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Sally K. Ride, 12:10 PM 9/2/9...,Re: Space for KIDSTAT 2


simultaneously in support of an experiment in orbit. This room will be the link between the "Student Mission Operations Centers" (low-tech operations located at several schools) and NASA. During the next year, while the Mission Control Center (hardware and software) is being developed, this room will also be used to develop prototype student Mission Operations Centers. We are already working with NASA on the early stage of the design, and three undergraduates visited Mission Control in Houston this summer and began discussions with engineers there. 

(2) Renovation 

I don't see how we could get the NSF Education Division (the division which is giving us seed funding and has invited a large proposal) or NASA to renovate lab space. This division of NSF doesn't even fund computer hardware, and NASA rarely includes facility renovation. 

(3) Phasing 

We're beginning this work already (in fact, teachers and undergraduates are meeting today in a curriculum  workshop at JPL). If the Mission Control lab were not available until later in the Fall, we could begin early work on mission control software in the resource lab. The layout of the prototype Mission Control is, however, incompatible with the layout of the resource lab, so the serious work of hardware connections, data transmission from NASA, etc. could not begin until separate space was available. 

(4) Time Span 

We expect the project requirements to extend beyond January 1997. If it does not, it is either because the project has failed or has been moved from UCSD. That does not mean we wouldn't be willing to move in a couple of years if that turned out to be necessary or desirable. 

I might add that there are only 1 or 2 experiment mission control centers located at universities, and the operate simple, self-contained systems - they don't have to deal with the complexities of the Space Shuttle or NASA's Mission Control. This would be a unique facility (operated by students) that would draw lots of attention, and is central to KidSat. 

I hope that these somewhat rambling answers are helpful. I would be happy to answer any more questions that might come up. 

Thank you for your assistance. 

Sincerely, 

Sally Ride 


> Prof. Ride: 
Printed for sride@ucsd.edu (Sally K. Ride)