sign in sign up
<<
Home , Jack Garman, Jack King (NASA), Lunar Module Eagle, Tranquility Base

July 10, 2009 Vol. 49, No. 14

www..gov/centers/kennedy/news/snews/spnews_

Inside . . . First steps planted foothold

By Kay Grinter moon at 1:54 p.m. July 21. Reference Librarian Now, 40 years later, hat a difference preparations are under way a day makes! for to return to the WThe 11 moon. President George W. astronauts’ sojourn on the Bush unveiled a new vision 2 lunar surface was a mere for space exploration in Janu- 21 hours, 36 minutes, but that ary 2004, calling on NASA Director’s Note single day made a permanent to “gain a new foothold on impact on the history of the the moon and to prepare for human race. new journeys to the worlds The beyond our own.” NASA’s descended to the Sea of new initiative to return to the Tranquility on July 20, 1969, moon was named the Con- carrying Neil and NASA fi le/1969 stellation Program. The designs of the Buzz into the his- In one of the most iconic images of the 20th century, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin explores 3 tory books. Michael the surface of the moon during the mission in July 1969. launch vehicles and crew orbited above the moon’s capsule envisioned for use Rockets surface in the command mod- him describe the feat as “one the project, every guy at the in the Constellation Program ule Columbia. The legs of the small step for a man, one gi- bench building something, are in progress. The Ares I lunar module made contact at ant leap for mankind.” every assembler, every and Ares V rockets are slated 4:18 p.m. EDT. Of course, the plan was inspector, every guy that’s to carry future crews and Armstrong reported put in motion May 25, 1961, setting up the tests, cranking supplies to the International to mission control, “Hous- by President John F. Kennedy the torque wrench, and so on, Space Station and on to the ton, here in an address to Congress. is saying, man or woman, ‘If moon, much as the -- the Eagle has landed,” and However, Armstrong ac- anything goes wrong here, it’s I and vehicles did 4 received the reply, “Roger, knowledged in an interview not going to be my fault, be- during Apollo. Tranquility. We copy you on for NASA’s Johnson Space cause my part is going to be The fi rst crewed fl ight Modules the ground. You got a bunch Center Oral History Project, better than I have to make it.’ of the Orion spacecraft to the of guys about to turn blue. the contribution made by And when you have hundreds space station is targeted for We are breathing again.” every worker in the interven- of thousands of people all 2015. Altair’s fi rst landing on Armstrong took human- ing eight years led to the doing their job a little better the moon with an ity’s fi rst step on the moon at success of that fi rst landing than they have to, you get an crew is planned for 2020. 10:56 p.m. Some 600 million and the reliable operation of improvement in performance. The hope is that another viewers on -- one-fi fth the hardware in the Apollo And that’s the only reason we day will come when NASA of the world population Program. could have pulled this whole can say once more: “We 5 -- watched the live televi- “I can only attribute that thing off,” Armstrong said. came in peace for all man- sion transmission and heard to the fact that every guy in The Eagle lifted off the kind.” Launch Pads

8 9 10 11 12 VAB Parachutes Science Experiments Community Work Force Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS: The First Steps - Apollo to Constellation July 10, 2009 Remember triumphs, keep looking ahead orty years ago, humans set foot on during its beginning. A lot can happen in the moon for the first time, a journey 10 years; just look up in the night sky when of some 230,000 miles that took Director’s the station is making a twilight pass over- F head. I truly believe that if we can dream it, four days to complete and began right here on Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Update we can make it happen. Center. There are some of you who were We have an amazing team here at Kenne- here for that historic event, but for many of Bob Cabana dy, and in spite of all the challenges in front our Kennedy work force, it’s a memory from Director of us, this is a great time to be part of space a grainy black-and-white TV or something exploration. The shuttle is unequalled in what they read about in history class. It’s time to it can do, the station is nearing completion change that. and will reach its full potential in the years Kennedy is once again preparing to Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite. ahead. The Launch Services Program send humans beyond low Earth orbit in a These missions will accurately map the lunar leads the way in the delivery of scien- spirit of exploration and discovery. Only surface and search for the presence of water- tific and robotic missions that pave the this time when we return to the moon, it ice on the moon, preparing the way for an way for human exploration, and the will be for weeks at a time instead of days, extended human presence. Constellation Program is laying the and we will be establishing the infrastruc- Change is all around us at Kennedy as foundation here at Kennedy to once ture we need to travel even further from we prepare for the Constellation Program. In again explore beyond the confines our home planet. the Vehicle Assembly Building, the Ares I-X of low Earth orbit. None of this On June 18, we took the first steps to- vehicle is being stacked and checked out for would be possible without your ward this future with the successful launch a flight test later this year. Modifications are dedication and service. of the Atlas V rocket carrying NASA’s being made to Launch Pad 39B to support the So as we take time this month Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and Lunar Ares I-X flight test and the follow-on Ares to remember our triumphs of I rocket. Construction continues on the new 40 years ago, let’s also take mobile launcher for Ares I. At the beginning time to celebrate the accom- of this year, we held a ceremony to com- plishments of today as a new memorate the activation of the Operations generation of Kennedy work- and Checkout Facility high bay, which ers prepare to take us back to will serve as the final assembly the moon and beyond. This facility for the Orion crew ex- is a great time to be part ploration vehicle. In the facility of the Kennedy team. that once processed the Apollo command and service modules Keep charging! for our first trips to the moon, we will now be processing the Bob Orion spacecraft for our future trips there. With all that’s going on, it’s tough to stay focused on the task at hand sometimes, but that’s exactly what we must do. This means executing the remaining shuttle missions and completing the International Space Station in a flawless manner. At my last All-Hands Meeting, I made the comparison of the current status of the Constellation Program with where the International Space Station program was

Background: Commander Eugene Cernan adjusts the U.S. flag on the moon’s surface. Apollo 17 was the seventh and last crewed lunar landing. July 10, 2009 SPACEPORT NEWS: The First Steps - Apollo to Constellation Page 3 Ares rockets model Saturn V successful design

By Steve Siceloff two years later, a booster just like I design. Called Ares I-X, the Spaceport News it would propel astronauts to the mission is meant to evaluate the surface of the moon. first stage by launching an upper onstruction dust fell all For the first time since the stage and capsule simulator. around the launch team, halcyon days of Apollo, designers Instead of one large rocket Ca reporter fell out of his and technicians are engineering like the Saturn V, designers chair on air and about everyone the first line of rockets meant to want two new rockets – a gasped as the first Saturn V roared carry humanity back to the face of small one called Ares I NASA image to life and thundered off the launch another world. to carry astronauts in pad in November 1967. “Anytime you go to a new a spacecraft called No one rode inside the capsule vehicle, it’s exciting,” said Jon Orion into at the top of the massive rocket Cowart, deputy mission manager Earth orbit, An artist’s rendition during that first test. But less than for the first flight test of the Ares and then of Ares I, which is the crew launch vehicle being another developed by NASA as a component of Constellation Program.

planned. The booster even survived stronger lightning strikes in 1969 when booster, the lifted off. Ares V, to lift a “I would like to have their moon lander called safety record,” Cowart said. Altair. Orion would meet When it came time to design the lander and the upper new moon missions, Cowart said stage of the Ares V above Earth the success of the Saturn V gave and then the group would fly to the engineers plenty of cues to work moon. from. Perhaps most dramatically, It’s a tall order during a time NASA is moving back to a that is far different from the 1960s, spacecraft perched on top of the when America and the Soviet rocket in a capsule design such as Union were in the Cold War, Apollo. and space was one of the most “We wanted to go back to competitive arenas. clean, simple lines,” Cowart said. “Everything we were doing Cowart said that building at that time was being done for another Saturn V-class booster the first time,” said Jack King, the to simply launch astronauts to voice of Apollo Launch Control. the International Space Station King, who is now a would be a waste. By building a communications consultant for smaller rocket for Orion, NASA United Space Alliance, made a can send crews to the station while special trip to see the Saturn V developing the large Ares V and early on launch morning, when . the towering rocket was bathed in The Constellation Program spotlights. aims to send more astronauts to “There was nothing like it,” the lunar surface than its Saturn King said. “I still remember it as predecessor. the most majestic thing we ever Apollo saw two astronauts at had.” a time bounce about on the moon, The Saturn V is legendary for but Constellation envisions up to carrying men to the moon, but it four people at a time visiting the is the gigantic rocket’s reliability moon. that most impresses the engineers “We’ll have twice as many to designing NASA’s next moon- the surface and staying for twice as bound boosters. long,” Cowart said. There were 13 launches of King said a return to the the moon rocket and no payload moon would be a victory for was ever lost. Problems developed Constellation just as the moon NASA file/1969 on the second test flight with the landings made Apollo memorable. Apollo 11 lifts off Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39A at 9:37 a.m., July 16, 1969, with astronauts upper stages, but the command His wish for Constellation: “That , Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Michael Collins aboard. module still came back as they show us up and go to Mars.” Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS: The First Steps - Apollo to Constellation July 10, 2009 Orion encapsulates some aspects of lunar module

By Linda Herridge modules, as well as lunar surface experiments Members of the Air Forces’ 920th Rescue Spaceport News for the . Wing secure a fl otation collar on the mock-up Orion crew explora- Apollo and Orion share that distinctive orty years ago this month, tion vehicle at Port conical shape, but the Orion spacecraft Canaveral, Fla. On three brave astronauts has an upper and lower level and top of Orion are strapped into their Apollo F is more than twice the size of an additional capsule, dubbed “Columbia,” sitting fl otation Apollo capsule. Orion also will atop the massive Saturn V rocket, devices. have more windows than and began an incredible journey Apollo, but its ablative heat to the moon from Kennedy Space shield for re-entry will be Center’s Launch Pad 39A. similar. “It was exciting times,” said While the Apollo Terry Greenfi eld. “We were doing capsule could something new and there were great accommodate only people leading the way.” three astronauts in a Greenfi eld worked on the launch very confi ned space, vehicle boosters for and Orion will carry four V, and is now chief engineer for astronauts comfortably electrical systems with ASRC to the International Space Aerospace. Station and the moon. Today, as NASA’s The new returning capsule Program closes in on its fi nal will land and be retrieved in missions, the agency is ramping up the ocean like Apollo. the fi rst of its next-generation space For Apollo 11, there vehicles -- the Ares I rocket and were four segments totaling Orion crew exploration vehicle. 80 feet high and 12.8 feet “Orion is very similar to Apollo,” in diameter. The command said Dick Lyon, vice president module housed the crew and propulsion, NASA/Kim Shifl ett and program manager for the equipment needed for re- electrical University-affi liated Spaceport entry and splashdown. The power and storage Technology Development Contract provided for various consumables abort system. The spacecraft with ASRC Aerospace. required during the mission. will weigh 60,003 pounds when Lyon came to The launch escape system was located atop docked to the space station. Kennedy in 1964, the command module and the lunar module During Apollo moon and worked on was located in the spacecraft-lunar module missions, one astronaut the crew adapter below the service module. remained in the command and lunar The command module measured module orbiting the moon, 10 feet, 7 inches tall with a diameter while two astronauts traveled to of 12 feet, 10 inches across the the surface in a lunar module. base. The forward compartment Orion astronauts will transfer contained two reaction control from the spacecraft to the Altair engines, the docking tunnel lunar lander for a longer stay and the components of the on the lunar surface, leaving an Earth landing system. Its 210- uncrewed, automated command cubic-feet interior housed module orbiting the moon. the main control panels, Kelvin Manning is the Orion crew seats, guidance and division chief in Kennedy’s navigation systems, food Constellation Project Offi ce. and equipment lockers, and a He said there has to be a lot of waste management system and confi dence in the design of the docking tunnel, which left very crew module to allow it to orbit little room for the astronauts to unattended around the moon. move around. “It’s a giant leap,” Manning Apollo was equipped with a said. host of switches, lights and gauges. “This is another primary NASA fi le/1969 Orion will have advanced electronics, step to put us back at the top,” touch screens and Lyon said. “The moon is a The Apollo 11 crew other controls derived from space shuttle major step and a launching awaits pickup by a upgrades. platform to other places. It’s helicopter from the USS Hornet, the prime recovery ship Components of Orion are the crew module, an opportunity to make great for the historic lunar landing mission. service module, spacecraft adapter and launch strides.” July 10, 2009 SPACEPORT NEWS: The First Steps - Apollo to Constellation Page 5 Pads evolve as launching points to space By Frank Ochoa-Gonzales On April 12, 1981, shuttle Spaceport News Editor operations commenced at pad A with the launch of space shuttle very journey starts from Columbia on the STS-1 mission. a point A. In the case of After 23 more successful launches EApollo 11, that point was from pad A, the first space shuttle to 39A, as in Launch Pad 39A at lift off from pad B was Challenger’s NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. final mission, STS-51L, in Janu- Some flights also started at point ary 1986. Pad B was designated for 39B, the twin launch pad to the the resumption of shuttle flights in north. September 1988, followed by the Although Apollo retired more reactivation of pad A in January than three decades ago, the twin 1990. launch pads have remained active to Space shuttle operations on serve as the starting line for space pad B ended when Endeavour rolled shuttle flights. And on launch day, over to pad A on May 31, and there’s no doubt that’s where the pad B was turned over to the Con- action is. stellation Program. It is the next “When you’d get to the pads step in preparing the first flight test right before a launch, you’d realize of the agency’s next-generation it was an area of high concentra- spacecraft and launch vehicle sys- tion,” said Guenther Wendt, who tem -- including the Ares I and Ares was in charge of Kennedy launch V launch vehicles, the Orion crew tower pad operations during the capsule and the Altair lunar lander. Mercury and Apollo programs. The ground operations team “When you got to it, you realized currently is modifying pad B for the there was a big monster living there. Ares I-X rocket launch. You had to be prepared for anything “You have to take that first step and everything.” to start any journey. It is amazing During the Apollo era, key pad and humbling now that launch is service structures were mobile. Fol- within our grasp. And realize, what lowing the joint U.S.-Soviet Apollo- we are about to do as part of the Soyuz Test Project mission in July Ares I-X team, is the first step of 1975. Following 12 Apollo Program taking us beyond low Earth orbit launches, the pads were modified again and on our way to Mars for to support space shuttle operations. the first time with humans,” said For the first time, two permanent Billy Stover, ground systems inte- service towers were installed at each grated product team lead. pad, the fixed and The Ares I-X flight test is tar- the rotating service structure. geted for no earlier than Aug. 30.

NASA/Kim Shifflett Three lighting towers currently surround Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39B, which was handed NASA file/1969 over to NASA’s Constellation Program from the Space Shuttle Program on May 31. The Apollo 11 Saturn V rocket lights up Launch Pad 39A right after rollout at Kennedy Space Center. Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS: The First Steps - Apollo to Constellation July 10, 2009 July 10, 2009 SPACEPORT NEWS: The First Steps - Apollo to Constellation Page 7 Apollo 11 ‘one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind’

2 3 4

1

5 6 7 8

1. A Kennedy Space Center technician works atop the White Room through which the Apollo 11 astronauts entered their spacecraft. 2. The Apollo 11 crew conducts a compart- 6. Apollo 11 races to the moon July 16, 1969. Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Neil Armstrong walked on the moon’s surface four days later. 7. The Apollo 11 crewmembers ride to ment fit and functional check of the equipment and storage locations in their command module. 3. Lunar Module Pilot Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin salutes the U.S. flag July 20, 1969, the launch pad in the astronaut transport van for the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test on July 15, 1969. 8. President welcomes the Apollo 11 astronauts during humanity’s first visit to the moon. 4. Apollo 11 Lunar Module Pilot Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin is photographed by Commander Neil Armstrong during the first spacewalk on the back to Earth aboard the USS Hornet recovery ship. Apollo 11 splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on July 24, 1969. Background: Before Neil Armstrong and Edwin lunar surface July 20, 1969. 5. Launch team members watch Apollo 11 lift off through the firing room windows at Kennedy Space Center on July 16, 1969. “Buzz” Aldrin lifted off the moon’s surface, Armstrong (shadow) takes a picture of the lunar module Eagle. Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS: The First Steps - Apollo to Constellation July 10, 2009 VAB always ready to stack, roll big rockets

By Anita Barrett tall shuttle stack. Spaceport News According to Charles Gambaro, Constellation he Kennedy Space senior project manager for Center of the 21st VAB modifi cations, ad- century began T ditional platforms will be taking shape in the early needed at higher levels, con- 1960s, when new facilities structed where major work were needed to assemble will be done. The highest the moon-bound Saturn platform elevation will be at V rockets. The most impressive in terms of size about 360 feet. was the Vertical Assembly “The design of the High Building, known as the Bay 3 platforms is very close VAB, standing 525 feet tall to 100 percent complete and and towering over the area’s the new platforms will look skyline. and operate totally differ- The building was ent from existing shuttle renamed the Vehicle platforms,” said Gambaro. Assembly Building in 1965. “Platforms currently used for After the Saturn V, its NASA/Tim Jacobs shuttle will be removed after use turned to shuttle and The Ares I-X interstage 1 for the upper stage simulator is moved to the forward assembly in the Vehicle Assembly Building’s the high bay turnover. The high bay at Kennedy Space Center. The VAB is the fourth largest building in the world by volume and the largest one-story new platforms to be installed soon will turn to preparing building in the world. the Ares I and Ares V rock- will conform to the shape of ets for NASA’s Constellation the Saturn V stages during “face-lift” was needed to from a processing facility. the Ares I vehicle. They will Program. checkout and preparation. accommodate the shuttle Getting the VAB ready be designed for the work to The VAB is divided They then were retracted vehicles, which differed sig- for the Constellation Pro- be done at each level.” into two main sections. For against the walls before the nifi cantly in size and shape gram has required engineers For now, shuttles and the Apollo Program, eight vehicle rolled out to the from previous human space to rethink and remeasure the the Ares I-X fl ight test seg- cells used for preparing and launch pad. vehicles. Modifi cations in space. ments share the VAB. After checking out the second and Don Phillips was chief the VAB included major The Ares I on top of the 2010, the facility will again third stages of the Saturn V test supervisor for the Apollo changes to high bays 1 and 3 mobile launcher will reach be dedicated to preparing were in the low bay sec- Program. Like most people to equip them for the assem- 358 feet high, compared to rockets for launches to the tion. Each cell contained who enter the VAB, he said bly and checkout of shuttles. the approximately 225-foot- moon and beyond. work platforms that opened he was “awed” by the vol- Work platforms also had to to receive the stage and ume of space inside. be modifi ed to fi t the shuttle then enclosed it. The cell’s “I often took guests on confi guration. mechanical and electrical tours to the 34th level near High bays 2 and 4 systems enabled simula- the top, where the highest required internal structural tion of stage interfaces and catwalk was located,” said changes to accommodate a operations with other stages, Phillips. “It was always vertical storage cell and a as well as with the instru- impressive to look down checkout cell. This also is ment unit. at operations on the lower where the 154-foot shuttle The high bay section fl oors.” external tank waits to be contains four bays, each He added, “It also was mated to the shuttle. large enough to accom- fascinating to watch the A portion of the low bay modate a mobile launcher 250-ton crane in operation.” checkout cell was converted carrying a fully assembled The crane was used to lift into an enclosed, environ- space vehicle. spacecraft from the transfer mentally controlled work- High bays 1, 2 and 3 aisle into the high bays. shop where orbiter main were fully equipped for the Much of the offi ce engines are received and Saturn V vehicles, while the space in the VAB’s upper inspected. As shuttle opera- fourth bay was reserved to levels housed the check- tions matured, the shop was support a higher launch rate, out instrumentation of the moved out of the VAB near if required. stages. There also were where Orbiter Processing Five pairs of extensible 16 high-speed elevators to Facility-3 is located. work platforms of varying serve the 3,000 employees In addition, the north heights were installed on the working in the VAB during door of the VAB was verti- NASA fi le/1969 north and south sides of each Apollo. cally modifi ed to accommo- Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building’s High Bay 1, an overhead crane lifts the operational bay. The exten- For the Space Shuttle date the tail of the shuttle as Saturn V fi rst stage for the Apollo 11 mission from the transfer aisle fl oor in prepa- sible platforms encircled Program, a technological it rolls into the transfer isle ration for stacking on a mobile launcher. July 10, 2009 SPACEPORT NEWS: The First Steps - Apollo to Constellation Page 9 Constellation chutes descend from Apollo

By Elaine Marconi parachutes, three pilot The command module, with its Spaceport News parachutes, two drogue three main parachutes and astro- parachute motors, three upright nauts John Young, Thomas he Apollo Program was Mattingly II and Charles bags, a sea recovery cable, a Duke Jr., approaches designed to land humans on dye marker and a swimmer splashdown in the Tthe moon and bring them umbilical. central Pacifi c safely back to Earth. Six missions, Each part of the ELS Ocean on Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17, April 21, worked synergistically. 1972. achieved this goal. About 24,000 feet The missions that landed on the after the command moon returned a wealth of scientifi c module’s forward data and hundreds of pounds of heat shield was lunar samples, but without a safe jettisoned, the way to return to Earth, none of these drogue parachutes missions would have been deemed were released a success. slowing the A little known, but enormously spacecraft to 125 signifi cant component of the mph. brilliantly designed Apollo At 10,700 feet, command module was the Earth the drogues were landing system, or ELS -- basically jettisoned and the a set of parachutes. pilot parachutes The word “parachute” comes were deployed, which from a French word with an ancient pulled out the main Greek prefi x: “para,” meaning chutes. These slowed the NASA fi le/1972 against or counter, combined with command module to 22 “chute,” the French word for fall. mph for a soft splashdown in spacefl ight. Parachute therefore means “against the ocean. Without them, the fall.” the safety of Apollo’s ELS John returning astronauts consisted of Presnell, and the reusability of three main chief logistics important equipment would be engineer for United Space impossible. Alliance, has been with The Constellation Program has America’s space program developed a super-sized version since 1956, when NASA of the Apollo parachutes for the was still named the Ares solid rocket booster recovery National Advisory system and Orion crew exploration Committee for vehicle. Aeronautics, or The booster parachute recovery NACA. Presnell system consists of three enormous was the vehicle parachutes, each weighing in at project engineer of one ton and measuring 150 feet in development for diameter. They are the largest rocket Apollo’s fi rst fl ight parachutes ever manufactured. test. The successful recovery of the Presnell was Apollo astronauts plucked from present when the the ocean was a testament to the Little Joe II rocket capability of the parachutes to launched the Apollo perform nearly fl awlessly. Today, test command module they continue to provide safe and newly developed landings for space shuttle solid parachutes May 13, 1964, rocket boosters. from the U.S. Army’s White In the future, the Ares spent fi rst- NASA fi le/2007 Sands Missile Range in New stage motors and the Orion crew The main Mexico. exploration vehicle will land safely parachutes for When asked how it felt to see his on Earth, thus allowing them to be Constellation Program team’s project come to fruition for such reused for future fl ights. This will rockets are tested Nov. 15, 2007, over the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving a prestigious cause Presnell said, “It was very be due to the exceptional capability Ground near Yuma, Ariz. They measure emotional.” of their parachute landing systems, 150 feet in diameter and weigh 2,000 pounds. Parachutes still play a major role in human born in the Apollo-era 40 years ago. Page 10 SPACEPORT NEWS: The First Steps - Apollo to Constellation July 10, 2009 Lunar experiments map out pivotal steps By Rebecca Sprague Spaceport News

pollo-era scientists and physicists on AEarth were excited that their experiments were going to the moon, even if they weren’t. During a breath-taking lunar descent by the Apollo 11 astronauts, they feared their projects might not even make it to the surface. “The lunar module was running out of gas and in the blink of an eye the mission was going to abort,” said Lee Scherer, former Ken- nedy Space Center director. “But , a com- puter expert in , said he had seen the computer glitch during simulations, and Apollo 11 was told to continue the approach.” NASA file/1969 The Apollo Lunar Ex- Astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin deploys the Passive Seismic Experiment Package on the moon’s surface near the Sea of Tranquility. The sensitive instrument remained ploration Office, along with on the lunar surface to radio back information about moonquakes, landslides and meteorite impacts. The Apollo 11 instrument returned data for only three weeks. More advanced seismometers were deployed at the Apollo 12, 14, 15, and 16 landing sites and transmitted data to Earth until September 1977. many others, breathed a sigh of relief. Scherer, who led past 40 years,” Alley said. has a vault with hundreds of the office at NASA Head- “They should last essen- pounds of lunar rocks, core quarters in Washington, tially forever. We worried samples, pebbles, and sand D.C., at the time, said he that very fine, powder-like and dust collected from the helped pick out landing sites particles on the moon lunar surface. and exploration opportuni- would coat the surfaces, but “Scientists continue to ties, along with acting as a they continue to send back study lunar samples and are liaison between NASA and signals.” developing a new theory for Congress. Perhaps just as impor- the origin of the moon not “We watched the first tant as what Apollo astro- considered before Apollo man step down onto the nauts left behind, though, is went to the moon,” said moon on a vague, rough what they brought back. Gary Lofgren, lunar curator television picture. It was “There was a fear of at Johnson. breathtaking for everyone in not knowing what micro- In an effort to expand NASA/Jack Pfaller the program,” Scherer said. meteorites would do to an our knowledge of the moon, NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, and the Lunar Crater Observation “The principal investi- and Sensing Satellite, or LCROSS, include instruments to help map the moon’s astronaut’s protective space- build an outpost and journey gators were in the operations surface and search for signs of ice. The spacecraft launched June 18 to pave the suit,” Scherer said. “Apollo on to Mars, NASA’s Explo- center at Johnson Space way for future robotic and human missions to the moon. 12 landed beside 3 ration Science Mission Di- Center, just in case we were so could gather rectorate recently launched landing site, moonwalkers Turns out the site Arm- needed for troubleshooting,” parts from the lander to be the Lunar Reconnaissance Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and strong picked was perfect said Carroll Alley, a physi- examined for micrometeor- Orbiter and Lunar Crater Neil Armstrong talked about cist whose prime experiment -- today, physicists around ite damage after five years Observation and Sensing was packed inside the Eagle. where to place that first the world use the retroreflec- of exposure. The suits were Satellite. LRO is set to ac- Alley was the principal retroreflector: tors deployed on Apollos determined to be sufficiently curately map the moon’s investigator for a device Aldrin: OK, have you 11, 14 and 15 to measure effective.” surface and LCROSS is called the Laser Rang- got us a good area picked the precise Earth-to-moon There also were the designed to check for ice. ing Retroreflector that the out? distance and to test theories all-important moon samples “These missions will astronauts were to place on Armstrong: Well, I of gravity. that geologists turn to rou- provide information that will the moon. think right out on that rise “The retroreflectors are tinely for studies. greatly improve the next About 100 feet away out there is probably as good accessed nearly continu- Johnson’s Lunar generation of lunar science,” from the Sea of Tranquility as any. ously, and have been for the Sample Laboratory Facility Lofgren said. July 10, 2009 SPACEPORT NEWS: The First Steps - Apollo to Constellation Page 11 Community feeds off Kennedy’s endeavors

By Rebecca Sprague Spaceport News Celebrate Apollo ife in the 1960s . . . July 16 bell-bottom jeans 11 a.m. Land tie-dye shirts, Apollo/Saturn V Center rock and soul, muscle cars, Apollo astronauts will share the beach, the moon, and a stories with guests underneath whole lot of free peace and a gigantic Saturn V rocket. love. July 16 Don Phillips, chief test 12:15 p.m. supervisor on Launch Com- Apollo/Saturn V Center plex 39 during the Apollo Mark the opening of the Apollo era, said “life was quite a Treasures Gallery, which in- bit different back then,” es- cludes a rare collection of Apollo pecially on the Space Coast tools and gear. where the race to the moon July 16 was heating up. 3 to 4:30 p.m. At the height of NASA’s Astronaut Encounter Apollo Program, Kennedy Theater Space Center employed Astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin about 26,000 people, includ- will sign copies of his book, ing tenants and supporting “Magnifi cent Desolation: The contractors. Long Journey Home From the Moon.” “When I fi rst started at NASA fi le/1969 Kennedy, the average age Thousands of people camped on beaches and roads adjacent to Kennedy Space Center to watch Apollo 11 launch. An estimat- July 20 was 30 or below,” Phillips ed one million people visited the Spaceport area to see the historic fl ight, the nation’s fi rst attempt to land on the lunar surface. 2 p.m. said. “It was a very youth- Rocket Garden ful group that worked well called Tropical Wonderland Eat a piece of one of the world’s together and didn’t try to in Titusville. But as the largest MoonPies, made of protect turf.” Apollo Program wound 6 pounds of chocolate and 14 pounds of marshmallow. That large, youthful down in the 1970s, so did work force brought thou- the local economy. July 20 sands of growing families “When Apollo ended and Overnight to Kennedy’s surrounding people started leaving, the Apollo/Saturn V Center areas, fueling the local com- guy across the street tried Camp Kennedy Space Center munity and economy. to sell me his house for one attendees can camp out under- neath a Saturn V rocket, meet a Reader-submitted photo dollar,” Phillips said. “Of “Titusville was called the veteran astronaut and compete miracle city because it was Francine’s restaurant in Titusville, Fla., changed its name to Moonlight Drive-in course, a dollar was a lot of in a scavenger hunt. growing so fast,” Phillips during the Apollo Program. The restaurant on U.S. 1 still is popular among Ken- money back then.” said. “That’s why we’ve nedy Space Center workers. Most business owners For more information, visit: got Miracle City Mall and packed up, called it a day www.KennedySpace Apollo. “Rubbing elbows Sestile, one of the lead test Center.com Miracle Photo today. and tried to make a profi t with fellow workers and conductors for the Saturn IB “On Fridays, everyone elsewhere. But there’s at would head to the bank on astronauts was something I and V launch vehicles dur- least one restaurant that has Most everyone agrees U.S. 1, which was two lanes looked forward to. We could ing Apollo. “They had these survived all these years: that the success of Ken- back then, to cash their unwind and relax because big, big juicy wine burgers.” Moonlight Drive-in on nedy directly affects the paychecks. It was so busy, we knew we were among Today, a more modern U.S. 1 in Titusville. success of the Space Coast. police had to direct traffi c. fellow Apollo team mem- restaurant by the name of “We started off as And there is one thing most Then we’d go to Lums for a bers.” New York, New York is in Francine’s in about 1963 Apollo alumni can agree on foot-long hot dog steamed Buckley added, “Ber- that same location across and changed the name dur- too, and that’s that 40 years in beer.” nard Surf in Cocoa Beach from the Vehicle Assem- ing the moon missions,” ago they worked hard and “Don went to Lums. was nothing but ‘pure high bly Building on the Indian said Susan Hamed, owner played hard. I went to the Mousetrap in octane’ and a hot spot for River, with a wine burger on of the retro restaurant. “My “No exaggeration, Cocoa Beach,” said Bob astronauts, launch teams, ce- their menu. husband and I bought the most people really did work Buckley, fi rst a system lebrities and the press. The Business on the Space place from his parents, long hours,” Sestile said. engineer integration man- camaraderie was unbeliev- Coast was booming back in and now three of our four “Apollo was new and excit- ager and then the contract able.” the Apollo glory days. So children work here. The ing, something we were all technical manager for the “Another good place much so, that the original third generation will be here proud of. Just to participate Rockwell command and was Harold’s on the river Tarzan, Johnny Weissmuller, when NASA goes back to was a once-in-a-lifetime service module during in Titusville” said Gene opened up a theme park the moon.” opportunity.” Page 12 SPACEPORT NEWS: The First Steps - Apollo to Constellation July 10, 2009 Kennedy work force evolves with each program

By Linda Herridge Spaceport News ennedy Space Center relies Kon a unique and diverse NASA and contractor work force to accomplish the agency’s missions. The diversity of the work force has evolved throughout the last 40 years with a wide range of occupations, ages, cultures, ethnicities, gender and disabilities. At the onset of the Apollo Program, the work force at Ken- nedy was mostly male Caucasians in science, engineering, trade and labor, and techni- cal support. Women accounted for a very NASA/Tim Jacobs NASA file/1970 small percentage of the Technicians look closely as the Ares I-X forward skirt is mated to the forward skirt extension in the As- crew members and Kennedy Space Center officials work force and were sembly and Refurbishment Facility at Kennedy Space Center on May 17, 2009. Today, Kennedy’s total attend the rollout of the Saturn V on Nov. 9, 1970. Kennedy’s work more often in clerical work force is about 14,864, including 2,171 NASA civil servants. force totaled about 16,235 at that time. and secretarial roles. reflect a total of 427 nedy work force was servant skill mix is opportunities and rec- Space Coast section Kennedy employ- permanent female 1,739 NASA civil ser- 63 percent scientific ognition for minority in 1989, to represent ment peaked at 26,000 employees at NASA vants and 11,484 con- and engineering; 27 groups. women engineers in during op- centers in 1972. That tractor employees. The percent administrative; Those include Brevard, Indian River erations in 1968. When number fluctuated up NASA skill mix was 6 percent technical; and the Black Employee and Volusia counties; Apollo 11 launched and down through the 60.5 percent scientific 3 percent clerical. Strategy Team, or and the Disability to the moon, there 1970s. In 1978, of and engineering; 23 Throughout the BEST, an organization Awareness and Action were about 25,000 the 4,400 permanent percent administrative; years, several profes- of the center’s African- Working Group, or employees at Kennedy. female civil servant 9 percent technical; and sional organizations American employees; DAAWG, is an advo- Of these, 3,058 were employees, 435 were 7.5 percent clerical. developed at the center The National Society cate for hiring indi- NASA civil servants. at Kennedy. By 1995, Today, Kennedy’s By June 1970, Ken- with goals to improve of Women Engineers, viduals with disabilities there were 678 women total work force is nedy’s work force had working conditions, or SWE, chartered the and disabled veterans. civil servants employed about 14,864. This fallen to 16,235. at the center. includes 2,171 NASA In 1970, Kennedy At the end of the civil servants, with an employed 55 minority John F. Kennedy Space Center average age of 43.8, civil servants. Since Apollo Program in then, the numbers have 1972, Kennedy’s work and about 10,888 con- steadily increased. By force included 2,463 tractor employees. Spaceport News 1985, minorities made NASA civil servants Of the civil ser- up almost 10 percent of and 10,456 contractor vants 7.7 percent are Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center and the civil servant work employees. In 1980, at African-American; is published on alternate Fridays by External Relations in the interest of KSC civil the onset of the Space 7.4 percent are His- service and contractor employees. force. Between 1995 Contributions are welcome and should be submitted three weeks before publication and 1996, minority Shuttle Program, there panic or Latino; to the Media Services Branch, IMCS-440. E-mail submissions can be sent to civil servant employees were 2,201 NASA civil 4.1 percent are Asian or [email protected] increased to 375, or servants and 8,528 con- Pacific Islander; tractor employees. By 3.3 percent are multi- Managing editor ...... Candrea Thomas more than 17 percent. Editor ...... Frank Ochoa-Gonzales By 2007, minorities 1994, there were 2,498 racial; .8 percent are Copy editor ...... Rebecca Sprague accounted for 23 per- civil service workers Native American; and cent of NASA’s civil with an average age of 6 percent are em- Editorial support provided by Abacus Technology Corp. Writers Group. NASA at KSC is on the Internet at www.nasa.gov/kennedy servants. 42.8. ployees with declared USGPO: 733-049/600142 Agency records In 2000, the Ken- disabilities. The civil