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Tar River Composite Squadron enjoys presentation by NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador, Marc Fusco.

Marc Fusco talking to Tar River Composite Squadron members
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Marc Fusco talking to Tar River Composite Squadron members about the Future of Human Spaceflight in the 21st Century. (Photo credit: 2d Lt Liz Dunster, CAP) (click image to view full size)
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By 2d Lt Liz Dunster, CAP
Public Affairs Officer, Tar River Composite Squadron

3/5/2015–ELM CITY, NC– The Tar River Composite Squadron enjoyed a presentation by Marc Fusco, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Solar System Ambassador on March 5, 2015 at the Rocky Mount Wilson Regional Airport.  The presentation was titled “NASA’s Next Giant Leap – Human Spaceflight in the 21st Century”.

 
Four senior members, six cadets and the parent of a cadet, braved the North Carolina winter weather, to enjoy the presentation, co-ordinated by Assistant Aerospace Education Officer, 2d Lt Nicholas Green.
 
2d Lt Green reports: “Marc Fusco, JPL/NASA Ambassador braved threats of snow, sleet and icy rain on the evening of Thursday March 5 to educate the Tar River Composite Squadron of on the Future of Spaceflight in the 21st Century.  Fusco provided a look at some of the exciting space exploration possibilities that NASA's next generation of space vehicles will open up. The next launch vehicles, the space launch system, are based on space shuttle main engines and solid fuel boosters and will be able to lift up to 170 tons of payload into space. The most exciting payload that SLS will launch is the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. Orion can carry up to four people into space and proposed missions include a possible return to the moon, exploring an asteroid and a trip to Mars and back. The cadets seemed enthralled at the idea of a Mars Mission. Who knows how this will inspire the cadets. Maybe there are some future rocket scientists or astronauts in their ranks.”
 
Commanding Officer, Maj William Hess says that he is, “very pleased that we were able to have Mr. Fusco visit, and hope that he will visit us again so that our members that missed his presentation due to the weather have an opportunity to learn about the exciting things happening in manned spaceflight.”
 
Tar River Composite Squadron meets on Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Rocky Mount Wilson Regional Airport.