+ March 18, 2005

March 18, 2005 Vol. 44, No. 6 Spaceport News America’s gateway to the universe.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/snews/spnews_toc.html John F. Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy technology helps GlobalFlyer set world record By Jennifer Wolfinger Staff Writer

early 70 years ago, Amelia Earhart bravely Nattempted to fly around the world. Following in her trail, Virgin Atlantic’s GlobalFlyer aircraft recently used some of Kennedy Space Center’s tech- nologies to set the record for the first solo non-stop flight around Earth. Through NASA’s Space Based Telemetry and Range THE GLOBALFLYER (above) Safety (STARS) project, led by lands in Salinas, Kansas, after a Lisa Valencia, KSC offered 67-hour flight. video transmission of pilot Steve AT LEFT, NASA personnel involved Fossett during the historical with the historic flight include, from 25,000-mile flight. left: Chris Forney, Jennifer Murray “The team also distributed and Rich Nelson of NASA KSC; the cockpit’s video signal to Steve Bundick, NASA Wallops Kansas’ Mission Control, and Flight Facility; James Dumoulin, provided streaming video, audio NASA KSC; Philip Grassa, Scaled and still images,” said Richard Composites; Lisa Valencia, Erik Nelson, KSC’s chief of the Denson, Michael Downs and Dr. Range Systems Design and James Simpson, all of NASA KSC; Greg Coombs, Honeywell; and Jan Development Branch. “Overall, Zysko, NASA KSC. STARS demonstrates the capa- bility of a space-based platform to provide communication and tracking support for various continuous circumnavigation by exceed speeds of 285 miles per descent. launch vehicles.” one pilot and no passengers. It hour. The GlobalFlyer has a 114- After the successful flight, The aircraft is a single- weighs roughly 22,000 pounds foot wingspan and uses drag Nelson commented: “KSC’s engine model designed for when fully fueled and can parachutes to slow down on final technology did better than expected. It wasn’t expected to last the entire duration of the Bush nominates Griffin as new NASA administrator flight, but it surpassed every- resident George W. Bush companies that serve national thing we had in mind.” announced his intention security interests. Earlier in his On Feb. 28, Fossett began his PMarch 11 to nominate career, Griffin served as chief flight from Salina Airport in Michael D. Griffin to be NASA’s engineer at NASA and as deputy Kansas, which happens to be 11th administrator. Griffin for technology at the Strategic Earhart’s home state. currently serves as Space Depart- Defense Initiative Organization. Once the jet stream and ment head at Johns Hopkins He received a bachelor’s weather conditions were satisfac- University Applied Physics degree in physics from Johns tory for flight, Fossett boarded Laboratory. Prior to his current Hopkins University; a master’s the small quarters he’d call home position, Griffin was CEO of In- degree in aerospace science from for the next 67 hours. He pre- Q-Tel, a non-profit enterprise Catholic University of America; dicted the journey would take 66 funded by the Central Intelli- and a Ph.D. in aerospace engi- hours. gence Agency to work with neering from the University of Fossett sat in a reclining seat cutting-edge technological Maryland, among other degrees. Dr. Michael D. Griffin (See GLOBAL, Page 2) Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS March 18, 2005 Kennedy Space Center maintains awaiting their launch companion. its leadership in the future of And if that wasn’t enough, space exploration. approximately seven days later, If you can’t attend, the event Discovery will roll out to Pad The will be broadcast on our closed- 39B to await its launch in May. circuit NASA TV and it will also Again, if you come to or tune in be available on the Web. to the Mar. 24 all hands, you’ll Awards Kennedy The next two weeks are going hear more about this in detail. to be filled with excitement for I want to put a plug in for our the Space Shuttle Program, as upcoming KSC picnic, taking Update well. First, the External Tank for place April 9 at KARS 1. If you Jim Kennedy STS-121 arrived Tuesday at the haven’t been before, it’s a blast. Center Director turn basin so it can be prepared Last year, nearly 8,000 people for the scheduled July launch of attended. reetings, folks! What an nity. Atlantis. But that was just the It’s loads of fun for the exciting couple of weeks Speaking of leaders, there is a opening act for the hard-working family, with great food and Git’s been, especially with super opportunity approaching folks in the Shuttle processing drinks, music, games for the kids the president nominating Dr. for the KSC work force to hear realm. and visits by astronauts. If it isn’t Michael Griffin as the new from one of our highest leaders Next week, after two years of on your calendar, you should put NASA administrator. While I in government. Congressman preparation, Space Shuttle it on now. I hope to see you know Congress still needs to Dave Weldon, who represents Discovery will roll from Orbiter there. confirm the nomination, I believe areas of KSC, will join me for an Processing Facility bay 3 to the If you didn’t realize it, we Dr. Griffin is an excellent choice. all hands from 1 to 2 p.m. March Vehicle Assembly Building. have less than 60 days until the I’ve been fortunate to work 24 at the training auditorium. Discovery will be mated with its opening of Discovery’s launch with Dr. Griffin in the past and Discussions will center on External Tank and Solid Rocket window. I can’t wait. Have super look forward to serving with him Return to Flight, the Vision for Boosters that are already there week, everyone! as NASA safely returns the Space Space Exploration and KSC’s Shuttle to flight and carries out future. GLOBAL The rules insisted the aircraft the Vision for Space Exploration. While attendance is totally must take off and land from the During his career, he’s worked voluntary, I believe if you come (Continued from Page 1) same airfield, cross all global with our professional KSC work you’ll receive tremendous in the main fuselage, directly meridians and 80 waypoints and force on many occasions, so I insight into what Congress is behind the nose landing gear and go beyond 23,000 miles, which is look forward to his return trip to discussing about the vision. below the main engine. Potential the length of the imaginary KSC to reacquaint himself with Also, he will be able to provide noise problems because of the Tropic of Cancer line. After the Center and interact with our information on how Florida is engine’s proximity were rem- landing, Global Positioning tremendous Space Coast commu- positioning itself to ensure the edied with noise barriers and System records verified the absorbers. requirements were met. Pressurization of GlobalFlyer followed the jet- March Employees of the Month GlobalFlyer’s cabin created a stream winds toward the United cabin altitude of 10,000 feet, Kingdom and headed across the although the aircraft was actually Mediterranean before turning at 45,000 feet. To ensure toward Pakistan, India, China Fossett’s safety, KSC loaned its and Japan. The flight’s final Personal Cabin Pressure Monitor, portion crossed the Pacific which recognizes potentially danger- GlobalFlyer followed the jet-stream winds ous or deteriorating toward the United Kingdom and headed cabin pressure across the Mediterranean before turning conditions and alerts toward Pakistan, India, China and Japan. the pilot of the need for supplemental oxygen. toward Hawaii before crossing However, because of the America’s West Coast and exceedingly loud cockpit noise, returning to Kansas. Fossett wouldn’t notice if the Waypoints on the flight original alarm sounded, so the included Montreal, London, monitor was upgraded with a Paris, Rome, Cairo, Bahrain, body-shaking system to catch his Karachi, Calcutta, Shanghai, attention. Tokyo, Honolulu and Los The Federation Aeronautique Angeles. Fossett crossed major Internationale (the World Air flight routes, so he was visible to STANDING IN the back row, from left, are: Pete Carrion, Chief Financial Sports Federation) established some commercial airline passen- Office; and Robert Ruiz, ISS/Payload Processing. Sitting in the front row, gers. The aircraft wasn’t easily from left, are: Dunamis Pedrasa, Procurement Office; Sherald Jordan, rigid record-setting guidelines Cape Canaveral Spaceport Management Office/U.S. Air Force; Teresa for the GlobalFlyer team. Once visible from the ground, but Strobush, Information Technology and Communication Services; and Miros the single flight was completed, onlookers could see its conden- Guisbert, Spaceport Services. at least three records were set. sation trail. March 18, 2005 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 Recognizing Our People New role as Equal Opportunity director inspires Gillam

By Linda Herridge of many parts. When diversity is TARA GILLAM, Staff Writer an element of the organization’s director of the makeup, the sum of those parts is Office of Equal ara Gillam sees her new exponentially greater,” Gillam Opportunity, will rely on the special position as director of said. “Through diversity in the emphasis groups TKennedy Space Center’s work force, we all benefit from at KSC to ensure new Office of Equal Opportunity new ideas, ingenuity and diver- that she (OEO) as a chance to step in and sity of thought.” represents their leave her own personal legacy on Another goal is to increase diverse views at diversity management. the use of alternative dispute senior “I hope to incorporate resolution to manage work place management diversity and equal opportunity conflicts. According to Gillam, forums. Before management into more of KSC’s resolving conflicts through working at the Center, Gillam strategic planning and decision mediation brings the parties and worked for 17 making,” said Gillam. the issues to the table. This way, years at the Gillam’s goals include communication and understand- National Institutes changing the work force’s ing are emphasized and relation- of Health in perception that the OEO is ships between parties can be Bethesda, Md. limited to processing discrimina- restored and maintained. tion complaints. “While discrimi- Before coming to KSC in nation complaints are an impor- 2002, Gillam worked for 17 tant part of the office’s responsi- years at the National Institutes of bilities, there is a much broader Health in Bethesda, Md., as an role. Our outreach efforts will employee relations specialist and help to educate the work force on later as a supervisor. For three the mission of our office,” years prior to becoming the new Gillam said. OEO director, Gillam worked as has a bachelor’s degree, with a husband, Daniel, is district Gillam plans to rely heavily a specialist in KSC’s Human dual major in psychology and ranger for the Canaveral Na- on the special-emphasis groups Resources Office. sociology, from the Regents tional Seashore. Her interests at KSC to ensure that she under- Gillam earned a law degree College of the University of the include NASCAR, fishing, stands their needs and represents from the American University State of New York. kayaking and enjoying the their diverse views at senior Washington College of Law in Gillam is married and has two outdoors. management forums. Washington, and is a member of sons, ages 20 and 17. Her “An organization is the sum the Florida Bar Association. She All Points employee shows life-saving bravery By Jeff Stuckey slammed on his all the time and this was not a big KEVAN Editor DONEWALD safely brakes, threw aside deal.” pulled a woman out the contents of his Emergency crews responded hen we hear stories of of this canal. pockets, kicked off shortly afterward and treated the someone witnessing an his shoes and woman. Donewald was still Waccident and immedi- jumped in the covered with mud and “green ately acting to rescue a stranger, water. He tried to slime” when he arrived at his we can only hope we’d move as open the vehicle’s appointment and asked for some quickly without thinking. door, but there was towels to wash up. Kevan Donewald, an All- too much pressure A former fire chief, Donewald Points Logistics employee, found against it. One of has been quick to respond to himself in this heart-pounding the windows was other emergencies. He recently situation last month as he was down, so Donewald came to the rescue of a woman heading to a doctor’s appoint- pulled a woman out being attacked by two dogs. He ment from work and driving west and safely led her has also revived an 18-month- on NASA Causeway. to shore. old baby who choked on a hot He’d just passed the new “It was nothing dog and saved a woman who was traffic signal after the Visitor’s that any of us ejected out of her vehicle and Complex when a vehicle driving shouldn’t do when into a tree. alligator- and snake-infested east crossed the medium in front the need arises,” Donewald said. “I think we all need to take canal along the causeway. of Donewald’s vehicle, hit an “Things like this happen to me care of each other any way embankment and landed in the With no hesitation, Donewald possible,” Donewald said. Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS March 18, 2005 FIRST Robotics Florida Regional inspi By Jeff Stuckey daughter, Kevin and Katy, were games played by remote-con- Editor busy working on the team’s trolled robots designed and built robot while their father praised in six weeks by a team of 15 to alk about progress. When this year’s team. Katy, a junior 25 high school students, who United Space Alliance who is home schooled, took a receive help from engineers and Temployee Chris Weldon moment to reflect on the compe- mentors. Competitions involve discusses the advancements his tition. 40 to 70 teams cheered by For Inspiration and Recognition “I’ve had a great experience thousands of fans over two and a of Science and Technology and have met a lot of friends,” half days. (FIRST) robotics team made over Katy said. “Everybody is so Judges present awards to the past four years, his infectious willing to help each other out. teams for design, technology, smile shows his pride in the The reason I started this program sportsmanship and commitment Merritt Island High School was to learn about computers. to FIRST. students who comprise Team This has shown me many inter- Michael Lane, an electrical 801. esting areas in the field, so I’ve engineer for NASA and mentor “It’s all about trial and error,” decided to pursue a degree in for the Kennedy Space Center- said Weldon, an information computer science.” sponsored Pink Team, is also management engineer. “Four With the Florida legislature proud to guide the next genera- years ago, this team finished 43rd currently in session, Gov. Jeb tion of explorers: “You mentor out of 46 teams, the next year Bush took time out of his busy the students to where they learn 26th place and last year sixth schedule to welcome the students part of a trade during six weeks,” place. Then this year, we won to the regional event. Lane said. “Through design, first place at the Peachtree “I came to tell you I want to building, fabrication and testing, regional. We won’t let up our be like Woody when I grow up,” it is a proving ground for what guard.” Bush said, referring to FIRST co- you learn over the six weeks. Weldon’s Team 801 and 46 founder Woody Flowers, also in After the first practice day, you other high school groups partici- attendance. “I hope you have a learn a lot and try to tweak parts pated in the 2005 FIRST Robot- lot of fun, but also take the skills as you go.” ics Florida Regional on March 11 that you learn in this process and The NASA Pink Team’s robot at the University of Central dream the biggest possible driver, Sean Argo, and his There are a lot of great robots Florida Arena. The competition dreams. teammates were excited after here and it’s good to see such a combines the excitement of “Make sure those dreams opening the competition with a great turnout in our first compe- sports with science and technol- come true in Florida,” he said. win. tition.” ogy to help high school students “Don’t go somewhere else when “We worked out some kinks KSC co-sponsors the regional discover the rewarding and you graduate from high school. with the robot yesterday, and event with the University of engaging world of innovation Make sure you stay here so our today everything is running Central Florida, along with many and engineering. state will continue to prosper.” smoothly,” Argo said. “It was industry partners. KSC Director Weldon’s twin son and The competition stages short refreshing to start out so well. Jim Kennedy said he’s thankful

AT LEFT, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush talks to members of the KSC-sponsored Pink Team before its opening match at the FIRST Robotics Florida Regional.

BELOW, Pink Team member and robot driver Sean Argo (fifth from left with wig and sunglasses) concentrates on his teamís opening match, while mentor Andy Bradley (with headband and sunglasses) discusses strategy with an alliance team member. March 18, 2005 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 5 ires next generation of explorers REMOTE-CONTROLLED robots face off at the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology competition. The event stages short games played by robots designed by high school students and their mentors.

AT RIGHT, the pits are busy as teams repair and adjust their robots during competition. Judges present awards to teams for design, technology, sportsmanship and commitment to FIRST.

of the roles the engineers and the next generation of explorers when I toured the pits where the asked them what they did when mentors provide to the students. on their own time to help them damaged robots are repaired and everything worked perfectly. “The way these KSC employ- get inspired about math, science the KSC-sponsored Pink Team “Their answer was profound: ees give their time and knowl- and technology is a very inspira- 233, made up of students from ‘We go out and help our friends edge reminds me of the generos- tional thought for me.” Cocoa Beach and Rockledge on the other teams.’ Are we ity of the NASA family,” Kennedy said he continues to High Schools, were like the helping to ingrain integrity in the Kennedy said. “It is not just a job be impressed with the enthusi- Maytag repair man,” he said. youth of this nation? Yes, I think with these people, it’s a passion. asm of the students. “Their robot performed beauti- we are.” The fact that they can invest in “What I will never forget is fully and did not need repair, so I

PINK TEAM members cheer on their robot during the FIRST Florida Regional. The team, CENTER DIRECTOR Jim Kennedy (left) talks to NASA electrical comprised of students from Cocoa Beach and Rockledge High Schools, won the event. engineer Mike Lane about the teamís robot. Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS March 18, 2005 Workshops on NASA's Core Values aids Center's future he Change Leaders have a culture that I’ve been Network is leading a series proud of for 35 years and we, Tof workshops to promote together, will make it better.” NASA’s Core Values, which Meade told the audience the include safety, the NASA family, NASA values will be woven excellence and integrity. The into the Agency as it moves workshops are designed to forward. “These cultural collect input that will positively enhancements are very founda- influence the Center’s future. tional to the transformation Already under way, the “Core activities that are going on Values Emphasis Project” within NASA.” involves a group of employees in Summing up the NASA a two-hour, facilitator-led group changes, Jennings acknowl- session. Participation in the edged the transformation focus group will strengthen the depends on the leadership of understanding of the Core SUSAN KROSKEY (center), Change Leaders Network senior executive advisor, the Agency. Values, which are a critical leads a "Core Values Emphasis Project" workshop. “We definitely have the cultural element supporting the support of the KSC Core Values for Institutions and Asset leadership in place at KSC to Agency’s success. initiative.” Management Jim Jennings and make this a reality. Everybody “I am thrilled the CLN has Agency administrators KSC Change Manager Phil understands what good man- been given the opportunity to addressed these values and Meade - agreed that changes will agement is and how they feel develop and implement the Core NASA’s ongoing culture trans- take time and will ensure success when they are respected and Values Emphasis Project,” said formation during an all hands for the Vision for Space Explora- listened to at work,” Jennings Susan Kroskey, CLN senior meeting March 7 at the KSC TV tion. said. executive advisor. “They have Auditorium. Broadcast to the “We are starting off with a Employees are encouraged developed a first-class focus Center on NASA TV, officials at beautiful and rich culture in this to view the “NASA Core Values group experience to learn more the all hands - including Center Agency,” Kennedy said. “My Video” at http:// about our Core Values. I’m very Director Jim Kennedy, NASA view is we are changing this www.ksc.nasa.gov/nasa-only/ proud of CLN’s contributions in Deputy Associate Administrator culture from good to great. We internal.html. Meeting will address NASA's New Horizons mission By Michael Buckley the Web at http:// first voyage into ARTIST'S CONCEPT John Hopkins University spacescience.nasa.gov/admin/ the “third zone” of of the New Horizons Applied Physics Lab pubs/plutoeis/index.htm, or in the Solar System spacecraft. the KSC library. known as the n March 1930 the Lowell On March 29 and 30, NASA Kuiper Belt, Observatory in Arizona will host meetings at the Florida populated by Iannounced the discovery of a Solar Energy Center in Cocoa, smaller, icy objects small, odd world, roaming where the public can comment different than the beyond the known planets in a on the DEIS and learn more rocky inner planets region barely visible through the about the proposed mission and or the outer gas most powerful telescopes. the steps NASA is taking in giants. The Na- Seventy-five years later, that deciding whether or not to tional Academy of historic find – Pluto – remains conduct the launch. Sciences placed the almost as much of a mystery as it After these National Environ- exploration of the was then. No spacecraft has ever mental Policy Act reviews, if third zone in visited it, and not even the NASA decides to proceed with general, and Pluto- Hubble Space Telescope can spot the mission, the spacecraft would Charon in particular, in its According to the DEIS, the details on its rocky, icy surface. await presidential approval to highest-priority planetary most likely outcome is a success- Yet with NASA’s New Horizons launch in January. mission ranking for this decade. ful launch. A less likely sce- mission, now in development and After launch aboard an Atlas The power source for the nario, a non-radiological launch planning for liftoff in January V, New Horizons would cross the spacecraft, a Radioisotope accident, would result in the 2006 from Launch Complex 41, entire span of the Solar System in Thermoelectric Generator (RTG), same potential impacts as other the Agency looks to unlock one record time, and conduct flyby uses heat from the decay of expendable launch vehicle of the Solar System’s last, great studies of Pluto and its moon, plutonium dioxide to produce accidents. planetary secrets. Charon, in 2015. The seven electricity. The DEIS examines The least-likely scenarios A Draft Environmental science instruments on the potential environmental impacts include an accident resulting in a Impact Statement (DEIS) for the piano-sized probe would shed under three scenarios: a normal radiological release, though New Horizons mission has been light on the bodies’ surface launch; a launch accident with safety studies indicate that most released for a 45-day public properties, geology, interior no radiological release from the releases would not harm people. comment period that ends April makeup and atmospheres. RTG; and a launch accident 11. The document is available on It would mark humankind’s involving a radiological release. March 18, 2005 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 7 Parsons shows confidence in Return to Flight progress Shuttle Program manager updates SPACE SHUTTLE Program Manager Bill National Space Club in Cocoa Beach Parsons addressed guests and members By Jeff Stuckey director Jim Kennedy, co- of the National Space Editor chairmen Bill Readdy and Ret. Club Florida Navy Adm. Walt Cantrell, as well Committee at its he confident stride of as Safety and Mission Assurance March meeting. Space Shuttle Program director Bryan O’Connor and TManager Bill Parsons as he other top Agency officials. spoke at the recent National Kennedy, in attendance at the Space Club Florida Committee meeting, was acknowledged for meeting showed his faith in a his leadership in preparing the safe return to flight. His assuring work force for the upcoming words also reflected his pride in missions. Discovery’s progress for launch. Parsons said current open “I am here to tell you today as recommendations from the CAIB the Shuttle Program manager, it’s report include External Tank good to be us,” Parsons pro- modifications, on-vehicle ascent claimed at the March 8 meeting imagery, and Thermal Protection at the DoubleTree Hotel in Cocoa System on-orbit inspection and Beach. repair. “It’s been a tough two years, “Most of this work is com- but NASA is glad to be where we plete,” he said. “We’ve packaged during ascent, including near- progress with testing.” are today.” He used a series of it and sent it to the Stafford- range, mid-range, large-range Parsons emphasized that charts and photographs to update Covey Task Group for them to and other cameras on the these techniques should not be the group about STS-114, look at.” The Stafford-Covey ground,” he said. “We also have necessary but will be available in beginning with NASA’s response Task Group is overseeing two aircraft that will fly for at flight. to the Columbia Accident NASA’s return to flight activi- least the next two Shuttle flights The launch window is Investigation Board (CAIB) ties. Parsons next reviewed what that will take pictures as it goes currently May 15 to June 3 for a recommendations. he referred to as “all you need to uphill.” Additional cameras are daylight liftoff to rendezvous “NASA immediately began an know about Return to Flight”: on the orbiter, External Tank and with the International Space implementation plan that is the flight rationale chart for STS- Solid Rocket Boosters. Station. The next window for this updated on a regular basis and 114, which details the steps that Parsons gives much of the mission, or for STS-121 if we’ve done that over the last two must be accomplished before credit for being prepared to mission STS-114 is completed on years,” Parsons said. “We flight. perform on-orbit tile repair to schedule, is from July 12 to July currently closed out seven of the “We’ve been following this Boeing and Thiokol, who, 31. Return to Flight recommenda- since day one,” Parsons said. “without even NASA asking, “After that, the opportunities tions, and have eight more to “The first one is Primary Hazard heard Reinforced Carbon-Carbon get very narrow,” Parsons said. go.” Control, meaning elimination of repair was something on our “Most of the remaining opportu- In addition, NASA created the critical debris. That’s the plate, began researching it, and nities are only a couple of days, Spaceflight Leadership Council, changes we’ve made to the have come up with some pretty and we would like to have a five- which oversees the implementa- External Tank and other areas of good techniques for any possible day window (to launch). But it tion of the CAIB recommenda- the vehicle. repair. Again, this is not certi- would be possible to do this in tions. The council includes KSC “The next is impact detection fied, but we’re making good three days.” Launch simulation keeps team sharp n Firing Room 1 at KSC, Space Shuttle launch team members put the Shuttle system through an end-to-end Mis Ision Management Team (MMT) launch simulation. The control room is set up with software used to simulate flight and ground systems in the launch configuration. The simulation included L-2 and L-1 day prelaunch MMT meetings, an external tanking/weather briefing, and a launch countdown. The simulation transitioned to the Johnson Space Center for flight activities, with the STS-114 crew in a simulator at JSC. Such simulations are common before a launch to keep the Shuttle launch team ready for a safe liftoff. Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS March 18, 2005 Mercury 13 team stands out during Women's History Month By Elaine Marconi In 1960, Lovelace secretly MARTHA Staff Writer invited Geraldyn “Jerrie” Cobb, ACKMANN, author an exceptional female pilot, to of "The Mercury s the nation celebrates the undergo the rigorous challenges. 13: The True Story of Thirteen contributions of women Cobb, already on her way to Women and the Aduring National Women’s being one of the world’s best Dream of Space History Month in March, NASA pilots, became the first American Flight," spoke recognizes several of America’s woman to pass those tests. March 2 at the female citizens who made Most of the candidates were KSC Training historic strides into the unknown already accomplished airplane Auditorium to for the possibility of traveling pilots and recruited through the celebrate National into space. Ninety-Nines, a women pilot’s Women's History The contributions were organization. This group of Month. among those highlighted at a highly skilled women accepted a celebration of Women’s History challenge to be tested for a Month March 2 at the Training position as part of the U.S. space Auditorium. team. The testing then was Among these heroes is the known as the First Lady Astro- for future training. The First Dietrich and Jean Hixson. Mercury 13, a team of 13 brave naut Training (FLAT) program. Lady Astronaut Trainee finalists Although the FLAT program women who shared a dream: to These women underwent were Jerrie Cobb, Wally Funk, was discontinued, these women be America’s first women grueling tests equal to the kind Irene Leverton, Myrtle “k” went on to extraordinary pioneers in space. the Mercury 7 crew experienced, Cagle, Janey Hart, Gene Nora achievements in other endeavors Dr. William Randolph in hopes of becoming part of Stombough (Jessen), Jerri Sloan and their message of promise, Lovelace designed the tests for America’s winning team of the (Truhill), Rhea Hurrle possibility and purpose remains male astronauts and became space race. (Woltman), Sarah Gorelick strong to this day. In time, the curious to know how women Thirteen women passed with (Ratley), Bernice “B” Trimble group changed its name to the would do taking the same tests. flying colors and were chosen Steadman, Jan Dietrich, Marion Mercury 13. Bike Week extends to the Visitor Complex Space Gateway Support receives NASA's George Low Award pace Gateway Support (SGS) recently received the 2004 George M. Low Award at the 19th NASA Continual Improve Sment and Reinvention Conference held in Alexandria, Va. The award is presented to large and small business applicants in the product or service categories that demonstrate an exceptional level of quality and technical performance in NASA-related contracts or subcontracts. Acting NASA Administrator Fred Gregory presented the award to William Sample, SGS president, at the March 2 ceremony. The last time a Kennedy Space Center contractor won the award was Grumman Technical Services Division in 1991.

John F. Kennedy Space Center Spaceport News

MOTORCYCLISTS PARTICIPATING in this year's Bike Week had a chance to take a photograph in front the Space Shuttle on display at the Visitor Complex. Pictured is Center Director Jim Kennedy on his 2005 Harley 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 Davidson Road King Classic. service and contractor employees. Contributions are welcome and should be submitted two weeks before Sign language class offers three sessions publication to the Media Services Branch, IDI-011. E-mail submissions can be he Disability Awareness March 29 and April 5. sent to [email protected] and Action Working Group Each class is from 10:30- Managing editor...... Bruce Buckingham is hosting an introductory 11:30 a.m. in O&C room 2004. Editor...... Jeff Stuckey T Copy editor ...... Corey Schubert sign language course. This is a Space is limited. Contact Lisa three-week course held once a Arnold at 861-3774 or Editorial support provided by InDyne, Inc. Writers Group. week for three consecutive [email protected]. NASA at KSC is located on the Internet at http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy weeks, including March 22, USGPO: 733-049/60077