Winter 2012 - A Quarterly Publication

www.nasa.gov

NASA's PhoneSat project has 

won Popular Science's 2012 ‘Best 

of What's New’ award for innovation 

in aerospace. PhoneSat will demonPhoneSat wins Popular Science’s ‘Best of What’s New’ award

strate the ability to launch one of the 

lowest-cost, easiest-to-build satellites ever flown in space -- capabilities enabled by using off-the-shelf 

consumer smartphones.

 Each year, Popular Science 

reviews thousands of new products 

and innovations, and chooses the top 

100 winners across 12 categories for 

its annual ‘Best of What's New’ issue. 

To win, a product or technology must 

represent a significant step forward 

in its category. All of the winners will 

be featured in the December special 

issue of the magazine.

 "NASA's PhoneSat mission will 

demonstrate that use of small satellites for space commerce, educational 

activities and citizen-exploration are 

well within the reach of ordinary Americans because of lower cost, commercially available components," said 

Michael Gazarik, director of NASA's 

Space Technology Program at NASA 

Headquarters in Washington. "Thanks 

to America's continuing investment 

in space technology to enable NASA 

missions, we've seen space tech 

brought down and into our lives here 

on Earth. With PhoneSat, we're doubling up, and taking those same great 

by Rachel Hoov

NASA is marking two milestones in 

the search for planets like Earth: the 

successful completion of the Kepler 

space telescope's 3 and 1/2- year 

prime mission and the beginning of an 

extended mission that could last as 

long as four years.

Scientists have used Kepler data 

to identify more than 2,300 planet 

candidates and confirm more than 100 

planets. Kepler is teaching us the galaxy is teeming with planetary systems 

and that planets are prolific. It is also 

giving us hints that nature makes small 

planets efficiently. 

So far, hundreds of Earth-sized 

planet candidates have been found, 

as well as candidates that orbit in 

the habitable zone, the region in a 

planetary system where liquid water, 

however might exist on the surface 

of a planet. However, none of the 

candidates detected to date is exactly 

like Earth. With the completion of the 

by Michele Johnson

Kepler’s planet-hunting mission extended four more years

prime mission, Kepler now has collected enough data to begin finding 

true sun-Earth analogs -- Earthsized planets with a one-year orbit 

around stars similar to the sun.

"The initial discoveries of the Kecontinued on page 8

pler mission indicate at least a third of 

the stars have planets and the number 

of planets in our galaxy must number 

in the billions," said William Borucki, 

Kepler principal investigator at Ames. 

"The planets of greatest interest are 

continued on page 5

NASA's PhoneSat project has been recognized by Popular Science magazine for innovation in 

aerospace.

NASA photo
2

Astrogram Winter 2012 NASA photo by Jon Pierre Weins NASA photo by Jon Pierre Weins NASA photo by Dominic Hart

Space Shuttle Endeavour salutes Ames with first-ever flyover

On the morning of Friday, Sept. 21, 

2012, space shuttle Endeavour visited 

northern California with a low-level flyover of NASA Ames before flying on to 

Los Angeles to be permanently installed 

at the California Science Center. Shown 

are photos taken as the shuttle flew 

over Ames. An estimated 10,000 people 

showed up to witness the once-in-alifetime experience.

Ames’ Information Technology 

Security Innovation Lab Team recently 

won the 2012 U.S. National Cybersecurity Innovation Award. The team 

developed and implemented a tool 

which identifies, monitors and raises 

visibility to IT-security vulnerabilities, at 

a very low cost, across multiple NASA 

centers. 

Team members Matt Linton, IT 

Security Operations lead, and Chris 

and Matt Antoun, web developers, developed, tested and launched the tool 

both quickly and efficiently. 

 They modified Ames' vulnerabilitydetection program to bring responsibilAmes’ IT Security Innovation Lab Team wins 2012 U.S. 

National Cybersecurity Innovation Award

by Penny Hubba

ity directly to system administrators 

and technical staff. By normalizing 

and tabulating Common Vulnerability 

Scoring System scores for each host 

and cross-referencing hosts to our 

asset inventory, the center produces 

a "scoreboard" showing which hosts 

are security “heroes” and which are 

security problems. 

The scores are further modified by 

constantly scanning the center from 

a truly-external server and adjusting scores upward when vulnerable 

hosts have services exposed beyond 

agency firewalls.

This win would not have been 

possible without an agency-wide team 

effort, including Jon Davis at Goddard 

Space Flight Center, Howard Whyte at 

NASA Headquarters and many Ames 

systems administrators and IT Security 

personnel who tested and provided 

input on the tool. 

Visit the NASA Ames ‘News and 

Events’ site to view the full details of 

the innovation award: 

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/

news/releases/2012/rel_cybersecurityinnovation-award.html
3

Astrogram Winter 2012

Administrative Assistant 

Support/Secretary: 

Erlinda Fox

Administrative Professional:

Cynthia Carbon-Norman

Ronnee R. Gonzalez

Commercialization/Technology

Transfer Award:

Andrew B. Watson

Diversity and Opportunity:

Rose M. King

Leland S. Stone

Contractor Employee:

Girish H. Chachad, Science 

 Application Intl. Corporation

Liang Chen, University of 

 California Santa Cruz

Yung-Cheng Chu, Aerospace

 Computing, Inc.

Angela M. Detweiler, Bay Area

 Environmental Research Institute

Theodore J. Garbeff, Aerospace

 Computing, Inc.

Jin-Woo Han, Universities Space 

 Research Association

Matthew J. Holtrust, Deltha-

 Critique

Darlene Lim, SETI Institute

John J. Rasmussen, 

 Lockheed Martin Space OPNS

Jeffrey C. Smith, SETI Institute

Gregory T. Swanson, ERC Inc.

Education and Outreach:

Jonas Dino

Dora M. Herrera

Engineer:

Aisha R. Bowe

Neal M. Chaderjian

Nhan T. Nguyen

Outstanding employees recognized with Ames Honor Awards

Group/Team:

Ames Technology Transfer and

 Commercial Space Team

Bldg. 200/Center Technical 

 Support Team

Fruit Flies in Space Team

Kepler Science Conference 

 Local Committee 

Office of the Center Director 

 Executive Team

Pleiades Sandy Bridge Integration

 Team

President of the United States 

 Visit to NASA ARC Team

REDS Team

SOFIA @ Ames Team

SOFIA Science Quality Assurance

 Team

SOFIA Science Software 

 Development Team

Spot and Runway Departure 

 Advisor Simulation Team 

Sustainability Base, Design to 

 Occupied Operations Team

System F6 Procurement Team

Mentor:

Michael J. Aftosmis

Brad M. Bebout

William G. Warmbrodt

Gregory G. Zilliac

Project Management:

Parimal H. Kopardekar

Scientist or Researcher:

Jack J. Lissauer

Special Appreciation

John A. Cavolowsky, Headquarters

Student:

David D. Murakami

Lubna M. Shirazi

Supervisor/Manager:

Daniel M. Bufton

David R. Morse

Diane P. Selby

Technical Support/Professional:

Diane Alexander

Technician:

David S. Andrews

This year’s Ames Honor Award 

recipients were recognized at an Oct. 

16, 2012 ceremony in the Syvertson 

Auditorium (N201). Many employees 

attended the event and offered rousing 

applause and congratulations at the 

reception that immediately followed.

Thanks to every employee who 

submitted a nomination this year and 

congratulations to these deserving 

employees.

A list of those honored follows:

Protective Services Lt. Gina Garibaldi (left) and Ames Union Safety Rep. Andy Hocker 

discuss traffic safety improvements at Bush Circle.

NASA photo by Dominic Hart

Making Ames a safer place to work
4

Astrogram Winter 2012 

A capacity crowd of more than 350 

people turned out on Oct. 20, 2012 for 

the opening night of the Silicon Valley 

Jewish Film Festival (www.svjff.org) to 

honor fallen Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon and his fellow crew members of 

STS-107 space shuttle Columbia. The 

event marked nearly 10 years since 

the loss of the shuttle and its crew on 

Feb. 1, 2003.

 Highlighting the evening was 

the screening of a documentary, ‘An 

Article of Hope’ focusing on Ramon, a 

colonel in the Israeli Air Force and the 

first astronaut from Israel, who served 

as Payload Specialist 1 on the mission. 

 Directed by Dan Cohen, a six-time 

Emmy award winner who worked for 

seven years to make the film, the documentary traces the life of Ilan Ramon 

and the ill-fated STS-107 mission. 

The film also portrays the horrors of 

the NAZI concentration camps during 

the era of the Holocaust in World War 

II when Ramon’s parents were imprisoned in the camps. 

 The film provides background on 

Ramon’s decision to bring religious 

items rescued from World War II with 

him on the STS-107 mission. Ultimately, though, despite the tragic 

stories of both the shuttle and the 

Holocaust, the film carries an uplifting 

message of hope and inspiration for 

the future.

 “This film is a shining example of 

hope for a better day,” Dan Cohen told 

the audience. Ramon’s widow, Rona, 

who flew in from Israel for the event, 

said that of all the stories about her 

Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival honors STS-107 mission crew

husband, “this was the story 

he wanted told.”

 The film’s director announced that the 54-minute 

documentary will be shown on 

national television in January 

at 6 p.m. EST on PBS Jan. 31, 

2013, the eve of the 10th an- niversary of the loss of space 

shuttle Columbia and its crew.

 The Saturday evening 

event held at the Oshman 

Family Jewish Community 

Center in Palo Alto, 

Calif., also featured 

a presentation of 

commemorative 

plaques from NASA 

Ames Research 

Center to three 

of the families of 

Columbia’s sevenmember crew. 

 Plaques were 

presented on behalf 

of Ames Center Di- rector S. Pete Wor- den by Jacob Cohen, chief 

scientist at NASA Ames, to 

the families of Ilan Ramon; 

Kalpana Chawla, Mission 

Specialist 2; and William 

McCool, pilot for the STS107 mission. The plaques 

commended the fallen as- tronauts for their “dedication 

to NASA and the international space 

community.”

 In presenting the commemorative 

plaques, Jacob Cohen said he was 

proud to represent NASA Ames and 

Director Pete Worden at the event and 

lauded the film for contributing “an 

important part of the legacy” of Ilan 

Ramon.

 “It inspires hope and encourages 

the next generation of students to go 

into science, technology, education 

and mathematics,” Cohen said. 

 Rona Ramon, who has estab- lished the Ramon Foundation (see: 

http://www.ramonfoundation.org.il/

en/) to continue the inspirational work 

begun by her late husband, received a 

standing ovation from the crowd. She 

also stressed the importance of inspiring the younger generation and urged 

support for the foundation. 

“I encourage you to help us to help 

the younger generation achieve their 

dreams. The young generation is our 

future,” she said.

 Also in attendance was Garrett 

Reisman, who first met Ilan Ramon 

shortly after being selected to be an 

astronaut in 1998. They soon became 

close friends. 

 Reisman, who now works at 

SpaceX as a program manager for 

commercial crew, said it is important 

to continue to work on behalf of Ilan 

Ramon through the foundation established by his wife, Rona Ramon.

 “Since Ilan can’t continue on his 

mission, it falls on the shoulders of 

many people to carry on his mission,” 

Reisman observed.

 Reisman, a Jewish astronaut who 

has flown on two missions to the International Space Station, said although 

the film does begin with the tragic 

loss of space shuttle Columbia and its 

crew, the film’s take-away message is 

inspirational.

 “Although this film does show the 

tragedy of Columbia, in reality this is 

a story of hope, and what Ilan Ramon 

represented,” Reisman said. “It’s a 

wonderful, uplifting story.”

While a small Torah, the Jewish 

bible rescued from the Holocaust and 

carried by Ramon on board STS-107, 

was never recovered after the tragic 

loss of Columbia, a second Torah did 

fly in space on STS-115 space shuttle 

Atlantis. Canadian astronaut Steve 

MacLean brought it to space in Ramon’s name when Atlantis launched 

Sept. 9, 2006 on a mission to the 

International Space Station.

by Michael Mewhinney

Shown addressing the crowd during a question and answer session are (from left) Jacob Cohen, chief scientist at 

NASA Ames; Rona Ramon, widow of Ilan Ramon; Garrett 

Reisman, former astronaut; and Dan Cohen, director of 

‘An Article of Hope,’ a documentary screened that night 

that traces the life of Ilan Ramon and the ill-fated STS-107 

mission.

Commemorative plaques were presented on behalf of 

Ames Center Director S. Pete Worden by Jacob Cohen, 

chief scientist at NASA Ames, to the families of Ilan 

Ramon; Kalpana Chawla, Mission Specialist 2; and William McCool, pilot for the STS-107 mission. The plaques 

commended the fallen astronauts for their “dedication to 

NASA and the international space community.” Receiving plaques were (from left) Jean Pierre Harrison, 

husband of Kalpana Chawla; Rona Ramon, widow of Ilan 

Ramon; and Lani McCool, widow of William McCool.

NASA photos by Eric James
5

Astrogram Winter 2012

other Earths and these could already 

be in the data awaiting analysis. Kepler's most exciting results are yet to 

come." 

 NASA's Kepler space telescope 

searches for planet candidates orbiting 

distant suns, or exoplanets, by continuously measuring the brightness 

of more than 150,000 stars. When a 

planet candidate passes, or transits, in 

front of the star from the spacecraft's 

vantage point, light from the star is 

blocked. Different-sized planets block 

different amounts of starlight. The 

amount of starlight blocked by a planet 

reveals its size relative to its star.

 Kepler was launched March 6, 

2009. Its mission is to survey a portion 

of the galaxy to determine what fraction of stars might harbor potentially 

habitable, Earth-sized planets. Planets 

orbiting in or near habitable zones are 

of particular interest.

 Kepler began the search for small 

worlds like our own after two months 

of commissioning. Within months, five 

exoplanets, known as hot Jupiters 

because of their enormous size and 

orbits close to their stars, were confirmed.

 Results from Kepler data continue 

to expand our understanding of planets and planetary systems. Highlights 

from the prime mission include: 

 -- In August 2010, scientists 

confirmed the discovery of the first 

planetary system with more than one 

planet transiting the same star. The 

Kepler-9 system opened the door to 

measurement of gravitational interactions between planets as observed by 

the variations in their transit timing. 

This powerful new technique enables astronomers, in many cases, to 

calculate the mass of planets directly 

from Kepler data, without the need 

for follow-up observations from the 

ground.

 -- In January 2011, the Kepler 

team announced the discovery of 

the first unquestionably rocky planet 

outside the solar system. Kepler-10b, 

measuring 1.4 times the size of Earth, 

is the smallest confirmed planet with 

both a radius and mass measurement. Kepler has continued to uncover 

smaller and smaller planets, some 

almost as small as Mars, which tells 

us that small rocky worlds may be 

common in the galaxy.

 -- In February 2011, scientists 

announced Kepler had found a very 

crowded and compact planetary 

system – a star with multiple transiting planets. Kepler-11 has six planets 

larger than Earth, all orbiting closer to 

their star than Venus orbits our sun. 

This and other subsequently identified, 

compact, multi-planet systems have 

orbital spacing relative to their host 

sun and neighboring planets unlike 

anything envisioned prior to the mission.

 -- In September 2011, Kepler data 

confirmed the existence of a world with 

a double sunset like the one famously 

portrayed in the film "Star Wars" more 

than 35 years ago. The discovery of 

Kepler-16b turned science fiction into 

science fact. Since then, the discoveries of six additional worlds orbiting 

double stars further demonstrated 

planets can form and persist in the 

environs of a double-star system.

 -- In December 2011, NASA announced Kepler's discovery of the mission's first planet in a habitable zone. 

Kepler-22b, about 2.4 times the size 

of Earth, is the smallest-radius planet 

yet found to orbit a sun-like star in the 

habitable zone. This discovery confirmed that we are getting continually 

closer to finding planets like our own. 

 -- In February 2012, the Kepler 

team announced more than 1,000 

new transiting planet candidates for 

a cumulative total of 2,321. The data 

continues the trend toward identifying smaller planets at longer orbital 

periods, similar to Earth. The results 

include hundreds of planetary systems.

 -- Recently, citizen scientists participating in Planet Hunters, a program 

led by Yale University that enlists the 

public to comb through Kepler data for 

signs of transiting planets, made their 

first planet discovery. The joint effort 

of amateur astronomers and scientists led to the first reported case of a 

planet orbiting a double star. The three 

bodies in turn are being orbited by a 

second distant pair of stars. 

continued from front page

Kepler’s planet-hunting mission extended four more years

continued on page 7NASA photo by Dominic Hart

On Nov. 14, 2012, NASA's Kepler Mission celebrated the successful completion of its threeand-a-half-year prime mission and the beginning of its extended mission at the Ames Exploration Center. Following a brief program, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the new Kepler 

exhibit. Above is a group photo of Planet Trek, the Kepler Mission's early team members who 

continue to seek out strange new worlds. From left to right: John Jenkins, Laura McArthur-Hines, 

Douglas Caldwell, Bill Borucki, Charlie Sobeck, Natalie Batalha and Mark Messersmith during 

the recent celebration.
6

Astrogram Winter 2012 

Four accomplished women from 

Ames agreed to participate in a panel 

discussion on Oct 4, 2012, at Presentation High School, San Jose. There, 

they talked to approximately 50 girls 

about their science, 

technology, engineering and mathematics 

(STEM) career paths, 

including their career 

choices, experiences 

and, yes, even their 

failures. 

NASA researchers 

included Pamela Marcum, project scientist 

and astronomer for the 

Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared 

Astronomy (SOFIA); 

Jennifer Heldmann, 

astronomer and planetary scientist for the 

Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS); Misty 

Davies, a research 

computer engineer 

and Huy Tran, Ames’ 

deputy director of 

aeronautics. 

Q: All of you have impressive 

NASA jobs and STEM careers. Was 

your career path a straight shot to the 

top? 

PM: I’ll be the first to jump in. My 

career path meandered. Most people 

don't have a linear career path that 

takes them from point A to B. Trial and 

experiment factor along the way; you 

don't know what something is like until 

you do it. It’s time to make a move, 

when you get too comfortable. Step 

outside your comfort zone. College is 

important, because it helps you understand yourself. 

JH: When I was in graduate school, 

I took every opportunity to take internships. I worked at other colleges in 

the summer, and I went to the NASA 

Space Camp in Huntsville, AL. I tried to 

do a bunch of different things. Seek out 

opportunities to try different things; try 

different experiences to sort out what's 

important to you. 

MD: I worked at a number of different jobs before I became a serious 

student in college. I moved to Flagstaff, 

AZ., and worked at the Grand Canyon 

by Ruth Dasso Marla

NASA women researchers discuss career development

National Park. I pumped gas at the 

Grand Canyon, and had a variety of 

menial jobs. One day, I was working 

on my old Volkswagen, and someone 

told me I was a mechanical engineer. 

When I went back to college, I studied 

mechanical engineering. 

When I was considering doctorate programs, I applied to Stanford 

University for a one-year fellowship. I 

was surprised when I received it. During this time, I also worked at Ames, 

doing computational fluid dynamics. I 

became a computer research developer, but I fell into the profession. It 

wasn't planned on my part. 

HT: I grew up in Vietnam. I knew 

at eight years old that I wanted to 

be an engineer. A chemistry teacher 

helped me pursue my dreams. When I 

was in college, I applied for an internship at Ames, and continued to work 

there after I graduated. I worked in 

the thermal protection system group 

as a test engineer, where I later was 

the technical lead for the invention 

of a new heat shield material, called 

Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator. 

It later won ‘NASA’s Innovation of the 

Year’ award. 

Q: High school seniors interested 

in a STEM career may want to go into 

industry. How do careers in industry 

compare to those in academia?

JH: It depends upon what you want 

to do. As a NASA research scientist, I 

get to craft my own research projects. 

In industry, you work on their projects. 

At NASA, we have peer-reviewed 

publications to transfer knowledge to 

the public. Because 

NASA’s projects are 

government-funded, 

we have to publish our 

findings. 

MD: Industry 

will not give you the 

publications that are 

needed in an academic 

career. In industry, 

you make a product. 

Without publications, 

you won't have the 

resume for a career 

in academia. Don't 

worry about publishing a paper; if you go 

to graduate school, 

you will learn to write 

papers. 

HT: Love what you 

do. It is hard to go to 

work every day if you 

don't like what you are 

doing. 

 Q: What is the 

coolest thing about your job? What is 

the most difficult thing? 

JH: Part of my job is going to 

conferences around the world to talk 

about a paper I’ve written. It's so cool 

to be able to go to so many places in 

the world. 

PM: To get your research funded, 

you have to receive grant money. 

The process is competitive and you 

have to be able to write a compelling 

proposal. This type of writing is a skill. 

You have to be at the top of your game 

to write a competitive proposal to support a research project; the majority of 

proposals do not get awarded, meaning funded. 

Q: We are told failure is an important part of growth. Can we hear about 

your failures? How have they helped 

you? 

MD: I dropped out of college; I 

wasn't focused, so I worked for a 

while. When I went back to school, I 

was studying pretty hard, but I knew 

I was going to fail one of my first 

physics exams. I was really trying, 

The NASA speakers and their hosts. The seated speakers from left to right are: Misty 

Davies, Huy Tran, Pamela Marcum and Jennifer Heldmann. 

continued on page 8
7

Astrogram Winter 2012

 "Kepler's bounty of new planet 

discoveries, many quite different from 

anything found previously, will continue to astound," said Jack Lissauer, 

planetary scientist at Ames. "But to 

me, the most wonderful discovery of 

the mission has not been individual 

planets, but the systems of two, three, 

even six planets crowded close to their 

stars, and, like the planets orbiting 

about our sun, moving in nearly the 

same plane. Like people, planets interact with their neighbors and can be 

greatly affected by them. What are the 

neighborhoods of Earth-size exoplanets like? This is the question I most 

hope Kepler will answer in the years to 

come."

 In April 2012, NASA awarded Kepler an extended mission through as 

late as 2016. More time will enable the 

continued search for worlds like our 

own -- worlds that are not too far and 

too close to their sun.

 "The Earth isn't unique, nor the 

center of the universe," said Geoff 

Marcy, professor of astronomy at 

the University of California at Berkeley. "The diversity of other worlds is 

greater than depicted in all the science 

fiction novels and movies. Aristotle 

would be proud of us for answering 

some of the most profound philosophical questions about our place in the 

universe."

 Ames manages Kepler's ground 

system development, mission operations and science data analysis. 

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 

Pasadena, Calif., managed the Kepler 

mission development. Ball Aerospace 

& Technologies Corp. in Boulder, 

Colo., developed the Kepler flight system and supports mission operations 

with the Laboratory for Atmospheric 

and Space Physics at the University 

of Colorado in Boulder. The Space 

Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore archives, hosts and distributes 

Kepler science data. Kepler is NASA's 

10th Discovery Mission and funded by 

NASA's Science Mission Directorate at 

the agency's headquarters in Washington.

 For more information about 

NASA's Kepler mission, visit: 

http://www.nasa.gov/kepler

Kepler’s planet-hunting mission extended four more years

continued from page 5

NASA photo by Dominic Hart

International Space Orchestra performs at Ames

World’s largest passenger airship ceases operations

The International Space Orchestra recently 

performed in front of the National Full-Scale 

Aerodynamics Complex at Ames. The 

world’s first “space orchestra” is comprised 

entirely of Ames scientists, engineers, 

administrative professionals and other 

members of the Ames community helping 

bring the excitement of space exploration to 

music. Also performing in the orchestra are 

employees from Singularity University, the 

International Space University and the SETI 

Institute. The International Space Orchestra 

is founded and directed by Nelly Ben Hayoun. As part of Ames’ educational outreach 

activities, the International Space Orchestra 

merges science, technology, engineering 

and mathematics (STEM) with the universal 

language of music and the arts, while opening new doors for the science community to 

communicate with the public.

Airship Ventures, operators of the 

world’s largest passenger airship, the 

Zeppelin Eureka have ceased operations at Moffett Field. 

Blending the romance of the 

“golden age of aviation” with the latest 

in high technology, Airship Ventures 

was founded in 2007. Passenger 

flights began in 2008 in the Bay Area 

(Silicon Valley, Oakland and San 

Francisco) and Long Beach and most 

recently expanded to the California 

wine country. In addition to passenger 

flights and advertising, the Eureka had 

performed a wide variety of special 

missions for government, science and 

research groups, including recent expansion into airship design, research 

and development. 

“Although we are disappointed 

to learn of the departure of Airship 

Ventures from Moffett Field, we 

respect their decision to cease operations,” said Ames Center Director S. 

Pete Worden. “They have been a valued partner with us and we wish their 

entire team well in their future.”
8

Astrogram Winter 2012 

but I knew I was going to fail. I was 

crying when I told my mom this, and 

she said, "This is what you are going 

to do in life." I said, “Mom, I'm failing.” 

She told me “yes, but this is the first 

time you care about what you are doing.” You don't get to be good without 

messing up. Graduate school is where 

you'll get thick skin. It takes a long 

time to get to creativity in engineering. 

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "No one 

can make you feel inferior without your 

consent." 

JH: Don't let others tell you what 

you can, or can't do. Remember, a 

majority of grants don't get funded. A 

degree of failure is part of the research 

process. 

PM: As a recent high school graduate, I thought that memorization is 

how you passed a test. When I went 

to graduate school, I failed my first 

chemistry exam. I learned that science 

is about application. It isn't enough 

that you learn constants, you have to 

know how to apply them, and understand their assumptions. Nevertheless, always have a Plan B. Don't stay 

Deepika Bodapati, a senior at Presentation High School, San Jose, organized a roundtable 

discussion recently between NASA Ames’ female researchers and her colleagues at school. NASA photos by Dominic Hart

isolated. I groomed a connection with 

a research professor who later asked 

me to work for him. 

HT: Girls don't have as many visible role models as boys do. Look at 

the Wright brothers. How many boys 

were inspired to fly by what they did? 

Girls don't have similar role models in 

STEM fields yet. I am hoping you can 

be the next Wright brothers. 

technologies back to space."

 NASA's PhoneSat 1.0 satellite 

has a basic mission goal -- to function 

in space for a short period of time, 

sending back digital imagery of Earth 

and space via its camera, while also 

sending back information about the 

satellite's health.

 NASA engineers kept the total 

cost of the components to build each 

of the three prototype satellites in 

the PhoneSat project to $3,500 by 

using only commercial, off-the-shelf 

hardware and establishing minimum 

design and mission objectives for the 

first flight. 

 Each NASA PhoneSat 'nanosatellite' is a 4-inch cube and weighs three 

pounds. NASA's PhoneSat design 

makes extensive use of an unmodified, consumer-grade smartphone. 

Out-of-the-box smartphones offer capabilities needed for satellites, including fast processors, versatile operating 

systems, multiple miniature sensors, 

high-resolution cameras, GPS receivers, and several radios.

 "NASA PhoneSat engineers 

are changing the way missions are 

designed by rapidly prototyping and 

incorporating existing commercial 

PM: The support system you make 

for yourself is really important. Will you 

marry a person who will watch your 

children while you stay up to 3 a.m. 

to finish a publication? Traditionally, 

men receive greater support from their 

spouses and families, than women do. 

Your family and friends are important 

to your success. 

technologies and hardware," said 

S. Pete Worden, center director at 

NASA Ames, where a small team of 

engineers developed and built PhoneSat. "This approach allows engineers 

to see what capabilities commercial 

technologies can provide, rather than 

trying to custom design technology 

solutions to meet set requirements."

 NASA's prototype smartphone 

satellite, known as PhoneSat 1.0, is 

built around the Nexus One smartphone made by HTC Corp., which 

runs Google's Android operating 

system. The Nexus One acts as the 

spacecraft's onboard computer. Commercial-off-the-shelf parts include an 

open-source, microcontroller adapted 

as a watchdog circuit that monitors the 

systems and reboots the phone if it 

stops sending radio signals. 

 NASA's PhoneSat 2.0 will lay the 

foundation for new capabilities for 

small-sized satellites, while advancing 

breakthrough technologies and decreasing costs of future small spacecraft. PhoneSat 2.0 will be equipped 

with an updated Nexus S smartphone 

made by Samsung Electronics which 

runs Google's Android operating system to provide a faster core processor, 

avionics and gyroscopes. 

 PhoneSat 2.0 will supplement 

the capabilities of PhoneSat 1.0 by 

adding solar panels to enable longerduration missions and a GPS receiver. 

In addition, PhoneSat 2.0 also will add 

magnetorquer coils -- electro-magnets 

that interact with Earth's magnetic 

field -- as well as reaction wheels to 

actively control the satellite's orientation in space. 

 A beta version of PhoneSat 2.0 

will accompany two PhoneSat 1.0 

spacecraft aboard the maiden flight of 

Orbital Sciences Corporation's Antares 

rocket from NASA's Wallops Flight 

Facility at Wallops Island, Va., in the 

coming months. 

 The PhoneSat project is a technology demonstration mission funded 

by NASA's Small Spacecraft Technology Program, which is managed by 

NASA's Space Technology Program. 

NASA's Space Technology Program 

is innovating, developing, testing, and 

flying technology for use in NASA's 

future missions and by the greater 

aerospace community.

 For more information about 

PhoneSat, visit: 

http://go.nasa.gov/ZoNxpg

continued from front page

PhoneSat wins Popular Science’s ‘Best of What’s New’ award

continued from page 6

NASA women researchers discuss career development
9

Astrogram Winter 2012

Ames employees and their families enjoyed the NASA Ames Fall Festival and Ames Family night on Oct. 30, 2012. Chris McKay spoke about 

the Mars Curiosity and Mars Science Laboratory missions and astronaut 

Yvonne Cagle (above) spoke and autographed pictures. There were 

games and raffles with prizes. Other event attractions included a Pumpkin 

Patch, Angry Birds in Space Place, Dino Digs, a Looney Laboratory, a 

Castle Treasure Room and a dungeon, graveyard, crypt and morgue. NASA photos by Eric James

Hundreds attend Ames Fall Festival and Family Night events

On Oct. 31, 2012, the Ames Exchange 

hosted its annual Halloween costume 

contest. Many employees dressed up 

in impressive, imaginative costumes. In 

addition, there was a pumpkin-carving 

contest and the Exchange provided 

“ghouly” cookies as a treat.

Ames Exchange hosts annual Halloween Costume contest

NASA photos by Eric James
10

Astrogram Winter 2012 

The 16th Annual Chili Cook-Off/Car and Cycle Show was held at Ames on Oct. 4, 2012, with this year’s event entitled: “Around the World.” Sixteen teams participated, including teams from the Ames Exchange. Along with the chili tasting, hot dogs and hamburgers were served, as well as 

Dippin Dots and cookies for dessert. 

NASA photos by Eric James

Sixteenth annual chili cookoff draws hungry crowds
11

Astrogram Winter 2012

Ombuds Office services available to Ames personnel

John Boyd continues to serve as 

Ames Ombuds. Jim Arnold serves as 

the alternate Ames Ombuds. 

The Ombuds office is located in 

Building 200, Room 205, Mail Stop 

200-1A. Boyd can be reached at 

ext. 4-5222 or at john.w.boyd@nasa.

by Jack Boy

The Ames Ombuds Office provides all civil servants, contractors 

and students at the center with a 

supplemental, confidential and informal channel of communication to raise 

significant issues and concerns that 

they perceive could impact safety, 

organizational performance or mission 

success. 

The Ombuds is accountable for 

conducting informal inquiries, raising issues of concern to appropriate 

officials, and redirecting matters not 

under the Ombuds’ realm to the appropriate office or organization with an 

existing administrative system. This 

includes the Inspector General, the 

Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, Ames Federal Employees Union, 

Procurement Ombuds, Chief Counsel 

and Human Resources. 

The Ombuds’ power rests on their 

reputation for confidentiality, fairness, 

objectivity, tact and respectful concern 

for the welfare of all individuals of the 

NASA community and for the wellbeing of the agency. 

Ames Ombuds Jack Boyd Ames Alternate Ombuds Jim Arnold

gov and Arnold can be reached at ext. 

4-5265 or at james.o.arnold@nasa.

gov . 

The Ombuds website is:

http://insideames.arc.nasa.gov/lifeombudsoffice.php 

The Ames Contractor Council 

(ACC) hosted its ninth annual fundraising golf tournament recently at the 

Moffett Field golf course. The ACC 

is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, 

and proceeds from this annual event 

support both the Ames community 

and various educational outreach 

programs. 

This year’s Golf Tournament Planning Committee was chaired by Chris 

Buchanan (CSC) and co-chaired by 

Steve Perry (Tessada). Staffing was 

provided by numerous volunteers 

from the Ames contractor community, 

including Kimberly Salazar (SGT), 

Yvonne Desilva (CSC) , Tim Steiger 

(Jacobs Technology) and Nick Bonifas (CSC). Steve Perry also served 

as the event DJ, both during pre-play 

announcements and at the post-tournament BBQ and dance held at Tee 

Minus One. 

 A record 100 players participated in the best-ball tournament 

and numerous companies served as 

event sponsors, including AECOM, 

All Points Logistics, ASRC, Inc., Bay 

Contractor Council hosts ninth annual golf tournament 

by Kathleen St

Deputy Center Director Lewis Braxton (left) and ACC Golf 

Committee chair Chris Buchanan prepare to tee off.

Systems, Dell, Intrinsyx 

Technologies, Jacobs 

Technology, Lockheed 

Martin, Neto Sausage 

Company, SekTek, SGT 

and Venezia Construction. 

Trophies were 

sponsored by the International Association of 

Machinist and Aerospace Workers. The first 

place award for best 

net team score went to 

Tim Blanchard, Arthur 

Gonzalez, Bob Skellen 

and Bill Wong. 

In addition to the 

tournament, the event 

featured prizes for longest drive and closestto-the-pin contests, as 

well as a large array of 

raffle items.

 ACC President Herb Finger 

decreed the 2012 golf tournament 

a great success and said the event 

raised significant revenue for the 

ACC’s upcoming philanthropic activities. 

For more information about the 

Council and its mission, visit: www.

amescontractorcouncil.org.
12

Astrogram Winter 2012 

On Oct. 15, 2012, rotorcraft researchers gathered in the Space Sciences and Astrobiology Auditorium to 

hear this year’s American Helicopter 

Society (AHS) Alexander A. Nikolsky 

Lectureship winner, University of Liverpool Professor Gareth Padfield.

This prestigious lectureship is 

awarded to, “an individual who has 

had a highly distinguished career in 

vertical flight aircraft research and 

development and is skilled at communicating their technical knowledge 

and experience.” In winning the 

award, Padfield joins the ranks of 

many previous, distinguished Nikolsky Lectureship recipients, including 

Professor Alfred Gessow, Bartram 

Kelley, Robert Huston, Bruno Lovera, 

Professor Barnes McCormick, Jr., Dr. 

Wayne Johnson and Bill Bousman. 

His appearance at Ames was part of 

the center’s Aeronautics Technical 

Seminar series.

During the course of the year, Padfield will tour the United States speakAmerican Helicopter Society honoree delivers Nikolsky lectureship

ing to audiences that include industry, 

academia, and government agencies; and the NASA Ames, Glenn, 

and Langley Research Centers. His 

presentation, "Rotorcraft Handling 

Qualities Engineering: Managing the 

Tension between Safety and Performance," is a look back at nearly 70 

years of rotorcraft handling qualities 

research, highlighting particular events 

that reflect the continual growth of the 

discipline.

Padfield’s presentation told a story 

that evolved from the idea that handling qualities can be quantified. 

“We are at a point where designers 

have, within their grasp, the performance standards, criteria, and test 

techniques; the understanding of rotorcraft aeromechanics and control; and 

the design tools to ensure that handling deficiencies never again have to 

define the boundary of the operational 

flight envelope,” Padfield said.

 The Aeronautics Technical 

Seminars feature presentations on a 

monthly basis. This seminar series is 

designed to enrich the NASA research 

community by fostering an exchange 

of information, ideas and concepts 

between its attendees. This well-attended lecture was followed by a wine 

and cheese reception sponsored by 

the local AHS chapter.

by Leslye Mogfo

NASA photos by Dominic Hart

Numerous Ames employees participated in the Ames Fall ‘Fun Run and 

Walk’ for breast cancer awareness on Oct. 17, 2012. The weather cooperated offering up a beautiful day for such a rewarding event.

Enthusiastic employees turn out for Fall ‘Fun Run and Walk’

photo by Leslye Mogford

Dr. Gareth Padfield delivering the Alexander A. 

Nikolsky Lectureship presentation at Ames.
13

Astrogram Winter 2012

The Ames Cat Network needs help finding 

homes for cats trapped at Moffett. They 

range from feral to abandoned/lost pets. 

They are tested, altered and inoculated. 

Call Iris at ext. 4-5824 if you or someone 

you know are interested in fostering or 

adopting a cat.

Ames Cat Network

Ames Ongoing Monthly Events Calendar

African American Advisory Group (AAAG) 

Mtg., last Tuesday of each month, 12 - 1 p.m., 

Bldg. N255 Rm 101C. POC: Rose King, ext. 

4-3442. 

Moffett Aikido Club, Monday and Wednesday 

evenings, 6:30 p.m., Bldg. 944. Aikido is a 

non-competitive, defensive martial art known 

as the “Way of Harmony.” POC: Diane 

Pereda (650) 575-9070 or Robert Dean (650) 

787-1007, email: mfaikido@aol.com

Ames Amateur Radio Club, third Thurs., of 

each month, 12 noon, N-T28 (across from 

N-255). POC: George Tucker, at ext. 4-2200. 

Ames Bluegrass Club, every Tuesday from 

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Bldg. 944. Players of all 

instruments and all levels are welcome, but we 

are particularly interested in experienced players willing to help improve the group’s musical 

skills. POC: Bob Haberle at ext: 4-5494 or 

email: robert.m.haberle@nasa.gov

Ames Bocce Ball Club, Ames’ newest Exchange-sponsored club is seeking members. 

POC: Mike Lindsay email: michael.c.lindsay@

nasa.gov

Ames Bowling League, Homestead Lanes 

Thursdays at 6 p.m. Need substitute bowlers. Sign up questions: Steve Howard at ext. 

4-4884.

Ames Contractor Council Mtg., first Weds. of 

ea. month, 11 a.m., Bldg. N-200, Committee 

Room. POC: Herb Finger at ext. 4-6598.

Ames Federal Employees Union (AFEU) Mtg, 

third Wednesday each month, noon. Bldg. 

N-204, Rm. 101. Guests welcome. Check for 

occoasional schedule changes at: http://www.

afeu.org. POC: Paul K. Davis, ext. 4-5916.

Ames Golf Club, Members will have the opportunity to play approximately 13 tournaments 

per year at a variety of 18-hole golf courses in 

the Bay and Monterey Area. POC: Barry Sullivan: Barry.T.Sullivan@nasa.gov.

Ames Green Team (formerly the Green Ames 

Working Group) meetings are held the first 

Tuesday of each month in N237, Room

101, from 10-11 a.m. For information, call 

Roger Ashbaugh, Ames Environmental 

Management Division, ext. 4-5660.

http://environmentalmanagement.arc.nasa.

gov/reports/eo-13514.html

The Hispanic Advisory Committee for 

Excellence (HACE) Mtg., first Thursday of 

each month, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Bldg. 

N-255, Rm. 101C. POC: Jeanette Zamora, 

jeanette.zamora-ortega-1@nasa.gov.

Ames Jazz Band Club, Bldg. 944, 5:30 

p.m. - 7 p.m., POC: Ralph Bach, email: 

ralph.e.bach@nasa.gov

Jetstream Toastmasters, Mondays, 12 p.m. 

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

Steiger, ext. 4-0195, tim.steiger@nasa.gov. 

Web: http://jetstream.freetoasthost.com

Ames Nimble Knitters Club, every Tuesday 

at 11:30 a.m., Bldg. N210/Rm 141. POC: 

Rosalyn Jung, knitfan2@yahoo.com or Diane 

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

nasa.gov

Ames Roller Hockey Club, meets daily from 

noon to 1 p.m. at rink on north end of the 80-

foot-by-120-foot wind tunnel, Playsers should 

have experience skating and wear protective 

equipment. 

Ames Safety Committee, third Thursday of 

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

Rm. 200. POC: John Livacich, jlivacich@

mail.arc.nasa.gov, ext. 4-3243.

Women’s Influence Network (WIN), first 

Wednesday of each month, Bldg. 241 room 

237, 11:30 - 12:30 p.m., POC: Elena Serna, 

elena.serna@nasa.gov

Ames emergency announcements

To hear the centerwide status recording, call (650) 604-9999 for information 

announcements and emergency instructions for Ames employees. You can 

also listen to 1700 KHz AM radio for the same information.

Exchange Information

Beyond Galileo Gift Shop N-235 in the 

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

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

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

Barcelona Café Bldg. 3, 6:30 a.m. to 

2 p.m., ext. 4-4948/Catering ext. 4-4948

See daily menus at: http://exchange.arc.

nasa.gov/cafe/menu.html 

Visitor Center Gift Shop (Exploration 

Center), Tues-Fri, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sat. - 

Sun, 12 - 4 p.m., ext. 4--5412

Remember to purchase your baby shower, birthday 

and holiday gifts at Ames’ two gift shops!

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

Closed for repairs, for updates visit: http://amesexchange.arc.nasa.gov/swim/index.html

The pool is heated year round! The pool normallly 

is available for lap swim, pool parties and special 

events. POC: Ryan Storms, Pool Manager (650) 

603-8025. Memberships: single memberships: 

$60/yr. Family memberships: $80/yr. After purchasing a membership, there is an entrance fee: daily 

entrance fee - $3/day or lap pass fee - $50 for 20 

uses. Platinum membership - $380/yr. (no daily 

fee). Special events: include military training, swim 

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

special events is $75/hr, or $50/hr for military.

Ames Swim Center (N-109) 603-8025

RV Lots available. Call to reserve a space 

at (650) 603-7100/01.

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 

one’ Grill and Sports Bar. Catering available. Call (650) 603-8026. Extended Happy 

Hour Thursdays, $5 and $6 pitchers of beer 

starting at 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

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

Reservations for Chase Park, call ext. 4-4948

Reservations for ARC Park, call ext. 4-5969
14

Astrogram Winter 2012 

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 Terlep

You can reach the Astrogram Office at: astrogram 

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

4789. Astrogram Web site: http://www.nasa.gov/

ames/astrogram.

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

A statistical summary of activities of the Protective 

Service Division’s Security/Law Enforcement and Fire 

Protection Services units for the month of October 2012 is 

shown below.

Protective Services 

monthly activity

Security/Law Enforcement Activity

Fire Protection Activity

Astrogram NP-2012-11-02-ARC

NACA retiree Bea Aikman to 

celebrate 100th birthday

The honor of greeting the 

many famous visitors to 

Ames during the years 

that Smith DeFrance 

served as director fell to 

Beatrice Aikman (above), 

the Ames receptionist in 

Building N200. Commended for her tact, 

courtesy, and resourcefulness, Mrs. Aikman turns 

100 in January 2013.