Ames Research Center Mission Overview (2008)

Ames Research Center Mission Overview10.20.08

Current mission:

From small spacecraft to supercomputers, science missions and payloads to thermal protection systems, information technology to aerospace, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., provides products, technologies and services that enable NASA missions and expand human knowledge. The center plays a critical role in virtually all NASA missions in support of America’s space and aeronautics programs. NASA Ames enables exploration through development, innovative technologies and interdisciplinary scientific discovery. The center provides leadership in astrobiology; robotic lunar exploration; technologies for NASA’s new spaceship, the Orion, and its rockets; the search for planets in habitable zones around distant stars; supercomputing; intelligent/adaptive systems; and advanced thermal protection for spacecraft and aircraft. Ames develops partnerships with academic, industrial and non-profit entities to benefit NASA’s mission and fosters commercial application of NASA technologies.

As a leader in information technology with a focus on supercomputing, networking and intelligent systems, Ames conducts the critical R&D and develops the enabling technologies that make NASA missions possible. Ames is also the leader in fundamental space biology, biotechnology and human factors research.

Some current Ames space missions include GeneSat-1 (already launched into Earth orbit.), and two missions scheduled for launch in 2008 and 2009: Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS), a mission to look for water on the moon; and Kepler, which will search for planets in habitable zones beyond our solar system.

Ames’ research in astrobiology focuses on the effects of gravity on living things, and the nature and distribution of stars, planets and life in the universe. The center also conducts research in air traffic management, contributing to safer, cheaper and more efficient air travel. Historic perspective:

Ames was the second of NASA’s 10 field centers, founded Dec. 20, 1939, as an aeronautics research laboratory and named for National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics chairperson Dr. Joseph S. Ames. In 1958, it became part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA.) Ames’ prime location in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley at the core of the research cluster of high-tech companies, universities and laboratories affords outstanding opportunities for innovative partnerships with the nation’s technological, academic and entrepreneurial leaders that helps make future space exploration a reality.

NASA Ames is seeking partnerships to promote the development of a robust commercial space industry to benefit and support NASA’s exploration, science and aeronautics mission goals. In addition, Ames works collaboratively with the FAA, conducting research in air traffic management to make safer, less expensive and more efficient air travel a reality. Ames also conducts informational and educational outreach programs.

Ames is developing NASA Research Park, adjacent to the Ames campus. The research park is an integrated, dynamic research and education community created to cultivate diverse partnerships with academic, industrial and non-profit organizations in support of NASA’s missions and goals.