July 26, 2013 Vol. 53, No. 15 Spaceport News John F. - America’s gateway to the universe

Boeing unveils CST-100 mock-up By Rebecca Regan Spaceport News

wo NASA astronauts conducted flight suit evaluations inside a test Tversion of The Boeing Company’s CST-100 spacecraft July 22, the first time the world got a glimpse of the crew capsule’s fully outfitted interior. “The astronauts always enjoy getting out and looking at the vehicles and sharing their experiences with these commercial providers,” said Kathy Lueders, deputy manager of NASA’s (CCP). Boeing is one of three American companies working with CCP to develop safe, reliable and cost-effective crew transportation systems during NASA’s Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) initiative, which is intended to make commercial human spaceflight services available for government and commercial customers. CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/ Robert Markowitz During two four-hour sessions, The Boeing Company’s CST-100 spacecraft features LED lighting and tablet technology. To watch NASA astronauts Serena astronauts Serena Aunon and Randy Bresnik Aunon and Randy Bresnik as they maneuver in the spacecraft, click the photo. put on launch-and-entry suits and then individually tested their maneuverability equipment and ergonomics. or 1,600 switches,” said Ferguson. “When inside the capsule. Meanwhile, Boeing “These are our customers. They’re the these guys go up in this, they’re primary engineers monitored communications, ones who will take our spacecraft into mission is not to fly this spacecraft, they’re flight, and if we’re not building it the primary mission is to go to the space way they want it, we’re doing something station for six months. We don’t want to wrong,” said Chris Ferguson, director of burden them with an inordinate amount of VAB turns 50 Boeing’s Crew and Mission Operations and training to fly this vehicle, we want it to be a former NASA astronaut. intuitive.” The CST-100 test vehicle was optimized Other innovative elements of the to seat five crew members, but the CST-100 is its weld-free design, modern spacecraft could accommodate up to seven structures and upgraded thermal protection or a mix of crew and cargo. While the techniques. The company said its spun- spacecraft may resemble Boeing’s heritage formed shell reduces the overall mass of Apollo-era capsules from an exterior the spacecraft, as well as the time it takes to perspective, its interior is a reflection of build the crew capsule. modern technology. From the ambient sky “I’m looking forward to the day when we blue LED lighting and tablet technology, the bring our Expedition crew members home, company ensured the CST-100 is a modern and I won’t need a passport or a visa to go Page 4 spacecraft. to the landing site and greet them as they “What you’re not going to find is 1,100 come off the vehicle,” Lueders said. Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS July 26, 2013 Robotic base in space not far-fetched plan By Steven Siceloff Spaceport News

he prospects of a robotic manufacturing base Toperating off Earth is not as far-fetched as it used to be according to a study published by researchers at Kennedy Space Center. Advances in robotics and remote manufacturing in the form of 3-D printing offer some tantalizing prospects for future designers to consider as they map out the ways to explore and use resources in the solar system. Also, private compa- nies are establishing goals and abilities to utilize resources available near Earth. In their paper titled, "Afford- able, Rapid Bootstrapping of the Space Industry and Solar CLICK ON PHOTO NASA image System Civilization," published NASA’s FY2014 budget proposal includes a plan to robotically capture a small near-Earth asteroid and redirect it safely to the Earth-moon in the June issue of the Journal system, where astronauts can visit and explore it. Click on the photo to view a video. of Aerospace Engineering, Phil Metzger and James Mantovani and motors that have to be sent and other bodies. less than anybody previously of Kennedy's Granular Mechan- up from Earth. It doesn't matter Two significant develop- thought." ics and Regolith Operations how much the large structures ments make this prospect pos- The finished minerals could Lab, Anthony Muscatello of the weigh because you didn't have sible: robotics and the discov- be returned to Earth or used in center's Applied Chemistry Lab to launch it." ery of fundamental elements space to build new machinery and Robert Mueller of the Ken- Metzger said the researchers needed to make plastic, rubber or as supplies for astronauts as nedy Surface Systems Office developed a basic computer and various metals existing they explore the solar system. model to judge the viability of throughout space. detail one potential path toward So where to start? what would be possible. Their "Now that we know we can developing a self-sustaining, As part of NASA's recently data showed six generations get carbon in space, the basic space-based industry that would announced asteroid initiative, of development to "close the elements that we need for use resources from asteroids the agency is searching for an and other celestial bodies to loop," meaning robots and auto- industry are all within reach," asteroid of about 500 tons that meet the needs of Earth. mated machines would be able Metzger said. "That was game- can be moved into a path within A fully functioning, remote to build and operate themselves changing for us." system of robotic excavators without any materials from Another critical technol- the Earth-moon system so and simple machinery is still Earth. Basically, they found that ogy also is developing at just astronauts can visit it as early years away from reality, and prospect was not as daunting as the right time: 3-D printers as 2021 to take samples of the much research on asteroids they thought it would be. producing hardware that can space rock. needs to be undertaken. The Because asteroids are loaded be assembled into ever-more- "There are some types of building blocks of a successful with minerals that are rare on complex machinery and poten- asteroids that would be fantastic system, however, appear to be Earth, near-Earth asteroids tially in the future, increasingly for space resources," Metzger in place, the study concluded. and the asteroid belt could capable robots. said. "It's primordial solar "Robots and machines would become the mining centers for "The idea is you start with system material. You can make remotely operated excavators resources out of Earth's grav- just make the metal and propel- plastics and you can make rub- lants for starters," Metzger said. and processing machinery. In ity well in the vicinity of the ber by combining the carbon "The first generation of robots the future, an industry could de- Earth," Metzger said. "But and the hydrogen." makes the second generation of velop to send refined materials, what we argued is that you can hardware, except the compara- rare metals and even free, clean establish industry in space for For the complete story, go to tively lightweight electronics energy to Earth from asteroids a surprisingly low cost, much http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy July 26, 2013 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 BRS Aerospace leases parachute facility

By Linda Herridge “We are excited about this opportuni- Spaceport News ty,” Williams said. “It’s a unique situation where we can repurpose the facility into parachute development company a commercial use and provide additional, will utilize a facility where space specific capability to commercial space lshuttle-era parachutes once were A customers. We see a long-term future processed and prepared for missions. with NASA and the Kennedy Space Kennedy Space Center has signed a Center.” new partnership agreement with Ballistic BRS Aerospace also will have access Recovery Systems Inc., or BRS Aero- to the Dragonfly wastewater treatment space, of Miami, for use of the Parachute system inside the PRF, where para- Refurbishment Facility (PRF) beginning chutes recovered from saltwater can be Sept. 3. The 10-year lease agreement decontaminated, and then repaired and will allow BRS Aerospace to operate and repacked for reuse. During the Space maintain the facility at its own expense. Shuttle Program, the PRF was used to “Kennedy continues working with the NASA/Jim Grossmann Center Director Bob Cabana, right, shakes hands with manufacture and refurbish solid rocket commercial community to bring new Larry Williams, president and CEO of Ballistic Recovery booster parachutes. partnerships to the center, and this latest Systems Inc of Miami, Fla., after signing a new partnership Initially, the company plans on 34 full- agreement is a great example of pair- agreement July 19 for use of the Parachute Refurbishment time positions, with possible expansions Facility. ing a NASA facility having a previously depending on how the commercial space specialized focus with a U.S. company engineering specific applications for and unmanned aerial systems programs that has a similar engineering and manu- our customers, which include civilian develop. facturing focus,” Kennedy Director Bob aircraft, unmanned aerial systems, cargo Kennedy’s center planning and devel- Cabana said. delivery systems and commercial space opment team and the Economic Devel- According to BRS Aerospace President applications,” Williams said. opment Commission of Florida’s Space and CEO Larry Williams, the company BRS Aerospace specializes in whole- Coast worked with BRS Aerospace to will establish an engineering center of airframe emergency recovery parachute establish the agreement. excellence at the PRF. systems, personnel parachute systems, Cabana said, “We welcome BRS Aero- “We will work on new development low-cost aerial delivery systems, and space to Kennedy and look forward to a programs, research, prototyping and precision-guided aerial delivery systems. long-standing partnership.”

“It’s a unique situation where we can repurpose the facility into a commercial use and provide additional, specific capability to commercial space customers.”

Larry Williams, President and CEO BRS Aerospace

NASA/Jim Grossmann A worker repairs solid rocket booster parachutes recovered from sea in November 2008 inside the Parachute Refurbishment Facility. BRS Aerospace will begin utilizing the facility Sept. 3 under a 10-year lease agreement. Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS July 26, 2013 July 26, 2013 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 5 VAB remains pillar of America’s premiere spaceport By Bob Granath derway to support the Space Launch Aug. 23, 1963 Spaceport News System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft, July 30, 1963 which also will result in the ability to April 7, 1964 June 22, 1964 onstruction of the Vehicle process multiple launch vehicle types. Assembly Building (VAB) at SLS will be the agency’s advanced Kennedy Space Center began C heavy-lift launch vehicle, providing a a half-century ago this summer. After new capability for human exploration serving through the Apollo and Space beyond Earth orbit. However, NASA Shuttle Programs, the mammoth struc- also is partnering with private industry ture now is undergoing renovations to on launch vehicle and spacecraft devel- accommodate future launch vehicles opment options for taking astronauts and to continue as a major part of to low-Earth orbit and the International America’s efforts to explore space for Space Station. another 50 years. Last year shuttle-era work platforms Construction began with driving were removed from the VAB’s High the first steel pilings on Aug. 2, 1963. Bay 3 as a project of Ground Sys- It was part of NASA’s massive effort tems Development and Operations, or to send astronauts to the moon for the Three large cranes readied for VAB construction. Pile driving in progress. Eight months into construction. Nearly one year old. Apollo Program. Altogether, 4,225 GSDO, to accommodate the SLS. pilings were driven down 164 feet to According to Jose Lopez, the VAB bedrock with a foundation consisting senior project manager in the Vehicle Jan. 5, 1965 of 30,000 cubic yards of concrete. Con- Integration and Launch Support Branch Present struction of the VAB required 98,590 of GSDO, the changes are part of a cen- tons of steel. terwide modernization and refurbish- When completed in 1965, the VAB ment initiative in preparation for the was the largest building in the world next generation of human spaceflight. with 129,428,000 cubic feet of interior Lopez noted that some of the utilities volume. The structure covers eight and systems scheduled for replacement acres, is 525 feet tall and 518 feet wide. at the VAB have been used since the To accommodate moving, processing facility was built. This initial work is and stacking rocket stages, 71 cranes required to support any launch vehicle and hoists, including two 250-ton operated from Launch Complex 39 and bridge cranes were installed. On the will allow NASA to begin modernizing east and west sides are four high-bay the facilities while vehicle-specific doors, each designed to open 456 feet requirements are being developed. in height, allowing rollout of the Apol- Plans for 2014 include awarding the lo/Saturn V moon rockets mounted atop construction contract for new access launch umbilical towers. platforms, including structures and The VAB was built 3.5 miles from systems required for the SLS. Launch Pad 39A and 4.2 miles from Some of the current work has Launch Pad 39B. A pair of crawler- included removal of over 150 miles transporters, among the largest ma- of obsolete Apollo- and shuttle-era chines ever built to move on land, car- cabling. This will make room for instal- ried the assembled rockets to the pads. lation of more efficient, state-of-the-art After the conclusion of Apollo in the command, communication, control 1970s, the building was refurbished to and power systems needed to perform accommodate the . Inside testing and verification prior to the SLS the VAB, the shuttle solid rocket boost- and other rockets being rolled out to the ers were stacked atop a mobile launcher launch pad. platform. The external fuel tank was As plans move ahead to outfit the attached between the two boosters and VAB with the new infrastructure, code the shuttle mounted to the tank. Follow- upgrades and safety improvements, the ing three decades of flight, the shuttle building will continue in its role as a was retired in 2011. central hub for the Florida spaceport A year and a half after construction start. Modifications of the VAB are un- well into the future. The VAB at 50 and counting. NASA file photos Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS July 26, 2013 July 26, 2013 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 7

325 TON Did you know... The VAB high bay doors are the largest doors in the world and take about NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building 45 minutes to completely was constructed using: open or close. The VAB’s The VAB high bay doors are 350 TON 65,000 Cubic Yards FEET crane can lift of Concrete 456HIGH Number of steel beams: 47 Full grown 45,000 AFRICAN

U N 1 Million I T E ELEPHANTS D

S T A T E S 98,590 Space shuttles were STEEL TONS prepared in the VAB BOLTS OF STEEL for

Atlantis U 135 S MISSIONS It would take 13 A x x x x x x x x x x x Saturn V rockets were x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 250x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x processed for Apollo and x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x Billionx x x x x the Skylab space station x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

The American Flag Each star is It on the front of the took VAB is FEET FEET 6,000 209 HIGH 6 ACROSS FEET gallons of paint That is 791 times 110 WIDE Each stripe is the population of The blue field is the to originally paint the Unted States size of an NBA regulation FEET the American flag By volume basketball court 9 WIDE and bicentennial the 1/2 logo on the VAB EMPIRE STATE VAB=3 BUILDINGS Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS July 26, 2013 Scenes Around Kennedy Space Center

Ice cream raises funds for DAAWG, LGBT network NASA Workers beat the heat and helped Children from the Child Development Center were treated to educational presentations inside the raise money during an ice cream social NASA Exploration Station at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex June 26. fundraiser sponsored by the Disability Awareness and Action Working Group (DAAWG), and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Employees and Allies Network July 23 in Room 2229 at Headquarters. Among the treats offered were root beer floats and home-made baked goods.

CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Jim Grossmann A technician builds up a movable launch platform for the Project Morpheus lander at the midfield of the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) July 25. Testing of the prototype lander has been ongoing at NASA’s in Houston in preparation for the lander’s free flight. The SLF will provide the kind of field necessary for realistic testing, complete with rocks, Photos by NASA/Charisse Nahser craters and hazards to avoid. For more information on Project Morpheus, click on the photo.

NASA/Jim Grossmann The Kennedy Space Center team made up of workers from The Boeing Company, United Space Alliance, Jacobs Technology and NASA civil service personnel were given the Silver Dol- lar Award July 17 at the Space Station Processing Facility. The team provided outstanding support in processing and delivering 20 “flight configured” LiOH canisters in support of HTV-4 to Johnson Space Center earlier than the originally requested delivery date. July 26, 2013 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 9 Health, Fitness Day targets personal goals By Rachel Hojnacki start for this long-term goal by Spaceport News giving employees the opportu- nity to tour the facility and sign he National Employee up for a membership. Health and Fitness Day The four group fitness classes returned to Kennedy T were offered throughout the day Space Center July 24 after a and were open to all Kennedy three-year absence. Organized employees. The cardio dance by the KSC Fitness Center, class was a one-time opportu- employees had the chance to nity, brought to Kennedy by participate in a foam rolling the Titusville YMCA. Classes clinic, cardio dance class, yoga, similar to those featured at the boot camp, or attend the vendor National Employee Health and expo. Fitness Day have been offered According to Lindsey Fisher, NASA/Daniel Casper Mark Hiebert, of the Running Zone, talks to a NASA employee in the O&C Mission Briefing throughout the summer at the wellness specialist at the KSC Room during the National Employee Health and Fitness Day event July 24. Employees KSC Fitness Center, as have Fitness Center, the goal of also had the to be tested for diabetes, enter a raffle for prizes and get a five- personal training opportunities Kennedy’s National Employee minute massage. Other venders shown in the background are Sunseed Co-op’s Marcia by appointment with Howlett. Cooney, center, and Bridget Griffin from the YMCA of Titusville. Health and Fitness Day is to With help from interns, the promote “health education and Handeland and Austin Howlett. “Our long-term goal is to KSC Fitness Center has been wellness, stress management, Together they recruited organi- increase employee participa- able to offer personal train- nutrition and fitness.” zations for the vendor expo that tion, make employees aware of ing, group exercise classes and To achieve the National represent the seven dimen- what we offer and to know that outreach on health and wellness Employee Health and Fitness sions of wellness: physical, with our help we can increase programs this summer. Day goal, Fisher teamed up social, spiritual, environmental, their well-being,” said Fisher. Membership to the KSC with Wellness program manager occupational, emotional and The National Employee Health Fitness Center is free to all Jessica Sapp and interns Alyssa intellectual. and Fitness Day acted as a kick employees. BEST BBQ fires up scholarship fundraising efforts By Brittney Longley BEST hosts the barbecue as a fundraiser Spaceport News for the Evelyn Johnson Scholarship, which is handed out every year to students who ith summer comes fun in the exemplify significant achievement both sun at the beach, fireworks and academically and in their community. The Wbarbecues. scholarship is in honor of Evelyn Johnson, And for the past 13 years, Kennedy a founding member of BEST and former Space Center’s Black Employee Strategy deputy director of Kennedy’s Diversity NASA file/2012 Team (BEST) has served some of the best and Equal Opportunity office. Johnson Betty Lee Williams, left, and Lorene Williams change out food barbecue around. was highly regarded trays during the 2012 BEST BBQ as Lisa Zuber looks on. for her work with Anthony Harris said. students enrolled in This year’s event is Friday, July 26, the educational pro- from 3 to 6 p.m. at KARS Park I, Area grams at Kennedy. 1. The event offers workers, families and The scholarship friends the opportunity to mingle and was established to network while enjoying great food, fun continue Johnson’s and entertainment. It also provides an legacy of helping opportunity to welcome new students and others to attain their employees to the center. personal and career “Giving back to the community is goals. always important, and the barbecue is a “It is important great way to give back.” Alphonso Jen- to give back to kins, BEST barbecue committee head said. our students and “This barbecue also allows the interns to NASA file/2012 help them grow,” meet members within the BEST commu- Thomas Cooper works the grill during the 2012 BEST BBQ. BEST chairman nity.” Page 10 SPACEPORT NEWS July 26, 2013 NASA Employees of the Month: July NASA Spinoffs: Did You Know?

NASA/Rick Wetherington Employees of the Month for July are, from left, Nicole F. Dufour, Engineering and Technology; Jennifer E. Van Den Driessche, Ground Processing; Thomas “Rich” Lundgren, Ground Systems Development and Operations; Herschel “Grady” McCoy, Center NASA file photos Operations; William J. Hill, Engineering and Technology; Dana M. Hutcherson, Commercial Crew Program; Sabrina M. Yedo, Launch Services Program. Not pictured is Hung (John) M. VAB technology continues Nguyen, Safety and Mission Assurance. to keep things running smooth By Kevin Ball was used to lubricate the Looking up and ahead . . . Spaceport News six-million-pound Mobile Launch Platform which * All times are Eastern s the Vehicle Assem- hauled various spacecraft bly Building (VAB) A from the VAB to the launch July 27 celebrates its 50th anniver- Mission: ISS Resupply pad. Launch Vehicle: ISS Progress 52 sary, innovations developed Launch Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan to support its operations Train Track Lubricant, Launch Time: TBD continue to be used today. Penetrating Spray Lube, and Description: Progress 52 will carry supplies, hardware, fuel and water to the Biodegradable Hydraulic International Space Station (ISS). Initially contracted by Lockheed Martin Space Fluid were all spinoff prod- Aug. 3 Operations in 1994, Sun ucts of the lubricant. Mission: ISS Resupply The X-1R Tackle Pack, Launch Vehicle: ISS HTV-4 Coast chemicals created an Launch Site: Tanegashima Space Center, Japan environmentally friendly lu- which was developed for Launch Time: TBD bricant spray called Crawler fishing fanatics, protects Description: The HTV-4 will deliver 3.6 tons of dry cargo, water, experiments fresh and saltwater reels from and spare parts to the International Space Station. Track Lubricant (right). This cutting-edge product the elements. Sept. 6 For more about NASA Spinoffs, go to http://www.nasa.gov/spinoffs. Mission: Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) Launch Vehicle: Minotaur V Launch Site: Wallops Flight Facility, Va. Launch Time: 11:27 p.m. Launch Pad: Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad 0B Description: LADEE will gather detailed information about conditions near the John F. Kennedy Space Center surface and environmental influences on lunar dust. A thorough understanding of these influences will help researchers understand how future exploration may shape the lunar environment and how the environment may affect future Spaceport News explorers. Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center and is published Sept. 14 online on alternate Fridays by Public Affairs in the interest of KSC civil service and contractor Mission: Orbital Sciences Demonstration Flight employees. Launch Vehicle: Antares Contributions are welcome and should be submitted three weeks before publication to Public Launch Site: Wallops Flight Facility, Va. Affairs, IMCS-440. Email submissions can be sent to [email protected]. Launch Time: TBD Managing editor ...... Chris Hummel Launch Pad: Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad 0A Editor ...... Frank Ochoa-Gonzales Description: Orbital Sciences will launch a demonstration mission to the Assistant editor ...... Linda Herridge International Space Station, testing out the Cygnus cargo vehicle as part of Copy editor ...... Kay Grinter NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program. Editorial support provided by Abacus Technology Corp. Writers Group. NASA at KSC on the Web, at http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy To watch a NASA launch online, go to http://www.nasa.gov/ntv. SP-2013-07-155-KSC • NASA Kennedy Space Center Public Affairs