Announcements

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Office of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Engagement (OSTEM) invites the NASA Space Grant community, academia, and industry to consider the newly released Phase 2 of the Space Robotics Challenge.

Interested teams that wish to compete may now register on the official Challenge site.   Registration will close at 5:00pm Central Time on December 20, 2019.

NASA Centennial Challenges is a program of prize competitions to stimulate innovation in technologies of interest and value to NASA and the nation.  NASA is providing the prize purse, and the Manned Space Flight Education Foundation, Inc. (i.e., Space Center Houston) will be conducting the Challenge on behalf of NASA.

The focus of SRC Phase 2 is on the ability of virtual robotic systems to perform a long-term fully-autonomous ISRU mission for the Moon. This challenge will require competitors to develop software that allows a team of virtual robots (i.e., virtual robotic team) to operate fully autonomously for a specified length of time. The Competition Rounds will be carried out in a robotic simulation format, using Open Robotics’ Gazebo and Robot Operating System (ROS) platforms.

The challenge will consist of a Qualification Round and a Competition Round. Both rounds will require fully autonomous operations, such that competitors will not be able to interact with their virtual robotic teams during a challenge run.  Each round will be scored and prizes will be awarded form a prize purse of up to $1,000,000 USD per the criteria in the Official Challenge Rules.  Official documentation related to this Challenge can be found here.

NASA welcomes applications from individuals, teams, and organization or entities that meet the eligibility requirements as stated in the Official Challenge Rules.

This email is being sent on behalf of the Centennial Challenges program and is intended as an informational announcement to the science and research communities.

Thank you for your continued interest in NASA. Please refer to the Challenge Website for contact information.

 

2019 Iowa Space Grant Consortium Partner Schools 

Seven educators from two Iowa K-12 schools and one university attended the 25th annual Space Exploration Educator’s Conference (SEEC) at Space Center Houston and NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The conference was held on February 7-9, 2019. Two participants are public school teachers; one is a University of Northern Iowa (UNI) faculty member and two are students.

• Brenda Drake, STEM teacher – AGSWR Community School
• Beth Janssen, STEM teacher – AGSWR Community School
• Kylee Boettcher, STEM teacher – Panorama Middle/High School
• Robyn Ploeger, STEM teacher – Panorama Middle/High School
• Ron Rinehart, faculty – University of Northern Iowa
• Tyler Brown, preservice educator – University of Northern Iowa
• Tori Wells, preservice educator – University of Northern Iowa

Iowa Locations

AMES, IA – Brandon Vance, an Iowa Space Grant Consortium (ISGC) undergraduate research fellow and Iowa State University student, recently presented his research at the Posters on the Hill event in Washington, D.C. The event is meant for members of Congress and their staff to learn more about the importance of undergraduate research by speaking directly with student researchers. Vance’s research focuses on the design of catalysts used to convert Mars’ natural resources into rocket fuel.

“I honestly loved presenting my research to the people I interacted with at the event. Practically everyone I talked to was excited and blown away by the work I had done. I felt absolutely joyous during the entire event because traditionally nontechnical individuals were actually investing their time and interest into my research and work,” said Vance.

Vance’s research is incredibly innovative. As space travel advances towards manned missions to Mars, a variety of challenges need to be addressed. One challenge being that it is unrealistic to send enough fuel aboard a spacecraft for a return trip. So, there needs to be a way to replenish the supply by creating fuel. This happens through a process called carbon dioxide methanation where catalysts are used to convert carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas into methane fuel. Vance’s research dives into designing catalysts built to withstand Mars’ temperatures and improve their efficiency.

“The primary source of inspiration for my research is my belief that it is everyone’s duty to leave this world in a better state than when they entered it. I believe that I will have the greatest influence and broadest impact through my endeavors as a catalytic scientist and by communicating those results to a broad audience,” said Vance.

The ISGC has been the primary source of funding for Vance’s undergraduate research. Additionally, through ISGC funding he was able to attend several conferences across the United States to share his research with a variety of audiences.

“In short, I don’t think I would be as successful as I am if it wasn’t for the support from the ISGC,” said Vance.

Vance is one of many students the ISGC is proud to fund and encourage in their STEM education and career pursuits.

The Iowa Space Grant Consortium is a part of NASA’s National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. The ISGC supports aerospace research, education and outreach activities for all Iowans through five program categories: internships/fellowships/scholarships; higher education; research infrastructure; precollege; and informal education. The ISGC carries out its goals with the help of six universities across the state of Iowa, as well as a number of private industry, education and government organizations, and science museums.

 

 

ISGC has three scholarships available to undergraduate students. Scholarships are available for Research Fellowhips, Preservice Education, and merit.

The ISGC strives to improve Iowa’s future in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education and provides outreach activities through numerous programs, including scholarships and fellowships.

The deadline to apply is June 30, 2019. For more information please visit: https://www.iaspacegrant.org/funding/undergrads/

The Iowa Space Grant Consortium (ISGC) requests proposals for the curriculum development program which is to develop or utilize innovative approaches to improve Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning and instruction in a university setting through project based course development, capstone courses, curriculum or course redesign, and could include preservice education courses to prepare STEM K-12 educators. Such projects should provide experiences that will equip the future STEM workforce for careers in aerospace or related industries important to NASA.

If you or an educator/instructor you know is interested in an award of up to $10,000 for learning and instruction in a university setting, please apply for the curriculum development program. Deadline to apply is July 22, 2019. Details available at: https://www.iaspacegrant.org/funding/faculty/

2019-2020 Request for Proposals(PDF)

A former NASA test pilot and 35-year veteran of military aviation, Ed “Fast Eddie” Schneider will share his knowledge and many experiences in a special guest appearance Friday, April 26.  

A guest of the Department of Aerospace Engineering’s chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), he will present a lecture in 0010 Howe Hall at 6:00 p.m.  

Schneider’s presentation is titled, “The SR-71 Blackbird, a Research Pilot’s Perspective.” The presentation will cover a history of the triple-sonic Blackbird aircraft family, technical descriptions of the aircraft, and Schneider’s first-hand experience about what it’s like to fly at a speed of Mach 3 at 80,000 ft. A question and answer session will follow the lecture.  

The lecture is open to all Iowa State University undergraduates, graduate students, faculty and staff. 

Prior to the lecture, the AIAA will be holding a dinner for ISU aerospace engineering students, which can be registered for here. 

 

Schneider became the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School’s youngest graduate at age 24 in 1973. He served on active duty in the U.S. Navy until joining NASA in 1983. At NASA, Schneider became an aerospace research pilot at the Dryden Flight Research Center from 1983-2000, and at the Johnson Space Center from 2000-2004. During his 18-year-career at Dryden, Schneider was best known for his work as project pilot for the F-18 High Alpha Research Vehicle over a nine-year span, becoming the first pilot in history to conduct multi-axis thrust vectored flight. 

During his career Schneider flew over 7,800 hours in 80 types of aircraft, including the SR-71 Blackbird from 1994-1999.  

Schneider is a fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, and served as the organization’s President in 1993-94. He is also an inductee of the Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame, and was awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the agency’s highest award.