Friday, April 17, 2015

Fwd: [nasa-jsc-retirees-list] FW: NASA News and JSC Today - Friday, April 17, 2015



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Begin forwarded message:

From: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Date: April 17, 2015 at 9:52:24 AM CDT
To: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Subject: [nasa-jsc-retirees-list] FW: NASA News and JSC Today - Friday, April 17, 2015
Reply-To: larry.j.moon@nasa.gov

JSC Today - Friday, April 17, 2015

 

 

Happy Friday everyone – brace yourselves for more rain.   Have a great weekend.

 

LEADING THE NEWS

• Bolden Discusses Russian Collaboration, Defends NASA In Congressional Testimony.

NASA NEWS

• Work Begun On Landsat 9.

• Apollo 13 Vets Attend 45th Anniversary Event.

• Live NASA Show Teaches Middle Schoolers About Physics.

HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

• Scott Kelly Makes TIME's Most Influential People List.

• Dragon Spacecraft To Arrive At ISS Today.

• People Sentenced For Making Fraudulent Claims For Contracts, Travel Vouchers.

• International Student Teams Gather For Human Exploration Rover Challenge.

• Business Launched At Stennis Now Exclusive Partner For Google Geo Products.

• Hadfield Interviewed About Life In Space.

• Brazil Leaves Cyclone-4 Rocket Program.

• ISS Alarm Now Posted To SoundCloud.

• Student Teams To Compete For Chance To Develop An Astronaut Meal.

• Made In Space Offering "Space-Grade" 3D Printer Feedstock.

• SLS Welder To Be Reassembled In August.

• Students Video Chat With NASA Astronaut.

• NASA Astronaut Visits SciPort.

Bolden Discusses Russian Collaboration, Defends NASA In Congressional Testimony.

The Wall Street Journal (4/17, Pasztor, Subscription Publication, 5.67M) reports that in testimony to a House Science subcommittee, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said that the ISS "continues to be the perfect role model" of international cooperation, with Russia committing to the program until 2024. The article notes that on the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia will build its own national space station by 2023. Still, Bolden said, "We have to get away from our reliance on the Russians" to get astronauts to the ISS, but the earliest that could happen was 2017. Meanwhile, Bolden also called for more Federal funding on unmanned aircraft, noting, "I am not confident that we will stay ahead of industry and entrepreneurs."

        The Guardian (UK) (4/16, Yuhas, 2.74M) reports that Bolden also "defended" NASA over charges by Rep. Lamar Smith that it was spending too much on climate change research, harming "Nasa's exploration programs to fund a partisan environmental agenda." Bolden replied, "There's no 's' in Nasa for 'science' and some think we shouldn't do science, but that's absurd. ... We do not divert money from human exploration and science." Bolden also had to defend the Asteroid Redirect Mission, which Smith called "uninspiring,"and against accusations that the agency lacked a roadmap to Mars. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher thought NASA should outsource the mission to someone like SpaceX, but Bolden noted, "No commercial company is going to independently go to Mars without support of government." Meanwhile, the article notes that Bolden also had to testify to the Senate yesterday, where Senators were "incensed" over the possibility that NASA centers in their states "might lose funding in the coming year."

        Forbes (4/16, Mack, 6.54M), Sputnik News (4/17), Space Policy Online (4/16, Smith), and another Space Policy Online (4/16, Smith) article also cover the story.

        Bolden Proud Of NASA's Planetary Programs. The KUSA-TV Denver (4/16, Rodriguez, 386K) website interviews Bolden, who spoke with "pride" about NASA and its "planetary exploration." Bolden said, "When people talk about the space program or has it been successful, we are now exploring every single planet in our solar system, plus, we're in interstellar space, interplanetary space." Bolden said that while NASA's current budget is "not where you would ideally like to be...you can't argue with an $18-billion budget for an agency like NASA." When asked about where NASA might send astronauts after Mars, Bolden replied, "Well, you know, Mars is hard. ... Those were all robotic precursors that precede us sending humans there. So, we're getting ready to send a precursor to the moon of Jupiter, called Europa. Who knows? One day we may have Europa Chronicle, as the movie said."

        KUSA-TV Denver (4/16, 8:05 p.m. ET, 386K) also has a broadcast of the interview.

        Putin: Russia Will Be In Total Control Of Its Space Station. AFP (4/16) reports on Putin's plans to develop a national space station by 2023. Putin explained that Russia needed a new station because it can only view "5 percent of the area of Russia" from the ISS. Putin added, "It goes without saying we will bring this project to fruition, and without any doubt, it will be under our control." According to the article, Putin made the statement "during a national phone-in that included a video link" with workers at the Vostochny cosmodrome, a project "mired in scandal."

        ITAR-TASS News Agency (4/16, 5K) had more of Putin's comments about the importance of Vostochny, but had no mention of Russia's space station plans.

        Sputnik News (4/16), Techie News (UK) (4/17, Mandalia), and NBC News (4/16, Boyle, 2.71M) website also cover the story.

        Blog Coverage. In an op-ed for The Hill (4/16, 224K) "Congress Blog," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden writes that NASA is "turning science fiction into science fact" five years after President Obama spoke at the Kennedy Space Center. The US is "firmly on a journey to Mars" because of the development of Orion, the Space Launch System, ARM, the extension of the ISS, and astronaut Scott Kelly's one-year mission. All of these projects, as well as the increase in Earth observations and "accelerating...pace of private-sector innovation," are part of the Obama Administration's vision for space. Further touting space technology program like the Low Density Supersonic Decelerators and other science missions, Bolden concludes that NASA is demonstrating "tangible...real" progress in space.

        Meanwhile, Mark Whittington at the Examiner (4/16, 1.01M) blog noted that Bolden, in his testimony to the House, seemed to support a manned lunar landing at one point, but then "also came out against the idea."

        Doug Messier at Parabolic Arc (4/16) comments that House Science Committee is a "clown car" for claiming that NASA and the Administration are hurting science programs by increasing Earth science projects. That was "another spectacularly false claim" by House members. Messier comments that if Congress really cared about programs that hurt the budget, it would have canceled the Webb telescope. He also thinks that other Congressmen, like Rep. Mo Brooks, just want more funding in their district for the SLS and Orion.

        Joseph Stromberg at Vox (4/16, 737K) uses "a bit of a mistake" in Bolden's testimony about the number of spacecraft orbiting planets to the Senate to illustrate how in a couple of years, NASA's planetary science program was "in the midst of a pretty big contraction, mostly due to a gradual cutback in funding."

Work Begun On Landsat 9.

The Atlantic (4/16, Meyer, 2.09M) reports that on Thursday, it was announced that NASA and the USGS have begun work on Landsat 9. The new satellite is scheduled to launch in 2023. Even though the Landsat program is one of the government's "least known" satellite programs, it includes "one of the most important scientific repositories of data ever made." The article notes that until now, the program has been funded on "a satellite-by-satellite basis," but that has changed in the current Administration budget, which has made the program funding "a priority." Jeffrey Masek, a Landsat scientist at the Goddard Space Flight Center, said, "We have recognized for the first time that we're not just going to do one more, then stop, but that Landsat is actually a long-term monitoring activity, like the weather satellites, that should go on in perpetuity."

Apollo 13 Vets Attend 45th Anniversary Event.

Newsday (4/17, 1.41M) reports that Apollo 13 "mission commander, James Lovell, fellow astronaut Fred Haise and flight director Gene Kranz" attended an event as guests of honor at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, New York on Thursday. The event celebrated the 45th anniversary of the Apollo 13 mission. Kranz said about the current state of NASA programs, "I'd like to see them have a clear-cut program with a series of established missions because right now it seems like everything's a potpourri and nobody's really identified what we're going to do, why we're going to do it and when we're going to get there."

Live NASA Show Teaches Middle Schoolers About Physics.

The Springfield (MA) Republican (4/17, Kane, 297K) reports on NASA's "Forces in Motion" live physics show, presented in collaboration with Honeywell, to middle school students in Worcester, Massachusetts on Wednesday. The show, which encourages students to become interested in STEM fields, features hip hop music and giant soccer balls. John James, a four-year performer in the show, said, "It's all about physics. ... We bring it down to their level. We use a lot of song and dance to show them how anyone can see examples of Newton's three laws everywhere they look."

Scott Kelly Makes TIME's Most Influential People List.

Astronaut Scott Kelly has made TIME (4/16, 19.19M) magazine's "The World's 100 Most Influential People" list. To explain why, astronaut and former Sen. John Glenn writes that Kelly's year-long ISS mission is "worthy of special note and attention." Glenn comments that he is "very glad" that NASA is conducting this type of mission, because the research could "have a profound impact on all of us."

        The WBIR-TV Knoxville, TN (4/16, 56K) website thought that it was "fitting" that Glenn wrote Kelly's write up for the magazine.

        The Galveston County (TX) Daily News (4/17, Aulds, 3K) also covers the story.

Dragon Spacecraft To Arrive At ISS Today.

Florida Today (4/17, Dean, 178K) reports that today, ISS astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, supported by astronaut Terry Virts, will capture and berth the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft launched on Wednesday. Astronaut Cady Coleman described what this process was like during Wednesday's Lunar Surface Applications workshop. Coleman said, "When you look out the window and see that thing, it is very, very big. ... I tell people, be ready for that. Be ready for the fact that you are going to feel differently. Because in the simulator, nobody's going to get hurt and it's not going to look that big." She also recommended that the public "tune in" to see it happen.

        NASA Space Flight (4/16, Bergin, 305) notes that the Dragon is "performing well," even though many in the "internet community" focus on SpaceX's unsuccessful rocket booster landing attempt. SPACE (4/16, Howell, 236K) reports on the upcoming berthing by describing the scientific experiments about to be delivered.

        Techie News (UK) (4/17, Mandalia) also covers the story.

        Sofge: Reusuable Technology Will Make Manned Spaceflight Practical. Erik Sofge at Men's Journal (4/17, 3.85M) writes that SpaceX's attempts to develop reusable rocket technology will make manned spaceflight "a practicality, instead of...one of the least profitable, and most financially disastrous endeavors in history." NASA's attempt to develop a reusable spacecraft with the space shuttle turned out to be "the budgetary equivalent of an arterial spray," according to Sofge. Meanwhile, if successful, Sofge predicts that the lowered costs of launching people and items into orbit will result in utilizing space in "a meaningful, permanent, and relatively affordable way."

        US May Have New Launch Monopoly. The Financial Times (4/17, Wright, Subscription Publication, 1.35M) reports, "The US military risks relying entirely on Elon Musk's SpaceX for military launches, swapping "one monopoly situation for another.""

        Blog Coverage. Stan Schroeder at Mashable (4/17, 1.8M) writes that a video on Reddit claims to show the unsuccessful booster landing attempt "from the ship itself, giving a far more dramatic look." SpaceX did not yet verify the video's authenticity at the time of Schroeder's post.

        Ars Technica (4/16, Hutchinson, 537K) also covers the story, but reports that the video was released by SpaceX.

        Meanwhile, Phil Plait at the Slate Magazine (4/16, 1.21M) "Bad Astronomy" blog writes about his trip to SpaceX, where he discussed why SpaceX wants to send people to Mars with CEO Elon Musk. Plait appreciated Musk's "simply stated" vision of making humanity a "multi-planet species." He also thought that Musk and SpaceX are working on an "achievable" goal and are making "great strides."

People Sentenced For Making Fraudulent Claims For Contracts, Travel Vouchers.

The Orlando (FL) Sentinel (4/17, Brinkmann, 794K) reports that Donatus Asumu was sentenced "for lying to NASA to obtain federal contract work" after pleading guilty to lying about his full-time employment status at Gartner and "about having a staff of people ready to work on contracts, when there was no staff," when obtaining Small Business Innovation Research contracts. Asumu was fined $200,000 and sentenced to probation.

        The Biloxi (MS) Sun Herald (4/17, BAKER, 126K) reports that John Mack Brown was also sentenced to 30 months in prison, "two years under post-release supervision...$469,852 in restitution, a $10,000 fine and a $100 special assessment fee" for false statements he made on travel vouchers while at the Stennis Space Center. At the time, Brown was "under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Navy."

International Student Teams Gather For Human Exploration Rover Challenge.

The Huntsville (AL) Times (4/16, Roop, 127K) posts some information of this week's annual Human Exploration Rover Challenge, which has drawn "student teams from around the world." The challenge is being held on Friday and Saturday at the US Space & Rocket Center, with NASA livestreaming the results.

Business Launched At Stennis Now Exclusive Partner For Google Geo Products.

The Biloxi (MS) Sun Herald (4/17, Perez, 126K) reports that Navagis has become "the exclusive partner to provide technical support for all Google Geo Products, including Google Maps Engine, Google Maps API and Google Earth Enterprise." The article notes that the company launched at the Stennis Space Center "to help coordinate resources and teams after" Hurricane Katrina. According to the article, the company may be "the ultimate business success" from that storm.

Hadfield Interviewed About Life In Space.

The WUNC-FM Chapel Hill, NC (4/16, Mawajdeh, Stasio, 10K) website reports that the station interviewed Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield "about the long and rigorous journey to space, the technical and mental aspects of space exploration and the effects of his nearly 4,000 hours in space." To show what life was like in space, the website posted several of the videos Hadfield made while he was at the ISS.

Brazil Leaves Cyclone-4 Rocket Program.

Space News (4/16, de Selding, Subscription Publication, 481) reports that after "a government review...found too many open questions," Brazil decided to end its participation in Ukraine's Cyclone-4 rocket program. Petronio Noronha de Souza, deputy chief of the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB), said, "There have been challenges on the budget issues, on the technological aspects, in the relationship between Brazil and Ukraine and in the actual market for export that would be available. So it is a combination of things." Noronha de Souza said that no launcher makes a profit on its own, including SpaceX, which he said is only profitable because of NASA's support. The article notes that Brazil will continue its "strategic goal" of developing "autonomous access to space" through its collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) for the Microsatellite Launch Vehicle.

        Blog Coverage. Doug Messier at Parabolic Arc (4/16) writes that the news was "yet another blow to the struggling Ukrainian space program," which has several setbacks, including the launch failure of Orbital ATK's Antares rocket, whose first stage was built in Ukraine.

ISS Alarm Now Posted To SoundCloud.

The Wired UK (4/16, Culpan, 30K) reports that the ESA's Columbus Control Center posted a new audio file to SoundCloud. The clip is of an ISS alarm for "life-threatening emergencies, such as a sudden loss of pressure or fire." The article notes that ISS astronauts typically only hear the alarm "during routine 'fire drills.'"

Student Teams To Compete For Chance To Develop An Astronaut Meal.

The Hampton Roads (VA) Daily Press (4/17, Dietrich, Subscription Publication, 201K) reports that seven high school culinary teams will compete at the Johnson Space Center next week for the chance to create a meal for ISS astronauts. Astronaut Charles Camarda, senior adviser for engineering development at the Langley Research Center, and Janet Sellars, director of the center's Office of Education, took part in "a preliminary panel" to taste some food prepared by Phoebus High School students competing in the contest. Camarda said, "Taste is everything. ... And when you're in space at zero gravity, your taste changes, so you have to add more seasoning to make it spicier. And food is everything. It makes you happy. It's a very big boost for the crew." The article notes that the team also has looked into how meals are packaged, developing a way for dishes to be combined "at will." Camarda said, "Oh, so that's innovation in processing. ... I think that's a fantastic idea."

Made In Space Offering "Space-Grade" 3D Printer Feedstock.

collectSPACE (4/16, Pearlman) reports that Made In Space, which built the ISS' 3D printer, is allowing the public to purchase "the same 'space-grade' plastic feedstock used in the first additive manufacturing demonstration in space." The four lines being offered by the company "vary by their readiness for use in space."

SLS Welder To Be Reassembled In August.

Space News (4/16, Leone, Subscription Publication, 481) reports that the Space Launch System's (SLS) gigantic welding tool has been disassembled "to correct a misalignment that made it impossible to use the machine." It will now be reassembled in August. NASA SLS program manager Todd May said that ESAB Welding & Cutting failed to reinforce the floor of the Michoud Assembly Facility before it was installed, causing a misalignment. May said that ESAB did not do what it was supposed to because of "a miscommunication between two [Boeing] subcontractors and ESAB." According to the article, May said that NASA does not yet know "the net effect on SLS's development" from this incident.

Students Video Chat With NASA Astronaut.

KTRE-TV Lufkin, TX (4/17, Beams, 5K) reports that NASA astronaut Don Thomas video chatted with students in East Texas. Thomas explained how astronauts eat and drink in space and showed them maps of East Texas from space. Thomas told KTRE-TV, "In the next 25 to 30 years, NASA is hoping to send astronauts to Mars...I'm too old to go to Mars. In 30 years I will be 90, but our students in the classroom today will be the perfect age to be these astronauts."

NASA Astronaut Visits SciPort.

KTAL-TV Shreveport, LA (4/17, 711) reports that Duane Carey visited SciPort recently. Carey "piloted the spacecraft Columbia on a mission to service the Hubble Telescope."

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Organizations/Social

  1. Are You Ready for Some … Baseball?

Have you scored discounted tickets yet for the Astros vs. Angels game this Saturday night, April 18, at 6:10 p.m. at Minute Maid Park? If not, that's OK—there's still time to order your tickets online. Discounted tickets are available online only through noon on game day.

This Saturday night is not just any game, though. It's NASA Night, and we are joining the Houston Astros in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Astrodome and the Astros name. NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Tracy Caldwell Dyson will join members of the 1965 Astros team to re-enact the first pitch inside the Astrodome! In addition, replicas of the 1965 Astrodome will be given free to the first 10,000 fans for Saturday's game only.

To be a part of the action, click here. Or, contact Jake Winowich at 713-259-8317 or via email.

JSC External Relations, Office of Communications and Public Affairs x35111

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  1. Autism 101

Did you know April is National Autism Awareness Month? Here are a few facts about autism:

    1. Autism now affects one in 68 children and one in 42 boys
    2. Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disorder in the United States
    3. Autism costs a family $60,000 a year on average
    4. Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism
    5. There is no medical detection or cure for autism

In recognition of Autism Awareness, the JSC Employee Assistance Program will be hosting speakers from Avondale House, an agency that provides services to those diagnosed with autism. They will discuss the basics of autism, current treatments and support for those impacted by autism. Please join Anika Isaac, LPC, LMFT, NCC, LCDC, CEAP, with the JSC Employee Assistance Program, for the presentation "Autism 101."

Event Date: Tuesday, April 21, 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. Going to the Movies? Buy Tickets at ShopNASA

As you make your weekend plans, don't forget that you can buy discounted movie tickets at the ShopNASA Gift Shops in Buildings 3 and 11, as well as at the Gilruth front desk! AMC Gold and Cinemark Platinum SuperSaver passes may be purchased for $9 each.

The AMC Gold Experience Pass is good for any show time (additional fees charged at the theater for 3-D and IMAX movies).

The Cinemark Platinum SuperSaver Pass is good for any ticket up to $10, after which additional fees apply.

Ansley Browns x46487

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   Jobs and Training

  1. ViTS Classes for the Month of May

 

 

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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