Fwd: [nasa-jsc-retirees-list] FW: NASA News and JSC Today at the end of the email - Monday, April 6, 2015

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Date: April 6, 2015 at 7:52:08 AM CDT
To: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Subject: [nasa-jsc-retirees-list] FW: NASA News and  JSC Today at the end of the email - Monday, April 6, 2015
Reply-To: larry.j.moon@nasa.gov

Happy Monday everyone.   Hope you all had a wonderful and safe Easter weekend and Sunday!

 

As always, if you wish to be removed from our daily NASA News mailings, please don't hesitate to let us know and we will remove you –it may take a reminder or 2 – but we will eventually get you unsubscribed!

 

NASA NEWS

• NASA To Hold Nationwide Celebrations For Hubble.

• NASA Reportedly "Quietly" Considering Return To The Moon.

• Multiple Centers, Officials Will Take Part In International Space Apps Challenge.

• UAE Space Agency Visits With NASA.

• California Legislators Pushing For Sally Ride Statue In Capitol.

• Award-Winning Teacher Compares 15th Century China To Modern Day NASA.

• OSU Director For NASA Education Interviewed.

• Artist Animates Apollo Crew Insignias.

HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

• Mack Named Deputy Director Of Office Of Human Capital At Marshall Space Flight Center.

• Astronauts Highlighted For Their Notable Photography.

• ISS About To Get New Plant Experiment.

• LHC Restarts Operations.

• Hadfield's IPad Use Noted On Instrument's Anniversary.

• ISS Model Gets Enough Votes For LEGO Review.

• CSA Amends Contract For Support Of ISS' Mobile Servicing Systems.

• UK Residents Can See The ISS For Two Weeks This Month.

• Festivities Planned For Yuri's Night.

• Marshall Small Business Specialist To Speak At WOSB Workshop.

• Cleveland High School Student Chosen For NASA Summer Program.

• Space Center Houston Cited In List Of "Most Fascinating" Ways To Learn About Texas.

NASA NEWS

NASA To Hold Nationwide Celebrations For Hubble.

Tech Times (4/5, Maynard) reported that NASA will hold public "celebrations around the nation" to mark the Hubble telescope's 25 years in space. NASA wrote in an announcement, "On April 23 from 9 to 9:45 a.m. EDT, NASA will unveil the official Hubble 25th anniversary image at the Newseum in Washington. NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden, Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate John Grunsfeld, and Hubble Senior Project Scientist Jennifer Wiseman, will speak about Hubble's achievements." The article, listing some of the other events scheduled, noted that some of them will take place in other countries.

        The Silver Ink (4/5, James) also covered the story.

        Columnist Praises Hubble, Laments Eventual Loss. In his "Skywatch" column for the Springfield (MA) Republican (4/3, 297K), Patrick Rowan wrote about the early history of the Hubble telescope, commenting that "one of the greatest discovery machines of all time" caused "a sensation" when it was serviced for the first time with corrective optics. Rowan predicted that it will be a "sad day" when the Hubble "inevitably" stops operating.

NASA Reportedly "Quietly" Considering Return To The Moon!

The Houston Chronicle (4/4, Berger, 2.28M) reported that "senior NASA engineers" are "quietly" working on a manned lunar mission as part of an "Evolvable Mars Campaign." According to the article, William Gerstenmaier, NASA associate administrator for Human Exploration and Operations, does not think that astronauts can complete a direct mission to Mars like the Obama Administration wants, placing him "in a delicate position." The article noted that Gerstenmaier seems "to be steering" NASA back to the moon, which "many critics" believe NASA should head toward next. Gerstenmaier said, "We have seen and done several studies that look at Mars missions as a logistics and resupply problem. ... These studies show that resources from the moon could be extremely beneficial for Mars missions." When released later this year, NASA's new Evolvable Mars Campaign would avoid "flags-and-footprints" missions for "a more step-by-step, sustainable path."

        Blog Coverage. Mark Whittington at Examiner (4/4, 1.01M), citing the Houston Chronicle, commented that if NASA heads back to the moon, it would "demonstrate NASA's superiority to the Chinese," as well as agree "with almost everyone who has looked at the problems of interplanetary flight."

        Marcia S. Smith at SpacePolicyOnline (4/5) writes that NASA officials are saying that the Houston Chronicle was incorrect in its assessment. NASA spokeswoman Stephanie Schierholz wrote, "The Evolvable Mars Campaign, which envisions using the lunar vicinity to support a human mission to the Red Planet, is in line with and designed to advance the president's ambitious space exploration plan. We're making great progress on this journey to Mars. A key element of our plan to get to the Red Planet is employing a stepping stone approach, including living, working and learning in cis-lunar space." David Weaver NASA Associate Administrator for the Office of Communications, also had "a Twitter exchange" with Eric Berger, the author of the piece.

        In another Examiner (4/5, 1.01M) post about the SpacePolicyOnline article, Whittington writes that there has been "a fierce Twitter exchange between Eric Berger" and others who do not want "any NASA led space exploration program for ideological reasons." Whittington thinks all of this also may be a signal from NASA that it was "open" to a lunar mission when a new Administration comes in.

Multiple Centers, Officials Will Take Part In International Space Apps Challenge.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer (4/3, Washington, 1.01M) reported how the Glenn Research Center, along with OHTec, will host the International Space Apps Challenge at the center on April 10-12. Sean Gallagher, Glenn's chief information officer, said, "Teams of tech-savvy citizens in Northeast Ohio are wanted to present their innovative ideas on how NASA may be able to solve specific mission challenges." Crain's Cleveland Business (4/4, 51K) also covered the story.

        Florida Today (4/3, Dean, 178K) briefly notes that Orlando is also hosting the International Space Apps Challenge.

        Meanwhile, SPACE (4/3, Cofield, 236K) reported that NASA Chief Scientist Ellen Stofan and astronaut Cady Coleman will take part in events in New York City. The article noted that events will take place "in more than 100 cities worldwide, covering every continent except Antarctica."

UAE Space Agency Visits With NASA.

Gulf Business (ARE) (4/6, Nagraj) reports that UAE Space Agency officials visited the US to meet with "key stakeholders" in the space industry, including NASA, the State Department, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Astrobotic, and Virgin Galactic. When meeting with NASA, the two agencies discussed potential joint projects and "cooperation in educational and training programmes."

California Legislators Pushing For Sally Ride Statue In Capitol.

The New York Times (4/5, Pogash, Subscription Publication, 9.97M) reports that California legislators are pushing to replace a statue of Rev. Junipero Serra, "an 18th-century Catholic priest who established California missions and is about to be canonized by Pope Francis," with a statue of astronaut Sally Ride in the Capitol building. Each state is allowed two statues in the Capitol's National Statuary Hall Collection; California's other is Ronald Reagan.

Award-Winning Teacher Compares 15th Century China To Modern Day NASA.

The Salina Journal (4/5, Strand, 88K) profiles Collin Carlson, a high school history teacher at Salina South High School in Salina, Kansas. Carlson was named a Horizon Award winner, a prize given to 32 new teachers statewide each year. Carlson teaches about the history of exploration in China in the 1400's, and says "We compare that to what NASA is doing now." Carlson "explained that while the U.S. put people on the Moon first, it has since scaled back on exploration, while other countries have surged ahead."

OSU Director For NASA Education Interviewed.

The Enid (OK) News & Eagle (4/3, Asher, 41K) interviewed Oklahoma State University's director of NASA education, Steve Marks. Marks said of the program, "One of Oklahoma's best kept secrets is that we have been a national leader for many, many years in developing high-quality kindergarten through 12th-grade curriculum for teachers and students." He added that "one thing that NASA brings to K through 12 kids is where the future is and where they can fit into their future and what it means to live on this planet." Marks discussed plans for the Orion, noting, "We will probably see this system launched without people in 2018," and "in about 2022, we will probably see people being launched to the moon and come back."

Artist Animates Apollo Crew Insignias.

collectSPACE (4/6, Pearlman) reports that artist Neil Smith posted videos to YouTube and Vimeo showing "historic NASA emblems in an animated short." The video includes "all of the Apollo crew insignias." In the credits of his film, Smith thanks NASA "for all the super cool, high res public domain imagery, free 3D models, and for going to the moon."

HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

Mack Named Deputy Director Of Office Of Human Capital At Marshall Space Flight Center.

The Selma (AL) Times Journal (4/3, Jackson, 23K) reported on a Selma, Alabama native who "was recently named deputy director of the Office of Human Capital at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville." Larry Mack previously worked at the Human Resources Branch of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and has spent 20 years working for the Federal government. Mack said of the human capital profession, "The key part is to devise effective human resource strategies so that they align with the mission and its needs. The way you support the mission is to keep team members from worrying about these issues so they can focus on their work."

Astronauts Highlighted For Their Notable Photography.

RT (RUS) (4/5, 346K) reports that ISS astronaut Scott Kelly has already been tweeting "mesmerizing images of Earth" under the hashtag #YearinSpace. Mashable (4/4, Specia, 1.8M) also covers the story about Kelly.

        Meanwhile, the Daily Caller (4/3, Macri, 318K) also notes that ISS astronaut Terry Virts is becoming "one of the station's most adept photographers yet" through his tweets.

        Tant: Kelly's Expedition Will Have "Rigors And Rewards." In his column for the Athens (GA) Banner-Herald (4/4, 90K), Ed Tant wrote that that Kelly's year-long ISS mission will be not only a "physical and mental" experience, but also a "spiritual and philosophical" one. Tant expected the expedition to be "long and lonely...with both rigors and rewards."

ISS About To Get New Plant Experiment.

The Daily Mail (UK) (4/3, O'Callaghan, 4.78M) reported that when SpaceX launches to the ISS this month, it will bring JAXA's Plant Gravity Sensing experiment, which will examine "how plants grow in a particular direction without a noticeable gravitational pull." The results could be used by astronauts on the moon and Mars, as well as those on Earth obtain a higher crop yield. When inside the Kibo module, the plants will be tested "in both the micro gravity ISS environment and in a small centrifuge, that can simulate Earth's gravity."

        SpaceX's Busy Schedule Likely To Lead To Commercial Crew Test Delay. NASA Space Flight (4/3, Bergin, 305) reported that SpaceX has "a salvo of events" in the next few months, including two launches in April and its "pad abort test in early May." Detailing the launch manifest that comes afterwards, the article noted that currently, SpaceX plans "to conduct another Commercial Crew objective for Dragon 2" as early as July 1, but that date is likely to be delayed sometime "over the coming weeks, based on natural movement in the company's busy launch schedule."

LHC Restarts Operations.

AFP (4/5) reports that on Sunday, CERN stated that the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) resumed operations "after a two-year upgrade." The collider is now undergoing another "recommissioning process." The CERN director for accelerators and technology said that so far, the improved LHC is "in great shape," and its proton beams will eventually be raised "to new record levels."

        The AP (4/5) notes that scientists want to use the LHC to get, "a first ever glimpse of dark matter." The article briefly added that the scientific community is also searching for signs of dark matter "in orbit in a special experiment on the international space station, and in a deep underground mine."

Hadfield's IPad Use Noted On Instrument's Anniversary.

In an op-ed for ComputerWorld (4/3, 87K), Jonny Evans wrote about "Apple's achievement" when it launched the iPad five years ago on April 3. As an example of the "cultural impact" of the device, Evans noted that astronaut Chris Hadfield used an iPad to sing David Bowie's "Space Oddity" when at the ISS.

        Mashable (4/3, Elliott, 1.8M) similarly noted how Hadfield used an iPad at the station.

ISS Model Gets Enough Votes For LEGO Review.

collectSPACE (4/3, Pearlman) reported that after an appeal reached the front page of Reddit, a LEGO version of the ISS developed by Christoph Ruge garnered the 10,000 votes it needed to qualify for a review by LEGO. The article noted that NASA has also promoted the proposal through its Twitter account. Now that it has reached the 10,000 vote threshold, LEGO will review it alongside proposals, like "a medieval marketplace, a Douglas DC-3 airliner, a Tyrannosaurus Rex and Elsa's Ice Palace from Disney's animated movie 'Frozen,'" in May. If approved, it will be officially released to the public.

CSA Amends Contract For Support Of ISS' Mobile Servicing Systems.

Via Satellite (4/3, Henry, 1K) reported that the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) amended a contract with MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) "for on-going support of the International Space Station's (ISS) mobile servicing system." Under the amended contract, MDA will continue its work with the Canadarm2, Dextre, and Mobile Base System until March 2016.

UK Residents Can See The ISS For Two Weeks This Month.

The Yorkshire Standard (UK) (4/4) reported that every day for the next two weeks, residents in the UK will have the chance to spot the ISS in the evening.

Festivities Planned For Yuri's Night.

Florida Today (4/3, Dean, 178K) reports on this year's Yuri's Night with events in Florida including "a chance to listen via ham radio to the International Space Station" on April 12. The article notes that more "festivities" will take place a few days later when astronaut Cady Coleman speaks "about the importance of working in simulated space environments to future exploration."

        The Lorain (OH) Morning Journal (4/3, Vehovec, 65K) reported on the celebrations planned at the Great Lakes Science Center. Parabolic Arc (4/5, Messier) also covers the story.

Marshall Small Business Specialist To Speak At WOSB Workshop.

Alabama Live (4/3, Berry, 502K) reported on a women-owned small business (WOSB) workshop scheduled for Tuesday in Huntsville, Alabama run by ServisFirst Bank and the Women's Business Center of North Alabama. The workshop is geared to support female entrepreneurs seeking to work with the Federal government. Marshall Space Flight Center's David Brock, a small business specialist, will speak at the event.

Cleveland High School Student Chosen For NASA Summer Program.

The Cleveland (TX) Advocate (4/3, 73K) reported on Cleveland High School's announcement that one of its students, Matthew Anderson, was selected for a six-day summer program at Johnson Space Center. Anderson is one of a small number of juniors that will participate in the program. Cleveland High School, in Cleveland, Texas, "is the only area high school that has had two students selected consecutively" for the program.

Space Center Houston Cited In List Of "Most Fascinating" Ways To Learn About Texas.

In a travel article for the Dallas Morning News (4/3, 1.13M), Helen Anders listed 10 of the "most fascinating, interactive and engaging" sites in Texas to learn about the state's history. One of those locations is Space Center Houston, the Johnson Space Center's visitors center. To Anders, the location was just as much about "changing technology."

 

 

 

Monday, April 6, 2015

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JSC TODAY CATEGORIES Headlines -  4th Annual OCIO's NASA T&I Labs Challenge Project -  Help Celebrate 25 Years of Hubble Discoveries -  Ceres: A Wet-ish, Warm-ish, Habitable World of… -  NASA@work: Last Chance to Submit Your Solution! -  JSC Takes First Lady's Dance Challenge [VIDEO] Organizations/Social -  Young Professional Science & Engineering Web Talk -  Photography Techniques: Last Day to Sign Up -  CoLabs Member Showcase -  JSC Toastmasters - Wednesday Nights -  ISS Exp 43 & 44 patches now available at B3 & B11! -  Johnson Space Center Astronomy Society Meeting Jobs and Training -  Introduction to Agreements at JSC -  Job Opportunities -  Human Systems Academy Community -  NEW Export Control Web Page -  Want to JS(C) a Movie?

Experimental Wing Tests Electric Propulsion Technologies

 

Headlines 4th Annual OCIO's NASA T&I Labs Challenge Project The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) is pleased to announce that the Fourth Annual Technology & Innovations (T&I) Labs Challenge (formally "IT Labs") is now open. For new proposals this year, we have introduced a two-step approach for project submissions. The first step will be a one-page application with a few details on the project you are proposing. The one-page application will be submitted via the T&I Labs website and revealed to all after the deadline. A key change in this year's project challenge call will be to combine, and not fund, duplicate projects on the same topic. Past project leaders are encouraged to apply if their project has merit to reach production, although anyone can propose advancing a past effort if your business unit is interested in championing it. Phase 2 and above projects will require co-sponsorship and contributing funds from a business unit champion. R. Travis Kantz 281-792-7885 https://labs.nasa.gov/SitePages/Challenge_Project_Call.aspx [top] Help Celebrate 25 Years of Hubble Discoveries The Hubble Space Telescope's 25th anniversary is just a few weeks away, on April 24. Get involved! Join the excitement of this amazing milestone by sharing your own favorite Hubble image or fun quote, memory or moment! All we ask is that you share. Post it to your Facebook. Tweet it! Grab your camera (or phone) and make a selfie video! Be sure to use #hubble25 and @NASA_Hubble so we can follow all of your Hubble memories. Please post and tweet responsibly. Stay up-to-date with the latest information on Hubble happenings at the 25th anniversary website. Starting April 20, the JSC Knowledge Office (JKO) will present a Hubble scavenger hunt. By answering three daily questions correctly, you'll be in the running for amazing prizes! Look for more information to be announced in JSC Today. Robin Prouse x32843 http:hubble25th.org [top] Ceres: A Wet-ish, Warm-ish, Habitable World of… Ceres: A Wet-ish, Warm-ish, Habitable World of Mystery and Opportunity. Join us Wednesday when Marc Fries, a JSC ARES planetary scientist, will give a talk on dwarf planet Ceres. The NASA Dawn spacecraft recently arrived in orbit around Ceres, which is a dwarf planet the size of Texas and the largest body in the asteroid belt. Ceres is a poorly-understood dwarf planet that is rich in volatiles, perhaps containing as much fresh water as the Earth. Recently, some salt grains found in two unusual meteorites have been hypothesized as originating from Ceres, and this talk will discuss them in detail and their implications. This talk will also discuss Ceres in general: what we know, what we don't, and why this world is an interesting target for future exploration. Questions and discussion are encouraged. Event Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2015   Event Start Time:1:00 PM   Event End Time:2:00 PM Event Location: B30 Auditorium Add to Calendar Kristen John x40897 http://ares.jsc.nasa.gov/ [top] NASA@work: Last Chance to Submit Your Solution! The "Revising the Review Item Discrepancy (RID) Repository - Seeking New Tools!" challenge ends this Wednesday, April 8. Check this challenge out today and submit your solution before it closes! And, don't forget to check out our other active challenge: "NASA Public Website Management for Everyone." Are you new to NASA@work? NASA@work is an agency wide, collaborative problem-solving platform that connects the collective knowledge of experts (like YOU) from all centers across NASA. Challenge owners post problems, and members of the NASA@work community participate by responding with their solutions to posted problems. We are 15,000 strong and growing every day. Anyone can participate! Check it out and submit your solutions today! Carissa Callini 281-212-1409 http://nasa.innocentive.com [top] JSC Takes First Lady's Dance Challenge [VIDEO] First Lady Michelle Obama and Ellen DeGeneres challenged the public to learn the #GimmeFive dance in celebration of the fifth anniversary of the "Let's Move" campaign. JSC employees came out to the Teague auditorium last week to accept the challenge and show off their killer dance skills in this video.  Today, the First Family will host the 137th annual White House Easter Egg Roll. This year's theme is "#GimmeFive," and more than 35,000 people will gather on the South Lawn to join in the celebrations. JSC will be participating from afar with our video, which will be shared on JSC Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus accounts. Check out our accounts and share with your networks using #GimmeFive. JSC External Relations, Office of Communications and Public Affairs x35111 [top]    Organizations/Social Young Professional Science & Engineering Web Talk Join us for the next iteration of the Early Career Science and Engineering Working Group seminar series. This seminar will feature presentations from Anne Caraccio (KSC), Dr. Valerie Wiesner (GRC), Christie Funk (LARC), and Dr. Mary Coan (KSC). You can log in from your desk at https://ac.arc.nasa.gov/earlycareer/ or come down to Conference Room 129 in Building 31 to watch with a group. Event Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2015   Event Start Time:12:00 PM   Event End Time:1:00 PM Event Location: B31 Room 129 Add to Calendar Aaron Burton x42773 [top] Photography Techniques: Last Day to Sign Up Would you like to learn how to take professional-looking pictures with your digital camera? Starport has the perfect Photography Techniques workshop for you! This five-week workshop introduces you to the proper techniques needed to take great digital photos. You will learn the art of focus, composition, exposure and basic lighting techniques. Following the techniques you'll learn in these easy and fun classes, you will be on your way to taking better pictures in no time. Classes start tomorrow, April 7, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Regular registration: $110 (March 28 to April 7) All classes are held in the Gilruth Center Lone Star Room. Shericka Phillips x35563 https://starport.jsc.nasa.gov/en/programs/recreation-programs/photography [top] CoLabs Member Showcase Join us for our April CoLabs meeting in the Building 56 Collaboration Center from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8. You will hear short elevator pitches about how CoLabs members are utilizing new technologies. These projects are seeking your engagement for a fast-paced brainstorming event! Wearable Tech for Space, Ground, and You - Cory Simon BikeTrak - Enabling wireless tracking at JSC - Chris Gerty How should NASA use the 3D printer on ISS? - Drew Hood Come let your voice be heard, when it's not full of pizza that is (pizza will be provided)! Event Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2015   Event Start Time:12:00 PM   Event End Time:1:00 PM Event Location: Bldg 56 Collaboration Center Add to Calendar Elena C. Buhay 281-792-7976 https://plus.google.com/communities/104838054476769665235 [top] JSC Toastmasters - Wednesday Nights Want to become a better speaker or leader, increase your self-confidence and communicate more effectively? Then JSC Toastmasters is for you! Our weekly meetings are learn-by-doing workshops in which participants hone their speaking and leadership skills in a pressure-free atmosphere. Membership is open to anyone. Meetings are held every Wednesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Gilruth Center Brazos Room. Event Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2015   Event Start Time:6:30 PM   Event End Time:7:30 PM Event Location: Gilruth Center Add to Calendar Thomas Bryan x31721 http://3116.toastmastersclubs.org/ [top] ISS Exp 43 & 44 patches now available at B3 & B11! ISS Expedition 43 and 44 mission patches are now available at the ShopNASA Building 3 and 11 gift shops. Swing by to pick up your current ISS mission merchandise, including the Expedition 43 lapel pin and commemorative 1 year mission lapel pin! Ansley Browns x46487 [top] Johnson Space Center Astronomy Society Meeting Dr. Madhan Tirumalai will give us our first astrobiology talk explaining how "Extremophiles Redefine the Limits of Life". Organisms like deep sea vent communities and geyser pool bacteria show us that life continually stretches our commonly held boundaries. Perhaps the sub ice oceans of Europa or Enceladus, or sub surface on Mars will hold the answer to the great question of life beyond Earth. Our other regular topics include 'What's up in the sky this month?', with beginner observing suggestions, the amazing 'Astro Oddities', the novice Q&A session for your questions, upcoming star parties, including our trip to our dark sky site at Ft. McKavett and the informative Member's Minutes. Membership to JSCAS is FREE! There are no dues, no-by laws, just come to our meeting. After joining us, you can try out our loaner telescope program, or borrow from our DVD library with 100's of choices. Event Date: Friday, April 10, 2015   Event Start Time:7:30 PM   Event End Time:9:30 PM Event Location: USRA auditorium, 3600 Bay Area Blvd Add to Calendar Jim Wessel x41128 http://www.jscas.net/ [top]    Jobs and Training Introduction to Agreements at JSC Do you want to learn more about Space Act Agreements (SAAs) and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs)? You will get answers to questions such as (but not limited to) "When do we need a SAA?" and "What is the process for a CRADA". Sign up in SATERN for this fantastic class taught by the Office of Chief Council, the Financial Management Division, and the Strategic Partnerships Office. Event Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2015   Event Start Time:8:30 AM   Event End Time:12:30 PM Event Location: Bldg 12, Room 134 Add to Calendar Elizabeth Blome x47121 https://satern.nasa.gov/learning/user/deeplink_redirect.jsp?linkId=REGIS... [top] Job Opportunities Where do I find job opportunities? Both internal Competitive Placement Plan and external JSC job announcements are posted on the Human Resources (HR) portal and USAJOBS website. Through the HR portal, civil servants can view summaries of all the agency jobs that are currently open at: https://hr.nasa.gov/portal/server.pt/community/employees_home/239/job_opportu... To help you navigate to JSC vacancies, use the filter drop-down menu and select "JSC HR." The "Jobs" link will direct you to the USAJOBS website for the complete announcement and the ability to apply online. Lateral reassignment and rotation opportunities have now moved to NASA Employee Talent Search (NETS). These opportunities do not possess known promotion potential. If you have questions about any JSC job vacancies or reassignment opportunities, please call your HR representative. Brandy Braunsdorf x30476 [top] Human Systems Academy Join the Human Systems Academy lecture tomorrow on "Space Medicine, Medical Operations". Dr. Joseph Dervay, Flight Surgeon & Lead, Medical Operations Group, will provide insight into the various aspects of Medical Operations support throughout prelaunch, on-orbit and post-launch activities. As space is limited, please register in SATERN. Event Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2015   Event Start Time:1:00 PM   Event End Time:3:00 PM Event Location: B2S/Studio B (Rm 180) Add to Calendar Ruby Guerra x37108 https://sashare.jsc.nasa.gov/hsa/default.aspx [top]    Community NEW Export Control Web Page The JSC Export Services Team's Export Control Website is now located on the Center Operations webpage at: http://centerops.jsc.nasa.gov/jb/exportcontrol/. PLEASE change your bookmarks and any links from your organization's webpages to the Export Control Office website. Old links are no longer functional. Ari Blum x33431 http://centerops.jsc.nasa.gov/jb/exportcontrol/ [top] Want to JS(C) a Movie? NASA would like your help in planning outdoor movie nights here at JSC! Click on the link below and complete the questionnaire to provide your feedback on what you would like to see for a fun, family movie night. Crawford Jones 281-792-8481 http://strategicplan.jsc.nasa.gov/surveys.ashx/1/JSC%20Movie%20Night%20S... [top]

 

JSC Today is compiled periodically as a service to JSC employees on an as-submitted basis. Any JSC organization or employee may submit articles. Disclaimer: Accuracy and content of these notes are the responsibility of the submitters.

 

Amazing shuttle!

Fwd: [nasa-jsc-retirees-list] FW: NASA News and JSC Today - Friday, April 3, 2015

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Date: April 3, 2015 at 8:17:04 AM CDT
To: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Subject: [nasa-jsc-retirees-list] FW: NASA News and JSC Today - Friday, April 3, 2015
Reply-To: larry.j.moon@nasa.gov

Happy Good Friday to everyone and have a wonderful Easter weekend and Easter Sunday.

 

It was great to see so many of you yesterday at our monthly Retirees Luncheon –especially good to see Larry Bell,  Barbara Shock, Judy White, Flo Cox, and many other wonderful colleagues and friends who are first timers or have not joined us for awhile.   

 

 

 

LEADING THE NEWS

• New Plan Could Have Astronauts Orbiting Mars By 2033.

NASA NEWS

• NASA's Innovation Score Increases In Recent Survey.

• Picayune Item: Third Party Should Take Over Opportunity Rover.

HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

• Overbye Expounds On Earth As Seen By ISS Astronauts.

• SpaceX, Sierra Nevada Given More Time To Complete CCiCap Milestones.

• ISS' Orbit Raised To Prepare For Cargo Spacecraft.

• "Story Time from Space" Short Of Fundraising Goal.

• Delaware State University Experiment Heading To The ISS.

• Designer Of Zero-Gravity Cocktail Glass Wants To Print A Glass At The ISS.

• Local Residents Have Chance To See ISS On Saturday.

• Morehead State University To Build Cubesat For SLS Launch.

• Travolta To Host Relaunch Of Aldrin's ShareSpace Foundation.

LEADING THE NEWS

New Plan Could Have Astronauts Orbiting Mars By 2033.

Aviation Week (4/2, Morring, 2K) reports that a workshop hosted by The Planetary Society and chaired by Scott Hubbard and John Logsdon determined that with "inflation-adjusted funding levels comparable to what NASA is spending on its human-spaceflight effort today," the US could afford to send astronauts into Mars orbit by 2033 and onto the surface by 2039. The article notes that the Jet Propulsion Laboratory tasked The Aerospace Corporation to evaluate the cost of the proposal. The plan would require no "dramatic advances in technology," and would rely on NASA's Orion and Space Launch System. It would also be funded by using the ISS' current budget once the station was shut down in 2024. According to the article, Logsdon believes that by undertaking an orbital mission before a landing, NASA would gain public support and "international and commercial partners."

        SPACE (4/2, Cofield, 236K) notes that Hubbard called the proposal a "long-term, cost-constrained, executable humans-to-Mars program." Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye said that while the technical issues involved would be challenging, "the real problem" facing the proposal was politics. Hubbard added that the "major hurdles" NASA faced in the past, such as "biomedical, launch systems and so forth," have been reduced to the point that they are less problematic than finding the necessary "political will."

        NBC News (4/2, Boyle, 2.71M) and Space Policy Online (4/2, Smith) also cover the story.

        Ramos: Manned Mars Mission Will Be Challenging. The Hindu (IND) (4/2, 101K) reports that at the inauguration of Kongu Engineering College's Edulaunch initiative earlier this week, Joe Ramos, a former NASA associate director, said that a manned Mars mission will be "challenging" because of the conditions at the planet. He also discussed how NASA was "useful to mankind."

        Blog Coverage. Morgan Rehnberg at Universe Today (4/2, 19K) considers the new Mars orbital plan "an exciting proposal by an organization with a credible history." However, he does wonder whether starting with an orbital mission would adds unnecessary risks for astronauts.

        Mark Whittington at the Examiner (4/2, 1.01M) blog comments that the proposal could be modified by the next Administration, "reversing some of the more controversial decisions made by the Obama administration."

NASA NEWS

NASA's Innovation Score Increases In Recent Survey.

Federal Computer Week (4/2, Schneider, 263K) reports that Partnership for Public Service determined that "for the fifth straight year," overall government innovation has declined. However, "several key agencies...both outperform their peers and are on the rise." NASA, for instance, "has topped the large-agency list every year," and "saw its score climb slightly to 76.7." Furthermore, the article notes that four NASA units "outscored their parent agency."

Picayune Item: Third Party Should Take Over Opportunity Rover.

The Picayune (MS) Item (4/3, 18K) editorialized on the possibility that after 11 years on Mars, the Opportunity rover mission may end because of budget cuts, and not because of technical issues. Even though the editors understand why this decision would "make fiscal sense," they think that "a private or commercial third party" should take over operations because the rover can still produce scientific results. They conclude that an arrangement should be made, because there is "no sense" in just abandoning "a perfectly good Opportunity."

HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

Overbye Expounds On Earth As Seen By ISS Astronauts.

In his column for the New York Times (4/2, Subscription Publication, 9.97M), Dennis Overbye writes that with Earth Day approaching, "it's worth taking a look" at the views of Earth taken by ISS astronauts, "one of the little-known benefits of the space station." Astronauts take pictures of geological features and changes that would "spew headlines" if seen on exoplanets. Overbye comments that with the Kepler telescope making more exoplanet discoveries, Earth appears to be even "rarer and rarer" as time goes on.

        Blog Coverage. Chris Mills at Gizmodo (4/2, 1.04M) writes that following the "fantastic images" of Super Typhoon Maysak taken by ISS astronauts, NASA has released "awe-inspiring satellite imagery" of the storm taken by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission's Precipitation Radar, which he posted. Mills notes that the ISS' RapidScat instrument also has been measuring the storm's wind speed. All of these measurements show how NASA is "keeping a very careful eye" on the storm.

SpaceX, Sierra Nevada Given More Time To Complete CCiCap Milestones.

Spaceflight Now (4/2, Clark, 3K) reports that NASA has given SpaceX and Sierra Nevada more time to finish their Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) milestones, although it did not provide any additional funds to do so. SpaceX and Sierra Nevada have until December 31 and March 31, 2016, respectively, to complete work that was supposed to be finished by March 31, which itself was an extension. NASA spokesperson Stephanie Schierholz said, "Throughout CCiCap, we have amended our (agreements) with Boeing, SNC and SpaceX to provide a mutually beneficial partnership for NASA and industry." The article notes that Boeing completed its milestones when the CCiCap deadline was first extended to August 2014.

ISS' Orbit Raised To Prepare For Cargo Spacecraft.

Russia's ITAR-TASS News Agency (4/2, 5K) reports that the ISS' orbit was raised "to facilitate docking with a Progress-M27M cargo spaceship." A mission control spokesperson called this a "routine" maneuver.

"Story Time from Space" Short Of Fundraising Goal.

SPACE (4/2, Howell, 236K) reports how the group behind "Story Time from Space," led by Patricia Tribe, is trying to raise $55,000 on Indigogo to add experiments to the stories read by ISS astronauts. The article notes that the group's first attempt to raise funds failed, and so far, only $3,000 has been raised. However, Tribe said that if this campaign fails, the group is "not stopping" its efforts. Tribe added that some experiments will be shipped to the ISS in June, and more books will be shipped in November. Two of those are written by astronaut Mark Kelly, and Tribe hopes that ISS astronaut Scott Kelly will have the chance to read them.

Delaware State University Experiment Heading To The ISS.

The WXDE-FM Milford, DE (4/3) website reports that Delaware State University students were chosen by the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program to develop an experiment that will fly aboard the ISS. It will be launched to the ISS sometime "this fall."

Designer Of Zero-Gravity Cocktail Glass Wants To Print A Glass At The ISS.

SPACE (4/2, Howell, 236K) reports on the "'zero-gravity' cocktail glass" designed by Samuel Coniglio. Coniglio Kickstarter campaign to has so far only raised $3,400 raised of its $30,000 goal. However, Coniglio is pleased by the publicity generated. According to the article a "big goal" is to one day print "a more ordinary-looking" glass at the ISS, but that "all depends on how quickly the funding appears."

Local Residents Have Chance To See ISS On Saturday.

In an article primarily about this weekend's eclipse, Peninsula (WA) Daily News (4/3, 41K) reports that the ISS will make a "three-minute pass Saturday night." The article notes that local residents will have additional opportunities to see the ISS Monday through Wednesday.

Morehead State University To Build Cubesat For SLS Launch.

The Ashland (KY) Daily Independent (4/2, 40K) reports that NASA selected Morehead State University (MSU) to develop a cubesat to launch aboard the Space Launch System in 2018 as part of the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) program. Ben Malphrus, MSU's Department of Earth and Space Sciences chair and Space Science Center director, said that the school was "extremely excited" by the selection. The satellite will "prospect for water ice and other lunar volatiles from an orbit near the lunar surface." The article notes that the Goddard Space Flight Center is part of the project.

        Uncover Michigan (4/2, Bailey) and Examiner (4/2, Whittington, 1.01M) also cover the story.

Travolta To Host Relaunch Of Aldrin's ShareSpace Foundation.

collectSPACE (4/3, Pearlman) reports that on Thursday, Buzz Aldrin's not-for-profit ShareSpace Foundation announced that John Travolta will host the relaunch event at the Kennedy Space Center on July 18 "under one of the last surviving Saturn V rockets." The foundation will now strive "to address science literacy by delivering children's hands-on activities and inspirational messages."

 

 

 

Friday, April 3, 2015

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JSC TODAY CATEGORIES Organizations/Social -  37th Annual FOD Chili Cook-off is Coming April 11 -  Parent's Night Out at Starport - April 17 Jobs and Training -  APPEL - Intro to Green Engineering - June 2-4 -  NASA Business Acumen - Slots Still Available

Curiosity Sees Prominent Mineral Veins on Mount Sharp, Mars

 

Organizations/Social 37th Annual FOD Chili Cook-off is Coming April 11 Calling all chili cooks and chili goers! On Saturday, April 11, the JSC area's finest chili chefs will gather together to cook up their best recipes, all vying for first place. If you haven't already registered your team, GET SIGNED UP—it's not too late. The $7 tickets are available in both Buildings 3 and 11 ShopNASA stores. The cost is $10 at the door, so hurry and get your tickets in advance. Propaganda for the cook-off starts Wednesday, April 8, at 4 p.m. Check the website for more information. Event Date: Saturday, April 11, 2015   Event Start Time:8:00 AM   Event End Time:5:00 PM Event Location: Gilruth Complex Add to Calendar Elmer Johnson x32084 https://external.jsc.nasa.gov/events/chili/index.cfm [top] Parent's Night Out at Starport – April 17 Enjoy a night out on the town while your kids enjoy a night with Starport! We will entertain your children with a night of games, crafts, a bounce house, pizza, movie, dessert and loads of fun! When: Friday, April 17 from 6-10pm Where: Gilruth Center Ages: 5-12 Cost: $20/first child and $10/each additional sibling if registered by the Wednesday prior to event. If registered after Wednesday, the fee is $25/ first child and $15/ additional sibling Shericka Phillips x35563 https://starport.jsc.nasa.gov [top]    Jobs and Training APPEL - Intro to Green Engineering - June 2-4 This course provides an introduction to the topic of green engineering, a tool for reducing the environmental impact of products, processes and systems and making them more sustainable. From a NASA perspective, green engineering is an engineering best practice that considers environmental impacts as another design risk for mission success. This course is designed as graduate-level seminar for engineers, scientists, project managers and others who design products, processes or systems and want to understand, quantify and reduce the associated environmental impacts. This course is available for self-registration until Tuesday, May 26, and is open to civil servants and contractors. Dates: Tuesday through Thursday, June 2 to 4 Location: Building 12, Room 146 Zeeaa Quadri x39723 https://satern.nasa.gov/learning/user/deeplink_redirect.jsp?linkId=SCHED... [top] NASA Business Acumen - Slots Still Available There are slots available for CFO University's "NASA Business Acumen" training. This two-day course has been tailored to the needs of the NASA technical organization staff to provide basic information and process descriptions for key NASA business functions: Budget formulation and execution Cost estimating Procurement and reimbursable agreement policy and processes A better understanding of these NASA business terms, procedures and policies can assist the technical community in working within the system and achieving mission objectives. Target Audience: Technical, business and administrative personnel will find the information relevant, with a major objective to provide NASA-specific business acumen to the technical workforce Date: April 14 to 15 Location: Building 12, Room 146 Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you are interested in attending, please register in SATERN using the direct link: https://satern.nasa.gov/learning/user/deeplink_redirect.jsp?linkId=SCHEDULED_... Patt Williams 713-249-1508 [top]

 

JSC Today is compiled periodically as a service to JSC employees on an as-submitted basis. Any JSC organization or employee may submit articles. Disclaimer: Accuracy and content of these notes are the responsibility of the submitters.

 

Amazing Vehicle---Shuttle

The shuttle is truly an amazing vehicle, even the Russians were surprised we retired it. Those who are anti shuttle should read nasaproblem.com by Don nelson & The Case to Save the Shuttle by al Richardson & don't go back to capsules by George Abbey. Aldrin, Cernan, krantz, Kraft, Abbey, plus many others say we should improve it and keep flying it. Don Nelson has long advocated the commercial shuttle, it can be used for EO ops & exploration by placing required modules in EO. Its retirement is a tragic waste, though people say it will never occur, we should get it out of museum, improve it. & fly it with improvements for many decades. Nasaproblem.com covers this.

Sent from my iPad

Fwd: Front Row Seat at Kennedy Space Center SAVE THIS IT"S COOL--New meaning to " don't go back to capsules"!!

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Robert Hooi" <rwlh21@sbcglobal.net>
Date: April 1, 2015 at 7:57:20 PM CDT
To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;>
Subject: Fw: Front Row Seat at Kennedy Space Center SAVE THIS IT"S COOL
Reply-To: "Robert Hooi" <rwlh21@sbcglobal.net>

Shuttle prep and launch ...... seen similar ones but still good to watch and be reminded of a different time.

 

Front row seat     at Kennedy Space Center

This is the stuff most of us DON'T     see .  

( It is silent until     the last few seconds )  

  http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=KZrFC988Thc

 

Abbey-- don't go back to capsules---Russia can't believe the USA retired shuttle!

Shuttle retirement Surprised Russians----Abbey---DON'T go back to CAPSULES!!

Abbey is right—keep flying shuttle indefinitely
THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 2012
Don't start a whole new type of architecture that causes you to go back and start flying capsules, which gave up many years ago."
Keep flying shuttle/shuttle concept indefinitely —George Abbey
BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan (KTRK) — If the shuttle Discovery launches this month, that will leave just two shuttle launches left before the American space shuttle program comes to an end.

Many space experts say Americans will be shocked next spring when they finally realize that we will have to rely on Russia to get to space for years to come. So what does that mean to the US space program, and those who work for NASA?

Eyewitness News Anchor Tom Koch just returned from Russia and Kazakhstan and got an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the future of America's space travel.
We were the first American news crew in 15 years to cover a Russian space launch. We traveled first to Moscow and then to Kazakhstan, where Russia launched astronaut Scott Kelly and two cosmonauts on the Soyuz rocket.
After next spring, the Soyuz will be our only way to get to space, and some space experts think America is making a big mistake.
For nearly 30 years, the shuttles have been America's primary space transportation system. But when the final shuttle is retired next June, the only way for Americans to get into space will be on board the Soyuz rocket.
After nearly three decades of watching the sleek, modern shuttle launch, Americans must get used to the idea that NASA's near-term future will rely on Russia.
It was President George W. Bush who decided six years ago to retire the shuttle fleet next year and build another mode of transportation into space. That was a move Russian space officials told us in an exclusive interview that surprised even them.
"It was a surprise for the overall community, and of course to us," said Alexey Krasnov with the Russian Space Agency. "Of course, shuttle is unique as a system; no one can match the capability of the space shuttle."
The plan was for the US to build another space vehicle, one that could eventually carry Americans to the moon and Mars. But NASA didn't have enough time or money to get it done.
Despite that fact, President Barack Obama and congress have decided not to extend the life of the shuttles until a new spaceship is built.
"I m not sure so many Americans actually know that we're not going to have a human space flight program for a while," shuttle commander Mark Kelly said.
Kelly was there to watch his twin brother, Scott, launch on the Soyuz to the International Space Station. He admits relying on Russia is not an ideal situation but one that's been in the plan for a long time.
"But the good news is we're gonna continue, we're gonna build something new, and we'll be flying again here in hopefully five or six years," Kelly said.
NASA officials point out America has been relying on Russia for years, launching many astronauts on board the Soyuz. And they say America will still lead the International Space Station.
"It's a misnomer to say that we're not a leader in space," said Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA's associate administrator. "We still are leading in space; we're doing it a different way."
"When the shuttle goes away, we're not gonna be the lead on transportation, but we're the lead across the board on many other things," Joel Montablano, NASA's Russia manager, said. "Together we make it happen; no one country can do this."
"I think the United States by giving up the shuttle is making a serious mistake because technologically, it's the most advanced space vehicle in the world, and really there is no reason not to continue to fly it," former Johnson Space Center Director George Abbey said.
In Moscow, Abbey told us NASA should keep flying the shuttle indefinitely and in the meantime build a new space vehicle based on the technology it knows — winged shuttles. He insists the new rockets that NASA has planned are a step backwards.
"Here we've got really the greatest vehicle in the world, and we are giving it up," Abbey said. "Don't start a whole new type of architecture that causes you to go back and start flying capsules, which gave up many years ago."
Abbey says without the shuttle, NASA has no way to get large cargos into space and that will make it more difficult to operate the space station. And he predicts more big layoffs in Houston and Florida when the shuttle program ends.
"For the United States to be in this situation is poor planning, and it doesn't really exhibit very good vision for the future," Abbey said.
Many space experts say the fault lies with members of congress who are more interested in saving jobs in their districts than funding a long-range, comprehensive plan for America's space future.
Monday on Eyewitness News at 6pm, we will take you inside the Russian space program in both Moscow and Kazakhstan, a place few American reporters have been since the fall of the Soviet Union.
Posted by keeptheshuttleflying.com at 6:06 AM

Sent from my iPad

Large p/l bay & lands on runway