December 13, 2007 Vol. 12, No. 89 Teams designated to investigate Space station crew to discuss origin of tank problem changes due to delayed launch Shuttle Update: Two investiga- ask questions from participating NASA Last Chance for Shopping — tion teams have been set up to look at the locations. NASA Exchange has a 20-percent-off ECO sensor system on Atlantis' external At 10:10 a.m., Expedition 16 Com- sale through Dec. 21 on all wearable tank. The first is a near-term team to look mander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engi- items and memorabilia items. There is at the vehicle at the launch pad. The sec- neer Dan Tani will field questions from still time to purchase that great gift before ond is a longer-term team with experts reporters about upcoming events during a leaving for the holidays. Also, don't for- from all around the agency. The near- 20-minute news conference from aboard get to sign up for the weekly drawing term team has recommended doing an the station. The crew's activities are running through Dec. 21. instrumented tanking test, which is tenta- changing because space shuttle Atlantis' Holiday Open House tively scheduled for Dec. 18 at Kennedy. mission to the station has been delayed by RehabWorks — Join This will help the team observe what until January. Before that shuttle flight, a the staff between 10 a.m. happens when the tank is filled and try to Russian Progress resupply ship will dock and 1 p.m. on Dec. 18 in pinpoint the location of where the prob- to the complex on Dec. 26. the O&C/Room 1135 to lems are occurring. During the tanking At 1 p.m., space station managers celebrate the holidays and RehabWorks' test, the liquid hydrogen tank will be will hold a briefing that will originate 10th anniversary. Food and beverages, fully filled. from NASA's Johnson Space Center fea- injury handouts and giveaways, plus According to Shuttle Program Man- turing Kirk Shireman, International consultations will be provided. Don't ager Wayne Hale, "We're taking this step Space Station deputy program manager; miss the drawings for Thermophore Heat by step. We're going to go where the data Holly Ridings, Expedition 16 lead flight Packs, Biofreeze, Polos and more! leads us. We'll have a better idea of our director; and Ginger Kerrick, space sta- launch date after the tanking test is done. tion flight director. NASA Science — NASA's fleet of Right now, our launch is targeted for no Coffee Reminder — THEMIS satellites has made some sur- earlier than Jan. 2." Center Director Bill Parsons prising new discoveries about outbursts of Northern Lights and the source of their ISS Update: NASA will hold two invites all civil service and contactor employees to en- power. The discoveries began in March, news conferences today to discuss the less than a month after the THEMIS sat- status of the International Space Station joy refreshments and exchange greetings of the season with friends and co-workers ellites were activated. Findings include and the work of the Expedition 16 crew. giant magnetic ropes that connect Earth NASA Television will broadcast both at the KSC Learning Institute from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Friday. to the sun and explosions in the outskirts events live, and reporters will be able to of Earth's magnetic field. Read the full story at http://science.nasa.gov/headli- nes/y2007/11dec_themis.htm?list29875. Do You Know These Dates In History? Countdown is published every Tuesday & Thurs- Dec. 13, 1577: Sir Francis Drake began his voyage to circumnavigate the globe. day for NASA KSC employees. Deadlines are 10 a.m. Mondays & Wednesdays. E-mail news to Dec. 20, 1606: Three ships set sail from London en route to America where colo- [email protected]. For questions or nists would establish the first European colony at Jamestown, Va. information, e-mail or call 321-867-2815. You can also find Countdown on the Web at Dec. 21, 1913: The first crossword puzzle was published, in a supplement to the nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/countdown/co New York World. untdown-toc.html. www.nasa.gov .