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While Earth’s upper atmosphere may soon be a destination for space tourists, scientists from the ����ֱ�� University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) have set their sights on being among the first to blaze a research trail in this “suborbital” region, with the launch of an instrument to study magnetic activity 50 miles aboveground.

Christine H. Fox, who recently served for five months as Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense, has returned to the ����ֱ�� University Applied Physics Laboratory, and has been named as Assistant Director for Policy and Analysis.

A method for quickly predicting the evolution of viruses was selected as The ����ֱ�� University Applied Physics Laboratory’s Invention of the Year for 2013. The award was presented April 29 at APL’s annual Technical Achievement Awards ceremony, which also recognized top innovations, publications and researchers at APL from 2013.

A revolutionary, neurally controlled prosthetic arm created by the ����ֱ�� University Applied Physics Laboratory will be the centerpiece of APL’s exhibit at the USA Science & Engineering Festival, from April 25 to 27 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

On April 20, MESSENGER completed its 3,000th orbit of Mercury and moved closer to the planet than any spacecraft has been before, dropping to an altitude of 199 kilometers (123.7 miles) above the planet’s surface.

The all-volunteer College Prep Program at the ����ֱ�� University Applied Physics Laboratory received Howard County’s Volunteer of the Year Award honors at a ceremony held April 2 at the county’s George Howard Building.

Tech-savvy creative teams from across the Baltimore-Washington region will gather at the ����ֱ�� University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Md., on April 12–13 to take part in the International Space Apps Challenge — a global, two-day marathon of coding and design aimed at improving life on Earth and furthering space exploration.

College cyber defenders from eight schools across the mid-Atlantic will spend two days protecting a simulated disaster response against expert computer hackers at the 2014 National CyberWatch Center Mid-Atlantic Regional Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC), to be held at the ����ֱ�� University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Md., March 26–29.

Solar Probe Plus — NASA’s ambitious mission to fly through and examine the sun’s atmosphere — has reached a key stage of development.

The ����ֱ�� Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) will be hosting a free introductory event for middle and high school girls about careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) on Sunday, March 9, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on APL’s Laurel, Md., campus.