America.gov-Space: International Partnerships

U.S., Russian Spacefaring Strength Aids Space Station Success

Cheryl Pellerin — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:40:13 GMT

Since the first segment of the International Space Station entered orbit in 1998, the United States and Russia have used their strengths as spacefaring nations to blaze a technological trail for the rest of the international partners. America.gov recaps some highlights of this enduring partnership.

U.S. Agencies Unveil New Storm-Prediction Tool for Central America

Cheryl Pellerin — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:53:04 GMT

Port, aviation and emergency-management operations will benefit this summer when NextStorm, a new short-notice prediction tool for thunderstorms, lightning and heavy rains, goes operational in Central America and southern Mexico. NextStorm will be especially useful for areas without Doppler weather radar.

Two Phoenix Lander Instruments Begin Examining Martian Dirt

Cheryl Pellerin — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:23:21 GMT

For the first time since NASA’s Viking missions in 1976, soil samples are being examined inside instruments on Mars. Less than a month after the Phoenix settled onto the Red Planet’s arctic plains, its robotic arm has delivered soil to two instruments on the lander’s deck for analysis.

Shuttle Returns After Expanding Space Station Size, Capability

Cheryl Pellerin — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:53:58 GMT

Space shuttle Discovery and its crew touch down June 14 at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, completing the STS-124 mission to install and outfit the largest component of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory. Separately, NASA awards a contract to develop a spacesuit for the next phase of space exploration.

Satellite Imagery Drives U.S. Global Food Security Effort

Cheryl Pellerin — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:46:04 GMT

Food security -- a state in which everyone has enough food -- is a simple concept with many variables, including crop yields, markets and trade. America.gov looks at how the U.S. Agency for International Development, which in 1985 established the Famine Early Warning System, measures these elements.

Famine Early Warning System Can Predict Food Shortages

Cheryl Pellerin — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:44:48 GMT

Since 1985, when scientists first used satellites to produce continental-scale images of vegetation and crops across Africa, the U.S. Agency for International Development has funded an effort to warn nations and regions months in advance of serious impending food shortages. America.gov looks at the Famine Early Warning System.

International Satellite Will Monitor Global Sea-level Rise

Cheryl Pellerin — Thu, 22 May 2008 10:57:49 GMT

A satellite that will help scientists monitor rises in global sea level, study ocean circulation, and improve weather and climate forecasts will launch June 15. Mission partners include NASA, France’s Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites.

NASA Phoenix Spacecraft Descends to Red Planet May 25

Cheryl Pellerin — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:12:35 GMT

On May 25, if all goes well, NASA’s Mars Phoenix lander will join the Mars rovers on the ground and three spacecraft in orbit around the planet to find out if conditions on Mars’ arctic plains ever have been favorable for life. International contributions to the mission came from Canada, Switzerland, Denmark, Germany and Finland.

Discovery to Deliver Heart of Japanese Lab to Space Station

Cheryl Pellerin — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:10:55 GMT

When Discovery launches May 31, the STS-124 mission to the space station will carry the centerpiece of Japan’s laboratory complex and reach a milestone in NASA’s restructuring of its space shuttle program after the 2003 loss of Columbia. Ten flights remain until the shuttle is retired in the summer of 2010.

Shuttle Returns After Delivering Canadian, Japanese Equipment

Cheryl Pellerin — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:06:34 GMT

Space shuttle Endeavour returns to Earth after completing 250 orbits during a 16-day, 10.4 million-kilometer mission to the International Space Station that delivered the first segment of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency’s two-armed robot named Dextre.

Equipment from Japan, Canada To Launch with Shuttle on March 11

Cheryl Pellerin — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:25:13 GMT

Space shuttle Endeavour’s March 11 mission will represent contributions of all five space station partners -- the United States, Japan, Canada, Russia and the European Space Agency. “Since … the day we launched the first piece of the International Space Station, our partnership has been looking forward to this flight,” a NASA official says.

Atlantis Home as Shuttle Endeavour Prepares for March 11 Launch

Cheryl Pellerin — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:19:43 GMT

Space shuttle Atlantis punches through high clouds and touches down on runway 15 at Kennedy Space Center after a 12-day mission that delivered to the international space station and installed the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory, and set the stage for the next series of launches in the United States and Europe.