America’s gateway to the universe. Leading the world in preparing and launching missions to Earth and beyond.

August 28, 1998

John F. Kennedy Space Center

Vol. 37, No. 17

Spaceport News

NASA at KSC awarded ISO certification As KSC heads toward the newmillennium and an era of newgrowth and opportunity, one ofthe world’s leading ISO certifica-tion organizations, Det NorskeVeritas (DNV), presented CenterDirector Roy Bridges with acertificate of ISO registration forKennedy Space Center. On Aug. 11, DNV SoutheasternRegional Manager Dalton Lyoncongratulated Bridges for theachievement of each NASAorganization at KSC for having metthe requirements for ISO 9001certification.

(See ISO, Page 7)

NASA began to conductspace missions withinmonths of its creation, and inits 40 years has made historicachievements in many areasof aeronautics and spaceresearch. NASA’s best-knownefforts are the human spaceflight initiatives. Also, thespace science programs todate have included missionsto all the planets in our solarsystem except Pluto. The core mission of anyfuture space exploration willbe humanity’s departure fromEarth orbit and journeying tothe Moon or Mars, this timefor extended and perhapspermanent stays. The next generation oflaunch vehicles taking usfrom the Earth into orbit arebeing developed right now.The X-33, X-34, and otherhypersonic researchprojects presently underwaywill help enable routine,affordable access to spacein the first decades of the21st century. An initial effort in this areawas NASA’s Skylab programin 1973. After Apollo, NASAused its huge Saturn rocketsto launch this prototypeorbital space workshop. There were three humanSkylab missions, with thecrews staying aboard theorbital workshop for 28, 59,and then 84 days. The first crew manuallyfixed a broken meteoroidshield, demonstrating thathumans could successfullywork in space. The Skylab program alsoserved as a successfulexperiment in long-duration human spaceflight,paving the way for futuregenerations of spacetravelers.

KSC Director Roy Bridgesannounced on Aug. 21 the selectionof Space Gateway Support (SGS)of Herndon, Va., for award of agovernment contract to performbase operations for Kennedy SpaceCenter and the 45th Space Wing,which includes Cape Canaveral AirStation and Patrick Air Force Base.SGS is a joint venture of NorthropGrumman Technical Services,Herndon, Va.; ICF Kaiser DefensePrograms, Inc., Fairfax, Va.; andWackenhut Services, Inc., PalmBeach Gardens, Fla. In an unprecedented display ofcooperation, two governmentagencies will combine resourcesand requirements to cut expenses,reinvest savings and consolidate

“This is for you!,” Roy Bridges exclaimed to the KSC audience as he held up the ISOcertificate recognizing compliance with the ISO 9001 standard.

(See Hurricane, Page 2)

Joint base operations supportcontractor announced at KSC

“For many years, KennedySpace Center has been the worldleader in space launch technology,”said Lyon. “Today, you continue to pursuethat leadership. You have selectedto pursue it through this businessmanagement system that you haveimplemented here ... to maintainyour leadership in the world.” The presentation followed asuccessful independent audit byDNV of the KSC ManagementSystem in May of this year.

Looking Bonniein the eye

Two specially equippedNASA research aircraft werepressed into service lastweekend, providing real-timedata for the operationalforecast of Hurricane Bonnie.The aircraft arrived a fewweeks ago to begin collectinghigh-altitude information aboutAtlantic hurricanes and tropicalstorms to better understand andimprove ground-basedpredictions of hurricanes. The Convection andMoisture Experiment(CAMEX) mission is beingconducted in August andSeptember. Results from themission may increase warningtime (saving lives andproperty) and decrease the sizeof the evacuation area (savingmoney) while giving scientists

(See J-BOSC, Page 3)

functions with the objective ofremaining competitive in a globallaunch market. “Under this single-contractacquisition approach for basesupport operations, we will have agreat potential to increase savingsand enhance customer support andperformance,” said Bridges. “Thisnew acquisition approach will savethe government a substantial sumover the 10 years of the contract ifall options are exercised.” The cost-plus award fee contractfeatures a five-year basicperformance period, beginningOct. 1, 1998, and an option for afive-year extension. The potential value of thecontract, called the Joint Base

Operations Support Contract(J-BOSC), exceeds $2 billion over10 years. SGS will perform work that isbeing performed by Kennedy’sBase Operations contractor, EG&GFlorida, and the 45th Space Wing’sLaunch Base Support contractor,Johnson Controls, and 16 otherindividual base-support contracts. Other primary J-BOSCcustomers are governmentcontractors for NASA and AirForce space flight operations,payload ground operations, lifesciences, expendable vehicles,launch operations and support, andelements of the Navy and theDepartment of the Interior.

SPACEPORT NEWS August 28, 1998Page 2

Brown namedCIO for KSC

Barbara Brown

Bonnie gives this NASA Dryden Flight Research Center DC-8 a jump-start toward itsgoal of collecting high-altitude information about Atlantic hurricanes and tropical storms.Flying at 35,000 to 40,000 feet, the plane is equipped with instruments to measure thestorm’s structure, environment and changes in intensity and tracking. The DC-8 is partof the NASA-led Atmospheric Dynamics and Remote Sensing program that includesother government weather researchers and universities in a study of Atlantic hurricanesand tropical storms.

Hurricane ...(Continued from Page 1)

This DC-8 is one of two aircraft to be flown in a study throughSeptember to learn about storms from top to bottom.

Barbara Brown has been namedKSC’s new chief informationofficer (CIO), succeeding JimmyAkin, who retired Apr. 3. As CIO, Brown has centerwideresponsibility for a broad range ofinformation technology activities— including planning, security,program integration andimplementation, informationresources application re-engineering, architecture and policyfor all KSC communication andcomputing systems. Brown is responsible for theassessment of informationprocessing problems and thedefinition of technologicalrequirements and potentialsolutions. Her office serves as thecenter resource for analysis of allstate-of-the-art software andhardware tools. Brown joined KSC in 1982 as acooperative education student inthe Engineering DevelopmentDirectorate. In 1987, shetransferred to the ArtificialIntelligence Laboratory, where sheworked as a systems engineer andsubsequently became the advancedsoftware laboratory manager,leading advanced system develop-ment and demonstration. In 1996,Brown was assigned to the FutureLaunch Systems and AdvancedPrograms Office, where she servedas the X-34 project engineer. She has a bachelor of sciencedegree in computer science fromFlorida State University and amaster of science degree inengineering management from theUniversity of Central Florida.

a better understanding of thesedramatic weather phenomena. The media were briefed on Aug.12 and toured the two NASAaircraft — a DC-8 and an ER-2 —at Patrick Air Force Base. The DC-8 carries 11 or 12instruments and about 40 scientists,said RobbieHood, leadmissionscientistwith theGlobalHydrologyand ClimateCenter attheMarshallSpaceFlightCenter inHuntsville. The ER-2, a high-altituderesearch plane, carries a lone pilot,measuring the storm’s structure andsurrounding atmosphere that steersthe storm’s movement. Led by the AtmosphericDynamics and Remote Sensingprogram at NASA Headquarters,the experiment unites eight NASAcenters, other government weatherresearchers and the universitycommunity for a coordinated,multi-agency and multi-universityAtlantic hurricane and tropicalstorm study.

CAMEX will yield high-resolution spatial and temperatureinformation on hurricane structure,dynamics and motion, leading toimproved hurricane prediction.Results also will be used to validateexisting measurements from theTropical Rainfall MeasuringMission of hurricanes and tropicalstorms and to develop algorithms

for future Earth science missions. “We only know what goes on inthe bottom half of a hurricane, fromsea level to 27,000 feet,” saidHood. “With all of the agencies andthe university community workingtogether, we now can learn aboutthese storms from top to bottom.” When a hurricane or tropicalstorm erupts in the Atlantic, theDC-8 equipped with instruments tomeasure the storm’s structure,environment and changes inintensity and tracking flies into thestorm at 35,000 to 40,000 feet.

At the same time, the speciallyequipped Dryden ER-2, a high-altitude research plane, soarsabove the storm at 65,000 feet. On the ground, the stormresearch team launches weatherballoons and monitor land-basedsensors to validate the high-altitudemeasurements taken by instrumentsaboard the planes. Hood and her team are flyingthe NASA planes in conjunctionwith scheduled storm flights of theNational Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration (NOAA) that willtake off from MacDill Air ForceBase, Tampa, Fla., and the“Hurricane Hunters” — the U.S.Air Force’s 53rd WeatherReconnaissance Squadron fromKeesler Air Force Base, Miss. The Air Force’s HurricaneHunters and NOAA routinely flyinto tropical storms and hurricanesto determine the location, motion,strength and size of the storm. The information that the twoorganizations gather is used topredict the potential strength andsize of the storm as well aspotential landfall locations. “We have instruments here forthe first time which can measuremoisture with high verticalresolution in and around thehurricane,” said Dr. Ramesh Kakar,Earth science program manager atNASA Headquarters. “The NASA planes can augmentthe altitude region covered to date,”he added. “We can augment from25,000 feet to almost the height ofthe hurricane and the ER-2 can flyoverhead. Both the NASA and theDC-8 have state-of-the-art Dopplerradars and can keep very close tabson convective activity.” NOAA flies a WP-3 Orion (afour engine turboprop plane) intostorms at altitudes below 27,000feet. And the Hurricane Hunters flya WC-130 Hercules (a four-engineturboprop aircraft) at 5,000 to10,000 feet. Scientific instruments providedby Marshall to be flown on theDryden aircraft are enhancedby instruments from NASA’sGoddard Space Flight Center,Greenbelt, Md.; Jet PropulsionLaboratory, Pasadena, Calif.;Langley Research Center,Hampton, Va.; and AmesResearch Center, Moffett Field,Calif.

SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3August 28, 1998

J-BOSC ...(Continued from Page 1)

J-BOSC Contract ConsolidationsAir Force ContractsFire, SecurityFac., Sys., Eq. & Util. (partial)Roads and AirfieldDisaster PreparednessContaminated Material Cleanup and Tank RemovalMail CCASFurniture, Office MovesFire Suppression Sys.Automatic DoorsLaundry/Dry CleaningVehicle & Equip O&MTransient Alert/AGE Maintenance*PMEL Calibration*Grounds Maintenance CCAS/PAFBAsbestos RemovalElevator MaintenanceFamily Housing Maint.Custodial (PAFB)Oil/Water SeparatorsPest Control CCASRefuse Collection CCAS/PAFBAthletic Field Maintenance

WEB SITE: http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/procurement/BSC/bschome.htm

*priced option

FY99

FY00

FY01

FY02

NASA ContractsFire, Security

Facilities, Sys., Eq. & Util.,including but not limited to:

Power & Light, HVAC,Water & Sewage,

Buildings and Structure,Furniture, Office Moves,

Fire Suppression System,Automatic Doors,

Elevator Maintenance,Asbestos Removal

Roads and GroundsAirfieldSupply

MailLibrary

Printing & MicrographicsGraphics & Publications

CustodialTransportation

Computer Systems*Communication Services

PropellantsLife Support

Occupational MedicineEnvironmental Health

Aircraft O&M*PGOC Calibration

KSC Shuttle Bus Drivers

J-BOSC also will servecommercial customers such as TheBoeing Company, Lockheed-Martin, Orbital Sciences Corp.,Astrotech (SPACEHAB) andSpaceport Florida Authority. Types of work covered under theJ-BOSC are: project management;public works including engineeringservices and infrastructure; basesupport services such as protectiveservices, fire protection, logistics,information technology,administrative, medical andenvironmental services; andinstallation improvement. The Joint PerformanceManagement Office, a neworganization staffed with a mixtureof NASA and Air Force employees,will manage the J-BOSC contract. The Executive Director of theoffice will report to a Board ofDirectors. The board’s chair and vice chairwill rotate every two years betweenthe KSC director and 45th SpaceWing commander. “The management approach forthis contract is significantlyimproved over what we currentlydo,” Bridges said. “We have a verylean insight concept whichemphasizes the performance-basednature of the contract.”

Lightning strikes Launch Complex 36 only 49 seconds after liftoff of Atlas-Centaur 67 in March1987. It passed through the vehicle, altering data in the Atlas guidance system and commandinga maneuver that exceeded the structural capability of the vehicle, destroying it and the payload.The lightning occurred as the Atlas’s long, hot ionized exhust plume entered a region of electricfields in the atmosphere. Such “triggered” lightning is a threat to space vehicles and also aircraft.

When lightning strikes...Kennedy Space Center, due to the need to protect

Space Shuttles and other launch vehicles, has performedextensive research into lightning, its causes and how todetect and forecast it. This information has been appliedtoward improved lightning warning and protection systems.— the KSC Lightning Protection System. KSC operates extensive lightning protection and detec-tion systems in order to keep its employees, the 184-foot-high Space Shuttle, the launch pads and processing facilitiesfrom harm. While the protection system is exclusively onKSC property, the detection system incorporates equipmentand personnel both at the space center and Cape CanaveralAir Station. The first line of defense for lightning detectionis accurate prediction of when and where thunderstorms willoccur. The Air Force 45th Weather Squadron provides allweather support for KSC/CCAS operations except SpaceShuttle landings, for which support is provided by theSpaceflight Meteorology Group at Johnson Space Center. Information provided by the 45th Weather Squadronincludes lightning advisories that are critical for day-to-dayShuttle and payload processing, as well as launch dayweather data essential to help NASA determine when it issafe for the Space Shuttle to lift off.

SPACEPORT NEWS August 28, 1998Page 4

In a very short time, the dawn ofa new millennium will be upon us.With the coming of this new era,NASA created a program todevelop and test an arsenal of newtechnologies and concepts. The agency’s New Millenniumprogram is preparing for the timewhen humankind’s robotic (and,eventually, human) emissaries tospace are routinely reporting backinspiring discoveries from through-out the solar system and beyond. Though testing technologies isthe primary goal of the program,the missions also provide anopportunity to collect scientificallyvaluable data. Deep Space 1, scheduled tolaunch aboard a Boeing Delta IIrocket on Oct. 15, is the firstmission in the New Millenniumprogram. The spacecraft arrived atthe Kennedy Space Center on Aug.16 to begin prelaunch processing. Undertaking this vision is achallenge for engineers who mustdevelop and design the extra-ordinary spacecraft of the future. Among the experiments aboardDeep Space 1 is an ion propulsionengine strikingly similar to thosedescribed in futuristic sciencefiction works. Software is also onboard to track celestial bodies sothat the spacecraft can make itsown navigational decisionswithout the intervention ofground controllers.

Deep Space 1 — testing tomorrow’s technology today

Ion propulsion will permit fasteraccess to important and fascinatingdestinations in the solar system. Such revolutionary technologies,and others to be validated onsubsequent New Millenniummissions, will be among the key

experiments never done before,while keeping the cost of the flightto a minimum. Although there will be 12advanced technologies on DeepSpace 1, the rest of the spacecraftwill be composed of low-costcomponents that have been triedand tested on other missions. The Deep Space 1 flightcomputer, for instance, is based onthe flight computer used during theMars Pathfinder mission. With most of the componentsmounted on the exterior, access-ibility simplifies replacementduring integration and testing. The spacecraft currently is beingprocessed in the PayloadHazardous Servicing Facility(PHSF) located in the KSCIndustrial Area. Among the processing activitiesto be performed are the attachmentto the spacecraft of the PlasmaExperiment for Planetary Explora-tion (PEPE) instrument and theattachment of the solar arrays, eachof which is among the dozen newtechnologies being tested. There is to be a functional test ofthe advanced technology scienceinstruments as well as of the basicspacecraft subsystems. Checks of Deep Space 1’scommunications system will beperformed including a verificationof the spacecraft’s ability to senddata to the Jet Propulsion Labora-tory via the tracking stations of theDeep Space Network. Also, thelast of the thermal blankets will beinstalled. Finally, before the spacecraftleaves the Payload HazardousServicing Facility, it will be fueledwith its hydrazine attitude controlpropellant. Then, on Sept. 22, it is to betransported to a spin test facility onCape Canaveral Air Station, whereit will be mated to a Star 37 solidpropellant upper stage, and thecombined elements will undergo aseries of spin balance tests. Meanwhile, at Complex 17, theDelta II rocket will be undergoingerection and prelaunch checkout byBoeing. The first stage is scheduled tobe lifted onto the pad on Sept. 10.

Workers maneuver the Deep Space 1 spacecraft into place for prelaunch processingin KSC’s Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility. Onboard experiments include an ionpropulsion engine and software that tracks celestial bodies so the spacecraft can makeits own navigational decisions without the intervention of ground controllers.

tools NASA will need to begin anew era in space exploration. At launch, Deep Space 1 weighsonly 1,080 pounds fully fueled andis just 8.2 feet high, 6.9 feet deepand 5.6 feet wide, including suchattached items as twin stowed solararrays. When those arrays are deployed,the width will grow to 38.6 feetacross. Deep Space 1 should completemost of its mission objectivesduring the first two months afterlaunch, well before its encounterwith an asteroid, where it willfurther test its new instrumenttechnologies and new navigationtechnology. It will continue validat-ing these instruments in July 1999while doing a flyby of the near-Earth asteroid named 1992 KD. When Deep Space 1 flies by theasteroid, it will be an amazing 10kilometers away from the astralbody (unless the onboardautonomous navigation systemdecides to take the craft to an evencloser five kilometers away). Deep Space 1’s experimentalinstruments will allow it to perform (See Deep, Page 8)

Wearing protective suits, workers ready NASA’s Deep Space 1 spacecraft for prelaunchprocessing in KSC’s Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility. Targeted for launch Oct.15, the first flight in NASA’s New Millennium Program is designed to validate 12 newtechnologies for scientific missions of the next century. Experiments include an ionpropulsion engine and software to track celestial bodies so the spacecraft can makeits own navigational decisions. Deep Space 1 will complete most of its mission objectivesin the first two months, but will also do a flyby of a near-Earth asteroid in 1999.

SPACEPORT NEWSAugust 28, 1998 Page 5

On Aug. 20, about 150 KennedySpace Center launch team membersresponsible for issuing Shuttlelaunch commands eagerly staffedtheir control room consolesunaware of the devilish dilemmasthey would face. And that’s exactlyhow the KSC Simulation Team(Sim Team) wanted it. KSC’s launch pads have beenquiet since the last Space Shuttlelaunch in June, but the LaunchControl Center’s control roomshave maintained a steady rumble ofprogress during a break in thisyear’s launch schedule. Relying on tests and simulationsto keep a sharp edge, the team willbe poised and ready for ShuttleDiscovery’s liftoff targetedfor Oct. 29. “The best teacher for our team isthe experience of a real launchcountdown,” explained KSC’sDeputy Director of ShuttleProcessing Dave King. “We normally launch every sixto eight weeks, but when summerbrought a five-month pausebetween launches, we went to workdeveloping a practice schedule thatwould keep the team fresh.”

Control room engineers must becertified to perform their jobs andare required to participate in abattery of standard prelaunch testsbefore every launch. Managers are taking advantageof the available time this summer toaugment the standard year-roundtraining. Between June 2 and Oct. 29, theteam will have conducted threeexternal fuel tank loadingsimulations, a simulated loading ofhypergolic propellant into theorbiter maneuvering system andreaction control system and twointegrated launch countdownsimulations. Integrated simulations are amajor event in the processingactivity supporting the mission andrequire considerable preparation. The control room, normally usedfor daily test operations, is set upwith software used to simulateflight and ground systems in thelaunch configuration. Engineers and test operationspersonnel are removed from dailytasks and assigned to theirrespective launch countresponsibilities.

These practice sessions can zeroin on a specific Shuttle subsystemand its support engineers, or in thecase of the Aug. 20 integratedsimulation, pull the entire firingroom staff together for a completeShuttle system dry run. The test began with a typicalcall-to-stations, then a stagedcountdown start at the T-20 minutemark and continued until the“launch” was aborted at aboutnoon. A crafty group of so-calledgremlins conjures up glitches andtroubles for the launch team tosolve during the simulation. “It’sour job to stress the team andprepare them to be ready for theworst-case scenario,” said PaulKrause, Sim Team member andUnited Space Alliance (USA)avionics manager. “We throw 12 to 14 majorproblems at them between T-20minutes and T-0, and you only seeone or two during a realcountdown, if any,” added Krause.“If everything that we threw atthem really happened, it would be abad, bad day.” The Sim Team consists of KSC

with gremlins on the ground

engineers that have other full-timeresponsibilities, but take their part-time “gremlin” duties veryseriously. Debbie Frostrom, NASA testdirector, helped set up and plan thissummer’s test schedule and hasexperienced the stress at the NTDconsole first hand. “The test planand problem scenarios are keptsecret from the players in thesimulation,” she said. “It neverceases to amaze me when they findsomething new to stretch the team.These guys know the Shuttlesystems inside and out and theirscenarios make you think atextraordinary depth.” A software model plugged intoKSC’s launch processing systemmimics the Shuttle’s manycomponents and systems. The SimTeam introduces a wide range ofbogus bugs into the softwaresystem — from false sensorindications and system failures tooperational weather violations.Console engineers must identify theproblems, prioritize them andrespond accordingly. Adding to therealism, the software replies to theircommands, and participantsobserve video footage of prelaunchmilestones occurring on theirconsole monitors. As the drama unfolds, the SimTeam monitors the progress of thetest from the control room nextdoor. The launch team’scommunication network becomesan actor’s stage, as consoleengineers hear over their headsetsthe voices of Shuttle crew membersand Houston mission controllersportrayed by the Sim Teammembers. When the test is over and theparticipants pass the “gremlins” inthe hall, they may not evenrecognize them as the source oftheir stress. “If they know us, Ithink they pretty much respect usbecause they don’t want to get onour bad side,” jokes Bob Holl, SimTeam and USA test projectengineer. “I believe they really doappreciate the job we do. KSCmanagers really support us becausewe reap real benefits from this.” According to Frostrom, “It’ssmart to take advantage of thesetesting opportunities. They not onlyprepare the primary launch team,but also deepen our resources bytraining up-and-coming engineers.”

No lull in launches

In Firing Room 1 of KSC’s Launch Control Complex, Shuttle launch team members put the Shuttle system through an integratedsimulation. The control room is set up with software used to simulate flight and ground systems in the launch configuration. ASimulation Team, comprised of KSC engineers, introduce 12 or more major problems to prepare the launch team for worst-casescenarios. Such tests and simulations keep the Shuttle launch team sharp and ready for liftoff. The next liftoff is targeted for Oct. 29.

SPACEPORT NEWS August 28, 1998Page 6

Run for your life! Mark your calendars for this year’s FallIntercenter Run slated for Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. atKSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility. The 10K, 5Kand 2-mile run/walk are all great ways to havesome fun and friendly competition with co-

workers. All KSC employees are invited to participate, and

registration is free. Stop by either KSC FitnessCenter by Sept. 14 to preregister.

T-shirts and tank tops can be orderedat any NASA Exchange Store. If you’re interested in volunteering

to help at the event, contact AmyDouglass at 867-7829.

Silver Snoopysawarded to employees

Seven Silver Snoopys were awardedlast month to USA employees. Astronaut Rick Sturckow, who willpilot the first International Space Stationflight scheduled to launch in December,

presented the prestigious award in July to Jim Cheek, Debra Favata, Greg Harlow,

Rick Hicks, Tracy Hokett, Michael McCarley and

Pete Sanstead.

Property Awareness custodians honored for their efforts

Material Management Branch Chief Debbie Bayline waskeynote speaker at the seventh annual observance ofthe KSC Property Awareness Week. She provided insighton planned property management policy changes.

Days of Caring approaching

Don’t forget to join KSC’s NASAand contractor team during this year’sDays of Caring project to paint BaxleyManor, a building of resident apartmentsfor senior citizens, in Merritt Island. Today is the last day to register inorder to participate in the Sept. 11 and 12project. If you have questions or wouldlike more information, contact eitherCindy Coddington at helen.coddington-1@ksc.nasa.gov or Liz Osborne atelizabeth.osborne-1@ksc.nasa.gov.

Property custodianswith excellent trackrecords were singled outfor recognition duringProperty AwarenessWeek in August. This year’s theme was“Show You Care — BeProperty Aware.” In the seventh annual observance of the week,held Aug. 12 at the KSC Visitor Complex, KSCDeputy Director for Business Operations JamesJennings delivered opening remarks andpresented awards, along with Logistics ServicesDivision Chief Greg Opresko, to the honorees. Individual organizations were also honored.Approximately 1,600 custodians throughoutKSC received promotional tokens. The Boeing Company chaired this year’sevent with John Blubaugh as chairman. He actedas emcee for the event and stated that the PAWactivities communicate the importance ofmanaging KSC government equipmentresources, which total 144,500 items valued at$5.6 billion dollars. The awardees were:NASA:Edith Hoggard, Laurel Lichtenberger, LeeMaull, Bobby Pulliam, Margaret Rosenberry,Matthew Smisor, Beth Smith, Ginny Stagman,Jennifer Starkey, Richard VanGilder, BrianWelliverUnited Space Alliance (USA):Sharon Andruss, David Covert, Alan Bredberg,Sharon Lee, Michael McGuirk, MichaelNattress, Kathy Nelson, Alvin Pittman, SusanRuiz, Peter Stonk, Larry Taylor, VeronicaTaylor, Robert Thomas, William Brown, DianaTownsend, Edward Walters, Ed Wolf, WaltYoungWiltech (USA subcontractor):Perry WhitehurstBoeing:Dan Anderson, Bart Faulkenberry, Don Gooch,Karen Kremkau, Kirk Landfried, Mike Pelache,

Bruce SmodellEG&G:William Barousse, James Cochran, Cheryl Fitz-Simon, Timothy Francisco, Kenneth Hooks,Barbara Jones-White, Joan ScottoUSBI:Alex Gorichky, Steve Nugent, Roz StephensDelaware North Parks Services:Ron Carpentier, Albert McManus, Paul Hughes,John Lytwyn

The following organizations also were honored:Boeing: Logistics and Automation SystemsDelaware North Parks Services: KSC VisitorComplexEG&G: Computer Services DivisionNASA: Shuttle ProcessingUSA: Integrated Data SystemsUSBI: Production Operations

Jennings addresses toast-masters at kickoff meeting

James Jennings

On Aug. 12, KSC’s Deputy Director forBusiness Operations James Jennings addressed aKSC club of Toastmasters International in theHeadquarters Building to kick off KSC’s newemphasis on this training course on communica-tion and leadership skills. Jennings reaffirmed the endorsement ofCenter Director Roy Bridges.“Space centeremployees are constantly in the public eye andin situations that require you to represent theUnited States space program,” said Jennings. “Iencourage you to develop your communicationand leadership skills to meet this challenge.” Toastmasters International is a worldwideorganization devoted to improving communica-tions skills from learning to think and answer onyour feet to delivering presentations to a largeaudience. Many famous people have developed theirskills through Toastmasters, including formerastronauts John Young and Walter Schirra andSenator Sam Nunn. For more information on training sessions atKSC and Cape Canaveral Air Station, contactDerwood McKinley at 867-1596.

SPACEPORT NEWS Page 7August 28, 1998

People often associate acci-dents with production or skilledlabor-related activities, but didyou know that last year, adminis-trative areas accounted for 75percent of all KSC injuriesreported? In response to this and as partof KSC’s new safety culture,NASA’s Safety and MissionAssurance directorate developeda special mandatory trainingcourse for all KSC civil serviceemployees. The course initiallywas designed for senior manag-ers, and the first class wasconducted June 29. During theclass, NASA senior managersoutlined their responsibilities andgoals as they relate to safety. In September, the orientationcourse will be offered foremployees. The course designa-tion is K12129. The main goal ofthe course is to reinforce KSC’ssafety culture of reducing thenumber of mishaps. Additionalemphasis will be placed ondeveloping positive attitudes for

New safety training course for NASA at KSCSafe tips you can bank on proactive initiativesin correcting unsafe situations orconditions by contacting theright people to fix or correct theproblem. KSC’s safety culture calls toeveryone’s attention that safetyis truly everyone’s responsibil-ity. Line organizations areresponsible and accountable forareas previously considered tobe exclusively Safety Officefunctions. “This is a ‘find it and fix it’kind of program,” said DonVycital, lead safety and occupa-tional health specialist in theIndustrial, Payload, ELV, andSpace Station Safety Office.“While there will be somepaperwork in fixing safety-related concerns, the new safetyculture focuses heavily onaction, not reaction — andfacilitating fixes, not burdeningthe system with paperwork.” Every NASA employee atKSC will recieve a memo withdetails regarding class dates.

• Keep exits clear.• Clean up objects or liquid

spills when they happen.• Maintain tools & equipment

in good working condition.• Always use the right tool for

the job.• Always close file drawers

before leaving the area.• Look twice and stay alert in

hazardous work areas.

ISO ...(Continued from Page 1)

Jubilant in celebration of KSC’s achieving ISO 9001 certification are, left to right, KSCCenter Director Roy Bridges, Business Innovation Group Chief Laura Gosper, BusinessSystem Manager Rey Diaz, and DNV Southeastern Regional Manager Dalton Lyon.Audit Manager Rob Ellison from the BIG office is standing behind Bridges.

As NASA’s center of excellencefor launch and payload processingsystems, KSC will use thiscertification as a tool to improvean already world-class team. “This achievement validates theexcellence of KSC’s managementsystem,” said Bridges. “As we enter the newmillennium focusing more onresearch and developmentresponsibilities, ISO certification isthe baseline for continuallyimproving our managementsystem.” The certification effort was ledby the Business Innovation Group(BIG), whose charter is to developand support a long-term businesssystem for the center. BIG was instrumental inpreparing the center for andcoordinating the ISO audit. About500 KSC people were directlyinvolved in the development andinternal audits of the system. “Without leadership commit-ment, ISO implementation is animpossible task,” noted LauraGosper, chief of BIG. She also noted that ISOcertification is “a meaningful toolfor improving the way we dobusiness at KSC.” Bridges agreed. “We’re in the space business,” hesaid. “We demand high quality andhigh reliability from our suppliersfor all the parts and services thatwe need in our business, and so itseemed logical to require oursuppliers to submit themselves tothis ISO 9000 certification process.Having made that decision, it’s alsoeasy to understand ... that we needto submit to it ourselves.” He highlighted lessons learned

International StandardsOrganization (ISO) requirements. All NASA centers are requiredby NASA Administrator DanielGoldin to be ISO 9001 registeredby September 1999. NASA is the first federal agencyto seek full certification. KSC’s certification applies tomanagement of space systems, testand launch techniques, develop-ment of associated technologiesand enhancement of core capa-bilities. In addition to the ISO 9001

going through the ISO certificationprocess, stating:• “The ISO standard is notsomething that just our traditionalquality organization would use, butit’s an overall business system foreveryone.• “We needed to change a lot of theways we do business here and thatrequired leadership at all levels ofthe organization.• “ISO is not a flavor of the week.It’s a context for many differentflavors, or tools, to assist us as wecontinue to get better.• “The business managementsystem we certified contains ourstrategic planning process whichhelps us define where we want togo — our corrective andpreventive action processes to helpus continually improve and also ourbenchmarking and metric tools andprocesses to help us gauge ourprogress against internal goals aswell as industry standards.” Congressman Dave Weldon wason hand to congratulate KSCworkers. Weldon is serving hissecond term as the U.S.representative of Florida’s 15thCongressional district. He also serves as vice chairmanof the science committeesubcommittee on space andaeronautics. “This is a great thing you’ve allaccomplished,” Weldon noted.“You’ve stepped up to a challengehere. KSC is setting a standard notonly for NASA but as well for thespace industry as it includescommercial as well as military.” ISO 9001 comprises the mostdetailed, comprehensive set ofstandard requirements for qualitymanagement systems. To date, nearly 20,000 U.S.organizations have received ISO9000 registration based on

certificate that Bridges acceptedfrom DNV, Dalton presented thecenter director with a specialplaque marking the 2,000th ISOcertificate issued by DNV in theUnited States. “The future of NASA andKennedy Space Center is critical toour nation and indeed to theworld,” said Lyon. “This futurehangs very much in the care oftheir newly implemented system.DNV is proud to be part of thegroup that supported KSC duringthis endeavour.”

John F. Kennedy Space Center

Managing editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bruce BuckinghamEditor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Susan Maurer

Editorial support provided by Sherikon Space Systems Inc. Writers Group.NASA at KSC is on the Internet at http://www.ksc.nasa.gov

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Spaceport News

Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center andis published on alternate Fridays by the Public Affairs Office in the interest ofKSC civil service and contractor employees. Contributions are welcome and should be submitted two weeks beforepublication to the Media Services Branch, AB-F1. E-mail submissions can besent to Susan.Maurer-1@ksc.nasa.gov

SPACEPORT NEWS August 28, 1998Page 8

Each year, in accordance withfederal regulation, NASAemployees are given anopportunity in the workplace to“Touch Somebody’s Life,” thetheme of this year’s CombinedFederal Campaign (CFC). A web site is already active toprovide you with information onhow your past and currentcontributions are doing just that.Through the site, located at http://ap03.ksc.nasa.gov/CFC/ orthrough the link provided onKSC’s internal page, you canfind out who your directorate

Putting on a new coat for fall

Combined Federal Campaign establishes website

Think painting your house is daunting? Try painting a flag that spans an area 209 feet by 110 feet, or about23, 437 square feet. Seen here suspended on platforms from the top of the 525-foot-high Vehicle AssemblyBuilding (VAB) at KSC, painters are busy giving the American flag a facelift and replacing the bicentennialemblem with the NASA logo. Each stripe of the flag is 9 feet wide and each star is 6 feet in diameter. TheNASA logo, also known as the “meatball,” will measure 110 feet by 132 feet, or about 12,300 square feet.The painting platforms are operated by two electric motors and travel 35 feet per minute. The work, honoringNASA’s 40th anniversary, is expected to be complete in mid-September. The work is being performed withrollers and brushes and will require about 700 gallons of paint, which was donated by Devoe Coatings, amember of the ICI Paints World Group. The entire fleet of orbiters also is receiving the addition of theNASA logo on their wings and sidewalls. Discovery will be the first to reveal her new look during roll-overto the VAB, currently scheduled for Sept. 14, from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 2. Discovery is scheduledto launch on Oct. 29 at 2 p.m.

representative is, read about localsuccess stories, check outfrequently asked questions andanswers, read about what yourgift can buy, locate an index ofcharities, find out about visits tolocal agencies, and more. This year’s campaign kicks offOct. 1 and runs through the end ofthe month. The goal this year is$210,000, which is a five percentincrease over last year’s goal. Check out the website now, andstay tuned for more information inupcoming issues of SpaceportNews and Countdown.

Deep ...(Continued from Page 4)

Three solid rocket boosters willbe attached around the base of thefirst stage the next day. The secondstage will be mated atop the firststage on Sept. 15, and the dual-sector spacecraft fairing will behoisted into the cleanroom of thepad’s mobile service tower thefollowing day. Deep Space 1 will be transportedto Complex 17 on Oct. 5 forhoisting aboard the Delta rocket onPad A and mating to the secondstage. After the spacecraft under-goes state of health checks, thefairing can be placed around itthree days later. At press time, launch of DeepSpace 1 is targeted for Thursday,Oct. 15, at 8:42 a.m. The launchperiod ends Nov. 10. If the spacecraft is healthy whenthe primary mission is completedon Sept. 18, 1999, NASA couldchoose to continue the spacecraft’svoyage. Deep Space 1 may then beon a trajectory resulting in the flybyin January 2001 of the dormantcomet Wilson-Harrington that is inthe process of changing from acomet to an asteroid. Finally, inSeptember 2001, as the spacecraftcontinues on this trajectory, it mayalso do a flyby of an active comet,Borrelly. Conducting science will provethat the technologies arecompatible with demands of futuremissions and will ensure that thisrare opportunity to encounter sucha variety of fascinating solarsystem bodies during a shortmission will be fully exploited.