National Aeronautics and Space Administration

FALL 2015

Center Planning and Development (CPD) is the “front door” for partnerships with NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC). We are developing the world’s premier spaceport for government and commercial space industries using comprehensive resource planning and partnerships. For more information about CPD, visit http://kscpartnerships.ksc.nasa.gov/. Blue Origin chooses Space Coast Message from CPD Management ulti user spaceport n Sept. 15, Blue Origin announced that will allow for these new activities M - Othat it would be the next aerospace to occur. This sets up Blue Origin to taking shape under company to become a partner of perform several historical “firsts.” Kennedy Space Center’s multi-user Blue Origin will be the first entity commercial success spaceport. to manufacture rockets in Brevard In competition with 10 other states, County in its own, yet-to-be-built plant, creating 330 high-paying jobs and he times . . . they are exciting. The Florida’s state and local incentives lured multi-user spaceport now is more Blue Origin founder and CEO, Jeff investing $200 million into launch and T manufacturing facilities. When current than just a vision; it is reality. We have a Bezos, to manufacture and launch a negotiations are complete, the plant will new launch pad next to Launch Pad 39B reusable rocket from Florida’s Space Coast be constructed at Exploration Park, just — Launch Pad 39C. This is where we later this decade. The Center Planning west of the Industrial Area at Kennedy. soon will see “smoke and fire” from the and Development Directorate has been Blue Origin also will refurbish the launching of newly developed small to instrumental in ensuring that processes historic Atlas II launch site, Space Launch medium class rockets. And not just one and agreements are in place, between Complex 36 (SLC-36) at Cape Canaveral type of rocket, but more than a dozen Blue Origin and Space Florida — the Air Force Station. Additionally at SLC-36, companies with as many different rocket operator of Exploration Park where the the company will build an acceptance test designs, have expressed interest in using manufacturing facilities will be built — See Page 4 39C. It is a capability not seen before at Kennedy Space Center. Also, we expect SpaceX to launch their Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Blue Origin, speaks during new Falcon Heavy vehicle from Launch an event at Space Launch Pad 39A before too long. If successful, Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral it will demonstrate a return of the heavy Air Force Station in Florida where he announced that payload-to-orbit capability that Kennedy Blue Origin will build rockets is known for. at Exploration Park at NASA’s Another new entry, Blue Origin, will Kennedy Space Center and launch them from SLC-36 at build a launch capability on Space Launch the Cape. Looking on is Rick Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Scott, Florida governor. Station. Perhaps even more importantly Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett for Kennedy, Blue Origin will build

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Center Planning and Development Developing Partnerships ... Launching Dreams 1 Innovation Expo showcases cutting-edge technologies

f innovation and creativ- high bay, where station com- Iity are the seeds of future ponents are readied for flight; technologies, Kennedy Space the Augmented Virtual Reality Center is fertile ground. Lab, where researchers investi- New ideas and creativity are gate new methods of human- central to the spaceport’s tran- computer interaction; and the sition to a 21st century launch Advanced Spaceport Concepts complex supporting a variety and Technologies Research and of users as the agency lays the Development Lab, which is groundwork for the Journey to developing a variety of state- Mars. At the spaceport’s annual of-the-art innovations. Innovation Expo, held Oct. During the final two days 15-17, proposals for advanced Kennedy Space Center Associate Director Kelvin Manning tries out a virtual reality experience of the Innovation Expo, the at the center’s 2015 Innovation Expo. Now in its fourth year, the purpose of the Innovation Expo technologies took center stage is to help foster innovation and creativity among the Kennedy workforce. The annual event is event moved to the Kennedy as NASA and contractor em- designed to encourage NASA and contractor employees to continue to present proposals for Space Center Visitor Complex, ployees shared their projects advanced technologies. Photo credit NASA/Dan Casper where guests visited exhibits and ideas. It’s a place where I just feel like case, in which exhibits and in the Kennedy Showcase and Now in its fourth year, anything can happen,” said the representatives from several listened to a series of speak- the event has grown from a event’s keynote speaker, NASA organizations and programs ers and presentations offer- one-day gathering to high- astronaut Cady Coleman, a shared their capabilities and ing firsthand information on light employee innovations NASA’s six programs currently veteran of two space shuttle cutting-edge technologies. Cen- to a three-day showcase. in motion, including Earth flights and a rotation aboard ter Planning and Development, This year’s Innovation Expo Right Now, Technology, ISS, the International Space Sta- International Space Apps Chal- theme, “From Earth to Mars,” Aeronautics, Mars and the tion. She currently works in the lenge, IT Innovations, Ant- featured exhibits and presen- inspired Swarmie Robots, KSC Solar System and Beyond. tations for both the public agency’s Office of the Chief NASA’s Ground Systems Technologist at NASA Head- Technology Transfer and KSC and center employees from Balance Zone were among the Development and Operations quarters in Washington. astronauts, a planetary physi- more than 15 displays on hand Program, Launch Services Pro- “It’s an atmosphere that I be- cist and innovation experts. for the showcase. gram and Commercial Crew lieve feeds you and allows you Subjects included innovations The Innovation Expo’s Program were joined by NASA to do things that are extraordi- in technology, aeronautics, the opening-day lineup also Technology, NASA Aeronau- International Space Station, nary.” featured the annual KickStart tics, Chemical and Biologi- and plans to explore Mars, the The first day of the expo was competition, in which Ken- cal Sciences and many more, solar system and beyond. tailored to employees, begin- nedy employees pitched 21 new giving visitors a comprehensive “This is a special place for me. ning with the Kennedy Show- project concepts. Coleman and view of the technological work several members of Kennedy in progress in preparation for leadership served as judges, the journey to Mars. ultimately selecting 12 projects Innovation begins, Coleman to receive up to $5,000 for said, with taking on challenges equipment needed to make the and thinking outside the box to proposals a reality. find solutions — and creating Employees had the oppor- an environment where collabo- tunity to explore some of ration leads to new ideas. Kennedy’s laboratories, such as “Thinking in a different Swamp Works, where robots direction is hard to do,” she practice mining in test bins acknowledged. “Everyone filled with simulated regolith; has their own kind of jigsaw the Prototype Development puzzle and I think what helps Employees check out technology exhibits on display at the 2015 Innovation Expo at NASA’s Lab, which designs and builds is to look around and see what Kennedy Space Center. Now in its fourth year, the purpose of the Innovation Expo is to help people’s jigsaw puzzles are, and foster innovation and creativity among the Kennedy workforce. The annual event is designed ground support equipment to encourage NASA and contractor employees to continue to present proposals for advanced and flight hardware; the Space support them.” technologies. Photo credit: NASA/Dan Casper Station Processing Facility -- By Anna Heiney

Center Planning and Development Developing Partnerships ... Launching Dreams 2 Behind the Scenes: ViTS group always ‘on the spot’ From Page 1 a rocket manufacturing ith a combined 63 years capability within Exploration Wof experience, members Park, just west of Kennedy’s of the Kennedy Space Center Industrial Area. This will mark Video Teleconferencing System the first time an entire rocket Operations Office (ViTS) keep system will be manufactured, Kennedy and other NASA processed and launched from centers connected. the Space Coast. Rob Singer, Kenneth “Buddy” Around us we are seeing new Levitt, and David Petterson buildings, structures and faces are the only team of dedicated as part of the next generation ViTS operators at Kennedy. of space exploration. This group has supported the With them they bring new monthly Agency Master Plan- ideas and new ways of doing ning ViTS since its first meet- business. And we in NASA ing February 2002. are meeting the challenges of Last October’s transition of supporting and encouraging the Agency Master Planning these folks. We are developing Working Group lead from Matt new processes to support their Kenney (White Sands Test needs and new capabilities to Facility) to Trey Carlson (Ken- help them succeed. nedy) changed the ViTS team’s For if we truly are to be role from a participating center the spaceport of the future, to the organizing center. The then we must ensure they are new duties now involved coor- Clockwise, from top left are Standing: Robert “Rob” Singer, KSC Video Teleconference Operations successful. Their success IS dination of the monthly ViTS Lead; Kenneth “Buddy” Levitt, Video Teleconference Specialist; and David Petterson, Video Teleconference Specialist, who are are the only team of dedicated ViTS operators at Kennedy our future. Of course, that among all NASA centers. Space Center. Photo credit: NASA/Gisele Altman means that we have to be The ViTS team takes excep- open to those new ideas. tional pride in its work and such as human resources and the space shuttle. They include We have to be willing to do has no difficulty meeting the personnel training. It was not assisting with Shuttle Mission things differently than we demanding challenges of a until the devastating Columbia Manager Team Meetings, Flight have done before. And we job that is mostly live, in the accident that Kennedy manag- Readiness Reviews, Launch have to embrace these new moment and “on the spot.” ers started using ViTS ser- Readiness Reviews, and facili- things and people with open And those challenges vary vices to collaboratively discuss tating at the VIP viewing site in arms. from equipment malfunction aftermath options and forward OSB II during launches. And I am glad to say I see to educating customers of steps with NASA Headquarters In addition to NASA-spon- that attitude every day. ViTS’ capabilities; clarifying and other centers. From then, sored ViTS, the team provides The NASA and Kennedy customer needs as requests are the functionality of Ken- ViTS connections to contractor workforce is diligently making usually received via third party; nedy’s video conferencing went facilities, academia (from the path for the newcomers and keeping pace with dynamic from occasional admin use to elementary to college) and even and is demonstrating that we scheduling locally and from frequent, standard ViTS, and the International Space Station. can and want to see those other centers. For example, in some instances, week-long To date, the KSC ViTS Team changes. training events. has assisted with 123 agency during the days of the space We are opening up this Additionally, as funding cut- master planning ViTS and is shuttle, the team would work center to all those that see as late as 10 p.m. in order to backs made essential business poised to facilitate many more. a future full of hope and facilitate a ViTS with Japan or travel more stringent, utilizing The team’s importance is not exhilaration. Italy. on-center ViTS options proved limited to just one group as Yes, the times they are very Kennedy has not always had to be a substantial money saver they recently received a much- exciting. Strap yourselves in; video conferencing. for Kennedy. deserved Space Flight Aware- it’s going to be one heck of a The very first ViTS was used Through it all, the group has ness Award from the Commer- ride! in 1987. Even then, video favorite moments they find cial Crew Program. conferencing was used solely rewarding. Most of those — Mario Busacca for administrative functions, memories are from the days of -- By Gisele Altman Chief, Spaceport Planning Office

Center Planning and Development Developing Partnerships ... Launching Dreams 3

-- By Gisele Altman AS ‘SCENE’ ON

CENTER A mural depicting The Boeing Company’s newly named CST-100 Starliner commercial crew transportation spacecraft is installed on the company’s Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility, or C3PF, at Kennedy Space Center. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

From Page 1 “The pad has stood silent for more than decent at their Texas launch site. This stand for the 550,000-pound-thrust BE-4 10 years . . . too long,” Bezos said. “We is the first time such a feat has been engine. can’t wait to fix that.” accomplished, gearing the company to SLC-36 has been in service for 43 years For now, the BE-4 engine will still be move toward commercial suborbital — since 1962 — and has launched 145 manufactured in Kent, Washington. The flights with human passengers. rockets. SLC-36 is rich in historical firsts new BE-4 engine will power United Blue Origin is human spaceflight- of its own, such as launching the first Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan rocket focused, and eventually wants to hone U.S. spacecraft to visit other planets: that eventually will replace the Atlas V. in on space tourism: flying tourists into the Mariner missions; Pioneer 10, first On Sept. 10, ULA and Blue Origin signed space to see Earth from a unique vantage to travel through an asteroid belt; and a production agreement. According to point and experience weightlessness. The Surveyor 1, the first U.S. spacecraft to Bezos, the BE-4 will be qualified in 2017, company also may compete to launch land softly on the moon. So it only is with Vulcan’s first flight planned for 2019. government satellites. fitting that Blue Origin’s locally built Most recently, Blue Origin demonstrated With this historic agreement in place, rocket be flown from this location. The another first. On Nov. 24, they Bezos is one step closer to his dream last launch from SLC-36 was in 2005. successfully launched and landed a of humans becoming a “space-faring suborbital rocket under its own powered civilization.” DID YOU KNOW?

. . . that Kennedy Space Center hosts four species of bats, with the most common being the Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat. Many of Kennedy’s buildings are used as their roosts. POC: Rebecca Bolt, KSC-IHA-4100

Scott Colloredo - CPD Director: 321-867-2640 Mario Busacca - Chief, Spaceport Planning: 321-867-8456 CPD contacts Tom Engler - CPD Deputy Director: 321-544-9685 Gisele Altman - The Front Page Newsletter: 321-867-4000 Vicki Johnston - Chief, Partnership Development: 321-867-3722 Mary Ann Chevalier - Public Affairs Officer: 321-861-7075

To view previous editions of The Front Page, visit http://www.nasa.gov/content/the-front-page-archive/.

For more about Kennedy Space Center’s Planning and Development, go to http://kscpartnerships.ksc.nasa.gov/

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