Virginia Space Grant Consortium
The Virginia Space Grant Consortium is a coalition of five Virginia colleges and universities, two NASA centers, State education agencies, and other institutions and informal science centers representing diverse aerospace education and research interests. The Consortium acts as an umbrella organization, coordinating and developing quality aerospace-related, high technology, educational applications, and research efforts throughout the Commonwealth as well as regionally and nationally for some activities. The Virginia Space Grant Consortium is committed to promoting and achieving excellence in education and research in science, mathematics, technology, and engineering at all academic levels in Virginia. The Consortium also seeks to encourage student and faculty diversity in these fields and to foster scientifically and technologically literate citizens. The Consortium received its NASA Space Grant designation in 1989.
NASA Langley Research Center
Langley Research Center (LaRC), located in Hampton, Virginia, was established in 1917 as the first civilian aeronautics research laboratory in the United States. For almost a century, the Center’s research, science, and technology developments have revolutionized aviation and spaceflight and continue to enable all of NASA’s missions and significant contributions to the nation. The Center’s work is distinguished by its unique blend of product lines: advanced materials and structural systems; aerosciences; atmospheric characterization; entry, descent, and landing; intelligent flight systems; measurement systems; and systems analysis and concepts. Langley’s work spans concept to flight, from fundamental research through technologies, demonstrations, and prototypes, to mission design and development. Langley collaborates with U.S. industry, universities, and other government institutions to solve national challenges and develop cutting-edge solutions that provide new capabilities, improve performances, and/or reduce cost. The combination of expertise, capabilities, and leadership in systems innovation enables on-demand air mobility, improves the understanding, adapting, and mitigating of Earth’s climate system, and extends human reach throughout the Solar System.
Hampton University Mentor Support:
Rich in history, steeped in tradition, Hampton University is a dynamic, progressive institution of higher education, providing a broad range of technical, liberal arts, and graduate degree programs. In addition to being one of the top historically black universities in the world, Hampton University is a tightly-knit community of learners, researchers, and educators, representing 49 states and 35 territories and nations. Hampton University’s Department of Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences is a world leader in studying the Earth and other planets from space, responsible for numerous instruments dedicated to studying the atmosphere, including complete mission responsibility for the Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) mission. The Hampton University Center for Atmospheric Research and Education provided support to create VESSS to connect students with NASA research in a highly participatory way.