Posted November 30, 2005

Dryden Receives California Space Authority's SpotBeam Award for Civil Space

A SpotBeam Civil Space Award is being presented to NASA Dryden Flight Research Center of Edwards, California, because of its participation in the successful landing of the Space Shuttle Discovery on August 9, 2005.  This landing was the completion of shuttle mission STS-114, NASA's Return to Flight.  It was also the 50th landing of a space shuttle in California and the 50th opportunity for NASA Dryden Flight Research Center personnel to assist a space shuttle crew and orbiter. NASA Dryden Flight Research Center is a key contributor to the operations and development of technologies that play a key role in the nation's space program. NASA Dryden will continue to contribute to the nation's space program by serving as a landing site for the Crew Exploration Vehicle.

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Altair UAV Files Lengthy Science Missions for NOAA

Altair flies over the Channel Islands off the Southern California coast on November 16.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA concluded a joint series of environmental science demonstration flights with the Altair unmanned aerial vehicle in mid-November. During a flight Nov. 16 over the Channel Islands off the Southern California coast, sensors on the aircraft gathered ocean color and atmospheric chemistry measurements and observed marine mammals and their environment.  Read more.

NASA Exploration Systems Chief Scott Horowitz Briefed on Dryden's Capabilities

Engineer Larry Hudson (left) outlined thermal tests performed on a reinforced carbon-carbon (RCC) structural article to Scott Horowitz (right). Former astronaut Scott Horowitz, recently named associate administrator for NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, was briefed on NASA Dryden Flight Research Center's capabilities to support the agency's space exploration goals during a visit to the local NASA center Nov. 18. Horowitz toured Dryden's simulation and flight loads labs and met with Dryden's Crew Exploration Vehicle Launch Abort test team during his visit. Read More

Author James Hansen Outlines Early Career of Neil Armstrong at Dryden

Historian James Hansen, author of the recently published biography  "First Man: The Life of Neil Armstrong," outlined highlights of Armstrong's seven years as a research pilot and engineer at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center prior to his joining NASA's astronaut corps during a colloquium presentation at the center Nov. 17. Hansen (left) signed first-edition copies of his work for NASA Dryden employees following his presentation, including retired NASA research pilot Fitzhugh Fulton (right).   The Antelope Valley Board of Trade hosted an evening symposium in partnership with NASA Dryden, "Above the High Desert: Local Stories from the Career of Neil Armstrong"  emceed by Dr.  Hansen.

NASA Explorer Schools Assembly Program - Tuesday, December 6

On Tuesday December 6th from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. a school assembly program will celebrate Rosa Park Elementary School's selection as a 2005 NASA Explorer School. NASA speakers will present the future of exploration and conduct classroom demonstrations to excite students to become a part of the scientific world around them. This is the official ceremony recognizing the NASA Explorer Schools partnership with Rosa Parks Elementary School located at 4474 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, CA 92115 . To attend the event please R.S.V.P. (661) 810-8630

USC Viterbi School of Engineering Opens (Virtual) Campus in Palmdale

Working engineers in the Antelope Valley aerospace industry will be earning Master of Science degrees from the University of Southern California (USC) Viterbi School of Engineering next semester - without ever stepping foot on campus.  Kevin L. Petersen, Director of NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center is enthusiastic about the addition of USC as a partner to the AERO Institute. "The capabilities and talents available in the Viterbi School of Engineering are critical to achieving NASA's Vision of Space Exploration. We are excited about the opportunities for further collaborations."  The AERO Institute, located in the Palmdale Civic Center, is a collaborative strategic partnership including NASA and the City of Palmdale that provides leadership as the integrator and facilitator of joint projects between government, academia and industry. The focus is to incubate, stimulate, and cultivate advances in engineering, sciences and business development. This offering is part of a developmental program to expand higher educational opportunities in the Antelope Valley. For more information contact: Katrina Emery (katrina.emery@dfrc.nasa.gov).

Rendezvous Science Center Grand Opening and Open House December 8th

Supersonic research aircraft are among the exotic tools promoted by NASA engineers and pilots at Aerospace Testing Expo 2005. Dryden is home to supersonic jet aircraft like an F-15B that recently helped engineers model the trajectories of divots of space shuttle fuel tank insulating foam, to help prepare the shuttle fleet to return to flight. In addition to research conducted by Dryden for NASA, the aircraft and facilities showcased at the expo can be hired by other government agencies and industry. A point of contact for researchers interested in Dryden flight research capabilities is: Greg.Shell@dfrc.nasa.gov
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/NewsReleases/2005/05-69.html

Five High-Technology Firms Receive SBIR Contracts from NASA Dryden

Five small high-technology firms have been selected by NASA Dryden Flight Research Center to receive research and development contracts under Phase II of NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The five firms' proposals were among 140 selected for funding by NASA overall under the agency's 2004 SBIR program, and are valued at up to $600,000 each over a two-year performance period. The proposals fall into two research areas defined in the SBIR process, airspace systems and vehicle systems.

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About NASA Dryden Flight Research Center - Edwards, California

The Dryden Flight Research Center, located 80 miles north of Los Angeles, is NASA's primary installation for atmospheric flight research and test.  For more than 50 years the Center has pioneered breakthroughs using experimental aircraft, prototype spacecraft and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). Dryden's Western Aeronautical Test Range contains the nation's only overland supersonic test corridor and supports Space Shuttle launch and landing operations, as well as on-orbit communications with the International Space Station. Over 500 civil servants are employed at DFRC. www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/home/index.html

For Additional Information:

Cam Martin
Office of External Affairs and Government Liaison
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
Edwards California 93523-0273
(661) 276-3448 (O)
(661) 810-8482 (C)
cam.martin@nasa.gov

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