ARES Rocks!

The Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) Division hosted an open house on Nov. 13 for members of its new directorate home, Exploration Integration and Science. As Johnson Space Center’s home to physical and applied science expertise, ARES houses more than 30 laboratory facilities. The open house was designated “ARES Rocks!” to highlight the division’s role as caretaker of the nation’s astromaterial collections and its leadership in planetary research, as well as the fun-loving personality of the ARES team. Several of the lab hosts provided hands-on demonstrations, and NASA’s curation team showcased astromaterials, including comet grains, interstellar dust grains, lunar samples, a Martian meteorite and a Vesta meteorite. Special exhibits outside of the labs provided exploration insights, such as the tools that astronauts will need for surface exploration and sampling. This kind of open house event is rare given the precautions associated with protecting national assets; however, ARES is already strategizing on how to hold a similar event next year for all of the JSC family. See you there!

 
Bill Jeffs
NASA Johnson Space Center