National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland/Wallops Island, Virginia
July 27, 2001
The Goddard News is published weekly by the Office of Public Affairs, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771
Goddard flags are to be flown at half-staff on Friday, July 27, 2001, in memory of the Americans who died as a result of their service in Korea. July 27 has been designated as National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day.
GOES-M Environmental Spacecraft Successfully Launched
An advanced environmental
satellite equipped with instruments to monitor Earth's weather and with a telescope that
will be used to detect solar storms soared into space this past Monday morning at 3:23:01
a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
The satellite, GOES-M, will monitor hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, flash floods and other severe weather. It is the first of the GOES satellites equipped with a Solar X-ray Imager which will be used to forecast earth space weather due to solar activity.
NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-M spacecraft was carried into space aboard a Lockheed Martin Atlas IIA rocket. Twenty-seven minutes later, the spacecraft separated from the Centaur stage. At approximately 4:40 a.m., controllers successfully deployed the outer panel of the solar array, making the spacecraft power positive.
"We're off to a great start," said Martin Davis, GOES project manager at Goddard. "The spacecraft is now in transfer orbit and all data indicates we have a healthy spacecraft."
The spacecraft is a three-axis internally stabilized weather spacecraft that has the dual capability of providing pictures while performing atmospheric sounding at the same time. Once in geostationary orbit, the spacecraft is to be designated GOES-12.
Throughout the next 17 days, NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) controllers are scheduled to perform several apogee motor firings and adjust maneuvers, culminating with the spacecraft arriving in a geosynchronous orbit 22,240 miles (35,790 kilometers) above the Earth's equator at 90 degrees West Longitude. Controllers will operate the spacecraft from the NOAA's Satellite Operations Control Center in Suitland, Md.
The primary objective of the GOES-M launch is to provide a fully capable spacecraft in on-orbit storage, which can be activated on short notice to assure continuity of services from a two-spacecraft constellation.
GOES-M was built and launched for NOAA under technical guidance and project management by Goddard.
GOES information and imagery are available on the World Wide Web at: http://goes2.gsfc.nasa.gov/
http://www.goes.noaa.gov or http://rsd.gsfc.nasa.gov/goes/
NASA scientists are using a Virginia lighthouse, research aircraft and a satellite for a unique field study this summer. On the sea, in the sky, and from outer space, they are hoping for a better understanding of global climate change.
Led by NASA's Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, the Chesapeake Lighthouse and Aircraft Measurements for Satellites campaign, or "CLAMS," started in early July. Scientists are using equipment mounted on the U.S. Coast Guard's Chesapeake lighthouse about 15 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach, VA, as well as instruments on six research airplanes and the orbiting Terra research satellite to enhance their knowledge of how the ocean affects the atmosphere.
"Ultimately, we are trying to improve our understanding of the Earth's climate," said Langley researcher Bill Smith Jr., the CLAMS lead mission scientist.
Scheduled through early August, CLAMS has as its major goals to improve satellite-based estimates of aerosol measurements and to measure ocean characteristics. This will create a better understanding of how Earth maintains its overall temperature or its energy budget.
Researchers fly the aircraft at the same time, one above another to scan the ocean and sample air high into the atmosphere. CLAMS is using the NASA OV-10, the NASA high- flying ER-2, the University of Washington Convair 580, a Proteus aircraft, a Learjet, and a Cessna during the mission. Mission operations and some of the planes are based at the Wallops Flight Facility.
For the complete article, go to: ftp://ftp.hq.nasa.gov/pub/pao/pressrel/2001/01-151.tx
Through a combination of good luck and shrewd data analysis, researchers using NASA's Wind spacecraft have made rare direct observations of the mysterious process that allows the solar wind to connect to Earth's magnetic field (the magnetosphere). Known as reconnection, this process allows the magnetic field of the Sun - as carried in the solar wind - to connect to Earth's field, allowing energy and matter to flow from one to the other.
Like water rushing through a pipe and spigot, the solar wind flows into Earth's magnetosphere through a narrow valve-like region a quarter of a million miles downwind of the planet, in a region known as the magnetic tail. Depending upon the orientation of the solar wind and Earth's magnetic field, that valve opens and closes to allow plasma and energy from the Sun to enter Earth's space. In April 1999, Wind passed right through that valve as solar wind poured in.
The research findings were made by Marit Oieroset and colleagues at the University of California-Berkeley, with scientists from the Tokyo Institute of Technology and Goddard. They appear in this week's issue of Nature.
The solar wind is a tenuous, ionized gas (called plasma) that flows out constantly from the Sun in all directions. The wind ebbs and flows, shaping the magnetosphere of Earth and carrying energy, magnetic fields, and matter from the Sun. On the sunlit or "day" side of Earth, the solar wind pushes, stretches, and energizes Earth's magnetic field, but the plasma barely penetrates Earth's magnetic shell. It is in the distant reconnection region of the tail, on the night side of Earth, where the solar wind enters the magnetosphere. The flow of solar wind into the tail of the magnetosphere fills Earth's space with plasma and energy. This energy is stored like a battery until it is eventually released in bursts that cause auroras and other space weather phenomena. Space weather can affect radio communications, satellite operations, and the control of electric power systems on Earth.
For the complete press release, go to: http://www.gsfc.nasa.gov/news-release/releases/2001/01-71.htm
Just What is 'Diversity' Anyway?
Just what is diversity? We've been hearing about it a lot these days at Goddard. The Deputy Center Director, Bill Townsend has taken on the additional role of diversity champion and is meeting with supervisors around the Center to talk about the Business Case for Diversity and bringing his message of why it's important to Goddard. But more than just sharing his vision, Mr. Townsend holds a dialog where supervisors share their thoughts on diversity and discusses issues regarding the full utilization of our workforce. In his very first roundtable dialog with supervisors, Mr. Townsend met with over forty Code 400 supervisors. He has since met with cross-Center supervisors and continues to hold these roundtables in smaller groups of about twenty supervisors.
So what is diversity? Diversity means bringing people with different racial, ethnic, cultural and other backgrounds to bear on a problem. These different perspectives result in new ways of viewing the problem and offer new solutions to the problem. When considered this way, diversity makes good management sense making best use of available resources to achieve the goals and objectives of the organization. It is about constructively using those things that make us different and unique that reach far beyond generalized group descriptors such as age, sexual orientation, race, and gender and ability. At Goddard, we extend the definition to include secondary characteristics such as skill code, grade level, geographic location, military experience, income, first language, religion, family status, and education. It's definitely not Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) or Affirmative Action. It is about looking for ways to include all employees where everyone is seen as an individual, rather than as a member of a specific group and everyone has access to the same resources to accomplish the Goddard mission.
Recent census data show the U.S. workforce is becoming more diverse. At Goddard, we recognize that to remain a world-class organization and communicate with and gain the commitment of diverse stakeholders in supporting NASA's mission, we must mirror the diversity of the population we serve.
Our workplace vision is that employees respect, appreciate, and value individual differences so that we (Goddard) can capitalize on the strengths of a diverse workforce to better perform our mission through teamwork and innovation. Our commitment to diversity can be seen in the creation of the Diversity Council, chaired by Mr. Townsend and whose membership includes the Deputy Directors of, and in the hiring of the Special Assistant for Diversity to focus diversity activities and strategies.
The Council has begun numerous initiatives at Goddard to attain the workplace vision.
·
Development of a 3-year Strategic Plan for Diversity·
Development of a metric on the diversity of work teams in which Directors of will report on the diversity of work teams chartered by their directorate beginning in FY '02 to determine if and how we are utilizing our diverse workforce.·
Completion in July of Phase A of the Diversity Dialog Project (DDP), an innovative facilitated dialog program to increase employees understanding of diversity issues in which seventy employees participated. We are working with the facilitators to analyze major trends noted, discuss Lessons Learned and plan considerations for continued implementation.·
Integrating a Quality of Work Life (QWL) program to help employees handle work and family issues, develop friendly workplace/work life, and provide for a well-balanced and stress-reduced environment.·
Implementing the recommendations from the Culture Survey Analysis Team (chartered to examine results from a diversity perspective)·
Improved communications through the development of a diversity website, reporting on diversity activities at the All Hands meetings, periodic reports in Goddard News, and through directorate Diversity Focus Groups.Having a world-class work force is vital to the long-term survival of Goddard and diversity can enhance motivation by creating an atmosphere in which each employee is respected and their contributions are recognized. Most importantly, diversity brings together different experiences and perspectives that will churn up the innovation and productivity upon which Goddard's success depends on. Therefore we must embrace our differences and take the first step towards making Goddard an Employer of Choice.
You can read more about diversity at Goddard by visiting the diversity Website at: http://diversity.gsfc.nasa.gov/ or by contacting the Special Assistant for Diversity, Sharon Wong at 6-0475 or by email at Sharon.M.Wong.1@gsfc.nasa.gov.
Hitchhiker Experiments Advancing Technology (HEAT) Aboard STS-105
On Thursday, August 9, 2001 at 5:38 p.m., Goddard’s Shuttle Small Payload Project, HEAT, (Hitchhiker Experiments Advancing Technology) will launch aboard space shuttle Discovery. The HEAT mission contains the following experiments:
SIMPLESAT: a satellite designed at Goddard Space Flight Center to evaluate the use of inexpensive commercial hardware on spacecraft, a demonstration of Global Positioning System altitude and fine pointing control while in a free-flyer Low Earth Orbit.
Advanced Carrier Equipment (ACE): first flight of the newest Hitchhiker carrier avionics system; the power and data interface tothe Orbiter electronics.
Space Experiment Module-10 (SEM): a canister housing several passive experiments designed and constructed by students; part of a NASA program to increase educational access to space.
Get Away Special G-774: a NASA experiment investigating smoldering combustion in a microgravity environment; from Marshall Space Flight Center and Glenn Research Center.
For additional information: http://sspp.gsfc.nasa.gov/hh/heat.html
Protect Yourself…Wear a Helmet!
What do bicycling, horseback riding, baseball and in-line skating all have in common? Helmets! The trick is that different sports require different types of helmets to help protect participants from the different types of head injuries common to that particular sport.
All helmets are not created equal; beyond picking the right helmet for the sport, buyers should look inside the helmet for information on standards the helmet complies with. Bike helmets for example should carry a CPSC, Snell, ASTM, or ANSI sticker or label.
Fit is key:
A loose helmet cannot protect the head as well as one that is properly fit. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute suggests buying a brand and size that fits well prior to adjustments, and then using the adjustable straps and/or sizing pads to ensure a snug fit. Select a helmet that fits you or your child now, not a helmet to "grow into."
Helmets save lives:
Brain surgeons and doctors across the U.S. agree that wearing helmets can save lives. Both children and adults should wear the appropriate helmet when participating in the following sports, or any recreational activity where head injuries are a risk:
ATV riding, Baseball, Bicycling, Football, Horseback riding, In-line skating, Rock climbing, Skateboarding,Softball
For handling sports-related injuries and other emergencies, everyone should be trained in first aid.
MAP: Spaceflight Now published an article about the recently launched Microwave Anisotropy Probe.
Terra: Images taken by the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) aboard the Terra spacecraft of the recent Mt. Etna volcano eruption was featured by Spaceflight Now.
Goddard News is getting a whole new look! A brand new web version of Goddard News debuts next Friday, August 3 with a bright new design that's easy to use and easy to navigate. No more scrolling from article to article to get the latest news on happenings around Goddard. Each article will be on its own page making it easier to read and to print individual stories. So, next Friday, check out your new Goddard News. We think you'll like what we've done with it!
MIDEX AO Pre-Proposal Conference
What: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Space Science has released a NASA Announcement of Opportunity (AO 01-OSS-03), for the Explorer Program: Medium-class Explorers (MIDEX) and Missions of Opportunity. NASA intends to select two MIDEX missions to launch by March 2007 and March 2008. A Mission of Opportunity, long duration balloon mission, or International Space Station mission may also be selected. The science objectives covered by the AO include those in the currently defined OSS science themes of the Astronomical Search for Origins, the Sun-Earth Connection, and the Structure and Evolution of the Universe. Refer to the OSS World Wide Web homepage at http://spacescience.nasa.gov/ for further information about these themes. Participation is open to all categories of organizations, foreign and domestic, including industry, educational institutions, nonprofit organization, NASA centers, and other Government agencies. This solicitation will be open from July 16, 2001, through October 12, 2001.
When/Where: In support of this AO, a Pre-Proposal Conference and Technology Exhibit will be held at the University of Maryland Inn and Conference Center on August 10, 2001.
For registration information: See http://explorer.larc.nasa.gov/explorer/mppconf01.html or call Kathy Regul at 301-345-3211, x106
Red Cross Blood Drive
What: The American Red Cross will be here on August 1, 2001, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., in Building 8 Auditorium to accept blood donations. To schedule an appointment, please call Mary Ann Reboso at 6-6296 or Lisa Cutler at 6-7409 by the close of business on July 31, 2001. On the day of the drive you can call 6-7180 to schedule an appointment.
Efforts have been made in order to alleviate problems with long wait times so that everyone is able to get in and out in a timely matter.
SOME FACTS TO REMEMBER:
-SEVERAL GODDARD EMPLOYEES DEPEND ON BLOOD PRODUCTS TO SUSTAIN LIFE
-EACH DONATION COULD POSSIBLY SAVE 3-4 LIVES
-EACH DONATION PRODUCES 7 DIFFERENT BLOOD PRODUCTS
-OUR AREA USES APPROXIMATELY 1,000 UNITS OF BLOOD DAILY
Any healthy person at least l7 years of age can donate every eight weeks, with a minimum weight of 110 lbs. The process of giving blood is always under the supervision of a Medical Unit Supervisor. The procedure includes a medical check, actual donation, and some time for relaxation and refreshments. Please be sure to get sufficient rest the night before and eat a well balanced breakfast and lunch the day you donate. You never know whose life that you may help save.
Thanks for everyone's continued support of our program.
GEWA Lunchtime Concert
What: Lunchtime performance by Positive Vibration. Positive Vibration is a youth Steel Orchestra (Steel Drum). The musical repertoire includes Tropical, R&B, Jazz and Pop.
When/Where: Wednesday, July 26, 2001 Building 21, cafeteria from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.,
WANTED: Bands & Singers for Free Lunchtime Concerts
Singers and bands are wanted to entertain GSFC employees for free lunch-time concerts
sponsored by the Goddard Employees Welfare Association (GEWA) from now through September.
All performers receive an opportunity to showcase their talents and, as a token of
appreciation for their services, a free lunch of their choice at the GSFC Bldg. 21
Cafeteria. For info, please contact Cindi Jones-Savoy, GEWA Special Events Chairman, at
6-7149, or email her at: cajones@pop200.gsfc.nasa.gov
If you would like to submit articles, make comments or ask questions concerning Goddard News, please address your email comment to: Trusilla.Y.Steele.1@gsfc.nasa.gov