New Horizons Halfway to Pluto
In 2006, NASA dispatched an ambassador to the planetary frontier.
The New Horizons spacecraft is now halfway between Earth and Pluto, on
approach for a dramatic flight past the icy planet and its moons in July
2015.
After 10 years and more than 3 billion miles, on a
historic voyage that has already taken it over the storms and around the
moons of Jupiter, New Horizons will shed light on new kinds of worlds
we've only just discovered on the outskirts of the solar system.
Pluto gets closer by the day, and New Horizons continues into rare
territory, as just the fifth probe to traverse interplanetary space so
far from the Sun. And the first to travel so far, to reach a new planet
for exploration.
NASA STI Program and NASA Spinoff: Retrofits Convert Gas Vehicles into Hybrids
Working
with Glenn Research Center through the NASA Illinois Commercialization
Center, NetGain Technologies LLC of Lockport, Illinois, developed a
retrofit system for converting gas-powered vehicles to gas-electric
hybrids. The partnership also resulted in a line of electric motors for
vehicles marketed by NetGain Motors Inc., the production of which
supports over 100 jobs at the company’s manufacturing facility. Read the
full story from the NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) here: http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20120001898; for more NASA documents on hybrid vehicle technologies, http://go.usa.gov/7bn. To learn more about the NASA Spinoff publication, visit http://spinoff.nasa.gov.
Radiation Belt Storm Probes to Launch Saturday
NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes is now set to launch at 4:07 a.m. EDT Saturday. Friday's launch attempt was scrubbed due to a technical issue, which engineers are now troubleshooting.
RBSP will help us understand the sun's influence on Earth and near-Earth space by studying the Earth's radiation belts on various scales of space and time.
SARP 2012 Concludes
After a summer
spent working in an airplane, in the field, in the lab, and at their
computers, SARP 2012 participants finally presented the results of all
of their hard work! The SARP final presentations were attended by all
of the SARP students, mentors, faculty and staff. In addition, Randy
Albertson (Deputy Director of NASA’s Airborne Science Program), Dr. Ken
Jucks (Program Manager for NASA's Upper Atmospheric Research Program)
and Dr. Ming-Ying Wei (NASA Office of Earth Science Manager of Education
Programs) also traveled to Irvine to watch the student presentations.
Dr. Ming-Ying Wei talks to SARP participants about graduate fellowship opportunities at NASA
Many
students were quite nervous before the talks began, but everyone
overcame their nerves and gave fantastic presentations on their exciting
results!
SARP participant, Olivia Clifton, presents her research project
Each
student gave an American Geophysical Union (AGU)- style conference
presentation (12 minute talk, 3 minutes for questions) on the results
of his or her individual research project. In addition, each student
wrote an abstract (all abstracts can be found here)
Videos of all of the student presentations have been posted on the SARP 2012 website:http://www.nserc.und.edu/learning/SARPmm.html?2012
The
eight students from Team Delicious (Ustin group) and then the eight
Aquanauts (Kudela group) presented their results on the first day. The
BNB’s (Lefer group) and WAS (Blake group) presented on the second day.
The Ustin and Kudela groups pose after completing their final presentations (Tuesday August 7)
The Lefer and Blake groups after their final presentations (Wednesday August 8)
The quality of research was so high this year that nine of the thirty-two SARP students submitted first-author abstracts to conferences with their faculty advisors and mentors as co-authors (eight students submitted to the AGU meeting in San Francisco and one will submit to the ASLO Aquatic Sciences meeting in New Orleans).
We are all so proud of the quality of science that the students accomplished in only 8-weeks!
Exercise
Shoorveer had commenced in March 2012 as part of a cohesive and
synergised ‘Air Land Battle’-to validate various doctrines and
concepts-it culminated on 05 May. Set against a backdrop of achieving
battlefield transparency in a network centric environment, it
incorporated all significant issues of various studies conducted on
transformation of the Army. Synergized employment of all Arms and
Services towards enhanced battlefield transparency and employment of
various force multipliers was also validated. The complete spectrum of
operations from mobilisation to execution of battle, to include
operational logistics, were tested. The exercise was unique as force and
technology were employed in perfect synergy to attain exponential
dividends. It was also one of the largest exercises conducted in recent
times by Indian Army, in joint synergy with Air Force.
This
seminar was conducted at IMA on 07-08 May by Army Management Service
Board, under the aegis of Army Training Command. 17 delegates including
GOC-in-C, ARTRAC, serving as well as retired military & IAS officers
and professors spoke to bring forth the importance of morals, ethics,
ethos and value system in the Army. Approximately 300 officers as well
as ladies from the three defence services, civil services, civilians and
cadets from the various defence academies attended. Towards the end, an
institutionalised approach, at the training level was formulated-to
build a strong moral and ethical fibre among the trainees.
A
joint Indo-US Exercise was conducted at Camp Pandleton, California, USA
from 09 to 23 Apr. A contingent of 21 Officers, 10 JCOs and 99 Jawans
from Bison Division participated. The United States Marine Corps (USMC)
was represented by 1st Battalion, the fifth Marine Regiment, of 13th
Marine Expeditionary Force. The exercise provided a platform for
exchange of military capabilities, specially in areas of expertise in
amphibious warfare.
To
increase awareness of AIDS and issues related to children affected by
AIDS, HQ Central Command, alongwith NGO UMMEED, UNICEF and Uttar Pradesh
State AIDS Control Society, collectively organized an AIDS awareness
campaign. The theme was “Getting to Zero”. Zero New HIV Infections, Zero
Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths. The Longest Red Ribbon on
Earth, was created on 06 May, to commemorate International AIDS orphans
day. 1005.7 meters in length, it was made by hand-prints of
approximately 6000 students from 22 schools of Lucknow including Sainik
School & APS, Lucknow. The last record was 408.55 meters, achieved
at New York, USA. Guinness officials and those from Limca Book of World
Records were present during the event.
On
28 Apr, at around 1600 hours, DM Rudraprayag approached Army, seeking
urgent assistance to meet the emergency arising out of inclement weather
at Kedarnath Shrine. Swiftly responding to the crisis,three composite
medical teams were deployed at Kedarnath, Rambara and Gaurikund. Over
the next 72 hrs, approximately 15000 pilgrims were evacuated to safer
positions and provided resuscitation and medical aid.
Under
the aegis of HQ Central Command, the local Formation organised the
largest medical and veterinary camp in South Chhattisgarh on 30 Apr and
01 May. This camp was a landmark event, and was successful, despite the
naxals call for a Chhattisgarh Bandh. Nearly 4780 locals were treated by
a team of 30 Army doctors. During the camp, 100 bicycles for girl
students, thousands of packages of school books, 860 school uniform sets
for students, and financial assistance to ESM were disbursed.
Central
Military Veterinary Laboratory (CMVL), Meerut Cantt organized a “Free
Rabies Immunization, Deworming and Health camp for Pets” on 28 Apr, to
commemorate World Veterinary Day 2012. The focus was on raising
awareness about anti-microbial resistance. More than 200 pet owners from
both civil and military populace participated and got their pets
immunised. Health checkup and de-worming of all dogs was done. Pet
owners were given educational material and shown presentations on
antimicrobial resistance.
Exercise
Jal Tarang, a demonstration on combat engineering tasks, equipment and
capability of Sappers was organisation at BEG & Centre on 26 Apr,
attended by 30 Officers, 1200 Gentlemen Cadets from IMA Dehradun, 21
Cadets from RIMC and All Ranks with their families of Roorkee station.
During the demonstration, various situations in battle were painted and
application of combat engineering resources in such situations was
demonstrated. State of the art combat engineering equipment was
showcased and their capability demonstrated.
To
foster a feeling of oneness amongst the various ethnic communities of
Manipur, the local Gorkha Rifles unit organised a one day Inter
Community Peace and Harmony Meet at Mangolganbi College Ground,
Ningthoukhong. It began with release of doves by religious teachers of
different faiths, followed by an exhibition volleyball match. Children
of various age groups participated in an essay competition on the topic
‘How to bring Peace and Harmony in Manipur’. A series of talks were
given by religious teachers, prominent citizens and social workers, on
ways and means to bring about peace and prosperity to the state.
Assam
Rifles, under IGAR (South) celebrated ‘International Earth Day’ on 22
Apr at Moreh. 140 students and staff of three educational institutions,
namely Eastern Shine School, Netaji School and Salvation School
participated. An informative talk was delivered highlighting the
significance of Earth Day, incorporating aspects of Global Warming,
Pollution Control and role of children as responsible citizens. Later, a
rally was organized around Moreh town, wherein students carried banners
to educate the local populace on ecolgy and conservation.
On
29 Apr,100 personnel of 135 Ecological Task Force (ETF), alongwith a
batallion of Dogra Regiment planted 40,885 saplings in one hour in
Chirang Reserve Forest, Kokrajhar, surpassing the previous record held
at Gransha Park, Northern Ireland where 26,422 sapling were planted in
one hour on 05 Dec 09. The unit, alongwith the local Divisional Forest
Officer provided all documentary evidence to ‘‘Guinness Book of World
Records” for recognition of this feat. For its efforts, the unit was
conferred “Best Environmentalist Award” by District Administration,
Kokrajhar on 26 Jan 2011 and “Times Of India Social Impact Award” on 02
Oct 2011.
IGAR(S)
accomplished an unconditional surrender of 103 hardcore UGs of Manipur
in front of the Chief Minister, Mr O Ibobi Singh in a simple homecoming
Ceremony organized at Mantripukhri. These ultras, belonging to various
outfits surrendered, alongwith a large number of weapons. The CM
applauded the role of the Assam Rifles in facilitating the surrender
& helping the misguided youth of Manipur through various
rehabilitation programs. These efforts, with the support of the State
govt have contributed to the present improved security situation of
Manipur. Conduct of fair and smooth Assembly elections, coupled with
spurt in surrenders is a pointer to return of normalcy and
disenchantment of youth with violence. 
As
an initiative under the ongoing Sadbhavana mission, an Ice Hockey
Exhibition match was held at Bimbat Ice Hockey Rink, between two women’s
teams from Leh recently. The event was greeted with enthusiasm by the
locals as well as the civil dignitaries. About 400 to 500 people from
Dras town, including a large number of women, turned up. This event
brings forth the coming of age of modern Ladakhi women, who have started
shedding their domestic mantle and are coming forward to participate in
events like sports, alongside the menfolk.
In
pursuit of the vision “Empowering the people and helping the weak to
help themselves” a Rashtriya Rifles Battalion in conjunction with
‘Americares’, organized a week long programme to educate and prepare
people in disaster management, impart first aid training, medical aid to
the needy and provisioning of hearing aids for the disabled. The
workshop was conducted from 23 to 28 April culminating in a medical camp
at Kharpura, where Solar Lights, Wheel Chairs and Hearing Aids were
distributed. The training encompassed CPR, management of bleeding,
fractures, burns, snake bites, electrocution and cold injuries. The
beneficiaries included individuals of all age groups, with focus on
disabled children.
The
Rashtriya Rifles Batallion located at Sarh organized a ‘Vastra Vitaran
Samaroh’ for the poor and needy people of Mahore Sub Division on 12 May.
Clothes amounting to over rupees one lakh were distributed on the
occasion. Two pair of shoes, one shawl and one blanket were distributed
to each family and almost 100 benefited from this gesture. Besides, a
veterinary camp was also set up simultaneously and free medicines were
distributed for the cattle.
The
youth of Bhadarwah region got an opportunity to imbibe recruitment
training for enrolment in TA, when the local Rashtriya Rifles unit
conducted a Pre-recruitment capsule Training in Sitengal. Basics about
proficiency in physical and written tests required for recruitment in TA
were taught to students hailing from remote villages of Sharekhi,
Thanala and Bheja. The training commenced on 20 Mar with 23 students and
lasted one month, wherein the endeavour was to impart training to
maximum number of students.
The
22 member Army Mountaineers team, comprising seven women officers made
summit attempts between 15-20 May. A day prior to launch of the team to
the summit, the Chief of Nepal Army, General CMS Gurung, arrived at
Everest Base Camp to greet and exhort the team members. He was
accompanied by the Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Mr Jayant Prasad and the
Indian Defence Attaché, Col Ajay Pasbola. Addressing the team members,
led by Col Ajay Kothiyal, he said, “physical fitness can get you here
but it is mental strength, drive and determination that will get you to
the summit of Everest. He extended all help & material support
including a helicopter and a smaller aircraft kept on standby at all
times for any exigencies. He also recalled past joint expeditions,
citing the 2003 Joint Indo-Nepal Everest Expedition and the
recently-concluded Eco-Annapurna Trek 2011.
To
enhance defence cooperation between India and France, both armies
conducted a Joint Skiing Techniques Training Camp in France, at EMHM,
Chamonix, which is the oldest and most renowned mountaineering and ski
institute in the world. The training involved learning of skiing
techniques practised by French Army. The routine involved going to
different Alpine slopes for training. The Indian skiers mastered the
advanced skills of Hopping and Sliding turns on Soft and Hard Snow,
Moghul Skiing, Ski jumps and Telemark skiing through valleys and
jungles. They also sharpened their skills at soft snow and back country
skiing. The Indian skiers attained Diploma of Military Ski Instructor,
with Instructor grading and Insignia, on the course.
Centres/Technology
Centres in the Corps Zone Workshops help in engineering support
management and technology absorption at the working level, the field
workshops help in maintaining high reliability/availability of equipment
and undertaking innovations. The Army Base Workshops undertake
equipment recapitalisation and manufacture of critical spares.
