Thursday, August 7, 2014

Fwd: nasa news - my version and JSC Today



Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Date: August 7, 2014 8:27:57 AM CDT
To: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Subject: nasa news - my version and JSC Today

Not waiting on PAO version –can send it later

To remind you  all to join us today at Hibachi Grill for our monthly NASA Retiress Luncheon at 11:30 on Bay Area Blvd. in Webster

 

 

 

 

   Headlines

  1. Joint Leadership Team Web Poll

You generally feel exhausted and ready to get back to work after a vacation, according to the last poll. I'm just getting back after mine, and I agree. This week I was wondering if you know what the old library in Building 45 is being converted into. Will it become a new parking garage? A new gift shop? You also like soccer, but usually only if the United States is playing. That's understandable. Real football is about to begin, and I want you to vote on the professional team you think is best overall. Pick your favorite pro team in question two.

Matt your Schaub on over to get this week's poll.

Joel Walker x30541 http://jlt.jsc.nasa.gov/

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  1. Calling All Volunteers! BOCTW Day 2014

Help us inspire future generations by signing up just one hour (or more, if you'd like) of your time to support Bring our Children to Work Day (BOCTW) Day over at Space Center Houston.

Who: You! (And who better?)

What: BOCTW Day

When: Aug. 14—sign up in one-hour time slots of your choosing

Where: Space Center Houston

Why: Inspiration and Exploration

You can staff hands-on activities; career panels; interesting NASA International Space Station, Orion and Mars exploration presentations; and much more!

How: Sign up through the V-CORPs home page and pick which activity you would like to support.

We need you!

Thank you,

BOCTW Day 2014 Team

Event Date: Thursday, August 14, 2014   Event Start Time:8:15 AM   Event End Time:3:00 PM
Event Location: Space Center Houston

Add to Calendar

Annie Schanock x27885

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  1. Monthly Test of the JSC Emergency Warning System

The Emergency Dispatch Center and Office of Emergency Management will conduct the monthly, first Thursday test of the JSC Emergency Warning System (EWS) today at noon.

The EWS test will consist of a verbal "This is a test" message, followed by a short tone and a second verbal "This is a test" message. The warning tone will be the "whoop" tone, which is associated with a "Seek shelter inside" message.

Please visit the JSC Emergency Awareness website for EWS tones and definitions. During an actual emergency situation, the particular tone and verbal message will provide you with protective information.

Yolanda Bejarano 713-412-9481 http://jea.jsc.nasa.gov

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   Organizations/Social

  1. Parenting Series: Back to School

Getting a new school year off to a good start can influence a child's attitude, confidence and performance both socially and academically. The transition from August to September can be difficult for both children and parents. Some children will face key milestones, such as attending new schools or shifts in class structure. We will discuss ideas for dealing with back-to-school anxiety, making friends and adjusting to the new schedule. We will identify tools for planning ahead, realistic goals and supportive attitudes. Please join Anika Isaac, MS, LPC, LMFT, LCDC, NCC, CEAP, as she presents "Back to School Parenting."

Event Date: Thursday, August 7, 2014   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. Space Serenity Al-Anon Meeting - Aug. 12

"Easy does it" reminds Al-Anon members to stay cool during the dog days of summer. Our 12-step meeting is for co-workers, families and friends of those who work or live with the family disease of alcoholism. We will meet Tuesday, Aug. 12, in Building 32, Room 146, from 12 noon to 12:45 p.m. Visitors are welcome.

Event Date: Tuesday, August 12, 2014   Event Start Time:12:00 PM   Event End Time:12:45 PM
Event Location: B. 32, Rm. 146

Add to Calendar

Employee Assistance Program x36130 http://sashare.jsc.nasa.gov/EAP/Pages/default.aspx

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  1. Environmental Brown Bag: Cycling to Work

Have you ever wondered about cycling to work? Want to know the best route? Which JSC buildings have showers? What kind of bike works best? We will host a Q&A session with JSC bike experts to answer these and any other questions you have about biking to work. We will also have our air expert available to discuss Houston's ozone action days, what they mean and how to watch for them. Find out about resources like People for Bikes and the League of American Bicyclists. Learn about safe routes and biking tips, as well as JSC's free-range bike program. Join this environmental brown bag Tuesday, Aug. 12, in Building 45, Room 751, from noon to 1 p.m.

Event Date: Tuesday, August 12, 2014   Event Start Time:12:00 PM   Event End Time:1:00 PM
Event Location: Building 45 room 751

Add to Calendar

Michelle Fraser-Page x34237

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  1. Adult Co-ed Soccer League

Come join the Starport Athletics adult sports leagues! We are offering a co-ed adult soccer league. Games are on Saturdays, and registration is now open.

Registration Dates:

Aug. 5 to Sept. 5

League Dates:

Sept. 13 to Nov. 29

Location:

Gilruth fields

League Cost:

$475 (Gilruth Center)

$500.53 (Online)

Robert K. Vaughn II x38049 http://www.imleagues.com/School/Sport/Home.aspx?Sport=fcc22da5de6542fb90...

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   Jobs and Training

  1. JSC Project Management & Systems Engineering Forum

The JSC Project Management and Systems Engineering Forum and the Jacobs Project Management Community of Practice are hosting a joint event on Wednesday, Aug. 13, in Building 30 Auditorium from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. At this forum, James T. Brown, Ph.D. and president of SEBA® Solutions, Inc., a registered education provider for the Project Management Institute, will be speaking about "Change Management: The Undercover Role of the Project." Brown has 16 years of NASA experience that includes "hands-on" experience as a team member, project manager and executive-level organizational leadership roles.

All civil servant and contractor project managers are invited to attend.

Event Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2014   Event Start Time:11:30 AM   Event End Time:12:30 PM
Event Location: Building 30 Auditorium

Add to Calendar

Danielle Bessard x37238

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  1. Enterprise Service Request System Training

The Information Resources Directorate (IRD) is providing hands-on Enterprise Service Request System training from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, in Building 12, Room 142.

Learn to use the new online service request tool for I3P services. Hands-on training includes how to enter and track requests like ordering new seats, moves, edits, network connections, distribution lists and seat de-subscribes.

To sign up, visit the Training Schedule Web page.

Space is limited.

For more information, contact the IRD Customer Support Center at x46367 or via email.

Event Date: Thursday, August 21, 2014   Event Start Time:1:00 PM   Event End Time:3:00 PM
Event Location: Building 12 Room 142

Add to Calendar

IRD Customer Support Center x46367

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  1. Career Power – Optimize your Career Development

Career Power is an engaging learning experience that guides individuals in managing their own development and careers by using activities, discussions and skill-building exercises.

Employees can manage their future with Career Power, a lifelong process for today's workforce.

Outcomes:

    • Apply the Career Power model to design your own development strategy
    • Identify future trends and see the implications for your own career
    • Discover values, skills and interests; manage your personal brand
    • Set career direction with multiple options
    • Draft a development plan, complete an IDP and prepare and practice for career conversations

Course Details:

Date: Thursday, Sept. 18

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

Location: Building 12, Room 134

For: Civil servant and contractor employees

SATERN ID#: 74461

Use this direct link to register in SATERN.

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

Nicole Hernandez x37894

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  1. Machine Guarding Seminar ViTS: Sept. 24

This course is an overview, or refresher, of hazards, needs and requirements for those who may use machines and machinery during the performance of their duties. Basic requirements from NASA and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) machine-guarding standards will be discussed, as well as an overview of protective devices and procedures. This course is based on the OSHA Training Institute and includes a quick review of the various types of common machinery used at NASA and the safety standards relating to those types of machines. It is intended as a refresher for those who have taken SMA-SAFE-NSTC-0204, Machinery and Machine Guarding, and have the need to use machinery in the performance of their duties for operations where machinery is used. 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_OFFERING_DETAILS&scheduleID=75321

Shirley Robinson x41284

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   Community

  1. Why I Don't Donate Blood - I Will Feel Weak

Blood makes up about seven percent of your body's weight. The average adult has 10 pints of blood. After a donation of whole blood, you will not be eligible to donate for 56 days, during which time your body will completely replenish the blood you have so generously donated.

Immediately after your blood donation, you will also be asked to spend a few moments in our waiting area, where you will be served refreshments, cookies and other snacks. This will help replenish some of the sugar and liquids in your body and help us ensure that you are feeling well after your donation.

You can donate on Aug. 20 and 21 at one of the following locations:

    • Teague Auditorium lobby - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Building 11 Starport Café donor coach - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Gilruth Center donor coach - Noon to 4 p.m. (Thursday only)

Event Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2014   Event Start Time:9:00 AM   Event End Time:4:00 PM
Event Location: Teague Lobby & Bldg. 11

Add to Calendar

Teresa Gomez x39588 http://jscpeople.jsc.nasa.gov/blooddrv/blooddrv.htm

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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.

 

 

LEADING THE NEWS

• Rosetta Spacecraft Now Traveling With A Comet.

HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

• Navy, NASA Complete Second Round Of Orion Recovery Tests.

• Rubio Weighs In On SpaceX Decision, Upcoming Orion Flight.

• Wiseman Captures Cities At Night From The ISS.

• Kansas Boy Visits JSC As Part Of Space Science Education Program.

• Texas A&M Facility Makes Space Food For Astronauts.

• Hadfield Encourages Australia To Form A Manned Spaceflight Program.

• Schools Developing Code For Cosmospheres Challenge.

• Campers Skype With Cassidy.

• NASA Donates Used Office Furniture To Tennessee Educators.

SCIENCE

• Cassini Spacecraft Images Saturn Storm With Six Sides.

• Hubble Telescope Spots "Zombie Star."

• Steltzner Now Working On Next Mars Rover.

• Orchestra Will Premiere Piece Accompanied By Video With NASA Images.

SPACE TECHNOLOGY

• Smartphone Technology Now Being Incorporated In Smallsats.

• NASA Working On Small, 3-D Printed Telescope.

AEROSPACE NEWS

• ULA Expects To Have Access To Russian Engines Through 2017.

• ILS Review Likely To OK Commercial Use Of Proton Rockets For This Fall.

• Roscosmos Unsure If Geckos Are Having Sex In Space.

• Moray, Scotland Council Backs Spaceport Project.

• Peck: There Is No "Insane" Reason To Go on One-Way Trip To Mars.

• National Reconnaissance Office Disputes Congressional Report Finding.

• India Looking Into Possible Third Satellite Launch Pad.

• Blind New Zealand Girl Heading To Space Camp.

• Branson's Pregnant Daughter Won't Accompany Him On Virgin Galactic's First Flight.

Rosetta Spacecraft Now Traveling With A Comet.

NBC Nightly News (8/6, story 9, 0:35, Williams, 7.86M) broadcast that the ESA's Rosetta spacecraft successfully reached the comet it was traveling toward over the past ten years. The pair are now "flying in tandem," with plans for a "gentle landing on the comet in November." The CBS Evening News (8/6, story 11, 0:15, Pelley, 5.08M) had a similar broadcast.

        The AP (8/6, Jordans) notes that when the mission was first envisioned there were plans to bring back samples from the comet, but that plan was scrapped after "NASA pulled out of a joint mission at an early stage." NASA still developed "three of the 21 instruments aboard Rosetta and its Philae lander."

        According to the New York Times (8/6, Chang, Subscription Publication, 9.79M), Holger Sierks, "principal investigator for Rosetta's high-resolution camera," released new images of the comet during a news conference showing "cliffs, deep shadows and also flat areas with boulders sitting on the surface." Over the next few months, the spacecraft will be looking for a "safe place" for Philae to land.

        The Los Angeles Times (8/6, Netburn, 3.42M) website reports that while the mission has proceeded as expected so far, comets are "notoriously unpredictable." However, according to the article, the spacecraft's arrival is an "amazing victory." According to SPACE (8/6, Kramer, 261K), Mark McCaughrean, senior scientific adviser with the ESA's Directorate of Science and Robotic Exploration, said that the comet is a "scientific Disneyland" yet to be explored. Another SPACE (8/6, Malik, 261K) article notes that the initial images of the comet's surface reveal a "a fun optical illusion" of a face. According to the article, observing facial expressions in rocks is "nothing new," as demonstrated by the "Face on mars" first discovered by the Viking 1 Mars orbiter in 1976.

        Space News (8/6, de Selding, Subscription Publication, 481), in its coverage, reports that in expressing their pleasure for the successful rendezvous, Germany, France, and Italy showed "unity-in-spending" that is unlike the "difficult negotiations" now underway to determine the future path of European rocket development and involvement in the ISS.

        Also covering the story are the Wall Street Journal (8/6, Naik, Subscription Publication, 5.89M), USA Today (8/6, Brown, Watson, 5.76M) "Science Fair" website, Washington Post (8/6, McCoy, 4.06M) "Morning Mix" blog, Reuters (8/6, Sheahan), CNN (8/6, Gilbert, Thompson, 10.19M), Daily Beast (8/6, 1.18M), Weather Channel (8/6, Breslin, 10.09M), TIME (8/6, 24.1M), Bloomberg News (8/6, Morales, 2.76M), WBUR-FM Boston (8/6, de Lorge, 79K) "Here & Now" website, NPR (8/6, Brumfiel, 519K) "The Two-Way" blog, PBS' Newshour (8/6, Epatko) "The Rundown" blog, Financial Times (8/6, Cookson, Subscription Publication, 1.34M), BBC News (8/6, 1.17M), another BBC News (8/6, Shukman, 1.17M) article, AFP (8/6), Popular Science (8/6, Fecht, 6.56M), Deutsche Welle (DEU) (8/6, 730K), a third SPACE (8/6, Kramer, 261K) article, Spaceflight Now (8/6, Clark, 3K), New Scientist (8/6, Aron, 329K), Independent (UK) (8/6, Vincent, 701K), Guardian (UK) (8/6, Sample, 1.96M), Slate Magazine (8/6, Plait, 14.77M) "Bad Astronomy" blog, Aviation Week (8/6, Svitak, 3K), Universe Today (8/6, Kremer, 18K), ITV London (UK) (8/6, 58K) website, Telegraph (UK) (8/6, Knapton, 3.23M), Oxford (UK) Mail (8/6), io9 (8/6, Gonzalez, 682K), Mashable (8/6, Wills, 1.58M), and Business Insider (8/6, Spector, 2M).

        Blog Coverage. Stuart Clark at the Guardian (UK) (8/6, 1.96M) "Across The Universe" blog wrote that yesterday's achievement is in "stark contrast" to what happened during the ESA's Giotto mission to another comet back in 1986. The failure of Giotto, "if the stories are true," led to then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to start "a severe tightening of the UK's purse strings where Esa and space research were concerned." Clark notes that unlike the Giotto mission, Rosetta has sent back "fantastic images, fantastic data and the promise of more fantastic science to come."

Navy, NASA Complete Second Round Of Orion Recovery Tests.

The AP (8/6, Hamilton) reports that NASA and the Navy have completed "the second round of practice recoveries of the Orion spacecraft" off the coast of Baja California, Mexico, which is where the Orion will return to Earth at the end of its first flight in December. According to NASA spokeswoman Brandi Dean, the crew of the USS Anchorage recovered a mock-up of the Orion six times during the campaign, The article notes that engineers added "an air-bag system...to a cradle around the capsule," as well as "rubber bumpers... for cushioning," to counteract rough seas, which halted tests back in February.

        The KABC-TV Los Angeles (8/6, Cota-Robles, 175K) website noted that astronaut Nicole Stott spoke about the recent testing. She said, "The guys on the ship and the NASA folks are working to figure out how we get this vehicle out of the water, back on the ship and the crew safely back onto Earth. .. A lot of really interesting stuff going on, getting us ready for that [December] launch."

        The KCAL-TV Los Angeles (8/6, 79K) website reported that the public will now have the chance to see the version of the Orion that was tested during the Navy Days-Los Angeles event. The goal, according to article, is "to educate the public about the nation's deep space exploration plans."

        KCAL-TV Los Angeles (8/7, 1:41 a.m. ET, 79K) also carried a broadcast that was repeated seven other times.

Rubio Weighs In On SpaceX Decision, Upcoming Orion Flight.

Florida Today (8/6, Dean, 173K) reports that Sen. Marco Rubio discussed SpaceX's decision to locate a commercial launch site in Texas with reporters at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Wednesday. Rubio said, "Other states are going to want a piece of the action. ... But as far as Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center are concerned, I still anticipate that Florida will be the central location and the hub of space activity for this country." Despite the decision, Rubio expects that SpaceX will still have "a very robust and growing presence in our state." While supporting Space Florida's proposed Shiloh launch complex, Rubio said he would endorse "anything we can do to spur NASA and the Air Force and others to move a little bit quicker on opening up and making it a more friendly environment for commercial space to pick Florida over Texas or anywhere else." Meanwhile, Rubio said that the upcoming test flight of the Orion capsule will remind the public of "what we used to do in the 70s and 60s during the Apollo program, and they'll be motivated to tackle that again in a new frontier, a new challenge for our country, and that is placing boots on the ground in Mars." He added that the Orion flight and the upcoming award of contracts to develop new spacecraft to take astronauts to the ISS will show "we've found our footing."

        Sacramento Bee: SpaceX Decision About Location, Not Incentives. The Sacramento (CA) Bee (8/6, 582K) editorialized on SpaceX's decision to locate a commercial launch site in Texas. Because the company is based in California, some might consider the company's decision "another loss" for the state. However, because Texas is closer to the equator than California, the decision was "more to do with physics than it does incentive packages." The editors noted that incentives can help make corporate decisions, but they are not the only factor.

Wiseman Captures Cities At Night From The ISS.

The WBBM-TV Chicago (8/6, Feurer, 80K) website reports that ISS astronaut Reid Wiseman has taken "a couple dazzling nighttime views of Chicago." Wiseman on Wednesday took a new image of Chicago, Milwaukee, and Detroit on Wednesday. According to the article, Wiseman could consider "professional photography" as a career because of the "amazing photos" he's posted in his two months at the ISS.

        The Chicago Sun-Times (8/6, Merda, 1.03M) "Voices" blog also has images astronaut Mike Hopkins took during his stint at the ISS.

        Meanwhile, the WABE-FM Atlanta (8/6, Sweeney, Lemley, 805) website used an image of the Atlanta region at night taken from space in a larger article about how people are moving from the suburbs to cities to demonstrate the extent of the area.

        Also covering the story are the WLS-TV Chicago (8/6, 6K) website, the WWJ-TV Detroit (8/6, Cardenas, 34K) website, and 15 TV broadcasts.

Kansas Boy Visits JSC As Part Of Space Science Education Program.

The Kansas City (KS) Kansan (8/7, 20) reports Alexander Falk of Piper, Kansas attended the Camp KAOS Space program last month. The week-long astronaut camp "emphasizes teamwork, leadership and problem solving while giving campers an up-close and personal experience with NASA and introducing them to career opportunities in aerospace." Campers spent two days at the Kansas-based educational facility Cosmosphere before heading to Johnson Space Center in Houston, where they toured the "former and current Mission Control centers including the site of Apollo 11 and 13 Mission Control operations." They will visited Building 9, which "houses NASA's International Space Station mock-ups, and tour the Neutral Buoyancy Lab's 6.2 million gallon pool, where astronauts train for work in microgravity."

Texas A&M Facility Makes Space Food For Astronauts.

KBTX-TV Bryan/College Station, TX (8/6, 7:12 p.m. ET, 47K) broadcast a report on the Texas A&M Food Research Facility that prepares the food ISS astronauts eat. The facility's Maya Cooper said that the work benefits the school as well as NASA because student scan come work at the center and get "hands-on food processing experience." The broadcast was repeated one other time.

        KBTX-TV Bryan/College Station, TX (8/6, 47K) also covers the story on its website.

Hadfield Encourages Australia To Form A Manned Spaceflight Program.

The Canberra (AUS) Times (8/7, Belot, 383K) reports former ISS commander Chris Hadfield "questioned" why Australia does not have its own manned spaceflight program. Hadfield noted that astronaut Andrew Thomas, while born in Australia, had to become a US citizen to go into space. He said that setting up such a program is not that expensive and comes with "many pluses."

        Hadfield To Speak In Halifax On Nov. 16. The Halifax (CAN) Chronicle Herald (8/6, 336K) reports that Hadfield will visit Halifax on Nov. 16 as part of a speaking tour. Hadfield, a former ISS commander, is the only Canadian to walk in space.

Schools Developing Code For Cosmospheres Challenge.

The Lakeland (FL) Ledger (8/6, 140K) reports that Bok Academy and Berkley Accelerated Middle School are two of 49 schools participating in this year's Cosmospheres challenge. NASA and MIT developed the project, which asks students to "program two small satellites that can deflect a simulated asteroid in 210 minutes," for the Zero Robotics middle school summer program. According to Jesse Jackson, superintendent of Lake Wales Charter Schools, the students have until August 15 to work on their codes because on that date they will contact the ISS "to actually move this robot around by programing it." The article notes that "only the top school from each state will get to see its work play out in a live stream from the International Space Station."

Campers Skype With Cassidy.

WLBZ-TV Bangor, ME (8/6, 6:29 p.m. ET, 2K) broadcast that the Challenger Learning Center is holding an Astronaut Academy summer camp. The campers had a chance to Skype with astronaut Chris Cassidy "about everything from being on the International Space Station to being homesick and more."

NASA Donates Used Office Furniture To Tennessee Educators.

Alabama Live (8/6, Holmes, 75K) reports that NASA donated old office furniture to Lincoln County Ninth Grade Academy and Flintville Elementary School in Tennessee as part of the agency's furniture re-utilization initiative. Building 4202 in the Marshall Space Flight Center headquarters complex is slated to be demolished. Now that a new office has opened to replace it, "institutions are able to collect furniture with federal and state entities getting first dibs on the 15-year-old office furnishings." This is the second year the school district received furniture donations. Lincoln County Schools Director Wanda Shelton said that "teachers appreciated getting furniture donations last year after using decades-old equipment."

 

 

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