NASA, the RASC-AL program, and College

1. NASA, the RASC-AL program, and College Clarkson University

2. A Little about Myself • Name _____ • Currently ____ at Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY • Studying ______

3. NASA • Something to think about • The first airplane that flew was in 1903, and the first man took a step on the moon in 1969. That’s only a little over 50 years of engineering from a wooden biplane to a liquid fueled rocket. • Can you think of any of NASA’s achievements besides the man mission to the moon?

4. NASA – A little History • Founded during the Cold War when the United States was in an Arms Race with the Soviet Union. • Both countries were trying to put the first satellite into space • Soviet Union succeeded with the launch of Sputnik in 1957 • The United States then decided to create a government run civilian space program, NASA • Created in the beginning of 1958

5. NASA – Do we need it ? • Some people believe that NASA is a waste of government money, and is too dangerous in relation to what it brings to society… • This is not true! • NASA receives about $15 billion a year, which is only 0.5% of the United States annul budget. • The high cost of space travel and launches is often too much for private companies to afford.

6. NASA – Accomplishments • Apollo Missions • sent the first men to the moon. • Shuttle Missions • carry out various experiments that can only be made in “zero-gravity” • Allow assembly and repair of man made satellites • International Space Station • A source of good government relations with other countries, including Russia, China, and various European countries • Allow people to stay in space for extended periods • Hubble Telescope, other various communication satellites, and many space probes

7. NASA – Accomplishments

8. Hubble Photos

9. NASA - Contributions • Calculators • Personal Computers • Transition Lenses • Digital Clocks • Smoke Detectors • Flat Panel Televisions • Solar Panel Development

10. NASA - Career • When many people think of NASA, they may only think of only the astronauts that go into space. • That’s not the only career choice • Engineers • Materials, Chemical, Aeronautical/Aerospace, Structural, Mechanical, Computer/Software, Electrical • Scientists • Physicists, Chemists, Geologists, Biologists, Meteorologists • Mathematicians • Business and Communications • Pilots • Many NASA pilots were apart of Top Gun (yes like the movie) • Any questions?

11. The RASC-AL Program • Stands for: Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts - Academic Linkage • A student design competition that is sponsored by NASA and managed by the National Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). • Choose from four missions and we design and plan the entire venture. • All aspects of the mission must be planned and as original as possible • Go to competition at NASA at the end of the year to compete against other groups from other colleges across the nation

12. Manned Mission to Mars • NASA is interested in eventual human mission to the Martian surface.  • Current technology would not allow for effective exploration of Mars by humans. • We need to find faster ways to get to Mars • We are to take up to 4 crew members to Mars for a minimum of thirty days in less than 5 launches. • The idea is to lower costs and make it as safe as possible for the traveling astronauts

13. Things to be Considered • What is the purpose of the trip? • How would it benefit society? • What's necessary for life? • What supplies would you need? • Where would you live (what structure)? • What type of reusable materials would you use? • Any Input? • How would you get energy? • How would you protect from radiation? • How do you maintain bone mass? • How would you collect data? • How would you travel to Mars, at Mars, and back to Earth?

14. College • Here’s my curriculum for my Four years at Clarkson • Freshman Year: Clarkson Seminar, Freshman Year Seminar, Calculus I, Chemistry I, Calc. Based Physics I, Calculus II, Chemistry II, Physics II, Intro to Engineering Use of Computers • Sophomore Year: Statics, Electrical Science, Materials Science, Differential Equations, Aero Seminar, Strengths of Materials, Dynamics, Intro to Aero Eng. Design, Calculus III, Aero Lab

15. …Continued • Junior Year: Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Aircraft Structures, Advanced Engineering Math (Linear Algebra/Statistics/Fourier Systems) Mechanical Vibrations and Control, Aerodynamics, Aircraft Performance and Flight Mechanics, Design of Aircraft Structures, Aero Lab (times 2) • Senior Year: Aircraft Design, Stability Control of Aero Vehicles, Gas Dynamics, Aircraft Design II, Design of Propulsions Systems • Along with these classes for the engineering major I also need “knowledge area” and business credits. There are also a few other classes I need for my minor.

16. Some Class Material Statics Problem : Find the Forces exerted on the press at point A

17. More Class Material

18. Tips for Being Successful at College • Study • Make Friends • Get Involved • Study • Eat • Sleep during normal human hours • Buy the textbooks, and READ them • Have a social life • Time management • Talk to professors • Don’t procrastinate • Seek help if you need it • College professors are not like high school teachers • Don’t be afraid to change majors if you are not happy , its your future

19. Questions and Comments?