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

March 2004

Communication for the Information Technology Age

Ames transformation tailored to space exploration vision goals

Over the past 10 years, NASA Ames responsible for managing its sister cen- volved in nanotechnology, information
has undergone a complete makeover, ter, the Dryden Flight Research Facility. sciences and technology, high-end com-
Today, while Ames still plays a criti- puting and research, thermal protection
NASA photo by Roger Brimmer
cal role in aeronautics driven by its on- systems and solar system exploration.
going research in air traffic manage- And with the Kepler mission, Ames is
ment and air traffic control, the center’s building on its legacy of the legendary
new mission reflects an increased em- Pioneer spacecraft to explore the solar
phasis on information science and tech- system. In addition, noted Hubbard,
nology – key planks in the president’s Ames’ prime location in Silicon Valley
platform of space exploration. serves as “the portal to the best high-
“Back then, the word astrobiology technology center in the world.”
didn’t exist -- today, it is a $25 million All of this has contributed to a new
business,” Hubbard said. Besides as- image of Ames as a vibrant R&D center
trobiology, Ames also is heavily in- continued on page 3

Hubbard shares vision, inspires students

NASA Ames Center Director G. careers in science, mathematics and tech-
Ames Center Director G. Scott Hubbard makes Scott Hubbard visited Jim Bridger nology so that they can become the
a point at the Feb. 25 Ames all-hands meeting. Middle School in North Las Vegas in nation's space explorers and forward
February to tell students at the NASA thinkers of tomorrow.
Explorer school first-hand about their "As NASA moves forward to carry
transforming what had been a center opportunity to participate in the out the president's new vision for space
primarily engaged in aeronautics re- president’s bold vision for exploring exploration, it is essential that we excite
search, to a world-class research and the solar system. Hubbard addressed our youth about the thrilling opportuni-
development center specializing in in- plans to return to the moon and explore ties that are opening up for them," said
formation sciences and technology. Hubbard.
"NASA is com-

NASA photo by Eric James

As a result, NASA Ames is well mitted to work-
suited to meet the goals outlined by ing in partner-
President Bush during his historic ad- ship with our
dress at NASA Headquarters on Jan. 14, schools, to create
2004. That was the thrust of a presenta- exciting new
tion by NASA Ames Center Director G. learning envi-
Scott Hubbard at an all-hands meeting ronments.
for employees held on Feb. 25 in the America has al-
main auditorium and broadcast over ways been a na-
closed circuit television. tion of explorers,
“We are the R&D contributor that but we can't pos-
the exploration vision is going to lean sibly turn this
on,” Hubbard observed. “We have taken vision into real-
the hard steps to transform this center ity without the
into the 21st century.” According to enthusiastic in-
Hubbard, those “hard steps” have cul- volvement of
minated in a new mission for Ames, one Ames Director G. Scott Hubbard (center) presents a model of the Mars our young
that now contributes 80 percent of its
Exploration Rover to Marsha Irwin, region superintendent of Nevada’s Clark people."
research and development directly to
County School District (CCSD), while Mary Stanley-Larsen, CCSD Hubbard is
the president’s space exploration pro-
Communications Office; Gerri Schroder, Office of Congresswoman Shelley well suited to ad-
gram. “We have a well-balanced port-
Berkley; Mary Mason, Office of Senator John Ensign; Richard Vineyard, dress this topic,
Nevada Department of Education; and Janna Austin, Office of Congressman having served as
folio of research and development,” Jon Porter look on. Not shown are Maureen Brower, Office of Nevada NASA's first
Hubbard said. Governor Kenny Guinn, Milana Winter, principal, and Carol Erbach, assistant Mars Explora-
Ten years ago, Ames’ organization principal (Jim Bridger Middle School). tion Program di-
differed considerably from what it is rector and as a
today. In 1994, for example, four of Mars. He shared his insights on the key architect of NASA's Mars explora-
Ames’ key directorates were devoted current Mars rover missions and tion road map. Recently, Hubbard was
specifically to aeronautics. In addition NASA's new direction for human and the sole NASA representative on the
to conducting extensive flight research robotic exploration. His speech was Columbia Accident Investigation Board
and wind tunnel tests, Ames was also geared to inspire the students to pursue continued on page 3

amesnews.arc.nasa.gov
NASA Ames opens new 3-D reality theater in Mars Center
NASA unveiled an exciting new vi- resolution images from Mars that are Designed to spotlight NASA's con-
sualization theater that produces stun- downloaded daily from JPL. Mission tributions to space exploration, Earth
ning 3-D images that will enable visitors control engineers at JPL receive 168 im- sciences, and the Silicon Valley technol-
ogy community, the new Mars Center
has quickly become a popular Bay Area

NASA photo by Tom Trower

attraction since the recent landings of
the Spirit and Opportunity Mars Explo-
ration Rovers. Over the past several
weeks, more than 50,000 students, teach-
ers and area residents have witnessed
NASA's history-making achievements
up close.
"The NASA Mars Center is a re-
sounding success, allowing anyone to
virtually stand on the red planet and
take in its alien landscape," said
Hubbard. "As we work on future NASA
exploration and research missions, in-
cluding human spaceflight, we look for-
ward to continued collaborations with
SGI," he added.
"SGI has worked closely with NASA
to fuel the kind of innovation and dis-
covery that has defined both organiza-
tions throughout their 20-year collabo-
ration," said Bob Bishop, chairman and
CEO, SGI. "SGI is committed to serving
customers whose mission-critical appli-
cations demand real-time big-data ma-
chines. We are delighted to be a part of
The new Mars 3-D reality theater in the NASA Ames Mars Center. yet another thrilling NASA mission,
and we eagerly anticipate the discover-
to take a virtual walk on Mars. ages taken by the Mars Exploration Rov- ies that await us in the years to come."
Developed by Silicon Graphics ers every day and NASA engineers then
(SGI), the new SGI® Reality Center® use the images to create 360-degree pan-
facility opened to the public on March 9 oramas of the red planet. BY MICHAEL MEWHINNEY
in the Mars Center at Ames.
Lebasqz affirms NASA's renewed
Powered by supercomputers, the
new reality center facility is capable
of immersing audiences in interactive
3-D visualizations, multimedia presen-
tations and panoramic images that can
commitment to aeronautics research
be navigated in real time. Featuring a Members of the Ames community quarters will affect research programs
curved display measuring 14 feet tall packed the main auditorium to await at Ames. Delivering the news was one of
and 36 feet wide, the new reality center Ames' own Dr. J. Victor Lebacqz, the
is the largest of its kind on the West newly appointed associate administra-
NASA photo by Tom Trower

Coast. tor for the Office of Aeronautics.

"We are delighted to be able to show- Sitting atop a stool, Lebacqz first
case NASA's numerous achievements laid out his personal values of honesty,
in the new SGI Reality Center," said integrity, fairness and respect, and how
Ames Center Director G. Scott Hubbard.
"This will be an invaluable information he applies that to his relationship within
and educational tool for our Mars Cen- the agency. He talked about Ames and
ter." the rest of the agency as a family that, at
NASA's new reality center provides times, is dysfunctional but is tied to-
a seamless image across three projectors gether for a common good. We mourn
that are used to create the sense of being together, as in the case of the Columbia
on the surface of Mars. The seamless tragedy, but we also celebrate and dream
image enables current NASA Mars Cen- together as seen in the recent successes
ter staff to interact with these enormous of the Mars Exploration Rovers.
3-D models based on the latest images
from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory As he moved to the subject of aero-
(JPL), Pasadena, Calif., by quickly pan- nautics, Lebacqz's casual but frank
ning and zooming with simple mouse speaking style served to calm some con-
movements. cerns. He used humor to deliver a mixed
To celebrate the opening of the new bag of news for different programs at
theater, the Mars Center will feature a Ames, but held out hope that he and
multimedia program produced by JPL, Victor Lebacqz received a warm welcome other forward thinkers at the agency
tracing the earliest observations of the ‘home’ for his recent speech at NASA Ames. were looking out for promising tech-
red planet through NASA's various Mars nologies that have been displaced as a
exploration missions.
In coming weeks, Mars Center visi- the latest news about how the strategic result of the reorganization.
tors will be able to view the latest high- enterprise re-alignments at NASA Head- continued on page 5

Astrogram 2 March 2004

Ames transformation tailored to space exploration vision goals
continued from front page
that is world renowned for its cutting- not be available until this spring or pos- go with the flow and stay calm, as they
edge research that is tightly coupled to sibly even as late as this coming sum- work through the mass of details,” ad-
the new vision for NASA. “We provide mer. Despite the delay, Hubbard ex- vised Hubbard. “I believe that Ames,
discovery, innovation and solutions,” pressed confidence that Ames would by virtue of the effort we have put in
Hubbard declared, adding that Ames fare well in FY ‘05. over the last 10 years to reshape this
will be a major player in the develop- “You can expect some turbulence center, is in an extraordinarily good po-
ment of the new technologies needed to and some time of uncertainty as we sition to match the president’s vision. I
implement the president’s vision for fu- figure out the level of detail that matters really do honestly feel optimistic about
ture space exploration. to each one of you, but the message is, where we are,” Hubbard said.
Key elements of the new explora- don’t panic,” Hubbard cautioned. “Just BY MICHAEL MEWHINNEY
tion vision are:
• to implement a sustained
and affordable human/robotic Hubbard shares vision, inspires students
program to explore the solar continued from front page
system and beyond; that cited the need for a new national tion and inspiration to pursue careers in
• to extend human presence space exploration vision. science, mathematics and technology.
across the solar system, starting "We were extremely excited to have "I wouldn't be surprised if one of
with a human return to the moon Scott Hubbard
by the year 2020, in preparation visit our school to

NASA photos by Eric James

for human exploration of Mars share what
and other destinations; NASA's vision for
• to develop the innovative the future of space
technologies, knowledge and exploration holds
infrastructures both to explore for our students,"
and to support decisions about said Carol Erbach,
the destinations for human assistant principal
exploration; and at Jim Bridger
• to promote international and Middle School.
commercial participation in "The visit gave us
exploration to further U.S. the opportunity to
scientific, security and show how we
economic interests. have incorporated
the NASA pro-
Hubbard pointed out that Ames also
fits well with NASA’s new Office of
Exploration Systems Enterprise that is Attendees at the recent presentation given by NASA Ames Center
charged with implementing the Director G. Scott Hubbard at the Jim Bridger Middle School.
president’s vision on a national level. At
the local level, Hubbard has formed a
new Ames Exploration Office under the these students
leadership of Dan Clancy to focus the becomes the first
center’s research and development ef- astronaut to ex-
forts on the new vision. plore Mars," said
To pay for the ambitious space ex- Donald James,
ploration program, the president has education direc-
called for NASA to receive an addi- tor at NASA
tional $12 billion in funding through Ames. "Many of
fiscal year 2009. Additional funds are NASA's em-
budgeted to develop a Crew Explora- ployees, includ-
tion Vehicle for Mars and lunar explo- ing the agency's
ration, to develop human and robotic astronauts, can
trace their desire
technologies to address health risks and NASA Ames Center Director G. Scott Hubbard visits the student Marscape to work at NASA
life support systems, to return the space during his recent visit to the Jim Bridger Middle School in Las Vegas. to a classroom
shuttle to flight and to provide cargo visit by a NASA
and crew services to the International gram into our curriculum and how we employee or a field trip to a NASA cen-
Space Station. have used current events to excite stu- ter or exhibit," said James.
Unlike in previous budgetary cycles, dents at our Mars yard." For information about the NASA
Hubbard said key policy decisions about The Jim Bridger Middle School is a Explorer Schools program, visit: http:/
the new fiscal year’s budget weren’t part of NASA's Explorer Schools pro- /explorerschools.nasa.gov
ironed out until mid-December of last gram, a three-year partnership of scien- For more information about the
year. Consequently, he said specific tific and engineering adventures to en- president’s new vision for space explo-
details about the proposed budget for gage students using unique NASA re- ration visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mis-
individual field centers are still being sources and capabilities. The program is sions/solarsystem/bush_vision.html
worked out in Washington, and may designed to give students the founda- BY JONAS DINO

Astrogram 3 March 2004

Ames kicks off diversity program around civil rights celebration
fusing to give up her bus seat and the
Professor Margaret
Russell, lecturer at
political recognition of the disparities
Santa Clara between blacks and whites. One seg-
University School of ment of this series will be shown
Law, speaks at the monthly.
recent diversity All Ames employees are invited and
program kick-off encouraged to attend the showings of
presentation at Ames the episodes.
on Feb. 24. This
year’s program is
Activities in commemoration of the
themed around passage of the Civil Rights Act will con-
celebrating the 40th tinue throughout the year. E-mail an-

NASA photo by Tom Trower

anniversary of the nouncements will go out monthly.
Civil Rights Act of If you have any questions about the
1964. activities, contact Orlando Sepulveda at
ext. 4-1064.

The Equal Opportunity Programs

Office launched the center's diversity
program for 2004 in February.
This year marks the 40th anniver-
DDF poster session held at Ames
sary of the passage of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 and will be the theme for this
year's diversity program. In celebration
of Black History Month, the program
was presented with a viewing of a short
video of the signing of the Civil Rights
Act by President Lyndon B. Johnson,
which was followed by a lecture and
discussion by Professor Margaret
Russell, a law professor from Santa Clara
University School of Law.
Russell lectures at Santa Clara Uni-
versity School of Law and specializes in
constitutional law and contemporary le-
gal theory. She is an author and a
founding member of the East Palo Alto
Community Law Project where she also
served as chair of the board of directors.
Russell is also chair of the board of direc-
tors for the American Civil Liberties
Union of Northern California and vice-
president for the national American Civil
Liberties Union. She received a bach-
elor degree from Princeton University
and completed her law degree at
Stanford Law School.
The following day, Ames showed NASA photo by Tom Trower
episode one of ‘Awakenings (1954-56),’
the first of a six-part PBS film series
The Director's Discretionary Fund (DDF) poster session was held at Ames in February. The event
titled ‘Eyes on the Prize,’ which docu- provided an opportunity to view some of the most innovative research being carried out at the
ments the civil rights movement. ‘Awak- center. The annual event has proven to be an excellent forum for scientific interchange and an
enings’ focuses on catalytic events of excellent opportunity to look for collaborative research ideas.
1954-1956, which include the Mississippi
lynching of Emmett Till, Rosa Parks re-

Astrogram 4 March 2004

Byron Wood, former Ames scientist, passes on
Byron L. Wood, a former senior re- ing and geographic information system Outside of work, Wood’s major pas-
search scientist with Ames’ Ecosystem technologies could be integrated with sion was following the ups and (often)
Science and Technology Branch (Code case data, vector data, landscape vari- downs of Cal football. A season ticket
SGE), passed away on Feb. 6 at his par- ables, and other epidemiologic factors
ents’ home in Folsom, Calif. He was 57. to answer research questions, aid with
Wood came to Ames in 1982 as a disease surveillance and focus control
contractor, became a civil servant in 1997, activities.
and remained with Code SGE until he A high point of Wood’s career was
left Ames in 2003. when he organized the Global Health
He began his career in remote sens- Issues seminar for the Third United
ing at U.C. Berkeley in 1979, where he Nations Conference on the Exploration
was an assistant specialist with the re- and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
mote sensing research program. While (UNISPACE III), which took place in
there, he worked on NASA’s Vienna, Austria, in 1999. Another mile-
AgRISTARS program, focusing on crop stone was his work with Rita Colwell
identification and field estimates using that demonstrated the utility of remotely
satellite data. This work took him to sensed data for predicting cholera out-
Argentina and other South American breaks in Bangladesh. This important
countries, where he fell in love with work was subsequently published in
travel. the Proceedings of the National Acad-
In 1982, Wood came to work at emy of Science. Byron Wood
NASA Ames as a contractor with Wood served on several panels, in-
Technicolor Government Services (later cluding the National Science and Tech- holder for nearly 30 years, he often
Johnson Controls) where he put his ag- nology Council, Committee on Interna- planned his travel around their football
ricultural remote-sensing experience to tional Science, Engineering, and Tech- schedule, particularly the ‘big game’
use on the irrigated lands project. nology Working Group on Emerging with Stanford. He had many friends
In 1985, Wood found his true calling and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases; from his years at Berkeley, where he
at NASA when he began work on the the NOAA Working Group on Health received his M.A. in geography in 1977,
Global Monitoring and Human Health Consequences of El Nino Southern Os- and was subsequently advanced to Ph.D.
(GMHH) program. This program, a col- cillation, Climate and Health; and the candidacy. Wood also taught remote-
laboration between NASA Ames, U.C. National Center for Ecological Analysis sensing courses at Berkeley, as well as at
Davis, the Mexican Ministry of Health and Synthesis Working Group on Ecol- colleges throughout the Bay Area.
and others, focused on using NASA sci- ogy of Infectious Disease. Wood is survived by his parents,
ence and technologies to model mos- Wood succeeded in elevating pub- Dorothy and Clifford Wood of Folsom,
quito habitat distribution for use in lic health research and applications and his wife, Herlinda, and son
models of malaria transmission risk. within NASA and initiating important Nathaniel, of San José. He will also be
Following the successful demonstration and productive interdisciplinary col- deeply missed by his many friends and
in California rice fields of this ‘high tech’ laborations with major national and in- colleagues at Ames, and by those with
approach to disease mapping, the team ternational scientists through his per- whom he worked around the world. A
then launched a large field campaign in sonal devotion and acumen. In addition memorial service for Wood is planned
Chiapas, Mexico, where malaria trans- to his many publications in prestigious for April or May with arrangements to
mission is a health concern. journals, his impact continues to grow, be announced as they become available.
In 1995, Wood extended the tech- as others are now following the path he
niques and expertise developed in the blazed -- a true measure of one's impact BY LOUISA BECK
GMHH program to form the Center for on his field.
Health Applications of Aerospace Re-
lated Technologies (CHAART) at Ames.
CHAART’s purpose was to expand dis- Lebasqz affirms NASA's renewed
ease modeling to other vector-borne dis-
eases, such as Lyme disease, leishma- commitment to aeronautics research
niasis, filariasis and schistosomiasis. His continued from page 2
love of travel, begun in Argentina, was
an important asset in his new role as Lebacqz assured the audience that Lebacqz ended his presentation with
CHAART director, as his duties took the reorganization demonstrates a small inspirational animation that be-
him to various ‘disease hotspots’ around NASA’s renewed commitment to the gan with the Wright Flyer being fol-
the world, including Mali, Bangladesh, first ‘A’ in NASA. He reiterated the lowed and overtaken by the Mars air-
China, Peru, Australia and Brazil. agency's commitment to current aero- plane over the sands of North Carolina
Wood initiated a memorandum of nautics programs: airspace systems, which quickly become the sand of Mars.
understanding between Ames and the aviation safety and security, and ve- The last slide stated ‘The Wright Broth-
National Institutes of Health, as well as hicle systems that include the growing ers took humankind to our sky, let us
collaborations with the World Bank, area of research in uncrewed aerial ve- fully utilize and protect our sky and take
NOAA’s Office of Global Programs, and hicles. Leveraging the expertise at the humankind to other skies,’ a dream
the Centers for Disease Control and Pre- ‘aero’ centers, he also expressed his de- Lebacqz wants to realize.
vention. These joint projects enabled sire to invigorate research in hyper- and
supersonics. BY JONAS DINO
NASA to demonstrate how remote sens-

Astrogram 5 March 2004

McDonough to share acclaimed design philosophy at Ames
William McDonough, an interna- United States and abroad. McDonough's visit is the first of
tionally renowned environmental de- He also chairman of Second Nature, Code Q's planned events to celebrate
signer and design chemist, will present a Boston-based nonprofit organization Earth Day on April 22. The presentation
promoting the teaching of sustainability will be one hour, followed by a ques-
in higher education. He also serves as tion-and-answer session. His February
U.S. chairman and member of the board 2003 Stanford Graduate School of Busi-
of councilors of the China-U.S. Center ness talk is available as Real Time Player
for Sustainable Development and re- video on the Web at http://
cently joined the board of the H. John wesley.stanford.edu/Multimedia/lec-
Heinz Center for Science, Economics and tures/mcdonough.ram. There is also a
the Environment. He is an alumni re- written summary of the speech at http:/
search professor at the University of /www.gsb.stanford.edu/news/head-
Virginia's Darden Graduate School of lines/2003_vongugelberg.shtml
Business Administration and A.D. White For more information, and to RSVP
professor-at-large at Cornell University. for the April 9 presentation, visit http:/
McDonough stepped down as the dean /q.arc.nasa.gov/newworld/ by April 5
of the School of Architecture at the Uni- and/or contact Stacy St. Louis at
versity of Virginia in 1999, where he was [email protected] or ext. 4-6810
also the Edward E. Elson professor of with any questions.
architecture.
BY STACY ST. LOUIS AND DIANE FARRAR

Astrobiology science conference set

William McDonough NASA Ames will host the third on Earth and beyond?" said confer-
Astrobiology Science Conference ence organizer Lynn Rothschild of
March 28 – April 1. The Conference is Ames. According to Rothschild, each
‘A Whole New World, Right Here on expected to be the biggest, best, most question will be carefully examined
Earth,’ on April 9, at 10 a.m. in the N-201 exciting and thought-provoking event through invited plenary lectures and
auditorium at Ames. This is a rare op- yet. The conference will feature over contributed papers and enriched by
portunity to hear, at no charge, a noted 400 abstracts from around the world special sessions on topics such as the
international authority on green build- in the categories such as astrobiology ethics of exploration, the place of hu-
ing, design chemistry and sustainable missions, biogeochemistry, detection mans in astrobiology and the astrobi-
development. McDonough, an insight- and characterization of extrasolar ology drilling program.
ful, dynamic and poignant speaker, will planets, Earth history, extreme envi- The mission of the Astrobiology
share his internationally acclaimed de- ronments, global change, humans in Science Conference is to report on the
sign philosophy. Please RSVP to the ad- an astrobiological context, Mars, ori- latest findings in astrobiology and, at
dress provided here, as seating is lim- gin of life/prebiotic chemistry and the same time, push the boundaries of
ited and community members will be many others. the field and bring in new workers.
invited. The Conference will open with a From missions to experimental science,
McDonough has been a leading de- public session ‘Astrobiology and Hu- from modeling the past, present and
signer in the sustainable development manity’ on March 28, during which future to the interrelationship of astro-
movement since 1977. He is one of the the participants will enjoy the wel- biology and other fields of human en-
primary proponents and shapers of what come reception, educator’s sessions, deavor, you will find it here.
he and his partners call 'The Next Indus- memorial lecture, hands-on educa- Ames civil servants can attend by
trial Revolution.' Time magazine recog- tional activities and accessible lectures registering on the Web at http://
nized him in 1999 as a 'Hero for the about astrobiology. The topics dur- abscicon.arc.nasa.gov/ and paying the
Planet', stating that "his utopianism is ing Monday through Thursday ses- $115 fee, which will include all food,
grounded in a unified philosophy that - sions discussed by pre-eminent re- receptions and meeting handouts. If a
- in demonstrable and practical ways -- searchers and scientists from around civil servant wishes to attend just a
is changing the design of the world." the world will include cosmology and few sessions, he or she may register
His ideas and efforts were also honored life; organics in space: molecular each day to receive a daily badge. Con-
when, in 1996, he received the 'Presiden- clouds and comets; constraining sce- tractors and all others attached to Ames
tial Award for Sustainable Develop- narios for the origin of life; interpret- must pay the full fee.
ment,' the nation's highest environmen- ing the molecular tree of life; the ori- The first two Astrobiology Science
tal honor in a White House ceremony. gin of adaptability and human be- Conferences at Ames held in 2000 and
McDonough is cofounder and prin- ings; creating life in the lab; possibil- 2002 attracted scientists from all over
cipal, with German chemist Michael ity for extraterrestrial life; the mean- the world with many excellent post-
Braungart, of McDonough Braungart ing of life and many others. A special ers, exciting thematic sessions and
Design Chemistry (MBDC), a product science fiction lecture will be pre- great enthusiasm.
and systems development firm assist- sented on Tuesday evening. The third For more information about the
ing prominent client companies in de- Astrobiology Science Conference will third Astrobiology Science Conference,
signing profitable and environmentally also feature student poster presenta- visit http://abscicon.arc.nasa.gov/
intelligent solutions. He is also the found- tions for graduate and undergradu- Information about NASA's astrobiol-
ing principal of William McDonough ate students. ogy programs may be obtained at
and Partners, Architecture and Com- "This year's meeting is structured http://astrobiology.arc.nasa.gov and
munity Design, an internationally rec- around the three big astrobiology http://nai.arc.nasa.gov/
ognized design firm practicing ecologi- questions: Where do we come from?
cally, socially and economically intelli- Are we alone? Where are we going - BY VERONIKA SOUKHOVITSKAYA
gent architecture and planning in the

Astrogram 6 March 2004

NASA scientists win grants for new research
NASA has selected two scientists weight, -power and -volume resupply products and to purify highly contami-
from NASA Ames to receive grants to system that will have a significant im- nated liquid wastes by removing salts
conduct research in advanced human pact on the ability of humans to conduct and other chemicals.
support technologies. long-duration spaceflight missions NASA received 122 proposals in
In accordance with the president's safely. response to its March 2003 NASA Re-
new space exploration program, NASA’s “Water composes 87 percent of all search Announcement. The proposals
Office of Biological and Physical Re- chemical and physical requirements to were peer reviewed by scientific and
search chose Michael Flynn and Dr. keep an astronaut alive in space,” said technical experts from academia, gov-
Stephen Ellis to develop technologies Flynn. “Providing the capability to re- ernment and industry before selections
that will advance humans’ ability to con- cycle water with no resupply require- were made. In addition to technical and
duct long-duration space flight missions ments may potentially reduce the costs scientific merit, selection criteria also
safely. Flynn and Ellis are two of 22 of the missions by reducing launch mass included cost, relevance to NASA pro-
researchers selected from across the na- and will reduce their risk by providing grams and feasibility of utilization by
tion. self-sufficiency.” NASA.
"We are delighted that two promi- Scientists believe versions of For more information, visit http://
nent NASA Ames researchers, Michael NASA’s DOC system will benefit not spaceresearch.nasa.gov/
Flynn and Stephen Ellis, have been se- only astronauts in space, but also people
lected to receive a grant from NASA's on Earth. This technology has already BY VICTORIA STEINER
Office of Biological and Physical Re- been used to remove water from food
search," said NASA Ames Research Cen-
ter Director G. Scott Hubbard. "We are
very proud of this early contribution to
the president's vision for space explora-
tion."
Ellis’s project on virtual environ-
E-waste forum set for April 8
ment interfaces for remote operation in-
volves studying simulation and user Electronics waste -- What is it? conductor manufacturer, from 1998 to
interface issues for small free-flying ve- Why is it a concern? And how does 2003. Between 1991 and 1998, Lacy
hicles that may be used to inspect a Ames deal with it? E-waste, primarily supported environmental compliance,
spacecraft for damage while in orbit. old computers, has become a huge dis- including P2 efforts, for NASA Ames
“People have been using virtual posal issue in recent years for indus- under contract to the environmental
environments for remote operations for try, government and private citizens services office.
many years, yet there are few opera- alike. A forum discussing this matter He was part of much of the early
will be held on April 8, from 8:30 a.m. NASA policy development and report-
tional examples of such interfaces,” said
to 9:30 a.m. in Bldg. N221, in room 155. ing pertaining to pollution prevention
Ellis. “This project will help NASA ad- as required by federal law and the first
The speaker of this event will be Mark
vance the system and improve virtual Lacy, a senior environmental protec- executive orders mandating federal
environment user interfaces by estab- tion specialist from Code QE. At this agencies to implement affirmative pro-
lishing performance criteria and pro- forum you will learn: curement and P2 requirements.
viding high graphics.” Lacy also developed several of the
NASA researchers use virtual envi- • Why e-waste has become a chapters of the Ames environmental
ronments (VE) because of their lower- national environmental concern procedures and guidelines established
mass, lower-power requirements and • How e-waste is regulated in in the mid-1990s including P2/affir-
reduced volume. Equipped with suffi- California mative procurement, hazardous waste
cient dynamic and visual accuracy, VE • What happens to e-waste management, medical waste manage-
also can be a great training tool. Using at Ames ment and industrial wastewater man-
VE, astronauts can rehearse extra-ve- • What you can do with your agement.
hicular activities (space walks) during old home computers Prior to 1991, Lacy performed en-
repair missions and practice experiments vironmental site assessments for pri-
requiring maximum precision while Lacy is responsible for implement- vate lending institutions while em-
working in very restricted time frames. ing the pollution prevention (P2) pro- ployed by E2C, Inc., a local engineer-
Flynn’s proposal addresses the de- grams at NASA Ames. ing and environmental consulting com-
velopment of a water recycling system Prior to re-joining Code QE in the pany. Lacy's formal education includes
called the Direct Osmotic Concentra- summer of 2003, Lacy was responsible an MS in environmental management
tion System (DOC). DOC separates salt for groundwater remediation, hazard- from USF, 1997 and a BS in environ-
ous waste, and P2 programs for Ad- mental Toxicology from UCD, 1989.
and water from wastewater and puri-
vanced Micro Devices, a global semi-
fies human liquid wastes, such as urine
and non-potable water, into water that
is safe to drink.
NASA’s goal is to develop a low-

Astrogram 7 March 2004

Ames opens new on-site office supply store
The Logistics Management Branch

NASA photo by Eric James

(in building N255) recently enhanced its
stores stock and just-in-time supply ser-
vice with a new self-service store.
The new store carries a full line of
office products, paper products, com-
puter accessories, janitorial and clean-
ing supplies, tool and repair items and
many other types of supplies to meet the
daily needs of Ames employees. It also
has an extensive special order program
for all common, non-stock supplies,
which can usually be delivered within
two days.
The store also accepts phone orders
at ext. 4-6801, fax orders at ext. 4-6802
and also e-mail orders at
[email protected]

Deputy Center Director Allen Flynt speaks at the recent ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new
Ames supply store in Building 255.

President George Bush visits Bay Area

NASA photos by Tom Trower

Below: NASA Ames Deputy Center Director Allen Flynt
(left) greets President George Bush as he arrives at
Moffett Field during a recent visit to the Bay Area.

Above: President George Bush waves to the crowd as

he steps off Air Force One after touching down at
Moffett Field recently.

Astrogram 8 March 2004

Vision of future human, robotic space efforts revealed
The priorities for human and ro- In order to develop requirements to By 2011, the CEV would make its first
botic exploration beyond Earth and the complete space missions, “we’ll be draw- unmanned flight, and by 2014 the first
organization to carry out those space ing on folks from across the centers, crew would fly the CEV. The Jupiter Icy
voyages were subjects of an overview developing independent product Moon Orbiter (JIMO)/Prometheus mis-
recently broadcast across NASA via sat- teams,” according to Michael Lembeck, sion is slated for 2015. Project
ellite. director of the Code T Requirements Prometheus includes nuclear systems
Besides setting clear space explora- Division. “We’re not starting from technology and demonstrations. A hu-
tion goals and objectives, the agency scratch,” he said. “There’s been a lot of man mission to the moon is forecast to
also has to make tough choices – some work done over the last 15 to 20 years to take place in the 2015-2020 time frame.
programs will end, and others will be- develop a set of architectures.” To help accomplish these and other
gin, according to Admiral Craig Steidle, The new enterprise will use the “spi- missions, Code T planners are develop-
associate administrator for the Office of ral development approach,” Lembeck ing requirements and a technology
Exploration Systems, Code T, who spoke said. “We’ll build a little – fly a little,” he roadmap. The roadmap will tell agency
to employees from NASA Headquar- said. NASA will learn from its mistakes, officials how to integrate technologies
ters in Washington. He shared the po- he explained. into the programs that will take people
dium with members of his management “The space missions in this plan and robots into space.
team. They outlined how the agency require advanced systems and capabili- Speaking about the CEV require-
would achieve the nation’s new vision ties that will accelerate the development ments development, Lembeck said,
for space exploration and what the new of many critical technologies, including “We’re not going to do this alone. Again,
enterprise has already done. power, computing, nanotechnology, bio- we’re going to turn to industry for some
“This is a tremendous opportunity,” technology, communications, network- help.” NASA will find those technolo-
Steidle said. “We’re going to do busi- ing, robotics and materials,” according gies that “other folks” have been work-
ness differently,” he later added. To con- to one of Steidle’s presentation slides. ing on, he explained. “And finally, in the
duct human missions to the moon and Steidle also mentioned 18 elements that fall we would hope to actually get on the
Mars will call for a sustained effort and make up the nation’s space exploration path to cutting hardware,” Lembeck
innovative technologies not only from mission. stated. “We’ll let out the first requests
NASA, but also from industry and Key objectives of the vision include for proposals (RFPs) for the crew explo-
academia, he explained. implementing a sustained and afford- ration vehicle.”
“We’re very excited to work with able human and robotic program; ex- There are three items needed to de-
Code T,” said Jan Aikins, deputy direc- tending human presence across the so- velop technology and hardware, accord-
tor of Ames’ Information Science and lar system and beyond; developing in- ing to Jim Nehman, director of the Code
Technology Directorate. “Not only will novative technologies, knowledge and T Development Division. These are: fully
this effort lead to the revitalization of infrastructures; and promoting interna- defined requirements, a realistic sched-
NASA’s space program, but it will en- tional and commercial participation in ule, and cost estimates based on the
able Ames to make a significant contri- exploration. requirements and schedule.
bution in information technology, space Major milestones include 2008 – the People in the Development Divi-
science and other areas,” Aikins added. initial flight test of the Crew Exploration sion will also participate in the require-
President Bush on Jan. 14 revealed a Vehicle (CEV) and launch of a lunar ments process, Nehman said. In addi-
new vision for 21st century space explo- robotic orbiter. Project Constellation is tion, many people in the requirements
ration that calls for human and robotic the CEV and the systems that go with it. contined on page 10
missions to the moon, Mars and be-
yond. This vision includes clear goals.
At the same time, the vision takes ac-
count of budgetary ‘boundaries.’ Managing stress seminar scheduled
“This is a multi-billion-dollar busi-
ness,” Steidle said. “We need to do it On May 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 • Areas of stress and strain
right.” Advances in human and robotic a.m., in Bldg. N221, Room 155, Bar- • Strategies for dealing with
technology will play key roles as enablers bara Correia, MFT (a contracted coun- work/personal stress
of the new vision, according to Steidle. seling company) will discuss ‘The
The bottom line is to accomplish Road to Balance.’ About the company:
safe and efficient missions, and so, During this seminar, you will CONCERN is a national Knox-
“we’ve developed technology priori- learn to recognize the stressors that Keene licensed employee assistance
ties,” said Douglas Cooke, Steidle’s physically impact people when try- program. The program is dedicated to
deputy. “We have an understanding of ing to combine a career and family the promotion of a productive
the big drivers in exploration – things life. In addition, Correia will help you workforce, while helping employees
like propulsion, power, advanced life understand the attitudes, beliefs and maintain a healthy balance in their
support, extravehicular activity (EVA) myths that help and hinder you in personal and professional lives.
suits and many others that contribute your daily activities. For more information, visit the
toward safe and efficient missions.” An Specifically, the seminar will ad- company Web site at http://
example of research needed is “under- dress: www.concern-eap.com.
standing the radiation effects on human • Today's lifestyles
beings,” he added.

Astrogram 9 March 2004

 Events Calendar Ames Diabetics (AAD), 1st & 3rd Weds, 12 noon
to 1 p.m., at Ames Mega Bites, Sun room. Support
a.m., Bldg. 221/Rm 155. URL: http://q.arc.nasa.gov/
qe/events/EHSseries/ POC: Stacy St. Louis at ext. 4-
group discusses news affecting diabetics. POC: Bob 6810.
Ames Amateur Radio Club, third Thursday of each Mohlenhoff, ext. 4-2523/e-mail at:
month, 12 noon, N-T28 (across from N-255). POC: The Hispanic Advisory Committee for
[email protected].
Michael Wright, KG6BFK, at ext. 4-6262. Excellence HACE Mtg, first Thurs of month in N255
Ames Federal Employees Union (AFEU) Mtg, room 101C from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. POC: Eric
Ames Ballroom Dance Club. Classes on Tuesdays. third Wednesday of ea. month, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Bldg. Kristich at ext. 4-5137 and Mark Leon at ext. 4-6498.
Beginning classes meet at 6:15 p.m. Higher-level class 221, Rm 104. Guests welcome. Info at: http://
meets at 5:15 p.m. Held in Bldg. 944, the Rec. Center. Jetstream Toastmasters, Mondays, 12 p.m. to 1
www.afeu.org. POC: Marianne Mosher, ext. 4-4055.
POC: Helen Hwang, [email protected], 4-1368. p.m., N-269/Rm.179. POC: Becky Brondos at ext. 4-
Ames Mac Support Group Mtg, third Tuesday of 1959, [email protected] or Bob Hilton at
Ames Bowling League, Palo Alto Bowl on Tuesday ea. month, 11:30 a.m.to 1 p.m., Bldg. N262, Rm 180. ext. 4-1783, [email protected].
nights. Seeking full-time bowlers and substitutes. POC: Julie ext. 4-4694 or Tony ext. 4-0340.
Questions to sign up: Mike Liu at ext. 4-1132. Nat'l Association of Retired Federal Employees,
Ames Model Aircraft Club, flying radio-controlled (NARFE). Former and current federal employees. Your
Ames Child Care Center Board of Directors Mtg, aircraft at the north end of Parsons Ave. on weekend only contact with Congress. Join to protect your
every other Thursday (check Web site for meeting dates: mornings. POC: Mark Sumich, ext. 4-6193. federal retirement. Chptr #50 meets the first Fri. of
http://accc.arc.nasa.gov), 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., N-210, each month at HomeTown Buffet, 2670 El Camino (at
Rm. 205. POC: Cheryl Quinn, ext 4-5793. Ames Sailing Club Mtg, second Thursday of ea.
Kiely), S. Clara, 11 a.m. lunch. POC Earl Keener (408)
month (Feb through Nov), from 11.30 a.m. -1 p.m. in
Ames Contractor Council Mtg, first Wednesday 241-4459 or NARFE 1-800-627-3394.
the special events room in the Ames Visitor Center in N-
each month, 11 a.m., N-200, Comm. Rm. POC: Anita 223. All are welcome. POC: Jeff Smith, ext. 4-2586. Native American Advisory Committee Mtg,
Fogtman, ext. 4-4432. fourth Tues each month, 12 noon to 1 p.m., Bldg. 19,
Environmental, Health and Safety Information
Rm 1096. POC: Mike Liu at ext. 4-1132.
Forum, first Thursday of each month, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30

Vision of future human, robotic space efforts revealed

continued from page 9
organization eventually will transfer to workshops to ask for external ideas re- has been making visits to centers.“The
the development team, according to lated to the challenges. Some current engineering and technical work will be
Nehman. challenge ideas include revolutionary done at the centers,” Steidle stated.
“We are doing a thorough review advances in fundamental technologies, Asked if the “political climate”
of all the human and robotic technology breakthrough robotic capabilities and changes, how would the new explora-
programs that are out there,” said very low cost space missions. tion program be impacted, Steidle said,
Nehman. He added that projects must Following the Code T presentations, “If you establish sound requirements
be relevant to the “new vision.” There employees from across the agency asked up front, that goes a long way.”
are about 140 programs being evalu- questions. One employee asked how is One of the last questions was, “How
ated. “Some programs will survive,” he knowledge from the past 40 years of do we define our tempo?”
said. “Others may have to be re-vec- human spaceflight (including Russian “We have some milestones,” Steidle
tored a little,” he continued. Still others experience) being captured? Steidle said said. “You have to have a sense of ur-
may “drop off the table, but that’s okay. that Code T has been checking with gency,” he continued. “It’s going to be a
They will be replaced by other technolo- people who participated in the Apollo fast-paced ball game, but that’s the fun
gies,” Nehman explained. program, among other areas, to obtain of it.”
Where technology gaps appear, information. Code T presentation slides are linked
managers will identify new technolo- Another question was what role from this Internet page: http://
gies to fill the gaps, according to would centers play in the new explora- www.nasa.gov/missions/solarsystem/
Nehman. tion effort? Steidle said that Code T had explore_main.html
“I’ve got a lot of positions yet to fill,“ been coordinating with five centers, and BY JOHN BLUCK
said Nehman. “We’re going to take our
time—do it slowly and pick the right
people.” Protective Services monthly activity
Brant Sponberg of Code T intro-
duced the concept of ‘centennial chal- A statistical summary of activities Protection Services units for the month
lenges,’ NASA-sponsored contests that of the Protective Services Division's of February 2004 is shown below.
will award monetary prizes to “stimu- Security/Law Enforcement and Fire
late innovation and competition in tech-
nical areas of interest to space explora- Security/Law Enforcement Activity Fire Protection Activity
tion and ongoing NASA priorities.” The
challenges will emphasize explorations
to “improve life here, extend life to there
and find life beyond.”
An initial list of 130 challenges was
reduced to 15, according to Sponberg.
The first challenge purses will not
exceed $250,000 in fiscal year 2004. But
for 2005 and beyond, the purses may be
larger due to provisions in the 2005
NASA authorization bill. There will be

Astrogram 10 March 2004

Ames Classifieds Miscellaneous
1.05 carat 18K yellow gold, engagement ring good
Exchange Information
Information about products, services and
Ads for the next issue should be sent to
color quality at a low price of $8,000, original price opportunities provided to the employee and contractor
[email protected] and must be resubmitted for
$10,000. Hardly been worn. If interested, call Jomarie at community by the Ames Exchange Council. Visit the
each issue. Ads must involve personal needs or items; (no
(408) 286-7443 and leave message. web site at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov
commercial/third-party ads) and will run on a space-
available basis only. First-time ads are given priority. Ads
must include home phone numbers; Ames extensions and
Baby crib, maple construction, solid, excellent
condition, $75. Tom (408) 255-3525. Beyond Galileo N-235 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
email addresses will be accepted for carpool and lost and ext. 4-6873
found ads only. Due to the volume of material received, Looking for freezer chest and back yard patio table
with chairs. Email: [email protected] Ask about NASA customized gifts for special
we are unable to verify the accuracy of the statements occasions. Make your reservations for Chase Park

Car Pool
made in the ads. Caveat emptor!
Mega Bites N-235 (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Housing Carpool/vanpool: Interested in ridesharing 3 times per ext. 4-5969
For rent: 3bd/2ba, 2-car garage house in Newark. week from Davis/Sacramento area to Moffett. Flexible See daily menu at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov
Fenced yard, quite neighborhood, close to schools and work hours. Avnish at ext. 4-4652.
shopping, easy access to Dumbarton Bridge. Pets maybe. Visitor Center Gift Shop N-943
$1,950 mo plus security deposit. Call (510) 792-2701. (10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) ext. 4-5412
Large room in 4 bd/2 ba home, excellent, quiet Mtn
View area close to Ames. W/D, microwave, wired for cable Ask the Export Expert NASA logo merchandise, souvenirs, toys, gifts and
modem. Tidy person and nonsmoker. Easy access to educational items.
Ames, 85, 237, & 101. $475 and dep and share utilities. Question: Just what is an ‘ex-
Avail. April 1. Call (650) 964-1900. port’ anyway? Tickets, etc...(N-235, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
For rent: 2 bd/2.5 ba townhouse, 2 stories, S. San Answer: The simplified defini- ext. 4-6873
Check web site for discounts to local attractions,
Jose (near Hwy 85/87 and Oakridge Mall), new carpet and tion of an export is the transfer of http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov and click on tickets.
blinds, 2 car garage, small patio area. $1,500 per month
anything to a foreign person by any
plus one month's security deposit. Available immediately.
means, anywhere, anytime; or trans- NASA Lodge (N-19) 603-7100
Call (408) 281-7011.
Open 7 days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. Rates
ferring to a U.S. person with the from $40 - $50.
Transportation knowledge that what you are trans-
Vacation Opportunities
ferring will be further transferred to
‘90 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, 6 cyl, 5 speed, 4x4, 80K Lake Tahoe-Squaw Valley Townhse, 3bd/2ba.
mls, new top and windows, with Trekmaster trailer, a foreign person. View of slopes, close to lifts. Per night: $250, two night
matching fenders and wheels. Good condition, $5,995, Do you have a question for the minimum. Includes linens, cleaning, propane fireplace,
Ken (408) 249-3030. ‘Export Expert’? Then e-mail fully equipped. Call (650) 968-4155.
[email protected]
'91 BMW 325i convertible, 96K mls, leather interior, [email protected]. And, you
6 CD changer, auto windows, heated seats, brand new South Lake Tahoe cottage w/wood fireplace, hot
convertible top, A/C, excellent condition. $8,600. Tim
can visit the Web at http:// tub. Rates $50 to $130 per night. Call (650) 967-7659
(408) 406-8242. jp.arc.nasa.gov/EC/EC.html. or (650) 704-7732.
’97 Chevolet Ventura minivan, V6, 78K mls, Vacation rental, Bass Lake, 4 mls south of Yosemite.

Earth Day street

automatic, dark green exterior, dual front air bags, ABS 3bd/1.5 ba, TV, VCR, MW, frplc, BBQ, priv. boat dock.
brakes, very good condition. $3,900 or B/O. Danny (408) Sleeps 8. $1,050/wk. Call (559) 642-3600 or (650) 390-
934-0311 after 7 p.m. 9668.
'99 Tacoma Pre-Runner OFF-RD pkg. w/camper shell,
only 52K mls. Orig. owner, V-6 automatic. Xtra cab, fully fair set at Ames Big Sur vacation rental, secluded 4bd/2ba house in
canyon setting. Fully eqpd kitchen. Access to priv.
beach. Tub in patio gdn. Halfway between Carmel and
loaded, all service records, $11,500. Call (510) 471-2570.
Celebrate Earth Day at Ames' an- Big Sur. $175/night for 2; $225 for 4 and $250 for
‘00 Volvo S40, 4 dr sdn, 42 k mi., Red, AT, AC, PS,
PW, PL (rmt), AM/FM w/ CD, MNRF, LTHR, $12,000. nual street fair where you will find more, plus $150 cleaning dep. Call (650) 328-4427.
Hank (408) 262-4974. music, food and local environmentally- Incline Village: Forest pines, Lake Tahoe condo, 3
conscious organizations. 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 and 12% Nevada room tax.
Date: April 22 Charlie (650) 366-1873.
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tahoe Donner vacation home, 2 bd/2ba. trees,

Safety Data Place: Durand Road deck, sun, fun. Access to pools, spa, golf, horseback
riding, $280 wkend, $650 week. Call (408) 739-9134.
Pine Mountain Lake vacation home. Access to golf,
Visit the Web to learn more about tennis, lake, swimming, horseback riding, walk to beach.
Civil Contractors the event at the Code QE Earth Day Three bedrooms/sleeps 10. $100/night. Call (408) 799-
Servants page at http://q.arc.nasa.gov/qe/ 4052 or (831) 623-4054.
Not recordable events/ED/ED2004/ Spacious 2 bdrm Maui suite available (can
first aid cases 1 0 accommodate up to 6 people) for 1 week. Cooking
facilities, color TV, swimming pools, access to beach and
much more. Located nearby shopping centers, golf
Recordable no courses, and all water activities. $1,200 a week or B/O.
lost time cases 1 1 Astrogram deadlines Call (408) 446-4416 for more information.

Deadline: Publication:
Lost time cases* 0 3 Mar 29
Apr 26
Apr. 2004
May 2004 Ames emergency
announcements
Restricted duty days 0 0 May 25 June 2004
June 25 July 2004
Lost work days 0 23 To hear the centerwide status
All Ames employees are invited to submit recording, call (650) 604-9999 for
articles relating to Ames projects and activities for information announcements and
Data above correct as of 2/26/04
publication in the Astrogram. When submitting
*(Under new OSHA rules, lost time stories or ads for publication, submit your mate-
emergency instructions for Ames
is defined as lost work days, restricted rial, along with any questions, in MS word by e- employees. You can also listen to
duty of work transfer.) mail to: [email protected] on or be- 1700 KHz AM radio for the same
fore the deadline. information.

Astrogram 11 March 2004

 Pye, investigator on CAIB, visits Ames Ames Ombuds
Web site online

NASA photo by Tom Trower

The newly established Ames
Ombuds Office has established a Web
site for the Ames work force. Visit the
Web site at http://arcweb.arc.nasa.gov/
ombudsoffice to obtain information
about the functions of the office.
This Ames Ombuds Web site in-
cludes information about how the office
can help you, the ethics and standards of
the office, the Hazard Reporting and the
NASA Safety Reporting Systems, and
frequently asked questions (FAQs).
John (Jack) W. Boyd serves as the
Ames Ombuds. The Ombuds office is
located in Building 207, Room 107, Mail
Stop 207-1. The office telephone num-
ber is ext. 4-6688 and the fax number is
David Pye (left) is shown sharing a light moment with Ames Center Director G. Scott ext. 4-6673.
Hubbard (right) during a recent visit. Hubbard, Pye and their team helped to determine Dennis Cunningham, the Director
a definitive physical cause for the loss of the shuttle Columbia.
of Human Capital, will serve as the al-
David Pye, a retired engineer from Pye, on his recent visit to the cen- ternate Ames Ombuds. His telephone
the nuclear navy program who was ter, toured the Ames arc jet facility, met number is ext. 4-5613.
instrumental in bringing rigor and in- with the nanotechnology group and
dependence to the foam impact test visited numerous Ames labs with the
program led by Ames Center Director possibility of future collaboration in
and lone NASA CAIB member G. Scott mind. "I had no idea you did all this!"
Hubbard, visited Ames Research Cen- said Pye. "I thought you had wind tun-
ter recently. nels."
"Dave is one of the best engineers Pye is currently a consultant on
I have ever known -- he's a true natu- NASA’s and JPL’s Jupiter Icy Moons
ral," said Hubbard. Orbiter (JIMO) mission.

FIRST CLASS MAIL

POSTAGE & FEES PAID
NASA
National Aeronautics and Space Permit No. G-27
Administration

Ames Research Center

Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000

Official Business
Penalty for Private Use

The Ames Astrogram is an official publication of

Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and
Space Administration.

Editor-in-Chief..............................David Morse
Managing Editor..........................Ann Sullivan
Editor, Layout and Design...........Astrid Terlep

You can reach the Astrogram Office at:

[email protected] or by phone at
PLEASE RECYCLE (650) 604-3347.
Printed on recycled and recyclable paper with vegetable-based ink.

Astrogram 12 March 2004