Volume 27 Issue 1 www.ssc.nasa.gov January 2004 One in a million . . . SpaceSpace ShuttleShuttle MainMain EngineEngine reachesreaches milestonemilestone

milestone in human spaceflight was Propulsion Test Directorate. “It is a huge sense achieved Wednesday, Jan. 21, at NASA of pride to the NASA and Boeing team that the AStennis Space Center (SSC): the 1 mil- engines, which SSC began testing in June 1975, lionth second of successful test and flight opera- have never experienced a major anomaly. tions of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). Personally, it is an honor to be part of this great The roar of the engine and its signature program and NASA.” plume of water vapor began around 3:30 p.m. Rigorous testing, important to any flight CST and ran for 8 ½ minutes, the length of time program, is used to verify an engine is ready to it takes three SSMEs to propel the Space fly. The result is an SSME that today is safer, Shuttle from liftoff to orbit. stronger and more reliable than the one that “This 1 millionth-second test is a testimony flew on STS-1. STS stands for Space to the NASA and contractor team that devel- Transportation System, which includes all com- oped, tested and continues to improve the ponents of the Space Shuttle, including the SSME to safely take humans to low Earth SSMEs, the orbiter, the external fuel tank and orbit,” said Miguel Rodriguez, director, the solid rocket boosters. See TEST, Page 5

Stennis employees excited about America’s new space plan pplause rang out in the new focus and clear objectives for StenniSphere auditorium the future. AJan. 14 as Stennis Space “We do not know where this Center (SSC) employees watched journey will end,” said Bush, “yet President George W. we know this: Bush unveil a new Human beings are vision for space ‘We do not know where headed into the cos- exploration from this journey will end, yet mos.” NASA headquar- we know this: Human The President’s ters. beings are headed into plan for steady Bush called on the cosmos.’ human and robotic NASA to “gain a exploration is based SSC employees packed the StenniSphere auditorium Jan. 14 to watch a new foothold on on a series of goals. live NASA TV broadcast of President Bush outlining his new vision for the the Moon and to prepare for new First, he said, America will “fin- American space program, which includes sending Americans back to the journeys to the worlds beyond our ish what it started,” completing the Moon, and further to Mars. own.” International Space Station by 2010. In his speech, the President said Research on the Station will be preparing for the longer journeys of retired, after nearly 30 years of duty. that the “new course for America’s focused on studying the long-term the future. After the Station is com- space program” would give NASA a effects of space travel on humans, plete, the Space Shuttle would be See PLAN, Page 7 Return to Flight From the desk of Chiao replaces McArthur as next Stennis Space Center Director Space Station commander Veteran NASAAstronaut Leroy Chiao will replace William S. McArthur Jr., as the Adm. Tom Donaldson commander of Expedition 9, the next mis- sion aboard the International Space Station. The change in crew assignment is a result of a temporary medical issue related to McArthur’s qualification for this long dura- tion flight. As a member of the Expedition 9 et me begin by saying how honored loss of Columbia and look at everything we backup crew, Chiao has been training I am to take the helm as center do in that manner. If a person sees something alongside McArthur for months. director for the great team we have that’s wrong, they have a responsibility to Stafford-Covey task group at Stennis Space Center. step up and act on it. L issues interim status report I am also pleased to assume this role at „ Integrated Technical Competence – such a momentous time for NASA. During The way we look at decision-making should The Stafford-Covey Return to Flight Task my short tenure, NASA integrate all the Group issued an interim report Tuesday, has successfully flown technical aspects that Jan. 20. The group is making an the Stardust spacecraft come into play. By independent assessment of NASA’s imple- through the tail of a doing so, we can then mentation of the Columbia Accident comet, landed the Spirit I look forward to getting make an informed Investigation Board Space Shuttle Return to and Opportunity rovers to know each and every determination on which Flight recommendations. The task group’s on the surface of Mars, technical elements 78-page document is publicly available at: refocused its primary one in the organization. should be considered. http://returntoflight.org. mission to the We should also think Coleman named head of exploration and This will be an exciting constantly about where discovery of our solar year as we prepare to we can tap into the Marshall’s external tank office system and we have expertise to make a NASA veteran Sandra C. Coleman was successfully completed Return to Flight, and judgment. This is truly named to run the office that is getting the 1 million seconds of Stennis will be a critical One NASA at work. Space Shuttle’s external tank – a key ele- testing and flight „ Individual ment in the Columbia tragedy – ready to operations on the Space part of that effort. Accountability – Being Return to Flight. Shuttle Main Engine accountable for what Coleman and James L. Reuter, who was (SSME). What a great we do is a mindset named deputy manager, will be responsible start for a great organization! everyone should adopt. for all development and manufacturing of To keep this momentum going, we need These themes also fit very well with the the huge brown tanks, which are overseen to stay focused on our core missions: rocket ESPRIT motto developed for Stennis. If we by the Marshall Space Flight Center in engine propulsion testing and Earth science remember to keep Excellence, Safety, Huntsville, Ala. applications. During the NASA Update on People, Respect, Integrity and Teamwork Jan. 15, Administrator O’Keefe talked about forefront in our daily tasks, then I expect Space Shuttle Columbia crew the top five themes that emerged from the nothing less than continued great things for memorialized on Mars Safety and Mission Success Week. Stennis Space Center. NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe on Jan. „ Open Communications – It is I look forward to getting to know each 5 announced plans to name the landing site necessary to have communication with each and every one in the organization. This will of the Mars Spirit Rover in honor of the other in a way that’s constructive and be an exciting year as we prepare to Return astronauts who died in the tragic accident of focused on coming up with solutions to to Flight, and Stennis will be a critical part the Space Shuttle Columbia in February. problems. We all should strive to promote an of that effort. I’d like to end by thanking The area in the Gusev Crater where Spirit atmosphere where everyone believes they everyone involved in the successful 1 millionth- landed will be called the Columbia can offer their views. second SSME firing that occurred Jan. 21. It Memorial Station. A memorial plaque to „ Decision Making Based on Analysis – was a spectacular event accomplished with Columbia’s astronauts and the STS-107 It is important that our judgments are based professionalism and style. Well done! mission is mounted on the back of Spirit’s on significant contributing factors before high-gain antenna, a disc-shaped tool used reaching a conclusion. By using this method, for communicating directly with Earth. once a decision has been made, then we can get on with business. „ Personal Responsibility – Everyone “What will I do today to help return to within NASA bears a responsibility for their safe flight?” actions and how we conduct business. We Sean O’Keefe should all feel personally responsible for the NASA Administrator Director ready for a new challenge

ewly appointed NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC) Director Thomas Q. NDonaldson V, RDML USN (Ret.) is no stranger to challenge. He led the Naval Meteorological and Oceanography Command during the most tumultuous period for the U.S. military since the Vietnam War, including the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Space Station crew pinpoints subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He's been to the bottom of the ocean, flown into a leak, performs experiments Category IV hurricane, sailed on six of the seven seas and traveled six of the seven n an effort to gather more data regarding continents. normal air pressure fluctuations onboard Now President George W. Bush has set the International Space Station, I goals for NASA that could challenge the most Stennis Space Center Director Adm. Tom Donaldson Expedition 8 Commander Mike Foale and veteran NASA space center director: manned Flight Engineer Alexander Kaleri closed sev- missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Adm. Physical Oceanography and Meteorology from eral interior hatches on Jan. 16. Donaldson takes it head-on. “Nothing would the Naval Postgraduate School, and a master’s Foale and Kaleri spent most of the fol- please me more than testing big rocket engines degree in National Strategic Studies from the lowing weekend in a smaller portion of the that support our new missions of exploration National War College in Washington, D.C. Station than usual, primarily the Zvezda liv- and discovery,” he said. The Admiral’s experience leading the ing quarters module. Flight controllers moni- The response is in line with a basic tenet of meteorologists and oceanographers in the Navy tored air pressure in the Station modules dur- the Admiral's professional philosophy during the past six years has helped prepare ing that time to verify that the pressure developed through his naval career: “Take him for the opportunities and challenges that aboard is stable and to gather baseline data pride in your job, understand you are held to lie ahead. on normal air pressure fluctuations in the higher standards and always strive to exceed He’s particularly excited about NASA’s complex. minimum requirements and expectations.” charter to inspire the next generation of For the data gathering session, the He doesn’t expect the transition from engineers, scientists and explorers. “As a Station cabin has been divided into four sec- military to civilian leadership to be difficult. parent, I urge the younger generation to seek tions. The one where the crew is staying “NASA is a professional organization serving lives of significance and service,” he said. includes Zvezda, the Soyuz spacecraft, the our nation and leading the world in many “You can do both in NASA; it’s a unique Pirs docking compartment and the Progress efforts, but it’s the outstanding people who organization.” cargo vehicle. Another section includes the make it happen,” he said. “Everyone wants to Adm. Donaldson is married to his high Unity connecting node and the Quest air- help me do what’s right. What’s important in school sweetheart, Debbie. They have three lock. A third section is the Zarya control an organization is trust, reliability and focusing children. “I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to module and Pressurized Mating Adapter 1. on the problem - and 85 percent of most make such a big transition (from the Navy to The fourth section is the Destiny laboratory. problems are due to the system.” NASA) with minimum impact to my family at All of the hatches were reopened Jan. 18. Born in a U.S. military hospital in a time when I can have a positive impact On Jan. 11, Foale tracked down the Germany, Adm. Donaldson graduated from the within NASA," he said. “We love it here. probable cause of a slight pressure decay U.S. Naval Academy in 1975. He holds a We’ve fallen in love with the community, the that had been detected aboard the station bachelor’s degree in Oceanography from the quality of life and the people of the Gulf since late December. Foale found a leaking U.S. Naval Academy, master’s degrees in Coast.” flex hose that is part of a system that pre- vents fogging within Destiny’s window. The hose was removed and the leak stopped. International remote sensing group tours SSC Engineers are evaluating plans to launch a replacement hose on the next Progress sup- Vicki Zanoni (left), NASA Earth Science ply vehicle. Applications Directorate’s program manager for Foale conducted his second session with verification and validation, and Mary Pagnutti of the Foot/Ground Reaction Forces During Lockheed Martin Space Operations discuss NASA Spaceflight (FOOT) experiment, gathering Stennis Space Center’s field calibration targets several hours of additional data. For the with Jaejung Kim and Moon-Gyu Kim. Zanoni and experiment, Foale dons a special pair of Pagnutti conducted lectures and guided facility instrumented leggings that allow researchers tours Dec. 2 for attendees of the International to measure forces on the feet, joint angles Workshop on Radiometric and Geometric and muscle activity. Foale also participated Calibration. The workshop, sponsored by NASA in a Hand Posture Analyzer investigation, and the U.S. Geological Survey, was part of the which uses a special glove to assess the efforts of the International Society for changes in how humans reach, grasp, manip- Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) to ulate and transport objects during long peri- standardize radiometric and geometric ods in weightlessness. parameters of sensors. NASANASA spacecraftspacecraft landland onon MarsMars Spirit and Opportunity: The history of NASA’s successful Mars missions or hundreds of years, the vast launched Aug. 20, 1975, with Roaming the Red Planet distance separating Earth from Viking 1 and Viking 2, which each F Mars restricted man’s observa- consisted of an orbiter and a lander. ASA’s Mars Exploration tions of the Red Planet. Until the The results from the Viking Program continues the quest launching of probes to Mars to col- experiments give our most complete to understand the role of N lect and relay data back to Earth, view of Mars to date. Volcanoes, water on Mars by placing roving much of what was known about lava plains, immense canyons, robotic geologists on the surface Mars was based on fuzzy pictures cratered areas, wind-formed fea- of the planet. The first rover, which showed only large-scale tures and evidence of surface water Spirit, arrived Jan. 3, with the sec- planetary features and events. are apparent in the orbiter images. ond, Opportunity, following on So many questions had been Jan. 24. Both rovers will analyze raised about Mars, and the Pathfinder and rocks and soils for three months, answers could only be found by looking for clues to wet environ- Sojourner direct observation. ments in the planet’s past. Mars Pathfinder landed in the The rovers bounced to airbag- The Mariner missions Ares Vallis region on the Red cushioned landings at locations Planet July 4, 1996, and its Fueled by the curiosities of Sojourner Rover rolled onto Mars’ selected for evidence of possible both the scientific community and water activity in the Martian past. surface two days later. Above is pictured an artist’s rendering the public, Mariner 4 was Spirit landed at Columbia The mission aimed to demon- of a Mars Exploration Vehicle on the launched Nov. 28, 1964. Nearly strate the feasibility of low-cost Memorial Station in the Gusev surface of the Red Planet. eight months later, it would Crater, which appears to have landings on and exploration of the become the first spacecraft ever to Martian surface. The extended been a crater lake flooded by For power, each six-wheeled visit the Red Planet, obtaining and means of a long channel of an robot relies on a deck of solar mission included more analyses of transmitting close range images of nearby rock and soil and more ancient riverbed. Opportunity panels as they roam the surface Mars that revealed a cratered and landed at Meridiani Planum, a searching for interesting rocks. tests of the rover capabilities. The moon-like surface. Pathfinder mission, which operat- site halfway around the planet Each can detect hazards and Mariner 6 and Mariner 7 were from Gusev that is rich in a min- maneuver around them, and ed three times longer than its orig- identical spacecraft launched Feb. inal 30-day planned lifetime on the eral that on Earth usually forms extend an arm with tools on the 24 and March 27, 1969, entirely in a wet environment. end to inspect a selected rock. Martian surface, is acknowledged devoted to the flyby study of as one of NASA’s most successful Mars. Due to advances in technol- endeavors. Third-grade student names the rovers ogy, Mariner 6 and 7 were able to transmit data at a rate of almost NASA, in conjunction with The LEGO Co. and The Planetary Pathfinder Society, held a “Name the Rovers Contest.” Out of more than 10,000 2,000 times that of Mariner 4. entrants, 9-year-old Sofi Collis, a Siberian immigrant who now lives in Mariner 9, the first of NASA’s Scottsdale, Ariz., won with the following essay: Mars orbiters, was launched on May 30, 1971, and began the most I used to live in an Orphanage. It was dark and cold and lonely. ambitious Mars exploration mis- At night, I looked up at the sparkly sky and felt better. I dreamed I sion yet attempted. By the end of could fly there. In America, I can make all my dreams come true. . . 349 days in Mars orbit, 7,329 Thank you for the ‘Spirit’ and the ‘Opportunity.’ images had been relayed back to Earth. At right, Collis shakes hands with NASA The Viking program Administrator Sean The possibility of life on Mars O’Keefe at a celebration congratulating her for was still an irresistible mystery, naming the Mars rovers. and the Viking program was SSC plays vital role in history of NASA space flight Main Engine operation represents a significant fired for a full achievement for the only reusable liquid rocket eight-and-a-half engine in the world,” said Dave Geiger, SSC minutes, the site director for The Boeing Co., which manu- duration neces- factures the SSME at its Rocketdyne sary to power a Propulsion and Power unit in Canoga Park, Shuttle from Calif. “The energy and reliability demonstrated launch to orbit. by this engine is representative of all the mag- Testing had also nificent people who have worked on this amaz- begun on engines ing propulsion device since its beginning.” for NASA’s first NASA chose SSC (then the Mississippi Shuttle mission, A cloud of extremely hot steam boils out of the flame Test Facility) to conduct all sea-level testing of STS-1, Space deflector at the A-1 test stand during a test firing of a SSMEs on March 1, 1971, following the cen- Shuttle Space Shuttle Main Engine at SSC. ter’s experience in successfully testing the Columbia. On Apollo/Saturn V boosters that took Americans April 12, 1981, ne of the foremost rocket test programs to the Moon. By 1974 engineers were busy Columbia suc- in the history of America began June converting the stands to test SSMEs. In cessfully lifted O24, 1975, when engineers at NASA February 1975 a off from Kennedy Space Shuttle Endeavour Stennis Space Center (SSC) performed the first Memorandum of Space Center, thunders into space, powered ignition test of a Space Shuttle Main Engine Agreement for the Fla. by three main engines and (SSME). Space Shuttle Program The Shuttle two solid rocket boosters. Twenty-eight years and 1 million seconds was signed between engine flying Stennis Space Center tests all of testing and flight operations later, the SSME SSC and NASA’s now – and the main engines that power the is a safer, stronger and more reliable engine manager of SSME one that success- orbiter during its 8 and 1/2 than the one that flew on STS-1, NASA’s first testing, Marshall fully reached the minute flight to orbit. Shuttle mission. STS stands for Space Space Flight Center. millionth second Transportation System, which includes all com- By the time the of testing and flight operations – incorporates ponents of the Space Shuttle, including the 500th SSME test was the modifications made to the SSME without SSMEs, the orbiter, the external fuel tank and conducted on Nov. 26, changing the basic operation of the staged the solid rocket boosters. 1980, the main propul- A remote camera cap- combustion, liquid hydrogen-fueled engine. Rigorous testing, important to any flight sion system’s three- tures a close-up view of a The result is a safe, strong, reliable, thoroughly program, is used to verify an engine is ready to engine cluster had SSME during a test firing tested engine that is ready to return the Space fly. “One million seconds of Space Shuttle been successfully test at SSC. Shuttle to flight.

TEST . . . reducing operating temperature and Above left, Bill Continued from Page 1 pressures. A new high-pressure fuel Parsons (center) turbopump was also developed. former SSC director The SSME has gone through The SSME tested during the mil- who now serves as major upgrades since the first Space lionth second of firing is a flight manager of the Shuttle flight in 1981 through the engine scheduled for launch on Space Shuttle first flight of the “Block II” SSME in Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-121, Program, presented 2001. The most important modifica- which will be NASA’s second Space tokens of the tions were safety, reliability and life- Shuttle Mission after Return to millionth second span improvements in turbopump test to SSC Director Flight. Adm. Tom components – and improved sensors. The Rocketdyne Propulsion and Donaldson (left) and As recently as 1998, engineers Power division of The Boeing Co. of Marshall Space developed and tested a large-throat Canoga Park, Calif., manufactures Flight Center main combustion chamber, which the SSME. Marshall Space Flight Director Dave King. improved the SSME’s reliability by Center in Huntsville, Ala., manages At lower left, SSC Deputy Director David Throck- At left, NASA morton (left), Astronauts Jerry Donaldson, Parsons Ross (left) and and William Readdy, Chris Ferguson NASA Associate help inspire Administrator, astronauts of the Office of Space future attending Flight, address the millionth- members of the second test. media. STARC contract called winning situation for SSC, workers cigarette butts, bottle caps and cash register “The clients are very happy to be there,” said receipts, among other things. Elenora Crawford, STARC’s assistant program Under the supervision of Brad Beard, clients coordinator. “The work is meaningful for them; Burnal Lawrence Jr., Calvin Cousin, Vincent they get interaction with SSC staff, who couldn’t Leto, James Ferguson and be nicer. They feel very fortu- Dwayne Smith have been busy ‘The site benefits from nate.” picking up litter around various the STARC personnel The temporary contract NASA buildings. The crew taking on the task of lasted from July to September, also points out potential safety policing the grounds, and then was renewed in October hazards and maintenance for Fiscal Year 2004. NASA’s needs. the local community Bob Jeffries, chief, Institu- benefits because this group Vincent Leto (left), James Ferguson and Calvin Cousin, Each crew member earns a tional Services Division, of members of the STARC crew, police the grounds around paycheck, vacation time and of remarkable individuals SSC’s Center Operations Building 1203 at NASA Stennis Space Center. benefits. has a chance to be Directorate, helped imple- STARC is a private, non- productive.’ ment the contract. 6-month-old relationship between profit association based in “The STARC program is Mississippi Space Services (MSS) and Slidell, La. Founded in 1972, it provides services an MSS initiative that NASA endorsed,” Jeffries Athe St. Tammany Association for and support that help people with mental retarda- said. “It’s one of those local community outreach Retarded Citizens Inc. (STARC) has already tion or developmental disabilities reach their programs that exemplifies a true win-win situa- been hailed a win-win situation. potential as independent, contributing members tion. The site benefits from the STARC person- Since July, five STARC clients have worked of society. It provides services to more than 400 nel taking on the task of policing the grounds, three days a week at NASA Stennis Space individuals in four Louisiana parishes through its and the local community benefits because this Center (SSC), picking up litter. In that time, the programs, and maintains three community group of remarkable individuals has a chance to crew has picked up more than 700 pounds of homes. be productive.”

Louisiana students see hybrid Girl Scout units earn rocket motor demonstration Aerospace badges At right, ninth- through twelfth-grade Below, Ceara Hall, 11, of Walker, La., tries her students from Ponchatoula High School in hand at the glove box inside a mock-up of Ponchatoula, La., watch a small hybrid the International Space Station. Hall and rocket motor demonstration conducted by fellow members of Girl Scout Service Unit aerospace engineer Bob Field when they 624 visited StenniSphere on Jan. 10. The Girl visited StenniSphere Dec. 18. Scouts from three Walker-area troops Research being done today will determine participated in activities that help them how hybrid rocket motors, which use a complete requirements toward their mixture of liquid and solid fuels, may one Aerospace Badges by seeing how day lift the spacecraft of the future. Star Scene at astronauts live and work in space.

Visitor Center Dillard Saturday Science Academy participates in Astro Camp activities At left, Corey Martin (left, foreground) and Charles Brumfield, both of New Orleans, La., are assisted in a flight activity by Astro Camp counselor Nate Gholston. Martin is a member of Dillard University’s Saturday Science Academy, which visited StenniSphere Dec. 13.

STENNISPHERE HOSTS THE JASON PROJECT Students can work with leading scientists to conduct real research on a learning adventure through the wonders of Panama’s rainforests – all from Stennis Space Center! StenniSphere will host live broadcasts of the JASON Project’s “Rainforest at the Crossroads” Jan. 26-Feb. 6 for qualified educators and their students. The JASON Project enhances the classroom experience by enabling students and their teachers to study Earth in real time. Through video, print and interactive online curriculum units, fourth- through ninth-grade students can literally look over researchers’ shoulders as they work, ask questions and assist in performing experiments. Donaldson nominated for Coast SSC begins implementation community leadership award stage of One NASA initiative ASA Stennis standing business Editor’s note: The following is one in a series of Lagniappe columns Space Center and community outlining the progress of the One NASA initiative. N(SSC) leaders in the Director Thomas Q. region. fter the successful rollout in Michele Beisler, Propulsion Test Donaldson V, RDML The nominations November, a new phase of Directorate; Craig Peterson, Earth USN (Ret) has been will be sent to a One NASA has begun at Science Applications Directorate; nominated to be a selection committee, A Stennis Space Center (SSC). Mike Rewis, Office of Safety and member of the South and the selected “This year, we will be entering Mission Assurance; Peter Sulyma, Mississippi winners will be into the implementation phase of Program Integration Office; and Outstanding announced at an our One NASA program,” said Ron Rebecca Strecker, Office of Community Leaders awards breakfast Magee, who leads One NASA External Affairs. Class of 2003. Feb. 12 at the efforts at SSC. NASA’s contractor community The awards are Edgewater Mall in Adm. Tom Donaldson To aid SSC in its implementa- will be included in steering this sponsored by the Biloxi. tion efforts, a steering committee effort through the NASA/NASA Biloxi (Miss.) Sun Herald Winners will be enshrined has been formed with representa- Contractor Forum. newspaper and its sister publi- in the Roland Weeks Hall of tives from various organizations “It is essential that we include cation, the Journal of South Fame, named for the longtime within NASA. everyone in the NASA family in Mississippi Business. The pub- Sun Herald publisher and Gulf The members are: John Roth, moving One NASA from recom- lications aim to recognize out- Coast resident. Business Management Directorate; mendations to reality,” Magee said.

PLAN . . . lunar surface by 2008, with a human mission as roughly $1 billion Continued from Page 1 early as 2015, “with the goal of living and spread over the next The President’s Plan working there for increasingly extended periods five years. „ Complete International Space Station by 2010, of time.” The President Second, the United States will begin devel- retire Space Shuttle also announced the oping a new manned exploration vehicle, called Bush said lunar exploration could lead to formation of a com- „ Develop and test new the Crew Exploration Vehicle. The first craft to new technologies or the harvesting of raw mate- Crew Exploration Vehicle by rials that might be turned into rocket fuel or mission, headed by explore beyond Earth orbit since the Apollo 2008, with first flight by 2014 breathable air. former Secretary of days, the spacecraft would be developed and „ Return to the Moon by “With the experience and knowledge gained the Air Force Pete tested by 2008 and conduct its first manned 2020, with robotic explo- on the Moon,” he said, “we will then be ready Aldrich, to advise ration by 2008 mission no later than 2014. to take the next steps of space exploration: him on the imple- „ Plan extended human Though its main purpose would be to leave human missions to Mars and to worlds mentation of the new missions as early as 2020 Earth orbit, the vehicle would also ferry astro- beyond.” vision. nauts to and from the International Space The proposed funding for the new explo- Bush closed by Station after the shuttle is retired. ration initiative will total $12 billion over the acknowledging the sacrifices of fallen astro- “Our third goal,” Bush said, “is to return to next five years, with much of it coming from nauts and looking to the future. the Moon by 2020, as the launching point for reallocation of $11 billion within NASA’s cur- “We choose to explore space because doing missions beyond.” rent five-year budget. The President called on so improves our lives and lifts our national spir- He proposed sending robotic probes to the Congress to increase the agency’s budget by it,” Bush said. “So let us continue the journey.” NASA headquarters restructures management following Bush plan n a move designed to align the ties and direct the identification, Administrator will be streamlined to – The Office of the Chief agency with the new exploration development, and validation of allow for more independent leader- Information Officer is established to Iagenda outlined by President exploration systems and related ship in areas vital to the execution of manage the agency’s Information George W. Bush, NASA Deputy technologies. NASA’s vision and mission. Among Technology (IT) investments, lead Administrator Frederick D. Gregory Dr. J. Victor Lebacqz is the new the changes, four new independent the development of an IT strategic announced a comprehensive restruc- Associate Administrator, Office of offices will be created, including: plan, and create a roadmap to guide turing of the offices within Aeronautics, previously known as – The Office of Chief Engineer the agency’s IT programs and poli- Headquarters in Washington. the Office of Aerospace Technology. is established to ensure agency cies The new alignment goes into He served as Acting Associate development efforts and mission – The Office of Institutional and effect immediately and reflects the Administrator of the Office of operations are planned and conduct- Corporate Management is estab- new vision and the results of a com- Aerospace Technology since July ed using sound engineering lished to lead the oversight of prehensive review of Headquarters 2003. The new Office of – The Office of Health and NASA’s management systems, insti- operations. Aeronautics was created to reflect Medical Systems is established to tutional, and corporate activities. Retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral NASA’s commitment to aviation ensure the well-being of the NASA Leadership for the new offices, Craig E. Steidle is the new Associate research and aeronautics technolo- workforce and to provide independ- as well as staffing requirements and Administrator, Office of Exploration gies for the nation’s civil and ent oversight authority for health- resource allocations, will be Systems. The Office of Exploration defense interests. care, related research and informa- addressed as the new alignment is Systems is established to set priori- The Office of the NASA tion implemented this calendar year. Avoid back injury by using NASA disability awareness training will be held 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. Jan. 30 in the lifting methods StenniSphere Auditorium. All NASA employees are asked to attend one of the sessions and learn about the accessibility options available and of the process for requesting accessibility. ack injuries are a leading cause of lost time from work. They can occur in all The ODIN Alliance will offer professional development training in the following applications: Bkinds of jobs, so it is important for every- Word 2000 Intermediate, Feb. 5; Outlook 2000 Introduction, Feb. 12; and Excel 2000 one to understand how to lift safely. Intermediate, Feb. 25. All classes are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, call (228) 688-2525. First, plan your lift by determining if the load is too heavy, too big or too awkward to move The Stennis Chapter of Blacks in Government (BIG) is offering a scholarship to the winner alone. Plan the route that is to be taken, looking of its 10th annual oratorical contest scheduled for 11 a.m.-1 p.m. March 17 in the StenniSphere for any potential problems such as a slippery or auditorium. The participants will deliver a speech to a panel of judges on the theme “Strategies uneven floor surface, or obstacles along the way. for Successful Youth Development.” The contest is open to students in grades 9 through 12. Don’t forget to look at the area where the load is Applications are due March 6. For more information, call Leigh Chambers at (228) 688-5654 to be placed to determine if there are any or e-mail [email protected]. obstructions that may cause problems. Astro Camp Saturday is now accepting applications for children ages 9-12 to attend the The following tips outline proper lifting March 20 camp themed “Mission to Mars” and the April 17 camp, “Rocketry 101.” The cost techniques: is $50, including lunch and supplies. Weekly summer Astro Camps will be held June 7-11, June „ Get as close as possible to the load. 21-25, June 28-July 2 and July 12-16 for ages 7 through 9, and July 19-23 and July 26-30 for „ Position your feet approximately shoulder- ages 10 through 12. Summer sessions are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more width apart. If necessary, straddle the load. information, call StenniSphere at (228) 688-2370. „ Always bend your knees. Never bend from the waist or stretch out your upper body. „ Squat down, and lift the load by using Roaming the Red Planet: the strength of your leg muscles, rather than your back. MARS 2004 „ Never twist your body when carrying a On Jan. 3, the rover Spirit landed on the Martian surface in search of load. If it is necessary to turn, move your feet, answers about the history of water on Mars. Its twin rover, rather than your body. Opportunity, landed Jan. 24. In support of NASA’s Mars Exploration „ Before you start to move with the load, be Program, LAGNIAPPE offers trivia questions about the mysterious sure you can see over it. Red Planet each issue during the rovers’ mission. „ When setting down the load, make sure you do not put strain on your back by bending What was NASA’s first successful Mars mission, and what did it accomplish? over. Squat down again if necessary. There’s no point in getting a back injury QQ.. by trying to be a hero with a heavy load. Get Mariner 4, launched Nov. 28, 1964, was the first spacecraft to obtain and transmit help if you need it. Two or more people can do close range images of Mars. The probe also conducted field and particle experiments, a team lift. Mechanical aids such as a hand A.A. including measurements of the Martian magnetic field, cosmic dust and cosmic rays, truck or pallet jack can also assist when lifting and the solar wind. The mission also provided NASA with experience in operational heavy loads. and engineering techniques required for long-term interplanetary missions.

LAGNIAPPE PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE John C. Stennis Space Center, National Aeronautics and PAID National Aeronautics and Space Administration Space Administration publishes LAGNIAPPE monthly. NEW ORLEANS LA PERMIT NO. 2877 Managing Editor ...... Paul Foerman Editor ...... Jenni Thompson Ervin John C. Stennis Space Center Comments or suggestions should be forwarded to: Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 LAGNIAPPE Office Official Business Building 1200, Room 208D Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 Penalty for Private Use $300 or call: (228) 688-3585

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