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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (November 10, 2005) - Charles J. Camarda, Ph.D., a mission specialist aboard NASA Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-114), today visited with engineers at Birmingham, Ala.-based Southern Research Institute, presenting them with a special souvenir from NASA's historic return to flight.
As a show of appreciation for Southern Research Institute's support of STS-114, the Discovery crew carried a Southern Research banner onboard during its successful mission July 26 through August 9. Today Camarda returned the banner-signed by the entire crew-to Southern Research. Accepting the banner was Michael D. Johns, vice president of Engineering, and John R. Koenig, director of Materials Research. Engineering teams at Southern Research played pivotal roles in the Return to Flight mission.
Camarda then presented his personal account of what it was like to take part in the mission. He spent the remainder of the day touring the Engineering Research Center and meeting with Institute engineers to learn more about the important work they continue to do in support of NASA programs.
Koenig said that much of what Southern Research does in high temperature materials research supports manned space flight, but Camarda's visit is a rare opportunity for the engineers to meet and speak with one of the astronauts who has taken this amazing journey.
"We've had the opportunity to work closely with Charlie on a series of efforts prior to his selection to fly on STS-114," said Koenig. "We share a heritage in materials engineering with Charlie, making this flight even more special in that 'one of us' was onboard." According to Koenig, NASA is in a period of transition, shifting from the era of the space shuttle to the development of new systems that will support man's return to the Moon, and then on to Mars.
"This presents a challenge for us at Southern Research in simultaneously supporting the shuttle efforts while becoming more involved in exploration science efforts and supporting the design of the new Crew Exploration Vehicle and the Crew Launch Vehicle," he said. "But we're up for the challenge, and today's visit with Charlie is a great motivator."
ABOUT SOUTHERN RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Birmingham, Alabama-based Southern Research is an independent, not-for-profit organization that conducts contract research in advanced engineering, environmental and energy-related research, and pre-clinical drug discovery and drug development. The Engineering Division is widely recognized for its expertise in materials engineering for extreme environments; design and build of advanced instrumentation payloads, including electro-optical and electro-mechanical systems; environmental research and advanced energy technologies, and noise and vibration research.
MEDIA CONTACT: Rhonda Jung, 205-581-2317 or 205-337-9634, jung@southernresearch.org