THE SOUTH DAKOTA SPACE GRANT CONSORTIUM The Affiliate

Spring 2012 INSIDE THIS Dr. Daniel Swets (1964-2011) ISSUE: This last year the SDSGC team lost a valuable member, Dr. Daniel Swets, Associate Director of the SDSGC at Augustana College. Dr. Swets was a member of the man- agement team of the SDSGC for the past 15 years. He was a highly motivated and  Dan Swets P. 1 accomplished member of team, and he consistently contributed to SDSGC educa-  Fellowships, tional and research programs. He helped South Dakota receive the highest number Scholarships, of grants any state received in the past five years. Dan founded the SD Robotics and Internships Association and served as its president for the past two years. He co-founded the SD P. 1 FIRST Lego League. Dan served as Chairman of the Steering Committee for the NASA South Dakota  NASA Interns “Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research” (EPSCoR). The NASA EPSCoR Steering Com- P. 2 mittee selects the proposals that South Dakota submits to NASA for research funding. His leadership in this area was instrumental in helping South Dakota receive the highest number of funded grants of any EPSCoR  ACE Camp state. Dr. Daniel Swets will be missed by all who knew him. Coordinator P. To read more about Dr. Swets, please visit: http://sdspacegrant.sdsmt.edu/RememberingDan.html 2

 SDSGC Changes P. 2 Student Fellowships, Scholarships, and Internships

 Raven Indus- As the link between NASA and the citizens of South Dakota, the Con- Diversity in Fellowship/ tries P. 3 sortium’s mission is to instill the spirit of exploration and discovery in Scholarship Program students and educators and in the general public, with a special focus  Summer of  33% of funds awarded to women on the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics Innovations P. 3 (STEM) that are essential for the development of the nation’s work-  14/86 awards to minority students force. Space Grant also provides fellowship/scholarship funding to  South Dakota  7/14 minorities were Native Ameri- students to conduct STEM-related educational and research pro- Astronaut in can students jects. So far during the current 2011 fiscal year, 54 students from the Command of following six universities in South Dakota have received a total of ISS P. 4  One student at a Tribal College $165,000 in NASA funding from the SD Space Grant: South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, South Dakota State University, University of South Dakota, Black Hills State University, Oglala Lakota College, and Sinte Gleska University. An additional $46,000 will be provided to fund spring and summer 2012 student internships at NASA Centers and aerospace industries, bringing the FY2011 scholarship total to $211,000. For example, the following two South Dakota university students re- ceived $10,000 Space Grant stipends to attend 15-week internships at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, TX, during the spring 2012 semester. South Dakota School of Mines & Technology student Ryan Brown of Rapid City is a junior majoring in Computer Engineering who plans to pursue a Masters degree and then work in the field of space exploration for NASA or the aerospace industry. Ryan’s internship project at JSC is titled “Autonomous Landing and Hazard Avoidance Technology (ALHAT) and Morpheus user interface development”. South Dakota State University student Daniel Nehlich of Sioux Falls is a junior majoring in Physics who plans to pursue a Masters in Astronautical Engineering with an emphasis in propulsion in order to contribute to the U.S. space program through the design of new propulsion technologies. Daniel’s internship at JSC will be conducted in NASA’s Advanced Physics Propulsion Lab. P A G E 2 This Year’s NASA Interns

Ryan Brown, Junior at SDSM&T Daniel Nehlich, Junior at SD majoring in Computer Engineer- State University majoring in ing, was accepted into a 15-week Physics was accepted into a spring 2012 semester internship at 15-week spring 2012 semester NASA Johnson Space Center internship at NASA Johnson under a $10,000 Space Grant sti- Space Center (JSC) under a pend. Ryan’s internship project $10,000 Space Grant sti- is titled “Autonomous Landing pend. His internship will be and Hazard Avoidance Technolo- with the Advanced Physics gy (ALHAT) and Morpheus user Propulsion Lab at JSC. interface development”. Ryan Daniel plans to pursue a also conducted a summer 2011 Masters in Astronautical industry internship at Rockwell Engineering with an empha- Collins under a $7,000 ESMD sis in propulsion in order to Space Grant stipend. Ryan plans contribute to the U.S. space to pursue a Masters degree and program through the design then work in the field of space of new propulsion technolo- exploration for NASA or the aero- gies. space industry. New ACE Camp Coordinator

Ryan Phillips, the previous coordinator for the member. He has worked with the ACE camp last 5 years, took another position out of state for three years in different capacities and looks and in his absence Cody Christensen was named forward to bringing ACE camp to the next lev- the new camp coordinator. Cody is a former el. Cody says that “campers should expect the airline pilot and current assistant professor at same great experience they have always had SDSU in the aviation program. In addition to with some additional activities to enrich the working for SDSU, Cody is a multiengine flight aeronautical experience with ACE camp instructor and ground instructor as well as a 2011!” Welcome aboard Cody! Federal Aviation Administration safety team

SDSGC Staff Changes

Diane Melvin has announced Raymond Summers to the Con- Mines and Technology, SD Ar- an University. Ray’s first career that she is moving and will be sortium’s management cheological Research Center, the was as an officer in the USAF as stepping down from the Journey team. Ray has been the Execu- Dept. of Interior’s Indian Arts a pilot, staff officer and com- Museum, and consequently the tive Director of the Journey and Crafts Board and the Minni- mander. Ray retired in October SDSGC management team. Over Museum in Rapid City, SD since lusa Historical Society’s pioneer 1999 at the rank of Colonel. Ray the past several years Diane has February 2002. The Journey collection. Additionally, the is married to Colette (Haiar) provided a vital role and enthusi- Museum is the natural and cul- Rapid City owned Duhamel Na- Summers, also from Mitchell; asm to the team. She will be tural history museum of the tive American collection is also they have two sons and three missed, but we wish her well in Black Hills region. The museum housed in the museum. (Green grandchildren living in Indiana her new endeavors. is comprised of five independent needs work). Ray grew up in and Ohio. Ray and Colette live With Diane’s departure brings collections, which are the Muse- Mitchell, SD, graduated from in the Black Hills with views of um of Geology at SD School of Mitchell HS and Dakota Wesley- Mt Rushmore.

THE AFFILIATE SUMMER/FALL P A G E 3 Raven Industries at SDSM&T

In February 2012, SDSGC in- world by improving efficiencies interest in supporting South dustry affiliate Raven Indus- and accuracy, and minimizing Dakota's higher education tries, Inc. opened a research and waste, to produce more food on and provides rewarding development facility in the less land. As the facility ex- engineering jobs right here Black Hills Business Develop- pands, Raven plans to add de- in South Dakota. We plan ment Center located on the cam- velopment projects for the re- to take advantage of science pus of SDSM&T to help support maining three divisions: Elec- and engineering students, the growth plans of Raven’s tronic Systems, Engineered post-graduate students, and kota Governor Dennis Daugaard four divisions and develop a Films, and Aerostar. This part- graduates as well as other strong said: "The State of South Dako- source for recruiting new tal- nership directly aligns with talent in the area." SDSM&T’s ta is proud to support the efforts ent. Initially, Raven assigned SDSGC’s workforce develop- President Dr. Robert Wharton of Raven Industries and their their three full-time positions ment goal of using the Consorti- said: "We are honored to be pursuit to support higher educa- (two Electrical Engineers and um’s statewide network of scien- sought out by Raven Industries tion, provide jobs and offer real- one Mechanical Engineer) and tists, engineers, and educators to for our top-caliber engineering world experience for students six part-time interns to projects provide talented students with a students. Both the company's through their new facility on the involving electronic design and pathway to careers that will technology backbone and repu- South Dakota School of Mines software programming as well, contribute to a highly-trained tation for its work with NASA and Technology campus. I'm as mechanical projects relating and diverse workforce for NASA and the military make for a pleased Raven is expanding into to precision agriculture equip- and expand the nation’s re- natural fit here at the South western South Dakota. This ment through their Applied search and development capaci- Dakota School of Mines and kind of creative partnership is Technology Division. The preci- ty. Dan Rykhus, President and Technology. We look forward to just one way private industry sion agriculture technology de- CEO of Raven Industries said: Raven offering practical work and the state are partnering to veloped at the facility will ulti- "The new research and develop- experiences to help further de- build out our workforce.” mately help to feed the growing ment center aligns with Raven's velop our students." South Da-

Summer of Innovations

The SD Discovery Center and its lege/SD Robotics Association and inspires middle school students In the South Dakota model, over partners the SD Space Grant Con- McKinley & Washington Schools and sparks their imaginations by 30 of the states 21st Century Com- sortium, SD 21st Century Com- of Pierre have been awarded a 4- using the excitement of NASA's munity Learning Centers have munity Learning Centers, SDSU year, $750,000 Summers of Inno- missions. In partnership with signed on to offer Summer of In- College of Engineering, SDSM&T vation award from NASA. The organizations across the country, novation programming to their Youth Programs, Augustana Col- partnership was only one of nine NASA hopes to test and expand participants. This includes con- across the nation to models that are proven to make a ducting additional STEM pro- be funded. difference. gramming afterschool and in the summers, helping to enroll their NASA's Summer Through Summer of Innovation, students in STEM summer of Innovation, or the SD partnership seeks to en- camps and field trip opportunities SoI, leverages cur- gage 2500 low-income, female and and use of STEM teaching kits rent NASA re- minority students in 40 hours of and outreach programming. search and discov- STEM activity every summer for ery as a powerful four years and provide 40 hours of For more information on SD context for student STEM training related to NASA Summers of Innovation contact learning. The Sum- resources for 150 South Dakota Coordinator Marie Steckelberg, mer of Innovation teachers. [email protected]. South Dakota Astronaut in Command of the International Space Station

RAPID CITY – A South Dakota The ISS commander prior to Fos- Durkin said “When Mike was in the Russian Space Agency pending astronaut was assigned as com- sum, Russian Cosmonaut Andrey command this past fall, the Space an investigation into the crash, mander of the International Space Borisenko, returned to Earth with Station couldn’t have been in bet- leaving only three Expedition 29 Station (ISS). Sioux Falls-born two other crew ter hands.” Fossum, who returned crew members aboard the ISS for Astronaut Mike Fossum took members including American to Earth in November after 5 1/2 a time (Commander Mike Fossum command of the multi-billion dol- Astronaut Ron Garan on Sept. 16, months in space, wrote a blog and Flight Engineers Satoshi Fu- lar orbital outpost last Septem- 2011, in a Russian Soyuz capsule. called “Living the Dream” about rukawa and Sergei Volkov) after ber. The Sept. 14, 2011, exchange of his experiences aboard the ISS. the Expedition 28 crew returned command can be viewed as a 3- That blog is posted online at to Earth. Fortunately, the investi- The ISS is the most complex sci- minute video online at http://blogs.nasa.gov/cm/newui/blo gation was completed and the entific and technological endeavor http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/vi g/viewpostlist.jsp?blogname=Living Soyuz rocket was placed back into ever undertaken -- a peaceful, deogallery/index.html?media_id=1 the Dream. flight status before the ISS had to cooperative effort involving sup- 11654211. View- The U.S. Space be temporarily abandoned when it port from five space agencies ers will have to Shuttles were re- came time for the Expedition 29 representing 15 nations around scroll through the tired after the land- crew, including Fossum, to return the world. Construction of the various video ing of STS-135 At- to Earth. ISS began in 1998 and continued clips to the one lantis on July 21, through its completion this past titled “Borisenko 2011. The 30-year summer. The U.S. segment of the Hands Over Shuttle legacy (1981 The ISS, an unprecedented, state- ISS was designated a National Command to – 2011) is one of of-the-art orbiting laboratory Laboratory in 2005 by Congress. Fossum” posted astounding success complex, continues to expand the Including its large solar arrays, the chronologically after 135 flights boundaries of space research. ISS is larger than a football field, on 9/14/11. between five orbit- Durkin said, “Many discoveries and it has as much pressurized ers, and two tragic and technologies developed as a space as a Boeing 747. Tom Durkin, accidents with Shut- result of space exploration and Astronaut Fossum has returned to Deputy Director tles Columbia and research have application to eve- South Dakota several times to of the SD Space Challenger. The ryday life on Earth. Many of us speak with students. Prior to his Grant Consortium at the South last 12 years of that 30-year Shut- use these ‘spinoff technologies’ ISS assignment, he twice flew Dakota School of Mines and Tech- tle legacy was devoted to building every day and don’t even realize aboard the U.S. nology said, “Mike and his Russian the ISS in cooperation with the that they resulted from American Discovery (STS-121 in 2006 and counterpart have very nice things other 14 partner countries. investment in space exploration. STS-124 in 2008). to say about each other and the In addition to satisfying mankind’s international cooperation of the Durkin pointed out that the only desire to explore the unknown, Since permanent human habitation 15 ISS partner countries. It is also way that we can currently get just a few examples of everyday of space began aboard the ISS in interesting to watch the Sept. 16 American astronauts to the ISS is benefits of space exploration and November 2000, each of the 202 landing of the Russian Soyuz cap- aboard the Russian Soyuz space- research include communications, crew members that have visited sule that brought back three of craft. On August 24, 2011 about weather forecasting, medical the Space Station has been as- the Expedition 28 crew members. a month after the last Shuttle breakthroughs and imaging tech- signed to an “Expedition” num- The landing of a Soyuz capsule is flight, a Russian Soyuz rocket nologies, home insulation, laser ber. There have been 29 Expedi- quite different than the landing of serving as an unmanned resupply technologies, GPS, water purifica- tion crews aboard the ISS over the now-retired U.S. Space Shut- mission to the ISS failed to reach tion, micro-computing, develop- the past 11 years. Mike Fossum tle.” A short videoclip of the orbit and crashed in a remote ment of new and stronger materi- was commander of Expedition landing is viewable at area of Siberia. Since the Soyuz als, propulsion, aeronautics, avia- 29. Fossum arrived at the ISS http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/vi rocket that launched the un- tion safety, and robotics.” aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft deogallery/index.html?media_id=1 manned resupply cargo was simi- on June 9, 2011 after training in 11654211. lar to the Soyuz rocket that Picture By: National Aeronautics and Space Russia for over two years. launches the crewed missions, the Administration Soyuz rocket was grounded by

The vision of the South Dakota Space Grant Consortium We’re on the Web! http://sdspacegrant.sdsmt.edu (SDSGC) is to expand opportunities for all South Dakotans through education, research, and public service in the fields of aerospace, earth, and space science. As the link between NASA South Dakota Space Grant Consorti- um and the citizens of South Dakota, SDSGC's mission is to instill Headquarters Office the spirit of exploration and discovery in students and educators 501 E. Saint Joseph Street and in the general public, with a special focus on the fields of sci- Rapid City, SD 57701 ence, technology, engineering, and mathematics that are essen- http://sd.spacegrant.org tial for the development of the nation’s workforce. (605) 394-1975