An image of the comet impacting Jupiter is presented below. Impact sites A, C, E, and V are smeared together near the south polar cap. The main advantage to growing crystals in space is that the absence of gravity allows a much better crystal structure to form. However, the crystal creation process imparts accelerations, caused by motor control imperfections, which defeat the zero-gravity environment. We are investigating methods for obtaining smooth motion with light and reliable hybrid stepping motors.
Stars are huge balls of gas generating tremendous amounts of energy.
The goal of the research is to understand how energy is transferred from the inner layers to the outer layers of stars. A case study using this method is being carried out on the design of NASA's Space Station Alpha's Communication system. Undergraduate Seed Money is for the express purpose of hiring an undergraduate student to perform real research. This Seed Money may ONLY be used to pay an undergraduate student's salary. Seed Money Proposals may be submitted by either Faculty or Graduate Students.