it begins with the first tentative
forays of the wright brothers
human beings taking flight
soaring to ever greater heights
every major aerospace achievement along
the way builds on those before it
lessons learned answer some questions
and raise many others
spurring new endeavors and discoveries
imagination provides the spark
but information sustains the fire
as the tasks become increasingly complex
documenting and having access to
research results becomes ever more
critical
to meet researchers needs for aerospace
information from around the globe
nasa established a scientific and
technical information program
at the heart of the sti program
is a worldwide network of information
professionals
using both traditional and advanced
technologies
their mission is to seek out and make
available whatever material an aerospace
researcher requires
whether it's a published report or
updates on studies in progress
the sti team can produce and deliver the
necessary information in almost any form
utilizing this tremendous resource saves
two important things
time
and money
one of the key elements in the sti
program is a powerful database
containing more than three million
records
topics covered range from aero and
astronautics to the life and space
sciences
coverage is truly global
material is acquired from over 50
countries through more than 600 exchange
agreements
online computer searches of the sti
database are possible through an
information system called nasa recon
it is extremely flexible
personal profiles can be established
based on individual interests
an automatic literature search and
document distribution option will
continuously deliver new related
information as it becomes available
an average of 85 000 aerospace items are
processed into the system each year
keeping it current
the sti program also provides access to
a variety of other databases around the
world
creating an unrivaled aerospace
information network
a number of specialized services
including custom thesauruses
translating material to or from other
languages
database building
organizing research results for
publication
or even generating graphics are offered
as well
no matter what an individual
researcher's needs
there's an sti professional with the
expertise to meet them
all that's required to take advantage of
this unique
flexible program is a phone call
an sti representative will provide
necessary details
as researchers around the world continue
to push back the limits of aerospace
science and technology
the need to streamline the research and
development process is greater than ever
the key is information
ensuring that previous work is not
repeated and new endeavors are
undertaken as efficiently as possible
capabilities have grown considerably
since those early days on a remote north
carolina beach but there are still great
strides to be made
just as the discoveries of the past
serve as the foundation for today's
successes
present-day studies are laying the
groundwork for the challenges of
tomorrow
helping secure this future is nasa's
scientific and technical information
program
the source for aerospace research around
the globe
for more information about the nasa sti
program please write to the nasa center
for aerospace information or call us at
301-621-0390
you