America’s gateway to the universe. Leading the world in preparing and launching missions to Earth and beyond.

Sept. 22, 2000

John F. Kennedy Space Center

Spaceport Newshttp://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/snews/snewstoc.htm

Vol. 39, No. 19

Page 3 – First CLCS controlroom opens with fanfare.

Page 7 – The Joint AirlockModule arrives at KSC.

Page 2 – KSC women to inspireyoung girls on NASA Web site.

Inside

Pages 4-5 – First in a newfeature series: Spaceport Newsgoes “Inside the Tile Shop.”

Page 6 – Details provided aboutSuper Safety Day, DisabilityAwareness and Open House.

Campaign begins with kickoff

100th Shuttle mission launch set

(See CAMPAIGN, Page 8)

This year, Kennedy Space Center’s (KSC)Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) will officiallyopen with a kickoff rally in the Training Auditoriumat 9 a.m. on Oct. 2.

The campaign will run through Oct. 31 and thetheme is “Caring For Our Community.”

This campaign is an opportunity for NASAemployees to reach out and support less fortunatepeople, to preserve the environment and to protectthreatened and endangered species in our commu-nity and throughout the world.

Last year, KSC federal employees generouslycontributed more than $245,000 — exceeding thecampaign’s goal of $216,000. This year’s goal is$220,000. All CFC contributors will be eligible to win prizes.Drawings will be held at the end of each full week ofthe campaign and a grand prize drawing will be heldat the conclusion of the campaign.

Names of CFC contributors will be updated priorto each drawing.

The earlier one contributes, the more opportunitiesthere are to win. All winners are eligible for subsequentdrawings.

The prizes are as follows: $25 gift certificate to theNASA Exchange (week one); four passes for a KSCVisitor Center Bus Tour and IMAX Movie (week two);$50 gift certificate to the NASA Exchange (week three) ;four passes for a KSC Visitor Center Bus Tour and

The STS-92 crew poses for a group photo at Launch Pad 39A. Standing,left to right are Mission Specialists Koichi Wakata of Japan, MichaelLopez-Alegria, Jeff Wisoff, Bill McArthur and Leroy Chiao; Pilot PamMelroy; and Commander Brian Duffy.

Space Shuttle Discovery ispoised on Launch Pad 39A toundertake the 100th Shuttle missionlaunch from Kennedy Space Centeron Oct. 5 at 9:38 p.m. EDT.

Discovery’s mission, STS-92, willplay a pivotal role in the continuedconstruction of the InternationalSpace Station because of its criticalpayloads, the Zenith (Z1) Inte-grated Truss and the third Pressur-ized Mating Adapter (PMA-3). The Z-1 Truss will carrycomponents of the Station’sattitude, communications, thermaland power control systems,including four control momentgyroscopes as well as high and lowgain antenna systems. The Z-1Truss and the PMA-3 will be thefirst U.S.-built cargo elements to beflown to the International SpaceStation since the successful launchof the Unity element in late 1998. The STS-92 mission signals thebeginning of work on the major

elements of the Space Station thatwill make it more than just a visionbut a long-awaited reality andmarks a dramatic turn in theassembly process. The missionkicks off a series of assemblyflights that will include such Stationelements as a scientific researchlaboratory, solar arrays andadditional truss structures.

Eight Space Shuttle missionsspread out over a four-year periodwill be required to deliver andassemble the structure’s 10 pre-integrated truss segments. Once completed, the combina-tion of trusses will be the length ofa football field. Labs, livingquarters, payloads and systemsequipment will be directly orindirectly attached to it.

The U.S. solar arrays, which willbe delivered to the structure in lateNovember, will supply the Interna-tional Space Station with enoughpower to light up a town.

SPACEPORT NEWS Sept. 22, 2000Page 2

Engineer Berta Alfonso, center, discusses her Women of NASA video interview with camera operatorBarbara Beck, left, and Young Women of NASA Advisory Council member Brianna Miller.

KSC women offer inspiration via Web siteWomen of NASAProject providesguidance for girls

Design engineer Berta Alfonsodidn’t have a female mentor toguide her when she was firstconsidering a career in engineeringin the early 1980s.

Engineering was still a relativelyunusual career choice for a womanat that time.

“I was lucky in that my parentsencouraged my interest and thenlater that my male coworkers weresupportive, but I missed not havinga woman engineer to mentor me.That’s a big reason why I try tovolunteer in various educationalprograms,” said Alfonso, whocurrently is designing a circuitboard to be used in the flight box ofthe X-34.

Alfonso was one of four womenengineers and scientists atKennedy Space Center who wererecently interviewed by highschool students — members of theYoung Women of NASA AdvisoryCouncil — for a Web site hostedby the NASA Quests Women ofNASA Project.

The video interviews will befeatured on the Women of NASAsite, which seeks to encourage girlsto pursue math, science, engineer-ing and technology careers.

In addition to Alfonso, KSCwomen interviewed by the highschool students were engineer KimJenkins, chemist Dionne Jacksonand biologist Patty Currier.

“I always encourage youngwomen to get as much workexperience as they can in the fieldthey are interested in, so I was gladto get the chance to talk about thatduring the video interview,” saidJenkins, a process managementengineer who took the first stepstoward her career at KSC as aNASA summer intern in 1982.

KSC representatives will alsoparticipate in webcasts, chats andother special events for the Womenof NASA Project in associationwith the 100th Shuttle missionlaunch, scheduled for Oct. 5.

The Women of NASA Project is

designed as a Web-based interac-tive tool to educate young womanabout science and technologycareers. The project showcasesoutstanding women who areenjoying successful careers anddemonstrates how these womenbalance personal and professionalresponsibilities.

This educational outreachinitiative features profiles, archivesand events based on NASAmissions, national initiatives andunique educational events.

Tish Krieg is project manager ofWomen of NASA, which is basedat Ames Research Center. Theproject is supported at NASAHeadquarters by Terri Hudkins,Public Affairs.

“One of the most exciting newaspects of the project is the workbeing done by the young womenon the council,” Krieg said. “Theyare sharing their own perspectiveswith their peers. We want to doeverything we can to appeal to thatgroup’s interests.”

The Young Women of NASAAdvisory Council (YWAC) wasformed to bring the ideas, enthusi-asm, and experiences of youngwomen, enriching Women ofNASA with a more student-drivenfocus. The young women’s workincludes interviewing NASA

women and adding their profiles,working on the Web pages,contributing ideas for shaping thedirection of the project, and joiningunique NASA events to share theirexperiences with other girlsthrough their adventure journals.

Four members of the councilrecently traveled to KSC toparticipate in the STS-106 Women’sConference sponsored by NASAHeadquarters and to conduct theinterviews with the KSC women.

Jean Rhodes, NASA FederalWomen’s Program Manager atKSC, believes the effort will domuch to encourage young womanto seek employment here and atother NASA centers.

“I was particularly impressedwith the program the Women ofNASA had for young womenduring the STS-106 launch,”Rhodes said. “They are doing awonderful job of reaching out to

young women and encouragingtheir interest in math, science,technology and engineering.Everyone should visit their Website to see how far-reaching theprogram really is. I am pleased thatsome of our KSC women werechosen to participate in the chats.”

Coinciding with the 100th Shuttlelaunch, the council will produce adaylong series of interactive eventsshowcasing diverse NASA careers.This Women of NASA Back toSchool special will feature selectNASA women in interactivewebchats, forums and webcasts.

The YWAC members from theSTS-106 launch trip will be featuredin a live interactive webcast sharingtheir experiences from the launch.The day will culminate in a liveinteractive launch webcast at KSC.

The Women of NASA Web siteaddress is http://quest.nasa.gov/women.

“I always encourage youngwomen to get as much workexperience as they can in thefield they are interested in ... ”

KIM JENKINSNASA ENGINEER

SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3Sept. 22, 2000

Those taking part in the Checkout and Launch Control System ribbon cutting ceremony at the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility were, from left, JosephRothenberg, NASA associate administrator for Space Flight; Pam Gillespie, from Rep. Dave Weldon’s office; Roy Bridges, Kennedy Space Centerdirector; Dave King, director of Shuttle Processing; Retha Hart, deputy associate director, Spaceport Technology Management Office; and RonDittemore, manager, Space Shuttle Program.

Kennedy Space Center’s newCheckout and Launch ControlSystem (CLCS) at the HypergolicMaintenance Facility (HMF) wasdeclared operational in a ribboncutting ceremony Sept. 6.

It was the first of several newCLCS control rooms scheduled tocome on line.

KSC Director Roy Bridgeswelcomed and addressed theceremony’s attendees, followed byremarks from other distinguishedrepresentatives from the NASA/Industry development team.

“This delivery marks a majormilestone in the development of theCheckout and Launch ControlSystem,” said Bridges. “I amimmensely pleased with theperformance and hard work of theentire team in completing this majorfacility. This new capability

improves safety and productivityof our Shuttle processing. It alsoshows our ability as a SpaceportTechnology Center to deliver acomplex system that was eagerlyaccepted by the user.”

CLCS is a multi-year project toreplace the outdated control roomsat KSC with state-of-the-artcomputer systems and software.

These control rooms are used totest and launch Space Shuttles andperform maintenance and checkoutof Space Shuttle hardware.

Future facilities include threecontrol rooms in the LaunchControl Center, which will eventu-ally monitor and control the Shuttleduring countdown, and otherremote facilities like the HMF.

Construction of the new HMFcontrol room began in late 1997.

In 1999 the computer hardware

and test consoles were installed.Testing of the new computer

software was recently completed,paving the way for the controlroom to become operational.

All these CLCS efforts culmi-nated with a successful OperationalReadiness Review with high-levelmanagers from both KennedySpace Center and Johnson SpaceCenter.

Designed by a joint government/industry team, CLCS uses commer-cially available computer systemswherever possible, integrated intosystem architecture that is uniqueto NASA.

The software used to monitorand control the Shuttle hardware isbeing written by on-site softwareengineers within NASA, UnitedSpace Alliance, Lockheed MartinSpace Operations and Dynacs

Engineering Co. Inc.The new control room at the

HMF will be used to process theOrbital Maneuvering System podsand Forward Reaction ControlSystem modules at the HMF.

The hardware is removed fromthe orbiter and taken to the HMFfor checkout.

The Shuttle’s Orbital Maneuver-ing System and Reaction ControlSystem contain the smaller rocketengines used in space for changingorbit, docking and attitude control.

They are also used to control theShuttle’s trajectory as it returnsfrom space, until it gets to a lowenough altitude to be flown like aplane, using aerodynamic controls.

The first Forward ReactionControl System to be processedusing CLCS will fly on Columbianext year on STS-107.

First CLCS control room opens at HMF

Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS Sept. 22, 2000

United SpaceAlliance technician

Debbie Mitchellworks on a windowgap filler in the softgoods manufactur-ing area of the “Tile

Shop.” The TileShop is the informal

name for theThermal Protection

System Facility.

Technician Sandy Taggart constructs a gapfiller in soft goods area of the Tile Shop.

Soft goods manufacturing area in the Thermal ProteWithout special insulation, the Space Shuttle

would turn into a fireball upon re-entry intoEarth’s atmosphere.

And without that protection, temperatureextremes and solar radiation the Shuttle experi-ences on orbit would ruin its mechanisms andpayloads. The astronauts wouldn’t survive.

The people who produce new pieces for theShuttle’s insulation system – blankets, thermalbarriers, gap fillers and tiles – work here atKennedy Space Center in the Tile Shop. Theshop is officially known as the Thermal Protec-tion System Facility (TPSF).

The TPSF group is kept busy replacing andrepairing parts of the insulation system thatwear out over time or are damaged during anorbiter’s launch or re-entry.

Amounts vary slightly, but each orbiter hasabout 24,000 tiles, 2,300 Flexible InsulationBlankets, 5,500 Thermal Control System Blan-kets, 800 thermal barriers and thousands of gap

fillers.Each piece is custom fit and is used either

externally for an orbiter’s Thermal ProtectionSystem or internally for its Thermal ControlSystem.

Tiles, thermal barriers, gap fillers and ceramicinsulation blankets are the primary externalinsulation products. These components coverthe entire exterior of a vehicle and are used toprotect the aluminum and graphite epoxy skin ofan orbiter from extreme cold (-200 degrees F, -129degrees C) of space to extreme heat (+2,900

degrees F, 1593 degrees C) of reentry.The Thermal Control System Blankets line the

payload bay and protect the orbiter midbodymechanical and fluid systems from solarradiation when a vehicle is on orbit.

Within the TPSF is a group of about 20workers in the “soft goods manufacturing” areawho produce the protective blankets, thermalbarriers and gap fillers.

“Most people don’t realize how muchhandwork is involved in the manufacture ofthese elements,” said TPSF manager Jeff

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“Most people don’t realize how much handworkis involved in the manufacture of these elements.”

JEFF ANDRESSTPSF MANAGER

Inside The

Page 5SPACEPORT NEWSSept. 22, 2000

United Space Alliance technician Rayetta Osborneassembles a ceramic gap filler used to seal tile to tilegaps around the forward facing windows on an orbiter.

Thermal Protection SystemFacility Manager Jeff Andressreviews thermal seal fabricationpaperwork with technician SarahClark in the soft goods manufac-turing area of the Tile Shop. Avariety of thermal protectionproducts for the orbiter fromblankets to tiles are manufac-tured there.

ection System Facility produces blankets, gap fillers

Editor’s NoteThis is the first in a periodic series of

Spaceport News features on various workareas of Kennedy Space Center. The seriesis intended to help members of the KSCteam better understand the jobs coworkersat KSC perform and how their contributionsfit into the overall success of the nation’sspace program.

This series is motivated in part by re-sponse to the special “Day in the Life ofKSC” Spaceport News edition. Because onlya selection of areas at KSC could betouched on, Spaceport News plans to revisitthose areas and visit new ones in order toshed more light on the exciting and goodwork accomplished at KSC.

ess of United Space Alliance. “Ournicians must make specific pieces forfic needs. None of this is off the shelf.”ankets range widely in size, dimension andre, depending on their use. One day a TPSF

nician may be called upon to make a blanket6 inches, another day 3 by 6 feet. Blanketsbe made of 3-inch-thick fibrous batting or aheet of metal and polymer films.

chnicians work from engineering drawingseate the specific parts ordered. While someng required can be done on industrial-gradehines, much must be hand stitched.ost of the TPSF technicians previously hadrience in the commercial textile industry.typically worked either with upholstery for

ture or canvas for sails.though the group is small, it has a loyalbership, Andress said. Not counting twoers who were just hired, the least senioroyee has worked in the group for 10 years.

Andress has been in the TPS area for 20 years.“It’s a great group and there’s a lot of job

satisfaction,” Andress said. “The people whowork here feel they are an important part of theprogram.”

Most of the items produced in the Tile Shoppreviously were manufactured in Palmdale, Calif.Over time more of those items began to beproduced here at KSC, which has increased theefficiency of the replacement process. Ordersare typically filled within one to five days,Andress said.

The TPSF began phasing in manufacture of allelements of the thermal protection system afterit opened in May 1988. Complete manufacturingof tiles from base raw material began in 1994.United Space Alliance now manages the facilityand employs its workers.

The two-story, 40,088-square facility islocated across Towway road from OrbiterProcessing Facility Bays 1 and 2.

e Tile Shop

Page 6 SPACEPORT NEWS Sept. 22, 2000

Kennedy Space Center willdevote an entire day to safety andhealth on Oct. 18.

This event is held annually toincrease awareness for safety andhealth among the government andcontractor workforce.

A full day of activities will focuson safety and health. The entireCenter will stand down to partici-pate in the planned events.Technical paper sessions willfollow the next day.

“Safety and Health ... a WorkingRelationship” will be this year’stheme. A Centerwide contest washeld to select the winning sloganand logo/poster.

David Koval, Space GatewaySupport, submitted the winningslogan. Boeing’s Steve Lewis wasthe second place winner.

Dave Earhart of United Space

Super Safety Day set for Oct. 18

October is National Disability EmploymentAwareness Month, designated to highlightthe abilities and skills of those with disabili-ties.

This year’s theme is “Ability You Can BankOn,” which emphasizes persons with disabili-ties as a part of the non-traditional, skilledlabor pool who can meet the needs of today’semployers for a competent and creativeworkforce.

The Kennedy Space Center DisabilityAwareness and Action Working Group invitesyou to share in this year’s recognition byparticipating in an informative and entertain-ing presentation by Jeff Moyer, “The Trouba-dour of Inclusion.” Moyer has performed andpresented in 45 states and internationally. He

‘Troubadour of Inclusion’to foster disability awareness

On Nov. 4, Kennedy SpaceCenter and Cape Canaveral AirForce Station will open their doorsfrom 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to a selectnumber of car pass holders fromthe surrounding community for the2000 KSC/CCAFS CommunityAppreciation Day.

As planning continues, thecommittee is striving to find new

Alliance won the logo/postercontest. Boeing’s Amy Zofkocontributed the second place entry.

Like last year’s Super Safety andHealth Day, all normal workactivities with the exception ofmandatory services such as fire,security, cafeterias and buses willbe suspended to allow personnel toparticipate in the event.

Along with KSC, Cape CanaveralAir Force Station and Patrick AirForce Base will participate in anumber of related safety andhealth activities.

Displays, vendors, paneldiscussions and a special keynotespeaker are all part of the day’sactivities. Watch for more detailsand check out the Super Safety andHealth Day Web site at http://n1517311/supersafetyY2K/supersafetyY2K/.

The winning Super Safety and Health Day logo poster was submitted byDave Earhart of United Space Alliance.

ways to communicate to employeesall the details and informationneeded to enjoy this special daywith family and friends.

An Open House Information Line

has been created to keep workersinformed with details aboutdirections, car pass pickuplocations and facilities that will beopen to visit.

The information line is 867-5522.Please call to receive informationprior to planning the day.

Employees will need to pick up acar pass at either a KSC Exchange

store or any Brevard County librarylocation. Car passes will be givenout on a first-come, first-servedbasis and will be available mid-October.

For other information and librarylocations, please visit the OpenHouse Web site at http://kscinfo.ksc.nasa.gov/openhouse/default.html.

Open House information line offers details on event

Student Sarah Stout demonstrated her abilitieswhile working part of the summer with the KSCflight crew support group, including Lauren Lunde.

will share with the KSC family his messageof dignity of all people and the promotion ofthe inclusion movement through thecelebration of diversity by placing disabilityin the healthy context of human difference.

Attend his presentation on Oct. 3 at 9 a.m.in the Universe Theater at the KSC VisitorComplex and be prepared for an exceptionalexperience of education, information andentertainment.

This year’s theme is “Ability YouCan Bank On,” which emphasizespersons with disabilities as a partof the skilled labor pool.

Sept. 22, 2000 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 7

Center Director Roy Bridges, left,and Florida’s Lieutenant Governor

Frank Brogan sign a Memorandum ofUnderstanding at the Kennedy Space

Center Visitor Complex. Theagreement documents the intent of

NASA KSC and the State of Florida toform partnerships with academic

institutions in Florida for developmentof aerospace-related advanced

training and academic/educationalprograms. The three-year project

anticipates that the partnership andeducational programs fostered will

improve the lifelong learningenvironment for the aerospace and

engineering workforce.

Lifelong learning

Joint Airlock Module arrives

NASA's Super Guppy aircraft lands atthe KSC Shuttle Landing Facility with itscargo, the Joint Airlock Module. Themodule is the gateway from which crewmembers aboard the InternationalSpace Station will enter and exit. Theairlock was transported from NASA'sMarshall Space Flight Center inHuntsville, Ala. After its arrival at KSC,the airlock was delivered to theOperations and Checkout Building forvacuum chamber testing. After testing, itwill be moved to the Space StationProcessing Facility for further prelaunchpreparation and checkout. Manufac-tured by The Boeing Co., the massive,spindle-shaped airlock is 20 feet long,has a diameter of 13 feet and weighssix and a half tons. Atlantis will carry theairlock to orbit on mission STS-104,currently targeted for liftoff in May 2001.

John F. Kennedy Space Center

Managing editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bruce BuckinghamEditor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathy Hagood

Editorial support provided by InDyne Inc. Writers Group.NASA at KSC is located on the Internet at http://www.ksc.nasa.gov

USGPO: 533-128/00041

Spaceport News

Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center andis published on alternate Fridays by the Public Affairs Office in the interest ofKSC civil service and contractor employees. Contributions are welcome and should be submitted two weeks beforepublication to the Media Services Branch, XAE-1. E-mail submissions can besent to Katharine.Hagood-1@ksc.nasa.gov

Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS Sept. 22, 2000

CAMPAIGN ...(Continued from Page 1)

IMAX Movie (week four); and a$100 gift certificate to the NASAExchange, plus two passes on theCenter Director’s bus for a futureShuttle launch, plus a photographwith Center Director Roy Bridges(grand prize). Information concerning thecampaign can be found on theKennedy Space Center CombinedFederal Campaign Web site athttp://cfc.ksc.nasa.gov/, which willbe activated for contributions onOct. 1. The Web site will include an

online contribution form andbrochure, which will make participa-tion in the campaign easier.

Training for Unit Coordinatorsand Key Solicitors will be con-ducted immediately following thekickoff program. Unit Coordinatorsand Key Solicitors will personallyshare the message of the campaignwith all employees. Launa Maier, Shuttle ProcessingDirectorate, is Kennedy SpaceCenter’s 2000 Combined FederalCampaign chairperson. Maierbelieves CFC makes a differenceand is rallying the KSC communityto once again exceed the CFC goal.

Hurricane worthy

The first of three Steelmaster storage buildings is taking shape just north of USA Logistics on Contractor Road. This view of the structure shows theVehicle Assembly Building in the distance. United Space Alliance is building the structures to replace storage units that were damaged by HurricaneFloyd last year. The new buildings, to be used for ground support equipment storage, are designed to meet the latest KSC hurricane standards,withstanding 130 mph winds. The other two units will be located at the Hypergolic Maintenance Facility and the Mobile Launcher Platform park site.

John F. Kennedy Space CenterKennedy Space Center, Florida 32899

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