International Space Station Status Report: SS04-008

May 07, 2004 -- RELEASE : SS04-008

Members of the new crew of the International Space Station (ISS) are wrapping up their first full week in orbit by themselves. During the week, they concentrated on life science research, spacewalk preparations and settling in to their new home.

Expedition 9 Commander Gennady Padalka and NASA ISS Science Officer Mike Fincke took part in a variety of experiments that focus on learning how the human body responds to extended periods without gravity. The crewmembers completed the first sessions of a series of Russian biomedical experiments measuring body mass and calf volume and drawing blood to measure red blood cell mass. They also performed operations with two European Space Agency experiments, looking into adaptation of the vestibular system to weightlessness. The vestibular system provides the body's sense of balance and sensations of up and down.

Padalka and Fincke also completed their first periodic fitness evaluation and received a briefing on upcoming Station payload operations from ISS Program Scientist Don Thomas, Lead Increment Scientist Janice Voss, and Increment Payload Operations Director Lamar Stacy.

Fincke finished the seventh imaging session of the Binary Colloidal Alloy Test-3 (BCAT-3) experiment. After setting up the slow-growth sample module on the maintenance work area, Fincke photographed the samples sequentially with a digital still camera and then stowed the equipment. The BCAT-3 experiment of the microgravity research program at NASA's Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, began on Expedition 8, with astronaut Mike Foale using magnets to mix samples of colloids. Colloids are systems of fine particles suspended in a fluid such as paint, milk or ink. The samples have been photographed over the past few weeks as they began to separate.

Possible future applications of the colloidal alloy experiments are photonic crystals for telecommunications and computer applications and extremely low threshold lasers, as well as improved use of supercritical fluids for food extractions, pharmaceuticals, dry cleaning and rocket propellants.

Padalka and Fincke launched last month with plans to conduct two spacewalks, but they learned last weekend that a third had officially been put on their schedule. The planned June 10 spacewalk calls for the crewmembers to replace a Remote Power Controller Module (RPCM), a type of remote-controlled circuit breaker, on the Station's S0 truss. The RPCM failed April 21, cutting power to one of the Control Moment Gyroscopes (CMGs), which provide attitude control for ISS. There are still two CMGs operating well and controlling the Station's orientation. As managers continue to evaluate the spacewalk plans, Padalka and Fincke will conduct a fit check of the U.S. spacesuits next week.

This week, Fincke also completed maintenance work with the spacesuit battery chargers and batteries and began a procedure to regenerate canisters, which remove the carbon dioxide spacewalkers exhale from the suits.

The previous Station crew, Expedition 8 Commander Mike Foale and Flight Engineer Alexander Kaleri, are at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, this week for post-flight debriefings and checks. Foale is expected to return to Houston this month.

For information about NASA and agency missions on the Internet, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

Information about crew activities on the Space Station, future launch dates, and Station sighting opportunities from Earth, is available on the Internet at:

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/

Details about Station science operations are available on an Internet site administered by the Payload Operations Center at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., at:

http://scipoc.msfc.nasa.gov/


Contacts:
Allard Beutel
Headquarters, Washington
(Phone: 202/358-4769)

   More...

Space Shuttle Processing Status Report: S04-10

May 7, 2004 -- RELEASE : S04-10

The Space Shuttle fleet is housed and processed at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Fla. The order of the Space Shuttles in this report does not necessarily reflect the chronological order of future missions.

Discovery (OV-103)

Discovery continues to be processed for the Return to Flight mission, STS-114, to the International Space Station. Left-hand Orbital Maneuvering System pod-interface verification testing continues. Installation of Discovery's airlock is scheduled to begin as early as Monday. Left-hand inboard elevon X-rays are complete.

Four new Rudder Speed Brake (RSB) actuators have been installed on the vehicle. The RSB panels have been bead blasted and painted, with installation scheduled to begin today.

Atlantis (OV-104)

Technicians continue to process Atlantis for its future flight to the International Space Station. The airlock was removed from the vehicle last week and fuel cell removal is underway.

The first RSB panel was removed Tuesday; the remaining three panels currently are in the process of being removed. Once the other panels are removed, the actuators will be taken off the vehicle and sent to the vendor for a complete inspection.

Endeavour (OV-105)

Space Shuttle Endeavour is in its Orbiter Major Modification period, which began in December. Electrical modifications continue in the crew module. Thermal Control System blanket work continues in support of payload-bay radiator installation. Preparations are underway for a fit check of Endeavour's nose cap.

Technicians began flex hose inspections this week in the Environmental Control and Life Support bay. Structural and wire inspections are ongoing in the forward, midbody and aft of the vehicle.

Previous Space Shuttle processing status reports are available on the Internet at:

http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/status/status.htm

For information about NASA's Return to Flight efforts on the Internet, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/news/highlights/returntoflight.html

For information about NASA and agency programs on the Internet, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

Contacts:
Allard Beutel
Headquarters, Washington
(Phone: 202/358-4769)

Jessica Rye
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
(Phone: 321/867-2468)

   More...

Past And Future Of Space Flight Come Together At Space Day 2004

National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center Site of Annual Space Day Program

Chantilly, VA, May 6, 2004

Over 1,000 local 6th grade students participated in the international Space Day celebration today at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. The Space Day Foundation and Lockheed Martin sponsored the Space Day 2004 Blazing Galactic Trails event, co-chaired by Senator John Glenn and Vance Coffman, Chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with the National Air and Space Museum and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The highlight of the event was the introduction of NASA's new astronaut class.

Space Day is an international initiative established in 1997 by Lockheed Martin that provides educational programs for elementary school students throughout the year in thousands of schools, museums and science centers across North America. Its goal is to use space-related activities to inspire and prepare young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

According to Coffman, "As the baby boomer generation looks toward retirement, the demand for young scientists and engineers is expected to increase at almost four times the rate of all other occupations. The Space Day initiative seeks to inspire the next generation to enter this vital career pipeline."

This year's international celebration was focused on motivating young people to pursue science, math and other technical subjects. The ceremony included Senator Glenn, Coffman, General John R. Dailey, Director of the National Air and Space Museum, the Honorable Sean O'Keefe, NASA Administrator and former astronaut Brian Duffy, each of whom related how their own childhood dreams led to careers in aerospace.

According to Dailey, "The Museum is a perfect place to celebrate Space Day because historical artifacts such as the Space Shuttle Enterprise inspire young people to think about the future of space exploration and the many ways they can contribute to this legacy."

The strong focus on technical careers led NASA to decide to introduce the next generation of astronauts at the event. According to O'Keefe, "This astronaut candidate class represents the 'next generation of explorers'. They're the astronauts who will lead our country through the next steps in the new exploration vision. It is a diverse class made up of pilots and engineers who will help us develop the next generation vehicle, scientists who will do research to help humans live and travel in space and three educator astronauts to help ensure that a new generation is ready for the challenges of exploration." During their NASA careers members of this astronaut class may help develop the Crew Exploration Vehicle, study the effects of micro gravity by doing research on board the International Space Station and possibly even help plan the first lunar missions.

At the Udvar-Hazy Center event over a thousand local 6th grade students participated in a wide variety of hands-on activities related to aerospace and science. Activities, sponsored by government agencies, non-profit organizations and private companies, ranged from conducting astronomy experiments to building an SR-71 model.

Winning students in the Space Day Design Challenges were also honored at the ceremony. Developed by the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, the Challenges encourage teams of elementary and middle school students to utilize science and math concepts, initiate independent research and connect directly with experts in the field. The teams had their projects on display at the Udvar-Hazy Center throughout the day and visitors had an opportunity to ask the students questions.

Each year more than 75 national and local corporations, trade associations, federal agencies, youth organizations and school districts participate as Space Day Partners and Associates to facilitate Space Day activities for thousands of students in all fifty states, Canada and some foreign countries.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.

Contacts:
Gail Rymer, Space Day Foundation & Lockheed Martin, (301) 897-6934, gail.rymer@lmco.com
Kathy Hanser, National Air and Space Museum, (202) 633-2375, hanserk@nasm.si.edu
Melissa Mathews, NASA, (202) 358-1272, melissa.mathews-1@nasa.gov

For additional information about Space Day visit www.spaceday.org

   More...

Astronaut Douglas Hurley Joins Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems And Area Schools To Co-Sponsor Local Space Day Event

OWEGO, NY, May 6, 2004

Southern Tier's native son and NASA Astronaut Douglas Hurley joined Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT], BAE Systems Platform Solutions and the Coalition for Better Schools today in hosting the eighth annual Space Day at Oakdale Mall in Johnson City.

Approximately 1,000 kindergarten through Grade 12 students, area teachers and parents were on hand at the mall for activities, which included more than 600 exhibits featuring award-winning science and technical projects completed by area students.

Hurley, an Apalachin, NY, native and graduate of Owego Free Academy in Tioga County, delivered the program's keynote address, and also was on hand to talk to the students one on one throughout the afternoon and evening. His appearance was a natural link to this year's national Blazing Galactic Trails theme honoring the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition, while saluting future explorers - today's school children.

"Space Day is a great source of inspiration for our young," said Frank Meyer, president of Lockheed Martin Systems Integration - Owego. "It takes advantage of their natural interest in space by engaging them in projects that show them in a fun way why excellence in math, science and technology is extremely essential for the future of our country."

"We're proud to co-sponsor Space Day, and to recognize our local young people who contributed their time and energy to these creative and thought-provoking projects," said Jim Scanlon, president of BAE Systems Platform Solutions in Johnson City.

Among the day's highlights at the local event was Lockheed Martin's Advanced Technology Flying Test Bed (FTB), a UH-1H Bell aircraft commonly known as a "Huey" helicopter. Children and the public were encouraged to inspect the helicopter as a means for inspiring younger generations to pursue technical careers. In addition, BAE Systems demonstrated the popular SegwayTM Human Transporter, which is balanced and stabilized by gyroscopes that the company manufactures.

In advance of today's activities, national Space Day sponsor Lockheed Martin held a T-shirt design contest with the Coalition for Better Schools in Broome and Tioga counties. Students in the 14-school district coalition were encouraged to create a logo for commemorative 2004 Space Day shirts. A design by two sixth graders from East Middle School in Binghamton, NY, won the contest. Featuring a cartoon image of Earth floating among golden stars and a wavy "Give Me Some Space" slogan, the white T-shirts were worn by thousands of participants attending various Space Day events throughout the United States today.

The winners, Kylie Cook, the daughter of Stephen and Kathleen Cook, and Staci Kiley, the daughter of Michael and Patti Kiley, all of Binghamton, were honored by Lockheed Martin at National Space Day events May 5-6 in Washington, DC.

Based in Rockville, MD, BAE Systems North America is a high-technology U.S. company employing more than 25,000 people who live and work in some 30 states, the District of Columbia, and the United Kingdom. The company is dedicated to solving its customers' needs with highly innovative and leading edge solutions across the defense electronics, systems, information technology, and services arenas.

For additional information, visit http://www.na.baesystems.com.

Segway is a trademark of Segway LLC.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.

Contact:
Jan Gottfredsen, (607) 751-2598; e-mail, janet.gottfredsen@lmco.com
Marlene Turock, (607) 770-2650; e-mail, marlene.turock@baesystems.com

   More...

Mars Rover Arrival at Deeper Crater Provides a Tempting Eyeful

May 06, 2004 -- NEWS RELEASE: 2004-119

Scientists and engineers celebrated when they saw the first pictures NASA's Opportunity sent from the rim of a stadium-sized crater that the rover reached after a six-week trek across martian flatlands.

Multiple layers of exposed bedrock line much of the inner slope of the impact crater informally called "Endurance." Such layers and their thicknesses may reveal what the environment on Mars was like before the salty standing body of water evaporated to produce the telltale rocks that were explored in the tiny "Eagle" Crater. That’s where Opportunity spent its first eight weeks on Mars.

"It's the most spectacular view we've seen of the martian surface, for the scientific value of it but also for the sheer beauty of it," Dr. Steve Squyres of Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., said about a color panorama of Endurance Crater released at a news conference today at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. He is the principal investigator for the science instruments on both Opportunity and its twin Mars Exploration Rover, Spirit.

In coming days, Opportunity will circle the rim of Endurance, observing the crater's interior from various angles. Scientists and engineers have begun to identify interesting science targets and assess how difficult it would be for the rover to descend partway into the crater and climb back out. "We will need to decide whether the science is compelling enough to send the rover into a crater it might never leave, or whether to explore other sites first before entering Endurance," said Orlando Figueroa, director of the Mars Exploration Program, NASA Headquarters, Washington.

At Eagle Crater, an outcrop of bedrock only about the height of a street curb yielded evidence that the site was once covered by a body of salty water deep enough to splash in. "That was the last dying gasp of a body of water," Squyres said. "The question that has intrigued us since we left Eagle Crater is what preceded that. Was there a deep body of water for a long time? Was there a shallow, short-lived playa? We don't know."

The strategy for seeking answers is to examine older rocks from deeper layers, so Opportunity was sent on drives totaling about 800 meters (half a mile) to reach the deepest crater nearby, Endurance. This crater excavated by the impact of a tiny asteroid or a piece of a comet is about 130 meters (430 feet) wide and, from the highest point on the rim, more than 20 meters (66 feet) deep, 10 times as deep as Eagle. An exposure of outcrop in a cliff high on the inner wall across from the rover's current position reveals a stack of layers 5 to 10 meters (16 to 33 feet) tall. Other exposures around the inner slope of the crater may be more accessible than the cliff, and chunks from the same layers may have been thrown out onto surrounding ground by the crater-forming impact.

"There is a rock unit below what we saw at Eagle Crater," Squyres said. "It looks fundamentally different from anything we've seen before. It's big. It's massive. It has a story to tell us."

Brian Cooper, leader of JPL's squad of rover drivers for Spirit and Opportunity, said the initial view of the crater doesn't settle accessibility questions yet. "The slope right in front of us averages 18 to 20 degrees. Getting into the crater is no problem, but we have a lot more work to do to assess whether we could get back out. That depends on soil properties and slippage, as well as slope." The planned circuit around the rim will also require careful navigation. "If you don't go close enough to the lip, you can't look in, but if you go too far, you could fall in," he said. "We're going to have a very interesting few weeks."

When NASA sent astronauts to the lunar surface more than 30 years ago, it was decided not to allow them to enter craters as fresh and steep as Endurance, but Opportunity may be able to do what no human has done before on another planet.

Scientists and engineers working with the other rover, Spirit, are also examining images of a destination area to identify possible targets of study and to assess how well the rover can get to them. However, that destination area, informally named "Columbia Hills," still lies several weeks of travel ahead of Spirit. Images and surface-temperature information from the NASA orbiters Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Odyssey are supplementing Spirit's own increasingly detailed pictures of the hills. Nighttime surface temperatures indicate that some areas within the hills are rockier than others, said Amy Knudson, a rover science team collaborator from Arizona State University, Tempe.

"The hills represent a different rock unit, likely older than the plains we're on," Knudson said. "There are intriguing features in the hills and we want to investigate the processes that formed them. We're especially interested to see if water played any role."

JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, manages the Mars Exploration Rover project for NASA's Office of Space Science, Washington, D.C. Images and additional information about the project are available from JPL at http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov and from Cornell University at http://athena.cornell.edu.

Contacts:
Guy Webster (818) 354-6278
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.

Donald Savage (202) 358-1547
NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.

   More...

NASA Introduces The Next Generation Of Explorers

May 06, 2004 -- RELEASE : 04-152

NASA's 2004 astronaut candidate class was introduced today during Space Day activities at the National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va.

"These are the astronauts who will lead us through the next steps in the new exploration vision," NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe said. "The class is made up of pilots and engineers who will help us develop the next generation vehicle, scientists who will do research to help humans live and travel in space and three new educator astronauts to help ensure a new generation is ready for the challenges of exploration," he said.

The new astronaut candidates:

Mission Specialist-Educator Joseph Acaba, 36, of Dunnellon, Fla.; math and science teacher at Dunnellon Middle School; born in Inglewood, Ca. Acaba has degrees from the University of California at Santa Barbara and the University of Arizona. He is a former Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic and also managed a research station in the Bahamas.

Mission Specialist-Educator Richard Arnold, 40, of Berlin, Md.; currently lives in Bucharest, Romania; math and science teacher at the American International School of Bucharest; born in Cheverly, Md. and raised in Bowie, Md. Arnold has degrees from Frostburg State University, Md., and the University of Maryland. Arnold has also taught in Morocco, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia.

Pilot Randolph Bresnik, Major, U.S. Marine Corps, 36, an F/A-18 pilot and experimental test pilot based in San Diego, Calif.; born in Fort Knox, Ky. Bresnik has degrees from The Citadel, S.C., and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He is getting married this month in a Scottish castle.

Mission Specialist Christopher Cassidy, Lt. Cmdr., U.S. Navy, 34; Navy SEAL based in Norfolk, Va.; born in Salem, Mass.; raised in York, Maine. He has degrees from the U.S. Naval Academy and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mass. Cassidy completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan and earned a Bronze Star.

Pilot James Dutton, Major, U.S. Air Force, 35; an F/A-22 test pilot stationed in Edwards, Calif.; born and raised in Eugene, Ore. Dutton has degrees from the U.S. Air Force Academy and the University of Washington. During the 1990s, Dutton flew combat air patrols over northern Iraq.

Mission Specialist Jose Hernandez, 41, of Houston; engineer and branch chief at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC); born in French Camp, Calif.; grew up as a migrant farm worker before settling in Stockton, Calif. Hernandez has degrees from the University of the Pacific and the University of California at Santa Barbara. His work at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the 1990s contributed to a new tool for early breast cancer detection.

Mission Specialist R. Shane Kimbrough, 36, Major, U.S. Army, of Houston; flight simulation engineer at JSC; born in Killeen, Tex.; considers Atlanta his hometown. Kimbrough has degrees from the U.S. Military Academy (USMA) and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Kimbrough was captain of the baseball team at USMA. He served as a platoon leader in an Apache attack helicopter company during Desert Storm.

Mission Specialist Thomas Marshburn, M.D., 43, of Houston; flight surgeon at JSC; born in Statesville, N.C.; raised in Atlanta. He has degrees from Davidson College, N.C.; the University of Virginia; Wake Forest University, N.C.; and the University of Texas Medical Branch. Marshburn is an avid mountain climber and has a private pilot's license.

Mission Specialist-Educator Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, 28, of Vancouver, Wash.; science teacher at Hudson's Bay High School; born in Colorado Springs, Co. and raised in Fort Collins, Co. Metcalf-Lindenburger graduated from Whitman College, Wash. She is a cross-country coach and marathon runner. She was a champion runner in college.

Mission Specialist Robert Satcher, M.D., Ph.D., 38, of Oak Park, Ill.; orthopedic surgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago; raised in Hampton, Va. Satcher has degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and from Harvard University. He performs research in muscular-skeletal oncology and has done charity medical work overseas.

Mission Specialist Shannon Walker, Ph.D., 38, of Houston; a manager at JSC overseeing the technical health of the International Space Station; born and raised in Houston. Walker has three degrees from Rice University. She has lived in worked in Russia, supporting the Space Station program. She is an avid private pilot.

"With the new exploration vision, human space flight is really moving into its next era," said NASA Associate Administrator for Space Flight William Readdy. "Members of this class have terrific experience behind them already, and we're thrilled to have their smarts and skills to help us move forward," he said.

"We are especially excited to welcome our three new educator astronauts," said NASA Associate Administrator for Education, Dr. Adena Loston. "They will help inspire a new generation of explorers."

NASA TV will feed video of the astronaut class beginning at noon EDT today. The Video File will include sound bites and b-roll of the class members. NASA TV is available on AMC-9, transponder 9C, C-Band, located at 85 degrees west longitude. The frequency is 3880.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural at 6.80 MHz.

Full biographies and still photos of the astronaut candidates will be available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/vision/space/preparingtravel/ascan2004.html

For more information about Space Day 2004, visit:

http://www.spaceday.org

For information about NASA and agency programs on the Internet, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

Contacts:
Melissa Mathews/Dwayne Brown
Headquarters, Washington
(Phone: 202/358-1272/1726)

Doug Peterson
Johnson Space Center, Houston
(Phone: 281/244-8406)

   More...