Andrew Yee[_1_]
January 14th 07, 12:14 AM
John Bluck
NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. January 11, 2007
Phone: (650) 604-5026
RELEASE: 07-01AR
NASA GeneSat Shows Small Satellites Can Deliver Big Science
MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- A very small NASA satellite has proven that
scientists can quickly design and launch a new class of inexpensive
spacecraft -- and conduct significant science.
The 11-pound (5-kilogram) GeneSat-1, carrying bacteria inside a miniature
laboratory, was launched on Dec. 16, 2006. It was a secondary payload on an
Air Force four-stage Minotaur 1 rocket that delivered the Air Force TacSat 2
satellite to orbit. GeneSat-1 began to transmit data on its first pass over
the mission's California ground station. Scientists still receive data from
the satellite regularly.
"GeneSat proves that big science can be done using small satellites," said
GeneSat project manager John Hines, an engineer and scientist at NASA Ames
Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. "GeneSat's success points out how
NASA can spend less money and time to learn new things in space," Hines
observed.
According to Hines, GeneSat-1 is NASA's first fully automated,
self-contained biological spaceflight experiment on a satellite of its size.
"Based on this success, we expect that in the near future, this class of
small satellite will see increasing acceptance and usage by the science
community," Hines noted.
"All systems -- the biology experiment, the life support, ground antenna and
communications -- performed beyond our wildest expectations," Hines said.
"These small satellites will help us understand the hazards and risks
associated with human space travel," Hines ventured.
The cost to develop the GeneSat satellite class, launch the first spacecraft
and operate it was a fraction of what it normally costs to conduct a mission
in space, according to scientists. Subsequent GeneSat-class missions will
cost much less, Hines predicted.
Researchers say that knowledge gained from GeneSat-1 will help scientists
understand how spaceflight affects the human body. GeneSat-1's onboard
micro-laboratory includes sensors and optical systems that can detect
proteins that are the products of specific genetic activity.
Biological data returned so far have exceeded the projects pre-launch
success criteria, according to GeneSat-1 lead biologist Macarena Parra.
"Throughout the experiment, the temperature remained constant and all
systems functioned properly to record our required data," Parra said.
Researchers will further analyze GeneSat-1's on-board systems during the
remaining life of the satellite, according to Bruce Yost, the GeneSat-1
mission manager.
"We plan to conduct a number of engineering tests and evaluations to
increase our confidence in the GeneSat platform," Yost said. "In the next
few weeks, we will hand over the GeneSat-1 spacecraft to Santa Clara
University, Santa Clara, Calif., for use as a training tool for future
aerospace engineers." GeneSat-1 will reenter the Earth's atmosphere and burn
up before the end of the year.
"Our partnership with the Santa Clara University mission operations team has
surpassed all of our expectations with their level of performance and
professionalism," Hines said. "This is the first NASA mission to be operated
by a student-based team; they worked around the clock and over a holiday
break to complete our primary mission. It was a remarkable success," Hines
added.
"Having students apply their engineering knowledge and skills in compelling,
real-world applications is a critical component of our robotics program,"
said Professor Chris Kitts of Santa Clara University. "Our partnership with
NASA on the GeneSat-1 mission is a great example of this. SCU students are
an integral part of an exciting, cutting-edge space mission, and they are
gaining valuable experience in applying their engineering skills within the
context of a diverse, interdisciplinary team," Kitts added.
"We are looking forward to flying more small satellites," Hines concluded.
The Small Spacecraft Office at NASA Ames teamed with industry and local
universities to develop GeneSat's fully automated, miniature spaceflight
system that provides life support for small living things.
GenSat-1 information and flight status can be found at:
http://genesat1.engr.scu.edu/dashboard/index.htm
http://genesat1.org
Publication-size images are available at:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/multimedia/images/2006/genebox.html
NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. January 11, 2007
Phone: (650) 604-5026
RELEASE: 07-01AR
NASA GeneSat Shows Small Satellites Can Deliver Big Science
MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- A very small NASA satellite has proven that
scientists can quickly design and launch a new class of inexpensive
spacecraft -- and conduct significant science.
The 11-pound (5-kilogram) GeneSat-1, carrying bacteria inside a miniature
laboratory, was launched on Dec. 16, 2006. It was a secondary payload on an
Air Force four-stage Minotaur 1 rocket that delivered the Air Force TacSat 2
satellite to orbit. GeneSat-1 began to transmit data on its first pass over
the mission's California ground station. Scientists still receive data from
the satellite regularly.
"GeneSat proves that big science can be done using small satellites," said
GeneSat project manager John Hines, an engineer and scientist at NASA Ames
Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. "GeneSat's success points out how
NASA can spend less money and time to learn new things in space," Hines
observed.
According to Hines, GeneSat-1 is NASA's first fully automated,
self-contained biological spaceflight experiment on a satellite of its size.
"Based on this success, we expect that in the near future, this class of
small satellite will see increasing acceptance and usage by the science
community," Hines noted.
"All systems -- the biology experiment, the life support, ground antenna and
communications -- performed beyond our wildest expectations," Hines said.
"These small satellites will help us understand the hazards and risks
associated with human space travel," Hines ventured.
The cost to develop the GeneSat satellite class, launch the first spacecraft
and operate it was a fraction of what it normally costs to conduct a mission
in space, according to scientists. Subsequent GeneSat-class missions will
cost much less, Hines predicted.
Researchers say that knowledge gained from GeneSat-1 will help scientists
understand how spaceflight affects the human body. GeneSat-1's onboard
micro-laboratory includes sensors and optical systems that can detect
proteins that are the products of specific genetic activity.
Biological data returned so far have exceeded the projects pre-launch
success criteria, according to GeneSat-1 lead biologist Macarena Parra.
"Throughout the experiment, the temperature remained constant and all
systems functioned properly to record our required data," Parra said.
Researchers will further analyze GeneSat-1's on-board systems during the
remaining life of the satellite, according to Bruce Yost, the GeneSat-1
mission manager.
"We plan to conduct a number of engineering tests and evaluations to
increase our confidence in the GeneSat platform," Yost said. "In the next
few weeks, we will hand over the GeneSat-1 spacecraft to Santa Clara
University, Santa Clara, Calif., for use as a training tool for future
aerospace engineers." GeneSat-1 will reenter the Earth's atmosphere and burn
up before the end of the year.
"Our partnership with the Santa Clara University mission operations team has
surpassed all of our expectations with their level of performance and
professionalism," Hines said. "This is the first NASA mission to be operated
by a student-based team; they worked around the clock and over a holiday
break to complete our primary mission. It was a remarkable success," Hines
added.
"Having students apply their engineering knowledge and skills in compelling,
real-world applications is a critical component of our robotics program,"
said Professor Chris Kitts of Santa Clara University. "Our partnership with
NASA on the GeneSat-1 mission is a great example of this. SCU students are
an integral part of an exciting, cutting-edge space mission, and they are
gaining valuable experience in applying their engineering skills within the
context of a diverse, interdisciplinary team," Kitts added.
"We are looking forward to flying more small satellites," Hines concluded.
The Small Spacecraft Office at NASA Ames teamed with industry and local
universities to develop GeneSat's fully automated, miniature spaceflight
system that provides life support for small living things.
GenSat-1 information and flight status can be found at:
http://genesat1.engr.scu.edu/dashboard/index.htm
http://genesat1.org
Publication-size images are available at:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/multimedia/images/2006/genebox.html