Volume 5 Issue 1 www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis January 2010 Stennis hosts NASA Day at the Capitol Astronaut Danny Olivas addresses members of the Mississippi Senate Stennis exceeds during NASA Day at the Capitol activities 2009 campaign Jan. 6. He is joined by Mississippi Lt. Gov. Phil giving goal Bryant (at left rear), Stennis Space Center tennis Space Center Deputy Director Patrick employees closed 2009 by Scheuermann (left) and exceeding their Combined a pair of Gulf Coast S Federal Campaign giving goal delegation members. Olivas also spoke to the of $200,000 by 16.5 percent. Mississippi House of Representatives during Employees contributed Jan. 6 activities. $233,016 through the 2009 campaign. In addition to epresentatives from John C. “These are exciting days for NASA exceeding the giving goal, the Stennis Space Center visited and Stennis Space Center,” Stennis 2009 total also surpassed the RJackson on Jan. 6, to meet Director Gene Goldman said. “Sten- 2008 giving total by almost with Mississippi legislators as part of nis is making continued progress, $35,000 (17.3 percent). NASA Day at the Capitol. readying for testing of the engines that will replace the space shuttle The CFC is the largest annual Astronaut Danny Olivas, who has main engine. In addition, we are workplace charity effort. Each logged more than 668 hours in space involved in science projects related to year, its gifts support organiza- and 34-plus spacewalk hours during a the Gulf of Mexico and benefi cial to tions providing health and hu- pair of space shuttle missions, joined this region. These efforts are fun- man service benefi ts through- Stennis representatives to thank Mis- damental in helping prepare for the out the world. sissippi legislators for their continued future of America’s space program support of NASA. Highlighted dur- and are indicative of the vital role For the 2009 campaign, 119 ing the event was Stennis’ important Stennis will continue to play in space Stennis employees qualifi ed as role in the past, present and future travel and Earth science.” Bronze Eagle contributors with of America’s space program, and gifts of $480 to $1,000 for the its positive effect on Mississippi’s The center has a total workforce of year. Thirty-eight employees economy and quality of life. more than 5,000 and has a con- gained Silver Eagle status with sistently strong economic impact gifts of $1,001 to $2,000 for For Mississippi lawmakers, Stennis throughout the region. Within a the year. Nine employees were displayed exhibits in the Rotunda, 50-mile radius, Stennis had a direct Golden Eagle contributors, highlighting the center’s role in the economic impact of $668 million in giving more than $2,000 for the future of space exploration. Models 2009. The direct global economic year through the campaign. of the next generation Ares I and impact of the center totaled $875 Ares V rockets also were displayed. million for the year. Page 2 LAGNIAPPE January 2010

and exploration. That story includes many memorable From the desk of chapters of Stennis achievements, all of which we will build upon.

Gene Goldman We are continuing our preparations for next-genera- Director tion engine testing as we await fi nal decisions on the Stennis Space Center future course. That work includes completion of the unique A-3 Test Stand and continued E Test Complex testing. It includes test support for development of commercial ISS supply capability to fi ll the gap left “The last sound on the worthless Earth by shuttle retirement. B Test Complex maintenance and refurbishment for further RS-68 work and even- will be two human beings trying to launch tual stage testing are in the early planning phase. The a homemade spaceship and already quarreling Source Evaluation Board for a follow-on Test Opera- tions Contract is being staffed for an extremely impor- about where they are going next.” tant center procurement. Our Applied Science group is (William Faulkner to the UNESCO Commission, October 1959) initiating work on recent research proposal awards. In addition, they are seeking areas of collaboration with resident and regional agencies to further knowledge t’s 2010 ... fi nally! The holiday season is over, with and improve quality of our environment and our lives. its paths through colored paper and gifts awaiting All these represent steps along “the crossroads of Ireturn. Last year is already fading from memory, science” envisioned by our center forebears. It is also but hopefully, its lessons are ingrained and fast becom- indicative of our incredible potential as the heading ing ritual. We’ve begun another trip ’round the sun; evolves. hang on! Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said there was no We are in the last year of planned shuttle fl ights, with other time in history he would have preferred to live. only a handful left. The space shuttle has been an I believe that to be true in the realm of human space- incredible program, enabling a continuous presence in fl ight. We live and work in a unique era and endeavor. space, now approaching a decade on the truly Interna- Let’s make the best of it in 2010, and beyond. “Where tional Space Station. It provided for deployment, repair we go next” should be quite a journey! and maintenance of the Hubble Space Telescope, keeping a view of our universe’s past into the future. Dream big; work harder! It’s given us an incredible volume of “hard things” ac- complished, adding to the history of human spacefl ight State leaders welcome astronaut

Mississippi leaders welcomed astronaut Danny Olivas (center) and Stennis NASA Day at the Capitol activities included visits by astronaut Danny Space Center Deputy Director Patrick Scheuermann (far right) during Olivas (center) with Mississippi leaders (l to r): Speaker Pro-Tempore NASA Day at the Capitol activities Jan. 6. In addition to other activities, Rep. J.P. Compretta, D-Bay St. Louis; Rep. Dirk Dedeaux, D-Perkinston; Olivas visited with (l to r): Sen. David Baria, D-Bay St. Louis; President fi rst lady Marsha Barbour; Speaker of the House Rep. William McCoy, Pro-Tempore Sen. Billy Hewes, R-Gulfport; Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant; and Sen. D-Rienzi; and Gulfport Mayor George Schloegel, who also is chair of the Ezell Lee, D-Picayune. INFINITY Science Center board of directors. January 2010 LAGNIAPPE Page 3

FULFILLING NASA’S EXPLORATION MISSION A-3 Test Stand to mark 2010 milestones he A-3 Test Stand being built to test Tthe next genera- tion of rocket engines at NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center will mark several construction mile- stones in 2010.

“Some deadlines related to the stand are tentative as the future of America’s space exploration program The A-3 Test Stand site at NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center is a busy place as work progresses on several is decided,” A-3 Project fronts. Installation of liquid oxygen, isopropyl alcohol and water tanks (to the left of the stand) continues, as does Manager Lonnie Dutreix work to install water delivery system piping (to the right of the stand) and general work on the structure. said. “However, we remain on schedule with the main gaseous nitrogen bottles American Tank and Vessel to the A-3 Test Stand will construction work.” for use with the chemical Inc. in nearby Lucedale. be completed in 2010. steam generator. The A-3 Test Stand will • Install a 66-inch water LOX and liquid hydro- Construction of the test provide simulated high- valve and piping between gen tanks will be installed stand’s lower SCB will altitude testing of the J-2X the delivery system con- atop the stand to provide proceed in 2010. Another rocket engine being devel- nection and the existing fuel for tests. Other LOX, SCB will be located at the oped to carry humans be- water system. isopropyl alcohol and top of the stand. Together, yond low-Earth orbit once • Construct the lower water tanks are located on these will contain all the more as part of NASA’s Signal Conditioning Build- the ground for use by the data acquisition and con- Constellation Program. ing (SCB). chemical steam generators. trol capabilities needed by • Construct the test Four of the tanks have stand operators. In 2010, construction stand’s shop building. been installed. In 2010, the work on the new stand will remaining fi ve water tanks Finally, 2010 will see proceed on several fronts Installation of the test cell will be installed. construction of the shop as workers: and diffuser is the next building next to the stand. • Begin installing the major task to complete. Installation of gaseous test cell and diffuser. The test cell and diffuser nitrogen bottles to be used “This will be a unique test • Install the liquid will enable operators to by the chemical steam gen- structure – and one pretty oxygen (LOX) and liquid simulate altitudes of up to erators will begin in 2010. important to the space hydrogen tanks atop the 100,000 feet, using a series The 32 bottles will provide program,” Dutreix said. “If test stand. of chemical steam genera- the pressurization gas we’re going beyond low- • Receive and install fi ve tors to create a vacuum. needed by the generators. Earth orbit, we’re going to remaining chemical steam need upper stage engines. generator water tanks. The test cell and diffuser Work on piping to connect Stennis is where those • Start installing the is being manufactured by the existing water system engines will be tested.”

2010 launch schedule STS-130 STS-131 STS-134 Shuttle Endeavour Shuttle Discovery Shuttle Endeavour Target: Feb. 7, 2010 Target: March 18, 2010 Target: July 29, 2010

GOES-P STS-132 STS-133 satellite (Delta IV) Shuttle Atlantis Shuttle Discovery Target: March 4, 2010 Target: May 14, 2010 Target: Sept. 16, 2010 Page 4 LAGNIAPPE January 2010 Stennis 2009 - a convergence or NASA’s John C. Stennis celebrated, the Stennis community Space Center, 2009 marked a marked completion of another 34- Fconvergence of the past, pres- year assignment – to test engines for ent and future of American space ex- the nation’s Space Shuttle Program. ploration as the rocket engine testing The fi rst space shuttle main engine facility celebrated a key anniversary, was tested May 19, 1975. On July 20, marked the end of a decades-long 2009, Stennis operators conducted testing project and focused squarely the last planned main engine test on on enabling humans to explore space the facility’s A-2 Test Stand. objects beyond low-Earth orbit. During the program’s 34 years, op- Looking back. In July, Stennis erators conducted more than 2,000 Space Center employees joined the tests in development, certifi cation, nation in marking the 40th anniver- acceptance and anomaly resolution sary of the Apollo 11 moon mis- of the space shuttle main engine. sion. The Stennis celebration carried Tested engines fl ew on 129 shuttle special signifi cance. The Apollo 11 missions and counting – including astronauts traveled on their historic fi ve during 2009. Not a single mis- mission to the moon on engines sion has failed as a result of engine proven fl ight worthy at the Missis- malfunction. sippi facility. The ability of the Stennis team was “The whole atmosphere was – we demonstrated early in 2009 when can do this,” recalls Jeanne Kellar, concerns with a shuttle control fl ow Space shuttle main engine No. 0525 is lifted from the A-2 Test Sta a Stennis employee who was pres- valve sidelined the STS-119 mission. drop of the new A-3 Test Stand under construction, offering a glim ent in those early days of the facility. Members of the E Test Complex “Nothing was too big. There was team at Stennis responded quickly control fl ow valve, providing critical nothing we could not fi x. We just to assemble the test confi guration data that allowed NASA to OK the knew we were going to do this and needed to address the issue. Testing STS-119 mission in early March. show that America was fi rst in space.” began within days. Preparing for the future. Even as Enabling the present. Even as Stennis operators subsequently con- space shuttle main engine testing the achievement of Apollo was ducted more than 200 tests on the drew to a close, Stennis prepared for

(Left photo) Steam billows from a July 29 space shuttle main en Program, which is set to end by (Middle photo) Representatives Weather Service visited the Joh site’s new state-of-the-art Emer (Right photo) NASA Administrat at Stennis on Aug. 20. Bolden w January 2010 LAGNIAPPE Page 5 e of past, present and future supplier for NASA, fi lling a need for That’s exciting.” the agency once the space shuttles are retired in 2010. Maintaining the course. Recog- nized as a unique federal city, Stennis At the A-1 Test Stand, work pro- focused on maintaining its course in ceeded in preparation for sea-level a number of other ways during 2009. testing of the next-generation J-2X engine that will carry humans beyond It marked two leadership changes low-Earth orbit once more as part with the promotion of associate di- of NASA’s Constellation Program. rector Patrick Scheuermann to deputy Work also progressed on the new director and the addition of Rick Gil- A-3 Test Stand at Stennis, being built brech as the new associate director. to provide simulated high-altitude testing of the J-2X engine. In April Work in the Applied Science and 2009, workers erected the last of Technology Project Offi ce continued some 4 million pounds and 16 stages in support of Gulf Coast protection of structural steel that forms the and restoration efforts. stand tower. In June, Stennis opened a state- The stand is on schedule for comple- of-the-art Emergency Operations tion in 2011. Then, operators will be Center that represents a giant leap able to test at simulated altitudes of forward in emergency operations and up to 100,000 feet, a key capability response capabilities. and at NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center against the back- to ensure the J-2X engine will fi re in pse of the past and future in the U.S. space exploration program. deep space as needed. StenniSphere, the Stennis visitor cen- ter and museum, unveiled a new in- the future of human space explora- “It’s easy to view this construction as teractive Science on a Sphere exhibit tion. At the E Test Complex, work just an engineering project,” explains in 2009. The Stennis community also was under way in 2009 to prepare Lonnie Dutreix, A-3 project man- welcomed crew members of fi ve one stand for testing the AJ26 rocket ager. “But we’re building something shuttle missions and continued out- engine for Orbital Sciences Corp. pretty important to the future of reach to the community. The center Orbital Sciences is seeking to be- space exploration and pretty special continued its support of innovative come a commercial access-to-space in the fi eld of rocket engine testing. education programs as well.

m the A-2 Test Stand at NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center during ngine test. The test was the last planned test for the Space Shuttle y the close of 2010. s from NASA Headquarters, the State of Mississippi and the National hn C. Stennis Space Center on June 2 to celebrate the opening of the rgency Operations Center. tor Charles Bolden responds to a question during an all hands session was joined by NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver. Page 6 LAGNIAPPE January 2010 Edge named NASA Procurement Person of the Year ASA has recognized John C. Stennis novative methodologies and processes. Space Center employee Jason Edge of NPerkinston as Procurement Person of A Gulfport native, Edge has served as a lead the Year through the agency’s Small Business construction specialist at Stennis since 2000. Advocates Awards Program. In that position, he has responsibilities as the contracting offi cer for all NASA direct con- Sponsored by the Offi ce of the Small Business struction projects. Programs, the annual awards acknowledge the contributions made by NASA personnel and “Jason has always been a strong advocate of contractors throughout the agency. Awards are NASA’s Small Business Program while effec- presented to individuals and groups based on tively serving our customers,” Stennis Procure- their general impact on NASA’s Small Business Program, ment Offi cer Susan Dupuis said. “We are very proud he their impact on the NASA mission and their use of in- was selected for this well-deserved NASA-wide award.” Town of Gainesville makes way for Stennis Editor’s Note: John C. Stennis Space Center ping wood to New Orleans, while others cut and rolled has played a pivotal role in the success of the wood into the streams and fl oated it to the mills. Trapping nation’s space program. This month, Lagniappe was another important source of income. looks back on an important moment in the center’s history. Late historian S.G. Thigpen described Gainesville as the only town in the area that had three hotels and a West- or 150 years before the existence of John C. Sten- ern Union telegraph offi ce. “It was quite a community,” nis Space Center, the town of Gainesville was situ- he said. As the seat of Hancock County, Gainesville had Fated on land purchased by NASA on Jan. 10, 1963. about 1,700 residents and 20 stores. Pirates also occupied the territory in and around town. Pierre Rameau was a Town founder Dr. Ambrose Gaines was a businessman familiar fi gure in Gainesville from 1800 to 1815. He and when he bought 500 acres of land along the Pearl River his men would hold up boats in the Gulf of Mexico, then in 1810. He felt this area, later to be called Gainesville, disappear in the maze of channels in the Pearl River. would thrive and prosper, but never in his wildest dreams could he have thought that one day men would test rocket By the time NASA acquired the land, Gainesville had engines for travel to the moon in the tranquil Mississippi just 35 families, all of which were relocated. At Stennis, area, later to be known as Stennis Space Center. the Gainesville Conference Room is named in honor of the former community. The Stennis Educator Resource The Pearl River brought many people and opportunities Center also holds workshops for schoolteachers at the to the country town. Men made a living cutting and ship- Li’l Red Schoolhouse, a former landmark of Gainesville.

As 2010 begins, – where do you hope to see @ Stennis the U.S. space program in 10 years?

Editor’s Note: @ Stennis highlights the views and opinions of Stennis Space Center employees. “I hope to see us doing a little bit more “I hope to see us colonizing the moon. ” exploration, if not on the moon, then Sue Cockrell related to Mars.” NASA Roland Espino Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies

“NASA has great potential to have a “I really hope that there can be personal workstation on the moon by 2020. I and commercial visits to the moon by would also like to see a quicker path to then.” safely putting astronauts on Mars” April Page Tim Pierce, NASA Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne January 2010 LAGNIAPPE Page 7 Offi ce of Diversity and Equal Opportunity Celebrate – ‘A Day On! Not a Day Off! “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” from both Mississippi and Louisiana visited the center with exhibits to encourage employees to register and serve (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) as volunteers for a variety of local community activities. The day’s focus was emphasized again and again – great r. Martin Luther King Jr. was a vital fi gure of the things can happen when individuals work together toward modern era. His lectures and dialogues stirred a common goal. Dthe concern and sparked the conscience of a generation. The movements and marches he led brought It is an idea King promoted throughout his life. King’s signifi cant changes in the fabric of American life as a widow, the late Coretta Scott King, once said, “The great- result of his courage and selfl ess devotion. est birthday gift my husband could receive is if people of King’s devotion gave direction to 13 years of civil rights all racial and ethnic backgrounds celebrated the holiday by activities. His charismatic leadership inspired men and performing individual acts of kindness through service to women, young and old, in this nation and around the others.” world. Hail & Farewell During his lifetime, King worked tirelessly toward a dream of equality. He believed in a nation of freedom NASA bids farewell to the following: and justice for all, and encouraged all citizens to live up to the purpose and potential of America by applying the William Kirk Miller Program Specialist principles of nonviolence to make this country a bet- Project Directorate ter place to live, creating what King characterized as the “Beloved Community.” And welcomes the following:

On Jan. 18, 2010, people of all ages and backgrounds will Bonita Oliver Computer Scientist come together to improve lives, bridge social barriers, and Center Operations Directorate move our nation closer to the “Beloved Community” that King envisioned. In recognition of this year’s theme, “A Tom Stockman Student Trainee/Engineering Day On! Not a Day Off,” the Stennis Diversity Council Center Operations Directorate sponsored a Stennis Day of Service. Bradley Brown Information Technology Specialist On Jan. 12, Stennis Director Gene Goldman helped kick Project Directorate off the Stennis Day of Service. Volunteer organizations

Stennis companies achieve Star Demonstration status for safety Employees of Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne (top) and CSC Inc. (bottom) celebrated in early December as the second and third companies at Stennis to achieve Star Demonstration status through the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) initiative. Pratt and Whitney was presented its Star Demonstration banner Dec. 8, with CSC fol- lowing suit Dec. 9. The Occupational Safety and Health Administra- tion established VPP as a proactive safety management model so organizations and their employees could be recognized for excellence in safety and health. Five companies at Stennis Space Center are seeking Star Demonstration status. Once that is attained, the center will apply to be designated as an overall VPP Star site. Page 8 LAGNIAPPE January 2010

PRESORTED STANDARD LAGNIAPPE National Aeronautics and U.S. POSTAGE is published monthly by the Space Administration PAID Offi ce of External Affairs - Public Affairs BATON ROUGE, LA at NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center PERMIT NO. 984 Comments or suggestions should be forwarded to:

NASA PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE John C. Stennis Space Center Attn: LAGNIAPPE Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 Mail code IA10 Building 1100, Room 304 Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 Offi cial Business Penalty for Private Use $300 or call 228-688-3749

Managing Editor ... Chris McGee Editor ... Lacy Thompson FIRST Robotics kicks off 2010 season wenty-seven teams from Mississippi, Louisiana and TFlorida high schools traveled to NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center on Jan. 9 for a rousing kick- off of the 2010 FIRST (For Inspira- tion and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics season.

During the event, team members, mentors and coaches watched a live broadcast from FIRST headquarters in Manchester, N.H., to learn their 2010 competition challenge. They also received parts kits to use in building robots to meet the challenge.

This year marks the 19th FIRST Robotics Competition season. The Steve Griffi n (left) loads a parts kit at the FIRST Robotics kickoff event Jan. 9 at Stennis Space Center, FIRST Robotics Competition is with the help of Stennis employee Chris Smith. Griffi n is a mentor for the Black Panthrobotics team designed to inspire students to pursue from Woodlawn High School in Baton Rouge. Woodlawn team members will use the parts kit to build a careers in engineering, science and robot to compete in regional tournaments and perhaps the national tournament later this spring. technology. Each year, teams across the nation are given identical parts dents is going to be out in the world description of the Breakaway game kits and six weeks to build robots. having done something extraordinary and video simulation of a match can The teams then use the robots to for a major, global problem.” be viewed online at: www.usfi rst. compete in regional events and a org/roboticsprograms/frc/content. season-ending national tournament. For this year’s Breakaway theme, aspx?id=16209. a pair of three-team alliances will “FIRST is about giving kids the op- compete on a 27-by-57-foot playing NASA and Stennis support FIRST portunity to build skill sets like ana- fi eld divided into three sections by Robotics Competition through men- lytical thinking to then develop what large speed bumps. Robots will earn tors, volunteers and fi nancial contri- they may or may not use to build points by collecting soccer balls and butions. Interested mentors should a robot; but they might use these pushing or kicking them into goals at call Katie Wallace at 228-688-7744 or skills to become a scientist, engineer, the end of the playing fi eld. Bonus e-mail [email protected]. or inventor,” said Dean Kamen, points will be earned for each robot FIRST Founder, explaining how what on the dividing platforms or sus- The 2010 Bayou Regional FIRST students learn from FIRST Robotics pended in air from platform supports Robotics Competition is scheduled at is different from other sports. “Ten or another robot and not touching the Alario Center in Westwego, La., years from today, one of these stu- the fi eld at the end of the match. A on March 4-6.