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Home , Andreas Mogensen, Bob Behnken, CAPSTONE (spacecraft), Expedition 44, Expedition 45, Expedition 46

August 2015 Vol. 2 No. 8 National Aeronautics and Space Administration

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER’S

magazine

NASA’s First Commercial Crew

NEW HORIZONS PASSING BY PLUTO Solar Aeronautics Mars Technology Right ISS System & NASA’S Research Now Beyond LAUNCH National Aeronautics and Space Administration ’S SCHEDULE Date: No Earlier Than Aug. 16 SPACEPORT MAGAZINE Mission: HTV5 Cargo Craft with CALET and MUSES Description: The H-II Transfer CONTENTS Vehicle (HTV) is JAXAís unmanned cargo transfer that 4 �������������������U.S. space pioneers set to support Commercial Crew delivers supplies to the . CALorimetric Electron Telescope (CALET) is an 8 �������������������Microbial monitoring testing for ISS, beyond astrophysics mission. Multi-User System for Earth Sensing (MUSES) 10 ����������������Emergency response training eyes technology is a precision-pointing platform that will mount externally to the space KATE CRYDERMAN station. 18 ����������������Extreme Access Flyer takes exploration airborne Date: Sept. 2, 12:34 a.m. EDT I am an engineer on the RESOLVE payload managed at 24 ����������������New Horizons returns up-close photos of Pluto Mission: Launch to Kennedy Space Center. Our goal is to prospect for water at the space station a lunar pole to understand the feasibility of living off the ����������������Experiment isolates scientists for eight months Description: Expedition 45/46 resources available on other planetary bodies such as the 32 crew member Sergey Volkov of , Mars or an . I work in a lab environment will launch on a Soyuz to integrate and test fluid and gas analysis hardware for 36 ����������������College students ‘Launching 2 Learn’ 44 taxi flight with ESA risk reduction prior to a projected launch in 2020. I have . Mogensen the amazing to work hands-on with hardware will return to Earth with Soyuz 38 ����������������GSDO advancing toward Exploration Mission-1 and interface with people from across the RESOLVE Commander in subsystems, understanding the importance of a diverse the Soyuz 42 spacecraft in 10 days. 42 ����������������Gemini V paved way for long duration team every day. Date: Sept. 21 I began as a co-op student in 2009 in the Safety and Mission 47 ����������������Kelly, Kornienko expand research base Mission: 61P Cargo Craft Assurance Directorate where I learned about the Space Description: The Progress Shuttle Program and the incredible and inspiring work at resupply vehicle is an automated, this center! I was hired in 2011 and later transitioned into unpiloted version of the Soyuz the Engineering Directorate where I have been working on Front Cover: NASA has named four astronauts with Back Cover: This color image of Earth was taken by NASA’s spacecraft that is used to bring RESOLVE since. International Space Station experience to work with Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera, or EPIC, from one supplies and fuel to the space and SpaceX through the final phase of development and million miles away on the Deep Space Climate Observatory, certification of their crew transportation systems. “Bob” or DSCOVR, satellite. The image was generated by combining station. I completed the Foundations of Leadership development Behnken, , and Sunita “Suni” Williams three separate images to create a photographic-quality image. program in 2013 in which I learned about the many ways also will serve as the pool of astronauts from which NASA will The image was taken July 6, showing North and Central Date: Nov. 21 select when assigning crews for future flight tests. Check America. The central turquoise areas are shallow seas around you can be a leader at Kennedy, no matter what your job out the complete story beginning on Page 4. For more about the Caribbean islands. Mission: Progress 62P Cargo Craft title is. I worked on a team to develop a new leadership NASA’s Journey to Mars, go to http://go.nasa.gov/1HNRiHA For more information about DSCOVR, Description: The Progress visit: http://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/DSCOVR/ development program, called Leading and Influencing resupply vehicle is an automated, Others at NASA (LION), for mid-level career employees unpiloted version of the Soyuz at KSC. It is exciting to see how Human Resources has spacecraft that is used to bring Like us on Facebook or follow us on to get the latest Kennedy Space Center updates. successfully launched this program over the past year! Being supplies and fuel to the space a part of the space program has always been my dream, www.facebook.com/ station. www.twitter.com/nasakennedy and I am lucky enough to know how essential the Kennedy workforce is to its success. Date: Dec. 15 THE SPACEPORT MAGAZINE TEAM Mission: Launch to the space station Editorial Writers Group Graphics Group Description: NASA astronaut Managing Editor...... Amanda Griffin Anna Heiney Bob Granath Richard Beard Amy Lombardo Tim Kopra, ESA astronaut , and of Editor...... Frank Ochoa-Gonzales Kay Grinter Linda Herridge Lynda Brammer Matthew Young Roscosmos will launch to the space Assistant Editor...... Linda Herridge Frank Ochoa-Gonzales Steven Siceloff Greg Lee station aboard a Soyuz spacecraft from the , Copy Editor...... Kay Grinter . www..gov SPACEPORT Magazine 3 ROBERT BEHNKEN ERIC BOE DOUGLAS HURLEY Quartet of American space pioneers set to support Commercial Crew BY STEVEN SICELOFF Did You Know?

ASA has named four astronauts with Behnken, 44, has two STS-121, along with leading operations at NInternational Space Station experience missions under his belt. He performed three the Gagarin Training Center in Russia. to work with Boeing and SpaceX through the spacewalks outside the station while helping “Working with our partners, it will be final phase of development and certification install the Japanese Experiment Module and a tremendous amount of work ahead of us, of their crew transportation systems. Robert the “” robotic manipulator during but I think we’re up to it and we’re looking “Bob” Behnken, Eric Boe, Doug Hurley and STS-123. Flying again as a mission specialist, forward to it,” Hurley said. Sunita “Suni” Williams also will serve as the Behnken performed three more spacewalks Williams, 50, has lived in space for more pool of astronauts from which NASA will during STS-130 to connect the Tranquility than 322 days during two residencies aboard select when assigning crews for future flight module to the station, along with the cupola. the International Space Station. She has tests. Having served as chief astronaut since 2012, flown aboard the space shuttle and Russian They will train to fly the first crewed Behnken will hand those duties over to Chris Soyuz spacecraft and also accumulated 50 flight test since the space shuttle. Boeing’s Cassidy. “It’s really been the dream of all of us hours and 40 minutes of spacewalking time, integrated CST-100 spacecraft and United to participate in the test of a new vehicle and the most among female astronauts. Prior to Launch Alliance’s rocket, and a vehicle like a spacecraft is probably the gem, joining NASA. Williams served as a SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon if you will, of a career for folks,” Behnken with the Navy’s and evaluated 9 rocket are in development with NASA’s said. “I really like to think of myself as one more than two dozen kinds of aircraft in . of those Swiss Army Knife sorts of astronauts numerous aspects.“I think this is the next The Commercial Crew Program and its who may or may not be the best at any one step in engineering development and research partners’ revolutionary thing that’s out there, but better than average as we take our further steps out of low-Earth systems are a “worthy successor” to the at all of them.” orbit into deeper space,” Williams said. tremendous success and trailblazing abilities Boe, 50, served as pilot on STS-126 The flight tests are critical steps in the of the space shuttle, NASA Administrator and STS-133, each time flying the shuttle development of the two spacecraft which will Charlie Bolden said. through complex rendezvous and docking carry four NASA or NASA-sponsored crew All four served as military test pilots for maneuvers to safely attach it to the orbiting members and a small amount of powered their respective services before becoming space station. As an Air Force colonel prior cargo to the station. The resident crew of the astronauts. The four also have built to joining NASA, Boe flew combat missions station would grow by one member, meaning impressive resumes inside NASA, including as an F-15 fighter pilot before becoming seven astronauts and cosmonauts from an flying the space shuttle and living aboard the an Air Force test pilot. Since STS-133, Boe international roster would live and work on International Space Station. Their expertise has served as director of Operations at the the station. Adding just one more person and experience is expected to serve the Gagarin Training Center in Russia and also would mean a doubling in the amount crews and the agency well, as the four work worked on technical aspects of display and of research time the crew would apply to closely with Boeing and SpaceX to refine and control designs for future spacecraft. scientific endeavors, meaning more time to certify the Commercial Crew spacecraft for “It’s very important for us to get make breakthroughs off the Earth for the operational missions carrying astronauts to an independent ability to get to the benefit of those on the Earth. the orbiting laboratory. International Space Station,” Boe said. “I’m NASA’s Commercial Crew Program also “We are excited to have such an extremely excited to get the opportunity to go is a cornerstone in the agency’s strategy of experienced group of astronauts working on to the new era of spaceflight.” opening low-Earth orbit opportunities to with the Commercial Crew Program, Hurley, 48, flew as pilot on STS-127 and private aerospace so the agency can focus on #YearInSpace Boeing and SpaceX, and ultimately flying STS-135, the final flight of NASA’s space deep- and the journey to on the companies’ flight test missions,” said shuttle fleet. As a Marine Corps aviator before Mars with NASA’s crew vehicle that Commercial Crew Program Manager Kathy joining NASA, Hurley was the first Marine is to launch on the Lueders. “Naming this cadre of astronauts is to fly the F/A-18 Super Hornet and served rocket, a massive new booster that will rival a key step forward and consistent with past as a test pilot. His astronaut career includes the Saturn V that took Apollo astronauts to approaches to involve the crew in the design serving at Kennedy Space Center as the lead the moon. and development of new systems.” astronaut support personnel for STS-107 and 6 SPACEPORT Magazine SPACEPORT Magazine 7 FROM EARTH TO SPACE

Technology

Above: Cherie Oubre, a microbiologist with Wylie Labs at in , prepares a sample of water for testing in the RAZOR EX microbial monitor inside the Molecular Dr. Christina Khodadad, at left, a microbiologist with Sierra Lobo on the Engineering Services Contract, prepares a sample of water for testing in the RAZOR EX microbial monitor inside Biology Lab in the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at Kennedy Space Center. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett the Molecular Biology Lab in the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at Kennedy Space Center. Assisting with the demonstration test, from left, are Victoria Castro with Wylie Labs; Monsi Roman, NASA RAZOR project manager from Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama; and Cherie Oubre with Wylie Labs. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett Right: Inside the Molecular Biology Lab in the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at Kennedy Space Center, a sample pouch of water has been inserted into the RAZOR EX microbial Testing underway system would provide earlier identification of biology used to amplify a single copy or a monitor during a demonstration test. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett potential problems on the space station and few copies of a piece of DNA across several on new microbial enable the crew to respond more quickly to orders of magnitude, generating thousands to monitoring for ISS mitigate risks resulting from contamination. millions of copies of a particular sequence. and inserted into RAZOR, with results begin this month. The verification tests will a water monitoring kit to the space station as “NASA is unlocking the door to The process in use on the space displayed in less than an hour. confirm or validate that the PCR chemistry early as 2016. BY LINDA HERRIDGE new technologies that will help make us station requires growing microorganisms “RAZOR is a portable and very versatile in the sample pouch will work as well as RAZOR is part of the Revolutionize A new technology that can detect and independent from Earth,” said Monsi and requires at least seven days for results. system,” said Christina Khodadad, Ph.D., ISS for Science and Exploration, or RISE, identify microorganisms in a variety of Roman, RAZOR project manager at Marshall RAZOR can provide rapid detection and fast with Sierra Lobo, a contractor at Kennedy, “It “The goal is to make it Program, based at Johnson. sample types could go from use on the Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. results and also could be used during long- is one of the systems that NASA is looking at easier for astronauts A NASA multicenter team selected ground to use in microgravity on the “The goal is to make it easier for astronauts to duration missions beyond low-Earth orbit to to replace the current microbial monitoring to monitor their water the system for testing after evaluating International Space Station, and perhaps monitor their water on the space station. We monitor crops of food grown along the way. process on the space station.” and testing several commercially available beyond low-Earth orbit. are trailblazing this capability.” “This demonstration of a rapid molecular The RAZOR unit is about the size of on the space station. systems. Kennedy, Marshall, Johnson and Research scientists are using a portable Inside the Molecular Biology Lab in the microbial identification technology a large handbag, measuring 9 inches wide, We are trailblazing this the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, instrument from BioFire Diagnostics, called Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout is important for the design of future almost 11 inches high in the open position, capability.” , are collaborating to explore RAZOR EX. Originally developed for use Building at Kennedy Space Center, environmental monitoring capabilities and close to 5 inches deep. It can handle molecular methods, including PCR, for by soldiers on the battlefield, first responders researchers are using this technology to for exploration-class missions,” said up to 12 different samples, or 12 different MONSI ROMAN microbial monitoring. also have used it to test biological samples in develop methods for the detection of different microbiologist Cherie Oubre with Wyle of the same sample, and NASA’S RAZOR PROJECT MANAGER “One of the most exciting parts of the the field. types of bacteria and verify the system for Laboratories, a contractor at NASA’s Johnson can be programmed for up to 50 different development of RAZOR for flight is the fact This technology could meet future NASA’s needs aboard the station. Space Center in Houston. protocols. the test instrument. With successful testing that microbiologists at three NASA centers exploration mission requirements, including RAZOR uses polymerase chain reaction For baseline testing, researchers placed up Demonstration tests have wrapped completed, RAZOR will be certified for a are collaborating to get the unit ready for use crew health and planetary protection. The (PCR) technology to analyze samples. PCR to 12 samples of water into a set of wells that up, and verification tests are scheduled to demonstration flight and could fly as part of by the crew of the space station,” Roman said. availability of a real-time microbial detection is a very precise technology in molecular make up a “pouch.” The pouch was activated

8 SPACEPORT Magazine SPACEPORT Magazine 9 Emergency response training focuses on technology, innovation

BY BOB GRANATH

ince terrorism is a modern-day fact of life, NASA and contractor experts periodically team up to ensure they During a recent training exercise, an expert in avoiding detection S was dispatched to the wooded area near Kennedy Space Center’s KARS Park II. As the helicopter hovered over a clearing near the are ready to counter any threat to Kennedy Space Center. woods, armed Emergency Response Team officers used ropes to reach the ground and quickly move into the wooded terrain and track down the intruder. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

10 SPACEPORT Magazine SPACEPORT Magazine 11 With its role as a 21st century multi- space program is frequently in the world The primary support platform used by user spaceport for both government and spotlight.” NASA Aircraft Operations is the well-known industry, Kennedy could be a potential As a multi-user spaceport, Kennedy is UH-1 “Hueys.” The first turbine-powered “Our prime objective is target. To defend against this possibility, much more diverse with many contractors, helicopter to enter production for the U.S. the center’s Aircraft Operations recently different launch vehicles and varied military, they were used extensively during to provide a safe working teamed with the Kennedy Protective Services operations supporting human and robotic the Vietnam War. environment at the center. Contract Emergency Response Team, or space exploration and utilization. “We can accommodate multiple missions ERT, in an extensive, regularly scheduled Bringing together various security and simultaneously,” Martin said. “In supporting To do that, we need to be training exercise. In advancing the agency’s support units who are on duty around the Kennedy Security, we can provide more ready for any possibility.” capabilities, the combined groups applied clock is what the recent ERT exercise was options to reach remote areas and get guys on CRAIG SCHUH the latest technologies to perfect innovative designed to do during the June 15-19, 2015, the ground to counter any threat.” Chief of Security, Chenega Security techniques to defend against risks to people training. A high-technology aid recently added and the center’s crucial facilities. “The Protective Services team at Kennedy to the helicopter pilot and ERT tool kit “This type of training keeps our pilots and is on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a is the latest generation of night vision our ERT at the top of their game,” said Mike week,” said Bill Young, ERT commander goggles, or NVGs. An optoelectronic device, Tillema, chief of NASA Aircraft Operations. with Centerra Group. “This can make it NVGs allow aviators and ERT members “The primary reason we train is to be ready challenging to get our entire team together to see images produced in levels of light to protect our employees and visitors from for a comprehensive training effort that approaching total darkness. threats to the center. Although we hope we includes other groups such as NASA Aircraft “The two main advantages of these night never have to conduct this type of operation, Operations. We do this while continuing our vision goggles are increasing the safety margin the team is ready and able to respond to roles in security, but the extra work is well and allowing us to fly at lower altitudes at emergencies or situations at Kennedy.” worth it.” night,” said Tillema. “We now can conduct Craig Schuh, chief of Security with Martin emphasized that training between those operations more effectively and Chenega Security and Support , Aircraft Operations and ERT is crucial for efficiently.” Kennedy’s Protective Services contractor, planning, coordination and reducing risk. Night vision devices were first introduced agrees that protecting people and the “You can’t be good if you don’t practice,” during World War II and used widely during spaceport is their goal. he said. “This training exercise gave us an the Vietnam “Anything can happen, considering the opportunity to work out a lot of logistical War. Since significance of the space program,” he said. details and ensure the No. 1 thing — safety.” then, the “Our prime objective is to provide a safe Kennedy’s helicopter operations support technology has working environment at the center. To do multiple missions at the space center. evolved greatly, that, we need to be ready for any possibility.” Their flights include everything from improving According to Bill Martin, an Aircraft quickly transporting injured persons to night vision Operations pilot with URS Federal Technical local hospitals, to firefighting, to assisting and increasing Services Inc., the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, environmental experts in keeping track of performance. 2001, dictated a change in thinking. local wildlife. “The “Our nation is not as impenetrable as we goggles amplify used to believe,” he said. “That’s especially starlight, true of U.S. government facilities, and our

The Emergency Response Team’s recent training included rappelling down a seven-story training tower and fast roping from a NASA helicopter. These capabilities provide additional options to respond to a situation and quickly reach employees needing help, or to apprehend dangerous intruders at Kennedy Space Center. Photo credit: NASA/Amber Watson

Opposite: Members of Kennedy Space Center’s Emergency Response Team are briefed before an exercise during training the week of June 15-19. This SWAT, or Special Weapons And Tactics, team is a select group within the Kennedy Patrol who receive additional training for responding to a crisis situation to protect people and crucial facilities at the spaceport. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

12 SPACEPORT Magazine SPACEPORT Magazine 13 or any other light available,” said Tillema. of Kennedy’s ERT. TO WATCH THE TRAINING, GO TO: “That’s how NVGs work, amplifying the amount of An expert in avoiding detection was dispatched to http://go.nasa.gov/1M6sG4i light outside.” the wooded area near Kennedy’s KARS Park II. ERT members and NASA aircraft pilots were As the helicopter hovered over a clearing near the assisted in learning to use the NVGs by experts with the woods, armed ERT officers used ropes to reach the U.S. Air Force’s 920th Rescue Wing, based at nearby ground and quickly move into the wooded terrain and Patrick Air Force Base. track down the intruder. “The Air Force gave us the initial training,” Tillema “After the ERT guys were on the ground, my role said. “They also taught our team members how to was to assist from the search vehicle,” Martin said. “I install the NVG, the battery packs and all associated was looking on the ground, but not hovering in one equipment. spot. I moved from side to side to ensure my helicopter “The greatest thing about using goggles at night is and I didn’t become a ‘sitting’ target.” the fact that we can effectively search and conduct our This is where the latest technology and tactics operations the same way at night as we do during the provide Kennedy’s ERT experts with an advantage. day,” he said. “Night vision goggles allow us to fly lower The ERT and Aircraft Operations crew coordinate than 500 feet, which operationally and tactically allows their maneuvers on the ground and in the air with us to conduct night security operations that we could the latest in communications equipment, and also use not before.” and other technology to assist in locating and One of the simulated ERT training scenarios worked apprehending hidden or fleeing persons. by the joint teams involved helicopter crews searching While an outside menace is one possibility, Schuh on the ground for an armed intruder breaching the noted that an insider threat also could pose a risk. This space center’s gates. was the case at the Johnson Space Center a few years “For this exercise, we called in Aircraft Operations to ago. assist with our aerial surveillance and for rapid insertion On April 20, 2007, an employee of a NASA of our team on the ground,” Young said. “This gives us contractor took two hostages and barricaded himself the opportunity to use technology and tactics together in an office of the Texas space center’s Communication to resolve dangerous situations safer and faster.” and Tracking Development Laboratory. Agency security The ERT, also known as SWAT, for Special Weapons officers, working with the FBI and the Houston police, And Tactics, is a select group within the Kennedy Patrol surrounded the building. The SWAT officers moved team, Schuh explains. in, leading most employees out and directing them to “All Security team members are trained for traffic safety. While one hostage was rescued, the employee patrol and staffing the gates,” he said. “This elite group killed the other hostage and then took his own life. has additional training for emergency response if Young explained that Kennedy Security also works needed. Their training is, in many ways, similar to the with outside agencies during training exercises such as military. In fact, many are former U.S. Army Rangers.” this to build relationships to ensure they are in place Today’s Ranger regiment is often referred to as the when and if needed. Army’s premier direct-action raid force. The same is true

During an early morning training exercise, a NASA UH-1 “Huey” helicopter flies past Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39B. This is where the agency’s new Space Launch System rocket will lift off sending humans to deep-space destinations such as a near-Earth asteroid and Mars. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

In the cockpit of a NASA helicopter, Mike Tillema, chief of NASA Aircraft Operations, demonstrates night vision goggles, or NVGs. A high-technology aid recently added to the pilot’s tool kit, the two main advantages of NVGs is increasing the safety margin and allowing Kennedy Space Center helicopter pilots to fly at lower altitudes at night while conducting operations more safely, effectively and efficiently. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

14 SPACEPORT Magazine SPACEPORT Magazine 15 KSC Scenes

HOUSTON, WE HAVE SHARKS

Ian Ziering gears up in Kennedy’s suit room before heading off to take a bite out of space in the third installment of the “Sharknado” science fiction-satire series. Ziering plays “Fin,” the hero of the series who always leads the way to fend off the attacking sea creatures after they’ve been pulled from the ocean by powerful tornados and dropped on unsuspecting coastal dwellers. The Sharknado team from the SyFy Channel spent a week filming in prime locations at Kennedy during the spring. The production followed in the Looking something like Spiderman, an Emergency Response Team member rappels head first down a seven-story training footsteps of other Hollywood tower, practicing techniques to rescue Kennedy Space Center movies such as “,” employees needing aid. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett “Contact,” “Armageddon” and “Transformers: Dark of the Moon.” “We simulated a hostage situation situation,” Tillema said. or more to conduct training Photo credit: NASA occurring at the center,” he said. “This While descending a rope is nothing new, mission profiles which can be directed and involved the participation of our ERT Kennedy’s ERT approach focused on safety coordinated from a Tactical Operations and our crisis negotiation team, as well and innovation. Waist harnesses, helmets, Center.” as negotiators and technical experts from gloves and double ropes are designed to For the exercise, the helicopter rose about the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. reduce risk in what is an inherently hazardous 50 feet above the ground and ERT members Technology, such as remote cameras and activity. took turns firing at targets on the ground. robots, were offered by the Seminole County “These capabilities give us additional “The gunners train, honing their skills as Sherif’s Office to assist the ERT in resolution options if we need to respond to a situation snipers,” Martin said. “This ensures they can of the training scenario.” and quickly reach employees needing help, ‘surgically’ engage a specific target or threat.” The ERT conducted a joint training or to apprehend dangerous intruders at our Young pointed out that, to date, Kennedy session with the Brevard County Sheriff’s center,” Young said. has not had to face a serious threat to the Office SWAT team earlier this year. While time was spent ensuring security safety or security of its workforce or facilities ERT training also included rappelling are ready to meet an internal threat, that, together, comprise a national treasure. down a seven-story training tower and fast the focus remained on a potential breach “By conducting these periodic training roping from a NASA helicopter. from outside. exercises in which the Kennedy Protective “We believe that safely training using “The ‘airborne use of force exercises’ Services team joins together with our partner realistic scenarios improves the team’s utilized mounted and shoulder-fired agencies and available technology,” he said, proficiency and makes us much more capable weapons from the helicopters,” said Young. “we’ll be ready if needed.” when we’re called to respond during a critical “We send up groups of operators in one

16 SPACEPORT Magazine SPACEPORT Magazine 17 Technology

TO WATCH THE TEST OF THE EXTREME ACCESS FLYER, GO TO:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYjfI7ffF6w

TOP PROSPECT Extreme Access Flyer to take planetary exploration airborne

BY STEVEN SICELOFF

wamp Works engineers at Kennedy areas where there is permanent shadow. Some small enough for a lander to bring several of SSpace Center are inventing a flying of the crater walls are angled 30 degrees or them to the surface at once, so if one fails, the robotic vehicle that can gather samples on more, and that’s far too steep for a traditional mission isn’t lost. other worlds in places inaccessible to rovers. rover to navigate and climb.” If that sounds a lot like a job for a quad- The vehicles — similar to quad-copters but The machines being built fall under copter, it kind of is. On Earth, a quad-copter designed for the thin of Mars and the name Extreme Access Flyers, and their with its four rotors and outfitted with a the airless voids of and the moon designers intend to create vehicles that can digger or sampling device of some sort would — would use a lander as a base to replenish travel into the shaded regions of a crater be able to execute many missions with no batteries and propellants between flights. and pull out small amounts of soil to see problem. On other worlds, though, the “This is a prospecting robot,” said Rob whether it holds the water-ice promised by machine would require very large rotors since A prototype of the Asteroid Flyer is tested inside a Mueller, senior technologist for advanced readings from orbiting spacecraft. Running the atmosphere on Mars is thin and there is gimbal fixture so its maneuvering system of cold-gas jets can be evaluated without risks to the vehicle. projects at Swamp Works. “The first step in on propellants made from resources on the no air on an asteroid or the moon. Also, the Photo credit: NASA/ Swamp Works being able to use resources on Mars or an distant worlds, the machines would be able flyer would have to operate autonomously, asteroid is to find out where the resources to execute hundreds of explorative sorties figuring out on its own where it is and where Opposite: A prototype Extreme Access Flyer built to test technologies for an airborne prospector was developed at Swamp are. They are most likely in hard-to-access during their mission. They also would be it is going since there is no GPS to help it Works and is in testing. Engineers are evaluating a number of designs to arrive at the best model for development. Photo credit: NASA 18 SPACEPORT Magazine SPACEPORT Magazine 19 “The first step in being able to use resources on Mars or an asteroid is to find out where the resources are.” ROB MUELLER Senior Technologist for Advanced Projects at Swamp Works

navigate and the communications delays are Mechanisms is providing is steadily pushing the mission and design too large to control it directly from Earth. more expertise. closer to a state where it can be made into a Cold-gas jets using or steam “The flight control systems of flight-ready craft. water vapor will take on the lifting and commercially available small, unmanned The uses for the sampling vehicle may maneuvering duties performed by the multi-rotor aerial vehicles are not too not be solely extraterrestrial, Mueller said. rotors on Earth. For navigation, the team is dissimilar to a spacecraft controller,” Mike On Earth, an aerial vehicle that can pull a programming the flyer to recognize terrain DuPuis, co-investigator of the Extreme Access few grams of dirt from an area potentially and landmarks and guide itself to areas that Flyer project. “That was the starting point for brimming with toxins would be very valuable controllers on Earth send it to, or even scout developing a controller.” for first responders or those researching a on its own the best places to take samples In the Swamp Works laboratory, the team new area who do not want to risk humans. Fresh food grown in the microgravity of space officially is on the menu for the first time from. has assembled several models designed to test Mueller said the effects of a nuclear radiation on the International Space Station. crew members will harvest a crop of “It would have enough propellant to fly aspects of the final machine. A large quad- leak on surrounding areas, for example, could “Outredgeous” red romaine lettuce Aug. 10 and sample the fruits of their labor. for a number of minutes on Mars or on the copter about five feet across that uses ducted be measured with soil gathered quickly by a moon, hours on an asteroid,” said DuPuis. fans is about the size of the prototype the vehicle like the Extreme Access Flyer.“We’re The romaine lettuce was grown in a plant growth system called “Veggie,” that was For the sampling itself, designers currently team has in mind for an operational mission an innovations lab, so in everything we do, a modular approach that would let in space. It’s been tested at the planetary we try to come up with new solutions,” developed by Orbital Technologies Corp. in Madison, Wisconsin, and tested at NASA’s the flyer take one tool at a time to a sample surface analogous test site built for the Mueller said. Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Veggie and two sets of plant pillows containing area to gather about 7 grams of material Morpheus lander project at the north end of In addition to scouting craters for water red romaine seeds for the Veg-01 experiment were delivered to the space station on at a time. That’s enough for instruments the Shuttle Landing Facility’s runway. and other elements that can be processed into the third cargo resupply mission by SpaceX in April 2014. The first set of plants were to analyze and, throughout the course of A smaller ducted fan flyer, about the size fuel for large spacecraft and air for humans, grown, harvested and returned to Earth for food safety analysis. many flights, is enough to gather samples of a person’s palm, is routinely flown inside the flyer would be capable of exploring lava that would show Earth-bound scientists a a 10-by-10-foot cube to test software and tubes that are known to exist on Mars and The second crop for the Veg-01 experiment was activated by NASA’s one-year complete geological picture of an area. control abilities. Another, primarily built with the moon and are found in many volcanic astronaut on July 8. The seeds were on the station for 15 It’s work that would’ve been too asteroid exploration in mind, is suspended areas on Earth. Because some are thought to months before being activated in their plant pillows. Kjell Lindgren complicated to research even five years ago, inside a gimbal device that lets it maneuver be 30 feet or bigger in diameter, an extreme took over the care and watering of the plants July 24, one day particularly with off-the-shelf components. much as it would in zero gravity, using access flyer could navigate autonomously after he arrived at the station aboard a Soyuz spacecraft. Now though, the advent of autonomous nitrogen high cold gas thrusters during a robotic precursor mission and find a The current crop includes five plants, nicknamed Phoenix, flight controllers, laser-guidance and mapping to tilt and spin while the team judges its safe place for astronauts during their journey Tiny Tim, Delta, Echo and Big Frank. systems, combined with innovations in 3-D behavior in a virtual simulated world on a to Mars. printing, make the chances of developing a computer that shows what its flight around “You could put a whole habitat inside successful prototype flyer much more likely. an asteroid would look like. a lava tube to shelter astronauts from Growing and consuming fresh food in space is seen as Also, a partnership with Embry-Riddle The team started at a low level of radiation, thermal extremes, weather and critical for astronauts on long missions into deep space Aeronautical University and Honeybee technological readiness two years ago and micrometeorites,” Mueller said. or to distant worlds such as Mars. VEGGIE

As the third brightest object in the sky the International Space Station is easy 20 SPACEPORT Magazine to see if you know when to look up. SPACEPORT Magazine 21 URANUS PLANETARY PIONEERS 1985 Blazing new trails into our solar system MARS PLUTO 1.8 billion New Horizons 1965 NEPTUNE 2015 58 million Voyager 2 3.6 billion SATURN 1989 2.7 billion 1979 935 million 1962 26 million 1973 57 million JUPITER

New Horizons joined an elite class 1973 of spacecraft when it passed 502 million through the Pluto system for the first time. The United States has led the reconnaissance of the solar system, providing the first close-up look at every planet. * Planet Mission Year Visited Average Distance from Earth After a nine-and-a half year at Kennedy NEW HORIZONS of more than 3.6 billion miles, Space Center. To arrive on target, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft New Horizons’ navigation had to has begun sending the first close-up be precise. It required the probe observations of Pluto and the farthest passing through a small 60-by-90 PASSING BY PLUTO reaches of the solar system. At about mile “window” in deep space. It was 7:49 a.m. EDT on July 14, the comparable to a golfer teeing off in New Horizons arrives, spacecraft flew at a relative velocity of New York and making a hole-in-one returns up-close photos 30,817 mph about 7,750 miles above in Los Angeles. the surface of the distant planet. The mission continues NASA’s BY BOB GRANATH “With New Horizons’ flyby of efforts to answer questions such as Pluto, the United States will have “How did the solar system originate visited every planet and dwarf planet and change over time?” in our solar system, a remarkable “The Pluto system is a fossil accomplishment that no other remnant of the beginnings of our nation can match,” said NASA solar system,” Grunsfeld said. Administrator Charlie Bolden in “What this mission is all about is a message to agency employees the extraordinary things NASA can minutes before the spacecraft do as a team with our partners and “Thanks to American ingenuity and leadership, people around the world have a better understanding of planet Earth, the solar system and the universe.” CHARLIE BOLDEN NASA ADMINISTRATOR arrived at its destination. “Thanks to with taxpayer investment to produce American ingenuity and leadership, wonderful science. This is science people around the world have a that answers questions about where better understanding of planet Earth, we come from, where we’re going the solar system and the universe.” and, in essence, trying to answer an John Grunsfeld, Ph.D., NASA’s even bigger question, are we alone in associate administrator for the the universe.” Science Mission Directorate, also The New Horizons spacecraft noted that New Horizons arrival at was designed and built by the Johns Pluto is historic. Hopkins University Applied Physics “Pluto is a of our solar Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, system exploration,” he said “As a where the mission is operated part of our solar system, Pluto was and managed for NASA’s Science the last unexplored territory.” Mission Directorate. The Southwest New Horizons began its long Research Institute (SwRI) based in trip when it was launched from San Antonio leads the science team. Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s New Horizons also is part of the Launch Complex 41 on Jan. 19, New Frontiers Program managed by 2006. The spacecraft was boosted NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center atop a Lockheed Martin Atlas V in Huntsville, Alabama. rocket under the direction of NASA’s During a media teleconference

Opposite: NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft took this New Horizons began its long trip when it was launched image of Pluto on July 13, 2015. The view is dominated from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Launch Complex by the large, bright feature informally named the “heart,” 41 on Jan. 19, 2006. The spacecraft was boosted atop which measures approximately 1,000 miles across. Photo a Lockheed Martin Atlas V rocket under the direction Solar credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics of NASA’s Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space System & Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute Center. Photo credit: NASA Beyond

24 SPACEPORT Magazine SPACEPORT Magazine 25 on July 6, New Horizons principal layer of Pluto’s atmosphere, called investigator Alan Stern, Ph.D., the troposphere, is shallower than predicted the images would be previously believed. stunning. From a historical perspective, the “When we get a clear look at the July 14 flyby of Pluto took place 50 surface of Pluto for the very first years to the day after the U.S. first time, I promise, it will knock your explored Mars with NASA’s Mariner socks off,” said Stern who is associate 4 spacecraft on July 14, 1965. The vice president for Research and Pluto flyby caps a five-decade-long era Development at SwRI in Boulder, of solar system reconnaissance that Colorado. began with Venus and Mars in the The pictures have not disappointed. early 1960s, and continued through “New Horizons has sent back first views of Mercury, Jupiter and the most detailed images and Saturn in the 1970s and Uranus and measurements ever taken of Pluto Neptune in the 1980s. and its , revealing significant “Fifty years ago today, the United new insights about the dwarf planet,” States was embarking on an era of Bolden said. the exploration of the solar system NASA’s New Horizons mission that will live forever in history,” Stern already is answering some of the most said. “Fifty years ago today, the first basic questions about the distant spacecraft flew by Mars, and I think planet. it’s fitting that today we complete the Measuring Pluto’s size has been initial reconnaissance of the planets a decades-long challenge due with exploration of Pluto.” to complicating factors from its New Horizons also is the first atmosphere. Mission scientists have mission to the Kuiper Belt, a gigantic found that Pluto is 1,473 miles in zone of icy bodies and mysterious diameter, somewhat larger than many small objects orbiting beyond prior estimates. Images provided Neptune. This region is known as by the spacecraft’s Long Range the “third” zone of our solar system, Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) were beyond the inner rocky planets and used to make this determination. outer gas giants. “The size of Pluto has been debated The largest known body in the since its discovery in 1930,” said Kuiper Belt, Pluto has an extensive mission scientist Bill McKinnon, nitrogen atmosphere, complex Ph.D., professor of Earth and seasons, strangely distinct surface planetary sciences at Washington markings, an ice-rock interior that University in St. Louis. “We are may harbor an ocean, and at least excited to finally lay this question to five moons. Among Pluto’s five rest.” moons, Charon may itself support Pluto’s largest moon Charon an atmosphere or an interior ocean lacks any known atmosphere, and and possibly even evidence of recent its diameter was easier to determine surface activity. The smaller moons, using ground-based telescopes. New Nix, Hydra, Styx and Kerberos, are Horizons observations of Charon considered scientifically valuable confirm previous estimates of 751 bonuses. miles across. While New Horizons may have The new measurement of Pluto’s reached its destination in the outer Pluto’s largest moon, Charon, has a depression with a peak in the middle, shown here in the upper left corner of the inset. The image, taken 49,000 miles away, shows an area size means that it is less dense than reaches of the solar system, Bolden approximately 240 miles from top to bottom, including few visible craters. Photo credit: previously thought, and the fraction pointed out that the journey of NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute of ice in its interior is slightly higher discovery continues. than was believed. Also, the lowest “NASA’s portfolio of scientific

26 SPACEPORT Magazine SPACEPORT Magazine 27 HIGHLIGHTS of PLUTO SYSTEM SCIENCE DISCOVERIES

A newly discovered mountain range lies near the southwestern margin of Pluto’s Tombaugh Region, situated between bright, icy plains and dark, heavily-cratered terrain. This image was acquired by New Horizons’ Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) on July 14, 2015, from a distance of 48,000 miles. Features as small as a half- mile across are visible. Photo credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute 1930: Pluto discovered by American astronomer Clyde 1986: First reliable radii for Pluto and Charon determined Tombaugh exploration includes a broad and robust array of “When I was a little kid, there was the Apollo 1987: Water ice discovered on Charon’s surface missions and destinations,” he said. “The James Webb Program,” Stern said. “It excited so many kids to go 1965: Pluto’s 3:2 orbit resonance with Neptune discovered 1988: Discovery that Pluto’s orbit is chaotic, stellar occultation Space Telescope – scheduled to launch in October 2018 on to tech careers. Most of them didn’t wind up in the 1976: Discovery of methane ice on Pluto reveals Pluto’s atmosphere and telescopic evidence finds polar — will orbit the a million miles from Earth and will space realm at all. They ended up in various phases caps reveal new worlds, galaxies and solar systems, enabling a of engineering and a lot of them made the Internet 1978: Pluto’s moon, Charon, discovered and mass of both are better understanding of our own place in the universe.” revolution. They made the computer revolution of the determined 1992: Nitrogen and carbon monoxide ices found on Pluto Stern noted that the agency’s earliest efforts to explore 1980s and 1990s. If we can be a small part of making was a personal inspiration. He hopes projects such as kids of today excited about STEM education and careers 1980: Stellar occultation – observing a star as a planet passes 2005: Moons “P1” and “P2” discovered before it – reveals Charon’s diameter to be about 745 miles. New Horizons will encourage young people to pursue in science and engineering though New Horizons, that education in STEM – science, technology, engineering may be our greatest gift.” and math.

28 SPACEPORT Magazine SPACEPORT Magazine 29 FAST FACTS ABOUT NEW HORIZONS WHY STUDY

PLUTO?Pluto is a different type of planet. It is neither a terrestrial planet such as Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, nor is it a gas giant such as & PLUTO Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. According to Speeding at a relative velocity of New Horizons Principal Investigator Dr. Alan Stern, 30,800 mph during its approach, New Horizons Is: Pluto is a small planet, common to the deep outer nearly 100 times faster than a jetliner mission to Pluto reaches of the solar system. throughout its journey, New Horizons The first was the fastest spacecraft ever to and the Kuiper Belt Pluto and Charon may be binary planets. leave Earth. Given that no spacecraft The International Astronomical Union has yet to has ever traveled such a great The fastest spacecraft ever formalize a definition for binary planets, Charon distance before reaching its primary is still officially classified as a moon of Pluto. New science target, that speed was crucial launched from Earth Horizons may shed light on questions such as to mission success. distance a atmospheric transfer and for better understanding New Horizons crossed the moon’s The farthest of how the Earth-moon system formed. orbit in just nine hours — something spacecraft has traveled to begin that took the Apollo astronauts more its primary science mission Pluto’s atmosphere provides the only likely than three days to accomplish. Just opportunity to observe planetary hydrodynamic 13 months later, New Horizons flew escape. This process is believed to have shaped past Jupiter for a Earth’s primordial atmospheric loss. toward Pluto. The two most recent NASA missions sent to Jupiter, Pluto’s and Charon’s surfaces tell the history of and Cassini, took six and four years, outer solar system bombardment. Comparing respectively, to reach the giant planet Pluto’s cratering record with Charon’s should yield which almost is half a billion miles a direct comparison of present-day and historical from Earth. impacts. Because of continual sublimation and condensation of frost, Pluto’s surface is considered It is taking about four-and-a-half “young” while Charon’s, because of the apparent hours for the signals from Pluto to lack of atmosphere, is “old.” reach Earth with the long-awaited information because of the Understanding the Kuiper Belt. Kuiper Belt objects 3.625-billion-mile distance. often are called the “third zone” of the solar system. The Kuiper Belt swirls beyond both the inner zone of terrestrial planets and the middle zone of the gas. The Kuiper Belt is the largest structure in the solar system, holding an estimated 100,000-plus miniature worlds, many with diameters no larger than 62 miles. ISOLATION SIMULATION Social experiment isolates scientists for eight months

BY STEVEN SICELOFF

team of six volunteer scientists completed Aone of the most extensive studies of the demands of life on a distant world by closing themselves off to the rest of the world for eight months in an effort known as HI-SEAS. Their chore wasn’t so much to stay alive, but to see how isolation and the lack of privacy in a small group affects social aspects of would-be explorers.

HI-SEAS, short for Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation, took place atop the Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii. The site hosts experiments of budding technologies that future Mars explorers could employ during real Mars expeditions to the Red Planet.

32 SPACEPORT Magazine SPACEPORT Magazine 33 The research is expected to bear directly instance, they ate only food that was freeze- Astronauts on a journey to Mars would do on NASA’s decisions when composing crews dried or that would be stable on a long- the same thing during their time on the Look Online for future missions to Mars. The group duration spaceflight. Water and electricity surface, just as the Apollo astronauts did on CLICK HERE FOR MORE >> also experimented with many budding were extremely limited — not just for the moon. Also, the volcanic surface is akin to technologies future Mars explorers could drinking, but for showering and other uses. the Martian soil and is used in many cases to employ during real expeditions to the Red They left the habitat once a week to conduct simulate Martian surfaces in other studies. Planet. It was the third and longest of the field studies inside a vehicle akin to the rover Noting that there are obvious limits to simulation missions. The next simulation is being designed to transport astronauts on conducting deep-space simulations on Earth, planned to last a year. A mission to Mars may Mars. scientists said there are many aspects that take two and a half to three years, with about The dome the team used was erected can be suitably studied, mainly the crew

Six volunteer scientists celebrate after participating in the HI-SEAS mission. Photo credit: HI-SEAS Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, center, helps cut the ribbon on the new Small Class half of that time on the planetary surface. 8,000 feet above sea level and was basically a interactions and how people change how they Vehicle Launch Pad, designated 39C. Also helping to cut the ribbon are, from left, Pat Simpkins, HI-SEAS, short for Hawaii Space small, two-story house. The first floor, which see others after a long time in one another’s director, Engineering and Technology Directorate; Rich Koller, senior vice president of design Exploration Analog and Simulation, took covered about 900 square feet, housed the presence. More than just whether or not they firm Jones Edmunds; Scott Colloredo, director, Center Planning and Development; and Michelle place atop the Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii. common areas such as lab and shower while get along, a crew’s makeup will dictate how Shoultz, president of Frazier Engineering. The new launch pad, located in the southeast area of The site was chosen because it shows little the upper level’s 424 square feet housed the successfully other science is performed during the Launch Pad 39B perimeter, is designed to attract smaller aerospace companies and enable signs of human existence and even plants are staterooms for the participants along with a a mission to deep space. them to develop and launch their vehicles from Kennedy. The Ground Systems Development and scarce at that altitude. In other words, it’s half-bath. An attached workshop was made Researchers are excited about the work Operations Program oversaw construction of the new pad and is working with Center Planning and one of the few places on Earth that can offer from a converted shipping container. The that was completed during the eight- Development to grow commercial space efforts at Kennedy. researchers few of the signs of their home design was tied closely to the amount of space month mission, but will take some time Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis planet without having to leave Earth. a crew on Mars is likely to have for a habitat. before detailing their findings in academic Although social interactions were the Project leaders also chose the volcano as journals and at technical conferences. In the primary study area for this mission, the a site because its geology offered the crew meantime, they also are prepping for a one- For the complete story, go to http://go.nasa.gov/1RDVhBr teams had to do without almost all the a place to take samples and conduct field year mission at the habitat slated to begin in normal elements of human life on Earth. For studies once a week outside the habitat. August.

34 SPACEPORT Magazine SPACEPORT Magazine 35 Technology

Students show off their rockets while attended the Kennedy Space Center Education Office’s 2015 Launching 2 Learn, or L2L, project, a four-week pilot program in July that teaches how to build and launch Level 1 and Level 2 high-powered rockets, or HPRs. The L2L project is designed for undergraduate freshman and sophomores majoring in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM-related . Photo credit: NASA/Amber Watson

enabled students to build, simulate, and engaged in various hands-on activities to she goes back to school,” Dahlke said. “Our successfully launch and recover their very supplement the classroom lessons and launch team here provided lots of mentoring help EXCELLING AHEAD own rockets. The experience is designed to a Level 1 and Level 2 HPR during the L2L and guidance.” The team includes Dahlke; provide an in-depth understanding of how experience. Additionally, students were given Stephen West, a graduate student at Stanford College students ‘Learn 2 Launch’ high-powered rockets and why HPRs work, and by extension, a healthy dose of the rocket science that is University in California; Rob Cannon, how NASA’s much larger launch vehicles L2L project manager, and Gloria Murphy, FRANK OCHOA-GONZALES work. They learned how to use rocket launch “Each student will Education Projects lead. simulation programs and data analysis tools have the experience “Every student qualified on their first When the students from this summer’s 2 high-powered rockets, or HPRs, and teach students to remain in STEM degree programs during the project. and understanding to attempt for Level 1 certification,” West said. Launching to Learn, or L2L, project return the math and science behind it. by teaching them a relevant use for their “Getting to see your hard work come become a team lead on “That truly is extraordinary.” to their respective schools, they’re going be The L2L project is designed for classwork and enable them to be more together and then rise up into the sky is Among those participating was Edwin steps ahead of their classmates . . . make that undergraduate freshman and sophomores successful in it. One goal is to contribute a pretty awesome feeling,” said Samantha an advanced rocketry Lema, a sophomore attending Eastern giant leaps ahead, if you ask instructor Gary majoring in science, technology, engineering to retention efforts for the underserved and Warnick, a sophomore from Dabney S. project when he or she Florida State College, who said he enjoys the Dahlke. and mathematics, or STEM-related fields. underrepresented in STEM and increase Lancaster Community College in Clifton goes back to school.” hands-on training he’s received this summer. “I am really impressed with their The project ran July 6-31. STEM literacy, raise confidence in technical Forge, Virginia. “Getting to work at Kennedy GARY DAHLKE Lema, originally from Brooklyn, New York, enthusiasm,” said Dahlke, who currently James Dai, a sophomore at Ohio State abilities, and encourage students to continue Space Center the same time New Horizons Launching 2 Learn instructor is a petty officer first class with the Navy and teaches the Rockets 101 portion of Kennedy University, hopes to be an astronaut someday with their pursuits of higher education in flew by Pluto will be something I’ll be able to works across from the spaceport at Cape Space Center’s Rocket U and is an 18- and believes this training is one small step on STEM fields. tell my grandkids. conducted atKennedy, such as a walk-down Canaveral Air Force Station. year veteran of the Space Shuttle Program. his way to get there. “It was a lot more fun than I thought “This experience made me realize just how of the VAB and Pad 39B, a briefing and “Math is very applicable to me as a “These students really have gotten into it this “I’d love to go to the International Space it would be,” said Mercedes Winfrey, a much I love space.” launch simulation at the Mission Director’s person, not that all I want to do is launch summer.” Station or even just help develop spacecraft,” freshman at the University of Arkansas at During the four-week session, students Center, and a Q&A with Center Director rockets,” Lema said. “I’m never going to stop Kennedy’s Education Office is conducting Dai said. “I’m going to do whatever it takes Pine Bluff. “Getting introduced to an entire learned about aerodynamic loads, rocket Bob Cabana. trying to make this a reality for me. the L2L project, a four-week pilot program, to get U.S. astronauts to space, and this new field while working for NASA was a real propulsion and thrust, payloads, parachutes, “Each student will have the experience “I will keep pushing my education in to teach 20 college freshmen and sophomores program has shown me a way.” eye-opener.” sensors and instrumentation, data acquisition and understanding to become a team lead STEM and when it gets hard, I’m going to how to build and launch Level 1 and Level The purpose of L2L is to encourage This introduction to rocket science and analysis, integration and more. Students on an advanced rocketry project when he or keep pushing.”

36 SPACEPORT Magazine SPACEPORT Magazine 37 ‘EVERY DAY MATTERS’

An artist illustration of the Vehicle Assembly Building and NASA’s Space Launch System and Orion crew module Mars on the mobile launcher, with Launch Pad 39B in the background. Image credit: NASA

work will include installing more than 800 Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). A total of Upgrades to the vehicle include new steering GSDO making huge strides toward NASA’s Exploration Mission-1 pieces of mechanical, electrical and fluids 10 levels of new platforms — 20 platform arms; new jacking, equalizing and leveling BY LINDA HERRIDGE equipment and about 300,000 feet of cable halves altogether — will surround the SLS hydraulic cylinders; and upgraded sprocket and several miles of tubing and piping to rocket and Orion crew module and provide shaft assemblies. ot since NASA prepared Kennedy Operations, or GSDO, Program and support GSDO program manager. “Every day support mobile launcher operations. Most access for testing and processing in A simulation test of the Resource NSpace Center’s facilities for the Space contractors at Kennedy are busier than ever as matters, and we have to continue to meet our recently, modifications to the mobile launcher High Bay 3. Prospector payload RESOLVE for a mission Shuttle Program 35 years ago has there work continues to transform the center into a commitments internally and externally to be tower and platform were completed to Also inside the VAB, upgrades to crawler- to the moon was the first use of one of been such a large-scale effort to ready the 21st century multi-user spaceport. ready for EM-1.” accommodate the size and of the SLS transporter 2 continue in order to prepare the new 21st century multi-user control center in anticipation of the launch of the “Developing ground systems in parallel GSDO will achieve a major milestone rocket. the giant vehicle for its exploration role. rooms inside Firing Room 4 in the Launch Space Launch System, or SLS, rocket and with flight systems, SLS and Orion, makes on the mobile launcher this month with The first set of new work platforms, CT-2 will carry the SLS rocket and Orion Control Center (LCC). GSDO managed Orion spacecraft on Exploration Mission-1. it especially challenging and demands a the award of a new Ground Support designated platform “K,” arrived in April spacecraft atop the mobile launcher along the the construction of Firing Room 4 which The Ground Systems Development and high level of integration,” said Mike Bolger, Equipment Installation Contract. The and are being readied for installation in the 4.2-mile crawlerway trek to Launch Pad 39B. can be partitioned into four separate control

38 SPACEPORT Magazine SPACEPORT Magazine 39 rooms to meet current and future NASA and commercial user I am National Aeronautics and Space Administration requirements. Trey Reilly “We also just completed a major software release for Firing Room 1 that is critical to testing our KSC ground subsystems,” Program Analyst Bolger said. “We are now configuring it for testing that will Independent Assessment Team continue over the next several months. We will build on this GSDO GROUND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS release to provide the capability that we need to process and launch the SLS and Orion.” Modifications are nearing completion in the Multi-Payload Processing Facility (MPPF), where a new service platform, a deservicing platform and general purpose fuel tanks have been staged. A new elevator was added to the service platform. The facility will be used for offline processing and fueling of the Orion spacecraft and service module stack before launch. The landscape at Launch Pad 39B has changed. A clean pad concept has replaced the configuration once used for space shuttle launches. The pad’s surface has been completely upgraded. New crawler track panels have been installed and concrete repairs have been completed. The flame trench walls have been resurfaced and work soon will begin on a new flame deflector that will support launch of the SLS rocket. At the Launch Equipment Test Facility (LETF), both aft skirt electrical umbilicals (ASEU) have been tested. The two umbilicals will connect to the rocket at the bottom outer edge of the booster, referred to as the aft skirt, and will provide electrical power and data connections to the SLS rocket until it lifts off from its launch pad. Tests of the ASEU confirmed its design and function. The ASEU is one of nine different types of umbilicals that will be put to the test before they are installed on the mobile launcher. Testing soon will begin on the Orion Service Module Umbilical. What’s next for the GSDO workforce moving forward? Bolger said a key milestone, the program-level Critical Design Review, will occur in the fall. At that point, the program will transition from design to hardware fabrication, installation and testing. In parallel, GSDO will develop the operations procedures and plans, train the test team, and develop the software that will be used to test and checkout flight and ground systems. After the ground systems are tested and certified, Bolger said Kennedy will be ready to process flight hardware beginning in January 2018. Launching and recovering Orion on the first exploration flight test last December was the first step, and the GSDO team is ready for the next challenge. “What we do is hard and there will be challenges, but Members of the news and social media were updated on progress in preparing the new mobile launcher communication and working together as a team is helping to to support the Space Launch System rocket at Kennedy Space Center. A new heavy-lift rocket, the SLS overcome them,” Bolger said. “We’re making progress every day.” Kennedy Space Center will be more powerful than any previously built. SLS will be capable of sending humans aboard the Orion spacecraft to an asteroid and Mars. Exploration Begins Here Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

www.nasa.gov SP-2015-06-270-KSC

40 SPACEPORT Magazine SPACEPORT Magazine 41 Gemini V: Paving the way for long-duration spaceflight

BY BOB GRANATH

uring the summer of 1965, the United adapts to longer-duration spaceflight. This Florida spaceport’s NASA test conductor DStates began to pull even in the space knowledge is crucial as NASA looks toward for Gemini V was Chuck Gay. He and a race with the . The eight-day human journeys to and from Mars, which team of specialists conducted nine weeks of Gemini V endurance mission doubled could last 500 days or longer. capsule factory tests and inspections at the America’s spaceflight record set two months In addition to efforts to determine McDonnell Aircraft Corp. in St. Louis where earlier. It also tested technology that would microgravity’s effects after more than a week the spacecraft was built. The capsule then was help make longer missions possible in the in orbit, the crew of Gordon Cooper and flown to Kennedy for another eight weeks of future. first-time astronaut Charles “Pete” Conrad prelaunch checkouts. One of the lasting benefits of NASA’s planned to attempt to catch up with an “A great deal of knowledge was gained PART 3 Gemini Program was its sustained instrument package called the rendezvous during the four previous Gemini missions, technological investments accumulated over evaluation pod, or REP. particularly the two manned flights,” Gay

Opposite: Viewed through a window, astronaut Charles “Pete” Conrad monitors instruments in his Gemini V spacecraft during preflight countdown activities Aug. 21, 1965. Photo credit: NASA

Mounted atop a Titan II rocket, the Gemini V spacecraft lifts off from Launch Pad 19 on Aug. 21, 1965. At the time, the eight-day mission was the longest orbital flight to date. Photo credit: NASA

a two-year period. These new capabilities A member of the original seven Mercury said in a 1965 interview. “Extremely rigid allowed astronauts not only to meet the astronauts, Cooper flew more than 34 hours specifications were tightened even further for challenges for landing on the moon, but laid and orbited the Earth 22 times on Mercury Gemini V, and inspection procedures were the groundwork for long-duration missions 9 during May 1963. Conrad was a member more stringent than those previously used.” aboard the International Space Station and of the agency’s second group of astronauts. He noted that the scrutiny was due to future flights to destinations that still await, He would go on to command Gemini 11 in the new, untested procedures planned for the such as a near-Earth asteroid and Mars. 1966, walk on the moon during in upcoming flight. Now, 50 years after Gemini V, NASA 1969 and lead the first crew in May “Gemini V will demonstrate an eight- astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonaut and June 1973. day long-duration capability for both the are in the midst of a one- As flights became longer and more spacecraft and crew,” he said. “In addition, year stay in orbit aboard the space station. complex, the NASA team at Kennedy Space this will be the first use of fuel cells for With the doubling of the length of the usual Center and Cape Kennedy (now Cape supplying spacecraft power during a manned space station stay, researchers hope to better Canaveral) Air Force Station intensified flight.” understand how the human body reacts and its efforts to ensure mission success. The A fuel cell converts energy from a fuel, such as liquid hydrogen, into electricity through The pod contained a radar transponder, a chemical reaction with liquid oxygen or flashing beacons, batteries and an antenna. The another oxidizing agent. By comparison, a plan called for Gemini V to maneuver away battery stores the chemical reactants. Once used from the instrument package, six miles below up, a battery must be recharged or discarded. A and 14 miles behind, and then rendezvous with fuel cell will continue to produce electricity as the pod. long as it has a fuel supply, a crucial technology About half an hour after deploying the for long-duration . REP, fellow astronaut Jim McDivitt, serving Gemini V astronauts Cooper and Conrad as capsule communicator in mission control, also were the first to design an insignia patch asked the crew to check the fuel cell heaters for their flight. The original version featured to maintain proper pressure in the reactant a Conestoga covered wagon, noting the tanks. The new electricity generators were not pioneering effort of Gemini. On the side was performing as expected. the slogan “8 Days or Bust.” “We have checked that,” Cooper said. “I After the design was submitted for review can’t get an increase in amperage when I go to to NASA Administrator James Webb, he wrote manual O2 (oxygen) fuel cell heater, nor do I Director of Flight Crew Operations Deke get any reading in amperage when I go to auto. Slayton, approving the concept but expressing The H2 (hydrogen) heater works perfectly.” reservations about the slogan. While out of radio contact with the ground, “I have a very strong concern about the ‘8 the crew found that the pressure in the fuel cells days or bust’ motto,” he said in the Aug. 14, continued to drop.

On Aug. 21, 1965, astronauts Gordon Cooper, followed by Charles “Pete” Conrad, arrive in the white room atop Launch Pad 19 during the Gemini V countdown at what was then called Cape Kennedy, Florida. Photo credit: NASA

Gemini V was the first mission to have a crew insignia. The original version, left, featured a Conestoga covered wagon noting the pioneering effort of Gemini. On the side was the slogan “8 Days or Bust.” After reviewing the design, NASA Administrator James Webb approved the concept, but expressed reservations about the slogan which was subsequently covered up on the version worn by the astronauts for the flight. Photo credit: NASA

1965, memo. “I wish it could be omitted. If the “We have decided to power down the radar flight does not go eight days, there are many and we’re in the process of powering down the who are going to say it was ‘busted.’” spacecraft,” said Cooper when Gemini V passed Since the patches were already produced over the next tracking station. “Our fuel cell with the slogan, fabric was sewn over the motto oxygen pickup is still falling.” on the patches worn by Cooper and Conrad Tracking the REP was cancelled and during the flight. consideration was given to bringing the “We’re on our way,” said Cooper as Gemini crew back early. However, engineers at the V lifted off from Cape Kennedy’s Launch Pad McDonnell Aircraft facility in St. Louis 19 on Aug. 21, 1965. conducted quickly arranged tests showing that The first major test was to practice tracking it was possible for the fuel cells to work, even and catching up with the rendezvous pod. The with low oxygen pressure. 74-pound package was ejected from the adapter With this reassurance, flight director Gene at the back of the spacecraft during the second Kranz and his mission control team decided to orbit. tell Cooper and Conrad to turn the electricity “We got the REP out,” said Conrad. “It’s back on. They were relieved when the fuel cells moving away at four feet a second on our were restarted and tested by using equipment radar.” that required more and more power. This After recovery by the crew of the USS Lake Champlain on Aug. 29, 1965, Gemini V pilot Charles “Pete” Conrad tweaks the eight-day growth of beard of command pilot Gordon Cooper. Photo credit: NASA ONE-YEAR showed that the fuel cell pressure remained stable and the crew could miles short of the planned landing point due to a computing error. A continue its mission. helicopter from the recovery ship, USS Lake Champlain, soon picked MISSION In the meantime, fellow astronaut developed an up the Gemini V crew and took them to the aircraft carrier. The day alternative rendezvous test since the REP was no longer available. after the splashdown, Cooper and Conrad returned to Kennedy for Kelly, Kornienko expand research base His astronautics doctoral thesis from the Massachusetts Institute three days of medical checkups. BY BOB GRANATH of Technology was “Guidance for Manned Orbital Rendezvous.” “It’s good to be back here at the place where we spent our last Aldrin worked out a plan in which the crew could rendezvous with a weeks in training,” said Cooper upon arrival. ow, 50 years after the eight-day Gemini V flight, American the medical, psychological and biomedical challenges faced during “point in space.” It went perfectly, and marked the first-ever precision NASA Deputy Administrator Hugh Dryden summed up the Nastronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail long-duration spaceflight. Plans call for Kelly and Kornienko to maneuvers on a spaceflight. success of Gemini V in a Sept. 11, 1965, report to President Lyndon Kornienko are participating in a one-year mission aboard the land in Kazakhstan in the spring of 2016. The Gemini V crew went to work on other experiments planned Johnson. International Space Station, or ISS. This is twice as long as a Data from their 12-month experience will help develop better for the mission, including high-resolution photography, medical “The primary objective of the Gemini V mission was to typical mission. Launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in assessments of crew performance and health. The results will experiments similar to those performed on Gemini IV, as well as an demonstrate man’s ability to function in the space environment Kazakhstan on 27, 2015, aboard Soyuz TMA-16M, Kelly help determine and validate countermeasures to reduce the risks experiment into the performance of the human heart in microgravity. for eight days and to qualify the spacecraft systems under these and Kornienko will be focusing on several categories of research. associated with future exploration as NASA plans for even longer Cooper and Conrad returned to Earth on Aug. 29, 1965. They conditions,” he said. “The adaptability of the human body was As members of ISS crews for Expeditions 43, 44, 45 and 46, missions around the moon, to an asteroid and ultimately living controlled their re-entry, creating drag and lift by rotating the capsule. indicated by the performance of the astronauts. This has assured us of their investigations are expected to yield beneficial knowledge on on Mars. Even so, the crew splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean about 80 man’s capability to travel to the moon and return.”

Above: NASA astronaut Scott Kelly is seen May 31, 2015, inside the International Space Station’s Destiny laboratory preparing IMAX camera equipment for an EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third in a series of feature articles marking the 50th anniversary of Project Gemini. The program was upcoming documentation session. Photo credit: NASA designed as a steppingstone toward landing on the moon. The investment also provided technology now used in NASA’s work aboard the International Space Station and planning for the Journey to Mars. In December, read about two Gemini crews meeting in orbit. National Aeronautics and Space Administration

John F. Kennedy Space Center Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899 www .nasa.gov

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