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The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Vol. 120, Issue 6
www.theplainsman.com
Writer
The Auburn University Student Space Program will be making one giant leap for the University when its CubeSat is launched into space next fall. “So far, no student-built CubeSat was launched on an American rocket,” said Jean-marie Wersinger, physics professor and mentor for the program. “It puts us on the map.” Wersinger started the AUSSP in 2002 because of his work with the NASA Space Grant program. “Being there and seeing all these efforts around the country for students, I said, ‘Darn it, we’re going to do the same thing at Auburn,’” Wersinger said. “So I initiated this
AUSSP thing.” AubieSat–1, AUSSP’s CubeSat, is a 4-inch cube satellite built by approximately 35 undergraduate students. “The entire cube satellite is built by students from scratch,” said Aurie Adams, junior in aerospace engineering and public relations officer for the project. “And it’s going to be launched. It’s actually going to be in space. I think that’s so cool. And hopefully we’ll be able to talk to it.” Communication with the satellite is a main focus for the group. The CubeSat’s scientific purpose will be to measure gamma rays produced by high-altitude thunderstorms. Radio waves produced by antennae on top of Allison Laboratory will carry commands in the form
of strings of zeroes and ones to microcontrollers on the satellite, which will then execute the given commands, Wersinger said. The project idea started to become a reality two or three years ago. Wersinger said AubieSat–1 was cleared for launch in August, with an anticipated launch in October 2011. NASA will be conducting biweekly teleconferences with AUSSP to determine the CubeSat’s status and to start integrating it into NASA systems. “We also have to go through quite some testing,” Wersinger said. “Once they get it, they’re going to test the satellite, and it better survive their tests. So we’re going to be testing, and maybe even
Ralph Foster Writer
more stringent than their tests, to make sure it survives.” Students in the program will test components of the CubeSat in Auburn labs to make sure they respond to commands. Further testing will take place at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville to ensure AubieSat–1 can survive the environmental conditions on the » Turn to SPACE, A2
Lockhart trial set, pursues venue change Jillian Clair
trial will be held Nov. 8 in Lee County Circuit Court. Both the defense and Associate News Editor the prosecution are still preparing for Courtney Lockhart’s defense an- the trial, regardless of the Supreme nounced Monday at a status confer- Court’s decision. ence that it is seeking to Lockhart was indicted appeal Lee County Cirfor the March 4, 2008 murcuit Court Judge Jacob der of Auburn freshman Walker’s decision to deny Lauren Burk and is facing a change in venue for the charges of capital murder capital murder trial. during a kidnapping, capiThe defense has subtal murder during an atmitted a petition to the tempted rape and capital murder during a robbery. Alabama Supreme Court Burk, 18, a native of to appeal the lower LOCKHART Marietta, Ga., was found court’s decision and is shot on Ala. 147/North awaiting a verdict. However, if the Supreme Court de- College Street near U.S. 280 and was nies the change in venue, Lockhart’s pronounced dead at East Alabama
Timeline of Events
March 4 4, 2008 Burk murdered March 7, 2008 Lockhart arrested
Medical Center. Her Honda Civic was later found on fire in the Hinton Field parking lot. Lockhart, 23 at the time of the murder, is from Smiths Station. He confessed to Burk’s murder March 9, 2008. Lockhart’s defense also asked to add more specific questions concerning juror bias to the questionnaire sent to potential jurors, but Walker denied the request. The questionnaire used in the past for capital murder trials in Lee County will be sent to the potential jurors on the Lockhart case, Walker said. Another status conference is scheduled for Oct. 19. If convicted of Burk’s murder, Lockhart could face the death penalty.
March 5, 2010 Lockhart’s defense asks for g in venue change
March 9, 2008 Lockhart’s first appearance in court, confession
28 Pages
Grant links rural Auburn
AubieSat–1 goes to infinity and beyond Alison McFerrin
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Sept. 27, 2010 Lockhart defense submits petition to appeal Walker’s decision
April 14, 14 2010 Judge Walker issues court order denying change in venue
Nov. Nov 8, 8 2010 Trial date pending Supreme Court’s decision
The U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded an Auburn University outreach initiative $4.6 million to expand the availability of broadband technology in Alabama’s rural libraries and schools. In announcing the awards, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said that when you don’t have access to high-speed Internet, you don’t have access to all the educational, business and employment opportunities it provides. Overall, the initiative will deploy 1,000 new computer workstations and replace nearly 500 more at 94 rural libraries and 21 public schools across Alabama. Auburn plans to use the new equipment to offer online training programs and telemedical applications to underserved rural areas. Auburn received one of only 35 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants recently awarded to expand broadband Internet access to citizens through key anchor institutions such as schools and libraries. “Too many Alabamians are without broadband Internet access and the learning resources it provides,” said Auburn University President Jay Gogue. “This project will help bridge the technological divide and open doors for thousands of students and adults.” University Outreach will provide overall leadership for the Broadband Technologies Opportunities Program initiative. Campus partners include Outreach’s Center for Governmental Services, the Wireless Engineering Research and Education Center, University Libraries, the Office of Information Technology and Harrison School of Pharmacy. External partners in the project include the Alabama Public Library Service and Tuskegee University. “Supporting Alabama’s educational infrastructure through innovative outreach is a key objective of Auburn’s strategic plan,” said Royrickers Cook, assistant vice president for University Outreach. “I commend center director Don-Terry Veal and the dedicated team of campus and external partners for their efforts in developing such a far-reaching and high impact project.” The Center for Governmental Services will coordinate the overall project, and directly implement technological training of library personnel that will prepare them to do much of their own tech support. The center’s faculty and staff, along » Turn to BROADBAND, A2
Sky’s the limit at Auburn University Regional Airport Katie Brown Writer
With the quick snip of a ribbon Friday, several Alabama governmental figures and President Jay Gogue officially declared Auburn University Regional Airport open. The dedication ceremony celebrated the opening of the $5.5 million, 26,000-square foot facility. “Today we are celebrating for many reasons,” said Mayor Bill Ham. “We all realize the importance of having a first-class airport in our community to serve the University and the business community. We know that our chances of bringing really good jobs to our county are greatly reduced without a good airport.”
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Funding for the project came from a collaborative effort among local governments. “Today, with this great new facility, we have something we’re all proud of, and it’s certainly a positive reflection on Auburn University, the city of Opelika, the city of Auburn and Lee County,” said Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller. “It is proof positive of what we can accomplish by working together. This asset, indeed, will pay significant dividends for many years to come.” The new terminal is equipped with a flight-planning room, flat screen televisions, comfortable seating and conference rooms. The previous terminal was built in 1950 and was outdated. “We only get one opportunity to
make a good first impression, and I want to tell you something,” Fuller said, “that old terminal building was a pretty good challenge for making a good first impression.” Planning for the new facility began in 2002. “While the University owns the airport, it has, for many years, invited the local officials to participate in the oversight of the airport through the airport advisory board,” Ham said. The airport also serves aviation students as well as fans flying in for home games. The new terminal and facility are not the only changes the airport has seen since its creation in 1930. » Turn to AIRPORT, A2
Maria Iampietro / ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR
The Auburn University Regional Airport celebrated the opening of a new terminal Friday afternoon.
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