One-On-One With The Engineers And Scientists
Of The International Space Station

ISS: Expedition 2000 (February 17, 2000):
For Students, An Educational Opportunity

Would you like to ask astronauts the scariest, hardest, or most exciting part of their job? Interested in what astronauts study before and while they are astronauts? Ever wonder what it would be like to live in microgravity for weeks if not months at a time?

ISS: Ventures in Space (February 24, 2000):
For Entrepreneurs and Researchers, A New World for Economic Development

If you are an entrepreneur, would you like to ask business and scientific experts about commercial research in low Earth orbit? Would you like to understand how the ISS will provide new opportunities for industry?

Now's your chance. In two separate interactive satellite programs, panels of specialists ranging from astronauts to researchers, international investors, and NASA officials will field questions in the interactive International Space Station Teleconferences. The satellite programs, beamed live on February 17 and 24 in conjunction with National Engineers Week, February 20-26, 2000, are now in their seventh year.

The International Space Station (ISS) represents one of the most ambitious technical projects in the history of humankind. The two broadcasts—one aimed at students, the other at CEOs, business professionals, commercial researchers, scientists, and investors—will allow participants to speak directly with the people working on this incredible laboratory in space. All that's needed to participate is a television and access to a satellite dish.

The teleconferences provide a unique opportunity for understanding the many facets of life and work onboard the space station. The first teleconference targets middle and high school students and teachers. International Space Station: Expedition 2000, on Thursday, February 17, 2000 from 12:30-2:00 PM (EST), lets young people from across the country talk to NASA scientists, engineers, and astronauts on such topics as the basics of living and working in space, astronaut training around the world, and current research in microgravity and the benefits for life on earth (to say nothing of finding out how they scratch an itch while wearing a spacesuit). The panel will answer questions live via phone, fax, and email.

To make the most of the program, NASA offers a special activities pack, for use in the classroom before and after the teleconference. Further, educators are encouraged to invite science and engineering professionals into their classrooms as part of this learning experience. National Engineers Week will assist in locating an engineer in local areas through its volunteer database. Educators are also encouraged to tape the program for future use.

Next, it's an interactive program aimed at entrepreneurs, investors, CEOs, and researchers in academia and industry interested in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, and materials research. International Space Station: Ventures in Space, on Thursday, February 24, 1999 from 12:30-2:00 PM (EST), offers live interaction between the International Space Station team and the audience. This program on NASA's plans for the economic development of space helps entrepreneurs learn the opportunities for investing in space research.

The program focuses on strategies planned for commercial space R&D, and provides a forum for those who plan to use ISS to expand knowledge and create economic benefits for people on earth. This event is produced specifically for technical and research and development professionals and managers in industry and academia, including commercial researchers and business representatives; scientists affiliated with universities, hospitals, and government agencies; university students and faculty; and investors.

Last year's teleconferences were licensed to more than 1,800 international sites and seen by millions of viewers. The program was also taped by many sites and aired in classrooms, local government and university channels, public access channels, public television stations, and NASA TV and NASA Select satellite.

NASA and the WHRO Center for Public Telecommunications in Norfolk Virginia produce the International Space Station Teleconference series, offered on both C-Band and Ku-band satellite transmission. To license the teleconference, to find a site, or for further information, visit NASA's Teleconference Web site at www.spacesite.org or call 1-888-584-5040, extension 155.

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Meet Phillip West, co-host of the ISS Expedition 2000 broadcast.