Editor’s note: It has been a week and a half since I posted this comment on 5 June 2005 and requested some background information from NASA. Other than a short phone call from Renee Juhans at PAO (providing no facts) I have received no information whatsoever in response to my request.
“This procurement has been canceled.”
Editor’s note: So much for “inspiring the next generation of space explorers”…I guess NASA is now formally ignoring the Presidentially-chartered Aldridge Commission report which recommended that NASA “explore options to create a university-based “virtual space academy” for training the next generation technical work force.”
Report of the Presidents Commission on Implementation of United States Space Exploration Policy
Page 11:
“The space exploration vision offers an extraordinary opportunity to stimulate mathematics, science, and engineering excellence for America’s students and teachers and to engage the public in a journey that will shape the course of human destiny. The Commission recommends:
The Space Exploration Steering Council work with America’s education community and state and local political leaders to produce an action plan that leverages the exploration vision in support of the nation’s commitment to improve math, science, and engineering education. The action plan should:
increase the priority on teacher training;
provide for better integration of existing math, science, and engineering education initiatives across governments, industries, and professional organizations; and
explore options to create a university-based “virtual space academy” for training the next generation technical work force.
Industry, professional organizations, and the media engage the public in understanding why space exploration is vital to our scientific, economic, and security interests.”
