[sarex] NASA Takes Google on a Journey into Space

["ARTHUR Z. ROWE" <N1ORC@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468

NASA Takes Google on a Journey into Space

On Sept. 28, 2005, two high-tech powerhouses in California's Silicon 
Valley, Google and NASA's Ames Research Center, joined forces to conduct 
cutting-edge research and development.

Scott Hubbard and Eric Schmidt The Director of NASA Ames Research 
Center, Scott Hubbard, with Google's Chairman of the Executive Committee 
and Chief Executive Officer, Eric Schmidt after signing the memorandum 
of understanding.

NASA and Google signed a memorandum of understanding that outlines plans 
for cooperation on a variety of areas, including large-scale data 
management, massively distributed computing, bio-info-nano convergence, 
and encouragement of the entrepreneurial space industry.

"Our planned partnership presents an enormous range of potential 
benefits to the space program," said NASA Ames Center Director G. Scott 
Hubbard. "Just a few examples are new sensors and materials from 
collaborations on bio-info-nano convergence, improved analysis of 
engineering problems as well as Earth, life and space science 
discoveries from supercomputing and data mining, and bringing 
entrepreneurs into the space program. While our joint efforts will 
benefit both organizations, the real winner will be the American 
public," he added.

Bio-info-nano convergence is the technology realm that capitalizes on 
nature's own solutions to complex problems, directed by advanced 
information technologies, and all accomplished on an ultra-small scale. 
Current applications include advanced materials and extremely small 
sensors and science instruments. Bio-info-nano convergence has the 
potential to create everything from ingestible, medical diagnostic 
capsules which would explore our bodies to highly capable micro-sized 
spacecraft able to explore other worlds.

Google moon map "Google and NASA share a common desire—to bring a 
universe of information to people around the world," said Eric Schmidt, 
Google chief executive officer. "Imagine having a wide selection of 
images from the Apollo space mission at your fingertips whenever you 
want it. That’s just one small example of how this collaboration could 
help broaden technology’s role in making the world a better place.”

Image to Right: Google's Moon Web site combines images and information 
from NASA with the power of Google technology. The new collaboration 
could improve the public's access to NASA's vast information resources. 
(Screen Capture from http://moon.google.com/)

"I'm thrilled that NASA Ames Research Center and Google, two of our 
region's and our nation's most valuable and innovative organizations, 
have formed a partnership," said Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (CA -14th District).

"As Silicon Valley continues to lead in developing technologies that 
will guide our nation's economy in the 21st century, partnerships 
combining the best in public sector innovation with the cutting edge of 
private industry will serve as the gold standard in public-private 
partnerships for years to come. The technologies created by the 
partnership of Google and NASA Ames not only will enable and enhance 
further exploration of space, it will positively impact the daily lives 
of all Americans for generations to come," Eshoo said.

As part of the agreement, Google is planning on building a research and 
development campus at the NASA Research Park at NASA Ames. The campus, 
which is less than five minutes from Google's corporate headquarters in 
Mountain View, Calif., will be comprised of up to 1 million square feet 
designed to suit Google and NASA's research goals.

NASA Research Park is NASA's transformation of the former Moffett Field 
Naval Air Station, decommissioned in 1994, into a world-class, 
shared-used educational and R&D campus.

The NASA Research Park plan includes new laboratories, offices, 
classrooms, housing, auditoriums, museums, a training and conference 
center, open space, parking and limited retail facilities. The plan 
calls for NASA to partner with local communities, academia, private 
industry, non-profit organizations and other government agencies in 
support of NASA’s mission to conduct research and develop new technologies.

Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people 
around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford 
doctoral students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top Web 
property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising 
program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while 
enhancing the overall Web experience for users.

http://moon.google.com/
To view more images from the event, please visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/multimedia/images/2005/google-imageoftheday.html


Feature Author: Jonas Dino
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