September 29, 2006

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

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

Vol. 45, No. 19

STS-115 mission boosts space station’s power

(See ATLANTIS, Page 4)

ATLANTIS AND her STS-115 crew return to Kennedy Space Center on Sept. 21 and approach Runway 33.

Space Shuttle Atlantis and itscrew are home after a 12-dayjourney of more than 4.9

million miles in space. Themission, STS-115, succeeded inrestarting assembly of the Interna-tional Space Station.

The crew delivered andinstalled the massive P3/P4 truss,an integral part of the station’sbackbone, and two sets of solararrays that will eventually provideone-quarter of the station’s power.

Commander Brent Jett, PilotChris Ferguson and MissionSpecialists Joe Tanner, HeidemarieStefanyshyn-Piper, Dan Burbankand Canadian astronaut SteveMacLean landed at 6:21 a.m. Sept.21 at Kennedy Space Center.

After landing, Jett commented:“It’s nice to be back. It was a greatteam effort, so I think assembly’soff to a good start.”

The flight was the first in aseries of missions that will beamong the most complex in spacehistory. Atlantis delivered the firstmajor new component to the

station since 2002 and laid thegroundwork for upcoming stationassembly missions.

STS-115 is one of the mostphotographed shuttle missions in

history, with more than 100 high-definition, digital, video and filmcameras documenting the launchand climb to orbit. Data from theseimages, as well as station and

shuttle crew inspection,helped to clear Atlantis’thermal protection system forreturn only 2 1/2 days afterlaunch.

Tanner, Piper, Burbankand MacLean, with the helpof crewmates, made threespacewalks that completedtruss installation, enabledsolar arrays to be deployedand prepared an importantradiator for later activation.They also installed a signalprocessor and transponderthat transmits voice and datato the ground, and performedother tasks to upgrade andprotect the station’s systems.

A new procedure called a“camp out” was imple-mented, in which astronautsslept in the Quest airlock

prior to their spacewalks. Theprocess shortens the“prebreathing” time during whichnitrogen is purged from theastronauts’ systems and airpressure is lowered so the space-walkers avoid the conditionknown as “the bends.” On each ofthe three spacewalks, the astro-nauts were able to perform morethan the number of scheduledactivities.

The astronauts performedunprecedented robotics work.They used the shuttle’s arm in adelicate maneuver to hand off theschool bus-sized truss to thestation’s arm. The 45-foot trussweighs 35,000 pounds.

The arrays at the end of thetruss extended to their full 240-foot wingspan once they unfurledon flight day six. The astronautsalso moved the station’s roboticarm to a position where it willassist in the next phase of station

THIS VIEW of the International Space Station wastaken shortly after the Space Shuttle Atlantisundocked from the orbital outpost on flight day six.

SPACEPORT NEWS September 29, 2006Page 2

Awards

TheKennedyUpdate

Jim KennedyCenter Director

Hi, everyone. The team hasdone it again! No matterwhat happened during the

STS-115 mission, from weatherdelays to debris that neededanalysis, the NASA team cametogether to make this mission lookroutine, although there wasnothing easy about attaching theP3/P4 truss to the space station.

Now that space station con-struction is moving forward andthe nation is strongly behind us,we must continue to perform ourmission successfully. Doing so willshow the world we are up to anytask and that the Vision for SpaceExploration will make Earth abetter place to live.

I appreciated how our Adminis-trator, Mike Griffin, took time outof his very busy schedule the daybefore Atlantis landed to talk tothe Kennedy Space Center

employees about NASA’s future.Mike held nothing back and gaveus great insight about how we willsimultaneously finish space stationconstruction and begin theConstellation Program.

You will start to see changesaround the center as we transitionour facilities from supportingshuttle and station to supportingthe new programs.

On Sept. 26, a ribbon-cuttingceremony at the Operations andCheckout Building paved the wayfor new equipment to be added tosupport the Orion vehicle as it isbuilt at our center. In the past, thistask was performed elsewherebefore being shipped to KSC, butthis “nontraditional” work isanother example of how yourmanagement and local legislatureshave worked together to keep jobsat our spaceport.

The next launch — scheduledfor December using Space ShuttleDiscovery — means Atlantis willundergo an aggressive turnaroundto be able to serve as the backuporbiter for STS-116, but I know ourwork force has faced this challengein the past and will do so againand again. That’s just another of athousand reasons I’m “KSC andproud to be!”

On Oct. 10, I hope NASA civilservice employees will be able tojoin me and members of seniorstaff as we kick off the 2006Combined Federal Campaign at

message of community spirit.I’m also proud to report the J-

BOSC-sponsored United Waycampaign for contractors raisedmore than $180,000 — an increaseof $35,000 over the 2005 total.Way to go!

Hispanic Heritage Monthbegan Sept. 15, and today I wasprivileged to speak at the annualHispanic Heritage Luncheon at theDebus Center.

Charismatic guest speakerMiguel Rodriquez, soon to bereturning to KSC, gave us a clearunderstanding of the work his

rocket propulsionteam at the StennisSpace Center inMississippi isperforming, as well ashis profound pride inhis heritage. Look for

“Now that space station construction ismoving forward and the nation isstrongly behind us, we must continue toperform our mission successfully.”

the Training Auditorium withexciting guest speakers, includingthe United Way’s Rob Rains.

This charitable campaign notonly benefits the community welive in, and beyond, but alsofellow employees who have aloved one in need of services. Thecampaign runs from Oct. 10 toNov. 7 and key solicitors will talkto workers in groups and one-on-one about this annual event. A bigthank you to Ray Lugo, EdMarkowski and the campaigncabinet who spread this vital

coverage in the next issue ofSpaceport News.

I hope you will take advantageof the Visitor Complex’s generous“Salute to Brevard ResidentsWeekend” on Oct. 13 to 15, whenresidents and up to five guests canlearn about the colorful NASAstory free of charge. Our thanks toDan LeBlanc and our friends atDelaware North for providing thisopportunity.

Congrats to all of you for agreat STS-115 mission and have agreat week!

To show its appreciation forthe support of BrevardCounty residents, the

Kennedy Space Center VisitorComplex will present the seventh-annual Salute to Brevard Residentsfree weekend and food drive Oct.13 to 15.

Throughout the three-daycelebration, Brevard residents willenjoy free admission to the VisitorComplex by showing proof ofresidency, in the form of a driver’slicense or utility bill. The Brevardresident and up to five guests inhis or her party will receive freeadmission.

Residents will also enjoy pre-holiday shopping at the VisitorComplex, with a 10-percentdiscount in the world’s largestretail Space Shop.

Guests are encouraged to bringcanned goods and non-perishable

Visitor Complex offers Brevard residents free admissionfood items to benefit theCentral Brevard SharingCenter, North BrevardCharities and South BrevardSharing Center. While notmandatory for admission, thesuggested donation is onefood item or canned good perguest.

Last year, more than eighttons of food was donated,setting a new collectionrecord for this event.

The Salute to BrevardResidents free weekend wascreated in 1999 to thank thepeople of Brevard for theircontinued support of theKennedy Space CenterVisitor Complex’s mission: totell the NASA story andinspire people to support theexploration of space. TheVisitor Complex opens dailyat 9 a.m.

THE ROCKET Garden at the KSC Visitor Complex features eight authenticrockets from the past, including a Mercury-Atlas rocket. The garden alsofeatures accessible Mercury, Gemino and Apollo capsule replicas, seating podsand informative graphic elements. The Salute to Brevard Residents freeweekend is Oct. 13 to 15 at the Visitor Complex.

SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3September 29, 2006

STS-121 crew shares mission highlights with employees

STS-121 CREW members, including from left, Piers Sellers, Lisa Nowak,Steve Lindsey (second from right) and Mark Kelly receive a certificate ofappreciation from Center Director Jim Kennedy, Deputy Director forShuttle Processing Rita Willcoxon and Deputy Center Director BillParsons. Below, the standing-room audience at the Training Auditorium.

By Linda Herridge Staff Writer

It was “standing room only”inside Kennedy Space Center’straining auditorium as workers

gathered to welcome mission STS-121 crew members back to theSpace Coast.

Commander Steve Lindsey,Pilot Mark Kelly and MissionSpecialists Lisa Nowak and PiersSellers returned to share missionhighlights and accomplishmentsfrom the 13-day mission thatbegan with the launch of SpaceShuttle Discovery on July 4.

Center Director Jim Kennedyintroduced the crew members andwelcomed everyone to the presen-tation. “The STS-121 missionconfirmed our return-to-flightreadiness,” Kennedy said. “Thespectacular launch on the Fourthof July and safe return on the 17threaffirms the success of the hard-working men and women whodiligently dedicated their lives toreturn to flight following thetragedy of Columbia.”

Lindsey expressed the crew’sappreciation for the work force.

“We’re here to thank you forall that you did to put this missiontogether,” Lindsey said. “It’s yourhard work and dedication thathelped to make a safe launch

possible.”The crew members provided

narration for a 20-minute videopresentation that showed missionactivities, including the spectacu-lar launch, docking with thestation, three dramatic spacewalks,other station activities and theshuttle landing at KSC.

The astronauts answeredquestions from the audience and,as a special treat, showed approxi-mately 40 of the best photographstaken during the mission.

Edsel Sanchez, a NASAelectrical engineer in facilityelectrical system design, attendeda crew return for the first time andsaid the hour-long program wastruly inspiring.

Sandra Senn, a NASA programspecialist in the EngineeringDirectorate, said she hadn’t been toa crew return for a while butdecided to come to this one. “Itwas an awesome presentation,”Senn said.

Kennedy, along with DeputyCenter Director Bill Parsons andDeputy Director for ShuttleProcessing Rita Willcoxon,presented each crew member with aspecial mission memento.

“We commend the outstandingcrew and all involved with theSTS-121 mission on a job welldone,” Kennedy said.

By Jennifer Wolfinger Staff Writer

For one black bear, the MerrittIsland Wildlife Refuge isn’ttoo cold or too hot, it’s just

right.Beekeepers initially detected

the bear in July when their hiveswere mangled. The discovery ofbear tracks confirmed that a blackbear had been there. In response,the beekeepers, who supportKennedy Space Center’s citruscrops and related industry,surrounded the hives with tempo-rary electric fences.

“It’s a good size bear because ithas a good size track. My guess isthat it’s just one bear. Like all

Bear makes rare appearanceon wildlife refuge

wildlife, sometimes they roam formany reasons, such as a malelooking for a female or if it’sdisplaced and looking for a newhome,” said Ralph Lloyd, therefuge’s deputy manager.

According to him, bears hadn’tmade a noticeable appearance inthe area since the 1980s. The bearrecently visited the hives north ofBeach Road, was spotted crossingState Road 3 and then wasidentified near the Shuttle LandingFacility. It hasn’t been detectedagain since August.

“Most of the bears we encoun-ter are north of Haulover Canal,probably because of the physicalbarriers such as the bridge andcanal. This one just decided to

cross,” he explained. “We’rethrilled there is one here, becauseit is part of Florida’s wildlife andthis is a refuge.”

Refuge staff will not try tocapture or interfere with the bear. If

anyone sees a bear, they shouldnot approach or bother it, thoughappreciate that it’s a rare experi-ence. Any definite and verifiablesightings should be reported to861-0667.

A BEAR was spottednear the ShuttleLanding Facility lastmonth. Although notthe bear spotted,employees are askedto call 861-0667 ifthey see a bear onthe center.

Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS September 29, 2006

Crew touches down after successful ‘reATLANTIS . . .(Continued from Page 1)

construction.After Atlantis undocked from

the station, it did the first full fly-around of the facility since prior tothe Space Shuttle Columbiaaccident. The maneuver helpedground crews get a better perspec-tive on the station’s environmentand overall exterior health.

Canadian Prime MinisterStephen Harper made a call duringthe mission to MacLean tocongratulate him on being the firstCanadian to operate Canadarm2,the station’s Canadian-builtrobotic arm.

After undocking, the Atlantiscrew participated in the first three-way call with the Expedition 13

crew aboard the InternationalSpace Station and the three crewmembers of the Soyuz spacecrafton its way to the station. All 12astronauts in space at that timewere able to have a conversation.

With Atlantis and its crewsafely home, the stage is set for thenext phase of International SpaceStation assembly. Preparationscontinue for Space ShuttleDiscovery’s launch, targeted formid-December, on the STS-116mission to deliver an additionaltruss segment and a cargo moduleto the station. Discovery will alsodo extensive work on the station’selectrical and cooling systems.

For more on the STS-115mission and the upcoming STS-116 mission, visit http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle.

THE STS-115 crew poses in front of the orbiter Atlantis, which brought them safely bFrom left are Mission Specialists Daniel Burbank, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper anFerguson, Commander Brent Jett and Mission Specialist Joseph Tanner.

THE STS-115external tank (above)falls away from theSpace ShuttleAtlantis. A crewmember onboardthe shuttle recordedthe image with adigital still camera.

AT RIGHT, astronautJoseph Tannerbegins attaching theP3/P4 truss duringthe first of threespacewalks by thecrew.

BEFORE WELCOMINGthe STS-115 crewmembers on theirreturn from space,NASA officials look atthe underside of theorbiter Atlantis on theShuttle Landing Facility.From right are NASAAdministrator MichaelGriffin, KSC DeputyDirector Bill Parsonsand Shuttle LaunchDirector Mike Leinbach.

Page 5SPACEPORT NEWSSeptember 29, 2006

‘return to construction’ STS-115 mission

y back from space to Kennedy Space Center. and Steven MacLean, Pilot Christopher

AFTER LANDING aboard Atlantis on Runway 33 of the Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-115Commander Brent Jett is happy to touch Earth again. He and other crew members wereexamining the underside of the orbiter Atlantis during the traditional post-landing inspection.

ATLANTIS IS moved into the Orbiter Processing Facility after being towed from the Shuttle Landing Facility.Atlantis landed on Runway 33 at 6:21 a.m. on Sept. 21 after the mission. Atlantis traveled 4.9 million miles,landing on orbit 187. In the facility, the process flow will begin to ready the vehicle for its next flight.

AT A post-landing press conference at the NASA News Center, theSTS-115 crew members smile at a question from the media.Seated from left are Commander Brent Jett, Pilot ChristopherFerguson and Mission Specialists Joseph Tanner, Daniel Burbank,Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Steven MacLean, whorepresents the Canadian Space Agency.

Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS September 29, 2006

Sierra enjoys challenges of expendable launch vehicle missionsBy Linda Herridge Staff Writer

Albert Sierra, chief of themechanical systems branchin the Launch Services

Program, views his 16-year careerwith NASA at Kennedy SpaceCenter as an opportunity to keepchallenging himself.

Recently, Sierra received anaward at the KSC annual HonorAwards ceremony “for exceptionalleadership in proactively address-ing cross-mission opportunities toenhance the overall managementof expendable launch vehiclemissions.”

Pat Hanan, Launch ServicesProgram vehicle engineeringdivision chief, said Sierra’sexperience, strong technicalfoundation and leadership skillswill help to ease the organization’stransition to the new engineeringdirectorate.

“It is awesome to be part of theNASA KSC team,” Sierra said.“The diversity and talent of thepeople working here makes thechallenging job of launchingspace shuttles and expendablelaunch vehicles seem easy.”

The Brooklyn, N.Y., nativemoved with his family when hewas 10 years old to Puerto Rico.His parents wanted to move fromthe big city and decided to reunitewith other family members inHumacao, a small community onthe island country.

Sierra earned a Bachelor of

Science degree in mechanicalengineering from the University ofPuerto Rico in 1989 and beganworking at KSC in 1990 on theshuttle program, in orbiter mecha-nisms and payload handling. Sierrasaid the job was unique because itinvolved working on severalshuttle systems, including landinggears, payload bay doors, wheels,tires, breaks, hatches and thesoftware that ran the systems.

As a payload handling engi-neer, Sierra worked on configuringthe shuttle payload bay to acceptthe various payloads. He hasworked in the Payload ChangeoutRoom at the pads, the OrbiterProcessing Facilities, the ShuttleLanding Facility and other KSCfacilities that support the spaceshuttle.

In 1996, Sierra moved to theLaunch Services Program to workin the Mechanical and PropulsionSystems branch. He’s remained inthe program ever since.

Sierra noted the Cassini andMars Exploration Rovers missionswere two of the most significantprojects in which he was involved.He said Cassini was a uniquemission that required interfacingwith the U.S. Air Force and otherNASA centers. He worked on thesolid rocket motor assembly andtesting and payload installation onthe Titan IV that launched Cassini.“The mission was many years inthe making, with literally hundredsof people working on it,” Sierrasaid.

Sierra worked asboth the integrationengineer and themission manager forthe rover missions. Hesaid the missionschedule was chal-lenging because twodifferent Deltavehicles were used tolaunch the explorers toMars.

“We didn’t expectthe rovers to operatethis long,” Sierra said.“It’s pretty amazing,all the informationthey’re still sendingback to Earth.”

Sierra is workingwith the Air Force andother NASA centers onthe propulsion systemsfor future vehicles.This includes the RS-68 engine which iscurrently planned foruse in the Ares V cargolaunch vehicle.

“Sharing theknowledge and insights wealready have on this engine andhow it operates will help usdevelop a common propulsionsystem for the future U.S. spacevehicles,” Sierra said.

“I admire KSC for recognizingthe diversity of our work forceand paying tribute to the contri-butions we all have to offer,”Sierra said. “I’m proud to seefellow Hispanics be part of the

team that makes space explorationa reality. I look forward to thefuture and what we have ahead ofus.”

Sierra is married to his wife,Paige, and they have threechildren, Victor, Harry and Isabel,and one yellow Labrador namedSunny. Sierra enjoys the outdoors,riding his motorcycle and wood-working.

ALBERT SIERRA, chief of the mechanicalsystems branch in the Launch ServicesProgram, began working at KSC in 1990.

NASA will extend itsCheckout, Assembly andPayload Processing

Services contract for three yearswith Boeing Space OperationsCompany of Titusville.

The contract extension andmodification, valued at $278.5million, covers Oct. 1, 2006,through Sept. 30, 2009. The totalcontract value including exercisedand unexercised options isapproximately $846 million.

The contract is a performance-based, cost-plus award fee contractto provide checkout, assembly and

NASA, Boeing sign payloadprocessing contract

payload processing services atKennedy Space Center, CapeCanaveral Air Force Station andVandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

Under the contract, Boeingprovides management and techni-cal support of payload processingfor the Space Shuttle, InternationalSpace Station and ExpendableLaunch Vehicle programs. Servicesand support include planning forand receiving payloads, maintain-ing associated ground supportsystems, integrating payloads withthe space shuttle, and shuttle post-landing payload activities.

You set the pace at the 2006Intercenter Walk/Run

Employees at the spaceport can walk or run wherehistory is made! Beginning at 5 p.m. on Oct. 3, theKSC Fitness Centers will be sponsoring the

Intercenter Walk/Run at the Shuttle Landing Facility. The 2-mile walk/run, 5-kilometer run and 10-K run are free for allspaceport employees. Participants will receive informationalpackets about health and fitness, a delicious catered dinnerafterward and treatment from licensed massage therapists.The 10-K race can serve as a qualifier for those wanting toparticipate in a marathon. Call 867-7829 or e-mailorrindl@kscems.ksc.nasa.gov for information.

SPACEPORT NEWSSeptember 29, 2006 Page 7

Remembering Our Heritage

By Kay Grinter Reference Librarian

A first-of-a-kind launchcampaign is alwaysinteresting — and diffi-

cult! On Oct. 2, 1966, NASAlaunched the first Delta rocketfrom Vandenberg Air Force Base inCalifornia on the Western Range.

NASA’s customer was theEnvironmental Science ServicesAdministration, the forerunner ofthe National Oceanic and Atmo-spheric Administration. Thevehicle, built by Douglas AircraftCompany, placed the ESSA 3meteorological satellite into orbit.

NASA had launched the ESSA1 and ESSA 2 satellites aboardDelta vehicles earlier in the year —on Feb. 3 and Feb. 28, respectively— from Cape Kennedy on theEastern Range. ESSA 3 was slatedto replace ESSA 1 in the TirosOperational Satellite system.

NASA’s launch rate on theWestern Range was relatively low,so Goddard Launch Operationskept only a small contingent ofengineers in permanent residencein California. The team was

40 years ago: First Delta launch from West Coast placedESSA 3 satellite in orbit

supplemented with personnel fromthe Cape as necessary.

NASA alumnus Tom Page, aDelta guidance and controlengineer, was a member of thelaunch team who resided inCalifornia year-round. He gainedhis first experience on guidancesystems working for WesternElectric.

“Delta 41 was my first launchafter joining NASA,” he recalledfrom his home on Merritt Island.“There were so many people at theDelta Operations Buildingsupporting the launch that parkingspots were at a premium andmeetings were standing room only.

“The pad adapted for thislaunch was a converted Air ForceThor facility with a rubber-tiredmobile service tower from the ThorAgena days. The MST was socrowded that it was difficult to finda place to work.”

The guidance systems on Delta41 performed beautifully, placingthe ESSA 3 satellite into thedesired orbit. Control of thesatellite was turned over to ESSAon Oct. 14.

The 325-pound satellite was

built by RCA and designed toprovide daily global photographiccoverage of weather systems forcentral processing and distributionby the U.S. Weather Bureau’sNational Meteorological Center.

ESSA 3 was the first satellite inthe Tiros series to utilize theAdvanced Vidicon CameraSystem.

More than 150 photos wereprovided daily. The cameras wereprogrammed to take six or 12photos per orbit but only whenfacing the Earth.

One of ESSA 3’s cameras failedon Sept. 29, 1967, and the other onOct. 9, 1968. The satellite wasdeactivated on Dec. 2, 1968.

ESSA 3 launched Oct. 2, 1966, fromVandenberg Air Force Base inCalifornia. The 325-pound satellite(above) provided daily photographs ofweather systems for the NationalMeteorological Center.

NASA’s STEREO observatories are processed at Astrotech SpaceOperations (right). The two observatories were mated for launchbut will separate into different orbits for their mission. STEREO

stands for Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory.The STEREO mission is the first to take measurements of the sun and

solar wind in 3-dimension. This new view will improve our understand-ing of space weather and its impact on the Earth. STEREO is expected tolift off no earlier than Oct. 25 from Launch Pad 17-B on Cape CanaveralAir Force Station.

STEREO’s twin observatories will be offset from one another in orbit.One observatory will be placed “ahead” of the Earth in its orbit, andusing a series of lunar swingbys, the other will travel “behind.” Just asthe slight offset between your eyes provides you with depth perception,this placement will allow the STEREO observatories to obtain 3-Dimages of the sun.

Using this unique 3-D imagery, scientists will be able to examine thestructure of these important events, and learn more about their fundamen-tal nature and origin.

NASA’s solar observatory STEREO prepares for Cape launch

Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS September 29, 2006

John F. Kennedy Space Center

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

Editorial support provided by InDyne, Inc. Writers Group.NASA at KSC is located on the Internet at http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedyUSGPO: 733-049/600117

Spaceport News

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

Combined Federal Campaign kicks off Oct. 10

This year’s Combined FederalCampaign is set to beginwith a Kick-Off Rally at 9

a.m. Oct. 10 in the Kennedy SpaceCenter Training Auditorium. TheCFC cabinet members have set thisyear’s goal at $400,000.

Speakers from several BrevardCounty United Way organizationsare scheduled to speak at the rally,including representatives from theSalvation Army, 211 Brevard, theBrevard Alzheimer’s Foundationand North Brevard Charities.

The Patrick Air Force BaseColor Guard will present thecolors, and the 4- and 5-year-oldclass from the KSC Child Develop-ment Center will lead the as-sembled group in the Pledge ofAllegiance.

Rob Rains, president of UnitedWay of Brevard, will be on hand tomotivate the NASA civil servicework force. Kelli McCoy of theLaunch Services Program Integra-tion Office will give an audio-visual presentation which willinclude scenes of local KSCemployees who assisted orreceived help from CFC agencies.

Center Director Jim Kennedyand Deputy Center Director BillParsons will speak words ofencouragement to the NASA-KSC

COMBINED FEDERALCampaign cabinetmembers meet withKennedy Space CenterDirector Jim Kennedy(sitting) to talk about thisyear’s goals. CampaignChairman Ray Lugo,deputy manager of theLaunch Services Program,is pictured second from theright. Also pictured in thelast row are Bill Parsons(sixth from right), deputycenter director, and JimHattaway (eighth fromright), KSC associatedirector.

work force, as well. As a specialadded attraction for those attend-ing the kick-off, Kennedy willdraw one lucky name and awardtwo seats on the center director’sbus for the space shuttle launch inDecember.

The event will also be broad-cast on NASA TV. This year’scampaign slogan, submitted byMary Kiss from the ProcurementOffice, is “Caring and Sharing —Combined We Make A Differ-ence.”

Unit coordinators and keysolicitors will personally share the

message of the campaign with eachNASA employee. The LaunchServices Program Office hasdonated 50 tall ceramic coffeemugs which will be awarded to thefirst 50 contributors to this year’scampaign.

A significant enhancement tothis year’s campaign is that allcontributions will be made online

using the WebTADS Time andAttendance System. All contribu-tors will have their names enteredinto weekly prize drawings.

Prizes will include gift certifi-cates to the NASA Exchange andmaximum-access passes to the KSCVisitor Complex. Beginning Oct.10, visit http://cfc.ksc.nasa.gov forinformation.

NASA’s Scientific and Technical Information Program recentlyreleased the agency’s Aeronautics and Space Database, apowerful research tool that contains more than 3.5 million

records relevant to NASA’s mission. The database includes technical reports, journal articles, conference

proceedings and videos from NASA and the National Advisory Com-mittee for Aeronautics, as well as material from many other aerospace-related organizations. Innovative features include more than 209,000documents in full-text searchable PDF, custom display formats, savedsearch capability and the ability to request that NASA documents notcurrently in full-text PDF be scanned and added to the database forviewing and downloading.

You can access the database from any nasa.gov domain computer.There is a “restricted” version of the database (https://www2.sti.nasa.gov/login/wt/) that requires an ID and password, as wellas an “unrestricted” version (https://www2.sti.nasa.gov/login/grpnasa?product_id=WEBTOP) that does not have these requirements.

To register for access to the restricted version, download theregistration form on the STI Web site and fax it to 301-621-0134. Tolearn more about the capabilities and content of the database, visit theFact Sheet at http://www.sti.nasa.gov/nasaonly/FactSheet.pdf.

A new way to connect with NASAscientific and technical information