NASA Partners with Hawaii on Space Exploration, Science
MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- NASA and the State of Hawaii agreed Tuesday
to collaborate in a variety of activities involving small satellite
development, advanced aviation, space exploration, education and
science.
During a ceremony at the state capitol in Honolulu, NASA's Ames
Research Center Director S. Pete Worden and Hawaii Governor Linda
Lingle signed a three-year non-reimbursable Space Act Agreement
establishing a partnership for space exploration, scientific research
and education initiatives in science, technology, engineering and
mathematics, known as STEM.
"NASA and Hawaii have collaborated in space exploration since the
early years of our space program when Apollo astronauts trained for
their missions on the lunar-like volcanic terrain on the Big Island
of Hawaii," said Worden. "With this agreement, we look forward to
extending that partnership even further as we continue to explore and
expand into space."
"The inauguration of a new Space Act Agreement with NASA is an
innovative partnership that will leverage Hawaii's unique location,
strategic technological assets and capabilities, and international
ties throughout the Asia-Pacific region to advance space exploration,
next-generation aviation, scientific research and STEM education,"
said Lingle.
"This alliance represents a truly exceptional and timely opportunity
for our state that will help diversify our economy by developing the
local aerospace industry, as well as expand Hawaii's leadership role
in the global space enterprise," Lingle added. "We look forward to
continuing to collaborate with NASA in realizing the substantial
scientific, educational and commercial development opportunities this
agreement will afford both our state and our nation."
"For nearly 50 years, Hawaii has been at the forefront of pioneering
programs in astronomy, planetary geosciences, broadband satellite
communications, space-based environmental monitoring, and deep-space
surveillance," said Lt. Governor James R. "Duke" Aiona, Jr., who
represents Hawaii as a vice chairman of the national Aerospace States
Association. "This new agreement builds upon a dynamic partnership
with NASA that over the next three years will substantially increase
Hawaii's competitive advantages and help to enhance our long-term
economic prosperity."
NASA maintains a satellite tracking station on the island of Kauai and
has a long history of conducting deep space observations from the
advanced telescopes on the Hawaiian Islands. It also supports a broad
range of educational programs through the Hawaii Space Grant
Consortium at the University of Hawaii. NASA's Space Grant national
network of 52 consortia in all 50 states, the District of Columbia
and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico includes more than 850 affiliates
from universities, colleges, industry, museums, science centers, and
state and local agencies supporting and enhancing science and
engineering education, research and public outreach efforts for
NASA's aeronautics and space projects.
The agreement's first annex provides for small satellite development
with the University of Hawaii's Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory under
a new program called HawaiiSat. The Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory
will train engineering and science students to design and build small
satellites.
Students and professors from the university will be sent to Ames to
work with scientists and engineers to design, integrate and manage
small satellites. During their training, the visiting students and
professors also will work with other small satellite contractors in
NASA Research Park, such as Santa Clara University.
The overall goal of the collaboration is to develop a Hawaii-based
program for small spacecraft missions and a satellite project
developed and managed by students. NASA will benefit from the
insights provided by the students and their professors toward future
NASA missions. HawaiiSat also will enable NASA to help develop the
next generation of explorers, engineers and scientists needed for
future space exploration. The Space Act Agreement also provides for
the addition of future annexes for NASA and Hawaii to collaborate.
For more information about Ames, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/ames
To learn more about NASA's small satellite program, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_
For information about NASA's education programs, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/education
For more information about the State of Hawaii, visit:
http://hawaii.gov/gov
For more information about Hawaii's aerospace initiatives, visit:
http://aerospacehawaii.info
For more information about the Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory, visit:
http://hsfl.hawaii.edu
Source: NASA
