases the chances of `Denial Of Service'. In Denial Of Service attack the malicious host may deny resources required by the agent and kill the agent, thus the result computed so far is lost and this may happen every time the agent visits any malicious host. In this paper we continued the work done in [10] in which the authors proposed techniques by which owner can detect the malicious host for `Denial Of Service' but they did not covered technique for dynamic routes i.e. where the host or agent initiate migrations to hosts which were not contained in the route composed by the owner. We introduced an algorithm and a model which can be useful for the above purpose.

  12. Host-Pathogen interactions modulated by small RNAs.

    PubMed

    Islam, Waqar; Islam, Saif Ul; Qasim, Muhammad; Wang, Liande

    2017-07-03

    Biological processes such as defense mechanisms and microbial offense strategies are regulated through RNA induced interference in eukaryotes. Genetic mutations are modulated through biogenesis of small RNAs which directly impacts upon host development. Plant defense mechanisms are regulated and supported by a diversified group of small RNAs which are involved in streamlining several RNA interference pathways leading toward the initiation of pathogen gene silencing mechanisms. In the similar context, pathogens also utilize the support of small RNAs to launch their offensive attacks. Also there are strong evidences about the active involvement of these RNAs in symbiotic associations. Interestingly, small RNAs are not limited to the individuals in whom they are produced; they also show cross kingdom influences through variable interactions with other species thus leading toward the inter-organismic gene silencing. The phenomenon is understandable in the microbes which utilize these mechanisms to overcome host defense line. Understanding the mechanism of triggering host defense strategies can be a valuable step toward the generation of disease resistant host plants. We think that the cross kingdom trafficking of small RNA is an interesting insight that is needed to be explored for its vitality.

  13. Verification of Embolic Channel Causing Blindness Following Filler Injection.

    PubMed

    Tansatit, Tanvaa; Moon, Hyoung Jin; Apinuntrum, Prawit; Phetudom, Thavorn

    2015-02-01

    Ocular complications following cosmetic filler injections are serious situations. This study provided scientific evidence that filler in the facial and the superficial temporal arteries could enter into the orbits and the globes on both sides. We demonstrated the existence of an embolic channel connecting the arterial system of the face to the ophthalmic artery. After the removal of the ocular contents from both eyes, liquid dye was injected into the cannulated channel of the superficial temporal artery in six soft embalmed cadavers and different color dye was injected into the facial artery on both sides successively. The interior sclera was monitored for dye oozing from retrograde ophthalmic perfusion. Among all 12 globes, dye injections from the 12 superficial temporal arteries entered ipsilateral globes in three and the contralateral globe in two arteries. Dye from the facial artery was infused into five ipsilateral globes and in three contralateral globes. Dye injections of two facial arteries in the same cadaver resulted in bilateral globe staining but those of the superficial temporal arteries did not. Direct communications between the same and different arteries of the four cannulated arteries were evidenced by dye dripping from the cannulating needle hubs in 14 of 24 injected arteries. Compression of the orbital rim at the superior nasal corner retarded ocular infusion in 11 of 14 arterial injections. Under some specific conditions favoring embolism, persistent interarterial anastomoses between the face and the eye allowed filler emboli to flow into the globe causing ocular complications.

  14. Engaging Communities to Understand and Adapt to Environmental Changes with The GLOBE Program

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wegner, K.; Malmberg, J. S.; Murphy, T.; Mauriello, H.

    2015-12-01

    During the past twenty years, The GLOBE Program (www.globe.gov) has connected scientists, K-12 students, teachers, and other stakeholders to "co-create" scientific understanding of their local, regional, and global environment in more than 110 countries. Through the support and collaboration of federal agencies- NASA, NSF, and NOAA- the community-driven GLOBE database has more than 130 million Earth science measurements (atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and pedosphere) that align with the USGCRP's indicators of climate change, such as air and surface temperature (Indicator: Global Surface Temperature), land cover (Indicators: 1) Forest Cover; 2) Grassland, Shrubland, and Pasture Cover), and plant phenology (Indicator: Start of Spring). GLOBE contributes to climate literacy while encouraging community members of all ages to enrich their scientific understanding, define issues of local relevance, and engage in broader action, such as regional and global science campaigns. In this session, we will present case studies of how GLOBE data has been used to inspire "homegrown" research campaigns such as the GLOBE Surface Temperature Campaign and European Aerosols Campaign, as well as solution-based action in response to environmental changes, including the development of a mosquito protocol in Thailand and across Africa and a toad service project in the Czech Republic. We will also discuss some of the initiatives we have led as a program in order to promote and share local and regional community-led efforts with our worldwide GLOBE community, as well as some of the challenges and opportunities presented by supporting climate research.

  15. Assessing the accuracy of globe thermometer method in predicting outdoor mean radiant temperature under Malaysia tropical microclimate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Khrit, N. G.; Alghoul, M. A.; Sopian, K.; Lahimer, A. A.; Elayeb, O. K.

    2017-11-01

    Assessing outdoor human thermal comfort and urban climate quality require experimental investigation of microclimatic conditions and their variations in open urban spaces. For this, it is essential to provide quantitative information on air temperature, humidity, wind velocity and mean radiant temperature. These parameters can be quantified directly except mean radiant temperature (Tmrt). The most accurate method to quantify Tmrt is integral radiation measurements (3-D shortwave and long-wave) which require using expensive radiometer instruments. To overcome this limitation the well-known globe thermometer method was suggested to calculate Tmrt. The aim of this study was to assess the possibility of using indoor globe thermometer method in predicting outdoor mean radiant temperature under Malaysia tropical microclimate. Globe thermometer method using small and large sizes of black-painted copper globes (50mm, 150mm) were used to estimate Tmrt and compare it with the reference Tmrt estimated by integral radiation method. The results revealed that the globe thermometer method considerably overestimated Tmrt during the middle of the day and slightly underestimated it in the morning and late evening. The difference between the two methods was obvious when the amount of incoming solar radiation was high. The results also showed that the effect of globe size on the estimated Tmrt is mostly small. Though, the estimated Tmrt by the small globe showed a relatively large amount of scattering caused by rapid changes in radiation and wind speed.

  16. Globe Teachers Guide and Photographic Data on the Web

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kowal, Dan

    2004-01-01

    The task of managing the GLOBE Online Teacher s Guide during this time period focused on transforming the technology behind the delivery system of this document. The web application transformed from a flat file retrieval system to a dynamic database access approach. The new methodology utilizes Java Server Pages (JSP) on the front-end and an Oracle relational database on the backend. This new approach allows users of the web site, mainly teachers, to access content efficiently by grade level and/or by investigation or educational concept area. Moreover, teachers can gain easier access to data sheets and lab and field guides. The new online guide also included updated content for all GLOBE protocols. The GLOBE web management team was given documentation for maintaining the new application. Instructions for modifying the JSP templates and managing database content were included in this document. It was delivered to the team by the end of October, 2003. The National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) continued to manage the school study site photos on the GLOBE website. 333 study site photo images were added to the GLOBE database and posted on the web during this same time period for 64 schools. Documentation for processing study site photos was also delivered to the new GLOBE web management team. Lastly, assistance was provided in transferring reference applications such as the Cloud and LandSat quizzes and Earth Systems Online Poster from NGDC servers to GLOBE servers along with documentation for maintaining these applications.

  17. Launching a Dream. A Teachers Guide to a Simulated Space Shuttle Mission.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH. Lewis Research Center.

    This publication is about imagination, teamwork, creativity, and a host of other ingredients required to carry out a dream. It is about going into space--going into space as part of a simulated space shuttle mission. The publication highlights two simulated shuttle missions cosponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)…

  18. School, Activism and Politics at the Movies: Educator Reactions to the Film "Waiting for 'Superman'"

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Wessel Powell, Christy

    2014-01-01

    Context: The documentary film about U.S. education reform, "Waiting for 'Superman'," was met with acclaim and controversy when released to theaters in 2010, and again when launching its grassroots "host a screening" campaign in 2011. The campaign ran concurrent with 2011 state legislative sessions, during which several states…

  19. KSC-03PD-1518

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2003-01-01

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach throws out the first pitch at a local baseball game at Manatees Stadium. KSC employees were hosted by the Brevard Manatees, a minor league baseball team in Central Florida. Before the game, attendees offered a moment of silence to honor the STS-107 crew and two recovery workers who died in a helicopter crash.

  20. Map and Globe Reading Skills.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Georgia State Dept. of Education, Atlanta. Office of Instructional Services.

    Although the guide was designed to accompany an instructional television series, it contains teacher-developed activities on map and globe skills which can be selected and adapted to the needs of elementary students independent of the series. Geographic concepts include direction, the globe, boundaries, hemispheres, scale, latitude, longitude, and…

  1. Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD): Hosted Payload Accommodation on a Commercial Satellite

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lankton, M.; Eastes, R.; McClintock, W. E.; Pang, R.; Caffrey, R.; Krywonos, A.

    2013-12-01

    The Global-Scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission will perform unprecedented imaging of the Earth's thermosphere and ionosphere (TI) system from geostationary (GEO) orbit. Flying as a hosted payload on a commercial communications satellite, GOLD takes advantage of the resource margins available in the early years of the commercial mission's planned 15-year life. This hosted payload approach is a pathfinder for cost-effective NASA science missions. The affordable ride to GEO makes it possible for an Explorer-class Mission of Opportunity to perform Far UltraViolet (FUV) imaging of nearly a complete hemisphere on a 30-minute cadence. This global-scale, high cadence imaging will enable GOLD to distinguish between spatial and temporal variations in the TI system caused by geomagnetic storms, variations in solar EUV, and forcing from the lower atmosphere. The most significant difference between developing instrumentation for a NASA-owned mission and accomplishing the same task for a commercial satellite is that communications satellites are procured on a faster schedule - 24 to 36 months from satellite contract to launch - than the instrument development. GOLD has partnered with SES Government Solutions (SES-GS), the comsat mission owner-operator, to define instrument interfaces and requirements that will be included in the eventual Request for Proposal to candidate spacecraft vendors. SES-GS launches 3 to 4 missions per year, which allows the GOLD-SES-GS partnership to match the instrument's launch readiness date with a suitable mission. In addition to making geostationary orbit accessible to a science instrument at relatively low cost, commercial communications satellites provides a host platform with very high reliability and long life, easy access to continuous high-speed data downlink and near-real-time data delivery, and stable pointing. SES-GS operates their satellite from established Telemetry, Tracking and Control (TT&C) centers. The GOLD Science Operations Center at the University of Colorado Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) will produce instrument command loads for uplink by the TT&C, receive data from the ground station, monitor instrument state of health, and perform quick-look data processing. The GOLD Science Data Center at the University of Central Florida will produce, distribute and archive science data products.

  2. A Review of Global Learning & Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-04-01

    review (Yoder et al., 2008) of the GPO performance, NASA continued the cooperative agreement with UCAR. Another external review ( Bybee et al., 2008) of...Submitted by the Program Office External Review Committee. Bybee , Rodger W. (Chair), 2008. NASA External Review of a GLOBE Proposal, The Globe

  3. A 3D Planetary Neocartographic Tool in Education: A Game on Virtual Moon and Mars Globes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hargitai, H.; Simonné-Dombóvári, E.; Gede, M.

    2012-03-01

    The paper describes the educational use of online virtual globes of Mars and the Moon. The game uses topographic globes of Mars (MOLA) and the Moon (LRO DTM) that includes IAU nomenclature + informal names. Students have to position the points described.

  4. Using the GLOBE Program To Enhance Classroom Teaching.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ramey, Linda K.; Tomlin, James

    The Wright State University Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Franchise has developed a project to fill the need for direct, strong connections linking science, mathematics and technology to classroom curriculum and students' learning of integrated, relevant content. GLOBE is an international project that involves…

  5. Tectonic Tennis Balls: The STRATegy COLUMN for Precollege Science Teachers.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Metzger, Ellen Pletcher

    1994-01-01

    Contains instructions and two patterns for making a terrestrial globe and a tectonic globe. The pattern is designed to be glued onto a tennis ball. By constructing the globes, students obtain a greater understanding of the locations of the edges of continents and the earth's plates. (AIM)

  6. NASA Hosts Live Science Chat about Europa Findings

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-05-14

    NASA hosted a Science Chat May 14 to discuss the latest analysis of Jupiter’s moon Europa and its status as one of the most promising places in the solar system to search for life. The event aired live on NASA Television, Facebook Live, Twitch TV, Ustream, YouTube, Twitter/Periscope and the agency's website. Europa has long been a high priority for exploration because beneath its icy crust lies a salty, liquid water ocean. NASA’s Europa Clipper, targeted to launch in 2022, will be equipped with the instruments necessary to determine whether Europa possesses the ingredients necessary to support life as we know it.

  7. Plasma globe revisited

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lincoln, James

    2018-01-01

    The plasma globe or plasma ball is an underutilized resource for teaching the physics of electricity. It also offers a convenient source of electric field that can be used for demonstrations and experiments. Unlike the Van de Graaff generator, the plasma globe does not shock you and is essentially silent. Other authors have written up some of these activities, but the full potential of the plasma globe is generally not taken advantage of by most teachers. I hope that this article can bring more awareness to how this ubiquitous piece of novelty lighting can be an essential physics teaching apparatus.

  8. iGlobe Interactive Visualization and Analysis of Spatial Data

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hogan, Patrick

    2012-01-01

    iGlobe is open-source software built on NASA World Wind virtual globe technology. iGlobe provides a growing set of tools for weather science, climate research, and agricultural analysis. Up until now, these types of sophisticated tools have been developed in isolation by national agencies, academic institutions, and research organizations. By providing an open-source solution to analyze and visualize weather, climate, and agricultural data, the scientific and research communities can more readily advance solutions needed to understand better the dynamics of our home planet, Earth

  9. Dark Skies Awareness through the GLOBE at Night Citizen-Science Campaign

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Walker, C. E.

    2011-10-01

    The emphasis in the international citizen-science, star-hunting campaign, GLOBE at Night, is in bringing awareness to the public on issues of light pollution. Light pollution threatens not only observatory sites and our "right to starlight", but can affect energy consumption, wildlife and health. GLOBE at Night has successfully reached a few hundred thousand citizen-scientists during the annual 2-week campaign over the past 6 years. Provided is an overview, update and discussion of what steps can be taken to improve programs like GLOBE at Night.

  10. Building the Capacity of HBCU's for Establishing Effective Globe Partnerships

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bagayoko, Diola; Ford, Robert L.

    2002-01-01

    The special GLOBE train-the-trainer (TTT) workshop entitled "Building the Capacity of HBCUs For Establishing Effective GLOBE Partnerships" was help for the purpose of expanding GLOBE training capacity on the campuses of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and community colleges (CCs). The workshop was held March 17-22, 2002 in Washington, D.C. at Howard University. It was designed to establish research and instructional collaboration between and among U.S. universities (HBCUs and CCs) and African countries. Representatives from 13 HBCUs, and two community colleges were represented among trainees, so were representatives from eight African countries who were financially supported by other sources. A total of 38 trainees increased their knowledge of GLOBE protocols through five days of rigorous classroom instruction, field experiences, cultural events, and computer lab sessions.

  11. The Process of Digitizing of Old Globe

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ambrožová, K.; Havrlanta, J.; Talich, M.; Böhm, O.

    2016-06-01

    This paper describes the process of digitalization of old globes that brings with it the possibility to use globes in their digital form. Created digital models are available to the general public through modern technology in the Internet network. This gives an opportunity to study old globes located in various historical collections, and prevent damage of the originals. Another benefit of digitization is also a possibility of comparing different models both among themselves and with current map data by increasing the transparency of individual layers. Digitization is carried out using special device that allows digitizing globes with a diameter ranging from 5 cm to 120 cm. This device can be easily disassembled, and it is fully mobile therefore the globes can be digitized in the place of its storage. Image data of globe surface are acquired by digital camera firmly fastened to the device. Acquired image data are then georeferenced by using a method of complex adjustment. The last step of digitization is publication of the final models that is realized by two ways. The first option is in the form of 3D model through JavaScript library Cesium or Google Earth plug-in in the Web browser. The second option is as a georeferenced map using Tile Map Service.

  12. Visual and anatomic outcomes of golf ball-related ocular injuries.

    PubMed

    Park, S J; Park, K H; Heo, J W; Woo, S J

    2014-03-01

    To investigate the characteristics and prognoses of golf ball-related ocular injuries (GROIs) using standardized terminology, classification, and scoring systems. Twenty-two GROI patients were assessed using the Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology, Ocular Trauma Classification Group (OTCG) classification, and Ocular Trauma Score. Globe preservation and final visual acuity (FVA) were assessed according to the injury severity categorical designation. Fourteen patients were injured on golf courses and eight on driving ranges. Nine patients (40.9%) had open-globe injuries (five ruptures (22.7%), four penetrating injuries (18.2%)). All rupture cases required enucleation, whereas penetrating injury cases did not (the FVA ranged from 20/100 to no light perception). In open-globe injuries, wearing glasses protected against rupture (P=0.008). Thirteen patients sustained closed-globe injuries that were accompanied by lens subluxation (38.5%), choroidal rupture (30.8%), macular commotio retinae (38.5%), and traumatic optic neuropathy (7.7%). Twelve (54.5%) patients had orbital wall fractures. The mean number of related surgeries required was 1.5±1.7 across all patients. Eyes with GROIs had devastating FVA and globe preservation status, especially those with open-globe injuries. Observing golf rules and improving driving-range facilities are essential for preventing GROIs. Protective eyewear may reduce ocular damage from GROIs, especially globe rupture.

  13. Visual and anatomic outcomes of golf ball-related ocular injuries

    PubMed Central

    Park, S J; Park, K H; Heo, J W; Woo, S J

    2014-01-01

    Aims To investigate the characteristics and prognoses of golf ball-related ocular injuries (GROIs) using standardized terminology, classification, and scoring systems. Methods Twenty-two GROI patients were assessed using the Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology, Ocular Trauma Classification Group (OTCG) classification, and Ocular Trauma Score. Globe preservation and final visual acuity (FVA) were assessed according to the injury severity categorical designation. Results Fourteen patients were injured on golf courses and eight on driving ranges. Nine patients (40.9%) had open-globe injuries (five ruptures (22.7%), four penetrating injuries (18.2%)). All rupture cases required enucleation, whereas penetrating injury cases did not (the FVA ranged from 20/100 to no light perception). In open-globe injuries, wearing glasses protected against rupture (P=0.008). Thirteen patients sustained closed-globe injuries that were accompanied by lens subluxation (38.5%), choroidal rupture (30.8%), macular commotio retinae (38.5%), and traumatic optic neuropathy (7.7%). Twelve (54.5%) patients had orbital wall fractures. The mean number of related surgeries required was 1.5±1.7 across all patients. Conclusion Eyes with GROIs had devastating FVA and globe preservation status, especially those with open-globe injuries. Observing golf rules and improving driving-range facilities are essential for preventing GROIs. Protective eyewear may reduce ocular damage from GROIs, especially globe rupture. PMID:24384962

  14. KSC-05pd2620

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2005-12-16

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Launch Services Program Deputy Director Ray Lugo (center) shows off a certificate of appreciation he received for his leadership and enthusiasm in his role as chairperson of KSC's Combined Federal Campaign. From left are Center Director Jim Kennedy, Lugo and Deputy Director Woodrow Whitlow. The NASA civil service work force donated $434,627.40 in this year's campaign, the highest amount ever raised. The occasion was a holiday dinner and celebration at KARS Park I on Merritt Island, Fla., hosted by Center Director Jim Kennedy for NASA civil service employees. The theme of the celebration was "Launching Dreams of Those in Need." The event was sponsored by the Change Leaders Network and the Combined Federal Campaign Cabinet.

  15. NASA TESS Prelaunch News Conference

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    In Kennedy Space Center's Press Site auditorium, members of the media participate in a mission briefing on NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Robert Lockwood, TESS spacecraft program manager, Orbital ATK, answers questions during the briefing. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  16. Regional positioning using a low Earth orbit satellite constellation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shtark, Tomer; Gurfil, Pini

    2018-02-01

    Global and regional satellite navigation systems are constellations orbiting the Earth and transmitting radio signals for determining position and velocity of users around the globe. The state-of-the-art navigation satellite systems are located in medium Earth orbits and geosynchronous Earth orbits and are characterized by high launching, building and maintenance costs. For applications that require only regional coverage, the continuous and global coverage that existing systems provide may be unnecessary. Thus, a nano-satellites-based regional navigation satellite system in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), with significantly reduced launching, building and maintenance costs, can be considered. Thus, this paper is aimed at developing a LEO constellation optimization and design method, using genetic algorithms and gradient-based optimization. The preliminary results of this study include 268 LEO constellations, aimed at regional navigation in an approximately 1000 km × 1000 km area centered at the geographic coordinates [30, 30] degrees. The constellations performance is examined using simulations, and the figures of merit include total coverage time, revisit time, and geometric dilution of precision (GDOP) percentiles. The GDOP is a quantity that determines the positioning solution accuracy and solely depends on the spatial geometry of the satellites. Whereas the optimization method takes into account only the Earth's second zonal harmonic coefficient, the simulations include the Earth's gravitational field with zonal and tesseral harmonics up to degree 10 and order 10, Solar radiation pressure, drag, and the lunisolar gravitational perturbation.

  17. Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Success through dormancy

    PubMed Central

    Gengenbacher, Martin; Kaufmann, Stefan H. E.

    2012-01-01

    Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health threat, killing near to 2 million individuals around this globe, annually. The sole vaccine developed almost a century ago, provides limited protection only during childhood. After decades without the introduction of new antibiotics, several candidates are currently undergoing clinical investigation. Curing TB requires prolonged combination chemotherapy with several drugs. Moreover, monitoring the success of therapy is questionable due to the lack of reliable biomarkers. To substantially improve the situation, a detailed understanding of the crosstalk between human host and the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is vital. Principally, Mtb’s enormous success is based on three capacities: First, reprogramming of macrophages after primary infection/phagocytosis in order to prevent its own destruction; second, initiating the formation of well-organized granulomas, comprising different immune cells to create a confined environment for the host–pathogen standoff; third, the capability to shut down its own central metabolism, terminate replication and thereby transit into a stage of dormancy rendering itself extremely resistant to host defense and drug treatment. Here we review the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes, draw conclusions in a working model of mycobacterial dormancy and highlight gaps in our understanding to be addressed in future research. PMID:22320122

  18. Meningococcal disease, a clinical and epidemiological review.

    PubMed

    Batista, Rodrigo Siqueira; Gomes, Andréia Patrícia; Dutra Gazineo, Jorge Luiz; Balbino Miguel, Paulo Sérgio; Santana, Luiz Alberto; Oliveira, Lisa; Geller, Mauro

    2017-11-01

    Meningococcal disease is the acute infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis, which has humans as the only natural host. The disease is widespread around the globe and is known for its epidemical potential and high rates of lethality and morbidity. The highest number of cases of the disease is registered in the semi-arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa. In Brazil, it is endemic with occasional outbreaks, epidemics and sporadic cases occurring throughout the year, especially in the winter. The major epidemics of the disease occurred in Brazil in the 70's caused by serogroups A and C. Serogroups B, C and Y represent the majority of cases in Europe, the Americas and Australia. However, there has been a growing increase in serogroup W in some areas. The pathogen transmission happens for respiratory route (droplets) and clinically can lead to meningitis and sepsis (meningococcemia). The treatment is made with antimicrobial and supportive care. For successful prevention, we have some measures like vaccination, chemoprophylaxis and droplets' precautions. In this review, we have described and clarify clinical features of the disease caused by N. meningitidis regarding its relevance for healthcare professionals. Copyright © 2017 Hainan Medical University. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Oak mistletoe (Phoradendron villosum) is linked to microhabitat availability and avian diversity in Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) woodlands

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Pritchard, Kyle R.; Hagar, Joan; Shaw, David C.

    2016-01-01

    Mistletoes are parasitic or hemi-parasitic flowering plants that parasitize woody plants around the globe. Important food and cover resources provided by mistletoes have been related to strong patterns of positive association between wildlife diversity and mistletoe density. Mistletoes also create microhabitat features known to be important to wildlife by causing deformations in their host trees. However, links between availability of mistletoe-formed microhabitat and wildlife diversity has not been well studied. We investigated this relationship by quantifying microhabitat features and avian abundance and diversity related to infection by Oak Mistletoe (Phoradendron villosum) in Oregon White Oak (Quercus garryana). Q. garryana woodlands support several avian species of conservation concern, so an understanding of the influence of mistletoe on wildlife habitat is critical. Our results suggest that 1) structural heterogeneity within tree crowns; 2) avian species richness and abundance are positively associated with mistletoe load; and 3) P. villosum fruit, available is an important food for western bluebird (Sialia mexicana) and other wildlife in late autumn and early winter. If a goal of restoration is to maintain habitat for oak-associated bird species, managers should consider the retention of some oaks hosting mistletoe.

  20. Clinical characteristics and outcomes of fall-related open globe injuries in Japan.

    PubMed

    Morikawa, Shohei; Okamoto, Yoshifumi; Okamoto, Fumiki; Inomoto, Naoki; Ishikawa, Hiroto; Harimoto, Kozo; Ueda, Tetsuo; Sakamoto, Taiji; Oshika, Tetsuro

    2018-07-01

    To investigate the clinical characteristics and visual outcomes in patients with fall-related open globe injuries and to evaluate differences between fall-related and non-fall-related open globe injuries in Japan. A retrospective review of patients with open globe injury who presented to Japan-Clinical Research of Study (J-CREST) hospitals between 2005 and 2015 was enrolled. Clinical information including age, sex, initial visual acuity, final visual acuity, type of injury, status of the crystalline lens, zone of injury, wound length, presence of retinal detachment, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, expulsive hemorrhage, and endophthalmitis was recorded. A total of 374 eyes were enrolled, of which 120 (32.1%) suffered from fall-related injury with average age of 73.7 ± 15.9 years (range, 11-101 years). A majority of patients were female (55.8%). Of 120 patients with fall-related injury, 109 (90.8%) presented with rupture and 11 (9.2%) with laceration. A multiple regression analysis revealed that final visual acuity was significantly associated with initial visual acuity (r = 0.99, P < 0.001). Compared to non-fall-related open globe injuries, fall-related open globe injuries were associated with elderly age, female sex, poorer initial and final visual acuity, rupture, absence of the lens, larger wound size, retinal detachment, expulsive hemorrhage, and absence of endophthalmitis (P < 0.01). Fall-related open globe injuries were more frequent in elderly female and accompanied by larger wound lengths and severer ocular complications. Visual outcomes in patients with fall-related open globe injuries were related to initial visual acuity.

  1. Average Annual Rainfall Over the Globe

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Agrawal, D. C.

    2013-12-01

    The atmospheric recycling of water is a very important phenomenon on the globe because it not only refreshes the water but it also redistributes it over land and oceans/rivers/lakes throughout the globe. This is made possible by the solar energy intercepted by the Earth. The half of the globe facing the Sun, on the average, intercepts 1.74×1017 J of solar radiation per second and it is divided over various channels as given in Table 1. It keeps our planet warm and maintains its average temperature2 of 288 K with the help of the atmosphere in such a way that life can survive. It also recycles the water in the oceans/rivers/ lakes by initial evaporation and subsequent precipitation; the average annual rainfall over the globe is around one meter. According to M. King Hubbert the amount of solar power going into the evaporation and precipitation channel is 4.0×1016 W. Students can verify the value of average annual rainfall over the globe by utilizing this part of solar energy. This activity is described in the next section.

  2. Development of Visualizations and Loggable Activities for the Geosciences. Results from Recent TUES Sponsored Projects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    De Paor, D. G.; Bailey, J. E.; Whitmeyer, S. J.

    2012-12-01

    Our TUES research centers on the role of digital data, visualizations, animations, and simulations in undergraduate geoscience education. Digital hardware (smartphones, tablets, GPSs, GigaPan robotic camera mounts, etc.) are revolutionizing field data collection. Software products (GIS, 3-D scanning and modeling programs, virtual globes, etc.) have truly transformed the way geoscientists teach, learn, and do research. Whilst Google-Earth-style visualizations are famously user-friend for the person browsing, they can be notoriously unfriendly for the content creator. Therefore, we developed tools to help educators create and share visualizations as easily as if posting on Facebook. Anyone whoIf you wish to display geological cross sections on Google Earth, go to digitalplanet.org, upload image files, position them on a line of section, and share with the world through our KMZ hosting service. Other tools facilitate screen overlay and 3-D map symbol generation. We advocate use of such technology to enable undergraduate students to 'publish' their first mapping efforts even while they are working in the field. A second outcome of our TUES projects merges Second-Life-style interaction with Google Earth. We created games in which students act as first responders for natural hazard mitigation, prospectors for natural resource explorations, and structural geologist for map-making. Students are represented by avatars and collaborate by exchange of text messages - the natural mode of communication for the current generation. Teachers view logs showing student movements as well as transcripts of text messages and can scaffold student learning and geofence students to prevent wandering. Early results of in-class testing show positive learning outcomes. The third aspect of our program emphasizes dissemination. Experience shows that great effort is required to overcome activation energy and ensure adoption of new technology into the curriculum. We organized a GSA Penrose Conference, a GSA Pardee Keynote Symposium, and AGU Townhall Meeting, and numerous workshops at annual and regional meetings, and set up a web site dedicated to dissemination of program products. Future plans include development of augmented reality teaching resources, hosting of community mapping services, and creation of a truly 4-D virtual globe.;

  3. Artist's Concept- Ares I On Launchpad 39B

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2007-01-01

    Under the goals of the Vision for Space Exploration, Ares I is a chief component of the cost-effective space transportation infrastructure being developed by NASA's Constellation Program. This transportation system will safely and reliably carry human explorers back to the moon, and then onward to Mars and other destinations in the solar system. Launch Pad 39B of the Kennedy Space Flight Center (KSC), currently used for Space Shuttle launches, will be revised to host the Ares launch vehicles. The fixed and rotating service structures standing at the pad will be dismantled sometime after the Ares I-X test flight. A new launch tower for Ares I will be built onto a new mobile launch platform. The gantry for the shuttle doesn't reach much higher than the top of the four segments of the solid rocket booster. Pad access above the current shuttle launch pad structure will not be required for Ares I-X because the stages above the solid rocket booster are inert. For the test scheduled in 2012 or for the crewed flights, workers and astronauts will need access to the highest levels of the rocket and capsule. When the Ares I rocket rolls out to the launch pad on the back of the same crawler-transporters used now, its launch gantry will be with it. The mobile launchers will nestle under three lightning protection towers to be erected around the pad area. Ares time at the launch pad will be significantly less than the three weeks or more the shuttle requires. This 'clean pad' approach minimizes equipment and servicing at the launch pad. It is the same plan NASA used with the Saturn V rockets and industry employs it with more modern launchers. The launch pad will also get a new emergency escape system for astronauts, one that looks very much like a roller coaster. Cars riding on a rail will replace the familiar baskets hanging from steel cables. This artist's concept illustrates the Ares I on launch pad 39B.

  4. MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION OF CYSTEINE AND TRYPSIN PROTEASE, EFFECT OF DIFFERENT HOSTS ON PROTEASE EXPRESSION, AND RNAI MEDIATED SILENCING OF CYSTEINE PROTEASE GENE IN THE SUNN PEST.

    PubMed

    Amiri, Azam; Bandani, Ali Reza; Alizadeh, Houshang

    2016-04-01

    Sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps, is a serious pest of cereals in the wide area of the globe from Near and Middle East to East and South Europe and North Africa. This study described for the first time, identification of E. integriceps trypsin serine protease and cathepsin-L cysteine, transcripts involved in digestion, which might serve as targets for pest control management. A total of 478 and 500 base pair long putative trypsin and cysteine gene sequences were characterized and named Tryp and Cys, respectively. In addition, the tissue-specific relative gene expression levels of these genes as well as gluten hydrolase (Gl) were determined under different host kernels feeding conditions. Result showed that mRNA expression of Cys, Tryp, and Gl was significantly affected after feeding on various host plant species. Transcript levels of these genes were most abundant in the wheat-fed E. integriceps larvae compared to other hosts. The Cys transcript was detected exclusively in the gut, whereas the Gl and Tryp transcripts were detectable in both salivary glands and gut. Also possibility of Sunn pest gene silencing was studied by topical application of cysteine double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). The results indicated that topically applied dsRNA on fifth nymphal stage can penetrate the cuticle of the insect and induce RNA interference. The Cys gene mRNA transcript in the gut was reduced to 83.8% 2 days posttreatment. Also, it was found that dsRNA of Cys gene affected fifth nymphal stage development suggesting the involvement of this protease in the insect growth, development, and molting. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  5. Donor cross-linking for keratoplasty: a laboratory evaluation.

    PubMed

    Mukherjee, Achyut; Hayes, Sally; Aslanides, Ioannis; Lanchares, Elena; Meek, Keith M

    2015-12-01

    This laboratory-based investigation compares the topographic outcomes of conventional penetrating keratoplasty with that of a novel procedure in which donor corneas are cross-linked prior to keratoplasty. Penetrating keratoplasty procedures with continuous running sutures were carried out in a porcine whole globe model. Sixty eyes were randomly paired as 'donor' and 'host' tissue before being assigned to one of two groups. In the cross-linked group, donor corneas underwent riboflavin/UVA cross-linking prior to being trephined and sutured to untreated hosts. In the conventional keratoplasty group, both host and donor corneas remained untreated prior to keratoplasty. Topographic and corneal wavefront measurements were performed following surgery, and technical aspects of the procedure evaluated. Mean keratometric astigmatism was significantly lower in the cross-linked donor group at 3.67D (SD 1.8 D), vs. 8.43 D (SD 2.4 D) in the conventional keratoplasty group (p < 0.005). Mean wavefront astigmatism was also significantly reduced in the cross-linked donor group 4.71 D (SD 2.1) vs. 8.29D (SD 3.6) in the conventional keratoplasty group (p < 0.005). Mean RMS higher order aberration was significantly lower in the cross-linked donor group at 1.79 um (SD 0.98), vs. 3.05 um (SD 1.9) in the conventional keratoplasty group (P = 0.02). Qualitative analysis revealed less tissue distortion at the graft-host junction in the cross-linked group. Cross-linking of donor corneas prior to keratoplasty reduces intraoperative induced astigmatism and aberrations in an animal model. Further studies are indicated to evaluate the implications of this potential modification of keratoplasty surgery.

  6. Understanding the Complexities of Food Safety Using a "One Health" Approach.

    PubMed

    Kniel, Kalmia E; Kumar, Deepak; Thakur, Siddhartha

    2018-02-01

    The philosophy of One Health is growing in concept and clarity. The interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health is the basis for the concept of One Health. One Health is a comprehensive approach to ensure the health of people, animals, and the environment through collaborative efforts. Preharvest food safety issues align with the grand concept of One Health. Imagine any food production system, and immediately, parallel images from One Health emerge: for example, transmission of zoonotic diseases, antibiotic residues, or resistance genes in the environment; environmental and animal host reservoirs of disease; challenges with rearing animals and growing fresh produce on the same farm; application and transport of manure or diseased animals. During a recent celebration of #OneHealthDay, information was shared around the globe concerning scientists dedicated to One Health research systems. An ever-growing trade and global commerce system mixed with our incessant desire for food products during the whole year makes it all the more important to take a global view through the One Health lens to solve these growing challenges. The recent explosion of Zika virus around the globe renewed the need for assessing transmissible diseases through the eyes of One Health. It is not good enough to know how a disease affects the human population without a thorough understanding of the environment and vector reservoirs. If 60 to 75% of infectious diseases affecting humans are of animal origin, the need for better One Health research strategies and overdue solutions is imperative.

  7. Contamination Control for Thermal Engineers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rivera, Rachel B.

    2015-01-01

    The presentation will be given at the 26th Annual Thermal Fluids Analysis Workshop (TFAWS 2015) hosted by the Goddard Spaceflight Center (GSFC) Thermal Engineering Branch (Code 545). This course will cover the basics of Contamination Control, including contamination control related failures, the effects of contamination on Flight Hardware, what contamination requirements translate to, design methodology, and implementing contamination control into Integration, Testing and Launch.

  8. 78 FR 25407 - Safety Zones; National Cherry Festival Air Show and Fireworks Display; West Grand Traverse Bay...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-05-01

    ...-AA00 Safety Zones; National Cherry Festival Air Show and Fireworks Display; West Grand Traverse Bay... National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, MI will host an air show over the West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay. At the conclusion of the National Cherry Festival on July 6, 2013, fireworks will be launched in...

  9. Trajectory Browser Website

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Foster, Cyrus; Jaroux, Belgacem A.

    2012-01-01

    The Trajectory Browser is a web-based tool developed at the NASA Ames Research Center to be used for the preliminary assessment of trajectories to small-bodies and planets and for providing relevant launch date, time-of-flight and V requirements. The site hosts a database of transfer trajectories from Earth to asteroids and planets for various types of missions such as rendezvous, sample return or flybys. A search engine allows the user to find trajectories meeting desired constraints on the launch window, mission duration and delta V capability, while a trajectory viewer tool allows the visualization of the heliocentric trajectory and the detailed mission itinerary. The anticipated user base of this tool consists primarily of scientists and engineers designing interplanetary missions in the context of pre-phase A studies, particularly for performing accessibility surveys to large populations of small-bodies. The educational potential of the website is also recognized for academia and the public with regards to trajectory design, a field that has generally been poorly understood by the public. The website is currently hosted on NASA-internal URL http://trajbrowser.arc.nasa.gov/ with plans for a public release as soon as development is complete.

  10. GLOBE Observer and the Association of Science & Technology Centers: Leveraging Citizen Science and Partnerships for an International Science Experiment to Build Climate Literacy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Riebeek Kohl, H.; Chambers, L. H.; Murphy, T.

    2016-12-01

    For more that 20 years, the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program has sought to increase environment literacy in students by involving them in the process of data collection and scientific research. In 2016, the program expanded to accept observations from citizen scientists of all ages through a relatively simple app. Called GLOBE Observer, the new program aims to help participants feel connected to a global community focused on advancing the scientific understanding of Earth system science while building climate literacy among participants and increasing valuable environmental data points to expand both student and scientific research. In October 2016, GLOBE Observer partnered with the Association of Science & Technology Centers (ASTC) in an international science experiment in which museums and patrons around the world collected cloud observations through GLOBE Observer to create a global cloud map in support of NASA satellite science. The experiment was an element of the International Science Center and Science Museum Day, an event planned in partnership with UNESCO and ASTC. Museums and science centers provided the climate context for the observations, while GLOBE Observer offered a uniform experience and a digital platform to build a connected global community. This talk will introduce GLOBE Observer and will present the results of the experiment, including evaluation feedback on gains in climate literacy through the event.

  11. Eclipse project QF-106 and C-141A takeoff on first tethered flight December 20, 1997

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1997-01-01

    TOW ROPE TAKEOFF - The Kelly Space & Technology (KST)/USAF Eclipse project's modified QF-106 and a USAF C-141A takeoff for the project's first tethered flight on December 20, 1997. The successful 18-minute-long flight reached an altitude of 10,000 feet. NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, hosted the project, providing engineering and facility support as well as the project pilot. In 1997 and 1998, the Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, California, supported and hosted a Kelly Space & Technology, Inc. project called Eclipse, which sought to demonstrate the feasibility of a reusable tow-launch vehicle concept. The project goal was to successfully tow, inflight, a modified QF-106 delta-wing aircraft with an Air Force C-141A transport aircraft. This would demonstrate the possibility of towing and launching an actual launch vehicle from behind a tow plane. Dryden was the responsible test organization and had flight safety responsibility for the Eclipse project. Dryden provided engineering, instrumentation, simulation, modification, maintenance, range support, and research pilots for the test program. The Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC), Edwards, California, supplied the C-141A transport aircraft and crew and configured the aircraft as needed for the tests. The AFFTC also provided the concept and detail design and analysis as well as hardware for the tow system and QF-106 modifications. Dryden performed the modifications to convert the QF-106 drone into the piloted EXD-01 (Eclipse eXperimental Demonstrator-01) experimental aircraft. Kelly Space & Technology hoped to use the results gleaned from the tow test in developing a series of low-cost, reusable launch vehicles. These tests demonstrated the validity of towing a delta-wing aircraft having high wing loading, validated the tow simulation model, and demonstrated various operational procedures, such as ground processing of in-flight maneuvers and emergency abort scenarios.

  12. Eclipse project closeup of QF-106 under tow on takeoff on first flight December 20, 1997

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1997-01-01

    OFF THE GROUND - The Kelly Space & Technology (KST)/USAF/NASA Eclipse project's modified QF-106 lifts off under tow on the project's first tethered flight on December 20, 1997. The successful 18-minute-long flight reached an altitude of 10,000 feet. NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, hosted the project, providing engineering and facility support as well as the project pilot. In 1997 and 1998, the Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, California, supported and hosted a Kelly Space & Technology, Inc. project called Eclipse, which sought to demonstrate the feasibility of a reusable tow-launch vehicle concept. The project goal was to successfully tow, inflight, a modified QF-106 delta-wing aircraft with an Air Force C-141A transport aircraft. This would demonstrate the possibility of towing and launching an actual launch vehicle from behind a tow plane. Dryden was the responsible test organization and had flight safety responsibility for the Eclipse project. Dryden provided engineering, instrumentation, simulation, modification, maintenance, range support, and research pilots for the test program. The Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC), Edwards, California, supplied the C-141A transport aircraft and crew and configured the aircraft as needed for the tests. The AFFTC also provided the concept and detail design and analysis as well as hardware for the tow system and QF-106 modifications. Dryden performed the modifications to convert the QF-106 drone into the piloted EXD-01 (Eclipse eXperimental Demonstrator-01) experimental aircraft. Kelly Space & Technology hoped to use the results gleaned from the tow test in developing a series of low-cost, reusable launch vehicles. These tests demonstrated the validity of towing a delta-wing aircraft having high wing loading, validated the tow simulation model, and demonstrated various operational procedures, such as ground processing of in-flight maneuvers and emergency abort scenarios.

  13. Eclipse project closeup of QF-106 under tow on first tethered flight December 20, 1997

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1997-01-01

    The Kelly Space and Technology (KST)/USAF/NASA Eclipse project's modified QF-106 is shown under tow on the project's first tethered flight on December 20, 1997. The successful 18-minute-long flight reached an altitude of 10,000 feet. NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, is hosting the project, providing engineering and facility support as well as the project pilot, Mark Stucky. In 1997 and 1998, the Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, California, supported and hosted a Kelly Space & Technology, Inc. project called Eclipse, which sought to demonstrate the feasibility of a reusable tow-launch vehicle concept. The project goal was to successfully tow, inflight, a modified QF-106 delta-wing aircraft with an Air Force C-141A transport aircraft. This would demonstrate the possibility of towing and launching an actual launch vehicle from behind a tow plane. Dryden was the responsible test organization and had flight safety responsibility for the Eclipse project. Dryden provided engineering, instrumentation, simulation, modification, maintenance, range support, and research pilots for the test program. The Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC), Edwards, California, supplied the C-141A transport aircraft and crew and configured the aircraft as needed for the tests. The AFFTC also provided the concept and detail design and analysis as well as hardware for the tow system and QF-106 modifications. Dryden performed the modifications to convert the QF-106 drone into the piloted EXD-01 (Eclipse eXperimental Demonstrator-01) experimental aircraft. Kelly Space & Technology hoped to use the results gleaned from the tow test in developing a series of low-cost, reusable launch vehicles. These tests demonstrated the validity of towing a delta-wing aircraft having high wing loading, validated the tow simulation model, and demonstrated various operational procedures, such as ground processing of in-flight maneuvers and emergency abort scenarios.

  14. KSC-2013-2909

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2013-06-25

    VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, NASA hosted a prelaunch news conference on the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, solar observatory scheduled to launch on a Pegasus XL rocket. Participating in the news conference are George Diller, NASA Public Affairs, Geoffrey Yoder, deputy associate administrator for the Programs, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., Tim Dunn, NASA launch director/NASA Launch Manager at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Bryan Baldwin, Pegasus launch vehicle program director for Orbital Sciences Corp. of Dulles, Va., Gary Kushner, IRIS project manager for Lockheed Martin's Solar and Astrophysics Laboratory in Palo Alto, Calif., and First Lt. Jennifer Kelley, launch weather officer for the U.S. Air Force 30th Operations Support Squadron at Vandenberg. Scheduled for launch from Vandenberg on June 26, 2013, IRIS will open a new window of discovery by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the sun’s corona using spectrometry and imaging. The IRIS mission will observe how solar material moves, gathers energy and heats up as it travels through a largely unexplored region of the solar atmosphere. The interface region, located between the sun's visible surface and upper atmosphere, is where most of the sun's ultraviolet emission is generated. These emissions impact the near-Earth space environment and Earth's climate. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/iris Photo credit: NASA/ Daniel Casper

  15. World Wind: NASA's Virtual Globe

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hogan, P.

    2007-12-01

    Virtual globes have set the standard for information exchange. Once you've experienced the visually rich and highly compelling nature of data delivered via virtual globes with their highly engaging context of 3D, it's hard to go back to a flat 2D world. Just as the sawbones of not-too-long-ago have given way to sophisticated surgical operating theater, today's medium for information exchange is just beginning to leap from the staid chalkboards and remote libraries to fingertip navigable 3D worlds. How we harness this technology to serve a world inundated with information will describe the quality of our future. Our instincts for discovery and entertainment urge us on. There's so much we could know if the world's knowledge was presented to us in its natural context. Virtual globes are almost magical in their ability to reveal natural wonders. Anyone flying along a chain of volcanoes, a mid-ocean ridge or deep ocean trench, while simultaneously seeing the different depths to the history of earthquakes in those areas, will be delighted to sense Earth's dynamic nature in a way that would otherwise take several paragraphs of "boring" text. The sophisticated concepts related to global climate change would be far more comprehensible when experienced via a virtual globe. There is a large universe of public and private geospatial data sets that virtual globes can bring to light. The benefit derived from access to this data within virtual globes represents a significant return on investment for government, industry, the general public, and especially in the realm of education. Data access remains a key issue. Just as the highway infrastructure allows unimpeded access from point A to point B, an open standards-based infrastructure for data access allows virtual globes to exchange data in the most efficient manner possible. This data can be either free or proprietary. The Open Geospatial Consortium is providing the leadership necessary for this open standards-based data access infrastructure. The open-source community plays a crucial role in advancing virtual globe technology. This world community identifies, tracks and resolves technical problems, suggests new features and source code modifications, and often provides high-resolution data sets and other types of user-generated content, all while extending the functionality of virtual globe technology. NASA World Wind is one example of open source virtual globe technology that provides the world with the ability to build any desired functionality and make any desired data accessible.

  16. The Citizen-Scientist as Data Collector: GLOBE at Night, Part 2

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Walker, C. E.; Pompea, S. M.; Ward, D.; Henderson, S.; Meymaris, K.; Gallagher, S.; Salisbury, D.

    2006-12-01

    An innovative program to realize light pollution education on two continents via Internet 2-based videoconferencing was begun 4 years ago by the National Optical Astronomy Observatory. Bilingual science teachers and their students in Arizona and Chile recorded the brightness of the night sky by matching its appearance toward the constellation Orion with one of 6 stellar maps of limiting magnitude. Students from both hemispheres would report their findings via videoconferences. In the last year the program has evolved in collaboration with UCAR and other partners into an international, user-friendly, web-based science event open to anyone in the world, known as GLOBE at Night. GLOBE at Night uses the same design to observe and record the visible stars toward Orion, as a means of measuring light pollution in a given location. The inaugural event occurred over 11 nights last March, when 18,000 citizen- scientists made over 4,500 observations from 96 countries. Analysis of the GLOBE at Night data set found that the brighter skies corresponded to areas with higher population density, and that most observations were taken in a location with some light pollution. The data also tended to confirm that satellite data is reliable in assessing light pollution. This session will describe our program to incorporate more technology into the GLOBE at Night program. Citizen-scientists will use sky quality meters (visible light photometers), calibrated digital photography, and GPS as a means to measure and map more accurately the brightness of the sky at selected urban and rural sites. This extension of the program is designed to aid further in teaching about the impact of artificial lighting on local environments and the ongoing loss of a dark night sky as a natural resource. We will also describe how detailed maps of selected urban areas can be used to assess lighting design, safety considerations and energy usage. Given the widespread interest in the inaugural GLOBE at Night event, the GLOBE at Night team is eager to offer it again from March 8-21, 2007. For more information, see www.globe.gov/GaN or contact globeatnight@globe.gov or outreach@noao.edu. GLOBE at Night is a collaboration between The GLOBE Program, the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), Centro de Apoyo a la Didactica de la Astronomia (CADIAS), Windows to the Universe, and Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI). NOAO is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), Inc. under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.

  17. Crowdsourcing Science to Promote Human Health: New Tools to Promote Sampling of Mosquito Populations by Citizen Scientists

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Boger, R. A.; Low, R.; Jaroensutasinee, M.; Jaroensutasinee, K.; Sparrow, E. B.; Costosa, J. I.; Medina, J.; Randolph, G.

    2015-12-01

    GLOBE in Thailand and GLOBE in Africa independently developed citizen science protocols for collecting and analyzing mosquito larvae. These protocols have been piloted in several workshops and implemented in schools. Data collected have been used for several secondary, undergraduate and graduate student research studies. Over this past year, 2015, these protocols have been synthesized into one protocol that will be made available to the world-wide community through the GLOBE website (www.globe.gov). This new protocol is designed to be flexible in the mosquito species that can be collected and the types of environments sampled (e.g., containers in and around the house, ponds, irrigation ditches in a rice paddy field). Plans are underway to enable web-based data entry and mobile apps for data collection and submission. Once everything is finalized, a GLOBE field campaign will be initiated for citizen scientists to collect meaningful data on where different types of mosquito larvae are found and how the abundance and distribution is changing seasonally. To assist in the standardization of data collection and quality control, training slides are being developed and will be made available in early 2016. This will enable a wider participation of citizen scientists to participate in this effort to collect mosquito data by making it easier to become part of the GLOBE community. As with mosquito larvae, training slides are being created for hydrosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, and pedosphere GLOBE measurement protocols. The development of the mosquito protocol and the training slides are in direct response to the GLOBE community's desire to increase citizen science participation beyond primary and secondary schools, in observing and measuring environmental change.

  18. Species-specific ant brain manipulation by a specialized fungal parasite.

    PubMed

    de Bekker, Charissa; Quevillon, Lauren E; Smith, Philip B; Fleming, Kimberly R; Ghosh, Debashis; Patterson, Andrew D; Hughes, David P

    2014-08-29

    A compelling demonstration of adaptation by natural selection is the ability of parasites to manipulate host behavior. One dramatic example involves fungal species from the genus Ophiocordyceps that control their ant hosts by inducing a biting behavior. Intensive sampling across the globe of ants that died after being manipulated by Ophiocordyceps suggests that this phenomenon is highly species-specific. We advance our understanding of this system by reconstructing host manipulation by Ophiocordyceps parasites under controlled laboratory conditions and combining this with field observations of infection rates and a metabolomics survey. We report on a newly discovered species of Ophiocordyceps unilateralis sensu lato from North America that we use to address the species-specificity of Ophiocordyceps-induced manipulation of ant behavior. We show that the fungus can kill all ant species tested, but only manipulates the behavior of those it infects in nature. To investigate if this could be explained at the molecular level, we used ex vivo culturing assays to measure the metabolites that are secreted by the fungus to mediate fungus-ant tissue interactions. We show the fungus reacts heterogeneously to brains of different ant species by secreting a different array of metabolites. By determining which ion peaks are significantly enriched when the fungus is grown alongside brains of its naturally occurring host, we discovered candidate compounds that could be involved in behavioral manipulation by O. unilateralis s.l.. Two of these candidates are known to be involved in neurological diseases and cancer. The integrative work presented here shows that ant brain manipulation by O. unilateralis s.l. is species-specific seemingly because the fungus produces a specific array of compounds as a reaction to the presence of the host brain it has evolved to manipulate. These studies have resulted in the discovery of candidate compounds involved in establishing behavioral manipulation by this specialized fungus and therefore represent a major advancement towards an understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon.

  19. High Altitude Balloon Flight Path Prediction and Site Selection Based On Computer Simulations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Linford, Joel

    2010-10-01

    Interested in the upper atmosphere, Weber State University Physics department has developed a High Altitude Reconnaissance Balloon for Outreach and Research team, also known as HARBOR. HARBOR enables Weber State University to take a variety of measurements from ground level to altitudes as high as 100,000 feet. The flight paths of these balloons can extend as long as 100 miles from the launch zone, making the choice of where and when to fly critical. To ensure the ability to recover the packages in a reasonable amount of time, days and times are carefully selected using computer simulations limiting flight tracks to approximately 40 miles from the launch zone. The computer simulations take atmospheric data collected by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to plot what flights might have looked like in the past, and to predict future flights. Using these simulations a launch zone has been selected in Duchesne Utah, which has hosted eight successful flights over the course of the last three years, all of which have been recovered. Several secondary launch zones in western Wyoming, Southern Idaho, and Northern Utah are also being considered.

  20. The Charles Perkins Centre's Twins Research Node.

    PubMed

    Ferreira, Lucas C; Craig, Jeffrey M; Hopper, John L; Carrick, Susan E

    2016-08-01

    Twins can help researchers disentangle the roles of genes from those of the environment on human traits, health, and diseases. To realize this potential, the Australian Twin Registry (ATR), University of Melbourne, and the Charles Perkins Centre (CPC), University of Sydney, established a collaboration to form the Twins Research Node, a highly interconnected research facility dedicated specifically to research involving twins. This collaboration aims to foster the adoption of twin designs as important tools for research in a range of health-related domains. The CPC hosted their Twins Research Node's launch seminar entitled 'Double the power of your research with twin studies', in which experienced twin researchers described how twin studies are supporting scientific discoveries and careers. The launch also featured twin pairs who have actively participated in research through the ATR. Researchers at the CPC were surveyed before the event to gauge their level of understanding and interest in utilizing twin research. This article describes the new Twins Research Node, discusses the survey's main results and reports on the launch seminar.

  1. STS-95 Post Flight Presentation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1998-01-01

    The STS-95 flight crew, Cmdr. Curtis L. Brown, Pilot Steven W. Lindsey, Mission Specialists Scott E. Parazynski, Stephen K. Robinson, and Pedro Duque, and Payload Specialists Chiaki Mukai and John H. Glenn present a video mission over-view of their space flight. Images include prelaunch activities such as eating the traditional breakfast, crew suit-up, and the ride out to the launch pad. Also, included are various panoramic views of the shuttle on the pad. The crew can be seen being readied in the "whiteroom" for their mission. After the closing of the hatch and arm retraction, launch activities are shown including countdown, engine ignition, launch, and the separation of the Solid Rocket Boosters. The primary objectives, which include the conducting of a variety of science experiments in the pressurized SPACEHAB module, the deployment and retrieval of the Spartan free-flyer payload, and operations with the HST Orbiting Systems Test (HOST) and the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker (IEH) payloads are discussed in both the video and still photo presentation.

  2. NASA Science Review of Next Planet-Hunting Mission Launch

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    NASA and science investigators from MIT participate in a science briefing for the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in the Press Site auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. From left are moderator Claire Saravia, NASA Communications; Paul Hertz, Astrophysics Division director, NASA Headquarters; George Ricker, TESS principal investigator, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Padi Boyd, TESS Guest Investigator Program lead, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center; Stephen Rinehart, TESS Project scientist, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center; and Diana Dragomir, NASA Hubble Postdoctoral Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  3. Launch Vehicle Manual Steering with Adaptive Augmenting Control:In-Flight Evaluations of Adverse Interactions Using a Piloted Aircraft

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hanson, Curt; Miller, Chris; Wall, John H.; VanZwieten, Tannen S.; Gilligan, Eric T.; Orr, Jeb S.

    2015-01-01

    An Adaptive Augmenting Control (AAC) algorithm for the Space Launch System (SLS) has been developed at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) as part of the launch vehicle's baseline flight control system. A prototype version of the SLS flight control software was hosted on a piloted aircraft at the Armstrong Flight Research Center to demonstrate the adaptive controller on a full-scale realistic application in a relevant flight environment. Concerns regarding adverse interactions between the adaptive controller and a potential manual steering mode were also investigated by giving the pilot trajectory deviation cues and pitch rate command authority, which is the subject of this paper. Two NASA research pilots flew a total of 25 constant pitch rate trajectories using a prototype manual steering mode with and without adaptive control, evaluating six different nominal and off-nominal test case scenarios. Pilot comments and PIO ratings were given following each trajectory and correlated with aircraft state data and internal controller signals post-flight.

  4. STS-114: Discovery L-3 Countdown Status Briefing

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2005-01-01

    Bruce Buckingham of NASA Public Affair hosted this briefing. Jeff Spaulding, NASA Test Director; Scott Higgenbotham, STS-114 Payload-Mission Manager; Cathy Winters, Shuttle Weather Officer were present. Jeff specifically noted that the mission represents NASA's first step towards fulfilling the President's visions of returning to the Moon and then on to Mars and beyond. Scott reports that the 28,000 pounds of ISS hardware that is in the payload bay of the Discovery is ready to go, and completed final close outs. Cathy mentioned that Hurricane Dennis is not a threat, however, main threat of inland thunderstorms would result to 30% weather prohibiting launch. Cathy further gave current weather forecast supported with charts: the Launch Forecast, Tanking Forecast, SRB (Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster) Forecast, CONUS and TAL Launch Sites Forecast and with 24 hours and 48 hours turn around plan. Final inspections, ice formation, ice inspection, effect of weather conditions to the external tank, delays and contingencies were some of the topics covered with the News Media.

  5. Host-Pathogen interactions modulated by small RNAs

    PubMed Central

    Islam, Waqar; Islam, Saif ul; Qasim, Muhammad; Wang, Liande

    2017-01-01

    ABSTRACT Biological processes such as defense mechanisms and microbial offense strategies are regulated through RNA induced interference in eukaryotes. Genetic mutations are modulated through biogenesis of small RNAs which directly impacts upon host development. Plant defense mechanisms are regulated and supported by a diversified group of small RNAs which are involved in streamlining several RNA interference pathways leading toward the initiation of pathogen gene silencing mechanisms. In the similar context, pathogens also utilize the support of small RNAs to launch their offensive attacks. Also there are strong evidences about the active involvement of these RNAs in symbiotic associations. Interestingly, small RNAs are not limited to the individuals in whom they are produced; they also show cross kingdom influences through variable interactions with other species thus leading toward the inter-organismic gene silencing. The phenomenon is understandable in the microbes which utilize these mechanisms to overcome host defense line. Understanding the mechanism of triggering host defense strategies can be a valuable step toward the generation of disease resistant host plants. We think that the cross kingdom trafficking of small RNA is an interesting insight that is needed to be explored for its vitality. PMID:28430077

  6. The Use of Virtual Globes as a Spatial Teaching Tool with Suggestions for Metadata Standards

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Schultz, Richard B.; Kerski, Joseph J.; Patterson, Todd C.

    2008-01-01

    Virtual Globe software has become extremely popular both inside and outside of educational settings. This software allows users to explore the Earth in three dimensions while streaming satellite imagery, elevation, and other data from the Internet. Virtual Globes, such as Google Earth, NASA World Wind, and ESRI's ArcGIS Explorer can be effectively…

  7. Taking the world for a spin: teaching spatial and data visualization with a digital globe

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Teplitzky, S.; Powell, S.

    2016-12-01

    In the summer of 2016, the Earth Sciences & Map Library at the University of California, Berkeley, purchased a Magic Planet digital globe in a collaboration between the library and the departments of Geography and Earth & Planetary Science. This 30" diameter 3D display supplements and expands the library's instruction and outreach activities in GIS, data visualization and modeling. Faculty and graduate students were surveyed regarding their interest in using the globe for teaching and research projects. Based on this feedback, librarians developed a basic training plan for using the globe in the classroom, as well as an assessment tool to rate the effectiveness of instruction with the digital globe. Student and faculty responses at the end of fall semester (2016) will be evaluated for future plans to increase the variety of data sets and animations available to view on the globe. Curriculum and guides for visualizing custom and interactive data sets will be developed and made available based on current researcher and student interests. We are excited about partnering with our departments and engaging our students in the possibilities of 3d visualization, and look forward to sharing lessons learned.

  8. Driver's side curtain air bag-related globe rupture.

    PubMed

    Porter, Ashley J; Hayes, Rylan; Lee, Lawrence; O'Hagan, Stephen

    2018-06-04

    A 35-year-old man presented after a high-speed motor vehicle accident and the driver's side curtain air bag causing blunt force trauma rupturing his right globe. The tangential force of the air bag resulted in an unusual arcuate horseshoe-shaped rupture through the lateral rectus insertion, causing avulsion of the muscle and tearing the sclera, with the apices of the tear extending anteriorly towards the limbus. Repair of the globe rupture was undertaken, and secondary vitrectomy revealed that the scleral tear had not involved the retina abutting the ora serrata. Silicone oil tamponade was used to fill the globe and the postoperative best corrected vision was 6/9. This is the first reported case of a ruptured globe caused by a side curtain air bag, resulting in a uniquely shaped arcuate scleral wound combined with lateral rectus avulsion, not associated with rhegmatogenous retinal damage, and is the first air bag-related globe rupture with scleral involvement to report a final best-corrected visual acuity better than 6/60. © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

  9. The relationship of the globe to the orbital rim.

    PubMed

    Eckstein, Lauren A; Shadpour, Joseph M; Menghani, Ravi; Goldberg, Robert A

    2011-01-01

    To present a novel method for accurately characterizing the position of the globe relative to the orbital rim. The appearance and function of the eyelids are dependent on the underlying orbital bony architecture and globe position; however, no comprehensive language to describe these complex 3-dimensional relationships exists. Three-dimensional orbital reconstructions were generated from computed tomographic scans of 15 Occidental and 12 Oriental orbits without orbital pathologic disease. Globe and orbital rim anatomy were identified and outlined. Reference points were measured along 2 independent axes: (1) the distance between a plane defined by the corneal apex and the sagittal projection of the orbital rim and (2) the distance between the circumference of the globe and the coronal projection of the orbital rim. For Occidental orbits, the mean (SD) elevation of the sagittal projection of the orbital rim relative to the anterior projection of the globe was 4.6 (4.2) mm superiorly, 5.9 (3.0) mm nasally, 12.6 (3.7) mm inferiorly, and 20.6 (2.6) mm laterally. The mean (SD) radial distance between the coronal projection of the orbital rim and the circumference of the globe was 3.7 (2.1) mm superiorly, 7.6 (1.8) mm nasally, 6.6 (2.2) mm inferiorly, and 4.6 (2.3) mm laterally. For Oriental orbits, the mean (SD) elevation of the sagittal projection of the orbital rim relative to the anterior projection of the globe was 5.0 (4.5) mm superiorly, 6.8 (4.1) mm nasally, 11.1 (4.3) mm inferiorly, and 17.5 (3.3) mm laterally. The mean (SD) radial distance between the coronal projection of the orbital rim and the circumference of the globe was 2.1 (1.2) mm superiorly, 8.2 (2.0) mm nasally, 6.5 (1.9) mm inferiorly, and 4.5 (1.7) mm laterally. Comparison of Occidental and Oriental orbital rim and globe configurations revealed quantitative and qualitative differences. In addition to differences in soft-tissue anatomy, bony architectural variations may contribute substantially to racial differences in the surface anatomy of the periorbital area. Anatomic analysis, based on 3-dimensional orbital imaging, may provide a rational approach to surgical planning for aesthetic and reconstructive orbitofacial surgery.

  10. Scientist-Teacher-Student Interactions: Experiences around the Fall 2010 A-Train Symposium

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chambers, L. H.; Rogers, M. A.; Charlevoix, D. J.; Kennedy, T.; Oostra, D. H.

    2010-12-01

    In late October 2010, the second A-Train Science Symposium will be held in New Orleans, LA. (The first such event was hosted by CNES in France in 2007.) In conjunction with the symposium, a multi-faceted education event is also being planned. This will include: - Onsite one-day teacher workshops for local teachers introducing remote sensing and the use of satellite data in the classroom - Visits by scientists to local classrooms for direct interaction with students the day after the symposium - A Student-Scientist Observation Campaign which will engage A-Train scientists in a social media website with teachers and students from around the world. This paper will focus primarily on the observation campaign. It will describe the rapid development and testing of a web-based framework to support student-scientist interaction. It will lay out the steps used to activate a (hopefully significant) number of students and teachers through the GLOBE Program (www.globe.gov) and the S’COOL Project (scool.larc.nasa.gov). It will describe the interaction during the event, which will be a 3-week period before, during and after the symposium. During this time, A-Train scientists will be posting interesting satellite observations on a social media website. Students will be able to comment, ask questions, and post their own observations of related phenomena observed from the ground. Scientists will respond to student questions, and comment or ask questions on student observations. In addition, student observations will be collected through the existing S’COOL and GLOBE websites, and combined into a common visualization tool that is easily accessible through the social media framework. A photo upload pilot system is also planned, taking advantage of advances in exif photo metadata in new electronics (cell phones, smart phones, digital cameras) to easily geolocate this imagery for correlation to satellite remote sensing data and images. It is our hope that this approach will be successful and can then serve as a model for other groups to engage with students - the future scientists of the world.

  11. KSC-98pc1038

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1998-09-04

    Workers watch as the Hubble Space Telescope Orbiting Systems Test (HOST)is lowered onto a workstand in the Space Shuttle Processing Facility. To the right can be seen the Rack Insertion Device and Leonardo, a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module. The HOST platform, one of the payloads on the STS-95 mission, is carrying four experiments to validate components planned for installation during the third Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission and to evaluate new technologies in an earth orbiting environment. The STS-95 mission is scheduled to launch Oct. 29. It will carry three other payloads: the Spartan solar-observing deployable spacecraft, the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker, and the SPACEHAB single module with experiments on space flight and the aging process

  12. KSC-98pc1139

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1998-09-23

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Hubble Space Telescope Orbiting Systems Test (HOST), one of the payloads on the STS-95 mission, is placed inside its payload canister in the Space Station Processing Facility. The canister is 65 feet long, 18 feet wide and 18 feet, 7 inches high. The HOST platform is carrying four experiments to validate components planned for installation during the third Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission and to evaluate new technologies in an Earth-orbiting environment. The STS-95 mission is scheduled to launch Oct. 29. It will carry other payloads such as the Spartan solar-observing deployable spacecraft, the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker (IEH-3), and the SPACEHAB single module with experiments on space flight and the aging process

  13. KSC-98pc1138

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1998-09-23

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Hubble Space Telescope Orbiting Systems Test (HOST), one of the payloads on the STS-95 mission, is suspended above its payload canister in the Space Station Processing Facility. The canister is 65 feet long, 18 feet wide and 18 feet, 7 inches high. The HOST platform is carrying four experiments to validate components planned for installation during the third Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission and to evaluate new technologies in an Earth-orbiting environment. The STS-95 mission is scheduled to launch Oct. 29. It will carry other payloads such as the Spartan solar-observing deployable spacecraft, the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker (IEH-3), and the SPACEHAB single module with experiments on space flight and the aging process

  14. KSC-98pc1136

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1998-09-23

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Hubble Space Telescope Orbiting Systems Test Platform (HOST) is lifted off its work stand in the Space Station Processing Facility before moving it to its payload canister. One of the payloads on the STS-95 mission, the HOST platform is carrying four experiments to validate components planned for installation during the third Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission and to evaluate new technologies in an Earth-orbiting environment. The STS-95 mission is scheduled to launch Oct. 29. It will carry other payloads such as the Spartan solar-observing deployable spacecraft, the International Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker (IEH-3), and the SPACEHAB single module with experiments on space flight and the aging process

  15. Measurement of Cosmic Ray and Trapped Proton LET Spectra on the STS-95 HOST Mission

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stassinopoulos, E. G.; Barth, J. L.; Stauffer, C. A.

    2017-01-01

    This paper reports on in situ measurements of the Linear-Energy-Transfer (LET) spectra of galactic cosmic rays and their progeny and of trapped Van Allen belt protons as recorded by a Pulse Height Analyzer (PHA) radiation spectrometer which flew on the STS-95 DISCOVERY mission on the Hubble Orbital Systems Test (HOST) cradle. The Shuttle was launched on 29 October 1998 and had a mission duration of 8.5 days during the minimum phase of the solar activity cycle. The orbit of the STS-95 was about 550 km altitude and 28.5deg inclination. A close correlation was seen between radiation environment model predictions and the measurements of the PHA.

  16. KSC-2012-3647

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2012-07-03

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Dr. Andrew Aldrin of United Launch Alliance addresses participants of the International Space University in a session in Operations Support Building II at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on July 3. The International Space University is a nine-week intensive course designed for post-graduate university students and professionals during the summer. The program is hosted by a different country each year, providing a unique educational experience for participants from around the world. NASA Kennedy Space Center and the Florida Institute of Technology are co-hosting this year's event which runs from June 4 to Aug. 3. There are about 125 participants representing 31 countries. For more information, visit http://www.isunet.edu Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

  17. NASA TESS Prelaunch News Conference

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    In Kennedy Space Center's Press Site auditorium, members of the media participate in a mission briefing on NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Hans Koenigsmann, vice president of Build and Flight Reliability at SpaceX, answers questions during the briefing. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  18. NASA TESS Prelaunch News Conference

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    In Kennedy Space Center's Press Site auditorium, members of the media participate in a mission briefing on NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Jeff Volosin, TESS project manager, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, answers questions during the briefing. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  19. NASA TESS Prelaunch News Conference

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    In Kennedy Space Center's Press Site auditorium, members of the media participate in a mission briefing on NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Mike McAleenan, weather officer, 45th Weather Squadron, gives a weather update and answers questions during the briefing. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  20. NASA TESS Prelaunch News Conference

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-15

    In Kennedy Space Center's Press Site auditorium, members of the media participate in a mission briefing on NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Sandra Connelly, deputy associate administrator of programs, NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, answers questions during the briefing. TESS is the next step in the search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets. TESS will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than 6:32 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 16.

  1. KSC-2011-6227

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2011-08-04

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Dr. Steve Lee, with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, left, hosts an educational webcast in the Mission Status Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. On hand to ask questions were students, teachers, and mentors of the Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope (GAVRT) project who were invited to Kennedy to watch the launch of NASA's Juno spacecraft atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. GAVRT is a partnership between NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and The Lewis Center for Educational Research (LCER) in Apple Valley, Calif. It allows students to control a 34-meter radio telescope that, until recently, was part of NASA’s Deep Space Network, and to interact with scientists outside the classroom setting. Photo credit: NASA/Glenn Benson

  2. Global Frequency and Distribution of Lightning as Observed from Space by the Optical Transient Detector

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Christian, Hugh J.; Blakeslee, Richard J.; Boccippio, Dennis J.; Boeck, William L.; Bucchler, Dennis E.; Driscoll, Kevin T.; Goodman, Steven J.; Hall, John M.; Koshak, William J.; Mach, Douglas M.; hide

    2002-01-01

    The Optical Transient Detector (OTD) is a space-based instrument specifically designed to detect and locate lightning discharges as it orbits the Earth. This instrument is a scientific payload on the MicroLab-1 satellite that was launched into a low-earth, 70 deg. inclination orbit in April 1995. Given the orbital trajectory of the satellite, most regions of the earth are observed by the OTD instrument more than 400 times during a one year period, and the average duration of each observation is 2 minutes. The OTD instrument optically detects lightning flashes that occur within its 1300x1300 sq km field-of-view during both day and night conditions. A statistical examination of OTD lightning data reveals that nearly 1.4 billion flashes occur annually over the entire earth. This annual flash count translates to an average of 44 +/- 5 lightning flashes (intracloud and cloud-to-ground combined) occurring around the globe every second, which is well below the traditional estimate of 100 flashes per second that was derived in 1925 from world thunder-day records. The range of uncertainty for the OTD global totals represents primarily the uncertainty (and variability) in the flash detection efficiency of the instrument. The OTD measurements have been used to construct lightning climatology maps that demonstrate the geographical and seasonal distribution of lightning activity for the globe. An analysis of this annual lightning distribution confirms that lightning occurs mainly over land areas, with an average land:ocean ratio of 10:1. A dominant Northern Hemisphere summer peak occurs in the annual cycle, and evidence is found for a tropically-driven semiannual cycle.

  3. Trends in ocean colour and chlorophyll concentration from 1889 to 2000, worldwide.

    PubMed

    Wernand, Marcel R; van der Woerd, Hendrik J; Gieskes, Winfried W C

    2013-01-01

    Marine primary productivity is an important agent in the global cycling of carbon dioxide, a major 'greenhouse gas', and variations in the concentration of the ocean's phytoplankton biomass can therefore explain trends in the global carbon budget. Since the launch of satellite-mounted sensors globe-wide monitoring of chlorophyll, a phytoplankton biomass proxy, became feasible. Just as satellites, the Forel-Ule (FU) scale record (a hardly explored database of ocean colour) has covered all seas and oceans--but already since 1889. We provide evidence that changes of ocean surface chlorophyll can be reconstructed with confidence from this record. The EcoLight radiative transfer numerical model indicates that the FU index is closely related to chlorophyll concentrations in open ocean regions. The most complete FU record is that of the North Atlantic in terms of coverage over space and in time; this dataset has been used to test the validity of colour changes that can be translated to chlorophyll. The FU and FU-derived chlorophyll data were analysed for monotonously increasing or decreasing trends with the non-parametric Mann-Kendall test, a method to establish the presence of a consistent trend. Our analysis has not revealed a globe-wide trend of increase or decrease in chlorophyll concentration during the past century; ocean regions have apparently responded differentially to changes in meteorological, hydrological and biological conditions at the surface, including potential long-term trends related to global warming. Since 1889, chlorophyll concentrations have decreased in the Indian Ocean and in the Pacific; increased in the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean, the Chinese Sea, and in the seas west and north-west of Japan. This suggests that explanations of chlorophyll changes over long periods should focus on hydrographical and biological characteristics typical of single ocean regions, not on those of 'the' ocean.

  4. The isolation and mapping of a novel hydroxycinnamoyltransferase in the globe artichoke chlorogenic acid pathway

    PubMed Central

    Comino, Cinzia; Hehn, Alain; Moglia, Andrea; Menin, Barbara; Bourgaud, Frédéric; Lanteri, Sergio; Portis, Ezio

    2009-01-01

    Background The leaves of globe artichoke and cultivated cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) have significant pharmaceutical properties, which mainly result from their high content of polyphenolic compounds such as monocaffeoylquinic and dicaffeoylquinic acid (DCQ), and a range of flavonoid compounds. Results Hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:quinate hydroxycinnamoyltransferase (HQT) encoding genes have been isolated from both globe artichoke and cultivated cardoon (GenBank accessions DQ915589 and DQ915590, respectively) using CODEHOP and PCR-RACE. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that their sequences belong to one of the major acyltransferase groups (anthranilate N-hydroxycinnamoyl/benzoyltransferase). The heterologous expression of globe artichoke HQT in E. coli showed that this enzyme can catalyze the esterification of quinic acid with caffeoyl-CoA or p-coumaroyl-CoA to generate, respectively, chlorogenic acid (CGA) and p-coumaroyl quinate. Real time PCR experiments demonstrated an increase in the expression level of HQT in UV-C treated leaves, and established a correlation between the synthesis of phenolic acids and protection against damage due to abiotic stress. The HQT gene, together with a gene encoding hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:shikimate/quinate hydroxycinnamoyltransferase (HCT) previously isolated from globe artichoke, have been incorporated within the developing globe artichoke linkage maps. Conclusion A novel acyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of CGA in globe artichoke has been isolated, characterized and mapped. This is a good basis for our effort to understand the genetic basis of phenylpropanoid (PP) biosynthesis in C. cardunculus. PMID:19292932

  5. Surface Compositions Across Pluto and Charon

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Grundy, W. M.; Binzel, R. P.; Buratti, B. J.; Cook, J. C.; Cruikshank, D. P.; Dalle Ore, C. M.; Earle, A. M.; Ennico, K.; Howett, C. J. A.; Lunsford, A. W.; hide

    2016-01-01

    The Kuiper Belt hosts a swarm of distant, icy objects ranging in size from small, primordial planetesimals to much larger, highly evolved objects, representing a whole new class of previously unexplored cryogenic worlds. Pluto, the largest among them, along with its system of five satellites, has been revealed by NASAs New Horizons spacecraft flight through the system in July 2015, nearly a decade after its launch.

  6. Globe Watch. Teachers' Guide for Globe Watch IV: Mexico, Canada, Finland, Japan, the Arms Race, the Iran-Iraq War.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Turner, Ginny

    To enhance the use of the Globe Watch IV public television series, produced jointly by Hampden-Sydney College (Virginia) and the University of North Carolina Center for Public Television, each lesson in this guide provides: (1) a statement of the objective of the program; (2) a synopsis of the issue discussed; (3) background information; (4) brief…

  7. The GLOBE Program in Alabama: A Mentoring Approach to State-wide Implementation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cox, G. N.

    2003-12-01

    Established in 1997, the GLOBE in Alabama (GIA) partnership has trained more than 1,000 teachers in almost 500 schools - over 25% of the total number of K-12 schools in Alabama. Over those five years, GIA has strived to achieve recognition of GLOBE as the "glue" to Alabama's new education program, the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI). In 2003, GIA trained over 370 AMSTI K-8 teachers at two AMSTI hub sites in north Alabama. As the AMSTI program grows with the addition of future hub sites (eleven are planned), GIA must ready itself to train thousands of AMSTI teachers during the two-week summer professional development institutes that are part of AMSTI. A key component of AMSTI is a mentoring program conducted by math and science specialists - classroom educators loaned to the AMSTI hub sites by the school systems each hub site serves. The AMSTI mentoring program mirrors the GIA mentoring model begun in 1999 that originally funded regional GLOBE master teachers to provide technical assistance, feedback, and coaching for other GLOBE teachers. In schools where GIA mentor teachers were working, nearly a 100% increase in GLOBE student data reporting was noted. The GIA mentors now work within the hub site framework to ensure implementation of GLOBE as an integrated part of AMSTI. With the continued support of the State of Alabama, GIA will establish a network of mentors who work with the AMSTI hub site specialists in providing support for all AMSTI teachers. GIA is administered by the National Space Science and Technology Center, a partnership between NASA and the State of Alabama's seven research universities. Operational funding for GIA has been provided by the University of Alabama in Huntsville's Earth System Science Center, the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, the Alabama Space Grant Consortium, The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, the Alabama State Department of Education, and Legacy. GIA has been able to build on these strong funding partnerships by leveraging the infrastructure provided by the NASA-led GLOBE Program (www.globe.gov).

  8. SWOT Hydrology in the classroom

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Srinivasan, M. M.; Destaerke, D.; Butler, D. M.; Pavelsky, T.

    2014-12-01

    The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) Mission Education Program will participate in the multinational, multiagency program, Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE). GLOBE is a worldwide hands-on, primary and secondary school-based science and education community of over 24,000 schools in more than 100 countries. Over 1.5 million students have contributed more than 23 million measurements to the GLOBE database for use in inquiry-based science projects. The objectives of the program are to promote the teaching and learning of science; enhance environmental awareness, literacy and stewardship; and contribute to science research and environmental monitoring.SWOT will measure sea surface height and the heights, slopes, and inundated areas of rivers, lakes, and wetlands. This new SWOT-GLOBE partnership will focus on the limnology aspects of SWOT. These measurements will be useful in monitoring the hydrologic cycle, flooding, and climate impacts of a changing environment.GLOBE's cadre of teachers are trained in five core areas of Earth system science, including hydrology. The SWOT Education teams at NASA and CNES are working with the GLOBE Program implementers to develop and promote a new protocol under the Hydrology topic area for students to measure attributes of surface water bodies that will support mission science objectives. This protocol will outline and describe a methodology to measure width and height of rivers and lakes.This new GLOBE protocol will be included in training to provide teachers with expertise and confidence in engaging students in this new scientific investigation. Performing this additional measurement will enhance GLOBE students experience in scientific investigation, and will provide useful measurements to SWOT researchers that can support the SWOT mission research goals.SWOT public engagement will involve communicating the value of its river and lake height measurements, lake water storage, and river discharge. This is also important to the GLOBE Program as curriculum integration of its hydrology measurements can be enhanced by strengthened ties to the concepts of watersheds and the hydrologic cycle. Understanding can also be increased of the relation of lake and river levels to drought and water supply.

  9. The USCACA hosted symposiums at the 7th CACA annual meeting and the 15th CSCO annual meeting in Beijing.

    PubMed

    Shi, Michael; Yang, Wancai; Qian, Pascal; Yan, Li

    2012-11-01

    In September 2012, the US Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (USCACA) hosted two symposiums in Beijing. The USCACA hosted the first joint session at the 7th annual meetings of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (CACA), themed on "Collaboration between the US and China in Cancer Research." Six experts from the United States and China presented their latest work on basic and translational cancer research. During this symposium, 5 young Chinese scholars, returnees after their training in the United States, were honored the"AFCR-USCACA Scholarships Award." The USCACA hosted a second symposium during the 15th annual meeting of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO), focused on the "US-China Collaboration in Cancer Drug Clinical Development." An international delegation of oncology experts presented the innovative clinical trial strategies and discussed the biomarkers for cancer early detection and clinical trials, targeted therapy, and new drug development. The Oncology Drug Clinical Development and Safety Evaluation Committee was also launched to promote an innovative environment and to provide a collaborative platform for anti-cancer drug development in China.

  10. Lessons learned from the Siting Process of an Interim Storage Facility in Spain - 12024

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lamolla, Meritxell Martell

    2012-07-01

    On 29 December 2009, the Spanish government launched a site selection process to host a centralised interim storage facility for spent fuel and high-level radioactive waste. It was an unprecedented call for voluntarism among Spanish municipalities to site a controversial facility. Two nuclear municipalities, amongst a total of thirteen municipalities from five different regions, presented their candidatures to host the facility in their territories. For two years the government did not make a decision. Only in November 30, 2011, the new government elected on 20 November 2011 officially selected a non-nuclear municipality, Villar de Canas, for hosting this facility. Thismore » paper focuses on analysing the factors facilitating and hindering the siting of controversial facilities, in particular the interim storage facility in Spain. It demonstrates that involving all stakeholders in the decision-making process should not be underestimated. In the case of Spain, all regional governments where there were candidate municipalities willing to host the centralised interim storage facility, publicly opposed to the siting of the facility. (author)« less

  11. Quantification of Posterior Globe Flattening: Methodology Development and Validationc

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lumpkins, S. B.; Garcia, K. M.; Sargsyan, A. E.; Hamilton, D. R.; Berggren, M. D.; Antonsen, E.; Ebert, D.

    2011-01-01

    Microgravity exposure affects visual acuity in a subset of astronauts, and mechanisms may include structural changes in the posterior globe and orbit. Particularly, posterior globe flattening has been implicated in several astronauts. This phenomenon is known to affect some terrestrial patient populations, and has been shown to be associated with intracranial hypertension. It is commonly assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), or B-mode ultrasound (US), without consistent objective criteria. NASA uses a semi-quantitative scale of 0-3 as part of eye/orbit MRI and US analysis for occupational monitoring purposes. The goal of this study was to initiate development of an objective quantification methodology for posterior globe flattening.

  12. The Significance of Ongoing Teacher Support in Earth Science Education Programs: Evidence from the GLOBE Program

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Penuel, B.; Korbak, C.; Shear, L.

    2003-12-01

    The GLOBE program provides a rich context for examining issues concerning implementation of inquiry-oriented, scientist-driven educational programs, because the program has both a history of collecting evaluation data on implementation and mechanisms for capturing program activity as it occurs. In this paper, researchers from SRI International's evaluation team explore the different roles that regional partners play in preparing and supporting teachers to implement the GLOBE Program, an international inquiry-based Earth science education initiative that has trained over 14,000 teachers worldwide. GLOBE program evaluation results show the program can be effective in increasing students' inquiry skills, but that the program is also hard for teachers to implement (Means et al., 2001; Penuel et al., 2002). An analysis of GLOBE's regional partner organizations, which are tasked with preparing teachers to implement its data collection and reporting protocols with students, shows that some partners are more successful than others. This paper reports findings from a quantitative analysis of the relationship between data reporting and partner support activities and from case studies of two such regional partners focused on analyzing what makes them successful. The first analysis examined associations between partner training and support activities and data reporting. For this analysis, we used data from the GLOBE Student Data Archive matched with survey data collected from a large sample of GLOBE teachers as part of SRI's Year 5 evaluation of GLOBE. Our analyses point to the central importance of mentoring and material support to teachers. We found that incentives, mentoring, and other on-site support to teachers have a statistically significant association with higher data reporting levels. We also found that at present, teachers access these supports less often than they access listservs and e-mail communication with teachers after GLOBE training. As a follow-up to this study, SRI researchers used the data on student data reporting activity from different partners to identify candidate sites for case studies, where we might investigate the nature of follow-up activities provided by successful partners more closely. We worked to select 2 regional partners that had evidence of high percentages of teachers trained that reported data and that also offered follow-up to teachers. Case study researchers conducted observations within 2-3 active GLOBE schools supported by each regional partner organization and interviewed teachers, principals, and partner staff. On the basis of our observation data and transcripts from interviews, we compiled profiles of schools' implementation and analyzed the core activities of each regional partner. Researchers found that keys to promoting successful implementation in one partnership were: one partnership were: close alignment with state mathematics and science initiatives; mentors that helped teachers by modeling inquiry in GLOBE and by assisting with equipment set-up and curriculum planning; and allowing room for schools to adopt diverse goals for GLOBE. In the second partnership, keys to success included a strategic approach to developing funding for the program; a focus on integration of culturally-relevant knowledge into teacher preparation; follow-up support for teachers; and use of GLOBE as an opportunity to investigate local evidence of climate change. Both partner organizations were challenged by funding limitations that prevented them from providing as much follow-up support as they believe is necessary.

  13. A New Paradigm in Earth Environmental Monitoring with the CYGNSS Small Satellite Constellation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ruf, C. S.; Chew, C.; Lang, T.; Morris, M. G.; Kyle, K.; Ridley, A.; Balasubramaniam, R.

    2018-01-01

    A constellation of small, low-cost satellites is able to make scientifically valuable measurements of the Earth which can be used for weather forecasting, disaster monitoring, and climate studies. Eight CYGNSS satellites were launched into low Earth orbit on December 15, 2016. Each satellite carries a science radar receiver which measures GPS signals reflected from the Earth surface. The signals contain information about the surface, including wind speed over ocean and soil moisture and flooding over land. The satellites are distributed around the globe so that measurements can be made more often to capture extreme weather events. Innovative engineering approaches are used to reduce per satellite cost, increase the number in the constellation, and improve temporal sampling. These include the use of differential drag rather than propulsion to adjust the spacing between satellites and the use of existing GPS signals as the science radars’ transmitter. Initial on-orbit results demonstrate the scientific utility of the CYGNSS observations, and suggest that a new paradigm in spaceborne Earth environmental monitoring is possible.

  14. Malaria drug resistance: new observations and developments

    PubMed Central

    Sá, Juliana M.; Chong, Jason L.; Wellems, Thomas E.

    2012-01-01

    Drug-resistant micro-organisms became widespread in the 20th Century, often with devastating consequences, in response to widespread use of natural and synthetic drugs against infectious diseases. Antimalarial resistance provides one of the earliest examples, following the introduction of new medicines that filled important needs for prophylaxis and treatment around the globe. In the present chapter, we offer a brief synopsis of major antimalarial developments from two natural remedies, the qinghaosu and cinchona bark infusions, and of synthetic drugs inspired by the active components of these remedies. We review some contributions that early efficacy studies of antimalarial treatment brought to clinical pharmacology, including convincing documentation of atebrine-resistant malaria in the 1940s, prior to the launching of what soon became first-choice antimalarials, chloroquine and amodiaquine. Finally, we discuss some new observations on the molecular genetics of drug resistance, including delayed parasite clearances that have been increasingly observed in response to artemisinin derivatives in regions of South-East Asia. PMID:22023447

  15. GLOBE Observer: A new tool to bring science activities and measurements home

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Riebeek Kohl, H.; Murphy, T.

    2016-12-01

    The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program is an international science and education program that provides students and the public worldwide with the opportunity to participate in data collection and the scientific process, and contribute meaningfully to our understanding of the Earth system and global environment. For more than 20 years, GLOBE-trained teachers have been leading environmental data collection and student research in the classroom. In 2016, GLOBE expanded to invite data collection from citizen scientists of all ages through a simple smart phone app. The app makes it possible for students to take GLOBE data (environmental observations) outside of school with their families. It enables a museum, park, youth organization, or other informal institution to provide a simple take-home activity that will keep patrons engaged in environmental science from home. This presentation will provide a demonstration of the app and will provide examples of its use in informal settings.

  16. Planning and Management of Real-Time Geospatialuas Missions Within a Virtual Globe Environment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nebiker, S.; Eugster, H.; Flückiger, K.; Christen, M.

    2011-09-01

    This paper presents the design and development of a hardware and software framework supporting all phases of typical monitoring and mapping missions with mini and micro UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). The developed solution combines state-of-the art collaborative virtual globe technologies with advanced geospatial imaging techniques and wireless data link technologies supporting the combined and highly reliable transmission of digital video, high-resolution still imagery and mission control data over extended operational ranges. The framework enables the planning, simulation, control and real-time monitoring of UAS missions in application areas such as monitoring of forest fires, agronomical research, border patrol or pipeline inspection. The geospatial components of the project are based on the Virtual Globe Technology i3D OpenWebGlobe of the Institute of Geomatics Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW). i3D OpenWebGlobe is a high-performance 3D geovisualisation engine supporting the web-based streaming of very large amounts of terrain and POI data.

  17. Evaluation and Strategic Planning for the GLOBE Program

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Geary, E. E.; Williams, V. L.

    2010-12-01

    The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program is an international environmental education program. It unites educators, students and scientists worldwide to collaborate on inquiry based investigations of the environment and Earth system science. Evaluation of the GLOBE program has been challenging because of its broad reach, diffuse models of implementation, and multiple stakeholders. In an effort to guide current evaluation efforts, a logic model was developed that provides a visual display of how the GLOBE program operates. Using standard elements of inputs, activities, outputs, customers and outcomes, this model describes how the program operates to achieve its goals. The template used to develop this particular logic model aligns the GLOBE program operations with its program strategy, thus ensuring that what the program is doing supports the achievement of long-term, intermediate and annual goals. It also provides a foundation for the development of key programmatic metrics that can be used to gauge progress toward the achievement of strategic goals.

  18. GLOBE and the Earth SySTEM Model in Teacher Preparation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jabot, M.; Moore, J.; Dorofy, P.

    2017-12-01

    This presentation will share the growing body of work linking ArcMap and GLOBE and the Earth SySTEM approach in the development of preservice teachers. Our work is linking the power of ArcMap with the vast database of GLOBE in a unique way that links the power of geospatial technologies in shaping the planning for and delivery of science instruction in the P-5 classroom.

  19. GLOBE Aerosol Field Campaign - U.S. Pilot Study 2016

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pippin, Margaret; Marentette, Christina; Bujosa, Robert; Taylor, Jessica; Lewis, Preston

    2016-01-01

    During the spring of 2016, from April 4 - May 27, sixteen GLOBE schools participated in the GLOBE Aerosol Field Campaign - U.S. Pilot Study. Thirteen teachers from these schools had previously participated in the NASA LEARN program (Long-term Experience in Authentic Research with NASA) where they were GLOBE trained in Atmosphere protocols, and engaged in 1-3 years of research under the mentorship of NASA scientists. Each school was loaned two aerosol instruments for the Campaign duration, either 2 GLOBE sun photometers, 2 Calitoo sun photometers, or 1 of each. This allowed for students to make measurements side-by-side and in the case of the Calitoos, to compare AOT results immediately with each other for better consistency in data collection. Additionally, as part of the Field Campaign evaluation, multiple instruments allow for an assessment of the ease of use of each instrument for grade level of students, whether in middle school or high school. Before the Campaign, all GLOBE and Calitoo instruments were 'checked out' against an AERONET, then checked again upon return after the Campaign. By examining all data, before, during and after the Campaign, this gives an indication of instrument performance and proficiency obtained by the students. Support was provided to each teacher and their students at the level requested, via email, phone or video conferencing.

  20. Virtual Globes, where we were, are and will be

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dehn, J.; Webley, P. W.; Worden, A. K.

    2016-12-01

    Ten years ago, Google Earth was new, and the first "Virtual Globes" session was held at AGU. Only a few of us realized the potential of this technology at the time, but the idea quickly caught on. At that time a virtual globe came in two flavors, first a complex GIS system that was utterly impenetrable for the public, or a more accessible version with limited functionality and layers that was available on a desktop computer with a good internet connection. Google Earth's use of the Keyhole Markup Language opened the door for scientists and the public to share data and visualizations across disciplines and revolutionized how everyone uses geographic data. In the following 10 years, KML became more advanced, virtual globes moved to mobile and handheld platforms, and the Google Earth engine allowed for more complex data sharing among scientists. Virtual globe images went from a rare commodity to being everywhere in our lives, from weather forecasts, in our cars, on our smart-phones and shape how we receive and process data. This is a fantastic tool for education and with newer technologies can reach the the remote corners of the world and developing countries. New and emerging technologies allow for augmented reality to be merged with the globes, and for real-time data integration with sensors built into mobile devices or add-ons. This presentation will follow the history of virtual globes in the geosciences, show how robust technologies can be used in the field and classroom today, and make some suggestions for the future.

  1. Visualizing dynamic geosciences phenomena using an octree-based view-dependent LOD strategy within virtual globes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Jing; Wu, Huayi; Yang, Chaowei; Wong, David W.; Xie, Jibo

    2011-09-01

    Geoscientists build dynamic models to simulate various natural phenomena for a better understanding of our planet. Interactive visualizations of these geoscience models and their outputs through virtual globes on the Internet can help the public understand the dynamic phenomena related to the Earth more intuitively. However, challenges arise when the volume of four-dimensional data (4D), 3D in space plus time, is huge for rendering. Datasets loaded from geographically distributed data servers require synchronization between ingesting and rendering data. Also the visualization capability of display clients varies significantly in such an online visualization environment; some may not have high-end graphic cards. To enhance the efficiency of visualizing dynamic volumetric data in virtual globes, this paper proposes a systematic framework, in which an octree-based multiresolution data structure is implemented to organize time series 3D geospatial data to be used in virtual globe environments. This framework includes a view-dependent continuous level of detail (LOD) strategy formulated as a synchronized part of the virtual globe rendering process. Through the octree-based data retrieval process, the LOD strategy enables the rendering of the 4D simulation at a consistent and acceptable frame rate. To demonstrate the capabilities of this framework, data of a simulated dust storm event are rendered in World Wind, an open source virtual globe. The rendering performances with and without the octree-based LOD strategy are compared. The experimental results show that using the proposed data structure and processing strategy significantly enhances the visualization performance when rendering dynamic geospatial phenomena in virtual globes.

  2. A study on the impact of the GLOBE program on students' attitudes regarding environmental issues

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Manfready, Gary Martin

    A key objective in environmental curricula should be to instill responsible and concerned attitudes toward environmental issues. This can be accomplished through the application of innovative programs which emphasize the development of the affective domain of learning. The development of personal attitudes is one form of evidence that the affective domain is being addressed. This study was undertaken to determine the impact of the GLOBE program (Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment) on the attitudes of students toward environmental issues. Three hundred and five middle and high school level students from four states were surveyed to determine their attitudes toward selected environmental statements. Results demonstrated that attitudes toward environmental issues of GLOBE students were significantly greater than non-GLOBE students. Additional analysis demonstrated that regardless of grade levels, gender, racial and ethnicity backgrounds, depth of GLOBE involvement, and degree of teachers' GLOBE experiences, GLOBE students display similar levels of attitudes toward environmental issues. Establishment of a reliable Likert scale measurement instrument was accomplished. Permission to use an existing survey was obtained. Additional items were added to increase validity. Establishment of reliability was accomplished through a Guttman split half analysis of the piloted instrument. Through the use of factor analysis, four categories or sub-groupings of attitudes were determined to exist. Reliability was established for the factors. These sub-groupings were identified as personal commitment to environmental protection, awareness of avenues for action, loci of control, and students' perception of teachers' abilities to present environmental topics. These categories were a part of the analysis of four hypotheses.

  3. Locally Motivated GLOBE Investigations - A Key to Success

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Washburne, J. C.; Geery, W.

    2003-12-01

    The GLOBE program was set up to help students make a core set of environmental observations at or near their schools, report their data through the internet to share with other students and scientists, analyze their data both locally and globally, and use this knowledge to form a better understanding of their environment. While the GLOBE program has been successful promoting more meaningful data collection, many of the tools and much of the infrastructure available to schools to synthesize their observations are underused. Schools that integrate GLOBE protocols with locally motivated investigations are more likely to implement the higher-order analysis and synthesis components of the program. Indicators of a successful observational program are things like measurement persistence, high data quality, and regular data. Participation in community forums and student-based research projects are evidence of a successful integrated program. A locally motivated issue allows a school to mold their GLOBE investigations around a multi-faceted question that they have first-hand knowledge of, that is both relevant and engaging to their students, and that can be supported by local expertise. In contrast, many GLOBE investigations are designed around abstract, non-site specific, narrowly focused and externally analyzed questions that limit local involvement and motivation. The main focus of this presentation is a few case histories of successful local investigations that incorporated GLOBE soil and air temperature data-logger measurements. The main example is drawn from Mr. Geery's fifth grade class investigation of why temperature differences exist between a local river bottom area and the school, which is located several kilometers away and 100 meters higher.

  4. The GLOBE at Night Campaign: Promoting Dark Skies Awareness Beyond IYA2009

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Walker, Constance E.

    2010-01-01

    One of the most productive programs in the IYA2009 Dark Skies Awareness Cornerstone Project has been GLOBE at Night. The GLOBE at Night program has endeavored to promote social awareness of the dark sky by getting the general public to measure light pollution and submit results on-line. During IYA2009 alone, over 15,700 measurements from 70 countries were contributed during the 2-week campaign period. That amount is twice the number of measurements on average from previous years. The GLOBE at Night website explains clearly the simple-to-participate-in 5 step program and offers background information and interactive games on key concepts. The program has been expanded to include trainings of the general public, but especially educators in schools, museums and science centers, in unique ways. Education kits for Dark Skies Awareness have been distributed at these training workshops. The kit includes material for a light shielding demonstration, a digital Sky Quality Meter and Dark Skies Ranger Activities. The activities are on how unshielded light wastes energy, how light pollution affects wildlife and how you can participate in a citizen-science star-hunt like GLOBE at Night. In addition, projects are being developed for what to do with the data once it is taken. There were particularly spirited and creative GLOBE at Night campaigns around the world in 2009. One such "poster child” was carried out by 6500 students in northern Indiana. The students produced 3,391 GLOBE at Night measurements. To visualize the magnitudes of dark sky lost to light pollution, these students removed over 12,000 of the 35,000 stacked LEGO blocks that represented an ideal night sky across the school district. The presentation will provide an update with lessons learned, describe how people can become involved and take a look ahead at the program's sustainability. For further information, visit www.globe.gov/globeatnight.

  5. Shedding Light on Light Pollution: Reports from GLOBE at Night

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Walker, Constance E.; Pompea, S. M.; Isbell, D.

    2009-05-01

    The citizen-science program on light pollution, GLOBE at Night, has had rich responses during this year's campaign in March 2009. Reporting on some of the highlights, we will hear success stories and lessons learned from educators, students, science centers and astronomy clubs from around the world. Communities will be featured from several cities, such Norman, Oklahoma, Mishawaka, Indiana, Willimantic, Connecticut, and Waynesville, Ohio, which created mini-campaigns that combined local students with public advocates and representatives from local city and county governments. Connecticut kids collaborated with students in Wales, Canada and Romania on GLOBE at Night, and an extensive campaign was planned with the schools near the observatories of north-central Chile. Groups that have received special training in GLOBE at Night and related activities include the "Astronomy from the Ground Up” network of science and nature centers (fostered by the ASP and the NSF), 146 amateur astronomers who are part of the ASP-NASA Night-Sky Network, and the Association of Science-Technology Centers. Special training was given over forums, telecon-powerpoint presentations and blogs, to fit the needs of the communities. Among the more interesting media efforts for the general public, GLOBE at Night was the topic of the March 6 episode of the IYA2009 "Days of Astronomy" podcast. International organizing efforts for GLOBE at Night have been strong in countries like Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain and the United Kingdom, to name a few. We will also discuss how cities, such as Tucson, Arizona, combined efforts on GLOBE at Night with involvement in the World Wildlife Fund's Earth Hour event (www.earthhour.org). Earth Hour encouraged everyone to turn out their lights from 8:30-9:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, March 28, the final night of GLOBE at Night 2009.

  6. Bringing the Science of Climate Change to Elementary Students with new Classroom Activities from Elementary GLOBE

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gardiner, L. S.; Hatheway, B.; Taylor, J.; Chambers, L. H.; Stanitski, D.

    2016-12-01

    To address the dearth of climate education resources at the elementary level, we have developed a new module of Elementary GLOBE to showcase the science of climate change for young learners. Elementary GLOBE builds K-4 student understanding of the science concepts and the practices of science research. At the heart of each Elementary GLOBE module is a fiction storybook, describing how three kids investigate a science question. Accompanying classroom activities allow students to explore the science concepts in the book in more depth and in a context appropriate for young learners. The book for the Elementary GLOBE climate module, "What in the World Is Happening to Our Climate?," is the account of an adventure to explore climate change, how it is affecting melting glacial ice and sea level rise, and how climate change is a problem that can be solved. Three hands-on activities, which will be presented at this session, allow students to explore the topics in greater depth including differences between weather and climate, how sea level rise affects coastal areas, and how they can shrink their carbon footprint to help address recent climate change. Each activity includes instructions for teachers, background information, and activity sheets for students, and is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core Math and Language Arts Standards. The storybook and activities were field tested in classrooms and reviewed by climate and Earth system scientists as well as elementary education and climate education specialists and educators to ensure scientific accuracy and clear explanations, and that the resources are age appropriate and reflect the needs of the climate education community. Other Elementary GLOBE modules include the science of seasonal change, water, soil, clouds, aerosols, and Earth as a system. All Elementary GLOBE educational resources are freely available online (www.globe.gov/elementaryglobe).

  7. Place-based Learning About Climate with Elementary GLOBE

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hatheway, B.; Gardiner, L. S.; Harte, T.; Stanitski, D.; Taylor, J.

    2017-12-01

    Place-based education - helping students make connections between themselves, their community, and their local environment - is an important tool to help young learners understand their regional climate and start to learn about climate and environmental change. Elementary GLOBE storybooks and learning activities allow opportunities for place-based education instructional strategies about climate. In particular, two modules in the Elementary GLOBE unit - Seasons and Climate - provide opportunities for students to explore their local climate and environment. The storybooks and activities also make connections to other parts of elementary curriculum, such as arts, geography, and math. Over the long term, place-based education can also encourage students to be stewards of their local environment. A strong sense of place may help students to see themselves as stakeholders in their community and its resilience. In places that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate and environmental change and the economic, social, and environmental tradeoffs of community decisions, helping young students developing a sense of place and to see the connection between Earth science, local community, and their lives can have a lasting impact on how a community evolves for decades to come. Elementary GLOBE was designed to help elementary teachers (i.e., grades K-4) integrate Earth system science topics into their curriculum as they teach literacy skills to students. This suite of instructional materials includes seven modules. Each module contains a science-based storybook and learning activities that support the science content addressed in the storybooks. Elementary GLOBE modules feature air quality, climate, clouds, Earth system, seasons, soil, and water. New eBooks allow students to read stories on computers or tablets, with the option of listening to each story with an audio recording. A new Elementary GLOBE Teacher Implementation Guide, published in 2017, provides educators with information and strategies how Elementary GLOBE modules can be effectively applied in classrooms, how Elementary GLOBE modules are aligned with national standards, and how student literacy and science inquiry skills can be strengthened while learning about the Earth system.

  8. GPM Launch Day at NASA Goddard (Feb. 27, 2014)

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2014-02-27

    One of the control rooms at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., prepares for the GPM mission’s Core Observatory on Feb. 27, 2014. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Debbie McCallum GPM's Core Observatory is poised for launch from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Tanegashima Space Center, scheduled for the afternoon of Feb. 27, 2014 (EST). GPM is a joint venture between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The GPM Core Observatory will link data from a constellation of current and planned satellites to produce next-generation global measurements of rainfall and snowfall from space. The GPM mission is the first coordinated international satellite network to provide near real-time observations of rain and snow every three hours anywhere on the globe. The GPM Core Observatory anchors this network by providing observations on all types of precipitation. The observatory's data acts as the measuring stick by which partner observations can be combined into a unified data set. The data will be used by scientists to study climate change, freshwater resources, floods and droughts, and hurricane formation and tracking. NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

  9. Societal Benefits of Ocean Altimetry Data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Srinivasan, M.; Leben, R.

    2006-07-01

    The NASA/CNES Jason satellite, follow-on to the highly successful TOPEX/Poseidon mission, continues to provide oceanographers and marine operators across the globe with a continuous thirteen-year, high-quality stream of sea surface height data. The mission is expected to extend through 2008, when the NASA/NOAA/CNES follow-on mission, the ocean surface topography mission, will be launched. This unprecedented resource of valuable ocean data is being used to map sea surface height, geostrophic velocity, significant wave height, and wind speed over the global oceans. Altimeter data products are currently used by hundreds of researchers and operational users to monitor ocean circulation and improve our understanding of the role of the oceans in climate and weather. Ocean altimeter data have many societal benefits and have proven invaluable in many practical applications including; -Climate research and forecasting -Hurricane forecasting and tracking -Ocean forecasting systems -Ship routing and marine operations -Marine mammal habitat monitoring -Education The data have been cited in over 2,100 research and popular articles since the launch of TOPEX/Poseidon in 1992, and almost 200 scientific users receive the global coverage altimeter data on a monthly basis. In addition to the scientific and operational uses of the data, the educational community has seized the unique concepts highlighted by these altimeter missions as a resource for teaching ocean science to students from grade school through college. This presentation will highlight new societal benefits of ocean altimetry data in the areas of climate studies, marine operations, marine research, and non-ocean investigations.

  10. Preliminary Assessment of Suomi-NPP VIIRS On-orbit Radiometric Performance

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Oudrari, Hassan; DeLuccia, Frank; McIntire, Jeff; Moyer, David; Chiang, Vincent; Xiong, Xiao-xiong; Butler, James

    2012-01-01

    The Visible-Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) is a key instrument on-board the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (NPP) spacecraft that was launched on October 28th 2011. VIIRS was designed to provide moderate and imaging resolution of most of the globe twice daily. It is a wide-swath (3,040 km) cross-track scanning radiometer with spatial resolutions of 370.and 740 m at nadir for imaging and moderate bands, respectively. It has 22 spectral bands covering the spectrum between 0.412 11m and 12.01 11m, including 14 reflective solar bands (RSB), 7 thermal emissive bands (TEB), and 1 day-night band (ON B). VIIRS observations are used to generate 22 environmental data products (EORs). This paper will briefly describe NPP VIIRS calibration strategies performed by the independent government team, for the initial on-orbit Intensive Calibration and Validation (ICV) activities. In addition, this paper will provide an early assessment of the sensor on-orbit radiometric performance, such as the sensor signal to noise ratios (SNRs), dual gain transition verification, dynamic range and linearity, reflective bands calibration based on the solar diffuser (SO) and solar diffuser stability monitor (SOSM), and emissive bands calibration based on the on-board blackbody calibration (OBC). A comprehensive set of performance metrics generated during the pre-launch testing program will be compared to VIIRS on-orbit early performance, and a plan for future cal/val activities and performance enhancements will be presented.

  11. Quantification of Posterior Globe Flattening: Methodology Development and Validation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lumpkins, Sarah B.; Garcia, Kathleen M.; Sargsyan, Ashot E.; Hamilton, Douglas R.; Berggren, Michael D.; Ebert, Douglas

    2012-01-01

    Microgravity exposure affects visual acuity in a subset of astronauts and mechanisms may include structural changes in the posterior globe and orbit. Particularly, posterior globe flattening has been implicated in the eyes of several astronauts. This phenomenon is known to affect some terrestrial patient populations and has been shown to be associated with intracranial hypertension. It is commonly assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) or B-mode Ultrasound (US), without consistent objective criteria. NASA uses a semiquantitative scale of 0-3 as part of eye/orbit MRI and US analysis for occupational monitoring purposes. The goal of this study was ot initiate development of an objective quantification methodology to monitor small changes in posterior globe flattening.

  12. KSC00pp1958

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2000-12-11

    Across from the Vehicle Assembly Building and Launch Control Center, Steve Thomas (left), host of This Old House, and Norm Abram (second from left), master carpenter on the series, watch as a a videographer (in front) checks his camera. With them is astronaut John Herrington. The cast and crew of This Old House are filming at KSC for an episode of the show. Herrington is accompanying the film crew on their tour of KSC

  13. KSC-05pd2621

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2005-12-16

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Civil Service employees and their families enjoy a traditional holiday meal of turkey, ham and all of the trimmings at an annual holiday dinner and celebration hosted by Center Director Jim Kennedy, at KARS Park 1 on Merritt Island, Fla. The theme for the celebration was "Launching Dreams of Those in Need." The event was sponsored by the Change Leaders Network and the Combined Federal Campaign Cabinet.

  14. KSC-05pd2622

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2005-12-16

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Civil Service employees and their families help themselves to a traditional holiday meal of turkey, ham and all of the trimmings at an annual holiday dinner and celebration hosted by Center Director Jim Kennedy, at KARS Park 1 on Merritt Island, Fla. The theme for the celebration was "Launching Dreams of Those in Need." The event was sponsored by the Change Leaders Network and the Combined Federal Campaign Cabinet.

  15. High Prevalence of Rickettsia spp. Infections in Small Mammals in Taiwan

    PubMed Central

    Kuo, Chi-Chien; Shu, Pei-Yun; Mu, Jung-Jung

    2015-01-01

    Abstract Surveillance for Rickettsia spp. is urgently needed due to the recent emergence of many novel rickettsioses around the globe, but previous studies in Taiwan have been limited to small areas and no investigation of infections in vertebrate hosts has ever been attempted. We surveyed rickettsial infections systematically in small-mammal hosts trapped between 2006 and 2010 throughout Taiwan. Fragments of ompB and gltA genes in the liver, spleen, and kidney of mammals were targeted by nested polymerase chain reaction. We trapped 1375 individuals of 10 species, among which Rattus losea was the most common (54.6%), followed by Suncus murinus (20.6%) and Mus caroli (10.6%). The overall rate of Rickettsia infections in the liver, spleen, or kidney of 309 assayed small mammals was 60.5%, with a rate of infection ≥50% for each mammal species. DNA nucleotide sequences of 184 successfully sequenced genes were most similar to nine Rickettsia species: Rickettsia conorii, R. felis, R. japonica, R. raoultii, R. rickettsii, Rickettsia sp. IG-1, Rickettsia sp. TwKM01, Rickettsia sp. TwKM02, and R. typhi. Our results suggest that several novel Rickettsia spp. are common and widespread across various habitats throughout Taiwan and suggest the need for further study of emerging rickettsioses in Taiwan. PMID:25629776

  16. Prions and prion diseases: fundamentals and mechanistic details.

    PubMed

    Ryou, Chongsuk

    2007-07-01

    Prion diseases, often called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), are infectious diseases that accompany neurological dysfunctions in many mammalian hosts. Prion diseases include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, "mad cow disease") in cattle, scrapie in sheep, and chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer and elks. The cause of these fatal diseases is a proteinaceous pathogen termed prion that lacks functional nucleic acids. As demonstrated in the BSE outbreak and its transmission to humans, the onset of disease is not limited to a certain species but can be transmissible from one host species to another. Such a striking nature ofprions has generated huge concerns in public health and attracted serious attention in the scientific communities. To date, the potential transmission ofprions to humans via foodbome infectiorn and iatrogenic routes has not been alleviated. Rather, the possible transmission of human to human or cervids to human aggravates the terrifying situation across the globe. In this review, basic features about prion diseases including clinical and pathological characteristics, etiology, and transmission of diseases are described. Based on recently accumulated evidences, the molecular and biochemical aspects of prions, with an emphasis on the molecular interactions involved in prion conversion that is critical during prion replication and pathogenesis, are also addressed.

  17. Emerging Viral Infections in Pakistan: Issues, Concerns, and Future Prospects.

    PubMed

    Khalil, Ali Talha; Ali, Muhammad; Tanveer, Faouzia; Ovais, Muhammad; Idrees, Muhammad; Shinwari, Zabta Khan; Hollenbeck, James E

    Emerging infectious diseases pose a serious threat to public health security; this is especially true in the underdeveloped world because of limited resources to combat them. These emerging pathogens are characterized by a novel mode of pathogenesis and, in some cases, a broad host range. Over the past few decades, Pakistan has suffered a great deal from infectious diseases such as dengue, Crimean-Congo fever, hepatitis, measles, and polio. Changing climate conditions, environmental degradation, global warming, loss of biodiversity, and other ecological determinants have a direct effect on these diseases and result in the emergence and reemergence of infectious entities. The causes of such disease outbreaks are complex and often not well understood. Dealing with an outbreak requires an integrated and coordinated approach, with decision making by various state departments. Stringent biosecurity and biosafety protocols can help to reduce the chances of infection dissemination. In order to mitigate the risks associated with emerging pathogens, there is a greater need to understand the interactions of pathogen-host-environment, to monitor molecular evolution and genomic surveillance, and to facilitate the gearing up of scientists across the globe to control these emerging diseases. This article reviews recent outbreaks in Pakistan and challenges for the development of an agile healthcare setup in the country.

  18. Real-Time Sensor Validation System Developed for Reusable Launch Vehicle Testbed

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jankovsky, Amy L.

    1997-01-01

    A real-time system for validating sensor health has been developed for the reusable launch vehicle (RLV) program. This system, which is part of the propulsion checkout and control system (PCCS), was designed for use in an integrated propulsion technology demonstrator testbed built by Rockwell International and located at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. Work on the sensor health validation system, a result of an industry-NASA partnership, was completed at the NASA Lewis Research Center, then delivered to Marshall for integration and testing. The sensor validation software performs three basic functions: it identifies failed sensors, it provides reconstructed signals for failed sensors, and it identifies off-nominal system transient behavior that cannot be attributed to a failed sensor. The code is initiated by host software before the start of a propulsion system test, and it is called by the host program every control cycle. The output is posted to global memory for use by other PCCS modules. Output includes a list indicating the status of each sensor (i.e., failed, healthy, or reconstructed) and a list of features that are not due to a sensor failure. If a sensor failure is found, the system modifies that sensor's data array by substituting a reconstructed signal, when possible, for use by other PCCS modules.

  19. KSC-08pd1364

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-05-14

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In a U.S. Coast Guard rescue boat off Florida's central east coast, participants in a rescue training exercise, known as Mode VIII, put on astronauts' launch-and-entry suits. In support of, and with logistical support from, NASA, USSTRATCOM is hosting a major exercise involving Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, search and rescue (SAR) forces, including the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, which support space shuttle astronaut bailout contingency operations, known as Mode VIII. This exercise tests SAR capabilities to locate, recover and provide medical treatment for astronauts following a space shuttle launch phase open-ocean bailout. Participants include members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force, and NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

  20. KSC-08pd1367

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-05-14

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Participants in a rescue training exercise, known as Mode VIII, are successfully launched from a U.S. Coast Guard rescue boat off Florida's central east coast. In support of, and with logistical support from, NASA, USSTRATCOM is hosting a major exercise involving Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, search and rescue (SAR) forces, including the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, which support space shuttle astronaut bailout contingency operations, known as Mode VIII. This exercise tests SAR capabilities to locate, recover and provide medical treatment for astronauts following a space shuttle launch phase open-ocean bailout. Participants include members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force, and NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

  1. KSC-08pd1366

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-05-14

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Participants in a rescue training exercise, known as Mode VIII, are successfully launched from a U.S. Coast Guard rescue boat off Florida's central east coast. In support of, and with logistical support from, NASA, USSTRATCOM is hosting a major exercise involving Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, search and rescue (SAR) forces, including the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, which support space shuttle astronaut bailout contingency operations, known as Mode VIII. This exercise tests SAR capabilities to locate, recover and provide medical treatment for astronauts following a space shuttle launch phase open-ocean bailout. Participants include members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force, and NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

  2. KSC-08pd1368

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-05-14

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Participants in a rescue training exercise, known as Mode VIII, are successfully launched from a U.S. Coast Guard rescue boat off Florida's central east coast. In support of, and with logistical support from, NASA, USSTRATCOM is hosting a major exercise involving Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, search and rescue (SAR) forces, including the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, which support space shuttle astronaut bailout contingency operations, known as Mode VIII. This exercise tests SAR capabilities to locate, recover and provide medical treatment for astronauts following a space shuttle launch phase open-ocean bailout. Participants include members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force, and NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

  3. KSC-05pd2618

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2005-12-16

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - An oversized $434,627.40 check represents the highest amount the NASA civil service work force has ever donated to the Combined Federal Campaign. Standing with the check, from left, are Center Director Jim Kennedy; Dennis Burns, United Way of Brevard, vice president of resource development; Frank Ramsey, United Way of Brevard campaign director; Rob Rains, United Way of Brevard president; and Launch Services Program deputy director Ray Lugo, who served as KSC's Combined Federal Campaign chairperson. The check was presented at a holiday dinner and celebration at KARS Park I on Merritt Island, Fla., hosted by Center Director Jim Kennedy for NASA civil service employees. The theme of the celebration was "Launching Dreams of Those in Need." The event was sponsored by the Change Leaders Network and the Combined Federal Campaign Cabinet.

  4. KSC-08pd1365

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-05-14

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In a U.S. Coast Guard rescue boat off Florida's central east coast, participants in a rescue training exercise, known as Mode VIII, are ready to be launched into the Atlantic Ocean. In support of, and with logistical support from, NASA, USSTRATCOM is hosting a major exercise involving Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, search and rescue (SAR) forces, including the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, which support space shuttle astronaut bailout contingency operations, known as Mode VIII. This exercise tests SAR capabilities to locate, recover and provide medical treatment for astronauts following a space shuttle launch phase open-ocean bailout. Participants include members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force, and NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

  5. KSC-08pd1363

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-05-14

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In a U.S. Coast Guard rescue boat off Florida's central east coast, participants in a rescue training exercise, known as Mode VIII, put on astronauts' launch-and-entry suits. In support of, and with logistical support from, NASA, USSTRATCOM is hosting a major exercise involving Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, search and rescue (SAR) forces, including the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, which support space shuttle astronaut bailout contingency operations, known as Mode VIII. This exercise tests SAR capabilities to locate, recover and provide medical treatment for astronauts following a space shuttle launch phase open-ocean bailout. Participants include members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force, and NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

  6. The ExoMars Rover Science Archive: Status and Plans

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Heather, D.; Lim, T.; Metcalfe, L.

    2017-09-01

    The ExoMars program is a co-operation between ESA and Roscosmos comprising two missions: the first, launched on 14 March 2016, included the Trace Gas Orbiter and Schiaparelli lander; the second, due for launch in 2020, will be a Rover and Surface Platform (RSP). The ExoMars Rover and Surface Platform deliveries will be among the first data in the PSA to be formatted according to the new PDS4 Standards, and will be the first rover data to be hosted within the archive at all. The archiving and management of the science data to be returned from ExoMars will require a significant development effort for the new Planetary Science Archive (PSA). This presentation will outline the current plans for archiving of the ExoMars Rover and Surface Platform science data.

  7. Large and linked in scientific publishing

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    We are delighted to announce the launch of GigaScience, an online open-access journal that focuses on research using or producing large datasets in all areas of biological and biomedical sciences. GigaScience is a new type of journal that provides standard scientific publishing linked directly to a database that hosts all the relevant data. The primary goals for the journal, detailed in this editorial, are to promote more rapid data release, broader use and reuse of data, improved reproducibility of results, and direct, easy access between analyses and their data. Direct and permanent connections of scientific analyses and their data (achieved by assigning all hosted data a citable DOI) will enable better analysis and deeper interpretation of the data in the future. PMID:23587310

  8. Large and linked in scientific publishing.

    PubMed

    Goodman, Laurie; Edmunds, Scott C; Basford, Alexandra T

    2012-07-12

    We are delighted to announce the launch of GigaScience, an online open-access journal that focuses on research using or producing large datasets in all areas of biological and biomedical sciences. GigaScience is a new type of journal that provides standard scientific publishing linked directly to a database that hosts all the relevant data. The primary goals for the journal, detailed in this editorial, are to promote more rapid data release, broader use and reuse of data, improved reproducibility of results, and direct, easy access between analyses and their data. Direct and permanent connections of scientific analyses and their data (achieved by assigning all hosted data a citable DOI) will enable better analysis and deeper interpretation of the data in the future.

  9. Improving global flood risk awareness through collaborative research: Id-Lab

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Weerts, A.; Zijderveld, A.; Cumiskey, L.; Buckman, L.; Verlaan, M.; Baart, F.

    2015-12-01

    Scientific and end-user collaboration on operational flood risk modelling and forecasting requires an environment where scientists and end-users can physically work together and demonstrate, enhance and learn about new tools, methods and models for forecasting and warning purposes. Therefore, Deltares has built a real-time demonstration, training and research infrastructure ('operational' room and ICT backend). This research infrastructure supports various functions like (1) Real time response and disaster management, (2) Training, (3) Collaborative Research, (4) Demonstration. The research infrastructure will be used for a mixture of these functions on a regular basis by Deltares and a multitude of both scientists as well as end users such as universities, research institutes, consultants, governments and aid agencies. This infrastructure facilitates emergency advice and support during international and national disasters caused by rainfall, tropical cyclones or tsunamis. It hosts research flood and storm surge forecasting systems for global/continental/regional scale. It facilitates training for emergency & disaster management (along with hosting forecasting system user trainings in for instance the forecasting platform Delft-FEWS) both internally and externally. The facility is expected to inspire and initiate creative innovations by bringing together different experts from various organizations. The room hosts interactive modelling developments, participatory workshops and stakeholder meetings. State of the art tools, models and software, being applied across the globe are available and on display within the facility. We will present the Id-Lab in detail and we will put particular focus on the global operational forecasting systems GLOFFIS (Global Flood Forecasting Information System) and GLOSSIS (Global Storm Surge Information System).

  10. The Citizen-Scientist as Data Collector: GLOBE at Night, Part 1

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ward, D. L.; Henderson, S.; Meymaris, K.; Walker, C.; Pompea, S. M.; Gallagher, S.; Salisbury, D.

    2006-12-01

    GLOBE at Night is an international science event designed to observe and record the visible stars as a means of measuring light pollution in a given location. Increased and robust understanding of our environment requires learning opportunities that take place outside of the conventional K-12 classroom and beyond the confines of the school day. This hands-on learning activity extended the traditional classroom and school day through 11 nights last March, when 18,000 citizen-scientists made over 4,500 observations from 96 countries. Utilizing the international networking capabilities of The GLOBE Program, GLOBE at Night was designed to make data collection and input user-friendly. Citizen-scientists were able to participate in this global scientific campaign by submitting their observations through an online database, allowing for authentic worldwide research and analysis by participating scientists. The data collected is available online in a variety of formats for use by students, teachers and scientists worldwide to assess how the quality of the night sky varies around the world. Using the online analysis tools provided by ESRI, participants were able to compare the observed data with population density and nighttime lighting datasets (DMSP Earth at Night). This comparison allowed correlations between observed data patterns and commonly used indices of population density and energy usage. This session will share our results and demonstrate how students and scientists across the globe can explore and analyze the results of this exciting campaign. We will discuss how the project team planned and executed the project in such a way that non-astronomers were able to make valid and useful contributions. We will also discuss lessons learned and best practices based on the 2006 campaign. GLOBE at Night is a collaborative effort sponsored by The GLOBE Program, the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), Centro de Apoyo a la Didactica de la Astronomia (CADIAS), Windows to the Universe, and ESRI. The GLOBE Program is an international inquiry-based program designed to engage teachers with their students in partnership with research scientists to better understand the environment at local, regional, and global scales. The GLOBE Program is managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and Colorado State University with funding from NASA, NSF, and the U.S. Department of State.

  11. Students Engaged in Climate Change Research Through Vegetation Phenology Studies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sparrow, E. B.; Verbyla, D. L.; White, M. A.; Gordon, L. S.

    2004-12-01

    The project goal is to engage students in scientific research as a way of learning science, math, and technology in K-12 classrooms by providing an opportunity for student-scientist collaborations. This NSF-funded GLOBE project is of significance to scientists who track plant phenological changes as an indicator of climate change and study carbon cycling. To students it is a means of studying Earth as a system. Plants and their phenology stages reflect and integrate the effects of weather and other environmental parameters that are components of the Earth system. Remotely sensed data indicate that the plant growing season has increased in northern latitudes. The greenness estimates could vary due to possible interference from clouds and other atmospheric properties, low sun angles at high latitudes and aging of satellite detectors; hence the need for ground-based observations to help validate satellite-derived estimates of plant growing season lengths. GLOBE plant phenology measurements (protocols) of Green-up and Green-down for deciduous trees and shrubs, and for grasses were developed at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and Budburst at Utah State University. These were pilot- tested, and revised several times with input from teachers and GLOBE personnel. Learning activities to support understanding of science concepts, were also developed and/or adapted. The protocols and learning activities were aligned to national science standards and incorporated in the "Earth as a System" chapter in the 2003 GLOBE Teacher Guide published and also posted on the GLOBE website (www.globe.gov). Phenology protocols and learning activities are being used in Alaska by teachers and students who participate in different NSF and NASA-funded science education programs, such as the Schoolyard Long Term Ecological Research Project, the Global Change Education Using Western Science and Native Observations (OLCG) Project, the Alaska GLOBE program and the EPSCoR Rural Research Partnership Education Outreach program. Pre-college students and their teachers from 77 schools in 11 countries have engaged in GLOBE plant phenology research and entered phenology data on the GLOBE web server. Thus, collaborative efforts in research and education among science education projects in Alaska and in other countries have been facilitated. Scientists now have access to global plant phenology data-ground-based observations that previously have been very rare. Students have also used the phenology protocols for their own investigations.

  12. Adding Another Dimension to Learning: Application of Real World Globes to Undergraduate Geoscience Teaching

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McLeod, C. L.; Kugler, A.

    2016-12-01

    The Geological Globe of the World (www.realworldglobes.com) promotes hands-on, in-class activities and allows students to engage with a physical 3-D model of Earth's characteristic, planet-forming geological features. The effectiveness of this concept in student learning has been demonstrated by two pilot studies presented as posters by Weeraratne et al. (2011) and Stoddard and Rogers (2013) at previous AGU meetings. The impact of the Geological Globe of the World on undergraduate teaching at Miami University, OH during Fall semester 2016 will be presented. It is anticipated that this teaching tool will have the biggest impact on the teaching of our 100-level lab course, GLG 155L, which engages 900 students per academic year. A Learning Assessment based on the learning objectives of GLG 115L has been written in order to demonstrate and evaluate the role of the Geological Globe in student learning. This Learning Assessment will be issued through www.salgsite.org (SALG: Student Assessment of Learning Gains) and will ask students to assess their own knowledge and understanding of key concepts before and after specific lab exercises which implement the globe. From research discussed in Bamford (2013), it has been demonstrated that "students learning with 3D teaching aids had better ordering of concepts and had enhanced skills in describing their learning, including writing more, saying more and being more likely to use models to demonstrate their (own) learning". It is anticipated that through use of the Geological Globe of the World students will be able to interpret Earth's geological features on a 3-D projection including topography, active volcanism, crustal movements and the location of seismic events. The incorporation of the Geological Globe of the World in undergraduate geoscience teaching in GLG 115L, and other departmental courses, aims to encourage students to make observations and collect data in order to interpret and evaluate relevant geological information. Bamford, A., (2013) The 3D in Education, White Paper. Stoddard, P. R and Rogers, D., (2013). Using Dry Erasable Globes in Earth and Space Science Classes. AGU Fall Meeting, #ED53G-0689 Weeraratne, D. S., Rogers, D. B., and Liedtke, J (2011). Teaching Seismic Methods Using Interactive 3-D Earth Globe, AGU Fall Meeting, #ED51B-0751

  13. The search for a promising cell factory system for production of edible vaccine

    PubMed Central

    Barzegari, Abolfazl; Saeedi, Nazli; Zarredar, Habib; Barar, Jaleh; Omidi, Yadollah

    2014-01-01

    Despite worldwide vaccination against devastating diseases for decades, millions of children in remote and impoverished regions of the globe die every year from vaccine-preventable infectious diseases. The reasons for incomplete coverage of vaccination programs are based in part on the relatively high costs of conventional vaccinations, including mass production, refrigeration, transportation, and training as well as funding personnel for their administration. Plant-based edible vaccines (PEVs) have been introduced as a revolutionary cost-effective vaccination modality. However, they suffer from major deficiencies that have restricted their application to bench-scale. This article discusses the deficiencies of PEVs and also provides concise overview on the health-promoting, biological and biotechnological features of spirulina (Arthrospira). In short, we envision that spirulina could be considered as a potential alternative biofactory system to the plants toward the production of edible vaccines in high-yield with low-costs that other hosts cannot yet offer. PMID:25424962

  14. Climate change and the ecology and evolution of Arctic vertebrates.

    PubMed

    Gilg, Olivier; Kovacs, Kit M; Aars, Jon; Fort, Jérôme; Gauthier, Gilles; Grémillet, David; Ims, Rolf A; Meltofte, Hans; Moreau, Jérôme; Post, Eric; Schmidt, Niels Martin; Yannic, Glenn; Bollache, Loïc

    2012-02-01

    Climate change is taking place more rapidly and severely in the Arctic than anywhere on the globe, exposing Arctic vertebrates to a host of impacts. Changes in the cryosphere dominate the physical changes that already affect these animals, but increasing air temperatures, changes in precipitation, and ocean acidification will also affect Arctic ecosystems in the future. Adaptation via natural selection is problematic in such a rapidly changing environment. Adjustment via phenotypic plasticity is therefore likely to dominate Arctic vertebrate responses in the short term, and many such adjustments have already been documented. Changes in phenology and range will occur for most species but will only partly mitigate climate change impacts, which are particularly difficult to forecast due to the many interactions within and between trophic levels. Even though Arctic species richness is increasing via immigration from the South, many Arctic vertebrates are expected to become increasingly threatened during this century. © 2012 New York Academy of Sciences.

  15. Brave New Worlds: The Expanding Universe of Lyme Disease.

    PubMed

    Stone, Brandee L; Tourand, Yvonne; Brissette, Catherine A

    2017-09-01

    Projections around the globe suggest an increase in tick-vectored disease incidence and distribution, and the potential for emergence of novel tick-borne pathogens. Lyme disease is the most common reported tick-borne illness in the Unites States and is prevalent throughout much of central Europe. In recent years, the worldwide burden of Lyme disease has increased and extended into regions and countries where the disease was not previously reported. In this review, we discuss the trends for increasing Lyme disease, and examine the factors driving Lyme disease expansion, including the effect of climate change on the spread of vector Ixodid ticks and reservoir hosts; and the impacts of increased awareness on disease reporting and diagnosis. To understand the growing threat of Lyme disease, we need to study the interplay between vector, reservoir, and pathogen. In addition, we need to understand the contributions of climate conditions to changes in disease risk.

  16. Population genomics studies identify signatures of global dispersal and drug resistance in Plasmodium vivax

    PubMed Central

    Hupalo, Daniel N; Luo, Zunping; Melnikov, Alexandre; Sutton, Patrick L; Rogov, Peter; Escalante, Ananias; Vallejo, Andrés F; Herrera, Sócrates; Arévalo-Herrera, Myriam; Fan, Qi; Wang, Ying; Cui, Liwang; Lucas, Carmen M; Durand, Salomon; Sanchez, Juan F; Baldeviano, G Christian; Lescano, Andres G; Laman, Moses; Barnadas, Celine; Barry, Alyssa; Mueller, Ivo; Kazura, James W; Eapen, Alex; Kanagaraj, Deena; Valecha, Neena; Ferreira, Marcelo U; Roobsoong, Wanlapa; Nguitragool, Wang; Sattabonkot, Jetsumon; Gamboa, Dionicia; Kosek, Margaret; Vinetz, Joseph M; González-Cerón, Lilia; Birren, Bruce W; Neafsey, Daniel E; Carlton, Jane M

    2017-01-01

    Plasmodium vivax is a major public health burden, responsible for the majority of malaria infections outside Africa. We explored the impact of demographic history and selective pressures on the P. vivax genome by sequencing 182 clinical isolates sampled from 11 countries across the globe, using hybrid selection to overcome human DNA contamination. We confirmed previous reports of high genomic diversity in P. vivax relative to the more virulent Plasmodium falciparum species; regional populations of P. vivax exhibited greater diversity than the global P. falciparum population, indicating a large and/or stable population. Signals of natural selection suggest that P. vivax is evolving in response to antimalarial drugs and is adapting to regional differences in the human host and the mosquito vector. These findings underline the variable epidemiology of this parasite species and highlight the breadth of approaches that may be required to eliminate P. vivax globally. PMID:27348298

  17. Unilateral proptosis as the initial manifestation of malignancy.

    PubMed

    Rakul Nambiar, K; Ajith, P S; Arjunan, Asha

    2017-09-01

    Proptosis, a common sign with a broad differential diagnosis, is defined as anterior displacement and protrusion of one or both orbital globes. Patients can present with varying degrees of chronicity, visual loss and associated symptoms. The etiology of acquired unilateral proptosis is diverse, ranging from benign to life-threatening. The causes of unilateral proptosis include traumatic, vascular, endocrine, inflammatory, infective and malignant. Breast carcinoma is the most common metastatic cause of proptosis; however, proptosis has never been reported as the initial manifestation of breast carcinoma. Our patient presented with unilateral proptosis secondary to an intraorbital lesion and histopathology of orbital lesion was suggestive of metastatic breast adenocarcinoma. She was later diagnosed to have primary breast carcinoma. We present this unusual case of a 56-year-old woman who presented with proptosis as the initial manifestation of a metastatic breast malignancy. Copyright © 2017 National Cancer Institute, Cairo University. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Population genomics studies identify signatures of global dispersal and drug resistance in Plasmodium vivax.

    PubMed

    Hupalo, Daniel N; Luo, Zunping; Melnikov, Alexandre; Sutton, Patrick L; Rogov, Peter; Escalante, Ananias; Vallejo, Andrés F; Herrera, Sócrates; Arévalo-Herrera, Myriam; Fan, Qi; Wang, Ying; Cui, Liwang; Lucas, Carmen M; Durand, Salomon; Sanchez, Juan F; Baldeviano, G Christian; Lescano, Andres G; Laman, Moses; Barnadas, Celine; Barry, Alyssa; Mueller, Ivo; Kazura, James W; Eapen, Alex; Kanagaraj, Deena; Valecha, Neena; Ferreira, Marcelo U; Roobsoong, Wanlapa; Nguitragool, Wang; Sattabonkot, Jetsumon; Gamboa, Dionicia; Kosek, Margaret; Vinetz, Joseph M; González-Cerón, Lilia; Birren, Bruce W; Neafsey, Daniel E; Carlton, Jane M

    2016-08-01

    Plasmodium vivax is a major public health burden, responsible for the majority of malaria infections outside Africa. We explored the impact of demographic history and selective pressures on the P. vivax genome by sequencing 182 clinical isolates sampled from 11 countries across the globe, using hybrid selection to overcome human DNA contamination. We confirmed previous reports of high genomic diversity in P. vivax relative to the more virulent Plasmodium falciparum species; regional populations of P. vivax exhibited greater diversity than the global P. falciparum population, indicating a large and/or stable population. Signals of natural selection suggest that P. vivax is evolving in response to antimalarial drugs and is adapting to regional differences in the human host and the mosquito vector. These findings underline the variable epidemiology of this parasite species and highlight the breadth of approaches that may be required to eliminate P. vivax globally.

  19. The Inverted Snow Globe Shadow

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ribeiro, Jair Lúcio Prados

    2015-01-01

    Our high school optics course finishes with an assignment that students usually appreciate. They must take pictures of everyday situations representing optical phenomena such as reflection, refraction, or dispersion, and post them on Instagram.1 When the photos were presented to the class, one student revealed an intriguing photo, similar to Fig. 1, showing a snow globe exposed to sunlight and its inverted shadow. This paper offers an explanation of the problem, which occurs due to light refraction from the globe.

  20. Investigating the role of urban development in the conventional environmental Kuznets curve: evidence from the globe.

    PubMed

    Katircioglu, Setareh; Katircioglu, Salih; Kilinc, Ceyhun C

    2018-03-19

    We investigated the role of urbanization in the conventional environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) of the globe. The overall population and rural population were also considered for control purposes. Based on our findings, we suggest that the conventional EKC of the globe is not an inverted U-shape but becomes downward sloping when urban development is added and inverted U-shapes when the overall population and rural population volumes are added.

  1. A web system of virtual morphometric globes for Mars and the Moon

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Florinsky, I. V.; Garov, A. S.; Karachevtseva, I. P.

    2018-09-01

    We developed a web system of virtual morphometric globes for Mars and the Moon. As the initial data, we used 15-arc-minutes gridded global digital elevation models (DEMs) extracted from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) and the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) gridded archives. We derived global digital models of sixteen morphometric variables including horizontal, vertical, minimal, and maximal curvatures, as well as catchment area and topographic index. The morphometric models were integrated into the web system developed as a distributed application consisting of a client front-end and a server back-end. The following main functions are implemented in the system: (1) selection of a morphometric variable; (2) two-dimensional visualization of a calculated global morphometric model; (3) 3D visualization of a calculated global morphometric model on the sphere surface; (4) change of a globe scale; and (5) globe rotation by an arbitrary angle. Free, real-time web access to the system is provided. The web system of virtual morphometric globes can be used for geological and geomorphological studies of Mars and the Moon at the global, continental, and regional scales.

  2. Unmasking the Secrets of Mercury

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2015-04-16

    The MASCS instrument onboard NASA MESSENGER spacecraft was designed to study both the exosphere and surface of Mercury. To learn more about the minerals and surface processes on Mercury, the Visual and Infrared Spectrometer (VIRS) portion of MASCS has been diligently collecting single tracks of spectral surface measurements since MESSENGER entered orbit. The track coverage is now extensive enough that the spectral properties of both broad terrains and small, distinct features such as pyroclastic vents and fresh craters can be studied. To accentuate the geological context of the spectral measurements, the MASCS data have been overlain on the MDIS monochrome mosaic. Click on the image to explore the colorful diversity of surface materials in more detail! Instrument: Mercury Atmosphere and Surface Composition Spectrometer (MASCS) Map Projection: Orthographic VIRS Color Composite Wavelengths: 575 nm as red, 415 nm/750 nm as green, 310 nm/390 nm as blue Center Latitude (All Globes): 0° Center Longitude (Top Left Globe): 270° E Center Longitude (Top Right Globe): 0° E Center Longitude (Bottom Left Globe): 90° E Center Longitude (Bottom Right Globe): 180° E http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA19419

  3. Real-time, rapidly updating severe weather products for virtual globes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Smith, Travis M.; Lakshmanan, Valliappa

    2011-01-01

    It is critical that weather forecasters are able to put severe weather information from a variety of observational and modeling platforms into a geographic context so that warning information can be effectively conveyed to the public, emergency managers, and disaster response teams. The availability of standards for the specification and transport of virtual globe data products has made it possible to generate spatially precise, geo-referenced images and to distribute these centrally created products via a web server to a wide audience. In this paper, we describe the data and methods for enabling severe weather threat analysis information inside a KML framework. The method of creating severe weather diagnosis products that are generated and translating them to KML and image files is described. We illustrate some of the practical applications of these data when they are integrated into a virtual globe display. The availability of standards for interoperable virtual globe clients has not completely alleviated the need for custom solutions. We conclude by pointing out several of the limitations of the general-purpose virtual globe clients currently available.

  4. Crowdsourced Science: Citizen Science Using the Globe Observer Mobile App

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Low, R.; Riebeek Kohl, H.

    2016-12-01

    Field-based citizen science programs broaden public understanding of the Earth's system and connect users personally in seeing and understanding the changes that are taking place on our planet. GLOBE Observer (GO) is a new initiative for citizen scientists of all ages and connects users to NASA science via a simple smartphone app. Version 1.0 includes GLOBE Clouds, which guides users in photographing clouds and recording sky observations. Citizen scientist cloud observations are compared with NASA satellite images, and provide critical ground validation of satellite data so we better understand the Earth and its environment. The GLOBE Observer mobile app is equipped with data collection capabilities and visualization opportunities that lower the barrier for public participation in data collection and analysis efforts. Future releases of the GLOBE Observer app will support public engagement in investigations of the hydrosphere and biosphere. Some of the exciting developments on the horizon include in-app training games to build skills, in-app push messaging, which challenge a citizen scientist to participate data collection missions, and automated data validation capabilities.

  5. Injuries of the globe: what can the radiologist offer?

    PubMed

    Sung, Edward K; Nadgir, Rohini N; Fujita, Akifumi; Siegel, Cory; Ghafouri, Roya H; Traband, Anastasia; Sakai, Osamu

    2014-01-01

    Traumatic ocular injuries are a significant cause of blindness and visual deficits. In the setting of acute orbital trauma, urgent ophthalmologic evaluation and intervention are critical in preserving vision. However, in the acute trauma setting, clinical evaluation of the globe may be difficult in the presence of surrounding periorbital soft-tissue swelling and other associated injuries, and patient cooperation may be limited because of unresponsiveness, altered mentation, or sedation. Often, rapid access to imaging is part of the initial diagnostic evaluation, and radiologists may be the first to identify traumatic injuries of the globe. Because of this, radiologists should be familiar with normal orbital and globe anatomy at various imaging modalities and have a thorough understanding of the various patterns of ocular injury and their imaging appearances. Radiologists should also be familiar with the various mimics of ocular injury, including congenital and acquired conditions that may alter the shape of the globe, various types of ocular calcifications, and the different types of material used to treat retinal detachment. Such knowledge may help radiologists make accurate diagnoses, which facilitates prompt and appropriate patient care. RSNA, 2014

  6. GLOBE Hydrology Workshop SEIP program

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2005-01-01

    Matt Krigbaum (left), a teacher at Mitchell Elementary in Ann Arbor, Mich., pours water from the Pearl River into a turbidity tube to measure the river's light penetration. Krigbaum, along with Lois Williams, principal at Elizabeth Courville Elementary in Detroit, Mich.; and Carolyn Martin and Arlene Wittmer, teachers at Elizabeth Courville Elementary; conducted the experiment during a GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) hydrology workshop. GLOBE is a worldwide, hands-on science education program in which teachers can become certified to implement the program at their schools after taking hydrology, land cover/biology, atmosphere/climate and soil protocol workshops. Twelve teachers from across the country attended the recent weeklong GLOBE training at SSC, offered through its Educator Resource Center and the NASA Explorer Schools program. All workshops are free and offer continuing education units.

  7. GLOBE Hydrology Workshop SEIP program

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2005-06-30

    Matt Krigbaum (left), a teacher at Mitchell Elementary in Ann Arbor, Mich., pours water from the Pearl River into a turbidity tube to measure the river's light penetration. Krigbaum, along with Lois Williams, principal at Elizabeth Courville Elementary in Detroit, Mich.; and Carolyn Martin and Arlene Wittmer, teachers at Elizabeth Courville Elementary; conducted the experiment during a GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) hydrology workshop. GLOBE is a worldwide, hands-on science education program in which teachers can become certified to implement the program at their schools after taking hydrology, land cover/biology, atmosphere/climate and soil protocol workshops. Twelve teachers from across the country attended the recent weeklong GLOBE training at SSC, offered through its Educator Resource Center and the NASA Explorer Schools program. All workshops are free and offer continuing education units.

  8. Heavenly Networks. Celestial Maps and Globes in Circulation between Artisans, Mathematicians, and Noblemen in Renaissance Europe.

    PubMed

    Gessner, Samuel

    2015-01-01

    The aim of this paper is to examine the iconography on a set of star charts by Albrecht Dürer (1515), and celestial globes by Caspar Vopel (1536) and Christoph Schissler (1575). The iconography on these instruments is conditioned by strong traditions which include not only the imagery on globes and planispheres (star charts), but also ancient literature about the constellations. Where this iconography departs from those traditions, the change had to do with humanism in the sixteenth century. This "humanistic" dimension is interwoven with other concerns that involve both "social" and "technical" motivations. The interplay of these three dimensions illustrates how the iconography on celestial charts and globes expresses some features of the shared knowledge and shared culture between artisans, mathematicians, and nobles in Renaissance Europe.

  9. Human MicroRNA miR-532-5p Exhibits Antiviral Activity against West Nile Virus via Suppression of Host Genes SESTD1 and TAB3 Required for Virus Replication

    PubMed Central

    Slonchak, Andrii; Shannon, Rory P.; Pali, Gabor

    2015-01-01

    ABSTRACT West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-transmitted flavivirus that naturally circulates between mosquitos and birds but can also infect humans, causing severe neurological disease. The early host response to WNV infection in vertebrates primarily relies on the type I interferon pathway; however, recent studies suggest that microRNAs (miRNAs) may also play a notable role. In this study, we assessed the role of host miRNAs in response to WNV infection in human cells. We employed small RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis to determine changes in the expression of host miRNAs in HEK293 cells infected with an Australian strain of WNV, Kunjin (WNVKUN), and identified a number of host miRNAs differentially expressed in response to infection. Three of these miRNAs were confirmed to be significantly upregulated in infected cells by quantitative reverse transcription (qRT)-PCR and Northern blot analyses, and one of them, miR-532-5p, exhibited a significant antiviral effect against WNVKUN infection. We have demonstrated that miR-532-5p targets and downregulates expression of the host genes SESTD1 and TAB3 in human cells. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) depletion studies showed that both SESTD1 and TAB3 were required for efficient WNVKUN replication. We also demonstrated upregulation of mir-532-5p expression and a corresponding decrease in the expression of its targets, SESTD1 and TAB3, in the brains of WNVKUN -infected mice. Our results show that upregulation of miR-532-5p and subsequent suppression of the SESTD1 and TAB3 genes represent a host antiviral response aimed at limiting WNVKUN infection and highlight the important role of miRNAs in controlling RNA virus infections in mammalian hosts. IMPORTANCE West Nile virus (WNV) is a significant viral pathogen that poses a considerable threat to human health across the globe. There is no specific treatment or licensed vaccine available for WNV, and deeper insight into how the virus interacts with the host is required to facilitate their development. In this study, we addressed the role of host microRNAs (miRNAs) in antiviral response to WNV in human cells. We identified miR-532-5p as a novel antiviral miRNA and showed that it is upregulated in response to WNV infection and suppresses the expression of the host genes TAB3 and SESTD1 required for WNV replication. Our results show that upregulation of miR-532-5p and subsequent suppression of the SESTD1 and TAB3 genes represent an antiviral response aimed at limiting WNV infection and highlight the important role of miRNAs in controlling virus infections in mammalian hosts. PMID:26676784

  10. Houston, We Have a Podcast. Ep42 The Space Launch System Part.2(2)

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-27

    Production Transcript for Ep42 The Space Launch System Part.2.mp3 Gary Jordan (Host): Houston, we have a podcast. Welcome to the official podcast of the NASA Johnson Space Center, Episode 42: The Space Launch System, Part 2. I'm Gary Jordan, and I'll be your host today. So in this podcast, we bring in the experts -- NASA scientists, engineers, and astronauts -- all to let you know the coolest information about what's going on right here at NASA. So today, we're talking about the most powerful rocket since the Saturn V moon rocket, NASA's Space Launch System. We've got two guests from the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama here with us today to tell us about the rocket, the payloads it can carry, and where it will go. Spoiler alert: It will bring people, big stuff, and little stuff all farther than we've ever gone before. See, I did it again. You had a second chance for Part 2, and you blew it, Gary. If you're slightly confused, it's because this is Part 2 of our two-part episode on NASA's Space Launch System. There's still some good stuff in here, but if you want the full story, just go back and listen to Part 1. So continuing our conversation with us today are David Smith and Paul Bookout. David is the Vice President for Advanced Programs and Victory Solutions in Huntsville, Alabama. He has a long career in aerospace engineering and is a subject matter expert on rocket architecture and how payloads will fit into the rocket. He wrote the SLS Mission Planner's Guide, which gives payload developers a general idea of the capabilities of the rocket and some technical specifications so they can determine how their payloads might fit inside. He looks after the big payloads. Our other guest today is Dr. Paul Bookout, EM1 Secondary Payloads Integration Manager, who manages the integration of five CubeSats in the giant rocket as well the avionics that will control the deployment of all 13 small satellite payloads on the first mission of SLS and Orion called Exploration Mission 1, EM1. He spends his time managing the little payloads, not much bigger than a shoebox, on a skyscraper-sized rocket. So we're going to talk about just how powerful this monster rocket is, its unique capabilities, what it'll be used for, where it is in its development, its first mission with the Orion crew vehicle, and then look ahead to the future to the Moon, to Mars, and throughout the solar system. In this particular episode, we talk a lot about propulsion on this rocket, especially comparing solid and liquid fuel for the rockets. So at a very high level, the key differences are cost and control. Solid rocket fuel systems are generally simpler in design, cost effective, and they produce a large amount of thrust. But once the fuel is ignited, you can't really turn it off. Liquid fuel systems provide more flexibility. You can regulate the thrust through system throttle settings, but liquid fuel systems can be more costly. Very smart engineers have assessed the best way to use these two fuels and, for the SLS, they've come up with a combined design of solid and liquid fuel system. Solid fuel boosters and liquid fuel, the main engines to work in tandem to get you off the ground and moving fat, and then liquid fuel carries, or the liquid fuel engines will carry you where you need to go. So we're go for launch with Mr. David Smith and Dr. Paul Bookout for the Space Launch System program, T minus 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, and liftoff of Episode 42 of Houston We Have a Podcast. Boom, nailed it. [ Music ] Okay. Paul and David, thanks for sticking around. This is going to be Part 2. We're sort of continuing our conversation, and we were talking a little bit during this I guess intermission, but one of the main things that we forgot to touch on was it takes eight minutes to do the first part of this launch. That's the solid rocket boosters and the core stage-- David Smith: Ignition to disposal of those stages. Host: Yes. Yeah, but I guess up to this point, all you need is some sort of injection burn, and you can pretty much go anywhere in the solar system. Is that right? David Smith: That's right. >> So it just depend, you just define what kind of injection burn, and you can go anywhere. David Smith: Well, it's the injection burn, and then the characteristic energy, which is the acceleration to get to that location. You know, it's a curve, so-- Host: Yeah. David Smith: If you go farther out, the less mass you can bring with that injection burn. So it is, it's the timing of the injection burn and the trajectory. But also, the farther away you go in the solar system, obviously, the less mass you can carry. So that's all kind of combined together. Host: That's right. And so for EM1, the injection burn is going to be translunar, right? David Smith: Correct. Host: But you can also do Mars injection burn, or Jupiter injection burn, or, like, anything after this eight minutes, it's just, you can just define it? David Smith: That's right. Yep. Host: So that's really the main thing about this vehicle is after eight minutes, you're ready to go wherever you want, and the fact that it's human rated, and the fact that you can bring really large payloads, right. I guess that, we'll start off with that. So we're building this rocket to pretty much go anywhere, but what are the sorts of missions we're looking at for the future for SLS? David Smith: Yeah, the first missions that are being considered are translunar and perhaps making something that has a, kind of a complicated acronym, LOP-G, Lunar Orbiting Platform/Gateway. What it really is is like a service plaza on a toll road. So think of Saturn V as the rocket that went out and surveyed everything and, you know, there were no roads, and it kind of established these, you know, these paths to go to the Moon, okay. Now, SLS is going to take that survey information and hopefully make this Lunar Orbiting Platform into a service plaza where, what do you get there? Well, you get a safe place for the crew. You can refuel landers that can go to the Moon. You can have a navigational way station. You can have a communication way station. You have a place for internationals to come by and make sure they got everything together before they go to the Moon. This gateway, in fact, gives you universal, total access to any spot on the lunar surface. Apollo is just equatorial. This station will give you access to any place on the Moon. So it has a lot of really great attributes, but it's a different kind of thing. Unlike the Space Station, which is purely science, this Lunar Orbiting Platform is probably going to be a lot more utilitarian and allow a lot more understanding and exploitation of the Moon and the lunar surface, which is, in fact, what we need that experience so that we can actually do the same thing for Mars. So it's three days away versus nine months away with Mars. So that, that's our first stage. It seems in the 2020's, we're going to be putting that together one piece at a time. So the first piece might be an EM2 mission that delivers a solar electric propulsion system that essentially is the way that this station keeps in its place. So it's just a little bit of impulse in this halo orbit around the Moon. You can stay there with very little power using a xenon solar electric propulsion system. The second part might be a habitation module. This isn't where the crew are going to, they're not going to live here full time. Again, it's a way station, so it's a place they can hang out, refresh themselves, get food, change clothing, who knows on their way to the Moon. Then, they're going to have an air lock that allows them to do servicing on perhaps landers and other kind of equipment that comes into that gateway. And then, also, a place for logistics modules to come to resupply this service plaza so that, for the long term, it can service people going to and from the Moon. So that's probably the first part, and that looks like that would be something that would be in the early 2020's, and that's where the current administration seems to be focusing us is on doing lunar first to be prepared for Mars later. Host: Okay. It's kind of like a small truck stop. David Smith: It is. David Smith: It is-- David Smith: Think of it as, yeah. [laughs] Yeah. And it should be kind of looked at that way as it's a way station to greater and better things, either the Moon or Mars. Host: Yeah. That's right. You can shower. You can, [laughs] you can service it. It's got a-- David Smith: Get your eggs and steak. Host: Yeah. David Smith: You know, get your car repaired. Refuel. Get some gas. Tow truck is even there to maybe save you if you have a probably on the Moon. So really, it's a good deal. It's kind of like a lighthouse and service plaza all put into one. Host: But not only will the SLS get us there. It's actually going to get the LOP-G there, right? It'll actually-- David Smith: It'll assemble it. David Smith: It'll assemble it. Host: In pieces. Now-- David Smith: Yeah. David Smith: If we were to do it the best way, instead of doing it in smaller pieces -- and by the way, it's going to do this just using the trunk section underneath the Orion. So the co-manifested payload is what these little elements of the station are going to be. If we were, if we could, it'd be best to just make one giant chunk and put in the, into a fairing, but the way I think the program is unfolding, to use crew to start with, is to bring the station in pieces that the crew can assemble at that location. Host: So going back to the previous episode, Episode 41 -- if you haven't listened to it, go back -- and that was the first part of our conversation, but going back to this co-manifested payload, we're talking about primary payloads, co manifested, secondary. What's the co manifested? David Smith: Yeah, the co manifested, again, is the ten-ton capability that is the trunk space underneath Orion that's going to fly on the Block 1B SLS. So in contrast, if you took off the Orion and its trunk space and put a large fairing on top, you get a primary payload that could be 40 tons the Moon. So it's ten tons the Moon is co manifested, or it's maybe 40 tons the Moon as a primary payload. And the secondary payloads are payloads of opportunity. They kind of fit in little, tiny spaces that are left over. They aren't filled up with other kinds of stuff. Host: And that's where Paul comes in-- Paul Bookout: Yes. Host: Right? [laughter] Paul Bookout: That's my world. Host: That's right. David Smith: So after Lunar Orbiting Platform-Gateway, one of the early missions that's been envisioned is taking a probe to the Europa, the moon, icy moon of Jupiter. What's so neat about this mission is that SLS, is we have to loft this payload and get it to Jupiter in two-and-a-half years, where a current ELV -- Atlas, Delta, even a Falcon 9 Heavy -- couldn't do that in more than seven years. So we're going to cut five years off a trip. Now, what does that mean? Well, one, it means that you're getting quicker returns to the science community. You're helping people not spend their whole career on one science mission. You have younger people come in, work on a mission, do it quicker. And if it costs $100 million a year to maintain a cadre of ground controllers watching this thing, think of the money that you're saving over time if you can eliminate five years of that mission. Plus, the risk of that hardware traveling through space. So this is a real enabler for Europa. In fact, SLS is the only vehicle that can bring it there in that kind of time. Host: Unbelievable. Is it a bigger payload because it's a, it's SLS, or is it just-- David Smith: Well-- Host: It gets it there faster? David Smith: In this case, Atlas could fly the same mass of payload, which is very large, by the way, but it would take over seven years. Host: I see. David Smith: So it had to take a whole bunch of gravity assists around the Earth and Venus to get it there where SLS can send it there directly. Now, to your point is the New Horizons mission, which was the mission to Pluto, I think it was 120-kilogram payload that was finally delivered there after like ten years. In that case, SLS couldn't get you there any faster, but it could double the payload to over 250 kilograms of delivered payload to Pluto. So it just depends on the trajectory and the position of the planets when you do this, on what value you have, but the fact you can do it quick is a unique attribute that only SLS can bring right now. Host: [laughs] Unbelievable what this rocket is capable of. And I kind of wanted to go back and kind of visit the rocket itself, where, the history of it. Where did we start with some, building some of these pieces, and kind of where are we now? So if we can just sort of start at the beginning, whenever SLS was proposed, and we're going to hammer in the first nail, I guess. It's a little bit more complicated than that, but where did this all begin? Paul Bookout: Yes. Of course, the primary design was based off of the shuttle heritage. You know, we're taking components that the shuttle used, the propulsion aspects of it -- the [inaudible] motors, the external tank, and the space shuttle main engines -- and utilizing, upgrading, making more powerful the, those components and assembling the core stage. So that's kind of where the history of where SLS is coming from. So we want to use that existing technology, again, upgrade it, make it better. Also, the manufacturing facilities that go into making these components are in existence, so we want to still utilize that, save money, save schedule to move forward with the SLS rocket. Host: Okay, and so it's kind of, that makes sense, right, because it's, you have, okay, this is a core stage that works. These are components of the shuttle that worked. Let's just sort of fit it and to meet these requirements of building a giant rocket that can take payloads anywhere in the solar system. Paul Bookout: Exactly. Host: And humans too. It's human rated, which is a huge component of this whole thing. Paul Bookout: Definitely. Host: So it's, where is it being built? Is it one location? Paul Bookout: No. Actually, overall, there's 44, over 44 states-- Host: Oh, wow. Paul Bookout: That different components are going to be, are being built in. So this is America's rocket. Host: Yeah. [laughs] Paul Bookout: So it's not just NASA's. It's being built all over. You know, there's more than 1000 contractors working on this, in addition, of course, into, in addition to NASA. The core stage, which is the prime or contractor is Boeing, they're building that in Michoud, which is outside of New Orleans. The engine prime is Aerojet Rocketdyne. They're being developed, or manufactured, or refurbished down at the Stennis Space Center. And then, when they're done, they'll be shipped to Michoud for integration with the core stage. And then, that core stage with the main engines would be sent back to Stennis for testing because Stennis is the primary testing facility for NASA-- Host: I see. Paul Bookout: For rockets. The boosters is the Orbital ATK. They're actually manufactured just north of Salt Lake City in Utah. And it's kind of ironic that the, it's very close to the Golden Spike, where the east and west railroads met when they were building the transcontinental railroad, was very close to that because the motor segments are used in the rail system to ship down to KSC from ATK, Orbital ATK out in Utah. Host: Oh, okay. All right. Paul Bookout: So-- Host: I like that. Paul Bookout: A little history there. [laughs] And the upper stage, of course, where, as Boeing ULA, which is a direct purchase from them for that. And that's being built in Decatur, Alabama. Host: Wow. All over the place is absolutely correct, so-- Paul Bookout: And again, those are just the primary elements. All the subsystems to that are spread out all over the United States. Host: So what is currently built, and then what's on the ticket to be built? David Smith: Well, right now, the core has been built three times so far. The weld confidence article to make sure that friction stir welding is appropriate because it's the world's tallest, biggest weld fixture-- Host: Oh, wow. David Smith: Down at Michoud, so we had to test that first. Then, they're building test articles. And then, the flight hardware. The test articles right now are up at Marshall, so there's this new barge -- actually, it's the same barge they used for shuttle Pegasus. They had to make it a lot longer, so they cut out the middle and put in a new middle section. And that just shipped up, the core section up to Marshall, where it's going under, undergoing static testing. The engine section's already been completed. The testing of that's been completed. And the intertank, the sections between the hydrogen and oxygen tank, has just arrived at Marshall Space Flight Center for testing. The hydrogen and the oxygen tanks will arrive later this year for testing at Marshall too, all for static testing, where they're put under a load to simulate their launch conditions. So this is the largest structural testing campaign since shuttle in the 1970's, and, you know, since this is probably a 50-year rocket, this is really laying the foundation for that kind of generational spacecraft capability that we're building for the Moon and beyond. The upper stage, the exploration upper stage, the NASA one is currently being worked on in design phase, but the ICPS that Paul talked about earlier, the interim cryogenic propulsion stage, is finished and down, already been tested and shipped down to KSC. The engines, the new engine controllers are hot fire tested at Stennis already, and I might even hear a sound of that in a minute. And the boosters, as we talked about, were built in Utah but had full, two full-scale static firing tests at the Orbital ATK facility so far. Core stage and booster avionics testing are undergoing at Marshall right now in specialized, in a specialized, integrated avionics test lab. So the testing is going forward. It's really quite a test campaign. Working on EM1 right at the moment, but, in parallel, getting ready for, I'm sorry, Block 1 to start with, and, in parallel, working on Block 1B for the EM2 mission maybe in 2022. Host: So I'm, I want to understand the full scope. That's, there's a lot of different elements, a lot of different parts of the testing. What are some of the main things that you really want to test? It sounds like structure is one of those things, and how do you do that? How do you test the structure? David Smith: There's a new static test facility at Marshall that's been developed where you essentially set them up vertically, and then you put a load down on the stage, and you do it in many different angles to make sure you can understand not only is it going straight in flight, but if starts experiencing some kind of skew because of the engines, so it undergoes quite a bit of testing that way. That's obviously, the structural modes are the most important. And when we talk about human spaceflight hardware, what that really means for structure is that you test it to a factor of 1.4. So it means there's a 40% margin on the capability of that structure, which is not something that expendable launch vehicles have to worry about. So our rockets are generally a little heavier, a little stiffer, a little more capable, but we do that to provide more margin for the crew in case of emergency. So that's the biggest part of that structural test that's going on right now at Marshall. Host: That goes back to your point, Paul, about one of the main parts of testing this and building SLS is the fact that it is human rated and you have these extra constraints for making sure that safety is and redundancy is one of the primary concerns of building this rocket. Paul Bookout: Exactly, yes. Host: Unbelievable. So the other part is the engines too. You're actually firing the engines. And it's a hot fire test. What's that? David Smith: Well, that's, the shuttle engines are going, they're installed into a test [inaudible] at Stennis. They're put through the same paces as if they were being launched in the vehicle. And remember, some of these engines haven't been test fired in eight years, seven, eight years. Host: Right. David Smith: So it's real important to make sure that they're still, still have the quality that we are looking for at the same time they have a new engine controller. So the controller, the computer that runs these engines have been upgraded from the shuttle days. So it's the first time those two have been mated together. So real important testing. We have I think up to 15 of those engines in inventory, so they're going to be going through those until they, at, probably in the mid-'20's, replacing with a new build of the shuttle engine. So right now, we're still going through the old engines with the new controllers installed. Host: Actually, we do have some audio from that that I really want to play. It's, this is the hot fire test at Stennis, so if you're listening right now, be prepared because it's going to be very loud. [ Engine Sounds ] Host: So that was the hot fire test, and what, you're looking at what components? Are you looking at temperature? Are you looking at propulsion, efficiency? What are the main things that you really want to get out of this test? David Smith: Well, I think the biggest one is, how's the turbo machinery going? You know, if you have turbine blades going at like 3000 rpm and you're spitting out all that fuel at the same time, how is that working out? Is it meeting all the parameters? Is, like you said, that's the temperature? How does it run through its life cycle for that eight-minute burn? That's a long time to run an engine. Host: Yeah. David Smith: So especially, you know, before we launch, you know, the shuttle only had three of these engines firing. Now, we're going to have four of them. So again, that's a unique configuration. So making sure, [inaudible] how these engines will play together will be an important part of the test as well. Host: Did you ever get to see any of these tests in person -- structural tests, hot fire tests, anything like that? David Smith: Yes. Host: Is it really, really loud? David Smith: Well, the Stennis tests, you can get really close to it-- Host: Oh, really? David Smith: Because, you know, it has the flume that comes out the side. And you can get close to a cyclone fence. In fact, you can taste the exhaust because, you know, oxygen and hydrogen comes together and forms water. Host: Right. David Smith: So that, and you have the sprinkler system that's cooling it down. So you get both the sound, right, you get the visual of the flames, and then you get the taste. [laughs] So I don't think you can do that anywhere else. You certainly can't get the taste at Kennedy, so Stennis is really a remarkable opportunity when they do those test fires there. Host: Does it -- I'm imagining like a hot shower or something, just like really-- David Smith: Well, remember, Stennis is pretty humid because it's in Mississippi, so-- Host: Oh, yeah. David Smith: It's going to feel like a hot shower, but, [laughs] yeah. Host: Okay, so I'm, a curious thing -- how does a hot fire test taste? David Smith: Yeah, it has a taste to it. Host: [laughs] So what about the flight hardware for EM1? Where are some of those components? Paul Bookout: Right now, the Orion stage adapter, that's where the 13 CubeSets are going to be housed during launch on EM1. Host: Oh, yeah. Paul Bookout: It's currently at Marshall Space Flight Center. And at the end of, beginning, I'm sorry, of April, it's planned to ship down on the Super Guppy, which is a large carrier aircraft, down to KSC for processing. And once it's down there when we're about six months to launch, that's when the secondary payloads will be integrated into that before stacked on the vehicle. The interim cryogenic propulsion stage, of course, is finished. It was, again, up in Decatur and is already down at KSC doing other final preps on that. The launch vehicle stage adapter, which is being developed at Marshall by Lockheed Martin, they, the primary structure is complete, and they're doing spray foam insulation on the vehicle right now. Again, that's also to help with acoustics aspects of the inside of that, inside of the LVSA. Host: Oh, that's right. Paul Bookout: The core stage, of course, the major components, as David said, the tank, the different tanks will be set up, sent up here for testing. And once they're done testing, they'll be sent back down to Michoud and assembled. And then, the main engines will come over from Stennis and assembled into the full core. That's the liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen inner tank and the engines. Then, it'll be sent back over to Stennis. As David mentioned earlier, each engine, it would be separately tested, but then all four of these will be tested as, in flight configuration down there at Stennis. So we're running them through the full cycle of, as we're integrating. We're testing as we're putting it together. Host: That's right. Paul Bookout: So we understand that, as we assembled it, is it still operating the way we expected it to? Host: So then, will you, will it be built at Kennedy because that's when it's going to be launched? David Smith: Assembled. Host: I'm sorry, yeah. David Smith: It's built in Michoud, tested at Stennis, and then assembled at Kennedy. Host: Assembled at Kennedy. Paul Bookout: So the solid rocket motors, again, all the segment are, the five segments -- total of ten, five on each side -- have already been cast. They're in final prep for shipping down to KSC on the rail system. And then, just at, similar to shuttle program, once they've reached KSC, they'll be stacked in the VAB one segment at a time, and then the core stage will come in and be connected in the center between them. Then, you have your upper stage or the ICPS, where, I'm sorry, you'll have your LVSA, launch vehicle stage adapter. Then, you'll have your Orion -- let me just start over. Once the core has been installed, then you'll have the launch vehicle stage adapter installed. Then, you'll have your upper stage or the ICPS. And then, on top of that, you'll have the Orion stage adapter where the secondary payloads are. And then, Orion will come in and make, complete the stack. Host: All in this, in the Vertical Assembly Building? Paul Bookout: Yes. Yeah. Remember, it will built to assemble the Saturn V rocket, and-- Host: Yeah. Paul Bookout: We're about that same size, so [laughs] there's plenty of room in there. Host: That's right. It's, going back to that, actually, I don't think we've talked about it on the podcast. The Vertical Assembly Building is, as you can probably tell from the way that this is being assembled, it's gigantic. But it's so big, right, that it has its own weather system that you have to kind of worry about, right? Is that right? David Smith: Yeah, it's-- Paul Bookout: Yes. David Smith: Tall enough where, you know, everything that gets up in there can form its, it could rain a little bit sometimes-- Paul Bookout: Yes. Form clouds up there. David Smith: Yes. Host: Wow. And then, the, you have these giant doors that's going to open, and then you'll just sort of roll the rocket out. David Smith: But one big change is, if you recall, so it's really interesting. You know, a lot of that building was not changed from Saturn V. They only used two of the bays. There's four for shuttle. So they took out the platforms that were for Saturn and put in some shuttle platforms. But for Saturn, excuse me, for Block 1B, they had to do a lot more changes to that. So they had to replace all the platforms for that, and they actually removed a whole bunch of Saturn V, your equipment that had been left, abandoned in place. So it's, that building has really changed from what it was during the shuttle era. Host: So it's really been reconstructed to fit the SLS. That's really the main-- David Smith: Yes. Host: The thing that's going on right now in the VAB. Is it-- David Smith: Right. Host: Is it completed, or is it still going on? David Smith: The platforms are completed. Paul Bookout: Completed. David Smith: For [inaudible] 1, Block 1. Paul Bookout: For Block 1, okay. Host: Right. Paul Bookout: Yeah. And, you know, for SLS, there's still a lot of work at KSC being performed too. It's just not the launch vehicle and all of its hardware for EM1. It's KSC has to go through a redesign on a lot of their components. As David just said, the VAB and all the platforms to be able to reach the hardware where you're stacking SLS. Also, the crawler transporter that takes the mobile launch platform, which has the SLS rocket on -- originally, the Saturn V rocket -- has to be upgraded to fit the SLS rocket. So, in addition, out at the launch pad, they're redoing the flame trenches, re-bricking them because it's going to have a lot more powerful rockets since the S, you know, since the shuttle program. In addition, they're, they have to have a lot bigger water suspension system, you know, because at a lot more power than what shuttle was going through. David Smith: Called rainbirds after the sprinklers. Big rainbirds. Host: Rainbirds. David Smith: Yeah, they kind of go, click, click, click, click, click, on the lawn, but this time, they do it on the engines and stuff. Host: Oh. [laughs] Paul Bookout: So, you know, the water suspension, suppression system is to help with not just the heat but, also, the sound that these rockets, engines, and solid rocket motors, when they ignite, they're very loud. They send out a shock wave. And if you didn't have the water there to suppress or dilute that sound, that would just bounce back off the hard surface up into the vehicle and could damage the vehicle. So it's just not for flame. It's also to protect the vehicle from itself on the acoustics. Host: Okay. That's the, so that's the suppression system? Paul Bookout: Correct. The water that you usually see that starts a couple seconds right before ignition. Host: Actually, I think we do have some audio of that. I don't think this one's quite as loud as a hot fire test, but let's listen to that. This is what the suppression is going to sound like. [ Engine Sounds ] Host: And those are the, that's the clicks, right? That's the, I guess it's basically just like a giant-- David Smith: Sprinkler system. Host: Sprinkler system. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Paul Bookout: Yes. Host: Rocket-size sprinkler system. So you're going to take it from the VAB, and I wanted to get, circle back on that because I think I was calling it Vertical -- is it Vehicle Assembly? David Smith: Vehicle Assembly. Host: Vehicle? So I was getting that wrong. It's Vehicle Assembly Building. You bring it out to a launch pad, and is it going to launch on the same pad that the Saturn V was launching? David Smith: Yes. Host: Okay, so that's 39-- David Smith: In fact, I think -- well, I'm not sure if it's A or B-- Host: A or B. David Smith: But the one that we, that NASA kept, they totally revamped the equipment underneath that concrete mound. Host: Yeah. David Smith: And it's, there's a lot of [inaudible] and electrical equipment that's there in, the remnants from Saturn V, there's still a rubber room. If you know, that's where the, if someone was trapped at the pad, you'd have a safe place in there. So that's still in that same area, which they've now made a historic area, which is kind of interesting. But they, for the first time in 50 years, have to clean out all the old equipment, totally revamp that launch pad for SLS. So it's brand new and ready to go. It's really impressive. Host: So the, what's being suppressed over at this launch pad by that suppression system, is it, is the solid rocket boosters, right, and then are the engines firing at the same time? David Smith: Yes. David Smith: These RS-25-- Paul Bookout: Correct. Host: Engines? Paul Bookout: So-- Host: Everything's all at once? Paul Bookout: Right. Actually, the -- sorry. Actually, the main engines ignite first because we want to make sure all of those are operational and working at peak efficiency because once you start the solid rocket motors, you got to launch because you can't turn off solid rocket motors. So you want to make sure your other four engines are operating nominally, and then you ignite your solid rocket motors. Host: So we've done some testing with the, with these, the main engines, right? The RS-25's? Paul Bookout: Correct. Yes. Also, we have done full-scale testing of the solid rocket motors out there at Orbital ATK in Utah, where they actually constrain him, lay him on the ground sideways, and constrain him, and actually fire, do test fires out there at Utah. Host: Ooh, I've seen that. They actually had a HDR video I think of that -- high dynamic range or something. Paul Bookout: Yes. Host: Yeah, and it was super cool to see. But then, also, just the test itself, actually-- Paul Bookout: Yeah, I've been out there for a couple launches, and it's kind of unique because, with shuttle launch, you listen to the sound, and it's, you know, launching, so it's, after just a few seconds, it, the sound's gone. Where solid rocket motor is, it's operates for two minutes, so you're sitting there feeling that whole sound, you know, [laughs] for two minutes, and it's a really exciting experience to be out there. Host: How did it feel? Did it feel like you were at a loud concert, or even worse than that? Paul Bookout: Well, you're usually about a mile or so away. Host: A mile, okay. Paul Bookout: So, you know, just for safety reasons and everything. Host: That's, yeah. Paul Bookout: So you kind of get to see it off in the distance a little bit, but, yeah, you still feel it and hear it, yeah. And it's kind of unique because you see the smoke, the engines fire off, and the smoke coming out, and then, a couple seconds later, that's when you feel it. So-- Host: How about the RS-25's? Do you feel those too, or not as much? Were out at the RS-25 test? David Smith: Yeah, yeah. Well, the static firing, yeah, you feel it in your, you can get close for that, and you feel it in your stomach. I mean, it's very visceral, the shaking of your, of that sound, so, yeah, you won't forget it once you've had it. Host: That was the sound we played earlier, right? David Smith: Right. Host: Okay. I think the one we still have is the solid rocket booster, I think. Okay, let's play that one. This is the one that Paul was talking, the one out in Utah. >> T minus 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, fire. [ Engine Sounds ] Host: Okay, so that was the test from out in Utah, and if you really, if you turned up the volume on your, on the podcast, you can really feel it. I listened to some of, I would listen to this in the car or hook it up to a nice speaker because you can really feel it there. So those, that's all of those -- the solid rocket boosters, the RS-25, and the suppression systems. So let's go back to the stages and sort of recap the, I guess the stages of all of these engines firing. What's that look like? David Smith: Right. So, you know, the term "stage" means that you have a single entity that provides an impulse for a period of time and then is thrown away. Host: Okay. David Smith: So in the olden days, so that would be Saturn, you know, you'd say Saturn was a three-stage vehicle, right. It had the first stage, the second stage, and then third stage was the injection stage that took, you know, Apollo and the land to the Moon. For both shuttle and for SLS, we really don't, can't call it three stages because these stages work together, which is kind of like they're two-and-a-half stages. So what that means is the core, and, as Paul said, the core starts a little bit earlier, but they're essentially the same time. The core and the booster, the solid rocket motors, boosters, excuse me, turn on at the same time. So they're ignited, and that's the one-and-a-half stage-- Host: Okay. David Smith: Because what happens? After two minutes, the boosters fall off and the core continues, so that's the half stage, in a sense, the boosters. Now, the core continues. And then, finally, the core is expended after eight minutes. It's disposed of in the ocean. And then, you have the upper stage -- in this case, the second of the one-and-a, two-and-a-half stages -- fires to get you to your destination. So you could still call it a three-stage system, but because some of the stages work together they're not really separate stages. So it gets a little confusing. So that's why you really don't hear, that's why people use the term "upper stage" these days and not "third stage" or "second stage" [laughs] because even the expendable vehicles have multiple solids on them, and so they have the same issues. So that's the difference in staging today. And it's more effective to do it this way as well. Host: It's more effective, I guess is it from the perspective of, oh, you can turn this off, you want to make sure everything's working? Is it I guess more reliable? That's why it's more effective? David Smith: Well, it's more effective because you use the power where you need it. At, you know, at sea level, you need the most thrust, so you combine everything together to get you out of the gravity well of Earth. So there's an efficiency with that system that, you know, is improved, is an improvement upon what was done for Saturn and other rockets before then? Host: Okay. So how about the, we're talking about different configurations too -- Block 1, Block 1B -- and how they're going to be different and just sort of evolve. Paul, I think you said you had some secondary payloads I think on 1B. Paul Bookout: Yes, that we're planning for. Host: That we're planning for, okay. Paul Bookout: So, you know, currently, on commercial launch vehicles, CubeSets usually don't have propulsion sets, and they're really going to low Earth orbit or geosynchronous orbit. Host: Yeah. Paul Bookout: And they're pretty much just deployed in those locations, so they don't need a secondary or propulsion system to get to where they need to. On EM1, this is the first opportunity for a secondary payload to be able to have propulsion systems and going to get access to deep space because we're giving them the initial thrust or velocity to get out going to the Moon or into deep space. They only need smaller propulsion system to change their trajectory or where they want to go. So it's, you know, this will be the game changer for secondary payloads. I mean, this is first-time opportunity for these small, little, shoe-size, shoebox-size payloads to be able to get out into deep space. Host: Yeah, and do some great stuff -- orbiting the Moon, land on the Moon. You got some-- Paul Bookout: Right. Host: Great stuff happening in some of these-- Paul Bookout: Right. Host: Secondary payloads. Paul Bookout: As I mentioned in Part 1, EM1's kind of discovering that, well, they really want to be a little bit bigger so they can have a little bit larger propulsion system. So instead of getting off at we call bus stop one right in the middle of the Van Allen belt, they'd like to get off at bus stop two or a little bit past so they don't have to worry about the radiation effects on their systems as much. But they can't do it because they don't have the propulsion system big enough to change their direction that they want to go. So on EM2, because it's a more powerful rocket, there's opportunity for additional mass allocations for secondary payloads. The mass allocation is the mass that's left over that the primary or co-manifested payload doesn't need the full capability of the rocket, so we can use that additional up mass for secondary payloads. So we're offering actually from a 6U- up to a 12U- and even a 27U-size secondary payload. That's huge for secondary payloads wanting to be able to get out into deep space. This allows them to have more power systems, more advanced telemetry, communications, and especially larger propulsion systems so they can get out into different destinations and do all this great science that they want to do in these smaller, less expensive packages. Host: Actually, that blends in nicely to drawing comparisons with SLS to other heavy-lift rockets because SLS is going to be gigantic and take these very, very large payloads. What's the difference between SLS capabilities and some other heavy lift rockets like Delta IV Heavy or Falcon Heavy? Why wouldn't you use just the heavy rockets? Why do you need SLS? Paul Bookout: Existing commercial rockets, they're not destinations going into deep space. They're mainly going into low Earth orbit or geosynchronous orbit. So for a secondary payload to get out into deep space, they'd have to be pretty big, you know, to have a propulsion system larger than a 27U. So the uniqueness of flying on SLS if you want to get out into deep space is that you don't have to have a huge satellite or, and propulsion system. SLS is providing that initial kick or velocity to get you out in the general direction you want to go. And then, you'd have a smaller propulsion system to be able to get out there. So overall, it's a lot less expensive. And again, SLS is giving these small CubeSets the opportunity to get onto deep space. Host: And also, the fact that it's human rated, right. The fact that you can actually put people on it and bring them far into space, right? Paul Bookout: Right. Host: Kind of a big thing. Paul Bookout: Definitely, yes. Host: Is it the only one that's rated for human, for deep space? David Smith: Well, it's the only launch vehicle today that's being designed specifically for that. There's-- Host: I see. David Smith: You could make the argument that a Boeing CST-100 capsule flying on a Falcon, excuse me, on a Atlas is a human-rated system. It's not really. It's an amalgam. And by the way, that's aimed at LEO. So they-- Host: I see. David Smith: You know, it, yes, we are the only ones that are being, designing specifically for that, and it's for safety reasons. Host: So it has to really meet these standards. It has to be redundant. It has to, and the SLS is the big, deep-space rocket that has the standards, has the capabilities, and is going to get you farther. David Smith: Right. Host: Ultimately. Paul Bookout: Exactly. And, you know, to be that safe vehicle for launching humans into space, deep space, you know, we have to have these built-in, redundant systems. We have to do all these testing throughout the whole build of the system. You know, of course, that's a little penalty that we have to have additional mass to be able to have this redundancy, have this extra safety aspects of this vehicle. So that, of course, goes right in against being able to have a larger mass, up mass capability. But we're doing this for human exploration, not robotics exploration, so we're, we have to take those extra steps to make it safe. Host: That's right. So what's the benefit of having this large up mass versus just launching a bunch of rockets with smaller masses? David Smith: Right. We, what's often not fully appreciated is, for human spaceflight, for long duration, you can put together a whole bunch of little modules for humans, but think about it like this: Every time you put together a module, it has to have a hatch. Maybe it has to have two. It has to have a life support system. It has to have a power system, a thermal system. It has to be able to operate autonomously until another small module is joined to it. So you can make a lunar orbiting platform or a Mars deep-space transport out of many small modules brought up over time for that many vehicles, but the problem is it becomes sub optimized. You end up paying maybe 50% more mass for all the structure you don't really have to have. Plus, now, you have many duplicative subsystems for many modules that have to all function flawlessly together and have to wait in space while other modules come up over time and to be joined together. So when you think about this, coming up with this giant, origami-type space station that's deployed over years from many small modules compared to one flight or maybe two flights bringing up a very large module that does everything in one reliable, tested on the ground type of human habitation system, it becomes almost a no-brainer, right. [laughs] If you want to make sure your people are alive over time, you really want that kind of system. Only SLS right now is sized to do that. Other guys can certainly deliver those pieces, but they'd be a lot smaller and you'd have these issues that we just talked about. Host: That's right. And I guess it kind of opens up some opportunities for just, because you can have a larger up mass, because you have more space within the fairing to put things-- David Smith: Right. Host: Now, you have a lot less constraints because even -- I'm going to go back to James Webb, right. James Webb is a wonderful telescope, but it was constrained by what it can-- David Smith: The volume of the fairing. Host: Yeah, so it had to come up with this folding technique to pretty much fit inside the fairing. Otherwise, you couldn't launch the satellite. But I guess you can design, you have a little bit more freedom of design with something a little bit larger, right? David Smith: Or if you wanted to scale up the James Webb design, let's say that was the perfect design for telescopes-- Host: Yeah. David Smith: You could make a telescope that's five times larger with the large fairing that, you know, larger fairings that SLS could fly. So it opens up a whole, either you can have a non-origami type, folding-out type telescope, and it's all great, or, if you want to still do that, it gets you something even larger. So the scale is, the current fairing is, in some cases, the ten-meter fairing would be five times larger than the largest existing fairing today-- Host: Whoa. David Smith: If we could produce that. And that's, you know, we're talking a seven-story building could fit inside that ten, you know, [laughs] that long, the long, ten-meter, diameter, meter, diameter fairing. Host: All right. Just launch my house into space and just-- David Smith: There you go. Host: Kind of get a nice view. David Smith: Well, it'd be your condo building that it would launch-- Host: [laughs] Condo building. David Smith: Not your house. David Smith: Even bigger. Host: Yes. Host: So I kind of wanted to end with just sort of a scope of, we're kind of setting up a scene for what this rocket is capable of. Looking towards the future, and, David, you kind of pointed towards this, was this is a 50-year rocket, right. This is something that we're planning on using for a long time for many missions. How do you see this rocket being used? Like, take us into the future. What is this rocket going to give us? David Smith: So, you know, obviously, the lunar orbiting platform would be the first step. Let's-- Host: Yeah. David Smith: Improve the technologies in our backyard we call the Moon. We use those technologies then to extrapolate a system that can go to Mars safely and start, you know, bringing Mars into this human ring of habitation in our solar system. Some of the more exciting things in tandem are these robotic missions. There's the idea that we can send, because we can go so fast, we, so fast into the deeper reaches of the solar system, that within a five-year mission, we can send out a telescope that could go 200 astronomical units out from the Sun, and actually come back and aim at the Sun, and use the Sun as a gravitational lens to see exoplanets on the other side of the Sun. So we could make the world's largest telescope by having one lens on one side of the Sun and using the Sun's gravity as the other lens, and now seeing planets like we could've never seen them before, all because SLS can send that telescope out in a time frame that we can actually operation a mission, versus, you know, remember, Voyager took 30 years to get outside to, close to the heliosphere. So, you know, it's a, it's such a game changer that the real issue with SLS is we haven't thought about all the stuff we can do with it yet, you know. It kind of bends our imagination in a new way that we haven't been thinking of. Another example is interstellar probe. Again, sending something beyond the heliosphere now. You know, instead of the Voyager drifting out there over 30 to 40 years, we can send something out there in 20 years to break the barrier and see what's on the other side of the heliosphere. And we can do that in an active manner versus we're just getting little pulses from Voyager now still coming back. We can be much more active in that. So a lot of places like JPL are investigating the capability of SLS in ways that we never even thought of recently. So we're just on the very edge of discovering what we can do with the system. Host: Unbelievable. And this just kind of opens up the plan for exploring beyond low Earth orbit, right. You've said the first step for human exploration is going towards the Moon, but now you have a bunch of Moon missions. You kind of develop your skills. You got this Lunar Orbital Platform, the gateway that's going to bring us, the truck stop [laughs] that we call it-- David Smith: Right. Host: Is going to take us further out. And I'm guessing this will be used for the future human missions too beyond this first step. David Smith: Well, if we go to, we talked about I think in the earlier episode, nuclear thermal propulsion. Host: Yeah. David Smith: If we're able to employ that for human transport, we can reduce times to where we can send people maybe even ultimately beyond Mars. So, but only SLS with its capability to loft both mass and volume, when the nuclear, this nuclear thermal propulsion requires large amounts of hydrogen, which requires volume, only the SLS can give us that capability to even see if some of these technologies are usable, versus just relying on the same old technologies as the last 50 years. So we have so much promise in front of us with this. Host: Unbelievable. You guys are getting me all excited for what's to come. I just want to take a time machine, and jump, you know, 20 years into the future, and just see this rocket has done. Paul Bookout: Yep, you're not the only one. David Smith: [laughter] Take us with you. Host: Yeah, that's-- David Smith: We want to be there too. Host: Unbelievable. Hey, David and Paul, thank you so much for coming on, and kind of describing the SLS, and really spending so much time so we can do this in two episodes because there's so much to this story. And honestly, this was the first time that I've actually gone into this much detail for the rocket, so I really appreciate you getting on. And for the listeners, please listen to Parts 1 and 2 and get the whole story of what this rocket is all about. Guys, thanks again for coming on. Houston, we have a podcast. David Smith: You're welcome. Paul Bookout: Thank you very much for having us. Host: Welcome to the official podcast of the NASA Johnson Space Center, Episode 2, Can You Hear Me Now? I'm Gary Jordan, and I'll be your host today. In this podcast, we're bringing in the experts -- NASA scientists, engineers, astronauts, pretty much all the folks that have the coolest information, the stuff that you really want to know. [inaudible] We're talking everything from extraterrestrial [inaudible] to the unknown [inaudible]. So today, we're talking space communication networks with Bill Foster. He's a ground controller-- Hey, thanks for sticking around and listening to the whole full story of the Space Launch System. This was Episode 42, Part 2. If you haven't listened to Part 1, go back. You can listen to some of the more components about EM1 and then just some general ideas about what SLS was. Otherwise, you can go to some social media channels and website. We'll start with the website -- www.NASA.gov/SLS. That's where you can get the latest and greatest. Otherwise, you can follow some social media accounts on Twitter. It's @NASA underscore SLS. On Facebook, it's NASA SLS. Or you can actually go on the web and search "SLS Mission Planner's Guide," and it's a document on the web that you can download and just learn everything about the rocket, some of the constraints. And that was actually one of the things that Mr. David Smith worked on. So we're really looking forward to the launch of the first SLS. Glad you were able to join us on today's podcast to listen about the rocket and some of the missions and capabilities of the Space Launch System. If you have any questions, just use the #askNASA on your favorite platform for the NASA Johnson Space Center accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can submit a question or an idea for an episode that you want us to cover here on the podcast. Just make sure to mention it's for this podcast, Houston We Have a Podcast. This episode was recorded on March 20th, 2018 thanks to Alex Perryman, Rachel Craft, Laura Reshawn [phonetic], Kelly Humphries, Pat Ryan, Tyler Martin, Bev Perry, and all the folks at the Marshall Space Flight Center for helping to put this together. Thanks again to Dr. Paul Bookout and Mr. David Smith for coming on the show. [inaudible

  11. Habitable Zone Planets: PLATO, and the search for Earth 2.0

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Brown, D. J. A.

    2015-10-01

    The PLATO mission, part of ESA's Cosmic Vision program, will launch in 2024 and will revolutionize the field of transiting exoplanets. By observing a large sample of bright stars, PLATO will discover thousands of terrestrial planets, including hundreds in the habitable zones of their host stars. The brightness of PLATO targets allows full characterization of both the planets and their host stars, including asteroseismic analysis to precisely determine masses, radii, and ages. Moreover, PLATO host stars will be bright enough to allow atmospheric spectroscopy. Confirmation and characterization of PLATO planets will require a coordinated, ground-based follow-up program to both eliminate false-positives, and derive planetary masses. I will present an introduction to PLATO, discussing the scientific motivation behind the mission, its aims and goals, and the significant contribution that PLATO will make to the search for a second Earth. I will also talk about the requirements and formulation of the follow-up program, showing that the demands are not as onerous as might be feared.

  12. Arctic Visiting Speakers Series (AVS)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fox, S. E.; Griswold, J.

    2011-12-01

    The Arctic Visiting Speakers (AVS) Series funds researchers and other arctic experts to travel and share their knowledge in communities where they might not otherwise connect. Speakers cover a wide range of arctic research topics and can address a variety of audiences including K-12 students, graduate and undergraduate students, and the general public. Host applications are accepted on an on-going basis, depending on funding availability. Applications need to be submitted at least 1 month prior to the expected tour dates. Interested hosts can choose speakers from an online Speakers Bureau or invite a speaker of their choice. Preference is given to individuals and organizations to host speakers that reach a broad audience and the general public. AVS tours are encouraged to span several days, allowing ample time for interactions with faculty, students, local media, and community members. Applications for both domestic and international visits will be considered. Applications for international visits should involve participation of more than one host organization and must include either a US-based speaker or a US-based organization. This is a small but important program that educates the public about Arctic issues. There have been 27 tours since 2007 that have impacted communities across the globe including: Gatineau, Quebec Canada; St. Petersburg, Russia; Piscataway, New Jersey; Cordova, Alaska; Nuuk, Greenland; Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania; Oslo, Norway; Inari, Finland; Borgarnes, Iceland; San Francisco, California and Wolcott, Vermont to name a few. Tours have included lectures to K-12 schools, college and university students, tribal organizations, Boy Scout troops, science center and museum patrons, and the general public. There are approximately 300 attendees enjoying each AVS tour, roughly 4100 people have been reached since 2007. The expectations for each tour are extremely manageable. Hosts must submit a schedule of events and a tour summary to be posted online. Hosts must acknowledge the National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs and ARCUS in all promotional materials. Host agrees to send ARCUS photographs, fliers, and if possible a video of the main lecture. Host and speaker agree to collect data on the number of attendees in each audience to submit as part of a post-tour evaluation. The grants can generally cover all the expenses of a tour, depending on the location. A maximum of 2,000 will be provided for the travel related expenses of a speaker on a domestic visit. A maxiμm of 2,500 will be provided for the travel related expenses of a speaker on an international visit. Each speaker will receive an honorarium of $300.

  13. Internship at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Cryogenic Test laboratory

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Holland, Katherine

    2013-01-01

    NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is known for hosting all of the United States manned rocket launches as well as many unmanned launches at low inclinations. Even though the Space Shuttle recently retired, they are continuing to support unmanned launches and modifying manned launch facilities. Before a rocket can be launched, it has to go through months of preparation, called processing. Pieces of a rocket and its payload may come in from anywhere in the nation or even the world. The facilities all around the center help integrate the rocket and prepare it for launch. As NASA prepares for the Space Launch System, a rocket designed to take astronauts beyond Low Earth Orbit throughout the solar system, technology development is crucial for enhancing launch capabilities at the KSC. The Cryogenics Test Laboratory at Kennedy Space Center greatly contributes to cryogenic research and technology development. The engineers and technicians that work there come up with new ways to efficiently store and transfer liquid cryogens. NASA has a great need for this research and technology development as it deals with cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen for rocket fuel, as well as long term space flight applications. Additionally, in this new era of space exploration, the Cryogenics Test Laboratory works with the commercial sector. One technology development project is the Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) Ground Operations Demonstration Unit (GODU). LH2 GODU intends to demonstrate increased efficiency in storing and transferring liquid hydrogen during processing, loading, launch and spaceflight of a spacecraft. During the Shuttle Program, only 55% of hydrogen purchased was used by the Space Shuttle Main Engines. GODU's goal is to demonstrate that this percentage can be increased to 75%. Figure 2 shows the GODU layout when I concluded my internship. The site will include a 33,000 gallon hydrogen tank (shown in cyan) with a heat exchanger inside the hydrogen tank attached to a refrigerator capable of removing 850 Watts at 20 Kelvin (shown in green). The refrigerator and most of its supporting equipment will be kept in a standard shipping container (shown in pink). Currently, GODU is in the fabrication process and some of the large components have already been purchased.

  14. Ocular blast injuries related to explosive military ammunition.

    PubMed

    Gundogan, Fatih Cakir; Akay, F; Yolcu, U; Uzun, S; Ilhan, A; Toyran, S; Eyi, E; Diner, O

    2016-02-01

    To report the clinical features of ocular injuries associated with explosive military ammunition in insurgent attacks in Turkey. The medical records of 48 casualties who were treated for ocular injuries sustained in insurgent attacks at the Combat Region Hospitals in Turkey were retrospectively reviewed. The reviewed data included initial visual acuity, type of explosive military ammunition (ie, improvised explosive device, mine, hand grenade and rocket-propelled grenade), type of globe injury (open-globe vs closed-globe injury), traumatised globe zones, the presence/absence of an intraocular foreign body, medical interventions, status during the explosion and injuries to other parts of the body. The visual acuity differences between different explosive materials and between 'on-foot' and 'inside-vehicle' casualties were investigated. A total of 83 injured eyes were analysed. The mean patient age was 24.5±6.6 years. The mean initial logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity was 0.60±0.63. The injuries were due to improvised explosive devices in 28 cases (58.3%), land mines in 16 cases (33.3%), and hand grenades and rocket-propelled grenades in 2 cases each (4.2%). Forty-seven eyes (56.6%) had open-globe injuries. The most frequently involved zones were zone 1 (50.0%) in closed-globe injuries and all zones (31.9%) in open-globe injuries. Intraocular foreign bodies were present in 45/47 (95.7%) eyes with open-globe injuries. Twelve (14.4%) eyes with no light perception were enucleated, and two (2.4%) eviscerated. The difference in the visual acuities between the on-foot and inside-vehicle casualties and between the injuries that were caused by the different types of explosive ammunitions was also insignificant (p=0.271 and 0.394, respectively). The clinical results for eye injuries caused by explosive military ammunition sustained during insurgent attacks in Turkey are disappointing irrespective of the explosive material. The use of protective eyeglasses might improve the outcomes and should be encouraged. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

  15. Determining Light Pollution of the Global Sky: GLOBE at Night

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Henderson, S.; Meymaris, K.; Ward, D.; Walker, C.; Russell, R.; Pompea, S.; Salisbury, D.

    2006-05-01

    GLOBE at Night is an international science event designed to observe and record the visible stars as a means of measuring light pollution in a given location. Increased and robust understanding of our environment requires learning opportunities that take place outside of the conventional K-12 classroom and beyond the confines of the school day. This hands-on learning activity extended the traditional classroom and school day last March with a week of nighttime sky observations involving teachers, students and their families. The quality of the night sky for stellar observations is impacted by several factors including human activities. By observing cloud cover and locating specific constellations in the sky, students from around the world learned how the lights in their community contribute to light pollution, exploring the relationship between science, technology and their society. Students learned that light pollution impacts more than just the visibility of stars at night. Lights at night impact both the biology and ecology of many species in our environment. Students were able to participate in this global scientific campaign by submitting their observations through an online database, allowing for authentic worldwide research and analysis by participating scientists. Students and their families learned how latitude and longitude coordinates provide a location system to map and analyze the observation data submitted from around the globe. The collected data is available online for use by students, teachers and scientists worldwide to assess how the quality of the night sky varies around the world. This session will share how students and scientists across the globe can explore and analyze the results of this exciting campaign. GLOBE at Night is a collaborative effort sponsored by The GLOBE Program, the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), Centro de Apoyo a la Didactica de la Astronomia (CADIAS), Windows to the Universe, and ESRI. The GLOBE Program is an international inquiry-based program designed to engage teachers with their students in partnership with research scientists to better understand the environment at local, regional, and global scales. The GLOBE Program is managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and Colorado State University with funding from NASA, NSF, and the U.S. Department of State.

  16. Results from the Prototype GLOBE at Night Worldwide Light Pollution Observation Program

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Walker, Constance E.; Pompea, S. M.; Isbell, D.; Orellana, D.; Blurton, C.; Henderson, S.

    2006-06-01

    Students, families, and educators worldwide participated in GLOBE at Night - an international event designed to observe and record the visible stars as a means of measuring light pollution in a given location. Participation was open to anyone - anywhere in the world - who could get outside and look skyward during the week of March 22-29, 2006. Our goal was 5000 observations from around the world in this prototype program.The hands-on learning activities associated with the program were designed to extend the traditional classroom and school day with a week of nighttime observations involving teachers, students and their families. By locating specific constellations in the sky, students from around the world learned how the lights in their community contribute to light pollution. Students explored the different light sources in their community learning the relationship between science, technology and society, and they reported their observations online through a central database allowing for authentic worldwide research and analysis. The observations made during GLOBE at Night helped students and scientists together assess how the quality of the night sky varies around the world as well as the level of energy wastage associated with poorly-shielded lights.For more information, visit http://www.globe.gov/globeatnight.GLOBE at Night is a collaboration between The GLOBE Program, the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), Centro de Apoyo a la Didactica de la Astronomia (CADIAS) in Chile , Windows to the Universe, and Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI).

  17. Application of Deep Learning in GLOBELAND30-2010 Product Refinement

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, T.; Chen, X.

    2018-04-01

    GlobeLand30, as one of the best Global Land Cover (GLC) product at 30-m resolution, has been widely used in many research fields. Due to the significant spectral confusion among different land cover types and limited textual information of Landsat data, the overall accuracy of GlobeLand30 is about 80 %. Although such accuracy is much higher than most other global land cover products, it cannot satisfy various applications. There is still a great need of an effective method to improve the quality of GlobeLand30. The explosive high-resolution satellite images and remarkable performance of Deep Learning on image classification provide a new opportunity to refine GlobeLand30. However, the performance of deep leaning depends on quality and quantity of training samples as well as model training strategy. Therefore, this paper 1) proposed an automatic training sample generation method via Google earth to build a large training sample set; and 2) explore the best training strategy for land cover classification using GoogleNet (Inception V3), one of the most widely used deep learning network. The result shows that the fine-tuning from first layer of Inception V3 using rough large sample set is the best strategy. The retrained network was then applied in one selected area from Xi'an city as a case study of GlobeLand30 refinement. The experiment results indicate that the proposed approach with Deep Learning and google earth imagery is a promising solution for further improving accuracy of GlobeLand30.

  18. Assessment of intraocular measurements in neonatal foals and association with gender, laterality, and body weight: a clinical study.

    PubMed

    Valentini, Simona; Castagnetti, Carolina; Musella, Vincenzo; Spinella, Giuseppe

    2014-01-01

    Objective of this study was to describe intraocular measurements in newly born foals (1-7 days of age) and assess the association between globe measurements and gender, laterality, and body weight. B-scan ultrasonographic biometry was performed on both eyes of 22 healthy foals (44 eyes) ages 1-7 days using a 10-MHz transducer. Intraocular measurements (anterior chamber depth, central lens thickness, vitreous chamber depth, axial globe length, longitudinal globe length, lens poles distance) were carried out using the ultrasound internal calipers. The influence of gender (male or female), laterality (right or left eye), and body weight ("light" <48 kg; "heavy" ≥48 kg) on ocular measurements was analysed by the Student t test. Values of P<0.05 were accepted as significant for all analyses. Mean anterior chamber depth was 2.2±0.5 mm (Standard Deviation); central lens thickness was 9.9±0.8 mm; vitreous chamber depth was 15.5±1.1 mm; axial globe length was 27.6±1.6 mm; longitudinal globe length was 35.8±1.2 mm, and lens poles distance was 16.4±1.0 mm. Intraocular measurements were not influenced by gender, laterality nor body weight. This study provides reference values for intraocular measurements in neonatal foals and may be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital and acquired pathologies involving the globe.

  19. Assessment of Intraocular Measurements in Neonatal Foals and Association with Gender, Laterality, and Body Weight: A Clinical Study

    PubMed Central

    Valentini, Simona; Castagnetti, Carolina; Musella, Vincenzo; Spinella, Giuseppe

    2014-01-01

    Objective of this study was to describe intraocular measurements in newly born foals (1–7 days of age) and assess the association between globe measurements and gender, laterality, and body weight. B-scan ultrasonographic biometry was performed on both eyes of 22 healthy foals (44 eyes) ages 1–7 days using a 10-MHz transducer. Intraocular measurements (anterior chamber depth, central lens thickness, vitreous chamber depth, axial globe length, longitudinal globe length, lens poles distance) were carried out using the ultrasound internal calipers. The influence of gender (male or female), laterality (right or left eye), and body weight (“light” <48 kg; “heavy” ≥48 kg) on ocular measurements was analysed by the Student t test. Values of P<0.05 were accepted as significant for all analyses. Mean anterior chamber depth was 2.2±0.5 mm (Standard Deviation); central lens thickness was 9.9±0.8 mm; vitreous chamber depth was 15.5±1.1 mm; axial globe length was 27.6±1.6 mm; longitudinal globe length was 35.8±1.2 mm, and lens poles distance was 16.4±1.0 mm. Intraocular measurements were not influenced by gender, laterality nor body weight. This study provides reference values for intraocular measurements in neonatal foals and may be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital and acquired pathologies involving the globe. PMID:25296286

  20. KSC-08pd1362

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2008-05-14

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In a U.S. Coast Guard boat off Florida's central east coast, astronaut Richard Mastracchio adjusts his launch-and-entry suit to participate in a rescue training exercise, known as Mode VIII. Behind him is astronaut Paulo Nespoli. In support of, and with logistical support from, NASA, USSTRATCOM is hosting a major exercise involving Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, search and rescue (SAR) forces, including the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, which support space shuttle astronaut bailout contingency operations, known as Mode VIII. This exercise tests SAR capabilities to locate, recover and provide medical treatment for astronauts following a space shuttle launch phase open-ocean bailout. Participants include members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force, and NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

  1. KSC-2009-2828

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2009-04-24

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –– In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, preparations are under way to pack the Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill, or COLBERT, for launch to the International Space Station on the space shuttle Discovery STS-128 mission. The treadmill is named after comedian Stephen Colbert, the host of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report.” Colbert urged his viewers to suggest the name “Colbert” as the name for the station’s Node 3 module. Although his name did receive the most entries in an Internet polling contest, NASA chose the name “Tranquility” to honor the accomplishments of the Apollo 11 mission. COLBERT will be installed in Tranquility after the node arrives at the station next year. Launch of STS-128 is targeted for Aug. 6, 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

  2. KSC-2009-2826

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2009-04-24

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –– In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, preparations are under way to pack the Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill, or COLBERT, for launch to the International Space Station on the space shuttle Discovery STS-128 mission. The treadmill is named after comedian Stephen Colbert, the host of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report.” Colbert urged his viewers to suggest the name “Colbert” as the name for the station’s Node 3 module. Although his name did receive the most entries in an Internet polling contest, NASA chose the name “Tranquility” to honor the accomplishments of the Apollo 11 mission. COLBERT will be installed in Tranquility after the node arrives at the station next year. Launch of STS-128 is targeted for Aug. 6, 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

  3. KSC-2009-2827

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2009-04-24

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –– In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, preparations are under way to pack the Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill, or COLBERT, for launch to the International Space Station on the space shuttle Discovery STS-128 mission. The treadmill is named after comedian Stephen Colbert, the host of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report.” Colbert urged his viewers to suggest the name “Colbert” as the name for the station’s Node 3 module. Although his name did receive the most entries in an Internet polling contest, NASA chose the name “Tranquility” to honor the accomplishments of the Apollo 11 mission. COLBERT will be installed in Tranquility after the node arrives at the station next year. Launch of STS-128 is targeted for Aug. 6, 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

  4. KSC-2009-2825

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2009-04-24

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –– In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a worker prepares to pack a component of the Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill, or COLBERT, for launch to the International Space Station on the space shuttle Discovery STS-128 mission. The treadmill is named after comedian Stephen Colbert, the host of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report.” Colbert urged his viewers to suggest the name “Colbert” as the name for the station’s Node 3 module. Although his name did receive the most entries in an Internet polling contest, NASA chose the name “Tranquility” to honor the accomplishments of the Apollo 11 mission. COLBERT will be installed in Tranquility after the node arrives at the station next year. Launch of STS-128 is targeted for Aug. 6, 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

  5. KSC-2009-2824

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2009-04-24

    CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –– In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a worker prepares to pack the Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill, or COLBERT, for launch to the International Space Station on the space shuttle Discovery STS-128 mission. The treadmill is named after comedian Stephen Colbert, the host of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report.” Colbert urged his viewers to suggest the name “Colbert” as the name for the station’s Node 3 module. Although his name did receive the most entries in an Internet polling contest, NASA chose the name “Tranquility” to honor the accomplishments of the Apollo 11 mission. COLBERT will be installed in Tranquility after the node arrives at the station next year. Launch of STS-128 is targeted for Aug. 6, 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

  6. Trajectory Browser: An Online Tool for Interplanetary Trajectory Analysis and Visualization

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Foster, Cyrus James

    2013-01-01

    The trajectory browser is a web-based tool developed at the NASA Ames Research Center for finding preliminary trajectories to planetary bodies and for providing relevant launch date, time-of-flight and (Delta)V requirements. The site hosts a database of transfer trajectories from Earth to planets and small-bodies for various types of missions such as rendezvous, sample return or flybys. A search engine allows the user to find trajectories meeting desired constraints on the launch window, mission duration and (Delta)V capability, while a trajectory viewer tool allows the visualization of the heliocentric trajectory and the detailed mission itinerary. The anticipated user base of this tool consists primarily of scientists and engineers designing interplanetary missions in the context of pre-phase A studies, particularly for performing accessibility surveys to large populations of small-bodies.

  7. Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) on the International Space Station (ISS): Launch, Installation, Activation and First Results

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Blakeslee, R. J.; Christian, H. J.; Mach, D. M.; Buechler, D. E.; Wharton, N. A.; Stewart, M. F.; Ellett, W. T.; Koshak, W. J.; Walker, T. D.; Virts, K.; hide

    2017-01-01

    Mission: Fly a flight-spare LIS (Lightning Imaging Sensor) on ISS to take advantage of unique capabilities provided by the ISS (e.g., high inclination, real time data); Integrate LIS as a hosted payload on the DoD Space Test Program-Houston 5 (STP-H5) mission and launch on a Space X rocket for a minimum 2 year mission. Measurement: NASA and its partners developed and demonstrated effectiveness and value of using space-based lightning observations as a remote sensing tool; LIS measures lightning (amount, rate, radiant energy) with storm scale resolution, millisecond timing, and high detection efficiency, with no land-ocean bias. Benefit: LIS on ISS will extend TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission) time series observations, expand latitudinal coverage, provide real time data to operational users, and enable cross-sensor calibration.

  8. The Case for GEO Hosted SSA Payloads

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Welsch, C.; Armand, B.; Repp, M.; Robinson, A.

    2014-09-01

    Space situational awareness (SSA) in the geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) belt presents unique challenges, and given the national importance and high value of GEO satellites, is increasingly critical as space becomes more congested and contested. Space situational awareness capabilities can serve as an effective deterrent against potential adversaries if they provide accurate, timely, and persistent information and are resilient to the threat environment. This paper will demonstrate how simple optical SSA payloads hosted on GEO commercial and government satellites can complement the SSA mission and data provided by Space-Based Space Surveillance (SBSS) and the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP). GSSAP is built by Orbital Sciences Corporation and launched on July 28, 2014. Analysis performed for this paper will show how GEO hosted SSA payloads, working in combination with SBSS and GSSAP, can increase persistence and timely coverage of high value assets in the GEO belt. The potential to further increase GEO object identification and tracking accuracy by integrating SSA data from multiple sources across different viewing angles including GEO hosted SSA sources will be addressed. Hosting SSA payloads on GEO platforms also increases SSA mission architecture resiliency as the sensors are by distributed across multiple platforms including commercial platforms. This distributed architecture presents a challenging target for an adversary to attempt to degrade or disable. We will present a viable concept of operations to show how data from hosted SSA sensors could be integrated with SBSS and GSSAP data to present a comprehensive and more accurate data set to users. Lastly, we will present an acquisition approach using commercial practices and building on lessons learned from the Commercially Hosted Infra Red Payload CHIRP to demonstrate the affordability of GEO hosted SSA payloads.

  9. Stennis hosts Space Day activities at USM

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2009-10-17

    Fallon Nettles (left), an Astro Camp counselor at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center, assists a young fan attending the University of Southern Mississippi football game in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Oct. 17 in launching a balloon 'rocket.' Prior to the game, Stennis Space Center hosted hands-on activities and exhibits for families as part of its first-ever Space Day at USM. The activities were versions of those featured in the daylong and weeklong Astro Camp sessions sponsored by Stennis throughout each year. Stennis Space Center is located in nearby Hancock County and is the nation's premier rocket engine testing facility. The USM activities were part of Stennis' ongoing effort to educate people about the NASA mission and to introduce children and young people to space and space exploration.

  10. Stennis hosts Space Day activities at USM

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2009-01-01

    Fallon Nettles (left), an Astro Camp counselor at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center, assists a young fan attending the University of Southern Mississippi football game in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Oct. 17 in launching a balloon 'rocket.' Prior to the game, Stennis Space Center hosted hands-on activities and exhibits for families as part of its first-ever Space Day at USM. The activities were versions of those featured in the daylong and weeklong Astro Camp sessions sponsored by Stennis throughout each year. Stennis Space Center is located in nearby Hancock County and is the nation's premier rocket engine testing facility. The USM activities were part of Stennis' ongoing effort to educate people about the NASA mission and to introduce children and young people to space and space exploration.

  11. A desktop system of virtual morphometric globes for Mars and the Moon

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Florinsky, I. V.; Filippov, S. V.

    2017-03-01

    Global morphometric models can be useful for earth and planetary studies. Virtual globes - programs implementing interactive three-dimensional (3D) models of planets - are increasingly used in geo- and planetary sciences. We describe the development of a desktop system of virtual morphometric globes for Mars and the Moon. As the initial data, we used 15'-gridded global digital elevation models (DEMs) extracted from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) and the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) gridded archives. For two celestial bodies, we derived global digital models of several morphometric attributes, such as horizontal curvature, vertical curvature, minimal curvature, maximal curvature, and catchment area. To develop the system, we used Blender, the free open-source software for 3D modeling and visualization. First, a 3D sphere model was generated. Second, the global morphometric maps were imposed to the sphere surface as textures. Finally, the real-time 3D graphics Blender engine was used to implement rotation and zooming of the globes. The testing of the developed system demonstrated its good performance. Morphometric globes clearly represent peculiarities of planetary topography, according to the physical and mathematical sense of a particular morphometric variable.

  12. GLOBE and Place-based learning

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Andersen, T. J.; Murphy, T.; Malmberg, J. S.; Wegner, K.

    2016-12-01

    You visit a special natural setting and are amazed at the splendor. You revisit it years later at the same time of year and note how it has changed. The environment looks different-algae is growing where it didn't before. Trees are dying. Weeds are flourishing. You ask yourself "why is this happening?" The spark starting your climate place-based awareness just ignited. The GLOBE program encourages and enables young citizen scientists to observe and record measurements related to the environment and to use those measurements for research. Over 130 learning activities supplement the 51 measurement protocols that can be done in and out of the field, with and without technical devices that open up the mind to questions about one's environment. From taking pictures of the sky to creating instruments, to noting when plants bloom and examining the characteristics of the soil and land, GLOBE encourages investigating climate change in numerous ways. GLOBE activities encouraging climate awareness and "what if" scenarios fuel student research and help validate scientific research. Studying one's local GLOBE observations and seeing where and when change occurs, brings out intrigue that expands to investigating multiple places where even more questions can arise-fueling the scientific process and encouraging place-based learning.

  13. Luxation of eyeball following trauma: novel simple treatment.

    PubMed

    Osman, Essam A; Al-Akeely, Adel

    2014-07-01

    Luxation of the eye globe is a rare occasion but it carries a risk of threat to permanent vision loss especially when associated with very high intraocular pressure. Appropriate intervention should be undertaken instantly. Predisposing factors include; eyes as in shallow orbital sockets, floppy eyelid syndrome, and exophthalmos. Prompt reduction results in restoration of full anatomical and visual recovery in otherwise healthy eyes. We report a case of globe luxation following trauma by door handle in a 65-year-old female, who recovered completely after reposition of the globe using Desmarres Lid Retractors.

  14. Introducing a New Elementary GLOBE Book on Climate: Supporting Educators and Students in their Understanding of the Concepts Underlying Climate and Climate Change

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stanitski, D.; Hatheway, B.; Gardiner, L. S.; Taylor, J.; Chambers, L. H.

    2016-12-01

    Much of the focus on climate literacy in K-12 occurs in middle and high school, where teachers and students can dig into the science in some depth. It is important, however, to introduce this topic at an early age, building on a child's natural curiosity about the world around them - but without overwhelming them with frightening climate change impacts. In some U.S. school systems, a recent focus on standardized testing has crowded out science instruction in order to bring up literacy scores. To give teachers a resource to maintain some science instruction under these conditions, a series of Elementary GLOBE books have been developed. These fictional stories describe sound science and engineering practices that are essential for students to learn the process of science while expanding literacy skills, strongly encouraged in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The main concepts developed in a new Elementary GLOBE book on climate, titled "What in the World Is Happening to Our Climate?", will be introduced in this presentation. This book complements six other Earth System Science modules within the Elementary GLOBE curriculum and is freely available on the GLOBE website (www.globe.gov/elementaryglobe). The book discusses the concept that climate is changing in different ways and places around the world, and what happens to the climate in one place affects other locations across the globe. Supporting ideas clarify the difference between weather and climate, introduce climate science concepts, reveal the impacts of sea level rise, and help students understand that, while humans are contributing to climate change, they can also participate in solutions that address this challenge. Accompanying teacher's notes and companion classroom activities will be described to help elementary school teachers understand how to approach the subject of climate change with their students.

  15. Seeing Stars: A GLOBE at Night Campaign Update

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Walker, Constance E.; Pompea, S. M.; Sparks, R. T.; Newhouse, M.

    2012-01-01

    The emphasis in the international citizen-science, star-hunting campaign, GLOBE at Night, is in bringing awareness to the public on issues of light pollution. Light pollution threatens not only observatory sites and our "right to starlight", but can affect energy consumption, wildlife and health. GLOBE at Night has successfully reached a few 100,000 citizen-scientists. What has done in the last year to contribute to its success? • To promote the campaign via popular social media, GLOBE at Night created Facebook and Twitter pages. • Videos have been created for 4 out of 8 Dark Skies Rangers activities. • Sky brightness measurements can be submitted in real time with smart phones or tablets using the new Web application at www.globeatnight.org/webapp/. The location, date and time register automatically. • As a proto-type, an adopt-a-street program had people in Tucson take measurements every mile for the length of the street. Grid measurements canvassed the town, allowing for comparisons of light levels over time. • The increase to 2 campaigns in 2011 re-enforces these studies. In 2012, the campaign will be offered 4 times for 10 days a month: January 14-23, February 12-21, March 13-22 and April 11-20. • A new Web application (www.globeatnight.org/mapapp/) allows for mapping GLOBE at Night data points within a specified distance around a city or area of choice. The resulting maps are bookmarkable and shareable. • NOAO and Arizona Game and Fish Department started a project with GLOBE at Night data and bat telemetry to examine a dark skies corridor in Tucson where endangered bats fly. While providing these updates to the GLOBE at Night program, the presentation will highlight the education and outreach value of the program's resources and outcomes, lessons learned, successes and pitfalls in communicating awareness with the public and attracting young people to study science.

  16. Engaging the Public in the Citizen Science GLOBE at Night Campaign

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Walker, Constance E.; Sparks, R. T.; Pompea, S. M.

    2011-05-01

    The emphasis in the international star-hunting campaign, GLOBE at Night, is in bringing awareness to the public on issues of light pollution. Light pollution threatens not only observatory sites and our "right to starlight", but can affect energy consumption, wildlife and health. GLOBE at Night has successfully reached a few 100,000 citizen-scientists. What steps can be taken to improve it? To promote the campaign via popular social media, GLOBE at Night created Facebook and Twitter pages. To increase participation in the 2011 campaign, children and adults submitted their sky brightness measurements in real time with smart phones or tablets using the web application at www.globeatnight.org/webapp/. With smart phones and tablets, the location, date and time register automatically. For those without smart mobile devices, user-friendly tools on the GLOBE at Night report page were reconfigured to determine latitude and longitude more easily and accurately. To increase the robustness of the data, 2 new approaches were taken. GLOBE at Night prototyped an "Adopt a Street” program in Tucson. The aim was for people to adopt different major or semi-major streets and take measurements every mile or so for the length of the street. The grid of measurements would canvas the town, allowing for comparisons of light levels over time (hours, days, years) or search for dark sky oases or light polluted areas. The increase to 2 campaigns in 2011 re-enforces these studies. The intent is to offer the program year-round for seasonal studies. The data can also be used to compare with datasets on wildlife, health, and energy consumption. Recently, NOAO and the Arizona Game and Fish Department have started a project with GLOBE at Night data and bat telemetry to examine a dark skies corridor in Tucson where the endangered bats fly. In our presentation, results of our efforts are discussed.

  17. OceanGLOBE: an Outdoor Research and Environmental Education Program for K-12 Students

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Perry, R. B.; Hamner, W. M.

    2006-12-01

    OceanGLOBE is an outdoor environmental research and education program for upper elementary, middle and high school students, supplemented by online instructional materials that are available without charge to any educator. OceanGLOBE was piloted in 1995 with support from a National Science Foundation Teacher Enhancement project, "Leadership in Marine Science" (award no.ESI-9454413 to UCLA). Continuing support by a second NSF Teacher Enhancement project (award no. ESI-9819424 to UCLA) and by COSEE-West (NSF awards OCE-215506 to UCLA and OCE-0215497 to USC) has enabled OceanGLOBE to expand to a growing number of schools and to provide an increasingly robust collection of marine science instructional materials on its website, http://www.msc.ucla.edu/oceanglobe/ OceanGLOBE provides a mechanism for students to conduct inquiry-based, hands-on marine science research, providing experiences that anchor the national and state science content standards learned in the classroom. Students regularly collect environmental and biological data from a beach site over an extended period of time. In the classroom they organize, graph and analyze their data, which can lead to a variety of student-created science products. Beach research is supported by instructional marine science materials on the OceanGLOBE website. These online materials also can be used in the classroom independent of the field component. Annotated PowerPoint slide shows explain research protocols and provide marine science content. Field guides and photographs of marine organisms (with emphasis on the Southern California Bight) and a growing collection of classroom investigations (applicable to any ocean location) support the science content presented in the beach research program and slide shows. In summary, OceanGLOBE is a comprehensive learning package grounded in hands-on, outdoor marine science research project in which students are the principal investigators. By doing scientific work repetitively over an extended time period students learn about how science is done as much as they learn science content.

  18. a Kml-Based Approach for Distributed Collaborative Interpretation of Remote Sensing Images in the Geo-Browser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, L.; Zhu, X.; Guo, W.; Xiang, L.; Chen, X.; Mei, Y.

    2012-07-01

    Existing implementations of collaborative image interpretation have many limitations for very large satellite imageries, such as inefficient browsing, slow transmission, etc. This article presents a KML-based approach to support distributed, real-time, synchronous collaborative interpretation for remote sensing images in the geo-browser. As an OGC standard, KML (Keyhole Markup Language) has the advantage of organizing various types of geospatial data (including image, annotation, geometry, etc.) in the geo-browser. Existing KML elements can be used to describe simple interpretation results indicated by vector symbols. To enlarge its application, this article expands KML elements to describe some complex image processing operations, including band combination, grey transformation, geometric correction, etc. Improved KML is employed to describe and share interpretation operations and results among interpreters. Further, this article develops some collaboration related services that are collaboration launch service, perceiving service and communication service. The launch service creates a collaborative interpretation task and provides a unified interface for all participants. The perceiving service supports interpreters to share collaboration awareness. Communication service provides interpreters with written words communication. Finally, the GeoGlobe geo-browser (an extensible and flexible geospatial platform developed in LIESMARS) is selected to perform experiments of collaborative image interpretation. The geo-browser, which manage and visualize massive geospatial information, can provide distributed users with quick browsing and transmission. Meanwhile in the geo-browser, GIS data (for example DEM, DTM, thematic map and etc.) can be integrated to assist in improving accuracy of interpretation. Results show that the proposed method is available to support distributed collaborative interpretation of remote sensing image

  19. The GLOBE Visualization Project: Using WWW in the Classroom.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    de La Beaujardiere, J-F; And Others

    1997-01-01

    Describes a World Wide Web-based, user-friendly, language-independent graphical user interface providing access to visualizations created for GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment), a multinational program of education and science. (DDR)

  20. DigitalGlobe(TM) Incorporated Corporate and System Update

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Thomassie, Brett

    2007-01-01

    This viewgraph presentation describes a system update of Quickbird, the world's highest resolution commercial imaging satellite, operated by DigitalGlobe (TM) Incorporated. A satellite comparison of Quickbird, WorldView-60, and WorldView-110 is also presented.

  1. Rotating Globe of Ganymede Geology

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2014-02-12

    This is a frame from an animation of a rotating globe of Jupiter moon Ganymede, with a geologic map superimposed over a global color mosaic, incorporating the best available imagery from NASA Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft, and Galileo spacecraft.

  2. Protective ocular mechanisms in woodpeckers.

    PubMed

    Wygnanski-Jaffe, T; Murphy, C J; Smith, C; Kubai, M; Christopherson, P; Ethier, C R; Levin, A V

    2007-01-01

    Woodpeckers possess mechanisms protecting the eye from shaking/impact. Mechanisms available to woodpeckers but not humans may help explain some eye injuries in Shaken Baby syndrome (SBS). Gross dissection and histologic examination of eyes and orbits of seven woodpeckers. All birds showed restricted axial globe movement due to the tight fit within the orbit and fascial connections between the orbital rim and sclera. The sclera was reinforced with cartilage and bone, the optic nerve lacked redundancy, and the vitreous lacked attachments to the posterior pole retina. Woodpecker eyes differ from human infants by an inability of the globe to move axially in the orbit, the sclera to deform, and the vitreous to shear the retina. These findings support current hypotheses that abusive acceleration-deceleration-induced ocular injury in human infants may be related to translation of vitreous within the globe and the globe within the orbit. The woodpecker presents a natural model resistant to mechanical forces that have some similarity to SBS.

  3. Growth and field emission properties of globe-like diamond microcrystalline-aggregate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gao, Jin-hai; Zhang, Lan; Zhao, Limin; Hao, Haoshan

    2009-02-01

    The globe-like diamond microcrystalline-aggregates were fabricated by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) method. The ceramic with a Ti mental layer was used as substrate. The fabricated diamond was evaluated by Raman scattering spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectrum (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The field emission properties were tested by using a diode structure in a vacuum. A phosphor-coated indium tin oxide (ITO) anode was used for observing and characterizing the field emission. It was found that the globe-like diamond microcrystalline-aggregates exhibited good electron emission properties. The turn-on field was only 0.55 V/μm, and emission current density as high as 11 mA/cm 2 was obtained under an applied field of 2.9 V/μm for the first operation. The growth mechanism and field emission properties of the globe-like diamond microcrystalline-aggregates are discussed relating to microstructure and electrical conductivity.

  4. Openwebglobe 2: Visualization of Complex 3D-GEODATA in the (mobile) Webbrowser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Christen, M.

    2016-06-01

    Providing worldwide high resolution data for virtual globes consists of compute and storage intense tasks for processing data. Furthermore, rendering complex 3D-Geodata, such as 3D-City models with an extremely high polygon count and a vast amount of textures at interactive framerates is still a very challenging task, especially on mobile devices. This paper presents an approach for processing, caching and serving massive geospatial data in a cloud-based environment for large scale, out-of-core, highly scalable 3D scene rendering on a web based virtual globe. Cloud computing is used for processing large amounts of geospatial data and also for providing 2D and 3D map data to a large amount of (mobile) web clients. In this paper the approach for processing, rendering and caching very large datasets in the currently developed virtual globe "OpenWebGlobe 2" is shown, which displays 3D-Geodata on nearly every device.

  5. Citizen Science Provides Valuable Data for Monitoring Global Night Sky Luminance

    PubMed Central

    Kyba, Christopher C. M.; Wagner, Janna M.; Kuechly, Helga U.; Walker, Constance E.; Elvidge, Christopher D.; Falchi, Fabio; Ruhtz, Thomas; Fischer, Jürgen; Hölker, Franz

    2013-01-01

    The skyglow produced by artificial lights at night is one of the most dramatic anthropogenic modifications of Earth's biosphere. The GLOBE at Night citizen science project allows individual observers to quantify skyglow using star maps showing different levels of light pollution. We show that aggregated GLOBE at Night data depend strongly on artificial skyglow, and could be used to track lighting changes worldwide. Naked eye time series can be expected to be very stable, due to the slow pace of human eye evolution. The standard deviation of an individual GLOBE at Night observation is found to be 1.2 stellar magnitudes. Zenith skyglow estimates from the “First World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness” are tested using a subset of the GLOBE at Night data. Although we find the World Atlas overestimates sky brightness in the very center of large cities, its predictions for Milky Way visibility are accurate. PMID:23677222

  6. Global small-scale lunar cartography

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lipskiy, Y. N.; Pskovskiy, Y. P.; Rodionova, Z. F.; Shevchenko, V. V.; Chikmachev, V. I.; Volchkova, L. I.

    1972-01-01

    The primary sources information for compiling this map were the photographs of the visible hemisphere obtained by earth-based observatories, the Luna 3 and Zond 3 pictures, and a small number of Lunar Orbiter pictures. The primary content of the complete lunar map is the surface relief and its tonal characteristics. In preparing the map, particular attention was devoted to the variety of lunar relief forms. The color spectrum of the map was selected not only for the natural coloring of the lunar surface, but also with the objective of achieving maximum expressiveness. A lunar globe to scale 1:10 million was prepared along with the preparation of the map. The scale of the globe, half that of the map, led to some selection and generalization of the relief forms. The globe permits maintaining simultaneously geometric similarity of contours, exact proportions of areas, and identical scales in all directions. The globe was prepared in both the Latin and Russian languages.

  7. NASA team hosts STEM-Ulate actvities

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2010-07-13

    Young visitors to NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center prepare to launch 'stomp rockets' during STEM-Ulate to Innovate activities at the facility July 13. The NASA Foundations of Influence, Relationships, Success and Teamwork (FIRST) Team sponsored STEM-Ulate to Innovate for more than 100 children ages 9-11. Children from area Boys & Girls Clubs participated in hands-on activities, presentations and demonstrations by professional engineers, all designed to promote the relevance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

  8. Norm Abram of 'This Old House' visits KSC to film for show

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2000-01-01

    Across from the Vehicle Assembly Building and Launch Control Center, Steve Thomas (left), host of This Old House, and Norm Abram (second from left), master carpenter on the series, watch as a a videographer (in front) checks his camera. With them is astronaut John Herrington. The cast and crew of This Old House are filming at KSC for an episode of the show. Herrington is accompanying the film crew on their tour of KSC.

  9. The "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages" and the European Language Portfolio: Some History, a View of Language Learner Autonomy, and Some Implications for Language Learning in Higher Education

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Little, David

    2013-01-01

    This article is based on a plenary talk given at the CercleS seminar hosted by the University of Groningen in November 2011 to mark the tenth anniversary of the publication of the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages" and the launch of the European Language Portfolio. The first part of the article summarizes the history…

  10. Cloud Based Electronic Health Record Applications are Essential to Expeditionary Patient Care

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-05-01

    security46 and privacy concerns47). Privacy/Security Risks of Cloud Computing A quantitative study based on the preceding literature review...to medical IT wherever there is a Wi-Fi connection and a computing device (desktop, laptop , tablet, phone, etc.). In 2015 the DoD launched MiCare, a...Hosting Services: a Study on Students’ Acceptance,” Computers in Human Behavior, 2013. Takai, Teri. DoD CIO’s 10-Point Plan for IT Modernization

  11. SpaceX TESS Liftoff

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2018-04-18

    A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, carrying NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Liftoff was at 6:51 p.m. EDT. TESS will search for planets outside of our solar system. The mission will find exoplanets that periodically block part of the light from their host stars, events called transits. The satellite will survey the nearest and brightest stars for two years to search for transiting exoplanets.

  12. Launch Vehicles

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2007-09-09

    Under the goals of the Vision for Space Exploration, Ares I is a chief component of the cost-effective space transportation infrastructure being developed by NASA's Constellation Program. This transportation system will safely and reliably carry human explorers back to the moon, and then onward to Mars and other destinations in the solar system. The Ares I effort includes multiple project element teams at NASA centers and contract organizations around the nation, and is managed by the Exploration Launch Projects Office at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MFSC). ATK Launch Systems near Brigham City, Utah, is the prime contractor for the first stage booster. ATK's subcontractor, United Space Alliance of Houston, is designing, developing and testing the parachutes at its facilities at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston hosts the Constellation Program and Orion Crew Capsule Project Office and provides test instrumentation and support personnel. Together, these teams are developing vehicle hardware, evolving proven technologies, and testing components and systems. Their work builds on powerful, reliable space shuttle propulsion elements and nearly a half-century of NASA space flight experience and technological advances. Ares I is an inline, two-stage rocket configuration topped by the Crew Exploration Vehicle, its service module, and a launch abort system. In this HD video image, the first stage reentry 1/2% model is undergoing pressure measurements inside the wind tunnel testing facility at MSFC. (Highest resolution available)

  13. A system for distributed intrusion detection

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Snapp, S.R.; Brentano, J.; Dias, G.V.

    1991-01-01

    The study of providing security in computer networks is a rapidly growing area of interest because the network is the medium over which most attacks or intrusions on computer systems are launched. One approach to solving this problem is the intrusion-detection concept, whose basic premise is that not only abandoning the existing and huge infrastructure of possibly-insecure computer and network systems is impossible, but also replacing them by totally-secure systems may not be feasible or cost effective. Previous work on intrusion-detection systems were performed on stand-alone hosts and on a broadcast local area network (LAN) environment. The focus of ourmore » present research is to extend our network intrusion-detection concept from the LAN environment to arbitarily wider areas with the network topology being arbitrary as well. The generalized distributed environment is heterogeneous, i.e., the network nodes can be hosts or servers from different vendors, or some of them could be LAN managers, like our previous work, a network security monitor (NSM), as well. The proposed architecture for this distributed intrusion-detection system consists of the following components: a host manager in each host; a LAN manager for monitoring each LAN in the system; and a central manager which is placed at a single secure location and which receives reports from various host and LAN managers to process these reports, correlate them, and detect intrusions. 11 refs., 2 figs.« less

  14. Resistance evaluation of Chinese wild Vitis genotypes against Botrytis cinerea and different responses of resistant and susceptible hosts to the infection

    PubMed Central

    Wan, Ran; Hou, Xiaoqing; Wang, Xianhang; Qu, Jingwu; Singer, Stacy D.; Wang, Yuejin; Wang, Xiping

    2015-01-01

    The necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea is a major threat to grapevine cultivation worldwide. A screen of 41 Vitis genotypes for leaf resistance to B. cinerea suggested species independent variation and revealed 18 resistant Chinese wild Vitis genotypes, while most investigated V. vinifera, or its hybrids, were susceptible. A particularly resistant Chinese wild Vitis, “Pingli-5” (V. sp. [Qinling grape]) and a very susceptible V. vinifera cultivar, “Red Globe” were selected for further study. Microscopic analysis demonstrated that B. cinerea growth was limited during early infection on “Pingli-5” before 24 h post-inoculation (hpi) but not on Red Globe. It was found that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidative system were associated with fungal growth. O2- accumulated similarly in B. cinerea 4 hpi on both Vitis genotypes. Lower levels of O2- (not H2O2) were detected 4 hpi and ROS (H2O2 and O2-) accumulation from 8 hpi onwards was also lower in “Pingli-5” leaves than in “Red Globe” leaves. B. cinerea triggered sustained ROS production in “Red Globe” but not in “Pingli-5” with subsequent infection progresses. Red Globe displayed little change in antioxidative activities in response to B. cinerea infection, instead, antioxidative activities were highly and timely elevated in resistant “Pingli-5” which correlated with its minimal ROS increases and its high resistance. These findings not only enhance our understanding of the resistance of Chinese wild Vitis species to B. cinerea, but also lay the foundation for breeding B. cinerea resistant grapes in the future. PMID:26579134

  15. Neutrino oscillation parameter sampling with MonteCUBES

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Blennow, Mattias; Fernandez-Martinez, Enrique

    2010-01-01

    We present MonteCUBES ("Monte Carlo Utility Based Experiment Simulator"), a software package designed to sample the neutrino oscillation parameter space through Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithms. MonteCUBES makes use of the GLoBES software so that the existing experiment definitions for GLoBES, describing long baseline and reactor experiments, can be used with MonteCUBES. MonteCUBES consists of two main parts: The first is a C library, written as a plug-in for GLoBES, implementing the Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm to sample the parameter space. The second part is a user-friendly graphical Matlab interface to easily read, analyze, plot and export the results of the parameter space sampling. Program summaryProgram title: MonteCUBES (Monte Carlo Utility Based Experiment Simulator) Catalogue identifier: AEFJ_v1_0 Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AEFJ_v1_0.html Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University, Belfast, N. Ireland Licensing provisions: GNU General Public Licence No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 69 634 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 3 980 776 Distribution format: tar.gz Programming language: C Computer: MonteCUBES builds and installs on 32 bit and 64 bit Linux systems where GLoBES is installed Operating system: 32 bit and 64 bit Linux RAM: Typically a few MBs Classification: 11.1 External routines: GLoBES [1,2] and routines/libraries used by GLoBES Subprograms used:Cat Id ADZI_v1_0, Title GLoBES, Reference CPC 177 (2007) 439 Nature of problem: Since neutrino masses do not appear in the standard model of particle physics, many models of neutrino masses also induce other types of new physics, which could affect the outcome of neutrino oscillation experiments. In general, these new physics imply high-dimensional parameter spaces that are difficult to explore using classical methods such as multi-dimensional projections and minimizations, such as those used in GLoBES [1,2]. Solution method: MonteCUBES is written as a plug-in to the GLoBES software [1,2] and provides the necessary methods to perform Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling of the parameter space. This allows an efficient sampling of the parameter space and has a complexity which does not grow exponentially with the parameter space dimension. The integration of the MonteCUBES package with the GLoBES software makes sure that the experimental definitions already in use by the community can also be used with MonteCUBES, while also lowering the learning threshold for users who already know GLoBES. Additional comments: A Matlab GUI for interpretation of results is included in the distribution. Running time: The typical running time varies depending on the dimensionality of the parameter space, the complexity of the experiment, and how well the parameter space should be sampled. The running time for our simulations [3] with 15 free parameters at a Neutrino Factory with O(10) samples varied from a few hours to tens of hours. References:P. Huber, M. Lindner, W. Winter, Comput. Phys. Comm. 167 (2005) 195, hep-ph/0407333. P. Huber, J. Kopp, M. Lindner, M. Rolinec, W. Winter, Comput. Phys. Comm. 177 (2007) 432, hep-ph/0701187. S. Antusch, M. Blennow, E. Fernandez-Martinez, J. Lopez-Pavon, arXiv:0903.3986 [hep-ph].

  16. Movement of Toxoplasma gondii Oocysts in Unsaturated Natural Soils

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kinsey, Erin; Korte, Caroline; L'Ollivier, Coralie; Dubey, Jitender; Dumetre, Aurélien; Darnault, Christophe

    2017-04-01

    Toxoplasma gondii has a complex lifecycle that involves a wide variety of intermediate hosts with felids as the definitive host. Because of its numerous hosts and the prevalence of cats, T.gondii has spread throughout nearly the entire globe. Oocysts have been found not only in the feces of cats, but also in soils, animal feeds and water. Exposure through consumption of infected meat or following contact with cat feces can cause damage to the eyes, brain and other organs of immunocompromised populations as well as fetuses if they are exposed in utero. The prevalence of T.gondii and potential health risks necessitate a better understanding of the transport of T.gondii through soils, which to this point has not been well studied. This work aims to characterize the transport and retention of T.gondii oocysts in a number of unsaturated natural soils where fast transport and preferential flow paths have been prevented. The soils used are classified as loamy sands and sandy loams. They were placed in soil columns at a known bulk density and were then subjected to an artificial rain of 1 mM KCl solution. Flow in the columns was vertical and gravity driven. After steady state was reached, a pulse containing 2.5 million T.gondii oocysts and KBr as a conservative tracer was applied to the top of the column, after which steady rainfall was resumed. Leachate samples were collected throughout the experiment. qPCR for T.gondii was performed and KBr ions were measured to create breakthrough curves for both. After the completion of the rainfall portion of the experiment, soil columns were cut into 1 to 2 cm sections and analyzed for T.gondii with qPCR to characterize retention within the column and for soil water content.

  17. Tick control: trapping, biocontrol, host management and other alternative strategies

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Ginsberg, Howard S.; Edited by Sonenshine, Daniel E.; Roe, R. Michael

    2014-01-01

    Biology of Ticks is the most comprehensive work on tick biology and tick-borne diseases. This second edition is a multi-authored work, featuring the research and analyses of renowned experts across the globe. Spanning two volumes, the book examines the systematics, biology, structure, ecological adaptations, evolution, genomics and the molecular processes that underpin the growth, development and survival of these important disease-transmitting parasites. Also discussed is the remarkable array of diseases transmitted (or caused) by ticks, as well as modern methods for their control. This book should serve as a modern reference for students, scientists, physicians, veterinarians and other specialists. Volume I covers the biology of the tick and features chapters on tick systematics, tick life cycles, external and internal anatomy, and others dedicated to specific organ systems, specifically, the tick integument, mouthparts and digestive system, salivary glands, waste removal, salivary glands, respiratory system, circulatory system and hemolymph, fat body, the nervous and sensory systems and reproductive systems. Volume II includes chapters on the ecology of non-nidicolous and nidicolous ticks, genetics and genomics (including the genome of the Lyme disease vector Ixodes scapularis) and immunity, including host immune responses to tick feeding and tick-host interactions, as well as the tick's innate immune system that prevents and/or controls microbial infections. Six chapters cover in depth the many diseases caused by the major tick-borne pathogens, including tick-borne protozoa, viruses, rickettsiae of all types, other types of bacteria (e.g., the Lyme disease agent) and diseases related to tick paralytic agents and toxins. The remaining chapters are devoted to tick control using vaccines, acaricides, repellents, biocontrol, and, finally, techniques for breeding ticks in order to develop tick colonies for scientific study.

  18. Soil Science Education for Primary and Secondary Students

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sparrow, Elena; Yoshikawa, Kenji; Kopplin, Martha

    2013-04-01

    Soils is one of the science investigation areas in the Global learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE), an international science and education program (112 countries) that teaches primary and secondary students to learn science by doing science. For each area of investigation GLOBE provides background information, measurement protocols and learning activities compiled as a chapter in the GLOBE Teacher's Guide. Also provided are data sheets and field guides to assist in the accurate collection of data as well as suggestions of scientific instruments and calibration methods. Teachers learn GLOBE scientific measurement protocols at professional development workshops led by scientists and educators, who then engage their students in soil studies that also contribute to ongoing science investigations. Students enter their data on the GLOBE website and can access their data as well as other data contributed by students from other parts of the world. Soil characterization measurements carried out in the field include site description, horizon depths, soil structure, soil color, soil consistence, soil texture, roots, rocks and carbonates. Other field measurements are soil temperature and soil moisture monitoring while the following measurements are carried out in the classroom or laboratory: gravimetric soil moisture, bulk density, particle density, particle size distribution, pH and soil fertility (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). Learning activities provide support for preparing students to do the measurements and for better understanding of science concepts. Many countries in GLOBE have adopted standards for education including science education with commonalities among them. For the Teacher's Guide, the National Science Education Standards published by the US National Academy of Sciences, selected additional content standards that GLOBE scientists and educators feel are appropriate and the National Geography Standards prepared by the (US) National Education Standards Project, are being used. Educational objectives for students include gaining scientific inquiry abilities in addition to understanding scientific concepts. The Soils chapter also includes some suggestions for managing students in the field and classroom. A new protocol has also been developed by the Seasons and Biomes project, one of the GLOBE earth system science projects. Active Layer monitoring uses a Frost Tube that measures when and how deeply soil freezes and is currently being used in more than 200 sites in Alaska. Teachers have successfully implemented soil studies in their curriculum and have used it to teach about the science process.

  19. Interactive Visualization and Analysis of Geospatial Data Sets - TrikeND-iGlobe

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rosebrock, Uwe; Hogan, Patrick; Chandola, Varun

    2013-04-01

    The visualization of scientific datasets is becoming an ever-increasing challenge as advances in computing technologies have enabled scientists to build high resolution climate models that have produced petabytes of climate data. To interrogate and analyze these large datasets in real-time is a task that pushes the boundaries of computing hardware and software. But integration of climate datasets with geospatial data requires considerable amount of effort and close familiarity of various data formats and projection systems, which has prevented widespread utilization outside of climate community. TrikeND-iGlobe is a sophisticated software tool that bridges this gap, allows easy integration of climate datasets with geospatial datasets and provides sophisticated visualization and analysis capabilities. The objective for TrikeND-iGlobe is the continued building of an open source 4D virtual globe application using NASA World Wind technology that integrates analysis of climate model outputs with remote sensing observations as well as demographic and environmental data sets. This will facilitate a better understanding of global and regional phenomenon, and the impact analysis of climate extreme events. The critical aim is real-time interactive interrogation. At the data centric level the primary aim is to enable the user to interact with the data in real-time for the purpose of analysis - locally or remotely. TrikeND-iGlobe provides the basis for the incorporation of modular tools that provide extended interactions with the data, including sub-setting, aggregation, re-shaping, time series analysis methods and animation to produce publication-quality imagery. TrikeND-iGlobe may be run locally or can be accessed via a web interface supported by high-performance visualization compute nodes placed close to the data. It supports visualizing heterogeneous data formats: traditional geospatial datasets along with scientific data sets with geographic coordinates (NetCDF, HDF, etc.). It also supports multiple data access mechanisms, including HTTP, FTP, WMS, WCS, and Thredds Data Server (for NetCDF data and for scientific data, TrikeND-iGlobe supports various visualization capabilities, including animations, vector field visualization, etc. TrikeND-iGlobe is a collaborative open-source project, contributors include NASA (ARC-PX), ORNL (Oakridge National Laboratories), Unidata, Kansas University, CSIRO CMAR Australia and Geoscience Australia.

  20. Infection with schistosome parasites in snails leads to increased predation by prawns: implications for human schistosomiasis control.

    PubMed

    Swartz, Scott J; De Leo, Giulio A; Wood, Chelsea L; Sokolow, Susanne H

    2015-12-01

    Schistosomiasis - a parasitic disease that affects over 200 million people across the globe - is primarily transmitted between human definitive hosts and snail intermediate hosts. To reduce schistosomiasis transmission, some have advocated disrupting the schistosome life cycle through biological control of snails, achieved by boosting the abundance of snails' natural predators. But little is known about the effect of parasitic infection on predator-prey interactions, especially in the case of schistosomiasis. Here, we present the results of laboratory experiments performed on Bulinus truncatus and Biomphalaria glabrata snails to investigate: (i) rates of predation on schistosome-infected versus uninfected snails by a sympatric native river prawn, Macrobrachium vollenhovenii, and (ii) differences in snail behavior (including movement, refuge-seeking and anti-predator behavior) between infected and uninfected snails. In predation trials, prawns showed a preference for consuming snails infected with schistosome larvae. In behavioral trials, infected snails moved less quickly and less often than uninfected snails, and were less likely to avoid predation by exiting the water or hiding under substrate. Although the mechanism by which the parasite alters snail behavior remains unknown, these results provide insight into the effects of parasitic infection on predator-prey dynamics and suggest that boosting natural rates of predation on snails may be a useful strategy for reducing transmission in schistosomiasis hotspots. © 2015. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

  1. A Spatio-Temporal Approach for Global Validation and Analysis of MODIS Aerosol Products

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ichoku, Charles; Chu, D. Allen; Mattoo, Shana; Kaufman, Yoram J.; Remer, Lorraine A.; Tanre, Didier; Slutsker, Ilya; Holben, Brent N.; Lau, William K. M. (Technical Monitor)

    2001-01-01

    With the launch of the MODIS sensor on the Terra spacecraft, new data sets of the global distribution and properties of aerosol are being retrieved, and need to be validated and analyzed. A system has been put in place to generate spatial statistics (mean, standard deviation, direction and rate of spatial variation, and spatial correlation coefficient) of the MODIS aerosol parameters over more than 100 validation sites spread around the globe. Corresponding statistics are also computed from temporal subsets of AERONET-derived aerosol data. The means and standard deviations of identical parameters from MOMS and AERONET are compared. Although, their means compare favorably, their standard deviations reveal some influence of surface effects on the MODIS aerosol retrievals over land, especially at low aerosol loading. The direction and rate of spatial variation from MODIS are used to study the spatial distribution of aerosols at various locations either individually or comparatively. This paper introduces the methodology for generating and analyzing the data sets used by the two MODIS aerosol validation papers in this issue.

  2. Vegetation monitoring for Guatemala: a comparison between simulated VIIRS and MODIS satellite data

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Boken, Vijendra K.; Easson, Gregory L.; Rowland, James

    2010-01-01

    The advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) and moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) data are being widely used for vegetation monitoring across the globe. However, sensors will discontinue collecting these data in the near future. National Aeronautics and Space Administration is planning to launch a new sensor, visible infrared imaging radiometer suite (VIIRS), to continue to provide satellite data for vegetation monitoring. This article presents a case study of Guatemala and compares the simulated VIIRS-Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) with MODIS-NDVI for four different dates each in 2003 and 2005. The dissimilarity between VIIRS-NDVI and MODIS-NDVI was examined on the basis of the percent difference, the two-tailed student's t-test, and the coefficient of determination, R 2. The per cent difference was found to be within 3%, the p-value ranged between 0.52 and 0.99, and R 2 exceeded 0.88 for all major types of vegetation (basic grains, rubber, sugarcane, coffee and forests) found in Guatemala. It was therefore concluded that VIIRS will be almost equally capable of vegetation monitoring as MODIS.

  3. The Mycotox Charter: Increasing Awareness of, and Concerted Action for, Minimizing Mycotoxin Exposure Worldwide

    PubMed Central

    Logrieco, Antonio F.; Eskola, Mari; Krska, Rudolf; Ayalew, Amare; Bhatnagar, Deepak; Chulze, Sofia; Li, Peiwu; Poapolathep, Amnart; Rahayu, Endang S.; Shephard, Gordon S.; Stepman, François; Zhang, Hao

    2018-01-01

    Mycotoxins are major food contaminants affecting global food security, especially in low and middle-income countries. The European Union (EU) funded project, MycoKey, focuses on “Integrated and innovative key actions for mycotoxin management in the food and feed chains” and the right to safe food through mycotoxin management strategies and regulation, which are fundamental to minimizing the unequal access to safe and sufficient food worldwide. As part of the MycoKey project, a Mycotoxin Charter (charter.mycokey.eu) was launched to share the need for global harmonization of mycotoxin legislation and policies and to minimize human and animal exposure worldwide, with particular attention to less developed countries that lack effective legislation. This document is in response to a demand that has built through previous European Framework Projects—MycoGlobe and MycoRed—in the previous decade to control and reduce mycotoxin contamination worldwide. All suppliers, participants and beneficiaries of the food supply chain, for example, farmers, consumers, stakeholders, researchers, members of civil society and government and so forth, are invited to sign this charter and to support this initiative. PMID:29617309

  4. An overview of the KORUS-AQ field study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chang, L.; Ahn, J.; Park, J.; Hong, J.; Hong, Y.; Song, C. K.; Kim, S. K.; Park, R.; Kim, J.; Lefer, B. L.; Crawford, J. H.; Al-Saadi, J. A.

    2016-12-01

    Korea peninsular is under the influence of the largest emission source in East Asia in addition to local emissions, complicating effective pollution control by government. An international air quality field campaign in Korea, KORUS-AQ, was conducted during 6 weeks between May-June 2016, which was led by the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) of Korea and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States. The KORUS-AQ focused on the air quality of SMA with the aim of characterizing chemical evolution, improving emission inventories, assessing trans-boundary contribution and validating satellite application. 133 research teams from 80 organizations in both Korea and U.S.A were involved in KORUS-AQ with 3 research aircrafts, 2 research vessels and 16 ground sites constituting multi-platform observations framework. KORUS-AQ campaign also served the preparation for the future launch of geostationary satellite instruments; GEMS (Geostationary Environmental Monitoring Spectrometer), TEMPO(Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution) and Sentinel-4 which will provide real-time air quality (e.g. O3, NO2, SO2, HCHO, AOD, etc.) data enabling us better understanding of air quality in globe.

  5. An Inventory of Ohio's Land Use/Land Cover as Seen by Landsat

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schaal, Gary M.

    1977-01-01

    LANDSAT 2 (Land Satellite) was launched at Vandenburg, AFB, California on January 22, 1975. The satellite orbits the earth at an altitude of about 920 km (570 miles) and scans the earth's surface in a continuous track 185 km (115 miles) wide. LANDSAT 2 passes over the same spot every 18 days transmitting scanned data to receiving stations scattered around the globe. LANDSAT's continuously-scanning sensors provide useful information about the earth, one of the most important categories being land use. The statistics contained in the appendices of this report represent acreage and percentage of seven types of land cover in Ohio as seen by LANDSAT. The inventory represents a trial effort at determining the Sate's land cover by a method which is inexpensive, reliable, accurate and rapid. Given a successful method, the inventory and periodic updates could provide information to land use decision-makers and, over a period of time, would reveal patterns of land use change. Technical aspects of the project (process, methodology, and verification) are discussed in Schaal (1977) and Schmidt (1976).

  6. World Globes, Shaded Relief and Colored Height

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2003-08-21

    These images of the world were generated with data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). The SRTM Project has recently released a new global data set called SRTM30, where the original one arcsecond of latitude and longitude resolution (about 30 meters, or 98 feet, at the equator) was reduced to 30 arcseconds (about 928 meters, or 1496 feet.) These images were created from that data set and show the Earth as it would be viewed from a point in space centered over the Americas, Africa and the western Pacific. Two visualization methods were combined to produce the image: shading and color coding of topographic height. The shade image was derived by computing topographic slope in the northwest-southeast direction, so that northwest slopes appear bright and southeast slopes appear dark. Color coding is directly related to topographic height, with green at the lower elevations, rising through yellow and tan, to white at the highest elevations. Elevation data used in this image were acquired by the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour, launched on Feb. 11, 2000. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA03394

  7. The Mycotox Charter: Increasing Awareness of, and Concerted Action for, Minimizing Mycotoxin Exposure Worldwide.

    PubMed

    Logrieco, Antonio F; Miller, J David; Eskola, Mari; Krska, Rudolf; Ayalew, Amare; Bandyopadhyay, Ranajit; Battilani, Paola; Bhatnagar, Deepak; Chulze, Sofia; De Saeger, Sarah; Li, Peiwu; Perrone, Giancarlo; Poapolathep, Amnart; Rahayu, Endang S; Shephard, Gordon S; Stepman, François; Zhang, Hao; Leslie, John F

    2018-04-04

    Mycotoxins are major food contaminants affecting global food security, especially in low and middle-income countries. The European Union (EU) funded project, MycoKey, focuses on “Integrated and innovative key actions for mycotoxin management in the food and feed chains” and the right to safe food through mycotoxin management strategies and regulation, which are fundamental to minimizing the unequal access to safe and sufficient food worldwide. As part of the MycoKey project, a Mycotoxin Charter (charter.mycokey.eu) was launched to share the need for global harmonization of mycotoxin legislation and policies and to minimize human and animal exposure worldwide, with particular attention to less developed countries that lack effective legislation. This document is in response to a demand that has built through previous European Framework Projects—MycoGlobe and MycoRed—in the previous decade to control and reduce mycotoxin contamination worldwide. All suppliers, participants and beneficiaries of the food supply chain, for example, farmers, consumers, stakeholders, researchers, members of civil society and government and so forth, are invited to sign this charter and to support this initiative.

  8. Analysis of in situ resources for the Soil Moisture Active Passive Validation Experiments in 2015 and 2016

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cosh, M. H.; Jackson, T. J.; Colliander, A.; Bindlish, R.; McKee, L.; Goodrich, D. C.; Prueger, J. H.; Hornbuckle, B. K.; Coopersmith, E. J.; Holifield Collins, C.; Smith, J.

    2016-12-01

    With the launch of the Soil Moisture Active Passive Mission (SMAP) in 2015, a new era of soil moisture monitoring was begun. Soil moisture is available on a near daily basis at a 36 km resolution for the globe. But this dataset is only as valuable if its products are accurate and reliable. Therefore, in order to demonstrate the accuracy of the soil moisture product, NASA enacted an extensive calibration and validation program with many in situ soil moisture networks contributing data across a variety of landscape regimes. However, not all questions can be answered by these networks. As a result, two intensive field experiments were executed to provide more detailed reference points for calibration and validation. Multi-week field campaigns were conducted in Arizona and Iowa at the USDA Agricultural Research Service Walnut Gulch and South Fork Experimental Watersheds, respectively. Aircraft observations were made to provide a high resolution data product. Soil moisture, soil roughness and vegetation data were collected at high resolution to provide a downscaled dataset to compare against aircraft and satellite estimates.

  9. Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Liquid Water and Ice Clouds Observed by MODIS Onboard the Terra and Aqua Satellites

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    King, Michael D.; Platnick, S.; Gray, M. A.; Hubanks, P. A.

    2004-01-01

    The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODE) was developed by NASA and launched onboard the Terra spacecraft on December 18,1999 and the Aqua spacecraft on April 26,2002. MODIS scans a swath width sufficient to provide nearly complete global coverage every two days from each polar-orbiting, sun-synchronous, platform at an altitude of 705 km, and provides images in 36 spectral bands between 0.415 and 14.235 pm with spatial resolutions of 250 m (2 bands), 500 m (5 bands) and 1000 m (29 bands). In this paper, we describe the radiative properties of clouds as currently determined from satellites (cloud fraction, optical thickness, cloud top pressure, and cloud effective radius), and highlight the global and regional cloud microphysical properties currently available for assessing climate variability and forcing. These include the latitudinal distribution of cloud optical and radiative properties of both liquid water and ice clouds, as well as joint histograms of cloud optical thickness and effective radius for selected geographical locations around the globe.

  10. Luxation of Eye ball following trauma: Novel simple treatment

    PubMed Central

    Osman, Essam A.; Al-Akeely, Adel

    2014-01-01

    Luxation of the eye globe is a rare occasion but it carries a risk of threat to permanent vision loss especially when associated with very high intraocular pressure. Appropriate intervention should be undertaken instantly. Predisposing factors include; eyes as in shallow orbital sockets, floppy eyelid syndrome, and exophthalmos. Prompt reduction results in restoration of full anatomical and visual recovery in otherwise healthy eyes. We report a case of globe luxation following trauma by door handle in a 65-year-old female, who recovered completely after reposition of the globe using Desmarres Lid Retractors. PMID:25116777

  11. Endophthalmitis due to inadvertent globe penetration during retrobulbar injection of saline solution for laser in situ keratomileusis.

    PubMed

    Han, Ying; Lam, Har Hiu; Stewart, Jay M

    2009-06-01

    A 31-year-old woman presented with visual acuity of counting fingers and presumed bacterial endophthalmitis in the left eye 10 days after refractive surgery. During the procedure, a retrobulbar injection of balanced salt solution had been performed to assist with globe suction by the microkeratome. A perforation site was identified in the inferonasal retina. Following intravitreal antibiotic injection and surgical intervention, the visual acuity returned to 20/20. Retrobulbar injection to facilitate laser in situ keratomileusis carries risks. Careful monitoring for signs of infection is recommended if globe perforation is recognized.

  12. Nonhuman Primate Ocular Biometry

    PubMed Central

    Augusteyn, Robert C.; Maceo Heilman, Bianca; Ho, Arthur; Parel, Jean-Marie

    2016-01-01

    Purpose To examine ocular growth in nonhuman primates (NHPs) from measurements on ex vivo eyes. Methods We obtained NHP eyes from animals that had been killed as part of other studies or because of health-related issues. Digital calipers were used to measure the horizontal, vertical, and anteroposterior globe diameters as well as corneal horizontal and vertical diameters of excised globes from 98 hamadryas baboons, 551 cynomolgus monkeys, and 112 rhesus monkeys, at ages ranging from 23 to 360 months. Isolated lens sagittal thickness and equatorial diameter were measured by shadowphotogrammetry. Wet and fixed dry weights were obtained for lenses. Results Nonhuman primate globe growth continues throughout life, slowing toward an asymptotic maximum. The final globe size scales with negative allometry to adult body size. Corneal growth ceases at around 20 months. Lens diameter increases but thickness decreases with increasing age. Nonhuman primate lens wet and dry weight accumulation is monophasic, continuing throughout life toward asymptotic maxima. The dry/wet weight ratio reaches a maximum of 0.33. Conclusions Nonhuman primate ocular globe and lens growth differ in several respects from those in humans. Although age-related losses of lens power and accommodative amplitude are similar, lens growth and properties are different indicating care should be taken in extrapolating NHP observations to the study of human accommodation. PMID:26780314

  13. A Novel Three-Dimensional Vector Analysis of Axial Globe Position in Thyroid Eye Disease

    PubMed Central

    Guo, Jie; Yuan, Yifei; Zhang, Rui; Huang, Wenhu

    2017-01-01

    Purpose. To define a three-dimensional (3D) vector method to describe the axial globe position in thyroid eye disease (TED). Methods. CT data from 59 patients with TED were collected and 3D images were reconstructed. A reference coordinate system was established, and the coordinates of the corneal apex and the eyeball center were calculated to obtain the globe vector EC→. The measurement reliability was evaluated. The parameters of EC→ were analyzed and compared with the results of two-dimensional (2D) CT measurement, Hertel exophthalmometry, and strabismus tests. Results. The reliability of EC→ measurement was excellent. The difference between EC→ and 2D CT measurement was significant (p = 0.003), and EC→ was more consistent with Hertel exophthalmometry than with 2D CT measurement (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between EC→ and Hirschberg test, and a strong correlation was found between EC→ and synoptophore test. When one eye had a larger deviation angle than its fellow, its corneal apex shifted in the corresponding direction, but the shift of the eyeball center was not significant. The parameters of EC→ were almost perfectly consistent with the geometrical equation. Conclusions. The establishment of a 3D globe vector is feasible and reliable, and it could provide more information in the axial globe position. PMID:28491471

  14. Effect of Carbon Dioxide Enrichment on Radish Production Using Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mackowiak, C. L.; Ruffe, L. M.; Yorio, N. C.; Wheeler, R. M.

    1994-01-01

    Radish plants (Raphanus sativus L. cvs. Cherry Belle, Giant White Globe, and Early Scarlet Globe) were grown in four different CO2 enriched environments, 0.04, 0.10, 0.50, and 1.00 kPa (400, 1000, 5000, 10000 ppm). Cultivar responses to CO2 treatments varied, where cv. Cherry Belle showed no significant response to CO2 enrichment, cv. Giant White Globe was moderately affected and Early Scarlet Globe was strongly affected. Enrichment at 0.10 kPa led to greater root dry matter (DM) than 1.00 kPa for cv. Giant White Glove, whereas 0.10 kPa produced greater storage root, shoot, and root DM than 1.00 kPa for cv. Early Scarlet Globe. The data suggest that 1.00 kPa CO2 may be detrimental to the growth of certain radish cultivars. Root:shoot ratios tended to increase with increasing CO2 concentration. Water use efficiency (g biomass/kg H2O) increased with increasing CO2 enrichment, up to 0.5 kPa but then declined at the 1.00 kPa treatment. The total nitric acid used to maintain nutrient solution pH was lowest at the 1.00 kPa treatment as well, suggesting a decreased demand of nutrients by the plants at the highest CO2 level.

  15. The preclinical discovery and development of dolutegravir for the treatment of HIV.

    PubMed

    Bailly, Fabrice; Cotelle, Philippe

    2015-01-01

    Integration of the viral genome into the host cell chromatin is a central step in the replication cycle of HIV. Blocking the viral integrase (IN) enzyme therefore provides an attractive therapeutic strategy, as evidenced by the recent clinical approval of three IN strand transfer inhibitors. Dolutegravir is a therapy that is unique in its ability to evade HIV drug resistance in treatment-naïve patients. This review starts by providing a brief summary of the history of HIV-1 IN inhibitors. The authors follow this with details of the discovery and preclinical and clinical developments of dolutegravir. Finally, the authors provide details of dolutegravir's post-launch including the launch of the combination pill of dolutegravir, abacavir and lamivudine in August 2014. The launch of raltegravir, the first IN inhibitor from Merck & Co., has created new hopes for the patient. Indeed, pharmaceutical companies have not lost courage by attempting to address the major drawbacks of this first-in-class molecule. And while the drug elvitegravir has been inserted into a four-drug combination pill providing a once-daily dosing alternative, dolutegravir has demonstrated superiority in terms of its efficacy and resistance.

  16. The rotating wind of the quasar PG 1700+518.

    PubMed

    Young, S; Axon, D J; Robinson, A; Hough, J H; Smith, J E

    2007-11-01

    It is now widely accepted that most galaxies undergo an active phase, during which a central super-massive black hole generates vast radiant luminosities through the gravitational accretion of gas. Winds launched from a rotating accretion disk surrounding the black hole are thought to play a critical role, allowing the disk to shed angular momentum that would otherwise inhibit accretion. Such winds are capable of depositing large amounts of mechanical energy in the host galaxy and its environs, profoundly affecting its formation and evolution, and perhaps regulating the formation of large-scale cosmological structures in the early Universe. Although there are good theoretical grounds for believing that outflows from active galactic nuclei originate as disk winds, observational verification has proven elusive. Here we show that structures observed in polarized light across the broad Halpha emission line in the quasar PG 1700+518 originate close to the accretion disk in an electron scattering wind. The wind has large rotational motions (approximately 4,000 km s(-1)), providing direct observational evidence that outflows from active galactic nuclei are launched from the disks. Moreover, the wind rises nearly vertically from the disk, favouring launch mechanisms that impart an initial acceleration perpendicular to the disk plane.

  17. VISTA - A Constellation for Real Time Regional Imaging

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Meerman, Max; Boland, Lee; da Silva Curiel, Alex; Sweeting, Martin, , Sir

    2002-01-01

    The role of satellites in medium and high-resolution reconnaissance of the Earth's surface has been well demonstrated in recent years through missions such as Landsat, SPOT, IKONOS, ImageSat and Quickbird. The market for such data products is well served and likely to become more competitive with further very-high-resolution missions. Whereas commercial markets have concentrated on enhancing resolution, the small satellite sector has concentrated on reducing the cost of data products, and the development of systems providing niche services. One such EO requirement that can be well met by smaller satellites is the need for higher temporal resolution, as this typically requires a large number of satellites to operate as a constellation - thus far financially impractical using conventional EO satellites. Surrey is currently engaged in building its first constellation that will provide daily global coverage at moderate resolution (32-metre GSD and 600km swath) in three spectral bands. Targeted at providing timely quick-look data products for disaster mitigation and monitoring, the constellation comprises 7 satellites in a single orbital plane. Each satellite has a wide swath so that successive satellites progressively cover the entire globe in a single day. The Vista constellation takes this concept a step further, and is proposed for applications requiring near-continuous surveillance of regional activity. By introducing a multiple plane constellation of small Earth observation satellites, it is possible to monitor continuously selected regions anywhere on the globe. The paper describes the system trades and outlines the scope of the performance that could be obtained from such a system. A cost model illustrates that the balance between launch and space segment costs must be reached by considering suitable replacement strategies, and that the system is highly sensitive to requirement creep. Finally, it is shown that the use of cost effective, small satellites leads to solutions previously thought to be financially beyond sensible reach.

  18. Trends in Ocean Colour and Chlorophyll Concentration from 1889 to 2000, Worldwide

    PubMed Central

    Wernand, Marcel R.; van der Woerd, Hendrik J.; Gieskes, Winfried W. C.

    2013-01-01

    Marine primary productivity is an important agent in the global cycling of carbon dioxide, a major ‘greenhouse gas’, and variations in the concentration of the ocean's phytoplankton biomass can therefore explain trends in the global carbon budget. Since the launch of satellite-mounted sensors globe-wide monitoring of chlorophyll, a phytoplankton biomass proxy, became feasible. Just as satellites, the Forel-Ule (FU) scale record (a hardly explored database of ocean colour) has covered all seas and oceans – but already since 1889. We provide evidence that changes of ocean surface chlorophyll can be reconstructed with confidence from this record. The EcoLight radiative transfer numerical model indicates that the FU index is closely related to chlorophyll concentrations in open ocean regions. The most complete FU record is that of the North Atlantic in terms of coverage over space and in time; this dataset has been used to test the validity of colour changes that can be translated to chlorophyll. The FU and FU-derived chlorophyll data were analysed for monotonously increasing or decreasing trends with the non-parametric Mann-Kendall test, a method to establish the presence of a consistent trend. Our analysis has not revealed a globe-wide trend of increase or decrease in chlorophyll concentration during the past century; ocean regions have apparently responded differentially to changes in meteorological, hydrological and biological conditions at the surface, including potential long-term trends related to global warming. Since 1889, chlorophyll concentrations have decreased in the Indian Ocean and in the Pacific; increased in the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean, the Chinese Sea, and in the seas west and north-west of Japan. This suggests that explanations of chlorophyll changes over long periods should focus on hydrographical and biological characteristics typical of single ocean regions, not on those of ‘the’ ocean. PMID:23776435

  19. The UK Soil Observatory (UKSO) and mySoil app: crowdsourcing and disseminating soil information.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Robinson, David; Bell, Patrick; Emmett, Bridget; Panagos, Panos; Lawley, Russell; Shelley, Wayne

    2017-04-01

    Digital technologies in terms of web based data portals and mobiles apps offer a new way to provide both information to the public, and to engage the public in becoming involved in contributing to the effort of collecting data through crowdsourcing. We are part of the Landpotential.org consortium which is a global partnership committed to developing and supporting the adoption of freely available technology and tools for sustainable land use management, monitoring, and connecting people across the globe. The mySoil app was launched in 2012 and is an example of a free mobile application downloadable from iTunes and Google Play. It serves as a gateway tool to raise interest in, and awareness of, soils. It currently has over 50,000 dedicated users and has crowd sourced more than 4000 data records. Recent developments have expanded the coverage of mySoil from the United Kingdom to Europe, introduced a new user interface and provided language capability, while the UKSO displays the crowd-sourced records from across the globe. We are now trying to identify which industry, education and citizen sectors are using these platforms and how they can be improved. Please help us by providing feedback or taking the survey on the UKSO website. www.UKSO.org The UKSO is a collaboration between major UK soil-data holders to provide maps, spatial data and real-time temporal data from observing platforms such as the UK soil moisture network. Both UKSO and mySoil have crowdsourcing capability and are slowly building global citizen science maps of soil properties such as pH and texture. Whilst these data can't replace professional monitoring data, the information they provide both stimulates public interest and can act as 'soft data' that can help support the interpretation of monitoring data, or guide future monitoring, identifying areas that don't correspond with current analysis. In addition, soft data can be used to map soils with machine learning approaches, such as SoilGrids.

  20. Mapping bathymetry and rip channels with WorldView2 multispectral data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Trimble, S. M.; Houser, C.

    2014-12-01

    Rip currents are a worldwide coastal hazard that have claimed 616 lives in Costa Rica since 2001 (~50/yr). Lifeguard staff, warning signs, and flag systems have been shown to reduce deaths at rip-prone beaches but are not a perfect system. At Playa Cocles, a popular beach destination along the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica near Puerto Viejo, lifeguards post flags at the mouth of the 3 to 6 rip currents present each morning. In July 2014, these dangerous currents were measured with floating GPS drogues at speeds up to 3.1 m/s. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the capability of the Digital Globe WorldView2 (WV2) multispectral satellite for identifying rip channels and mapping bathymetry in the surf zone (20m and less), because rips form at topographically low spots in the bathymetry as a result of feedback amongst waves, substrate, and antecedent bathymetry. WV2 was launched in 2009; it has a 1.1 day pass-over rate with 1.84m ground pixel resolution of 8 bands, including 'yellow' (585-625 nm) and 'coastal blue' (400-450 nm). Using one 25km2 image from 23 December 2009, during the "high season" of tourism, a bathymetric map of Playa Cocles is created and measured for accuracy. Results of the study will assist the Comisión Nacional de Emergencias de Costa Rica and the town of Puerto Viejo by creating a rip current hazard evaluation and prediction system for the rip-prone beach of Playa Cocles. This creation methodology may be repeated for any following dates or other locations in Costa Rica (or anywhere on the globe captured by WV2). Future work will build on this research to determine rip current strength, location, and seasonality from a combination of WV2 satellite information and field data.

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