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May 2009

 Casey Letkewicz (NCSU) and Jen Standrige (NCAR) fill their balloon in preparation for a launch under the anvil of the target storm.

Chasing the Whirlwind

NC State researchers will spend part of their summer finding out what makes tornadoes tick. Dr. Matthew Parker, associate professor of marine, earth and atmospheric sciences, and a team of NC State graduate students will be in Tornado Alley from May 10 to June 13 as part of the VORTEX2 project – the largest and most ambitious effort ever made to understand tornadoes.
 Alien creatures are the least of NASA's worries when it comes to moon travel. There are several potential threats to future missions - with space radiation at the top of the list. Now, a group of students at North Carolina State University has developed a "blanket" of sorts that covers lunar outposts - the astronauts' living quarters - to provide astronauts protection against radiation while also generating and storing power.

More 'Star Trek' than 'Snuggie'

Alien creatures are the least of NASA's worries when it comes to moon travel. There are several potential threats to future missions - with space radiation at the top of the list. Now, a group of students at North Carolina State University has developed a "blanket" of sorts that covers lunar outposts - the astronauts' living quarters - to provide astronauts protection against radiation while also generating and storing power.