International Space Station NASA Education Project: Proposals Due February 20, 2013

Attention College and University Students!

Conduct research in space and make new discoveries! The adventure begins in 2013. The ISS NASA Education Projects Office is now accepting proposals from higher education institutions or consortia of organizations serving higher education that are interested in conducting research in space and have concepts for flight experiments or demonstrations that utilize a microgravity environment and can be conducted in a ‘1 unit’ (1U) NanoRacks NanoLab.

Proposal requirements:

· Must align with space station program research priorities in technology, biology, biotechnology, and physical sciences

· Must address innovative, meaningful, and enduring research and technology development activities with STEM –based context

White papers must be submitted on January 23, 2013 by 4 p.m. (CST). Full proposals must be submitted on February 20, 2013 by midnight (CST).

For more information, visit: http://tinyurl.com/9wnhgj9

About us: The ISS NASA Education Projects Office acts as a gateway to the space station for students, educators, and institutions of learning and helps to strengthen the connection between space station and STEM education.

Contact:
Janejit T. Gensler
NASA Johnson Space Center
2101 NASA Parkway
Houston, TX 77058
281.244.1024
Janejit.t.gensler@nasa.gov

National Student Solar Spectrograph Competition – Team Registration Awards Deadline September 30, 2012

National Student Solar Spectrograph Competition (NSSSC)

An Opportunity for Undergraduates to Participate in a Real World Research Experience

Ask yourself the following questions:

Register your team today for the National Student Solar Spectrograph Competition! Build awards available for teams registered before September 30, 2012~

• Are you looking for a real world design problem?
• Do you want to participate on an interdisciplinary team?
• Do you want experience with mechanical components, optics, electronics and software?
• Are you looking for an independent study or a capstone project?
• Do you want to travel to the ‘Big Sky’ state?
• Do you want a chance to win scholarship and travel prizes?

If you answered yes to these questions then this competition is for you! Get your team of 3 to 6 students together and register today.

The yearly National Student Solar Spectrograph Competition (NSSSC) is Montana Space Grant Consortium’s Education and Public Outreach (EP/O) Program for NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) mission. A Spectrograph is an instrument used to measure properties of light over a specific portion of the electromagnetic spectrum by separating the incoming light into its characteristic frequencies of wavelengths (spectrum). Spectrographs have a wide range of complexity from simple grating or prisms to the cutting edge IRIS spectrograph.

The NSSSC provides students from across the country the opportunity to work as part of an undergraduate interdisciplinary team to design, build and test a ground based solar spectrograph. Over the course of nine months, teams come up with their own science goals and then build an instrument to collect data in support of their goals. Teams then travel to Bozeman, MT to demonstrate their instruments and present their results in a competitive science fair environment. There are four judged categories: best build, best design, best science and best presentation. Each student on the winning teams receives a scholarship award of $3,000 and a travel award to a NASA launch.

College students interested in designing a spectrograph can now register for the 2012-2013 competition. Build awards of $2,000 per team are available for teams that register by Sept. 30.

Comments about the NSSSC:

“NASA is in a unique position to use scientific space missions like IRIS to foster student interest in science and engineering,” said Diane DeTroye, of NASA’s education office in Washington, D.C. “Giving students a chance to get hands-on experience often encourages them to pursue and continue STEM studies. This helps build an important pipeline of talent for future NASA missions.”

“The concept of having undergraduates design, build and test a scientific instrument is certainly unique as far as I know. This is a marvelous opportunity for young people to develop high level skills in instrument building. Using the instrument to answer science questions makes it even better. I commend and thank you for this wonderful experience. All of us will learn so much as we successfully complete this project. NSSSC provides participating students a better chance for admission to the graduate school of their choice. Also, they will receive better fellowships when they are accepted to graduate school. It will give some of them a direction for their career. I know of no other opportunity to engage in instrument design and application.” – Edmond Wilson, Faculty Advisor Harding University

“The opportunity to work on a real project has been a true motivation for our students who can feel isolated at a small school with no significant research going on.” – Jim Boger, Faculty Advisor Flat Head Valley Community College

The 2012-2013 Final Competition Dates are May 15-18, 2013 in Bozeman, MT. Any questions please contact Randy Larimer at rlarimer@ece.montana.edu or 406-994-6085

Registration and more information is available at http://www.spacegrant.montana.edu/iris/

Social Media Link: http://www.facebook.com/NASANS3

Student Travel Grants for Astrobiology – Deadlines April 1, October 1 Annually

Astrobiology Program Travel Awards

The Astrobiology Program Travel Awards Program offers research-related travel support for undergraduate, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Applicants are encouraged to use these resources to circulate among two or more laboratories supported by the NASA Astrobiology Program (ASTEP,ASTID, Exobiology and Evolutionary Biology or the NAI), however any travel that is critical for the applicant’s research will be considered.

Travelers must be formally affiliated with a U.S. institution. Requests are limited to $5,000, and are accepted with deadlines of April 1 and October 1.

How to Apply:

To be considered for an Astrobiology Program Travel Award, please submit the following material to Melissa Kirven-Brooks <Melissa.Kirven-Brooks at nasa.gov>

• the team(s) and researchers you plan to visit
• the approximate dates of travel
• a brief description of the research you plan to conduct at the hosting laboratory (include, for example, any technique you expect to learn, or equipment you will need to use) and how the collaboration is relevant to your research
• a budget describing what funds are required, and
• letters of recommendation from your faculty advisor and from the researcher(s) you plan to visit

Visit the program website for details: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/astrobiology-program-travel-awards

Student CubeSat Space mission Opportunity – Proposal Deadline November 12, 2012

NASA is seeking proposals for small satellite payloads to fly on rockets planned to launch between 2013 and 2016. These miniature spacecraft, known as CubeSats, could be auxiliary payloads on previously planned missions.

CubeSats are a class of research spacecraft called nanosatellites. These cube-shaped satellites are approximately four inches long, have a volume of about one quart and weigh less than three pounds.

Proposed CubeSat investigations must be consistent with NASA’s Strategic Plan and the NASA education vision and goals. The research must address aspects of science, exploration, technology development, education or operations.

Applicants must submit proposals electronically by 4:30 p.m. EST, Nov. 12, 2012. NASA will select the payloads by Jan. 31, 2013. Selection does not guarantee a launch opportunity. The selected spacecraft will be eligible for flight after final negotiations when a launch opportunity arises. NASA will not provide funding for the development of the small satellites.

NASA recently announced the results from the third round of the CubeSat Launch Initiative. From the first three launch initiatives, 64 payloads made the short list for launch opportunities between 2011 and 2014. They are eligible for launch pending an appropriate opportunity and final negotiations. The satellites come from 25 states: Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia.

For additional information about NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative program, visit http://go.nasa.gov/puk9K2 and http://go.nasa.gov/CubeSatOp.

Correction – Notice to Solicit SDT for NRO optical hardware

Notice of Intent to Solicit Science Definition Team for National Reconnaissance Office Optical Hardware via Dear Colleague Letter
NNH12ZDA012D
August 21, 2012

NOTE added August 21, 2012: This community announced is being reissued to (a) clarify the nature of the parallel coronagraph study, (b) correct the export-control driven eligibility requirement from U.S. citizens to U.S. persons, (c) announce a wider survey for potential uses of the telescope assets that will be undertaken later in 2012, and (d) correct some typographical errors (including what NRO stands for).

The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) has recently transferred to NASA optical hardware the equivalent of two Hubble-class optical telescopes. The description of these telescope assets can be found at http://science.nasa.gov/science-committee/subcommittees/nac-astrophysics-subcommittee/ (click on the presentation by Moore for the July 30-31 2012 meeting). This Notice of Intent is to alert the astrophysical community that the Astrophysics Division in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA HQ intends to release a “Dear Colleague” letter to solicit applications from interested individuals for the formation of a study group for the possible scientific use(s) of the ex-NRO telescope assets for advancing the science priorities of the 2010 Decadal Survey (New Worlds New Horizons; available at http://sites.nationalacademies.org/BPA/BPA_048094).

The “Dear Colleague” letter will be issued by NASA no earlier than August 31, 2012. Applications will be due approximately two weeks after the issuance of the “Dear Colleague” letter.

The Science Definition Team (SDT) will consist of 12-15 members of the astrophysics community with extensive scientific and/or technical background in the science areas outlined by the Decadal Survey. The primary tasks of the SDT will be to assess the possible use(s) of the telescope assets in the following two cases:

i.  Use of the telescope assets “as is” to advance the science priorities described in the 2010 Decadal Survey for a Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope; and

ii. Use of the telescope assets “as is,” plus a coronagraph to advance the science priorities described in the 2010 Decadal Survey for the detection and study of exoplanets.

Both studies will be conducted by the SDT selected as a response to the Dear Colleague letter. The findings of the SDT for both studies will be provided in a report to NASA no later than April 30, 2013. Please see the schedule below for the anticipated milestones.

Applicants from U.S.-based research and academic institutions, Government laboratories, and industry will be asked to submit to NASA a cover letter describing the reasons for their interest in the SDT and the capabilities and experiences that they bring to the SDT, a statement of commitment to perform the tasks assigned to the SDT within the allocated timeframe, and a one-page resume.

Only travel expenses to participate in face-to-face SDT meetings will be covered by NASA.

Only U.S. persons (for the purpose of ITAR, i.e., U.S. citizens and permanent residents see http://oiir.hq.nasa.gov/nasaecp/Webbrfg/tsld018.htm) are allowed to apply due to the export-controlled nature of the assets.

NASA reserves the right to cancel the issue of the “Dear Colleague Letter” at any time should programmatic and/or other reasons warrant it.

Tentative Schedule:
August 31, 2012                   Dear Colleague letter issued by NASA
September 19, 2012            Applications material due to NASA
October 5, 2012                    Selections announced
November 2012                    First SDT meeting
April 30, 2013                       SDT report due

In addition to the astrophysics study of a specific use of the ex-NRO telescope assets described above, the NASA Science Mission Directorate will lead a broad study to assess a range of potential uses of these telescope assets across the SMD portfolio, including Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics, and will include integration with HEOMD and Space Technology as active partners. Information about the broader study, and opportunities for the community to participate, will be forthcoming later in 2012.

NOI – Science Definition Team for National Reconnaissance Orbiter Optical Hardware

Notice of Intent to Solicit Science Definition Team for National Reconnaissance Orbiter Optical Hardware via Dear Colleague Letter
NNH12ZDA012D
August 20, 2012

The National Reconnaissance Observatory (NRO) has recently transferred to NASA optical hardware equivalent to two Hubble-class optical telescopes. The description of these telescope assets can be found at http://science.nasa.gov/science-committee/subcommittees/nac-astrophysics-subcommittee/ (click on the presentation by Moore for the July 30-31 2012 meeting). This Notice of Intent is to alert the astrophysical community that the Astrophysics Division in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA HQ intends to release a “Dear Colleague” letter to solicit applications from interested individuals for the formation of a study group for the possible scientific use(s) of the ex-NRO telescope assets for advancing the science priorities of the 2010 Decadal Survey (New Worlds New Horizons; available at http://sites.nationalacademies.org/BPA/BPA_048094).

The “Dear Colleague” letter will be issued by NASA no earlier than August 31, 2012. Applications will be due approximately two weeks after the issuance of the “Dear Colleague” letter.

The Science Definition Team (SDT) will consist of 12-15 members of the astrophysics community with extensive scientific and/or technical background in the science areas outlined by the Decadal Survey. The primary tasks of the SDT will be to assess the possible use(s) of the telescope assets in the following two cases:

i.  Use of the telescope assets “as is” to advance the science priorities described in the 2010 Decadal Survey for a Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope; and

ii. Use of the telescope assets “as is” plus a coronagraph defined in a parallel study to advance the science priorities described in the 2010 Decadal Survey for the detection and study of exoplanets.

The findings of the SDT will be provided in a report to NASA no later than April 30, 2013. Please see the schedule below for the anticipated milestones.

Applicants from U.S.-based research and academic institutions, Government laboratories, and industry will be asked to submit to NASA a cover letter describing the reasons for their interest in the SDT and the capabilities and experiences that they bring to the SDT, a statement of commitment to perform the tasks assigned to the SDT within the allocated timeframe, and a one-page resume.

Only travel expenses to participate in face-to-face SDT meetings will be covered by NASA.

Only U.S. citizens are allowed to apply due to the export-controlled nature of the assets.

NASA reserves the right to cancel the issue of the “Dear Colleague Letter” at any time should programmatic and/or other reasons warrant it.

Tentative Schedule:
August 31, 2012    Dear Colleague letter issued by NASA
September 19, 2012   Applications material due to NASA
October 5, 2012   Selections announced
November 2012   First SDT meeting
April 30, 2013   SDT report due

Questions that cannot wait for the issuance of the Dear Colleague Letter may be addressed to Dr. Rita Sambruna, Astrophysics Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, at rita.m.sambruna@nasa.gov or (202) 358-2166.

NASA Announcement of Flight Opportunities (AFO) for Payloads Maturing Crosscutting Technologies that Advance Multiple Future Space Missions to Flight Readiness Status

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Dryden Flight Research Center has released a solicitation entitled “NASA Announcement of Flight Opportunities (AFO) for Payloads Maturing Crosscutting Technologies that Advance Multiple Future Space Missions to Flight Readiness Status.” The current solicitation cycle, AFO #5, provides access to flights on parabolic flights, suborbital Reusable Launch Vehicles (sRLV), and high-altitude balloons.

Applications are due on or before 5:30 PM Eastern Time September 21, 2012, and selections will be announced in November 2012 (target).  The solicitation is available by opening the NASA Research Opportunities home page at http://nspires.nasaprs.com , selecting “Solicitations,” then selecting “Open Solicitations,” and, selecting “NOCT110 Announcement of Flight Opportunities.”  To go directly to the solicitation page on NSPIRES click here.

NASA’s Office of the Chief Technologist (OCT) seeks to mature towards flight readiness status crosscutting technologies that perform relevant environment testing and advance multiple future space missions.  To facilitate this goal, NASA is providing access to certain flight opportunities available to the Agency, on a no-exchange-of-funds basis, to entities that have technology payloads meeting specified criteria.  The payloads may be exposed to a near-zero or reduced gravity environment by flying on aircraft that provide parabolic flight trajectories and on sRLVs that are potentially capable of flying to altitudes above 100 km.  For flight tests that do not require microgravity, but do require the temperature, pressure and atmospheric conditions of high altitudes, balloon flights are available.  Refer to http://flightopportunities.nasa.gov/ platforms for specific information on vehicle and flight characteristics.

This call is open to all individuals and organizations, U.S. and non-U.S.  Such organizations may include educational institutions, industry, nonprofit organizations, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, NASA Centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), other Government agencies, and partnerships between such entities.

Science payloads will not be evaluated under this announcement.  Prospective responders with science payloads are encouraged to respond to open solicitations for science from the NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and Human Exploration and Operations Research Mission Directorate (HEOMD).

All applications must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES by an authorized organizational representative (AOR).  Potential applicants and proposing organizations are urged to access the electronic proposal system well in advance of the application due date to familiarize themselves with its structure and to enter the requested information.  Note that it may require several weeks for non-U.S. organizations to obtain the registrations needed to submit a proposal.

Comments and questions may be sent via e-mail to peer-review-afo@nasaprs.com.  Responses to inquiries will be answered by e-mail and may also be included in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document located on the NSPIRES page associated with the solicitation; anonymity of persons/institutions who submit questions will be preserved.

Visit us on the web: http://flightopportunities.nasa.gov
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/nasafo
Subscribe to our mailing list: https://lists.nasa.gov/mailman/listinfo/flightopportunities-news

NASA Seeks Proposals for Keck Telescope Access – Deadline Sept 13, 2012

NASA is soliciting proposals to use the Keck Telescopes for the 2013A observing semester (February 2013 – July 2013).

NASA intends the use of the Keck telescopes to be highly strategic in support of on-going space missions and/or high priority, long term science goals.  NASA Keck time is open to a wide range of disciplines including exoplanets and solar system topics, galactic, and extragalactic topics, cosmology and high energy astrophysics.

This semester and continuing into future semesters, there is limited time available for observations of targets based on public Kepler data or data obtained through the Kepler Guest Observer programs.  Proposals are also sought in the following discipline areas: (1) investigations in support of EXOPLANET EXPLORATION science goals and missions; (2) investigations of our own SOLAR SYSTEM; (3) investigations in support of COSMIC ORIGINS science goals and missions; (4) investigations in support of PHYSICS OF THE COSMOS science goals and missions; and (5) direct MISSION SUPPORT.

The proposal process is being handled by the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI) at Caltech and all proposals are due on 13 September 2012 at 4 pm PDT.  Please see the website http://nexsci.caltech.edu/missions/KeckSolicitation/index.shtml for further information and the proposal submission site.