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2024 AA Awards for Technology and Innovation (Group Honorable Mention)
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By NASA
1 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)
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By NASA
3 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)
Drones were a key part of testing new technology in support of a prescribed burn in Geneva State Forest, which is about 100 miles south of Montgomery, Alabama. The effort is part of the agency’s multi-year FireSense project, which is aimed at testing technologies that could eventually serve the U.S. Forest Service as well as local, state, and other federal wildland fire agencies. From left are Tim Wallace and Michael Filicchia of the Desert Research Institute in Nevada; Derek Abramson, Justin Hall, and Alexander Jaffe of NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards California; and Alana Dachtler of International Met Systems of Kentwood, Michigan.NASA/Jackie Shuman Advancements in NASA’s airborne technology have made it possible to gather localized wind data and assess its impacts on smoke and fire behavior. This information could improve wildland fire decision making and enable operational agencies to better allocate firefighters and resources. A small team from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, is demonstrating how some of these technologies work.
Two instruments from NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia – a sensor gathering 3D wind data and a radiosonde that measures temperature, barometric pressure, and humidity data – were installed on NASA Armstrong’s Alta X drone for a prescribed burn in Geneva State Forest, which is about 100 miles south of Montgomery, Alabama. The effort is part of the agency’s multi-year FireSense project, which is aimed at testing technologies that could eventually serve the U.S. Forest Service as well as local, state, and other federal wildland fire agencies.
“The objectives for the Alta X portion of the multi-agency prescribed burn include a technical demonstration for wildland fire practitioners, and data collection at various altitudes for the Alabama Forestry Commission operations,” said Jennifer Fowler, FireSense project manager. “Information gathered at the different altitudes is essential to monitor the variables for a prescribed burn.”
Those variables include the mixing height, which is the extent or depth to which smoke will be dispersed, a metric Fowler said is difficult to predict. Humidity must also be above 30% for a prescribed burn. The technology to collect these measurements locally is not readily available in wildland fire operations, making the Alta X and its instruments key in the demonstration of prescribed burn technology.
A drone from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, flies with a sensor to gather 3D wind data and a radiosonde that measures temperature, barometric pressure, and humidity data from NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. The drone and instruments supported a prescribed burn in Geneva State Forest, which is about 100 miles south of Montgomery, Alabama. The effort is part of the agency’s multi-year FireSense project, which is aimed at testing technologies that could eventually serve the U.S. Forest Service as well as local, state, and other federal wildland fire agencies.International Met Systems/Alana Dachtler In addition to the Alta X flights beginning March 25, NASA Armstrong’s B200 King Air will fly over actively burning fires at an altitude of about 6,500 feet. Sensors onboard other aircraft supporting the mission will fly at lower altitudes during the fire, and at higher altitudes before and after the fire for required data collection. The multi-agency mission will provide data to confirm and adjust the prescribed burn forecast model.
Small, uncrewed aircraft system pilots from NASA Armstrong completed final preparations to travel to Alabama and set up for the research flights. The team – including Derek Abramson, chief engineer for the subscale flight research laboratory; Justin Hall, NASA Armstrong chief pilot of small, uncrewed aircraft systems; and Alexander Jaffe, a drone pilot – will set up, fly, observe airborne operations, all while keeping additional aircraft batteries charged. The launch and recovery of the Alta X is manual, the mission profile is flown autonomously to guarantee the same conditions for data collection.
“The flight profile is vertical – straight up and straight back down from the surface to about 3,000 feet altitude,” Abramson said. “We will characterize the mixing height and changes in moisture, mapping out how they both change throughout the day in connection with the burn.”
In August 2024, a team of NASA researchers used the NASA Langley Alta X and weather instruments in Missoula, Montana, for a FireSense project drone technology demonstration. These instruments were used to generate localized forecasting that provides precise and sustainable meteorological data to predict fire behavior and smoke impacts.
Justin Link, left, pilot for small uncrewed aircraft systems, and Justin Hall, chief pilot for small uncrewed aircraft systems, install weather instruments on an Alta X drone at NASAs Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. Members of the center’s Dale Reed Subscale Flight Research Laboratory used the Alta X to support the agency’s FireSense project in March 2025 for a prescribed burn in Geneva State Forest, which is about 100 miles south of Montgomery, Alabama.NASA/Steve Freeman Share
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Last Updated Apr 03, 2025 EditorDede DiniusContactJay Levinejay.levine-1@nasa.govLocationArmstrong Flight Research Center Related Terms
Armstrong Flight Research Center Airborne Science B200 Drones & You Langley Research Center Science Mission Directorate Explore More
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By NASA
13 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)
Getty Images University Student Research Challenge (USRC) seeks to challenge students to propose new ideas/concepts that are relevant to NASA Aeronautics. USRC will provide students, from accredited U.S. colleges or universities, with grants for their projects and with the challenge of raising cost share funds through a crowdfunding campaign. The process of creating and implementing a crowdfunding campaign acts as a teaching accelerator – requiring students to act like entrepreneurs and raise awareness about their research among the public.
The solicitation goal can be accomplished through project ideas such as advancing the design, developing technology or capabilities in support of aviation, by demonstrating a novel concept, or enabling advancement of aeronautics-related technologies.
Eligibility: NASA funding is available to all accredited U.S. institutions of higher education (e.g. universities, four-year colleges, community colleges, or other two-year institutions). Students must be currently enrolled (part-time or full-time) at the institution. NASA has no set expectations as to the team size. The number of students participating in the investigation is to be determined by the scope of the project and the student Team Leader.
The USRC solicitation is currently Closed with Proposals next due June 26, 2025. Please visit NSPIRES to receive alerts when more information is available.
A USRC Q&A/Info Session and Proposal Workshop will be held May 12, 2025, at 2pm ET ahead of the USRC Submission deadline in June 2025. Join the Q&A
Please email us at HQ-USRC@mail.nasa.gov if you have any questions or to schedule a 1 on 1.
USRC Awards
Context-Aware Cybersecurity for UAS Traffic Management (Texas A&M University)
Developing, testing, and pursuing transition of an aviation-context-aware network authentication and segmentation function, which holistically manages cyber threats in future UAS traffic control systems.
Student Team: Vishwam Raval (Team Lead), Michael Ades, Garett Haynes, Sarah Lee, Kevin Lei, Oscar Leon, McKenna Smith, Nhan Nick Truong
Faculty Mentors: Jaewon Kim and Sandip Roy
Selected: 2025
Reconnaissance and Emergency Aircraft for Critical Hurricane Relief (North Carolina State University)
Developing and deploying advanced unmanned aerial systems designed to locate, communicate with, and deliver critical supplies to stranded individuals in the wake of natural disasters.
Student Team: Tobias Hullette (Team Lead), Jose Vizcarrondo, Rishi Ghosh, Caleb Gobel, Lucas Nicol, Ajay Pandya, Paul Randolph, Hadie Sabbah
Faculty Mentor: Felix Ewere
Selected: 2025
Design and Prototyping of a 9-phase Dual-Rotor Motor for Supersonic Electric Turbofan (Colorado School of Mines)
Designing and prototyping a scaled-down 9-phase dual-rotor motor (DRM) for a supersonic electric turbofan.
Student Team: Mahzad Gholamian (Team Lead), Garret Reader, Mykola Mazur, Mirali Seyedrezaei
Faculty Mentor: Omid Beik
Selected: 2024
Project F.I.R.E (Fire Intervention Retardant Expeller) (Cerritos Community College)
Mitigating wildfires with drone released fire retardant pellets.
Student Team: Angel Ortega Barrera (Team Lead), Larisa Mayoral, Paola Mayoral Jimenez, Jenny Rodriguez, Logan Stahl, Juan Villa
Faculty Mentor: Janet McLarty-Schroeder
Selected: 2024
Learning cooperative policies for adaptive human-drone teaming in shared airspace (Cornell University)
Enabling new coordination and communication models for smoother, more efficient, and robust air traffic flow.
Student Team: Mehrnaz Sabet (Team Lead), Aaron Babu, Marcus Lee, Joshua Park, Francis Pham, Owen Sorber, Roopak Srinivasan, Austin Zhao
Faculty Mentor: Sanjiban Choudhury, Susan Fussell
Selected: 2024
Crowdfunding Website
Investigation on Cryogenic Fluid Chill-Down Time for Supersonic Transport Usage (University of Washington, Seattle)
Investigating reducing the boil-off of cryogenic fluids in pipes using vortex generators.
Student Team: Ryan Fidelis (Team Lead), Alexander Ala, Kaleb Shaw
Faculty Mentor: Fiona Spencer, Robert Breidenthal
Selected: 2024
Crowdfunding Website
Web Article: “Students win NASA grant to develop AI for safer aerial traffic“
Clean Forever-Flying Drones: Utilizing Ocean Water for Hydrogen Extraction in Climate Monitoring (Purdue University)
An ocean-based fueling station and a survey drone that can refuel in remote areas.
Student Team: Holman Lau (Team Lead), Nikolai Baranov, Andrej Damjanov, Chloe Hardesty, Smit Kapadia
Faculty Mentor: Li Qiao
Selected: 2023
Crowdfunding Website
Intelligent drone for detection of people during emergency response operation (Louisiana State University and A&M College)
Using machine learning algorithms for images and audio data, integrated with gas sensing for real-time detection of people on UAS.
Student Team: Jones Essuman (Team Lead), Tonmoy Sarker, Samer Tahboub
Faculty Mentor: Xiangyu Meng
Selected: 2023
Crowdfunding Website
Advancing Aerospace Materials Design through High-Fidelity Computational Peridynamic Modeling and Modified SVET Validation of Corrosion Damage (California State University, Channel Islands)
Modeling electrochemical corrosion nonlocally and combining efforts from bond-based and state-based theory.
Student Team: Trent Ruiz (Team Lead), Isaac Cisneros, Curtis Hauck
Faculty Mentor: Cynthia Flores
Selected: 2023
Crowdfunding Website
Swarm Micro UAVs for Area Mapping in GPS-denied Areas (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University)
Using swarm robotics to map complex environments and harsh terrain with Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs)
Student Team: Daniel Golan (Team Lead), Stanlie Cerda-Cruz, Kyle Fox, Bryan Gonzalez, Ethan Thomas
Faculty Mentor: Sergey V. Drakunov
Selected: 2023
Crowdfunding Website
Web Article: “Student Research on Drone Swarm Mapping Selected to Compete at NASA Challenge“
AeroFeathers—Feathered Airfoils Inspired by the Quiet Flight of Owls (Michigan Tech University)
Creating new propeller blades and fixed wing design concepts that mimic the features of an
owl feather and provide substantial noise reduction benefits.
Student Team: William Johnston (Team Lead), Pulitha Godakawela Kankanamalage, Amulya Lomte, Maria Jose Carrillo Munoz, Brittany Wojciechowski, Laura Paige Nobles, Gabrielle Mathews
Faculty Mentor: Bhisham Sharma
Selected: 2023
Crowdfunding Website
Laser Energized Aerial Drone System (LEADS) for Sustained Sensing Applications (Michigan State University)
Laser based, high-efficiency optical power transfer for UAV charging for sustained flight and monitoring.
Student Team: Gavin Gardner (Team Lead), Ryan Atkinson, Brady Berg, Ross Davis, Gryson Gardner, Malachi Keener, Nicholas Michaels
Faculty Mentor: Woongkul Lee
Selected: 2023
Crowdfunding Website
LEADS team Website
UAM Contingency Diagnosis Toolkit (Ohio State University)
A UAM contingency diagnosis toolkit which that includes cognitive work requirements (CWRs) for human operators, information sharing requirements, and representational designs.
Student Team: Connor Kannally (Team Lead), Izzy Furl, Luke McSherry, Abhinay Paladugu
Faculty Mentor: Martijn IJtsma
Selected: 2023
Crowdfunding Website
Project Website
Web Article: “NASA Awards $80K to Ohio State students through University Research Challenge“
Hybrid Quadplane Search and Rescue Missions (NC A&T University)
An autonomous search and rescue quadplane UAS supported by an unmanned mobile landing platform/recharge station ground vehicle.
Student Team: Luis Landivar Olmos (Team Lead), Dakota Price, Amilia Schimmel, Sean Tisdale
Faculty Mentor: A. Homaifar
Selected: 2023
Crowdfunding Website
Drone Based Water Sampling and Quality Testing – Special Application in the Raritan River (Rutgers University, New Brunswick)
An autonomous water sampling drone system.
Student Team: Michael Leitner (Team Lead), Xavier Garay, Mohamed Haroun, Ruchit Jathania, Caleb Lippe, Zachary Smolder, Chi Hin Tam
Faculty Mentor: Onur Bilgen
Selected: 2023
Crowdfunding Website
Project Website
Development of a Low-Cost Open-Source Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing Machine – Arc One (Case Western Reserve University)
A small-scale, modular, low-cost, and open-source Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) platform.
Student Team: Vishnushankar Viraliyur Ramasamy (Team Lead), Robert Carlstrom, Bathlomew Ebika, Jonathan Fu, Anthony Lino, Garrett Tieng
Faculty Mentor: John Lewandowski
Selected: 2023
Crowdfunding Website
Web Article: “PhD student wins funding from NASA and develops multidisciplinary team of undergraduate students to build novel machine“
Low Cost and Efficient eVTOL Platform Leveraging Opensource for Accessibility (University of Nevada, Las Vegas)
Lowering the barrier of entry into eVTOL deployment and development with a low cost, efficient, and open source eVTOL platform
Student Team: Martin Arguelles-Perez (Team Lead), Benjamin Bishop, Isabella Laurito, Genaro Marcial Lorza, Eman Yonis
Faculty Mentor: Venkatesan Muthukumar
Selected: 2022
Applying Space-Based Estimation Techniques to Drones in GPS-Denied Environments (University Of Texas, Austin)
Taking real-time inputs from flying drones and outputting an accurate state estimation with 3-D error ellipsoid visualization
Student Team: James Mitchell Roberts (Team Lead), Lauren Byram, Melissa Pires
Faculty Mentor: Adam Nokes
Selected: 2022
Crowdfunding Website
Project Website
Web Article: “GPS-free Drone Tech Proposal Lands Undergrads Spot in NASA Challenge“
Underwing Distributed Ducted Fan ‘FanFoil’ Concept for Transformational Aerodynamic and Aeroacoustic Performance (Texas Tech University, Lubbock)
Novel highly under-cambered airfoils with electric ducted fans featuring ’samara’ maple seed inspired blades for eVTOL application
Student Team: Jack Hicks (Team Lead), Harrison Childre, Guilherme Fernandes, David Gould, Lorne Greene, Muhammad Waleed Saleem, Nathan Shapiro
Faculty Mentor: Victor Maldonado
Selected: 2022
Crowdfunding Website
Web Articles: “Improving Ducted-Fan eVTOL Efficiency” (AvWeek), “Sky Taxies“
Urban Cargo Delivery Using eVTOL Aircrafts (University Of Illinois, Chicago)
A bi-objective optimization formulation minimizing total run costs of a two-leg cargo delivery system and community noise exposure to eVTOL operations
Student Team: Nahid Parvez Farazi (Team Lead), Amy Hofstra, Son Nguyen
Faculty Mentor: Bo Zou
Selected: 2022
Crowdfunding Website
Web Article: “PhD student awarded NASA grant to investigate urban cargo delivery systems“
Congestion Aware Path Planning for Optimal UAS Traffic Management (University Of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign)
A feasible, provably safe, and quantifiably optimal path planning framework considering fully autonomous UAVs in urban environments
Student Team: Minjun Sung (Team Lead), Christoph Aoun, Ivy Fei, Christophe Hiltebrandt-McIntosh, Sambhu Harimanas Karumanchi, Ran Tao
Faculty Mentor: Naira Hovakimyan
Selected: 2022
Crowdfunding Website
Web Article: “NASA funds UAV traffic management research“
AeroZepp: Aerostat Enabled Drone Glider Delivery System / Whisper Ascent: Quiet Drone Delivery (University of Delaware)
An aerostat enabled low-energy UAV payload delivery system
Student Team: Wesley Connor (Team Lead), Abubakarr Bah, Karlens Senatus
Faculty Mentor: Suresh Advani
Selected: 2022
Crowdfunding Website
Sustainable Transport Research Aircraft for Test Operation (STRATO) (Rutgers University, New Brunswick)
An open source, efficiently driven, optimized Active Flow Control (AFC) enhanced control surface for UAV research platforms
Student Team: Daulton James (Team Lead), Jean Alvarez, Frederick Diaz, Michael Ferrell, Shriya Khera, Connor Magee, Roy Monge Hidalgo, Bertrand Smith
Faculty Mentor: Edward DeMauro
Selected: 2022
Crowdfunding Website
Web Articles: “SoE Students Eligible for NASA University Student Research Challenge Award“, “Senior Design Team Captures NASA Research Challenge“
A recorded STRATO USRC Tech Talk
Dronehook: A Novel Fixed-Wing Package Retrieval System (University Of Notre Dame)
Envisioning a world where items can be retrieved from remote locations in a simple fashion from efficient fixed-wing UAVs
Student Team: Konrad Rozanski (Team Lead), Dillon Coffey, Bruce Smith, Nicholas Orr
Faculty Mentor: Jane Cleland-Huang
Selected: 2021
Crowdfunding Website
Web Article: “Notre Dame student team wins NASA research award for drone scoop and grab technology“
Aerial Intra-city Delivery Electric Drones (AIDED) with High Payload Capacity (Michigan State University)
A high-payload capacity delivery drone capable of safely latching and charging on electrified public transportation systems
Student Team: Yuchen Wang (Team Lead), Hunter Carmack, Kindred Griffis, Luke Lewallen, Scott Newhard, Caroline Nicholas, Shukai Wang, Kyle White
Faculty Mentor: Woongkul Lee
Selected: 2021
AIDED Crowdfunding Website
AIDED Project Website or Team Website
Web Articles: “Spartan Engineers win NASA research award” and “NASA Aeronautics amplification“; “Ross Davis & Gavin Gardner on The Guy Gordon Show“; “MSU Students Create Delivery Drone for NASA“; “Student drone project flying high with help from NASA“
A recorded USRC Tech Talk
Robotic Fabrication Work Cell for Customizable Unmanned Aerial Systems (Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University)
A robotic, multi-process work cell to autonomously fabricate topologically optimized UASs tailored for immediate application needs
Student Team: Tadeusz Kosmal (Team Lead), Kieran Beaumont, Om Bhavsar, Eric Link, James Lowe
Faculty Mentor: Christopher Williams
Selected: 2021
Crowdfunding Website
RAV-FAB Project Website
Web Articles: “Drones that fly away from a 3D printer: Undergraduates create science nonfiction” and “3D printing breaks out of the box / VTx / Virginia Tech“
NASA VT USRC Web Article: “USRC Students Sees Success with Crowdfunding, NASA Grants“
Publication: Hybrid additive robotic workcell for autonomous fabrication of mechatronic systems – A case study of drone fabrication – ScienceDirect
Team Social Media: Instagram: @ravfab_vt; LinkedIn: @rav-fab; YouTube
View RAV-FAB USRC Tech Talk #1 or USRC Tech Talk #2
Real Time Quality Control in Additive Manufacturing Using In-Process Sensing and Machine Learning (Cornell University)
A high-precision and low-cost intelligent sensor-based quality control technology for Additive Manufacturing
Student Team: Adrita Dass (Team Lead), Talia Turnham, Benjamin Steeper, Chenxi Tian, Siddharth Patel, Akula Sai Pratyush, Selina Kirubakar
Faculty Mentor: Atieh Moridi
Selected: 2021
Crowdfunding Website
AMAS Project Website
Web Article: “Students win NASA challenge with 3D-printer smart sensor“
A recorded USRC Tech Talk on this topic
AVIATA: Autonomous Vehicle Infinite Time Apparatus (University of California, Los Angeles)
A drone swarm system capable of carrying a payload in the air indefinitely
Student Team: Chirag Singh (Team Lead), Ziyi Peng, Bhrugu Mallajosyula, Willy Teav, David Thorne, James Tseng, Eric Wong, Axel Malahieude, Ryan Nemiroff, Yuchen Yao, Lisa Foo
Faculty Mentor: Jeff Eldredge
Selected: 2020
Crowdfunding Website
AVIATA Project Website
A recorded USRC Tech Talk on AVIATA
The recorded poster session at the TACP Showcase 2021
Redundant Flight Control System for BVLOS UAV Operations (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University)
A redundant flight control system as a “back-up” to the primary flight computer to enhance safety of sUAS
Student Team: Robert Moore (Team Lead), Joseph Ayd, and Todd Martin
Faculty Mentor: John Robbins
Selected: 2020
Crowdfunding Website
Web Articles: “NASA Web Article“; “Drone Innovation Top Embry-Riddle Entrepreneurship Competition“
Follow the team’s progress at: https://www.facebook.com/Assured Autonomy
A recorded USRC Tech Talk on this topic
The recorded poster session at the TACP Showcase 2021
Multi-Mode Hybrid Unmanned Delivery System: Combining Fixed-Wing and Multi-Rotor Aircraft with Ground Vehicles (Rutgers University)
Extending drone delivery distance with a multi-mode hybrid delivery system
Student Team: Paul Wang (Team Lead), Nolan Angelia, Muhammet Ali Gungor
Faculty Mentor: Onur Bilgen
Selected: 2020
Crowdfunding Website
A recorded USRC Tech Talk on this topic
The recorded poster session at the TACP Showcase 2021
AVIS: Active Vortex Inducing System for Flow Separation Control to Improve Airframe Efficiency (Georgia Institute of Technology)
Use an array of vortex generators that can be adjusted throughout flight to increase wing efficiency
Student Team: Michael Gamarnik (Team Lead), Shiva Khanna Yamamoto, Noah Mammen, Tommy Schrager, Bethe Newgent
Faculty Mentor: Kelly Griendling
Selected: 2020
Go to AVIS team site
A recorded USRC Tech Talk on AVIS
The recorded poster session at the TACP Showcase 2021
NASA Web Article
Hybrid Airplanes – An Optimum and Modular Approach (California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo)
Model and test powertrain to maximize the efficiency of hybrid airplanes
Student Team: Nicholas Ogden (Team Lead), Joseph Shy, Brandon Bartlett, Ryker Bullis, Chino Cruz, Sara Entezar, Aaron Li, Zach Yamauchi
Faculty Mentor: Paulo Iscold
Selected: 2019
A recorded USRC Tech Talk on this topic
The recorded poster session at the TACP Showcase 2021
ATLAS Air Transportation (South Dakota State University)
A multipurpose, automated drone capable of comfortably lifting the weight of an average person
Student Team: Isaac Smithee (Team Lead), Wade Olson, Nicolas Runge, Ryan Twedt, Anthony Bachmeier, Matthew Berg, Sterling Berg
Faculty Mentors: Marco Ciarcia, Todd Letcher
Selected: 2019
A recorded USRC Tech Talk #1 and USRC Tech Talk #2 on ATLAS
The recorded poster session at the TACP Showcase 2021
Software-Defined GPS Augmentation Network for UAS Navigation (University Of Oklahoma, Norman)
A novel solution of enhanced GPS navigation for unmanned aerial vehicles
Student Team: Robert Rucker (Team Lead), Alex Zhang, Jakob Fusselman, Matthew GilliamMentors: Dr. Yan (Rockee) Zhang (Faculty Mentor), Dr Hernan Suarez (Team Technical Mentor)
Faculty Mentors: Marco Ciarcia, Todd Letcher
Selected: 2019
Crowdfunding Website
A recorded USRC Tech Talk on this topic
The recorded poster session at the TACP Showcase 2021
UAV Traffic Information Exchange Network (Purdue University)
A blockchain-inspired secure, scalable, distributed, and efficient communication framework to support large scale UAV operations
Student Team: Hsun Chao (Team Lead) and Apoorv Maheshwari
Faculty Mentors: Daniel DeLaurentis (Faculty Mentor), Shashank Tamaskar
Selected: 2018
Web Article: “Student-developed communication network for UAVs interests NASA“
The recorded poster session at the TACP Showcase 2021
University Student Research Challenge
University Leadership Initiative
University Innovation Project
Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program
Facebook logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es Instagram logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es Linkedin logo @NASA Explore More
4 min read NASA University Research Program Makes First Award to a Community College Project
Article 1 month ago 3 min read NASA Selects New Round of Student-Led Aviation Research Awards
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Last Updated Apr 03, 2025 EditorLillian GipsonContactJim Bankejim.banke@nasa.gov Related Terms
University Student Research Challenge View the full article
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By NASA
NASA Stennis partnered with Mississippi Enterprise for Technology to host more than 100 members of the 57th Rocket Test Group on March 18-19.
NASA Stennis partnered with Mississippi Enterprise for Technology to host more than 100 members of the 57th Rocket Test Group on March 18-19.NASA/Jason Richard The group toured the south Mississippi NASA center on March 19, learning how NASA Stennis operates as NASA’s primary, and America’s largest, rocket propulsion test site to serve the nation and commercial sector with its unique capabilities and expertise.
NASA Stennis partnered with Mississippi Enterprise for Technology to host more than 100 members of the 57th Rocket Test Group on March 18-19.NASA/Jason Richard The day included tours of test stands and facilities hosted by NASA Stennis test complex personnel. Visits included the Fred Haise Test Stand, where NASA Stennis tests RS-25 engines to help power NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond; the Thad Cochran Test Stand, where NASA Stennis will test NASA’s exploration upper stage for future Artemis missions; the E Test Complex, where NASA Stennis supports agency and commercial propulsion test activity; and the L3Harris Technologies (formerly Aerojet Rocketdyne) Engine Assembly Facility, where RS-25 engines are produced.
NASA Stennis partnered with Mississippi Enterprise for Technology to host more than 100 members of the 57th Rocket Test Group on March 18-19.NASA/Jason Richard The group also received overviews from site personnel on the Rocket Propulsion Test Program Office located at NASA Stennis, on lessons learned from testing at the E Test Complex, and on the NASA Data Acquisition System developed onsite.
NASA Stennis partnered with Mississippi Enterprise for Technology to host more than 100 members of the 57th Rocket Test Group on March 18-19.NASA/Jason Richard The Rocket Test Group originally formed in response to a congressional demand for an ongoing working group crossing agency and company boundaries. It is a volunteer organization intended to allow rocket test facility operators to come together to recommend solutions for difficult testing problems; lower testing costs by reducing time spent on solving critical issues and eliminating duplicate programs; facilitate the activation of new facilities; learn from each other by viewing different methods and touring various facilities; provide a networking opportunity for testing advice and problem solving support; and allow test facility operators to stay informed on the newest developments.
NASA Stennis partnered with Mississippi Enterprise for Technology to host more than 100 members of the 57th Rocket Test Group on March 18-19.L3Harris TechnologiesView the full article
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By NASA
2 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)
This ultra high-definition video featuring an orange tabby cat named Taters, was streamed from nearly 19 million miles away via laser by NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) experiment, marking a historic milestone for space communications.Jet Propulsion Laboratory Since it began in 1958, NASA has been charged by law with spreading the word about its work to the widest extent practicable. From typewritten press releases to analog photos and film, the agency has effectively moved into social media and other online communications. NASA’s broad reach across digital platforms has been recognized by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), with 10 nominations across multiple categories for the academy’s 29th annual Webby Awards.
The 2025 Webby nominations demonstrate NASA's dedication to sharing the wonders of space through digital platforms. We believe in the power of digital storytelling to inspire the next generation of explorers.
Michelle R. Jones
Acting Associate Administrator for Communications
Public Voting Opportunities
Voting for the Webby People’s Voice Awards—chosen by the public—is open now through Thursday, April 17. Voting links for each category are listed below.
29th Annual Webby Award Nominees
AI, Immersive & Games
NASA’s Snap It! An Eclipse Photo Adventure
NASA
Kids and Family
Social
NASA Instagram
NASA
Education and Science
Matt Dominick’s X Account: A Visual Journey from Space
NASA, Leidos
Best Photography & Design
NASA’s 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Campaign
NASA
Events and Live streams
NASA’s Webb Telescope: Unfolding a Universe of Wonders
NASA Goddard
Education and Science
Video & Film
2024 Total Solar Eclipse: Through the Eyes of NASA
NASA, Leidos
Events and Live
NASA Streams Historic Cat Video From Deep Space
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Events and Live streams
Websites & Mobile Sites
NASA Website
NASA
Government & Associations
NASA+ Streaming Service
NASA
Television, Film & Streaming
NASA Newsletter
NASA
Business, News and Technology
About the Webby Awards
Established in 1996 during the web’s infancy, The Webbys is presented by the IADAS—a 3000+ member judging body. The Academy is comprised of Executive Members—leading Internet experts, business figures, luminaries, visionaries, and creative celebrities—and associate members who are former Webby winners, nominees and other internet professionals.
The Webby Awards presents two honors in every category—the Webby Award and the Webby People’s Voice Award. Members of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS) select the nominees for both awards in each category, as well as the winners of the Webby Awards. In the spirit of the open web, the Webby People’s Voice is chosen by the voting public, and garners millions of votes from all over the world.
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