June 13, 2008 Vol. 48, No. 12 Spaceport News John F. Kennedy Space Center - America’s gateway to the universe www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/snews/spnews_toc.html Closeout crew gets it done by the numbers Workers strap in Touchdown time STS-124 astronauts, As of press time, the landing of STS-124 was targeted for close hatch before 11:15 a.m. June 14. beautiful launch For complete coverage, photos and features, go to By Kate Frakes www.nasa.gov/shuttle Spaceport News s countdown to the launch anomalies,” Thompson said. of Discovery on its Those flawless preparations STS-124 mission ap- were reflected in the cabin’s ener- A getic atmosphere. proached the final hour, United Space Alliance lead, Travis Thomp- “The astronauts were all happy, son, and his six-member closeout talkative and relaxed; like it was a crew helped strap the astronauts cakewalk,” Thompson said. NASA into their ascent positions aboard Thompson said his crew pre- Travis Thompson, right, enjoys a light moment with STS-124 Mission Specialist Ron Garan the space shuttle at Launch Pad 39A pares two astronauts at a time, while in the White Room on Launch Pad 39A prior to launch May 31. at Kennedy. “Come back and see the others wait outside. we had been keeping the air condi- Pressurized Module and its Remote me,” Thompson told the crew as he “When the last astronaut Ron tion all for ourselves,” Thompson Manipulator System. After Garan exited the cockpit. Garan walked inside, he joked that said. “I didn’t have to ask him if he and Fossum transferred the Orbiter Thompson and his team were wanted the cooling system hooked Boom Sensor System’s heat sheild responsible for the astronauts’ to his suit.” inspection tool back to the space safety and comfort while boarding The closeout crew prepared shuttle, where it was temporarily the space shuttle and they only had seven astronauts for launch includ- stored on the station’s exterior in 50 minutes. ing Commander Mark Kelly and March, the crew prepared the pres- “It’s like softball,” Thompson Pilot Ken Ham, Mission Specialists surized module for its installation to said. “I ask myself what I’m going Ron Garan, Karen Nyberg, Greg the left side of Harmony. to do if the ball is hit to me. I’m al- Chamitoff, Mike Fossum and JAXA The spacewalks also included ways aware of everyone’s location; astronaut Akihiko Hoshide. work on the starboard Solar Alpha whether it’s on ship, in the White Chamitoff will transfer to the Rotary Joint. They installed a re- Room or outside.” station and take astronaut Garrett placement atrundle bearing assem- “I’m following a checklist, Reisman’s place as a space sta- bly, assessed a potentially damaged talking to the orbiter test conductor tion Expedition 17 flight engineer. area on the joint and tested possible and NASA test director and keeping He will return to Earth on shuttle techniques to clean the surface of track of time while making sure mission STS-126 targeted for No- the joint’s race ring. every crew member gets the right vember. Reisman will return with STS-124 is the 123rd space piece of equipment.” He said that Discovery’s crew on June 14. shuttle flight, the 26th to the station, the given, but approximate, After Discovery’s June 1 ar- the 35th for Discovery and the third 50-minute timeframe was never far rival to the station, Kelly and Ham flight in 2008. from his mind. performed a rendezvous pitch Thompson has worked as Discovery lifted off May 31 at maneuver, allowing the crew to lead of the closeout crew for more 5:02 p.m. EDT. It was a successful photograph the orbiter’s protective than half of the shuttle program’s beginning to the second of three heat-resistant tiles and send the launches. “I have two shoeboxes launches scheduled to complete results to engineers on Earth for full of the mission patches I wore the Japan Aerospace Exploration analysis. After necessary pressure on each launch that I was lead,” he Agency’s (JAXA) Kibo laboratory, and leak checks were performed said. “I’m not counting them until at the International Space Station. for NASA on the hatches, the two spacecrafts the shuttle program ends.” “This particular launch was Smoke and steam billow across Launch were joined. For the latest information about spotless. It was flawless and Pad 39A as space shuttle Discovery races Crew members performed three the STS-124 mission and its crew, smooth. That is what stands out; no toward the International Space Station. spacewalks to install the Japanese visit www.nasa.gov/shuttle. Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS June 13, 2008 Transition Working Group seeks to involve everyone lanning the future posture so all directorates are aware of the of Kennedy Space Center status of these planning exercises Pfollowing the retirement and any issues that may arise. of the Space Shuttle Program, As budgets and technical ramp-down of International Space requirements are firmed up, TWG Station ground operations and may take on an integrating func- the emergence of the Constel- tion to make sure all programs lation Program requires center- and institutional organizations NASA/Kim Shiflett wide involvement. The Kennedy are engaged in implementing the Brevard Workforce Development Board President Lisa Rice, Kennedy Center Director Bill Par- Transition Working Group (TWG) transition of work force sons and Brevard Workforce Development Board Vice Chairman Jack Rood signed the docu- was chartered in 2006 to provide Kennedy faces some signifi- ment that will help pave the way for work force cooperation between Kennedy and the BWDB. center leadership in those efforts. cant challenges post-shuttle and TWG includes members from all TWG is developing plans to lessen Leaders sign Space Act Agreement Kennedy directorates responsible the impact while keeping in mind for identifying and resolving key that every dollar spent on transi- to help work force during transition transition issues, particularly tion and retirement is a dollar not those that cross organizational available for future missions. By Linda Herridge lines. The scope of TWG is wide- For example, the group is Staff Writer “It is important that we reaching and includes planning for planning for the orderly disposi- communicate and work personal property, facilities, work tion of more than 300,000 line ennedy Space Center force and budget issues. items of shuttle personal property Director Bill Parsons signed together. Getting started The membership includes located at Kennedy. Kthe center’s first Space early is the key.” Kennedy transition managers ap- Much will be reused by Con- Act Agreement with the Brevard pointed for Constellation, Melodie stellation or other programs, but Workforce Development Board Bill Parsons, Jackson; Institution, Kelly Gor- the remainder must be properly as- (BWDB) during a ceremony in the Kennedy Center Director man; Shuttle Processing, George sessed and cost effective methods Headquarters Building on May 27. Jacobs; and Space Station, John to accomplish the task must be With several board members Jackson. Managers oversee transi- developed. at their side, Brevard Workforce lifelong learning and job training. It tion within their organizations and Another important task is Development Board President also allows for increased availability programs, and work closely with identification of the buildings and Lisa Rice and Vice Chairman Jack of the Brevard Job Link Express their counterparts in the programs capabilities needed by Constel- Rood signed the document that will Bus at various locations around the and at NASA Headquarters to lation so Kennedy management help pave the way for work force center. make sure Kennedy concerns are knows which assets are available cooperation between Kennedy and The Job Link Express is a self- taken into consideration when for other uses or for closure. the BWDB in support of existing and contained career center on wheels transition and retirement are dis- Budget submittals for transi- future missions at the space center. with twelve computer stations, cussed. tion and retirement efforts are re- The agreement will be the Internet and telecommunications, TWG is chaired by the In- viewed closely by the agency and foundation document used by both printing, copying and fax capability, stitutional Transition Manager, TWG reviews Kennedy submittals organizations, to partner with state as well as new sources of Kelly Gorman. “The TWG’s job is and notes potential impacts so cen- and local community leaders, in information to assist workers with to stay on top of transition issues ter management can raise them to the joint goal of preparing Brevard job searches and help determine and develop center positions to appropriate agency forums, when County’s highly skilled work force other career interests. respond to program decisions,” necessary. Members participate for the transition from the Space Rice praised the center for Gorman said. “We can charter sub- in agency and program transition Shuttle Program to the Constellation appointing Human Resources teams to focus on particular sub- meetings and provide reports to Program. Director Tracy Anania as an ex- jects, like property disposition and the rest of the membership. “It is important that we officio liaison to the workforce artifacts, and we work closely with TWG meets monthly and re- communicate and work together,” board. Rice said her participation has other groups and teams working on ports to the deputy center director Parsons said. “Getting started early opened channels of communication future planning activities.” quarterly. is the key.” with the center’s contractor human Kennedy’s work force, consid- According to Rice, the resource departments. ered the most vital and important agreement will allow the BWDB Rood said it is part of the asset, is widely discussed when More online to increase its efforts to retain, workforce development board’s planning for the center’s upcoming To find out more about the strengthen and expand the county’s vision to help create and maintain a transition.