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NASA Responds to Independent Review of Earth System Observatory

NASA shared a response Wednesday on an independent review board established to assess plans and goals for the next generation of Earth-observing satellites: NASA’s Earth System Observatory, a cutting edge suite of spacecraft that will forward understanding of our changing planet.

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NASA’s Earth System Observatory will help us better understand what our planet’s changes mean for humanity
Credits: NASA

NASA shared a response Wednesday on an independent review board established to assess plans and goals for the next generation of Earth-observing satellites: NASA’s Earth System Observatory, a cutting edge suite of spacecraft that will forward understanding of our changing planet.

The independent review board report examined the technical concepts developed so far for robustness as well as the ability to satisfy the mission’s essential requirements. The review helps ensure NASA adopts lessons learned from previous large, strategic science missions. This new set of Earth-focused missions are moving forward and NASA will incorporate recommendations from the board to ensure their success.

The board identified critical cross-cutting factors across the observatory’s organization and management, science priorities and integrated operations, technical approach, and schedule and cost. The review found that, in general, the current design is capable of achieving the basic science requirements set out by the Earth science decadal survey. The report also suggested specific technical and organizational recommendations to ensure success.

“We welcome the feedback and findings from the review board,” said Karen St. Germain, Earth Science Division director at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “These reviews help to identify any issues early in the process and ensure we’re keeping both mission-specific and cross-cutting elements in mind as we plan these critical missions. This feedback is invaluable.”

NASA’s response addresses the following thematic categories:

  • The board recognized the current design successfully addresses Earth sciences decadal survey science priorities. It recommends active collaboration with the National Academy of Sciences, through their Committee on Earth Sciences and Applications from Space, for any significant changes. NASA will engage consistently with this committee.
  • The board encouraged continuation of NASA’s approach of integrating of science goals with the needs of the application teams who will use the observations as well as data management teams to ensure easy access to data. NASA will continue emphasizing synergy across these areas and will designate a set of leadership roles to expand the current coordination.
  • The board recommended emphasizing collaboration with external partners. NASA will take steps to review center work assignments and to expand partnerships as appropriate.
  • The board noted that certain plans for the Earth System Observatory, in particular for the mass change measurement – a measurement of how one Earth system changing will affect another – had technical risks. NASA will develop plans to address these concerns, while also recognizing that adding redundant systems to reduce risk will also affect costs – and they will address this with the committee.
  • The report found a component of the observatory – the Atmosphere Observing System – exceeded the recommendations of the decadal survey and was likely to exceed associated recommended cost targets. NASA will implement changes to address this, as well as will assess alternative approaches for measurements, procurements, and management.

NASA uses independent reviews for early-stage strategic missions to put important and complex science missions on the path to success. This particular review has both assessed the agency’s Earth System Observatory design is on the right path and helped to highlight a few areas for special focus. 

 For more information about NASA’s Earth science programs, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/earth

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New York Students to Hear from NASA Astronaut Aboard Space Station

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WASHINGTON /PRNewswire/ — Students from Syracuse City School District and Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York, will have an opportunity this week to hear from alumna and NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps aboard the International Space Station.

The space to Earth call will stream live at 10 a.m. EDT April 18, on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website. Learn how to stream NASA TV through a variety of platforms including social media.

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission specialist Jeanette Epps is pictured training inside a Dragon mockup crew vehicle at the company’s headquarters in Hawthorne, California. Credit: SpaceX

Media interested in covering the event must RSVP no later than 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 17, to Amanda Hull from Syracuse City Schools at ahull@scsd.us, 973-975-9712, or Joe Della Pasta from Le Moyne College at dellapjb@lemoyne.edu, 315-445-4564.

In preparation for the event, Syracuse City School District highlighted Epps’ contributions to aerospace and the local community in a collaborative effort between their social studies and STEM classrooms. Epps is an alumnae of Syracuse City schools and Le Moyne College.

Le Moyne hosted an eclipse viewing event on April 8 with astronomy and science talks by faculty and local science clubs. On April 12, Grant Farrokh, a space station trajectory operations and planning officer at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and also a former Le Moyne student, gave a presentation to students. On April 18 student clubs and organizations at Le Moyne will participate in the streaming event, and the college career advising and development office will discuss career opportunities for students.

For more than 23 years, astronauts have continuously lived and worked aboard the space station, testing technologies, performing science, and developing the skills needed to explore farther from Earth. Astronauts living in space aboard the orbiting laboratory communicate with NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston 24 hours a day through SCaN (Space Communications and Navigation) Near Space Network.

Important research and technology investigations taking place aboard the International Space Station benefits people on Earth and lays the groundwork for other agency missions. As part of NASA’s Artemis campaign, the agency will send astronauts to the Moon to prepare for future human exploration of Mars. Inspiring the next generation of explorers – the Artemis Generation – ensures America will continue to lead in space exploration and discovery.

See videos and lesson plans highlighting research on the space station at:

https://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation

SOURCE NASA

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Thompson Thrift to Develop Luxury 276-Unit Multifamily Community in Florida’s Space Coast Community of Vero Beach

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VERO BEACH, Fla. /PRNewswire/ — Thompson Thrift, a full-service nationally recognized real estate company and one of the nation’s leading multifamily developers, announced today the development of Verity, a 276-unit Class A multifamily community in Vero Beach. The company intends to begin construction this month, with completion expected in summer 2026.

“Despite significant demand for housing options in the Vero Beach community, supply has not kept pace in recent years,” said Josh Purvis, managing partner for Thompson Thrift Residential. “We are pleased to be able to move forward with providing a highly desired rental living option that fits the community’s needs.”

Located off 37th Street on 11th Circle, Verity will span more than 18 acres and consist of three-story buildings offering one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes with up to nearly 1,400 square feet.

Apartment homes will feature many of the high-end finishes and amenities that Thompson Thrift communities have become known to include—hardwood-style flooring; full-size washers and dryers; stainless-steel appliances and built-in microwaves; smooth, glass-top ranges; side-by-side refrigerators with ice and water dispensers; detached garages; tile backsplashes, designer fixtures and finishes; large walk-in closets; private yard and patio options and ceiling fans in the living room and all bedrooms.

Residents can also choose from an array of signature collection amenities including walk-in showers with full tile and glass doors, premium lighting, smart hub to integrate all smart devices, premium appliances, and dry bar in select homes.

One tailormade community feature is a custom-angled clubhouse with a covered pavilion that connects to the 24-hour fitness center and will include a coffee bar, a 24-hour social hub, work from home suites and a resident conference room with screenshare and video conferencing technology. Other community amenities will include a resort-style swimming pool, electric firepits with seating area, community grilling areas, pickleball court, a dog run with agility equipment and pet spa. Residents will also have access to high-speed internet access, an Amazon package hub, valet trash service, an onsite service team and a user-friendly mobile app for rent payment, submitting service requests, community feed, and more.

Verity residents will be a short drive to nearby beaches and coastal attractions, as well as downtown Vero Beach and Treasure Coast Plaza, a popular dual-anchor shopping center.

Located within one of the top demographic pockets of the market, the site is surrounded by home values and income levels that exceed market averages, while Vero Beach itself continues to boast high population growth, along with impressive job growth figures, increasing by more than 6% since 2020.

Approximately 70% of Vero Beach’s workforce, highlighted by nearly 6,000 medical service jobs, is located within five miles of the Verity site. The property sits directly across the street from the area’s largest employer – the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital which is home to more than 1,500 jobs. Other major nearby employers include L3 Harris Technologies, a quickly growing aerospace manufacturing and research company, and the Indian River County school district, which supports more than 17,000 students across 27 schools.

Thompson Thrift is a full-service real estate development company focused on ground-up commercial and mixed-use development across the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest. The company continues to expand its footprint with eight new residential developments targeted for 2024, including new markets in Georgia, Utah and Idaho. Verity marks Thompson Thrift’s 16th multifamily community in Florida.

Since its founding nearly 40 years ago, Thompson Thrift has invested more than $5 billion into local communities and has become known as a trusted partner committed to developing high-quality, attractive commercial and multifamily communities.

About Thompson Thrift Real Estate Company
Thompson Thrift is an integrated full-service real estate company with offices in Indianapolis and Terre Haute, Indiana; Denver; Houston and Phoenix. Three business units drive Thompson Thrift’s success—Thompson Thrift Residential which is focused on upscale Class A multifamily communities and luxury leased homes, Thompson Thrift Commercial which is focused on ground-up commercial development, and Thompson Thrift Construction, a full-service construction company. Through these business units, Thompson Thrift is engaged in all aspects of development, construction, leasing, and management of quality commercial real estate projects across the country. The company earned national recognition as a winner of a 2024 Top Workplaces USA award, the latest accolade that reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to excellence in the community and workplace. For more information, please visit www.thompsonthrift.com

SOURCE Thompson Thrift

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Automotive

Nissan Dominates the Best Value New Cars List: A Closer Look at the Kicks, Frontier, and Sentra

Nissan dominates as Kicks, Frontier, and Sentra clinch spots on Cars.com® 2024 Best Value New Cars list, showcasing remarkable value and excellence.

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Image: Nissan Motors USA


In a resounding triumph, Nissan has once again emerged as a leader in the automotive industry by securing coveted spots on the highly esteemed Cars.com® 2024 Best Value New Cars list. This prestigious recognition serves as a testament to Nissan’s unwavering commitment to excellence and delivering exceptional value across their lineup. In this blog post, we will delve into the phenomenal achievements of the 2024 Nissan Kicks, Frontier, and Sentra, as well as the notable recognition received by the Versa SV.

@stmblog

🌟 Explore Nissan’s award-winning lineup! 🚗✨ #NissanExcellence https://stmdailynews.com/category/consumer-corner/automotive/

♬ original sound – STMDailyNews
  1. 2024 Nissan Kicks S: Best Value in Subcompact SUV Category
    The 2024 Nissan Kicks S has undoubtedly made its mark as the ultimate subcompact SUV that offers unbeatable value. With its stunning design, remarkable features, and impressive fuel efficiency, the Kicks S showcases a perfect blend of style and practicality. From city streets to off-road adventures, this versatile SUV is a true game-changer.
  2. 2024 Frontier King Cab S 4×2: Best Value in Midsize Pickup Segment
    Nissan’s commitment to excellence shines through with the 2024 Frontier King Cab S 4×2, which has claimed the prestigious title of Best Value in the Midsize Pickup segment. Boasting remarkable performance, durability, and an array of advanced safety features, the Frontier is built to effortlessly conquer any terrain. Whether it’s for work or play, this pickup truck exceeds expectations.
  3. 2024 Sentra S: A Standout Compact Car
    The 2024 Sentra S secures a well-deserved third place in the Compact Car category, further solidifying Nissan’s reputation for crafting outstanding vehicles. With its sleek design, cutting-edge technology, and exceptional fuel efficiency, the Sentra S offers a remarkable driving experience matched with an exceptional value proposition. Embrace the joy of every journey with this impressive compact car.
  4. Honorable Mention: 2024 Nissan Versa SV
    The 2024 Nissan Versa SV receives an honorable mention, highlighting its noteworthy features and outstanding value proposition. With its spacious cabin, advanced safety technologies, and remarkable fuel efficiency, the Versa SV proves to be a reliable companion for everyday adventures.


The recognition earned by the 2024 Nissan Kicks, Frontier, Sentra, and Versa SV on the Cars.com® 2024 Best Value New Cars list showcases Nissan’s dedication to delivering top-notch vehicles that offer exceptional value, unrivaled quality, and remarkable performance. As Nissan continues to push the boundaries of automotive innovation, car enthusiasts can confidently explore these award-winning models with the assurance of a remarkable driving experience. Embrace excellence and discover the best value with Nissan’s impressive lineup of vehicles!

“For further details regarding Nissan’s products, services and their dedication to sustainable mobility, please visit their website.” nissanusa.com. “Feel free to follow Nissan on their social media channels.” FacebookInstagramOpensX (Twitter) and LinkedIn and “Please take a look at all of our newest videos” on YouTube.

https://stmdailynews.com/category/consumer-corner/automotive/

About Nissan Motors

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. is a multinational car manufacturer based in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. The company sells vehicles under the Nissan, Infiniti, and formerly Datsun brands. Nissan also offers in-house performance tuning products (including cars) under the Nismo and Autech brands. The company’s roots date back to the early 20th century with the Nissan zaibatsu, which is now known as Nissan Group.

Nissan has been a member of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance since 1999, with Mitsubishi joining in 2016. This partnership is between Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors of Japan, along with Renault of France. As of November 2023, Renault has a 15% voting stake in Nissan, while Nissan holds the same stake in Renault. Additionally, Nissan acquired a 34% controlling stake in Mitsubishi Motors in October 2016.

Nissan ranked as the sixth largest car manufacturer globally in 2017, following Toyota, Volkswagen Group, Hyundai Motor Group, General Motors, and Ford. In the same year, Nissan held the title of the largest car maker in North America. With a revenue of $78 billion in 2022, Nissan secured the ninth spot among the world’s automobile makers and emerged as the leading Japanese brand in China, Russia, and Mexico. As of April 2018, Nissan became the largest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer worldwide, with over 320,000 all-electric vehicles sold. The Nissan LEAF, the car-maker’s top-selling electric model, claimed the second position in global electric car sales, just behind the Tesla Model 3.

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