MissionMission UpdateUpdate Vol. 36, No. 13 July 4, 1997 STS-94 Spaceport News America's gateway to the universe. Leading the world in preparing and launching missions to Earth and beyond. John F. Kennedy Space Center Node 1 at KSC signifies new era in space history The International Space The crew of STS-94 arrived at KSC on June 28 for the mission’s Station program reached a scheduled launch on July 1. The major milestone June 23 as the launch window opened at 1:50 p.m. first U.S.-manufactured EDT as this issue of Spaceport component began a year of News was going to press. The 23rd flight of Columbia and the 85th launch preparations at mission flown since the start of the Kennedy Space Center. Shuttle program, STS-94 is the A connecting module, called reflight of the Microgravity Science Node 1, was shipped by a C-5 Laboratory-1 payload. air cargo plane to KSC from NEAR the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The node will be the first U.S-built segment for the station to reach orbit when it is launched in July 1998 aboard Endeav- Launched from Cape Canaveral Air our on the STS-88 mission. Station Feb. 17, 1996, the Near “The International Space Earth Asteroid Rendezvous Station has begun moving spacecraft made history June 27 from the factory floor to the with its close-up images of the Asteroid 253 Mathilde. This image launch pad,” Space Station was captured from about 750 miles Program Manager Randy away (NEAR’s closest approach Brinkley said. “By the time point) and reveals numerous Node 1 is launched next year, craters on the asteroid ranging MEMBERS OF THE STS-88 CREW take a look at Node 1 in its work stand in the from more than 18 miles to less pieces of the station will be Space Station Processing Facility. They are Commander Robert D. Cabana (pointing than 0.3 miles across. NEAR leaving factories in locations at node); and (from left) James H. Newman; Pilot Frederick W. “Rick” returned more than 500 images of worldwide to be readied for Sturckow; and Mission Specialist Nancy Jane Currie. In space, the node will be a connecting passageway to living and working areas of the International Space Station. Mathilde. launch. From now through the ACE turn of the century, the pro- cessing of station components NTD transitions responsibilities will be a major focus at KSC.” Endeavour’s crew will use A significant milestone in SFOC contract assumes NTD the Shuttle’s robotic arm to the transition of NASA func- test team leadership responsi- dock the Functional Cargo tions to United Space Alliance bilities for daily Block (known by the Russian (USA) under the Space Flight processing activities in the Operations Contract (SFOC) newly created office of Chief (See NODE, Page 2) has occurred with transfer of Test Conductors (CTC). At this test management oversight of time, the transition does not many daily Shuttle processing include major integrated Mark your operations from the NASA Test procedures andemergency Directors (NTD) Office to the management, for which the calendars! contractor. NTD retains responsibility “It’ s one of the first major until a second phase of the KSC’s Employee steps in truly empowering our plan goes into effect later this Jim Hutchenson of Johns Hopkins Open House contractors and holding them year. University’s Applied Physics is scheduled for accountable for integrating There are no plans to Laboratory unveils NASA’s Saturday, Nov. 8, and managing daily work,” transition NASA test manage- Advanced Composition Explorer from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (ACE) in the Spacecraft Assembly commented Eric Redding, ment responsibilities for and Encapsulation Facility-2. ACE, NASA division chief of Shuttle launches or landings. The which will investigate solar Read Spaceport News Process, Launch and Recovery. NTD will continue to direct phenomena, arrived at KSC in for more information Under the plan, which took and integrate all flight crew, June for prelaunch processing. in upcoming issues. effect June 23, United Space Alliance (USA) through the (See NTD, Page 2) Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS July 4, 1997

NTD. . retains emergency manage- often difficult process to work and landings, as well as offer ment responsibility over all out the details of theNTD their expertise to projects such (Continued from Page 1) Launch Complex 39 activities. transition, all of the 13 SFOC as the new Checkout and orbiter, external tank, solid Even during daily processing employees who became part of Launch Control System rocket booster and ground operations, an NTD represen- the CTC team had to undergo (CLCS), the X-33 and X-34 support testing in the Shuttle tative will be in the control further training, although reusable launch vehicle launch countdown, reporting room to oversee the manage- most were already senior programs, other launch directly to the NASA launch ment of any emergency situa- orbiter test conductors. vehicles, and to possible efforts director. tion, such as a hypergolic fuel Also, each CTC member to return to the Moon or travel The daily processing opera- leak or a fire. had to demonstrate their to Mars, according to Redding. tions affected by the first Major integrated proce- knowledge and qualifications “This is one of the first phase of the plan include most dures and emergency manage- under rigorous questioning by transition activities that really of the activities involving the ment — except during launch a committee chaired by allows us to refocus our talents orbiters in the Orbiter Process- countdowns and landing Michael Leinbach, chief of the and resources on solving ing Facility, as well as stack- operations — will transition to NASA Test Directors Office. tomorrow’s problems and ing of the solid rocket boosters SFOC later this year, possibly This process, known as being challenges,” he said. and checkout of the external as early as October, according ‘standboarded,’ in effect tank, both of which occur in to Larry Ostarly, manager of certified that the employee the Vehicle Assembly Building Test Operations for the CTC. was qualified to do the job. Hurricane Awareness (VAB). The CTC now makes “W e are trying to make the “It may seem unusual for decisions on allocating re- transition as smooth and as NASA to certify USA employ- 1997 Atlantic Season sources and setting priorities invisible to the test team as we ees, but it was simply the Storms by Name for those activities. CTC can,” said Bill Potteiger, logical culmination of the CTC operations are conducted 24 supervisor of the Chief Test training process,” Leinbach Ana Henri Odette hours a day, seven days a Conductors Team. said. Bill Isabel Peter week. “The call signs will change, The NTD Office remains Claudette Juan Rose Danny Kate Sam Once the orbiter rolls over but the service remains the intact; what has changed is Erika Larry Teresa to the VAB to be mated to the same,” agreed Ostarly. “We that the NASA test manage- Fabian Mindy Victor tank, major integrated proce- want to continue the good job ment engineers can now Grace Nicholas Wanda dures come into play and the that the NTD Office has done.” concentrate more of their NTD takes over. The NTD also Besides the lengthy and efforts on Shuttle launches

Node. . . serve as docking ports for the looking forward to getting and mating adapters, commu- other modules. It will be the started with the processing of nications testing with Mission (Continued from Page 1) first major U.S.-built compo- the first element as well as the Control, leak testing, and acronym FGB) with Node 1 as nent of the station. others that will follow.” toxicology testing. the node sits atop the Orbiter Node 1 is now in the Space Work on Node 1 at KSC will Also, optical targets will be Docking System in the Station Processing Facility, include the completion of installed on the node that will orbiter’s cargo bay. The FGB is which was designed specifi- assembly and checkout tasks, assist the Shuttle’s robotic a component that supplies cally for preparing Interna- acceptance testing of the node arm operator during the early power and propulsion tional Space Station elements docking in orbit. systems for the station. for launch. The node will be The FGB, a U.S.-funded The FGB will be the first joined by two Pressurized and Russian-built component, element to be placed in orbit Mating Adapters, the first is currently undergoing and will be launched two arriving at KSC in early July modifications and enhance- weeks before the STS-88 from the McDonnell Douglas ments at the Krunichev State mission on a Russian Proton manufacturing facility in Research and Production rocket from the Baikonur Huntington Beach, Calif. Space Center in Moscow. It is Cosmodrome in the Republic of Prior to launch, the two scheduled to be shipped to Kazakhstan. conical mating adapters will Kazakhstan in January 1998 After the two components be attached to either end of to begin final preparations. are linked together, three the node at KSC. In orbit, the The International Space spacewalks will be performed two adapters will serve as the Station program has three from the Shuttle orbiter to connecting point for the U.S. distinct phases, each building connect power, data, and and Russian station segments on the prior one. Phase 1, now utility lines and install exte- and as a docking location for under way, involves stays by rior equipment. the Space Shuttle orbiter. U.S. aboard the In addition to its connection “The KSC team at the Space Russian Mir Space Station to the FGB, the node will serve Station Processing Facility has and dockings between the as a passageway to the U.S. been preparing for several CONGRESSMAN Dave Weldon fields Space Shuttle and Mir. questions from the media on June 27 laboratory module, U.S. years for this occasion,” said when he visited KSC to see Node 1. KSC’s Phase 2, construction in habitation module and an Glenn Snyder, KSC’s payload Director of Public Affairs Hugh Harris (at orbit, begins in June 1988 airlock. It has six hatches that manager for STS-88. “We are right) is seen with Weldon during his visit. with the launch of the FGB. July 4, 1997 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 Roberts appointed KSC Administration director Kennedy Space Center areas, including human “It’s an honor for me to join Director Roy Bridges Jr., has resources programs for civil the KSC team, who are al- appointed C. Shannon Roberts service personnel, work force ready well-known for their to the position of director, effectiveness and organization, quality work in Shuttle and Administration Office, effec- industrial labor relations, payload operations,” noted tive June 22, 1997. She strategic planning, continuous Roberts. “I plan on continuing succeeds James Jennings, who improvement, and functional to support positive, effective has been named the center’s management reviews. programs for staff, while also deputy director for Business She joined the agency in looking into new growth areas Operations. 1990, serving as an assistant and strategic initiatives.” “Shannon Roberts brings a to the associate and deputy Prior to joining NASA, wealth of experience in strate- associate administrators for Roberts was executive coordi- gic planning and institutional the Office of Space Flight; nator and director of Commu- Roberts management,” said Bridges. director, Benchmarking and nications for the President’s deputy director of Commercial “I look to her to provide strong Continual Improvement; and Council on Management Space Transportation from support in those areas to me leader of the National Perfor- Improvement in Washington, 1983 to 1984. and to the rest of the center’s mance Review Outreach Team D.C. She also has served as She is a graduate of the leadership team.” (on detail) before transferring director of quality with the University of North Carolina Roberts will lead many to KSC in February 1997. Xerox Corp. and has held and holds a master’s degree in planning, budgeting, and public administration from financial management posi- Harvard University and a McMonagle launches tions with the Department of doctorate in public administra- Justice and the Department of tion from the University of into new assignment at KSC Transportation, including Southern California.

Astronaut Donald McMonagle has been named Mir crew preparing for challenging EVA manager, Space Shuttle Launch Integration, at At the time this issue went supply vehicle. Commander Kennedy Space Center, to press, a Progress supply Vasily Tsibliev, Flight Engi- succeeding , who vehicle has been scheduled to neer Alexander Lazutkin, and has been appointed deputy dock with the Russian Space U.S. astronaut director for Launch and Station Mir July 7 as the three closed the hatch to the leaking Payload Processing. crew members aboard the Spektr and have been working McMonagle’s position will be damaged station prepare for a with flight controllers since effective Aug. 15, following the challenging internal extrave- then to develop and implement STS-85 mission. McMonagle hicular activity (EVA) to the most suitable plan of McMonagle will begin the restore full power to the action. transition, however, to his new the development of all modular spacecraft. At press time, the EVA has position immediately. He will spacewalk requirements, Mir sustained damage to been scheduled to occur no be responsible for final Shuttle techniques, and tasks for one of its critical solar arrays earlier than July 11, preceded preparation, mission execu- Shuttle-based missions as well and a depressurizing puncture by thorough planning and tion, and return of the orbiter as assembly and operation of to the Spektr Module at about rehearsal, said Frank to Kennedy Space Center the International Space 5 a.m. EDT June 25 during a Culberston, Phase One pro- following landings at Edwards Station. re-docking test with a Progress gram director. Air Force Base, Calif. Gregory J. Harbaugh has “Every experience I have been named acting manager had working with KSC, from of the Guess who’s turning 40! my initial training and astro- Projects Office, succeeding naut support role through McMonagle. NASA’s 40th anniversary Steve Garber in the space flight, has been very McMonagle and Harbaugh is a little more than a year NASA HQ Office of positive,” said McMonagle. flew together on Shuttle away. To commemorate Policy and Plans, Code “I look forward to again flights STS-39 and STS-54. NASA’s founding on ZH, Washington, D.C. McMonagle was commander of working closely with the KSC Oct. 1, 1958, NASA 20546 or by e-mail to team to get payloads into orbit his third mission, STS-66. steve.garber@hq..gov. safely,” he added. For complete biographical HQ is seeking a slogan for As the first manager of the information on McMonagle, use in activities and Deadline for entries is then-newly formed directorate- Harbaugh, and other astro- programs. If you have an July 31, 1997. The level position of manager, nauts, see the NASA Internet idea that could be NASA’s winner will receive a Extravehicular Activity astronaut biography home 40th anniversary slogan, special illustrated book Projects Office, McMonagle page at: submit it in writing to about space exploration. was responsible for overseeing http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/ Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS July 4, 1997 KSC serves as host to Mission STS-84 SFA honorees Kennedy Space Center was The KSC honorees and host to approximately 250 their guests also traveled to NASA and contractor employ- Houston, Texas, as part of the ees from throughout the space SFA activities. They were agency who were recognized given a two-day tour of for exemplary work in the on May space program at a special 28 and 29, which included Space Flight Awareness (SFA) astronaut-guided walks Honoree Event in May. through the Space Shuttle and The Honoree Award is the space station mockups and highest form of recognition visits to the Boeing Equipment bestowed upon an employee by Processing Facility, NASA’s the NASA Space Flight Aware- new Neutral Buoyancy Labo- ness Program. ratory, the Mission Control Recipients are selected for Center, Ellington Field, and STS-84 CIVIL SERVICE Honorees are, from left, Ray Garrett, Dale Sewell, J. Charles “Buz” Sawyer Jr., Cheryl Hurst, Shirley Bumatay, David Kruhm, John Branard, Helen their professional dedication Space Center Houston. Allen and Helen “Cindy” Coddington. Kenneth W. Mathews is not shown. and outstanding achievement The 10 KSC civil service in support of the human space employees were Helen Allen, Florida Inc.; Paula Shawa and Silver Snoopys flight program. John Branard, Shirley Susan Walsh, Sherikon Space Forty-nine civil service and Bumatay, Helen Coddington, Systems Inc.; Francis Beach, awarded in May contractor employees from Ray Garrett, Cheryl Hurst, Michael Cressy, Brenda KSC were among those hon- David Kruhm, Kenneth Morgan, Nancy Schulte, and Astronaut Kenneth D. ored. The employees and their Mathews, J. Charles Sawyer Vijai Tiwari, McDonnell Cockrell presented the presti- guests attended a reception Jr. and Dale Sewell. Douglas Space and Defense gious Silver Snoopy Award to held in their honor at Port Contractor employees Systems-KSC; Claude “Chip” three United Space Alliance Canaveral, where the honorees honored included Marley Albers, Florida Seal and employees in May. They were were joined by astronauts and Story, The Bionetics Corp.; Rubber Co.; Kathy Johnson Jerry Wojcieszak, Rick Zaintz, top NASA and industry William Muddle, Boeing North Dudley, Precision Fabricating and Lonny Giberson. The officials of the Space Shuttle American Inc., Rocketdyne; & Cleaning Co.; and John Silver Snoopy Award honors and International Space Phillip Koon and Elaine West, Ghaneie, Randy Halcom and persons who contribute to the Station team. Boeing North American Inc., Herbert Muchow, United safety and success of human They also viewed the IMAX Space Systems Division; Guy Technologies, USBI Co. space flight. movie “The Dream is Alive,” Smith, I-NET Inc., and Boyce United Space Alliance took a VIP tour of KSC and Reeves, Lockheed Martin (USA) honorees were James watched the launch of the Space Mission Systems and Adams, John Bailey, Joseph Shuttle Atlantis on May 15. Services. Coughlin, Sherrie Dennison, KSC honorees and their Also, Ferrell Ard, Wang David Eadens, Timmy Griffith, guests then were taken to Federal Inc.; Michael Garten, Katherine Laufenberg, Rich- KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facil- Wiltech Corp; Ronald Feile, ard Louizos, Steven Murphy, ity to watch the landing of Suzanne Larson, Joseph Paula Partlow, Clifford Pitts, Atlantis at the conclusion of Prann, Robert Trujillo and Edward Preciado, Dayton the STS-84 mission on May 24. William Woodward, EG&G Reedy and Lisa Sullivan.

Fellowship recipient announced STS-85 crew conducts CEIT NASA recently announced in Tallahassee. CREW MEMBERS for the STS-85 mission conduct the recipients of the 1997-98 The fellowship program is the Crew Equipment Administrator’s Fellowship designed to enhance the Interface Test (CEIT) in Program, and KSC Chief of the professional development of June in the Orbiter Logistics Services Branch mid-career science, mathemat- Processing Facility Bay 2. Mission Specialists James Brown has been hon- ics, and faculty at and ored as one of the nine recipi- Historically Black Colleges ents this year. and Universities, Hispanic- (foreground) perform a Brown will spend the Serving Institutions, and sharp-edge inspection in Discovery’s cargo bay. academic year teaching and Tribal Colleges. STS-85 is scheduled to conducting research in the It also helps universities launch Aug. 7 on a Department of Industrial become better qualified to science research mission. Engineering at Florida A&M assist NASA in research. July 4, 1997 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 5 KSC’s new executive team looks to the future at press meeting

Kennedy Space Center “Reusable launch vehicles noted. “By looking ahead, the day basis to routinely operate executives are preparing for such as the X-34, liquid fly- Kennedy Space Center will be a reusable launch vehicle. The the future by determining the back boosters for the Space better able to leverage our intent is to identify those basic most effective use of the Shuttle, and future Mars ‘Center of Excellence’ capabili- things that probably are going center’s expertise and facili- missions are just some of the ties,” he added. to play into a reusable system ties in an increasingly com- projects in which KSC can play “Our customers tell us that in the future and enhance our plex aerospace market. a significant role,” Bridges they value our knowledge of ability to deal with those, both That was the message said. flight hardware — how to people-wise and facility-wise, Center Director Roy D. “There is some very intense process it, integrate it, test it, so that as a potential reusable Bridges Jr. and his newly economic competition going on and launch it — more than launch vehicle comes along, we appointed top management out there globally, and we anything else,” Bridges said. have the people, knowledge, team gave to media represen- intend to be a substantive “We’re going to try to insert and background to deal with tatives at a briefing June 18. player,” Morgan added. “As that knowledge as early as them.” Bridges introduced the part of our planning process, possible in the design process Jennings affirmed the members of his new top team: we’re trying to lay out some 25- through partnerships with importance of the knowledge Deputy Director of Launch year goals and how we will NASA centers and our custom- and experience of the KSC and Payload Processing Loren evolve from where we are ers.” team. “Our people are respon- Shriver, Deputy Director for today.” When asked why KSC is sible for making it all happen,” Business Operations James Bridges said that planning such an attractive facility for he said. “It’s important to Jennings, and Associate well for the future means some of these endeavors, focus on business processes Director for Advanced Devel- making wise choices today. Shriver noted that “there is a and human resources if we are opment and Shuttle Upgrades Most future initiatives are still lot of knowledge here about to be able to meet the chal- JoAnn Morgan. in the early planning stages, he the things it takes on a day-to- lenges of the future.” Study contracts awarded for fly-back rocket booster NASA has awarded liquid fly-back boosters would look somewhat similar loiter in a holding pattern in $1 million contracts each to (LFBBs). The studies are to the currently used solid flight above the Shuttle Lockheed Martin’s Manned scheduled to be delivered to rocket boosters, at least to Landing Facility (SLF) in the Space Systems Division, New NASA later this year. Marshall casual observers on the event of inclement weather. Orleans, La., and the Boeing is meanwhile conducting its ground. “The increase in perfor- Company’s Space Systems own independent assessment After separation from the mance capability of the new Division, Downey, Calif., to as well. Shuttle, however, onlookers booster system would be study a possible future “There can be significant would see the boosters fly considerable,” said KSC Shuttle upgrade in which its advantages in using LFBBs,” back to Kennedy Space Center. Process Engineering Branch rocket boosters would fly back said Izquierdo. “Potential They may even see the LFBBs Chief Philip Weber. “We’re to the launch site, rather than savings of $500 million a year planning for the new system to drop into the ocean for recov- is one of several benefits. be more tolerant of engine ery. “Others include significantly failure and less likely to The study effort, led by reducing processing time — require mission aborts. One of Marshall Space Flight Center, possibly allowing for more the design requirements, in is part of a continuing pro- launches per year — as well as fact, is that the crew be able to gram to upgrade the current eliminating hazardous opera- shut one booster engine down Shuttle fleet — providing tions currently performed in during launch if necessary and improved operability, en- the Vehicle Assembly Build- still continue.” hanced performance, addi- ing,” he added. “Fly-back A new LFBB system also tional safety and reduced booster fueling operations, for would include throttling costs. example, would occur on the capability of the boosters, The KSC part of this study launch pad, much in the same eliminating the current is managed by Advanced way that the Shuttle’s external throttling on the Space Shuttle Development and Shuttle tank is loaded today. Main Engines (SSMEs). Upgrades, headed by JoAnn “The new LFBB has been “Throttling capability also Morgan, with Chief Engineer baselined with liquid oxygen provides extra safety and Hugo Delgado. KSC Project and RP-1 propellant engines, of performance margins,” noted Manager Frank Izquierdo and which several types are cur- Weber. “For example, the staff from several organiza- rently in production,” Izquierdo LFBB will give the Shuttle tions are contributing to the continued. “Both U.S. and additional throttling capability effort. international designs are BOEING’s initial conceptual view of liquid if one booster or orbiter main Marshall is asking each under consideration.” fly-back boosters to assist in future Shuttle engine shuts down at liftoff or launches is shown here rolling out of the contractor for an in-depth The upgraded boosters, as Vehicle Assembly Building. Boeing has concept definition on the they appear in current studies, several concepts under consideration. (See LFBB, Page 7) Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS July 4, 1997 KSC/university partnerships develop new programs Kennedy Space Center $800,000 grant through the and small-business owners to science, mathematics and recently has initiated new EO Office. solve technical problems technology. partnerships and programs The program at Bethune- through TOP. Also, Florida The Partnership Awards with Florida colleges and Cookman and Edward Waters Memorial participants will are a part of a NASA-wide universities. NASA provides Colleges is to provide students work with companies at the effort involving 65 awards to about $24 million in research and faculty exposure to high- Incubation Center to assist 39 minority institutions. and education funding to technology small businesses. and learn about small busi- NASA/ Florida Board of Florida’s universities each The effort will involve the nesses. A two-week summer Regents Interagency Agree- year, according to KSC Univer- schools in technology transfer program for university faculty ment — KSC Deputy Director sity Programs Manager Gregg programs established by NASA will kick off a partnership with for Business Operations James Buckingham. and the state’s Technological training and briefings on the Jennings signed an agreement NASA Minority Partner- Research and Development programs of the Technology with the Board of Regents for ship Awards — KSC will Authority (TRDA). These Transfer and Commercializa- the State University System of partner with four Florida programs include the commer- tion Office at KSC. Florida to formalize how KSC higher education minority cialization of NASA technolo- T wo other KSC EO Office will work with Florida institu- institutions as part of a gies, assistance for companies grants will also be awarded to tions to identify areas in which program initiated by the KSC seeking NASA Small Business FIU. One is for the Applied universities could help NASA. Equal Opportunity (EO) Innovative Research Grants Research in Industrial and The agreement will help Program Office. The partner- (SBIRs), the Florida/NASA Systems Engineering (ARISE) KSC find the best university ship, led by Bethune-Cookman Business Incubation Center in Center, designed to increase that can assist with certain College of Daytona Beach, Titusville and the Technology the number of minority stu- types of research. It will also includes Edward Waters Outreach Program (TOP). dents pursuing math, science facilitate use of KSC laborato- College in Jacksonville and Florida Memorial College or engineering degrees. ries by faculty and students Florida Memorial College and and Florida International The other is for project for research and education and Florida International Univer- University students and VISION, which focuses on establish a communications sity in Miami. The agreement faculty will work with NASA increasing the participation of program to discuss areas of is made possible by an representatives, engineers, middle school students in mutual cooperation. KSC Technology Outreach Program reaches new level of success What if you had a great new program began in 1995,” said promote the program. ■ A Lakeland company was product that would signifi- Chuck Griffin, TOP manager One of the eight companies, able to reduce the failure rate cantly reduce energy costs, but for the KSC Technology Space Energy Timesaving of strobe lights during produc- it wasn’t working quite right? Programs and Commercializa- Systems of Miami, developed a tion through an analysis T o help with such prob- tion Office. tankless water heater to provided by a KSC engineer. lems, companies in Florida The TOP program is a reduce the energy needed for ■ A NASA-coordinated have been turning to KSC’s cooperative venture between hot showers. However, the effort led to testing of a Technology Outreach Program KSC and the State of Florida’s company had a problem with a Sarasota firm’s sunlight and (TOP) to enlist the aid of Technological Research and flow switch, which kept the heat barrier for in and around NASA engineers and re- Development Authority unit from operating properly. windows that proved to be an sources. (TRDA) designed to transfer “At first I really didn’ t excellent source of heat reduc- “Nearly 750 Florida firms space program technology to understand what NASA could tion in Florida buildings. have asked for assistance industry and to assist compa- do for us,” said company “W ithout your partnership, through Technology Transfer nies with technical problems. president Carlos Cabrera, “but the TOP program would not be Agreements (TTAs) since the KSC workers voluntarily not only did NASA solve our able to achieve this kind of involved with TOP are as- problem, they saved us some success,” Gail Allen, director of signed as project engineers to money in the process.” the KSC Technology Programs research problems and make When Cabrera’ s company and Commercialization Office, recommendations. implemented the recom- told the workshop participants. Eight company success mended new design, the firm KSC Center Director Roy stories were showcased at the was able to manufacture the Bridges Jr. also addressed the third annual NASA-KSC/State water heater at a reduced cost audience at the workshop. of Florida Outreach Program and increase sales and profits. “Thank you for being here Workshop held June 18-19 at Some of the other TOP to help figure out how you can the Center for Space Educa- success stories included: make the economy of these tion. The audience was made ■ A Cape Canaveral firm great United States strong so up of more than 50 represen- received NASA’s help in that we can continue to go tatives of economic develop- developing a new energy- forward and make life better CENTER DIRECTOR Roy D. Bridges Jr. ment organizations from every saving natural gas-fueled for not only our generation but addresses participants at the third annual NASA-KSC/State of Florida Outreach part of the state that work power source for home heating for future generations as well,” Program Workshop on June 18. with KSC and the TRDA to and air-conditioning systems. Bridges said. July 4, 1997 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 7

“This new system could boosters of the Shuttle system. LFBB . . . potentially eliminate the need “By substituting an alter- (continued from Page 5) for Return to Launch Site nate core vehicle for the abort scenarios,” added Weber. orbiter and external tank, during ascent and still con- The proposals should more growth options are tinue the mission.” provide data and configuration available,” said Weber. “This In an LFBB launch, the studies for the booster and its could include carrying more system separates from the engine, focusing on the LFBB payload into high-inclination orbiter and external tank at concept. This includes analysis orbit or functioning as a first- an altitude of approximately and evaluation, model fabrica- stage rocket for lunar or Mars 198,000 feet (about 40 seconds tion, and wind tunnel testing. missions.” later than current SRBs) and KSC activities currently under After receipt of the studies, coasts for about nine minutes. way focus on vehicle engineer- NASA will decide whether to The LFBBs then follow a ing involvement in design, proceed with a preliminary descent trajectory to about safety and mission assurance design phase that could begin LOCKHEED MARTIN’S concept of liquid 25,000 to 30,000 feet, when jet assessments, flow planning, in early 1998. If LFBB pro- fly-back boosters shows winged boosters as they might appear in the future. This is engines start and the com- and the overall effect on KSC. ceeds to development, a first one of several concepts under puter-controlled system flies If implemented, the LFBBs flight could occur early in the consideration. back to the SLF. would become the first-stage new millennium.

Print Shop reborn as better, faster Duplicating Facility Gone are the bulky offset scanners to convert hard copy presses and platemaking documents to electronic equipment from the KSC Print format. Shop, located in the Headquar- The new equipment can ters Building. Sleek electronic print at a higher rate and the publishers have taken their product quality is much place and, in the process, improved, noted Dave Sever- eliminated the need for the ance, project manager, Infor- hazardous chemicals that the mation Services, Sherikon old system required. Space Systems, the subcon- “All hazardous wastes have tractor that operates the been eliminated,” said KSC facility for Base Operations Printing Officer Ted Courson. Contractor EG&G Florida. “Where the old system re- Customers now have two quired multiple processes to options for submitting a print a document, the new printing request. If they are digital method is a stream- online, the document can be lined, one- or two-step pro- sent electronically to a speci- cess.” fied directory or subdirectory RIBBON CUTTING for the new Duplicating Facility was attended by (from left) Ted Other advantages include on a file server, assigned by Courson, KSC printing officer; Marvin Jones, NASA director of Installation Operations; the need for fewer staff to the KSC Duplicating Center, Skip Olson, VP and general manager of Sherikon Space Systems; Dan Hilburn, supervisor, Sherikon Space Systems; Bob Haas, associate general manager, Installation operate the equipment and also in Headquarters. Services, EG&G Florida.; and Larry Hall, division manager, Sherikon Space Systems. freeing up office space. About The customer then contacts 2,300 square feet of space is the Work Control Center — image can be networked to of documents, the multi- now available for other use. the work order desk that has multiple publishers for simul- volume S0007 launch count- On June 17, a ribbon always supported the print taneous printing.” down manual, is going elec- cutting was held for the shop — to complete the work Hard copy documents can be tronic. Four of five volumes improved facility. Now called order, specifying the number submitted for reproduction as are now sent electronically to the Duplicating Facility, the of copies needed, distribution they always have by taking the Duplicating Facility. shop also underwent a much requirements, and providing the document to the Work Best of all, the new facility needed renovation, the first a reproduction credit card Control Center and completing is less expensive to operate. since it was created in 1965. charge number. a request form. Fiscal Year 1997 savings are Carpeting, better lighting, and “This equipment offers If the document has been estimated at about $224,000, a good cleaning have yielded increased flexibility to turn prepared by the Sherikon and out-year cost avoidance at improved working conditions. around large jobs in a short Graphics Department on the about $240,000 per year. Three electronic publishers time,” Courson observed. second floor of Headquarters, “This new facility puts KSC and one multicolor printer “Once a document is scanned staff members will handle the on the leading edge of technol- have replaced 22 pieces of into the system or electroni- transfer to the Duplicating ogy and sets the standard for equipment. The three Xerox cally transferred to the print Facility. duplicating centers within DocuTech 6135s include file server, the electronic Even that most gargantuan NASA,” Courson summed up. Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS July 4, 1997 Cassini spacecraft stacking under way Stacking of the elements of the Cassini spacecraft is under way in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) in KSC’s Industrial Area. The process began with positioning the first element, the lower equipment module, atop a work stand June 27. Additional elements were to be added sequentially, includ- RUNWAY CENTERLINE TEAM members were honored recently for their work designing ing the propulsion module to the new runway centerline light system. be used for trajectory changes en route and orbit insertion at Citation given to KSC Saturn. Also to be added were the Remote Sensing Pallet Runway Centerline Team containing cameras and remote sensing equipment, In recognition of exceptional more than 1/8th of an inch followed by the final element, CASSINI propulsion module is lowered atop the lower equipment module. teamwork in designing, height above surface standard, the Huygens probe, no earlier installing and testing the while staff at Langley Re- than July 23. mance following liftoff, and the Shuttle Landing Facility new search Center in Virginia did Other related activities launch dress rehearsal on runway centerline light load-to-failure testing on the include thermal blanket Aug. 12. system ahead of schedule and light. installation and fit checks of Liftoff of the two-story below budget, the Runway After receiving approval the radioisotope thermoelectric Cassini spacecraft is still Centerline Team was pre- from NASA Headquarters, generators (RTGs), and targeted for this October, sented with a citation by KSC was then assigned installation of a Titan launch kicking off a seven-year Installation Operations responsibility for design and vehicle adapter and a thermal journey that will include four Director Marvin Jones and installation of the centerline skirt. fly-bys total of Venus, Earth astronaut Pam Melroy on lights. Two upcoming milestones and Jupiter to accelerate May 29 at Kennedy Space KSC Base Operations include the Flight Events Cassini to the needed speed to Center. Contractor EG&G Florida Demonstration test on July 18, reach Saturn by June 2004 for The team was formed after proceeded with an engineering to verify spacecraft perfor- planetary exploration. the chief of the Astronaut design and selected subcon- Office determined difficulty tractor Advanced Electrical perceiving the exact position of Installations Inc. (AEI) to In Memoriam install the system. AEI com- the runway centerline during Memorial services were held heart surgery. Also, services were night landings. pleted installation ahead of June 24 for aerospace techno- held June 23 for Daniel Disston, Teams at various centers schedule and the pilot of STS- logist Lynn Barnett, who worked in NASA computer specialist, formed to brainstorm and 82 flew the Shuttle Training Launch and Flight Operations of the Independent Assessment and Project for familiarity with Process and Analysis Branch in the Office, Safety and Mission Assurance resolve the problem. Team Shuttle Processing Directorate. Directorate. At the time of printing, the members at Johnson Space the system and to recommend Barnett died of complications after cause of death was unknown. Center coordinated all team light intensity settings. meetings and handled After the STS-82 mission, intercenter assignments. crew members said that the Kennedy Space Center team new system makes orbiter members confirmed that the approach, landing, and espe- John F. Kennedy Space Center light could be installed to no cially rollout easier and safer. Spaceport News Updated first aid manual available this month The Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space July’s Health Association basic Center and is published on alternate Fridays by the Public Affairs Office Education and life support guide- in the interest of KSC civil service and contractor employees. Wellness Program lines. Contributions are welcome and should be submitted two weeks be- fore publication to the Media Services Branch, PA-MSB or sent via e-mail focuses on First Aid The manuals are to the following SMTP: [email protected] and how you can available during Managing editor...... Bruce Buckingham help in the event of the month of July Editor...... Paula Shawa an emergency. The at all three medical Editorial support provided by Sherikon Space Systems Inc. writers group. KSC First Aid Manual has facilities and upon request Photographic support provided primarily by The Bionetics Corp. and Photographer George Shelton, also of Bionetics. been updated and revised from Carol Roth at 867-2026 with new American Heart (mail code: BOC-005). USGPO: 532-112/20050