Nasa Definition and 304 Threads

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.NASA was established in 1958, succeeding the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). The new agency was to have a distinctly civilian orientation, encouraging peaceful applications in space science. Since its establishment, most US space exploration efforts have been led by NASA, including the Apollo Moon landing missions, the Skylab space station, and later the Space Shuttle. NASA is supporting the International Space Station and is overseeing the development of the Orion spacecraft, the Space Launch System, and Commercial Crew vehicles. The agency is also responsible for the Launch Services Program, which provides oversight of launch operations and countdown management for uncrewed NASA launches.
NASA's science is focused on better understanding Earth through the Earth Observing System; advancing heliophysics through the efforts of the Science Mission Directorate's Heliophysics Research Program; exploring bodies throughout the Solar System with advanced robotic spacecraft such as New Horizons; and researching astrophysics topics, such as the Big Bang, through the Great Observatories and associated programs.

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  1. H

    Using graphite as a catalyst to break down Ozone

    Can graphite be used as a catalyst to break down ozone into oxygen without serious oxidization? The applied use for this is to break down ozone at the output of an ionic wind "fan". Similar operation to an ion thruster used by NASA but instead of using stored gasses and propelling them into...
  2. O

    Working in the Space industry OR Nuclear/Solar energy as a ChemE?

    Hello, I am a Chemical Engineering major and a sophomore. When I first got to college I hoped to work in Pharma, but lately I'm becoming more and more interested in working for either the Space industry (SpaceX, NASA, etc) or in the alternative energy field (mainly Nuclear, but also Solar)...
  3. J

    How Does a Missile Stay Upright During Liftoff?

    From a "design" viewpoint, a missile (see: Saturn V) has a very high center of gravity and a very small base. It can therefore be expected that the least disruption of the location of the center of gravity relative to the base, will result in the missile to tilt and fall over, especially in...
  4. Hercuflea

    Schools Torn between Math and Plasma Physics for grad school

    I did my undergrad in mathematics, and I really enjoyed studying that subject. After graduating, I've been continuing my study in Real Analysis with one of my undergrad professors, and I really feel like I'm blooming into a decent analysis student. This week I'm going to start learning...
  5. K

    PhD in Astrophysics: Wasting my time?

    Hello all, so I'm just finishing up my basics in undergrad school and am starting to take math and introductory physics classes, and just wanted to clear something up to make sure that I'm not wasting my time. My goal is a PhD in astrophysics. Now I know that in order to get into a good grad...
  6. C

    Geocenteric Equatorial Coordinates of the Sun

    I'm rather new here so please forgive me if this is answered somewhere else, but I was unable to find it while searching around. For some calculations I'm looking to perform I need to know the geocentric equatorial coordinates of the sun on a given date. However, the only place I know they...
  7. P

    A question about the thrust of light

    Hi everyone I am a layman at physics am would be very grateful if someone could assist me with a question about propulsion. The question arises from an article I recently saw discussing NASA's testing of a Cannae Drive...
  8. Z

    NASA's New Space Engine: SRF Resonating Cavities

    An article at NASA talks about a way to generate thrust without shooting something out the back. http://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20140006052 From the article: Approximately 30-50 micro-Newtons of thrust were recorded from an electric propulsion test article consisting primarily of a...
  9. T

    NASA confirms ‘impossible’ thruster actually works

    NASA confirms ‘impossible’ thruster actually works, could revolutionize space travel http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/nasa-confirms-impossible-space-drive-actually-works-revolutionize-space-travel/#!btQgmZ Is there any explanation for why this produces a thrust? Does it have to...
  10. Dei

    Questions About Becoming an Astrophysicist or Astronomer

    Hi, I am a recent high school graduate, and my whole life I have been interested in astronomy. I have always stared in marvel at the night skies and read various books about constellations, etc. When my parents bought a telescope, that only spiked my interest further! I have, also, gained an...
  11. F

    What would happen if a solar storm struck us on July 16th 2014

    If you guys still haven't heard by now, Earth narrowly missed a solar storm by a week on July 2012. Let's say the storm happened earlier on July 16th, in which we'd be directly hit. How different would our lives be? Where would we be today...
  12. DennisN

    Unidentified emission line in Galaxy Clusters

    I could not find a thread about this (and I hope I don't start a duplicate one :smile:). I got a mail from a friend today about this: Detection of An Unidentified Emission Line in the Stacked X-ray spectrum of Galaxy Clusters Esra Bulbul, Maxim Markevitch, Adam Foster, Randall K. Smith...
  13. jtbell

    News How Did Frederick I. Ordway III Influence 2001: A Space Odyssey?

    He was a NASA official whose boyhood interest in science fiction and later friendship with Arthur C. Clarke led to his becoming Stanley Kubrick's chief technical and scientific advisor during the production of "2001: A Space Odyssey." http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/14/us/14ordway.html?_r=0
  14. P

    Study aerospace technology in univ (civil engineering)

    Hello everyone, I have a question regarding aerospace technology civil engineering. What are the chances that you get to work with companies such as NASA and SpaceX? In case it is low, what do you do otherwise with the degree you have been working on? I might want to pursue a degree in...
  15. R

    Projectiles Question -- Tiger Woods drives a golf ball on the Moon

    Homework Statement As part of a NASA experiment, golfer Tiger Woods drives a golf ball on the moon, where g = 1.60 m/s2. He ‘launches’ a golf ball with a speed of 285 km/h, at an angle of 42o with the horizontal. What horizontal distance will his drive travel before landing back on the...
  16. Z

    Infinite Universe: What does it mean?

    I know some folks may get tired of questions about the finite/infinite scope of the universe. Sorry for that. But as you know, many concepts are hard to wrap one's head around. Let me make my question as clear as possible from the outset: -I am NOT asking whether the universe is infinite or...
  17. adjacent

    40,000 years taken for light to reach here?

    http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a011500/a011537/ This is so confusing. If light travels at the speed of light, c, then how can it take 40,000 year to get out from the sun? Photons undergo fusion? hahaha. I never knew that
  18. M

    Engineering Space Companies/Agencies that hire astronomers, physicists & aerospace engineers

    I'm only a freshman in college, but I am always thinking about the future. I plan to earn my Bachelor's in Physics or Astrophysics, and then continue onto graduate school. I'm at Penn State University, so I plan to stay here for all of my degrees unless a better, more valuable opportunity...
  19. I

    Which Degree is Best for Getting a Job at NASA? Physics or Astronomy/Astrophy?

    I was going to do a double major at penn state with aerospace engineering and either physics or astronomy and astrophysics. Which one would better help me get a job at NASA? physics or astronomy and astrophysics
  20. R

    Speed of Communication from Space Shuttle to NASA Director

    Homework Statement What is the maximum time and the minimum time it takes for communication from the space shuttle to reach the Director of NASA who is seated 20 meters away from the communication radio at Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. You may assume that room...
  21. F

    Can a Freshman Overcome Past Laziness to Achieve a NASA Dream?

    Ok. Let's start from the beginning I guess... I am 14 years old, turning 15 next month. I'm a freshman in high school. I love math and science. Ever since 5th grade I have been 2 grades ahead in math. I'm taking Alg. 2 right now. I do consider myself very smart. I love physics and astronomy...
  22. Cyrus

    Selling Processed Data from NASA and Journal Sources

    If I were to take published data from public NASA reports and printed Journal articles and sell the data (after doing some processing to it), would that be grounds for a lawsuit against me? I'm wouldn't be selling the article itself, but taking important data from articles over a span of 40...
  23. V

    Exploring a Career in Astrophysics at NASA

    Hello everyone! My name is Christian and I'm in 8th grade (2 weeks until schools out!) Ever since 5th grade I've loved astronomy, and its been just recently that I've actually began to think about my future. When I was in 5th grade I was already taking 7th grade math so I would consider my self...
  24. Link

    Picking Electives for a Career in NASA: Physics vs Maths

    I will get to pick some non ME electives corresponding to a semesters coursework, and my interests lies in these fields. Which will be more useful? I know the former is more physics focused and the other is more hardcore maths. I want to work for NASA after college, building or designing...
  25. A

    NASA Heatabsorbing material from NASA

    Hello Everyone, I am new to this forum and am actually just curious to hear if you can help me with something? The reason I joined this forum is because I am interested in finding out about being able to get some of that material, which NASA uses for its space shuttles...the heat-absorbing...
  26. S

    NASA Job: Theoretical Physics & Astrophysicist Research

    Is it possible to be a theoretical physics and astrophysicist and still do independent research while working for NASA?
  27. C

    NASA Is NASA's direction being reviewed for the future of space science?

    Via the Uncertain Principles blog, the NYT reports: Although the Obama administration has made effort to make science central in policy, it has so far struggled with what long-term strategy to take with NASA. It has yet to name a NASA administrator; and during the transition engaged in a...
  28. E

    NASA Is a Human Mission to Mars Feasible in the Near Future?

    Hi, I am wondering why is it so important to put people on Mars? It is very dangerous and Nasa does not have the technology to do this safely without endangering lives. Why can't they wait for proper technology to do it correctly? In my opinion you need similar to following; 1) ability to...
  29. Ivan Seeking

    NASA Colbert wins NASA space station name contest

    I think this is too damned funny! :smile: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hVxsBGs7scxZSkcCE1cL2B4BlECAD974D8800
  30. G

    NASA Link to NASA TV and launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery

    Link to NASA TV and launch of the Space Shuttle "Discovery"... For those interested, here's a link to NASA TV and launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery somewhere around 7:43 PM EST... http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/
  31. I

    NASA Do all engineers secretly wish to work for NASA?

    A lot of us engineering students can never agree on who has it tougher, but the one thing we can agree on is ...that we all wish we could work for nasa. I doubt this is just us.This came up when we found out we can see the latest images of Mars on google earth...
  32. Evo

    NASA NASA global warming satellite crashes after launch

    Ouch, $289 million. I wonder why it malfunctioned? http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090224/ap_on_sc/sci_carbon_satellite
  33. wolram

    NASA James Hansen’s Former NASA Supervisor Declares Himself a Skeptic

    What is going on :confused: http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Minority.Blogs&ContentRecord_id=1a5e6e32-802a-23ad-40ed-ecd53cd3d320
  34. jim mcnamara

    What is the source of methane on Mars?

    http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mars/news/marsmethane.html NASA reports evidence of methane in the Martian atmosphere. There are several ways to explain the methane - Methane trapped in pockets in the bedrock being released Methane being created at greater depths by geochemical...
  35. F

    Constant acceleration problem involving NASA exploration vehicle.

    1. In Jan. 2004, NASA landed exploration vehicles on Mars. Part of the descent consisted of the following stages:? Stage A: Friction with the atmosphere reduced the speed from 19300 km/h to 1600 km/h in 4.0 min. Stage B: A parachute then opened to slow it down to 321 km/h in 94 s. Stage C: Retro...
  36. H

    NASA Is Bureaucracy Killing NASA's Future?

    http://www.physorg.com/news144307123.html
  37. C

    NASA Gamma ray map of the galaxy completed by NASA

    Very cool image. Does anyone know, is anything in the information we got from this so far at all surprising? Is it likely we will learn anything about gamma ray bursts from this or is more information
  38. M

    Python Nasa, Ares and the gratuitous Monty Python joke

    Nasa is facing more problems with it's Shuttle replacement. following Ares-I being too small to lift anything the Ares-V looks like it is too heavy for the road to the launchpad. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/08/21/314931/nasa-faces-budget-busting-crawlerway-rebuild-for-ares-v.html...
  39. K

    NASA's Stance on Warp Drive: Could FTL Travel Be Possible?

    While on NASA Glen research website this morning I came across their page about warp drive. In the first few lines they say they are not sure if faster than light travel is possible. Not sure? So does that mean NASA thinks it may not be impossible to travel fater than light either then. I was...
  40. E

    NASA NASA Scientists Make Magnetic Fields Visible, Beautiful

    http://gizmodo.com/5012347/nasa-scientists-make-magnetic-fields-visible-beautiful http://gizmodo.com/assets/images/gizmodo/2008/06/magnetic_movie_1.jpg
  41. N

    Nasa speaks of the either the space shuttle or the ISS

    how come when NASA speaks of the either the space shuttle or the ISS, they speak as if they have left the effects of Earth's gravity? This is not true. The people in the ISS are falling toward Earth at the same speed as the craft around them. When they start their decent back to Earth they...
  42. Math Is Hard

    NASA Crazy Rasberry ants head for NASA

    http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9086098
  43. S

    NASA Discoveries: Neutrinos and Cosmic Fog

    A NASA satellite has uncovered evidence that a sea of neutrinos, almost weightless elementary particles that zip around at nearly the speed of light, permeates the universe. The discovery is part of a treasure trove of findings gleaned from data collected by the Wilkinson Anisotropy Probe...
  44. M

    What is the best way to get a job as a physicist at NASA?

    I want to work for NASA. As a physics major, what is the best way to get a job as a physicist at NASA?
  45. N

    NASA Exploring the Speed of NASA Shuttles in Space

    I don't know much about Nasa or their shuttles but i am wondering once they get into space can't they go as fast as they want, or is there something i don't know about.
  46. R

    NASA NASA Scientist Fired - Promises Disclosure

    Not sure what to make of this one. Its a very popular recent story on various websites. obviously its a quite far fetched sounding story, but it is being made by people who acually worked at NASA. The fact there is a book being written on this does not help his cause either. But that is no...
  47. S

    Path of a spinning ball as given by NASA?

    Check out this page: http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/TRC/Aeronautics/Ping_Pong_Curve.html Here's the picture.
  48. T

    NASA NASA 2008 Regolith Excavation Challenge

    Hey, i Just heard about these challenges that they have been doing since 2005. I saw the machines they created for 2007, and No one won. Well, the prize is now like over 350,000 for 2008. I`m thinking of giving it a shot, Just don't know if i can enter... The competition is in the States, Can...
  49. V

    NASA USRP: Questions from an Undergrad Physics/CS Student

    Hello all. I'm currently in my junior year as a physics/computer science double major. I got REALLY lucky and had a professor develop an interest in me my freshmen year. I've done summer research with him the past two summers and have loved it. Next summer, however, I want to branch out and...
  50. B. Elliott

    Blogger Finds Y2K Bug in NASA Climate Data

    Years of bad data corrected; 1998 no longer the warmest year on record http://www.dailytech.com/Blogger+finds+Y2K+bug+in+NASA+Climate+Data/article8383.htm A friend of mine just pointed this out to me. Very... interesting. Edit by Ivan: copyright violation. Please quote only...
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