Thursday, March 19, 2015

Fwd: NASA News and JSC Today - Thursday, March 19, 2015



Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Date: March 19, 2015 at 8:47:46 AM CDT
To: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Cc: "Nakamura, Stacey T. (JSC-NC211)" <stacey.t.nakamura@nasa.gov>
Subject: FW: NASA News and  JSC Today - Thursday, March 19, 2015

JSC Today - Thursday, March 19, 2015

Another good day of folks successfully signing up for the new Cloud based mailing list. 

 

For those of you I have not contacted yet that just replied to Larry Moon's email and believed that was sufficient to sign up.  Not True. 

Stacey has supplied some very clear and concise steps below to help you to really get signed up.

 

Thank you all for your patience during this transition process. And we want to Thank Stacey for all his work in getting this new mailing list setup for us.

Looks like possibly more rain today so be safe out there.

 

Here is exact sequence of steps for registration:

 

===============================================
What you will actually see via email:

 

1) You send an email to nasa-ret-jsc-request@freelists.org with 'subscribe" in the Subject Field

 

2) You will then receive a Subscription Confirmation Email
• From < FreeLists Mailing List Manager >
• Subject < Subscription confirmation for 'nasa-ret-jsc' >

 

3) To register, you either

a. "Reply" to the Subscription Confirmation Email
NOTE:  Folks have been having problems with "Reply", so we recommend trying the next step, b.

 

b. OR, click on the weblink at the very bottom of the Subscription Confirmation Email

Click on the URL below if replying to this email results in an error.
<your custom link is embedded below the above sentences in your Subscription Confirmation Email >

 

4) You will now receive a "Welcome" Email
• From < FreeLists Mailing List Manager >
• Subject < Welcome to list 'nasa-ret-jsc' >


===============================================

 

 

 

 

LEADING THE NEWS

• MAVEN Observes High Altitude Dust Cloud, Auroras In Mars Atmosphere.

NASA NEWS

• Strong Solar Storm Brings Extensive Aurora Borealis.

• Bolden Tells Cruz Earth Sciences Is Part Of NASA's Core Mission.

• Fred Haise Honored By Mississippi Legislature.

• Mike Mullane To Speak In Walla Walla At Bank Conference And High School.

• Kent Rominger At Utah School.

• James Reilly In Manchester Urges Attendees To View Friday's Eclipse.

• NASA Awards $9 Million To UC Irvine To Study "Space Brain."

HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

• NASA IG Sees Numerous Challenges In Meeting 2018 Schedule For Space Launch Test Flight At Kennedy Space Center.

• Mark Kelly's Book Highlighted.

• Prestwick Executive Touts Chances For Becoming Spaceport.

• Worm Experiment To Investigate Astronaut's Muscle Problems.

• NSBRI Names Grantees For Vision4Mars.

• Scientist Concludes Mission To Mars Unlikely.

• Antarctic Scientists To Conduct Spaceflight Simulation.

• Anniversary Of First Spacewalk Noted.

• Former Astronaut Trainer Forms Organization To Help Students Participate In Mission Discovery.

MAVEN Observes High Altitude Dust Cloud, Auroras In Mars Atmosphere.

ABC News (3/19, Newcomb, 3.41M) reports that NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft has discovered a "mysterious" and "high-altitude dust cloud" in the atmosphere of Mars. It has "captivated scientists at NASA," who are unsure whether the cloud is "temporary or a long-lasting phenomenon." NASA issued a statement that "no known process on Mars can explain the appearance of dust" in the atmosphere.

        The Washington Post (3/18, Feltman, 5.17M) reports that in the week before Christmas, MAVEN observed an aurora on Mars. Arnaud Stiepen, a member of the MAVEN team at the University of Colorado, is quoted saying, "What's especially surprising about the aurora we saw is how deep in the atmosphere it occurs – much deeper than at Earth or elsewhere on Mars." Meanwhile, an observed "dust cloud was at an unexpectedly high altitude – about 93 miles to 190 miles above the surface."

Strong Solar Storm Brings Extensive Aurora Borealis.

NBC Nightly News (3/18, story 10, 0:20, Holt, 7.86M) reported, "A show in the sky stretching across the world. This is the view from space of the phenomena known as an aurora, aurora borealis in our part of the world, particularly vivid overnight because of an intense solar storm. The emerald glow could be seen across the hemispheres from Massachusetts to New Zealand."

        CBS News (3/19, 8.2M) on its website features a video by NASA astronaut Terry Virts "recorded at the International Space Station."

        CBS News (3/19, Schupak, 8.2M) reports in another story on its website on the solar storm, citing "Annti Pulkkinen, a research astrophysicist at NASA's Goddard Space Center," who called it "a 1-2-3 punch," and explained that "the first punch is that electromagnetic radiation coming from the solar flares," which can interfere "with high frequency radio communications and GPS signals," while the second punch comes with "fast moving charged particles" that may also create such interference, and the third punch comes as "the sun releases an enormous cloud of billions of tons of solar atmospheric material" which "can reach Earth in about three days," resulting in "extra currents along high voltage power lines," possibly resulting in "widespread blackouts." Pulkkinen added that the current story "was not an extreme storm so I don't expect major problems in operating power grids."

       

Bolden Tells Cruz Earth Sciences Is Part Of NASA's Core Mission.

The Guardian (UK) (3/18, McCarthy, 2.74M) reports on a hearing at which Sen. Ted Cruz "challenged Nasa's administrator, Charles Bolden, a former astronaut, to explain why funding for the agency's Earth sciences mission had grown while funding for space exploration had shrunk." Bolden responded that "a shift in emphasis away from manned space shuttle flights had produced savings," and added that "the observation and study of Earth was a central part of Nasa's core mission." The Guardian says that Republicans have been arguing that NASA should be focused on space exploration, and that its Earth sciences responsibilities could perhaps be handed off to the NOAA or other agencies. The Guardian cites experts saying that NASA's satellites are essential and that only NASA has the necessary expertise.

Fred Haise Honored By Mississippi Legislature.

The Gulf Live (3/19, Kulo, 3K) reports, "Apollo 13 astronaut and Biloxi native Fred Haise was honored" by the Mississippi House of Representatives Wednesday, which approved a resolution recognizing his "distinguished career, courageous leadership and meritorious service."

        The Jackson (MS) Clarion Ledger (3/18, Pender, 222K) reports that Haise "was at the Capitol for Stennis Space Center recognition day, and addressed both the House and Senate and received standing ovations."

Mike Mullane To Speak In Walla Walla At Bank Conference And High School.

The Walla Walla (WA) Union-Bulletin (3/18, Hillhouse, 38K) reports that Astronaut Mike Mullane will be keynoting Banner Bank of Walla Walla's "conference today" and will "also speak to the student body at Wa-Hi this morning."

Kent Rominger At Utah School.

The Ogden (UT) Standard-Examiner (3/18, 81K) reports on astronaut Kent Rominger's appearance at Club Heights Elementary school. Rominger told stories, took questions, and "showed pictures he had taken of earth from space."

James Reilly In Manchester Urges Attendees To View Friday's Eclipse.

The Manchester (UK) Evening News (3/19, Cox, 266K) reports on the appearance of astronaut Dr. James F Reilly in Manchester, England, who "highly recommends readers grab a glimpse of the partial eclipse on Friday." Reilly said, "It's going to be almost eerie."

        The Manchester (UK) Evening News (3/19, Cox, 266K) reports in a separate story on Reilly's appearance "at the Trafford Centre's Thomas Cook store after staff won a competition, in partnership with Attraction World, to sell the most tickets to the Kennedy Space Centre."

NASA Awards $9 Million To UC Irvine To Study "Space Brain."

The AP (3/19) reports that NASA awarded a $9 million grant to the University of California, Irvine for a study of "space brain." The research will be led by UC Irvine professor of radiation oncology Charles Limoli.

NASA IG Sees Numerous Challenges In Meeting 2018 Schedule For Space Launch Test Flight At Kennedy Space Center.

Florida Today (3/18, Dean, 178K) reports that an audit by NASA's Office of Inspector General found that "Kennedy Space Center faces 'significant' challenges getting ready for a first test flight of NASA's new human exploration rocket in late 2018." It also found that there has been "steady progress" in the renovation of "launch pad 39B, a Vehicle Assembly Building high bay, a mobile launch tower and other infrastructure." The difficulty in remaining on schedule is identified as "the programs separately developing the SLS rocket and Orion crew capsule, whose designs are not finished." It also pointed to necessary software development as among the "top risks," as it is currently "five months behind schedule." The OIG is tracking "42 risks" and "nearly half" of those are dependent on "other programs for information and progress."

Mark Kelly's Book Highlighted.

KUOW-FM Seattle (3/19, 13K) carries an excerpt from NASA astronaut Mark Kelly's book Astrotwins: Project Blastoff. WBUR-FM Boston (3/18, 95K) carries the excerpt as well as an audio report on the book. The article also notes that Kelly's twin brother Scott will be on the International Space Station for a year and that scientists are planning to study them both for effects from extended time in space.

Prestwick Executive Touts Chances For Becoming Spaceport.

The Herald Scotland (UK) (3/19, McArdle, 2K) reports on the visit of Dan Hartman, NASA's Deputy Space Station Program Manager, and Peggy Whitson, a former NASA Chief Astronaut, to Prestwick Airport. They were there to "facilitate the return of US astronaut Barry Wilmore, who had just arrived at Prestwick on a flight from Kazakhstan after spending six months on the Space Station." Airport chief executive Iain Cochrane, said: "I believe our work with NASA plus the pre-eminent role the Prestwick Aerospace Cluster plays in the UK aerospace industry make us the leading Spaceport candidate." The airport is on a list of five possible spaceport locations.

Worm Experiment To Investigate Astronaut's Muscle Problems.

The Lubbock (TX) Avalanche-Journal (3/18, Sigler, 106K) reports on an experiment to be conducted on the International Space Station with Caenorhabditis elegans worms, as part of an effort "to investigate why the longer humans stay in space, the longer it takes for their muscle strength to return when back on earth." The experiment is being conducted with a grant from NASA.

NSBRI Names Grantees For Vision4Mars.

Aviation Week (3/19, Carreau, 2K) reports on grants from the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) for the study of "vision issues experienced by astronauts" under its "Vision4Mars" program. Grants were awarded to Annidis, Inc., developer of a device "for noninvasive imaging of the retina;" Equinox, LLC, which is developing "Balance Goggles, eye wear designed to regulate pressures within the eyes;" and Web Vision Centers Group, LLC, which will be developing "glasses with lenses that can be easily exchanged to accommodate shifts in vision experienced by astronauts." The Vision4Mars challenge was developed by the NSBRI and the Baylor College of Medicine's Center for Space Medicine.

Scientist Concludes Mission To Mars Unlikely.

The Daily Mail (UK) (3/19, O'Callaghan, 4.78M) reports on a study conducted by theoretical physicist Dr Orfeu Bertolami from the University of Porto, and colleagues Dr André Guerra and Dr Paulo Gil, considering "different types of propulsion – including nuclear – to find out if there was a quicker way to get" to Mars. Bertolami concluded, "we can't really shorten these times," and so "he thinks it's unlikely we'll send humans in five decades, unlike the 2030s as Nasa believes." The chief reason is that a mission to Mars would "last three to four years," which he characterizes as "very demanding," and "almost impossible."

Antarctic Scientists To Conduct Spaceflight Simulation.

SPACE (3/19, 236K) reports that scientists at Antarctica's Halley Research Station "will simulate spaceflight during the long, cold winter to better understand how humans adapt to long space voyages." The simulation "includes four months of complete darkness and isolation at sea level." Another crew will conduct a simulation at Concordia Research Station, at "3,200 meters (10,500 feet)."

Anniversary Of First Spacewalk Noted.

Discover Magazine (3/18, Brown, 6.75M) reports on the first human spacewalk by Russian cosmonaut Alexey Leonov on March 18, 1965, during which "his suit was blowing up like a balloon," so he "vented precious air from the suit into space," and suffering from the beginnings of "decompression sickness...pulled himself back onboard the craft."

        TIME (3/19, Rothman, 19.19M) reports that "Soviet space officials kept the plan quiet until after success had been achieved," and omits any suggestion of a problem.

        TIME (3/19, Kluger, 19.19M) reports in a separate story that Leonov "describes the spacewalk experience as one of great peace."

        Scientific American (3/19, Moskowitz, 2.83M) features a slideshow of spacewalks.

        io9 (3/19, McKinnon, 883K) also reports on the anniversary.

Former Astronaut Trainer Forms Organization To Help Students Participate In Mission Discovery.

The Air & Space Smithsonian Magazine (3/19, Eve, 2K) reports on Mission Discovery, at which students "work directly with astronauts," developing experiments that "have the potential to one day go to the space station." The program has now teamed with former NASA astronaut trainer Michelle Ham's organization Higher Orbits, which is "raising funds to get students to a Mission Discovery event." Ham herself was enabled by scholarships to attend space camp twice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Headlines

  1. One-Year Crew Launch Tickets for SCH - $5 Special

Experience the thrill of a big-screen launch viewing at Space Center Houston on Friday, March 27, from 2 to 5 p.m.

JSC team members, family and friends are invited to witness the launch of astronaut Scott Kelly and cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko for their historic one-year mission aboard the International Space Station. They will launch as part of the second half of Expedition 43, along with cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, on March 27 at 2:42 p.m. CDT. During this year, Kelly and Kornienko will be part of Expeditions 43-46, and Kelly will break the record for the longest stay by an American in space.

You and your family will feel like they are at the launch site when the rockets ignite in Space Center Houston's large-format theater on March 27 at 2:42 p.m.

In addition to the one-year crew launch event, your $5 ticket admits families and friends to choose from the following activities:

    • All New "Journey to Space" film, a 46-minute production premiering last weekend in the large-format theater, at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
    • The "Human Destiny" film shown every 20 minutes—last showing at 4:20 p.m.
    • The tram tour departs every 20 minutes, with the last tour starting at 3:40 p.m.
    • The "Living in Space" show at 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
    • The "Blast-Off" International Space Station briefings at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
    • All other exhibit interactives, including "Ripley's Believe It or Not" available until the 5 p.m. closing

General admission tickets for the special price of $5 per ticket are available NOW using this link to order from Space Center Houston. The $5 each price is available to the first 400 tickets sold online using the special-purchase link, and will admit the ticket holder from 2 to 5 p.m. on March 27. Tickets sold online beyond the first 400 will be priced at $10.95 each. Guests with the $5 ticket are not admitted prior to 2 p.m. March 27, and all guests 4 years and older require a ticket. Badged JSC employees are admitted free. A show-schedule/map brochure will be provided to all ticket holders upon entry.

JSC External Relations, Office of Communications and Public Affairs x35111 http://secure4.gatewayticketing.com/spacecenter/shop/ViewItems.aspx?CG=S...

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  1. Scott Kelly Embarks Upon One-Year Mission

Between 1987 and 1999, four Russian cosmonauts spent a year or more consecutively in space. Now, for the first time, American astronaut Scott Kelly will be joining that exclusive club as he and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko inhabit the station for a year. The crew launches to the space station at 2:42 p.m. CDT on March 27. Watch live on NASA TV or on the NASA app. Follow live updates on Twitter at twitter.com/space_station and by following the hashtag #YearInSpace.

Read more on JSC Features.

JSC External Relations, Office of Communications and Public Affairs x35111

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  1. Extended CATV Power Outage for the Weekend

A power outage is scheduled for Building 8 starting Friday, March 20, at 5 p.m. The site-wide cable TV (CATV) system will be off air until Monday morning at approximately 8 a.m. Additionally, a local outage has been scheduled to commence Friday morning, March 20, which will affect both Buildings 45 and 46. This outage is to allow for the CATV system to be extended to the new clinic area. Anyone with concerns regarding these outages should contact Dan Willett with the Information Resources Directorate at x37010 or Rick Canter with ITAMS at x34022.

Richard Canter x34022

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   Organizations/Social

  1. AIAA-Houston ATS Call for Abstracts

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)-Houston will be hosting the 2015 Annual Technical Symposium (ATS) on May 8 at the Gilruth Center, and are calling for abstracts. Topics include:

    • Space Exploration
    • Astrodynamics
    • Automation and Robotics
    • Communication and Tracking
    • In-Space Imaging
    • Space Operations
    • Life Sciences and Human Factors
    • Propulsion and Power Systems
    • Systems Engineering
    • Space Commercialization
    • Structural Mechanics
    • Avionics
    • International Space Activities
    • Climate Change Science and Public Policy
    • EVA
    • GN&C
    • SR&QA

Submit abstracts with short author biographies electronically at the AIAA-Houston Section website.

Abstracts are due Monday, April 20.

For more information, please contact the ATS General Chair Justine Wiles.

Justine Wiles x41728

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  1. Building Your Foundation: Nutrition and Exercise

In observance of National Nutrition Month, Daisy Wei, MSSW, LCSW, with the JSC Employee Assistance Program, has collaborated with Starport to bring you a guest speaker presentation on "Building Your Foundation: Nutrition and Exercise."

With all of the varying information on "the best workout" or "eat this and not that," are you sometimes not even sure where to begin enhancing your health? Well, have no fear! Starport fitness professionals Evan Thoman and Chrisanna Colletta are here to help break down what may seem like overwhelming information into basic health and wellness components for you to begin incorporating into your everyday life. So please join us to establish your nutrition and exercise foundation and take charge of your health!

Event Date: Thursday, March 26, 2015   Event Start Time:11:30 AM   Event End Time:12:30 PM
Event Location: Building 30 Auditorium

Add to Calendar

Lorrie Bennett, Employee Assistance Program, Occupational Health Branch x36130

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  1. Buy JSC Picnic Tickets Off-site

Starport will be selling tickets to the JSC Family Picnic at off-site locations for your convenience as follows:

    • Ellington's Building 273 on Tuesday, March 24, at 8:30 a.m.
    • Jacobs Building lobby, Bay Area Boulevard, on Wednesday, March 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Ticket price includes an "all-you-can-eat" barbecue dinner, ice cream novelties, adult beverages (ID required), DJ music, unlimited access to the park's rides and attractions, horseshoes, sand volleyball, basketball, dunking booth, bingo, moon bounce, face painting, supervised kids' games, free parking, half-price return ticket option and more.

Early-bird price - $35 until April 10. Price goes to $40 between April 11 and 17.

Tickets are also available daily at ShopNASA in Buildings 3 and 11 and the Gilruth Center.

Season-pass upgrades will be available at SplashTown for $ 44.99 with JSC picnic ticket.

Cyndi Kibby x35352

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  1. Adult Sports Leagues

Starport offers a variety of adult sports leagues. Registration is now open for sports such as basketball, kickball, recreational volleyball, co-ed softball and more! Sign up today.

Robert Vaughn II x38049 http://www.imleagues.com/School/Intramural/Home.aspx?SchId=b77f7df9172d4...

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   Jobs and Training

  1. Interested in a Rotation or Reassignment?

Rotations opportunities (details) currently available to JSC civil servants:

o EV/Avionic Systems Deputy Division Chief

o AH/Lead for Employee Resources Group (ERG)

o NA/New Business Development Engineer

o EC/Thermal Technology Development and Demonstration Project/Systems Engineer

o NC/Operations Lead in the Program Integration (SE&I) Branch

o OB/Assistant Business Manager

o SF/Project Engineer for Human Health and Performance developments

 Reassignment opportunity:

o EC/ISS Active Thermal Control System (ATCS) Subsystem Manager

To apply to a position:

1) Go to https://nets.jsc.nasa.gov or the JSC home page, clicking --> Employee Resources --> NASA Employee Talent Search Tool (NETS)

2) Click on "Search Opportunities"

3) View "All Lateral Opportunities"

4) Select a position listed as "Open" (Click "Open")

5) Follow the prompts to apply

 For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact your Human Resources representative.

Please use IE 11+, Chrome, Firefox 20+, Safari or your mobile device on-site or via VPN.

David Kelley x27811 https://nets.jsc.nasa.gov

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   Community

  1. Applications Being Accepted for Scholarship

The NASA College Scholarship Program will award multiple scholarships agencywide to qualified dependents of NASA civil servant employees. The scholarship recipients must pursue a course of study leading to an undergraduate degree in science or engineering from an accredited college or university in the United States. Applications are available online.

The application deadline is March 31.

Travis Cooley x47222

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JSC Today is compiled periodically as a service to JSC employees on an as-submitted basis. Any JSC organization or employee may submit articles.

Disclaimer: Accuracy and content of these notes are the responsibility of the submitters.

 

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