- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

��Vlog��ý Little Rock, CALS to Host Phil “Bad Astronomer” Plait July 20

John Hill — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 13:37:57 +0000

Update: The Phil Plait talk that was originally scheduled for July 20 has been postponed until later in the fall. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Arkansas Space Grant Consortium and the Central Arkansas Library System will sponsor a presentation and book signing with astronomer Phil Plait Wednesday, July 20. The talk, “Phil Plait Presents Eclipse Across America,” will begin at 7 p.m. in the Ron Robinson Theatre, 100 River Market Ave., Little Rock. This family friendly event is free and open to the public. Plait will talk about the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. This rare celestial event will be viewable across much of Arkansas. Platt will tell you everything you need to know to safely watch the literally out-of-this-world event, explain the science, and even debunk a misconception or two about eclipses. “The shadow of the Moon will fall along a narrow path across the US, including right through downtown Little Rock, which will enjoy 2 minutes and 30 seconds of totality,” said Darrell Health, NASA outreach coordinator with the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium. “During that time, the sky will grow dark, the stars and planets will come out, birds will stop singing, crickets will chirp, and you’ll be able to see the Sun’s corona, it’s gorgeous atmosphere normally far too faint to see from Earth.” After spending a decade working on Hubble Space Telescope data and promoting science from a half dozen different NASA astronomical satellites, Plait has gained a unique perspective on science and how the public understands it. He’s written books on scientific misconceptions, cosmic catastrophes, and even a collection of satirical nerd insults, each showcasing his passion for science as well as his sense of humor. His popular blog, “Bad Astronomy” – hosted at different times by Discover Magazine and Slate, and now at SYFY Wire – covers a lot of ground, from interesting scientific events here on Earth all the way out to the edge of the observable universe. He’s given talks about science (and its nemesis, anti-science) around the world. He has appeared in dozens of TV shows including writing and hosting “Crash Course Astronomy,” a 46-part introduction to astronomy on YouTube, and the Discovery Channel’s “How The Universe Works.”

Khodakovskaya Inducted into Arkansas Research Alliance Academy

John Hill — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 15:28:14 +0000

Dr. Mariya Khodakovskaya, professor of biology at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has been inducted into the (ARA) Academy of Scholars and Fellows. The induction of the new cohort of distinguished scholars and researchers took place during a Dec. 9 ceremony at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion. The cohort is composed of two new ARA Scholars, which is the recruitment of strategic research talent from outside the state, and six ARA Fellows, which is a recognition of outstanding researchers already residing in the state. “It is a big honor to join the Arkansas Research Alliance,” Khodakovskaya said. “I hope to be an efficient and enthusiastic contributor to cutting-edge interdisciplinary and inter-jurisdictional biological research with a focus on commercialization in Arkansas.” Khodakovskaya, who is also the director of Applied Science Graduate Programs at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, has been honored as an ARA Fellow and will receive a $75,000 grant to continue her outstanding research, which focuses on improvement of agricultural and industrial plants using advanced methods of biotechnology and nanotechnology. “We can celebrate the importance of research and the announcement of a record number of new scholars and fellows that will be doing research in Arkansas,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said. “As a state, we do support the research of our higher education institutions because it brings innovation, it brings scientific discovery, it brings us steps forward in medical research. Through ground floor innovation, Arkansas research helps existing companies be more competitive and creates new startups, jobs, and patents that boosts the state’s high-tech economy.” The ARA Academy of Scholars and Fellows is made up of research scientists from Arkansas’ six major research institutions: University of Arkansas (U of A), the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (��Vlog��ýMS), ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Arkansas State University (A-State), University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (��Vlog��ýPB), and the FDA’s National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR). “ARA continues its mission to build the ARA Academy,” ARA President Jerry Adams said. “The members we’ve added today are truly representative of the enormous scientific talent that ARA is focusing on the future of the state of Arkansas.” Khodakovskaya’s collaborations with material scientists, nanotechnologists, and other plant molecular biologists and biotechnologists resulted in the development of a unique research area in the intersection of plant biology and nanotechnology. She was the first person to demonstrate that carbon-based nanomaterials can affect plants at genomic and metabolomic levels, which activates genes involved in water transport, cell division, and response to environmental stress.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson, left, congratulates Dr. Mariya Khodakovskaya, right, and other Arkansas Research Alliance Academy of Scholars and Fellows members during a ceremony honoring her and seven other new inductees. Photos by Ben Krain.

“Dr. Khodakovskaya is a true pioneer in the area of crop improvement by the application of a wide range of carbon-based nanomaterials,” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Christina Drale said. “She and her research team developed innovative approaches for the enhancement of plant tolerance to environmental stress using advanced methods of genetic engineering, molecular biology, and nanotechnology. The key to her success is a collaborative interdisciplinary approach used in her research.” Khodakovskaya’s recent research with the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium and NASA also holds potential to solve the problem of how to feed astronauts during long-term space exploration missions. An ongoing grant from NASA involves research to discover how to improve sustainability and stress tolerance in plants developed for exploration of Mars. Since 2008, Khodakovskaya has been a principal investigator or co-principal investigator on grants totaling more than $10 million. Her research has been supported by grants from the USDA, Department of Defense, NASA, Arkansas Science and Technology Authority, and Arkansas Space Grant Consortium. She is the founder and CEO of Advanced Plant Technologies, an outgrowth opportunity to commercialize her research products. “Her research is closely linked to the economy of Arkansas,” Chancellor Christina Drale said. “She is a co-principal investigator of a $4.5 million grant funded by NSF-EPSCoR, which is focused on identifying genes and mechanisms to improve resistance to high temperatures of rice, Arkansas’s primary crop.” The additional new ARA Academy members include Philip Massey and Hugh Churchill, both of U of A; Edward Yeh and Alan Tackett, both of ��Vlog��ýMS, Fabricio Medina Bolivar, A-State; Karl Walker, ��Vlog��ýPB; and Laura Schnackenburg, NCTR.

Khodakovskaya named Arkansas Research Alliance Fellow

John Hill — Tue, 04 May 2021 17:38:31 +0000

Dr. Mariya Khodakovskaya, professor of biology at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has been named a fellow for the Arkansas Research Alliance (ARA). The ARA Academy of Scholars and Fellows is comprised of research scientists from Arkansas’ six major research institutions and the FDA’s National Center for Toxicological Research. An ARA Fellow is a research leader recognized for his or her work currently at a partner university. Each ARA Fellow receives a $75,000 grant. “This is an honor for any researcher to be a part of the Arkansas Research Alliance,” Khodakovskaya said. “It’s a team of distinguished scientists in Arkansas all involving universities. It’s people who can really make a difference in Arkansas and the top researchers in their fields. I know many of these people because I’ve collaborated with them previously, so it’s good to work with them again.” Khodakovskaya is also the director of the Applied Science Graduate Program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Her research involves the improvement of agricultural and industrial plants using advanced methods of biotechnology and nanotechnology, with a focus on the enhancement of plant productivity and stress tolerance by application of carbon-based and biodegradable nanomaterials.

Dr. Mariya Khodakovskaya, left, and Arkansas Space Grant Consortium Program Coordinator Maisty Stukenborgright, right. Photo by Ben Krain.

Her recent research with the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium and NASA also holds potential to solve the problem of how to feed astronauts during long-term space exploration missions. An ongoing grant from NASA involves research to discover how to improve sustainability and stress tolerance in plants developed for exploration of Mars. “Dr. Khodakovskaya has been a tremendous asset to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” said Dr. Brian Berry, vice provost of research and dean of the Graduate School. “Her work is innovative and on the cutting edge of science. Her research has significant implications for Arkansas’ biggest industry, agriculture. The Arkansas Research Alliance is a great partner to the university and I am so thankful that they have selected Mariya as an ARA Fellow. She is a shining example of the amazing researchers that we have here at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.” The ARA Academy is an organization of ARA Scholars and ARA Fellows developed by the Arkansas Research Alliance. ARA Academy candidates represent a strategic value to advancing the research vision for their respective institutions. Each ARA Academy candidate is nominated by the chancellor of his or her university. After an external review, the ARA Board of Trustees approves each new ARA Academy member. “The ARA Academy brings incredible value to Arkansas,” said Bryan Barnhouse, ARA CEO. “The research community in our state is a catalyst for economic, social, and academic growth. We leverage the most from this human resource by working together.” Khodakovskaya received a Ph.D. from the Far Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences in Russia and an M.S. from the Far Eastern Federal University in Russia. Her collaborations with material scientists, nanotechnologists, and other plant molecular biologists and biotechnologists resulted in the development of a unique research area in the intersection of plant biology and nanotechnology. She was the first person to demonstrate that carbon-based nanomaterials can affect plants at genomic and metabolomic levels, which activates genes involved in water transport, cell division, and response to environmental stress. She has also established new methods for increasing seed germination and plant and cell growth using nanomaterials. Dr. Sudha Shanmugam earned a Ph.D. from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock under Khodakovskaya’s tutelage and joined her lab last year as a post-doctoral research associate studying rice metabolomics under high night temperature stress. “I got fascinated by her research values and ethics, which drove me throughout these years,” Shanmugam said. “The encouragement and motivation which she gave me during my time with her were fabulous and priceless. I had the great opportunity to learn many things from her lab, both scientific and moral values. I would also like to add that Dr. Mariya is a great scientist and a great person too. I take this opportunity to thank Dr. Mariya for all the help and support she gave me during these years and I wish her good luck in her future.” Khodakovskaya strives to commercialize her research through interactions with industry professionals and through the submission of patent applications. In the past 10 years, she has submitted seven new patent applications, of which four have been approved thus far. In 2014, she formed a start-up company, Advanced Plant Technologies, LLC. Since 2008, she has been a principal investigator or co-principal investigator on grants totaling more than $10 million. Her research has been supported by grants from the USDA-NIFA, NSF-EPSCoR, NASA-EPSCoR, Arkansas Science and Technology Authority (ASTA), Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board, biotechnological industry and the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium.

Dr. Mariya Khodakovskaya. Photo by Ben Krain.

Dr. Nawab Ali, a professor of biology, is collaborating with Khodakovskaya on research projects related to cell signaling molecules called inositol polyphosphates, his area of expertise, and also involved in plant growth and survival under drastic weather conditions. “This work has significance in agriculture crops and is most valuable for the state of Arkansas,” Ali said. “We have also published co-authored, peer-reviewed papers and worked on collaborative grants. Our research labs sit across the hall, and our students enjoy interacting with each other while we also help each other’s students. She is a wonderful colleague and willing to help others as needed.” Dr. Ali also noted that Khodakovskaya has a well-known reputation in research circles that has brought international attention to the department and university. “Dr. Khodakovskaya is the hardest working person in the department,” Ali said. “She is a kind of ‘workaholic’ and gets a lot done. Now she is a highly accomplished professor at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with quality publications and multi-million dollar grants and has become internationally known in her areas of expertise. Oftentimes, she is invited to chair conference sessions or organize meetings.” Khodakovskaya added that much of her success is owed to fruitful collaborations and the ability to conduct cross-disciplinary research. “It’s impossible to work by yourself in modern science,” Khodakovskaya said. “You must collaborate and have partners from other scientific disciplines in order to succeed. With the Arkansas Research Alliance, collaboration is important because it allows people from different disciplines to know each other and to establish new collaborations between scientists and institutions.”

Hudson receives Faculty Excellence in Public Service Award for College of Art, Letters, and Sciences

John Hill — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 12:53:54 +0000

Dr. Mitchell Keith Hudson, professor of chemistry, has been awarded the 2020 Faculty Excellence Award for Public Service in the College of Art, Letters, and. Sciences. Since 1997, Hudson has served as director of the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium (ASGC) and chair of the NASA ASGC Board, as well as being director of the Arkansas NASA EPSCoR Research Program. He provides leadership and guidance to faculty and students at the 17 ASGC campuses and to all campuses involved in NASA EPSCoR research. “The Arkansas Space Grant Consortium as directed by Dr. Hudson is recognized by state officers, colleges, and universities as a valuable benefit to the college campuses and the State of Arkansas as a whole,” said Dr. Mariya Khodakovskaya, professor of biology. Thanks in part to Hudson’s direction, portions of the NASA ASGC and NASA EPSCoR programs are now recognized by NASA program managers as best practices for other Space Grant Consortia and state EPSCoR committees. Further, Arkansas is in the top 25 percent in winning EPSCoR research awards. “Dr. Hudson is a valuable asset to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in research and service,” Khodakovskaya said. “His direction of the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium has provided special minority awards to students at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and the 16 other Arkansas member campuses.” With the goal of gathering input across Arkansas for determining EPSCoR goals, Hudson has been involved in national planning sessions and policy determinations for EPSCoR. Hudson visits Capitol Hill on a regular basis to encourage federal legislators to continue funding for agency EPSCoR programs at NASA, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Energy. Hudson’s outstanding record in Arkansas and his service to other state EPSCoR committees landed him an appointment to the five-member NASA EPSCoR Executive Committee in 2012, which provides leadership to the 28 NASA EPSCoR Directors. As such, Hudson is a national senior spokesman in the NASA Space Grant and EPSCoR programs, other agency EPSCoR programs, and STEM programs. Hudson has been instrumental in guiding the course of national efforts for EPSCoR programs within the public sector and universities. “I believe Dr. Keith Hudson to be one of our State’s outstanding people who bring honor to themselves, their home institutions, and to the State of Arkansas,” said Khodakovskaya. Hudson received a Ph.D. from Baylor University, a M.S. degree from Sam Houston State University, and a B.S. degree from East Texas Baptist College.

Arkansas Space Grant Consortium celebrates 50th anniversary of moon landing

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 12:56:39 +0000

The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock-based Arkansas Space Grant Consortium is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing with two out-of-this-world events this summer. The Arkansas Space Grant Consortium, in partnership with the Central Arkansas Library System and the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society, will host a lecture with astronomer Phil Plait, best known for his website and blog, where he debunks bad science and popular misconceptions. , “Strange New Worlds: Is Earth Special?” will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at the Ron Robinson Theater, 100 River Market Ave. The lecture explores the search for exoplanets that lie outside the solar system. While thousands of exoplanets have been discovered, none appear to resemble Earth. After earning his doctorate in astronomy at the University of Virginia, Plait worked on the Hubble Space Telescope as a NASA contractor at the Goddard Space Flight Center. He hosted the TV show “Phil Plait’s Bad Universe” on the Discovery Channel in 2010 and was the head science writer for “Bill Nye Saves the World” on Netflix. The second event is a screening of the documentary, The will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 26, at the Ron Robinson Theater. Bonestell was a space artist who painted memorable scenes of space flight and humans traveling to distant worlds. When Dr. Wernher von Braun, an aerospace engineer who pioneered rocket technology in Germany and the U.S., wrote articles to convince the American people of the merits of spaceflight, Bonestell was the artist who illustrated his vision. “Von Braun had the idea that you had to sell the idea of going into space to the American people,” said Darrell Heath, former president of the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society and animal lab technician at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “He began writing articles about people going into space, and he even teamed up with Walt Disney to present a three-hour television special. Chesley Bonestell illustrated the artwork for von Braun’s articles. It struck a chord with the American people and helped sell the idea of manned spaceflight to the American public. This documentary explores how his artwork influenced the American people.” Bonestell helped design memorable architectural sites like the Chrysler Building and the Golden Gate Bridge. His artistry provided convincing backgrounds for legendary productions like “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Citizen Kane.” Both events are free and open to the public. In addition to the events, the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium is also a sponsor of the Central Arkansas Library System Summer Reading Club 2019: A Universe of Stories. The Central Arkansas Library System has purchased new telescopes for the CALS Telescope Program with a grant from the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium. CALS patrons now have access to 30 telescopes to borrow. The CALS Telescope Program began in 2016 when CAAS helped CALS procure funding for the program from the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium and then modified the original collection of 16 telescopes for public use. Since that time, hundreds of CALS patrons have participated in the program, checking out telescopes to take home and attending educational events to learn about the night sky.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock student interns at NASA

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 14:21:27 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock student spent his summer interning at the in Norfolk, Virginia. John Siratt, a graduate student in mathematics from Malvern, was one of the student researchers accepted into the highly competitive . He worked with the Formal Methods Research Program within the Safety Critical Avionics Division at NASA Langley Research Center from May to August. Siratt was able to secure an internship with the space agency thanks to help from his professors. Dr. Lakeshia Jones, assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, supervised Siratt’s independent studies and encouraged him to develop research topics and search for specialized internship opportunities. “Dr. Jones encouraged me to think about research topics, and I did a practice research statement,” he said. “The topic I got interested in seemed to have obvious applications for aerospace. The Arkansas Space Grant Consortium said that NASA has internships, so I reached out to them and had a conference call to some researchers at NASA Langley Research Center. They invited me to apply, and the next thing I knew they were asking what kind of computer I wanted when I got there.” In addition to the help Jones provided, Dr. Steven Minsker, professor of computer science, helped Siratt prepare for the internship by supervising an independent study. “Without Dr. Jones and Dr. Minsker, I would not have had the background to make the progress I made while at Langley,” he said. “My NASA mentors were very impressed with my skills and knowledge, and none of that would have been possible without the willingness of these faculty members to supervise relevant independent study.” His internship was supported through a Workforce Development grant from the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium. He worked with Dr. Anthony Narkawicz, Ricky Butler, and Dr. Cesar Munoz from NASA. At the research center, Siratt was assigned a three-month project that he wrapped up in five weeks. Siratt studies automated theorem proving, a subfield of artificial intelligence and mathematical logic that deals with proving mathematical theorems with computer programs. Siratt and his mentors redesigned and improved a library of trigonometry proofs used to prove mathematical concepts the Formal Methods team is using to verify algorithms for air traffic control systems. This work was performed in the prototype verification system (PVS) theorem prover, a system which allows users to rigorously prove mathematical statements. “Let’s say we are having a debate with a very meticulous person who wants you to justify everything,” Siratt said. “That is what it’s like to justify everything to a computer. We program a drone or autopilot system or air traffic control system, and the computer wants you to prove your mathematical concepts. We use trigonometry a lot. We don’t want to have to re-prove trigonometry to the computer every time, so we have a trigonometry library where the proofs are contained.” Siratt and his mentors generated more than 100 trigonometry proofs during his internship. “The computer is going to hammer and hammer you on the details of the computer programming until it is convinced it is right,” he said. “You can look at my work for the summer as finding ways to argue the truth of the facts of trigonometry in as simple a way as possible.” With the additional time, Siratt was able to work with other research projects and explore his own research topics with the other scientists. “I really enjoyed the internship,” he said. “It was a great atmosphere with great people to work with. People are coming in and out and discussing ideas. The people enjoy what they do and are self motivated.” Siratt is planning to apply for another internship at NASA Langley Research Center for summer 2018. In the upper right photo, John Siratt (right) and his wife, Chassidy (left), attend the 2016 Fribourgh Award Reception at Pleasant Valley Country Club. Photo by Lonnie Timmons III/��Vlog��ý Little Rock Communications.

Tomatoes on Mars? Student’s genetic research could one day help space travelers

Shanna Fitzgerald — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 22:22:35 +0000

Genetic research by a University of Arkansas at Little Rock student that could one day aid Mars colonists was one of only 10 student projects highlighted during a national NASA Space Grant conference. Diamond McGehee, an applied bioscience Ph.D. student from Conway, represented Arkansas and the after she was selected by the National Space Grant Directors committee. On March 2, McGehee showcased her work in the first-ever Julius Dasch Student Poster Presentation at the 2017 National Space Grant Directors meeting in Washington, D.C. “It was an exciting, illuminating experience,” McGehee said. She particularly enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about research from other states that — as with her work — could eventually be used in a NASA mission to Mars. Her presentation was titled “Metabolomic Analysis with Focus on Anticancerous Metabolites in InsP 5-ptase Expressing Tomato Fruits via Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS).” Essentially, her research explores ways to modify the genes of tomatoes so that the fruit produces more nutritious cell-protecting compounds such as antioxidants. “What we’re trying to do is to make a food source that is more protective from radiation,” McGehee said. On Earth, the atmosphere offers a radiation buffer that’s largely absent in space — potentially leading to an increase in problems such as cataracts and cancer, McGehee said. McGehee hopes her tomato research not only leads to additional nutritional protection but also will help produce plants that are more hardy and able to adapt to foreign environments. Dr. Mariya Khodakovskaya, a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professor and the graduate coordinator of the Department of Biology, is McGehee’s faculty mentor and the research principal investigator. The Arkansas Space Grant Consortium, which is based at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and includes 17 four-year colleges and universities, sponsored McGehee’s work. The is a program of the NASA Office of Education.

Astronaut inspires youths to pursue higher education

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 18:35:33 +0000

Duane “Digger” Carey credits education as the defining element that led a child who grew up in public housing in St. Paul, Minnesota, to a successful career as an astronaut who piloted a shuttle mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope in 2002. “Why would NASA want a kid from the projects who didn’t like science?” Carey asked a crowd of 175 people, including 75 middle school and junior high students from local schools, during a Feb. 25 colloquium at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. “I had that magic piece of paper,” he said. “I had that Master of Science degree in my back pocket. It didn’t matter how I grew up. If you give yourself that power, you have that the rest of your life.” Three groups of local middle and junior high school students visited ��Vlog��ýLR to hear Carey’s speech. One of the students from Cloverdale Middle School’s Aerospace Club asked Carey about the most amazing thing he saw in space. “I can’t describe how beautiful it is to see the Earth from space. I cannot explain why the Earth is beautiful, but you never get tired of looking at the Earth from space,” he said. William Grafton, a seventh- and eighth-grade aerospace teacher at Cloverdale Middle School, was glad his students could hear Carey’s journey to become an astronaut. “This was a great opportunity for the kids to see how a normal person becomes an astronaut,” Grafton said. “I wanted my students to see that. Everyone thinks astronauts are these super amazing people, but ordinary people become astronauts, too.” Carey spent most of his childhood with his mother and two younger siblings. His father left when he was 6, and Carey developed an aversion to school. “School felt like a prison to me. When that bell went off at the end of the day, I felt like I was finally free to do what I wanted,” he said, adding that he regrets not putting more emphasis on school when he was younger. “I tell middle school kids that this is the time when kids start to make important choices,” he said. “Do I take the minimum-required math course or do I take the much-feared advanced class? Sometimes you learn the most from the hardest things. I have found that learning math makes learning other things easier.” Carey graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering and mechanics in 1981 and a master’s degree in aerospace engineering in 1982. He received his commission from the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1981 and graduated from undergraduate pilot training in 1983. He flew over 30 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm over Iraq. In 1991, he was selected to attend the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Having been selected as an astronaut candidate in 1996, Carey completed two years of training and evaluation at in Houston before qualifying for flight assignment as a pilot. Carey logged more than 10 days in space during his first space flight. In 2002, he served as pilot on STS-109 Columbia during the fourth servicing mission for the Hubble Space Telescope. “No mission before had ever attempted to do five consecutive spacewalks in five consecutive days,” he said. “Usually, the demands are so arduous on the crew that you take a day off between spacewalks, but we signed up to do five in a row.” The crew of STS-109 successfully upgraded the Hubble Space Telescope, leaving it with a new power unit, a new camera, and new solar arrays. STS-109 orbited the Earth 165 times, and covered 3.9 million miles in over 262 hours. Having retired from NASA in 2004, Carey travels with his wife, Cheryl, advocating for the importance of education and exploration programs. When the weather permits, they travel on motorcycles and camp outside. Carey and his wife have plans of continuing this nomadic lifestyle through “One World, One Child, One Dream.” Their mission is to reach children in every nation on Earth via motorcycle travel. After fixing up two motorcycles, the couple eventually hopes to advocate the importance of education to the people of Mexico and South America. “You see what education did for me. It gave me all the opportunities I could ever wish for. If you want to see the future of America, go to a school,” he said. The colloquium was sponsored by the, based at ��Vlog��ýLR. For more information on Duane Carey, visit. In the photo, former astronaut Duane “Digger” Carey speaks to a student about his 2002 mission to the Hubble Space Telescope during a colloquium at ��Vlog��ýLR on Feb. 25.

Astronaut Duane “Digger” Carey visits ��Vlog��ýLR

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 22:36:22 +0000

Former astronaut Duane “Digger” Carey will discuss his 2002 mission to the Hubble Space Telescope during a visit to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on Feb. 25. He will also talk about his education in aerospace engineering and his career as a test and fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force, where he logged more than 4,300 hours in more than 35 types of aircraft. The presentation is free and open to the public and will be followed by a question and answer session. The talk, sponsored by the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium, will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, in the Engineering and Information Technology Building Auditorium. “Digger, as he likes to be called, served as pilot on the space shuttle Columbia, and they had to calculate how to rendezvous with the Hubble Space Telescope satellite,” said Dr. Keith Hudson, director of the. “A lot of things can go wrong if two objects collide in space. Everything had to be just perfect.” Carey will discuss the orbital mechanics involved during the rendezvous between the space shuttle and Hubble telescope. Orbital, or flight mechanics, involves the study of the motions of artificial satellites and space vehicles under the influence of forces such as gravity, atmospheric drag, and thrust. After graduating from the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis, earning a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering and mechanics in 1981 and a master’s degree in aerospace engineering in 1982, Carey received his commission from the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1981 and graduated from undergraduate pilot training in 1983. His flight experience includes the A-10A during tours at England Air Force Base, Louisiana, and Suwon Air Base in the Republic of Korea. He completed F-16 training in 1988 and was assigned to Torrejon Air Base in Spain. He flew more than 30 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm over Iraq. In 1991, he was selected to attend the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base in California. After graduation in 1992, he worked as an F-16 experimental test pilot and system safety officer at Edwards Air Force Base, where he specialized in performance and flying qualities testing of the F-16. Having been selected as an astronaut candidate in 1996, Carey completed two years of training and evaluation at in Houston before qualifying for flight assignment as a pilot. He was first assigned technical duties in the Astronaut Office Spacecraft Systems/Operations Branch and later served as a Shuttle CAPCOM in Mission Control. Carey logged more than 10 days in space during his first space flight. From March 1 to March 12, 2002, he served as a pilot on STS-109 Columbia during the fourth servicing mission for the Hubble Space Telescope. The crew of STS-109 successfully upgraded the Hubble Space Telescope, leaving it with a new power unit, a new camera and new solar arrays. STS-109 orbited the Earth 165 times and covered 3.9 million miles during the course of more than 260 hours. After a successful career with the Air Force and NASA, Carey left NASA in 2004 to pursue other interests. Carey and his wife, Cheryl, currently travel around the country, educating young people about the importance of America’s exploration and research programs.

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

����Vlog��ý Little Rock, CALS to Host Phil “Bad Astronomer” Plait July 20