june 2019 monthly pdf - google docssandy krasner discusses the mars insight lander with attendees of...

20
Featured Stories NASA Chief Technologist Douglas Terrier talks during the Mars celebration in Mars, Pennsylvania. JPL Successfully Lands in Mars...Pennsylvania By Taylor Hill On May 31, JPLers and NASA scientists descended on the small, rural town of Mars, Pennsylvania to mark another new year on the Red Planet. The weekend-long annual (in Mars years) event drew approximately 10,000 visitors to the town of 1,600 residents. And while the town has its own famous flying saucer on exhibit in the town square, NASA brought along its own exhibits, activities and speakers, including JPL-centric interactive displays such as a half-scale model of the InSight lander; the mini robotic rover named ROV-E; an AR experience of Mars’ Gale Crater, created with data from the Curiosity rover, and a model of the Mars Helicopter. Universe | June 2019 | Page 1

Upload: others

Post on 19-Feb-2020

2 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: June 2019 monthly PDF - Google DocsSandy Krasner discusses the Mars InSight lander with attendees of a Mars celebration. NASA’s involvement in the event started in 2015 when Mars’

  

FeaturedStories 

 

NASAChiefTechnologistDouglasTerriertalksduringtheMarscelebrationinMars,Pennsylvania. 

JPLSuccessfullyLandsinMars...Pennsylvania  

By Taylor Hill 

OnMay31,JPLersandNASAscientistsdescendedonthesmall,ruraltownofMars,Pennsylvaniato markanothernewyearontheRedPlanet. 

Theweekend-longannual(inMarsyears)eventdrewapproximately10,000visitorstothetownof1,600 residents.Andwhilethetownhasitsownfamousflyingsauceronexhibitinthetownsquare,NASA broughtalongitsownexhibits,activitiesandspeakers,includingJPL-centricinteractivedisplayssuchas ahalf-scalemodeloftheInSightlander;theminiroboticrovernamedROV-E;anARexperienceofMars’ GaleCrater,createdwithdatafromtheCuriosityrover,andamodeloftheMarsHelicopter. 

Universe|June2019|Page1 

Page 2: June 2019 monthly PDF - Google DocsSandy Krasner discusses the Mars InSight lander with attendees of a Mars celebration. NASA’s involvement in the event started in 2015 when Mars’

 

 

AttendeesenjoytheflyingsaucersculpturelocatedinMars’townsquare. 

JPLspeakersincludedMarsInsightPIBruceBanerdt,andMars2020mobilitysystemsengineerRichard Reiber,whospokeviavideoconferencefromtheLab’sMarsYard. 

DouglasTerrier,NASA’schieftechnologist,spokeduringthekickoffevent,callingthecelebration“an opportunitytobringalotofattentiontoagreatcommunitynorthofPittsburgh,andatthesametimea chancetogetthepublicmoreawareofwhatNASA’sdoingontheplanetMars,andwhatwe’redoingin explorationandtechnologytosupporteverybodyhereonEarth.” 

 

BruceBanerdt,InSightPrincipalInvestigator,talksduringtheMarscelebration. 

Universe|June2019 |Page2 

Page 3: June 2019 monthly PDF - Google DocsSandy Krasner discusses the Mars InSight lander with attendees of a Mars celebration. NASA’s involvement in the event started in 2015 when Mars’

 

 

 

SandyKrasnerdiscussestheMarsInSightlanderwithattendeesofaMarscelebration. 

NASA’sinvolvementintheeventstartedin2015whenMars’mayor,GregHartung,calledJPL. 

HesaidhewasthemayorofatowncalledMars,andwantedtoseeifwecoulddosomethingtoget NASAtocelebrateMarsexplorationinMars,Pennsylvania,”saidSarahMarcotte,publicoutreach specialistforJPL’sMarspublicengagementteam. 

TheteamdecidedtohostaneventontheMartianNewYearinJune2015,anddidsoagaininJuneof 2017.Thisyear,sinceoneMartianyearequals687EarthDays,theplanet’snewyearendedupfallingin March—abitchillyhereonEarth’sMarstoholdanoutdoorcelebration. 

“WedecidedtocallitaMarsexplorationcelebrationinsteadofanewyearcelebrationthistime,”Marcotte explained.   

Marcottesaidshesawlocalfamilieswithchildreninterestedinspacecomeoutforallthreedaysofthe eventandattendeverytalktheycould. 

“Forthesecommunities,havingtheseup-closeencounterswithscientistsandengineersthatare passionateabouttheirworkisaspecialopportunity,”Marcottesaid. 

 

 

Universe|June2019 |Page3 

Page 4: June 2019 monthly PDF - Google DocsSandy Krasner discusses the Mars InSight lander with attendees of a Mars celebration. NASA’s involvement in the event started in 2015 when Mars’

 

 

Mars,Pennsylvania’swelcomesign. 

LocalPotential 

ForJobyHarris,seeingNASAdescendonthesmalltownhespenthisadolescentyearsbowling skateboardingaroundwasanunexpectedtreat.Harris—avisualstrategistwithJPL’sStudiogroup—grew upinSaxonburg,PAandspenthiscollegeyearsinnearbyCranberry.Marsissandwichedbetweenthe two. 

“Marsisthisplacewewouldgoifyouwantedtoexperienceatimewarp,”Harrissaid.“It’sasmalltown withthatspecialsmall-townfeel,andtheyownit.” 

Whenhefirstheardaboutthecelebration,hethoughtoftheeventasacuteidea—NASAgoesto “Mars”—butthenhestartedthinkingofitspotentialandbenefitstothearea. 

Harriswasn’tabletoattendthisyear’scelebration,butsaidhehasbeeninvitedbyhighschoolsinthe area,includinghisalmamater,tocometalkabouttheworkhedoesatJPL. 

“IwenttoarivalofMarsAreaHighSchool,andweknewofMarsHighSchoolastheoneacrossthestreet fromanorphanage,”Harrissaid.“Adisproportionatenumberoforphansactuallyendupgoingthere. ImagineifNASAwasabletogetmoreinvolvedinthiscommunity,andinspiresomeofthesekidsthrough ouroutreach.” 

HecomparedittoacitynearbycalledDubois,wheremultiplehighschoolbaseballplayerssuccessfully madethejumptotheprofessionallevel. 

“Itwasthishotbedforprobaseballplayers,andit’sbecauseofthissetofcoachesthatcameupatthe sametime,andtheywereproducingincredibletalent,”Harrissaid.“WhatifNASAwasproducingsomeof thetopengineersandscientistsandtheywerecomingfromMars,Pennsylvania?” 

Harrishopestogettheballrollingnextyearbyreachingouttothelocalhighschools,andMarcottenoted thisyear’seventhadincreasedparticipationfromCarnegieMellonUniversity,andfromSTEM organizationsincludingalocalFIRSTroboticsteam.  

Universe|June2019 |Page4 

Page 5: June 2019 monthly PDF - Google DocsSandy Krasner discusses the Mars InSight lander with attendees of a Mars celebration. NASA’s involvement in the event started in 2015 when Mars’

 

 

 

 

 

 

ChristianBenitezshowsayoungspaceenthusiastcardboardcutoutsofcritterswholivenearJPL. 

ExploreJPL:EagerHosts,ExcitedVisitors ByJanePlattwithCelesteHoang 

Theywereoutinforce--morethan600JPLerswearingredT-shirtswith"2019ExploreJPL"badgesdraped aroundtheirnecks.Rainand/orshine(somerainonSunday,shineonSaturday),theysharedtheir expertiseandenthusiasmwiththe22,867guestswhovisitedfortheannualevent.Tobemoreprecise, 11,803visitorswereon-LabSaturday,and11,064onSunday.   

SomeJPLmissionboothsfocusedonthesearchforlifebeyondEarth.EnvironmentalAffairstookthings onestepfurther,offeringguestsachancetomeetsomerealcrittersthatliveinourJPL neighborhood--well,atleastcardboardcutoutsoftheanimals.ChristianBenitezencouragedkids--and grownups--toposewithcardboardcoyotes,bobcatsandbearssetupfortheoccasioninaboothonthe Mall.Benitezhasworkedtheeventforabout15years.Hisfavoritepart?"WecometoJPLeverydayand wejustkindofwork,butthenyoudoExploreJPL,andyou'rekindoflikearockstar.Itkindagetsyouback to'Wow,Ireallydoworkatprobablythecoolestplaceintheworld.'"   

Universe|June2019 |Page5 

Page 6: June 2019 monthly PDF - Google DocsSandy Krasner discusses the Mars InSight lander with attendees of a Mars celebration. NASA’s involvement in the event started in 2015 when Mars’

 

 

RyanSternexplainsMarsHelicoptertoguests,whilewearinganappropriatelythemedcap. 

WhileBenitezfocusedonlandcreatures,insidethe167cafeteria,CORALscientistMichelleGierach fieldedquestionsaboutcoralreefs.Themostcommonquestion:"What'sgoingtohappentotheworld's coral,anddoIneedtogoseeitbecauseit'sgoingawaysoon?"Shefeelsthataftertheconversations, peoplewalkedawaywithapositivefeelingandmessage:thatNASAcaresaboutourplanetandits ecosystems.  

 

ManyguestsenjoyedabreakontheMalllawnonSaturday,thankstomildspringweather. 

RyanSternsharedhisknowledgeandenthusiasmaboutMarsHelicopterwithguests.He'ssoexcited abouthisworkatJPL,hesaid,"It'shardtotellwho'smoreexcited--meorthepeopleI'mtalkingto."Stern 

Universe|June2019 |Page6 

Page 7: June 2019 monthly PDF - Google DocsSandy Krasner discusses the Mars InSight lander with attendees of a Mars celebration. NASA’s involvement in the event started in 2015 when Mars’

 

alsometkidswhowanttobeaerospaceengineerssomeday."Iloveencouragingthat."Henotedthathe talkedsomuchtothevisitors,"Mythroatisabouttogiveout...butit'stotallyworthit."  

ThesentimentsaboutencouragingkidswereechoedbyadministrativeliaisonKenKim,whointeracted withguestsattheCrazyEngineeringmoviein180-101."Thekidswhocomeherecouldbethenext generationofscientistsandengineers.Tobeabletopromotethat,itgivesmemorereasonstofeela purposehere.It’snotjustajobhere—it’smoreforthepublicandthegreatergoodandtoinspirethenext generation." 

 

LeslieUng(right)--firstinlinetoenterJPLonSaturday;DebbieBritt(left)--secondinline 

MorewaysforpeopletoExploreJPL: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/news/2016/4/25/more-ways-to-explore-jpl/   

 

 

Universe|June2019 |Page7 

Page 8: June 2019 monthly PDF - Google DocsSandy Krasner discusses the Mars InSight lander with attendees of a Mars celebration. NASA’s involvement in the event started in 2015 when Mars’

 

 

OscarAvaloswithareplicaofaMars2020set-uppiecefortherover'scarouselthatwasondisplayat ExploreJPL.  

OscarAvalosDreamsinTitanium ByCelesteHoang,withphotosbyRyanLannom 

YoucouldsayOscarAvalos’JPLcareerwasaChristmasmiracle. 

AsayoungMexican-Americanimmigrant,AvalosandhisparentstraveledbacktoColima,Mexico,every Decembertospendtheholidaysintheirhometownwithfamilyandfriends.Butatripin1980proved life-altering. 

ThenafreshmanatManualArtsHighSchoolinSouthLosAngeles,Avaloshadhisheartsetonbecoming anautomechanicandwasimmersedinautoshopclass.OverChristmas,however,theannualfamilytrip wentafewdayspasthisscheduledbreak,and,whenAvalosreturnedtoschool,springsemesterofauto shopwasfull. 

Nexttothenewlycloseddoorwasanopenone,tothemachineshop.Theteacher,Mr.Cervantes,asked Avalosifhewouldliketojoinhisclassinstead. 

Hewasn’tsurewhatmachininginvolvedbut“IneededaclassandIheardyou’dgettomakelittlecannons forpracticeandfiretheminclass,soIsaidyes,”Avalossayswithalaugh. 

Theclasscamewithaperk:Mr.CervanteswasfriendswiththemachineshopleadatJPL,whoinvited himtobringhisclassforatour.Overthenextfouryears,AvalostouredJPLeveryyearandfellinlovewith theLabanditsmachineshop. 

“Iwasfascinated.Comparedtothemachineswehadinshopclass,itwasnightandday,”Avalossays. “Theyweremakingrealpartsforspace.” 

Universe|June2019 |Page8 

Page 9: June 2019 monthly PDF - Google DocsSandy Krasner discusses the Mars InSight lander with attendees of a Mars celebration. NASA’s involvement in the event started in 2015 when Mars’

 

 

Avalos,right,withacolleagueinthemachineshopasanewhireintheearly1980s. 

 

BythetimehetouredJPLasasenior,Avaloswasthetopstudentinthemachineshopwithastraight-A transcript.Asgraduationneared,Mr.CervantessuggestedheapplytoJPL,butAvaloswasincredulous. 

“‘Whydon’tyoujustwritealetterandaskforajob?’”Avalosrecallshisteacheraskinghim.“Ithought,‘No, IwanttogototheMarines.’MyparentswerepoorandIknewhowmuchtheysacrificedforme.Goingto theMarinesmeanttheywouldn’thavetopayforanythinganymore.” 

Still,AvalosdecidedtogiveJPLashot.Hepeckedoutaletteronhistypewriter,listedhishighschool machineshop’sphonenumberatthetopofthepage,andmailedittoJPLinAprilof1983. 

Afewweekslater,AvalosandhisfriendsditchedclasstodrivetoSantaMonicaandplaybeachvolleyball forthemorning.Whenhestoppedbyschoollater,Mr.Cervantescorneredhim. 

“Hesaid,‘Wherehaveyoubeen?’andItoldhim,‘I’vebeensick.’Andhesaid,‘Sick?Lookatyoursuntan!’” Avalosrecallswithalaugh.“Turnsout,hewaslookingformebecauseJPLcalled.” 

Avaloswastednotimereturningthecall.DonScheriff,thesectionmanageratthetime,answered.“He said,‘Oscar,IreadyourletterandIwanttohireyou.Whendoyougraduate?’”Avalossays.“ItoldhimJune 16.Andhesaid,‘OK,you’llstartJune20.’” 

 

Universe|June2019 |Page9 

Page 10: June 2019 monthly PDF - Google DocsSandy Krasner discusses the Mars InSight lander with attendees of a Mars celebration. NASA’s involvement in the event started in 2015 when Mars’

 

 

StandingnexttotheMitsubishiMAFinthemachineshop. 

MadeinAmerica 

JPL’sjobofferwastheAmericandreamcometrueforAvalos,whoimmigratedtotheStateswithhis parentsin1972whenhewas8yearsold.Atthetime,Avalosdidn’tspeakanyEnglishandwasterrifiedto findhimselfinanewcountrywherenothingwasfamiliar. 

“WhereIgrewupinMexico,wewereontheoutskirtsoftown.Nocar.Thebestluxuryyouhadwasa donkey,”hesays.“Iwassoscaredtobehere.” 

HisfirstyearinLosAngeles,Avaloswastoofrightenedtogotoschool.Heeventuallyenrolledinthethird grade,wherehe“didn’tknowhowtodoanythingoranyofthehomework”becauseofthelanguagebarrier. 

Butakind,bilingualclassmatetooknotice. 

“TherewasalittlegirlwhoknewhowmuchIwasstruggling,”Avalosrecalls.“Idon’thaveanyexplanation astowhyshewantedtohelpmebutshedid.” 

Afewmonthsintotheschoolyear,hisschoolcounselorinformedhimthathewouldbeassignedone teacherwhowouldhelphimspeakEnglishandanotherteacherwhowouldhelphimwriteinEnglish.“She musthavesaidsomethingtohermomortotheprincipal,”Avalossays.“Thatlittlegirlwasmyangel.”   

Overtime,Avalosbegantothriveatschool,andheandhisparentsdidtheirbesttomakeendsmeetat home.Hisfatherworkedatananimalrenderingcompany,drivingaroundLAtopickupdeadanimals whoseskinswouldbesoldtoJapanforleathergoods;hismotherworkedasaseamstress;andAvalos tookajobasdishwasherataLouisanaseafoodrestaurantfor$3.50perhour,withplanstoenlistafter graduation. 

WiththatphonecallfromJPL,Avalosthrewinthetowel. 

“WhenIgottheJPLjob,Iquitthatday,”Avalossays.“TheMarineswentoutthewindowandmy dishwasherdaysweredone.” 

Universe|June2019 |Page10 

Page 11: June 2019 monthly PDF - Google DocsSandy Krasner discusses the Mars InSight lander with attendees of a Mars celebration. NASA’s involvement in the event started in 2015 when Mars’

 

 

 

MachiningapartforMars2020. 

Newkidtoseasonedpro 

Threedaysaftercrossingthestagetoaccepthishighschooldiploma,AvaloswalkedacrossJPL’sWest Lottoreportfordutyonhisfirstdayatthemachineshop.Hewassonervous,hearrivedanhourearlyfor hisshift. 

Inside,hewasgreetedbyagroupofoldermensittinginthemiddleoftheshopwiththeircoffeeand cigarettes. 

“Heykid,isthisyourfirstday?”oneofthemasked. 

Avalosnodded.Hepulledupachairandtheyproceededtogivehimaspeechforthenexthouronhowto succeedatJPL. 

“Thoseguystookmeundertheirwing,”Avalossays.“Theytoldme,‘Doyourbest,makegoodparts,and neverlie.Ifyoumakeamistake,tellthetruthandyou’llhaveagoodcareerhere.’” 

Avalosstartedoutbycleaningmachinesandworkinginthetoolcrib.Afterthreemonths,heenrolledin JPL’sapprenticeprogram,amachinetrainingcoursefornewhiresthatrequiredparticipantstopursueat leastanassociate’sdegreepart-time.Forthenextthreeyears,Avalosworkedfrom7:30a.m.to4p.m.at JPL,thenwenttonightschoolatLosAngelesTradeTechCollegefourdaysaweekfrom6to10p.m.The apprenticeshippairedhimwithaseasonedJPLmachinistwhotaughthimeverythingaboutbuilding machineparts,fromweldingtoinspection.Hecompletedtheprogramin1986atage21. 

Thoseyearsofworkandschoolwerepivotalnotonlyforhiscareerbutalsoforhishomelife:theyhelped himstayawayfromthebackdropofgangviolenceinhisneighborhood. 

“Igrewupamonggangs,killingsandallofthatinSouthCentralL.A.,”hesays.“Onekidwaskilledinmy backyardrightinfrontofme.” 

Universe|June2019 |Page11 

Page 12: June 2019 monthly PDF - Google DocsSandy Krasner discusses the Mars InSight lander with attendees of a Mars celebration. NASA’s involvement in the event started in 2015 when Mars’

 

Theviolenceeventuallyclaimedthelifeofhisyoungerbrotherin1987attheageof19. 

AvaloscreditshisopportunitiesatJPLwithhelpinghimavoidjoiningagangorgettingintodrugsand alcohol. 

“Thisjobsavedmefromalotofthings,”hesays.“Itabsolutelysavedmylife.” 

Noshortcuts 

Someprojectsweresodemanding,Avalosandhiscolleaguesworked16to18hour-daystomeettheir deadlines;hesometimessleptinhiscarinanalleyonLab.Whenaskedtonamethemostcomplexpart he’severbuilt,AvalospointstotheninecamerasonMISR,theMulti-angleImagingSpectroRadiometer.   

“Thedimensionshadtobedead-onperfectandprecise,andIsaid,‘Wecan’tdothat,’”Avalosrecalls.“ButI thoughtaboutitandthoughtaboutitandsaid,‘OK,I’lltrythis.’Webuiltamachinejusttodothatpart.I hadaninspectorwithmeeverysingledayforsixmonthsmeasuringthedimensionsforthepart.” 

Intheend,allninecamerasweresuccessfullycompletedandinstalledonMISR,andhishardworkpaid offwithcomplimentsandadvancement.Theprojectengineerwassoimpressedwiththeperformanceof thecameras,shesharedwithothersthat“‘OscardidthemostperfectpartI’veeverseen,’’hesays. 

Tenyearsintothejob,Avaloswaspromotedtogroupleadofallthemachinistsintheshop,arolehe’s heldfor26yearsnow.Hiscareerhascomewithanumberofhighlights,frombuildingpartsforthetiny SojournerroverofMarsPathfindertonowworkingonpartsforMars2020. 

“It’samazing,it’slikeadream,”Avalossaysofseeingwhathehasbuiltflyintospace.“Youhadthese partsinyourhand,andwhenyougettoseepicturesonthenewsandseeyourpartsinspace,that’s rewarding.” 

Payingitforward 

Avalosrecognizeshewouldn’tbewhereheiswithoutthesupportandencouragementofthosearound him,sohehashisownwayofgivingbacktothecommunity:inadditiontogivingweeklyandmonthly tours,AvaloshasworkedeveryExploreJPL—formerlyknownasOpenHouse—andFamilyDaysevent sincetheearly1980s,welcomingthethousandswhocometoJPLforaclose-upexperienceofspace exploration. 

“YouseetheexcitementthatpeoplehavetoseeJPL,andyougettosharethatmomentandshowthem whatwedohere,”Avalossays.“Oneyear,ImetagroupfromEnsenada,Mexico.Theycamehereon buses.That’showfarourworkgoes.” 

Thisyear,AvaloswillbeshowingpartstheshopismakingforMars2020,includingtheset-uppiecefor therover’scarousel,whichholdsthebitsforthearmthatwilldrillintotherock. 

“Ittookussixmonthstobuild,itwassodifficult,”Avalossays.“It’sexcitingtoshowthemthatwestart withablockoftitaniumthatweighedcloseto600poundsandbythetimeyoufinish,it’s18pounds.” 

Tothisday,though,themostrewardingexperienceforAvalosisstilltakinghighschoolstudentsonatour throughthemachineshoponceamonthbecausehecanseehimselfinthekids. 

“ItbringsmebacktowhenIwasgoingonthesetours,”hesays.“Itellthemtokeeptheirgradesup becauseitopensdoors.AndItellmystorybecauseyouneverknow—itcouldhappentothem.” 

 

Universe|June2019 |Page12 

Page 13: June 2019 monthly PDF - Google DocsSandy Krasner discusses the Mars InSight lander with attendees of a Mars celebration. NASA’s involvement in the event started in 2015 when Mars’

 

 

 

AstronautsremovedWFPC2fromHubblein2009. 

SpitzerScientistsLaunchNewBook "MoreThingsintheHeavens:HowInfraredAstronomyIsExpandingOurViewoftheUniverse." 

That'stheapttitleofanewbookfromtwoJPLseniorresearchscientists,MichaelWernerandPeter Eisenhardt.TheyworkedfordecadestobringthehistoricinfraredSpitzerSpaceTelescopemissiontolife. Forthepast16years,sincethemission'slaunchin2003,WernerandEisenhardthaveenjoyedthefruitsof theirlaborsasthey'vestudiedvolumesofdataaboutthecosmosandthediverseobjectswithinit. 

WernerhasbeenSpitzerprojectscientistsince1984--nearlytwodecadesbeforeitslaunch. 

Inthebook,whichwasfundedbyNASA,theauthorsescortreadersonaguidedtourofthecosmosinthe infrared,startinginoursolarsystemandheadingoutwardthroughtheuniverse.Theyexplainhowinfrared observationscanstudycelestialbodiestoocoldorfarawayfortheirlighttobeseeninvisiblelight,and canpeerthroughdensecloudsthathidethelifecyclesofplanets,starsandgalaxies. 

ThebookincludesmanySpitzerimages. 

PrincetonUniversityPressisthepublisher.Toordervisithttps://press.princeton.edu/titles/13545.html andentercouponcodeC234atcheckouttoreceive30%offyourorder.NeitherWernernorEisenhardtis receivingroyaltiesfromthebook. 

In2009,WFPC2wasremovedfromHubbletomakewayforanewcamera.Spacewalkingshuttle astronautsonSTS-125carefullymaneuvereditfromitsperchonMay14,anditwasbroughtbacktoEarth onMay24.   

 

Universe|June2019 |Page13 

Page 14: June 2019 monthly PDF - Google DocsSandy Krasner discusses the Mars InSight lander with attendees of a Mars celebration. NASA’s involvement in the event started in 2015 when Mars’

 

 

AstronautsremovedWFPC2fromHubblein2009. 

HistoricHomecomingofWFPC2:10YearsLater By:JanePlatt 

Ithelpedopentheheavensforscientificstudyandpublicwonder.  

ItwasafixfortheblurryvisionoftheoriginalcameraontheHubbleSpaceTelescope. 

TheJPL-designedand-builtWideFieldandPlanetaryCamera2spent15yearsinspaceonHubble, capturingcosmicimagesthatwouldsoonbecomeiconic.WFPC2,thetongue-twistingabbreviationfor thecamera'sfullname,beamedback135,000dramatic,colorfulviewsofgalaxies,star-speckledregions, toweringnebulas,andothercelestialtreasures.  

In2009,WFPC2wasremovedfromHubbletomakewayforanewcamera.Spacewalkingshuttle astronautsonSTS-125carefullymaneuvereditfromitsperchonMay14,anditwasbroughtbacktoEarth onMay24.  

ThecameradidavictorylapofsortswhenitvisitedJPLInAugust2010,whereitwasthecenterpiecefor areunionofitsbuilders.WFPC2wascarefullyunloadedfromitsshippingcrateonthedocknextto Building186,thenwasputondisplayinvonKarmanbeforebeingshippedtoitspermanenthomeatthe SmithsonianNationalAirandSpaceMuseuminWashington.  

 

 

 

Universe|June2019 |Page14 

Page 15: June 2019 monthly PDF - Google DocsSandy Krasner discusses the Mars InSight lander with attendees of a Mars celebration. NASA’s involvement in the event started in 2015 when Mars’

 

 

ActivityinsidethecleanroomintheSpacecraftAssemblyFacility,whereMars2020isbeingbuiltand tested. 

LiveWebcam:WatchMars2020BeingBuilt AlivewebcamintheSpacecraftAssemblyFacilitycleanroomshowstheroverbeingbuiltandtested.Tell yourfamilyandfriendstheycanwatchhistoryinthemaking(andsocanyou)! 

Clickhereforcontinuouslivevideoofroverconstructionat https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/where-is-the-rover/.: 

ThefeedisalsoavailableonYouTubewithscheduled,moderatedchats: https://www.youtube.com/NASAJPL/live. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Universe|June2019 

|Page15 

Page 16: June 2019 monthly PDF - Google DocsSandy Krasner discusses the Mars InSight lander with attendees of a Mars celebration. NASA’s involvement in the event started in 2015 when Mars’

 

Events 

TwoTIAAWebinarsThisWeek 

GetrealworldfinancialeducationinrealtimewithTIAA’slivewebinarseries.Beloware upcomingdatesJPLersshouldbeawareof.  

PayingYourself:IncomeOptionsinRetirement Wednesday,June12 9–10a.m.  HowSmartInvestorsRideOutVolatility Thursday,June13 9–10a.m.  YoucanregisterfortheseandmanyotherupcomingeventsatTIAA.org/webinars. Presentationswillbearchivedathttp://www.tiaa.org/webinarsfor30days,includingthe mostrecent:  

● UnderstandingMedicare Tuesday,May14 9–10a.m.  

 

 

Universe|June2019 |Page16 

Page 17: June 2019 monthly PDF - Google DocsSandy Krasner discusses the Mars InSight lander with attendees of a Mars celebration. NASA’s involvement in the event started in 2015 when Mars’

 

 

 

 

 

Two-DayAppleSaleatCaltechStore 

CaltechStore’sAppleComputerGraduationSale June13&14 9a.m.to5:30p.m.  CaltechStore 

Save$100offtheacademicpriceonMacbookPro,MacbookAirandiMac.Save$75off theacademicpriceon11&12.9IPadPro.Pricesgoodonin-stockmerchandiseonly. [email protected]

 

 

 

 

Universe|June2019 |Page17 

Page 18: June 2019 monthly PDF - Google DocsSandy Krasner discusses the Mars InSight lander with attendees of a Mars celebration. NASA’s involvement in the event started in 2015 when Mars’

 

ChesleyBonestellScreening:ABrushwiththe Future  

Tuesday,June18 3to5p.m. 321-PickeringAuditorium 

WhatdotheChryslerBuilding,theGoldenGateBridge,thefilmDestinationMoon,and America’sspaceprogramallhaveincommon?Theywereeachtouchedbythecreative visionofaforgottenartistandarchitectnamedChesleyBonestell(1888–1986).Chesley Bonestell:ABrushwiththeFutureisthefirstdocumentarytofocusontheamazinglife andworksofthe“fatherofspaceart.”Bonestell’spaintingsofworldsbeyondourown helpedpreparethepopularimaginationforAmerica’sspaceprogram.Ontheeveof celebratingthe50thanniversaryoftheApollo11Moonlanding,itcouldbesaidthat BonestellhelpedAmericagettotheMoon—notwithtechnology,butwithapaintbrush! 

Followingthescreeningofthedocumentary,therewillbeadiscussionwiththe award-winningcreatorofthefilm,DouglassM.StewartJr.,aswellasRobManning(JPL andESDChiefEngineer),JobyHarris(JPLVisualStrategist),andothers.Formore information,contactRandiiWessenat(818)[email protected]

Thiseventisfree.AllmembersoftheCampusandJPLcommunitiesandretireesare welcome.Becauseofsecurityrequirements,individualswithoutJPLbadgesmusthavea Laboratoryemployeeorresidentaffiliatesubmitavisitorrequestandbetheirescort. U.S.-personvisitorrequestsmustbesubmittedatleastthreeworkingdaysbeforethe event.Foreign-personvisitorrequestsrelatedtonon-designatedcountriesmustbe 

Universe|June2019 |Page18 

Page 19: June 2019 monthly PDF - Google DocsSandy Krasner discusses the Mars InSight lander with attendees of a Mars celebration. NASA’s involvement in the event started in 2015 when Mars’

 

submittedatleastthreeworkingdaysbeforetheevent,andrequestsrelatedto designatedcountriesmustbesubmittedatleast21daysbeforetheevent.  

ThiseventispresentedbytheCaltechManagementAssociation(CMA).Membershipin CMAhelpsbringgreatspeakersandeventstoCaltechcampusandJPLandisopentoall activeandretiredemployeesofCaltech,andtocontractemployeesasaffiliatemembers. Seehttps://cma.caltech.eduformoreinformationabouttheorganization. 

 

 

JPLFamilyNews 

Passings 

HermanE.HielscherdiedinMay2019attheageof99.HewashiredatJPLonFeb.15,1967andretired onAugust1,1988.HeworkedonMercury,Gemini,Apollo,Viking,Mariner,Voyager,andotherprogramsin rolesrelatedtospaceflightsimulation,technicalcommunications/telemetry,remoteguidance,command center,andotherprojectsforbothmannedandunmannedmissions.  

C.RussellByers,age96,diedApril27.HewasemployedatJPLstartingSept.3,1947,andhiscareerat JPLincludedservingasmanagerofEdwardsTestStation,Control&EnergyConversionDivision.Heis survivedbyhissecondwifeof18years,PhyllisRow,aswellasthreechildren,sixgrandchildrenandfour greatgrandchildren.ThedateforagravesidememorialserviceisJune6atJoshuaTreeMemorialPark& Mortuary.,Lancaster,California.FamilycontactsareSteveByers,BeverlyByersandRichardByers. 

EllieRoseTrevarthen,69,aretiredsystemsanalystandtechnicalwriter,diedApril22,2019.Sheworked atJPLfor25years,mostrecentlyin1730—Operations,Networking&Cybersecurity,andhadahandinthe developmentoftheNASA.govwebsite.Ellieissurvivedbyfourbrothers:RobertRaufmanandwifeJanis; DavidRaufman,AllenRaufmanandwife,Suzanne;HarveyRaufmanandnumerouscousins,niecesand nephews.Amemorialservicewillbeheldat12:30p.m.,Sunday,May19attheGlendaleTempleof Self-RealizationFellowship,2146E.ChevyChaseDr.,Glendale. 

 

Awards 

CharlesElachiSelectedforvonKarmanAward  

FormerLabDirectorCharlesElachiwillreceivethehighesthonorofferedbytheInternationalAcademyof Astronautics—thevonKarmanAward.  

Elachi,whoservedasJPLdirectorfrom2001to2016,willpickupthe2019awardonOctoberin Washington,rightbeforethe70thInternationalAstronauticalCongress.  

Universe|June2019 |Page19 

Page 20: June 2019 monthly PDF - Google DocsSandy Krasner discusses the Mars InSight lander with attendees of a Mars celebration. NASA’s involvement in the event started in 2015 when Mars’

 

TwootherformerJPLdirectorshavereceivedthevonKarmanAward:WilliamPickeringin1990,and EdwardStonein2003.TheAcademypresentstheawardeveryyeartorecognizeoutstandinglifetime achievementsinanybranchofscience(basicsciences,engineeringsciences,lifesciences,orsocial sciences)withoutlimitofnationality.TheawardhonorsthememoryofTheodorevonKarman.  

AfterretiringasdirectorofJPL,ElachibecameprofessoremeritusofElectricalEngineeringandPlanetary ScienceatCaltech. 

Moreinformationabouthiscareerandbackgroundisat: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=4754. 

 

EdwardStoneAwardedtheShawPrizeinAstronomy 

FormerJPLDirectorEdwardStone,currentlytheDavidMorrisroeProfessorofPhysicsatCaltech,andthe projectscientistforNASA'sVoyagermissionforthepast47years,hasbeenawardedtheprestigious ShawPrizeinAstronomy"forhisleadershipintheVoyagerproject,whichhas,overthepastfourdecades, transformedourunderstandingofthefourgiantplanetsandtheoutersolarsystem,andhasnowbegun toexploreinterstellarspace,"accordingtotheawardcitation.Theprizecomeswithamonetaryawardof $1.2million. 

"Thisisatremendoushonor,"saysStone,"andatributetotheteamswhodesigned,developed,launched, andoperatedVoyageronaninspiringjourneyofmorethanfourdecades." 

Since1972,StonehasservedastheprojectscientistfortheVoyagermission,twinspacecraftdesignedto tourthesolarsystemanditsfarthestreaches.JPLmanagesVoyager. 

Voyager2launchedinAugust1977,andVoyager1soonfollowed,launchinginSeptember1977.Someof themission'smanyhighlightsincludethefirsthigh-resolutionimagesofthefourgiantplanetsofoursolar system(Jupiter,Saturn,Uranus,andNeptune);thediscoveryofvolcanoesonJupiter'smoonIo;thefirst imagesofringsofJupiter,Uranus,andNeptune;andthediscoveryofgapsandothercomplexstructures inSaturn'srings. 

In2012,Voyager1becamethefirsthuman-madeobjecttocrossintointerstellarspace,beyondthe protectivebubble,orheliosphere,thatsurroundsoursolarsystem.Voyager2achievedthismilestone morerecently,in2018.BothmissionscarryGoldenRecordsofEarthsounds,music,images,and messages. 

StonewasborninKnoxville,Iowa,onJanuary23,1936.HegraduatedfromIowa'sBurlingtonJunior Collegein1956andearnedhisPhDinphysicsfromtheUniversityofChicagoin1964.SincetheVoyager spacecraftlaunchedin1977,Stonehasledandcoordinated11instrumentteamsontheproject.Healso servedasthedirectorofJPLfrom1991to2001,overseeingmanyspace-basedmissions,including Cassini,andaprogramofMarsexplorationthatincludedMarsPathfinderanditsSojournerrover. 

TheShawPrizeisawardedannuallyinthreecategories:Astronomy,LifeScienceandMedicine,and MathematicalSciences.ItisaninternationalawardmanagedandadministeredbyTheShawPrize FoundationbasedinHongKong.Mr.ShawhasalsofoundedTheSirRunRunShawCharitableTrustand TheShawFoundationHongKong,bothdedicatedtothepromotionofeducation,scientificand technologicalresearch,medicalandwelfareservices,andcultureandthearts. 

The2019ShawlaureateswillreceivetheirawardsinHongKongattheceremonialprize-givingon Wednesday,September25,2019. 

Universe|June2019 |Page20