NARL is an autonomous research laboratory fully funded by the Department of Space, Government of India and involved in carrying out fundamental and applied research in Atmospheric and Space Sciences. It had its humble beginning in 1992 as the National Mesosphere-Stratosphere-Troposphere(MST) Radar Facility. A Scientific Advisory Committee consisting of eminent scientists in the field of atmospheric science, monitors the research activities and progress of NARL and provides future directions.

NARL has now become one of the prime centers for atmospheric research in the country and operates a state-of-the-art MST radar, Rayleigh/ Mie Lidar, Boundary Layer Lidar, Sodium Lidar, Lower Atmospheric Wind Profiler, Sodar, Disdrometer, Optical Rain Gauge, Dual frequency GPS receiver, Automatic Weather Station apart from regular launching of the GPS balloon sonde. Being relatively young, NARLs research activities are spearheaded by a team of young and vibrant fulltime research scientists and students. The center has been extending assistance to the user scientists in formulating the experiments.

For more information, please visit http://www.narl.gov.in

The mission of the Coalition is to sustain Americas commitment to a 21st century space program, one that builds upon the space shuttle, the International Space Station and Constellation programs to return to the Moon and prepare for travel to Marsand beyond! The Coalition for Space Exploration consists of a Public Affairs team and a Government Affairs team.

The Government Affairs team is comprised of Coalition member companies Washington, D.C. representatives. It tracks the progress of space exploration policy and assists the Public Affairs team on messages and audiences for public outreach efforts. The Coalition continues to recruit new members and partners in its campaign to increase support for space exploration. Membership in the Coalition for Space Exploration is open to any U.S.-based company or organization that supports the exploration of space and is willing to commit funding or other resources toward the cause of space exploration.

For more information, please visit http://www.spacecoalition.com

Aldrich Astronomical Society, Inc. is a central Massachusetts-based organization of amateur astronomers who have united to promote their mutual interest in observational astronomy (stargazing) and telescpe making. Members meet on a regular basis to conduct Sky Viewing sessions (weather permitting) and informal lectures or discussions of current events and topics in astronomy, space science, telescopes, and telescope making. Founded in 1932, the Society was named in honor of the late Professor Fred Aldrich of Worcester Academy, who was a long time promoter and lecturer of astronomy in the Worcester area. Members sponsor public lectures and outdoor viewing events at a variety of locations across central Massachusetts using club resources like telescopes and binoculars.

They also routinely manage a number of Solar System Ambassador Programs throughout the year which seek to bring knowledge of astronomy and space science into the classroom and public venues like libraries, outdoor fairs and scout camp-outs. They also travel to special events and pristine observing sites, like the Conjunction in Northfield, Massachusetts, Stellafane in Springfield, Vermont and Arunah Hill in Cummington, Massachusetts. The Aldrich Astronomical Society has long promoted knowledge about the night sky by offering free public outreach events to assist teachers, educators, librarians and scout leaders in developing programs that will stimulate the imaginations of young people about science and especially about Astronomy!

For more information, please visit http://www.aldrichastro.org

The NAIC enables research in the areas of astronomy, planetary studies, and space and atmospheric sciences by providing unique capabilities and the state-of-the-art instrumentation for data collection and analysis, together with logistical support to users. NAIC strengthens scientific and engineering research potential by supporting activities which provide undergraduate and graduate students with opportunities to further their education.

NAIC contributes to the general understanding and appreciation of science by initiating and participating in public education and outreach programs. Use of the Arecibo Observatory is available on an equal, competitive basis to all scientists from throughout the world to pursue research in astronomy, planetary studies and space and atmospheric sciences. Observing time is granted on the basis of the most promising research, as ascertained by peer review of proposals by external referees.

For more information, please visit http://www.naic.edu

The Institute for Space Applications and Remote Sensing (ISARS) is one of the five research Institutes of the National Observatory of Athens (NOA). ISARS was founded in 1955, under the name Ionospheric Institute. In 1990, the Institute was renamed to Institute of Ionospheric and Space Research and in 1999 took its current title in order to reflect its expanded activities, which cover a variety of aspects of space research and applications.

The Institute is supervised and supported by the General Secretariat of Research and Technology of the Greek Ministry of Development. The significant increase of staff members and R&D projects made it necessary for the Institute to move to new modern facilities at the NOA campus north of Athens, on mount Pendeli. The activities of the Institute encompass a wide area in Space Research and Applications. Its main objective is to carry out R&D projects in these fields, which include Space and Ionospheric Physics, Remote Sensing, and Wireless Communications. The Institute is equipped with satellite and ionospheric ground stations, various RF and electronic test and measurement equipment, as well as an advanced computing centre connected to international networks.

For more information, please visit http://www.space.noa.gr

The anomalous black holes are concentrated areas of mass so immense, that the mammoth force of gravity denies anything within a certain area around it from passing. This area is called the event horizon of a black hole. They have given black holes their name because light inside the event horizon can never be seen by mankind, or any outside observer.

Information on black holes is limited, though numerous schools of theory exist. They know black holes exist not because they can see them, but because of the impact they have on the space around them. Scientists like Karl Schwarzschild, Jayant Narlikar and Stephen Hawking have built upon ideas from Einstein and others to offer theories on black holes. And yet, they remain an enigma. Because extensive, proven black holes information is scarce, they remain a constant area of intrigue and curiosity.

For more information, please visit http://www.space.com

Founded in 1998, Space Adventures, Ltd. is the worlds premier private space exploration company and the only company currently providing opportunities for actual private spaceflight and space tourism today. Using proven equipment and working side-by-side with professional astronauts and cosmonauts, they are the first and only space exploration company to send private clients to space, their clients having cumulatively spent nearly a thousand hours aboard the International Space Station.

Space Adventures’ mission is to open spaceflight and the space frontier to private citizens, and Space Adventures vision actually stretches far beyond space tourism. Their goal is to benefit not only the private citizens who fly to space, but facilitate the creation of new vehicles and markets that will open up the resources of space for human benefit. They continually aim to develop new spaceflight experiences that are exciting yet safe, and they are constantly reinvesting their profits in new technologies that will allow them to achieve more reliable, affordable and safer access to the infinite resources of space!

For more information, please visit http://www.gotoorbit.com

The Spitzer Space Telescope (formerly SIRTF, the Space Infrared Telescope Facility) was launched into space by a Delta rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida on 25 August 2003. During its mission, Spitzer will obtain images and spectra by detecting the infrared energy, or heat, radiated by objects in space between wavelengths of 3 and 180 microns (1 micron is one-millionth of a meter). Most of this infrared radiation is blocked by the Earth’s atmosphere and cannot be observed from the ground.

Consisting of a 0.85-meter telescope and three cryogenically-cooled science instruments, Spitzer is the largest infrared telescope ever launched into space. Its highly sensitive instruments give us a unique view of the Universe and allow them to peer into regions of space which are hidden from optical telescopes. This unique orbit places Spitzer far enough away from the Earth to allow the telescope to cool rapidy without having to carry large amounts of cryogen (coolant). This innovative approach has significantly reduced the cost of the mission. Spitzer will be the final mission in NASA’s Great Observatories Program – a family of four orbiting observatories, each observing the Universe in a different kind of light (visible, gamma rays, X-rays, and infrared).

For more information, please visit http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu

Despite major media coverage, though, few in the general public are yet considering, let alone preparing for, the dramatic changes private space travel will have on their Earth-bound culture and minds. Such changes will soon appear in business, politics, jobs, entertainment and much more. The World Space Center therefore announces its formation in order to serve as a communication and resource portal for citizen interest and involvement in space travel.

The Center will especially help to explain how this epochal revolution will alter life on Earth, with special emphasis on how the expansion of society into space will bring much needed global perspective and insight into their Earth-based lives and culture. Many of these changes will come from physical sources such as space-related industry and jobs, and their effects on the economy, media, fashion, and culture generally. The World Space Center will act as a hub for the emerging age of personal space travel. And, specifically, the center will focus on the use of advanced cognitively based simulation media technologies and techniques (3-D, interactive and VR media), to communicate something of the reality of the astronauts actual descriptions and experiences.

For more information, please visit http://www.worldspacecenter.org

The Naro Space Center is on 5 million square meters of reclaimed land on Naro Island in Goheung County, South Jeolla, about 485 kilometers south of Seoul. The spaceport, under the management of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, includes a launch pad, a control building, rocket assembly and test facilities, facilities for satellite control testing and assembly, electric power station, a space science museum and a landing field.

The space center will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities such as a launch complex including storage and supply facilities for liquid propellants, an assembly complex, tracking and controlling facilities, a ground test facility and other facilities. Once the facility becomes fully operational, Korea will be able to achieve its goal of building a satellite and rocket with local technology and launching it into space from its own launch center.By providing all these facilities and this infrastructure, the space center will play a central role in Korea’s space development.

For more information, please visit http://www.globalsecurity.org