With the number of rockets my high school friend, Joe Hammock, and I built and launched I am fortunate to have all my fingers and no serious injuries. Our rockets were not the hobbyist models you can buy today that use water or air pressure to launch; our rockets used black powder or a fuel we mixed ourselves. Launches were sometimes like explosions as the sides of our small rockets went outward rather than upward. We were doing our work (or some would say play) before Sputnik and the Space Age.

 

I was reminded of those early experiences last week as I chaired the Nanosatellite Advisory Committee of the Joint Commission on Technology and Science. Even the professionals have their problems with rocket launches with about one of ten not being successful. Most recently Orbital Sciences which has its headquarters on Route 28 near the intersection with Route 7 had a rocket blow up almost immediately after its launch at Wallops Island, Virginia. Out west the rocket plane for which tickets have already been sold to take people on suborbital flight blew up in a test flight killing the pilot.

 

For every failure there are many more successes. Who would have imagined that a rocket launched ten years ago would have its payload land on a comet within the last two weeks! Virginia has been involved in many of these successes through NASA Langley and NASA Wallops. The Virginia Space Grant Consortium that has goals of promoting aerospace education at all levels has been rated by NASA as being the top-ranked program among the 52 in the nation.

 

Students at Virginia universities including Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia, and Old Dominion University are involved in designing, building and launching small satellites that despite their small size can conduct meaningful research while in orbit. These small "nanosatellites" can be launched with dozens in a payload as part of a larger satellite launch but still have the capability to gather significant scientific data. Students who work on these projects often go on to internships and careers with NASA and private aerospace companies. The Commonwealth STEM Industry Internship Program (CSIIP) matches students to internship possibilities.

 

The Virginia Space Grant Consortium does not limit its activities to the university level. Through the Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars program, public school students can take online courses for college credit, compete statewide with other students, and attend a summer academy at NASA Langley Research Center. Specific programs are also aimed at younger students and girls to interest them in science, technology, engineering and math.

 

TONIGHT - Wednesday,

What to Donate: New or gently used (in good condition and cleaned) winter coats and new hats, gloves and scarves. Both adult and child sizes are needed (children's sizes and men's XXL - 5XL sizes are especially needed). Questions? Contact Nate King, Community Resource Associate, at 571-323-9569.    

Medicare Open Enrollment Through December 7

 

The Medicare Annual Election Period is underway. If you are a Medicare beneficiary, you should look at your current Medicare drug and health plan. If you decide to switch to a different plan, you have until December 7. For assistance and information, consult the Medicare Drug Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-633-4227.

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Volunteers Needed to Help Low-Income Families
Prepare Tax Returns

Click here to download flyer.

Friday, November 28, 11:00 a.m., Reston Holiday Parade with the theme "Home for the Holidays," at Reston Town Center. Details are at Holiday Parade.

Friday, November 28, at 6:00 p.m., Reston Chorale's Carol Sing-Along, at Reston Town Center in front of the tree on Market Street. Annual tree lighting ceremony followed by a sing-along of holiday favorites led by members of Reston Chorale with a brass quintet. FREE - all are welcome! For further information, contact Reston Chorale directly at 703-834-0079 or info@restonchorale.org. 

 

Saturday, November 29, 9:00 a.m., Vale United Methodist Church of Oakton opens its Christmas Tree Lot. Proceeds from the sale will be donated to Stop Hunger Now. Vale Church is located at the corner of Vale Road and Fox Mill Road in Oakton (11528 Vale Road). The tree lot is open weeknights from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For details contact (703) 620-2594 or send email to vale.church@verizon.net. 

 

Saturday, December 6, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m., Reston Chorale's "The Wonder of the Season" holiday concert featuring Twas the Night Before Christmas, Ken Darby and Harry Simeone's rendition of Clement Claude Moore's beloved poem, at Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Tickets required: Buy Tickets Online or call Reston Community Center Box Office at 703-476-4500, Ext. 3. For further information, contact Reston Chorale directly at 703-834-0079 or info@restonchorale.org.

Monday, December 8, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Dulles Corridor Rail Association's Annual Meeting and Reception, Celebrating the Opening Phase 1 of the Silver Line, at Courtyard by Marriott Tysons Corner, 1960 Chain Bridge Road, McLean. Download a Printable Registration Form. Sponsorship opportunities are available; call 571-296-1552 or send email to Patty Nicoson at dcra@dullescorridorrail.com.

Thursday, December 11, "Practices of Promise for Schools in Challenging Environments" Summit, at VA Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond. The summit is being presented by the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Task Force on Schools in Challenging Environments, the Office of Governor Terry McAuliffe, the VCU School of Education, the Virginia Department of Education, and the Virginia Association of School Superintendents. The Task Force's full report is available at www.vsba.org.

Thursday, December 11, 3:00 p.m., 2014 National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence at Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC. Free, register here.