June 27, 2003 Vol. 42, No.13 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 Bridges accepts new post at Langley ennedy Space Center commander of the Eastern Space nation's first civilian aeronautics Director Roy D. Bridges and Missile Center, Patrick Air laboratory. The Center is a Khas been named Center Force Base; and commander, recognized leader in aviation Director for the agency's Langley safety initiatives, quiet aircraft Research Center in Hampton, Va. technology, small aircraft trans- "The people here have such a Bridges, a retired U.S. Air Force portation and aerospace vehicles passion for the mission and major general and former Space system technology. It supports produce amazing results. Shuttle pilot, will assume his new NASA space programs with Clearly, there is no finer team duties Aug. 10. atmospheric research and on the planet." "My six-plus years with the technology testing and develop- Roy D. Bridges KSC Team are the highlight of my ment. career," said Bridges. "The people "General Bridgeís distin- here have such a passion for the 412th Test Wing, Edwards Air guished military service and flight mission and produce amazing Force Base. experience as both a pilot and results. Clearly, there is no finer "As I explained in my state- astronaut are vital to the continued team on the planet, and I feel very Roy D. Bridges ment that I asked Jim Kennedy to success of Langley and its many privileged to have had the opportu- spaceport and range technologies read to you last Friday (June 13) cutting-edge aerospace and nity to serve here for so long." to improve safety and reduce the when this announcement was advanced technology programs," Bridges was named KSC cost of access to space. made, we all must answer the call said NASA Administrator Sean Director in March 1997. His As a NASA astronaut, Bridges of duty as best we can at this O'Keefe. responsibilities has included piloted the Space Shuttle Chal- critical time for the Agency," said Bridges is a distinguished managing all of the Center's lenger on mission STS-51F in July Bridges. "The Administrator graduate of the U.S. Air Force facilities and activities related to 1985. He has held many key believes that my service is needed Academy, where he earned the processing and launch of the aerospace positions during his as the Langley Center Director a bachelor's degree in engineering Space Shuttle and expendable career. Prior to his last Air Force now. I will try to bring some of the science. He received his master's launch vehicles, as well as final assignment at Wright-Patterson incredible talent at Langley to bear degree in astronautics from tests, preparations and processing Air Force Base, Ohio, he was on our Return to Flight challenges Purdue University, and in May of experiments and segments of commander of the Air Force Flight as well as on other important 2001 he received an honorary the International Space Station. Test Center, Edwards Air Force Agency initiatives." doctorate of engineering degree He also worked to develop the Base in California. He also was Langley was established as the from Purdue. Inside Spirit begins seven-month trip to Mars The first Mars Exploration Rover (MER-A), named Page 2 - Two International Space Spirit, began its seven-month journey to Mars at 1:58 Station components arrive p.m. June 10 when its Delta II vehicle launched from Page 3 - Mars support teams Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The spacecraft, first spread NASA goals in Africa of a twin pair in NASA's MER project, separated successfully from the Deltaís third stage 36 minutes Pages 4-5 - Air traffic controllers respond to airborne security after launch while over the Indian Ocean. At press time, all systems were operating as expected. Spirit will roam a landing area on Mars that bears evidence of a wet history. The rover will examine rocks and soil for clues to whether the site may have been a hospitable place for life. Spiritís twin, Opportunity, which is being prepared for launch no earlier than June 28 at 11:56 p.m. at press time, will be targeted to a Page 7 - Brevard is Lightning separate site with different signs of a watery past. The spacecraft's schedule before arriving at Alley ì"We have plenty of challenges ahead, but this launch Mars Jan. 4, 2004, includes six opportunities for Page 8 - One NASA comes went so well, we're delighted," said JPL's Pete maneuvers to adjust its trajectory. Visit together through business Theisinger, project manager for the Mars Exploration www.mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mer for information. program Rover missions. Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS June 27, 2003 Space Station components officially signed over to NASA The next major International of the Italian Space Agency Space Station (ISS) module, the working with NASA. It is a key European-built Node 2, was milestone from our first satellite officially transferred to NASA, launch to our partnership with JPL and Node 2 and the Japanese-built for the Cassini launch to signing Pressurized Module (PM), which the cooperative agreement in 1991 is part of the Japanese Experiment to provide the three Multi-Purpose Module (JEM) element known as Logistics Modules, which have Kibo (meaning 'hope'), were flown on five missions to date." officially welcomed during a "Kibo will be attached to ceremony at the Space Station Node 2 on the ISS," said Kuniaki Processing Facility, June 18. Shiraki, Space Station program Kennedy Space Center manager for the National Space Director Roy Bridges Jr., NASA Development Agency of Japan Deputy Associate Administrator (NASDA). for ISS and Space Shuttle Pro- "It is an important element. It grams Maj. Gen. Michael is quite amazing the events that Center Director Roy Bridges Jr. speaks to guests gathered in the Space Kostelnik and NASA's ISS Pro- Station Processing Facility for a ceremony to highlight the arrival of two major have led to the arrival of the JEM gram Manager William components of the International Space Station. Emceed by Lisa Malone (left), Kibo (pressurized) module to Gerstenmaier welcomed members deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, the KSC." Expressing his thanks and of the Japanese and European ceremony also included (from left behind Bridges): NASA's Michael C. cooperation Shiraki added, "We Space Agencies as well as repre- Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station and have a unique future." sentatives from the Canadian, Shuttle Programs; William Gerstenmaier, International Space Station Japan's first human rated Russian, Italian and Brazilian Program manager; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Program element will be used for space Space Agencies. manager for Node 2, ESA; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager, medicine, biology, Earth obser- The Node 2 arrived at KSC National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan. vations, material production, June 1 aboard the Airbus Beluga living and working space inside "What we are doing today is a biotechnology and communica- aircraft. The PM was shipped by the Station. demonstration of the call for tions research. container transport ship and Node 2 will provide passage- further growth and expanded Kibo comprises six compo- arrived at KSC, May 30. Both were way to the U.S. Destiny Lab, the capacity on the ISS," said nents: two research facilities, the transported to the SSPF for JEM, the European Columbus General Kostelnik. PM, Exposed Facility (from which integrated testing and prelaunch Laboratory and the Centrifuge Gerstenmaier said, "The flight crews will conduct micro- processing for future Space Accommodation Module. It will strength of the ISS is its partners gravity experiments), two logistics Shuttle missions. also provide connecting ports for coming together to solve modules, a Remote Manipulator "We'll put these modules Multi-Purpose Logistics Mod- problems, each in their own way. System and an Inter-Orbit Commu- through their paces here on the ules, the Japanese H-IIA Transfer Both of these modules have been nication System unit. ground and help the ISS achieve its Vehicles and the Pressurized designed for the ISS, though they These components will be destiny," said Bridges. "We'll build Mating Adapter 2. look a little different, and each assembled in space over the friendships and make our partner- The module was built by meet the specifications re- course of three Space Shuttle ships stronger in the process." Alenia Spazio in Turin, Italy quired." missions starting in 2006. When NASA's Node 2 is under contract to the Italian Andrea Lorenzoni, ISS The NASDA manages the installed on the Station it will Space Agency and led by a program manager for Agenzia development of the JEM element signify the completion of the U.S. consortium of European subcon- Spaziale italiana, commented, at the Tsukuba Space Center near stage of assembly and increase the tractors. "Today is the 40 year anniversary Tokyo. Debris reconstruction hangar walk-through days scheduled Kennedy Space Center 1:30-6:30 p.m. Third shift with up to four family members United Space Alliance and Boeing workers and their families will be employees will be accommodated that are at least 12 years old. reconstruction team members will able to view collected debris July 10 from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. Children younger than 12 will not be at the hangar during tour hours during the Columbia Reconstruc- KSC employee and family days be allowed on KSC for the tour to answer questions and explain tion Hangar Walk-Through, July 7- are Thursday, July 10 and Friday, due to previously established age the debris and the processes used 12.