Center Initiatives
Ames Research Center Initiatives
Energy Servers Deliver Clean, Affordable Power
Bloom Energy, in conjunction with Ames Research Center, has developed small, efficient fuel cells that can be used on long term space missions, such as human missions to Mars. Because of the effectiveness of the fuel cells Bloom Energy has now begun developing the technology for commercial use and believes within the next 10 years it will be cost-effective for homes.
NASA’s sustainable systems focus on advanced technology and system engineering for NASA’s Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (Exploration Life Support) as well as sustainability projects supporting the green government initiative to develop cleaner and greener facilities.
Sustainable Life Support Systems
NASA’s Exploration Life Support program is working to develop advanced technologies and systems that support humans in extended space exploration. They’re focusing mainly on mission self-sufficiency by minimizing mass, power and volume requirements through regeneration of vital resources.
The Ecosystems research at NASA Ames is focused on studying how ecosystems respond to environmental change. Research methods vary from the use of satellite imagery to local measurements from the ground. Researchers are particularly interested in things such as species composition, changes in gene expression, and changes in carbon dioxide flux from soils.
Ames Energy Conservation and Management Projects
This site provides a brief description of the various energy management and conservation projects at NASA’s Ames Research Center.
Ames Greenspace Water Conservation Project
NASA Ames Research Center is working hard to reduce its carbon footprint, encourage sustainable institutional practices, and motivate employees to choose environmentally-responsible work and lifestyle habits.
Researchers at Ames are currently conducting research and development of clean energy technologies for NASA mission needs in the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate and the Science Mission Directorate. Research has been focused on advancing bio-fuels, solar, and wind technologies that also help reduce our nation’s dependence on petroleum based fuels.
The NASA Ames Sustainability Base is unlike any government building ever created. Using innovations originally intended for space travel and exploration, the 50,000 square foot lunar shaped building is simultaneously a working office space, a showcase for NASA technology and an evolving exemplar for the future of buildings.
Greenspace – Earth and Environment at Ames
Although first and foremost a space agency, NASA also rigorously studies our own planet to help policymakers and citizens better understand and address the impacts of climate change. NASA’s constant earth monitoring capabilities provide valuable data for scientific analysis and assessment of earth science systems.
To visit the Ames Environmental Management Division website, click here.
Armstrong Flight Research Center
To visit the Armstrong website, click here.
Glenn Research Center
To visit the Glenn website, click here.
Glenn Research Center, Plum Brook Station
To visit the Plum Brook Station website, click here.
Goddard Space Flight Center Initiatives
Goddard Space Flight Center monitors the health and vitality of the wetlands surrounding the Greenbelt, MD, facility. They’ve learned from their monitoring that many invasive species have take up residence in the wetlands, which pose a threat to potentially over take the ecosystem. Volunteer invasive species removal activities have been setup by GSFC in 2009, and 2010
Spacecraft Cleanroom Goes Green
Goddard Space Flight Center has begun implementing green technologies into all facets of its facility, including its “cleanrooms”. This new, sustainable design will allow for the same levels of cleanliness and quality, while using 30% less energy than past cleanrooms.
To visit the Goddard Medical and Environmental Management Division website, click here.
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Getting a Charge out of Wasted Automobile Heat
NASA engineers are exploring a way to utilize car heat to make automobiles more efficient. Researchers are developing way to transfer heat emitted from cars into fuel, which would reduce the emissions produced by each car and would save the consumer money.
Air-Sea Interaction & Climate Research Initiative at JPL
At the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology they’re using space-based observations as well as ground based measurements to study the coupled ocean-atmosphere system. They’re studying how those exchanges force ocean circulation and distribute heat, water, greenhouse gases, and nutrients stored in the ocean.
To visit the JPL website, click here.
Johnson Space Center Initiatives
JSC Sustainability Initiatives
Every major initiative associated with change requires awareness and action. Lasting (or sustainable) behavior change comes from intrinsic, personal motivation to maintain the change long-term. In many cases, efforts that support the concept of environmental sustainability have been underway since the JSC complex first opened. The challenge of developing a sustainability initiative based on education and awareness is integrating what is already being done, with what needs to be done better, and effectively communicating that to the rest of JSC to affect change.
Johnson Space Center has partnered with EWB to bring NASA engineers and technology to communities that are underdeveloped. NASA engineers have traveled to Africa to help create sustainable systems that will deliver necessary resources to the community. Using technology developed by NASA, such as water-treatment systems, EWB can provide clean drinking water to those who would normally not have it.
JSC Sustainability Engagement Strategy
At the beginning of every fiscal year, JSC will release an updated version of the Sustainability Engagement Strategy to maintain momentum, to continue engaging awareness, and to communicate new initiatives. The primary goal of the Sustainability Engagement Strategy is to communicate a foundational level of awareness to engage JSC employees on what sustainability means and what they can do to support.
JSC Annual Sustainability Report
The JSC Annual Sustainability Report is presented in an engaging layout for a quick overview of how the Center compares to SSPP goals. It is released six months after the Sustainability Engagement Strategy at the start of FY Quarter 3. The primary goal of the Annual Sustainability Report is to continue communicating and educating JSC employees about the Center’s sustainability efforts. It’s purposefully written to quickly engage those waiting in a conference room or that have just enough time to read a page to get a snap-shot impression of the sustainability initiatives at JSC.
JSC Monthly Sustainability Engagement Opportunities
In addition to the Sustainability Engagement Strategy and the Annual Report,monthly sustainability-related opportunities are distributed to all JSC employees in the form of an electronic newsletter each month. Opportunities include both NASA-related events, as well as community events for employees to gain a broader appreciation of our natural resources. It provides a method to communicate recent accomplishments at the Center on the front page under “A Look Back before we Look Ahead”. Upcoming events and hyperlinks helping employees discover additional ways to behave more sustainably are also included.
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and is a certification for new buildings that NASA strives for. JSC has 8 LEED certified buildings. Short, two-page write ups of each of the buildings detail what points the building received before, during, and shortly following construction.
To visit the Johnson Space Center Internal Sustainability website, click here.
Kennedy Space Center Initiatives
Kennedy Space Center Recycling Program
This plan outlines KSC goals for reusing and recycling waste produced by the facility. The objective is to optimize reutilization of waste products so there is less of a strain on natural resources and the ecological system as a whole.
Natural Resources Program at KSC
The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR) and most of Canaveral National Seashore (CNS) are included within the boundaries of Kennedy Space Center. These habitats provide refuge to more than 1500 species of plants and animals, of which 33 are federally and/or state listed as threatened, endangered, or species of concern.
Kennedy Space Center’s energy program is committed to improving energy efficiency to save taxpayer dollars, reduce emission contributing toward air pollution and global climate change, and conserve precious natural resources for future generations.
Kennedy Space Center’s Sustainability Initiatives
KSC is now incorporating sustainable technology into its facility to become more efficient and greener. These technologies, including solar panels, make the center carbon-neutral which means the center produces enough energy from renewable sources to offset the energy it requires to operate.
Sustainable Acquisition at KSC
The Sustainable Acquisition program at Kennedy Space Center combines the efforts of KSC’s environmental, procurement, facilities, and requisition communities to maximize the use of green products and services.
To visit the Kennedy Environmental Program website, click here.
Langley Research Center Initiatives
Chicken Fat Bio-Fuel May Be A New Alternative
NASA scientists from the Langley Research Center have begun developing a safe and efficient substitute for the jet fuel used today. The bio-fuel is created from chicken fat and has thus far proven to produce the same performance results as jet fuel, with less harm to the environment.
To visit the Langley website, click here.
Marshall Space Flight Center Initiatives
NASA Seeks Green Space Fuel Alternatives
This article discusses NASA’s interest in exploring alternative fuel options for satellites. Currently they use a highly toxic and corrosive fuel. The goal is to find an alternative that is better for the environment while providing the same level of output.
Understanding the Earth at MSFC
Research at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center focuses its attention on studying the atmosphere, water vapor, winds, temperatures at different altitudes, lightning and aerosols, and various other atmospheric phenomena pertaining to global climate change and their effects on the environment.
To visit the MSFC website, click here.
Stennis Space Center
To visit Stennis Environmental Assurance Program website, click here.
Wallops Flight Facility
To visit the Wallops Environmental Office website, click here.
White Sands Test Facility
To visit the White Sands Health, Safety, and Environmental website, click here.