July 12, 2002 Vol. 41, No. 14 Spaceport News America’s gateway to the universe. Leading the world in preparing and launching missions to Earth and beyond. http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/snews/snewstoc.htm John F.

Inside Kennedy Space Center

Page 2 – The Germans led during the early days of the 40 years as NASA Center space program.

Page 3 – Pioneers helped shape KSC’s manned and LOC began unmanned space programs. Remembering Our Heritage Page 4 –KSC facilities feature July 1, 1962 innovative designs. As the Kennedy Space Center Page 5 – Uses of rocket team begins a yearlong celebration technology continue to evolve. of our 40th year as a NASA center, Page 6 – Center generates it benefits us all to take a look back numerous spaceport and range at the beginnings of KSC. technology spinoffs. Only if we know where we came Page 7 – KSC becomes from will we understand where we Spaceport Technology Center. are as a launch center and Space- port Technology Center and how Page 8 – Astronauts maintain ties to KSC. we better can help propel NASA’s mission: “To improve life here. To Page 9 – Presidents, kings and extend life to there. To find life celebrities visit Center. beyond.” By listening to those who took Page 10 – Public affairs assists media in sharing the story, us to the Moon, we can learn just how far we can go if we put our Page 11 – History of KSC hearts and souls and minds to it. continues to be recorded; Histories written, being written. KSC’s diverse beginnings started before it was first designated a Page 12 – Launch Operation Center (LOC) named and renamed. July 1, 1962, and later renamed John F. Kennedy Space Center. This special commemorative issue of Spaceport News offers just a taste of that early history. For those who want to drink deeper from the vast well of the KSC story, Above, a Mercury capsule is processed in Hangar S at Cape Canaveral. the issue points to other sources of Behind the windows in the concrete wall were astronaut crew quarters. historical inspiration. Below, the Mercury launch team poses for a group portrait.

Page 13 – Cape Canaveral inhabited by various groups.

Page 14 – A wild landscape become a space center.

Page 15 – Families boast three generations of KSC employees.

Page 16 – Major events at KSC highlighted in chronology. Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS July 12, 2002 Germans led during early days of KSC

By Anna Heiney

The road to the stars may pass through Kennedy Space Center, but it actually began more than 50 years ago in wartime Germany. In 1945, at the close of World War II, more than 100 rocket scientists working in the German rocket center of Peenemunde Kurt Debus (left) and Karl Sendler surrendered to American forces hold and look at telemetry data. rather than the Soviets. They were moved to Ft. Bliss, Texas, to develop ballistic missiles for the U.S. Army. Kurt Debus (center) makes a point during a launch as Wernher von Braun Under the direction of rocket (to Debus’ right) and Hans Gruene (front) and look on. pioneer Wernher von Braun, the team tested rockets in White Sands, N.M., until 1950, when they joined the Army’s Ordnance Guided Missile Center at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. In 1956, the group became the Army Ballistic Missile Agency, and was folded into the National Aeronautics and Space Administra- tion in 1960. Albert Zeiler (left) and Kurt Debus Virginia Whitehead, Future pose at the launch pad. Payloads manager in the Interna- tional Space Station/Payload Kurt Debus (center) reaches out to shake hands with astronaut Frank Processing directorate at Kennedy Borman after a successful launch. Space Center, worked with the chanical expertise to the Mercury German team at White Sands and Redstone, Saturn and Shuttle fondly remembers their enthusiasm. programs, as well as several “I’d get the preliminary telemetry unmanned programs. information on film,” she explained. Frank Childers, a NASA retiree “They’d come running in from the Hans Gruene expresses his cama- and historian, worked for Sendler field and grab that data right out of raderie with secretary Ann Nelson. for 20 years and came to know my hand. They’d get so excited. also remembered for securing KSC’s German leaders. They just ate, slept and breathed support for the first visitor center, Kurt Debus’ daughter Sigi Northcutt “Both Karl Sendler and Albert space.” and for his desire to protect KSC’s (left) and her daughter Michelle Zeiler were brilliant engineers and While the entire team helped Peters are pictured with a new environment. great managers,” he said. boost the U.S. space program off Debus Award display. When Debus came to Cape With their dedication and the ground, Kurt Debus, Hans Canaveral in the early 1950s to set employee. “He had an even temper positive attitude, the four helped Gruene, Karl Sendler and Albert up a launch site, his deputy, Dr. and was always open to new make NASA’s motto – “On time, on Zeiler significantly influenced Hans Gruene, accompanied him. ideas.” target” – a reality. KSC’s growth as America’s premier Debus considered himself and Karl Sendler, director of Instru- Several innovations took shape gateway to space. Gruene the first employees of what mentation Systems, had a major at KSC under their leadership. “They were all really outstanding became KSC. role in the creation of the Central These included unique equipment, people,” recalled Konrad Dannen- Gruene was known as a skilled Instrumentation Facility. In his facilities and concepts still in use berg, a propulsion engineer on von engineer. As Director of Launch earlier days at Cape Canaveral, he today, such as the Vehicle Assem- Braun’s team. “They were all very Vehicle Operations, he led his team used Doppler radar systems to bly Building, the crawler-trans- involved in the early launches and to an impressive launch success develop better methods of tracking porter and launch automation. brought with them quite a bit of record: All but one of the Saturn V rockets after liftoff. “My father was very proud of experience from Peenemunde.” and Skylab launches were on time. For early launches at Cape the things his team achieved,” said Dr. Kurt Debus, the first director A true gentleman, Gruene Canaveral, Albert Zeiler, chief of Sigi Northcutt, Debus’ daughter. of Kennedy Space Center, is brought out the best in his Mechanical Systems for the Missile “He once said, ‘You have to decide perhaps best known for molding employees through mutual respect. Firing Lab, was the one who if you want to make money or make the Center into a state-of-the-art “He was an ideal boss,” said his decided whether to shut off the a contribution to humanity. We Moonport and preparing it for the former secretary, Ann Nelson, now engines or allow launches to chose to make a contribution to . But he is a NASA Transportation office proceed. He later provided me- humanity.’” July 12, 2002 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 Pioneers helped shape space program

By Matt Cavagnaro

In 1958, Merritt Preston was sent “Things were less from Langley Research Center to formal in the early work at Cape Canaveral. days. We didn’t have His assignment: assistant chief the infrastructure of Operations for , with the goal of putting a human then that we got later being into orbit of the Earth. and have now. As a Preston ended up spending the Launch Director John Neilon (right) matter of fact, I don’t rest of his career at the Cape and is pictured during a 1976 Titan Kennedy Space Center, working his Centaur countdown with George think the word infra- way up the ranks. Page, who was to succeed him, structure had been His story isn’t unique: Many of and Walter Kapryan, former invented yet! In those the thousands of engineers, director of Launch Operations. scientists and managers that gave times, Bob Gray and I new purpose to the wilderness of would often make the Space Coast spent their careers and implement deci- at what would become KSC. In the beginning of 1962, sions that would however, engineers like Merritt entail many meetings Preston were part of teams from and management NASA centers with different goals. reviews today.” “There was a big controversy Former Shuttle launch director Bob Merritt Preston (right) is pictured Sieck (left) signs a memorandum. when Mercury was established that during a light moment with JOHN NEILON, we ought to extend the X-15 astronaut Gordon Cooper. Preston FORMER DIRECTOR, program to make it go into orbit came to the Cape to work on the UNMANNED LAUNCH instead of this man-in-a-can Mercury program in 1958 and OPERATIONS concept,” remembered Preston. retired as manager of the Shuttle Young minds from Langley and Projects office in 1973. Goddard and Marshall Space Flight Neilon served as launch director for The men and women who helped centers were brought to Florida as 60 missions including the Viking to build Kennedy Space Center 40 pioneers; as scientists creating Mars Landers and the Pioneer 10 years ago were pioneers, not only something that had never existed Rockwell executive Lee Solid, now and 11 deep space probes. in the sense of being there at the before. It was the Marshall Launch retired, is pictured with a Space “Things were less formal in the beginning, but seeing the program Shuttle Main Engine. Operations Directorate that would early days. We didn’t have the through. start the new center July 1, 1962, biomedical technologies for the infrastructure then that we got Solid became site manager of the Launch Operations Center. Gemini program. later and have now. As a matter of Kennedy Space Center for Lee Solid started developing Monitoring human beings in fact, I don’t think the word Rocketdyne during the Apollo- rocket engines in 1960, when space was a very new concept, and infrastructure had been invented Soyuz project, and in 1998, retired sending a man into space was still the instrumentation being created yet!” Neilon said.”In those times, as vice president and general theory, and the Cape was a proving was groundbreaking in its design. Bob Gray and I would often make manager of Rockwell’s Space ground for early technologies. “The NASA engineers, we were and implement decisions that Systems Division, Florida Opera- “At first we weren’t really sure if all very close. Everyone that would entail many meetings and tions. (the operation) was capable of worked out here, we knew every- management reviews today.” Bob Sieck’s work on the Gemini sustaining itself as a center, just one else,” explained Sieck. Preston agreed with those program continued onto the Apollo launching vehicles,” recalled Solid. In July 1957, after two years of sentiments. and Shuttle programs, as a test The community of engineers at commuting back and forth from the “Particularly in the beginning of team project engineer. He became the Cape was close knit, as Naval Research Laboratory in Mercury, we’d make up our mind chief Shuttle Project engineer in evidenced by the sharing of Washington, D.C., John Neilon what we needed to do, and do it,” 1978, and oversaw 11 Shuttle information during the first years. came to the Cape as a radar and said Preston. missions as launch director “Debus liked to understand what data processing specialist, on an The successful ingenuity of the beginning in 1984. was going on. We’d have to explain 18-month assignment for Project first years at Kennedy Space Merritt Preston continued the details of engineering problems Vanguard. Center was due in part to the sense working for NASA until retiring to him, bringing the blue prints to Twenty-nine years later Neilon of cooperation that existed between manager of the Shuttle Projects his office and spreading them out retired from KSC after having contractors and civil servants. Office in 1973. on the table, trying to explain what served as director of Unmanned “Rocketdyne’s job was to serve Although design changes today the exact problem was,” Solid said. Launch Operations (ULO) and the customer, which was NASA. require intense consideration and Bob Sieck was also a member of manager of the Cargo Projects We had a very good working paperwork, the innovative spirit that original community. He came to Office among other assignments. relationship with the civil ser- survives, Preston and the other the Cape in 1964 to work on As director of ULO for six years vants,” explains Solid. early pioneers agree. Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS July 12, 2002 KSC facilities featured innovative designs

By Jennifer Wolfinger core of instrumentation and data processing operations at KSC, By overcoming obstacles, which includes offices, laboratories thinking outside of the box, and and test stations. being determined for the past 40 Making the first KSC facilities years, engineers and scientists built on Merritt Island – such as developed the spaceport we know the CIF, Headquarters and VAB – a today on both sides of the Banana home required somebody behind- River. the-scenes to move everything. “We had to build structures in Bob White, a section chief of Florida’s conditions. Nobody had traffic management operations, done that before,” said R.P. Dodd, organized these moves for almost an electrical engineer who wit- 40 years. He remembers relocating nessed the birth of NASA and left KSC’s staff from facilities on the KSC in 1979. “It was a departure Cape as well as off-base offices in from typical engineering. We had to Cocoa Beach and Merritt Island to consider things like wind forces the new KSC facilities. from hurricanes.” “For the two years, we spent According to Dodd, engineers every weekend and some weekdays had enough foresight to know how moving offices,” said White. “We to accommodate the future. were so busy and had to do it all “They tried to make do with what because there weren’t many they already had to transition from employees then. We moved Redstone to Saturn V to the everything: marble slabs from labs Shuttle,” he said. “We redesigned and computers. That’s when the crawlerway and the VAB for the computers were very large, too.” Shuttle program. The VAB was a NASA facilities on Air Force Many of the NASA launch pad great investment.” property at Cape Canaveral in the and facility design projects on both early 1960s included the E&O and The well thought-out designs of sides of the river were unprec- A&E buildings (at top); Hangar S edented and required a lot of trial the Cape Canaveral Spaceport have (above) and the control center (left) stood the test of time. The story NASA only used during Mercury and error, according to Don starts with the first basic structures and Gemini programs. Below, the Buchanan, a chief design engineer where early NASA program teams Vehicle Assembly Building begins who retired in 1981. were housed on Air Force property to take shape on Merritt Island. “We were pioneers, in a lot of at Cape Canaveral. cases. We made big strides in a For example, Hangar S, built in short amount of time,” he said. the 1950s for the Vanguard program Safety and health were priorities at what is now Cape Canaveral Air in designing the facilities, said Force Station (CCAFS), was used Norris Gray, former Fire and Rescue by NASA for Mercury and Gemini Program Officer. Here when NASA and then for its unmanned space formed, he retired in 1984. program. It is now a Shuttle Gray explained that many factors operations training facility. were considered during the devel- The nearby AE building is home opment of the special facilities to KSC’s Expendable Launch because there was nothing else like Vehicle (ELV) Program’s upgraded them in the country. Launch Vehicle Data Center. “We looked into many safety The Center allows engineers to factors – the paints used, off- monitor voice, data and video gases, speed of elevators and fire systems that support ELV missions. 1950s by the DoD, was temporarily in the early 1960s. Designers extinguishing systems,” he said. AE was originally built for a DoD used for the offices of Center quickly began developing plans for Gray and his co-workers not only missile program. The facility was Director Dr. Kurt Debus’ and his the huge hangar we know as the provided expert advice, but they acquired in 1960 by NASA and associates before the construction Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). also tested their designs. modified for unmanned missions. of NASA KSC Headquarters. The NASA KSC Headquarters “Under each pad, there are two The adjacent E&O (Engineering E&L now houses the new Cape building was formally opened on rooms that were used for emer- and Operations) Building, originally Canaveral Spaceport Planning and May 26, 1965. Headquarters is the gency evacuations,” said Gray. built for NASA’s Mercury program Customer Service Center, which administrative center for all “Seven of us lived in there for 25 later housed Unmanned Launch provides a one-stop shop for new spaceport activities, including the hours (during an evacuation drill). Operations. It recently was renov- customers’ needs. center director’s office. The humidity drove us crazy. Our ated for KSC’s ELV Program. KSC first began making its mark In February 1964, construction ears wilted; we would lay down flat Nearby, the E&L (Engineering on the Merritt Island side of the on the Central Instrumentation on the concrete floor to keep cool. and Laboratory ) Building, built in river after acquiring property there Facility (CIF) began. The CIF is the But we survived.” July 12, 2002 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 5 Use of rocket technology continues to evolve

By Jennifer Wolfinger

Since the early days of rocket science, it’s not the purpose, size or shape of launch vehicles that has improved so much as the knowl- edge of how to take advantage of that technology. Vehicles such as Vanguard, Redstone and Thor; the era of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Mercury, Gemini and Apollo – all Center was named after Dr. Robert paved the way for today’s Expend- Goddard (above, second from able Launch Vehicle (ELV) and right) because of his pioneering Space Shuttle programs. efforts in liquid propellant rockets. The Space Shuttle fleet, along At right, seen clockwise, are a Redstone rocket on the pad, the with Athena, Atlas Centaur, Delta, Space Shuttle, and launches of Pegasus, Taurus and Titan ELVs Atlas and Delta rockets. make up KSC’s vehicle family. Rocket science first began to take hydrogen. The third stage engine shape in the 1920s and 1930s when had to restart to leave Earth orbit, Dr. Robert Goddard, who is consid- which was a new challenge. ered America’s Father of Space, “The J-2 technology would be shifted the science community’s later applied to a new engine budding curiosity in rocket science concept – the linear engine that into a real effort to explore space. was taken out of mothballs for the Then at the end of World War II, X-33. As such, the linear engine more than 100 German rocket technology was applied about 30 scientists sided with American years after it was developed.” forces. Their decision resulted in a Solid remembered how quickly move to Ft. Bliss, Texas, to develop people started asking, “What is ballistic missiles for the U.S. Army. next,” once we landed on the Rocket pioneer Wernher von Moon. Braun led the original team to White “Next for us was the Space Sands, N.M., to test rockets until Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). We 1950, then to work in Huntsville, built on the Saturn engine technol- Ala. That group eventually joined ogy but the requirements drove ence between then and now really electronic guidance and control NASA in 1960. much more advanced technology,” stands out. Today launch vehicles systems that continuously But there was never a single day he said. “Reusability, weight work with a remarkable reliability. It improved. when vehicle technology instantly restrictions, and operating was not always thus,” said Neilon. “The things we launched as transformed. Development was a temperatures and pressures drove “Delta, with a current reliability of experiments are now used as building-block approach, said Frank new materials, new controls, and a well over 90 percent in about three everyday tools,” said Neilon. Childers, a retired NASA electrical radical new design. The SSME is hundred launches, started off Konrad Dannenberg, von engineer who came to Cape Can- probably the most complex and inauspiciously with the 1960 Delta Braun’s propulsion engineer, has averal to work in 1953. efficient machine ever designed by 1 failure. It then went on to 22 strong opinions on launch vehicle “We considered requirements of mortal man.” consecutive successes before technology. future payloads, and impulse on the John Neilon was with NASA Delta 24 failed.” “I’m surprised we have so many engine. We measured everything when it was established in 1958, The evolution of Delta also satellites in Earth’s orbit,” he said. and used those records to develop served as Unmanned Launch illustrates the wedding of pieces “However, I’m disappointed we’re future vehicles and fuels,” he said. Operations Director from 1970 - from various projects and their not taking steps to send people to Retired Rocketdyne mechanical 1976, and retired in 1986 while almost continuous upgrading with Mars. Also, I think NASA’s Space engineer and senior executive Lee serving as Director of Payloads no stupendous technical break- Launch Initiative is taking the right Solid explained that the rocket Project Management. In his throughs, he said. The original steps by trying to develop a smaller engine development for the Saturn/ opinion, vehicle evolution can be Delta consisted of an Intermediate Shuttle-like vehicle.” Apollo mission was intense. seen in the life of the Delta. Range Ballistic Missile Thor first KSC’s workforce continues to “The engines for all three stages “The very early Delta could stage and a liquid second stage blaze trails for the development of were designed for this specific carry payloads of a few hundred and solid third stage from the new launch vehicles such as the mission, and, because of the short pounds to low Earth orbit and now Vanguard program. Atlas V and the Evolved Expend- development time, had to be built the recent Deltas put thousands of Some technology was elimi- able Launch Vehicle, Delta IV. primarily on existing technology,” pounds into the same orbit and nated, while some was enhanced. Future advances will build on said Solid. “The new technology can even send respectably sized In the 1960s, ground-based radio previous technology allowing us to was largely in the second and third payloads to Mars,” said Neilon. guidance was replaced with surpass current Space Shuttle and stage J-2 engine, which was lox- “Reliability is where the differ- increasingly accurate on-board ELV capabilities. Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS July 12, 2002 KSC spins off spaceport, range technologies

By Robin Flynn NASA’s annual Spinoff magazine lists spinoffs During the past 40 years Kennedy Space from NASA centers. This Center has developed innovative solutions to Spinoff archive photo confront operational problems at the Cape from the 1970s was used Canaveral Spaceport. to illustrate a Kennedy Many of those technologies have resulted in Space Center technology. successful commercial spinoffs. Note the lighting control Today KSC’s Technology Commercialization system on the wall. KSC researchers helped Office helps businesses avoid the costly design an automatic light process of “reinventing the wheel” when the control system that technology they need is already available. This measures available returns taxpayers’ money in the form of immedi- sunlight and adjusts the ate commercial or consumer benefits. artificial lighting to a Some KSC technologies and their spinoffs: predetermined level, Fluid Systems Technologies saving electricity. • Fire extinguishing equipment with a hard pointed tip capable of piercing an aircraft’s outer NASA’s fleet of orbiters for launch, served as a developed for NASA to detect hydrazine layers and injecting extinguishing chemicals was basis for scheduling software used by compa- exposure, is used where hypergolic fuel is developed by NASA and contractor engineers. nies to manage their diverse manufacturing and produced or used, such as military facilities and • NASA furthered the development of heat supply chain requirements. auxiliary power plants. pipes, which have cooled critical electronic • A citrus industry leader adapted KSC’s Shuttle Range Technologies components in the Shuttle, Skylab, and the Inventory Management System to monitor • KSC’s upgraded Lightning Detection and Hubble Space Telescope and are now used in inventory, purchasing, receiving and costs. Ranging Systems, which measure in-cloud and conjunction with traditional air conditioning Command, Control and Monitoring Technology cloud-to-cloud flashes, can be used by utility systems to cool and dehumidify air efficiently. • The Active Particle Fallout Monitor measures providers, aviation companies, forecasting • KSC’s Cryogenics Test Laboratory and an the size and number of particles that are services, airports and commercial space vehicle industry partner designed a new aerogel-based collected on a surface to provide cleanliness launch facilities. cryogenic insulation system and a method for measurements. Targeted markets include • A Lightning Current Detector was developed its manufacturing and packaging. The system aerospace, semiconductor, medicine and to monitor the magnitude of lightning strikes, provides improved insulation properties. electronics manufacturers. which is useful in evaluating the parameters of • KSC’s flow meter was used to pinpoint and • A major health care supplier used a NASA protection designs. correct several key problems in the design of a information base on contamination control to • NASA researchers along with industry new tankless water heater. improve particulate control coatings on hospital developed the Lightning Retardant Cable, which Spaceport Structures and Materials garments. improves lightning protection over standard • As part of a Space Act Agreement with • A KSC engineer used his skills in telemetry to coaxial cable by 100 percent, preventing damage industry, KSC developed a unique process to develop and patent an implantable digital to satellites, antennas and cable systems. prevent structural corrosion in buildings and hearing aid, the concept of today’s cochlear Biological Sciences other outdoor surfaces such as bridges and implants. • Researchers and industry partners developed radio towers. • The image processing techniques used in the a lifelike mannequin capable of simulating • Researchers at KSC developed a metal Landsat remote sensing program were used to conditions of heart disease to educate cardiol- coating that can be used to extend the lives of streamline and improve Magnetic Resonance ogy students. steel structures such as bridges and towers, as Imaging (MRI) images for diagnostic purposes. • The Medevac Oxygen System developed by well as metal components of TVs, computers, The improvements reduced the time the proce- the Biomedical Office provides therapeutic cellular phones and other electronic equipment. dure takes and yielded more accurate results. oxygen to patients being flown aboard military • KSC’s Gas/Liquid Supersonic Cleaning • A portable leak detector was developed to medical evacuation aircraft. System incorporates one or more converging- identify leaks in fluid systems of critical launch • The Biomass Production System is a con- diverging nozzles to accelerate a gas-liquid and ground support equipment. Commercial trolled-environment facility developed for mixture to a supersonic velocity for the cleaning uses include pipelines, underground utilities, air NASA’s plant-growth requirements on the of various articles or components. The system conditioning systems, petrochemical systems, International Space Station. Earth-based uses less than 100 milliliters of water per minute, power transmission lines and medical devices. applications include growth chambers, green- saving of enormous amounts of water. • The Photographic Images Scaling Device can houses, controlled-environment agricultural • A safety exit system designed in the 1960’s for be attached directly to a camera and, through systems, and humidity control in homes, offices, manned rockets was used to develop a light- the use of laser beams, allows the photographer and other facilities. weight aluminum structure to assist the elderly to provide scaling information within a picture. • In an effort to eliminate a waste stream of in lifting themselves from seated positions. • A new signal-enhancing wireless communica- 250,000 gallons of contaminated water per year, Process and Human Factors Engineering tions headset subsystem permits multiple KSC participated in the development of a • KSC’s unique Ground Processing Scheduling wireless users to operate independently in the control system to convert hazardous nitrogen System, a computer-based scheduling tool to same environment without interference. oxide scrubber liquor into a useful, beneficial manage the thousands of activities that prepare • A colorimetric gas monitoring dosimeter, and marketable fertilizer. July 12, 2002 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 7 KSC becomes Spaceport Technology Center

By Kathy Hagood

During the early days of the space program, NASA and the military were primarily concerned with the flight performance of launch vehicles. Developing better vehicle technology was critical to the success of the space race. The Moon and defense were the goals. Money was no object. The clock was ticking. Spaceport technology, including the develop- ment of ground support and processing equipment and systems, was of secondary consideration. Launch equipment and systems weren’t designed for program life-cycle cost savings because the price of launching vehicles wasn’t a major concern. “We had plenty of money, but we didn’t have much time,” said retired NASA manager Don Buchanan. “We didn’t design equipment and Artist Pat Rawlings’ conception of a future spaceport was inspired by the Cape Canaveral systems based on the cost for each launch or Spaceport. The illustration has often been used to depict what a future spaceport might look like. quick turnaround times. The engineering we did was based on the challenges of the time.” Buchanan worked at Marshall Flight Center before coming to Kennedy Space Center in 1965 as Marshall’s launch support equipment laboratory staff were transferred here. Through the work of pioneers like Buchanan, spaceport and range technologies at KSC continued to improve. Emmitt “Bud” Reynolds, a retired engineer who came to work for NASA in 1963, worked on a wide range of electrical and mechanical systems at KSC before retiring in 1990. “The advances we saw from Mercury to Above, student engineers work with early launch-site computers. At right, engineer Graydon “Jack” Shuttle have been fantastic,” Reynolds said. Phlieger works with rotary step switches. Phlieger used switches to develop the first launch “Those who didn’t live through the changes countdown clock, one of the first KSC-generated spaceport technologies. can hardly imagine how far we’ve come.” Now KSC is being called upon to step up its At left, a NASA and Dynacs efforts in developing spaceport and range development team are technologies. pictured with recently As an evolving Spaceport Technology Center, retired Instrumentation KSC is taking a lead role in helping to lower the Branch Chief Bill Helms costs of launch and make space access more and the Advanced Haz- ardous Gas Detection available for development by private enterprise. System. Helms worked on “To make space access more commercially the hazardous gas detec- viable, NASA, the Air Force and industry tion system used for Apollo recognize the need to reduce the cost per pound launches and led the to launch from $10,000 a pound to $1,000 and development of the first then to $100 a pound. And the ground-process- such system for Shuttle. ing turnaround time needs to be reduced,” said Phil Weber, who leads KSC’s spaceport and efficiently to enable cost savings and a quicker Terry Greenfield, an engineer who worked in range technology development. “To do that, turnaround time,” said Stan Starr, Chief Engineer the Redstone rocket program at Cape Canaveral innovative, cost-saving spaceport and range for Dynacs, KSC’s Engineering Development in the mid-1950s, retired from NASA in 1989 and technologies must be considered and come into contractor. now is working for Dynacs, said that KSC has play as future vehicles are designed.” For example, it costs less to fuel a launch come a long way in establishing itself as a KSC is working with Marshall to ensure future vehicle with kerosene, Starr pointed out. Spaceport Technology Center. vehicle technologies being developed through “Sacrificing flight performance for ground “During the early days much of the spaceport NASA’s Space Launch Initiative will be inte- processing improvements is a bitter pill for and range technologies were developed grated with cost-saving spaceport technologies. vehicle designers, but swallowing it is the only elsewhere. Now KSC is leading the charge, “Such an integrative strategy might require way we’re truely going to be able to lower the which is as it should be considering we face the that a vehicle be designed to fly a little less price of space launch,” Weber said. operational challenges here,” Greenfield said. Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS July 12, 2002 Astronauts maintain Former astronauts Bob Crippen (left) strong ties with Center and Roy Bridges (far left) both returned to KSC to By Linda Herridge serve as Center director. Bridges Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard made his was named to the sub-orbital flight May 5, 1961, in the Freedom 7 post March 1997. spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, then known as the Air Force Missile Test Center. It was about a year after these modest beginnings of the manned space program that Kennedy Space Center was created. Since that first flight, more than 300 different astronauts have journeyed to the launch pad, It’s the home you know you can always come strapped themselves into their spacecraft and back to. Throughout the space program, from rocketed into space. the early days to the present, every astronaut The KSC connection was and still is strong has trusted everyone here to use the same care for these space explorers. Many returned to fly and diligence to make sure that each launch is into space again. Some went on to pursue safe.” related careers, while others, after retirement Brian Duffy served on four Space Shuttle Charles Lindbergh (right) enjoys his meal at Kennedy from the astronaut corps, returned to KSC. flights including his most recent, mission STS- Apollo 8 astronauts Borman, Lovell and Anders and S Jim Lovell, Gemini and Apollo astronaut, 92, in October 2000. He has returned to KSC as commented about early launches, “The launch vice president/associate program manager for site was very primitive. We went inside a Lockheed Martin. blockhouse and watched the launch through a Duffy shared some KSC memories: “Gawking periscope. Our crew quarters were in Hangar S at the beauty of an orbiter lit by the zenons. on the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station side.” Thundering off the pad and roaring out of the One of Lovell’s favorite memories at KSC was atmosphere. The smell of beans in the LCC. the launch of Apollo 8: “It was the first launch Meeting my family at the elevator of crew of a Saturn V. It was the thrill of leaving the quarters after a successful mission. The list Earth and heading out towards the moon, then could go on and on. The Kennedy Space Center looking back and seeing the Earth. We were the is a very special place … there’s no other place first team to see the far side of the moon.” like it in the world.” Lovell retains a connection with KSC as Other astronauts who returned to KSC as Astronaut Scholarship Foundation president. contractor managers include Bruce Melnick, Robert Crippen, astronaut on the first Space vice president and senior site executive for Shuttle Launch, STS-1 in April 1981, flew on Boeing Space Coast Operations, and Andy three subsequent missions before returning to Allen, associate program manager for ground John Neilon (left) and Bob Gray, senior managers with Unmanned Launch Operations, explain satellite systems t KSC to serve as center director in 1992. operations for United Space Alliance. the King of Afghanistan, Mohammed Zahir Shah, in 1963. Remembering back to those early Space KSC Director Roy Bridges Jr. flew as pilot on Shuttle launches, Crippen said, “The Kennedy Space Shuttle Challenger mission STS-51 in July Space Center and Cape Canaveral area has held 1985. Of his earlier career he said “Being a a fond place in my heart ever since my first visit NASA astronaut was one of the highlights of here in 1969.” my career, and it was an honor to serve in this Crippen believes the commitment of the way. Space is our future, and we need to inspire people who work at KSC is every bit as strong our next generation to continue the legacy of as during the early years. The growth of space flight and exploration through sharing our technology has continued to demand higher exciting exploration missions.” and higher standards from those who work at Of KSC workers Bridges said, “You should be the Center, he said. proud of the legacy and reputation you have “It was an honor and a pleasure to work at created here at KSC as I am. We are continuing KSC in the roles of support astronaut, flight our reputation of keeping it safe, and making it astronaut, operations management and finally as work in everything we do. the center director,” Crippen said. “We must continue to evolve our relation- Jim Halsell, manager of Shuttle launch ships with the State, other federal agencies, integrations, previously flew on five space academia and industry to fulfill our new NASA Shuttle missions. Vision and Mission and achieve KSC’s vision of Commenting on KSC since his first visit as evolving into NASA’s Spaceport Technology Astronaut Walt Cunningham speaks to Lady Bird Johnson an astronaut, Halsell said, “It hasn’t changed. Center.” She is seated next to JoAnn Morgan, now a KSC director. July 12, 2002 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 9

Actor John Travola is escorted at Kennedy Space Center by Norm Perry, a retired NASA engineer.

y Space Center with Dr. Kurt Debus (right) experiences a proud moment during President John F. Kennedy’s visit to the Launch Operations Security Chief Buckley. Center. Kennedy made two visits before his death and the subsequent renaming of the LOC to Kennedy Space Center. Presidents, kings and celebrities visit By Anita Barrett Fascination with space and the space program Fourth floor guest book signed by VIPs has drawn visitors to Kennedy Space Center from every sphere of the world: from politicians, The Kennedy Space Center guest book, with a nearly 40-year list of visiting VIPs, has musicians, actors, and heads of state to average signatures of representatives from more than 65 countries, from Australia to Zambia. citizens from around the world. The book includes heads of state such as Prince Philip of England, Nehru of India, and Many have been special guests of the Center, King Hussein of Jordan; U.S. Presidents George Bush, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Lyndon afforded private, escorted tours. The first VIP to Johnson; other political VIPS such as Alabama Governor George Wallace, Vice Presidents the area was President John F. Kennedy in 1962. Spiro Agnew, Hubert Humphrey and Dan Quayle; artists Robert S. McCall and Norman In 1963, Zahir Shah, then ruler of Afghanistan, Rockwell; comedians Jack Benny, Henry Morgan and Don Knotts; sports figures such as visited. The Shah met with Kurt Debus and Heavyweight Boxing Champion Larry Holmes; actors such as Ben Affleck, Warren Beatty others involved on the programs. to and Annette Benning, Clint Eastwood, James Garner, Tom Hanks, Tommy Lee Jones, Roy John Neilon, Goddard Space Center deputy . Rogers and Dale Evans, Bruce Willis, and hundreds of others. director at the time, recalls that state visits by foreign dignitaries “seemed to always include a stop at the Cape. I don’t know how much he understood but the king listened attentively to a phone call from Borman, with a request: “He “On the day before the launch, a call came in what we were describing.” asked me to take care of a dignitary who was from a filmmaker and his friend. It was Steven Neilon also remembers talking to the vice coming to KSC and give him a low-key visit.” Spielberg and George Lucas. After much president of Kenya in the 60s, the vice president Then Buckley learned who the dignitary was searching I was able to find them two rooms at a of China (now Taiwan), the president of Turkey – Charles Lindbergh. “He talked a lot about his local motel and I escorted them for the launch. I and the prime minister of Israel. own historic flight,” said Buckley. ended up as a technical consultant on E.T.” “They all were probably overwhelmed by Only 41 years had passed since Lindbergh’s KSC continues to lure celebrities, said Debbie what was happening here,” added Neilon. solo airplane crossing of the Atlantic, and now Frostrom, chief of guest services and special One visitor in December 1968 had special three men were poised to cross the sky and events. significance historically, and retiree Charles circle the moon. Lindbergh and Buckley later “KSC has always had an open policy regard- Buckley was there. As chief of Security at KSC joined the Apollo 8 crew at their traditional pre- ing VIP visits and tours,” Frostrom said. “While for 21 years, Buckley escorted astronauts to the launch meal Dec. 21, 1968. we temporarily were forced to curtail these tours pad between January 1960 and July 1981. Another NASA retiree, Norm Perry, was an after September 11, we are definitely back in In December 1968, just days before the launch engineer who often was called to escort VIPs. business to educate, inspire and influence high of Apollo 8 – the first lunar orbital flight with the He recalls the frenzy surrounding the first profile people. There is nothing like an up close n. three-man crew of Frank Borman, James Lovell Shuttle launch, and how the crowds who were and personal experience to make even skeptics . Jr. and William Anders – Buckley recalls getting planning to attend filled all the nearby hotels. into strong space program supporters!” Page 10 SPACEPORT NEWS July 12, 2002 Public affairs assists media in sharing story By Anna Heiney

In the late 1950s, the first “press site” at Cape Canaveral was Birdwatch Hill, a sand mound about a mile south of the Jetty. There, 10 to 12 full-time journal- ists, tasked with reporting the happenings of America’s fledgling space program, gathered to watch early launches. When the space program was in its infancy, the Air Force controlled the flow of information to the public, ruling with what the press often felt was an iron fist. At the time, America was trailing An early space program press conference featured astronaut (at left). Russia in the space race. A series of Russian successes, including the the Mercury-Atlas and Gemini launch of Sputnik in 1957, led the missions. The first manned Gemini U.S. military to keep its space launch attracted 780 journalists. By operations a secret. the end of the program, public “The media wasn’t supposed to information flowed freely, with know when a launch was planned,” journalists allowed to hear air-to- recalls Howard Benedict, who came ground transmissions. The Public Affairs office changed to Cape Canaveral as an Associ- Retired AP reporter Howard Benedict (left) listens to KSC’s JoAnn ated Press space writer after the Morgan. KSC director Roy Bridges poses with NBC’s Jay Barbree. locations several times, even media began to receive more occupying the top floor of Cocoa cooperation. “But they’d hear Beach’s Cape Royal Building, about it from bartenders who “One of the biggest challenges I encoun- before finally moving onto overheard it from workers. There Kennedy Space Center. were other telltale signs, like the tered was tight security. The biggest PR During the first test launch of an string of beachside tracking job I had was to sell our own people on unmanned Saturn V, the KSC Press cameras that would open up just the idea of being open with the media. It Site debuted in its current location before a launch.” was difficult, but they came around.” on the mound across from the VAB On several occasions, the Air and LCC. More than 500 news Force sent a helicopter out to the JACK KING representatives watched as the beach to hover over the journalists. FORMER NASA PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR power of the Saturn V shook their They told me “the sand would buildings and cars. fly, and by the time the photogra- Only the launch of STS-95 in phers had gotten themselves ready “My job was to let them know we Program Manager William 1998, John Glenn’s return to flight, again, the missile would be long were trying to help. At the time, this Pickavance. “The biggest PR job I brought more news representatives gone!” Benedict said. was a really big change, from had was to sell our own people on to KSC than the launch of Apollo When it became evident that giving away no information to the idea of being open with the 11 in July 1969 – nearly 3,000. news representatives were getting being more cooperative.” media. It was difficult, but they Today, many media representa- creative in order to report the news, In 1960, NASA opened a Public came around.” tives have work trailers adjacent to the base commander, Maj. Gen. Affairs office under the direction of Another challenge was handling the Press Site – a far cry from the Donald Yates, agreed to brief them Jack King. As a civilian organiza- the needs of television reporters. sandy perch of Birdwatch Hill. With once a week. tion engaged in a scientific Coming from a writing background, few exceptions, information has Near the mission control center, endeavor, NASA had the freedom King had limited knowledge of TV’s been readily available to the media the Air Force built the first official to open up to the media. technical issues. throughout the Space Shuttle press site, a primitive open-air Because the media was not Grine and his team were instru- program. platform. Journalists were provided granted regular access to Cape mental in helping NASA develop “Our relationship with the media phones for filing stories, but for Canaveral, the office was located in TV operations for coverage of the has been good,” recalled Klaus military launches, the phones were the Holiday Office Center adjacent Mercury missions. Wilckens, a NASA photographer turned off until after ignition so the to the Cape Colony Inn on Cocoa “He was a role model for dealing who frequently worked with news news couldn’t be reported until Beach. with the press,” said Jay Barbree, photographers during the Apollo after the fact. “One of the biggest challenges I who has covered every manned and Shuttle programs. Lt. Col. Ken Grine ran the Air encountered was tight security,” U.S. launch in more than 40 years Barbree agrees. “The KSC news Force public affairs office and said King, who now works for as an NBC News space correspon- office gives journalists a place to remembers it as a busy but United Space Alliance in the office dent. go and makes our job so much enjoyable job. of Vice President and Deputy A second press site was built for easier.” July 12, 2002 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 11 History of KSC continues to be recorded By Kathy Hagood media so that the media can better help educate the public.” The history of Kennedy Space Dennis Armstrong, who is the Center is a mother lode that has NASA contract manager for the only begun to be mined. historians’ work, is also leading an While formal histories such as effort to create a KSC Honor Roll Moonport and more personal ones on KSC’s history Web pages and a such as Gunter Wendt’s The portal for employees to send in Unbroken Chain offer nuggets of information. Watch for the project knowledge and inspiration to on KSC’s history Web pages at students of history, much of the http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/ KSC story has not yet been history/index.htm. captured. KSC’s history can also be Fortunately for those who value experienced through numerous the lessons of history, NASA and exhibits at the KSC Visitor Complex others are now stepping up their and the Astronaut Hall of Fame. history-gathering efforts. In addition to those sources the KSC has developed a History Center’s history are the efforts of Program with strategies including private individuals and groups. collecting written and oral histories, Historians (from left) Dr. Patrick Moore, Dr. Orville Butler and Dr. Kenneth For example, the U.S. Spacewalk as well as expanded physical and Lipartito visit the Apollo Saturn V Center for inspiration. Walk of Fame, a group of about 50 Web-based archiving of audio, retired space workers, has worked video, photo and written history. A to commemorate KSC’s history with history lecture series is planned. a museum, monuments and “It’s vital that we record our programs. The group recently history while space program doubled the space at its museum at pioneers are able to share their the Miracle City Mall in Titusville. memories and insights,” said “There is so much to exhibit and JoAnn Morgan, director of External our collection is growing all the Relations and Business Develop- time,” said Sam Beddingfield, one Author and former KSC Pad ment. “KSC has played a unique of the founders of the group. Leader Gunter Wendt consults with role in the history of the space Tom Hanks during filming of “From On an individual basis, KSC exploration and in the development the Earth to the Moon.” engineer Carey McCleskey of the technologies and processes researched and co-wrote an essential for success. We need to internationally recognized paper on preserve that knowledge. KSC’s first director. To read “In addition, remembering our McCleskey’s paper, “Dr. Kurt H. heritage can offer inspiration to Debus: Launching a Vision,” visit workers at KSC and to the students http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/ who will be the workforce of the history/documents.htm. future.” Retired NASA manager Sam “We have so much to learn today The Center recently awarded a Beddingfield takes a look at his NASA engineer Carey McCleskey from the pioneering efforts of Dr. two-year contract to two prominent U.S. Spacewalk Hall of Fame’s authored an internationally Debus,” McCleskey said. “He was historians and authors, Dr. Kenneth Gemini monument. recognized paper on Kurt Debus. an amazing man and I wanted to Lipartito and Dr. Orville Butler, to share his inspiration with others. realize how unique this environ- write the history of KSC. The new contact the NASA Archives, where There are many other space pro- ment is and how it is a model for text will be the first major work to they are working, at 867-2407. gram pioneers whom we can learn other work places,” Lipartito said. document the Center’s history “We have only just begun our from as well if we will take time.” Dr. Patrick Moore is also working since 1976, when Moonport: A work but one thing we have Guenter Wendt, author of the at KSC this summer to record oral History of Apollo Launch Facili- observed so far is that the manage- recently published The Unbroken histories and produce a monograph ties and Operations was published. ment structure here has always Chain, is a retired contractor who on the relationship between NASA Lipartito and Butler will gather been much flatter that your average served as pad leader during public affairs and the media over information from a variety of organization,” Dr. Butler said. Mercury, Gemini and Apollo. the years. Monographs on other sources, including the KSC “What that means is that there are “I wrote the book because I subjects are planned. archives, other NASA Centers, the closer ties between upper level wanted to tell the story from the “The media’s role in educating National Archives, event and site manager and front line workers.” perspective of a worker at Kennedy the public is vital to the sucess of visits, and individual and group He and Dr. Lipartito have been Space Center,” Wendt said. “Not the space program,” Dr. Moore interviews and collections. impressed by the cordial, down-to- everyone is an astronaut, but said. “As well as investigating Those who have remembrances, Earth work environment at KSC and everyone who works in the space what has happened in the past, we photographs, documents and the average employee’s passionate program plays an important role. also want to determine strategies to memorabilia that could assist in dedication to the space program. Each person is a vital link in what I help NASA better educate the their research are encouraged to “I don’t think the people here call ‘the unbroken chain.’ ” Page 12 SPACEPORT NEWS July 12, 2002 Cape Canaveral named and renamed

An aerial photograph taken during the early 1960s shows multiple NASA and Air Force launch pads on “missile row” at Cape Canaveral.

By Anita Barrett of Merritt Island. occupied portion of the Cape was Kennedy that we were here It wasn’t until the mid-twentieth designated the Cape Canaveral working to put a man on the Place names vary from descrip- century that the land of the cane Auxiliary Air Force Base. Moon,” Buckley said. tive to commemorative to geo- began a population explosion, • December 1955 – Cape Canaveral The Air Force subsequently graphic. Cape Canaveral can claim thanks largely to the military, and Auxiliary Air Force Base was changed the name of the Cape all three. various names became synony- redesignated the Cape Canaveral Canaveral Missile Test Annex to Maps of five or six centuries ago mous with Cape Canaveral: Missile Test Annex. Cape Kennedy Air Force Station. describe this jutting point of land • May 11, 1949 – the Joint Long • May 1958 – the Florida Missile Florida residents campaigned for “Cape of Currents” because of the Range Proving Ground at Cape Test Range was renamed the 10 years to change the name of the dangerous coastline. Canaveral was established. Atlantic Missile Range. Cape back to Cape Canaveral. The name Cape Canaveral is • Oct. 1, 1949 – the Joint Long On Sept. 1, 1961, NASA re- Finally May 18, 1973, Florida credited to Spanish explorer Ponce Range Proving Ground Base was quested appropriation for initial Governor Reuben Askew signed a de Leon. The name has several activated. land purchases on Merritt Island. Florida Statute requiring that Cape translations describing the Cape as Kennedy be renamed on all State of • May 1950 – the names were The first request was for a 200- a place of canes. square-mile area immediately north Florida documents and maps. For a while, the area was also changed to the Long Range The same year U.S. Board of Proving Ground and the Long and west of existing launch sites. known as the French Cape. In the On Nov. 28, 1963, President Geographic Names responded by early 1560’s, a shipwrecked party of Range Proving Ground Base. agreeing to officially recognize the • June 1951 – names changed to Lyndon Johnson announced that French established a settlement in Cape Canaveral would be renamed name change to Cape Canaveral. the Air Force Missile Test Center the area. After they were routed by Cape Kennedy in memory of Cape Kennedy Air Force Station and the Florida Missile Test Range. the Spanish, the name reverted to President John F. Kennedy. was subsequently renamed Cape The Cape itself did not receive a Cape Canaveral. The following day he decreed Canaveral Air Force Station special military name at the Other names for the area arose that the NASA Launch Operations (CCAFS), the name it carries today introduction of launch activity. from various small settlements. Center would be renamed the John after a brief stint with the name It was referred to as “Cape Although isolated and only F. Kennedy Space Center, NASA. Cape Canaveral Air Station. Canaveral launch area” or “Cape accessible by boat, families and That name change officially took In recent years CCAFS and KSC Canaveral launching area,” or small businesses trickled onto Cape effect on Dec. 20, 1963. have been jointly referred to as the simply as an extension of the Long Canaveral in the 1920’s. Charles Buckley, Security chief at Cape Canaveral Spaceport. The Range Proving Ground. Then: Nathan and Titusville Beach, for the time, remembers being “very name reflects a growing partnership August 1950 – Patrick Air Force example, were north of Cape • happy” about the new name for the between KSC and the 45th Space Canaveral on what is called False Base was created. space center. Wing and a vision for the future of Cape, technically the eastern edge • October 1951 – the military- “It was because of President Florida’s Space Coast. July 12, 2002 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 13 Cape Canaveral inhabited by various groups

By Linda Herridge the booklet History of Cape Canaveral and The Early Settlers. Long before man was collecting During the Civil War the lighthouse rock samples from the moon, the mechanism and reflectors were earliest inhabitants of the Space dismantled, place in crates and Coast spent their days hunting and buried in an orange grove. fishing to survive. After the war a larger and taller These early inhabitants were an lighthouse was constructed. In ancient Indian tribe called the Ais 1892 it was moved inland one mile (pronounced Ay-ess). to save it from storm erosion. Archaeological surveys, Merritt Island was originally conducted during the early 1960s in settled by Douglas Dummett, who the Cape Canaveral Spaceport area, used orange trees left by the revealed remnants of Indian fishing Spanish to start the first grove in sites, burial ground, and mounds Brevard County. He started the first up to thousands of years old. recorded commercial citrus packing According to Mario Busacca, and shipping business in Florida. NASA lead, Planning and Special Above, an early settler on Cape Canaveral poses with an alligator. Below In 1868, the island saw an influx Projects with the Environmental left, a lighthouse keeper adjusts the lamp for the Cape Canaveral of settlers. The primary way of life Program Branch, there is evidence Lighthouse. At right, a Cape hunter poses outside his hunting shack. was agriculture, including citrus, that the Ais Indians used an area pineapple and avocado groves, called Futch Cove near the VIP sugar cane plantations and cattle. Launch Viewing Site along the In 1885, the U.S. Census listed Banana River for a fishing camp. seven families living on Cape “Surveys revealed evidence of Canaveral. The next year, the ancient hearths or fireplaces for Jacksonville, Tampa, Key West cooking,” said Busacca. railway was extended to reach the In 1973, an environmental city of Titusville, then Sand Point, assessment and archaeological at the northern end of Brevard. survey was done in the area of the In the 1920s a few more families Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) prior arrived at the Cape. The area still to construction. Cape area. During a tropical storm was a three-sided stockade that remained accessible only by boat. According to Steve Harris, the ships were destroyed. backed up to the Indian River. By 1939 there were about 120 retired NASA chief of the Field Using what was left of the ships, “It was a unique fort because people living on Cape Canaveral Engineering Office and project Ribault and his men built and troops could arrive by land or and Merritt Island. Of the settle- manager for the SLF, “Three established Fort Caroline near the water, it served as a main supply ments formed, Artesia was located significant prehistoric Indian area of the Shuttle launch pads. fort for food and forage to U.S. at the south end of the Cape. The mounds were discovered close to Their occupancy was short lived as troops at Ft. Pierce and Ft. Jupiter Stinkmore Settlement was located the area. One on the far west side the Spanish drove them out. and troops were actually garri- near Launch Complex 17 and of the Banana Creek where it In 1565 Spanish forces built a soned there,” said David Paterno, a Launch Pad 5 where America’s first empties into the Indian River, one blockhouse at the northern tip of retired dean at Keiser College who astronaut was launched. south of the Saturn V Exhibit the Indian River. They also erected is researching and compiling DeSoto Beach was located near Center, and one near the road that several fortifications on Cape information on Florida forts. Launch Complex 36. It featured 15 leads to the Mate/Demate device.” Canaveral in hopes of protecting In the 1840s, the first group of permanent homes, a small hotel, The survey also revealed their trade routes. The buildings American settlers to establish a and even a brothel. Other settle- remnants of building structures and were abandoned a few months later permanent residence on Cape ments included Orsino, located in orange groves from inhabitants in after several attacks by the Ais. Canaveral came from Georgia and the present day KSC Industrial the early 1900s. The Spanish are credited with the Carolinas. They were primarily area, Wilson’s Corners and Sunrise The first record of European bringing citrus trees and pigs to the of English and Scottish-Irish Beach, a community that included landfall came in 1513 when Ponce area. Feral pigs still roam the woods heritage. These tough settlers the present astronaut beach house. de Leon arrived with three ships, in of the spaceport. survived the scorching heat, and In the late 1940s, after Cape search of gold and glory. He landed In 1763 the Treaty of Paris was hordes of mosquitos. Canaveral was selected as the first along the coast and went ashore signed and Florida became a British The first Cape Canaveral long-range missile proving ground, just south of the Cape to replenish possession. After the Revolution- Lighthouse was constructed the government began condemning water and wood supplies. Not ary War, Florida became a posses- between 1843 and 1847 to help and purchasing private property. finding treasure, he sailed down the sion of the United States. guide ships away from the shoals The existing homes and build- coast to the Florida Keys. He is Fort Ann was built in December and rocks along the coastline. ings were converted into storage credited with discovering Florida. 1837 and used through April 1938. “Many of the early settlers and areas and offices. Today, all the The first record of Europeans The fort was one of 200 forts their descendants served as buildings are gone. Only remnants inhabiting the Cape came in 1562. constructed in Florida during the lighthouse keepers through the remain including numerous grave That year a Frenchman named Jean second Seminole War. Located near years,” said Rose Wooley, local sites, scattered orange groves and Ribault sailed a fleet of ships to the the old Haulover Canal, the fort researcher, historian and author of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse. Page 14 SPACEPORT NEWS July 12, 2002 Wild landscape becomes space center By Anita Barrett

Before human occupation, Central Florida – including Cape Canaveral – was filled with marshes, mangroves and cypress swamps; palmetto and palm trees; scrub and pine flatwoods, hollies, hickories and oaks. Native wildlife included deer, alligators, rattlesnakes, fox, otter, raccoons, bobcats; panthers; water and woodland birds like pelicans, wood storks, egrets, herons and ospreys; reptiles and amphibians. Many of these species still live in relative abundance at Kennedy Space Center because of the establishment of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and other A sand pyramid, at top, was formed for the creation of a launch pad at KSC’s Complex 39 on Merritt Island. protective measures instituted by KSC beginning in the early 1970s. “They put out a notice offering transferred to the manned space Test Center, and the State of Florida The first human occupation in free citrus trees and many of us program in 1963, worked as project accomplished reasonable mosquito this area of Florida (estimated took advantage of the offer. I still engineer for the VAB. control in the MILA. between 8000 BC and 1705 AD) have the grapefruit tree in my back “It was rather pristine country,” Merritt Island National Wildlife began a long, steady, slow impact yard,” said George Jenkins, who he said. “They had excavated the Refuge, managed by the U.S. Fish on the environment by clearing headed the MILA Spaceflight land from the VAB to the pad to and Wildlife Service, was estab- trees and burning wildlands. Tracking and Data Network Station build the crawlerway . . . and were lished in 1963 to manage lands and Early Florida statehood brought before retiring from NASA in 1992. driving piles for the (VAB) founda- waters not being used directly by extensive live oak logging and Bulldozers cleared about 1.5 tion. In that process they discov- the space program. KSC Director some town establishment around square miles of land, while other ered a free-flowing artesian well on Kurt Debus arranged with the citrus groves, although later earth-moving equipment removed the north end, where now the Department of Interior’s Bureau of abandoned. Logging of virgin pine almost 1 million cubic yards of soft transporter brings in the orbiter. Sport Fisheries and Wildlife to became prevalent. From 1900-1962 sand and muck. Sand that was They had to have the well capped, establish and manage a wildlife there was repeated logging of pine, dredged for the access channel to and they put a marker there.” refuge on the Center. The original burning for free-ranging cattle, and the site of the Vehicle Assembly Out at the pad site, the pumps area encompassed 25,300 acres but the draining and diking of wetlands Building was deposited on the site, piled a step-pyramid of sand (note NASA kept adding to it, resulting for mosquito control. the crawlerway, Launch Pad 39-A photograph) and shell 80 feet high, in a 220-square-mile reserve. Still, Brevard County was and the Banana River causeway. one of the highest recorded Canaveral National Seashore predominantly rural prior to 1950 The second, and perhaps larger, pumping operations. All the while, (CNS), managed by the National and Cape Canaveral was a scenic part of construction was dredging a draglines, bulldozers and other Park Service (NPS), was established but comparatively unsettled place. barge canal 125 feet wide, nearly 10 earth-moving equipment molded in 1975. NASA remains the land- Then in 1950 began the develop- feet deep, and 12.4 miles long from the mound into the approximate owner and lands are occasionally ment on Cape Canaveral that would the original Saturn barge channel in shape of the launch pad. removed as needed by the program. have the greatest impact – con- the Banana River to a turning basin For reasons of health and The NASA Biomedical Opera- structing a concrete launch pad for near the VAB. The canal would comfort, the mosquito population tions and Research Office at KSC rocket launches – and jumping serve barges bringing in the first had to be reduced before workers has been supporting environmental across the river for the manned and second stages of the Saturn V. could begin any sustained outdoor monitoring and research since the space program. A channel to pad A allowed barges work during the prime mosquito early 1970s. In 1962, NASA began acquiring to deliver material directly to the season from April to late October. Initiatives related to wildlife what is now KSC property. LC-39 construction site. The most effective permanent include minimizing effects of new Before thousands of skilled During the dredging operations, control on the Merritt Island facilities, enhancing workforce craftsmen could begin building powerful hydraulic pumps sucked Launch Area (MILA) consisted of awareness, minimizing environmen- KSC’s unique structures, sites had up 7.5 million cubic yards of sand the construction of dikes to flood tal risks, and enhancing environ- to be prepared, access channels and shell for fill. A major portion of breeding areas. With the flooding mental management. dredged, and mosquitoes dealt it went into the 187-foot wide, 6.6- of marshes, the minnow population Areas of the office’s activity with. foot high crawlerway, which would increased and mosquito eggs and have included estuarine ecology, Part of the work involved the stretch more than 3 miles from the larvae declined. sea turtle and manatee biology, clearing of surface growth, ranging VAB to pad A. In addition, combined efforts of fisheries, water resource utilization, from palmetto scrub to citrus trees, Steve Harris, who came to work the Brevard County Mosquito fire ecology, small mammals, habitat and the stripping away of undesir- on Complex 36, launching Surveyor Control District, Launch Operations management, and Space Shuttle able surface material. spacecraft, in August 1962 and Center and the Air Force Missile launch effects. July 12, 2002 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 15 Families boast 3 generations of workers By Isabel Rougeau

Norman Perry retired from NASA in May 1989. But he refuses be referred to as an ex-NASA employee. “There is no ex-NASA … it’s something that stays with you forever,” said Norman Perry. “If you cut me, RP1 Rocket Fuel would bleed out.” But Perry’s dedication to the Space Center extends beyond his own 46 years of service as an employee and volunteer. His enthusiasm inspired his daughter, Sheila Perry, and grand- son, Will Perry, to work at KSC. The three generations working toward the same goal: To safely lead the world in preparing and launching missions around the Earth and beyond. Sheila Perry is one of the few female Special Agents for NASA and is proud to share the special bond of working at KSC with both her father and son. “My dad had a big influence on me. I grew up loving the space program,” said Sheila. She extended her passion for space to her son Will, whom Sheila brought to numerous launches throughout his youth. Will, Sheila and Norm Perry have made working at KSC a three-generation tradition. “She’d give me a walkie-talkie and say ‘alright they’re going to count down and when they say one, hit that button and the Shuttle will go up,’ ” recalled Will Perry, an access administrator for Boeing. “And until I was about 13 I used to believe that I was shooting the rockets up.” Another legendary three-generation KSC family is that of former deputy director, George Page. His son, Steve Page, worked at Kennedy for 17 years before moving to California to work on the X-33 project and on Shuttle refurbish- ment. George Page’s grandson, Matt Page, currently works at KSC as a computer scientist for United Space Alliance. All three generations of Pages worked in the KSC engineer Matt Page shows a photo of his LCC firing room during launch. father and his deceased grandfather, George Matt Page said, “It’s a source of pride Page, who served as KSC deputy director. knowing that I’m carrying on the family tradi- tion.” “He just told me that this is the best place to KSC retiree Ray Dougherty (center) is proud his He admits that, as a child, he didn’t realize the work,” said Cecil Boggs, the supervisor of son-in-law Cecil Boggs (left) and grandson launch and landing security and special projects significant contributions that his grandfather Andy Boggs work at KSC. and father made at KSC. Now, he looks to their at KSC. “And it was, without a doubt, the best examples as his inspiration. understood what was going on during all of the choice of all.” “I haven’t been here long but I’m hoping to excitement,” he said, “and now we were watch- Cecil is proud that his son Andy, who add as much as they did to the Space Program,” ing as Matt took part.” Steve also added “There currently supervises uniformed officers in the he said. was never any pressure to stay in the space field, aspires to follow in his footsteps. Matt’s most memorable experience at KSC business, but we all just tended to gravitate “The best part of working for KSC Security is was his first time working as a primary operator towards it.” protecting all of the people that work out here,” in the firing room during the STS-105 launch. The same is true about another three-genera- said Cecil. “I’m proud that my family is a part of This is a room where, at one time, George and tion KSC family. that.” Steve worked together. Now they were both Ray Dougherty was a logistics specialist at Many precedents have been set during invited to watch a third generation Page take on KSC for 13 years. Kennedy Space Center’s first 40 years. a key position during launch. He’s happy that he shares such an amazing Employees have impacted KSC at work and in Steve Page remembers watching Matt at work bond with his son-in-law, Cecil Boggs, and his their homes, beginning a family tradition that on that proud day. grandson, Andy Boggs, but Ray never intended continues to influence the future generations of “It was special because both my dad and I to begin a family tradition. our Space Program. Page 16 SPACEPORT NEWS July 12, 2002 KSC major events highlighted in timeline

October 1957 – Project Mercury January 1995 – Jay Honeycutt was initiated just six days after named the sixth KSC director. NASA was formally organized from March 1997 – Roy Bridges Jr. the National Advisory Committee named the seventh KSC director. for Aeronautics. July 1997 – The KSC Implementa- May 1961 – Alan Shepard Jr. tion Plan and Road Map, a bold became the first American to fly plan for KSC’s future through the into space during a 15-minute year 2025, was unveiled. suborbital Mercury mission. October 1997 – KSC assigned August 1961 – NASA announced responsibility as lead center for the that it intended to expand the Cape acquisition and management of Canaveral facilities to launch Expendable Launch Vehicle Launch humans to the Moon by acquiring President Kennedy visits NASA’s Launch Operations Center, which was Services for the agency. 80,000 acres of land north and west to be renamed John F. Kennedy Space Center, NASA, after his death. December 1998 – The first Space of the Air Force Missile test center. Shuttle mission dedicated to the February 1962 – John Glenn Jr. assembly of the ISS was launched became the first American to orbit carrying the Unity node. the Earth. May 1999 – Shuttle Discovery was July 1962 – The Launch Opera- launched on the first mission for a tions Center (LOC), which later Shuttle to dock with the ISS. became the John F. Kennedy Space July 1999 – The first Shuttle Center, was formed and Kurt Debus mission commanded by a female, named its first director. astronaut Eileen Collins, was July 1963 – Construction of the launched. Vehicle Assembly Building began. May 2000 – KSC 2000 reorganiza- November 1963 – The LOC was tion effort begins, streamlining the renamed the John F. Kennedy Center and adapting it to modern Space Center seven days after the technology and customer needs. president was assassinated. February 2001 – Groundbreaking January 1967 – The three-man for Space Experiment Research and crew for the first manned Apollo Processing Laboratory and spaceflight died in an accidental connecting roadway. flash fire at Launch Complex 34 November 2001 – NASA amends during dress rehearsal. KSC’s Mission Area to be Space November 1967 – One of KSC’s Telstar 1, the first privately financed A Gemini capsule becomes the first Launch Operations and Spaceport two new pads at Launch Complex satellite, launched July 10, 1962. orbiting spacecraft photographed. and Range Technologies. 39, Pad A, was used for the first January 2002 – KSC hosts time to launch the Saturn V April 1981 – The newly refur- June 1994 – The Space Station national working groups of spacecraft development flight. This bished and modified Pad 39-A was Processing Facility (SSPF), the government and industry leaders was also the first time that one of used for the first Shuttle launch. central preflight checkout and tasked to develop organized the firing rooms in KSC’s Launch February 1984 – For the first time, processing point for International strategies for future spaceport and Control Center was used. following the completion of STS 41- Space Station, was dedicated. range technology development. July 1969 – A Saturn V safely B, the Space Shuttle landed at the boosted Neil Armstrong, Buzz Shuttle Landing Facility. Aldrin and Michael Collins into January 1986 – Pad B at Launch John F. Kennedy Space Center space on July 16, culminating in the Complex 39 was used for the first first lunar landing on the Moon. time to launch Space Shuttle Spaceport News May 1973 – Saturn V rocket launch Challenger on mission STS 51-L, completes first Skylab mission. which ended tragically during an January 1975 – Lee Scherer explosion approximately 73 assumes duties as second KSC seconds after launch. Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center and is published on alternate Fridays by External Relations and Business director. September 1986 – Lt. Gen. Forrest Development in the interest of KSC civil service and contractor employees. July 1975 – Launch of Apollo- S. McCartney named the fourth Contributions are welcome and should be submitted two weeks before Soyuz Test Project designed to test KSC director. publication to the Media Services Branch, XAE-1. E-mail submissions can be rendezvous and docking system September 1988 – Space Shuttle sent to [email protected] compatibility for American and flights resumed after an extensive Managing editor...... Bruce Buckingham Soviet spacecraft. investigation into the STS 51-L Editor...... Kathy Hagood September 1979 – Richard Smith accident and an assessment of the Editorial support provided by InDyne Inc. Writers Group. named the third KSC director. Space Shuttle program. NASA at KSC is located on the Internet at http://www.ksc.nasa.gov March 1979 – The first Space January 1992 – Robert Crippen Shuttle orbiter, Columbia, arrived. named the fifth KSC director. USGPO: 733-133/600012