the ames astrogram - nasa · pdf filedecember 18, 2000 the ames astrogram — 1 ... --...

The Ames Astrogram — 1December 18, 2000

AstrogramNATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION AMES RESEARCH CENTER, MOFFETT FIELD

THE AMESAstrogram

Communication for the information technology age

December 18, 2000 on-line at: http://amesnews.arc.nasa.gov

"The first year of the new millennium has been one of real accomplishment for Ames Research Center. We have made tremendous strides forwardwith our basic research missions in astrobiology, information technology, and aerospace operation systems. And the future looks bright with theemerging NASA Research Park and with important new cooperative agreements with the University of California and Carnegie Mellon University. All of thisprogress is attributable to one source -- you, the people of this center who perform your tasks with excellence and grace on a daily basis. So it is a particularpleasure at this time of year to extend season’s greetings to each of you and your extended families. Whatever your beliefs and however you chose tocelebrate the holiday season, may you enjoy peace, contentment, inner harmony and the satisfaction that comes with knowing you really do make a difference."-- Henry McDonald, Center Director

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2 — The Ames Astrogram December 18, 2000

Tucked away on a dark balcony in build-ing N-244, Ames’ International Space Sta-tion centrifuge mock-up looks abandonedand forsaken. But this desolate facility isundergoing a metamorphosis as workerscarry out its first facelift in more than 10years.

The renovation project, which began inearly October of this year, should be com-pleted by the end of the year. Renovationwill include removing one end of the mod-ule, shortening the mock-up by 5 feet, andupgrading its interior displays.

“Now that we know what the final con-figuration of the actual flight centrifuge willlook like, we want to develop a more realis-tic engineering mock-up,” said Joellen Jarvi,assistant project manager for the SpaceStation Biological Research Project (SSBRP)in the Space Projects Division (Code SF).The redesigned mock-up will more closelyresemble the centrifuge, life scienceglovebox and habitat holding racks that willfly on Internatinal Space Station (ISS) start-ing in 2005. “This will give visitors a realconcept of what we’re trying to do,” Jarviexplained.

The new mock-up will be a full-scale,non-operational model that will providevisitors with a good idea of where thecomponents will be located and what theywill look like. The existing U.S. laboratorymodule will become the new CentrifugeAccommodation Module (CAM) in assem-bly-complete configuration. The aft sec-tion of the current U.S. lab will be removedand shortened, and an end-cone will beinstalled from another module so there willbe only one module rather than the currenttwo.

Once the renovation is complete, theracks that line the interior of the mock-up

Space Station Biological ResearchProject facility gets facelift

BY ANN HUTCHISON

will represent the current known design ofthe real racks on the ISS. The designs of thevarious subrack habitats also will be re-flected in the new mockup. The hatchconfiguration will more closely resemblethe ISS hatch, and the current lighting willbe replaced with lighting fixtures and lightlevels similar to those to be found on theactual Space Station.

Planning for the renovation started lastJune, said Al Llamos, manufacturing liaisonfor Lockheed Martin Engineering, which isoverseeing the project. The work is beingdone entirely in-house, with the SystemsEngineering Division (Code FM) doing therenovation and fabrication of the compo-nents. The Documentation TechnologyBranch (Code JIT) is preparing the facadesfor the internal displays.

“The biggest challenge in completingthis task has been the physical location ofthe mock-up,” Llamos said. Located on thesecond floor of Bldg. N-244, it overlooks ahigh-bay used by various machine shops.“We’re planning our work as we go along,”he noted, citing problems created by diffi-cult access and little working space in thearea housing the mock-up.

The CAM, which will provide a shirt-sleeve environment for life sciences research,currently is set to be launched to the ISS onApril 13, 2006. The flight CAM will includeseveral components, including a 2.5-meter(8-foot)-diameter centrifuge. As it rotates,it will produce artificial gravitational forceson the attached habitats, which will houseplants and animals such as insects, small fishand rodents. The centrifuge will be able toproduce controlled artificial gravity levelsfrom 0.01 to 2.0 times the force of Earthgravity. Fewer revolutions will producelower gravity levels, while faster rotations

will result in higher levels of gravity. Theability to select the gravity force will permitscientists to compare how differing gravitylevels affect the biology of organisms housedunder otherwise identical conditions. Thiswill allow scientists to separate the effects ofgravity from other factors in the spaceenvironment.

The glove box will provide a sealed workarea in which crew members will performexperimental procedures. A variety of habi-tats (cell culture unit, aquatic habitat, plantresearch unit, animal habitat, insect habitatand incubator) will attach to the glove boxin a way that will prevent any exchange ofbiological material between the cabin andglove box or habitat. The habitats, whichwill be located in eight racks, will providefood, water, light, air, humidity control,temperature control and waste manage-ment for the various organisms being stud-ied. NASDA, the Japanese space agency, isbuilding the centrifuge, glove box and ani-mal habitats for NASA, in exchange forlaunch services.

Ames is the project manager and theintegrator for all the SSBRP hardwareunder the Fundamental Biology Pro-gram, which is located at Ames.

“The systems engineering job is verycomplex,” Jarvi said, noting that all theequipment interfaces – electrical, data,mechanical, thermal and electronic –must be compatible. This problem iscompounded by the fact that the com-ponents are being built by different or-ganizations, contractors and interna-tional partners.

Now that the mock-up’s renovationis well underway, SSBRP personnel arelooking at ways to better inform thepublic about their project in the future.Although not part of any official tourschedule, the mock-up was toured bynearly 650 visitors between October1999 and September 2000.

photo by Dominic Hart

Jack Boyd (left) Executive Assis-tant to Ames Director Dr. HenryMcDonald, speaks with EdwardTeller (right), world-renownednuclear physicist and local resident.Teller visited Ames recently to chal-lenge Center scientists on a range oftopics and reminisce about his longand distinguished career.

Teller visits Ames

People & Facilities


Awards & Advances

Contractor Council Excellence AwardsThe Ames Contractor Council presented this year’sExcellence Awards on November 20 in the ballroom ofBuilding 3. These awards were given to contractorindividuals and teams who have made an outstandingcontribution to the mission of Ames. Awards werepresented to 20 individuals and 12 teams.

Bright, computer images of landing gearwind noise are enabling Ames engineers topinpoint loud and preventable aircraft flightsounds more easily than in the past, raisingthe prospect of quieter take-off and land-ings.

In a series of tests conducted in Ames’wind tunnels, the sounds have been de-picted as colored images on a computerscreen. These new test data provide criticalvisual information to aircraft designers con-cerned about possible enforcement ofstricter aircraft noise rules.

"Some airports are imposing nighttimecurfews on noisy take-offs and landings,encouraging aircraft manufacturers to makequieter planes," said Paul Soderman, leaderof the Ames aeroacoustics group. "If U.S.airplane makers can't meet the new noiserules, those manufacturers may well havedifficulty selling their aircraft, both domes-tically and in foreign markets," he specu-lated.

Engineers anticipate that lower aircraftnoise limits also will be issued by the Inter-national Civil Aviation Organization, whichmakes airplane noise rules for much of thenon-U.S. aviation community.

"Now that we can easily see the causesof the annoying 'whooshing' wind noisesthat come from airliner landing gear, wecan take steps to analyze and eventuallyreduce the noise significantly," Sodermansaid. Airframe parts, including landing gear,flaps and slats, create almost as much noiseas the aircraft engines on approach to land-ing.

"We are pleased to see a lot of detail inthe sound pictures. The sound images ofthe quarter-scale landing gear model weconstructed are the first of their kind gener-ated in the United States at this scale, to thebest of our knowledge," Soderman said.Using an array of 70 microphones inside a

wind tunnel wall and linked to a computer,engineers can see the vivid images of land-ing gear wind sounds that normally occurduring aircraft take-off and landings.

The microphone array minimizes windtunnel airflow noise so that landing gear

noise sources as small as 6 mm (about aquarter of an inch) can be identified. At full-scale, these sources are 24 mm across, orabout an inch, according to engineers whoconducted the tests in the Ames 7-by 10-foot wind tunnel that the U.S. Army oper-ates for NASA.

Researchers reduced noise significantlyas they removed various combinations oflanding gear parts from the test model inthe wind tunnel.

"A landing gear slows an airplane as itcomes in for a landing, and if we reduce thedrag too much, the plane would be travel-ing faster than it should as it approaches

the runway,” Soderman explained. “Re-moving pieces, or altering part shapes, isnot as easy as it sounds because many of thechanges would greatly affect how the land-ing gear and plane operate. The resultsfrom this test will enable researchers todecide how to create air drag, or friction, toslow the airplane without causing as muchnoise,” he added.

“Preliminary data analysis indicates thata faired landing gear generates consider-ably less noise than an unmodified landinggear and, though full fairings may not becommercially practical, the data representa probable lower limit of landing gearnoise,” Soderman said. A fairing is a tear-drop-shaped shield airplane designers useto reduce air drag from wind flowing aroundodd-shaped surfaces.

Ames conducted the landing gear testsin collaboration with researchers at NASA'sLangley Research Center, Hampton, VA,and Boeing Commercial Airplane Co., Se-attle, WA, as part of NASA's quiet aircrafttechnology program.

In June 2001, engineers plan to attachthe quarter-scale landing gear model to amodel of a quarter-scale commercial trans-port wing and conduct more tests. Theseare slated to take place in Ames' larger 40-by 80-foot wind tunnel. Researchers willmeasure airframe fly-over noise and sur-face-wing pressures with and without thelanding gear extended during simulatedlanding approaches. Researchers also willevaluate noise-control devices.

For more information and additionalpictures on the Internet, visit : http://amesnews.arc.nasa.gov/releases/2000/00images/landinggear/landinggear.html

NASA technology allows engineers to see airframe noise

BY JOHN BLUCK

Image of landing gear noise is generated bya computer to aid aircraft design engineers.

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Gary Sorlien (center)speaks with RichardMillington (left) both ofSverdrup (Code FOI).They are accompaniedby Nancy Eller (right) ofRaytheon after theawards ceremony. Allwere award recipients.


Center BriefsHubble sees lone neutron star streak-ing across galaxy

Several hundred million of them may befound in our galaxy, but the world's mostpowerful telescope has captured the onethought to be closest to Earth. NASA's HubbleSpace Telescope has caught up with a run-away neutron star believed to be 200 lightyears away. The object, known as RXJ185635-3754, is expected to swing by theplanet at a safe distance in about 300,000years.

A neutron star is the remnants left be-hind after a supernova explosion, as thematerial at the core collapses into a densemass of neutrons. The star has the mass ofthe Sun packed into an area about 12 milesin diameter.

New NASA office of security manage-ment and safeguards established

NASA has established a new organiza-tion, the NASA Office of Security Manage-ment and Safeguards, to focus and advancethe agency's efforts in all aspects of NASAsecurity. The new office will formulatepolicy for and ensure the effectiveness ofNASA's primary security objectives: to pro-tect the agency's employees (including on-site contractors) and visitors, as well as itscritical national assets, vital information andphysical property.

The new organization, which will reportdirectly to NASA Administrator Daniel S.Goldin, will serve as the single point of focuson security matters for the Agency and alsowill represent NASA at the national level onsecurity policy.

Science team chosen for Space Inter-ferometry Mission

NASA has selected a science team forthe Space Interferometry Mission (SIM), aninnovative space system that will hunt forEarth-sized planets around other stars andprovide new insights into the origin andevolution of our galaxy. The mission, sched-uled for launch in 2009, will also preciselymeasure the locations and distances of starsthroughout our Milky Way galaxy and studyother celestial objects.

NASA publication highlights newcommercial technologies

A breast cancer detection system and apersonal search-and-rescue beacon repre-sent the range of NASA's 42 most recentlycommercialized products featured in the2000 issue of Spinoff, the annual publica-tion that highlights commercial productsbenefiting from NASA technology.

Spinoff informs the American public ofthe benefits of NASA's commercial partner-ships with private industry. The results ofthese partnerships are commercial productsthat utilize NASA technology. The dual useof a NASA technology in a private product iscalled a “spinoff.”

Casey Call has retired from NASA andgovernment service after 18 years at Ames.He began work in the Flight Operationsbranch, Code O, in May 1983 as a C-130,NASA 707 pilot, and as a Convair 990,NASA 712. flight engineer. Call shortly be-came the project pilot, also known as chiefpilot, for the C-130 aircraft program. Overhis NASA flying career, Call was qualified aspilot in command of various NASA aircraft,such as the previously mentioned C-130and CV-990, as well as the C-141, DC-8,Lear Jet, King Air and T-38. He was alsorotary wing-qualified and flew the UH-1Huey, OH-58 Jet Ranger and the AH-1 Co-bra. Call was the chief project pilot of theDC-8, NASA 717, until he delivered it toDryden as part of the Agency’s aircraftconsolidation.

While at Ames, Call was very muchinvolved in flight crew standardization andwas responsible for the training of flightcrews in ground school, simulators andaircraft. He took the lead in the rewriting ofaircraft technical/procedural manuals toenhance aircrew standardization. He wasdirectly involved in responsibility for avion-ics upgrades in both the C-130 and DC-8aircraft. He amassed over 6,000 flying hoursin NASA aircraft. He has been the recipientof numerous NASA awards while at Ames.

Call remained at Ames after the elimina-tion of Code O and became the deputychief of the Airfield Management Office,Code JF. A new organization, Aviation Man-agement Office, Code JO, was formed thisyear and Call became the deputy divisionchief. In addition, he assumed the positionof Chief of the Airfield Management Office.

Prior to coming to NASA, Call served 17years with the California air national guardat Moffett and previously at Hayward air-port. He began his Air Guard career flying“special ops” missions in C-119 “Boxcars”and transitioned to the C-130, flying searchand rescue missions in 1975. Call also servedfor 6 1/2 years in the Air Force and was acombat-ready fighter pilot flying F-4 Phan-toms. He also served a tour of duty in

The full-span tiltrotor aeroacoustic model(FS TRAM) is a quarter-scale, V-22 tiltrotoraircraft model developed by the Army/NASARotorcraft Division currently being tested inNASA Ames’ 40 by 80-foot wind tunnel.

A “tiltrotor” is an aircraft with tiltingproprotors that enable the speed of a turbo-prop airplane and the vertical takeoff andlanding agility of a helicopter.

Full-span tilt rotor aeroacoustic model project director MeganMcCluer shows her pride with her personalized license plate.

Casey Call retires

Vietnam, functioning as an advisor to theSouth Vietnamese Air Force (SVNAF). Callflew alongside SVNAF pilots and checkedout in the A-1 Skyraider, U-17 Skywagon,and O-1 Bird Dog aircraft. Call was respon-sible for assisting in the training of SouthVietnamese pilots. For his work with theSVNAF, he was ceremoniously awardedSouth Vietnamese Air Force pilot wings.

Mixed in with all of the above, Call alsohad flying stints with Trans World Airlines inConvair 880’s and Boeing 707’s and theRichmond, CA police department flyingHughes 300 helicopters and a speciallymodified Cessna 172. Call also worked inthe positions of detective, evidence techni-cian and patrolman for the police depart-ment.

Call graduated from the University ofNew Hampshire in 1962 with a bachelor’sdegree in chemistry. He stated that at onepoint, he envisioned himself as a researchchemist. But the flying bug bit him early onand as he says, “I was truly lucky to havebeen able to fly airplanes my whole career.I cannot conceive of having done anythingelse.”

Call and his wife Michaele have relo-cated to Port Angeles, WA. They have twosons, Justin, in Boulder, CO, and Christo-pher, in Santa Barbara, CA.

License plate tells it all...

News from Ames & Around the Agency

Casey Call

BY GEARY TIFFANY


Events & Accomplishments

Phuong Huynh, a Foothill DeAnzaintern assigned to the National Rotor-craft Technology Center (NRTC), willbe the recipient of a $2,500 Lynn BooneMemorial scholarship for the 2000/2001academic year. The Lynn Boone Me-morial scholarship is for the pursuit of ahuman resource management degree.

Huynh started working at the NRTCin January 2000 as an administrativeassistant.

“She has been a vital part of ourteam,” commented her advisor KathyGiffin. “Working at the NRTC has en-abled her to develop her organizationalskills and enhance her already-greatpeople skills. She is always smiling.Through her hard work and effortswithin the organization, she was highlyrecommended for this scholarship,”stated Giffin.

“The time spent here and all that Ilearned, especially dealing with all kindsof people, was a great opportunity. Iwill miss working at the NRTC andNASA,” Huynh stated.

The presentation will be held at the15th annual Human Resources sympo-sium May 23, 2001 at the Santa ClaraConvention Center.

NRTC internreceivesscholarship

SAFETYSAFETYSAFETYSAFETYSAFETYSNAPSHOTSSNAPSHOTSSNAPSHOTSSNAPSHOTSSNAPSHOTS

This feature is one in a series intended to inform the Ames community aboutfacets of Ames’ Safety and Environmental programs.

Respiratory ProtectionPROFILEWorking safely in hazardous atmospheres - it’s possible if you don‘t breathehazardous air contaminants. How? By wearing a carefully selected respiratorwith a snug, leakfree fit. All government employees who wear respirators atAmes are enrolled in Ames’ Respiratory Protection program. They receive anannual physical and attend training that includes a respirator-fit test.

CLOSEUPJohn Goldbach, respiratory protection instructor, emphasizes that selection, fitand maintenance are critical for safety and health; failure in any of theseelements can lead to a medical emergency.

Air purifying respirators use filters to clean the air as the wearer breathesthrough a mask. Special adsorbent filters for chemical vapors, high efficiencyparticulate air (HEPA) filters for hazardous dusts (including lead and asbestos)or a combination of filters may be needed. In some atmospheres with odorlesscontaminants or very high contaminant levels, and where low oxygen level isthe hazard, air supplied respirators must be used. These may have breathingair pumped through a hose or air tanks, similar to SCUBA gear.

Goldbach says that most of the employees attending his class rarely use theirrespirators. Their need for refresher training is even more important than foremployees who regularly use them. Also, changes such as weight gain or loss,facial hair, or dental work can affect a respirator’s fit. His advice is to not use arespirator for chemical or dust protection unless you know it will protect you. Ifyou work in a hazardous atmosphere, or want to be prepared to protectyourself from potential harmful exposures from off-hours home repairs orhobbies, the respiratory protection class is for you.

For more information about Ames’ respiratory protection program, go to AmesHealth and Safety Manual, Chapter 28.

The Nevada Federal EmergencyManagement Agency (FEMA)urban search and rescue teamparticipating recently in a MOBEX2000 earthquake preparednessdrill held at Ames in coordinationwith the Center’s DisasterAssistance and Rescue Team.(DART). The successful exercisewas conducted in mid November.

Emergency preparedness drill

photo by Jonas Diño

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• Install smoke detectors in your home. Testthem monthly, and change batteries twice peryear. Smoke kills three of every four people whodie due to fires.• Provide escape ladders for upper floor windows.Some escape ladders are made ofchain and metal and can be loweredeasily from a windowsill in case ofemergency.• Place fire extinguishers throughoutthe house. Type ABC extinguisherscan put out all types of fires. Onlyuse extinguishers on small fires; ifthere is a large fire, escapeimmediately as fire can explode inseconds.• Draw a map of your house toinclude all rooms, doors, windows and smokealarms.• On the map, mark an easy path of escape fromeach room, and then determine a second escaperoute for each room.• Designate a meeting place in front of yourhouse where everyone will go after escaping froma fire.• Everybody should remember the emergency firedepartment number. Someone should call thenumber from a neighbor's home, a pay phone or

Safety Tips & SuggestionsFire safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association(NFPA) and the Moffett Field Fire Dept.

Other fire prevention and firefighting suggestions• Electric blankets and heating pads -- do not foldor roll an electric blanket as the internal wires willheat up, and the blanket could ignite.• Unplug and store the blanket flat. Don't leave aheating pad on for more than a half-hour, andnever fall asleep with it on. Set an alarm clock for30 minutes, if you think you could fall asleep.• Wires, plugs and extension cords -- Installground fault circuit interrupter (GFC) outlets. Donot use too many cords in each outlet. Do not runcords under rugs, behind radiators or acrossdoorways where the cords could be subject totraffic and wear. Have a qualified person repairbroken cords, switches making "hiccup" soundsand hot plugs. Don't mask problems withelectrical tape. Use a proper gauge extension cord,especially with power tools and high wattageappliances.• Fuses, light bulbs -- Use only the proper size fuse,or a circuit will be overloaded before the fuseblows. Overloading a circuit will cause wires tooverheat and that can start a fire. If you use abulb rated at too high a wattage for a lamp,overheating can occur in the cord, shade, socket,wiring or fixture and can result in fire.• Portable space heaters -- Use a heater with athermostat (not just a switch) that shuts off theheater when it tips. Plug a heater into its ownoutlet so as not to overload the circuit. Use spaceheaters in areas free of combustibles. The area

should also be well ventilated to allow heat toescape. Never leave a heater on overnight.• Clothes dryers -- Never leave synthetic fabrics,plastics, rubber or foam in the dryer longer thanrecommended by the manufacturer. Clean thelint screen before and after dryer use. Keep thedryer area free from combustibles. Dryers mustbe vented to the outside and plugged into theirown outlet.• Personal grooming appliances -- Hair dryers,curling irons, hot rollers and makeup mirrorsmust be away from combustibles while in use.Disconnect these appliances when not in use.Never fold or crimp cords because insulation willbe ruined which can cause wires to short out andspark.• Vaporizers -- Do not put a vaporizer nearcombustibles or leave it unattended. Keep thewater level ample. Check the cord to make sureit is not hot. If it is too hot, unplug itimmediately. Plug a vaporizer cord into its ownoutlet. Use a heavy-duty extension cord, if youneed an extension cord.• Fighting electrical fires -- Switch off appliance;or unplug unit. Use ABC or Type C extinguisher.Never cool the fire with water because it conductselectricity, and you could be shocked.For additional information visit the NFPA on theInternet at www.sparky.org and www.nfpa.org

a cell phone after escaping from the house.Always call the fire department before trying tofight a fire.• Do not go back into a building that caught fire,unless firefighters say the house is safe. Tell

firefighters if someone is trapped insidethe house.• Practice the escape plan.• During fire drills, pretend some pathsare blocked by flame or smoke and usethe backup escape routes.• During a real fire, if a smoke alarmgoes off during the night, roll out ofbed and keep low in case there is fire orheat above you. Stay calm.• If you see smoke, try another escapepath.

• If you must travel through smoke, crawl low tothe exit, keeping your head one or two feet abovethe floor where air will be cleanest.• Use the back of your hand to test doorknobsand doorways for heat. Feel the door frombottom to top with the back of your hand. If thedoor is cool, you may open it. If a door is warm,try another exit route. Brace your foot andshoulders against the door, and open it slowly. Ifthere is light smoke, quickly get down low and

crawl to the nearest exit. Slam the door shut, ifsmoke pours through.• Close all doors behind you. Never use anelevator.• If you are trapped, don't panic as that willcause you to breathe faster, and you could inhalemore smoke and toxic fumes that could knockyou out.• If you are trapped, feel the door from bottom totop, and if it is hot or warm, stuff clothing ortowels at the bottom of the door to keep outsmoke and gases.• Open a window, and escape if there is any easyroute to the ground. Make sure smoke andflames are not rising from a lower floor in yourescape route.• If you are totally trapped and your windowescape route is blocked, stand by the window,shout, wave something and wait for rescue.• If your clothing catches on fire, stop. Movingor running will fan the flames and make the fireworse. Drop to the ground. Put your hands overyour eyes, nose and mouth to protect your face.Roll slowly back and forth on the ground until theflames are smothered. Seek immediate medicalattention for burns.

On-going participation in the Amessafety suggestion program continues to begood. Every suggestion received is appre-ciated. An attempt is made to implementevery reasonable suggestion as soon asfunding can be identified.

The most recent winners in the pro-gram are as follows:

July 2000, Lewis Mermelstein for hissuggestion to secure water bottle dispens-ers to prevent them from falling and creat-ing additional slick walking surfaces in anearthquake.

August 2000, Lisa Mrkvicka suggested apolicy to ask smokers to move back 15-20feet from doorways to prevent secondarysmoke from entering buildings.

September 2000, Alice Herbert identi-fied some specific tripping hazards near theAmes Café which needed repair.

October 2000, Owen Greulich broughtup the idea that we could better dissemi-nate the lessons learned from accident in-vestigations. Code Q is creating a new webpage to accomplish that. We hope toprovide several different kinds of “alerts”on that page.

Your continued support of the safetysuggestion program is encouraged.

Ames safetysuggestionprogram recentwinners


Foothill-DeAnzainternshipprogram turns 30

Swiss delegation visits Ames

photo by Tom Trower

On Oct. 24, Ames hosted a visit by a group of representatives of the Swiss government. Theycame to tour Ames and the Computer Museum and visit with Center Director Henry McDonald.The Swiss delegation was comprised of Alfred Defago, Ambassador of Switzerland to theUnited States; Arnold A. Koller, Ex-President of the Swiss Confederation; Roland Quillet, ConsulGeneral of Switzerland; Dr. Christian Simm, Science and Technology Counselor and KatjaSchaer, assistant to the Consul General and Scientific Attache (Dr. Simm).

On Friday Nov. 24, the NASA publicaffairs community lost one of its own withthe untimely passing of Brian Welch, direc-tor of media services at NASA Headquarters.Welch suffered a massive heart attack whiletravelling to spend the Thanksgiving breakwith friends. He was only 42.

A native of Fulton, KY, and a graduate ofMurray State University, Welch began hisNASA career as a public affairs cooperativeeducation student at Langley Research Cen-ter in 1979. He later moved to Houston tobecome editor of Johnson Space Center’sSpace News Roundup.

In 1984, he became a public affairs mis-sion commentator, providing real-time de-scriptions from mission control during shuttleflights. He also served as deputy news chiefand manager of the mission commentaryteam. He moved to Headquarters as Admin-istrator Goldin’s speechwriter before be-coming news and information chief in 1994.Welch was named director of media servicesin 1998, leading many NASA public out-reach efforts, and with responsibility foroverall agency news operations, NASA TVand the Internet.

Welch was demanding, both of himselfand those around him. He wanted thingsdone correctly. His seemingly sole and all-consuming motivation was his passion forNASA. He was the consummate “companyman.” He dedicated his life and virtually allof his energy to the agency that he loved.No matter how stressful a situation, healways said, “we’re still doing public affairsfor the best agency in the world!”

One can’t help but be impressed by thedrive and determination that allowed Welchto rise from the relative obscurity of MurrayCollege to the very pinnacle of NASA publicaffairs. And once there, he made sure that

Brian Welch rememberedhis accomplishments were substantive andnumerous.

Welch oversaw NASA’s transition fromthe public mailing of news releases to the

creation of major web sites getting millionsof hits a day. He helped guide NASA throughthe dark days of Challenger to the optimis-tic new era of the International Space Sta-tion. He was a key player in the bold newcommercial partnership with Dreamtimethat promises to revolutionize the way NASAconducts its public information and spaceeducation missions.

Welch is survived by his mother, Judy,and a brother, Mark, both of Fulton; and asister Lynn Lowrance of Union City, TN.Following cremation, a memorial servicewas held at the First United MethodistChurch, in Fulton, with a Dec. 14 vigil inWashington, DC for NASA colleagues andfriends.

photo by Tom Trower

Brian Welch in a recent snapshotin Washington DC.

BY DAVID MORSE

People & Programs

Dr. Leo Chavez, Chancellor of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District (left)with Bill Berry, Deputy Center Director(right) at the the Foothill-DeAnzainternship 30th anniversary celebration.

The Foothill-De Anza Community Col-lege District NASA/Ames Internship Pro-gram celebrated its 30th year anniversarylast month on Nov. 2. The event was heldin Hangar 1. During its 30 year history,2,913 students graduated from the pro-gram.

The evening featured a slide show not-ing that 1,200 civil servants and contrac-tors have served as job advisors to Foothill-De Anza interns, and that more than 300former interns work at Ames as civil ser-vants or contractors. Pictured above areDr. Leo Chavez, Chancellor of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District, ex-tending his thanks to Bill Berry and allCenter staff for the 30 years of supportAmes has made to education. In additionto a plaque given by the college district,Berry also accepted on behalf of the Cen-ter, proclamations from CongresswomanAnna Eshoo, State Senator Byron Sher andSanta Clara County Supervisor Joe Samitian.The proclamations noted the contributionAmes is making to support education in thelocal community.

Other dignitaries attending the eventincluded State Senator Sher, Mayor Stasekand Councilmember Mary Lou Zoglin fromthe City of Mountain View as well as repre-sentatives from the offices of Congress-woman Eshoo, Zoe Lofgren and JoeSamitian. Two civil servants were recog-nized for their contributions to the pro-gram: Jerry Mitvalsky for sponsoring 36interns and Dr. Dan Leiser for sponsoring56 interns.

BY MARY CONWAY


Campaigns & Awards

Dear Ames Employees,

All of us wish to thank the entire Ames community for your kind and generous donations to the Combined FederalCampaign this year. It is so gratifying to know that there are so many of you here on the Center who care about helpingothers. We never know how close to home that caring may be! If your grandparents had cancer, your donation to oneof the cancer funds may mean a healthier life for your children. If your aunt had Parkinson's disease, your donation tothe appropriate fund might see that your best friend is able to control this dreaded problem. And, if like some of us, youdonated to an adoption agency, several children will have safe and loving homes. We appreciate the fact that you tookthe time to study the CFC pamphlet and make conscientious choices for your donations.

Last year, Ames Research Center employees donated $211,716 to CFC. This year our total is just over $215,000 andcounting! We cannot tell you how pleased and proud all of us are that you cared enough to give so much. If you wereaway from the Center during our campaign, you may still donate by bringing your form to one of us or by placing a callto the CFC line at ext. 4-2321. Remember that "The Power of One" could mean you!

Grace Ann Weiler Herb Finger Rho Christensen Jean NozakiChairperson County Liason Deputy Chair Deputy Chair

Dr. Robert Rosen was honored recentlywith the Presidential Rank award of Merito-rious Executive. Winners of this prestigiousaward are recognized for their outstandingleadership and commitment to public ser-vice throughout theircareer.

Presidential Rankawards are given annu-ally to a select group ofcareer Senior ExecutiveService members whohave demonstrated theability to balance theneeds of their employ-ees, stakeholders andcustomers with the mis-sion of their organiza-tion over an extendedperiod. Only executivesthat accomplish thischallenging objectiveare eligible for thishonor.

“Ames ResearchCenter is fortunate tohave Robert Rosen onour staff. He has excep-tional vision and lead-ership skills that are anasset to NASA and the American people,”said Henry McDonald, Ames Director.

The selection process for the Presiden-tial Rank award begins with a nominationfrom a candidate’s agency head. The nomi-nees are then evaluated by citizen reviewboards against a rigorous set of five criteria,including the ability to lead with vision,achieve program results effectively and effi-ciently, build and maintain a productive

Rosen recognized with Presidential Rank awardworkforce, manage the organization’s re-sources and build partnerships. After theevaluation and selection process, the Presi-dent has final approval.

Before being recruited by NASA Head-quarters as the Director ofthe Propulsion Research di-vision, Rosen had a distin-guished career of over 20years in industry develop-ing leading-edge analysistechniques. After less thana year with NASA, he waspromoted to Deputy Asso-ciate Administrator foraeronautics and spacetechnologies and receivedNASA’s outstanding lead-ership award.

Currently, Rosen is theAssociate Director for aero-space programs and wasinstrumental in the devel-opment of a strategic newdirection for Ames Re-search Center. He recog-nized that the traditionalfocus of Ames was nolonger enough to sustain amajor NASA facility, and

he led the transition team to find a newfocus. Using a process involving seniormanagement and a significant portion ofthe staff, a broad-based agreement wasreached to change the technical founda-tion of the center to information technol-ogy from aerodynamics and wind tunneltesting. The Information Sciences andTechnology Directorate was created andtoday, Ames is NASA’s Center of Excellence

for Information Technology.Known for his fiscal responsibility and

management skills, Rosen has refocusedprograms and staff to help maximize theeffective utilization of Ames’ more than$600 million annual budget. He was instru-mental in the development of programs inadvanced and high performance comput-ing, aerospace operation systems, air trafficmanagement, rotorcraft and simulation.Using lessons learned while in industry,Rosen has implemented sound resourceand personnel management to reduce in-efficiency while improving the satisfactionof clients and research partners.

A true test of leadership is not onlymeasured in results, but also in how thoseresults have been achieved. Rosen hasshown that the best way to achieve resultsis to bring out the best in his staff. Todevelop and further the skills of his staff, hecreated developmental assignments and amentoring program. Rosen is also an advo-cate for workforce diversity. He has workedto continually increase the numbers ofwomen and minorities in Ames organiza-tions at all levels. His leadership can begauged by the success of staff who havereceived guidance from him. Many ofRosen’s former “pupils” have moved topositions of greater responsibility withinNASA.

In response to the award, Rosen gavecredit to his staff. “I can’t tell you howpleased I am with this award. But the creditreally should go to all the people at Ameswho did the work and made it possible,” hesaid.

BY JONAS DIÑO

An open letter to Ames employees

Dr. Robert Rosen captured during a rarequiet moment in his office recently.


From left to right: Ames' Jesse Carpenter, of Transvideo Studios, and Victoria Callor, of Lockheed-Martin, display their award with Richard Long, the president of the Film Council of Greater Columbus.

Scientists with NASA’s Astrobiology In-stitute (NAI) have discovered fossilized rem-nants of microbial mats that developed onland between 2.6 billion and 2.7 billionyears ago in the Eastern Transvaal district ofSouth Africa.

This significant discovery presents thestrongest evidence to date that life on landoccurred at a much earlier stage in Earth’shistory than was previously believed bymost scientists. It also suggests that anozone shield and an oxygen-rich atmo-sphere existed on Earth 2.6 billion yearsago, both necessary conditions for life onland to emerge. The results were reportedin the Nov. 30 issue of “Nature” magazine.

“This important investigation under-taken by an NAI team feeds into NASA’sstrategy of using Earth analogs, particularlyanalogs present on early Earth, as modelsfor testing the hypothesis that life exists, orhas existed, on Mars or elsewhere in theuniverse,” said Dr. Baruch Blumberg (Nobel’76), director of the NAI research consor-tium. “A major goal of the NAI is to under-take the basic science that is necessary forthe performance of NASA and space sci-ence missions.”

The finding also has other importantimplications for NASA. “The suggestionthat an ozone shield existed as early as 2.6billion years ago boosts our chances in thesearch for life on planets orbiting otherstars,” said Dr. Michael Meyer, astrobiol-ogy discipline scientist at NASA Headquar-ters, Washington, D.C. “Ozone would beeasily detectable by the Terrestrial PlanetFinder, a planned interferometer mission in

NASA’s ‘Origins’ program.”The microbial mats discovered by re-

searchers are composed primarily ofcyanobacteria, the principal organisms thatgenerate oxygen from water and atmo-spheric carbon dioxide using sunlight.

“This discovery is similar to what scien-tists went through with marine organisms,”said Dr. Hiroshi Ohmoto, co-author of theNature report, a member of the NAI, direc-tor of the Astrobiology Research Center anda faculty member in the Department ofGeosciences at the Pennsylvania State Uni-versity.

“Once scientists thought no living or-ganisms existed in the Earth’s oceans before500 million years ago. Then they studiedthe carbonaceous matter in ancient sedi-mentary rocks deposited in the oceans andfound that organisms lived in the oceans atleast 3.8 billion years ago,” he said.

A variety of geochemical and paleonto-logical data suggests that microorganismsflourished in Earth’s oceans at least 3.8billion years ago, but researchers have beenunable to agree on when microorganismsfirst colonized the land. The oldest undis-puted remains of terrestrial organisms arecurrently 1.2 billion-year-old microfossilsdiscovered in 1994 in Arizona by Dr. PaulKnauth, a member of the NAI-Arizona StateUniversity astrobiology team. However,many scientists think the Earth’s land sur-face was sterile until about 500 million yearsago, when vesicular plants first appeared.

Ohmoto noted that the organic matterfound in South Africa occurred primarily asparallel seams in the ancient 2.6 billion-

year-old soil bed. This suggests that theorganic seams are remnants of biomats thatdeveloped on the soil surface and weretrapped while the soil formed. The teamdiscovered the “right” ratios of chemicalelements essential for life (carbon, hydro-gen, nitrogen and phosphorous) in thecarbonaceous matter of the EasternTransvaal. This provides strong evidencethat the carbonaceous matter is of biologi-cal rather than abiotic origin, according toOhmoto.

The Pennsylvania State University is amember of, and receives research fundingfor this and other efforts through, NASA’sAstrobiology Institute, a research consor-tium encompassing academic and non-profit organizations plus NASA field cen-ters. The NAI’s central administrative officeis located at Ames. In addition to full mem-bers, the NAI has international affiliate andassociate members. Astrobiology is the studyof the origin, evolution, dissemination andfuture of life in the universe. NASA’s exobi-ology program also funded the subjectresearch.

Yumiko Watanabe, senior author of theNature article, is a doctoral student ofOhmoto’s at the Pennsylvania State Univer-sity. Dr. Jacques Martini, another co-au-thor, is a member of the Geological Surveyof South Africa in Pretoria, and an associatemember of the Pennsylvania State Univer-sity Astrobiology Research Center.

Astrobiologists find evidence of early life on landResearch & Awards

BY KATHLEEN BURTON

The work of two Ames employees was recognized recently during the distinguishedColumbus International Film and Video Festival, a.k.a. “The 2000 Chris Awards.” JesseCarpenter, Transvideo Studios, and Victoria Callor, Lockheed Martin Engineering andSciences, were presented with bronze plaques for their training video, “Flow with ISO”.

“Flow with ISO” is not the typical NASA training video. It uses a fun, music-video-style format with “rap” lyrics to inform Ames employees about the “joys” of ISO. Thevideo was “commissioned” by the Life Sciences Division at Ames, and directed andproduced by Jesse Carpenter of Ames’ Documentation Technology Branch.

“The Chris Awards” is one of the most prestigious documentary, entertainment andinformational competitions in the country. “Flow with ISO” competed against nearly800 entries submitted by independent and corporate producers, agencies anddistributors from more than 30 countries. Bronze plaque awards are presented to filmsthat receive six points out of a seven-point scale. Submitted films and videos areevaluated primarily on the basis of fulfilling their intended purpose and design for theirtarget audience, as well as their quality and importance – and we all know howimportant ISO is!

And the Oscar – No, the “Chris” – Goes to…..


Events & Innovations

A new exhibit entitled "Astrobiology andthe Water Worlds”at the Ames Visitor Cen-ter was unveiled on November 15,

Water, an essential component for alllife on Earth, is a signature in the search forlife beyond Earth. The new exhibit at theVisitor Center features three known waterworlds in our solar system: Earth, Mars, andEuropa. Internally illuminated globes pro-vide a walk-around view of these waterworlds, and back-lit images visually illus-trate the water features on Mars and Europaas compared with Earth. The goals of Astro-biology are also presented in a back-litdisplay.

In addition a collection of photographs,taken by NASA scientist Dr. Jonathan Trentand his colleagues, reveal the wonderfuldiversity of macroscopic organisms inhabit-ing the Earth's oceans. Trent discussed how

Jonathan Trent, NASA scientistand underwater photographer(center), is shown at the openingof the new astrobiology exhibitheld on Nov. 15 at the AmesVisitor Center. Dr. BaruchBlumberg, director of the NASAAstrobiology Insitute and senioradvisor to the NASAAdministrator, (left) and AmesCenter Director Harry McDonald(right) chat with Trent about thenew exhibit.


New astrobiology exhibit unveiled at Ames Visitor Center

The STAR landing gear, a 26 percent-scaled model of a Boeing 777 landing gear,was created by the Aeronautics and Space-flight Hardware Development Division atAmes to be tested in the Center’s 7’ x 10’wind tunnel. The landing-gear replica wasdesigned to facilitate efforts to further di-minish noise during flight. The model ispart of the STAR test scheduled for nextsummer to demonstrate improvements inthe acoustics of high-lift systems.

The scaled model was developed usingphotographs of the 777 landing gear, land-ing gear blueprints, sketches and verbalinstruction. Design engineers on the projectwere Jim Kennon and Chad Brivkalns, andthe primary shop group leads were DamonFlansburg, Chris Radbourne and FrankLarsen.

The fabrication procedure utilized a va-riety of materials, including steel, alumi-num and wood, as well as unique manufac-turing processes.

“The project reliance agreement be-tween NASA centers (and involving specifi-

cally Langley, in this case) allowed us toutilize their rapid prototyping‘stereolithography’ process which permit-ted complex landing gear shapes to befabricated quickly,” said Frank Larsen of theproject. Steel structures necessary to modifythe tunnel for testing were also created.

The STAR landing-gear project-fabrica-tion drawings were received in May with adelivery requirement of July. Legal agree-ments with Boeing regarding privacyweren’t resolved until four weeks into theproject. Two months were allocated toproject management for completion of theproject, and the model was ready for test-ing in early July.

“We feel this was probably the definitivetest for the acoustics of landing gear. Weunderstand where many of the noise sourcesare coming from and have some good ideason how to reduce them,” said Kevin Jamesof the six weeks spent in the wind tunnelsworking with the landing gear.

Final decisions regarding this landinggear have not been made due to compro-

Ames’ machine shop createsspecialized landing gear model

BY ERIN KING

photo by Damon FlansburgTom Foster (left) and Chris Radbourne (right) ofthe Aeronautics and Spaceflight HardwareDevelopment Division at Ames working on thelanding-gear replica.

mises involving the balancing of functional-ity, weight and cost considerations.

these photographs were taken and what itis like to explore the open ocean during theopening ceremonies. A new video entitled

"Earth: the Water World" was also shown toevent attendees.


DDF poster session heldThe Director's Discretionary Fund poster session was held Nov. 28 at the

Moffett Training and Conference (MTCC) Building 3. The annual sessionshelp to promote increased awareness of the Director's Discretionary Fund(DDF) and provide an opportunity for the Ames community to hear and seethe results of the currently funded projects.

The DDF presentations are coordinated by the Office of the Chief Scientist,Dr. Stephanie Langhoff.

Ames employees attend the Director’s Discretionary Fund poster session held in November.


1700 KHz AM radio -- information announcements& emergency instructions, when appropriate, for Amesemployees.

Ames public radio

Lost & FoundMoffett Field Lost and Found may be reached at ext.

4-5416 at any time. Residents and employees at Amesmay also use Internet browser at: http://ccf.arc.nasa.gov/codejp/pages/lostFound.html to view a list of foundproperty and obtain specific instructions for reporting lostor found property and how to recover found property.Call Moffett Field security police investigations section atext. 4-1359 or email at: [email protected].

CarpoolCarpool wanted from Mission San Jose area of

Fremont to Ames. Hours flexible. Contact Nancy at ext3258 or [email protected].

Carpool from UC Santa Cruz carpool to Ames Bldg.N236. Work hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. flexible. Joel Ramirezext. 4-6378 or home at (831) 460-0160.

Carpool: Existing 3 person carpool would like to add4th person with car. We take turns driving, Oakland/Berkeley to Ames, leave at 8:00 a.m., return at 5:30 p.m.David, ext. 4-4164 or email [email protected].

Need one more person for carpool: Oakland/ SanLeandro/ Alameda to the Ames . Leave to work fromMarina Blvd. and 880 in San Leandro at 6:00 a.m. LeaveNASA at 4:00 p.m. John at ext. 4-6295.

Lake Tahoe-Squaw Valley Townhse, 3br-2ba, View ofslopes, close to lifts. Wkend $490, midwk $180 nite.Includes linens, firewood. (650) 968-4155,[email protected]

South Lake Tahoe cottage with wood fireplace andhot tub. Rates from $50 to $130 per night. Call (650)967-7659 or (650) 704-7732.

Vacation rental

Miscellaneous

Transportation

Ames ClassifiedsAds for the next issue should be sent to

[email protected] by the Monday follow-ing publication of the present issue and must beresubmitted for each issue. Ads must involve personalneeds or items; (no commercial/third-party ads) andwill run on space-available basis only. First-time ads aregiven priority. Ads must include home phone num-bers; Ames extensions and email addresses will beaccepted for carpool and lost & found ads only. Dueto the volume of material received, we are unable toverify the accuracy of the statements made in the ads.

Event CalendarModel HO/HOn3 Railroad Train Club at Moffett

Field invites train buffs to visit & join the club in Bldg. 126,across from the south end of Hangar One. Work nights areusually on Friday nights from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Playtime is Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more info, callJohn Donovan at (408) 735-4954 (W) or (408) 281-2899(H).

Jetstream Toastmasters, Mondays, 12 noon to 1p.m., N-269/Rm. 179. Guests welcome. POC: SamsonCheung at ext. 4-2875 or Lich Tran at ext. 4-5997.

Ames Bowling League, Tuesdays, at 6 p.m. at PaloAlto Bowl. Bowlers needed. POC: Mina Cappuccio at ext.4-1313 or Carmen Park at ext. 4-1215.

Ames Diabetics (AAD), meet twice a month on firstand third Wednesdays, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., in the AmesCafé, far corner of the Sun room. Peer support group thatdiscusses news that affects diabetics, both type I and II &

exchange experiences in treatment & control & mostimportantly, help each other best cope with the disease. Nocost, sales people, leader & medical professionals. Attend ameeting or call Bob Mohlenhoff at ext. 4-2523, or email himat [email protected].

Ames Child Care Center Board of Directors Mtg,Every other Thursday (check website for meeting dates: http://accc.arc.nasa.gov), 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM, N269, rm. 201.POC: Katharine Lee, ext 4-5051.

NFFE Local 997 Union General Mtg, Dec 20, noon to1 p.m., Bldg. 19/Rm. 2017. Guests welcome. POC: MarianneMosher at ext. 4-4055.

Ames Asian American Pacific Islander Advisory GroupMtg, Dec 21, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., N-237/Rm. 101. POC:Daryl Wong, ext. 4-6889 or Margaret Salas, ext. 4-6755.

Ames Amateur Radio Club, Dec 21, 12 noon, T28-N(across from N-255). POC: Michael Wright, KG6BFK, at ext.4-6262. URL: http://hamradio.arc.nasa.gov

Native American Advisory Committee Mtg, Dec26, 12 noon to 1 p.m., Ames Café. POC: Mike Liu at ext.4-1132.

Calendar & Classifieds

Visiting Yale Professor at Stanford Univ seeks PaloAlto/Mtn View area short-term rental, house-sit or hometrade (w/rural New Haven home) from 11/6/00 - 1/7/01.Dates flexible/negotiable. Desire to bring well-behaved &quiet golden retriever; can arrange other hsg for dog ifpresents a problem. Call Stefan & Julaine Rosner (650)320-0074, email: [email protected]

Housing needed for a Family (2 parents, 2 youngchildren) from Denmark for a 1 year period beginningFebruary 2001. Both parents will be working at Ames; a2-3 bedroom size home near Ames or adjacentcommunities preferred Contact BoThamdrup, [email protected] in Odense, Denmark, or Lee Beboutat ARC, [email protected], ph. (650) 604-3826.

Sunny, pleasant room for rent in home in the LosGatos/Campbell corner of San Jose for considerate,professional non-smoker or outside smoker. Tastefullyfurnished, utilities included. Long term preferred,shorterterm possible. Shared bath. Lease/deposits required.Call(408)266-7272 and lv. message.

Female non-smoking roommate wanted to share2bd/2ba 1000 sq ft, sunny, quiet, Mountain Viewapartment. $800/mo plus 1/2 utils. No pets. Convenientto rail station (10 min walk to Castro St/Ames shuttle),bus lines, & expressways. Across street from shopping.Kim Ennico (650) 625-1265 (lv message). Available now.

Housing

All Ames employees are invited to submitarticles relating to Ames projects and activitiesfor publication in the Astrogram. When submit-ting stories or ads for publication, submit yourmaterial, along with any questions, in MS wordby e-mail to: [email protected] onor before the deadline.

Astrogram deadlines

Deadline PublicationFri, Jan 5 Mon, Jan 15Fri, Jan 26 Mon, Feb 5

Ames Contractor Council Mtg, Jan 3, 11 a.m.,N-200 Comm. Rm. POC: David Lawrence at ext. 4-6434.

Environmental, Health and Safety MonthlyInformation Forum, Jan 4, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.,Bldg. 19/Rm 1078. POC: Linda Vrabel at ext. 4-0924.

Hispanic Advisory Committee for Employees, Jan4, 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., N-241/Rm 237. POC:Mary R. Valdez, at ext. 4-5819.

Ames African American Advisory Group Mtg, Jan4, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. POC: Robert Finnie at ext.4-5230. Contact Robert for meeting place.

Nat’l Association of Retired Federal Employees,(NARFE), San Jose Chapter #50, Mtg, Jan 5, atHometown Buffett, Westgate Mall, 4735 Hamilton Av,San Jose. Prog. & bus. mtg. at 9 a.m., followed bylunch, $6.27, in a reserved area. Program starts at 9:30a.m. followed by lunch. POC: Mr. Rod Perry (650) 967-9418 or NARFE 1-800-627-3394.

Ames Sailing Club Mtg, Jan 11, 11:30 a.m. to1 p.m., N-262/Rm. 100. POC: Stan Phillips, ext. 4-3530.

1978 Chinook pop-top camper. 80,000 miles onDatsun 510 truck with camper built on frame. Runsgreat! Camper has propane stove, sink, refrigerator. Pop-top increases interior height from 5 feet to 7 feet forroomy camping. $2500. Carol 408-353-3478 (home).

‘93 Dodge Shadow hatchback 63kms, 2 door,automatic, 4cyle, A/C,AM/FM cassette, sun/moon roof,excellent Condition. $4,000 or B/O. Judy (408)263-3806.

94 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, 63K mls, Towpackage, 2 wheel drive, 6 cylinder, excellent condition,white ext grey int. $9,500 or B/O. Fritz (530) 795-3736.

'95 Mercury Villager LS Minivan, $9,995 or B/O,Good condition, V6 3.0L, 81K mls, leather, A/C, pwrsteering/windows/locks/seat, cruise control, AM/FM,cassette, CD, ABS (4-Wheel), alloy wheels. Call (650)968-4610 or [email protected]

'91 Nissan Sentra. 97,000 mls. Very goodcondition. $1,800. Call K. Burton at (650) 210-8088.

Toshiba Satellite Pro, T2155CDS/520 in exc cond.,with floppy drive, modem card, 1/2 gig hard drive,upgraded ram, cables, manual & carrying case. $500.Franz (408) 927-5648.

Snow chains. Fits R13/R14 tires. Installationmanual/original tote case. $15. Call (510) 471-9384.

Brand new never used U.S. issue internal frame backpack (woodland camo) cost $150, will sell for $100 orB/O. Misc. S.A.E. hand tools from 1/4" to 1 3/8"negotiable. Daisy air rifle w/a case of CO2 cartridges$50. Call (650) 691-9961.

Ping Pong Table. Fold-up for easy storage. Heavyduty table in excellent condition w/paddles, net & balls.$85. Call (408) 295-2160.

Boy's Schwinn mountain bike, 20" wheels, 18speed, good condition $70. (408) 296-3326, David.

HealthRider Fitness machine, deluxe model,excellent condition. $125. Call (650) 947-8124 eveningsor weekends.

The Ames Child Care Center (ACCC)provides full-time and part-time qualityday care for the children of Ames civilservice employees and on-site contrac-tors. Limited financial assistance isavailable, and is reapportioned every 6months.

For the late January-July 2001 pe-riod, applications for tuition assistanceare on the Center’s web site at: http://accc.arc.nasa.gov. Alternately, interestedparties can pick one up at the ACCC.Applications together with income veri-fication are due by COB Jan. 12, 2001.For tours or waiting list information,contact the ACCC at ext. 4-4184.

For financial assistance, please con-tact the tuition assistance council at:s w h i t e @ m a i l . a r c . n a s a . g o v ,[email protected], or at:[email protected].

Child Care Center‘88 New Yorker, 89K mls, Orig. owner, power win,

locks etc. a/c. Excl.body/paint..runs excl.new BrakesGood radio and 10 disc.cd changer, $3,500 or B/O. CallBarry (650) 966-1160.

'86 Olds Custom Cruiser 9 pass. sta. wag. Alsoserves as urban P/U truck w/plenty room for 4x6 stacksof plywood, etc. (doors closed), or bulky cargo. Great A/C, power accessories & gd rubber. 158K mls - clean &exc. running condition. $2,500. Call (925) 933-8706.

‘72 Mercedes Benz 280 SE (4.5 L, gas engine), 180Kmiles. Silver & black classic, single owner for 27 years!Sunroof, power windows/doors, leather & wood interior,engine runs well & well maintained. $2,500 or B/O.David (650) 851-9202.


On- & Off-site Events

Official BusinessPenalty for Private Use, $300

National Aeronautics andSpace Administration

Ames Research CenterMoffett Field, California 94035-1000

AstrogramTHE AMES

PLEASE RECYCLEPrinted on recycled and recyclable paper with vegetable-based ink.

FIRST CLASS MAILPOSTAGE & FEES PAID

NASAPermit No. G-27

The Ames ASTROGRAM is an officialpublication of the Ames Research Center,National Aeronautics and SpaceAdministration.

AstrogramTHE AMES

We can be reached via email at:[email protected] or byphone at (650) 604-3347.

Managing Editor........David MorseEditor..........................Astrid Terlep

Ames carolers perform at the Center

Ames carolers shown singing at the Rotorcraft Division’s (AFDD) holiday party on Dec. 7. From left to right: Dave Fencl (choir leader),Shelley Scarich, Astrid Terlep, Gigi Phung, Suzanne Meyer, Dinah Showman, Diane Lattanzio, Sebastien Lebonnois, and Garth Hull, withBill Likens on accordian and Tom Clausen on mandolin. Carolers practice during their lunchtime and perform at various functions duringthe holiday period at Ames, including singing at various buildings to spread good cheer to all.

photo by Jonas Diño

On Wednesday evening, January 24, at7 p.m., Dr. Frank Drake of SETI and Dr. PeterWard of the University of Washington willdiscuss the controversial "Rare Earth" hy-pothesis, the topic of Ward's most recentbook, in the Silicon Valley Astronomy Lec-ture Series, at Foothill College in Los AltosHills.

The non-technical program will focuson the question of whether or not habitable

“Are good planets hard to find?”planets (like our own Earth) are rare in thecosmos.

Admission to the lecture, sponsored byAmes, Foothill College, The SETI Instituteand the Astronomical Society of the Pacificis free.

Bring at least eight quarters for on-campus parking.

the ames astrogram - nasa · pdf filedecember 18, 2000 the ames astrogram — 1 ... --...

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