2002 Culture Survey Deadline has been extended until January 10th. There have been a significant number of responses to the 2002 Culture Survey, but with hectic work schedules leading up to the holidays and leave schedules, we have not yet equaled the return rate of the two previous surveys. Since the value of the survey increases with the participation rate and there are points of view that may not yet be represented, the deadline for returning the survey is being extended until January 10, 2003. This will provide a full week after the holidays for employees to complete the survey. If you haven't received a copy of the survey or have misplaced your survey, please contact Wayne Boswell at 6-6278 or H.W.Boswell@nasa.gov. He can provide you with a password or a complete survey to allow you to complete a written copy.

Do you have a accomplishment that is worth informing the Goddard Community? Submit your biggest accomplishment to Goddard News.

NASA 's Mission:
*To understand and protect our home planet
*To explore the Universe and search for life
*To inspire the next generation of explorers
…as only NASA can

For a further details of the NASA mission, go to: http://www.nasa.gov/bios/vision.html

Mark Your Calendar for Jan 14th's Freedom to Manage Town Hall Meeting

NASA Tests Future Flight Vehicle Concepts

Scientists Catch Their First Elusive "Dark" Gamma-Ray Burst

Safety Alerts

In observance and in celebration of reaching a century of flight in 2003, Goddard News will feature historical NASA flight tidbits. This Week in History: The Apollo 8 spacecraft was launched on December 21, 1968 and was the first of the Apollo series to successfully orbit the moon, and the first manned spacecraft to leave Earth's gravity and reach the Moon. The mission achieved operational experience and tested the Apollo command module systems, including communications, tracking and life-support, in cis-lunar space and lunar orbit, and allowed evaluation of crew performance on a lunar orbiting mission. The crew photographed the lunar surface, obtaining information on topography and landmarks as well as other scientific information necessary for future Apollo landings. Additionally, six live television transmission sessions were done by the crew during the mission, including the famous Christmas Eve broadcast in which the astronauts read from the book of Genesis. Three three-crew members were Commander Frank Borman, Command Module Pilot James A. Lovell, Jr., and Lunar Module Pilot William A. Anders. The spacecraft safely returned to earth on December 27, 1968. For more on the Apollo 8 mission, go to: http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/database/
MasterCatalog?sc=1968-118A

For more information on the Centennial of Flight celebration events, go to: http://www.centennialofflight.gov/