Race cars. Space. There normally isn’t much overlap between the two, but IMSA and NASA (the space people this time), are changing that with what the two organizations are calling a “Space Act Partnership to collaborate on cutting-edge research and technology exchange.”
“This partnership represents a unique fusion of aerospace and motorsports innovation,” IMSA President John Doonan said. “We’re proud to collaborate with NASA to explore how our respective approaches to telemetry and diagnostics can inform and elevate each other’s missions. The potential for cross-industry learning is immense.”
As Doonan touched on, the agreement essentially means that IMSA and NASA will meet twice a year for “Technical Interchange Meetings” (TIM) in which NASA will share things like its telemetry data acquisition tech with IMSA, and IMSA will share something like its rapid-response data systems with NASA.
In turn, the shared knowledge can better advance the missions of organizations and, generally, make everything better for everyone involved.
The first TIM is set to take place at NASA’s Ames Research Center, with future meetings planned for yet-to-named IMSA venues and NASA’s Johnson Space Center. (The press release also makes sure to point out that “no funds will be exchanged under the agreement; each organization will support its own participation.)
No word on an MX-5 Cup race on the moon, though.
I did a story many years ago about a NASA engineer who designed his own supermodified that he ran on ovals. I asked him does anything carry over from what he does for NASA and what he does on his highly aerodynamic race car. He said he designs components in outer space - in a vacuum aerodynamics doesn't matter. So much for that hook.
J.A. Ackley said:I did a story many years ago about a NASA engineer who designed his own supermodified that he ran on ovals. I asked him does anything carry over from what he does for NASA and what he does on his highly aerodynamic race car. He said he designs components in outer space - in a vacuum aerodynamics doesn't matter. So much for that hook.
I probably would have asked the same question.
For what it's worth, I've often told my brother, who works in aerospace that he could always do well in motorsports–if you can "see" how air moves, you can make a car faster.
Austin Cannon said:
J.A. Ackley said:I did a story many years ago about a NASA engineer who designed his own supermodified that he ran on ovals. I asked him does anything carry over from what he does for NASA and what he does on his highly aerodynamic race car. He said he designs components in outer space - in a vacuum aerodynamics doesn't matter. So much for that hook.
Was he the guy with the solid front axle car that got banned?
In reply to J.A. Ackley :
#YeahBut… There’s that first A…
Displaying 1-6 of 6 commentsView all comments on the GRM forums
You'll need to log in to post.
