Dec. 9, 2011 Vol. 51, No. 24 Spaceport News John F. Kennedy Space Center - America’s gateway to the universe

21st Century Program passes major milestone By Steven Siceloff Previously, launch infrastructure Spaceport News management was a project that was tied strongly to an individual he program tasked with set- launcher and spacecraft, such as the ting up NASA’s Kennedy space shuttle. TSpace Center to host an “We’ve kind of graduated from array of launchers and spacecraft a project to a program,” Colloredo passed a milestone last week with said. “It’s exciting in a lot of ways. the completion of the 21st Century It’s tough.” Ground Systems Program’s Mission The organization already has Concept Review. made numerous decisions about “It gets all of our stakeholders what roles landmark facilities on board,” said Scott Colloredo, at Kennedy will play in future chief architect for the 21st Century launches, although there are many Ground Systems Program. “We feel more choices to make. For example, good about it.” the Space Launch System under de- The program is one of two new velopment will need only one high NASA programs that basically bay in the Vehicle Assembly Build- opened their doors at Kennedy in ing, or VAB, along with one mobile the past year or so. The other is the launcher. So, the new program is Commercial Crew Program. They working with other rocket compa- join the Launch Services Program, nies that want to use other bays in which moved to Kennedy in 1998. the VAB for their own processing The 21st Century Ground work. Systems Program is a big step for “There are a lot of big decisions NASA and Kennedy in that it is set that are going to impact for a gen- up to accommodate a number of eration.” rockets with new techniques and When program officials are con- parcel out the center’s extensive ar- sidering what changes to make to ray of facilities to several users. Kennedy facilities, they place a pre- Launch Pad 39B is envisioned mium on keeping options open so as as a site that could see the liftoff many launchers as possible can use CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Cory Huston of NASA’s new Space Launch a given facility. When Launch Pad Kennedy Space Center Director Robert Cabana (white shirt in front of group) and other support person- System super rocket one week, and 39B was refurbished, for example, nel accompany the mobile launcher, or ML, as it rolls from Launch Pad 39B to the park site near the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center. Data on the ML collected from structural and commercial company rockets and functional engineering tests during its two-week stay on the pad will be used in the next phases of spacecraft the week after that. See MILESTONE, Page 2 construction. For more information, click on the photo.

Space Week Scenes Around Kennedy Special Stockings PHSF Anniversary Inside this issue...

Page 3 Pages 4-5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS Dec. 9, 2011 NASA honors volunteers for helping to shape future By Stephanie Covey Kennedy was like a home to him. Valencia Mitchell has worked at Spaceport News More information “The legacy of the past is a big Kennedy for 33 years and currently For more information about volunteering part of the future at KSC,” Sieck is the construction administrator. haring plans for future space said. She said she loves being here at exploration is as important at Kennedy Space Center, contact Wendy Dankovchik at 867-3005 Debbie Billias, who has worked at Kennedy because she feels part of Sas ever as NASA transitions ([email protected]) or Kennedy for 41 years, has volun- each mission. from the Space Shuttle Program to Tiffany Fairley at 867-7986 teered for 15 of those years. She is Mitchell is on the tiger team, a the Space Launch System heavy-lift ([email protected]). very passionate about the shuttle group of volunteers that lead tours rocket, Orion and the Commercial program. In fact, she joined the across the center. She said she loves Crew Program and Kennedy Space support throughout the year. Kennedy team in time to see the to volunteer at Kennedy because Center has just the people to do it. Center Director Bob Cabana STS-1 mission launch and saw all she is able to see and experience a Kennedy relies on a core of more thanked the volunteers during the 135 shuttle launches. launch up close. It is an experience than 700 volunteers consisting of presentation and said their com- “I enjoy seeing the looks on so few people ever have. current and retired employees who children’s faces when they see the munication with the public helps “The event really shows our share a strong passion for NASA shuttle launch,” Billias said. “I love appreciation to the volunteers for NASA better educate about the past and the space program. On Dec. 1, the rumbling in my chest. It is a part public outreach and conveying the and future of the center. these volunteers were recognized at of history, and I am glad that I got to NASA story to the outside world,” the Apollo/ V Center for Bob Sieck, former launch director be a part of it.” said Tiffany Fairley, program/project dedicating their time to spread for more than 50 shuttle launches Although Billias is planning to coordinator for ReDe/Critique. information about the center’s and a current volunteer, said when retire at the end of the year, she is Fairley said volunteers are es- mission through educational he retired it was very hard for him to not planning to stop volunteering. sential to raise awareness of what programs and VIP guest and leave something that was such a big In fact, she’s already signed up to NASA has done, is doing and will media tours, as well as launch part of his life for so long. He said continue. do in the future.

From MILESTONE, Page 1 the result was a “clean pad” with no fixed servicing tower or permanent clean room, both of which were needed to support the space shuttles. Instead, designers made room for the things every launcher will need, such as a water sound suppression system, electronics and data links, and a flame trench to funnel exhaust away from the rocket. “We want to be flexible, evolving, as multi-use as possible,” Colloredo said. “The clean pad ap- proach was a big part of that.” The redone Launch Pad 39B got a glimpse of the future recently when workers moved the 355-foot-tall mobile launcher (ML) into place for tests. After two weeks at the pad, the CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Jim Grossmann ML was driven back to its park site Members of the media tour several facilities Nov. 21, including the Operations & Checkout Building high bay where NASA’s Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Orion will be processed, during the 21st Century Ground Systems Program Tour at Kennedy Space Center. Other tour stops were the Launch Equipment Test beside the VAB atop one of the two Facility, the Multi-Payload Processing Facility and the Canister Rotation Facility. NASA’s 21st Century Ground Systems Program was initiated at Kennedy crawler-transporters. Space Center to establish the needed launch and processing infrastructure to support the Space Launch System Program and to work toward transforming The structural testing and systems the landscape of the launch site for a multi-faceted user community. For more on Orion, click on the photo. checks on the ML went well, Col- asteroid, Mars and other deep-space remain at the pad for only five days will stride down the same metal loredo said. destinations aboard the agency’s new before launch, a far cry from the walkway shuttle astronauts used. “It’s the first time we’ve done Orion spacecraft. weeks a shuttle would spend there With the mission concept review something like that in a long time,” The SLS is a modular rocket al- getting ready for liftoff, but there completed and the testing on the ML he said. “The clean pad functioned successful, Colloredo said the 21st lowing components of the system will be a certain tie between the ML like we thought it would.” Century Ground Systems Program to be mixed and matched to suit the and the shuttle pads, Colloredo said. The mobile launcher took two is starting to show results from the years to build and will go through payload and mission. Therefore, The orbiter access arm used months of work, studies and deci- some modifications to host the Space engineers are making the mobile at Launch Pad 39A is going to sions that have been under way. Launch System, or SLS. The SLS launcher capable of hosting five dif- be used as the crew access arm “There’s a lot of work going on is NASA’s that is being ferent versions of the SLS. on the ML, meaning that astronauts that a lot of people don’t realize,” he developed to launch astronauts to an The SLS and ML are expected to getting into the Orion spacecraft said. “We feel good about it.” Dec. 9, 2011 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3

Students explore life in space during Brevard Space Week By Linda Herridge “Brevard Space Week is impor- Spaceport News More online tant because it inspires students to study STEM disciplines and helps hat’s it like to live and NASA links for educators: www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/Alpha_index.html work in space? Almost NASA links for students: www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/index.html them realize the opportunities that About NASA Education: www.nasa.gov/offices/education/about/index.html 6,000 Brevard County are available to them,” Scauzillo W Brevard Schools Space Week: http://spaceweek.brevardschools.org/ said. sixth-graders had a rare opportu- Before the start of space week, a nity to experience this and much technology, engineering and math- nauts eat in space and how liquid more during the ninth Brevard ematics (STEM) curricula. nitrogen is stored. special workshop was held Nov. 16 Space Week at the Kennedy Space “Science is my passion. It’s fun to Scauzillo, who was a K-6 educa- for about 90 sixth-grade teachers at Center Visitor Complex from Nov. experiment and show the students tor in Brevard County for 10 years, the Brevard County School Board 29 through Dec. 9. hands-on science activities,” said has been at the ERC for nearly five office in Viera. Educator Resource Center (ERC) Colville, who was a science teacher years and involved with Brevard The topic on how to design a Education Specialists Linda Scauz- at Eau Gallie High School before Space Week since 2007. lunar thermos was one that had been illo and Laura Colville presented coming to Kennedy in 2001. “The most interesting question requested by the educators. two programs daily in the IMAX II During one of the programs Dec. I’ve been asked is, ‘What do we The students’ day excursion Theater to groups of students and 2, Colville demonstrated the proper- still have to learn to be able to live also included a tour of the visitor teachers from about 30 elementary ties of liquid nitrogen and how it re- on the surface of Mars?’” Scauzillo complex, a meet and greet with an schools in the county. The pro- acts with objects such as an inflated said. “I found it interesting because astronaut and viewing of the Hubble gram topics included Space Shuttle balloon and a leaf. She then invited the sixth-grade student was thinking 3D film. Program history; how vehicles are several students to participate in about all of the information that we Some major sponsors of this launched; NASA’s continued pres- hands-on demonstrations, including need to gather before implementing ence on the International Space Sta- using tools and sleeping in space. a mission to Mars.” year’s Brevard Space Week include tion; and robotics and the use of the Colville said the most common Scauzillo said the question shows the Brevard Schools Foundation, robotic arm on the space station. question she is asked is how astro- even children as young as those National Space Club, Lockheed In its ninth year, Brevard Space nauts go to the bathroom in space. in elementary school are thinking Martin, Boeing, United Space Alli- Week is designed to encourage But many students also ask other about the future and the possibilities ance, and Delaware North Compa- young students’ interest in science, creative questions about how astro- for space exploration. nies Parks and Resorts.

NASA/Jim Grossmann Hundreds of sixth-graders from Brevard County schools participated in Brevard Space Week from Nov. 29 through Dec. 9 at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS Dec. 9, 2011 Dec. 9, 2011 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 5 Scenes Around Kennedy Space Center 2011 Kennedy Awards

This award is intended to recognize contributions made by NASA employees, citizens, contractors or public organizations to Kennedy endeavors.

CERTIFICATES Megan A. Marynec SMALL BUSINESS OF APPRECIATION Michael L. Moore OFFICE AWARDS Anthony C. Muscatello Theodore O. Adams Duyen T. Nguyen Small Business Lisa D. Alonso Johnny T. Nguyen Prime Contractor of John O. Baker Mark A. Poff the Year Laura A. Baker Chelsea M. Poling Abacus Technology Marcus G. Baldini Janira Ramos Corp. Dennis Belford Glenn R. Rhodeside Small Business Richard Bettin Nicole M. Rivera Subcontractor Eric E. Bissonnette David F. Run of the Year Jenna F. Bliss Christine R. Shepperd All Points Logistics Michele J. Burch Edward A. Sikora Inc. Laurie C. Carter Heriberto Soto Anthony M. Caruvana Cynthia V. Steisslinger SECRETARIAL CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Cory Huston Thomas J. Casale Lisa A. Stephany EXCELLENCE An Orion flight test capsule makes a splash into the Atlantic Ocean as it slides from the deck of NASA’s Liberty Star ship into the water Kathleen Cobb John M. Sterritt AWARD Dec. 2. The Crew Module Recovery Attach Fitting Test on the capsule, which began at-sea operations Nov. 29, is under way. Multiple Kenneth W. Culberson Brenda L. Teachworth attach clips are being evaluated against the current recovery cleat configuration by U.S.Air Force pararescue jumpers (PJs) and a U.S. Marilyn A. Davidson Mena A. Waters Carol Moore Navy diver. The 21st Century Ground Systems Program will use data collected from the tests to help develop ground operations support equipment that could be used to recover an uncrewed Orion flight test capsule after splashdown.The Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle David Diaz Stephanie I. Watkins is NASA’s next-generation spacecraft being developed for deep space missions to asteroids, moons and other interplanetary destinations Nicholas F. DiBiase Mark J. Woloshin BEST OF KSC throughout the solar system. For more information on Orion, click on the photo. Jane M. Dumont SOFTWARE AWARD

CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Jim Grossmann Philip G. Falk ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS Ground Operations Space shuttle Discovery sports three replica shuttle main engines (RSMEs) in Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at Kennedy Space Center on Dec. 12. The RSMEs were installed on Discovery during Carol-Sue Feagan Space Shuttle Program transition and retirement activities. The replicas are built in the Pratt & Whitney engine shop at Kennedy to replace the shuttle engines which will be placed in Clark D. Ford Planning Database Environmental storage to support NASA’s Space Launch System, under development. Discovery is being prepared for display at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Christopher Galli Chantilly, Va. For more on the space shuttle transition and retirement, click on the photo. Individual Awards YOU MAKE A James H. Garrett DIFFERENCE Dimitrios Gerondidakis Edmund J. Byczek AWARD Juan P. Gordon Curtis E. Groves Olga L. Del Rio Vickie C. Hall Environmental Armando Maiz Mark E. Hametz Team Awards Dawn L. Oliver Michael P. Harrelson James D. Quinn Gary D. Hendricks IACP Chilled Water Teresa L. Strobush Flow Improvement Penelope Herbst Team: KSC ENGINEER/ Heather M. Hitchcock URS Federal SCIENTIST OF THE Michael D. Hogue Technical Services Richard G. Ikerd Inc. YEAR AWARD Brian J. Kilcommons Jacquelyn S. Leclaire Kennedy Data Civil Servant Category Leila Lee Pow Center Team: Philip T. Metzger Timothy R. Lewis Abacus Technology Fred A. Lockhart Corp. Contractor Category Randal J. Long NASA/Kim Shiflett Light Pollution Carlos T. Mata Thomas G. Luman Development of Exploration Park is underway near the Space Life Sciences Laboratory (SLSL) at Kennedy Space Center on Nov. 28. and Energy Use The first phase will encompass 60 acres just outside Kennedy’s security gates. Nine buildings will provide 350,000 square feet of work Peter J. Lyon Reduction Team: KSC EMPLOYEE OF space, including educational, office, research and lab, and high-bay facilities. Each building is expected to be certified in the U.S. Green Bradford P. Lytle THE YEAR AWARD Building Council’s Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED). Exploration Park is designed to be a strategically located CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis Delaware North complex, adjacent to the SLSL, for servicing diverse tenants and uses that will engage in activities to support space-related activities of A truck positions a full-size display of a space shuttle external fuel tank from the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex at a temporary storage area at Kennedy Space Center on Dec. 2. The tank James G. Mantovani Companies Parks & NASA, other government agencies and the U.S. commercial space industry. was part of a display of the external tank and two solid rocket boosters at the visitor complex that were used to show visitors the size of actual space shuttle components. Edwin Martinez Resorts Michelle C. Green Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS Dec. 9, 2011 Workers fill Salvation Army stockings for local families By Linda Herridge Coast Chapter of Federally books, crayons and more Spaceport News Employed Women (FEW) and labeled them by age for has grown in 13 years to a boy or girl. any of Santa’s become one of the largest “I think how important it helpers, in the collection efforts in the area is to be able to give to those Mform of NASA to support the Salvation who do not have,” Getter Kennedy Space Center Army’s mission. said. “And specifically this workers, were busy Dec. 9 Sandra Getter, a manage- year, for our friends who are gathering up stockings and ment support assistant in the now out of work and cannot bags filled with gifts for Engineering Directorate and afford what they would wish Brevard County boys and FEW vice president, coordi- for their children.” girls. nated this year’s effort. Salvation Army Corps A caravan of cars and “In the first year, 35 Officer Major Vicki Strong vans filled to the brim with stockings were collected. said she anticipates giving the precious cargo began Last year, we had nearly the Christmas stockings to its trek from Kennedy’s 1,000 stockings,” Getter about 330 families, which headquarters building to the said. “This year we col- could include about 1,200 Salvation Army North Cen- lected about half of that due children. tral Brevard Corps distribu- to the reduction in the work “The majority of the tion facility in Rockledge. force.” stockings we give out come The stockings will be added Getter has spearheaded from employees at Ken- to other items collected the effort at Kennedy for nedy Space Center,” Strong through the organization’s six years. This year, there said. “We might think that Angel Tree program and were about 18 NASA and crayons, a new toothbrush donations from the com- contractor workers distrib- or the small toy that fits munity, and then will be uting and collecting the in the stocking aren’t very distributed to needy families stockings. Employees filled important, but for children,

NASA/Frankie Martin beginning Dec. 20. the stockings with new per- it is still a wonderful gift -- Lisa Simpson, an administrative assistant with ASRC, gathers up filled Christmas What began as a small en- sonal hygiene items, books, one that is filled with many stockings donated by Kennedy Space Center workers for the Salvation Army. deavor in 1998 by the Space small toys, games, coloring different surprises.” Winning logo heightens Earth, space sustainability awareness By Stephanie Covey submitted and posted for on- She said Schoen’s logo Spaceport News line voting. More than 1,100 stood out because it is origi- votes were cast, and one nal, has a professional feel ASA has been going design rose above the rest. and captures the message green, and Kennedy And the winner is… Eli that we need to be sustain- NSpace Center is Schoen, Kennedy’s energy able on Earth and in space. helping lead the way. and water manager. “In all of our initiatives, Through the use of “I wanted to show that we have to be very sustain- alternative-fuel vehicles, sustainability can really able,” said Lumpkin. “This recycling programs and other be simple and should be a is especially important since initiatives, Kennedy has part of our everyday lives,” Kennedy is on a national pre- been putting an emphasis on Schoen said. serve. We need to protect the sustainability for years. Raquel Lumpkin, orga- Earth and the land we use.” Power and additional 63 Recently, center employ- nizational development The Merritt Island National Light solar field alternative-fuel ees were invited to enter a specialist and the lead for the Wildlife Refuge is inside the in Kennedy’s Industrial Area vehicles through the Ameri- contest to design the new contest, said the logo will be center’s boundaries. saves NASA about $162,000 can Recovery and Reinvest- sustainability logo that used to create a sustainability Current center sustainabil- in electric use each year. ment Act. would include the recently awareness campaign. ity initiatives include the new Approximately 75 percent And the Kennedy sustain- selected slogan “Mission The campaign will es- alkaline battery recycling of the center’s automotive ability team says it is not Sustainable: Go for Green,” tablish sustainability goals, program and updated facili- fleet runs on alternative- done yet. by Curtis Beatovich. The emphasize the importance of ties that meet the U.S. Green fuels, including bio-diesel, It is working on a plan to logo will be used to promote communication and will help Building Council’s Leader- electricity, compressed advance current initiatives, awareness of sustainable Kennedy employees benefit ship in Energy and Envi- natural gas (CNG) and E-85 so watch for sustainability products and programs. from the natural environment ronmental Design (LEED) (85 percent ethanol.) The tips, a sustainability newslet- Fifteen logo concepts were in their day- to-day activities. certification. The Florida center was able to obtain an ter and future contests. Dec. 9, 2011 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 7 Remembering Our Heritage PHSF takes ‘hazard’ out of hazardous processing By Kay Grinter Reference Librarian olar system explora- tion is dangerous, not Sonly in space but also on Earth where the probes are prepared for launch. NASA constructed a specialized facility in Kennedy Space Center’s Industrial Area 25 years ago to handle the processing of any payloads that might present safety concerns dur- ing ground operations. Its location in a remote, piney wooded area south of the

Parachute Refurbishment NASA/Frankie Martin Facility provides a built-in In July, technicians in the high bay of the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at Kennedy Space Center transfer the multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric genera- safety zone. tor (MMRTG) for NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission onto the aft of the Curiosity rover for a fit check with the aid of the MMRTG integration cart. Major construction by crane in the airlock can almost any hazardous pro- earlier this year for the fit The facility will stand Doster Construction Co. of cessing, such as ordnance check of the multi-mission empty next year while its Alabama on the new Pay- move and position the installation; the loading of radioisotope thermoelec- heating, ventilating and air- load Hazardous Servicing most massive payloads on conditioning (HVAC) air- Facility (PHSF) was com- NASA’s manifest. hypergolic propellants; or tric generator (MMRTG) Payload customers, the buildup, mating and on Mars Science Labora- handling system is upgraded pleted in December 1986. and preparations are made Workers then only had to however, provide their own alignment of a payload to a tory’s Curiosity rover. The specialized checkout equip- solid-propellant upper stage MMRTG generates power to receive NASA’s Mars put on the finishing touches Atmosphere and Volatile ment and work stands for motor, to name a few. from the natural decay of such as a state-of-the-art fire Evolution Mission (MA- their payloads. It also is a safe haven for plutonium-238, a non- alarm system and an area VEN) spacecraft in 2013. A facility control build- hazardous systems checkout weapons-grade form of the paging and warning system. MAVEN, like Curiosity, The steel-frame facility ing is located 700 feet away and testing. radioisotope. will begin its journey to is covered with insulated from the PHSF and can Prestigious payloads Testing of the MMRTG Mars from Cape Canav- metal siding and features accommodate 55 engineers checked out in the facility on the rover verified that eral Air Force Station. Its an 89-foot-high airlock and separate control rooms include NASA’s Cassini it was making the proper primary mission is to obtain leading into a 95-foot- for simultaneous processing Saturn probe in 1997 and connections, but the real critical measurements of the high service or high bay. of two payloads, one in the the equipment carriers for test will come after Curi- Martian atmosphere to help The 100,000-pound-rated PHSF and one in another the Hubble Space Telescope osity, which launched in scientists understand dra- crane in the high bay and location. servicing mission in 2008. November, arrives at Mars matic climate change on the 30,000-pound-capacity The high bay can support The PHSF was enlisted in August 2012. Red Planet over its history.

NASA file/1986 NASA file/1996 Construction on the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility and the surrounding The Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility sits in a remote, piney wooded area south of the Parachute Facility in Kennedy support buildings gets under way in 1986. Space Center’s Industrial Area. Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS Dec. 9, 2011

NASA Employees of the Month: December Looking up and ahead . . . * All times are Eastern

2012

No Earlier Than Jan. 19 Launch/CCAFS (SLC-37B): Delta IV, WGS 4; Launch window: TBD

Targeted for Feb. 7 Launch/CCAFS (SLC-40): SpaceX Falcon 9, Dragon C2/C3; Launch window: TBD

No Earlier Than Feb. 16 Launch/CCAFS (SLC-41): , MUOS; Launch window: TBD

No Earlier Than March 14 Launch/Kwajalein Atoll: Pegasus XL, NuSTAR; Launch window: TBD

No Earlier Than April 27 Launch/CCAFS (SLC-41): Atlas V, AEHF 2; Launch window: TBD

June Launch/CCAFS (SLC-37B): Delta IV-Heavy,

CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Tony Gray NROL-15; Employees for the month of December are, from left, Evelyn M. Orozco-Smith, Engineering Directorate; Launch window: TBD Chelsea M. Poling, Procurement Office; Matthew Jimenez, Chief Financial Office; Phillip L. Swihart, Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate; Muzette B. Fiander, Center Operations; and Brian P. Emond, Education and External Relations. Not pictured are Ginger L. F. Arrington, Chief Counsel; Timothy No Earlier Than Aug. 23 Launch/CCAFS (LC-41): Atlas V-401, RBSP; “Ozzie” Fish, Ground Processing Directorate; Joshua J. Manning, 21st Century Ground Systems Launch window: TBD Program Office; William U. Nortardonato, Engineering Directorate; and William C.Atkinson, Launch Services Program. No Earlier Than September Launch/CCAFS (LC-37B: Delta 4, GPS 2F-3; Launch window: TBD

No Earlier Then Dec. 1 Launch/VAFB: Pegasus XL, Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS); Launch window: TBD

No Earlier Than Dec. 1 Launch/CCAFS (LC-41): Atlas V, Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-K (TDRS-K); Launch window: TBD

John F. Kennedy Space Center Spaceport News

Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center and is published online on alternate Fridays by Public Affairs in the interest of KSC civil service and contractor employees. CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Frankie Martin Contributions are welcome and should be submitted three weeks before Mars Science Laboratory Update publication to Public Affairs, IMCS-440. E-mail submissions can be sent to [email protected] From left, Lars Perkins, chair of the Education and Public Outreach Committee of the NASA Advisory Council; Will.i.am, entertainer and member of the The Black Eyed Peas; NASA Deputy Managing editor ...... Candrea Thomas Administrator Lori Garver; former astronaut Leland Melvin, NASA associate administrator for Editor ...... Frank Ochoa-Gonzales Education; and television personality Bill Nye the Science Guy share a light moment with the Copy editor ...... Kay Grinter participants of a NASA Tweetup in a tent set up at Kennedy Space Center’s Press Site during Editorial support provided by Abacus Technology Corp. Writers Group. prelaunch activities for the agency’s launch of Mars Science Laboratory with the Curiosity rover NASA at KSC is on the Internet at www.nasa.gov/kennedy on Nov. 26. For more on the mission, click on the photo. MSL currently is on course for an USGPO: 733-049/600142 August 2012 landing. For more on the MSL mission, click on the photo.