Sept 12, 2011

Ann Marie Trotta Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1601 ann marie trotta@nasa gov

Rachel Kraft
Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 rachel h kraft@nasa gov

RELEASE: 11-297

NASA SEEKS UNDERGRADUATES TO FLY RESEARCH IN MICROGRAVITY

HOUSTON -- NASA is offering undergraduate students the opportunity to test an experiment in microgravity as part of the agency's Reduced Gravity Education Flight Program The program is accepting proposals for two different flight experiences in 2012

Teams interested in conducting student-driven research should submit a letter of intent by Sept 14 This step is optional, but serves as an introductory notice that a team plans to submit a proposal for the competition Proposals for student-driven experiments are due Oct 26, and selected teams will be announced Dec 7 The actual flight experience will take place in June 2012

The initiative, managed by the Education Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, provides future scientists and engineers an opportunity to design, build and fly an experiment aboard a microgravity aircraft The aircraft is a modified jet that flies approximately 30 roller-coaster-like climbs and dips to simulate micro- and hyper-gravity The overall experience includes scientific research, hands-on experimental design, test operations and public outreach activities

"This program leverages NASA's unique resources and allows students to determine what it takes to be a real world scientist or engineer," said Reduced Gravity Education Flight Program Manager Doug Goforth

NASA personnel also have indentified student opportunities related to ongoing systems engineering projects that are pertinent to future agency research and missions Students interested in working on these projects are encouraged to apply for the Systems Engineering Educational Discovery (SEED) flight week opportunity Proposals are due by Oct 26, and selected teams will be announced Nov 30 The SEED flight week will take place in April 2012

All applicants for these programs must be U S citizens Full-time students must be at least 18 years old Selected teams may invite an accredited journalist to fly with them to document the experience

For more information about the Reduced Gravity Education Flight Program, or the application process, or to submit a proposal, contact jsc-reducedgravity@nasa gov or visit:

http://microgravityuniversity jsc nasa gov

To view SEED flight week opportunities, visit:

http://microgravityuniversity jsc nasa gov/se/

For information about NASA's education programs, visit:

http://www nasa gov/education

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