RELEASE NO. 99-102

GODDARD HOSTS FIRST EVER UNIVERSITY DAY SEPTEMBER 29 AND 30

It’s a mind meld worthy of a Star Trek episode. Leaders in scientific and technology research from more than 60 colleges and universities from across America will join prominent NASA scientists and engineers on September 29 and 30 at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. to exchange ideas and discuss opportunities for future collaborations.

It’s the first ever "University Day" at Goddard, and the Center has invited world class speakers from government and academia to discuss future research objectives for possible partnering opportunities, and explore joint proposal efforts.

"As we approach the next millennium, new and exciting opportunities are unfolding, and this conference will allow NASA scientists and university researchers to explore just how far ideas can travel when great minds meet," said Goddard Director Al V. Diaz. "NASA recognizes the university community as a great resource, and we want them to view us as a resource too."

University Day will introduce GSFC and its wealth of resources to the university community and expand participants' information and insight into GSFC. During the 2-day conference, NASA leaders will provide university participants with information and guidance on partnering and co-investigator support.

Speakers at the conference include:

• Dr. Ghassem Asrar, NASA’s Associate Administrator for Earth Sciences

• Dr. Alan Bunner, NASA Office of Space Science, Science Program Director (Structure and Evolution of the Universe)

• Dr. Eric J. Barron, Earth System Science Center, Pennsylvania State University

• Dr. Lennard Fisk, Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences, University of Michigan

• Dr. Martin Israel, Department of Physics, Washington University

• Dr. Bradley Peterson, Department of Astronomy, Ohio State University

"Our goal is to provide the participants with an in-depth understanding and insight into the changing climate at NASA and GSFC," said Diaz. "We want them to understand what we do here at GSFC, how to work with us, and how to access information about available opportunities. Most importantly, we want them to meet and exchange ideas with the people on which future relationships can be built."

Participants will tour Goddard Space Flight Center on September 30 following the close of the program. On the tour, participants will see the largest clean room in the world and learn how spacecraft are tested and evaluated prior to lifting off into space. Tour participants will also visit the central nervous system of NASA communications. They will see how NASA communicates with the Hubble Space Telescope, satellites, and Space Shuttles. They will tour the Hubble Space Telescope Operations Control Center and other locations.

Additional information is available on the conference web site at:

http://tco3.gsfc.nasa.gov/uday