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

Communication for the Information Technology Age December 17, 2001

“The past year was a challenging one — for NASA, for Ames Research Center and for our nation. We experienced concerns about
programs, funding and changes in administration. Still, nothing prepared us for the tragic events of September 11, which brought
everything back into focus and perspective.
During this season of celebration, family togetherness and personal renewal, I encourage you to reflect on everything we have to be
thankful for — our strong institutions, free country and resiliency as a people. Regardless of your beliefs, may you draw strength and
hope from the things we often take for granted, but which sustain and nurture us all on a daily basis.”
— Henry McDonald, Center Director

amesnews.arc.nasa.gov
B I O T E C H N O L O G Y I N F O R M A T I O N T E C H N O L O G Y N A N O T E C H N O L O G Y

Center Briefs NASA biotechnology project may

Chandra captures Venus in a whole
new light
advance cancer research
Scientists have captured the first X-ray Advanced technology development ceived from Ames and NASA’s Jet Propulsion
view of Venus using NASA's Chandra X-ray projects that may hold the key to detecting Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, Calif., which re-
observatory. The observations provide new cancer while it affects only a few cells are ceived five additional grants. Dr. Darrell Jan
information about the atmosphere of Venus getting underway at Ames. of JPL will serve as deputy program manager.
and open a new window for examining Earth's
Ames has awarded grants totaling $1.286 The development of microscopic explor-
sister planet.
Venus in X-rays looks similar to Venus in million to support 11 peer-reviewed, in-house ers that can travel through the human body
visible light, but there are important differ- research projects. The grants are the first step in search of disease would allow NASA to
ences. The optically visible Venus is due to the in implementing a NASA/National Cancer monitor astronaut health in space, where
reflection of sunlight and, for the relative Institute (NCI) partnership known as Funda- medical test capabilities and communication
positions of Venus, Earth and sun during mental Technologies for the Development of with Earth may be limited. New technolo-
these observations, shows a uniform half-
Biomolecular Sensors. Both agencies expect gies also could revolutionize the speed and
crescent that is brightest toward the middle.
The X-ray Venus is slightly less than a half- program research to lead to important ben- effectiveness of basic health care on Earth
crescent and brighter on the limbs. efits. Ames is leading NASA’s efforts in this through early detection, diagnosis and treat-
new endeavor. ment of cancer.
Centennial of Flight Commission and “The development of cutting-edge The ability to identify changes such as
Aviation World’s Fair join hands sensors, technologies and instruments should protein expression or gene expression that
The U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission enable advances in biological research and will develop into cancer at a later date may
and the Aviation World's Fair have signed a human space exploration,” noted John Hines, enable scientists to develop therapies to at-
memorandum of agreement that will allow manager of the NASA Biomolecular Physics tack these cells before the disease spreads.
them to jointly promote in 2003 the celebra-
and Chemistry Program, which administers “With molecular technologies, we may
tion of the 100th anniversary of the first
powered flight. the NASA element of the collaboration. The be able to understand the molecular signa-
The fair will be held at the Newport News- goal of the program is to develop new mo- tures within a cell using the fusion of biotech-
Williamsburg International Airport April 7-27, lecular signatures and ways to identify mo- nology, nanotechnology and information
2003, and will be the most comprehensive lecular indications of cancer and other dis- technology,” Hines said. Ames is a leader in
international event promoting the birth of eases. all three fields of research.
the aviation industry.
“This intramural research program estab- Currently, cancer can be detected only
lishes a foundation for supporting the NASA/ after it has developed into a tumor or has
Olsen to be named Associate Direc-
NCI collaboration,” Hines said. “We look affected a large number of cells. Chemo-
tor of Science and Technology Policy
forward to its swift execution and the valida- therapy or radiation treatment can do signifi-
On Dec. 5, the White House announced
that Kathie L. Olsen will be nominated to be tion of emerging biomolecular technologies cant damage to healthy cells far-removed
associate director of the Office of Science and for future NASA missions.” from the cancer. If scientists can detect the
Technology Policy. Research in biomolecular systems is ex- disease before it affects a larger area, or even
Olsen has been chief scientist at NASA pected to yield breakthrough technologies before the pre-cancerous cells become ma-
since May 1999 and acting associate admin- for minimally invasive health monitoring, lignant, they may be able to design treat-
istrator for the Office of Biological and Physi-
early disease detection, and targeted delivery ments that target only the affected cells,
cal Research since July 2000. She worked at
the National Science Foundation from 1984 of medication--benefits of interest to both eliminating potential damage to other areas
to 1996, returning to NASA in 1997. organizations. of the body.
Hines noted that there is considerable Ames will focus on six key areas in mo-
Gregory named Acting Associate overlap in the needs of NASA and NCI for lecular and cellular biology and associated
Administrator for Space Flight biomolecular sensors. NASA needs sensors technologies. Biomolecular sensors may some
Frederick D. Gregory, an astronaut and for the diagnosis and treatment of injury, day be able to kill tumor cells or provide
the senior executive currently responsible for illness and emerging diseases in astronauts targeted delivery of medication. Molecular
the safety and reliability of all agency pro- during long-duration space flights; for moni- imaging may help scientists understand how
grams, has been named acting associate ad-
toring and control of life support systems; genes are expressed and how they control
ministrator for the Office of Space Flight.
Gregory, 60, is currently associate admin- and for the remote sensing of signatures of cells. Developments in signal amplification
istrator for the Office of Safety and Mission life on distant planetary bodies. NCI needs could make monitoring and measurement
Assurance at NASA Headquarters in Washing- technologies that will enable detection of the of target molecules easier. Biosignatures--
ton. He will replace Joseph H. Rothenberg, earliest stages of cancer and provide rapid identification of signatures of life--offer the
who retires Dec. 15. and specific treatment. possibility of distinguishing cancerous cells
"Safety permeates everything Fred does.
The grants will support NASA research in from healthy cells. Information processing
He's the right person for this job," said Acting
NASA Administrator Dr. Daniel R. Mulville. biosensor development, high-resolution (bioinformatics) will use pattern recognition
"His experience as an astronaut, pilot and sampling of biological specimens, a new and modeling of biological behavior and
manager of flight safety programs is essential ultra-sensitive technique for detecting or- processes to assess physiological conditions.
during this period of transition for the Office ganisms and their biomarkers and detection Finally, molecular-based sensors and instru-
of Space Flight." of microorganisms on sterilized surfaces. mentation systems will provide an invaluable
Awardees come from the life sciences, aid to meeting NASA and NCI objectives.
information technology, astrobiology and NASA is supporting the program with
aerospace fields at Ames. The winning intra- $10 million over 5 years. NCI’s contribution
mural proposals were selected from 41 re-
continued on next page

The Ames Astrogram 2 December 17, 2001

B I O T E C H N O L O G Y I N F O R M A T I O N T E C H N O L O G Y N A N O T E C H N O L O G Y

2001 ‘Spinoff’ publication now available

The Commercial Technology Office has main categories of the publication: aero- the innovation of our private sector. It is this
recently received a shipment of the year space research and development, commer- innovation that keeps America at the fore-
2001 issue of NASA front of scientific and technical leadership.
Spinoff. Many of the examples in this publication are
For the past 28 surprising, many are inspiring; all are inter-
years, this magazine esting and indicative of the wealth and
has been published breadth of our collective genius.”
annually to promote To obtain a copy of the Spinoff publica-
NASA research and tion, send an email to Lisa Williams at:
development efforts [email protected]
and commercializa-
tion success stories.
The application of NASA project to
NASA technology
helps the U.S. meet advance cancer
international com-
petitive challenges
and stay at the lead-
research
continued from previous page
ing edge of techni-
cal innovation. The is $10 million or more. In addition to the
return benefits-- intramural efforts, the agencies have issued
’spinoffs’--represent a joint extramural solicitation. Each organi-
a significant divi- zation will fund proposals of interest to it,
dend to the taxpayer with no exchange of funds between the
and the nation’s in- organizations. The two agencies will jointly
vestment in aero- monitor the technical progress of all funded
space research. activities and conduct joint reviews.
Spinoff 2001 is an NASA’s participation in the collaboration
instrument of the is supported by the agency’s Office of Bio-
NASA commercial
logical and Physical Research, which pro-
technology program
and documents the motes basic and applied research to support
outcome of NASA human exploration of space and to take
spinoff successes. It advantage of the space environment as a
is a true measure- laboratory. More information is available at:
ment of NASA’s http://spaceresearch.nasa.gov/
commitment to “Our goal is to really make this an applied
transfer as many program and to facilitate the identification
technologies to the and incubation of these advanced technolo-
private sector as pos- gies, and to transfer them efficiently to NASA
sible. cial benefits and technology transfer and and NCI programs,” Hines said. More infor-
In addition, this year highlights the activi- outreach. mation about this program is available at:
ties of the past several years. This issue is a Former NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin http://astrobionics.arc.nasa.gov/
special millennium feature. There are three said, “This publication is full of examples of
BY ANN HUTCHISON

Ames Occupational
VPP STAR Tip: illness/injury data
Both the requirements for the VPP and the methods Civil Servants Contractors
by which the government determines if the Not recordable
requirements are met have pushed VPP employee first aid cases 3 2
involvement to the cutting edge in safety and health.
Employees are expected to be actively and Recordable no lost
meaningfully involved in the structure and operation time cases 1 0
of the safety and health program.
Restricted workday cases 0 0
....Margaret Richardson, in Preparing for the Volun-
tary Protection Programs, Copyright @ 1999 by John Lost workday cases 0 0
Wiley & Sons, Inc. Reprinted by permission.
These data were correct at the time of publication. They may
be subject to slight adjustment due to late reporting.

The Ames Astrogram 3 December 17, 2001

B I O T E C H N O L O G Y I N F O R M A T I O N T E C H N O L O G Y N A N O T E C H N O L O G Y

Computer History Museum announces ‘Beta Building’

The Computer History Museum, reposi- will allow the museum to increase its public separate collections contain over 50,000 in-
tory of one of the world’s largest collections presence in Silicon Valley. “For the past few dividual objects, including hardware, films,
of computing artifacts, unveiled plans on years, museum staff, collection, exhibits and photographs and historical software, as well
Dec. 7 to build a 41,000-square-foot facility programs have been located in five, distrib- as extensive document archives. The mu-
near historic Hangar One in the proposed uted buildings at Moffett Field. The Beta seum is one of the leading partners in the
NASA Research Park. Building will allow us to consolidate into one proposed NASA Research Park. It will soon
NASA Ames Center Director Dr. Henry break ground for
McDonald and Computer History Museum its permanent fa-
Executive Director and CEO John C. Toole cility in front of his-
headed a panel discussion about the toric Hangar One.
museum’s role in the NASA Research Park Ames recently
and plans for the new facility. Other distin- announced the En-
guished panelists included Leonard J. Shustek, vironmental Im-
chairman of the board of trustees of the pact Statement
Computer History Museum; Donna process under the
Dubinsky, museum trustee and CEO of Hand- National Environ-
spring, Inc., Mountain View, Calif.; and Bill mental Policy Act
Campbell, chairman of the board, Intuit, regulations to de-
velop the land at
Moffett Field un-
der NASA owner-
ship. The pro-
posed develop-
ments include the
area called the
NASA Research
Park in which the
photos by Eric James academic, industry
Executive Assistant Jack Boyd (left) and Center Director McDonald (right) chat and nonprofit part-
with former NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin. ners hope to con-
duct their collabo-
main space while the permanent building rative research and education programs.
process is completed. We believe that open- Upon the successful completion of the envi-
ing the temporary space before the perma- ronmental review processes, a land use agree-
Center Director Henry McDonald chats with nent museum opens in 2005 will enable ment may be signed and construction of the
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgreen, Representative more of the public to experience the artifacts
for California’s 16th District. and stories of a technological revolution that
has changed the world.”
“The museum is moving toward a new
Inc., Mountain View, Calif. level of public exposure for the community,
“Our goal is to develop a world-class, the nation and the world,” said Toole. “The
shared-use R&D campus by partnering with Beta Building will give us an opportunity to
industry, academia and cultural institutions expand our operations for several years and
in the NASA Research Park,” McDonald said. manage a dynamic process to collect the
“I am delighted to further this partnership stories and artifacts of the information age.”
with the Computer History Museum, a unique At the news conference, museum officials
and important international resource for re- also announced the appointment of Head
search and understanding of the origins and Curator Michael R. Williams, an internation-
evolution of information technology.” ally renowned computer historian. A recipi-
Scheduled to open next summer, the Panel members address attendees at the recent
ent of numerous honors and awards, Will-
temporary facility will be called ‘The Beta ‘Beta Building’ announcement event.
iams has published many works during his
Building,’ in reference to a computer indus- 30-year career as an educator and curator at
try term for a product in its early phases and several different universities and at the Na- museum’s permanent building may begin.
an indication that there is more to come, a tional Museum of American History In addition to a permanent home for the
prelude to the museum’s permanent facility (Smithsonian Institution). Computer History Museum, NASA Research
scheduled to open in 2005. Formerly known Daniel, Mann, Johnson, Mendenhall, Park also will house facilities for the Carl
as The Computer Museum History Center, Holmes and Narver, an architecture, engi- Sagan Center for the Study of Life in the
the renamed Computer History Museum neering, and construction services firm, will Cosmos; Carnegie Mellon University’s School
also has a new logo, depicting the history of design the museum’s Beta Building. Esherick, of Computer Science; the University of Cali-
computing. Homsey, Dodge & Davis, an architecture, fornia at Santa Cruz; San José State University’s
When the 41,000-square-foot Beta Build- interior design and graphic design firm, will Metropolitan Technology Center; and the
ing is completed, it will contain 22,500 square design the museum’s permanent facility. California Air and Space Center.
feet for artifact storage; 9,000 square feet for Premier museum exhibit design firm Van For further details, see the museum’s web
exhibits and events; and 9,500 square feet of Sickle and Rolleri, of Medford, N. J., will help site at: http://www.computerhistory.org
office space. The Beta Building will double design the new museum’s exhibits.
the museum’s current storage space and The Computer History Museum is an BY MICHAEL MEWHINNEY
allow it to increase its collection. international resource for in-depth informa-
According to Shustek, the Beta Building tion about the history of computing. Its five

The Ames Astrogram 4 December 17, 2001

B I O T E C H N O L O G Y I N F O R M A T I O N T E C H N O L O G Y N A N O T E C H N O L O G Y

Ames helps map sharpshooter insect habitats

NASA satellite and aerial images of The researchers combined LANDSAT sat- ley that generate about a half-billion-dollar
California's Monterey County vineyards are ellite pictures with high-altitude aerial pho- grape-wine economy.
helping local officials identify vineyards at tos, and verified types of plants depicted by "The pilot area covers approximately 15
risk of invasion by the glassy-winged sharp- using ground-gathered data to make an percent of the Salinas Valley and 10 percent
shooter insect pest. accurate computerized map of the vine- of the total vineyard acreage in the Salinas
The gluttonous pest has caused wide- yards, orchards and other areas under study. Valley," Win said.
spread damage to Southern California's vine- "'Ground-truthing' was essential for the veri- "Mapping county-wide vineyards and
yards, but has not yet invaded Monterey fication of what was identified to be on the other potential glassy-winged sharpshooter
County. The glassy-winged sharpshooter is image and what was really on the ground," habitats is being considered for the next
blue-green, about a half-inch long and is said Win. phase."
famous for a stylus-like drill that the insect Researchers can detect vineyards, citrus BASIC sponsored the sharpshooter work
uses to draw moisture from plants. orchards, oaks, eucalyptus, avocados, cacti with funding from the NASA Earth Science
"We're using remotely sensed imagery to and ornamental vegetation, as well as Enterprise. BASIC worked with the CSUMB-
map vineyards and other sharpshooter habi- riverbanks, ditches and pond shores where SIVA Center to carry out the project in col-
tats," said Lee Johnson, a California State the pest may live. Scientists can put bright laboration with the Monterey County Agri-
University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) research colors on the digital maps to clearly show culture Commissioner's Office.
scientist. Johnson is based at Ames and is different kinds of plants by using different More information about the sharpshooter
technical advisor for the effort. The pest colors for different species. pest is on the Internet at:
often lives in orchards and along riverbanks, The pilot project took place from March http://plant.cdfa.ca.gov/gwss and at:
ditches and ponds and may threaten adja- until October this year. There are about http://www.basic.org
cent vineyards. "The maps will be used to 46,000 acres of vineyards in the Salinas Val- BY JOHN BLUCK
determine the most effective places for agri-
cultural officials to place traps to monitor for
the sharpshooter," Johnson said.
"We created a defense map for the
SDB Forum held at Ames
On Nov. 15, Ames hosted its biennial College and Universities (HBCUs) participated
Monterey County Agriculture Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) Forum in the forum: (1) Innovision Technologies,
Commissioner's Office to combat any inva-
Inc., Novi, Mich,
sion by the sharpshooter," said Bay Area
whose expertise in-
Shared Information Consortium (BASIC)
cludes advanced en-
president David Etter. "We identified the
gineering and infor-
habitats of these rascals. They like to hang
mation technologies
out on stream banks, in citrus groves and
R&D; (2) Analytical
even in oak groves," he said. The insect sucks
Mechanics Associ-
moisture from the heavy stalk of grapevines,
ates, Inc., Hampton,
and in the process can deposit a bacterium
Va., whose capabili-
that causes Pierce's disease. Afflicted plants
ties are in aerospace
are unable to draw ground moisture or nutri-
R&D, integrated soft-
ents, Etter said. The plant then dies.
ware systems design;
"Each adult glassy-winged sharpshooter
(3) Vecna Technolo-
sucks out 200 to 300 times its body weight in
gies, Inc., Hyattsville,
water every day. This is equivalent to an adult
Md., a firm with ca-
human drinking 4,300 gallons (16,340 li-
pability in intelligent
ters) of water per day," said Dr. U Win, author
software and sys-
of a report about the project to map the
tems--consultation,
pest's potential habitats. He also is a research
design and develop-
associate at the CSUMB Spatial Information,
ment; and (4) W de Y
Visualization and Analysis Resources (CSUMB-
Associates, Inc. team-
SIVA) Center.
ing with Texas South-
The pest feeds on more than 70 species of
ern University (an
plants and is active all year. In addition to
HBCU), Houston. To-
grapevines, the sharpshooter lives on citrus,
gether, they bring
avocado, macadamia, eucalyptus, crape
expertise in engineer-
myrtle, oleander, oak, sycamore, sumac and
ing and scientific
other plants. As of now, the insect has in-
technology; special
fested the entire counties of Los Angeles,
Ames small business specialist Tom Kolis discusses the NASA plan to instruments repair-
Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Di-
award 8 percent of prime and subcontracts to socially and economically calibration; biotech-
ego, Ventura and parts of Butte, Contra
disadvantaged businesses. nology in molecular
Costa, Fresno, Kern, Imperial, Sacramento,
biology and tissue
Santa Barbara and Tulare counties, accord- at the Moffett Training and Conference Cen- culture; and cardiovascular space physiology
ing to Win. ter. This was the twenty-ninth in a series held at cellular and molecular levels.
"The Agriculture Commissioner's Office at the various NASA research centers. The Anila Strahan served as the representa-
will place insect traps strategically in the purpose of the forum is to allow highly quali- tive of the Associate Administrator, Office of
sharpshooter habitats, and mark their posi- fied, high-tech SDBs and minority education Small and Disadvantaged Business Utiliza-
tions on our maps with global positioning institutions to present their capabilities and tion, NASA Headquarters. Ames’ Deputy
system (GPS) technology," Etter said. The address questions from a technically oriented Director William Berry provided the audi-
maps will make it easy to identify which audience. ence with his insights regarding the Ames
vineyards are most vulnerable should there The following SDBs and Historically Black socioeconomic contracting program.
be a sharpshooter invasion, officials said.

The Ames Astrogram 5 December 17, 2001

B I O T E C H N O L O G Y I N F O R M A T I O N T E C H N O L O G Y N A N O T E C H N O L O G Y

New airborne observatory exhibit opens at Ames

A new exhibit featuring an actual wind future, it will help thousands of students and airflow over the telescope’s open door in the
tunnel model of the Stratospheric Observa- other visitors understand more about the aircraft’s fuselage. Engineers studied the
tory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) opened many different kinds of technologies that amount of airflow over and into the cavity
Dec. 11 in Ames’ Visitor Center. when the observatory's tele-
The free exhibit is open to the scope door is open; the effects
public Monday through Friday of varying wind pressure on
from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST. various parts of the telescope
SOFIA is an astronomical ob- when the door is open; and the
servatory that will conduct ob- effects of the disturbed air flow
servations beginning in 2004 at on the aircraft’s tail surfaces.
an altitude of about 41,000 feet As a result of the wind tun-
aboard a modified Boeing 747SP nel tests, engineers developed
aircraft operated and maintained a unique design for the
by United Airlines. While using telescope’s aperture (the open-
airborne telescopes is not new, ing through which the tele-
SOFIA will be the world's largest scope looks). On most obser-
and most powerful, considerably vatories, the aperture is simply
larger and more sophisticated a round hole about the same
than its predecessor, the Kuiper size as the front of the tele-
Airborne Observatory that was scope. However, on SOFIA, the
based at Ames from 1971 to aperture is modified by the
1995. SOFIA will feature a 98.4- addition of an ‘aft ramp,’ a sort
inch (2.5 meter) telescope lo- of wind scoop located on the
cated behind a door that will end of the aperture’s assembly.
open to the atmosphere, per- photo by Tom Trower Normally, as air flows over
mitting observation of planets, New exhibit of the wind tunnel model of the Stratospheric Observatory for the open cavity, it tends to
stars and other phenomena. Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) displayed at the Ames Visitor Center. drop down into the hole, creat-
“This very accurate model of ing turbulence and varying
a 747 spent hundreds of hours pressures inside the telescope
inside a wind tunnel at Ames, cavity. However, with the ad-
helping NASA engineers understand how an modern scientists use to study the universe,” dition of the specially designed aft ramp, just
open cavity in the side of the airplane would he explained. the right amount of the airflow was lifted
affect its flight characteristics,” explained Mike To determine how SOFIA will fly, Ames back out, creating smoother airflow across
Bennett, SOFIA education and public out- aerospace engineers tested the one-four- the face of the opening and less turbulence
reach. “Now, in a wonderful example of teenth scale model featured in the exhibit for inside the cavity. Air turbulence inside the
creative recycling, the model is embarking more than 100 hours in Ames’ 14-foot wind cavity creates small vibrations and distor-
on a second career in education. In the tunnel. Their purpose was to study the continued on back page

Kids learn while celebrating at Ames’ ‘Aero Expo’

photos by Tom Trower

The Ames Astrogram 6 December 17, 2001

B I O T E C H N O L O G Y I N F O R M A T I O N T E C H N O L O G Y N A N O T E C H N O L O G Y

World War II Tuskegee airman addresses 1,200 students

As part of two days of 'Aero Expo' events jeffersona.html In addition, in the flight support facility
celebrating a century of flight, a World War II Tuskegee Airmen web sites are at: http:/ hangar, students viewed exhibits including
‘Tuskegee Airman,’ retired Air Force Lt. Col. /members.aol.com/jtomlin228/latai/ and NASA's Starship 2040, a traveling space trans-
portation exhibit managed by the Marshall
Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala. Housed
in a 48-foot (14.6 meter) trailer, the exhibit
is designed to share NASA's vision of what
commercial space flight might be like 40
years from now.
"The main objective of Aero Expo is to
develop the excitement and enthusiasm of
youth to follow a technical career path, and
in particular to excite them in the pursuit of
aviation," said Robert Jacobsen, Ames' Direc-
tor of the Air Space Systems Program that
sponsored the educational event. Other aims
were to provide teachers with aeronautics-
related classroom activities and lesson plans
to help provoke thought among students
and educators about the Centennial of Flight
in 2003.
"We want students to get excited and
interested in mathematics and science," said
Laura Shawnee of Ames' Education Office.
The event attracted enough attention
that it had to be increased from one day to
two days, according to Antoinette Battiste,
an Aero Expo organizer. The following San
Francisco Bay area cities and school districts
sent students to the Aero Expo: San Fran-
Col. Alexander Jefferson (left) and Ames’ Education Chief Don James (right) chat with attendees at a cisco Unified; Palo Alto Unified; Cupertino
Visitor Center reception. Union; Fremont Unified; La Honda/Pescadero
Unified; Oakland Unified; Hayward Unified,
Santa Clara Unified; Evergreen, San José:
Alexander Jefferson, addressed 1,200 stu-
dents on Dec. 11 -12 in the main auditorium
at Ames.
Jefferson is one of 32 African-American
pilots shot down and locked in a World War
II German prisoner-of-war camp. He dis-
cussed how that war changed the social,
economic and psychological aspirations,
hopes and accomplishments of black Ameri-
cans.
"In the Air Force, I became one of 450
airmen, African American pilots, who trained
in Tuskegee, Ala., and fought over North
Africa, Sicily and Europe," he said.
One speech to students was 'webcast'
world-wide via the Internet on Dec. 12.
Webcasts enabled students to watch live
video, listen to audio and interact in realtime
on the Internet with experts. Links leading to
the webcast are available on the Internet at:
h ttp: / / que st. a rc . n as a. gov/ c a le n da r/
index.html
"It was a warm, sunny day on the twelfth
of August, 1944, when I, Lieutenant Jefferson,
a member of the 332nd Fighter Group,
climbed aboard my red-tailed P-51 Mustang
and soared into the wild blue yonder to photos by Tom Trower
attack German radar stations along the coast World War II ‘Tuskegee Airman,’ retired Air Force Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson, addressed 1,200
of France," he said. "On one of my strafing
students on Dec. 11 -12 in the Main Auditorium at Ames.
passes, at 50 feet above the ground, I flew
right into a hail of 20mm shells. There was a
loud explosion, and immediately the cockpit http://tuskegeeair.com/ Greenfield Union, Monterey County; Live
filled with hot oil and smoke." Jefferson was As part of 'Aero Expo' events, students Oak, Santa Cruz; Berryessa, San José, Mt.
able to fly to a higher altitude and parachute also toured some Ames facilities including: Diablo Unified, Oak Grove, San José;
to the ground where he was captured. the Crew-Vehicle Systems Research Facility, Ravenswood, East Palo Alto; Hollister,
More information about Jefferson is avail- the Vertical Motion Simulator, wind tunnels, Jefferson School District, Daly City; and Sunny-
able on the Internet at: http:// the Air Space Operations Lab, the General vale School District.
quest.arc .nasa.gov/people/bios/aero/ Aviation Simulator and Hangar 1. BY JOHN BLUCK

The Ames Astrogram 7 December 17, 2001

B I O T E C H N O L O G Y I N F O R M A T I O N T E C H N O L O G Y N A N O T E C H N O L O G Y

Cirrus cloud study may improve climate forecasts

Studies of cirrus clouds by some 150 sample clouds over the ocean,” Jensen said. airport near Fort Ord, Calif., will make in situ
scientists may lead to improved forecasts of Six aircraft types will carry instruments to measurements of aerosols and take other
future climate change. measure cirrus clouds. The high-flying ER-2 readings. Ground-based instruments in the
Beginning next summer, scientists from (similar to a U-2), based at NASA Dryden study include radar and other instruments.
NASA, other government agencies, academia Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif., will Satellites included in the study will be
and industry will investigate cirrus clouds in conduct remote sensing of cirrus clouds and GOES, Terra, Tropical Rainfall Measuring
Florida with the objective of reducing uncer- environmental conditions. Scientists will com- Mission and the Aqua satellite currently sched-
tainties in forecasts of the Earth’s future pare the ER-2 instrument readings with simi- uled for launch next year.
climate. The project focuses on studies of lar satellite measurements. In addition to Jensen, other scientists
high, tropical cirrus clouds. These clouds are The Proteus aircraft from NASA Goddard’s from Ames will take part in the CRYSTAL-
composed of tiny ice crystals that float at Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Va., FACE project. They include Andrew Ackerman
altitudes from 20,000 feet to 55,000 feet. also will be making remote-sensing observa- and Katja Drdla, Jensen’s co-investigators
Scientists will take measurements from a tions of cirrus clouds and environmental who are working on cirrus cloud computer
variety of aircraft and ground instruments conditions. modeling. Peter Pilewskie of Ames and his
for four to six weeks beginning in July. Analy- The WB-57 aircraft based at NASA Johnson colleagues will use instruments on the ER-2
sis and reporting of the data are expected to Space Center, Houston, will be making in and Twin Otter aircraft to measure trapping
take about two years. situ measurements of cirrus clouds and envi- of heat and reflection of sunlight by clouds.
“Our objective is to find out how ice ronmental conditions. A Citation aircraft from Max Loewenstein’s experiment includes
clouds affect global warming,” said Eric the University of North Dakota will make in measurements of carbon monoxide and
Jensen, project mission scientist based at situ measurements in the lower parts of cirrus methane. Paul Bui and others from Ames are
Ames. “The combination of measurements ‘anvils.’ An anvil is an extensive ice cloud that responsible for measurements from the WB-
and computer-modeling studies will improve forms at the tops of deep thunderstorm 57 and ER-2 aircraft of temperature, pressure
our understanding of how cirrus may change clouds. and winds. Henry Selkirk and Leonhard Pfister
in response to climate change. For example, In addition, P-3 aircraft will use airborne are studying development and movement of
as the surface heats up and thunderstorms radar to measure cloud structure and inten- cirrus clouds. Selkirk and Pfister also are
become more intense, will larger, thicker sity. A Twin Otter airplane from the Center helping with meteorological support.
cirrus clouds be formed?” he said. for Interdisciplinary Remotely Piloted Aircraft Project manager Michael Craig of the
“Clouds are the largest source of uncer- Studies, which is part of the Naval Post- Ames Earth Science Project Office is in charge
tainty in computerized global climate mod- graduate School and is based at the Navy of the field campaign for NASA.
els,” Jensen said. “We want to measure the BY JOHN BLUCK
ice crystal sizes, cloud optical depths and the
heating or cooling of the Earth’s surface
caused by tropical cirrus clouds, particularly
those generated by intense storms.” Optical Contractor excellence
depth is a measure of the visual or optical
thickness of a cloud. awards ceremony held
The effort is called the Cirrus Regional
Study of Tropical Anvils and Cirrus Layers - The Ames Contractor Council presented in size from 3 to 28. Nominees had been
Florida Area Cirrus Experiment (CRYSTAL- its twelfth annual Contractor Excellence recommended by their employer’s site
FACE). Participants include researchers from Awards on Dec. 4 in the Moffett Training and manager with the concurrence of the ap-
various NASA centers including Ames; Conference Center. These awards recognize propriate contracting officer’s technical
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, representative.
Md.; Langley Research Center, Hampton, In light of the Sept. 11 tragedies, a
Va.; and Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasa- special feature of this year’s ceremony was
dena, Calif. Other participating researchers recognition of all the contractor employ-
are from the National Oceanic and Atmo- ees who do so much to keep our center
spheric Administration, the National Center safe and secure. These include protective
for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colo.; services employees, DART and DUCT
and various universities and companies. For teams, and the Hazardous Waste/Emer-
a complete list of participants, please consult gency Response team. The council
the project web site at: http:// awarded 125 of these special certificates
cloud1.arc.nasa.gov/crystalface/ in recognition of those who keep us safe.
“A major scientific goal is to use cloud The council was established in 1987 as
measurements from aircraft to calibrate cloud a contractor-government forum to ad-
readings from satellites so characteristics of photo by Dominic Hart dress common problems and increase
clouds can be observed more accurately Raytheon ITSS's HPCC/CAS Group receives a contractors’ ability to respond to the
from the higher altitudes of orbiting space- Team Excellence Award from Associate Center center’s changing needs. Its current offic-
craft. Better-calibrated satellite observations Director Nancy Bingham (far left) and council ers are Deputy Center Director William
of clouds will result in better large-scale co-chair Dave Appling (far right). Berry, co-chair; Dave Appling, Allied Aero-
measurements of clouds because satellites space, co-chair; Bob Javinsky (PAI), vice
can see huge areas of the globe at once. distinguished employee contributions to chair; and Lori Thompson, SIMCO Elec-
These satellite cloud readings will enable Ames Research Center’s mission and the tronics, secretary. All resident contrac-
scientists to make more accurate regional Ames community. Associate Center Director tors, subcontractors and grant adminis-
and global cirrus cloud computer models Nancy Bingham joined council co-chair Dave trators are encouraged to take part in the
that should reduce the uncertainty of cli- Appling to make the presentations. council’s programs.
mate change predictions,” Jensen said. Twenty-one ‘Individual Excellence
Awards’ and 16 ‘Team Excellence Awards’ BY DAVE APPLING
“We anticipate flights will mostly be over
southern Florida, and occasionally we will were earned this year, with the teams varying CONTRACTOR CO-CHAIR

The Ames Astrogram 8 December 17, 2001

B I O T E C H N O L O G Y I N F O R M A T I O N T E C H N O L O G Y N A N O T E C H N O L O G Y

‘Restless Earth’ may give earthquake warning

Signals that come from deep within the Md., who is working with Freund. The iono- “When the rocks in the Earth’s crust crackle
Earth eventually may give us a few days’ spheric plasma is very thin air that contains and buckle under the onslaught of tectonic
warning before some large earthquakes,
according to a scientist at Ames.
The source of these signals lies deep in
the Earth’s crust, where forces squeeze rocks
to the limit before they rupture catastrophi-
cally, shaking the ground with destructive
force, according to Ames’ Friedemann
Freund. He presented his discoveries and
theory on Dec. 12,at the Moscone Center in
San Francisco, during the 2001 American
Geophysical Union (AGU) fall meeting.
“The challenge is to learn how to read
and decipher the signals,” Freund said. “The
best way is to try to better understand the
physics of the processes that underlie these
signals. A step forward was the discovery of
dormant electric charges in rocks in the
Earth’s crust,” he said.
Earthquakes occur when tectonic plates,
huge jigsaw-like sections of the Earth’s out-
ermost layers, rub against each other. Some-
times they collide head-on. In California,
huge slabs of rock slide past each other,
causing temblors along the San Andreas and
other fault systems.
Freund has been investigating how rocks
respond to stress. “If the stress level is high,
electronic charges appear that momentarily
turn the insulating rock into a semiconduc-
tor,” he said. Semiconductors are materials
that have a level of electrical conductivity
between that of a metal and an insulator,
and they are used to make transistors.
“These charges are not easy to pin down.
They move with impressive speed, as fast as
300 meters (1,000 feet) per second,” he
said. By measuring the semiconductor prop-
erties of the rocks, Freund was able to show
that the charges are positive. “Normally,
these charges are dormant,” he said. “But Map of the San Andreas fault and a few of the other faults in California, segments of which
when rocks are squeezed, the charges wake display different behavior.. (Simplified from USGS Professional Paper 1515.)
up and flow out of the rock volume in which
they were generated.”
When charges flow, they constitute an many free electrons and positive ions. In the forces, the charges that are dormant in them
electric current. When there is an electric lowest layers of the ionosphere, which reflect are set free. They give rise to a dazzling array
current, there also is a magnetic field. If radio waves, the plasma is positively charged. of phenomena, long known to mankind and
current varies with time, electromagnetic When the Earth’s surface becomes posi- even part of folklore in earthquake-prone
waves will be emitted. tively charged, the plasma is pushed aside, regions around the globe,” said Freund.
“The frequency of these electromagnetic and energetic electrons from the upper lay- “These phenomena range from anomalous
waves will probably be very low, much lower ers can penetrate more deeply into the lower electric and magnetic signals, to ‘earthquake
than radio waves, but basically of the same part of the ionosphere. This in turn affects lights’ that illuminate the mountain tops and
nature,” said Freund. “Scientists can pick the transmission of radio waves, especially in strange animal behavior as well as iono-
them up at the Earth’s surface with suitable the short wave region. In the days before the spheric effects that impact how radio waves
antennae or by measuring the magnetic- huge 1961 Chilean earthquake and before travel over long distances.”
field pulses that go with them.” the nearly equally large Good Friday earth- “It is both surprising and comforting that
“What happens when the charges reach quake in Alaska in 1964 radio wave transmis- many seemingly disjointed or even inexpli-
the Earth’s surface? They will change ‘the sion effects were noticed. cable phenomena that point to impending
ground,’” said Freund. “They should cause “These ionospheric changes can also be earthquake activity seem to have just one
the Earth’s surface to become positively studied from satellites. Russia, France and cause--the awaking and spreading of nor-
charged over a region that may measure tens Japan are close to launching satellites dedi- mally dormant charges in the rocks deep in
or even hundreds of kilometers. The Earth’s cated to investigating these phenomena,” the Earth,” Freund said.
ionosphere is bound to react,” he said. Ouzounov said. “It is much too early and, in fact, unwise
The ionosphere lies above the atmo- “But what has been lacking in the past to expect that earthquakes would soon be-
sphere, starting at about 90 km (56 miles) was a physical explanation of how electric come predictable beyond the statistical prob-
and extending to about 300 km (190 miles) charges can be created in the Earth’s crust,” ability that is currently the state-of-the-art,”
into space. “When the surface of the Earth said Freund. “These are charges that move Freund said. “But one day, we’ll learn to read
becomes positively charged, the charged around, emit all kinds of signals and can even the signals that the restless Earth emits be-
plasma in the ionosphere must respond,” reach the Earth’s surface. There they give rise fore the rocks rupture with deadly force.”
said Dimitar Ouzounov, a scientist from NASA locally to very high electric fields and change
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, ‘the ground’ charge.” BY JOHN BLUCK

The Ames Astrogram 9 December 17, 2001

B I O T E C H N O L O G Y I N F O R M A T I O N T E C H N O L O G Y N A N O T E C H N O L O G Y

Ames launches redesigned Near Earth Object web site

On Dec. 7, Ames launched its newly rede- Spaceguard Survey, with the U.S. Air Force we want to have decades of advanced warn-
signed Near Earth Object (NEO) web site. supplying equipment and key personnel. ing.”
The site is home base for information about The effort is spear-
the comets and asteroids that are capable of headed by the MIT-
colliding with our planet. The redesign (by USAF LINEAR survey
Symtech) includes new images and an exten- in New Mexico, sup-
sive database of potentially-threatening as- ported by NEAT, a
teroids and comets, according to Dr. David JPL/USAF partner-
Morrison, NASA’s resident NEO expert and ship, Spacewatch,
the site’s driving force. University of Arizona;
“It’s a great resource and clearinghouse LONEOS Lowell Ob-
for NEO information aimed at the general servatory and the
public, interested professionals and the NEO Catalina Survey, Uni-
research community,” said Morrison, senior versity of Arizona.
scientist at NASA’s Astrobiology Institute Additional follow-up
(NAI). “A lot of people all over the world are observations are
interested in the potential risk of collisions mostly provided by
with space rocks, especially after two big dedicated amateur
Hollywood movies were made on this sub- astronomers who
ject.” The site is accessible at: http:// volunteer their time
impact.arc.nasa.gov to the effort.
The Ames NEO impact web site has been The ‘Spaceguard’
in operation since 1994, making it one of the name comes from
pioneering web sites on the internet. The science fiction novel- Artist’s rendition of meteor that destroyed the dinosaurs, ‘Dino Killer’ by
idea of a NEO web site was initially suggested ist Arthur C. Clarke. Don Davis. A large body of evidence supports the hypothesis that a
to Morrison by Ken Bollinger, an employee of In his novel ‘Rendez- major asteroid or comet impact occurred in the Caribbean region,
Symtech, who built and maintained the NASA vous with Rama,’ probably causing the mass extinction of many floral and faunal species,
impact site through its early years. Clarke discusses a including the large dinosaurs. This marked the end of the Cretaceous
During the past eight years, millions of NEO warning system period. The impact site is thought to be in the northwestern Yucatan.
hits have been recorded, mostly from mem- built to protect the
bers of the general public who are interested Earth following a di-
or concerned about cosmic impacts. sastrous comet im-
The upgraded site includes a wealth of pact in northern Italy on Sept. 11, 2008. The Spaceguard Survey has ben extremely
historical information about our growing Today, the scientific community hopes that successful, but Morrison warns of possible
awareness of the possibility of disastrous im- such a warning system can be built without problems ahead. The flood of data from the
pacts, including the texts of Congressional a disaster in order to provide a ‘wake-up call.’ search telescopes may be too much to pro-
testimony and of United States and British Clarke, whom Morrison knows, supports the cess by an understaffed community of loosely-
government reports on the impact hazard. survey and is pleased to have contributed the knit observing agencies. Also, as Spaceguard
The redesigned site also boasts a section on name for this effort. ticks off and categorizes NEOs larger than 1
NASA's technically dazzling Near Earth Aster- Morrison characterizes NEOs as statistical km, it will likely shift its focus and search for
oid Rendezvous mission to asteroid Eros, anomalies. “They are the most extreme bodies less than a kilometer in diameter,
which the spacecraft orbited starting in Feb- known example of a natural risk with low vastly increasing the numbers found.
ruary 2000. NEAR ended its mission by land- probability but severe global consequences,” Morrison notes that “observing efforts are
ing on asteroid Eros on Feb. 12, 2001, send- he stated. “The probability of a global im- widely international and depend on volun-
ing back 69 close-up images during its final pact disaster in any one year is only about teer labor. As the number and size of survey
descent. one in a million. It has been difficult to telescopes increases in the decades ahead
The site also contains links to information communicate the implications of these long and the NEO observations take on smaller
on the known NEOs and their orbits. Cur- odds to the media and the public,” Morrison objects, the follow-up will become increas-
rently, NASA is about halfway through count- notes. “Hardly a day goes by without e-mail ingly difficult.” The answer may lie in in-
ing and logging the estimated 1,000 ‘big questions being received, many from people creased international funding. Japan is con-
rocks’ and has, by Congressional mandate, who have heard a little about the hazard and structing a new survey telescope and the UK
until 2008 to complete the task to the 90 are concerned that an impact is about to take government has recommended construc-
percent level. This search is called the place or that the government might be cov- tion of a larger 3-meter telescope. The U.S.
‘Spaceguard Survey.’ The Spaceguard Sur- ering up the danger,” said Morrison. “Be- National Research Council recommended
vey focuses on the asteroids greater than 1 cause of the public's interest, it is important this year the construction of an 8-meter
km in diameter, those large enough to cause for NASA to maintain an authoritative website survey telescope to be used in part for discov-
devastating global damage. The concept of a where such questions can be answered in a ery of NEOs down to 300 meters in diameter.
threshold size for global disaster was first responsible and non-threatening manner.” Morrison chaired the original, Congress-
published in 1994 by Morrison. Much of the “While it is highly improbable that a large mandated NASA study of the NEO impact
climate modeling that determined this thresh- NEO will hit Earth in our lifetime, such an hazard in 1992, a seminal effort which gave
old was also done at Ames by Drs. Kevin event is entirely possible,” he warned. “In rise to NASA's sky survey. He currently chairs
Zahnle, Brian Toon and their colleagues. the absence of specific information, such a the International Astronomical Union work-
The Spaceguard Survey employs optical catastrophe is equally likely at any time, ing group on NEOs. He wryly notes that his
search telescopes that scan the skies around including next year,” he said. “That is why it ‘hobby’ is defending Earth from impacts,
Earth up to about 100 million kilometers. is important for the Spaceguard Survey to and this has been his most successful effort,
With the support of Congress, NASA took the discover and track these asteroids. If there is with not one person killed by a space rock in
lead role in organizing and funding the an asteroid out there ‘with our name on it,’ the decade he has been on the job.
BY KATHLEEN BURTON

10
10
The Ames Astrogram December 17, 2001
B I O T E C H N O L O G Y I N F O R M A T I O N T E C H N O L O G Y N A N O T E C H N O L O G Y

Event Calendar Ames Diabetics (AAD), 1st & 3rd Weds, 12 to 1 p.m.,
at Ames Mega Bites, Sun rm. Support group discusses news
affecting diabetics. POC: Bob Mohlenhoff, ext. 4-2523/email
Environmental, Health and Safety Information
Forum, resumes Thursday, Feb 7, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.,
Bldg. 19/Rm 1040. URL: http://q.arc.nasa.gov/qe/
Model HO/HOn3 Railroad Train Club at Moffett at: [email protected]. events/EHSseries/ POC: Julie Quanz at ext. 4-6810.
Field in Bldg. 126, across from the south end of Hangar
One. Work nights are usually Friday nights, 7:30 p.m. to Ames Child Care Center Board of Directors Mtg, Nat'l Association of Retired Federal Employees,
9:30 p.m. Play time is Sundays, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Call John Every other Thursday (check website for meeting dates: (NARFE), Jan. 4, S. J. Chptr #50 mtg, 9:30 a.m.,
Donovan (408) 735-4954 (W) or (408) 281-2899 (H). http://accc.arc.nasa.gov), 12 noon to 2 p.m., N-269, Rm. Hometown Buffet, Westgate Mall, 4735 Hamilton
201. POC: Joan Walton, ext 4-2005. Avenue., San José. Program at 10 a.m. Eldercare
Jetstream Toastmasters, Mondays, 12 noon to specialist. Lunch at 11 a.m. $6.27 pp. POC: Earl Keener
1 p.m., N-269/Rm. 179. Guests welcome. POC: Samson Ames Federal Employees Union (AFEU) Mtg, Dec. (408) 241-4459 or NARFE 1-800-627-3394.
Cheung at ext. 4-2875 or Lich Tran at ext. 4-5997. 19, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Bldg. 19, Rm 1042. Info at: http://
www.afeu.org. POC: Marianne Mosher at ext. 4-4055. Ames Contractor Council Mtg, Jan. 9, 11 a.m., N-
Ames Bowling League, starts Sept 4. Palo Alto Bowl 200, Comm. Rm. POC: Paul Chaplin at ext. 4-3262.
on Tues nights. Seeking full-time bowlers and substitutes. Ames Amateur Radio Club, Dec 20, 12 noon, N-T28
Pre-league meeting at Palo Alto Bowl on Tues, August 28 at (across from N-255). POC: Michael Wright, KG6BFK, at ext. 4- Native American Advisory Committee Mtg,
6 p.m. Questions to sign up: Mike Liu at ext. 4-1132. 6262. URL: http://hamradio.arc.nasa.gov Jan. 22, 12 noon to 1 p.m., Building 19, Rm 1096.
POC: Mike Liu at ext. 4-1132.

Ames Classifieds Canon BJC-6000 photo printer (1440x720dpi) with

manual & software with (6) full ink tanks and spare black
Ames Public Radio
1700 KHz AM radio -- information announcements
Ads for the next issue should be sent to cartridge. 1 yr old in great condition; example photos
[email protected] by the first Friday follow- available, $75. Call (408) 295-2160. and emergency instructions, when appropriate, for Ames
ing publication of the present issue and must be resub- employees. The emergency information phone number for
mitted for each issue. Ads must involve personal needs Black entertainment center from IKEA. Will fit TV with Ames is (650) 604-9999.
or items; (no commercial/third-party ads) and will run maximum width of 32 in. Measure 60”x48.5”x20.” Side
on a space-available basis only. First-time ads are given storage for CD/DVD/video. $180. E-mail for pictures at:
priority. Ads must include home phone numbers; Ames
extensions and email addresses will be accepted for
[email protected]. Sandy (408) 578-0590.
Two round-trip airplane tickets to anywhere in the
Exchange Information
carpool and lost and found ads only. Due to the volume
of material received, we are unable to verify the accuracy CONUS on any date. Asking $250 or B/O. Pay for them Information about products, services and oppor-
of the statements made in the ads. after you are confirmed on the flight. Call Sarah (650) 537- tunities provided to the employee and contractor
0057. community by the Ames Exchange Council. Visit
Housing Offering one week at our timeshare, the Suites at
the web site at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov
Looking for 3bdrm house for rent w/yard in Mtn.
View/Sunnyvale area, perhaps with rent/lease-to-own
Fisherman's Wharf, for 300 dollars. Call Sarah Kent (650)
537-0057.
Beyond Galileo N-235 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
option. Can pay up to $1,600/mo. Contact: ext. 4-6873
[email protected] Ask about NASA customized gifts for special
Duplex for rent, Santa Clara location, 1bd/1ba, 2 car Transportation occasions. Check out our special holiday sale event.
garage, FP, backyard w/BBQ, sm. pet allowed, 10 mls. from '70 VW convertible classic, original owner, no smog Make your reservations for Chase Park.
Ames, $1,100/mo plus utils. Connie or Joe (408) 246- needed; transmission ok; needs work on top & possibly
5295. engine. $1,600. Esther or Art (650) 961-2732. Mega Bites N-235 (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
'85 Mitsubishi Pickup, 108,000 miles, 4WD, PS, 5- ext. 4-5969
Shared housing with youthful grandmother in South
San José (Capital Exp/Snell). $850 rent (util inc.). 3 bd/2.5 speed, straight body,good interior, matching shell, Sony See daily menu at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov
bath condo, fireplace, W/D, large yard/deck, garage cassette, shop manual, original owner. $1,900 or B/O. Call
parking. Pool/jacuzzi in complex. Call (408) 227-5503. (408) 945-3917. Visitor Center Gift Shop N-223
Studio apt for rent, ,month-to-month lease. One mile ‘88 Toyota Tercel, burgundy/grey, 98K mls., 5 spd, (10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) ext. 4-5412
from Moffett. No pets. $850. Call (650) 965-0775. good condition. Great for grads! $1,500 or B/O. Call
NASA logo merchandise, souvenirs, toys, gifts
(925) 699-3482. and educational items.
Looking for roommate, mature female in mid 20s.
Spacious mstr bd/ba available in 2bd/2ba apt in Mtn. View. ‘88 Toyota Tercel EZ Liftback 2D white, 4-speed
$800/mo.+ 1/2 utils+sec dep ($750). Renovated interior manual, 160k mls, runs smoothly, $1,200. Call (415) 219- Tickets, etc... (N-235, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
with D/W and refrig. Slightly furnished. 1 shared, covr’d 3239. ext. 4-6873
parking space. Laundry facilities in complex. No pets. Sep. ‘89 buick century limited, auto, air, loaded. four new
phone line. 5 mins to Ames. Call (650) 237-9160. Check web site for discounts to local attractions,
tires, like new, smoged, $2,675 or B/O. Call (408) 733- http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov and click on tickets.
Mtn. Vw townhouse, 1st time rental, 3 bd/1.5 ba, 1906.
yard, quiet complex with pool, near Stevens Creek trail, 3 ‘93 BMW 850 Ci V12, $27,000. Approx 82K mls, new NASA Lodge (N-19) 603-7100
minutes from Ames. $1,800/mo. Call (650) 967-7659. tires, dual side-by-side A/C, dual 8-way pwr htd lthr seats, Open 7 days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Looking for host family: A Japanese 20 yo college ster cass/6 CD chgr, crus. cntrl, snrf, elect kyless access, Rates from $40 - $50.
student is planning to visit Bay Area in mid-Feb. Wants to automatic/’manual sport mode’ trans, fast, great hndling.
stay with a host family to practice English. If interested in Call (408) 285-9616. Vacation Opportunities
hosting him for a week, please call (650) 237-9160. '97 Ford Ranger XLT, std cab, SB, desert tan, 4 cyl, 2.3 Lake Tahoe-Squaw Valley townhs, 3 bd/2ba,
Large room for rent w/separate closet, bay window, ltr, A/C, pwr steering, sliding rear window, Vista camper view of slopes, close to lifts. Wkend $500,
and shared bthrm in100-year-old Victorian house shell, bedliner, AM/FM stereo cassette, full size spare, 69K midwk $190 nite. Included lines, cleaning,
mls, $6,300 or B/O. Bob or Maureen (925) 600-8723. propane fireplace, fully furnished.
(renovated in 1996). 15 mins from Moffett. 2 other
Call (650) 968-4155. [email protected]
roomates, shared utils. Rent $550/mo. Landlord pays ’98 Ford Ranger XLT, ext cab, automatic, V6 3.0, AC,
water and garbage. No pets. Call (408) 942-1502 (H), Vista camper shell, carpet kit, AM/FM stereo, cassette, 25K South Lake Tahoe Cottage w/wood fireplace
(408) 481-2064 (W) or (408) 932-1221 (pager). mls, $12,000. Deanna (408) 260-1180 between 5-9 p.m. and hot tub. Rates from $50 to $130 per
Room in 3bd/2ba Mtn. View townhouse. $800 rent night. Call (650) 967-7659 or (650) 704-7732.
‘99 Chevrolet Suburban LT 2500 ton, $32,000, 454
(incl. utils). Share w/prof’l female and cat. Private cu V8, elect. actuated 4X4 & limited slip posi, ‘all power,’
bathroom. Female preferred. NS/NP. Call (650) 254-1121. Vacation rental, Bass Lake CA 14 mls south of
ABS, 32K mls, new tires, dual A/C (front/rear), dual 8-way Yosemite. 3bd/1.5 ba, TV, VCR, MW, fireplace,
Pleasant furnished bdrm for rent in home in San José pwr htd seats (front), 8 passgr lthr seating, ster cass/CD, charcoal BBQ, priv. boat dock, great lake view.
for considerate prof’l. Off-street parking, family nbrhd.. crus cntrl, tow pkg, security sys, balance of new vehicle Sleeps 8. $1,050/wk. Call (559) 642-3600
Close to shopping and major highways. Long term warranty, (6 mos to 36,000 mls). Call (408) 285-9616. or (650) 390-9668.
preferred, shorter term possible. Shared bath/kitchen. Bdrm
with bath also available. Lease/deposits required. Call (408) Car Pool Big Sure vacation rental, secluded 4bd/2ba
house in lovely canyon setting. Fully eqpd
266-7272 and lv. msg. Monterey/Salinas to Ames. 5 days per week, 7 a.m. to kitchen. Access to priv. beach. Tub in patio
4 p.m. workday, responsible people. Bob at ext. 4-2523 gdn. Halfway between Carmel & Big Sur.
Miscellaneous or Morrow at ext. 4-0379. $175/night for 2; $225 for 4 and $250 for more,
HP Desktop 8655C, CD-RW/CD-Rom, 192 MB RAM, U.C./Fremont/Newark Carpool: Existing 3 person plus $150 cleaning dep. Call (650) 328-4427.
20G HD, purchased 4/2000 for $1,000. Asking $350 or carpool would like to add fourth. Leave park & ride lot at
B/O. Call (650) 493-1079. Ardenwood and 84 at 6 a.m.; leave Ames at 4 p.m.
Incline Village: Forest Pines, Lake Tahoe condo,
3 bdrms/2 ba, sleeps 8. Fireplc, TV/VCR, MW,
Two matching pairs of double, prairie-style casement Flexible driving arrangements. Mark at ext. 4-0102 or W/D, jacuzzi, sauna, pool. Available for family
windows removed from 1923 California Bungalow home. email [email protected]. reunions, corporate retreats, weekend getaways,
Good condition. Call for photos. $75. Call (408) 295-2160. Need new ride to and from work, starting on Jan 4, ski vacations. $120/night low season;
Hot Springs portable spa, 5 person. Good condition; 2002, from San Mateo to Moffett Field. Hours are flexable. $155/night high season. $240/night New Years.
newer cover; rebuilt pump; 14 yrs old; you pick up, $500 I do not drive, I pay for gas, $10 a day, it would be $50 $90 cleaning fee and 12% Nevada room tax.
or B/O. Jim (408) 255-2301. dollars a week. If willing to help, call Maria, ext. 4-4394. Charlie (650) 366-1873.

11
11
The Ames Astrogram December 17, 2001
B I O T E C H N O L O G Y I N F O R M A T I O N T E C H N O L O G Y N A N O T E C H N O L O G Y

WebTADS - it’s about time! Airborne

The archaic era of tangible timesheets
will soon disappear at Ames. Beginning in
late Spring 2002, Ames employees will par-
January, more in-depth information regard-
ing WebTADS will be provided to the center.
For more information, contact the
observatory
ticipate in the initial e-government effort
brought to the center by the Integrated
WebTADS POC Amber Sutton, at ext. 4-
3689.
exhibit opens at
Financial Management Program (IFMP). All
civil service employees will transition to a
Ames
web-based entry system called WebTADS
(Web-based Time and Attendance Distribu-
Featured continued from page 6
tions in the telescope, which reduces its
tion System), which combines increased flex-
ibility and ease-of-use for the end user. Once
library user image quality. Exhibit visitors will be able to
see the movement of the telescope's aper-
rolled out, WebTADS will allow employees Want to know more about the ture and the opening and closing of the
to input timecards via the web, anytime . . . projects of Dr. John Greenleaf, princi- telescope's door by pushing a button.
anywhere. pal investigator and the facility scien- NASA awarded a $484.2 million contract
WebTADS is user friendly and simple to tist for the human-powered centri- to Universities Space Research Association,
operate. The application, a product of fuge? Stop by the Technical Library, Columbia, Md., in December 1996, to ac-
Marshall Space and Flight Center (MSFC) building N-202, bulletin board. quire, develop and operate SOFIA. Other
with assistance from Fulcrum Software, can team members include Raytheon Aircraft
be accessed via the Internet using Netscape Read all about his accomplish-
ments and current research. Get cop- Integration Systems, Waco, Texas; United
4.7 or later or Internet Explorer 5.0 or later. Airlines, San Francisco; the University of Cali-
Employees need only their user name and ies of his current paper: “Effect of fornia, Los Angeles, Berkeley and Santa Cruz,
password to access the system and enter Exercise Training and the +Gz Accel- Calif.; the Astronomical Society of the Pa-
time and attendance information. WebTADS eration Training on Men.” cific, San Francisco; and the SETI Institute,
will import data from the NASA Personnel Mountain View, Calif. SOFIA's complex tele-
and Payroll System (NPPS) each pay period. scope is being developed by DLR, the Ger-
Ames employees will enjoy a number of man Aerospace Center, located in Bonn,
enhancements with the rollout of this new Germany.
on-line time and attendance system: Astrogram deadlines Annual operating costs of SOFIA are an-
All Ames employees are invited to submit ticipated to be about $40 million. SOFIA's
• Timekeeping can be submitted articles relating to Ames projects and activities for first test flight is currently scheduled in Octo-
from anywhere 24 hours a day; publication in the Astrogram. When submitting
ber 2003 at Raytheon's Waco, flight facility.
• WebTADS is paperless; stories or ads for publication, submit your mate-
rial, along with any questions, in MS word by e-
SOFIA is scheduled to arrive at Ames in May
• WebTADS displays leave balances 2004 for final testing preparatory to full-scale
on-line; and mail to: [email protected] on or be-
fore the deadline.
operations starting in late 2004. Further
• WebTADS allows for a later time information about SOFIA is available on the
card submission date. Deadline: Publication: SOFIA web site located at: http://
Fri, Jan. 11 Mon, Jan. 22 sofia.arc.nasa.gov
Training will be offered which will cover Fri, Jan 25 Mon, Feb. 4
both hands-on experience as well as policy BY MICHAEL MEWHINNEY
Fri, Feb 8 Mon, Feb. 18
issues. During the months of December and

FIRST CLASS MAIL

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

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.

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

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

We can be reached via email at:

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

The Ames Astrogram 12

12 December 17, 2001