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Home , Fuk Li, Mars flyby, Mars Polar Lander, Mars Science Laboratory, Moon Mineralogy Mapper

Jet JANUARY 2009 Laboratory volume 39

number 1

Mars Science Lab marches on By Mark Whalen Rover mission now targets October 2011

Due to critical testing and hardware challenges that must be addressed to ensure success, the launch of JPL’s Science Laboratory has been postponed to fall 2011. Lab Director praised the achievements of the mission team in coming very close to making the 2009 launch and said he expects eventual success. “It’s amazing what the MSL team has done,” Elachi said. “But I promised them that we would not launch in 2009 unless the meets our standards for testing and risk mitigation, and I give them a lot of credit for letting me know that their progress didn’t come fast enough on solving technical challenges and pulling hardware together.” The project is currently working on a plan of imple- mentation for an October 2011 launch. The rover is now undergoing testing in JPL’s space simulator. Planned testing and development activities will con- tinue, but at a more measured pace. As for personnel, Elachi

said a roll-off of employees in the winter would proceed JPL Photolab as planned. He is also confident that other positions Mars Science Laboratory team members pause for a portrait during assembly, test and launch operations in the can be found in the near term for the “vast majority” of Spacecraft Assembly Facility. Mars Science Laboratory staff. Bearing in mind the launch delay and uncertainties the kinds of projects we’re expected to do. We have Chris Scolese (NASA associate administrator) all agreed about NASA’s still-pending FY ’09 budget—as well as the best team in the world, if not the only one, that that mission success is the most critical thing,” Elachi consideration of the FY ’10 budget a few months can do it. added. later—JPL in general will be working to cut costs “When we went to NASA Headquarters with the “Costs and schedules are taken very seriously on any where possible. issues we are facing, to their credit, Mike Griffin science mission,” Weiler said. “However, when it’s all “We are looking at things we can defer in the near (NASA administrator), Ed Weiler (associate admin- said and done, the passing grade is mission success.” term, and will encourage steps such as reduced travel,” istrator for the Science Mission Directorate) and Elachi said. “We are considering numerous options ex- Continued on page 2 cept where personnel safety and flight hardware would be compromised.” As always, JPL has learned some lessons from the

Mars Science Laboratory experience that will help How did Mars Science Laboratory future missions. The originate? The ever-challenging task of cost estimation was In the summer of 2000, a core group of us made much tougher due to the fact that Mars Science Mars picked by Ed Weiler [then associate adminis- Laboratory was a first-of-its-kind mission with amaz- trator of NASA’s Office of Space Science] were ing new capabilities, Elachi said. Successful techniques Program tasked to re-architect the for the used to extrapolate expected costs based on previous I recall next decade. With input from hundreds of folks missions didn’t work well this time, he noted. from the science, aerospace and international “MSL is such a huge jump in what we need to learn,” space communities, we put together a program Elachi said. “This time was an extrapolation to a factor that contained a chain of scientifically, techno- of five or more in capability compared to ever before.” logically and operationally coupled missions. Indeed, Elachi called Mars Science Laboratory, in Mars Science Laboratory’s origins and budget have been the topic The program was specific on the 2001 opportu- every respect, the most difficult and most challenging of recent news coverage. Here they are discussed by Firouz Naderi, nity (Mars Odyssey) and 2003 (Mars Explora- JPL’s associate director for project formulation and strategy and mission JPL has ever undertaken. tion Rovers), but beyond that the missions were former manager of the . Named to the notional. One of the future missions, planned for “It’s like three spacecraft in one—the cruise stage, Mars position in April 2000 following the twin losses of Mars Cli- 2007, was called Mars Smart . I coined descent stage and rover. It’s an amazing machine, one mate Orbiter and , he was part of a group that that must survive many years,” he said. “But these are re-architected the Mars Program, which he then managed for the Continued on page 2 first half of this decade. 2 Naderi build future missions based on the Mars Program and the direction from when we as the implementing organiza- Continued from page 1 findings of prior missions. The projects Weiler had been that, as additional tion make a commitment to NASA, and the name because we wanted to intro- later in the decade were penciled in funds were needed to implement or NASA in turn makes a commitment to duce sophisticated technologies for a as general concepts with the intent complete any of its elements, we had Congress. However, MSL has proved n i v e r s e that they would be further defined in to secure those funds from within the even more challenging than what its

U future class of advanced landers. Initial- ly this mission’s focus was definitely on response to discoveries made on Mars. Mars Program. For example, preliminary design review had exposed. technology. It later evolved to become As we got closer to the MSL timeframe, and Opportunity eventually required 18 By this fall, the cost of MSL for a 2009 the current Mars Science Laboratory NASA decided to make the mission percent additional funds to complete launch had grown by about 25 percent (MSL), with extensive science and engi- much more scientifically capable and their missions within an impossibly to $2 billion. neering capabilities. nuclear-powered. This transformation tight schedule. Moving MSL from 2007 So where does the 300 percent come did not happen, as some have sug- to 2009 helped with that. from? A former NASA official insists on In some quarters it is being argued gested, behind closed doors. Instead, Later, as the medium-class MSL comparing the current mission with the that the start of MSL, and there- NASA vested a science definition team evolved to a flagship mission, once earlier notional moderate-class mission fore its initial cost, should be tied to spell out the objectives for an MSL again the Mars Program solved the in the National Research Council report. down to a Decadal Report issued that would build on the discoveries of need for additional resources from But in terms of requirements and objec- by the National Academy of Sci- missions already flown, including the within. A planned dedicated communi- tives, that early notional mission and ences in 2003. Had the definition of Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and cation spacecraft called Mars Telecom the current, vastly more capable flag- MSL gelled by then? Opportunity. NASA’s Mars Advisory Orbiter was eliminated, in part because ship mission are apples and oranges. In 2000–2003 MSL definition was Group adopted these new objectives. the existing science orbiters had proved NASA consciously decided to fly the still maturing. This can best be seen in MSL’s engineering capabilities were to function so well as relay satellites; more capable mission. records of the Committee on Planetary also increased in response to a National the funds were transferred to MSL. and Lunar Exploration and the National Research Council recommendation that Additionally, the French space agency Why can’t the additional funds Research Council, both of which pub- it test and validate technology required decided that they did not have the funds needed for MSL come from the lished discussions about NASA’s Mars for sample return. For example, the to continue with a mission called Mars Mars Program itself? Didn’t you Program. In documents from that time current MSL can land a metric ton of Netlanders that had been intended as say that that is the program’s period it’s obvious that there were still hardware on Mars, which is expected to a partnership with NASA. Our program policy? open questions about issues such as be a requirement for the sample return used the funds it had set aside for this In the 2009 budget process, the previ- whether MSL would be technology- or mission. mission to complete the funding needs ous associate administrator for NASA’s science-driven, and whether it would be for MSL. So the Mars Program has lived Science Mission Directorate diverted There has been recent discussion nuclear-powered. within its means. $640 million of Mars Program funds in in the news media about the cost Now as to your second question, the years 2009–2011 to other programs of growth of MSL and the Mars Pro- The National Research Council’s cost of MSL at its confirmation review his choice. This left the Mars Program gram as a whole. Some say the MSL report listed MSL as a moderate in August 2006—shortly after comple- with no flexibility to adjust its budget budget has grown by 300 percent. mission, but we know that the MSL tion of its preliminary design review— as it had done successfully earlier Can you comment on this? of today is a flagship mission. was $1.63 billion. Confirmation review in the decade. My successor, , Why was the scope of the mission Well, you asked two questions—cost is a juncture in the program where we would have been able to solve Mars expanded? growth of the program, and cost growth and NASA feel we have reasonable in- Science Lab’s cost growth within the A principal tenet of the Mars Program of MSL. Let me take them in order. formation to bound the cost of the mis- program resources had he been left we defined in 2000 was that it would From the outset the fiscal policy of the sion with 70 percent probability. This is Continued on page 8

Mars Science Lab Continued from page 1 Also in agreement that the mission’s postponement was the right call is U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, who stopped by JPL on the day of the announcement to offer his support to Laboratory staff. Schiff represents California’s 29th congressional district, in which part of JPL resides, and serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Com- merce, Justice and Science. “We understand the challenges you’re facing and would much rather see a decision that you want more time to get the technical challenges right than to take too much risk on something so big and so tough, and fail to succeed,” Schiff told a full von Kármán Auditorium Congressman Adam Schiff, standing next to JPL Deputy Director Gene Tattini, visiited the Lab to show his support on Mars Science Laboratory. audience. From left: Project Manager Richard Cook, JPL Mars Program chief Fuk Li, and Patty Rhee of JPL’s Legislative Affairs Office. “It’s the right decision, but a hard one,” he added. “But my colleagues and half from now, with an unsuccessful landing. So I hope you’re Elachi is also optimistic about NASA’s role in the incoming I, on the subcommittee, the full com- encouraged.” Obama administration. mittee and full House, and I’m sure in Elachi, too, remains upbeat about the mission and about the “All indications are positive,” Elachi said. “President-elect the Senate, support what you’re doing. Lab’s future. Obama values science, in particular placing a high priority We know it’s not easy. We want you to “I have no doubt we will launch in 2011,” he said. “I’m confi- on understanding global change.” be open and candid with us when you dent that one day we will look back and say we used this time Schiff agreed. “I’m very encouraged about the new adminis- run into challenges … better that we wisely. There is no doubt MSL will be NASA’s flagship mission tration,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a breath of fresh air know about it now than a year and a at the beginning of the next decade.” and a rededication to science.” 3

In 2008, two JPL missions—the -orbiting Ocean Surface Topog- n i v e r s e raphy Mission and the Mineralogy Mapper aboard India’s first U space project—joined 18 JPL spacecraft and 10 major instruments working across the solar system and beyond. During the year, joined the still-active Mars Exploration Rovers on the Red Planet and operated for more than five months before succumbing to the harsh 2008 elements. Also at Mars, the Reconnaissance and Odyssey orbiters continued their work on extended missions. Cassini revealed still more secrets about Saturn and its . satellites and instruments sought out answers about star formation and other mys- teries beyond our planet. And JPL’s roster of Earth science missions INREVIEW moved forward on helping to deal with various aspects of climate change. The Laboratory faces possibly its busiest year ever heading into 2009. Here is a list of major JPL highlights for 2008.

January

The Laboratory kicked off the new year with a float (far left) in Pasadena’s Tourna- ment of Roses Parade that highlighted the 50th anniversary of JPL’s , the first U.S. satellite to Earth. … Based on work by its Nano and Micro Systems Group, JPL announced a partnership with the City of Hope, a leading cancer re- search and treatment center in Duarte, to explore the potential of carbon nanotubes to diagnose and treat brain tumors. If effective, the technology might also be used to treat other disorders and disease processes in the brain. ... New views of Mars geology from the camera on JPL’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter showed that Mars has an ethereal, tenuous atmosphere with less than 1 percent the surface pressure of Earth, which challenges scientists to explain complex, wind-sculpted landforms seen with unprecedented detail (left). … A study by JPL and Louisiana State Uni- versity found that sediments deposited into the Mississippi River Delta thousands of years ago when North America’s glaciers retreated are contributing to the ongoing sinking of Louisiana’s coastline (far left, below). Co-author Ron Blom of JPL said that New Orleans is particularly vulnerable.

February

For the first time ever, NASA sent a song “Across the Universe.” The Beatles’ 1970 hit was transmitted over the Deep to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the day the Beatles recorded the song, as well as several NASA anniversaries. JPL technicians sent the command (near right) that started the transmission to the North Star, Polaris, which is 431 light years away from Earth. … Newborn stars peek out from beneath their natal blanket of dust in a dynamic image (below right) of the Rho Ophiuchi dark cloud from JPL’s . Astronomers favor the region because the stars are so young and can be observed at a very early evolutionary stage. … Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter took the first-ever image of active avalanches near the Red Planet’s north pole. The image (below left) shows tan clouds billowing away from the foot of a towering slope, where ice and dust have just cascaded down. … The highest-resolu- tion terrain mapping to date of the moon’s rugged south polar region (above right) was collected by JPL scientists using the Deep Space Network’s Goldstone Solar System Radar. The imagery was incor- porated into animation depicting the descent to the lunar surface of a future human and a flyover of Shackleton Crater. The data indicated that the region of the moon’s south pole near the crater is much more rugged than previously understood. Un i v e r s e 4 is within these so-called extended galaxy arms that, to the surprise of astronomers, new stars are forming. are stars new astronomers, of surprise the to that, arms galaxy extended so-called these within is It streamers. red giant like galaxy the from away flap to appear arms outer its while pinwheel, blue and pink a like looks galaxy Pinwheel Southern the of disk stellar main The center. bustling galaxy’s the from light-years 100,000 than more space of region desolate relatively a in sprouting stars baby showed (right) Explorer Evolution Galaxy JPL-managed the from image new A … 2008. July in end to scheduled been had originally mission The moons. exotic its of flybys more and Saturn of additional 60 include will that mission Cassini- the for sion exten- two-year a announced NASA … award. prestigious the received has JPL time third the is This minorities. and women veterans, by owned businesses small helps Office, Opportunities Business the by managed program, JPL The subcontractors. and suppliers as businesses small using in excel who contractors prime large ognizes rec- award The category. development and research the in Excellence for Award Eisenhower D. Dwight ment’s govern- the of winner named was JPL … Award. Trophy Museum’s Space and Air National the and Achievement; Space for Award National Rotary Houston’s of Club Space the Award; Breakthrough Mechanics’ Popular Award; Excellence Program Technology’s Space & Week Aviation were team the by received honors Among April framework of JPL’s new Flight Projects Center. Work continued toward occupancy in summer 2009. summer in occupancy toward continued Work Center. Projects Flight new JPL’s of framework structural the in installed was steel of piece final The ... demise. its met it how ultimately and life, in like looked star the what (bottom) together pieced scientists A, Cassiopeia supernova of remains the from away traveling light of echoes ghostly decoding By galaxy. own our in remnant supernova a of history life the resurrect to able been have astronomers time first the represents Hawaii in telescope Subaru Japan’s and Spitzer from primarily data on based discovery A … fire. agricultural or plant power a such source, emission same the from come usually which aerosols, other and smoke of presence the implies oxide mon- carbon of presence The clouds. in monoxide carbon of level the measure to satellite Aura NASA’s on Sounder Limb Microwave managed and JPL-developed the used team his and JPL of Jiang Jonathan rainfall. and pollution clouds, between the on light new shed measurements first-of-a-kind satellites’ The clouds. of inside deep see can they that discovered scientists satellites, NASA Earth-orbiting of tion constella- a in instruments from data Using … latitudes. northern icy Mars’ examining of mission month three- a begin to region polar northern Mars’ in landing spacecraft’s the celebrated top) Goldstein, Barry Manager Project by (led team Phoenix The … sun. the of poles the orbiting mission the of productivity scientific and success the to contributions its of recognition in Systems Data Ground and Operations Mission Space for Interchange Technical on Committee International the by bestowed Achievement, Outstanding for Award SpaceOps International the received team operations mission The May author to the paper that appeared in the journal Science. journal the in appeared that paper the to author contributing a Stiles, Bryan JPL’s said ammonia,” with mixed water liquid of ocean internal an is surface organic-rich and ice the beneath miles) (62 kilometers 100 about that believe “We (bottom). Titan moon Saturn’s on ammonia and water of ocean underground an of existence the to points that evidence covered dis- Cassini rotation, Titan’s of measurements radar Using … past. Planet’s Red the from life sible pos- of exist might evidence where and abundant was once water where places to point which deposits, salt of evidence found system imaging emission thermal Odyssey’s Mars using Scientists … Swain. said exist,” could life where planets on molecules prebiotic characterizing eventually to stone stepping crucial a is “This chemistry. prebiotic in role key a play can circumstances right the under which methane, is team the by found molecule The Telescope. Space Hubble the on spectrometer multi-object and camera infrared near- the with made was breakthrough The star. another orbiting planet Jupiter-sized a of atmosphere the in molecule organic an of detection first-ever the made Swain Mark JPL’s by led astronomers of team A … year. this Enceladus of flybys Cassini four of first the was This crust. icy Enceladus’ under trapped is water liquid that evidence provide could geysers the believe Scientists moon. little the inside organics or ocean water a to point might that samples precious up snatched spacecraft The (top). approach closest at face sur- the of miles) (30 kilometers 50 within coming and jets geyser–like water icy through flying 12, March Enceladus moon Saturn’s of daring a performed Cassini … technology. the develop to centers NASA both at researchers with worked then scientists Industry system. delivery the of design basic the gave microspheres of production orbital in experiments for Marshall at developed technology while cells, live encapsulating of feasibility the demonstrated JPL Center. Flight Space Marshall NASA’s and JPL at nated origi- honored, technology second the Product, Remediation Petroleum acquisition. image for protocols standardize and technology the develop helping for Kwong-Fu Helenann manager mission-assurance JPL commended also foundation The risk. disease heart predict better to doctors allowing artery, carotid the of layers inner two the of thickness the measure precisely to ultrasound standard a with used is imagery, spacecraft process to used software from derived and 1990s the in developed initially ArterioVision, Fame. of Hall Technology ’s Space the for selected were JPL by developed technologies Two March and effects of climate change and how NASA studies it. studies NASA how and change climate of effects and causes the about information easy-to-understand providing .gov), website Change Climate Global the launched JPL … change. climate global of indicator vital a level, sea charting continue to voyage globe-circling a on Base Force Air Vandenberg from 20 June right) (far launched satellite, agency space NASA–French a 2, Jason Mission/ Topography Surface Ocean The … 19. June by vaporized had 16 June on present still and 15 June on digging by exposed material bright of chunks that was evidence new key The surface. Martian the on ice water of discovery the confirmed scientists Phoenix … hair. man hu- a of diameter the one-tenth as small as grains revealing surface, exposed an onto fallen had that particles observed optical spacecraft’s The planet. another from returned ever resolution greatest the with particles sand and dust of images took lander Phoenix the on microscope A … rate.” star-formation galaxy’s our of estimate better a make and arms spiral galactic map form, stars massive how learn can we data, this “With Center. Science Spitzer Caltech’s of Carey Sean said Way,” Milky our of taken ever picture infrared sensitive most est, larg- highest-resolution, the is “This galaxy. Way Milky inner our in stars of portrait age” of “coming new a create to together stitched were Spitzer from snapshots 800,000 than More ... bars. with galaxies for structure common a arms, spiral major two has Way Milky the that case the make findings The possess. to thought previously was it four the of instead stars of arms major two just has it that revealing Way, Milky the of structure true the on light shed right) (top Spitzer from images New June (http://climate.jpl. July operational funding for the mission would extend through Sept. 30. Sept. through extend would mission the for funding operational announced also NASA Analyzer. Evolved-Gas and Thermal the for tist scien- lead Arizona, of University the of Boynton William noted tasted,” and touched been has water Martian time first the is this but month, last Phoenix by observed chunks disappearing in and orbiter Odyssey Mars the by observations in before ice water this for evidence seen “We’ve sample. soil a in water identified Phoenix aboard tests Laboratory … surface. its on liquid have to known Earth beyond system solar our in body only the left) (above Titan makes This ethane. of presence the identified positively have and hydrocarbons, liquid contains Titan moon Saturn’s on observed lakes large the of one least at that concluded tists scien- instrument, mapping and visual Cassini’s from data on Based … satellite. Aqua NASA’s onboard instrument an Sounder, Infrared spheric Atmo- the and satellite QuikScat JPL-managed the were hurricane, a as later and storm tropical a as coast Gulf the pounded which right), (above Dolly of images taking hardware the Among … 2. Camera Planetary and Field Wide JPL’s by 2008 July and June May, in acquired data from made were images Jupiter natural-color three The atmosphere. Jupiter’s in together clustered spots red three of view unprecedented an showed images Telescope Space Hubble of sequence new A … orbiter. the on instruments other and spectrometer imaging the by taken right) (below images from derives study the for data The water. of presence the in only form can which minerals, clay contain highlands ancient Mars’ of regions vast that showed Nature, in published study, One life. support to potential the had that environments wet other of variety a and rivers flowing lakes, vast hosted once Planet Red the that vealed re- Orbiter Reconnaissance Mars from data on based studies Two … ago. years 1,000 than more occurred that explosion stellar a by caused remnant supernova a of section thin very a space, in eerily floating gas of ribbon delicate a showing left) (below image an to contributed Hubble on 2 Camera Planetary and Field Wide JPL’s from Observations

Un i v e r s e 5 Un i v e r s e 6 (below right). (below layers rock ancient exposed examine to Crater Victoria large the into descending after year a nearly plains surrounding Planet’s Red the to out back headed Opportunity Rover Exploration Mars The … across. meter, a of millionth one or micrometer, one about particle rounded a world—is another from seen ever anything than magnification higher at particle—shown The microscope. force atomic its using dust, ubiquitous Mars’ of particle single a of age im- first-ever the took Phoenix … dropped. has it where blue and purple most; the risen has level sea where red and white shows (right) image An ocean. the across uniform isn’t rise the but rise, the on is level sea global that showed satellite 1 Jason managed JPL- the from Mapping … deep. feet) (980 meters 300 about are fractures the showing emanate, jets the which from tures frac- stripe” “tiger polar south prominent the in details exquisite revealed left) (below pictures targeted carefully New Enceladus. moon active geologically Saturn’s of surface the from erupt jets icy the where precisely pinpointed Cassini flyby, 11 Aug. its During August supplied meteorological station on the lander. the on station meteorological supplied Canadian- the for scientist lead University, York of Whiteway Jim said Mars,” on seen been ever has view this like “Nothing site. landing spacecraft’s the above miles) (2.5 kilometers 4 about clouds from snow detected interact surface and atmosphere the how of knowledge gather to designed Phoenix on instrument laser A … systems. solar emerging in processed it—is know we as life for ingredient essential water—an how of understanding better a provides discovery The jets. laser-like star’s young a by pieces to blasted being is water that showed left) (above Spitzer from Observations … rings. complete or partial within orbit moons inner small, planet’s the of most that evidence further moon, second a with orbiting ring partial another of presence the confirmed and left), (below Saturn of moon small one with biting or- ring partial faint, a detected Cassini … sun. the approaches comet the as changes temperature determine help will and gas to ice from change materials comet how show will which comet, the leaving oxygen and methanol ammonia, monoxide, carbon of amounts the measure will onboard instrument microwave JPL A belt. asteroid main the in Steins asteroid by flew satellite comet-chasing Agency’s Space European The ... dry. perplexingly and thoroughly is that soil indicated measurements its right), (below ground the into stuck when but Phoenix, beside falling and rising humidity sensed probe conductivity fork-like A September in February 2009 for a to help get to asteroid . asteroid to get help to assist gravity a for 2009 February in flyby Mars a toward continued and scheduled as system propulsion ion its down shut spacecraft The ... Antarctica. in coverings rocky under detected been have that glaciers ice massive to similar is discovery This age. ice past a during latitudes middle covered that sheet ice an from remnants as glaciers underground the preserved have may ice the blanketing debris rocky of layer A cliffs. or mountains of edges from miles of dozens for tend ex- glaciers buried said Scientists Planet. Red the on identified previously ice any than latitudes lower much at debris rocky of blankets protective under ice water of glaciers Martian vast revealed Orbiter connaissance Re- Mars … galaxies. star-making brilliant most universe’s the of one of (right) portrait new a to contributed Hubble onboard 2 Camera Planetary and Field Wide JPL’s … Earth. understanding to application its and ing sens- remote of field the in contributions outstanding honor to annually awards Pecora group and individual present agencies two The Interior. the of Department U.S. the and NASA by Award Pecora T. William the of presentation the with planet home our understand better scientists helping for recognized was team mission QuikScat JPL’s … category. space and aviation the in Award Grand New” What’s of “Best publication’s the of worthy innovation an as magazine Science Popular from recognition won Phoenix … 2. Nov. on lander the from signal a received last Engineers instruments. lander’s the operate that batteries charge to power enough collect to arrays solar the for sunlight enough providing not was site landing robot’s the at sunshine in decline seasonal anticipated, As months. five than more for operating after communications ceased Phoenix November mineral resources. mineral surface’s lunar the survey will instrument The right). (above 21 Oct. launched which 1, Chandrayaan voyage, moon maiden India’s aboard carried is instruments, NASA two of one Mapper, Mineralogy Moon JPL’s … America. North in rainfall and tures, tempera- global affects which sub-tropics, Earth’s in vapor water track to volcano Loa Mauna Hawaii’s on experiment university-led month-long, a to contributed instruments ground-based and satellites scientists, JPL … contributions. significant its for team the to Award Engineer Astronautics its bestowed which left), (below Club Space National the from honors received also Phoenix leadership. mission their for recognized were Denver, in Systems Space Martin Lockheed at manager program Phoenix the Sedivy, Ed and Arizona, of University the of Smith Peter tor investiga- principal JPL, of Goldstein Barry Manager Project magazine. Mechanics Popular by Award Breakthrough a with honored was Phoenix … exploration. and science planetary to service outstanding recognizes award The system. solar our in bodies celestial known half-million almost the for orbits and locations generate can that database online an system, Horizons JPL’s for Award Masursky Harold gious presti- Society’s Astronomical American the received Giorgini Jon engineer JPL … 2010. September through extended also was mission The minerals. of mapping and detection sensitive more much do to team science the allowing afternoon, late than rather mid-afternoon, it’s when sites at down look to system imaging emission thermal its allow to adjustment orbit an underwent left) (above Odyssey Mars … planet. the around moves and atmosphere Earth’s in distributed is change, climate to contributes directly which dioxide, carbon how on information new reveals study The Earth. above miles, 5 or kilometers, 8 about area an mid-troposphere, Earth’s in dioxide carbon gas greenhouse key the of right) (below maps satellite global first the published JPL of Chahine Moustafa by led team research a spacecraft, Aqua the on instrument Sounder Infrared Atmospheric JPL’s from data on Based October change that produced a diversity of past watery environments. watery past of diversity a produced that change climate of history Martian complex a of signs found spacecraft The phase. science two-year primary, its completed (left) Orbiter Reconnaissance Mars … Pacific. cal tropi- the from absent remain Niña La and Niño El that confirms also image The waters. Pacific of cooling general a with associated Pacific the in variability climate of pattern long-lived large, a Oscillation, Decadal Pacific the of phase cool strong, a in locked remains Ocean Pacific the shows satellite oceanography 1 Jason U.S./French the from (right) measurements height sea-surface of image latest The … Mars. of history environmental early the study to tools research precedented un- with rover next-generation a send will mission The 2011. fall to rescheduled was 2009, fall for scheduled originally Laboratory, Science Mars of launch The December

Un i v e r s e 7 S D A D E I F I S S A L C T I M B U S D N A D A E R ATJPL’ online s 8 Pasadena, CA 91109. CA Pasadena, Drive, Grove Oak 4800 Laboratory,Propulsion Jet the of Education and Communications of Office the by published is Universe Un i v e r s e [email protected] http://dailyplanet David Hinkle David Audrey Steffan Audrey JPL Photo Lab Photo JPL Photography Production Design Whalen Mark Editor news E-mail : S E E R I T E R L P J

Steven Ostro Steven

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P Naderi Retiree Calif. Bonita, in wereheld Services Julia. daughter 1978. retiredHe in applications. technology energyand as well program,as tion explora- planetary the in uses facilities environmentaltest of management and development the was work his 24. June died staff, technical the of member and manager section Sept. 26. Sept. Steven Ostro, Steven Edward Sheldon Edward and threechildren.and honor.his in named Ostrois asteroid3169 the Also, accomplishments. scientific his as well astronomersas asteroidradar of ship leader his for cases both in 2004, and 1991 in Achievement Scientific tional Excep- for Medals NASA and 2003 in AstronomicalSociety American the of Sciences Planetary for Division the GerardP.arethe from Prize Kuiper ice. with acts inter electromagneticradiation how explain to models new of development the to led satellites Galilean the of ties propersurface the on work seminal His team. mapper Titanradar Cassini in1992 and the of was member a research senior scientist JPL a became astronomygroup.radar He the lished joiningJPL in 1984, estab- where he to prior University Cornell astronomyat 15. Dec. died studies, radar satellite asteroidand in groundbreakinghis work renownedfor MSL Wh had. he thought he time one at that budget the with 2 page from Continued it became clear that launching that clear became it When short. fell but 2009 for readyit get to best Weour tried undertaken. ever has NASA that roboticmissions complex most the of one is MSL And does. NASA that hardestthings the showings of the Norman Seeff–proNorman - the of showings 2004. January in Planet Red the of eas ar separate in landed which Rovers, JPL’sof anniversary Exploration Mars five-year the celebrate to January for rovers’ five years five rovers’ celebrate Events Sheldon is survived by son Ed III and III Ed son by survived is Sheldon Among 1951. in JPL joined Sheldon Cramer worked at the Lab from1972 Lab the at worked Cramer Ostro is survived by his wife, Jeanne, wife, his by survived Ostrois Ostro’sAmong honors awardsand professorof assistant an was Ostro Landing on Mars is among is Mars on Landing The tentative schedule includes schedule tentative The planned been have Numerousevents at can you say about t about say you can at

assings delay?launch James Cramer James 62, an astronomeran 62, 91, a retireda 91, , 86, died 86, , h - - - e - Thursday, while Project Manager John ProjectThursday,Manager while lectureSquyreswill Steve investigator principal Rover College. City Pasadena at 17 Friday,Jan. and Caltech at 16 Thursday,Jan. talks Rovers ploration Ex- featureMars will LectureSeries Kármán. von in p.m. 1:30 to a.m. from11:30 9 Jan. Friday,Tuesday,Dream”and on 6 Jan. the “Triumphof documentary duced nis, Paul and Mark and daughter Kelly.daughter and Mark and Paul nis, Den- sons by survived is He 1988. to John Pensinger John Chapel in Murietta, Calif. Murietta, in Chapel grandchildren. greatfive grandchildrenand 25 James; and John Carlos, sons and Faith; and Jeanine Joy,Julie, Joanna, daughters Facility.MicrogravityPhysics TemperatureLow the managed he JPL, Cassini’sAt for antenna. high-gain Europeanrepresentativeand manager technical contract as Rome in served he 2007 to tenurefrom1994 second his During missions. ’71 Mariner Viking,Voyagerthe softwareand for data-handling on worked Groupand Storage Data Vikingspacecraft the for groupsupervisor technical as served he when 1976, to from1968 first 23. Oct. engineer,died supervisor from 1978 to 1996. to from1978 supervisor roomtelephone as worked whereshe 21. Oct. operator,died telecommunications the O m neering successes, but scien- but successes, neering engi- been only not have They Mars. to launched been have threelanders— and orbiters row—twoa in missions cessful 2011 opportunity.2011 the to it delay to decided NASA and JPL mission, flagship a for thresholdsacceptable exceed that risks entail would 2009 in Sally Hampton, Sally Services were held Nov. 1 at Calvary Calvary at Nov.were1 held Services Kathie; wife, his by survived is He JPL, tenuresat two had Pensinger Hampton left JPL to join Caltech, join to JPL left Hampton vera The Lab’sKármán The von popular ents of t of ents During this decade, five suc- five decade, this During ’s accomplish- program’s ll , , h ow do you judge judge you do ow h e e p 73, a retireda 73, , a former JPL former a s eae decade? ast John Pensinger John

can capability.can Ameri- of symbols became have they Mars, of surface the onto way their bounced they time the Opportunity.Fromand Spirit of saga the follow everywhere Kids knew.never we Mars revealinga books and articles scientific of hundredscapturedin been have and them, on showereddown have data of bytes of billions and images of thousands dredsof hun- as scientists of giddiness sheer and delight the observed have I well. as triumphs tific Pamela O’Brien Pamela Gordon Wood Gordon Three Rivers, Calif. ThreeRivers, in was Burial Cunningham. E. Glenn partner and nephews; and nieces cousins, many Olive; aunt his and excellence. technical awardfor JPL Caltech/ a and Medals, Service tional Excep- rover.NASA receivedtwo He Mars the with munications com- responsiblefor was and (339) organizationSystems communications JPL’smanaged Desert, Mojave Tele - the in station tracking deep-space experimental an managed He ets. plan- outer the and Mars to flew that spacecraft for oscillators ultra-stable and radios built He retired1999. in Nov.25. died staff, technical the of member and manager section cal Lawn in Covina. in Lawn Forestat wereheld Services Rebecca. and grandchildrenCatherine and ine; Cather-daughter Gerald; Victor;son husband, her by survived is She 1999. Nov.10. died accountant, host talks by Callas and Mars Public Mars and Callas by talks host to scheduled is Angeles Los in vatory Obser Griffith the And Kármán. von Wednesday,shown in be 21 will Jan. drivers, twins’ the of featuresseveral and photos rovers’own the on based photo-realisticanimation uses which Years“Five Mars,” documentary on p.m. 7 at lecturesstart Both PCC. Friday’shandle at will talk Callas L leagues and Section 173 for their for 173 Section and leagues Wood is survived by his sister Carolsister his by Wood survived is and 1967 in Lab Woodthe joined O’Brien worked at JPL from 1970 to from1970 JPL at worked O’Brien I would like to thank my JPL col - JPL my thank to like would I The National Geographic Channel Geographic National The etters 64, a retireda techni- 64, , 65, a retireda senior 65, , Gordon Wood Gordon - R it? worth been all it Has few years. few a in back look we when mission seminal similarly a be to tial poten- the has MSL capabilities science and engineering its of terms in both but impartial, not am I budget? over went but Prize Nobel the investigator principal its won Explorerthat NASA’sOr BackgroundCosmic Opportunity? and Spirit Or get? bud- development its overran it though even it worth been visit Town.Old near Pasadena, in Theater Court Boston the at determined be to programa for collaboration Society p.m. 4 and 1:30 at 25 Sunday,Jan. and p.m.; 7 and 4:30 1:30, at 24 Jan. Saturday,p.m.; 7 at 23 Friday,Jan. on members team Office Engagement of my mom. my of memory in plant lovely the for ERC the to you finally,thank And time. difficult that during family my with be could I that so up set services remoteaccess getting incrediblyresponsivehelp their JPL’sappreciationto for services IT my mother.Also, my of passing the ing follow- and to up leading time the ing dur kindness their for colleagues and for the lovely plant. plant. lovely the for JPL to thanks and flowers, and notes the Weof do. appreciateall we that work the and appreciatedJPL always mother Livermore.mother,My Fern my of passing the after us supported English. in published be soon will which oirs, Worldher Warof mem- translation II the completed beforeI away passed she regretthat only is My Holocaust. the during alive me brotherand my keeping in succeeded she verance, perse- and efforts extraordinary her Throughperson. special very a was mother My plant. beautiful the for JPL to also mother.Thanks my of passing recentthe on messages condolence Section 335J; Section 501; January: 13 years, Section 388L. Section years, 13 Doudian, Edward 3266; Section December: in 12 years, Section 2126. Section years, 12 Thank you so much to all my friends my all to much so you Thank My family and I thank everyone who everyone thank I and family My YolandaSection years, Walton,39 retiredemployees in following The Timothy Thompson, Timothy retiredemployees JPL following The Has Hubble Space TelescopeSpace Hubble Has For an updated schedule of events, of schedule updated an For JPL/Planetary a is planned Also http://dailyplanet. 28 years, 28 Chandra, Kumar etirees Tom and Elaine LivermoreTomElaine and Noel Alejandrino, Noel HaroldMinuskin 24 years, 24 LynneCooper

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