NASA Television to Air FameLab Astrobiology Finals from Atlanta

Dwayne Brown

Headquarters, Washington     

202-358-1726

dwayne.c.brown@nasa.gov

 

Linda Billings

George Washington University, Washington

703-635-9799

libillin@gwu.edu

WASHINGTON -- Young scientists are competing to see who is the best communicator. NASA Television will air the FameLab Astrobiology final competition on Monday, April 16, from 7-9 p.m. EDT, live from the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center in Atlanta. Celebrity Nichelle Nichols, known for her portrayal of Lt. Uhura in the original "Star Trek" television series, will host the event.

The competition will be webcast at http://livestream.com/FameLabAstrobiology.

Sponsored by NASA's Astrobiology Program, the event is intended to encourage up-and-coming new scientists to hone their skills in communicating complex scientific concepts. Finalists have three minutes to explain a science topic of their choice to a public audience, using only props they can carry onstage. A panel of science and science communication experts will judge the competition.

Since January, more than 70 early-career astrobiologists have competed in FameLab preliminary competitions in Houston, Denver and Washington. FameLab Astrobiology is an offshoot of International FameLab. It is the first competition in North America. The winner in Atlanta will compete in the International FameLab final competition in the United Kingdom this summer.

For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling information, visit

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv.

For more information about NASA astrobiology activities, visit http://astrobiology.nasa.gov.

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NASA'S Braun Lectures On Innovation, Technology At APL Wednesday

David E. Steitz

Headquarters, Washington

 

Mike Buckley

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab, Laurel, Md.

WASHINGTON -- NASA Chief Technologist Bobby Braun will present a lecture titled "Investments in our Future: Exploring Space through Innovation and Technology" on Wednesday, May 25, at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Starting at 7:45 p.m. EDT, the lecture will be held in the Kossiakoff Center, located at 11100 Johns Hopkins Rd., in Laurel, Md.

Braun serves as the principal advisor and advocate on NASA matters concerning agency-wide technology policy and programs. He received a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering from Penn State in 1987, a Master of Science in astronautics from George Washington University in 1989, and a doctorate in aeronautics and astronautics from Stanford in 1996.

Braun recently was honored by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) with the Von Karman Lectureship in Astronautics. The award is given annually to someone who has performed notably and distinguished themselves technically in the field of astronautics. Braun was recognized for significantly advancing the understanding of the challenge of Mars entry, descent, and landing, and for the development of systems concepts and technologies enabling Martian exploration programs.

For more information about the lecture and sponsoring organizations, visit http://psu-jhu-braun.eventbrite.com.

For information about NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist, visit http://www.nasa.gov/oct.

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NASA Officials Speak At Space Station And Mars Conference

Stephanie Schierholz

Headquarters, Washington

                      

WASHINGTON -- NASA's Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier and other NASA officials are scheduled to speak April 6 and 7 at the International Space Station and Mars Conference. Gerstenmaier is scheduled to speak during a dinner that begins at 7 p.m. on April 6.

The conference will explore the links between research, operations and technology development aboard the space station, human spaceflight and exploration beyond low Earth orbit, with the ultimate goal of reaching Mars.

Explore Mars is hosting the conference April 6-7 at the Jack Morton Auditorium at George Washington University in Washington. Explore Mars is a non-profit group that promotes science and technology innovation and education related to Mars exploration.

"The International Space Station offers the only in-space platform to expand our knowledge of human health and survival in space and reduce the development and operational risk of the systems needed for future missions," said Sam Scimemi, deputy for the International Space Station Program at NASA Headquarters in Washington and a conference speaker.

The program's objective is for a wide variety of experts to discuss the opportunities and challenges of using the station to advance human and robotic exploration and the science of Mars.

"The space station will be a central part of our human spaceflight program for at least the next decade," said Chris Carberry, executive director of Explore Mars. "We hope we can show that by setting long-term goals for the space station and the space program, we will be able to magnify the short-term benefits here on Earth."

Other agency speakers include James Garvin, chief scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.; Dr. Richard S. Williams, chief health and medical officer at NASA Headquarters; and Bret Drake, architect for the Exploration Missions and Systems Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. John Grunsfeld, former NASA astronaut and current deputy director of the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore also will make remarks.

For registration and conference information, visit http://iss.exploremars.org.

For information about the International Space Station, visit http://www.nasa.gov/station.

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NASA Chief Technologist Braun Receives AIAA Von Karman Award

David E. Steitz

Headquarters, Washington

WASHINGTON -- The American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) honored NASA Chief Technologist Bobby Braun with the Von Karman Lectureship in Astronautics.

The award is given annually to someone who has performed notably and distinguished themselves technically in the field of astronautics. Braun was recognized for significantly advancing the understanding of the challenge of Mars entry, descent, and landing, and for the development of systems concepts and technologies enabling Martian exploration programs.

As part of the award, Braun delivered the speech "Mars Entry, Descent and Landing Technology Advancements" Thursday during the AIAA's 49th Aerospace Sciences Meeting in Orlando. The award honors Theodore von Karman, an early astronautics pioneer responsible for breakthroughs in understanding supersonic and hypersonic airflow characterization and the value of the swept wing design.

"I am honored to be recognized by the AIAA and to speak at this year's conference about the challenging work done by the scientists and engineers in NASA's entry, descent and landing technical community," Braun said. "My hope is that engineering students around the country will share in the excitement of planetary exploration, developing new technologies and advancing our nation's forays in space. By investing in space technology, NASA makes a difference in our lives every day."

Braun has more than 20 years experience performing design and analysis of planetary exploration systems as a member of the technical staff at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., and the Georgia Institute of Technology. His research has focused on systems' aspects of planetary exploration, where he contributed to the design, development, test and operation of several robotic spaceflight systems.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden named Braun chief technologist on Feb. 3, 2010. Braun serves as the principal advisor and advocate on matters concerning agency-wide technology policy and programs.

Braun received a B.S. in aerospace engineering from Penn State in 1987, M.S. in astronautics from George Washington University in 1989, and Ph.D. in aeronautics and astronautics from Stanford in 1996.

For Braun's complete biography, visit http://go.usa.gov/r8W.

For information about NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist, visit http://www.nasa.gov/oct.

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