Administrator Unveils Strategy for Space Exploration on Sept

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA September 2005

Administrator unveils strategy for space exploration On Sept. 19, NASA Administrator Station, take four crew members to lu- shuttle because of its in-line design and Michael Griffin released the results of nar orbit, and eventually maintain up to launch-abort system. NASA chose the the agency's Exploration Systems Ar- six astronauts on a mission to Mars. shuttle-derived option for its launch sys- chitecture Study - a blueprint for the Crews and cargo will be carried tem due to its superior safety, cost and next generation of spacecraft to take into orbit by a space shuttle-derived its availability.

The new ship will be able to ferry crew and supplies to the International Space Station. Plans call for as many as six trips to the outpost a year. In the meantime, robotic missions will lay the groundwork for lunar exploration. In 2018, humans will return to the moon. Here's how a mission would unfold: A heavy-lift rocket blasts off, carrying a lunar lander and a "departure stage" needed to leave Earth's orbit (above left). The crew launches separately (above center), then docks their capsule with the lander and departure stage and heads for the moon (above right). humans back to the moon and on to launch system, consisting of a solid Specifically, the space shuttle's main Mars and other destinations. rocket booster and an upper stage pow- engines and solid rocket boosters are The study makes specific design ered by a shuttle main engine that can reliable and rated for human space flight. recommendations for a vehicle to carry lift 25 metric tons. The spacecraft also Much of the industrial base and hard- crews into space, a family of launch will be 10 times safer than the space continued on page 6 vehicles to take crews to the moon and beyond, and a "lunar mission architecture" for landing on the moon. It also recommends the technologies NASA Combined Federal Campaign launches should pursue in the near term. The study will assist NASA in achieving President Bush's Vision for Space Exploration, which calls for the agency to safely return the space shuttle to flight, complete the International Space Station, return to the moon, and continue exploration of Mars and beyond. America's next generation spacecraft will use an improved, blunt-body NASA photo by Tom Trower crew capsule, and will accommodate up to six people. "This spacecraft and its systems will build upon the foundation of the proven designs and technologies used in the Apollo and space shuttle programs, while having far greater capability," Griffin said. "It will be able to Members of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) team hold the CFC banner. Left to right: carry larger and heavier cargos into space Former representative for the CFC Bay Area board Herb Finger; deputy chairperson Andy Hocker; Ames campaign chairperson Larry Lasher; loaned executive to the CFC office Dennis and allow more people to stay on the Romano and Ames representative for the CFC Bay Area board Don Durston. Acting Deputy moon for longer periods of time." Director Steve Zornetzer was unavailable for the picture. The new spacecraft can be config- ured either to support human explorers NASA Ames has an ambitious outstanding and generous member or fly unpiloted to carry cargo. Its de- goal of raising $240,000 for the Com- and super hero of the community. sign allows the flexibility to ferry crews bined Federal Campaign (CFC) this Ames can be a good neighbor and of three astronauts, plus additional sup- year to allow it to stand out as an continued on page 8 plies, to and from the International Space www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/astrogram/2005/05astrograms.html Ames lauds recipients of 2005 Honor Awards The 2005 Ames Honor Awards were presented at a recognition ceremony on Mentor Sept 1. This center-sponsored program Community Service/Volunteer features a peer nomination process and Kevin L. Jones Christopher P. McKay is considered one of Ames' most presti- gious honors. Congratulations to all honorees! EEO NASA Employee Travis A. Liggett Reynaldo J. Gomez Administrative Professional (JSC Employee) Betsy Robinson Lupe M. Velasquez Project Manager Engineer Howard N. Cannon Wayne R. Johnson Best First Paper at Ames and Stephen E. Dunagan Joseph P. Lavelle Shannon J. Zelinski (co-winners) Safety and Environment Richard H. Mogford Commercialization/Tech Transfer Award Cheryl M. Quinn Future Air-Traffic-Management Concepts Evaluation Tool Meyya Meyyappan and Jun Li Scientist/Researcher William J. Borucki Student Supervisor/Manager Viktor Stolc Brooke H. Cole Daniel M. Bufton Mark H. Kliss Eugene L. Tu Technical Support Contractor Employee Serdar Uckun Patricia B. Hudson David W. Bogdanoff, ELORET John F. Schipper Nathalie A. Cabrol, SETI Institute Sergio Castellanos, Solution Quest Technology Development Brian H. Day, Planners Edwin F. Erickson Technician Collaborative Robert E. McMurray Kent A. Stednitz Charissa S. Kolar, Muniz Technologies, Inc. Celeste J. Merryman, Lockheed Martin Engineering Pepsi Phounrath, Muniz Technologies, Inc. Ames RTF teams acknowledged Michael D. Wong, Raytheon

Group/Team Airspace Concept Evaluation Team Ames Child Care Center New Facility Project Management Team Ames Management System Development and Certification Team

NASA Ames Video Production NASA photo by Tom Trower Group Life Sciences Hyper-G Team NASA Ames Center Director G. Scott Hubbard personally thanked the Ames teams who supported The New Business Office Group the return to flight (RTF) for the monumental effort put forth by the teams to make RTF possible. System Evaluation and He addressed them at a reception held in the lobby of Bldg. 200 on Sept. 8 honoring the contributions of the people in the Fluid Mechanics Laboratory, debris transport team, thermal Assessment Data Analysis Team reentry analysis team, Project Columbia, wind tunnels and public affairs office. Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel - MMA Test Team

Astrogram 2 September 2005 NASA Ames celebrates historian Jack Boyd’s birthday Few people have influenced the cul- ture and ethos of NASA, and especially of NASA Ames, as profoundly as Jack Boyd. Throughout his first 58 years of public service, Boyd's work, words and smiles have welcomed us all into the Ames family. Perhaps he is like a fine wine, that only gets deeper and more enjoyable with age.

NASA photos by Dominic Hart

I would like to thank my many friends at Ames for an unforgettable 80th birthday party. Those who believe Gathering of Eagles. From left to right: Former NASA Ames Center Director Hans Mark (third they have accomplished director, 1969-1977); former NASA Administrator Dan Goldin; former NASA Ames Center Director something in their lives Henry McDonald (eighth director, 1996 - 2002); Jack Boyd with his grandson Zachery Hovey; former NASA Ames Center Director Sy Syvertson (fourth director, 1977-1984); and former NASA should pause for a moment Ames Center Director Bill Ballhaus (fifth director, 1984-1989) at Boyd’s 80th birthday party and consider all those who celebration bash held at Ames in August. helped them along the way. I certainly had that Ames assists hurricane relief efforts opportunity on my birthday, Several members of NASA Ames' DART rescue specialists Mark when you all helped me and Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team Tangney, Roger Miller, Lynn Bala, Paul (DART), representing several special- Brown, Eric Mueller, Kelly Kasser and my family to celebrate it. It ties, have responded to calls for on-the- Erik Rockwell deployed with the 70- was truly the pinnacle of the scene support of rescue and recovery person California Task Force 3 on Aug. many events I have efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane 31 to support the search and rescue and celebrated at NASA. I am Katrina. recovery efforts in the New Orleans area. Shortly after the disaster occurred, On Sept. 16, CNN covered the rescue of honored and proud to be a the NASA Ames Emergency Operations a 71-year old man by members of the part of this incredible Center (EOC) was activated and worked task force. Tangney, deputy chief of family. I thank you! with the NASA Headquarters EOC and DART, reported that the team was ac- with other EOCs throughout the agency companied by the Coast Guard, U.S. -- Ol’ Jack supporting NASA's hurricane relief ef- Fish and Game, and the National Guard, forts. Robert J. Dolci, director of emer- for security. gency services at Ames, was called to A three-person emergency commu- support the Stennis Space Center EOC nications team from NASA Ames flew For all that he is, his dedication to led by Bill Parsons, who was recently to Huntsville, Ala., to help establish com- the center has earned him countless named the new director of Stennis, near munications at Michoud. The team also circles of friends around the center, and Gulfport, Miss. shipped emergency communications these circles of friends joined together at Both Stennis and the Michoud As- equipment and purchased $50,000 of Ames to celebrate his 80th birthday on sembly Facility near New Orleans, La., satellite time to support satellite com- Aug. 19 in the NASA Ames Conference were hit hard by the hurricane. Ap- munications. Team members included Center. proximately 3,500 NASA civil service Bill Notley and Bill Hunt (QSS) of Code Like Boyd's office door, the invita- and contractor employees work at the JTN, and Code TN network engineer tion was open to everyone -- to all those two facilities, in addition to some 4,600 Dave Hartzell. Michael Wright also de- he has mentored, inspired, advised, re- employees of other federal agencies. ployed to support the emergency com- lied upon, calmed, researched beside On Aug. 30, DART water rescue munications team in early September. and committeed with. specialist John Preston was deployed as The Ames team quickly and efficiently part of a 14-person flood response team set up an emergency satellite/network sent to the hurricane zone by California and voice communications services at Task Force 3 out of Menlo Park. The Michoud, providing the first stable com- team returned to the Bay Area on Sept.16. continued on page 4

Astrogram 3 September 2005 NASA transformation creates challenges, opportunities During an all-hands meeting on cess that will help take unfunded Aug. 26, NASA Ames Research Cen- civil servants through FY 2006, ter Director G. Scott Hubbard out- Hubbard said Ames will initiate re- lined the changes and challenges fac- ductions in its on-site contractor work ing Ames during NASA's transfor- force and begin developing a new mation to meet the requirements of transition work force pool for civil the Vision for Space Exploration. servants. Hubbard assured employees that "We will make every effort to "Ames is not closing or being starved find new work for our civil servant out." Nonetheless, Hubbard also staff either at Ames or elsewhere in warned that some of the effects of the NASA," Hubbard vowed. He noted transformation would be painful for that the centers that are primary ben- Ames over the next few years as NASA eficiaries of the Vision for Space Ex- makes the most sweeping changes in ploration cannot hire new employ- 35 years. ees to support the Vision without Among the challenges facing first consulting with other centers, Ames is a budget shortfall of some like Ames, to see if the work can be $250 million in FY 2007, compared done there. NASA photo by Jon-Pierre Wiens with FY 2004. As a result, Ames has Positive news included the fact an unfunded work force of about 700 that Ames has been assigned the new nologies. Hubbard predicted that people in FY 2006 - 300 civil servants Robotic Lunar Exploration Program other opportunities will follow as and 400 contractors, according to and will play a major role in NASA's Ames demonstrates it can deliver. Hubbard. Although the center did next lunar mission. In addition, "If we all work together, we can get a very important boost from the Ames will be on the critical path for manage our way through this valley agency through the commitment to the CEV with respect to thermal pro- and come out the other side stronger create an agency-wide transition protection systems and information tech- and healthier," Hubbard asserted. Ames assists hurricane relief efforts continued from page 3 munications available to local rescue The next morning they were escorted by ready to provide continuing assistance personnel. a military convoy to the Michoud As- in a variety of areas, as they have follow- A water purification team from sembly Facility, where they quickly set ing other natural disasters and terrorist Ames - IAP contractors Jill Moudy, Matt to work providing potable water (at 3000 attacks. DART members remain on Clapp, Ian Vines and Danny Garo -- gallons per hour) for the many employ- stand-by, and as many as 50 additional rolled out the gate on Sept 7, headed for ees working to restore that facility. They DART members could be deployed if Stennis. Their equipment included a continue to purify more than 50,000 gal- requested by the Federal Emergency water purification unit, supplies for that lons of potable water every day. Management Agency. unit, water, provisions, medical packets As the area slowly recovers from For more information about DART, provided by the Ames Health Unit and the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, visit: http://dart.arc.nasa.gov/ other support equipment. After a 46+- and as Hurricane Rita bears down on index.html BY ANN SULLIVAN hour drive, the team arrived at Stennis. the same area, members of DART stand

Team NASA holds annual recognition picnic in Chase Park More than 40 volunteer docents and their guests were welcomed at Chase Park on Sept. 14 in appreciation of their valuable contributions to the operation of the Ames Exploration Encounter (AEE). Many of the AEE docents also support the Ames Exploration Center, JASON Project, Aero Expo, as well as various other NASA events.

NASA photo by Astrid Terlep

Astrogram 4 September 2005 ‘Security Week’ events hosted at NASA Ames From Sept. 6 to Sept. 9, NASA Ames observed ‘Security Week,’ a NASA-wide event designed to promote information and physical security awareness throughout the agency. In support of Security Week, Code J Center Operations sponsored a 2-day, centerwide security event, planned and hosted by subject matter experts from the Code JT Information Technology (IT) Security NASA photos by Tom Trower Awareness team and the Code JP Pro- tective Services Awareness team. Together, the teams staffed tables in the Ames Cafeteria, providing security-related materials, answering questions, showing security videos and distributing small give-away items to help keep everyone mindful of security on a day-to-day basis. Other NASA centers also took part in Security Week, Staffing the tables during the two-day event, representing both Protective Services and IT hosting their own center-wide events Security Awareness Teams are: (seated left to right) Karol Broussard, Elizabeth Mulleda, for the week. Tony Damian (standing), Kimberley Walsh, Nicole Le (standing), Suzanne Meyer, Helen Stewart and Rosalind Miller. Ames historian Jack Boyd (far right) takes the IT security quiz BY ROSALIND MILLER challenge to win additional give-away items.

Ask the ‘Protective Services Wizard’

Contraband found during vehicle inspections Question: What types of contraband items store or use firearms or other danger- belt buckle knife, leaded cane, zip are located during random vehicle ous weapons, explosives or other in- gun, shuriken, unconventional pistol, inspections? cendiary devices, or other dangerous lipstick case knife, cane sword, shobi- instrument or material likely to pro- zue, air gauge knife, writing pen knife, Answer: duce substantial injury or damage to metal military practice hand-grenade The following items have been persom or property.” or metal replica hand-grenade, or in- found during vehicle inspections: Per section 12020 PC, these dan- strument or weapon of the kind com- Firearms, unlawful knives, unlawful gerous weapons include: “any cane monly known as a blackjack slung- weapons (brass knuckles, billy clubs, gun or wallet gun, undetectable fire- shot, billy or sand-club, sap, sandbag, etc.), drugs and drug paraphernalia. arm, a firearm which is not immedi- or dirk or dagger.” Per the Code of Federal Regula- ately recognizable as a firearm, any Do you have a question for the tions, Title 14, Volume 5, camouflage firearm container, ammu- Protective Services Wizard? Then (14CFR1204.1003) “Unauthorized in- nition which contains or consists of forward your security question to troduction of weapons or dangerous flechette dart, any bullet containing [email protected]. You can materials is prohibited on NASA real or carrying an explosive agent, ballis- also visit the Protective Services Web property or installations. Unless spe- tic knife, multi-burst trigger activator, site at http://pso.arc.nasa.gov for cifically authorized by NASA, you nun-chaku, short-barreled shotgun, further information. may not carry, transport, introduce, short-barreled rifle, metal knuckles,

Astrogram 5 September 2005 NASA finds green crystals in Comet Tempel 1 Green sand found on the big island “The insides of comet Tempel 1 look Tempel 1 travels close to the sun of Hawaii resembles olivine crystals in very much like the outsides of comets during part of the comet's orbit, and the icy interior of comet Tempel 1, ac- that have not been 'cooked' by passages strong sunlight hits the comet, causing cording to a NASA Ames astrophysi- close to the sun," Wooden said. She ex- its surface gases and other particles to cist. plained that there might be green sili- fly off into space. These particles are Scientists revealed that they detected cates on the surfaces of comets that what make up a comet's tail, which forms green silicate crystals (olivine) in Tempel swarm in the outer reaches of the solar nearer the sun. "In Tempel 1's case, it has 1 similar to, but smaller than, Hawaiian system and are not exposed to intense passed near the sun so many times that green sand particles, according to ar- sunshine. it has lost much of its surface gases and particles," said Wooden. "What's incredible to me is that the surface - or maybe the fluffiness of the body of Tempel 1 -- is protecting the primitive particles and gases just below the surface from being out-gassed," ven- tured Wooden. "We discovered crystalline silicates in the dust that flew from the comet after its collision with the Deep Impact 'impactor.' We don't usually see these silicates in comets that have been 'cooked' Photos courtesy of Gemini Observatory/AURA. by the sun," Wooden explained. Gemini mid-infrared, false color images of comet Tempel 1 minutes before impact (left), 3 hours after Digital images of olivine particles (center) and 24 hours after impact (right.) from a green sand beach in Hawaii and other images related to this story can be found at:http://www.nasa.gov/cen- ticles by the researchers in the Sept. 15, Another comet, Hale-Bopp, was so ters/ames/multimedia/images/2005/ 2005, issue of the journal Science Ex- active that it released green silicate crys- olivine.html press. They made their observations tals as it passed close to the sun in 1997, A movie is available on-line that before, during and after the NASA Deep according to Wooden. shows the collision of the comet with Impact spacecraft's 820-pound 'impac- "However, the Deep Impact Deep Impact's projectile: http:// tor' collided with the comet in early July spacecraft's 'impactor' had to blast the www.nasa.gov/mov/ 2005, as planned, so astronomers could green silicate crystals from the interior 121527main_MRI_impact.mov determine what is in comets. The papers of the comet Tempel 1 for us to see them outline findings scientists made using with our ground-based instruments," BY JOHN BLUCK infrared detectors on the Gemini and she noted. Subaru telescopes in Hawaii. "The silicate crystals are talcum pow- Space exploration strategy unveiled der-size, but they are made of the same continued from front page materials as the green sand beaches in Hawaii," said Ames' Diane Wooden, a ware to support this option are already other world, and will build confidence co-author of both papers. The principal in place, which will significantly lower that astronauts can venture still farther author of the Gemini Telescope paper is development costs. Future lunar explo- into space and stay for longer periods. ration missions will be supported by a NASA's return to the moon will open David Harker, University of California, heavy cargo launch vehicle consisting opportunities for fundamental science San Diego. Seiji Sugita of the University of five space shuttle main engines, and in astrobiology, lunar geology, exobiol- of Tokyo is the principal author of the two five-segment shuttle solid-propel- ogy, astronomy and physics. second Subaru Telescope paper. lant rocket boosters. This combination The journey will start with robotic "Following the collision of the comet yields a lift capability of 106 metric tons missions between 2008 and 2011 to study, with the 'impactor,' there was a short- to low Earth orbit, and 125 metric tons, map and learn about the lunar surface. lived gas geyser associated with the if it incorporates an Earth-departure These early missions will help deter- impact site that carried the crystals from stage. Although primarily designed to mine lunar landing sites and whether Tempel 1 into space," Wooden said. "The carry cargo, this system can be human- resources, such as oxygen, hydrogen Gemini and the Subaru telescopes are rated to carry crew into orbit. and metals, are available for use in two of the biggest in the world, and we The study lays out a deliberate, mile- NASA's long-term lunar exploration were able to focus in on the green dust stone-driven journey to the moon for objectives. particles in the jet and ejecta - something NASA. Returning to the moon and sus- Griffin stated that all NASA field that most space-borne telescopes could taining a presence there will demon- centers will participate in the new ex- not see in infrared light," she noted. strate that humans can survive on an- ploration initiative.

Astrogram 6 September 2005 Retired NASA scientist finds place in history twice When Dr. Delbert Philpott began American veterans believed to partici- had edited called ‘Hands Across the his Ames career in the basement of build- pate in a huge celebration in Moscow on Elbe,’ and that he had been trying to ing 214 in 1964, working on electron May 9. Philpott felt that this 60th anni- give a copy to President Bush and Rus- microscopes, neither he nor his col- versary gathering would be a great and sian President Putin. Mrs. Bush raised heartwarming her hand and her assistant ran to her. experience. He She stated, “Make sure President Bush also felt some and President Putin get a copy of this responsibility in book.” representing the Philpott then asked Mrs. Bush if it veterans, espe- was possible to get a picture of him with cially those who President Bush. Mrs. Bush, once again, were killed. raised her hand and this time, caught 70,000 troops Mr. Bush’s eye. Mrs. Bush let Mr. Bush were brought in know that Philpott wanted to take a for tightened se- picture with him. The president re- curity in Red sponded “you don’t want a picture with Square. After just one president,” so President Bush many speeches asked President Putin to join in the pic- by world lead- ture. Philpott was ecstatic. ers and miles of Since retiring from NASA, Philpott military pa- has periodically worked at Ames with rades, the veter- visiting Russian scientists on the Cos- ans were invited mos program. His space radiation stud- Delbert Philpott, 69th Infantry soldier, second from left, reaches out to Russian soldiers on April 25, 1945. to the Kremlin ies were flown on three of the Russian for an official Cosmos satellites. Philpott also partici- state banquet. pated in flying five pocket mice to the leagues realized Philpott would find Philpott thought he would be sitting at a moon on Apollo 17 and had experi- himself in the midst of world events not table with his fellow vets, but upon ments on several shuttle flights. He and just once, but twice. arriving, he was Philpott eventually went on to head asked to sit at the the electron microscope facility and re- ‘Presidents’ Table’ tired in 1990. But long before NASA, with heads of Philpott was an Army foot solider in states as the repre- World War II when fate put him squarely sentative of the in the middle of one of the great turning veterans group. points in 20th century history, 60 years To his surprise, ago this year. Philpott was On April 25, 1945, Russian and seated alongside American troops joined forces in Torgau, the presidents of Germany, on the Elbe River. The link-up China and Russia, unified the eastern and western fronts as well as Presi- of the war in Europe and effectively dent Bush. He had divided Germany in two. It marked the the pleasure of sit- beginning of the Cold War. As one of the ting next to First 69th Infantry soldiers gathered there that Lady Laura Bush. day, Philpott was photographed in a “I turned to (Left to right) Delbert Philpott, President Bush and Russian President group of American and Russian soldiers Mrs. Bush and Putin during Philpott’s visit to Moscow in May for the grand ( see above photo) happily reaching out asked her if she commemoration of the ‘Great Patriotic War.’ to greet each other. This historic mo- can do me a fa- ment was captured by camera and ap- vor.” She looked at me with astonish- his wife later edited the ‘Hands Across peared in newspapers around the world. ment. “Can you pinch me, because I the Elbe’ book, a collection of some of Sixty years later, former soldiers don’t believe this is happening,” Philpott the Russian – American link-up stories. from 50 countries were invited to Russia said. for a grand commemoration of the ‘Great Mrs. Bush was very gracious and BY TERRY PAGADUAN AND KELLY GARCIA Patriotic War,’ as the war is known to easy to chat with. Philpott was inform- Russians. Philpott was one of the 10 ing her about a book that he and his wife

Astrogram 7 September 2005 Be a superhero - support CFC

Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) Greater San Francisco Bay Area/Santa Clara and San Benito Counties

continued from front page sensitive to those in need around us; Ames has proven in the past to be the most generous government donor in the Bay Area - a reputation to live up to. The Ames campaign will run from Oct. 12 to Nov. 1.

Larry Lasher (front, center) CFC chairperson for Ames, at the food bank exhibit in Oakland.

There are two important changes in the way Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) operates this year. For the first time, to improve the efficiency of the campaign, there has been a 2005 CFC merger by the Santa Clara/San Benito counties CFC (those canvassed by Ames) with the Greater San Francisco Bay Area CFC. This will lead to better coordina- tion of the fund-raising efforts and af- ford substantial cost savings in financial accounting and auditing. The second Combined Federal Campaign kick off event held recently at the courtyard of the Oakland big change is the introduction of eCFC, Federal Building. which enables a simple and private way of contributing to your favorite charities the Inside-Ames Web site. Check for porting the community; electronically by using WebTADS. your favorite agencies by using the • Help the less fortunate; and The Combined Federal Campaign search engine. • Benefit from IRS deduction for allows you to specify the agencies of A stirring video on the CFC can be charity donation. your choice to donate to or you may seen on the Web at http:// If you have any questions, contact wish to give to the CFC in general, which www.cfcsfbaysv.org/ the campaign chairperson, Larry Lasher, then distributes the money in propor- There are several good reasons to at ext. 4-3076 or the deputy chairperson, tion to the monies received by the chari- give to the CFC: Andy Hocker at ext 4-4120. ties designated by other donors. The •Assist the Gulf states hurricane CFC brochure lists hundreds of agen- and flood relief effort; BY LARRY LASHER cies to consider and can be viewed on • Exhibit NASA Ames pride in sup- 2005 CFC CHAIRPERSON Astrogram 8 September 2005 Ames safety week kicks off with VPP STAR recertification

Ames Safety Week, Sept. 19-22, featured a number of programs and training opportunities to increase employee safety awareness. The week began with a celebration of Ames’ achievement of VPP recertification at the STAR level for maintaining an excellent safety and health program. In recognition of the accomplishment, Occupational Health and Safety Organization (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) manager Pauline Caraher presented a plaque to Ames center management and employee union representatives. Left to right: NASA Ames Deputy Center Director (acting) Steven Zornetzer, Suzanne Meyer, Christopher Knight, Pauline Caraher, Michael Dudley, chief, Safety, Environmental and Mission Assurance Office and Dora Herrera.

NASA photo by Tom Trower

NASA Research Park event highlights robotics

The NASA Research Park (NRP) Division hosted an open house and NRP lecture at Ames on Sept. 20. The well-attended open house included exhibits from a variety of NRP partners and robotics demon- strations from NASA's Robotics Al- liance Project and Carnegie Mellon University's West Coast Campus.

NASA photos by Dominic Hart

"Red" Whittaker describes the Grand Challenge race to be run Oct. 8.

The NRP lecture, presented to a standing-room-only crowd, featured famed robotics expert, Dr. William "Red" Whittaker, who dis- cussed 'Racing for the Future,' his team's efforts to win the $2 million DARPA Grand Challenge Prize.

Students demonstrate speedy, Guests at the NRP open house enjoy the student-built robots. exhibits.

Astrogram 9 September 2005 Aeronautics Director Leroy ‘Skip’ Fletcher bids farewell to Ames During his six-plus year tenure as of the nation's major airports with fur- Ames' director for aeronautics, Leroy ther plans for expansion. 'Skip' Fletcher faced the daunting task of Ames also has actively pursued the balancing the aeronautics traditions and development of remotely controlled and capabilities developed as a part of the autonomous aircraft and strengthened the capabilities of Ames' world-class simulation facilities. With advances in computer simulation and the implementation of 'full cost recovery,' physical facilities like wind tunnels, ballistic ranges and arc jets de- creased in importance for many decision makers. Under Fletcher's leadership, Ames was able to maintain much of that expertise and capability. Ames strengthened partnerships with tradi- Leroy ‘Skip’ Fletcher tional aeronautics partners and actively tunnels, Skip has made a lasting impres- pursued partnerships with other NASA sion. Mike George (right) deputy director of centers non-traditional partners. "I have known Skip for about 50 Aeronautics, presents Skip Fletcher with a wind This foresight paid dividends dur- years when we were both a lot younger tunnel clock as a farewell momento at ing the Mars Exploration Rover mission working in Ames wind tunnels," said Fletcher's retirement party. Fletcher started his and NASA's Return to Flight efforts. Jack Boyd, NASA Ames historian. "Even career at NASA working in the Ames wind The wind tunnel, ballistic range and arc tunnels. then he had the Aggie mentality (Texas jets were integral in verifying the com- A & M) which was 'if it is broken, fix it puter models used in the redesign of the now', 'if it is not broken, fix it anyway National Advisory Committee for Aero- space shuttle and subsequent mission because it probably will be broken by nautics with a need to invest in new support, including emergency wind tun- tomorrow'". areas. Under Fletcher's leadership, Ames nel tests on the shuttle's thermal blanket "Skip did us a great service by com- pursued research opportunities in fledg- to determine its safety for re-entry. ing to Ames and I wish him the best in ling areas of aeronautics. In addition to his contributions to his new/different endeavors. Take care, "When Skip Fletcher came to Ames, Ames, Fletcher has made significant con- Skip, and 'Hook em Horns'." he inherited an aeronautics program in tributions to the aeronautics and engi- Fletcher held the post of Ames di- a state of transition," said NASA Ames neering community. He is a member of rector for aeronautics from Feb. 1, 1999 Research Center Director G. Scott numerous professional organizations in- to Aug. 28, 2005. He returned to the Hubbard. "He took on the tough chal- cluding the American Institute of Aero- Department of Mechanical Engineering lenge of helping the organization trans- nautics (AIAA) and the American Soci- at Texas A&M to assume his duties as form itself with determination, courage, ety of Mechanical Engineers and has Regents and Thomas A. Dietz professor. vision and skill. Skip's hard work and been recognized numerous times for his "It has been a real pleasure working leadership are an inspiration to us all." leadership and accomplishments. with the Ames family over the past six- "Dr. Fletcher has been a valuable "Through his leadership role in the plus years - and my wish is that the asset to Ames and to the agency during AIAA and wide range of professional center will continue to be the exciting, his time at Ames. His knowledge of acquaintances in that regard, he has ex- successful center that we have been in fundamental aerodynamics, coupled panded NASA's impact in the aerospace the past," said Fletcher. "It will take team- with a ready understanding of new are- community," said Lebacqz. work under the new paradigm of NASA, nas for research such as air traffic man- As aeronautics director and earlier but I know that you all can do it!" agement modernization, have helped as a budding engineer in the Ames wind BY JONAS DINO maintain Ames's continued contributions to aeronautics," said Associate Ad- ministrator for Aeronautics Research at Silicon Valley Astronomy lecture presents NASA Headquarters, J. Victor Lebacqz. Lebacqz served as Ames' deputy aero- Astronomer Cynthia Phillips will The event is free and open to the nautics director under Fletcher before give a non-technical, illustrated talk public. Parking on campus costs $2. taking his post at headquarters. on: Jupiter’s Tantalizing Moon: Water Call the series hotline at (650) 949- Because of these efforts, the Federal (and Life?) Under the Ice of Europa. 7888 for more information. Aviation Administration (FAA) looks The event is co-sponsored by to Ames as the leader in the develop- Date: Oct. 5, 7 p.m. NASA Ames, the Foothill College As- ment of decision support software and a Place: Smithwick Theater tronomy Program, the SETI Institute partner in the transformation of the Foothill College and the Astronomical Society of the National Airspace System. Today, soft- El Monte Road and Pacific. ware tools such as Surface Management Advisor and Multi-Center Traffic Man- Freeway 280 agement Advisor are installed at some Los Altos Hills

Astrogram 10 September 2005 ‘One of a kind’ Jacob Smith passes away in Palo Cedro An uncommon ‘common’ man died passion. Smith’s other real passion, and attention on helping small churches. in Palo Cedro, Calif. Jacob Smith passed the center of his life was his undying They purchased a motor home and be- away on June 28, 2005, surrounded by love for his family … and his God. came a part of MAPS, a volunteer orga- his wife, his five children, and several During his tenure at Moffett, and in nization that provides construction as- addition to holding a full-time position sistance for churches who need it. Smith there, few of the people who worked and Helen traveled throughout Califor- with Smith every day knew that he also nia and Oregon, working alongside other served as the superintendent of the volunteers, bringing encouragement and Peniel Rescue Mission. The skid-row a helping hand to small or struggling mission (which is no longer in existence) churches that needed assistance with provided food and clothing for men liv- remodeling or new construction. ing on the streets of San Jose. And In recent years, Smith and Helen seven-nights-a-week—for 12 1/2 years were a part of Gideons International, a — Smith directed the caring ministry of Bible distribution organization that pro- that mission. Each night, he would go to vides free copies of the scriptures to the mission, often with his wife and his hotels and motels, hospitals and those in children, and oversee the preparation of the medical profession, and the Armed a hot meal, and conduct a gospel service Forces of the United States. Smith’s car for the street people of San Jose. Smith or van always had several copies of the was not a preacher. He was, however, Bible handy for distribution to anyone Jacob Smith someone who cared about people. And he might happen to see. Smith loved to that concern for people was an incred- go to church on Sundays, and for the grandchildren, as they sang hymns ible motivating theme throughout his past several years, he and his wife called around his bedside. Smith was 91 years entire life. Bethel Church in Redding their church old, and had been married to his wife for One of the primary reasons Smith home. 65 years. moved to Palo Cedro to “retire” was so Most people may not be aware that Smith was born in Brewton Ala., on he and his wife could begin a foster one out of a hundred people in the United June 3, 1914. His father died when Smith home for troubled kids. His beautiful States has ‘Smith’ as a last name. But was very young, and he spent his child- home and acreage in the rolling hills make no mistake about it. Jake Smith hood being raised by his mother. Life east of Redding provided a wonderful wasn’t one in a hundred. He wasn’t was difficult for Smith’s family, but he setting for such an endeavor. For sev- even one in a thousand, or one in a had a wonderful relationship with his eral years after their retirement, Smith million. An uncommon ‘common’ man brother, Gordon, and his two sisters, and Helen provided a home for troubled died this summer in Palo Cedro. And Althea and Vivian. Soon after his gradu- kids. They called it ‘Blue Oak Ranch.’ the best epitaph that can be written about ation from high school, he left Alabama Later in their retirement, working his life is a four-word phrase, ‘He was, for Chicago, where he lived briefly be- with kids and teens became less feasible quite simply: ‘One of a kind.’ fore making the trek to California. for them, and they decided to focus their BY KEN JONES Shortly after arriving, he met the love of his life, Helen Beatrice Evans. And that love affair continued until he drew his final breath, as she held his hand. In other words, when Smith and Helen Festival patrons ‘travel to Mars’ said “Til death do us part,” they meant it. Throngs of visitors stopped by Smith and Helen had been resi- the NASA tent at the dents of the Redding area since they Mountain View Art and Wine retired from Ames, moving from the Festival on the weekend of Bay Area to Palo Cedro in 1971. Prior to Sept. 10 to Sept. 11 to learn that, Smith (his friends called him “Jake”) more about NASA and for a worked for NASA at the Ames Research chance to appear that they had visited Mars. The Ames Center at Moffett Field, serving as chief Public Affairs and Life Sciences aircraft inspector for more than 30 years. Divisions organized the exhibit During that time, he traveled all over the that featured a photo booth world as part of the Ames Research with a mock Mars landscape team, doing scientific studies on various background. Photos of over phenomenan in the atmosphere sur- 1,100 prospective 'Mars rounding Earth, including the northern astronauts' were snapped over lights. Smith loved flying airplanes and the two day festival. scientific expeditions, and he enjoyed traveling. But working at Moffett Field NASA photo by Astrid Terlep —and anyone who knew Smith could tell you this — was not his only love and Astrogram 11 September 2005 Interns get rare opportunity to solve shuttle problem After the first scrubbed launch on reconfiguration, ability to acquire force briefing to shuttle program personnel July 13, 2005, the world waited for the and moment data, and its ability to rep- during a shuttle go/no go launch meet- go-ahead to launch space shuttle Dis- resent the full-scale aerodynamic char- ing the very next morning (a Saturday). covery and her crew into orbit for the acteristics of the ice particles. “The experience reinforced what I first time in two-and-a-half years. What As the project got underway, there am doing and studying in order to be- the world didn't see, were the many was a clear sense of urgency. “The whole come an engineer. Engineering is excit- factors involved in getting the green light for “all systems go.” In July, James Ross, chief of the Experimental Aero-Physics Branch, was briefed about frozen water droplets that have been accumulating and then drop- ping off the space shuttle orbiter during ascent. No wind tunnel tests had ever been conducted on the drag characteristics of such ice particle shapes. As a result, the team conducting computa- tional fluid dynamics (CFD) on the tra- jectory of these ice particles had to rely on estimates for the drag characteristics. This aspect of the analysis had a critical bearing on whether, and if so, where, Students who participated in NASA's Return-to-Flight efforts (left to right) Derrick Chu, the particles may impact the orbiter. Amela Zanacic, Kurt Long (advisor), Kristi Stavros and Teresa Quinliven. Ross approached US Navy flight test engineer Kurt Long to gather a team to process was chaotic. We were told to get ing!” exclaimed Kristi Stavros, a stu- conduct a wind tunnel test of ice particle some tools - it didn't matter what kind of dent from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. effects on the shuttle test. tools, just get any tools! And when they “It is great to work with student Later that same day, five student began drilling holes in the floor of the interns. It allows us to teach the next interns from Ames' Educational Associ- wind tunnel, it really freaked us out,” generation and receive fresh, new ideas. ates (EA) program and Summer High explained Zanacic. The holes were This project brought the students out of School Apprenticeship Research Pro- added to the wind tunnel floor plate to the realm of theory and provided them gram (SHARP) in the Fluid Mechanics facilitate rapid model mounting and with real-world applicability and a feel- Laboratory (FML), were diligently work- reconfiguration for this effort; since most ing of self-satisfaction,” said Long. ing on their summer projects using wind wind tunnel models employ standard- “When you work at NASA, you al- tunnels when Long presented them with ized mounting lugs, this step is rarely ways hear about the 'glory days of an opportunity of a lifetime: to team employed. “Scrambling was a lot of NASA,' referring to the 60s and 70s. As together and provide support for fun,” she laughed. interns, we were able to get a taste of that NASA's shuttle return-to-flight efforts. The team cut a two-and-half-inch- feeling from the past and experience the “The team required just over five diameter acrylic sphere into quarters to feeling of teamwork,” said Zanacic. “In- hours to plan, design/construct hard- simulate the shape of the ice particles terns never think they would get a chance ware, stop existing wind tunnel testing, affixed to the orbiter. The quarter sphere to work on this type of project. They reconfigure the wind tunnel, calibrate was then attached to an eight-inch sting, dream of this moment,” added Teresa instrumentation, collect data, analyze a mounting device with a very sensitive Quinliven, a student from Cal Poly San data and then provide the data to the balance that would measure forces and Luis Obispo, who missed this opportu- sponsor,” explained Long. “We had moments on the object in three different nity due to her first flight lesson toward wind tunnels available since the stu- orientations relative to the flow direc- her helicopter pilot's license. dents have been working on projects in tion. The model and balance were then Along with Ross, Long, Zanacic, and them; however, the challenge for this installed within the wind tunnel test Stavros, the other interns and employ- test was to figure out which wind tunnel section, and the tunnel was run at vari- ees who participated in this project were to use,” he added. ous speeds to measure the resultant SHARP student Derrick Chu, Matt "We decided on the FML's test cell forces on the ‘ice particle.’ The resultant Daniels from USRP, Dan Dzoan from number two wind tunnel and began data were analyzed to ensure accuracy, the Ohlone College Summer Intern Pro- reconfiguring it for this test," said Amela and then provided to NASA shuttle program, and engineers Dennis Acosta and Zanacic, a student from Cal Poly San gram personnel, to help predict the ice Dave Yaste. Luis Obispo. The team decided to use particle trajectories during the shuttle's BY JENNIFER KREMER this tunnel because of its ease of ascent. The data also were used in a

Astrogram 12 September 2005 Migrant students explore space, science and technology at Ames

To inspire the next generation of Ames Exploration Encounter. Under the explorers…as only NASA can. This is leadership of San Jose Unified School the task to which we have been assigned District Migrant Education Director in the Ames Exploration Encounter. Amelia Romero and Principal Albert From September through June, the Ames Moreno the students were provided a Exploration Encounter is filled with stu- high-quality and comprehensive edu- dents from all over California and Ne- cational program for migratory children this summer. Before their visit to the Ames Exploration En- counter, AEE operations manager Lorraine Ruiz and Students of migrant families listen attentively volunteer docent to a science lesson in the Ames Exploration Renato Piombi pre- Encounter. sented the program in Spanish to the mat. students at their With the support and encouragement of the education division manage- NASA photos by John Forward school. Excitement was high, as the ment, Mark Leon and Laura Shawnee, students had been as well as Planners Collaborative volun- watching televi- teer manager Barbara Patterson, opera- sion and heard tions manager Lorraine Ruiz and assis- about the Discov- tant manager Lorraine Wentz, 125 Span- ery mission. Many ish-speaking students were given the Migrant students who recently visited NASA Ames, seen here at the of them had heard opporutnity to become NASA’s next Ame Exploration Encounter participating in the interactive exhibits. about astronaut generation of scientists, engineers and candidate Jose astronauts. Perhaps some day we will vada. Students from public schools, Hernandez, who also was the son of see one or more of them on the cover of private schools and home schools have migrant parents. Their goal was to visit Hispanic Engineer magazine. the opportunity to visit a world-class NASA and meet a “real space celeb- BY LORRAINE RUIZ facility and to immerse themselves in rity”! the study of space, science and technol- They certainly ogy. were not disappointed There is one group of students whose as they had an oppor- education is not a first priority, as their tunity to meet NASA parents are forced to travel from field to Ames’ very own Jolen field, their lives ruled by growing sea- Flores, Ph.D. They all sons that don't match the school calen- asked for a copy of the dar. These children miss weeks or June/July 2005 issue of months of school. Most face an addi- ‘Hispanic Engineer’ tional challenge because they don't speak magazine so that they English. These are the children who have could have a copy of moved more times than the years they Flores ‘ article about have been alive. These are the migrant how he was named students. one of the ‘Top His- Migrant students are among the panics in Technology neediest students in California schools. and Business.’ Flores Migrant families move frequently as they gave students an out- follow work in the agriculture, fishing, standing presentation dairy or logging industry. Under the No on his career at NASA Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA), sup- Ames. port is provided to help reduce the edu- We are very fortu- cational disruption and other problems nate to have a group of that result from repeated moves. The docents that volunteer law states that migrant education ser- in the AEE who took vices are a priority for those students time out of their sum- whose education has been interrupted mer vacations to join during the current school year and who the migrant students are failing, or are most at risk of failing to visit to the Ames Ex- meet state content and performance stan- ploration Encounter. dards. For the first time since Through a collaborative partnership its inception, the Ames between NASA Ames Exploration En- Exploration Encounter counter and San Jose Unified School Program was pre- District Migrant Education Program, sented in a bilingual/ more than 125 students attended the English/Spanish for-

Astrogram 13 September 2005 Ames Diabetics (AAD), 1st & 3rd Weds, 12 noon to q.arc.nasa.gov/qe/events/EHSseries/ POC: Stacy St. Events Calendar 1 p.m., at Ames Mega Bites, Sun room. Support group Louis at ext. 4-6810. discusses news affecting diabetics. POC: Bob Mohlenhoff, The Hispanic Advisory Committee for Ames Amateur Radio Club, third Thursday of each ext. 4-2523/e-mail at: [email protected]. Excellence HACE Mtg, first Thurs of month in N255 month, 12 noon, N-T28 (across from N-255). POC: Ames Federal Employees Union (AFEU) Mtg, third room 101C from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. POC: Eric Michael Wright, KG6BFK, at ext. 4-6262. Wednesday of ea. month, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Bldg. 221, Kristich at ext. 4-5137 and Mark Leon at ext. 4-6498. Ames Ballroom Dance Club. Classes on Tuesdays. Rm 104. Guests welcome. Info at: http://www.afeu.org. Jetstream Toastmasters, Mondays, 12 p.m. to 1 Beginning classes meet at 5:15 p.m. Higher-level class POC: Marianne Mosher, ext. 4-4055. p.m., N-269/Rm.179. POC: Becky Brondos at ext. 4- meets at 5:50 p.m. Held in Bldg. 944, the Rec. Center. Ames Mac Support Group Mtg, third Tuesday of ea. 1959, [email protected] or Bob Hilton at POC: Helen Hwang at [email protected], ext. 4- month, 11:30 a.m.to 1 p.m., Bldg. N262, Rm 180. POC: ext. 4-1500, [email protected]. 1368. Tony ext. 4-0340. Nat'l Association of Retired Federal Employees, Ames Bowling League, Palo Alto Bowl on Tuesday Ames Model Aircraft Club, flying radio-controlled (NARFE). Former and current federal employees. Your nights. Seeking full-time bowlers and substitutes. aircraft at the north end of Parsons Ave. on weekend only contact with Congress. Join to protect your Questions to sign up: Mike Liu at ext. 4-1132. mornings. POC: Mark Sumich, ext. 4-6193. federal retirement. Chptr #50 will then meet on the first Fri. of each month at HomeTown Buffet, 2670 El Ames Child Care Center Board of Directors Mtg, Ames Sailing Club Mtg, second Thursday of ea. every other Thursday (check Web site for meeting dates: Camino (at Kiely), S. Clara, 11 a.m. lunch. POC Earl month (Feb through Nov), from 12:00 p.m. -1:00 p.m. in Keener (408) 241-4459 or NARFE 1-800-627-3394. http://accc.arc.nasa.gov), 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., N-210, Bldg. N-262, Rm 100. URL: http://sail.arc.nasa.gov/. Rm. 205. POC: Cheryl Quinn, ext 4-5793. POC: Becky Hooey, ext. 4-2399. Native American Advisory Committee Mtg, Ames Contractor Council Mtg, first Wednesday each fourth Tues each month, 12 noon to 1 p.m., Bldg. 19, Environmental Forum, first Thursday of each month, Rm 1096. POC: Mike Liu at ext. 4-1132. month, 11 a.m., N-200, Comm. Rm. POC: Linda 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Bldg. 221/Rm 155. URL: http:// McCahon, ext. 4-1891.

Protective Services Environmental Forums scheduled monthly activity A statistical summary of activities of the Protective Services Discussions of current environ- December Division's Security/Law Enforce- ment and Fire Protection Services mental events at NASA Ames pre- Title: Vapor Intrusion Study units for the month of August 2005 is sented by the Environmental Services at Ames shown below. Office will be held as follows: Presenter: Tom Anderson, conservation Security/Law Enforcement Activity October compliance canager, Title: ISSi and Groundwater Hydrogeology Sandy Olliges, and Remedial Technology deputy director, Used for Groundwater Office of Safety, Clean-up at NASA Ames Environmental Presenter: Don Chuck, restoration and Mission specialist, NASA Assurance, Ames Date: Oct. 6 Date: Dec. 1 Fire Protection Activity Time: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Time: 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Location: Building 221, Room 155 Location: Building 221, Room 155

November To learn more about any of these Title: Storm Water Regulations presentations, Stacy St. Louis at at NASA Ames [email protected] or ext. 4- Presenter: Christy Ray-Hagenau, 6810. environmental compliance specialist, ISSi Date: Nov. 3 Time: 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Ames emergency Location: Building 221, Room 155 announcements

To hear the centerwide status recording, call (650) 604-9999 for information announcements and emergency instructions for Ames employees. You can also listen to 1700 KHz AM radio for the same information.

Astrogram 14 September 2005 Ames Classifieds Exchange Information Ads for the next issue should be sent to Information about products, services and [email protected] and must be resubmitted for opportunities provided to the employee and contractor Incline Village: Forest Pines, Lake Tahoe condo, 3 each issue. Ads must involve personal needs or items; (no community by the Ames Exchange Council. Visit the bd/2ba, sleeps 8. Fireplace, TV/VCR/DVD, MW, W/D, commercial/third-party ads) and will run on a space- web site at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov jacuzzi, sauna, pool. Walk to Lake, close to ski areas. available basis only. First-time ads are given priority. Ads Visit Web page for pictures: http:// must include home phone numbers; Ames extensions and Beyond Galileo N-235 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) www.ACruiseStore.com. $120/night low season, email addresses will be accepted for carpool and lost and ext. 4-6873 $155/night high season (holidays higher) plus $156 found ads only. Due to the volume of material received, cleaning fee and 12% Nevada room tax. Charlie (650) we are unable to verify the accuracy of the statements Ask about NASA customized gifts for special 366-1873. made in the ads. Caveat emptor! occasions. Disneyland area vacation rental home, 2 bd/1ba. Housing Mega Bites N-235 (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Nearing completion completely remodeled w/new 3 bd/1 ba house in Menlo Park. Close to Stanford, and ext. 4-5969 furniture. Sleeps 6 (queen bed, bunk beds, sleeper SRI, and Palo Alto. Home (650) 591-4840. sofa). Air hockey and football tables. Introductory See daily menu at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov rate $600/wk, once completed rate will be $1000/wk. Security deposit and $100 cleaning fee required. Call Miscellaneous Visitor Center Gift Shop N-943 (925) 846-2781. The Ames Cat Network needs help finding homes for (10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) ext. 4-5412 cats trapped at Moffett. They range from feral to Ski Park City Utah, NASA Ski Week XIV, Feb 5 - 12, abandoned/lost pets. Tested, altered and inoculated. Call NASA logo merchandise, souvenirs, toys, gifts and 2005. Space limited. E-mail Steve at e-mail Iris at ext. 4-5824 if you or someone you know are educational items. [email protected] or call (408) 432-0135. interested in fostering or adopting a cat. Tickets, etc...(N-235, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) New York, 5th Ave. One fully furnished bedroom Christmas Belles 27th Annual Holiday Boutique: 10/19 in 24 hour security bldg. overlooking Washington ext. 4-6873 - 10/22. Address: 530 Pamlar Avenue, San Jose, CA Square Park, $1,000/wk or $3,000/mo. negotiable. 95128. 10/19 open from 12 noon to 8 pm; 10/20 & 21 Check web site for discounts to local attractions, Call (650) 349-0238. open from 10 am to 6 pm; and 10/22 open frm 9 am to 5 http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov and click on tickets. Paris/France: Fully furnished studio, 5th Arr, Latin pm. Treat yourself to originality with your gifts and Quarter, Notre Dame and Ile-St. Louis., $1,400/wk. decorations this year! For 27 years, the Christmas Belles negotiable. Call (650) 349-0238. Boutique brings together Bay Area artists offering NASA Lodge (N-19) 603-7100 Santa Cruz townhouse, 2 bedrooms plus study, 2 handcrafted gifts and decorations for Christmas, Open 7 days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. Rates baths, decks, totally furnished, 3 blocks from beach, Thanksgiving, Halloween and many other holidays. With from $40 - $50. every purchase of $25 or more, spin a prize wheel for available July, August, September; $1,600 per month. discounts or other prizes. Contact person: Karen Davis. Call (831) 423-5777 (H) or (831) 277-8476 (C). Phone Number: 408-287-9256 Vacation Opportunities West Maui vacation at Kahana Falls, across street Sears 12" radial arm table saw. Variety of blades from beach. Thanksgiving week 19-26 Nov 05, $630/ available. Best offer. Call (408) 732-4587. Lake Tahoe-Squaw Valley Townhse, 3bd/2ba wk. 1bd/2 ba, w/d, fk. For 2 adults, 0 to 2 kids. Call equipped, balcony view, horseback riding, hiking, biking, (650) 962-1314 after Aug 7. GE 31” color TV. $45. Call (408) 295-2160. river rafting, tennis, ice skating and more. Summer San Francisco, Donatello Hotel, small, deluxe Kenwood home theater A/V receiver, Dolby Digital 5.1; rates. Call (650) 968-4155 or e-mail hotel, one block from Union Square, 4 nights available 100 [w/ch]. $75. Call (408) 295-2160. [email protected] to be scheduled either together or individually, $150 Starter PC: Windows2000, 333MHz, 164MRAM, 15GB South Lake Tahoe cottage w/wood fireplace, hot per night. Call Barry Cunningham (510) 793-4457 or HD, 52x CD-ROM, USB, keyboard, mouse and speakers (no tub. Rates $50 to $130 per night. Call (650) 967-7659 e-mail [email protected] monitor). Perfect for first computer. $75. Call (408) 295- or (650) 704-7732. Vacation rental. Ferndale - The Victorian Village. 2160. Vacation rental, Bass Lake, 4 mls south of Yosemite. Victorian home on Main Street a short stroll to the Sears 12" radial arm table saw. Variety of blades 3bd/1.5 ba, TV, VCR, MW, frplc, BBQ, priv. boat dock. Village which has been designated as a state historical available. B/O. Call (408) 732-4587. Sleeps 8. $1,050/wk. Call (559) 642-3600 or (650) 390- landmark. Enjoy the many holiday activities which 9668. include a Christmas parade and lighting of America's Changing table and crib in exc. condition. Both are tallest living Christmas tree. Four bedrooms (sleeps real wood with natural/clear finish. Changing table is a Pali Big Sur vacation rental, secluded 4bd/2ba house in approx. six), two full baths, large kitchen, dining ($100), and crib is a Simmons wi/dual slide-down panels canyon setting. Fully eqpd kitchen. Access to priv. room, parlor w/fireplace, enclosed desk w/hot tub. For ($150). See in person. Call (408) 295-2160. beach. Tub in patio gdn. Halfway between Carmel and info call (707) 983-9514. Big Sur. $175/night for 2; $225 for 4 and $250 for more, plus $150 cleaning dep. Call (650) 328-4427. Monterey Bay vacation rental at Pajaro Dunes, 20 miles south of Santa Cruz, 3bd/2ba beach house with Tahoe Donner vacation home, 2 bd/2ba. trees, distinctive architecture. Beautiful ocean and valley Safety Data deck. Access to pools, spa, golf, horseback riding, $280 views, only 150 ft from the beach, first-class tennis wkend, $650 week. Call (408) 739-9134. NASA-Ames Occupational courts. $500/wkend, $200/addl night, including Pine Mountain Lake vacation home. Access to golf, cleaning by the maid service when you depart. Call Illness-Injury Data for Calendar tennis, lake, swimming, horseback riding, walk to beach. (408) 252-7260. Year-to-Date 2005 Three bedrooms/sleeps 10. $100/night. Call (408) 799- Jan. 1, 2005 – Aug. 31, 2005 4052 or (831) 623-4054. Civil Contractors Servants First aid cases 22 13 Astrogram deadlines Lost-time cases 0 8 Submit articles and photographs accommodate your request when- to [email protected] no ever it’s submitted, but please un- Recordable cases 3 15 later than the 10th of each month. If derstand that photographers may not this falls on the weekend or holiday, be available for last-minute requests, Lost workdays 0 158 then the following business day be- so best to plan ahead!For Astrogram comes the deadline. If you want a pho- questions, contact Astrid Terlep at Restricted duty days 0 88 tographer to cover an event you’re the aforementioned e-mail address sponsoring, it’s very important that or ext. 4-3347. For information about Above data is as of 9/14/05. May you submit a service request to the photography or video services, con- be subject to slight adjustment in the Video and Photographic Services tact Ed Schilling at e-mail event of a new case or new inform- Group at least 5 days in advance of the [email protected] or ation regarding an existing case. activity. Every effort will be made to ext. 4-1307.

Astrogram 15 September 2005 FOIA helps shed light on government openness James Madison once argued that mine an agreed amount of time for the •Exemption 6: Personal Privacy openness in government will assist citi- extension. Fees are based on categories •Exemption 7: Law Enforcement zens in making informed choices neces- of requesters. Fees can be charged for Records sary to a democracy. The Freedom of search, review and reproduction. •Exemption 8: Financial Information Act, or FOIA, is a unique It is the policy of NASA to make Institutions way to keep citizens informed about records available to the public to the •Exemption 9: Geological and Geophysical

NASA's FOIA policy and proce- dures are publicly published in the Code of Federal Regulations, 14 CFR 1206. We rely on the custodians of our NASA records, the ‘subject matter experts’ to locate and conduct thorough searches of records under their direct control, make copies of the responsive record, and sub- their government. greatest extent possible, in keeping with mit to the FOIA Office in a timely man- FOIA was passed by Congress in the spirit of the FOIA, while at the same ner to meet the 20 working day deadline 1966 so citizens can have access to gov- time protecting sensitive information for our initial determination. Since our ernment records. Any member of the that may be withheld, pursuant to one initial determination may be appealed public may obtain these records main- of the FOIA exemptions: to NASA Headquarters and thereafter tained and controlled by the executive to a United States District Court if we do branch agencies. •Exemption 1: National not provide all the records that the re- A FOIA request can be made by any Defense- Classified quester was seeking, or if we do not person, for any reason whatsoever, they •Exemption 2: Internal Rules provide the initial determination itself do not have to explain or justify their and Practices in a timely manner, managers asked to requests. Requests have to be made in •Exemption 3: Exempted by provide records for review by the FOIA writing through mail, fax, electronically another Law Office should regard that task as a prior- or hand delivered. •Exemption 4: Commercial ity. By law, an initial determination must and Trade Secrets BY KELLY GARCIA be made on a FOIA request within 20 •Exemption 5: Inter and Intra working days. If an extension is needed, Agency Privileged the FOIA officer and requester deter- Documents

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Astrogram 16 September 2005