What: Members of the news media are invited to join in the “launchfest” fun at several events for the 2012-13 NASA Student Launch Projects, the agency’s annual engineering and science challenge for students across the country. More than 600 students, representing 56 middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities in 26 states, will take part in this year’s event.
Teams will display their projects from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 19 at a Rocket Fair at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., and will launch the rockets April 20 in Toney, Ala. In the event of rain, the launch will be held April 21. The free event is open to the public.
The NASA Student Launch Projects challenges student teams to build their own rockets, capable of flying working science or engineering payloads – also of the students’ own design – to an altitude of 1 mile and retrieving them intact. The annual rocketeering event, managed by the Marshall Center, gives students practical experience managing complex scientific research and conducting aerospace and engineering projects from drawing board to launch pad.
Who: A complete list of teams is available here.
When/Where: Rocket Fair – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, April 19, Activities Building 4316, Marshall Center
Rocket launch – 7:30 a.m. (weather permitting) Saturday, April 20, Bragg Farms, 1180 Grimwood Road, Toney, Ala. Rain date is Sunday, April 21.
To attend: News media interested in covering these events should contact Angela Storey in the Marshall Center’s Public & Employee Communications Office at 256-544-0034 no later than 4 p.m. CDT Thursday, April 18. Media attending the Rocket Fair must report to the Redstone Arsenal Joint Visitor Control Center at Gate 9, Interstate 565 interchange at Rideout Road/Research Park Boulevard. Vehicles are subject to a security search at the gate. News media will need two photo identifications and proof of car insurance.
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text-only version of this release
Angela Storey
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
256-541-7698
angela.d.storey@nasa.gov