Spaceport News Pioneering the Future America's Gateway to the Universe

Home , Destiny (ISS module), Destiny in Space, Kent Rominger

May 14, 1999 Vol. 38, No. 10

Fortieth Anniversary Spaceport News Pioneering the Future America's gateway to the universe. Leading the world in preparing and launching missions to Earth and beyond. John F. Kennedy Space Center Preparing GOES to go Packing up for a trip to the space station Packing li ght isn't an option for the seven-member crew of STS-96, scheduled to lift off to the Inter national Space Station (ISS) on May 20 from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39B. The 10-day flight will take about two tons of supplies - including laptop computers, a printer, cameras, maintenance tools, spare parts and clothing- to the orbiting space station in the SPACEHAB double module. Discovery will be the first orbiter to dock with the fledgling station since the crew of Endeavour departed the outpost in December 1998. At Astrotech in Titusville, STS-96 will also be the first Fla., the GOES-L weather logistics flight to the new station. satellite was encapsulated in Discovery will spend five days its fairing before transfer to linked to the ISS, transferring and Launch Pad 36B at Cape installing gear that could not be Canaveral Air Station. The fourth of a new (See STS-96, Page 5) advanced series of geo At left, In the payload changeout room at stationary weather satellites Launch Pad 39B, technicians moved the for the National Oceanic and SPACEHAB double module from the payload canister on April 28 and placed it Atmospheric Administration in Space Shuttle Discovery's payload bay (NOAA), GOES-Lis a three for STS-96. The second flight for axis inertially stabilized construction of the International Space spacecraft that will provide Station, STS-96 is a logistics and supply mission. Liftoff is scheduled for May 20 at pictures and peiform atmos 9:32 a.m. EDT. pheric sounding at the same time. After launch, the satellite Readying the station to break new groun_d will undergo checkout and When the International Space (officially named Destiny) in space, the ISS's SA flight. then provide backup capa Station (ISS) is inhabited by its where orbiting crews and Earth Functioning as it would in space bilities for existing, aging first crew early next year, con bound researchers will conduct means simulating a human pre operational satellites. tinuous, long-term microgravity their experiments, a team of NASA sence operating inside the labora Once in orbit, the satellite research will commence aboard the and Boeing engineers and tech tory. "We introduced heat into the will become GOES-11- Earth-orbiting outpost. nicians are now hard at work on the cabin, as well as moisture and joining GOES-8, GOES-9 That research will undoubtedly ground. carbon dioxide to simulate the and GOES-10 in space. provide unexpected results in the Almost one year before launch of presence of the crew," Galloway GOES will be launched fields of material science, bio Destiny on STS-98, the team has noted. "This way, we can assure aboard a Lockheed Martin technology, fluid physics, and been gathering and analyzing data that proper life support systems Atlas II rocket. combustion and life sciences. from the laboratory's first closed will function as required for actual KSC is the lead center for While such unanticipated hatch qualification test. crew members on orbit." acquisition and management findings are exciting to scientists "We've run all environmental Four major systems were of Expendable Launch and researchers, unforeseen occur control and life support systems on qualified fit for orbital operation Vehicle (ELY) launch rences in space are an engineer's the ground to qualify that the during the eight-day test of Destiny, services. nightmare. systems will functi on as we expect which had its hatch closed for the To assure optimum performance them to in space," said Randy of the ISS 's U.S. Laboratory Galloway, NASA technical lead for (See Destiny, Page 2) Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS May 14, 1999

atmosphere revitalization system to Laboratory ... check how its trace contaminant (Continued from Page 1) control system is operating," Sendral continued. "This system test's duration on April 29. checks for and removes undesirable "One of the systems we needed elements in the air." to qualify was the lab's atmosphere Another system checked in the revitalization system, which assures eight-day trial was the atmosphere that carbon dioxide will be control supply system. removed as expected," said Boeing "This system primarily simulates Senior Test Engineer Emile the atmosphere on the ground," Sendral. stated NASA's lead engineer on the "This same test will also check closed-hatch test, Gary Wentz. the major constituent analyzer, or "This system provides partial MCA. That essentially samples and pressure of oxygen and nitrogen." analyzes atmospheric conditions The third test run on the lab was not only for the U.S. Laboratory, qualifying the functionality of the but also for conditions throughout temperature humidity control the station," Sendral noted. system. Since the laboratory is not "Basically, this system monitors physically attached right now to the and controls the lower and upper ISS, the test of conditions temperatures in the lab, much like throughout the station was achieved your thermostat at home," noted through laboratory interfaces. Wentz. "We've also run a test of the And finally, the thermal control

Gary Wentz, left, and Emile Sendral work together on Destiny's closed-hatch test.

system was checked during the space, the ISS community will week-long qualifying test. expand here on Earth as researchers "The thermal control system use the technologies of "tele removes heat from the electronics science" to control and manipulate to allow them to function experiments from the ground. optimally," said Sendral. Advancing communications and "It also supports humidity information technologies will allow control, like the evaporator coil in Earth-bound investigators to enjoy an air conditioning unit on Earth. a "virtual presence" on board the During the test, we demonstrated ISS as they take their place in a its ability to collect the condensa world community that will use and tion in the lab and dump it over benefit from an orbiting laboratory. board." The ISS will execute concurrent All of these systems are vital to roles as: supporting scientists, engineers and • an advanced testbed for entrepreneurs on an unprecedented technology and human exploration; platform on which to pelform • a world-class research facility; complex, long-duration and and replicable experiments in the • a commercial platform for space unique environment of space. research and development. The microgravity of space has Since the Skylab space station in become an important tool for 1973 and through the Space Shuttle scientists developing highly and Spacelab missions, NASA has sophisticated materials and sponsored a long line of micro processes for use now and in the gravity materials research. 21st century. It will continue in the 21st Before Destiny's hatch was closed on April 29 for an eight-day qualification test, this inside view of the "floor" racks was taken. The "floor" refers to its on-orbit orientation The station will maximize its century as the International Space (for human factors considerations, a floor/ceiling relationship is maintained) . In this particular assets -prolonged Station is assembled and becomes a picture, the racks are "on the wall," as evident by the step ladders (at left) in the picture. exposure to microgravity and the major research facility, including The condensing heat exchanger that removes the water from the atmosphere is presence of human experimenters the U.S. Laboratory Module, with positioned (far right in the photo) so that the heat exchanger is "on its back" to allow the water to drain into a separator in 1 g. On orbit, this process uses airflow and suction to in the research process. facilities for research in biotech work properly. The condensing heat exchanger and water separator are very similar to As an international crew of nology, fluid physics, combustion the hardware used on the Space Shuttle today. astronauts live and work together in and life sciences. Page 3 SPACEPORT NEWS May 14, 1999

Roe named manager, Space Shuttle Vehicle Joint Communications Control Engineering Office Center Becomes Operational

The Joint Conununications and a credit to all the men and Research Planning, Inc. (an Control Center (JCCC) women who contributed to the SGS subcontractor), controls a located at KSC, with an team effort. myriad of functions for alternate site at Cape The primary center is located in hundreds of buildings at both Canaveral Air Station Room 1Pl0 ofKSC's Latmch locations. (CCAS), formally began Conh·ol Complex, with an alternate These functions include operations April 6 following a center located at Building 49750 at closed circuit television ribbon-cutting ceremony. Cape Canaveral Air Station. cameras, two-way radio The JCCC combines the The Joint Cmmnunications networks, infrared detection communications control Control Center is staffed 24 hours a systems, motion detectors, mission of CCAS with the day, seven days a week. intrusion alarm signals, fiber same operation at KSC. The center provides continuous optic motion sensors, comput The latest technological communication support for Fire/ erized response and dispatch advances in electronic EMS and Security personnel; systems and electronic access cmmnunications monitoring electronic assessment of fire and control systems. and dispatch systems are now security alarm systems; 911 A protection systems team integrated into one center. emergency call responses, includ of 25 electronics experts Also taking part in this ing telephone devices for the deaf; maintains these devices. Ralph Roe event were approximately 100 aural public address; and adverse The Joint Conununications Ralph R. Roe Jr. has been named individuals who participated weather warning systems. Control Center fulfills the manager, Space Shuttle Vehicle in the successful completion There are more than 98,000 concept of the J-BOSC by Engineering Office in the Space of this project. combined devices (fire alanns, integrating two collateral Shuttle Program at Johnson Space Hickman and Deputy smoke and motion detectors, etc.) emergency response functions Center, Houston. Program Manager Chuck that are the responsibility of SGS into one advanced conmlwli In this position, Roe will direct Debelius hailed the Joint on both KSC and Cape Canaveral cation control center the design, development, produc Communications Control Air Station. providing faster, better service tion and testing of orbiters, associa Center as a grand achievement The equipment, operated by at a cost savings. ted government-furnished equip ment, the remote manipulator sys tem, software, avionics and flight Being an ACE at attention to detail, Meeks wins award crew equipment. Roe will take the position after the STS-96 launch. by Susan Hubscher Recognition (QASAR) Award on "It has been an honor to be a April 22 at the 14th Annual NASA member of the KSC team, and this Proving that paying attention to Continual Improvement and is a great opportunity for me to details is important, KSC inte Reinvention Conference at the share the operational experience gration engineer Sam Meeks was Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, in I've gained at KSC with the rest of given the QASAR award for Alexandria, Va. the Shuttle Program," he said. fi nding a broken wire in a _Delta II The QASAR award is given by Roe is currently launch director engine. NASA's Safety and Mission for KSC Shuttle launches. A Then a mechanical and propul Assurance Directorate to successor launch director has yet to sion engineer, Meeks found the employees who demonstrate be named. damage during the final Delta exemplary performance in Formerly, Roe served as director, second stage engine section walk contributing to quality products Process Engineering Directorate; down for the Advanced Composi and/or services to the agency. chief, Fluid Systems Division; and tion Explorer (ACE) mission in Meeks was also nominated for Sam Meeks chief, Environmental Control, August 1997. the "Best of the Best" QASAR Hypergolic and Hydraulic Systems He found the broken wire in the repaired and the Redundant award. Branch in the Vehicle Engineering Redundant Attitude Control System Attitude Control System module Each center nominates local Directorate at KSC. He joined module. The wire is necessary to was closed out for flight. QASAR award recipients to be NASA at KSC in 1983 and served provide critical firing sequencing to If the broken wire had not been considered for this agencywide in several senior technical and the Redundant Attitude Control found and if the cables were in an award. managerial positions. System for second stage attitude improper position, the Delta's Meeks has worked in the Roe earned a bachelor of science control. Because of Meek's finding, second stage would not have fired Expendable Launch Vehicle degree in mechanical engineering Boeing initiated an investigation to in the correct order to control the Directorate since 1994. from the University of South verify that all electrical cables were stage, and the satellite would have During this time, he has Carolina in 1983 and his master's in their proper position. been lost. contributed to the success of the of science degree in engineering The sequencing of the cables was For pointing out the discovery, Mechanical and Propulsion Branch management from the University of verified with the vehicle second Meeks was presented with the through his professionalism and Central Florida in 1992. stage drawings, the cable was Quality and Safety Achievement teamwork. May 14, 1999 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 4

"Countdown to the millennium" Buckle up for safety's sake "Countdown to the millennium The event included paper and is a phrase bound to become a panel sessions, exhibits, banquets familiar one in corning months," and receptions, but an additional said Rick Abramson, general emphasis was placed this year on chairman of the recent 36th Space student outreach. Congress and president and CEO "Today's students will be among of Delaware North Parks Services, those who shape the space program Inc. "Perhaps nowhere is the dawn of the new millennium," Abramson of a new age felt more strongly said. than in the space industry." Space Congress is sponsored by This theme was reflected the Canaveral Council of Technical throughout the four days of the Societies, a group represented by 36th annual Space Congress, held members of 33 professional and April 27-30 at the Radisson at the technical societies and advisory Port in Port Canaveral. groups.

Crash test dummies, seen above in this photo taken during KSC's 1998 Super Safety Day, remind everyone to wear seat belts on and off KSC property. Last year's dummies were John Moreland, Boeing, and Julie Shally, NASA. This year, Super Safety and Health Day is scheduled for Thursday, June 17. It will be a stand-down from work day when all KSC employees will make time to focus on safety and health issues.

CCTS honors Kennedy Space Center staff at Space Congress James Jennings, KSC deputy defense and aerospace. director for Business Operations, Williams is accomplished in and John Williams, staff engineer reducing hazardous waste from and pollution prevention com·dina Space Shuttle operations. Don McMonagle, manager, Space Shuttle Program Launch Integration, signed tor for United Space Alliance, These procedures result in safer autographs for young fans at the 36th annual Space Congress. McMonagle flew as a were honored April 29 at the 36th operations, decreased environ mission specialist on STS-39, a pil ot on STS-54 and a commander on STS-66. Space Congress' banquet for mental compliance risks and significant long-term achievements significant cost savings. May employees of the month to local defense and aerospace These processes also minimize efforts during the past five years. and in some cases eliminate Jennings received the Space employee exposure to hazardous Congress Achievement Award for materials. his managerial contributions to the The Canaveral Council of defense and aerospace effort. Technical Societies (CCTS), which With more than 32 years' sponsors Space Congress, also experience with NASA and the awarded Rick Abramson, general aerospace community, Jennings chairman of the 36th Space has been instrumental in imple Congress, with the Appreciation menting strategic plans that have Award for his commitment to improved business practices at Space Congress, and to the Space Kennedy Space Center. Congress committee, volunteers Jennings created the KSC and other workers. Strategic Business Council, Abramson was recognized for which has successfully integrated initiating many innovative features all business planning efforts. He this year, such as having all the led the implementation of the events in one location and pro KSC Goal Performance Evaluation viding students free access to all Employees of the month for May include, from left to right, Adrienne Ulmer, Space Shuttle Program Launch Integration; Nancy Hoffman, Office of the Chief Financial System, resulting in significant sessions and the Meet the Officer; Sheila Perry, Installation Operations; Jimmie Rogers, Safety and Mission improvements that have since Astronauts session. Assurance; Melanie Chan, En gineering Development; Julie Hallum, Administration been emulated by other NASA These awards are given annually Office; and Donna Rafferty, Procurement Office. Not shown are Cristina Guidi, Advanced centers. at the Space Congress banquet to Development and Shuttle Upgrades; Terry Ross, Checkout and Launch Control System Office; Rodney Berwanger, Logistic Operations; William Scheafer, Space Station and Williams accepted the Space recognize superior achievements of Shuttle Payloads; Stephen Payne, Shuttle Processing; Greg Meeks, Space Station Congress Technical Achievement outstanding managers, supervisors Hardware Integration Office; and Wendy Johnson, ELV and Payload Carriers Program Award for technical achievement in and other local businessmen. Office. May 14, 1999 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 5

STS-96 ... other," she added, "and we're one orbiter and its cargo. Foll owing Discovery's fli ght, important piece, but small piece, of The experiment will be activated Atlantis is scheduled to next visit (Continued from Page 1) a very, very large puzzle." automatically by the orbiter's lift the station in December, after the Parts of a Russian crane also will off vibration and will operate for unpiloted Russian Service Module launched aboard earlier flights due be attached. That crane, known as approximately I 00 seconds. has docked automatically with the to weight limitations. Strela, will be mounted on Also, a set of sensors and International Space Station. Discovery's mission sets the Pressurized Mating Adapter 2. avionics equipment called the The station is now in an orbit stage for the arrival of the first Mission Specialist Ellen Ochoa, Integrated Vehicle Health with a high point of 252 statute station living quarters, the Russian a two-time Shuttle veteran, rounds Monitming (IVHM) system will miles and a low point of 238 statute provided Service Module, out Discovery's crew as flight record the performance of vari ous miles, circling the Earth approx scheduled to be launched by Russia engineer and a mission speciali st. onboard Shuttle systems. imately once every 92 minutes. later this year. Ochoa will operate the Shuttle's The objective of the Integrated The 35-ton complex has Navy Commander Kent mechanical arm from inside the Vehicle Health Management completed more than 2,600 orbits Rominger will command cabin during the space walk. system is to reduce planned ground of Earth since its launch and is Discovery's crew, which includes In addition to its primary cargo processing, streamline problem easily visible from the ground as it cosmonaut Valery Tokarev, a of station supplies and eq uipment, trouble-shooting and improve passes overhead at dawn or dusk. colonel in the Russian Air Force, Discovery will carry aloft a overall vehicle safety. It will become even brighter and Canadian astronaut Julie small satellite called Starshine The KSC-developed IVHM once Discovery has docked. Payette as mission specialists. that will provide system is one of several ongoing International Space Station Rick Husband will serve as educational studies using new technologies to viewing opportunities for locations pilot of Discovery, and a observations for improve Shuttle operations. worldwide are avai lable on the space walk will be students around Discovery is scheduled to land at Internet at http://spacejlight. peformed by astronauts the world Kennedy Space Center on May 30. nasa.gov!realdata/sightings/ Tammy Jernigan and studying orbital Daniel Barry, while mechanics and Discovery is docked aerospace. to the station. Another Jernigan and test aboard Barry will attach a Discovery will U.S. space walkers' crane to the explore the use of new equipment, exterior that will assist in future called the Volatile Removal assembly activities. Assembly, that may one day be "I think the building of the used for recycling water aboard the International Space Station is space station. certainly an ambitious project ... Two new sets of sensing systems and we're doing it one piece at a will be studied on the mission. time," said Jernigan, "so we have to A set of sensors called the be very clever about the testing that Shuttle Vibration Forces (SVF) we do and the training that we do. experiment will record the "Each mission builds upon the vibrations experienced between the

The STS-96 crew take a photo break during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test Israeli astronauts ltzhak Mayo (left) and llan Ramon , with the Israeli Space (TCDT) activities at KSC's Launch Pad 398 on April 28 . From left, they are Mission Agency, stopped at Launch Pad 398 during their tour of KSC on May 3. Specialists Valery lvanovich Tokarev with the Russian Space Agency, Daniel Barry, They are now training at Johnson Space Center in Houston for an upcoming Julie Payette (back row) with the Canadian Space Agency, Ellen Ochoa (front row), Space Shuttle mission with a payload that includes a multispectral camera Commander Kent Rominger, Mission Specialist Tamara Jernigan and Pilot Rick Hus for recording desert aerosol (particles of dust whipped up by desert storms) band. The TCDT provides simulated countdown exercises, emergency egress training to try to determine how they affect global climate change. Ramon is Israel's and opportunities to inspect the mission payloads in the orbiter's payload bay. STS-96, first astronaut, and Mayo is training as Ramon's back-up. scheduled for liftoff on May 20 at 9:32a.m., is a logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station. Page6 SPACEPORT NEWS May 14, 1999

Flying into the future with MEDS: the Space Shuttle's "glass cockpit"

Today's Space Shuttle, still less be positioned on any screen of the than one-quarter of the way pilot's choosing, MEDS provides through its design lifetime, is safer, additional backup capabilities in more capable and less expensive to the event of failures than were fly than ever before- thanks to available with mechanical cockpit enhancements from new tech displays. MEDS screens also can nologies incorporated into the be changed out in-flight if original orbiter design and necessary. improvements to orbiter operation .. MEDS uses 90 watts less power Flights this year will be capped and is 75 pounds lighter than the by a space station construction original displays. Color added to mission that will launch what is the original Shuttle display now the most sophisticated orbiter functions provides easier crew ever- Atlantis, which returned to recognition. KSC from an orbiter maintenance All orbiters will be updated with and down period in Palmdale, the glass cockpit as they are "Celebrating Our Legacy" Calif., in September 1998. periodically taken out cif service for Atlantis' new "glass cockpit," standard inspection periods, with "Celebrating our Legacy" was the theme of the fifth annual Asian & Pacific technically known as the updates to the entire fleet Islander American Working Group luncheon, held May 7 in KSC's Operations Multifunction Electronic Display completed by 2002. and Checkout Building. A special presentation of song and dance was performed by Fii-Am S.D.A.U. ensemble of Orlando (above), who enjoyed Subsystem (MEDS), has increased In addition, the annual cost of sharing the luncheon celebration with KSC employees. capabilities, decreased weight and operating the Space Shuttle has power consumption and replaced decreased by almost 40 percent obsolete equipment on the flight (when adj usted for inflation) since deck of the Shuttle. the early 1990s. Morgan given Distinguished Executive Award MEDS replaced four cathode ray About a $1.25 billion reduction KSC Associate Director for The Distinguished Executive tube displays and 32 gauges and has been realized in this year's Advanced Development and rank Award is the nation's highest electromechanical displays with a budget as compared to the 1992 Shuttle Upgrades JoAnn Morgan civil service award. total of 11 active matrix liquid budget, and in the next five years, was recognized as a Distinguished The awards ceremony is hosted crystal flat -panel, full-color costs are projected to decrease by Executive by Vice President AI by the Senior Executives displays in the Shuttle cockpit. hundreds of millions more. Gore on April 29 at the Presidential Association, whose mission is to Nine flat-panel screens are located More information on Shuttle Distinguished Rank Awards improve the efficiency, in the forward cockpit and two in upgrades is available on the Web at Ceremony in Washington, D.C. effectiveness and productivity of the aft cockpit. http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/ Morgan received the award for the federal government. By allowing cockpit displays to upgrades. "sustained extraordinary accom The award , presented to fewer plishment" in management of than one percent of career senior programs of the U.S. government executive staff members of the U.S. and for leadership exemplifying the government, includes a monetary highest standards of service to the award, a gold pin and a framed public, reflecting credit on the certificate signed by the U.S. career civil service. president.

John F. Kennedy Space Center Spaceport News

Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center and is published on alternate Fridays by the Public Affairs Office in the interest of KSC civil service and contractor employees. Contributions are welcome and should be submitted two weeks before !.' :'..1fr" 1 publication to the Media Services Branch, AB-F1. E-mail submissions can be STS-1 01 Commander James Halse ll (left) and STS-98 Commander Ken Cockrell (right) sent to Susan.Maurer-1 @ksc.nasa.gov pause for a photo while looking over the recently installed Multifunction Electronic Display Managing editor...... Bruce Buckingham Subsystem (MEDS) in the cockpit of the orbiter Atlantis. The new full-color, flat panel Editor...... Susan Maurer MEDS improves crew/orbiter interaction with easy-to-read, graphic portrayals of key flight indicators like attitude display and mach speed. The installation makes Atlantis Editorial support provided by Information Dynamics Inc. Writers Group. th e most modern orbiter in the fleet and equals the systems on current commercial jet NASA at KSC is on the Internet at http://www.ksc.nasa.gov airliners and military aircraft. Tti'e first flight of the upgraded Atlantis will be STS-1 01 , scheduled for launch in December 1999, and its second flight, STS-98, is scheduled USGPO: 733-112/80031 for launch in April 2000.