March 22, 2002 Vol. 41, No. 6 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. Kennedy Space Center STS-110 to carry first Station plant experiment implications for future long- PESTO payload duration spaceflight and will be developed by followed by additional experiments aboard Space Station. KSC Life Sciences Scientists at KSC and engineers and technicians from Orbitec of The first plant science experiment Madison, Wis., have worked on to be conducted aboard the PESTO since 1997. They are International Space Station (ISS) eagerly anticipating the launch of will be delivered to the ISS during their payload. Mission STS-110. “We at KSC spend much of our The PESTO (Photosynthesis time helping researchers process Experiment System Testing and integrate their life sciences Operation) experiment was de- payloads, so it’s especially signed by Kennedy Space Center rewarding to conduct our own scientists. experiments,” said Dynamac STS-110 was set at press time to Corp.’s Dr. Gary Stutte, principal launch April 4. Its primary objective Expedition 4 crew member Dan Bursch (left) and his backup, Steve investigator for the PESTO is the delivery of the S0 Truss Robinson (center), harvest wheat from a Biomass Production System to experiment and supervisor of the Segment and the Mobile Trans- practice Kennedy Space Center’s PESTO (Photosynthesis Experiment plant research group at KSC. “The porter. Four spacewalks dedicated System Testing Operation) experiment during crew training at Johnson selection of the experiment by to truss installation are planned. Space Center. The two currently are aboard the Space Station. Crew NASA’s peer review process Trainer Allison Branson (right) of Ames Research Center looks on. Commander Michael Bloomfield, demonstrates the high quality of a veteran of two previous space science conducted at KSC.” Steven Smith. designed to study whether wheat The NASA and Dynamac Corp. flights, will lead the seven-member Expedition 4 crew member Dan will produce oxygen through PESTO team at KSC are part of the crew aboard Atlantis. Stephen Frick Bursch, currently on the ISS, is the photosynthesis and purify water Spaceport Engineering and will serve as pilot. Mission primary crew member for the through transpiration at the same Specialists are Rex Walheim, Ellen PESTO experiment. rates as on Earth. Ochoa, Lee Morin, Jerry Ross and The PESTO experiment is The experiment has important (See STS-110, Page 8) Inside TDRS-I on the go Page 2 – “Recognizing Our People” honors employees. A Great Blue Heron was silhouetted against the brilliance of the rocket Pages 3 – Press site volunteers exhaust as the Tracking and Data Relay foster coverage of program. Satellite (TDRS-I) launched March 8 from Launch Pad 36-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. TDRS-I replenishes the existing on-orbit fleet of six spacecraft. The TDRS System is the primary source of space-to-ground voice, data and telemetry for the Space Shuttle. It also provides communications with the International Space Station and Pages 4-5 – FIRST competition scientific spacecraft in low-Earth orbit inspires students and adults. such as the Hubble Space Telescope. Page 6 – Conferences focus on This new advanced series of satellites safety, health and quality. will extend the availability of TDRS communications services until about Page 7 – Program manager 2017. Liftoff occurred at 5:59 p.m. EST. gets upgraded vision tool. Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS March 22, 2002 Recognizing Our People Delaware North manager leads outreach mission to Ireland Ireland’s Department of Educa- “Opportunities 2002.” tion asked Tony Gannon, a guest Over four days, more than services and education manager 120,000 people attended. with Delaware North Parks Services The idea behind the department’s at Kennedy Space Center Visitor space education seminars is to Complex, to help present a series of encourage Irish secondary and space educational seminars in college students to take an interest Dublin and to enlist a NASA in the sciences, and in particular, astronaut to participate. space and future careers in the Ireland is Gannon’s home space business. country and he knows a number of Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern officials in the department. officially opened the seminars with Accompanying Gannon on the a live linkup with the astronaut trip was former NASA astronaut Dr. crew onboard the International Sam Durrance, who is now execu- Space Station. Ireland’s Prime Minister Bertie Ahern (left) receives a picture of Europe tive director of the Florida Space The response to the seminars from French Astronaut Jean Francois Clervoy at the opening of the Research Institute. was so great that Dr. Durrance, “Opportunities 2002,” Ireland’s Department of Education-sponsored education seminar in Dublin, Ireland. Looking on is Tony Gannon, a guest Jean Francois Clervoy and Gannon French European Space Agency services and education manager with Delaware North Parks Services at astronaut Jean Francois Clervoy were invited to appear on Ireland’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. also joined Gannon and Dr. National Television Station (RTE), Durrance in Dublin for the semi- and on National Radio. in giving me permission to travel given KSC literature and videos for nars, which were officially titled “Delaware North was supportive and time off,” Gannon said. “I was presentation.” Employees of the Month March Employees of the Month are (from left) Randy Eastman, Spaceport Engineering and Technology; Heather Dulude, Equal Opportunity Office; Prentice Washington, Spaceport Services; Dawn Oliver, Office of the Chief Counsel; and Joe Dalai, ISS/Payloads Processing. Not shown are Eddie Hefley, Joint Performance Management Office; David Reeves, Procurement Office; Jerrace Mack, Shuttle Processing; and Zulema Cruz, ELV and Payload Carriers Programs. March 22, 2002 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 Press Site volunteers foster coverage Press site volunteers provide much appreciated support services to the NASA External Relations team and the media during Space Shuttle launches and landings. “They’re awesome,” is how veteran space reporter Todd Halvorson recently described the press site volunteers. “They’re very patient with everyone while providing very up-to-date, accurate information in a timely manner.” Many of the volunteers have offered assistance since the first Space Shuttle launch, and some were here for the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs, and even earlier. They come from all walks of life, but all feel a special connection with the space program. They help the News Chief and media services team when the press site is in full gear for a launch. They answer questions, coordinate tours, answer the phones, and help in any way they can. They bring order to chaos. According to Jay Barbree, NBC- TV News correspondent, “The Above, press site volunteer Ed press center could not operate Walker escorts John Tylco, a MIT without the capable volunteers photographer, setting up a remote prior to and during Shuttle camera at Launch Pad 39-A for the launches.” STS-109 launch of Columbia. At left, two volunteers, Norris Gray (left) Angelo “Ang” Taiani, one of and Ray Yost, work at the NASA many of the volunteers, worked for News Center to answer a mission NASA beginning in 1960. While inquiry. Many of the volunteers have working as a special projects offered assistance to NASA public officer, he volunteered at the press affairs since the first Space Shuttle site during the Apollo 12 launch. launch. Some served during the After retiring in 1984, Taiani Mercury, Gemini and Apollo continued as a VIP and Launch programs, and even earlier. Vehicle escort for the Space Shuttle and ELV programs. He has partici- pated in more than 500 launches. “King of the Cape.” His volunteer tour guide and met Jacques reentry over her hometown. “I like to meet the different days began just two days after Cousteau during the Apollo “She said it looked like a roman people who come here for the retiring from NASA in 1995. mission days. candle,” Beeker said with a smile. orientation tour,” Taiani explained. Many volunteers gain lifelong “The space program is in my Whitson arrived in Titusville in Norris Gray, another tour escort, friends from their experiences. blood. I try not to miss any of the 1964 to work on the Manned added, “We enjoy sharing our Bob White began volunteering at launches,” Trantham said. Spaceflight program and Orbiter knowledge and a little bit of space the press site while working during Bill Beeker and Roy Whitson project office. He retired in 1995 history with those we meet.” the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo share query desk and phone while working on the MIR program. Gray came to Cape Canaveral Air programs and the Shuttle program responsiblities. Beeker came to Whitson described one of the Force Station in 1962 to work on until his retirement in 1995. White NASA on the Gemini program in interesting calls he received, “One the Bumper Project. He retired from met Australian writer Dr. Colin Keay 1963. He retired in 1994 but missed man called and asked if he could NASA in 1984 and started volun- during the Apollo 11 launch. being a part of it all. talk to one of the astronauts and teering in 1985. “We still keep in touch and “The work is fascinating. I get wish them a good flight.” “Meeting the people is a big remain friends today,” said White. to see firsthand the world’s interest Robert Gass, a photographer for factor in my life,” said Gray. “The “The most impressive person I met, in the Space program,” he said. Interspace News, summed the press is a pleasure to work with.” though, was Walt Disney, and also, Among the many calls he has volunteers’ contributions up by Johnny Johnson said, “I come Bill Dana, a very funny man.” fielded was one from a woman in saying, “They’re an incredible out here to relax.” Prior to retiring from NASA in Perth, Australia, who wanted to resource.