MSGC News & Events

University of Maine Successful Flight Test of Wireless Sensors on Board of Prospector-18B Rocket, Mojave, CA

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:00:00

Five WiSe-Net senior student members, Zachary Janosik, Adam Marsano, John Murray, and Joel Castro worked with PhD Candidate Fred Schwaner to develop wireless accelerometer sensor network for vibration testing of Rocket Engine. This project was funded by NASA and the Maine Space Grant Consortium as well as Garvey Spacecraft Corporation and California Space Grant Consortium and was joint with California State University at Long Beach. The launch of this 27 ft rocket was completed on April 16, 2011 in Mojave, CA. For more info, videos, and photos see UMaine and GSC newsrelease.

NASA Announces Design for New Deep Space Exploration System

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:57:00

NASA is ready to move forward with the development of the Space Launch System -- an advanced heavy-lift launch vehicle that will provide an entirely new national capability for human exploration beyond Earth's orbit. The Space Launch System will give the nation a safe, affordable and sustainable means of reaching beyond our current limits and opening up new discoveries from the unique vantage point of space.

The Space Launch System, or SLS, will be designed to carry the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, as well as important cargo, equipment and science experiments to Earth's orbit and destinations beyond. Additionally, the SLS will serve as a back up for commercial and international partner transportation services to the International Space Station.

"This launch system will create good-paying American jobs, ensure continued U.S. leadership in space, and inspire millions around the world," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. "President Obama challenged us to be bold and dream big, and that's exactly what we are doing at NASA. While I was proud to fly on the space shuttle, kids today can now dream of one day walking on Mars."

For the rest of the story, visit http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/sls1.html

Photo: Artist concept of SLS launching, credit NASA

College of the Atlantic students involved in innovative recycling project

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:07:00

In September of 2010, a project was initiated by four students at the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine. Using funding received from the Maine Space Grant Consortium (MSGC), these students—Cayla Moore, Lisa Bjerke, Matt McElwee, and Nick Harris—developed a plan to convert food waste into a fuel, known as butanol, that can replace both gasoline and heating oil. Their process uses fermentation to produce butanol and compost as a biproduct. The MSGC funding was used to develop a laboratory prototype of this process. The students involved in the project hope to scale up production and launch their own business—Gourmet Butanol.

The immediate objective for Gourmet Butanol is to construct a facility in Bar Harbor that will utilize restaurant waste to produce enough butanol to replace all of the gasoline and heating oil used by the College of the Atlantic. If this goal is achieved it would remove approximately 900 tons of food scraps from the waste stream and replace over 50,000 gallons of fossil fuels. The students say this is only a small part of the dream. Eventually Gourmet Butanol hopes to commercialize the process and supply the greater state of Maine with this sustainable and carbon-neutral fuel.

Governor John E. Baldacci to announce NASA Cooperative Agreement for High School Astrobiology-Scientific Ballooning Pilot Project

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 11:05:19

Augusta, Maine: Governor John E. Baldacci will announce the award of a $400,000 cooperative agreement from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to the Maine Space Grant Consortium for a unique pilot project designed to increase high school students' interest in science, technology and mathematics careers. The project will involve selected 10th grade classes around the state in a year-long astrobiology curriculum involving high-altitude scientific ballooning research initiatives. The grant will also provide opportunities for high school teachers to build their scientific skills through related professional development activities.

A press conference to announce the grant will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, December 14, 2010, in the Hall of Flags at the Augusta State House. For more information download the media advisory here.

Student-Designed Aerospace Project Presented at the National Council of Space Grant Directors Fall Meeting in Portland Maine

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 08:00:00

The Maine Space Grant Consortium was the host for the National Council of Space Grant Directors meeting in October, 2010, bringing together NASA, academia and professionals from across the United States.

Students at Ironwood, located in Morrill Maine, presented the results of their scientific ballooning project funded in part by the Maine Space Grant Consortium.

For more information, see the press releases on Ironwood's Scientific Ballooning Program and the student's presentation at the National meeting

Successfully Commercialized NASA Technologies highlighted in NASA Spinoff

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:47:00

For more than 40 years, the NASA Innovative Partnerships Program has facilitated the transfer of NASA technology to the private sector, benefiting global competition and the economy. The resulting commercialization has contributed to the development of commercial products and services in the fields of health and medicine, industry, consumer goods, transportation, public safety, computer technology, and environmental resources.

Click here For more information on NASA's Spinoff and to view a searchable database.