Posted on 07/29/2002 2:52:33 PM PDT by vannrox
News Release
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Hypersonics, In-Space Propulsion technologies on display in Oshkosh
Experimental flight vehicles and high-flying aerial performances take center stage at the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual AirVenture Air Show, which is expected to draw more than 800,000 visitors to Oshkosh, Wis., July 23-29.
At this year's 50th anniversary event, NASA's space transportation and propulsion teams will show off some experimental models and hardware of their own. And while they may not steal the show, in time they may steal the skies themselves.
Marshall Center representatives will team with Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio; Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va.; and Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis, Miss., to display the latest, innovative space transportation and propulsion technologies, including scale mock-ups of hypersonic flight vehicles, Space Shuttle hardware and kiosks highlighting futuristic in-space propulsion systems such as plasma sails and orbital tethers -- all of which are intended to forever change the way we get to space, travel across our solar system and explore the limitless cosmos beyond.
At the core of NASA's presence in Oshkosh is a series of technical exhibits, models and kiosks spotlighting the Integrated Space Transportation Plan (ISTP), NASA's long-range investment strategy for safer, more reliable, and less expensive access to space. ISTP encompasses Space Shuttle investments, the Space Launch Initiative, 3rd and future-generation reusable launch vehicle research and technology, and In-Space Propulsion technologies.
Among those exhibits:
- Representatives of NASA's Space Launch Initiative will display new engine, propulsion and integrated system technologies, as well as proposed architectures now being considered for future Second-Generation Reusable Launch Vehicles.
- NASA's Hypersonics Technology Program presents scale models of the X-43B and X-43C hypersonic flight demonstrators, as well as exhibits detailing the air-breathing engine technologies that will power those craft -- one day eliminating the need for chemical propellants and enabling aircraft to routinely fly to and from space at rocket speed.
- NASA Marshall Center Director Art Stephenson will give two presentations about NASA's flagship vehicle, the Space Shuttle. Presentations are scheduled for July 26 at 2:30 p.m. CDT and July 27 at 8:30 a.m. CDT in the Forum Presentation Pavilion. A scale model of the Space Shuttle, and a full-sized model of a Space Shuttle Main Engine will be on display throughout the expo. The Marshall Center manages all Space Shuttle propulsion elements and continues to lead Space Shuttle investments in keeping with ISTP.
- NASA's interactive "Mission to Neptune" presentation takes visitors on a futuristic flight to the Sun's eighth planet -- courtesy of an innovative plasma propulsion drive now being studied by NASA scientists and researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle.
- Other propulsion technologies on display will include ProSEDS, a unique, tether-based orbital transfer system expected to be flight tested in late 2002, and solar sails, ultra-light, ultra-fast propulsion drives powered by sunlight itself, as well as fission and antimatter propulsion technologies.
- Marshall Space Transportation engineers David Stephenson and Bill Pannell will present "Leading the Way to New Destinations," a presentation about the future of NASA's space transportation and propulsion initiatives. Stephenson will present on Thursday, July 25, at 8:30 a.m. CDT. Pannell will speak Sunday, July 28, at 10 a.m. CDT.
- NASA's Starship 2040, a walkthrough exhibit modeled after a futuristic passenger spaceliner. Designed to share NASA's vision of commercial space flight as it might exist 40 years from now, Starship 2040 demonstrates to visitors how NASA is developing technologies now in order to make future commercial spaceflight as safe, affordable and routine as modern air travel.
NASA space transportation and propulsion exhibits will be found in three locations at the Air Show: the Integrated Space Transportation Plan exhibits will be housed in the Kitty Hawk Pavilion; smaller hardware and some in-space propulsion technologies will be found in the Main NASA Hangar; and Starship 2040 will be parked outside the Kitty Hawk Pavilion.
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SLI News
I have attended several times, but not this year.
I WILL be there next year for the 100th anniversary of powered flight celebrations.
Here's the results of the 2002 EAA AirVenture:
All indications point toward a very successful 50th AirVenture Oshkosh 2002, with estimated attendance of about 750,000, a near record number of exhibitors, 2,500 show planes, and smooth, safe aircraft operations throughout the seven-day event.
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