March 26, 2009 -- NASA is turning to an unusual resource to help solve some technical issues that need to be worked out before it can send astronauts back to the moon -- American students. Under a program called Microgravity University, the space agency flies college students and their experiments on an aircraft that simulates lunar, Martian and/or zero gravity. Thirteen teams arrive at the Johnson Space Center in Houston this week to test how moon dust settles on solar panels, options for filtering wastewater in lunar gravity, lunar rover wheel designs and other devices that address aspects of space exploration, planetary science and astronomy. Half the experiments were commissioned by NASA's Exploration program, which is developing spacecraft and equipment for a new series of astronaut expeditions -- and ultimately a permanent base -- on the moon. The other half were proposed by students under a program NASA has been running for 12 years to nurture budding engineers and scientists. Related Content:
The experience is much more than a joy ride, though there is plenty of that to go around, for the adventurous souls, anyway. The aircraft flies parabolas, which entail steep climbs and devilish drops through the atmosphere. The falls create about 20 seconds of weightlessness and dips can be modified to simulate the gravity on the moon -- which has one-sixth of Earth's gravity -- and other planetary bodies. The airplane used to be called the "Vomit Comet," so famed was its nausea-inducing ride. But NASA now urges fliers to take anti-motion sickness medication, so there is far less barfing from all the buoyancy. "Most people do really well," said Sara Malloy, the lead coordinator for NASA's Reduced Gravity Student Flight programs. "It's a very different environment, and there's really no way to tell what will happen until you fly with us." Before flying, students must pass rigorous safety, medical, engineering and technical reviews, NASA will provide teams with mentors to help resolve problems so the students can learn from their experiences. Get More NewsSpiders, Scorpions Among World's Oldest CreaturesMany creepy crawlies have been on Earth much longer than previously believed.Blood-Sucking Vampire Bats Sing DuetsWhite-winged vampire bats "harmonize" with separated roost mates.Oldest Hebrew Writing Possibly FoundAncient inscriptions on a 3,000-year-old pottery shard could make history.Rare, Prehistoric-Age Reptile Found in N.Z.A tuatara has been spotted on the New Zealand mainland for the first time in 200 years.Iceman Has No Living RelativesOetzi, the 5,300 year-old frozen mummy, left no living genetic legacy.SLIDE SHOW: Landscapes of TerrorWhat makes a place feel scary? There are scientific explanations.It's Official: People Are Warming the PolesHumans are conclusively to blame for polar warming, say scientists.Eight-Armed Animal Preceded DinosaursWhat may be one of Earth's first animals was no bigger than a coaster and had eight arms.Phoenicians Live on in People's GenesOne in 17 Mediterranean men may be descended from ancient Phoenicians.Pesticides, Fertilizers Linked to Frog DeclineA pesticide is found to promote parasites among amphibians.Hubble Telescope Taking Photos AgainThe Hubble Space Telescope is once again snapping stunning photos of the universe.Andean Mummy Hairs Show Hallucinogen UseScientists find direct evidence of hallucinogenic drug use among ancient Andeans.Opals on Mars Reveal Planet's Long Wet PastOpals found on Mars suggest the planet has been wet for much longer. |
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