Inside America’s gateway to the universe. Leading the world in preparing and launching missions to Earth and beyond. April 5, 2002 John F. Kennedy Space Center Spaceport News http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/snews/snewstoc.htm Vol. 41, No. 7 Pages 2,5 – “Recognizing Our People” honors the Expendable Launch Vehicle team and Lead Vehicle Manager Kelvin Manning. Winners of Environmental & Energy Awards, Snoopies and FEW scholarship are named. Pages 3-4 – The 2002 KSC Picnic delights families, friends. (See BRANCH, Page 6) Group helps create better environment Environmental Program Branch fosters changes at Kennedy Space Center Synchronizing technology, energy and the environment may seem like an impossible endeavor. Members of the Kennedy Space Center’s Environmental Program Branch (EPB), however, spend much of their time tackling the challenge and showing the goal is attainable. “Our branch achieved an impressive array of successes in 2001, which supports KSC’s position as an organizational leader in environmental steward- ship,” said EPB Chief Diane Callier. The branch leads KSC’s energy program. NASA Headquarters recently reviewed KSC’s energy program and gave Center Director Roy Bridges a positive report. “KSC became the first NASA center to develop and obtain Center Director approval of a 5-year energy plan,” said Wayne Thalasinos, KSC energy manager. Current KSC-wide efforts include an alterna- tively financed project in Shuttle facilities, conservation initiatives in various facilities, and Department of Energy funding for a solar thermal project and the study of wind-driven electricity generation. “Much of our success is due to the efforts of the Energy Working Group (EWG), which ensures KSC makes continual progress towards compliance with Federal energy efficiency mandates and reducing costs,” Thalasinos said. The branch’s Shuttle Energy Modifications program retrofits lighting and controls in the Vehicle Assembly Building, modifies several facilities for inclusion on the LC-39 area chilled water loop, and makes major upgrades at the Solid Rocket Booster Assembly and Refurbish- ment Gacility, which include both HVAC and lighting, said Chris Ianello, KSC’s Shuttle energy manager. The project will be complete by the end of fiscal year 2002 and is expected to save at least 7 million kilowatt-hours in electrical consumption per year and more than $375,000 annually. “The proposed cost of $2,489,702 will com- pletely pay for itself including finance charges within a ten-year term, after which NASA will EOS Aqua to observe sky and sea Manny Cabrera (front left), project technical lead for NASA Ground Systems Division, Dan Hull (right), Florida Power and Light project manager, and a lighting-retrofit electrician discuss lighting design ideas in the VAB. NASA’s EOS (Earth Observing System) Aqua satellite was scheduled at press time to launch aboard a Delta II vehicle from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., April 26. The major science objectives of the EOS Aqua mission are the study of cloud coverage and proper- ties, atmospheric temperatures and humidities, trace gases and areosols in the atmosphere, precipitation, rediative energy balances, terrestrial snow, sea ice, sea surface temperature, land vegetation, and ocean productivity. Aqua is one of a series of spacebased platforms that are central to NASA’s Earth Science Enterprise, a long- term study of the scope, dynamics and implications of global change. The EOS program is composed of multiple space- craft, including Aqua and Terra (launched in 1999), and a data distribution system. NASA’s Aqua-EOS satellite is processed in the Spaceport Systems International (SSI) payload processing facility on South Vandenberg AFB. Aqua will be part of the Earth Observing System.
Transcript
Inside
America’s gateway to the universe. Leading the world in preparing and launching missions to Earth and beyond.
Pages 2,5 – “Recognizing OurPeople” honors the ExpendableLaunch Vehicle team and LeadVehicle Manager KelvinManning. Winners ofEnvironmental & EnergyAwards, Snoopies and FEWscholarship are named.
Pages 3-4 – The 2002 KSCPicnic delights families, friends.
(See BRANCH, Page 6)
Group helps create better environmentEnvironmental ProgramBranch fosters changes atKennedy Space Center
Synchronizing technology, energy and theenvironment may seem like an impossibleendeavor.
Members of the Kennedy Space Center’sEnvironmental Program Branch (EPB), however,spend much of their time tackling the challengeand showing the goal is attainable.
“Our branch achieved an impressive array ofsuccesses in 2001, whichsupports KSC’s positionas an organizational leaderin environmental steward-ship,” said EPB ChiefDiane Callier.
The branch leads KSC’senergy program.
NASA Headquartersrecently reviewed KSC’s energy program andgave Center Director Roy Bridges a positivereport.
“KSC became the first NASA center todevelop and obtain Center Director approval ofa 5-year energy plan,” said Wayne Thalasinos,
KSC energy manager.Current KSC-wide efforts include an alterna-
tively financed project in Shuttle facilities,conservation initiatives in various facilities, andDepartment of Energy funding for a solarthermal project and the study of wind-drivenelectricity generation.
“Much of our success is due to the efforts ofthe Energy Working Group (EWG), whichensures KSC makes continual progress towardscompliance with Federal energy efficiencymandates and reducing costs,” Thalasinos said.
The branch’s Shuttle Energy Modificationsprogram retrofits lighting and controls in theVehicle Assembly Building, modifies severalfacilities for inclusion on the LC-39 area chilledwater loop, and makes major upgrades at theSolid Rocket Booster Assembly and Refurbish-ment Gacility, which include both HVAC andlighting, said Chris Ianello, KSC’s Shuttleenergy manager.
The project will be complete by the end offiscal year 2002 and is expected to save at least 7million kilowatt-hours in electrical consumptionper year and more than $375,000 annually.
“The proposed cost of $2,489,702 will com-pletely pay for itself including finance chargeswithin a ten-year term, after which NASA will
EOS Aqua to observe sky and sea
Manny Cabrera (front left), project technical leadfor NASA Ground Systems Division, Dan Hull(right), Florida Power and Light projectmanager, and a lighting-retrofit electriciandiscuss lighting design ideas in the VAB.
NASA’s EOS (Earth Observing System) Aquasatellite was scheduled at press time to launch aboarda Delta II vehicle from Vandenberg Air Force Base,Calif., April 26.
The major science objectives of the EOS Aquamission are the study of cloud coverage and proper-ties, atmospheric temperatures and humidities, tracegases and areosols in the atmosphere, precipitation,rediative energy balances, terrestrial snow, sea ice, seasurface temperature, land vegetation, and oceanproductivity.
Aqua is one of a series of spacebased platforms thatare central to NASA’s Earth Science Enterprise, a long-term study of the scope, dynamics and implications ofglobal change.
The EOS program is composed of multiple space-craft, including Aqua and Terra (launched in 1999), anda data distribution system.
NASA’s Aqua-EOS satellite is processed in theSpaceport Systems International (SSI) payloadprocessing facility on South Vandenberg AFB.Aqua will be part of the Earth Observing System.
SPACEPORT NEWS April 5, 2002Page 2
Silver Snoopy
Awards
Recognizing Our People
Mike Benik holds the Rotary National Award for SpaceAchievement, the Stellar Award, which was given tothe KSC Expendable Launch Vehicle ProjectManagement Team.
KSC’s Expendable Launch Vehicle Services director-ate was recently chosen to receive the prestigiousStellar Award presented at the 2002 Rotary NationalAward for Space Achievement ceremony.
This award recognizes outstanding individuals andteams from government and industry who have madesignificant contributions to the future of America’sspace program.
The award was presented at the 16th annual NationalSpace Trophy award dinner, a formal banquet held atthe South Shore Harbour Resort near the JohnsonSpace Center. Mike Benik, director of ELV LaunchServices, traveled to Houston to accept the award forthe Kennedy Space Center expendable launch vehicleteam.
The Stellar Award was presented to Benik by a pairof veteran astronauts, Pamela Melroy, who flew onSTS-92 and is now in training for STS-112 in August,and Dr. James Reilly, mission specialist on STS-89 andSTS-104.
KSC was selected in recognition of successfullyconsolidating all ELV program and project functionsfrom other NASA centers to KSC in 1998.
An effective team was assembled at KSC to performthe technical management and government oversightof the launch service providers under contract forlaunch of NASA scientific, planetary and astrophysicsspacecraft. The team performed these functions with alaunch manifest two to five times the average of earliermanifests.
The team was also recognized for having innovativeengineering expertise in the development of effectivetechnical procedures, policies and programs.
The exceptional management implementation
resulted in the safe, reliable and timely launch servicesfor 23 NASA scientific missions with a high level ofcustomer satisfaction.
Six different types of expendable launch vehicleswere used from five different launch sites.
There were 30 nominees and KSC was selected asone of five to receive the Stellar Award.
Employeesof the Month
ELV team wins Stellar Award
William DunnSpace Gateway SupportSheryl CooperSpace Gateway SupportLois ReinhartSpace Gateway SupportDennis ReddecliffSpace Gateway SupportDann E. OaklandNASA, Spaceport Services
April Employees of the Month are (seatedfrom left) Johnny Mathis, ISS/PayloadsProcessing; Charlotte Beauchemin, Safety,Health & Independent Assessment; DanMangieri, Workforce & DiversityManagement; Sheryl Marshall, SpaceportServices; Richard Carrillo, ShuttleProcessing; and Pat Jordan, ChiefFinancial Office. Not shown are Larry Craig,ELV & Payload Carriers Programs, andAlan Littlefield, Spaceport Engineering &Technology.
SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3April 5, 2002
KSC Picnic delights family, friendsDuring the opening ceremonies of the annual KSC All-
American Picnic, Center Director Roy Bridges Jr.declared “We are here to celebrate freedom and all theother things that go with the American Way.”
True to his word, KARS Park buzzed with energy andAmerican flavor March 16.
At the opening, Titusville High School provided theColor Guard for the Pledge of Allegiance and BarbaraMcGilicuddy led a rousing rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner. Another highlight was the demonstra-tion by the Titusville High School Drill Team.
Around the picnic grounds, more buzz was generated
as children climbed the rock wall, rode ponies, fished,had their faces painted, tossed various objects forprizes, and enjoyed eating; adults strolled, threw balls atthe dunk tank, showed off their cars, tasted chili, relaxed,and ate.
Music resounded from two pavilions all day. Comments from picnic-goers reinforced the feeling of
freedom to enjoy being with their families and co-workers. Jim and Pat Nichols, who were waiting withtheir children Sarah, 8, Allison, 6, and Kevin, 4, at therock-climbing wall, said, “It’s fun for the kids andrelaxing for us.”
Michael and Amy Gile, “This is neat, very nice.”
Amy had entered an appOff and hoped to win the fspa. They were also lookinrocket launch and taking ttrain ride.
Pete and Grace Aragonathe carousel, a popular att“We enjoy spending time wand also enjoy meeting thpeople we work with.”
Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS April 5, 2002
first-timers at the picnic, said,
ple pie in the Apple Pie Bake-first prize, a $50 certificate to aing forward to seeing the modeltheir young son, Helaman, on a
a waited with their children attraction. They commented,with our children as a family
he other couples, especially
Kasey and Kyle Poirier, children of Jean Poirier, werealso eagerly waiting their turn on the carousel.
Jim Meyer, who exhibited his car at the car show, said“It’s good seeing everyone with their families.”
The creative lineup of chili contestants promisedgastric delights.
Most displayed space-related themes, while onereflected the coming celebration of St. Patrick’s Daywith an Irish chili booth. Winners of the 2002 KSC All-American Picnic Chili Cook-off were Best Storefront —Hot Rockets (United Space Alliance); People’s ChoiceChili — SpaceComm Chili (TA-B2 and CSOC); and
Best Chili — Under Budget using Unknown By-Products (UB).
A new event this year was the Apple Pie Bake-Off. Thewinner was Trisha Schneider ; runner-up was CharlotteGile.
And a popular educational exhibit was theThunderhawk & Friends, showing several of the big catsrescued by this group, such as a Siberian tiger, lion,black panther, jaguar and cougar.
Great Florida weather contributed to the day of fun,and, as expressed by Bridges, “the help of a lot of greatvolunteers who put it together.”
Kennedy Space Centeremployees, their family and friendsenjoyed a cornucopia of food andfun at the 2002 KSC Picnic asshown in these photographs.
“We enjoyspending timewith our childrenas a family (atthe picnic) andalso enjoymeeting theother couples,especiallypeople we workwith.”
PETE AND GRACEARAGONA
Page 5SPACEPORT NEWSApril 5, 2002
Now’s the time to try to get some recognitionfor your one-in-a-million manager.
The Florida Space Coast Council of theNational Management Association is sponsor-ing the “Brevard County Manager of the Year”award and is seeking nominations.
The award highlights the NMA’s objective todevelop and recognize management as aprofession.
The award will be presented during Manage-ment Week June 3-8.
The nominee must be of the highest moral andethical principles, have a record of continuingachievements professionally and in the commu-nity, have made a significant contribution to thesuccess of an organization/profession, demon-strate top management skills and communityleadership, and be recognized for a reputation offair, impartial, and ethical management in dealingwith subordinates, peers and associates.
Submit your nomination of 2000 words or less,describing why your leader deserves the honor,to FSCC Awards Committee, attn: Violet Smith,P.O. Box 21214, Kennedy Space Center, FL32815; e-mail [email protected]; or FAX (321)853-6020. It must be received by April 12. Formore information, call 321-427-6563 or e-mail.
Kelvin Manning laudedThe Space Coast Chapter of Federally
Employed Women (FEW) recentlysponsored a special scholarship for theFEW 2002 National Training Program.
Pamela Krueger of Space GatewaySupport at Kennedy Space Center wasthe winner of the scholarship award. Itconsists of registration fees for thetraining program and lodging.
The program is to be held at theRosen Centre Hotel in Orlando July 23-26.
The scholarship was open to allNASA and Contractor personnel andwas awarded at the chapter’s 23rdAnnual Training Seminar in March.
Krueger’s community and volunteeractivities at Gardendale Elementary andother schools, her work-related specialhonors and awards, and her essay onbenefits she anticipates gaining fromattending, the training program wereoutstanding .
The chapter congratulates her andlooks forward to her attending the NTP.
Krueger winsFEW scholarship
Nominations sought forBrevard Manager of Year
Kelvin Manning, lead vehicle manager andAtlantis vehicle manager, is more than a bitmodest about his recent national honor.
“It was a humbling experience,” Manningsaid. “It’s not just about me. I realize that thewhole Atlantis team makes me look good. Mywife, family and friends have offered tremen-dous support.”
Manning and his Atlantis team were in highgear at press time. Atlantis was scheduled forthe STS-110 Mission launch April 4.
Manning was honored Feb. 16 as the 2002Black Engineer of the Year Award for Outstand-ing Technical Contributions in Government. Theaward was presented at the 16th Annual BlackEngineer of the Year Awards Ceremony at theBaltimore Convention Center.
Manning said he found the presentation to bedoubly sweet because Baltimore is just 23 milesfrom his hometown of Aberdeen, Md. His familymembers from that area were able to attend theceremony.
The award was sponsored by the US BlackEngineer & Information Technology Magazine,the Council of Engineering Deans of HistoricallyBlack Colleges and Universities and theLockheed Martin Corp.
The ceremony was sponsored by DaimlerChrysler and featured a variety of governmentleaders and corporate executives as presenters.
Manning was nominated for the award byMichelle Amos, chairperson of the BlackEmployee Strategy Team (BEST). His nomina-tion came with full Center support, especiallyfrom the Shuttle Directorate.
“Kelvin is an amazing leader and we’re proudthat he’s a part of our KSC team,” Amos said.
In her nomination letter she said: “For morethan five years Kelvin has shown that he istechnically competent to manage the unique andcomplex systems of Space Shuttle groundprocessing.
“Kelvin’s strong interpersonal skills allow himto effectively collaborate with and manage adiverse group of more than 100 engineers andscientists throughout the space program. Hisdedication to safety and effective communica-tion helps ensure that astronauts have the bestand safest vehicle possible.”
Manning has served his entire career in theaerospace industry beginning with a stint in theAir Force. He got an early start in leadershiptraining as an Eagle Scout and still volunteers toencourage youth with the Boy Scouts ofAmerica, as well as BEST.
After graduating from the Air Force Academyin 1981, Manning was assigned to Eglin AirForce Base in the Florida panhandle. There hemaintained a catalog of all Earth-orbiting objectsin the Alternate Space Surveillance Center. Laterhe worked at the North American Aerospace
Kelvin Manning, lead vehicle manager andAtlantis vehicle manager.
Defense Command (NORAD) inside of Chey-enne Mountain in Colorado Springs, CO wherehe ran a team of orbital analysts calculatingsatellite orbits and providing NASA with SpaceShuttle collision-avoidance data. He alsoreported the team’s predictions for external tankimpacts and provided critical support for therecovery of lost satellites.
Afterwards as a civilian, Manning worked forGE Aerospace, Military and Data SystemsOperations in Springfield, Va., and later withMcDonnell Douglas in Washington, D.C.writing pre- and post-mission reports for seniorNASA managers, assisting in development ofcontingency action plans and the like.
In 1992, Manning started with NASA KSC inthe Shuttle Processing Directorate and hasmoved steadily up the ranks to his currentposition.
Each year USBE awards candidates likeManning whose qualifications and performanceplace them in the ranks of the nation’s highestachievers in technology.
The three-day Black Engineer of the YearAwards Conference is America’s premiercelebration of African-American success inengineering, science and technology.
Antonio Watson, conference chair, explainedthe importance of the award: “For many of thewinners, the award is special because it makesthem role models for thousand of young peopleand inspiration for thousands of their peers.
“These honorees are more than role models,leaders, and professionals on the cutting edgeof technology, they are hard working stakehold-ers in their organizations, proud to stand beforethe technical community as examples of bound-less possibilities.”
Manning’s status as a role model will come inhandy with the new addition to his family. Heand his wife, Judy , recently were blessed withtheir first child, David.
“This is an especially rewarding time in ourlives,” Manning said.
Editorial support provided by InDyne Inc. Writers Group.NASA at KSC is located on the Internet at http://www.ksc.nasa.gov
USGPO: 733-133/60005
Spaceport News
Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center andis published on alternate Fridays by External Relations and BusinessDevelopment in the interest of KSC civil service and contractor employees. Contributions are welcome and should be submitted two weeks beforepublication to the Media Services Branch, XAE-1. E-mail submissions can besent to [email protected]
BRANCH ...(Continued from Page 1)
retain 100 percent of the energysavings,” he said.
The branch has developed twoenvironmental and energy awardprograms to recognize governmentand contractor employees whohave contributed to the successfulpreservation of the environment,and conservation of energy andnatural resources.
The “Catch an EnvironmentalistAward” is given throughout theyear to recognize individuals andteams in a timely manner.
The “Environmental & EnergyAward” is given to individuals andteams biannually by the CenterDirector. March and Septemberceremonies are held to honorwinners.
(Please note that recent winnersof the award are listed in theRecognizing Our People section onpage 2. Other biannual awardhonorees in various categories willbe listed in future issues ofSpaceport News.)
Another recent achievement ofthe Environmental Program Branchwas removing the source of groundwater contamination at the Paintsand Oil Locker and working on it atthe Component Cleaning Facility.
Farther afield, the branch wastasked to study a colony ofthreatened birds that nest near aVandenberg Air Force Base launchcomplex.
Concerns about the potentialimpact of launches on the nestingbirds led to the study. The KSCteam studied the overall populationof various birds that might befound on the site to determine iftheir presence might have adverseimpacts to the population as awhole.
The study helped reveal that thegroup of birds represented afraction of the regional populationand that the species of concern hasmade better than a five-foldincrease in the population, saidMario Busacca, technical lead,planning and special projects,.
The KSC group also determinedthat the NASA launches have notmade any adverse impact on thelong-term survivability of thespecies.
The first Light Management Planfor Launch Complexes 39A and 39B
saved KSC energy and money.Lighting at both pads resulted in
configurations, energy usage wasreduced by 123,250 watts with anannual cost savings of $32,390.Plus turtle disorientation wasreduced.
NASA and the Air Force collabo-rated to revise the KSC Environ-mental Checklist.
Both agencies will use the jointdocument to accomplish initialenvironmental reviews of proposedprojects and activities and to speedprocessing and ensure uniformreviews regardless of a project’slocation.
Not only is the team workingbehind-the-scenes, but they take amore high profile stance to educateemployees.
The 2001 Environment andEnergy Awareness Week (EEAW)event held in April of last year,which included more than 70vendors, drew more than 3,000workforce participants.
According to Callier, the branchplans to continue their devotion toimproving KSC.
The 2002 EEAW, scheduled forApril 22-24, is just one example ofthat dedication.
She said, “The branch staff plansto use the EEAW as an opportunityto communicate and interact withKSC NASA and contractor staff tocontinue improving staff knowl-edge and appreciation of theirrespective individual and organiza-tional roles in environmentalstewardship and leadership atKSC.”
For more information on branchactivities, including EEAW, v isithttp://environmental.ksc.nasa.gov/.
In the Vehicle Assembly Building, a lighting retrofit electrician works nextto an External Tank (ET) to retrofit 1970’s vintage lighting hardware on theET test stands with the latest, energy efficient technology.
Lighting at both padsresulted in sea turtledisorientation. Afteranalyzing existing lightconfigurations, energyusage was reduced by123,250 watts with anannual cost savings of$32,390. Plus turtledisorientation wasreduced.
