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NASTAR� Center Completes Fourth Suborbital Scientist Training for Suborbital Scientist-Astronauts and Educator-Astronauts
Southampton, PA, USA. May 18, 2011 - The NASTAR Center, the premier commercial aerospace training and research center in the world, and member of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, conducted last week its latest set of Suborbital Scientist space training for future scientist-astronauts and educator-astronauts.  Participants learned how to design and fly scientific research experiments onboard commercial suborbital spacecraft such as those operated by Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, XCOR Aerospace, and Armadillo Aerospace.

 

Demonstrating the strong interest from the scientific community in using commercial suborbital vehicles for science, research, and education, a total of 42 researchers from 18 different universities and organizations have now each spent three days training at NASTAR Center in four

Suborbital Scientists Constantine Tsang and Cathy Olkin

separate classes since the Suborbital Scientist Training Program debuted in January 2010. The upcoming suborbital scientist class on July 11-13 is already fully booked, and a university booked a custom class for July 18-20. The next available slots for potential scientist-astronauts is September 12-14.

 

Keith Cowing, a Board of Directors member of the Challenger Center for Space Education and well-known space journalist, remarked, "Based on my NASTAR experience (centrifuge & altitude chamber), ANYONE in good health with good training can fly to space.  These new suborbital vehicles will inaugurate a new era for education and science, and I'm excited to cover it just as its true potential starts to unfold."

 

Dr. Alan Stern, associate vice president at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and chairman of the CSF's Suborbital Applications Researchers Group, stated, "This shows sustained interest in the researcher/educator community" in suborbital spaceflight.  In early 2010, SwRI helped kick off the Suborbital Scientist Training Program in conjunction with NASTAR.  (See: http://www.swri.org/9what/releases/2009/nastar.htm.) 

 

Training sessions in the multi-day "Suborbital Scientist Training Course" included: Altitude Chamber Flight in a hypobaric chamber; G-Tolerance Flights in a high-g centrifuge; and a distraction factor 

NASTAR Suborbital Scientist Class
NASTAR Suborbital Scientist Class

exercise.  Topics covered in ground school included: Intro to Suborbital Flight & Vehicles; Altitude Physiology; Motion & Acceleration Physiology; Space Launch & Reentry Training; Working Under Pressure; and Time Management. (for more info: http://www.nastarcenter.com/space/suborbital_scientist)

 

Brienna Henwood, Director for Space and Research at NASTAR Center, remarked, "I can't think of a better way to inspire students to pursue science careers, than by providing hand-on space training and realistic spaceflight opportunities that will enable them to one day join the ranks of an entirely new class of explorer - the suborbital scientist-astronaut.  We fully expect that hundreds of scientists will fly into space during the next 10 years as these vehicles start flying, and NASTAR is proud to offer the needed space training services to get them there."

 

Other participants included Cathy Olkin and Constantine Tsang from the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), an nonprofit institution which recently announced it will be buying tickets for scientists' flights to space as part of a historic deal announced by SwRI to buy seats on the XCOR Aerospace and Virgin Galactic vehicles; Rex Ridenoure, CEO of Ecliptic Enterprises; Tony Dokupil from NEWSWEEK, and several other trainees.
Suborbital Scientists' Graduation
Suborbital Scientists' Graduation
 

2011 Space Training Programs & Dates

 (Suborbital Scientist, Spaceflight Participant, Teacher Professional Development)

A New Space Age is upon us.  Public or "commercial" space access for humans is expected to commence as early as this year.  Are you prepared?  Let the NASTAR Center provide the knowledge and training to get there, and back, safely.  

Get involved. Be Prepared. Train at NASTAR Center.

NASTAR Center Space Training Programs (2011):

NASTAR Suborbital Scientist - Prepares researchers, scientists, and graduate students to effectively design, fly, and accompany suborbital payloads. Features: altitude chamber training, distraction management exercises, G-tolerance and testing in intense high-G and vibration environments.

Dates: 7/11-13, 7/18-20, 9/12-14, 11/14-16

NASTAR Spaceflight Participant -Comprehensive course for anyone interested to 'see what it takes' to go to space. Features: Fundamentals of space flight, G-tolerance, spaceflight training, countermeasure application and technique, and pre/post stress management. 

Dates: 9/8-9

NASTAR Teacher Workshop - "Experiencing Newton's Laws of Motion" equips educators with hands-on activities that can be used with students.  Features:  3-G space flight experience, educational resources, and is approved by the PA Department of Education for Act 48 hours.  

Dates: 7/7-8, 8/8-9, 8/11-12, 8/15-16, 8/18-19

Additional dates and specialty programs available upon request.

For information on any Space Training Program, contact NASTAR Center representative at 1-866-482-0933 or visit www.nastarcenter.com

For booking or for more info, pleae contact Brienna Henwood at bhenwood@NASTARCenter.com.

About the Commercial Spaceflight Federation

The mission of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF) is to promote the development of commercial human spaceflight, pursue ever-higher levels of safety, and share best practices and expertise throughout the industry. The Commercial Spaceflight Federation's member companies, which include commercial spaceflight developers, operators, spaceports, suppliers, and service providers, are creating thousands of high-tech jobs nationwide, working to preserve American leadership in aerospace through technology innovation, and inspiring young people to pursue careers in science and engineering. For more information please visit www.commercialspaceflight.org or contact Executive Director John Gedmark at john@commercialspaceflight.org or at 202.349.1121.


About The NASTAR Center

The NASTAR Center Logo

The National AeroSpace Training And Research Center (NASTAR) Center (www.NASTARcenter.com) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Environmental Tectonics Corporation.  The NASTAR Center houses a variety of state-of-the-art equipment and professional staff to support the training and research needs of the aerospace community, including military aviation (fixed and rotary wing), civil aviation (fixed and rotary wing), space travel (government and private) and research support and data collection. The NASTAR Center's equipment and programs are highly modular and flexible and can accommodate a wide range of aerospace training and research requirements.
The NASTAR Center
215-355-9100
125 James Way 
Southampton, PA 18966 USA
Media Contact - Brienna Henwood

215-355-9100 x1504