Gas detection researchers honoured by NASA

Gas detection experts at Glenn Research Center have received praise from NASA in the administration's latest round of awards.

A group achievement award was given to 17 members of the research facility's Ares I Upper Stage Purge and Hazardous Gas Detection Team, recognising their efforts and "exceptional achievement" in the design and development of safety systems for the crew launch vehicle.

The Ares I initiative is developing the next generation of manned space vehicles, using the solid rocket motors from the space shuttle programme as a starting point.

It is intended to carry human astronauts back to the moon for the first time since December 1972's Apollo 17 mission - and potentially onwards to Mars.

The Hazardous Gas Detection System is one of two safety features developed by scientists at Glenn Research Center.

It alerts NASA to the presence of potentially dangerous fumes in the upper compartment of the craft ahead of launch, while the Purge System flushes the compartments with nitrogen to avoid hazardous accumulations of hydrogen or oxygen.