March 23, 2007 Vol. 46, No. 6 Spaceport News John F. Kennedy Space Center - America’s gateway to the universe
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/snews/spnews_toc.html Petro becomes first woman deputy director at KSC Former Science Applications International Center Operations, including Aerospace, including program division and deputy operations manager for overseeing and Corporation manager begins position April 29 manager. She directed technical executing a classified $13-million teams in the design, installation U.S. Department of Defense ASA recently selected ers, and was responsible for and sustainment support for the program at Cape Canaveral Air Janet Petro as the new overseeing program and project Subsurface Engineering and Force Station. The program Ndeputy director of the managers and providing opera- Logistics Support contract. involved integrating, supporting Kennedy Space Center effective tional guidance on various In SAIC’s St. Petersburg and coordinating payloads onto April 29. Petro succeeds William technical projects. division, she led the Cooperative various space vehicles at U.S. Air (Bill) Parsons, who assumed the “I am extremely pleased that Engagement Capability Pre- Force and NASA facilities. Petro position as the director of the Janet has decided to join the Planned Product Improvement also served as a captain in the U.S. center in January. leadership team at Kennedy,” said Program Team in developing Army’s aviation branch. Prior to joining NASA, Petro Parsons. “She brings with her a supportability products for an She holds a bachelor’s degree served in various management strong technical management upgraded signal data processing in engineering from the U.S. positions for Science Applications background and extensive assembly. Military Academy at West Point, International Corporation, also engineering leadership that is “I am honored I was selected to N.Y., and a Master of Science known as SAIC, where she directly applicable to the challeng- join the talented team of profes- degree in business administration provided extensive program ing future here at Kennedy.” sionals at KSC and feel excited to from Boston University Metropoli- management and technical At SAIC, Petro held positions be a part of the tremendously tan College. leadership since December 2000. of increasing responsibility within important mission we have been She resides in Indian Harbor She directly interacted with the corporation’s Satellite Beach given,” said Petro. Beach with her daughter, Hannah, senior-level government custom- Subsurface Engineering and Data Earlier in her career, Petro held and son, Andrew. various senior management Atlantis processing continues positions with McDonnell Douglas while new launch date considered Employees, families enjoy 2007 All-American Picnic
IN THE Vehicle Assembly Building, technicians secure protective material around the base of the nose cone of Space Shuttle Atlantis’ external tank. THE 2007 Kennedy Space Center All-American Picnic was held The nose cone is undergoing repair from recent hail damage. At press March 10 at KARS Park 1, complete with beautiful weather and fun time, the launch date for mission STS-117 was still to be determined. activities. See contest results and photographs on pages 4-5. Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS March 23, 2007 Students in ‘Harmony’ in naming space station module
By Linda Herridge The winning entries for Staff Writer “Harmony” came from World Group Home School in Monona, rom theAwards incredible minds of Wis.; a ninth grade class from children came the new name Lubbock High School in Texas; Fof NASA’s Node 2 module, third grade classes from Buchanan which was announced during an Elementary School in Baton unveiling ceremony on March 15 Rouge, La., and West Navarre at Kennedy Space Center’s Space Intermediate School in Navarre, Station Processing Facility. Fla.; and eighth grade classes from Russ Romanella, along with League City Intermediate School mission STS-120 Commander Pam in League City, Texas, and Browne Melroy and Pilot George Zamka, Academy in Alexandria, Va. revealed the module’s new name: Harmony will be delivered to “Harmony.” It is the first U.S. piece the station on mission STS-120, of the station named by people scheduled for later this year. It is outside of the agency. the second of three nodes that will Also attending the event were serve as connectors on the station. Bill Gerstenmaier, associate During the mission, Harmony will administrator for Space Operations, be attached to the front of the U.S. and astronaut Mike Baker, a Lab Destiny. veteran of four space flights. IN THE Space Station Processing Facility, Russ Romanella (right), Both the European Space “It’s an exciting time in the director of International Space Station and Spacecraft Processing, Agency Columbus module and the history of human exploration, with presides over a ceremony to unveil the new name of NASA’s Node 2 Japan Aerospace Exploration module, Harmony. With him are mission STS-120 Commander Pam the recent incredible assembly Agency Kibo research module will Melroy and Pilot George Zamka. activities onboard the station, as use connecting ports on Harmony. well as preparations for future required students to learn about Entries came from 32 states and In an agreement between station missions happening here in the space station, build a scale one U.S. Department of Defense NASA and ESA, the node was built this facility,” said Romanella, who model of Node 2 and write an school in Japan. The 62 entries by Alenia Spazio at its facility in is director of International Space essay explaining their chosen involved more than 3,000 students Torino, Italy. Harmony weighs Station and Spacecraft Processing. name. across all grade levels. The most approximately 30,000 pounds and The node received its new “Involving the youth of our suggested name was submitted by is about 24 feet in length and 15 name through the NASA Exploring nation in our space program is six different schools and was feet in diameter. According to Space Challenges program geared important,” Melroy said. “It will be selected because it symbolizes the Romanella, it is presently the at kindergarten through 12th grade an exciting moment when the STS- spirit of international cooperation heaviest element for delivery to students nationwide. The Node 2 120 crew opens the module in embodied by the station as a the station. Challenge, held in the fall of 2006, space.” whole. U.S. Army’s Golden Knights to appear at World Space Expo he World Space Expo set for November 3-11 at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will include a weekend aerial salute by Tthe U.S. Army parachute team’s Golden Knights as part of a 45th anniversary tribute to Project Mercury. The Mercury program successfully launched six of the original “Mercury 7” astronauts into space, including Alan Shepard, the first American in space, and John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth. The 920th Rescue Wing based at Patrick Air Force Base will also stage a demonstration as part of the tribute. The wing, formerly the 301st Rescue Squadron, was responsible for recovering the Mercury capsules when they splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean. “We could not think of a better way to open the World Space Expo aerial salute than with a tribute to the brave men who pioneered America’s manned space program,” said Daniel LeBlanc, chief operating officer of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, host of the World Space Expo. The U.S. Army played a key role in the success of Project Mercury, using its Redstone vehicle as a launch platform. “It is a privilege to perform over the Kennedy Space Center while THE U.S. Army’s Golden Knights parachute team will perform at the paying tribute to the 45th anniversary of Project Mercury,” said Sgt. 1st opening of the Nov. 3-11 World Space Expo. The salute will pay tribute to Class Karen Morrison of Golden Knights Operations. the 45th anniversary of Project Mercury. March 23, 2007 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 Hanson receives woman engineer award
By Jennifer Wolfinger According to Hanson, the women engineers develop their Staff Writer directorate works closely with the potential. Launch Services Program, Launch Nominees also must have oselle Hanson, the Engi- Vehicle Processing, International worked for and significantly neering Directorate’s Space Station and Spacecraft contributed to the enhancement of Rdeputy director for manage- Processing, and Constellation women’s status on the job or in the ment, was recently selected as the Ground Operations organizations. community; have at least seven Outstanding Woman Engineer of “I have been very fortunate to cumulative years of engineering the Year by the Society of Women have had opportunities to work in experience; and reside or work in Engineers’ Space Coast Chapter. many directorates here at Kennedy Brevard, Volusia or Indian River She was recognized for her Space Center and at NASA counties. sustained excellence, outstanding Headquarters and Johnson Space Hanson graduated from Corbin leadership and personal integrity Center, and to have led several High School in her hometown of that exemplifies and promotes the high-performing teams,” she Corbin, Ky. She received an goals of the society. explained. associate’s degree in civil engi- “I was very surprised and “I love the work we do at neering technology from the honored to be selected. I was NASA and the people — our University of Kentucky. Later, she nominated about 10 years ago in NASA and contractor work force earned a Bachelor of Science another category and, from that — are the best. I believe in degree in electrical engineering experience, I knew the other mentoring individuals and helping and a Master of Science in nominees would be highly them see opportunities to learn and industrial engineering and talented, respected and have grow.” management systems from the outstanding credentials,” said Award nominees must demon- University of Central Florida. ROSELLE HANSON was named Hanson. “I did not expect to win; it strate a high level of competence, Her husband, Dave, teaches the 2007 Outstanding Woman truly was a surprise.” Engineer of the Year by the Society leadership and personal integrity and coaches at Astronaut High In her position, she is respon- of Women Engineers’ Space in their job; contribute personally School in Titusville. They enjoy sible for the business, work force Coast Chapter. to their organization’s mission; being active in their church and and personnel aspects of the have developed, or be developing, have two adult children, Eric and Engineering Directorate. She the skills and work force required their own potential in the engi- Jill. For information about the works with all of the directorate’s to meet NASA’s needs on time and neering profession or outside society, visit http://www.swe- divisions and offices to maintain on budget. activities and have helped other sc.org. Willcoxon to lead Launch Vehicle Processing
By Linda Herridge already heavily engaged in “I am enjoying my new role,” Staff Writer activities leading to the planned Willcoxon said. “I’ve had different 2009 launch of the Ares 1-X challenges in my career, but this is hen Rita Willcoxon test flight. the most challenging. The Launch became director of the “The challenge for the organi- Vehicle Processing organization WLaunch Vehicle zation is in balancing all three of has a very exciting future and I am Processing Directorate at Kennedy these very important KSC roles ” grateful to be a part of it.” Space Center in January, she Willcoxon said. She said former Shuttle became the first woman in the She said the biggest challenge Processing Director Mike Wetmore history of the space program to will be to safely fly four to five helped to prepare her for the new hold that position. shuttle launches per year in order role. “And I’m surrounded by a Her responsibilities include to complete the International great group of highly motivated overseeing the processing of three Space Station before the end of the people who are passionate and orbiter vehicles and integrating program in 2010, while gearing up dedicated to their work.” and launching the Space Transpor- for the new Constellation Program Willcoxon said she is grateful tation System missions. She is also at the same time. for the expertise of NASA Space responsible for the transition and “Our primary near-term Shuttle Program Manager Wayne retirement of shuttle assets as the challenge in Constellation is to Hale. “He’s there to make sure RITA WILLCOXON is director of the program concludes. complete the ground support everything we do is integrated Launch Vehicle Processing She has recently been tasked system modifications to prepare for across the agency and he asks the Directorate. She is the first woman by Tip Talone, the KSC Constella- the Ares I-X test flight.” hard questions,” she said. to hold that position at Kennedy. tion Project Office director, to This work will be added to the Willcoxon has worked at KSC assist in planning and ultimately existing Space Program Operations for 19 years, but has 25 years of Previous positions included acting performing the launch vehicle and Contract in which Willcoxon has government service. Prior to her director and deputy director of the integrated processing of the technical management representa- new position, she served as deputy Spaceport Engineering and Constellation system. Her team is tive responsibility. director of Shuttle Processing. Technology Directorate. Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS March 23, 2007 More than 5,000 people attend 2007 Kenne
rom the beautiful Florida Florida Chapter. ALS is often weather to the delicious referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Fsamples at the annual Chili Orion’s Irish Pub sponsored by Cookoff, the 2007 Kennedy Space Lockheed Martin won the Judges’ Center All-American Picnic on Choice category, and the Pirates of March 10 at KARS Park 1 was the the Chilibean sponsored by the perfect opportunity for employees NASA Human Resources Office to meet co-workers and their won Best Storefront. families. In the fishing tournament, For the Chili Cookoff, attend- winners included Stephanie ees voted the C.O.P.S. booth Ouellette, Patrick Matthews, Sean sponsored by the NASA Federal Benzinger, Steven Valdivia and Law Enforcement Training Alyssa Coe. Free-throw tournament Academy and Space Gateway winners were Timothy Buntting in Support as the People’s Choice the children’s category and Corey winner. For receiving the most Walker in the teenager category. votes, the group will donate The popular pie-eating contest was $1,130 to the Amyotrophic Lateral won by Ryan Bonnicksen. Sclerosis Association (ALS),
THE 2007 Kennedy Space Center All-American Picnic held March 10 at KARS Park With temperatures in the 70s, employees and families enjoyed the perfect setting fo
ASTRONAUTS JANICE Voss (left), Eric Boe and Megan McArthur sign personalized autographs during this year’s All-American Picnic.
THE PEOPLE’S Choice winner for the Chili Cookoff went to the C.O.P.S. booth sponsored by the NASA Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy and Space Gateway Support. The team includes, from left, Jon Willoughby, Amanda Hurley, Tim Suspanic, Keith Fields, John Stubbe and Rachelle CENTER DIRECTOR Bill Parsons ( Fields. JUDGES FOR the Chili Cookoff included, from left, Bill Sample, Mike and-white 1961 Volkswagen Bug, th Bolger, Bob Willcox, Pat Simpkins and Joe Dowdy. They chose Orion’s Irish Pub, sponsored by Lockheed Martin, as their favorite. March 23, 2007 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 5 nedy Space Center All-American Picnic
THE TUSKEGEE Airmen talked about their personal experiences and signed autographs during the All- American Picnic. Other exhibits included the Disability Awareness and Action Working Group, KSC Barracudas Dive Club, KSC Fitness Centers, KSC Amateur Astronomers, US Fish and Wildlife Service and more.
rk 1 included an expanded menu selection. for a day outdoors.
THE CHILDREN at this year’s picnic enjoyed a variety of games and treats. At left, Ashley Campbell gets her face painted by Shani Pehl. Nineteen children’s games were part of the Children’s Carnival.
s (left) presents Rocco Russo, owner of a red- , the trophy for “Center Director’s Choice.” CATHY HESTER’S 2002 Victory Drifter, which features DENNIS MCDONOUGH won Truck Best of Show for the space station on the gas tank and a space shuttle his custom pickup. on the back fender, won Motorcycle Best of Show. Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS March 23, 2007 Kennedy co-hosts FIRST robotics regional contest
By Jeff Stuckey playing field. Editor Midway through the first day’s competition, a select number of igh school students from students served as hosts for throughout Florida, seven sponsors attending an invitation- Hother states and Puerto only luncheon featuring Kennedy Rico packed the University of Space Center Director Bill Parsons Central Florida Arena March 8-10 as guest speaker. to compete in the 2007 Florida “The new Vision for Space FIRST Regional Robotics Compe- Exploration was rolled out in 2004 tition. NASA’s Kennedy Space and that takes us back to the moon Center and the UCF College of and on to Mars,” Parsons said. Engineering and Computer “Although NASA has been Science co-hosted this year’s involved in a lot of space opera- FIRST, or For Inspiration and tions since the Apollo era, we have Recognition of Science and not designed a new space vehicle Technology, regional event. in quite a while, so this will be a This annual contest brings new endeavor for us and we need together students, mentors, students like you to help us. We teachers and parents to collaborate need you to get involved with and share challenges after six engineering, get involved in weeks of designing and building a science and get as much hands-on robot. experience as you possibly can.” The Florida regional event is Other major sponsors involved COMPETING ROBOTS try to loop the large metal target with colored part of a nationwide contest that in the Florida regional event rings. The robots are products of student teams taking part in the FIRST teams mentors and young people include ASRC Aerospace, Boeing, robotics event held at the University of Central Florida Arena March 8-10. together to solve an engineering Lockheed Martin and United design problem in a competitive Space Alliance. CENTER DIRECTOR Bill way. The national competition will More than 70 scholarship Parsons (center) involve more than 30,000 high opportunities worth close to $8 dons the pink wig school students on more than million are available to students that represents 1,130 teams this year. participating in this year’s FIRST team No. 233, This year’s game, called “Rack events. The FIRST Championship composed of and Roll,” featured students will take place at Atlanta’s Georgia students from designing and building robots that Dome on April 12-14. Visit Rockledge, placed inflatable tubes on a three- www.usfirst.org for information. Cocoa Beach level rack in the center of the and Viera High Schools. The team is co- sponsored by NASA KSC.
STUDENT TEAMS representing Florida and several out-of-state areas display and work on their robots in the pit area for the FIRST robotics event. NASA and the University of Central Florida are co- hosts of this year’s Florida regional contest. Several Kennedy Space Center employees serve as mentors, THE FIRST, or For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, judges and Robotics Competition challenges teams of young people and their mentors referees at the to solve a common problem in a six-week timeframe using a standard kit of annual event. parts and a common set of rules. March 23, 2007 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 7 Remembering Our Heritage 45 years ago: ‘How much does it cost to build a moonport?’ NASA number crunchers ask By Kay Grinter according to phases of develop- Reference Librarian ment. NASA Headquarters then transferred money to the center at eveloping the budget to intervals for each project. build a moonport was All of the funds appropriated Dalmost as challenging as for a project for a specific fiscal building the space center itself. year were rarely released during NASA was already partnered that year. with the U.S. Army Corps of NASA alumnus Libba Johnson Engineers in 1961 when NASA was a program budget analyst in announced that 80,000 acres of financial management in 1962 and land on Cape Canaveral and the deputy of resources management surrounding area would be when she retired in 1992. “After we purchased to support manned lunar got a lump sum from NASA flight and missions requiring Headquarters,” she said, “we advanced Saturn and Nova parceled it out to various contrac- EARLY DEVELOPMENT at the center included extending the railroad past boosters. NASA requested that the tors.” the Central Supply Warehouse (above) and completion of the Operations Corps act as the real estate agent Under contract to NASA, the and Checkout Building (below). for the acquisition, and later Corps was allowed to recover perform design and construction administrative fees by agreement. services for the facilities. “The orange groves were also The budget process was leased back to the original owners complicated in 1962 for Rocco through the Corps,” Johnson Petrone, chief of the Heavy recalled. Vehicle Systems Office for the The construction funding Launch Operations Center. His “spoon-fed” to the center peaked team had to plan and budget for in 1963 at $204.3 million, with new facilities and equipment for an only slightly lower amounts undefined launch vehicle to meet transferred over the next three the deadline set before the years. decade’s end. Hal Row was a structural Budget figures had previously engineer who joined the Corps in been in the millions of dollars; 1962. “We took NASA’s require- expenditures in the hundreds of ments and turned them into design how dramatic the outcome would cost to build a moonport? By the millions now had to be justified. requirements,” recalled Row, now be.” time 1968 drew to a close, $917.9 After Congress passed an a consultant at the Kennedy Space Row thrived on the challenge million had been spent on con- appropriation act, the Bureau of Center Visitor Complex. and left the Corps in 1967 to work struction of facilities at Kennedy the Budget released apportioned “Everything was being done for NASA. Space Center. money to NASA periodically for the first time. We had no idea In retrospect, how much does it National Space Club honors Melnick with Debus Award Center. he National Space Club BRUCE MELNICK will be Florida Committee invites The reception begins at 6:30 honored with the 2007 Debus Tthe spaceport to honor p.m., followed by dinner at 7:30 Award for his contributions to Bruce Melnick, former NASA p.m. Individual tickets are $75 for America’s space program. The astronaut and current vice presi- members and $85 for non-mem- event will be held April 28 at the dent of Boeing Florida Operations, bers. Corporate tables, with seating Kennedy Space Center Visitor as the winner of the 2007 Debus for 10, are available for $800. Complex’s Debus Center. Award for outstanding contribu- Space is limited at the black-tie- tions to America’s space program. optional event. Contact LaDonna The Debus Dinner will be held Neterer at 321-505-2037 or April 28 at the Kennedy Space [email protected] for Center Visitor Complex’s Debus reservations. Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS March 23, 2007 Cape Canaveral Lighthouse lantern room restored s workers wait at the top of the newly repainted Cape ACanaveral Lighthouse (left), a crane carefully moves the refurbished 18,000-pound lantern room toward them. The optic, or light, (visible in the center of the tower) was powered down for the restoration and removed for maintenance and overhaul, as well. This rotating beacon — which can be seen up to 22 miles offshore — is operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, while the lighthouse is owned by the U.S. Air Force. The extensive refurbishment project was started a year ago following many years of normal weathering in the coastal location, which was heightened by hurricane damage from the 2004 season. As part of the restoration, the original brass roof of the lantern room was returned to the structure and its familiar black- and-white “daymark” was repainted. The final step will be the relighting of this active navigational aid, scheduled for sometime in spring. Biannual Diversity Event features Star Trek actor he 2007 KSC Biannual most of his childhood at Camp of the Human Rights Campaign. Diversity Event with guest Rohwer in the swamps of Arkansas Seating allocations for this Tspeaker George Takei will and at wind-swept Camp Tule presentation will be provided to be held in the KSC Training Lake in northern California. His directorates and contractors. The Auditorium at 11:30 a.m. April 9. family eventually returned to Los program will also air on NASA TV Takei is best known for his Angeles, where Takei began his for those unable to attend. No portrayal of Mr. Sulu in the acting career. flash photography or individual acclaimed television and film A community activist, Takei videography will be allowed series “Star Trek.” Takei is serves as chairman of the council during the presentation. For those currently playing the father of time of governors of East West Players, present in the auditorium, there traveler Hiro Nakamura on the the nation’s foremost Asian Pacific will be an opportunity for ques- NBC TV series “Heroes.” American theatre. He is chairman tions following the formal presen- GEORGE TAKEI will appear at the Takei was born in Los Angeles. emeritus of the board of trustees of tation. Training Auditorium on April 9. During World War II, his family the Japanese American National and 120,000 other Japanese- Museum and a past member of the Americans were placed within advisory committee of the Califor- John F. Kennedy Space Center barbed-wire enclosures of U.S. nia Civil Liberties Public Educa- internment camps. Takei spent tion Program. He is also a member Spaceport News
Spaceport employees receive 15-percent Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center and discount for Camp KSC spring session is published on alternate Fridays by External Relations in the interest of KSC civil service and contractor employees. amp Kennedy Space and contractors of Kennedy Space Contributions are welcome and should be submitted two weeks before Center’s spring session Center, Cape Canaveral Air Force publication to the Media Services Branch, IDI-011. E-mail submissions can be Cfor children entering Station, Patrick Air Force Base sent to Jeffery.Stuckey-1@ksc.nasa.gov. second though ninth grade is and retired KSC personnel. Spring Managing editor...... William Johnson scheduled for March 26-30. camp hours are from 9 a.m. to Editor...... Jeff Stuckey Regular tuition is $295 per 4:30 p.m., with extended drop-off Copy editor ...... Corey Schubert child. and late pick-up hours available Editorial support provided by InDyne, Inc. Writers Group. There is a 15-percent free for badged employees. Call NASA at KSC is located on the Internet at http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy discount for badged employees 321-449-4444 for details. USGPO: 733-049/600129