Category: Science
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NASA Extends Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System Mission
NASA has awarded a contract to the University of Michigan for the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) for mission operations and closeout. A constellation of eight microsatellites, the system can view storms more frequently and in a way traditional satellites are unable to, increasing scientists’ ability to understand and predict hurricanes. The total…
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Pam Melroy Sworn in as NASA Deputy Administrator
NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy took office Monday after she was given the oath of office by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson during a ceremony at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. “It is a joy to be back in the NASA family, the smartest and most dedicated workforce of any place…
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What is Summer Solstice? (video)
The summer solstice, also known as estival solstice or midsummer, occurs when one of the Earth’s poles has its maximum tilt toward the Sun. It happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere (Northern and Southern). For that hemisphere, the summer solstice is when the Sun reaches its highest position in the sky and is the day with the longest period of daylight. Within the…
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Federal funding supports three Valley Metro rail projects
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has recently announced funding for Valley Metro’s rail projects currently under construction: the Northwest Extension Phase II, South Central Extension/Downtown Hub and Tempe Streetcar. These funds signify ongoing federal support of our projects, and the importance of transit to the growing metro Phoenix area. Within its $2.5 billion funding recommendation for fiscal year 2022, FTA included…
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AMTRAK AND MDOT ANNOUNCE NEW APPROACH FOR BALTIMORE AND POTOMAC TUNNEL REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
Community and Business Leaders Gather to Mark the 150th Anniversary of B&P Tunnel BALTIMORE – Today, federal, state and local leaders highlighted the 150th anniversary of the Baltimore and Potomac (B&P) tunnel’s groundbreaking and unveiled new plans to enhance and advance the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program. Additionally, Amtrak announced the new tunnel will be named after Frederick Douglass,…
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Brightline Milestone: 50 Percent Completion Between Miami to Orlando
In May 2021, Brightline announced a major milestone, the company has passed the halfway mark for construction on its extension to Orlando. Brightline, the only provider of modern, eco-friendly high-speed rail, held the announcement at the future site for its vehicle maintenance facility just south of the Orlando International Airport. The progress on Brightline’s VMF…
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Phoenix without freeways? Blame this ATROCIOUS design. (video)
I do recall some of my summer vacations during childhood, travelling with my family in a motorhome from my hometown of LA to Dallas-Fort Worth. My dad would usually take I-10, and inexplicably had exit that freeway just passed of the city of Buckeye in Arizona, probably closer to what is now the Goodyear-Avondale area.…
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AMTRAK MAKES MAJOR CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE INVESTMENTS IN COMFORT AND MODERNIZATION ON NATIONAL NETWORK ROUTES
Refreshed railcar interiors, improved soft goods, traditional dining restoration and new low-emissions Amtrak locomotive displayed CHICAGO – Amtrak has initiated a multi-million-dollar and multi-year project to improve the customer experience aboard its long distance trains serving overnight routes across the country. Elements of this work were displayed this week at Chicago Union Station. Modernized interiors of Amtrak’s…
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Statements on Pam Melroy’s Senate Confirmation as NASA Deputy Administrator
The following are statements from Pam Melroy and Administrator Bill Nelson on Thursday’s U.S. Senate confirmation of Melroy as deputy administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration: “It’s an honor to be confirmed by the Senate to serve as NASA Deputy Administrator, and I am humbled by President Biden and Vice President Harris’ confidence…
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NASA-DLR Study Finds Sustainable Aviation Fuel Can Reduce Contrails
Cleaner-burning jet fuels made from sustainable sources can produce 50%-70% fewer ice crystal contrails at cruising altitude, reducing aviation’s impact on the environment, according to research conducted by NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Ice crystal contrail formations can linger in the upper atmosphere for hours and affect the way Earth is heated and cooled. They…