May 18, 2012 Vol. 52, No. 10 Spaceport News John F. Kennedy Space Center - America’s gateway to the universe

Inside . . . VAB undergoes major renovations Deep space missions By Steven Siceloff ity with modern equipment. on docket Spaceport News That building has many systems that haven't been he Vehicle Assembly touched up since it was built Building at Ken- (in 1965)." nedy Space Center T Although the work is mas- has been a landmark to the sive simply because of the technological advancements scale of the VAB, Lopez said of sending men to the moon and astronauts into space for now is the time to do it and more than 45 years. But the take advantage of the pause Page 2 VAB, as it is best known, is in rocket processing that is to due for major renovations to end in a couple years. U.S. astronauts continue processing launch "When the shuttle program join Hall of Fame vehicles and support the sub- was in place, you couldn't sequent launching of a new take down the cranes for a CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Jim Grossmann generation of astronauts into long period of time, or take Workers pull large bundles of cable from inside the Vehicle Assembly Building orbit and deeper into space on heavy infrastructure proj- on April 27 to make room for new lines, including a much smaller fiber-optic ects," Lopez said. infrastructure. More than 50 miles of cabling will be taken out during the work. For than ever before. more Kennedy Space Center photos, click on the photo. "This is home improve- Before another generation ment, VAB style," said Jose of rocket processing kicks in, The effort will touch most Apollo/Saturn V removed. In Lopez, who is managing the Lopez said, the VAB must areas of the architectural their place will be a series of effort to refurbish a structure be outfitted with everything behemoth in one way or 10 platforms that can be re- that was once the biggest in it needs to host these rockets other. For instance, High Bay located and fitted with inserts Page 3 the world. "We're going for and spacecraft assembly for 3 will see the seven work See VAB, Page 3 Endeavour undergoes more flexibility and reliabil- another 40 years. platforms designed for the final powerdown SpaceX manifest includes student experiments, meals By Steven Siceloff of student experiments. Spaceport News Since the company's rocket and spacecraft are conducting a test he Dragon spacecraft built by flight, the manifest attests to impor- Page 4 SpaceX will head to the tant goods for the station's crew of International Space Station astronauts and cosmonauts, but not Station resupply T during its demonstration mission mission-critical items. a way of life with about 1,200 pounds of cargo, A successful flight, scheduled for including commemorative patches lift off from Cape Canaveral Air and pins, 162 meals and a collection Force Station, Fla., at 4:55 a.m. EDT on May 19, is expected to lead to Launch update regular cargo missions that will carry As of press time, the launch of the a wider range of goods to the orbit- SpaceX Falcon 9 was scheduled for ing laboratory. Hawthorne, Califor- May 19. For complete coverage and nia-based SpaceX, formally known CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Jim Grossmann photos, go to www.nasa.gov. as Space Exploration Technologies, In a processing hangar at Space Launch Complex-40 For more about the Commercial Orbital Page 7 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a cargo bag slides Transportation Services (COTS), go to also is deep into the work required through the docking ring into SpaceX's Dragon capsule on www.nasa.gov/cots. April 4. For more information, click on the photo. See SPACEX, Page 2 Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS May 18, 2012 Space Launch System making leaps toward Mars By Steven Siceloff is inside Kennedy's Operations and Vehicle Assembly Building into the Spaceport News Checkout Building and the space- full rocket that will launch at the end craft that will make the first test of 2017. he Space Launch System is flight into space is expected in a cou- May said using shuttle compo- on track to give America the ple of months. It will undergo final nents where possible saved con- Tlaunch vehicle it will need to assembly at Kennedy before being siderable design and development send humans deeper into space than mounted atop a Delta IV rocket for a costs. Also, NASA is counting on ever before, the program's manager mission without astronauts aboard to savings from modern manufacturing said May 8. test the spacecraft's systems and heat processes and has cut the agency's Speaking to the National Space shield. oversight requirements to further Club during a luncheon near Ken- There's a lot going on," said Scott save money and time. nedy Space Center, Todd May, SLS Colloredo, chief architect of the "We understand we've got to do program manager, said an uncrewed Ground Systems Development and things differently than in the past," test flight of the Orion spacecraft in Operations Program. "Whenever you May said. 2014, SLS mission in 2017 and a 10- see hardware moving in the direc- The SLS is slated to be America's to 14-day mission with astronauts tion of the launch pad, that's always biggest rocket ever, even surpassing going to the moon and back in 2021 significant." the Saturn V that lofted astronauts will leave the nation in a position to Many elements of the SLS itself and their spacecraft to the moon in explore as far as it wishes. already are in testing, including the NASA/Kim Shiflett the late '60s and early '70s. For the "By that point, you'll have the ca- engines and solid rocket boosters Space Launch System Program Manager Todd SLS, astronauts will fly inside an pability to go anywhere in the that will give the rocket about 8 mil- May addresses the National Space Club's Florida Orion capsule reminiscent of the system people want to go," May Committee during the organization's monthly lion pounds of thrust at launch, 10 luncheon in Cocoa Beach, Fla., on May 8. Apollo capsules, though much larger. said. May leads a team of engineers percent more than the Saturn V. To get anywhere on an SLS still and designers at NASA's Marshall NASA already has an inventory external tanks, the core stage will be requires considerable work, although Space Flight Center in Huntsville, of main engines that built at NASA’s Michoud Assem- the team is making steady . Ala. "The ultimate goal is to put hu- will be used to power the core stage. bly Facility in Louisiana. The SLS The focus now is on the version of man boots on Mars." "The propulsion elements are in re- stage is about 15 feet longer than the the SLS designed to lift 70 tons into Kennedy designers also are at ally good shape," May said. "Sixteen shuttle's external tank, and it will be space, strong enough to send the work to make a place to assemble space shuttle main engines, that's a shipped to Kennedy on the Pegasus Orion spacecraft to the moon. Later and launch the SLS. Launch Pad good head start." barge, another element shared with versions are expected to launch 130 39B has seen significant changes and The SLS also will use solid rocket the shuttle. tons, enough to carry landers or other the Vehicle Assembly Building is un- boosters like the shuttle, but the The stage, complete with the space spacecraft suited for whatever loca- dergoing modernizations to host the SLS versions will be five segments shuttle main engines on the bottom, tion astronauts head to. 36-story-tall SLS. Also, the mobile instead of four. will be shipped to NASA's Stennis "NASA hits something that speaks launcher that will hold the rocket and The core stage, which will hold Space Center in Mississippi in early to the inside of all of us, the explo- its servicing connections already has the fuel tanks for the main engines, 2016 for six months of tests. Then ration," May said. "It's great to do conducted a test at the pad. is early in its design but still is on it will come to Florida that summer things that speak to all of human- A test version of the Orion capsule schedule. Like the space shuttle where it will be stacked inside the kind."

From SPACEX, Page 1 companying accessories also during this phase, too. move to a position about tific and spacewalking gear. will make the journey. On the fourth day of the 700 feet from the station so Dragon then will be removed to make Dragon suitable to Tucked inside the Dragon mission, the spacecraft will controllers can determine from the station by the arm carry people into orbit. capsule are two NanoRacks perform a methodical ap- whether it is safe to allow a and released to fly back to The mission is a landmark dedicated to student experi- proach to the space station. closer rendezvous. Earth. because it is the first time ments that will study a range It first will fly around the Assuming a "go" is given, Unlike the other cargo a privately built spacecraft of microgravity-related areas station at more than the Dragon will close to vehicles that resupply the will head to the International from microbial growth to 6.2 miles and then fly under within 98 feet of the station station, the SpaceX craft is Space Station. The flight, water purification. it no closer than 1.6 miles. and pause again. The next designed to return to Earth which includes no crew The mission calls for the With navigation units on the step will bring Dragon safely instead of burning members other than those 18-foot-high Dragon to spacecraft and station relay- to about 32 feet from the up in the atmosphere. That already on the station who approach the station after ing information, the Dragon station, within reach of the means experiments and other will guide Dragon's arrival, its sensors and navigation will approach slowly from robotic arm. Expedition 31 equipment can be stowed in- carries enormous challenges systems are checked out beneath the station, pausing crewmember Don Pettit will side the capsule and returned and involves numerous indi- thoroughly. The spacecraft at several stages as systems steer the arm to latch onto to scientists. vidual evaluations. will go through numerous are continually checked. the cargo craft and connect it SpaceX and Orbital Sci- Most of the cargo's weight, tests during the third day of The crew aboard the sta- to the Harmony module. ences Corp. are conducting 674 pounds, is in food and the flight as it passes within tion will take command of The station crew will demonstration missions crew provisions, including about 1.5 miles of the sta- Dragon briefly to test the unpack the Dragon dur- under NASA's Commer- the meals, crew clothing, tion. Communications net- capsule's ability to retreat ing the next two weeks and cial Orbital Transportation batteries and other pantry works from the spacecraft to from the area. load Dragon with more than Services contract, known as items. A laptop and its ac- the station will be evaluated The spacecraft later will 1,400 pounds of used scien- COTS. May 18, 2012 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 Shuttle astronauts join ranks of fellow hall of famers By Linda Herridge Spaceport News hree space explorers were inducted into Tthe Astronaut Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (KSCVC) in Florida on May 5. Frank- lin R. Chang-Diaz, Air Force Gen. Kevin P. Chilton and Charlie Precourt became the 11th group of space shuttle astronauts to join the ranks NASA/Jim Grossmann of the distinguished mem- John Zarrella, CNN’s principal correspondent for coverage of NASA’s space program, introduces the 2012 U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame inductees, from left, Franklin bers of the Hall of Fame. Chang-Diaz, Kevin Chilton and Charlie Precourt, at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on May 5. For more Kennedy photos, click on the photo. KSCVC Chief Operat- program, served as Master of tions on a well-deserved “Our path forward contin- yet to come,” Nelson said. ing Officer William Moore Ceremonies and introduced honor,” Cabana said. ues to be challenging, but the “I’m a product of two welcomed guests to the the attending members of the “In spite of what some Kennedy team is definitely cultures and this honor here visitor complex and said it is U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame of you may have heard, up to the challenge and I has a special meaning to a privilege to host the induc- as they came forward and the ending of the shuttle know we’re going to excel,” me because it’s given by tion ceremony where so took their seats on the stage. program has not ended hu- Cabana said. those who have always been many astronaut heroes gather Hall of Famer and Ken- man spaceflight at NASA, Hall of Famer George my heroes,” Chiang-Diaz each year to recognize and nedy Space Center Director and Kennedy is not shut- “Pinky” Nelson introduced said. “The folks here are the welcome a chosen few into Bob Cabana said it’s great ting down,” Cabana said. Chang-Diaz by saying he people that I looked up to. the ranks of this elite group to have Chang-Diaz, Chilton “We continue to make has continued to push the “Today, I’m most thankful of space explorers. and Precourt, three out- great strides in becoming a envelope. to this great nation that 1968 John Zarrella, CNN’s standing inductees, back in multiuser government and “You’ve done incredible opened the doors for me, a principal correspondent for Florida. commercial spaceport of the things and I really believe coverage of NASA’s space “My sincere congratula- future. that your biggest impact is See ASTRONAUTS, Page 5

From VAB, Page 1 "The main thing we're doing there components into a launch configura- ment and piping. The work should be is an evolvable approach where we tion. finished by the end of 2014, Lopez designed for processing different can handle any one of these SLS The doors, the largest in the world, said. kinds of rockets. vehicles, but also handle any of the are due for new braking systems and There is plenty of evidence that Like everything else inside the commercial vehicles," said Scott other modifications that will reduce other water and drainage pipes in the VAB, the platforms are not run-of- Colloredo, chief architect of the wear-and-tear on the tracks and VAB also are corroding, so they will the-mill items. They are expected to Ground Systems Development and systems. be replaced, along with boilers and weigh about 90,000 pounds and be Operations Program that is oversee- The renovation calls for remov- chillers that feed hot and cold water outfitted with commodities essential ing the VAB modifications. "By ing a great deal of the infrastructure into the facility. for rockets, such as nitrogen and supporting one, it helps us to support inside the VAB, some of which was helium along with electrical and Battery backups for the electrical the other." installed when the structure was built system also are slated for replace- networking cables. The five primary overhead cranes in 1965. New systems, all up to mod- ment. Simply put, no longer will a high in the VAB will see their antiquated ern building and safety codes, are to The renovation is focusing on the bay be suitable for only one kind of control systems modernized, too. be installed. building's interior systems, but the rocket design. The cranes, anchored to the VAB's More than 50 miles of Apollo-era building itself is in very good shape. "If you can fit in the big rocket, framework at the top of the structure, cabling will be removed during the The work would have had to be you can definitely fit in the smaller were used to lift the shuttles and work and replaced with modern rockets,” Lopez said. rocket stages from the floor of the lines. About 70,000 feet of cabling done at some point soon whether The VAB is slated to host NASA's transfer aisle to their place on the already has come out. In some cases, rockets were being processed or Space Launch System, or SLS, as it launch platforms. They routinely that means replacing thick bundles of not, Lopez said. Doing it all while is readied for test flights in 2017 and hoisted the 100-ton shuttles more copper wiring with a few fiber-optic keeping the structure's systems up 2021. The SLS will rival the Saturn than 16 stories off the ground safely lines no wider than a pinky finger. and able to handle normal process- V for sheer size and power and is and lowered them onto the side of The fire suppression system has ing demands would have been an designed for several variations that the external fuel tank for launch. corroded in many important areas exceptional and expensive challenge, the platforms would have to accom- Two of the cranes can lift 325 tons, and is not big enough under current though. modate. Commercial companies another two are rated for 250-ton regulations. So its vast network of Lopez said, "It would have been with much smaller rockets also are loads and the fifth one is designed to pipes, spigots and pumps, will be like putting a new car engine in your expected to use the VAB's unique hold 175 tons. They will be crucial taken out entirely beginning next trunk while keeping the same engine facilities. again in the future to stack the SLS year and replaced with new equip- in the front still going," Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS May 18, 2012 Scenes Around Kennedy Space Center

NASA/Frankie Martin After 14 years of providing food service to Kennedy Space Center, Randall Crosby, center, and his wife, Patty, left, say farewell to friends and co-workers in Headquarters on May 10. Crosby, a representative with the Florida Division of Blind Services, was the owner of Crosby Snacks on the third floor of Headquarters.

NASA/Jim Grossmann Dr. LaNetra C. Tate (center), materials engineer at Kennedy Space Center, is surrounded by students as she welcomes them for their tour of the Space Life Sciences Lab facilities on April 12. The 26 honor students in chemistry and biology and NASA/Jim Grossmann their teachers got a chance to visit some high-tech labs at Kennedy as part of an effort to encourage students in the areas NASA’s Mobile Aerospace Reconnaissance System, or MARS, is secured aboard of math, science, technology and engineering. The tenth and eleventh grade students from Terry Parker High School in NASA’s Freedom Star ship near Hangar AE at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Jacksonville, Fla., also visited labs in the Operations and Checkout Building during their one-day tour. The group's visit to April 9. With its spatial, hyperspectral, thermal and directed energy capabilities, MARS Kennedy was hosted by the Education Office as part of a nationwide effort by the National Lab Network to help introduce the will be used for thermal imaging testing for the upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 and Dragon nation's students to science careers. capsule demonstration flight to the International Space Station. Shuttle team conducts final heartfelt powerdown By Steven Siceloff American people for the Space Station and conduct- Spaceport News honor of launching this ve- ing the landmark mission hicle 135 times, to not only to repair NASA's Hubble echnicians working explore outer space, but to Space Telescope. inside space shuttle make life better on Earth. "I'd like to dedicate this Endeavour's flight T Good night, Endeavour." powerdown to those who deck and controllers The work was a milestone are not so fortunate to be stationed in the Launch for the shuttle's retirement here today, to those who Control Center turned the as crews at Kennedy Space gave their blood, sweat and lights out on the last pow- Center continue to make heart to the program," said ered shuttle May 11 as they the spacecraft suitable for a Walter "Buddy" McKenzie switched off Endeavour's museum career. of United Space Alliance. displays and systems for the Endeavour's power- With that, some of the final time. down, which is the process same people who ran end- "It is with a great sense of controllers follow to stop less checklists to make sure sadness that we say good- the electricity flow into Endeavour was ready for NASA/Ben Smegelsky night to Endeavour, and to the shuttle, came almost space ran through a check- United Space Alliance associate operations chief Pat Leslie toggles the switches the Space Shuttle Program 20 years to the day of the list in reverse to take key to turn off consoles on space shuttle Endeavour’s flight deck for the final time dur- as a whole today," said spacecraft's first launch on systems offline in careful ing operations to power down the shuttle May 11. Mike Ciannilli, a NASA May 7, 1992. As NASA's order. When they finished, ready to leave Kennedy for When that work is com- test director who stood at youngest shuttle, Endeavour Endeavour's cockpit was lit its new home at the Califor- pleted, an aerodynamic tail the integration console in flew 25 times. Its crews only by work lights plugged nia Science Center in Los cone will be bolted over the Firing Room 3 during the posted notable accomplish- in outside the shuttle. Angeles. The payload bay engines and Endeavour will procedure. "It is with a great ments, including capturing Discovery and Atlantis doors must be closed perma- be mounted atop NASA's sense of pride that we recog- and redeploying a stranded went through the same steps nently, three replica space Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. nize the contributions of communications satel- earlier as they also were shuttle main engines will be The flight to the west this amazing team over the lite during that first flight, readied for public display. installed and the hatch to the coast is expected in Sep- last 30 years. And it is with flying the first construction Several steps remain crew compartment will be tember and will take several a heartfelt 'thank you' to the mission of the International before Endeavour will be closed. days. May 18, 2012 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 5 Co-ops showcase lessons learned outside classroom By Brittney Longley Spaceport News amous for his rise from an engineer to Fcorporate director and president of Kaiser Aero- space and Electronics Corp., Clay P. Bedford once said, “You can teach a student a lesson for a day, but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning pro- cess as long as he lives.” Seven cooperative educa- tion (co-op) students show- NASA/Charisse Nahser cased the results of their Co-op student Prital Thakrar, of University of Florida, shares her experience in operations processing within safety engineering with fellow co-ops and management curiosity during the 2012 teams May 3 at the Kennedy Learning Institute. spring co-op showcase at the tors from their organization, about,” said co-op student Cabana was present at the work because of the people Kennedy Learning Institute the coordinators of the co-op Laura Midulla. showcase to see how the here. We are making great (KLI) on May 3. program, and a representa- The co-ops worked on students applied their class- strides and progress continu- To be eligible for full-time tive from Kennedy’s execu- projects from a new hand- room skills to real world ally and you are employment, co-op students tive staff. book for incoming co-ops to objectives. part of that.” coming to Kennedy Space “What we learn in class, a Vehicle Assembly Build- “I know you learned Cabana encouraged the Center after January 2012 we often sit and wonder how ing (VAB) interface study, something, but the real ques- co-ops to continue their hard must present a project with we are going to apply it, and which is the study of the tion is did you have fun?” work: “Keep doing what you which they have been tasked here, we see exactly what climate in the VAB. asked Cabana. “We make are doing. You are the future to their fellow co-ops, men- our professors are talking Kennedy Director Bob the center a great place to for Kennedy Space Center.”

From ASTRONAUTS, Page 3 Rocket Company, which is dedicated prepare for his first mission to the 71, and commander on STS-84 and to the development of advanced Mir space station. STS-91. During those missions, he dreamer that came to the shores of plasma rocket propulsion technology. “After working with him and get- logged a total of 932 hours in space. this country, and this country opened Hall of Famer Dan Brandenstein ting to know him, I said I would be During the STS-91 mission, which the doors to the land of opportunity, introduced Chilton by reviewing really surprised if he isn’t the chief was the ninth and final Shuttle-Mir to the American dream. I can say that his career in NASA and the U.S Air astronaut one day,” Gibson said. docking mission, the crew also I have fulfilled that dream,” Chang- Force. “After four brilliant missions and conducted the Alpha Magnetic Spec- Diaz said. “Throughout his career, he dem- three times going to Mir, including trometer experiment, which involved Chang-Diaz served in the as- onstrated exceptional intelligence, the very last docking in 1998, Char- first-of-its-kind research on antimat- tronaut program for 25 years and unparalleled devotion to duty and lie became the chief astronaut. ter in space. became one of only two astronauts visionary planning,” Brandenstein “He has gone right to the very top Precourt left NASA in 2005 and to fly on seven space shuttle mis- said. “I am honored to welcome the in everything he’s ever done. Con- currently serves as general manager sions. His missions were STS 61-C, newest member of the Astronaut Hall gratulations, Charlie, and welcome to and vice president of Space Launch STS-34, STS-46, STS-60, STS-75, of Fame.” the Astronaut Hall of Fame,” Gibson Systems for ATK Aerospace Systems STS-91 and STS-111. “Thank you so much for this won- said. of Magna, Utah. He logged more than 1,600 hours derful honor,” Chilton said. “This is a tremendous honor,” According to Astronaut Scholar- in space, including 19 hours and 31 Chilton is a three-time space Precourt said. “It’s obviously very ship Foundation Chairman and Hall minutes during three spacewalks. He shuttle astronaut with more than 700 humbling, and I’m just really thrilled helped deploy the SATCOM KU sat- hours in space. He served as pilot on to be here today. of Fame astronaut Charlie Duke, the ellite, the European Retrievable Car- STS-49, the maiden voyage of space “We’ve had opportunities in ASF was founded in 1984 by the rier, the Tethered Satellite System, shuttle Endeavour, and STS-59, the space program that go beyond six surviving members of America’s the Space Habitation Module-2, and which featured the deployment of the our wildest dreams, and I’m very, original Mercury 7 astronauts. The the Galileo spacecraft on its journey Space Radar Laboratory. He served very thrilled in particular that this foundation distributes 28, $10,000 to Jupiter. as the commander of STS-76 on the represents the work of the Astronaut scholarships annually and has On his final mission, STS-111, third docking mission to the Russian Scholarship Foundation, who is pay- awarded nearly $3.5 million since its he installed the mobile base system space station Mir, as well as the first ing it back, and we get to be a part of inception. on the International Space Station spacewalk from the space shuttle that for the students. Education is so ASF scholarships are the largest and replaced the failed wrist joint on while docked to Mir. critical.” monetary award given in the United Canadarm 2. Hall of Famer Robert “Hoot” Gib- Precourt served in the space pro- States to science and engineering In 2005, Chang-Diaz retired from son introduced Precourt and talked gram for 15 years and was a mission students at the undergraduate level NASA and established the Ad Astra about learning Russian in order to specialist on STS-55, pilot on STS- based solely on merit. Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS May 18, 2012 Event highlights Asian-Pacific American heritage By Linda Herridge “Is there something you’ve tribute to NASA’s mission. Spaceport News always wanted to try, some “APAs make significant program you wanted to ap- contributions in the work earning to take risks ply for, a job you’ve always place at Kennedy, across and overcoming the wanted? If there is, take a fear of rejection were all disciplines and orga- L chance and go for it. There nizations,” Moore said. two key points that Gwen- are people along the way to “Our goal is to enhance the dolyn Young, director for help – your supervisor, a co- contributions of our mem- Mission Support at NASA’s worker, a friend, a mentor.” bers to the extended com- Dryden Flight Research NASA/Ben Smegelsky “I am incredibly proud of munity of NASA, Kennedy, Center in Edwards, Calif., Asian-Pacific American Connection Chairperson Lien Moore, right, talks with the APAC team and our ac- Brevard County and Central covered in her presentation participants during the APAC Heritage Month event, May 10, at the Training complishments in the areas Florida.” Auditorium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. to workers during the Asian- of leadership development, “We have found that when Pacific American heritage Center Director Bob Cabana coming failures and disap- recruitment and outreach,” we reach out to the commu- month event in Kennedy during opening remarks. pointment,” Young said. “I said Josie Burnett, director nity as volunteers, mentors Space Center’s Training Young, who has worked think people should prepare of ISS Ground Processing and spokespersons, we begin Auditorium on May 10. for NASA for 29 years, themselves for failure. and Research. “This year to thrive, as opposed to sim- Hosted by the center’s described some unusual “Failure is the doorstep was a great year, and we ply surviving,” Moore said. Asian-Pacific American challenges she overcame to to success. You have to fail, have many more to look “The Kennedy management Connection (APAC), this achieve her current leader- otherwise, you’re never forward to as Kennedy has been very supportive in year’s theme is “Striving for ship position. She said the going to learn anything,” becomes a multi-user launch this area, providing oppor- Excellence in Leadership, struggle encouraged her to Young said. “And I’m complex.” tunities and encouragement Diversity and Inclusion.” do her best on her life's jour- reminded of something that APAC Chairperson Lien for personal and community “I appreciate the culture of ney and to strive to influence Jerry West of the Los Ange- Moore said the main goal growth.” hard work and perseverance others regardless of their les Lakers said, ‘Every time is to help raise awareness Moore added, “If you of the Asian-Pacific Ameri- backgrounds. I hit the lowest point, I’ve that there is a large group want to learn a subject, can workers here at Ken- “My story of how I came risen to the highest’.” of Asian-Pacific Americans study; if you want to master nedy Space Center,” said to NASA is one of over- Young asked the audience, (APAs) at Kennedy that con- a subject, teach it.” Top high school students treated to day at Kennedy By Linda Herridge problems that were solved. Spaceport News Chris from Heritage High School in Palm Bay said the tour and pre- raduating top seniors from sentation were very informative. Brevard County high “We got to experience things that Gschools toured Kennedy even some Kennedy employees have Space Center and heard about NA- not had the opportunity to do. I’m SA’s past, present and future during glad to have had the opportunity,” the first Brevard Top Scholars Day, Chris said. He plans to pursue a May 11. degree in electrical engineering from Kennedy’s Office of Education Florida Institute of Technology in coordinated the event that featured a NASA Melbourne. tour of Launch Complex 39, includ- Students from Brevard Country high schools gathered for a group photo in front of the Headquarters Eau Gallie High School student ing the Vehicle Assembly Building, Building at Kennedy Space Center, May 11, during the Brevard Top Scholars Day sponsored by the Jessica said she really liked the day’s and viewing of space shuttle Atlantis center’s Office of Education. At right is Education Project Manager Theresa Martinez, and at left is experience. in its orbiter processing facility. Education Specialist Rachel Prieth-Abrahams. “I really liked Russell’s presenta- Chief of the Education Programs Kelvin Manning, Kennedy associ- do here at NASA,” Manning said. tion,” Jessica said. She may pursue a Division Hortense Diggs welcomed ate director, officially welcomed the Russell Romanella, director of career in medicine. the students to the center and students to the center. Kennedy’s Safety and Mission Nicholas, a senior from Space congratulated them on their achieve- “In this country we recognize the Assurance gave a presentation on Coast High School in Port St. John, ments. athletes and the entertainers and aca- NASA’s past, present and future in is planning to pursue a degree in civil “Our nation needs scientists and demics are kind of pushed off to the space exploration. engineering from Florida Tech. engineers,” Diggs said. “I hope side,” Manning said. “But I’d like to During lunch at the Kennedy “The tour was one of my favor- each of you will consider pursuing a congratulate you on your achieve- Space Center Visitor Complex, the ites,” Nicholas said. “I’ve always career in science, technology, engi- ments and emphasize that STEM students heard from Applied Physics had an interest in the space program, neering and mathematics, or STEM, fields are very important for all of us Lab Branch Chief Stan Starr from but now it interests me even more.” fields of study because it is these to keep moving forward as a nation. the Engineering Directorate. At the end of the day, each student occupations that will matter most in “We need to focus more on the Starr talked about the center’s received a certificate acknowledging the 21st century.” technical fields, and that’s what we labs and some space shuttle-related his or her attendance at the event. May 18, 2012 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 7 Remembering Our Heritage Station resupply important to Kennedy’s past and future By Kay Grinter Shuttle Program in sight, companies through NASA Reference Librarian NASA’s partners renewed Commercial Orbital Trans- their commitment to space- portation Services (COTS) umans are by nature based research by providing agreements. consumers, regard- other resupply methods. One of those is SpaceX's Hless of where they The station currently is Dragon capsule, scheduled might live and work. Supply replenished by the Russian for its first demonstration runs to the International Progress resupply vehicle, test flight May 19 from Cape Space Station began as soon the Japanese H-II Transfer Canaveral Air Force Station. as assembly got under way. Vehicle (HTV) and the Eu- The other is Orbital Sci- The first supplies were de- ropean Automated Transfer ences’ spacecraft, livered in May 1999 aboard Vehicle (ATV). which will launch from space shuttle Discovery dur- The Progress, launched NASA’s Wallops Flight ing the STS-96 mission, the from the Baikonur Cosmo- Facility in Virginia. The test first shuttle docking to the drome in Kazakhstan on a flight of Orbital’s Antares fledgling station. rocket, is an auto- rocket tentatively is set for The station, or ISS, was mated, unpiloted version of this fall, with the Cygnus merely the Russian the Soyuz spacecraft capable demonstration flight follow- control module mated to the of delivering supplies and NASA file/2001 ing in the winter. U.S. Unity Node 1 connect- fuel tanks. The Progress also Workers check out the placement of one of four gas tanks on the Spacelab “Typically, there will be ing module, a far cry from has the ability to raise the Logistics Double Pallet in the Operations and Checkout Building on May 7, 2001. one NORS vessel on every the orbiting laboratory now Part of the STS-104 payload, the two gaseous oxygen and two gaseous nitrogen station's altitude and control COTS flight,” Bigos said, the size of a five-bedroom storage tanks comprised the high pressure gas assembly that was attached to the orientation of the station the International Space Station's Joint Airlock Module during two spacewalks. “but there could be two or house. Node 1 was delivered using the vehicle's thrusters. The tanks supported spacewalk operations from the station and augmented the three on some flights. At this by the STS-88 crew, which The HTV, launched from Service Module gas resupply system. time, 55 are on the NORS included Kennedy Space the Tanegashima Space flight manifest, but anywhere Center Director Bob Cabana. the Guiana Space Centre ing of many ISS ORUs,” Center in Japan on an H-IIB from 100 to 200 may fly in The STS-96 crew dropped in Kourou, French Guiana, said Steve Bigos, the project rocket, is the only resup- the future.” off the Orbital Transfer ply vehicle also capable of on Ariane 5 rockets, the manager for ORU and The NORS slated on HTV Device, a U.S.-built crane, delivering external unpres- ATV can carry almost three NORS at Kennedy, “and the missions will be prepared and parts of the Russian surized cargo to the station times the amount of fuel as a most common ORU will be in Kennedy’s Space Sta- crane , as well as 3,567 since the shuttle’s retirement. Progress. the NORS Recharge Tank tion Processing Facility and pounds of “material,” which The cargo is mounted to However, NASA soon will Assembly (RTA)." shipped to Japan for launch, included clothing, sleeping an exposed pallet that sits become the primary provider Kennedy will fill the RTAs accompanied by a small bags, spare parts, medical within the HTV’s unpressur- of oxygen and nitrogen to with oxygen or nitrogen at team from Kennedy. equipment, supplies, hard- ized section. the station with the develop- about 6,000 PSI and then Before the first NORS is ware and about 85 gallons of The ATV, about the size ment of the Nitrogen Oxygen prepare the RTA for transfer ready to fly, though, Bigos water in anticipation of the of a traditional London Recharge System (NORS), a to the launch providers. and his team will be busy needs of the station’s future double-decker bus, became component of NASA’s Orbit- "We are currently build- preparing other ORUs for “consumers,” soon to be the largest and heaviest al Replacement Unit (ORU) ing the support equipment flight, such as a Main Bus arriving in the form of inter- vehicle supplying the station Project. Primary responsibil- required for our processing Switching Unit and a Util- national Expedition crews. after the shuttle’s retirement ity for launch preparations of operations,” Bigos said. ity Transfer Assembly for With the end of the Space in 2011. Launched from this ORU Project is assigned Although the ATV and to Kennedy’s ISS Ground Progress spacecraft usually HTV-4. Processing and Research transport some amount of As long as a steady flow Project Office and Ground nitrogen and oxygen on each of international research- Processing Directorate. visit to the station, most of ers continues to make their ORUs are modular units the orbital lab’s future needs way to and from the orbiting with quick disconnects that will be provided by NORS laboratory, Kennedy will be make them easy to replace in RTAs. at the forefront helping to their entirety. “The NORS pressure ves- provide their basic needs. Oxygen and nitrogen is sels are in the manufactur-

NASA needed for replenishment of ing phase now,” Bigos said. the station’s cabin breathing “The first should be deliv- More information NASA soon will become the the primary provider of oxygen and nitrogen to the In- ternational Space Station and with that has come the development of the Nitrogen air, as well as for operation ered in October 2013.” To track the COTS test flights Oxygen Recharge System (NORS), a component of NASA’s Orbital Replacement of the airlock and the pres- Plans are to launch the and resupply missions to the Unit (ORU) Project. Primary responsibility for launch preparations of this ORU surized ammonia cooling canisters on HTVs from station, visit NASA’s launch Project is assigned to Kennedy Space Center’s ISS Ground Processing and systems. Tanegashima in Japan or schedule at Research Project Office and Ground Processing Directorate. Here, the Kennedy www.nasa.gov/missions/ team holds an engineering model of the NORS Recharge Tank Assembly (RTA) at “We have responsibility on U.S. spacecraft under highlights/schedule.html a Johnson Space Center NORS design review. here at Kennedy for process- development by commercial Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS May 18, 2012

NASA Employees of the Month: May In celebration of Kennedy Space Center's 50th anniversary, enjoy this vintage photo . . . FROM THE VAULT

NASA image Employees for the month of May are, from left to right, Harold D. Wiedemuth, Engineering and Technol- ogy Directorate; Donald E. DeHart, Engineering and Technology Directorate; Shaqueena Lewis, Launch Services Program; John Graves, International Space Station Ground Processing and Research Project Office; and Craig Chesko, Ground Processing Directorate. Not pictured are Gordy Degear, Human Resources; James Reilly, Ground Systems Development and Operations Program; Kimberley Sweep, Procurement Directorate; and Miroslava Guisbert, Center Operations Directorate.

Looking up and ahead . . .

* All times are Eastern 2012

May 19 Launch/CCAFS (SLC-40): SpaceX Falcon 9, Dragon C2/C3 Launch time: 4:55 a.m.

No earlier than June 13 Launch/Reagan Test Site Kwajalein Atoll: Pegasus XL, NuSTAR Launch window: 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. NASA file/1991 Targeted for June 18 Launch/CCAFS (SLC-41): Atlas V (AV-203), This is the third crop of lettuce harvested for the Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) Program, an effort by NASA in the 1990s to develop bioregenerative systems that would NROL-38 provide required life support elements for crews on long-duration space missions or extraterrestrial Launch window: 4:07 to 4:27 a.m. planetary colonizations. Taken on Oct. 8, 1991, the lettuce is 28 days old inside the Biomass Production Chamber of Hangar L at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. June 28 Launch/CCAFS (SLC-37B): Delta IV-Heavy, NROL-15 Launch window: TBD John F. Kennedy Space Center Aug. 2 Launch/VAFB (SLC-3E): Atlas V (AV-033), NROL-36 Spaceport News Launch window: TBD

3rd Quarter Launch/Wallops Flight Facility (Launch Pad 0A): 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 Orbital Sciences Antares test flight service and contractor employees. Launch time: TBD Contributions are welcome and should be submitted three weeks before publication to Public Affairs, IMCS-440. E-mail submissions can be sent to Aug. 23 Launch/CCAFS (SLC-41): Atlas V-401, [email protected] Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) Managing editor ...... Candrea Thomas Launch window: 4:07 to 4:27 a.m. Editor ...... Frank Ochoa-Gonzales Copy editor ...... Kay Grinter No earlier than Sept. 20 Launch/CCAFS (SLC-37B): Delta 4, GPS 2F-3 Editorial support provided by Abacus Technology Corp. Writers Group. Launch window: TBD NASA at KSC is on the Internet at www.nasa.gov/kennedy SP-2012-05-099-KSC