Lunar Prospector hits paydirt

AstrogramNATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION AMES RESEARCH CENTER, MOFFETT FIELD

THE AMESAstrogramMarch 6, 1998 online at http://ccf.arc.nasa.gov/dx/

continued on page 6

Take a small, inexpensive space-craft, a science payload of instrumentsmade from off-the-shelf hardware, andsend the whole package to the solarsystem’s most explored planetary body.Don’t take along a camera or a computer,don’t let the vehicle land, conductesoteric remote-sensing research from 60miles in space, and don’t provide anyvisuals. Not exactly a recipe for success,you say? Particularly in a world grownaccustomed to a daily dose of Marsscience, planetary rovers, 360-degreepanoramic views, and cute little rockswith names like Barnacle Bill and ScoobeeDoo.

Well, go figure! For it is preciselyfrom this improbable beginning thatLunar Prospector has emerged to becomeone of the most talked about NASAmissions in recent decades. LP has socaptured the attention of people fromaround the world that the project’swebsite has recorded well over 50 million“hits” in just the past two months. OnMarch 5 alone, the day of the pressconference to announce LunarProspector’s preliminary science findings,the website was visited by an estimated10 million guests. And these figures donot include the ‘mirror sites’ on the EastCoast.

What accounts for the incrediblelevel of interest in the Lunar Prospectormission? Primarily, it is the public’sfascination with the question regardingthe presence or absence of water ice inthe Moon’s polar regions. So, on March5, interest was running at a fever pitch asrepresentatives of the electronic and printmedia gathered at Ames to hear thescience team’s pronouncement on thequestion on everybody’s mind. And theverdict? The LP team did not disappoint,announcing that their analysis of neutronspectrometer data shows a high probabil-ity of water ice at both the north andsouth poles of the Moon. They alsounveiled the first-ever operational gravitymap of the entire lunar surface.

Just two months after the launch ofLunar Prospector, mission scientistsexpressed their belief that they have solidevidence of the existence of lunar polarice. They also provided estimates of itsvolume, dispersion, mixing ratio andlocation. They acknowledged theircontinuing amazement at the incredibleperformance of the spacecraft and itsscience payload. “This spacecraft hasperformed beyond all reasonable expecta-tions,” said Ames’ Scott Hubbard, theNASA Lunar Prospector mission manager.“The preliminary science findings are justthe tip of the iceberg compared to thewealth of information forthcoming in themonths and years ahead.”

The presence of water ice at both

lunar poles is strongly indicated bygraphs of data ratios from thespacecraft’s neutron spectrometer that“reveal distinctive 3.4% and 2.2% dipsin the relevant curves over the northernand southern polar regions, respec-tively” said principal investigator AlanBinder of the Lunar Research Institute,Gilroy. “This is precisely the kind of data‘signature’ one would expect to find ifwater ice is present.”

However, water ice on the Moonis not concentrated in polar ice sheets,according to LP scientists. “Whileevidence of water ice is quite strong, thewater ‘signal’ itself is relatively weak,”said William Feldman, co-investigator

Satellite view of Moon’s north pole

Low-cost Ames mission finds evidence of water ice at Moon’s poles

Communication for the information technology age

2 — The Ames Astrogram March 6, 1998

General News

NASA has opened nominationsfor its’ 1998 Software of the YearAward, which recognizes softwaredeveloped and owned by NASA.

The award is sponsored by theChief Information Officer, Lee Holcomb;the Chief Engineer, Daniel Mulville; andNASA's Inventions and ContributionsBoard (ICB). Last year, the competitionresulted in nearly $200,000 awarded.Information about the winner and thefinalists from 1997 is available at theWeb site: http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/codei/swy97win.html

The award includes a trophy, acertificate signed by the Administrator,and a monetary award of up to$100,000, and will be presented toauthor(s) of software that (1) NASA hasan intellectual property interest in, (2)has been supported, adopted, spon-sored or used by NASA, and (3) issignificant to the NASA mission.Software programs must be commer-cial-grade (not alpha or beta phase)products.

Entries will be judged by theNASA Software Advisory Council. Afterits review, the Council submits its’selection(s) to the ICB. The ICB mayrecommend a monetary award of up to$100,000 for the winner(s). The awardwill be presented by NASA officials laterin the year on behalf of the NASAAdministrator.

NASA Form 1329 (ICB AwardEvaluation Questionnaire) must becompleted for each entry. Copies ofthe software, sample applications anddata, and descriptive documentation ofthe package should be included, inaddition to evidence demonstrating theimpact and degree of innovation andsuitability of the entry.

Direct additional inquiries onaward criteria and award submissionforms to Betsy Robinson in the Com-mercial Technology Office, ext. 4-3360or email to:brobinson@mail.arc.nasa.gov. Entriesand supporting material must besubmitted by Mon., Apr. 17, (noexceptions).

NASA calls forsubmissions for‘98 Software ofthe Year Award

Dr. Wesley T. Huntress, Jr., NASA'sAssociate Administrator for SpaceScience, has announced his departurefrom the Agency in the near future.

Huntress is responsible for NASA'sprograms in astrophysics, planetaryexploration and space physics. "I haveserved in this position for more than fiveyears now," Huntress said, "and it issimply time to move on."

"Wes Huntress has presided over arevitalization of NASA's Space Scienceenterprise," NASA Administrator DanielS. Goldin said. "Five years ago, theHubble Space Telescope had problems,spacecraft costs were growing out ofcontrol, and serious budgetary threatswere clouding NASA's future in spacescience. But during his tenure, thanks inno small part to the magnificent team

Huntress announces his departurefrom NASA

he assembled at the field centers andNASA Headquarters, the Space Scienceenterprise has become one of NASA'scrown jewels.

Huntress was named to head theOffice of Space Science in March 1993.He began his career at NASA's JetPropulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena,Calif., as a National Research Councilresident associate in the 1960s. Hejoined JPL permanently in 1969 as aresearch scientist specializing in ionchemistry and planetary atmospheres.Huntress and his research group gainedinternational recognition for theirpioneering studies of chemical evolu-tion in interstellar clouds, comets andplanetary atmospheres.

NASA will begin a search forHuntress' replacement immediately.

Astronauts Jerry M. Linenger, M.D., (Capt., USN), Blaine L.Hammond (Col.,USAF) and M. Rhea Seddon, M.D., have retired from NASA to pursue privateinterests. Linenger, who lived aboard the Mir space station for 122 days from Jan. toMay ‘97, has retired from NASA. He arrived at the Mir as a member of the STS-81crew and returned with the STS- 84 crew, logging 132 consecutive days in spaceduring those combined missions. Selected as an astronaut in ‘92, his first spaceflight was on board Discovery for STS-64, an 11-day mission, in ‘94.

Hammond retired from NASA and the Air Force to join a private aerospacefirm in California. He was selected as an astronaut in ‘84 and is a veteran of twoShuttle flights. He served as the pilot on STS-39, the first unclassified Departmentof Defense mission in ‘91, and again as pilot for STS-64, an 11-day mission in ‘94 tostudy the atmosphere and the Earth's environment.

Seddon, one of the first six women selected as astronauts in ‘78, retired topursue a private career. She is a veteran of three space missions, accumulating 722hours in space. She flew first on STS 51-D in Apr. ‘85 on a mission to deploy twocommercial satellites. Seddon then flew on two life science research missions,Spacelab Life Sciences 1 and 2, in ‘91 and ‘93. From Sept. ’96 through Nov. ‘97,she was detailed to Vanderbilt University Medical School in Nashville, TN, to assistin developing experiment protocols for the Neurolab mission set for an Apr. ‘98launch.

"Jerry, Blaine and Rhea contributed greatly to the success of the missions theyflew," said David C. Leestma, director of Flight Crew Operations. "We wish them thebest of luck in their new ventures."

For information on Linenger, Hammond, Seddon or any NASA astronaut, seethe NASA Internet biography homepage at URL: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/

Shuttle veterans depart NASA

The Ames Astrogram — 3March 6, 1998

Ames Community/Activities

More than $830,000 was collectedby the ‘97 Federal Combined FederalCampaign (CFC) in Santa Clara and SanBenito Counties, the best total in morethan five years. Ames was the leadagency to chair the recently completedcampaign, and people from Amescontributed almost $211,000 of the total.

The goal established prior to thecampaign was $775,000, a slight increaseover the previous year, according two-county Campaign Chairman Dr. KenMunechika of Code D. In addition toAmes, nearly a hundred federal entities inthe area took part in the effort to raisemoney for worthy causes.

“I think the key campaign workersand extremely high Post Office contribu-tions were crucial elements of oursuccess,” Munechika said. “Mike Daltonof the U.S. Postal Service sometimesworked around the clock, because postalemployees work in post offices at allhours. Sylvia Longchamps of Code IIwent with him on one 24-hour stint, andshe was exhausted by it.” Longchampsserved as the primary Loan Executive forthe campaign.

“The large increase in donationsover previous years in the two counties isvery significant when you consider thereduced number of federal employeesdue to cutbacks in the military, at Amesand at other federal agencies,”Munechika said. “Much of the credit isdue to Sylvia Longchamps’ involvementand hard work.”

“Capt. Lorraine Flakes of OnizukaAir Force Station in Sunnyvale, was thevice Loan Executive and worked hard withLongchamps to help increase contribu-tions,” Munechika added.

Munechika and Vice CFC ChairmanCol. James Dill of Onizuka had a friendlycompetition during the drive. Theyrepresented some of the larger federalorganizations.

“Dill headed the Gold Team thatconsisted of the Postal Service, Onizuka,the Naval Air Reserve and the IRS. I hadthe Red Team that included the Veteran’sAdministration, Ames, the Navy ProgramManagement Office and the Navy PatrolWing Pacific,” Munechika explained.

CFC drivesurpasses localcounties’ goals NASA Ames Research Center,

Moffett Field, CA, hosted a studentrobotics competition featuring studentsfrom six San Francisco Bay Area highschools on Tues., Feb. 24.

Nearly 170 high school studentscompeted against each other from 6 p.m.to 8:30 p.m. in historic Hangar One aspart of the 7th Annual FIRST (For Inspira-tion and Recognition of Science andTechnology) Robotics Competition. Thecontest will conclude with FIRST’sNational Robotics Competition Apr. 2 to4 featuring some 200 student-built robotsat Disney’s Epcot Center in Orlando, FL.

NASA Ames sponsored the Bay Areastudents in order to stimulate theirinterest in the fields of engineering,science and technology. The six schoolsthat participated in the contest wereAptos High School, Gunn High School,Los Altos High School, Monta Vista High

BY MICHAEL MEWHINNEY

NASA hosts student roboticscompetition in Hangar One

School, Palo Alto Senior High School andWoodside High School.

“NASA is proud to sponsor 170students in this exciting and educationalrobotics competition,” said MichaelGoldman, Ames’ project advisor for thesix schools. “We hope these studentswho participated in this intense, hands-onrobotics competition will eventuallybecome NASA engineers.”

In addition to Goldman, DarylRasmussen of Ames served as projectlead. Other NASA contributors includeteam engineers Dan Christian and RobertMah; Hank Schwoob from the Amesfabrication shop and Yvonne Clearwaterand Cynthia Stagner from the AmesTechnology and CommunicationsOutreach Group. Further informationabout the competition is available at theFIRST website: http://www.usfirst.org

photos by Rick Slagaecontinued on page 8

Students from six Bay Areahigh schools participatedin the Robotics competition.

4 — The Ames Astrogram March 6, 1998

Briefs

General News/Ames Activities

The Voyager 1 spacecraft is set tobreak another record and become theexplorer that has traveled farthest fromhome.

This past February, Voyager 1,launched more than two decadesago, cruised beyond the Pioneer 10spacecraft, becoming the most distanthuman-created object in space, at 6.5billion miles (10.4 billion kilometers)from Earth. The two are headed inalmost opposite directions away from theSun. Having completed their planetaryexplorations, Voyager 1 and its twin,Voyager 2, are studying the environmentof space in the outer Solar System.

"The data coming back fromVoyager now suggests that we may passthrough the termination shock in thenext three to five years," said Dr. EdwardC. Stone, Voyager Project Scientist andDirector of NASA’s Jet PropulsionLaboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA. "Ifthat's the case, then one would expectthat within 10 years or so, we wouldactually be very close to penetrating theheliopause itself and entering intointerstellar space for the first time,” saidStone.

NASA has selected 335 researchproposals for negotiation of Phase Icontract awards for NASA's Small BusinessInnovation Research (SBIR) Program.

SBIR goals are to stimulatetechnological innovation, increase the useof small business (including women-owned and disadvantaged firms) inmeeting federal research and develop-ment needs, and increase private sectorcommercialization of results of federallyfunded research.

The NASA SBIR Program Manage-ment Office is located at the GoddardSpace Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, withexecutive oversight provided by NASA'sOffice of Aeronautics, NASA Headquar-ters, Washington, DC. Individual SBIRprojects are managed by the NASA fieldcenters and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Voyager 1 breaks distance record

NASA SBIR Awards

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation(GAC) and the Gulfstream V (GV)Industry Team have earned the presti-gious National Aeronautics Association’sCollier Trophy, which recognizes the topaeronautical achievement in the UnitedStates for ‘97.

Gulfstream and the GV IndustryTeam were recognized specifically forsuccessful application of advanced designand efficient manufacturing techniques,together with innovative internationalbusiness partnerships, to place incustomer service the Gulfstream V — theworld's first ultra long-range business jet.

Aeronautics Award

On Wed., March 11, Ames willsponsor a Small Disadvantaged Business(SDB) Forum in the Moffett Trainingand Conference Center, from 8:30 a.m.to 12:00 noon. This is the seventeenthin a series to be held at the variousNASA research centers.

The purpose of the forum is toallow highly qualified high-tech small,disadvantaged business (SBDs) andminority educational institutions topresent their capabilities and addressquestions from a technically-orientedaudience. For the first time, Ames willhave two minority educational institu-tions give presentations, one of which isa Historically Black College and Univer-sity (HBCU). The following minorityinstitutions and SDBs will participate inour forum: (1) City University of NewYork, City College, New York, N.Y.,whose expertise includes multi-mediainformation distribution and high speedcommunications; (2) Prairie View A & MUniversity, Prairie, TX, whose programsgive a special emphasis to computa-tional fluide dynamics and aeronauticalresearch; (3) Sierra Lobo, Strongsville,OH, whose capabilities include aero-space engineering and research testing;(4) Diversitech, Inc., Cincinnati, OH, afirm with aerospace test & evaluation,information systems and designengineering capabilities; and (5) SETS,McLean, VA, a company specializing inadvance information technology. Dr.Robert L. Norwood, Director, Commer-cial Programs Division, HeadquartersCode RW, will attend as the representa-tive of the Associate Administrator,Office of Aeronautics. William Berry,Deputy Center Director, is also sched-uled to participate. Everyone is welcomeand encouraged to attend. If you needadditional information, please contactTom Kolis at ext. 4-4690.

SDB forumscheduled

Reminder —scholarships

available

A new organizational structure hasbeen developed to provide centralizedengineering and manufacturing servicesin support of the Center's missions andto improve the operation and mainte-nance of the National Full-Scale Aerody-namics Complex, the Unitary Plan WindTunnels, the 12-Foot Pressure WindTunnel, and related supporting facilities.

The proposed structure establishesa new directorate for research anddevelopment support functions and isdesigned to consolidate technicalservices and wind tunnel operations atAmes. The new Directorate will becalled Research and DevelopmentSupport Directorate (Code F).

The reorganization has beensubmitted for approval to Headquarters,which has indicated support for theproposed changes, but the Agency'sreorganization procedures require aformal review process, which is ex-pected to be completed in the next 30to 60 days. Although the organizationcannot be officially established untilsuch approval is obtained, effectiveimmediately the new Directorate willbegin to function operationally.

During this interim phase, NancyBingham will serve as the ActingDirector of Research and DevelopmentServices. Cliff Imprescia will serve asDeputy Director for Technical Services,and George Kidwell will act in thecapacity of Deputy Director for Opera-tions. During Mr. Kidwell's detail,Thomas Edwards will act in the capacityof the Deputy Director, AeronauticsDirectorate.

New R&D codeformed

continued from page 8

BY MICHAEL MEWHINNEY

Mobile Lab visit

across the country in a flight simulator.Burnett Academy is a San Jose

Unified School District middle schoolAviation/Aerospace Technologymagnet. The magnet program inte-grates science, math and computerconcepts to prepare students forfurther studies in aerospace engineer-ing and technologies. To schedule avisit, contact Burnett Academy PrincipalBarbara Lateer at (408) 535-6267.

The MAEL is managed by NASA’sLewis Research Center, Cleveland,Ohio, and is currently on a nation-widetour of schools.

Application forms are now availablefor NASA College Scholarships.Forms can be obtained from JanineCiffone, ext. 4-4948, M/S: 19-12 oremail: jciffone@mail.arc.nasa.gov

The Ames Astrogram — 5March 6, 1998

Space Act Awards

The Deputy Center Director,William E. Berry, recognized the follow-ing six Ames project teams for recentSpace Act Awards totalling over$14,000. The team members attendedan awards ceremony hosted by theCommercial Technology Office on Mon.,Feb. 23, in the Moffett Training andConference Center. Each of the con-tributors was honored with a certificateand monetary award from NASA’sInventions and Contributions Board.

Panel Method Ames ResearchCenter (PMARC)

PMARC is an aerodynamicprediction method based on low-orderpanel methods. The major contributionis providing an accurate analysis tool toU.S. companies and universities whichwould otherwise not be able to afford it.

Awardees: Dale Ashby, ARC;Michael Dudley, ARC; Joe Katz, SanDiego State Univ; Steve Iguchi, SanDiego State Univ.

Mars Virtual ExplorationThis contribution is an interactive

computer-based software learningproduct on CD-ROM. It delivers theequivalent of 40 hours of classroomlearning on exploring the planet Mars,targeted at fourth through sixth gradestudents.

Awardees: Rodrigo de Toledo,Sterling; Geoffrey Bruce, Sterling;Kathleen Burton, Quantum; LauraShawnee, ARC; Michael Marlaire, ARC;John Connell, Sterling; Brenda Collins,Quantum.

Thermal Protection Systems Expertand Material Properties Database(TPSX)

A database of advanced thermalprotection system (TPS) materialproperties was compiled into a MicrosoftWindows-based application. Thedatabase includes physical, thermal andmechanical data as well as photographsand drawings of some materials.

Awardees: Thomas H. Squire,ELORET; Frank S. Milos, ELORET; GeorgeC. Hartlieb, ARC; Daniel Rasky, ARC;Mark Gilbert, San Jose State University;Marilyn Murakami, ARC.

Six Ames project teams recognized at Space Actawards ceremony

New Millennium Program (NMP)Electronic Collaboration andDocument Sharing System

This is an Internet-based suite ofsoftware tools that facilitates collabora-tion, communication and data sharingamong members of widely-distributedteams working towards a commonobjective. This system is believed to bethe largest collaboration tool everdeveloped and used by NASA.

Awardees: Paul Lucas, Caelum;Martha Del Alto, Caelum; MichaelCompton, Caelum; Bob Kanefsky,Caelum; Vinod Baya, Caelum; HelenStewart, Caelum.

Portable Batch Systems (PBS)PBS is a client/server package to

permit batch (and scheduled interactive)processing under Unix. PBS pioneeredthe separate scheduler approach tobatch system.

Awardees: David Tweten, ARC;Albaeus Bayucan, MRJ; Robert L.Henderson, MRJ; Thomas M. Proett, MRJ

Publishing on the Web“Publishing on the Web,” does an

outstanding job of providing anentertaining, interactive, participate,

non-linear learning experience superiorto any book classroom lecture orconventional computer-based course. Itdelivers the equivalent of a one-dayseminar on the fundamentals of HTML.

Awardees: Kimberly Copeland,Sterling; Fay Pattee, Sterling; WandaLuke, Sterling; Paul Salm, Barnes; JohnConnell, Sterling; Robert Carlson, ARC;Sonia Kao, Sterling; Christian Jacobsen,Javasoft; Joe Jordan, Sterling; DavidHooper.

This award established under theauthority of the Space Act of 1958,allows the NASA Administrator to grantmonetary awards up to $100,000 fortechnical contributions which aredetermined to have significant value inthe conduct of aeronautical and spaceactivities.

Commercial Technology Office(CTO) Chief Dr. Bruce Webbon encour-ages you to report your new technologydevelopments to your CTO commercial-ization manager. By doing so, you canparticipate in the process of technologyevaluation for patentability, NASA TechBriefs publication and eligibility formonetary awards. For more informa-tion, contact the CTO office at ext. 4-1754.

Award winners from the Publishing on the Web group socialize after awardceremony. From left to right: Christian Jocobsen of Javasoft, Paul Salm ofBarnes Construction, Sonia Kao of Sterling Software and Wanda Luke also ofSterling.

photo by Sue Bowling

6 — The Ames Astrogram March 6, 1998

Lunar Prospector

continued from front page

Lunar Prospector

continued on last page

and spectrometer specialist at the LosAlamos National Laboratory, NewMexico. “Our data are consistent withthe presence of water ice in very lowconcentrations across a significantnumber of craters.” Using models basedon other Lunar Prospector data, Binderand Feldman predict that water ice isconfined to the polar regions and existsat only a 0.3 to 1% mixing ratio incombination with the Moon’s rocky soilor regolith.

How much water ice do LunarProspector scientists believe they havedetected? Assuming a water ice depth ofone-half meter—the depth to which theLP neutron spectrometer instrument canpenetrate, Binder and Feldman estimatethat their data are consistent with the‘equivalent’ of 10,000 to 50,000 squarekilometers of water ice-bearing depositsspread out across the northern pole, andan additional 5,000 to 20,000 squarekilometers dispersed throughout thesouthern polar region. This translates toan overall range of 10-300 million metrictons of lunar water ice, they estimate,depending upon the model used. Whatis more, the LP team reported, twice asmuch of the water ice mixture wasdetected at the Moon’s north pole as atthe south, contrary to popular expec-tation.

The University of California at SanDiego’s Jim Arnold previously estimatedthe upper limit of water ice that couldconceivably be present on the Moon as aresult of meteoritic and cometaryimpacts and other processes at 10 billionto 100 billion metric tons. Further, heclaims, the amount of lunar regolithsubject to ‘gardening’ by impacts in thepast 2 billion years extends to a depth ofabout two meters. On that basis, the LPestimate of water ice (which is based ona measured depth of one-half meter)would have to be increased by a factorof up to 4—possibly, raising it to the 40million to 1.2 billion metric ton range. Inactual fact, Binder and Feldman cautionthat, due to the inadequacy of existinglunar models, their own estimates “couldbe off by an order of magnitude (a factorof ten) in either direction.”

These findings raise two interestingquestions: “How do Lunar Prospectorand Clementine estimates compare?”and “Is the amount of water ice detectedby Lunar Prospector of economic

significance?”It is not possible to compare the

Lunar Prospector and Clementinescience missions directly because thetwo used different data sensors, withvarying data footprints (or cell size), anddissimilar analysis techniques.Clementine scientists found virtually allof their evidence for the existence oflunar water ice in the permanentlyshadowed regions of the southern lunarpole. They claimed that “a conservativeanalysis suggests an upper limit of15,500 square kilometers of south poleterrain is likely to be in permanentdarkness.” From this and other data,estimates in the science community ofthe volume of water attributable toClementine range from 100 million to 1billion metric tons.

There are various ways to look atthe economic potential of the detectedlunar water ice. One way is to estimatethe cost of transporting that same

volume of water ice from Earth to theMoon. Currently, it costs about$10,000 to put 1 pound of materialinto orbit. NASA predicts that, in thecoming years, advances in informationtechnologies and other areas willreduce that figure by a factor of 10 toonly $1,000 per pound. Using a verymodest estimate (from within the LPprojected range) of 30 million metrictons, the cost to transport that watervolume to the Moon would be $60trillion. Similarly, since it would costover $2 million to carry a metric ton ofwater to the lunar surface, the lunarwater ice deposits have economic valueto the extent that they can be ‘mined’for less.

From another perspective, atypical person is estimated to consume100 gallons of water per day for

drinking, food preparation, bathing,and washing. At that rate, 30 millionmetric tons of water (7.2 billion gallons)could support a community of 1,000two-person households for well over acentury on the lunar surface. Alterna-tively, astronauts on orbit in the shuttleare known to consume between 10.8and 29 kilograms (approx. 20 to 60pounds) of water per day. Using theupper consumption estimate and a 30million metric ton LP water ice esti-mate, there is enough water ice at themoon’s poles to support a lunar basecamp of 1,000 astronauts for more than2,500 years.

Of course, the actual or ‘real’economic benefit of the estimated LPvolume of lunar polar ice is dependentupon its accessibility, area of dispersion,mixing ratio, location, the end use towhich it is put, the cost of getting it tothe Moon by alternative means, and a

host of other factors.Before the Lunar Prospector

mission, historical tracking data from avariety of Lunar Orbiter and Apollomissions provided evidence that thelunar gravity field is not uniform. Massconcentrations (or mascons) caused bylava (mare) which filled huge craters areknown to be the cause of the anomalies.However, precise maps of lunar mas-cons covering the Moon’s equatorialnearside region were the only onesavailable.

Lunar Prospector has dramaticallyimproved this situation, according toco-investigator Alex Konopliv of the JetPropulsion Laboratory, Pasadena. Heanalyzed LP telemetry data to produce amap of both the near and far side of themoon. He identified two new mascons

Near and far side gravity maps of the moon developed from Lunar Prospector telemetry data.

The Ames Astrogram — 7March 6, 1998

How do you teach aeronauticsusing fish fins, wind mills, bouncingballs, a person’s hands, and javelins?Cislunar Aerospace, Inc.’s K-8 Aeronau-tics Internet Textbook (K8AIT) makeslearning basic scientific principlesfascinating and fun by using familiaraerodynamic shapes to help studentsrecognize common principles of flight.K8AIT is an electronic multimedia,interactive textbook that is deliveredover the Internet via the World WideWeb (http://wings.ucdavis.edu).

“Aeronau-tics isn’t justaircraft, it’s fluidflow,” said Dr.Jani MarcariPallis, PrincipalInvestigator andChief ExecutiveOfficer ofCislunar Aero-space, Inc. (CAI).“We emphasizeconceptuallearning to helpstudents see thesame aerody-namic shapesacross things.Students learn to recognize the prin-ciples of aircraft flight in nature,machines and sports.”

Sports? Yes, sports have air foils—a person’s hands, bicycle man/machinerelationships, and balls and javelins.One of the newest features on CAI’sWeb site is “Tennis—Aerodynamics inSports Technology” which helpsstudents understand aerodynamics,physics and mathematics. It focuses onthe aerodynamics of a tennis ball as it ishit, flies, spins, and bounces.Videoconferences and chat sessions overthe Internet will allow students andteachers to participate in the projectand learn how scientific principles applyto all areas of life.

The K8AIT was a cooperativeagreement sponsored by the NASALearning Technologies Project (LTP)whose charter is to combine NASA’sinspiring mission, unique facilities, andspecialized workforce with the bestemerging technologies to promoteexcellence in America’s educationalsystem. The K8AIT project has been sosuccessful that the University of Califor-

Aeronautics/Engineering

Aeronautics overthe Internet

nia at Davis has agreed to continuehosting the project’s server after theproject has been completed.

“There are many reasons why ithas been difficult to get aeronautics intothe classroom,” said Pallis. “Thematerial is esoteric, it’s not part of stateframework, it’s not an easy subject, andthere is no comprehensive textbook onaeronautics. The cooperative agree-ment made it possible for us to providecomputers and Internet access forschools that might not be able to affordthis technology.” Pallis has a degree inaeronautical engineering and is wellqualified to develop the K8AIT curricula.

Cislunar has several pilot sitesincludingtheChildren’sHospital inOakland, acampsiteschool forchildren ofmigrantfarmworkers inDavis,California, a100-year-old schoolfor the deafin theBronx, and

a pubic library. “Sign language is achallenge.” said Pallis. “Our Web sitehas a 3-D model signer that moves itshands. We have different sign languagecharacters; two male, two female, anAsian, and an African American.Technology is also a big challenge—inthe Bronx, one school didn’t even haveelectricity in some classrooms. They hadto do the wiring.”

Classrooms implement thetextbook lessons in different ways.“Some have the monitor in front of theclass and use a wireless keyboard andmouse, while others use a projectorsystem with the computer located inthe library,” said Pallis. In Oregonteachers have to go out and visit thehearing-impaired children.” Sincemany high schools have cut publiclibraries, CAI plans to develop curricu-lum to teach students how to doresearch. “The exceptional quality ofthis project, is that it cultivates theseyoung minds in ways never possiblebefore. This pool of talent might fuelunimagined possibilites for the aeronau-tics industry as these students enter

college.” Commented Mark Leon,Learning Technologies Project Man-ager.

K8AIT includes English andSpanish written text in four readinglevels, still pictures and short videoclips. There is a Self-Paced InternetTraining Class, and The Scientists andEngineers Guide to Working withStudents, which prepares NASA expertsto talk to the students and understandtheir manual dexterity. The StudentActivity Workbooks provide interactiveproblems on the Internet to reinforceaeronautics concepts presented andcontain self checks and activities thatteachers can print out for homework.

In conjunction with NASAStennis, CAI also plans to explore withstudents the uses of satellite imagery inaeronautics. The Clark satellite isexpected to launch in early ‘98, anddata will be available for the pilotschools in the fall. Children will be ableto see satellite images from their ownarea and compare them to other areas,and they will be taught how to inter-pret satellite images and their uses inagriculture, fire fighting and aviation.

The next step for CAI is toshowcase NASA people, projects andfacilities in the Careers and Future ofAeronautics chapters of the textbook.LTP will assist CAI in providing liveInternet videoconferences for Spanish-speaking students featuring NASA ARCscientists and engineers. As Internetvideo technology advances, CAI plansto provide similar conferences for deafstudents in sign language. For furtherinformation contact: Mark León, email:mleon@mail.arc.nasa.gov, or JaniMacari Pallis, Ph.D., Cislunar Aerospace,Inc. email: deke@cislunar.com

BY PAT KASPER

photo by Cesar Acosta

Linda Rogers gives her presentation at WhismanSchool during Engineer’s Week

photo by Tom Trower

Engineer Week talks..

Learning about aeronauticsvia the Internet at Oakland’s Children’s Hospital

8 — The Ames Astrogram March 6, 1998

Sponsored by the NASA Ames Exchange Council

Develop a design you feel represents Ames Research Center

1st Prize - $1000.

Finalists will receive T-shirts with their designs on them.

Entrys must be in color on 8" X 11" white paper. All entries are due to Mail Stop19-22 by March 20th. All entrys become the property of the Ames Exchange.Contest is open to all Ames civil servant and contract employees except ExchangeCouncil members

Finalists will be chosen by the Exchange judges. The final choices willbe posted in the Ames Cafe so that all Center employees can vote for thefirst prize winner.

The Exchange Gift Shop will have patches, t-shirts and caps made with the winningdesign.

POC: Janine Ciffone, Ames Exchange, ext. 4-4948

Ames Research Center Logo Contest

Astronauts who spend extendedperiods in space often experienceweakening of their hearts and bloodvessels. As doctors and researchers workto understand why this happens, manyof their findings can be applied to heartdisease. NASA’s research and technologyhas led to breakthroughs in the under-standing, diagnosis and treatment ofheart disease -- the number one killer ofAmerican men and women.

"I am proud that NASA research ishelping doctors treat heart disease," saidNASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin."This is a fascinating time for medicalscience, when the developments of our

Space technology used to detectand treat heart disease

Ames Activities

Be a visiting astronomer in BayArea schools and community centers in1998-99. The Astronomical Society ofthe Pacific is seeking amateur andprofessional astronomers and advancedastronomy students to participate inProject ASTRO, an innovative programthat matches amateur and professionalastronomers with 4th-9th gradeteachers in Bay Area schools andcommunity centers.

Project ASTRO helps astronomersform an ongoing partnership with ateacher. Astronomers with an interestin education and some experienceworking with children or teens orpresenting astronomy to the public areencouraged to apply. Astronomersattend a summer training workshopwith their partner teacher, receive awide variety of activities and resourcematerials, work together to plan schoolyear activities and programs andcommit to make at least four daytimevisits during the school year.

During the school year visitingastronomers (depending on theirinterests) can help to lead hands-onactivities, serve as a resource forteachers, organize evening observingsessions, create a school astronomyclub, present auditorium programs,arrange field trips or assist with sciencefair projects. The project’s emphasis ison a hands-on, inquiry-based approachthat research has shown is mosteffective in helping students learn theprocess of science.

The 1998-99 training workshop isscheduled for Fri., Aug. 14 throughSat., Aug. 15, at the San Mateo CountyOffice of Education, Redwood City.Participating astronomers are requiredto attend all or most of the workshop.Visits will begin in fall of this year.

The first application deadline (forpreferred placement) is April 11,although applications will be acceptedafter this date. To request an applica-tion call (415) 337-1100, ext. 101 or e-mail astro@aspsky.org. For moreinformation contact Nicole Taddune,Bay Area Coordinator, at the Astro-nomical Society of the Pacific, (415)337-1100, ext. 101 or visit their website at www.aspsky.org. Project ASTROis funded by the National ScienceFoundation.

Astronomersneeded

The Red Team won the competi-tion which was measured by the largestincrease in percentage of participation.“Dill would have won, though, if we hadbeen measuring in money collected,”Munechika said. “He had the PostalService.”

continued from page 3

CFC surpasses goals

BY JOHN BLUCK

NASA’s Mobile AeronauticsEducational Laboratory (MAEL) openedits doors to the news media Feb. 25 to26 to observe local students preparedata for a cross-country flight, usingthe data during a simulated flight.Housed in a 53-foot trailer, the MAELprovides a state-of-the-art classroomwhere students can explore real-worldchallenges in aviation at 10 unique

Mobile lab visits San Jose

aeronautics and space programs can beapplied to a disease that affects so manyhere on Earth," he said.

"Who would have dreamed thatlasers used to measure Earth's ozonelayer could be used to unclog arteries,"Goldin continued. "If the past is ourguide, our future in space will continueto advance medical science." NASA isworking with the National Institutes ofHealth, the U.S. Department of Healthand Human Services, dozens of hospi-tals, researchers and private companies.These collaborations have resulted insuccessful new programs to diagnoseand treat heart disease.

continued on page 4

“hands-on/minds-on” workstations.Designed to generate excitement

in science and math, the workstationsenable students to design an aircraft,test it in a wind tunnel, operate aGlobal Positioning System to learnabout aviation and geography, use theInternet to search for essential informa-tion needed for the flight, chart a flightpath and finally use the data to fly

Sheila Johnson of Code DXserved as the 1997 Ames Chair, andBob Lopez of Code II served as DeputyChair. The 1998 CFC chairman for thetwo-counties will be Col. Dill, and theprimary Loan Executive will be Capt.Flakes.

The Ames Astrogram — 9March 6, 1998

1. 26 million women won the right to vote through an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Which amendment, in what year?2. Can you name the scientist/author whose book launched the environmental movement?3. Whose daring refusal to move to the back of a segregated bus sparked the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and ‘60s?4. Which Latina has repeatedly been the leading money winner in the Ladies Professional Golf Association?5. Before 1917, it was illegal for doctors even to tell women about contraceptives. Which activist was responsible for reversing this restriction?6. Which woman spoke out for Native Americans’ rights nationwide and before Congressional committees in the 1880s?7. Which creative businesswoman became America’s first black woman millionaire?8. Who was the first Asian-American woman elected to Congress?

Test your women’s history IQ

Learning the true stories ofwomen’s history has a positive effect onjust about everyone. For girls andwomen, these empowering stories fromAmerica’s shared past generate feelingsof personal strength and new possibili-ties. Correspondingly, boys and mengain increased respect for women byknowing more about their individualaccomplishments and about the femaleexperience across time. Celebratingwomen’s lives — filled with courage,caring and contributions — is valuablefor us all.

Women’s history is filled withwomen whose lives and work havetransformed American communities andthe ideas of their day. Women’s history isalso about countless women who havelived out their lives quietly at the centerof their families. Together, these womenrepresent many and varied cultures,faiths, aspirations and beliefs. And, theyhave all contributed significantly tobuilding our society and culture.

History looks different when thecontributions of women are included asroutinely as those of men. When we seehistory in this new way, it is as if we arelooking through a wide-angle lens. Moreof the picture comes into view. Byadjusting our focus, details that weremissing become clear. An expandedview of history lets us see ourselves andour connection to the past differently.When we see history in a new way, wecan see new possibilities for the future aswell.

Catherine Beecher (1800-1878),was a popular writer who argued thatwomen should be trained as teachers.She was pivotal in founding severalwomen’s colleges and lived to seeteaching become an acceptableprofession for women.

Frances Perkins (1880-1965) wasthe first woman appointed to theCabinet of a U.S. President. As Secretaryof Labor, she was instrumental inshaping legislation to create unemploy-ment insures, Social Security andminimum wage.

Rosa Parks (b. 1913) is known asthe “Mother of the Civil Rights Move-ment.” In 1955, she was arrested forrefusing to give up her seat to a whiteman on a segregated bus in Montgom-ery, Alabama. The resulting bus boycottled to the desegregation of all publicschools in America.

Women whochangedAmerica

Women’s History Month

Celebratewomen’s history

1848 - Astronomer Maria Mitchellbecomes the first woman elected to theAmerican Academy of Arts and Sciences;almost a century passes before a secondwoman is added.

1850 - Quaker physicians establishthe Female (later Woman’s) MedicalCollege of Pennsylvania in Philadelphiato give women a chance to learnmedicine. Due to threats against them,the first women graduated under policeguard.

1851 - Sojourner Truth gives herspontaneous “Ain’t I a Woman?” speechat the woman’s rights convention inAkron, Ohio.

1855 - Lucy Stone becomes firstwoman on record to keep her ownnameafter marriage, setting a trend amongwomen who are consequently known as“Luch Stoners.”

1855 - The University of Iowabecomes the first state school to admitwomen. In 1858, the board of manag-ers tries, but fails, to exclude women.

1869 - The American WomanSuffrage Association is formed to securethe vote through each state constitu-tion.

1967 - Executive Order 11375expands Executive Order 11246’s non-discrimination measure to includewomen. Enforcement is not won until1973, however.

The path of thewomen’s rightsmovement

continued on next page

Answers:(1) The 19th Amendment in 1920; (2) Rachel Carson, Silent Spring; (3) Rosa Parksin 1955; (4) Nancy Lopez; (5) Margaret Sanger; (6) Sarah Winnemucca, a Paiute;(7) Madam C.J. Walker; (8) Patsy Mink of Hawaii

10 — The Ames Astrogram March 6, 1998

Women’s historymonth scheduleof events

Researchers in the MusculoskeletalBiomechanics Laboratory (N-239 Rm.178) here at Ames (http://george.arc.nasa.gov/~rwhalen) arecurrently recruiting volunteers for a newstudy entitled “Age-Related Differencesin Physical Activity Level and BoneDensity in Women.” If you are a female25 to 35 years old, or 60 and older andyou do not participate in high impacttypes of exercise such as running,volleyball, or basketball on a regularbasis (walking, biking, swimming, andother low impact exercises are accept-able), we would like you to volunteer.

The laboratory has developed adevice to monitor activity during yournormal day which we have previouslytested here at Ames during the past oneto two years. The main focus of theresearch is to determine how musculosk-eletal loading, caused by normal activity(walking, stair climbing, etc.) is affectingbone density. Particular to this study ishow aging and physical activity relate tobone density.

Initially, a questionnaire todetermine your musculoskeletal historywill assess whether or not you may beincluded in this study. After you arescreened in this manner, you will be

Center Activities

Volunteers wanted for new research studygiven an activity questionnaire todetermine your previous yearly activitypattern. The first phase of testing willrequire you to visit N-239 to determineyour gait patterns for walking andrunning over a force plate mounted ina sidewalk. This may take up to onehour of your time and will be scheduledover a weekend, or other convenienttime. The second part of testinginvolves wearing several devices thatwill monitor your activity during yourday, including the experimental device.For this phase of testing, you will needto visit the laboratory three times.

An initial checkout on the systemis performed in the lab and will takeabout 30 minutes. All device opera-tions will then be explained and givento you for wearing in the fanny packprovided, or on your waist during yourday (i.e. from when you get dressed inthe morning until you retire in theevening.) You will be asked to wear alldevices for five continuous days startingon a Wednesday morning and continu-ing to the following Sunday evening.At the end of the five days you willneed to return to the lab for a finalcheckout.

The final part of testing involves a

low dosage x-ray of your heel boneusing a commercial bone densitometrymachine (that is currently awaitingHuman Research Board approval for thisphase of testing), which will take aboutten minutes. This will be done duringone of your three visits to the labora-tory.

Consent is required for all studyparticipants, and you may withdrawfrom the study at any time for anyreason, although we hope you continuewith all phases of testing.

Retired Ames’ employees and/orspouses (civil servant and contractorswelcome) as well as current employeesare encouraged to volunteer for thisstudy. Volunteers are not limited to on-site personnel, so please encourage yourfriends and/or spouses who live within ashort driving distance from Ames toparticipate. Please call Susan M. Bowley(sbowley@mail.arc.nasa.gov) at ext.4-3440 to volunteer for this study or forfurther information.

Women’smovementcontinued from previous page

1971 - For the first time in it’s130 yrs, attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburgsuccessfully uses the FourteenthAmendment to overturn a sex-biasedlaw in the Supreme Court case Reed v.Reed.

1974 - Hundreds of colleges areoffering women’s studies courses; thereare over 80 full programs in place.Additionally, 230 women’s centers oncollege campuses provide supportservices for women students.

1974 - The number of women inpublic office begins to rise. Womennow hold 8% of state legislative seatsand 16 seats in Congress. By 1986,14.8% of legislative seats, and 24 seatsin Congress. In 1997, 21% of legisla-tive seats, 62 seats in Congress.

1976 - Title IX goes into effect,opening the way for women’s in-creased participation in athleticsprograms and professional schools,enrollments leap in both categories.Title IX withstands repeated courtchallenges over time.

1981 - Sandra Day O’Conner isthe first woman ever appointed to theU.S. Supreme Court. In 1993, she isjoined by Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

1987 - Responding to theNational Women’s History Project, theU.S. Congress declares March to beNational Women’s History Month.

1993 - Take Our Daughters toWork Day debuts, designed to buildgirl’s self-esteem and open their eyes toa variety of career possibilities forwomen.

Women’s History Month DisplayMarch 2 to 31, N-241.

Tax and Financial Strategies SeminarMarch 11, N-241, Rm. B1, 11:30 a.m.to 1:00 p.m.

Books & Article ForumMarch 18, N-241, Rm. 237, 11:30 a.m.to 1:00 p.m. Refreshments to beserved. RSVP NLT 3/12 to ChristineMonroe at ext. 4-4695, or AngelaBrumfield at ext. 4-5778.

The Ames Astrogram — 11March 6, 1998

Events & Classifieds

AmesClassifieds

CalendarJetstream Toastmasters, Mondays,

12 noon to 1 p.m., N-269/Rm. 179.Guests welcome. POC: Jenny Kahn at ext.4-6987 or Pam Walatka at ext. 4-4461.

Ames Child Care Center Board ofDirectors Meeting, Tuesdays, 12 noon to1 p.m., N-213/Rm. 220. POC: Lisa Reid,ext. 4-2260.

Blood Drive, Mar. 12 from 7:30a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Bldg. 3, the MoffettTraining and Conference Center. Sign upvia Internet: http://dq.arc.nasa.gov

Ames Sailing Club Meeting, Mar.12, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., N-262/Rm. 100.POC: Greg Sherwood at ext. 4-0429.

Ames Multicultural LeadershipCouncil Meeting, Mar. 18, 11:30 a.m. to1 p.m., Galileo Rm./Ames Café. POC: DavidMorse at ext. 4-4724 or Sheila Johnson at ext.4-5054.

NFFE local 997 Union GeneralMeeting, Mar. 18, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.,Bldg. 19/Rm. 1040. POC: Marianne Mosher atext. 4-4055.

Ames Amateur Radio Club, Mar. 19,12 noon, N-260/conf. rm. POC: Walt Miller,AJ6T at ext. 4-4558.

Ames Asian American Pacific IslanderAdvisory Group Meeting, Mar. 19, 11:30a.m. to 1 p.m., N-213/Rm. 261. POC: DarylWong at 4-6889 or Brett Vu at ext. 4-0911.

Native American Advisory CommitteeMeetin, Mar. 24, 12 noon to 1 p.m., AmesCafé. POC: Mike Liu at ext. 4-1132.

Ads for the next issue should be sent toastrogram@mail.arc.nasa.gov by the Mondayfollowing publication of the present issue.

Ads must involve personal needs or items;no commercial/third-party ads. Ads will runon space-available basis only. First-time adsare given priority. Ads must include homephone numbers. Ames extensions will beaccepted for carpool and lost and found adsonly.

Transportation

Housing

‘80 Suzuki GS85OG motorcycle. Call Barry, (510)793-4457.

'82 Yamaha XZ Vision 550cc, 12K miles, looks,starts, & runs like new. All fluids changed, new brakes(F & R), tires (F & R), & battery, $900 or B/O . Call Steve(408) 737-9499.

'87 Chev Corvette. Immaculate, mint condition.27K miles, loaded with options, Z51 suspension, AT, PS,PB, gold/buckskin-black int. $13,000. (408) 241-6936.

‘88 Cadillac El Dorado, Gold series, too much newto list, 120,000 miles, asking $5800 or B/O. Call Bob(408) 736-4039.

'88 Plymouth Voyager SE, excellent cond., wellmaintained, 98K miles, V6, PS, PB, AC, Rf rack & otheropts. $5,600. (408) 448-6118.

‘89 Mazda 323, 2dr, Good gas mileage, Goodshape, 115k miles. $2400. Good first time car forteenagers. Call Chris (408) 778-0909

'93 Toyota Camery LE, automatic, 4 cylinder, 60kmi., AC, AM/FM/cass.,alarm, new tires, excellent cond.,$11,500. Call Ed or Gloria (408) 241-6753 or (408)241-5849.

Miscellaneous

Unit For rent: Sunnyvale (Homestead/Hollenbeck)1 bdrm unit in a 4-plex, carport, deck, new carpet, newpaint, $895/mo., avail. 4/1. Call Larry (408) 738-1447.

Two rooms for rent, culdesac home w/ priv. rms +bath. Campbell school district, lg. backyard, new carpet/paint, WD, garage. NS, M or F, no drugs, clean, prof.,$774/ mo. +deposit + half utils. Call Tom, (408) 369-9718, eves.

Prof., clean, NS female w/cat seeks same to shareMtn. View twnhs, 1.5 m fm. main gate, mstr. bdrm. &bath, WD, space for furn., storage, avail 2/23, $625 +utils. (650) 969-7009.

Player piano, Antique, w/rolls, $800. (650) 941-2784.

GE dish washer, black, 6 mo. old w/manual andwarranty, $150. (650) 856-9122.

Late model GE built-in electric double oven, selfcleaning, LED controls, clock & timer, $175 or B/O.(408) 448-6118.

Lazy-boy sectional couch w/incliners, woven fabric,cream w/pastel colors, $400 or B/O. (510) 829-5145 eves.

486-66Mhz VLB motherboard & CPU, 256K cachew/ "green" BIOS & manual, $75. (408) 295-2160.

16bit PC stereo sound card w/ CD ROM interface +multimedia software & manuals, $35. (408) 295-2160.

PC/Apple compatible joystick w/trim pots, $5. IDE/floppy controller card w/cables, $10. Serial(2)/parallelports card, $5. (408) 295-2160.

All Ames employees are invited tosubmit articles relating to Ames projectsand activities for publication in theAstrogram. When you submit stories orads for publication, make sure to checkthe publication deadline and submityour material by e-mail to astrogram@mail.arc.nasa.gov on or before thedeadline. Stories should be sent asenclosures in MS Word.

If you have questions about itemsfor publication, contact the editor at theabove email address.

Name Date Code

Amesretirements

5K Fun Run/WalkThe Fitness Center will sponsor it's

monthly 5K run and 2 mile run/walk onTues., Mar. 17. Meet outside the FitnessCenter before the 12 noon start. No Cost.Bring a friend, enjoy the beautiful outdoorsand goodies at the finish line. This will bethe second race of the 5K/Fun Run Series.POC: Nancy Dunagan, ext. 4-5804

DEADLINE PUBLICATION

MON., MAR. 9 FRI., MAR. 20MON., MAR. 23 FRI., APR. 3MON., APR. 6 FRI., APR. 17MON., APR. 20 FRI., MAY 1MON., MAY 4 FRI., MAY 15MON., MAY 18 FRI., MAY 29MON., JUN 1 FRI., JUN 12MON, JUN 15 FRI, JUN 26

Astrogram deadlines

Ames African American AdvisoryGroup Meeting, Apr. 2, 11:30 a.m. to12:30 p.m., N-241/Rm., 237. POC:Antoinette Price, ext. 4-4270 & Mary BufordHoward, ext. 4-5095.

Environmental, Health & SafetyMonthly Information Forum, Apr. 2,8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Bldg. 19/Rm. 1078.POC: Linda Urabel at ext. 4-0924.

Hispanic Advisory Committee forEmployees, Apr. 2, 11:45 a.m. to 12:30p.m., N-239/Rm. 177. POC: Carlos Torrez,ext. 4-5797.

Ames Contractor Council MeetingApr. 8, 11 a.m., N-200/Comm. Rm. POC:Greg Marshall at ext. 4-4673.

Wanda Riney 12/31/97 J

Robert D. Showman 1/2/98 AF

Ralph H. Robinson 1/2/98 C

John T. Howe 1/2/98 DH

Jerry M. Deerwester 1/2/98 O

James L. Martin 1/2/98 O

Earl V. Petersen 1/2/98 OP

Gary L. Thornton 1/11/98 O

Carlton Gillespie, Jr. 1/31/98 OPM

John D. Wilson 1/31/98 JFF

Nancy Y. Lowe 2/14/98 AD

Yvonne S. Russell 2/27/98 II

Floyd W. Moffitt 2/28/98 AOS

Bob Carlson 2/28/98 II

Larry B. Hofman 2/28/98 D

Henry G. Montoya 3/3/98 JMD

Lado Muhlstein, Jr. 3/3/98 AO

Dennis Riddle 3/13/98 AAL

C. Thomas Snyder 3/28/98 N

Richard Greif 4/3/98 AFA

Wanted: Used remote control airplace w/controller. Call Josh (408) 962-0963.

5 Squaw Valley lift tickets good any day during the‘98 ski season for $39 ea. This is a $9 savings! (650)593-6282.

12 — The Ames Astrogram March 6, 1998

Activities

Official BusinessPenalty for Private Use, $300

National Aeronautics andSpace Administration

Ames Research CenterMoffett Field, California 94035-1000

The Ames ASTROGRAM is an official publication

of the Ames Research Center, National

Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Managing Editor.......................David Morse

Editor........................................Astrid Terlep

AstrogramTHE AMES

AstrogramTHE AMES

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

The NASA 7 Aircraft (air taxi service between Dryden and Ames) now picks up and drops offpassengers at Base Operations, N-158 (Tower Bldg). The telephone number will remain thesame, ext. 4-6309. The fax number has been changed to ext. 4-1750 and the mail stop is:158-1. Passengers will be able to park their cars at N-158.

Arrival and Departure times have not changed: Arrive Ames: 7:30 a.m. Depart Ames: 8:00 a.m. Arrive Dryden: 9:15 p.m. Depart Dryden: 2:15 p.m. Arrive Ames: 3:30 p.m. Depart Ames: 3:45 p.m. Arrive Dryden: 5:00 p.m.

POC: for Air Taxi at Ames: Trudy Schlaich, ext. 4-6309POC: for Air Taxi at Dryden: Nancy Morgan, 805/258-4281

NASA 7 aircraft operations

UnknownI look in the distance.A bright blue and green ball is there.It is small.I can cover it with my finger.It looks so alone.Alone in the vast black empty nothingness.I want to return.

It takes me days to reach it.As I look down, I see a light gray dirt.Lifeless and dull, boring and still.I wonder if there ever was life on it.Maybe.Lots of craters in the surface. Big and small.It is cold here and I feel light on my feet.I must return

As I get closer, the big blue and green ball becomes larger and larger.Days pass, seems like months.

FIRST CLASS MAILPOSTAGE & FEES PAID

NASAPermit No. G-27

I am very close.It’s getting hot and bumpy. This lasts for a minute.Then I fall.Hit the water.I am home, safe from the unknown.

-- Poem submitted by local 14-year-old, Coe Macartney. It wasselected as Editor’s Choice by theNational Library of Poetry. It isabout returning to Earth from amission roaming the solar system.

BY DAVID MORSE

LunarProspectorcontinued from page 6

on the Moon’s nearside that will be usedto enhance geophysical modeling of thelunar interior. This work has producedthe first-ever complete engineeringgravity map of the Moon—a key to theoperational safety and cost efficiency offuture lunar missions.

Lunar Prospector is scheduled tocontinue its present primary datagathering mission at an altitude of 100kilometers (62.5 miles) for a period often more months. At that time, thespacecraft will be put into an orbit as lowas 10 kilometers (6.25 miles) so that itssuite of science instruments can collectdata at finer resolution in support ofmore detailed scientific analyses. Inaddition, composition and surfacestructure information developed fromdata returned by the spacecraft’s gammaray spectrometer instrument will be acrucial aspect of additional analysis overthe coming months. It will permitscientists to further refine their lunarmodels, and should allow them to makemore precise estimates of the amounts ofwater ice-bearing deposits they believeto be present at the Moon’s poles.

Lunar Prospector is a joint missionof NASA Ames Research Center,Lockheed Martin and the Lunar ResearchInstitute. Important science instrumentsand contributions were provided by ahost of universities, private companiesand individuals from the greater sciencecommunity.