THE Year 1 - Issue 2
NEWS
WWW.ASTRONAUTS4HIRE.ORG
2nd Quarter - 2012
A4H makes High-Impact presence at Suborbital Research Conference
More than a dozen of A4H members and partners presented at the 2012 Next-Generation Suborbital Researchers Conference (NSRC), in Palo Alto, CA. Presentations ranged from the organization’s astronaut training program to potential scientific missions. X-15 test pilot and Apollo XI commander, Neil Armstrong, gave an extraordinary keynote speech. In this picture, some of the A4H participants pose with the American legend. From left to right: Dr. Erik Seedhouse, Brian Shiro, Neil Armstrong, Dr. Chris Altman and Dr. Jason Reimuller. ...more on page 3...
IN THIS ISSUE • Editor’s Corner ... 2 • The A4H Beat ... 4 • What’s hot in Commercial Space ... 5 • Meet an A4H: Dr. Erik Seedhouse ... 6
• Scientists-astronauts as protagonists of commercial space exploration ... 8 • The Industry Leader: SNC’s Col. Jim Voss ... 10 • Education & Outreach ... 12
THE EDITOR’S CORNER
ABOUT THE A4H NEWS
Welcome to the second issue of Astronauts4Hire’s Newsletter! During this quarter, our organization celebrates its first two years of existence. It has grown from a handful of visionary founders to nineteen flight members and sixty six associate members. Several of them have already started their training programs, as we reported in the first issue. Most of them are very busy in their scientific and technical fields. As a matter of fact, in the recent Next-Generation Suborbital Researchers Conference, A4H was associated with seventeen papers and posters. Indeed we are gaining momentum.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions regarding this Newsletter or want to advertise with us, please feel free to contact us at
Although we look back to our first two years with pride and satisfaction, we maintain our focus and attention on working towards the future. Our training program is currently undergoing a peer-review process, we are creating new, strong, strategic alliances and we are preparing ourselves for our upcoming second job - a zero-g flight for biotechnology maturation. Surely, our plans don’t stop there. The sky is not the limit. This issue’s Industry Leader features Col. Jim Voss, the person in charge of the development of the Dream Chaser orbital spacecraft. Yes, we plan to go to orbit. Are you interested in joining us? Ad Astra via A4H!
Newsletter@astronauts4hire.org
Luis Zea Editor-in-Chief
Luis.Zea@astronauts4hire.org Meet an A4H The Industry Leader What’s Hot in Commercial Space
Jon Boley
Jon.Boley@astronauts4hire.org A4H Beat
Augusto Carballido
Augusto.Carballido@astronauts4hire.org Scientists and Space Exploration
Paul McCall
Paul.McCall@astronauts4hire.org Education & Outreach
Luis Zea
ABOUT ASTRONAUTS4HIRE Astronauts for Hire is a 501(c)(3) non-profit formed in April 2010 to recruit and train qualified scientists and engineers for the rigors of spaceflight. Commonly referred to as “Astronauts4Hire” or just “A4H,” the organization conducts a range of activities related to commercial astronaut workforce development. A4H’s principal service is to train its members as professional astronaut candidates who can assist researchers, payload developers, and spaceflight providers with mission planning and operations support. A4H Mission To increase the competitiveness of commercial astronaut candidates by providing skills training, facilitating forums for candidate communication, engaging the space research community, and inspiring the next generation.
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801 Lantern Way, Clearwater, FL 33765
www.astronauts4hire.org
A4H MAKES HIGH-IMPACT PRESENCE AT NEXT-GENERATION SUBORBITAL RESEARCHERS CONFERENCE The 2012 Next-Generation Suborbital Researchers Conference (NSRC) was held in Palo Alto, California, in February. Like its predecessors that gave rise to Astronauts4Hire (A4H), this year’s NSRC provided a stimulating environment for approximately 450 attendees to discuss research and educational applications on suborbital vehicles. A record 34 organizations, including A4H, sponsored the meeting. High-profile speakers included Neil Armstrong, Virgin Galactic chief pilot David MacKay, Challenger Center for Space Science Education founder Dr. June Scobee Rogers, and FAA Associate Administrator Dr. George Nield.
Brian Shiro, A4H CEO, presenting on the development of the organization and its growth during its first two years.
A4H demonstrated its diverse, scientific base with a range of papers, some of which included: • Measuring Ion Currents and Electric Fields Caused by Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Lightning in the Mesosphere. • Peak Experience: Optimizing the Conditions of Inner Space for Outer Space • Biomedical Monitoring for Suborbital Scientist Astronauts • Development of an Integrated Human Factors Research and Training Program in Canada • Fitness Assessment and Exercise Training for Suborbital Flight member Dr. Mindy Howard and co-author Willow Scientist Astronauts Dea pose in front of their poster on inner-space training.
From left to right: Flight members Luis Zea, Dr. Erik Seedhouse, Dr. Chris Altman, Brian Shiro and Dr. Jason Reimuller and Associate Member Dr. Andrew Blaber in front of a Lynx model.
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THE A4H BEAT A4H announced new training programs. After more than a year of development, A4H announced its proposed training programs for Research Specialist Astronauts and Operations Specialist Astronauts. These programs, which were developed by the nonprofit in close consultation with former NASA astronauts and astronaut instructors, are the most comprehensive commercial scientist-astronaut training guidelines available in the world. “We will publish a full description of the training qualifications in a peer-reviewed journal and thorough training manual later this year”, remarked A4H Chief Operating Officer Dr. Jason Reimuller. Interested reviewers of the draft manuscripts are encouraged to contact A4H by April 2012. A4H member Dr. Erik Seedhouse is now a contributing writer for Space Quarterly magazine. His first articles cover topics such as military satellites, the Urthecast initiative, and quantum computing for space exploration. Kristine Ferrone, A4H flight member, presented on the organization’s development. Kristine successfully presented the paper “Astronauts4Hire: The Development of a Commercial Crew Service” during the 2012 IEEE Aerospace Conference in Big Sky, Montana, in March. A4H partners with Vital Space to collaborate on research through NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program. Astronauts4Hire and partner company Vital Space will test a new biometric monitoring system designed for use by spaceflight participants on a May 2012 reduced gravity parabolic flight campaign. They will undergo up to four flights with 40 parabolas each granting 25 seconds of near zero-gravity. The project is facilitated by NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program, to which Vital Space and Astronauts4Hire submitted a successful joint proposal chosen by NASA in October 2011 titled, “A demonstrated application of a cost effective and novel platform for non-invasive acquisition of physiologic variables from spaceflight participant candidates.”
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WHAT’S HOT IN COMMERCIAL SPACE CCDev2 milestones achieved. Sierra Nevada Corporation received the structure of the Dream Chaser’s Engineering Test Article at their Louisville, CO facilities. They are now preparing to complete other milestones related to the Dream Chaser’s captive flights. Boeing recently accomplished a milestone related to the avionics of its CST-100 spacecraft and continues working on its abort engine and service module. Space-X built a Crew Accommodation Concept Prototype as a test bed for their first NASA Crew Trial. They are now working on the spacecraft’s Launch Abort System. Blue Origin is working on the Pusher Escape Test Vehicle.
NASA and SpaceX experts inside Dragon Prototype. Image Credit: Roger Gilbertson / SpaceX
Research racks aboard SpaceShipTwo will be provided by NanoRacks. NanoRacks LLC was selected to construct a rack systems for payload accommodation inside the Virgin Galactic’s spacecraft. This rack uses the same system used in the International Space Station. XCOR Aerospace acquires $5 million of investment capital and announces payload integrators. This injection of cash ensures XCOR’s funding through the production of its Lynx Mark I suborbital spacecraft. During NSRC 2012, XCOR published that new entities, including Texas A&M Space Engineering Research Center would be integrating payloads on its suborbital vehicle. They join other previously-announced integrations such as SwRI and NanoRacks.
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MEET AN A4H: DR. ERIK SEEDHOUSE, Chief Training Officer You have the Canadian 100 km record and have won several championships. To name a few: the World Endurance Triathlon Championship, twice, Ultraman Hawaii, Ultraman Europe, World Double Ironman Championship, and the ten-times Ironman race, Decatriathlon, which entails swimming 38 km, cycling 1800 km and running 422 km. How have these ultra-distance marathons prepared you for spaceflight? The experience of being a professional athlete has a number of analogies with spaceflight. For one thing, it teaches you the discipline to commit to a race – or mission. For another, it provides an invaluable lesson about the value of prior preparation and planning; the more meticulous the training the better the chances are of having a successful race. The same applies to mission preparation. Another key aspect is patience. To win a world championship requires years and years of preparation, practice and training: you don’t become a world champion overnight, just like you can’t expect to become an astronaut without making more than a few sacrifices along the way. You also have a mountaineering background. You were close to dying in a climb to Mount Aconcagua due in part to a viral infection. How did you manage to survive and what did you learn from this frightening experience? Very simple: there is only one person and climbing partner I trust with my life and that’s Doina – my wife. There was an option to be evacuated by helicopter but that would have invalidated my climbing permit, so Doina dragged me down to base camp. A 20 mile trip that normally takes 8 hours, took us 2 days in my weakened state. By the time I left Plaza de Mulas, my pulse oximeter read below 40%. Usually, a patient presenting less than 90% is rushed to an intensive care unit – I was close to dying and Doina saved my life. While I lay in the tent incapacitated, 2 body bags were lying next to the ranger hut waiting to be ferried down the mountain – a reminder of how dangerous the mountain is. Being in a situation like that taught me how I react to the very real prospect of dying. However, this wasn’t the first time so it was really just a reaffirmation of what I knew from before. No mountain is worth dying for so I guess most people would say I didn’t do the right thing. But, an endurance athlete’s mindset is one that just doesn’t accept failure. I would say that’s a good mindset to have as an astronaut because it’s far from an easy career path. Another lesson learnt was the importance of having a good crew, although I knew that from Race Across America. Besides ultra-distance marathons you also have extensive military experience, as you were part of the British Army’s 2nd Battalion (2 Para), Parachute Regiment. Tell us, what did that experience give you as preparation to be an Astronaut4Hire? Controlling fear. Jumping out of the Hercules C130, among other aircraft, was fun but it was also dangerous – especially during battalion or brigade drops when 90 of us would exit the aircraft. During my career I suffered two partial malfunctions and it was only clear and quick thinking that saved me. When jumping from 700ft, if your canopy doesn’t deploy you have 9 seconds before you hit the ground. Thanks to 2 Para and climbing I know how I function under extreme duress and in life-threatening situations. It’s a helpful experience to have if you’re going to fly into space. I think some people who haven’t been exposed to dangerous environments may be surprised how they will react when the rocket engine lights up or if Erik and Doina, on the summit of Kiliman- there is an off-nominal situation. jaro (5,895m). Highest point in Africa.
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You have a master’s degree in Medical Science and a Ph.D. from the German Space Agency’s Institute of Space Medicine. How does your academic background help you in your job as Director of Manned Centrifuge Operations at the Canadian Forces? Besides centrifuge-related operations, I’m also responsible for manned hypobaric operations at Defense Research and Development Canada – Toronto (DRDCT) and the occasional aerospace research project such as testing life-rafts, Gsuits, etc. It sounds like a cool job. After all, there aren’t many jobs where you get to play with $25 million of hardware on a weekly basis. However, I would much rather be an astronaut but I didn’t get selected the last time round so that’s a moot point. Unfortunately, unless you’re an engineer in Canada, opportunities to work in the space industry are few and far between. If you happen to be a space life scientist, like I am, the opportunities are limited. The CSA has only 4 people in its operational space medicine section. Four! That’s it. As far as my academic background helping me, it makes my job very easy because the physiology is delivered at a very low level and the research is fairly low level.
Erik finishing the Lavaman Triathlon.
What is your role in A4H, how do you make use of your diverse background in this organization? My role is Training Officer, which basically means I’m responsible for ensuring A4H Flight Members receive adequate training that will prepare them for suborbital, and eventually orbital, missions. It involves designing, developing and implementing training elements and programs specific to the suborbital environment and having the paperwork to justify the rationale for each of those training aspects. Right now we have hammered out what constitutes the training requirements for qualification as a suborbital astronaut. We are also well on the way to completing the A4H Training Manual. Next is the development of an orbital training standard, the development of a payload integration manual, a fitness assessment guideline and qualification of A4H’s first group of flight-eligible astronauts. Since I’ve written training manuals before during my work with Bigelow Aerospace, the development of this material comes relatively easy. Also, I have a good network of colleagues and friends – one of whom was the deputy director of astronaut training at the CSA – who are in the space business who can advise me on any aspect relating to training. It also helps that I’ve completed the elements required of an astronaut – private pilot license, free-fall, scuba, unusual attitude training, helo-abseiling, survival training in 3 environments, zero-G research, lots of disorientation training, hypobaric/hyperbaric operations, G-training, etc. Where do you see the A4H training program in 5 years from now? In 5 years, I picture A4H having an established suborbital and orbital training program that will be recognized as the most thorough and professional program in the industry. We will have flown at least a dozen Flight Members on suborbital flights and will be looking forward to orbital flight opportunities. The A4H Training Manual and Suborbital Payload Integration Manual will be publicly available publications that define the expectations of those who want to be commercial astronauts. We will also have full-time training staff, a permanent training base and have extended our partnerships within the industry. In short, I see us being a fully-fledged astronaut training organization. Erik during unusual attitude training in a BAE Hawk 115.
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SCIENTIST-ASTRONAUTS AS PROTAGONISTS OF COMMERCIAL SPACE EXPLORATION by Augusto Carballido, Ph.D. Space is no longer the sole domain of governments. With the development of private space ventures, there will potentially be a larger number of astronaut seats on suborbital and orbital vehicles than what was available through national space agencies. Despite recent concerns regarding the financial commitment of NASA towards commercial human spaceflight, the industry has achieved significant milestones in the process to provide cheaper access to space, convincing many that their childhood dream of becoming astronauts can actually become a reality. This represents an exciting opportunity for scientists, particularly those with a passion for the exploration of Earth and the solar system. Of course, the answer to when a private company will put a spacecraft on the surface of a non-terrestrial body is anybody’s guess. However, a growing amount of scientists and engineers are currently working on answering how. It may seem premature to contemplate manned commercial spaceflight beyond low Earth orbit (LEO); after all, companies still need to demonstrate that they can safely and efficiently transport crew to the International Space Station. But it is no secret that SpaceX has its sights set on Mars. Now, opinions abound – some of them conflicting – regarding the feasibility of building a business case for private space enterprises. Nevertheless, there is enough momentum for scientific explorers to start looking ahead, and to help pave the way towards the moon, asteroids and Mars, one suborbital flight at a time. This endeavor can take several forms. The for-profit nature of space companies calls for an in-depth analysis of potential economic returns derived from activities beyond LEO. Apart from the imminent beginning of space tourism, extraction of natural resources on other bodies can be a profitable business, and commercial astronauts will be needed to bring such efforts to fruition. Consider, for example, mining operations on near-Earth asteroids (NEAs). It is recognized that these objects are potential reservoirs of metals, water and semiconductors. The particular importance of water resides in its utilization for life-support systems and in its components, as rocket fuel. It has even been suggested that orbital refueling depots could be set up at the L2 Lagrangian point to serve planetary missions to Mars. One of the advantages of mining asteroids over, say, the moon, is that it could take less energy to lift materials off the surface, and they could be transported at a smaller cost. Human expeditions to NEAs require mission autonomy, since communication delays can become too long for efficient remote operations. Given the uncertain environment that robotic missions to asteroids have encountered prior to rendezvous, human presence guarantees quick, adaptable navigation operations. Likewise, astronauts will provide a greater number of options for the selection of material samples and deployment of scientific equipment. A commercial asteroid mission, then, increases its level of success if it is flown with astronauts, who have the capability of taking decisions in a flexible manner. Of course, companies that embark in extraterrestrial mining might want to conduct exploration activities first, similarly to what oil companies do here on Earth. Scientist-astronauts will be exceptionally qualified for this task, particularly those with backgrounds in planetary sciences and geology. They possess observing and questioning skills that will prove invaluable while prospecting unknown terrains. There is no shortage of professional scientists willing to undergo a rigorous training to travel beyond Earth’s atmosphere. As a matter of fact, many are already qualified to participate in suborbital flights, e.g. many Astronauts4Hire’s members. They can assist commercial space companies get off the ground, as they can apply their talents and knowledge in devising a roadmap for the future of private space exploration.
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DR. ERIK SEEDHOUSE’S UPCOMING BOOKS Astronauts For Hire: As the main engine ignites, the crew feels a deep rumble far below them and a sudden sensation of motion as the launch vehicle lifts off, trailing a 150-meter long fountain of sun-bright exhaust in an inferno of smoke, searing light and earth-shaking noise. The three crewmembers feel the thunder of the launch, the numbing noise and the incredible acceleration, as they are pushed forcefully back into their seats. The gut-wrenching journey to orbit, an event planned for many months and anticipated by the crew for several years, takes less than nine minutes. Once in orbit, the thrill of the ascent is replaced by a moment of fulfillment as the space-farers get their first glimpse of Earth from space, a moment worth a lifetime of anticipation and the hundreds of hours spent training. But this is no ordinary spaceflight. Seated either side of the pilot are two commercial astronauts – astronauts for hire - employed by a research company to conduct experiments in low Earth orbit. ISBN: 978-1-4614-0519-1.
Interplanetary Outpost: Interplanetary Outpost the mission architecture template of NASA’s plan for Human Outer Planet Exploration (HOPE), which envisages sending a crew to Callisto to conduct exploration and sample return activities. Step by step, the book will describe how the mission architecture will evolve, how crews will be selected and trained and what the mission will entail from launch to landing.
T
he spaceflight industry is being revolutionized. It is no longer
companies are being encouraged to build and operate launch vehicles, and even spacecraft that can be hired on a contract basis, a new breed of astronauts is coming into being. Astronauts for Hire describes how this commercial astronaut corps will be selected and trained. It looks at the kind of missions and tasks that the astronauts will be involved in, from orbital science missions to commercial trips to low Earth orbit. The book also describes the new crop of commercial suborbital and orbital spaceships that are being developed: reusable rocket-propelled vehicles that will offer quick, routine, and affordable access to the edge of space. And perhaps beyond − to the possibility of private enterprise establishing interplanetary spaceports, lunar bases, and outposts on the surface of Mars.
ASTRONAUTS FOR HIRE
the sole preserve of professional astronauts working on
government-funded manned spaceflight programs. As private
ASTRONAUTS FOR HIRE The Emergence of the Commercial Astronaut Corps
Seedhouse
o
Erik Seedhouse
ISBN: 978-1-4614-0519-1 springer.com www.praxis-publishing.co.uk
W
ater has been discovered on the Saturnian moon, and
on
Jupiter’s
moons,
Europa,
be life? Could this tantalizing possibility result in a manned mission to the outer planets? But how will such a mission be designed, what propulsion system will be used, and what hazards will the crew members face?
Interplanetary Outpost describes step by step how the mission architecture will evolve, how crews will be selected and trained, and what the mission will entail from launch to landing. It addresses the effects that extended duration, radiation, communication, and isolation will have on the human body, and how not only performance but behavior might be affected.
INTERPLANETARY OUTPOST
Enceladus,
Ganymede, and Callisto. Where there is water, could there
Seedhouse
ISBN: xxx-x-xxxx-xxxx-x springer.com www.praxis-publishing.co.uk
Star Lab Suborbital
Research & Education Payloads Launched to the Edge of Space
o o o o o o o o o
Erik Seedhouse
INTERPLANETARY OUTPOST
o o o o
A Technological Roadmap
Mission Profile
F104 Starfighter air-launch (departing from Kennedy Space Center) Solid propellant sounding rocket 100 km typical apogee 3.5 minutes of microgravity High purity exterior sample access 24 VDC payload power 10 flights yearly, 4-13 payloads each Payload return after splashdown Telemetry provided after flight Launches available for 2H 2012 +
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17 cm radius quarter circle x 20 cm high o Single 2 kg - $8,000* o Tandem 10 cm cubes, 1kg - $4,000* ea. 35 cm diameter half circle x 20 cm high o 4 kg - $13,333* 35 cm diameter circle x 20 cm high o 8 kg - $16,667* Prices include payload integration
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THE INDUSTRY LEADER: SIERRA NEVADA CORPORATION’S COL. JIM VOSS Col. Jim Voss is a former NASA astronaut. He has flown five times to space, including a 163-day stay at ISS as part of Expedition-2, where he co-set an EVA duration record of 8 hrs. 56 minutes. Due to his exemplary work, he has been granted Distinguished Service Medals from the U.S. Army and NASA. He now teaches at the University of Colorado at Boulder and is in charge of the development of the Dream Chaser spacecraft (DC) as the Vice-President for Space Exploration Systems at Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC). Tell us, what makes the Dream Chaser different from the competition? The DC is a lifting body that lands horizontally on a runway with a maximum 1.5g load during the re-entry phase, as smooth as the Shuttle. Additionally, the DC uses non-toxic propellants, which allows the crew and payload to be unloaded in a very quick fashion. This is of great assistance to de-conditioned astronauts, like those who have lived for a whole rotation at the ISS. It also helps scientists who have conducted delicate science in space, for example, protein growth. If a delicate payload where to come back to Earth under 3 or 4 g’s – even non-nominal landings above 10gs could be possible with other spacecraft – it would destroy the science and waste the hard work of a lot of people. The DC provides a smooth reentry and landing for people and scientific payloads. We understand SNC’s main customer is NASA. How do you plan to reach out to other potential customers and who would those be? We have already started reaching out to potential customers. Besides the ISS, there are plans for commercial enterprises in space. For example, Bigelow plans to have a research station in orbit. It was originally planned to be a hotel. In either case, this allows us to transport people either for science or tourism. We also plan to bring people to orbit, without an in-orbit destination, for scientific purposes. When do you plan “Jane, the scientist” to be able to fly in the DC? As soon as 2016. We are working hard to start bringing NASA astronauts to the ISS in that year so we can start planning for other commercial flights as of that date. If “Jane, the scientist” would want to conduct an experiment at the ISS, would she need to clear her paperwork through NASA or is this something SNC would do for her? She would need to get all of the required clearances directly from NASA. We could provide the service to transport her and her payload to and from the ISS.
Dream Chaser docked to the ISS. Image Credit: SNC
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Preparing to solder for maintenance purposes. Image Credit: NASA
At this time, what kind of training qualifications will SNC require from scientists who would fly scientific payloads in the DC? If it were an independent flight for the DC to go to orbit – and not go to the ISS – the qualifications would just be related to safety. First, the person should be healthy. The FAA center of excellence, which is in part based here at the University of Colorado at Boulder and the medical community are figuring out what should be the medical qualifications for commercial spaceflight participants. Although commercial astronauts need to be fit, it does not need to be to the NASA-astronaut level. NASA astronauts have physically demanding work to do and they must take care of the spacecraft to safely return to Earth. Commercial astronauts and scientists wouldn’t have responsibility for the spacecraft; they could focus on their experiSTS-44, STS-53, STS-69, STS-101, STS-102 ment. If cleared by their medical doctor, commercial customers could be to ISS Expedition-2 Astronaut Col. Jim handicapped. There are a lot of great athletes who are extremely physiVoss. Image Credit: NASA. cally fit who may only have one leg, one arm, or one eye. They may have a handicap and still be able to do their job as a scientist in space – maybe do it better there than on Earth because they would not be constrained by gravity. All spaceflight participants would need to be able take care of themselves under non-nominal conditions, however, which brings me to the second point. Anybody who goes in space has to be able to operate his or her own personal safety equipment and space suit. They need to understand the safety rules and be able to take care of themselves in situations like an emergency egress on the ground. This requires specialized training. In total, training could take a couple of weeks, probably longer if they were going to stay in orbit for longer periods of time. All this training would ensure they are safe during their trip to space. As a former NASA astronaut and a current leader in the Commercial Space sector, what would you give as recommendations to commercial astronauts-in-training such as the members of Astronauts4Hire? Anyone who wants to be a professional astronaut needs to be qualified and knowledgeable in all aspects of space. They need to know about the spacecraft they’re going to fly on, the effects of spaceflight on human beings, and the operation of the equipment they will be using. To be able to respond to unusual situations, to the unexpected, and be able to respond in an appropriate, flexible manner when things are not going well are traits that are important to astronauts. So gain knowledge, gain experience, train on the things that you would be expected to be knowledgeable about – that will serve you well.
Col. Voss working with a series of cables by BioServe Space Technologies’ CGBA, in the Destiny Lab. Image Credit: NASA.
Col. Voss anchored to Discovery via the Remote Manipulator System during the first of two EVAs on STS-102. Image Credit: NASA.
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EDUCATION & OUTREACH
CAMILLA SDO
Along with the development of commercial astronauts and partnering with industry and academia, A4H has the unique opportunity to reach out and positively influence the next generation. The “Education and Outreach” section will serve as a platform for announcements of education initiatives, student-based opportunities, and webinars both from academia and industry. This is done in order to spur curiosity, intrigue the imagination, and pass on the passion of what we do in the hopes of motivating younger generations to pursue their dreams of a science, technological, engineering, or mathematics based career.
Camilla helps with the education and outreach portion of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). The satellite launched in 2010 to observe the Sun in super high definition and in various wavelengths.
Currently, the Florida Space Grant Consortium (FSGC) has the following fellowship, research, and internship opportunities for students who attend one of seventeen public and private Florida Universities and colleges associated with the FSGC. Check these links out: • • •
Space Grant Fellowship Program Florida Space Research Program Internships at the Kennedy Space Center through the OSSI: SOLAR website. More information regarding the FSGC can be found at www.floridaspacegrant.org
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Camilla’s mission is to not only share information about the Sun and Space Weather, but to also increase the awareness of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education, and spotlight other NASA missions and how the Sun impacts them. Ultimately, Camilla shows how much fun science really is. Plus, you never know where her adventures take her next; from NASA Johnson Space Flight Center, to the Edge of Space, all the way to the swamps of Louisiana. This fun, interactive and engaging way of educating, reaching out and cross-connecting has proven to be very successful. Besides, who doesn’t want a rubber chicken in a flight suit in their circle of friends? Follow Camilla: Website Facebook Twitter SDO