LOCKHEED MARTIN MICHOUD SPACE SYSTEMS

BULLETINMISSION SUCCESS

®

July 30, 1999

NASA and Lockheed Martin per-sonnel are currently preparing theX-33 Structural Test Article (STA)for a series of pioneering tests inpropellant densification. The tank,built by Michoud Space Systems,arrived on June 29 at the NASAJohn Glenn Research Center atLewis Field in Cleveland, Ohio. “Propellant densification is thelatest advance for cryogenic propel-lant conditioning and has greatpotential for improving launch ve-hicle performance,” said MichoudSpace Systems researcherTimothy Knowles. Densifying cryogenic propellants,explained Knowles, is a process ofchilling down these liquified gasesto a point even lower than theirusual very low temperatures. Atthese lower temperatures, the pro-pellants are denser so givenamounts of cryogenic liquid take upless space. This makes it possible touse smaller, lighter propellant tanksand vehicle structures. “The resulting vehicle weight sav-ings mean that propellant densifica-tion is a major enabling technologyfor single stage to orbit (SSTO)launch vehicles,” he said. “Weproject the weight savings forVentureStar™ from propellant den-sification to be approximately8,000 pounds.” The 6,000-lb. aluminum STA isthe second of two Al 2219 tanksmanufactured at Michoud AssemblyFacility by Michoud Space Systems.The first of the two tanks to be built

X-33 StructuralTest Article - onetank, many uses

Continued on Page 5

BSI auditer Cynthia Lopez examines documentation with TimothyMurphey and James Garnett, both of Technical Operations.

A team of auditors from BritishStandards Institute (BSI) spentthree days at Michoud Space Sys-tems recently in what was billed asa “no-fault pre-assessment.”

“In other words, if something’snot right, find it now and get itcorrected before we undergo thefinal ISO audit in September,” saidMike Schaefer, ISO Team lead.“The auditors are actually on yourside this trip. They’re here to helpyou spot discrepancies.”

BSI is the organization that cer-tifies companies as compliant withISO 9001 standards. MichoudSpace Systems’ goal is to achieveISO 9001 certification bySeptember 30.

During the three-dayassessment, BSI auditorswalked the factory floorand offices in Buildings101 and 102 talking toemployees and checking

hardware and paperwork.In the course of the pre-assess-

ment, auditor Ky White noted thatMichoud technicians had openednon-conformance documents(NCDs) on ET-105, which wasnearing the date of its delivery toNASA. One had already been cor-rected, and he was satisfied thatthe second one would be closed outby the end of the same day.

On the way from checking ET-105, White noticed an orange dis-crepancy tag on a dome. Stopping,he checked the part number, theserial number and the NCD num-ber. Then he checked a computer in

the area to find out who hadcontrol of the NCD

document.“I want to see what’s

wrong with the dome andwhat’s being done to re-

solve it,” said White.

ISO pre-assessment goes well

Continued on Page 4

Selected Highlights as of July 26, 1999

External Tank Progress Report

Tank

STATUS

In Cell G. Completed LO2 acreage spray. Plug pull values aregood. TPS trims are under way.

In Cell H. Shakedown activities continue. Plan to move to CellA next for ET final splice.

LO2 /Intertank

LH2 Tank

Cell A. Preps are under way for ET final splice.

In Building 420, Position 1. DD250 completed on 6/22. Stagedfor shipment to KSC on 8/26.

In Building 420, Position 2. Completed DD250 on 7/16. Tank isstaged for planned shipment to KSC on 8/5.

LH2 Tank On 7077 Tool. Post-proof NDE continues. X-ray on repair ofthe HAG-4 is acceptable. Planishing is next.

ET-108

LH2 Tank On 5069 Tool. H-3 repair is complete less planishing.Mechanical installations will follow. Plan to move to 5068 Toolfor Dome weld next.

In Cell E. First TRIC rinse failed particulate count. Will rinseagain, then start Harness installation.

LO2 Tank

On 5347 Tool. Completed proof test, and started post-prooftest NDE activities. A .350 inch Crack PI (porosity indication)has been identified and is in Engineering for disposition.

LO2 Tank

ET-109

ET-105

ET-103

HARDWARE

Tank

LO2/Intertank

ET-106

ET-107

LM NEWS

In Cell C. Completed removal of Apex TPS closeouts.Replacement activities are under way.

LH2 Tank

Lockheed Martin reportssecond quarter net loss

Lockheed Martin Corporationreported a second quarter 1999loss per share of 11¢ on a dilutedbasis, compared to second quarter1998 diluted earnings per share of76¢. Net loss for the secondquarter 1999 totaled $41 million.In the second quarter of 1998, netearnings were $289 million.

As disclosed by the Corporationearlier, results for the secondquarter of 1999 reflect the impactof increased cost growth andreduced production rates relatedto the C-130J program, and theeffects of problems in theCorporation’s commercial satelliteand space launch businesses.

Net sales for second quarter1999 were $6.2 billion, comparedwith second quarter 1998 sales of$6.5 billion.

The Corporation’s backlogtotaled $45.0 billion at quarter’send compared with $45.3 billion atyear-end 1998.

“These results are consistentwith the revised performanceoutlook we released June 9,”stated Vance Coffman, LockheedMartin Chairman and ChiefExecutive Officer. “We arefocused on our core aerospace anddefense businesses to deliverstrong performance. As part ofour previously announced detailedreview of the Corporation’sbusiness operations, our entiremanagement team is directing itsfull energies to improvingorganizational effectiveness,performance and strategicalignment.

“We will build on our inherentstrengths and competencies,delivering better quality, costperformance and mission successfor our customers. Achievingthese goals will translate intoincreased value for ourshareholders and a morerewarding environment for ouremployees,” Coffman said.

The ongoing project of resurfacing the floor in Michoud’s manufacturingbuilding continues with the recent completion of the Major Weld area andadjacent aisles.

A shining example

The importance of attitude andcommon sense is pivotal for safetyin the workplace.

Safety requires, and receives, alot of attention here. Thegovernment has numerous safetyprograms and regulations that thecompany follows. We make aneffort to purchase equipment anddesign processes that reduce riskand improve safety. The companyalso provides us with training andprotective clothing and equipment,all with the goal of preventingaccidents and keeping us safe andhealthy to return from work hereto our families and loved ones.

I would like to take thisopportunity to share my thoughts

on “Safety Awareness in the WorkPlace.”

I truly recognize and hope thatyou will agree that we must look outfor ourselves first, to allow thetraining, regulations and equipmentto provide us protection.

The most important safety tool wecan bring to work is our attitude.It’s what describes us and ouractions in the workplace. After all,safety is the single most importantelement of our jobs.

General hazards

We can be the biggest hazards onour job. When we get careless, weget hurt and maybe injure aninnocent bystander. The concept ofno-fault doesn’t really apply to on-the-job-safety.

Most careless accidents can bepinned down to one of these causes:

• Complacency

• Emotions

• Tiredness

• Lack of knowledge

When working with complexmachinery, hazardous chemicalsand electrical power, we mustprovide full precision andattention to detail.

We are not expected toremember every single thing sodon’t be afraid to ask questions.

• If you’re not sure what to do,ask

• If you’re not sure how to do it,ask

• If you’re not sure how it works,ask

Our work is serious businessthat involves a lot of equipmentand substances that can bedangerous if not treated with care,respect and knowledge.

One of the most important safetyresponsibilities is simply to beaware of the need for safety. Thatmeans applying what we know towhat happens on the job. Itmeans thinking ahead to whathazards you could encounter, andthinking ahead about what couldgo wrong, on everything you do.

Instilling Safety Awareness — an attitude of attentionThis issue’sarticle onsafety is byMichaelJavery,Director ofManufactureand Test.

Michael Javery

The Microsoft AcceleratedLearning Program is underway.The Human Resources ComputerTraining department kicked off theprogram in June to provideparticipants with training intechnical Microsoft programs suchas Visual Basic, SQL, Windows NTServer, Internet InformationServer and many more.

More than a dozen employeesfrom several different departmentsincluding Facilities andEnvironmental Operations,Product Assurance, BusinessOperations, M.I.S. and HumanResources have applied.Applications are still beingaccepted. Any employee with a job

Computer trainingopportunitiesmultiply

requirement and managementapproval is welcome to participate.

The program includes studygroups, lab practice sessions, a booklending library, computer-basedtraining and it features KnowledgePool. Knowledge Pool is a web sitethat allows participants to takecourses and correspond withproduct specialists for that course.

Training Specialist Kevin Kolb,the program’s point of contact, says,“I’ve been pleasantly surprised tosee that we are adapting to newtechnology on the facility faster andfaster. I’ve met several people whoalready have a good understandingof Microsoft products and they’reclamoring for more. This program isdesigned to give them all theresources we can and then it’s up tothem to do something with it. Sofar, so good.”

For more information and anapplication to the Microsoft

The Lockheed Martin HealthServices Department hasinstalled a free-standing bloodpressure monitoring station forthe convenience of employees.The machine is located in theBuilding 103, Column M-1vending area.

“Our fully automated HealthMonitor Center will makeregular blood pressuremonitoring easy,” said Dr.Lawrence McManus, HealthServices.

The machine is similar to thosefound in many drugstores.

Self service bloodpressure testing

Accelerated Learning Program visithttp://gumbo/train/tech on theMichoud Space Systems Intranet.

was the liquid oxygen (LO2) flighttank for the X-33. This tank wasthe first major hardware item to becompleted for the vehicle, which iscurrently under construction at theLockheed Martin Skunk Works inPalmdale, California. The second of the twin tanks, theSTA, was planned to be used for sev-eral ground tests. In May it com-pleted a series of rigorous structuraltests at Marshall Space Flight Cen-ter (MSFC). “The STA structural testing pro-gram is an excellent example ofNASA and Michoud Space Systemsworking together to achieve greatresults,” said Richard Harris,Lockheed Martin STA Tank Teamlead. “The test program was started andcompleted within 14 weeks,” saidHarris. “The test stand, Building4699, used for structural testing onthe SLWT Aluminum-Lithium TestArticle was not available due toscheduling conflicts, so we teamedwith NASA/MSFC to build an alter-nate test facility at Building 4719from scratch and use it to success-fully complete the testing. “This is a good example of a fasttrack program to minimize programcost while meeting all test objec-tives,” Harris said. The tests simulated conditions theX-33 will experience during the pre-take-off, take-off, ascent, return andlanding phases of the X-33 flighttests. Gene Austin, NASA’s X-33program manager, said the com-pleted test series “adds to our over-all confidence in the vehicle as wekeep pushing toward final assembly

and its first flight next year.” With the structural testingcompleted, the versatile STA is nowto be used in propellant densifica-tion testing at GRC. The program will test MichoudSpace Systems’ proprietary predic-tive model for densification. Thismathematical model relates propel-lant temperature to quantity withinthe STA, as well as predicting thebehavior of subcooled cryogenic liq-uid as it is cycled through the tankand test fixture. The STA will be used to test thedensification of both LO2 and liquidhydrogen (LH2). Liquid oxygen isnominally maintained at –297°F.Densifying LO2 brings it down toan average temperature of –338°F,and this yields a 9% reduction inthe volume of the liquid. LH2 iskept at –423°F. Densified LH2achieves a temperature of –429.7°Fand provides a reduction in volumeof 6%. These volume decreases arekey to the weight savings requiredfor future launch vehicles. The STA has been transportedfrom MSFC to GRC. Michoud SpaceSystems technicians will install testinstrumentation and structure in-side the STA, including 40 silicondiodes to monitor propellant tem-peratures. The STA is scheduled to be in-stalled in the test facility in August,with LO2 testing planned to startin the October time frame. LH2testing is projected for Spring 2000. “We’re going to use Glenn Re-search Center’s X-33-sized LO2 and

LH2 densifiers and their test facil-ity,” said Knowles. “The densifierswere built by NASA for a potentialopportunity to fly densified propel-lants on the X-33 program.” The test will consist of cooling thecryogenic liquid to the target tem-perature by cycling it continuouslythrough the test tank and back tothe heat exchanger in the densifier.Each time propellant travelsthrough the heat exchanger, it isfurther cooled. As the liquid is pro-gressively cooled, so are the tankand the test fixture piping contain-ing the liquid. The sensors in the test tank willgather the temperature data the re-searchers will use to validate themath model. Michoud had very good resultsfrom earlier LH2 densification testsusing a 10-foot dual-lobed compositetank. “Data gathered during thesetests strongly confirmed our predic-tive model,” Knowles asserted. “Weexpect that the STA testing atGlenn Research Center will furthersupport the high degree of accuracyof the model. “Our knowledge of propellant den-sification, its benefits and require-ments along with our proprietarymodeling tools give us a competitiveadvantage for cryogenic main pro-pulsion systems and launch vehiclepropellant tank design and manu-facture,” Knowles said.

Continued from Page 1X-33 test tank

Artist’s conception of the test setup atGlenn Research Center. At right is the STA mountedin the test fixture. To the left is the densification equipment.

Next, White wanted to see thepaperwork for the discrepancy andwalked to another department tofind that. “Sometimes I check thehardware first and then the paper-work, and sometimes vice-versa,”he said.

White wanted to know the dome’sdisposition — if Michoud planned“to scrap it, fix it, rework it or use itas is.”

Later, in the final de-briefing af-ter the pre-assessment tours andinterviews were completed, the au-ditors were complimentary.

Continued from Page 1ISO audit Auditor Cynthia Lopez said she

could see that employees at theoperator-practitioner level werevery committed to quality. “Theyall had their training certificates.It’s a very good work system — agood foundation for the systemthat’s been built around them.

“What you’re doing is taking yourcore quality and wrapping ISOaround it,” Lopez said.

Lead auditor John Rogers saidthe team had found only a smallnumber of non-conformances. “Itake one or two samples off thefloor and see how far I can takethem and how many elements I cantouch,” Rogers said in describing

his own investigative process. Hetermed the pre-assessment as “cer-tainly beneficial,” showing thatMichoud Space Systems has “a ma-ture quality system.”

Feltus Kennedy, who is leadingMichoud’s ISO certification effort,summed up the three days of thepre-assessment. “We were givensome good recommendations andsuggestions for improvements. Thenon-conformances that we did haveare minor and can be corrected inshort order.”

Kennedy thanked everyone whoparticipated in the audit andhelped the auditors during theirexaminations.

Michoud Space Systems will hosta clothing drive supporting Dressfor Success New Orleans fromAugust 16 through 20.

This service provides interviewsuits and clothing to low-incomewomen seeking employment.

How does it work? Each Dressfor Success client receives one suitwhen she has an interview, and asecond suit when she gets the job.

The clients are job-ready womenreferred by numerous non-profitorganizations such as homelessshelters, job training programs,literacy programs, adult educationprograms and domestic violenceshelters.

You can help by making a tax-deductible donation of cleanwomen’s interview suits andaccessories, including suits,blazers, skirts, dresses, pants,belts, blouses, jewelry or purses.

Please bring items to the CostManagement Conference Room,Building 350, 2nd Floor, ColumnV-7.

To find out the status of workat MAF, call 257-1MAF or 1-800-611-3116; check the EWS; listento WWL-870 radio or WWL-TV;or access the MAF Site Statusweb site at www.mafstatus.com

Michoud Work Status

Employees at Michoud SpaceSystems are invited to enter thethird annual Lockheed MartinPhoto Contest. This year’s themeis “Excellence,” selected from theCorporation’s six core values ofethics, excellence, “can-do,”integrity, people and teamwork.

The entries will be judged onadherence to the theme of“Excellence,” as well as technicaland aesthetic merit. Professionalsand amateurs alike areencouraged to enter.

The objective is to expand theCorporation’s database of imagesrepresenting themes such ascompetition, achievement andteamwork portrayed as examplesof excellence in business, explainsEric Schulzinger, theCorporation’s director ofphotography and archives.

The winning entries will beincluded in the “stock category” ofthe Corporation’s Digital PhotoCollection, which is an Intranetsite featuring a comprehensivecollection of Lockheed Martinimages.

The photographs — credited tothe employees — will be availablefor use around the Corporation forbusiness developmentpresentations, employeecommunications, managementbriefings and other products

Employee photocontest now open

calling for descriptive images.Prizes to be awarded to this

year’s top three winners are:

• Gold: Canon A-2 camera with28-105 mm zoom lens

• Silver: Canon Elan II camerawith 28-80 mm zoom lens

• Third Place: Canon Rebel 2000camera with 28-80 mm zoom lens.

Employees may enter up to 10photographs. Prints, originaltransparencies and slides will beaccepted. Color or black and whiteprints should be submitted nolarger than 8.5 x 11 inches.

The deadline for entries is Oct. 1.Contest submissions will not bereturned.

The contest will be judged by apanel of photographers, editors andwriters selected by CorporateCommunications, which issponsoring the contest.

Entry forms and contest rulescan be found by visiting the DigitalPhoto Collection at: http://imagebank.orl.lmco.com/photo

Now’s a good timeto clean your closet

MISSION SUCCESSBULLETIN

Volume 18, Number 7July 30, 1999

Editor/Writer: Arthur NeadGraphics, Photography:

L. Songy, A. Nead Contributors:

M. Javery, K. Kolb, H. Wadsworth

Lockheed MartinMichoud Space Systems

Telephone: (504) 257-1308Mission Success Bulletin is published

by the Public Affairs Department.

®

MILESTONESEmployees celebrating milestone

anniversaries with LockheedMartin in June include:

Questions on ethics?To obtain clarification on

ethical matters or to reportpossible wrongdoing, contactthe Michoud Space Systemsethics officer, Stuart Stine,at 7-3842, or call theCorporate Office of Ethicsand Business Conduct, 1-800-563-8442.

25 yearsJerry MattioThomas MobleyLouis PalermoPatricia WittorfWayne Wright

20 yearsFaye BaillifThomas DirksenJoseph MillerGuridat RupnarainTerry SteudleinChi Chi Williams

15 yearsAnthony BondioWilliam BouchereauMaria BzikKenneth EddlestoneAngelo Greconia

Larry GrovesWilliam HallGary HarrisPatti JonesCindy MeltonBarry MorganJonathan Sharpe

10 yearsTerri MurphyTerry Sheeley

5 yearsAlan ArbourghMark BaconRonald BozantLarry DicksonJames DileoTodd DuhonJesse HawkinsBret HoltHannah LadnerGuillermo LadutRichard MichelClayton NewbillAaron PearsonDavid Saunders

Employee discounts forcoming events

The ever-popular Sesame Streetcharacters plan to romp in theBig Easy again this year.

The live Sesame Street Playersproduction “When I Grow Up” willbe showing at the UNO LakefrontArena November 5-7.

For pricing information and toorder discount tickets, phone(504) 455-6285.

Please order soon. Paymentsmust be made by October 21 fororders to be processed.

Up, Up and Away

The New Orleans BalloonExtravaganza is coming to theNew Orleans Fairgrounds August27, 28 and 29.

Come on out to the Fairgroundsfor great food, live entertainment,crafts and giant hot air balloons!

There will be lots of fun for thekids in Children’s Village alongwith hot air balloon shows, tetherrides, and more!

To obtain the discount foravailable Lockheed Martinemployees call (504) 455–6285.

Free parking. Kids under 12attend free.

BITS & PIECES

See you atFall Fest onOctober 16!Mark yourcalendar

now.