Allen R. Clark
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                              
October 30, 1993
(Phone:  202/358-1826)                                        
Embargoed until 8 pm EDT

RELEASE:  93-197

NASA FOSTERS AEROSPACE ENGINEERING AT SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY


     NASA today announced a new initiative that will create 
Louisiana's first formal concentration of aerospace engineering 
courses at the historically black Southern University and A&M 
College, Baton Rouge, La.  

     NASA's 5-year, $2.5 million Aeronautics Research and 
Education Program grant will help the university develop an 
aerospace engineering undergraduate option in the Department of 
Mechanical Engineering.  The goal is to foster interest among 
talented minority engineers to pursue advanced degrees and 
ultimately make important contributions to U.S. aerospace 
research.

     Under the program, which has been strongly endorsed by 
industry and academia, students will take courses and do hands-on 
aeronautics and space research projects under the mentorships of 
professors.  

  Part of the grant will enable students to perform research or 
other scholarly activities at NASA and aerospace industry 
facilities.  This aspect of the program will provide opportunities 
for highly talented aerospace engineering students at Southern to 
share new ideas and perspectives on NASA research.  Also, it will 
help the university develop aerospace engineering expertise and 
provide opportunities to contribute to larger research projects.

          Southern's aerospace engineering option will be designed 
to provide students with better access to advanced aerospace 
degree programs at other universities.  

  The aerospace engineering curriculum will offer eight new 
classroom and laboratory courses in aerospace structures, 
aerospace mechanics, propulsion and aircraft engines, aerodynamics 
and flight vehicle design, stability and controls.  


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     Southern University currently conducts aerospace research in 
solid mechanics and finite element modeling, high 
strength-to-weight composite materials for high-temperature engine 
applications, hypervelocity impact of large masses, structural 
dynamics and control of precision space structures, and 
optimization of insulated pipe systems for aerospace applications. 

     The Aeronautics Research and Education Program is a 
collaborative program between NASA's Office of Aeronautics and the 
Office of Equal Opportunity Programs and Southern University.  



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