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By NASA
1 min read
NASA Science Activation Teams Present at National Rural STEM Summit
NASA Science Activation (SciAct) teams participated in the National Rural STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics) Summit held June 4-7, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona. Hosted by Kalman Mannis of the Rural Activation and Innovation Network (Arizona Science Center) and the SciTech Institute, the summit fostered learning and sharing among organizations dedicated to creating partnerships and pathways for authentic STEM learning in rural communities.
Participants included:
Matt Cass and Randi Neff from SciAct’s Smoky Mountains STEM Collaborative, who presented “A sense of place: Crafting authentic experiences for rural STEM learners”; Tina Harte from NASA (Science Systems and Applications, Inc), who presented “Nature explorations with NASA”; Kalman Mannis from the SciAct STEM Ecosystems project and the Rural Activation and Innovation Network, who presented “Building leaders in STEM through coaching, connections, and camaraderie”; and members of the SciAct Rural Committee. SciAct STEM Ecosystems is supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number 80NSSC210007 and is part of NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio. Learn more about how Science Activation connects NASA science experts, real content, and experiences with community leaders to do science in ways that activate minds and promote deeper understanding of our world and beyond: https://science.nasa.gov/learn
Randi Neff of the NASA SciAct-funded Smoky Mountains STEM Collaborative presents at the National Rural STEM Learning Summit. Arizona Science Center Share
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Last Updated Jul 05, 2024 Editor NASA Science Editorial Team Related Terms
Astrophysics Biological & Physical Sciences Earth Science Heliophysics Planetary Science Science Activation Science-enabling Technology Explore More
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By European Space Agency
Thousands of visitors flocked to ESA’s establishment in the UK last Saturday to experience first-hand how the agency is pushing the boundaries of exploration and using space to improve life on Earth.
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By NASA
4 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)
Artist concept depicting a new novel aerospace concept for NIAC Phase III 2024.Credit: Lynn Rothschild Lynn Rothschild
NASA Ames Research Center (ARC)
A turtle carries its habitat. While reliable, it costs energy in transporting mass. NASA makes the same trade-off when it transports habitats and other structures off planet “on the back” of its missions. While this approach is reliable, to save upmass and increase mission flexibility, NASA must be more like a bird, low mass, agile and building structures from local resources. We identified a novel biology-based solution to the in situ production of usable structures for space exploration: using fungal mycelial (myco) composites to grow structures off-planet, from habitats to furniture to tableware. As a living material it has the potential to self heal, self replicate, be bioengineered, and enhanced with materials such as metals and melanin. Prior performance: During Phase 1, we raised the TRL to 2 by assessing the growth of fungi on different food substrates and analyzing their use on Mars and Earth. In Phase II we completed TRL 3 for an integrated system of inflatables and myco-material production. We designed prototypes and subsystems. We performed proof-of-concepts analyzing myco-material function before and after exposure to relevant environments in a planetary simulator. Our Phase II report and publications documented analytical and experimental results on fungal and inflatable components of the system validating prediction of key parameters. Phase II developed the Phase I mission concept, with an Artemis-inspired focus towards lunar habitats with a “feed forward to Mars” concept.
We assessed fungal/algal/bacterial mixtures by testing different combinations at different temperatures with different food sources, and developed a high throughput, reproducible method for producing fungal materials. We tested sand and regolith simulant composites for in situ material construction. We developed prototypes in silicone scale models, and a 4X4 m model of inflatable architecture and grew a mycelium dome on top. We determined the effect of simulated extraterrestrial conditions on materials showing hyphal damage under UV. By tuning different steps of production, we can change the mechanical properties of the mycelium biocomposites as they undergo compression. We incorporated melanin-producing strains into experiments and models for radiation protection. We drafted designs for mycelium-based lunar habitats. We utilized the 500-Day DRM to the Apollo 15 Hadley-Apenine Region to define science objective and infrastructure requirements to support extended exploration missions to the Moon and Mars, identifying critical gaps that can be filled by mycotecture. Archetypes were drafted per this DRM. Terrestrial applications demonstrated the spin-off potential of the NIAC technology from habitats to tableware.
Innovation and Benefits: If we succeed in developing a fungal biocomposite that can grow itself, we will provide NASA with a radically new, cheaper, faster, more flexible, lighter and sustainable material for extended duration Lunar and Mars mission habitats, as well as for furniture and other structures in flight or at destination.
Milestones and Transition Strategy: The mission context of Phase I was Martian habitats. Mindful of the more immediate focus on Artemis, Phase II focused on a lunar implementation, with a DRM for a 500 day mission to the Apollo 15 Hadley-Max region and the south polar region. En route to realizing these visions, we have identified two intermediate opportunities, both of which require NIAC Phase III funding. They are to (1) test mycotecture suitability and growth in LEO by the integration into an orbiting space station, Starlab, and (2) test mycotecture habitat prototypes on the lunar surface through a CLPS mission. To participate in Starlab, we will develop prototypes for this application and then team with Starlab LLC to raise funding to produce flight-ready structures. To be competitive for a CLPS mission, we will use NIAC funding to raise the technology to TRL6 for this lunar demo mission.
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Last Updated Jun 26, 2024 EditorLoura Hall Related Terms
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By NASA
1 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)
Credits: NASA NASA and the Hudson Square Business Improvement District are launching an open call to New York-based artists and artist teams to design and install a large-scale, space-themed neighborhood mural. The NASA x Hudson Square partnership was developed to inspire the surrounding Manhattan Hudson Square community by showcasing NASA’s work and missions.
Artists are encouraged to submit proposals for the project and detail how their mural will illustrate the impact of NASA’s priorities, such as the agency’s James Webb Space Telescope, climate science and innovation, and the Artemis campaign exploring the Moon. Applications are due by Friday, June 28.
The selected project will receive a $20,000 award for design fees, materials, labor, and equipment, with a portion of funds provided by NASA and matched by Hudson Square Business Improvement District. The mural installation is expected to be complete by September.
NASA continues to seek opportunities to inspire the next generation of explorers – the Artemis Generation – through collaborations with partners like the Hudson Square Business Improvement District. Details about submitting project proposals are available on the Hudson Square web page. For questions about applying to the NASA x Hudson Square mural project, contact PublicArt@HudsonSquareBID.org.
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Last Updated Jun 25, 2024 Related Terms
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By NASA
Jake Cupani, a data science specialist, focuses on the intersection between data visualization and user experience — UX — design.
Name: Jake Cupani
Title: Financial analytics support specialist
Organization: Financial Analytics and Systems Office, Office of the Chief Financial Officer (Code 156)
Jake Cupani is a financial analytics support specialist at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. Photo courtesy of Jake Cupani What do you do and what is most interesting about your role here at Goddard?
I create data visualizations and dashboards to help visualize some of the key metrics including demographics, budgeting, and forecasting. I enjoy helping our office modernize and automate their processes.
What is your educational background?
In 2020, I got a B.S. in information science with a minor in astronomy from the University of Maryland. In 2022, I got a master’s in information management and data analytics also from the University of Maryland.
How did you come to Goddard?
After graduating, I did some consulting. I came to Goddard in 2023, but I had interned for Goddard throughout my academic career. My office knew about my work and recruited me.
You describe yourself as a data science specialist. What do you mean?
Data science encompasses everything from data visualization to analysis and specifics as well as data preparation. Data visualization focuses on taking any sort of data, be it spreadsheets or tables, and creating graphs and interactive charts to explain the data and gather insights on the data.
What is most important to you as a data science specialist?
What I think is important is the intersection between the visualization and the user experience. You have to make it easy for people to digest the analytics so that they can understand the ideas you are trying to get across and the overall trends.
As a person fairly new to Goddard, what are your initial impressions?
What is great about Goddard is that everyone seems really open to helping. Everyone works collaboratively. You can always ask questions. Goddard has a collegial environment.
It is very refreshing to be in an environment that is so open and welcoming. People from all different walks of life work at Goddard and this diversity enables us to accomplish all the things that we do. People are willing to listen to other people’s ideas.
Who is your mentor and what have you learned?
My mentor is my boss, John Brady. I thank him for being such a good leader and listener. He taught me about Goddard’s culture and how decisions are made.
What is your involvement with the LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group?
Although not in a leadership role, I attend the monthly meetings where we get together and have lunch. Sometimes we have speakers, other times we just talk. These lunches help me engage with the LGBTQ+ community.
“What I think is important is the intersection between the visualization and the user experience,” said Jake. “You have to make it easy for people to digest the analytics so that they can understand the ideas you are trying to get across and the overall trends.”Photo courtesy of Jake Cupani What one thing you would tell somebody just starting their career at Goddard?
I would tell them that working at Goddard is an amazing opportunity that will allow them to meet a lot of really smart people who also very welcoming. I would tell them not to be shy and to talk to as many people as they can.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I want to still work in data visualization and continue to learn as much as I can to grow my expertise. Beyond that, I don’t know what is in the future for me.
What do you do for fun?
I like baking cookies, brownies, and cakes. I am also a big fan of playing video games, especially Pokémon.
By Elizabeth M. Jarrell
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
Conversations With Goddard is a collection of Q&A profiles highlighting the breadth and depth of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center’s talented and diverse workforce. The Conversations have been published twice a month on average since May 2011. Read past editions on Goddard’s “Our People” webpage.
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Last Updated Jun 25, 2024 EditorMadison OlsonContactRob Garnerrob.garner@nasa.govLocationGoddard Space Flight Center Related Terms
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