Hundreds Turn out for Return-To-Flight Event at Ames

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

Hundreds turn out for return-to-flight event at Ames Tucked away in 25 of these RTF packets were tickets for a free matinee movie at the Mountain View Century 16 theaters in Mountain View.

NASA photos by Dominic Hart RTF claim tickets were distributed to the entire Ames community (civil servants and contractors) via The IMAX movie ‘Space Station’ was shown, the directorates as well as another feature that included Ames’ On July 12, Ames employees received free popcorn, as well as sodas, water for employees contributions to return to flight, on July 12 at and NASA items commemorating the space shuttle’s return to flight. to claim their Ames. souvenir bags. On July 12, Deputy Director Stan Special return-to-flight posters were also Newberry kicked off an Ames commu- distributed. nity return-to-flight (RTF) event in the Bldg N-201 auditorium. His talk was followed by special advance showings State Senate hearing held at Ames of ‘Space Station’ (IMAX), which did not officially premier on DVD until July 19. Space Station, produced by Lockheed Martin with assistance from NASA, provides a “jaw-dropping tour of the next step in space exploration: the International Space Station (ISS). High- lights included the station’s on-orbit construction, plus amazing glimpses of crew members as they work, exercise or do NASA photos by Dominic Hart routine tasks such as getting a haircut or drinking water.” Free popcorn was also handed out to the attendees at the event. Also shown were short NASA films (including a fea- On July 15, California State Senator Elaine Alquist ture on Ames’ contributions to return to of San Jose, (left), makes a point about the flight), RTF displays and posters from importance of nanotechnology as an emerging technology in the state's economy. NASA Ames the recent workshop on a new entrepre- Center Director G. Scott Hubbard, seated at table neurial paradigm for the International in center of photo above, gives testimony with Space Station. other experts before the California State Senate's In addition, in conjunction with the Select Committee on Emerging Technology and movies, NASA items commemorating Economic Competitiveness. return to flight were distributed to employees. These included pins, a ribbon, a green RTF bracelet and photographs. www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/astrogram/2005/05astrograms.html Ames’ leading man in our efforts for ‘Return to Flight’ A deep appreciation for large, In the early 70s, it was this love of Allmen replied: "Completing the re- unique structures such as cathedrals, structures that brought Allmen to Cal- building of the NFAC. I had one of the coliseums and bridges has helped one Poly in San Luis Obispo, where he re- best construction management groups engineer lead Ames' efforts toward ceived his bachelor’s degree in architec- of people I've ever had working on re- NASA's return-to-flight mission. tural engineering. building the wind tunnel. There were “In college, I took a course in struc- outstanding people on the rest of the tural analysis of cathedrals and Roman project as well." aqueducts. The people of that time fig- When asked about personal achieve- ured out things by failures that devel- ments, Allmen mentions that the birth oped a rule of thumb. For example with and raising of his children are the big- large flying buttresses, what did or did gest achievements in his life. Allmen is not fall down. We now know it requires the proud father of four children: three the accurate resolution of forces, but it boys, two of whom are happily mar- amazed me how they were able to build ried, and one who recently graduated these structures without our current from high school. His daughter, the

NASA photo by Tom Trower technology,” Allmen recalled. youngest of the four, will be a senior in After college, he began working for high school this fall. He also has two the Army Corps of Engineers in heavy grandchildren. construction. "With them, I was helping Allmen is committed to a life of them concrete the world." From there, fitness and good health. When he is Allmen attended the University of Cali- away from the office, you may find him John Allmen fornia-Berkeley for his master's degree at the gym or on a 40-to-60-mile road or in structural engineering and structural mountain bike ride. During the winter, mechanics. he loves to go skiing. “I find eating well For the past two-and-a-half years, "I had government reinstatement and being healthy creates a lot of posi- many researchers, scientists and engi- rights because I was on a year leave of tive experiences in my life. It helps to neers have focused on one common goal: absence to earn my master's. My wife have a better attitude about life.” returning NASA's space shuttle to flight. was working at San Jose State and so we For those who want to lead a healthy As the program manager for the return- didn't want to move back to southern and happy lifestyle, Allmen offers these to-flight efforts at Ames, John Allmen California. We both really liked it here, words of encouragement: “One needs has been deeply involved in ensuring a so I went to work for a structural engi- to ask themselves: What do you want successful mission. neer for three months and then found a out of life? How do you want to feel? “I make sure everybody has the re- job for a civil engineer here at Ames You might ask, how do you want your sources they need to get their job done. Research Center. In fact, I didn't even clothes to fit? In order to achieve what I track progress and help solve any prob- know Ames existed before that time." you want in life, you need to set goals for lems that may arise…I am the main Allmen began his NASA career in yourself. A partner can be essential for contact with Johnson Space Center,” 1974 as a facilities engineer at Ames. He encouraging one another and having Allmen explained. then transferred to NASA Headquar- fun together.” Allmen grew up in Oxnard, Calif. ters for a year and a half, and he re- If you would sit down with Allmen, “It was a rural community of about turned to Ames in 1977 to work on the you will notice his love for life, family 50,000 people that primarily deals in modifications to the National Full-Scale and a fulfilling career. His friends would agriculture. At least, that is what I re- Aerodynamic Facility (NFAC). describe him as a genuinely nice person. member it as, not sure if it is still like that During his tenure at NASA Ames, When asked if he could do it all over today,” Allmen chuckles. Allmen has held many titles, ranging again, whether he would pick engineer- While growing up, Allmen noticed from construction manager to project ing as a career, he replied, “Instead of large unique structures. He was inter- manager for acoustics on the 40-foot-by- engineering, I'd probably go into teach- ested in cathedrals, especially large Eu- 80-foot wind tunnel to assistant branch ing, if it paid as well. I enjoy teaching, ropean cathedrals and how they were and division chief. In recent years, he but I think I would probably still be an put together. Through studying places has taken on more of the business aspect engineer. It's in my blood and in my like Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, that of various projects. He also has worked psyche.” he says “has the most classic flying but- in the areas of new business develop- BY JENNIFER KREMER tresses” and St. Peter’s Dome with its ment and developed full cost account- ‘hoop-stresses,’ Allmen was always in ing algorithms for the facility. awe and inspired by the people who When asked what he feels is his designed them. proudest professional achievement,

Astrogram 2 July 2005 Thousands attend NASA Ames Family Night Over 5,000 visitors attended the ber of 3D images NASA Ames 'Cosmic Impacts' event of comets and as- on July 16, the second installment in teroids on the Ex- its highly successful Family Night ploration Education Series. This was a free, pub- Center's 13-foot- lic event. During the evening, more tall screen. Al- than 1,600 people crowded the the- though sched- ater in the NASA Exploration Center uled to speak (Bldg. 943A) to hear Scott Sandford, a from 7 p.m. to 9 research astro- physicist at Ames, discuss the latest results from the Deep Impact mission rendezvous with presented NASA's efforts to locate comet Tempel 1. and identify near-Earth asteroids that During his pre- could pose an impact hazard to Earth. sentation, Rusty Schweickart, an Apollo 9 Sandford astronaut, presented the B612 showed a num- Foundation's innovative and exciting plans to demonstrate how impact haz- ards to the Earth could be addressed by changing the orbit of an asteroid's path. Local amateur astronomers set p.m., the crowds were so large, up their telescopes for the public to Sandford started at 6 p.m. and did not view impact craters on the moon and stop until the last visitors left after 10 other celestial bodies. The event also p.m. featured exhibits and hands-on ac- David Morrison, senior scientist tivities for the entire family. at the NASA Astrobiology Institute, Ames family nights are sponsored by the NASA Ames Education Office and are designed to engage the community in scientific exploration and to inform the public about NASA research and technology. The next family night will be held in September.

Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart at the recent Ames Family Night.

NASA photos by Dominic Hart

Astrogram 3 July 2005 2005 Length of service awards recognize Ames employees NASA Ames Research Center ac- knowledges and recognizes employees who achieved their length-of-service an- Code E - Office of the Director of Code P - Office of the Director of niversaries for 25 and above years of External Relations and Develop- Project Management and Engi- service during the period July 1, 2004 to ment Directorate neering Directorate June 30, 2005. The contributions of these employees’ many years of service to our 25 Years of Service 25 Years of Service country and in helping NASA achieve Diane Farrar Claire E. Barskey (Retired) its many goals are greatly appreciated. Gregory L. Gibbs John A. Estrada Robin M. Orans Michael P. Frediani John H. Goebel Code D - Office of the Director 30 Years of Service Michael Guerreiro Jeffrey L. Cross Ronald D. Johnson 25 Years of Service Peter Kittel Alexander Barna Jr. Douglas R. Krause Estelle P. Condon (Retired) Frank M. Larsen William R. Van Dalsem Joseph P. Lavelle Annett M. Randall Louis J. Salerno Steven K. Spitzer David Wong Code H - Office of the Director of Human Capital Directorate 30 Years of Service Thomas N. Aiken Code A - Office of the Director 30 Years of Service David S. Andrews of Aeronautics Laura A. Shawnee Anne C. Cortez Hanna J. Danfoura 25 Years of Service Gilbert K. Kojima Lisa J. Bjarke Marina D. Laroya-Marquez Thomas J. Davis Richard T. Piquette David M. Driver Mark K. Rossi Donald A. Durston David J. Van Sickle Lawrence A. Hand Robert Yee William C. Horne Code C - Office of the Chief Francis J. Kmak 35 Years of Service Financial Officer Daniel B. Leiser Tom M. Wynn Douglas L. Lillie Harry Yee Vincent M. Meglio 25 Years of Service Anthony G. Madulara Hirokazu Miura 40 Years of Service Kevin L. Werner Russell A. Paielli Robert E. Holmes (Retired) William Peneff Jr. Ramsey K. Melugin 30 Years of Service Michael S. Reinath John B. Wallace James C. Ross Patricia K. Crooks Robert K. Shipley Jimmy Y. Fong Stephen C. Smith Harry Tang (Retired) Joseph D. Shields Code Q - Office of the Director 30 Years of Service of Safety, Environmental and 35 Years of Service David O. Chin Mission Assurance William A. Decker Charles L. Jackson (Retired) Nancy S. Dorighi 30 Years of Service Leslie A. Jacob (Retired) Cyrus G. Chow Arthur M. Silva 35 Years of Service 40 Years of Service Gail P. Pfeiffer Richard J. Exberger (Retired)

Astrogram 4 July 2005 Code S - Office of the Director of Science Code J - Office of the Director of Center Operations Code T - Office of the Director 25 Years of Service of Exploration Technology James A. Brass 25 Years of Service Michael S. Craig Charles W. Ady 25 Years of Service Audrey A. Guerra Christine A. Hlavka Sandra G. Hart Daniel G. Morgan Wende L. Hower Dochan Kwak Susan D. Parkhurst Yvonne J. Pendleton John R. Lehman Leonhard Pfister Evelyn A. Warren Hugh La Master Roy A. Williams Bruce W. Webbon Gina F. Morello Michael E. Olsen 30 Years of Service 30 Years of Service Judith M. Orasanu Warren J. Gore Lewis S. Braxton III Dwight T. Sanderfer Sue J. Laurie (Retired) Helene A. Hendriks Helen M. Yee Steven M. Hing Dolores M. Morrison Daniel R. Kojiro Henry W. Remmers Jr. 30 Years of Service Daryl S. Wong Jeffrey D. Scargle Susan C. Nelson David C. Scimeca Roger W. Remington Richard E. Young 35 Years of Service Robert P. Trent Lupe M. Velasquez 35 Years of Service 35 Years of Service 40 Years of Service Sylvia A. Cox Randolph L. Kaemmerer Edwin F. Erickson George E. Tucker Donald P. Vandendriesche

New Ames Child Care Center opens near main gate

The new NASA Ames Child Care Center opened recently. It is located in front of N-201, near the front gate at Moffett Field. For information about the services offered by the Ames Child Care Center, call ext. 4-5100. The center has a capacity of 116 children. The official grand opening will be Aug. 11.

NASA photos by Tom Trower

Astrogram 5 July 2005 Team discovers smallest extra-solar planet yet A team of researchers recently re- Lissauer noted. about its three known planets, and vealed it has discovered the smallest The newly discovered planet is whether there may be more distant plan- planet yet found orbiting a normal star about seven-and-one half times more ets in that system," Lissauer said. "We outside the solar system, thanks to a massive than Earth and may well have are also going to apply these techniques new computer program developed un- twice its radius. One of the two giant to other stars to attempt to discover der the guidance of a NASA astrono- planets orbiting Gliese 876 has a mass planets even more like Earth," he added. half that of Jupi- Because the newly discovered planet ter. The other gi- orbits the star Gliese 876, it has been ant planet is designated as Gliese 876 d. The star is more than twice about 15 light years from Earth. The as massive as Ju- team is only able to determine the piter, according planet's mass, but not its composition, to astronomers. according to Mark Marley of NASA The red star is an Ames. Marley is not a member of the M-type, which is team, but is one of Lissauer's colleagues. considerably All known planets smaller than the cooler than the newly discovered world are solid bod- sun and about a ies, and those larger are gaseous. third of its mass. According to the team, data indi- The new cate that the planet very closely orbits computer pro- the star, as close as 10 stellar radii, which gram uses 'dy- is less than a tenth of Mercury's orbit namical model- about the sun. Gliese 876 d zips around ing,' which pre- its star every two days. dicts the motion "This discovery whets our collec- Artist conception of two possible realizations of the newly discovered small of planets tive appetite for discovery of even planet, Gliese 876 d. The planet's mass is about 7.5 times the mass of around a star. smaller planets," Marley said. "This ex- Earth, halfway between the mass of Earth and that of Uranus. The image in This technique tra-solar planet detection gives us confi- the upper left shows the planet as a giant but basically Earth-like, rocky accounts for the dence that even lower mass, more clearly planet, whereas the one at the lower right shows the planet as a gas/ices- gravitational Earth-like planets await discovery by dominated miniature Uranus. tugging of plan- even more capable ground and space- ets on one an- based techniques," he said. other. NASA's Kepler mission, scheduled mer. "This calculation is done on a com- to launch in June 2008, will be able to The team studied irregularities in puter workstation," Lissauer explained. detect true Earth analogs – planets not the motion of two known giant extra- "We did the dynamical modeling at only the size of Earth but at the same solar planets circling the star Gliese 876 NASA Ames and at the University of distance from their stars as Earth is from and its motion to deduce the presence of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC) sup- the sun. a third planet in that system, according ported by a university/NASA Ames In addition to Lissauer of NASA to a scientific paper submitted for pub- consortium agreement," Lissauer added. Ames, the team includes Marcy, Butler; lication in the Astrophysical Journal. An The California-Carnegie planet search Eugenio Rivera, Steven Vogt and Gre- extra-solar planet is a planet that orbits team -- led by Geoffrey Marcy, Univer- gory Laughlin, University of California, any star other than the sun. sity of California, Berkeley; and Paul Santa Cruz, Calif.; Debra Fisher, San "The mathematical techniques are Butler, Carnegie Institution of Wash- Francisco State University; and Timo- very complicated, but suffice it to say ington -- made the observations. thy Brown, National Center for Atmo- the new computer program includes the "Eugenio Rivera of UCSC devel- spheric Research, Boulder, Colo. The interactions of the planets with one an- oped the program," Lissauer said. He team's observations were conducted at other, not just their individual interac- guided Rivera, who conducted his doc- the Keck Observatory in Hawaii. tions with the star," said team member toral thesis research at Ames with Jack Lissauer, an astronomer at NASA Lissauer. "Without this sophisticated BY JOHN BLUCK Ames. "Because the interactions of the computer program, the small, third two biggest planets with each other are planet would have taken much longer so large, this effect needed to be ac- to discover," Lissauer added. counted for in order to reveal the exist- "We're going to observe this star to ence of the third (smaller) planet," see if we can find out more information

Astrogram 6 July 2005 Filmmakers awarded for supporting Ames documentary

Filmmakers Geoff Callan (second from left) and Mike Shaw (third from left) are shown receiving awards for supporting a NASA Ames screening of their documentary on the Web at www.pursuitofequality.com from representatives of the Ames LGBT Advisory group. Lupita Armendariz, deputy director of the Diversity and Equal Opportunity Office, which sponsored the LGBT Pride celebration event, looks on.

NASA photo by Jon-Pierre Wiens

Ames Safety Committee helps ensure Ames remains safe

The Ames Safety Committee (ASC), established in July 2004, was the inspiration of former Deputy Cen- ter Director G. Allen Flynt. Flynt be- lieved that by working together in safety committees, both contractor and civil servant employees could focus on larger safety concerns affecting the wider Ames community. The purpose of the ASC is to provide employees with a forum in which to recommend and implement im- provements in Ames safety and health programs. Membership is open to civil servants and onsite contractor employees who meet monthly to com- municate and exchange ideas and con-

cerns about safety issues at the center. NASA photo by Tom Trower Code QH sponsors the ASC and the committee chair reports to the Execu- Members of the Ames Safety Committee shown here: Top row left to right: Herb Finger, Shelleen tive Safety Committee. Lomas, Don Dains, Marian Yee, Tony Damian and John Livacich. Seated row left to right: Terry Reichert, Chris Henze, Marilynne Borges, Gloria Hermosillo, Ron Lamica, Al Lyon, Michael Schuh, Visit the Web at http:// Cheryl Orth and Maria Eloisa Perez. q.arc.nasa.gov/qh/safetycom/ AmesSafetyCommittee.php for fur- ther information about the ASC.

Astrogram 7 July 2005 ENLACE honors outstanding students at Ames In May, the Hispanic Advisory Com- or higher, must mittee for Employees’ (HACE) Chair have applied for Eric Kristich attended and sponsored an the scholarship via ENLACE graduation at Evergreen Val- the ENLACE counselor and submitted an es- say on the topic ‘Latinos in science and mathematics.’ Also, a tough selection process NASA photos by Elizabeth Ipong was conducted by the Evergreen Val- ley College (EVC) faculty and Ames’ HACE members to select the de- From left to right: ENLACE graduates Teodolinda Mendoza, Edelia Lopez, Filomena Reyes and HACE chair person Eric Kristich (not serving students. pictured, Percilla Ortega). ENLACE is a ENLACE graduates Elizabeth Gomez and program at Ever- Francisco Alvarado. green Valley College that has a mission dents are highly successful in ENLACE to help Chicano/Latino students in- courses and in their core curriculum. ley College in San Jose, where he recog- crease their educational success. EN- ENLACE holds a success rate at 85 per- nized and rewarded six individuals for LACE provides academic classes, coun- cent of their students who graduate. their outstanding academic record. seling, mentoring and serves To participate, students need to As part of HACE’s vision of reach- underrepresented Chicano/Latino stu- make an appointment with the ENLACE ing out to the younger generation of dents in San Jose and communities counselor. This appointment will deter- Latinos and promoting the value of math, nearby. mine if the student is eligible based on science and English, HACE was proud What does ENLACE mean? EN- academic assessment such as placement to reward these six ENLACE students LACE is from the Spanish verb enlazar, scores. with scholarships. meaning ‘to bind or connect,’ ‘to bring BY ERIC KRISTICH To receive a scholarship, each stu- together’ or ‘to create community.’ Is dent must have maintained a GPA of 3.0 ENLACE effective? Yes, ENLACE stu-

NASA annnounces aerospace systems modeling selection NASA awarded Science Applica- The SimLabs also work on air traffic The total estimated cost plus fee tions International Corp (SAIC), Albu- control/management to solve the ca- for the base period is $28.9 million. The querque, N.M. a contract to support pacity problems of the nation’s airports. contract value, including all award aerospace systems modeling and simu- SAIC will be responsible for opera- terms and fees, is $62.1 million. The lation facilities at Ames. tion, development, maintenance and base period is five years and there are The facilities include, but are not modification of the SimLabs; successful award term incentives for up to an limited to the Crew-Vehicle Systems preparation and operation of the simu- additional five years. The phase-in Research Facility, Vertical Motion lators; collection of research data, as begins July 1, 2005, with full contract Simulator Complex and FutureFlight specified in the task order; the continu- responsibility starting Aug.1, 2005. Central (called the SimLabs). ing operation and upgrade of facilities. The SimLabs' primary mission is SAIC also will be responsible for BY MICHAEL MEWHINNEY to provide high-fidelity environments development, testing and validation of for simulated flight research and to advanced air traffic management auto- advance state-of-the-art of simulation mation tools being developed in the technology. SimLabs.

Astrogram 8 July 2005 DEVELOP interns access ecologicial change in Yosemite NASA has as one of its missions acteristics. Measurements and estimates the California Integrated Waste Man- preparing the next generation of explor- were performed by identifying domi- agement Board's (CIWMB) Special ers. As part of this mission, students nant species, measuring tree height, tree Waste Division to create a proof-of-con- from across the United States are par- diameter, estimating vegetation percent cept project investigating the use of high- ticipating in the third year of the DE- cover and collecting GPS coordinates. resolution satellite imagery for locating VELOP internship program at Ames, an Remote sensing methods in conjunction and mapping waste tire disposal sites. with the fieldwork will evaluate and These sites used as test cases are in the quantify reforestation at post-fire sites. Sonoma and San Bernardino regions of Fifteen-meter-resolution ASTER California. data will be used to better identify change Previous methods for locating waste patterns for specific species. The results tire disposal sites in California included of this study will be presented to re- contracting California Highway Patrol source managers at Yosemite NP and to fly over suspected sites and take pho- will aid these managers in fire management deci- sions. Cheatgrass Mindy Syfert, DEVELOP student intern from the (Bromus University of Denver, takes a GPS reading in a tectorum) is an in- previously burned area in Yosemite National vasive species Park. commonly found on rangelands, Earth science, human capital develop- pastures and prai- ment effort funded through the Applied ries in the inter- Science Program in the Earth-Sun Divi- mountain west. sion at NASA Headquarters. Cheatgrass burns In previous years, DEVELOP stu- at high tempera- dents have studied the risk of West Nile tures, assisting the virus infection in Monterey County, spread of range Calif; the spread of an invasive plant fires throughout DEVELOP student intern Becky Quinlan from San Francisco State University discusses a waste tire dump site in Lucerne Valley, Calif., with species, tall whitetop, on the Pyramid the Great Basin a San Bernardino County Special Waste Division waste tire inspector. Lake Paiute Reservation in Nevada; the region. Germina- carbon budget of the Fremont-Winema tion occurs during National Forest in Oregon; and the in- the spring and fall, which allows tographs, which were georeferenced festation of salt cedar (Tamarisk) in cheatgrass to establish a firm presence with a GPS in post processing, a method northwestern Nevada. in areas burned by wildfires. Many lacking accuracy. The methodology This summer, a team of DEVELOP states in the Great Basin region have and/or outputs generated from analy- interns is assessing ecological change in begun tracking the spread of cheatgrass sis of the imagery couple with ground Yosemite National Park, change which by means of remote sensing. truth evaluation of the analysis could is increasingly important to park man- A DEVELOP student team at Ames reduce the time and capital necessary to agers. Fire has a fundamental role in has run an accuracy assessment on Utah manage waste tire sites. These sites, changing the landscape and affecting an State University’s predictive coverage when left unkempt, pose threats of com- ecosystem. Yosemite's fire history is maps for 2002 as well as producing a bustion and run the risk of becoming extensive with numerous lightning-ig- 2005 predictive coverage map using breeding grounds for mosquitoes. nited fires occurring every year. The MODIS imagery from 2004 for specific The DEVELOP program prepares research objective for this project is to dates. These maps produced by the the student interns to explore our home assess vegetation change utilizing re- students in conjunction with field work planet. The program gives students ex- mote sensing techniques at three post- in Utah will help assess the accuracy of perience in planning studies, executing fire sites where fires burned in the park field data collected by the Southwest those plans, interacting with customers in 1989, 1990 and 1996. Regional Gap Analysis Project, a project for their products and handing off the Multi-temporal Landsat satellite im- being run in New Mexico, Idaho and results of their studies to their custom- agery is being used to detect changes in Utah to ascertain extent of cheatgrass ers and other interested parties. forest regeneration. In addition, field- infestation in these states. work was conducted at selected sites in In the third project, DEVELOP stu- BY JAY SKILES the park to document forest stand char- dent interns at Ames have worked with

Astrogram 9 July 2005 AIAA recognizes deputy director for space biology contributions The American Institute of Aeronau- Recognizing the importance to aero- Golden Gate/San Francisco, respec- tics and Astronautics (AIAA) announced nautics and space of scientific endeav- tively. She began her research career at recently that Bonnie Dalton, deputy di- ors in the field of medicine, the John Eaton Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Jeffries Award was established in 1940 Norwich, NY and joined Ames in 1963. by AIAA to honor the memory of the In 1975, she was appointed opera- American physician who made the ear- tions manager for Viking Mars Ground liest recorded scientific observations Laboratories followed by branch chief from the air. The award is presented for for science payloads operations (man- outstanding research accomplishments aging seven Spacelab mission activities); in aerospace medicine and space life division chief for life sciences, SES certi- sciences. fication; and deputy director for Science Dalton, an AIAA Associate Fellow, in 2002. is being recognized for outstanding lead- Headquartered in suburban Wash- ership of groundbreaking flight experi- ington, DC, the AIAA serves over 35,000 ments and payloads in space biology for members in 65 regional sections and 79 the past three decades. She was honored countries. AIAA membership is drawn at an evening banquet in July during the from all levels of industry, academia, International Conference on Environ- private research organizations and gov- Bonnie Dalton mental Systems (ICES), at the ernment and focuses on emerging tech- ATAHOTEL Villa Pamphili, Via della nologies in aviation, space and defense. rector, Science Directorate, at Ames is Nocetta, in Rome, Italy. For more information, visit the Web at the recipient of the AIAA 2005 Jeffries Dalton holds advanced degrees in www.aiaa.org. Aerospace Medicine and Life Sciences microbiology and management from the Research Award. University of Montana/Missoula and New stained-glass panel pays tribute to STS-107 crew Located in the lobby of Bldg people involved. Seven narrow yellow stripes represent N-240A is this eye-catching stained glass A number of project people con- Columbia's crew members and of course panel conceived and designed by the tributed to this design, a young de- there is the shuttle outline. Life Sciences Division community to signer, Chad Dememters, helped to The memorial stained glass panel is transform it, and another artist, Pam a source of inspiration and reflection for Rissman, brought the piece to life. the life sciences community as new ex- The panel is about 5 feet tall with periments are readied for shuttle's re- symbols from the crew patch in clear turn to flight. glass and a representation of Earth. BY RUDY AQUILINA

CFC merges two counties

The Combined Federal Campaign organization recently held a meeting at NASA Ames to merge the Santa Clara/San Benito counties with the greater San Francisco Bay area county chapters. Ames Deputy Center Director Stan Stained-glass panel, created in memory of the Newberry, left, is seen crew of STS-107, hangs in the lobby of Bldg. here speaking at the N-240A. event. honor the memories of STS-107 Colum- bia, its crew and the work of the many NASA photo by Tom Trower

Astrogram 10 July 2005 Vertical Gun Range at Ames simulates cosmic collisions Peter Schultz, professor of geologi- cal sciences at Brown University and co- A projectile hitting a test investigator for NASA's Deep Impact target that simulated the mission, travels to the Vertical Gun collision of the Deep Range at Ames to simulate cosmic colli- Impact spacecraft's impactor with comet sions between planets and roving ob- Tempel 1. The actual jects such as asteroids. collision was July 4. This To conduct his experiments, Schultz simulation was conducted fires marble-sized beads, even meteor- at the Vertical Gun range ites; into surfaces ranging from ice and at Ames. sand to dust and mud. The projectiles, which travel more than 10 times faster than a speeding bullet, make craters of all shapes and sizes. Schultz studies the collisions and the craters' sprays of debris, the diam- Photo by P.H. Schultz, Brown University and Jon-Pierre Wiens, NASA eter and depth of depressions to understand the forces that shaped features on planets such as Earth, Mars and Venus as well as satellites such as the moon. Schultz was interviewed in June while he was at Ames by KGO-AM news radio and KCBS-AM news radio. Peter Schultz was interviewed in June He discussed how the range was used to while he was at Ames by KGO-AM news radio and KCBS-AM news radio. conduct tests related to the Deep Impact He discussed how the Vertical Gun mission to Comet Tempel 1. Range was used to conduct tests related to the Deep Impact mission to Comet Tempel 1.

NASA photo by Jon-Pierre Wiens

Chief of Procurement visits Ames

On June 23, the Ames Contractor Council sponsored a question-and-an- swer session with Tom Leudtke, chief of NASA procurement. Leudtke gave his views on the current and future direction of procurement and an- swered many questions. Some of the topics covered included contractor ac- Photo by Peter Schultz, Brown cess to confidential information, small University and AVGR. business, funding, award terms, set fee, enhanced-use leases, update on The NASA Ames Vertical Gun Range. the NSSC, the Exploration Initiative and commitments to the space station, shuttle operations and CEV.

Tom Leudtke addresses the audience during his recent presentation at Ames.

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

NASA Quest to study Mars on Earth Safety Data

As NASA turns its attention to ence will inspire and encourage the NASA-Ames Occupational preparing for human travel to the study of math, science and engineer- Illness-Injury Data for Calendar moon and Mars, there are many ing, as students become a part of the Year-to-Date 2005 hurdles to overcome. This fall, the NASA team exploring the universe," Jan. 1, 2005 – June 30 2005 NASA Exploration Systems Mission he added. Directorate and NASA Quest will open There is no place on Earth exactly Civil Contractors the school year with a challenge to like Mars; however, some locations Servants students, primarily in grades 5-8, to share similar characteristics and are work with NASA scientists to design considered as analogs to study Mars. First aid cases 19 10 solutions to these obstacles. For example, scientists can study the During October and November, biology, geology and meteorology of Lost-time cases 0 4 students are invited to join NASA re- places like Lassen Volcanic National Recordable cases 3 4 searchers Jennifer Heldmann, William Park to learn more about past and J. Clancey and Chris McKay and other present environments on Mars and Lost workdays 0 83 leading scientists as they embark on a how to prepare for human and robotic Mars analog study at California’s space missions. Restricted duty days 0 60 Lassen Volcanic National Park. By This NASA Quest Challenge fea- studying snowfields in the park, sci- tures Mars analog research being con- Above data is as of 7/19/05. May entists hope to learn more about the ducted to help develop and test tech- be subject to slight adjustment in the development and use of technologies nologies that some day will enable event of a new case or new inform- needed to help understand and ex- scientists to conduct research on lu- ation regarding an existing case. plore the moon and Mars. They also nar and planetary surfaces. NASA will learn about polar ice caps and the Quest challenges typically span six to possible life that could exist there. eight weeks. The activities are de- "Live interactive Webcasts and signed around problem-based learn- contact with real NASA scientists on ing and designed to assist teachers by the job provide the opportunity for incorporating the content into their students to fully experience the thrill educational standard's requirements. Ames emergency of participating in actual research For information about the NASA announcements while developing their own solutions Quest Challenge on the Internet, visit: to problems NASA is working on," http://quest.nasa.gov/challenges/ To hear the centerwide status said Mark Leon, education director at marsanalog recording, call (650) 604-9999 for in- NASA Ames. "We hope this experi- formation announcements and emergency instructions for Ames employees. You can also listen to 1700 KHz AM radio for the same information.

Astrogram 12 July 2005 Big Sur vacation rental, secluded 4bd/2ba house Ames Classifieds Exchange Information in canyon setting. Fully eqpd kitchen. Access to priv. Ads for the next issue should be sent to Information about products, services and beach. Tub in patio gdn. Halfway between Carmel [email protected] and must be resubmitted for opportunities provided to the employee and contractor and Big Sur. $175/night for 2; $225 for 4 and $250 each issue. Ads must involve personal needs or items; (no community by the Ames Exchange Council. Visit the for more, plus $150 cleaning dep. Call (650) 328- commercial/third-party ads) and will run on a space- web site at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov 4427. available basis only. First-time ads are given priority. Ads Tahoe Donner vacation home, 2 bd/2ba. trees, must include home phone numbers; Ames extensions and N-235 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Beyond Galileo deck. Access to pools, spa, golf, horseback riding, email addresses will be accepted for carpool and lost and ext. 4-6873 found ads only. Due to the volume of material received, $280 wkend, $650 week. Call (408) 739-9134. we are unable to verify the accuracy of the statements Ask about NASA customized gifts for special Pine Mountain Lake vacation home. Access to made in the ads. Caveat emptor! occasions. golf, tennis, lake, swimming, horseback riding, walk to beach. Three bedrooms/sleeps 10. $100/night. Call Housing Mega Bites N-235 (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.) (408) 799-4052 or (831) 623-4054. ext. 4-5969 4 bd/2 ba Sunnyvale house for rent, $2,400/mo., Incline Village: Forest Pines, Lake Tahoe condo, 3 negotiable. Cupertino school district, nice neighborhood. See daily menu at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov bd/2ba, sleeps 8. Fireplace, TV/VCR/DVD, MW, W/D, 1,800 sq. ft. hardwood floor, quite back yard. Small pet jacuzzi, sauna, pool. Walk to Lake, close to ski areas. OK. Avail. July 1. Call (408) 718-9728 for details. Visitor Center Gift Shop N-943 Visit Web page for pictures: http:// www.ACruiseStore.com. $120/night low season, Good sized room in 4 bd/2 ba home, excellent, quiet (10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) ext. 4-5412 $155/night high season (holidays higher) plus $156 Mtn View area close to Ames. Washer, dryer, microwave, NASA logo merchandise, souvenirs, toys, gifts and cleaning fee and 12% Nevada room tax. Charlie (650) wired for cable modem. Tidy person and nonsmoker. Easy educational items. 366-1873. access to Ames, 85, 237 and 101. $475 and dep. and share utils. Avail. Sept. 1, possibly sooner. Call (650) 964- Tickets, etc...(N-235, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Disneyland area vacation rental home, 2 bd/1ba. Nearing completion completely remodeled w/new 1900. ext. 4-6873 ext. 4-6873 furniture. Sleeps 6 (queen bed, bunk beds, sleeper Miscellaneous Check web site for discounts to local attractions, sofa). Air hockey and football tables. Introductory http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov and click on tickets. rate $600/wk, once completed rate will be $1000/wk. The Ames Cat Network needs help finding homes for Security deposit and $100 cleaning fee required. Call cats trapped at Moffett. They range from feral to (925) 846-2781. abandoned/lost pets. Tested, altered and inoculated. Call NASA Lodge (N-19) 603-7100 Ski Park City Utah, NASA Ski Week XIV, Feb 5 - 12, Iris at ext. 4-5824 if you or someone you know are Open 7 days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. Rates interested in fostering or adopting a cat. 2005. Space limited. E-mail Steve at e-mail from $40 - $50. [email protected] or call (408) 432-0135. Tennis and swim family club membership for sale. Location is in Santa Clara near Homestead and Lawrence. New York, 5th Ave. One fully furnished bedroom Details about the club can be viewed on the Web at http:// Vacation Opportunities in 24 hour security bldg. overlooking Washington www.konakaiclub.com/. Sandy or Val at (408) 996-9927 Square Park, $1,000/wk or $3,000/mo. negotiable. Lake Tahoe-Squaw Valley Townhse, 3bd/2ba or (408) 482-5130. We'll be happy to take you to see the Call (650) 349-0238. equipped, balcony view, horseback riding, hiking, biking, club as guests. Paris/France: Fully furnished studio, 5th Arr, Latin river rafting, tennis, ice skating and more. Summer Quarter, Notre Dame and Ile-St. Louis., $1,400/wk. Four Doobie Brothers tickets for the Mountain Winery rates. Call (650) 968-4155 or e-mail negotiable. Call (650) 349-0238. in Saratoga on Thurs. Sept. 1 at 7:30 p.m. $50 ea. Will also [email protected] sell them by the pair. Call (408) 269-4101. Santa Cruz townhouse, 2 bedrooms plus study, 2 South Lake Tahoe cottage w/wood fireplace, hot baths, decks, totally furnished, 3 blocks from beach, tub. Rates $50 to $130 per night. Call (650) 967-7659 or (650) 704-7732. available July, August, September; $1,600 per month. Call (831) 423-5777 (H) or (831) 277-8476 (C). Vacation rental, Bass Lake, 4 mls south of Yosemite. 3bd/1.5 ba, TV, VCR, MW, frplc, BBQ, priv. boat dock. West Maui vacation at Kahana Falls, across street Protective Services from beach. Thanksgiving week 19-26 Nov 05, $630/ Sleeps 8. $1,050/wk. Call (559) 642-3600 or (650) 390- 9668. wk. 1bd/2 ba, w/d, fk. For 2 adults, 0 to 2 kids. Call monthly activity (650) 962-1314 after Aug 7. A statistical summary of activities of the Protective Services Division's Security/Law Enforce- Astrogram deadlines ment and Fire Protection Services units for the month of June 2005 is Submit articles and photographs to shown below. Transportation [email protected] no later ‘00 Chrysler Sebring JX convertible. $8,750 or B/O. than the 10th of each month. If this date Security/Law Enforcement Activity Paul (408) 725-8942. falls on the weekend or a holiday, then ‘00 Chevy S-10, 10K miles, mint condition, CD player, the following business day becomes the camper shell, $12,000 or B/O, Jessica (408) 774-1218. deadline. If you want a photographer to ‘00 Gorgeous Monaco La Palma , 29-foot Class A cover an event you’re sponsoring, it’s Luxury Motorhome Ford V-10 Super Duty F series chassis, 4 very important that you submit a ser- spd ovrdrive, 30K mls, dual pane tinted windows. Corian counters, oak cabinets, 5.5 KW generator, ducted roof ac, vice request to the Video and Photo- powered vent, large Norcold elect/gas refrig., elect/gas hot graphic Services Group at least 5 days in wtr heater, 20” TV, VCR, CD/AM/FM 4 speakers, satellite advance of the activity. Every effort will dish prep, lighted electric step, rear vision camera, A&E awning, electric brake trailer hookup and 5,000 lb hitch be made to accommodate your request receiver, hydraulic leveling jacks, 1500 watt Trace inverter, whenever it’s submitted, but please un- stainless wheel covers, convection microwave, rear queen derstand that photographers may not Fire Protection Activity bed, heated mirrors, power driver's seat, deluxe mint condition interior and exterior, all neutral colors, 75 gallon be available for last-minute requests, so gas/water tanks, plenty of storage space, 2 years left on best to plan ahead! If you have questions extended warranty, always dealer maintained.$39,888 about the Astrogram, contact Astrid (below blue book). Tim Castellano (831) 623-4302 or e- mail [email protected] Terlep at the aforementioned e-mail address or ext. 4-3347. For more information about photography or video services, contact Ed Schilling at e-mail [email protected] or ext. 4- 1307.

Astrogram 13 July 2005 NASA Research Park welcomes these new tenants

These new NRP tenants now lease office space in Bldg. 19, signing leases commencing after NASA Research Park's March open house and on line marketing events.

• BluPoint Global - An R & D green technology start-up company focused on distributing digital media and eliminating the need for physical inventory, allowing end-users to conveniently acquire any type of media any where, any time while creating no pollution or waste;

• Honeybee Robotics - Creates robots, flight subsystems, automated drills and other machines destined for work on Earth, Mars and beyond;

• InformArt/GaryAir - Flight instruction, marketing and systems engineering and testing;

• Intrynsyx - Software developer, consultant;

• Norman B. Houge - Construction engineering, excavating and grading firm located in the South Bay area and collaborating on center-wide facility construction and engineering projects;

• Ozen Engineering - Developer and consultant for ANSYS Engineering software, provider of tutorials to engineers on ANSYS software;

• Pragati Synergetic Technology Inc. - Developer of knowledge-based software;

• Western Disaster Center, Inc. - A nonprofit using applied research and advanced computer, information and communication technologies to save lives and reduce losses from natural, environmental, technological and man-made disasters.

FIRST CLASS MAIL POSTAGE & FEES PAID NASA National Aeronautics and Space Permit No. G-27 Administration

Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000

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The Ames Astrogram is an official publication of Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Editor-in-Chief...... Gregory Gibbs Managing Editor...... Ann Sullivan Editor, Layout and Design...... Astrid Terlep

You can reach the Astrogram Office at: [email protected] or by phone at PLEASE RECYCLE (650) 604-3347. Printed on recycled and recyclable paper with vegetable-based ink.

Astrogram 14 July 2005