Category Archives: Space participation

Education, Space participation

US Air Force activates “The Launch of GPS IIF” STEM project

A message from the US Air Force Collaboratory:

U.S. Air Force Activates “The Launch of GPS IIF” Project
Students and innovators called to collaborate in launch of next generation satellite

LOS ANGELES, October 16, 2013 – The Air Force Collaboratory is now open for its third and final project, “The Launch of GPS IIF.” Students, educators and innovators with an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are invited to submit their ideas to solve real world Air Force challenges on the interactive online platform. Technological advances from the project will enhance navigation and detection capabilities and can save lives in combat, search and rescue, and humanitarian missions.

More than 2,000 ideas were submitted by participants in the first two Collaboratory projects, “Search and Rescue 2.0” and “Mind of a Quadrotor.” Contributors, whether new or returning, are asked to bring ideas to “The Launch of GPS IIF” project, to determine the most effective location to launch the Air Force’s newest GPS satellite. “The Launch of GPS IIF” began on October 10, 2013, and will remain open through November 30.

The GPS IIF series is the next generation of Air Force GPS satellites. These advanced satellites are an integral part of a spacebased navigation system giving threedimensional location, velocity and timing information for GPS users around the world. “The Launch of GPS IIF” will test students and other collaborators to target the precise coordinates within the 27 new and legacy GPS satellites to launch the Air Force’s newest $225 million GPS satellite. More innovative and unique ideas brought to the Air Force will help to find solutions to get nextgeneration satellites launched and operational.

“The Launch of GPS IIF” is the third and final of the Collaboratory projects planned for 2013. The first project, “Search and Rescue 2.0,” opened on August 1 and asked contributors to submit plans to locate, stabilize or transport victims trapped in collapsed structures. The second project, “Mind of a Quadrotor,” challenges participants to create an autonomous quadrotor that can navigate with minimal human interaction and opened on September 1. “Mind of a Quadrotor” remains active through October 31.

To find out more and to submit ideas to The Air Force Collaboratory, visit airforce.com/collaboratory.

About the United States Air Force
The mission of the U.S. Air Force is to fly, fight and win in Air, Space and Cyberspace. In 2013, the Air Force Recruiting Service is hiring more than 26,000 new Airmen. An emphasis is on recruiting people with no prior military service into one of about 140 enlisted career opportunities. The Air Force continues to bring in quality men and women because it matters. The Air Force recruits the brightest candidates possible and provides them with tough, highly technical training that gives them the right skills to sustain the combat capability of America’s Air Force. For more information about Air Force benefits and opportunities, go to www.airforce.com.

About GOOD
GOOD Worldwide LLC. (www.good.is) launched in September 2006, and is an integrated media, thought leadership and community action platform for people who want to live well and do good, and a community of, by, and for the people, businesses, and NGOs moving the world forward. GOOD’s mission is to convene, connect, and empower the global community of people

Science and Technology, Space participation

Citizen science has a long history

Citizen science programs like that at Galaxy Zoo are making, and have long made, significant contributions to many fields: Citizen science is the new black – Bbc

Although he would not have been familiar with the term, Charles Darwin built his theory of evolution by natural selection on the evidence supplied by hundreds of citizen scientists all over the world. Some 15,000 of the letters he sent or received survive at the Darwin Correspondence Project in the Cambridge University Library.

Associate director Alison Pearn says Darwin could never have compiled the astonishing wealth of evidence to support his theory without the enthusiastic support of amateur naturalists.

Amateur/Student Satellite, Space participation, Space Radio

AMSAT marks 30 years of amateur radio involvement in human spaceflight

An announcement from AMSAT:

AMSAT Celebrates 30th Anniversary of Amateur Radio Involvement in Human Spaceflight

The 31st Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Meeting takes place 1-3 NOV 2013 at the Houston Marriott South at Hobby Airport.  Deadline for reserving rooms under the AMSAT Block is Wednesday, 16 OCT 2013.  Time is running out;  reserve your room directly with the hotel and register for the Symposium, the banquet, and special tours on the AMSAT Store!  Note: the special tour of Johnson Space Center scheduled for Monday, 4 NOV 2013 is booked and reservations are closed.  All Symposium activities online reservations will close 25 OCT 2013.

Dr. Owen K. GarriottA special highlight of this year’s Symposium is the celebration of the 30th anniversary of amateur radio involvement in human space flight and the evolution of amateur radio into a successful program on board the International Space Station. ARISS (Amateur Radio on the ISS) is an international program that supports educational outreach as well as provides an opportunity for informal contacts between astronauts/cosmonauts and amateur radio operators around the world.  The recent delivery of “Ham TV” equipment to the Columbus module by the European Space Agency is a reflection of the continued support that amateur radio holds for communicating with students.

Astronaut Owen Garriott, W5LFL on STS-9 in November 1983 was the first astronaut to utilize amateur radio to communicate with personnel on the ground, allowing the general public to speak with US astronauts from space, outside the communication channels of NASA’s Mission Control.

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Education, Rockets, Space participation

Photos-to-Space: Scott Carpenter Memorial Flight

Photos To Space, a HobbysSpace sponsor, announces the

Scott Carpenter Memorial Flight
Send Your Photo To Space In Memory Of A Hero!

Scott CarpenterCountdown To Liftoff!
On October 26, 2013, Photos To Space will launch the Scott Carpenter Memorial Flight to the edge of space. You can be a part of this historic adventure. Just upload your photo using the form here and follow along as we countdown to the flight.

More than just a NASA Astronaut, Scott Carpenter embodied the term ‘American Hero.’ He worked as a NAVY pilot flying dozens of reconnaissance missions. He was also a SEALAB participant exploring living conditions at the bottom of the ocean.
Who’s Flying On Such A Mission?Astro Corps Scott
Your photos will be carried into space on a sub-orbital rocket provided by Team Prometheus. Carrying the data card with your images will be our own Astro Corps representative ‘Scott’ wearing an authentic replica Mercury flight suit. Scott will carry out out a few experiments while on the flight. He will also make sure your photos remain safe throughout the entire journey.

While riding on this mission, Scott will also take pictures which we will share with you one the rocket has returned safely to Earth and been recovered by the dedicated Team Prometheus staff.

Learn More About The Flight.Space - The Future
What does it take to get to the edge of space? The team is flying on the ‘Away Mission’ vehicle. Flown by Team Prometheus, this craft is a new and experimental design, much like the Mercury Atlas that Scott Carpenter piloted back in the 1960s.

This rocket is going up over 60,000 feet before the parachute recovery system returns it safely back to Earth. Your photo will be kept safe with our Astro Corps Astronaut during the entire flight.

Certificate of Flight
When the mission is over, we will look through the data and create certificates of participation including all of the details of your Astro Corps mission. We’ll include information such as how high the vehicle went, how fast it traveled and what the cameras saw during the flight.

Join Us On This Memorial Flight
We would love to have your photo accompany us on this memorial flight. But you have to hurry. We need your photo before October 22, 2013 at 11:59pm ET.

Sign up for the flight here. There is no charge for sending your photo on this Near Space flight.

Activism, DIY space, Space participation

Mars Society seeks volunteers for one year Mars base simulation in arctic

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The Mars Society seeks volunteers for a one year trip to a Mars base – simulated on an arctic island:

Call for Volunteers: Mars Arctic 365 Mission – The Mars Society
One-Year Mars Mission Simulation at the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station:

The Mars Society is seeking six volunteers to participate as members of the crew of the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station (FMARS) during an extended simulation of human Mars exploration operations on Devon Island in northern Canada (August 2014 through July 2015).

As currently planned, the crew will consist of four individuals chosen primarily for their skills as field scientists in areas including geology, geochemistry, microbiology, biochemistry and paleontology. Two additional crew members will be chosen primarily for their skills in engineering areas. The ability of crew members to support both roles is considered a strong plus.

For 12 months, these six crew members will conduct a sustained program of field exploration on Devon Island, 900 miles from the North Pole, while operating under many of the same constraints that will be faced by explorers on an actual human Mars mission. For example, no one will be able to go outside without wearing a spacesuit simulator. The crew will be responsible for all of its own field work, lab work, reportage, repair of equipment and chores of daily life. They will work in telescience collaboration with a Remote Science Team, a Mission Support Group and an Engineering Support Team located in the continental United States. In addition to the six person Mars exploration crew, one field support person will also participate in the expedition in and out of simulation role. This person should have excellent field mechanic and wilderness skills.

Both volunteer investigators who bring with them a proposed program of research of their own compatible with the objectives of the Flashline Station (see below) and those simply wishing to participate as members of the crew supporting the investigations of others will be considered. Volunteers may submit applications as individuals, couples or both. Applications will be considered from anyone in good physical condition between 22 and 60 years of age without regard to race, creed, color, gender, or nationality. Scientific, engineering, practical mechanical, arctic, wilderness, first aid, medical, and literary skills are all considered a plus. Applicants should have either a four-year college degree or equivalent experience.

Applicants will need to pass a physical exam and must be cleared by their personal physician to participate. Applicants must be non-smokers and should state what, if any, food allergies and/or dietary restrictions they may have. Dedication to the cause of human Mars exploration is an absolute must, as conditions are likely to be very difficult and the job will be very trying.

To read the full announcement, please click here.