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On Nov. 8, NASA\u2019s current class of\u00a0astronaut candidates\u00a0toured Ames Research Center which included a stop at the Arc Jet Complex. In the arc jet facilities, Ames researchers test advanced materials that protect spacecraft from the extremely high temperatures of entering an atmosphere \u2013 whether Earth\u2019s, Mars\u2019, or another in our solar system.<\/p>\n
Among the candidates aiming to join America\u2019s astronaut corps are women and men who will potentially fly on future\u00a0Artemis\u00a0missions, performing science on the Moon and exploring the resources it holds. Work performed in the arc jet will help ensure all Artemis astronauts return home safely. For Artemis I, launched in November 2022, material used in the\u00a0Orion\u00a0crew module\u2019s heat shield was\u00a0tested here at Ames.<\/p>\n
The astronaut candidates \u2013 including former Ames intern\u00a0Deniz Burnham\u00a0\u2013 also visited other Ames facilities, learning about their contributions to Artemis and more. These include wind tunnel testing and supercomputer simulations of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket; development of the\u00a0Astrobee\u00a0free-flying robots that could assist future astronauts on missions; space biosciences research that will help keep crew healthy; and flight simulations at the\u00a0Vertical Motion Simulator, where NASA\u2019s\u00a0human landing system\u00a0program partners analyzed and improved early lander concepts to deliver humans to the lunar surface as part of the Artemis missions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The public was invited to a live, front row seat to see NASA\u2019s first robotic Moon rover take shape in the Surface Segment Integration and Testing Facility clean room at the agency\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Members of\u00a0VIPER\u00a0\u2014 short for the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover \u2014 and the Office of Communications at NASA Ames hosted watch parties and answered uestions from the public about the mission in both English, Nov. 8 and Spanish on Nov. 9. <\/p>\n
These webchats and watch parties will occur as the rover is assembled and tested, approximately once a month from November 2023 through January 2024 . In late 2024, VIPER will embark on a mission to the lunar South Pole to trek into permanently shadowed areas and unravel the mysteries of the Moon\u2019s water.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re really excited for people to see the VIPER rover hardware coming together,\u201d said Daniel Andrews, the VIPER mission project manager at NASA Ames. \u201cAll of our planning and ideas are now going into building this first-of-its-kind Moon rover.\u201d<\/p>\n
Individual components such as the rover\u2019s science instruments, lights, and wheels, have already been assembled and tested. Once delivered to the testing facility, other components will be integrated together to become the approximately 1,000-pound VIPER.<\/p>\n
Months of final assembly and testing lie ahead before VIPER is ready to ship to the Astrobotic Payload Processing Facility in Florida in mid-2024. VIPER\u2019s lunar landing atop\u00a0Mons Mouton\u00a0is scheduled for late-2024, where it will\u00a0get a close-up view of the lunar surface and measure the location and concentration of water ice and other resources. Using its drill and three science instruments, researchers will gain a better understanding of\u00a0how frozen water and other volatiles are distributed on the Moon, their cosmic origin, and what has kept them preserved in the lunar soil for billions of years.\u00a0VIPER will also inform future\u00a0Artemis missions by helping to characterize the lunar environment and help determine locations where water and other resources could be harvested to sustain humans for extended missions.<\/p>\n
NASA Ames manages the VIPER mission and also leads the mission\u2019s science, systems engineering, real-time rover surface operations, and the rover\u2019s flight software. The rover vehicle is being designed and built by NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston, while the instruments are provided by Ames, Kennedy Space Center in Florida and commercial partner Honeybee Robotics in Altadena, California. The spacecraft, lander, and launch vehicle that will deliver VIPER to the surface of the Moon will be provided through NASA\u2019s\u00a0Commercial Lunar Payload Services\u00a0initiative, delivering science and technology payloads to and near the Moon.<\/p>\n
For more information about VIPER visit:<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\n by Maria C. Lopez<\/em><\/p>\n Local farmworker families had a special opportunity to meet former astronaut Jose Hernandez and watch a screening of the movie \u201cA Million Miles Away\u201d on October 29, at the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose.\u00a0 The movie highlights Hernandez\u2019 humble beginnings as a farmworker and inspires viewers to reach for the stars and pursue their dreams despite obstacles.\u00a0 The event was organized by Darlene Tenes, founder of the Farmworker Caravan, supported by the Santa Clara County Office of Education Migrant Education Program, and began with a STEM fair attended by City of San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who connected with attendees and booth hosts.\u00a0 <\/p>\n The STEM fair showcased NASA; the Latinos at Amazon employee resource group (ERG); alpha public schools, where one in San Jose is named after Jose Hernandez; and local Hispanic community-based organizations.\u00a0 The NASA booth featured NASA\u2019s graphic novel \u201cFirst Woman\u201d (La primera mujer) and NASA posters in Spanish as well as English content on various missions and was staffed by the Office of Communications in partnership with Ames\u2019 Hispanic Advisory Committee for Employees (HACE) ERG, including Jose Chavez-Garcia, current junior research scientist \u2013 Analytical Mechanics Associates. \u00a0Chavez-Garcia was recognized at the event as one of the role models for starting with a farmworker background and achieving professional success.\u00a0 Participants enthusiastically enjoyed interacting with the NASA Ames staff and taking selfie photos with the enormous NASA inflatable rocket, astronaut, and meatball logo.\u00a0<\/p>\n During the movie screening, a press conference was held and Hernandez spoke about the value of the Hispanic workforce in the United States.\u00a0 Hernandez was asked what he wanted people to take away from the movie and he expressed \u201cnever, ever give up on yourself.\u201d In addition, Ames\u2019 Carolina Rudisel, also recognized as a role model at the event, was interviewed by local media, including ABC7 Bay Area.\u00a0 Rudisel has multiple roles at Ames \u2013 protocol officer, VIPER project coordinator, and special emphasis program manager for African Americans.\u00a0 She shared about her childhood farm working background and emphasized the significance of the movie \u201cA Million Miles Away\u201d as representation matters, and many students and families realize possibilities through Hernandez\u2019 experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n Following the movie, participants were ecstatic for Hernandez to greet the group in-person and participate in a fireside chat involving a question-and-answer session with the audience.\u00a0 Hernandez warmed everyone\u2019s heart further by meeting with people individually.\u00a0 The NASA Ames staff was equally excited to meet Hernandez and honored to promote NASA at the powerful community event.<\/p>\n\u201cA Million Miles Away\u201d Exclusive Screening Held for Farmworker Families<\/strong><\/h3>\n