This Week at NASA…
Mission managers say November 30th will be the new targeted launch date for STS-133.
This revised schedule gives engineers and technicians ample time to correct a series
of unrelated problems that delayed Discovery’s launch earlier this month.
STS-133, with crew members Commander Steve Lindsey, Pilot Eric Boe and Mission Specialists
Alvin Drew, Tim Kopra, Michael Barratt and Nicole Stott, is the last shuttle mission
for 2010, and the next-to-last planned flight in the history of the Space Shuttle Program.
Discovery would liftoff to the International Space Station on its final voyage at 4:02
am Eastern on Nov. 30.
“By going to the moon and returning human safely the United States became a technology
leader.”
NASA Chief Technologist Bobby Braun was among more than 20 speakers featured at the second
TEDx NASA conference held at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. Hosted
by the Langley Research Center, TEDx focused on education, innovation, family, technology,
art and space travel.
“They built rocket 36 stories tall they built engines, more powerful than anything
we have ever built before.”
Joining Braun was Jim Green, director of NASA's planetary science mission.
“Our early humans on Earth looked into the sky and they incorporated the stars, they
created their shapes and figures constellations, they saw the wondering stars which we now
know are planets, and they saw the comets, but the comets got a bad rap.”
TED is a small nonprofit organization devoted to sharing ideas between three different disciplines:
Technology, Entertainment, and Design.
The late NASA research pilot and X-15 astronaut Joe Walker was among eight pioneers of flight
recently inducted into Nevada’s newly-established Aerospace Hall of Fame in Henderson. Walker
was cited for his leading role in collecting data about, among other things, flying at
hypersonic speeds; use of reaction controls for flight above the atmosphere; piloting
techniques for re-entry; and flight instrumentation. On August 22, 1963, Walker’s X-15 established
an unofficial world altitude record of 354,200 feet – more than 67 miles –during a mission
launched near Fallon, Nevada. His altitude record stood for 41 years until eclipsed by
Scaled Composites' Space Ship One in 2004.
“It’s hard to believe that we have been doing this since 1974, but it’s a tradition
well worth continuing.”
Employees making significant contributions to the Headquarters community were recognized
at HQ’s annual Honor Awards. Administrator Charlie Bolden and Deputy Administrator Lori
Garver thanked civil servants and contractors for their achievements and commitment to America’s
space program.
“This is a privilege to recognize the 24 of you who are awarded today, all of you really
deserve our thanks and appreciation.”
Numerous awards and medals were handed out in recognition of group and individual achievements,
including those for outstanding leadership and exceptional service.
Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 25 crew members Doug Wheelock and Scott Kelly
offered a special Veterans Day tribute to the nation’s servicemen and women.
“We just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate your sacrifice and years of
service for both your countrymen, your families and people that you’d never even have a
chance to meet.”)
Wheelock, an Army Colonel, and Navy captain Kelly displayed the Medal of Honor awarded
to Army Sergeant Lester R. Stone, Jr., who gave his life in the line of duty in Vietnam
on March 3, 1969.
“From the International Space Station, we’d like to thank you for your service.”
The Marshall Space Flight Center joined with Team Redstone and the U.S. Space & Rocket
Center to celebrate American Indian & Alaska Native Heritage Month. Guest speaker was retired
NASA astronaut John Herrington. A member of the Chickasaw Nation, Herrington was the first
Native person to launch into space, serving as a mission specialist aboard STS-113 in
2002.
“I am in this position where can be a role model to the kids, might not think they have
a role model as a astronaut, growing up is just the nature of who I am and my family,
that it is inherited of who you are, that we have this pride in our heritage and that
pride then goes into our work as well, and also when I got to NASA I realized that this
guys is Native American, I felt like I had a little bit extra that I had to prove I am
here because I am capable, can do the job, and it was a challenge, I really look forward
to the opportunity to prove my worth and to honor who my heritage is”
The event also featured flint-knapping, tepee-building and other customs demonstrated by members
of the United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation, and samplings of authentic Native foods, along
with traditional music and dancing by flutist Jimmy "Yellowhorse" Webster and performer
Tammera Hicks.
NASA Headquarters, the Southwest Interagency Committee and the Department of Health and
Human Services observed Native Heritage Month by co-producing a program featuring a keynote
address by celebrated poet, musician, and member of the Muscogee Creek tribe, Joy Harjo.
The event showcased other cultural presentations as well, including music by the Black Bear
Singers.
And that’s This Week at NASA!
For more on these and other stories log on to: www.nasa.gov