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Home , Mission Specialist, Space Shuttle Atlantis, Space Shuttle Endeavour

Sept. 30 , 2011 Vol. 51, No. 19 Spaceport News John F. - America’s gateway to the universe

Inside . . . Small business’ role as important as ever Agreement gives By Steven Siceloff big boost Spaceport News mall businesses have a role to play in NASA’s Sfuture as inventors and producers, the agency’s acting Chief Technologist told an audience at Kennedy Space Center in on Sept. 23. Page 2 “Every day, people are helped by NASA Launch Pad 39B technology,” Joe Parrish deconstruction done said. “We serve a crew of six billion.” Parrish, the deputy Chief Technologist, currently is NASA file/2010 leading the Office of the There are opportunities for innovation in ground support equipment as Kennedy Space Center outfits its facilities to host Chief Technologist. several different kinds of rockets. New designs are evaluated at Kennedy Launch Equipment Test Facility which recently He said the Small Business underwent a major upgrade. Innovative Research, or designs. Parminder Ghuman SBIR, and Small Business of NASA’s Goddard Technology Transfer, or “Every day, people are helped by NASA Space Flight Center also Page 3 STTR, Programs provide technology. We serve a crew of six billion.” an opportunity for small, pointed to high altitude STS-135 crew balloons and sounding returns to Kennedy high technology companies and research institutions to Joe Parrish, rockets as platforms for participate in government- NASA’s small-scale innovators. sponsored research and Acting Chief Technologist Dr. Tony Strazisar, Senior development efforts in key Technical Advisor for the Aeronautics Research technology areas that would technologies it would like on the station and technology Mission Directorate, stressed be useful to NASA, or to to see developed, SBIR that can be incorporated the importance of the commercialize existing ideas and STTR are set up to into the CubeSat studies. SBIR Program as a viable that can be sold to the public. award contracts in phases The program also is on the Each of NASA’s Mission for feasibility studies, lookout for advances in laser source for their Technology Page 6 Directorates provide chances then prototypes and full optical communications, Portfolio and that about for innovation, said NASA’s development. Leshner Stegeman said. 30 percent of the proposals Payload canisters Rich Leshner, the SBIR and said the ultimate payoff Each mission directorate that recently arrived in decommissioned STTR program executive for the program is when has research areas where response to this year’s at NASA Headquarters. a technology is used for a they are soliciting new solicitation were directly For example, new rockets flight, mission or instrument. innovative approaches. The linked to Aeronautics and are expected The International Space agency’s Science Mission Research. to need different ground Station is a particularly Directorate, for instance, is Parrish said that combined support equipment at fertile ground for looking for improvements with the technology Kennedy. innovation since it is a in mirror technology and developments the agency About two-thirds of the national laboratory, said spacecraft subsystems, things is conducting itself, small small businesses involved in Jim Stegeman of Glenn that can be built into a probe businesses are contributors the NASA programs employ of the advances that will HERITAGE: Page 7 Research Center in Ohio. to aid in navigation and fewer than 25 people. The agency is looking for guidance using machinery make future science and As NASA identifies innovations that aid research that is lighter than current exploration successful. Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS Sept. 30, 2011

Development of alternate ground launch systems gets boost

By Linda Herridge site option for consideration Spaceport News in the company’s future business planning,” Mellor non-reimbursable said. “The RSLV is unique Umbrella Space Act Agreement in that it is designed to lever- A age manufacturing econo- (SAA), signed recently between Kennedy Space mies of scale not often seen Center Director Bob Cabana in the space launch business, and KT Engineering in therefore minimizing costs.” Madison, Ala., will help the Mellor further noted, agency acquire the knowl- unlike the , the edge necessary to develop RSLV is an unmanned sys- a multi-user ground system tem and will be integrated architecture for launching and transported horizontally nontraditional, low-cost to the launch pad, much like vehicles. The agreement is the Russian systems. valid for five years. Several Kennedy direc- Photo courtesy of KT Engineering/Media Fusion “Kennedy Space Cen- torates and offices, including An artist’s rendering of the launch of a Radially Segmented Launch Vehicle from Kennedy Space Center. ter’s role as a traditional Engineering, 21st Century Ground Systems Program, one-system launch complex concept design. This also in- One of these low-cost hicles and develop a multi- and Ground Processing, is transforming to become cludes information related to vehicles possibly being de- user architecture through will provide engineering a true spaceport support- the company’s development veloped is the RSLV that has the 21st Century Ground ing multiple users,” Cabana of the Radially Segmented the potential to be processed Systems Program managed support to deliver a Con- said. “And we are moving Launch Vehicle (RSLV) and launched from Kennedy, here at Kennedy.” cept of Operations and also forward, changing the ways Processing Data and Multi- according to KT Engineer- Mellor said this SAA provide conceptual design we do business with com- User Ground Architecture ing’s Chief Operating Of- takes a critical step forward and capability specifications mercial space customers.” Concept of Operations ficer Bob Mellor. in enabling them to tap into for universal vehicle-to-pad Technical Integration Development. “It’s an exciting time Kennedy’s vast knowledge interfaces. Manager Cliff Hausmann, Partnership Development because RSLV is a different and unparalleled expertise “The efforts put into this with Kennedy’s Center Manager Robyn Mitchell, type of vehicle that offers in ground processing and agreement will validate the Planning and Development also with Kennedy’s Center a low-cost, modular design launch operations, while center’s ability to effectively Office, said within the first Planning and Development that could significantly providing NASA, the accommodate a wide variety year of SAA’s implementa- Office, explained non- reduce the cost for trans- Department of Defense of commercial launch tion, KT Engineering is reimbursable agreements porting payloads to orbit,” and commercial users with vehicle provider needs tasked with sharing informa- are more about knowledge Hausmann said. “Under this a revolutionary, low cost, which further supports the tion related to launch system and information sharing and agreement the center will be launch option. transformation of Kennedy design, ground processing concept development, with able to expand its support to “We believe that Ken- into a multi-user spaceport,” flow and universal umbilical no payback obligations. a wider range of launch ve- nedy offers a viable launch Mitchell said.

Tour de KSC kicks off 2011 Combined Federal Campaign icycling enthusi- Tickets are $25 ($15 of asts may tour the which is be considered BKennedy Space a one-time, charitable Center on their bikes Oct. donation to the Combined 15 to kick off this year’s Federal Campaign (CFC). annual Combined Federal It includes a T-shirt, food, Campaign. and refreshments. Regis- This year’s signature tration begins at event will include a stop 7 a.m. and the ride is at the Vehicle Assembly from at 8 a.m. to noon. Building (VAB) with an Badged employees may opportunity to walk into purchase tickets for up to the VAB and view space five guests. CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Jim Grossmann shuttle Endeavor, tem- For more information, Chairman for 2011 Combined Federal Campaign Yves Lamothe, between Kennedy Space Center Deputy Director Janet Petro porarily stored in High go to http://tourdeksc. and Center Director Bob Cabana, poses for a photograph with the 2011 Combined Federal Campaign cabinet members on Bay 4. ksc..gov/index.htm Sept. 19. For more on the 2011 Tour de KSC, click on the photo. Sept. 30, 2011 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 Launch Pad 39B ready for next generation By Steven Siceloff Spaceport News aunch Pad 39B at NASA’s Ken- Lnedy Space Center in Florida recently made way for a new generation of rockets when workers took down the gantry that stood in support of space shuttles for 30 years and replaced it with, well, not much really. But that was the idea. Whatever rocket heads out to the pad in the future, it’s going to bring its support structure with it. With that in mind, Pad B will provide all the fluids, electrical, and CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Jim Grossmann communications services to The deconstruction of Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center is complete. Still remaining is the flame trench. Launch Pad 39A can be seen in the distance. In 2009, the launch platform. the structure at the pad was no longer needed for NASA’s , so it is being restructured for future use. For information on NASA’s future plans, click “This is progress,” said on the photo. Regina Spellman, deputy to the pad, and the MLP. The structures, there is a consid- “We are also going to 10 and on the Apollo-Soyuz project manager for the MLP will be used for any erable amount of refurbish- spend a large amount of Test Project mission before pad’s makeover. commercial rocket that will ment under way inside the funds upgrading the existing it hosted space shuttle NASA decided to use the be interested to fly from the launch pad perimeter. infrastructure” said Regina. liftoffs and then the -X Mobile Launcher (ML), to Pad B. A million feet of cables Chipped and damaged flight test on Oct. 28, 2009. carry the new Space Launch “Pretty much everything already have been removed, concrete pedestals support- The flame trench, lined System rocket to the pad, that’s staying is for access as have the storage tanks for ing propellant lines running with fireproof bricks and and use one of the Mobile hypergolic fuels, the corro- from storage tanks to the concrete, also will see Launcher Platform (MLP) to the ML and the MLP,” pad’s surface are being fixed significant changes. For one, for commercial vehicles, Spellman said. “What we’re sive chemicals that powered and sealed to handle at least the flame deflector, which is Spellman said that “all Pad trying to do is not preclude the shuttle’s thrusters in 25 more years beside the the pyramid in the middle of systems are being designed a mobile launcher or mobile space. Instrumentation that ocean. the trench, may need to be to support both the ML and launcher platform because monitors and controls the fa- The huge white spheres moveable, as it was during the MLP.” there are a number of cility and ground systems as that held liquid hydrogen Apollo. That’s because the Construction will start scenarios with commercial well as the communications and liquid oxygen have launch pad is to be set up to soon to build two electric el- companies possibly using systems have been replaced been emptied, too. They serve different rockets, and evators at the pad to replace the MLP. With anything with new state-of-the-art will be repainted, but not each one needs a different the aged one there now. The we do, we want to make it equipment. A new weather taken down. The old liquid flame deflector arrangement. new ones will be sized to so you can still use the Pad instrumentation system has oxygen water-cooled vapor- The flame deflector splits reach all levels of the ML, with an ML or MLP.” been installed at the pad izer will be replaced with the exhaust from the rocket which is being used as the Along with the dramatic that monitors meteorologi- modern, air-cooled one that into different directions of platform that carries the new changes on top of the pad cal conditions and detects is far more efficient than the the flame trench. The water rocket that removed the shuttle lightning. water-cooled system used that is dumped into it at lift- the past 30 years. off keeps sound waves from The reworking of the pad reverberating directly back began while the shuttle fleet on the rocket. was still active. Three large “I think the flame deflec- lightning towers, each taller tor’s going to be our biggest than the Vehicle Assembly challenge if we have to Building, were completed in make it moveable,” Spell- time for the shuttle Endeav- man said. our to be positioned on the While Pad B undergoes its pad as a backup for Atlan- extensive work, its twin, Pad tis ahead of the STS-125 A, will be put into a moth- mission to NASA’s Hubble ball state, the pad may be

CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Jim Grossmann Space Telescope. reactivated if a commercial The new design will feature a “clean pad” for rockets to come with their own launcher, making it more versatile for a number Pad B was the starting line company decides to launch of vehicles. For more about the history on the launch pads, click on the photo. for the of Apollo from it. Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS Sept. 30, 2011

For NASA The MoonKAM system contains a digital video controller and four camera heads. This system can be used to take images or video of the lunar surface with a frame rate up to 30 frames per second. The system is provided by Ecliptic Enterprises Corporation, Pasadena, Calif. Classrooms to become mini mission control centers By Melanie Carlson objectives, and submit their Spaceport News requests to undergraduate students at UCSD running ASA will give stu- the Mission Operations dents unprecedented Center. NASA Jet Propulsion control over a pow- N Laboratory then will carry erful camera that is on its out the request. way to the now aboard Students from Cocoa a spacecraft launched last High School, Space Coast month. In a program led by Jr./Sr. High School and Sally Ride, America’s first Rockledge High School female in space, began their moon mission middle and high school The twin GRAIL probes, MoonKAM is modeled STS-98, part of Expedition on Sept. 10 by viewing students are picking targets each about the size of a on Sally Ride Science’s One in February 2001 and the launch of the GRAIL on the moon to photograph washing machine, will take successful EarthKAM ( still is in use. mission at Kennedy Space and study. Students from a slow, fuel-efficient path to Knowledge Acquired by Beginning in March, Center and will be following several local Brevard County the moon. The first space- Middle school students) teachers and students can the lunar mission through- schools will participate in craft will arrive on mission, a NASA-sponsored set up mini-mission control out the school year. Also this unique learning opportu- Dec. 31 and the second education program. For- centers in their classrooms participating in this science nity made possible with the on New Year’s Day 2012. merly known as KidSat, the for two- to four-day space endeavor is St. Charles Bor- launching of MoonKAM, The twin probes will fly in program began in 1996 with exploration operations. romea Catholic School in a payload on NASA’s twin formation above the lunar camera systems that enabled Throughout that time, Port Charlotte, Fla. Gravity Recovery and surface at an altitude of middle school students to students go to an interactive “The entire concept is to Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) 34 miles. As the GRAIL sat- photograph targets for Earth MoonKAM website where inspire and encourage these mission. GRAIL launched ellites orbit the moon gather- science studies. EarthKAM they can track the orbits science students to continue Sept. 10 at Launch Complex ing scientific data, each has flown on several space of the GRAIL spacecraft. their education into STEM 17B on Cape Canaveral Air MoonKAM system (one per shuttle flights, the first -be Clickable topographic maps studies,” said NASA’s Beth Force Station. spacecraft), consisting of a ing in 1996 aboard space show what regions and sur- Smith, Kennedy’s Education GRAIL MoonKAM digital video controller and shuttle Atlantis (STS-76). face features the spacecraft Program Specialist. (Moon Knowledge four camera heads, will be More than 300 photos were will be flying over. Students Moonkam also may Acquired by Middle school used to take images of the lu- taken during the mission. then select targets, gather strengthen students under- students) is GRAIL’s sig- nar surface. The MoonKAM The EarthKAM camera was precise latitude and longi- standing of science and nature education and public mission is expected to last installed on the International tude information, express inspire the next generation of outreach program. 82 days. during mission their scientific interests and explorers. Sept. 30, 2011 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 5 Desert RATS take on challenges of asteroid missions

By Steven Siceloff largest asteroids in the solar Spaceport News system, Vesta and Ceres, is one example. A future s far as challenges mission called Osiris-Rex are concerned, go- ing to an asteroid is to bring back pieces of an A asteroid in 2016. Previously comes with all the standards for a space destination such the NEAR spacecraft landed as no air, lags in commu- on the asteroid Eros in 2001 nication with Earth and the as it orbited 196 million radiation risks that come miles from Earth, more than with being in space. seven times farther away Compared with going to than the moon. the moon or Mars, though, The D-RATS scientists asteroids demand explorers typically publish about consider another significant two dozen scientific papers factor: there’s virtually no NASA detailing their findings after gravity. The astronauts that Two rovers with the Habitat Demonstration Unit during recent field tests in Arizona. each mission. The next steps in the evo- bounded enthusiastically said Tracy Gill, an engineer show researchers when two people in the vehicle lution are not destined for on the moon might have- at NASA’s Kennedy Space automated processes should rather than counting on one the desert, but rather the sea bounced themselves right Center who works on the be developed and to train person to do both. off into space if they had D-RATS projects. astronauts what to expect Additionally, this year’s floor. To work in an environ- been on an asteroid instead. Several NASA centers when they are waiting for Desert RATS saw the first ment replicating the lack of Finding the best combi- take part in the exercise guidance from Earth for prototype version of a gravity better, researchers nation of equipment and providing specific programs certain steps or unexpected Deep Space Habitat (DSH) plan to use NASA’s Extreme number of astronauts to deal and tools. Astronauts make circumstances. which can be configured Environment Mission Op- with communications chal- the desert excursions which The researchers brought for microgravity of surface erations base in the Florida lenges while surveying an basically experiment in with them mockups of a exploration missions. The Keys known as NEEMO to asteroid was one of the goals different scenarios to find rover and living quarters Deep Space Habitat contains work with the space explo- of this year’s trip to Arizona out, for example, how many very much like the ones that work stations to support ration vehicle. In the ocean, for research known by its people should go on a mis- would be taken into space. the astronaut’s science and the SEV mockup will be acronym, D-RATS, short for sion to an asteroid, how A Robonaut mounted on a maintenance activities on able to float near the ocean Desert Research and Tech- many are needed to explore rover chassis came along an exploration mission and floor and work near an nology Studies. on the surface and what are too. habitation systems for long astronaut outside the vehicle “Each day we went out term space flight. The DSH in much the way it would with a different architec- the best ways to actually “This whole architecture has significant contribu- around an asteroid. ture,” said Marc Seibert, conduct the research. would go to the destination,” tions from Kennedy ranging Next year, the D-RATS who leads a variety of com- From trying out a Ro- Gill said. from systems such as a are to become Lab RATS in- munication and navigation bonaut assistant to placing The rover, or Space deployable work platform to stead, Seibert said, working systems projects with Ken- handrails on the asteroid’s Exploration Vehicle (SEV), technology demonstrations, with a specialized air-floor nedy’s D-RATS contingent. surface, researchers set is being designed with such as dust mitigation and at NASA’s Johnson Space The designs are intended to out to formulate the best numerous settings in mind, damage detection systems. Center in Houston to simu- operate in any space envi- methods, tools and needs for Seibert said, so considering NASA recently made as- late the gravity field. ronment. the work. it in an asteroid environment teroid studies a priority. The Seibert said, “It’s an evo- The explorers used back- To simulate the commu- was useful for fine-tuning its Dawn mission to two of the lutionary process, for sure.” packs developed at Kennedy nications environment, the design. equipped with cameras and network was programmed For example, a rover space versions of the tools with a 50-second delay in would need wheels on the of the modern communica- communication between the moon, but those might tions world. The backpacks astronauts and the actual be useless on an asteroid, were developed as a mobile mission control in Hous- where a small bump at office for the explorer. They ton. With the time delay on high speed would send the made their first field tests a representative asteroid rover off the surface and during last year’s D-RATS. mission, voice communica- into space. So maybe a set Previous years have seen tion between Earth and an of automated thrusters or a the desert stand in as the exploration team could be cable and anchor that allow moon or Martian surface, complicated during critical station-keeping would be but this year’s effort was the operations, so “We have a more valuable, for instance. first to prep for an asteroid. text messaging tool so it’s Seibert said the group “We’re trying to build not blaring in their ears,” proved that steering the ve- NASA image this as a framework to go Gill said. hicle and conducting science An artist rendition of the in-space habitat with crew transportation and space to multiple destinations,” The delay is critical to at the same time requires exploration vehicles during a near Earth asteroid mission. Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS Sept. 30, 2011 Last shuttle crew shares mission experiences with workers

By Linda Herridge such an amazing, magical place. To Spaceport News live in this building that is orbiting around the Earth is so special. homecoming in one way “When we docked to the space or another seemed to be station and opened the hatch I re- Aon the minds of the crew ally felt like I was coming home. It members of the STS-135 mission felt the same, it smelled the same. when they returned to Kennedy It was just amazing how much it Space Center to share their experi- had not changed even though there ences and an overview of the final were extra modules that had been shuttle flight. Commander Chris added,” Magnus said. “We could Ferguson, Pilot and not have put the station together Mission Specialist Sandy Magnus without the space shuttle.” spoke to a standing room only audi- During the STS-135 mission, ence, Sept. 15, in the Headquarters CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Jim Grossmann Walheim coordinated the space- Training Auditorium. Astronauts from ’ STS-135 mission return to the Training Auditorium at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center for the traditional post-flight crew return presentation on Sept. 19. Pilot Doug walks that were performed by two Kennedy Center Director Bob Hurley shares a personal story about his experiences. With him are (on left) Mission Specialist Sandra of the Expedition crew members. Cabana said that of all the crews Magnus and (on right) Commander Chris Ferguson. STS-135 Mission Specialist Rex Walheim was un- Magnus coordinated the transfer that could have flown on the last able to attend the Kennedy event. STS-135 was the 33rd and final flight for Atlantis and the final mission of supplies and equipment from of the Space Shuttle Program. For more on the STS-135 mission, click on the photo. space shuttle mission for the U.S., the multi-purpose logistics module he couldn’t think of a finer crew the first few years after I was se- on the Titusville Bridge. to the station. Hurley operated the than this one. lected (as a NASA astronaut).” “It showed just how much, in this shuttle’s robotic arm during the “They have been remarkable in Commander Ferguson said two day and age, I really think, that the transfer of the logistics module their willingness to give after com- things struck him after the mission. nation just stopped and reflected a from the payload bay to the station ing back off that mission to spend First, how good the Kennedy work little bit on what the space shuttle and back again. time and talk with everyone,” Ca- force has become at launching has meant to the space program and Among the many items carried bana said. “This is a special group.” space shuttles, and second, seeing a to this country,” Ferguson said. on the last shuttle mission, was a Fourth crew member, Mission picture of the number of people on Magnus said that the hardest flag from the first mission, STS- Specialist Rex Walheim, was un- the Titusville Bridge that had gath- thing for her during the STS-135 1. During the STS-135 mission, able to attend due to an obligation ered to view the launch of Atlantis. mission was leaving the space sta- the crew members left the flag on out of the country. Ferguson said they went back tion. She served as an Expedition the space station’s node 2 forward “It’s great to be back here. Ken- and looked at some photographs crew member from November 2008 hatch. nedy Space Center is kind of my taken that day from a helicopter and through March 2009. “The idea is that the next U.S. home away from home,” Hurley found no less than a dozen places “Pictures don’t do it justice,” crew to get there will bring the flag said. “I spent a lot of time here in that looked exactly like the crowds Magnus said. “The space station is back,” Ferguson said. ALTA pods vital in getting Enterprise to New York By Steven Siceloff nedy’s mammoth Vehicle enough for flight. Spaceport News Assembly Building, or By testing them on VAB, Endeavour was the Endeavour first, Kennedy eams at NASA’s Ken- workers learned what to ex- nedy Space Center focus of a pair of heavy pect when they do it inside in Florida continue cranes and operators for the T run through. the confines of the Smithso- practicing rarely performed techniques for moving space The mockup pods, known nian museum. shuttles among some of the as ALTA pods for Approach “We spent a lot of time nation’s premier museums and Landing Test Assem- mocking up the Vehicle as next year’s shuttle shuffle bly, will be fitted again Assembly Building to create nears. on Enterprise so it can be the same floor plan layout The latest rehearsal saw taken safely by airplane we will be working in at the shuttle Endeavour fitted from its current display at Udvar-Hazy Center,” said with the inoperative orbital the National Air and Space Bart Pannullo, the vehicle maneuvering system pods Museum’s Udvar-Hazy manager for the shuttle’s that the prototype shuttle Center outside Washington, transition and retirement. Enterprise used during its D.C., to the Intrepid Air and “This allowed us to be sure approach and landing tests Space Museum in New York all the equipment we were CLICK ON PHOTO NASA/Jim Grossmann in 1977. City. The pods currently using would fit and function Workers lower the cage containing an Approach and Landing Test Assembly (ALTA) pod over the rear of in the Vehicle Assembly Building at Housed temporarily inside on Enterprise are wooden Kennedy Space Center on Sept 22. For more on space shuttle transition and retire- High Bay 4 inside Ken- replicas that are not strong See ALTA, Page 8 ment, click on the photo. Sept. 30, 2011 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 7 Remembering Our Heritage Shuttle, station ‘work horses’ decommissioned By Kay Grinter Reference Librarian

ASA’s payload canisters have completed their final Nmove this week, a jour- ney from Kennedy Space Center’s Canister Rotation Facility, or CRF, to the Reutilization, Recycling and Marketing Facility on Ransom Road. The canisters -- used to transport all space shuttle payloads requiring vertical installation into the shuttles’ cargo bays to the launch pads -- are being decommissioned. Canister No. 1 was delivered to Ransom Road on Sept. 27, followed by canister No. 2 on Sept. 28. Skip Swaney, NASA’s integrated disposition team project lead, over- saw the operation. “The move was delayed one day because of weather,” Swaney said. “Liz Boyd recommended that we wait.” NASA/Jim Grossmann Boyd, multi-mission support Payload canister No. 1, traveling from the Canister Rotation Facility in the center’s Industrial Area to the Reutilization, Recycling and Marketing Facility on Ransom Road on Sept. 27, is forced to take a circuitous route toward the Vehicle Assembly Building, in the background, to avoid obstacles along the way at equipment engineer for the Boe- Kennedy Space Center. The two payload canisters used to transport space shuttle payloads to the launch pad for installation in the shuttles’ cargo bays are ing Co., was responsible for the being decommissioned following the end of the Space Shuttle Program. For more information on the canisters, click on the photo. welfare of the canisters in the CRF, locations off the center,” McGinnis ted. It took about four hours to get also may be repurposed for future where they are held when not in use said. to the pad and another four hours programs. “Both of the transport- and experienced planning canister Canister No. 2, the last canister to hoist the canister into the pad’s ers likely will be retained,” Swaney moves. enlisted to serve the Space Shuttle payload changeout room (PCR).” said. “Transporter 2 will support “This was not the canisters’ first Program, rolled out of the CRF on “If the transporter were to break the 21st Century group, and Ground trip to Ransom Road,” Boyd said. June 17, 2011, to deliver the Raffa- down along the way,” Burnett Processing is reviewing the potential “They went there about 10 years ago ello multi-purpose logistics module continued, “the lightning protec- to be painted.” to keep transporter 1.” to Launch Pad 39A for space shuttle tion plan was to pull a crane up to Boyd predicted that her future Each canister weighs 110,000 Atlantis’ final mission, STS-135. the canister. An expensive piece of pounds and is 65 feet long, 22 feet may involve maintaining and coor- Bill Dowdell, deputy director hardware would be used to protect dinating modifications to the trans- wide, and 18 feet, 7 inches high. for International Space Station and a mission-critical piece of equip- Moving them requires a bevy of porter to support one of NASA’s Spacecraft Processing, explained: ment.” future programs. support vehicles and monopolizes “For us in payloads processing, Only once did the weather get the “The canisters could be reconfig- two lanes of any roadway. rolling out of the CRF was the better of the canister crew. ured to suit the specific cooling or Canister No. 1 was built in 1978 equivalent of launch. Our ‘launch’ “A strong tropical system moved ammonia detection needs of each and Canister No. 2 was built around to the pad normally took place about into the area while the team was at- payload,” Dowdell said “or could 1984. a month before the shuttle’s launch. tempting to hoist the STS-127 pay- be ultra clean to support payloads “This move required that the can- Weather briefings by the 45th Space loads into the PCR in 2009,” Burnett isters turn around twice,” Boyd said, Wing Weather Office were impor- said. “Although the system had been like the . “since sensors added to the lights tant in determining when we could forecast, it picked up speed after the They served Kennedy Space Center near the Space Life Sciences Lab start the move.” convoy departed for the pad. The well and were real workhorses for overhang the intersection.” Jim Burnett, manager of mechani- canister remained at the base of the NASA’s shuttle and station pro- Pauletta McGinnis, property cal engineering for Boeing, elabo- pad during a torrential rain. Even grams.” disposal officer at Ransom Road, rated: “Those briefings turned those with all the safeguards in place on Federal and state agencies now will be handling the disposition of us on Boeing’s canister engineer- the canister, rain penetrated into the will be given the opportunity to paperwork. ing team into amateur meteorolo- protective environment. Although screen the payload canisters for “The canisters were prescreened gists. Typically, the convoy would easily mitigated, it reminded the potential use before a final decision through NASA Headquarters as pos- start moving around midnight when team how important it was to make is made on their disposition. In all sible artifacts, but their sheer size the weather was apt to be favorable. conservative weather decisions.” likelihood, the canisters will be cut makes them difficult to transport to Once you started, you were commit- The payload canister transporters into pieces and sold for scrap metal. Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS Sept. 30, 2011

From ALTA, Page 6 The shuttles that flew into orbit Kennedy Space Center Activities during the 30-year program will be in the same working envelope. displayed with the operational pods 2011 KSC Fall Flag Football League Standings and Upcoming Schedule It also gave workers who have not they used, although those pods will dealt with the pods before a chance Week 3 Results (Sept. 27) have been drained of toxic residue POINTS POINTS to practice and refine the process, TEAM RECORD SCORED ALLOWED Ram Rod 16, Bacalao 0 and other potential hazards before Predators 21, Rowdies 0 Pannullo said. It takes about three Predators 3-0 83 10 they are put on display. Dog and Bone Crushers 2-1 70 25 Crushers 26, Stuffers 7 days to install the ALTA pods. Discovery will take the place Stuffers 2-1 51 46 Week 4 Schedule (Oct. 4) The ALTA pods are replicas of the Rowdies 1-2 36 48 5:30 p.m. - Stuffers@ Bacalao of Enterprise at the Smithsonian. orbital maneuvering system pods, or Team Ram Rod 1-2 22 68 6:30 p.m. - Crushers @ Predators Bacalao 0-3 6 71 OMS pods, that shuttle used to steer Endeavour will go to the Califor- 7:30 p.m. - Ram Rod @ Rowdies in space. nia Science Center in Games are played Tuesdays at KARS Park I. For more information, contact Matt Jimeniz at Although designed for Enterprise, and Atlantis will be displayed at 321-867-4509 or [email protected]. which never went into orbit, the the Kennedy Space Center Visitor ALTA pods were used on all the Complex. 2011 KSC Tennis League Rankings, Leaders and Upcoming Schedule shuttles when they were flown on Moving the spacecraft safely the back of a modified 747 from has been an intense focus for the Singles Florida to the shuttle’s factory shuttle team since each is a priceless Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Sept. 29 Schedule artifact of space travel. Earlier this Rankings Rankings Rankings Rankings Hosan vs. Wheeler in Palmdale, Calif., for periodic Norm Hosan Ken Young Kevin Panik Jorge Rivera Staubus vs. Specht overhaul. year, for instance, teams rehearsed Calvert Staubus Miguel Rodriguez Ed Bertot Laura Scott Young vs. Shutt They were last used in 2001 when at Kennedy to lift the shuttles off Billy Specht Bob Ingram Scott DeWitt Lashelle McCoy Rodriguez vs. Ingram Columbia was brought back from their ferry aircraft without using the Alan Wheeler Art Shutt Kate Liu Teresa Bolig Panik vs. Liu Bertot vs. DeWitt the West Coast to Kennedy, Pan- specialized structures available at Rivera vs. Bolig nullo said. the . Scott vs. McCoy The league seeks new players and is open to all Kennedy civil service and contractor personnel and dependents. Matches are played Thursdays at KARS Park I and II. For more information, contact Alan Looking up and ahead . . . Wheeler at 321-867-3565 or [email protected]. * All times are Eastern Doubles 2011 COURT LEADERS FROM SEPT. 27 Court 9 - Art Shutt Court 7 - Teresa Bolig Court 4 - Pat Hadden Court 2 - TBD Oct. 25 Launch/VAFB, SLC-2W: Delta II, NPP; Court 8 - Scott Schilling Court 6 - Jeff Andress Court 3 - TBD Court 1 - TBD Launch window: 5:48:01 to 5:57:11 a.m. EDT COURT GROUPS FOR OCT. 4 Court 9 Court 8 Court 7 Court 6 No Earlier Than Nov. 7 Launch/CCAFS: Delta IV, WGS 4; Chip Hooper Miguel Rodriguez Ray Jones Norm Ring Launch window: TBD Scott Schilling Ron Feile Jay Hebert Pat Hadden Art Shutt Jeff Andress Ted Moore Amy Lombardo Dave Davies Teresa Bolig Tom Li Alan Wheeler Nov. 25 Launch/CCAFS: Atlas V, ; Court 4 Court 3 Launch: 10:21 a.m. EST Kate Liu Laura Rochester Court 2 Court 1 Diane Porter TBD TBD Laura Scott No Earlier Than Nov. 30 Launch/CCAFS: SpaceX Falcon 9, Jane Mosconi Dragon C2/C3; Launch window: TBD The league seeks new players and is open to all Kennedy civil service and contractor personnel and dependents. Matches are played Tuesdays at KARS Park I and II. For more information, contact No Earlier Than December Launch/Wallops Flight Facility, Pad 0A: Teresa Bollig at 321-264-8575 or [email protected]. Orbital Sciences Corporation, Taurus II, Launch window: TBD

John F. Kennedy Space Center 2012 Early 2012 Launch/CCAFS: Atlas V, AEHF 2; Spaceport News Launch window: TBD

Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center and is Early 2012 Launch/CCAFS: Delta IV-Heavy, NROL-15; published online on alternate Fridays by Public Affairs in the interest of KSC civil Launch window: TBD service and contractor employees. Contributions are welcome and should be submitted three weeks before No Earlier Than February Launch/Wallops Flight Facility, Pad 0A: publication to Public Affairs, IMCS-440. E-mail submissions can be sent to [email protected] Orbital Sciences Corporation, Cygnus/Taurus II, Launch window: TBD Managing editor ...... Candrea Thomas Editor ...... Frank Ochoa-Gonzales Feb. 3 Launch/Kwajalein Atoll: Pegasus XL, NuSTAR; Copy editor ...... Rebecca Regan Launch window: TBD Editorial support provided by Abacus Technology Corp. Writers Group. NASA at KSC is on the Internet at www.nasa.gov/kennedy USGPO: 733-049/600142