August 1994

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“Students With a Mission” article appears in National Geographic Magazine

An article described in words and photographs the "CAN DO" project of students in Charleston County, South Carolina, which flew on the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The students' scientific package consisted of four cameras and 261 test tubes filled with samples of all kinds, that NASA technicians placed in a Get Away Special (GAS) canister that NASA made available for educational, government, and research use. Students decided, using weather and orbital data, what Earth features to photograph with the CAN DO camera assembly, which they called GEOCAM. The students set up their control center for GEOCAM at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, and using headphones, were able to communicate with each other and with the Johnson Space Center in Houston. The results of the photographs and experiments were integrated into their courses of study. (National Geographic, Aug 94)

NASA's budget situation and the impact of its congressionally mandated budget cutting on contractors were discussed. Spending on the Space Station was cut significantly, but because most of NASA's budget was tied to long-term space projects downsizing trends were slow to affect contractors. A table was given of the 20 major NASA contractors in fiscal year 1993, including the parent company, the subsidiary, the parent's location, and the amount of the contract. NASA was working on reducing the time required to select contractors and improving the internal procurement process. (Government Executive, Aug 94)

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