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July 11, 2003 Vol. 42, No. 14 Spaceport News America’s gateway to the universe. Leading the world in preparing and launching missions to Earth and beyond. http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/snews/snewstoc.htm John F. Kennedy Space Center Jim Kennedy named KSC Director William F. Readdy, Associate Bridges. “I think he will do a Future KSC Administrator for Space Flight at wonderful job of being my Director Jim NASA Headquarters in Washing- successor here. You can cer- Kennedy (left) ton, named James W. Kennedy as tainly count on me and Benita shakes hands the new Director of Kennedy (Bridges’ wife), from our new with current Space Center June 26. Kennedy place, to be boosters of this team Director Roy has served as KSC’s Deputy at KSC as well as the bigger One Bridges Jr. following the Director since November 2002. NASA team.” announcement “The programs we support are Prior to his assignment to at the Training so profoundly important,” said KSC in 2002, Kennedy was Auditorium. Kennedy. “The Space Shuttle deputy director of NASA’s Kennedy will processing for launching and George C. Marshall Space Flight assume his landing is so critical and we do it Center in Huntsville, Ala. new post so well at this Center. I want to Kennedy also served as Aug. 10. work with you to continue to project manager for major make it the best that it can be as initiatives, such as the X-34 and In 1998, he was selected as to implement the findings of the we attempt to get into the return the DC-XA, and he led the One the Deputy Director of Science Columbia Accident Investigation to flight. I will give it my all to NASA effort to help make the and Engineering, where he was Board, Jim’s knowledge of the make sure you have the re- Agency more effective and responsible for establishing and Space Shuttle and his leadership sources to do what we need to do efficient by encouraging team- maintaining a nationally recog- abilities are essential in making collectively as a Center to return work across all field centers. nized research and development our ‘Return to Flight’ effort a to flight safely.” In early 1996, he was the capability in space research and success.” Kennedy will succeed Roy manager for Marshall’s Space technology. One year later, he Kennedy first joined NASA in Bridges Jr., who was appointed Shuttle Projects Resident Office became the Director of Engineer- 1968 in the Aerospace Engineer- to lead NASA’s Langley Re- at KSC. Kennedy returned to ing. ing Cooperative Education search Center, Hampton, Va., Marshall when he received a “Along with his impeccable program at KSC. He earned a June 13. Senior Executive Service credentials, Jim brings stability bachelor’s degree in mechanical “When asked, I gave Jim my appointment in September 1996 to KSC at a time when we need engineering from Auburn strongest unqualified support for and was named manager of the it,” Readdy said making the University in 1972. After being succeeding me in this job,” said Solid Rocket Booster Project. announcement. “As we prepare (See KENNEDY, Page 7) Inside Special events planned for children On July 24, KSC will cel- a.m. Page 2 - Several sites ebrate Take Our Children To All children considered for Columbia debris Work Day. This will be the 11th must wear their Pages 3 - Education Office gives year the Center will open its badge and be faculty and students facility tour doors for the children of KSC with a badged employees, who are invited to employee at all Page 5 - Fleet of ëAmerican fuelí bring a son or daughter, grand- times. The vehicles in use at KSC child, niece or nephew to work sponsor is with them to share in the work responsible for experience. the children they This special day targets bring – the child children from 9 to 15 years old. may go with It encourages children to set another person goals for their future and to build to another work on these goals during their years Children must enter through Gates site, but ultimate responsibility Page 8 - Remembering Our in school. 1, 2, 2B, 2C, 3, and 4. Program remains will the sponsor. Heritage: Explorer 49 last Several exciting educational hours are from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Children may not be taken scheduled US mission to moon programs are being planned. Access will not be allowed before 7 (See EVENTS, Page 4) Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS July 11, 2003 Storage of Columbia debris to be determined After the Apollo 1 tragedy bia Material and Analysis occurred, the launch pad was Columbia Museum. used for another launch and debris “Through the efforts of then “abandoned in place” storage is outside researchers, we stand to with a memorial plaque. being learn a great deal regarding Following the Challenger considered hypersonic and thermodynamic accident investigation, the for the VAB properties and their affects on B Tower, an debris was placed in two off-site spacecraft parts. This will greatly Minuteman missile silos and lease assist in the design and flight adjacent underground building, safety of future spacecraft,” said equipment rooms at aban- and other Mike Leinbach, KSC Shuttle doned Launch Complexes 31 facilities. Launch Director. and 32 at Cape Canaveral Air “These letters of interest are Force Station (CCAFS). being reviewed for practicality Now that Columbia debris These include using a section of According to Steve Parker, and feasibility,” said Parker. reconstruction efforts at the current reconstruction NASA contract specialist, 15 “Some of the proposals are Kennedy Space Center are hangar, the Vehicle Assembly letters of interest ranging from seeking money to perform the complete and the Reconstruc- Building (VAB) B Tower, the private companies, aerospace research, which must be factored tion Team has issued their Spacecraft Assembly and consortiums and public universi- against what we already know report to NASA and the Encapsulation Facility, an off- ties have been received. from the accident investigation.” Columbia Accident Investiga- site lease building, or Complexes Proposals included perform- The Columbia Preservation tion Board, the questions on 31 and 32 silos at CCAFS. “The ing studies on pieces of the Team will present options and many minds are where will reconstruction hangar and the debris using various failure recommendations to KSC senior the debris be stored? And will VAB are the most likely,” said analyses methods; curation and management later this summer. the debris be offered to Thurston. management of debris; using the To honor Columbia, Space- organizations outside NASA In order to determine how debris for teaching failure port News will publish a 12-page for scientific study and best to store the debris, the analysis techniques; and studies color commemorative issue July research? Columbia Preservation Team of debris trajectory data. 25. The issue will contain stories “Several facilities are issued a “Request for Informa- Also proposed were studies of highlighting debris workers’ being considered for storage tion” (RFI) on May 9, with welded, brazed or soldered experiences in the field, the purposes,” said Scott responses due June 6. The RFI joints; studies of effects of efforts of the Reconstruction Thurston, Columbia Preserva- was sent to scientific, academic thermal cycling and zero gravity Team, the history of the first tion Team lead with NASA. and governmental organizations. over time; and creating a Colum- Space Shuttle and more. Shuttle program manager announces personnel changes Space Shuttle Program positions. He began his manage- Office, International Space Director on Discovery’s STS-102 Manager Bill Parsons recently rial career in 1985 as Head, Station Program. mission in March 2001. Follow- announced several key leader- Communications Systems Edward J. Mango becomes ing Columbia’s accident, Shan- ship changes within the office as Section. From 1988 to 2002 he Deputy Manager, Orbiter Project non served as the Deputy it reorganizes and evolves served as a flight director Office. He has been the technical Director of the Columbia Task following the Columbia accident. including the Ascent and Entry assistant to the Space Shuttle Force that served as the interface “This is a critical time for the Flight Director for 28 Space Program Manager on detail from between NASA and the Columbia Agency and the shuttle program Shuttle flights. KSC. Accident Investigation Board. and I believe these changes and Steve M. Poulos, Jr., becomes Mango joined NASA at KSC Shannon joined NASA JSC in additions to my staff prepares us Acting Manager, Orbiter Project in 1986 and has held positions 1987 and has served in several to return to flight as soon as Office at JSC. He joins the that include Lead Project Engi- senior technical and managerial possible and, most importantly, shuttle program from the Engi- neer for the External Tank and positions. He began his manage- as safely as possible,” said neering Directorate where he Solid Rocket Motors; Lead rial career in 1992 as Head, Parsons. most recently was Chief, Crew Project Engineer for Atlantis Guidance and Control Systems N. Wayne Hale Jr. is now and Thermal Systems Division. during the Shuttle-Mir Program; Section. From 1993 to 2003 he Acting Deputy Manager, Space Poulos joined NASA JSC in Shuttle Project Engineer; and served as a flight director, Shuttle Program. He will return 1989 and has held positions Shuttle Launch Manager. Most including Ascent and Entry to the Johnson Space Center including Deputy Chief, Extra- recently he served as the Recov- Flight Director for 11 Space from the Kennedy Space Center vehicular Activity (EVA) ery Director for the Columbia Shuttle flights. where he has served as Manager, Equipment Branch, and Chief, debris recovery effort in East John F.