Visitors from Far and Near More Than 20,000 Attend ‘Explore JPL,’ the Lab’S New Version of Open House

JUNE Jet Propulsion 2017 Laboratory VOLUME 47

NUMBER 6 Visitors from far and near More than 20,000 attend ‘Explore JPL,’ the Lab’s new version of Open House

By Carl Marziali

Graying adults sacrificed dignity to lie on their tummies next to grade-school children, and feel a rover tread on their spines; parents and children competed to touch warmly fabricated parts at the machine shop; the waft of sunscreen scented the pleasant heat; and the line at the aptly-named Blasted Concessions burger stand stretched vexingly far. “Explore JPL was a wonderful cel- ebration of everything we stand for,” said organizer Kim Lievense, manager of the

Public Services Office. “I am truly grateful / JPL Photo Lab Bob Paz Visitors check out a map of Vesta. for all the team members in the JPL com- munity who helped make this a success, time of noon on Saturday, May 20, gam- going on at home. both at the event and over nine months bling she could get back to Rancho Cu- “Me and my brother, we get steel wool, of planning.” camonga by 3:30 p.m. for a quick change and a 9-volt battery, and we kind of set The Lab was the center of the universe into formal dress. The occasion: a 4 p.m. fire to the steel wool,” he said, giggling. on the weekend of May 20-21, as more wedding. She made it through Mission “It’s pretty spectacular,” admitted his than 20,000 visitors from outskirts near Control and the Earth Science area before tolerant mom. and far demonstrated. jumping into an Uber at the west gate. The afternoon heat discouraged some Solar System Ambassador Beate Czo- Angela Chen came with her sons Zach- arrivals, but not a group in their early 20s. galla traveled at her own expense from ary and Thomas, 15 and 10, respectively. A young woman with a pierced lip said Milledgeville, Ga. to play both Captain As they cooled down with ice cream in they did not want to miss their only op- Kirk and a black hole in a skit explaining the shade, Thomas named the electricity portunity this year to visit JPL. the NuSTAR X-ray space telescope. A demonstrations as his personal highlight. “We turned down a Vegas trip for this,” couple flew in from San Francisco for the At one exhibit, he could put his hand near she noted. “And we’re partiers, dude.” day. A group driving up from San Diego a giant ball and feel electricity pulse into Visitor questions ranged the spectrum had a minor accident on the freeway, and his hand. Another demo showed how an from insightful to somewhat less so. “Cas- called in a panic because they would miss arcing current can put a hole through a sini,” said one man to himself, reading the their ticketed time (they were assured of thin material. banner at the probe’s display. “How do late entry). It was encouragement he did not nec- they come up with these names? Sounds Karla Lopez arrived at her assigned essarily need, based on the experiments Continued on page 2 EXPLORE JPL engineers. sent thenextgenerationofscientistsand the youngwomenandmenwhorepre aboutreducedconcern opportunities for gram, withlongtimeJPLersexpressing potential impacttotheLab’s pro intern Questions atthemeetingcentered onthe nation ofNASA’s Office ofEducation. NASA butforJPL’s partaswell.” “That’s ashow ofconfidencenotonlyfor more significantthanours,”saidWatkins. nificant cutsinthebudgetrequest, much NASA. indicative ofthevaluethatJPLbringsto budget for JPL projects andprograms is doing,’” saidWatkins. Lightfoot said,‘Keepdoingwhatyou’re ployees atanall-handsmeetingMay24. JPL Director Michael Watkins told em Year 2018budgetforNASAisstability, FY ’18budgetrequeststaysthecourse who drives the Mars rover. To my people at home, that is exciting.” there, Ihave seenthis,Ihavedone I havetalkedtotheguy Control (shehadvolunteered atNuSTAR theprevious day). playingawelcomevideoforvisitorstoMission tween takingturns on theproject. Thisismyprimesource,” shesaidonSundaybe help outandgettotalkthe actualmissionscientistswhowork more than10years. has beencomingtotheannualeventcollectnewmaterial for Space,” forherhometownnewspaper, theUnion-Recorder. She like anItalianname.” By Mark Whalen Watkins toldthecrowd inPickering Au The exceptionistheproposed elimi “A numberoffederalagenciesgotsig The director said therelatively stable “As NASA acting Administrator Robert The messageoftheproposed Fiscal “There’s just nothingmore excitingthansaying Ihavebeen “This ismyonlyopportunityreally everyyeartocomeinand Czogalla, theambassador, writesa biweeklycolumn,“Our Continued from page1 ------happy it’s continuing,” said Watkins. “We Center. with itwillcontinueatGlennResearch solar-electric propulsion workassociated is the Asteroid Redirect Mission, but the Watkins. very robust Earthscienceprogram,” said the nextcoupleofyears,sowestillhavea sions flying,andalotindevelopmentover slated fortermination. with JPL’s OrbitingCarbonObservatory3 is about9percent lowerthanlastyear, receive about$400million. get forthefirsttime.Thatproject would inclusion oftheEuropa Clipperinthebud small increase nextfiscalyearduetothe work, wouldreceive about$5.58billion,a NASA divisionproviding thebulkofJPL’s formal andinformaleducationprograms. will continue, along with mission-related programsthat manycollegeinternship sible toprotectprogram, theintern noting ditorium that he would do everything pos “From atechnologyperspective,we’re Also terminatedintheproposed budget “We havealotofEarthsciencemis The proposed EarthSciencebudget The ScienceMissionDirectorate, the - after learning the Mission Controlafter learning tourswould endinahalfhour. They hadalate starttotheirday, andrushedthrough thegate movies andhands-ondemonstrations. format enjoyed a relaxed day with access to dozens of displays, the 22,000 visitors on the second year of the event’s ticketed news coverageabouttraffic scared off somevisitors. Butoverall, her hundreds ofvolunteers. Foodlineswere long,andalarmist “a dream cometrue.” called her 13 years of involvement with JPL and its public events ing glassesthatfocusedtheexcitementinhereyes,Czogalla The partierswhogaveupthe Vegas tripwere anexception. The weekendwasclosetoadream cometrueforLievenseand Dressed inpracticalhiking bootsfortheday’s work,andwear - - - budget. materials, visit final entryintotheatmosphere. anditsicyringsbeforebetween Saturn its craft ismakingaseriesofdramaticdives begun inlateApril,whichthespace for theCassinimission’s GrandFinale, pulsion inthefuture.” could becustomersofsolar-electric pro JPL DirectorMichael Watkins For NASA’s FiscalYear 2018budget Watkins notedthestrong publicinterest https://www.nasa.gov/ - - -

Universe 2 Bethany Ehlmann over of her homeland. the KhmerRouge’s take gressional District. to Rep. Chu’s 27th Con have contributed greatly standing womenwho Marino recognized out city ofSanGabriel. Award to represent the nal Women oftheYear Judy Chu’s Congressio ent of Congresswoman cently chosenas a recipi systems engineerwasre and driveforsuccess,the ing spirit, perseverance recognition ofherinspir obstacles inherlife.In has overcome numerous JPLer KhanaraEllers Former refugeeEllersreceivesCongressionalhonor N the videoat contributed tonumerous otherJPLmissions. previously undiscovered templeinAngkorWat inherhomecountry. Shehas Shuttle ImagingRadar-C, whichcoincidentallyproduced animageshowinga to LosAngeles. RefugeesCenter,the International Khanaraandherfamilywere abletocome second try, and were placed in a refugee camp. Through the sponsorship of unsuccessful, andtheywere sentbacktoCambodia.Theyescapedontheir fled through mudandlandfieldswesttoThailand.Theirfirstattemptwas safe. Afterward, Khanara,hermother, andtwoyoungersistersfollowed forced intolaborcampsandwere separatedforfouryears. Genocide. As a teenager, Khanara, her mother and her four siblings were She lostherfatherinwhathasbecometobeknownastheCambodian Ellers isasurvivorof The ceremony inSan A native of Cambodia, Recently, Ellerswasrecognized asoneofthe“Women atJPL.”Pleasesee Ellers joined JPL in1986, starting as amanufacturingengineeron the Khanara’s mother hadsent herbrothers toThailand, where they wouldbe ews https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/women/profile.html#ellers. B rie ------Division forPlanetarySciences,which bestowsthe habitability. TheAmericanAstronomical Society’s surface andtheextentofRedPlanet’s previous spectroscopy todeterminethemineralogyofMars’ an early-career scientist. outstanding achievementinplanetaryresearch by been namedtoreceive theHarold C.Urey Prizefor forward.” bodies, andwillcontinuetodriveplanetary science methods, hasbeenappliedtoother solarsystem development ofMarsexploration strategiesand award, said,“Herinspiringworkhasmotivatedthe Ehlmann citedforearly-careerwork Ehlmann earned thehonorfor her workusing Ehlmann earned JPL research scientistBethanyEhlmannhas f Rep. JudyChu, left, andJPL’s KhanaraEllers. s ences’ annualmeetinginProvo, UtahinOctober. Mars ExplorationRovers. Orbiter, Mars2020andDawn,waspreviously onthescienceteamfor on thescienceteamsforMarsScience Laboratory, MarsReconnaissance robotic systemsandanswerincredibly complexsciencequestions.Itdoesn’t the unknownsofspace,dothingsthathaveneverbeendone,buildamazing absolutely amazing,”Jamessaid.“It’s theperfectplaceforme asweexplore to givebackthecommunitythatsupportsJPLsowell.“Working atJPLis Day paradeMay29.Joinedbyhiswife,Susan,Jamessaiditwasanhonor for LaCanadaparade James isgrandmarshal Jill Seubert Flight.” and former JPLDirector Lew Allen was grand marshal in1988for “Fiesta of served asgrandmarshalin2004’s “SpiritandOpportunity”–themed event, Cook, nowJPL’s AssociateDirector forFlightProjects andMissionSuccess, get anybetter.” Award winnerswill receive theirhonorsatthe DivisionforPlanetarySci Also an assistant professor of planetary science at Caltech, Ehlmann is JPL DeputyDirector LarryJamesledLaCanada’s FiestaDaysMemorial James isthethird JPLofficial toleadthe FiestaDaysparade.Richard rover projects. paring forthe2018InSightlanderand2020Mars mission designengineer, Seubertiscurrently pre Space Atomic Clock mission. As a navigation and and asdeputyprincipalinvestigatorfortheDeep in aerospace engineering from theuniversity. master’s of science (2009) and a doctorate (2011) a within 10yearsofgraduation.Seubertearned careers andremained involvedwithCUBoulder have made exceptional contributions early in their of ColoradoBoulder. Alumni Award from heralmamater, theUniversity Planet NavigationGroup, received theRecent Seubert honoredbyheralmamater She has contributed to several Mars missions The award isgrantedannuallytoalumniwho Jill Seubert,anavigationengineerintheInner

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L times. Itmeantmore tousthanyoucanknow. of you who lovedandsupported her in the hard in November. Iamespeciallythankfultothose gail’s longstrugglewithcancerandherpassing JPL forallyourkindnessduringmybelovedAbi and shestartedmeonapaththatledhere. how gladI’vebeentobepartof this grand team, and recent death. Tupper Dooly Webster knew many formsduringmymother’s declininghealth http://www.youtube.com/watch? countries, past&present, forpersonaluse(see SPACE INFO/memorabiliafrom U.S.&other type. 818-393-3150,Rosa. USED CAR,small,prefer JapaneseorKorean Wanted miles, asking$1,800.Text 626-348-4295. ‘07 HONDA Rebel motorcycle, red, new tires, low / Accessories Vehicles consider sellingseparately).818-369-6640. counter orinstalledincabinet(bothfor$225,will Aid microwave w/trim kit, can be used on kitchen Ware microwave tendercooker, $40;27”Kitchen clean &fullyfunctionalGErefrig., $150;Nordic toman onwheelsw/storage,$600/obo;very from smoke-free +pet-free house,matchingot sleeper +matchingottoman,exc.cond.,comes MISC.: Very lightlyusedEthanAllenTribeca sofa- yahoo.com. decoration/light bulbs, $160/obo. send2ati@ years old,willincludeterraniumaccessories/ LIZARDS, 2friendlybearded dragonsiblings,1.5 For Sale Ads submittedMay27–June3. C serve deer+anabundanceof birds; $2,600/ natural settingw/roses &mature oaktrees, ob natural light;catorsmallinsidedog negotiable; age; laundryrm.w/washer-dryer hookups,good parking; great mtn.view;plentyofbuilt-instor included in lease; single-car garage + outside dist.; 2-year-old refrigerator, stove, microwave mtn. setting, 3 separate trailheads within walking Altadena Dr., E.ofLake; veryquietneighborh’d, ALTADENA, 3bedrms.,1bath,1.195sq.ft.,N.of For Rent edu, 818-790-8523,Marc Rayman. v=S7PvjGp7mCU). [email protected]. Steven Jenkins I am grateful to my colleagues and friends at Guy Webster Thank you,JPLcolleagues,forkindsupportin etters lassifieds - - - -

P nieces andnephews. Device Research andApplicationsSection. numerous missions.Heretired in1999from the interns orvisitingfaculty,interns etc.;5min.toJPLby short-term rental (upto2months),idealforJPL ALTADENA: 1-bdrm. backyard modern studio, water, electricandgas.626-390-7657. month; ownerpaystrash and sewer, tenantpays pool; nopets.http://Courchevel6.com. 2-cargarage,Jacuzzis,grill, hi-speed Internet, TV,kitchen, cable/Internet DVD,Blu-Ray, wireless walk to Canyon Lodge; Courchevel 6 features full MAMMOTH, remodeled 2 bed/2 bath + loft, short 818-952-2696 [email protected]. free wirelessandwasher/dryer, Internet nopets. pond/meadow, newappliances,TVs,DVDplayers, 2 bd.,ba.+loft(sleeps6-8),great locationby MAMMOTH, Snowcreek, beautifulupdatedcondo, 840-3749 [email protected]. Creek, JPLdiscount,nopets.626-798-9222,626- sauna, streams, fishponds,closetoMammoth cable TV, VCR,phone,balconyw/mtn.vw., Jacz., 6-8, fullyequip’dkitchenincl.microwave, D/W, MAMMOTH, Snowcreek, 2bd.,ba.+loft,sleeps Vacation Rentals very clean;$900+deposit.818-960-8654. or long-termleaseavailable;mustlikedogsandbe miles toJPL,closepublictransportation;short- shared bathroom, kitchenandlaundryprivileges;2 house, big backyard, hardwood floor, big closet, PASADENA, room furn. ina lovely 4-bd./2-bath month. [email protected] back neighborsincludingparrots and deer;$950/ downhill bike to JPL via street or trail; very laid- shared kitchen,easywalktohikingtrails, friendly dog,artandDIY-centered environment; Meadows neighborhood;share withcoupleand ALTADENA: room in3-bdrm,2-bathhouseThe able); $1,300/[email protected]. incl.; street parking (storageforbike/gearavail private bathroom, laundryonsite;WiFi&utilities kitchenette, veryquiet&tranquil;modern furnished, bike, close to Loma Alta Park & hiking trails; fully He is survived by his brother Jim as well as Dahlquist joinedJPLin1962andcontributedto Retiree DonaldDahlquist,84,diedApril9. assings -

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