fbpx
Connect with us

News

Voyager Space Announces George Washington Carver Science Park Terrestrial Lab to be Located at The Ohio State University

Voyager Space has selected to locate the terrestrial analog of the George Washington Carver Science Park at Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio.

Published

on

“Team Ohio” comprised of The Ohio State University, the State of Ohio, JobsOhio, and One Columbus Selected to Develop Facility to Support World’s First-Ever Science Park Devoted to Space

PARIS /PRNewswire/ — Voyager Space (Voyager), today announced it has selected a proposal from The Ohio State University, the State of Ohio, JobsOhio, and One Columbus (“Team Ohio”) to locate the terrestrial analog of the George Washington Carver Science Park (GWCSP) at Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio.

The GWCSP, established by Voyager and its operating company Nanoracks, is expected to be a core element of Starlab, the companies’ proposed commercial space station. In December 2021, Voyager and Nanoracks won a $160 million award from NASA to design Starlab as part of NASA’s Commercial Destination Free Flyers (CDFF) effort. The GWCSP is the world’s first-ever science park in space, operating today on the International Space Station (“ISS”). The GWCSP leverages a successful terrestrial business model where scientists and industry experts share findings, collaborate, and use new technologies to advance both scientific and commercial endeavors.

Together, Team Ohio and Voyager agreed to a two-phase program to realize the development of the GWCSP terrestrial lab. The project is still pending review and approval of incentives from JobsOhio and the Ohio Department of Development. The effort will begin this year with a facility at Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. Next year, the organizations plan to break ground on a stand-alone facility on the Ohio State Aerospace and Air Transportation Campus, home to The Ohio State University Airport (KOSU), Ohio State’s Aerospace Research Center, Knowlton Executive Flight Terminal and Education Center, and a range of corporate, government, and private aviation and aerospace activities. 

“Ohio is the birthplace of aviation and has a deep-rooted history in aerospace and defense innovation,” said Dylan Taylor, Chairman and CEO of Voyager Space. “It’s clear that Ohio offers the most beneficial location for a terrestrial facility to support the long-term success and utilization of George Washington Carver Science Park. Company researchers, operators, visionaries, and space change makers in Ohio will have the ability to influence and inspire organizations pursuing aerospace research and development and we are thrilled to be partnering with Team Ohio on this exciting project.”

Ohio’s colleges and universities collectively graduate more than 13,000 engineers and engineering technicians each year. The state is home to more than 110,000 public and private aerospace and aviation professionals, as well as the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Battelle, the NASA Glenn Research Center, the NASA Armstrong Test Facility and the Ohio Unmanned Aircraft Systems Center, which is pioneering innovative technologies to allow drones to fly safely beyond the visual line of sight.

“The George Washington Carver Science Park is a wonderful example of the powerful synergies that Ohio offers to commercial space ventures,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “This landmark partnership at the intersection of aerospace and agriculture is extraordinary. Together, we will accelerate transformational aerospace technologies as Ohio continues to lead this nation into the Aerospace Age of the 21st Century.”

The proposed site of the temporary GWCSP is located within the existing laboratory, classroom, office, and meeting space at the Agricultural Engineering Building on the Ohio State campus. In addition to research, teaching, and service operations, this facility is also home to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (“ARS”) (ars.usda.gov). NASA and USDA have more than 120 joint space agricultural research activities in progress currently.

“By collaborating with Team Ohio, Voyager Space is launching one of the most creative public-private partnerships in one of the most sought-after space destinations on this planet,” said Dr. John Horack, inaugural holder of the Neil Armstrong Chair in Aerospace Policy in the College of Engineering and John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University. “We know this initial collaborative investment will transform into a broader commercial space research magnet that serves as the primary North American site for the George Washington Carver Science Park.”

“In my conversations with the Voyager and Nanoracks team, I assured them that Ohio was 100 percent committed to being a leading innovator in aviation and aerospace,” said Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Director of InnovateOhio. “This partnership between Nanoracks, Voyager and Ohio State represents a significant step toward leading this nation into on-orbit, human commercial space operations, and the people of Ohio will be playing an important role in the future.”

“The decision to establish the George Washington Carver Science Park at The Ohio State University provides Voyager/Nanoracks direct access to some of the world’s leading research,” said J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio president and CEO. “This commercial space laboratory will be the most advanced of its kind on Earth, bolstered in Ohio by 100,000 university researchers, faculty, staff and students, as well as partnerships between public, private and academic resources that will fuel the innovations that make sustained life in space possible.”

The research conducted at the GWCSP terrestrial lab will aim to generate positive social, economic, educational, and quality-of-life outcomes for a broad range of constituents, in particular, the Ohio agriculture community. Some of these benefits include research to preserve Ohio’s water quality, provide better crop production and improve plant and animal genetics for Ohio’s agricultural community.

“We have only just begun to scratch the surface of the possibilities and opportunities that await us in the ‘final frontier,’ and our ability to maximize future exploration hinges on collaboration between scientists and industry experts,” says President of The Ohio State University, Kristina M. Johnson. “Locating the terrestrial lab of the George Washington Carver Science Park on Ohio State’s campus will be the best possible way to facilitate this joint effort and ensure we are sharing resources, research and knowledge across multiple disciplines.”

The GWCSP terrestrial lab is set to include high-bay laboratory space, suitable for scientific research experiments that span the entire range of Starlab activities, procedure development, testing, prototyping, and other activities essential on the path to spaceflight research.

The George Washington Carver Science Park honors the legacy of the famed American agricultural scientist and inventor who developed hundreds of food products and practical, sustainable farming methods. The George Washington Carver Science Park is the first space-dedicated member of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP), a catalyst for global participation in the space research ecosystem. Additionally, Ohio-based Zin Technologies (ZIN) and the Universities Space Research Association (USRA), a Washington D.C.-based company with a long-standing presence in Ohio, are part of the founding GWCSP leadership team. ZIN is advising on the overall GWCSP in-space lab design and will develop key hardware as needed. USRA will direct and manage the science park, prioritize and schedule research, and oversee scientific lab operations.

About Voyager Space

Voyager Space is a space technology company dedicated to building a better future for humanity in space and on Earth. With nearly 20 years of spaceflight heritage and over 1500 successful missions as of August 2022, Voyager delivers space station infrastructure and services and technology solutions to commercial users, civil and national security government agencies, academic and research institutions, and more, with the goal to accelerate a sustainable space economy.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” All statements, other than statements of historical fact, including those with respect to Voyager Space, Inc.’s (the “Company’s”) mission statement and growth strategy, are “forward-looking statements.”  Although the Company’s management believes that such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee that such expectations are, or will be, correct. These forward-looking statements involve many risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company’s future results to differ materially from those anticipated.  Potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, general economic conditions and conditions affecting the industries in which the Company operates; the uncertainty of regulatory requirements and approvals; and the ability to obtain necessary financing on acceptable terms or at all. Readers should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve these known and unknown uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Company’s control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects the Company’s current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

SOURCE Voyager Space


astronomy

The Great Solar Eclipse of 2024: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Celestial Spectacle

The 2024 total solar eclipse: a rare event uniting millions, set to create unforgettable memories for generations.

Published

on

In just 75 days, North America will bear witness to a rare and awe-inspiring event—the total solar eclipse. This celestial phenomenon will cast parts of 15 U.S. states, alongside sections of Mexico and Canada, into an extraordinary darkness during the day. This upcoming eclipse brings to mind the monumental solar eclipse of January 24, 1925, which left an indelible mark on the U.S. Northeast, particularly in New York City.

Back in 1925, the eclipse divided the city, creating a unique dichotomy between those who experienced totality and those who witnessed only a partial eclipse. The boundary of the path of totality, initially predicted to be 83rd Street, was expected to split Manhattan into two distinct viewing experiences. However, the actual boundary was revealed to be 96th Street, and the eclipse arrived four seconds behind schedule, challenging the preconceived notions of the event.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2024/01/24/99-years-ago-today-a-total-solar-eclipse-split-a-major-us-city-and-history-will-repeat-itself-in-75-days/?sh=62c74753746f

As we eagerly anticipate the upcoming eclipse, it’s essential to reflect on the lessons learned from historical mispredictions. The precision of modern eclipse predictions has significantly improved, yet numerous variables still influence each event. Factors such as the moon’s terrain, observer’s elevation, Earth’s rotation speed, and the apparent size of the sun contribute to the uniqueness of each eclipse. Understanding these variables is crucial, especially for those living on the edge of totality, as seen in cities like San Antonio and Austin, Texas.

https://q5i.09c.myftpupload.com/get-ready-to-witness-the-breathtaking-total-solar-eclipse-of-2024-across-north-america/
https://q5i.09c.myftpupload.com/get-ready-to-witness-the-breathtaking-total-solar-eclipse-of-2024-across-north-america/

The upcoming eclipse provides an opportunity for cities like Rochester, New York, to relive a momentous event that last occurred in 1925. With preparations underway for the ROC the Eclipse festival at the Rochester Museum & Science Center, the community eagerly awaits the chance to witness a 3 minutes 40 seconds totality—a significantly longer duration than in 1925.

The anticipation for this celestial event serves as a unifying force, offering a positive shared experience for millions. As Dan Schneiderman, Eclipse Partnership Manager at the Rochester Museum & Science Center, aptly puts it, “We want people to have that positive shared experience they always remember, so random strangers can ask each other ‘where were you during that total solar eclipse?'”

The forthcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for millions across the 15 fortunate U.S. states. It presents a chance to marvel at the wonders of the universe, uniting communities in an extraordinary shared experience. As we approach this historic event, let us embrace the opportunity to witness the splendor of the cosmos and create lasting memories that will be cherished for generations to come.

Continue Reading

small business

National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day: Celebrating Small Business Excellence in 2024

“March 29 is National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day! Let’s celebrate the small businesses that make our communities thrive. #SupportLocal”

Published

on

March 29th is a day dedicated to appreciating the hardworking small business owners who contribute to the growth and vitality of our economy, “Mom and Pop Business Owners.” On this special day, we acknowledge the more than 27 million small businesses in the country and shine a spotlight on their remarkable efforts.

National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day was established by Rick and Margie Segel in honor of their parents and the success of their clothing shop that started from humble beginnings. It’s a time to recognize the long hours, dedication, and hard work it takes to run a small business.

Celebrating National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day!

So, how can we celebrate this important day?

  1. Shop Local: Support the small businesses in your community by seeking them out and becoming a regular customer. Whether it’s a local bookstore, bakery, or boutique, make it a point to visit them frequently. If you hear about an interesting spot, go on an adventure to discover it and then share your recommendations with friends.
  2. Use Social Media: Most small businesses are grateful for any extra attention they can get. Show your support by following your favorite mom and pop shops on social media platforms, and whenever possible, promote and share their posts. A simple like or comment can go a long way in helping them reach a wider audience.
  3. Write a “Thank You” Note: Take a moment to express your gratitude to the mom and pop shop owners and employees who have made a difference in your life. Let them know how much you appreciate their hard work and dedication. A heartfelt note can mean the world to someone who puts their heart and soul into their business.

Now let’s delve into why we love mom and pop businesses:

  1. Personalized Shopping Experience: Mom and pop businesses take pride in providing personalized service to their customers. They take the time to get to know you, understand your needs, and make your shopping experience memorable. Unlike large retail chains, they genuinely care about their customers and strive to create a unique and enjoyable experience with superior customer service.
  2. Community Support: Small businesses play a crucial role in supporting the local community. They create job opportunities, hire locally, and recycle the money they earn back into the neighborhood. By choosing to spend your dollars at mom and pop establishments, you contribute to the growth and sustainability of your community.
  3. Unique Discoveries: In a world where big-box stores dominate, mom and pop shops bring a breath of fresh air and unique products to the marketplace. They often showcase goods that are different from what you’ll find in every chain store. Discovering something special and undiscovered is quite the delight, and supporting these businesses encourages innovation and diversity.

National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day is a reminder of the remarkable contributions made by small businesses. They are the backbone of our economy, providing jobs, personalized service, and unique experiences for customers. So, on March 29th, let’s show our appreciation for these hardworking individuals and make a conscious effort to support and celebrate the mom and pop shops in our communities.

https://nationaltoday.com/national-mom-pop-business-owners-day/

https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/

Continue Reading

News

Breaking Barriers: XB-1 Demonstrator Soars into the Future of Supersonic Travel

XB-1’s first flight paves the way for supersonic travel, marking a milestone in aviation history. #Boom #XB1 #SupersonicFlight

Published

on

"XB-1 supersonic demonstrator aircraft taking flight, marking a major milestone in aviation history"

Image Credit: Boom Supersonic


The aviation industry is on the brink of a revolution with the recent successful inaugural flight of Boom’s supersonic demonstrator aircraft, XB-1. This groundbreaking achievement brings us one step closer to the return of supersonic travel. Designed as a technology demonstrator, XB-1 aims to pave the way for the development of Overture, Boom’s commercial supersonic plane. With extensive ground testing and meticulous flight testing, the maiden flight of an aircraft is a crucial milestone that encompasses various elements. Let’s delve into the intriguing world of what happens during an aircraft’s first flight.


The Importance of Ground Testing and Taxi Tests
Before an aircraft takes to the skies, rigorous ground testing is conducted to ensure safety and operational requirements are met. These tests encompass a series of checks, including engine runs and comprehensive evaluations of each onboard system. Moreover, taxi tests are crucial in assessing the aircraft’s performance, handling, and maneuverability on the ground. By gradually increasing speeds, the team can gather valuable data that aids in a safe takeoff, landing, and efficient ground operations. These tests provide important insights into the overall functionality and readiness of the aircraft for flight testing.

The Maiden Flight: A Leap into the Unknown
The maiden flight of an aircraft is a momentous occasion that often varies in terms of speed, altitude, and duration. Throughout history, we have witnessed significant milestones, from the historic Wright Brothers’ 12-second flight to the remarkable achievements of modern-day aviation. During a maiden flight, safety and risk mitigation are paramount. The flight envelope, which outlines the operational limits of the aircraft, expands gradually over a series of test flights as performance data is analyzed.

In the case of XB-1’s inaugural flight, Chief Test Pilot Bill “Doc” Shoemaker assumed control, while Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg monitored the aircraft from a T-38 chase plane. Climbing to a maximum altitude of 7,120 feet and a speed of 238 knots (273 mph) during the 12-minute flight, XB-1 successfully met all test objectives. The ground team, led by Vice President of XB-1 Jeff Mabry, played a crucial role in monitoring and analyzing the flight’s various aspects.

Evaluating Performance and Assessing Safety
During a maiden flight, meticulous observations are made to analyze the aircraft’s handling qualities, airspeed, and stability. An augmented reality vision system equips the pilot with improved runway visibility and enhanced aerodynamic efficiency, without compromising weight and complexity. This innovative system assists the pilot during critical phases such as landing, providing real-time data on attitude and flight path indications.

Safety measures during the maiden flight often include keeping the landing gear down. This ensures that the primary focus remains on evaluating other aspects of the aircraft’s performance during takeoff and landing. Should an emergency landing be necessary, testing the landing gear in subsequent flights allows for additional verification and validation.

XB-1’s successful first flight demonstrated the effectiveness of the team’s coordinated efforts. The pilots flew while ground engineers observed from the control room, providing insights into the various systems they had designed and tested for the past two years. The collaboration between the pilot, augmented reality vision system, and Landing Signal Officer (LSO) ensured a safe landing by optimizing the aircraft’s final approach and flight path.

The Path to the Future: Overture and the Return of Supersonic Travel
The inaugural flight of XB-1 represents a significant step towards the return of supersonic travel. As a technology demonstrator, XB-1 has laid the foundations for the design and development of Overture, Boom’s commercial supersonic plane. Overture, capable of carrying 64-80 passengers at Mach 1.7, aims to revolutionize air travel by reducing the time taken for long-haul journeys. Moreover, sustainability is a fundamental aspect of Overture’s design, with the aim of utilizing up to 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)

The maiden flight of an aircraft like XB-1 marks a defining moment in the development of supersonic aviation technology. Meticulous ground testing, followed by a successful first flight, brings us closer to the realization of supersonic travel. XB-1’s flight serves as a testament to the dedication, expertise, and collaborative efforts of the team involved. With Overture on the horizon, the return of supersonic travel is becoming an exciting reality. The aviation industry is poised to break more barriers in the pursuit of safer, faster, and more sustainable air travel.

https://boomsupersonic.com/flyby/inaugural-first-flight-xb1-supersonic-demonstrator

https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/

Continue Reading

Trending