NASA Lunar Science Institute opens (Forwarded)
- From: Andrew Yee <ayee@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:51:49 -0400
Michael Mewhinney
Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. April 11, 2008
650-604-3937
RELEASE: 08- 30AR
NASA LUNAR SCIENCE INSTITUTE OPENS TODAY
MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- Thirty-eight years ago, NASA launched the
Apollo 13 mission to the moon. Today, NASA launches the new Lunar
Science Institute to lead the agency's research activities for future
missions to the moon related to NASA's exploration goals.
Managed by NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., the
NASA Lunar Science Institute is modeled after the successful NASA
Astrobiology Institute, also managed by Ames, and features teams of
scientists across the country collaborating in lunar science and
future lunar exploration.
"This is an exciting day for NASA as we unveil our new Lunar Science
Institute," said Ames Research Center Director S. Pete Worden. "This
dynamic virtual institute is now the center for lunar science, not
only for the United States, but also for the world and will bring
together some of the best and brightest scientists to help lead
NASA's future missions to the moon."
The new institute is supported by the NASA Science Mission
Directorate and the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA
Headquarters and will be funded by the Lunar Science Project.
Initially, NASA will select four or five research teams for grants of
$1 million to $2 million each for four year terms. By the end of this
year, NASA officials say as many as 50 scientists could be working in
collaboration with the new institute.
"In addition to basic lunar science, these new research teams will be
conducting investigations in biology, astronomy, solar and Earth
science that could be performed on the moon," said David Morrison,
interim director of the NASA Lunar Science Institute. "Teams will
focus on one or more aspects of lunar science, including
investigations of the moon, from the moon and on the moon."
For the investigations of the moon, scientists will study the nature
and history of the moon, including research on lunar samples, to
learn about the moon and gain insights into the evolution of the
solar system.
Research teams focused on science to be conducted on the moon will
study the lunar environment of terrestrial life and the equipment
needed to support lunar habitats.
Scientists conducting investigations from the moon will learn how to
use the moon as a platform for performing scientific investigations.
They will also consider how observations of the Earth and other
celestial phenomena can be accomplished from the lunar surface.
A national search for a director of the new institute is underway.
Since it will be a virtual institute, most of the research will be
conducted elsewhere, including other NASA centers, universities and
non-profit research groups, throughout the nation and around the
world.
For information about the NASA Lunar Science Institute, visit:
http://lunarscience.arc.nasa.gov/
For more information about NASA programs, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov
.
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