+ June 19, 1998
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June 19, 1998 Vol. 37, No. 12 A Future Venture with Star Appeal Spaceport News America’s gateway to the universe. Leading the world in preparing and launching missions to Earth and beyond. John F. Kennedy Space Center FromMirtotheInternationalSpaceStation: Lessonslearnedlinklong-durationspaceflightlegacy This year, the United States assemble, and operate on orbit laboratory modules to Mir. and its International Space for more than a decade. In 1992, then U.S. President Station (ISS) How does such an George Bush and Russian partners will President Boris Yeltsin signed adventure begin? Artist’s concept embark upon an agreement for peaceful of VentureStar a journey of Years before the United cooperation in space. This historic States and its international historic agreement resulted in proportions: partners agreed to construct initial plans to fly an American by George Diller the assembly and operation of an International Space astronaut on Mir and two NASA, the U.S. Air the largest, most complex Station, the Soviet Union Russian cosmonauts on the Force and Spaceport structure ever placed in orbit. launched the core module of Space Shuttle. Russia’s space station Mir Florida partnered for a Constructing the station One year later, Vice will involve contributions from (which means “peace” in launch site selection visit President Al Gore and Russian 16 countries, include four Russian) on Feb. 20, 1986. The to Kennedy Space Center Prime Minister Victor research laboratories of Soviet Union and later the by VentureStar team Chernomyrdin announced the members on June 17. unprecedented capability, Russian Federation continued KSC payload represen- require 43 flights to fully to add capabilities and (See ISS, Page 6) tatives and Lockheed Mar- tin VentureStar staff had already begun a dialogue STS-91—aflightoffirstsandfarewells to examine how KSC’s payload infrastructure Three years after the orbiter Atlantis accomplished the first docking to the Russian Space Station Mir, the STS-91 crew aboard Discovery could be advantageous for concluded the ninth and final Shuttle-Mir mission. Joining the STS-91 the launch of this single- crew for the trip home was NASA astronaut Andy Thomas, the seventh stage-to-orbit vehicle. and final U.S. astronaut to serve as a Mir crew member, returning after At a technical inter- four and a half months in space. Thomas’ return marks the end of 977 total days in space for all U.S. astronauts who were Mir crew members change meeting and asso- (exceeding the time spent in space by our Space Shuttle fleet in its 17 ciated facilities tour May years of experience) and 812 consecutive days in space. The orbiter 12 through 14, KSC pay- Discovery is seen here making a perfect landing on June 12 on Runway load staff sought to under- 15 at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility, bringing Thomas home after 141 days in space. The 91st Shuttle mission was the 44th KSC landing in stand how the VentureStar the history of the Space Shuttle program and the 15th consecutive team plans to integrate landing at KSC. Main gear touchdown was at 2:00:18 p.m. EDT. payloads with the vehicle, while VentureStar person- nel learned more about how payloads are cur- rently processed, facilities available here and the ex- pertise that KSC has to of- fer. During the three-day visit, the group also toured two commercial payload processing facilities out- Discovery lifts off from Launch Pad 39A with the first new super lightweight external side KSC — Astrotech in tank at 6:06 p.m. EDT June 2. Discovery Titusville and Spacehab at spent four days docked to the Russian Port Canaveral — to learn Space Station Mir for the final Mir docking more about their particular mission. Discovery’s crew included Commander Charles Precourt; Pilot capabilities. Dominic Gorie; and Mission Specialists Wendy Lawrence, Franklin Chang-Diaz, (See Venture, Page 8) Janet Kavandi and Valery Ryumin. Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS June 19, 1998 Safety Day Draws Near Now less than a month away, KSC’s July 16 Super Safety Day has an agenda highlighting a variety of activities throughout the day, including live panel discussions, question-and- Fullerton, who piloted STS-3 answer periods, and displays (performing the only orbiter ranging from the importance of landing at White Sands, NM) personal protective equipment and commanded the 19th to stress management and mission — STS-51F. phone. An e-mail system also school violence. A panel that includes NASA will accept questions from employees will have an Due to the importance of the and contractor senior manage- across the center via computer opportunity to visit the vendor event, Cape Canaveral Air ment will lead into an open, link-up. After the morning sites before receiving visits by Station will be participating in live 45-minute question-and- activities, various events will astronauts and senior manage- the Super Safety Day activities answer period. be scheduled centerwide at ment. Then they will watch a as well. Since the safety Also participating in the each company’s or directorate’s rebroadcast of the first two philosophy at KSC embraces panel will be Brigadier discretion. hours of the safety program the need for safe practices both General Randy Starbuck from Senior management will that morning. on and off the job, a variety of Patrick Air Force Base. visit safety-related meetings Third shift also will watch a topics are under consideration Questions will be solicited throughout the afternoon, rebroadcast. To receive more for discussions throughout the from all KSC employees astronauts will visit information on Super Safety day. Opening the event at 8 starting on July 1. Members of employees, and vendors will Day activities and events, a.m. will be Center Director the live audience in the have booths set up around check out the Web site at http:// Roy Bridges, followed by Training Auditorium also can KSC for informational ww.ksc.nasa.gov/nasa-only/ keynote speaker Gordon submit questions via micro- purposes. Second-shift events/1998/Jul/safety.html Giveyourkidssomespacethissummer! A new day camp program at The Delaware North Park Visitor KSC’s Visitor Complex offers Services education department Complex, parents an opportunity to give piloted the program in April hot lunches, their kids a little space this and, due to its success, is afternoon snacks, summer. offering it again in weekly building a rocket It’s the KSC Space Scholars sessions from June 8 through model, IMAX program — a week-long drop- July 31. films, transpor- off program for children eight Each camp, led by a team of tation to destina- KSC Space Scholars pose between activities for a group to 12 years of age. trained teachers and educa- tions around photo in the Shuttle Plaza at KSC’s Visitor Complex. “Space scholars play and tors, includes five days KSC, a person- basically have a blast with of learning activities at KSC’s alized KSC Space Scholars to 5 p.m. and early drop-off is kids their own certificate, an official KSC available for an additional fee age as they Space Scholars tee-shirt and a of $25 a week. The cost of the explore scientific mission patch. camp is $230 per week, with a principles, try on In addition, kids touch real 10 percent discount for sibling authentic Apollo spacecraft artifacts and enrollment as well as for KSC spacesuits, visit hardware, play interactive and Cape Canaveral Air KSC historical games under the giant Saturn Station employees (only one destinations and V full-size moon rocket, discount per camper). The engage in a explore space careers while camper to instructor ratio is number of sitting in the shadow of Space 10-to-one or better, allowing creative, Shuttle “Explorer,” investigate campers to receive a lot of interactive modules of the International individual attention. activities and art Space Station, perform hands- For more information or if projects,” said on experiments showcasing you have any questions about Billy Specht, the science of spaceflight, the Space Scholar program, manager of edu- attend daily mission briefings, contact Billy Specht or Katha cation at and meet and learn from KSC Endress at 449-4360. You can KSC’s Visitor Each kid deserves a little space of her own and the space travel experts. also e-mail Billy Specht at Complex. inspiration to get there at Kennedy Space Center. The camp runs from 9 a.m. [email protected]. June 19, 1998 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 1997 Kennedy Space Center Honor Awards In December 1997, the Space Shuttle Endeavour rolled out to Launch Pad 39A in final preparation for liftoff of the STS-89 mission in January 1998. On this flight, Mission Specialist Andy Thomas succeeded David Wolf as the last NASA astronaut to stay aboard the Russian Space Station Mir. The Kennedy Space Center Honor Awards Ceremony was held June 17 in the Visitor Complex Imax II Theater. More than 200 employees were recognized for their efforts in 1997 that contributed significantly to helping achieve the Center’s mission. Among the honors presented were the KSC Director’s Award, the Equal Opportunity Award and Medal, two Presidential Rank Awards, the Secretary of the Year Award, Outstanding Leadership Medals, and four Service Awards. Individual and group awards also recognized contributions centerwide. KSC Director’s Award KSC Distinguished Service Medal The Director’s Award is the The Distinguished Service Medal highest award that the Center is awarded to any person in the confers upon an employee. The federal service who, by award honors the accomplish- distinguished service, ability or ment of a job-related task of such courage, has personally made a magnitude and merit that it contribution representing sub- deserves special recognition. stantial progress to the NASA Saul Barton was recognized for mission.