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May 3, 2013 Vol. 53, No. 9 Spaceport News John F. Kennedy Space Center - America’s gateway to the universe Inside... Atlantis sheds its skin Cabana earns Debus Award By Bob Granath Spaceport News he National Space Club Florida Committee pre- Tsented Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana with its prestigious Dr. Kurt Page 2 H. Debus Award on April 27. A former U.S. Marine Corps DuPont winners visit aviator and NASA astronaut, Cabana was honored at the Debus Award dinner at Ken- nedy’s visitor complex. Named for the spaceport’s first director, the Debus Award was created to recognize significant achieve- ments and contributions made in Florida to American aero- space efforts. Page 6 “Bob’s devotion to his coun- try and the U.S. space program Electronics collected has been exemplary,” said National Space Club Florida CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Jim Grossmann Committee Chairman Jim Mc- National Space Club Florida Committee Chairman Jim McCarthy, left, presents the Dr. Kurt Carthy. “He started his career H. Debus Award to Kennedy’s Director, Bob Cabana at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor as a naval test pilot, became an Complex on April 27. For more, click on the photo. astronaut and has most recently Bolden noted that Cabana to American aerospace ef- provided exceptional leadership now is helping lead the Florida forts. Kurt Debus’ organization as Kennedy’s center director spaceport into the future. conducted launches of the early for safely flying the shuttle “We are looking at new military missiles and space program into retirement.” ways of doing business,” he vehicles. His work included di- Page 8 NASA Administrator Charles said. “We’re trying to integrate recting the design, construction Bolden was on hand at the more of industry into the work and operation of the Saturn V Launch pad repairs begin event and also praised Cabana’s that we do here trying to bring launch facilities for the Apollo work. in more private industry and moon landing program. “I cannot say enough about convert the Kennedy Space In accepting the award, the job Bob Cabana has done Center into a multiuser facility. Cabana gave credit to the as the director of the Kennedy All that’s come about because men and women who work at Space Center,” Bolden said. of Bob’s can-do attitude.” America’s spaceport. “He’s an incredible leader and The Debus Award was “It’s not about me,” he said. that’s why he’s being recog- created by the space club’s “It’s about this truly amazing nized. He’s an inspirational Florida Committee to recognize team here at Kennedy. I truly Page 9 leader that people want to fol- significant achievements and believe we are making our low and be like.” contributions made in Florida dreams a reality.” Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS May 3, 2013 Atlantis sheds skin for June 29 opening By Bob Granath it appeared in space with the Spaceport News payload bay doors opened and Atlantis’ Canadarm remote ma- ike a special gift being nipulator system -- its robotic unwrapped, construction arm -- installed and extended. crews began removing L "We have to take the plas- 16,000 square feet of plastic shrink-wrap from space shuttle tic off to allow us to open the Atlantis on April 25 as work payload bay doors," Macy said. continues for the famed space- "We've never done this before, craft's new $100 million home but we've got a great plan. at the Kennedy Space Center We've got United Space Alli- Visitor Complex. ance guys who have worked on Atlantis has been enclosed in the shuttle for over 30 years, the plastic since November of we have NASA oversight, last year to protect it from dust we've got plenty of engineers, NASA/Cory Huston and debris during construction CLICK ON PHOTO and we’ve got some really Construction crews began removing 16,000 square feet of plastic shrink-wrap from space of the facility where it will be smart people working on this." shuttle Atlantis on April 25 at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, as members of displayed. the media looked on. United Space Alliance was "This is the next step in NASA's Space Program Opera- Construction contines for the wingtip is only 7.5 feet off the unveiling Atlantis," said Tim tions Contractor, responsible one-of-a kind, 90,000-square- ground. Atlantis is being held Macy, director of project de- for processing the shuttles foot educational attraction in place by two support beams velopment for Delaware North between missions. that will feature a 360-degree, attached where the spacecraft Companies Parks and Resorts First flown in 1985, Atlantis' multilevel view of Atlantis. The was mounted atop the Shuttle at the visitor complex. "We last flight, STS-135, was to the facility is scheduled to open to Carrier Aircraft, a modified should have it all off by late International Space Station and the public June 29. Boeing 747, for cross-country tomorrow afternoon." took place from July 8 to 21, "We're on schedule," said ferry flights. As construction workers con- 2011. tinued removing plastic, Macy Macy. "We feel very comfort- “There’s nothing else like "She's had 33 missions in explained that the crews are be- able about that now." this,” Macy said. “The way space and traveled over 12 mil- ing methodical and meticulous In mid-November, Atlan- it’s shown to the public and lion miles," Macy said, noting in their work. tis was raised 30 feet off the presented is like no place else that Atlantis has had a stellar "This is a priceless artifact," ground and rotated 43.21 on Earth.” 26-year career. he said. "It is incumbent upon degrees to be displayed as if Once inside the exhibit, us to take care of her." it were in space. Its portside visitors will see Atlantis as Displays will tell the 30-year story of the entire Space Shuttle Program, including a focus on the contributions of thousands of people working behind the scenes. There will be great detail in the information avail- able in the displays for visitors to enjoy. "It will also be presented in a way that's entertaining," Macy said. "There are over 60 interactive exhibits. What we've learned is we have to entertain as we educate." The exhibits and simulators will provide guests a never- before-experienced perspective on the shuttle’s complex sys- NASA/Cory Huston tems, components and capabili- At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, construction crews removed 16,000 square feet of plastic shrink-wrap from space shuttle Atlantis on April 25. The spacecraft had been enclosed in the shrink-wrap since November 2012 to protect the artifact from dust and debris ties, and is being designed for during construction of the 90,000-square-foot facility that houses Atlantis and its associated displays. explorers of all ages. May 3, 2013 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 ‘Reverse mentoring’ sessions create excitement By Steven Siceloff workforce that is really the nerves they had at Spaceport News enthused about the work first faded quickly. they’re doing and the “I think I was more he director of direction we’re headed,” nervous of the fact that Kennedy Space Cabana said. he was an astronaut and Center did his T The goal of the reverse head of the Astronaut impression of a chemical mentoring is to improve engineer and a launch Office than that he was communications at the controller and it wasn’t the center director,” center, Cabana said. The that bad, according Caraccio said. “I was participants also had a to the two specialists more impressed that he chance to talk with Ca- watching over his ef- was an astronaut coming bana individually about forts. to do hands-on techni- center issues. “I just had to say cal work. That’s what something once and he “It gives me the op- was making me nervous. could put it all together,” portunity to hear from But then his personality said Anne Caraccio, our folks in a non- totally took the nerves who is part of a team threatening environment, away.” developing a reactor to to learn their concerns The center director convert trash for deep and allow them to ask didn’t spend his day space missions to usable questions of me,” he answering emails or let- propellants and other said. “It also gives me ting himself get distract- gases. “When I’m train- a chance to personally ed either, they said. ing interns or someone share the vision we have “He was fully engaged for Kennedy’s future to who’s coming in here and I really appreciate ensure it’s getting down for the first time, it usu- that,” Harris said. “I to everyone. My inten- ally takes me a couple didn’t expect it to be as tions are to do whatever days. He was just on the beneficial an experience I can to improve com- ball, he was interested. NASA as it was. He was just as munications and ensure He would be a good Kennedy Center Director Bob Cabana listens as Anne Caraccio details passionate as we were. everyone knows where researcher out here.” the operations of a trash-to-gas reactor during a reverse mentoring ses- He has the same con- sion in a lab at Kennedy Space Center on April 24. we’re going, and how Bob Cabana, a veteran cerns and the hopes we we’re going to get there, astronaut now lead- have for the center.” ing Kennedy, recently and that they understand “Truthfully, I enjoyed sitting on console their role in making us Cabana said his worked closely with goal is to continue the Caraccio and Sam Har- for a simulated Pegasus launch, successful.” individual sessions and ris, a Flight Operations and setting up and running an The lab work included get the center’s senior engineer in NASA’s some unexpected com- experiment in one of our labs.