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Aug. 10, 2012 Vol. 52, No. 16 Spaceport News John F. - America’s gateway to the universe

Launch director lauds Curiosity's epic landing

By Steven Siceloff "go" to start the mission, offering Spaceport News his confidence that everything he had seen showed that the rover was mar Baez completed his ready, not to mention the rocket pack eighth trip to Mars on Mon- that would fly through the Martian day when NASA's Curiosity CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Kim Shiflett O atmosphere and lower Curiosity onto rover touched down perfectly inside the surface in a landing maneuver NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden discusses the agency's new Commercial Crew Integrated Capability the Gale Crater to begin a two- (CCiCap) partnerships from Kennedy Space Center on Aug. 3. Kennedy's Director Bob Cabana, left, that had never year geologic and NASA Manager Ed Mango also spoke about the CCiCap initiative dur- been tried be- ing the news conference. survey of the fore. mysterious red Although he planet. As with checked out ev- Spaceport stakes claim everyone else erything several on Earth, Baez times in a pro- to commercial missions can only go to cessing hangar Mars remotely, on Earth and By Rebecca Regan efforts are based on a simple but but that doesn't worked closely Spaceport News powerful principle," said NASA diminish his with the rover's Administrator Charlie Bolden dur- excitement. he three American compa- builders and op- ing the CCiCap announcement. "By Nine months nies building next-generation erators from the investing in American companies ago, Baez was spacecraft that NASA could CLICK ON PHOTO NASA Jet Propulsion T and American , we're spur- carefully going Laboratory in call on to carry into orbit This is the first image taken by the Navigation in the future will perform much of ring free-market competition to give over the details cameras on NASA's Curiosity rover. It shows the Pasadena, Calif., their work along the Space Coast, taxpayers more bang for the buck of Curios- shadow of the rover's now-upright mast in the he still had an while enabling NASA to do what ity ahead of center, and the arm's shadow at left. The arm home of the agency's Commercial itself can be seen in the foreground. To see the anxious night Crew Program (CCP). we do best, reach for the heavens." its launch on a latest photos from Mars taken by Curiosity, click watching the Advances made by these com- Throughout the next 21 months, United Launch on the photo. landing on TV. panies under newly signed Space Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) Alliance Atlas "I think there's Act Agreements (SAAs) through of Louisville, Colo., Space Explo- V rocket. As launch director for been roughly 7,000 people who have the agency's Commercial Crew ration Technologies (SpaceX) of NASA's , worked on this," Baez said Monday Integrated Capability (CCiCap) Hawthorne, Calif., and The Boeing it was up to Baez to confirm that the morning. "There's a personal sense initiative are intended to lead to the Company of Houston will complete one-ton robotic rover was ready to of ownership and some skin that availability of commercial human their spacecraft and launch-vehicle make a 10-month voyage through went into making this happen. So I spaceflight services for government designs, test their hardware, and space to a planet 14 million miles am overjoyed. I was so ecstatic to and commercial customers. away. "Our commercial crew and cargo See CCP, Page 4 On Nov. 26, 2011, Baez gave his See CURIOSITY, Page 3

Mock-up stack Chief technologist visits Firing room mods Kennedy social Inside this issue...

Page 2 Page 3 Page 6 Page 7 Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS Aug. 10, 2012 Mock-up Orion stack forging path to launch By Steven Siceloff designers came up with a framework Spaceport News and metal cylinder that would be the same dimensions as the service he Vehicle Assembly Build- module and support Orion's weight. ing's (VAB) transfer aisle NASA and Boeing prototype shops offered a glimpse of the T turned the designs into the real future recently as a full-size Orion model. spacecraft mock-up was placed An operational service module atop a model of the service module holds propellant and consumables so engineers and technicians could tanks, power-generating solar arrays, determine the exact dimensions for instruments and other hardware as- connectors that will run from the tronauts need. It stays attached to the launch pad structure to the space- Orion capsule until re-entry, when craft before liftoff. the capsule separates to return the With the first test flights of the crew to Earth. Orion scheduled in 2014 atop a Delta "Ours is built just for the ground. IV and 2017 for the Space Launch It couldn't take the launch loads, System (SLS), the work is critical to making sure the designs are ac- the vibrations," Lenhardt said. "We NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis curate, said Doug Lenhardt, who is only needed to simulate the outside. The mock-up components of an Orion spacecraft are laid out in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle As- overseeing the Orion mock-up and This is how the Orion vehicle will sembly Building at Kennedy Space Center on Aug. 6. In the foreground is the Launch Abort System, come to us from the Operations and operations planning for the Ground attached to the aerodynamic shell that will cover the capsule. To the right is the Orion capsule model on Systems Development and Opera- top of a service module simulator. All are the exact dimensions of the flight-ready Orion. For more on Checkout Building, where it is as- tions program, or GSDO. the Ground Systems Development and Operations program, click on the photo. sembled. So now we can do any of the operations, simulate them, with a After all, changing a connector on since the . Many mock- approaches to handling the Orion a flight-ready spacecraft or heavy flight-like vehicle." ups are retired to public display, such spacecraft during launch prepara- Because the VAB's transfer aisle is piece of launch pad equipment can as the "Pathfinder" shuttle on exhibit tions at the launch pad. For instance, vast, it can be used to simulate other get costly and time-consuming. at Marshall Space Flight Center in a system of off-the-shelf scaffolds facilities, too, so work that will take "The design is pretty far along for Alabama. proved too difficult for crews in place in other areas of Kennedy to the capsule, so the sooner you can Lifting and moving the mock-ups heavy protection gear to move prepare Orion for flight can also be find flaws or details that you want also provides opportunities for tech- around on, so a new approach is be- perfected without moving the mock- the designers to change, the less ex- nicians to maintain and practice their ing developed. ups around. pensive it is, the more time they have technical skills. The rocket The model also includes an aero- to look at it and possibly redesign," "Actually one of the big goals of is slated to be taller than a Saturn dynamic shell that will anchor the Lenhardt said. "You don't want to the mock-ups is helping keep the V, which means operators will have LAS rocket to the spacecraft. In an test all of this out on your first flight workforce here proficient," Lenhardt to lift Orion and its service module emergency, the LAS would ignite vehicle." said. "The crane guys are good, almost to the rafters of the 525-foot- and pull the Orion spacecraft to Stacked atop each other, the Orion they're really good now because they tall VAB to place the spacecraft on crew module and service module were doing orbiters three or six times top of the SLS. safety. Workers in the VAB have not mock-ups stand 27 feet tall. Techni- a year. Now, they're not lifting any With the steel and aluminum stacked a rocket with an LAS since cians can climb inside the capsule flight vehicles, so obviously their mock-up , the engineers can find out missions ended in 1975, be- and see how the astronauts will sit skills will erode a little bit. It defi- what work needs to be done before cause the space shuttle did not have for the launch and how much room nitely does help to keep everybody the spacecraft is lifted and what can such a mechanism. is available to them during the proficient here, too." only be done with the Orion mated to "Is it better to stack the LAS when months it may take for a mission to The mock-up has been used to the top of the rocket. it's on top of the rocket? Is it better an asteroid, the or Mars. The show firefighters and emergency The Orion model, an exterior rep- to stack it on the ground here and model's full size gives designers a medical technicians what to expect if lica of the spacecraft that is mostly then lift the whole thing on top of greater appreciation of the scale of they have to get astronauts out of the empty on the inside save for four the rocket?" Lenhardt said. "Those the spacecraft, Lenhardt said. ship quickly. They saw very quickly model seats and hatch, was are the kinds of things we can try out "That's the first thing people say that lifting astronauts up from their used to practice stacking the launch here." when they see this, I didn't realize it seats and out of the hatch is a lot abort system, or LAS, ahead of a With the pace of work increasing was that big, that it was that tall,' " different than it was aboard a space flight test at White Sands, N.M., in and flight tests into space closer on Lenhardt said. "When you go to shuttle, Lenhardt said. May 2010. Kennedy engineers have the horizon, Lenhardt said excite- computer-aided design models, you "When you're trying to get a been using it to model their systems ment is building at Kennedy. just don't appreciate the size." crew out, seconds matter, so the fire and demonstrate processing tech- "We've got this, and with the NASA routinely used mock- and rescue guys came up with re- niques for several months, including EFT-1 spacecraft showing up in the ups, also known as boilerplates or ally good ideas to help the closeout placing it inside an experimental Operations and Checkout Building, it pathfinders, to test equipment and (crew) do their job, to get the guys clean room. shows people we are moving down a techniques for all of its human space- out faster," Lenhardt said. For a service module, though, path," Lenhardt said. NASA is mov- craft programs. The Orion work is The demonstrations already have there was nowhere to turn to get a ing forward and it's starting to get the first NASA crewed spacecraft identified numerous changes in mock-up, Lenhardt said. So Kennedy pretty exciting." Aug. 10, 2012 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 NASA chief technologist praises Kennedy innovations By Steven Siceloff explorer to operate longer. Spaceport News Imagine, on Earth, a car that instantly shakes off heat shield partially dust and dirt itself. Hogue made from Mar- said auto companies already Atian or lunar soil, have made early approaches lighting that allows plants to to mirror the technology. grow in space and special- "The success they've had ized containers that keep here with turning out their astronauts from getting products and embracing infected by biological ex- the business community is periments were some of the really unparalleled," Peck technology developments said. "When we spend shown to NASA's chief money on the nation's space technologist during his visit program, we're not spending to laboratories at Kennedy it in space, we spend it right Space Center on July 30-31. here on Earth. NASA has Although known for pio- made contributions to our neering tools and techniques American life." to prepare payloads and Peck also was shown launch spacecraft success- some of the payload tech- fully, Kennedy also works nologies developed at Ken- with its partner Space nedy that allow experiments Florida to operate labs to be performed safely on for scientists performing the International Space cutting-edge research in Station. Kennedy research- other fields. NASA/Frankie Martin ers have produced payload "It's very exciting to be Dr. Mason Peck, NASA's chief Technologist, examines an innovative conductive material during a tour of the Space Life containers that have flown here at Kennedy Space Sciences Laboratory at Kennedy on July 30. Peck also toured the center's Operations and Checkout Building and Shuttle 51 times on shuttle and sta- Center because one of the Landing Facility and 's Space Operations Center at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station during tion missions, David Reed his two-day visit. best parts of my job is think- told Peck, and another seven ing about the future," said such things, too. One of Peck's duties is to just say, 'I'm just doing my are to fly on future missions, Mason Peck, NASA's chief "If you really want to help technologies developed job.' We hear that so often." including an upcoming technologist. "That's one of geek out about technology, for space make their way Some of the technologies resupply flight. the reasons I wanted to do which is what I like doing, into the commercial market shown to Peck may find "One of the very exciting this in the first place." you have to come to a place for use on Earth. He was commercial applications things about NASA these Peck, who has been in his like KSC," Peck said. told that center researchers sooner rather than later. A days is we are looking to the NASA post for six months, The Morpheus lander have long developed inno- prime example of that is future. We've got a lot on has been visiting NASA started flight tests Aug. 3 at vative devices. a system that electrically our plate, a lot of exciting centers to see up-close what the Shuttle Landing Facil- "We have a lot of people repels dust and dirt mol- work being done, a lot of developments are under ity also was shown to Peck, who do really great things ecules from a metal surface. it's being done right here at way. The trips are important along with an Atlas V rocket and they don't know it," Michael Hogue's team Kennedy," Peck said. "Right for a variety of reasons, but that United Launch Alli- Martin Belson, president developed it to keep solar now, with NASA, we're see- Peck said there is a certain ance is prepping for a future and CEO of Diversified panels clean on Mars and ing a return to what I'll call element of fun in seeing mission. Industries, told Peck. "They the moon, enabling a robotic our innovation roots."

"I think I'm still numb, I'm still toward the launch of the MAVEN lions of miles from Earth. From CURIOSITY, Page 1 waiting for more pictures," Baez mission, a spacecraft that will study "One of my greatest thrills is to go see them succeed and see this thing said. "I want to see the thing roll Mars from orbit. MAVEN, short for to schools and speak to kids and one on the surface." around and rove. I'm not ready to Mars Atmosphere and Volatiles Evo- of the amazing things is being able pop the champagne corks yet." lutioN, will look for clues as to why to pull up a site and show them live Before the mission was launched, The landing buoyed the whole the Martian atmosphere changed pictures of (the smaller NASA rov- and knowing how difficult the entry launch team. and why its surface water was lost ers) and on the and landing would be, Baez said "Everyone's walking with a spring to space. It is scheduled to launch in surface of Mars, and I can't wait for he would call the flight a success if in their step, just having a good late 2013. the day I can do that for Curiosity the rover landed and returned some time," Baez said. "Overall, it's a As for Curiosity, it is the most and show them that our presence is video and photos of the barren Mar- great feeling." powerful rover ever sent to another somewhere else besides this planet," tian landscape. Even after launching eight world and is taking tools to drill into Baez said. "And it's not just Curios- That goal has been met, but Baez spacecraft to Mars, Baez' work with and sample soil and rocks, along ity, it's the other two rovers, it’s the said he is on to the next level of the red planet is not finished. The with lab mechanisms to experiment orbiters and a lot of people don't expectations from Curiosity. Launch Services Program is working on the material directly, albeit mil- realize that." Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS Aug. 10, 2012

From CCP, Page 1 for later this year as part of NASA's plex-40 at CCAFS. The company and capability of our three partners Commercial Crew Development is working to outfit its Dragon under iCap," said CCP Manager then showcase how they would Round 2 (CCDev2) agreement with capsule with the capability to land Ed Mango. "I believe that we can operate and manage missions from the company. on dry land, rather than the ocean's make great progress with these three launch through orbit and landing. SNC has partnered with United corrosive salt water, and a targeted partners." "We have selected three compa- Launch Alliance (ULA) of Centen- landing site is still in work. The new CCiCap agreements nies that will help keep us on track nial, Colo., to launch its spacecraft During the previous partnership follow two previous commercial to end the outsourcing of human atop an Atlas V rocket. As progress with CCP, the company provided endeavors by NASA to spur the de- spaceflight and create high-paying is made with SNC's spacecraft, details about its side-mounted velopment of transportation systems jobs in Florida and elsewhere across ULA will be working to outfit launch abort system that will em- the country," Bolden said. its launch pad at CCAFS's Space ploy SuperDraco engines, as well and subsystems. Four funded and The proposals submitted by these Launch Complex-41 with the struc- as conceptual modifications to its three unfunded partners worked to three companies include processing tures and systems necessary to sup- launch pads to support crewed mis- meet 62 complex milestones during and launching from Kennedy or the port crewed missions, such as crew sions. The company also outlined CCDev2, which should be com- adjacent Cape Canaveral Air Force access walkways and emergency crew living arrangements in its cap- pleted by the end of this year. Station (CCAFS), which could cre- escape systems. sule, such as environmental control "In just over a year, our CCDev2 ate new jobs along Florida's Space As the only lifting-body space- and life support equipment, initial partners made steady progress in Coast. craft under development for crew displays and controls. the design and development of "The KSC team has the human transportation, the Dream Chaser their systems," Mango said. "As we capital expertise, unique facilities will utilize Kennedy's unique Shut- The Boeing Company wrap up those partnerships under and specialized equipment to propel tle Landing Facility for traditional Boeing will receive up to CCDev2, we commend the teams the agency into the next phase of runway landings. $460 million to continue to develop for their hard work and dedication, space exploration," said Kennedy its CST-100 spacecraft, which un- and we look forward to possibly Director Bob Cabana, "and the Space Exploration Technologies derwent rigorous testing during two working with them again in the Commercial Crew Program is a key SpaceX will receive up to previous development phases with future." part of that." $440 million for its crewed Dragon CCP. The spacecraft's engines, or- The creativity of NASA's industry spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket bital maneuvering system thrusters, Sierra Nevada Corporation combination. The next-generation and parachute landing and thermal partners during CCiCap will set the SNC will receive up to $212.5 Falcon rocket will feature the com- protection systems were initially stage for a crewed orbital demon- million to further advance its Dream pany's Merlin1D engine to provide designed and tested. stration mission around the middle Chaser spacecraft, which resembles greater lift capability to support the Plans already are in work for the of the decade. NASA's space shuttle but is smaller heavier weight of an astronaut crew CST-100 to be manufactured and Future development initiatives and based on improvements to the plus cargo. assembled in Orbiter Processing Fa- will eventually lead to the availabil- agency's HL-20 lifting-body design. The uncrewed version of Dragon cility-3 at Kennedy. The center also ity of services for During two previous development made history in May as the first the agency to send its crews to the rounds with CCP, the company commercially built spacecraft to will be the home of the company's International Space Station, where matured the spacecraft's guidance, rendezvous and then berth with the mission control facility. navigation and control system and International Space Station. An Atlas V, using the rocket's du- critical research is taking place daily tested its hybrid-propellant propul- SpaceX's mission control will al-engine Centaur upper stage, will to benefit all of humanity. It could sion system. It also built an engi- be at its headquarters facility in loft Boeing's CST-100 spacecraft to also make space more accessible neering test article for approach- Hawthorne, while launches will low Earth orbit from CCAFS. and open for business for other gov- and-landing tests that are scheduled take place from Space Launch Com- "I am very confident in the ability ernment and commercial customers.

Dream Chaser/Atlas V Dragon/Falcon 9 CST-100/Atlas V Aug. 10, 2012 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 5 Scenes Around Kennedy Space Center

NASA Kennedy Space Center employees George Haddad and Josephine Santiago-Bond graduated from the 2011-2012 Systems Engineering Leadership Development Program (SELDP) on June 20 at NASA Headquarters. From left are Mike Ryschkewitsch, NASA chief engineer; Santiago-Bond; David Kruhm, KSC SELDP advocate; Haddad; and , NASA administrator.

For NASA CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Kim Shiflett Kennedy Space Center hosted an "Unconference" for dozens of INSPIRE students and their parents Technicians prepare to remove the payload faring containing the two Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or from July 31 to Aug. 2. Students and parents participated in workshops and facility tours. The group got RBSP, spacecraft from a transport vehicle to integrate with a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at to view an IMAX movie and rode on the Shuttle Launch Experience. Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Liftoff is targeted for Aug. 23.

Photo courtesy of Children of Lockheed Martin and United Launch Alliance workers enjoy a day of mind-expanding activities at Young Minds At Work (YMAW) on July 18 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The event, which allows parents to showcase their place of work, aims at encouraging the study of and potential careers in Science, Engineering, Math and Technology (STEM). More than 200 children participated. Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS Aug. 10, 2012 Firing Room-3 modifications focus on 'flexibility in design' By Bob Granath jobs ahead.” Spaceport News About six months ago, crews began removing the legacy consoles, or more than 40 years, the fir- ing rooms of the Launch cables and flooring from Firing Control Center, or LCC, have Room-3, much of which had been in F place since the Apollo era. served as the “brain” for launches at NASA’s spaceport. Civil service and “One of the many changes is the contactor personnel staffed consoles electrical and data cables being monitoring every aspect of launch replaced,” Cox said. “New codes countdowns. Whether an Apollo- require cables that won’t burn. CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Jim Grossmann Saturn rocket or the space shuttle, That’s a positive step since ensuring Technicians remove legacy consoles and monitors to make way for new systems designed to be flexible the focus always was on one pro- so controllers can process and launch multiple types of rockets and spacecraft, whether they are safety has always been our foremost gram. In the near future, however, government or commercial models, in Firing Room-3 of the at Kennedy Space concern and continues to be with the the Kennedy Space Center control Center on July 6. Kennedy's Launch Complex 39 is transitioning to support multiple users with the firing work going on now.” rooms being modified to be more generic in nature for upcoming programs. rooms could support a variety of While old is making way for new upcoming launch vehicles. state-of-the-art equipment, history is spacecraft for the Commercial Crew Future Development Concept report, When the LCC and its four firing being preserved. Program. The firing rooms also are “In the years ahead, Kennedy will rooms were built in the 1960s, all at- “Representatives of several muse- being modified to be more generic in transform from a government and tention was on launching the Saturn ums and other educational institu- nature for upcoming programs. program-focused, single-user launch V vehicles that would take astronauts tions have come in and identified to the lunar surface. In the years “While our first focus will be on complex to a more capability-centric artifacts they would like to display,” following the conclusion of Apollo, supporting Orion and SLS, we want and cost-effective multiuser space- Cox said. teams staffing the consoles focused to be able to be multi-disciplined, port. Kennedy’s new mission will be “The Smithsonian and the Cali- solely on sending space shuttle crews supporting other launch vehicles that to enable government and commer- to Earth orbit to conduct research may be coming along,” said Stephen cial space providers with facilities, fornia Science Center were among and deploy, service and retrieve Cox, NASA Operations Manager for (and an) experienced workforce those requesting artifacts," Cox said. satellites, as well as construct the End-to-End Command and Control, (with) the knowledge necessary to "We’re proud these consoles will be International Space Station. and Communications Elements. support existing mission sets and used to help tell Kennedy’s story. Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39 is “That could include commercial or new space programs.” While we don’t know all the exact now transitioning to be able to sup- other NASA customers.” “Flexibility in design is now the programs we may be supporting, we port multiple users such as the Orion That adaptability will be crucial key, as we prepare for the future,” plan to make sure the new Firing Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, the as NASA moves forward. According said Cox. “We want to be sure we Room-3 will have the capability to Space Launch System, or SLS, and to the recent Kennedy Space Center are building the right tools for the adapt to whatever is needed.”

Bolden challenges International Space University participants By Bob Granath "As you know, it's not all tion will play an increas- "Curiosity can stand in for and new ways to get there Spaceport News about the glories of launches ingly important role in a lot of what ISU means to and new challenges to or landings. There's a lot of future space exploration and our field. It represents the conquer. With this, we need ollowing nine weeks hard work behind the scenes solving the problems that lie intersection of exploration future international leaders of hearing from to make it all happen and ahead. and science -- a great ex- and I think those leaders are leading experts F to manage missions as they "As we move forward, ample of how each can sup- sitting here in this audience in space technology and race through space." the partnerships we share port the other. Not only will today." participating in hands-on This intensive program is among nations are going to Curiosity return amazing Headquartered in Stras- activities such as design- designed for post-graduate be critical to our success as science as the largest rover bourg, France, the Inter- ing and launching model university students and global space-faring people," ever landed on the Red national Space University rockets, approximately 130 professionals during the he said. "I know 'out-of-the- Planet, it will also serve as a provides an interdisciplinary participants representing 31 summer. ISU, hosted by box' thinking was the sort of precursor to the human mis- education experience to countries concluded their a different country each thing you were looking at in sions to Mars we're working support the development of experience in the Interna- year, provides a unique your team projects." for in the 2030s." future leaders in the world tional Space University, or educational experience for The closing came just two Janet Petro, Kennedy's space community. The pro- ISU, Space Studies Program participants from around the days prior to the Mars Sci- deputy center director, chal- gram curriculum includes for 2012. Closing ceremo- world. Kennedy Space Cen- ence Laboratory's landing lenged the students to spear- sessions in space physical nies which took place Aug. ter and the Florida Institute on Mars. head upcoming programs. sciences, space systems 3, were highlighted by re- of Technology served as co- "As we wrap up this ISU "We have a really bright engineering, policy and marks from NASA Admin- hosts for this year's event, program, we're on the cusp future, and I believe you can law, business and manage- istrator Charles Bolden. which began June 4. of another thrilling mile- help us move forward," she ment, space and society, "ISU is a great tool for As the keynote speaker stone in exploration as the said. "The space industry is satellite applications, space expanding your professional for the graduation, Bolden Curiosity rover prepares to constantly evolving. We've life sciences and human experience," Bolden said. noted international coopera- land on Mars," Bolden said. got new places to explore spaceflight. Aug. 10, 2012 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 7 Remembering Our Heritage

Social media followers hear stories of Kennedy's 50-year history By Bob Granath transferred to Kennedy, serving as Spaceport News director of Shuttle Management and Operations and as center director. hile the 50-year history "The center director is like being of the Kennedy Space mayor of a small city," Honeycutt Center includes power- W said. "You try to keep between ful rockets lifting off on historic 12,000 to 15,000 people pointed in missions to Earth orbit and beyond, the same direction." it also is a story of dedicated and Dr. Liz Warren, communications talented people working as a team. coordinator for Kennedy's Interna- About 45 of NASA’s social media tional Space Station Program Sci- followers gathered at the spaceport CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Gianni Woods ence Office, encouraged the partici- Aug. 2-3 to hear from key past and About 45 of NASA’s social media followers listened to speakers Aug. 2-3 during two days of presenta- pants to join a friend some evening present leaders who related stories tions on the Kennedy Space Center's past, present and future. It was the first social media event run exclusively by Kennedy. or early one morning in watching of the space agency's efforts to history in the making as the station explore the unknown. It was the "Going to the moon wasn't a big Roy Tharpe recalled the uncertainty flies overhead. first social media event run entirely deal to me, (the big deal) was what it that was inherent during the early "Be sure to tell your friend some by Kennedy. took to get there," said Lee Solid, a years of the fledgling space program. great factoid about the space station," A relatively new phenomenon, so- retired senior executive with Rock- While on one of his first jobs as Warren said. "For example, did you cial media enthusiasts use web- and well and Boeing. "I can't imagine part of a surveying crew for Cape know that during the station’s first 10 mobile-based technologies to com- anything more exciting." Canaveral's Launch Complex 34, he municate with followers in interac- The social media participants watched a rocket lift off just to the years, over 1,100 investigations were tive dialogues. Reaction was posted represented varied backgrounds south. conducted by researchers from more instantly on , and including an engineer, a law profes- "It launched up about 350 feet and than 60 countries?" similar media. sor, a stay-at-home mom and a self- turned left . . . right at me," he said. Thomas Engler, deputy manager NASA Administrator Charlie described "NASA nerd." What they "I jumped to the ground just as it of Kennedy's Center Planning and Bolden was among those who ad- all had in common was an interest in exploded." Development Office, was one of dressed the group explaining the the space agency's efforts to explore "Imagine a rocket taking a turn several speakers who updated the space agency’s approach to planning and utilize space. and heading straight for you. Yikes!" space center’s plans for upcoming for the future. One participant, University of Davis posted on her Facebook page. programs. “People today want to see perfor- South Florida student Joey Vars, Tharpe was later a part of the team "There is a lot of exciting work on- mance,” he said. “That’s the course pointed out that hearing first-hand that helped prepare for construction going to position us for the future," we’ve been trying to set over the last recollections helped him get a better of the Vehicle Assembly Building he said. "The next 50 years will be three years or so. Establish some feel for the effort involved in going and other elements of the complex much more diverse than the past." goals for NASA, tell people when into space. that would be used to launch the first After hearing about NASA's Com- we are going to do it and how much "When you hear from people who humans to the moon. mercial Crew, Launch Services and it’s going to cost -- as best we can lived the history, you understand Solid recounted the development center development programs, Emily determine -- and then try to do it. what it took to do what they did," of rockets and their engines through Carney tweeted a message with a “Today, for humanity, I think Mars said Vars, who goes by "RocketMan" the relatively small Redstone, common theme among the day’s is the ultimate destination,” Bolden on his Facebook page. and Thor-Delta programs to the social media participants. said. After listening to recollections of breakthroughs that resulted in power- "Just like to let everyone know The NASA Social also featured Kennedy's history, anecdotes and ful engines for the Saturn and space that NASA is NOT going out of speakers who worked across the achievements, several social media shuttle launch vehicles. business," said Carney, a journalist river in the earliest days of Project participants had high praise for the "There has been no more efficient from St. Petersburg, Fla. Mercury and were a part of the orga- space center's team. machine than the space shuttle main The social media participants also nization that became Kennedy. "The dedication and pride of the engine, or SSME," he said. "In fact, toured the historic launch pads of "It was a different era when we people who work here is amazing," the SSMEs are now being readied for NASA's early days and the present- began," said Jack King, NASA's said Kim Davis, a fourth-grade use on the Space Launch System." day facilities that supported the first chief of Public Information. teacher from Auburn, Ala. "I sure The Space Launch System is an and Ken- "The (Wernher) von Braun team appreciate their contributions." advanced, heavy-lift launch vehicle nedy's transition to the future. transferred to NASA and Kurt Debus Another participant, Dan O'Shea, that will provide a new capability for "You know the Vehicle Assembly came down here to the Cape, setting is a professor at the University of human exploration beyond low Earth Building is big," O'Shea said. "But, up the Launch Operations Center campus in Tampa, Fla. He orbit. my gosh, I was surprised by the size in 1962. We were in a has more than 5,500 followers on his Another Apollo veteran to address inside. It was also great to see (the between two super powers -- the Google Plus account. the group was former Kennedy space shuttle) Atlantis up close." United States and the Soviet Union." "I started following NASA's Space Center Director Jay Honey- The event concluded with Ken- Speakers recalled how the na- programs in the 1960s," O'Shea said. cutt. After serving in various roles nedy's participation in NASA's first- tion pulled together to achieve the "I'm still fascinated by what goes on in the Vehicle Simulation Section ever multi-center simulcast, preview- remarkable goal of landing on the here." at the dur- ing the landing of the Mars Science moon before the end of the decade. Space Gateway Support President ing the moon landing program, he Laboratory's Curiosity rover. Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS Aug. 10, 2012 Young aviators with lofty aspirations fly in for Kennedy tour By Linda Herridge aviation from his father, a pilot, and by FIT,” Garvey said. “It is such a Spaceport News his great grandfather, an Air Force unique opportunity to experience the fighter pilot who flew F4 Phantoms. tour of Kennedy Space Center and everal young students and Eighth-grader Sean enjoyed the hear from Center Director Cabana.” their flight instructors from tour of the F104 Starfighters. the Florida Institute of Tech- Assistant Chief Flight Instructor S “It was very cool seeing the jets,” Shannon Ferry said the Av/Aero and nology (FIT) in Melbourne flew Sean said. “I was afraid of flying at their lightweight aircraft north and other FIT summer aviation camps first, but now I would like to go into were designed to expose young touched down at Kennedy Space engineering and fly an airplane or NASA/Kim Shiflett adults to the aviation industry which Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility helicopter in the future.” (SLF) on July 20. It just happened Students and their flight instructors from the includes more than just flying. Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne view Cody, an eleventh-grader, said he “We are so grateful to NASA for also to be the 43rd anniversary of the F104 Starfighter aircraft and listen to Starfighter would like to learn to fly an F104 this experience. It was ‘out of this moon landing. Director Rick Svetkoff inside the RLV Hangar near Starfighter and wants to attend the Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility world,’ ” Ferry said. Though not as historic an event as Naval Academy. on July 20. For more, click on the photo. Sisk said through FIT’s basic a moon landing, to the seven middle- FIT Aviation Director Glenn Vera Summer Flight Camp, Advanced and high-school students who are Kennedy was one of the highlights who accompanied the group of Aviation Academy and now, the participating in FIT Aviation’s Av/ of the Av/Aero Experience. students, said, “NASA and the entire Aero summer camp experience, their “From landing to takeoff, our tour KSC team have long set as one of hybrid aviation aerospace camp, or touchdown in Piper Warrior and was engaging and informative,” their goals to inspire the next genera- Av/Aero Experience, she has the Cessna 172S aircraft at the SLF was Sisk said. “Everyone welcomed us tion of aerospace explorers. With privilege of watching young people definitely worth the ride. warmly.” these young students, they definitely mature into knowledgeable, confi- NASA Aviation Safety Officer Joe Four students from Brevard succeeded in accomplishing that goal dent student pilots. Torsani met the group and accom- County, two students from Washing- today.” “It was an honor getting to host panied them on their tour of several ton state and one student from Texas, Tennesse Garvey is FIT Aviation’s these future aviators -- who knows, facilities. along with seven flight instructors, retail program supervisor. He and the maybe future astronauts,” Torsani They gathered in a support toured the SLF midfield Air Traf- other instructors were just as excited said. “Their enthusiasm, curiosity building near the SLF to hear from fic Control Tower and viewed the as the students to be at Kennedy. and initiative are just what we need Kennedy Director Bob Cabana plaques marking wheels stop for each “The Av/Aero Experience is the in the next generation of aerospace who shared stories of his interest in of the final space shuttle landings. first camp of its kind to be offered pioneers.” becoming a test pilot and eventually They viewed F104 Starfighters becoming a NASA astronaut. and two NASA Huey helicopters in NASA Employees of the Month: July “Make sure you enjoy what you’re the RLV Hangar and met Starfighters doing,” Cabana said. “And con- Director Rick Svetkoff, and toured tinue to set those goals. Don’t limit the Vehicle Assembly Building yourself. You’re capable of doing where tempo- anything that you set your mind to if rarily is stored. you apply yourself.” Tenth-grade student Nicholas FIT Aeronautics Outreach Coordi- would like to attend the Naval nator Juliet Sisk said the field trip to Academy and acquired his interest in NASA/Kevin O’Connell Employees for the month of July are, from left, Cary J. Peaden (NE), Dave Ungar (IT), Bill Heidtman In celebration of Kennedy Space Center's (GP), Nicole Rivera (OP), Leo DeCesare (TA), Behrouz F. Pashaee (NE), Kirk Ketterer (SA). Not pictured are Luis Berrios (EX), Fernan Rodriguez (VA), Thomas Drake (LX), Ken Thornsley (PA) 50th anniversary, enjoy this vintage photo . . .

FROM THE VAULT John F. Kennedy Space Center Spaceport News

Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center and is published online on alternate Fridays by Public Affairs in the interest of KSC civil service and contractor employees. Contributions are welcome and should be submitted three weeks before publication to Public Affairs, IMCS-440. Email submissions can be sent to KSC-Spaceport-News@mail..gov Managing editor ...... Candrea Thomas Assistant managing editor ...... Stephanie Covey Editor ...... Frank Ochoa-Gonzales NASA file/1963 Copy editor ...... Kay Grinter This aerial view shows construction of the Operations and Checkout Building (previously known as Editorial support provided by Abacus Technology Corp. Writers Group. the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building) on July 29, 1963. It was added to the U.S. National NASA at KSC is on the Internet at www.nasa.gov/kennedy Register of Historic Places on Jan. 21, 2000. SP-2012-07-138-KSC