www.nasa.gov

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA

June 2006

Page 2 - Dale Cruikshank receives

 Kuiper Prize

Page 3 - NASA sends flies into space

Page 4 - American Red Cross

 Honors NASA Ames

Page 5 - Ames Presidential Rank

 and Honor Awards

Page 7 - Ames’ HACE represents

 Ames at NHU career fair

On the Inside . . .

Ames Research Center Director S.

Pete Worden brought some “very good

news” to Ames employees this

month, predicting there won't

be a workforce reduction and

that Ames will play a significant role in NASA's future space

exploration activities. Following on the heels of the June 5 announcement from

NASA Headquarters outlining

new work assignments for

Ames to support the Constellation program, Worden addressed several areas of interest to Ames employees. During

a June 8 all hands meeting with

Ames employees, his second

such meeting since being

named center director in April,

Worden continued his upbeat

assessment of the center's future.

“This is the coolest place at NASA and I'm really pumped

to be here,” Worden declared.

While he couldn't provide specifics on

budget or workforce impacts for the

various programs, saying those details

would be forthcoming in the next several weeks, Worden expressed cautious

optimism about the center's overall future.

“I don't anticipate the necessity of a RIF (reduction in force)” Worden asserted. He said he believes that with the

new work assigned to Ames and additional future projects he hopes to bring

to the center, there won't be a need to lay

off employees. Worden said he believes

that NASA leadership prefers not to

have a RIF and is working to avoid

having to implement a workforce reduction. He promised to keep Ames

employees informed about the current

status of the workforce.

“The name of the game for me is to communicate as much as possible with

you,” Worden said. Regarding communicating with employees, Worden noted

that his new blog has gotten quite a bit of

attention from people outside NASA.

He said he has learned a lot from the

experience. “I've been here all of a month, and I

feel like I've been at NASA for 10 years

now, so I'm an expert,” Worden joked. Concerning the Constellation program, Worden said Ames was given

two key areas of responsibility: thermal

protection systems and the overall integration of information technology for

Worden foresees significant role for Ames in space exploration

the program, both of which he hailed as

“very good news” for the center. “I'm proud to say we're go- ing to play a major role,”

Worden declared.

Although Ames no longer will be managing the Robotic

Lander Exploration Program

(RLEP), Worden said Ames will

continue to lead the development of the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite

(LCROSS), scheduled to launch

in 2008.

“That's quite a challenge and it's up to us to make sure

that mission succeeds,” Worden

asserted. He called on everyone at the center to work together to ensure the center's success in that and in other future

exploration projects. Worden

said he has set up a new projects

office in the basement of Bldg.

N-200 to work on small, fastpaced missions that cost less than $100 million, an area where he believes Ames will do very well, based on

continued on page 6

NASA reveals new tasks for Ames

NASA officials announced in June

that NASA Ames will support exploration in several key areas, including software, mission operations and thermal

protection for the development of

NASA's new spaceship. NASA Ames will be the lead for

development of thermal protection systems and information technology for

NASA's exploration effort. This responsibility includes developing the heat

shield and aeroshell for the new spaceship called the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV). Responsibilities for information technology and computing include a focus on collaborative environments for exploration, as well as the

development of cost-effective software

that will play a role in operations for

exploration. "I am delighted that Ames is man- aging development of the CEV's heat

shield and aeroshell for the new spacecraft and will lead the effort to develop

the essential information technology for

the exploration effort that will take us

back to the moon," said NASA Ames

Director S. Pete Worden. "Our history of

innovation and our prime location in

Silicon Valley will enhance our ability to

deliver the cutting-edge technology

NASA needs to implement the Vision

for Space Exploration," Worden added.

continued on page 6

Ames Research Center Director S. Pete Worden during the recent

upbeat all hands meeting held in June. During the meeting, Worden

expressed cautious optimism about the center’s overall future.

NASA photo by Tom Trower
Astrogram June 2006 2

Dale Cruikshank has been selected

as the 2006 recipient of theGerard P.

Kuiper Prize in Planetary Science. This

prestigious award was established by

the Division for Planetary Sciences of

the American Astronomical Society to

recognize and honor outstanding contributors to planetary science. It is to be

awarded to scientists whose achievements have most advanced our understanding of the planetary system. Cruikshank is receiving the award "in recognition of his pioneering work

in the application of infrared spectroscopy to solar system bodies, his development of laboratory techniques that

have become tools for interpreting observations and his leadership in the design of instruments for remote sensing

observations from deep space planetary

exploration probes." In the award's 22

year history, Cruikshank is only the third

NASA person to win this award. This

award is especially notable, since

Cruikshank was Gerard Kuiper's last

graduate student. Cruikshank's contributions are numerous. He has pioneered the application of infrared spectroscopy to small

bodies in the outer solar system.

Cruikshank co-discovered the various

ices of the outer solar system, including

those on satellites of the giant planets, as

well as comets and bodies in the region

beyond Neptune - including Pluto and

its moons.

He co-discovered bands in Io's spec- trum, later identified as volcanic sulfur

dioxide, the source of that object's variable atmosphere. Cruikshank pioneered

thermal infrared determinations of the

albedos of small bodies beyond the asteroid main belt, leading to the recognition that low-albedo material is prevaAmes’ Dale Cruikshank receives Kuiper Prize in Planetary Science

lent in the outer solar system. His spectroscopic observations and models gave

the first firm evidence for complex organic solids on a planetary body

(Saturn's satellite Iapetus) and provided

the basis for work in progress on the

identification of such materials on transNeptunian bodies and related bodies in

the outer solar system. Cruikshank's

infrared spectroscopic work was the first

to identify specific near-Earth asteroids

as sources of basaltic meteorites, and

specific main-belt asteroids as sources

of other classes of differentiated meteorites.

Back on Earth, in 1972 he and Ames’

David Morrison discovered hydrogen

combustion in burning volcanic gases at

Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano by spectroscopy, solving a century-old puzzle of

what kind of gasses were burning. Cruikshank received his doctorate

at the University of Arizona in 1968. He

was an astronomer and faculty member

at the University of Hawaii from 1970

through 1987 and has been at NASA

since that time. He participated in the

Voyager missions to the outer solar system and is an interdisciplinary scientist

on the Spitzer Space Telescope and a

science team member on both the Cassini

mission at Saturn and the New Horizons mission en route to Pluto. He has

more than 300 professional publications in his full bibliography. "Ames is extremely pleased with Dale's achievements and special recognition with the Kuiper Prize,"said Steve

Zornetzer. "This prestigious award to

one of our own is further evidence of the

rich scientific heritage and deep expertise in research that Ames and the agency

should be very proud of." Michael Bicay also expressed his admiration for Cruikshank. "By granting its most prestigious award to Dr.

Cruikshank, the AAS/DPS has recognized what we at Ames and his peers

throughout the science community have

long appreciated. The rare trifecta of

being a science team member on three

current NASA missions (Cassini, New

Horizons and Spitzer) is a testament to

Dr. Cruikshank's accomplishments."

Dale Cruikshank, selected recently as the

recipient of the Gerard P. Kuiper Prize in

Planetary Science. The award recognizes and

honors outstanding contributors to planetary

science.

Bicyclists at the Ames Bicycling Club

energizer station take a brief rest from

their morning commute on May 18,

National Bike to Work Day. Visitors

were treated to refreshments and given

bicycle gear during their visit.

Literature for commuting through local

neighborhoods was also available.

Ames joins in BTWD events

BY TED ROUSH

May was National Bike Month, an

annual recognition of bicycling as a convenient, fun form of transportation. May

18, 2006 was the 18th anniversary of

National Bike to Work Day (BTWD),

created to inspire first-time and casual

riders to experience the benefits of bicycling to work, to school, for running

errands or just for play. Cyclists chose to

commute that day, pocketing their gas

money, improving personal health (a

bicycle commute burns 700 calories/

hour) and reducing air pollution associated with driving a car.

 Ames’ Bicycling Club organized

one of over 170 'Energizer stations' in

nine Bay area counties. Volunteers

handed out donated tote bags (courtesy

of the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition),

coffee cake (courtesy of Hobbee's restaurant), water (courtesy of Ames Environmental Services Division) and inner

tubes (courtesy of Performance Bikes).

NASA photo by Tom Trower

NASA photo by Dominic Hart

Ames Protective Services documented 116 bicyclists entered the gates

and 45 stopped by the Ames energizer

station; six were first-time riders. Local

news reported that throughout the Bay

Area 100,000 people participated in the

one-day event.

511.org organized a team bicycle

challenge as part of the effort to encourage bicycling as an alternative to automobiles. Five teams represented Ames,

second only to Stanford's six teams. Each

team of five included two new or leisure

cyclists and could accumulate bonuses

if a ‘big wheeler’ (elected official, CEO,

journalist, etc.) was included. Team

members registered and tracked every

day they made a trip by bike. Ames

teams, of 34 within Santa Clara County,

were credited with 488 trips; 16/day.

All Santa Clara County teams logged

3,413 total trips; about 110/day.
3 Astrogram June 2006

Thousands of tiny fruit flies soon

will journey into space to help NASA

scientists better understand changes in

the human immune system caused by

space flight.

Despite differences in size and complexity, the Drosophila melanogaster,

or common fruit fly, may help scientists

from NASA Ames unlock the secrets of

why astronauts often develop changes

in their immune system during space

flight. The experiment will be part of

the STS-121 space shuttle mission tentatively scheduled for launch on July 1.

“Understanding the immune system using fruit flies will be similar to the

process we used to understand and build

complex machines,” explained Sharmila

Bhattacharya, the experiment's principal investigator at NASA Ames. “We

start small and simple, and progress to

more complicated and advanced concepts, thus extending our understanding in the future to helping optimize

human performance in space.”

Bhattacharya is leading the NASA Fungal Pathogenesis, Tumorigenesis and Effects of Host Immunity in Space (FIT)

experiment that will compare fruit flies

grown in space with a genetically identical control sample grown in a NASA

Kennedy Space Center laboratory.

Past experiments with organisms

indicate that biological changes occur in

microgravity, or the near-weightlessness

of orbital space flight. The immune system may become suppressed and some

bacteria may become more virulent

when exposed to weightlessness. A

suppressed immune system and more

virulent bacteria create a hazardous situation and is reason for further investigation.

Scientists agree that the immune

system has the ability to recognize potential pathogens or disease-causing

organisms in the body. Although there

are two types of immune responses, this

experiment focuses on the innate response, because of similarities between

human and Drosophila innate immune

system functions. The innate response

produces blood cells, called hemoctyes,

which can engulf the foreign invaders

or produce chemicals to neutralize them.

"When the phagocytes are activated,

the body produces a higher blood cell

count or increased levels of peptide

proteins in the blood," Bhattacharya explained. To test the effects of space flight

on the Drosophila immune system, scientists will quantify the blood count and

NASA sends flies into space to test changes in immune system

the level of protein peptides after the

flight and compare them with a control

group maintained on Earth.

The STS-121 mission is scheduled to

last 12 days, and each day's progress

will provide valuable information to help

scientists understand space biology

and how various biological systems

work. Characteristics that make the fruit

fly an ideal specimen are its ability to

reproduce quickly; its short life span

and resulting accelerated maturity rate;

and a minimal resource requirement to

support a large number of specimens in

space. This allows for thousands of flies

to be bred under space conditions.

During pre-flight operations, genetically identical fruit flies will be divided

into two groups: a control group kept on

Earth and a space flight group. External

conditions for both groups will be kept

identical in terms of temperature, humidity, food source and living quarters.

This will allow a direct comparison of

the space-bred flies with the Earth-bred

control flies to determine changes induced by prolonged spaceflight.

Over the course of the experiment,

these flies will undergo a complete metamorphosis and produce a second generation. The second generation will have

matured from embryo to larva to adult

entirely in a microgravity environment.

As adults, they will make the descent to

Earth, and a crew of scientists will begin

a comparative analysis with their cousins.

Immediate post-flight operations are

critical, due to the rate of biological

changes of these insects. Once in the lab,

both sets of flies will be exposed to bacteria to test their immune system

responses. Post-flight analyses will

include blood cell count, blood level of

antimicrobial peptides, phagocytosis,

and blood clotting ability.

BY RUTH MARLAIREphoto by J.A.L. Cooke

A fruit fly, the same type of fly that will be

aboard the STS-121 space shuttle mission.

The flies will be flown into space to assist

NASA scientists in the better understanding of

changes that transpire in the human immune

system caused by space flight.

Synthetic brain power may design

more than space antennas

An ST5 artificially evolved space antenna, which

is slightly larger than a quarter, as shown here.

This type of antenna was used in three small

ST5 satellites launched into Earth orbit in

March, now currently orbiting Earth.

NASA photo

Synthetic brainpower working on

80 NASA personal computers designed

antennas for use on three small ST5 satellites that were launched into Earth

orbit in March of this year.

In the future, computers equipped

with artificial intelligence, according to

NASA scientists, also may design cell

phone and other antennas. Meanwhile,

the ST5 satellites' 'artificially evolved'

antennas continue to work superbly as

they orbit Earth.

"This is the first time an artificially

evolved object (has) flown in space,"

observed Jason Lohn, who led the project

to design the antennas at Ames. Engineers also note that the computer-designed antennas are operating in space

better than original plans specified.

Well before the ST5 launch, in preparation for the satellites' mission, 80 personal computers, using artificial intelligence , had combined their silicon brains

to quickly design a tiny, advanced ST5

space antenna, which looks like a bent

continued on page 4
Astrogram June 2006 4

paperclip, yet is highly efficient.

To design the ST5 space antenna,

the computers started with random antenna designs, and through the evolutionary process, refined them. The computer system took about 10 hours to

complete the initial antenna design process.

"The artificial intelligence software

examined millions of potential antenna

designs before settling on a final one,"

said Lohn. The software did this much

faster than any human being could do so

under the same circumstances, according to Lohn. "Through a process patterned after Darwin's 'survival of the

fittest,' the strongest designs survive and

the less capable do not."

"[The ST5] antennas enable the

spacecraft to communicate with ground

stations," Lohn said. The ST5 antennas

are sending magnetic-field science data

related to space weather measurements

and satellite health data to Earth.

Each of the three ST5 'microsats' is

no bigger than a typical TV and weighs

only about 25 kilograms (55 pounds).

Slightly bigger than a quarter, each antenna, able to fit into a one-inch space

(2.5 by 2.5 centimeters), can receive

commands and send data to Earth from

the satellites. Together, the spacecraft

are helping scientists study magnetic

fields in Earth's magnetosphere.

The magnetosphere is a region enveloping the Earth. Charged particles

are trapped in the region, which is influenced by Earth's magnetic field.

"Because of the orientation of the

spacecraft, the evolved antennas 'talk' to

only ground stations in the southern

hemisphere (McMurdo in Antarctica,

the Deep Space Network (DSN) in

Canberra, Australia). Conventionally

designed antennas on the spacecraft are

communicating with stations in the

northern hemisphere," Lohn noted.

Scientists planned the ST5 mission

to last 90 days. "We expect the evolved

antennas to perform well for the entire

time," Lohn said. "We are gathering performance data on both antennnas (the

artificially evolved and the conventional

antennas), and we will produce a study,"

he added.

"Longer term, we expect to see more

evolved antennas used in demanding

space applications," Lohn predicted.

"The underlying technology also is applicable to many other types of antennas

for use on Earth, from cell phones to

radio frequency identification devices

(RFIDs). RFIDs are little tags that may

well be attached - like bar codes - to

products for sale in stores.

"The NASA Ames team is currently

evolving antenna designs that could be

used in a future lunar mission as well as

a global positioning system application,"

Lohn said, commenting about how artificial intelligence used by the group of

NASA PC computers is continuing to

design more devices.

"We also are doing micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) design using the cluster of PCs," said Lohn. "MEMS

are little chips that do mechanical things,"

Lohn explained.

"The airbag in your car has a MEMS

chip that detects acceleration changes.

It knows when to deploy the airbag

when there is a collision," he said. A

micron is one-millionth of a meter. A

meter is about 3.3 feet.

"What we're shooting for in five

years is an improved MEMS space gyroscope," Lohn said. "There already are

MEMS gyroscopes, but they are not precise enough for space flight use," he

noted.

In addition, the NASA Ames team

is working to develop backup omnidirectional spacecraft antennas, which

send out signals in all directions at once.

"In case a spacecraft goes out of control,

you can still maintain contact," Lohn

explained.

"The software also may invent designs that no human designer would

ever think of," Lohn asserted. The software can plan devices that are smaller,

lighter, consume less power, are stronger and more robust, among many other

things - characteristics that spaceflight

requires, according to Lohn.

The Exploration Systems Mission

Directorate and the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, Washington, funded development of NASA

evolutionary software. Detailed information is on the Internet at: http://

ti.arc.nasa.gov/projects/esg Space

Technology 5 satellite details are on the

Internet at: http://nmp.jpl.nasa.gov/

st5 Publication-size images and an

on-line video are available on the

World Wide Web at: http://

amesnews.arc.nasa.gov/releases/

2004/antenna/antenna.html

continued from page 3

Synthetic brain power may design more than space antennas

BY JOHN BLUCK

The Palo Alto chapter of the

American Red Cross has awarded its

Health and Safety Partnership Award

to NASA Ames.

The award was presented to Tami

Williams, Lynn Bala, Mark Washington and Robert Clark at the chapter's

annual meeting and volunteer awards

evening on June 1 at the Mountain

View City Hall.

Ames was recognized for being a

Red Cross-authorized provider of

safety and health training since 1996

and for training 267 people so far this

fiscal year in first aid, CPR and automatic external defibrillator (AED) use. BY ANN SULLIVAN

American Red Cross honors Ames

The Ames team trained 494 people

last fiscal year, and doubled its instructor pool to four instructors in

order to train even more employees

in these life-saving skills.

Williams (PAI Corporation) is

training administrator; Clark (PAI)

and Bala (NASA) are instructors; and

Washington (NASA) is occupational

safety and health training program

manager in Code Q.

To sign up for Red Cross training

at Ames, go to: http://

q.arc.nasa.gov/qh/training/ and

click on 'training'.
5 Astrogram June 2006

The 2006 Presidential Rank and

NASA Honor Awards Ceremony for

NASA Ames was held in May at Ames.

Presidential Rank and NASA Honor

Awards were presented to the 25 employees who had been selected for individual awards and to the managers of

the 12 groups which had been selected

for the NASA Group Achievement

Award.

In addition, the One NASA Peer

Award was presented in the category of

‘Center Best.’ The One NASA Peer

Award Program was created to encourage One-NASA-like behaviors across the

agency.

2006 Presidential Rank and NASA Honor Awards ceremony held

One NASA Peer Award -

 Center Best Award

C-17 Noise Mitigation

Flight Research Team

Exceptional Public Service Medal

Bob Bishop

Paul Otellini

Leigh Ann Tanner

Galina J. Tverskaya

 Group Achievement Award

Ames Integrated Asset

 Management Team

C-17 Noise Mitigation Flight

 Research Team

Collaborative Decision Systems

 (CDS) Team

Exploration Systems

 Architecture Study (ESAS)

 Aero/Aerothermal Team

Foton M-2 Payload Team

Mars Analog Research and

 Technology Experiment

 (MARTE) Team

NASA FutureFlight

 Central COURSE Project

ST-5 Evolved Antenna

 Development Team

STS-114 Aerothermal

 Support Team

System Level Integrated Concept

 (SLIC) Development Team

Tropical Cloud Systems and

 Processes Project Team

Unitary 11-Foot Wind Tunnel

 STS-114 Test Team

Outstanding Leadership Medal

Michael W. George

Exceptional Service Medal

George M. Alger

Thomas J. Davis

Kevin L. Jones

Paul A. Pinaula

Exceptional Bravery Medal

Mark L. Tangney

Exceptional Achievement Medal

Steven D. Beard

Rupak Biswas

Karen E. Bunn

Michael T. Gaunce

Christopher E. Henze

Gary C. Jahns

Ronald J. Liang

Bernadette Luna

Daniel J. Rasky

James J. Reuther

Serdar Uckun

Presidential Rank of Meritorious

 Executive

Sally O. Mauldin

Stan C. Newberry

Presidential Rank of Distinguished

 Senior Professional

 Heinz Erzberger

Exceptional Engineering

 Achievement Medal

Russell A. Paielli

NASA photo by Tom Trower

Ames Chief Counsel Sally Mauldin is seen here at the 2006 Presidential Rank and NASA Honor

Awards Ceremony held in May standing with Ames Deputy Center Director Marv Christensen (left)

and Ames senior advisor to the center director Jack Boyd (right). Mauldin is holding the ‘Presidential

Rank of Meritorious Executive’ award that she was presented with at the awards event.
Astrogram June 2006 6

BY MICHAEL MEWHINNEY

NASA reveals new tasks for Ames

continued from front page

BY MICHAEL MEWHINNEY

Worden foresees significant role for Ames in space exploration

Ames employees enjoyed the free lunch, consisting of hot dogs, chips,

soda and water, provided by the Ames Exchange Office following the

all hands meeting on June 8.

NASA photo by Tom Trower

Ames Center Director S. Pete Worden (left) meeting on June 5 with

representatives from Bay Area news media during a recent media

roundtable discussion of the Constellation Program and Ames’ role.

NASA photo by Tom Trower

In addition to its lead role in thermal

protection systems and information technology, NASA Ames will support exploration and the Lunar Precursor and

Robotic Program. In this role, Ames will

establish a new lunar projects office to

develop small robotic spacecraft for exploration. The center also will continue

to lead the development of the Lunar

Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite.

During a NASA television broad- cast from Washington on June 5, NASA

revealed the roles each of its centers

across the nation will play during development of the CEV, and its supporting

spacecraft and facilities for the Constellation Program, NASA's effort to imple- ment the nation's Vision for Space Exploration to return humans to the moon and

later travel to Mars.

Extending the hu- man presence beyond

low-Earth orbit is an

exciting and challenging task, which requires a balanced

workforce skill mix

and productive NASA

field centers, according to NASA officials.

NASA is distributing

work assignments to its centers to ensure that the agency can

meet the challenges of exploration. Additional computer-related work assigned to NASA Ames includes several components of the Crew Launch

Vehicle (CLV), which will be used to

launch the CEV into space. Included in

the work is development of integrated

systems health monitoring and analysis

for the CLV; validation and verification

of fault-detection software; and computational fluid dynamics analysis for risk

assessment and abort scenarios.

In the mission operations area, NASA Ames will provide computer

tools for flight controllers and develop

new software applications for the Constellation training program. Ames will

design, develop, test and evaluate multicenter command and control software

systems. Ames also will develop collaborative environment software to support project planning, management and

documentation systems. Other work assigned to Ames in- cludes development of problem reporting, corrective action and safety and

mission assurance information systems

for the program. Ames will provide program support in system engineering and

integration of human factors and human rating systems; flight performance;

thermal and environmental control and

life support; command, control, communications and information; extravehicular activity (spacewalk) systems; and

ground/mission operations systems integration groups.

its employees' expertise and the potential for partnering with the private sector.

Worden said he wants Ames to become involved in new partnerships with

private industry, such as the existing

agreement with Google, Inc., to collaborate on future projects. He said discussions are currently underway with officials at Loral regarding the development

of a small satellite integration facility. He

noted that Silicon

Valley companies

present good opportunities for collaboration.

“These compa- nies recognize that

NASA has the

coolest missions,”

Worden observed.

“NASA folks here

are damn good and

our NASA facilities

are world class.”

Turning to the status of the Stratospheric Observatory

for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), Worden ventured that he was “hopeful

and optimistic that the program will

continue.” He said some “critical decisions” regarding the future of the SOFIA

program will be made during an upcoming meeting at NASA Kennedy

Space Center. However, Worden said

that if the program is allowed to continue, NASA Dryden Flight Center will

probably play a key role during the

aircraft's flight tests. Regarding the Kepler mission, Worden said although there were some

potential cost overruns. Ames is on the

right track towards solving the problem. He said he was very impressed

with members of both the SOFIA and

Kepler project teams and vowed to press

to complete their missions. Concerning the airfield and NASA Research Park, Worden pointed out that

although the area has a “considerable

environmental liability that could cost

up to a couple hundred million to mitigate,” he said the continued operation

of the Ames Moffett complex is “essential to our future.”

Worden said he was excited about

the future potential for astrobiology and

that he hoped agency leaders would

restore funding to the program. He also

was hopeful that the Astrobiology Academy could be restarted to bring young

people into the program. Worden also noted he was impressed with the role that

nanotechnology could play in future

space exploration if funding is allocated,

and also the capabilities of the Columbia supercomputer for future projects.

continued from front page
7 Astrogram June 2006

On May 4, the Hispanic Advisory

Committee for Employees (HACE) was

given the opportunity to attend a career

fair at the National Hispanic University

(NHU) in San Jose. HACE members

Eric Kristich (co-chair) and Elizabeth

Ipong (secretary) attended the career

fair to represent NASA Ames as well as

the Hispanic Advisory Committee.

The career fair turned out to be a

great experience and a chance to converse with students and other companies/organizations on recruitment endeavors.

NHU is well known for providing

accessible and affordable educational

opportunities for Hispanics and other

undeserved students.

Established only 24 years ago and

starting out with just two classrooms

and 64 students, NHU has grown to be

18 classrooms, two computer labs and

has the capacity for 1,200 students. The

vision to help the Hispanic community

that started 24 years ago is growing and

BY ERIC KRISTICH

Ames’ HACE represents Ames at NHU career fair

Pictured are the dancers ranging from ages

5 to 13 dressed in various costumes and

accessories and dancing to the sounds from

different cultural regions of Mexico.

Left to right: Ballet Folklorico director Rosa Perez; HACE cochair Eric Kristich; HACE treasurer Vivian Torres; and HACE

co-chair Mark Leon.

President of the National Hispanic University (NHU)

Dr. David Lopez (left) and HACE co-chair Eric Kristich

of Ames during the recent career fair held at NHU.

Photo by Elizabeth Ipong

photo by Amanda Dunham.

Photo by Vivian Torres

will continue on through

the staff and students of the

NHU.

On May 5, HACE

hosted an event

during the lunchtime hour at the

Mega Bytes Café at

Ames. HACE invited the Ballet

Folklorico Infantil

de South San Francisco to come out to

Ames and perform

various dances

from the Hispanic

culture. In return,

the group received

a tour of one of the

wind tunnels and visited the

Exploration Center just outside

the gate.

The event was a great success and HACE would like to

thank everyone who came out

to enjoy the performances. HACE would

also like to thank the Mega Bytes Café,

Beyond Galileo and the wind tunnel

and Exploration Center tour guides

along with everyone who helped with

the event.

NASA's new learning management

system is now operational. System for

Administration, Training and Educational Resources for NASA (SATERN)

went live in May and can be accessed

online at https://satern.nasa.gov

The new SATERN system is designed to support the development of

the NASA workforce through a simplified and one-stop access to high quality training products and processes to

support learning and development. An

e-Training initiative, SATERN supports

the President's Management Agenda

by providing effective management of

training and career development activities. It increases efficiencies and

reduces costs through standardized

processes, consolidation and replacement of three NASA legacy systems.

With SATERN, the NASA

workforce has Web-based access to

training and career development resources. Supervisors can work with

their direct reports to assign and track

required training and develop and

manage individual learning plans. In

future phases, NASA will build upon

this functionality and enable employees and supervisors to use SATERN as

a tool for career planning, competency

management and individual development planning.

As NASA begins to use this new

learning management system, we encourage all employees to access the

SATERN informational Web site at

https://saterninfo.nasa.gov to get information about how to log onto

SATERN and to take the Web-based

tutorial to learn about SATERN's many

features.

SATERN is available for use by

both civil service and contractor employees. SATERN provides you with

one-stop access to a robust learning

and development environment where

you can view course catalogs (check

often for new courses), self-register for

courses, view your individual learning history and launch online courses

from your desktop.

For those who have not yet completed their IT security training, it may

be completed through SATERN.

For up-to-date Ames SATERN

project information, visit the Internet

at http://iemp.arc.nasa.gov/

satern.html At this site, you will find

information on the new NF 1735 training request form, FAQ's, the SATERN

log on link, a Web form for submitting

your questions and feedback and more.

If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact Susan Kalb at

ext. 4-5624 or send an e-mail

satern@mail.arc.nasa.gov.

SATERN'S ‘go-live’ date arrives
Astrogram June 2006 8

California Space Grant Foundation (CSGF)

Building 555 - June 1, 2006

CSGF works to advance the commercial

development of low Earth-orbit environment

for all users (scientific, technological and

commercial).

Inovamar

Building 19 - April 1, 2006

Inovamar LLC works with NASA to develop

and market astrobionics life support systems.

Telebrowse, Inc.

Building 19 - June 15, 2006

TeleBrowse, Inc., a software product developer,

has developed a social networking product,

Telebrowse, that allows people to co-browse

the Internet by adding a toolbar to their browser.

NASA Research Park welcomes new tenants!

United Negro College Fund Special Programs

 Corporation (UNCFSP)

Building 19 - June 1, 2006

UNCFSP delivers programs to federal agencies

that address education and research infrastructure

that include science, technology, engineering and

mathematics competencies.

Zenpire Corporaton

Building 19 - July 1, 2006

Zenpire provides yield enhancement and

automation software and systems for semiconductor

and flat panel manufacturing industries.

Apprion, Inc., signed their first lease

with the NASA Research Park in November 2004 with three employees in

three offices in building

19, with office space totalling 885 square feet in

size. Since then, in just

18 months, Apprion’s

office size has expanded

to 6,010 square feet with

approximately 20 employees.

Apprion is developing integrated wireless

infrastructure elements

for the secure management of critical systems.

The biophotonics and

photonic-based sensor

activities that Apprion

has underway with

Ames are focused on

systems and components that are dual-use

in the sense of potential

deployment in space as

well as more pedestrian uses including

nuclear, biological and chemical detection with wireless connectivity.

Past joint efforts have involved the

development of sensors that are suitable

for measuring structural deformation of

air- and spaceframes.

Current activities include an increased emphasis on biophotonic systems using temporally-modulated, mulNRP Industry Partner ‘Apprion, Inc.’ expands

tiwavelength structured light illumination systems. Near-term demonstrations of this work involve micron-feature sizes with a goal of integration with

tapered optical fibers. Such work is

exemplified by joint NASA-Apprion patents and technical presentations.

"Apprion's presence at NASA Research Park has contributed to new technology innovations. We hope this type

of collaboration will continue to further

the exploration goals of NASA," said

Stevan Spremo, of the Payloads and Facilities Engineering Branch.

In parallel with these efforts are the

integrated wireless infrastructure activities with the goal of

having the communication delivery

mechanisms in place

for the secure transmission of information that may be generated by sensors

such as those just

mentioned. This

wireless expertise is

also being applied to

other industrial mission critical systems.

“We have found

the NASA Ames Research Park environment to be perfectly

suited for our research and development efforts. The

campus-like setting

coupled with the unmatched access to world class technology and facilities has certainly helped

us as our company expands,” said Dr.

Peter Fuhr, Apprion, Inc., chief technology officer.

For more information contact via email at apprioninfo@apprion.com, visit

the Web at http://www.apprion.com,

or call (650) 964-4321.

BY BOB LOPEZ

Apprion, Inc. employees outside their offices in Building 19, NASA Research Park. Aprion

develops integrated wireless infrastructure elements for the secure management of critical

systems. Since November 2004, the company has expanded from three employees with

885 square feet of office space in Building 19 to a total of 20 employees with 6,010 square

feet of office space.

Photo courtesy of Apprion, Inc.
9 Astrogram June 2006

Honeybee Robotics, Inc., senior scientist Kris Zacny (left) with design engineer

David Glaser. Honeybee is best known as the creator of the Rock Abrasion

Tool on the Mars Exploration Rovers. Mechanisms from Honeybee will also fly

on the 2007 Phoenix Scout and 2009 Mars Science Laboratory missions.

NASA Research Park - June partner of the month

-- ‘Honeybee Robotics, Inc.’

BY BOB LOPEZ AND DIANE FARRAR

photo by Bob Lopez

Manhattan-based Honeybee Robotics has been collaborating with NASA

since 1993. Best known as the creator of

the Rock Abrasion Tool on the Mars

Exploration Rovers, Honeybee is an innovator in the design, development and

production of robotic mechanisms, flight

subsystems and automated drills for

both terrestrial and extraterrestrial applications.

"Honeybee mechanisms will fly on

the 2007 Phoenix Scout and 2009 Mars

Science Laboratory missions," said Kris

Zacny, senior scientist of Honeybee. "We

are committed to supporting robotic exploration of our solar system, Zacny

said."

With proximity to Ames, Honeybee

hopes to strengthen and continue its

long-standing partnership with NASA.

Honeybee's experience in sub-surface

access for planetary exploration is a natur-al

match for

NASA Ames.

 The principal investigators on two of

Honeybee's

Mars drilling

projects, Carol

Stoker with

MARTE and

Brian Glass with

DAME, are

Ames' scientists. Honeybee

also is participating in the

recently formed

Ames-based Institute for Subsurface Exploration.

"I expect that having Honeybee Robotics on site at Ames will create synergy leading to important robotic systems development and exciting new

mission opportunities," said Stoker of

the Planetary Systems Branch.

 "Honeybee is a medium-sized,

nimble and innovative company and a

valued partner on current lunar and

Mars drilling prototypes and proposals.

Given their flight experience base with

the MER RAT drilling tool and others,

it's great to have them so close by," said

Brian Glass of the Intelligent Systems

Division. I can just pop over with ideas

or questions, and still see what new

twists... so to speak... they have in their

NASA Research Park Lab, Glass said."

In its first few months in NRP, Honeybee has planted more seeds for possible collaboration with Ames' researchers. Honeybee has partnered with a

group, led by P.I. Chris McKay, proposing a 2011 Mars Scout Mission called the

Mars polar drill. Honeybee is also pursuing a joint project with the Intelligent

Robotics Group to provide hardware

that would be tested on their K-10 rover.

"Having Honeybee located here at

Ames makes it easier for us to work

together and merge the science and technology needed for future missions," said

Chris McKay of the Planetary Systems

Branch.

Honeybee Robotics joined the

NASA Research Park on June 15, 2005.

For more information, contact Kris

Zacny or David Glaser at (650) 938-8884

or visit their Web site at http://

www.honeybeerobotics.com

Thousands visit Ames exhibit at Sunnyvale Festival

photos by Larry Lasher

An interactive

demonstration

teaches young visitors

about Kepler, NASA's

first mission to find

Earth-sized planets in

our galaxy.

Thousands of Bay Area residents

took the opportunity to learn more about

the exciting programs at NASA Ames

by visiting the Ames exhibit at the Sunnyvale Art and Wine Festival on June 3 to

4. The 800 square foot tent featured a

moon rock, a heat-shield tile demonstration, and information on a variety

of Ames programs

and projects, including an interactive

Kepler display.

The NASA Ames exhibit tent was visited by several thousand Bay Area

residents at the recent festival held in Sunnyvale.
Astrogram June 2006 10

Former Ames employee Frank

L. Gibson of San Carlos died at

Kaiser Hospital in Redwood City on

April 11 at the age of 86.

Gibson was an engineer at Ames

for 35 years before retiring in January of 1979.

He is survived by his wife, three

children and two grandchildren."

Arthur J. Cordisco, a former employee at Ames for many years who

retired in 1979, passed away in February 2006. His funeral was held Feb. 27

at the Oakmont Memorial Cemetary

in Lafayette. He was 83 years old and

passed away peacefully in the South

Shore Convalescent Hospital in

Alameda where he spent several years

after a devastating fall in 1998, which

left him paralyzed.

Cordisco is survived by his wife of

58 years, Ann, six children, 13 grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

Vernon Lewellyn Rogallo died of

prostate cancer on Dec. 14, 2005, in the

In Memory of . . .

Arthur Cordisco

Arthur Cordisco

Frank Gibson

Vernon Rogallo

Hillside Assisted Living Center in

McMinnville. He was 87.

Rogallo was born on March 28, 1918

in Sanger, Calif. He graduated from

Fresno State University and the University of California at Berkeley. He married Evelyn June Taylor on March 1,

1939 in Reno.

Rogallo was a mechanical engineer

and was recruited out of college by

Howard Hughes to work on the Spruce

Goose at Hughes Aircraft in Culver City,

Calif. He worked from 1942 to 1945 for

Hughes as an aeronautical engineer,

handling many of the instrumentation

and range studies for the Goose.

After working at Northrop for several years, he joined NACA (later NASA)

at Ames. He continued with the federal

astrophysics lab until his retirement.

While working with NASA research

teams, Rogallo earned many patents that

are still being used today in the aviation,

space and medical arenas.

He lived with his wife in Scotts Valley near Santa Cruz for 30 years. They

moved to a cottage at the Hillside Retirement Center in McMinnville two years

ago to be near their eldest daughter.

Relatives said Rogallo was a wonderful father, husband, talented oil

painter and woodcarver. A tenor, he

loved to sing with his wife as she accompanied him on the piano or organ and he

also sang in church choirs and other

vocal groups. He also loved to fish,

travel and work with his hands, building canoes, toys, car replicas and other

items.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Phoebe Jean

Flynn of McMinnville, Mary Jo Corwin

of O'Brien and Diana Mae Clemer of

Yorba Linda, Calif.; a brother, Francis

Rogallo; eight grandchildren and 10

great grandchildren.

Raymond Sargis

Raymond Sargis passed away at

the age of 77 on April 24 at Memorial

Medical Center in Modesto.

He was born May 12, 1928 in

Chicago, Ill., and lived in San Jose

from 1950 to 1984 and then lived in

Modesto from 1984 until his passing.

Sargis was in the U.S. Navy from

1946 to 1948 and later worked at NASA

Ames from 1952 to 1983, first in the

print shop and later as a contract monitor.

Vernon Rogallo is seen here in 1963 at

Ames holding a bob-white quail taking the

measurement of a chick's heartbeat.

He is survived by his wife, June

Sargis of Modesto, son Paul Raymond

Sargis of San Jose, daughter Beth

McCaffrey of Jackson, sister Nellie

Stoddard of Del Rey Beach, Fla., and

6 grandchildren.

NASA photo

NASA photo
11 Astrogram June 2006

Charles Harper, leader of NACA/NASA Aeronautics Research, dies

BY JAMES FRANKLIN

Charles William (Bill) Harper was

born Sept. 1913 in Winnipeg, Manitoba,

Canada. At a young age, his family

moved to Calgary, later moving on to

Vancouver. They emigrated to the

United States when Harper was in his

preteens, first to Seattle and eventually

to Berkeley when he was in junior high

school. He attended Berkeley High,

graduating in 1931.

Harper developed an interest in

aviation watching airplanes fly from

Oakland airport. He recalled seeing

Charles Lindbergh land there in the early

1930s. This interest led him to enter the

Boeing School of Aeronautics at Oakland airport in 1936. There he was exposed to early airline operations, aircraft maintenance and to his first taste of

aerodynamics. A technical report of the

National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) was the principal text

for the course and it planted a seed in

Harper's mind that would influence his

career. After a year at Boeing, he was

encouraged by its faculty to apply to the

University of California at Berkeley in

1937 as a special student in mechanical

engineering. He found his niche at Cal

and concentrated his studies on the aeronautics option in the department, graduating in June 1941.

Harper had aspirations to work at

the newly formed NACA Ames Aeronautical Laboratory in Mountain View.

He was interviewed at Berkeley by Russ

Robinson, who was involved in the development of the Ames Laboratory and

who went on to lead the aeronautics

program there. A position at Ames was

contingent on his receiving citizenship,

which was granted that year in the

months leading to World War II. Harper

embarked on his career at Ames immediately after becoming a naturalized citizen.

Harper began working in the 7-footby-10-foot low-speed wind tunnel, under the leadership of Harry Goett. He

vividly remembered Goett giving him

blunt counsel as a mentor to use his

common sense in interpreting data from

tests in the tunnel. His first project was

a powered model test of the Douglas

XSB2D-1 fighter prototype, with the

objective of understanding the effects of

power on directional stability. He progressed in his assignments and moved

on with Goett to the new large-scale

facility, the 40-foot-by-80-foot low-speed

tunnel. When Goett was selected to be

division chief over low speed aerodynamics and flight research in 1948, he

chose Harper as his replacement as

branch chief of the 40-foot-by-80-foot

wind tunnel. In this position, he championed new research in boundary layer

control, powered-lift STOL and V/STOL

aircraft, and began to instigate a partnership with Army aviation. It was at

this time that he encouraged two talented Ames aerodynamicists, Dean

Chapman and Harvey Lomax to pursue

analytical prediction of aerodynamic

characteristics observed on the models

tested in the 40-foot-by-80-foot wind tunnel.

In 1959, Harry Goett was chosen to

be director of the newly formed Goddard

Space Flight Center, and once again,

Harper followed in Goett's footsteps to

become division chief. During his time

in this position, he expanded the V/

STOL research program in the 40-footby-80-foot wind tunnel and in flight. On

the day Harper took over the division,

he was directed by NASA Headquarters to move all Ames flight research to

NASA's Flight Research Facility at

Edwards Air Force Base. His prompt

action to establish the necessity of flight

research closely linked to the theoretical

and experimental research in the 40-

foot-by-80-foot wind tunnel preserved

a role in flight at Ames. He also was an

early proponent of flight simulation and

solidified and expanded that capability,

most importantly with the development

of the new six-degree-of-freedom simulator.

By the mid-1960s, NASA was focused on space and the Apollo program,

with little attention paid to research in

aeronautics. In 1964, Harper was temporarily assigned to NASA Headquarters to bring a new sense of urgency to

aeronautics and to organize a program

for advocacy Congress. His position

was deputy associate administrator for

research and technology for aeronautics. Initially intended to last only 18

months, this assignment stretched to six

years. In this time, he was able to help

form research organizations for aeronautics and space technology. He won

approval for the NASA/Army agreement for collocation of Army research

staff at the NASA aeronautics centers

and a collaborative research effort in

rotary-wing aircraft aeromechanics, propulsion, and structures that would benefit Army and civil aviation. He also

initiated advocacy for a similar agreement with the FAA, resulting in a program to develop certification criteria for

new classes of aircraft, such as supersonic transports and short takeoff and

landing aircraft, that would begin after

his departure from headquarters. While

at headquarters, Harper was honored

by the AIAA to present the Wright Brothers Lecture in 1968. In it, he anticipated

the coming developments in computational fluid dynamics and flight simulation and the way they would complement research in the wind tunnels and

in flight.

In 1970, Harper returned to Ames

and retired from NASA in 1971. He

continued to consult for the FAA for

several years after leaving NASA. In

recent times, he lamented once again the

drift in NASA's attention away from

aeronautics.

In addition to a stellar career in

NACA/NASA aeronautics, Harper was

married to Eleanor Vickers for 47 years.

Vickie was an Ames mathematician, well

known in her own right, and a great

companion. They were both enthusiasts

of car racing, sailing, wine and food, and

jazz music.

Charles William (Bill) Harper

NASA photo
Astrogram June 2006 12

Ames Ongoing Monthly Events Calendar

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 11:00 a.m. to12:00 p.m. in Building 245

auditorium. POC: Julie Nottage at

jnottage@mail.arc.nasa.gov or ext. 4-3711. By-laws of

Ames Bicycling Club can be found at: http://

zen.arc.nasa.gov, the link is under the picture.

Ames Bowling League, Palo Alto Bowl on Tuesday

nights. Seeking full-time bowlers and substitutes.

Questions to sign up: Mike Liu at ext. 4-1132.

Ames Child Care Center Board of Directors Mtg,

every other Thursday (check Web site for meeting dates:

http://accc.arc.nasa.gov), 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., N-210,

Rm. 205. POC: Cheryl Quinn, ext 4-5793.

Ames Contractor Council Mtg, first Wednesday

each month, 11 a.m., N-200, Comm. Rm. POC: Linda

McCahon, ext. 4-1891.

Ames Diabetics (AAD), 1st & 3rd Weds, 12

noon to 1 p.m., at Ames Mega Bites, Sun room.

Support group discusses news affecting diabetics.

POC: Bob Mohlenhoff, ext. 4-2523/e-mail at:

bmohlenhoff@mail.arc.nasa.gov.

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 radiocontrolled 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 (Feb 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 of each

month, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Bldg. 221/Rm 155.

URL: http://q.arc.nasa.gov/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: Bob Hilton at ext. 4-2909,

bhilton@mail.arc.nasa.gov.

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.

On June 27, from 7 to 9 p.m., the

NASA Research Park Exploration Lecture Series will present a lecture featuring

Jim Benson, founder, chairman and CTO

of SpaceDev Inc. The event will take

place in Bldg. 943, the Eagle Room, at

NASA Ames.

Benson will discuss opening the space

frontier using small, low-cost missions to

Earth orbit and beyond.

For more information, call ext. 4-

2677 or visit the Internet at http://

researchpark.arc.nasa.gov

Free NRP lecture

‘Revolutionizing space

for all humanity’

The Moffett Field Fire Department recently held a fundraiser

pancake breakfast, which included bacon, sausage, mixed fruit,

apple sauce and beverages, for the Alissa Ann Ruch Burn

Foundation. The event raised $820 for the foundation. The

foundation derived its name and inspiration from an eight-yearold child, Alisa Ann, who was fatally burned in a common

backyard barbecue accident. Founded in 1971, The foundation

works in partnership with firefighters, educators and burn care

professionals to develop innovative programs and services.

NASA photo by Tom Trower

Moffett Fire Department holds pancake fundraiser breakfast
13 Astrogram June 2006

Ames Classifieds Exchange Information

Beyond Galileo N-235 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

ext. 4-6873

Ask about NASA customized gifts for special

occasions.

Mega Bites Mega Bites N-235 (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

ext. 4-5969

Visitor Center Gift Shop N-943

(10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) ext. 4-5412

NASA logo merchandise, souvenirs, toys, gifts and

educational items.

Open 7 days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. Rates

from $45 - $50.

Vacation Opportunities

Check web site for discounts to local attractions,

http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov and click on tickets.

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... Tickets, etc...(N-235, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

ext. 4-6873

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

Housing

Miscellaneous

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.

Ames Swim Center, 25 meter swimming pool open

and heated year round. (80-82 degrees) Lap swim: Mon,

Weds, Fri, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3-6 Tues to Thurs 10

a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Seasonal recreation

swim; swim lessons. Locker rooms w/sauna and shower

facility. Open to all civil servants and contractors.

Location: Bldg. 109 across the street from the tennis

courts. Fees vary depending on activity. POC: Tana

Windhorst, ext. 3-8025; e-mail: tw4lsb@aol.com

Ames Swim Center Ames Swim Center (N-109) 603-8025

Astrogram deadlines

Please submit articles, calendar

and classified advertisements to

astrogram@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 Terlep at the aforementioned e-mail address or ext. 4-3347.

Lake Tahoe Squaw Valley townhouse, 3bd/2baequipped, balcony view, horseback riding, hiking,

biking, golf, river rafting, tennis, ice skating and more.

Summer rates $100 per night, 2 night minimum. Call

(650) 968-4155, e-mail DBMcKellar@aol.com

South Lake Tahoe cottage w/wood fireplace, hot

tub. Rates $50 to $130 per night. Call (650) 967-7659.

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.

Tahoe Donner vacation home, 2 bd/2ba. trees,

deck. Access to pools, spa, golf, horseback riding, $280

wkend, $650 week. Call (408) 739-9134.

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, $1,000/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).

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. $600/wkend, $2,100/wk, including cleaning by

the maid service when you depart. Call (408) 252-

7260.

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.

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.

Looking for treadmill at reasonable price. E-mail:

falcon7777_2000@yahoo.com

Amana washer and dryer set, with energy saver

features, both work fine. $375 for both. E-mail:

development23@hotmail.com

HP8250 photo printer. New, package never opened.

$100. Cahit (831)461-1403, after 6 p.m.

Wine glasses, set of 12 Apollo Flights, 3D see through

in full color. Free delivery to Ames. Call Fred Truck,

Graham, Washington (253) 846-3236.

Exercise equipment: AB Lounge by Fitness Quest, Inc.,

like new, incl. video, program guide, eating plan. $60 or B/

O. Call (650) 625-1196 eves or e-mail nasasal@yahoo.com

Room available for rent in house in mid town Palo Alto,

with kitchen, laundry, and pool, $500 plus $50 toward

utils, for a quiet, neat, stable and conscientious person or

couple. E-mail jims@eos.arc.nasa.gov; ham call wb6yoy.

Unfurnished room in house in San Jose, close to light

rail and Caltrain. $525 incl utils. and WiFi. Available to

quiet, mature, non-smoking female student or professional.

E-mail:mbualat@stanfordalumni.org; Call (408) 578-9580.

House, 3bd/ 2ba, pool, large rec area for rent, 2,000

per mo. /2,000 dep. 12.5 miles from Moffett N. San Jose.

Paul (808) 264-8848.

Completely remodeled 2 bd/1 ba upstairs apartment

(duplex). Unit includes new cabinets, new tile counter

tops, new stove, new refrigerator, microwave, storage area.

Great location near downtown Sunnyvale, $1,250. Call

(650) 279-4432.

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 May

2006 is shown below.

Protective Services

monthly activity
Astrogram June 2006 14

National Aeronautics and Space

Administration

Ames Research Center

Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000

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MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA

The Ames Astrogram is an official publication of

Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and

Space Administration.

Editor-in-Chief.............................. Laura Lewis

Managing Editor..........................Ann Sullivan

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/news/astrogram/

2006/06astrograms.html

Seth Shostak reviewed SETI's ‘Strategies for Finding Extraterrestrial Life’

during a lecture at Ames in May. Shostak is the senior astronomer at

the SETI Institute, science editor of ‘The Explorer’ and host of the SETI

Institute's weekly radio program ‘Are we alone?’ He has written

hundreds of articles for newspapers, magazines and the SPACE.com

Web site as well as three books.

Shostak reviews SETI strategies for finding ET

NASA photo by Tom Trower

Shorebirds nest in Ames parking lot

A ‘Killdeer’ bird with her chick at NASA Ames.

Killdeer birds, the most widespread of California

shore birds, have been recently nesting outside of

Ames’ building N-201 in the parking lot of N-200

at Ames. Center photo - a Killdeer egg at the

same site at Ames hatches. NASA photos by Tom Trower