Daily Archives: March 21, 2017

Ascension Parish Arrest Report – Gonzales Weekly Citizen – Weekly Citizen

Posted: March 21, 2017 at 12:06 pm

March 9

Tezeno, Keynisha, 25, 6244 Rev. Thomas SCT, Convent, Theft $750 but less than $5000 (Felony), Monetary Instrument Abuse.

Babin, Lisha, 49, 43420 Black Bayou Road, Gonzales, Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property.

Britt, Monette Danielle, 25, 10080 Lake Park Ave., Gonzales, Failure to Appear-Bench Warrant, Probation Violation.

McZeal, Ron, 47, 12072 Cypress Ridge, Geismar, Failure to Appear-Bench Warrant, Fugitive-Other Louisiana Jurisdiction , No Turn Signals, Prohibited acts; Drug Paraphernalia, Distribution/Possession with the Intent to Distribute Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance.

Ray, Nicholas , 32, 41151 Dean St., Gonzales, Theft of Goods under $500.

Turner, Chris, 32, 308 W. Second St., Donaldsonville, Simple Battery.

Demby, Damion Michael, 22, 1005 Elizabeth St., Donaldsonville, Simple Burglary of an Inhabited Dwelling, Criminal Trespass/Trespassing of Real Property, Possession of Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids, Possession of Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance (Oxycodone).

Mitchell, Jordan M., 24, 18183 Little Prairie Road, Prairieville, No Proof of Motorcycle Endorsement, General Speed Law, Resisting an Officer, Reckless Operation.

Rowell, Chris, 36, 15159 Melrose Drive, Prairieville, Failure to Appear-Bench Warrant, Probation Violation.

March 10

Briley, Laura N., 36, 35721 River Oaks Road, Geismar, Possession of Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids.

Harris, Casey Wade, 26, 12515 Camelia, St. Amant, Possession of Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids, Contributing to the Delinquency of Juveniles; Crime or CDS Law (Felony), Prohibited acts; Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Schedule II CDS (Methamphetamine), Disturbing the Peace.

Lindamood, Tristan, 27, 15343 Floyd Holton Road, Prairieville, Prohibited acts; Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids, Contributing to the Delinquency of Juveniles (Misdemeanor), Simple Obstruction of a Highway of Commerce.

Lilly, Allen, 20, 18405 Manchac Acres, Prairieville, Maximum Speed Limit, Operating while Intoxicated; First (Misdemeanor).

Dandridge, Zenas, 46, 17 W. 11th St., Donaldsonville, Resisting an Officer.

Georgetown, William, 26, 2138 S. Commerce Ave., Gonzales, Bond Revocation, Resisting an Officer, Entry on or Remaining in Places or on Land after being Forbidden.

Roddy, Justin, 28, 12195 Roddy Road, Gonzales, Resisting an Officer, Telephone Communications/ Improper Language/ Harassment, Domestic Abuse Battery.

Roddy, Kayla R., 25, 12195 Roddy Road, Gonzales, Resisting an Officer, Disturbing the peace / Violent & Tumultuous Manner/ Disorderly Conduct.

Jimerson, Herman, 33, 8164 Ebby St., Sorrento, All Drivers must Secure License, Possession of Schedule IV CDS, Operating while Intoxicated; First (Misdemeanor).

Davies, Jon Paul, 30, 217 S. Marchand Ave., Gonzales, Parole Violation, Possession of Schedule II CDS (Methamphetamine), Disturbing the peace / Language/ Disorderly Conduct, Prohibited acts; Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Schedule III CDS (Suboxone).

Keown, Ashley N., 30, 536 N. Brown Ave., Gonzales, Three Counts Failure to Appear-Bench Warrant, Possession of Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids; Second Offense, Disturbing the peace / Language/ Disorderly Conduct.

Green, Shantrelle T. , 39, 42421 La. 30, Gonzales, Failure to Appear-Bench Warrant, Fugitive-Other Louisiana Jurisdiction , Entry on or Remaining in Places or on Land after being Forbidden, Simple Criminal Damage to Property less than $500 (Misdemeanor), Disturbing the peace / Language/ Disorderly Conduct.

Bazile, Chase Michael, 32, 32480 La. 44, Gonzales, Failure to Appear-Bench Warrant, Fugitive-Other Louisiana Jurisdiction, Theft of Goods under $500.

Berthalot, Olin Glenn, 68, 1736 E. Oak Alley, Gonzales, Election offenses involving bribery.

Matassa, Kenneth, 67, 1918 S. Sky Haven Ave., Gonzales, Election offenses involving bribery.

Carter, Demaric N., 51, 14343 Leola Carter Road, Gonzales, Disturbing the peace / Drunkenness, Entry on or Remaining in Places or on Land after being Forbidden.

Capell, Dustin C., 36, 16503 Chris Drive, Prairieville, State Probation Violation.

Pitre, Paul M., 30, 40458 Cross Ridge Ave., Gonzales, Failure to Appear-Bench Warrant, Operating while Intoxicated; Second (Misdemeanor).

Carson, Logan, 29, 10037 La. 22, St. Amant, Domestic Abuse Battery; Strangulation (Felony).

March 11

Lambert, Jase, 17, 1220 E. Palmview St., Gonzales, Distribution/Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids.

Desouge, Cameron J., 17, 38551 Cal Road, Gonzales, Distribution/Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids.

Schoen, Devan Diana, 28, 30568 Fairway View Drive, Denham Springs, Fugitive-Other Louisiana Jurisdiction.

Hedden, Neil, 37, 10926 Ellsworth Ave., Baton Rouge, Violations of Protective Orders, Simple Battery.

Millien, Courtney Reenee, 22, 14452 Bluff Road, Prairieville, Operating while Intoxicated; first (Misdemeanor).

Leblanc, Blake A., 52, 43497 Polar St., Sorrento, Operating while Intoxicated; First (Misdemeanor), Driving on Roadway Laned for Traffic.

Butler, Jonathan M., 30, 1036 Nolan St., Donaldsonville, Failure to Appear-Bench Warrant.

Gammons, John R., 49, 14303 Roddy Road, Gonzales, Resisting an Officer, Simple Battery.

Phillip, Christopher M., 28, 10475 E. Carrolton Circle, St James, Resisting an Officer, Two Counts Failure to Appear-Bench Warrant, Domestic Abuse Battery.

Glover, Denzel Dwayne, 19, 37313 La. 74, Geismar, Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearms, Resisting an Officer by Flight.

Curolo, Dustin, 22, 37313 La. 74, Geimsar, Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearms, Resisting an Officer by Flight.

Guedry, Derrick Dale, 35, 19455 Andrea Road, Livingston, Criminal Trespass/Trespassing of Real Property.

Martinez, Sergio, 19, 16007 Joe Sevario Road, Prairieville, Simple Criminal Damage to Property, Aggravated Assault with a Firearm (Felony), Illegal Carrying of Weapons (Misdemeanor), Aggravated Flight from an Officer (Felony), Reckless Operation, Hit and Run Driving, Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearms, No Motor Vehicle Insurance, Owner to Secure Registration, Expired MVI, All Drivers must Secure License, Operating while Intoxicated; First (Misdemeanor) .

Walker, Tyrone, 45, 44528 Cypress St., Sorrento, Bond Revocation, Theft less than $750 (Misdemeanor), Unauthorized Use of an Access Card less than $750 (Misdemeanor), Entry on or Remaining in Places or on Land after being Forbidden, Theft less than $750 (Misdemeanor).

Felix, Albert Earl, 55, 5256 Galaxy Blvd., Darrow, Careless Operation, Operating while Intoxicated; First (Misdemeanor).

Turner, Joseph Herschel, 46, 12049 La. 73, Geismar, Fugitive-Other Louisiana Jurisdiction, Operating Vehicle while License is Suspended, Vehicle License Required, No Insurance, Possession of Alcoholic Beverages in Motor Vehicles, Reckless Operation, Operating while Intoxicated; Third (Felony), Possession of Schedule II CDS (Cocaine).

Jones, Lionel, 49, 2824 S. Burnside Ave., Gonzales, Domestic Abuse Battery.

March 12

Thomas, Henry, 26, 10407 La. 431, Gonzales, Failure to Appear-Bench Warrant, Issuing Worthless Check under $500 (Misdemeanor).

Allen, Jeffery, 33, 108 Anna St., Donaldsonville, Operating while Intoxicated; First (Misdemeanor).

Perez-Ortiz, Jose, 31, 44444 Melancon St., Sorrento, All Drivers must Secure License, Careless Operation, Operating while Intoxicated; First (Misdemeanor).

Cox, Kenneth Raytroy, 27, 11360 Pipleline Road, Gonzales, Domestic Abuse Battery; Strangulation (Felony).

Triche, Payton J., 21, 45392 Stringer Bridge Road, St. Amant, Possession of Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids.

Henry, Jasper L., 26, 1707 Joseph St., Donaldsonville, Resisting an Officer by Violence, Resistance, or Opposition, Battery of a Police Officer (Misdemeanor), Failure to Appear-Bench Warrant.

Fernandez, Wanda M., 53, 1707 Joseph St., Donaldsonville, Interfering with a Law Enforcement Investigation, Resisting a Police Officer with Force or Violence, Simple Criminal Damage to Property less than $500 (Misdemeanor), Battery of a Police Officer (Misdemeanor).

Nixon, Royale Joy, 25, 6635 Valley Hi Drive Apt. 123, Sacramento, Calif., Illegal Possession of Stolen Things over $1500 (Felony).

Collier, Harold Edward, 28, 3710 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Sacramento, Calif., Fugitive-Other State Jurisdiction, Illegal Possession of Stolen Things over $1500 (Felony).

Wincentsen, Destiny Grace, 20, 3961 Davis Ave., Modesto, Calif., Illegal Possession of Stolen Things over $1500 (Felony).

Tollett, Wilson, 19, 12050 Alex Road, Gonzales, Entry on or Remaining in Places or on Land after being Forbidden, Simple Criminal Damage to Property $500 to $50,000 (Felony).

March 13

Taylor, Apryl Falcon, 35, 37276 Prairie Drive, Prairieville, Two Counts Failure to Appear-Bench Warrant, Fugitive-Other Louisiana Jurisdiction, Disturbing the peace / Language/ Disorderly Conduct, Possession of Firearm by Person Convicted of Certain Felonies.

Payton, Naquita, 33, 2204 S. Edward Ave., Gonzales, False Certificates, Use of Certain Wireless Telecommunications Devices for Text Messaging Prohibited, Careless Operation , Disturbing the peace / Language/ Disorderly Conduct.

George, Christopher Lee, 31, 12328 Oak Colony Drive, Geismar, Parole Violation, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.

Parker, Elton Ray, 61, 8383 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, Failure to Register and Notify as a Sex Offender or Child Predator.

Castillo, Emmanuel, 32, 43258 Norwood Road, Prairieville, Prohibited acts; Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Psilocybin (Mushrooms), Possession of Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids, Possession of Schedule II CDS (Methamphetamine).

Landry, Justin M., 33, 43258 Norwood Road, Gonzales, Illegal Carry of Weapons;Crime or CDS (Felony), Illegal Carrying of Weapons (Felony), Prohibited acts; Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Psilocybin (Mushrooms), Possession of Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids, Possession of Schedule II CDS (Methamphetamine).

Babin, Joseph Curtis, 31, 43258 Norwood Road, Prairieville, Surety, Failure to Appear-Bench Warrant, Prohibited acts; Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Psilocybin (Mushrooms), Possession of Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids, Possession of Schedule II CDS (Methamphetamine).

Harris, Steven Paul, 30, 43258 Norwood Road, Gonzales, Prohibited acts; Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Psilocybin (Mushrooms), Possession of Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids, Possession of Schedule II CDS (Methamphetamine).

Millien, Micah Aaron, 43258 Norwood Road, Prairieville, Prohibited acts; Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Psilocybin (Mushrooms), Possession of Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids, Possession of Schedule II CDS (Methamphetamine).

Tarrow, Sarah, 22, 45132 Robin Trail Road, St. Amant, Prohibited acts; Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Psilocybin (Mushrooms), Possession of Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids, Possession of Schedule II CDS (Methamphetamine).

Sullivan, Morgan, 21, 18025 Grace St., Prairieville, Fugitive-Other Louisiana Jurisdiction, Prohibited acts; Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Psilocybin (Mushrooms), Possession of Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids, Possession of Schedule II CDS (Methamphetamine).

Scott, Casey Lee, 19, 18094 Conthia St., Prairieville, Prohibited acts; Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Psilocybin (Mushrooms), Possession of Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids, Possession of Schedule II CDS (Methamphetamine).

Lambert, Matthew T., 29, 43264 Moody Dixon Road, Prairieville, Failure to appear-bench warrant, Fugitive-Other Louisiana Jurisdiction, Prohibited acts; Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Psilocybin (Mushrooms), Possession of Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids, Possession of Schedule II CDS (Methamphetamine).

Decoteau, Corden, 30, 43169 Moody Dixon Road, Prairieville, Simple Criminal Damage to Property less than $500 (Misdemeanor), Theft of Goods under $500.

Moran, Jared P., 41, 43303 La. 621, Gonzales, Failure to Appear-Bench Warrant.

Lang, Elisha A., 37, 37146 Cornerview Road, Geismar, Theft of Goods under $500.

Weaver, Michael R., 29, 36612 Pookey Lane, Prairieville, Parole Violation, Simple Criminal Damage to Property, Domestic Abuse Battery, Aggravated Battery.

Craig, Tony Ray, 46, 1062 CR 147, Alvin, Texas, Theft $5000 but less than $25k (Felony).

Powe, Capricia, 35, 500 St Vincent St., Donaldsonville, Bond Revocation, Violations of Protective Orders.

March 14

Vallery, John, 23, 619 W. Bordelon St., Gonzales, Traffic-control Signals, No Insurance, Failure to Appear-Bench Warrant.

Casper, Angel C., 43, 42159 Melba's Lane, Sorrento, Distribution/Possession with the Intent to Distribute Schedule IV CDS.

Wesley, Jerry, 34, 1305 McKinley St., Donaldsonville, Simple Criminal Damage to Property less than $500 (Misdemeanor), Possession of Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids, Unauthorized Entry of an Inhabited Dwelling.

James, Eric, 33, 1604 Phillip St., Donaldsonville, Failure to Appear-Bench Warrant.

Chambers, David, 21, 13436 La. 44, Gonzales, Prohibited acts; Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids, Identity Theft (Felony), Unauthorized Use of an Access Card $5000 > $25k (Felony), Theft $5000 but less than $25k (Felony), Theft $750 but less than $5000 (Felony).

Jones, Tommy Ray, 58, 4954 N. Bayou Blvd., Gibson, Fugitive-Other Louisiana Jurisdiction.

Aaron, Robert D., 48, 39103 Dooley Road, Gonzales, Fugitive-Other Louisiana Jurisdiction.

Pleasant, Jermaine Christopher, 35, 703 Lane St., Donaldsonville, Hold for Other Agency, Failure to Appear-Bench Warrant.

Kador, Kimmika, 27, 10550 Florida Blvd. Apt 704, Baton Rouge, Contraband Defined; Certain Activities Regarding Contraband in Penal Institutions Prohibited.

McMillan, Dale W., 42, 18071 Beechwood Subdivision Road, Prairieville, Failure to Appear-Bench Warrant.

George, Christopher Lee, 31, 12328 Oak Colony Drive, Geismar, Parole Violation, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.

March 15

Brown, Dexter Tyrell, 24, 1118 S. Vista Ave., Gonzales, Operating Vehicle while License is Suspended, Prohibited acts; Drug Paraphernalia, Distribution/Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids, View outward or inward through windshield or windows; obscuring prohibited, Improper Left Turn.

Daniels, Kidal Leon, 42, 1214 S. Hempshire Ave., Gonzales, Simple Battery, Misdemeanor sexual battery.

Cobb, Shannon Lynn, 34, 45181 Teddy Babin Road, St. Amant, Possession of Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids.

Hendricks, Christopher, 25, 430 W. Minor, Gonzales, Bond Revocation, Resisting an Officer, Possession of Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids.

Lowery, James Tyler, 22, 1920 La. 550, Spearsville, No Motor Vehicle Insurance, Careless Operation, Operating while Intoxicated; First (Misdemeanor).

Lebert, Amos Joseph, 34, 15012 Beau Jon Ave., Prairieville, Fugitive-Other Louisiana Jurisdiction.

Pardue, Kelly Elizabeth, 29, 411 E. Verna St., Gonzales, Two Counts Failure to Appear-Bench Warrant.

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Eagles compete in Ascension Catholic Tournament – Post South

Posted: at 12:06 pm

Andrew Greenagreen@postsouth.com

St. John Eagles recently competed in the annual Ascension Catholic High Tournament over the weekend where they faced Catholic P.C., Dunham and University High. Before they hit the road, however, SJHS faced off against French Settlement at home and came away with a 5-1 victory.

St. John and visiting French Settlement each blanked the first three innings of their March 14 bout, and it wasnt until the top of the fourth that the first run was scored.

FS scored their first and only run of the game early in the fourth, but St. John tacked on two of their own in the bottom of the fourth, two more in the fifth and one in the sixth. FS was held scoreless through the final three.

Tre Dupont led the Eagles with three hits in the win, followed by Justin Rivet with two. Rivet racked up a pair of RBIs. Landon LeBlanc pitched all seven innings and racked up five strikeouts.

After the win, SJHS hit the road to compete in the Ascension Catholic Tournament where they opened round one with a 5-1 victory over Catholic P.C.

CPC scored their only run in the first inning and held St. John scoreless through the first four. The Eagles did not put up any runs until the top of the fifth (three) and added two more in the sixth.

Grant Blanchard and Collin Barbee each totaled a pair of hits, Dupont with one. Barbee also totaled a pair of RBIs, Blanchard and Dylan Hurst each earned one.

Hurst was the winning pitcher for the Eagles and totaled three strikeouts and 13 first pitch strikes.

SJHS advanced to take on Dunham in round two of the tournament, but were trounced 13-2 after five innings of play. St. John put up one run in the first and one in the fourth, but could not find a way to keep pace with the Baton Rouge club.

Tre Dupont and Grant Blanchard split pitching duties in the loss. Dupont threw 14 first pitch strikes, Blanchard threw nine. Dupont racked up a pair of strikeouts.

St. John looked to close out the tournament with a win over University High, but came up just short, 1-3.

Dupont was the teams hit leader with three, followed by Landon LeBland with two. Reese Barrilleaux knocked in an RBI.

Barrilleaux also pitched for the Eagles and totaled six first pitch strikes and two strikeouts.

The Eagles will continue district play this week on the road against Ascension Christian on Tuesday and again at home on Thursday.

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Ascension student from Clarke’s Beach wins zone level speak off – The Compass

Posted: at 12:06 pm

Kian Dove (right) and good friend Luis Garcia, who won third place. Chris Lewis/TC Media

In the future, Dove says shed like to become an advocate for whales and other sea creatures in captivity, travelling the world to spread the message she feels so strongly about.

Placing in second was Aileen Pike of Carbonear Collegiate, who spoke about the impact technology has on society. Third place winner was Luis Garia of Spain, who is studying abroad at Ascension Collegiate. Garcias speech covered both the positive and negative aspects of going to school in another country.

The Lions Club was full of family and friends of contestants, as well as Lions Club members, judges, and questioners. Contestants all took turns giving speeches on varying topics, including influence, kindness, technology and orca whales.

The contestants were judged in several areas, such as eye contact, emphasis and enunciation, and how often they referred to their notes, if they had any at all. Each speaker had anywhere between four to six minutes to give their speech, and was docked points for every 10 seconds they went above the time limit.

SEE RELATED:

Bay Roberts Lions host speak off

Dove will go on to be one of seven participants in the district level speak off in Gander April 1.

chris.lewis@tc.tc

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Ascension student from Clarke's Beach wins zone level speak off - The Compass

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Jackson principal thanks Ascension Parish for support during fire – The Batavian

Posted: at 12:06 pm

March 20, 2017 - 1:52pm

Press release:

On behalf of the Jackson Primary School staff and students, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to Father David Glassmire and Ascension Parish.

On Wednesday, March 8th, the school needed to evacuate all students quickly due to a serious house fire, across the street from the school. It was a very cold and windy morning as 350 primary students walked to the Ascension Parish parking lot in evacuation protocol.

Within minutes, studentswere able to enter the Sacred Heart reception hall and knew they were safe and warm. Father Davidwelcomed us immediately and quickly supported our needs in order for the school to operate an efficient evacuation dismissal plan.

Additionally, we would like to thank Sherry Otto who saw us coming and quickly communicated this to Father Glassmire, Dave Fasano, and the City Police Department for assisting us that morning.

The overall support from Ascension Parish is a true reflection of the wonderful and compassionatepeople that make up Batavias community.

Diane Bonarigo/Principal

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Southwest Research Institute Partners To Make Future Space Exploration Safer And Smarter – Texas Public Radio

Posted: at 12:05 pm

NASA's Apollo missions brought U.S. astronauts to the moon, but back then there was concern about how both men and machines would interact with the lunar surface.

Southwest Research Institute scientist Alex Parker says they were worried about how much dust a rover would produce in low gravity.

"They were concerned that those wheels were going to kick up so much dust that they were going to poke the astronauts or blind them," says Parker.

So NASA built a vacuum chamber at the Johnson space center, filled it with moon-like dust, and ran a rover wheel over it while the chamber replicated lunar gravity in the belly of an aircraft.

They found out that the moon dust wasn't going to be a problem, and that data came in handy.

"But that chamber doesn't exist anymore. No one has one like this that any new companies or other researchers that are looking to build a device for interacting with the surface of an asteroid, they don't have access to anything like that to test their mechanism," says Parker.

Southwest Research Institute wants to build the vacuum--or airborne space environment--chamber in San Antonio. Its one of eight projects proposed by a new research consortium NASA will fund with as much as $5 million. The goal of the projects are to NASA smarter about how it picks targets for exploration and reduce risk to people or technology that they send.

The a consortium of seven institutions led by San Antonio-based Southwest Research Institute is for Project ESPRESSO (the Exploration Science Pathfinder Research for Enhancing Solar System Observations). ESPRESSO includes SwRI, the Lowell Observatory, the University of Maryland, NASA Johnson Space Center, The Planetary Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, SETI Institue and several other collaborative institutions.

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Nanosatellites: The future of space exploration? – McGill Tribune

Posted: at 12:05 pm

NASA has always been an institute of great scientific accomplishment and innovation, but this comes with a hefty price tag. As the agency moves forward in its three-stage plan to put humans on Mars, the public agencys budget is under heavy scrutiny. Increased pressure has been put on NASA to develop more cost-effective alternatives.

In its Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 budget estimates, NASA requested $19 billion USD from the U.S. government, projected to increase to $20.4 billion USD by 2021. With such a large budget, it seems natural to assume that the 2020 Mars rover will be superior to its predecessors in every way. In 2017, $377 million USD will go to the 2020 Mars rover exploration mission alone, according the FY 2017 budget estimates.

The 2020 rover will be heavily based upon the Curiosity rover, which launched in November 2011. While the Curiosity rover has been hailed as a huge success, NASA stated that a major reason for re-implementing much of the 2011 technology in the 2020 rover is to cut costs. Considering the net cost of the 2020 rover, the fact that NASA had to reuse technology, and that the agency is largely funded by taxpayers, it is obvious why people may look for more cost-efficient solutions to space research.

In recent years, NASA has started to put significant effort into deploying nanosatellites, such as cube satellites, in order to maximize research while cutting costs. Nanosatellites have a mass between one to ten kilograms and provide a smaller, less expensive alternative to conventional satellites. One such example is the CubeSat Launch Initiative. Cube satellites are a specific type of nanosatellite measured in standard 10x10x11cm units, called Us. Started in 2008, this initiative organizes partnerships between NASA and educational institutions all over the US to launch cube satellites into space. The consistent size of cube satellites makes it easy to standardize the launch process, allowing NASA to launch 49 CubeSats into space since the beginning of the 2008 initiative.

In Fall 2016, U3 electrical engineering student Paul Albert-LeBrun founded a space club called The McGill Space Systems Group. Albert-Lebrun said his interest in space exploration has been a part of his life since he was a child, citing his fathers job in the aerospace industry as the original source of inspiration.

We have pretty much visited everything [on Earth], Albert-Lebrun said. Space is something we dont know much of and there are so many things to explore about it.

This interest in the unknown drove Albert-Lebrun to seek out aerospace internships, resulting in work placements at several different companies, including aerospace giant Lockheed Martin.

The McGill Space Systems Group is part of the wave of university groups, such as those taking part in NASAs CubeSat program, working with nanosatellites. The group is currently designing and building a nanosatellite to identify gravitational waves and other space activity. Albert-Lebrun hopes that through this process he can make the concept of space exploration and technologies more accessible to students and overall more useful and interesting.

The idea of nanosatellites is very important [], Albert-Lebrun said. You can build in a week, they are more affordable, and are built on a smaller scale [.] This is the only way that the space industry can survive. There is still the financial limitation but we have to move towards a more agile system.

Under NASAs budget restrictions, nanosatellites are looking to be more and more promising. The next generation of space explorers can join in the effort now to provide a more sustainable future for the space industry.

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NASA Project Seeks to Demo GN&C Tech for Space Exploration – ExecutiveGov

Posted: at 12:05 pm

NASAs human exploration and operations mission directorate will launch a flight campaign that seeks to demonstrate guidance, navigation and controltechnologies designed to facilitateprecision landing forspace exploration missions.

NASA said Saturdayit willtest the Navigation Doppler Lidar and theLander Vision Systemthrough April as part of theCo-Operative Blending of Autonomous Landing Technologies project.

Both the NDL, which offers velocity and line-of-sight range measurements, andthe LVS, which provides terrain relative navigation capacity, will be integrated and flight tested on a Masten Space Systems-built rocket-powered vertical take-off and landing system called Xodiac.

COBALT launches will help demonstrate combined LVS and NDL measurement capacities as part of NASAsefforts to develop precise soft-landing technologies for future missions.

In this first flight campaign, we plan to successfully complete the integration, flight testing and performance analysis of the COBALT payload, saidJohn Carson III, project manager of COBALT.

NASA also seeks to demonstrate COBALT as anactive navigation system for Xodiac through afollow-up flight campaign in thesummer.

NASAs Langley Research Center developed the NDL as an updated prototype of the former Autonomous Precision Landing and Hazard Avoidance Technology used on the Morpheus vessel.

The space agencysJet Propulsion Laboratory created the LVS as a camera-based navigation system designed to capture images of the terrain beneath a spacecraft and cross-examine recorded data with maps to pinpoint the vehicles location.

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Bill Nye Urges Pres. Trump To Advance Space Science & Exploration – CBS Miami

Posted: at 12:05 pm


CBS Miami
Bill Nye Urges Pres. Trump To Advance Space Science & Exploration
CBS Miami
MILKY WAY (CBSMiami) In an open letter to President Donald Trump, the science guy has urged him to make continuing advancements in space science and exploration that will define NASA's future for generations to come a priority. In a 6-minute video ...

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With ‘A Good Trip,’ Shane Mauss finds the intersection of comedy and psychedelics – The Daily Dot

Posted: at 12:04 pm

Shane Mauss doesnt want to be labeled the psychedelic comic, but he does want you to have a good trip.

In fact, hes made a whole tourabout it, called A Good Trip. The comedian has done themed shows that dovetail with science in the past, but in the last year or so he started doing a psychedelic-themed show to take a break from comedy clubs. And he found a new audience.

At a Good Trip stopnestled atSouth by Southwest,Mauss talked about the stigma of psychedelics, and how Richard Nixon criminalized them when he was president. He discussed human beings long history with psychedelics, how shamans used to be the leaders, and how certain drugs are being used to treat depression and PTSD now. He claims hes done DMT more than 100 times.

I believe Im doing science, he explained during the set. Thats probably incorrect.

Hes at least doing his research. Mauss started working with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) on A Good Trip. The show used to be called This Is Your Shane on Drugs, but it gave off the wrong vibe. Mauss aims not to advocate drug use, but to understand the brain and open up perception.

I do think our brain operates like the movie Inside Out, in a way, he told the Daily Dot. I try to understand how that works. I think ideas take shape in our heads and form these lives that run through these different worlds of simulation. All of this sounds kind of crazy, but I feel like Ive seen this on DMT.

Mauss speaks about DMT, a psychedelic compound thats been labeled the spirit molecule, in A Good Trip. Hes seen things on DMT he has a really hard time explaining in a scientific way, which is what I aim to do. Mauss has gone from super-duper atheist to agnostic after the experience. The insight hes gotten from the trips isnt of the I-saw-the-truth variety; hes learned more about how the brain works, and how powerful it is.

With this pivot, Mauss says he doesnt feel attached to jokes anymore. A Good Trip is more about ideas than setups and punchlines. Though he says he wasnt that happy with his 2013 Netflix special Mating Season, he tried to introduce bigger ideas through a series of dick jokes. His 2015 special My Big Break, which sprung from a hiking accident in which Mauss broke his feet, took it a step further. (He picked up a lot of foot injury fans with that special.) With A Good Trip, Mauss finally feels in his element, though he cautions, I dont think people should do as many psychedelics as I do.

Mauss isnt the first comedian to talk about psychedelics, of course. Bill Hicks made it a major part of his set, and contemporary comedians like Joe Rogan, Doug Stanhope, and Adrienne Airhart have talked about their experiences. But with A Good Trip, hes acting as a guide for the curious, a barometer for those who fear what psychedelics might do to them. Hes an advocate for harm reduction, and the use of psychedelics in clinical settings. Mauss says his trips have made him a better comedian, too.

Comedy is about looking at life in a different way, he says. Psychedelics just force a different perception on you.

Mauss also addresses the science of the brain on his popular podcast, Here We Are. His interests are bigger than doses: cognitive biases, self-delusion, simulation theory. Hes a big fan of Yuval Noah Hararis Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind.

Mauss had no opener at his show, he just distributed some cases of Lone Star beer and jumped in. By upending expectations of what a comedy show is, Mauss is quietly getting fans to think about comedy differently, to open up their own perceptions not just about drugs, but the world and themselves. And hes bringing his show to places in America where opinions about mind-altering drugs might not be so plentiful, like Minot, North Dakota. But he thinks comedy is heading toward a place where people are more genuine.

If you can shake up peoples perception a little bit, he says. I think all of us, including myself, just buys into their own ideas about life and beliefs just way, way too much.

Mauss Good Trip tour runs through May. His Here We Are podcast is availableweekly viaiTunes.

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With 'A Good Trip,' Shane Mauss finds the intersection of comedy and psychedelics - The Daily Dot

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Your Brain on Drugs: Five Questions for David Presti – CALIFORNIA

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Your Brain on Drugs: Five Questions for David Presti
CALIFORNIA
In the early days of modern psychedelic science, in the 1950s and '60s, there were research projects at major medical centers investigating the therapeutic utility of psychedelics. Then everything shut down, as a result of the complicated impact these ...

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Your Brain on Drugs: Five Questions for David Presti - CALIFORNIA

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