February 2007

www.nasa.gov

Page 2 - Diving Safety Office could aid both

 Earth and space sciences

Page 3 - Ames people volunteer to help in

 search for missing sailor

Page 5 - Gilena Monroe selected as ‘Most

 Promising in Government’ 

Page 10 - Ames Ongoing Events

Page 11 - Classifieds

On the Inside . . .

Ames’ transformation called ‘amazing’ by center management

continued on page 7

NASA’s drive to return astronauts 

to the moon and later probe deeper 

into space achieved a key milestone 

recently when agency officials approved critical elements of a moon 

impact mission scheduled to launch 

in October 2008. NASA’s unmanned 

Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, known as LCROSS, will 

strike the moon near its south pole in 

January 2009. It will search for water 

and other materials that astronauts 

could use at a future lunar outpost.

Scott Horowitz, associate administrator of the agency’s Exploration 

Systems Mission Directorate, led 

a confirmation review panel that 

recently approved the detailed plans, 

instrument suite, budget and risk factor analysis for the satellite.

NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., manages the mission. 

The mission is valued at $79 million, 

excluding launch costs. The mission 

will help NASA gain a new foothold 

on the moon and prepare for new journeys to Mars and beyond.

The confirmation review authorized continuation of the lunar impactor project and set its cost and schedule. Another mission milestone, the 

critical design review, is scheduled for 

NASA Moon-Impactor mission 

passes major review

continued on page 3

Ames Deputy Center Director Marvin “Chris” 

Christensen addresses the audience during the 

recent all-hands meeting in February.

NASA photo by Dominic Hart

NASA Ames is beginning to show 

strength and its future looks optimistic, according to Ames’ Deputy Director Marvin “Chris” Christensen.

The agency’s FY08 budget shows 

a 3.1 percent increase, a clear mandate 

of administration support of NASA, 

he said, despite the difficult political 

climate. NASA Ames’ forecast holds 

the promise of many new opportunities, Christensen assured a apacity 

crowd gathered Feb. 7 in the main 

auditorium for an all-hands meeting to discuss the state of the center. 

The Innovative Partnerships Program 

and the Small Business Innovative 

Research program “are going strong,” 

and Ames is recognized for its new 

role as the small satellite lead and its 

‘space portal’ entrepreneurship, he 

said.

“People should be proud to work 

at NASA Ames Research Center,” 

Christensen said. “Due to a lot of hard 

work by a number of dedicated people, it’s an extremely strong center.” 

The thermal support program 

(TSP) remains critical to the agency, 

and Ames’ excellence in aeronautics 

and information technology is unsurpassed, said Christensen.

“By making our programs more 

relevant, our institution is moving to 

the next state of ‘readiness,’ he noted. 

“Our workforce is becoming realigned 

to take on meaningful work, and the 

restructured organization is beginning 

to optimize operational efficiencies.” 

Turning to mission directorate 

funding issues, he said the Science 

Mission Directorate’s (SMD) budget 

represents about 31 percent of the 

overall NASA budget. Its successes 

include gaining national attention for 

Earth sciences, and funding the Global 

Precipitation Measurement Mission as 

a new start. He reported that the Hubble Space Telescope will be serviced in 

2008, and five Themis microsatellites 

are still expected to launch.

Christensen pointed out that 

although Ames lost the Stratospheric 

Observatory for Infrared Astronomy 

(SOFIA) to Dryden for flight tests earlier this year, negotiations are underway at Headquarters to allow Ames 
 Astrogram February 2007

The Aviation System Monitoring and Modeling (ASMM) Project 

team was recognized by Ames Center 

Director S. Pete Worden in January 

for receiving a second Space Act 

Award from the NASA Inventions 

and Contributions Board for the invention and commercialization of the 

Morning Report Atypicality Tool For 

Analysis of Aircraft Flight Data. 

Morning Report automatically 

analyzes the flight data recorded 

Worden recognizes ‘Morning Report’ for Space Act Award

by each aircraft in an airline’s fleet 

during a selected period of time. It 

then brings all of the flights that were 

deemed atypical in a multivariate 

statistical analysis, with respect to 

the main body of comparable flight 

data, to the safety analyst’s attention. 

ASMM project team members present 

at the ceremony included Dr. Irving 

Statler and retired United Airlines 

Captains Robert E. Lawrence and 

Robert E. Lynch. The cash Space Act 

Board Award was distributed among 

the inventors. Morning Report has 

been commercialized within the 

airline industry and a patent is 

pending. It has been recognized by 

the aviation industry as a significant 

contribution to the achievement of 

proactive management of safety 

risk by demonstrating its capability 

to identify unexpected, operationally significant events or trends that 

could compromise aviation safety.

As NASA goes forward in the 

Vision for Space Exploration, research 

remains an ever-present element in 

defining the world around us. Within 

the past six months, exploration was 

conducted to determine the biodiversity of high-altitude lakes and in 

coral reefs to determine bio-health and 

diversity. Just as astronauts work underwater to practice their EVA procedures, researchers work underwater as 

a laboratory for data gathering. 

Conducting aquatic research is 

only possible through learning the 

techniques of skilled and safe diving. With this in mind, the talents 

of personnel came forward for the 

establishment of a Diving Safety Office 

at Ames. This office operates under 

guidelines established by the American Academy of Underwater Scientists 

(AAUS) and provides full technical 

support for the development of diving 

protocols, diver training and certification 

and field support as 

required. 

To facilitate the 

research community, 

a full range of diver 

training is available. 

Classes range from 

general certifications 

to tailored, specific 

skill classes such as 

deep water and highaltitude diving. Safety 

classes range from 

diver-rescue training 

to the development of 

emergency rescue plans. All of these 

become vital elements in assuring 

safe and greatest available access to 

nature’s aquatic laboratories. 

The Diving Safety Office also 

includes certified divers and boat operators who are available to research 

projects to reduce training time and 

funding to develop unique skills within the project. In addition, the office 

has an inventory of diving equipment 

and small portable boats that can be 

made available to the researcher.

The office will assure that all by Randall Bertho

NASA Ames and University of Puerto Rico divers taking a spectral 

measurement with a handheld spectroradiometer.

Diving Safety Office could aid both Earth and space sciences

NASA Ames-affiliated scientific diving 

is conducted in a manner that will 

maximize protection of the scientific 

diver while allowing efficiency of 

observation and a means of collecting data that are available through no 

other means, in a safe manner. The 

office has proven that it provides a 

level of recognized structure and competency that allows research teams to 

interact with national and international marine research organizations.

Projects currently being supported 

include the Remote Sensing and 

Spectral Analysis of Coral Reef Health 

and Biodiversity and the Astrobiology 

High Lakes Project. 

In summary, the Diving Safety 

Office has captured unique local talent 

to allow Ames researchers and affiliates to expand their potential research 

programs to support exploration 

initiatives and emerging earth sciences 

programs. The capabilities the office 

provides may not only support and 

promote the Earth sciences programs 

but could play a lead role in supporting water analog activities to more 

fully understand future activities in 

the microgravity and 1/3 gravity 

environments of exploration. 

For additional information, contact 

the Ames Diving Safety Office at ext. 

4-3408 or at e-mail the author at Randall.W.Berthold@nasa.gov
 Astrogram February 2007

late February. That review will examine the detailed Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite system design. After a successful critical design 

review, the project team will assemble 

the spacecraft and its instruments.

“The Lunar Crater Observation 

and Sensing Satellite project represents 

an efficient way of doing business by 

being cost capped, schedule constrained and risk tolerant,” said Daniel 

Andrews, project manager at Ames for 

the lunar impactor mission.

The lunar impactor will share a 

rocket ride into space with a second 

satellite, the Lunar Reconnaissance 

Orbiter. After the orbiter separates 

from the Atlas V launch vehicle for 

its own mission, the LCROSS will use 

the spent Centaur upper stage of the 

rocket as a 4,400-pound lunar impactor, targeting a permanently shadowed 

crater near the lunar South Pole.

According to scientists, the Centaur’s collision with the moon will excavate about 220 tons of material from 

the lunar surface. The Lunar Crater 

Observation and Sensing Satellite will 

observe the plume of material with 

a suite of six instruments to look for 

water ice and examine lunar soil. The 

satellite will fly through the plume, 

also impacting the lunar surface. That 

second impact will be observed from 

Earth.

The prime contractor for the satellite is Northrop Grumman Space Technologies of Redondo Beach, Calif. For 

information about the Lunar Crater 

Observation and Sensing Satellite on 

the Web, visit: http://lcross.arc.nasa.

gov by John Bluc

NASA Moon-Impactor mission 

continued from front page

In search of renowned computer 

engineer Jim Gray and his 40-foot 

sailboat, missing in the Pacific Ocean, 

outside San Francisco’s Golden Gate 

Bridge, a NASA high-flying ER-2 

aircraft, similar to a U-2, took off from 

NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., in 

the morning of Friday, Feb. 2.

This flight was also a required 

pilot-proficiency flight. The airplane 

carried a 16-megapixel digital camera 

that took near-infrared and visible 

light images, which can show details 

in easy-to-spot ‘false colors’. 

Gray had been en route to the 

Farallon Islands to scatter his mother’s ashes. He was reported missing 

Sunday, Jan.28, by his wife. The Coast 

Guard had stopped its search Thursday, Feb. 1. 

Organizers at NASA Ames worried that the search area could be 

mostly cloud-covered, but the weather 

was better than expected, though there 

was some cloud cover. Water could be 

seen between the clouds.

The pilot, David Wright of Dryden, 

flew the aircraft at about 50,000 feet, 

lower than normal, to get a better view 

of the search area. He flew multiple 

Ames’ staff volunteers to help search for missing sailor

Lockheed’s ER-2 high altitude research aircraft in flight, similar to the ER-2 that recently aided in the 

search for renowned computer engineer Jim Gray and his 40-foot sailboat.

tracks three miles apart extending to 

about 30 miles off the coast from about 

Carmel to Pt. Reyes, Calif. The camera 

took pictures at 29-second intervals 

except when the aircraft was over 

clouds that covered roughly 50 percent 

of the area searched. Also, a video 

camera in the nose of the ER-2 ran all 

the time to help pinpoint locations.

After the ER-2 aircraft flew back 

to Dryden, an F-18 jet carried the 

imaging data (on tapes and discs) 

from Dryden, north to NASA Ames. 

Imaging experts at NASA Ames 

geospatially registered and processed 

the images. Then volunteers began 

to examine hundreds of images and 

hours of video in search of the missing 

man and his watercraft.

by John Bluc

The Fundamental Aeronautics Program Director 

Dr. Juan Alonso and members of his staff visited 

Ames recenlty. As part of the visit, Alonso 

provided Code A and T staff an update on the 

status of the Fundamental Aeronautics Program. 

He also spoke to the rest of the Ames community 

in the main auditorium.

NASA photo by Dominic Hart

Alonso gives 

aero update
 Astrogram February 2007

Mounting evidence suggests that 

gas and aerosol pollutants are routinely transported by winds across and 

between continents and can affect the 

air and climate of areas far from their 

source. 

Scientists studying atmospheric 

changes have observed smoke plumes 

from wildfires in the boreal 

forests of Alaska and Canada 

that were carried as far as 

parts of Europe, Africa and 

the Arctic. Satellite imagery was used to guide field 

research that used weather 

instruments aboard five different aircraft and the ship 

Ronald H. Brown to sample 

the air above North America 

and the Atlantic Ocean. 

“Our findings are the 

most extensive characterization of the North American 

troposphere to date,” said 

Hanwant Singh, project scientist at NASA Ames. “We investigated the transport and transformation of 

gases and aerosols on intercontinental 

scales. Pollution plumes from Asia 

and North America were intercepted 

and analyzed as they were transported 

over the North American continent 

and the Atlantic.” Singh led the 

Intercontinental Chemical Transport 

Experiment - North America (INTEXA) campaign that studied the chemical 

composition and processes of atmospheric changes over North America.

Changes in atmospheric composition and climate have been attributed 

to rapid industrialization and the 

related energy consumption. Fossil 

fuels are the main source of energy. 

Studies have shown that air pollutants 

from carbon-based fuels include such 

contaminants as carbon monoxide, 

nitrogen oxides and other harmful 

gases and particles.

Any substance introduced into the 

atmosphere has the potential to circle 

Airborne pollutants know no borders 

by Ruth Dasso Marla

the Earth. In the last decade, field 

experiments have documented the 

flow of air pollutants from the Asian 

continent to the Pacific Ocean. 

Typically, the transport of Asian 

pollution to North America peaks in 

spring. However, five major Asian 

plumes were observed at lower 

atmospheric levels crossing North 

America in the summer. When plumes 

were sampled and analyzed, findings showed fewer human-produced 

pollutants (such as carbon dioxide) 

and more biogenic trace gases, which 

occur naturally from microbial activity 

in soil (such as nitrous oxide and nitric 

oxide) and wetlands, swamps and rice 

paddies (such as methane.) 

“We found that air quality across 

the North American continent was 

greatly polluted by major fires over 

Alaska and Canada and strong winds 

from Asia,” explained Singh.

While scientists witnessed air pollutants flow into North America from 

Asia, they also observed air pollution 

flow from North America. Summertime was selected to do field research 

because the days were longer, vegetative growth abundant, and wildfires 

were at their peak. To sample air 

coming across the Atlantic, four aircraft, each carrying different weather 

instruments, were strategically based 

in New Hampshire, Faial (Azores) and 

Creil (France). 

Smoke plumes from wildfires in 

Alaska and Canada were detected by 

several satellites and affected areas 

thousands of miles away. Smoke 

reached Europe without significant 

removal of particles. Receptor sites along the pathway showed an increase 

in ozone and decrease in 

carbon monoxide in the 

upper troposphere over the 

Atlantic. Data also showed 

relatively little direct Asian 

influence on ozone over the 

United States, but a sizable 

U.S. influence on Europe’s 

ozone.

Ozone can be both beneficial and harmful to life on 

Earth. In the stratosphere, it 

prevents most of the harmful ultraviolet rays from 

reaching the Earth’s surface. But in the 

troposphere, near the Earth’s surface, 

the ozone is a pollutant. Surface ozone 

forms when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react in the 

presence of sunlight.

Just as Asia’s pollution influences 

the air quality over North America, 

and North America’s pollution affects 

European air, studies also show that 

ozone and other oxidants travel to 

northeast Asia from Europe and North 

America. 

These and related studies appeared in the American Geophysical 

Union issues of the Journal of the 

Geophysical Research, 2006.

For further information, please 

visit: http://www.espo.nasa.gov/intex-na/
 Astrogram February 2007

Gilena Monroe of Ames, Code 

AFA, was recently selected to receive 

the ‘Most Promising in Government 

Award’ from the Black Engineer of the 

Year selection panel. She received her 

award at the 21st Annual Black Engineer of the Year Awards Conference on 

Feb. 17 in Baltimore, MD. 

The selection panel for this award 

included the Council of Engineering Deans of the Historically Black 

Colleges and Universities, Lockheed 

Martin Corporation, Daimler Chrysler 

Corporation and US Black Engineer & 

Information Technology Magazine. 

Monroe has a master’s degree 

in industrial and systems engineering from North Carolina A&T State 

University and a bachelor’s degree in 

computer science from Kentucky State 

University. 

She joined the Aviation Systems 

Division in 2004 under the Federal 

Career Intern Program and was assigned as a project engineer on the 

Surface Management System (SMS) research and development team. She has 

been conducting data analyses of SMS 

Monroe selected as ‘Most Promising in Government’

by Katharine 

performance to evaluate its predictive 

accuracy, and her work is helping to 

form the basis for a solid understanding of surface traffic operations that 

will contribute directly to the future 

concepts of surface operations in the 

National Airspace System. 

Monroe co-authored a paper 

on the accuracy and impact of SMS 

integrated with the Traffic Management Advisor decision support tool; 

the paper was presented at the AIAA 

Aviation Technology, Integration and 

Operations conference in September 

2005. She was one of the recipients 

of the NASA Honor Award in Group 

Achievement for the SMS Project 

team. 

Monroe has been an active participant in diversity and equal bpportunity activities, including her participation in the Blacks in Government 

National Training Conference, Black 

History Month activities, working 

with students through NASA’s SmartSkies educational outreach, and tutoring students at the 100% College Prep 

Institute in San Francisco. Monroe is 

a member of the National Society of 

Black Engineers, the Society of Women 

Engineers and the Human Factors and 

Ergonomics Society.

Ames AAAG celebrates Black History Month

NASA photo by Tom Trower

Gilena Monroe received the award 

the ‘Most Promising in Government 

Award’ from the Black Engineer of the 

Year selection panel.

The Ames African-American 

Advisory Group celebrated National African-American History 

month this month in several ways. 

The national theme for 2007 was 

‘From Slavery to Freedom: The 

Story of Africans in the Americas.’ 

Vendors sold African attire and art 

in the Mega Bites Cafeteria and the 

cafeteria also provided traditional 

‘soul food’ on their Tuesday menu 

during the month of February. On 

Feb. 28, the program ‘A Patchwork 

Quilt’ was presented, which provided an oration of stories to give you a 

glimpse of the lives of some prominent and lesser-known people who 

were instrumental in the formation 

of African American history.

 African-American patchwork 

quilts were made of cloth 

and provided a narrative of family history. 

Their creators used the 

technique of applique to 

literally paste their family album onto a lasting 

fabric. Stories were told 

through quilts and they 

provided visual records 

of family events such 

as birth, marriage, geographical locations and 

spiritual dedication. The 

program concluded with 

a reception in the lobby of 

Building 200 that featured 

a selection of baked specialty desserts prepared by 

Brown Girl Kitchen.

An example of one of the African-American patchwork quilts which 

provide a narrative of family history.
 Astrogram February 2007

Ames Research Center would 

like to acknowledge and recognize 

employees who achieved their Length 

of Service anniversaries for 25 and 

above years of service during the 

period June 30, 2005 to Dec. 31, 2006. 

The contributions of these employees’ 

many years of service to our country 

and in helping NASA achieve its many 

goals is greatly appreciated. 

25 Years of Service

Albert J. Ahumada Jr.

Guadalupe M. Armendariz 

 (Retired)

Gary J. Atkins

Rhonda O. Baker

David M. Bergner

I-Chung Chang

Denny S. Chaussee

Ronald L. Chinnapongse

Mary Chow

Kenneth L. Christensen

Rudy P. Cotillon

Robert J. Dolci

Laura W. Doty

Stephen R. Ellis

Robert L. Finnie

Ronald C. Fong

Kathleen R. Giffin

Peter T. Goldsmith

Janice S. Gonzaga

Andrew A. Gonzales

Karen L. Gundy-Burlet

David J. Hollenbach

Stephen A. Jacklin

Sheila A. Johnson

Rosalyn Y. Jung

Eric A. Kristich

Robert M. Kufeld

Mark J. Leon

Jane A. Leyland

Miguel S. Lopez

Mark E. Mc Kelvey

William J. McDermott

Beverly C. Mesa (Retired)

Suzanne C. Meyer

Randall L. Peterson

Terrence K. Rager

Thomas L. Roellig

Glen E. Sasaki

John A. Segreto

Sally A. Shaw

Merle Simbe

Martha A. Smith

Charles A. Smith Jr.

Donald I. Soloway

Michael R. Stock

Lynn D. Thomas

Rosa M. Tonarelli (Retired)

Donna M. Washington

Sandra G. Williams (Retired)

30 Years of Service

Frank J. Aguilera

Roger W. Ashbaugh

John G. Bluck

Tony R. Caringello

Dennis R. Cauterucio

Patricia S. Cowings

Douglas A. Denham

David J. Des Marais

Theodore J. Forsyth (Retired)

Linda L. Franklin

James R. Freel

Danielle J. Goldwater

Paul R. Grams

John W. Hines

Terry L. Holst

Richard L. Jaffe

Eric H. James

Susan A. Kalb

George H. Kidwell Jr.

Knowlen F. Knowles Jr.

Sylvia S. Longchamps

Marshal L. Merriam (Retired)

Michael J. Ospring

Nellie M. Powell

Patti P. Powell

Dennis E. Ray (Retired)

Catherine H. Schulbach

Betty W. Silva

James H. Stevenson

Anthony W. Strawa

Scott R. Torok

Thomas N. Trower

Mary C. Valleau (Retired)

35 Years of Service

Jeffrey V. Bowles

Joseph T. Camisa

Horacio Chavez Jr.

Sanford S. Davis

Vivienne D. Gallo (Retired)

Ronnee R. Gonzalez

Karl Grundmann

Leonard C. Hee

Gail E. James

Oscar Jung

Diane M. Kanally

Michael R. Landis

Reynaldo E. Manila

Eugene S. Moses (Retired)

Thomas J. Moyles (Retired)

Lawrence E. Olson

Mary E. Perez

Katherine C. Sablan

Adrian L. Smith

40 Years of Service

Anthony R. Gross

Linda L. Jahnke

Everett A. Palmer III

Rick J. Serrano

Edward L. Tindle (Retired)

John Zuk

45 Years of Service

James P. Connolly

NASA Ames announces 2006 Length of Service Awards

Dr. Olivier Guyon presented a Director’s Colloquium 

entitled ‘The TOPS Mission Concept: Finding 

planets around nearby stars’ in February at Ames. 

Guyon, an astronomer at the Subaru Telescope in 

Hawaii, explained the scientific potential and the 

technical challenges of the Telescope to Observe 

Planetary Systems (TOPS) mission concept, including describing what sorts of planets TOPS can detect 

around nearby stars. 

NASA photo by Tom Trower

TOPS mission discussed at colloquium
 Astrogram February 2007

Left to right: Chris Grech and 

Steve Rock, Macon expedition 

explorers, seen here during their 

director’s colloquium in January, 

presenting their expedition findings 

to the Ames staff.

NASA photo by Dominic Hart

continued from front page

by Ruth Marlai

The USS Macon (ZRS-5) leaving the airship hangar at Naval Air Station Moffett Field, 

on Oct. 26, 1933, in preparation for her first flight since arriving from the East Coast 11 

days earlier. The photograph is from the NAS Moffett Field history file and an official U.S. 

Navy photograph from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

On Jan. 31, a Director’s Colloquium entitled ‘New explorations of the 

USS Macon using advanced marine 

technology’ was presented at Ames by 

Chris Grech and Steve Rock. Grech 

was the leader of the recent expedition to the Macon. In September 2006, 

researchers from NOAA’s National 

Marine Sanctuary program and the 

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in Moss Landing (MBARI) led 

Ames’ transformation called ‘amazing’ by center management

Macon archeological explorers give expedition overview

an archeological expedition off the Big 

Sur coast at the submerged wreck site 

of the rigid airship USS Macon. 

The Macon crashed on Feb. 12, 

to maintain management of the flying 

observatory’s science work. A decision 

is expected in March.

He also reminded everyone that 

the Kepler mission remains a high 

priority, and that other opportunities 

may arise in the future.

The future looks promising for 

the Aeronautics Mission Directorate 

as well, according the Christensen. 

Starting in FY08, it shows a stable 

budget profile with a 4.6 percent 

budget increase in FY07. Congress also 

is showing support for its program 

budget, he said. 

Addressing Ames’ future in aeronautics, he said “we have restored 

confidence in our abilities and management at Headquarters and, consequently, Ames will be given more 

responsibilities and approval for new 

hires.”

However, the Space Exploration 

Mission Directorate’s future was less 

certain. Its FY08 budget showed a setback, and depending on the outcome 

of the FY07 continuing resolution, the 

schedule for the Crew Exploration 

Vehicle/Crew Launch Vehicle may 

be in jeopardy, he said. Presently, the 

Orion and Ares 1 procurements are on 

schedule, and the Launch and Range 

Operations (LRO) and the Lunar 

CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) are still set to launch in 

FY2008, Christensen reported.

Christensen warned that these 

cutbacks could impact the advanced 

capabilities work at Ames, specifically 

in the human research and performance and PharmaSat areas. “Ames 

may use the money Aeronautics gave 

it for new hires to protect these highly 

skilled jobs,” he said. 

While these reductions may affect 

the Ames Constellation work, the up 

side is that Ames has other possibilities and options, he said. 

Christensen also announced the 

creation of a new organization at 

Ames, the Engineering Directorate 

(Code R), to separate program and 

project responsibility from engineering support by moving current Code 

P engineers into the new organization. 

Laura Doty will lead the new directorate.

He concluded by noting that 

Ames is moving to the next state of 

readiness and that our program mix 

is increasingly moving to a position of 

relevance to the agency. Staff realignment and organizational restructuring 

for programmatic and operational 

efficiencies are on-going. Finally, the 

center has restored confidence in our 

abilities and management at NASA 

Headquarters. 

“In the end, it’s all about the 

people at Ames. If you do good work, 

people will notice, and you’ll be recognized for the quality of your work,” 

Christensen concluded.

1935, as it headed back to its home 

base, in Hangar One at Moffett Field. 

Grech and Rock gave an overview 

of the expedition to the Macon along 

with stunning photographs of the 

airship and discussed the methods used to remotely operate the 

Tiburon, an underwater vehicle they 

used to compile a mosaic protrait of 

the debris field.
 Astrogram February 2007

NASA Research Park partner 

Changene, Inc. was granted patent # 

7,163,795 on Jan. 17 by the U.S. Patent 

and Trademark Office (PTO) for the 

discovery of nacrein from Pinctada 

margaritifera, a black pearl oyster 

found in the South Pacific Ocean. 

Nacrein is a naturally occurring 

biological molecule that regulates 

calcium crystals during pearl formation. The mechanism of building 

biominerals in shells is similar to bone 

formation in humans. Studies show 

that nacreous substances extracted 

from Pinctada species demonstrated 

significant osteogenic (bone forming) 

activities in mammalian models. 

“Changene is investigating nacrein 

for space missions as a countermeasure for bone mass loss in the microgravity environment,” said Frank 

Chang, Changene CEO. “In space, 

many bones that aid movement on 

Earth are not subjected to the same 

stresses as they were on Earth. Over 

time, calcium normally stored in the 

bones breaks down and is released 

into the bloodstream, causing a decrease in bone density, or bone mass,” 

3D structure of Nacrein (above model ) was deciphered with NAMD (NAnoscale Molecular Dynamics, a parallel object-oriented molecular dynamics 

program) by NASA Advanced Supercomputing 

division and Changene.

NASA Research Park Partner Changene granted patent

he said.

This bone loss begins in the first 

few days in space at an average rate 

of 1.6 percent per month. This drop in 

density, known as disuse osteoporosis, 

leaves bones weak and less able to 

support the body’s weight and movement upon return to Earth, putting the 

astronaut at a higher risk of fracture. 

Osteoporosis and low-bone density are also major health concerns for 

the world’s aging population. Datamonitor, a leading consulting firm in 

London, forecasts osteoporosis market 

sales would reach $10.4 billion for 

consumers in 2010. 

Chang said Changene collaborated with NASA Ames’ Advanced 

Supercomputing Division for ongoing 

studies, applying molecular dynamic 

simulation on the nacrein molecule 

and deciphering its tertiary structure. 

He said it is common in biotech field 

that research and development processes take many years; however, with 

the known structure and subsequent 

in silico studies, scientists are able to 

speed up R&D processes. 

In late January, Angela P. Nealy, top photo, right, visited Ames to 

meet the teams working in/on her field, that of assessing performance 

biomarkers for elite athletes. She visited Ames with astronaut Yvonne 

Cagle (photo to the right) and has worked with Cagle at the University 

of Texas Medical Center,in addition to training numerous Olympic 

track and field stars.

NASA photos by Dominic Hart

Ames hosts visit by Nealy, Cagle
 Astrogram February 2007

Predicting Climate Change with a 

Hazy Crystal Ball - The Effects of Aerosols on Climate, presented by Dr. A.W. 

Strawa

Date: March 1, 2007

Time: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Place: NASA Ames Conference

 Center, Bldg. 3, Patio Room

As part of the Silicon Valley 

Astronomy Lectures, Astronaut/ 

Scientist Janice Voss of Ames will 

give a non-technical, illustrated talk 

on: ‘Searching for Earth-like Planets: 

NASA’s Kepler Mission’

Date: March 7, 2007

Time: 7 p.m.

Place: Smithwick Theater

 Foothill College,

 El Monte Road

 and Freeway 280,

 Los Altos Hills .

Cost: Free and open to the public.

Parking on campus costs $2.

Call the series hot-line at (650) 

949-7888 for more information and 

driving directions.

Upcoming Events . . .

Climate change has received considerable attention by the media recently. One 

of the largest sources of uncertainty in 

assessing climate change is the effect that 

aerosols have on climate. This seminar 

will provide a frame work for understanding the role of aerosols based on basic 

concepts of climate change. 

Strawa, an atmospheric scientist in the 

Earth Science Division at Ames who been 

studying the effects of aerosols and clouds 

on climate for the past 15 years, will 

discuss what aerosols are, their sources 

and trends, how they affect climate, and 

the difficulty in assessing their effect on 

climate. 

Finally, he will discuss some strategies for controlling aerosols emissions 

and the effect these have on future 

climate conditions. Strawa has over 30 

scientific publications.

No background in science will 

be required for this talk.

Background information: The 

more than 200 planets discovered 

around other stars so far are all Jupiter-like planets, big and most likely 

made of gases and liquids.

Naturally, astronomers are eager 

to refine their search to be able 

to identify smaller solid planets, 

resembling our own Earth. In November 2008, NASA is scheduled to 

launch the Kepler mission, to search 

for Earth-like planets around distant 

stars. 

Voss, who is the science office 

director for the project, will describe 

the design and expected results 

from the four-year mission.

Voss has advanced degrees in 

electrical engineering and aeronautics/astronautics, and has also 

done research in space physics. She 

became an astronaut in 1991, and 

has been a mission specialist on five 

space flights.

She has logged over 49 days in 

space, traveling 18.8 million miles in 

779 Earth orbits.

As part of the evening, she will 

also discuss her experiences as a scientist in space and her perspective 

on the space program.

She will take questions from the 

audience at the end of the talk.

The lecture is co-sponsored by 

NASA Ames, the Foothill College 

Astronomy Program, the SETI Institute and the Astronomical Society of 

the Pacific.

Ames’ Environmental Services Division presents:

Free public lecture focuses on looking for Earth-like planets

Planetary scientist and veteran 

shuttle astronaut Tom Jones (in photograph at right) will present a Director’s 

Colloquium at Ames on March 13, from 

10 a.m. -11 a.m. in N-201, the Main 

Auditorium. In addition, Jones will 

deliver a free public lecture March 13 

from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Bldg. 943, 

the Eagle Room. 

Jones will discuss his new book, 

‘Skywalking: An Astronaut’s Memoir,’ 

detailing his experiences as mission specialist and payload commander aboard 

four space shuttle flights. Jones will sign 

copies of his book after the lecture.

Astronaut Tom Jones to give lecture at Ames
10 Astrogram February 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

 Safety Data 

 NASA-Ames Occupational

 Illness-Injury Data for 

 Calendar Year-to-Date 2007

 Jan. 1, 2007 – Jan. 31, 2007

 Civil Contractors

 Servants

 

 First aid cases 1 1

 Lost Workday cases 0 0

 Recordable cases 0 0

 Restricted duty days 0 0

 Above data are as of 01/08/07. May 

 be subject to slight adjustment in the 

 event of a new case or new inform-

 ation regarding an existing case. 

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 January 2007 is shown below.

Protective Services monthly activity

Ames Amateur Radio Club, third Thursday 

of each 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 3rd Wednesday 

of the month. The meeting location is Building 19, Conference Room 1083 and the meeting 

time is 12 noon - 1 p.m. Contact Julie Nottage 

at jnottage@mail.arc.nasa.gov, ext. 4-3711. Bylaws of Ames Bicycling Club can be found at 

http://zen.arc.nasa.gov; the link is right under 

the picture.

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 Tuesday in N-229/Rm 117 

from 12 - 1:30 p.m. POC: Julie Schonfeld, ext. 

4-6504.

Ames Contractor Council Mtg, first Wednesday each month, 11 a.m., N-200, Committee 

Room. POC: Chris Johnson, ext. (650) 938-

8017.

Ames Federal Employees Union (AFEU) Mtg, 

third Wednesday of ea. month, 12 p.m. to 1 

p.m., Bldg. 221, Rm 104. Guests welcome. 

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

Mosher, ext. 4-4055.

Ames Mac Support Group Mtg, third Tuesday 

of ea. month, 11:30 a.m.to 1 p.m., Bldg. N262, 

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.

Ames Sailing Club Mtg, second Thursday of 

ea. month (March through Nov), from 12:00 

p.m. -1:00 p.m. in Bldg. N-262, Rm 100. URL: 

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

ext. 4-2399.

Environmental Forum, first Thursday every 

other month, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Bldg. 

218/2nd floor training room. URL: http://q/

qe/events/EHSseries/ POC: Stacy St. Louis 

at ext. 4-6810.

The Hispanic Advisory Committee for Excellence (HACE) Mtg, first Thurs of month in 

N255 room 101C from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. 

POC: Eric Kristich at ext. 4-5137 and Mark 

Leon at ext. 4-6498.

Jetstream Toastmasters, Mondays, 12 p.m. to 

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

ext. 4-1397, mhayashi@mail.arc.nasa.gov, Web: 

http://jetstream.freetoasthost.com

Native American Advisory Committee Mtg, 

fourth Tues each month, 12 noon to 1 p.m., 

Bldg. 19, Rm 1096. POC: Mike Liu at ext. 

4-1132.
11 Astrogram February 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. 

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 4 p.m., ext. 4-5412 and Beyond 

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

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

Miscellaneous

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 the 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! 

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.

Sleeper Sofa Bed - like new. Beige/brown - unattached pillows across back - $100. Call (408) 

765-4935.

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

Vacation rental, Bass Lake, 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 

in 24 hour security bldg. overlooking Washington 

Square Park, $2,000/wk or $3,000/mo. negotiable. 

Call (650) 349-0238.

Paris/France: Fully furnished studio, 5th Arr, Latin 

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

negotiable. Call (650) 349-0238.

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

Maui luxury oceanfront resort one-bedroom condo 

available one week. Rents for $345/night now, 

$495/night in the summer. We will rent to an Ames 

family for $1,750 for the week. See the condo at 

http://www.starwoodvo.com/resorts/villafeatures.

jsp?resortID=12 Call (650) 572-8877 for availabilty 

and questions.

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

RV Lots Available Call to reserve a 

space at (650) 603-7100/01.

 Civilian/Contrators, $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.

A Construction Safety Best 

Practices Course is scheduled.

Date: May 1 and 2, 2007

Place: NASA Ames, Bldg. 943

The course consists of 12 hours 

presentation followed by a 4-hour 

work shop and will be held in 

Bldg. N-943 conference room. Civil 

servants and contractors engaged 

in facility construction are encouraged to attend. Point of contact is 

Clarence Smith of Facilities Engineering Branch at ext. 4-6895. 

Construction 

safety course set 
12 Astrogram February 200

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

The Ames Astrogram is an official publication of 

Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration.

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/centers/ames/astrogram/2007/07astrograms.html

Ames Research Center

Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000

The Ames Contractor Council (ACC) recognizes deserving 

contractor employees and contractors for their safe performance 

on NASA Ames’ projects and programs. In accordance with the 

ACC charter, we present these awards annually in front of their 

peers and management, both civil servants and contractors. At 

the Jan. 3 meeting, ACC Safety Committee Chair Mike Weiss, 

of Jacobs Technology Inc., presented the company award to Mike 

Prucey of SecTek and the individual award to Cheryl Orth of 

SAIC. For more information about the ACC, visit the in Internet 

at http://contractorcouncil.arc.nasa.gov/ From left to right: Mike 

Prucey, Mike Weiss and Cheryl Orth

NASA photo by Tom Trower

ACC recognizes contractor employees for safe work practicesNASA photo by Dominic Hart

The Ames Contractor Council Excellence awards 

ceremony was held recently at the center. The 

ceremony is held to present awards to contractor 

individuals and teams in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the mission of Ames. 

Ames Deputy Center Director Marvin “Chris” 

Christensen (far left) presented the awards.

ACC Excellence awards presented