March 11, 2013

Brett Smith for redOrbit.com Your Universe Online

As a way of inspiring the next generation of astronauts, NASA has launched a new program, Exploration Design Challenge, which asks students to think about and design ways to protect space explorers from deadly cosmic radiation.

Americas next step in human space exploration is an ambitious one and will require new technologies, including ways to keep our astronauts safe from the effects of deep-space radiation, said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden upon announcing the program. That is the focus of this challenge, and we are excited students will be helping us solve that problem.

The program is the result of a public-private venture, or called the Space Act Agreement, between NASA and Lockheed Martin Corp.

Space exploration has inspired and fascinated young people for generations, and the Exploration Design Challenge is a unique way to capture and engage the imaginations of tomorrows engineers and scientists, saidLockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson.

The design challenge is focused primarily on NASAs Orion project, which is dedicated to deep-space exploration. The project is part of NASAs expanding pursuit of longer space missions that will take humans outside the protection of Earths atmosphere and magnetosphere. Along with its private partners, NASA is already developing new materials and designs to better protect future space explorers from the dangers of space radiation.

The first Orion test mission, called Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1), is set to lift off in 2014. One section of the design challenge website asks teachers and student to enroll as honorary, virtual crew members for the upcoming flight.

Exploration Flight Test-1 is set to launch next year, so participating in this challenge will give the students a real sense of being part of the NASA team, said NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former astronaut Leland Melvin. They will be able to chart Orions progress as it moves closer to the test launch. Thats important because these students represent our future scientists, engineers and explorers.

In the challenge, younger students, grades kindergarten through 4 and 5 through 8, will analyze potential shielding materials that might be used to protect the crew inside the Orion craft. The student scientists will research and select materials that best block the harmful radiation.

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NASA ’s New Launch: Exploration Design Challenge