NASA makes plans to live within its means as President Barack Obama unveils the new federal budget. Tough decisions will be made on projects related to Mars and the moon. With a number of space-related centers on campus, UH is entrenched in various research projects related to the future of space exploration and colonization. The UH programs include the Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture (SICSA), Center for Advanced Materials (CAM), Institute for Space Systems Operations (ISSO), and the UH Space Physics Group.
Experts from each of these institutions are available to discuss the space program.
Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture (SICSA)
SICSA is internationally
recognized for its leadership in the field of space architecture and regarded
as the leading academic center in the world for this kind of planning.
With research that looks 15 to 30 years down the road, SICSA conducts research
into requirements for human orbital and planetary missions, and develops
practical concepts for habitats, structures and support systems to meet those
needs. The organization also undertakes similar studies involving extreme
environments on Earth. A unique research, design and teaching entity, the
organization's mission is to plan and implement programs that will advance
peaceful and beneficial uses of space and space technology. SICSA
initiated the world's first Masters in Space Architecture degree-granting
program, established in September 2003.
WEB SITE: http://www.sicsa.uh.edu/
SOURCE: Larry Bell; 713-743-2351; lbell@uh.edu
Center for Advanced Materials (CAM)
CAM deals with the practical aspects of energy generation with a focus on new
materials development. CAM has extensive experience in new materials
applications in space including advanced solar cells and micro fuel cells, and
has designed, developed and deployed a primary payload on the Space Shuttle -
the Wake Shield Facility - which was used to grow atomically ordered thin film
semiconductors in the ultra-vacuum of space. Addressing the next 10 to 15
years in space exploration, CAM is working on such projects as ultra-high
efficiency solar cells for the energy needed for working in space, new
radiation protection materials for astronauts, and developing methods to
manufacture huge solar cell arrays on the surface of the moon using materials
from the lunar soil. This lunar regolith (the dust and rocks lying on the
moon's surface) contains the raw materials needed to make solar cells, and the
thin film solar cell technology is under development at UH. The realization
of solar cells fabricated on the moon will not only yield an energy-rich
environment for working on the moon and in space, but will also generate excess
energy to send back to the Earth for terrestrial needs. CAM scientists
have the experience and the research required in the planning for man to leave
Earth and head to the moon and Mars.
WEB SITE: http://www.cam.uh.edu/
SOURCE: Alex Ignatiev; 713-743-3630; ignatiev@uh.edu
SOURCE: Alex Freundlich; 713-743-3621; afreundlich@uh.edu
Space Physics Group
The Space Physics Group
at the University of Houston conducts original research in the areas of
atmospheric electricity, atmospheric chemistry, electric spacecraft propulsion,
space physics and aeronomy, and upper atmospheric physics. The space physics
group provides instruction to UH students and provides a source of qualified,
trained personnel to the space-oriented employers of the Houston area. Edgar
Bering, UH physics and electrical computer engineering professor, is an expert
on the northern lights, electric space propulsion for deep space human
applications and heliophysics. Bering is engaged in research related to the
design of sustainer engines for manned-Mars missions. He can also provide
commentary on geomagnetic sub-storms (often referred to as "space
weather"), fair weather atmospheric electricity and sprites.
WEB SITE: http://www.uh.edu/research/spg/spgmain.html
SOURCE: Edgar Bering; 713- 743-3543; eabering@uh.edu
Institute for Space Systems Operations (ISSO)
ISSO is the operating agency for the Houston Partnership for Space Exploration
(HPSE) at UH and UH-Clear Lake (UHCL). The primary goal is to advance the
economic and intellectual development of high-technology communities associated
with UH/UHCL, NASA-Johnson Space Center (NASA-JSC), and the State of Texas. The
research results can be viewed at http://www.isso.uh.edu.
ISSO enables UH/ UHCL faculty to pursue seed projects and multi-year research programs directly related to the primary mission of the NASA-JSC, which is to advance the exploration and development of space in the context of human space flight operations. In 2009 ISSO awarded more than $170,000 for ten new seed-grant projects to UH/UHCL faculty, and in 2008 UH/UHCL faculty reported more than $3 million in external funding for space-related research.
The primary activities of ISSO are the new Aerospace Cluster projects, the continuing Post-doctoral Aerospace Fellowship (PDAF) projects between UH/UHCL and NASA-Johnson Space Center, and the annual seed-grant projects. The PDAF program began in 1995. It and the Aerospace Cluster projects operate through a memorandum of understanding between JSC and the two universities through a Space Act Agreement. ISSO Director David Criswell is an expert on industrial development of the moon and the economic benefits to Earth, lunar-solar energy, lunar exploration and utilization.
WEBSITE: http://www.isso.uh.edu/
SOURCE: Dave Criswell; 713-743-9135; dcriswell@uh.edu
The Department of Health and Human Performance (HHP)
HHP offers a master’s degree in Human Space Exploration Science provides both academic and practical training for a solid foundation in the academy and the unique challenges faced when working in the human space flight environment. Taught by NASA life scientists who conduct the groundbreaking research in the space environment, the area of study enables students to begin to contribute to America’s space program while earning their degree.
WEB SITE: http://hhp.uh.edu/graduate-program-space-exploration/
SOURCE: Chuck Layne, 713.743.9868; clayne2@uh.edu