Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Fwd: JSC Today - Wednesday, November 20, 2013 and NASA News



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Begin forwarded message:

From: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Date: November 20, 2013 7:38:53 AM CST
To: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Subject: FW: JSC Today - Wednesday, November 20, 2013 and NASA News

PAO version of NASA News comes out much later in the day now that Kyle is no longer sending them out.

 

 

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

 

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   Headlines

  1. Taste the Sweet Success ... and Cake!

JSC's Space Flight Awareness (SFA) Program is honoring the workforce for their exemplary contributions to the success of the International Space Station Program for the past 15 years today, Nov. 20. 

Taste a bit of that sweet success AND CAKE, which will be served in the Building 3 and 11 Starport Cafés from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. It's our way of saying thank you to everyone who has helped design, build and sustain this one-of-a-kind laboratory. 

Please help SFA recognize this major milestone by stopping by one of the cafés to enjoy this special treat.

Event Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2013   Event Start Time:11:00 AM   Event End Time:1:00 PM
Event Location: B3 and B11 Cafes

Add to Calendar

JSC External Relations, Community Relations Office x35111

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  1. We Need YOU—to Start the Party Tonight

All good birthday parties need a few people working behind the scenes, and this one is no exception.  There is an urgent need for volunteers to help staff the ISS 15th Anniversary Celebration going on at Space Center Houston (SCH) today, Nov. 20, from 5 to 10 p.m. We need a few people to help collect tickets as guests arrive at SCH, and a few people to help distribute the goodie bags to guests. 

Can you help? In exchange for volunteering, your entry into SCH will be FREE!!! What's not to love about that? To sign up, check out the event page on the V-CORPs website. If you are already registered in V-CORPs, be sure to sign into the V-CORPs web page first, then sign up for this opportunity. Not yet a V-CORPs volunteer? It's easy to sign up - just click on the COUNT ME IN button on the V-CORPs website.

And while you are looking at the V-CORPs home page, check out the myriad opportunities that are available for outreach! We have lots of science fairs, career days and speaking engagements that could sure use your expertise. Be sure to check back frequently - events are added every day.

JSC External Relations, Community Relations Office x35111 https://nasajsc.secure.force.com/vcorps

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  1. Storytelling - Early SSP Programmatic Decisions

Come join us today for the November session of our Storytelling program. A panel of five will chronicle "Early Space Shuttle Programmatic Decisions." The program will focus on the Phase A and B concepts that were studied and how NASA arrived at the conceptual baseline that was developed during the subsequent design and development phases; the management/organizational approach used during the development phase; and the effectiveness of that management approach. All are welcome.

If you cannot attend in person, this program is being distributed throughout the agency and JSC using cable TV channel 2, IPTV channel 202, as well as the NASA-JSC USTREAM channel. The NASA-JSC USTREAM can be found at: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-jsc

When: Nov. 20

Where: Teague Auditorium

Time: 10 a.m. to noon CST

We welcome your feedback on this session. Just go to the JSC Knowledge Online website and click on the "Storytelling Feedback" button to let us know what you think.

Brent J. Fontenot x36456 https://knowledge.jsc.nasa.gov/index.cfm?event=newstorytellingvideos

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  1. Latest International Space Station Research

Happy anniversary to the International Space Station (ISS)! Watch for two new video productions highlighting space station results and benefits for humanity. Also, ISS Program Scientist Julie Robinson has written about her Top 10 research results from ISS thus far in her blog, A Lab Aloft.

Liz Warren x35548

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  1. Benefits for Humanity - See Them in Action

On this 15th anniversary of station's first element launch, get reacquainted with our orbiting laboratory and learn why it is such an asset to the world. Below are new installments posted about different Benefits for Humanity. Watch them, read about them, and share them far and wide to show the world why we continue to push the boundaries of space!

Benefits for Humanity: Station Inspiration

In this chapter of Benefits for Humanity: In Their Own Words, learn how a student in Illinois was inspired to pursue his college education and later career by participating in ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) and talking with a crew on the International Space Station.

Benefits for Humanity: The Sound of Life

In this chapter of Benefits for Humanity: In Their Own Words, learn how lives are being saved around the world using ultrasound and remote medicine methods that are in use aboard the International Space Station.

Benefits for Humanity: Farming from Space

In this chapter of Benefits for Humanity: In Their Own Words, learn how farmers across the country are using cameras aboard the International Space Station to come up with new and more efficient ways of maintaining their crops.

For more information on how science and research is benefitting life here on Earth, click here.

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

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  1. Participate Virtually! Asteroid Synthesis Workshop

NASA rescheduled its Asteroid Synthesis Workshop, a public forum to examine and synthesize 96 of the ideas submitted to a Request for Information about the agency's asteroid initiative, for Nov. 20 to 22 at the Lunar and Planetary Institute. The previous workshop had ended early because of the government shutdown.

The workshop features discussions by experts from NASA, the agency's international partners, private industry and the public. Topics include how best to identify, capture and relocate a near-Earth asteroid for closer study, how to respond to asteroid threats, as well as partnership, crowdsourcing and citizen science ideas. Workshop results will be considered for future planning as NASA refines the details of its mission.

Each session will be webcast on NASA's UStream channel, and virtual participation is encouraged. Because of limited capacity, in-person attendance is limited to invited, registered presenters. Selected sessions also will be broadcast on NASA TV. Virtual audience members can ask questions through the UStream chat function and via Twitter with session-specific hashtags. Complete schedule information, live webcasts, hashtags and other details on how to participate virtually can be found here.

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

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  1. Caution: Watch for Deer on Roads

Please continue to be cautious as you drive on and around JSC. We are still in deer breeding season, or "the rut." Until the end of the year, the risk of deer-vehicle collisions is more than 25 times higher than normal. Remember that deer are most active around sunrise and sunset, so be extra cautious as you arrive in the mornings and leave each evening. Practice safe driving: watch for deer, maintain a safe speed, be prepared for the vehicle ahead of you to stop suddenly and avoid using cell phones while driving.

Matthew Strausser x33862

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  1. The Latest Edition of The Greener Side Newsletter

Are you interested in the latest environmental news at JSC? Check out the newest edition of The Greener Side, JSC's environmental newsletter. Find out about Energy Awareness Month, dig permits, JSC's recycling profile and more!

JSC Environmental Office x36207 http://www6.jsc.nasa.gov/bbs/scripts/files/367/theGreenerSide%20v6n3%202...

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  1. Children's Calendar Contest - Deadline Extended

Due to the government furlough, the deadline for the Children's Safety and Health Calendar Contest has been extended to Friday, Nov. 29. Don't miss this opportunity to discuss important safety and health topics in a fun, creative way with your child. Any JSC civil servant or contractor can sponsor a child (ages 4 to 12). Contest entry forms can be picked up in the following buildings: 1, 3, 4S, 11, 30, 45, JSC Child Care Center, Gilruth Center, or by calling 281-244-5078. Winners will receive a T-shirt imprinted with their drawing and will be invited to a very special award party.

Rindy Carmichael x45078

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  1. Last Chance for NASA@work Submission: .5 FTE Award

The deadline for the opportunity to submit your problem to the Centennial Challenges program is fast approaching. NASA's flagship program for technology prize competitions needs new competition ideas and is inviting submission of new challenge concepts through NASA@Work. Up to five winners (individuals or teams) will be selected and eligible for up to 0.5 FTE in Fiscal Year 2014 to further develop a detailed Concept of Operations and draft competition rules to support launch of a new Centennial Challenge that addresses the submitted technology need. This challenge is now open and will run through next Wednesday, Nov. 27. Click here for full details and requirements. Good luck!

Kathryn Keeton 469-450-1864 https://nasa.innocentive.com

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   Organizations/Social

  1. 'Keeping it Real' Event Dec. 3 - Submit Questions

Back by popular demand and through a collaborative effort between the AAERG, the ASIA ERG and the EMERGE ERG is the second "Keeping it Real" event on Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Gilruth Lone Star Room. This event is designed to encourage interactive discussions that allow participants to pose random questions to senior leaders in an open forum. There will be two microphones passed around to allow the audience to ask their questions; however, we ask that you send in your questions prior to the event. There will also be index cards on each table to allow members of the audience to write their questions down and have them read to the speakers.

Questions should be submitted to Kai Harris.

In an effort to track attendance to ensure there is enough room, we ask that you sign up using the link below:

https://satern.nasa.gov/learning/user/deeplink_redirect.jsp?linkId=SCHEDULED_OFFERING_DETAILS&scheduleID=71713

Speakers include Melanie Saunders, Associate Director (Management), and Bill McArthur, Director, Safety & Mission Assurance.

Event Date: Tuesday, December 3, 2013   Event Start Time:4:00 PM   Event End Time:6:00 PM
Event Location: Gilruth Lone Star Room

Add to Calendar

Kai Harris x40694

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  1. Starbucks Fall Drink Specials

Stop by the Building 3 café Starbucks coffee cart and enjoy fall drink specials:

Pumpkin Latte

Grande $3.79, Venti $4.04

Pumpkin Tazo Chai Latte

Grande $4.05, Venti $4.35

Pumpkin-brewed coffee

Grande $2.29, Venti $2.49

Danial Hornbuckle x30240 https://starport.jsc.nasa.gov/

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  1. Caregiver Support Awareness

How are you? Do you find yourself strained between work and family responsibilities? Caregivers are often so concerned with caring for their relative's needs that they lose sight of their own well-being. Securing support from other family members, friends and community groups is essential. It may be hard to ask for and/or accept help, but you cannot do it all alone. Come and learn why caregivers need care, caregiving skills, caregiver resources and how to manage work and caregiving. In recognition of National Family Caregivers Month, please join Anika Isaac, MS, LPC, LMFT, CEAP, NCC, LCDC, today, Nov. 20, in the Building 30 Auditorium from noon to 1 p.m. as she presents "Caregiver Support Awareness."

Event Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2013   Event Start Time:12:00 PM   Event End Time:1:00 PM
Event Location: Building 30 Auditorium

Add to Calendar

Lorrie Bennett, Employee Assistance Program, Occupational Health Branch x36130

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  1. We Want Your Thoughts

What did you think about Safety & Health Day 2.0.13? You have until Friday, Nov. 22, to let us know by filling out our survey.

Your opinion counts!

Suprecia Franklin x37817 http://www6.jsc.nasa.gov/safety/event/SHD13/postEventSurvey_submit.asp

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   Jobs and Training

  1. ISS EDMS User Forum

The International Space Station Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) team will hold the monthly General User Training Forum tomorrow, Nov. 21, at 9:30 a.m. in Building 4S, Conference Room 5315. WebEx and Telecom provided.

If you use EDMS to locate station documents, join us to learn about basic navigation and searching. Bring your questions, concerns and suggestions, and meet the station EDMS Customer Support team. The agenda can be found here.

Event Date: Thursday, November 21, 2013   Event Start Time:9:30 AM   Event End Time:10:30 AM
Event Location: JSC Bldg 4S Room 5315

Add to Calendar

LaNell Cobarruvias x41306 https://iss-www.jsc.nasa.gov/nwo/apps/edms/web/UserForums.shtml

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   Community

  1. Volunteers Needed for HERA Study

Test Subject Screening (TSS) needs volunteers for a seven- to nine-day study with overnight stays in the Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) unit. Subjects will simulate a space exploration mission to evaluate impacts due to isolation, remoteness and confined habitation. Data collected will include evaluation of team cohesion, cognition, communications and affect, as well as sensorimotor assessments. Psychological, human factors and physiological impacts will be studied.

Volunteers must pass a Category I physical; be 26 to 55 years old; have a BMI of 29 or less; be 74 inches or less; have no history of sleepwalking or use of sleep aids; and must have a high level of technical skills.

Volunteers will be compensated. (Restrictions apply to NASA civil servants and NASA contractors; please contact your Human Resources departments to determine your company's policy.) If interested, please contact Linda Byrd, RN, at x37284, or Rori Yager, RN, at x37240 in the TSS.

Linda Byrd x37284

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  1. Subject-Matter Experts Needed for Webinars

National Community College Aerospace Scholars and Texas Community College Aerospace Scholars are looking for subject-matter experts in electrical power systems and Mars geology. These are one-hour-session webinars using blackboard collaborate. The dates are below:

Electrical Power Systems: Dec. 16, 2:45 to 4 p.m.

Mars Geology: Dec. 17, 2:45 to 4 p.m.

Mars Geology: Feb. 4, 2:45 to 4 p.m.

Sign up for this opportunity by going to V-CORPs!

Maria Chambers x41496 https://nasajsc.secure.force.com/vcorps

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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.

Rocket Launches From Wallops With 29 Satellites.

The AP (11/20) reports that an Orbital Sciences Minotaur I rocket launched "a smartphone and 28 other tiny satellites" Tuesday evening from Wallops Island. According to the article, this was an "unusual sight" for some, as launches used to be "limited" to either Florida and California. However, now, NASA's Wallops launch pad is seeing "more use." The article notes that the payloads are part of NASA's investigations using "small, cheap, orbiting science projects."

NASA Issues New Request For Manned Commercial Spacecraft.

Reuters (11/20, Klotz) reports that NASA issued a new solicitation for commercial spacecraft that can bring astronauts to the ISS by 2017. This round includes the final design, testing, and certification of systems. According to the article, this would be the final part of the Commercial Crew Program, and is expected to be awarded to one or two companies. The article notes that last week, since Congress has yet to approve the Administration's budget request for the program, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said, "It's now critically important to get full funding from Congress to keep us on track to begin these launches in 2017."

CBO Report Outlines Savings From Cutting Manned Spaceflight.

Space News (11/20, Berger, Subscription Publication, 481) reports on the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) recent report that estimated the US could save $73 billion between 2015 and 2023 if it ended NASA's manned spaceflight program. The CBO wrote, "The main argument for this option is that increased capabilities in electronics and information technology have generally reduced the need for humans to fly space missions. The scientific instruments used to gather knowledge in space rely much less (or not at all) on nearby humans to operate them." It did noted that working against this option was the need to prepare for a mission to Mars, potential limited robotic capabilities in the future, and the "scientific advantage to having humans at the International Space Station to conduct experiments in microgravity that could not be carried out in other, less costly, ways."

       

Ride Honored With Presidential Medal Of Freedom, ISS Camera.

USA Today (11/20, Shane, 5.82M) reports on those that are receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama, focusing on astronaut Sally Ride. The article notes that NASA also has honored Ride's contribution by establishing an internship program and renaming an ISS camera after her.

Gus Grissom's Letter To Reveals "Fierce Competition" Among Astronauts.

WTIU-TV Bloomington, IN (11/19, Brinkman, Killough, 3K) reports on its website that a letter from Mercury astronaut Gus Grissom to his parents, up for sale at an auction, "reveals the fierce competition between astronauts in the early years of human spaceflights." Grissom expressed concern that he "was not getting much credit for the mission" but may shoulder much of the blame were any mishap to occur. Grissom's father indicated that he was unaware of the monetary value of the letter, but it may be valued higher than a letter from Alan Shepard which sold for $106,000 in 2011.

ISS Celebrates 15 Years In Space.

The Daily Mirror (UK) (11/20, Bond, 4.2M) continues coverage of the ISS' 15th anniversary in space with the launch of the station's first module, the beginning of the "the largest ever international cooperation effort in space." Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana said, "It's hard to believe it's been 15 years since we joined Unity and Zarya in orbit and laid the cornerstone for the International Space Station. ... It is a testament to what we can accomplish when we all work together."

Could Help Future Manned Mars Missions.

SPACE (11/20, Kramer, 186K) continues coverage of the recently launched MAVEN spacecraft to Mars, focusing on how its observations of Mars' atmosphere could supply "key information" for future manned missions. William Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Directorate, said knowledge of the atmosphere "will be important as we look at entry, descent and landing into the Martian atmosphere with larger spacecraft than we've done before, the kind of spacecraft that were made for human missions," as well as understanding what resources astronauts will have. Gerstenmaier reportedly added that NASA's upcoming year-long mission at the ISS will further inform what a manned mission to Mars could entail. Other NASA officials also supported the idea of going to Mars. John Grunsfeld, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, said, "There are really only two places in the solar system that offer an opportunity for relatively easy living. ... One of which is Earth, and we're still learning how to do that, and the other really is Mars … Mars is our real opportunity to colonize another planet that's self-sustaining." Ellen Stofan, NASA's chief scientist, added, "I have this incredible bias that it is really going to take future astronauts, field geologists, astrobiologists at Mars picking up those rocks, doing the field surveys that geologists do here on Earth, taking this science not just from doing remote science, but doing science on the ground that's really going to help us get at this question of 'are we alone?'"

Three Small Satellites Launched From The ISS.

At the end of its coverage of the Minotaur I rocket launch from the Wallops Flight Facility, SPACE (11/20, Wall, 186K) reports that three cubesats were launched from the ISS' Kibo Japanese laboratory

      

Hopkins Tweets Picture Of St. Louis From The ISS.

        Hopkins Enjoying Time Aboard The ISS. The WCIA-TV Champaign, IL (11/20, Carrera, 3K) website reports how ISS astronaut Mike Hopkins is "living out the dream" at the ISS. He said it was "hard to believe" he made it. ISS astronaut Rick Mastracchio added being at the station "never gets old. ... his is my fourth time to the International Space Station but my first three missions were only two weeks long, so I kind of keep pinching myself thinking 'wow, I'm going to be here for six months and I'm still just getting settled in.' So I look forward to a great mission and doing a lot of science and research." Hopkins said that so far, the time working on experiments and other duties has "is fun, exciting and it's hard not to smile."

Mastracchio Has RPI Flag With Him At The ISS.

The WRGB-TV Albany, NY (11/19, 5K) interviewed ISS astronaut Rick Mastracchio about items he brought into space with him. One of them was a flag from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) since fellow RPI graduate Reid Weisman will be replacing him at the ISS in May.

       

Nyberg To Discuss Time In Space On CBS.

CBS This Morning (11/19, 7:39 a.m. ET, 2.91M) broadcast that it will have an exclusive interview with astronaut Karen Nyberg today now that she is back from the ISS, focusing on "how she juggled being a wife and a mom of a toddler" while at the station.

NanoRacks Is Helping To Increase Utilization Of ISS.

The Air & Space Smithsonian Magazine (11/20, Goss, 46K), in an article for its January 2014 edition, profiles NanoRacks and founder Jeffery Manber, who last year was given the International Space Station Innovation Award of the Year for the way his company allows customers to get experiments to the ISS. Manber reportedly believes that by setting the price at levels "not much different from the cost of research on the ground" and providing good customer service, the public will utilize more of the ISS National Laboratory. Jason Crusan, NASA's director for advanced exploration systems, said, "There was probably skepticism at the beginning of whether or not a purely commercial entity would be able to uphold that standard" of scientific quality and station safety, "but [NanoRacks] has been very diligent about doing that." Carl Carruthers Jr., a researcher at the Houston Methodist Research Institute, said he has been "floored" by the quality results he's seen using the company's products, especially when compared with earlier results. Manber, "an evangelist for the space station," said that more people should be using it, but the public is unaware of its benefits, a "perfect example of [the space community's dismal communication to the general public]."

Oak Ridge High School Fashion Design Students Sew Bags For NASA.

The Houston Chronicle (11/20, Peyton, 2.26M) reports Oak Ridge High School's fashion design and advanced fashion design classes have taken part in the "High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware" program for the past five years. Since the program started, the class has sent more than 100 cargo transfer bags to NASA for astronauts to use at the ISS. One bag, which was sent to the ISS, was even returned to the school and is now on display. The article notes that students who have participated in the class have gone on to intern at NASA, with some being recruited by aerospace companies because of their knowledge of NASA standards.

World's Most Expensive Toilet At The ISS.

The AllAfrica (11/20, Waweru, 18K) reports how yesterday was World Toilet Day, which the UN General Assembly declared to bring attention to sanitation issues around the world. In describing toilets around the world, the article notes the "most expensive" one is currently at the ISS.

 

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