SOFIA Soars on First Flight with German Science Instrument

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Spring 2011 - A Quarterly Publication SOFIA soars on first flight with German science instrument The Stratospheric Ob- were IC 342, a spiral servatory for Infrared As- galaxy located 11 million tronomy, SOFIA, achieved light-years from Earth in a major milestone when it the constellation Cam- conducted its first science elopardalis ("The Giraffe"), flight using the German and the Omega Nebula Receiver for Astronomy (known as M17), 5,000 at Terahertz Frequencies light-years away in Sagit- (GREAT) instrument on tarius. The team captured April 6, 2011. and analyzed radiation GREAT is a high-reso- from ionized carbon atoms lution, far-infrared spec- and carbon monoxide mol- trometer that finely divides ecules to probe the chemi- and sorts light into com- cal reactions, motions of ponent colors for detailed matter and flows of energy analysis. GREAT Principal occurring in interstellar Investigator Rolf Guesten clouds. Astronomers have of the Max Planck Institute evidence such clouds in for Radio Astronomy in both IC 342 and M17 are Bonn, Germany, and his forming numerous massive team conducted observa- stars. tions high above the cen- "These first spectra are tral and western United The German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies spectrom- the reward for the many States beginning the night eter, GREAT, is mounted on the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared years of work creating this Astronomy’s telescope in its normal position. NASA photo by Tom Tschida of April 5. continued on page 5 Among their targets NASA, students celebrate 50 years of human space flight By Ru t h Da s s o Ma r l a i r e Today, space explora- cluded building and launching rockets, tion still inspires wonder in a controlling a Mars rover replica, learn- new generation -- sparking ing how an infrared camera works and passions and pursuit of the making music in an immersive envi- unknown. To show their sup- ronment. port for spaceflight, more than Students were given tours of real 6,500 students recently cel- aircraft, including a high-performance, ebrated the 50th anniversary supersonic F-104 Starfighter; a of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin’s medium-lift, utility H-60 Black Hawk

NASA photo by Dominic Hart NASA first human journey into space helicopter; and a California Air Nation- at NASA Ames. al Guard C-130 Hercules four-engine Students attended the turboprop. April 8 event from all over Guest speakers included NASA the San Francisco/ San Jose Education’s Deputy Administrator Jim Bay Area. They represented Stofan and former astronaut Daniel 62 schools, the majority Title Barry, who talked about his experi- I schools, and ranged from ence on the STS-105 Space Shuttle elementary to high school. Discovery that flew to the International Numerous hands-on learn- Space Station (ISS) in August 2001. ing activities were available, “It’s a kick in the pants,” Barry told including interactive exhibits, a student audience. “We were four workshops and presentations months late bringing supplies and by leading scientists, engi- equipment to the station. So they were neers and technology experts. really glad to see us.” Games included space trivia Once an astronaut is aboard the More than 6,500 students recently participated in and a scavenger hunt. ISS, it’s all about teamwork. They work Yuri’s Education Day at Ames. Additional activities in- continued on page 6 www.nasa.gov NASA’s Kepler mission finds Earth-size planet candidates b y Mi c h a e l Me w h i n n e y /Ra c h e l Ho o v e r NASA's Kepler mission has discovered its first Earth-size planet candidates and its first candidates in the habitable zone, a region where liquid water could exist on a planet's surface. Artist's rendition of the Kepler Five of the potential planets are near spacecraft with distant solar Earth-size and orbit in the habitable system. Credit: NASA/Kepler zone of smaller, cooler stars than our mission/Wendy Stenzel sun. Candidates require follow-up observations to verify they are actual planets. Kepler also found six confirmed planets orbiting a sun-like star, Kepler-11. This is the largest group of transiting planets orbiting a single star yet discovered outside our solar multiple planetary candidates. Ke- smaller than Mercury's. The only other system. pler-11, located approximately 2,000 star with more than one confirmed "In one generation we have gone light years from Earth, is the most transiting planet is Kepler-9, which has from extraterrestrial planets being tightly packed planetary system yet three. The Kepler-11 findings will be a mainstay of science fiction, to the discovered. All six of its confirmed published in the Feb. 3 issue of the present, where Kepler has helped turn planets have orbits smaller than journal Nature. science fiction into today's reality," said Venus, and five of the six have orbits continued on page 5 NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. "These discoveries underscore the im- portance of NASA's science missions, which consistently increase under- Ames wins awards for inventions standing of our place in the cosmos." The discoveries are part of b y Ca t h y We s e l b y several hundred new planet candi- NASA Ames has won two agency allows the scientist to take the instru- dates identified in new Kepler mission awards: the 2010 Government Inven- ment to the location of the analytical science data, released in February. tion of the Year Award and the 2010 problem, rather than the opposite," The findings increase the number of Commercial Invention of the Year Blake said. "Because the technology planet candidates identified by Kepler Award. is portable, it has diverse applications to-date to 1,235. Of these, 68 are Ames received the Government in the field, including for geology, de- approximately Earth-size; 288 are Invention Award for developing the tection of counterfeit pharmaceuticals, super-Earth-size; 662 are Neptune- Future ATM (Air Traffic Management) or analyzing art objects and antiqui- size; 165 are the size of Jupiter and 19 Concepts Evaluation Tool, FACET, a ties." are larger than Jupiter. Of the 54 new software that creates simulations for The powder vibration system planet candidates found in the habit- managing air-traffic scenarios. enabled the development of a minia- able zone, five are near Earth-sized. "As the world's population grows turized soil and rock analysis instru- The remaining 49 habitable zone can- and air travel demand increases, our ment Ames provided that has been didates range from super-Earth size -- airspace will become more crowded," accepted for flight on the Mars Sci- up to twice the size of Earth -- to larger said Banavar Sridhar, NASA se- ence Laboratory (MSL), NASA's next than Jupiter. nior scientist for Air Transportation mission to Mars. MSL is scheduled to The findings are based on the Systems. "FACET helps air traffic launch in November 2011. The MSL results of observations conducted May management researchers find ways mission is managed for NASA by the 12 to Sept. 17, 2009, of more than to increase airspace capacity and Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, 156,000 stars in Kepler's field of view, establish more efficient routes with Calif. which covers approximately 1/400 of the least impact on the environment, Each NASA field center submits the sky. thereby saving fuel and minimizing nominations for the awards, which are "The fact that we've found so emissions." evaluated by NASA's Inventions and many planet candidates in such a Ames won the Commercial Inven- Contributions Board. The board deter- tiny fraction of the sky suggests there tion Award for developing a powder mines which nominations qualify for are countless planets orbiting sun- vibration system used in portable each category, ranks the nominees, like stars in our galaxy," said William X-ray diffraction (XRD) instruments. and makes recommendations to the Borucki of NASA's Ames, the mis- Ames research scientist David Blake NASA Office of the General Counsel sion's science principal investigator. and former NASA post-doctoral fel- for review and approval. Ames previ- "We went from zero to 68 Earth-sized low Philippe Sarrazin developed the ously won the NASA Government planet candidates and zero to 54 can- technology, which was licensed to Invention of the Year award in 2008 didates in the habitable zone, some inXitu Inc. of Campbell, Calif. for a high-speed, 3-D laser scanner of which could have moons with liquid "This invention changes the way with real-time processing. water." people work in the field because it Among the stars with planetary candidates, 170 show evidence of 2 Astrogram Spring 2011 The world mourns humanitarian, Nobel Prize winner Baruch Blumberg b y Mi c h a e l Me w h i n n e y Nobel Prize winner Dr. searcher,” said NASA Baruch “Barry” Blumberg, Ames Research Center who served as the first direc- Director Pete Worden. tor of the NASA Astrobiology “He was a leading light in Institute at NASA’s Ames the scientific community Research Center from 1999 and a great humanitar- to 2002, suffered an apparent ian. He also was a loyal heart attack while attending a and supportive friend to conference at Ames on Tues- NASA, Ames Research day, April 5. He was 85. Trower photo by Tom NASA Center and the nation’s Blumberg is best known space program.” as the winner of the 1976 No- A native of New York, bel Prize in Medicine for iden- N.Y., Blumberg had been tifying the Hepatitis B virus. a member of the Fox He shared the Nobel Prize Chase Cancer Center in with D. Carleton Gajdusek Philadelphia since 1964 for their work on the origins and held the rank of Uni- and spread of infectious viral versity Professor of Medi- diseases. cine and Anthropology at Blumberg was a featured the University of Pennsyl- speaker and participant at the vania since 1977. Since International Lunar Research 2005, he had served as Park Exploratory Workshop president of the American being held in the NASA Ames Philosophical Society, the Conference Center when he oldest learning society in was stricken. the United States. He had “Barry Blumberg was a Baruch Blumberg, Nobel Prize winner been a member of the great biochemist and re- society since 1986. continued on page 6 Ames holds first open source software development summit NASA hosted its first Open Source Summit at Ames March 29 and 30, 2011. The successful event brought together engineers and policy makers across NASA as well as respected members of the open source community to discuss the challenges with the existing open source policy framework. Participants proposed modifica- tions that would make it easier for NASA to develop, release, and use open source software. Guest speakers included Pascal Finette, director of Mozilla Labs; Dr. Robert Sutor, vice president of Open Systems at IBM; Chris Wanstrath, CEO and co-founder of Github; Brian Stevens, CTO and vice president of Worldwide Engineer- ing at Red Hat; David Wheeler with the DoD; Linda Cureton, CIO for NASA and Terry Fong, director of NASA NASA photo by Domiinic Hart Ames’ Intelligent Robotics Group. NASA’s first Open Source Summit held March 29 and 30 brought together engineers and policy The event brought together more makers across the agency as well as respected members of the open souce community. than 700 registered participants, with 545 of them participating online.

3 Astrogram Spring 2011 NASA honors 13 Ames employees with Silver Snoopy Awards Thirteen Ames employees, includ- the STS and ISS programs, and we involved in running missing heat tiles ing eight from the Space Biosciences appreciate the customer's recognition or protruding gap filler simulations. Division, recently received the pres- of these achievements," said Sharad Frank was honored in recogni- tigious 2010 Silver Snoopy award for Bhaskaran, program manager. tion of his substantial contributions their outstanding work and profes- Lavelle, project manager and lead to the advancement of technologies sional dedication. engineer of the Ames Ames 3D Vision supporting human and robotic space Award recipients included Paula Lab, was honored for outstanding exploration. His efforts have not only M. Dumars, David Heathcote, Louie technical direction and leadership in identified key technology needs, but Luzod, Karin Perkins, Nicole Rayl, developing the Mold Impression Laser also made great strides in developing Kevin Sato, Marianne Steele and Ken- Tool (MILT) which has significantly ad- and demonstrating those technologies ny Vassigh of the Space Biosciences vanced safety inspection methodology in relevant operational environments. Division; Jeremy Frank of the Intelli- for the space shuttle and increased Mathias was honored for advanc- gent Systems Division; Joseph Lavelle human safety in space. Lavelle and ing the safety, reliability, and mission of the Engineering Systems Division; his co-workers developed a set of success of the Human Spaceflight Donovan Mathias of the NASA Adva- 3D imaging instruments and systems Program by pioneering the develop- ced Supercomputing Division; David that detect and measure flaws on ment and implementation of Engineer- Saunders of the Aerothermodynamics the space shuttle thermal protection ing Risk Assessment (ERA). This Branch; and Niki Werkheiser, also of system. innovative approach extends tradi- the NASA Advanced Supercomputing Saunders, a contractor with tional risk assessment techniques to Division. Astronauts Megan McArthur ELORET Corp. and ERC, Inc., was explicitly include physics of failure and and Stephen Robinson presented the honored for writing numerous codes to simulation methods, identify key risk- awards during a ceremony on April 4. streamline the often tedious and time drivers, and provide analysis-based The Ames Space Biosciences consuming task of running and analyz- guidance for risk-informed design deci- Division has been studying biology in ing high fidelity Computational Fluid sions. Through his exemplary dedica- space for more than four decades, and Dynamics (CFD) simulations, thus tion and leadership, he has effectively the eight award recipients from the greatly reducing the turnaround time, implemented these capabilities to division have been critical to a series stress, and human errors associated enhance the impact of NASA's core of successful flight experiments on with running CFD simulations. His safety efforts, and expanded NASA’s the International Space Station, space software tools are now frequently used recognition of the benefits of utilizing shuttle and the Russian Bion/Foton by the mission support team to cre- ERA to improve crew safety for future spacecraft. ate grids that model damages on the space flight programs. Luzod, an aerospace engineer, space shuttle; to extract surface and Werkheiser has made a number of Rayl, science project manager, and boundary layer properties from CFD significant contributions to ensure the Vassigh, mission operations integra- solutions; and to automate the steps tion manager, were honored for their continued on back page outstanding work and dedication to the Human Spaceflight Program science experiments. Ames hosts successful Tweetup event "We have an exceptional team at NASA re- Ames, who are the world's best at con- cently hosted ducting biological research in space. about 100 reg- I'm very proud, but not surprised, that istered people so many from our group are being to go “behind- honored,” said Sid Sun, chief of the the scenes” Space Biosciences Division. and learn Lockheed Martin contractors about plan- Paula Dumars, project scientist; David etary discover- Heathcote, project operations lead; ies announced Karin Perkins, science payload logis- recently by tics lead; Kevin Sato, project scientist; the Kepler and Marianne Steele, project scientist Mission and were honored for their exceptional science flights contributions to the Human Space- conducted flight Program. Their “can do” attitude, by NASA's dedication to performing the best sci- Stratospheric NASA photo by Kyle Cavallaro ence possible, and flawless logistics Observatory for Infrared Astronomy planning and execution has ensured (SOFIA) aircraft. successful space life science experi- The event kicked off at the NASA director of the Carl Sagan Center for ments. Ames Exploration Center at 10 a.m. the Study of Life in the Universe. "We are proud to have so many on Feb. 11. The Tweetup featured Tweetup participants came from Lockheed Martin personnel recog- several speakers, including Kepler 19 states and six countries. More nized for this prestigious award. It Deputy Science Team Lead Natalie than 400 people signed up online for reflects the dedication and expertise Batalha, SOFIA Project Scientist a Tweetup slot. these individuals bring every day to Pamela Marcum and David Morrison, ensure mission success for Ames and 4 Astrogram Spring 2011 SOFIA soars on first flight with German science instrument continued from front page technology, and underline the scientific other German and U.S.-de- potential of airborne far-infrared spec- veloped instruments, demon- troscopy," Guesten said. strates SOFIA's extraordinary GREAT focused on strong far- versatility, allowing it to play infrared emissions from interstellar a unique and essential role clouds that cool the clouds’ interiors. alongside the Spitzer and The balance between heating and Herschel spacecraft." cooling processes regulates the tem- SOFIA is the only opera- perature of the interstellar material and tional airborne observatory. controls initial conditions for the forma- It is a joint program between tion of new stars. NASA and the German Aero- "SOFIA's onboard crew seam- space Center (DLR). The ob- lessly combined scientists, engineers servatory is a heavily modified and technicians from the U.S. and Boeing 747SP aircraft carrying Germany, working together on an a reflecting telescope with an observatory developed in the U.S., effective diameter of 100 inch- using a telescope and instrument built es. Flying at altitudes between in Germany, to gather data of great 39,000 and 45,000 feet, above interest to the entire world's scientific most of the water vapor in community," said Bob Meyer, NASA's Earth's lower atmosphere that SOFIA program manager at the agen- blocks most infrared radiation cy's Dryden Flight Research Center in from celestial sources, SOFIA Edwards, Calif. conducts astronomy research GREAT, one of two German first- not possible with ground- generation SOFIA scientific instru- based telescopes. ments, was developed by the Max Ames manages the SOFIA GREAT collected its first THz photons from the M173W Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy science and mission opera- star forming cloud April 6, 2011. Superimposed on a and the University of Cologne in col- tions in cooperation with the near-infrared false-color image measured by the Spitzer laboration with the Max Planck Institute Universities Space Research Space Telescope are selected spectra of ionized for Solar System Research and the Association headquartered carbon (CII) and warm carbon monoxide (CO). The DLR Institute of Planetary Research. in Columbia, Md., and the high spectral resolution of GREAT is used to study the "This first science flight with a Ger- German SOFIA Institute at the velocity structure across the cloud. Photo courtesy of man instrument is a huge milestone University of Stuttgart, Germa- NASA/DLR/USRA/DSI for the SOFIA observatory," said John ny. SOFIA is based and man- Gagosian, SOFIA program executive aged at Dryden's Aircraft Operations For more information about at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Facility in Palmdale, Calif. SOFIA, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/sofia "GREAT, in combination with SOFIA's

NASA’s Kepler mission finds Earth-size planet candidates continued from page 2 planets are Kepler-11c, Kepler-11d, about once a year and require three "Kepler-11 is a remarkable system Kepler-11e, Kepler-11f, and the outer- transits for verification, it is expected whose architecture and dynamics most planet, Kepler-11g, which is half to take three years to locate and verify provide clues about its formation," said as far from its star as Earth is from the Earth-size planets orbiting sun-like Jack Lissauer, a planetary scientist sun. stars. and Kepler science team member at The planets Kepler-11d, Kepler- The Kepler science team uses Ames. "These six planets are mixtures 11e and Kepler-11f have a significant ground-based telescopes and the of rock and gases, possibly including amount of light gas, which indicates Spitzer Space Telescope to review water. The rocky material accounts for that they formed within a few million observations on planetary candidates most of the planets' mass, while the years of the system's formation. and other objects of interest the gas takes up most of their volume. By "The historic milestones Kepler spacecraft finds. The star field that measuring the sizes and masses of makes with each new discovery will Kepler observes in the constellations the five inner planets, we determined determine the course of every exo- Cygnus and Lyra can only be seen they are among the lowest mass planet mission to follow," said Douglas from ground-based observatories in confirmed planets beyond our solar Hudgins, Kepler program scientist at spring through early fall. The data system." NASA Headquarters in Washington. from these other observations help All of the planets orbiting Ke- Kepler, a space telescope, looks determine which candidates can be pler-11 are larger than Earth, with for planet signatures by measuring tiny validated as planets. the largest ones being comparable decreases in the brightness of stars For more information about the in size to Uranus and Neptune. The caused by planets crossing in front of Kepler mission, visit: http://www.nasa. innermost planet, Kepler-11b, is ten them. This is known as a transit. gov/kepler times closer to its star than Earth is Since transits of planets in the to the sun. Moving outward, the other habitable zone of sun-like stars occur

5 Astrogram Spring 2011 NASA, students celebrate 50 years of human space flight

continued from front page with other crew members and people on the ground. As part of the daily routine, they keep in shape by running on a treadmill, and do some of the most mundane things, like putting up mufflers to minimize noise, or fixing a squeaky door, he explained. When it is time for a spacewalk, it takes about a day to get everything together. The check list has about 200 items. The food up there is pretty good, too. “When you’re eating in space, you fill up quickly. I lost 8 lbs. my first flight. You learn how to live in space,” he said. Students were given the opportunity to ask questions after presentations. For Barry, questions included: “How hard is it to move around in space?” “It’s like having super powers,” said Barry. “Where do you sleep in space?” “Some people sleep on the ceil- ing,” he said, pointing upward. It was a fun-filled day for students. NASA photos by Dominic Hart They were treated to ice cream and Students participate in hands-on events during the recent Yuri’s “Education Day” held at Ames. given free souvenirs of what may be one of the most memorable days of their lives.

The world mourns humanitarian, Nobel Prize winner Baruch Blumberg continued from page 3 Blumberg first entered the gradu- Balliol College, Oxford, earning his tute. On a personal level, he improved ate program in mathematics at Colum- Ph.D. in 1957. my life through his friendship. Our bia University, but soon switched to "The world has lost a great man,” planet is an improved place as a result medicine and enrolled in Columbia’s said Daniel Goldin, who served as of Barry's few short days in residence." College of Physicians and Surgeons, NASA Administrator from 1992 to For more information, visit: http:// graduating with his M.D. in 1951. He 2001. “Barry saved lives through his lunarscience.arc.nasa.gov/bios/ba- remained at Columbia Presbyterian research on the Hepatitis B virus. He ruch-blumberg Medical Center for the next four years, also inspired a whole generation of first as an intern and then as a resi- people worldwide through his work in dent. He began his graduate work at building the NASA Astrobiology Insti- 6 Astrogram Spring 2011 Ames hosts employee all hands meeting and picnic Ames Center Director Pete Worden speaking at the all hands meeting April 19 (left). Topics included: NASA’s budget, mission updates, the Employee Viewpoint Survey and others. Immediately after the all hands, the Ames Exchange sponsored an employee picnic (below) at the new NACA Park (across from the Mega Bites cafeteria). NASA photos by Dominic Hart NASA

Symposium showcases students’ contributions to NASA The Ames Office of Education and Public Outreach along with the Human Capital Student Programs recently invited Ames employees to the Spring 2011 Higher Education Poster Symposium. The symposium included more than 40 students from the following programs: Arab Youth Venture Foundation (AYVF), Education Associates Program (EAP), Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) and the Undergraduate Student Research Program (USRP). This was an opportunity to hear about the projects the students have been working on during the Spring of 2011, to see firsthand the excellent contributions the students have made to the NASA mission, and to show support to many of the students, who will return to their universities to complete their academic degrees. NASA photo by Dominic Hart NASA

7 Astrogram Spring 2011 Worden marks five years as director of NASA Ames b y Ja c k Bo y d , w i t h Gl e n n Bu g o s From the moment he arrived on our center as director, Pete Worden joked about how he might not last long. So it's remarkable that May 4, 2011, marks his fifth anniversary as our center director. For those who keep score of such things, he is now fifth in longevity as director. Only Smitty DeFrance, Hans Mark, Harry McDonald, and Sy Syvertson have enjoyed longer tenures to shape our center. Pete arrived at a tough time for Ames within NASA. Full-cost recovery severely limited what centers could do. Good people left for early retirement, or did jobs beneath their abilities. Constellation sapped funding from our scientists and forced our engineers to stop looking into the far future of technology. Important programs faced cancellation -- like SSBRP and SOFIA. For a few months during tough financial times, we had no permanent leadership. I've seen center directors come NASA photo by Jon-Pierre Wiens and go over my seven decades Always encouraging new technology and modes of outreach, Pete with NASA Ames. Few have come Worden addressed the NASA Ames Tweet-Up in February 2011. His with as much flourish as Pete comments far exceeded 140 characters. Worden. He seemed to have the ear of Headquarters, and arrived enthusiasm branches in so many with research in green aviation and with a simple mandate that lever- more directions now. It may be with building Sustainability Base. aged Ames' heritage -- to excel in that Ames has shaped my friend Pete seems to know every- building small spacecraft. Since more than he has shaped the cen- one in the space world, probably the bright days of the Pioneer ter. He recognized our latent capa- because he's such a kick to work program in the 1970s, Ames had bilities in so many areas. Our fund- with. He made Ames a good part- enjoyed only one truly successful ing is more secure and balanced, ner, as with the research branches satellite program: Lunar Prospec- being equally funded among our of the Defense Department and tor. traditional strengths in aeronautics, Department of Homeland Security, Under Pete, Ames managed science, human spaceflight, and with the Federal Aviation Admin- lots of missions - LCROSS, Kepler, working with partners. We rein- istration, with our Silicon Valley GeneSat and PharmaSat-- and forced our position in the space neighbors, with universities of vary- cut metal for LADEE, GEMS and sciences, like astrobiology and ing educational missions, with na- IRIS. Brilliant in their conception, lunar science. And he encouraged tions like Russia and Germany with we built these spacecraft on time the growth of new sciences, like long-established space programs, and on budget. We got back into synthetic biology, quantum technol- and with nations like South Korea the business of building instru- ogy, and the study of exoplanets. and Saudi Arabia new to space ments for space science. And by Fundamental biology is especially exploration. building a mission design center, poised to offer breakthroughs in Pete has positioned Ames as mission operations center, and a our settlement of the solar system. the ‘Innovation Center,’ ‘Out of the cadre of dynamic engineers, Ames Often disguised in silly cos- Box Center,’ ‘Private Partnership is capable now of building many tumes, he has personally worked Center,’ and as the ‘Center for 21st more satellites rapidly in the years to inspire the next generation of Century Collaboration.’ to come. As NASA gets back into explorers, through Yuri's Night and He suffered some setbacks; the technology business, Ames is the International Space University, then he worked hard to restore poised to offer radical innovations and simply by hiring people with fairness and trust. At first he flew in many areas. innotvative ideas to work within a pirate flag, and proclaimed that Small satellites remain the core NASA. He understood their pas- Ames is run by pirates and thieves. of Pete's vision for Ames, but his sion for green technologies, as Five years in now, he wants us to 8 Astrogram Spring 2011 be pirates and thieves who are Moon makes NASA's planetary impacts the moon, revealing water also loved and respected. And we image archives accessible. and other useful minerals. are. 14. November 2007: SPEGIS 35. October 2009: Ares 1-X And we are having fun. We experiment aboard STS-118 shows test relies on Ames Integrated have freedom to explore new virulence of bacteria. Health Monitoring System. ideas. He has an appreciation for 15. November 2007: Mission 36. October 2009: NASA App our heritage, and a strong sense Design Center opens to engineer released and soon tops 3.8 million of what future he intends to invent. small satellites. iPhone users. He never hesitated to explain 16. December 2007: Army 37. November 2009: OMEGA why he was here. Ames was the Advanced Supercomputing Facility algal biofuels project expands its launchpad from which we would opens at Ames. testing. start to settle the solar system. 17. February 2008: Ames 38. December 2009: NASA Every few months now, Kepler launches ARCTAS campaign to Ames celebrates its 70th anniver- has delivered a "wow" moment. study the Arctic atmosphere. sary. By unveiling the planetary diver- 18. April 2008: Ames starts to 39. February 2010: World Wind sity around our galaxy, this little build Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Java wins NASA Software of the spacecraft has set an agenda for Environment Explorer. Year award. planetary science for decades to 19. April 2008: NASA Lunar 40. February 2010: NASA Re- come. A constant and unexpected Science Institute opens its doors. search Park partner Bloom Energy stream of "wow" moments, set- 20. June 2008: Ames shares displays its fuel cell. ting new agendas in many areas, Collier Trophy for ADS-B NextGen 41. March 2010: Ames tops out is what it's been like with Pete in air traffic technology. Sustainability Base, a lunar outpost the office. And stay tuned; there’s 21. August 2008: NFAC tests on Earth. more to come. pressure instrumented UH-60A 42. April 2010: Ames sends Here are 55 signs of success rotor. three biology experiments aboard during the past five vears at Ames 22. November 2008: Green STS-131. with Pete Worden as director: aerotourism firm Airship Ventures 43. April 2010: Ames launches 1. May 2006: Tests of Constel- takes off from Moffett Field. the NASA Earth Exchange to share lation models in Unitary Plan Wind 23. December 2008: Pleiades planetary data. Tunnels. unveiled as third fastest supercom- 44. May 2010: SOFIA science 2. June 2006: Ames earns puter in world. team flies its first light flight. engineering tasks for the Constel- 24. January 2009: NASA Astro- 45. June 2010: CheMin instru- lation Exploration Vehicle. biology Institute selects new team ment passes key tests before its 3. August 2006: FACET members. voyage to Mars. wins NASA's Software of the Year 25. February 2009: Pete 46. June 2010: Navy begins Award. Worden named Federal Laboratory cleanup of Hangar 1. 4. December 2006: Ames Director of the Year. 47. June 2010: Hayabusa and Google sign a new Space Act 26. March 2009: University spacecraft’s fiery return is tracked Agreement. Associates announce plans to to study re-entry physics. 5. December 2006: GeneSat build a campus at Moffett Field. 48. July 2010: Certified and launch shows small satellites de- 27. May 2009: SOAREX accredited Nebula cloud computing liver big microbiology. refines our knowledge of re-entry environment. 6. March 2007: Future Flight physics. 49. September 2010: NASA Central simulates an entire airport 28. May 2009: PharmaSat Ames hosts agency-wide Green before it is built. explores effects of antifungals on Aviation Summit. 7. April 2007: First Yuri's Night yeast in microgravity. 50. October 2010: Kepler at NASA Ames displays much 29. June 2009: Ames selected Science Ops Center wins NASA youthful enthusiasm. to develop IRIS to study the sun's Software of the Year Award. 8. May 2007: Ames hosts chromosphere. 51. November 2010: O/ORE- a major earthquake emergency 30. June 2009: Ames teams OS nanosatellite reaches orbit. response simulation. with Goddard to build Gravity and 52. December 2010: Space X 9. June 2007: Nano Chem- Extreme Magnetism SMEX. returns its Dragon capsule using Sensor successfully flies in space. 31. June 2009: LCROSS PICA-X heatshield. 10. August 2007: Handheld launches to moon, on-time and 53. January 2011: Efficient scanner checks space shuttle En- on-budget. Descent Advisor human in the loop deavour tiles for faults. 32. July 2009: Ames hosts simulation finished. 11. September 2007: Ikhana the International Space University 54. February 2011: At mission UAV spots fire through smoke summer program and the inaugural midpoint, Kepler team reports 700 above California wildfires. year of Singularity University. exoplanet candidates and a six- 12. September 2007: Ames 33. August 2009: Ames earns planet system. collaborates on Russian Foton M3 Voluntary Protection Program 55. February 2011: Mouse Im- space biology mission. STAR Certification. munology-2 travels to the ISS via 13. October 2007: Google 34. October 2009: LCROSS STS-133.

9 Astrogram Spring 2011 “And This is Our Story,” celebrating Black History Month NASA photos by Kyle Cavallaro NASA

On Feb. 16, 2011 in recognition of Donald James called “Mother to Son” Dr. George Cooper, research sci- Black History Month, the Ames African by Langston Hughes. entist, Space Science and Astrobiol- American Advisory Group (AAAG) cel- Panel discussion members at the ogy Division (Code SSX) involved ebrated four extraordinary and amaz- Black History Month celeration were, in research for molecular and stable ing African Americans who have made in photo from left to right: Dr. Patri- isotope analysis of meteoritic organic an indelible mark at Ames. By way of a cia Cowings, research psychologist, compounds to determine their cosmo- panel discussion moderated by Rose Human Systems Integration Division chemical origins; and Ray Gilstrap, King, chair of the AAAG, the panel (Code TH) principal investigator of network engineer, Information Tech- shared experiences in their quest for the Psycho physiological Research nology Directorate (Code I), who is “diversity and inclusion.” Giving testa- Laboratory; Dr. Melissa Kirven-Brooks involved in numerous projects in the ment to the fact that our past teaches Lockheed Martin Fellow, Lockheed area of network architecture design, us to do better, to be better, and to Martin Mission Services, science next-generation spacecraft communi- treat each other better.” The pro- project manager in Lockheed’s Space cations systems, and networking for gram, “And This is Our Story,” ended Operations and Science Programs field operations in remote desert and with a poem read by AAAG member for the NASA Astrobiology Institute; Arctic environments.

Logsdon reads from “JFK and the Race to the Moon” John Logsdon read from Logsdon is professor "John F. Kennedy and the emeritus at George Washing- Race to the Moon" (Palgrave ton University and was the Macmillan, 2010) on April 5, founding director of GWU's in the N201 Main Auditorium, Space Policy Institute. at a book signing hosted by Author of the seminal study, the Ames Exchange. This The Decision to Go to the was an exciting and compre- Moon (1970), he is a sought- hensive history of how John after commentator on space F. Kennedy (JFK) and his issues who has appeared administration shaped the on all major broadcast and United States space program cable networks. He served over the past 45 years. on the Columbia Accident JFK, only four months Investigation Board, and in office, decided that the was recently a member of national interest required the NASA Advisory Council the United States to win the and remains a member of its space race. His assassination Exploration Committee. ended plans to moderate the NASA photo by Eric James John Logsdon at the recent reading and book space program's goals and signing at Ames explore collaboration with the Soviets.

10 Astrogram Spring 2011 Technology Partnership Division presents awards b y De b o r a h Ba z a r Functionalization of Carbon Nano- Control System: Connie Brasil, Todd NASA’s extraordinary mission tubes Based Upon Distance Traveled: Callantine, Al Globus, Jeff Homola, means that there are extraordinary Bishun N. Khare, Meyya Meyyappan; Rick Jacoby, George Lawton, Paul people behind the scenes making it all 7767305 High-Efficiency Tantalum- Lee, Matt Mainini, Joey Mercer, Ev happen. Our engineers and scientists Based Ceramic Composite Structures: Palmer, Tom Prevot, Nancy Smith, create groundbreaking technologies David A. Stewart, Daniel B. Leiser, Khanh Trinh, Easter Wang, James and make revolutionary discoveries. Robert R. DiFiore, Victor W. Katvala; Wong To honor the tremendous innova- 7783130 Spatial Standard Observ- tion, dedication, and talent of re- er: Andrew B. Watson; 7784531 Fully Implicit Ablation and Thermal searchers at NASA Ames, the Tech- Nanoengineered Thermal Materials Response Program, Version 2 (FI- nology Partnerships Division hosted Based on Carbon Nanotube Array ATv2): Yih-Kanq Chen, Frank Milos an awards ceremony and luncheon for Composites: Jun Li, Meyya Meyyap- about 80 innovators on Jan. 26, 2011. pan, Carlos Dangelo 2010 NASA Software of the Year Ames Center Director Pete Worden 7795388 Versatile Platform for Award: gave opening remarks and handed Nanotechnology Based on Circular Kepler Science Operations Cen- commemorative plaques to each of Permutations of Chaperonin Pro- ter (SOC) Science Pipeline (Release the attendees. tein: Chad D. Paavola, Jonathan D. 6.0), Christopher L. Allen, Paresh A. Among the achievements being Trent, Suzanne L. Chan, Yi-Fen Li, Bhavsar, Steve T. Bryson, Douglas honored were 18 patent awards, two Andrew R. McMillan, Hiromi Kagawa; A. Caldwell, Hema Chandrasekaran, Federal Laboratory Consortium Far 7796026 Communication Path for Bruce D. Clarke, Miles T. Cote, Forrest West Region awards for Outstanding Extreme Environments, Charles C. Girouard, Jay Gunter , Jennifer R. Technology Development, and the Jorgensen, Bradley J. Betts; 7801687 Hall, Khadeejah Ibrahim, Jon Jenkins, prestigious NASA Software of the Year Chemical Sensors Using Coated or Todd Klaus, Jie Li, Sean D. Mccauliff, Award—this is the third year in a row Doped Carbon Nanotube Networks, Christopher Middour, Jim Nickerson, that Ames has won it! Jing Li, Meyya Meyyappan; 7816491 Christopher W. Page, David Pletcher, NASA Ames is proud of our Ordered Biological Nanostructures Elisa V. Quintana, Elaine S. Santiago, researchers, as well as all the other Formed from Chaperonin Polypep- Jeneen Sommers, Brian P. Stamper, staff, that enable NASA to achieve tides: Jonathan D. Trent, Andrew R. Brett A. Stroozas, Peter G. Tenen- its mission, and it is especially great McMillan, Hiromi Kagawa, Chad D. baum, Terry C. Trombly , Joseph when we have an opportunity to pub- Paavola D. Twicken, Akm Kamal Uddin, Bill licly acknowledge their great accom- Federal Laboratory Consortium Far Wohler, Hayley Y. Wu, Michael S. Wu plishments. West Region Award for Outstanding Below is a list of all the people Technology Development Multi-Aircraft and awards that were honored at the ceremony. Patent award recipients: 7635420 Dielectrophoresis-Based Particle Kepler Team celebrates successes Sensor Using Nanoelectrode Arrays: Jun Li, Alan M. Cassel and Prabhu U. Arumugam; 7650232 Trajectory Speci- fication for High-Capacity Air Traffic Control: Russell A. Paielli; 7655497 Growth Method for Chalcongenide Phase-Change Nanostructures: Bin Yu, Xuhui Sun and Meyya Meyyap- pan; 7655145 Contaminated Water

Treatment: Sherwin J Gormly and photos by Kyle Cavallaro NASA Michael T. Flynn; 7662459 Versatile Honeycomb Matrix Heat Shield: Peter T. Zell; 7672969 Context Based Configuration Management System: Yuri O. Gawdiak, Mohana M. Gur- ramDavid A. Maluf, Luis A. Mederos; 7698274 Selective Access and Editing in a Database: David A. Maluf, Yuri O Gawdiak; 7702427 Air Traffic Manage- ment Evaluation Tool: Banavar Srid- har, Kapil Sheth, Gano Broto Chatterji, Karl D. Bilimoria, Shon R. Grabbe

7704547 Carbon Nanotube Growth On Feb. 10, the Kepler Project Team held a commemoration event in the NASA Ames Explo- Density Control: Lance D. Delzeit; ration Center, inviting Ames employees to join the team to commemorate Kepler’s mission midpoint and celebrate its discoveries. Families of Ames employees also were invited to join 7718223 Control of Carbon Nanotube the event and share in Kepler’s successes. Density and Tower Height in an Array: Lance D. Delzeit; 7767270 Selective

11 Astrogram Spring 2011 Linda Cureton speaks at Ames at Women’s History event Ames’ Women's Influence Network 2009. As NASA CIO, Cureton pro- ment of Justice. Cureton earned a (WIN) celebrated Women’s History vides the leadership to transform the master of science degree in applied month March 30 in the Main Audi- management of information technol- mathematics and a post-master’s ogy (IT) services and capabilities to advance certificate in applied math- support and enable NASA’s mission. ematics from Johns Hopkins Univer- Prior to becoming NASA CIO, she sity. She also received a bachelor served as the CIO of the NASA God- of science degree graduating magna dard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and cum laude with a major in mathemat- served in executive positions at the ics and a minor in Latin from Howard Department of Energy and the Depart- University.

Women of Ames Po e m b y Ro s e Ki n g i n c e l e br a t i o n o f Wo m e n ’s Hi s t o r y Mo n t h i n Ma r c h Blond, Black, Red, Brown, hues of the Earth’s rainbow Voices soaring through barriers of sea, sky and earth Climbing mountains of ice and rock, gliding beneath the sea. Listening for the last echo, NASA photo by Eric James While giving birth to the future. Linda Cureton speaking at the recent Wom- Daring to push the human condition far beyond en’s Influence Network (WIN) Women’s HIs- The confines of the laboratory and man’s attempt to tether you. tory month celebration at Ames March 30. Finding creation outside of, what was, what could be, Possibilities in the improbable. torium. This year’s theme was “Our History is Our Strength.” Women of Ames NASA’s Chief Information While you look to the future and beyond the horizon, Officer (CIO), Linda Cureton, was I, who am earthbound, rejoice. guest speaker this year. Cureton was I honor you for your talent, your spirit, appointed NASA CIO in September And your courage to reach the sun. In memorium Dr. Emma Lucinda Olga Bakes, Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence was born on March 3, 1968, in Blyth, Institute (SETI). Her work focused England and took great pride in her on the origins of life and resulted in Northumberland ancestry for their several research grants, dozens of refusal to conform or behave ac- peer-reviewed journal papers and cording to the Great Roman Empire a book entitled “The Astrochemical and looked to Hadrian's Wall as her Evolution of the Interstellar Medium.” inheritance. She passed away on Feb. She directed a NASA space mission 28, 2011. concept to sample Kuiper Belt objects She earned her B.Sc. from the for organics and served on numerous University of Newcastle Upon Tyne panels that charted the Nation’s space and earned her Ph.D. in theoretical exploration goals. physics from the University of London, Emma’s work crossed over into Queen Mary and Westfield College. biology as she helped establish the photo courtesy of SETI Emma also earned certificates of new frontier known as astrobiology. Dr. Emma Lucinda Olga Bakes distinction from the Royal Schools This rekindled her dream of becoming of Music and a black belt in the Jeet a medical doctor and she entered the Emma’s legacy just as her sprit is Kune Do form of martial arts. She had Stanford University School of Medi- eternal and her contributions will con- a passion for art, music and writing. cine in the fall of 2005. Despite her tinue to provide each of us with end- Emma, inspired by her hero Carl transition to medicine, Emma contin- less gifts. She proved that the building Sagan, became an astrophysicist ued to provide support to her space blocks of life can exist throughout the and moved to the USA. She visited science colleagues, and shared her heavens and this formed the founda- Ames in 1989 for her dissertation and passion for space science with others tion for many of the nation’s space held research and teaching positions through her writings and public speak- exploration endeavours. at Princeton University and Vassar ing appearances. All are invited and A memorial service is scheduled College, respectively. In 1996, she encouraged to read her recent essay for April 28 and an educational trust relocated to the Ames where she celebrating the confluence of science fund in the name of Emma’s son worked until 2005. During this time, and humanity: Titan Dinsdale Mendoza is being Emma held research positions with http://kepler.nasa.gov/education/ established. Inquires may be sent to the National Research Council and the sagan/EmmaBakesEssay/ [email protected]

12 Astrogram Spring 2011 Ames Ongoing Monthly Events Calendar

African American Advisory Group (AAAG) Jetstream Toastmasters, Mondays, 12 p.m. Mtg., every fourth Wednesday of each month, - 1 p.m., Bldg. N-269/Rm.179. POC: Tim Exchange Information 12 - 1 p.m., Bldg. N255 Rm 101C. POC: Chair Steiger, ext. 4-0195, [email protected]. - Jim Busby, ext. 4-2792. Web: http://jetstream.freetoasthost.com Information about products, services and opportuni- ties provided to the employee and contractor com- Ames Amateur Radio Club, third Thurs., of Ames Mac Support Group Mtg., third Tuesday munity by the Ames Exchange Council. Visit the ea. month, 12 noon, N-T28 (across from of each month, 11:30 a.m.to 1 p.m., Bldg. web site at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov N-255). POC: Michael Wright, KG6BFK, at N-262, Rm 180. POC: Tony ext. 4-0340. Beyond Galileo Gift Shop N-235 in the ext. 4-6262. cafeteria , 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., ext. 4-6873 Ames Model Aircraft Club, flying radio-con- Ames Ballroom Dance Club, Classes on trolled aircraft at the north end of Parsons Ave. Visitor Center Gift Shop (White Tent Tuesdays. Beginning classes meet at 5:15 on weekend mornings. POC: Mark Sumich, N-943-A, Tues-Fri, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sat. p.m. Higher-level class meets at 5:50 p.m. ext. 4-6193. - Sun, 12 - 4 p.m., ext. 4--5412 Held in Bldg. 944, the Rec. Center. POC: Remember to purchase your baby shower, birthday, Helen Hwang at [email protected], ext. Moffett Aikido Club, Monday and Wednesday holiday gifts at Ames’ two gift shops! 4-1368. evenings, 6:30 p.m., Bldg. 944, across from Mega Bites Cafeteria N-235, 6 a.m. to former McDonalds. Aikido is a non-competi- 2 p.m., ext. 4-5969/Catering ext. 4-2161 Ames Bicycling Club, every third Wednesday tive, defensive martial art known as the “Way of each month, 12 noon - 1 p.m., Bldg. N-245 of Harmony.” POC: Diane Pereda (650) 575- Barcelona Café Bldg. 3, 6:30 a.m. to Auditorium. For information on the club go 9070 or Robert Dean (650) 787-1007, email: 2 p.m., ext. 4-4948/Catering ext. 4-4948 to the website https://ames.clubexpress.com. [email protected] POC: Julie Nottage at [email protected]. See daily menus at: http://exchange.arc. nasa.gov, ext. 4-3711. Native American Advisory Committee Mtg., nasa.gov/cafe/menu.html fourth Tuesday each month, 12 noon - 1 Moffett Field Golf Club with ‘Tee minus 1’ Ames Bowling League, Homestead Lanes p.m., Bldg. 19, Rm 1096. POC: Mike Liu, ext. Grill and Sports Bar. Catering available. Thursdays at 6:20 p.m. Need substitute bowl- 4-1132. Call (650) 603-8026. Extended Happy Hour ers. Sign up questions: Steve Howard at ext. Thursdays, $5 and $6 pitchers of beer starting 4-4884. Ames Nimble Knitters Club, every Tuesday at 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 11:30 a.m., Bldg. N210/Rm 141. POC: Ames Child Care Center Board of Direc- Rosalyn Jung, [email protected] or Diane RV Lots Available Call to reserve a space tors Mtg., every other Monday, 1 - 2:30 p.m., Alexander at ext. 4-3140. URL: http://knit.arc. at (650) 603-7100/01. Bldg. N-262/Rm 180. POC: Sally Miller, ext. nasa.gov Civilian/Contractors, $50/mo; military $25/mo 4-5411. NASA Lodge (N-19) 603-7100 Ames Green Team (formerly the Green Ames Ames Contractor Council Mtg., first Weds. of Working Group) meetings are held the first Where to stay when you’re too tired to drive home? ea. month, 11 a.m., Bldg. N-200, Committee Thursday of each month in N237, Room What about the lodge?! Two types of rooms: Bldg. Room. POC: Elisa Taube (408) 541-2838. 101, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. For information, 19 (43 rooms), rate: $55/night ($5 ea add’l adult); Bldg. 583 (150 rooms), rate: $45/night ($5 ea. add’l call Roger Ashbaugh, Ames Environmental adult) Environmental Forum, first Thursday every Management Division, ext. 4-5602. other month, 9 a.m. - 10 a.m., T20-G confer- http://environmentalmanagement.arc.nasa. Ames Swim Center (N-109) 603-8025 ence Rm. 129. URL: http://q/qe/events/EHS- gov/reports/eo-13514.html Closed for repairs, for updates visit http://amesex- series/ POC: Stacy St. Louis, ext. 4-6810. change.arc.nasa.gov/swim/index.html Ames Sailing Club Mtg., second Thursday of The pool is heated year round! The pool is currently Ames Federal Employees Union (AFEU) each month (March through November), from available for lap swim, pool parties and special Mtg, third Wednesday ea. month, noon. Bldg. events. POC: Ryan Storms, Pool Manager (650) 12 p.m. - 1 p.m., Bldg. N-260, Rm. 113. URL: 603-8025. Memberships: single memberships: N-247, Rm. 109.. Guests welcome. Info at: http://sail.arc.nasa.gov/. POC: Clif Horne, ext. $60/yr. Family memberships: $80/yr. After purchas- http://www.afeu.org. POC: Paul K. Davis, ext. 4-4571. ing a membership, there is an entrance fee: daily 4-5916. entrance fee - $3/day or lap pass fee - $50 for 20 Ames Safety Committee, third Thursday of uses. Platinum membership - $380/yr. (no daily The Hispanic Advisory Committee for each month, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m., Bldg. N-237, fee). Special events: include military training, swim Excellence (HACE) Mtg., first Thursday of Rm. 201. POC: John Livacich, jlivacich@ team events, kayak role practice, etc. The cost for each month, 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., Bldg. mail.arc.nasa.gov, ext. 4-3243 or Terry Reich- special events is $75/hr, or $50/hr for military. N-255, Rm. 101C. POC: Eric Kristich, ext. ert, [email protected], ext.-4-0375. Reservations for Chase Park call ext. 4-4948 4-5137 and Mark Leon, ext. 4-6498. Reservations for ARC Park call ext. 4-5969

Ames Cat Network

The Ames Cat Network needs help finding Ames emergency announcements homes for cats trapped at Moffett. They range from feral to abandoned/lost pets. To hear the centerwide status recording, call (650) 604-9999 for information Tested, altered and inoculated. Call Iris at announcements and emergency instructions for Ames employees. You can ext. 4-5824 if you or someone you know are interested in fostering or adopting a cat. also listen to 1700 KHz AM radio for the same information.

13 Astrogram Spring 2011 Protective Services monthly activity Silver Snoopy continued from page 4 A statistical summary of activities of the Protective Services Division’s Security/Law Enforcement and Fire Protection Services units for the month safety and reliability of human space- of March 2011 is shown below. flight. As a direct result of her tireless commitment and exceptional leader- Security/Law Enforcement Activity ship, members of the Ares Integrated Aborts Working Group (a group she established) quickly identified key abort-related issues of an Ares-based launch system. During the awards ceremony, recipients also received a certificate and letter of commendation, personally signed by an astronaut, citing the astronauts' appreciation of their outstanding performance. NASA's Astronaut Office awards the Silver Snoopy for outstanding performance to those employees who have significantly contributed to the space agency's goals for human Fire Protection Activity exploration and development of space. The Silver Snoopy is a sterling silver pin that has flown on a shuttle mission, in the form of a Snoopy wearing a space helmet and space suit, To meet the criteria for this award, the individual's work must relate to flight safety or mission success. Job performance must be outstanding to distinguish the individual in his or her particular area of responsibility and it must make a meaningful contribution to flight safety or mission success. This coveted award has been presented to less than one percent of the NASA work- force.

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The Ames Astrogram is an official publication of Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

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