NASA Announces 2008 Lichten Internship Award Winner

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif., Apr. 30 /PRNewswire/ --

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif., April 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A young rotorcraft engineer from Pennsylvania will have an opportunity to share ideas and hone his skills in an internship with NASA aeronautics experts.

NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate in Washington selected Conor Marr, a graduate student from Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pa., for the 2008 Lichten Internship Award. NASA awards the internship in partnership with the American Helicopter Society International, Alexandria, Va.

The award supports NASA's goal to enhance the educational experiences of highly qualified U.S. engineering students in fields that align with the agency's aeronautics program. These fields include fundamental research, particularly in subsonic rotary wing technologies.

Marr was selected from a group of highly qualified finalists based on his paper, "Nonlinear, Temperature Dependent, Fluidlastic Lead-Lag Damper Modeling." His research involves the characterization and analysis of new dampening technologies used to reduce vibration in helicopter rotor hub assemblies.

Marr will begin his NASA-sponsored, six-week internship on June 2, 2008, at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif. The center is active in helicopter research as part of NASA's Subsonic Rotary Wing Project. Marr will spend the summer immersed in NASA rotary wing science and technology projects.

Marr graduated from Pennsylvania State University in December 2007 with a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering and a concurrent master's degree in rotorcraft engineering. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in aerospace engineering.