Aug. 22, 2008 Vol. 48, No. 17 Spaceport News John F. Kennedy Space Center - America’s gateway to the universe www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/snews/spnews_toc.html Fay has its way, keeps shuttle Atlantis in bay By Steven Siceloff Florida’s thunderstorms on Director Bill Parsons and Spaceport News their own were also tucked Shuttle Launch Director pace shuttle Atlantis inside buildings. Mike Leinbach, met routine- stayed indoors while “If it needs to be ly as Fay progressed past spaceflight equip- moved, we’ll move it and Cuba. The center’s actions S if it needs to be tied down, are coordinated with of- ment moved to safer ground Monday as NASA’s Kenne- we’ll tie it down,” said John ficials from Brevard County dy Space Center braced for Cosat, chief of Emergency and the U.S. Air Force’s Tropical Storm Fay’s heavy Management, SGS. Cosat 45th Space Wing, which is based at Patrick Air Force rain and high winds. is part of the Emergency Base and also oversees Cape Atlantis was scheduled Operations Center staff that Canaveral Air Force Station. to rollover to the Vehicle coordinates storm prepara- “We watch for evacu- Assembly Building on tions, recovery and related ations from the barrier is- Aug. 18, but remained activities. lands, which is not happen- inside its Orbiter Process- Indoors, workers draped ing this time,” Cosat said. plastic bags over comput- ing Facility. The spacecraft “That is something that has ers, monitors, file cabinets is targeted to launch Oct. a big impact on the Kennedy and anything else that can’t 8 on a mission to upgrade work force.” NASA’s Hubble Space withstand water damage. The actions were part Telescope. Postponement of Cosat said Kennedy is tak- of the center’s regular hur- the rollover is not expected ing some extra precautions ricane readiness plan. The to delay liftoff. with this tropical storm. early preparations began Workers drove the as- “With this one, it’s a Aug. 15 when Parsons tronaut transport vehicle and little more unpredictable, so declared Hurricane Condi- a large crane into the safety we’re just erring on the side tion IV, the lowest readiness NASA of the Vehicle Assembly of caution,” Cosat said. level. NASA’s QuikSCAT satellite has been watching Fay’s winds by using Building. Other vehicles Forecasters and center microwaves to peer into the clouds. This image was captured at that normally weather officials, including Center See Atlantis Page 2 7:33 a.m. EDT on Aug. 19.

Area leaders discuss transition challenge in Titusville ow do you eat an elephant? “It’s going to require us to be One important provision tion Services Program, or COTS, One bite at a time, ac- very diligent and extremely focused covered in the bill is for NASA’s which could potentially shrink Hcording to U.S. Rep. Tom to make sure that we do that safely. Shuttle Transition Liaison Office to America’s reliability on the Rus- Feeney. That was his message to Without flying those space shuttle assist local communities affected by sian Soyuz during the gap between Brevard residents, NASA officials missions out correctly and safely, the retirement of the Space Shuttle the Space Shuttle Program and the and local lawmakers during a there may not be a next program.” Program. Constellation Program. The provi- meeting about space issues at Ti- Feeney added: “Our job is not “There are lots of things that sion also asks for the White House tusville City Hall on Aug. 13. He’s to tell you that there won’t be a we can do to take the same tech- to tell NASA how to effectively use not talking about land’s largest liv- challenge and a problem. Our job is nologically skilled work force and technology and science for commer- ing animal; he’s talking about the to work together and to mitigate and transition them into diversified cial launch opportunities. transition challenge facing Ken- diminish that problem. “We can do jobs,” Feeney said. “It doesn’t say study how we’re nedy Space Center, its work force it bit by bit, if we work together.” Another provision includes going to make Kennedy Space Cen- and the community. The U.S. House of Represen- studying the possibility of a com- ter a 21st century space city, which Kennedy Space Center director tatives recently passed the largest mercial space launch range at is what I’m calling for,” Feeney Bill Parsons said: “We still have 10 NASA authorization in history by a federal installations. Feeney said said. “But if you read between the missions left of the Space Shuttle 400-15 vote that included accelerat- the bill includes funding for a Com- Program. ing NASA’s Constellation Program. mercial Orbital Space Transporta- See Titusville Page 8 Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS Aug. 22, 2008 Weightlessness experts enjoy microgravity experience

By Steven Siceloff Spaceport News or the past 17 years, Jona- than Partsch’s work as a life Fsupport technician prepared others for microgravity flights. In June, he experienced weightlessness firsthand. Riding inside a 727 airliner run by the Zero Gravity Corporation, or Zero-G, Partsch and a group of 75 engineers, scientists and technicians floated in microgravity freedom for 30 seconds at a time, 15 times. The airplane, known as G-Force One, simulates weightlessness by flying steep climbs and dives called parabolas. While the climb makes passengers feel like they weigh almost twice as much as on Earth, the dives can remove the feeling of gravity altogether. NASA uses those same prin- for NASA Jonathan Partsch was among a group of 75 engineers, scientists and technicians who floated in microgravity freedom aboard G-Force One. ciples to introduce astronauts to the feeling of free-fall, and has since the you had better obey, because you Brevard Workforce Development endure long stretches of weightless- Mercury program began in 1958. were coming down whether you had Board funded the Florida Aerospace ness during those flights. Partsch’s aerospace group first your feet down or not,” Partsch said. Microgravity Training Program, a Closer to Earth, Partsch, who experienced the gravity of Mars and The aerospace group also took first-of-its-kind training effort in the works for Wyle Aerospace Group at the moon before making several turns trying to perform simple first aerospace industry. Zero-G, SpaceT- Kennedy, spent more than a week turns in simulated zero-gravity. aid, but microgravity challenges EC and Brevard Community College before the flight carefully document- “During our moon-simulated even the simplest motions. Some- also are taking part in the program. ing his sleep patterns for the study parabola, which is 1/6 earth’s grav- thing as easy as placing a bandage Before taking to the skies, and collecting small vials of saliva ity, we found that doing one arm on an arm becomes laborious. Partsch went through two weeks of for analysis along the way. push-ups, even one finger push-ups Although the flight was about specialized courses and helped in Partsch’s work didn’t end when was a breeze,” Parstch said Later, when the plane pushed its as fun a work assignment as anyone research that covered topics focused the G-Force One aircraft touched nose earthward like a roller coaster will get, there was a serious side to on the engineering and physiological down on the runway. He had to keep at the top of a hill to start a new this flight and others like it. aspects of microgravity. He took part logging his sleep patterns for several dive, the researchers and technicians With the shuttle’s retirement in an experiment to determine how days and collecting more saliva floated up off the padded floor and on the horizon, Florida officials weightlessness disorients people and samples, in hopes that doctors may began flipping, rolling and bouncing hope these types of flights and other leaves them feeling tired. find a way to treat or prevent weight- gently off the walls and ceiling. A measures will help train NASA’s Such information is crucial, lessness fatigue. few seconds later, gravity returned at Kennedy Space Center work force considering astronauts on a moon Partsch graduated from the pro- the bottom of the dive. for the Constellation Program, which mission are expected to live for gram as a micronaut, or as some call “Before coming back down, our is expected to begin carrying astro- months at a time in greatly-reduced it a zeronaut, and is now expected to flight leader would yell to us, ‘feet nauts into orbit in 2015. gravity. The trip to Mars takes share what he learned and apply it to down, feet down.’ This is one order Workforce Florida Inc. and the months, so astronauts will have to future projects.

From Atlantis, Page 1 main task during a storm is ences every six hours lead- centers, as well as headquar- many of its panels replaced. to watch over the center for ing up to a storm so NASA ters. “In 2004 and 2005, (the Although the prepara- potential damage. can make sure the shuttles It’s been several years preparations) were more tion status remained at IV “If something happens and their payloads have since Kennedy has buttoned extensive because we faced through Monday, most of that needs to be taken care everything they need and down for a tropical storm. a direct threat from the At- the steps for Hurricane of, they’ll do it,” Cosat said. are ready for harsh weather In 2004, Hurricane Frances lantic side,” Cosat said. Condition III were finished After the storm passes, the conditions. Because storms tore panels off the side of As of press time, Ken- in advance, Cosat said. team also issues the first can threaten space shuttle the VAB. Most of the out- nedy had been closed Aug. That included designating evaluation of the center. scheduling, the meetings side of the building, includ- 19-20. The center was ex- a group of workers called Leinbach said recently typically include program ing its siding and doors, has pected to reopen no earlier the “ride-out team.” Their that he conducts teleconfer- officials from other NASA since been revamped and than 8 a.m. Aug. 21. Aug. 22, 2008 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 Hands-on activities inspire minority students By Kate Frakes Spaceport News he chance to meet an astronaut, freeze Tleaves with liquid nitrogen and spend the night under a real rocket may sound like an amuse- ment park adventure, but for students involved in the science, technology, engi- neering and mathematics program, or STEM, with historically black colleges and universities, or HBCU’s, it’s just another day of learn- ing. On Aug. 6, 132 students and faculty arrived at the Kennedy Space Center Visi- tor Complex for three days of hands-on STEM activi- ties. Four designated HB- CU’s offer minority youth from elementary through high school a chance to study STEM-related subjects at their campuses: Morgan State University, North Caro- lina Agriculture and Techni- cal University, Prairie View NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis Agricultural and Mechanical On Aug. 6, 132 students and faculty arrived at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for three days of hands-on STEM activities. Four historically University and Tennessee black colleges and universities offer minority youth from elementary school through high school a chance to study STEM-related subjects. State University. This year, NASA brought each of these They learned about new “Diversity is a proven, HBCU’s together by award- technologies for NASA’s significant factor in organi- ing them grants to fund the Hubble Space Telescope, dis- zational success and younger students’ trip to Kennedy. cussed objectives of the next generations benefit from the Kennedy’s Teacher space shuttle mission and exposure to cutting edge and Student Programs Lead flew into space aboard the technology and the engineers Hortense Burt managed the Visitor Complex’s Shuttle who work with it,” Boston first-time event and hopes it Launch Experience ride. said helped relate the students’ In addition to hands-on Students also met work in the classroom to cur- activities, NASA engineers, NASA astronaut John Blaha rent NASA missions. scientists and astronauts who discussed his work “The program’s goal spoke to the students about on the International Space is to expose minority youth the importance of academic Station and fed their curios- to NASA’s missions and success. ity with his experiences in increase their interest in the NASA Propulsion Sys- space. aerospace industry,” Burt tems engineer and Tennessee The event ended with an said. “We want to alert stu- State University graduate educational overnight experi- dents of the need for them to Malcolm Boston motivated ence at the Apollo/Saturn V be academically successful students to strive for aca- Center. so that they have the back- demic success. Students also toured ground to work in a STEM- As a NASA scholar and Kennedy and got a behind- NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis Students learned about new technologies used on NASA’s Hubble Space based career.” four-year summer intern at the-scenes “Dynamics of Telescope such as the gyros, which are used to maintain orientation and The students participat- NASA’s Glenn Research Technology” tour at Disney’s provide stability in boats, aircraft and spacecraft. They work by a scientific ed in group activities led by Center throughout college, Epcot, to further demon- principle called the gyroscopic effect. You can demonstrate this effect by NASA education informa- Boston explained the benefits strate the broad spectrum of holding a bicycle wheel by its axle and asking someone to spin the wheel. tion specialists at Kennedy’s of education programs of- possibilities STEM curricula If you try to move the axle of the spinning wheel, you will feel a force Center for Space Education. fered by HBCU’s. offers. opposing your attempt to move it. Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS Aug. 22, 2008 Aug. 22, 2008 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 5 Scene Around Kennedy Space Center

Reader-submitted photo Katy Lehtio, a communications technician with InDyne Inc., assembles “52D Desktop” end instruments as part of an OIS-D survivability task. OIS-D is the principal Kennedy Space Center voice- communications system used to support processing of space shuttle and International Space Station components.

Reader-submitted photo Richard Cota, deputy chief financial officer with NASA, celebrated his retirement Aug. 1 after more than NASA/Amanda Diller 43 years of service. Officials prepare to dig in during the Aug. 6 ground-breaking ceremony for a Weather Radar Replacement Facility. Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS Aug. 22, 2008 Aug. 22, 2008 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 5 Scene Around Kennedy Space Center

Reader-submitted photo Rita Willcoxon, director of launch vehicle processing, stands with the crew of STS-126 at a crew equipment interface test party earlier this month. More than 200 KSC employees and their families attended the party. The STS-126 crew is targeted to launch aboard Endeavour on Nov. 10.

Reader-submitted photo John Pancho is leaving Kennedy Space Center after 36 years. He is relocating to California to join his wife, Donna, shown above, and two daughters, Kelly and Chelsea.

Spaceport News wants your photos

You are encouraged to NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis The Kennedy Space Center Prime Contractor Board sponsored the first NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Small Business Industry Day forum send unique story ideas and on July 31 at Boeing Co. in Titusville. The forum advises Kennedy program managers, technical representatives and engineers of various exciting photos of workers in small business capabilities. These capabilities could be used for upcoming contracts at Kennedy involving Shuttle/Constellation transition or other activities. action for possible publication. Photos should include a short caption with the names and job titles, from left to right. Send e-mail to

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NASA/Gianni Woods @mail.nasa.gov. The Kennedy Space Center Badging Office, building M6-0224 (on State Road 405, west of Gate 3) is providing badging services for employees, deliveries and official visitors. These services formerly were provided at the PIDS 3 Facility, which now is closed. Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS Aug. 22, 2008 Hubble makes 100,000th trip around Earth s Kennedy Space Center rious force that is not understood prepares for its fifth and in terms of physics, a force that is Afinal servicing mission to accelerating the expansion of the the Hubble Space Telescope, the universe. Dark energy is believed giant observatory continues to send to be behind the effect known as breathtaking images back to astron- “gravitational lenses,” which ap- omers. On Aug. 10, Hubble made pears to warp the way space looks. its 100,000th trip around Earth, WFC3 is designed to map the lenses sending back colorful images of and help determine the character a galaxy thousands of light-years and distribution of dark matter in away. galaxy clusters. Hubble used its Wide Field and WFC3 arrived at Kennedy Aug. Planetary Camera 2, or WFPC2, to NASA/Jack Pfaller Technicians monitor the movement of the Wide Field Camera 3, or WFC3, as it is lowered 11 and is now undergoing routine gaze at the Tarantula nebula, near onto a work stand in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at Kennedy Space Center. system functional testing. Some the star cluster NGC 2074. The im- WFC3 will act at the Hubble’s main camera once installed by Atlantis’ STS-125 crew. of the tests can get quite involved. age shows a cloud of sulfur, ionized For example, technicians will lower hydrogen and oxygen gas emis- correct for the degradation, but their cessor, but there’s a key advance- temperatures to minus-122 degrees sions and dust, likely triggered by a intervention can no longer fight ment that will broaden the camera’s to evaluate delicate detectors inside nearby supernova explosion. against the aging camera. electromagnetic vision across the the WFC3. NASA technicians are Since 1993, WFPC2 has acted In October, the STS-125 crew spectrum from ultraviolet to the vis- as Hubble’s main eye, recording scheduled to move the camera onto plans to replace WFPC2 with Wide ible light our eyes can see, and into razor-sharp images of objects and the Super Lightweight Interchange- Field Camera 3, or WFC3. the near infrared. This will allow the events that occurred billions of able Carrier Aug. 19. “The Wide Field Camera 3 is camera to observe young, hot stars, years ago. “To witness the final ground Nevertheless, the image taken one of those instruments that is go- as well as older, cooler stars in the checkout and integration of the in- by WFPC2 as Hubble whirled ing to make Hubble 10 times better same galaxy. strument is a proud moment for all around earth at 17,500 mph on in discovery space. It’s the highest “All those different popula- of us,” said Hubble Space Telescope Aug. 10 could be one of its last. As science priority of the mission and tions of stars exist within the same Operations Integration and Test NASA technicians predicted, the we are very excited to put this new galaxy. It’s the family album, the Manager Dr. Lisa Mazzuca. charge-coupled devices on WFPC2 camera in,” said NASA astronaut family photo album for that galaxy,” The astronauts’ work will allow are degrading and sending back im- John Grunsfeld, who will switch said Hubble Space Telescope’s Hubble to continue its work as a ages that are slightly distorted by a out the cameras during one of five Chief Scientist David Lekrone. true time machine, peeking in on phenomenon known as “hot pixels.” scheduled spacewalks. WFC3 also will study dark the universe as it looked billions of Hubble engineers have been able to WFC3 is similar to its prede- energy and dark matter, the myste- years ago.

Computer engineer on mission to keep software safe By Kate Frakes methodologies that would ian’s research, he published actively participates in nine Spaceport News More KEA online increase the safety and reli- and presented more than 15 Kennedy engineering teams ability of what we consider technical papers on software and organizations. ith an impressive To view video and PDF to be critical software,” said engineering and reestab- “The aspiration to teach list of innovative versions of past KEA Shaykhian. “I wanted to lished more finite software others was instilled in me research pre- W events, including Dr. Ali achieve that in addition to guidelines. His articles were as a child,” Shaykhian said. sentations spanning from Shaykhian’s, or future improving the software’s ef- published in American Soci- “Since I started teaching 32 lunar landing to fiber optics, calendar events, visit: ficiency.” ety for Engineering Educa- years ago, helping people Kennedy Space Center’s En- http://kea.ksc.nasa.gov. gineering Academy venues Shaykhian’s recent tion and Neural, Parallel learn has been my life’s continue to help engineers research was funded by and Scientific Computations greatest reward.” push the envelope of possibil- 2000. He serves as techni- Kennedy’s Core Techni- conference proceedings. Recently, Shaykhian ities. In an effort to share his cal advisor and consultant cal Capability to develop Shaykhian’s devo- was honored by the Ameri- technical knowledge within to the Checkout and Launch innovative software engineer- tion to software safety led can Society for Engineering Kennedy’s engineering Control System, or CLCS, ing solutions for software to his appointment as a Education with a two year community, five time KEA Project Control Office. Spe- safety applications. He also NASA Administrator Fel- appointment as the Chair presenter Dr. Ali Shaykhian cifically, Shaykhian focuses researched the Real-time low in May of 2003. After a of Minorities for Engineer- is reaching new heights in on families of object-oriented Display Tool software, a two-year tenure, Shaykhian ing Division, or MIND. software safety research. software, like Java, and the PC Goal 2 software product was recognized by NASA MIND aims to improve the Shaykhian, a NASA safety issues concerning each that is currently used at the Administrator Michael Grif- preparation, recruitment and computer engineer, has been software product. Launch Control Center for fin for his exemplary research retention of minority students delving in software research “The main goal of my the Space Shuttle Program. and instruction at Bethune in science, mathematics and since joining NASA in April research is to identify the In addition to Shaykh- Cookman College. He also engineering fields. Aug. 22, 2008 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 7 Nighttime was right time for STS-8 lights, with 800 million By Kay Grinter candle power each, illumi- Reference Librarian nated the first 5,000 feet of n 1983, Space shuttle runway, or the touchdown Challenger’s STS-8 mis- zone. The runway edge Ision was a groundbreak- lights were sufficient for the er, as the Space Shuttle remainder of the landing Program’s first nighttime sequence. launch and landing. Touchdown Sept. 5 Challenger’s five-mem- came at 12:41 a.m. Pacific ber crew was commanded time. by Richard Truly, with NASA’s Ron Phelps Daniel Brandenstein as was a support test manager pilot. Three mission special- for STS-8 and aboard the ists accompanied them: lead convoy vehicle that Dale Gardner, Dr. William approached the orbiter from Thornton and Dr. Guion behind after landing. Bluford, the first African “Out there in the desert, American to fly in NASA’s there’s absolutely no light. space program. Everything is pitch-black,” Launch was delayed about 10 days to allow Phelps said. “The plan ground stations additional was for the fire trucks to time to check out the Track- come down the runway on ing and Data Relay Satellite the opposite side from our convoy vehicles, but the launched in March. Further NASA file fire chief made a decision check out of the satellite STS-8 mission astronauts enjoy a lighter moment during the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. from orbit was one of the to reposition one of the trucks. As our driver started tasks of the mission. shuttle is not equipped with to pull out on the runway, Liftoff on Aug. 30 from Remembering landing lights. If mounted Launch Pad 39A was de- he heard something that just Our Heritage externally, the lights could layed by lightning and rain. didn’t sound right to him not withstand the heat of After the rain stopped, astro- two by Bluford. and stopped. The fire truck reentry and if installed on naut Bob Crippen made a STS-8 was the first roared past. Other than that, the landing gear, the lights visual inspection of a cloud of four space flights for the landing went exactly as would not be deployed until layer about 9,000 feet over Bluford, now retired from planned.” seconds before touchdown, the center, which yielded a NASA and president of too late to be of use during “There was no moon “go” for launch. From that The Aerospace Technol- final approach. that night. It was really point, the countdown pro- ogy Group. From his home “In the couple of years black except for the lights ceeded flawlessly to liftoff in Ohio, he said, “It was a prior to the flight, we had to on the ground,” Truly said. at 2:32 a.m. EDT, only 17 great crew and a great mis- develop a ground lighting “All our work paid off with minutes late. sion, and I enjoyed talking a very smooth reentry, plac- Truly, a NASA admin- to President Reagan from system and a compatible heads-up display for the ing us in the correct landing istrator from May 1989 orbit.” Reagan congratulated zone. It is always interest- to March 1992, was the Bluford for the success of orbiter,” Truly said. Lights ing to do something first, only member of the crew the mission and for “making NASA file would be needed at Edwards and Dan Brandenstein and I who had previously flown it plain we are in an era of STS-8 was the third flight of space Air Force Base, the primary shuttle Challenger, and the eighth were very proud of our suc- in space. Now retired, he brotherhood” in America. landing site, as well as at shuttle flight. The mission lasted Kennedy’s Shuttle Landing cess. It proved very certain- recalled from his home in Demonstration of six days, one hour, eight minutes Facility to support a return- ly that night landings could Colorado, “We spent a lot the remote manipulator and 43 seconds. of time preparing for that system’s ability to handle to-launch-site abort. be made safe to execute.” flight. The liftoff time was heavier and heavier objects body to weightlessness in an Edwards was chosen To date, 30 shuttle driven by our primary task: was made by Gardner using effort to better understand for the first night landing launches and 22 shuttle deployment of an Indian the 8,500-pound payload the biophysiological effects as the desert’s dry lakebed landings have been in dark- satellite.” deployment and retrieval of spaceflight. He designed could provide a wide safety ness. That satellite was the system test article on flight and developed much of zone. “I thought Kennedy’s The STS-125 Hubble INSAT-1B, a multipurpose days three and four. the equipment used for his runway had excellent night Space Telescope servicing satellite for India equipped Thornton, a medical observations. lighting and would have felt mission and the STS-126 for telecommunications and doctor, made continual mea- Landing for the six-day safe landing there,” Truly mission to the International meteorological functions. It surements and investigations mission also was sched- remarked in hindsight. Space Station are scheduled was deployed on flight day of adaptation of the human uled for nighttime, but the Eight xenon-arc flood for nighttime launches. Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS Aug. 22, 2008

From Titusville, Page 1 targeting commercial businesses and federal programs could bring ON lines that’s exactly what we instruct jobs to NASA’s work force during THE the White House to do.” the transition. WORD STREET Panelists at the space meeting “Here’s a chance to go up and at included Parsons; Marsh Heard, gather some real data so that we What is your opinion on how the chairman of the Florida Aviation can make conscious decisions about contract changeover is taking place? CM&S Aerospace Alliance; Frank DiBello, whether or not we have an environ- mental problem. And if so, how do Economic Development Commis- “It’s the first time I’ve been involved as a manager we attack it? We can use it (ISS) sion consultant; and Steve Kohler, and the selection process has been different.” president of Space Florida. for things like crop management; Calvin Wright, logistics operations supervisor, The House wants to set aside we can use it for things like water with Northrup Grumman funding for commercial, federal and management,” Heard said. university-based science missions Each panelist echoed the senti- aboard the International Space ment that Kennedy Space Center is Station so it can serve as a national a unique national asset and although and international laboratory. One its future is unknown, there still is a “Seriously it’s been great and I have no qualms. industry that already has shown a mission at hand. There really have been no glitches.” keen interest in experimenting in Pat Kelley, technician, space is the pharmaceutical indus- The U.S. Senate is expected to with InDyne Inc. try. Both Heard and DiBello believe vote on a similar bill later this year. Submit speaker abstracts “Our union steward has been good about keeping for PM Challenge 2009 us informed. It’s one of the best we’ve had.” Do you have a topic of interest to NASA program and project Katy Lehtio, communication technician, with InDyne Inc. management stakeholders? Deadline for abstract submissions is Sept. 12. For more information, go to: http://pmchallenge.gsfc.nasa.gov/speaker2009.htm

“This is my eighth changeover and we’re still a little apprehensive about the whole thing.” Looking up and ahead Ron Whittington, video systems electronics technician, with InDyne Inc. No earlier than Sept. 26 Launch/CCAFS: Delta IV, NROL-26; TBD Target Oct. 8 Launch/KSC: Atlantis, STS-125; 1:34 a.m. Oct. 18 Family Day at Kennedy Space Center Target Nov. 10 Launch/KSC: Endeavour, STS-126; 9:31 p.m. “There’s just a whole lot of anticipation, but we’ve been through this before.” No earlier than Nov. 20 Launch/CCAFS: Delta II, STSS; TBD Kenneth Brown, voice technician, No earlier than Dec. 16 Launch/CCAFS: Delta IV, GOES-O; TBD with InDyne Inc. Target Feb. 12, 2009 Launch/KSC: Discovery, STS-119; 7:36 a.m. No earlier than Feb. 27, 2009 Launch/CCAFS: Atlas V, LRO; TBD Scheduled for April 10 Launch/CCAFS: Delta II, Kepler; TBD Target May 15, 2009 Launch/KSC: Endeavour, STS-127; 4:52 p.m. John F. Kennedy Space Center Target July 30, 2009 Launch/KSC: Atlantis, STS-128; TBD Target Oct. 15, 2009 Launch/KSC: Discovery, STS-129; TBD Spaceport News Target Dec. 10, 2009 Launch/KSC: Endeavour, STS-130; TBD Scheduled for Jan. 26, 2010 Launch/CCAFS: Atlas V, SDO; TBD Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center and is published on alternate Fridays by External Relations in the interest of KSC civil Target Feb. 11, 2010 Launch/KSC: Atlantis, STS-131; TBD service and contractor employees. Contributions are welcome and should be submitted three weeks before Target April 8, 2010 Launch/KSC: Discovery, STS-132; TBD publication to the Media Services Branch, IDI-011. E-mail submissions can be sent to [email protected] Target May 31, 2010 Launch/KSC: Endeavour, STS-133; TBD Managing editor ...... Candrea Thomas Editor ...... Frank Ochoa-Gonzales Spaceport News wants your photos Copy editor...... Rebecca Sprague

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