NASA considers American Student Moon Orbiter

William Atkins
Wednesday, 02 July 2008 21:35

Science - Space

Specifically, the Request for Information (RFI) “… seeks input from appropriate officials and decision-makers from colleges, universities, and potential industry contributors with experience in university-level, student-led flight projects focusing on spaceflight satellite and/or payload development, payload integration, spacecraft and/or payload launch, mission operations, or scientific data analysis.”

Continuing the RFI, “Information sought includes opinion of and experience applicable to the feasibility of the effort (to include financial, technical, and educational elements); budget and financial expectations, realism of launch expectations, and the education and scientific merit. Responses to this RFI will assist NASA Education in determining the level of interest in participation, the perceived feasibility of the concept, the ability to provide funding, and implementation concepts or solutions. If a decision is made to proceed with the concept, information provided by the RFI will assist NASA in establishing requirements, resources, and evaluation criteria.”

Dr. Joyce Winterton, assistant administrator for Education at NASA Headquarters (Washington D.C.) states, "It is important to provide meaningful experiences to our next generation of engineers, but we need to do it in a thoughtful way. By collecting input from universities with experience in this area, we can make the correct decision about whether to proceed, and if so, how."

The NASA news release states, “Under the ASMO concept, teams would learn directly from NASA mentors as part of a diverse, nationwide, higher education initiative that enables students to design, build, launch, operate and own a small spacecraft and its payload. Students would acquire in-depth experience with satellite mission protocol and procedures, communications and project management. NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field in California and NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland are leading the ASMO initiative.” [NASA: “NASA Considers Development of Student-Led Satellite Initiative”]

NASA Ames director S. Pete Worden adds, "NASA is laying the foundation for a multi-generation exploration program that eventually will see humans settle our solar system. To sustain this vision, we need the next crop of scientists and engineers to engage their minds and get hands-on experience."