Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Fwd: [nasa-retirees-jsc] FW:NASA News and JSC Today - Wednesday, March 25, 2015



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Begin forwarded message:

From: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Date: March 25, 2015 at 8:08:03 AM CDT
To: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Cc: "nasa-ret-jsc@freelists.org" <nasa-ret-jsc@freelists.org>
Subject: [nasa-retirees-jsc] FW:NASA News and  JSC Today - Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Reply-To: larry.j.moon@nasa.gov

JSC Today - Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Prepare for more rain tomorrow in the Houston area. Be safe.

 

 

LEADING THE NEWS

• Psychological Issues Expected To Be Hardest Challenge During One-Year Mission.

NASA NEWS

• GAO Concerned By Potential Unexpected Costs For James Webb Space Telescope.

• Briefing For Congressmen Includes Space Weather.

HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

• Dream Chaser Spacecraft Could Land At Future Ellington Airport Spaceport.

• Barnes: SLS Program "Performing Well."

• Vine Video Shows How Cristoforetti's Hair Is Cut In Space.

• Russia May Soon Sell Six-Month ISS Tourist Trips.

• NASA Flight Director To Speak At Texas Tech Luncheon.

• Students Participate In NASA Space Settlement Design Competition At Johnson Space Center.

• Students' Hydrofuge To Be Tested On ISS.

• Kirobo-Like Robot May Have More Uses During Mars Mission.

Psychological Issues Expected To Be Hardest Challenge During One-Year Mission.

The Washington Post (3/24, Feltman, 5.17M) "Speaking of Science" blog continues coverage of astronaut Scott Kelly's ISS mission, which launches on Friday, in an article titled, "In Just Days, Astronaut Scott Kelly Will Begin Historic Year In Space." Like previous coverage, the article describes why NASA wants an astronaut to spend a year in space. This mission, according to the article, is "part of an exciting new part of NASA's scientific research" in preparation of longer flights to other planets. The article notes that when it comes to what may happen to Kelly over the course of a year in space, "everyone" is focusing more on potential psychological problems "than anything physical."

        Kelly's Patches Survived Rocket Explosion. collectSPACE (3/24, Pearlman) reports on Kelly's mission patches, which survived last October's Antares rocket launch failure. The patches were discovered in the debris "seemingly no worse for the wear." Kelly, reportedly in a joking manner, said that he will be carrying them during the launch because "what are the chances they would be in two rocket explosions?" The article details how else Kelly's patches are notable, especially for collectors.

GAO Concerned By Potential Unexpected Costs For James Webb Space Telescope.

The Roll Call (3/25, 102K) "Technocrat" blog reports that a Roll Call subscription article reports that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) is "concerned" that the James Webb Space Telescope could suffer from "unforeseen cost overruns," even as John Grunsfeld, NASA associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, testified to a House Science, Space and Technology subcommittee that the project was "within budget and on track to meet the October 2018 launch date." Cristina Chaplain, director of acquisition and sourcing management at the GAO, reportedly testified that "unexpected problems" often come up during the component integration and testing phase, which is about to begin.

Briefing For Congressmen Includes Space Weather.

The Foster's Daily Democrat (3/24, 9K) reports on a Tuesday lunch briefing for some 100 members of Congress about how "super storms" can affect the US "economy, public safety and well-being." The agenda includes "tornadoes, hurricanes and 'space weather' storms." University of New Hampshire astrophysicist Harlan E. Spence said the US is "dependent on technologies and infrastructures vulnerable to space weather and the societal implications it can have on electric power distribution, communication, navigation, emergency response systems and national security."

Dream Chaser Spacecraft Could Land At Future Ellington Airport Spaceport.

The Houston Chronicle (3/24, Berger, 2.28M) reports that Arturo Machuca, general manager of Ellington Airport, and Mark Sirangelo, corporate vice president of Sierra Nevada Corporation's Space Systems, announced yesterday that the two entities are pushing forward on efforts to land future Dream Chaser spacecraft flights at the airport once it becomes a spaceport. Machuca said that officials are "very optimistic" the FAA will approve the airport's spaceport license before July. The article notes that even though Sierra Nevada did not win a commercial crew contract from NASA, this deal would bring the company "close to both Johnson Space Center as well as the Texas Medical Center, where some research programs aboard the space station are being led."

        Houston Public Media (3/24, Delaughter), Spaceflight Insider (3/24, Rhian), and the Examiner (3/24, Whittington, 1.01M) blog also cover the story.

Barnes: SLS Program "Performing Well."

Space News (3/24, Leone, Subscription Publication, 481) interviews Ginger Barnes, Space Launch System (SLS) program manager at Boeing and former CEO of the United Space Alliance (USA). Even as she is "wrestling with alignment issues on the Vertical Assembly Center," Barnes reportedly is concerned that NASA has not yet ensured "the massive vehicle's long-term future." Even with the problems with the Vertical Assembly Center, Barnes said that Boeing is "confident" that the SLS will launch in 2018. Meanwhile, Barnes noted that now is the time to start talks about establishing "a launch cadence at some regular interval after Exploration Mission-2." When asked about how the SLS might fare under the next Administration, Barnes said that this is a "very real" rocket that is "performing well," which bodes well for the future.

Vine Video Shows How Cristoforetti's Hair Is Cut In Space.

The Daily Mail (UK) (3/24, Whitelocks, 4.78M) reports that in a Vine video, ISS astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti demonstrated how she gets "a salon trim while floating through space." ISS commander Terry Virts, who gave the haircut, joked that he may have a "second career after astronaut." The article details how astronauts, both male and female, take care of their grooming needs in space.

Russia May Soon Sell Six-Month ISS Tourist Trips.

ITAR-TASS News Agency (3/24, 5K) reports that Yuri Koptev, "head of the Roscosmos scientific-technical council," said that Russia is potentially offering to let a space tourist spend six months at the ISS, as a way "of lowering the budgetary load." The article notes that so far, this is a "recommendation," but it could become "an official instruction."

        Sputnik News (3/24) also covers the story.

        All Russian Space Programs Cost 27% More. Sputnik News (3/24) reports that Koptev said that the economic situation in Russia, due to sanctions and falling oil prices, means that every space project is now 27% more expensive.

        Russia's ITAR-TASS News Agency (3/24, 5K) reports that Koptev stated that in the new draft federal space program, Russia plans to have 75 civilian satellites in orbit by 2020.

        In a another ITAR-TASS News Agency (3/24, 5K) piece, Koptev said that a new "super-heavy carrier rocket with a cargo capacity of 70-80 tons" would cost about $12 billion to construct, adding that this is for the "declared position" of 2028.

        A fourth ITAR-TASS News Agency (3/24, 5K) article reports that Koptev said that the Khrunichev Center has purchased back the rights from Lockheed Martin "to use the Angara launch vehicle overseas."

        Meanwhile, ITAR-TASS News Agency (3/24, 5K) also reports that Koptev said that the Russia's military needs "a new carrier rocket capable of lifting cargos of 35-37 metric tons." Koptev noted that the new Angara-A5V rocket does not fit the bill because it can only launch 12-12.5 tons of payload.

NASA Flight Director To Speak At Texas Tech Luncheon.

The KFYO-AM Lubbock, TX (3/24, McNeill, 67) website reports that NASA flight director Ginger Kerrick is scheduled to speak at a Texas Tech University Women's Leadership Institute luncheon. Kerrick is a graduate of the school.

Students Participate In NASA Space Settlement Design Competition At Johnson Space Center.

The LeMars (IA) Daily Sentinel (3/25, Wahl, 9K) reports on Le Mars Community High School students who participated in NASA's annual Space Settlement Design Competition at the Johnson Space Center, the tenth year LCS science teacher Doug Martin has brought students to the event. All the students are divided into groups, go "through technical training sessions with NASA engineers," and then seek to fill a request for proposal detailing the requirements their space settlement designs need to fill.

        Student Wins Space Settlement Design Award. The New Indian Express (3/25) reports that second prize in the 2015 NASA Ames Space Settlement Design contest went to "14-year-old Vishnu Anand, a class IX student of Sri Chaitanya Techno School, Uttarahalli," for his project SWARG — Mankind in Space.

Students' Hydrofuge To Be Tested On ISS.

KCNC-TV Denver (3/23, 102K) reports on its website that students in the Principles of Engineering class for Warren Tech students at Lakewood, Colorado High School will send their experimental hydrofuge to the ISS through the High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware program. The agency challenged students to find a way to grow things without gravity; the device removed water from roots so they don't smother in zero gravity.

Kirobo-Like Robot May Have More Uses During Mars Mission.

The International Business Times (UK) (3/24, Cuthbertson, 164K) continues coverage of the Kirobo robot, which recently returned from the ISS. It now will be used in a project "to keep people company." According to the article, when at the ISS, the robot could only conduct "limited...short conversations" with Japanese astronaut Wakata Koichi. Yorichika Nishijima, a senior robotics designer at Dentsu, said that a similar robot would have more uses during a mission to Mars, especially during a period when there is "a loss of signal" and an astronaut needs companionship

 

 

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

 

 

 

   Headlines

  1. ICA Call for Proposals to Enable Mars Exploration

In the spirit of JSC 2.0, challenging your personal passion for innovation and ingenuity, (see https://vimeo.com/122583384), the JSC Chief Technologist Office is pleased to announce that the 2015 Innovation Charge Account (ICA) Call for proposals is now open through April 15. The ICA Call solicits game-changing conceptual ideas from JSC and White Sands Test Facility civil servants and contractors in support of NASA's Evolvable Mars Campaign (EMC) from three different technology-development areas. You may respond with your revolutionary EMC-related proposal to either: 1) technological advancement; or 2) integrated cross-disciplinary approach; or 3) process improvement. Project funding will be $10,000 per project ($20,000 for an integrated cross-disciplinary approach), and will be awarded at the beginning of May for a 16-week period of performance. For more information, including the guidelines for submission, selection criteria and to submit your revolutionary idea, go to the ICA website.

David L. Brown x37426

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  1. Five Bucks, One Launch & an Astronaut

Time is quickly running out for your chance to 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.

Feel like you're at the launch site when the rockets ignite in Space Center Houston's large-format theater while former astronaut Mike McCulley provides live commentary.

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. Stepping Stone to the Future

"That's one small step for (a) man; one giant leap for mankind." When Neil Armstrong took his first steps on the moon, many strides came before to achieve that moment in history. The same is true for a human mission to Mars. One step toward that journey begins in two days, when NASA astronaut Scott Kelly will make history as the first American to spend a year in space. Read more here.

Liz Warren x35548

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  1. JSC Work Noted in March Tech Briefs Publication

NASA Tech Briefs magazine has featured four new innovative technologies from JSC in the March 2015 edition. NASA Tech Briefs are published monthly and present information on advanced research and technology programs developed through NASA. The categories represented by JSC this month include: data acquisition; electrical/electronics; robotics; automation and control; and Information Technology and software.

The JSC articles are: Controlling Fast Acquisition Hardware to Pre-Position a Satellite to Constrain Baseband Searches (inventors - Stephen Vickers and Mike Vukas); E-Textile Interconnect (inventors - Timothy Kennedy, Patrick Fink, Andrew Chu and Gregory Lin); Hands-Free Control Interfaces for an Extravehicular Jetpack (inventors - Jennifer Rochlis Zumbado and Pedro Curiel); and Post-Flight Analysis Statistical Heating (PFIASH) (inventor - Winston Wang).

For details on these technologies and inventors, visit the Exploration Integration and Science Directorate's (EISD) Strategic Partnerships Office (SPO) website.

All of the published NASA Tech Briefs can be found here.

Holly Kurth x32951

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  1. POWER of One Winners Announced

Congratulations to JSC's newest POWER of One winners:

GOLD: Robert Crain - GP

GOLD: Jess Waller - RA

GOLD: Jeffrey Wheeler - IC

SILVER: Daniel Carrejo - EA

SILVER: Brandon Maryatt - EC

SILVER: Darwin Peebles - RD

BRONZE: Robert Pietrzyk - SD

BRONZE: Paul Spencer - RF

The POWER of One Award was established to award and recognize JSC employees for their exemplary performance and direct contributions to either their organization, JSC or NASA at the agency level. Congratulations and thank you for all your hard work! If you would like to nominate someone for a POWER of One award, click here.

Samantha Nehls x27804 http://powerofone.jsc.nasa.gov/

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  1. JSC SWAT Team Training - Building 13

Please be aware that the JSC SWAT team will conduct training in Building 13 this evening from 6 to 10 p.m.

Samuel Green x32060

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   Organizations/Social

  1. Hubble 25th Anniversary Shirt - Deadline Extended

Haven't ordered your Hubble 25th anniversary shirt or cap yet? It's not too late!

The deadline to order has been extended to Sunday, March 29. Please click here for all the details and to place your order!

LaTonya Robertson x30360 http://nasapromo.com

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  1. Beginners Ballroom Dance: Discount Ends March 27

Do you feel like you have two left feet? Well, Starport has the perfect program for you: Beginners Ballroom Dance! This eight-week class introduces you to the various types of ballroom dance. Students will learn the secrets of a good lead and following, as well as the ability to identify the beat of the music. This class is easy, and we have fun as we learn. JSC friends and family are welcome.

Discounted registration:

    • $90 per couple (ends March 27)

Regular registration:

    • $110 per couple (March 28 to April 2)

Two class sessions available:

    • Tuesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. - starting March 31
    • Thursdays from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. - starting April 2

All classes are taught in the Gilruth Center's dance studio (Group Ex studio).

Shericka Phillips x35563 https://starport.jsc.nasa.gov/en/programs/recreation-programs/ballroom-d...

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  1. ShopNASA is Celebrating ISS One-year Mission

To celebrate Scott Kelly and Mikhail Kornienko's launch on their historic one-year mission to the International Space Station, swing by the Buildings 3 and 11 gift shops this Friday for 20 percent off the Expedition 43 pin and the one-year mission commemorative pin!

LaTonya Robertson x30360 http://shopnasa.com/

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   Jobs and Training

  1. Human Systems Academy Tour

Join the Human Systems Academy tour to the Bone and Mineral Laboratory. This lab uses the current clinical modality for diagnosing osteoporosis (DXA) in the astronaut population. We are also investigating new modalities (QCT, cross-discipline physiological analyses) to increase our understanding of how bone adapts to the weightlessness of space, and to all the physiological risk factors for bone loss due to mission operations (e.g., nutrition and exercise loading). Astronauts who participate in research studies using QCT outcomes are scanned off-site (Methodist Christus St. John) and not at JSC.

As space is limited, please register in SATERN.

Event Date: Thursday, March 26, 2015   Event Start Time:1:00 PM   Event End Time:2:00 PM
Event Location: B266/Rm112-113

Add to Calendar

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

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  1. Excelling as a Manager/Supervisor--Slots Available

There are slots available for SkillPath's "Excelling as a Manager or Supervisor" training.

This training focuses on the challenges all leaders face every day in their jobs and discusses solutions to help leaders fully achieve their potential and command respect, commitment and credibility.

Participants will:

    • Focus on techniques that enhance credibility as a leader
    • Learn tips to gain the commitment and cooperation from the team
    • Discuss skills for how to successfully communicate up the ladder
    • Gain techniques on to how communicate a constructive performance evaluation

Who should attend: Anyone in a leadership position, or anyone who aspires to become a leader

Date: April 7 to 8

Location: Building 12, Room 146

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If you are interested in attending, please register in SATERN using the direct link: https://satern.nasa.gov/learning/user/deeplink_redirect.jsp?linkId=SCHEDULED_...

Patt Williams 713-249-1508

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  1. JSC Risk Management Workshop - March 26

 

The JSC Risk Management Workshop (JSC-NA-SAIC-RISKWKSP) includes risk-management concepts and is a risk-identification workshop tailored for JSC personnel participating in institutional risk management and hands-on JSC-IRMA training. Class participants include managers, leads and risk-management focal points. The workshop addresses JSC's requirements for risk identification, tracking, reporting and making risk-informed decisions. Topics include understanding the potential health, safety, environmental, technical, infrastructure or workforce capabilities, schedule, and cost risks associated with successfully meeting JSC directorate objectives.

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

Event Date: Thursday, March 26, 2015   Event Start Time:9:00 AM   Event End Time:4:00 PM
Event Location: Building 12/Room 144

Add to Calendar

Paula Gothreaux/Russell Hartlieb 281-335-2441/281-335-2443

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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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