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Office of Science and Technology Policy Blog

  • The Dragon Spacecraft has Berthed with the International Space Station

    Posted by Phil Larson on May 25, 2012 at 12:28 PM EDT

    Following today's historic berthing of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the U.S. Harmony module of the International Space Station, John P. Holdren, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, issued the following statement:

    For the first time, a private American company has successfully launched a spacecraft into orbit and berthed it with the International Space Station—an achievement of historic scientific and technological significance and a key milepost in President Obama’s vision for America’s continued leadership in space. 

    That is exactly what the President had in mind when he laid out a fresh course for NASA to explore new scientific frontiers and take Americans ever deeper into our Solar System while relying on private-sector innovators—working in the competitive free market—to ferry astronauts and cargo to Low Earth Orbit and the International Space Station. It’s essential we maintain such competition and fully support this burgeoning and capable industry to get U.S. astronauts back on American launch vehicles as soon as possible.

    I could not be prouder of our scientists and engineers—both government and private sector employees—who have contributed to this historic mission.   A passion for discovery and a sense for adventure have always driven this Nation forward, and I join all Americans in watching what future possibilities are enabled by today’s great achievement.

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  • Student Winners Create Games for Learning

    Posted by Cristin Dorgelo on May 24, 2012 at 4:40 PM EDT

    The second annual National STEM Video Game Challenge concluded on Tuesday with winners being honored at The Atlantic’s Technologies in Education Forum in Washington, DC.

    Launched last fall in partnership with Digital Promise and with White House support, the Challenge has been an exciting and fun competition to motivate interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and to stimulate “systems thinking” in youth by encouraging them not just to play games but to create their own games for learning.

    At an awards ceremony held at the Smithsonian American Art Museum on Monday, 28 middle- and high-school student winners from 11 states and the District of Columbia were lauded for their accomplishments and creativity.

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  • Healthy Food, Digital Tools at G8 Food Security Events

    Posted by Hillary Chen on May 24, 2012 at 2:10 PM EDT

    In advance of the G8 Summit at Camp David last weekend, President Obama joined four African Heads of State, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, private-sector leaders, and Bono from the band U2 and the ONE Campaign at the 3rd Annual Symposium on Global Agriculture and Food Security. Hosted by The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the symposium highlighted the pressing issue of global food security. 

    At the event, President Obama launched the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition, which aims to drive inclusive agricultural growth and raise 50 million people out of poverty over the next 10 years by aligning:

    • the commitments of Africa’s leadership to drive effective country plans and policies for food security;
    • the commitments of private-sector partners to increase investments where the conditions are right; and
    • the commitments of the G8 to expand Africa’s potential for rapid and sustainable agricultural growth.

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  • Nominate Your Mentor for the Presidential Award in Science, Math, and Engineering Mentoring

    Posted by Nafeesa Owens on May 23, 2012 at 3:12 PM EDT

    Do you know someone who has been an excellent example, role model, and mentor to others in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines? If so, consider nominating them for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM).

    PAESMEM recognizes outstanding mentoring efforts that enhance the participation and retention of students and early-career investigators in STEM disciplines, with a special emphasis on those who might not otherwise have considered or had access to opportunities in STEM fields, including women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

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  • Unlocking the Power of Energy Data

    Posted by Todd Park, Jason Bordoff, and Dave Danielson on May 22, 2012 at 8:00 PM EDT

    The U.S. Government, as well as the private sector, is sitting on a vast – and in many cases, untapped – supply of energy data.  Sets of data aren’t what most people think of when we talk about safely and responsibly developing American energy resources such as wind, solar, oil, and gas. But data are also essential components of the President’s all-of-the-above energy strategy.  To help harness the power of these data through a combination of technology and ingenuity, the Obama Administration has launched the Energy Data Initiative (EDI).  The goal of EDI is to drive entrepreneurs to use data to create tools that can help Americans save money on utility bills and at the pump – by, for example, virtually identifying cost-effective retrofits or delivering route- and vehicle-optimization tips to improve fuel efficiency. In doing so, this will generate a rising tide of innovation that can help grow the economy and create jobs. 

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  • Statement from the White House on the Falcon 9 Launch

    Posted by Phil Larson on May 22, 2012 at 4:18 AM EDT

    Following Tuesday's launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft, John P. Holdren, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, issued the following statement:

    Statement by John P. Holdren, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, on Launch of Falcon 9 Rocket and Dragon Spacecraft

    "Congratulations to the teams at SpaceX and NASA for this morning’s successful launch of the Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Every launch into space is a thrilling event, but this one is especially exciting because it represents the potential of a new era in American spaceflight. Partnering with U.S. companies such as SpaceX to provide cargo and eventually crew service to the International Space Station is a cornerstone of the President’s plan for maintaining America’s leadership in space. This expanded role for the private sector will free up more of NASA’s resources to do what NASA does best -- tackle the most demanding technological challenges in space, including those of human space flight beyond low Earth orbit. I could not be more proud of our NASA and SpaceX scientists and engineers, and I look forward to following this and many more missions like it."

     

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