America’s gateway to the universe. Leading the world in preparing and launching missions to Earth and beyond.

June 27, 2003

John F. Kennedy Space Center

Spaceport Newshttp://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/snews/snewstoc.htm

Vol. 42, No.13

Inside

Page 8 - One NASA comestogether through businessprogram

Page 3 - Mars support teamsspread NASA goals in Africa

Pages 4-5 - Air traffic controllersrespond to airborne security

Page 2 - Two International SpaceStation components arrive

Page 7 - Brevard is LightningAlley

Kennedy Space CenterDirector Roy D. Bridgeshas been named Center

Director for the agency's LangleyResearch Center in Hampton, Va.Bridges, a retired U.S. Air Forcemajor general and former SpaceShuttle pilot, will assume his newduties Aug. 10.

"My six-plus years with theKSC Team are the highlight of mycareer," said Bridges. "The peoplehere have such a passion for themission and produce amazingresults. Clearly, there is no finerteam on the planet, and I feel veryprivileged to have had the opportu-nity to serve here for so long."

Bridges was named KSCDirector in March 1997. Hisresponsibilities has includedmanaging all of the Center'sfacilities and activities related tothe processing and launch of theSpace Shuttle and expendablelaunch vehicles, as well as finaltests, preparations and processingof experiments and segments ofthe International Space Station.

He also worked to develop the

spaceport and range technologiesto improve safety and reduce thecost of access to space.

As a NASA astronaut, Bridgespiloted the Space Shuttle Chal-lenger on mission STS-51F in July1985. He has held many keyaerospace positions during hiscareer. Prior to his last Air Forceassignment at Wright-PattersonAir Force Base, Ohio, he wascommander of the Air Force FlightTest Center, Edwards Air ForceBase in California. He also was

commander of the Eastern Spaceand Missile Center, Patrick AirForce Base; and commander,

412th Test Wing, Edwards AirForce Base.

"As I explained in my state-ment that I asked Jim Kennedy toread to you last Friday (June 13)when this announcement wasmade, we all must answer the callof duty as best we can at thiscritical time for the Agency," saidBridges. "The Administratorbelieves that my service is neededas the Langley Center Directornow. I will try to bring some of theincredible talent at Langley to bearon our Return to Flight challengesas well as on other importantAgency initiatives."

Langley was established as the

Bridges accepts new post at Langley

technology testing and develop-ment.

"General Bridgeís distin-guished military service and flightexperience as both a pilot andastronaut are vital to the continuedsuccess of Langley and its manycutting-edge aerospace andadvanced technology programs,"said NASA Administrator SeanO'Keefe.

Bridges is a distinguishedgraduate of the U.S. Air ForceAcademy, where he earneda bachelor's degree in engineeringscience. He received his master'sdegree in astronautics fromPurdue University, and in May2001 he received an honorarydoctorate of engineering degreefrom Purdue.

"The people here have such apassion for the mission andproduce amazing results.Clearly, there is no finer teamon the planet."

Roy D. Bridges

nation's first civilian aeronauticslaboratory. The Center is arecognized leader in aviationsafety initiatives, quiet aircrafttechnology, small aircraft trans-portation and aerospace vehiclessystem technology. It supportsNASA space programs withatmospheric research and

Roy D. Bridges

The first Mars Exploration Rover (MER-A), namedSpirit, began its seven-month journey to Mars at 1:58p.m. June 10 when its Delta II vehicle launched fromCape Canaveral Air Force Station. The spacecraft, firstof a twin pair in NASA's MER project, separatedsuccessfully from the Deltaís third stage 36 minutesafter launch while over the Indian Ocean. At press time,all systems were operating as expected.

Spirit will roam a landing area on Mars that bearsevidence of a wet history. The rover will examine rocksand soil for clues to whether the site may have been ahospitable place for life. Spiritís twin, Opportunity,which is being prepared for launch no earlier than June28 at 11:56 p.m. at press time, will be targeted to aseparate site with different signs of a watery past.

ì"We have plenty of challenges ahead, but this launchwent so well, we're delighted," said JPL's PeteTheisinger, project manager for the Mars ExplorationRover missions.

The spacecraft's schedule before arriving atMars Jan. 4, 2004, includes six opportunities formaneuvers to adjust its trajectory. Visitwww.mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mer for information.

Spirit begins seven-month trip to Mars

SPACEPORT NEWS June 27, 2003Page 2

Space Station components officially signed over to NASA

Kennedy Space Centerworkers and their families will beable to view collected debrisduring the Columbia Reconstruc-tion Hangar Walk-Through, July 7-12. The event schedule is designedto accommodate workers duringthe first three days and workerswho wish to bring their families tothe hangar the latter three days.

NASA buses will shuttle KSCworkers from designated locationsin the Launch Complex 39 andIndustrial Areas and the NSLDfacility to the hangar Monday, July7 through Wednesday, July 9 from

1:30-6:30 p.m. Third shiftemployees will be accommodatedJuly 10 from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m.

KSC employee and family daysare Thursday, July 10 and Friday,July 11 from 3 to 8 p.m. andSaturday, July 12 from 9 a.m. to 6p.m. A designated number ofplacards for each of the familydays will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis at variousKSC locations the week prior.

Badged employees with aplacard will be required to park atthe KSC Visitor Complex, lotnumber 7, and board a KSC bus

with up to four family membersthat are at least 12 years old.Children younger than 12 will notbe allowed on KSC for the tourdue to previously established agerestrictions in Center facilities.

The Columbia ReconstructionHangar Walk-Through is beingheld to educate and inform, give usa new respect for space explora-tion and those who serve, andallow closure to this tragedy insome ways. The Walk-Throughmust be done on workers' owntime.

During the week, NASA,

United Space Alliance and Boeingreconstruction team members willbe at the hangar during tour hoursto answer questions and explainthe debris and the processes usedto help identify and place crucialpieces on the grid.

Employee Assistance Counse-lors will also be on-site duringColumbia Hangar Walk-Throughhours.

Please note that no cameras orvideo cameras will be allowed. TheWalk-Through will be wheelchairaccessible. Employees may notdrive their cars to the Hangar.

Debris reconstruction hangar walk-through days scheduled

The next major InternationalSpace Station (ISS) module, theEuropean-built Node 2, wasofficially transferred to NASA,and Node 2 and the Japanese-builtPressurized Module (PM), whichis part of the Japanese ExperimentModule (JEM) element known asKibo (meaning 'hope'), wereofficially welcomed during aceremony at the Space StationProcessing Facility, June 18.

Kennedy Space CenterDirector Roy Bridges Jr., NASADeputy Associate Administratorfor ISS and Space Shuttle Pro-grams Maj. Gen. MichaelKostelnik and NASA's ISS Pro-gram Manager WilliamGerstenmaier welcomed membersof the Japanese and EuropeanSpace Agencies as well as repre-sentatives from the Canadian,Russian, Italian and BrazilianSpace Agencies.

The Node 2 arrived at KSCJune 1 aboard the Airbus Belugaaircraft. The PM was shipped bycontainer transport ship andarrived at KSC, May 30. Both weretransported to the SSPF forintegrated testing and prelaunchprocessing for future SpaceShuttle missions.

"We'll put these modulesthrough their paces here on theground and help the ISS achieve itsdestiny," said Bridges. "We'll buildfriendships and make our partner-ships stronger in the process."

When NASA's Node 2 isinstalled on the Station it willsignify the completion of the U.S.stage of assembly and increase the

living and working space insidethe Station.

Node 2 will provide passage-way to the U.S. Destiny Lab, theJEM, the European ColumbusLaboratory and the CentrifugeAccommodation Module. It willalso provide connecting ports forMulti-Purpose Logistics Mod-ules, the Japanese H-IIA TransferVehicles and the PressurizedMating Adapter 2.

The module was built byAlenia Spazio in Turin, Italyunder contract to the ItalianSpace Agency and led by aconsortium of European subcon-tractors.

"What we are doing today is ademonstration of the call forfurther growth and expandedcapacity on the ISS," saidGeneral Kostelnik.

Gerstenmaier said, "Thestrength of the ISS is its partnerscoming together to solveproblems, each in their own way.Both of these modules have beendesigned for the ISS, though theylook a little different, and eachmeet the specifications re-quired."

Andrea Lorenzoni, ISSprogram manager for AgenziaSpaziale italiana, commented,"Today is the 40 year anniversary

of the Italian Space Agencyworking with NASA. It is a keymilestone from our first satellitelaunch to our partnership with JPLfor the Cassini launch to signingthe cooperative agreement in 1991to provide the three Multi-PurposeLogistics Modules, which haveflown on five missions to date."

"Kibo will be attached toNode 2 on the ISS," said KuniakiShiraki, Space Station programmanager for the National SpaceDevelopment Agency of Japan(NASDA).

"It is an important element. Itis quite amazing the events thathave led to the arrival of the JEMKibo (pressurized) module toKSC." Expressing his thanks andcooperation Shiraki added, "Wehave a unique future."

Japan's first human ratedelement will be used for spacemedicine, biology, Earth obser-vations, material production,biotechnology and communica-tions research.

Kibo comprises six compo-nents: two research facilities, thePM, Exposed Facility (from whichflight crews will conduct micro-gravity experiments), two logisticsmodules, a Remote ManipulatorSystem and an Inter-Orbit Commu-nication System unit.

These components will beassembled in space over thecourse of three Space Shuttlemissions starting in 2006.

The NASDA manages thedevelopment of the JEM elementat the Tsukuba Space Center nearTokyo.

Center Director Roy Bridges Jr. speaks to guests gathered in the SpaceStation Processing Facility for a ceremony to highlight the arrival of two majorcomponents of the International Space Station. Emceed by Lisa Malone (left),deputy director of External Relations and Business Development at KSC, theceremony also included (from left behind Bridges): NASA's Michael C.Kostelnik, deputy associate administrator for International Space Station andShuttle Programs; William Gerstenmaier, International Space StationProgram manager; Alan Thirkettle, International Space Station Programmanager for Node 2, ESA; and Kuniaki Shiraki, JEM Project manager,National Aerospace and Development Agency of Japan.

SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3June 27, 2003

Itís vital that Spaceportemployees not only producesuccessful missions, but alsoeducate the young around theworld who may continue thislegacy. An Air Force trackinggroup supporting the MarsExploration Rover-A (MER)mission recently volunteered tohelp ensure these outreachaspirations are met.

Not all of NASA's ExpendableLaunch Vehicle (ELV) fleetutilizes the Tracking and DataRelay Satellite System. While thisposes a challenge for telemetrymonitoring, the need to traveloffered an educational opportu-nity.

In these cases, a deployable AirForce telemetry team frequentlysupports the Launch ServiceProgramís (LSP) global telemetryrequirements. Groups like the AirForce Space and Missile SystemsCenter, Detachment 12, Deploy-ables Team support missions fromremote locations that don't haveground stations to capture pow-ered ELV flight events. So farthese Air Force teams providedtracking support from JohnstonAtoll, Kenya, Australia and FrenchPolynesia.

Most recently, they assistedNASA with the MER-A mission,which launched June 10 from CapeCanaveral Air Force Station. TwoAir Force teams were required forMER-A.

One utilized deployableequipment on the ship referred toas Ocean Going Transportable Testand Evaluation Resource (OTTR).OTTR was located off the Westcoast of Angola, Africa.

Despite original problemsgetting country access clearances,the other team, ZBRA, worked inShakawe, Botswana, Africa. Inaddition to sleeping in tents andaccomplishing their missionobjectives, this team selflesslyworked to develop a true relation-ship between NASA and thecommunity.

"I was excited to hear thatNASA's LSP had an opportunity tosupport outreach to schools at allgrade levels in Botswana," saidMartha Vreeland, launch servicessupport specialist. "The MERSpirit mission sparked a greatinterest in the space program forthese students. It was a wonderfulfeeling to be a part of theirexcitement in learning.

Some of the outreach items

organization, and I've got to tellyou, it felt pretty good," saidMalloy.

Maj. Ross Romer, the ZBRAteam Officer in Charge, sent wordthat "the kids asked really greatquestions and the topic was verytimely as the students werestudying science and specificallyspace."

Visit www.ksc.nasa.gov/elvnew/elv.htm for further ELVinformation, including details onthe MER-B mission scheduled tolaunch no earlier than June 26.

Mars launch teams spread NASA's goals

Services Programsent were MERSpirit (A) andOpportunity (B)fact sheets,decals, patches,lapel pins, and forfirst, second, andthird graders,MER tattoos.

Included in theoutreach packagewas informationon the upcomingSpace InfraredTelescope Facilitylaunch and theELV fact sheet.

According to Cheryl Malloy,NASA's coordinator for the effort,this deployment was specialbecause, while in Botswana, thisteam volunteered to bring theMER-A mission and NASA to lifefor four different schools and tothe public via two public radiostation appearances, and wereinvited by the Botswana Ambassa-dor to be a launch day commenta-tor.

"We had the 'anytime, any-where' philosophy applied toNASA by another world class

At the beginning of June,Kennedy Space Center DirectorRoy Bridges Jr. welcomed morethan 100 students, ranging fromhigh school to graduate level, andfaculty from across the U.S. whowill participate in the summerintern program. He talked aboutthe current Mars explorationmissions and the Columbiatragedy, then told the group howKSC is a family of pioneers.

" You will be stimulated by thisexperience as only NASA can,"said Bridges. "We can learn a lotfrom you."

During the summer months,KSC is home for students andfaculty from varied backgroundsand cultures. The group spent themorning learning about theservices of the WorkforceDiversity and Management Office;the Equal Opportunity Office,including the Special EmphasisGroups inviting participants to

their meetings and activities;Safety, Health, and Security;Commercialization and Intellec-tual Properties; and ExportControl.

At the orientation, UniversityPrograms Manager Dr. GreggBuckingham introduced theStudent/Faculty Team and theirarea of responsibility - CassandraBlack, programs for undergraduatestudents and for individuals withdisabilities; Laurel Lichtenberger,

programs for undergraduatestudents including the Space andLife Sciences Training program;Karroll Purer, programs forundergraduate and high schoolstudents; and Eduardo Lopez DelCastillo, programs for graduateand post-doctorate students,faculty and research apprentice-ships.

The students and faculty willwork with a KSC mentor in abusiness area or a science,

technology, engineering ormathematics discipline during thesummer. The students/facultylearned about enrichment activi-ties they are encouraged toparticipate in such as presentationsby KSC personnel, workshops andnetworking seminars.

Following the orientation,students broke out into theirrespective programs, had a lunchbreak, then returned to their officeand met their mentors.

Current mentors, administra-tive officers and supervisorsattended the first annual NASA/contractor Mentor Seminar,"Setting the Groundwork for aSuccessful Summer Program atKSC," presented by KimberlyGeddings from Harmony WorksMay 28 at the Training Auditorium.

Geddings discussed relation-ship dynamics between mentorsand partners and challenges inrelationships.

Students and faculty prepare for successful summer programsKSC Director ofExternalRelations andBusinessDevelopmentJoAnn Morgantalks to a groupof students abouttheir plans for thesummer at thestudent/facultyorientation.

The OTTR Team includes the follow personnel,from left: Staff Sgt Brian Little, Lt. Jon Seal, StaffSgt. Robert Nickles, Lockheed Martin contractorsPat Reeves and Virgil (Mike) Griffin, and Staff SgtTravis Chenard

Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS June 27, 2003

Security surroundinggovernment areas haschanged drastically since

Sept. 11, 2001, and this is espe-cially evident at the ShuttleLanding Facility (SLF).

The 11 air traffic controllerswere originally contracted tomonitor KSC's airspace from 6a.m. to 10:30 p.m. in two shifts aday, but that has now turned intoaround-the-clock coverage.

"This is the active airspacenow," explains SLF Lead Control-ler Ron Feile as he points at a 15-mile wide, 18-mile long sectionon the facility's radar. "BeforeSept. 11, it used to be just thislittle block of air space thatcovered all the launch pads. This is

Complex 17 and 37, this line is theskid strip runway on the Cape side,and then the Titan complex and thenew Atlas V pad is here.

"The two Shuttle launch padsare here. The Shuttle LandingFacility runway sits right outsidethat air space. So that was all wehad prior to Sept. 11, surface to5,000 feet, but now we've morethan doubled all of our restrictedair space here, to the west and tothe north.

"We're controlling all thoseboth from the control tower hereand with the Military Radar Unit(MRU) on the Eastern Range. TheEastern Range is responsible forrequesting whatever pieces of airspace they need for a specific

mission," said Feile.Besides the 40-mile restricted

area, the controllers are nowresponsible for all air traffic up to13,999 feet, instead of 5,000, toprovide an element of additionalsecurity and intruder detection.The group added three newcontrollers after Sept. 11, but lostone to active military duty sincethen.

Along with the increasedairspace security, the group hadthe responsibility to determine ifintruders were hostile or not toevacuate the launch pads for safetysake.

Should a controller determinean airplane may be a threat, it has aregular intruder detection form to

go through. They go through a listto see what assets, such ashelicopters or jets, it can throw atthe intruder to intercept it.

Once they notify the assetsavailable, the controllers notifyKSC security and SLF OperationsOfficer Ed Taff to tell them who isauthorized or not. They then go tothe adjacent air traffic controlfacilities in Daytona, Miami,Orlando and Jacksonville to see ifthere is background information ofthe planeís origin.

Those other air traffic controlfacilities are the first line ofdefense because if they haveanything that is heading towardKSC that is not approved, they cangive a notice that the target is

Air traffic controllers at Shuttle Landing Facility r

Above: An overview of the Shuttle Landing Facility

Top left: Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) Lead Controller Ron Feile listens to airtraffic while he monitors the runway.

Left: Various radar, communication and navigational tools help the 11 air trafficontrollers at the Shuttle Landing Facility monitor all air traffic.

Page 5SPACEPORT NEWSJune 27, 2003

heading this way.There are many examples of

how the group deals with potentialairborne intruders.

Feile was working one nightwhen the tower in Daytona notifiedhim there was an aircraft headingtoward KSC that the FBI wastrailing. He notified everybody onhis list, including the Patrick AirForce Base command post, notknowing what the pilot's intentionswere.

The pilot ended up flyingthrough 'nice and quiet,' but Feileand security didn't know what hewas doing.

"In another instance we had oneforeign student who flew up theBanana River and into the Cape

areas before turning away to avoidbad weather. When the FAA(Federal Aviation Administration)finally contacted him, theydirected him to land at SpaceCoast Regional, but because ofthe weather ran him intoMelbourne.

"The FBI met him therebecause they weren't sure of hisintentions, including photographicwork for reconnaisance. They methim and checked the aircraft forphotographic equipment and othercontraband that may be in theaircraft. Those things are going onall the time."

Port Canaveral is another areathe controllers help monitorbecause their protected space

respond to airborne security threats

runs right through it. Because ofthe nuclear submarine basin andthe commercial cruise ships, thearea attracts banner towers, themedia and others who want to takepictures in an area the controllersare trying to protect.

"When they get in the area, youdonít know what they're going todo, so you put security on alert,"said Feile. "The troops in the fieldthen start to watch them and giveus reports. It's a team effort."

The air controllers also see anincrease in activity as a Shuttlelaunch approaches. The flight crewarrives 3-4 days prior to launchand begin to fly Shuttle trainingapproaches to prepare for the

mission landing at KSC. Air trafficincreases because of the supportastronauts that arrive in T-38 jetsas well as the mission managerswho arrive in G-2s and G-3s.

"The day of the launch we'reworking with Air Force helicop-ters that provide the search andrescue function," said Feile, whocoordinates all efforts with SpaceGateway Support Airfield ServicesManager Bob Bryan.

"We also deploy the firedepartment rescue forces in casethe orbiter has to come back here.The rest of our business iscentered around the NASA T-38and G-2 weather assessmentflights, finding out if the weatheris compatible for the mission."

r

c

Top right: These NASA G-2 Shuttle training aircraft help pilots train forlandings at KSC.

Right: Inside a G-2 Shuttle Training Aircraft cockpit. The modified jetfeatures a Rotational Hand Controller (RHC), or joystick, used tosimulate flying a Space Shuttle.

June 27, 2003 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 6

A ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the grand reopening and theinduction of four Space Shuttle astronauts highlighted Astronaut Hall ofFame Induction Weekend June 20-21.

The festivities got underway Friday at the Astronaut Hall of Famewhen 17 former astronauts helped KSC Director Roy Bridges Jr. cut theribbon to signify the Hall as part of the Visitor Complex. "The RightStuff" gala was held afterward at the Debus Conference Facility cel-ebrating the weekend and to recognize the 20th anniversary of the movie.

In rainy weather that would have delayed a launch, four Space Shuttleastronauts were inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame in a ceremonyheld at the Visitor Complex. Story Musgrave, Sally Ride, DanielBrandenstein and Robert 'Hoot' Gibson were added to the current classof 48 others enshrined in the Hall of Fame since 1990.

The standing room only crowd was treated to a stirring rendition of"America the Beautiful" and the "National Anthem" by the 100-memberPhiladelphia Boys Choir to open the ceremony. Actor Lance Henriksen,who portrayed astronaut Wally Schirra in "The Right Stuff," served asmaster of ceremonies for the event and introduced KSC Deputy Direc-tor James Kennedy for welcoming remarks.

"Kennedy Space Center is part of the team of Centers across thenation that make up NASA, whose mission is to explore the unknownwhile improving life here on Earth," said Kennedy. "It is also to inspirethe next generation of explorers and I can't think of a better way to dothat by introducing them to these brave men, and now woman, who arehonored here today."

Current members of the Astronaut Hall of Fame were then intro-duced, including John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, JohnYoung, Buzz Aldrin, Walt Cunningham, Fred Haise, Edgar Mitchell, AlWorden, Owen Garriott, Ed Gibson, Bob Crippen and Rick Hauck.Astronaut and current chairman of the Astronaut Scholarship FoundationJim Lovell then explained how the four inductees were selected from alist of 25 names.

The Foundation was responsible for overseeing the selectionprocess. Lovell described the Foundationís purpose and recognizedmore than 30 past and present scholarship winners.

The new class was then introduced in the order in which they flewShuttle missions.

Astronaut Owen Garriott presented Story Musgrave for induction.Musgrave served as a Mission Specialist on six Shuttle flights, includingthe first Shuttle space walk in 1983.

Next, astronaut Bob Crippen introduced Sally Ride, the first womansent to space. Ride was sent into orbit aboard the Shuttle Challenger in1983, and then sent back in space 18 months later aboard Challenger.

The third inductee, astronaut Daniel Brandenstein, was introduced byastronaut Rick Hauck. Brandenstein's first flight was in 1983 on theShuttle's first night launching, and he later commanded three otherShuttle missions.

Astronaut Robert Gibson was the last inductee and was introduced byJohn Glenn. Gibson commanded four of his five Shuttle missions,including Atlantis when it docked with Russia's Mir space station.

Grand reopening and inductions hightlight Hall of Fame Weekend

Above: KSC Director Roy Bridges Jr. (second from left) and 17 astronautscut the ribbon for the Astronaut Hall of Fame Grand Reopening June 20.Right: Apollo 13 Cmdr. and Astronaut Scholarship Foundation chairman JimLovell (left) welcomes Story Musgrave into the Astronaut Hall of Fame.

Below: Jim Lovell applauds as Sally Ride is introduced to the crowd at theJune 21 Astronaut Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Bottom right: DanielBrandenstein (center) and Robert "Hoot" Gibson are welcomed to theAstronaut Hall of Fame by member Robert Crippen.

SPACEPORT NEWSJune 27, 2003 Page 7

Brevard is part of Lightning AlleyThe third annual national

Lightning Safety Awareness Weekis June 22-28. But here in centralFlorida, we've already entered ourlightning season - now is the timeto refresh your knowledge oflightning safety. Our lightningseason typically ramps up thesecond half of May and declinesthe first half of September.

Lightning is the leading sourceof weather deaths in Florida,killing more than hurricanes,tornadoes and all other weathercombined. Learn more aboutLightning Safety Awareness Weekat www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov.

Florida is the thunderstormcapital of the U.S.; no other statehas nearly as much lightning. Mostof the electrical discharges are inCentral Florida from Tampa toTitusville in an area often calledLightning Alley. Florida also leadsthe nation in lightning deaths andinjuries.

Lightning inflicts life-longdebilitating injuries on many morethan it kills. Is it worth destroyingyour career and devastating yourlife and the lives of your familyjust to save a few minutes bydashing across the parking lotduring a thunderstorm?

Fortunately, most lightningcasualties can be easily avoided.While guaranteed lightning safetyis not possible, following a fewsimple guidelines will give you ahigh degree of safety. Remember,no place outside is safe near athunderstorm - proper lightningsafety is a multi-level process.

LEVEL-1: The first and bestlevel of lightning safety is to avoidthe threat in the first place. Use

the local weather forecast andknow your local weather patternsto schedule your outdoor activitiesaway from the thunderstorms. ForKSC, use the 45th WeatherSquadron's forecasts(www.patrick.af.mil/45og/45ws).

For outside of KSC, theNational Weather Service inMelbourne provides excellentforecasts, including a new graphi-cal depiction of when and wherethunderstorms are most likely tooccur (www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb).

LEVEL-2: If you have to beoutside, use the '30-30 Rule.' Ifthere is 30 seconds or lessbetween lightning and its thunder,go inside. Stay inside for 30minutes or more after hearing thelast thunder. The safest place fromlightning is inside a large fullyenclosed building with wiring andplumbing, such as a typical house.

Once inside, don't use a cordedtelephone, keep away fromelectrical appliances and wiring,and don't use plumbing. Don'twatch lightning from windows,doorways or breezeways.

In a large building, inner roomsare generally safer. If you can't getto a good building, a vehicle with ametal roof and metal sides offerssome lightning protection.

LEVEL-3: If you have to beoutside with thunderstorms inthe areas, avoid the locations andactivities that are most danger-ous. Avoid high elevations andopen areas, like sports fields orbeaches.

Avoid water-related activitieslike swimming, boating andfishing. Do not go under a tree tokeep dry. Avoid heavy equipmentand farm equipment with opencockpits.

LEVEL-4: If you find yourself

outside in a dangerous locationaway from shelter with thunder-storms threatening, you can reduceyour risk. It is much better to haveplanned ahead or stayed tuned tothe forecast and moved to sheltersooner. Use the following as adesperate last resort only.

Proceed to the safest spotpossible and get off elevatedlocations or open areas. Avoid tallisolated objects like trees and getaway from water.

While moving to the safestspot, watch for the signs thatlightning may strike in a fewseconds. The hair might startstanding up or your skin mightstart tingling, or light metalobjects might start vibrating.

If you see any of those signsand youíre in a group, spread outwith several body lengths betweeneach person. Then use the 'light-ning crouch.' Put your feettogether, squat low, tuck your headand cover your ears. After a briefwait, slowly stand-up, watching forthe signs that lightning may stillstrike, then continue toward thesafest spot. No place outside issafe near a thunderstorm.

LEVEL-5: First aid - alllightning deaths are from cardiacarrest, or stopped breathing fromcardiac arrest. Simple CPR orrescue breathing is the recom-mended first aid.

Florida has more than its shareof lightning threat. While noguidelines can guarantee safetyagainst lightning, following asimple set of rules will help youavoid the vast majority of lightningcasualties. Lightning kills. Play itsafe!

Following a few simple guidelines will give you a high degree of lightningsafety. No place outside is safe near a thunderstorm - proper lightningsafety is a multi-level process.

NASA's Kennedy Space Center(KSC) will extend its Joint BaseOperations Support Contract (J-BOSC) for one year to SpaceGateway Support (SGS).

The contract includes amodification to provide calibra-tion services to the eastern rangeprecision measurement equipmentlaboratory on Cape Canaveral AirForce Station (CCAFS) andtransient alert aerospace ground

equipment maintenance services atPatrick Air Force Base (PAFB).

The contract extension/modification, valued at approxi-mately $287.7 million, coversOctober 1, 2003, through Septem-ber 30, 2004. The total contractvalue, including exercised options,is more than $1.5 billion.

The J-BOSC is a performance-based, cost-plus award feecontract to provide base operation

and support services at KSC,CCAFS and PAFB. Under thecontract, SGS provides facility andinfrastructure operations andmaintenance; fire protection,security services, transportationsupport, grounds maintenance andother base support services.

SGS is a joint venture ofNorthrop Grumman TechnicalServices, Inc., Herndon, Va.; ShawInfrastructure, Inc., San Diego; andWackenhut Services, Inc., PalmBeach Gardens, Fla.

NASA exercises base support optionThe Florida Space Authority

Board recently selected formerNASA astronaut Captain WinstonScott to be its new executivedirector.

Since his retirement from theastronaut corps in 1999, Scott hasserved as a senior level adminis-trator at Florida State University,first serving as vice president forstudent affairs and currently asassociate dean of the FAMU-FSUCollege of Engineering.

FSA chooses director

Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS June 27, 2003

John F. Kennedy Space Center

Managing editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bruce BuckinghamEditor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jeff Stuckey

Editorial support provided by InDyne Inc. Writers Group.NASA at KSC is located on the Internet at http://www.ksc.nasa.gov

USGPO: 733-133/600034

Spaceport News

Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center andis published on alternate Fridays by External Relations and BusinessDevelopment in the interest of KSC civil service and contractor employees. Contributions are welcome and should be submitted two weeks beforepublication to the Media Services Branch, XAE-1. E-mail submissions can besent to Jeffery.Stuckey-1@ksc.nasa.gov

This is an ongoing series ofstories from NASA centers on theOne NASA concept.

When Walter Kim talks aboutthe way NASA's Small BusinessInnovation Research (SBIR)Program operates, the phrase EPluribus Unum - Out of many, one- comes to mind.

"While each NASA center hasits unique capability and technicalexpertise, we all follow the sameprocess under the SBIR Program,"explained Kim, Glenn ResearchCenter's SBIR program manager inthe Commercial TechnologyOffice. "The process involvesHeadquarters and all NASAcenters working across the sixstrategic enterprises for onecommon goal."

Congress established the SBIRProgram in 1982 to ensure that thebest and most innovative conceptsbecome part of Federal researchand development efforts thatbenefit the nation.

Under the program, NASA fieldcenters identify critical technolo-gies that are needed to enhance theAgency's ability to meet missiongoals. Once those needs areestablished, companies submitproposals explaining how theirinnovations would support NASA'smission and how they plan topursue commercial applicationsfor their products.

SBIR companies then developand commercialize their innova-tions through a three-phaseprocess.

"The center(s) who collaboratewith these small businesses are

One NASA comes together through business program

chosen solely for their technicalexpertise," explained Kim."Operating under this One NASAphilosophy through the years hasrequired the cross-center team toconsider all decisions within thecontext of what is best for theAgency rather than for any onecenter."

Kim stressed the value ofstrong communication amongSBIR managers throughout thecenters. Managers meet monthlythrough videoconferences andattend semiannual programmanagement gatherings, wherethey invite personnel involved inthe SBIR process.

"Many people within andthroughout the centers play a vital

role in the SBIR process," saidKim. "In fact, more than half ofNASA's yearly procurementactivities are SBIR-related, andGlenn has oversight for all AgencySBIR procurement policies andguidelines."

Fiscal year 2002 ended withanother successful season forthe SBIR Program. NASAawarded more than 450 Phase I(feasibility and technical merit),Phase II (promising develop-ment), and Phase III (commer-cialization) contracts. Kim notedthat throughout the years SBIRcompanies have worked withseveral centers on portions ofthe same contract.

ViGYAN, Inc., Hampton, VA,

for example, developed theFederal Aviation Administration-certified Pilot Weather Advisorsystem using satellite technologyto substantially increase theamount of weather informationavailable to aircraft pilots in flight.Phase I and II, funded by LangleyResearch Center, resulted in thedevelopment and patent of theoriginal system concept.

Phase III, funded by Glenn,developed and demonstrated anaffordable, commercially viablesatellite data link system for thedissemination of weather informa-tion. The Phase III effort led to aspin-off company, WeatherStream,which has since been acquired byWeather Services International,Inc.

Kim, who began his career atGlenn as a researcher in 1979, isproud to be part of the SBIRProgram. "I feel that I'm making acontribution to the Agency and tosmall businesses by helping to finda place for technological innova-tion," said Kim, who receivedNASA's Exceptional AchievementMedal for outstanding leadershipof the SBIR Program and in thearea of technology transfer andcommercialization in 1996.

Working in the SBIR Programfor the past 13 years, Kim hasgotten to know and respect hiscolleagues throughout all NASAcenters. He sees the program as aprime example of how cooperationand collaboration breed success.

Kim affirmed, "We all have ourroles, but come together as one."

Glennís SBIR Manager Walter Kim and Chief of Power and PropulsionSandra Reehorst hold Hall thrusters, a technology area where NASAís SBIRhas contributed to improvements in electric propulsion for space applications.

All NASA Civil Serviceemployees are actively working toachieve the Voluntary ProtectionProgram (VPP) Star ratingcertification. OSHAís audit of thesafety program at KSC is sched-uled for July 7-11.

Employees from the VPPAwareness team and the Institu-tional Safety & Quality Office rana contest to deliver 'awareness'messages to find out what employ-ees already know about VPP.

A VPP Mugging Awarenessevent was conducted in May when

teams randomly approachedemployees from various Director-ates through face-to-face questionand answer outreaches. Afteranswering a few questions, 64employees were awarded a blackmug bearing a gold VPP/Star logo.

Five "VPP well-aware"employees' names were drawn forgrand prizes and presented prizesby KSC Director Roy Bridges Jr.,including Peter Johnson (PH), PatKlotz (TA), Virginia Krisingha(YA), Michele Smith (UB) andStephen Tam (IT).

Employees "mugged" for safety awareness