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07/07/94 11:39 FAX 8183549476  JPL HSE Group 003 009 [[ink doodles]]

utilization, to teach children about our environment, and to motivate children to continue and complete their education.

KidSat is a concept in which remote sensing instruments dedicated to kids are placed on human spacecraft including the Space Shuttle, the Russian Mir space station, and the International Space Station. Children would help design KidSat, play a key role in its operation, and analyze, interpret and disseminate its data. Pathfinder instruments could be carried on the Shuttle, and prototype instruments could be mounted on Mir, Cameras, remote sensing instruments and telepresence are under consideration.

KidSat is a joint project with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Johns Hopkins Univesity Center for Talented Youth (CTY), the University of California-San Diaego/California Space Institute (CalSpace) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL).

NASA is funding JPL to perform technical analyses to define the telepresence and remote sensing technology which will be required to implement KidSat and to write a science and education plan. NSF is funding the CTY to develop KidSat pathfinder educational curriculum guides. Students (4th grade through undergraduate) and teachers will be involved in KidSat planning activities.

A primary objective of the study will be the definition of the long-term KidSat program including flight hardware, data system and educational aspects. Included in the study will be a preliminary budget and schedule which will enable NASA to make a determination regarding implementation of KidSat. 

The KidSat lead scientist is Dr. JoBea Way of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She may be reached at Internet address way@lor.jpl.nasa.gov. Elizabeth Jones Stork, of the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth, the lead on the NSF grant, can be reached at 818-500-9034.