Once again, NASA leads the government with its use of innovative technology, though still lags far behind public sector organizations. For years universities have been transforming learning on campus, off campus, and where there's no campus at all through the use of iTunes U, which puts the power of the iTunes Store to work for colleges and universities, so users can easily search, download, and play course content just like they do music, movies, and TV shows.
Learning from the contributing universities in collaboration with Apple Inc., NASA is using the iTunes platform to be more transparent, inform the public, and excite a new generation about the exploration of space. The quarterly progress reports offer viewers a rare glimpse at the on-going development work of the next-generation launch vehicles that will take explorers to the moon and beyond in coming decades. The programs range in length from five to 15 minutes and spotlight the detailed evolution of the Ares vehicles, from earliest conception through various design phases and the most recent testing. Some of the videos include:
- Wind tunnel testing of scale models of the Ares I test vehicle, known as Ares I-X, and the Ares V rocket. The testing aids engineers in designing aerodynamic vehicles.
- Disassembly and inspection of part of the J-2X engine - known as the powerpack - that will produce the thrust needed to power the Ares I rocket to orbit. The powerpack pushes liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the engine's main combustion chamber. This test series helped address early design risks. Engineers are now evaluating hardware used as part of the recent testing.
- The first tests to weld together pieces of the rockets being developed. NASA recently tested a new robotic friction stir welding facility by fusing space shuttle fuel tank panels. Friction stir welding is an innovative technique invented in 1991 that uses forging pressure and frictional heating to produce high-strength bonds virtually free of defects.
- A test of a parachute for the Ares I rocket. The parachute will slow the rapid descent of the rocket's reusable first-stage motor as it falls back to Earth after detaching from the rocket during its climb to space. The parachute permits recovery of the motor for use on future Ares I flights.
To view the Ares quarterly progress reports visit iTunes or to learn more about the Ares rockets and view the Ares quarterly progress reports visit NASA's Ares web site. For additional interactive NASA features and podcasts visit NASA's multimedia website.
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