Borrowing insights gleaned from the FBI and the National Science Foundation, six U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation today that would revamp the leadership structure within NASA and U.S. space program.
The Space Leadership Preservation Act, introducedby Reps. John Culberson (TX), Frank Wolf (VA), Bill Posey (FL), Pete Olson (TX), James Sensenbrenner (WI) and Lamar Smith (TX), would create a 10-year term for the NASA Administrator. Keep reading →
This is one among a collection of videos and essays from women who contribute to NASA‘s mission. They are part of the agency’s efforts to create a collaborative and supportive community of women at the agency, inspire girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to encourage openness and accountability at NASA.
In 1995, after spending my entire life in the suburbs of New Orleans, La., we decided to move out of the city, settling 25 miles north of Stennis Space Center. At that time, I was a Special Projects Coordinator at an abstract firm which served law firms and real estate professionals in the New Orleans area. After commuting for a few years, it was time to find something closer to home, which is how I ended up at NASA as a Legal Technician in the Office of Chief Counsel. I have proudly been part of the NASA family since December 1998. I love it when someone asked where I work and when I say “NASA, more often than not they smile and say “Wow, that’s awesome.” Their expression reminds me of how privileged I am. Keep reading →
This is one among a collection of videos and essays from women who contribute to NASA‘s mission. They are part of the agency’s efforts to create a collaborative and supportive community of women at the agency, inspire girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to encourage openness and accountability at NASA.
As a child, I really did not think about or plan my life toward any particular career. We lived in Nashville, Tenn., and I was the oldest of five children. After my parents divorced, we moved to Huntsville. My mother would often work 16-hour days to take care of us. Being the oldest meant I was responsible for tending to my brothers and sisters while she was working. Unfortunately, this was not an easy task because they saw me as their equal and not someone with any authority. In spite of that, I believe being placed in this role at an early age taught me some lessons in responsibility. Keep reading →
Most spacecraft try to avoid the Van Allen Belts, two doughnut-shaped regions around Earth filled with “killer electrons.”
Last week, NASA launched two heavily-shielded spacecraft directly into the belts. The Radiation Belt Storm Probes are on a two-year mission to study the Van Allen Belts and to unravel the mystery of their unpredictability. Keep reading →
This is one in our regular More With Less series exploring how federal agencies are finding and implementing innovative ways to drive efficiency and cut costs.
The Office of Management and Budget has about 20,000 money-saving ideas from federal workers to consider in the coming weeks. One of them will win an award. Many could find their way into the next fiscal budget. Keep reading →
This is one among a collection of videos and essays from women who contribute to NASA‘s mission. They are part of the agency’s efforts to create a collaborative and supportive community of women at the agency, inspire girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to encourage openness and accountability at NASA.
In my capacity as a NASA employee and a Huntsville, Ala., community volunteer, I have dedicated myself to the Hispanic community. This motivation springs from my own heritage – devotion to family, history and culture – and from my professional NASA values, which include cultural diversity and awareness. It’s my passion to help Hispanic people in the state of Alabama and around the world; I feels it is most important to help open doors for children and young people, to let them see the opportunities they have to continue their education and develop rewarding careers and fulfilling lives. I believe we should start training and developing the minds of these students to their full potential at an early age, because all children, regardless of their race, deserve the opportunity to succeed. Keep reading →
Government technology officials are working urgently to enable federal employees to work using their own mobile devices. That’s in spite of a thicket of management issues and security concerns that continue to hamper their efforts.
Though the path to adoption is proving cumbersome, the rationale is simple: Bring your own device (BYOD) programs are seen as a unique opportunity to reduce agency information technology costs. Keep reading →
This is one among a collection of videos and essays from women who contribute to NASA‘s mission. They are part of the agency’s efforts to create a collaborative and supportive community of women at the agency, inspire girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to encourage openness and accountability at NASA.
“I’m a 35-year-old mother of three in my third marriage, working as a waitress, and have let life around me “just happen”. I exist in a reactionary state of mind.” That was me 11 years ago when I decided it was time to take control of my life, become proactive and make choices to live my life. Keep reading →
This is one among a collection of videos and essays from women who contribute to NASA’s mission. They are part of the agency’s efforts to create a collaborative and supportive community of women at the agency, inspire girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to encourage openness and accountability at NASA.
When I was growing up, my father owned a service station, and my mother was an accountant. Because they both worked, I was fortunate to spend a lot of time with my grandparents when I was growing up. I loved when my Grandmother would bring out her picture albums and tell me wonderful stories about her brother, Floyd Kelso – a barnstormer. He and his wing walker, Auggie Peddlar, performed aerobatic stunts for audiences along the West Coast. There are pictures of Auggie, in-flight, hanging from struts, running across wings and other classic barnstormer images. My father also had colorful tales to tell about his own experiences flying Aeroncas and Ercoupes: He would glide over the Alviso Slew, and restart his engine over the hunters, flushing the ducks, but ruining the hunting. I loved the adventure, humor and passion about aircraft in these tales. Thus, when my high school biology teacher offered me an opportunity as an aeronautics intern at NASA Ames Research Center, I jumped at it. Keep reading →
So, after that whole Mars Curiosity thing, perhaps they do have some bragging rights?