NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASA Tests Engine Technology for Landing Astronauts on the Moon

The Common Extensible Cryogenic Engine, or CECE. Image Credit: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne

A technology development engine that may help NASA safely return astronauts to the lunar surface has successfully completed its third round of testing at Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne in West Palm Beach, Fla. The tests helped gather data on the Common Extensible Cryogenic Engine, or CECE, that might serve as the lunar lander descent engine in the next stage of human exploration of the moon.

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Stephen Doering named Marshall Center's associate program manager for NASA's Constellation Program

Stephen C. Doering. Image Credit: NASA/JSC

Stephen C. Doering has been appointed associate program manager for the Constellation Program at the Marshall Center. Doering will serve as the Marshall Center director’s Constellation Program representative. In this role, he will provide guidance for program-level systems engineering and integration; safety and mission assurance; testing and verification; and service module and launch abort systems.

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Cassiopeia A Comes Alive Across Time and Space

Cas A: the supernova remnant that was Chandra's "First Light" image that has been observed ever since. Image Credit: NASA/CXC/SAO/D.Patnaude et al.

A stunning new movie from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory shows dynamic changes never seen before in the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A. Scientists have been able to construct a movie that tracks the remnant's expansion and changes over time. Such supernova transformations are providing answers about supernova energy and dynamics. The Marshall Center manages the Chandra program.

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Johnny Stephenson Named Deputy of Marshall Center's Office of Strategic Analysis and Communications

Johnny F. Stephenson Jr.
Image Credit: NASA/MSFC/David Higginbotham

Johnny F. Stephenson Jr. has been appointed deputy director of the Office of Strategic Analysis & Communications at the Marshall Center. Stephenson will help lead an organization of 160 civil service and contractor personnel who provide objective analyses and comprehensive communications to support policy, program and budget decisions for the NASA center.

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NASA Seeks Concept Proposals for Ares V Heavy Lift Rocket

NASA issued a request for proposal for the Ares V rocket that will perform heavy lift and cargo functions as part of the next generation of spacecraft that will return humans to the moon. The request is for Phase I concept definition and requirements development for the Ares V rocket. Proposals are due to the Marshall Center Feb. 9. The Marshall Center manages the Ares V project.

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James Webb Telescope Mirrors Chill Out at the Marshall Center

Engineers from Ball Aerospace inspect the first James Webb Space Telescope mirror segment upon its arrival at Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Al. for cryogenic testing. Image Credit: NASA/MSFC/E. Given

The first of 18 mirror segments that will fly on NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have arrived at Marshall Space Flight Center for testing at Marshall’s X-ray & Cryogenic Facility. While the mirrors chill down, engineers will precisely measure the structural stability of the hardware to ensure it will perform as designed once operating in extreme temperatures of space.

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Racers Get Ready! NASA's Great Moonbuggy Registration Begins

Registration is open for NASA's 16th annual Great Moonbuggy Race, to be held April 3-4, 2009, at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville. Each year, NASA challenges high schools and colleges across the country and worldwide to design and build lightweight, human-powered moonbuggies. The Marshall Center, which founded the race in 1994, is taking registrations through Feb. 1.

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