Citation
Astrogram

Material Information

Title:
Astrogram
Uniform Title:
Ames Astrogram (Online)
Added title page title:
The Ames Astrogram
Place of Publication:
Moffett Field, CA
Publisher:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Ames Research Center
Publication Date:
Frequency:
Quarterly[May 2012-]
Monthly[ FORMER Mar. 11, 2002-]
Biweekly[ FORMER Vol. 1, no. 1 (Oct. 24, 1958)-Feb. 25, 2002]
quarterly
regular
Language:
English

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Subjects / Keywords:
Astronautics ( lcsh )
Technology transfer -- United States ( lcsh )
Astronautics ( fast )
Technology transfer ( fast )
United States ( fast )
Genre:
periodical ( marc )
serial ( sobekcm )
federal government publication ( marcgt )
periodical ( marcgt )

Notes

Dates or Sequential Designation:
Print began with vol. 1, no. 1 (Oct. 24, 1958).

Record Information

Source Institution:
University of Florida
Holding Location:
University of Florida
Rights Management:
This item is a work of the U.S. federal government and not subject to copyright pursuant to 17 U.S.C. §105.
Resource Identifier:
67989914 ( OCLC )
2006230703 ( LCCN )
ocm67989914

UFDC Membership

Aggregations:
University of Florida
Digital Aerospace Collection

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October 2015 A Quarterly Publication www.nasa.gov As NASAs missions to Mars prog ress with science and complex human exploration missions, spacecraft will require larger heat shields to protect against the extreme heat of entering a planets atmosphere and decelerating at a safe altitude in the thin Martian atmosphere. Todays rockets have limited space to accommodate spacecraft and their heat shields. However, engineers at NASA Ames have a solution to accom modate that limitation. NASAs Adaptive Deployable Entry and Placement Technology (ADEPT) is one solution. ADEPT is a mechani cally deployable heat shield concept shield that expands to open like an umbrella. Recently, Ames engineers successfully completed heating simulation testing of an ADEPT model under conditions akin to entering the Martian atmosphere. The photograph shows one of heated air is exiting the 21-inch BY KIMBERLY WILLIAMS Successful future Mars heat shield testing completeddiameter nozzle from the left, caus ing a bow shock to form in front of the ADEPT test article, which is attached to a water-cooled support arm. Sur face temperatures on the test article reached 3,100 degrees Fahrenheit. The bluish-hue streaks, streaming away from the test article, are due to the decomposition of the resin-infused NASA photo by Cesar Acosta front of the ADEPT test article.Representatives from 21 aviation research organizations around the world recently came together at NASA Ames to explore solutions for many of lenges. Hosted this year by NASA, the sixth annual International Forum for Aviation Research (IFAR) Summit provided a non-competitive environment where global aviation leaders evalu ated the progress of technical col laborations on issues. These included the environmental impacts of aviation; alternative fuels research; developing agement research; supersonic aircraft; and wind tunnel testing. The IFAR Steering Committee also proposed a strategy to ensure the groups longterm sustainability.NASA, global aviation leaders discuss green aviation at annual summit BY J.D. HARRINGTON IFAR membership is growing and the group is maturing with every pass ing year, said Jaiwon Shin, associate administrator of NASAs Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate in Washington and current IFAR chair. More and more countries understand that forming a cohesive group to leverage our respective resources can make real progress on solving many of the global aviation issues we all face. IFAR participants commended NASA for its leadership in alterna research and development, and its supersonics working groups. They agreed these working groups should continue their important work for the foreseeable future. noise and weather, which is led by the continued on page 3 continued on page 12 Astrogram to be printed in hard copy and mailed. The Astrogram is and will accessible online at: http://goo.gl/hCZPaS and also can be downloaded as Important message to our readers .

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2 Astrogram October 2015 The NASA General Counsel has selected the Direct-To controller tool, developed at NASA Ames, as winner of the 2014 NASA Commercial Invention of the Year award. The award was made at the recommen dation of the NASA Inventions and Contributions Board. Congratula tions goes to the winning inventors, David McNally (NASA/ARC), Heinz Erzberger (University of California Santa Cruz, NASA/ARC), Phillipe Ari Stassart (Sensis Seagull Technol ogy Center, Raytheon STX Corpora tion) and Danny Chiu (University of California Santa Cruz, Raytheon STX Corporation). Their outstanding work contribution towards safely increasing national airspace system. Aircraft operators in today's air strained to follow established airways route segments to a destination. The Direct-To controller tool is a method of automation, and a system of computer hardware and software to implement the method, which helps en-route air to automatically identify conditions where doglegs within the current air -Ames wins NASA Commercial Invention of the Year Awardways structure may be safely eliminat trajectories within the constraints of ment. The design and operational use of the invention represents a proactive approach to problem solving in that it allows actively searching for, and pointing out, opportunities for improv lines and controllers. The continuous, automatic, real-time search analyzes high-value time and fuel saving direct and only commercial application of air tive automatic search involving airline favorable route changes. Commercial sales of this technol ogy by The Boeing Company started in 2014 with their Direct Routes service. Seeking to help airlines save fuel and increase environmental ef Services leverages NASA technology for advanced algorithms and software to provide up-to-the-minute informa enabling adjustments en route to ac status. Boeing estimates US savings and about $75,000,000 per year airline operating cost savings. Every year, NASA issues two prestigious Invention of the Year Awards: Government Invention of the Year and Commercial Invention of the Year. In the last eight years, Ames' innovators have won eight of a possible 16 "Invention of the Year" awards. rate. Ames was honored with the NASA Commercial Invention of the Year in 2010 for the Powder Handling Device for Analytical Instruments. Special thanks to Mary Livings ton and Lee Stone, Ames Inventions and Contributions Board members; to Robin Orans, the Ames Space Act Counsel; and members of the Ames helped obtain a patent on the DirectTo technology and helped transfer and license the technology to Boeing. It is important to remember that, to receive this prestigious award, the key via completing a New Technology Report (NTR). Submission of an NTR documents NASA technology develop ment allowing NASA to understand how your work can be more broadly applied across the Agency and helping it track progress towards achieving its research and development goals. Employees are encouraged to submit disclosures on their technology development work at https://invention. nasa.gov to make these important BY KATIE SMYTH Former Ames winners of NASAs Government Invention of the Year include: tor (LCA) or Low-Density Resin Impregnated Ceramic Article and Low-Density Resin Impregnated Article and Method Of Making Same (PICA/SIRCA) (2007) al Laser Scanner with Real-Time Processing (2008) agement) Concepts Evaluation Tool (FACET) (2010) Reinforced Oxidation-Resistant Composite (TUFROC) (2011) Compact Nano Sensors for Trace Chemical Detection (2012) eralogy) X-Ray Diffraction/X-Ray Fluorescence Instrument (2013). NASA photo

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3Astrogram October 2015 NEQAIR v14.x, the Non-Equilibri um Radiative Transport and Spectra Program from Ames Research Cen ter, was selected as a co-winner of the 2015 NASA Software of the Year Award competition sponsored by the NASA Chief Engineer, the NASA Chief NEQAIR is a line-by-line radia tion code that computes spontaneous emission, absorption and stimulated emission due to transitions between various energy states of chemical species along a line of sight. NEQAIR has been NASAs main radiation code for the last 30 years and in 2013-2014 was upgraded in terms of both the Its accurate prediction of radiative of heat shields with minimal mass for successful and safe missions. Therefore, missions can carry heavier payloads and experiments while being assured of safe trips for astronauts and robotic landers. The NEQAIR team is comprised of research scientists, Aaron Brandis (Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc.), Brett Cruden (Analytical Mechanical Associates, Inc.), Chul Park (NASA ARC, Retired), Grant Palmer (Analytical Mechanical Associates, Inc.), and Software Engineer, David Saunders (Analytical Mechanical Associates, Inc.). Their outstanding ing contribution to Ames technology development portfolio and to NASAs leadership in providing a game-chang ing proven tool that enables accurate design of spacecraft heat shields. Special thanks to Mary Livingston, chair of the Ames Software of the Year selection panel, and panel members: Sylvia Longchamps, Paul Keller, Ray Gilstrap, Kapil Sheth, Robert Duffy, William Toscano, Martha Del Alto, Jakub Kalinowski, and Kim Chreste nson. Thanks also to Robin Orans, (retired) Ames Space Act Awards (current) Ames Space Act Award Liai Chief; Katie Smyth who helped guide the award nomination process; and to Carolina Blake, Chief of the Technol pated in the presentation reviews. As a Center, we have enjoyed great success in previous NASA Software of the Year competitions. Former Ames winners include: ics (CBAERO) (with MSFC, 2014); NASA App (with JPL, 2012); Kepler Science Operations Cen ter (SOC) (2010); World Wind Java (2009); Data Parallel Line Relaxation Code (DPLR) (2007); Concepts Evaluation Tool (FACET) (2006); Cart3D (2002); Remote Agent (with JPL, 1999); Center TRACON Automation System (1998); Flow Analysis SoftwareToolkit (FAST) (1995); Incompressible Navier-Stokes Flow Solver in Three Dimensions (INS3D) (1994). NEQAIR shares the honor of win ning the 2015 NASA Software of the Year Award with co-winner Orion Guid ance, Navigation, and Control Flight Software from The Johnson Space Center. The Orion Crew Exploration Vehicles onboard Guidance, Naviga has been developed to a class-A, The technology uses a MATLAB/ Simulink tool suite to embrace a model-based development approach. By working together the GN&C and FSW teams can generate software iterations more quickly, producing before and at reduced overall cost and schedule to the program. There will be a special awards cer emony for our NEQAIR innovators and recipients of other technology-related awards at Ames in Jan. 27, 2016. by NASA Ames.German Aerospace Center, French aerospace lab ONERA, and Nether lands Aerospace Centre also were highlighted as focus areas warranting innovative collaborations. technical expertise, IFAR promotes exchanges among young aviation scientists and engineers. During a Young Researchers Conference held at this years summit, 18 participants from the United States, Germany, Japan, Canada, Romania, South Korea and Portugal exchanged views on the future of aviation as contributions to IFARs own vision. The next IFAR summit will be hosted in the fall of 2016 by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute in Dae jeon, Republic of South Korea.NASA, global aviation leaders discuss green aviation continued from front pageNASA photo by Dominic Hart

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4 Astrogram October 2015The NASAs Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SO FIA, program management function is transitioning to NASA Ames. SOFIA aircraft, which features a Germanbuilt 2.5-meter infrared telescope. The SOFIA program management transitions to Ames On the night of Sept. 15, 2015, Nichelle Nichols watched the stars from the main deck of NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, a highly modifor astronomical observations in the infrared spectrum. Nichols inspired generations with Lt. Uhura on the Star Trek television series and movies, and she continued with an important real-life mission for NASA--helping to recruit top women and multicultural candidates for sci ence, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers at the space agency. During the 10-hour science mis sion, Nichols watched as infrared measurements were taken at 20 and 37 microns infrared wavelengths that cannot be seen from groundbased telescopes. SOFIAs science team took measurements of the star forming regions W31S (in the constel lation Sagittarius), W49A and W51A (both in the constellation Aquila), and W58A (constellation Cygnus). These measurements gave Nichols the op -NASA photo by Carla S. Thomasportunity to see science observations Describing her science experience on board SOFIA, Nichols said, Flying on SOFIA has many parallels to the starship Enterprise. We went where no man or woman has gone before, and I think thats what SOFIA gives us a tool to study where we want to go in BY NICK VERONICO program, a cooperative effort between NASA (Ames and Armstrong research centers) and DLR, the German Aerospace Center, operates the worlds largest airborne observatory, giving astronomers routine access to the infrared and sub-millimeter portions of the electromagnetic spectrum of the universe. As a planned component of Zavala, SOFIA program manager, will be joining NASA Ames as an addi tion to the Centers senior executive complement. Zavala, selected as the SOFIA program manager in 2012, is responsible for overall observatory development and operations. This includes science operations at the SO FIA Science Center based at NASA Ames and aircraft operations at the SOFIA Operations Center, based at the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. Under his leadership, the program completed the development phase, implemented an improved cross-center organizational construct and became fully operational in March 2014. Zavala earned a bachelors degree in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University in 1991. Prior to joining NASA Ames, he worked at Armstrong Flight Research Center and Johnson Space Center. He has advanced/expert level OMB Federal Acproject managers, with broad NASA experience that spans the Science, Human Exploration & Operations and Aeronautics Research mission direc torates. His experience includes expertise ogy, electrical actuation control sys tems, space operations experience as technical management of aeronautics recipient of the 2011 NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal and the2014 NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal. This transition marks the begin ning of a new and exciting chapter for SOFIA with great promise of impactful science observations for the future.

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5Astrogram October 2015 On Aug. 28, Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter and several con gressional members (Congresswom an Eshoo, Congresswoman Lofgren and Congressman Honda) visited and attended an event at the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC) at NASA Ames. Also in attendance were other high-ranking Secretary of Defense Carter an nounced the award of the Manufac turing Innovation Institute for Flexible research and development consor tium FlexTech Alliance. NASA Ames participated by providing a member of the selection panel for the award. This is a part of the Department of Defense efforts to partner with the private sector and academia to ensure the United States continues to lead in the new frontiers of manufacturing. NASA Ames is known for innova tive collaborations, and the Center is honored that the Department of Defense selected Ames and the NFAC to host this announcement. Center management looks forward to utilizing future aerospace applications from this partnership in such areas as wearable biosensors, soft robotics and distributed sensors for systems health, said NASA Ames Center Director Eugene Tu. NASA photos by Dominic HartSilver Snoopy and Trailblazer awards presentedThe Space Flight Awareness (SFA) Program is a NASA-managed motivational and recognition pro gram with invited representation from NASA and contractors having major responsibilities for human SFA Program is managed by NASA Headquarters Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. The SFA Silver Snoopy Award is the astronauts personal achieve ment award that provides special recognition for non-management individuals from government and in dustry who have provided exempla ry support of NASAs Space Flight Program. This prestigious award is one of the most coveted honors and is presented to one percent of the NASA workforce annually. This years recipients of the award recently went to Maria Bualat, Ann Kapusta, Kara Martin and Jeremy C. Vander Kam, presented to them by Astronaut Suni Williams. For photographs of all award recipients, see: http://goo.gl/FFhkIL In addition, the SFA Trail Blazer award was presented to Erik Williams by Astronaut Steve Smith. This award is used to recognize employees who are in the early stages of their career. Awardees must demonstrate strong work ethic and creative, innovative thinking in sup NASA photo by Dominic Hart Attending the recent left to right: Johnny Congresswoman Zoe

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6 Astrogram October 2015 NASA photo by Dominic Hart BY KIMBERLY WILLIAMS Ames guests learn about CubeSats, view launch at VAFBNASA and The Aerospace Cor poration of El Segundo, California, successfully launched the Optical Communications and Sensor Demon stration (OCSD) CubeSat spacecraft on an Atlas V rocket on Oct. 8, at 5:49 a.m. from the Vandenberg Air Force in a new series of six NASA-managed technology demonstration missions set to launch during the coming months using CubeSats to test tech nologies that can enable new uses for these miniature satellites. CubeSats are measured in terms of units with a 1-unit (1U) measuring 10 cm by 10 cm by 10 cm (about 4 inches per side). These small satellites give NASA, other government agen cies, academia and commercial com panies an opportunity to incorporate new technologies, which range from high-speed communications to novel propulsion systems to technologies that enable rendezvous and docking, into future space missions. As part of the launch activities, NASA-related CubeSats that launched along with OCSD, to highlight the growing importance of small satellites in exploration and technology develop ment. In addition to the media event, Ames hosted a special program for NASA guests on the evening of Oct. 7. Andres Martinez, deputy program manager for the Small Spacecraft Technology Program (SSTP) pre sented an overview of Ames role in small satellites technology, OCSD mission highlights and summaries for upcoming CubeSat launches. Nearly 80 guests, including VIPs, Ames employees and their families, were in attendance to watch the launch on the morning of Oct. 8 at Vandenberg, AFB. The technology demonstrated by OCSD differs from other space-based laser communication systems be cause the laser is hard-mounted to the spacecraft body, and the orientation of the CubeSat controls the direction of the beam. The second OCSD mission, scheduled to launch no earlier than Feb. 1, 2016, will use two CubeSats to demonstrate the ability to maneuver small spacecraft in close proximity to one another using low-cost sensors and a novel propulsion system that uses water as a propellant. Small satellites, including Cube Sats, provide a low-cost platform for NASA missions, including planetary space exploration; Earth observa tions; fundamental Earth and space science; and demonstration of science instruments and technologies like cutting-edge laser communications, satellite-to-satellite communications and autonomous movement capabili ties. CubeSats also allow an inexpen sive means to engage students in all phases of satellite development and operation through real-world, handson experience on NASA-funded small satellite projects. Funded through NASAs Space Technology Missions Directorate, the OCSD project is managed by the search Center. For more information about NASAs SSTP, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/smallsats

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7Astrogram October 2015 unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) Management (UTM) Convention. NASA Ames hosted the three-day UTM Convention to bring together a broad domestic and international audience of government and civilian representatives, industry and aca other industries, to understand and lenges ahead. started with a welcome (top left photo) from Thomas Edwards, deputy director NASA Ames and opening re marks from John Cavolowsky, NASA Airspace Operations and Safety Pro gram director at the agencys headquarters. Brian Wynne, president and CEO of the co-hosting organization, the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International also made welcoming remarksUAS impact and challenges discussed at conventionNASA photos by Eric James Opening keynote speakers fol lowed, including Jaiwon Shin, NASA Associate Administrator, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate; Ed ward L. Bolton, Jr., Federal Aviation Administration Assistant Administrator for NextGen; and Parimal Kopardek ar, NASA Safe Autonomous System Operations Project Manager and UTM Principal Investigator at Ames.

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8 Astrogram October 2015 The Ames Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) project team was awarded a commendation for their superior use of the software manage ment tools during Junes NASA Safety Center Quality Audit, Assessment and Review (QAAR). A commendation is a formal recognition by the NASA Audit Team of exceptional or noteworthy activities. The team has been using the Dy namic Object-Oriented Requirements System (DOORS) and JIRA tools for requirement management and trace ability for the project. What makes the TESS project unique is not the tools themselves, but how the team is using them. Its not just the tools, its the whole methodology, said Masoud BY SARA-ANNE LEE Mansouri-Samani, systems engi neer for TESSs Science Process ing Operations Center. What we do is essentially maintain and manage traceability between different artifacts using DOORS, and then automatically generate documentation from that source. If we change an artifact, all the documents related to that artifact will get updated at the same time, so we dont have a problem of documents going out of sync. Another improvement the team implemented was using the require ment management tool for test plan the test plan, requirements and test cases all stored in the same database tion process. In addition to the current test cation results and change proposals in DOORS and we create records in JIRA, said Mansouri-Samani. It coor dinates things like approvals to change proposals, so stakeholders receive keeps a full history of those changes at any point we can go and trace that back. Its a major advantage over a traditional spreadsheet. Auditor Tommy Tayman stated, Given that a majority of the projects that were audited at ARC (and others) use this particular set of tools, TESS is a model case of what is possible with these tools. Team recently won the Silicon Valley Business Journal Public/Civic Project award. This nomination competed with many local public or private school projects, civic structures, transportation and other infrastructure projects Of all the many recent megadeals in Silicon Valley, this 60-year, $1.12 billion lease of Moffett Field Moffett Lease Team wins Silicon Valley Business Journal Awardstood out both for its complexity, economics and positive long-term im pact on the Valley. This deal involved competing and negotiating a long-term lease and operations hand-over for a for use by Google, Inc., and continued use by NASA itself, the California Air National Guard and other local, state negotiating terms for the renovation and reuse of iconic Hangar One as well as historic Hangars Two and Three that collectively comprise over 1.2 million square feet of exceptionally challenging rehabilitation work due to their age, condition and use limita tions. This lease will positively impact Silicon Valleys future prosperity by activating an under-utilized property in the heart of Silicon Valley. NASA photo by Dominic Hart NASA photo by Dominic Hart

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9Astrogram October 2015 Photo by Amanda Steffen

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10 Astrogram October 2015 Employees enjoying the food at the happy in the cape member of the Corps of Cadets

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11Astrogram October 2015 A selection of Rick Guidices space settlement paintings from the lection is currently on exhibit at New Museum Los Gatos in Los Gatos, California until Feb. 14, 2016. The exhibit was produced by the New Museum in Los Gatos curator Marianne McGrath and Executive Director Lisa Coscino and has attracted the attention of national media including Forbes magazine and National Public Radios Science Friday program. Space settlement paintings depict possible future habitats The artist and a panel of scientists from NASA Ames were at the museum Sept. 24 for an evening conversation about the future of space settlements and what scientists are working on today to create space habitats and settle the next frontier. The panel answered questions and shared their The panelists were: Sid Sun, chief of the Space Biosciences Division; AnnProgram (NPP) Fellow; and Lynn D. Harper, lead of Integrative Studies for the Emerging Commercial Space The moderator was Alexandra Hall, principal, Sodor Space Agency LLC. In the 1970s, Ames researched the feasibility of setting up orbital space colonies in a series of summer by Ames and Stanford University in 1975, with Princeton Universitys Gerard K. ONeil as a participant. In a time before computerized graphic design, the center commissioned paintings when it needed imagery for technical publications, so local artists Rick Guidice and Don Davis were tapped to illustrate the concepts emerging from the studies. Using acrylic paint and paint brush, the two men translated highly technical data into fully-developed, highly imaginative visualizations that brought these hypothetical colonies to life. The pair depicted three styles of habitats, along with mining opera tions and other support infrastructure necessary for building and supplying the settlements. The iconic artwork they created has inspired genera tions of scientists and engineers. As a tribute to Los Gatos native Rick Guidice, the New Museum Los Gatos exhibit features 11 of his settlement paintings. Of note are the large, brightly-colored works showing detailed exterior and cutaway views of the Bernal Sphere, ONeil Cylin der, and Stanford Torus designs. Dr. Vernon J. Rossows passed away Sept. 21, 2015 at the age of 89. Vernon was a long-time employee of NASA Ames, having joined the Ames Laboratory of the NACA in 1949. He worked for NACA/NASA until his retirement in 2005, then continued to serve as a dedicated Ames Associate until 2014. Including military service during World War II, he amassed 67 years of government service. During his career, Vernon per formed theoretical and experimental dynamics on a wide variety of topics important to NASA and the nation. He published/presented more than 100 reports/papers in technical journals and at national and international con ferences. A major facet of his research was retical prediction and experimental measurement. On this topic alone, Vernon published 60 papers during his career. In particular, he studied the liftgenerated vortical wakes downstream of transport aircraft. As a leading international authority on this topic, he was invited to write a comprehensive survey on the subject. His 150-page expose entitled LiftGenerated Vortex Wakes of Subsonic Transport Aircraft, was published in Progress in Aeronautical Sciences in 1999 and has become a de facto ref Vernon is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ruth Ellen (Hartwell) Rossow of Los Altos; their four children, Ellen Bowen of Santa Rosa, Elise Holst of Los Altos, Matthew Rossow of Dos Palos and Heidi Rossow of Exeter; six grandchildren; and 10 great grandchil dren.

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12 Astrogram October 2015 In 1959, even before President Kennedy had announced that we choose to go to the Moon, Stanley F. Schmidt was developing a midcourse navigation system needed for a space capsule on a circumlunar voyage. Stan then was chief of the dynamics analysis branch at NASA Ames when his former boss, Harry Goett, challenged him to do pio neering research in advance of the Apollo mission. High-speed com puter processing was in its infancy, and processing vast amounts of data in real time accurately enough to direct a spacecraft to and from the Moon was a daunting challenge. In a stroke of luck, mathematician Rudolf Kalman invited himself to Ames to present an abstract paper on an algorithm for linear quadratic estimation. Other electri cal engineers had rejected Kalmans work, but as Stan read the paper, he Stanley Francis Schmidting meaningful signals from varied observations could be integrated into Apollos navigation system. The hitch was that Kalmans had developed a linear model and Apollo needed a Stan worked out a nonlinear ad aptation which reduced the computa tional complexity of the problem (now by the following summer he and his application for this groundbreaking mathematical model. Stan continued made this method a key part of all aerospace navigation, and made it a standard tool for estimation problems engineering, robotics and power plant control. He is widely credited extensively about it all over the world. He helped teach a new generation to carry this important technique forward. Stan Schmidt, the future aerospace pioneer, grew up without electricity on a San Benito County ranch settled by his grandparents in 1878 near Pinnacles National Park. After joining the Navy Air Corps, he was sent to Marquette University and graduated with an electrical engi neering degree. He joined the NACA Ames Laboratory in 1946 and while at Ames he completed masters and doctoral degrees in electrical engi neering at Stanford University. He started in the electrical branch, rigging Ames state of the art wind tunnels, and in 1953 he moved into the instrument development branch. Stan left Ames in 1961 but In 1961, he joined with Lockheed Missiles & Space Company as a senior staff engineer on military and NASA projects. In 1962, he joined Philco Space and Systems Division working on military aerospace and NASA projects. From 1966 to 1992, Stan was vice president and director of the chanics Associates (AMA). AMA contributed to such NASA missions as the Hyper-X, International Space Station, and the vehicles used in the Mars exploration program. From 1992 to 2001, Stan was a consultant to Northrop in the development of the B2 stealth bomber navigation system. Among his many awards, in 1981 Stan received the IEEE Award for Outstanding Achievement in Con trol Engineering. In retirement, his ties to Ames remained strong. He met his future wife, Meredith Hallenbeck, when both worked at Ames. His son Gregory works in the Solar System Explo ration Research Virtual Institute, and his daughter in law Cynthia Schmidt works in Earth Sciences. He also is survived by his son Rick and daugh grandchildren. Stan died on Aug. 13, 2015 in Los Altos, California. A Celebration of Life will be held on Nov. 21 at 10:30 a.m. at Michaels on Shoreline Blvd, Mountain View. Stanley Schmidt, former Ames aerospace engineer, diesprotective layers that prevent degrada tion of the stitched fabric joints. Extensive instrumentation and imaging products from the test will be used to validate how materials respond to the testing conditions and thermo-structural design codes. The testing approach demonstrated with this test will enable future, more exten tion toward possible future use of the system on missions bigger than The ADEPT project is led by NASA Ames, with contributions from multiple other NASA centers. Testing, conducted by Ames Entry Systems and Technology Division, was funded continued from front pageby the Game Changing Development Program within NASAs Space Technology Mission Directorate. For more information about the ADEPT project, visit: http://gcd.larc.nasa.gov/projects/ deployable-aeroshell-concepts-andSuccessful future Mars heat shield testing completed

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13Astrogram October 2015 A lost piece of California history has been found at Moffett Field. An oil-on-canvas painting by a well-known California landscape artist, commis sioned by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during World War II, was discovered in Building 20 during a routine cleanout. The work, entitled "Mission San Juan Bautista," features a southeast faade view of the historic mission's church and bell tower framed by rich, red soil, iconic California plants such as juniper and yucca, and a brilliant blue sky. This colorful, somewhat fanciful rendition of the mission was painted by Eugenia Francis Baker "Gene" McComas with help from Cuban artist Wifredo scar de la Concepcin Lam y Castilla during the latter's visit to California in 1942. A deteriorated original WPA art to the back of the painting's frame showed that it was loaned to the Naval Air Station (NAS) Moffett Field on July 26, 1942, shortly after our nation's en trance into World War II. It is believed that the painting was initially hung in ters in Building 20, where it remained undisturbed until the 1990s. During the upheaval following the decommissioning of NAS as part of the 1991 Base Realignment and Clo sure process, the painting could easily have been lost or discarded. When control of the base was transferred to NASA, materials and personnel were moved around and items tossed into dumpsters during the hustle and bustle of cleaning up and shipping Honaker apparently discovered the McComas painting and tucked it away for safekeeping. Years later in 2014, when the work was rediscovered during a build ing cleanout, it once again could have been lost to posterity. Fortunately, someone had the presence of mind to take it to Herb Parsons at the Moffett Field Historical Society Museum. Understanding the object's historical immediately alerted Ames Research Keith Venter, who tasked Archivist April Gage with moving it to the His Center Historic and archivist April The painting has Arts Program reposi tory where it will be and loaned to the year. BY KEITH VENTER AND APRIL GAGE sponsibility for the stewardship of New Deal artwork resided with the GSA, Gage contacted that agency's Fine ownership and made arrangements to recover the painting. Now with the GSA, the painting will be restored, cataloged, and loaned to the Monterey Museum of Art sometime next year. The GSA leads the effort to recover and keep track of artwork commissioned by the Works Progress Administration under various New Deal art programs, such as the Fed eral Art Project under which the McCo mas painting was commissioned. The agency partners with the Inspector General and the public to locate lost or stolen New Deal artworks. Museum professionals at the GSA catalog and conserve the works, and establish cooperative agreements for museums to house, maintain, and publicly dis play these works. So far, over 20,000 artworks have been located as part of this effort. The NASA Ames Fire Department sponse to a wide variety of realistic

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14 Astrogram October 2015 was no better way to cel ebrate than enjoying free food and the company of and more.

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15Astrogram October 2015 for cats trapped at Moffett. They range from feral to abandoned/lost pets. They are tested, altered and inoculated. Call Iris at ext. 4-5824 if you or someone you know are interested in fostering or adopting a cat.Ames Cat Network Ames ongoing monthly events calendarAfrican American Advisory Group (AAAG) Mtg., last Tuesday of each month, 12 1 p.m., Bldg. N-255, Rm. 101C. POC: Porsche Parker, ext. 4-0044. Moffett Aikido Club, Monday and Wednes day evenings, 6:30 p.m., Bldg. 944. Aikido is a non-competitive, defensive martial art known as the Way of Harmony. POC: Diane Pereda (650) 575-9070 or Robert Dean (650) 787-1007, email: mfaikido@aol.com Ames Amateur Radio Club, third Thursday of each month, noon, N-T28 (across from N-255). POC: George Tucker, at ext. 4-2200. Ames Bluegrass Club, every Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Bldg. 944. Players of all instruments and all levels are welcome, but we are particularly interested in experienced play ers willing to help improve the groups musical skills. POC: Bob Haberle at ext. 4-5494 or email: robert.m.haberle@nasa.gov Ames Bocce Ball Club, Ames newest Exchange-sponsored club is seeking members. POC: Mike Lindsay email: michael.c.lindsay@ nasa.gov Ames Bowling League at Fourth Street Bowl in San Jose. Looking for teams of four for start of season, Sept. 4. Need regular and subsitute bowlers. Thursdays starting at 6:15 p.m. For sign up questions: Michael Hom at ext. 4-0302 or Mina Cappuccio at ext. 4-1313. Ames Contractor Council Mtg Wednesday of each month, 11 a.m., Bldg. N-200, Committee Room. POC: Herb Finger at ext. 4-6598. Ames Federal Employees Union (AFEU) Mtg., third Wednesday of each month, noon. Bldg. N-204, Rm. 101. Guests welcome. Check for schedule changes at: http://www. afeu.org. POC: Paul K. Davis, ext. 4-5916. Ames Golf Club Members have the opportu nity to play approximately 13 tournaments per year at a variety of 18-hole golf courses in the Bay and Monterey Area. POC: Barry Sullivan: Barry.T.Sullivan@nasa.gov. The Hispanic Advisory Committee for Excellence (HACE) Mtg each month, 11:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m., Bldg. N-255, Rm. 101C. POC: Jeanette Zamora, jeanette.zamora-ortega-1@nasa.gov. Ames Jazz Band Club, Bldg. 944, 5:30 p.m. 7 p.m. POC: Ralph Bach, email: ralph.e.bach@nasa.gov Jetstream Toastmasters Mondays, 12 p.m. 1 p.m., Bldg. N-262, Rm.100. POC: Tim Steiger, ext. 4-0195, tim.steiger@nasa.gov. Web: http://jetstream.freetoasthost.com Native American Advisory Committee (NAAC) Bi-Monthly Meeting, First Thursday of the month beginning March 5, 2015, 11:00 a.m. 11:45 a.m. Building 19, Room 1096. For more information contact Anita Abrego at Anita.I.Abrego@nasa.gov, or by phone at ext. 4-2565. Ames Nimble Knitters Club, every Monday at 11:30 a.m., Bldg. N-210, Rm. 141. POC: Diane Alexander at ext. 4-3140 or email diane. alexander-1@nasa.gov. All knitters and cro cheters are welcome to attend and participate in our charity projects. Ames Roller Hockey Club, meets daily from noon to 1 p.m. at rink on north end of the 80-foot-by-120-foot wind tunnel. Players should have experience skating and must wear protective equipment. POC: James Prunty, james.a.prunty@nasa.gov Ames Safety Committee third Thursday of each month, 10 a.m. 11 a.m., Bldg. N-237, Rm. 200. POC: John Livacich, jlivacich@ mail.arc.nasa.gov, ext. 4-3243. Wednesday of each month, Bldg. N-244, Rm. 209, noon 1:00 p.m., POC: Ali Guarneros Luna, ali.guarnerosluna@nasa.gov Ames emergency announcementsTo hear the centerwide status recording, call (650) 604-9999 for information announcements and emergency instructions for Ames employees. You also may listen to 1700 KHz AM radio for the same information. Exchange InformationBeyond Galileo Gift Shop N-235 in the cafeteria, 8 a.m. 2 p.m., ext. 4-6873 Mega Bites Cafeteria N-235 Mon Fri, 6 a.m. 2 p.m., ext. 4-5969/Catering ext. 4-2161 The SpaceBar: Subs & Burgers, Bldg. 3, The Space Bar is open Mon through Fri from 7:30 a.m. 7:00 p.m. Continental breakfast and coffee starting at 7:30 a.m. with full food and beverage service 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. See: http://exchange.arc. nasa.gov/cafe/menu.html for menu items. Visitor Center Gift Shop (Exploration Center), Tues-Fri, 10 a.m. 4 p.m., Sat. Sun, 12 4 p.m., ext. 4-5412 Remember to purchase your baby shower, birthday and holiday gifts at Ames two gift shops!Information about products, services and opportuni ties provided to the employee and contractor com munity by the Ames Exchange Council. Visit our web site at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.govNASA Lodge (Bldg. 19) (650) 603-7100 The swimming pool is now open. Hours of operation are as follows (lap swim only): MWF 10 a.m. 1 p.m. MWF 3 p.m. 6 p.m. TTH 10 a.m. 1 p.m. TTH 4 p.m. 7 p.m. The pool is heated year round. The pool nor mally is available for lap swim, pool parties and special events. POC: Ryan Storms, pool manager (650) 603-8025. Memberships: single memberships: $60/yr. Family memberships: $80/yr. After purchasing a member ship, there is an entrance fee: daily entrance fee $3/day or lap pass fee $50 for 20 uses. Platinum membership $380/yr. (no daily fee). Special events include military training, swim team events, kayak role practice, etc. The cost for special events is $75/hr, or $50/ hr for military.Exchange basketball gym, Bldg. 2 (650) 603-9717 Hours of operation: M-F 11 a.m. 1:30 p.m. M-F 4 p.m. 7 p.m.Ames Swim Center (N-109) (650) 603-8025 RV lots available. Call to reserve a space at (650) 604-0698.Where to stay when youre too tired to drive home? What about the lodge?! Two types of rooms: Bldg. 19 (43 rooms), rate: $65/night ($5 ea addl adult); Bldg. 583 A&B (150 rooms), rate: $55/night ($5 ea. addl adult); B547 rate $60/night (for large groups)Civilian/Contractors, $50/mo; military $25/mo Chase Park reservations call ext. 4-4948 NACA Park reservations call ext. 4-4948

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16 Astrogram October 2015 Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Managing Editor...........................Dolores Beasley Editor, Layout and Design...............Astrid Albaugh email at: astrogram@mail.arc.nasa.gov or by phone at ext. 4-3347. For downloadable pdf copies of each issue, visit the Astrogram website at: http://www.nasa.gov/ames/astrogramNational Aeronautics and Space AdministrationPLEASE RECYCLE Printed on recycled and recyclable paper with vegetable-based ink.FIRST-CLASS U.S. POSTAGE PERMIT NO. 85 MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000 A statistical summary of activities of the Protective Service Divisions Security/Law Enforcement and Fire Protection Services units for the three-month period ending September 2015 is shown below. monthly activity Astrogram NP-2015-10-01-ARC video project. Middle and high school girls learned the art and science the researchers and three NASA Ames research projects. They shared Students learn about science and video production at Ames