sign in sign up
<<
Home , Buzz Lightyear, LCROSS

Oct. 16, 2009 Vol. 49, No. 21 Spaceport News John F. - America’s gateway to the universe

www..gov/centers/kennedy/news/snews/spnews_toc.html Journey back to inspires students, teachers By Linda Herridge In September and Spaceport News October, the ERC hosted What we said . . . Florida students from An- ASA’s Lunar Crater Kennedy Space Center workers drew Jackson Middle School Observation and gathered in the Operations in Titusville; Clearlake Sensing Satellite, or and Checkout Building and the N Middle School in Cocoa; and Operations Support Building II LCROSS, made an impact Girl Scouts from Brevard for a live viewing of the on more than just the moon LCROSS lunar impact. and Orange counties, for its when it plunged into the sur- Here’s what they said. LCROSS-related activities face shortly after 7:31 a.m. “It’s another day in history.” EDT Oct. 9. “On Target” and “Touch Down.” – Jennifer Abernathy, NASA For several weeks lead- ing up to the event, Kennedy The “On Target” activ- Space Center’s Education ity challenged students to “It took me back to the impact it Division conducted work- modify a paper cup so it had on me when I witnessed the could zip down a line and first in 1969.” shops and special activities – Larry Tucci, ManTech for hundreds of students drop a marble onto a target. and teachers from Brevard The “Touch Down” activ- “Hopefully we’ll learn from this ity challenged students to lunar landing how to scale the County, Fla., and across the NASA country. protect two “” blast of an descent stage Hundreds of Kennedy Space Center workers gathered early Oct. 9 to watch impact from an aborted landing Dr. Lesley Garner, lead the LCROSS moon impact at the Operations and Support Building II 5th floor during landing by designing and building a shock-absorb- near a lunar outpost.” for Elementary/Secondary Conference Room and the Operations and Checkout Mission Briefing Room. The – Phil Metzger, NASA Engineering LCROSS mission seeks to test for ice deposits on the moon, which will pave ing system, using cardboard, Surface Systems and Informal Education, said the way for future human lunar exploration. it’s an exciting time to be paper cups, straws and mini- “Losing the video was not that part of NASA education. neering and mathematics, or “It’s the next step in ex- marshmallows. “The students had a big of a deal, as long as they get “The students who STEM, careers at an early ploration for the next genera- the data they need, everything are participating in Lunar age.” tion,” said Laila Rahmatian, great time and came back should be OK. I’m anxiously Reconnaissance Orbiter/ Those wishing to catch NASA co-op. excited about being able awaiting the data and hoping LCROSS education activities a live glimpse of the impact While LCROSS inves- to accomplish something there’s water up there on the moon.” could very well play a role gathered in Kennedy’s tigators are busy scanning special, even though they usually have difficulty doing - Christopher Han, in sending mankind back to Operations and Checkout through data for signs of wa- United Space Alliance the moon and on to Mars,” Building and the Opera- ter ice deposits on the moon, normal classroom book- Garner said. “To help them tions Support Building II. the activities will continue at work,” said Dana McLaurin, “I’m kind of disappointed we achieve this goal it is vital Although the cameras on NASA’s Educator Resource a special education teacher lost video, but it still was very at Stone Middle School in exciting. Hopefully we’ll see that we take an active role to the impactor went out right Center, or ERC, through at what the data has to show.” encourage students to pursue before it hit, the excitement least December, and perhaps – Don Spratt, NASA science, technology, engi- of the mission’s goal did not. beyond. See MOON, Page 2

50 years of service Heritage: Road to Inside this issue . . . launch pads turns 45 Energy awareness Buzz Lightyear returns

Page 2 Page 3 Page 6 Page 7 Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS Oct. 16, 2009

From MOON, Page 1 Melbourne, Fla. October is Energy Awareness Month Other events included a Bre- espite the recent and unex- Schools in the vard In-service Teacher Workshop pected heat wave, October and its territories, science muse- on Sept. 14, followed by another Ways to conserve is the time of year when ums, science centers and home workshop on Oct. 3. Facilitators took D For more ways to conserve we welcome cooler temperatures school groups may host teams. LCROSS activities on the road to energy in the workplace, click on and observe Energy Awareness The winning teams will be an- Durbin Creek Elementary School in the “Bring your Green to Work” Month. nounced in May 2010. During the Jacksonville, Fla., Sept. 15, where link at: This year’s energy theme, “A students and their families gathered winning team’s visit to Kennedy, Sustainable Energy Future: We’re www.energystar.gov. for Astronomy Night, and viewed the students will gain firsthand knowl- Putting All the Pieces Together,” moon through telescopes provided edge about NASA’s missions, encourages everyone to help by the ERC. tion by unplugging equipment that receive behind-the-scenes tours of acheive and maintain an energy- According to ERC Program drains energy even when not in use launch facilities, and learn about efficient future. Manager Birdette Brown, with the and placing trouble calls to report future aerospace and engineering When we put all the pieces University of Central Florida, the energy waste in the work area. careers. together, all of us -- NASA, private ERC will host LCROSS briefings for Follow Kennedy’s slogan, The competition is designed industry and the public -- we have Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Orange “Get a Grip on the Power, Save to engage and retain students in the means to shape our energy County educators Oct. 17. Energy at KSC.” the science, technology, engineer- future and move our nation toward Later this month, LCROSS ing and math disciplines critical to energy independence. activities will reach more Florida NASA’s missions. The 2009 Energy Awareness Water recycling competition students from Willow Creek Middle For information about the Month campaign reminds federal School in Vero Beach, Lake High- challenge and how to apply, visit: employees to switch off unneces- NASA also is calling on fifth- land Preparatory School in Orlando, www.nasa.gov/offices/education/ sary lights and equipment, use through eighth-grade students to Trinity School in Tampa, and Mathis centers/kennedy/home. efficient Energy Star products and participate in a waste limitation Elementary School in Jacksonville. compact fluorescent light bulbs, management and recycling design LCROSS briefings and activi- and drive fuel-efficient and alterna- challenge. Musgrave to speak ties already were given to the Indian tive-fuel vehicles. Participants in the competition River and Gifford libraries in Vero The National Energy Con- will design and test water recy- NASA Story Mus- Beach, Fla., the Citrus Council Girl servation Policy Act requires all cling systems that could be used grave will talk about “The Beauty Scouts, students visiting from Ennis federal agencies to reduce energy for future . of Nature, The Art of Technology” Junior High School in Montana, consumption per gross square foot The top three teams will receive during a presentation at 6:15 p.m. Lauer Middle School in Pennsyl- by 3 percent annually or 30 percent awards, and the first place team Oct. 17. vania, New Covenant School in by 2015. will receive a trip to Kennedy. Brevard Community College Orlando, and Living Science Home In addition to the energy Teams of up to six students is hosting the event at the Cocoa School in Georgia. conservation measures above, the and one teacher or mentor should campus’ Florida Solar Energy LRO/LCROSS press kits and Kennedy Space Center Energy submit their proposals and results Center at 1679 Clearlake Road in special DVDs titled, “Let’s Kick up Working Group calls on all em- to NASA for evaluation by Feb. 1, Cocoa, Fla. Some Moon Dust,” were sent to each ployees to reduce energy consump- 2010. For tickets, call 321-727-2311. Brevard County school. The ERC also hosted planetarium shows lead- ing up to and after the impact. “We are excited to share STEM Former Kennedy worker, LCROSS hands-on activities with students and educators,” Brown said. astronaut remembered “It is an amazing to be able to inspire the next generation ernando “Frank” 1991 as a cryogenics and of astronauts, scientists, engineers, Caldeiro, a NASA propulsion systems expert geologists and geographers, as well Fastronaut and former for the Safety and Mission as students interested in the many Kennedy Space Center Assurance Office. He took other career opportunities NASA has employee, died Oct. 3 after part in 52 to offer.” a battle with brain cancer. launches before being chosen The education outreach doesn’t He was 51. as an astronaut candidate in end there. About 30 college under- Caldeiro was born 1996. graduate and graduate students from June 12, 1958, in Buenos He received his master around the country participated in an Aires, Argentina, but of science in engineering online chat with LCROSS Co-In- considered New York City management from the vestigator Peter Schultz on Oct. 15. and Merritt Island, Fla., to University of Central Florida. Schultz also is the director of the be his hometowns. Caldeiro He is survived by his Rhode Island Space Grant through was the first person of wife, the former Donna Marie Emero of Huntington NASA’s Exploration Systems Mis- Argentinean descent to train NASA file/1998 Beach, Calif., and two sion Directorate. for a spaceflight. Astronaut Fernando “Frank” Caldeiro in front of space shuttle Discov- “Our content is literally ‘out of Caldeiro joined daughters, Annie and ery as it moves out of Orbiter Processing Facility-2 en route to the this world,’ ” Garner said. Kennedy Space Center in Michelle. Vehicle Assembly Building in 1998. Oct. 16, 2009 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 Disney celebrates Buzz Lightyear’s return from ISS By Steven Siceloff taxpayer, but you’ve got to excite the Spaceport News next generation of space travelers.” Buzz has proven an attraction in uzz Lightyear didn’t quite ways Wardle said he didn’t expect. make it to infinity, but he For instance, a U.S. Air Force went well beyond the realm B officer at Edwards Air Force Base of other action figures. in California asked for a photo with The icon of Disney’s “Toy Buzz after space shuttle Discovery Story” films spent 15 months on touched down there in September the International Space Station and ending the STS-128 mission. got a ticker-tape parade alongside But the idea was hardly a real-life moonwalker certainty when Wardle pitched it to a and Expedition 18 Commander and NASA astronaut Mike Finke to roomful of NASA officials. welcome him home to Disney World “My sense was 50 percent loved in Orlando, Fla., on Oct. 2. the idea but probably didn’t want to “Buzz was the perfect say it, and 50 percent of the room crewmate,” Finke said. “He lifted wanted to pick me up and throw me our spirits, he didn’t talk much and out the window,” Wardle recalled. he didn’t eat much, so he left us his Once the plan was approved, extra portions.” there was still a significant hurdle While Buzz Lightyear is a space for the project: 12-inch Buzz ranger, Finke said the character’s Lightyear action figures had gone best work has been in serving as a out of production months before bridge between the fun, fanciful side and Wardle’s team of employees could not find them in any store, of spaceflight and the technical and NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis warehouse or anywhere else. scientific skills NASA uses to make Buzz Lightyear received a space hero’s welcome during a ticker-tape parade through Walt Disney spaceflight happen in real life. World’s Magic Kingdom on Oct. 2. The 12-inch-tall action figure spent more than 15 months aboard the “I was driving back to the office, “Buzz is internationally known, International Space Station and returned to on Sept. 11. and I got a call and all I heard was and Buzz is a space ranger, so by a voice, ‘To Infinity and Beyond,’” Space Station, and that’s pretty sharing some of Buzz’s adventures Wardle said. “Then my wife said, great.” with what we do at NASA, it really ‘Found it, it’s been underneath (my Disney also developed highlights a lot of good things for son’s) bed. It’s been there six months and posted several Web-based NASA and shows what we really do, collecting dust. And I was like, educational games for Buzz’s launch what astronauts do,” Finke said. ‘Right, that’s it then, that’s the Buzz The toy’s popularity gives and landing based on NASA’s Lightyear that’s going into space. NASA a head start in getting missions and goals. Wasn’t quite in the plan, but . . . “ children’s attention in a world in Finke and Buzz’s mission at That Buzz went from bedroom which focus is short-lived, said Joyce Disney’s Magic Kingdom also floor to Houston in days, and into Winterton, associate administrator included teaching school children orbit a couple months later. At for NASA Education. about space travel, science and that point, there was not any talk “It’s something that students and technology. NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis of bringing the action figure back. children can relate to,” Winterton Veronica Franco, an education Buzz Lightyear and his former International Space Instead, he would stay on the station specialist at Kennedy Space Station crewmate, Mike Finke, share the limelight said. “So when they see him going in a welcome home parade at Disney World in as a permanent resident, including up in space on the shuttle or the Center, led a number of space- Orlando, Fla., on Oct. 2. during the station’s fiery entry when station it becomes a touch point for related demonstrations, including it eventually is de-orbited. them.” freezing and crumbling plants using hear about first? The technologically Wardle provided the winning The parade coincided with liquid nitrogen. With help from advanced toilet. argument for bringing Buzz back a NASA education initiative that “Spaceman” from the Kennedy Buzz didn’t have to learn that on the shuttle: “I said, guys, if you includes an opportunity for students Space Center Visitor Complex, she lesson during his time in orbit. incinerate Buzz Lightyear, I’ll have to propose an experiment which will showed how astronauts get dressed Disney was aware of the to tell the world’s children.” be flown on the International Space for a spacewalk. somewhat mixed goals for NASA So with his flight home Station. There also is a contest to Then it was Finke’s turn to wow and the entertainment company, and approved, Buzz moved into design a that will go the students with firsthand accounts backed down its normal commercial Discovery during STS-128 and into orbit on the station. from his two, six-month stays in considerations for the chance to send returned to Earth. His education “We’ve got the attention of the of space. He Buzz into space. mission is not over though. Plans thousands of students because of looked at stars, conducted research “You’ve got to strike a balance,” call for him to be displayed in the Buzz Lightyear,” Winterton said. on changes to the body and basically said Disney’s Duncan Wardle, the Smithsonian’s National Air and “And hopefully we’ll have a large adjusted his body to cope with the company’s global vice president for Space Museum in Washington, number of students say let’s plan unpredictable nature of things in zero Public Relations Integration. “And Wardle said. an experiment. Of those we’ll pick gravity. it’s a hard role for a government “This one is going to be hard to 12 that will fly on the International So what did students want to organization sponsored by the top,” Finke said. Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS Oct. 16, 2009 Oct. 16, 2009 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 5 Scenes Around Kennedy Space Center

NASA Maria Tellado, left, and Cindy Gooden attend the brown bag lunch and learn Oct. 2 hosted by the Hispanic Outreach and Leader- ship Alliance team, or HOLA, and the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. Miguel Rodriguez, the office’s deputy director, shared his personal journey and perspectives on leadership. Hispanic heritage month is observed Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

NASA/ Troy Cryder Volunteers portraying astronauts are transported to helicopters as part of a Mode II-IV exercise Oct. 1 that allows teams to practice an emergency response at Launch Pad 39A, including helicopter evacuation to local hospitals. The exercise involves NASA fire rescue personnel, volunteers portraying astronauts with simulated injuries, helicopters and personnel from the U.S. Air Force’s 920th Rescue Wing and medical trauma teams at three Central Florida hospitals.

NASA This girl was among thousands of visitors to tour the Kennedy Space Center display during the Home and Patio Show at the Prime Spaceport News Osborn Convention Center in Jacksonville, Fla., Oct. 1-4. Kennedy’s Display Outreach Team supported the event with interactive wants photos, and informational displays. This one identifies general household goods that have ties to space exploration. story ideas Send photos of yourself and/or your co-workers in action for possible publication. Photos should include a short caption describing what’s going on, with names and job titles, from left to right. Also, if you have a good story idea chime in. Send your story ideas or photos to: NASA/Amanda Diller

Workers position the Solar Dynamics Observatory, or SDO spacecraft, onto a work stand during preparations for propulsion NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-Spaceport-News@ system testing and leak checks at the Astrotech Space Operations Facility in Titusville, Fla. SDO is the first space weather re- Workers monitor the progress of space shuttle Atlantis as it backs out of Orbiter Processing Facility-1 for its move to the Vehicle mail.nasa.gov NASA search network mission in NASA’s Program. The spacecraft’s long-term measurements will give solar scientists Assembly Building. The rollover began at about 7 a.m. EDT and was completed at 8:25 a.m. Liftoff of Atlantis on its STS-129 mis- Connie Phillips reads a firefighter book to a group of youngsters during Fire Safety Week at the Child Development Center at in-depth information about changes in the sun’s magnetic field and into how they affect Earth. Liftoff on an rocket is sion to the International Space Station is targeted for Nov. 12. Kennedy Space Center. The children are Lisa Morgan, Lucas Sims, Everett Cox, Sydney Freeland and Kane Paglialonga. planned for Feb. 3, 2010. Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS Oct. 16, 2009

NASA/Jim Grossmann Charlie Buchanan, a design engineer with EG&G Technical Services, recently was recognized for 50 years of service at the spaceport. Buchanan’s journey began in 1959 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Complex 30 blockhouse where he was a draftsman. Engineer celebrates 50-year milestone at spaceport By Linda Herridge was recognized for his many International, Space Gate- learning the computer-aided at the Merritt Island Skating Spaceport News years of service on Sept. way Support, and twice for design program Micro Sta- Rink where astronauts Tom 14. Richard Hatcher, acting EG&G. When his job within tion. Stafford and Pete Conrad orking at Ken- branch manager and lead the ended In all his years, Buchan- wore roller skates and glided nedy Space architect for ISC Engineering in 1970, he was laid off for around the dance floor. Center for half a an said he’s only had three W Services, presented Buchan- one year, but returned on the bad days. The first was the While Buchanan century can offer someone many memories. For Charlie an with a special plaque to Base Support Contract in Apollo 1 fire, the second was cherishes his early years on Buchanan, a design engi- mark the milestone. June 1971. the Challenger accident and the Space Coast, he also is neer with EG&G Technical “I think what works for Since that time, he’s the third was President John looking ahead to the launch Services on the Institutional Charlie is that he is always created design packages F. Kennedy’s assassination. center’s future. Services Contract, his 50 coming into work with a for facility remodels, and “It’s hard when you “I hope NASA will con- years of Kennedy recollec- smile and a positive attitude, acquired the materials and get to know the astronauts tinue to move forward with tions brought him back to even when things aren’t equipment to complete the and then a tragedy occurs,” the the Complex 30 blockhouse going as well as they could,” modifications. Buchanan said. “We’ve seen and Ares vehicle,” Buchanan at Cape Canaveral Air Force Hatcher said. “I’m one of the people a lot . . . and been through a said. Station, where his journey as Buchanan worked on who workers out here don’t lot here.” He and wife, June, live a draftsman began. Project Vanguard for the like to see,” Buchanan joked. The most enjoyable part in Rockledge, Fla., and will “I recall when a safety Martin Company, now Lock- “If they see me, it usually of his job is meeting and celebrate their 54th wedding flight officer had to detonate heed Martin, in Baltimore. means they’re going to have getting to know so many anniversary in February. a Pershing missile a few sec- When the launch vehicle he to move.” people, including most of the They have three children, onds into flight,” Buchanan worked on was sent to the In fact, Buchanan said early astronauts. daughters Yvonne and Janet, said while remembering Cape in 1959, he transferred he’s created the design One of his most memo- and son, Charles E., and six some of his first experi- there shortly afterward and packages for nearly every rable experiences was stand- grandchildren. ences at the Cape. “It was the lived in the small community worker’s move from one ing next to Alan Shepard June worked for NASA biggest nighttime fireworks of Sunrise Beach, Fla. He room to another, or from one at the Cape’s Skid Strip as in the Education Division. display I’ve ever seen.” moved to Melbourne, Fla., in facility to another. President Kennedy gave She coordinated several Buchanan has wit- May 1962. Buchanan said one of John Glenn an award for his education and science fair nessed nearly every test Throughout the years the challenges of his job was suborbital flight. programs for students, and flight and launch from and as contracts changed, he transitioning from draft- Another time, he at- retired from Kennedy in Kennedy and the Cape, and worked for Boeing Services ing the designs by hand to tended a semi-formal dance 1995. Oct. 16, 2009 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 7 Remembering Our Heritage

NASA file/1964 NASA file/2000 The first stretch of the crawlerway between Kennedy Space Center’s Vehicle Assembly Building and Launch Pad 39A began in November 1963. By the end of 1964, it was 83 percent complete. For the first test in June 1965, the crawlerway was paved with asphalt. The maximum crawlerway loading reported to date from any Apollo or space shuttle configuration is 18.6 million pounds.The Ares V loads are projected to be up to 35 percent larger. The crawlerway is expected to undergo a major “re-rocking” in the coming months. Crawlerway provides ‘firm foundation’ for Saturn V By Kay Grinter consider the wind loads and static scuffed on the crawlerway during about a million years ago. It was Reference Librarian loads, the pressures per square inch turns. placed along the roadbed to a depth and the duration of those pressures, “The vibrations that resulted of 4 inches on the straightaway sec- he lumbering “rollouts” to the size of the vehicle treads and were unexpected and unacceptable,” tions and 8 inches on the curves. the launch pads, the cause of the footprint of each. Therefore, the Wasileski said. “The crawler’s treads ran in the Tmuch excitement in NASA’s crawlerway was built to withstand The treads also chewed up same place on the crawlerway every launch campaigns at Kennedy Space loads in excess of 12,000 pounds per large portions of the asphalt surface. time,” Cunningham explained, “and Center today, are a direct result of square foot. “The asphalt was sticking to the did not break the rock all the way decisions made 45 years ago during Preparations to construct the treads,” said NASA’s Harrell Cun- down.” the Apollo era. first stretch of the crawlerway be- ningham, chief of Kennedy’s Roads He suggested that a spring-tooth NASA’s Chester “Chet” tween the Vehicle Assembly Build- and Grounds/Heavy Equipment. “It harrow drawn by a tractor, such as Wasileski, then chief of Kennedy’s ing, or VAB, and Launch Pad 39A, had to be removed or it could have the ones used on the farm where he Projects Engineering Office, was began in November 1963. broken the treads.” grew up, rather than a heavy road one of the decision-makers in De- The approach was similar to Harry Shockey was mechani- scrapper, be used to bring the unbro- sign Engineering. that of building a highway cause- cal shop manager for Kennedy’s ken rocks to the surface, allowing “The real debate was how to way. After excavating any soft Technical Shop. the smaller, finer pieces to settle on move the Saturn V to the launch material, more than 3 million cubic “My supervisors, Albert Zeiler the bottom. The suggestion produced pad,” Wasileski said. “Our main op- yards of hydraulic fill from the turn and Bob Gorman, suggested that the best results at less cost to NASA. tions were by rail, wheel or water. I basin were pumped along the route, covering the surface with hay might The maximum crawlerway voted for using a railway.” compacted with vibratory rollers, be an inexpensive alternative,” loading reported to date from any The Marion Power Shovel and then proof-rolled with a 100-ton Shockey said. “The hay was spread Apollo or space shuttle configura- Company was awarded the contract roller. on the crawlerway north of the VAB tion is 18.6 million pounds. The to build a vehicle capable of trans- Its lower 3-foot layer of sand and on the crawler park site. The Ares V loads are projected to be up porting the load over a roadway, and shell fill was followed by three- crawler moved over the hay, turning to 35 percent greater. based on their success with similar and-a-half feet of a blended mixture to the right or left, to grind it down A study of the crawlerway’s transporters for the mining industry. of fine and course lime rock. The to see what happened. foundation is under way to predict, This space-age transporter lime rock was then topped with an “It did a fair job, believe it or with a high level of confidence, the would not have wheels, but metal asphalt seal coat. The depth of the not,” Shockey recalled, “but made ability of the crawlerway to support treads. The combined weight of the roadway was 7 to 8 feet, depending the worst mess. We decided real fast the weight of the combined crawler- transporter, the mobile launcher and on location along the route. that was not the way to go.” transporter, new mobile launcher the Saturn V rocket was projected to By the end of 1964, the crawler- River rock was determined to and Ares V vehicle. The results be 17 million pounds. Its roadway way was 83 percent complete. be most resistant to being crushed will be available by May 2010. would need a sturdy foundation. During the first test of the by the crawler, particularly that from The crawlerway also will undergo The U.S. Army Corps of Engi- crawler in June 1965, high hydraulic an area in central Alabama which a major “re-rocking” in the coming neers, the road’s builder, also had to pressures were noted when its trucks was covered by the Gulf of Mexico months. Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS Oct. 16, 2009

2009 NASA Employees of the Year DAAWG hosts event Oct. 30 The Disability Awareness and Action Working Group, or DAAWG, is hosting an event for National Disability Employment Awareness Month on Oct. 30 in the Kennedy Space Center Training Auditorium. This year’s theme is “Expectation + Opportunity = Full Participation.” Aaron Scheidies, who is a blind world champion triathlete, will be a speaking at the NASA/Sandy Joseph event at 9 a.m. The 2009 Kennedy Space Center Employees of the Year, from left: Courtney Flugstad, Launch Vehicle An information fair, including representatives from various organizations, will Processing Directorate; Lisa Huddleston, Engineering Directorate; Jennifer Lindsey, Constellation Project follow at 10 a.m. Office; Linda Foster, Launch Services Program; Joy Batterson, Information Technology and Communica- For more information about Scheidies and his triumphs, go to: tions Services; Jacqueline Quinn, Applied Technology Directorate; Dale Breidenbach, Human Resource Office; and Laura Thayer, Information Technology and Communications Services. Not pictured are: www.cdifferent.org/athletes/aaronscheidies.html. Sariah Adams, Chief Counsel; Kevin Decker, Engineering Directorate; Gladys Escobar, Procurement For more information about the DAAWG event, call Annie Williams at 321- Office; Kent Beringer, ISS and Spacecraft Processing Directorate; Helen Kane, External Relations; 867-8720. Suzanne Dininny, Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate; and Daniel Hull, Center Operations.

NASA Employees of the Month: October Elementary schools to participate in ‘Butterflies in Space’ program Space Florida announced an opportunity for 15 Florida elementary schools to participate in the “Butterflies in Space” program. Each classroom will host a butterfly larvae habitat and compare development of their habitat to that of another test group of larvae flying aboard STS-129, bound for the International Space Station in November. This program, made possible in collaboration with NASA/Sandy Joseph BioServe of Colorado, received an overwhelming reply from Florida schools in Employees of the month for October are, from left: Jonathan Partridge, Center Operations; Staci Leach, Chief Financial Office; Vu Le, Information Technology and Communications Services; Ember Smith, response to the initial posting of the opportunity. Constellation Space Transportation Planning Office; and Robert Summers, Engineering Directorate. Schools selected to participate in the program and receive free butterfly Not pictured are: Thomas Howard Smith, Constellation Project Office; Madhukar Jalota, Engineering habitats for their classrooms include: Directorate; Batholomew Pannullo, Procurement Office; Phillip Swihart, Safety and Mission Assur- ance Directorate; Jennifer Wahlberg, ISS and Spacecraft Processing Directorate; and Charles Walker, Freedom 7 Elementary, Cocoa Beach – Fifth grade Launch Services Program. Golfview Elementary, Rockledge – K-sixth grade Lewis Carroll Elementary, Merritt Island – Fifth grade Robert Louis Stevenson School of the Arts, Merritt Island – Fifth grade Union Park Elementary, Orlando – K-fifth-grade science labs Eagle’s View Academy, Jacksonville – Seventh- and eighth-grade sciences Looking up and ahead . . . Aventura City of Excellence School, Aventura – Second- and fifth-grade science Argyle Elementary, Orange Park – Fourth-grade math/science/social studies Targeted for Oct. 27 Launch/KSC: Ares I-X flight test; Window: 8 a.m. to noon EDT Hammock Pointe Elementary, Boca Raton – Fifth-grade science and writing Dale Mabry Elementary, Tampa – Fifth-grade science and math Targeted for Nov. 12 Launch/KSC: Atlantis, STS-129; 4:04 p.m. EST Elementary, Deltona – Fifth grade Planned for Nov. 23 Landing/KSC Shuttle Landing Facility: 11:31 a.m. EST Riversink Elementary, Crawfordville – First grade Glenallen Elementary, North Point – K-fifth-grade science Targeted for Nov. 14 Launch/CCAFS: Atlas V, ; 12:48 to 2:18 a.m. EST Holm Elementary, Pensacola – Fifth-grade math and science Poinciana Elementary, Naples – First-grade science Targeted for Nov. 18 Launch/CCAFS: Delta IV, WGS SV-3; Window: 7:45 to 8:30 p.m. EST

No earlier than Nov. 29 Launch/CCAFS: Falcon 9, TBD; Window: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST More than 2,400 students from these schools will directly benefit from the program.

Dec. 7 Launch/VAFS: WISE; Window: 9:10 to 9:23 a.m. EST

No earlier than Feb. 3 Launch/CCAFS: Atlas V, SDO; 10:53 to 11:53 a.m. EST John F. Kennedy Space Center Targeted for Feb. 4 Launch/KSC: Endeavour, STS-130; 6:20 a.m. EST Targeted for February Launch/CCAFS: Delta IV, GPS IIF-1; TBD Spaceport News No earlier than March 4 Launch/CCAFS: Delta IV, GOES-P; TBD Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center and Targeted for March 18 Launch/KSC: Discovery, STS-131; 1:08 p.m. EDT is published on alternate Fridays by External Relations in the interest of KSC civil service and contractor employees. Targeted for May 14 Launch/KSC: Atlantis, STS-132; 3:05 p.m. EDT Contributions are welcome and should be submitted three weeks before publication to the Media Services Branch, IMCS-440. E-mail submissions can be sent to Targeted for May 23 Launch/VAFB: Delta II, Aquarius / SAC-D Satellite; TBD [email protected] Targeted for July 29 Launch/KSC: Endeavour, STS-134; 8:45 a.m. EDT Managing editor ...... Candrea Thomas Editor ...... Frank Ochoa-Gonzales Targeted for Sept. 16 Launch/KSC: Discovery, STS-133; 1 p.m. EDT Copy editor ...... Rebecca Sprague No earlier than Oct. 1 Launch/VAFB: Taurus, Glory; TBD Editorial support provided by Abacus Technology Corp. Writers Group. NASA at KSC is on the Internet at www.nasa.gov/kennedy Targeted for Fall 2011 Launch/CCAFS: Atlas V, ; TBD USGPO: 733-049/600142