www.nasa.gov

March 2006

On the Inside . . .

"There is nothing like a dream tocreate the future." -- Victor Hugo, 19th-century author of The Hunchback of

Notre Dame and Les MisérablesMore than a century after they were

written, Hugo's words apply to today'sdreams of advanced human space travel.

What once was only a dream thatenvisioned a new spaceship that wouldfly astronauts back to the moon andbeyond is now taking small steps to-ward reality as NASA's ConstellationProgram takes shape.

Small-scale models of the new CrewExploration Vehicle (CEV) capsule andits tall rocket -- the Crew Launch Vehicle(CLV) -- are being tested in NASA windtunnels across the nation at NASAMarshall Space Flight Center, Hunts-ville, Ala., here at NASA Ames and atNASA Langley Research Center, Hamp-ton, Va.

The tests are supporting the initialdevelopment of NASA's new spaceship,its hardware and software. Wind tun-nels use giant fans or high-pressure air-flow to create wind to flow over ve-hicles, engines, rockets or scale models,to simulate flight performance. Re-searchers use such wind tunnel 'flights'to assess new geometric configurationsbefore incorporating them into spacevehicle designs.

Dreams are creating a future, new NASA spaceshipFrom Feb. 20 through Feb. 22, Ames

conducted a test of a 0.5 percent scalemodel of the CLV and CEV in launch

configuration inits 11-foot windtunnel. FromFeb. 22 throughMarch 3, engi-neers tested alarger model ofthe CEV inAmes' 9-foot-by-7-foot super-sonic wind tun-nel and in the 11-foot wind tunnelto study re-entryflight character-istics.

"We thinkthis test will beuseful for NASAengineers inmaking techni-

cal decisions regarding possible con-

figurations for the new vehicle," saidDon Nickison, a NASA Ames engineerin charge of wind tunnel tests involvingthe new spaceship. "I would expect, asthe design matures, that we will be readyand willing to support validation windtunnel tests for heat shields, parachutesand other systems associated with thisnew vehicle."

"It's exciting because it's the kind ofwork that NASA is stressing now,"Nickison added. "We're always veryhappy to be of support to the rest of theteam at NASA, including NASA'sJohnson Space Center, Houston andother NASA centers across the country."

In December, Marshall conductedthe first wind tunnel tests on a 16.5-inchscale model of the CEV/CLV in a 48-inch-long, 14-inch-by-14-inch cross sec-tion wind tunnel. The tests demonstratedNASA engineers' ability to 'fly' a craft onthe ground to assess new geometric con-figurations before designs are incorpo-rated into more sophisticated models.

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This April 12 marks a historic mile-stone on two continents in the humanexploration of space. It is the 45th anni-versary of the flight of Soviet cosmo-naut Yuri Gagarin, the first human toorbit the Earth. It also is the 25th anni-versary of STS-1, the first orbital flightof the Space Transportation System, orspace shuttle. This truly remarkableachievement - hailed by NASA as thegreatest test flight in history -- was theresult of work by thousands of indi-viduals throughout NASA, and by ma-jor portions of the aerospace industryand academia as well.

STS-1 was the first piloted flightusing solid rocket boosters, and the first

U.S. space vehicle to carry a human crewon its maiden flight. STS-1 and the threeflights following were engineering testflights to prove the space shuttle systemin launch, orbital and landing opera-tions. STS-l's flight profile was designedto minimize structural and operationalloads on the spacecraft and its boosters.Columbia's cargo bay was empty except

Ames’ contributions to STS-1: thegreatest test flight in historyEditor's note: On April 25, NASA will mark the25th anniversary of STS-1, the first orbital flight ofthe space shuttle. The article below originally waspublished in the April 9, 2001 issue of theAstrogram. It has been modified to mark thisyear's anniversary

Page 2 - ‘Borg’ collective designs conputer antennaPage 5 - Educator Astronaut returns

to classPage 6 -STS-1 Anniversary continuedPage 11 - Upcoming EventsPage 12 - Software Award

Nominations

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On March 7, local media visited Ames' Unitary Wind Tunnel Complex to viewa scale model of the Crew Exploration Vehicle. Left to right: John Fowler,reporter, KTVU-TV Fox Channel 2 Oakland; Michael Mecham, NorthernCalifornia bureau chief/Asia-Pacific bureau chief, Aviation Week & SpaceTechnology magazine; Thomas Edwards, Ames director of aeronautics; andJames Bell, Code APS.

Astrogram March 20062

Like a friendly, non-biological formof the Borg Collective of science fictionfame, 80 NASA Ames personal comput-ers, using artificial intelligence (AI), have

combined their silicon brains to quicklydesign a tiny, advanced space antenna.

Three of these computer-designedspace antennas began their trip into spacein March, when an L-1011 aircraft tookoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base inCalifornia. The airplane dropped a Pe-gasus XL rocket into the sky high abovethe Pacific Ocean. The rocket ignitedand carried three small Space Technol-ogy (ST5) satellites into orbit.

Each satellite is equipped with astrange-looking, computer-designedspace antenna. Although they resemblebent paperclips, the antennas are highlyefficient, according to scientists.

"This is the first time an artificiallyevolved object has flown in space," ob-served Jason Lohn, who led the projectto design the antennas at NASA Ames.

The three 'microsats,' each no big-ger than a typical TV, weigh only about25 kilograms (55 pounds) each. Slightlybigger than a quarter, each antenna, ableto fit into a one-inch space (2.5 by 2.5centimeters), can receive commands andsend data to Earth from the satellites.Together, the spacecraft are helping sci-entists study magnetic fields in Earth'smagnetosphere.

The magnetosphere is a region en-veloping the Earth. Charged particlesare trapped in the region, which is influ-enced by Earth's magnetic field.

To design the ST5 space antenna,the computers started with random an-tenna designs and through the evolu-tionary process, refined them. The com-puter system took about 10 hours tocomplete the initial antenna design pro-cess.

'Borg' computer collective designs NASA space antenna

BY JOHN BLUCK

One of the small space computer-designedantennas recently flown aboard the PegasusXL rocket.

"The AI software examined millionsof potential antenna designs before set-tling on a final one," said Lohn. Thesoftware did this much faster than anyhuman being could do so under thesame circumstances, according to Lohn."Through a process patterned afterDarwin's 'survival of the fittest,' thestrongest designs survive and the lesscapable do not."

"We told the computer programwhat performance the antenna shouldhave, and the computer simulated evo-lution, keeping the best antenna designsthat approached what we asked for.Eventually, it zeroed in on somethingthat met the desired specifications forthe mission," Lohn said.

"Not only can the software workfast, but it can adapt existing designsquickly to meet changing mission re-quirements," he said. Following the firstdesign of the ST5 satellite antenna,NASA Ames scientists used the soft-ware to 're-invent' the antenna design inless than a month to meet new specifica-tions - a very quick turn-around in thespace hardware redesign process.

Scientists also can use the evolu-tionary AI software to invent and create

new structures, computer chips and evenmachines, according to Lohn. "We arenow using the software to design tinymicroscopic machines, including gyro-scopes, for spaceflight navigation," heventured.

Four NASA Ames computer scien-tists spent two years developing the AIevolutionary program. It can operate onas many as 120 personal computers,which work as a team. The scientistswrote the AI software to create designsfaster than a human being could.

"The software also may invent de-signs that no human designer wouldever think of," Lohn asserted. In addi-tion, the software can plan devices thatare smaller, lighter, consume less power,are stronger and more robust amongmany other things - characteristics thatspaceflight requires, according to Lohn.

The Exploration Systems MissionDirectorate at NASA Headquarters,Washington, funded development ofNASA evolutionary software. Detailedinformation is on the Internet at: http://ic.arc.nasa.gov/projects/esg SpaceTechnology 5 satellite details are on theInternet at: http://nmp.jpl.nasa.gov/st5

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Seth Shostak, SETI Institute and SpaceWorld Foundation board member, spoke to a crowd of morethan 200 at the SpaceWorld and NASA Ames event held at Ames on March 16. The purpose of theevent was to celebrate the Space Act Agreement under which the SpaceWorld Foundation will createSpaceWorld at NASA Ames. This event was for the community and presented the concept forSpaceWorld at NASA, including drawings of the plans for the facility. The theme of SpaceWorld atNASA will be exploring and mapping the solar system, also the theme of Shostak's talk. SpaceWorldat NASA plans to open in early 2008.

3Astrogram March 2006

Ames’ Yvonne Pendleton and Wendy Dolci flank Diane Sims from Stennis.

Katrina survivor shares story of resolve and rebuilding

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A survivor of last year's devastatinghurricane Katrina that roared acrosssouthern Mississippi and NASA'sStennis Space Center recently provideda first-hand account of her experience toAmes employees.

Diane Sims, an employee in theStennis legal office, shared her experi-ences with a standing-room-only crowd

in the Space Sciences auditorium. Simsalso serves as the Stennis coordinator ofthe Families Helping Families effort toconnect interested Ames personnel withcolleagues needing assistance as theyrecover from Katrina.

“It's a flip of the coin; it could be us,”remarked Ames scientist YvonnePendleton in welcoming Sims to Ames.Pendleton, along with Wendy Dolci, cre-ated the Families Helping Families pro-gram. She described the aftermath ofhurricane Katrina as “a tragic but uplift-ing story” that has brought her and otherAmes employees closer to their col-leagues at Stennis.

Dolci noted that 45 Ames employ-ees and families have “connected on apersonal basis” with families at Stennis.She added that while Ames has pro-vided material and emotional supportto the hurricane survivors, the people atStennis also “have provided us with agreat perspective” on dealing with andsurviving a catastrophic event.

Sims began her story by noting that“It is a blessing to work with” the peopleof Ames and “the Stennis families. Weare so touched by your benevolence,”she said. “We hope we never have toreciprocate, but we will be there if youneed us.”

Sims noted that unlike the earth-quakes that menace the Bay Area, hurri-canes typically give plenty of warning

of their pending arrival. Three days be-fore Katrina was predicted to make land-fall, Sims reviewed her emergencypreparations check-list, bought extrafood, water, fuel and other supplies,filled up her car's gas tank and got extracash from the bank. The next day, shesecured outdoor items that would be-come airborne when the hurricane hit,

and filled bathtubs and othercontainers withwater to be usedfor drinking,bathing, wash-ing dishes, etc.With the inevi-table outage ofelectricity, herwell's pumpwould be uselessfor pumping wa-ter.

Because herhusband wasworking over-seas, she and her

daughter prepared their home, thenthey, Sims' sister and family, all relo-cated to their parents' home in Pica-yune, Miss., some 45 miles from thecoast of the Gulf of Mexico, to ride outthe storm.

On Monday morning, Aug. 29,Katrina was downgraded to a Category4 storm, although the storm surge wasstill at category 5. At 9 a.m., the powerwent out, but the family's generatorsprovided electricity for critical needs.The winds snapped trees likematchsticks, and power lines were downeverywhere as the hurricane roaredthrough the area. At 11 a.m., the eye ofthe hurricane passed over Picayune for45 minutes. Although she was stunnedto see the devastation wrought byKatrina in her neighborhood, “This wasnothing compared to the devastationwe would see in days to come,” Simsnoted.

Sims recalled that for her, the lack ofcommunications and the relentless heatwere the most frustrating. Telephonelines were down, and cell phones workedonly sporadically, most often allowingonly text messaging. She borrowed asatellite phone to contact the legal officeat Marshall Space Flight Center, askingcolleagues there to let friends and fam-ily out of the area know she and herfamily were OK.

Meanwhile, Stennis Space Center

was providing emergency shelter to3,000 employees and evacuees from thesurrounding area. After a tornado dam-aged the roof of the administration build-ing housing the evacuees, water pouredin. One member of the legal staff almostsingle-handedly moved computers, files,wall decorations and anything else shecould to a lower floor that was still dry.The legal office didn't return to its usualquarters until the end of February.

Sims reported that many homes,which looked to a casual observer tohave escaped unscathed, were found tohave 3-1/2 feet of sewer water in them.Everything had to be removed and re-placed, and the entire interiors gutted.Homes, churches, businesses, banks -all were severely damaged or destroyed.Fortunately, Picayune is far enough fromthe coast that it escaped the storm surgethat ravaged areas closer to the sea. Butthe winds caused catastrophic damage,in some cases obliterating entire townsalong the coast.

Because Sims and her family livenear a large lake, they were able to washdishes and bathe in the lake, an experi-ence she likened to “the camping tripfrom hell.” Nonetheless, she frequentlyreiterated how fortunate she and herfamily are to have been spared evenworse property destruction. Schoolswere closed for at least a month; someremain closed even now. Some studentswere sent to live with relatives in otherstates so they could attend school. Sims'home was without power for 3 1/2weeks. Although she had generators torun fans, she said the stifling heat andhumidity were nearly unbearable in anarea heavily dependent on air condi-tioning.

Throughout her remarks, and de-spite the damage her home suffered,Sims recalled that she feels “so blessed”to live far enough from the coast that shewas able to escape the flood waters. Andshe added that “It is a privilege to workfor the federal government.” While manyin the hurricane zone lost their jobs,Sims said it was “a blessing to know ourpaychecks will keep coming” as theyrebuild their homes and their lives afterKatrina.

Last December, Ames employeesshipped seven large containers of sup-plies - clothes, household items, appli-ances, tools and Christmas gifts - to theirStennis families. The Families-Helping-Families effort is not a NASA-funded

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Bob Dolci, Ames' chief of protectiveservices, director of emergency servicesand chief of the center's Disaster Assis-tance and Rescue Team(DART), spent threeweeks at Stennis SpaceCenter following hurri-cane Katrina. Recently,he offered a comparisonbetween Katrina and theexpected, eventual majorearthquake in the BayArea, as well as tips forpreparing for a largeearthquake.

Although at firstglance Stennis and Amesseem to be very different- from locale to naturaldisasters and populationsize -- lessons learnedfrom Katrina can help usprepare for the inevitable'big one' that will strikethe Bay Area some timein the future. Ames em-ployees are well-advisedto heed Dolci's sugges-tions, particularly as weapproach the 100-year an-niversary of the April1906 quake.

“The responsibility isyours,” Dolci stressed.“Don't expect to get helpfrom the authorities forseveral days at a mini-mum. His message: plan ahead and beself-sufficient for at least several days.

Stennis, like Ames, is a joint-usefederal facility with more than 30 resi-dent agencies. Two days after Stenniswas evacuated, NASA was supporting1,000 NASA employees, 2,300 familymembers and 700 local evacuees. Stennishad generator power, local wells, localsewers and fuel - things Ames likelywould not have in the aftermath of amajor earthquake. The cafeteria at NASAStennis served 9,000 meals/day withlimited supplies, compared with thenormal of less than 1,000 meals/day.The medical clinic was overwhelmed,trash management became a major prob-lem and the center was unable to contact65 percent of its employees during thefirst week following the hurricane. Dolcireported that 1,035 Stennis families werewithout livable homes, 200 NASA fami-lies had no homes and most lost every-thing. Similar problems, but on a muchlarger scale, are to be expected in theaftermath of a major earthquake.

The population of Mississippi is 2.9million; the Federal Emergency Man-agement Agency (FEMA) and the Mis-

Katrina and a 1906-magnitude earthquake:

sissippi EMA (MEMA) supported apopulation of fewer than 300,000 over asix-county area. There were fewer than

600 total Katrina fatalities. With a BayArea population of 7 million in 10 coun-ties and 60 cities, FEMA, the CaliforniaOffice of Emergency Services, and localresponse agencies probably would befaced with significantly more fatalitiesthan those caused by Katrina. Depend-ing on the source, estimates of Bay Areafatalities range from a high of 6,000 to ahigh of 15,000. Those are worst-case sce-nario figures and are fault rupture andtime of day dependent. The predictednumber of people requiring hospital-ization could range from 150,000 to450,000. Uninhabitable residences wouldlikely exceed 150,000. Because there is astrong potential for devastating fires,the number of residences destroyedcould be far higher. A 7.9 magnitudeearthquake can result in as many as750,000 individuals being homeless orwithout acceptable living conditions.Millions may be without water, poweror sanitation.

There were minimal hotel/motelrooms available in the Stennis area, andthree of the four local communities lostup to 70 percent of their businesses. Thenearby town of Waveland, Miss., suf-

fered a catastrophic damage rate of 80percent. Gulfport and Biloxi, Miss., faredonly slightly better. Similarly, hotel

rooms in the Bay Area,although more plentiful,also would be inad-equate to house thenumber of displacedresidents. And entireareas are expected to bewiped out or severelydamaged following alarge earthquake, eitherfrom structural damageor fires.

Stennis became theprime logistics stagingarea and operationalstaging area for six coun-ties, providing supportfor some 50,000 people.It included: 33 commod-ity distribution centers,six emergency fuel sta-tions, six disaster medi-cal assistance teams, onedisaster mortuary, 10emergency shelters and40 fire stations. Five hun-dred 18-wheel trucksdelivered millions oftons of ice, water andMREs (military mealsready to eat). In the firstweek alone, nearly 20millions tons of ice, 2.6million gallons of water

and 1.8 million MREs were delivered. Amonth later, FEMA and MEMA haddistributed 40 million tons of ice, 5.5million gallons of water, and 2.75 mil-lion MREs. FEMA/MEMA managedfour base camps, an airfield and fivemilitary camps at Stennis, caring for4,000 emergency responders and 7,000military responders. So many MREswere distributed that no more were avail-able, save those always held in reservefor the U.S. military. Clearly, there willnot be enough MREs to feed all thepeople in the Bay Area who will needfood following a huge earthquake.

In addition to dealing with prob-lems at Ames/Moffett, we will need tosupport the broader relief effort as well.Ames/Moffett will likely become a lo-cal focal point for Bay Area disasterrelief, and the Moffett airfield is likely tobe the only airfield in the Bay Area tosurvive a major earthquake.

Given the potential magnitude ofthe damage, “Citizens should not ex-pect much support from municipalities,”Dolci stressed. Nor should residentsexpect support from FEMA for at least

-- comparisons and preparations

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Screenshot of a section of the front page to the Web site https://disasterhelp.gov/portal/jhtml/index.jhtml

5Astrogram March 2006

continued from front pageCreating a future, new NASA spaceship

BY JOHN BLUCK

"The first series of tests provided thefirst experimental data on the aerody-namic characteristics of the Crew LaunchVehicle," said Lawrence Huebner, CLVaerodynamics panel chair. "We are us-ing the data to understand launch per-formance, as well as for comparison withcomputational analyses during ascentto orbit."

Marshall engineers continued test-ing through mid-March. The tests willserve as a foundation for more rigoroustesting in the spring and summer of thelaunch vehicle design. More tests will beconducted on larger models of the ve-hicle design in larger wind tunnel facili-ties at NASA's Langley Research Centernear and at Ames.

For Ames, the tests are among thefirst steps in a program to assist in devel-oping a new space travel system.

"NASA Ames is making its resourcesand expertise available for developmentof the Crew Exploration Vehicle and theCrew Launch Vehicle," said GeorgeSarver, Ames' project manager.

"The NASA field centers are work-ing together like we did in the past to

develop the shuttle orbiter aerodynamicand aero heating databases," said RobCalloway of NASA Langley. "Our ana-lytical methods, used in concert withour wind tunnels, will ensure the fly-ability and survivability of the human-rated Crew Exploration Vehicle and theCrew Launch Vehicle."

Langley's tests of a CLV model weredone earlier this month.

The Constellation Program atJohnson is responsible for developingthe CEV and CLV. The program is alsotasked to develop a new Cargo LaunchVehicle and related systems aimed atforming the basis for more ambitiousexploration missions to the moon, Marsand destinations beyond. The programcombines large and small transporta-tion systems, surface and space-basedinfrastructures, and communications,science and robotic systems, enablinghumans the capability to explore thesolar system.

For more information aboutNASA's Constellation Program, visit:www.nasa.gov

After a two-year hiatus from theclassroom, educator astronaut DottieMetcalf-Lindenburger made a trium-

phant return to the classroom in her firstspeaking engagement as one of NASA'snewest astronauts.

In a tailor-made fit, two of NASA'seducation programs, educator astronautand Explorer Schools, joined forces inFebruary at Johnson Junior High Schoolin Cheyenne, Wyo., to inspire studentsto reach for their dreams. Johnson Jun-ior High School was selected as a 2005NASA Explorer School (NES) and be-gan the program last fall.

"Watching Dottie interact with thestudents, it was obvious that she is ateacher," said Tom Clausen, managerfor K-12 education at NASA Ames. "Sheknew her audience and delivered a pre-sentation that related directly to the stu-dents."

In her presentations, Metcalf-Lindenburger related how astronauttraining was like going through school.The past two years as an astronaut can-didate were like 'elementary school,'learning the basics and preparing a solidfoundation for the future. After gradu-ating on Feb. 10, 2006 and earning thetitle 'astronaut,' she was now in 'juniorhigh.' Here she is building on her foun-dation as she waits for her turn to fly inspace, 'high school.'

Metcalf-Lindenburger talked abouthow she learned about the educator as-tronaut program. Spurred on by astudent's question about how astronautsgo to the bathroom in space, she loggedon to the Web site www.nasa.gov andlearned about the program. The rest ishistory.

Thousands of teachers applied forthe program and of the thousand-plusviable applications reviewed at Johnson

Educator astronaut Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger returns to classSpace Center, Metcalf-Lindenburgerwas chosen along with Joseph Acabaand Richard Arnold.

After lunch, witha smaller, more inti-mate group of 25,Metcalf-Lindenburgerwas in her element.The students werechallenged to design avehicle that couldtransport a payload ofpaperclips using bal-loons, straws, papercups and tape. She en-gaged the students inactive learning and in-quiry and the studentsresponded with en-thusiasm and creative

design solutions."Meeting the astronaut was like

meeting a movie star. I really liked do-ing the rocket and payload experiment,"said Jennifer, ninth grade student andessay winner. "It was all awesome."

The last event of a very long daywas a presentation to sixth grade stu-dents from Johnson's 'feeder' schools.For this section, Mic Bowen, aerospace

education specialist, joined Metcalf-Lindenburger in a dynamic discussionof science, exploration and the stepsneeded to achieve their goals.

"The whole NASA team from Amespulled together to create a very excitingand accessible program for our students.We had nearly 1,000 students get a tasteof what the future holds, and Dottieinspired them to believe they could allbe part of it," said Kim Parfitt, NES teamlead at Johnson.

Metcalf-Lindenburger was born inColorado Springs, Colo., which was lessthan an hour from Johnson. Before be-ing selected to join the astronaut corps,she taught science and was the crosscountry coach at Hudson's Bay HighSchool, Vancouver, Wash. She currentlylives in Houston with her husband, whois also a teacher.

Johnson Junior High School is oneof five 2005 NES school teams that aresupported by NASA Ames. Ames sup-ports schools in 10 states throughout thewestern region, including Alaska andHawaii.

For more information about theNASA education programs, visit: http://education.nasa.gov

BY JONAS DINO

Educator astronaut Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger spoke recently atJohnson High School in Cheyenne, Wyo.

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for a data collection and recording pack-age and an aerodynamic coefficient iden-tification package.

The primary STS-1 flight objectivewas to demonstrate safe launch into or-bit and return to landing of Columbiaand its crew. Secondarily, the flight veri-fied the combined performance of theentire vehicle -- orbiter, solid rocketboosters and external tank -- throughseparation and retrieval of the spentsolid rocket boosters. The flight alsogathered data on the combined vehicle'saerodynamic and structural responsesto the stresses of launch. At mission end,similar data were gathered on orbiterenergy characteristics, such as cross-range steering capabilities, structuralloads on entry, and performance of thesilica-tile thermal protection system.

A major portion of the flight anddetailed test objectives was aimed to-ward 'wringing out' orbiter hardwaresystems and their operating computersoftware, and toward measuring theoverall orbiter thermal response whileon orbit with payload doors open andclosed. Still other test objectives evalu-ated the orbiter's attitude and maneu-vering thruster systems and the perfor-mance of the spacecraft's guidance andnavigation system.

Research at Ames played a key rolein the development and evolution of thespace shuttle program from the very

beginning. The shape of the orbiter hasits roots in the 'lifting body' researchpioneered by "Sy" Syvertson, Ames'fourth director, and Al Eggers. Once its1- to 2-week orbital mission is complete,the shuttle executes a de-orbit burn,which slows it for its descent into theatmosphere. Initial entry occurs at aboutMach 25, or 25 times the speed of soundin air. During the high-speed portion ofthe entry, the vehicle holds a high angleof attack. It executes a 'blunt body entry'maneuver pioneered by Ames' seconddirector, H. Julian "Harvey" Allen forthe Mercury/Gemini/Apollo programs.After a long and fiery entry, the vehiclecontinues to dissipate energy through a

series of S-turns. It then goes into sub-sonic flight and lands, unpowered, ei-ther at Dryden Flight Research Centeror, as is most common today, at KennedySpace Center (KSC). Astronaut pilotssay the shuttle glides like a 'falling brick,'so being able to land unpowered is quitean achievement.

This article describes some of Ames'major contributions to the early devel-opment of the space shuttle leading upto STS-1, and it mentions a few of themany Ames employees whose contri-butions were crucial to the vehicle's de-velopment. These include contributionsto the shuttle ascent aerodynamics/aero-thermodynamics (a combination of aero-dynamics and thermal effects), the ther-mal protection system (TPS) that pre-vents the orbiter from burning up dur-ing reentry, low-speed approach andlanding technology and simulator re-search. The center's facilities that en-abled these contributions also are brieflydescribed.

Ames has supported space shuttledevelopment and advancement for close

to 40 years, beginning with the forma-tion in the 1970s of a Shuttle ProjectOffice, led by Victor Stevens and hisdeputy, Bob Nysmith. They managedprojects at Ames at the request of JohnsonSpace Center, the program's lead center.Hans Mark, Ames' third director, playeda key role in defining and directing Ames'involvement in the shuttle program.Various directorates at Ames providedstaff and facilities to execute projects.Aerodynamics of the Orbiter/Boeing747 Ferry Configuration

One of Ames' first tasks was to un-derstand the aerodynamics of the spe-cially modified Boeing 747 used to ferrythe orbiter from Dryden to KSC. Theaerodynamics of the mated vehicles andthe interference of flows between thevehicles had to be well understood priorto committing to design and flight. Un-derstanding the separation process ofthe 747 and the orbiter was another re-quirement. Testing in Ames' 14-footwind tunnel was a major contribution tothe successful flight test of the 747/full-scale orbiter model Enterprise.Ascent Aerodynamics/Aerothermody-namics

Ames made a huge effort to developthe aerodynamics and aerothermody-namics for the shuttle. According to Vic-tor Peterson, former deputy director ofAmes, more than 50 percent of the windtunnel testing conducted for the shuttlewas done at Ames.

Nearly all the aerodynamic studiesat Ames used the center's extraordinarycollection of wind tunnels, includingthe 40-by-80-foot wind tunnel, 12-footpressure wind tunnel, the 2-foot, 11-footand 14-foot transonic wind tunnels, the6-by-6 foot, 8-by-7-foot and 9-by-7-footsupersonic wind tunnels, and the 3.5-foot hypersonic wind tunnel. More than10,000 hours of wind tunnel testing tookplace even before the award of the shuttledesign and construction contract in 1972.More than 25,000 hours of wind tunneltesting occurred after this. Key contribu-tors to the subsonic - supersonic ele-ments of the activity included Richard(Pete) Peterson, Jake Drake, Dan Petroff,Jim Monford, Jack Bronson, Len Robertsand Jack Boyd.

Testing for the ascent stack (the or-biter, external tank and solid rocketboosters) aerodynamics and exhaustplume interactions was carried out inthe 9-foot-by 7-foot supersonic sectionof Ames' Unitary Plan wind tunnel.

Ames’ STS-1 contributions: greatest test flight in history

STS-1 launched from KSC on April 12, 1981.

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These tests helped engineers ensure thatthe aft portions of the vehicle were prop-erly designed, and that they would safelyfunction during ascent.

Other specialized aspects of Ames'wind tunnels were very helpful in theshuttle's development. A special rig inthe center's 14-foot tunnel was used tostudy the aerodynamics of an abortmaneuver implemented at transonicmach numbers. This rig also was used inthe study of the mated/separating con-figurations between the Enterprise andthe 747 carrier aircraft.

One of the most heavily used tun-nels for shuttle testing was the 3.5-foothypersonic wind tunnel, which was ca-pable of simulating flight at Mach 5, 7and 10. This facility provided about 47percent of the total hours of wind tunneltesting at Ames. Many personnel wereinvolved in this work, including JoeMarvin, Mike Horstman, MarvinKussoy, Bill Lockman and Tom Polek. A1.5 percent ascent stack configuration inthe 3.5-foot hypersonic wind tunnel testsection was tested at Mach 5. Anotherconfiguration tested in the 3.5-foot tun-nel was secured to the sting by its tail, sothe effects of protruding main enginesand the orbital maneuvering systemcould be assessed. These studies led tothe understanding of many differentcomplex phenomena, including dynam-ics of shock-shock interactions causedfrom the proximity of the elements ofthe stack configurations, and the effectsof split body flap deployments and tur-bulent flows.Entry Aerodynamics and Aerothermo-dynamics

Before the space shuttle, most entryvehicles were relatively simple, bluntshapes with no aerodynamic controlsurfaces. The shuttle was to become thefirst airplane-like entry vehicle withmovable control surfaces.

The 3.5-foot hypersonic wind tun-nel contributed equally to both ascentand entry aerodynamics and entry aero-thermodynamics. The figure aboveshows a shadowgraph of the side viewof the orbiter at Mach 7. The fine linesenveloping the side view outline thefront of a bow shock layer that formsover the vehicle. At higher Mach num-bers, the bow wave is highly swept asshown in the figure, and the gases in thiswave are shock-heated to very high tem-peratures. These shock-heated gases cre-ate an environment that would melt thesurface of the vehicle were it made of

materials such as aluminum or compos-ites found in modern aircraft. Data andanalyses from Ames' wind tunnel simu-lations later were used to refine meth-ods for estimating the heating over thefull-scale shuttle.

The entry aero/aerothermodynam-ics of the shuttle were performed beforethe advent of modern 3-dimensionalreal-gas computational fluid dynamics,a later accomplishment led by Ames. Inthe 1970s, personnel including JohnHowe, Chul Park, Dave Stewart, JohnRakich and Mike Green, working underthe leadership of Dean Chapman, VicPeterson and Howard Larson, usedclever, approximate analytical tools, ex-

perimental results and engineering judg-ment to model the aerodynamic forces,heating rates and heating loads to un-derstand the shuttle entry flow environ-ment. This knowledge was required forthe development of the shuttle TPS, an-other area of key contribution by Ames.Thermal Protection System Contribu-tions

The shuttle's thermal protection sys-tem prevents the vehicle from burningup from the searing heat of hot gasesthat exist within a bow shock layer thatenvelops the vehicle as it re-enters Earth'satmosphere. These gases reach tempera-tures as high as 25,000 degrees F, andheat the surface of the vehicle to as muchas 3,000 degrees F. The vehicle enters theatmosphere at an angle of attack of about40 degrees. Key participants in this re-search included Howard Goldstein, DanLeiser, Marnel Smith and Dave Stewart.

In the early 1970s, Ames and JSCevaluated a large number of candidateTPS materials for the space shuttle or-biter in their arc jet facilities. Amongthese new types of heat shield materialswas the LI-900 silica tile system devel-oped by Robert Beaseley and his team at

Lockheed Missiles and Space Company(LMSC), Sunnyvale, and several otherconceptually similar systems developedby other companies. In order to under-stand why the various tile materials per-formed as they did in arc jet testing,Ames began a tile analysis research pro-gram, which rapidly turned into a tiledevelopment program. When the LI-900 tile system was chosen as the baselinein 1973, Ames had already begun tomake significant contributions to therapidly improving technology.

Ames showed in that same year howthe purity of the silica fibers used in thetiles controlled their temperature capa-bility and lifetime. In 1975, Ames in-vented the black borosilicate glass coat-ing called Reaction Cured Glass thatwas adopted by LMSC and the shuttleprogram in 1977 and that now coverstwo-thirds of the orbiters' surface. Thiscoating provides a thermally stable high-emmitance surface for the tiles, whichserves to radiate away heat and allowsthe tiles to be manufactured to the de-manding tolerance required. The coat-ing covers the tile, which is made bybonding pure silica high temperature-resistant fibers. The finished tile sub-strate is similar in appearance and den-sity to Styrofoam, but its thermal prop-erties are such that the surface can beglowing white hot at over 2,300 degreesF and the back face of the tile neverexceeds 250 degrees F, only a few inchesbelow the surface. These remarkableheat-resistant tiles enable the spaceshuttle orbiter, which is essentially analuminum airplane, to fly at hypersonicspeeds.

In 1974, Ames invented the tile nowknown as LI-2200, which is strongerthan LI-900 and contains silicon carbideto provide improved temperature capa-bility. Adopted in 1978, this new tilereplaced about 10 percent of the baselineLI-900 tile system on the first orbiter,Columbia, when a critical tile strengthproblem was encountered. Later, in 1977,Ames invented a new class of tiles calledFibrous Refractory Composite Insula-tion (FRCI 12). In 1980, it replaced about10 percent of the earlier LI-2200 and LI-900, providing a more durable TPS andsaving about 500 pounds of the overallTPS weight.

Hot gas flow between the tiles dur-ing atmospheric entry was considered aserious problem during orbiter devel-opment. In response, Ames developed a

Ames’ STS-1 contributions: greatest test flight in history

Shadowgraph of flow about the shuttle orbiterat Mach 7 showing the bow shock wave.

Astrogram March 20068

continued from page 7gap filler, which consists of a ceramiccloth impregnated with a silicone poly-mer that was adopted as a solution tothe gap heating for Columbia. The Amesgap filler was so successful that it wasadopted as a permanent solution to thegap flow problems on all the orbiters.More than 10,000 are now used on eachvehicle.

On the leeward side of the orbiter,gases are much cooler during entry. At

first a low- temperature, reusable sur-face insulation (LRSI) tile developed byLMSC was used. Ames (with JohnsManville) developed a flexible silicablanket insulation called Advanced Flex-ible Reusable Surface Insulation (AFRSI)that replaced most of the LRSI on the lastfour orbiters (Challenger, Atlantis, Dis-covery and Endeavour) and was retro-fitted to Columbia.Arc Jet Facilities Simulate EntryHeating

Ames has a long heritage in thedevelopment of arc jets, tracing to theearliest days of NASA. These facilitiesare used to simulate the entry heatingthat occurs for locations on the bodywhere the flow is brought to rest (thestagnation point, typically on the nosecap, wing leading edges and on the acre-age of the vehicle). Simulations have torun from a few minutes to tens of min-utes to understand the TPS materials'response to the hot gas flow environ-ment. To support shuttle development,Dean Chapman and others led the effortto upgrade Ames' capability. Ames' fa-cilities group, including Howard Stein,Warren Winnovich and FrankCentolanzi, implemented the upgrades.Ames' 60- megawatt Interaction Heat-ing Facility was brought on line in the

mid-1970s. High-pressure air passesthrough the constricted arc heater (in-vented by Ames), where a 'standinglightning bolt' is created and about 50percent of this energy is deposited asheat into the flowing gas. The heatedgases are expanded through either coni-cal nozzles for stagnation point and wingleading edge testing, or through semi-elliptical nozzles for acreage tests. Ames'capability of being able to test a 2-foot-

by 2-foot section of the acre-age tile field in conditionsduplicating aeroconvectiveheating and reacting bound-ary layer chemistry duringsimulated entry conditionswas a critical element in thedevelopment of the shuttleTPS.Low-Speed Descent Aero-dynamics

Early shuttle conceptshad orbiters that would haveexhibited less than ideal aero-dynamic characteristics uponreturn to Earth. This couldhave lead to poor handlingqualities, especially duringapproach and landing. Per-

sonnel at Ames with expertise in guid-ance and control tackled the challengeof developing concepts that might com-pensate for deficient aerodynamics andensure adequate handling qualities.

Still glowing red hot from its high-speed entry, the orbiter slows and de-scends into the supersonic/transonic/subsonic regime of its return. Again,Ames' wind tunnels played a key role indefining shuttle aerodynamics and de-sign of the orbiter. The 2-foot transonicwind tunnel, with its capability up toMach 1.4, was used to study potentiallytroublesome panel flutter problems. The12-foot pressurized wind tunnel wasused to investigate the orbiter's low-speed handling characteristics.

Ames' efforts demonstrated thatunpowered landings could be made atspeeds of at least 200 knots without sig-nificant problems. The 12-foot wind tun-nel was used to define the aerodynam-ics of a specially modified Gulfstream 2(G2) business jet with direct-lift flapsand side force generators. This vehiclewas used for flight tests and astronauttraining. Ames' Convair CV 990 and theG2 aircraft were used to prove that theorbiter did not need a subsonic enginefor fly-around landing capability, an im-portant finding that avoided having to

pay the weight penalty of hauling alanding engine, its fuel and supportingsubsystem to orbit and back. TheGulfstream, now known as the STA(Shuttle Training Aircraft), is used tothis day by pilot astronauts for in-flightproficiency training.

Finally, an awesome 36 percent scalemodel of the orbiter, 44 feet long, wasfabricated and tested in Ames' 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel. This model and the 40-foot-by-80-foot wind tunnel could cre-ate Reynolds numbers slightly higherthan the 12-foot pressurized wind tun-nel. An important purpose of the 40-by-80-foot testing was to identify the influ-ence of the TPS on the orbiters' low-speed aerodynamics. This model stillexists, painted with the striking blackunderbelly and white top. It is proudlydisplayed in front of the former AmesVisitor Center, near the 40-foot-by-80-foot wind tunnel where it was so in-tensely tested.Approach/Landing Systems Develop-ment: FSAA

Landing simulation research for theshuttle orbiter began in the very early1970s, using the Flight Simulator forAdvanced Aircraft (FSAA). The largemotion envelope of the FSAA providedmany of the vital cockpit accelerationsthat enabled pilot astronauts to experi-ence a truer 'feel' of the g-forces of theorbiter during approach and landing.These simulations were conducted forthat portion of the shuttle's flight fromsupersonic (following re-entry) to ap-proach and landing.

For many years, prior to first flight,all the pilot astronauts who would even-tually fly the orbiter spent many hoursin the FSAA, identifying handling quali-ties that needed improvement, and con-trol system shortcomings. In this pro-cess, the pilots gained invaluable train-ing in the skills needed to successfullyland the orbiter. It was in the FSAA thatinvestigations were conducted that de-termined the need for the Heads-Up-Display (HUD), and its alphanumericsymbology that became the primaryguidance system for orbiter landing.

A pilot-induced oscillation (PIO)problem arose on the first approach andlanding test program flight in July 1977,with pilots Fred Haise and Gordon Ful-lerton. A PIO is a longitudinal'porpoising' that worsens due to pilotover-control. It is generally not a pilot-ing technique problem so much as a

continued on page 14

Ames’ STS-1 contributions: greatest test flight in history

The successful landing of Columbia at Dryden FlightResearch Center April 14, 1981.

9Astrogram March 2006

Ames’ 14-foot wind tunnel is slatedfor demolition, starting this summer.This tunnel is part of the N218 complexand its features are plainly seen from thecafeteria, behind the volleyball courts.

This work is part of the ‘renovation byreplacement’ effort in which older struc-tures are demolished to create room fornew structures. It's part of Ames' effortto minimize maintenance costs, cleanup our environment, and to move for-ward with new facilities that better sup-port the center's research efforts. Thetotal demolition may take three yearsbased on funding availability. Theproject is therefore divided into threephases.

Phase 1 is for the demolition of thetunnel structure visible from the cafete-ria and demolition of the concrete struc-ture facing ‘C lane.’ This is the workscheduled for 2006. The constructionsite will be enclosed in a perimeter fence.Construction access will be from DurandRoad. Phase 1 work will have a durationof eight to 11 months, depending onhow much work is awarded. The site,and the perimeter area, will be moni-tored for air quality, storm water runoff,and other environmental and safety con-cerns. A primary concern for the projectteam has been to define environmentaland safety issues. Demolition methodswill be selected by the contractor per-forming the work. Contract award will

BY PETER GOLDSMITH

Fourteen-foot wind tunnel at Ames to be demolishedbe by ‘best value’ evaluation to assurethe government that the contractor per-forming the work is highly qualified.

The-14 foot wind tunnel was origi-nally constructed with a 16-foot test sec-

tion. It opened inDecember 1941as the third windtunnel at Ames.The tunnel de-sign was a fairlyc o n v e n t i o n a lclosed-throat ,single- return de-sign, but it wasbig for its speed.It operated closeto the speed ofsound, and its27,000 horse-power electricmotor was thenthe most power-ful tunnel drivesystem any-where. During

the war, the tunnel was in operationalmost constantly, notably testing newfighter aircraft like the Lockheed P-38,the Bell P-39, the Curtiss P-40 and theRepublic P-47. The tunnel quicklyproved its value in tests validating theNACA low-drag or laminar flow air-foils and in solving a duct rumble prob-lem with the North American P-51. Avirtual copy of the Ames 16- foot tunnel

was soon built at Langley and thereused mostly for propulsion tests.

Following a decade of service, modi-fications began in 1952 to push its speedinto the transonic range. Its power wasquadrupled to 110,000 horsepower, andit incorporated a flexible nozzle thatcould be adjusted to attain speeds be-tween Mach 0.6 and 1.2. Most impor-tant, the test section was ventilated onall four sides to attenuate the reflectionof shock waves. The 16-foot had costless than $2 million to build in 1941, andthe conversion cost more than $9 millionby the time the tunnel reopened in late1955. However, as a transonic tunnel itnever regained its original usefulness.In part it was eclipsed, technologically,by the Unitary Plan wind tunnels thatopened that same year. As the 14-foottunnel, it was put to use solving prob-lems of air inlets in supersonic aircraftand in tests of full scale missiles enteringAmerica's arsenal. The tunnel wasmothballed in 1990, though reopenedbriefly in 1997 for some tests of theSOFIA.

The demolition project is being man-aged by Code PFE with design supportby DMJMH+N, environmental surveil-lance by Code QE, safety monitoring byCode QH, and contract administrationby Code JAZ.

Questions concerning this projectcan be addressed to Peter Goldsmith atPeter.T.Goldsmith@NASA.Gov.

program; it is based on one-on-one con-nections between individuals. Even theshipping costs were covered by privatefunds. “It was so emotional to see thosecartons come off the truck,” Sims said.“The Stennis recipients were so excited”to receive those expressions of supportfrom people they had never met. Herpresentation included pictures of manyof the Stennis employees taking part inthe program.

Sims noted that of the 4,500 employ-ees at Stennis, one-third have no homeor an extensively damaged home. Manyare living in cramped FEMA trailers as

they rebuild their homes in their freetime.

She concluded her presentation byreiterating the importance of having anemergency checklist and of being pre-pared, and she offered the audience tipsas to what to include in a personal emer-gency kit.

For more information about theFamilies Helping Families program, goto http://spacescience.arc.nasa.gov/katrina/ For more information aboutemergency preparedness, see the accom-panying article.

continued from page 3

BY ANN SULLIVAN

Katrina survivor shares storyof resolve and rebuilding

The 14-foot wind unnel, part of the building N218 complex at NASAAmes. The wind tunnel is slated for demolition this summer.

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Astrogram March 200610

Ask the ‘Protective Services Wizard’

Question:What are the roles and responsi-

bilities of the NASA Ames Fire De-partment and the NASA Ames FirePrevention Office?

Answer:The NASA Ames Fire Depart-

ment consists of 41 contract careerfirefighters. They operate daily withan emergency response force of 13personnel, staffing an engine com-pany, a two-piece truck company, atwo-piece aircraft rescue fire-fight-ing company and a command ve-hicle. They deliver structural andaircraft fire-fighting services, emer-gency medical services, technical res-cue services and hazardous materials

response services on center. TheNASA Ames Fire Department is alsopart of the Santa Clara County LocalFire Services and Rescue Mutual AidPlan, for responding to off-centeremergencies and receiving assistanceat major on-center emergencies.

The NASA Ames Fire PreventionOffice conducts fire/life safety inspec-tions including permit issuance andfacility fire and evacuation drills. Italso provides fire/life safety analy-sis/evaluation, including plan review.

The office also works as consult-ants and conducts investigations fordetermining the origin and cause offires at on-center facilities.

The Fire Prevention Office pro-vides public fire safety education and

awareness. Furthermore, the Fire Pre-vention and Protection Program sup-ports both the NASA Ames Fire De-partment and the NASA Ames Occu-pational Safety, Health and MedicalServices Branch.

If you have any questions regard-ing the NASA Ames Fire Departmentor the NASA Ames Fire PreventionOffice, visit the Code JP Web sitesfor more information and pointsof contact: http://jp.arc.nasa.gov/ES/Ames_Fire.html and also http://j p . a r c . n a s a . g o v / E S /Fire_Prevention.html

Do you have a question for theProtective Services Wizard? Thene-mail your question tokwalsh@mail.arc.nasa.gov.

Ames Fire Department and Fire Prevention Office roles

Ames welcomed NASA's Freedomof Information Act (FOIA) officers andstaff to the annual agency-wide gather-ing in March. Seventeen access profes-

sionals from NASA Headquarters andthe field centers met to review the latestpractices and policies relating to the in-formation disclosure law that aims toshed light on the government's activi-ties. The meeting coincided with theAmerican Society of Access Profession-als (ASAP) training conference held inSan Jose earlier in the week.

A key topic discussed by conferenceparticipants was a recent presidentialorder. Late last year, President Bushsigned Executive Order 13392, entitled

NASA Ames hosts NASA information access meeting'Improving Agency Disclosure of

Information.' The goal of the order,which all federal agencies must follow,is to improve FOIA-related service and

performance, increase efficiency in theagency's information disclosure process,strengthen compliance under the stat-ute and minimize potential litigation.

Executive Order 13392 accentuateshow important access laws are to thefunctioning of our constitutional democ-racy. The new executive order is a primeexample of 'citizen-centered' and 're-sults-oriented' policy. The order callsupon all federal agencies to dischargetheir FOIA responsibilities in an effi-cient, results-oriented manner and to

achieve tangible measurable improve-ments when processing FOIA requestsreceived from the public. The underly-ing principle is to ensure that the federalgovernment's activities are held account-able to the tax-paying public.

Each federal agency has been taskedto appoint a chief FOIA officer at theadministrator's level and to submit areport on this FOIA processing to theDepartment of Justice explaining howthis executive order will be implementedat that particular agency.

The report will include improve-ments that need to be made to theagency's FOIA processing, along withmilestones and timelines for each im-provement.

NASA has appointedAssistant Ad-ministrator for Public Affairs DavidMould as the agency chief FOIA officer.The agency has formed an ad-hoc teamto compile the report with each fieldcenter given an opportunity to submitideas and suggestions. Their report isdue to the Justice Department in June2006.

Ames is striving to improve FOIAhandling and its response to the public,and the center's FOIA staff will be seek-ing your help to make Ames' operationsmore efficient and compliant with theexecutive order. For questions and sug-gestions regarding FOIA at Ames, pleasecontact the center's FOIA coordinatorKelly Garcia, at ext. 4-3273.

BY KELLY GARCIA AND TERRY PAGADUAN

NASA access professionals pose for group photo at annual agency-wide meeting heldrecently at Ames.

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Upcoming events

Topic: News from the Distant Past: How Galaxies Tell Their StoriesSpeaker: Astronomer Ron Marzke of San Francisco State University will give this non-technical, illustrated talkDate: Wednesday, April 26, 2006Time: 7 p.m.Place: Smithwick Theater Foothill College

Topic: Recycling at Ames and BeyondDate: April 6, 2006Time: 9:00 a.m.- 10:00 a.m.Place: Building 218 training room (2nd floor)Hosted by: Ames Environ- mental Services Division and Ames Logistics

The AIB Express will host itssemi-annual free customer apprecia-tion lunch.

Date: April 20Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Place: Building 255In celebration of Earth Day, which

is April 22 of each year, the Environ-

The renowned environmental andcorporate responsibility advocateJeffrey Hollender will present at NASAAmes in April in celebration of EarthDay.

Date: April 18, 2006Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.Place: NASA Ames Conference Center (Building 3) BallroomRegistration is required. Please

register on the Web at http://e n v i r o n m e n t . a r c . n a s a . g o v /pub_events.php

Seventh Generation Inc. is a lead-ing brand of non-toxic and environ-mentally friendly household cleaningand personal care products. Hollenderhas risen to success by building a com-pany based on the concept of corpo-rate responsibility. Like NASA, Sev-enth Generation has a mission, bud-get constraints and stakeholders to

The Silicon Valley AstronomyLecture Series presents:

El Monte Road and Freeway 280, in Los Altos Hills

Cost: Free and open to the public.Parking on campus costs $2.

Call the series hot-line at(650)949-7888 for moreinformation and driving directions.

Founder of Seventh Generation Inc.to speak at Ames for Earth Day

Celebrate Earth Day 2006 with AIB Expressand Environmental Services Division

mental Services Division will host itsannual environmental event in con-junction with the AIB lunch.

‘Green,’ or environmentally-friendly, companies will be on hand toshare information describing ways inwhich you can make more sustainablechoices every day at home and at work.

March EnvironmentalForum set

please. Yet Hollender has shaped hisbusiness to fit with the evolving con-sensus that a new standard is neededto measure and reward business per-formance. Hollender’s talk will ex-plore the fundamental change that isoccurring in our corporate culture thatis making responsible business be-havior an imperative rather thansomething a handful of ‘nice’ busi-nesses choose to do. He will discusshow there is growing evidence thatresponsibility, transparency and ac-countability are becoming the newcultural and business norm. If donesuccessfully, the process introducingcorporate responsibility into a busi-ness brings disparate groups of inves-tors and customers into a unique formof synchronization. The result is a cor-porate community of stakeholders thatcreates truly long-term value not justfor shareholders, but also for all.

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Steve Robinsonto visit Ames

NASA Astronaut SteveRobinson will be at Ames on April12 to mark the celebration of the25th Anniversary of STS-1, the firstorbital flight of the space shuttle. Hewill make a presentation to the Amesemployees in the afternoon and givean evening talk to the general pub-lic. Check Ames centerwideannouncements for more details.

Robinson, a former Ames em-ployee, flew on STS-114 Discovery(July 26-Aug. 9, 2005), the ‘Return toFlight’ mission. In the above photo,he is seen grabbing a piece of gapfiller from between tiles on theshuttle orbiter during a space walkon Aug. 3. An inspection revealedthat two pieces of fabric that plugsgaps between shuttle tiles were pro-truding about an inch. NASA de-cided to try to remove them after ananalysis showed they could threatenthe craft's safe return to Earth. Theoperation marked the first timeNASA has tried to repair the shuttle'sexterior in orbit.

Astrogram March 200612

This is the official call for nomina-tions for the 13th annual NASA Soft-ware of the Year Award. This presti-gious award is designed to give recogni-tion to developers of exceptional soft-ware created for or by NASA (must beowned by NASA). Every NASA centerand facility is invited to participate inthis competition. The award includesthe NASA Software Medal, a certificatesigned by the NASA administrator andup to $100,000.

The NASA Inventions and Contri-butions Board Web site is located at:http://icb.nasa.gov. It contains infor-mation about the last 12 competitions,the required forms (NF1329 and the Sum-mary Evaluation Document), criteria and BY LISA WILLIAMS

NASA Software of the Year - call for nominationsother general information about theaward. Contact NASA Ames Space ActAward liaison officer Elizabeth(Betsy) Robinson at e-mailElizabeth.T.Robinson@nasa.gov or ext.4-3360 to discuss possible candidates.

Excellence in software is vital to theagency's leadership role in developingaeronautics and space technologies andtransferring them to government andindustry. The NASA Software of theYear Award competition allows us torecognize and appreciate the NASAteam members that set high standardsfor significant software that is creative,usable, transferable and possesses in-herent quality.

This year the award is sponsored by

NASA's chief engineer, chief safety andmission assurance officer and chief in-formation officer.

Nominations are to be submittedelectronically to Elizabeth Robinson inthe Ames Technology Partnerships Di-vision by COB April 14, 2006.

NASA Ames won this award in 2002with ‘Cart3D: A Package for AutomatedCartesian Grid Generation and Aerody-namic Database Creation.’ Other Ameswinners include Remote Agent (1999),Center TRACON Automation System(1998), Flow Analysis Software Toolkit(1995) and Incompressible Navier-Stokes Flow Solver in Three Dimensions(INS3D) (1994).

The System for Administration,Training and Educational Resources forNASA (SATERN) is a new, federallymandated system that will replaceNASA's current learning systems:AdminSTAR and SOLAR.

Employees and supervisors will beable to take advantage of existing on-line NASA courses moving over fromSOLAR such as IT security training andsafety training. SATERN also will pro-vide all NASA staff with access to Web-based course registration for center andagency courses offered during the year.

The new SATERN Web site will en-able employees to view Ames and NASAcourse catalogs directly from their desk-tops. Employees will enroll in courses,schedule training and view their train-ing history on the Web. In addition,employees can launch online Web-basedcourses and access commercially avail-able e-learning courses throughSATERN, if purchased by NASA.

Please take note of the importantdates provided for you below:

May 8 - Scheduled ‘Go-Live’Late April through June - Training for supervisors and learnersApril 26 - SOLAR shuts down permanently

Considering the SOLAR shut downdate, all mandatory bankcard and ITsecurity training should be completedbefore April 25 to ensure employeeshave recorded completion of the train-ing.

For more information, contact Su-san Kalb at ext. 4-5624 or Barbara Chenierat ext. 4-6986 or visit the Web at http://

As part of the ‘e-Gov’ initiative,NASA will be automating the process-ing of awards across the agency. The

new NASA Automated Awards System(NAAS) will allow supervisors to ini-tiate and track cash and time-off awardsfor their employees. In addition, theNAAS will provide supervisors report-ing capabilities and real-time data on

On line SATERN system to replace AdminSTAR and SOLAR

NAAS to help initiate, track employee awards

BY BARBARA A. CHENIER

employee award histories via the Website. ‘Go-Live’ is currently scheduledfor June 2006.

For more information, contactproject lead Christiana Woodward atext. 4-1599 or deputy project lead LynetteForsman at ext. 4-5267. The functionalsponsor is Gail James, the incentiveawards program manager.

Updates on supervisory and em-ployee training information will be pro-vided for both SATERN and NAAS viaAstrogram articles, human resourcesand training Web sites and centerwideannouncements.

ameshr .arc .nasa .gov/SATERN/index.html

In March, the Ames mail roommoved to a new location (Bldg. N255B),located next to the AIB store. Custom-ers should enter on the north side ofBldg. N255 to gain access to the newmail room building.

Parking is available along the rightside of Bldg N255B. Due to a largenumber of delivery trucks, please takeprecautions when entering or leavingthe gate.

The mail room hours are Mondaythrough Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30a.m. and from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

All service requirements/timeframes will remain the same.

If you have any questions about

Ames mail services center has moved

NASA photo by Steve Perry

large volume mailings, overnight de-

livery, certified mailings, etc., pleasecontact the mail room at ext. 4-5994.

The Ames Mail Room, now located in Bldg.255B next to the AIB Store.

BY BARBARA A. CHENIER

13Astrogram March 2006

Edward C. Hook was a great friend,co-worker and senior software engineer.He passed away on Feb. 21, 2006. Hewas 60 years old.

Hook worked in the NASA Ad-vanced Supercomputing (NAS) Divisionat Ames for the past 15 years and mademany significant contributions includ-ing the maintenance and support of theportable batch system, used to scheduleand run jobs on NASA's fastestsupercomputer, Columbia. Hook wasalso extremely dedicated to assistingsupercomputing users and it was notuncommon to find him covering thephones over the weekends answeringtheir questions.

Hook received a bachelor's degreein mathematics from Georgetown Uni-versity in 1966 and earned his PhD fromthe University of Virginia in 1970 (alsoin mathematics). In addition to receiv-ing numerous computer support awardsthroughout his career, Hook deliveredpresentations at computer conferences,developed and presented trainingclasses and taught at the MassachusettsInstitute of Technology and Fordham

In Memory of...University. He also contributed to theControl Data Corporation at VonNeumann Supercomputing Center atPrinceton University.

Known for his quirky sense of hu-mor, kindness and wittiness, Hook will

be sorely missed in the halls of NAS. Heis survived by wife Margaret Hook andhis two daughters Karen and Elizabeth.

Remember the fun you had as a kidwhen you rode your bicycle? Capturethat feeling again with the Ames Bicy-cling Club. The club is forming team(s)to participate in the National Bike Com-mute Month Team Bike Challenge. Thiscontest, sponsored by http://511.org/(follow the links under bicycling, biketo work day, team challenge), encour-ages existing bicycle commuters to sharetheir joy in bicycling by recruiting theircolleagues, friends, neighbors and localhonorary figures to bicycle to work,school, errands, or play during themonth of May, which is National BikeCommute Month.

Participants in the Team Bike Chal-lenge will form teams consisting of fiveindividuals. Each team must include atleast two new or leisure cyclists and asmany experienced bike commuters as ittakes to complete the team. Addition-ally, the team can accumulate additionalbonuses if it contains one honorary mem-ber (elected official, CEO, journalist, etc).

The team(s) will register (registra-tion is underway) so they can track theirtrips made by bike as they competeagainst other teams during the entiremonth of May. New or leisure cyclistson a team get double points while hon-orary team members get triple pointsfor every trip taken by bike! At the endof the challenge the team with the mostpoints will win a grand prize!

Interested individuals are encour-aged to contact Ted Roush at ext. 4-3526

BY TED ROUSH

Enjoy the fun of bicycling - join Ames’Bicycle Commute Team(s)

or e-mail troush@mail.arc.nasa.gov orJulie Nottage ext. 4-3711 or e-mailjnottage@mail.arc.nasa.gov.

Edward C. Hook

BY HOLLY A. AMUNDSON

The Ames outreach program supported a visitby astronaut Colonel Chris Hadfield to theMenlo Park School space event on March 2.NASA Ames provided a space suit, moon rock,shuttle model and other items for the event.Hadfield shared his experiences of walking inspace, flying on the space shuttle and workingwith a robotic arm to fix the space station.The event drew an audience of over 400students, parents and the surroundingcommunity.

Astronaut speaksat local event

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The Ames family bid farewell to former Ames Center Director G. Scott Hubbard on Feb. 24 in theNASA Ames Conference Center. Hubbard’s years and leadership at Ames were celebrated duringthe event. The Ames Jazz Band played, as did Hubbard himself playing a guitar. Hubbardannounced in February of this year that he had accepted a new position as the Carl Sagan Chairfor the Study of Life in the Universe at the SETI Institute.

Ames bids adieu to Hubbard

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Astrogram March 200614

Security/Law Enforcement Activity Fire Protection Activity

A statistical summary of activi-ties of the Protective ServicesDivision's Security/Law Enforce-

Protective Services monthly activity

Ames Ongoing Monthly Events CalendarAmes Amateur Radio Club, third Thursday of each

month, 12 noon, N-T28 (across from N-255). POC:Michael Wright, KG6BFK, at ext. 4-6262.

Ames Ballroom Dance Club. Classes on Tuesdays.Beginning classes meet at 5:15 p.m. Higher-level classmeets at 5:50 p.m. Held in Bldg. 944, the Rec. Center.POC: Helen Hwang at helen.hwang@nasa.gov, ext. 4-1368.

Ames Bicycling Club Every 3rd Wednesday of themonth 11:00 a.m. to12:00 p.m. in Building 245auditorium. POC: Julie Nottage atjnottage@mail.arc.nasa.gov or ext. 4-3711. By-laws ofAmes Bicycling Club can be found at: http://zen.arc.nasa.gov, the link is under the picture.

Ames Bowling League, Palo Alto Bowl on Tuesdaynights. Seeking full-time bowlers and substitutes.Questions to sign up: Mike Liu at ext. 4-1132.

Ames Child Care Center Board of Directors Mtg,every other Thursday (check Web site for meeting dates:http://accc.arc.nasa.gov), 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., N-210,Rm. 205. POC: Cheryl Quinn, ext 4-5793.

Ames Contractor Council Mtg, first Wednesdayeach month, 11 a.m., N-200, Comm. Rm. POC: LindaMcCahon, ext. 4-1891.

Ames Diabetics (AAD), 1st & 3rd Weds, 12noon to 1 p.m., at Ames Mega Bites, Sun room.Support group discusses news affecting diabetics.POC: Bob Mohlenhoff, ext. 4-2523/e-mail at:bmohlenhoff@mail.arc.nasa.gov.

Ames Federal Employees Union (AFEU) Mtg,third Wednesday of ea. month, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.,Bldg. 221, Rm 104. Guests welcome. Info at: http://www.afeu.org. POC: Marianne Mosher, ext. 4-4055.

Ames Mac Support Group Mtg, third Tuesday ofea. month, 11:30 a.m.to 1 p.m., Bldg. N262, Rm 180.POC: Tony ext. 4-0340.

Ames Model Aircraft Club, flying radio-controlled aircraft at the north end of Parsons Ave. onweekend mornings. POC: Mark Sumich, ext. 4-6193.

Ames Sailing Club Mtg, second Thursday of ea.month (Feb through Nov), from 12:00 p.m. -1:00p.m. in Bldg. N-262, Rm 100. URL: http://sail.arc.nasa.gov/. POC: Becky Hooey, ext. 4-2399.

Environmental Forum, first Thursday of eachmonth, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Bldg. 221/Rm 155.URL: http://q.arc.nasa.gov/qe/events/EHSseries/POC: Stacy St. Louis at ext. 4-6810.

The Hispanic Advisory Committee forExcellence (HACE) Mtg, first Thurs of month inN255 room 101C from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.POC: Eric Kristich at ext. 4-5137 and Mark Leon atext. 4-6498.

Jetstream Toastmasters, Mondays, 12 p.m. to 1p.m., N-269/Rm.179. POC: Bob Hilton at ext. 4-2909, bhilton@mail.arc.nasa.gov.

Native American Advisory Committee Mtg,fourth Tues each month, 12 noon to 1 p.m., Bldg. 19,Rm 1096. POC: Mike Liu at ext. 4-1132.

ment and Fire Protection Services unitsfor the month of Feb. 2006 is shownbelow.

BY JIM ARNOLD AND ANN SULLIVAN, WITH

CONTRIBUTIONS FROM HOWARD GOLDSTEIN,TOM ALDERETE AND JACK BOYD

Ames’ STS-1 contributions: greatest test flight in historycontinued from page 8control system problem. On this firstflight, as the oscillation began to divergedangerously close to the ground, Haisehad enough confidence and simulatortraining to simply let go of the controlsand allow the oscillation to damp itselfout.

Following that, a major investiga-tion was conducted in the FSAA to re-evaluate the control systems gains, inorder to minimize the possibility of fu-ture PIO problems. In addition, workwas conducted for several years in thesimulator to investigate the terminal areaenergy management concepts designedby engineers at JSC.

Development support for the spaceshuttle, prior to the first flight, also in-cluded approach/landing control sys-tem and handling qualities, heads-updisplay concept, speed brake schedul-ing, astronaut training, flight techniquesfor failure recovery, and landings of theshuttle from atop the 747 carrier aircraft.Vertical Motion Simulator

In 1980, Ames' new Vertical MotionSimulator (VMS) began operation. Itwasn't long before the VMS earned areputation as the best simulator any-where for the continuation of engineer-ing design and shuttle pilot training.Landing systems and flight rules aredone on the VMS with astronaut crewsand JSC engineers. Ames' SimLab andVMS have supported the shuttle pro-gram on a continuing and scheduledbasis ever since.Conclusion

On April 14, 1981, commander JohnYoung and pilot Robert Crippen broughtspace shuttle Columbia to a safe landingat Dryden Flight Research Center. STS-1's mission duration of 2 days, 6 hours,20 minutes and 53 seconds included 37orbits of the Earth.

This first, brief mission proved thecapability of the world's first and onlyreusable space vehicle. It successfullytested the Space Transportation System'smajor systems and demonstrated the

safe launch into orbit and safe return ofthe orbiter and crew. It also verified thecombined performance of the entireshuttle vehicle - orbiter, solid rocketboosters and external tank.

Ames played a critical role in mak-ing the space shuttle 'happen,' especiallyin the areas of aero/aerothermodynam-ics, thermal protection systems and pi-loted flight simulation areas. It is oneelement of the center's heritage thatshould be a source of pride to everyoneat Ames.

As it has nearly 40 years, the tal-ented professionals at Ames are con-tinuing to provide essential skills andfacilities to support the human spaceprogram. Current projects and tasksconsist of work on the crew explorationvehicle (CEV) thermal protection sys-tem, CEV aerosciences analysis, CEVintegrated system health management,crew cabin and cockpit display devel-opment, CEV guidance, navigation andcontrol software verification and vali-dation, crew launch vehicle (CLV) simu-lation assisted risk analysis, and CLVintegrated system health management.

15Astrogram March 2006

Ames Classifieds Exchange InformationExchange InformationExchange InformationExchange InformationExchange Information

Beyond GalileoBeyond GalileoBeyond GalileoBeyond GalileoBeyond Galileo N-235 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)N-235 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)N-235 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)N-235 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)N-235 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)ext. 4-6873ext. 4-6873ext. 4-6873ext. 4-6873ext. 4-6873

Ask about NASA customized gifts for specialoccasions.

Mega Bites Mega Bites Mega Bites Mega Bites Mega Bites N-235 (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.)N-235 (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.)N-235 (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.)N-235 (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.)N-235 (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.)ext. 4-5969ext. 4-5969ext. 4-5969ext. 4-5969ext. 4-5969

Visitor Center Gift ShopVisitor Center Gift ShopVisitor Center Gift ShopVisitor Center Gift ShopVisitor Center Gift Shop N-943 N-943 N-943 N-943 N-943(10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) ext. 4-5412(10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) ext. 4-5412(10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) ext. 4-5412(10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) ext. 4-5412(10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) ext. 4-5412

NASA logo merchandise, souvenirs, toys, gifts andeducational items.

Open 7 days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. Ratesfrom $40 - $50.

Vacation OpportunitiesVacation OpportunitiesVacation OpportunitiesVacation OpportunitiesVacation Opportunities

Check web site for discounts to local attractions,http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov and click on tickets.

Information about products, services andopportunities provided to the employee and contractorcommunity by the Ames Exchange Council. Visit theweb site at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov

NASA LodgeNASA LodgeNASA LodgeNASA LodgeNASA Lodge (N-19) 603-7100 (N-19) 603-7100 (N-19) 603-7100 (N-19) 603-7100 (N-19) 603-7100

Tickets, etc...Tickets, etc...Tickets, etc...Tickets, etc...Tickets, etc...(N-235, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)(N-235, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)(N-235, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)(N-235, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)(N-235, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)ext. 4-6873ext. 4-6873ext. 4-6873ext. 4-6873ext. 4-6873

See daily menu at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov

Housing

Miscellaneous

Ames emergencyannouncements

To hear the centerwide statusrecording, call (650) 604-9999 for in-formation announcements and emer-gency instructions for Ames employ-ees. You can also listen to 1700 KHzAM radio for the same information.

Ames Swim Center, 25 meter swimming pool openand heated year round. (80-82 degrees) Lap swim: Mon,Weds, Fri, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3-6 Tues to Thurs 10a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Seasonal recreationswim; swim lessons. Locker rooms w/sauna and showerfacility. Open to all civil servants and contractors.Location: Bldg. 109 across the street from the tenniscourts. Fees vary depending on activity. POC: TanaWindhorst, ext. 3-8025; e-mail: tw4lsb@aol.com

Ames Swim CenterAmes Swim CenterAmes Swim CenterAmes Swim CenterAmes Swim Center (N-109) 603-8025 (N-109) 603-8025 (N-109) 603-8025 (N-109) 603-8025 (N-109) 603-8025

Astrogram deadlinesPlease submit articles, calendar

and classified advertisements toastrogram@mail.arc.nasa.gov nolater than the 10th of each month. Ifthis falls on the weekend or holiday,then the following business day be-comes the deadline.

For Astrogram questions, con-tact Astrid Terlep at the aforemen-tioned e-mail address or ext. 4-3347.

Automotive

Lake Tahoe-Squaw Valley Townhouse, 3bd/2ba.View of slopes, close to lifts. Per night: $250, plus $145cleaning fee. Two night minimum. Includes linens,propane fireplace, fully equipped. Call (650) 968-4155,DBMcKellar@aol.com

South Lake Tahoe cottage w/wood fireplace, hottub. Rates $50 to $130 per night. Call (650) 967-7659.

Vacation rental, Bass Lake, 4 mls south of Yosemite.3bd/1.5 ba, TV, VCR, MW, frplc, BBQ, priv. boat dock.Sleeps 8. $1,050/wk. Call (559) 642-3600 or (650)390-9668.

Big Sur vacation rental, secluded 4bd/2ba house incanyon setting. Fully eqpd kitchen. Access to priv.beach. Tub in patio gdn. Halfway between Carmel andBig Sur. $175/night for 2; $225 for 4 and $250 formore, plus $150 cleaning dep. Call (650) 328-4427.

Tahoe Donner vacation home, 2 bd/2ba. trees,deck. Access to pools, spa, golf, horseback riding, $280wkend, $650 week. Call (408) 739-9134.

Pine Mountain Lake vacation home. Access to golf,tennis, lake, swimming, horseback riding, walk tobeach. Three bedrooms/sleeps 10. $100/night. Call(408) 799-4052 or (831) 623-4054.

Incline Village, Forest Pines, Lake Tahoe condo, 3bdrms/2 ba, sleeps 8, fireplace, TVs/VCR/DVD, stereo w/CD player, microwv, W/D, jacuzzi, sauna, outdoor pool.Walk to lake. Close to ski areas. Visit web site forpictures: http://www.ACruiseStore.com $135/nightspring and fall, $173/night summer and winter(holidays higher) plus $125 cleaning fee and 12 percentNevada room tax. Charlie (650) 743-8990.

Disneyland area vacation rental home, 2 bd/1ba.Nearing completion completely remodeled w/newfurniture. Sleeps 6 (queen bed, bunk beds, sleepersofa). Air hockey and football tables. Introductory rate$600/wk, once completed rate will be $1000/wk.Security deposit and $100 cleaning fee required. Call(925) 846-2781.

New York, 5th Ave. One fully furnished bedroom in24 hour security bldg. overlooking Washington SquarePark, $1,000/wk or $3,000/mo. negotiable. Call (650)349-0238.

Paris/France: Fully furnished studio, 5th Arr, LatinQuarter, Notre Dame and Lie-St. Louis., $1,400/wk.negotiable. Call (650) 349-0238.

Santa Cruz townhouse, 2 bedrooms plus study, 2baths, decks, totally furnished, 3 blocks from beach,available July, August, September; $1,600 per month.Call (831) 423-5777 (H) or (831) 277-8476 (C).

West Maui vacation at Kahana Falls, across streetfrom beach. Thanksgiving week 19-26 Nov 05, $630/wk. 1bd/2 ba, w/d, fk. For 2 adults, 0 to 2 kids. Call(650) 962-1314 after Aug 7.

Vacation rental. Ferndale - The Victorian Village.Victorian home on Main Street a short stroll to theVillage which has been designated as a state historicallandmark. Enjoy the many holiday activities whichinclude a Christmas parade and lighting of America'stallest living Christmas tree. Four bedrooms (sleepsapprox. six), two full baths, large kitchen, dining room,parlor w/fireplace, enclosed desk w/hot tub. For info call(707) 983-9514.

Monterey Bay vacation rental at Pajaro Dunes, 20miles south of Santa Cruz, 3bd/2ba beach house withdistinctive architecture. Beautiful ocean and valleyviews, only 150 ft from the beach, first-class tenniscourts. $500/wkend, $200/addl night, includingcleaning by the maid service when you depart. Call(408) 252-7260.

Lake Tahoe cabin rental in Agate Bay, North Shore.4bd/3ba tri-level, AEK, cable TVs, fireplace, BBQ, deck,sleeps 10. Closest skiing is Northstar, Alpine and Squaw.Rates are $375 a weekend, $1,000 a week. Call (408)867-4656.

Florida west coast vacation in St. Petersburg,beautiful 2bd/2ba condo, fully equipped kitchen andfurnished, sunset views, 1/4 mile from St. Pete Beach,monthly or 2 week minimum rentals only. Call (703)299-8889 or e-mail: jdgoehler@aol.com

Ads for the next issue should be sent toastrogram@mail.arc.nasa.gov and must be resubmitted foreach issue. Ads must involve personal needs or items; (nocommercial/third-party ads) and will run on a space-available basis only. First-time ads are given priority. Adsmust include home phone numbers; Ames extensions andemail addresses will be accepted for carpool and lost andfound ads only. Due to the volume of material received,we are unable to verify the accuracy of the statementsmade in the ads. Caveat emptor!

The Ames Cat Network needs help finding homes forcats trapped at Moffett. They range from feral toabandoned/lost pets. Tested, altered and inoculated. CallIris at ext. 4-5824 if you or someone you know areinterested in fostering or adopting a cat.

Baby blue woman's O'Neil surf shorts, 100% polyestersize 8, near perfect condition. $10.00. Call (408) 234-0025.

Room available for rent in house in mid town Palo Alto,with kitchen, laundry, and pool, $500 plus $50 towardutils, for a quiet, neat, stable and conscientious person orcouple. E-mail jims@eos.arc.nasa.gov; ham call wb6yoy.

Looking for a roommate, female prof’l preferred, toshare a 2bd/2ba new condo in Mtn. View downtown beginMay 1. Spacious (~1400 sq ft). New kitchen appliance, W/D inside. Garage parking. One block from Castro, close toMV library, Cal train station. Very spacious bedroom (atleast 10x20 ft), two bay windows. $1,200/mo. E-mailjingmei007@yahoo.com

‘92 Harley Davidson Softail Custom - $8,500 orB/O. Call Barry Cunningham (510) 793-4457, e-mail: EZrdrdad@comcast.net

Safety Data

Civil Contractors Servants

First aid cases 3 2

Lost-time cases 0 0

Recordable cases 0 1

Lost workdays 0 0

Restricted duty days 0 0

Above data is as of 2/28/06. Maybe subject to slight adjustment in theevent of a new case or new inform-ation regarding an existing case.

NASA-Ames Occupational Illness-Injury Data for Calendar Year-to-Date 2006 Feb. 1, 2006 - Feb. 28, 2006

Astrogram March 200616

National Aeronautics and SpaceAdministration

Ames Research CenterMoffett Field, CA 94035-1000

PLEASE RECYCLEPrinted on recycled and recyclable paper with vegetable-based ink.

FIRST-CLASSU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 85

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA

The Ames Astrogram is an official publication ofAmes Research Center, National Aeronautics andSpace Administration.

Editor-in-Chief.............................. Laura Lewis

Managing Editor..........................Ann Sullivan

Editor, Layout and Design...........Astrid Terlep

You can reach the Astrogram Office at:astrogram@mail.arc.nasa.gov or by phone at(650) 604-3347. Astrogram Web site: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/astrogram/2006/06astrograms.html

five days. Similarly, Ames cannot de-pend on external support for at least fivedays after a catastrophic earthquake.Even then, support will have to comefrom the federal government (FEMA),not from local or state agencies. Evenwhen federal support is mobilized, itwill take two to three days for rescueteams to arrive, and three to six days forcommodity distribution and sheltering.Supplies will not be readily available, asFEMA will immediately purchase allavailable supplies.

If a major earthquake strikes duringbusiness hours, the center will do itsbest to care for its on-site employees, aswell as providing available informationabout traffic conditions, damage, reliefefforts, and other pertinent issues. Thefederal government is obligated to sup-port the community, and support to fed-eral agencies is not a priority, Dolci ex-plained.

The most important thing we as in-dividuals can do is to prepare an emer-gency plan and emergency kit for our-selves and our families, Dolci stressed.His suggestions:

• Have five days of food and water, prescription medications, etc., at home.• Have several days of clothing at Ames (and water and food).• Store water and extra clothing in your car.

• Purchase or make the best emergency kit you can afford.• Consider a portable generator.• Don't forget to plan and provide for your pets, as they are not allowed in emergency shelters.• Learn advanced first aid and CPR (free classes are offered at Ames).• Keep at least a two-week supply of your prescription medications on hand• Have a three-to-five day supply of medication at work or in your car.• If your community has a citizen emergency response team, join it!• Store some supplies remotely, in case your home is destroyed and inaccessible.• Have a plan for temporary shelter and sanitation issues.• Have a supply of cash available, as ATMs won't work without electricity and banks may be closed or damaged.Ultimately, how well we fare in the

aftermath of a catastrophic earthquakeor other major disaster depends on howwell we prepare. For more informationabout earthquake preparedness, go tohttps://disasterhelp.gov/portal/jhtml/index.jhtml

Katrina and a 1906-magnitude earthquake-- comparisons and preparations

BY ANN SULLIVAN

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The Education Associates Program held aposter presentation in the Ames Mega Bitescafé in March. The poster presentationincluded work from education associates atvaried academic levels from undergraduatesthorough post-docs in Codes A through Y.The program offers college and universitystudents and faculty the opportunity toexperience science and technology in theunique environment of NASA.

EducationAssociates hostposter session