November 2, 2007 Vol. 47, No. 23 Spaceport News John F. Kennedy Space Center - America’s gateway to the universe

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/snews/spnews_toc.html Discovery soars between clouds Shuttle program on schedule with on-time launch ITH clouds crowding the coastline, Discovery found a place of in space and time, climbing into Wblue sky after a spectacular on-time launch at 11:38 a.m. Oct. 23 on mission STS-120 to the International Space Station. There were early concerns about the weather shifting before launch, with an ocean breeze forecast to roll in at 11 a.m., possibly bringing with it some rain and clouds. Fortunately, the front held off until liftoff. Earlier, during the countdown, other concerns surfaced about an area of “clear ice” near the liquid hydrogen umbilical on the external tank. Managers determined this would not be an issue for launch. At the post-launch briefing, Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach said the launch was “one of the cleanest countdowns here since I’ve been a launch director. “Both weather and the ice issue were things we had to work through prior to launch. We were challenged by both. All we can do is evaluate the weather and hope to get lucky,” he added. When it counted, the unanimous decision was “go” for launch. The STS-120 mission is ambitious in its schedule of activities, includ- ing five spacewalks. The primary objectives for STS-120’s spacewalks are to temporar- ily install the Node 2 module, known as Harmony, and relocate the space station’s P6 truss and solar arrays. The first three spacewalks will focus on these activities. The fourth spacewalk, recently added to the mission, involves a dem- onstration of space shuttle thermal protection system repair techniques. The fifth and final spacewalk prepares for the relocation of Harmony and the Pressurized Mating Adapter-2, scheduled to occur just after the shuttle mission. This will be conducted by the space station crew. The spacewalks were planned on flight days four, six, eight, ten and eleven. Five spacewalks will be the most conducted during a shuttle mission to the space station. STS-120 also is the first mission with five different spacewalkers: Mission Specialists Scott Parazynski, Doug Wheelock and Daniel Tani from Discovery, and station Commander and Flight Engineer Yuri Malenchenko. Discovery and its crew of seven are expected to complete the mission with a landing at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at 5:11 a.m. on Nov. 7. For a full spectrum of color images on the Web of Discov- ery’s launch, go to http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search. cfm?cat=101. In addition, NASA Web coverage of STS-120 includes current mission information, interactive features, and news conference imag- es, graphics and videos. Mission coverage, including the latest NASA The STS-120 crew shares its eagerness for launch with spectators before getting on the TV schedule, also is available on the main space shuttle Web site at: Astrovan to ride to the launch pad. Commander Pamela Melroy (right) leads the way. http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS November 2, 2007 Employees recognized for modification efforts on STS-117 external tank EVERAL hundred NASA, caused visible divots in the giant recognized. The NASA personnel Lockheed Martin and United tank’s foam insulation as well as involved were Sherman L. Avans, SSpace Alliance workers minor surface damage to about 25 Anthony P. Bartolone, William R. were recently recognized for their heat shield tiles on the shuttle’s left Becker, Brad J. Berman, John B. unparalleled efforts in repairing wing. Blue, James S. Bolton, Todd Bran- the foam on the external tank for The team denburg, Greg the STS-117 mission. In late Feb- worked 24 S. Breznik, ruary, while on the launch pad, hours a day, “You have been selected Christopher ’ external seven days to receive this medallion Broadaway, A cake decorated for the celebration tank received hail damage during a week, for Jack Burritt, in recognition of your vital features both sides of the medallion given a severe thunderstorm that passed 70 days to Daniel R. Cal- to the team members. through the Kennedy Space Center complete the contribution to the recovery lan, Amy C. Launch Complex 39 area. The hail unprecedent- of the STS-117 External Tank Canfield, Rich- Brian Miller, Thomas A. Miller, ed repairs. significantly damaged in a ard W. Care, Charles A. Mister, William Ondoc- Their efforts hail storm.” Katie E. Carr, sin, Brent A. Pautler, Jeffrey C. Pi- ranged from Joseph C. Cian- let, Terry L. Prickett, Mike Prince, assessing ciola, George Kenneth C. Priske, Alison B. Protz, the damage, building unique scaf- T. Cole, Richard B. Danyus, James Jorge E. Rivera, Robert Russo, folding to access the areas, devel- H. Davis, Simon Davis, Otis E. Patrick W. Ryan, Sarah L. Schil- oping new tools such as a device Deal, Darrell Deweese, Gregg M. ling, Shawn Selvidge, Jonathan that became dubbed the “pencil Eldridge, Romeo C. Enriquez, B. Sharpe, Eartha M. Shoemaker, sharpener” and using several repair Thomas F. Ford, Michael B. Friz- Clayton B. Shrock, Wandaanne A. options, from sanding to injecting zell, Brian K. Goode, Gordon Sigur, Jimmy D. Sisco, Dennis K. foam. B. Grooms, Eugene T. Healey, Sparks, Jeffrey S. Sparks, Robert At a special ceremony on Oct. Christopher E. Hill, Christopher F. Speece, Brian Steeve, Fernando 10, Shuttle Program Manager Hoffman, Steven G. Holmes, John M. Teran, John W. Thiers, Mary A. Wayne Hale presented team mem- Honeycutt, Gary W. Jerome, John Thompson, Jeffrey S. Thon, Robert C. Torrez, Ronald L. Troxle, Kevin Shuttle Program Manaager Wayne Hale bers with medallions to honor their E. Key, Diana Kiesling, Charles congratulates Michael L. Young, director of work. R. Kirch, John E. Legere, Scott A. D. Vega, Gregory S. Vinyard, Ken- Engineering Integration, for his hail dam- Space doesn’t permit naming Lockwood, Gregory Lohning, Jon- neth J. Welzyn, Timothy White, age work on the STS-117 external tank. all of the individuals who were athan D. Looser, Jeffrey D. Lund, Chad Woods, Roy C. Worthy. Buoniconti speaks about new beginnings By Linda Herridge I was paralyzed — Oct. 26.” replace damaged Staff Writer During treatment at the Miller nerves and cells. School of Medicine at the Univer- Buoniconti ARC Buoniconti is looking sity of Miami, Buoniconti met Dr. said the Miami Mforward to the day when he Barth Green, a renowned neurosur- Project has helped can stand up and walk away from geon with a vision to bring the best to change the way the wheelchair he has been in for medical team together to help find the world looks at 22 years. The son of former Miami a cure and improve function and paralysis. “We are Dolphin and Hall of Famer Nick quality of life for people paralyzed faced with physical Buoniconti suffered a spinal cord by spinal cord disorders. Thus was and mental chal- injury during a football game in born the Miami Project. lenges. We also 1985 that left him paralyzed from Buoniconti serves as Ambas- want challenge in the neck down. sador for the Miami Project to Cure life,” Buoniconti Buoniconti was the guest Paralysis and president of the Buo- said. “You can con- At podium, Nicole DelVesco, DAAWG co-chair and NDEAM event speaker during a National Disabil- niconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, the sider me a member co-chair; seated from left, Annie Miller, NDEAM event chair- ity Employment Awareness Month Miami Project’s international fund- of your DAAWG person; Susan Kroskey, DAAWG executive advisor; and Marc event sponsored by the Disability raising arm founded by his father. team.” He encour- Buoniconti, NDEAM special guest speaker. Awareness and Action Working “My life has purpose,” Buoni- aged disabled Group at Kennedy Space Center. conti said. “And I have some excit- workers to get out there and live, great work here at Kennedy. He told an attentive audience that ing news to share with you.” get out there and work. Susan Kroskey, Kennedy’s what he thought was the end of his According to Buoniconti, the Center Director Bill Parsons Chief Financial Officer and life was very much a new beginning. project’s laboratory research has said it takes an entire team to DAAWG executive advisor, said “I am humbled and over- brought them very close to a cure. launch a shuttle and process the Buoniconti topped the scales in whelmed to be here at Kennedy In 2008, they will launch the first hardware. That team includes bringing awareness of spinal chord Space Center,” Buoniconti said. “It FDA-approved human clinical disabled workers. He praised the injuries to the Kennedy commu- was exactly 22 years ago today that trials using cellular transplants to DAAWG and said the group does nity. November 2, 2007 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 Annual Business Opportunities Expo provides companies ‘one-stop’ shopping

By Linda Herridge Staff Writer

ENNEDY Space Center’s 17th annual Business Op- Kportunities Expo on Oct. 16 provided an opportunity for local and national business leaders to learn more about how to contract with the government and for gov- ernment purchasing agents to learn what local and national vendors have to offer. The one-stop envi- ronment at Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal 4 was sponsored by the NASA/Kennedy Prime Contractor Board, 45th Space Wing and Ca- naveral Port Authority. Nearly 900 people attended the event, which featured 175 exhibi- From left, clockwise, Business Expo tors and 24 NASA small business participants talk with representatives specialists and contractor small from ITT engineering, NASA’s Office of business liaisons. Other NASA cen- Small Business Programs, Rockwell ters participated, including Head- Automation, and Florida Motion Control. quarters, Goddard Space Flight “It is also an example of the Lynda Weatherman, president Center, Johnson Space Center, partnership between government and chief executive officer of the Langley Research Center, Mar- and industry, which has made the Space Coast Economic Develop- shall Space Flight Center, Ames United States the great country it ment Commission; Tom Goodson, Research Center, Glenn Research is today,” Cannon said. “The expo chairman and port commissioner Center and the NASA Shared Ser- showcases both large and small for the Canaveral Port Authority; vices Center. businesses and their important Air Force Col. Stephen Butler, vice Dudley Cannon, director of role in helping the Air Force guard commander of the 45th Space Wing Kennedy’s Procurement Office, our nation from space and NASA at Patrick Air Force Base; James welcomed exhibitors and attendees explore our solar system and be- Hattaway, NASA associate director to the expo. He said the event is yond.” for business operations at Kennedy; an example of the successful part- Other speakers included Fred and Glenn Delgado, associate ad- nering among the U.S. Air Force, Kirschstein, district director for ministrator for the Office of Small NASA and the Port Authority. U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon; and Disadvantaged Business Utili- zation at NASA Headquarters. Hattaway said what makes the expo unique is the concentration of primarily small business exhibitors from Brevard County and Central Florida. “The small business community Wilcox announced the 2007 Kenne- is vital to our economy and our dy contractor awards. The Boeing mission success,” Hattaway said. Company was named Large Prime “This event provides these busi- Contractor of the Year, SGT Inc. nesses the opportunity to showcase was awarded Small Prime Con- their capabilities to NASA, the Air tractor of the Year and Bionetics Force and other firms.” was declared Subcontractor of the Exhibitors included vendors Year. These companies will be rec- from a variety of product and ser- ognized during Kennedy’s annual vice areas such as computer tech- awards ceremony in November. nology, communication equipment The expo is managed by and services, construction, engi- NASA’s Central Industry Assis- neering and safety products. tance Office, which provides sup- During the expo, NASA Small port to businesses desiring to do Business Specialist Connie business at Kennedy. Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS November 2, 2007 From historical to pop culture, artifacts hitchhike for ride in space

By Steven Siceloff Staff Writer

HE Wright Flyer got only a few feet off the ground during its maiden flight in 1903, but traveled to the Tmoon 66 years later. A lead cargo tag that took months to cross the Atlantic Ocean from England to the nascent colony at Jamestown re- cently made the same crossing in minutes. Now a plastic handle whose sole role was to make the fic- tional world of Star Wars look realistic has taken a real trip to the stars aboard for mission STS-120. From pieces of history to articles of pop culture, the assort- ment of items have taken with them into space is as varied as the world the artifacts represent. Most of the objects find esteemed homes when they return, such as a stuffed teddy bear that STS-116 Commander Mark Polansky took into orbit. The bear was a replica of one owned by a Holocaust survivor. After the flight, the returned the replica to a museum for its collection. For the Star Wars prop, a lightsaber handle that was used by Luke Skywalker, even the send-off was celebrated. Ac- tors dressed as characters including Chewbacca and X-wing pilots escorted the item to an airport in California for the flight to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, where it was packed into a shuttle locker and taken to NASA's Kennedy Space Center for loading aboard Discovery. Astronaut Jim Reilly, who flew three missions and has con- ducted eight spacewalks, said there is a symbolic tie between the lightsaber and the real-life work NASA does in space. "There's a kind of a fine line between science fiction and reality as far as what we do, and it's only just time, really,

(Above) The original lightsaber used by Luke Skywalker in the film Star Wars was (Above) Employees near the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center watch space stowed on Discovery for its launch to the International Space Station on mission shuttle Discovery climb through clouds into blue sky on mission STS-120 to the International Space STS-120. Taking the science-fiction weapon into space commemorates the Station. Discovery carries seven astronauts, the Harmony module payload, and a few other unique 30th anniversary of the film. The saber will be taken to Houston for display at items. the Space Center after Discovery returns to Earth Nov. 7. November 2, 2007 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 5 From historical to pop culture, artifacts hitchhike for ride in space

By Steven Siceloff (Left) The Wright brothers’ plane Staff Writer made its historic flight in 1903 on the sands of Kitty Hawk, N.C. HE Wright Flyer got only a few feet off the ground In July 1969, a piece of the plane during its maiden flight in 1903, but traveled to the flew farther than could be imag- moon 66 years later. ined at that time when it traveled T on Apollo 11 for the first manned A lead cargo tag that took months to cross the Atlantic Ocean from England to the nascent colony at Jamestown re- lunar landing. cently made the same crossing in minutes. Now a plastic handle whose sole role was to make the fic- tional world of Star Wars look realistic has taken a real trip to the stars aboard space shuttle Discovery for mission STS-120. From pieces of history to articles of pop culture, the assort- ment of items astronauts have taken with them into space is as varied as the world the artifacts represent. Most of the objects find esteemed homes when they return, such as a stuffed teddy bear that STS-116 Commander Mark Polansky took into orbit. The bear was a replica of one owned by a Holocaust survivor. After the flight, the astronaut returned the replica to a museum for its collection. For the Star Wars prop, a lightsaber handle that was used by Luke Skywalker, even the send-off was celebrated. Ac- tors dressed as characters including Chewbacca and X-wing pilots escorted the item to an airport in California for the flight to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, where it was packed into a shuttle locker and taken to NASA's Kennedy Space Center for loading aboard Discovery. because a lot of what we're doing right now was science fic- Arnold has been picked to fly aboard STS-119 in 2008, and Astronaut Jim Reilly, who flew three missions and has con- tion when I was growing up," he said. "I think it's a neat link is just starting to contemplate what to take with him to mark ducted eight spacewalks, said there is a symbolic tie between because it combines two space themes all at one time." the occasion. the lightsaber and the real-life work NASA does in space. The lightsaber will spend 14 days in orbit on mission STS- "There's not a lot of room for personal items," he said. "There's a kind of a fine line between science fiction and 120, but is not expected to leave the locker during the flight. Wedding rings and other small tokens are often taken into reality as far as what we do, and it's only just time, really, It will be on display at the Space Center in Houston after the orbit. They are small enough to fit and large enough to have mission. meaning. Each crew member is allowed to take about two It will not be the first time a Star Wars- pounds of mementos on their flight, but they must fit in a com- related item has gone into orbit, though. paratively tiny area. Reilly said astronauts have taken small Astronaut Stephanie Wilson took a sheet of music from Star Wars toys into space with them when the Boston Symphony Orchestra onboard Discovery for mis- asked. sion STS-120. The music comes from Beethoven's "Ode to "People have taken toy mementos, Joy," a favorite in the orchestra's extensive repertoire. Wilson things like a Star Wars toy that might have worked at one time in a music store in Tanglewood, Mass., meant something in their life, so there are which is the summer home of the orchestra. any number of things that might be just a Some items never leave space, notably mission emblems little out of the ordinary," he said. like those stuck to the walls inside the International Space Sta- More solemn markers have also ac- tion. companied astronauts. For example, Another example is a golf ball astronaut car- Reilly's STS-117 mission carried a medal ried to the moon on Apollo 14 and hit with an improvised club. earned by a World War II pilot who died in Moonwalker left a portrait of his family on the war. the lunar surface. Patches, flags and medallions are rou- Thousands of signatures have also gone into the solar tinely carried by the dozens or more on system in the form of computer codes imprinted on compact each flight, with some going on display discs, which flew on several probes such as Deep Space 1. and many going as awards to shuttle work- Whether they go into space to stay or to be appreciated ers and VIPs. anew back on Earth, the artifacts manage to find a unique (Above) The original lightsaber used by Luke Skywalker in the film Star Wars was "I think it makes it real," astronaut Rick Arnold said. "I home. stowed on Discovery for its launch to the International Space Station on mission lived in several countries and I think it's nice to be able to "When you get the chance to deliver that stuff back to your STS-120. Taking the science-fiction weapon into space commemorates the present one of the flags that flew on our mission to those host family and friends, they're really excited about it," Reilly said. 30th anniversary of the film. The saber will be taken to Houston for display at countries as a thank you." the Space Center after Discovery returns to Earth Nov. 7. Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS November 2, 2007 Astronauts to ride rails for emergency exit from Orion

By Steven Siceloff ground. It will be at the same Staff Writer height as the hatch on the Orion capsule, which is where the as- S NASA revamps Launch tronaut crews enter the spacecraft Complex 39B to host before launch. Athe new Orion spacecraft Kelli Maloney, the lead design- and Ares I rocket of the Constella- er for the launch pad escape sys- tion Program, engineers are prepar- tem, said a trade study showed the ing to install a new kind of depar- railcar best met NASA's require- ture system to evacuate astronauts. ments. Those requirements call for The agency calls it the Orion astronauts to be able to get out of Emergency Egress System, but it the spacecraft and into the bunker is fundamentally a group of multi- within 4 minutes. passenger cars on a set of rails One of the benefits of the rail reminiscent of a roller coaster. Its system, Maloney said, is that the purpose is to move astronauts and track can take the astronauts direct- the ground crew quickly from the ly to the bunker door. That would vehicle entry on the launch pad be a big help if one of the crew to a protective concrete bunker in members or a ground crew member case of an emergency. was incapacitated. Similar systems have been built Scott Colloredo, NASA's senior into launch pads since the Saturn project integrator for Constellation rockets and for the space shuttle. ground systems, said the group Both earlier systems were cables called on the world's roller coaster running from the spacecraft’s crew designers for help with the concept. An artist's concept of the Ares I launch pad shows the new evacuation system on the ingress level to an area near a bun- "It's obviously not a thrill ride, right. Astronauts and the ground crew could ker. There has never been an emer- but we're taking advantage of tech- leave the capsule and ride a railcar (top right gency on the pad that required the nology that's there," he said. of the tower) like a roller coaster down to crew use these systems. a bunker for protection. The path would be For Orion, the railcar would This artitst’s concept shows Ares I on the marked with yellow and black arrows. stand some 380 feet above the launch pad next to the launch tower.

NASA, contractors form board for small businesses

HE prime contractors for clarification, implementation and TNASA and the Kennedy Space improvement of the Small Business Center recently signed the charter Utilization Program at Kennedy. for the “NASA/KSC Prime Con- Members of the board represent tractor Board.” Kennedy and NASA, as well as on- The board was formed to fos- site/near-site, mission support and ter the development, operation, operational prime contractors. The board comprises a Working Committee to identify appropriate action items and develop potential solutions and approaches, and an Executive Committee to establish policy, direction and strategies. Contractors represented on the committees are The Boeing Company, Space Gateway Sup- port, United Space Alliance, ASRC Aerospace Corp., C&C Interna- Signing the charter is NASA Director of Procurement Dudley Cannon (right), along with tional, Dynamac Corp., Delaware Larry Third (left) of the NASA Industry Assistance Office and KSC Small Business Special- North Inc. and Chickasaw Nation ist Connie Wilcox (center). Space Gateway Support Director of Con- Industries. tracts Victoria Lockard signs the charter; at left is Small Business Liaison Cindi Minter. November 2, 2007 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 7 Remembering Our Heritage Apollo launch team in two sites

By Kay Grinter room housed 470 monitors and had the vehicle off Reference Librarian consoles for guiding the assembly the pad, Mission and checkout of a Saturn vehicle Control in Houston OR the Apollo Program, in the bays of the Vehicle Assem- took control. Only blockhouses located on the bly Building and controlling the then did we stand Fperimeters of the pads be- launches from both pads. up and turn around came passé. The state-of-the-art fir- Roy Lealman was an engineer to watch liftoff ing rooms were safely tucked away on the launch team in Firing Room through the win- in the new Launch Control Center, 1, also known as FR1, for the dows." or LCC, located more than three Apollo 11 launch. A division chief The photos miles from either Pad A or Pad B in in Kennedy's Launch Vehicle Op- showing a jubilant Launch Complex 39. erations, he oversaw the electrical launch team in The LCC was a marvel and networks and gyroscope position- FR1 only captured July 16, 1969: Members of the Kennedy Space Center Govern- ment-Industry Team rise from the consoles in the Launch won the 1965 Architectural Award ing of the Saturn V. Now retired, part of the picture, Control Center to watch the Apollo 11 liftoff. for the Industrial Design of the he recalled from his home on though. Year. Each of the four firing rooms, Merritt Island: "Those of us at the The teams controlling the Space Walk of Fame Museum in located on the building's third consoles on the main floor faced command service module and Titusville, he recalled: "The control floor, was two stories high. Each west, away from the pads. Once we lunar module, the CSM and LM, rooms had windows that looked were stationed in the Acceptance into the building's high bay. Small- Checkout Equipment, or ACE, con- screen black-and-white televisions trol rooms in the Operations and were mounted on the walls for our Checkout Building about 10 miles launch-viewing pleasure." away. Daniel Evans was a young At the heart of these six rooms engineer also assigned to the was a computer system that could Checkout Equipment Branch of process 34,000 samples of test Spacecraft Operations. Now senior data per second from the checkout manager of configuration manage- systems. Data collected in the ACE ment in International Space Station control rooms was transmitted to and Spacecraft Processing at Ken- FR1, where it was monitored for nedy, he recalled: "I worked third any problems. shift in the ACE control room for Charlie Mars was NASA's chief the lunar module for Apollo 11, but lunar module project engineer in I was on console for the launch of Spacecraft Operations at Kennedy Apollo 13." The ACE Station 3 in the Operations & Checkout Building on Jan. 15, 1969, where person- and was in the ACE control room FR1 will be outfitted to support nel support an integrated systems test on lunar module 3, part of the flight readiness test for the Apollo 11 launch. Now the 2009 demonstration Ares 1-X for Apollo 9. Leaning, at right, is Daniel Evans, now a senior manager at Kennedy. retired and managing the U.S. flight for the Constellation Program. KSC makes a difference ECAUSE of generous Ken- basic needs during its last fiscal Bnedy Space Center workers year. The project was formally who donated items to the Make launched three years ago and is a Difference Day Project, about coordinated by the Federally Em- 1,000 Brevard County residents ployed Women, or FEW, organiza- will receive basic necessities such tion. as canned vegetables, pasta, sham- “We can’t do something like poo and diapers. this if people aren’t willing to help, After two months of work, vol- and these volunteers have been unteers loaded three vehicles with very gracious,” said Sandra Getter, the donations and delivered them Community Outreach Chairwoman to the Brevard Sharing Centers in for FEW’s Space Coast chapter. Titusville and Cocoa on Oct. 26. “Charity begins at home. Here we These goods are certainly needed, are in Brevard County with people seeing that the crisis service 2-1-1 who can’t afford food. We with Brevard received 11,328 calls for jobs should give back.” Chau Le and Sandra Getter finish loading one of two vans and an SUV used to collect donations for the Make A Difference Day Project to take to Brevard Sharing Centers. Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS November 2, 2007 Students get experience of a lifetime

N a brilliant October the competition. This was the first projects together. The youngsters take pride in morning, students and time a piece of the space station The module also will physically having participated in a history- Oteachers from six schools was named by anyone outside of connect many international parts making event. According to the around the United States gathered NASA. of the space station, serving as the students, they believe that everyday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center "We chose the name Harmony uniting point between the U.S. people should care about the space to watch as space shuttle Discovery because our class had to work to- Destiny lab, the European Colum- program. roared off its launch pad on mis- gether in harmony and we thought bus module and the Japanese Kibo Diana remarked that people sion STS-120. that would be a good name," said module. never know how they'll be affected Safely nestled inside the Megan Littleton from Buchanan On the first of their five sched- by the items NASA carries into shuttle's payload bay was the Ital- Elementary School in Baton uled spacewalks, the STS-120 space, like science experiments that ian-built Node 2, which the stu- Rouge, La. astronauts installed Harmony in a could lead to a cure for cancer that dents named Harmony, destined NASA invited teachers and temporary position on the station couldn't be found on Earth because to become a permanent part of the about 150 students with their par- on Oct. 26. of certain conditions. International Space Station. ents to visit Kennedy for a grand The 24-foot-long module be- "Who knows what will hap- But let's step back in time and tour of the center and to watch the came the first expansion of the pen when we go further to another explain how the students ended up shuttle launch. station's living and working space planet and we figure out what's at Kennedy for the launch on Diana Winter from Browne since 2001. beyond what we know." Oct. 23. Academy in Alexandria, Va., said Last year, NASA extended a she became interested in space "Name the ISS Node 2 Challenge" after seeing the rings of Saturn to schools throughout the coun- through a telescope her grandpa try. More than 2,200 kindergarten had given her. through high school students from "I've been in awe of everything 32 states took part in the naming I've seen through the telescope that contest. you can't really see (otherwise)." After researching how humans Tanli Sun from Lubbock High live and work in space, the students School in Lubbock, Texas, is fas- were tasked with building scale cinated by the immensity of the models, writing essays, creating universe. "Space is so limitless and electronic scrapbooks about the infinite and mysterious. It grabs module and coming up with a your attention because we don't meaningful name. know much about it and we would The contest submissions were like to know more." sent to a panel of NASA scientists, The students agreed that the engineers and educators and the name Harmony represented the winners were announced at a Ken- coming together of people from nedy event in March. different countries with a mutual The name Harmony was cho- purpose of exploring space and sen by six different schools to win working on science and research Former NASA astronaut Frank Culbertson (front row center) spoke to the Harmony-nam- ing group after their tour of the Apollo/Saturn V Center at Kennedy. They stayed for the STS-120 launch that carried Harmony to the International Space Station. World Space Expo promotes support for space exploration John F. Kennedy Space Center HE Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will host the inaugural TWorld Space Expo event Nov. 1-4 to promote public support for Spaceport News space exploration. The event will feature unique exhibits, personal appear- ances and an education program at the Visitor Complex. Additionally, an aerial salute featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center and will take place over the NASA Causeway. Employees can still purchase up is published on alternate Fridays by External Relations in the interest of KSC civil service and contractor employees. to six tickets at NASA Exchange Stores for activities scheduled on Nov. 3 Contributions are welcome and should be submitted two weeks before or 4. The discounted cost is $15 per person, which includes admission to publication to the Media Services Branch, IDI-011. E-mail submissions can be sent to the Visitor Complex, special exhibits, appearances and the air show. [email protected]. Everyone attending the aerial salute on Nov. 3 or 4 will be required to Managing editor...... Amber Philman board buses at the Visitor Complex for transport to the NASA Causeway. Editor...... Anita Barrett No personal vehicles will be allowed at the causeway. Bus boarding be- Copy editor ...... Corey Schubert gins at 11 a.m. at the Visitor Complex. Small folding/bagged chairs are permitted. Editorial support provided by InDyne, Inc. Writers Group. For additional information, go to www.kennedyspacecenter.com or NASA at KSC is located on the Internet at http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy www.worldspaceexpo.com. USGPO: 733-049/600142