Launching the Future of Science and Exploration Ture

National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA’s Role in America’s Future

Throughout history, nations that have explored new frontiers have become the great leaders of their time. Great Britain became powerful in the 17th century through exploration and mastery of the seas. America’s greatness in the 20th century was largely a result of command of the air. For future generations, the frontier will be space.

When Neil Armstrong took those first steps on the moon, the world recognized the United States for that amazing accomplishment. As we led in development of the space shuttle and of the International Space Station, the world continued to recognize America as the leader in space.

Now, we enter a new era. As other nations announce their plans for human exploration, a new challenge lies ahead. To continue our preeminence in space, we must proceed steadfastly with our nation’s exploration policy and return to the moon — this time to stay. marshall Launching the Future National Aeronautics and Space Administration George C. Marshall Space Flight Center of Science and Exploration Huntsville, AL 35812 www.nasa.gov/marshall www.nasa.gov

NP–2009–09–178–MSFC 8–435219 Launching the Future of Table of Contents Science and Exploration

On July 1, 2010, Marshall Space Flight Center celebrates its 50th anniversary — 50 years of innovation, inspiration, and discovery! Since the beginning, Marshall America’s Future in Space has played a vital role in our Nation’s space program. Exploration Plans

The Center’s expertise in science and engineering future provides America with unique and critical capabilities to take the next giant leap in space exploration. As About Marshall a natural extension of our historical involvement in From Exploration to Opportunity the Apollo and Shuttle programs, we are developing Doing Business with Marshall • Visiting Marshall space exploration vehicles and hardware for the future. about We also develop and manage scientific spacecraft and instruments, conduct cutting-edge research, and Launching the Future manage systems that enable living and working in space. Putting People and Payloads into Space Space Shuttle • America’s New Rockets: Ares I and Ares V

The pages of this booklet reveal the rockets fascinating work Marshall is doing in support of NASA’s goals. Our Living and Working in Space work is complex and challenging, Supporting Life in Space and we have an incredible team International Space Station • Payload Operations Center • Future Systems

of talented and dedicated people systems who help drive our success. Understanding Our World and Beyond As we embark on the next Exploring for Answers great journey of discovery, one Earth Science • Solar Science • Lunar Science • Planetary Science • Exploring Our Universe thing is certain — for Marshall, science NASA, and our Nation’s space program — the best Facilities and Expertise is yet to come! Marshall Capabilities Power the Future facilities

Robert Lightfoot Contact Us Director contact AMERICA’S FUTURE IN SPACE

Exploration Plans NASA is now developing an exploration vehicle NASA is moving forward with a new focus — to go system, called Constellation, to expand our capa- beyond Earth orbit for purposes of human explora- bilities. This new system, powered by the Ares I

tion and scientific discovery. NASA will use the crew launch vehicle and Ares V heavy cargo launch future space shuttle to complete the International Space vehicle, will increase the number of crew members Station, before retiring the shuttle and delivering and the amount of cargo that can be transported a new generation of spacecraft to venture out into into space. NASA’s plans include using the new the solar system. system to service the space station by 2015.

The space station, which is scheduled to be As humans go beyond Earth and learn how to live completed by 2010, is a laboratory where we are on other planets, we must develop methods for learning how to live and work in space. Building using the resources found there. The moon is a hardware that can survive and function in a harsh crucial stepping stone along that path — a harsh environment is a crucial step in preparation for and distant world, yet one that is only a three-day long-duration support of life beyond the Earth’s journey from Earth. NASA is already preparing protective atmosphere. robotic missions to go to the moon. The Ares rockets will take humans there by 2020 to begin For more than two decades, the construction of a permanent lunar outpost. Space Shuttle Program has lifted people, equipment, and hardware Completing the space station and constructing a to the station and into lunar outpost as preparation for further exploration low-Earth orbit. are critical milestones in America’s quest to become a truly spacefaring nation. And Marshall Space Flight Center has a vital role in that future. ABOUT MARSHALL

From the development of mighty rocket supports the agency through its expertise in propul- engines to extraordinary scientific discoveries sion, engineering, science, space operations, and about our universe, Marshall Space Flight project and program management. Center in Huntsville, Alabama, is launching the future of science and exploration. The center provides the engineering expertise behind propulsion and transportation systems such While Huntsville has become known as the “Rocket as the space shuttle and the new Ares rockets. City,” propulsion is only one of Marshall’s many

cutting-edge exploration and research projects. The Supporting around-the-clock operations on the about center uses its talented team, extensive experience, International Space Station through the Payload and state-of-the-art facilities to support NASA’s Operations Center, Marshall develops, integrates, human and robotic exploration initiatives as well as and operates major logistics, life support, and scien- missions of scientific discovery in our solar system tific experiment components and systems. and beyond. The center conducts fundamental and applied The results? In addition to the most powerful rockets scientific research and enables scientific discovery ever designed, our nation benefits from enhanced by developing hardware and instruments understanding of our universe, groundbreaking scien- that lead to discoveries in space science tific discoveries, improvements to life on Earth, and and Earth science. Marshall an increased ability to live and work in space. also provides technical and project management Marshall is one of NASA’s ten field centers expertise in support of the working under the direction and guidance of agency’s science and mission NASA Headquarters in Washington. Marshall systems programs. From Exploration to Opportunity Doing Business With Marshall Marshall is an engine of opportunity for its com- Engineering businesses and professionals have munity and the nation. The center draws numerous several options for working with Marshall Space private-sector high-tech companies to the area, cre- Flight Center: ating thousands of high-paying jobs and attracting • Provide goods and services to Marshall the talented people needed to fill them. Marshall’s (procurement and acquisition) economic impact reaches across North Alabama • Use Marshall resources in support of your and the nation. objectives (Space Act Agreements ) • Use NASA technologies to improve quality Fiscal Year 2008: of life on Earth (Technology Transfer) • $2.6 billion actual budget • More than 7,000 employees (2,634 civil service) Visiting Marshall • $1 billion impact to Alabama economy Marshall is located on the U.S. Army’s Redstone • 6th largest employer in the Huntsville/Madison Arsenal with restricted access. Decals and badges about County area can be obtained for visitors with prior approval at • 4.5 million square feet of space occupied in the Redstone Arsenal Visitor’s Center at Gate 9 on Huntsville Research Park Boulevard/Rideout Road South. • 2.2 million square feet of manufacturing space at the Marshall-managed Michoud Assembly The Visitor Information Center for Marshall Facility in New Orleans is located at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Interactive exhibits and unique historic artifacts Educational Outreach demonstrate Marshall’s critical role in supporting • Provides more than $20 million in procurements NASA’s missions. and grants to Alabama educational and nonprofit organizations and more than $113 million across Learn More the United States About Marshall • Coordinates the Annual Great Moonbuggy Race www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/about engaging high school students in engineering competition • Hosts the NASA Student Launch Initiative, involving middle school, high school, and university students in designing, building, and testing reusable rockets

Location Marshall is adjacent to Cummings Research Park, the nation’s second-largest research park with more than 285 high-tech enterprises, U.S. space and defense agencies, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Aerial view of Marshall Space Flight Center LAUNCHING THE FUTURE

Putting People and Payloads Into Space The new Constellation fleet — now more than four Marshall Space Flight Center is the leader years into development — includes the Ares I crew in meeting America’s space transportation launch vehicle, the Ares V cargo launch vehicle, challenges and putting new rockets and the Orion crew exploration vehicle, and the Altair explorers into space. lunar lander.

From Mercury to Gemini, from Apollo to the space The design of the powerful Ares rockets includes ele- shuttle, Marshall has been at the forefront of Ameri- ments from the Marshall-developed Saturn rockets ca’s space propulsion and transportation accomplish- and space shuttle propulsion systems. However, ments. Leading the way in moving people, supplies, increased capacity and power will enable NASA to and hardware into space, Marshall is transport more crew members into space and to lift now using knowledge gained from larger and heavier spacecraft and equipment than the past program suc- space shuttle allowed. The shuttle is limited to low-

cesses to meet the Earth orbit, but the Ares launch vehicles will reach rockets challenges of future far beyond to accommodate further exploration. exploration. Progress on the rockets will move into a new phase in 2009 with Ares I-X, the first Ares I test flight. The first crewed launch of the Ares I rocket to the space station is planned for 2015.

Why explore? Why the moon? To uphold America’s leadership through: It’s close • Technological advancement The moon is just a three-day journey. • Economic opportunity It’s informative • Scientific discovery The moon reveals a planetary history unavailable anywhere else. • National security It’s necessary The things we will learn from The moon is a stepping stone for future missions to establishing a lunar outpost other destinations. will benefit all of mankind. Space Shuttle Main Engines During nearly three decades of flight, the space The space shuttle main engines are the most shuttle has supported the Mir space station and advanced liquid-fueled rocket engines ever built. the International Space Station; made maintenance Three main engines are mounted in the back of flights to the Hubble Space Telescope; launched the vehicle and are ignited just before liftoff. Along planetary missions to study Jupiter, Venus, and the with the solid rocket boosters, the engines provide sun; and enabled hundreds of scientific studies in the thrust to lift the shuttle off the ground for the onboard laboratories supported by Marshall. initial ascent. They operate for 8.5 minutes during liftoff and ascent, burning the half-million gallons Engineers at Marshall Upon completion of the of propellants stored in the external tank. The main designed, developed, Space Shuttle Program, engines create a combined maximum thrust of and continue to NASA will have used the more than 1.2 million pounds. maintain the space shuttle to fly more than After the solid rocket boosters separate, the main shuttle main engines, 130 missions into low-Earth the external fuel tank, engines provide thrust that accelerates the shuttle orbit transporting people, and the solid rocket from 3,000 mph to more than 17,000 mph in just boosters. supplies, and equipment six minutes. The engines shut down just before the to the International Space shuttle reaches orbit. After the shuttle lands, the Station and to launch engines are removed, rechecked, and refurbished for numerous missions of their next flight. rockets exploration into our solar system and beyond.

Installation of space shuttle main engines on Space Shuttle Discovery External Tank America’s New Rockets: The 153.8-foot-long external tank holds more than Ares I and Ares V 530,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen (fuel) and liq- The Ares I and Ares V rockets are key components uid oxygen (oxidizer), which are used as propellants of the Constellation Program. The Ares Projects are for the shuttle’s three main engines. The external managed at Marshall, but building the Ares I is a tank is the “backbone” of the shuttle during launch, national effort supported by more than 200 compa- providing structural support for attachment with nies located across the nation from Connecticut to the solid rocket boosters and shuttle vehicle, and California. absorbing the 7.3 million pounds of thrust gener- Both the Ares I and Ares V ated during launch. After the fuel is consumed at These safe, reliable, rockets use solid rocket approximately 8.5 minutes into the shuttle flight, and cost-effective boosters that are derived the external tank separates and falls in a preplanned space launch vehicles from the space shuttle solid trajectory. Most of the tank disintegrates in the will replace the space atmosphere, and the remainder falls into the ocean. shuttle fleet and carry rocket boosters. The external tank is the only element of the space a new generation of This hardware commonality shuttle that is not reused. explorers to the moon makes operations more cost and to other destina- effective by minimizing design Reusable Solid Rocket Boosters tions in our solar The twin solid rocket boosters operate in parallel system. By extending and manufacturing costs. with the main engines during the first two minutes human presence to rockets of powered flight to provide the thrust needed for the moon and beyond, these explorers will enable us the shuttle to escape the pull of Earth’s gravity. The to seek answers to fundamental questions about the solid rocket boosters have a combined thrust of universe and our place in it, create new economic about 6.6 million pounds at launch to help propel opportunities to improve life on Earth, and develop the space shuttle off the launch pad and up to an global partnerships that will promote cooperation. altitude of about 24 nautical miles.

After their two minutes of flight, the boosters separate, descend under parachutes, and land in the Atlantic Ocean. The used solid rocket boosters are recovered, refurbished, refueled, and reused for future missions.

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Marshall is the home of the Ares Projects, which are respon- sible for designing and developing Ares vehicle hardware, External tank departing evolving proven technologies, and testing components, Michoud Assembly Facility software, and systems. Ares I Ares V Crew Launch Vehicle Cargo Launch Vehicle The Ares I crew launch Planning and design are vehicle will deliver the underway at Marshall for Orion crew exploration the hardware, propulsion vehicle and cargo payloads systems, and associated to Earth orbit. The first task technologies needed for for Ares I will be to use its NASA’s Ares V cargo 25-ton payload capacity to launch vehicle, the heavy replace the space shuttle in lifter of America’s next- delivering resources, supplies, generation space fleet. and scientific instruments Its mission will be to to the space station. launch Altair — the lunar craft for transporting Design of the Ares I rocket astronauts and sup- is well underway, and plies to and from the actual hardware compo- moon — and the materi- nents have been built and als required for establish- delivered to Kennedy Space ing a lunar outpost.

Center in preparation for rockets the first test flight. As illustrated in the diagram to the left, the The Ares I is a two-stage versatile Ares V is a verti- rocket topped by the cally stacked, two-stage Orion spacecraft, which rocket with two reusable can be used to transport solid rocket boosters. astronauts or supplies to the station or to rendez- The heavy lift capability vous with the Ares V Earth of Ares V will enable departure stage for travel to other exploration, sci- the moon. Orion’s launch entific, and commercial abort system can move the payloads, such as lunar crew quickly away in case experiments, rovers, habi- of launch emergency. tats, and large telescopes. This lift capability will The diagram to the right allow NASA to under- shows the segments of the take crewed missions to Ares I rocket for crewed destinations beyond the exploration. moon in the future. The Lunar Exploration Vehicle Architecture exploration vehicle will be propelled into low-Earth diagram below describes how the Constellation orbit by the upper stage J-2X main engine and the vehicles work together to deliver the crew to the service module’s propulsion system. lunar surface and back to Earth. While in low-Earth orbit, Orion will rendezvous When the Ares V launches, it will be powered by and dock with Altair. Once the two craft join, the six liquid-fueled RS-68B engines in its core stage EDS will discard the loiter skirt and fire its J-2X and two 5.5-segment solid rocket boosters. The engine again to propel the Altair and Orion on their boosters and core stage will separate from the way to the moon. launch vehicle when they have expended their fuel. Then the Earth Departure Stage (EDS), powered by In lunar orbit, the crew will transfer into Altair and a J-2X engine, will carry the Altair into low-Earth descend to the moon’s surface. The ascent stage of Altair orbit. During this phase of flight, the loiter skirt will return the crew from the lunar surface to the orbit- attached to the bottom of the EDS, will provide ing Orion vehicle, which will return the crew to Earth. electrical power and space debris protection. The first crewed lunar excursion is scheduled After launch, the Ares I first stage reusable solid to launch in the 2020 timeframe. rocket booster will separate, and the Orion crew

Lunar Exploration Vehicle Architecture rockets Ares I-X Test Flight Benefiting Life on Earth The first test flight for Ares I is scheduled Space transportation systems stimulate development to occur in 2009. That flight, Ares I-X, of technologies in many areas. The Space Shuttle will be a suborbital development test, Program alone has generated more than 100 tech- providing NASA its first opportunity nologies that have benefited U.S. industry, improved to demonstrate and collect key data to our quality of life, and created jobs for Americans. inform the Ares I design. Engineers will observe the vehicle’s performance in A sampling of technologies originating from space roll and overall vehicle control; staging shuttle work done at Marshall includes: and separation; aerodynamics and vehicle loads; first stage entry dynamics Prosthesis material — A commercial derivative for recovery; and vehicle integration, of the foam insulation used to protect the shuttle’s assembly, and launch operations. external tank replaced the heavy, fragile plaster once used to produce master molds for prosthetics. Ares I-X hardware is being built at sev- Automotive insulation — Materials from the eral NASA centers and industry partner space shuttle thermal protection system are being locations. Marshall is managing the first used on NASCAR racing cars to protect drivers stage, roll control system, and avionics from the extreme heat generated by the engines. systems. The launch will take place at Insulating paint powder — A powder created

Kennedy Space Center. to help insulate the space shuttle is being used in rockets exterior house paint to insulate residential homes Learn more as well — making it a Marshall — Space Shuttle Technology Spinoffs “green” paint www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/news/background/ solution. facts/SpinoffsFromTheShuttleFS.html

Human Exploration www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/moonmars/ explore.html

Constellation — NASA’s New Spacecraft: Ares and Orion www.nasa.gov/ares LIVING AND WORKING IN SPACE

Supporting Life in Space Current efforts at Marshall that will positively Marshall Space Flight Center develops and impact our future presence in space include design- tests life support systems and manages ing and building hardware and systems for the communications and operations for scientific International Space Station. The center is home to experiments in the near weightless environment the Payload Operations Center (POC), the com- of space. mand post that manages science for the station.

As NASA prepares for extended travel to the moon Marshall is also developing systems for future life and beyond, scientists, engineers, and technicians support and living environments on the moon and at Marshall are developing and testing life support beyond so we can establish outposts from which to systems that will make it possible for astronauts to conduct science and further explore the universe. survive long-duration visits in space environments.

Astronauts working onboard the International Space Station systems International Space Station Marshall manages other space station work Marshall develops, tests, and provides engineering that includes: expertise for hardware and systems that enable astronauts to live and work in space onboard the station, EXPRESS Racks house a variety of payloads in the largest orbital facility ever built. a drawer or locker-type interface, versatility that will enable long-term use of the space station. Marshall led the design, development, and testing of the Regenerative Environmental Control and The Harmony Module connects three station sci- Life Support System (ECLSS) for the space sta- ence experiment facilities, growing the space station tion. This system provides water and oxygen for from the size of a three-bedroom house to the size the crew, recycling waste water into usable water of a typical five-bedroom house. and reducing resupply costs. Multi-purpose Logistics Modules, onboard the Marshall also developed the Materials Science space shuttle, carry supplies such as food, clothing, Research Rack, which is used for basic materials spare parts, and research equipment to the station research, leading to the discovery of new or improved and are returned to Earth with cargo no longer materials and new applications for existing materials. needed on the station.

The Microgravity Science Glovebox enables scien- Microgravity Science Glovebox tists to participate in the assembly and operation of experiments in space by providing a sealed, negative pressure (vacuum) workspace for manipulation of hardware and samples.

The Window Observational Research Facility will systems enable viewing and Earth imaging using cameras, multispectral scanners, and other specialized equipment attached to the U.S. Destiny lab’s optical quality window.

Node 3, a pressurized module headed for the station in late 2009, will house the ECLSS racks and the crew’s waste and hygiene compartment, and will enable the addition of future modules. Space Center POC with the Mission Control Center at Johnson Communication lines and computers connect the science in the near weightless environment of space. researchers around the world to perform cutting-edge Unique capabilities in the POC at Marshall allow during hurricanesorotheremergencies. ofJohnsonin support Space CenterinHouston control center forspacestationflightoperations asabackup controllers. ThePOCisalsocertified and safetyprograms forstationcrew andflight work; hardware deliveries; andretrieval, training, coordinates allpayload-related mission-planning and research experimentsonboard thestation,and space station.ThePOCmanagesallU.S.science Center (POC)isthesciencecommandpostfor Located atMarshall, thePayload Operations Payload OperationsCenter

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t he direct link to the space station. Learn MoreLearn science missions. forfutureThis experiencewillbeimportant lunar research operationsusingdownlinked television. signals,andmonitor the stationthrough telemetry operations remotely, receive vitalinformationfrom The operationscenteralsocancommandscience www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station International Space Station (ISS)Mission page http://ed.msfc.nasa.gov/eo/ Mission Operations Laboratory ops.html www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/shuttle_station/ Payload Operations Centertourvideo

systems and temperatures ofspace. devices thatcanwithstandtheextreme radiation hardened electronics todevelop high-performance expanding thecurrent inradiation stateoftheart Managed by Marshall, theRHESEproject is regolith (moonsoil)toproduce water orfuel. For example,oxygen mightbeextractedfrom lunar determining how tousethemcreate necessities. ISRUEarth. includesminingforresources and frommaterials willnothave tobetransported resources, sothatatleastsomeofthenecessary tion onthemoonwillrequire theuseofexisting ISRU means“livingofftheland.” Human habita- In-Situ Environments Radiation technologies for use on the moon and beyond. The Exploration Life Support Project is developing next generation of life support systems. creating space station systems will contribute to the trips into space. The Marshall team’s experience in life-sustaining resources is essential for long-duration Life support hardware that can generate and recycle Exploration at Marshall include: space. Systems being researched anddeveloped to live andwork in the harshenvironment of Numerous systemswillberequired forhumans Future Systems

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systems UNDERSTANDING OUR WORLD AND BEYOND universe beyond, Marshall fosteraunique experts thesolarsystem,or Whether studyingEarth, life onEarth. tangible technologiesandimprovements to theoreticalworlds andturning research into of thedecade,revealing awe-inspiring new exciting andinnovativescientificdiscoveries Marshall isinvolvedinsomeofthemost Exploring forAnswers relationship between scienceand exploration, withpositive outcomes resulting from interdependence of these twodisci- plines. Neither discipline can thrive without the other. early space Together these scientist. served as his chief Ernst Stuhlinger in 1960. Dr. it was established of Marshall when the first director rockets and was our nation’s first development of Braun led the Dr. Wernher von and innovative research andmonitoring techniques. forseeingtheuniverse, ration, complexinstruments the useofspecialized scientificspacecraftforexplo- humankind. Marshall accomplishesthisthrough goals ofincreasing understandingandbenefiting scientificknowledgeThe centerpursuesnew with “What do we plan to use this rocket for?” They recognized the importance of the question, importance ofintegratingscience andexploration. other aneminentscientist pioneers

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science of life and property damage. of lifeandproperty and dynamicsofhurricanes,helpingminimize loss information helpsforecasters predict theintensity windfield nearahurricane’sof thesurface eye. This Hurricane RADiometer (HIRAD)enablesmapping and tocollectdataimages.For example,the technologies toanalyze theevolution ofhurricanes hurricanes. Theyare and developing instruments the forces of sometheEarth’s mostintense Marshall’s atmosphericscientistsare examining Hurricane management. agriculture, urbanplanning,andwaterresource climate systemandusethisknowledge toimprove and understandmanyotheraspectsoftheglobal Advanced technologiesenablescientiststoobserve research thatcanhelpforecasters predict weather. and othertoolstogatherdataconduct scientistsatMarshallEarth usespacesatellites Earth Science

Research Satellite viewofHurricaneFelixSatellite models, resulting in more accurate forecasts. data helps weather officials build better weather tion coming from the soil. OMEGA soil moisture radiometer to detect low-energy microwave radia Applications (OMEGA) project uses a microwave The Observing Microwave Emissions for Geospatial NASA dataandproducts toimprove forecasts. regional forecasters, providing high-resolution works closely withNational Weather Service Research and Transition (SPoRT) Centerteam and predicting. Marshall’s Short-term Prediction discoveries inweather forecasting, modeling, Marshall isimproving ourqualityoflifethrough Weather

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science cardiovascular disease. help determinehow theenvironment isinfluencing humidity, andotherenvironmental elementscan data onairquality, heatindexes, temperature, triggered. Through similarlinking,NASAsatellite health officials predict where asthmaattacksmay be asthma patients yields information that helps public matterwithdataonclinicvisitsfor on particulate information. For example,linkingsatellitedata remote sensingdataintovitalpublichealth Marshall’s appliedsciencesteamtranslatesNASA significantly reducing thedeathtoll. after disasterstohelpthemreach peoplequickly, and otherinformationtorescuers duringand The SERVIR systemprovides critical weather by helping monitorandmanagetheirenvironment. day lives ofCentralAmericansandEasternAfricans provided by NASAsatellitestoimprove- theevery scienceproject thatusesdata is alife-savingEarth SERVIR, aSpanish acronym meaning“to serve,” Environmental http://science.nasa.gov Science atNASA earth.html www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/scienceandtechnology/ ScienceatMarshallEarth MoreLearn SERVIR accumulated precipitation map precipitation SERVIR accumulated

Monitoring Instabilities inthesun’s field magnetic http://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/ Marshall’s Solar Physics Group MoreLearn raging sun storms, and other perilous space weather. help explain the genesis of explosive solar flares, hope that when this instrument is launched, it will netic field in the sun’s transition region. Researchers to measure the strength and direction of the mag by a team of Marshall solar physicists and engineers (SUMI) telescope is an advanced instrument built The Solar Ultraviolet Magnetograph Investigation from harmfulsolarradiation. protect crews andelectronic systemsonthemoon HinodeEarth. alsohelpsNASAdevelop waysto solar events thataffectcommunicationsystemson expect touseHinode’s scienceresults topredict United Kingdom,Norway, andEurope. Scientists andthespaceagenciesofJapan,Observatory; the endeavor of NASA;Japan’s National Astronomical operations fortheHinode mission, acollaborative Marshall ofthescience managestheU.S.portion andthe spaceenvironment. impact theEarth works, why itchanges,andhow thesechanges physics teamseekstounderstandhow thesun space weather toclimatechange.Marshall’s solar with solarchangesproducing effectsrangingfrom form atightlycoupledsystem, The sunandEarth Solar Science -

science • age thefirsttwonodesin • work doneonthe physical phenomena.Thecenterwillalsomanage stations tomeasure moonquakesandothergeo- The Network • Robotic Program (LPRP)atMarshall manages: for humanhabitation.NASA’s Lunar Precursor and scientistsdesignbuildalunaroutpost will provide criticalinformationtohelpengineers Marshall ispreparing forrobotic missionsthat Lunar Science environment, and demonstrate new technology. sites, locate potential resources, understand the to help scientists and engineers find safe landing providing a comprehensive Atlas of the moon in adeepcrateratoneofthelunarpoles. of alunaroutpost. maps andmodelsthatenablethedesign missions withexistinginformationtodevelop (LMMP) integratingdatafrom theserobotic Lunar Satellite Lunar econnaissance Lunar

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• • • • The programs provide: explorationgoals. larger planetary scientific investigations complementingtheagency’s focused formissionsthatsupport opportunities The Discovery and New Frontiers programs provide Planetary Science http://newfrontiers.msfc.nasa.gov New Frontiers Program http://discovery.nasa.gov Discovery Program MoreLearn orbiters, landers, and sample A range of vantage points presence inspace of human extension affect the that will environment system in thesolar and resources about thehazards understanding Increased larger missions lower coststhan Considerably phases Fast development o dramatically system standing of our solar advance our under returns

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science the Marshall provides andmanages scientificexpertise expansion oftheuniverse. The dark matter. understanding ofblackholesandthenature of Chandra hashadaprofound influenceonour As NASA’s mostsophisticatedX-rayobservatory, andcurrentdevelopment, construction, operation. age oftheuniverse andinthediscovery ofdark Hubble hasplayed akeyrole inrevealing the gamma-ray burstsathigher of pioneering observations elescope Space energy ofthe construction Marshall managedthedesign,development, and cated techniques. design, development, andtestingofthesesophisti- available at thecenterare keyelementsinthe and infrared. Marshall scientistsandthefacilities wavelengths astronomical studiesover different electromagnetic thatconduct created space-borneobservatories itsinfinite universevariety, andobserve NASA To begintounderstandthewondersof Exploring OurUniverse Chandra Fermi

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formed intheuniverse. backintimetofind thefirstgalaxiesthat further into spacethanprevious telescopes,itcanpeer JWST willhave alargermirror andwillgodeeper Facility.world-class X-ray&Cryogenic Because the ing ofthetelescope’s mirror segmentsinits primary 2013. Marshall optical test is conducting cryogenic infrared observatory, isscheduledtolaunchin www.nasa.gov/chandra Chandra X-rayObservatory http://f64.nsstc.nasa.gov/gbm Gamma-ray Burst Monitor http://ngst.nasa.gov James Webb Space Telescope http://hubble.nasa.gov Hubble Space Telescope MoreLearn The bursts withunprecedented precision. which isnow detecting andstudyinggamma-ray Marshall developed theGamma-ray Burst Monitor, energies thanever from before space. observed ebb James

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science Archaeological discoveries communications provided to Earth by satellites. and data valuable the maintain and ment events, allowing us to protect humans and equip ing of solar phenomena helps us predict solar deadly radiation storms. Increasing our understand with astronauts threaten and satellites, disable solar events can disrupt communications on Earth, Stable communications universe the historyofEarth,solarsystem,and to address ourfundamental questionsabout The pursuitofscientificknowledgeenablesus Benefiting LifeonEarth Marshall scientists have learned thatoneof Marshall scientistshavelearned the Mayancivilization.Through thiswork, satellite imagerytodetectlong-lostruinsof

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- - the future. workforce thatwillberequiredto addressthechallengesof public, encouragestudents, andhelpdevelopthehigh-tech A vibrantspaceexplorationprogram willengagethe Crime-solving technologies Atlanta Olympics. was helpful in solving the pipe-bomb incident at the image jitter, image rotation, and image zoom, and video. The technology removes defects caused by law enforcement agencies improve crime-solving and to analyze space shuttle launch video helps technology used to study meteorological images

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science FACILITIES ANDEXPERTISE offers auniqueblendofworkforce capabilities and integration,MarshallSpaceFlightCenter keyexpertiseinsystemsengineering With Power theFuture Marshall Capabilities J-2X engine prototyping of Rapid else intheworld. are foundnowhere ties, someofwhich design andtestfacili- combination of enhanced by aunique knowledge baseis of knowledge. This an exceptional base giving thecenter wealth of experience, disciplines andhave a ing andscientific a variety of engineer- members represent Marshall team goals. future exploration both current and facilities tomeet and distinctive vehicles andspacecraft. launch lithium willbeusedinmanufacturingnew ing thin,high-strength metalssuchasaluminum- America’s largestfrictionstirwelding toolforjoin- center provides advanced manufacturing technology. Louisiana, and the University of New Orleans. The at Michoud is a partnership including NASA, The National Center for Advanced Manufacturing world’s largestmanufacturingplants. Orleans and managedby Marshall, isoneofthe The Michoud Assembly Facility, locatedin New are beingusedtopropel Americaintothefuture. the Propulsion Research Development Laboratory uid oxygen andliquidhydrogen testfacilities,and State-of-the-art vacuum chambers, clean rooms, liq rocket testing. Test Stand thatare beingrefurbished forAres the Dynamic Test Stand andtheSaturn V S-1C Test facilitiesincludehistoricteststandssuchas to highlyspecializedfacilities: Marshall ishome Friction stirweldingtool -

facilities The firstJames Webb Space Telescope mirror arrives enable metrology, coating, fabrication, and more. The X-ray & Cryogenic Facility and other facilities calibrating optics in both Earth and precisionspace environments. optical components; and foradvanced characterizing equipment to cut, grind, and polish, and coat gratings; for housing an extensive collection of unique components such as lenses, mirrors, prisms, and Optics facilities include those for developing optical ings, and healthier working and living environments. environmental impact and provide energy cost sav and Design building. LEED-certified buildings reduce silver-level Leadership in Environmental Engineering Marshall’s Building 4600 is NASA’s first certified or remote-controlled robotics. controllers to test techniques for spacecraft docking thin layer of air atop the world’s flattest floor, allows The flat floor facility, where objects can float ona a direct linktotheirexperiments. planning. Scientistsaround theworldare provided mation management,datareduction, andpayload facilities fornear-real-time data,voice, video,infor- the International Space Station. It includesdata command postforscienceactivitiesonboard The Payload Operations Centeristhescience at Marshall for cryogenic testing. Marshall forcryogenic at -

www.nsstc.org NSSTC http://optics.nasa.gov/facilities/xraycal.html FacilityX-ray &Cryogenic www.ncamlp.org National CenterforAdvanced Manufacturing www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/michoud Michoud AssemblyFacility MoreLearn FacilityX-ray &Cryogenic understanding of the Earth’s global climate system. and evolution of the universe to a more complete yielding results ranging from insights on the structure and specialized laboratories that enable research This shared environment includes unique facilities university, private sector, and government researchers.is accomplished in collaboration with co-located in Earth and space sciences. Work at the NSSTC perform cutting-edge research and development where many of Marshall’s scientists and engineers research facility on the campus of UAHuntsville, (NSSTC) in Huntsville, Alabama, is an exceptional The National Space Science Technology Center

facilities CONTACT US

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