INSIDE . . . WISE keeping KSCVC earns top business honor its cool before infrared mission By Linda Herridge Spaceport News WORD ON THE STREET With WISE being the latest ASA’s Wide-field addition to NASA’s Infrared Survey acronym dictionary, what Page 2 Explorer, or WISE, is your favorite N NASA acronym? Physicist named kept its cool as it waited to Kennedy’s best launch into space aboard a Page 8 Delta II rocket from Space Launch Complex-2 at Van- Piloto said. “A driving denberg Air Force Base in requirement for infrared California. spacecraft is that the Unlike any other telescope must be cooler spacecraft processed than the objects it will by the agency’s Launch observe in space.” Services Program, or LSP, The science payload at , was built by the Space Dynamics Laboratory preparing WISE for its Page 3 in Logan, Utah, and launch presented some the spacecraft was built chilly challenges. ‘Moon Trees’ by Ball Aerospace and Before WISE was continue to grow Technologies Corp. in mated to the payload Boulder, Colo. fairing, engineers and Dr. Fengchuan Liu is technicians encased the the WISE deputy project telescope’s sensitive manager at NASA’s Jet instrument in super- Propulsion Laboratory cold solid hydrogen at in Pasadena, Calif. Liu the Astrotech payload explained that infrared processing facility at light, which humans can’t Vandenberg. see, has longer wavelengths Armando Piloto, the Page 6 and is good for seeing WISE mission manager in Heritage: 2009 the Flight Projects Office See WISE, Page 3 in pictures of LSP, said the group has been working on the mission since 2003, with a Launch info significant amount of work and trade studies completed As of presstime, the launch of NASA’s Wide-field Infrared in order to find a good Survey Explorer aboard a launch vehicle solution for Delta II was scheduled for the spacecraft. Dec. 11. The launch window “The team completed was from 9:09 to 9:23 a.m. EST. For complete coverage and a great deal of excellent photos, go to: NASA Page 7 work to get to this point www..gov/wise NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer wrapped in the outer nose cone, or in the processing flow,” fairing, that will protect it during its launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS Dec. 11, 2009 Cabana reaches students through Digital Learning Network

By Linda Herridge Spaceport News More online hen students can’t par- For more about Kennedy’s Digital ticipate in educational Learning Network, go to: Wevents in person at Ken- http://dln.nasa.gov/dln. nedy, the center broadcasts to them live by way of the Digital Learning Network, or DLN. It is an agencywide education pro- Dressed in his blue gram that uses content from all 10 jacket, Center Director Bob Ca- NASA centers. bana, a first-time DLN guest, spoke The DLN mission is to inspire, to 200 students Dec. 8. engage and educate students and “It was fun talking to the teachers, connecting them with students,” Cabana said. “If we can’t NASA scientists, engineers and do it in person, then the DLN is the education specialists through next best way to reach them.” interactive technology, including During the hour-long interac- tion, Cabana answered questions videoconferencing and Webcast- about his education and career, ing. DLN focuses on four mission launching and flying a space NASA/Jack Pfaller directorates: Aeronautics Research, shuttle, eating space food, wearing Center Director Bob Cabana addresses 200 students around the country during a Digital Learning Exploration Systems, Science, and a spacesuit and adjusting to weight- Network event Dec. 8 at the Educator Resource Center. Space Operations. lessness in space. Cabana told the students it’s and serves as presenter and modera- According to Cheryl Johnson, He spoke to students and their important to have goals and work tor during DLN events. NASA DLN project specialist, the teachers from Conyers Middle hard in school. When asked about “It’s so important to reach stu- goal was to make a network of School in Conyers, Ga.; Farnsworth valuable lessons he’s learned during dents across the country who can’t NASA centers with the capabilities Aerospace Magnet School in St. his career he said, “Always do your travel to Kennedy,” Talley said. and resources to promote high- Paul, Minn.; Vintage Math Sci- best, be kind and considerate of “Since its start at Kennedy in 2005, quality, interactive and educational ence Technology Magnet School other people and have integrity.” DLN has reached 38,413 students programs for teachers and students. in North Hills, Calif.; and students DLN Coordinator Damon Tal- in K-12.” “All of the modules adhere to from the middle school he attended, ley, with Oklahoma State Univer- NASA’s DLN was formed in the Education National Standards,” Folwell Middle School, in Min- sity, is responsible for the develop- 2003 and the program is funded Johnson said. “The America’s neapolis, Minn., during the “Amer- ment, delivery and production of all in part by the agency’s NASA Spaceport module is the second ica’s Spaceport: John F. Kennedy live interactive videoconferences Explorer Schools program and the most popular and requested module Space Center” DLN module. for the center’s Education Division, in . throughout the nation.”

Delaware North, visitor complex earn top business honor

s the world cel- Cocoa, Fla., on Nov. 19. efforts, improving small The Volunteer Recogni- ebrates a new year, The complex’s Chief businesses and green initia- tion Awards were created to Athe operators of Operating Officer Bill tives. Also noted was the acknowledge the countless the Kennedy Space Center Moore accepted the award leadership example set by hours and endless contri- Visitor Complex will look on behalf of the company Delaware North’s senior butions that individuals, to build upon a successful and fellow employees. managers, who are involved businesses and organiza- 2009. “Delaware North’s in a wide variety of charita- tions make to the local com- Delaware North Com- managers and associates ble organizations, including munity every day. Brevard panies Parks and Resorts at the Visitor Complex the Make-A-Wish Founda- County’s local United Way division was recognized are strongly committed to tion and the American Red submitted the complex’s as Business of the Year at improving the community Cross. nomination for its continued the 18th annual Florida and making Kennedy Space Additionally, this year’s support, including a contri- Today Volunteer Recog- Center a must-see attraction Salute to Brevard Residents bution of $42,000 in 2008. nition Awards ceremony. for visitors,” said Moore. “I weekend successfully col- Moore said, “We know Local business and com- am very proud of what they lected more than 16 tons of these are tough times and munity leaders, volunteers, do and how much they do.” food for the local commu- not everyone is as fortunate NASA and Kennedy Director Bob During the ceremony, nity. as we are, working in an Kennedy Space Center Visitor Com- Cabana gathered to honor the complex was recognized “There’s so much need extraordinary place like plex Chief Operating Officer Bill Moore is all smiles as he holds the trophy for the complex at Brevard for its dedication to com- in this community,” Moore Kennedy. So we are eager to winning Business of the Year. Community College in munity service, education said. “It’s very humbling.” give something back.” Dec. 11, 2009 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 Physicist earns title as Kennedy’s best in 2009 By Steven Siceloff Scientist of the Year award. Spaceport News It’s a far different career outcome than Youngquist expected. ob Youngquist rarely is Youngquist earned two happier than when he’s solv- bachelor’s degrees in math and Bing problems for the space physics and then turned to applied program. physics for his master’s degree. As someone might expect, He followed that with a doctorate the launch business offers plenty in applied physics from Stanford of unusual opportunities for University in California. Youngquist and NASA Kennedy “I was planning on being a Space Center’s Applied Physics professor,” the physicist said. “I had Laboratory, which he leads. never considered aerospace.” A day can bring in a request to Working at University College find a better way to dry a shuttle’s London in England was wearing heat shield tile, a need to improve Youngquist out, though, and he an existing hydrogen fire detector came back to the United States. or a chance to predict the outcome Youngquist had lived in Florida if a solid rocket booster accidentally since he was seven, having moved ignited inside the Vehicle Assembly down from New York, so the Building. Space Coast was a natural home “I come into work every day base for him. He took a post with a expecting to think and hoping to contractor in 1988, then moved to a solve something,” Youngquist said. NASA position in 1999. “Anytime where you can come to With a specialty in fiber optics work and it’s a different duty . . . just as the field was burgeoning, I don’t see how you could have a Youngquist earned nine patents. His better job than that.” work at Kennedy would earn nine His enthusiasm and the more. solutions developed by him and the Throughout the 1990s, almost NASA/Glenn Benson lab earned the 20-year Kennedy all the work the lab did was focused Bob Youngquist, who wanted to be a college professor before finding his niche in the aerospace indus- veteran the center’s first Engineer/ on the Program. It try, has earned 18 patents, nine of which while working at NASA. Youngquist was given Kennedy’s first Engineer/Scientist of the Year award at a ceremony Dec. 1. often dealt with ground support equipment, launch needs and Editor’s note doesn’t know what to expect. doesn’t have to research and solve inventions to help analyze shuttle Depending on the problem, a each problem himself. Tracy Gibson with ASRC components after a mission. solution can be as simple as “It’s a very diverse lab and we Aerospace Corp. also received The current decade has seen suggesting a new way to do get involved with a large number of the Engineer/Scientist of the Year a shift as the engineers turn their something, or it might require an activities,” he said. attention to the needs of the award for exceptional technical invention. The award also is a recognition . They also “There have been so many excellence and leadership in the of Youngquist’s work with students development of ground and surface work with the Launch Services unique days out here,” he said. “I and engineers working toward systems technologies supporting Program on the expendable rockets spent a Sunday afternoon at the top higher degrees. the NASA Space Operations and that loft scientific and observation of the fixed service structure with Exploration Missions. spacecraft for the agency. These acoustic equipment measuring the When engineering and math Look for a feature about Gib- days, shuttle program work pressure waves as they set cannons students visit the lab, Youngquist son in the next issue of Spaceport accounts for 40 percent of the lab’s off to scare away birds.” said “in almost every case these News on Jan. 8, 2010. manifest. With seven other NASA students unanimously agree that this Still, Youngquist said he engineers in the lab, Youngquist is where they would like to work.”

observe. Asteroids, cool Earth over the north and Liu said WISE will pointing them to the most From WISE, Page 1 dim stars, dusty galaxies south poles and map the uncover objects never interesting targets. objects that are cold, dusty and other objects that might entire sky at four infrared seen before, including the Liu said, “It will and older. otherwise be hidden from wavelengths with sensitivity coolest stars, the universe’s help answer fundamental Liu said the WISE optical telescopes, such hundreds of times greater most luminous galaxies and questions about the telescope and its detectors as NASA’s Hubble Space than its predecessors. It will some of the darkest near- origins of planets, stars need to be kept very cold so Telescope, can range in scan the entire sky one-and- Earth asteroids and comets. and galaxies, and provide there is no other heat source temperature from minus a-half times in nine months The data WISE collects a mountain of data for that could interfere with 330 to 1,300 degrees F. in search of hidden cosmic will serve as navigation astronomers to investigate the glow of objects it will WISE will circle the objects. charts for other missions, for decades to come.” Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS Dec. 11, 2009 Dec. 11, 2009 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 5 Scenes Around Kennedy Space Center

2009 Kennedy Awards This award is intended to recognize contributions made by NASA employees, individual citizens, contractors or public organizations to Kennedy endeavors. NASA James Lunceford Tyrece Lewis Jane Jollay Pamela Adams Kristen Luther Wayne Watkins Amy Misakonis Stephen Anthony Bonni McClure Danny Reilly Arun Arora Sudhir Mehta The Boeing Company Eddy Solon Jon Arrington Gisela Meinert William Bahr William Atkinson Ramon Mejias Jeffery Boykin Millennium Lawrence Batterson Sonia Miller Michael Dahm Engineering Inc. Joseph Bell Chad Moeller Robert Humeniuk Donald Clarkson Kent Beringer Robert Morrison Mia Little Richard Garzaro Deborah Bitner James Nelson Joseph Ross Megan Jaunich Dale Breidenbach John Newport Allen Saad Philip Johnson Richard Bukac Christian O’Conner Daniel Victor Tammy Burlein Kevin Panik David Burris Bartholomew Pannullo Astronautics Dynamac Corp. Jose Camacho Derek Petrek Albert Hale Lorretta Filiault Matthew Carroll Roger Pierce Nishelby King Troy Cochran Joseph Roeder ASRC Aerospace Emilio Cruz Patricia Ross Corp. Analex Corp. Frances Cunningham Jessica Scheffman Tracy Sweet Elliott Hulscher Gustavo Diaz Lashanda Slaiman Stephen Jefferson Tyrone Frey Lowell Spaulding Abacus Technology John Jones Michael Gardner Phillip Swihart Corp. Denton Gibson Mary Taiclet Richard Beard Latife Kuguoglu Janet Gobaira Derrick Thomas David Loiselle Jimmy Gonzalez Liliana Villarreal REDE/Critique JV Matthew Olenick Cindy Gooden Eugene Walker Wendella Collamore Christopher Rhodes Brian Graf Skip Williams Rene Lull Teresa Sauter Megan Grande Donald Wilson Tori McLendon Ben Smegelsky NASA John Graves Laura Sharp Fifteen space shuttle work force employees and their loved ones take a photo from the Operations and Support Building II’s fifth floor after a Flow Director Award ceremony on Oct. 30. Each award recipi- James Herndon United Space Alliance Annesly Wood Mantech SRS ent was given a certificate and a keepsake shuttle clock for their outstanding dedication and commitment to NASA’s . The awards recognize shuttle employees who consistently go Donald Johnson Keith Braun International above and beyond their normal duties, often working extended hours, weekends and even holidays. Lori Jones Russell Brucker Science Applications Joseph LeBlanc NASA/Jack Pfaller Justin Junod Jacklyn Duff International Corp. Behind the Vehicle Assembly Building, a crane lowers a fifth tower segment onto four segments already Robert Kuczajda Ralph Esposito George Caruso Innovative Health secured to a new mobile launcher, or ML, being constructed to support NASA’s Constellation Program. When Roger Liang Paul Hudson Sherri Craig Applications completed with five additional segments, the tower will be about 345 feet tall and will have multiple platforms for Jeannette Lockman Brian Johnson Harold Donald Jeanine Meister personnel access. 40 Years of Service Kevin Herrington Yamil Nieves-Martinez Brian Klein William Franklin Robert Hubbard Timothy Patton Francis Kline NASA Employees of the Month: December Ken Mulla Edward Puls Linda Shaykhian Secretarial Tim Pirlo Martin Rosman Excellence Award Jennifer Sizemore Danny Russ Executive Safety Joette Feeney Bill Sloan Jeffrey Saylor Forum Awards Iris Zimmerman Mark Sorger Harry Moore Engineer/Scientist Carla Stodgel-Wright Karen Thompson Of The Year Award Environmental Matthew Taylor Dennis Yee Robert Youngquist Team Award Bruce Terwilliger Tracy Gibson Raymond Arieux Robin Turner Small Business Prime Lawrence Church David Ungar Contractor of the Year Best Of The Best Brice Crossley Steven Weaver Abacus Technology Tom Tinsler Kenneth Culberson Matthew Zbin John Jones Judith Donall Corp. Steven Davis Alberto Esperon Environmental Robert Straney Sharon Farrar Individual Award Small Business Sub- Christopher MacFarlane Garry Broughton contractor of the Year NASA/Tony Gray Group Achievement Ronald Funk Eric Jespersen Creative Management Employees of the month for December are, from left: Kathleen Poole, Chief Financial Office; Employee of the NASA/Kim Shiflett Award Philip Green Technology Inc. Quarter Cheryl Johnson, Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate; Jacob Rogers, Information Technology Civil service and contractor employees enjoy refreshments and other goodies at the Steven Bliss Billy Hazelett You Make A and Communications Services; James Behling, ; Harry Batey, Chief Counsel; and NASA/Jim Grossmann 30th annual KSC Holiday Coffee on Dec. 2 and 3 in the Operations and Checkout Building’s Laurie Brown Margaret Heimlich Difference Awards Large Business Prime Maggie Forbes, Center Operations. Not pictured are, Juan Gordon, Constellation Project Office; Ellen Arens, Co-op Corrie Lamkin presents her semester project Dec. 3 in the Kennedy Learning Institute. Lamkin Mission Briefing Room and in the Operations and Support Building II’s fifth floor conference Chris Carlson Charles Kincaid Nicole Delvesco Contractor of the Year Engineering Directorate; Shaun Green, Engineering Directorate; Jeremy Graeber, Launch Vehicle Processing was among the students who explained processes, procedures and information they learned during the room. Workers also had the to take a photo with the KSC Visitor Complex’s Ann Heimlich Christina MacDonald Leonard Duncil Analex Corp. Directorate; and Gabriel Vazquez Ramos, Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate. past couple of months while working at Kennedy. Spaceperson. Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS Dec. 11, 2009 ‘Moon Trees’ flourish around world By Elaine M. Marconi his personal travel kit. Roosa and the United States and throughout the Spaceport News his seeds orbited the moon 34 times world. Many were planted as part while stationed in the command of the nation’s bicentennial celebra- nything having to do with module “Kitty Hawk.” tion in 1976 and grow at national the moon remains an unfold- Scientists were curious to know landmarks, such as the White House, Aing mystery. And “Moon if the seeds, after their journey into Independence Square in Philadel- Trees” are part of that lunar mys- the microgravity of space, would phia, state capitols and university tique. sprout and look the same as Earth- campuses. Are there actually trees on the grown trees. In the early 70s there There also was a “Moon Tree moon? No . . . but tree seeds flown were very few experiments done in 1976” planting ceremony at Kenne- into space by NASA astronaut Stuart space. dy Space Center during the center’s Roosa on the 14 mission in Unfortunately, after returning Bicentennial Expo on Science and 1971, now grow strong and tall out to Earth the seed canister burst open Technology. That tree still thrives at of the Earth’s soil. during the decontamination process the center. It all began after Roosa was and all the different species of seeds, Second-generation trees, called selected to pilot the com- not only were mixed together, but “half-moon” trees, have been planted mand module. As a former smoke thought to be no longer useful and from seeds or cuttings from an jumper with the U.S. Forest Service, able to germinate. original Moon Tree and are thriving he was contacted by then chief of the After being shipped to the For- as well. Forest Service, Ed Cliff, and asked est Service labs, it was found that Roosa passed away in Decem- if he would be willing to take tree most of the seeds did survive and ul- ber of 1994, but the Moon Trees seeds into space. timately were planted. After 20 years continue to flourish -- a tribute to our As his way of paying tribute of growing side-by-side with their first visits to the moon and a memo- to the Forest Service, Roosa agreed Earth-bound equivalent as controls, rial to Roosa. and packed hundreds of seeds from no one could tell the difference. A moon sycamore graces Courtesy of Daniel Gruenbaum, Delaware North Corp. redwood, loblolly pine, sycamore, The seedlings, now known as Roosa’s grave at Arlington National The “Moon Tree” planted at the Kennedy Space Douglas fir and sweet gum trees into Moon Trees, were planted across Cemetery in . Center Visitor Complex courtyard is a sycamore.

Pentrack will be missed by co-workers, friends By Linda Herridge torate’s management representative Spaceport News In Remembrance to the Columbia recovery efforts, ennedy Space Center reconstruction, Columbia Accident co-workers and friends re- ate through 1996. He transitioned to Investigation Board and the Return member Thomas Pentrack the Space Station Hardware Integra- to Flight effort. K tion Office as an operations engineer as someone who cared about others In 2005, he accepted a remote in 1996 and was responsible for more than himself. Pentrack, 45, assignment at NASA Headquarters overseeing assembly operations, who was the deputy director of the to represent the center on the Explo- testing, acceptance and delivery of Space Station and Spacecraft Pro- ration Systems Mission Directorate the U.S. laboratory “Destiny” at the cessing Directorate, died Nov. 23, Systems Engineering and Integration center. after about a year-long battle with procurement team and source evalu- In 1998, Pentrack became the a rare form of bone cancer. His fu- ation board. Pentrack also served as Multi-Element Integration Testing deputy program manager for launch neral was Nov. 30, at Divine Mercy Branch chief where he led a large vehicles in the Constellation Project Catholic Church on Merritt Island. multicenter, multiagency and mul- Office at NASA Headquarters. Russell Romanella, director of for NASA tinational test team of international the directorate, said he was very for- Thomas Pentrack joined NASA in 1989, and partners and space station program He received NASA’s Excep- worked in many directorates at Kennedy. His last tunate to work with Pentrack day in engineers. tional Achievement Medal in 2003 and day out for many years and that assignment was deputy director of the Space for his outstanding leadership in the Station and Spacecraft Proccessing Directorate. Beginning in 2001, he served as his welcoming smile always was a the Integration Engineering Branch Checkout, Assembly and Payload pleasure to see in the morning. and know Tom,” said co-worker chief and was named Engineering Processing Services Source Evalu- “Tom had a way about him. He Tammy Belk, who is the director- Division chief in January 2004. He ation Board and was recognized as was confident, calming, intelligent, ate’s administrative officer. “He’s led a large group of contractor and a Spaceflight Awareness Launch reassuring, and a good listener,” irreplaceable and will always be government engineers who were Honoree in 2004 for his leader- Romanella said. “There are people missed.” responsible for space station flight ship during the Columbia Return to in your life who impact you and Pentrack’s 20-year career with element processing, testing and Flight activities. you’ll never be the same. I will miss NASA began at Kennedy in 1989. preparations for launch. Pentrack is survived by his him terribly.” He held various positions in the After the Columbia accident in wife, Monica, and two children, “It was a privilege to work with Space Shuttle Operations Director- 2003, Pentrack served as the direc- Michael and Lauren. Dec. 11, 2009 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 7 2009 BY THE NUMBERS . . . 30+

NASA/Jack Pfaller This year, about 30 elements passed through Kennedy’s Space Station Processing Facility and Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility. International Space Station elements included the S6 truss and final set of large power-generating solar arrays; the Exposed Section and Exposed Facility for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo module (above); the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo with science and storage racks, and the COLBERT Treadmill; two Express Logistics Carriers with spare parts. Elements for upcoming space station missions include the Tranquility node and Cupola observatory; MPLM Leonardo; MPLM Donatello and Express Logistics Carrier 4; and an Orbital Replacement Unit and Express Logistics Carrier 3. The team also processed hardware and experiments for several science missions, including a new camera, gyroscopes and batteries for NASA’s .

NASA’s Launch Services Program, or LSP, and counting . . . processed and launched seven missions from two U.S. coasts this year. NOAA-N Prime (left) a polar-orbiting weather satellite, kicked off the year 1 46 7 aboard a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base on Feb. 6. The Orbiting Carbon Observatory mission was lost when the payload fairing of its Taurus XL rocket failed to separate during ascent Feb. 24. On March 6, Kepler launched aboard a Delta II from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on a mission to find Earth-sized planets moving around the sun. LSP also launched the U.S. Missile De- NASA/Amanda Diller fense Agency’s STSS-ATRR aboard a Delta II from Kennedy’s scenery changed dramatically this year Vandenberg on May 5. Two moon-bound missions, with the help of 46 active construction projects, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the Lunar ranging from the new Launch Pad 39B lightning Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, took off NASA/Tony Gray-Tom Farrar protection towers (above) for NASA’s Constellation from the Cape on June 18 aboard an Atlas V. LSP NASA’s -X (above) roared off the modified Program and new institutional support facilities to provided advisory support to NASA’s Goddard Launch Pad 39B on Oct. 28 at 11:30 a.m. EDT. hurricane repairs and demolitions. Thirty-two facil- Space Flight Center for the launch of the GOES-O The fast-paced assembly of the 327-foot-tall rocket ity projects reached completion in 2009, and 15 satellite aboard a Delta IV on June 27. Next, LSP began in November 2008, paving the way for new projects broke ground, including the “green” launched two STSS-Demo satellites aboard a rollout less than a year later. The flight test lasted Propellants North Facility. The Life Support Facility Delta II on Sept. 25. As of presstime, the Wide-field about six minutes from launch to splashdown, pro- achieved LEED silver certification from the U.S. Infrared Survey Explorer was scheduled to launch viding an enormous amount of data for developers Green Building Council, and the four others were Dec. 11 aboard a Delta II from Vandenberg, the of NASA’s next-generation spacecraft. in the process of being LEED certified. eighth and final launch for LSP in 2009. 5 2,000+

NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis Shuttle Discovery launched to the International Space Station on March 15, taking with it seven and the final set of large power- generating U.S. solar arrays for the STS-119 mission. Discovery landed at Kennedy’s Shuttle Landing Facility on March 28. Shuttle Atlantis NASA (above, left) and seven astronauts flew to NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope on May 11 for the STS-125 mission, the telescope’s fifth and fi- In 2009, a NASA program managed by Kennedy’s Education nal servicing mission. Atlantis landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California on May 24. Shuttle Endeavour (above, right) and seven STS- Office, Interdisciplinary National Science Program Incorporating 127 astronauts took off toward the orbiting outpost July 15, setting a record for the most humans in space at the same time in the same Research and Education Experience, reached more than 2,000 spacecraft when combined with the station’s crew of six. The 16-day mission ended July 31. On Aug. 28, shuttle Discovery took off again, students nationwide. INSPIRE encourages the nation’s future this time on the STS-128 mission to deliver extra supplies and equipment to the space station, including the COLBERT treadmill. The fifth generation of explorers, from ninth grade through rising college and final shuttle mission of the year was STS-129. Shuttle Atlantis launched to the space station Nov. 16, taking with it six astronauts and freshman, to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering spare parts. Atlantis landed 11 days later, on Nov. 27, at Kennedy, marking the last time a shuttle would transport a station crew member. and mathematics. Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS Dec. 11, 2009

Spaceport News returns in 2010 This is the final issue of Spaceport News in 2009. ON Pick up your next edition on Jan. 8, 2010. WORD THE STREET With WISE being the latest addition to NASA’s acronym Kennedy retail stores offer holiday discounts dictionary, what is your favorite NASA acronym? The NASA Exchange is holding its annual holiday sale as all seasonal items are 25 percent off, while giftware, memorabilia and clothing are 20 percent off. The sale runs through Dec. 24. For more information, contact Sandrine Rouillard at 321-867-1715 or Sandrine. “LOC. Every time I hear it, it reminds me of where we [email protected]. are . . . Launch Operations Center.” The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is offering badged Kennedy and Elaine Liston, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station employees a 30 percent discount on space-themed with Abacus Technology Corp. merchandise now through Dec. 24. Select from thousands of items, such as ornaments, toys, apparel, jewelry, books, mugs, mission merchandise and more, at The Space Shop inside the visitor complex and the gift shop at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. The Space Shop is open until 5:30 p.m. now through Dec. 20, and will be open until “RFD (Requirements Formulation Document). Because it 6 p.m. Dec. 21-24. The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame is open until 6:30 p.m. now through reminds me of ‘rural-free delivery’ back home in Missouri.” Dec. 20, and will be open until 7 p.m. Dec. 21-24. To visit The Space Shop, present your badge at a group will-call ticket Stephen Van Genderen, window (1- 4) for entry. with NASA The discount does not include the KSC bus tour, IMAX movies or Shuttle Launch Experience. To receive your discount, present your badge at the beginning of the trans- action. This offer is not transferable and cannot be combined with any other discount. For more information, call 321-449-4400. “BOC (Base Operations Contract). Every time I see it, Lockheed Martin collects supplies for troops in Afghanistan I think of the band Blue Oyster Cult.” Lockheed Martin Space System Company’s Diversity Council, the Eastern Range John Brady, Diversity Council and the Next Generation Leaders are working together in a “Support with NASA Exchange the Troops” initiative at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The Support the Troops drive involves collecting food, hygiene items, books, small games and magazines to send directly to troops deployed in the Kandahar -- Zabul Province in Afghanistan. “MECO (Main Engine Cutoff). Whenever I hear it, Employees have collected about 100 pounds of donations. Additional items will be I feel like I know the astronauts got up safely.” delivered to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Viera, Fla. Collection efforts began in October and the group started sending supplies in Cassy Adams, with Abacus Technology Corp. November. Collection boxes can be found near many building entrances on Kennedy and CCAFS. For more information, call 321-476-7147, 321-476-7350 or 321-476-6998.

“I know it may sound cliche . . . but NASA . . . It’s short, sweet, to the point and something to be proud of.” Looking up and ahead . . . Leroy Smith, with NASA Scheduled for Dec. 11 Launch/VAFB: WISE; Window: 9:09 to 9:23 a.m. EST

No earlier than Feb. 2 Launch/CCAFS: Falcon 9, Window 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST

No earlier than Feb. 3 Launch/CCAFS: Atlas V, SDO; 10:53 to 11:53 a.m. EST

Targeted for Feb. 4 Launch/KSC: Endeavour, STS-130; 5:52 a.m. EST John F. Kennedy Space Center No earlier than Feb. 25 Launch/CCAFS: Delta IV, GOES-P; Window 6:28 to 7:18 p.m. EST Targeted for March 18 Launch/KSC: Discovery, STS-131; 1:34 p.m. EDT Spaceport News Targeted for April 19 Launch/CCAFS: Atlas V, OTV; TBD Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center and Targeted for May Launch/CCAFS: Delta IV, GPS IIF-1; TBD is published on alternate Fridays by External Relations in the interest of KSC civil service and contractor employees. Targeted for May 14 Launch/KSC: Atlantis, STS-132; 2:28 p.m. EDT Contributions are welcome and should be submitted three weeks before publication to the Media Services Branch, IMCS-440. E-mail submissions can be sent to Targeted for May 23 Launch/VAFB: Delta II, Aquarius / SAC-D Satellite; TBD [email protected] Targeted for July 29 Launch/KSC: Endeavour, STS-134; 7:51 a.m. EDT Managing editor ...... Candrea Thomas Editor ...... Frank Ochoa-Gonzales Targeted for Sept. 16 Launch/KSC: Discovery, STS-133; 11:57 a.m. EDT Copy editor ...... Rebecca Sprague

No earlier than Oct. 1 Launch/VAFB: Taurus, ; TBD Editorial support provided by Abacus Technology Corp. Writers Group. NASA at KSC is on the Internet at www.nasa.gov/kennedy Targeted for Fall 2011 Launch/CCAFS: Atlas V, ; TBD USGPO: 733-049/600142