[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 0 - 06:56:24 ]
Welcome to today's Space Team Online Forum! Today's forum will feature several scientists, engineers and NASA experts from the Space Team Online project. Be sure you have read each featured expert's profile at http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/chats/#chatting to prepare your questions.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 1 - 06:56:59 ]
Today's forum will be MODERATED. This means only a few questions will be posted in the chat room at a time.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 2 - 06:57:38 ]
DON'T WORRY if you don't see your questions automatically. New questions will be posted for the experts every few minutes.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 3 - 07:00:47 ]
For our general chatters, please let us know when you have logged on for the forum. We will then begin accepting questions!

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 5 - 07:01:14 ]
RE: [WYESRColombiaInstenalco] Hi everybody! There are several students gathered in a school situated in Barranquilla-COLOMBIA. The school's name is INSTENALCO. They are looking forward to ask their questions to the engineers.
Hello and welcome, Colombia! Joining us today are: Kurt Bush, NASA Johnson Space Center; Rick Hashimoto, Boeing; Diane McMahon, NASA Johnson Space Center; Emily Nelson, NASA Glenn Research Center; Luis Rodriguez, NASA Johnson Space Center; and Keith Zimmerman, NASA Johnson Space Center.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 6 - 07:01:42 ]
And now, here are our experts to answer your questions.

[ Expert/Keith - 7 - 07:03:59 ]
Hello everybody.

[ Expert/Kurt - 12 - 07:06:03 ]
Hello students. Ask your questions.

[ JSC/DianeMcMahon - 13 - 07:07:39 ]
RE: [CMUScienceCamp] We are a group of 14 4th and 5th grade students attending summer science camp at Central Michigan University. We are studying rockets this week and just finished a week of Lego Logo.
Did you learn a lot and have fun at your camp? That's one of the great things about science - it's really interesting and lots of fun. What did you learn about science?

[ Capitan - 14 - 07:08:01 ]
Hello everybody Here we are at NASA/Johnson Space Center ready to answer your questions.

[ Capitan - 17 - 07:11:11 ]
Hello, Colombia. Happy 189th Anniversary. Estamos listos

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 18 - 07:11:24 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/AndrsMedina] Do you continue the cooperation with Russia on the project TEX for the APOLO-SOYUZ program?
We now work with the Russians on the new International Space Station. I spend more than half of the year in Moscow and just returned three weeks ago. Some of the Russians are the same ones who worked Apollo-Soyuz.

[ RickHashimoto - 20 - 07:12:50 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/ArnulCervantes] This question is for Rick Hashimoto.How is the design of the Space Shuttle and where was it tried for the first time?
The first flight of the Space Shuttle took place in April 1981 with launch from Kennedy Space Center, Florida and Landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The Orbiter portion of the Shuttle was designed and built by Rockwell International - Now Boeing at this site in Downey, California.

[ JSC/DianeMcMahon - 22 - 07:13:15 ]
RE: [CMUScienceCamp] Yes, we have had fun. We learned how to program legos with the computer and are learning how to build model rockets.
How do you program legos? Do you use a computer to help you design rocket models?

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 23 - 07:16:13 ]
We invite you to share your thought about today's forum with us at it's conclusion. Please click on http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/qchats and take a few minutes to fill out our short online survey after today's forum. Your comments are important to us, and we look forward to hearing from you after the forum.

[ JSC/DianeMcMahon - 25 - 07:18:10 ]
RE: [CMUScienceCamp] Diane, what was removed from the shuttle to make it lighter for the launch?
We're not sure what was removed to make the shuttle lighter. Perhaps some ballast was taken off to accommodate the very large Chandra payload.

[ Capitan - 26 - 07:18:15 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/] Hello Capit‡n! Colombian students are divided in 2 groups: one in INSTENALCO (a school situated in Barranquilla)and the other in SIMîN BOLIVAR (a school situated in Puerto Colombia).
Hola. Welcome students and staff from Instenalco, and Simon Bolivar. How is the Independance day celebration going. Do they have any questions for our NASA experts? As you know we did not have a Shuttle launch last night. But we may have a second opportunity on Thursday.

[ Expert/Kurt - 29 - 07:20:03 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/AndrsRodrguez] Is NASA working in a new space suit design?
Yes they are. The Improved Suit design is much more flexible. They tested the new design by having both old and new suited astronauts lie on their backs and then try to get up. The new suit can twist at the waist so the astronaut could get up easily. In fact the new suit allowed the astronaut to get up and then do a hand stand while the other was still flopping around on his back.

[ RickHashimoto - 30 - 07:21:42 ]
RE: [RickHashimoto] The first flight of the Space Shuttle took place in April 1981 with launch from Kennedy Space Center, Florida and Landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The Orbiter portion of the Shuttle was designed and built by Rockwell International - Now Boeing at this site in Downey, California.
Prior to the first flight of the Shuttle, there were many test including the Approach and Landing Test Program that occurred in 1976/1977 with the Shuttle being released from atop a Boeing 747 to see how it would land.

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 31 - 07:22:10 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/KarollRobles] What happens with the debris that the rockets leave in space? Do you have any problems with it?
The debris comes down slowly and eventually burns up. The length of time depends on the size, shape, and mass of the debris. Large objects with small mass (like a solar array) would come down fairly fast. Small objects with large mass (like a piece of metal) come down more slowly. The Air Force tracks all of the debris with radar and anytime a piece is predicted to be near the Shuttle (or the new space station), then we move out of the way.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 33 - 07:24:12 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/] Today will be a special celebration in Puerto Colombia and in many cities of Colombia. Here in Barranquilla all the people have their flags on their windows.
Does anybody know which Shuttle was attempting to launch last night? What was the objective of this flight?

[ JSC/DianeMcMahon - 34 - 07:26:21 ]
RE: [CMUScienceCamp] To program the legos, we used infared light to send a computer program to the RCX (programmable lego brick) which we built bugs, cars, houses, and gadgets around. The program told the legos to turn on lights, run motors, and use touch and light sensors.
That's impressive! Perhaps some day you'll design a car that drives itself here on Earth and can also take people to visit other planets.

[ RickHashimoto - 37 - 07:27:21 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/KarollRobles] What happens with the debris that the rockets leave in space? Do you have any problems with it?
Space debris and micro-meteorite are major problems in space. Experts are able to track space debris down to about 10 cm but because space debris travel at high speed they have potential for doing major damage. The Shuttle can and have maneuvered to avoid debris. The International Space Station will encounter much more threat from debris and will have a need to maneuver to avoid such debris.

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 38 - 07:28:27 ]
RE: [NASAEngineer/Keith] The debris comes down slowly and eventually burns up. The length of time depends on the size, shape, and mass of the debris. Large objects with small mass (like a solar array) would come down fairly fast. Small objects with large mass (like a piece of metal) come down more slowly. The Air Force tracks all of the debris with radar and anytime a piece is predicted to be near the Shuttle (or the new space station), then we move out of the way.
Some of the pieces are too small to be tracked on radar. Things like flecks of paint and dust particles. They can cause a problem. Several years ago, a speck of paint hit a Shuttle window (at over 15000 miles/hour and cracked it. The crew was ok because each window has three layers and only the outer layer cracked. The new space station is designed with special shielding to protect it from these very small particles.

[ Expert/Kurt - 39 - 07:30:39 ]
The computers on the shuttle are old computers by today's standards. They are 286s that are a part of the shuttle but that's all they need for flying. The astronauts use modern laptops that you might find at the store for their personal use in space, and they use modern computers on the experiments they send up there.

[ RickHashimoto - 41 - 07:31:24 ]
RE: [CapitanRodriguez] Does anybody know which Shuttle was attempting to launch last night? What was the objective of this flight?
STS-93 Chandra mission's main payload is an Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Telescope. It is approximately 56ft long and weighs over 43,000 pounds (sorry - no metric conversion). It is the largest and heaviest single payload to fly on the Shuttle up to now.

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 42 - 07:33:20 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/LuisNieto] Are you preparing another project to the moon? In that case, what kind of reseach will NASA do there?
There is an office here in Houston which is designing ways to send people back to the Moon. NASA is also sending satellites to the Moon. Right now there is a satellite orbiting the Moon which has discovered signs of water ice in craters at the lunar poles. This would be very useful when we build a base there sometime in the future. The types of research would be things like astronomy, developing new materials, maybe special biology experiments. We could also use it to test equipment for a mission to Mars.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 43 - 07:35:01 ]
Hello Latin American students if you want to ask some questions in Spanish, please do so. Hola estudiantes latinoamericanos, si quieren plantear algunas preguntas en espanol, por favor...pregunten.

[ Expert/Kurt - 49 - 07:40:19 ]
RE: [GustavoMontero] Hi, I'm from Colombia too!! why the ISS is only circles and rectangles, when I saw an Imax3d in Cape Canaveral and the City was a ring?
Hello Gustavo, The ISS is circles because that is the shape of the payload bay of the Shuttle. The truss looks rectangular because it offers more strength that way. The L5 City in space movie was science fiction but very good movie.

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 52 - 07:42:37 ]
RE: [JavierBonet] Hi everybody, my name is Javier Bonet I'm in my house right now, how many countries are working in the International Space Station? When will it be ready?
There are more than 20 countries working on the space station, including the US, Russia, Canada, Japan, all the countries of the European Space Agency, and Brazil. The first crew will go up next spring. The station will be built one piece at a time and won't be completely finished until the year 2004.

[ RickHashimoto - 53 - 07:42:53 ]
RE: [JavierBonet] Hi everybody, my name is Javier Bonet I'm in my house right now, how many countries are working in the International Space Station? When will it be ready?
Hello Javier, Currently there are sixteen countries participating on the ISS program. Depending on how fast we can build the station, the first permanent crew should arrive on the station in mid 2000.

[ WYESRColombia/Instenalco/Benjamin - 54 - 07:43:21 ]
Hola Gustavo! Donde vives? Nosotros estamos en Barranquilla. Nos alegra ver otro colombiano aqui! Cuantos anos tienes? Que estudias..?

[ GustavoMontero - 66 - 07:50:13 ]
Instenalco, vivo en la 93 con 42C y estudio en el Biffi.

[ JSC/DianeMcMahon - 56 - 07:43:56 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/Benjamin] Why NASA choose EILEEN COLLINS to be the first woman to command a shuttle mission?
Col. Collins was chosen to command a shuttle mission because she is very well qualified. She was the pilot on previous missions in 1995 (STS-63) and 1997 (STS-84).

[ CapitanRodriguez - 58 - 07:45:17 ]
RE: [GustavoMontero] trato de preguntar por que la estaciòn no va a tener la forma que vì en el Imax.
La estacion espacial tendra la forma circular y rectangular porque, en primer lugar la forma de la bodega del transbordador es circular. La forma circular en la mejor forma para mantener la presion. La forma rectangular es muy importante en ingenieria pues ayuda a la rigidez del diseño.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 59 - 07:45:40 ]
RE: [GustavoMontero] trato de preguntar por que la estaciòn no va a tener la forma que vì en el Imax.
Gustavo ya te envie la respuesta.

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 65 - 07:50:05 ]
RE: [GustavoMontero] Thanks, could you please tell me, how is the ISS works divided, I mean who is working on what, because I think you can't be able to work on all pieces.
The US is working on about half of the equipment -- the truss, the solar arrays and radiators, the US laboratory, airlock, logistics modules, habitation module, etc. The Russians are working on the Service Module which will provide the initial life support and space for the crew to sleep. They are also providing the Soyuz to take the crew up, and the Progress supply ships to take up food, water, and fuel. The Europeans are providing a laboratory module and Japan is building a lab as well. Canada is building a robotic arm.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 67 - 07:50:23 ]
RE: [GustavoMontero] Capitan Rodriguez, que material usan para construir las el ATV para la ISS.
El ATV aun esta en su infancia. Su construccion es basada en aluminio, posiblemente Titanium, y otras aleaciones de este material.

[ RickHashimoto - 69 - 07:51:17 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/] THE shuttle was the COLUMBIA and the objetive was to deploy a x-rays observatory named Chandra, and will be the first Shuttle mision comanded by a woman named EILEEN COLLINS. All of us were watching the launch attemp but there was no launch and all of us were sad.
The Hazardous Gas Detection System (HGDS) detected an excessive amount of gaseous hydrogen in the aft compartment of the Shuttle. The countdown was stopped when this occurred. Hydrogen as you know is a very explosive gas. Experts at this time feel that the problem was with the detection system and not the actual amount of hydrogen.

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 71 - 07:52:18 ]
RE: [CarlosDDahmen] Hi everybody I am Carlos D. Dahmen from Barranquilla/Colombia. My question is: what are the first experiments programed for the new telescope Chandra?
It will be used to look at black holes and quasars. They will also search for what is called "dark matter".

[ CapitanRodriguez - 75 - 07:54:34 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/AndresRodriguez] Capitan Rodriguez -tenemos el mismo apellido- como se siente usted de estar celebrando hoy los 30 años de la llegada del hombre a la luna y al mismo tiempo un aniversario mas del primer grito de independencia de Colombia
Es emocionante celebrar fechas tan significativas en este 20 de Julio. Celebramos la independencia de Colombia, el 30avo aniversario, el hecho de que se ha seleccionado la primer mujer en comandar una mision espacial y que WYESR esta celebramdo 10 a–os de existencia. Como compatriota es emocionante y el deseo seria de estar cerca a todos ustedes celebrando. Pero desde la distancia y desde la ciudad espacial estoy con todos ustedes.

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 76 - 07:54:49 ]
RE: [CMUScienceCamp] Haw many ISS moduals are there?
There are at least 14 pressurized modules. There could be more depending on how many the Russians can afford to build.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 80 - 07:58:16 ]
RE: [GustavoMontero] y porque la estaciòn aun no tiene nombre, porque entonces como llamaran las otras, ya que imagino que seran varias ademas de esta.
La estacion espacial actual ya tiene nombre, se le conoce como la Espacion Espacial Internacional. Anteriormente se le conocia como "Freedom", "Alpha". Durante esa epoca la estacion era la estacion internacional americana. Ahora la estacion es una esfuerzo internacional, por lo tanto se le llama la International Space Station

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 82 - 07:58:39 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/MargaritaSalas] I would like to know why did you call the mission STS-93? What does it mean?
STS stands for Space Transportation System which is the formal name of the Shuttle. The number 93 means that this mission was the 93rd mission to be planned. Once a flight has a number, it doesn't change, even if the launch date changes or we rearrange flights. That is why the numbers are now out of order.

[ Expert/Kurt - 83 - 07:59:02 ]
RE: [JavierBonet] What do you think of send a robot like Pathfinder to another planet?
Well they might send a Pathfinder robot to some other moons but other planets it may be difficult. Mercury would melt the robot when it landed. Venus would fry it with acid. Saturn is huge and composed of gas. The pressure on it would crush it before it ever landed. The same would apply for Jupiter. Neptune and Uranus is frozen and the surface is mostly composed of frozen gasses. The robot would freeze if it landed and the warmth of the robot would melt the land on it like a hot knife through butter. The same would happen for Pluto. Mars is about the safest and friendliest of the Planets we could go to. But other moons might be possible.

[ JSC/DianeMcMahon - 86 - 07:59:35 ]
RE: [GustavoMontero] Thanks, could you please tell me, how is the ISS works divided, I mean who is working on what, because I think you can't be able to work on all pieces.
The International Space Station (ISS) is being built by a cooperative effort of many countries. The U.S. is building several components, including the U.S. Lab which will launch in April of 2000. The Russians put the first component in orbit, the Zarya, and the Service Module is scheduled for launch in November. The Service Module is important because it provides the place for the astronauts and cosmonauts to live. Other countries and space agencies are building parts of the ISS as well. There is a very specific schedule for when everything goes into space to be added to the ISS. The whole ISS program takes a lot of coordination and everyone working together to put it together successfully.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 87 - 07:59:55 ]
RE: [GustavoMontero] Capitan Rodriguez de que ciudad es usted? es Colombiano?
Si Gustavo. soy Colombiano nacido en la ciudad de la Dorada, en el departamento de Caldas

[ RickHashimoto - 91 - 08:02:02 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/MargaritaSalas] I would like to know why did you call the mission STS-93? What does it mean?
STS=Space Transportation System - the name for the original Space Shuttle Program. Before and immediately after the Challenger Accident (51L) each mission had more than just a number designation. After the Challenger accident those already with a mission were numbered starting with STS-26R, R for re-flight (after accident). Then numbers were assigned to Shuttle missions as STS-34, STS-35, etc in sequence. Unfortunately due to various factors - scheduling, launch delay, etc. - the launch did not/does not follow the exact numbering sequence - although somewhat close.

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 92 - 08:02:21 ]
RE: [CarlosD] How do you search for dark matter?
I'm not a scientist so I'm not sure. This telescope will look at X-rays which are blocked by the earth's atmosphere. They are hoping to detect the dark matter by seeing the effects of its reactions with other things.

[ JSC/DianeMcMahon - 93 - 08:02:37 ]
RE: [CMUScienceCamp] What is the highest orbit the shuttle can reach, in therory?
The design limit is 600 miles but maximum in practice is 300 miles due to safety factors. The mission to launch the Hubble telescope was the highest one to date (300 miles).

[ Expert/Kurt - 97 - 08:05:35 ]
RE: [JavierBonet] Is it true that there is a comet coming soon towards the Earth? Is it going to hit us?
Well when they first discovered it they thought it might come close. They then announced this belief to the reporters before checking thier numbers again or getting a second opinion. The next day they found out that it would miss the earth completely. They reported this but the reporters were embarrassed too. The correction was not widely distributed.

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 98 - 08:06:10 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/LeonardoRua] This question is for all of you that saw the first landing on the moon. I would like to know how you remember this historic moment and what were you doing in thet exact moment. Congratulations for this 30th anniversary!
I was only two years old. But my parents woke me up and told to watch it because it was important. Since the video of the moon landing is repeated so often on TV, I still remember it. It is actually the earliest memory I have.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 99 - 08:06:14 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/MargaritaSalas] Que hubiese sucedido si el transbordador COLUMBIA hubiera sido lanzado si esa cantidad de hidrogeno era cierta?
Hola Margarita El sistema de transporte espacial tiene sistemas de control redundantes para evitar que problemas de ese tipo lleguen a crear desastres. Acumulacion de gases en un momento critico como es la iniciacion de los motores desde luego que podria crear ese desastre. Pero los sistemas trabajaron a la maravilla durante el fallido lanzamiento.

[ RickHashimoto - 101 - 08:07:16 ]
RE: [CMUScienceCamp] What is the highest orbit the shuttle can reach, in therory?
The Shuttle is designed to transport payload/cargo into what is called near-Earth orbit of 100 to 217 nautical miles above earth. Those payload that needs to go further will need help from other propulsion system like the Chandra which will use the Interim Upper Stage (IUS) to take it to a higher orbit.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 105 - 08:08:52 ]
RE: [GustavoMontero] Como obtengo una copia de los modelos del pathfinder que conduje en el Kenedy Space Center o es confidencial?
Modelos del Pathfinder se pueden encontrar por medio del internet. Puedes buscar por el nombre Pathfinder or Hobbys. Estoy seguro que encontraras varios lugares deseosos de envierte esos modelos.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 109 - 08:09:58 ]
RE: [CMUScienceCamp] WOur camp is winding down for the day so we are logging off.
CMU Science Camp, we hope you have enjoyed participating in today's forum. Be sure to share your thoughts with us at http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/qchats. Thank you for joining us and have a great day!

[ RickHashimoto - 110 - 08:10:39 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/LeonardoRua] This question is for all of you that saw the first landing on the moon. I would like to know how you remember this historic moment and what were you doing in thet exact moment. Congratulations for this 30th aniversary!
I was watching the Apollo lunar landing on a black and white television set. If I recall correctly - it was in the early morning hour (Los Angeles time). The television reception was not very good but we - the family wanted to be there for the historical event.

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 112 - 08:11:56 ]
RE: [JavierBonet] Is it true that the Space Station Mir is going to hit the earth?
With its current orbit, the Mir will re-enter the atmosphere in February. If this happens it will break apart and most of the pieces would burn up but some could hit the Earth. Most of the Earth is covered with water so it would probably hit the ocean. The US is trying to get the Russians to send up more fuel so it can be used to fire engines and make the Mir splash into the ocean.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 114 - 08:12:52 ]
RE: [GustavoMontero] sobre lo de la estaciòn de lanzamiento ruso, es verdad que la comida que enviavan a los cosmonautas de la Mir era robada y vendida?
Gustavo Si he oido comentarios de que algo similar ha sucedido, pero no puedo negar ni confirmarlo. Cualquier objeto que ha ido al espacio o tiene coneccion con cualquier programa espacial es muy deseado por coleccionistas o aficionados del programa espacial

[ CapitanRodriguez - 117 - 08:13:11 ]
RE: [GustavoMontero] Capitan Rodriguez!!
Si, Gustavo?

[ RickHashimoto - 118 - 08:13:37 ]
RE: [JavierBonet] Is it true that the Space Station Mir is going to hit the earth?
The Mir will orbit will decay. With such large object - all will not burn during entry. Hopefully the Mir will be maneuvered to hit the unoccupied large part of the ocean so no damage will occur.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 123 - 08:16:00 ]
RE: [GustavoMontero] Felicitaciones en este dìa Capitan, lei su historial, y lo de su hija y su aficion por las mascotas.
Gustavo Gracias por el interes en el programa espacial y por leer la biografia. Mi hija ahora trabaja con uno de los veterinarios locales.

[ JSC/DianeMcMahon - 125 - 08:16:28 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/LeonardoRua] This question is for all of you that saw the first landing on the moon. I would like to know how you remember this historic moment and what were you doing in thet exact moment. Congratulations for this 30th aniversary!
The lunar landing occurred during the night here in Houston, and my whole family stayed up to watch it on TV. I remember that the TV images were black and white and not very good, but it was so exciting that nobody cared. I felt so fortunate that we were able to watch the first steps on the moon "live" on TV.

[ RickHashimoto - 126 - 08:17:39 ]
RE: [CarlosD] Is it true that the Space stacion MIR is going to be destroyed?
Although the Russians wanted the Mir to stay up longer, there's no money to keep it up. Unless there's money available from a private source (like a Russian film producer), the government of Russia can not afford to fund the Mir station and still keep its commitment to the International Space Station. The Mir will eventually decay and most will burn-up during re-entry to earth.

[ Expert/Kurt - 129 - 08:19:37 ]
RE: [JavierBonet] What do I have to study to become a NASA Engineer?
Mostly Math, Science and Computers. These are the bare bones of what you need. Foreign language skills are good, as are other classes that deal with computers.

[ JavierBonet - 145 - 08:25:42 ]
Thanks Kurt, becausa that's my dream and I'm very good in computers and my school teach me English and German.

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 131 - 08:20:20 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/JorgeSalazar] "This one is a small step for men, but a giant leap for all humankind" Amstrong's words. What will be the next giant leap for all humankind?
That depends on what you call a giant leap. In the space program, it will be either a permanent base on the Moon or Mars. Or it could be finding positive proof of life somewhere else in the universe.

[ RickHashimoto - 134 - 08:20:58 ]
RE: [JavierBonet] What do I have to study to become a NASA Engineer?
Science and Mathematics are two of the more important subjects you'll need to become an Engineer. From that you might want to specialize - electronics, mechanical, aeronautical.

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 136 - 08:22:28 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/VictorGomez] Where does the energy that shuttle uses come from? and if it«s from a battery, what battery would that be?
The electricity is generated by three fuel cells. A fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen and creates electricity and water for the crew to drink.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 138 - 08:23:28 ]
RE: [GustavoMontero] como logran dar el aspecto tan realista al simulador de lanzamiento de Apollo en el Kenedy Space Center?
No conozco ese simulador, pero entiendo que ya ha sido removido. En la actualidad posiblemente encontrara simuladores de lanzamiento del transbordador. El simulamiento es extremadamente realistico debido a los computadores actuales, la alta technologia y el maravilloso trabajo realizado por los ingenieros de simulacion grafica. Puedes preguntarle a Kurt, el es uno de esos cerebros de la simulacion grafica.

[ RickHashimoto - 141 - 08:24:09 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/VictorGomez] Where does the energy that shuttle uses come from? and if it«s from a battery, what battery would that be?
The power for the Shuttle comes from a "Fuel Cell". It takes Oxygen and Hydrogen and with chemical reaction produces electric power. The by-product of this reaction is pure water. So much water is produced that during the Shuttle-Mir mission, this water was delivered to the Mir.

[ JSC/DianeMcMahon - 144 - 08:25:31 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/JulioHernandezJr] What has been the most important project made by NASA?
I think the most important project from NASA isn't really a project at all. The most important thing is the many everyday benefits that most people don't stop to think about. Medicine has benefited enormously from research and technology developed for NASA. Lots of everyday products we use come right out of the space program. Things like high-strength plastics in sporting goods, miniaturized electronics, freeze-dried foods (for backpacking, etc.), fire retardant fabrics and many other items. Chances are you're wearing or using something right now that was developed from technology that came out of the space program. I think the seeds for future development in many areas of medicine, science and engineering will continue to come directly from the space program.

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 146 - 08:26:01 ]
RE: [Aida/WYESRPuertoColombia/Colombia] We are late, but we are here. There are 12 students from Simon Bolivar High School in Puerto Colombia with me now.This is our first question: Does any student less than 18 years old have the posibility to participate in the space program if she/he has the abilities?
Good morning students!

[ CapitanRodriguez - 150 - 08:27:30 ]
RE: [GustavoMontero] son muchas la preguntas que hay acerca de actividad paranormal, hay ya alguna señal que manifieste su existensia?
Gustavo No te podria contestar esa pregunta. No tengo conocimiento de esa clase de actividad. Te recomiendo que investigues el internet por este tipo de informacion

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 151 - 08:27:55 ]
RE: [JSC/DianeMcMahon] I have to sign-off now. It was interesting to read your excellent questions and to answer a few of them. Goodbye!
Diane, we're so glad you were able to join us "at the last minute." Feel free to contact me when you're at Ames in August. Good bye for now!

[ Expert/Kurt - 156 - 08:30:39 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/GregandCarmen] Hi. We are glad to be here, participating in this chat in Colombia. We're USA students and we didn't even know this program. I'm glad NASA is trying to get South America more involved. I was just wondering why USA didn't have this program in the schools?
The USA does have programs like this. Right now the US schools are on summer break and the participation is more limited during this time.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 158 - 08:31:24 ]
RE: [NASAEngineer/Keith] Good morning students!
Buenos dias, Puerto Colombia. Feliciataciones en su 189avo aniversario

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 159 - 08:31:50 ]
RE: [NASAEngineer/Keith] Good morning students!
Yes, NASA has a few programs that students can participate in. Just a few weeks ago, several school groups brought science experiments to Houston and flew them on our zero-g airplane. There is also a program called SHARP that brings high school students into NASA to work during the summer. You can learn more about these programs from the NASA web page.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 161 - 08:32:00 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/GregandCarmen] Hi. We are glad to be here, participating in this chat in Colombia. We're USA students and we didn't even know this program. I'm glad NASA is trying to get South America more involved. I was just wondering why USA didn't have this program in the schools?
Greg and Carmen, if you are referring to the Space Team Online project, it is available to everyone throughout the world. You may not have heard much about the project because our primary audience is K-12 students in the United States. However, thanks to volunteers like Luis Rodriguez, we are now able to share NASA with people like you in Colombia. We hope we will continue to hear from you and other students in your area in the future. Thank you for joining us today!

[ Expert/Kurt - 163 - 08:34:31 ]
RE: [Aida/WYESRPuertoColombia/Colombia] We are late, but we are here. There are 12 students from Simon Bolivar High School in Puerto Colombia with me now.This is our first question: Does any student less than 18 years old have the posibility to participate in the space program if she/he has the abilities?
Yes they do. In fact they recently sent a group of high school students on the KC-135 to test their experiments. also there are interns that help with planning. Sometimes they can even help build some components. In the past the helped polish a set of mirrors and sent them to NASA and they used the best polished mirrors on the satellite.

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 164 - 08:34:32 ]
RE: [JavierBonet] Is it true that you are going to build a laboratory on the moon?
NASA would like to build a base on the Moon someday, and it will have a lab. This is just a plan for the future. There is no specific plan or date yet.

[ RickHashimoto - 166 - 08:35:17 ]
RE: [CarlosD] Why is the MIR orbit going to decay?
Mir will decaly like most things in low Earth orbit because of "drag" on the object and the "pull" of theEarth's gravity on these objects. The only way the Mir (Shuttle or Satellites) can stay up is if they have some "thrust" to counter-act the pull of gravity and drag. That's how the Mir was able to stay up for so long.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 172 - 08:36:44 ]
RE: [JohnatanBentez/WYESRPuertoColombia/Colombia] Cómo seleccionan a los astronautas para ir al espacio? qué cualidades deben tener?
Hola Johatan Primordialmete necesitas un grado universitario. En los ultimos años grados relacionados con la tecnologia han ayudado mucho, pero en la actualidad tenemos astronautas con dos y tres carreras y doctorados. Ese tipo de educacion tiene una influencia mayor. Diria que la preparacion consiste de preparacion en matematicas, ciencias e idiomas.Seria importante que futuros astronautas concociera varios idiomas debido al esfuerzo internacional actual del programa espacial.

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 173 - 08:37:24 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/AndresRodriguez] What kind of energy, besides the convencional one, are you trying for the aircrafts in order to have interplanetary missions?
One possibility is to use the energy from nuclear power sources. There are some designs for very small nuclear generators that could be used for missions that go further away from the Sun. But it will take many years to build them, and the politicians may not want us to build them. We haven't found any other ideas yet so nuclear is still the best option.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 176 - 08:38:40 ]
RE: [GustavoMontero] la ultima pregunta, pudo usted creerlo, que sintiò cuando recibiò su asignamiento a la Nasa.
Gustavo Fue increible. Al comienzo no lo podia creer. Siempre deseaba trabajar o estar relacionado con el programa. Pero gracias a mi preparacion y la oportunidad ofrecida por la Fuerza Aerea tuve la maravillosa oportunidad

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 178 - 08:39:54 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/ArnulCervantes] Do you have any other project for a ship that will have the speed of light?
Currently we do not have the technology to build anything that can go that fast. According to physics, it is impossible to go the speed of light. But theories say we could get pretty close. There is a new NASA project that is called "Warp Drive When?" that is doing very early research into new propulsion and energy systems. They have a web page with the name "Warp Drive When?" that can answer your questions.

[ RickHashimoto - 181 - 08:40:18 ]
RE: [DavidHernndez/WYESRPuertoColombia/Colombia] What is the difference between the material used in the design for non reusable rockets and the shuttle ?
I believe the biggest difference in material for expendable rockets and the reusable Space Shuttle is the protection needed for re-entry into the earth's atmosphere. For expendable rockets, no protection is necessary but for the Space Shuttle, the spacecraft must be protected from the hazards and heat of re-entry into the earth's atmosphere.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 183 - 08:40:55 ]
RE: [CarlosD] Capitan Rodriguez, cuando empezo a trabajar usted con la NASA?
Ya tengo mas de 15 años trabajando con el programa espacial, y otro tanto trabajando con tecnologia espacial en la fuerza aerea.

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 185 - 08:42:15 ]
RE: [JavierBonet] Is it true that a Jupiter moon is similar like the earth? and if something happend , that moon could be our salvation?
No there is not. Jupiter has many moons and one or two of them are almost the size of the Earth but none of them has air to breathe. They are also very cold. One of the moons is called Europa and it is covered with ice. But scientists think there may be water beneath the ice and NASA is building a satellite to go find out. If there is water on Europa then there could be microbes or some other kind of primitive life there. But humans could never live there.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 187 - 08:42:42 ]
RE: [GustavoMontero] Capitan Rodriguiez tiene un E-mail o un web page donde pueda encontrarlo con facilidad otros dìas?
Gustavo me puedes escribir a ecalpi2000@hotmail.com. Tambien te puedes comunicar con el representante de WYESR en Colombia a cayena@hotmail.com

[ CapitanRodriguez - 188 - 08:43:13 ]
RE: [GustavoMontero] habrà alguna forma de saludarlo cuando vuelva a ir el otro año a florida?
Si, escribeme al email que te envie

[ Expert/Kurt - 190 - 08:44:12 ]
RE: [GustavoMontero] quisiera obtener una copia de este chat, pero con las actualizaciones e intervenciones de todos, donde y como la consigo?
In a few days this chat will be online in the archives.

[ RickHashimoto - 192 - 08:45:15 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/ArnulCervantes] Do you have any other project for a ship that will have the speed of light?
I don't think we're anywhere close to building anything that can travel near the speed of light. We're still looking in terms of years to travel to planets within our own solar system. Unless something revolutionary can come true, I can't see travelling anywhere near the speed of light in the near future.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 195 - 08:46:52 ]
RE: [HaderSantiago/WYESRPuertoColombia/Colombia] Tengo 9 años, vivo en Puerto Colombia y he oido sobre el mar de la tranquilidad. Qué es y por qué le pusieron ese nombre?
Hola Hader El mar de la tranquilidad "sea of Tranquility" se encuentra en las partes oscuras de la luna. El nomnbre lo recibio porque daba la impresion de ser tan pacifico y sereno que se qudo con ese nombre. A las partes oscuras de la luna se les da el nombre de 'mares' 'seas'. Gracias por tu pregunta Hader

[ Expert/Kurt - 200 - 08:49:55 ]
RE: [CindyQuevedo/WYESRPuertoColombia/Colombia] How is the food prepared and what do astronauts eat it in the space?
Well most of the food is off the shelf. The prepare the food for travel by taking out all the moisture. When they are in space they add water and eat chew it down. They enjoy salty and spicy food because weightlessness changes the taste to a lot of food.

[ RickHashimoto - 201 - 08:50:01 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/AndresMedina] Rick: I was in charge of reading and translating your biografy in school. I was impressed. I would like to know what was your motivationd to become an engineer?
Thanks Andres, I liked to draw but was not very good at it. I liked science and the mathematics that came with them. Based on what I read about engineering and engineers, I thought it would match what I want to do with what I might be capable of doing with some studies. Best Wishes.

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 202 - 08:50:23 ]
RE: [GustavoMontero] if there is water under the ice in that moon, do you think maybe taking some air to there, and simulating our life there, we could survive on that moon?
No it is extremely cold there (much colder than the Antarctic). The ice is several miles thick so it will be incredibly hard to get to the water.

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 206 - 08:51:54 ]
RE: [CarlosD] What are the possibilities for build a lunar base?
NASA has some designs for a lunar base and we want to build one in the future. It will probaby be at least 20 years before we build one.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 207 - 08:52:48 ]
RE: [EnzoCelin/WYESRPuertoColombia/Colombia] Que probabilidades tiene un colombiano para llegar a la NASA? diganos su experiencia capitan Rodriguez.
Buenos dias Enzo. Muchas! Primeramente necesitas estudiar algo relacionado con technologia. Ciencias, matematicas, etc. Luego conectarte con programas tecnico desarrollados por Colombia. WYESR, VOZ Infantil y Hola Juventud estan desarrollando programas para que los estudiantes colombianos se inicien en la tecnologia. Colombia podria formar parte de la carrera espacial y esa sera la oportunidad para ingresar. Asi que fijate la meta de la educacion, grado universitario y deseo de salir adelante

[ CapitanRodriguez - 209 - 08:53:25 ]
RE: [GustavoMontero] Muchas gracias, fue estupendo hablar con un colombiano de Dorada en la NASA. luego le escribo Capitan, Gracias por las respuestas.
Gracias Gustavo. Que tengas un buen dia

[ Expert/Kurt - 210 - 08:53:35 ]
RE: [JavierBonet] If there's a comet coming what would you do to stop it? With a nuclear bomb? or like the movie Armaggeddon?
Well probibly with a warhead. Comets are not very solid. They are just large dirty snowballs. The danger in them comes from the fact that they are going very fast and they are very large. A warhead would blast one to bits if it hits. So there is little danger of one hitting the Earth without us dealing with it first.

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 211 - 08:53:56 ]
RE: [MarthaLozano/WYESRPuertoColombia/Colombia] What is the training for an astronaut? what does she/he do it?
They get detailed training on all the systems on the Space Shuttle. They also learn survival skills in case of an emergency. Once they are assigned to a mission, they learn about the science experiments and all the things they are going to do. It takes years of training before an astronaut is ready to fly.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 213 - 08:54:27 ]
RE: [GustavoMontero] Muchas gracias, fue estupendo hablar con un colombiano de Dorada en la NASA. luego le escribo Capitan, Gracias por las respuestas.
Gustavo, estas en Barranquilla? A donde estudias?

[ RickHashimoto - 217 - 08:56:06 ]
RE: [CindyQuevedo/WYESRPuertoColombia/Colombia] How is the food prepared and what do astronauts eat it in the space?
"freeze-dried" food is one kind of food that the astronauts eat. They take water from the Shuttle's galley put them in their food and heat them to eat. I guess with "freeze-dried" ice cream - there's no need to heat them. Back in the Apollo program - food came in cans and in "toothpaste" type dispensers. I think the Shuttle Astronauts have better selection of food.

[ Expert/Kurt - 218 - 08:57:04 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/FrankCaballero] Since the first time that the man landed on the moon. how many rocks and sand brought to the earth?
There was about 800 pounds plus of rocks and dirt that were brought back. Half is here at Houston the other is kept at an airforce base vault.

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 220 - 08:57:20 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/KellyOrtiz] What is the g-force that the shuttle has when it takes off?
The computers limit it to a maximum of 3 g's. As the force gets stronger, the computer slows down the engines to keep it at 3 or less.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 222 - 08:57:32 ]
EVERYONE, as we near the end of today's forum, we once again invite you to share your thoughts with us. Please visit our QuestChat Utilities at http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/qchats and enter your comments using our online surveys.

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 225 - 08:58:47 ]
RE: [CarlosD] What is the next NASA project?
The International Space Station is being built right now. There are several satellites being built which will be launched in the next year or two. They will be going to different places. A few of them are going to Mars.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 226 - 08:58:53 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/FrankCaballero] Since the first time that the man landed on the moon. how many rocks and sand brought to the earth?
Frank Informacion adicional acerca del laboratorio lunar lo encontraras en el Heraldo Dominical del 18 de Julio. El articulo fue escrito por el Licenciado Julio Adan Hernandez. Additional information about the moon rock lab at JSC is found in an article written by Lic Julio Adan hernandez on 18 July for the section El Dominical of El Heraldo.

[ Expert/Kurt - 227 - 08:59:00 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/KellyOrtiz] What is the g-force that the shuttle has when it takes off?
The launch of the shuttle was designed for a smoother launch. You only feel about two or three g's during launch. The same amount of g's from the bottom of a roller coaster dip.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 228 - 08:59:17 ]
RE: [JavierBonet] thanks everybody (Rick,Kurt,Keith,Emily,Diane and Luis) for answer my questions, Good Bye. are you going to make another chat?
Javier, be sure to check our schedule of events page at http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/common/events to learn about upcoming chats with our Space Team Online experts. Thank you for participating in today's forum!

[ BettyHErnandez/WYESRPuertoColombia/Colombia - 224 - 08:58:20 ]
En nombre de los estudiantes y profesores del Colegio de BAchillerato Tur’stico de Puerto Colombia gracias a los miembros de STO y a los voluntarios de este chat por sus respuestas.

[ BettyHErnandez/WYESRPuertoColombia/Colombia - 229 - 08:59:50 ]
In the name of the students and teacher from Puerto Colombia, Voz Infantil, Hola Juventud y WYESR Colombia, thanks for your attention and we hope we can meet again!!!!:-)

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 232 - 09:01:18 ]
RE: [JavierBonet] thanks everybody (Rick,Kurt,Keith,Emily,Diane and Luis) for answer my questions, Good Bye. are you going to make another chat?
Have a great day!

[ NASAEngineer/Keith - 233 - 09:02:44 ]
Goodbye everybody. Have a nice day.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 234 - 09:02:51 ]
RE: [RodianEspinoza/WYESRPuertoColombia/Colombia] Cual es el descubrimiento mas reciente hecho por la NASA? y que avances han tenido?
Uno de los satelites que esta en la orbita marciana tomando fotos y ayudandonos a descifrar el medio ambiente y el tiempo de Marte. El ultimo desarrollo cientifico/medico es la bomba que se puede insertar en una vena del ser humano para ayudar a bombear sangre al corazon La bomba del corazon

[ Expert/Kurt - 235 - 09:02:52 ]
RE: [WYESRColombia/Instenalco/AndresMedina] Have you thought to design a shuttle that can takes off and land with its own energy?
Well Lockheed Martin is designing and building the VentureStar. It can launch from a runway, fly into space, and land on a runway. To get it ready for space again all they have to do is refuel it. It is the next design for the Space Shuttle for the new Millenium.

[ RickHashimoto - 236 - 09:02:53 ]
RE: [JavierBonet] thanks everybody (Rick,Kurt,Keith,Emily,Diane and Luis) for answer my questions, Good Bye. are you going to make another chat?
Adios - Amigos.

[ CapitanRodriguez - 237 - 09:03:50 ]
Adios amigos. Felicitaciones y gracias por todas las preguntas. REACH FOR THE STARS!! WYESR

[ GustavoMontero - 214 - 08:55:26 ]
so long, thanks for answering my questions.

[ JavierBonet - 239 - 09:05:40 ]
Bye everybody!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ WYESRColombia/Instenalco/EltonGomez - 240 - 09:05:40 ]
Bye everybody! I were glad to have you here answering our questions. Bye and see you next time

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 241 - 09:06:23 ]
RE: [CapitanRodriguez] Oran Thank you for the opportunity to chat once more with the students
Always a pleasure, Luis. Have a terrific day, and thank you to all our STO volunteers!!

[ Expert/Kurt - 242 - 09:06:30 ]
Goodbye, and adios.

[ WYESRColombia/Instenalco/ - 243 - 09:06:48 ]
THANKS FROM COLOMBIAN STUDENTS!