Monday, March 23, 2015

Fwd: [nasa-retirees-jsc] FW: NASA News and JSC Today at the end- Monday, March 23, 2015



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From: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Date: March 23, 2015 at 9:02:00 AM CDT
To: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Cc: "nasa-ret-jsc@freelists.org" <nasa-ret-jsc@freelists.org>, "Nakamura, Stacey T. (JSC-NC211)" <stacey.t.nakamura@nasa.gov>
Subject: [nasa-retirees-jsc] FW: NASA News and JSC Today at the end- Monday, March 23, 2015
Reply-To: larry.j.moon@nasa.gov

JSC Today - Monday, March 23, 2015

Happy Monday everyone.   Yay!   the sun is out for the second day in a row.   We need to dry out a bunch in the Houston Metro area.   Drought? What drought.

 

Early reminder that next Thursday, April 2nd, is our first Thursday of the month NASA monthly retirees luncheon at Hibachi Grill at 11:30.  Mark your calendars to join us…

 

 

NASA news

 

 

LEADING THE NEWS

• Thousands Witness Total Solar Eclipse.

• Kelly's Year-Long ISS Mission Starts Friday.

NASA NEWS

• Langley Spending To Increase In 2016.

• Colorado Hosts Aerospace Day Today.

• Bluford Speaks At Equal Opportunity Conference.

• Cernan: NASA Needs A Mission.

• Hometown Celebrates Native's 50th Anniversary Of Gemini 3 Flight.

• Musgrave To Speak At Holden Observatory Ceremony.

HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

• NASA Agrees To "Tweak" Review Schedule To Try To Avoid SLS Delays.

• SpaceX Cargo Mission To Be Its Next Launch.

• Virts Wears Orioles Jersey During Interview.

• Hadfield Encourages Entrepreneurs In Vancouver With Tales Of Space.

• Fundraiser Will Help Wapato Students Travel To JSC.

• NASA Test Spacesuits That Orion Astronauts Will Wear.

• KSC Employee Still Committed To Mars One Project.

• Epps Visits Home Town To Keynote Conference.

• Reilly Mesmerizes Students During Talk.

Thousands Witness Total Solar Eclipse.

NBC Nightly News (3/20, story 10, 0:15, Holt, 7.86M) broadcast on the total solar eclipse over Norway, seen by "tens of thousands." The broadcast noted that the next one will take place in 2016.

        ABC World News (3/20, story 11, 0:15, Robach, 5.84M) showed "stunning video" and a "haunting image" taken by observers.

        The CBS Evening News (3/20, story 9, 1:35, Pelley, 5.08M) has more detailed coverage, but continued to focus on people's experiences seeing the event.

        USA Today (3/20, Hjelmgaard, 4.95M) noted that NASA wrote in a blog post, "Not only are eclipses an engaging sight, but they also have provided a slew of important science results through the ages. ... Total solar eclipses block the entire disk of the sun so the faint solar corona, the sun's atmosphere, can be seen. In fact, before the 20th century, eclipses were the only way humans could see the corona." The article highlighted that NASA said that the next time the US public will have a chance to see such an eclipse will be in 2017.

        Reuters (3/20, Mey) had a statement from retired NASA astrophysicist Fred Espenak, who said that he is always impressed witnessing a total solar eclipse.

        According to SPACE (3/20, Kramer, 236K), ISS astronauts Terry Virts and Samantha Cristoforetti took pictures of the eclipse from the space station. The article noted that the ESA's Proba-2 also snapped images of the event from space.

       

Kelly's Year-Long ISS Mission Starts Friday.

The ABC's This Week (3/22, 10:55 a.m. ET, 2.73M) broadcast on astronaut Scott Kelly's upcoming year-long mission in space, and how he and his twin brother Mark are the "perfect subjects" for studying how spaceflight affects people. NASA Flight Surgeon Stevan Gilmore said, "You can look in detail at how the genes and the proteins that are made from them change as a result of this unique environment." Scott, who will start his mission this Friday, acknowledged that such a study does have risks, but he is "willing to accept that for what we're going to learn for it." ABC News (3/22, Wagner, 3.41M) post a version of the interview on its website.

        CBS' Sunday Morning (3/22, 9:08 a.m. ET, 4.62M) has a similar interview with Scott Kelly as its cover story. Kelly's mission was described as "important ground work" for a manned mission to mars one day. In the second half of the broadcast, the report notes that Kelly's trip and research are "giant leaps, indeed." CBS News (3/22, 8.2M) also posts a version of the broadcast on its website.

        The Houston Chronicle (3/22, Berger, 2.28M) notes that Kelly's year-long adventure is the "next step" toward sending astronauts to Mars. According to the article, NASA's John Charles, "the chief scientist for Kelly's flight," is among the "hundreds" who have developed ways to overcome many of the health risks for six-month ISS mission and now want to see if those methods will suffice for longer missions. Charles said, "My prediction is that we will not see too many surprises after six months." However, Charles added, "The psychological aspects of human spaceflight are among the highest priorities that we have to understand." The article notes that even with what is learned, Kelly's mission will not answer every question or eliminate all risks on a Mars mission.

        Another Houston Chronicle (3/21, Berger, 2.28M) article reported that even before the launch, Kelly is "already looking forward" to returning from the mission so that he can once again experience the last 20 minutes aboard a Soyuz spacecraft. The article posts a description of that landing as told to the publication by astronaut Butch Wilmore, who recently made that journey.

        The Arizona Public Media (3/20, Conover, 2K), Philadelphia Inquirer (3/22, Avril, 617K), and Tech Times (3/21, Passary) also covered the story.

        Kluger: "Kabuki" At Baikonur Part Of Spaceflight Tradition. In an article for TIME (3/21, 19.19M), Jeffrey Kluger wrote about the "kabuki business" on display in Russia during Kelly's final press briefing at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Kluger noted that those at Baikonur exhibit "a secular faith" around space launches, with their own rituals and routine photo ops. Kluger commented that while these traditions could appear at times to be "too silly," the risks involve add weight, and the rituals, "for better or worse, seem to work." The whole process would be "poorer" without the tradition.

        ISS' Orbit Raised. The Indo-Asian News Service (3/22) reports that the ISS' orbit was raised by a Soyuz spacecraft to prepare for Kelly's arrival.

Langley Spending To Increase In 2016.

The Hampton Roads (VA) Inside Business (3/22, Delesline, 9K) reports that, at an executive roundtable at the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce office, Langley Research Center Acting Deputy Director Clayton Turner says that the center "is set to receive about $829 million of" NASA's overall $18.5 billion budget for 2016, an eight percent increase form the previous year. Of the money, $281 million, up from 2015's $277 million, "will support safety, security and mission services," while $190 million will go to science, down from $195 million. Langley's Measurement Systems Laboratory will start construction in April 2016; Turner said, "A lot of people think the challenges of aeronautics have been solved, but those of us that have had to wait in an airport for a flight canceled for weather or for any number of reasons or delayed in a holding pattern, know that's not true."

Colorado Hosts Aerospace Day Today.

The Denver Post (3/22, Keeney, 804K) reported that today is Colorado's Aerospace Day at the Capitol, when advocates will promote and educate the public on the state's aerospace industry. Stacey DeFore, chairperson for the Colorado Space Business Roundtable, said that a major problem for the state is that many do not think of it as an aerospace leader even though it has been involved with many of the major projects of the last year, like the Orion test flight and the MAVEN Mars mission. The public will have the chance to speak with officials from Lockheed Martin Space Systems, United Launch Alliance, Ball Aerospace, Sierra Nevada Space Systems, Citizens for Space Exploration, and university officials.

        In an op-ed for the Denver Post (3/20, 804K), Jay Lindell, Aerospace and Defense Industry Champion for the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, wrote how Colorado is an aerospace leader in many fields, such as Earth observation and space weather prediction. This is in part due to the range of companies in the state, with NASA one of their major contractors. As such, Lindell encouraged readers to attend Aerospace Day to learn more.

Bluford Speaks At Equal Opportunity Conference.

The Lorain (OH) Morning Journal (3/21, Remington, 65K) reported on Guy Bluford's speech on Friday at the Lorain County Urban League Equal Opportunity Conference at Lorain County Community College. Bluford participated in four missions for NASA, serving as the first African American in space. Bluford recalled in his speech that he applied to be a NASA astronaut along with 8,000 applicants in the 1970's, but only he and 34 other applicants were chosen for the program.

Cernan: NASA Needs A Mission.

Al Jazeera America (3/21, Bella, 189K) published part of an interview with astronaut Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon. He said that, thanks to President Kennedy, "rather than believe it couldn't be done, the country thought there was no reason why we couldn't" go to the Moon. He also said that the Gemini 9 and Apollo 1 accidents stayed with him. Cernan said, "What we are doing now is space exploitation, which is good," except that its "at the expense of exploration of space." He criticized the US for not being able to travel to the ISS on its own rockets, and said that the problem with NASA is "there are no goals, no mission and no timetable." Cernan called for a "Kennedy-like leadership again that challenges the young kids."

        Items From Apollo 12 Mission Up For Auction. Page Six (3/22, 302K) reports that the Bonhams auction house is selling items from Alan Bean's Apollo 12 mission "as part of its annual Space History sale." Some of the items include "pouches of dehydrated peaches, grapefruit and spaghetti, with two stainless steel spoons."

        San Diego Air & Space Museum To Celebrate 45th Anniversary Of Apollo 13. Emily Carney at AmericaSpace (3/20) published an interview with Francis French and Gordon Permann of the San Diego Air & Space Museum and its celebration of the 45th anniversary of Apollo 13. French noted, "This is a mission that was overlooked for a long time." He added there will be four panel discussions, which will include all four flight directors from Apollo 13 and the two surviving crew members, as well as from "NASA before it became NASA – when it was NACA – right up to people who flew SpaceShipOne, looking at the next generation of spacecraft." Permann said that most the controllers' role has been "glossed over...so while we have access to them, events such as ours open that window a bit, and expose these guys to historians and enthusiasts alike with opportunities for additional morsels to be revealed." He also said that "Apollo 13, the 'successful failure,' is unique in our history as a space mission that suffered a catastrophe away from our home planet, yet the crew returned safely."

Hometown Celebrates Native's 50th Anniversary Of Gemini 3 Flight.

WIBC-FM Indianapolis (3/21, Steele, 10K) reported on its website on the 50th Anniversary celebration of Gus Grissom's Gemini 3 Flight in his hometown of Mitchell, Indiana. Grissom became the first man to fly in space twice on that mission, after serving on the Project Mercury flight Liberty Bell 7, in which he lost the capsule in the Atlantic Ocean. According to Grissom biographer and Indiana Historical Society member, Ray Boomhower, "Gus had the dedication and stick-to-itiveness that helped him become one of the original seven Mercury astronauts and helped him to become the first man to fly in space twice."

Musgrave To Speak At Holden Observatory Ceremony.

The Syracuse (NY) Post-Standard (3/22, Kirst, 438K) reports that Story Musgrave will speak on Saturday at the Patricia Meyers Druger Astronomy Learning Center at Syracuse University in honor of the restoration of the Holden Observatory. Musgrave graduated from the university 57 years ago before going to work with NASA as an astronaut.

NASA Agrees To "Tweak" Review Schedule To Try To Avoid SLS Delays.

The Huntsville (AL) Times (3/20, Roop, 127K) reported on the NASA Inspector General's (IG) report that found "significant ... challenges" to launching the Space Launch System by 2018. The report found that there could be problems because three managers oversee the rocket's development, which was necessary because Congress required "a schedule that made simultaneous development of key components necessary." According to the article, the IG recommended NASA "tweak" the review schedule, which it agreed to. The report determined that NASA is making "steady progress," but "it is too early to say whether these substantial coordination challenges will result in cost or schedule issues for the Exploration Mission 1 launch (in November, 2018)."

        Both KSC Launch Pads Now Being Worked On. NASA Space Flight (3/22, Bergin, 305) reports on the ongoing modifications to the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A and Launch Pad 39B, which will allow them to host new launch vehicles. There is currently a "much higher pace" of work at Pad 39A, which will be used by SpaceX to debut the Falcon Heavy rocket. The company is "hopeful" to launch the rocket this year. Meanwhile, Pad 39B is being modified to accommodate the Space Launch System. The article notes how engineers are upgrading the pad so that it can handle the SLS' "large mass" when the rocket is also upgraded to carry heavier loads into space.

SpaceX Cargo Mission To Be Its Next Launch.

The WTEV-TV Jacksonville, FL (3/21, 22K) website reported that SpaceX has decided to move up the launch of its cargo mission to the ISS so that it is the next one to take place. "Technical issues" delayed another launch, allowing the ISS, with its possible reusable rocket landing attempt, to take place first on April 10. However, the article noted that this launch date could also be adjusted "in the next few weeks."

        Spaceflight Now (3/21, Clark, 3K) noted that the launch of Turkmenistan's first communications satellite will now not take place before April 24.

        Florida Today (3/20, Dean, 178K) also covered the story.

Virts Wears Orioles Jersey During Interview.

The Washington Post (3/20, Allen, 5.17M) "DC Sports Bog" blog reported that ISS astronaut Terry Virts wore a Baltimore Orioles jersey during an interview on local TV. Virts, a native of Baltimore, said the team was the "best team in the American League East for the last three years, I think. The most number of wins. It's been so much fun being an Orioles fan the last few years with Buck [Showalter] and all the great players that we have and there's lots and lots of fans out there. We're very proud of what you've done. Last year was great, but we're really looking forward to winning that last game of the year at the end of October."

Hadfield Encourages Entrepreneurs In Vancouver With Tales Of Space.

The Business In Vancouver (3/20, Orton) reported that on Friday, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield spoke at the Vancouver Board of Trade's B.C. Tech Forum, used his experience in space and at the ISS to tell those in the audience "to pursue their innovations no matter the obstacles." Hadfield said that taking part in a spacewalk was "the coolest thing" he has ever accomplished.

        The Canadian Press (3/20, Burgmann) noted that Hadfield told his listeners that there will be more equality in the world when the cost of launching into space drops, in part due to the "on-going, brave attempts" by those like "billionaire space investors Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson." He also thought that there was a "ridiculous" amount of "media hype" over sending people to Mars.

Fundraiser Will Help Wapato Students Travel To JSC.

The Yakima (WA) Herald-Republic (3/23, Guerrero, 86K) reports that the Emerald Care skilled nursing facility will sell food on Wednesday to help Wapato High School students travel to the Johnson Space Center next month as part of the High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware (HUNCH) program. Four of the students taking part in the trip will have "the chance of a lifetime" to test the "small cold-storage chamber" they are developing aboard a "zero-gravity plane."

NASA Test Spacesuits That Orion Astronauts Will Wear.

The KHOU-TV Houston (3/20, Schupak, 214K) website reported that Johnson Space Center technicians wore spacesuits that astronauts will wear when traveling aboard the Orion capsule. As part of the Vacuum Pressure Integrated Suit Test, the technicians wore the suits in a simulated vacuum environment to see whether they will function as needed "in the unlikely event the spacecraft loses pressure."

        Yibada (3/20) also covers the story.

KSC Employee Still Committed To Mars One Project.

Florida Today (3/20, Dean, 178K) reported that the Kennedy Space Center's George Hatcher is among the 100 in the running to be among the first people sent to Mars with Mars One. While he still is committed to the project, Hatcher said that he did feel "relief" when he heard of a two-year delay because it would give him more time with his family, and when his children are more likely to be old enough to understand his decision.

        Blog Coverage. Ben Richmond at Motherboard (3/20, 10K) wrote that Mars One candidates have been defending the project after "a scathing piece" by Elmo Keep indicating that the finalists were chosen based on how much they raised for the project. Richmond commented that the project's critics do have some merit in doubting the project.

Epps Visits Home Town To Keynote Conference.

The Syracuse (NY) Post-Standard (3/22, Blalock, 438K) reported on the return of NASA astronaut Jeanette J. Epps to her home town of Syracuse, New York. Epps was in town to give the keynote speech at the "Sisters Empowering Sisters" conference on Friday, held in honor of Women's History Month.

        The Syracuse (NY) Post-Standard (3/20, Beachum, 438K) also reported on Epp's speech, noting that Nicole Watkins, of Image Initiative, which helps organize the conference, said of Epps, "For our young women to see a woman of her caliber, who is product of Syracuse that's coming back to enlighten them and engage with them, I'm excited for them to see what is possible."

Reilly Mesmerizes Students During Talk.

The Daily Mirror (UK) (3/20, Cox, 620K) reports that astronaut James Reilly "mesmerised pupils" with a talk about what it was like in space. He answered "a range [of] questions," including the "best thing" about being an astronaut, what the UK looks like from space, and how to do activities like showering and going to the bathroom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Headlines

  1. One-Year Crew Set for Launch to Space Station

The first one-year crew for the International Space Station is set to launch Friday, March 27. NASA TV will provide extensive coverage of the launch and the crew's arrival to the orbital laboratory.

NASA astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko will spend a year living and working aboard the space station and will launch with cosmonaut Gennady Padalka (who will spend about six months on station with Kelly and Kornienko). The trio will become part of the station's Expedition 43 crew.

NASA TV coverage will begin at 1:30 p.m. CDT March 27, with launch scheduled for 2:42 p.m. (1:42 a.m. Saturday, March 28 in Baikonur) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The trio will ride to space in a Soyuz spacecraft, which will rendezvous with the space station and dock after four orbits of Earth. Docking to the space station's Poisk module will take place at 8:36 p.m. Friday. NASA TV coverage of docking will begin at 7:45 p.m.

Hatches between the Soyuz and the station will be opened at approximately 10:15 p.m., at which time Expedition 43 Commander Terry Virts of NASA and his crew mates, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Samantha Cristoforetti of ESA (European Space Agency), will greet Kelly, Kornienko and Padalka. Hatch-opening coverage begins on NASA TV at 9:45 p.m.

JSC, Ellington Field, Sonny Carter Training Facility and White Sands Test Facility team members with hard-wired computer network connections can view the event using the JSC EZTV IP Network TV System on channel 404 (standard definition) or channel 4541 (HD). Please note: EZTV currently requires using Internet Explorer on a Windows PC or Safari on a Mac. Mobile devices, Wi-Fi, VPN or connections from other centers are currently not supported by EZTV.

First-time users will need to install the EZTV Monitor and Player client applications:

    • For those WITH admin rights (Elevated Privileges), you'll be prompted to download and install the clients when you first visit the IPTV website
    • For those WITHOUT admin rights (Elevated Privileges), you can download the EZTV client applications from the ACES Software Refresh Portal (SRP)

If you are having problems viewing the video using these systems, contact the Information Resources Directorate Customer Support Center at x46367 or visit the FAQ site.

Want to view this awe-inspiring event on a huge screen? Also available for purchase are tickets to view the launch in Space Center Houston's theater for the special price of $5 per ticket (for the first 400 sold online). Ticket prices rise to $10.95 each after the first 400 are sold. Badged JSC team members do not need to buy a ticket—but their friends and family members (including kids 4 and older) will need these special tickets for admission.

Kelly and Kornienko will spend a year on the space station to better understand how the human body reacts and adapts to the harsh environment of space. Data from the expedition will be used to determine whether there are ways to further reduce the risks on future long-duration missions to an asteroid and eventually Mars.

Event Date: Friday, March 27, 2015   Event Start Time:1:30 PM   Event End Time:5:00 PM
Event Location: NASA TV, Space Center Houston

Add to Calendar

JSC External Relations, Office of Communications and Public Affairs x35111 http://www.nasa.gov/station

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   Organizations/Social

  1. JSC NMA Presents: Glenn Lunney

The JSC National Management Association (NMA) invites you to a luncheon featuring Glynn Lunney, who will speak on "Life Lessons in Leadership" Tuesday, March 31, at 11:30 a.m. in the Gilruth Alamo Ballroom. Lunney will also hold a book signing after his presentation.

Members: FREE

Non Members: $25

There are three NEW great menu options to choose from:

    • Sautéed chicken breast
    • Fish of the day
    • Vegetable napoleon

Dessert - black-and-white cake. All meals include salad, rolls, tea and water.

RSVP by 3 p.m. TOMORROW, March 24. 

For technical issues, contact Leslie N. Smith at x47652 or via email.

Event Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2015   Event Start Time:11:30 AM   Event End Time:12:30 PM
Event Location: Gilruth - Alamo Ballroom

Add to Calendar

Leslie N. Smith x46752

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  1. March 26 INCOSE Meeting with Dr. Jack Bacon

The Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) is pleased to announce Dr. Jack Bacon will be speaking at the next meeting on the "ISS Retirement." The event is FREE and focused on professionals in the aerospace industry. INCOSE membership is not required.

Please join us at the ISS Conference Center (1800 Space Park Drive, Ste. 100) on Thursday, March 26, at 5:30 p.m. Please RSVP.

Robert McAfoos x47533

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   Jobs and Training

  1. Job Opportunities

Where do I find job opportunities?

Both internal Competitive Placement Plan and external JSC job announcements are posted on the Human Resources (HR) portal and USAJOBS website. Through the HR portal, civil servants can view summaries of all the agency jobs that are currently open at: https://hr.nasa.gov/portal/server.pt/community/employees_home/239/job_opportu...

To help you navigate to JSC vacancies, use the filter drop-down menu and select "JSC HR." The "Jobs" link will direct you to the USAJOBS website for the complete announcement and the ability to apply online.

Lateral reassignment and rotation opportunities have now moved to NASA Employee Talent Search (NETS). These opportunities do not possess known promotion potential.

If you have questions about any JSC job vacancies or reassignment opportunities, please call your HR representative.

Brandy Braunsdorf x30476

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  1. Facility Manager Training

The Safety Learning Center invites you to attend an eight-hour Facility Mangers' training. This course provides JSC Facility Managers with insight into the requirements for accomplishing their functions.

    • Includes training on facility management; safety; hazard identification and mitigation; legal; security; energy conservation; health and environmental aspects.
    • Attendees of this course must also register in SATERN for a half-day Fire Warden training. Others that need Fire Warden training can register through the normal process. 

Date/Time: April 1 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Safety Learning Center, Building 20, Room 205/206

Registration via SATERN required:

https://satern.nasa.gov/learning/user/deeplink_redirect.jsp?linkId=SCHEDULED_...

Aundrail Hill x37264

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  1. Human Systems Academy Lecture

Join the Human Systems Academy lecture tomorrow on "Bone." This course will highlight the challenges to translating astronaut biomedical data to evidence for human skeletal health risks and performance.

It is the probability of fractures and the detection of osteoporotic bone(s) that will drive the requirement for countermeasures, the types of countermeasures and timing of the intervention.

However, after 40 years of studying bone loss in space, there is still a requirement for more data. To paraphrase a common sentiment: When will we know when the data are "good enough?"

As space is limited, please register in SATERN.

Event Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2015   Event Start Time:10:00 AM   Event End Time:12:00 PM
Event Location: B2S/Studio B (Rm 180)

Add to Calendar

Ruby Guerra x37108 https://sashare.jsc.nasa.gov/hsa/default.aspx

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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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