Fwd: NASA News- My version and JSC Today

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Date: June 4, 2014 2:15:29 PM CDT
To: "Moon, Larry J. (JSC-EA411)" <larry.j.moon@nasa.gov>
Subject: NASA News- My version and JSC Today

Nothing from PAO yet today even though I emailed the POC ….so here is my version .

 

Hope you can make it to our monthly NASA retirees luncheon tomorrow at Hibachi Grill at 11:30 on Bay Area Blvd. 

Also remember to participate in the NAL talk by Wayne Hale at 2:30 at the Gilruth rec. center Alamo room.

Then join the keg of the month crowd at the gilruth pavilion at 4pm for a beer, soda or just talk with your fellow retirees.

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

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JSC TODAY CATEGORIES Headlines -  Spot the Orion Challenge -  New NASA@work Challenge: Submit your Solution! Organizations/Social -  NCMA June Luncheon: 'Bid Protest' -  Env. Brown Bag: Building a Great Houston by 2040 -  AIAA Houston: New Issue of 'Horizons' Available -  Parenting Series: Summer Transition -  Space Serenity Al-Anon Meeting June 10 -  Starport's Father-Daughter Dance - June 13 -  Register Now! Starport Summer Camp is Filling Up Jobs and Training -  Microinequities: Nanobites That Sting -  RLLS Portal Training for June - Via WebEx -  System Safety Fundamentals: June 9, Building 20

Composite Cryotank Loaded into Test Stand at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center

 

Headlines Spot the Orion Challenge It's time for this month's Spot the Orion Challenge—an opportunity to learn while playing! A fact has been posted near a building around JSC's campus. Be the first to spot the Orion fact for June, take a picture, email us the fact and tell us where you found it. The winner is in for a special VIP treat! Orion Communications Office http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/mpcv/#.U4zLsPldU1I [top] New NASA@work Challenge: Submit your Solution! A new challenge has been posted on NASA@work: Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Recycling Bin Report Challenge. Read more about this recycling initiative and submit your ideas on how they can increase awareness about this program to improve its success. And, don't forget to check out our other active challenges: Follow-up Challenge: Vote for your Favorite Ideas for a NASA Center Mobile Application; and Follow-up Challenge: Seeking Review and Inputs to Mentoring Material. Are you new to NASA@work? NASA@work is an agencywide, collaborative problem-solving platform that connects the collective knowledge of experts (like YOU) from all centers across NASA. Challenge owners post problems, and members of the NASA@work community participate by responding with their solutions to posted problems. Anyone can participate! Click here for more information. Kathryn Keeton 281-826-9792 https://nasa.innocentive.com [top]    Organizations/Social NCMA June Luncheon: 'Bid Protest' Bid protests are an inevitable part of federal contracting and are filed by many government contractors. Federal contractors filed more bid protests at the Government Accountability Office during fiscal year 2012 than they did any other year in more than a decade. Protests at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims also appear to be increasing. Please join us at the June National Contract Management Association (NCMA) Luncheon for a presentation on the topic of "Bid Protests." Phillip R. Seckman, partner at McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP in Denver, will be our presenter for this important topic. Location: Courtyard Marriott 18100 Saturn Lane Nassau Bay, TX 77058 Cost: $10 - Members $15 - Non-members RSVP: Click here: RSVP for June NCMA Luncheon Please RSVP by close of business Friday, June 13. Event Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2014   Event Start Time:11:30 AM   Event End Time:1:00 PM Event Location: Courtyard Marriott Add to Calendar Scott Stephens 281-792-7521 http://ncmaspacecity.org [top] Env. Brown Bag: Building a Great Houston by 2040 "Our Great Region 2040" is a high-level plan with the aim for the Houston region to be one of the world's greatest places to live, work and succeed, as defined by measureable goals, by the year 2040. These strategies are organized around six major themes (economic development, environment, healthy communities, housing, transportation and resiliency). Jeff Taebel from the Houston-Galveston Area Council will be at JSC to talk about how the 13-county area developed this plan and what the recommendations are. To find out how this could affect and improve your home, please join us on Tuesday, June 10, from noon to 1 p.m. in Building 45, Room 751. Event Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2014   Event Start Time:12:00 PM   Event End Time:1:00 PM Event Location: B45 room 751 Add to Calendar Michelle Fraser-Page x34237 [top] AIAA Houston: New Issue of 'Horizons' Available The March/April 2014 issue of "Horizons" is now online. "Horizons" is the newsletter of the Houston Section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). The cover story is "Climate Change Science and Public Policy" by Douglas Yazell, "Horizons" editor and editorial board member of AIAA's "Aerospace America" magazine. This issue also contains: "Written testimony to Congress about Orion and a Mars 2021 Flyby" by AIAA Executive Director Dr. Sandra Magnus; "Detecting Starships" by Dr. Albert A. Jackson IV; Part Six of Seven of "Building an Astronomer's Chair" by Jim Wessel, JSC Astronomical Society educational outreach chair; and much more! Ryan Miller 908-328-3703 http://www.aiaahouston.org/newsletter [top] Parenting Series: Summer Transition Kids often see the summer months as a time to do whatever they please, with no responsibilities or academic pressures. The change in routine alone can be sufficient to throw some kids off track. Having structure in the summer can also help kids make a more seamless transition back into school come fall. Developing a plan for summer transition would help both parents and children adjust to a new routine. You are invited to learn ideas to aid in the summer transition process that include: exploring ways to engage children in the process; ideas for summer activities; and summer routines. Please join Anika Isaac, LPC, LMFT, LCDC, NCC, CEAP, for "Summer Transition Parenting." Event Date: Thursday, June 12, 2014   Event Start Time:12:00 PM   Event End Time:1:00 PM Event Location: Building 30 Auditorium Add to Calendar Lorrie Bennett, Employee Assistance Program, Occupational Health Branch x36130 [top] Space Serenity Al-Anon Meeting June 10 "Progress, not perfection" reminds Al-Anon members to recognize positive, incremental improvements and change. Our 12-step meeting is for co-workers, families and friends of those who work or live with the family disease of alcoholism. We meet Tuesday, June 10, in Building 32, Room 146, from 12 noon to 12:45 p.m. Visitors are welcome. Event Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2014   Event Start Time:12:00 PM   Event End Time:12:45 PM Event Location: B. 32, Rm. 146 Add to Calendar Lorraine Bennett x36130 http://sashare.jsc.nasa.gov/EAP/Pages/default.aspx [top] Starport's Father-Daughter Dance - June 13 Make Father's Day weekend a date your daughter will never forget! Enjoy a night of music, dancing, refreshments, finger foods, dessert, photos and more. Plan to get all dressed up and spend a special evening with the special little lady in your life. The dance is open to girls of all ages, and attire is business casual to semi-formal. A photographer will be on hand to capture this special moment with picture packages for you to purchase. One free 5x7 will be provided. June 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Gilruth Center Alamo Ballroom Cost is $40 per couple ($15 per additional child) Register online or at the Gilruth Center information desk. You must register by June 11. There will be no tickets sold at the door. Shericka Phillips x35563 https://starport.jsc.nasa.gov/en/programs/special-events/father-daughter... [top] Register Now! Starport Summer Camp is Filling Up Summer is fast approaching, and Starport will again be offering summer camp for youth at the Gilruth Center all summer long. We have tons of fun planned, and we expect each session to fill up, so get your registrations in early! Weekly themes are listed on our website, as well as information regarding registration. Ages: 6 to 12 Times: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dates: June 9 to Aug. 22 in one-week sessions Fee per session: $140 per child | $125 per sibling Register for all sessions and receive a DISCOUNT! Register online or at the Gilruth Center information desk. Like us on Facebook to receive daily information about camps! Shericka Phillips x35563 https://starport.jsc.nasa.gov/en/programs/familyyouth-programs/youth-day... [top]    Jobs and Training Microinequities: Nanobites That Sting Now open for registration! Sept. 18 Choose one session - morning or afternoon • AM session - 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. https://satern.nasa.gov/learning/user/deeplink_redirect.jsp?linkId=REGISTRATI... • PM Session - 1 to 4 p.m. https://satern.nasa.gov/learning/user/deeplink_redirect.jsp?linkId=REGISTRATI... This course addresses unconscious bias and microinequities, and identifies the specific behaviors that leaders can demonstrate to build inclusive cultures for all employees. Objectives: Establish common definitions of diversity, inclusion and unconscious bias, as well as introduce the concept of "microinequities" Help participants understand how early life messages we received concerning race/ethnicity, religion, gender and sexual orientation create unconscious bias, and how that bias impacts our reactions to colleagues and management decisions Help develop a series of actions and inclusive behaviors based on a new understanding of microinequities Open to JSC civil service employees and contractors. Diane Kutchinski x46490 [top] RLLS Portal Training for June - Via WebEx The June monthly RLLS Portal Education Series - via WebEx sessions: June 11 at 2 p.m. CDT, International Shipping Training Module June 12 at 2 p.m. CDT, Lodging Request Training Module June 18 at 2 p.m. CDT, Transportation Request Training Module June 19 at 2 p.m. CDT, Meeting Support Training Module These 30-minute training sessions are computer-based WebEx sessions, offering individuals the convenience to join from their own workstation. The training will cover the following: System login Locating support modules Locating downloadable instructions Creating support requests Submittal requirements Submitting on behalf of another Adding attachments Selecting special requirements Submitting a request Status of a request Ending each session will be opportunities for Q&A. Please remember that TTI will no longer accept requests for U.S.-performed services unless they are submitted through the RLLS Portal. Email or call 281-335-8565 to sign up. James Welty 281-335-8565 https://www.tti-portal.com [top] System Safety Fundamentals: June 9, Building 20 This course instructs the student in the fundamentals of system safety management and hazard analysis of hardware, software and operations. Types and techniques of hazard analysis are addressed in enough detail to give the student a working knowledge of their uses and how they are accomplished. Skills in analytical techniques are developed through the use of in-class practical exercises. This course establishes a foundation for the student to pursue more advanced studies of system safety and hazard analysis techniques while allowing students to effectively apply their skills to straightforward analytical assignments. Note: This course is a combination of SMA-SAFE-NSTC-0008 (System Safety Workshop) and SMA-SAFE-NSTC-0015 (System Safety Special Subjects). Students who have taken either of these classes should discuss taking this class with NASA Safety Learning Center management staff. Target Audience: Supervisors and technical/non-technical personnel who perform safety analysis and/or manage system safety programs. Use this direct link for registration. https://satern.nasa.gov/learning/user/deeplink_redirect.jsp?linkId=SCHEDULED_... Shirley Robinson x41284 [top]

 

JSC Today is compiled periodically as a service to JSC employees on an as-submitted basis. Any JSC organization or employee may submit articles. Disclaimer: Accuracy and content of these notes are the responsibility of the submitters.

 

 

 

 

LEADING THE NEWS

• Scientists Release New Colorful View Of The Universe.

NASA NEWS

• All-Girl High School Rocket Team Visits White House.

• Senate Subcommittee Passes $17.9 Billion Funding Bill For NASA.

• NASA Contracts Now Covered By Executive Salary Reimbursement Rate Cap.

• Thompson-King Is NASA's New General Counsel.

• Stamp: NASA Has Too Many Employees.

• McAdams Describes NASA Partnership To Mentor Female STEM Students.

• New Biography Reveals Details Of Ride's Life.

HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

• KSC May Undergo Major Expansion Under New Master Plan.

• Laak: ISS Partnership Is Still Strong.

• US, Russia Discussing Joint Projects At The ISS.

• NASA Astronaut Will Be On SpaceX Test Flight In 2016.

• University Of Buffalo Students Compete In NASA Rover Competition.

• Indiana County, Pennsylvania Tourist Board Donates $30,000 To Challenger Learning Center.

SCIENCE

• Astronomers Discover Oldest Known Exoplanet Capable Of Supporting Life.

• SOFIA Declared Operations.

• Scientists Unsure Whether Current Solar Activity Really Unusual Or Not.

• Kepler Telescope Resumes Scientific Observations.

SPACE TECHNOLOGY

• Research Projects Selected For Virgin Galactic Flights.

• Wheeler: Even With Project Tang Upgrades, Smart SPHERE Will Need Supervision.

• Bad Weather Delays LDSD Tests.

BLOGS

• National Academies Report On Manned Spaceflight To Be Released Today.

• First Lettuce From VEGGIE To Be Harvested On June 10.

• BoldlyGo To Propose Private Space Science Missions.

• UK DBIS Report Highlights Opportunities At The ISS For UK Space Program.

• NASA Celebrates 49th Anniversary Of First US Spacewalk.

• Cosmic Image Shows Shocks From Colliding Galaxy Clusters.

• New X-Ray Image Of Whirlpool Galaxy Released.

AEROSPACE NEWS

• Florida's Budget Contains $2 Million For Development Of Cecil Spaceport.

• Two People Have Signed Up For Tourist Trip To The Moon And Back.

• Airbus Completes First Drop Test Of Prototype Spaceplane.

• Canadian Astronaut Visits Schools As part Of Tour.

LEADING THE NEWS

Scientists Release New Colorful View Of The Universe.

The AP (6/3) reports that scientists have added "ultraviolet and infrared" light to a Hubble telescope composite image of "10,000 multi-colored galaxies." The deep field image now shows galaxies that are "5 to 10 billion years old." This addition, according to the article, shows the universe "at its most colorful."

        The Los Angeles Times (6/3, Netburn, 3.46M) describes the new Hubble Ultra Deep Field image, developed by a team led by Caltech's Harry Teplitz, the "one of the most comprehensive images of the universe ever taken." Teplitz said the new image provides a "direct measure of star formation."

        According to SPACE (6/3, Kramer, 261K), "Hubble representatives" said that one of the reasons that this new view is noteworthy is that when the Hubble eventually ends its mission, there will be no way to obtain more ultraviolet views "to probe the universe in this way."

        Also covering the story are the Wall Street Journal (6/4, 5.51M), International Business Times (6/3, Poladian, 697K), Times (UK) (6/4, Bonnici, 10K), Tech Times (6/4, Maynard), TIME (6/3, 24.1M), Business Insider (6/3, Spector, 2M), Universe Today (6/3, Hall, 18K), Discovery News (6/3, Klotz, 252K), Huffington Post (6/4, Freeman, 11.54M), NBC News (6/3, Boyle, 7.5M) website, another NBC News (6/3, Boyle, 7.5M) website article, CNET News (6/3, Domanico, 359K), Headlines & Global News (6/3, Marcarelli), The Wire (6/3, Ohlheiser), and The Verge (6/3, Savov, 647K).

        Blog Coverage. Jake Ellison at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (6/3, 857K) "Big Science Blog" calls the image "awe-inspiring," stressing that he and other are "never...tired" of seeing Hubble views like this one.

NASA NEWS

All-Girl High School Rocket Team Visits White House.

SPACE (6/3, Howell, 261K) reports that three high school students, members of the all-girl Team Rocket Power, competed "at the Team America Rocketry Challenge earlier this year and was one of 100 teams from several competitions invited to showcase their projects at the White House." The Maryland team "built a rocket that flew more than 750 feet (229 meters) and back in less than a minute. It returned its payload of two raw eggs undamaged, floating softly back to Earth beneath two parachutes." NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, who attended the event, wrote on his blog, "At NASA, women are not only astronauts; they also run science missions. They engineer and build our many spacecraft." He noted NASA's chief financial officer, chief scientist, and a field center director are all female.

Senate Subcommittee Passes $17.9 Billion Funding Bill For NASA.

USA Today (6/3, 5.82M) reports that the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies passed a bill funding NASA at "roughly $17.9 billion," giving it $805 million for the Commercial Crew Program. This is more than the House did in the bill it passed last week, but still not the $848 million requested by the Administration said is needed if private spacecraft are to bring astronauts to the ISS by 2017. Meanwhile, while the bill funds NASA at about the same level as the House, there are some differences in how the different bills break down those funds, although both give NASA more than what the Administration requested. Sen. Barbara Mikulski, chairman of the subcommittee, said, "We were very disappointed in the president's request," so legislators "worked on a bipartisan basis and made sure that we maintain the balanced space program, human space flight, science and discovery and, at the same time, promote aeronautics." The full Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to pass the bill on Thursday, according to the article. Florida Today (6/3, King, 208K) reprints the USA Today article.

        Meanwhile, Space News (6/3, Leone, Subscription Publication, 481) focuses on the fact that the bill also increases funding for the Space Launch System (SLS). As for the Commercial Crew, the article notes that Senators appear to be looking for "greater transparency into program funding." Meanwhile, the Science Directorate is funded at about the same levels as in the House bill, but it is "unclear" if the Senate will match the House in blocking the cancellation of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy like the Administration proposed.

        Yellow Hammer (6/3, Sims) and the Huntsville (AL) Times (6/3, 127K) "Breaking" blog also cover the story, with a focus on the SLS funding.

        Trimble: Aeronautics Research's Fortunes Changing With Budget, "Ambitious" Projects. In an analysis piece for Flight Global (6/3, 2K), Stephen Trimble writes that NASA's Aeronautics Research Directorate's prospects may be changing for the better after "a long period of decline" because the House passed a budget bill that raised its funding by $100 million compared to the 2014 budget. Jaiwon Shin, NASA associate administrator for Aeronautics Research, said, "If you show, say, good merchandise, then that merchandise sells by itself. ... Our aeronautics content, vision and strategy – and how we've been delivering these – have all been coming together." Trimble believes the division has "an ambitious vision" that, for instance, could end the "stagnation" in supersonic flight developments. It also is about ready to release a report on research that could lead to "breakthroughs in autonomy for the aviation industry." Shin also described how NASA is working to develop a system to demonstrate the feasibility of a project relatively quickly, adding, "If you can't demonstrate feasibility in two to three years, then you're done. It's not going to happen. ... We're trying to provide a home for the NASA workforce to do rapid demonstration of concept feasibility."

        Blog Coverage. Jeff Foust at Space Politics (6/3) wrote that "NASA and the astronomy community" are still trying to find ways to save the Spitzer Space telescope even after NASA accepted a recommendation from a senior review panel that it should not be renewed. Paul Hertz, director of NASA's astrophysics division, said at a NASA town hall during the American Astronomical Society (AAS) meeting in Boston, "We have invited the Spitzer program to submit a reclama—that's an appeal—to us as an overguide as part of our budget formulation process," but "asking for new money is not part of my phase space,. ... In order to consider Spitzer, we have to spend less money on something else we were planning to do." Hertz said that currently "there's a relatively small number of places" where that money could come from, "but unfortunately, in an era where our budget is constrained, we can only continue some fraction of the things we would like to be doing. We have to prioritize in some manner." Foust noted that the prospects for SOFIA are "more optimistic" following the House's funding bill passage.

NASA Contracts Now Covered By Executive Salary Reimbursement Rate Cap.

The Federal Times (6/3, Medici, 132K) reports that the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council has expanded a rule on "executive salary reimbursement rates" to cover contractor employees under NASA contracts. A retroactive cap is now in place going back to "all contracts awarded on or after Dec. 31, 2011." The Defense Department is also affected by the rules change,

        Fierce Government (6/3, McDermott, 224) notes that the new rules only affect "cost-reimbursement contracts, where the government pays contractor executive salaries as part of the indirect costs of the contract."

Thompson-King Is NASA's New General Counsel.

ExecutiveGov (6/3, Forrester, 548) reports that Sumara Thompson-King will now lead NASA's Office of the General Counsel, replacing Michael Wholley as general counsel after he served the post for 10 years.

Stamp: NASA Has Too Many Employees.

In an op-ed for the Houston Chronicle (6/3, 2.23M), Charley Stamps, a former NASA contracting officer in the General Research department, writes that the problem with NASA today is that it has "too many employees," thus preventing it from effectively developing projects in a timely and cost effective manner. The current number of NASA employees, whether contractors or civil servants, hurts "creative people" at the agency. This is an "epidemic," but one Stamps fears no legislator wants to tackle "at the risk of losing support."

McAdams Describes NASA Partnership To Mentor Female STEM Students.

Camsie McAdams, the deputy director of Department of Education's STEM office, spoke on Federal News Radio (6/4, 11K) about the need to attract more students to STEM fields. She discussed a partnership with NASA for "a novel approach to attract students to STEM." McAdams notes that research indicates that most students "make up their minds about whether they like math, science, technology, engineering somewhere between sixth and eighth grade," and says that therefore the program targets middle school girls. She explains that the program pairs these students up with Federal STEM professionals.

New Biography Reveals Details Of Ride's Life.

ABC World News (6/3, story 8, 2:00, Muir) broadcast that Lynn Sherr, a former ABC News correspondent, has written a new biography about Sally Ride, the first American woman to go into space. The book is "revealing mysteries no one knew" about Ride, like that she was the one that leaked a document that showed that NASA management knew about "faulty equipment" that led to the Challenger disaster. According to reporter Dan Harris, the book shows the "private layers" to Ride's "public life."

        collectSPACE (6/3, Pearlman) similarly notes that Sherr, who knew Ride for decades, was "surprised" by facts revealed about Ride following her death in 2012. CollectSPACE interviewed Sherr about her book, "Sally Ride: America's First Woman in Space," which was released yesterday. According to Sherr, there was "nothing more important" than her work with Sally Ride Science inspiring girls to enter science careers, even more than being the first woman in space. Sherr said that this work, and her work with the government, will be the "more concrete version of [her legacy]" than just being a first in space.

        ABC's Nightline (6/4, 1:05 a.m. EDT, Harris, 2.64M) also carries a broadcast.

HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS

KSC May Undergo Major Expansion Under New Master Plan.

Florida Today (6/3, Dean, 208K) reports that even while facing "flat budgets and a mandate to downsize." the Kennedy Space Center could experience a "major expansion of facilities by 2032" under it master plan, which is the subject of public hearings this week. The plan hopes to make the center the "go-to launch site" for both NASA and commercial companies. Trey Carlson, KSC's master planner, said, "We are becoming something different. ... We all want to see fire and smoke out here, and we want to see it no matter if (the vehicle) has a NASA meatball on the side or it's got a company emblem on the side." While NASA is proposing adding "up to three vertical launch pads" at the center, some, like Frank DiBello, president and CEO of Space Florida, think that launch sites on KSC are too restrictive for commercial companies. Others "applaud NASA" for limiting growth in the state that could affect wildlife. Meanwhile, Carlson said this is a "significant" plan because "it's the first time it's been done anywhere, to have a large federal space facility go through a transformation of this magnitude."

        The Daytona Beach (FL) News-Journal (6/3, Pulver, 182K) that those supporting and opposing a commercial launch center in Shiloh are reacting to the new master plan. Meanwhile, Mario Busacca, chief of Kennedy Space Center's Spaceport Planning Office, said, "Whether it's for NASA's use or providing access and resources to the commercial community, the plan will help us make those decisions about what goes where and does what. ... We really want the public to come, where we can explain and they can understand the master plan." Busacca added that another review of the plan is needed before any construction begins.

Laak: ISS Partnership Is Still Strong.

The Newport News (VA) Daily Press (6/3, Dietrich, 206K) reports on the talks Van Laak, a member of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate at the Langley Research Center, on Tuesday about international cooperation with Russia at the ISS. According to the article, Laak views the ISS as a "microcosm" of how the world operates, saying, "It's a very sophisticated model for how society works. ... That kind of interdependence — it's exactly the same thing that happens in human society across the planet." Laak added that the current situation with Russia over Ukraine, and how it has affected the ISS, is a "blip" in the operations of the station. Laak noted that the ISS partnership "is stronger than it has ever been. Last week, the (space station) crew was asked about tensions, and the crew responded by hugging each other. People who are engaged in difficult undertakings learn to respect and trust each other far beyond political issues."

US, Russia Discussing Joint Projects At The ISS.

Russia's ITAR-TASS News Agency (6/4, 1K) reports that the US and Russia are discussing "new joint projects" at the ISS, according to the Russian publication Izvestia. Oleg Orlov, First Deputy Director of the Institute for Medico-Biological Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, reportedly said that projects involve "joint research and joint use of the equipment" in both the US and Russian sections of the ISS.

NASA Astronaut Will Be On SpaceX Test Flight In 2016.

NASA Space Flight (6/3, Bergin, 305) reports that Garrett Reisman, SpaceX's Dragon V2 Program Lead who has flown to the ISS with NASA, called the newly unveiled Dragon V2 spacecraft a "giant leap forward" in getting astronauts to the station. According to the article, SpaceX is the "leading contender" in the Commercial Crew Program. Reisman said that when the vehicle is tested sometime in 2016, a NASA astronaut will be on board, unlike what was previously stated. Meanwhile, the article notes that even though SpaceX is the "least threatened" of all commercial crew contenders from being eliminated in the next round of contracts, Reisman did think that another company should also be given a contract because it is in "NASA's interest" to have more than one option.

University Of Buffalo Students Compete In NASA Rover Competition.

WIVB-TV Buffalo, NY (6/3, Lenihan, 50K) reports on its websites that the UB Space Bulls, students from University of Buffalo, operated a model Mars rover with an Xbox controller Tuesday. The event was "part of a NASA sponsored competition at the Johnson Space Center in Houston." Teams were allowed to send representatives to Houston, but their rover "must be controlled remotely at the team's university."

Indiana County, Pennsylvania Tourist Board Donates $30,000 To Challenger Learning Center.

The Indiana (PA) Gazette (6/3, 42K) reports the Indiana County, Pennsylvania Tourist Bureau recently voted to provide $30,000 to "assist in the funding campaign for the Central Allegheny Challenger Learning Center." The funds will help in "obtaining a simulator needed to establish the center, which will offer space and science education in replicas of NASA Mission Control and International Space Station labs to be built at Indiana County Technology Center." Without the simulator, the project would be put on hold.