January 18, 2007 – Reston, VA – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), in partnership with the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA), has launched a National Public Radio program called Discovery Now to explore the newest advances from NASA and the aerospace community.  The 90-second radio segments will air starting January 22, 2007, on National Public Radio’s WHRV 89.5 FM, during its prime-time weekday news and public affairs program, All Things Considered.

Accessible to everyone, Discovery Now will feature highlights in aeronautics and astronautics technology, science, history, innovations, research and inventions from the aerospace industry, worldwide.  

Produced by Michael Bibbo and Kevin Krigsvold, NIA’s award-winning team of producers, Discovery Now will feature 240 interstitials annually, along with a Web component that allows the public to download the radio programs.  Each segment will explain how scientific and technological developments are changing our world. The goal is to increase public awareness, understanding and appreciation of science and technology, including NASA’s aerospace technology, research and exploration missions.  

“The positive impact of aeronautics and astronautics technologies is felt by each of us everyday,” says AIAA President Roger Simpson. “We believe Discovery Now will highlight those benefits and provide the public with a glimpse of exciting future advancements. We commend NIA’s leadership in developing and producing these thought-provoking segments that are both educational and entertaining.  They are certain to raise awareness of the aerospace community and will help capture the imagination of future engineers and scientists that may be listening.”

Discovery Now is written and produced by NIA and is funded by a grant from AIAA.  Additional public radio stations, college and community stations, commercial stations, satellite radio, Public Radio International and Voice of America are targeted to carry the program.

For more information about the National Institute of Aerospace, visit http://www.nianet.org

AIAA advances the state of aerospace science, engineering, and technological leadership. Headquartered in suburban Washington, D.C., the Institute serves over 35,000 members in 65 regional sections and 79 countries. AIAA membership is drawn from all levels of industry, academia, private research organizations, and government. For more information, visit www.aiaa.org.

Media Contacts: Sharon Grace
AIAA
703/ 264-7532 or e-mail sharong@aiaa.org <

Harla Sherwood NIA  

757/636-6300 or e-mail sherwood@nianet.org                       

Bobbie Fisher/Barbara Hamm
WHRO/WHRV 89.5 FM
757/889-9107 or e-mail bobbie.fisher@whro.org