Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Fwd: [nasa-jsc-retirees-list] FW: NASA News and JSC Today - Tuesday, May 19, 2015



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From: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Date: May 19, 2015 at 7:03:23 AM CDT
To: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Subject: [nasa-jsc-retirees-list] FW: NASA News and JSC Today - Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Reply-To: larry.j.moon@nasa.gov

JSC Today - Tuesday, May 19, 2015

And another day of rain ===drive carefully when out and about.

 

 

NASA NEWS

• Bolden Suggests Changes To Appropriations.

• Historian Says NASA Lives With Nixon's Diminished Expectations.

• Gala Raises Funds For Houston Exhibit Of Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.

• Twin Nepal Earthquakes Triggered 3,000 Landslides.

• O'Keefe Says Cruise Helped Redesign NASA Website.

HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

• NASA Holds Competition For 3D-Printed Mars Habitat For Astronauts.

• NASA, ESA Work Together On Asteroid Deflection Project.

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Certified By NASA.

• ISS May Be Armed With Laser To Destroy Space Junk.

• Video Shows Astronauts Training For Fire On Soyuz.

• Boeing Testing Safety Systems For CST-100.

• Bill Nye Raises Money For Solar-Powered Spacecraft.

• Astronaut Kelly To Keynote March Of Dimes Dinner.

Bolden Suggests Changes To Appropriations.

Space News (5/18, Foust, Subscription Publication, 481) reports that on Monday, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, speaking at a Space Transportation Association luncheon, commented on the draft of a House appropriations bill approved by the Commerce, Justice, and Science subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, saying, "I'm happy because the top line that we saw with the House appropriations bill is $18.5 billion," but, he added, "What causes us some consternation is when you get down inside the budget. That's where we have a lot of work to do." Bolden explained that "the biggest area of heartburn" is the possible reduction of the Earth science budget, adding, "We have got to get our act together when it comes to Earth science." Bolden also objected to the commercial crew program appropriation, which at $1 billion was "about 20 percent below the administration's request," saying that it would leave NASA without the money to pay Boeing and SpaceX for reaching milestones as their contracts provide.

        SPACE (5/18, Foust, 241K) reports on the proposed appropriation, explaining that while it "fully funds the Obama administration's overall request for NASA," it shifts money "from commercial crew and space technology" to "the Space Launch System and planetary science." It notes that in April, Administrator Bolden had testified to the Congress that "giving SLS more money than requested would not accelerate the vehicle's first launch," while "cuts in the commercial crew program would force NASA to renegotiate existing contracts with Boeing and SpaceX and delay the completion of their spacecraft."

Historian Says NASA Lives With Nixon's Diminished Expectations.

Florida Today (5/18, Dean, 168K) reports on a talk given by "space policy expert and historian John Logsdon" to Kennedy Space Center employees Monday, in which he said that it has been "Richard Nixon's vision for space — or lack thereof — that has defined NASA and KSC." That vision was "a space program that maintained U.S. leadership, advanced technology and created jobs," but on a budget. Logsdon argued that the result is "an agency stressed by trying to do too much with too little."

Gala Raises Funds For Houston Exhibit Of Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.

SPACE (5/18, Pearlman, 241K) reports on Chuck Norris' appearance at "Space Center Houston's new exhibit of the historic original Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and replica orbiter Independence at a high society gala held on Friday (May 15) in Houston." Also appearing were "Apollo 17 moonwalker Gene Cernan, shuttle commander Mark Kelly and astronaut Ellen Ochoa, director of NASA's Johnson Space Center." The gala was "a fundraiser for Independence Plaza, Space Center Houston's $12 million, eight-story-tall attraction featuring NASA905, the modified Boeing 747 jet used to ferry the shuttles for 30 years, and Independence, a detailed mockup of the iconic orbiters."

        The Houston Chronicle (5/18, Elliott, 2.29M) reports in its "Society Diaries" blog on the gala at which in addition to those mentioned above was actor Gary Sinise, and "astronaut Terry Virts Jr., currently in orbit aboard the International Space Station, appeared onscreen."

Twin Nepal Earthquakes Triggered 3,000 Landslides.

The Mail Today (IND) (5/19) reports that a satellite study conducted by the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) found that "Two earthquakes within a fortnight in Nepal have triggered at least 3,000 landslides," as "avalanches made of snow and ice, mixed with rock material, accelerated on the way down the steep valley slopes, displacing the air and creating strong pressure waves." It reports that the study was conducted along with other agencies, including the United States Agency for International Development, the US Geological Survey, and NASA.

O'Keefe Says Cruise Helped Redesign NASA Website.

The Daily Mirror (UK) (5/18, Solon, 788K) reports that according to former NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe, "Tom Cruise helped NASA redesign its website," in 2002.

NASA Holds Competition For 3D-Printed Mars Habitat For Astronauts.

The Tech Times (5/18, Algar, 153K) reports in continuing coverage from yesterday that NASA is offering "$2.25 million in prizes" to contestants who develop "a design for a Mars habitat that can be cranked out by a 3D printer." Contestants will have to submit "architectural concepts that would use 3D printing to create a 1,000 square-foot living habitat for four astronauts." The winner will receive $50,000 to be announced at the 2015 World Maker Faire in New York. Sam Ortega, program manager for NASA's Centennial Challenges, said, "This challenge definitely raises the bar from what we are currently capable of, and we are excited to see what the maker community does with it." The contest also has a second and third phase, each of which will award $1.1 million to the winner, with the second requiring "fabrication technologies" and the third requiring "the fabrication of a full-scale habitat here on Earth."

        TechNewsWorld (5/18, Plummer, 3K) reports that NASA is partnering with America Makes in awarding the prizes.

NASA, ESA Work Together On Asteroid Deflection Project.

SPACE (5/18, Brabaw, 241K) reports on the combined effort of NASA and the European Space Agency called the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA). ESA's Asteroid Impact Mission will involve sending a craft to Didymoon along with a lander. NASA will take up the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in which it will send a probe to "crash straight into Didymoon." The ESA will then study the results from the crash in an effort to "determine how much force is needed to shift the orbit of an oncoming asteroid."

SpaceX Falcon 9 Certified By NASA.

Parabolic Arc (5/18, Messier) reports, "NASA has formally certified SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket" for use in "all but the agency's most costly robotic science missions." Its first launch will be for "a United States and France oceanography satellite" in July. NASA spokesman George Diller said that the agency had "concluded the multi-year certification on Tuesday."

ISS May Be Armed With Laser To Destroy Space Junk.

The Discovery Channel (5/18, Choi, 774K) carries an earlier report from Space.com that some support arming the International Space Station "with a laser to shoot down orbiting debris." According to NASA researchers, there may be "nearly 3,000 tons of space debris" floating in low-Earth orbit. In all, there may be "more than 700,000 pieces of debris larger than 0.4 inches" in orbit.

        The Tech Times (5/18, Algar, 153K) reports that "the threat of a collision with space junk is increasing,"

        UberGizmo (5/18, Kee, 17K) reports that the ISS has "had to change its trajectory numerous times over the years, in order to avoid collisions with space junk."

        CBS News (5/18, 8.2M) carries a video report, and the Daily Mirror (UK) (5/19, Solon, 788K) also covers the story.

Video Shows Astronauts Training For Fire On Soyuz.

The Washington Post (5/18, Feltman, 5.03M) carries a video from the European Space Agency in which "ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen and Russian cosmonaut Sergei Volkov show a typical training session" before being sent to the ISS, in which they are "subjected to a random assortment of disasters and expected to calmly follow emergency procedures to save themselves." The coverage focuses on putting out a fire on the Soyuz craft. io9 (5/18, McKinnon, 837K) also reports on the video, in which Mogensen "explains fire suppression procedures for the Soyuz spacecraft."

        SPACE (5/18, 241K) also carries the video.

Boeing Testing Safety Systems For CST-100.

SPACE (5/18, Brabaw, 241K) reports, "Boeing has begun testing the astronaut-safety system for its CST-100 spacecraft," designed to carry "up to seven passengers or a mix of passengers and cargo" round trip to the International Space Station, "under a $4.2 billion contract" with NASA. It is testing the "pusher abort system" at NASA's Langley Research Center in Virginia.

Bill Nye Raises Money For Solar-Powered Spacecraft.

CNN (5/18, Lake, 3.17M) carries a video report on Bill Nye using kickstarter.com to raise money for a solar-powered spacecraft.

Astronaut Kelly To Keynote March Of Dimes Dinner.

The Toronto (CAN) Sun (5/18, Connor, 77K) reports that US astronaut Mark Kelly will keynote the "March of Dimes Canada's Ability and Beyond Dinner in Toronto" and will speak about his experience as caregiver to his wife Gabrielle Giffords following her near fatal gunshot from an assassination attempt.

 

 

 

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   Headlines

  1. Annual IT Security Training

Don't wait until it's too late!

The deadline is fast approaching for the Fiscal Year 2015 Annual Information Technology (IT) Security and Privacy Awareness Training requirement for all NASA civil servants and contractors, available through SATERN. This training is also required if you apply for a remote-access token and to remotely access Integrated Enterprise Management Program applications such as eTravel and WebTADS. If you are unable to access SATERN or need assistance with IT Security Training, contact the NASA Shared Services Center. We recommend Mac users use Safari to access SATERN. If you require a SATERN user name and password, follow the instructions listed on the SATERN website. For further assistance, contact the SATERN Help Desk at 1-877-NSSC-123 (1-877-677-2123).

JSC-IRD-Outreach x46376 http://ird.jsc.nasa.gov/ITSecurity/default.aspx

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   Organizations/Social

  1. Diversity Panel Discussion – May 27

In observance of Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) month, the JSC ASIA Employee Resource Group (ERG) welcomes the JSC community to a Diversity Panel Discussion. This event amplifies the AAPI theme of "Many cultures, one voice, to promote equality and inclusion," and will focus on short- and long-term approaches to leveraging diversity and inclusion as tools to better achieve the JSC mission. We are partnering with other JSC ERGs to reach out to employees who attended recent Diversity Leadership Conferences, and are collecting lessons learned and practical applications for the JSC work environment. JSC Deputy Director Kirk Shireman will provide opening remarks.

Event Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2015   Event Start Time:11:30 AM   Event End Time:1:00 PM
Event Location: B1 Conf Room 871

Add to Calendar

Joreen Lee x36210 https://collaboration.ndc.nasa.gov/iierg/ASIA/

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  1. Dealing with Early-Stage Memory Loss

One in three seniors suffers from Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, and half of all caregivers are providing care to a loved one with memory loss. Being an educated caregiver with an understanding of the disease is both important and helpful.

Join Daisy Wei, MSSW, LCSW, with the JSC Employee Assistance Program, and guest speaker Sally Davis, RN, MSN, for a presentation from the caregiving and eldercare series: "Dealing with Early-Stage Memory Loss." Davis will share the early warning signs of dementia, how memory loss can impact mental health and educate on memory-care resources for your loved one. Davis is the Health Services director of Amazing Place—an agency whose mission is to teach the community about dementia and brain health, provide care and wellness to adults with memory loss and give support to their families.

Event Date: Tuesday, May 19, 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. NASA Nerdz Bowling League 2015

NASA Nerdz at AMF Alpha and will begin on June 11 and run to Aug. 13 on Thursday nights! Bowling starts at 6:30 p.m. each day, with practice beginning at 6:15 p.m. Typically, bowling ends anywhere from 9 to 9:30 p.m. Teams must consist of four people. If you have four people in mind, perfect. If not, email me and I will try and match you up. Team members do not have to work at NASA, for NASA or even work at all—and and your kids can be your team members (but we will bowl with no bumpers). Pre-bowling and post bowling is allowed on an individual basis. The fee for each week of bowling is $13. (Ten weeks = $130 for two-and-a-half to three hours of fun each Thursday night through the summer.) Please email me your team name and members by May 29. Zero words left, Google no-tap!

Russell Lala x47469

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  1. INCOSE - May 21 - MBSE Data Architecture

This Thursday, May 21, Robert Crain will be presenting on "MBSE Data Architecture" at the INCOSE meeting. Networking begins at 5:30 p.m., and the program starts at 6 p.m. Please join us at the International Space Station Conference Facility (1800 Space Park Drive, Ste. 100, Nassau Bay, 77058).

Robert McAfoos x47533

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  1. Starport's Prediction Walk/Run 5K - Tomorrow

The objective of this race is not necessarily to be the fastest, but to be the closest to the predicted amount of time you will spend walking, jogging or running. Registration is still open online.

Prizes: All participants will receive a Health and Fitness Week raffle ticket, and the top three performers will receive a NASA medal and Starport drawstring bag.

Note: Timing devices will not be permitted during this race.

Event Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2015   Event Start Time:7:00 AM   Event End Time:8:00 AM
Event Location: Gilruth Center

Add to Calendar

Evan Thoman x42769 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Q4aE0ywXLd_we7NcqsZqIO2j3jEMCdAmhFwJcQF...

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  1. Starport's Father-Daughter Dance 2015

Make Father's Day weekend a date your daughter will never forget! Enjoy a night of music, dancing, refreshments, finger foods, dessert, photos and more. Plan to get all dressed up and spend a special evening with the special little lady in your life. The dance is open to girls of all ages, and attire is business casual to semi-formal. A photographer will be on hand to capture this special moment with picture packages for you to purchase. One free 5x7 will be provided.

    • June 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Gilruth Center Alamo Ballroom
    • Cost is $45 per couple ($10 per additional child)

Register online or at the Gilruth Center information desk. You must register by June 11, and there will be no tickets sold at the door.

Shericka Phillips x35563 https://starport.jsc.nasa.gov/en/programs/special-events/father-daughter...

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   Jobs and Training

  1. CGE Travel System Live Lab - May 20

Do you need some hands-on, personal help with the Concur Government Edition (CGE) Travel System? Join the Business Systems and Process Improvement Office for a CGE Travel System Live Lab tomorrow, May 20, any time between 9 a.m. and noon in Building 12, Room 142. Our help desk representatives will be available to help you work through your travel processes and learn more about using the CGE Travel System during this informal workshop. Please feel free to bring any travel documents to be worked. This is real-time help, not a training class. Please click on the direct SATERN link below to register and receive SATERN credit. For additional information, please contact Judy Seier at x32771.

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

Gina Clenney x39851

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  1. APPEL - Assertiveness for Technical Professionals

Learn how to get the job done without worrying, express thoughts clearly, make requests without fear, refuse unreasonable requests without guilt and resolve disputes calmly and effectively.

This course targeted toward all technical professionals and managers at every level of the management team who must work effectively with others to get top results. It's also perfect for team leaders and technical contributors who do not possess formal authority to direct others, but who must express themselves clearly and work with others cooperatively to achieve project success.

This course is open for self-registration in SATERN until tomorrow, May 20, and is open to civil servants and contractors.

Dates: Wednesday through Thursday, May 27 to 28

Location: Building 12, Room 146

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

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  1. APPEL - Managing Virtual Teams

The goal of this course is for participants to learn and practice the techniques required to be an effective distance manager and team member. Participants will learn how to overcome obstacles of geography, isolation and history and to establish trust, motivate and unite people who are separated physically, and often culturally and emotionally.

This course is designed for leaders and managers who have remote teams; project and program managers; sales and other distance managers; and remote team members.

This course will be open for registration until noon today and is open to civil servants and contractors.

Dates: Tuesday through Wednesday, June 16 to 17

Location: Online/virtual

Note: This session will be hosted at AFRC, so class timing will be in the Pacific time zone.

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

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  1. Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing: July 14-16

Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing Fundamentals (GD&T) is an intense three-day immersion into the rules, symbols and other concepts of ASME Y14.5-2009, the American standard for GD&T. 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, as well as 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. Deadline Extended for HAS Mentors

It's not too late to sign up to pass on your love of spaceflight to the next generation by mentoring High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) students. The series of weeklong 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 three weeks left to choose from, and the commitment requires about 20 hours.

    • Week 1: June 15 to 19
    • Week 2: June 22 to 26
    • Week 3: July 6 to 10

If interested, please:

1. Complete the mentor application here.

2. Create a V-CORPs account.

3. Review mentor responsibilities.

4. Apply by June 8.

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

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  1. International Day for Biodiversity - May 22

Biodiversity helps humankind in many ways. Complex ecosystems provide nutrients, air and water purification and pest regulation throughout the world. This year's theme is "Biodiversity for Sustainable Development." Life is tightly woven with biological diversity, and that diversity is essential for sustainable development success. For example, one diverse, naturally occurring watershed outside New York City provides water-filtration services and saved the city more than 6 billion dollars. The next time you have a project at home or at work, think about how you can preserve biodiversity in our local ecosystems. The benefits may surprise you.

JSC Environmental Office x36207 https://www.cbd.int/idb/2015/

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  1. Life in the USAF Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL)

Now is your first chance in 40 years to see a private collection of corporate paintings from the Douglas Aircraft Co. ca. 1967 illustrating life inside the MOL, the cancelled mid-1960s space program documented in "Astrospies" on PBS.

Douglas was the prime contractor and produced these paintings for internal and external outreach. Nothing classified—no hint of spy cameras and telescopes—just the human factors. The MOL never flew, but it gave NASA some of its most famous astronauts and a bit of technology.

After this exhibition closes in July, the entire collection will be donated to the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum.

Paintings are on display now through July, with a grand opening on May 29.

Regular viewing hours:

Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Friday and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Event Date: Friday, May 29, 2015   Event Start Time:5:00 PM   Event End Time:7:00 PM
Event Location: 17503 El Camino Real, Houston 77058

Add to Calendar

John B. Charles x37224

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Disclaimer: Accuracy and content of these notes are the responsibility of the submitters.

 

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