Environmental research from the skies
Students to have the opportunity to participate in NSERC flying laboratory in summer-long program.
Derek Scott
Issue date: 12/9/08 Section: News
Starting in July of 2009, and going into August, the National Suborbital Education and Research Center (NSERC), a joint venture by NASA and UND, will be attempting to get a whole new generation of scientists ready for the future.
The summer-long program will offer a chance for students to work on NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory, and conduct research measurements.
Alexandra Novak, the education and outreach coordinator for NSERC spoke about the goals of the project.
"NASA's airborne science program is funding the endeavor, and we are launching on behalf of them. They realized there is a whole generation of NASA scientists getting ready to retire in the next 2-5 years. Because they haven't paid attention to education, they don't have the resources to fill those leaving."
In terms of the project, Novak explained, "We are going to take about 25-30 students, put them on the DC-8, take some measurements, and do a little bit of everything - some atmospheric, land and ocean measurements. We are trying to make it a little bit of everything. As my boss Rick Shetter would say, 'We're casting a really wide net' to get as many students as possible."
Students chosen for the project will do their research from the aircraft's home base in Palmdale, California, near Edwards Air Force Base where Lockheed Martin operates the famed Skunk Works program.
Novak added that several faculty members from other universities around the country will also be participating in the program. Staff members from UND, including Adam Webster, configuration manager for NSERC's DC-8 who will demonstrate the integration of the research instruments in the aircraft.
As a flying space lab, safety is a very important aspect. "There is a fine line between the aircraft safety and integrity of the airplane," said Novak. Before the airplane is deemed flight worthy with the instruments aboard, it must undergo rigorous flight testing where pilots take the airplane to the extremes of its flight capabilities.
The summer-long program will offer a chance for students to work on NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory, and conduct research measurements.
Alexandra Novak, the education and outreach coordinator for NSERC spoke about the goals of the project.
"NASA's airborne science program is funding the endeavor, and we are launching on behalf of them. They realized there is a whole generation of NASA scientists getting ready to retire in the next 2-5 years. Because they haven't paid attention to education, they don't have the resources to fill those leaving."
In terms of the project, Novak explained, "We are going to take about 25-30 students, put them on the DC-8, take some measurements, and do a little bit of everything - some atmospheric, land and ocean measurements. We are trying to make it a little bit of everything. As my boss Rick Shetter would say, 'We're casting a really wide net' to get as many students as possible."
Students chosen for the project will do their research from the aircraft's home base in Palmdale, California, near Edwards Air Force Base where Lockheed Martin operates the famed Skunk Works program.
Novak added that several faculty members from other universities around the country will also be participating in the program. Staff members from UND, including Adam Webster, configuration manager for NSERC's DC-8 who will demonstrate the integration of the research instruments in the aircraft.
As a flying space lab, safety is a very important aspect. "There is a fine line between the aircraft safety and integrity of the airplane," said Novak. Before the airplane is deemed flight worthy with the instruments aboard, it must undergo rigorous flight testing where pilots take the airplane to the extremes of its flight capabilities.
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