WASHINGTON - NASA has announced opportunities to test emerging technologies during flights on an airplane that simulates the weightless conditions of space. The technologies should have potential use in future NASA projects, support future exploration systems, or improve air and space vehicle capabilities.

NASA's Facilitated Access to the Space Environment for Technology, or FAST, program helps emerging technologies mature through testing in a reduced gravity environment. In order to prepare technologies for space applications it is important to demonstrate that they work in a zero-gravity environment.

This unique testing environment is provided by an aircraft flying repeated parabolic, or bowl-shaped, flight paths that create brief periods of zero gravity. The aircraft also can simulate reduced gravity levels similar to those on the surface of the moon or Mars.

Testing opportunities are being offered to U.S. federal, state and local government entities. Private U.S. organizations, including commercial firms, non-profits and academic institutions also are eligible. Through a partnership agreement, NASA will provide free flight time for the tests, while project teams will be responsible for all other expenses.

Proposals are due by Monday, April 19, 2010. Technology demonstration flights will occur in September 2010 from Ellington Field in Houston. NASA expects to select approximately 15 to 20 projects for the test flights.

In September 2009, the FAST program provided reduced-gravity testing opportunities for 19 technology projects conducted by private businesses, government laboratories and universities. Information about those projects and teams is available on the FAST program Web site.

NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program at NASA Headquarters in Washington manages the FAST program. The Reduced Gravity Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston provides test management for the flights. NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland is providing technical and administrative assistance to the FAST program.

For more information about FAST including a link to the opportunity announcement, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/offices/ipp/innovation_incubator/FAST/index.html

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit: http://www.nasa.gov

Source: NASA

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Surfing the web it becomes apparent that outdoor gear is indeed, a very important part of what outdoor enthusiasts look for; it also becomes apparent that outdoor apparel has become fashionable. That's okay, as long as the main point of getting gear and equipment is not missed: You don't guy gear to look cool, but to be more comfortable and safe.

Of course, we are free to purchase whatever we want, and if you are not a pilot you are still entitled to get a flight jacket if that's what you like; what would be bad is to believe that you are actually a pilot just because you bought that jacket, and while this example might sound a little bit outlandish or extreme, such things do happen, for example, when someone interested in mountain climbing but with relatively low experience buys climbing gear and attempts to use it in ways that go well-beyond his or her skill level believing that using such stuff depends just on buying it.

In the case of some outdoor or extreme activities people know where the limit are; for example, regular pilots generally know and assume that they should not get into the cockpit of a plane designed for aerobatics without proper training. That is so because the whole learning system in aviation is constructed on the basis of getting licenses to use increasingly complex aeronautical equipment. You can buy a plane all right, but you will not be able to use it if you don't get first the proper license. Something similar happens in the case of nautical activities and a few others, but there are many fields in which, while it may be discouraged to act without proper training, it is actually very easy to do so: If you have a brand-new plane sitting on the tarmac at your local airport, it would be hard to attempt to fly it without a license because airports are generally filled with people - even small ones - and someone in a position of authority will probably stop you, but who will take a look at what climbers or hikers or kayaking enthusiasts do?

Don't forget that the single, most important piece of equipment that you have is your own intelligence; if you are getting started in something like mountain biking, kayaking, climbing, etc. it is fundamental that you don't try to do more than you are capable of. Getting new gear is great, but sometimes it could lead to a false sensation of security when experience is somewhat lacking.

Source: Pablo Edronkin, Andinia.com

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WASHINGTON - NASA is accepting applications from students at U.S. colleges and universities who want to send their experiments to the edge of space on a high-flying scientific balloon.

The annual NASA project provides near space access for 12 undergraduate and graduate student experiments to be carried by a NASA high-altitude research balloon. The flights typically last 15 to 20 hours and reach an altitude of 23 miles. Experiments may include compact satellites or prototypes.

The experiments are flown aboard the High Altitude Student Platform, or HASP, a balloon-born instrument stack launched from the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility's remote site in Fort Sumner, N.M. The goals of the project are to provide a space test platform to encourage student research and stimulate the development of student satellite payloads and other space-engineering products.

HASP seeks to enhance the technical skills and research abilities of students in critical science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines. The project is a joint effort between NASA and the Louisiana Space Grant Consortium.

NASA's HASP houses and provides power, mechanical support and communications for test articles and instruments. It can support approximately 200 pounds of student payloads. Since 2006, the HASP program has selected 44 payloads for flight, the work of more than 200 students from across the United States.

A question-and-answer teleconference for interested parties will be held Nov. 13 at 11 a.m. EST. The deadline for applications is Dec. 18. NASA is targeting fall 2010 for the next flight opportunity. NASA expects to make selections in January 2010. Teleconference dial in information, application materials and technical details are available in the Call for Proposals document at: http://laspace.lsu.edu/hasp

Information about NASA's scientific balloon program is available at: http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/code820

More information about NASA's education programs is available at: http://www.nasa.gov/education

Source: NASA

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