July 7, 2006 Vol. 45, No. 13 Spaceport News John F. Kennedy Space Center - America’s gateway to the universe
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/snews/spnews_toc.html A star-spangled start to STS-121 Commander Lindsey delivers on promise for “an up- close-and-personal look at the rocket’s red glare”
he Space Shuttle Discovery dures that were introduced on is now docked at the the first Return to Flight TInternational Space Station mission, STS-114, last summer. after lifting off at 2:38 p.m. on July The STS-121 mission also 4 from Kennedy Space Center, Fla. will bring a third crew member, This was the first-ever space European Space Agency shuttle launch on Independence astronaut Thomas Reiter, to the Day. orbiting laboratory. The station “We’re absolutely thrilled to has had two-person crews since be safely back in space again and May 2003. are looking forward to evaluating They also will deliver shuttle system ascent performance equipment, supplies, experi- as soon as possible,” said NASA ments and spare parts to the Administrator Michael Griffin station. shortly after launch. Two spacewalks are planned Discovery’s mission, STS-121, during Discovery’s 12-day is the second in NASA’s Return to mission. If there is enough Flight sequence. Discovery’s crew electrical power, the mission members - Commander Steve will be extended by one day and Lindsey, Pilot Mark Kelly, and a third spacewalk will be added. Mission Specialists Mike Fossum, Shuttle managers hope to make Lisa Nowak, Stephanie Wilson and that decision by flight day six. Piers Sellers - will continue testing Discovery is flying with new new safety equipment and proce- safety features for STS-121. (See STS-121, Page 2)
SPACE SHUTTLE Discovery lifts off at 2:38 p.m. on July 4 from Launch Pad 39B on mission STS-121. The 12-day mission may be extended. Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS July 7, 2006 processing STEREO, short for some workers handle their disabili- Solar TErrestrial RElations ties, including Randall Crosby, Observatory, for its upcoming who operates the snack bar on the launch aboard a Delta II rocket third floor of the Headquarters The from Launch Complex 17 on the building. “When you see a Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. disabled person, look at the person The science learned from this first and not just the disability,” Awards Kennedy mission, set for July 30, will yield Randall so eloquently said. a better understanding of space At the BEST Barbecue, David weather that will ultimately help Banks and his dedicated group Update us all back here on Earth. served up good times and great Jim Kennedy Along with watching these food, all while employees and the Center Director NASA missions progress, I was summer students and faculty had a privileged to take “I have never been more proud of the ost-STS-121 launch and It was also exciting to learn the part in two distin- prelanding greetings, new names of the next generation guished events as the way our employees have worked so hard Peveryone. From the moment I of launch vehicles NASA will use Disability Awareness to ensure mission success.” greeted Commander Steve Lindsey to return to the moon and later and Action Working Group chance to get acquainted and build and his crew at the Shuttle travel to Mars. By naming the crew (DAAWG) and the Black Em- enduring friendships. Landing Facility before launch, launch vehicle Ares I and the cargo ployee Strategy Team (BEST) You should be proud of all through Discovery’s beautiful launch vehicle Ares V, we honor hosted gatherings to recognize the your contributions as we continue afternoon liftoff on July 4, I have the Apollo program’s Saturn I and valuable contributions our diverse to explore space, and thanks for all never been more proud of the way V rockets in a fitting way. workforce adds to NASA. you do as we continue to build the our government and contractor Later this year, the agency will The DAAWG’s luncheon gave NASA legacy. employees have worked so hard to unveil the name of the crew employees a new outlook of how Godspeed, Discovery. ensure mission success. exploration vehicle, and I’m sure As the crew members wind the name will truly reflect NASA’s down on their busy schedule, exploration mission. including two exciting As we focus on Discovery’s spacewalks, and prepare for landing, we can look ahead to the landing at KSC next week, I want late August launch of Atlantis for to pass on the numerous congratu- STS-115. The crew has been lations I received from everybody, training at Kennedy and also including NASA Administrator supported the STS-121 launch. Mike Griffin and Vice President Be sure to take time out for Dick Cheney, who flew in for the yourself before the next shuttle first launch attempt. launch and enjoy your family and This launch marked the first friends. America is counting on us use of Firing Room 4 in the to continue the Vision for Space Launch Control Center, a state-of- Exploration and I know we will be the-art facility that will be used for ready for the challenge. all future shuttle launches. Seeing While the center was busy our NASA team in action makes preparing for the STS-121 mission, me, again, “KSC and Proud to Be!” the Launch Services team was
STS-121 . . . (continued from page 1) NASA developed new procedures to ensure gap fillers between the heat- shielding tiles stay in place and pose no hazard on re-entry. Technicians removed and replaced approximately 5,000 of the shuttle’s 16,000 gap fillers prior to launch. Technicians have also installed hardened tiles on Discovery’s nose landing gear doors. The orbiter’s main landing gear now has four larger, smoother tires that can withstand higher loads at landing than the previous tires. Discovery’s external tank, known as ET-119, was the first to fly without the protuberance air load (PAL) ramps. After detailed inspec- tions, engineering analysis and testing, the Space Shuttle Program determined the PAL ramps were not necessary and it would be a safety improvement to remove the ramps. This is the biggest aerodynamic change to the tank in the shuttle’s history. THE STS-121 crew members display the spirit of the Fourth of July Small foam ramps, known as extensions, were added to the ice/frost holiday with their flags as they stride out of the Operations and Checkout ramp locations where the PAL ramps used to be. For the latest informa- Building. Leading the way are Pilot Mark Kelly (left) and Commander tion on the STS-121 mission, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Steven Lindsey (right). Behind them are Mission Specialists (second row) Lisa Nowak and Michael Fossum; (third row) Stephanie Wilson and Piers See pages 4-5 for more STS-121 photographs Sellers; and (at the rear) Thomas Reiter. July 7, 2006 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 Firing Room 4 debuts for STS-121 By Charlie Plain sure everything is ready for launch. Staff Writer It’s within the room’s walls that the test director polls the team for hen Space Shuttle the famous “go/no go” for launch. Discovery lifted off on When not being used for launch, Wits STS-121 mission firing rooms also monitor the from Kennedy Space Center, the health of orbiters Discovery, best view of the flight may have Endeavour and Atlantis while been from the new Firing Room 4. they’re inside their hangars being Through its huge two-story prepared for upcoming missions. windows, engineers watched the The opening of Firing Room 4 vehicle thunder into space while concludes two years of renovation debuting NASA’s most advanced that dramatically reinvented the control room ever. A firing room is space. “Originally, this area was a what most people think of as little bit of office space, a confer- “mission control” for launch. ence room and a small firing “The firing rooms serve as the room,” said Mosteller. FIRING ROOM 4 in the Launch Control Center is prepared for the nerve center for the launch and The renovation of Firing Room STS-121 mission. The room underwent two years of renovations. orbiter processing,” said NASA 4 gave designers an opportunity to features, NASA tested how well Calgary and set up a couple of the Test Director Ted Mosteller. blast away from the past and build they would work. Rick Dawson, consoles and checked them out,” The Launch Control Center the ideal space shuttle launch systems integration manager for said Dawson. “It saved us months houses each of the four rooms. On control room. The first thing NASA the project, worked with a team of work.” The end result of NASA’s launch day, a firing room is packed did to develop the room was get that tried models of the room’s new careful planning is a comfortably with upwards of 216 engineers at the input of the engineers who will computer consoles on for size cool, quiet and well-organized computer consoles, checking a use it. before moving ahead with manu- room specifically suited for space space shuttle’s systems to make After compiling a wish list of facturing them. “We flew up to shuttle launches. NASA names new rockets Ares I, Ares V ASA announced on June This vehicle will be carried 30 the names of the next into space by Ares I, which uses a THE CARGO launch Ngeneration of launch single five-segment solid rocket vehicle (left) will be vehicles that will return humans to booster, a derivative of the space called Ares V and the the moon and later take them to shuttle’s solid rocket booster, for crew launch vehicle Mars and other destinations. The the first stage. will be called Ares I. crew launch vehicle will be called A liquid oxygen/liquid The “I” and “V” titles pay homage to the Ares I, and the cargo launch hydrogen J-2X engine derived Apollo program’s vehicle will be known as Ares V. from the J-2 engine used on Saturn I and Saturn V “It’s appropriate that we named Apollo’s second stage will power rockets. The crew these vehicles Ares, which is a the crew exploration vehicle’s exploration vehicle pseudonym for Mars,” said Scott second stage. The Ares I can lift will be named later. Horowitz, associate administrator more than 55,000 pounds to low for NASA’s Exploration Systems Earth orbit. Mission Directorate in Washing- Ares V, a heavy-lift launch ton. “We honor the past with the vehicle, will use five RS-68 liquid number designations and salute oxygen/liquid hydrogen engines the future with a name that mounted below a larger version of resonates with NASA’s exploration the space shuttle’s external tank, mission.” and two five-segment solid The “I and V” designations pay propellant rocket boosters for the homage to the Apollo program’s first stage. The upper stage will use Saturn I and Saturn V rockets, the the same J-2X engine as the Ares I. first large U.S. space vehicles The Ares V can lift more than conceived and developed specifi- 286,000 pounds to low Earth orbit cally for human space flight. and stands approximately 360 feet The crew exploration vehicle, tall. This versatile system will be which will succeed the space used to carry into orbit cargo and shuttle as NASA’s spacecraft for the components needed to go to human space exploration, will be the moon and later to Mars. named later. Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS July 7, 2006 The world watches NASA return to h
AFTER THEIR arrival at the Shuttle Landing Facility to get ready for launch, STS-121 Mission Specialist Thomas Reiter (left) and Commander Steven Lindsey are greeted (at right) by Kennedy Space Center Director Jim Kennedy and Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach. TRYING A third time for launch, the STS-121 crew before suiting up. Seated left to right are Mission S Lindsey, and Mission Specialists Lisa Nowak, Step
AGAINST A dimming sky after sunset, lights on the structures on Launch Pad 39B cast a warm glow on Space Shuttle Discovery. The rotating service structure at left was rolled back in preparation for launch July 4 on mission STS-121. Extending toward the cockpit of the shuttle is the orbiter access arm. July 7, 2006 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 5 o human space flight with STS-121
w gathers again for the traditional breakfast inside the Operations and Checkout Building n Specialists Piers Sellers and Michael Fossum, Pilot Mark Kelly, Commander Steven tephanie Wilson and Thomas Reiter.
SPACE SHUTTLE Discovery kicks off the Fourth of July fireworks with its own fiery display as it rockets into the blue sky on mission STS-121.
IN THE Orbiter Processing Facility at left, NASA Vehicle Manager Scott Thurston (far left) gives a personal tour to U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney (center) and his family. They are walking underneath the orbiter Atlantis. Walking next to Cheney is Shana Dale, NASA deputy administrator. Cheney flew to KSC on July 1 to view the first launch attempt of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-121. ABOVE, ON the Skid Strip at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney waves before CAMERAS ARE the accessory of the day at the Kennedy Space Center’s Banana entering Air Force One. Preceding him is his wife, Creek viewing site. All eyes and lenses are focused on Launch Pad 39B and the Lynne. successful launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-121. Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS July 7, 2006 Former astronaut Helms leads 45th Space Wing By Jennifer Wolfinger space for a total of 211 days. computer network Staff Writer As an astronaut, she flew on during the STS-101 shuttle missions STS-54 (1993), mission. As an ormer astronaut and current STS-64 (1994), STS-78 (1996), Expedition 2 crew U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. STS-101 (2000) and STS-102 member, she tested FSusan Helms continued (2001), in which she arrived at the the Canadian-built exploring new territory as she International Space Station as a space station robotic recently assumed the role of member of the Expedition 2 crew. arm, and performed commander of the 45th Space She has logged 5,064 hours in maintenance and Wing and director of the Eastern space, including a world-record- experiments on the Range at Patrick Air Force Base. setting spacewalk of 8 hours and station. She officially acquired the new 56 minutes. She returned to role on June 21 during a formal During STS-54, Helms sup- the U.S. Air Force in change-of-command ceremony at ported the deployment of the 2002. Most recently, the base, making her the wing’s NASA Tracking and Data Relay Helms served as first female commander. Helms will Satellite (TDRS-F). She served as deputy director of be responsible for the Cape flight engineer for orbiter opera- operations at the Canaveral Air Force Station’s tions and was the primary remote headquarters of the annual Delta and Atlas evolved manipulator system operator Air Education and expendable launch vehicle during the STS-64 mission. Training Command launches, which average 20 each She was payload commander at Randolph Air year. and flight engineer during STS-78, Force Base, Texas. She will also assist with space the first mission to combine a full Prior to that, she shuttle launches and provide final microgravity studies agenda and a was vice commander SUSAN HELMS, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen., will command the 45th Space Wing. approval for all launches on the comprehensive life science of the 45th Space Eastern Range. investigation. Wing from June 2004 to February her hometown. Her predecessor, Helms was selected by NASA Helms performed critical 2005. Brig. Gen. Mark Owen, now works in 1990. By the end of her 12-year functional cargo block repairs and Helms was born in Charlotte, for the Pentagon. NASA career, she had lived in was responsible for the onboard N.C., but considers Portland, Ore., NASA’s STEREO view of the sun to forecast solar flares ASA’s new plans include AT ASTROTECH events are heading. STEREO’s task returning to the moon — Space Operations in is to learn more about what triggers not just with robots, but Titusville, the these storms, how they move N deployed solar with people too. In the decades panel on the through the solar system, and what ahead, we can expect to see STEREO makes them tick. habitats, greenhouses and power observatory “A” In particular, the spacecraft will stations up there. Astronauts will undergoes testing. take a hard look at how and where be among the moondust and STEREO, which these proton storms are triggered stands for Solar craters, exploring, prospecting and and how the solar activity that Terrestrial Relations building. Observatory, causes them builds up in the sun’s On Jan. 20 of last year, though, consists of two atmosphere before exploding into there were no humans walking spacecraft whose space. This January storm came around on the moon. And it’s a mission is to take fast and “hard,” with proton good thing. On that day, a giant measurements of energies exceeding 100 million the sun and solar sunspot named “NOAA 720” wind in 3-D for the electron volts. These are the kind exploded. The blast sparked an X- first time. of high-energy particles that can class solar flare, the most powerful do damage to human cells and kind, and hurled a billion-ton tissue. cloud of electrified gas (a coronal Here on Earth, however, no one mass ejection) into space. satellites, causing short circuits understanding of these events and suffered. Our planet’s thick Solar protons accelerated to and computer reboots. Worst of all, improve warning time. The two atmosphere and magnetic field nearly light speed by the explo- they can penetrate the skin of STEREO spacecraft will image the protect us from protons and other sion reached the Earth-moon space suits and make astronauts sun and coronal mass ejections in forms of solar radiation. When the system minutes after the flare; it feel sick. 3-D for the first time to give plodding coronal mass ejection was the beginning of a days-long When the Solar TErrestrial scientists a better and more arrived 36 hours after the initial “proton storm.” Proton storms RElations Observatory (STEREO) complete view of these events. blast and hit Earth’s magnetic cause all kinds of problems. launches later this month from the In fact, our current two- field, sky watchers in Europe saw They interfere with ham radio Cape Canaveral Air Force Base, dimensional view even makes it the brightest auroras in years. Visit communications. They zap scientists expect to gain a better hard to predict which direction the www.nasa.gov for information. July 7, 2006 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 7 Summer students, employees enjoy BEST Barbecue
By Christy Jones “It’s great because you get an Student Intern opportunity to hang out with a lot of people from other intern he Black Employee Strategy programs,” said Zakiya Tomlinson, Team (BEST) held the 2006 a summer intern at NASA. TBEST Barbecue June 23 at Thunderstorms have threatened KARS Park I to welcome interns in the barbecue for the past two years, summer programs through the but the sun was shining and there Kennedy Space Center and Cape wasn’t a rain cloud in sight for this Canaveral Air Force Base and year’s festivities. bring NASA employees together Cooks included Bruce for some fun. Lockley, Thomas Cooper, Javan The event was moved this year Banks, Joylene Hall, Al Jenkins from Kars II to Kars I to provide and Mack McKinney, who started better facilities for more people. grilling in the morning to prepare Stacie Smith, BEST Barbecue for the crowd. Lockley said the chairperson for the past five years, secret to grilling is “seasoning and said about 275 people came this patience.” year compared to 200 attendants Eric Martin, who won first last year. prize for the “Best Dessert” contest The interns, employees and with his German chocolate cake, EMPLOYEES, SUMMER students and faculty and family members enjoy the 2006 BEST Barbecue held at KARS Park I. their family and friends feasted on later said his wife found the recipe ribs, chicken, potato salad, baked inside the package of a giant get it right.” don’t just tolerate diversity, we beans, bread and an assortment of candy bar and he decided to try the KSC Director Jim Kennedy cherish it,” Kennedy said. “BEST desserts while listening to upbeat recipe. said the BEST Barbecue was an is an example of a group that we music. Prizes were raffled off “It’s not a cake you can rush opportunity to show support for cherish.” during the barbecue. together,” he said. “It takes time to the center’s diverse groups. “We
SUMMER STUDENTS gather under a pavilion at KARS I on June 23 for MEMBERS OF BEST, along with Center Director Jim Kennedy (second the Black Employee Strategy Team’s (BEST) Barbecue. from right) voted Eric Martin’s German chocolate cake as “Best Dessert.”
Employees can communicate concerns through Shuttle Safety Hotline he Space Shuttle Safety and Mission Assurance Office has a [email protected]. Shuttle Safety Hotline Web site, http://sma.jsc.nasa.gov/sirma/ Once a concern is entered, an analysis is made to determine if the Thotline/, which outlines the multiple routes employees can use to issue can be resolved with short-term program action or if it represents a communicate and resolve space shuttle safety concerns. program risk. If applicable, a program risk will be entered into the risk Members of the work force are encouraged to discuss concerns with database for tracking. During mission operations, safety concerns will be management or individuals identified on the Web site. reported daily to the Mission Management Team. Shuttle safety concerns may also be submitted via the Space Shuttle The link to the Shuttle Safety Hotline is located on various Web Processing Hotline database at http://sma.jsc.nasa.gov/sirma/hotline/ sites, including http://sspweb.jsc.nasa.gov/, http://sspweb.jsc.nasa.gov/mx input.asp (employees can remain anonymous), or send e-mail to jsc- and http://sma.jsc.nasa.gov/sirma. Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS July 7, 2006 Disabled employees share experiences during DAAWG luncheon
By Linda Herridge is a very important DAAWG Staff Writer objective. “We are thrilled at the participation by the KSC govern- andall Crosby, owner of ment and contract management Crosby Snacks in the team in our awareness activities,” RKennedy Space Center Kroskey said. Headquarters building, described Crosby learned about the snack the challenges of living with a bar/vending program managed by disability and working at the the Florida Division of Blind center during a Disability Aware- Services and came to KSC in 1998. ness Action Working Group He and his wife, Patti, just cel- (DAAWG) brown bag lunch on ebrated their 24th wedding June 23. anniversary. Crosby humorously But being legally blind has not referred to himself as a “project,” kept him from enjoying his job much like the projects managed at and considering KSC an amazing KSC. “And Patti is the project team place to work, he told the group leader,” Crosby said with a smile. gathered in the mission briefing “When you see a disabled room of the Operations and person, look at the person first and Support Building 2. The program not just the disability,” Crosby was organized by Nicole Del urged. CHRISTOPER BROWN, a United Space Alliance employee, addresses Vesco, an accountant in the Chief Christopher Brown, a United attendees at the Disability Awareness Action Working Group lunch. Financial Officer’s office and Space Alliance design engineer posthumously diagnosed with the and representatives from NASA DAAWG co-chairperson. who has Tourette Syndrome, syndrome. and various contractor organiza- “I have to pinch myself almost discussed misconceptions and Brown is a committee member tions also attended the program. every day, even eight years later,” symptoms of the neurological of the Tourette Syndrome Associa- Kennedy said, “I am KSC and Crosby said about working at the disorder that is hereditary and tion of Brevard and actively works proud to be, and I especially feel center. causes repetitive, involuntary to raise awareness and educate that during DAAWG meetings.” Chief Financial Officer Susan movements and utterances. people about Tourette’s. He said Kennedy said the center is Kroskey, who is executive advisor Brown has two daughters; the sufferers struggle to suppress the thankful for the hard work of its to the DAAWG, opened the seven-year-old has Tourette’s, vocal and facial tics in public and employees, including those who luncheon by stating that increas- while the five-year-old is too the workplace, but there is no way are disabled. “We appreciate your ing awareness about employees young to be diagnosed with to really control them. candor,” he said. “We are all equal with disabilities in the work place certainty. Brown’s father was Center Director Jim Kennedy here at KSC.” As dangerous lightning season peaks in July, use ‘30-30 rule’ hunderstorm Capital. safety at Kennedy Space Center occurring within this distance. after the last thunder. The U.S. Air Lighting Alley. You’ve falls into two categories: on-duty When outdoors, use the “30-30 Force 45th Weather Squadron Theard it all before, but did and off-duty procedures. Rule” to determine if you should issues lightning advisories for five you know the peak of lightning When at KSC, listen for the be inside. If there is 30 seconds or points at KSC: Launch Pads 39A season is in July? Fortunately, lightning advisories announced less between lightning and its and 39B, the Shuttle Landing lightning safety is easy. No place over the public-address systems. A thunder, you should be inside. Facility, the Vehicle Assembly outdoors is safe when thunder- Phase-1 lightning advisory means Stay inside for 30 minutes or more Building and the Industrial Area. storms are in the area. Lightning lightning is expected within five nautical miles of John F. Kennedy Space Center the specified points with a desired lead Spaceport News time of 30 minutes. A Phase-2 Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center and lightning is published on alternate Fridays by External Relations in the interest of KSC civil service and contractor employees. advisory means Contributions are welcome and should be submitted two weeks before lightning is publication to the Media Services Branch, IDI-011. E-mail submissions can be imminent or sent to [email protected]. Managing editor...... Bruce Buckingham Editor...... Jeff Stuckey LIGHTNING Copy editor ...... Corey Schubert STRIKES illuminate the Editorial support provided by InDyne, Inc. Writers Group. sky during a NASA at KSC is located on the Internet at http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy fireworks show. USGPO: 733-049/600111