What is the connection between the CSC and NASA?
The current connection is very close between CSC scientists and NASA, particularly NASA Ames Research Center and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Several CSC PI’s are co-investigators on NASA missions, including the Mars Exploration Rover twins currently investigating the Martian surface, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and the Kepler planet finding mission to be launched in 2008. Many other researchers rely on NASA funding to continue their research. In addition, the SETI Institute is a lead member of the NASA Astrobiology Institute. CSC scientists will no doubt continue to work closely with NASA. The goal of the CSC is to create stable funding and scientific and intellectual freedom for the pursuit of the study of life in the universe.
