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NASA Reauthorization Passes, Astronauts to Return to the Moon

September 27, 2008 5:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Kathryn A. Wolfe, CQ Staff

The House cleared a NASA reauthorization Saturday by voice vote, just one month shy of its 50th anniversary. .

The measure would reauthorize the space agency for one year at an authorized funding level of $20.2 billion. The bill embraces the agency's plan to send astronauts back to the moon in preparation for future missions to Mars and would designate $1 billion for accelerate development of a spacecraft to replace the current shuttle fleet.

Tags: astronauts, Kathryn A. Wolfe, NASA, reauthorization

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NASA Looking for a Few Good....Astronauts

July 30, 2008 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Mark Stencel, Governing.com

If you ever dreamed of a career hauling freight into orbit or perhaps to the Moon, hopefully you got your resume to NASA earlier this month. That was the deadline to apply for 10 to 15 new astronaut slots. The agency's human resources staff estimates at least 3,000 people have asked to be considered.

The job requirements for space work are as steep as an orbital ascent. The agency is looking for U.S. citizens with engineering or science backgrounds to join the ranks of its 92 active astronauts. "Extensive experience flying high-performance jet aircraft" is a plus, one job posting said, although teachers with the right educational credentials also were welcome to apply. But be warned: "Frequent travel may be required."

Tags: astronauts, Governing.com, Mark Stencel, NASA

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NASA Helps Fight California Wildfires

July 16, 2008 3:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(NASA photo)

Aerial sensing drones designed by NASA for research on global warming and general Earth science turn out to be great volunteer firefighters. As the San Jose Mercury News reports, the drones, equipped with infrared sensors, are able to identify trouble spots that firefighters don't know about, allowing them to successfully adjust their strategy in combating the blazes.

Web pick posted by Neil Savage, Xconomy.com

Tags: firefighters, NASA, San Jose Mercury News

NASA Maps Offshore Wind Energy

July 11, 2008 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Red and white colors indicate high wind energy is available while blue color reflects lower energy (credit: NASA Jet Propulsion Lab).
CNET News reports that 10 years of satellite data led to a map showing the sites where wind is steady and strong for most of the year.

Web pick posted by Neil Savage, Xconomy.com

Tags: Jet Propulsion Lab, NASA, wind

Senate's NASA Bill Would Delay Shuttles' Retirement If Missions Remain

June 23, 2008 8:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Kathryn A. Wolfe, CQ Staff

The Senate will begin on Tuesday to move its version of a NASA reauthorization, which is expected to be similar to one the House passed last week.

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will mark up a draft NASA reauthorization bill that aides said will reauthorize the space agency at $20.2 billion in fiscal 2009, echoing the scope and length of the House bill (HR 6063).

Tags: Kathryn A. Wolfe, NASA, shuttle

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