NASA, Google Announce Lease at Ames Research Center

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June 2008 NASA, Google announce lease at Ames Research Center b y Mi c h a e l Me w h i n n e y a key component of Google's strategy NASA an initial base rent of $3.66 NASA and Google Inc. announced for continued growth in Silicon Val- million per year. This rate is based on on June 4 plans to develop a new high- ley," said David Radcliffe, Google's appraisals establishing fair market technology campus at NASA Ames. vice president of real estate and value of the land. NASA will use the workplace services. "We believe this proceeds to cover the full cost of the collaboration between Google, NASA lease and the balance may be used for and the city of Mountain View is capital revitalization and improve- emblematic of the mutually beneficial ments of the real property assets at partnerships that can be created be- Ames. tween the public and private sectors." The 40-year lease provides for pe- Under the terms of this enhanced- riodic escalations and adjustments of Photo courtesy Google use lease (EUL), Google will pay continued on page 8 NASA tests lunar robots and spacesuits on Earthly moonscape b y Ke l l y Hu m p h r i e s a n d Ra c h e l Pr u c e y return to the moon by 2020, begin Conditions on the moon will be to explore the lunar surface, and set harsher, but prototype NASA robotic up outposts,” said Test Director Bill vehicles braved sand storms and Bluethmann of NASA’s Johnson Space unprecedented temperature swings Center in Houston. continued on page 11 NASA photo by Sean Smith NASA NASA and Google recently signed a 40-year lease agreement for Google to use 42.2 acres of land at Ames’ NASA Research Park. Above is an overview of the area, top left corner, where Google will construct up to 1.2 million square feet of offices and R&D facilities.

Under the terms of the 40-year agreement, Google will lease 42.2 acres of unimproved land in NASA Research Park at Ames to construct up to 1.2 million square feet of offices and research and development (R&D) facilities in a campus-style setting. "With this new campus, we will NASA gathered some of its most promising new concepts for living and working on the surface of the establish a new era of expanded moon for a series of field tests at Moses Lake sand dunes, Wash., in early June. Robots, rovers and collaboration with Google that will lunar planners simulated luanr exploration, site serverys and outpost construction. further enhance our Silicon Valley con- nections," said Ames Center Director this month on sand dunes near Moses S. Pete Worden. Lake, Wash., to prepare for future On the Inside . . . "This major expansion of NASA lunar expeditions. Teams from seven Page 2 - NASA develops world’s highest Research Park supports NASA's NASA centers and several universities resolution visualization system mission to lead the nation in space conducted the tests from June 2-13. Page 4 - Ames Team wins Collier Trophy exploration, scientific discovery and “The goal was to gain hands-on Page 5 - Presidential/NASA Honor awards aeronautics research." experience with specific technical Page 6 - Space Act Awards presented "This long-term lease agreement is challenges anticipated when humans Page 13 - Classifieds www.nasa.gov NASA develops world’s highest resolution visualization system b y Mi c h a e l Me w h i n n e y a n d Ji l l Du n b a r The power to visualize highly complex information in a way that’s easier for the human mind to grasp is taking a giant leap forward with the advent of NASA’s new hyperwall-2 system unveiled June 25 at Ames.

Developed by scientists and photos by Eric James NASA engineers in the NASA Advanced Supercomputing (NAS) Division at Ames, the 128-screen hyperwall-2, capable of rendering one quarter billion pixel graphics, is the world’s highest resolution scientific visualization and data exploration environment. The new tool enables scientists to quickly explore datasets that otherwise would take many years to analyze. The 23-foot-wide by 10-foot-tall liquid crystal display wall is being used to view, analyze and communi- cate results from NASA’s high-fidelity modeling and simulation projects supporting the safety of new space exploration vehicle designs, atmospheric Timothy "Tim" Sandstrom, of Computer Sciences Corporation seen here operating the 128-screen re-entry analysis for the space shuttle, hyperwall-2, which has the ability to render one earthquakes, climate change, global quarter billion pixel graphics and is the world’s weather and black hole collisions. highest resolution scientific visualization and data “The hyperwall-2 offers a super- exploration environment. computer-scale environment that is truly up to the task of visualization and exploration of the very large datasets routinely produced by NASA supercomputers and instruments,” large image or animation. It would er, hyperwall-2 will enable NASA to said Bryan Biegel, NAS deputy chief. take nearly 600 video game consoles meet its increasing needs for advanced “The system also will be used to get to equal the hyperwall-2’s graphics visualization and analysis of large, highly detailed information on how processing capabilities. high-dimensional simulation results. NAS supercomputers are operating, “We are proud to continue part- With more than 100 times the pro- enabling staff to quickly and precisely nering with NAS as it offers advanced, cessing power of the original 49-screen diagnose problems or inefficiencies innovative solutions for high-per- hyperwall developed in 2002 by the with the supercomputers or the soft- formance computing,” said Gautam NAS visualization team, hyperwall-2 ware running on them.” Shah, chief executive officer, Colfax will be integrated with the team’s Designed and developed by the International. “As NASA Ames suc- software tools. This includes a state-of- NAS visualization team in partnership cessfully responds to support the the-art concurrent visualization frame- with Colfax International, Sunnyvale, visualization and data analysis needs work to provide NASA scientists and the system is powered by 128 graphics of researchers to maximize the under- engineers with ultra-high resolution processing units and 1,024 processor standing of scientific results, Colfax images and videos to explore results of cores, with 74 teraflops (one teraflop International is pleased to be part of their research and analysis. equals one trillion floating point op- the hyperwall-2 visualization cluster For more about the NASA Ad- erations per second) of peak process- project,” Shah added. Colfax previous- vanced Supercomputing Division, ing power and a data storage capacity ly built a “mini” hyperwall for NAS visit:http://www.nas.nasa.gov of 475 terabytes (one terabyte equals used for demonstrations at national one trillion bytes). The hyperwall-2 conferences. allows researchers to quickly deter- With a direct, high-speed connec- mine trends across an array of related tion from the supercomputers at NAS, simulation results, or to view a single including the Columbia supercomput- 2 Astrogram June 2008 Moon-bound NASA spacecraft passes major preflight tests b y Jo n a s Di n o Engineering teams are conducting final checkouts of the Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite, known as LCROSS, that will take a significant step forward in the search for water on the moon. The mission's main objec- tive is to confirm the presence or absence of water ice in a permanently shadowed crater near a lunar polar region. Grumman photos courtesy Northrop NASA A major milestone, thermal vacuum testing of the LCROSS spacecraft, was completed June 5 at the Northrop Grumman facility in Redondo Beach, Calif. To simulate the harsh conditions of space, technicians subjected the spacecraft to 13.5 days of heating and cooling cycles during which tempera- tures reached as high as 230 degrees Fahrenheit and as low as minus 40 degrees. Previous testing for the LCROSS spacecraft included acoustic vibra- tion tests. Those tests simulated launch conditions and The Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite is gently maneuvered into the Thermal Vacuum Chamber at checked mating of connection the Northrop Grumman Facility, Redondo Beach, Calif. During the tests, the spacecraft was subjected to heating and points to the Atlas V rocket's cooling cycles to simulate the harsh conditions in outer space. Thermal Vacuum is the final milestone before being Centaur upper stage and the certified for space flight. adapter ring for the Lunar Re- connaissance Orbiter, known as LRO. After launch, the LCROSS space- design and development expertise of The satellite currently is undergo- craft and the Atlas V's Centaur upper integration partner Northrop Grum- ing final checkout tests. After all tests stage rocket will execute a fly-by of man Space Technologies. The LCROSS are complete, the LCROSS space- the moon and enter into an elongated and LRO missions are components craft will be prepared for delivery Earth orbit to position the satellite for of the Lunar Precursor Robotic Pro- to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in impact on a lunar pole. On final ap- gram at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Florida for launch processing and in- proach, the spacecraft and the Centaur Center, Huntsville, Ala. The program tegration onto the Atlas V as a second- will separate. The Centaur will strike manages pathfinding robotic mis- ary payload to LRO. Both spacecraft the surface of the moon, creating a sions to the moon for the Exploration are scheduled to launch from Kennedy debris plume that will rise above the Systems Mission Directorate at NASA in late 2008. surface. Four minutes later, LCROSS Headquarters in Washington. "The spacecraft steadily has taken will fly through the debris plume, col- For more information about the shape since Ames delivered the sci- lecting and relaying data back to Earth Lunar Crater Observing and Sensing ence payload in January," said Daniel before impacting the lunar surface and Satellite, visit: http://lcross.arc.nasa. Andrews, LCROSS project manager creating a second debris plume. Sci- gov. at Ames. "It is a testament to the hard entists will observe both impacts from work, perseverance and expertise of Earth to gather additional information. For an overview of the Lunar CRater the NASA and Northrop Grumman LCROSS is a fast-paced, low-cost Observation and Sensing Satellite teams that the spacecraft has com- mission that is leveraging existing (LCROSS) colloquium presented by pleted these critical tests ahead of NASA systems, commercial-off-the- Jennifer Heldmann, see page 4. schedule." shelf components and the spacecraft

Astrogram 3 June 2008 NASA Ames team wins celebrated Collier Trophy b y Jo n a s Di n o next generation of air traffic manage- that will help transform the air traf- NASA is part of a team that ment. fic control system to satisfy future received one of the most prestigious According to the selection com- traffic demands.” awards in aviation on June 12. mittee, “ADS-B is a ground-breaking Established in 1911, the Collier Judges for the Robert J. Collier effort for next-generation airborne Trophy is awarded for “the greatest Trophy, awarded by the National surveillance and cockpit avionics. Its achievements in aeronautics or as- Aeronautic Association, chose the implementation will have a broad tronautics in America, with respect Automatic Dependent Surveillance- impact on the safety, capacity and to improving the performance, Broadcast, or ADS-B, team of public efficiency of the national airspace efficiency and safety of air or space and private groups to receive the system.” vehicles, the value of which has 2007 honor. Researchers at NASA’s Ames and been thoroughly demonstrated by Instead of relying on radar, ADS- NASA’s Langley Research Center, actual use during the preceding B uses Global Positioning System Hampton, Va., were part of the exten- year.” satellite information to give pilots sive team that developed and tested The trophy has been given to and controllers highly accurate ADS-B. many of America’s greatest aero- traffic data, as well as displays that “NASA is proud to have been a space pioneers, including Orville update in real time. The system also part of ADS-B research and devel- Wright and Neil Armstrong. will give pilots access to weather opment,” said Karlin Roth Toner, This is the 21st time research services, terrain maps and flight in- Airspace Systems Program director and development projects that formation services. Government and for the Aeronautics Research Mission included NASA or its predeces- industry leaders have worked for Directorate at NASA’s Headquarters sor agency, the National Advisory more than a decade to develop and in Washington. “This is the kind of Committee for Aeronautics, have implement this technology for the research NASA specializes in and received a Collier Trophy.

Heldmann presents updates to the LCROSS mission Recently, Jennifer Heldmann entitled, “Prospecting for Water Ice Observation and Sensing Satellite presented a Director’s Colloquium on the Moon: NASA’s Lunar CRater (LCROSS) Mission. Heldmann is a scientist in the Space Science and Astrobiology Divi- sion at Ames. Her current research interests lie in studying the Earth, moon and Mars. For the LCROSS mission she serves on the science team, payload team and as the observation campaign coordinator.

NASA photo by Eric James NASA LCROSS is scheduled for launch in late 2008 and seeks to confirm the presence or absence of water ice in a permanently shadowed crater near one of the moon’s poles. The mission is managed by NASA’s Ames Research Center in cooperation with Ames’ spacecraft and integration partner, Northrup-Grumman. Heldmann gave an overview for the rationale and goals for the mission, mission design and opportunities for observations as well as provided updates on site selection activities and progress on the coordination of the ground-and space-based observation Jennifer Heldmann spoke recently at the center about the Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing campaign. She also highlighted Ames Satellite (LCROSS) Mission, giving an overview of the mission goals as well as updates to the activities supporting the mission. mission.

4 Astrogram June 2008 2008 Presidential Rank and NASA Honor Awards presented NASA Ames employees were honored this month during the 2008 Presidential Rank and NASA Honor Awards Ceremony held in the main auditorium (Bldg. N-201). Ames presented Presidential Rank and NASA Honor Awards to 34 employees who were selected for individual awards, and to the manag- ers of the 23 groups that were selected for the NASA Group Achievement Award. The names of the honorees are listed below.

2008 Presidential Rank and NASA Honor Awards NASA photo by Dominic Hart Awardees at the 2008 Presidential Rank and NASA Honor Awards Ceremony held at Ames in mid June. Presidential Rank of Meritorious Senior Professional Daniel J. Rasky Exceptional Public Service Medal Human-Robot Site Survey Project Gregory W. Condon Team Presidential Rank of Meritorious Shelleen Lomas Joint Flight Demonstration Test Executive Kristina Skokova (JFDT) Team Lewis S.G. Braxton III Lunar Lander Handling Qualities Thomas A. Edwards Exceptional Service Medal Simulation Team Carol J. Russo Mark A. Beskind Mariana Development Team Dean P. Giovannetti MSL Heatshield Team Distinguished Service Medal Kalmanje S. Krishnakumar NAS Facilities Engineering Team Bernard Laub Teresa L. Kurtz NAS Security Team Lawrence E. Olson NASA Ames Disaster Assistance Equal Employment Sherri A. Shore & Rescue Team Opportunity Medal Thomas N. Trower NASA Ames Reimbursable Laura W. Doty Alexander M. Valdez Realignment Team Michel Liu NASA Supercomputing Support Outstanding Leadership Medal Services SEB Exceptional Achievement Medal Vincent Albert SPEGIS Project Team Thomas S. Alderete Thomas A. Edwards TOOWiLD Team Soheila Dianati James J. Reuther Tropical Composition, Cloud and Douglas R. Fraser Michael G. Skidmore Climate Coupling Susan A. Kalb Carol R. Stoker Wildfire Research and Applications Thomas R. Norman Partnership Mark Sumich Group Achievement Award Marilyn Vasques Ames STS-118 Aerothermal Public Service Group Jerry C. Yan Analysis Team Achievement Award Ames Unitary RAM Block II ELORET CEV and MSL Team Exceptional Administrative Wind Tunnel Test Team Planners Collaborative, Inc. Achievement Medal CBTM-02 Animal Enclosure UARC Team Linda S. Hellman Module Team Constellation Enabled Mission: NEO One NASA Peer Award Exceptional Engineering Constellation PRACA Team Ares 1 Aerodynamics Team Achievement Medal Foton-M3 Payload Team Robert E. McMurray Michael J. Wright

Astrogram 5 June 2008 Space Act Awards presented for scientific, technical contributions The FY 2008 Space Act Board Award ceremony was held at Ames Huy Tran (center), recipient of on June 18. Space Act Board Awards the Exceptional Space Act Board are made by the NASA Inventions and Award, 2007 NASA Government Contributions Board based on their Invention of the Year for "Light scientific or technical contributions Weight Ceramic Ablators and sponsored, adopted, supported or Process of Making the Same," at used by NASA which are significant to the recent Space Act Board Award ceremony held at Ames. Next aeronautics and space activities. For to Tran is Eugene Tu, director of further information about the board, Exploration (right) and Steven visit http://icb.nasa.gov/ Zornetzer, associate director for The following Ames technologies Institutions and Research at Ames and software programs were recog- (left). Fellow awardees not pictured nized at the ceremony: are Daniel Rasky, Ming-ta Hsu, William Henline and Salvatore Riccitiello. ARC-12011, Process to Prepare Uniform Low Density Structural Ceramic Ablator Systems Daniel Rasky, NASA ARC Huy Tran, NASA ARC William Henline, Retired Ming-ta Hsu, Retired Salvatore Riccittiello, Retired

ARC-14289, Real-Time Update of Fault-Test Dependencies of Dynamic photos by Dominic Hart NASA Systems/A Comprehensive Toolset for Model-Based Health Monitoring and Diagnostics Somnath Deb, QSI Sudipto Ghoshal, QSI Venkat Malepati, QSI Fang Tu, QSI Exceptional Space Act Board Award, 2007 NASA Software of the Year Co-Winners, for the software Data Charles Domagala, QSI Parallel Line Relaxation Code (DPLR) version 3 were honored in June. Shown (left to right) front row Roshan Shrestha, QSI are Kerry Trumble, David Hash and James Brown. Back row (left to right) are Michael Wright and David Krishna Pattipati, QSI Saunders. Shown at right is Ames Center Director S. Pete Worden, who presented the awards. Team Ann Patterson-Hine, NASA ARC members not pictured are Matt MacLean, Ryan McDaniel and Chun Tang. Gordon Aaseng, NASA ARC Dwight Sanderfer, NASA ARC ARC-15725, Software For Remote Eric Barszcz, NASA ARC Monitoring And Training Of Human Michael Battaglia, NASA HQ Physiological Responses Carlos Garcia-Galen, NASA KSC ARC-15058, Inductive Monitoring Patricia Cowings, NASA ARC Jeremy Johnson, RIACS (ARC) System - System Health Monitoring William Toscano, NASA ARC Peter Robinson, SAIC (ARC) Software that Learns System Behav- Soumyadipta Acharya, John Hopkins ior from Data (IMS) University ARC-14652, 3D Laser Scanner David Iverson, NASA ARC Nemath Syed Shah, Case Western Joseph Lavelle, NASA ARC Reserve Stefan Schuet, NASA ARC ARC-15568, Stochastic Electromag- Bruce Taylor, University of Akron netic Design And Optimization ARC-15022, Data-Parallel Line Method (ADSS: AI Software ARC-16025, Chimera Grid Tools Relaxation Code (DPLR) That Automatically Designs And (version 2.0) Michael Wright, NASA ARC Optimizes Spacecraft Systems) William Chan, NASA ARC David Hash, NASA ARC Jason Lohn, NASA ARC Stuart Rogers, NASA ARC James Brown, NASA ARC Greg Hornby, UC Santa Cruz Shishir Pandya, NASA ARC Ryan McDaniel, NASA ARC Derek Linden, JEM Engineering, LLC Pieter Buning, NASA LaRC Matt MacLean, CUBRC Steven Nash, Sun Microsystems David Saunders, ELORET Robert Meakin, US Army Chun Tang, ELORET David Boger, Penn State University Kerry Trumble, ELORET 6 Astrogram June 2008 Des Marais named Fellow of American Geophysical Union David Des Marais of the Exobiolo- Des Marais received his Ph.D. in Laboratory mission. He chaired and gy Branch was recently elected Fellow geochemistry from Indiana University co-chaired the committees that revised in 1974 and has been a staff scientist in the NASA Astrobiology Roadmap in exobiology at Ames since 1976. He has 2003 and 2008, respectively. investigated the geochemistry of car- Des Marais was the first to realize bon in lunar samples, meteorites, oce- that studies of carbon cycling over bil-

NASA photo NASA anic basalts and ancient sediments. He lions of years of Earth history would currently studies the biogeochemistry have to address exchanges of carbon of microbial communities in coastal between the crust and the mantle. marine environments and participates Using novel techniques, he found that in missions searching for evidence previously published analyses were of past habitable environments on inaccurate. His numerous follow- Mars. Des Marais has authored or co- up papers are still widely cited and authored more than 160 peer-reviewed provide some of the best-available articles and book chapters. summaries of what can and cannot He has been the principal investi- be said about the cycling of carbon in gator of the Ames team of the NASA environments on early Earth. Astrobiology Institute since 1998. In addition to the American He is a lead for Long Term Planning Geophysical Union, Des Marais also is David Des Marais of Ames recently was elected with the Science Operations Working a Fellow of the Geochemical Society, Fellow of the American Geophysical Union. Group of NASA’s Mars Exploration the European Association of Geochem- Rover mission. He also is a member istry, the International Society for the of the American Geophysical Union. of the CRISM (infrared spectrometer) Study of the Origins of Life and the This honor is conferred upon not more team of NASA’s Mars Reconnais- California Academy of Sciences. than 0.1 percent of all AGU members sance Orbiter mission and the CheMin in any given year. team of NASA’s 2009 Mars Science Wong honored with Federal Employees of the Year award

Robert Wong of NASA Ames recently received the Federal Employees of the Year (FEYA), Trades and Crafts award. Wong coordinated and managed the maintenance of the facilities used for the evaluation of Shuttle Wing Leading Edge Repair concepts. He directs a staff of five engineering technicians at the center and his enthusiasm, dedication and attention to detail were crucial to the continued operation of the Arc Jet Facilities which were required for critical concept testing. From left to right, Federal Employees of the Year (FEYA) award judge Joanne Haggerty, Federal Executive Board chair Cathy Dunlap, Ames’ Robert Wong and FEYA judge David Coyle.

photo courtesy of Federal Executive Board

State Treasurer Bill Lockyer tours Ames

California State Treasurer Bill Lockyer recently toured Ames, visiting the Advanced Supercom- puting Facility and Vertical Motion Simulator. Lockyer also discussed Earth Sciences with Ames Earth Science Division Chief Steve Hipskind. Seen here, at the Supercomputing facility during the tour are: Lockyer (second from left, back); Supercomputing Division Chief (Acting) Rupak Biswas (front middle); and Lockyer’s guests Peter Bynoe and Jim Reynolds.

photo by Nick Bonifas

Astrogram 7 June 2008 NASA, Google announce lease at Ames Research Center continued from front page every day. Founded in 1998 by Stan- markets. Google is headquartered in rent. Google may extend the lease for ford University Ph.D students Larry Silicon Valley with offices throughout three 10-year terms. After that, NASA Page and Sergey Brin, Google today the Americas, Europe and Asia. and Google may agree to extend the is a top web property in all major lease two additional 10-year terms. If all extensions are exercised, the lease term will be a total of 90 years. NASA will retain control over the project dur- Boyd discusses NASA’s past 50 years ing its construction phase, including approving the design, issuing building permits, conducting inspections and monitoring construction. Construction will proceed in three phases. The first phase is planned to begin by the end of September 2013, the second phase by 2018 and the third

by 2022. While the majority of the photo by Dominic Hart NASA development will consist of office and R&D space, Google also plans to construct company housing and amenities such as dining, sports, fitness, child care, conference and parking facilities for its employees, as well as recreation and park facilities and infrastructure improvements for NASA's use. This announcement is the latest in a series of collaborations dating back to September 2005, when NASA and Google announced plans to work Jack Boyd, who currently serves as senior advisor to the Ames center director and senior advisor for history together on a variety of technology- and also serves as the center Ombuds, recently presented a director’s colloquium entitled, “Reflections on focused R&D activities. NASA and NASA’s 50th Anniversary: The Giants on Whose Shoulders We Stood,” where he discussed the history of Google signed a memorandum of un- NASA and Ames. derstanding that year, launching nego- tiations for this development in NASA Research Park. Located at Ames, Whalley describes hemispherical laser NASA Research Park is a world-class, detection and ranging sensor research shared-use educational and research- and-development campus. Since signing the memorandum of understanding in 2005, NASA and Google have begun collaboration on several joint projects. The Planetary Content project develops software that makes it easier for the science community to publish planetary data via photo by Eric James NASA the Internet. This project has already provided high-resolution lunar imagery and maps to the Google Moon™ program and resulted in the "NASA" layer in Google Earth. Similarly, the Global Connec- tion project enhances the "National Geographic" layer in Google Earth by embedding geo-referenced stories and images from around the world. Mathew Whalley, a researcher with the US Army Aeroflightdynamics Directorate, presented an Aeronautics The Disaster Response project devel- Technical Seminar June 19 at Ames entitled, “Design and Flight Test Results for a Hemispherical LADAR ops prototype software tools to help Developed to Support Unmanned Rotorcraft Urban Operations Research.” Whalley described his research improve first response to large-scale about a newly developed hemispherical laser detection and ranging sensor. This research supports field- natural disasters. testing of algorithms for landing site selection and obstacle field navigation. Results for flight tests with a Google's innovative search tech- calibration target and obstacle field, and for mapping of a large structure were presented, as well as results for using the sensor in conjunction with previously developed autonomous landing site selection software. nologies connect millions of people In addition to the LADAR results, he also gave a brief overview of the Autonomous Rotorcraft Project. around the world with information 8 Astrogram June 2008 Thousands visit Ames’ interactive exhibit at local festival photos by Astrid Olson

Members of the community got to see Mars up close and in 3-D when they visited the NASA tent at the Sunnyvale Art and Wine Festival June 7-8. Ames volunteers passed out 3-D glasses, discussed the Phoenix mission that recently landed on Mars, and shared information about the many contributions that NASA Ames has made to the agency over the past 50 years. photo by Ernie Fretter photo by Todd Hartmann photo by Todd

Astrogram 9 June 2008 Redesigned Moffett Field Golf Course challenges Ames golfers By Be t t y La r s o n a n d Da v i d Mo r s e and current and ex-military members The golf course can host groups up to If you haven’t played The Golf can call ahead to the Golf Shop (650) 144 golfers for shotgun tournaments Club at Moffett Field lately, it’s defi- 603-8026 to reserve a tee time, learn and fundraisers. All tournaments and nitely time to pay a return visit. You access information and make arrange- special events can be booked up to one and your special guests are in for a ments for themselves and their special year in advance by calling sales and real treat. guests. Best of all, the course still of- marketing director, Betty Larson, at The old course has undergone a fers old-world affordability with fees (650) 254-1808. New Thursday after- major redesign that has thoroughly ranging from an incredibly low, super work, nine-hole scramble events for transformed the place. Gone are the twilight rate of $10 to only $32 during NASA employees, contractors, part- pleasant but uniformly flat fairways peak weekend hours. Members of the ners and invited guests, and a special photo by Mike Hill Sunday afternoon program for retired Bay Area military golfers are being planned for the coming months. The club is a full-service venue that includes the 18-hole champion- ship course, electric golf cars, restau- rant, cocktail lounge, tax-free Golf Shop, outdoor deck, driving range and

NASA photo by Eric James NASA the new putting and chipping greens. Just opened in June, this practice area provides an ideal place to perfect challenging sand, chip and pitch shots. It Bottom left photo: this aerial view of The Golf can also be set up as a nine-hole chip- Club at Moffett Field shows holes six and and-putt course for special, fun events. seven running parallel to the San Francisco The Golf Shop has an excellent Bay (on the right), with the dog leg of hole selection of golf merchandise avail- number eight running across the center, and able at very reasonable prices. The holes two and three in the right and middle selection includes men’s and women’s foreground. Top left photo: the bunkers and golf clubs, putters, apparel, shoes, golf extended green of the new pitch-and-putt practice area are visible in the foreground balls and accessories, including hand- set against the backdrop of the Clubhouse, held GPS systems, gloves and an array Golf Shop and bar and grill. Top right photo: of NASA-logo items. Merchandise a small section of the extended selection of prices compete very favorably with golf-related products and NASA merchandise golf retail stores or other local golf available at very competitive prices at the course shops. The Golf Shop has both NASA photo by Eric James NASA Golf Shop is displayed. demonstration and used clubs available for rent; it also offers golf club that offered little more than a “walk military and federal employees and repair services. in the park,” replaced by a course that contractors are eligible for discounted For those looking to relax and just offers variety, fun and a real golf chal- rates during off-peak hours. take in the sights, the golf course din- lenge. In a twist of irony, the original, ing room looks out on the new prac- After 18 months of renovation very-flat course was named the ‘Hill tice area and the tee for the tenth hole. under the direction of the Ames Course’ in honor of Captain Arthur It can be reserved to host after-work Exchange Council, the old course has S. Hill, the Commanding Officer at events for up to 100 people, as can the been modernized and upgraded. It Moffett when the facility opened in outdoor deck and gas barbeque, which now features meandering fairways, 1959. Designed by Bob E. Baldock, are available for even larger parties. large sand features and elevated tees. the course began life as a nine-hole The recently renovated grill offers a Plus there is a terrific new practice venue before expanding to 18 holes 10 varied menu and is open to the public area designed to improve your putting years later. The recent renovations by for breakfast, lunch and snacks. Beer, and chipping game, and refurbished renowned golf-course architect Algie wine, cocktails and appetizers can be and strategically located car paths that Pulley have added an enhanced irriga- purchased at the bar. All are offered at vastly improve access and transport. tion system, dramatically recontoured very reasonable prices. What hasn’t changed are the beautiful terrain, concrete car paths, bunker Come visit the Golf Club at Mof- location and spectacular views that restoration and greens modification. fett Field real soon, before the “buzz’ have always made the course a popu- The course remains at par 72, playing gets out and tee times are at a pre- lar and attractive destination. Not to to a maximum of 6,517 yards from the mium. From general manager Mike mention the red tail hawks, burrowing challenging blue tees. Hill on down, you will find the entire owls and vast array of other bird and The Golf Club at Moffett is the staff very friendly and accommodat- animal species that make the place a perfect venue for employee recreation- ing. And you don’t want to miss the veritable wildlife preserve. al activities, whether it’s a golf tourna- exciting, new golf experience just Playing the Golf Club at Moffett ment or league, bucket of balls at the waiting for you to come and take on has never been easier. Federal employ- driving range, putting contest, bar- the challenge. ees and contractors, NASA partners beque, luncheon or after-work social.

10 Astrogram June 2008 NASA tests lunar robots and spacesuits on Earthly moonscape continued from front page and panoramic 3-D terrain models. lunar truck, and advanced spacesuit NASA’s Human Robotic Systems One rover used a ground-penetrating designs that could be used to greatly Project, part of the agency’s Explora- radar to assess subsurface structures. expand the exploration range of hu- tion Technology Development Pro- The other used a 3-D scanning laser man explorers. NASA’s new concept gram, focused on human and robotic system known as LIDAR to create for a lunar truck was built in less than mobility systems for the moon, but topographic maps. The scout robots a year with unique features that allow also looked at communication and are designed to perform highly repeti- each of its six wheels to move inde- command and control systems that tive and long-duration tasks, such as pendently, giving the vehicle the abil- will connect the explorers with Earth site mapping and science reconnais- ity to drive in any direction. Human and each other. The Moses Lake dunes sance. drivers stood in turrets on the trucks provided a wide variety of soil con- “It’s as close as we can get in a ter- that can pivot 360 degrees, contribut- sistencies and terrain that allowed the restrial environment to the lunar envi- ing to easy steering. team to put prototype scout robots, ronment,” said Brian Wilcox, principle To practice soil-moving techniques investigator for for the moon, Kennedy developed the All-Terrain a bulldozing blade for the lunar Hex-Legged truck, named the Lunar Attachment Extra-Terres- Node for Construction Excavation, trial Explorer or LANCE. A lightweight, composite robot, known technology such as LANCE will be as ATHLETE, used on the moon to clear landing at NASA’s Jet

NASA photo by Sean Smith NASA pads and protect outposts from dust Propulsion and debris generated by arriving Laboratory spacecraft. The tests will help NASA (JPL) in Pasa- evaluate the feasibility of excavat- dena, Calif. ing lunar soil, or regolith, for landing JPL tested pads, blast protection berms, path- two ATHLETE ways, foundations and lunar opera- cargo-moving tions areas. rovers. Each NASA’s Langley Research Cen- rover has six ter of Hampton, Va., demonstrated a legs capable lunar surface crane that could be used of rolling or to lift and reposition heavy cargo, All-Terrain Hex-Legged Extra-Terrestrial Explorer (ATHLETE) robots, seen here walking over including modules used for crew during the recent Moses Lake demonstration in Washington state earlier this extremely quarters. The Lunar Surface Manipu- month, could be the RV of choice for future explorers. It’s mulii-wheeled dexterity rough or steep lator System is a lightweight lifting could allow robots or humans to load, transport, manipulate and desposit payloads terrain. This and precision positioning device that to essentially any desired site on the lunar surface. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Labora- will allow ro- could give astronauts a helping hand tory led a NASA-industry team to develop ATHLETE. botic or human during early outpost construction and missions on the follow-on operations. The crane can rovers, cargo carriers, cranes and surface of the moon to load, manipu- be operated autonomously, remotely spacesuits through tests in a harsh and late, deposit and transport payloads or manually in backup mode, and can changing environment. to desired sites. The team includes be reconfigured to perform different The prototype tests will be used to members from Johnson, Ames, Stan- tasks. NASA’s Goddard Space Flight inform developers of specific require- ford University and the Boeing Co. of Center of Greenbelt, Md., provided lu- ments needed in lunar surface support Chicago. nar payload mockups that were used systems for the Constellation Program. NASA’s Glenn Research Center with the lunar crane to demonstrate The program is building the launch in Cleveland, and Carnegie Mellon payload handling operations. vehicles and spacecraft that will take University of Pittsburgh tested an Participants in the June tests will a new generation of explorers to the autonomous drilling rover that could evaluate their data and prepare for moon, as well as lunar landers, habi- be used to search for valuable re- additional tests in October at another tats, life support systems, vehicles and sources under the lunar surface in the site, yet to be announced, with moon- robots to support them. A ground con- moon’s polar regions. The team also like conditions. trol team located thousands of miles includes members from Ames, John- For an image gallery and video away at Johnson operated the robots son, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, from the tests, as well as more infor- and coordinated the movements of the the Canadian Space Agency and the mation about the work NASA is doing suited explorers. Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. to return to the moon, visit: http:// NASA’s Ames tested two K10 in Sudbury, Ontario. www.nasa.gov/exploration rovers that surveyed simulated lunar Engineers from Johnson tested a landing sites and built topographic crew mobility chassis prototype, or

Astrogram 11 June 2008 Ames Ongoing Monthly Events Calendar Ames Amateur Radio Club, third Thurs., of Environmental Forum, first Thursday every Ames Model Aircraft Club, flying radio-con- ea. month, 12 noon, N-T28 (across from N-255). other month, 9 a.m. - 10 a.m., T20-G conference trolled aircraft at the north end of Parsons Ave. POC: Michael Wright, KG6BFK, at ext. 4-6262. Rm. 129. URL: http://q/qe/events/EHS- on weekend mornings. POC: Mark Sumich, series/ POC: Stacy St. Louis, ext. 4-6810. ext. 4-6193. Ames Ballroom Dance Club, Classes on Tuesdays. Beginning classes meet at 5:15 p.m. Ames Federal Employees Union (AFEU) Mtg, Native American Advisory Committee Mtg., Higher-level class meets at 5:50 p.m. Held in First Wednesday of November (7th), noon. fourth Tuesday each month, 12 noon - 1 p.m., Bldg. 944, the Rec. Center. POC: Helen Hwang First Wednesday of December (5th), noon. Bldg. 19, Rm 1096. POC: Mike Liu, ext. 4-1132. at [email protected], ext. 4-1368. Bldg. N-247, Rm. 109. Beginning 2008, third Wednesday each month, same location. Guests Ames Nimble Knitters Club, every Tuesday Ames Bicycling Club, every third Wednesday welcome. Info at: http://www.afeu.org. POC: at 11:30 a.m., Bldg. N-241/Rm 237. POC: of each month, 12 noon - 1 p.m., Bldg. N-245 Paul K. Davis, ext. 4-5916. Rosalyn Jung, [email protected] or Diane Auditorium. POC: Julie Nottage at jnottage@ Alexander at ext. 4-3140. URL: http://knit.arc. mail.arc.nasa.gov, ext. 4-3711. The Hispanic Advisory Committee for nasa.gov Excellence (HACE) Mtg., first Thursday of each Ames Bowling League, Homestead Lanes on month, 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., Bldg. N-255, Rm. Ames Safety Committee, third Thursday of Thursday nights at 6:20 p.m. Seeking substitute 101C. POC: Eric Kristich, ext. 4-5137 and Mark each month, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m., Bldg. N-237, bowlers. Questions to sign up: Mike Liu at ext. Leon, ext. 4-6498. Rm. 201. POC: John Livacich, jlivacich@mail. 4-1132. arc.nasa.gov, ext. 4-3243 or Terry Reichert, Jetstream Toastmasters, Mondays, 12 p.m. [email protected], ext.-4-0375. Ames Child Care Center Board of Directors - 1 p.m., Bldg. N-269/Rm.179. POC: Miwa Mtg., every other Monday, 1 - 2:30 p.m., Bldg. Hayashi, ext. 4-1397, [email protected]. Ames Sailing Club Mtg., second Thursday of N-262/Rm 180. POC: Sally Miller, ext. 4-5411. gov. Web: http://jetstream.freetoasthost.com each month (March through November), from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m., Bldg. N-260, Rm. 113. URL: Ames Contractor Council Mtg., first Wednes- Ames Mac Support Group Mtg., third Tuesday http://sail.arc.nasa.gov/. POC: Clif Horne, day of ea. month, 11 a.m., Bldg. N-200, Commit- of each month, 11:30 a.m.to 1 p.m., Bldg. N-262, ext. 4-4571. tee Room. POC: Kathleen Starmer, ext. 4-6959 Rm 180. POC: Tony ext. 4-0340.

Ames emergency Protective Services monthly activity announcements A statistical summary of activities of the Protective Services Division’s To hear the centerwide status record- Security/Law Enforcement and Fire Protection Services units for the month ing, call (650) 604-9999 for information announcements and emergency of May 2008 is shown below. instructions for Ames employees. You can also listen to 1700 KHz AM radio for the same information. Security/Law Enforcement Activity

Safety Data

NASA-Ames Occupational Illness-Injury Data for Calendar Year-to-Date 2008 Jan. 1, 2008 - May 31, 2008

Civil Contractors Servants

Fire Protection Activity First aid cases 12 8

Lost Workday cases 1 0

Recordable cases 0 3

Restricted duty days 0 2

Above data are as of May 31, 2008. May be subject to slight adjustment in the event of a new case or new information regarding an existing case.

12 Astrogram June 2008 Exchange Information Incline Village, Forest Pines, Lake Tahoe condo, 3 Ames Classifieds bdrms/2 ba, sleeps 8, fireplace, TVs/VCR/DVD, Ads for the next issue should be sent to astrogram@ Information about products, services and oppor- stereo w/CD player, microwv, W/D, jacuzzi, mail.arc.nasa.gov and must be resubmitted for each tunities provided to the employee and contractor sauna, outdoor pool. Walk to lake. Close to ski issue. Ads must involve personal needs or items; (no community by the Ames Exchange Council. Visit areas. Visit web site for pictures: http://www. commercial/third-party ads) and will run on a space- the web site at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov ACruiseStore.com $135/night spring and fall, available basis only. First-time ads are given priority. $173/night summer and winter (holidays higher) Ads must include home phone numbers; Ames exten- Beyond Galileo Gift Shop N-235 in plus $125 cleaning fee and 12 percent Nevada sions and email addresses will be accepted for carpool the cafeteria , 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., ext. 4-6873 room tax. Charlie (650) 743-8990. and lost and found ads only. Due to the volume of material received, we are unable to verify the accuracy Don’t forget to purchase your baby shower, birth- New York, 5th Ave., one fully furnished bedroom of the statements made in the ads. Caveat emptor! day, holiday gifts at Ames’ two gift shops! apt. in 24 hour security fbldg. overlooking Washington Square Park, $1,000/week or Housing Visitor Center Gift Shop N-943 3,000/month, negotiable. Call (650) 430-6977. Roommate needed to share furnished 2bd/1ba M-F, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ext. 4-5412 Paris/France: Fully furnished studio. 5th arr, Latin apartment in Mtn. View. On-site laundry, dish- NASA logo merchandise, souvenirs, toys, gifts and Quarter, Notre Dame and Lie-St. Louis, $1,400/ washer, patio and covered parking. Rent $675. educational items. week, negotiable. Call (650) 430-6977. Robin (510) 610-8604. Tickets, etc... N-943 outside the main gate, Santa Cruz townhouse, 2 bedrooms plus study, Room for rent, private bed and bath. 12-foot-by- 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., ext. 4-5412 and Beyond Galileo, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ext. 4-6873 2 baths, decks, totally furnished, 3 blocks from 12-foot room w/window. Available July 1. $750 beach, available July, August, September; $1,600 per mo. Use of kitchen and laundry facilities in per month. Call (831) 423-5777 (H) or (831) 277- Mega Bites Cafeteria N-235, 6 a.m. to 8476 (C). condo. Please provide copy of credit report. Call 2 p.m., ext. 4-5969/Catering ext. 4-2161 (650) 255-1977. Lake Tahoe cabin rental in Agate Bay, North Shore. See daily menu at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov 4bd/3ba tri-level, AEK, cable TVs, fireplace, BBQ, Transportation deck, sleeps 10. Closest skiing is Northstar, Alpine Moffett Field Golf Club with ‘Tee minus and Squaw. Rates are $375 a weekend, $1,000 a ‘86 Porsche 944, maroon red exterior, 4 door, 1’ Grill and Sports Bar. Call (650) 603-8026. week. Call (408) 867-4656. 5-speed manual transmission. 155,000 mls, good condition, well-maintained, fun to drive, RV Lots Available Call to reserve a Florida west coast vacation in St. Petersburg, beautiful 2bd/2ba condo, fully equipped kitchen gives 22 mpg, has recent smog certificate and space at (650) 603-7100/01. maintenance records since 1998 when we and furnished, sunset views, 1/4 mile from St. Pete Civilian/Contractors, $50/mo; military $25/mo Beach, monthly or 2 week minimum rentals only. bought it from the original owner. $1,550. Call (703) 299-8889 or e-mail: [email protected] Anupa (650) 862-2869. NASA Lodge (N-19) 603-7100 Monterey Bay vacation rental at Pajaro Dunes, 20 Miscellaneous Where to stay when you’re too tired to drive home? miles south of Santa Cruz, 3bd/2ba beach house What about the lodge?! Two types of rooms: Bldg. with distinctive architecture. Beautiful ocean and Orbit-Trak exercise machine. Arm poles may 19 (43 rooms), rate: $55/night ($5 ea add’l adult); valley views, only 150 ft from the beach, first-class be fixed or stationary. Electronic display for Bldg. 583 (150 rooms), rate: $45/night ($5 ea. add’l tennis courts. $700/wkend, $2,100/wk including distance traveled, calories burned and elapsed adult) cleaning by the maid service when you depart. time. $50. Between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Call (650) Call (408) 252-7260. 962-9031. Ames Swim Center (N-109) 603-8025 South Lake Tahoe large cabin surrounded by The pool is heated year round! The pool is cur- protected forest, 8 miles from Stateline Sleeps 12 rently available for lap swim, pool parties and comfortably, 4 bd/3ba. Hot tub/pool table/65” TV special events. POC -Chana Langley, Pool Manager Matt (408) 482-5286 (650) 603-8025. Memberships: single memberships: $40/yr. Family memberships: $60/yr. After South Lake Tahoe cozy home backs up to large Astrogram deadlines purchasing a membership, there is an entrance fee: open meadow, 1 mile from Heavenly Valley. Sleeps daily entrance fee - $3/day or lap pass fee - $40 for 11, 3 bd/2.5 ba. Large deck with hot tub. Matt (408) 20 uses. Platinum membership - $360/yr. (no daily Please submit articles, calendar 482-5286. fee). Special events: include military training, swim and classified advertisements to team events, kayak role practice, etc. The cost for [email protected] no later special events is $50/hr. Ames Cat Network than the 10th of each month. If this Ongoing Vacation Opportunities The Ames Cat Network needs help finding falls on a weekend or holiday, then the Lake Tahoe-Squaw Valley Townhse, 3bd/2ba, homes for cats trapped at Moffett. They following business day becomes the View of slopes, close to lifts. Per night: $250, plus range from feral to abandoned/lost pets. $145 cleaning fee. Two night minimum. Includes deadline. For Astrogram questions, linens, propane fireplace, fully equipped. Call (650) Tested, altered and inoculated. Call Iris at 968-4155, [email protected]. ext. 4-5824 if you or someone you know are contact Astrid Olson at the aforemen- interested in fostering or adopting a cat. tioned e-mail address or ext. 4-3347. Bass Lake vacation rental, 4 mls south of Yosemite. 3bd/1.5 ba, TV, VCR, MW, frplc, BBQ, priv. boat dock. Sleeps 8. $1,050/wk. Call (559) 642-3600 or (650) 390-9668.

Big Sur vacation rental, secluded 4bd/2ba house in canyon setting. Fully eqpd kitchen. Access to priv. beach. Tub in patio gdn. Halfway between Carmel and Big Sur. $175/night for 2; $225 for 4 and $250 for more, plus $150 cleaning dep. Call (650) 328-4427.

Pine Mountain Lake vacation home. Access to golf, tennis, lake, swimming, horseback riding, walk to beach. Three bedrooms/sleeps 10. $100/night. Call (408) 799-4052 or (831) 623-4054.

Astrogram 13 June 2008 Ames Child Care Center to host 12th annual charity golf tournament b y Sa v v y Ve r m a on a first-come, first-served basis at The Ames Child Care Center an additional cost of $25 per cart. The (ACCC) will host its 12th Annual format for the tournament will be a Charity Golf Tournament on Friday, four-person scramble (best shot from Aug. 1, 2008, at The Golf Club at Mof- your team used for each stroke). Prizes fett Field. Registration and lunch will will be awarded to the teams with the begin at noon, followed by a shot- lowest three net scores and the low- gun start at 1 p.m. There will be hors est gross score. There will be prizes at d’oeuvres and a raffle prize drawing select holes for the “longest drive” and immediately following the tourna- “closest to the pin.” ment. The ACCC is a non-profit child Proceeds from this tournament care center and preschool located at will be used to purchase equipment NASA Ames and accredited by the for outdoor classroom activities and prestigious National Association for appreciation, and other activities are playground structures and landscap- the Education of Young Children covered by fundraising events, such as ing. (NAEYC). The ACCC has been in the ACCC Golf Tournament. The cost of registration (due July operation since 1986, and currently Registration forms will be avail- 25) will be $75 per player (teams of serves over 100 families from Ames able for download from the ACCC four are $300). The registration fee (civil servant and contractor) and web site: http://accc.arc.nasa.gov. includes the round of golf, bag lunch Moffett Field and the surrounding Registration forms can also be re- before the tournament and one raffle community. The tuition paid by the quested by contacting Savvy Verma: ticket per player. Additional raffle parents covers salaries and operational [email protected] or child- tickets will be available the day of the costs only. All other costs, such as [email protected]. tournament. Electric carts are available the playground improvements, staff What’s on InsideNASA . . . NASA Deputy Administrator That changed when employees can isolate specific areas of interest Shana Dale’s corner on InsideNASA from Bartron Medical Imaging LLC and compare them to reference im- this month features an article en- heard about it. The company had been ages, looking for what is normal . . . titled, “New Pathways to Prevention trying to build a product that could and what is not. through Better Medical Imaging.” pick fine details out of complex medi- This technology may allow the Following is an excerpt from the cal images, thereby improving patient small signs of developing diseases article. diagnoses, and they realized that to be detected sooner, reducing the Early detection can make a big NASA’s new technology was the key. costs of exploratory surgery and the difference when it comes to dealing After securing the necessary licenses, suffering of full-blown disease. De- with cancers and heart disease. But Bartron successfully applied NASA’s tection may be even better if Bartron that’s not why Dr. James Tilton, a technology to medical imaging, creat- and NASA succeed in their new ef- scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space ing the Med-Seg™ unit. forts to develop a three-dimensional Flight Center created Hierarchical A clinician sitting at a Med-Seg version of the imaging software. Segmentation software. Rather, he unit can receive a variety of medical To learn more about this technol- was developing a technology for images - CT scans, ultrasounds, dental ogy, visit: http://insidenasa.nasa. remote sensing - a software tool for X-rays and other imagery - and then gov/nasa_stories/Medical_Imaging. getting more detailed and accurate segment the images to see features not html information from satellite images. previously visible. The clinician also

Volunteer teachers sought for science classes As part of the Partnership for ever since. All who are interested in Student Success in Science project at energizing young people about science San Jose State University, engineers and engineering, and looking for a The Ames Astrogram is an official publication of and scientists are trained and placed personally rewarding activity, please Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and in science classrooms in Silicon Valley. consider joining our next cohort of Space Administration. RESEED (Retirees and others Enhanc- volunteers. ing Science Education through Ex- For more information, contact Managing Editor...... Michael Mewhinney periments and Demonstrations) was Dr. Peter K. Mueller, (650) 303-6893, Editor, Layout and Design...... Astrid Olson started at Northeastern University in [email protected], or Professor Kurt You can reach the Astrogram Office at: astrogram@ 1991 and expanded to the Silicon Val- McMullin, College of Engineering, mail.arc.nasa.gov or by phone at (650) 604-3347. ley area in 1998. (408) 924-3855, [email protected]. Astrogram Web site: http://www.nasa.gov/ This program has placed many edu ames/astrogram. volunteers with local classrooms 14 Astrogram June 2008