Monday, May 4, 2015

Fwd: [nasa-jsc-retirees-list] FW: NASA News and JSC Today - Monday, May 4, 2015



Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Date: May 4, 2015 at 7:59:18 AM CDT
To: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Subject: [nasa-jsc-retirees-list] FW: NASA News and  JSC Today - Monday, May 4, 2015
Reply-To: larry.j.moon@nasa.gov

JSC Today - Monday, May 4, 2015

Hope you can join us this Thursday for our monthly NASA Retirees Luncheon at 11:30 at the Hibachi Grill in Webster on Bay Area Blvd.  

 

Following lunch you can catch this month's NAL first Thursday speaker Jim Oberg at the Gilruth Longhorn Classroom at 2:30 on Rocket Spotting in North Korea: An Eyewitness Account.  

 

And then also this Thursday at 4pm you can go have a beer at the Gilruth Pavillion with the KOTM crowd to discuss Jim's talk.

 

Or you can pick and choose from the above 3 options. :>)

 

 

 

LEADING THE NEWS

• Study Shows Astronauts Could Suffer Brain Damage From Radiation In Space.

NASA NEWS

• Advocacy Groups Weigh In On House's NASA Authorization.

• Bolden, New ESA Leader Discuss Post-ISS Plans, Lunar Base.

• Helena Independent Record Gives Newman A "Thumbs Up."

• New Bill Would Make Space Settlement Part Of NASA's Charter.

• Officials Visit Congress For NASA Technology Day On The Hill.

• Edwards Touts NASA Work During Debate For Senate Seat.

HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

• Much Of The Research On The Kelly Twins Has Already Begun.

• SpaceX's Launch Abort System Undergoes "Big Test" On Wednesday.

• Cristoforetti Explains Gravity In New Teaching Video.

• Progress' Atmospheric Reentry Could Come This Week.

• Most Vista Magnet Middle School Students Competing To Send An Experiment To ISS.

• JAXA Wants To Develop Baseline For Regenerative Medicine With ISS Study.

• Documentary Reveals Big Bird Almost Lost With Challenger.

• Shuttle Replica Now At INFINITY Science Center.

• Former Marshall Space Flight Center Employee Now Actively Conducting Outreach.

• Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Auctions Off Chance To See Orion.

• Diana Middle School Teacher Selected For Lift Off Summer Institute.

• Hire To Take Part In STEM-Tastic Festival.

• Aerodyne Industries's Taffet Receives Silver Snoopy Award.

• Washoe County Students Come In Third At NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge.

Study Shows Astronauts Could Suffer Brain Damage From Radiation In Space.

The Wall Street Journal (5/1, Hotz, Subscription Publication, 5.68M) reported that a new NASA-funded study by University of California, Irvine and the University of Nevada researchers determined that prolonged exposure to the radiation in deep space could damage astronauts' brains, negatively affecting memory and decision-making. The article notes that while NASA declined to be interviewed about the results, it did issue the following statement: "NASA recognizes the importance of understanding the effects of space radiation on humans during long-duration missions beyond Earth orbit, and these studies and future studies will continue to inform our understanding as we prepare for the journey to Mars."

        The Los Angeles Times (5/1, Brown, 4.03M) "Science Now" website noted that Charles Limoli of UC Irvine, who led the research, decided to investigate the issue in relation to astronauts "as an outgrowth of his work on the effects of radiation on brain cancer patients." Limoli stressed that if organizations want to deal with the radiation in space, they need to know what will happen. According to the article, astronauts may one day need drug treatments like the ones Limoli is developing for cancer patients on Earth.

        The PBS' NewsHour (5/1, Akpan) "The Rundown" blog Peter Guida of Brookhaven National Laboratory noted that the difference between the new study and similar ones in the past was that Limoli exposed the rodent subjects to "'space relevant' doses of charged particle radiation." According to the article, there are questions about whether the findings will apply to humans.

        According to Popular Science (5/1, Grush, 6.78M), this study has "huge implications" for NASA's efforts to send people to Mars.

    

        Winner Of NASA Contest Proposes Interplanetary Transit System. Danielle Wiener at Fusion (5/3, Wiener) reported that last month, NASA and Innocentive announced the winners of a public contest which asked participants to come up with ways to protect astronauts from galactic cosmic rays. George Hitt of Khalifa University won the contest with his concept of "an interplanetary transit system," which would involve separating the shielding needed to protect astronauts from the spacecraft. NASA said in a statement, "While the five winners selected in the first challenge did not identify a solution that ultimately solves the problem of GCR risk to human crews, the first place idea did provide a novel approach to using and configuring known methods of protection to save substantial launch mass and lower launch costs over multiple missions." Kerry Lee, the challenge's technical lead at NASA, wrote in an email, "We didn't receive any breakthrough solutions that brought us to an 'ah ha' moment," as the solutions varied "from absolutely silly and some absurd with no physical possibility of working all the way to well thought out concepts of operation in dealing with the radiation problem." NASA added, "The follow-on challenge offers an award of up to $30,000 for design ideas to protect the crew on long-duration space missions."

        Columnist Does Not Want To Be The First To Mars. In a column for the Picayune (MS) Item (5/2, 17K), Jeremy Pittari wrote that the new study involving potential brain damage for space radiation is a "hurdle" to manned missions to Mars. However, the main reason he does not want to go is that any spaceflight to that planet or any other would have to be "a one-way ticket." With the "high" chance the first pioneers will fail, Pittari would rather stay on Earth until "preexisting infrastructure" is developed.

Advocacy Groups Weigh In On House's NASA Authorization.

Spaceflight Now (5/3, Clark, 3K) continued coverage of the two-year authorization bill passed by the House Science Committee that would transfer money "from NASA's Earth science programs into the space agency's heavy-lift rocket and Orion crew capsule programs." NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden criticized the move, saying the proposal "guts our Earth science program and threatens to set back generations worth of progress in better understanding our changing climate, and our ability to prepare for and respond to earthquakes, droughts and storm events. ... NASA leads the world in the exploration of and study of planets, and none is more important than the one on which we live." The article noted that advocacy groups had mixed reviews depending on their focus. The Coalition for Space Exploration supported the bill for its position on NASA's exploration programs, while the Planetary Society held that the Earth science cuts needs to be rescinded.

        The International Business Times (5/3, Ross, 774K) similarly note the opposition from scientists with no mention of any group that supports the bill.

        AOL (5/3, 6.2M) also covers the story.

        Bill Would Require NASA To Have Students Name Space Launch System. Spaceflight Now (5/3, Clark, 3K) reports that as part of the bill, NASA would have to "conduct a well-publicized competition among students in elementary and secondary schools to name the elements of the administration's exploration program," including the Space Launch System.

        GOP Budget Called An Attack On Climate Change Science. Michael Hiltzik wrote for the Los Angeles Times (5/2, Hiltzik, 4.03M) that the House bill was a "clear swipe at the study of climate change." Hiltzik opined that the budget "perfectly reflects the House GOP's glorification of space exploration, which masks its disdain for research on climate change," and its announcement was "a model of misdirection and deceit."

        Blog Coverage. At the Washington Post (5/1, Shepherd, 5.03M) "Capital Weather Gang" blog, Marshall Shepherd, a member of the Earth Science Subcommittee of the NASA Advisory Council, wrote about what he considered to be the House's "reckless cuts" to NASA's Earth science budget. Agreeing with Bolden's position, Shepherd warned that the measure would "end many programs and jeopardize many federal and private sector jobs, not to mention threaten the US' military activity in the Arctic." Shepherd noted that NASA data the bill puts at risk is also used in weather models, which do have a "direct impact on our economy, agricultural productive, commercial aviation, military operations, and more." Because of his personal experience with NASA's Earth science program, Shepherd thinks supporting the effort is a "no-brainer."

Bolden, New ESA Leader Discuss Post-ISS Plans, Lunar Base.

In his column for SPACE (5/1, 241K), Leonard David wrote on comments by Johann-Dietrich Wörner, incoming chief of the European Space Agency, during a panel discussion at the Space Foundation's 31st National Space Symposium. Wörner voiced support for "a permanent moon station as the successor of ISS," and said the international facility should be built on the moon's far side. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden also participated in the discussion, commenting on US plans beyond the ISS. "We're going to spend a 10-year period of time between 2020 to 2030 in cis-lunar space, trying to establish an infrastructure in lunar orbit from which we can help entrepreneurs, international partners and the like who want to get down to the surface of the moon," Bolden said.

Helena Independent Record Gives Newman A "Thumbs Up."

The Helena (MT) Independent Record (5/4, 38K), in an editorial, gave a "thumbs up" to the new NASA deputy administrator, Dava Newman, for "putting Helena on the interstellar map." Newman, who is from Helena, was called "living proof" of the quality of the local education system.

New Bill Would Make Space Settlement Part Of NASA's Charter.

Space News (5/1, Foust, Subscription Publication, 481) reported that Rep. Dana Rohrabacher has drafted the Space Exploration, Development, and Settlement Act of 2015, which would amend NASA's charter "to include space settlement among national space policy goals and objectives." Under the directive, NASA would not only have to detail every two years its efforts in this field, but also "develop metrics to quantify that progress." According to the article, space advocates have been drumming up support for the bill, which has yet to be formally released. The article noted that this is not the first time legislation has highlighted the importance of space settlement, but it is the first one that would amend the National Aeronautics and Space Act which created the agency.

        Examiner (5/2, Whittington, 1.2M) also covered the story.

Officials Visit Congress For NASA Technology Day On The Hill.

Federal Computer Week (5/1, Noble, 263K) reported that last week, NASA, "accompanied by academics and experts from the aerospace industry," visited Congress for the fourth annual NASA Technology Day on the Hill. NASA Chief Technologist David Miller said, "We're pioneering space. ... The way we look at it, [humankind] is moving out to stay, and Mars looks like the place to move. ... Technology puts new tools in the tool boxes of engineers so they can design the missions we need" NASA Associate Administrator for Space Technology Steve Jurczyk, who also took part in the event, noted, "There's a whole suite of tools needed to live in the Martian environment." According to the article, part of the reason for the event is "to strengthen the bonds between NASA and the lawmakers who fund it." Jurczyk added, "We want to let them know the value we're delivering in next-generation tech for the $600 million or so [in space technology funding] they're giving us."

Edwards Touts NASA Work During Debate For Senate Seat.

The Washington Post (5/3, Weiner, 5.03M) reports that Reps. Donna F. Edwards and Chris Van Hollen debated Sunday, as both are competing to win the seat being vacated by Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski. The article briefly notes that Edwards touted her work on NASA authorization bill among her accomplishments in Congress.

Much Of The Research On The Kelly Twins Has Already Begun.

In an article for TIME (5/1, 19.57M) titled "The Great Space Twins Study Begins," Jeffrey Kluger wrote that "much of the research" into how ISS astronaut Scott Kelly's body will change over the next year has started. After detailing what scientists will examine in both Scott and his twin Mark Kelly on Earth, Kluger commented that the research should make scientists "a lot smarter" about how astronauts can handle long-term missions.

SpaceX's Launch Abort System Undergoes "Big Test" On Wednesday.

The AP (5/1, Dunn) reported that this Wednesday, SpaceX will conduct a test of the launch escape system for the manned Dragon spacecraft. Hans Koenigsmann, SpaceX's vice president for mission assurance, said that this would be the "first big test" for the spacecraft that could bring astronauts to the ISS. According to the article, Jon Cowart, a manager in NASA's commercial crew program, said that one of the "hard lessons" from the shuttle program was the need to have "a reliable launch abort system for crews" available. SpaceX's system should allow astronauts to escape at any point along the Dragon's climb to space, according to Koenigsmann. Cowart said that this system was "innovative...and that's really part of the whole reason we're doing commercial crew."

        The Orlando (FL) Sentinel (5/2, Powers, 776K) noted that Cowart elaborated, "SpaceX came up with this way, which we see is fantastic. Inherently, there is nothing wrong with putting the rockets on the side. You get some benefit from that. Eventually, they hope to do a powered landing. ... You can use the abort engines all the way to orbit. Whereas with the old Mercury and Apollo escape systems, you had to jettison it before you got to orbit."

        Also covering the story are CFLN-TV Orlando, FL (5/1, 10:37 a.m. EDT, 22K), KWTX-TV Waco, TX (5/1, 146K) website, Bay News 9 Tampa (FL) (5/2, 12:17 a.m. EDT, 8K), NBC News (5/1, 2.54M) website, Universe Today (5/2, Kremer, 16K), Spaceflight Insider (5/1, Rhian), Indo-Asian News Service (5/4), and AmericaSpace (5/3, Evans).

        Blog Coverage. Mika McKinnon at io9 (5/3, 837K) posts an image of SpaceX's April 14 rocket booster landing attempt right before the booster crashed. According to McKinnon, the image shows "how good it looks while failing."

Cristoforetti Explains Gravity In New Teaching Video.

Sen (5/1, Winder) reported that "in a new teaching video filmed in the best place imaginable," the ISS, Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti demonstrated how gravity works. The video was part of the ESA's "Teach with space" program. The goal of the program is to show how "key physics and chemistry topics" are connected "to real-life space science and engineering."

        Cristoforetti Noted As A "Social Media Master." The Ottawa (CAN) Citizen (5/2, Spears1, 416K) reported that Cristoforetti has become "a social media master" whose followers place her "parsecs ahead of anyone in space today." The article noted that when it comes to astronauts with a social media presence, the "clear leader" is still Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield. Francesco Corsaro, a member Italy's embassy to Canada said, "In only 140 characters she's able to represent, to explain in a simple way, the results of very important research."

        Blog Coverage. Mika McKinnon at io9 (5/3, 837K) writes that Cristoforetti drank "the first space-brewed espresso," a feat made "even classier" with the zero-gravity cups. Scott Kelly also had a cup, but McKinnon notes that he has a "perplexed expression," which may be an indication of the espresso's quality.

        collectSPACE (5/4, Pearlman) noted Kelly said of the first drink, "That's one small step for a woman, one giant leap for coffee."

        The Daily Mail (UK) (5/4, Woollaston, 5.37M) also covers the story.

Progress' Atmospheric Reentry Could Come This Week.

In continuing coverage, Discovery News (5/1, Klotz, 774K) reported that on Friday, NASA said that the "out-of-control Russian Progress capsule" could reenter the atmosphere this week. The article noted that at the time, the spacecraft was flying "as close as 118 miles above Earth."

        NASA Space Flight (5/1, Bergin, 305) reported that observations show that the spacecraft, while "passing by" the ISS, was not a "threat" to the station. Notes from the Johnson Space Center showed that because of the failed mission, NASA is concerned about "attitude control, Visiting Vehicle dynamic operations, and ISS consumables status. For attitude control, without a Progress vehicle at Docking Compartment-1 (DC1) nadir, the Service Module (SM) can be used for roll control (PDAM). ... Additional impacts to visiting vehicles will be determined on a case by case basis." However, the article stressed that there are no "serious consequences" from the situation.

        Space News (5/1, Foust, Subscription Publication, 481) also covered the story.

Most Vista Magnet Middle School Students Competing To Send An Experiment To ISS.

The U-T San Diego (5/3, Maio, 579K) reported that Vista Magnet Middle School students are excited by the chance to develop an experiment for the International Space Station as part of the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program. Students will present over 100 proposals today, with a final experiment selected for development later this year. Principal Anne Green, according to the article, said that a majority "of the school's 780 students" developed concept experiments.

JAXA Wants To Develop Baseline For Regenerative Medicine With ISS Study.

The Yomiuri Shimbun (JPN) (5/3, 4K) reported that as early as fiscal 2017, JAXA will conduct tests on induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells at the ISS. The study could form the "research base for regenerative medicine, with the aim of creating human body tissues or organs for transplant." The article noted that the difficulty in growing "three-dimensional organs with complex shapes" under Earth's gravity led scientists to turn to the ISS' zero-gravity environment for the research.

Documentary Reveals Big Bird Almost Lost With Challenger.

The New York Post (5/2, Donnelly, 3.15M) reported on the new documentary, "I Am Big Bird," which details life of Caroll Spinney, the puppeteer who occupies the Big Bird suit on "Sesame Street." The article, in a list of facts people might not know, noted that Spineny was scheduled to launch with the fatal 1986 Challenger mission while in the Big Bird suit "in the hopes of renewing kids' interest in America's space program." However, Spinney was not able to launch with the astronauts because his suit would not fit.

        The Telegraph (UK) (5/4, Crilly, 1.15M) also covers the story.

Shuttle Replica Now At INFINITY Science Center.

The Waco (TX) Tribune-Herald (5/2, Butts, 111K) reported that "a custom-built replica of a NASA orbiter completed by city manager Bob Cervenka," also known as the Constitution, is now at the INFINITY Science Center, the John C. Stennis Space Center's official visitors center. According to the article, INFINITY's visitor center manager John Dumoulin believes that because of the Constitution's travails, NASA has "an excellent opportunity" to show students how difficult it can be to develop spacecraft. Dumoulin said that the center can now "tell the engineering story behind the space shuttle program."

Former Marshall Space Flight Center Employee Now Actively Conducting Outreach.

The Shelbyville (TN) Times Gazette (5/3, Hill, 21K) profiled Billy Hix, a former Faculty Fellow at the Marshall Space Flight Center who now conducts multiple outreach events during the year. Hix, who still "currently serves NASA in an advisory role," reportedly interacted with over 10,000 students and teachers last year alone. The article noted that for these and other efforts, Hix is one of the few people to receive the "Master Outreach Award" from the American Astronomical Society.

        Another Shelbyville (TN) Times Gazette (5/3, Hill, 21K) article provided a more detailed profile of Hix, who is "now a professor at Motlow State Community College and director of the school's STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) program."

Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Auctions Off Chance To See Orion.

collectSPACE (5/1, Pearlman) reported that the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF), as part of a fundraiser, is auctioning off a chance for two people to see the Orion spacecraft during a "private behind-the-scenes tour of Kennedy Space Center" with Hugh Harris, "the legendary voice of NASA." Bidding for the opportunity ended on Saturday at 9 p.m. ET.

Diana Middle School Teacher Selected For Lift Off Summer Institute.

The Longview (TX) News-Journal (5/2, 64K) reported that Diana Middle School teacher Terri Conner was chosen to participate in the Lift Off Summer Institute at the Johnson Space Center.

Hire To Take Part In STEM-Tastic Festival.

The Daily Voice (5/3, Hanson, 5K) reported that on May 16, astronaut Kathryn Hire will take part in the STEM-tastic festival at Hommocks Middle School. Hire will discuss her time in space and how students can "pursue new frontiers in STEM learning, creative innovation and even space exploration."

Aerodyne Industries's Taffet Receives Silver Snoopy Award.

Florida Today (5/1, Price, 168K) reported Aerodyne Industries' Mark S. Taffet has won NASA's "Silver Snoopy Award" for his work on the Test and Operations Support Contract at the Kennedy Space Center. As part of the contract, Taffet's team designed the methods "to safely execute the recovery and return transportation of the Orion EFT-1 Crew Module."

Washoe County Students Come In Third At NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge.

KRNV-TV Reno, NV (5/1, 5:29 p.m. PDT, 32K) broadcast that Washoe County students came in third place at the international NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge. The team from the Academy Of Arts, Careers and Technology was also given "the system safety award."

 

 

 

 

JSC 2.0

JSC External Homepage

Inside JSC

JSC Events

JSC Today Guidelines

Submit JSC Today

JSC Roundup

NASA News

Connect

Category Definitions

Ten-Engine Electric Plane Prototype Takes Off

 

 

   Headlines

  1. Astronaut Ron Garan Returns to JSC This Wednesday!

Join Starport and ShopNASA in welcoming astronaut Ron Garan back to JSC this Wednesday, May 6, to sign copies of his new book "The Orbital Perspective." Garan flew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-124 and as a flight engineer on International Space Station Expeditions 27 and 28.

Books for the signing must be pre-ordered, and can be purchased today in the Buildings 3 and 11 ShopNASA Gift Shops. Garan will be in the Building 3 café on Wednesday, May 6, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., where you can pick up your pre-ordered book to have him sign it.

Event Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2015   Event Start Time:11:00 AM   Event End Time:1:00 PM
Event Location: B3 Cafeteria

Add to Calendar

Ansley Browns x46487 https://starport.jsc.nasa.gov/en/programs/special-events/book-signings

[top]

  1. Today: Tree Planting Ceremony – F. Curtis Michel

A memorial tree planting ceremony honoring the life of astronaut F. Curtis Michel will be held today, 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

[top]

  1. Play #SpaceGeo Trivia with Astronaut Scott Kelly

Scott Kelly is testing your geography skills from orbit! Play #SpaceGeo trivia with him. Each Wednesday throughout his yearlong mission aboard the International Space Station, Kelly will post an image from somewhere over the world on his Twitter account, @StationCDRKelly. The first person to guess what it is wins an autographed copy of the image when Kelly returns to Earth in March 2016.

There have already been two winners ... will you be next?

JSC External Relations x35111 http://www.nasa.gov/feature/where-over-the-world-is-astronaut-scott-kelly

[top]

  1. SpaceX Targets May 6 for Pad Abort Test

SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, May 6, for a pad abort test of its Crew Dragon, a spacecraft under final development and certification through NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP). The test window will open at 6 a.m. CDT.

NASA TV will provide live coverage of the test, which will simulate an emergency abort from a test stand on Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

The ability to abort from a launch or pad emergency, and safely carry crew members out of harm's way, is a critical element for NASA's next generation of crewed spacecraft. SpaceX will perform the test under its Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) agreement with NASA, but can use the data gathered during the development flight as it continues on the path to certification.

Under a separate Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCap) contract, NASA's CCP will certify SpaceX's Crew Dragon, Falcon 9 rocket and ground and mission operations systems to fly crews to and from the International Space Station.

JSC, Ellington Field, Sonny Carter Training Facility and White Sands Test Facility employees with hard-wired computer network connections can view the event using the JSC EZTV IP Network TV System on channel 404 (standard definition) or channel 4541 (HD). Please note: EZTV currently requires using Internet Explorer on a Windows PC or Safari on a Mac. Mobile devices, Wi-Fi, VPN or connections from other centers are currently not supported by EZTV.

First-time users will need to install the EZTV Monitor and Player client applications:

    • For those WITH admin rights (Elevated Privileges), you'll be prompted to download and install the clients when you first visit the IPTV website
    • For those WITHOUT admin rights (Elevated Privileges), you can download the EZTV client applications from the ACES Software Refresh Portal (SRP)

If you are having problems viewing the video using these systems, contact the Information Resources Directorate Customer Support Center at x46367, or visit the FAQ site.

JSC External Relations, Office of Communications and Public Affairs x35111 http://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew

[top]

  1. JSC IT Services Unavailable May 15 to 17

JSC Information Technology (IT) services will be unavailable from 6 p.m. Friday, May 15, through Sunday, May 17. The Center Operations Directorate (COD) and the Information Resources Directorate (IRD) have scheduled an important outage for Building 46 to perform several repairs. Building 46 houses the majority of JSC servers. A large number of IT services will NOT be available during this outage, including**:

1. JSC Google Web searching on internal sites

2. Access to share folders

3. Printing from networked printers

4. Connectivity to various off-site contractor facilities (Jacobs, JAXA, Raytheon, Boeing, Lockheed, Oceaneering, Muniz and more)

5. Connectivity to several NASA facilities (Gilruth, JSC Child Care center and more)

6. Access to several internal websites and systems

Services available during the outage include**:

7. Email

8. Telephone

9. VPN/R2S

** For a full list of impacts, go to "Full Shutdown." For information on this activity, please contact Bob Brasher.

JSC-IRD-Outreach x36465

[top]

  1. NASA@work: Last Chance to Submit Your Solution

The "Improve Accessibility of Facilities at a NASA Center" challenge ends this Friday, May 8. Don't miss an opportunity to improve your workplace—submit your solution ideas today! And, don't forget to check out our other active challenges: "NASA@work 2.0: Name that Feature!" and the "Mars EVA Gap Challenge."

Are you new to NASA@work? NASA@work is an agencywide, collaborative problem-solving platform that connects the collective knowledge of experts (like YOU) from all centers across NASA. Challenge owners post problems, and members of the NASA@work community participate by responding with their solutions to posted problems. We are 15,000 strong and growing every day. Anyone can participate! Check it out and submit your solutions today.

Carissa Callini 281-212-1409 http://nasa.innocentive.com

[top]

  1. May Sustainability Opportunities-Green Engineering

What's so green about engineering? Should I consider sustainability as an aerospace engineer, scientist, project manager or system manager? Of course! Learn how NASA deals with green engineering challenges, both in space and on the ground, to help you build and maintain all you do in an inherently safer, lower waste and more energy-efficient way. Find out when this course occurs, along with many more sustainability events in and around JSC, by clicking on the link to our May Sustainability Opportunities. Join our JSC Sustainability list serve for more details.

Laurie Peterson x39845 http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/about/sustainability

[top]

   Organizations/Social

  1. Houston's 2014 Man of the Year - Mattress Mack

You don't want to miss JSC's SAIC/Safety & Mission Assurance speaker forum featuring Houston's 2014 Man of the Year, Jim McIngvale.

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

Gilruth Center Alamo Ballroom

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

Come on out!

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

Add to Calendar

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

[top]

  1. What Toastmasters has Done for ME

Everybody has super powers, but may not know how to turn them on or develop them to their full potential. I put off Toastmasters for several years, and after joining a local club, I have been able to develop my leadership skills at my own pace. There are several local clubs in this area, and I will share what I have learned in the past three years and what I have gained by committing myself to one hour each week. We will be meeting in the Building 30 Auditorium tomorrow, May 5, at 11:30 a.m. There will be Toastmasters from different groups there to share their experiences and answer questions on how you can unleash the super powers you have hidden.

Joseph Muniz 281-658-1569 http://www.spacelandtoastmasters.com

[top]

  1. NASA Wellness Webinars Continue

The NASA Healthier You wellness webinars continue this year with an exciting lineup! If you would like to experience a live event, want a 10- to 15-minute break or only have a minute, register now and stay connected to your personal well-being.

Get connected NOW and learn how about the Physical Activity Identity!

The program includes a variety of ways to stay connected to your well-being:

    • Live Webinars: For one hour each month, learn about wellness, ask questions, and share
    • Webinets: 10- to 15-minute videos featuring a particular topic related to the monthly theme
    • Touch Point Emails: Stay connected to the theme via two- to three-minute fun and thought-provoking videos

Upcoming Live Events

Health Esteem: Believing We Can Change

May 20: Developing Our Health Esteem

Nutrition: Eating for Health

June 10: Keeping Food Fun and Healthy

Evan Thoman x42769 http://nhy.stratwell.com/

[top]

  1. Starport Wellness: Grocery Store Tours are Back

Take Marla Murphy, Starport's new Registered Dietitian, grocery shopping with you! After covering baseline meal planning and grocery-list guidelines, participants will be guided through a local grocery store, where they will be educated on foods to choose and which to avoid, reading nutrition panels, assessing label claims and shopping economically. The tour will last approximately one hour. Registration is limited to 12 participants.

Date: Friday, May 8

Time: 10 to 11 a.m.

Location: Kroger (1950 El Dorado Blvd., Houston, 77062)

Cost: $20 per Starport Member (individuals are permitted to bring one family member free of charge)

Event Date: Friday, May 8, 2015   Event Start Time:10:00 AM   Event End Time:11:00 AM
Event Location: Kroger, 1950 El Dorado Blvd, Houston,TX

Add to Calendar

Evan Thoman x42769 https://starport.jsc.nasa.gov/en/wellness/grocery-

[top]

  1. Starport Youth Sports Camps

Starport is now offering youth sports camps. We are offering three different sports camps: baseball, basketball and soccer. All camps are a week long. Sign up early online, as spots are going fast!

Dates:

    • June 22 to 26 (Soccer)
    • July 20 to 24 (Baseball)
    • Aug. 3 to 7 (Basketball)

Fee per session: $200 per child | $50 per week extended care

Register online or at the Gilruth Center information desk.

Robert K. Vaughn II x38049 https://starport.jsc.nasa.gov/en/programs/familyyouth-programs/sports-ca...

[top]

   Jobs and Training

  1. Job Opportunities

Where do I find job opportunities?

Both internal Competitive Placement Plan and external JSC job announcements are posted on the Human Resources (HR) portal and USAJOBS website. Through the HR portal, civil servants can view summaries of all the agency jobs that are currently open at: https://hr.nasa.gov/portal/server.pt/community/employees_home/239/job_opportu...

To help you navigate to JSC vacancies, use the filter drop-down menu and select "JSC HR." The "Jobs" link will direct you to the USAJOBS website for the complete announcement and the ability to apply online.

Lateral reassignment and rotation opportunities have now moved to NASA Employee Talent Search (NETS). These opportunities do not possess known promotion potential.

If you have questions about any JSC job vacancies or reassignment opportunities, please call your HR representative.

Brandy Braunsdorf x30476

[top]

  1. SPACE Live Labs for CS Supervisors

Performance closeout season is here! The agency deadline for 2015-2016 plan establishment in SPACE is May 31, with 2014-2015 final ratings due June 30.

We've scheduled two live labs to help guide civil servant supervisors through appraisal closeout and new plan establishment in SPACE. During the live labs, supervisors will be able to work on employee appraisals with Human Resources support on hand to answer any system-related questions. No registration is required. Drop by anytime within the designated date/time slot. The session dates/times are:

SPACE Live Labs (all in Building 12, Room 144)

May 5 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

May 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tammie Wright x30592

[top]

  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

[top]

   Community

  1. Where are the Hungry Underdogs?

We hungry underdogs, we risers with dawn, we dissmisser's of odds, we blesser's of on …

If these words from a Shane Koyczan poem speak to you, keep reading! NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) is an education activity for non-traditional undergraduate students to experience working at NASA for three days. What do we mean by non-traditional? Community college students tend to be the first in their families to pursue higher education. They speak more languages, juggle more responsibilities, but have less support as they pursue a science, technology, engineering and math degree. You might say that they're the underdogs of the undergraduate world. NASA takes these qualities and turns them to strengths with NCAS. We're looking for a few good volunteers to show students that anyone with passion and determination can have a successful career at NASA. Will you join our mission?

Contact Alicia or sign up in V-CORPs!

Alicia Baturoni Cortez x30493 http://ncas.aerospacescholars.org

[top]

  1. Calling All Middle School Teachers

Middle school teachers can now apply for JSC's Educator Professional Development Institutes (EPDI) to be held July. These are weeklong workshops that map NASA's current missions and education resources to state and national standards for teaching science, technology, engineering and math. The workshops are free and come with a stipend, CPE hours, TAGT hours and prerequisite online activities. Help us spread the word about this opportunity. The application deadline is May 28 at 1 p.m. CDT. Visit this link for more information on how to apply. We hope to see your friend or family member's application soon!

Dynae Fullwood x47426 http://go.nasa.gov/EPDI2015

[top]

 

 

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.

 

Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)