July 7, 2006

John F. Kennedy Space Center - America’s gateway to the universe

Spaceport Newshttp://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/snews/spnews_toc.html

Vol. 45, No. 13

A star-spangled start to STS-121

SPACE SHUTTLE Discovery lifts off at 2:38 p.m. on July 4 from Launch Pad39B on mission STS-121. The 12-day mission may be extended.

(See STS-121, Page 2)

The Space Shuttle Discoveryis now docked at theInternational Space Station

after lifting off at 2:38 p.m. on July4 from Kennedy Space Center, Fla.This was the first-ever spaceshuttle launch on IndependenceDay.

“We’re absolutely thrilled tobe safely back in space again andare looking forward to evaluatingshuttle system ascent performanceas soon as possible,” said NASAAdministrator Michael Griffinshortly after launch.

Discovery’s mission, STS-121,is the second in NASA’s Return toFlight sequence. Discovery’s crewmembers - Commander SteveLindsey, Pilot Mark Kelly, andMission Specialists Mike Fossum,Lisa Nowak, Stephanie Wilson andPiers Sellers - will continue testingnew safety equipment and proce-

Commander Lindsey delivers on promise for “an up-close-and-personal look at the rocket’s red glare”

dures that were introduced onthe first Return to Flightmission, STS-114, last summer.

The STS-121 mission alsowill bring a third crew member,European Space Agencyastronaut Thomas Reiter, to theorbiting laboratory. The stationhas had two-person crews sinceMay 2003.

They also will deliverequipment, supplies, experi-ments and spare parts to thestation.

Two spacewalks are plannedduring Discovery’s 12-daymission. If there is enoughelectrical power, the missionwill be extended by one day anda third spacewalk will be added.Shuttle managers hope to makethat decision by flight day six.Discovery is flying with newsafety features for STS-121.

SPACEPORT NEWS July 7, 2006Page 2

Awards

TheKennedyUpdate

Jim KennedyCenter Director

See pages 4-5 for more STS-121 photographs

THE STS-121 crew members display the spirit of the Fourth of Julyholiday with their flags as they stride out of the Operations and CheckoutBuilding. Leading the way are Pilot Mark Kelly (left) and CommanderSteven Lindsey (right). Behind them are Mission Specialists (second row)Lisa Nowak and Michael Fossum; (third row) Stephanie Wilson and PiersSellers; and (at the rear) Thomas Reiter.

Post-STS-121 launch andprelanding greetings,everyone. From the moment I

greeted Commander Steve Lindseyand his crew at the ShuttleLanding Facility before launch,through Discovery’s beautifulafternoon liftoff on July 4, I havenever been more proud of the wayour government and contractoremployees have worked so hard toensure mission success.

As the crew members winddown on their busy schedule,including two excitingspacewalks, and prepare forlanding at KSC next week, I wantto pass on the numerous congratu-lations I received from everybody,including NASA AdministratorMike Griffin and Vice PresidentDick Cheney, who flew in for thefirst launch attempt.

This launch marked the firstuse of Firing Room 4 in theLaunch Control Center, a state-of-the-art facility that will be used forall future shuttle launches. Seeingour NASA team in action makesme, again, “KSC and Proud to Be!”

It was also exciting to learn thenew names of the next generationof launch vehicles NASA will useto return to the moon and latertravel to Mars. By naming the crewlaunch vehicle Ares I and the cargolaunch vehicle Ares V, we honorthe Apollo program’s Saturn I andV rockets in a fitting way.

Later this year, the agency willunveil the name of the crewexploration vehicle, and I’m surethe name will truly reflect NASA’sexploration mission.

As we focus on Discovery’slanding, we can look ahead to thelate August launch of Atlantis forSTS-115. The crew has beentraining at Kennedy and alsosupported the STS-121 launch.

Be sure to take time out foryourself before the next shuttlelaunch and enjoy your family andfriends. America is counting on usto continue the Vision for SpaceExploration and I know we will beready for the challenge.

While the center was busypreparing for the STS-121 mission,the Launch Services team was

processing STEREO, short forSolar TErrestrial RElationsObservatory, for its upcominglaunch aboard a Delta II rocketfrom Launch Complex 17 on theCape Canaveral Air Force Station.The science learned from thismission, set for July 30, will yielda better understanding of spaceweather that will ultimately helpus all back here on Earth.

Along with watching theseNASA missions progress, I wasprivileged to takepart in two distin-guished events as theDisability Awareness

and Action Working Group(DAAWG) and the Black Em-ployee Strategy Team (BEST)hosted gatherings to recognize thevaluable contributions our diverseworkforce adds to NASA.

The DAAWG’s luncheon gaveemployees a new outlook of how

some workers handle their disabili-ties, including Randall Crosby,who operates the snack bar on thethird floor of the Headquartersbuilding. “When you see adisabled person, look at the personfirst and not just the disability,”Randall so eloquently said.

At the BEST Barbecue, DavidBanks and his dedicated groupserved up good times and greatfood, all while employees and thesummer students and faculty had a

chance to get acquainted and buildenduring friendships.

You should be proud of allyour contributions as we continueto explore space, and thanks for allyou do as we continue to build theNASA legacy.

Godspeed, Discovery.

“I have never been more proud of theway our employees have worked so hardto ensure mission success.”

STS-121 . . . (continued from page 1)

NASA developed new procedures to ensure gap fillers between the heat-shielding tiles stay in place and pose no hazard on re-entry. Techniciansremoved and replaced approximately 5,000 of the shuttle’s 16,000 gapfillers prior to launch.

Technicians have also installed hardened tiles on Discovery’s noselanding gear doors. The orbiter’s main landing gear now has four larger,smoother tires that can withstand higher loads at landing than theprevious tires.

Discovery’s external tank, known as ET-119, was the first to flywithout the protuberance air load (PAL) ramps. After detailed inspec-tions, engineering analysis and testing, the Space Shuttle Programdetermined the PAL ramps were not necessary and it would be a safetyimprovement to remove the ramps. This is the biggest aerodynamicchange to the tank in the shuttle’s history.

Small foam ramps, known as extensions, were added to the ice/frostramp locations where the PAL ramps used to be. For the latest informa-tion on the STS-121 mission, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle.

SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3July 7, 2006

NASA names new rockets Ares I, Ares VTHE CARGO launchvehicle (left) will becalled Ares V and thecrew launch vehiclewill be called Ares I.The “I” and “V” titlespay homage to theApollo program’sSaturn I and Saturn Vrockets. The crewexploration vehiclewill be named later.

NASA announced on June30 the names of the nextgeneration of launch

vehicles that will return humans tothe moon and later take them toMars and other destinations. Thecrew launch vehicle will be calledAres I, and the cargo launchvehicle will be known as Ares V.

“It’s appropriate that we namedthese vehicles Ares, which is apseudonym for Mars,” said ScottHorowitz, associate administratorfor NASA’s Exploration SystemsMission Directorate in Washing-ton. “We honor the past with thenumber designations and salutethe future with a name thatresonates with NASA’s explorationmission.”

The “I and V” designations payhomage to the Apollo program’sSaturn I and Saturn V rockets, thefirst large U.S. space vehiclesconceived and developed specifi-cally for human space flight.The crew exploration vehicle,which will succeed the spaceshuttle as NASA’s spacecraft forhuman space exploration, will benamed later.

This vehicle will be carriedinto space by Ares I, which uses asingle five-segment solid rocketbooster, a derivative of the spaceshuttle’s solid rocket booster, forthe first stage.

A liquid oxygen/liquidhydrogen J-2X engine derivedfrom the J-2 engine used onApollo’s second stage will powerthe crew exploration vehicle’ssecond stage. The Ares I can liftmore than 55,000 pounds to lowEarth orbit.

Ares V, a heavy-lift launchvehicle, will use five RS-68 liquidoxygen/liquid hydrogen enginesmounted below a larger version ofthe space shuttle’s external tank,and two five-segment solidpropellant rocket boosters for thefirst stage. The upper stage will usethe same J-2X engine as the Ares I.

The Ares V can lift more than286,000 pounds to low Earth orbitand stands approximately 360 feettall. This versatile system will beused to carry into orbit cargo andthe components needed to go tothe moon and later to Mars.

By Charlie Plain Staff Writer

When Space ShuttleDiscovery lifted off onits STS-121 mission

from Kennedy Space Center, thebest view of the flight may havebeen from the new Firing Room 4.

Through its huge two-storywindows, engineers watched thevehicle thunder into space whiledebuting NASA’s most advancedcontrol room ever. A firing room iswhat most people think of as“mission control” for launch.

“The firing rooms serve as thenerve center for the launch andorbiter processing,” said NASATest Director Ted Mosteller.

The Launch Control Centerhouses each of the four rooms. Onlaunch day, a firing room is packedwith upwards of 216 engineers atcomputer consoles, checking aspace shuttle’s systems to make

Firing Room 4 debuts for STS-121sure everything is ready for launch.

It’s within the room’s walls thatthe test director polls the team forthe famous “go/no go” for launch.When not being used for launch,firing rooms also monitor thehealth of orbiters Discovery,Endeavour and Atlantis whilethey’re inside their hangars beingprepared for upcoming missions.

The opening of Firing Room 4concludes two years of renovationthat dramatically reinvented thespace. “Originally, this area was alittle bit of office space, a confer-ence room and a small firingroom,” said Mosteller.

The renovation of Firing Room4 gave designers an opportunity toblast away from the past and buildthe ideal space shuttle launchcontrol room. The first thing NASAdid to develop the room was getthe input of the engineers who willuse it.

After compiling a wish list of

features, NASA tested how wellthey would work. Rick Dawson,systems integration manager forthe project, worked with a teamthat tried models of the room’s newcomputer consoles on for sizebefore moving ahead with manu-facturing them. “We flew up to

Calgary and set up a couple of theconsoles and checked them out,”said Dawson. “It saved us monthsof work.” The end result of NASA’scareful planning is a comfortablycool, quiet and well-organizedroom specifically suited for spaceshuttle launches.

FIRING ROOM 4 in the Launch Control Center is prepared for theSTS-121 mission. The room underwent two years of renovations.

Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS July 7, 2006

The world watches NASA return to h

AFTER THEIR arrival at the Shuttle Landing Facility to get ready for launch, STS-121 MissionSpecialist Thomas Reiter (left) and Commander Steven Lindsey are greeted (at right) byKennedy Space Center Director Jim Kennedy and Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach.

AGAINST A dimming sky after sunset, lights on the structures on Launch Pad 39B cast a warm glow onSpace Shuttle Discovery. The rotating service structure at left was rolled back in preparation for launch July 4on mission STS-121. Extending toward the cockpit of the shuttle is the orbiter access arm.

TRYING A third time for launch, the STS-121 crewbefore suiting up. Seated left to right are Mission SLindsey, and Mission Specialists Lisa Nowak, Step

Page 5SPACEPORT NEWSJuly 7, 2006

o human space flight with STS-121

IN THE Orbiter Processing Facility at left, NASA VehicleManager Scott Thurston (far left) gives a personal tourto U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney (center) and hisfamily. They are walking underneath the orbiter Atlantis.Walking next to Cheney is Shana Dale, NASA deputyadministrator. Cheney flew to KSC on July 1 to view thefirst launch attempt of Space Shuttle Discovery onmission STS-121.ABOVE, ON the Skid Strip at Cape Canaveral Air ForceStation, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney waves beforeentering Air Force One. Preceding him is his wife,Lynne.

w gathers again for the traditional breakfast inside the Operations and Checkout Buildingn Specialists Piers Sellers and Michael Fossum, Pilot Mark Kelly, Commander Steventephanie Wilson and Thomas Reiter.

CAMERAS ARE the accessory of the day at the Kennedy Space Center’s BananaCreek viewing site. All eyes and lenses are focused on Launch Pad 39B and thesuccessful launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-121.

SPACE SHUTTLE Discovery kicks off the Fourth of Julyfireworks with its own fiery display as it rockets into the bluesky on mission STS-121.

Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS July 7, 2006

Former astronaut Helms leads 45th Space WingBy Jennifer Wolfinger Staff Writer

Former astronaut and currentU.S. Air Force Brig. Gen.Susan Helms continued

exploring new territory as sherecently assumed the role ofcommander of the 45th SpaceWing and director of the EasternRange at Patrick Air Force Base.

She officially acquired the newrole on June 21 during a formalchange-of-command ceremony atthe base, making her the wing’sfirst female commander. Helms willbe responsible for the CapeCanaveral Air Force Station’sannual Delta and Atlas evolvedexpendable launch vehiclelaunches, which average 20 eachyear.

She will also assist with spaceshuttle launches and provide finalapproval for all launches on theEastern Range.

Helms was selected by NASAin 1990. By the end of her 12-yearNASA career, she had lived in

space for a total of 211 days.As an astronaut, she flew on

shuttle missions STS-54 (1993),STS-64 (1994), STS-78 (1996),STS-101 (2000) and STS-102(2001), in which she arrived at theInternational Space Station as amember of the Expedition 2 crew.She has logged 5,064 hours inspace, including a world-record-setting spacewalk of 8 hours and56 minutes.

During STS-54, Helms sup-ported the deployment of theNASA Tracking and Data RelaySatellite (TDRS-F). She served asflight engineer for orbiter opera-tions and was the primary remotemanipulator system operatorduring the STS-64 mission.

She was payload commanderand flight engineer during STS-78,the first mission to combine a fullmicrogravity studies agenda and acomprehensive life scienceinvestigation.

Helms performed criticalfunctional cargo block repairs andwas responsible for the onboard

computer networkduring the STS-101mission. As anExpedition 2 crewmember, she testedthe Canadian-builtspace station roboticarm, and performedmaintenance andexperiments on thestation.

She returned tothe U.S. Air Force in2002. Most recently,Helms served asdeputy director ofoperations at theheadquarters of theAir Education andTraining Commandat Randolph AirForce Base, Texas.

Prior to that, shewas vice commanderof the 45th SpaceWing from June 2004 to February2005.

Helms was born in Charlotte,N.C., but considers Portland, Ore.,

SUSAN HELMS, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen., willcommand the 45th Space Wing.

her hometown. Her predecessor,Brig. Gen. Mark Owen, now worksfor the Pentagon.

AT ASTROTECHSpace Operations inTitusville, thedeployed solarpanel on theSTEREOobservatory “A”undergoes testing.STEREO, whichstands for SolarTerrestrial RelationsObservatory,consists of twospacecraft whosemission is to takemeasurements ofthe sun and solarwind in 3-D for thefirst time.

NASA’s new plans includereturning to the moon —not just with robots, but

with people too. In the decadesahead, we can expect to seehabitats, greenhouses and powerstations up there. Astronauts willbe among the moondust andcraters, exploring, prospecting andbuilding.

On Jan. 20 of last year, though,there were no humans walkingaround on the moon. And it’s agood thing. On that day, a giantsunspot named “NOAA 720”exploded. The blast sparked an X-class solar flare, the most powerfulkind, and hurled a billion-toncloud of electrified gas (a coronalmass ejection) into space.

Solar protons accelerated tonearly light speed by the explo-sion reached the Earth-moonsystem minutes after the flare; itwas the beginning of a days-long“proton storm.” Proton stormscause all kinds of problems.

They interfere with ham radiocommunications. They zap

NASA’s STEREO view of the sun to forecast solar flares

satellites, causing short circuitsand computer reboots. Worst of all,they can penetrate the skin ofspace suits and make astronautsfeel sick.

When the Solar TErrestrialRElations Observatory (STEREO)launches later this month from theCape Canaveral Air Force Base,scientists expect to gain a better

understanding of these events andimprove warning time. The twoSTEREO spacecraft will image thesun and coronal mass ejections in3-D for the first time to givescientists a better and morecomplete view of these events.

In fact, our current two-dimensional view even makes ithard to predict which direction the

events are heading. STEREO’s taskis to learn more about what triggersthese storms, how they movethrough the solar system, and whatmakes them tick.

In particular, the spacecraft willtake a hard look at how and wherethese proton storms are triggeredand how the solar activity thatcauses them builds up in the sun’satmosphere before exploding intospace. This January storm camefast and “hard,” with protonenergies exceeding 100 millionelectron volts. These are the kindof high-energy particles that cando damage to human cells andtissue.

Here on Earth, however, no onesuffered. Our planet’s thickatmosphere and magnetic fieldprotect us from protons and otherforms of solar radiation. When theplodding coronal mass ejectionarrived 36 hours after the initialblast and hit Earth’s magneticfield, sky watchers in Europe sawthe brightest auroras in years. Visitwww.nasa.gov for information.

SPACEPORT NEWSJuly 7, 2006 Page 7

Summer students, employees enjoy BEST BarbecueBy Christy Jones Student Intern

The Black Employee StrategyTeam (BEST) held the 2006BEST Barbecue June 23 at

KARS Park I to welcome interns insummer programs through theKennedy Space Center and CapeCanaveral Air Force Base andbring NASA employees togetherfor some fun.

The event was moved this yearfrom Kars II to Kars I to providebetter facilities for more people.Stacie Smith, BEST Barbecuechairperson for the past five years,said about 275 people came thisyear compared to 200 attendantslast year.

The interns, employees andtheir family and friends feasted onribs, chicken, potato salad, bakedbeans, bread and an assortment ofdesserts while listening to upbeatmusic. Prizes were raffled offduring the barbecue.

“It’s great because you get anopportunity to hang out with a lotof people from other internprograms,” said Zakiya Tomlinson,a summer intern at NASA.

Thunderstorms have threatenedthe barbecue for the past two years,but the sun was shining and therewasn’t a rain cloud in sight for thisyear’s festivities.

Cooks included BruceLockley, Thomas Cooper, JavanBanks, Joylene Hall, Al Jenkinsand Mack McKinney, who startedgrilling in the morning to preparefor the crowd. Lockley said thesecret to grilling is “seasoning andpatience.”

Eric Martin, who won firstprize for the “Best Dessert” contestwith his German chocolate cake,later said his wife found the recipeinside the package of a giantcandy bar and he decided to try therecipe.

“It’s not a cake you can rushtogether,” he said. “It takes time to

get it right.”KSC Director Jim Kennedy

said the BEST Barbecue was anopportunity to show support forthe center’s diverse groups. “We

don’t just tolerate diversity, wecherish it,” Kennedy said. “BESTis an example of a group that wecherish.”

EMPLOYEES, SUMMER students and faculty and family members enjoythe 2006 BEST Barbecue held at KARS Park I.

SUMMER STUDENTS gather under a pavilion at KARS I on June 23 forthe Black Employee Strategy Team’s (BEST) Barbecue.

MEMBERS OF BEST, along with Center Director Jim Kennedy (secondfrom right) voted Eric Martin’s German chocolate cake as “Best Dessert.”

The Space Shuttle Safety and Mission Assurance Office has aShuttle Safety Hotline Web site, http://sma.jsc.nasa.gov/sirma/hotline/, which outlines the multiple routes employees can use to

communicate and resolve space shuttle safety concerns.Members of the work force are encouraged to discuss concerns with

management or individuals identified on the Web site.Shuttle safety concerns may also be submitted via the Space Shuttle

Processing Hotline database at http://sma.jsc.nasa.gov/sirma/hotline/input.asp (employees can remain anonymous), or send e-mail to jsc-

Employees can communicate concerns through Shuttle Safety Hotlinesspmmt@mail.nasa.gov.

Once a concern is entered, an analysis is made to determine if theissue can be resolved with short-term program action or if it represents aprogram risk. If applicable, a program risk will be entered into the riskdatabase for tracking. During mission operations, safety concerns will bereported daily to the Mission Management Team.

The link to the Shuttle Safety Hotline is located on various Websites, including http://sspweb.jsc.nasa.gov/, http://sspweb.jsc.nasa.gov/mxand http://sma.jsc.nasa.gov/sirma.

Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS July 7, 2006

John F. Kennedy Space Center

Managing editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bruce BuckinghamEditor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jeff StuckeyCopy editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Corey Schubert

Editorial support provided by InDyne, Inc. Writers Group.NASA at KSC is located on the Internet at http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedyUSGPO: 733-049/600111

Spaceport News

Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center andis published on alternate Fridays by External Relations in the interest of KSCcivil service and contractor employees. Contributions are welcome and should be submitted two weeks beforepublication to the Media Services Branch, IDI-011. E-mail submissions can besent to Jeffery.Stuckey-1@ksc.nasa.gov.

Disabled employees share experiences during DAAWG luncheonBy Linda Herridge Staff Writer

Randall Crosby, owner ofCrosby Snacks in theKennedy Space Center

Headquarters building, describedthe challenges of living with adisability and working at thecenter during a Disability Aware-ness Action Working Group(DAAWG) brown bag lunch onJune 23.

But being legally blind has notkept him from enjoying his joband considering KSC an amazingplace to work, he told the groupgathered in the mission briefingroom of the Operations andSupport Building 2. The programwas organized by Nicole DelVesco, an accountant in the ChiefFinancial Officer’s office andDAAWG co-chairperson.

“I have to pinch myself almostevery day, even eight years later,”Crosby said about working at thecenter.

Chief Financial Officer SusanKroskey, who is executive advisorto the DAAWG, opened theluncheon by stating that increas-ing awareness about employeeswith disabilities in the work place

is a very important DAAWGobjective. “We are thrilled at theparticipation by the KSC govern-ment and contract managementteam in our awareness activities,”Kroskey said.

Crosby learned about the snackbar/vending program managed bythe Florida Division of BlindServices and came to KSC in 1998.He and his wife, Patti, just cel-ebrated their 24th weddinganniversary. Crosby humorouslyreferred to himself as a “project,”much like the projects managed atKSC. “And Patti is the project teamleader,” Crosby said with a smile.

“When you see a disabledperson, look at the person first andnot just the disability,” Crosbyurged.

Christopher Brown, a UnitedSpace Alliance design engineerwho has Tourette Syndrome,discussed misconceptions andsymptoms of the neurologicaldisorder that is hereditary andcauses repetitive, involuntarymovements and utterances.

Brown has two daughters; theseven-year-old has Tourette’s,while the five-year-old is tooyoung to be diagnosed withcertainty. Brown’s father was

posthumously diagnosed with thesyndrome.

Brown is a committee memberof the Tourette Syndrome Associa-tion of Brevard and actively worksto raise awareness and educatepeople about Tourette’s. He saidsufferers struggle to suppress thevocal and facial tics in public andthe workplace, but there is no wayto really control them.

Center Director Jim Kennedy

and representatives from NASAand various contractor organiza-tions also attended the program.Kennedy said, “I am KSC andproud to be, and I especially feelthat during DAAWG meetings.”

Kennedy said the center isthankful for the hard work of itsemployees, including those whoare disabled. “We appreciate yourcandor,” he said. “We are all equalhere at KSC.”

CHRISTOPER BROWN, a United Space Alliance employee, addressesattendees at the Disability Awareness Action Working Group lunch.

Thunderstorm Capital.Lighting Alley. You’veheard it all before, but did

you know the peak of lightningseason is in July? Fortunately,lightning safety is easy. No placeoutdoors is safe when thunder-storms are in the area. Lightning

As dangerous lightning season peaks in July, use ‘30-30 rule’safety at Kennedy Space Centerfalls into two categories: on-dutyand off-duty procedures.

When at KSC, listen for thelightning advisories announcedover the public-address systems. APhase-1 lightning advisory meanslightning is expected within five

nautical miles ofthe specifiedpoints with adesired leadtime of 30minutes.

A Phase-2lightningadvisory meanslightning isimminent or

LIGHTNINGSTRIKESilluminate thesky during afireworks show.

occurring within this distance.When outdoors, use the “30-30

Rule” to determine if you shouldbe inside. If there is 30 seconds orless between lightning and itsthunder, you should be inside.Stay inside for 30 minutes or more

after the last thunder. The U.S. AirForce 45th Weather Squadronissues lightning advisories for fivepoints at KSC: Launch Pads 39Aand 39B, the Shuttle LandingFacility, the Vehicle AssemblyBuilding and the Industrial Area.