Feb. 24, 2012 Vol. 52, No. 4 Spaceport News John F. Kennedy Space Center - America’s gateway to the universe

NASA, Proposed budget Glenn for 2013 positive mark By Linda Herridge get,” Bolden said. “We went Spaceport News from $18.4 billion in fiscal year 2011 to an operating 50 years he news was positive estimate of $17.8 billion in as NASA Adminis- fiscal year 2012.” trator Charles Bolden By Steven Siceloff T Bolden said the three and Kennedy Space Center Spaceport News NASA priorities agreed NASA/Cory Huston Director Bob Cabana shared upon by the president and he Beatles were eight Mercury astronaut Sen. John Glenn and NASA Kennedy Space Center Director the agency’s proposed Congress are the Space months away from Bob Cabana sit in the flight deck of space shuttle Discovery in Orbiter Processing fiscal year 2013 NASA Facility-1 on Feb. 18. Both flew on Discovery in the 1990s. Launch System heavy-lift Treleasing their first budget with the center’s rocket and Multi-Purpose single, "Love Me Do," when Fifty years after the Glenn orbited as a pivotal civil servant and contractor Crew Vehicle with techno- John Glenn rocketed into Mercury-Atlas 6 mission, time in world and American employees Feb. 17, during logical development to sup- space on Feb. 20, 1962, to Glenn, 90, still draws a history. The year he flew, an All-Hands meeting. port it; prolonged, enhanced, become the first American capacity crowd. He returned 1962, would also witness Bolden presented the operation of the Internation- to orbit Earth. to NASA’s Kennedy Space the Cuban Missile Crisis, a agency’s $17.7 billion bud- al Space Station, supported The flight set NASA on Center on Feb. 17 to begin see-who-blinks-first standoff get request. A large percent- by viable commercial crew course to meet ever-more a weekend of events between American and So- age of that amount, and cargo programs; and the ambitious goals. Glenn’s celebrating the milestone. viet leaders that threatened 45 percent, would fund Hu- James Webb Space Tele- three orbits in five hours was The events come a few nuclear war. man Exploration and Opera- scope, scheduled to launch eclipsed on the next flight days before the 50th an- The American commu- tions programs, which make in 2018, as the premier sci- and each one afterward niversary, but that did not nity was also substantially up the majority of programs entific future achievement steadily pushed Americans diminish the excitement of smaller then, with the na- Kennedy supports. for the nation and the world. further out from the cradle those on hand to see Glenn. tion’s population stand- “We’re an organization Bolden also added, “The of Earth, ultimately leading Fellow Mercury astronaut ing at 186 million people of people, not machines,” thing that is most important to a series of landings on the Scott Carpenter, who served compared with some 300 Bolden said. “Our budget or relevant to people on moon from 1969 to 1972. as CapCom during Glenn's million people today. An continues to be what we Earth is what’s happening to "The whole program mission before flying his average family made $6,000 consider an aggressive port- the planet. We have a robust shifted rapidly from, 'Can own mission three months a year, according to the U.S. folio for exploration.” portfolio of Earth science we do this?' to basic re- later, also made the trip to Census Bureau, a little more Bolden said the 2013 bud- missions.” search," Glenn told a packed Florida to celebrate NASA's than $4,000 per year for get would seem amazingly Cabana gave an overview press conference conducted first orbital missions. families living in Florida or similar in many respects of how the proposed budget among the displays and "It is a special pleasure to other parts of the South. to the 2012 budget, under affects Kennedy Space consoles that made up Cape go back to where the times On the other hand, things which the agency is now Center. Canaveral's Mercury control were so magical," Carpenter operating. center. said. See 50TH, Page 2 “It’s a very stable bud- See BUDGET, Page 5

PM Challenges New CCP Initiative NASA Hoops It Up Engine Removal Inside this issue...

Page 2 Page3 Page 3 Page 5 Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS Feb. 24, 2012 PM Challenges inspire employees, middle-school students By Brittney Longley days,” said Kennedy student During the PM Challenge, Spaceport News employee DeAntae Cooper. many leaders were rewarded Four Orlando-area middle for their hard work and dedi- ASA employees and schools -- Lockhart, South- cation to the agency. Central Florida west, Meadowbrook, and NASA presented its Qual- middle school stu- N Meadow Woods -- par- ity and Safety Achievement dents took part in a two-day ticipated in the students' PM Recognition, or QASAR, session in Orlando as part of Challenge. award for 2011 during the the agency's Project Man- Speakers included Heather PM Challenge. Recipients agement (PM) Challenge. Paul, a mechanical engineer from Kennedy were Hum- The event was conducted from Johnson Space Center berto "Bert" T. Garrido, in two parts, one for manag- in Houston, and Ledlyne Joseph B. Hamilton and ers and one for students to Heriscar, an electrical engi- Francis "Frank" Merceret. promote science, technology, neer from Kennedy. Hands- NASA’s QASAR award NASA/Jim Grossmann engineering and mathemat- on activities were included recognizes individual ics careers, an initiative A Project Management (PM) Challenge Feb. 22-23 at the Caribe Royal Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando, aimed to teach NASA workers and contractors the to excite the students in government and contrac- called "STEM." basics of managing projects. learning more about STEM tor employees who have "Leaders are born with a careers. demonstrated exemplary backbone, they must grow a forward as a premier space Washington took part in dis- “I didn’t know what it performance in contributing wishbone and a funny bone," agency. cussion panels, case studies, was I wanted to do, but this to the quality or safety of said Robert Lightfoot, The lessons come as and presentations. Speakers makes me want to learn products, services, process- the Marshall Space Flight NASA stands at a crossroad included Mark Langley, more about math and sci- es, or management programs Center director who was just after retiring the space shut- president and chief executive ence,” said a seventh-grade and activities. promoted to NASA associate tles and readying a network officer of the Project Man- student from Meadowbrook administrator in Washington. of commercial spacecraft agement Institute, and Dr. Middle School. A wishbone for the vision- builders, moving ahead with Patrick Simpkins, director of The students were ex- ary you want to see for your plans to build and launch a Kennedy’s Engineering and posed to different fields and team and a funny bone for a new heavy-lift rocket and Technology Directorate. learned about what some of sense of humor. completion of two flagship Choosing among ses- the jobs at NASA entail. The challenge’s organizers missions, the Curiosity rover sions ranging from words of “We chose really inspi- focused the sessions around now on its way to Mars and wisdom to risk, safety and rational speakers, people NASA/Jim Grossmann the event's theme, "Evolve the Hubble Space Telescope mission assurance, partici- who could not only inspire A Project Management (PM) Challenge and Excel." Managers of all successor, the James Webb pants could focus on areas of the kids but could interact Feb. 22-23 at the Caribe Royal Hotel levels showcased examples Space Telescope. their particular interest. with them and keep them and Convention Center in Orlando, of the agency's determina- Employees from each of “I learned a lot about engaged,” Kennedy’s Pro- for middle school students promoted the importance of pursuing careers in tion and the strength to NASA's field centers and leadership, management, gram Education Specialist Science, Technology, Engineering and embrace change and move NASA Headquarters in and NASA in the past two Priscilla Moore said. Mathematics (STEM).

From 50TH, Page 2 people to get him safely up there Glenn also dealt with a heat Ohio and make a run for the White and back." shield indicator that showed it might House. didn’t cost as much as they do At that point, two American as- have come loose during the flight. While it seemed for decades that now. A gallon of gas ran 31 cents tronauts made short trips into space, The heat shield remained in place Glenn’s space experience was lim- in 1962, and a house cost less than but did not reach orbit. They flew and Glenn splashed down safely in ited to those three orbits in 1962, the $19,000. The whole federal budget on the Redstone, a rocket that was the Atlantic Ocean and picked up by astronaut was enlisted to fly again in totaled $106 billion and the Dow extremely reliable, but not strong the destroyer USS Noa. 1998, this time aboard space shuttle Jones Industrials, the stock market, enough to send a person into orbit. Although the Soviets had already Discovery. While the Mercury cap- stood at slightly more than 700 That was the job of the Atlas, a put two of their own cosmonauts in sule was snug with just one person points. missile whose strength was without orbit by the time Glenn was cata- inside, the shuttle was comfortable Kennedy Space Center didn't question, but whose reliability left pulted into orbit, the American was with seven people inside. Glenn, even exist yet – its 144,000 acres something to be desired. treated on his return with the pomp then 77, conducted numerous ex- was still more citrus groves than "The very first time we saw a and circumstance normally reserved periments to see how his body had launch site. missile launch, it went up and blew for royalty. His tiny spacecraft has changed since his first mission. Glenn climbed inside the Mercury up at 27,000 feet and that wasn't a been displayed at the Smithsonian. Now retired from space and capsule he had named Friendship confidence builder," Glenn recalled, The flight also changed Glenn’s politics, Glenn said the challenge 7 at Complex 14 at Cape Canav- laughing at the memory. They fol- course. A record-setting test pilot of spaceflight continues to press eral Air Force Station on Florida’s lowed the Atlas development and before he became one of America’s today's designers and engineers to Atlantic coast. The launch team when it was ready, Glenn said the original astronauts, Glenn left keep making strides. worked inside a blockhouse near the astronauts didn't have a qualm about NASA soon after the Mercury "These things depend on people," launch pad. getting on it. "You became the best- mission and entered the political Glenn said. "Nothing's going to "It was not a solo effort," Car- trained person you could be and world. He would serve in the United happen unless you have people to penter said. "It took thousands of that's what we did." State Senate from his home state of do it." Feb. 24, 2012 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 Commercial Crew Program introduces CCiCap By Rebecca Regan include a spacecraft and launch Spaceport News vehicle, as well as blueprints for mis- sion control and ground operations. ASA anticipates a bright The announcement asked for culmination to the develop- proposals to include a base period Nmental phase of its Com- of about 21 months, running from mercial Crew Program as it prepares award through May 2014. Optional to award funding to the makers milestones beyond the base period of spacecraft and launch vehicles. also should be outlined leading to The awards are expected to lead to and culminating in a crewed orbital activities aerospace engineers dream demonstration flight. about, such as drop tests, engine test The goal of CCiCap is to continue fires, demonstration flights and pad to foster the development of a U.S. abort tests. CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Kim Shiflett transportation system that can safely, On Feb. 7, the agency issued an Ed Mango, program manager for NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP), talks to industry partners and affordably and routinely fly to low Announcement for Proposals (AFP) stakeholders during a preproposal conference at the Courtyard Marriott in Cocoa Beach, Fla., on Feb. 14. Earth orbit for commercial and gov- At left, are Cheryl McPhillips, the NASA Participant Evaluation Panel PEP chair for the Commercial Crew for companies to submit their plans Program CCP, and Lee Pagel, the NASA PEP deputy. For more information, click on the photo. ernment markets. for the Commercial Crew Integrated "Being a part of this program and Capability (CCiCap) initiative by in the summer of 2012 toward the with the path of getting to an orbital this agency right now should give March 23. During CCiCap, the pro- development of fully integrated com- demo flight by the middle of the de- you chills," Mango said, "because gram plans to award multiple Space mercial crew transportation systems. cade," said Ed Mango, CCP program this is the program that is going to Act Agreements, between "We want to advance multiple in- manager. take American astronauts back to $300 million and $500 million each, tegrated crew transportation systems A fully integrated system would space." NASA spinoffs assist NBA players in making slam dunk By Frank Ochoa-Gonzales connection with people to deep-space missions was Uniforms Spaceport News understand how NASA con- Did you know? modified by a company To protect astronauts tributes to their day-to-day Shirley Lin, the mother of for use in physical fitness against the bitter cold and ASA technologies lives,” said Andres Adorno, the New York Knicks’ Jeremy equipment. An infrared scorching heat encountered Lin, worked for McDonnell will play a starring a NASA Public Affairs heartbeat transmitter worn in space, NASA worked role this weekend Douglas at Kennedy Space N specialist. “It’s exciting to Center in the late ’80s and under clothing uses the heart with private industry to when some of the best bas- catch people’s reaction when early ’90s. rate to act as an exercise create temperature-adaptive ketball players in the world NASA is at an event like intensity control. Those who materials for use in space- take to the court in the NBA benefit from the ability to suits and gloves. this. It’s great to see NASA increasing overall athletic All-Star game in Orlando. accurately read their heart The resulting phase- click with them.” efficiency. Race car drivers at the NASA has incubated rate and work-intensity change material enhances Daytona 500, not far from Three of the biggest many of the technologies all-stars -- LeBron James, levels include cardiac reha- the wearer’s comfort by Orlando, also will capitalize used on the basketball court bilitation patients, orthope- moderating temperatures on innovations made with Kobe Bryant and Kevin and to watch the action on Durant -- will wear Nike dically impaired patients, between the body and the the help of the space agency television. shoes designed after NASA and elite athletes training to environment, keeping things in various forms. The same In addition to sharing spacesuits. The shoes feature reach the ultimate physical comfortable. goes for the dozens of spinoffs, NASA also is a "mission patch" designed condition. More than 200 brands use professional baseball teams educating people about how for each basketball player. Physical Rehabilitation this technology which also that take Spring Training physics and science play But what would an NBA A cardiovascular con- is used in athletic footwear throughout Florida. major roles in sports. story be these days without ditioner developed for to reduce the moisture of A lot of attention will be Shock Absorbing mentioning Jeremy Lin, the astronauts in space led to the trapped heat and sweat by on the NBA All-Star game, Athletic Shoes point guard of the New York development of a physical absorbing excess body heat though, since it is played in A modified form of Knicks? Lin, whose mother, therapy and athletic devel- and re-releasing it when the area about once every woven-fiber fabric used as Shirley worked for McDon- opment machine used by needed. 10 years. NASA's Kennedy cushioning in space boots nell Douglas at Kennedy in football teams, sports clinics Plasma Displays Space Center is taking ad- now is used in an advanced the late ’80s and early ’90s, and medical rehabilitation By developing the right vantage of the rare oppor- athletic shoe to assist bas- will make an appearance centers. combination of phosphate tunity by taking part in the ketball players do their best during the dunk contest in The SpiraFlex system, and glass, NASA quickly NBA All-Star Jam Session at to defy gravity. Not only which Jeremy Lin will assist currently on the Internation- provided a solution for the Orange County Conven- does this fatigue-reducing teammate Iman Shumpert. al Space Station, is used by adequate transparency in tion Center. shoe actually absorb energy, Heart Rate Monitors the crew as a countermea- the small, gas-filled glass “I enjoy going to an event but it also redistributes that New heart-monitoring sure against musculoskel- spheres needed to build such as this because it al- energy back into the athlete technology created to track etal degradation caused by the new larger and curved- lows NASA to provide the with every step, measurably the health of astronauts on microgravity. format displays. Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS Feb. 24, 2012 Scenes Around Kennedy Space Center

RETIREMENT CEREMONIES

Reader-submitted photo Jim Ball, left, celebrates his retirement from NASA with Hugh Harris (NASA retiree and Ball's first supervisor at NASA) and George Diller (current NASA Public Affairs officer) Feb. 2 at Dixie Crossroads Seafood Restaurant in Titusville. Ball, who retired after more than 28 years of federal service, received the “Silver Snoopy” Award and NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Medal twice.

CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Jim Grossmann Preparations are under way to sandblast and paint the 290-foot-high water tower at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39B on Feb. 8. Scaffolding surrounds the tower and a special covering has been placed around the tank. The water towers at Launch Complex 39, which includes pad A and B, are part of the sound suppression system. Water stored in the 300,000-gallon tank used during space shuttle launches would be released just prior to main engine ignition and flow by gravity to special mobile

Reader-submitted photo launcher platform (MLP) outlets. Nine seconds after shuttle liftoff, the peak flow rate was 900,000 gallons per minute and helped to protect the orbiter and payloads from being damaged by acoustical David Banks, surrounded by co-workers, family and friends, celebrates his retirement on energy reflected from the MLP during liftoff. For more on the Sound Suppression Water System, click Jan. 27 after 40 years of federal service at Kennedy Space Center. Banks worked for the Center on the photo. Operations Logistics and Services Branch. During his tenure, he was the supply and equipment management officer (SEMO).

NASA/Kim Shiflett CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Jim Grossmann NASCAR racer Jason Leffler with Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) drives his instrument-laden vehicle A test version of NASA’s Orion spacecraft completed a cross-country journey at Kennedy Space Center down the three-mile-long Shuttle Landing Facility runway at Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 8. The on Feb. 8, after giving residents in three states the chance to see a full-scale mockup of the craft that operation is part of KBM's program to test aerodynamic and real-world capabilities on one of the flattest will take humans into deep space. The capsule is being stored in Kennedy’s Multi-Payload Processing surfaces in the world. Racing teams have been using the runway for testing since 2008. KBM signed a Facility. The test vehicle was used by ground crews in advance of the launch abort system flight test that Space Act Agreement with NASA to use the facility’s runway. took place in New Mexico in 2010. For more on the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, click on the photo. Feb. 24, 2012 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 5 Workers remove Apollo-era engines from crawler at VAB By Linda Herridge Hanna said CT-2 also is undergo- Spaceport News ing other upgrades and modifica- tions, including 16 new, higher or more than 30 years, capacity jacking cylinders; new NASA’s two Apollo-era crawler-transporters car- roller bushings and roller shafts; F upgraded electrical power system ried six space shuttles (Atlantis, Challenger, Columbia, Discovery, components; power, control and Endeavour and Enterprise) atop instrumentation cable replacement; mobile launcher platforms from the and driver cab controls. Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) Other upgrades include new elec- to Launch Complex 39 at Kennedy trical control systems and program- Space Center. mable logic controller moderniza- After traveling 2,190 miles, tion, new instrumentation systems, crawler-transporter 2 (CT-2), which a new belt pin lubrication system, weighs about six million pounds, new hydraulic valves and hydraulic will receive two new diesel engines tubing replacement. and generators so it can be used Structural shear web augmenta- to carry NASA’s Space Launch tion and corrosion control are ongo- System heavy-lift rocket, currently ing tasks, as well. under design, and new Orion space- When all of the modifications craft to the launch pad. CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Kim Shiflett have been completed, the crawler Mary Hanna, the project man- A crane is used to lift an Apollo era diesel engine away from crawler-transporter 2 (CT-2) just outside of will be ready to carry NASA’s ager for the crawler-transporters in the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 15. New engines will be installed later heavy-lift rocket and other future this month. Work is in progress in high bay 2 to upgrade CT-2 so that it can carry NASA’s Space Launch NASA's Ground Systems Develop- System heavy-lift rocket, which is under design, and new Orion spacecraft to the launch pad. The crawl- space program vehicles to Launch ment and Operations Program, is er-transporters were used to carry the mobile launcher platform and space shuttle to Launch Complex 39 Complex 39 for their turn to make overseeing the upgrade efforts. for space shuttle launches for 30 years. For more on the Space Launch System, click on the photo. space program history. “The crawler has to be ready for the new future programs,” Hanna said. “It’s the only way to sive engines in late January when “The new engines are more get launch vehicles out to the pads, the crawler was moved from the powerful but they have a smaller and we’re taking time now to do the crawler yard into the VAB. About footprint,” Hanna said. upgrades so that we’re ready.” 20 technicians and engineers coor- After the engines are in place, On Feb. 15, in high bay 2 inside dinated efforts to remove the old Hanna said, there is a lot of work the VAB, NASA engineers and engines and generators using the required to connect the electrical, United Space Alliance engineers VAB’s 325-ton overhead crane to plumbing and mechanical lines, and and technicians prepared the obso- lift them out. installation will be completed by lete diesel engines, generators and The new 1,500 kilowatt power mid-June. NASA associated parts for removal. The diesel engines, built by Cummins The removed engines are being Two new 1,500 kilowatt power diesel engines old engines, which were built in Engines in Minnesota, arrived at drained, cleaned and readied for and generators arrived at Kennedy Space Center 1964 and installed as original equip- Kennedy in mid-December and are transport by flatbed truck to Ransom from Cummins Engines in Baton Rouge, La., last December. Engineers and technicians will begin ment, ran the AC electrical system. being stored in the crawler mainte- Road where they will be resold or work to install them in crawler-transporter 2 in high Work began to remove the mas- nance yard. recycled. bay 2 of the Vehicle Assembly Building in March.

From BUDGET, Page 1 $323 million over last year in fiscal year 2013. Cabana said that Space Kennedy is to make sure is huge. It says that we’re on While NASA’s Launch Technology and Education that we support our explora- The fiscal year 2013 the right path.” Services Program remains remain even at the center, tion program, the big rocket request for Kennedy is Cabana said that hu- essentially the same as last while space shuttle funding and Orion, and also support just over $2 billion and man exploration programs year, Cabana explained decreases from $35 million commercial operations,” includes exploration, space increased for fiscal year that the budget for Space this year to $21 million for Cabana said, “The budget operations, science, space 2013. Among them, NASA’s Operations at Kennedy will fiscal year 2013 since the overall is great news for technology, education and Commercial Crew Program decrease from $308 mil- shuttles are scheduled to all where we’re going. Now it’s more. increases from $406 million lion this fiscal year to $217 be delivered to their vari- up to us. “This budget takes all the to $830 million, of which million in the next fiscal ous public display sites by “I want to make it happen. hard work the center went Kennedy’s portion increases year. Science decreases November 2012. through in the last couple $367 million to 790 mil- from $299 million to $160 “All that we’re doing And the only way we’re years and puts in place lion and Kennedy’s funding million because the center is the right thing for the going to make it happen is our future path and now from Exploration Ground is not scheduled to launch future,” Cabana said. “This if we continue to deliver on we’re executing that path,” Systems increases from as many science missions in budget allows us to make what we say we’re going to Cabana said. “For Kennedy $305 million in fiscal the next fiscal year com- that happen. do in a cost-efficient, quality to actually get an increase of year 2012 to $405 million pared to this fiscal year. “The right thing here for way,” Cabana said. Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS Feb. 24, 2012 Launch abort system challenges rocket engineers By Steven Siceloff our requirements allow that. We've spacecraft and crew away from the Spaceport News given them a lot of flexibility." failing rocket to a safe landing. It The criteria range from showing will be up to NASA to judge whether hile companies design that the escaping spacecraft will not they will work. and perfect spacecraft run into a tumbling or exploding "The type of abort system in- and rockets to take people W rocket to proving that the escape will dividual companies choose will into space safely, teams of NASA not put the astronauts through more depend on a variety of engineering engineers are deciphering what than 15 g of force or pressure, or 15 design factors. Ultimately, it's about needs to happen if a launch goes times the force of gravity. what approach is most efficient to wrong. The crew also has to have a meet requirements for a safe abort In other words, what kind of ejec- chance to override an abort com- for their integrated spacecraft and tion system will astronauts need to mand, or begin one even if the flight rocket configuration," said Wayne survive? computer doesn't sense a problem. Ordway, CCP's associate director "We're trying to give the crew that The astronauts also will be able to and manager of the Spacecraft Office last option for when things go bad," take control of the spacecraft's flight at Johnson Space Center in Houston. said Brent Jett, deputy director of after computers handle the initial There have been at least three oc- NASA's Commercial Crew Program, separation from the rocket. That will casions when a launch abort system or CCP, and four-time space shuttle give the flight crew the ability to was or would have been triggered. astronaut. navigate through the complex realm The Russian Soyuz spacecraft and Keep in mind that the system NASA file/2011 of entry. Whoever is at the controls, rocket fired their escape rocket on needs to work at all points during An Orion spacecraft built solely as a testbed is whether it is a person or a computer, two occasions and successfully ascent -- from the launch pad, where outfitted May 6, 2011, with a fully functional abort has to position the heat shield prop- rescued the crew, one of which was the air is thick and the spacecraft is system ahead of a test launch to simulate a rapid escape from the launch pad. This system is an erly in an abort and slow the craft an explosion on the launch pad. In not moving at all, to more than 100 example of a "tractor" rocket because the engine down safely so its parachutes can be 1986, the space shuttle Challenger miles above Earth, where there is no is above the spacecraft and pulls it away from the deployed or land on a runway. broke up during ascent when a joint discernable air and the spacecraft and rocket. "Probably the only things we get on one of its solid rocket boosters crew are speeding along at 17,500 neering and Requirements Office. in today that does not have a hu- failed to seal, and exhaust leaked out mph, or about 5 miles a second. Setting up requirements for an man being ready to step in and take and ruptured the external fuel tank. Also, consider that because rockets abort system and designing a reliable control of that system is a monorail The space shuttle did not use a can malfunction and even explode one are no afterthought for engi- system at the airport or an elevator," dedicated launch abort system, but within a second of the first problem, neers. Jett said. "Everything else we get was programmed with abort modes the ejection system needs to be "This is one of the biggest emer- into for transportation – airplanes, that would allow it to return and land able to spot a problem and get the gency systems in the overall archi- trains – the human always has the safely in certain scenarios. spacecraft out of danger before it's tecture of the commercial transporta- ability to insert themselves into the Each of those cases offer little to too late. tion system," said Don Totton, a CCP system." today's designers. Very few specifics "Basically, you're separating from systems engineer. Finding the right requirements was are known about the Soyuz aborts, the rocket with a smaller rocket and "It was definitely in my top five on a new challenge for NASA, engi- so it's hard to use them to confirm it's a pretty extreme environment to my list in terms of making sure we neers said. computer models, Totton said. In the put the crew into," said Chris Gerace, got it right," Jett said. "We're not designing a launch deputy chief of CCP's Systems Engi- See , Page 7 NASA's work in the next genera- abort system. What we're doing is, ABORT tion of spacecraft abort systems is we're saying, given the requirements significantly different from past and the goals that we're trying to programs. Instead of designing a achieve, what are the objectives that specific system for a given craft, an abort system needs to achieve," the engineers are drawing objective Gerace said. "What we struggled requirements that private compa- with was, OK, how do we describe nies must meet to be considered for in objective terms what it is we're NASA missions. trying to do?" "We ask ourselves, is it necessary Totton said the team focused on and is it achievable," Gerace said. aborting safely from two failures: if "It's always important to look at what the rocket's thrust is suddenly lost or you want with those two questions the attitude vector veers off course. in mind." "If it's sized properly for those The agency also is funding some failure modes at all points in ascent, of the design work for the companies we're going to get a very robust NASA file/2009 while offering its own extensive system," Totton said. The Max Launch Abort System, a 33-foot-tall expertise under other partnerships, To meet those requirements, NASA file/2009 rocket, was launched July 10, 2009, to evaluate known as Space Act Agreements. designers at individual companies An Apollo Launch Escape System is test-fired it for use in the Orion spacecraft program. The "To me, these guys are being very are developing powerful rockets and May 19, 1965. This escape rocket had 200,000 escape system is an example of a "pusher" pounds of thrust, more than twice that of the Red- escape system because the thrusters are below innovative," Totton said. "They've all computer networks that can sense stone rocket that lifted American Alan Shepard the spacecraft. taken such different approaches and trouble and then carry the whole into space four years earlier. Feb. 24, 2012 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 7

NASA/Brittney Longley The Black Employee Strategic Team (BEST) hosts a leadership panel in the mission briefing room of the Operations and Checkout Building at Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 15. BEST hosts leadership panel discussion By Brittney Longley tions and Checkout Building director of Management for employees who are trying to successes. Many of the pan- Spaceport News on Feb. 15. NASA’s Commercial Crew build or maintain a success- elists agreed that you have to The panel included Program (CCP). ful career with the space follow and learn before you n the day he died, six Kennedy managers: “We were seeking across agency. can successfully lead. President John Hortense Blackwell Diggs, a section of disciplines, “You’re going to be put The panelists shared more F. Kennedy said, O director of Education programs, and backgrounds into a lot of situations, but words of wisdom: “Leadership and learning Programs; Hewitt Q. “HQ” to have the most perspec- it’s nothing to be fearful of," “Stepping out of your are indispensable to each McKinney, chief of the tive shared,” said Lakeesha McKinney said. "It’s show- comfort zone is what it other.” Launch Services Program’s Flowers, BEST head chair. ing what you can do." sometimes takes to be suc- And while history has (LSP) Resource Manage- The goal of the event, McKinney added: “My cessful,” Hawkins said. proven true the essential rela- ment Office; Thomas Keller, Flowers said, was for grandmother told me to “Be a supporter, support tionship between leadership Program Manager of Chen- employees to build lasting always go the extra mile the team no matter what the and learning, NASA Ken- ega Security and Support relationships with Kennedy's because no one will be there effort is,” Diggs said. nedy Space Center workers Solutions; Kim Carter, chief leadership team. It's a pretty with you anyway and there’s Many of the employees in had an opportunity to learn of the Information Technol- attainable goal since many no traffic in the extra mile.” attendance said they were in- from their leaders as the ogy Directorate’s Business of the panelists have been Employees asked the panel spired to take on a few extra Black Employee Strategic Office; Wanda Harding, a se- working on NASA programs members a wide range of miles, set achievable goals Team (BEST) hosted a lead- nior mission manager in the for at least 10 years, and, questions, from what it takes and continue to network ership panel in the mission Flight Office of the LSP; and combined, they posses plenty to become a leader and how with their leaders in order to briefing room of the Opera- Tyrell Hawkins, the associate of experience to share with failures can help shape our become leaders themselves.

From ABORT, Page 6 quickly and builds up its thrust very abort system because they didn't "That design process is every bit fast to escape danger. On the other build up thrust quickly enough. Jett as important as the launch abort case of Challenger, the space shuttle hand, if there is not an abort, the said engine technology advances system design," Gerace said. is such a different design from the tower is thrown away. have closed that gap, though. They want to make sure the flight designs under consideration that it A pusher system, with all the Boeing and engine maker Pratt computers have the right informa- wouldn't be useful to compare them. weight of the spacecraft above it & Whitney Rocketdyne success- tion to find out if something major is In the past, NASA incorporated instead of below, can put more pres- fully tested the Bantam abort engine wrong, but not so much information rockets on a tower above the capsule sure on the computers controlling the that is the basis of a pusher escape that a perfect flight is accidentally for Mercury and Apollo. The launch abort during the critical first second system. NASA's Orion spacecraft abandoned. escape system for Apollo used a or so when the spacecraft is getting performed well in a test of its escape The Apollo flight computers solid-fueled rocket that, at 200,000 away from the rocket. system, a traditional tractor rocket looked at between nine and 13 things pounds thrust, was more powerful Think of balancing a baseball bat tower. during a launch to determine if the than the Redstone that launched Alan on the palm and how many adjust- Sierra Nevada and Blue Origin flight should be aborted. Space shut- Shepard into space. Those designs ments it takes to keep it balanced. also anticipate using pusher systems. tle main engine computers looked are generally known as "tractor rock- On the plus side, the engines and NASA is working under unfunded at dozens of things several times a ets" because they pull the spacecraft propellant not used in an abort can Space Act Agreements with three second and modern rocket computers away from the rocket. The rocket still be used by the spacecraft once it companies, including United Launch can add more to that. is jettisoned before the spacecraft reaches orbit. SpaceX, for example, Alliance, which is determining what "In selecting abort triggers, we reaches orbit. has expressed interest in using the will be necessary to make its Atlas V have to balance the risk between per- Designs with the rockets below the engines at landing to make pinpoint rocket acceptable to launch people. forming the abort and not aborting spacecraft are known as "pushers." returns to a pad on Earth after a mis- ATK and Excalibur Almaz also when we don't need to," Totton said. Each system has advantages and sion. are working with NASA through The next generation of spacecraft disadvantages compared to the other. "A pusher becomes very syner- unfunded agreements. is not expected to venture into space For example, an Apollo-style tractor getic to the overall mission," Gerace While deciding whether and how with people on board until 2015 or rocket mounted atop the capsule can said. an abort would work during launch, so, but there is plenty of work for allow more mass to be taken into or- Previously, liquid-fueled pusher designers also will examine the designers as they refine their launch bit, Totton said. A tower also ignites engines were not practical for an warning system in the rocket itself. abort strategies. Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS Feb. 24, 2012

In celebration of Kennedy Space Center's NASA Employees of the Month: February 50th anniversary, enjoy these vintage photos . . . FROM THE VAULT

Employees for the month of February are, from left, Steven Bigos, ISS Ground Processing and Research Office; Rob Wolfinger, Procurement; Derrick Thomas, Office of the Chief Financial Officer; Mike Deliz, Center Operations; and Angel Lucena, Engineering and Technology. Not pictured: Ewing B. Swaney, Ground Processing; Roland Schlierf, Ground Systems Development and Operations Program; Michael D. Stirling, Engineering and Technology; Dennis Moore, Office of Safety and Mission Assurance; and Gary Beatovich, Vehicle Launch Services Program. NASA file/1962 This ground level view taken Jan. 8, 1962, shows the front of the E&L (Engineering and Laboratory) Building while the construction of a new sidewalk is being done. Looking up and ahead . . . * All times are Eastern 2012

No earlier than Feb. 24 Launch/CCAFS (SLC-41): Atlas V, MUOS Launch window: 5:15 to 5:59 p.m.

No earlier than March 21 Launch/Reagan Test Site Kwajalein Atoll: Pegasus XL, NuSTAR Launch window: 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

No earlier than late April Launch/CCAFS (SLC-40): SpaceX Falcon 9, Dragon C2/C3 Launch window: TBD

No earlier than April 27 Launch/CCAFS (SLC-41): Atlas V, AEHF 2 Launch window: TBD

John F. Kennedy Space Center Spaceport News

Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center and is published online on alternate Fridays by Public Affairs in the interest of KSC civil service and contractor employees. Contributions are welcome and should be submitted three weeks before NASA file/1975 publication to Public Affairs, IMCS-440. E-mail submissions can be sent to KSC-Spaceport-News@mail.nasa.gov A parachute system, designed to carry an instrument-laden probe down through the dense atmosphere of torrid, cloud-shrouded Venus, was tested in Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Managing editor ...... Candrea Thomas Assembly Building (VAB) on June 4, 1975. The tests are in preparation for a Pioneer multi-probe Editor ...... Frank Ochoa-Gonzales mission to Venus scheduled for launch from Kennedy in 1978. Full-scale (12-foot in diameter) Copy editor ...... Kay Grinter parachutes with simulated pressure vessels weighing up to 45 pounds were dropped from heights of up to 450 feet to the floor of the VAB where the impact was cushioned by a honeycomb cardboard Editorial support provided by Abacus Technology Corp. Writers Group. impact arrestor. The VAB offered an ideal, wind-free testing facility at no additional construction cost NASA at KSC is on the Internet at www.nasa.gov/kennedy and was used for similar tests of the parachute system for the twin Viking spacecraft. USGPO: 733-049/600142