CLEVELAND – Media are invited to an interview opportunity with Julie Robinson, program scientist for the International Space Station at 11 a.m. EDT Wednesday, Sept. 12, at NASA’s Glenn Research Center.
Robinson will speak to reporters about Glenn’s vital role in space station’s research and the benefits already realized from experiments performed on station. Since its first element launch in 2000, station has achieved amazing discoveries in the areas of biology and biotechnology, physical science, human research, Earth and space science. The orbiting station also serves as an educational platform that continues to inspire students and motivate them in the studies of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The media opportunity will take place in Glenn’s Exercise Countermeasures Laboratory that houses the Enhanced Zero Locomotion Simulator. This simulator was designed and built to mimic conditions astronauts experience in space when exercising on space station. This system is a ground-based testbed that provides high-fidelity, zero-gravity and 1/6 gravity (lunar environment) exercise simulations for developing exercise countermeasures devices, equipment and exercise protocols for space.
Researchers and managers at Glenn are responsible for numerous experiments performed on station. These experiments largely relate to a better understanding of the physics of fluids and combustion in space as well as life science studies. Many of these experiments have direct application to problems we encounter here on Earth. Glenn also plays a key role in the operation of station’s electrical power system.
As the chief scientist for the International Space Station Program, Robinson has overseen the transition of the laboratory from the assembly period, with just a few dozen active investigations, to full utilization, with hundreds of active investigations. She represents all space station users, including NASA-funded investigators, the new community of investigators using station as a U.S. National Laboratory and the international research community.
The space station, including its large solar arrays, spans the area of a U.S. football field, including the end zones, and weighs 861,804 pounds, not including visiting vehicles. The complex now has more livable room than a conventional five-bedroom house and has two bathrooms, a gymnasium and a 360-degree bay window. Flying more than 200 miles above Earth, it is considered an engineering marvel.
Media interested in attending this special event should contact Glenn’s Media Relations Office at 216-433-2901 before 9 a.m. on September 12 in order to be cleared through security.
For more information about Glenn’s role in the International Space Station, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/shuttlestation/station/station_science.html
