STS-95 Inspires and Aspires
By John Emond
THE RECENT MISSION
OF STS-95 IS AN investment in America's present and future, while
serving as a renewed source of inspiration for many Americans. The
flight of STS-95 was a custom fit for NASA's three-part mission—to
obtain knowledge through scientific research, space exploration,
and technology development and transfer, as mandated by policy and
legislation.
All of the activities and knowledge gained from this mission are
for improving the quality of life on Earth. STS-95 is a notable
commitment to partners in the science and educational communities,
industry, and government agencies in the United States and around
the world, to economic growth and security and to development of
the environment.
STS-95 very much represents NASA's contributions to national priorities.
In terms of Increased Understanding of Science and Technology,
knowledge from STS-95 communicated widely the content, relevancy
and excitement of NASA missions and discoveries to inspire and increase
our understanding and the broad application of science and technology.
For Sustainable Development of the Environment, NASA
studies Earth as a planet and as a system to understand global change,
enabling the world to address environmental issues. The solar studies
on STS-95 collected information on the heating of the solar corona
and the acceleration of the solar wind that originates in the corona.
This will help explain how those phenomena affect activities both
in Earth orbit and on the ground. In the area of Educational
Excellence, NASA involves the educational community in its
endeavors. Eight experiment modules from national and international
students of all ages, elementary through university level, were
on board STS-95's payload bay to collect data for postflight analysis.
For Peaceful Exploration and Discovery, NASA explores
the universe to enrich human life by stimulating intellectual curiosity,
opening new worlds of opportunity and uniting nations of the world
in a shared vision. From astronauts to partnerships to payload experiments,
STS-95's international involvement includes the Canadian Space Agency,
the European Space Agency and the National Space Development Agency
of Japan. Finally, for Economic Growth and Security, NASA
develops technology in partnership with industry, academia and other
federal agencies to support the fullest commercial use of space
to promote economic growth and keep America capable and competitive.
STS-95 was the 33rd Shuttle mission to participate in NASA's Getaway
Special program. It offers interested individuals or groups from
education—foreign and commercial—and the U.S. government
access to space to test ideas that could later grow into major space
experiments. The knowledge gained from STS-95's space-based experimentation
will be applied to ground-based research, development and manufacturing.
STS-95 was the first run at space manufacture for a product called
aerogel, which, when manufactured in weightless conditions and made
transparent for windows, could significantly reduce global energy
needs and minimize energy production pollutants.
NASA has flown astronauts in their 50s and 60s. John Glenn, the
first American to orbit Earth and the oldest American to fly in
space, was selected as one of the highly qualified seven-member
crew for very specific reasons beyond his age, including 40 years
of documented medical history with NASA and previous flight experience
as a NASA astronaut. John Glenn provided NASA a one-of-a-kind opportunity
to study the similarities, differences and effects of microgravity
and aging. Senator Glenn's participation and that of each astronaut
added to the data pool on human responses to space flight. STS-95
has drawn the attention of the American people, helping them see
the many benefits of their space program, as administered by NASA.
The American people have been inspired in a uniquely personal
way by STS-95, its mission objectives, its payloads and its crew.
This pride in the space program carries over into the international
arena, reinforcing the United States' place as the leader in the
commercial development of space and space technology.
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