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Conference 7.286::space

Title:Space Exploration
Notice:Shuttle launch schedules, see Note 6
Moderator:PRAGMA::GRIFFIN
Created:Mon Feb 17 1986
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:974
Total number of notes:18843

577.0. "getaway specials" by NETMAN::COHEN (Nothing is EVER easy...) Thu Nov 09 1989 00:00

    Hello, this is the first time I have written anything on the notes file
    sys. so if I break from formality, bear with me. My question is that I
    am about to submit an idea to NASA for a getaway special(gascan). They
    have a program for students that they pay for ideas that they think are
    very good ideas. My ideas is to:see which works better in space, plants
    grown hydroponicly or with conventional soil and water or to see if
    superconductors that are manufactured in microgravity will work at
    higher temperatures. Does anyone know if thes ideas have been used
    before? Better yet does anyone know what gascans have been sent up so
    far and what ones are waiting to be sent up. Any info would be greatly
    appreciated.
    
    
    	Matt
    
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577.1Some SuggestionsVOSTOK::LEPAGETruth travels slowlyThu Nov 09 1989 10:0826
    Re: .0
    
    Matt,
    	I think that your idea for manufacturing superconductors is highly
    original and would be a good candidate for NASA's program (assuming
    you are a student). Concerning your plant experiment, I've never heard
    of someone performing such an experiment in the US but I am fairly
    certain that the Soviet Union have grown plants in soil and
    hydroponicly as long ago as a decade starting on Salyut 6. I'll have to
    dig through my references to get some more info.
    	I do have a suggestion about submiting your ideas to NASA. First,
    do not send the an unsolicited idea; write to NASA, get information on
    the program, and most importantly find out EXACTLY where and to whom it
    should be mailed. If it ends up on the wrong person's desk it may never
    arrive to the proper group. Next, be sure that you follow the
    instructions for preparing and submiting your proposal (in fact be sure
    to ask for them in your original letter). NASA will also probably
    require that your project have a faculty adviser (partly to make sure
    you are a student) so get one of your instructors involved with the
    project.
    	I hope I haven't told you anything you don't already know. I have
    seen too many student projects die or get blown out of the water over
    simple thing like I mentioned above. Good luck.
    
    				Drew
    
577.2a little more info.ESPN::EMMONSIts whats invisible thats essential.Thu Nov 09 1989 12:1917


	I agree with the first reply, do some research ahead of time
	and find out who you really need to contact at NASA.  If you 
	do write, I might suggest using your school's stationary.  

	Also, NASA does not run all programs of this nature.  A few 
	years ago when applications were being accepted for proposals
	on the use of the Hubble Space Telescope by amatuer astronomers,
	I dealt with the Variable Star Observers Group (Cambridge, MA),
	not NASA.  Hence, you may have a bit of chasing around to do!

	Good luck!

	ken

577.3THANKS!NETMAN::COHENNothing is EVER easy...Mon Nov 13 1989 10:361