NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center Hosts Climate and Science Town Hall

On September 17, NASA Chief Scientist and Senior Climate Advisor Kate Calvin joined a panel at Marshall Space Flight Center for a Climate and Science Town Hall. The event, held in Activities Building 4316, was live-streamed across the agency. Calvin participated in a question-and-answer session, joined by Rahul Ramachandran, research scientist and senior data science strategist for the Science Research and Project Division at Marshall; Andrew Molthan, Marshall Earth Science Branch Chief; Renee Weber, Marshall Chief Scientist; Joseph Pelfrey, Marshall Center Director; and Julie Bassler, Marshall Science and Technology Office Manager, who moderated the panel.

During the town hall, the panel discussed several critical topics, including NASA and Marshall’s response to climate change, the impact of climate change on their objectives, and how they are helping organizations worldwide address the issue.

A Legacy Continues: Jacob Onken Follows in His Father’s Footsteps at NASA

Jacob Onken, inspired by his father Jay Onken’s career, has embarked on his own journey at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. Both father and son have served as Payload Operations Directors (PODs), making them the first family members to hold this role at Marshall.

Jacob Onken’s career began with an internship at Teledyne Brown Engineering while pursuing a degree in computer science at Auburn University. This opportunity allowed him to work at Marshall’s Payload Operations Integration Center, a place where his father had worked. After graduating in 2018, Jacob became a data management coordinator (DMC) and later earned his DMC certification. He eventually became the lead DMC for Expeditions 62 and 63 and trained new flight controllers.

Jay Onken had a distinguished career, starting as an aerospace engineer and later becoming one of the first flight directors for NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Observatory. He retired in 2018 and passed away in 2021. Jacob continues to honor his father’s legacy, embodying similar traits and often reflecting on his father’s advice.

Observe the Moon Night: A Celebration of Lunar Exploration

On September 14, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville hosted "Observe the Moon Night," a free public event encouraging lunar observation and understanding. The event was part of International Observe the Moon Night and was hosted by NASA’s Planetary Missions Program Office, located at the Marshall Space Flight Center.

The event featured engaging demonstrations by the Science Wizard, David Hagerman, and provided attendees the opportunity to visit NASA displays and interact with experts. It was an evening filled with education and fun, aimed at fostering appreciation for the Moon and its connection to NASA’s exploration efforts.

Celebrating Art and Astronomy in Huntsville

On September 20, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center will host a special celebration of art and astronomy in downtown Huntsville. The event, titled "Legacy of the Invisible," will include the dedication of a new art installation, "No Straight Lines," by local artist Float. The celebration coincides with the 25th anniversary of NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and will feature live music, art vendors, and food.

Attendees will have the chance to meet NASA experts and the artist behind the new installation, which honors Huntsville’s scientific legacy in astrophysics and highlights groundbreaking discoveries.

National Space Club Breakfast: Insights into the SLS Program

John Honeycutt, manager of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) Program, delivered the keynote address at the National Space Club Breakfast on September 17 in Huntsville. Honeycutt provided detailed insights into the SLS Program’s operations, accomplishments, and future goals. The SLS rocket is a powerful launch vehicle designed for human exploration beyond Earth’s orbit, and it plays a crucial role in NASA’s Artemis missions.

Honeycutt emphasized the community’s longstanding contribution to space exploration and the future impact of the SLS and Artemis programs, which aim to pave the way to Mars.

Watts on the Moon Challenge: Advancing Lunar Exploration

NASA’s Watts on the Moon Challenge, designed to develop breakthrough power transmission and energy storage technologies for lunar missions, will conclude on September 20 at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, Ohio. The challenge aims to support the Artemis campaign by ensuring continuous, reliable power for sustained lunar presence.

The technologies developed through this challenge were tested in simulated lunar conditions, representing a significant step toward their deployment on the Moon. The winning teams will be awarded based on their system’s efficiency and mass, with the top team receiving $1 million.

Europa Clipper Mission: Preparing for Launch

NASA’s Europa Clipper mission is getting closer to launch as technicians prepare the spacecraft at Kennedy Space Center. Scheduled to launch on October 10, the spacecraft will embark on a nearly six-year journey to Jupiter’s moon Europa. The mission aims to study Europa’s icy shell, underlying ocean, and potential plumes of water vapor to determine if it could support life.

Managed by Caltech, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the Applied Physics Laboratory, the Europa Clipper mission will enhance our understanding of habitable environments in the solar system.

Recognizing Small Business Achievements at Marshall

NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center will host its annual Small Business Industry and Advocate Awards ceremony on September 19. The event recognizes small businesses and champions for their outstanding achievements and highlights new opportunities for small businesses to participate in NASA’s procurement processes.

Speakers include Dwight Deneal, Joseph Pelfrey, John Cannaday, Davey Jones, and David Brock. The event aims to inform and support small businesses in their pursuit of NASA opportunities.

Advancing 3D Printing with Aluminum Alloys

In the fall of 2023, NASA successfully tested a 3D-printed rocket engine nozzle made of aluminum, a material not typically used for 3D printing due to its low melting point and tendency to crack. This breakthrough could save significant time, money, and weight for future spacecraft.

Elementum 3D Inc., a partner in the project, developed the technology to make aluminum alloys suitable for 3D printing. This collaboration with NASA could lead to broader applications, including satellite components, microchip manufacturing equipment, and Formula 1 race car parts.

Discovering More Black Holes in the Early Universe

With the help of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, researchers have discovered more black holes in the early universe than previously known. This finding can help scientists understand how supermassive black holes, which can weigh more than a billion suns, were formed shortly after the big bang.

The study suggests that some black holes may have formed from the collapse of massive, pristine stars, gas clouds, or through other mechanisms. This new information will enable more accurate models of galaxy formation and evolution.

Hubble Space Telescope: Three Decades of Discovery

The Hubble Space Telescope, a collaboration between NASA and ESA, has been operating for over 30 years and continues to make groundbreaking discoveries. Managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and supported by Lockheed Martin Space and the Space Telescope Science Institute, Hubble remains a vital tool for understanding the universe.

NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center played a key role in the design, development, and construction of the Hubble Space Telescope.

For more information, you can visit the NASA websites referenced throughout this article.

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