This fiscal year (April 1, 2009 – March 31, 2010) the California Space Grant Consortium will provide fellowships totaling $40,000 (individual awards of $5,000-$7,000) to support UCSD graduate students for aerospace-related research in the designated research theme area of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and their associated science payload sensors and technology.

These graduate student fellowship opportunities are for students in aerospace-related science, engineering, technology, and management. This program will act as a catalyst to focus a campus-wide interdisciplinary team’s (particularly 1st and 2nd year graduate students) attention on the science and engineering opportunities involved in the U.S. aerospace program. The Fellowship Program guidelines are as follows: (more…)

Several Sacramento State students have had the opportunity to intern at NASA centers all across the nation.

Click the link to read the full story:
http://media.www.statehornet.com/media/storage/paper1146/news/2009/11/12/News/Students.Aim.For.Stars-3828529.shtml

Saturday’s high altitude balloon launch took place near the southern tip of the Salton Sea near the Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge. This change in location (originally scheduled to be Plaster City) was a result of weather prediction simulations showing where the winds would take our balloon and payloads. On the morning of the launch, the winds were headed south-east and we therefore shifted the launch site to avoid having our balloon and payload cross the U.S. – Mexico border.

UCSD faculty, students, and staff worked closely with teachers and students from The Preuss School, Lincoln High School, Helix Charter High School, and El Cajon Valley High School. All worked hard at incorporating their payloads in preparation for the launch and in working hands-on with mentors from UCSD. The students showed much spirit and braved the warm temperatures of the desert with gusto.

After the balloon was launched the teachers and students waited patiently for the return of their payloads. Lincoln High School put on a barbecue, students observed desert plant life, played football and board games, and watched UCSD Aerospace Engineers perform real-time tracking of the balloon using GPS and mapping software.

Results for the launch will be shared next week with the teachers and students. We commend everyone for their hard work and great spirit during this exciting day.

This activity was sponsored by the California Space Grant Consortium, a NASA-funded organization providing hands-on student-mentor experiences in Science and Engineering.

To view photos taken during Saturday’s launch, CLICK  HERE.

National Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) is a pilot program funded by NASA’s Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) and administered by NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC).  Community college students from across the nation who are interested in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics will apply to travel to NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) for a three day experience.  This opportunity will provide a hands-on project featuring engineering career possibilities.  Selected students will begin the semester commitment with Web-based preparation prior to visiting JSC.  The only cost to the student is a $30 registration fee; NASA covers travel (up to $1000), food, and lodging. (more…)

NASA announces a call for graduate fellowship proposals to the NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship (NESSF) program for the 2010-2011 academic year.  This call for fellowship proposals solicits applications from accredited U.S. universities on behalf of individuals pursuing Master of Science (M.Sc.) or Doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees in Earth and space sciences, or related disciplines.  The purpose of NESSF is to ensure continued training of a highly qualified workforce in disciplines needed to achieve NASA’s scientific goals.  Awards resulting from the competitive selection will be made in the form of training grants to the respective universities.

The deadline for NEW applications is February 1, 2010, and the deadline for RENEWAL applications is March 15, 2010. (more…)