Thursday, April 9, 2015

Fwd: [nasa-jsc-retirees-list] FW: JSC Today - Thursday, April 9, 2015



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Begin forwarded message:

From: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Date: April 9, 2015 at 8:17:01 AM CDT
To: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Subject: [nasa-jsc-retirees-list] FW: JSC Today - Thursday, April 9, 2015
Reply-To: larry.j.moon@nasa.gov

JSC Today - Thursday, April 9, 2015

Happy Flex Friday eve everyone.    Great to see some of you yesterday at Glynn Lunney's talk and book signing out at the Gilruth Rec. Center.

 

Another gloomy and kind of rainy day in the Houston Metro area.  Be Safe Out there.

 

"Happy Birthday" shout out to the Houston Astrodome today---its 50th!

 

 

LEADING THE NEWS

New Studies Support Impactor Theory For Moon's Formation.

NASA NEWS

Vote On Proposed Sally Ride Statue At US Capitol On Hold Until Monday.

Mueller Elementary School To Premiere Space Discovery Institute Program.

NASA Has Not Yet Found A Way To Fund Opportunity Rover.

Space News: Northrop Grumman Should Change Stance On JWST Audit.

HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

SpaceX To Conduct Another First Stage Landing Attempt On April 13.

Fallon Jokes About "Pros and Cons" For Kelly's Year In Space.

Werkheiser: NASA Wants To Develop "FabLab."

Alabama Hosts Space Launch System Supplier Conference.

Curtiss-Wright To Finish Flight Data Handling System For Boeing CST-100.

NASA Chooses Way It Will Land "Human-Scale Hardware" On Mars.

New FeatherCraft Spacecraft Will Launch From The ISS.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Says Nation Will Continue ISS Collaboration.

Articles Explain How To See ISS Over The UK In April.

New Studies Support Impactor Theory For Moon's Formation.

The Los Angeles Times (4/9, Netburn, 3.49M) "Science Now" website reports that a new study may help solve a "long-standing conundrum" in the "most widely accepted" theory on how the moon formed. The study by Alessandra Mastrobuono-Battisti of the Israel Institute of Technology may explain why the chemical composition of the moon and Earth are so similar to each other even though, according to the formation theory, the moon was formed by a giant impact of a body known as Theia. According to the article, the impactor may have been "nearly identical" to the Earth. Mastrobuono-Battisti's team simulated the formation of the solar system's inner planets and found that there was a 20-40% chance that Theia and the Earth formed "in similar environments." Mastrobuono-Battisti added that the chance is 55% if some of Theia's material actually came from Earth.

        The Washington Post (4/8, Feltman, 5.17M) "Speaking of Science" reports that two other studies by Richard Walker of the University of Maryland determined that the chemical similarities were due to "a violent mixing of material that occurred when Theia hit Earth." However, according to the article, these studies do not definitively prove the impactor theory of the moon's formation.

        According to BBC News (4/9, Webb, 1.66M), the two mixing studies involved studying the tungsten in Apollo lunar samples borrowed from NASA.

        Discovery News (4/8, 516K) notes that Richard Walker of the University of Maryland said that when it comes to formation theories, there is no "better alternative at this time." Walker added that it could be worthwhile to sacrifice some of the samples returned by the Apollo astronauts to corroborate whether the new studies are correct.

        Science Magazine (4/8, Croswell, 390K), SPACE (4/8, Choi, 236K), Nature (4/8, Levy, 111K), and Daily Mail (UK) (4/8, O'Callaghan, 4.78M) also cover the story.

        Geologists Will Drill Into Chicxulub Crater To Understand Impacts. Popular Science (4/8, Griggs, 6.72M) reports that the University of Arizona's Space Imagery Center developed a GIF that shows what happens to the Earth's crust when a giant asteroid, like the one that was thought to kill off the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, hits. To determine whether this idea is true or not, geologists plan to drill into Chicxulub crater next year to learn more about exactly how it formed.

Vote On Proposed Sally Ride Statue At US Capitol On Hold Until Monday.

U-T San Diego (4/8, Warth, 580K) reports that a measure to replace California's statue of Father Junipero Serra at the US Capitol with a statue of Sally Ride was put on hold "because Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, who proposed the idea, is scheduled to lead the Senate today." The vote will take place on Monday in the Senate. On the choice to put a statue of the first American woman in space, Lara "said she would be the first California woman represented in the statuary and she would be the first acknowledged member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community to have a statue there."

Mueller Elementary School To Premiere Space Discovery Institute Program.

The Wichita (KS) Eagle (4/8, Tobias, 254K) reports that Mueller Elementary School will be the first school to take part in the "NASA-inspired Space Discovery Institute program." Arthur Eldridge, an education ambassador for NASA, said that the school will be the "flagship" for the program, which according to the article aims to give children "hands-on experience with aerospace technology." Part of the program includes building "a working laboratory for 30 students – as well as fully operational lunar and Mars rovers" – at the school's playground. Eldridge said, "They'll actually be learning to drive those as our jet propulsion laboratory folks do: You have to propose a plan … and then fit in the mathematics that will take it from one point to another. This is real stuff." NASA funding and donations will pay for the work. Eldridge added that much of the equipment was "NASA hardware that we repurpose for education (programs)."

NASA Has Not Yet Found A Way To Fund Opportunity Rover.

Space News (4/8, Leone, Subscription Publication, 481) reports that in recent testimony to the NASA Advisory Council's planetary science subcommittee, Jim Watzin, NASA's Mars exploration program director, said, "We will look at what opportunities we have to continue funding Opportunity, but at this time, we haven't squared all that away." The rover, along with the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), received no money in the Administration's proposed 2016 budget. According to the article, if NASA continues those missions without additional funds from Congress, it could result in delays or the end for other missions.

Space News: Northrop Grumman Should Change Stance On JWST Audit.

Space News (4/8, Subscription Publication, 481) editorializes on the "long-troubled" James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) program, highlighting the recent revelation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that prime contractor Northrop Grumman denied the agency a chance to speak with some employees. Because of the telescope's "troubled history," as well as its "ambitious" scientific goals, the editors believe that it is "vitally important" to continue monitoring the project adequately. It is "not ideal" that the GAO will have to rely on NASA's audit of Northrop Grumman because of NASA's investment in seeing the JWST succeed. The editors hope that Northrop Grumman changes its position because even bad news would "only benefit the program...in the long run."

SpaceX To Conduct Another First Stage Landing Attempt On April 13.

Business Insider (4/8, Orwig, 2.26M) continues coverage of SpaceX's next cargo mission to the ISS on April 13. After the company launches the Dragon cargo spacecraft, it will make "another historic SpaceX rocket landing attempt." It will try for the second time to land the Falcon 9 rocket's first stage on an offshore platform. According to the article, SpaceX's work is ushering in "a new era of reusable rockets."

        Blog Coverage. Jason Rhian at Spaceflight Insider (4/8) writes that the crew aboard the ISS are preparing for the Dragon spacecraft's arrival. This involved "an array of duties."

        Meanwhile, Doug Messier at Parabolic Arc (4/8) posts pictures of SpaceX's work on a "new 300-foot-long horizontal hangar at the base of Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A."

Fallon Jokes About "Pros and Cons" For Kelly's Year In Space.

The NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (4/7, 11:45 p.m. ET), in a comedy bit, listed "the 'pros and cons of being in space for a year" for astronaut Scott Kelly.

Werkheiser: NASA Wants To Develop "FabLab."

In one of the few pieces of continuing coverage with new material about the unboxing of 3D-printed items from the ISS, the WAAY-TV Huntsville, AL (4/8, Barrett, 2K) "Space Alabama" website reports that the "real work" of examining the items will now take place at the Marshall Space Flight Center. Niki Werkheiser, in-space manufacturing program manager at Marshall, said, "For us, this is where the real excitement begins. ... Don't get me wrong, it was extremely exciting 3D printing through the video on space station, but to be able now to test the parts is really the whole objective of the technology demonstration." The article notes that beyond testing the printed materials, the center is also developing "a material recycler" and "other advanced manufacturing technologies – like metals printers, electronics printers and composite printers." Werkheiser said, "Our big dream, on our roadmap for exploration, is to have a FabLab, which would really mean we have a fabrication shop that we could print a part that may be metal, may be plastic, it may have embedded electronics."

Alabama Hosts Space Launch System Supplier Conference.

The WBRC-TV Birmingham, AL (4/8, Lane, 42K) website reports that yesterday, NASA and the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce held the Alabama NASA Space Launch System Supplier Conference, which was attended by 150 businesses. The article notes that NASA brings in $3 billion for the state. Jody Singer, program manager for the flight programs and partnerships office at the Marshall Space Flight Center, said, "We look for folks that want to be part of the future and rise to the next chapter of our history of exploration. ... It obviously has to be within what we work in our mission of going forward with exploration, but there are many different companies, many different activities, many different things that we need and specialties."

        The Montgomery (AL) Advertiser (4/8, Harper, 13K) notes that Marshall Space Flight Center's Johnny Stephenson said at the conference, "While NASA's going to Mars, our trip to Mars is going to be successful because of Alabama. ... I'd like to see some of these companies here today participating and supporting us on the trip." Ron Simmons of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce said that organizers plan on making this an annual event.

Curtiss-Wright To Finish Flight Data Handling System For Boeing CST-100.

Space News (4/8, Ferster, Subscription Publication, 481) reports that Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions announced that under a contract modification, it will complete "a key flight data handling system" for the Boeing CST-100 spacecraft being developed for NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The company has been working on the system since 2013.

NASA Chooses Way It Will Land "Human-Scale Hardware" On Mars.

NASA Space Flight (4/8, Bergin, 305) reports that NASA, "the global leader in successfully landing spacecraft" on Mars, has decided that it will use "a mix of supersonic retro propulsion in combination with deployable, inflatable, and rigid aeroshells" when landing "human-scale hardware." The Human Architecture Team's (HAT) decision means that it will not use supersonic parachutes. According to the article, NASA's decision to use aeroshell technology "points" toward its Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) project. Meanwhile, the article notes that there is still a question of how NASA will decide to place future landers on the planet.

        Blog Coverage. David Livingston at the Space Show (4/7) podcast interviewed Chris Carberry, executive director and co-founder of Explore Mars, about his organization and the upcoming Humans2Mars Summit in May. Livingston noted that there was a "vibrant exchange" on whether it was necessary to travel to the moon before sending astronauts to Mars, "especially given this era of tight budgets & constraints." Livingston also highlighted that even when Carberry and one caller disagreed, they both believe there will not be another "Kennedy Moment."

New FeatherCraft Spacecraft Will Launch From The ISS.

Space News (4/8, Foust, Subscription Publication, 481) reports that Surrey Satellite Technology US (SST-US) is developing the FeatherCraft, a 100-kilogram spacecraft designed to launch from the ISS from NanoRack's new Kaber launcher scheduled to be installed later this year. During the announcement of the spacecraft's design, SST-US engineer Michael Brown reportedly said that the FeatherCraft could be used for several missions, such as "space and Earth science and technology development." However, the article notes that the company has yet to reveal any customers for the spacecraft, which is "much larger" than the cubesats now being launched from the ISS.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Says Nation Will Continue ISS Collaboration.

Russia's ITAR-TASS News Agency (4/9, 5K) reports that "despite current political tensions," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said that Russia will continue to collaborate with the US at the ISS. At the start of a conference about the science being done at the station, Dvorkovich added that Russia will "try not to cut but to enhance the resource base for such work and such cooperation."

Articles Explain How To See ISS Over The UK In April.

The Newcastle (UK) Chronicle Live (4/8, Jeffery) reported on how those in Newcastle can see the ISS when it passes overhead this month.

        The Surrey (UK) Advertiser (4/8, Harper) has similar coverage for viewings "in Dorking, Farnborough, Farnham and Guildford."

 

 

 

 

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Sea Ice Off East Antarctica's Princess Astrid Coast

 

 

   Headlines

  1. Joint Leadership Team Web Poll

Most of us are "medium green" when it comes to environmental matters. I'd love to see us all go emerald on this subject. This week, NASA announced a special hashtag you are supposed to use when sharing photos of your favorite place on Earth during Earth Day. Know what it is? #LifeonEarth? #OfftheEarthfortheEarth? #MyFavoritePlanet? The majority of you choked your March Madness bracket by picking Kentucky. A blue team did win, but it was a devilish game. This week, I am wondering about what scares you the most. I get scared every time I ride an elevator, and I'm responsible for maintaining them. What really scares you? Heights? Public speaking? Being late for an important meeting?

Arachno your Phobia on over to get this week's poll.

Joel Walker x30541 http://jlt.jsc.nasa.gov/

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  1. Win a Ride on the MRV for Our 20th Anniversary

Where else can you enter a drawing to win a ride on NASA's Modular Robotic Vehicle (MRV) but at the Spring Safety, Health and Environmental Fair? Come out to the Gilruth on April 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and look for the MRV on display on the Lone Star Pavilion side. There, you can sign up for a chance to win a ride. What better way to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of this fun and informative event?

Rindy Carmichael x45078

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  1. How to Keep Our Safety Culture Strong? You Tell Us

Do you know how to report safety concerns? Do you believe we learn from our successes and failures? What actions do we need to take to keep the JSC safety culture strong? Therese are a few of the things you'll be asked to think about when taking the short NASA Safety Culture Survey online April 13 through April 30. Click on "Johnson" and enter ID number 9037326, which tells the website that this is a JSC survey. You can also take the survey at the April 22 Spring Safety, Health and Environmental Fair at the JSC Safety Office booth, located in the Gilruth gym. Answers are anonymous.

Johanna Petrocelli x28480

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  1. ICA Call to Enable Mars Exploration Final Week

Only one week remains for the Innovation Charge Account (ICA) Call to submit your personal idea for innovation and ingenuity (see https://vimeo.com/122583384 in support of NASA's Evolvable Mars Campaign [EMC]). The JSC Chief Technologist Office is coordinating the 2015 ICA Call for proposals, which remains open through next Wednesday, April 15. The ICA Call solicits game-changing conceptual ideas from JSC and White Sands Test Facility civil servants and contractors 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 for $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. May 2015 AAPI Heritage Month: Nomination Call-Out

The May 2015 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month's theme is "Many Cultures, One Voice: Promote Equality and Inclusion." We would like to highlight one or two AAPI employees whose achievements, challenges, character and commitment have helped shape them into the people they are today, and whose stories serves as an inspiration to others.

Please submit your nomination, or self-nomination, for consideration to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity by Friday, April 17. Please include the nominee's name, organization, job title, and why you nominate the individual or yourself in 300 words or less. If selected, the stories will be highlighted on JSC Features.

JSC Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity x30607 http://www.nasa.gov/offices/oeod/

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  1. Flight Controllers AND Flight Instructors Wanted

Test Subject Screening (TSS) is seeking flight controllers AND flight instructors (including those in training flow) to evaluate a self-guided, multimedia stress management and resilience training computer program called SMART-OP in comparison to watching videos and reading information on stress management. Volunteers will:

    • Complete one information/consent session (via telephone -10 minutes)
    • Attend two assessments (pre- and post-, 60 to 90 minutes each) involving questionnaires, neuropsychological tasks, physiological data and stress biomarker samples in Building 4N
    • Attend six weekly computer-based stress management training sessions (30 to 60 minutes) in Building 4N
    • Complete a three-month follow-up questionnaire (15 minutes)
    • Total of 10 session contacts

Volunteers must be healthy non-smokers taking no medications and have a current Category I physical.

Volunteers will be compensated. (Restrictions apply to NASA civil servants and some contractors. Individuals should contact their Human Resources department). Please contact both Linda Byrd, RN, at x37284, and Rori Yager, RN, at x37240.

Linda Byrd x37284

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  1. Correction: Farming from Space

Yesterday's announcement had an incorrect link. Did you know that remote-sensing instruments on our International Space Station can help farmers make decisions on the use of agricultural land? Check out this video from the Benefits for Humanity series.

Liz Warren x35548

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   Organizations/Social

  1. No Boundaries ERG Meeting

The No Boundaries (NoBo) Employee Resource Group (ERG) is seeking new members. NoBo "promotes the development, inclusion and innovation of JSC's workforce, with a focus on employees with disabilities."

We seek interested employees at JSC (civil servants and contractors) who will further "facilitate a working environment accessible and inclusive of all abilities, which in turn makes the center a safer and better place to work for the entire JSC workforce."

You do not need to self-identify any disabilities, but knowing more about what would assist you, a family member or friend will help us target our efforts more closely to actual needs.

Our agenda includes the formal ratification of our ERG Charter, to identify volunteers for our safety fair booth and to poll members for the selection of our first accessibility project.

Please sign up in person at today's membership meeting. Meetings can then be attended in person or by conference call-in.

Event Date: Monday, April 13, 2015   Event Start Time:11:30 AM   Event End Time:12:30 PM
Event Location: Bldg 16E Room 2152A

Add to Calendar

Steve Candler x37152

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  1. Speak Up and Make a Plan

Please join Daisy Wei, MSSW, LCSW, with the JSC Employee Assistance Program, for this presentation from the caregiving and elder care series: Speak Up and Make a Plan!

National Healthcare Decisions Day is April 16—a day dedicated to raise awareness about the importance of advance-care planning. Even if you are not a caregiver, this is one of the most important topics to address with your loved ones. Attend and learn the tools for navigating this difficult and necessary conversation about your healthcare or that of someone you love.

Event Date: Thursday, April 16, 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. Space Serenity Al-Anon Meeting - April 14

"Think!" reminds Al-Anon members to stay focused as spring excitement is in the air. Our 12-step meeting is for co-workers, families and friends of those who work or live with the family disease of alcoholism. We meet Tuesday, April 14, in Building 32, Room 146, from 12 noon to 12:45 p.m. Visitors are welcome.

Event Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2015   Event Start Time:12:00 PM   Event End Time:12:45 PM
Event Location: B. 32, Room 146

Add to Calendar

Employee Assistance Program x36130 http://sashare.jsc.nasa.gov/EAP/Pages/default.aspx

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  1. Starport Wellness Comes to You - Building 11 Café

Be proactive for your good health! Mark your calendar and plan to stop by the Building 11 café today between 7 and 9 a.m. to visit the Starport Wellness table.

Evan Thoman, wellness director, will be on hand to answer questions and provide information about Starport's new services and programs.

Stop by today and take a "healthy selfie" for your chance to win new Starport prizes!

Visit us to get the information and support you need to start making positive lifestyle changes.

Evan Thoman x42769 https://starport.jsc.nasa.gov/

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  1. Starport Wellness: Back to the Basics

Want to learn the basics of nutrition?

Mark your calendar and plan to join us this Friday, April 10, at noon in the Gilruth Discovery Room with our new registered dietician, Marla Murphy!

This lunch-and-learn presentation will touch on carbohydrates, proteins, fruits, vegetables, fats, portion sizes, how to build a better plate and easy meal/snack ideas.

Taking advantage of our NEW, complimentary nutrition lunch-and-learn presentations could be your first step to becoming a happier, healthier you.

Event Date: Friday, April 10, 2015   Event Start Time:12:00 PM   Event End Time:1:00 PM
Event Location: Gilruth Center/Discovery Room

Add to Calendar

Evan Thoman x42769 https://starport.jsc.nasa.gov/

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  1. Sign Up Now: Personal Training Consultations 4/10

Have you been pondering enhancing your overall fitness and well-being, but aren't sure where to start?

Whether it be for more energy to do the things you love and/or confidence within your own body and mind, our certified personal training staff is here to guide you in the right direction on your fitness journey!

We still have 30-minute, complimentary personal training consultations available this Flex Friday, April 10. The time to secure one for you is this very moment.

Sign up through the link below (click on April 10) and pick the time that works best for you. Our wonderful staff will take care of you from there!

Zachary Wofford x28618 https://www.lattiss.com/calendar.jsf?realmId=a5914b00-1f1e-11e4-a6af-80e...

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  1. Starport Boot Camp – Morning and Evening Classes

Starport's boot camp is back, and registration is open and filling fast. Don't miss a chance to be part of Starport's incredibly popular program. The classes will fill up, so register now!

Early registration (ends April 10):

    • $90 per person (just $5 per class)

Regular registration (April 11 to 20):

    • $110 per person

The workout begins on Monday, April 20.

Morning: 6 a.m.

Evening: 6 p.m.

Are you ready for 18 hours of intense workouts with an amazing personal trainer to get you to your fitness goal? Don't wait! Sign up today.

Register now online or at the Gilruth Center information desk.

Shericka Phillips x35563 https://starport.jsc.nasa.gov/en/programs/recreation-programs/boot-camps

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   Jobs and Training

  1. Human Systems Academy Lecture

Join the Human Systems Academy lecture for a "Human Research Program Overview."

The Human Research Program (HRP) is a major part of the Space Life and Physical Sciences Research and Applications Division within the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. It is instrumental in carrying out NASA's Strategic Plan by developing and delivering research findings, health countermeasures and human systems technologies for spacecraft that will support crews on missions to the moon, Mars or other destinations.

As space is limited, please register in SATERN.

Event Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2015   Event Start Time:11:00 AM   Event End Time:1:00 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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  1. Understanding & Creating SysML Models: May 12-15

This course covers all nine SysML diagram types in a quick and easy-to-learn format. A consistent system modeling example is presented throughout the course to better learn how SysML concepts and diagrams work together. We cover these concepts in a tool-independent manner, with a focus on how to interpret SysML models. This course also provides hands-on instruction, where participants will learn to implement SysML concepts using a representative tool. These skills are reinforced by doing useful things with your SysML models—not just building them for the sake of documentation.

This course is designed for engineers, scientists, managers and technicians interested in model-based engineering. This course is available for self-registration in SATERN and is open to civil servants and contractors.

Dates: Tuesday through Friday, May 12 to 15

Location: Building 12, Room 144

Zeeaa Quadri x39723 https://satern.nasa.gov/learning/user/deeplink_redirect.jsp?linkId=SCHED...

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   Community

  1. Visit The Robonauts Saturday, Learn About FIRST

Find out what all the excitement is about with robotics education and come see the JSC/Clear Creek Independent School District For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) robotics team, The Robonauts, in action in Building 9 as they scrimmage from 2 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 11. Everyone is invited to come visit and bring their children (employees must personally handle any badging requirements).

Read more about JSC's involvement with FIRST and The Robonauts on JSC Features.

James Hartsfield x34934

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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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