Spaceport News John F

July 24, 2009 Vol. 49, No. 15 Spaceport News John F. Kennedy Space Center - America’s gateway to the universe www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/snews/spnews_toc.html INSIDE . Bolden, Garver begin next mission Port eatery hosts hat’s in a name? telecon to ISS Well, in Charles WF. Bolden Jr., there’s “bold.” And that’s exactly what NASA is in- heriting with its new administrator -- bold leadership. The U.S. Senate con- firmed Bolden as administrator and Lori Garver as deputy administrator Page 2 July 15. They officially were STS-127 mission a sworn in at NASA Head- quarters in Washington, on fruitful team effort July 17. During the confirmation hearing July 8, Bolden and Garver addressed the four main challenges facing the agency, saying they hope to turn those challenges into opportunities. First, they want to build upon America’s investment Page 3 in the International Space NASA/Bill Ingalls Sisters serve space Station, as well as safely Charles Bolden Jr. is sworn in as 12th administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration at NASA Head- effort at Kennedy and efficiently fly out the quarters in Washington on July 17. remaining space shuttle missions. Second, they want to accelerate the development “These talented individuals will help of NASA’s next-generation put NASA on course to boldly push spacecraft. Third, Bolden the boundaries of science, aeronautics and Garver want NASA to and exploration in the 21st century study Earth’s environment and ensure the long-term vibrancy of from space. And fourth, America’s space program.” they want NASA to inspire Page 6 children to pursue careers in President Barack Obama science, technology, engi- Heritage: Collins neering and math. NASA/Bill Ingalls “I’m excited and ener- Lori Garver, NASA’s new deputy admin- commands shuttle son spoke highly of the duo, As the first African- istrator, testifies July 8 at a confirmation gized about taking on these but said the president needs American to lead the hearing in Washington. challenges,” Bolden said. to reignite the imagination agency, Bolden holds a Senator Bill Nelson, space shuttle missions, D-Fla., and Bolden are no and excitement of NASA’s bachelor’s in electrical sci- including pilot of STS-31, strangers. In January 1986, future endeavors. ence from the U.S. Naval the mission that deployed they embarked on a 2.5 “If the president will Academy, and a master’s in NASA’s Hubble Space million mile journey to- give that bold strike, then systems management from Telescope. During his tenure gether aboard space shuttle that team (Bolden and the University of Southern at NASA, Bolden earned Columbia on the STS-61C Garver), right there, I California. He became an three Exceptional Service Page 7 mission. During the Senate believe, can implement it,” astronaut in August 1981, confirmation hearing, Nel- Nelson said. and flew aboard four crucial See BOLDEN, Page 2 Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS July 24, 2009 Restaurant hosts telecon to ISS at Port he opportunity to ful hardware launched from talk to an astronaut Kennedy Space Center. It’s Tusually draws large wonderful to work with this crowds. In fact, people come crew. I look forward to talk- from around the world for ing to you soon when I’m on the opportunity at the Ken- the ground.” nedy Space Center Visitor Alycia Araj, 11, a stu- Complex. dent at St. Mark’s Episcopal But how about getting Academy in Cocoa, Fla., and the chance to talk to them granddaughter of Milliken’s while they’re in space? Reef owner Rhoda Brennan, Center Director Bob asked, “What’s the hardest Cabana came up with the part about being in space?” idea to do it near Kennedy Barratt said, “Life up and organized the telephone here is wonderful, but the conference. hardest thing is being away Despite inclement from our families . I think weather, several hundred all of us would agree.” people gathered to talk to Other questions the astronauts aboard the included: Does the crew cel- International Space Station ebrate a happy hour in space at Milliken’s Reef restaurant Photo courtesy of Scott Andrews/Canon similar to a Jimmy Buffet at Port Canaveral, Fla., on From left, astronaut Peggy Whitson, Alycia Araj, 11, Dr. Kuniaki Shiraki, executive director of the Japan Aerospace Explora- happy hour on Earth? Who, tion Agency, and then-NASA Acting Administrator Christopher Scolese, share in a telephone call from Milliken’s Reef in Port July 10. Canaveral, Fla., to the International Space Station on July 10. aboard the ISS served in the The phone call, led by military? What was the most then-NASA Acting Admin- All the astronauts 5 p.m., Scolese shared Dr. Kuniaki Shiraki, the memorable part of serv- istrator Christopher Scolese aboard the station, including opening remarks with the executive director of the Ja- ing on ISS? What language and astronaut Peggy Whit- cosmonaut Roman Ro- astronauts. pan Aerospace Exploration do the astronauts speak in son, gave workers and their manenko, Robert Thirsk of “There’s lots of people Agency, or JAXA, didn’t space? How much power do families an opportunity to the Canadian Space Agency here with lots of questions,” have a question, but rather the solar arrays create? What share a toast with astronauts and Frank De Winne of the Scolese said. “I’m sure the gave congratulations to the do astronauts do for fun? Michael Barratt and Koichi European Space Agency first is, ‘How’s it like to ISS crew for its hard work And can the crew see light- Wakata and cosmonaut answered questions. spend 100 days in space.’ ” and ability to get things ning during thunderstorms? Gennady Padalka as they Once Whitson made Barratt replied, “For done. The overall goal of the celebrated more than 100 initial contact with the help me it’s been wonderful and Wakata replied, “Thank event was to promote human days on the space station. of mission control at about flown by so fast.” you, there is so much beauti- spaceflight awareness. From BOLDEN, Page 1 mercial development that helps our own economy, and doing those things that are Medals, as well as an Outstanding Leader- more relevant to the American taxpayer.” ship Medal. Garver holds bachelor’s in political Adding to all of those honors, Bolden science and economics from Colorado Col- has brought space down to Earth as the lege, and a master’s in science, technology host of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor and public policy from George Washington Complex’s Shuttle Launch Experience. University. “I dream of a day when any American From 1998-2001, she served as the can launch into space and see the mag- associate administrator of NASA’s Office of nificence and grandeur of our home planet Policy and Plans. She also was an execu- Earth,” Bolden said. tive director of the National Space Society, Garver, whose first job in Washington a non-profit organization that seeks to was with space pioneer John Glenn, shares advance the day when humans will live and a similar vision. During the hearing, she work in space. reflected on the agency’s current accom- Before their confirmation, the duo took plishments. the time to thank their predecessor, Chris “If we look at the space station right Scolese, for his work as acting administra- now, it is one of the pinnacle, cooperative tor since mid-January. efforts we have with the Russians, not to “He (Scolese) represents the very best mention our other partners,” Garver said. “I of NASA’s career civil servant work force. NASA file/1986 believe Charlie and I are interested in ex- For his dedicated leadership and service, I Charles Bolden Jr. mans the pilot’s seat on space shuttle Columbia’s flight deck ploring those partnerships, exploring com- am greatly appreciative,” Bolden said. prior to re-entry Jan. 12, 1986, during the STS 61-C mission. July 24, 2009 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 Processing ‘firsts’ set stage for STS-127 launch By Linda Herridge nedy Space Center’s launch Workers processed and Spaceport News processing team. prepared Endeavour in the Endeavour’s Flow orbiter processing facility, pace shuttle En- Director Dana Hutcherson or OPF, in 109 days and deavour and its said, before the launch of rolled the space shuttle Sseven-member crew the STS-125 mission to the out to Launch Pad 39B on launched on the STS-127 Hubble Space Telescope, April 17, for the STS-400 mission on its sixth attempt, the processing team worked mission. July 15, at 6:03 p.m., after around the clock to get both NASA Test Director five launch attempts were launch pads ready for Atlan- Steve Payne said for dual unsuccessful because of tis and Endeavour. pad processing, the resourc- tanking leaks or weather “Essentially we were es were split. The ground issues. The long-awaited working two vehicle flows processing team worked in launch was preceded by in parallel,” Hutcherson the OPF, Vehicle Assembly a host of “firsts” by Ken- said. Building and both launch pads with little or no break in activity. NASA/Kim Shiflett Hutcherson said it was In Firing Room 4 at Kennedy Space Center, Endeavour Flow Director Dana critical to have Endeavour Hutcherson and STS-127 Shuttle Launch Director Pete Nickolenko take part in the tie-cutting ceremony for their inaugural launch as Shuttle Launch Director Mike on the pad and ready for Leinbach looks on. launch in seven days in the event of a rescue mission. latching design was imple- After nearly two weeks of hard work, the alignment Once STS-125 launched, all mented that uses one switch problem was resolved.

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