Donna Balancia – SoCal Aerospace News Network

SpaceX Crew-1 Astronauts Splash Down Safely to Earth Following ISS Mission

May 3, 2021 - by Donna Balancia

SpaceX returned four astronauts from the International Space Station early Sunday, executing the first U.S. crew splashdown in the darkness since Apollo 8 . The Dragon capsule gently parachuted down …

Aviation

Joan Higginbotham Among Those Celebrated by NASA During Womens History Month

March 23, 2021April 23, 2021 - by Donna Balancia

During Women’s History Month, NASA celebrates its notable achievers and astronaut and pilot Joan Higginbotham is one who has reached the stars. Joan Higginbotham is one of those women. Higginbotham was …

Business

Clark Rucker Helps Others Engineer Careers, Guides Saturday’s STEAMposium

March 18, 2021March 19, 2021 - by Donna Balancia

The fifth annual Career STEAMposium event takes place on Saturday, but the impact of the interactive technology and arts event could bring a lifetime of change for young people, said …

Navajo Nation Office of President and Vice President - Courtesy Navajo Nation

Business

Navajo Nation Works with NASA Perseverance Rover to Name Features on Mars

March 17, 2021March 17, 2021 - by Donna Balancia

NASA Perseverance rover team is working with the Navajo Nation to name features on Mars with words from the Navajo language. “Maaz” is the first scientific focus of NASA’s Perseverance …

Business

NASA National Space Grant Foundation Seeking University Design Proposals

March 10, 2021March 15, 2021 - by Donna Balancia

Proposals Due May 23, 2021 NASA, in collaboration with the National Space Grant Foundation, is seeking university teams to develop innovative design ideas that could assist in the agency’s Moon …

LuSTR program taps six universities - Courtesy NASA

Aviation

Texas, Missouri and Michigan Lead Six Universities Tapped For NASA’s Lunar Surface Program

March 9, 2021March 15, 2021 - by Donna Balancia

NASA has selected six U.S. universities for lunar research to bring about advancements in in-situ resource utilization and sustainable power solutions. Selected proposals were submitted by University of Texas El Paso; …

Movers and Shakers

SpaceX Starship SN10 Makes ‘Soft Touchdown’ then Bursts Into Flames at Boca Chica

March 3, 2021March 15, 2021 - by Donna Balancia

Starship SN10 launched and made a “soft touchdown” back to Earth Wednesday as part of a short hop test flight. But moments later, the rocket leaped off the pad, was …

Business

NASA Crew 2 Mission to Launch No Earlier than April 20: Press Conference

March 1, 2021March 15, 2021 - by Donna Balancia

NASA held a press conference Monday related to the launch of the Crew 2 SpaceX mission, which will launch no earlier than April 20. On hand for the press call …

Business

Aerospace Careers Take Flight as Patti Grace Smith Fellowship Recipients are Selected

March 1, 2021March 15, 2021 - by Donna Balancia

Forty three young people have been awarded Patti Grace Smith Fellowships, a program designed to enable Black undergraduate students to get the opportunity to work in the aerospace industry. The …

Aviation

Career STEAMposium 2021, Set for March 20, Connects Students to Dream Professions

February 16, 2021March 15, 2021 - by Donna Balancia

STEAMposium to Present the Pros in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math By DONNA BALANCIA Career STEAMposium 2021, an important annual event that connects students with leaders of industry, will …