Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Fwd: [nasa-jsc-retirees-list] FW: NASA News and JSC Today - Tuesday, April 28, 2015



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Begin forwarded message:

From: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Date: April 28, 2015 at 12:21:35 PM CDT
To: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Subject: [nasa-jsc-retirees-list] FW: NASA News and  JSC Today - Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Reply-To: larry.j.moon@nasa.gov

JSC Today - Tuesday, April 28, 2015

 

NASA NEWS

• Enterprise Dedication Remembers Fallen Astronauts.

• Senate Confirms Newman As NASA Deputy Administrator.

• Mikulski Wants To Increase NASA's 2016 Budget.

• High School Student's Light Pollution Project Attracts NASA's Attention.

• Madame Tussauds Orlando Features Neil Armstrong Exhibit.

HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

• Cabana Wins 2015 National Space Trophy.

• Progress Spacecraft's Docking At ISS Delayed By Telemetry Issue.

• Astronauts Have New Screen Specially Designed For The ISS.

• Astronauts Tweet Their Support For Nepal Quake Victims.

• Kelly Tweets Image Of San Francisco.

• Comparison Finds Space Launch System, Falcon Heavy Each Better For Certain Missions.

• Young: NASA, Commercial Companies Need To Partner For Manned Missions.

• Thomas Visits Students In Dubai.

• High School Dedicates Classroom To Nagel.

Enterprise Dedication Remembers Fallen Astronauts.

collectSPACE (4/27, Pearlman) reports that the Enterprise, the prototype space shuttle for NASA that now lives on the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, was dedicated on Monday to those astronauts who lost their lives in the line of duty. At the dedication were family members of those who died on the Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia missions, as well as NASA officials. NASA Administrator Cahrles Bolden said, "It's an honor to be here to recognize the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia as we dedicate the space shuttle Enterprise in their honor. ... I thank the families of our fallen crewmates for joining us. Know that we will never forget your loved ones, and that we are building on their legacy even now to do the great things in the future toward which they strove."

Senate Confirms Newman As NASA Deputy Administrator.

The Great Falls (MT) Tribune (4/28, 80K) reports that the Senate confirmed Dava Newman to be the next deputy administrator of NASA. Sen. Jon Tester said in a statement, "Dava Newman will be a strong leader at NASA and play a major role in the future of engineering in this country. I thank her for her many years in the classroom inspiring young folks to launch a career in STEM. All Montanans can be proud of her great accomplishments."

        The Helena (MT) Independent Record (4/28, Deedy, 38K) notes that Newman said, "It's an enormous honor to serve at NASA in times when our country is extending humanity's reach into space while strengthening American leadership here on Earth, and I look forward to starting this work soon." NASA Administrator Charles Bolden also said in a statement, "I am personally ecstatic to welcome her aboard at such a busy and exciting time as we continue to make extraordinary strides on our Journey to Mars."

        The Helena (MT) Independent Record (4/28, Deedy, 38K), KTVH-TV Helena, MT (4/27, 279) website, Space News (4/27, Foust, Subscription Publication, 481), and Parabolic Arc (4/27, Messier) also cover the story.

Mikulski Wants To Increase NASA's 2016 Budget.

Space News (4/27, Foust, Subscription Publication, 481) reports that Sen. Barbara Mikulski, "the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee," said that she wants to increase NASA's 2016 budget because the Administration's proposal is "too skimpy" and needs "to be more robust." While she did say she was "not ready to put a dollar sign on it yet," she did state that she wanted to increase funding for NASA's science programs and a satellite servicing program at the Goddard Space Flight Center. According to the article, Mikulski is now "on a collision course with the House," which wants to cut Earth science funding. Mikulski said that the House was "obsessed with human spaceflight and going to Mars. ... We also need space science and the kind of discovery done by technology to lay the groundwork for human discovery."

High School Student's Light Pollution Project Attracts NASA's Attention.

The WISH-TV Indianapolis (4/27, Halvorson, 84K) website reports on the work of Noblesville High School Student Jessie Elliott, who counts NASA staff among her Twitter followers. The junior is developing a city ordinance for Noblesville, Indiana to reduce light pollution, which reportedly drew the attention of the NASA employees. Her aim is to get the city to invest in a shield that would prevent light from shining up into the sky, distorting the view of the stars.

Madame Tussauds Orlando Features Neil Armstrong Exhibit.

Florida Today (4/27, Sangalang, 168K) reports that Madame Tussauds Orlando will open on May 4 of this year. At the sneak preview of the wax museum, guests admired the Neil Armstrong exhibit for the attention to detail. The scene depicts Armstrong's historic moonwalk of 1969.

Cabana Wins 2015 National Space Trophy.

The Orlando (FL) Business Journal (4/27, Barth, Subscription Publication, 28K) reported that Kennedy Space Center Director Robert D. Cabana has won the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Foundation's 2015 National Space Trophy, which is given "to an outstanding American who has made major contributions to the nation's space program."

Progress Spacecraft's Docking At ISS Delayed By Telemetry Issue.

AFP (4/28) reports that a Russian Progress cargo spacecraft launched to the ISS today, but experienced "a glitch" with the transmission of telemetry. In order to compensate for the issue, the spacecraft will take "two days instead of six hours" to reach the ISS, according to a spokesperson from Russia's mission control.

        Sen (4/28, Zak) notes that officials were not able confirm whether "a pair of the Kurs rendezvous antennas" deployed.

        NBC News (4/28, Boyle, 2.54M), ITAR-TASS News Agency (4/28, 5K), another ITAR-TASS News Agency (4/28, 5K) article, Spaceflight Now (4/28, Clark, 3K), SPACE (4/28, Wall, 241K), Sputnik News (4/28), and NASA Space Flight (4/28, Bergin, 305) also cover the story.

        Spacecraft Carrying Copy Of Victory Banner. Russia's ITAR-TASS News Agency (4/28, 5K) reports that the Progress spacecraft is carrying "a replica of the Victory Banner" used "in the Soviet campaign against Nazi Germany."

        Blog Coverage. Mika McKinnon at io9 (4/27, 837K) posts images of the preparations before the launch, which she called "a good start to an otherwise relatively-mundane flight."

Astronauts Have New Screen Specially Designed For The ISS.

The NBC News (4/27, Wagstaff, 2.54M) website continues coverage of how the ISS astronauts watched "Gravity" over the weekend, with the focus shifting to their new 65-inch screen "specially designed for use on the ISS with material that rejects ambient light, maintains its form in zero gravity, and resists stains from floating pieces of food." Screen Innovations developed the screen, which is able to be "rolled up into a tube that is only 2.5 inches in diameter." The article notes that before the screen, astronauts only had "13-inch tablet-like displays."

        CE Pro (4/27, Archer) reports that Ryan Gustafson, chief designer, president and CEO of Screen Innovations (SI) said that collaborating with NASA has been "a dream come true." According to the article, Gustafson said that his company was "humbled" by NASA's decision to work with SI, going on to credit the agency for "actively" participating in the screen's development and explaining "the many obstacles the product would have to overcome in order to work as desired."

        io9 (4/28, 837K) and Blastr (4/27, Spry, 68K) also covered the story.

Astronauts Tweet Their Support For Nepal Quake Victims.

SPACE (4/27, Malik, 241K) reports that ISS astronauts Terry Virts and Scott Kelly tweeted "messages of support" for those affected by Saturday's earthquake in Nepal. They also posted "photos and a video of the country as it appeared from space on Sunday."

        Geodesic Data Could Help Aid Workers The Same Day As A Quake. Wired (4/27, Patel, 4.16M) reported that a study by the University of Iowa and the US Geological Survey (USGS) found "a faster way to use geodetic data to assess fault lines, turning over reports in as little as a day to help guide rapid responses to catastrophic quakes." Previously, aid agencies waited "several days or even weeks before finally processing the data" of a fault zone taken by satellites. The team, led by William Barnhart, made "the first demonstration of geodetic data being acquired and analyzed the same day of an earthquake." While the method could lead to "faster and more efficient" responses, the article noted that Barnhart acknowledged that the method is best applied to "moderate earthquakes (between magnitudes of 5.5 and 7.0)."

Kelly Tweets Image Of San Francisco.

The KPIX-TV San Francisco (4/27, 130K) website reported that ISS astronaut Scott Kelly tweeted an image of San Francisco taken from the station. The article noted that Kelly has also posted "a few other great images in recent days."

        Blog Coverage. Attila Nagy at Gizmodo (4/27, 1.08M), posting the image, comments that this image shows how 2015 is an "amazing year."

Comparison Finds Space Launch System, Falcon Heavy Each Better For Certain Missions.

In an article for the Space Review (4/27), Dale L. Skran, chair of the National Space Society Policy Committee and a member of the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Space Development, attempts to make an "apples to apples" comparison of NASA's Space Launch System to SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket, focusing on "the likely operational capabilities of each vehicle in 2018 or 2019." The two were designed "with very different goals in mind," but still can be compared. In the end, Skran believes that there will be a "high probability" both will be flying by 2019. While the Falcon Heavy is the "clear winner for customers wanting to launch less than 53 MT to LEO and 21.1 MT to GTO," the SLS is better "for deep space" missions. Skran thought that combining the two rockets could produce "an optimal result" for cislunar activities.

        Blog Coverage. Rand Simberg at Transterrestrial Musings (4/27, 1K) writes that Skran "bends over backwards for SLS" in his analysis.

Young: NASA, Commercial Companies Need To Partner For Manned Missions.

In an article for the Space Review (4/27), Anthony Young, president of Personal Spaceflight Advisors, writes that "even casual observers of NASA's human spaceflight program" know that NASA will never see again the funding levels it once had under the Apollo program. Therefore, Young believes that "the substantial involvement of commercial firms in partnership with NASA" is a necessary requirement for any deep space program. Young specifically examines a possible lunar mission, noting that if NASA engaged in such a program it would be similar to the commercial cargo and commercial crew programs. To Young, a lunar mission is "the most practical means" to facilitate a manned Mars mission, and that is not possible without commercial partners.

Thomas Visits Students In Dubai.

The Abu Dhabi (ARE) National (4/28, 280K) reports that NASA's Donald Thomas, who became an astronaut after trying four times to join the program, spoke at Crescent English High School in Abu Dhabi. He told students about his experiences in space and hoped to inspire them never to give up on their goals.

        Gulf News (ARE) (4/28, 400K) notes that Thomas will visit 14 schools while in Dubai.

High School Dedicates Classroom To Nagel.

The Peoria (IL) Journal Star (4/27, Eskridge, 184K) reports that Canton High School has dedicated a science classroom to NASA astronaut Steve Nagel, a Canton native. Canton is also home to Nagel Park and a mural of a space shuttle. Nagel died last year at the age of 67.

 

 

 

 

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   Headlines

  1. Space Nerds: Unite in Teague for Andy Weir

Steal away from your desk at noon for an invigorating talk by "The Martian" author Andy Weir in the Teague Auditorium. It's DAY TWO in Mars Week, and we still have a lot of exciting speakers to offer as we "talkMARS."

Weir is the author of "The Martian," a book that is stimulating a lot discussion about future Red-Planet technologies and what-if scenarios in the JSC community. A self-proclaimed lifelong space nerd and software engineer, Weir will feel at home here as he discusses his very popular science-fiction account of an astronaut stuck on Mars.

Before or after Weir's presentation, browse ShopNASA's Mars Exploration Outpost in the lobby to get great Mars, Orion and exploration gear and trinkets, and even a copy of Weir's novel for your own keeping. Bring it back tomorrow and get it signed by Weir during lunch in the Building 3 café!

Event Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2015   Event Start Time:12:00 PM   Event End Time:1:00 PM
Event Location: Teague Auditorium

Add to Calendar

JSC External Relations, Office of Communications and Public Affairs x35111 http://strategicplan.jsc.nasa.gov/default.aspx?j=ZhKxoiXmJrPFMFcGxKny0Ht...

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  1. Before You Head Out to Mars ...

Don't forget a critical steppingstone on your way to Mars! Our International Space Station is a proving ground for technology and human health countermeasures. Read about just a few examples, such as station's Environmental Control and Life Support System, 3-D printing and communication technologies that are paving the path of deep space exploration.

Liz Warren x35548

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  1. Your Opinion Matters: NASA Safety Culture Survey

There are only a few days left, and your opinion matters! Take the NASA Safety Culture Survey today and tell us what you think about our safety culture here at JSC. All answers are anonymous. The survey can be accessed from any computer or phone with Internet access from work or home. The survey is open until April 30. Click here to take the survey. The results will be submitted to the JSC director and the survey point of contact. Your feedback is extremely valuable. 

Please note: This survey is not the same survey that is requested of you after completing the SATERN Safety Culture training.

Johanna Petrocelli 281-792-8480

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  1. IRD Institutional Fileshare – Up and Running

The Information Resources Directorate (IRD) completed repairs to the jsc-fs01 fileshare server Friday evening, April 24.

Home directories (N:) and organizational file folders located on this server are now available.

If you continue to experience issues accessing jsc-fs01 fileshare, please contact IRD Customer Support at x34800.

JSC IRD Outreach x34800

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  1. Memorial Tree Planting Ceremony – F. Curtis Michel

A memorial tree planting ceremony honoring the life of astronaut F. Curtis Michel will be held Monday, May 4, at 10 a.m. at the JSC Memorial Tree Grove.

Michel was selected as a scientist-astronaut by NASA in June 1965. He resigned in September 1969 to return to teaching and research, and was Department Chairman of the Space Physics and Astronomy Department at Rice University in Houston from 1974 to 1979. He was also the Andrew Hays Buchanan Professor of Astrophysics since 1974, and named a Guggenheim Fellow to the University of Paris, France, from 1979 to 1980. Michel was awarded an Alexander von Humboldt, Senior U.S. Scientist Award to study in Heidelberg from 1982 to 1983.

There will be limited parking available along the tree grove; employees are encouraged to walk or carpool.

Event Date: Monday, May 4, 2015   Event Start Time:10:00 AM   Event End Time:11:00 AM
Event Location: JSC Memorial Tree Grove

Add to Calendar

Stephanie Castillo x33341

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   Organizations/Social

  1. 'Innovate or Evaporate 2.0' - May 6, Jim McIngvale

You and your friends are invited to JSC's SAIC/Safety and Mission Assurance speaker forum featuring Jim McIngvale, founder of Gallery Furniture and Houston's 2014 Man of the Year.

With "Innovate or Evaporate 2.0," McIngvale will discuss the importance of focus, innovation, teamwork and Safety.

McIngvale, also known as "Mattress Mack," is a community leader and successful businessman (founder of Gallery Furniture). He continues to apply the TQM principles he learned from Edward Deming in his day-to-day business operations. He will share personal stories, innovations and teamwork that inspire him and others to be successful, along with the challenges and obstacles encountered.

Date/Time: Wednesday, May 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CDT

Location: Gilruth Center Alamo Ballroom

See you there!

Event Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2015   Event Start Time:11:30 AM   Event End Time:1:00 PM
Event Location: Gilrtuh Center's Alamo Ballroom

Add to Calendar

Della Cardona/Juan Traslavina 281-335-2074/281-335-2272

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  1. ShopNASA's Martian Exploration Outpost in Teague

Are you coming to hear "The Martian" author Andy Weir's talk today at noon in the Teague Auditorium? Arrive early to check out ShopNASA's Martian Exploration Outpost, open from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Purchase your copy of "The Martian," along with other NASA Mars, Orion and exploration merchandise. Be sure to check out the ShopNASA-exclusive #JourneyToMars T-shirt, which will also be available!

Ansley Browns x46487 https://starport.jsc.nasa.gov/en/programs/special-events/mars-week-merch...

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   Jobs and Training

  1. General Industry Safety and Health - May 1

SMA-SAFE-NSTC-066A: General Industry (CFR 1910) Safety and Health Provisions

This three-hour course is based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) CFR 1910 course, Requirements for General Safety and Health Provisions. It will provide a general overview of OSHA 1910 safety requirements. During the course, the student will receive an overview of those topics needed to work safely in general industry. There will be a final exam associated with this course, which must be passed with a 70 percent minimum score to receive course credit. Use this direct link for registration.

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

Shirley Robinson x41284

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  1. Crossing Department Lines - Slots Available

This program is designed for individuals meeting the challenges of working across organizational boundaries and facing the need to influence others toward a particular outcome without having the power that comes from traditional, positional authority. Through an interactive video case study, participants follow a task force comprised of individuals from different functions within an organization as they struggle to achieve a common goal.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

    • Understand his/her primary influence style and use alternative methods of influencing others
    • Identify techniques and steps to strengthen working relationships
    • Increase effectiveness in resolving conflicts
    • Contribute to building a collaborative working environment

Dates: May 13 to 14

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

Location: Building 12, Room 146

Audience: All JSC team members

Pre-Work: Yes

Registration Cutoff: April 30

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. Scaffold Users' Seminar ViTS - May 15

SMA-SAFE-NSTC-0316: Scaffold User's Seminar

This four-hour course is based on Occupational Safety and Health Administration CFR 1910.28 and 1926.451, requirements for scaffolding safety in the general and construction industries. During the course, the student will receive an overview of those topics needed to work safely on scaffolds, including: standards, terminology and inspection of scaffold components; uses of scaffolds; fall-protection requirements; signs and barricades; and more. Those desiring to become "competent persons" for scaffolds should take the three-day Scaffold Safety Course, SMA-SAFE-NSTC-0312. There will be a final exam associated with this course, which must be passed with a 70 percnet minimum score to receive course credit.

Target Audience:

    • Safety, Reliability, Quality and Maintainability professionals
    • Anyone working on operations requiring the use of scaffolds

Use this direct link for registration.

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

Shirley Robinson x41284

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  1. Aerial Platform ViTS - May 15

SMA-SAFE-NSTC-0030: Aerial Platform

This three-hour course provides classroom training as required by Occupational Safety and Health Administration 29 CFR 1910.67(C)(2)(ii). This course provides the classroom training to allow employees to have on-site, hands-on field training and testing to obtain site approval for use of aerial lifts on a NASA site. Discussions include the awareness of hazards and how to gain from lessons learned. There will be a final exam associated with this course, which must be passed with a 70 percent minimum score to receive course credit.

Target Audience:

    • Supervisors over aerial lift operations
    • Aerial lift operators

Use this direct link for registration.

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

Shirley Robinson x41284

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  1. Welding & Cutting ViTS - May 29

SMA-SAFE-NSTC-0064: Welding and Cutting Safety

This three-hour course is based on Occupational Safety and Health Administration CFR 1926.350 - Requirements for Working with Gas Welding and Cutting; 1926.351 - Arc Welding and Cutting; 1926.352 - Fire Prevention, Ventilation and Protection in Welding Cutting and Heating; and 1926.354 - Welding Cutting and Heating in Way of Preservation Coating in the Construction Industry. During the course, the student will receive an overview of those topics needed to work safely in welding and cutting operations. There will be a final exam associated with this course, which must be passed with a 70 percent minimum score to receive course credit.

Use this direct link for registration.

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

Shirley Robinson x41284

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  1. APPEL: Project Planning Analysis and Control

This course offers a foundation in project planning, analysis and control, and provides intensive instruction in project management fundamentals across the entire project lifecycle. Course content covers the areas of technical integration of project elements, design and discipline functions and their associated interactions to balance performance, cost, schedule, reliability and operability. Proven strategies and practical tools for planning, executing and controlling a variety of projects are presented.

This course is designed for NASA's new engineers or early-career hires.

This course is available for self-registration until Wednesday, May 6, and is open to civil servants and contractors.

Dates: Monday through Friday, June 8 to 12

Location: Building 12, Room 152

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

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  1. Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing: July 14-16

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing Fundamentals is an intense three-day immersion into the rules, symbols and other concepts of ASME Y14.5-2009, the American standard for Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing. Key fundamental rules, all control symbols and modifiers, identifying and referencing datums, basic dimensions, virtual conditions, max/min material boundaries and rules #1 and #2 are all covered in detail. Significant differences between the 2009 standard and the 1994 standard, and between the ASME and ISO GD&T standards, are mentioned as needed.

This course is intended for design, manufacturing and inspection personnel.

This course is available for self-registration in SATERN and is open to civil servants and contractors.

Dates: Tuesday through Thursday, July 14 to 16

Location: Building 12, Room 134

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

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   Community

  1. Mentors Needed for High School Aerospace Scholars

Pass on your love of spaceflight to the next generation by mentoring High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) students. The series of week-long summer experiences allow us to connect our NASA workforce with Texas students participating in hands-on engineering challenges. You can advise and work alongside them as they plan a mission to Mars. There are six weeks to choose from, and the commitment requires about 20 hours.

Summer Schedule:

    • Week 1: June 15 to 19
    • Week 2: June 22 to 26
    • Week 3: July 6 to 10
    • Week 4: July 13 to 17
    • Week 5: July 20 to 24
    • Week 6: July 27 to 31

If interested, please:

1. Complete the mentor application here.

2. Create a V-CORPs account.

3. Review mentor responsibilities.

4. Apply by May 4.

Brandi Dean x41403 http://has.aerospacescholars.org/mentors

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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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