Stephen Brown and Stuart Foote

UTSA researchers assist in Shuttle Columbia investigation

(Feb. 7, 2003)--Three University of Texas at San Antonio researchers will travel to Nacodoches to assist NASA in the investigation of the Shuttle Columbia explosion that claimed the lives of seven astronauts Feb. 1.

Stephen Brown, assistant professor of earth and environmental science; Stuart Foote, GIS/GPS manager and Shannon Crum, assistant professor of political science and geography, will comprise the UTSA team.

The researchers will use Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment to map East Texas and Louisiana to help NASA officials determine what caused the shuttle to explode as it flew over North Texas.

According to Brown, UTSA was recommended by the Texas Department of Transportation because of its expertise operating GPS equipment and its advanced technology enabling mapping and navigating with real-time accuracy.

"I think this demonstrates that the GPS/GIS program at UTSA has reached national prominence," said Brown.

UTSA recently hosted a national GPS recertification training for private and governmental participants which included personnel from the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management and the National Forest Service.

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© The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2003