Report from Headquarters
Mars vs. Moon
Four Air Force Captains from Schriever Air Force Base presented a lively debate on the future of the U.S. space program to sixth grade students at the Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy in February. The Air Force base and the school are both based in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Space Foundation asked the Captains to participate…
Impressions of Space
How much do very young children understand about space? Students at The Classical Academy Central in Colorado Springs, Colo., recently sent thank you notes to former astronaut Wendy B. Lawrence, thanking her for speaking with them at their school. The Space Foundation sponsored Lawrence’s visit to the school. Made from colorful construction paper and decorated…
Space Foundation Board Gets New Officers, Members
The Space Foundation kicked off the new year with a new Board of Directors chairman, vice chairman, and secretary and with two new Board members. William F. Ballhaus, Jr., Ph.D., retired president and chief executive officer of The Aerospace Corporation, will serve a two-year term as the chairman. He is also chairman of the Board’s Finance…
Moorman Named Director Emeritus
Outgoing Space Foundation Chairman Gen Thomas S. Moorman, USAF (Retired), has been made a lifetime director emeritus of the Space Foundation. The former vice chief of staff of the United States Air Force served on the Space Foundation Board from 1997-2010. he served as secretary from 2004-2006, as vice chairman from 2006-2008, and as chairman of the Board…
AGI Funds Missions Simulator
A generous donation from Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI) has launched a new space education lab in Colorado Springs – the AGI Space Missions Simulator at the Space Foundation Discovery Institute. AGI, headquartered in Exton, Pa., donated software, licensing, and new computer equipment valued at more than $3 million to establish the education lab, which will…
Lawrence Lecture Inspires Girls
In January, the Space Foundation brought former astronaut and Navy captain Wendy B. Lawrence to Colorado Springs to speak to all-girl audiences at several local schools, part of an outreach effort to inspire girls’ interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). CAPT Lawrence spoke to girls at Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy, Galilio School of…
Space Foundation Pilots PreK-2 Program
The Space Foundation just completed its second pilot of a new Space Across the Curriculum educator professional development course specifically for teachers of PreK-2nd grade students. Beginning in the summer of 2010, the new week-long course – PreK-2 Early Childhood Space Exploration – will join the Space Foundation’s other six classes for grade PreK-high school teachers.…
First Festival of Science a Success
In January, the Space Foundation Discovery Institute, located on the campus of the Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., hosted its first free Festival of Science. The after-school event featured hands-on science exhibits and two presentations by former astronaut Wendy B. Lawrence. Some Swigert Academy students had heard Lawrence’s lecture earlier in the…
Richard Truly: Space is Worth the Risk
It was a warm, sunny Saturday afternoon, but the appeal of meeting a former astronaut drew a crowd away from the beautiful weather and into a softly lit gallery at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Surrounded by an exhibit of space art, more than 100 people settled into folding chairs in the gallery to…
Certified Space Technology Saves Manatees
An invention that originally protected astronauts, spacecraft, and heat-sensitive equipment from the extreme temperatures in space is now being used to save an endangered sea mammal from excess cold. AFMInc is donating Heatsheets® Silver Lining™ Blankets to the Save the Manatee Club in Maitland, Fla., to help in manatee rescues and to use when private and government…