[meteorite-list] NASA Considers Offering Scientific Community Opportunity To Study Shuttle Columbia Debris

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:25:37 2004
Message-ID: <200305091613.JAA27143_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899
AC 321-867-2468

For Release: May 9, 2003

KSC Contact: Bruce Buckingham
(321) 867-2468

JSC Contact: Eileen Hawley
(281) 483-5111

KSC Release No. 35 - 03

NASA CONSIDERS OFFERING SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY SHUTTLE
COLUMBIA DEBRIS

NASA's Kennedy Space Center has issued a Request for Information (RFI),
seeking organizations interested in using debris from the orbiter Columbia
in researching the effects of reentry.

Scientific, academic and governmental organizations interested are asked to
submit their requests by June 6, 2003, detailing their previous experience,
plans for use of the orbiter debris, and the scientific benefits expected to
be gained by their research.

"This is a general request to organizations outside the NASA family," said
Mike Leinbach, Columbia reconstruction chairman and Shuttle launch director.
"Through the efforts of outside researchers, we stand to learn a great deal
regarding hypersonic and thermodynamic properties and their affects on
spacecraft parts. This will greatly assist in the design and flight safety
of future spacecraft."

NASA has also requested input on how to best preserve and manage the debris
from Columbia. The complete RFI can be found at:
<http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=76#105670>

An RFI is intended to solicit information to help NASA decide how to
proceed. It does not represent a commitment to making Columbia debris
available to any person or organization.

Interested organizations should contact Steve Parker at the Kennedy Space
Center Office of Procurement, by e-mail at Steve.Parker_at_nasa.gov or by
calling 321-867-2928.

-end-
Received on Fri 09 May 2003 12:13:05 PM PDT