In their continued effort engage youth in science education, NASA has released another free interactive educational video game based on real science and NASA mission objectives. The latest release is based on The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Program.
SCaN provides communications and navigation services to space flight missions and space craft located throughout the solar system. Comminucations is perhaps the most important element leading to successful space missions and exploration of the universe.
The educational application, “Space Communications and Navigation: NetworKing,” was developed at NASA’s Ames Research Center and provides an interactive, 3-D experience with an insider’s perspective into how mission controllers and scientists communicate with spacecraft and satellites using the space, deep space and near Earth networks.
Whether it’s communicating with low Earth orbiting satellites, planetary missions within the solar system, or missions of deep space exploration, without a reliable communications network to make navigational adjustments, relay critical mission data, or send scientific findings back to Earth, space missions are doomed to failure.
“This game introduces the complex world of space communications to gamers,” said Barbara Adde, policy and strategic communications director for the Space Communications and Navigation Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “It gives players the opportunity to enjoy a challenging game while absorbing the basic concepts of space communications. The game provides an engaging way to increase interest in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics and opens minds to potential careers in these fields.”
According to NASA, some of the critical elements of the game are to, “Build the Near Earth Network. Enable periodic communication with satellites in low Earth orbit. Build the Space Network Deploy a constellation of geosynchronous relay satellites to support LEO missions that require continuous coverage. Build the Deep Space Network. Support interplanetary spacecraft missions with powerful antennas. Manage and Improve Your Networks Manage your network usage, deal with disasters, and research upgrades to enhance your networks’ capabilities. Support NASA Missions. Advance your networks to unlock special NASA missions that show the networks in action.”
The free game can be played online using a web browser, or downloaded as a stand-alone video game to be played on Windows PCs or a Mac. There is also a downloadable App version of the game for iPhones and iPads.
To download a stand-alone versions of the software and manual, use the links below.
Windows version: http://www.nasa.gov/593786main_NetworKing-setup.exe
Mac version: http://www.nasa.gov/zip/593790main_NetworKing.app.zip
iPhone / iPad App: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/space-communications-navigation/id548775739?mt=8
Game Play Manual: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/3d_resources/scan_manual.html
Play the game online: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/3d_resources/networking.html
![<!-- AddThis Sharing Buttons above -->
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style " addthis:url='http://newstaar.com/herbal-reference-substances-are-key-to-everyday-products/3512112/' >
<a class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_tweet"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_pinterest_pinit"></a>
<a class="addthis_counter addthis_pill_style"></a>
</div>When it comes to quality control testing and the development of new products, Botanical Reference Materials (BRMs), also known as Herbal References are critically important. To help companies ultimately obtain all-important FDA approval, the Food and Drug Administration provides in its guidance a recommendation that […]<!-- AddThis Sharing Buttons below -->
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style addthis_32x32_style" addthis:url='http://newstaar.com/herbal-reference-substances-are-key-to-everyday-products/3512112/' >
<a class="addthis_button_preferred_1"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_preferred_2"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_preferred_3"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_preferred_4"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_compact"></a>
<a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style"></a>
</div>](http://newstaar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Achillea_millefolium_flowers-100x100.jpg "Herbal Reference Substances are Key to Everyday Products")
![<!-- AddThis Sharing Buttons above -->
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style " addthis:url='http://newstaar.com/quality-electrochemical-biosensors-are-critical-for-medical-food-and-chemical-industry/3512086/' >
<a class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_tweet"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_pinterest_pinit"></a>
<a class="addthis_counter addthis_pill_style"></a>
</div>A number of industries have, at their core, a need to frequent or even continuous analysis of biological media. These include the medical and pharmaceutical fields, biotech firms, and food and chemical companies. To maintain quality standards and develop new products, these industries rely heavily […]<!-- AddThis Sharing Buttons below -->
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style addthis_32x32_style" addthis:url='http://newstaar.com/quality-electrochemical-biosensors-are-critical-for-medical-food-and-chemical-industry/3512086/' >
<a class="addthis_button_preferred_1"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_preferred_2"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_preferred_3"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_preferred_4"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_compact"></a>
<a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style"></a>
</div>](http://newstaar.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Electrochemical-Biosensor-100x100.jpg "Quality Electrochemical Biosensors are Critical for Medical, Food and Chemical Industry")
![<!-- AddThis Sharing Buttons above -->
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style " addthis:url='http://newstaar.com/company-develops-industrial-mixers-well-suited-for-both-fragile-and-explosive-products/3512071/' >
<a class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_tweet"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_pinterest_pinit"></a>
<a class="addthis_counter addthis_pill_style"></a>
</div>Industrial drum mixers are normally applied to blend mixes of varying viscosities such as adhesive slurries or cement. Some of these mixers have the capability of blending mixes of very different particle sizes such as fruit and ice cream, and gravel and cement slurry. The […]<!-- AddThis Sharing Buttons below -->
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style addthis_32x32_style" addthis:url='http://newstaar.com/company-develops-industrial-mixers-well-suited-for-both-fragile-and-explosive-products/3512071/' >
<a class="addthis_button_preferred_1"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_preferred_2"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_preferred_3"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_preferred_4"></a>
<a class="addthis_button_compact"></a>
<a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style"></a>
</div>](http://newstaar.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/bandeau-sofragir2-100x100.jpg "Company Develops Industrial Mixers Well-Suited for both Fragile and Explosive Products")