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

Communication for the Information Technology Age

October 2002

amesnews.arc.nasa.gov

photo by Tom Reddy

The recent kick-off of the Ames Free-dom To Manage (af2m) campaign hasalready proven to be a success. Manysuggestions have been submitted andsome quick resolutions are improvingAmes processes and procedures.

As an example, the Ames Geographi-cal Information System (GIS) has prob-lems printing graphics from a MacIntoshplatform using Netscape as a browser.After some research, the problem wasfound to be with the browser. The simplefix is to either switch the browser to InternetExplorer, which prints the graphics cor-rectly, or convert the desired graphics tojpeg files to print them. This message hasbeen posted on the GIS homepage toguide users in avoiding this problem.

One obstacle to efficiency sent in toaf2m concerned the inability of NASAresearchers to use an existing contract setup primarily for the Army. The use of thiscontract may avoid setting up a new

Successes from af2m…

In an upbeat ceremony with a distinctly‘One NASA’ theme, Administrator SeanO’Keefe and Associate Administrator for Aero-space Technology Dr. Jeremiah Creedon

came to Ames recently to officiate at theinstallation of new center director G. ScottHubbard. It was a smooth and seamlesstransition of a reassuringly positive and for-ward-looking nature.

O’Keefe began by lauding the accom-plishments of outgoing director Dr. HenryMcDonald, who led Ames through challeng-ing circumstances for the past six-and-one-half years. He praised McDonald’s leadershipand said that he had undoubtedly left Ames“a better place than he found it.” ThenO’Keefe wasted little time in assuring therank and file that he had selected a verycapable and worthy successor to build uponAmes’ 60-year-plus legacy.

“He’s going to do a remarkable job here,”O’Keefe said of Hubbard, addressing thecapacity crowd gathered in the main audito-rium and watching on Ames TV. “He’s gotsome big shoes to fill, but I know he’s up tothe challenge. No doubt about it!”

Hubbard was named as Ames’ centerdirector on Sept. 19, succeeding McDonald,who accepted a newly created faculty posi-tion as Distinguished Professor of Computa-tional Engineering at the University of Ten-nessee (UT) at Chattanooga.

Since assuming the NASA leadershipmantle a mere nine months ago, O’Keefe hasdemonstrated a strong commitment to rein-vigorate ‘this storied agency,’ as he frequentlyrefers to NASA. He has crafted new vision andmission statements, while striving to put the

O’Keefe, Creedon express strong support for Hubbard, Amesagency back on a sound financial footingand build support in the Congress. He hasworked tirelessly to lead the breakdown ofinstitutional and other barriers, to create an

environment of re-spect, to forge aOne-NASA ap-proach, and tobring in new lead-ership at the seniormanagement levelthroughout theagency, and mostrecently at NASAAmes.

D e s c r i b i n gAmes as a “crownjewel” of NASA,O’Keefe acknowl-edged the center’sdifficult journeyfrom a predomi-nantly aeronauticscenter conductingwind tunnel re-search, throughthe decommis-sioning of theMoffett Field Na-val Air Station, to

what today has become internationally rec-ognized as one of the world’s pre-eminentresearch institutions.

Creedon, former director of NASA’s Lan-gley Research Center, also praised

McDonald’s leadership and “excellentlegacy.” In looking forward, he predictedthat, based on their interaction to date,Hubbard will prove to be a “very thoughtfuland effective advocate” for Ames. “He hasthe right background and the right talents tolead this great institution to even greaterheights,” Creedon observed.

“I think we have an extraordinary futureahead of us,” Hubbard proclaimed in hisopening statement. “The bar has been raised,but we LIKE challenges,” he said. “That’swhat this center is all about -- advancing thefrontiers of research and development.”

Hubbard began by presenting a broad-brush picture of the ways in which Ames isactively engaged in efforts to fulfill NASA’snew vision and mission priorities. With un-concealed enthusiasm, he proudly cited Ames’research projects, including the StratosphericObservatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)and Kepler. Such missions not only will allowus “to explore the universe and search forlife,” they promise to reveal new answers tolongstanding astrobiology questions, suchas “Are we alone in the universe?” and “Howdo living things survive and adapt in theenvironment of space?”

Hubbard next recounted Ames’ researchin air traffic management and air traffic con-trol, with such nationally recognized facilitiesas FutureFlight Central -- all dedicated tohelping us, as human beings, “to understandand protect our home planet.”

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Ames Center Director Scott Hubbard (center) shares a light moment withNASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe (left) and Aerospace Technology AssociateAdministrator Jerry Creedon (right).

2The Ames Astrogram October 2002

Enduring spinning forces that would kill ahuman being, tiny worms are being ob-served by a student-designed video systemin NASA studies seeking to explore how lifeadapts to gravity beyond Earth.

Miniature worms, only 1 millimeter longand so small they are hard to see with thenaked eye, are being spun in a centrifuge foras long as four days-- withstanding forces of20- to100-times that of Earth's gravity (1 G).In contrast, human pilots not wearing anti-G

suits can black out at as low as 3 Gs, andprolonged exposure at higher Gs can be lifethreatening.

To examine the worms as they spin,scientists are using a video system designedand constructed by students at Harvey MuddCollege, Claremont, Calif. The studies aretaking place at Ames.

"By looking at what changes occur in theworms when they transition from high-Gforces to normal gravity, we think we canpredict what will happen to them when theyexperience near weightlessness during spaceflight," said principal investigator CatharineConley, of Ames Code SLR. "In the future, wewant to fly the worms in space, subjectingthem to microgravity to see if our predictionsare correct." Microgravity is close to 'zerogravity.'

"Radiation levels in space are much higherthan they are on the Earth's surface," Conleysaid. "We know that elevated radiation in-creases the mutation rate of living things.Because these worms reproduce every fourdays, we can look quickly at many wormgenerations in space to see how radiationand microgravity may cause changes later,"she explained.

"Worms have already flown aboard thespace shuttle and it was found that they wentthrough several generations without gross

Student-designed video system watches as the worms turnstructural changes to their bodies," Conleysaid. "We want to test the gene expression inworms that have flown in space versus thosethat have not, to see if changes in worms aresimilar to changes seen in vertebrates thathave experienced space flight." Expression ishow a gene affects a characteristic such aseye color, or susceptibility to a disease orcondition.

During preliminary tests, scientists spunthe tiny worms (technically soil-dwellingnematodes called Caenorhabditis elegans)in a large 20-G centrifuge at Ames for fourdays. But they could see what happened tothe worms only after the centrifuge, de-signed to carry human passengers, stopped.At 20 Gs, the worms are subjected to forcesthat are 20 times their normal weight.

"Should our hypothesis prove correct, itwill validate Caenorhabditis elegans [nema-tode] as an extremely useful and cost-effec-tive model organism for studying responsesto space flight at the molecular, genetic andwhole-organism levels," Conley said.

When Conley was planning her currentexperiments that utilize a smaller, desktopcentrifuge, she realized she would need acamera no bigger than an ice cube thatcould broadcast signals from the spinningapparatus to a TV monitor and recorder inreal time. So she turned to the student engi-neering clinic at Harvey Mudd College toproduce the camera system. Five HarveyMudd students spent an academic year onthe project. They bought off-the-shelf com-ponents, but they had to overcome severalengineering challenges to enable the systemto work well.

"The camera had to be supported towithstand the 100-Gs force," said ProfessorJoseph King, director of the clinic. "All thisstuff is designed so it is compatible with thegeometry of the centrifuge." The equipmentalso has two broadcast systems, an infraredsystem to control the camera and a wireless,video transmission system to broadcast mov-ies of the worms.

"During spinning, there are changes inthe worms' gene expression that seem tohelp them compensate for the increasedapparent gravity, allowing them to survive,"Conley said. The worm has about 19,000genes, and it has nerves, muscles and someof the same types of organs in people that areaffected by weightlessness.

Astronauts can suffer from motion sick-ness, bone loss, muscle degeneration (atro-phy) and blood vessel problems duringweightlessness. "By studying how the wormsproduce different levels of proteins that helpthe tiny organisms cope with high-G situa-tions, we think we eventually can developtreatments, perhaps even oral drugs, forastronauts to serve as countermeasures toproblems due to weightlessness," said Conley.

After the worms endure high G forcesriding in a centrifuge, the animals' behavioralters. That is part of what the scientists lookfor to find out how the creatures handlechanges in gravity's force. Normally, under

1-G conditions, the miniscule creatures looklike small, clear wiggly rods that swim snake-style through a thin layer of water and nutri-ents in which they live in a laboratory envi-ronment. The worms commonly are foundin soil and rotting vegetation, and haveabout a thousand cells.

In addition to Conley's work, the HarveyMudd student engineering clinic programwas involved in about 40 projects from vari-ous companies, institutions and sponsorsthis year. During past years, the clinic hasparticipated in about 10 NASA projects, ac-cording to King.

More information about the clinic is avail-able on the World Wide Web at: http://emat.eng.hmc.edu. King may be reached ate-mail [email protected].

Conley's research is detailed on her Website at: http://lifesci.arc.nasa.gov/conley/home

The NASA Fundamental Biology programand the NASA Astrobiology Institute fundthe worms-in-space project. Life sciencesresearch at Ames is supported by NASA'sOffice of Biological and Physical Research,which promotes basic and applied researchto support human exploration of space andto take advantage of the space environmentas a laboratory. More information is availableat: http://spaceresearch.nasa.gov/

BY JOHN BLUCK

Dr. Emily Holton, winner of the 2001 H.Julian Allen award, is presented with herplaque by Jack Boyd, executive assistant tothe center director.

Holton’s pioneeringresearch recognized

photo by Roger Brimmer

A miniature camera is used to observe wormsspinning at 100-times Earth’s gravity.


To assist in the effort of PresidentBush's New Freedom Initiative, the Officeof Personnel Management (OPM) hasworked closely with key agencies havingdisability employment responsiblities todevelop a new Web site. Individuals withdisabilities collaborated in the develop-ment of this comprehensive and user-friendly Web site. The site is considered tobe a one-stop source of information forapplicants, managers and human re-sources professionals. It also serves as anexcellent avenue in helping federal agen-cies achieve the president's objectives.

Highlights of the site include:• A training module for managers on

reasonable accommodation;• New guidance to make it easier for

people with disabilities to apply for fed-eral jobs by obtaining an initial certifica-tion of disability;

• Information about telework;

OPM announces new disabilityemployment Web site

• A recruitment brochure for peoplewith disabilities (can be reproduced lo-cally);

• Frequently asked questions;• An annotated list of federal agencies

with leadership responsibility on disabil-ity employment; and

• A current version of People withDisabilities in the Federal Government:An Employment Guide.

You may access this valuable Website at: file://www.opm.gov/disability.

The NASA Office of Equal Opportu-nity Programs (OEOP) will be incorporat-ing a link to the OPM Web site on theOEOP home page. They will also sharethe information with disability organiza-tions and educational institutions involvedin OEOP research and internship pro-grams. Finally, they will include an an-nouncement on NASA TV.

The Applied Information Technology Di-vision (Code JT) is in the process of upgrad-ing components of the Remote Access (RAS)and Virtual Private Network (VPN) systems.After these upgrades are implemented, userswho have RAS and VPN accounts will be ableto use one “simplified” login name to accessboth accounts.

Users will no longer need the suffix thatwas appended to their names for the pur-pose of service identification. For example,if Jane Doe currently has a RAS login name of"[email protected]," and a VPN loginname of "[email protected]," she willbe able to use "jdoe" as her login name forboth RAS and VPN accounts.

The upgrade will occur sometime in No-vember 2002. The exact date of the transi-tion will be communicated to users via email.In addition, a town hall meeting for RAS andVPN users is scheduled for Oct. 28 in theN245 Auditorium from 1:00-2:30 p.m. togive users more information about the up-grade. This meeting will be of special interestto VPN users who will eventually upgradetheir client software.

Network upgradesin progress

During Hispanic Heritage Month, theHispanic Advisory Committee for Employ-ees (HACE) hosted an array of functions and

events in celebration of the diversity of theHispanic culture. On Sept. 5, HACE spon-sored a Hispanic luncheon at ShenadoahPlaza.

On Sept. 17, young folklorico dancers(ages 7-10) from Washington Elementarycame to the center to exhibit their dancestep at the cafeteria patio area.

Also, on Sept. 27, Eric Kristich and HACEhosted the First Annual Hispanic Heritagegolf tournament at the Moffett golf course.Many attended and had an excellent time.The tournament was focused on support-ing HACE in its endeavors to out reach toHispanic youth. The winners of the tourna-ment were Ricardo Lagman, Dave Lagman,and Presentacion Dominguez.

NASA Ames celebrates Hispanic heritage and culture

Many Ames employees participated in the HispanicHeritage luncheon and shared in theentertainment, food and community-inspiredmessages.

Bobby Jackson warming up tocompete in the golf tournament.

Folklorico dancers (ages 7-10) fromWashington Elementary came to the centerto exhibit their dance steps in the Mega BitesCafe patio area.

From left to right: Dr. Miguel Navarez,keynote speaker and president of Texas PanAm University; Jack Boyd executive assistantto the center director; and Manual Romero, aSan José native singer/entertainer at theHispanic Heritage luncheon.

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From left to right: Bob Lopez, Seth Carter, RenySumalpong, Eric Kristich, Monica Mendoza, Vivian Torresand Bobby Jackson.


Center Briefs Recently, NASA announced the selectionof Dr. Bruce Runnegar of the University ofCalifornia, Los Angeles, as the next directorof NASA's Astrobiology Institute (NAI). Hesucceeds Nobel Laureate Dr. Baruch S.Blumberg, who last year declared his inten-tion to step down from the position.

Runnegar currently is a professor in UCLA'sDepartment of Earth and Space Sciences andthe Institute of Geophysics and PlanetaryPhysics (IGPP). For the past four years, he alsohas served as the director of the IGPP's Cen-ter for Astrobiology, one of the 11 originallead teams of the Astrobiology Institute. Edu-cated in Australia at the University ofQueensland, Runnegar became a Fellow ofthe Australian Academy of Science in 1987.

"Dr. Runnegar’s research excellence andteaching prowess are well known and re-spected throughout the scientific and aca-demic communities," said G. Scott Hubbard,Ames center director. "We are thrilled tohave an internationally renowned paleon-tologist and astrobiologist of Bruce’s calibertake on this important leadership position."

"I am as impressed with Dr. Runnegar'scredentials and experience, as with his visionfor the role the NASA Astrobiology Institutecould play in meshing leading-edge researchdirections with NASA's unique explorationopportunities," said NASA senior scientist forastrobiology, Dr. Michael Meyer.

As director of the institute, Runnegar willlead the consortium in efforts to answer thethree big questions central to astrobiology:How does life begin and evolve? Does lifeexist elsewhere? What is life's future on Earthand beyond? "The answers to these ques-tions will not come quickly," said Runnegar."That's why NASA needs to attract brightyoung people to the field of astrobiology."Part of his role, Runnegar said, will be todevelop educational opportunities in parallelwith new astrobiology science objectives.

"Dr. Runnegar's appointment representsanother major step in the evolution of theAstrobiology Institute and the work that itsponsors," concluded Hubbard. "Runnegar's

Runnegar to lead Astrobiology Institutelong-established leadership in the field willprovide the NAI with continuing momen-tum and research growth."

Established in July 1998, the NAI is avirtual organization composed of NASA fieldcenters, universities and research organiza-tions that collaborate to study the origin,evolution, distribution and future of life inthe universe. The institute brings togetherastronomers, biologists, chemists, geologists,paleontologists, physicists and planetary sci-entists. It comprises 15 lead teams selectedfrom competitive, peer-reviewed proposalssubmitted in response to NASA cooperativeagreement notices or CANs. Leadership ofthe institute, the director's office and associ-ated staff are located at Ames. NAI's firstdirector was G. Scott Hubbard, followed byBlumberg in 1999.

"Good things come in threes," said NAIDeputy Director Dr. Rosalind Grymes. "In thenext several months, the NAI will release itsthird call for collaborative research grants,hold its third general members' meeting andwelcome its third director."

Runnegar and his wife, Maria, a bio-chemist at the University of Southern Califor-nia, have one daughter, who is a lawyer inBrisbane, Australia. He enjoys geological field-work, old furniture and botanical gardens.

The NAI currently has 15 member institu-tions: Arizona State University, Tempe; Uni-versity of Colorado, Boulder; University ofWashington, Seattle; NASA Ames ResearchCenter; Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla,Calif.; University of Rhode Island; Pennsylva-nia State University; Harvard University; Uni-versity of California, Los Angeles; MichiganState University; Marine Biological Labora-tory, Woods Hole, Mass.; Carnegie Institu-tion of Washington; NASA Johnson SpaceCenter, Houston; and two research teamslocated at the NASA Jet Propulsion Labora-tory, Pasadena, Calif.

For additional information about theNASA Astrobiology Institute, visit http://nai.arc.nasa.gov

BY KATHLEEN BURTON

Hubble discovers black holes inunexpected places

Medium-size black holes actually do exist,according to the latest findings from NASA'sHubble Space Telescope, but scientists had tolook in some unexpected places to find them.

The previously undiscovered black holesprovide an important link that sheds light onthe way black holes grow. Even more odd,these new black holes were found in the coresof glittering, ‘beehive’ swarms of stars -- calledglobular star clusters--that orbit our MilkyWay and other galaxies.

The new findings promise a better under-standing of how galaxies and globular clus-ters first formed billions of years ago.

U.S. Centennial of Flight commissionannounces four new alliances

Dec. 17 will mark the start of a year-longcelebration honoring the 100th anniversaryof the Wright brothers' first powered flightand the century of aviation milestones thatfollowed. Four organizations have recentlysigned memoranda of agreement with theU.S. Centennial of Flight Commission to be-come a part of the national ‘Centennial ofFlight: Born of Dreams--Inspired by Freedom’campaign. As a result of the agreements, thecommission will provide outreach support tothe Space Day Foundation, Challenger Cen-ter for Space Science Education, AviationFoundation of America and Chicago Centen-nial of Flight Commission. The organizations,in turn, will promote the national commemo-ration.

Students can soar to new heights inNASA’s student rocket contest

High school students from across the coun-try may soon soar to new levels -- thanks to apartnership between NASA and the sponsorsof the Team America Rocketry Challenge.

The Team America Rocketry Challenge isa first-of-its-kind, national, amateur compe-tition for high school students.

It is co-sponsored by the Aerospace Indus-tries Association and the National Associationof Rocketry. The challenge is being held inconjunction with the nationwide Centennialof Flight celebration in 2003.

Space movie reveals shocking secretsof the Crab Pulsar

Two of NASA's great observatories haveproduced their own action movie. Multipleobservations made over several months withNASA's Chandra X-ray observatory and theHubble Space Telescope captured the spec-tacle of matter and antimatter propelled tonearly the speed of light by the Crab Pulsar, arapidly rotating neutron star the size of Man-hattan.

"Through this movie, the Crab Nebulahas come to life," said Jeff Hester of ArizonaState University in Tempe, lead author of apaper in the Sept. 20 issue of The Astrophysi-cal Journal Letters. "We can see how thisawesome cosmic generator actually works."

contract to accomplish similar purposes. Withhelp from the Acquisition Office, it was de-termined that although there are some re-strictions for NASA use, it is a suitable pro-curement vehicle to fill many NASA needs.

Other suggestions received by af2m cen-tered on processes associated with travelpaperwork, bank card reconciliation, andhardcopy overtime forms. While the af2mteam has not solved these problems, infor-mation has been gathered and posted on theaf2m Web site explaining how these pro-cesses will be simplified with the implemen-tation of the Core Finance Module of theIntegrated Financial Management Program(IFMP) scheduled for February 2003.

The Freedom To Manage Initiative is partof the President’s Management Agenda. TheNASA Administrator and Center Director Scott

Hubbard are serious about using this oppor-tunity to “cut the red tape” to improveefficiency and productivity while cutting costsand frustration. If you have experienceda “broken” process at Ames, submit theproblem to the af2m team at:www.af2m.arc.nasa.gov.

The Agency Freedom To Manage TaskTeam is scheduled to visit Ames on Nov. 14to promote the NASA F2M effort. Theyintend to hold an all-hands’ meeting withAmes staff as well as financial management,human resources, procurement and othermeetings. The NASA F2M effort began inFebruary 2002 and has resolved manyAgency-wide problems. Participation in theevents on Nov. 14 will enable free and openconversation on the problems encounteredin the daily conduct of NASA business.

Successes from af2m…continued from front page


The White House recently honored NASAfor its successful completion of a program toensure the security of federal e-governmentinitiatives.

NASA was honored at a cross-certifica-tion ceremony sponsored by the FederalPublic Key Infrastructure Bridge CertificationAuthority (FBCA). By 'cross certifying,' NASAand three other agencies--the Departmentof Agriculture's National Finance Center, theDepartment of Treasury and the Depart-ment of Defense--will be able to send andreceive secure e-mail across organizations.Secure government-wide information sys-tems, and the secure exchange of informa-tion within the government, are essentialelements of homeland security, according toPaul Strassmann, NASA's acting chief infor-mation officer.

The cross-certification is one part of theadministration's e-Authentication Initiative,which in turn is part of the electronic govern-ment initiatives of the president's 2002 Man-agement Agenda. The e-Authentication ini-tiative provides authentication services tothe other 24 initiatives, which are designedto better link the federal government tocitizens, businesses, and state and local gov-ernments, as well as improve the federalgovernment's internal efficiency.

For NASA, recognition by FBCA culmi-nates the agency's four- year effort to build apublic key infrastructure to strengthen andsecure its information systems. The eventclearly demonstrated NASA's success in imple-menting multiple pieces of information tech-nology-related legislation, said Strassmann.

An elevator into space, missions to Mars,and thinking computers were just a few ofthe topics of an unusual all-hands meetingheld by Quantum Services this September.

"It was inspiring," said multimedia devel-oper Brian Day of the Education Office. "Itwas a good reminder of why I came to NASAin the first place."

Day and fellow Quantum contract andsubcontract staff got an overview of thelatest research in Ames' core competencies:information technology, nanotechnologyand biotechnology.

Tony Gross, associate director of Code I,talked about information technology; re-search scientist Lance Delzeit, Ph.D., dis-cussed Code A's developments innanotechnology; and Lynn Harper, lead ofintegrative studies for Astrobiology and SpaceResearch, Code S, spoke about biology re-search and development.

The Quantum management team cameup with the idea of having researchers speakto their staff, because they feel it's importantfor everyone to be knowledgeable aboutwhat is happening at Ames. Even thoughQuantum employees don't perform researchat Ames, their work supports research at thecenter.

Quantum project manager Doreen Cohensaid the management team hopes that agreater understanding of Ames research willgive people new meaning and purpose in

Contractor team takes trip to the cutting edgetheir daily tasks.Quantum ap-pears to have suc-ceeded in reach-ing their goal.Many employeeswere very enthu-siastic about themeeting andwould like to seemore like it.

Gross andDelzeit said theyreally enjoyed theexperience. Theysaid that many re-searchers like topresent their workto groups like this.

Delzeit saidthese kinds of re-laxed presenta-tions give him anopportunity topresent his work in a fun atmosphere wherehe can go beyond the dry facts and reallyshow his enthsiasm for his work. Gross andDelzeit encourage more groups to take ad-vantage of NASA researchers' willingness totalk about their research.

Day said the overview was especially help-ful for him in his job, because the presenta-tions helped him know what contacts his BY SONJA JONES-SHIN

NASA recognized for completinge-government security program

group should be making and in which areasthey should be focusing.

Quantum employees support Ames re-search in a wide range of administrative andtechnical positions, in areas such as commer-cial technology, development and libraryservices.

The 2-mile Fall Fun Walk and Run isscheduled for Oct. 22 at 12:00 noonstarting at DeFrance Road near the Fit-ness Center. Cost to enter is $2.

The 10K Fall Run is set for Oct. 29. at11:30 a.m. starting at the Fitness Cen-ter. There is no cost to participate.

Fun runs setThe academic year is finally underway atBay Area schools and teachers are beginningto prepare their students for this year’s sci-ence fair to be held March 12, 2003 at theSan José McEnery Convention Center.

Once again billed as the Synopsys SiliconValley Science and Technology Champion-ship, science fair organizers will host prepa-ratory clinics and workshops for parents,teachers and students in grades 6 – 12 atlocal schools in the coming weeks. In addi-tion to fielding a NASA judging team to thecompetition next spring, Ames researchersmay be interested in helping more directlyby mentoring students on their projects us-ing Science Buddies, an e-mentoring pro-gram designed to encourage greater partici-pation in science fairs. (See page 7 for moredetails.)

The science fair calendar follows. Thefirst two dates are clinics for prospectivechampionship participants. Students, teach-ers, families and other interested parties arewelcome to attend.

• Oct. 5 (Saturday), 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. at the Los Altos High School, small gym, 201 Almond Avenue, Los Altos • Oct. 19 (Saturday), 9:00 -10:30 a.m. at Oak Grove High School, Theater, 285 Blossom Hill Road, San JoséFor more information, visit: http://

www.science-fair.org/The Synopsys championship is set for

March 12 - 13, 2003, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Science fair approachesJudging will be March 13, 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. atthe San José McEnery Convention Center.

The Intel International Science and Engi-neering Fair is scheduled for May 11-17,2003, Cleveland, Ohio. Visit the Web formore information at: www.sciserv.org/isef

The California State Science Fair is sched-uled for May 19-20, 2003, in Los Angeles,Calif. For more information about the statefair, visit: www.usc.edu/CSSF

BY TOM CLAUSEN

Lynn Harper, lead for integrative studies for the Astrobiology and SpaceResearch Directorate, Code S; Tony Gross, associate director, Code I; andLance Delzeit, nanotechnology research scientist, Code A, were speakers atQuantum Services' September all-hands meeting.

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Ames holds 2002 honor awards ceremonyOn Sept. 24, Ames held its annual Honor

and Senior Executive Service Presidential RankAwards Ceremony, held in the N201 audito-rium. Following is a list of the awardees.

2002 Presidential Rank Awards

Distinguished Executive Rank AwardWilliam E. Berry

Meritorious Executive Rank AwardSteven F. Zornetzer

2002 Ames Honor Awards

Administrative ProfessionalKaren C. Bradford

Best First Paper at AmesWendy L. Holforty

Commercialization/Tech Transfer AwardMichael McGreevy

Community Service/VolunteerHenry Schwoob

Contractor EmployeeWilliam W. Chung, Northrop Grumman Information Technology Inc.Mark Erdos, Affiliated Computer ServicesMichael Forsman, Quantum Services, Inc.John E. George, Raytheon ITSSJohnny J. Green, SecTek Inc.Esther Johnson, Quantum Services, Inc.Gabrielle Meeker, Lockheed Martin Engineering & Sciences Co.Bobbie Williams, SecTek Inc.

Craftsman/TechnicianGary BuobDaniel P. Gundo

Equal Employment OpportunityMark Leon

Group/TeamEn Route Data Exchange (EDX) TeamMark III Wind Tunnel Network Security GroupPITEX GroupSpace Station Biological Research Project (SSBRP) Ground Data Systems TeamTraffic Flow Automation System (TFAS) TeamVertical Motion Simulator (VMS) Digital Mode Control Unit (MCU)Development and Installation Team

Safety and EnvironmentSandra Olliges

Secretary/Administrative SupportGina Fox

StudentChau BuiJanessa M. LangfordJose Navarrete

Supervisor/ManagerBarry R. Lakinsmith

Technology DevelopmentDoug Greaves

Technical SupportSamuel CairesJonas G. Diño

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The 2002 presidential rank and honor awardees shown during the recent awards ceremony at Ames.

Center Director Scott Hubbard presents anhonor award to security guard Johnny Green.

EngineerNelson Hsu

Headquarters EmployeeWavalene N. Barnes-HillJoseph O. Watson

MentorBarbara J. Navarro

Steven Zornetzer (left) and former Ames DeputyCenter Director William Berry (right) bothreceived presidential rank awards at the recentceremony.

Scientist/ResearcherPhilip R. Russell


A wealth of research posters about astro-biology, physiology and the virtual glovebox was in evidence, and much discussion

and academic exchange were enjoyed in thepatio and ballroom areas of Ames Building 3recently. Scientists and students discussedand shared their research involving inter-views, note taking and the excitement oflearning and discovery in the eyes of stu-dents. It was Science Day at Ames.

Science Day celebrated this summer’sgreat work done by student interns, visitingfaculty and scientist mentors. The event,administered by Emily R. Morey-Holton, re-search scientist, Natalie LeMar, administra-tive assistant and Mary Walsh, assistant branchchief of the Gravitational Research Branch,gave everyone an opportunity to present his/her research, discuss it with others and learnabout other research at the center.

“The goal of Science Day is to displayresearch that goes on at the center duringthe summer. Students from any educationalprogram at Ames and visiting faculty arewelcome to be the first authors on the poster,”said Holton. “The Science Day gives stu-dents a taste about what is involved in doingresearch,” she said.

There were 45 posters presented with 56student names on them, as several studentsparticipated in more than one researchproject. The posters displayed research inadvanced techniques and instrumentation,altered gravity, developmental and funda-mental biology, information technology andneurophysiology. The students came from avariety of educational programs such as theSummer High School Apprenticeship Re-search Program (SHARP), Education Associ-ates Program (EAP), Minority University Re-search and Education Programs/NASA Schol-ars (MUREP), Foothill - DeAnza NASA/AmesInternship Program, Undergraduate StudentResearch Program (USRP) and the Ames As-trobiology Academy.

“It is definitely an incredibly valuable andexciting day for students and mentors. Stu-dents had a chance to present results of theirresearch and mentors as well as the rest ofNASA got to see exciting work their col-leagues are doing,” said Jeffrey D. Smith,deputy director of BioVIS Technology Cen-ter, with a record number of students thisyear --19. Smith has been a mentor for five

Student projects featured during Ames’ science dayyears and has worked with 20 students. “Wehad students from high school to graduateschool and the quality of their work is high.

I hope next year wecan include otherdirectorates aswell,” he added.

“It was very en-couraging as a stu-dent to see so manyscientists interestedin my research. Itwas also useful toexplain my researchto others, becauseit made everythingcome together in away it never didbefore. In addition,I loved learningabout what otherstudents were do-ing,” said DianaDavid of USRP, whodid her research in

analyzing spacecraft-based laser altimeterdata using bayesian statistics.

“It [Science Day] is a good way for stu-BY VERONIKA SOUKHOVITSKAYA

Students and scientists discuss research projects during Science Day at Ames.photo by Roger Brimmer

dents to build confidence by showing offtheir work. It also allows for fresh feedbackfrom other people at the center. Finally, itallows students to get a glimpse into otherareas of research being conducted at Amesby other students,” said Louis Mazziotta ofMUREP, who did his research on collisiondetection of rigid bodies for virtual environ-ment simulation.

“Science Day was very important to mebecause explaining my project to otherpeople helped me to learn and get deeperunderstanding of my research,” said GennyPang of SHARP, who did her research in aspectroscopic instrument for monitoringarcjet performance.

Science Day began at Ames in 1997 andsince then grew from only 14 posters pre-sented by students at the Gravitational Re-search Branch to 45 posters presented bystudents from many different branches andprograms.

“The Science Day has been expandingand continues to be a high point for stu-dents,” said Holton. “The purpose of the dayis not to give out awards, but to enjoy eachother’s projects and have fun. It is a day forstudents,” she said.

Science Buddies is an online peermentoring program for Bay Area middle andhigh school students with a hands-on ap-proach to science and access to science-

related career role models. The goal is forstudents to complete a science fair projectand to enter it in a local science fair. Volun-teer ‘advisors’ spend less than one hour perweek online with their teams, from approxi-mately November to March.

Each Science Buddies team consists ofthree people: an investigator, a mentor andan advisor. The strength of the program is inits peer mentoring model. High school men-tors are trained to take the lead in guidingthe middle school investigator. Advisors over-see the team, but allow the students to helpeach other first.

The Science Buddies online mentoringenvironment, called the ‘command center,’provides safety and structure for the stu-dents. The site is password protected andsecure, ensuring that only participants, teach-ers, parents and program staff can access thestudents’ work and view their discussions.

Each Science Buddies team has its ownprivate area in the command center. Thedialog among the students and their adultadvisor takes center stage. During a typical12-week science fair season, mentors andadvisors provide lots of guidance and en-couragement to their eager Investigator.

Students seek science fair mentorsThe command center includes a custom-

ized timeline for each student's project, aplace to upload and store work to be re-

viewed by the mentor and a wealth of how-to information, tools and other resources forthe students.

On Thursday, Oct. 17 from 11:00 a.m. to1:00 p.m., representatives from Ames Edu-cation Office and Science Buddies will beavailable in the Ames Mega Bites cafe toexplain how the system works and answerquestions. For more information, go to:www.sciencebuddies.org. Applications aredue Oct. 18.

BY TOM CLAUSEN

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Local engineer Greg Brown tests his eye-hand coordination under the watchful gazeof a science fair participant at the SynopsysSilicon Valley Science and TechnologyChampionship.


NASA exhibits are big hit at Reno air racesAmes hosted a series of NASA exhibits

at this year’s Reno Air Races Sept. 11 - 15.Hot weather, brisk winds and blowingsand didn’t stop the crowds of peoplefrom checking out the displays or dampentheir enthusiasm.

On display was a model rocket booster,a concept developed at Ames to putwings on the shuttle SRBs (solid rocketboosters) to allow them to fly back to alanding at Kennedy rather than para-chute into the ocean for retrieval. Therewere displays on nanotechnology, astro-biology, Earth science projects, intelli-gent flight controller, aviation systemscapacity, fluid mechanics lab research,examples of wind tunnel tests and mod-els, as well as a summary display of Amesongoing research areas and an overviewof the NASA enterprises. About 10,000

people visited the Ames exhibit, including 40classrooms of students. During the week-end, there were occasions when the tent wasfilled to capacitycausing people whohad walked to theentrance of the tentto turn around andcome back later.Ames employeesstaffed the table,handing out NASApublications and an-swering questions.Working the eventwere Jeffrey Cross ofCode DXC; WendyHolforty of CodeAFC; Don Durston ofCode APS; Kristine

Jeffrey Cross of Ames’ Public Affairs Office is shown beside the NASA Amesexhibit tent at the recent air races.

Jonas Diño, publicaffairs officer inAmes’ Code DXC,hands out NASAstickers to kidsvisiting the Amesexhibit, and speaksto them, hoping toinspire them tobecome involvedwith NASA.

Photo left: The Reno Air Race bleachers are filled to capacity with airshowonlookers. The apparent haze in the background is actually sand beingblown by the wind.

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Anil Jindia responds to questions from kids visiting theNASA Ames exhibit at the Reno Air Races.

Kristine Navarro of Code DX and WendyHolforty of Ames’ Code AFC helped staff theNASA exhibit in Reno.

Navarro of Code DL; Anil Jindia of CodeDXC; Jonas Diño of Code DXC and AstridTerlep of Code DXC.

9The Ames Astrogram October 2002 9

New information system provides multiple data source access

BY BOB DUFFY

NETMARK, a new computer informationsystem recently developed at Ames, is apowerful new tool for managing and access-ing NASA's enormous storehouse of com-plex, constantly changing, unstructured andsemi-structured data. NETMARK automati-

cally provides a single-format virtual data-base view of heterogeneous data sources,without user-supplied database code.

“Knowledge management analysts be-lieve that as much as 80 percent of NASA'smission-critical information is stored in semi-structured formats such as text documents,spreadsheets and graphic formats, and therate of their production is increasing expo-nentially,” explained David Maluf, Ph.D., theNETMARK project’s principal investigator.“But the problem is that the current solutionsets have been evolving at a much slowerrate. Traditional data warehousing techniqueshave only offered partial solutions, and theirimplementation can be expensive, time-con-suming and risky.”

Yuri Gawdiak, Engineering for ComplexSystems program manager, added, “We'vegot information graveyards with terabytes ofdata, because the need to manually reverseengineer the schemas for providing standardinterface access would cost at least dozens ofmillions of dollars. NETMARK can do thisautomatically without human intervention.”

The current NETMARK Web-interface pro-vides easy, single-query access to variousdata views, making it easy to perform con-text-plus-content searches on vast collec-tions of documents and multimedia infor-mation.

”Any computer configured withNETMARK does not require any particularstructural schema from any foreign or het-erogeneous data,” explained Peter Tran, acomputer scientist working on the project.

The above image illustrates the NETMARK internal storage mechanism--astructure that adapts dynamically to information.

“This is why the system is described asschema-less.”

When responding to a query, NETMARKuses COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) stan-dard applications to convert incoming docu-ments to an interchange format such as

HTML or XML (ex-tensible markup lan-guage) or other pro-prietary format.Once a successfulinterchange isachieved, the docu-ment structure isabstracted auto-matically and isadded to a dynami-cally adaptive datamodel. NETMARK’spower is in its dy-namic schema-lesscapability to createand adapt the datamodel in real time,while the dataor information isstreamed in.

With NETMARK,“you now can wan-der through millionsof information frag-ments with the tipof your finger,” saidMaluf. “Users entera single query that

then generates multiple context-plus-con-tent queries through the multiple datasources, enabling a ‘two-way dialogue’ zero-ing down on the information.” The power ofthe system derives from its ability to absorbheterogeneous information--hundreds ofrecords per minute--without user-supplieddatabase code, while at the same time allow-ing immediate context-plus-content searchcapability. Managers and scientists can searchover hundreds of databases, using personalcomputers connected to much larger ma-chines, and can examine details and viewsfrom unstructured information, sensor data,document content and even Powerpointslides.

The team that developed NETMARK wasinspired by HAL, the computer from the film2001: A Space Odyssey. The original objec-tive of the NETMARK project was to generateNASA 7120 formatted documents from frag-ments of arbitrary data the computer wouldhave recoded with time. Ames computerengineers are now extending NETMARK tohandle additional data types from other com-plex data sources. Additional plans are un-derway to use NETMARK within the NASAInformation Power Grid (IPG) project. “Allthat NETMARK needs now is a good speechrecognition interface.” Maluf said.

In pursuit of that goal, project engineersare starting to develop advanced human/machine interfaces to provide access toNETMARK. Speech capability would enableinformation access from peripherals otherthan computer terminals.

The NETMARK system promises to growin power as human/computer interfaces be-come better over the years. The amount ofinformation NETMARK can hold is tremen-dous, taking advantage of today’s advancesin networking and storage space. NETMARKis currently being prepared for a test usingone terabyte of information. Over the lastfew months, an early release of NETMARKhas been in use by the developing team andhas been handling over 100 gigabytes ofdaily operational data mostly derived fromother projects. “We put to practice what wedevelop,” said Peter Tran.

NETMARK had its first birthday in July2002, and to facilitate the technology trans-fer, NASA has recently filed a NETMARKintellectual property disclosure with the USPatent Office.

NETMARK is a highly scalable, open-en-terprise solution developed by the Aero-space ExtraNet (AEN) Intelligent Informa-tion Laboratory within the ComputationalSciences Division at Ames. AEN is an infor-mation hub with projects connecting differ-ent NASA centers and other governmentagencies. NETMARK has been partially fundedby the NASA Information Technology-BaseProgram in 2001, and by the NASA Comput-ing, Information and Communication Tech-nologies (CICT) program.

More information about NETMARK isavailable at: http://aen.nasa.gov/netmark/

Event: Architects of Change 2002 Fellow Awards Banquet

Honoring John Cocke, Charles Geschke,Carver Mead and John Warnock.

Come celebrate the accomplishmentsof four new Fellows whose creativity,persistence, vision and influence in thefield of computing have helpedreshape our everyday lives.

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 22Time: 6:00 p.m. - Reception

7:30 p.m. - Banquet and Ceremony

Place: Imperial Ballroom, The Fairmont Hotel, San José

For ticket information, call ext. 4-0345or visit the Web site at:www.computerhistory.org/events.fellows

Computer HistoryMuseum presents


NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for In-frared Astronomy (SOFIA), the largest airborneobservatory in the world, received a key com-ponent recently when its telescope assemblyarrived in Waco, Texas, completing a 7,000-mile journey from Germany.

Developed by DLR, the German AerospaceCenter, located in Bonn, the 98.4-inch (2.5-meter) diameter telescope has spent the past

five-and-a-half years being designed and built.MAN Technologies AG, Mainz and Augsburg,Germany, built the telescope and its opticswere supplied by Kayser-Threde Corp., Munich,Germany. Other European subcontractorshelped fabricate the complex telescope.

“We’re very excited to be taking delivery ofthe world’s largest airborne telescope, pro-vided by our German partners,” said NASASOFIA project manager Chris Wiltsee of CodeS. “They’ve done a first-rate job in its develop-ment and should be very proud of their ac-complishment. We’re looking forward toworking closely with them to complete thismagnificent observatory,” added Wiltsee.

“This event is a key step on the way tocompleting a unique and very versatile as-tronomy facility, which will reveal hidden re-gions of space and open the door to new vistasof discovery,” said SOFIA program managerCliff Imprescia of Ames.

Owing to their size, the telescope’s 3largest components were transported aboarda huge Airbus Beluga cargo aircraft. Thelargest component, the suspension assemblythat provides the telescope’s center supportstructure, weighs approximately 25,000pounds and measures 15 feet in diameter in itsshipping fixture. The primary mirror assemblyweighs approximately 4,500 pounds and themetering structure, which holds the telescope’ssecondary mirror assembly, weighs approxi-mately 2,000 pounds.

Workers will first store the telescopeassembly’s components in a large hangar andseparate them into ‘kits’ for installation andintegration into the aircraft. Over the nextnine months, engineers and technicians fromL-3 Communications Integrated Systems withhelp from German contractors, will carefullyinstall the telescope assembly into its newhome aboard the SOFIA, a modified Boeing747SP aircraft. Installation is scheduled to becompleted by the spring of 2003, followed bya series of ground tests conducted at L-3Communication’s Waco flight test facility until

BY MICHAEL MEWHINNEY

NASA airborne observatory’s telescope assembly zooms inthe late fall of 2003. Flight tests will follow inWaco until spring of 2004.

SOFIA will be based at Ames. Operationaland scientific management of the observatorywill be conducted for NASA by prime contrac-tor Universities Space Research Association(USRA). United Airlines will be responsible formaintenance and flight operations.

SOFIA is scheduled to arrive at Ames inJune 2004 for its final flight tests and will beginfull-scale astronomical observations in late2004. Astronomical observations normally willbe conducted several nights per week fromaltitudes of about 41,000 feet and higher,above about 99 percent of the infrared-ob-scuring water vapor in the Earth’s atmosphere.

“The whole world is waiting for SOFIA,because this is going to be such a uniqueobservatory and a major advancement overanything we currently have,” said Dr. ThomasGreene, NASA SOFIA project scientist at Ames.SOFIA will be considerably larger and moresophisticated that its predecessor, the KuiperAirborne Observatory, a remodeled C-141cargo transport aircraft based at Ames from1971 to 1995 whose telescope was 36 inches(0.91 meters) in diameter.

“SOFIA will make observations that areimpossible for even the largest and highest ofground-based telescopes,” Greene said. “Thetelescope will be unique in being able toobserve star-forming regions, the center ofour galaxy, and also disks around young stars,where planets have recently formed or arelikely to have formed. The telescope will beable to observe very obscured regions of spacewhere visible light isn’t able to penetrate, andas such, will complement NASA’s Hubble Spacetelescope that operates in visible light.”

“The telescope has a hard job to do, be-cause it will be operating in an aircraft whileflying at 600 miles per hour,” said Greene. Asa result, the telescope has to be securelymounted and rigid to be able to track starsprecisely. “Also, since it’s an airborne observa-tory, the entire telescope is extremely light-weight,” Greene said.

“SOFIA will be a world-class airborne ob-servatory, and we’re looking forward to theday when it will become operational,” saidUSRA astronomer Eric Becklin, SOFIA’s chiefscientist and designated observatory director.“We expect it to help us make major contribu-tions to our understanding of many importantphenomena in the universe.”

“The modification of SOFIA, one of thelargest, most complex and challenging modi-fications to any 747, further underscores thecapability of Integrated Systems,” said FrankLanza, chairman and chief executive officer ofL-3 Communications. “The L-3 IS team hasundertaken this challenge without the assis-tance of the original equipment manufac-turer, which is even more remarkable than themodification itself.”

NASA awarded a $484.2 million contractto Universities Space Research Association,Columbia, Md., in December 1996, to ac-quire, develop and operate SOFIA. Otherteam members include L-3 CommunicationsIntegrated Systems, Waco, Texas; United Air-lines Services, San Francisco and United Air-lines, Chicago; the University of California inLos Angeles, Berkeley and Santa Cruz, the

Astronomical Society of the Pacific, San Fran-cisco; and the SETI Institute, Mountain View,Calif.

NASA and DLR, the German space agency,are sharing SOFIA’s project costs, with NASAfunding 80 percent of the costs and DLR theremaining 20 percent. Annual operating costsof SOFIA are anticipated to be about $40million. For SOFIA images and more informa-tion on SOFIA , visit these three Web sitesat: http://sofia.arc.nasa.gov; http://so f ia .a rc .nasa .gov/News/head l ine5/headline5.html; and also http://www.amesnews.arc.nasa.gov/releases/2002/02images/sofia/sofia.html

An important component of the SOFIAObservatory, its 2.5 meter telescope, landed inWaco, Texas in September.

BY MICHAEL MEWHINNEYAND DAVID MORSE

Hubbard also noted Ames’ efforts “toinspire the next generation of explorers,”with projects such as JASON, the CaliforniaAir and Space Center and NASA ResearchPark. He singled out the seven-week roboticscourse conducted this summer at NASA Amesby Carnegie Mellon University that afforded30 high school students, many minorities,the opportunity to learn to build robots andoperate them autonomously.

Hubbard then took his audience on whathe called “a conceptual dream journey intothe future.” Weaving together animated seg-ments depicting technologies crafted by allof the various NASA field centers, his imagi-nary futuristic mission to Mars proved to bethe highlight of the session and a delight tothe Administrator and researchers alike.

The animated adventure featured a small,biologically inspired, winged robot that, af-ter landing on the planet encased in a co-coon of protective balloons, lifted off from itsMars rover base. It flapped its wings and flewoff to take samples, relay imagery and ex-plore the mysteries of the red planet, all thewhile searching for the “fingerprints of life.”

Hubbard’s entire presentation was verywarmly received. He was given a rare stand-ing ovation at the conclusion of his remarks.Many said later that his whole approach andsense of fun and adventure reminded themthat NASA is a very special place to work andmade them remember why they came towork for the agency in the first place.

In closing his remarks, Hubbard vowed toreturn to his constituents and stakeholderswith updates and progress reports. He reiter-ated his commitment to continue to buildupon Ames’ legacy of accomplishments andservice to NASA and the nation.

Acknowledging his deep and profoundsense of pride and humility in assuming hisnew position, Hubbard closed by assuringthe Ames community, “I promise to do myvery best to lead you into the future.” Theloud and sustained applause left no doubtthat his message had hit a responsive andreceptive chord with those in attendance.

O’Keefe, Creedoncontinued from front page


NASA Ames held a 'Remembrance Cer-emony' on Sept. 11 for those who lost theirlives last year during the terrorist attacks onour nation. The ceremony was held in themain auditorium, Bldg. 201. The event was

Ames joins the nation in remembrance . . .a dignified and respectful remembrance ofthe past, and a celebration of the way ournation handled the terrible events of that dayand responded with courage, strength, de-termination and will.

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Dr. B. Roberto Cruz, a dynamic and vi-sionary educator who was the founder andpresident of the National Hispanic Univer-sity, San José, Calif., died of cancer at hishome on Sept. 4. He was 61.

Cruz, whose untimely demise caughtmany people by surprise, was generally ac-knowledged as the driving force or ‘soul’ of

the National Hispanic University, the manwhose guidance and leadership made it whatit is today.

“Roberto Cruz was a man of vision andincredible determination,” said Ames’ NancyBingham. “He was a pillar of the Hispaniccommunity, a tower of strength and a rolemodel. His enthusiasm, spirit, never give-upattitude and commitment will be missed byeveryone, Hispanic and non-Hispanic alike.”

Founded in Oakland in a two-room build-ing in 1981, the National Hispanic Universitygraduated its first class in 1985 and has since

In July, Ames’ Health Unit underwent aJoint Commission on Accreditation ofHealthcare Organizations survey. The pur-pose of the survey was to ensure that the

Health Unit was complying with nationalquality standards and to improve the safety


NHU visionary founder/president succumbs to cancergraduated 17 classes serving more than13,000 students. In 1991, the universitymoved to its South Bay campus.

This year, the Western Association ofSchools and Colleges granted accreditationto the National Hispanic University, the firstLatino four-year university to be accreditedby the association. In August, the San JoséCity Planning Commission approved Cruz’sproposal to transform the private collegefrom its location in an old elementary school,to a three-story, $18 million university on an11-acre campus.

Over the past 10 years, NASA Ames main-tained an informal association with the His-panic university. In 1997, Ames formalizedthat association by signing a memorandumof understanding to provide education andcollaborative research opportunities for His-panics in an effort to encourage them to takeup careers in aerospace and technology.

This year, Ames took additional strides tostrengthen and build upon that relationship.On Feb. 1, Ames and National HispanicUniversity officials signed an agreement tocollaborate toward motivating Hispanic youthto pursue science and engineering careers.The agreement also provided resources andcareer development for science and math-ematics teachers, field trips to NASA, andresearch in ‘distance learning’ by the use ofthe Internet and other information technolo-gies.

In announcing the agreement earlier thisyear, NHU Provost and Vice President MonteE. Perez pointed out that the university’spartnership with Ames “has beenlongstanding and demonstrates how educa-tion and government can work closely toaddress the pressing needs of our society.”

This summer, the National Hispanic Uni-versity, along with Carnegie Mellon Univer-sity co-sponsored a 7-week ‘Robotics Au-tonomy’ program at NASA Ames. Hispanicscomprised 17 of the robotic program’s 30

attendees. The program was judged a re-sounding success by program participants,as well as most observers. A graduationceremony featuring demonstrations of thestudent-built robots attracted considerableattention in the local news media.

A native of Corpus Christi, Texas, Cruzrelocated to California after receiving a bach-elor of arts degree in Spanish and socialstudies from Wichita State University in Kan-sas. He received a master of arts degree incurriculum and instruction in 1968, and in1971 earned his Ph.D in policy, planningand administration, both from the Universityof California at Berkeley. During the courseof his 38-year academic career, Cruz taughtelementary, secondary and college students.

He also served as president of the Na-tional Association for Bilingual Education andthe California Association for Bilingual Edu-cation. Cruz was appointed by the U.S.secretary of education to a national advisorycouncil that dealt with the education oflanguage minority students. He also was amember of the Vision 2010 Leadership Teamof Silicon Valley and served as a commis-sioner of the American Council of Education,Minorities in High Education Commission.

Cruz, who received more than 200 awardsand honors from a variety of educational andother organizations throughout the nationduring his distinguished career, was alsoinducted into two educational leadershipHalls of Fame. He is survived by his widow,Guadalupe Rojas Cruz of San José; threesons: Bernard Roberto Cruz II, Marco Anto-nio Cruz and Fernando Rey Cruz; and threebrothers, Antonio ‘Tony’ Cruz, Richard Cruzand Raymond Cruz. A memorial service forDr. B. Roberto Cruz will be held on Saturday,Oct. 12, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in theNational Hispanic University campus audito-rium, 14271 Story Rd., San José.

Ames’ Health Unit receives accreditationand quality of patient care. The goal con-tinues to be to achieve the highest level ofperformance, to reduce patient risk for un-desirable outcomes and to create an envi-ronment for continuous improvement.

The Ames Health Unit received a scoreof 98 and was awarded accreditation withfull standards compliance. In 20 years ofconducting ambulatory care surveys, this isthe highest score awarded by the surveyorin an initial accreditation.

“In becoming accredited, the AmesHealth Unit was evaluated against a set ofnational standards by a joint commissionsurveyor experienced in the delivery of am-bulatory health care services,” said MichaelKulczycki, executive director, ambulatoryprogram, joint commission. “Achievingaccreditation demonstrates Ames HealthUnit's commitment to provide high quality

and safe care to its patients.”The joint commission is an indepen-

dent, not-for-profit organization that isthe predominant standards-setting andaccrediting body in health care. Since1975, the joint commission has devel-oped state-of-the-art standards for outpa-tient ambulatory care organizations. Morethan 1,100 freestanding ambulatory careorganizations maintain joint commissionaccreditation.

“This was a great experience for thestaff of the Ames Health Unit,” said chiefnurse Liesel Short. “We found that bygoing through this process we increasedour ability to work as a team, improved thelevel of care we provide to our patientsand received very useful training from thesurveyor during the process.”

Dr. B. Roberto Cruz



Scientists, software engineers and re-searchers, spacesuit and robotics engineersand communications experts trekked intothe desert near Flagstaff, Ariz., in early Sep-tember. Their goal was to study how robotsand humans can best interact using spokenlanguage, and to gather data for comparinghuman and robotic performance.

Humans wearing an advanced Mark IIIspacesuit worked alongside an extra vehicu-

lar activity robotic assistant (ERA) rover toperform tasks representative of future explo-ration at two sites in the Arizona desertduring the first two weeks of September.Exploration tasks included geophone instru-ment deployment and field mapping andphotography. These tests were part of NASA’sstrategy to apply cooperative informationtechnology to improve scientific productiv-ity at a variety of locations.

The investigations are intended to gathermetrics to compare the effectiveness of ma-chines and humans for each of the tasksperformed, and to identify an appropriatecombination of human and robotic explor-ers for future missions. Field testing advancedexploration technologies allows developmentof new tools for planetary surveys. Studieslike these provide information to aid long-range planning and future decision-makingfor a wide variety of science-driven applica-tions and destinations.

The expedition was a joint effort byspacesuit, robotics and control center ex-perts at NASA Johnson; communicationsexperts at NASA Glenn and NASA Langley,information technology researchers and en-gineers at NASA Ames and geology expertsat the University of Texas, El Paso, the Univer-sity of Cincinnati, Bowling Green State Uni-versity, Ohio, Stanford University and theU.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Flagstaff,Ariz.

Ames’ role in the field test featured mo-bile agents, a collaborative project with NASAJohnson, industry and universities, supportedin part by the Intelligent Systems Program.Managed by principal investigator William J.

NASA tests human/robotic interactions at Arizona craterClancey and project director MaartenSierhuis, the mobile agents project integratesseveral advanced computing and communi-cations components with the spacesuit andthe rover. These components include awireless ‘biovest’ that transmits theastronaut’s physiological signs and location,a ‘voice-commanding’ interface based onspeech recognition and technology and ‘soft-ware agents’ that monitor and facilitate in-

teractions betweenpeople and robots.Detailed models ofthese various com-ponents, as well aspeople and theirwork practices, areintegrated into a‘workflow’ systemusing the Brahms‘multi-agent’ pro-gramming soft-ware.

Because thevarious compo-nents are actuallycontrolled by soft-ware running ondifferent comput-ers, an ‘agent oper-ating system’ is re-quired to enable theagents to commu-nicate with each

other. This service is provided by the KAoSagent framework from the Institute for Hu-man and Machine Cognition (IHMC) at theUniversity of West Florida.

‘Workflow’ in surface exploration refersto both the human processes of gatheringsamples, taking pictures, navigating or mak-ing annotations, and the system processes oflife support, transportation, communicationand data storage. Using Brahms, Ames re-searchers simulated the entire workflow ofthe spacesuit, biosensors, astronaut and theERA prior to the field test, and then con-verted this simulation into a software pro-gram that automated certain operations.The mobile agent system can interpret voicecommands by using Brahms models of ex-ploration activities to anticipate human needsand detect problems. For example, theastronaut could tell the Capcom agent,“Name this location Okra. Create a voicenote and associate it with this location.” Theastronaut could then tell the ERA, “Return tothe hab and then go to location Okra.”

A model-based approach previously hasbeen used to control spacecraft such asnavigation by Deep Space-1. Brahms bringsmodel-based software to human-robotic in-teractions. Significantly, the mobile agentsproject shows that not all agents need havephysical bodies, such as the ERA. Manyagents, such as Capcom, help coordinate thework, but they are not physically participat-ing in the exploration activities. Understand-ing these various relations was made pos-sible by analyzing Apollo lunar traverses andby observing geologists and biologists doingauthentic field work in analog environments

over the past five years at Haughton Crater inthe High Canadian Arctic and the Mars DesertResearch Station near Hanksville, Utah. Themobile agents project is also informed by acollaboration between the JSC ExplorationOffice and the Institute for Human and Ma-chine Cognition in a NASA NeXT study called“Human-Centered Mars Exploration.”

The mobile agent’s voice commandingcapability was provided by the Ames RIALISTspeech recognition group led by JimHieronymus and John Dowding. Advancedrecognition algorithms were coupled withnatural language processing to provide ro-bust speaker-independent commands to theERA from the person inside the space suit.The speech recognition engine and Brahmswere hosted on the mobile exploration sys-tem (MEX), which provided computing andcommunications on a rugged all-terrain ve-hicle capable of remote field deployment.The MEX field team consisted of Rick Alenaand John Ossenfort.

Another collaborative effort within themobile agents project involves StanfordUniversity’s National Biocomputation Cen-ter. Physiological sensors, including electro-cardiogram and respiration, were worn by aperson inside the space suit and transmittedwirelessly to a personal data assistant (PDA).The astronaut can view the data directlyusing the handheld device; the data is alsotransmitted to Brahms agents for interpreta-tion. Sekou Crawford, a graduate student atStanford University, led the field effort, withtechnical development provided by KevinMontgomery and Carsten Mundt.

During the field tests, data from the sci-ence instruments and from several videocameras mounted on the spacesuit helmet,science trailer and the rover were relayed vialocal wireless networks back to the field teamand eventually to a team of scientists led byKelly Snook at NASA Johnson’s ExplorationControl facility (ExPOC).

“The team’s primary goals in the ExPOCwere to demonstrate the feasibility of scien-tific planetary exploration remotely fromEarth, and to experiment with communica-tions and operations protocols to optimizeoverall scientific productivity,” Snook said.“Video, audio, digital photography and asciidata files were successfully transmitted toHouston and viewed by the science team.The final day of the exercise opened thecommunication lines to the public at thevisitor center of meteor crater, allowing themto experience ‘Mars delayed’ interactionswith the science team. It was a technical first,and a novel experience for everyone.”

During the field tests, Ames’ Center forMars Exploration conducted field surveys forfuture remote science experiments led byGeoff Briggs and Brian Glass. SamanthaDomville took 360-degree panoramic im-ages in the field for evaluation of these sites.Mary Chapman from the USGS in Flagstaffand Spencer Lucas from the New MexicoCultural Affairs Department helped identifysuitable sites for more intensive investigationduring future field studies.

ÇV

The advanced Mark III spacesuit is demonstrated at the Arizona crater test site.

BY WILLIAM CLANCEY


Teachers of migrant farmworker children visit Ames

Chris Maese ofAmes’ Code SLOexplains lifesciences flighthardware in theN240A high bayto the migrantteachers tour groupduring their recemtworkshop at Ames.

California teachers in schools with ahigher-than-average percentage of stu-dents from migrant farm-worker familiesrecently participated in a unique workshopfeaturing the exciting educational resourcesavailable from NASA. This was in collabo-ration with the National Hispanic Univer-sity, San José, and Integrated Space Tech-

phot

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mes

In the September issue of the Astrogram,the Core Financial project was introduced toAmes. The Core Financial project is one ofseveral projects included in the Integrated

Financial Management Program (IFMP). TheCore Financial project will implement a stan-dardized set of processes and a common toolfor performing work in the areas of budgetexecution, cost management, accounts pay-able, accounts receivable, purchasing andthe standard general ledger across all NASAcenters. Current activities that the projectteam is working on include system integra-tion testing and practicing data conversionfrom the current finance and acquisitionsystems into the new system. This month’sarticle will describe several activities that arecurrently underway or scheduled to beginshortly that impact end users at Ames.

Core Financial update

BY NATALIE LEMAR

nologies, Huntsville, Ala. Ames sponsoredthe event. Sixteen teachers of grades 4through 6 from disadvantaged rural schooldistricts with significant numbers of stu-dents from Spanish-speaking migrant farm-worker families attended. This was a first-of-its-kind, one-week-long professional devel-opment opportunity offered by NASA.

Ames Public Radio & Phone1700 KHz AM radio -- information

announcements and emergency instructions, whenappropriate, for Ames employees. The emergencyinformation phone number for Ames is (650) 604-9999.

NASA Ames Health Unit is pleased toannounce the flu immunization schedule for2002. This year we are providing outreachimmunization clinics to make getting a flushot more convenient than ever before. Wewill be giving immunizations in 14 differentlocations in addition to the Health Unit. Therewill be both morning and afternoon clinicsavailable. Look for the centerwide e-mailoutlining the dates, times and locations ofthese clinics.

Flu shots available

Role mapping activitiesUsers of the Core Financial system will be

assigned one or more system roles. Thesystem roles determine what functions a usercan ‘do’ in the system, such as opening apurchase request or updating a phasing plan,and what data a user can ‘see’ in the system,such as printing a report.

The project team has defined 59 end-user roles associated with the Core Financialproject. Each end user will be ‘mapped’ toone or more of these roles. These roles willsupport the ‘day-to-day’ work performed byeach end user. The project team is currentlyin the process of meeting with supervisors toidentify who the end users of the system areand to what roles they should be mapped.The role mapping activity will also determinewhat training a user is invited to and whatsecurity access a user is assigned

Pre-training workshopsOnce users have been mapped to roles,

the project team will conduct several pre-training workshops. These workshops willcommunicate the new process steps for com-pleting the functions impacted by the CoreFinancial project, such as purchasing or re-porting. During these workshops, processexperts will describe the new processes andterminology to those users impacted in thatarea. For example, people with budget roleswill attend the budget execution workshop,people with purchasing roles will attend thepurchasing workshop, etc.

The pre-training workshops will be con-ducted at Ames starting in the late October/early November timeframe. Invitation tothese workshops will be determined based

on the roles assigned to the end users duringthe role mapping activities.

End user trainingFinally, users will participate in end-user

training. During training, end users will learnhow to use the Core Financial system toperform their ‘day to day’ job activities.Some training will be Web based and somewill be instructor-lead classroom training. Alltraining is based on the role the user isassigned during the role mapping activities.Users that are assigned multiple roles mayneed to attend several training classes.

Once all end users have been mapped tothe appropriate roles, the Core Financialproject team will create a training scheduleand communicate it to impacted users. Enduser training will be conducted at Amesbeginning in mid-November and is sched-uled to be complete by the Core Financialsystem ‘go-live’ date February 2003.

The project team is committed to com-municating the training schedule by Oct. 30,to allow impacted end users maximum flex-ibility in scheduling their holiday vacationaround the training schedule. Currently, notraining is scheduled from Nov. 26-29(Thanksgiving holiday) or during the periodfrom Dec. 20 until Jan. 2 (Christmas and NewYear holidays).

Next month, we will begin exploring

how Core Financial will impact each of thefunctional areas.

For more information about Core Finan-cial, visit the Core Financial Web site at:http://ifmp.arc.nasa.gov, or send questionsto [email protected].


Event Calendar

Transportation

Ames ClassifiedsAds for the next issue should be sent to

[email protected] by the first Friday following publica-tion of the present issue and must be resubmitted for each issue.Ads must involve personal needs or items; (no commercial/third-party ads) and will run on a space-available basis only. First-timeads are given priority. Ads must include home phone numbers;Ames extensions and email addresses will be accepted for carpooland lost and found ads only. Due to the volume of materialreceived, we are unable to verify the accuracy of the statementsmade in the ads. Caveat emptor!

Housing

Exchange Information

Beyond Galileo N-235 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)ext. 4-6873

Ask about NASA customized gifts for specialoccasions. Make your reservations for Chase Park.

Mega Bites N-235 (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.)ext. 4-5969

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

Visitor Center Gift Shop N-223(10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) ext. 4-5412

NASA logo merchandise, souvenirs, toys, giftsand educational items.

Open 7 days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. Ratesfrom $40 - $50.

Vacation Opportunities

Check web site for discounts to local attractions,http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov and click on tickets.Sept. 8, Mamma Mia; Sept. 28, SF Giants

Information about products, services and oppor-tunities provided to the employee and contractorcommunity by the Ames Exchange Council. Visitthe web site at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov

Lake Tahoe-Squaw Valley Townhse, 3bd/2ba, Balcony view, horseback riding, hiking, biking, golf, river rafting, tennis, ice skating, and more. Equipped. Summer rates. Call (650) 968-4155, [email protected]

South Lake Tahoe Cottage w/wood fireplaceand hot tub. Rates from $50 to $130 pernight. Call (650) 967-7659 or (650) 704-7732.

Vacation rental, Bass Lake CA 14 mls south ofYosemite. 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/2bahouse in lovely canyon setting. Fully eqpdkitchen. Access to priv. beach. Tub in patiogdn. Halfway between Carmel & Big Sur.$175/night for 2; $225 for 4 and $250 for more,plus $150 cleaning dep. Call (650) 328-4427.

Incline Village: Forest Pines, Lake Tahoe condo,3 bd/2 ba, sleeps 8. Fireplc, TV/VCR, MW,W/D, jacuzzi, sauna, pool. $120/night low season;$155/night high season. $90 cleaning fee and12% Nevada room tax. Charlie (650) 366-1873.

Tahoe Donner vacation home, 2 bd/2ba. trees, deck, sun, fun. Access to pools, spa, golf, horseback riding, $280 wkend, $650 week. Call (408) 739-9134.

NASA Lodge (N-19) 603-7100

Tickets, etc...(N-235, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)ext. 4-6873

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Furnished room for rent in lovely home, quiet area.One mile to Hwy 280 and 85. Priv. bath, kitchen &laundry privileges. View, quiet, pool (until mid-Oct.) $650/mo. 1/3 of utilities, N/S, $300 deposit. Call 252-0488.

I’m looking for rent/or rent-to-own 3 bdrm house inMtn. View area. Email: [email protected]

Wanted: French research scientist being assigned towork at Ames for a year around Sept. 1. He, his wife andtwo small children need 2 (pref. 3) bdrms w/some openarea for the children, convenient to Ames & shopping.Limit $1,800/mo. Irv (650) 960-6003 or (650) 966-1364.

For rent, 2bd/1ba unit, private yard, garage, freelaundry room, all new appliances and vinyl flooring, justcleaned and painted throughout. Triplex, 4375 HamiltonAve. San José, call for appointment. Call (650) 369-0578.

Mtn. View unit for rent. 2 bd/1ba with hardwoodfloors, stove, refrig, laundry rm, garage & patio. Pets OK.$1,750 mo. Call (650) 967-0420 or (650) 302-7550.

Master bdrm/ba in 3 bd San José home w/yard.Female household only. $550. (Includes utils) plus dep.Kitchen privileges. W/D. Near public transportation, busand light rail. Near San José State, N/S, no drugs. Petsthere. One cat OK. Call (650) 210-7551 days or (650)864-8603 eves. Call (408) 972-8222 days/eves.

Beautiful Santa Clara Location 3 bd/2 ba duplex w/2car garage. Central heat and AC, nice backyard. Avail. Nov.1st. $1,000 deposit. Must see. Rent negotiable. CallConnie or Joe (408) 246-5295.

For sale: Courtside executive townhouse in Los Gatos,very private end unit, rdwd trees; next to the RinconadaGolf Club, remodeled kitchen, priv. spa, living rm fireplace,wet-bar, central vac & A/C, priv. ofc, skylight. 109 OaklandPl, Los Gatos. Willing to rent to the right family. Easy accessto HWY 85. Easy commute to Ames. Call (256) 508-0437.

Miscellaneous

Ames Diabetics (AAD), 1st & 3rd Weds, 12 noon to1 p.m., at Ames Mega Bites, Sun rm. Support groupdiscusses news affecting diabetics. POC: Bob Mohlenhoff,ext. 4-2523/email at: [email protected].

Ames Federal Employees Union (AFEU) Mtg, thirdWednesday of ea. month, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Bldg. 19, Rm1042. Info: http://www.afeu.org. POC: Marianne, ext. 4-4055.

Ames Model Aircraft Club, flying radio-controlled aircraftat the north end of Parsons Ave. on weekend mornings. POC:Mark Sumich, ext. 4-6193.

Ames Sailing Club Mtg, 2nd Thurs of month, 11.30a.m. -1 p.m. POC: Diane Purcell ext.4-3232. Check Website for calender of events, http://sail.arc.nasa.gov

Environmental, Health and Safety Information Forum,first Thursday of each month, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Bldg. 19/Rm 1040. URL: http://q.arc.nasa.gov/qe/events/EHSseries/POC: Julie Quanz at ext. 4-6810.

The Hispanic Advisory Committee for ExcellenceHACE Mtg, first Thursday of the month in N255 room 101Cfrom 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,N-269/Rm. 179. POC: Cathy Payne at ext. 4-0003.

Model HO/HOn3 Railroad Train Club, Bldg. 126,across from south end of Hangar One. Work nights: usuallyFridays, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Play time: Sundays, 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. John (408) 735-4954 (W) or (408) 281-2899 (H).

Nat'l Association of Retired Federal Employees,(NARFE), 1st Fri. of ea. month. Join to protect your fed.retirement. Sept. 6, S. J. Chptr #50. HomeTown Buffet, 2670El Camino, S. Clara, 11 a.m. lunch $6.70, 12 noon spkr on"Rep's of League of Women Voters will explain Nov. Ballot."POC Earl Keener (408) 241-4459 or NARFE 1-800-627-3394.

Native American Advisory Committee Mtg, 4thTues each month, 12 noon to 1 p.m., Bldg. 19, Rm 1096.POC: Mike Liu at ext. 4-1132.

Ames Amateur Radio Club, third Thursday of eachmonth, 12 noon, N-T28 (across from N-255). POC: MichaelWright, KG6BFK, at ext. 4-6262.

Ames Ballroom Dance Club. Classes meet Tuesdays.Begin classes start at 6:15 p.m. Higher-level class meets at5:15 p.m. Held in Bldg. 944, the Rec. Center. POC: HelenHwang, [email protected].

Ames Bowling League, Palo Alto Bowl on Tuesdaynights. Seeking full-time bowlers and substitutes. Pre-leaguemeeting at Palo Alto Bowl on Tues, August 28 at 6 p.m.Questions to sign up: Mike Liu at ext. 4-1132.

Ames Child Care Center Board of Directors Mtg,every Thursday (check web site for meeting dates: http://accc.arc.nasa.gov), 12 noon to 1 p.m., N-218, Rm. 212.POC: Joan Walton, ext 4-2005.

Ames Contractor Council Mtg, first Weds ea. mon, 11a.m., N-200, Comm. Rm. POC: Bob Javinsky, ext. 4-5301.

Adobe GoLive 5.0 for the Mac, professional webauthoring and site management, unopened, still in shrinkwrap, $200, or B/O. Call (408) 267-6635 lv. msg.

California King bed, extra long. Serta PerfectSleeper. Mattress, bx springs, frame. Exc. cond. B/O.Call (650) 210-7551 days; Call (650) 364-8603 eves.

6400 PowerMac, oldie but a goody, Everything butthe monitor, great condition, $100 or B/O. Call (408)267-6635 lv. msg.

Hartke 210 XL bass guitar speaker cabinet andacoustic bass amp head, $250. Dan (650) 967-8849.

Truck tires, 29in. w/ steel wheels, 6 lug, plenty oftread, B/O. Call (408) 267-6635 lv. msg.

Hammond organ A100 and Tone cabinet. $45.Don (408) 984-5675.

‘81 Ford Econoline Club Wagon, white, 351 V8automatic, 66.5k mls. Gd body/inter. cond, A/C (ndsrechrge), trans. shifts late into high gear. KBB value $1,580still rates as gd condition. $1,050. Call (408) 737-0988.

‘85 Volvo 240 GL wagon, at, ac, pw, pdl, cd, rack,186k mls, runs great, gray/tan int., $2,000. [email protected] 408 973-1319.

‘89 Plymouth Colt Vista wagon, silver, 3rd row foldingseat, A/C (nds recharge), 4-cyl automatic, 82.5k mls, KBBvalue: $2,240, gd cond. $1,750. Call (408) 737-0988.

‘91 Honda Civic DX hatchback, good condition, 84Kmls, $3,000. Sue (408) 779-4647.

‘91 4 dr Mercury Grand Marquis, 98K mls, leather,pwr seats/windows, runs gd, $2,950. Call (650) 369-0578.

‘92 Chrysler Twn & Cntry minivan, 7 pass,Champagne w/woodgrain appliques, 131 K mls, V-6, quadseating, leather, A/C, PS, PB, PW, PDL, tilt, cruise, AM/FMstereo, cass., more, runs gd, clean interior, no dents, goodpaint and tires, one owner, $3,500. John (408) 731-1391.

‘92 Ford Aerostar AWD ext’d van, Eddie Bower trim,at, ac, cc, tilt, pw, pdl, ps, dual ac, tow pkg, rack, 187k mls,$2,500. Email [email protected]. Call (408) 973-1319.

‘93 Ford T Bird, 106K mls., 6-cyl. $5,200. Kelly BlueBook, $4,050 - $6,350. Don (408) 984-5675.

'96 Jimmy 4 x 4; 4.3L; V6; tow pkg; pwr seats,windows; rf rack; cd/cass; new A/C.; rebuilt trans; 48K mls.engine w/warr; $9,000. E-mail: [email protected]

‘97 GEO Tracer SUV, 10,000 mls only, like new.$5,900. or B/O. Call (408) 733-1906.

’97 Yamaha Virago XV 1100 Special, black & chrome,5,300 mls, windshield & saddlebags, ‘T’ Bag storage,service records, immaculate, $5,200. Call (408) 846-1016.

‘99 Passat GLS, black with beige leather and woodtrimmings, sunroof, CD changer, 53K highway mls,$15,000 or B/O. Call (650) 274-3133 or (650) 654-9237.

‘00 Honda motorcycle,Sabre VT1100C2,5000 mls, hasDG Hard Krome kickers, jet kit and Dyno tuned. Bob (408)736-4039 or during day (408) 348-4039 cell.

‘00 Chevy Impala , fully loaded,am/fm cd,a/c, pwl,pww, tilt, pw seats front, 3 computers, ABS, plus muchmore. Assume lease or buy. Bob (408) 736-4039,cell#during the day (408) 348-4039.

Bed, extra long twin. Mattress, box spring, frame,and mattress cover. Clean. $150. Peter (408) 245-7457.

Patio set, 4 chairs, and 42 inch round, glass top tableby Brown & Jordan; $50. Susan (408) 255-4451 .

Moving sale: 5pc dining table $100; solid oak desk$500; entertainment center $100; bookshelf $35; 5-drawerchest $50; diaper changing table $50; crib $75, desk $25;desk $15; queen mattress set $75. Call (650) 210-8861.

3 carats diamond engagement ring. Gd quality andcolor. Viewing/price call Jenette Griggsby (408) 745-1583.

Student piano. Hobart M. Cable upright. goodcondition. $500. Linda (408) 262-6136.

14' Starcraft bass boat. 25 hp motor, auto ignitionand hand crank, low hours. Two deep cycle batteries.Auto pilot trolling motor and fish finder. $5,000 or B/O.Call (408) 265-8316.


National Aeronautics and Space Admnistration

Ames Research CenterMoffett Field, CA 94035-1000

Official BusinessPenalty for Private Use

PLEASE RECYCLEPrinted on recycled and recyclable paper with vegetable-based ink.

FIRST CLASS MAILPOSTAGE & FEES PAID

NASAPermit No. G-27

The Ames Astrogram is an official publicationof Ames Research Center, NationalAeronautics and Space Administration.

Managing Editor.......................David MorseEditor.......................................Astrid Terlep

We can be reached via email at:[email protected] or by phoneat (650) 604-3347

16

Fire tragedies have touched the lives ofpeople everywhere in all age groups andall walks of life. As the statistics make clear,the fight against fire is a fight we are all intogether. This year’s message for Fire SafetyPrevention Week reminds us that team-work is the key to winning this fight. It’s amessage that your fire department prac-tices every day and one that everyone inthe Ames community can support by pro-moting and practicing fire safety on thejob and at home. Together, we can makea difference.

This year, the Ames Fire Department isholding its annual Fire Prevention Wee

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