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NASA Marshall Center Director to Retire After 38 Years of Service

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Jody Singer, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center Director, announced Monday her retirement, effective Saturday, July 29, after more than 38 years of service.
Credits: NASA

Jody Singer, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center Director, announced Monday her retirement, effective Saturday, July 29, after more than 38 years of service. Among many firsts in her career, Singer was appointed as the first female center director at Marshall in 2018, after serving as deputy director from 2016 to 2018.

Marshall’s current deputy center director, Joseph Pelfrey, will serve as the interim acting director until Singer’s successor is identified through a nationwide search and open competition.

“I wish Jody well during her retirement. And I know individuals at the beginning of their career at NASA – and members of the Artemis Generation who dream of working here – will be inspired by Jody’s service, knowing their contributions can help return NASA astronauts to the Moon and prepare us for crewed missions to Mars,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “And Joseph Pelfrey is no stranger to Marshall, having joined the center two decades ago as an aerospace engineer. Today, he helps guide Marshall’s broad portfolio of human spaceflight, science, and technology development, which supports missions across NASA. We are confident Joseph is prepared to guide Marshall through this transition.”

As center director, Singer managed one of NASA’s largest field installations, with nearly 7,000 on- and near-site civil service and contractor employees with an annual budget of approximately $5 billion.

Under Singer’s leadership, NASA Marshall, known for its prominence in large space transportation systems, has expanded its portfolio to include human lunar landing and cargo systems, space habitation and transit systems, advanced propulsion, additive manufacturing, science payload operations, Mars ascent spacecraft and cutting-edge science and technology missions through innovative partnerships with other NASA centers, industry, government agencies and academia. The Marshall team was critical to the successes of NASA’s Webb Space Telescope, the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer mission, the DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission, and SLS (Space Launch System), the agency’s powerful heavy-lift rocket.

Singer joined NASA in 1985 though the professional intern program. She joined the Space Shuttle Program Office in 1986 as an engineer in the Space Shuttle Main Engine Office and was involved with Return to Flight activities after the space shuttle Challenger accident. She was the first female project manager for the Reusable Solid Rocket Booster Project from 2002 to 2007 and led the team during the shuttle Columbia Return to Flight activities. Starting in 2008 until the shuttle’s successful retirement in 2011, she was deputy manager in the Space Shuttle Propulsion Office. Cumulatively, Jody was part of 110 space shuttle launches.

Serving in roles of increasing responsibility, Singer held deputy positions for three concurrent programs, the space shuttle, Ares, and the start-up of SLS. As deputy for the Space Shuttle Propulsion Office, she guided successful fly-out and retirement of the shuttle and the transition of workforce and assets to the Ares Project Office and SLS Program. As the deputy program manager of SLS at Marshall, she helped oversee almost 3,000 civil servants and contractors involved in the developing, testing, and certification of the rocket. From 2013 to 2016, Singer was manager of the Flight Programs and Partnerships Office at Marshall, where she held primary responsibility for the center’s work with human advanced exploration projects, science flight mission programs, technology demonstration missions, commercial crew and International Space Station life support systems, research facilities, and payload mission operations.

Singer has twice been a NASA Fellow, at Pennsylvania State College and Simmons College Graduate School of Management. She is a recipient of numerous prestigious NASA awards, including the Space Flight Awareness Leadership Award, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the Silver Snoopy, and NASA Outstanding Leadership medals. She also is a recipient of two Senior Executive Service Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive Awards. Her external recognitions include Rotary Stellar National Award for Space Achievement; Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame; Distinguished Fellow by the University of Alabama College of Engineering; Gardner Award; AIAA Associate Fellow; 2022 Alabama Engineer of the Year; and the AIAA Herman Oberth Award.

For more information about NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/marshall

Space and Tech

Discover the Cosmos with Space Voyage Ventures: Space Tourism, Exploration, and Future Endeavors

Embark on a cosmic adventure with Space Voyage Ventures: Your ultimate resource for space tourism, exploration, and future missions.

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Space Voyage Ventures is a newly launched website dedicated to space tourism and the advancements in space travel. It offers a comprehensive resource for individuals with an interest in astronautics and cosmic exploration. The website is divided into several sections that cover a range of topics related to space exploration.

Space Voyage Ventures - Journey into the Cosmos

The Space Travel Destinations section takes users on a virtual journey through the cosmos. It provides detailed information about various planets, remote areas of space, and ongoing missions. The Mars Projects category focuses on the Red Planet, while the Lunar Missions section explores Earth’s closest celestial neighbor. The Galactic Exploration part of the website looks at distant galaxies and cosmic phenomena, while the Current Achievements and Future Aspirations segment provides a timeline of major milestones and upcoming ventures in space exploration. The section on Space Tourism Visa Requirements breaks down the logistical aspects of space travel, including health and fitness standards and training prerequisites.

The Space Experience Guides section offers valuable insights into the preparation and experience of space travel. It covers topics such as pre-mission preparation, astronaut training, the effects of space on the body, health screenings, and life in zero gravity. The section also speculates on future expectations for space missions.

The Commercial Lunar Tourism section focuses on the groundbreaking projects currently in progress. It provides an overview of major commercial lunar tourism initiatives, including Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, SpaceX, and the DearMoon Project. Each subsection details the goals, progress, and vision of these projects.

The Upcoming Missions section keeps users informed about forthcoming space endeavors. It features information on NASA’s Artemis Program, the European Space Agency’s Lunar Pathfinder, China’s Chang’e Lunar Exploration Program, SpaceX’s Mars exploration plans, and Blue Origin’s Orbital Reef. The section provides updates on mission objectives, technology, and timelines.

The Explore Spacecrafts section offers an in-depth look at the spacecraft that propel astronauts into space. It showcases the design, engineering, and revolutionary technologies behind these crafts. Users can explore interactive 3D models and take virtual tours of the interiors of various spacecraft.

The Space Gear section unravels the intricacies of the equipment essential for space travel. It focuses on astronaut suits and the high-tech tools used during missions. Users can learn about the design, advanced technology, and safety protocols associated with astronaut suits. The section also explores the range of tools and devices used by astronauts during their missions.

Space Voyage Ventures aims to educate and inspire users, fostering a new generation of space enthusiasts and potential explorers. The website covers a wide range of topics related to space travel, making the vastness of space feel a little closer to home. It offers a front-row seat to the unfolding story of humanity’s journey among the stars.

Source: Ciaran Connolly, Space Voyage Ventures Founder

https://www.einpresswire.com/article/695017139/space-tourism-website-space-voyagers-launches

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Science

NASA’s Earth Science Mission: Deciphering Climate Change

NASA’s Earth Science Missions: Exploring greenhouse gases and climate change to advance our understanding of our changing planet.

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On May 7, 2024, NASA announced the selection of four proposals for concept studies of missions to benefit humanity through the study of Earth science. Most of what we know about Earth has been gathered through NASA’s 60 years of observations from space, such as this image of our home planet as shown as a mosaic of data from MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer).
Credits: NASA

NASA has recently chosen four proposals for concept studies of missions to help advance our understanding of key areas in Earth science. These missions will focus on topics such as greenhouse gases, the ozone layer, ocean surface currents, and changes in ice and glaciers around the world.

The selection of these proposals is part of NASA’s Earth System Explorers Program, which conducts space science missions based on recommendations from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The program aims to enable high-quality Earth system science investigations focused on previously identified targets. In this case, NASA is prioritizing the study of greenhouse gases.

Nicky Fox, associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, emphasizes the importance of these proposals in the face of our changing climate. As we continue to confront the challenges posed by climate change, the need for data and scientific research becomes even more crucial. These proposals will help us better prepare for the present and future challenges we face.

The first step in the selection process involves each of the chosen proposals receiving $5 million for a one-year mission concept study. After this study period, NASA will select two proposals to move forward with, expecting to launch these missions in 2030 and 2032. The total cost for each selected investigation is capped at $310 million, not including the rocket and access to space, which will be provided by NASA.

NASA has been at the forefront of Earth observations for over 60 years, and most of our current knowledge about our changing planet comes from these observations. With over two dozen Earth-observing satellites and instruments currently in orbit, the missions ultimately chosen from these proposals will contribute to this vast Earth observatory. Together, these missions provide complementary information on Earth’s oceans, land, ice, and atmosphere.

Let’s take a closer look at the four proposals selected for concept studies:

  1. The Stratosphere Troposphere Response using Infrared Vertically-Resolved Light Explorer (STRIVE):
    Led by Lyatt Jaegle at the University of Washington in Seattle, this mission aims to provide high-resolution measurements of temperature, atmospheric elements, and aerosol properties from the upper troposphere to the mesosphere. It also seeks to measure ozone and trace gases to monitor and understand the recovery of the ozone layer.
  2. The Ocean Dynamics and Surface Exchange with the Atmosphere (ODYSEA):
    Led by Sarah Gille at the University of California in San Diego, this satellite mission aims to measure ocean surface currents and winds simultaneously. By improving our understanding of air-sea interactions and surface current processes, ODYSEA will contribute to our knowledge of weather, climate, marine ecosystems, and human well-being.
  3. Earth Dynamics Geodetic Explorer (EDGE):
    Led by Helen Amanda Fricker at the University of California in San Diego, this mission focuses on observing the three-dimensional structure of terrestrial ecosystems and the surface topography of changing glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice in response to climate change and human activity. EDGE aims to continue the measurements currently taken by ICESat-2 and GEDI.
  4. The Carbon Investigation (Carbon-I):
    Led by Christian Frankenberg at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, this investigation seeks to measure greenhouse gases and potentially quantify ethane simultaneously. By providing unprecedented spatial resolution and global coverage, Carbon-I will contribute to our understanding of the carbon cycle and the global methane budget.

These selected proposals represent NASA’s commitment to advancing our understanding of Earth’s changing climate. With these missions, NASA continues to play a crucial role in providing the data and scientific research needed to tackle the challenges we face today and in the future.

For more information about the Earth System Explorers Program, visit:

https://explorers.larc.nasa.gov/2023ESE

https://stmdailynews.com/category/science

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Daily News

Presidential Medal of Freedom Awarded to NASA’s Esteemed Experts

President Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to NASA’s Dr. Ellen Ochoa and Dr. Jane Rigby, celebrating their stellar contributions to space exploration. #NASA #PresidentialMedalOfFreedom

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Medals of Freedom are displayed Thursday, July 7, 2022, before a ceremony at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Cameron Smith)

The White House was abuzz with excitement as President Joe Biden bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom upon two distinguished individuals from NASA. Dr. Ellen Ochoa, former center director and astronaut at Johnson Space Center, and Dr. Jane Rigby, senior project scientist for the James Webb Space Telescope, were set to receive this esteemed recognition for their remarkable achievements and contributions to the field of space exploration.

Praise for Ochoa and Rigby:

In his speech, President Biden acknowledged Dr. Ochoa’s impressive career, emphasizing her groundbreaking role as the first Hispanic woman in space. He lauded her years of service to NASA, including her dedication as an astronaut and her invaluable contributions as a center director and director of Flight Crew Operations at Johnson Space Center. Likewise, he commended Dr. Rigby for her pivotal work on the James Webb Space Telescope, a revolutionary observatory that has made profound discoveries about our vast universe.

Administrator Bill Nelson also expressed his pride in Ochoa and Rigby, recognizing their invaluable roles in inspiring future generations of scientists and space explorers, and further establishing NASA’s legacy of excellence.

Dr. Ellen Ochoa:

Portrait of retired NASA Johnson Space Center Director Ellen Ochoa seated in the Flight Control Room 1 viewing area in the Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center in Houston, Texas. Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Stafford and Allison Bills

Dr. Ochoa, hailing from California with a doctorate in Electrical Engineering, dedicated over three decades to NASA, assuming various notable positions. From being the director of Flight Crew Operations to becoming the second female director of Johnson Space Center, Dr. Ochoa’s contributions were undeniably impactful. Her impressive resume boasts four spaceflights as a veteran astronaut, including her notable mission aboard the space shuttle Discovery during STS-56 in 1993.

Dr. Jane Rigby:

NASA James Webb Space Telescope Operations Project Scientist Jane Rigby answers a question from a member of the media during a briefing following the release of the first full-color images from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Dr. Rigby, originally from Delaware, played a pivotal role as an astrophysicist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. She significantly contributed to the success of the James Webb Space Telescope, an ambitious project that has rewritten our understanding of the cosmos. Dr. Rigby’s dedication extended beyond her scientific endeavors, as she has actively championed diversity and inclusion within the scientific community.

The Emotional Ceremony:

Amidst heartfelt speeches, President Biden presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom to both Ochoa and Rigby. The two awardees were visibly moved, expressing their gratitude for the recognition of their hard work and dedication to both NASA and the nation.

Dr. Ochoa conveyed her surprise and honor while expressing appreciation for her NASA colleagues and the seven schools named after her, considering it one of her greatest achievements.

Dr. Rigby, in her emotional acceptance speech, acknowledged the outstanding collaboration and teamwork that made the James Webb Space Telescope a resounding success. She gratefully mentioned her family, colleagues, and the president of the American Astronomical Society, symbolizing the collective efforts of many.

The James Webb Space Telescope:

The James Webb Space Telescope, launched on December 25th, 2021, has already made substantial discoveries within its initial two years of operation. With its extraordinary capabilities, this awe-inspiring telescope is expected to continue unraveling the mysteries of the universe for years to come.

As President Biden concluded the ceremony, he once again congratulated Dr. Ochoa and Dr. Rigby, expressing his immense pride in their remarkable achievements. Leaving the White House with heads held high, Ochoa, Rigby, and the other 17 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom left an indelible mark on science and space exploration, forever to be remembered and celebrated.

Learn more about NASA’s missions at: https://www.nasa.gov

https://stmdailynews.com/category/science

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