Science Magazines Honor Cutting-Edge NASA Programs
Click here for more news / Clique aqui para mais notícias
MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- NASA's revolutionary planet-hunting Kepler
space telescope has been honored with the 2009 Best of What's New
Grand Award from Popular Science Magazine and a 2009 Breakthrough
Award from Popular Mechanics Magazine.
"The Kepler Space Telescope is a stunning new tool that has a very
targeted mission: studying planetary systems," the Popular Mechanics
magazine editors wrote in recognizing Kepler. "It is the first
instrument able to detect Earth-like planets, potentially capable of
hosting life, as they circle distant suns. About 100,000 stars in our
region of the Milky Way will be observed."
Popular Science also honored NASA's new moon mapping mission, the
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, and the Orion Launch Abort System with
Best of What's New awards in the aviation and space category. Popular
Science announced the award winners in its December issue. Popular
Mechanics made the announcement in its November issue.
"The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, launched in June, will use seven
instruments to deliver the most detailed picture of the moon yet,"
Popular Science magazine editors wrote. "In addition to photographing
the lunar surface in high resolution and creating a 3-D topographical
map, it will beam back reams of information on surface radiation,
surface temperature, soil composition, the presence of water ice and
more."
Popular Science editors reviewed thousands of products before
selecting 100 new products and technologies in 11 categories to
receive Best of What's New awards. Award categories include
automotive, aviation and space, computing, engineering, gadgets,
green technology, home entertainment, security, home technology,
personal health and recreation.
"For 22 years, Popular Science has honored the innovations that
surprise and amaze us - those that make a positive impact on our
world today and challenge our views of what's possible in the
future." said Mark Jannot, editor-in-chief of Popular Science. "The
Best of What's New Award is the magazine's top honor, and the 100
winners - chosen from among thousands of entrants - represent the
highest level of achievement in their fields."
The Kepler Space Telescope is managed by NASA's Ames Research Center
at Moffett Field, Calif., and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in
Pasadena, Calif. NASA's Lunar Abort System is managed by NASA's
Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. The Lunar Reconnaissance
Orbiter mission is managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in
Greenbelt, Md.
For information about the Popular Science awards, visit:
http://www.popsci.com
For information about the Popular Mechanics awards, visit:
http://popularmechanics.com/
For more information about NASA and its programs, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov
Source: NASA
