News Notes
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boilers are required to have control devices to reduce the amount of emissions that are released.” Even so, the United States still consumes about one-tenth of the world’s available coal, and produces 11.7 percent of the supply. The real worry with coal, though, is in developing nations in Asia. Places like India and China find coal to be a cheap source of energy as their economies industrialize. China, in fact, is solely responsible for 69 percent of the 3.2 billion-ton increase in coal production in the last ten years. Burning that much coal that fast can have an immediate impact on the environment — it’s a major contributor to China’s air quality issues.
will be held April 16-18, 2015, at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, also in Huntsville. The challenge engages high school, college and university students in hands-on, experiential learning activities, while also testing potential technologies needed for future deep space exploration. Both U.S. and international teams may register to participate. For U.S. teams, registration closes Feb. 6, 2015. Registration for international teams closes Jan. 9, 2015. Student teams participating in the Rover Challenge must design, engineer and test a human-powered rover on a mock course designed to simulate the harsh and demanding terrains future NASA explorers may find on distant planets, moons and asteroids. “Throughout the months-long process, students gain meaningful experience and valuable feedback, while receiving encouragement to pursue technical careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said Diedra Williams, an education specialist in Marshall’s Academic Affairs Office. “Students must use their educational background to apply practical designs and solve engineering problems similar to those encountered by NASA mission teams.” Registration questions may be directed to Diedra Williams at 256-544-5721 or diedra.a.williams@nasa.gov (U.S. teams) and Amy McDowell at 256-544-8411 or amy.mcdowell@nasa.gov (international teams). The Human Exploration Rover Challenge encourages research and development in new technologies and engages students in real-world engineering and problem-solving concepts that may be needed on future exploration missions. Through innovative challenges such as this, NASA continues to demonstrate its commitment to inspiring new generations of scientists, engineers and astronauts.
Saptak Music Festival The Saptak music festival, presented annually by Saptak School of Music in Amdavad, Gujarat, will present the 35th festival from January 1 – 13, 2015. The Indian classical music festival will have 50 sessions and feature more than 175+ artists besides about 40 students. The program has several unique features. In the vocal section it covers the entire spectrum of classical forms from the stylized classicism of Dhrupad to Khayal and the enchanting Thumri. Various gharanas and styles are represented. For the past few years there have also been morning sessions to enable listeners to savor the morning ragas. This has been appreciated by the audience. This year also there will be two morning sessions on Sun, Jan 4 and Sun, Jan 11, 2015. The complete list of artists and other details will be posted on the organization’s For more information on the 2015 Human Exploration Rover website. For more details visit www.saptak.org. Challenge and registration, visit: http://go.nasa.gov/14dikMF naSa opens Registration for 2015 Exploration Rover Challenge Pedaling across a simulated alien landscape of rock, craters and shifting sand is one of the nearly 90 teams of high school, college and university students from across the United States and around the world who competed in the first NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge April 11-12 at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. Image Credit: NASA/MSFC/Emmett Given
Follow the Rover Challenge on social media for the latest news and updates: https://www.facebook.com/roverchallenge?ref=hl https://twitter.com/RoverChallenge http://instagram.com/nasa_marshall
new E-Verify Service Combats Fraud, Protects Identity, Educates Workers WASHINGTON — The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director León Rodríguez has announced the launch of myE-Verify—a new website designed for employees. myE-Verify is a one-stop shop for employees to create and maintain secure personal accounts and access new features for identity protection. “Since its inception, E-Verify has provided employees with valuable online tools and resources regarding the employment eligibility verification process,” said Director Rodríguez. “myEVerify signifies a significant step forward for added transparency, features, and identity protection.” myE-Verify gives workers a free and secure way to participate in the E-Verify process by accessing features dedicated for employees, including Self Check and the NASA has opened team registration for the 2015 NASA Employee Rights Toolkit. For added security, individuals will Human Exploration Rover Challenge. Organized by NASA’s continued on page 78 Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, the event Saathee.com
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December 2014