ESU helping NASA deliver Mars data

With worldwide attention focused on the Red Planet, Emporia State University is helping the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory move data to the space science community.

While the “Spirit” exploration rover trundles across the rocky Martian plains, ESU is allowing NASA to copy incoming data to ESU’s computer servers. Scientists and students at other universities may then view the data using a high-speed academic network called Internet II.

“This is a good partnership between ESU and NASA,” said Dr. John Ziegler, Associate Vice President for Technology and Computing Services. “We’re helping out the Jet Propulsion Lab by providing some space and access opportunities.”

Once a day, NASA updates its data from Mars, while a free program called Maestro allows Internet users to view the same images seen by NASA scientists. The program allows users to play mission audio, look at images from the landing and manipulate images in 3D. As the mission progresses, more material will be available.

ESU computer users will get the best results, but the general public may also download Maestro and view the images. Ziegler warns that downloading the 38 megabyte program might take a while at slower connection speeds.

“If you’ve got DSL or a cable, you’ll probably be okay,” said Ziegler. “If you’re using a 56 K modem, it might take a while.”

Computer users can access ESU’s NASA mirror site at http://maestro.emporia.edu

Last Updated July 2, 2007>