November 2007

www.nasa.gov

Page 2 - ‘Return to the Moon Family

 Night’ attracts thousands

Page 3 - NASA’s Remotely piloted plane

 helps battle wildfires

Page 4 - NASA ‘MULEs’ help move large

 objects on moon

Page 14 - Ames Ongoing Events

Page 15 - Classifieds

On the Inside . . .

In an upbeat talk to a crowd that 

filled the Ames main auditorium, 

Ames Center Director S. Pete Worden 

outlined an exciting future at Ames 

that includes new work in exploration, 

science and aeronautics -- each about a 

third of the center's efforts, he said. "I 

have a gazillion charts to go through," 

he said. 

His wide-ranging presentation 

about Ames touched on moon exploration, a lunar institute, moon dust research, heat shield work for spacecraft 

destined for the moon and Mars, a 

Mars sample "cache box" assignment, 

rising supercomputer capability, small 

satellite work with a potential for 

many missions, increased astrobiology 

work, growing cooperation among 

academia, and commercial partners 

and Ames and much more.

 

Moon work

The Ames fast-paced Lunar CRater 

Observation and Sensing Satellite 

(LCROSS) mission to hit the moon is 

important because it is, "demonstrating what this center can do on schedule and in budget," Worden declared.

LCROSS, part of NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate's 

activity, will strike the moon's south 

polar region, and kick up lunar material to enable scientists to analyze it for 

water content. 

"We're coordinating a worldwide 

LCROSS moon impact observation 

campaign (led by Ames planetary 

scientist Jen Heldmann)," Worden 

continued.

The LCROSS launch, slated for 

October 2008, is, Worden said, "on 

schedule and on budget. We are making a great program."

Speaking about the agency's effort 

to go back to the moon and travel to 

Mars and beyond--the Constellation 

Program--Worden said there is a lot 

of work to do for Ames. "We have a 

number of very critical elements. The 

thermal protection folks are working 

overtime."

"We have switched material to 

phenolic impregnated carbon ablator (PICA), a (heat shield) material 

developed here," Worden noted. His 

projected slide also listed Ames as 

leading PICA development and testing both for the Crew Exploration Vehicle, now called Orion, and the Mars 

Science Laboratory (MSL), which has 

a planned launch date in fall 2009.

Worden said that Ames' arc jets 

facility "a unique facility in the world." 

He added, "We want to upgrade 

them."

 

Life Sciences

"We are getting additional life 

support tasks assigned by Johnson 

(and Marshall)," Worden said. "This is 

significant." 

Worden gives upbeat message about future work for Ames

continued on page 5

by John Bluc

NASA recently announced its 

intent to establish a new lunar science 

institute. This effort, with dispersed 

teams across the nation, will help lead 

the agency's research activities for 

future lunar science missions related 

to NASA's exploration goals. 

Named the NASA Lunar Science Institute (NLSI), the effort will 

be managed from NASA Ames. The 

by Michael Mewhinney

NASA Ames to establish 

nationwide lunar science institute

center currently manages a similar distributed NASA Astrobiology Institute. 

NLSI's operations are expected to 

begin March 1, 2008. NLSI will augment other, already established lunar 

science investigations funded by 

NASA by encouraging the formation 

of interdisciplinary research teams that 

are larger than those currently at work 

in lunar science.

"I am excited about NLSI," said 

Alan Stern, associate administrator for 

NASA's Science Mission Directorate, 

NASA Headquarters, Washington. "As 

continued on page 12

NASA photo

NASA photo by Eric James

Ames Center Director S. Pete Worden responds 

to a question during the recent upbeat talk he 

gave to the center about the future of Ames.
2 Astrogram November 2007

The First International 

Conference on the Exploration 

of Phobos and Deimos: The 

Science, Robotic Reconnaissance, 

and Human Exploration of the 

Two Moons of Mars was the first 

international meeting focused on 

Phobos and Deimos, and on how 

their exploration relates to that 

of the moon, Mars and the solar 

system beyond.

The conference was an open 

international forum bringing 

together scientists, engineers, 

space exploration professionals 

Conference held on exploration of moons - Phobos and Deimos

Ames Center Director S. Pete Worden speaking at the 

First International Conference of Photos and Deimos held 

recently at the center.

and students interested in discussing the status and advancement of 

the exploration of Mars' satellites, 

and the exploration of Mars itself 

and other near-Earth objects (NEOs) 

through them.

The conference was held during a time of renewed interest in the 

exploration of Phobos and Deimos, 

with several international spacecraft missions and concept studies 

underway. 

NASA photo by Dominic Hart

‘Return to the Moon Family Night’ attracts thousands

The moon was high and bright 

in the clear evening sky on Nov. 17 

during ‘Return to the Moon Family 

Night.’ NASA Ames was abuzz with 

an estimated 6,500 attendees, some of 

whom were outfitted in shiny silver 

spacesuits or other astronaut apparel to 

show their NASA spirit.

Volunteer parking attendants 

equipped with light sabers and event 

staff guided excited children, families 

and NASA enthusiasts to the night’s 

various activities and displays. They 

included presentations by scientists, 

videos, authentic moon rocks on 

display, robotic rover demonstrations, 

telescopes to peer into the night sky 

and even a virtual playground of kid’s 

activities. 

Seating was scarce at presentations by Ames Center Director S. Pete 

Worden and Ames scientists who are 

leading the Lunar CRater Observation 

and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) mission; including Tony Colaprete, Jennifer 

Heldmann and Stuart Moses.

Crowds flooded the Shenandoah 

Parade Ground waiting for a chance 

to view the night’s ‘star’ and main 

attraction: the moon. Curiosity shone 

on people’s faces as they learned about 

NASA’s effort to return and discover 

more about the moon either by talking 

to knowledgeable staff at fun booths 

featuring colorful handouts, videos and 

miniature rovers, or by touching the 

actual materials used on space shuttles. 

Little hands creatively colored the 

moon’s surface purple and green, while 

others used remote-controlled, mini 

rovers to weave through a moon-like 

obstacle course, or puzzle together 

artistic renderings of space. 

Once again, through the help of 

event manager Barbara Patterson and 

by Rachel Pruce

Participants at the 

recent Ames ‘Return 

to the Moon Family Night’ held at 

the center got to try 

science gizmos first 

hand. Kids got the 

chance to operate 

remote-controlled rovers (top photo); to look 

through telescopes 

at the moon, Comet 

Holmes (middle left 

photo) and other celestial objects (middle 

photo); and experience 

other computer-simulated displays (bottom 

right photo.) 

NASA photos by Dominic Hart

all the family night coordinators and 

volunteers, Ames opened its doors to 

the community to share NASA’s excitement and efforts in cutting-edge science and space exploration. Stay tuned 

for future family events!
3 Astrogram November 2007

NASA pilots flew the Ikhana unmanned airplane and its instruments 

that can see through smoke over as 

many as seven of a dozen 

Southern California wildfires in late October.

The Ikhana took off 

from NASA Dryden Flight 

Research Center, Edwards 

Air Force Base, Calif., to 

observe wildfires while 

flying south for a 10-hour 

mission. It first observed 

the fires near Lake Arrrowhead and flew as far south 

as San Diego County near 

the Mexican border.

NASA Ames developed 

the Autonomous Modular 

Sensor-Wildfire to look 

through the smoke to see 

hot spots, flames and temperature differences.

According to Jim 

Brass of Ames, who flew 

to Dryden to conduct the 

Ikhana's mission, the fire 

images are taken from the 

Ikhana aircraft and are 

processed on board. Pilots 

remotely flew the UAV 

from NASA Dryden.

 "After processing, the images are 

transmitted through a communications satellite to NASA Ames where 

the imagery is placed on an Ames 

Web site. Then the imagery is combined with Google Earth maps," Brass 

explained.

"We anticipated an event like the 

wildfire siege in Southern California 

occurring in October," said the project 

principal investigator Vince Ambrosia 

of Ames. "When the call came on Monday from the National Interagency 

Fire Center, the California Governor's 

Office of Emergency Services and colleagues within the Incident Command 

structure on the fires, we were ready 

to quickly deploy our teams and initiate a mission plan to over fly the fires 

and provide critical thermal infrared 

intelligence on the various wildfires," 

Ambrosia added.

There were team members at various fire camps to assist in the integration of the data and imagery derived 

from the AMS-WILDFIRE sensor on 

the NASA Ikhana UAV, while other 

members of the team were in place at 

Dryden, NASA Ames, Google and the 

NASA’s remotely piloted plane helps battle wildfires by John Bluc

National Interagency Fire Center.

Last month, Ikhana flights were 

conducted as part of a series of wildfire imaging demonstration missions 

being conducted by NASA and the 

U.S. Forest Service. The flights were 

Thermal-infrared imaging sensors on NASA’s Ikhana remotely piloted research 

aircraft acquired this image at in the afternoon on Oct. 25 over the Harris Fire in 

San Diego County in Southern California. The colorized image shows a mosaic of 

images looking south, draped over the terrain and shown in 3D. The active wildfire 

fronts are in yellow and red, while hot, previously burned areas are in shades of 

dark red and purple. Unburned areas are shown in green hues.

photo by NASA and U.S. Forest Service

part of the Western States Fire Mission to demonstrate improved wildfire 

imaging and mapping capabilities of 

the sophisticated imaging 

sensor and real-time data 

communications equipment 

developed at Ames. During 

the September missions, 

pilots flew the airplane for 

earlier missions remotely 

from NASA Dryden as well.

NASA's Ikhana is a 

Predator B unmanned 

aircraft system built by 

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and adapted 

for environmental science 

and technology research 

missions. Each flight is 

being coordinated with the 

FAA to allow the remotely 

piloted aircraft to fly within 

the national airspace while 

maintaining separation 

from other aircraft.

Also, a NASA satellite 

has captured remarkable 

imaging of the wildfires. 

To view and download 

images and for additional 

information, visit: http://

www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/socal_wildfires_oct07.html

In late October, a team of six scientists and 

Arctic residents told their personal stories of 

life and research in polar regions, supported 

by dramatic high definition video footage, to 

help the rest of of the audience get a feel for 

life on the world’s icy edges. Photo at right 

shows a penguin used to help explain Arctic 

life to the children in the audience. The 

program, ‘POLAR-PALOOZA, Stories from 

a Changing Planet,’ seeks to inspire diverse 

audiences across America to better appreciate 

the many ways the rapidly changing Arctic 

and Antarctic affect the health and functioning of the entire Earth system. 

Scientists teach audience about Arctic

NASA photos by Eric James
4 Astrogram November 2007

How would you move big things 

on the moon to construct a lunar base, 

conduct exploration or later expand 

a human settlement? A team of Ames 

engineers suggested that a small 

vehicle, the "Mobile Utility for Lunar 

Exploration" (MULE), could move 

large items about on the moon. 

MULE vehicles could move moon 

landers, human habitat modules, 

power stations and cargo containers. 

As many as four MULEs could work 

together to reposition objects on the 

moon, according to the team, ‘The 

Ames Muleskinners.’

"If we are going to operate on the 

ground, in a new place, we are going 

to have to have large scale surface 

mobility, just like we do in large terrestrial plants," said Andy Gonzales, a 

senior systems engineer at Ames, who 

led the ‘Muleskinners.’

After a challenge from Johnson 

Space Center (JSC), Houston, in the 

spring of 2006, several NASA centers 

proposed designs for a new human 

lunar lander and related systems. 

The lander, the ‘Lunar Surface Access 

Module’ (LSAM), will carry both crew 

and cargo to the lunar surface. Gonzales guided the Ames contribution 

to that effort, which defined options 

for Lunar Surface Mobility to support 

the lunar part of the Vision for Space 

Exploration. 

"Ames responded to JSC's challenge by focusing on the problem of 

NASA ‘MULEs’ help move large objects on moon

moving assets, ranging in mass from 

six metric tons to the entire 20 metric 

ton LSAM (lander), across the surface," Gonzales said. "The Ames team 

showed that such a capability was key 

to the success of building an outpost 

since each landing would have to 

occur at distances from 

one to two kilometers 

from the outpost core in 

order to protect emplaced 

assets."

 The team proved that 

MULEs are practical and 

capable of moving the 

moon landers. According to Gonzales, "Each 

LSAM (lander), when 

on the moon, actually 

would weigh no more 

than a Hummer weighs 

on Earth."

 After arriving on 

the moon's surface, the 

lander either would be 

unloaded, and one MULE 

would take the cargo 

to the lunar outpost; or 

four cooperating MULEs 

would haul the lander 

with its cargo to the outpost, according to Gonzales.

The Ames team updated approaches similar to those used for the 

original design of the Apollo Lunar 

Roving Vehicle, and showed that moving items overland within the required 

mass range is feasible.

 "Moving large items on the lunar 

surface could be done within an 

acceptable range of mass, volume, 

power and time limits," Gonzales said. 

"We really opened some eyes and 

covered some new ground for NASA," 

Gonzales said.

In a second phase of its work, the 

Ames team teamed up with lunar 

lander design teams from several 

NASA centers to refine how Lunar 

Surface Mobility would be achieved 

with a number of lander designs.

"JSC and the other NASA centers 

really appreciated our contributions, 

and it was quite enjoyable working 

across NASA," Gonzales said.

 The NASA centers developed an 

operations concept using a small number of vehicles.

 "The true utility of the MULEs 

becomes apparent when they are 

used as single units to move smaller 

packages, or when outfitted with civil 

engineering tools to move, dig or drill 

regolith," Gonzales explained. "Tasks 

ranging from routine site surveying 

to large equipment moving, using 

human, telerobotic and autonomous 

control will be performed by MULEs."

Engineers later expanded the 

MULE concept and added it into the 

Lunar Architecture Team 1 (LAT1) 

study, in which Ames took part. Ames, 

Johnson and JPL representatives 

analyzed as many as six chassis types, 

included walking vehicles.

 "This study, first presented to the 

public in December 2006, and initially 

defined the 'Outpost First' approach 

to carrying out the lunar component 

of the Vision for Space Exploration. 

It was especially gratifying to see our 

work represented in the briefings at 

the Architecture roll-out," Gonzales 

said.

During further LAT2 studies in 

which Ames also took part, the number of chassis under consideration 

was reduced back to two, including 

a MULE-like vehicle and a walking 

vehicle. Another job assigned to this 

vehicle was to serve as the lower rolling chassis for unpressurized or pressurized human transport rovers.

"The surface mobility products 

from Ames were well received by our 

colleagues all across NASA, and was 

another demonstration of the ability 

of Ames to play a significant role in 

implementing the Vision for Space 

Exploration," Gonzales said. "Opportunities to further develop the MULE 

are currently being examined," he 

added.

"An industrial partner could build 

MULEs and other types of infrastructure equipment and then operate them 

as a service to NASA," stated Dan 

Rasky, Ames Space Portal lead.

In addition to Gonzales, the 

Muleskinners included John Segreto, 

Code REM; Terry Fong, Code TI; Brian 

Glass, Code TI; Bob Morris, Code TI; 

Larry Lemke, Code SS; and Jhony 

Zavleta, Code SS, KISS Institute. The 

work was supported and encouraged 

by Dave Korsmeyer, Code TI; Eugene 

Tu, Code T; and Laura Doty, Code R.

by John Bluc

The "Mobile Utility for Lunar Exploration" (MULE), Is a single 

utility vehicle type which will move several different lunar surface 

system elements, perform site preparation and enable mining for 

in-situ resource utilization. 

NASA
5 Astrogram November 2007

continued from front page

continued on page 9

Worden gives upbeat message about future work for Ames

According to Worden, funding has 

been requested from Johnson to work 

on a suit lock concept. Astronauts 

would climb in and out of a moon or 

planetary habitat through a spacesuit 

airlock, while the spacesuit would 

remain attached to the outside of the 

habitat or in other configurations, to 

result in less transfer of contaminants 

and dust into the habitat.

"Lunar dust... a lot of work being 

done there," said Worden. "It's a dirty 

task, but somebody has to do it," he 

joked. One of his charts included a 

"bullet" point, "lunar dust toxicity," 

and listed the "opening of Ames' Lunar Dust Biomedical Laboratory." 

According to Worden, Ames is 

doing in-flight laboratory analysis for 

the space station. "For those of you involved in biosciences, the future looks 

very bright," he said.

Worden said that biosciences at 

Ames are on the "rebound." Ames 

developed the payload for an experiment carried on the STS-118 flight for 

the Streptococcus pneumoniae Expression of Genes in Space (SPEGIS) mission that was examining the virulence 

of bacteria in space. Worden noted 

that virulence of bacteria increases 

in space, and the experiment is to 

measure "effectiveness of antibiotics in 

space." 

 

Computer work

Referring to Ames' Constellationrelated information technology (IT) 

efforts, Worden said, " We've . . . developed a system to report problems." 

Called the Problem Reporting and 

Corrective Action (PRACA) system, 

NASA selected it for Constellationwide baselining, a method used to 

compare on-going performance with 

a historic baseline, according to one of 

Worden's slides.

Worden said Ames information 

technology is supporting NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. 

"We are providing a number of software tools for the International Space 

Station," he said. One system shows 

the real time location of solar arrays, 

he continued, citing recent troubles 

NASA had with damage to solar cell 

arrays that astronauts noticed as the 

arrays unfurled during the STS-120 

mission to the space station. 

Worden stated that Ames supercomputer systems are "cross-cutting" 

resources, used for many diverse jobs. 

He said the supercomputer system is a 

"key tool." 

"We have standby crews ready to 

provide shuttle analysis," he continued, adding that the center has 

increased computational resources at 

Ames. "We will continue to remain in 

the top rank of supercomputer facilities in the world," he said. Ames will 

spend as much as $600 million over 

next 10 years on supercomputing, according to Worden's charts.

Worden also mentioned Ames' 

role with Integrated Systems Health 

Management IT. "We are assigned the 

lead role... a really critical role for the 

Ares 1 and V (rockets) and solid rocket 

health management," he said.

 

Space missions, Science 

and Astrobiology

“Alan Stern, (NASA's Associate 

Administrator for Science), visited 

here (Aug. 16 -17, 2007),” Worden recalled. "He refers to us as the 'un-center' -- the can-do center. We are good at 

small payloads," Worden continued. 

According to the director's charts, 

Stern challenged Ames "to identify 

science endorsed by the National 

Research Council (NRC) Decade Surveys that could be implemented with 

$30-million 'Missions of Opportunity.'" 

Ames forwarded 18 mission concepts 

to the NASA Science Mission Directorate in Washington within three weeks, 

according to Worden's slides.

Ames has an increased role in 

NASA Science Mission Directorate 

projects, according to Worden. "We 

have been assigned the job of setting 

up a lunar science institute at Ames," 

he said. His slides listed some of 

subjects the new institute--patterned 

after the Astrobiology Institute--will 

address. It will jump-start U.S. lunar 

science by recreating a community of 

lunar scientists. The institute also will 

address and consider basic lunar science, lunar sorties, lunar outpost uses 

including astronomy and lunar dust 

study.

Referring to the Astrobiology Institute, headquartered at Ames, Worden 

reported, "We've seen some additional 

funding." He continued, "After a few 

years we've added a few more universities."

"Astrobiology is beginning to be 

restored," Worden said. "Alan Stern 

believes this is a area that needs to 

expand."

Worden mentioned a major task 

for Ames, a sample return mission 

from Mars. "We are beginning to build 

a cache box." The Ames-built box will 

be part of the Mars Science Laboratory 

(MSL) mission that is on a schedule to 

launch in 2009. MSL will gather and 

store martian samples in the cache 

box until a later mission can take them 

to Earth for analysis in the 2020 time 

frame. "This is a very significant project," Worden confirmed.

"Kepler is a major mission (too)," 

Worden noted. "We have significant 

challenges with cost and schedule. . . 

Hard work by Ames and JPL put us 

back on track." 

To explain the Kepler mission, he 

said, "We're going to look at a bunch 

of stars like the sun . . . and we expect 

to find several hundred Earth-like 

planets."

Then, he turned to the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy 

(SOFIA). Its mission is to explore the 

infrared view of the universe while 

flying above interference from the 

Earth's water vapor atmosphere. 

"SOFIA is another significant 

program," he offered. "I think we're in 

very good shape. . . .We have moved 

the schedule up to do science in mid 

2009 ... The science will be here." He 

added that SOFIA flight operations 

would be in Palmdale in Southern 

California. 

He mentioned that future workshops and conferences at Ames are to 

include, "Virtual Worlds," Jan. 26-27, 

2008; "Deep Mars," related to exploration below Mars' surface, March 1-2, 

2008; and the "Lunar Science Conference, July 22-24, 2008, in Bldg. 3. 

Worden suggested that the conference 

would put Ames in the spotlight as 

lunar research begins to ramp up.

"You probably read about the wildfires (in Southern California)... . The 

Ikhana's (remotely piloted airplane's) 

sensors (the Ames-developed AMSWildfire sensor) can look through 

smoke ... . We have got extremely 

good publicity," he said.

"We understand there will be money," Worden said, "for small, low-cost 

missions." Worden also mentioned 

"Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity" (SALMONs). They would provide 
6 Astrogram November 2007

Code C puts the “IT” in diversity 

By Rose Ki

What is ‘IT’? ‘Inclusion’ plus 

‘Talent’ equals ‘Diversity.’ Code C, 

Office of the Chief Financial Officer, 

has taken steps to promote diversity 

awareness while encouraging its 

staff members to attend meetings as 

a means of inclusion. Its goal is to 

establish a high standard of excellence 

while making diversity a reality, not 

just lip service. In November 2006, a diversity board was formed which developed a 

diversity action plan. This past year, 

the board, along with Code C manage- ment, has been monitoring those goals 

set forth in the action plan. Although 

challenges still exist, they have made 

strides towards those goals, one of 

them being “demonstrate management to commitment.”

Code C management plays an 

active and visible role in supporting 

diversity initiatives, but how? Darlene Gross, chief, Business Systems 

Office in Code CS, and a member of 

the center's Diversity and Equal Opportunity Board, chairs the board; and 

Paul Agnew, chief financial officer, is a 

member. Their involvement validates 

management's commitment to diver- sity by keeping the diversity strategy 

on track.

Topics about diversity are added 

to the Code C all-hands agenda to 

ensure the entire Code C community 

is informed keeping the dialog about 

diversity ongoing:

• The Code C Diversity Action 

Plan was “rolled out” at a Code C all 

hands meeting;

• An overview of “Diversity 

Leadership,” a 10-week course offered through Ames, was presented by 

Denise Snow and Ken Ledbetter, who 

along with Rose King and Paul Agnew 

are currently enrolled in the course; 

and

• A video of the Ames Diversity Kickoff with Bryon Kunisawa was 

shown at the Code C all hands meet- ing.The diversity board also has writ- ten two articles, “Code C Employee 

Diversity Board Spotlight,” published 

August 2007 and “Code C Sets up 

Employee Diversity Board,” published 

April 2007. These articles have ap- peared in the “Astrogram” and the 

Code C newsletter the “SCENE.”

Code C is in the forefront in its 

attempt to make diversity work and 

the goals set forth happen. The board 

encourages its staff to participate by 

becoming members. The world is 

constantly changing and new ideas 

and ways of thinking bring with it 

empowerment. So get on board and 

get with “IT.”For more information, 

visit http://www.cfo.arc.nasa.gov/erdiversity.html

Ed Sheffner, deputy chief of the 

Ames Earth Science Division, gave a 

keynote address at the NASA AmesCornell University Discovery panel 

entitled ‘How to Build a Low-Carbon 

Economy,’ in mid November. 

The consensus today is that human 

activities have significantly altered the 

balance of sources that add CO2 to the 

atmosphere and the sinks that remove 

it, says Sheffner. The event, which was 

coordinated by Ames Environmental 

Chief Dr. Ann Clarke and moderated 

by Ames’ Chief Scientist Dr. Stephanie 

Langhoff, featured opening remarks 

by W. Kent Fuchs, Cornell University’s 

Joseph Silbert Dean of Engineering 

and panel presentations by distinguished Cornell alumni active in the 

energy sector. 

Disclosing findings from the 

just-published ‘The First State of the 

Carbon Cycle Report (SOCCR): The 

North American Carbon Budget and 

Implications for the Global Carbon 

Cycle,’ Sheffner pointed out that 

understanding the carbon cycle and 

human influence on sources and sinks 

in North America will be crucial to 

any effort to mitigate global climate 

change. Observations taken in Hawaii 

over the last 50 years and recent data 

released by the Global Carbon Project 

show that C02 has been steadily climbing every year since 1958. Moreover, 

since 2000, Sheffner noted:

• The growth of carbon emissions 

from fossil fuels has tripled compared 

to the 1990s and is exceeding the predictions of the highest IPCC emission 

scenarios;

• The rate of increase of atmospheric CO2 has grown from 1.5 ppm/

yr to 1.9 ppm/yr; and

• The carbon intensity of the 

world’s economy has stopped decreasing *ppm = parts per million.

 “All of these changes,” emphaAmes hosts low-carbon economy seminar

sized Sheffner, “characterize a carbon 

cycle that is generating stronger climate forcing and sooner than expected.” He noted that the observations 

made by NASA Earth science satellites 

are helping us understand the carbon 

cycle and the impact of changes in 

carbon on the land, in the air and in 

the oceans. 

 Underscoring Sheffner’s remarks, Cornell University Dean Fuchs spoke 

about Cornell’s new initiative to 

reorganize itself around the theme of 

sustainable futures by creating a Cen- ter for a Sustainable Future to advance 

not only commitments to a sustainable 

and energy efficient campus but also 

to foster new educational opportuni- ties that integrate science, technol- ogy, economics and entrepreneurship 

around concepts of sustainability. Alumni panelists representing a range of environmental/energy areas 

included Dr. Jonathan Gelbard, execu- tive director and founder of Conserva- tion Value; Ted Pope, vice president at 

Energy Solutions; Ben Tarbell, product 

director for SolarCity; Dr. Carl Pechman, president of Power Economics, 

Inc.; and Dr. Annemarie Meike, business development executive of the 

Industrial Partnerships Office at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. 

For more information, visit: http://

www.climatescience.gov/Library/

sap/sap2-2/final-report/default.htm 

by April Nei

Panelist Dr. Carl Pechman of Power Economics 

(left) explains how customer response to power 

network conditions can help balance out intermittent renewable resources, as Ben Tarbell with 

SolarCity looks on.

A captivated audience raptly listened to Ames 

Earth Science Division Deputy Chief Ed Sheffner’s 

report on the effects of C02 in the atmosphere.

NASA photos by Dominic Hart
7 Astrogram November 2007

The NASA Engineering and Safety 

Center (NESC) honored an Ames employee, Ian Fernandez, during ceremonies at an NESC leadership meeting 

held recently at NASA Langley. The 

ceremony recognized individuals for 

their contributions to critical technical 

assessments over the past year.

Fernandez received an NESC Engineering Excellence Award in recognition “of engineering excellence in the 

development of an innovative load 

sharing floor design on the Composite 

Crew Module Project.” 

The NESC-managed project 

is designed to evaluate the use of 

composite materials and other concepts in future spacecraft. While the 

NESC project is not intended for use 

in a first-generation crew module, the 

load-sharing floor design was adopted 

by the agency’s Constellation Program 

for use in the Orion Crew Module currently under development.

The Engineering Excellence Award 

honors individual accomplishments of 

NESC-job related tasks of such magNESC honors Ames employee for technical excellence by Keith He

From left to right: NESC Deputy Director for Safety and NESC Chief Astronaut Ken Cameron; recipient 

of the NESC Engineering Excellence Award Ian Fernandez; and the NASA Engineering and Safety Center 

(NESC) Director Ralph Roe, sduring the NESC leadership meeting and awards ceremony at NASA Langley.

NASA photo

nitude and merit as to deserve special 

recognition.

This is the fourth year that NESC 

has recognized employees and NASA 

partners for outstanding contributions 

to NESC-sponsored activities and to 

encourage critical examination of engineering problems.

Tier Level 4 - Individual awards

Huy Tran

Randy Berthold

Ames honors 21 employees for improving safety

Ames recently recognized 21 

employees for their outstanding 

accomplishments in improving 

health and safety under the provisions of the Ames Safety Awards 

Program (ASAP) II. ASAP II was 

established to recognize employee 

actions, behavior and/or job performance that result in improved 

health and safety conditions at the 

center.

There are four levels of awards, 

with tier four being the highest 

level of achievement. The ASAP II 

board evaluates each nomination 

and selects the tier level that most 

represents the actions and accomplishments of that nomination. 

During this semester two tier four 

awards were presented. 

Tier Level 3 - Individual awards

Dennis Acosta

Chuck Cornelison

Tier Level 3 - Team awards

None

Tier Level 2 - Individual awards

Cheryl Quinn

Andrew Mattioda

Seth Kurasaki

Tony Purcell

Laura Iraci

Steven Hing

Tier Level 2 - Team awards

Supercomputing Team

Chris Hense

Bryan Biegel

John Parks

Mark Tangney

Art Joley

David Robertson

Ana Grady

Code TH Safety Team

Myesha Domino

Lissa Webbon

Tier Level 1 - Individual awards

Kim Washington

Sanford Davis

Tier Level 1 - Team awards

None

Each of these employees and 

teams was nominated by their 

colleagues for their outstanding 

actions and accomplishments in 

improving health and safety conditions at Ames. 
8 Astrogram November 2007

Identity theft is the nation’s fastest 

growing crime. According to USA.gov, 

the Federal Trade Commission ranks 

“identity theft/fraud” as the most rapidly growing category of complaints 

that the agency receives.

This alarming trend is one of 

several reasons why NASA is issuing 

new badges with a more sophisticated 

and standardized enrollment process, 

which will better protect personal 

identity information collected from 

employees and maintained by the 

agency. Another reason: it is a presidential directive. 

In an effort to reduce inefficiency, 

cost and risk to the federal government, President Bush signed the 

Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 12 “Policy for a Common 

Identification Standard for Federal 

Employees and Contractors” on Aug. 

27, 2004. This directive calls for all 

government agencies to implement a 

uniform identification system.

“Even prior to this directive, 

NASA was working on a smart card 

system,” said Walter Hussey, project 

director for HSPD-12. “This directive gave us something to focus on in 

terms of how we wanted to do this 

technically.”

This new system will help deter 

identity fraud, tampering, counterfeiting and terrorist exploitation. The 

directive is not only for NASA civil 

servants but also includes contractor 

employees and grantees -- basically 

anyone who has routine physical or 

virtual access to NASA facilities and 

information technology (IT) systems.

NASA is working hard to achieve 

its task of issuing new badges. With 

about 80,000 NASA employees and 

contractors that need new badges, this 

project is no simple mission.

Three phases are involved in implementing the presidential directive: 

appropriate background investigation, 

enrollment and issuance. NASA, as an 

agency, has completed 100 percent of 

New HSPD-12 badge enrollments on the rise, benefits too

the phase one investigations for civil 

servants and nearly 85 percent with 

contractors.

Enrollment, or phase two, requires 

proving employees’ identities and 

taking fingerprints. Over 98 percent 

of those who need new badges are 

now entered in the Personal Identity 

Verification (PIV) system and over 

half of those have already had their 

badging data collected, i.e., enrolled. 

So far, NASA’s total enrollments for 

new badges have exceeded the 43,000 

mark.

“At NASA Ames Research Center, we have nearly completed phase 

one -- virtually all of the background 

investigations necessary for re-badging civil servants and contractors are 

either already on record or have been 

submitted to the Office of Personnel 

Management (OPM) for processing,” 

said Wende Hower, Ames Personnel 

Security Manager. With approximately 3,700 employees that need 

new badges at Ames, “this is a very 

significant accomplishment,” added 

Raymond O’Brien, Ames HSPD-12 

implementation manager.

Ames is also well into phase two 

with over 1,500 employees enrolled. 

The new NASA badges will be available soon, so please look for notificaby Raymond O’B

photos by John Stebel

Above photo: Armando Jimenez 

(ISSI) of Ames is enrolled for the 

new NASA HSPD-12 badge by Art 

Gonzales, personal security specialist 

(Maden Technologies).

Left photo: During the enrollment 

process for the new NASA HSPD-12 

badges, Jimenez (ISSI) has his fingerprints scanned by Gonzales.

continued on page 12

New badges are to be 

issued by the end of 

the year. For further 

information, visit the 

HSPD-12 Web site at: 

http://hspd12.nasa.gov
9 Astrogram November 2007

opportunities for both Ames science 

and small satellite missions, Worden's 

charts revealed.

 

Small Satellite development 

and missions

Ames is "getting increased roles 

in various missions, according to 

Worden, and the center is working on 

novel ways to accomplish small, fastpaced ‘SmallSat’ missions.

Another chart in his stack of slides 

included a question, "Why is a mission 

design center needed?" Increasing 

complexity has slowed the design process to a crawl, according to the chart. 

More details on the slide revealed that 

the Explorer 1 satellite was designed 

and launched in 83 days in 1958.

"In the past it took six months to 

a year to do mission design," Worden 

noted. "We are trying to use computers 

to design (a mission) in an afternoon," 

he stated. He added, "We presented 

this (mission design center concept) to 

the science mission directors and got 

good vibes," he continued.

Worden mentioned the successful 

Foton-M3 mission with the Russian 

Institute of Biomedical Problems that 

flew Sept. 14 -26, 2007. Ames delivered 

hardware to Russia in August 2007 for 

the Foton mission. It investigated tissue regeneration, genetic responses as 

well as gravity-sensing organ structure 

and function.

Ames also is working with Russia 

on the Bion M1 mission, according to 

Worden. The Bion M1 is expected to 

launch in September 2010 for a 30-day 

mission to investigate immune function and physiological responses to 

microgravity.

Speaking about funded Science 

Missions Directorate work for Ames, 

Worden said, "A lot of new things 

are coming along." He mentioned 

Lunar Advanced Science and Exploration Research (LASER), astrophysics 

strategic mission concepts and Small 

Explorer (SMEX) missions to conduct 

astrophysics, space physics and solar 

physics.

Worden described small satellite 

work at Ames including "micro-nano" 

spacecraft that have "common, reusable architectures." Besides noting 

the GeneSat, PharmaSat and other 

missions, he talked about a proposed 

lunar science orbiter. Another idea he 

revealed is the concept of a "CheapSat," that he said is in development 

and is "based on the idea you can buy 

off-the-shelf stuff from" an electronics 

store and build a useable satellite.

Worden said that PharmaSat, too, a 

small satellite that "builds on heritage 

of the success of GeneSat." The first 

PharmaSat hardware delivery is due 

Nov. 12, 2007, and the mission launch 

date is in March 2008 on a Minotaur-1 

rocket that will boost a Department of 

Defense Tacsat-3 satellite into Earth 

orbit. 

Regarding the small exploration 

SMEX missions, "we have teamed 

with Goddard," Worden said, noting as many as a dozen proposals on 

which the two centers are partnering. 

He added, "This is the wave of the 

future." 

Worden also stated that unfunded 

Science Missions Directorate requests 

for information. For ISS "attached payloads," Ames has submitted two payload proposals, according to Worden. 

"We have submitted 13 proposals 

for science mission partnership opportunities," said Worden. The proposals 

are in the areas of astrobiology, planetary and Earth sciences, according 

to Worden's charts. Other unfunded 

proposals, he said, include isotopepowered, small missions to planets.

There is "a lot of work (about) 

asteroids, (and there are) potential 

announcements of small asteroid 

missions," he said, displaying a chart 

about near-Earth-object mission concepts. 

 

Aeronautics work

Turning to aeronautics at Ames, 

Worden said, "We were given targets 

to increase people in fundamental 

aeronautics . . . and we met that goal."

 

Partnerships

"We are growing partnerships with 

Google," Worden said. "They sent us a 

few million dollars." NASA moon data 

has been added to a store of information linked from Google, according 

to Worden. "We are negotiating with 

Google (about use of) 40 acres," he 

said, noting that the University of 

California also is negotiating with 

Ames for a major campus. 

"Housing will be built (here), too," 

he continued. "Those of you have long 

commutes... you can live here... .We 

can lease out some of this very valuable land and enhance our operations.

His slides revealed that a NASA 

YouTube Channel would be implemented. Worden also mentioned 

collaborations with Symantec (information technology security), Microsoft 

(the imaging process) and Sun Microsystems (supercomputers), too.

During a short question-and-answer-period after his talk, an audience 

member asked, "Will you reinstitute 

the Director's Discretionary Fund?"

"I'm going to try to institute it with 

a little more goal-oriented (criteria)," 

he answered. "We'll try to make it 

more formal." 

continued from page 5

Worden gives upbeat message about future work for Ames

Edwin W. Lewis Jr., a NASA Dryden 

Flight Research Center research pilot, died 

in a Cessna Crash on Nov. 8, 2007. Lewis 

was flying a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182 

with another person, who also died, when 

the plane crashed southwest of Las Vegas. 

The crash is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. Lewis 

served as a NASA Dryden research pilot 

since 1997. He previously served as a pilot 

for eight years at NASA Ames.

Former Ames research pilot dies

NASA photo by Tom Trower
10 Astrogram November 2007

by Ann Sulliv

For the past 20 years, the NASA 

Ames Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) has been ready to 

respond to disasters both natural and 

human-made. 

These aren’t people who watch a 

disaster unfold on television and say, 

“I wish I could do something to help.” 

These are people who are ready to 

spring into action as soon as the phone 

rings, who have their ‘go bags’ packed 

for an immediate departure, and who 

are disappointed if they aren’t in the 

first group deployed following a disaster.

“DART is prepared to respond to 

emergencies at Ames and to support 

the community and the nation as a 

functional urban search and rescue 

team,” said Bob Dolci, DART chief and 

director of Ames emergency services. 

“DART is a highly qualified and wellequipped emergency response team.”

Despite their disparate backgrounds -- engineering, science, medicine, safety, logistics, communications, 

computer technology and administration, among others -- DART’s 90 

members have one thing in common: 

a desire to be on the front lines after 

disaster strikes. 

When Hurricane Katrina struck 

in 2005, members of DART’s rescue 

team deployed with California Task 

Force 3, a California Office of Emergency Services and Federal Emergency 

Management Agency (FEMA) urban 

search and rescue task force, searched 

for survivors in polluted and danger- ous waters. DART’s communications 

team provided equipment, set up a 

communications network and pur- chased satellite time that enabled the 

Michoud Assembly Facility to communicate with the rest of the world. 

The damage and utility control team 

deployed with a portable, 3,000-gallon-per-hour water treatment plant to 

provide potable water. Dolci deployed 

to Stennis Space Center to assist FEMA 

and Stennis management with disaster 

recovery operations. 

Seven members of DART were de- ployed to New York City after the 2001 

terrorist attacks, where they worked 

side-by-side with New York City 

emergency services units and rescue 

professionals from around the coun- try to search for survivors and help 

recover victims in buildings crumbled 

into tangled masses of concrete and 

steel. 

In the 12 hours after a magnitude 

6.9 earthquake shook the San FranAmes Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team marks 20th anniversary

cisco area in 1989, DART responded to 

more than 500 building system alarms, 

three hazardous materials incidents, 

and inspected more than 90 buildings 

and research facilities for damage. 

DART secured dozens of water leaks 

and natural gas leaks. Team members 

worked around the clock for three 

days straight. Their rapid and profes- sional response minimized damage 

to NASA buildings from floods and 

explosions, saving countless dollars in 

potential repair costs. 

DART members also have used 

their training and expertise to solve 

problems in their everyday jobs. The 

‘SearchCam,’ a tiny fiber optic camera 

used to search inside spaces too small 

or too dangerous for a human to enter, 

was used to check the condition of a 

back-up boiler in a building at Ames 

following the failure of the primary 

boiler. The camera showed that the 

second boiler also was about to fail. 

As a result, both pieces of equipment 

were repaired at the same time, avoid- ing a second major shutdown and sav- ing considerable time and money. The reasons people stay with 

DART year after year are as diverse as 

the members themselves. For some, 

The NASA Ames Disaster Assistance 

and Rescue Team (DART) seen here 

during various emergency service 

drills at Ames, celebrates its 20th 

anniversary this year.

NASA photo by J.T. Heineck

NASA photo by Tom Trower

NASA photo by Dominic Hart

DART is a way to give back to their 

community and nation. For others, 

it’s an extension of their day jobs. Still 

others enjoy the challenges and working with motivated, forward-thinking 

people and leaders. Their greatest 

reward comes from within, DART 

members say. 

“Successfully leading the planning 

and support of high-speed data, voice 

and video services to Michoud” after 

Katrina was extremely rewarding, 

according to Bill Notley. “This was 

special,” Notley added, because nine 

months before Katrina, he developed 

a multi-center communications plan 

that was “successfully executed in 

an exercise that exactly matched the 

scenario and services” his team delivered after Katrina. For canine search 

specialist Lynne Engelbert, who with 

her dog Lucy located victims of the 

New York terrorist attacks, “Being able 

to help people when they need it the 

most is the ultimate ‘reward’.”

Congratulations to the highly trained, experienced and dedicated 

members of DART on their first 20 

years of service! For more information about DART, 

visit www.dart.arc.nasa.gov
11 Astrogram November 2007

Employees had 

the chance to test 

drive a hybrid and 

ride a collapsible 

bike, among other 

alternative vehicles, 

seen here during 

the recent commute 

alternatives fair held 

at Ames. 

The Ames Exchange held its annual Halloween Costume Contest on Oct. 31. 

Prizes were awarded to the best costumes and the Ames Exchange provided 

complimentary refreshments. 

Ames holds commute alternatives fair

Creative costumes win cool prizes at Halloween contest

The NASA PM Challenge 2008 

registration is now open. Share 

your knowledge of project management, safety, systems engineering, communications, team building, lessons learned, engineering 

management, acquisition, leadership and other topics with your 

NASA colleagues at the agency’s 

5th PM Challenge conference to be 

held in Daytona Beach, Fl., on Feb. 

26 - 27, 2008. 

Register online at: http://

pmchallenge.gsfc.nasa.gov/registration2008.htm. Registration 

PM Challenge 2008 is now open

closes Jan. 31, 2008. 

For full conference details visit 

http://pmchallenge.gsfc.nasa.gov. NASA photos by Dominic Hart

NASA photos by Eric James
12 Astrogram November 2007

tions and instructions on how you 

can help complete phase three in the 

coming weeks.

For NASA to achieve this undertaking, the agency needed to create a 

sophisticated technical infrastructure 

for all the centers to use.

By putting the new system into action, NASA is already seeing benefits. 

Not only will the new badges reduce 

cost and risk, the agency has improved 

its communication and ability to work 

with other federal agencies.

“We’ve tried to work with the 

other agencies who are issuing their 

own PIV cards and share lessons 

learned. We try to make sure we’re 

helpful to them where we can be, and 

that we pick up on what they’ve done 

that can be useful to us,” said Portia 

Dischinger, PIV enrollment and issuance project manager at NASA Headquarters. “We also have worked a lot 

with GSA (General Services Administration), which is serving as a federal 

PIV card provider for many agencies 

and shared NASA’s experiences with 

them.”

Scheduled to be issued in coming 

weeks, the new badges will have a 

computer chip and will be the means 

to gain access into those buildings 

with access controls. For higher risk 

areas and IT systems, a “two-factor” 

authentication system will eventually 

be used, where access requires something you have (your ‘smart’ badge) 

and something you know (your personal identification number).

“There are reasons to do this 

beyond just a presidential directive,” 

said Hussey. “We’re doing this to 

benefit NASA, our employees and 

the research and information that we 

develop and use.”

For more information, please 

visit the HSPD-12 Web site at http://

hspd12.nasa.gov .

continued from page 8

New HSPD-12 badge enrollments

Two representatives of Whirlwhind Wheelchair International 

(WWI) recently spoke at Ames for 

National Disability Employment 

Awareness Month. The talk was given 

by Ralf Hotchkiss and Marc Krizack. 

They described their inspiring work 

that benefits disabled people in 45 

countries around the world. 

WWI’s mission is to make it possible for every person in the developing world who needs a wheelchair to 

obtain one so that they can achieve the 

maximum personal independence and 

integration into society. 

Founded in 1989, Whirlwind 

grew from Hotchkiss’s efforts since 

1980 to travel the globe designing 

wheelchairs in developing countries 

from locally available materials. 

Hotchkiss’s pioneering work has led 

to numerous important innovations 

in wheelchair design. 

All WWI’s designs are placed 

in the public domain to aid village 

wheelchair shops and keep costs to a 

minimum. 

Disability advocates discuss their inspiring work

Ralf Hotchkiss of Whirlwind Wheelchair International recently spoke at Ames for National Disability 

Employment Awareness Month.

the National Academy of Sciences has 

told us, the science to be done at the 

moon and from the moon are of high 

value, and NLSI will help us coordinate and expand a number of in-depth 

research efforts in lunar science and 

other fields that can benefit from human and robotic missions that are part 

of NASA's exploration plans." 

NLSI research teams will address 

current topics in basic lunar science, as 

well as astronomical, solar and Earth 

science investigations that could be 

performed from the moon. They also 

will offer a quick response capability 

for lunar science support to NASA's 

Exploration initiative. 

A national search for a NLSI director is currently underway. Most work 

done under NLSI's banner will take 

place at other NASA centers, universities and non-profit research groups 

around the nations. These groups will 

be competitively selected after scientific peer review.

Initially, NASA will select four or 

five teams for grants of $1 to $2 million each for three years, with renewals of up to five years. NASA will 

solicit team proposals in a 2008 NASA 

Research Announcement. 

By late 2008, about 50 researchers around the U.S. could be working 

under NLSI's banner. By 2010, that 

number could double. Funds for this 

effort are part of the president's proposed 2008 NASA budget for the lunar 

science project within the planetary 

research program, now under consideration in Congress.

"We're delighted NASA Ames was 

chosen to lead this exciting new lunar 

science research office," said Ames 

Center Director S. Pete Worden. "This 

will complement the agency's ongoing 

lunar research and further the implementation of the nation's exploration 

efforts."

The lunar science institute is modeled after the highly successful NASA 

Astrobiology Institute, based at NASA 

Ames. Established in 1997, the NASA 

Astrobiology Institute promotes, 

conducts and leads integrated multidisciplinary astrobiology research in 

addition to training a new generation 

of astrobiology researchers.

For more information, about 

NASA and agency programs, visit: 

http://www.nasa.gov 

NASA to establish nationwide lunar science institute

continued from front page
13 Astrogram November 2007

In mid October, the Hispanic 

Advisory Committee for Employees 

(HACE) hosted the 5th Annual Hispanic Heritage Golf Tournament at the 

Moffett Golf Course, in which 76 avid 

golfers participated. 

Ames Center Director S. Pete 

Worden launched the kick-off for this 

year's golf tournament by welcoming the golfers and cheering them 

on. Among the special guests were 

Frances Busby, who sang the National 

Anthem; Bill Henderson, who served 

as the disc jockey, playing salsa and 

Hispanic music; and Pam Sheets, who 

served as photographer, taking extraordinary pictures of all the golfers. 

The participants received their 

welcoming gift or 'goodie bag' and 

also were provided with tokens to 

practice prior to 'tee time,' cart, beverages and a wonderful lunch. 

Through the inclement weather, 

which lasted the majority of the day, 

and although the participants were 

already drenched and the temperature 

dropped, the participants proved to be 

no quitters, save for a few. The golfers 

played to finish off the last of the 18 

by Vivian Torres holes. These are indeed die-hard golfe

At the end of the tournament, 

entertainment was provided with the 

Mariachis playing their instruments 

and rendering various songs while 

the audience sang along, danced 

and cheered. The golfers are always 

looking forward to the annual HACE 

golf tournament, especially with the 

Frances Busby sings the National Anthem at 

the recent 5th Annual Hispanic Heritage Golf 

Tournament held at the Moffett Golf Course 

and hosted by the Ames Hispanic Advisory 

Committee for Employees.

Annual Hispanic Heritage Golf Tournament held, despite the rain

Ames Center Director S. Pete Worden at the 

recent annual golf tournament at Moffett.

NASA photos

memorable gifts. In fact, they are 

already excited and anxious to return 

next year. According to a few golfers, “it's really all about fun.” Special 

thanks to all the volunteers for supporting this event.

On Friday, Dec. 7, the National 

Association of Active and Retired 

Federal Employees, (NARFE), 

Chapter 50, will hold its annual 

Christmas party, from 11 a.m. - 2 

p.m., in Bldg. 944. All federal employees working or retired are invited to come. Guests are welcome. 

The cost is $17 per person. 

Lunch is chicken or salmon, 

vegetables, salad, rolls, beverage 

and dessert. Mail checks by Dec. 3 

to: Dee Shallenberger, 1170 Crespi 

Dr., Sunnyvale, CA 94086 or Doris 

Boyd, 945 Torero Plaza, Campbell, 

CA 95008. 

Come and get reacquainted 

with your former coworkers: Rod 

Perry, Doris Boyd, Marie Rider, 

Pat Beck, Claire Barsky and many 

others.

NARFE annual 

holiday party set

On Sept. 19, Ames Research Center and the 

Ames Fire Department recognized 96 young 

artists at an ice cream social in the Ames Mega 

Bites Café. Each of these artists, between the ages 

of 3 - 18, contributed artwork for the 2008 Ames 

Safety Calendar. Calendars will be distributed 

centerwide, via your mail stop, in December.

Ames’ young artists honored

NASA photos
14 Astrogram November 2007

Ames emergency 

announcements

To hear the centerwide status record- ing, call (650) 604-9999 for informa- tion announcements and emergency 

instructions for Ames employees. You 

can also listen to 1700 KHz AM radio 

for the same information.

Ames Ongoing Monthly Events Calendar

Security/Law Enforcement Activity

Fire Protection Activity

A statistical summary of activities of the Protective Services Division’s 

Security/Law Enforcement and Fire Protection Services units for the month 

of November 2007 is shown below.

Protective Services monthly activity

 Safety Data 

 NASA-Ames Occupational

 Illness-Injury Data for 

 Calendar Year-to-Date 2007

 Jan. 1, 2007 - Oct. 31 , 2007

 Civil Contractors

 Servants

 

 First aid cases 12 12

 Lost Workday cases 0 2

 Recordable cases 2 3

 Restricted duty days 0 0

 Above data are as of Oct. 31, 2007. 

 May be subject to slight adjustment in

 the event of a new case or new informa- 

 tion regarding an existing case.

Ames Amateur Radio Club, third Thurs., of 

ea. month, 12 noon, N-T28 (across from N-255). 

POC: Michael Wright, KG6BFK, at ext. 4-6262. 

Ames Ballroom Dance Club, Classes on 

Tuesdays. Beginning classes meet at 5:15 p.m. 

Higher-level class meets at 5:50 p.m. Held in 

Bldg. 944, the Rec. Center. POC: Helen Hwang 

at helen.hwang@nasa.gov, ext. 4-1368.

Ames Bicycling Club, every third Wednesday 

of each month, 12 noon - 1 p.m., Bldg. N-245 

Auditorium. POC: Julie Nottage at jnottage@

mail.arc.nasa.gov, ext. 4-3711. 

Ames Bowling League, Homestead Lanes on 

Thursday nights at 6:20 p.m. Seeking substitute 

bowlers. Questions to sign up: Mike Liu at ext. 

4-1132. 

Ames Child Care Center Board of Directors 

Mtg., every other Monday, 1 - 2:30 p.m., Bldg. 

N-262/Rm 180. POC: Sally Miller, ext. 4-5411.

Ames Contractor Council Mtg., first Wednesday of ea. month, 11 a.m., Bldg. N-200, Committee Room. POC: Chris Johnson, (650) 938-8017.

Environmental Forum, first Thursday every 

other month, 9 a.m. - 10 a.m., T20-G conference 

Rm. 129. URL: http://q/qe/events/EHSseries/ POC: Stacy St. Louis, ext. 4-6810.

Ames Federal Employees Union (AFEU) Mtg, 

First Wednesday of November (7th), noon. 

First Wednesday of December (5th), noon. 

Bldg. N-247, Rm. 109. Beginning 2008, third 

Wednesday each month, same location. Guests 

welcome. Info at: http://www.afeu.org. POC: 

Paul K. Davis, ext. 4-5916. 

The Hispanic Advisory Committee for 

Excellence (HACE) Mtg., first Thursday of each 

month, 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., Bldg. N-255, Rm. 

101C. POC: Eric Kristich, ext. 4-5137 and Mark 

Leon, ext. 4-6498.

Jetstream Toastmasters, Mondays, 12 p.m. 

- 1 p.m., Bldg. N-269/Rm.179. POC: Miwa 

Hayashi, ext. 4-1397, mhayashi@mail.arc.nasa.

gov. Web: http://jetstream.freetoasthost.com

Ames Mac Support Group Mtg., third Tuesday 

of each month, 11:30 a.m.to 1 p.m., Bldg. N-262, 

Rm 180. POC: Tony ext. 4-0340.

Ames Model Aircraft Club, flying radio-controlled aircraft at the north end of Parsons Ave. 

on weekend mornings. POC: Mark Sumich, 

ext. 4-6193.

Native American Advisory Committee Mtg., 

fourth Tuesday each month, 12 noon - 1 p.m., 

Bldg. 19, Rm 1096. POC: Mike Liu, ext. 4-1132.

Ames Nimble Knitters Club, every Tuesday 

at 11:30 a.m., Bldg. N-241/Rm 237. POC: 

Rosalyn Jung, knitfan2@yahoo.com or Diane 

Alexander at ext. 4-3140. URL: http://knit.arc.

nasa.gov

Ames Safety Committee, third Thursday of 

each month, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m., Bldg. N-237, 

Rm. 201. POC: John Livacich, jlivacich@mail.

arc.nasa.gov, ext. 4-3243 or Terry Reichert, 

treichert@mail.arc.nasa.gov, ext.-4-0375.

Ames Sailing Club Mtg., second Thursday 

of each month (March through Nov), from 

12 p.m. - 1 p.m., Bldg. N-262, Rm. 100. URL: 

http://sail.arc.nasa.gov/. POC: Becky Hooey, 

ext. 4-2399.
15 Astrogram November 2007

Ames Classifieds Exchange Information

Beyond Galileo Gift Shop N-235 in 

the cafeteria , 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., ext. 4-6873

Don’t forget to purchase your baby shower, birthday, holiday gifts at Ames’ two gift shops!

Mega Bites Cafeteria N-235, 6 a.m. to 

2 p.m., ext. 4-5969/Catering ext. 4-2161

Visitor Center Gift Shop N-943 

M-F, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., ext. 4-5412

NASA logo merchandise, souvenirs, toys, gifts and 

educational items. 

Ongoing Vacation Opportunities

Information about products, services and opportunities provided to the employee and contractor 

community by the Ames Exchange Council. Visit 

the web site at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov

NASA Lodge (N-19) 603-7100

Tickets, etc... N-943 outside the main gate, 

10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., ext. 4-5412 and Beyond 

Galileo, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ext. 4-6873

See daily menu at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov

The pool is heated year round! The pool is currently available for lap swim, pool parties and 

special events. POC -Chana Langley, Pool Manager 

(650) 603-8025. Memberships: single memberships: $40/yr. Family memberships: $60/yr. After 

purchasing a membership, there is an entrance fee: 

daily entrance fee - $3/day or lap pass fee - $40 for 

20 uses. Platinum membership - $360/yr. (no daily 

fee). Special events: include military training, swim 

team events, kayak role practice, etc. The cost for 

special events is $50/hr.

Ames Swim Center (N-109) 603-8025

Astrogram deadlines

Please submit articles, calendar and 

classified advertisements to astro- gram@mail.arc.nasa.gov no later than 

the 10th of each month. If this falls on 

a weekend or holiday, then the following business day becomes the deadline. For Astrogram questions, contact 

Astrid Olson at the aforementioned 

e-mail address or ext. 4-3347. 

Ads for the next issue should be sent to astrogram@

mail.arc.nasa.gov and must be resubmitted for each 

issue. Ads must involve personal needs or items; (no 

commercial/third-party ads) and will run on a spaceavailable basis only. First-time ads are given priority. 

Ads must include home phone numbers; Ames extensions and email addresses will be accepted for carpool 

and lost and found ads only. Due to the volume of 

material received, we are unable to verify the accuracy 

of the statements made in the ads. Caveat emptor! 

RV Lots Available Call to reserve a 

space at (650) 603-7100/01.

 Civilian/Contractors, $50/mo; military $25/mo

Where to stay when you’re too tired to drive home? 

What about the lodge?! Two types of rooms: Bldg. 

19 (43 rooms), rate: $55/night ($5 ea add’l adult); 

Bldg. 583 (150 rooms), rate: $45/night ($5 ea. add’l 

adult) 

Moffett Field Golf Club with ‘Tee minus 

1’ Grill and Sports Bar. Call (650) 603-8026.

Lake Tahoe-Squaw Valley Townhse, 3bd/2ba, View 

of slopes, close to lifts. Per night: $250, plus $145 

cleaning fee. Two night minimum. Includes linens, 

propane fireplace, fully equipped. Call (650) 968-

4155, DBMcKellar@aol.com.

Bass Lake vacation rental, 4 mls south of Yosemite. 

3bd/1.5 ba, TV, VCR, MW, frplc, BBQ, priv. boat 

dock. Sleeps 8. $1,050/wk. Call (559) 642-3600 or 

(650) 390-9668.

Big Sur vacation rental, secluded 4bd/2ba house 

in canyon setting. Fully eqpd kitchen. Access to 

priv. beach. Tub in patio gdn. Halfway between 

Carmel and Big Sur. $175/night for 2; $225 for 4 

and $250 for more, plus $150 cleaning dep. Call 

(650) 328-4427.

Pine Mountain Lake vacation home. Access to golf, 

tennis, lake, swimming, horseback riding, walk 

to beach. Three bedrooms/sleeps 10. $100/night. 

Call (408) 799-4052 or (831) 623-4054.

Incline Village, Forest Pines, Lake Tahoe condo, 3 

bdrms/2 ba, sleeps 8, fireplace, TVs/VCR/DVD, 

stereo w/CD player, microwv, W/D, jacuzzi, 

sauna, outdoor pool. Walk to lake. Close to ski 

areas. Visit web site for pictures: http://www.

ACruiseStore.com $135/night spring and fall, 

$173/night summer and winter (holidays higher) 

plus $125 cleaning fee and 12 percent Nevada 

room tax. Charlie (650) 743-8990.

New York, 5th Ave., one fully furnished bedroom 

apt. in 24 hour security fbldg. overlooking

Washington Square Park, $1,000/week or

3,000/month, negotiable. Call (650) 430-6977.

Paris/France: Fully furnished studio. 5th arr, Latin 

Quarter, Notre Dame and Lie-St. Louis, $1,400/

week, negotiable.Call (650) 430-697

Santa Cruz townhouse, 2 bedrooms plus study, 

2 baths, decks, totally furnished, 3 blocks from 

beach, available July, August, September; $1,600 

per month. Call (831) 423-5777 (H) or (831) 277-

8476 (C).

Lake Tahoe cabin rental in Agate Bay, North Shore. 

4bd/3ba tri-level, AEK, cable TVs, fireplace, BBQ, 

deck, sleeps 10. Closest skiing is Northstar, Alpine 

and Squaw. Rates are $375 a weekend, $1,000 a 

week. Call (408) 867-4656.

Florida west coast vacation in St. Petersburg, 

beautiful 2bd/2ba condo, fully equipped kitchen 

and furnished, sunset views, 1/4 mile from St. Pete 

Beach, monthly or 2 week minimum rentals only. 

Call (703) 299-8889 or e-mail: jdgoehler@aol.com

Monterey Bay vacation rental at Pajaro Dunes, 20 

miles south of Santa Cruz, 3bd/2ba beach house 

with distinctive architecture. Beautiful ocean and 

valley views, only 150 ft from the beach, first-class 

tennis courts. $700/wkend, $2,100/wk including 

cleaning by the maid service when you depart. 

Call (408) 252-7260.

South Lake Tahoe large cabin surrounded by 

protected forest, 8 miles from Stateline Sleeps 12 

comfortably, 4 bd/3ba. Hot tub/pool table/65” TV 

Matt (408) 482-5286

South Lake Tahoe cozy home backs up to large 

open meadow, 1 mile from Heavenly Valley. Sleeps 

11, 3 bd/2.5 ba. Large deck with hot tub. Matt (408) 

482-5286.

Miscellaneous

The Ames Cat Network needs help finding 

homes for cats trapped at Moffett. They range 

from feral to abandoned/lost pets. Tested, 

altered and inoculated. Call Iris at ext. 4-5824 

if you or someone you know are interested in 

fostering or adopting a cat.

Utility trailer, 4’ x 6’, dilapidated, wood-rotten, 

hardware reusable. No wheels. Free. Dick 

(408) 997-3639.

Sewing machine for sale, $75. Singer (403) Slanto-Matic, in 2-drawer walnut cabinet.

Attachments: cams, bobbins, instr. book, oil.

Linda (408) 736-7584, lv. msg.

A ‘2007 Federal Benefits Open 

Season Fair’ will be held on 

Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007, in the 

Eagle Room of Bldg. 943 from 10 

a.m. through 1 p.m. All federal 

civilian employees are invited to 

attend. If you have any questions, 

please call Lita Que at ext. 4-1019 or 

Mary Perez at ext. 4-6865.

 A blind Ames employee, Jim Stevenson, is in urgent need of a daily ride to work from mid-town 

Palo Alto mornings or afternoons, anywhere 

on the scale from regular to emergency backup. 

He currently has to ask for backups every day 

and often can not find a ride at all, so he must 

take an expensive taxi cab. If anyone can help, 

especially in the morning, most of the time, it 

would be most appreciated. He will pay for 

more than half the gas. Please call ext. 4-5720 if 

you are willing to help, or e-mail Jim at : jims@

eos.arc.nasa.gov

Car Pool

Benefits Fair set
16 Astrogram November 2007

National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration

PLEASE RECYCLE

Printed on recycled and recyclable paper with vegetable-based ink.

FIRST-CLASS

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT NO. 85

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA

Ames Research Center

Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000

The Ames Astrogram is an official publication of 

Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration.

Managing Editor......................Michael Mewhinney

Editor, Layout and Design...................Astrid Olson

You can reach the Astrogram Office at: astrogram@

mail.arc.nasa.gov or by phone at (650) 604-3347. 

Astrogram Web site: http://www.nasa.gov/

ames/astrogram.

by Jeffrey McCandless and Gaye G

Dr. Douglas Engelbart from SRI 

International, Mountain View, and 

inventor of the computer mouse, 

recently gave a director’s colloquium 

at the center entitled, ‘Facilitating the 

Evolution of our Collective IQ: What 

Could NASA Do?’ 

Approximately 60 people attended 

the event to hear Engelbart discuss 

Inventor of the computer mouse returns to Ames

his ideas for boosting 

mankind's collective 

capability for understanding and coping 

with complex, 

urgent problems. 

During his 

lecture, Engelbart 

spoke about the 

need to develop a 

Network Improvement Community 

(NIC) to improve 

the collective IQ of 

organizations. 

While at Ames, 

he toured several 

labs in the Human 

Systems Integration Division as 

well as simulators in the SimLabs 

facilities and he spoke with numerous Ames scientists.

 From 1948 - 1951, Engelbart 

worked at Ames as an electrical 

engineer supporting wind tunnels before Ames transitioned from 

a National Advisory Committee for 

Aeronautics (NACA) facility to a 

NASA facility. He was delighted to 

see many of the same wind tunnels he 

supported then are still present today.

photos by Gaye Graves

Dr. Douglas Engelbart shares memories of his early days at Ames with HumanComputer Interaction (HCI) researcher Jack Li after the Director’s Colloquium.

Dr. Bernard Adelstein (right) demonstrates advances 

in haptic computer input software to the inventor of the 

computer mouse, Dr. Douglas Engelbart.

Engelbart is a recipient of the 

National Medal of Technology, which 

is the highest honor awarded by 

the president to America’s leading 

innovators.

At the conclusion of the colloquium, Jeffrey McCandless presented 

Engelbart with an autographed copy 

of the book ‘Atmosphere of Freedom: Sixty Years at the NASA Ames 

Research Center,’ written by Dr. Glenn 

Bugos.