NASA Seeks Undergraduates To Fly Research In Microgravity

[NASA News <hqnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Sept. 12, 2011

Ann Marie Trotta 
Headquarters, Washington                                
202-358-1601 
ann.marie.trotta@xxxxxxxx 

Rachel Kraft           
Johnson Space Center, Houston 
281-483-5111 
rachel.h.kraft@xxxxxxxx 



RELEASE: 11-297

NASA SEEKS UNDERGRADUATES TO FLY RESEARCH IN MICROGRAVITY



HOUSTON -- NASA is offering undergraduate students the opportunity to 
test an experiment in microgravity as part of the agency's Reduced 
Gravity Education Flight Program. The program is accepting proposals 
for two different flight experiences in 2012. 

Teams interested in conducting student-driven research should submit a 
letter of intent by Sept. 14. This step is optional, but serves as an 
introductory notice that a team plans to submit a proposal for the 
competition. Proposals for student-driven experiments are due Oct. 
26, and selected teams will be announced Dec. 7. The actual flight 
experience will take place in June 2012. 

The initiative, managed by the Education Office at NASA's Johnson 
Space Center in Houston, provides future scientists and engineers an 
opportunity to design, build and fly an experiment aboard a 
microgravity aircraft. The aircraft is a modified jet that flies 
approximately 30 roller-coaster-like climbs and dips to simulate 
micro- and hyper-gravity. The overall experience includes scientific 
research, hands-on experimental design, test operations and public 
outreach activities. 

"This program leverages NASA's unique resources and allows students to 
determine what it takes to be a real world scientist or engineer," 
said Reduced Gravity Education Flight Program Manager Doug Goforth. 

NASA personnel also have indentified student opportunities related to 
ongoing systems engineering projects that are pertinent to future 
agency research and missions. Students interested in working on these 
projects are encouraged to apply for the Systems Engineering 
Educational Discovery (SEED) flight week opportunity. Proposals are 
due by Oct. 26, and selected teams will be announced Nov. 30. The 
SEED flight week will take place in April 2012. 

All applicants for these programs must be U.S. citizens. Full-time 
students must be at least 18 years old. Selected teams may invite an 
accredited journalist to fly with them to document the experience. 

For more information about the Reduced Gravity Education Flight 
Program, or the application process, or to submit a proposal, contact 
jsc-reducedgravity@xxxxxxxx or visit: 



http://microgravityuniversity.jsc.nasa.gov 


To view SEED flight week opportunities, visit: 










http://microgravityuniversity.jsc.nasa.gov/se/ 


For information about NASA's education programs, visit: 










http://www.nasa.gov/education 

	
-end-



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