Johnson Space Center Roundup 2012-06
Johnson Space Center Roundup 2012-06
Johnson Space Center Roundup 2012-06
Roundup
LY N D O N B . J O H N S O N S P A C E C E N T E R
June | 2012
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Guest Column
On the cover:
NASA/SOWA JSC2012E041135
In this edition
ISS Science Corner: Ready to launch! A new website sharing space station
benefits for humanity
10
11
Center Scoop
12
NASAs Invention of the Year basks in adulation (and the suns rays)
NASA/PHOTO
NASA/PHOTO
As
benefits, Alleyne
said. The resulting
knowledge of these
benefits will be
extended to more
countries and people
for the betterment of
humanity. They will
be used to improve
the quality of people's
lives globally.
A Westbrook Intermediate School
The site focuses
student in Friendswood, Texas, looks
primarily on findings
for the longitude and latitude of
that are making their
her next target for the International
way into general use
Space Stations Earth Knowledge
here on Earth. For
instance, doctors are
Acquired by Middle School Students,
already operating with
or EarthKAM, camera.
space station robotics
technology when they employ the neuroArm to perform delicate surgical
procedures. There are also products with the potential for worldwide
impact that are on the horizon, such as vaccines to inoculate against
salmonella and even advanced delivery methods of microencapsulation
for cancer treatments. These are just some of the developments derived
from the work done aboard the space station highlighted as part of this
humanitarian website.
Many efforts provide valuable conceptual and scientific data, and
researchers will continue to build upon the ever-growing body of space and
microgravity knowledge. For results from specific investigations performed
on the space station, readers can also visit NASAs International Space
Station Program Science Results Web page at http://www.nasa.gov/
mission_pages/station/research/results_category.html.
Visit the Benefits for Humanity website at http://www.nasa.gov/
mission_pages/station/research/benefits/index.html.
Read International Space Station Program Scientist Julie Robinsons
blog at http://wiki.nasa.gov/cm/blog/ISS%20Science%20Blog/posts/
post_1332880376134.html.
NASA/PHOTO ISS020E009048
When
NASA/BLAIR JSC2006E03488
Ready to launch! A new website sharing space station benefits for humanity
Weve basically got several product lines within the project, where
our first delivery is for what they call a visiting vehicle training system,
said TS-21 Project Manager Scott Killingsworth. When they say
visiting vehicle, that means vehicles that come up to space station
(and) rendezvous, dock and do cargo transfers. Theres a need for ISS
(International Space Station) training to help get ready for the arrival of
those vehicles.
Second in line is the network simulator, which has to do with assets
in space such as communications satellites; ground sites where they
receive the signals from those satellites; and the wires and connections
from all the ground sites into the Mission Control Center (MCC).
The last major product line in work today is an upgraded space
station simulator.
MOD saw the benefits of modernizing that architecture to help drive
down operations and sustaining costs, Killingsworth said.
While most of the glitz with TS-21 revolves around the simulators
being mocked up for astronauts to train in, improved software and an
integrated framework, though less glamorous, is at the core.
It all starts with a simulation of the spacecraft, Killingsworth said.
And (that involves) very complex, mathematical equations represented
NASA/HARNETT JSC2012E053431
NASA/HARNETT JSC2012E052830
The
now are enabling this new path forward of getting our crews to LEO,
and potentially the space station, as soon as possible.
The integrated parachute system, including the two drogue chutes,
were designed, fabricated and integrated by HDT Airborne Systems of
Solon, Ohio. ILC Dover of Frederica, Del., designed and fabricated the
landing air bag system used for the test.
Dream Chaser
at transonic speeds. Transonic wind-tunnel testing of large, highly
instrumented scale models is the only method of determining
the buffet environments of launch vehicles with complex shapes,
suchas Dream Chaser.
PHOTO CREDIT: NASA EDGE/RON BEARD
The Dream Chaser model and its Atlas V launch vehicle is another
potential means of transporting future crew members and cargo
to station. It is part of NASAs Commercial Crew Development
programs effort to regain the American
capability to launch astronauts safely to
station. Sierra Nevada Space Systems
is developing the craft under a Space
Act Agreement with NASA. The Dream
Chaser model and its launch vehicle
are undergoing final preparations at the
Aerospace Composite Model Development
Sections workshop for buffet tests at
the Transonic Dynamics Tunnel at NASA
Langley Research Center (LRC). The
reusable spacecraft would carry as many
as seven astronauts to the space station.
Hundreds of strategically placed sensors
will help engineers from Sierra Nevada
Corporation, United Launch Alliance and
LRC analyze pressure fluctuations along
the two vehicles during ascent, particularly
Women
NASA/PHOTO S78-26111
NASA/PHOTO S66-68861
NASA/STAFFORD JSC2012E039885
and now
An obvious perk of working in the 21st century: technology. At
NASA, that is not only obvious in our workstations, but the programs
reaching even deeper into the cosmos.
NASA/PHOTO S70-35148
After working from age 16 until age 60, I have loved being
an American in the U.S. workforce, Gillette said. Were always
proactive. Having been born in Mexico, my family came to the U.S.
seeking a better life, and we certainly found it. But we have also
returned that gratitude many, many times by serving this country,
by giving back. I have met many people throughout my work
life, and theres nothing better than when someone tells me that
something I did or said made a difference for them. Its when I know
that, although it was not always deliberate and its in retrospect,
I have been paying forward for all of those people who reached
out to meeven when I didnt know they wereto make me a
contributing member of the workforce. I liked that at NASA and JSC,
I kept running into those kind of people.
LYNDON B. JOHNSON SPACE CENTER Roundup | 7
Though
By Rachel Kraft
NASA/PHOTO JSC2005E11876
NASA/BLAIR JSC2012E018607
As
WANTED!
Do you know a JSC colleague or team that does something
extraordinary on or off the job? Whether its a unique skill,
interesting work, special professional accomplishment,
remarkable second career, hobby or volunteerism, your
nominee(s) may deserve the spotlight!
The Roundup shines the light on one special person or team each
month, chosen from a cross section of the JSC workforce. To
suggest Spotlight candidates, send your nomination to the JSC
Roundup Office mailbox at [email protected]. Please
include contact information and a brief description of why your
nominee(s) should be considered.
Center Scoop
Johnson Space Center creative spaces initiatives changes things up
The
NASA/STAFFORD JSC2012E052581
The
Orion Mission
Control Center
A-Team, or TOMCCAT,
recently received a JSC
Group Achievement award
for their exemplary work
with the development,
configuration and successful
execution of the first Orion
Exploration Flight Test (EFT1) Mission Control Center
(MCC) data flow tests this
past winter. TOMCCAT is
a facility working group
that has been given the
NASA/STAFFORD JSC2012E045670
PRSRTSTD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Roundup
The Roundup is an official publication of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration, Johnson Space
Center, Houston, Texas, and is published by the External
Relations Office for all Space Center employees.
The Roundup office is located at the Johnson Space
Center, Building 2. The mail code is AD94. Visit our
website at: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/roundup/online/
For distribution questions or to suggest a story idea,
send an email to [email protected].
Catherine Ragin Williams Editor
Neesha Hosein Assistant Editor
Logan Goodson Graphic Design
Rachel Kraft NASA Publication Manager
Cassandra V. Miranda Contractor Publication Manager
WEBSTER.TX
Permit No. 39
OR CURRENT RESIDENT
Solar-powered
refrigerators like this
one may soon reduce
the cost and increase
the availability of
vaccines to people in
remote regions.
NASA/PHOTO
You
By Lori Keith