Thu, Dec 17, 2009
Partnership To Strengthen International Ties
NASA recently announced a
partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz City
for Science and Technology (KACST) that allows for collaboration in
lunar and asteroid science research. The agreement makes the Saudi
Lunar and Near-Earth Object Science Center an affiliate partner
with the NASA Lunar Science Institute (NLSI) at NASA's Ames
Research Center at Moffett Field, CA.
"NASA's Lunar Science Institute exists to conduct cutting-edge
lunar science and train the next generation of lunar scientists and
explorers," said Greg Schmidt, institute deputy director at Ames.
"Our international partnerships are critical for meeting these
objectives, and we are very excited by the important science,
training and education that our new Saudi colleagues bring to the
NASA Lunar Science Institute."
"This is an important advance in our growing program of
bilateral science and technology cooperation," said U.S. Ambassador
to Saudi Arabia James Smith. The partnership also aligns with
Obama's campaign rhetoric calling for NASA to "use space as a
strategic tool of U.S. diplomacy to strengthen relations with
allies."
The Saudi science center's proposal brings technical and
engineering expertise in radar and infrared imaging, laser ranging
and imaging, and topographical studies. The center may also help
NLSI track and study near-Earth objects, including potentially
deadly asteroids.
"NASA welcomes international cooperation for mutual benefit with
organizations large and small in all regions of the world," said
Michael O'Brien, assistant administrator for external relations at
NASA Headquarters in Washington. "Our continuing discussions with
Saudi Arabian officials may lead to future joint scientific
collaboration in other areas of mutual interest."
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