Andrew Yee[_1_]
February 6th 08, 01:58 AM
Michael Mewhinney
Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. Feb. 4, 2008
650-604-3937
RELEASE: 08-10AR
NASA APPOINTS INTERIM LUNAR SCIENCE INSTITUTE DIRECTOR
MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- David Morrison has been appointed interim
director of the NASA Lunar Science Institute, based at the Ames
Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., effective immediately. A
nationwide search for a permanent director is under way.
A world-renowned planetary scientist, Morrison currently serves as
senior scientist at the Ames-based NASA Astrobiology Institute. The
Lunar Science Institute will be modeled after the Astrobiology
Institute, with teams across the nation working together to help lead
the agency's research activities related to NASA's exploration goals.
The Lunar Science Institute will fund interdisciplinary science and
exploration research teams to conduct basic lunar science, as well as
astronomical, solar and Earth science investigations that can be
performed from the moon. Institute teams also will provide a
quick-response capability in support of NASA's Exploration
initiative. The new institute is scheduled to begin operations by
March 1.
"I am delighted that David Morrison has agreed to take on this
challenge and responsibility. The Science Mission Directorate is
looking forward to working with him in the coming months," said Alan
Stern, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate,
NASA Headquarters, Washington.
Morrison, who obtained his Ph.D. in astronomy from Harvard
University, has written more than 155 technical papers and published
a dozen books. He has worked at Ames since 1988, as chief of the
space science division and director of the space directorate at the
center.
Morrison previously was on the faculty of the University of Hawaii.
He is the recipient of the Dryden Medal for research of the American
Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Sagan Medal of the
American Astronomical Society for public communication, and the
Klumpke-Roberts award of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific for
contributions to science education. He also has received two NASA
Outstanding Leadership medals and the Presidential Meritorious Rank.
"David Morrison is an Ames institution and a pillar of the planetary
research community, having served as a scientist on NASA's Mariner,
Voyager and Galileo missions," said S. Pete Worden, Ames center
director. "His experience at the NASA Astrobiology Institute and his
communication and management skills are just the talents we need to
ensure early success for the NASA Lunar Science Institute."
Before the arrival of a permanent director, Morrison will be
responsible for completing the first call for institute proposals
through a cooperative agreement announcement later this spring.
"Creating a new and innovative program in lunar science is an exiting
prospect, which I am thrilled to take on," said Morrison. "I am
confident that the formation of the NASA Lunar Science Institute will
galvanize interdisciplinary research on the moon as the NASA
Astrobiology Institute has done for the field of astrobiology,
including developing international partnerships and training a new
generation of lunar scientists."
NASA announced its intent to establish a new lunar science institute
in October 2007. The Lunar Science Institute will augment other,
previously established, but smaller, focused lunar science
investigations funded by NASA. Work performed by the institute will
be conducted at a variety of NASA centers, universities and
non-profit organizations across the nation. Institute funding will be
allocated based on competitive selection following scientific peer
review.
For more information on NASA programs, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov
Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. Feb. 4, 2008
650-604-3937
RELEASE: 08-10AR
NASA APPOINTS INTERIM LUNAR SCIENCE INSTITUTE DIRECTOR
MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- David Morrison has been appointed interim
director of the NASA Lunar Science Institute, based at the Ames
Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., effective immediately. A
nationwide search for a permanent director is under way.
A world-renowned planetary scientist, Morrison currently serves as
senior scientist at the Ames-based NASA Astrobiology Institute. The
Lunar Science Institute will be modeled after the Astrobiology
Institute, with teams across the nation working together to help lead
the agency's research activities related to NASA's exploration goals.
The Lunar Science Institute will fund interdisciplinary science and
exploration research teams to conduct basic lunar science, as well as
astronomical, solar and Earth science investigations that can be
performed from the moon. Institute teams also will provide a
quick-response capability in support of NASA's Exploration
initiative. The new institute is scheduled to begin operations by
March 1.
"I am delighted that David Morrison has agreed to take on this
challenge and responsibility. The Science Mission Directorate is
looking forward to working with him in the coming months," said Alan
Stern, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate,
NASA Headquarters, Washington.
Morrison, who obtained his Ph.D. in astronomy from Harvard
University, has written more than 155 technical papers and published
a dozen books. He has worked at Ames since 1988, as chief of the
space science division and director of the space directorate at the
center.
Morrison previously was on the faculty of the University of Hawaii.
He is the recipient of the Dryden Medal for research of the American
Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Sagan Medal of the
American Astronomical Society for public communication, and the
Klumpke-Roberts award of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific for
contributions to science education. He also has received two NASA
Outstanding Leadership medals and the Presidential Meritorious Rank.
"David Morrison is an Ames institution and a pillar of the planetary
research community, having served as a scientist on NASA's Mariner,
Voyager and Galileo missions," said S. Pete Worden, Ames center
director. "His experience at the NASA Astrobiology Institute and his
communication and management skills are just the talents we need to
ensure early success for the NASA Lunar Science Institute."
Before the arrival of a permanent director, Morrison will be
responsible for completing the first call for institute proposals
through a cooperative agreement announcement later this spring.
"Creating a new and innovative program in lunar science is an exiting
prospect, which I am thrilled to take on," said Morrison. "I am
confident that the formation of the NASA Lunar Science Institute will
galvanize interdisciplinary research on the moon as the NASA
Astrobiology Institute has done for the field of astrobiology,
including developing international partnerships and training a new
generation of lunar scientists."
NASA announced its intent to establish a new lunar science institute
in October 2007. The Lunar Science Institute will augment other,
previously established, but smaller, focused lunar science
investigations funded by NASA. Work performed by the institute will
be conducted at a variety of NASA centers, universities and
non-profit organizations across the nation. Institute funding will be
allocated based on competitive selection following scientific peer
review.
For more information on NASA programs, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov