Volume 3 Issue 6 www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis June 2008

Be prepared – storm season underway

STS-124enjoys perfectMay 31 launchSpace shuttle Discovery and its seven-mem-

ber crew lifted off from NASA's KennedySpace Center May 31 at 4:02 p.m., right on

schedule to deliver and install a Japaneselaboratory to the International Space Station.

The mission, designated STS-124, is thesecond of three flights to launch components

to complete the Japan AerospaceExploration Agency's Kibo (which means“hope”) laboratory. Shortly before launch,

Commander Mark Kelly thanked the teamsthat helped make the launch possible.

"We're going to deliver Kibo, or hope, to thespace station," Kelly said. "And while we

tend to live for today, the discoveries fromKibo will certainly offer hope for tomorrow."

Hurricanes are nothing new to StennisSpace Center. Since its birth in the mid-1960s, the center has been in the direct

path of nine major storms. A tracking mapon Page 6 shows the paths of those, but itdoes not show the paths of the many more

tropical storms and hurricanes that havepassed within 100 miles of Stennis. With

the 2008 hurricane season underway thismonth, there is the chance of other storms

impacting the center, and Lagniappe isfocusing on helping Stennis friends andfamily prepare. Check inside for a briefarticle on the history of major storms at

Stennis and for a four-page, detachableguide that includes a tracking map and

helpful storm-related information. Above allelse – be prepared and be safe!

Check inside forpull-out storm guide

Page 2 LAGNIAPPE June 2008

Hurricane season is upon us once again, and I’m sureno one knows more about how important it is to beprepared than the folks who work at Stennis and live onthe Gulf Coast. When you’re livingon the Gulf Coast, it’s not a matterof if we’re going to have a hurri-cane; it’s a matter of when.

Shortly after Hurricane Katrina dev-astated southern Mississippi andLouisiana, another Category 5 hurri-cane, Rita, was bearing down on theHouston area. Evacuation became anightmare, and Rita ended up com-ing ashore east of Houston’s popu-lated area. Houston ended up with alot of minor wind damage but littleor no flooding, and most electricalpower was restored within three tofour days. A lot of folks learned thewrong lesson from their Hurricane Rita experience.Because damage was minimal and the evacuation troublesome, there are many who will not evacuate nexttime. Unfortunately, the same was true for the GulfCoast. Many folks survived Hurricane Camille and felt

is was OK to stay through Katrina. As a result, manylives were needlessly lost. Having stayed in my homethrough some smaller hurricanes in Houston andobserved the damage from Katrina, I’ve seen firsthandthe risk people take by staying behind. I’ve got a planand will get my family to a safer area.

I’m sure I’m preaching to the choir in that regard,but we’ve also had a lot of new folks join the Stennisfamily in the last two years, and I think it’s an import-ant message to bring home. Be prepared. Have all yourimportant papers and irreplaceable keepsakes in a place

that’s ready to go in the event of anevacuation. Don’t wait until the lastminute to evacuate or until the cen-ter closes down. If you’re not part of the emergency response team,take some leave and get on the road.Keep your work site at Stennis in acondition that makes it easy tosecure when word comes that wehave to close the center, and don’twait until the last minute to be readyto leave work or your home.

With all the improvements we’vemade at Stennis and at our homesfollowing Hurricane Katrina, I knowwe’ll be much better off. But it could

happen again. Be ready, have a plan and don’t wait untilit’s too late. Be safe.

From the desk of

Robert CabanaDirector,

Stennis Space Center

“Hurricane season

is upon us. ... Be

ready, have a plan

and don’t wait

until it’s too late

(to evacuate).”

Stennis Space Center officialsplayed host to various governmentleaders during the May 31 launchof space shuttle Discovery on its

STS-124 mission. Guests included(l to r): Robert Fudickar, director oftechnology industry with LouisianaEconomic Development; Louisiana

Sen. Michael Michot, chair of theSenate Finance Committee and

representing District 23; FranGladden, deputy secretary of

Louisiana Economic Development;and Louisiana Sen. John Alario Jr.,

representing District 8, all shownhere by the countdown clock at

the Banana Creek VIP launchviewing site.

Stennis hostslaunch guests

June 2008 LAGNIAPPE Page 3

FULFILLING NASA’S EXPLORATION MISSION

Subscale diffusertests continue

Stennis Space Center engineers conductedfour subscale diffuser tests May 29, designed

to gather information regarding a piece ofhardware currently planned for use on the A-

3 Test Stand being constructed onsite.Preliminary results of the tests were favor-able, although data review is ongoing, said

Barry Robinson, subscale diffuser projectmanager. The ongoing subscale program is

designed to address design and develop-ment concerns before the full-size diffuser is

built for the A-3 Test Stand.

Having completed a successful initialseries of J-2X power pack tests, StennisSpace Center engineers are turning theirattention to preparing the A-1 TestStand for the next testing round.

On May 8, engineers successfullycompleted the first series of tests inthe development of the J-2X enginethat will power the upper stages ofthe Ares I and Ares V rockets, keycomponents of NASA’s Constella-tion Program.

The recently-completed series of testson the A-1 Test Stand at Stennis wasdesigned to gather data from the her-itage J-2 engine components as theyoperated at the higher power levelsthat the new J-2X will require. Thenew J-2X engine is based on the her-itage J-2 engine that helped power theSaturn I and Saturn V rockets fourdecades ago. The tests focused on theengine’s power pack, comprised ofheritage J-2 liquid oxygen and liquidhydrogen turbopumps and gas genera-tor. On a complete engine, these com-ponents pump propellants into theengine’s main combustion chamber toproduce thrust. During the test series,more than 1,300 seconds of operationwere accumulated on the hardware.

Information from those tests will beused by NASA and Pratt & WhitneyRocketdyne engineers to refine thedesign of the new J-2X engine com-ponents. The new J-2X power pack

will be returned to Stennis for moretests, expected to begin in early 2010.

However, prior to that time, there isconsiderable work to be done to pre-pare the A-1 Test Stand. Those prepa-rations began with removal of the J-2power pack on May 29. After removal,the power pack was prepared for ship-ment to California for full disassemblyand inspection by Pratt & WhitneyRocketdyne engineers.

Even as that work is progressing, engi-neers at Stennis will be working toinstall a new thrust measurement sys-tem and new run line and dischargepiping on the A-1 Test Stand, saidGary Benton, the J-2X project manag-er at Stennis. Engineers also will becompleting upgrades on the liquidhydrogen flare stacks, vent piping andtransfer line piping. General mainte-nance work will be performed as well.

“The purpose of these upgrades is tominimize the likelihood of havingfacility problems that impact an enginetest schedule,” Benton explained.“Having a fully-functional facility max-imizes the number of test opportuni-ties available for the engine and alsoensures we provide the best qualitydata for the engine.”

The work on the test stand will contin-ue throughout this year and much of2009. Currently, plans are to re-activatethe test stand systems and begin facili-

ty checkouts in the latter half of nextyear. Final activation preparations areset for late 2009 and early 2010.

The schedule calls for the new J-2Xpower pack to be installed by March2010. Engineers then will begin a criti-cal 17-test series. “We want to ensurethat we have the test stand ready whenthe engines are ready to be tested,”Benton sasid. “The data we providemust be correct so that NASA canverify the engine will perform asrequired during flight.”

Workers remove J-2X power pack

Stennis Space Center workers lower the J-2Xpowerpack down the side of the A-1 Test Stand.

Page 4 LAGNIAPPE June 2008

NASA Stennis Space CenterDirector Bob Cabana and NASAAssociate Administrator WilliamGerstenmaier presented annualNASA Honor Awards during anonsite ceremony June 5.

Three Stennis employees receivedNASA’s Exceptional AchievementMedal. The prestigious medal recog-nizes a significant, specific accom-plishment or contribution thatimproves operations, efficiency, serv-ice, savings, science or technology,contributing to the NASA mission.

Reginald “Chip”Ellis, an aerospacetechnologist forEngineeringProject Manage-ment in Stennis’Project Director-ate, serves as the contracting officer’stechnical representative for theHardware Assurance and Test (HAT)contract. He received the ExceptionalAchievement Medal for his leadershipin restructuring and supporting therenegotiation of the HAT contractwith Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne.The new contract is completelyrestructured to provide the govern-ment increased cost effectiveness, aswell as flexible and efficient means toprovide support services for the SpaceShuttle Main Engine Program,Exploration and other engine develop-ment programs into the next decade.

Randolph R.Holland, an aero-space technologistfor EngineeringProject Manage-ment in Stennis’Project Director-ate, also received an ExceptionalAchievement Medal. Holland hasserved as the Katrina Recovery andMitigation project manager for the

past two years. Under his leadership,33 recovery repair projects totaling$83.82 million and 1,379 repair itemshave been completed, a majority ofthem ahead of schedule and underbudget. Holland also developed andgained headquarters approval for 15mitigation projects totaling $98.73million. The projects are intended toput Stennis in a better posture to dealwith another major natural event, suchas Hurricane Katrina.

Christine Q.Powell, lead forSystems & TestIntegration inStennis’ Engineer-ng and ScienceDirectorate,received an Exceptional AchievementMedal for her leadership and workwith the System Engineering Group.Powell represented Stennis in the cre-ation, development and subsequentapproval of NASA ProceduralRequirements (NPR) 7123.1, NASASystems Engineering Processes andRequirements. This NPR is the firstcomprehensive systems engineeringrequirements document ever devel-oped for NASA and is a milestoneeffort in the history of the agency.Powell now is supporting the imple-mentation of the new NPR at Stennisand is a Subject Matter Expert (SME)team lead for development of theNASA Systems EngineeringApplication Handbook.

One Stennis employee receivedNASA’s Exceptional Service Medal.It recognizes significant, sustainedperformance characterized by unusu-al initiative or creative ability thatresults in engineering, space flight,administrative or support endeavorsthat contribute to NASA’s mission.

Anita W. Douglas has served as atraining officer in Stennis’ Office of

Human Capitalsince 1995, whereshe has repeatedlydemonstrated astrong commit-ment to the suc-cess of Stennis.Douglas received the prestigiousExceptional Service Medal for variousefforts, including her work duringHurricane Katrina to secure criticalpersonnel records from the damagedwing of the Stennis administrationbuilding. Douglas also has collaborat-ed with the NASA Shared ServicesCenter on high impact training anddevelopment issues. Her leadershipalso shaped the development andimplementation of the TrainingCertification Records System.

Two Stennis employees receivedNASA’s Distinguished Public ServiceMedal. It is awarded to an individualwho is not a government employeeand is granted for exceptional contri-bution to NASA’s mission.

Harold R. Rossreceived theDistinguishedPublic ServiceMedal for hiswork as lead ofthe gas and mate-rial sciences laboratory for AppliedGeo Technologies at Stennis. Ross’knowledge of materials and chemi-cals and the processes necessary toevaluate them have made him aninvaluable asset to test and test sup-port activities. He has proven him-self as a leader in the area of processimprovement efforts. When Stennisbegan propulsion testing with hydor-gen peroxide in 1992, Ross providedthe technical guidance and leadershipto ensure safe, efficient propellantprocessing. His ongoing efforts havesaved the Space Shuttle Programvaluable schedule time and funding.

2008 NASA Honors Awards

June 2008 LAGNIAPPE Page 5

Ted L. Robinson,a former employ-ee of MississippiSpace Services,received aDistinguishedPublic ServiceMedal posthumously. For more thanfour decades, Robinson played aprominent role in hundreds of spe-cial events and conferences hostedby Stennis. He was the cornerstoneof safe, timely transportation ser-vices, and his professional, courteousmanner was noted by senators, gov-ernors, NASA executives, astronauts,corporate heads, Stennis employeesand the general public alike. Robin-son began his career at Stennis in1966. He maintained perfect workattendance for more than 20 yearsand retired in 2007 after 41 years ofaccident-free service.

Several other Stennis individuals andgroups also were recognized duringthe June 5 NASA Honor Awards cer-emony for their service and contribu-tions These honors included:

NASA Space Flight AwarenessLeadership Award

Al Watkins

Peer Recognition AwardDiversity Enhancment

JoAnn Larson

Quality and Safety Achievement Recognition

Thelma W. Cox

Length of Service Awards

30 yearsDavid J. CarstensSusan D. DupuisPatricia H. Fairley

Donald R. Griffith.

25 YearsWendy T. Holladay

Mark S. HughesDorsie Jones

Glen M. LiebigChristel F. McDonald

David E. Walters.

Group Achievement Awards.

E-3 TeamNASA

Henry John BakkerDaniel A. BradyWilliam J. CamusCraig A. ChandlerRobert F. Gargiulo

Jared B. GroverWendy T. HolladayMelissa M. Huggins

Scott L. JensenJustin C. Junell

Nathan E. LabordeChristopher A. MulkeyRaymond C. Nichols

Wayne NorthRosa E. ObregonBarry E. Robinson

James E. RyanGary O. Taylor

Steven A. TaylorCharles C. Thurmm

NASA Test Operations GroupVickie B. Ard

Gary L. BennettBryon BordelonTerrance BurrellDennis M. Butts

Cheley F. CarpenterSam J. ClayKent Conn

Mark A. DyleSusan E. Fendley

Scotty R. GipsonPat J. Guidry

Brianne C. GuillotDanny Guin

Pete J. HobgoodButch HowardRobert K. Kelly

Travis D. KennedyByron D. LadnerDustan J. LadnerRoger D. Ladner

Lester A. LangfordClifford Lee

Todd MetzlerJim R. MirandyMark Mitchell

Ken E. MontgomeryAlvin RichardsJohn F. Searles

Pete ShawRosamond B ShawMichael E. SladeKanaly E. SladeDanny R. Tarter

Glenn VarnerBen A. WeiselTom H. Wolfe.

The A-2 Barge Hydrogen VentLine Repair Team

NASASon K. Le

John T. PazosDavid E. 'RobertsStanley C. Warren

Group Achievement Award: E-3 Team

See AWARDS, Page 8

Page 6 LAGNIAPPE June 2008

For Gulf Coast residents, every hurricane is a warning –a harsh reminder that while life at the water’s edge maybe enviable in many ways, it also carries a very high levelof peril, especially during the June 1-to-November 30storm season each year.

For Stennis Space Center, the warning came early in thecenter’s history – and it came hard.

In September 1965, workers were scrambling to build thefacilities and test stands that would contribute so signifi-cantly to the success of the country’s race to the moon.The first static test firing was scheduled for early 1966 –and even with crews work-ing night and day, the sched-ule was tight and gettingtighter. The last thing any-one involved with the all-outeffort needed was a hurri-cane – but that is exactlywhat arrived on September10. Its name was Betsy, aCategory 3 storm thatwould become the first bil-lion dollar natural disaster inthe nation’s history.

Even though Louisianareceived the brunt of thedamage, Mississippi was notspared. At Stennis, 100-mile-per-hour winds scatteredconstruction equipment andripped a fixed crane fromthe A-2 Test Stand. It alsowreaked havoc on the ever-tightening schedule anddelivered the clear warning –expect more of the same.

More would come, enough that when one reviews the 14primary hazards and threats in the Stennis Space Centeremergency management plan, hurricanes are one ofonly three identified as “high” and “worst” threats. Theothers are HAZMAT incidents – an understandable con-cern with the various chemicals used at Stennis – andsevere thunderstorms with lightning.

But it is hard to exaggerate the dangers of hurricanes atStennis. The facility has been hit by three of the worststorms in U.S. history – Betsy in 1965, Camille in 1969and Katrina in 2005. More than half a dozen lesserstorms have hit the area immediately surroundingStennis as well.

However, hurricanes Camille and Katrina were especiallydevastating to the Mississippi coastal area. In August 1969,Camille arrived as a Category 5 storm. Its wind were esti-mated at 190 mph, one of only four storms ever to reachthat mark. Destruction along the Mississippi coast wasalmost complete as a result of a 24-foot storm surge. Thestorm left some areas flooded by 15 feet of water anddestroyed an estimated 3,800 homes and businesses.Twenty-five years and 11 days after Camille, the eye ofHurricane Katrina passed directly over Stennis. A massivestorm more than 450 miles wide, Katrina blasted the coastfor almost 17 hours, spawning tornadoes and a 28-footstorm surge. Flooding reached inland as far as 12 miles.

And for those who had held Camille as the hurricane stan-dard, the history books had to be rewritten. Katrina quick-ly became the storm by which all others will be judged.

In both 1969 and 2005, Stennis Space Center escapedmajor damage. Katrina damaged 152 buildings at thefacility and forced the site to close for about a month,but the rocket test stands emerged unscathed with nomajor loss of function.

However, the Stennis workforce was hit hard. A fullquarter of workers lost their homes to Katrina or

SSC – in the eye of the storm

See HURRICANES, Page 7

Fern - 1971

Hilda - 1964

Isidore2002

Cindy2005

Camille1969

Katrina2005

Elena1985

Georges1998

Betsy1965

A tracking map shows the nine major storms that have directly impacted Stennis Space Center. Many other tropi-cal storms and hurricanes have passed near the center as well, delivering high winds, rain and severe weather.

Hurricane Guide

SStteennnniiss HHuurrrriiccaannee SShheelltteerr GGuuiiddeelliinneessAs in previous years, Stennis is partnering with the American Red Cross during the upcoming storm season to maxi-mize effectiveness of the facility and to keep it in line with Red Cross guidelines. Stennis is not equipped to be a pri-mary shelter and only becomes a shelter 12 hours before the impact of any storm. The Red Cross will manageStennis as a shelter of last resort with meager accommodations. For those who must evacuate to Stennis, the follow-ing guidelines will be in place during the 2008 season:

• Employee families must be accompanied by a badged employee.• Bring a minimum of three days of food, water, medicine and other essential personal items. The Stennis

Space Center cafeteria and medical clinic will not be operational during the storm.• Bring personal bedding, not to exceed single-size bedding; no large, inflatable bedding is allowed.• Evacuees must register with American Red Cross officials stationed at Stennis shelter buildings. Sign in at

the reception desk so accurate records can be kept. This will also allow evacuees to be contacted if there is a mes-sage or inquiry about their safety. When leaving, please sign out as well.

• Mark/tag luggage and personal belongings and food containers. Stennis Space Center cannot assumeresponsibility for personal belongings.

• Parents are responsible for the whereabouts and activities of their children.• For safety reasons, possession or use of alcohol or other potentially harmful substances in any part of the

shelter is strictly prohibited. No firearms or flammable liquids are allowed. Prescribed medication should be noted onthe registration card. No smoking is allowed inside the shelter.

• No pets or animals are allowed.• If evacuees have a medical condition that may present a special problem, please notify the shelter nurse or

other staff member. Such conditions should be noted on the registration card.• Do not leave the shelter until notified that it is safe by a shelter official.• Immediately after the hurricane, the American Red Cross will make long-term shelters available for individ-

uals who cannot return to their homes. Stennis will not operate as a long-term shelter.

The 2008 hurricane season has arrived – and NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center

has prepared this four-page guide as a resource for Gulf Coast residents.

The guide offers invaluable information – a hurricane tracking map, storm-rating information and

contact numbers for emergency situations. It also serves as an important reminder – for every

Gulf Coast resident to be prepared and alert for whatever the 2008 storm season may deliver.

In an effort to assist Louisiana in the event of a manda-tory hurricane evacuation, the Mississippi Department ofTransportation will implement contraflow (lane reversal)for both I-59 and I-55 when requested by Louisiana andapproved by the governor of Mississippi. (Contraflowoperations cannot be considered on Highway 49.)

• The decision to contraflow is not automatic and willonly be used when absolutely necessary. Citizens shouldnot delay evacuation plans in anticipation of contraflow.

• I-59 contraflow operations would begin in Louisiana,extend into Mississippi and end just south of Poplarville.

• I-55 contraflow operations would begin in Louisiana,

extend into Mississippi and end just south of Brookhaven.

• All exits within the contraflowed sections of the inter-state highways will remain open as traffic conditions allow.Officers will be present to assist with traffic control.

• The shoulders of both Interstates 59 and 55 should bekept clear for emergency vehicles. Motorists needing tostop should use the next available exit.

• Hancock County residents traveling West intoLouisiana on I-10 will be routed North onto I-59 at theI-10/I-12 split.

• Tune to Mississippi Public Broadcasting radio stationsfor emergency information and updated road conditions.

For more information: http://www.gomdot.com/Home/

Interstates 59 and 55 Contraflow Plans

2008 Hurricane

95oW 90

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o

e Tracking Map40

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35oN

30oN

25oN

20oN

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

Category One: Winds 74-95 mph. Storm surge generally 4-5 feetabove normal. No real damage to building structures. Damage pri-marily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery and trees. Somedamage to poorly-constructed signs. Some coastal road floodingand minor pier damage.

Category Two: Winds 96-110 mph. Storm surge generally 6-8 feetabove normal. Some roofing material, door and window damage ofbuildings. Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with sometrees blown down. Considerable damage to mobile homes, poorly-constructed signs and piers. Coastal and low-lying escape routesflood 2-4 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Small craft inunprotected anchorages break moorings.

Category Three: Winds 111-130 mph. Storm surge generally 9-12feet above normal. Some structural damage to small residences andutility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures.Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off trees andlarge trees blown down. Mobile homes and poorly-constructed signsare destroyed. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Flooding nearthe coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damagedby battering from floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 5feet above mean sea level may be flooded inland eight miles or more.

Category Four: Winds 131-155 mph. Storm surge generally 13-18feet above normal. More extensive curtainwall failures with somecomplete roof structure failures on small residences. Shrubs, treesand all signs are blown down. Complete destruction of mobilehomes. Extensive damage to doors and windows. Low-lying escaperoutes may be cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of thecenter of the hurricane. Major damage to lower floors of structuresnear the shore. Terrain lower than 10 feet above sea level may beflooded, requiring massive evacuation as far inland as six miles.

Category Five: Winds greater than 155 mph. Storm surge generallygreater than 18 feet above normal. Complete roof failure on manyresidences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failureswith small utility buildings blown over or away. All shrubs, trees,and signs blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes.Severe and extensive window and door damage. Low-lying escaperoutes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the centerof the hurricane. Major damage to lower floors of all structureslocated less than 15 feet above sea level and within 500 yards of theshoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low groundwithin 5-10 miles of the shoreline may be required. Only threeCategory Five storms have made landfall in the U.S. since recordsbegan – the Labor Day hurricane of 1935, Hurricane Camille in1969 and Hurricane Andrew in 1992.o

W 70oW 40

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Mississippi Resource InformationMississippi Emergency Management Agency (www.msema.org) ..................................................................... 601-933-6362

(24 hrs) 1-800-222-MEMA(6362)

Mississippi Department of Transportation (www.GoMDOT.com) ................................................................. 601-359-7001

(activated only during a disaster) 1-866-521-MDOT (6368)

Mississippi Highway. Safety Patrol (www.dps.state.ms.us) ............................................... 601-987-1212 (*hp from any cell)

Mississippi Board of Animal Health (www.mbah.state.ms.us) ......................................................................... 601-359-1170

Governor’s Office (www.governor.state.ms.us) ..................................................................... 877-405-0733 or 601-359-3150

Mississippi Insurance Department (www.mid.state.ms.us) ................................................................................ 800-562-2957

US Coast Guard (Eightth District) ........................................................................................................................ 251-441-6213

Mississippi Power (www.mississippipower.com) .................................................................................................. 800-532-1502

Coast Electric Power (www.coastepa.com) ........................................................................................................... 800-624-3348

Louisiana Resource InformationOffice of Homeland Security and Preparedness (www.ohsep.louisiana.gov) .................. 800-256-7036 or 225-925-7500

Louisiana Department of Transportation (www.dotd.state.la.us) ..................................................................... 225-379-1100

Louisiana State University Hurricane Center (hurricane.lsu.edu) ...................................................................... 225-578-4813

Louisiana State Police (www.lsp.org) .................................................................... 225-925-6325 (*LSP from any cell phone)

Louisiana State Police Road Closure Hotline ....................................................................................................... 800-469-4828

Louisiana Governor’s Office (www.gov.state.la.us) .............................................................................................. 866-366-1121Louisiana Department of Insurance (www.ldi.la.gov) .......................................................... 800-259-5300 or 225-342-5900US Coast Guard (Eightth District) ..........................................................................................................................504-846-6160Cleco Corporation (www.cleco.com) ...................................................................................................................... 800-622-6537Entergy (www.entergy-louisiana.com) .......................................................................................... 800-ENTERGY (368-3749)

Power outages: 1-800-9OUTAGE (968-8243)Washington St. Tammany Electric Cooperative (www.wste.coop) ................................................................... 985-643-6612

Power outages: 866-672-97

NNaattiioonnaall RReessoouurrccee IInnffoorrmmaattiioonnAmerican Red Cross ............................................................................................................ 866-GET-INFO (1-866-438-4636)

www.redcross.org

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)............................................................................... 800-621-FEMA(3362)

www.fema.gov

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).......................................................................... www.noaa.gov

NOAA National Hurricane Center ............................................................................................................... www.nhc.noaa.gov

NOAA National Weather Service ................................................................................................................. www.nws.noaa.gov

National Weather Service Forecast Office ............................................................................................................ 504-522-7330

www.srh.noaa.gov.lix

NOAAWatch - NOAA's All-Hazard Monitor. .......................................................................................... www.noaawatch.gov

US Department of Homeland Security .................................................................................................................. www.dhs.gov

June 2008 LAGNIAPPE Page 7

returned to find them uninhabitable. Repair and recoverywork continues today, both onsite and offsite. Part ofthat work includes preparing for the next storm. As theStennis emergency management plan states, “The returnof major hurricanes is expected as expert predictionsindicate that the incidence of hurricane events willincrease over the next decade.”

Stennis officials are taking every precaution to be pre-pared when the next “hurricane event” does arrive.Emergency preparation and response is a major – andongoing – effort. “It’s a high priority,” emphasized RonMagee, whose duties as assistant in the CenterOperations Directorate include working as emergencydirector for the rocket-testing facility. “And it is not justat hurricane season. We have exercises and trainingthroughout the year.”

Part of the training and preparation comes in coordinat-ing with area emergency personnel. As Magee noted, allentities involved are following the National IncidentManagement System. “And so, we all receive the sametraining and we all use the same terminology, whichhelps keep everything coordinated and enables us to talkwith one another well,” he said.

This year, as in the past, preparation also means conduct-ing an inventory of supplies to make sure everythingneeded is on hand, Magee added. And it means remindingall Stennis work teams involved to be prepared as well.At Stennis, each area has its own particular steps of prepa-ration needed to protect important equipment and func-tions. In addition, in the event of a hurricane, about a 100-member Emergency Response Team remains on site tomake sure critical systems are maintained. Following a

storm, the team also does damage assessments and beginsrepairs to enable Stennis to reopen as a facility.

Magee and other Stennis officials also devote a lot oftime to encouraging facility employees to prepare forwhat may come. Magee cited the oft-repeated mantra –“Prepare your personal plans now. Do what you need tokeep yourself and your family safe.”

Officials give employees plenty of warning. With hurri-canes – and severe thunderstorms, lightning and torna-dos as well – levels of warnings are in place. At somepoint, site-wide radio announcements are made. Forinstance, a lightning advisory is issued when lightning is5-10 miles from Stennis. The facility also stays in a

Condition 5 general state of readinessthroughout hurricane season.Condition 4 is declared when a stormenters the Gulf of Mexico or poses apotential threat to Stennis within thenext 72 hours.

Whether a tornado or lightning advisoryor a hurricane condition warning, thesignal is for Stennis employees to pre-pare. Although Stennis has been sparedmajor storm and event damage, centerofficials know – and history attests – thatmay not always be the case. And so, theyprepare and train and keep watch.Valuable infrastructure and far too manyinvaluable members of the Stennis family are at stake to do otherwise.

Although Stennis escaped serious damage from Hurricane Camille, thestorm did not leave the facility untouched, as this photo shows.

The remains of a seafood cannery in nearby Pass Christian, Miss., shows the force HurricaneBetsy carried into the area in September 1965, just as Stennis facilities were being constructed.

HurricanesContinued from Page 6

Page 8 LAGNIAPPE June 2008

NASA Test Operations GroupAdam J. Fulks

Patrick J. GuidryMichael K. JeeMicah L. Jones

Dustan J. LadnerBarney NokesJerry L. QuinnFred Vaughn

Jacobs/FOSCJames E. Alexander

Glen D. BeechTommy E. Breaux

Don N. CaudillWilIie Ellis

Jimmy EverettRichard E. FerrillKen B. Hawkins

Robert V. HaywardDavid W. Hodge

Michael W. HodgeBill M. Ivey

Nathaniel I. JewellAnthony Jones

Marsella E. JonesKevin JurichJerry Knight

Richard LadnerDanny Lambert

Bill LizanaRonnie Lyons

Roy MalleyMichael G. MarodisAdam W. Massarini

Robbie D. MillerMark A. Mills

Gary W. MosherDouglas NecaiseJames NecaiseDonald Parker

Cleveland J. Pichon, Jr.Tal S. Raboteau

Benjamin RobertsonMichael Smith

Wallace L. SmithMichael P. Tberiot

Gregory G. Walls, Sr.Roger L. Walters, Sr.

The A-3 Test Stand SystemRequirements Development Team

NASAKen R. Bauer (MSFC)

Thomas E. CarrollRobert F. Gargiulo Phillip W. Hebert

Jeffery L. HendersonBryon T. MaynardBradley P. Messer

KarI W. Nelson (MSFC)Thomas G. Nicolaides

Doyle K. PierceChristine Q. PowellNickey G. RainesSteven A. Taylor

Pratt & Whitney RocketdyneKevin Farrah

NASA Test Operations GroupPaula L. HensarlingSamuel E. Wright

Rede, Inc.Anissa C. Macauley

Design Data Management SystemWindchill Programming Team

NASAElizabeth A. Messer

Computer Sciences CorporationColby V. Albasini

Thang V. LeLee J. McKinney

William D. O'RourkeTimothy S. Stiglets

Ted Strain

Special Recognition Award

NESC Engine Cutoff SensorData Processing Team

NASAPhillip W. Hebert, StennisJoseph W. Lacher, StennisFreddie Douglas, NESC

Dr. Christopher Iannello, KSCMitchell Davis, GSFCBob Kichak, GSFC

NASA Test Operations GroupFred Abbell

Robert S. DrackettGeorge Drouant

Group Achievement Award: Design Data Management System

Windchill Programming Team

Group Achievement AwardA-2 Barge Hydrogen Vent Line Repair Team

Group Achievement AwardA-3 Test Stand System Requirements Development Team

AWARDSContinued from Page 5

NASA’s Applied Science Program atStennis Space Center is developing athree-to-five-year plan to providecritical support to efforts to protectand enhance the Gulf of Mexicocoastal area.

Thirteen federal agencies – includ-ing NASA – have joined to supportmulti-state Gulf of Mexico Allianceefforts. The applied science team atStennis has been charged with identifying areas that can benefitfrom using NASA Earth scienceand with developing a strategic planfor deploying those resources.

To that end, Stennis team membersfirst identified various areas that couldbe supported by NASA Earth science,

then began gatheringinput to narrow thefocus on which areascould be supportedmost effectively. A May12 session in Biloxi pro-vided critical input forthat work. The sessionattracted more than 50participants from sever-al states and providedthem with an opportu-nity to comment onproposed efforts.Stennis team membersnow will fine tune theirplan so NASA Earthscience resources can be put to thebest possible use. The subsequentGulf of Mexico Coastal Strategic

Plan is scheduled to be presentedduring an August 21 conference inCorpus Christi, Texas.

Fourteen employees of NASA’s JohnC. Stennis Space Center recently werehonored by NASA’s Space FlightAwareness Program for their dedica-tion to quality work and flight safety.

The honorees traveled to KennedySpace Center, Florida, for the launchof STS-124. They were honored at anawards ceremony while there.

NASA’s Space Flight AwarenessProgram recognizes outstanding jobperformances and contributions bycivil service and contract workersthroughout the year and focuses onexcellence in quality and safety in sup-port of human space flight. The awardis one of the highest honors presentedby NASA to contract employees.

Several John C. Stennis Space Center employees recently were honored by NASA’s Space FlightAwareness Program during an Orlando ceremony. Awards were presented by Stennis Space CenterDirector Bob Cabana and astronaut Charlie Hobaugh. Shown above are (l to r): James Landrum/JacobsTechnology (NTOG), Rocky Pullman/Jacobs Technology (FOSC), Marleen Phillips/NASA, KeithStockstill/NASA, Frank Pellegrino/Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne (PWR), Jason Edge/NASA, William“Hamp” Stewart Jr./PWR, Anthony Sones/PWR, Edith Thomas/Jacobs (FOSC), Vincent Moran/PWR,Jack Hode/Applied Geo Technologies, Eugene Necaise/Jacobs (NTOG), Dawn Davis/NASA, Hobaughand Cabana. Timothy Siglets/Computer Sciences Corporation is not pictured.

NASA honors Stennis workers

Stennis team preparing coastal plan

(L to r) NASA Applied Research and Technology Project Office ChiefMark Glorioso from Stennis is joined by Jay Ritchie of the NorthernGulf Institute; Byron Griffith, director of the EPA Gulf of MexicoProgram at Stennis; and Bill Dewar of Florida State University duringa May 12 conference in Biloxi.

Former employees enjoy

Old Timers’ DayStennis Space Center Director Bob Cabana (right) talks with retired Stennis employeesTom Stockstill (left) of Mississippi Space Services and Bob Delcuze of NASA duringannual Old Timers’ Day activities at the Cypress House on May 16. Retirees are invitedback to Stennis for Old Timers’ Day activities each year on or near the anniversary ofthe first tree-cutting for the construction of the rocket-testing facility in 1963. The annualevent is sponsored by the Old Timers’ Club of Stennis’ Recreational Association andfeatures food, fellowship and door prizes for participants.

June 2008 LAGNIAPPE Page 9

Editor’s Note: John C. Stennis SpaceCenter has played a pivotal role in the suc-cess of the nation’s space program. Beginningthis month, Lagniappe will look back onimportant moments in the center’s history.

Long before the first space shuttlemain engine test, NASA realized the importance of itssouth Mississippi facility. Forty-four years ago, on June14, 1974, then-NASA Administrator Dr. James C.Fletcher announced that the Mississippi Test Facility hadbeen upgraded to the National Space TechnologyLaboratories (NSTL), a permanent NASA field installa-tion reporting directly to NASA Headquarters inWashington, D.C.

The facility’s new status reflected the importance ofgrowth in current and future NASA programs and activi-ties of other agencies that took advantage of theresources available at NSTL.

“NSTL has developed into an installation where highlyqualified capabilities exist for conducting remote sensing,environmental and related research and technical activities,”Fletcher said during his announcement. “These capabilitieshave been enhanced in recent years by the location atNSTL of research and technical activities of several othergovernment agencies. The success of this experiment inthe collocation of these mutually supporting activities hasled me to decide that NSTL will have a permanent role inNASA’s space applications and technology programs.”

Created by NASA in 1961 as part of Marshall Space Flight

Center in Huntsville, Ala., the $350-million facility was firstestablished and used for static testing of the large Saturn Vrocket engines used in the Apollo program.As the Apollo program drew to a close, NASA and sev-eral other agencies moved a variety of research and tech-nical activities – primarily related to earth resources andthe environment – into the modern facilities available atthe 141,000-acre site. One thousand contractors and civilservants were employed at the facility.

NASA’s activities at NSTL included developmental test-ing of the main engine for the space shuttle and theEarth Resources Laboratory, which had been establishedfour years earlier. Other agencies located at NSTL duringthis time included the departments of Commerce,Interior, Transportation and the Army, along with theU.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the State ofMississippi and various other state and university ele-ments from Mississippi and Louisiana.

“By renaming the facility and elevating its status, it is myintention to recognize the importance of NSTL to cur-rent and future programs of NASA and to encourageand facilitate the location at NSTL by other governmentagencies of additional activities which can both benefitfrom and contribute to the capabilities which existthere,” Fletcher said.

Nearly one year to the day after Fletcher’s announce-ment, the first space shuttle main engine achieved igni-tion on June 12, 1975, at the National SpaceTechnologies Laboratories, marking the beginning ofmore than 30 years of successful SSME testing.

A look back – Stennis’ importance to NASA

Eleven months after the Mississippi Test Operations became the NationalSpace Technology Laboratories, the first static test-firing of the spaceshuttle main engine test on the A-1 Test Stand was conducted on May 19,1975. In the next month, the first SSME achieved ignition on June 12 andthe first SSME went full duration without an early shutdown on June 24.

Visitors from Huntsville, Ala., view the first space shuttle main engine inBuilding 3202 at the National Space Technology Laboratories (now StennisSpace Center). The first static test-firing of the space shuttle main enginetest on the A-1 Test Stand was conducted on May 19, 1975.

Page 10 LAGNIAPPE June 2008

Differences are important to understand Malcolm S. Forbes said, “Diversity is the art of thinkingindependently together.” Today, we have generations ofpeople working and interacting together, approachingand solving problems with divergent perspectives andexperience. Dealing with diversity in theworkplace means understanding and relat-ing effectively with people who are differ-ent than us. A “slice” of diversity that typi-cally is not included in discussions isGenerational Diversity. This is the firsttime in American history that we have hadfour different generations working side-by-side – Veterans (born 1922-1945), BabyBoomers (1946-64), Generation X (1965-1980) andGeneration Y (1981-2000).

At work, generational differences can affect everything,including recruiting, team-building, motivation, managingand productivity. Research indicates that people commu-nicate based on their generational backgrounds. Each hasdistinct attitudes, habits, values, behaviors, etc. Learninghow to communicate with different generations caneliminate many challenges in the workplace.

For instance, while Veterans value conformity, respectfor authority and discipline; Baby Boomers value opti-mism and involvement; Gen Xers value skepticism, funand informality; and Gen Yers value realism, confidence,extreme fun and social events.

Veterans view work as an obligation, while Baby

Boomers see it as an exciting adventure, Gen Xers see itas a contract and a difficult challenge and Gen Yers see itas fulfillment and a means to an end.

In communication, Veterans prefer a for-mal memo, Baby Boomers want in personcommunication, Gen Xers want direct andimmediate communication and Gen Yerswant an e-mail, voice mail or text message.

And for motivating Veterans, the importantmessage is “your experience is respected;”for Baby Boomers, it is “you are valued and

needed:” for Gen Xers, it is “do it your way; forget therules;” and for Gen Yers, it is “you will work with otherbright, creative people.”

All of us bring a unique perspective and different waysof relating. We cannot expect to work with all employeesin the same way. Each generation adds value, but eachhas differences that are important to understand.

From the

Office ofDiversity and Equal

Opportunity

June 2008 LAGNIAPPE Page 11

@@ SStteennnniiss What does NASA plans to return to the moon mean to you?

“To me, it’s an opportunity to con-tribute to success at Stennis throughengineering and project support.”

Jeff Henderson, NASA

“It brings back the glory days of NASAwhen exploration was key, and I hope itspurs future missions that invlove therest of the world.”

Ted Mason, NASA

“I am totally jazzed! When humanshave no frontier, we stagnate. Space is the next frontier, and we should be in it.”

Jennifer Melton, CSC

NASA welcomes the following:

Samantha Kinard Student/Public AffairsOffice of External Affairs & Education

Stephen Rawls AST, Exeprimental Facilities TechEngineering & Science Directorate

Hail & Farewell

“It’s an exciting and extremely challenging ambition. It demonstratesthe vision this country was founded on– that of exploration.”

Gary Taylor, NASA

Editor’s Note: @ Stennis is a new Lagniappe feature highlighting the views and opinions of Stennis Space Center employees.

National Aeronautics andSpace Administration

John C. Stennis Space CenterStennis Space Center, MS 39529

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LAGNIAPPEis published monthly by the Office of

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should be forwarded to:

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Tunica Museum

features NASA

Faculty, students arrive for summer work

Page 12 LAGNIAPPE June 2008

NASA summer faculty membersand student interns recentlyarrived at Stennis Space Center tobegin their summer weeks ofwork and research.

The students and visiting facultymembers spent the first dayattending orientation and briefingsessions. They also viewed aStennis Space Center video andparticipated in a bus windshieldtour of the rocket testing facility.

The students and faculty mem-bers will spend the next eight to10 weeks working with NASA sci-entists and engineers at Stennis.They will give final presentationsof their work and research at theend of their programs.

Faculty members and students inthe top right photo are: (Seated,l to r) Tiffany Spears, MioshiuaKnox, Samantha Owen, ClaudiaGallegos, Cassie Li and AngelaDunn; (second row, l to r)INSPIRE chaperone BessieJeffries, Brian Kaplinger, JohnCarpenter, Timothy McCleave,Isaac Heim, Leonard Lasecki andfaculty member Dr. JonathanLambright; (third row, l to r) pro-gram Manager Joy Smith, CaseyBurnhardt, John Dykes, CarlScogland and University AffairsOfficer Dr. Nathan Sovik.

A visitor to the Tunica (Miss.)Museum examines the NASAexhibit recently provided to thefacility by Stennis Space Center.The museum partnered withStennis and Marshall SpaceFlight Center in Huntsville, Ala., tocommemorate the 50th anniver-sary of NASA this year. The spe-cial NASA exihibit will be featuredat Tunica Museum throughout themonths of June and July. Stennisprovided several items for theexhibit, included a timeline thathighlights the accomplishmentsand achievements throughout the50 years of NASA history. NASAwas established by congressionalaction in the spring of 1958 andofficially opened its doors inOctober of that same year.