Report from Headquarters
Experience Space Through Cyberspace
Every month, Space Watch shares interesting web links that teach, amuse and amaze… To see a tribute to Atlantis and the Space Shuttle program, click here. If you have acquaintences who believe NASA has shut down along with the Space Shuttle program (and, yes, many people do think that), send them here to see a…
STEM Lessons in the Mars Yard
The Mars Yard at the Space Foundation Discovery Institute in Colorado Springs was well used this summer, including a visit by young student members of Shades of Blue. The Space Foundation provided an afternoon of robotics and rocketry for the students, who ranged in age from 7 to 18, with the goal of accelerating their interest in…
Know a Tech-Savvy Educator?
Educators who have demonstrated a commitment to inspiring students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) may apply now to receive the 2012 Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award. Given annually by the Astronauts Memorial Foundation (AMF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Space Foundation, the award recognizes outstanding contributions to…
Feldman to Retire, AMF Mounts Search
Astronauts Memorial Foundation (AMF) President and CEO Stephen Feldman, Ph.D., has announced that he plans to retire July 31, 2012, and that Mike McCulley, a former shuttle astronaut and former President and CEO of United Space Alliance, is chairing a search committee seeking his successor. Feldman works closely with the Space Foundation on the Alan…
Vinson Promoted to VP – Human Resources
The Space Foundation has promoted Kathy Vinson to vice president – human resources. She joined the Space Foundation as manager — human resources in 2009 and was rapidly promoted to director and then vice president of human resources in 2011. Vinson reports to Space Foundation Chief Operating Officer Chuck Zimkas. Vinson contributed to the Space Foundation being…
Ratkewicz Promoted to Operations Post
Art Ratkewicz, formerly Space Foundation manager – cyber initiatives, has been promoted to a new position of senior director – operations, reporting to Space Foundation Chief Operating Officer Chuck Zimkas. In his new role, Ratkewicz has a broad range of responsibilities, including customer service, logistics, facilities management and event management, including overseeing all of the operational aspects…
Space Foundation Adds Education Programs Assistant
The Space Foundation has added a new team member at the Space Foundation Discovery Institute in Colorado Springs. Cheryl Ledford has been hired as education programs assistant, with responsibility for managing a broad array of adminsitrative duties for the Space Foundation’s education programs, including its Space Across the Curriciulum classes. Ledford’s education experience includes teaching elementary school in Deerfield, Lakin…
Where to Learn About Cybersecurity
The Space Foundation’s cyber expert Art Ratkewicz recently spoke to teachers enrolled in Space Foundation Space Across the Curriculum professional development courses. The teachers were greatly interested in learning more about cybersecurity, so Ratkewicz provided this article for Space Watch. During a recent cyberspace discussion with technology teachers involved in the Space Foundation’s Space Across the…
NASA Consolidates Human Spaceflight
NASA has officially consolidated its human spaceflight activities, including the International Space Station (ISS), deep space exploration and commercial cargo- and crew-transport operations, into the new Human Exploration and Operations (HEO) Mission Directorate. Previously NASA’s human spaceflight activities were spread between the Space Operations Mission Directorate and Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. Former NASA Space Operations Associate…
Congress to Resume Funding Discussions
Congress is out of session for the month of August, but is returning at the beginning of this month to continue work on many unfinished appropriation bills, including some that fund the Department of Defense, NASA and NOAA. When Congress returns in September it will take up several appropriation bills, including some that fund NASA, NOAA and…