NASA begins 5th RS-25 test series
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Volume 14 Issue 8 www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis August 2018 NASA begins 5th RS-25 test series NASA conducts a successful hot fire test of RS-25 developmental engine No. 0525 – featuring a new flight controller unit – on the A-1 Test Stand at Sten- nis Space Center on Aug. 14.The test was viewed by new NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and other guests. (See page 3 article)
Page 2 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
It is estimated somewhere between 500 million to It was only fitting, then, that new NASA Administra-
600 million people around the world watched Neil tor Jim Bridenstine wasted little time in making his first
Armstrong step onto the surface of the Moon in July visit to the site as agency leader. More fitting, he was
1969. It was the largest television audience at the time, able to view the Aug. 14 test and see firsthand the Sten-
although they were not all in the same room. Ark! nis blended test team of NASA, Aerojet Rocketdyne
and Syncom Space Services engineers and operators
Probably nowhere near that many folk watched the at work. He also got a firsthand look at site facilities,
NASA-TV and social media live broadcast of the RS- including the Aerojet Rocketdyne Engine Assembly
25 rocket engine test here Aug. 14 – but it is safe to say Facility, the E Test Complex and the B-2 Test Stand.
an awful lot of attention is focused on Stennis Space
Center these days. More importantly, the new NASA leader was able
to visit with center and resident agency leaders, local
Stennis is at the forefront of NASA’s work to build and media members, community representatives and site
launch its new Space Launch System (SLS) rocket that employees. In doing so, he certainly discovered that the
will carry humans deeper into space than ever, to such Stennis team approach does not just extend to engine
destinations as the Moon and Mars. The RS-25 engines testing. It is the very idea on which the center is built.
that will help power SLS at launch are being tested here
– and the core stage that will be used for the first SLS From the start, Stennis was a team effort of agency,
flight will be tested on site as well. companies and community working together, support-
ing one another, believing in one another, enabling
Stennis did the same work for Apollo and space shuttle one another to do more. Therein lies the true secret
missions. However, for years, its remote location about Stennis – it believes the old adage that “team-
and low profile led many people to view it as one of work makes the dream work,” even when those dreams
NASA’s – and Mississippi’s – “best-kept secrets.” promise to carry one to the deep reaches of space.
Lagniappe is published monthly by the Office of Communications at NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center.
Access monthly copies at: www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/news/publications/index.html
Contact info – (phone) 228-688-3749; (email) ssc-pao@mail.nasa.gov; (mail) NASA OFFICE OF
COMMUNICATIONS, Attn: LAGNIAPPE, Mail code IA00, Building 1100 Room 304, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529
Managing Editor – Valerie Buckingham
Editor – Lacy Thompson Staff Photographer – Danny Nowlin
Page 3 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
FULFILLING NASA’S EXPLORATION MISSION
NASA administrator visits Stennis, views RS-25 engine test
S tennis Space Center showcased what it does
best for new NASA Administrator Jim
Bridenstine on Aug. 14, hosting the agency
leader for the first in another series of RS-25
rocket engine hot fire tests in support of NASA’s
The Aug. 14 hot fire was the first RS-25 test at
Stennis since February, when operators powered
the engine to its highest operating level ever. It
also was the first test of developmental engine
No. 0525 since August 2015. It marked the first
(Right photo) NASA
Administrator Jim
Bridenstine (second from
right) views an RS-25
engine test at Stennis
Space Center on Aug.
Space Launch System (SLS) Program. in a series of nine scheduled tests on engine No. 14. Joining the new
0525 through the rest of the year and into 2019. agency leader were (l
Operators conducted a successful test of RS-25 Each will feature an RS-25 flight controller for to r) Mississippi Gov.
developmental engine No. 0525 – complete with a use on an actual SLS mission, as well as testing Phil Bryant, U.S. Sen.
new flight controller unit – on the A-1 Test Stand engine components made with innovative manu- Roger Wicker of Missis-
as Bridenstine and other agency officials watched. facturing designed to reduce the cost of future sippi, U.S. Rep. Steven
The visit was Bridenstine’s first to the south Mis- engines. All test objectives were met during the Palazzo of Mississippi,
Stennis Space Center
sissippi center since he was confirmed as adminis- hot fire.
Director Rick Gilbrech
trator in April. and U.S. Rep. Trent
NASA is building the SLS rocket as the largest, Kelly of Mississippi.
“I have witnessed rocket launches before, but this most powerful space vehicle in history to return
was a new and unique experience,” Bridenstine humans to deep space missions. The SLS rocket (Left photo) The RS-25
test at Stennis Space
said following the test. “It was like watching a will launch crews of up to four astronauts aboard
Center on Aug. 14 was
launch, but it never leaves the ground, and you the Orion spacecraft to explore various deep- viewed by a number of
can feel the power of the engine within your body. space destinations, including the Moon and Mars. guests, including NASA
And what the power of this RS-25 engine repre- officials, astronauts,
sents is America’s ability to fly deeper into space Each SLS rocket will be powered at launch by elected officials, com-
than we ever did before. This was a great test.” four RS-25 engines firing simultaneously to pro- munity leaders and
vide a combined 2 million pounds of thrust and representatives of key
“It was an honor to host Administrator Briden- working in conjunction with a pair of solid rocket companies involved
in the construction of
stine and to provide him an opportunity to see boosters to provide more than 8 million pounds
NASA’s Space Launch
the Stennis test team work,” Stennis Director Rick of thrust. RS-25 engines are being built by Aero- System rocket.
Gilbrech said. “It also is an honor to be part of jet Rocketdyne for the SLS flights.
the effort under way to help move this nation to main engines. For initial SLS flights, the engines ing parts of the engine that can be made using In addition to testing individual RS-25 engines
the Moon again, then on to Mars.” The initial RS-25 engines are former space shuttle will be operated at 109 percent of rated power. new manufacturing techniques. When new engines and components, Stennis is preparing to test the
For subsequent SLS flights, designed to carry are produced, components can be made with core stage for the first SLS flight – Exploration
larger, heavier cargos and the crew vehicle to deep these advanced processes, and the engine produc- Mission-1 – which will showcase the new rocket
space, the engines have been modified to operate tion cost can be reduced by more than 30 percent. and send an uncrewed Orion spacecraft into
at 111 percent of rated power. To date, Stennis This test featured a main combustion chamber space beyond the Moon. For that testing, the
has conducted 22 tests running with engines oper- fabricated using a bonding technique called hot flight core stage will be installed on the B-2 Test
ating just over 10,000 cumulative seconds for SLS. isostatic pressing (HIP), which saves considerable Stand at Stennis, and all four RS-25 engines will
time and money over more traditional methods. be fired simultaneously, just as will occur during
A key component of latest modification is the The HIP process uses high pressure and heat to an actual launch.
controller, which operates as the “brain” of the create bonds that can withstand extreme stress. It
engine to help it communicate with the rocket already has been used on main combustion cham- The first flight will be followed by Exploration
and to provide precision control of engine opera- bers in two other Aerojet Rocketdyne engines. Mission-2, which will carry humans aboard the
tion and internal health diagnostics. Orion spacecraft, returning astronauts to deep
The Aug. 14 hot fire also represented the fifth test space for the first time in more than 40 years.
Stennis tested the first RS-25 flight controller in of a 3D-printed pogo accumulator assembly, a This mission will also be powered by Stennis-
March 2017. For the testing, flight controller units critical component that dampens potential engine tested engines.
are installed on a developmental engine and fired propellant pressure oscillations that can cause a
just as during an actual launch. Once tested and rocket to become unstable in flight. Testing of RS-25 tests at Stennis are conducted by a team of
certified, the controllers are removed for installa- the 3D-printed component also is part of the NASA, Aerojet Rocketdyne and Syncom Space
tion on an RS-25 flight engine. ongoing effort to use advanced manufacturing Services engineers and operators. Aerojet Rock-
to reduce engine construction costs. NASA and etdyne is the RS-25 prime contractor. Syncom
To get the most out of each test, NASA is not Aerojet Rocketdyne plan to test a number of 3D- Space Services is the prime contractor for Stennis
only testing the flight controllers, but also is test- printed components for the RS-25 engine. facilities and operations.
Page 4 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
FULFILLING NASA’S EXPLORATION MISSION
NASA Administrator Jim
Bridenstine visited Stennis
Space Center on Aug. 14
to meet with various lead-
ers and view an RS-25
rocket engine test on the
A-1 Test Stand. As shown,
Bridenstine spent a full day
at Stennis, visiting the E
Test Complex and the B-2
Test Stand (right photo),
speaking live on NASA TV
following the RS-25 engine
test (left photo), speaking
to site employees during
an all hands session (bot-
tom left photo), meeting
with area media for a
question-and-answer ses-
sion (bottom center photo)
and speaking to gests dur-
ing a post-test reception at
INFINITY Science Center.
Bridenstine also visited the
Aerojet Rocketdyne En-
gine Assembly Facility and
met with center managers
during his first visit to Sten-
nis since he was confirmed
as NASA administrator
(see page 5 photos).
Page 5 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
FULFILLING NASA’S EXPLORATION MISSION
(Top photo) NASA
Administrator Jim
Bridenstine visits the
Aerojet Rocketdyne En-
gine Assembly Facility to
view an RS-25 engine.
(Center photo) NASA
Administrator Jim
Bridenstine visits with
Stennis Director Rick
Gilbrech, Deputy direc-
tor Randy Galloway,
Associate Director
John Bailey and other
senior managers during
his Aug. 14 visit to the
rocket engine test site.
(Bottom photos)
Astronauts Jeff Williams
(left) and Butch Wimore
(right) talk about their
experiences in space
flight with RS-25 rocket
engine test viewing
guests Aug. 14.
Page 6 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
Parker Solar Probe launches to ‘touch the sun’
A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket launches NASA’s Parker it will directly explore solar processes that are key to understanding and
Solar Probe on a mission to touch the Sun, on Aug. 12 from Cape Ca- forecasting space weather events that can impact life on Earth. The probe
naveral Air Force Station, Florida. The Parker Solar Probe is the first-ever was launched aboard a Delta IV rocket powered by a trio of Aerojet rocket-
mission into a part of the Sun’s atmosphere called the corona. Once there, dyne RS-68 engines tested at Stennis Space Center.
NASA in the News
NASA names commercial flight astronauts NASA completing McAuliffe’s lost lessons
NASA introduced to the world Aug. 3 the first U.S. Christa McAuliffe made history when she became the
astronauts who will fly on American-made, commercial first teacher selected to go to space as part of NASA’s
spacecraft to and from the International Space Station Teacher in Space project. These educators would fly to
– an endeavor that will return astronaut launches to U.S. space then return to share their experiences with stu-
soil for the first time since the space shuttle’s retirement dents. McAuliffe’s plans included filming several demon-
in 2011. The agency assigned nine astronauts to crew the strations to be used in educational packages for students
first test flight and mission of both Boeing’s CST-100 and teachers across the globe. However, as part of the
Starliner and SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. NASA has worked space shuttle Challenger crew, she died tragically on the
closely with the companies throughout design, develop- morning of Jan. 28, 1986, when the orbiter broke apart
ment and testing to ensure the systems meet NASA’s just 73 seconds after launch. NASA canceled the Teacher
safety and performance requirements. Scheduled Starliner in Space project in 1990. McAuliffe’s lessons were lost
test flight astronauts are Eric Boe, Christopher Ferguson for a moment, but not forgotten. Challenger Center, a
and Nicole Aunapu Mann. Crew Dragon test flight astro- leading science, technology, engineering and mathemat-
nauts are Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley. Starliner ics (STEM) education organization, worked in partner-
first mission astronauts are Josh Cassada and Sunita Wil- ship with NASA to complete some of the lessons she
liams. Crew Dragon first mission astronauts are Victor had planned to perform aboard Challenger. Most of the
Glover and Michael Hopkins. Additional crew members lessons will be completed as originally planned, but some
will be assigned by NASA’s international partners at a elements have been reimagined based on materials avail-
later date. Learn more about NASA’s Commercial Crew able aboard the orbiting laboratory. Find the lessons at:
Program at: https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. www.challenger.org/christa.
Page 7 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
2018 NASA Honor Awards
S tennis Space Center Director
Rick Gilbrech and Kennedy
space Center Director Bob Ca-
bana presented annual NASA Honor
Awards to Stennis employees during
Ralph M.
Gonzalez
received the
NASA Excep-
tional Service
Gary L. Ben-
nett received
the NASA
Exceptional
Public Service
an onsite ceremony Aug. 15. Medal for 35 Medal for 39
years of ser- years of con-
Four Stennis employees received vice, including tractor service
NASA’s Exceptional Service the last 12 in at Stennis, in-
Medal. This medal is awarded to the Stennis Safety and Mission Assur- cluding as a facilitator and mechanical
government employees for sustained ance Directorate. Gonzalez served as technician. He has provided oversight
performance that embodies multiple a contractor before joining the NASA and technical expertise to a variety of
contributions to NASA projects, team in 2006. As a contractor, he activities and projects across the Sten-
programs or initiatives. implemented a host of new and im- nis test complexes, demonstrating an
proved processes that contributed to innate ability to grasp and solve com-
James Bevis the success of the space shuttle main plex technical issues, a commitment
received a engine test project. For NASA, he to quality and a solid work ethic.
posthumous has served in a variety of safety-relat- Bennett has contributed to virtually
NASA Excep- ed roles, including as the first NASA every propulsion test project at Sten-
tional Service audit manager at Stennis. Gonzalez nis since the space shuttle.
Medal for is noted for his range of knowledge
15 years of and technical experience and has Marsha
services as dedicated his career to supporting the L. Ladner
the Stennis NASA missions. received the
chief financial officer until his death NASA Excep-
in November 2017. Bevis began his Dwayne K. tional Public
NASA career as a budget analyst in Stockstill Service Medal
1980. He joined the Stennis team in received the for 38 years of
1995 and assumed the chief financial NASA Excep- outstanding
officer role in 2002. Bevis contrib- tional Service contractor ser-
uted extensively to the success of the Medal for his vice in various roles at Stennis. She
NASA/Stennis mission by providing career contri- began her career as a drafter and also
expert management and oversight of butions and his served as a facility utilization special-
program and institutional funding of work as deputy ist and the NASA Rocket Propulsion
about $300 million annually. chief of the Electrical Branch of the Test Program Office liaison. Since
Stennis Engineering and Test Direc- 2008, Ladner has served as propel-
Hugh V. Carr torate. Stockstill began his NASA lant coordinator, responsible for
received the career in 2000 and has made key tech- fulfilling all propellant requirements
NASA Excep- nical contributions to the success of for Stennis test complexes. Her
tional Service the Stennis propulsion test mission. diligent work and business knowl-
Medal for his He has served as the lead electrical edge has been key to the success of
expertise and engineer for the E-1 Test Stand and numerous high-profile test activities
service as a A-1 Test Stand facilities and as the and projects.
NASA en- data acquisition system subject matter
vironmental expert. He has contributed to a range
specialist since 1988, as well as 11 of high-profile test projects and Four Stennis employees received
years of contractor service prior to initiatives. NASA’s Exceptional Achievement
that time. Carr serves as administra- Medal. This medal is awarded to
tor of the Stennis natural resources government employees for a signifi-
program and manager of the NASA- Two Stennis employees received cant specific achievement or sub-
wide Geographic Information System NASA’s Exceptional Public Service stantial improvement in operations,
(GIS) Principle Center. His career Medal. This medal is awarded to efficiency, service, financial savings,
service has been characterized by individuals who are not government science or technology that contrib-
exceptional ingenuity and innovation employees but have made excep- utes to the mission of NASA.
and has contributed greatly to the tional contributions to the mission
success of the Stennis mission. of NASA. See AWARDS, Page 8
Page 8 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
AWARDS safety engineer in the Stennis Safety
and Mission Assurance Directorate.
One Stennis employee received
NASA’s Exceptional Technology
Continued from Page 7 Her leadership in developing a new Achievement Medal. This medal is
audit schedule has helped eliminate awarded to government or nongov-
Kevin D. ernment individuals for exceptional
duplication and reduce the number
Camp achievements in technology develop-
of audits and hours spent on audit
received ment, transfer or application.
activities. Her efforts have received
the NASA
numerous accolades across NASA.
Exceptional
Jorge F.
Achievement
Jeffrey A. Figueroa
Medal for
Renshaw re- received
contributions
ceived NASA’s the NASA
as a NASA
Exceptional Exceptional
logistics management specialist and
Achievement Technology
Stennis transportation officer. Camp
Medal for Achievement
was the key logistic leader in the
his work as Medal for
relocation of the Stennis warehouse
lead attor- his work as
operations to Michoud Assembly
ney for the an autonomous systems subject
Facility in New Orleans. As
mission-critical Regional Multiple matter expert. A NASA electronic
transportation officer, he has been
Award Construction Contract Two instrumentation systems engineer,
instrumental in managing Stennis’
(MACC-II). The MACC-II vehicle Figueroa has led in creation of
large fleet of vehicles in an efficient,
encompasses 24 individual contracts capabilities now known as the
cost-savings manner. He also has
for work at Stennis and various other NASA Platform for Autonomous
led in Stennis property disposal and
agency locations. It has been recog- Systems and in the development
equipment yard cleanup efforts.
nized as a groundbreaking success of autonomous systems at four
that provides a model for future pro- agency centers. His efforts include
Aaron T.
curement efforts. Renshaw provided guidance of the project to implement
Mannion
critical legal support to the contract autonomous processes in Stennis
received
team throughout the effort. high-pressure gas operations.
the NASA
Exceptional
Achievement
Medal for his One Stennis employee received Four Stennis employees received the
leadership in NASA’s Exceptional Public Achieve- NASA Early Career Achievement
the project to ment Medal. This medal is awarded Medal. This medal is awarded to a
upgrade the Stennis high-pressure to individuals who are not govern- government employee for unusual
industrial water system. Mannion has ment employees but have performed and significant performance during
served as a NASA project manager in exceptional service in support of the first 10 years of an individual’s
the Stennis Design and Construction NASA’s mission. early career in support of the agency.
Project Management Division since
2012. His knowledge and expertise William Jack L.
enabled the high-pressure industrial B. Ritchie Conley
water project to be implemented in received received
an efficient and timely fashion critical the NASA the NASA
to maintaining the Space Launch Exceptional Early Career
System test project schedule. Public Achievement
Achievement Medal for his
Karen B. Pat- Medal for contributions
ton received his efforts as a NASA
NASA’s in modification of the B-2 Test mechanical operations engineer since
Exceptional Stand derrick crane, as well as his 2011. Conley is an experienced test
Achievement emergency response and work to conductor and propellant transfer
Medal for repair a damaged natural gas line in engineer, having served in those roles
her efforts to a timely and safe fashion. Ritchie in both the A and E test complexes.
identify ineffi- helped identify and resolve several He has made major contributions to
ciencies in the issues during the critical derrick crane various test projects and cutting-edge
Stennis audit, inspection and surveil- project. He has provided 11 years of efforts at Stennis and is recognized
lance processes and to implement a contractor safety support at Stennis as an expert in liquid oxygen transfer.
new integrated internal audit sched- and Michoud Assembly Facility.
ule. Patton serves as a facility system See AWARDS, Page 9
Page 9 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
AWARDS for quality expertise in construction
contracting. She has awarded/
Karma
K. Snyder
Continued from Page 8 administered several construction received the
projects at Stennis and also served NASA Silver
Sarah M.
as a contract specialist at Wallops Achievement
Maine
Flight Facility. She is a champion of Medal for
received
employee involvement and serves on her work as
the NASA
a number of employee teams. an aerospace
Early Career
technologist
Achievement
and support of key projects
Medal for
Three Stennis employees and one related to propulsion test and
her work
group received the NASA Silver test infrastructure facilities. She
as a NASA
Achievement Medal. This medal is previously served as the systems
contracting specialist and officer
awarded by NASA center directors engineer for the Space Launch
since 2011. Maine has contributed
to individuals or teams for a stellar System core stage test activity on the
significantly to a range of essential
services and projects. She currently achievement that supports one or B-2 Test Stand. She has provided
serves as the CORE contracting more of NASA’s core values. extensive support to the center’s
officer for the Synergy-Achieving range utilization efforts and is one of
Consolidated Operations and Laurence two people designated as an official
Maintenance contract. Her efforts in de Quay range safety officer for unmanned
that and other roles have contributed received the aircraft systems operations at Stennis.
significantly to the business goals of NASA Silver
the NASA procurement community Achievement The Rocket Test Facility Co-
Medal for his Location Team received the
Adam W. substantial NASA Silver Achievement Medal
Murrah contributions for outstanding collaboration and
received to develop- performance in the execution of a
the NASA ment and issuance of several critical test program on the B-1/B-2
Early Career critical and complex technical Test Stand. The NASA/contractor
Achievement engineering standards at both the team was assembled to determine
Medal for center and agency levels. A NASA if RS-68 testing on the B-1 side
his work theoretical simulation analyst, de of the stand could safely proceed
as a NASA Quay has served as the Stennis in conjunction with Space Launch
environmental specialist since Engineering and Test Directorate System core stage testing on the B-2
2012. His efforts have been integral manager of technical standards side. The team specifically focused
to the success of a number of since 2005. He also serves as the on possible hydrogen and air/oxygen
environmental projects at Stennis, Stennis representative on the NASA blast overpressure from RS-68
including work on the Area 9 Engineering Standards Panel. testing negatively affecting the core
Sanitary Wastewater Treatment stage. The team developed a process
Facility. He also serves as manager Justin Junell to test overpressure levels and
for both the Stennis Cultural received the evaluated resulting data to determine
Resource Program and the National NASA Silver that both test projects could proceed
Environmental Policy Act. He also Achievement safely. Team members included
was tapped to serve a stint as acting Medal for his representatives from Stennis, the
NASA federal preservation officer. leadership Rocket Propulsion Test Program
of the Office, Marshall Space Flight Center,
Cheryl A. investigation the White Sands Test Facility, Aerojet
Timko into the Rocketdyne, Boeing, Syncom Space
received high-pressure liquid oxygen bleed Services and Bangham Engineering.
the NASA valve failure on the E-1 Test Stand
Early Career in July 2017. Junell led all phases Team members included:
Achievement of the investigation, creating a
Medal for comprehensive fault tree and formal NASA
her work lessons learned, which were shared Andrew Bracey
as a NASA with project stakeholders and the Thomas Carroll
contract specialist since 2008. In propulsion test community. His David Carver
that time, Timko has provided an efforts were marked by attention Craig Chandler
outstanding level of contracting to technical detail and exceptional
competency, gaining a reputation leadership skills. See AWARDS, Page 10
Page 10 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
AWARDS
Continued from Page 9
Jonathan Dickey
Bruce Farner
Daniel Goad
Juan Gomez
Aaron Head
Michael Holmes
Scott Jensen
Michael Kersanac
Joseph Lacher
Dwayne Stockstill
Jacqueline Wall
Dale Woolridge
Contractor Support
Cheryl Bennett
William Bonney
Byron Bordelon
Terrence Burrel
Eric Cranford
Billy Davis
Douglas Dike
Joni Dumas
Gregory Freudenthal
Rocket Hoyt
Anthony Jackson
Willie Johnson
Bradley Jones
Travis Kennedy
Dion Lee
Alan Mayne
Matthew Melerine
Kevin Parker
David Poche Rocket Test Facility Co-Location Team
Harold Ross
Mounir Sabbagh 30 years Jack Conley
Sheena Weyenberg Beth L. Bradley Laurence de Quay
James Williams Hugh V. Carr Jr. Jonathan Dickey
Sandra Zar James M. Cockrell Robert Drackett
Dinna L. Cottrell Robert Gargiulo
David P. Failla Glen Guzik
In addition to medal recipients, sev- Thomas Lipski Rachel Harrison-Woodard
eral additional Stennis individuals and Tiffany Hawkins
groups were recognized for service 25 years Paula Hensarling
and contributions as well. Lavaniel S. Ward Melissa Huggins
Bridget Jones
Length of Service Awards Group Achievement Award Justin Junell
Michael Kersanac
40 years Aerojet Rocketdyne AR-1 Truc Le
Patricia H. Fairley Subscale Pre-Burner/ Thomas Meredith
Main Injector and AR-1 Fullscale Christopher Mulkey
35 years Pre-Burner Test Projects Raymond Nichols
Freddie Douglas III NASA Rosa Obregon
Wendy T. Holladay Christoffer Barnett-Woods Aster Nino Pastoral
Dorsie Jones John Bourgeois
David E. Walters Gergory Carmouche See AWARDS, Page 11Page 11 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
AWARDS Mack Hester
John-David Hinson
Vicente Munoz
Dennis Necaise
Continued from Page 10 Jason Hobgood Chad Northrop
Petter Hobgood Carley Odom
Peyton Pinson
David Hodge Curtis Olive
Kevin Power
Jeret Howard Kevin Oramous
Robbie Randall
Stephen Rawls Kristi Hurt Donald Osborne
David Roberts Kurt Jarrell Randy Overton
Robert Southers Timothy Jarrell Robert Pair
Dwayne Stockstill Gary Jennings Kevin Parker
Janice Tasin Daniel Jocks Ralph Penton
Peter Tran Willie Johnson Lasonya Pulliam
Richard Wear Andrew Jones Christopher Quinn
Robert Williams Marsella Jones Tal Raboteau
Ricky Jones Mitchell Railey
Contractor Support Colin Kappe Bobby Rodriguez
Justin Alison Raymond Keim Harold Ross
Vicki Ard Kyle Kellgren Travis Sanders
Glen Beech Austin Ladner John Searles
Cheryl Bennett Lisa Ladner Raymond Seymour
Gary Bennett Robin Ladner Grant Shaw
William Berry Timothy Ladner John Shupe
Charles Blackmon Carl Lee David Slavinsky
David Blansett Dion Lee Shane Smith
Jeffrey Blevins Eric Lichtenstein Timothy Smith
Van Bolden Joseph Lizana Darrin Spansel
Jesse Bourgeois Jeremiah Lumpkin Billy Spence
Roger Bridges Paul Lusich George Spence
Kenneth Burley Rickey Lyons Joshua Spence
Terrence Burrel Michael Marodis Todd Stefanski
Samuel Clay Bruce Matthews Adam Stockstill
Nicholas Coleman Joshua McBeth Jonathan Strickland
Kenneth Cook Kenneth McCormack Joshua Tarter
Brian Corr Jacob McKinley Torey Tarter
Mark Corr Lori Mills Courtney Thoms
Jesse Crawford Mark Mills Stephen Thoms
Taylor Davie Marlon Mitchell
Horace Davis Timothy Mitchell See AWARDS, Page 12
Phillip Dossett
Joni Dumas
Willie Ellis
Brian Everett
Jack Fabre
Susan Fendley
Dan Fillette
Anthony Fleming
Rogers Gipson
Jerrick Goff
Dillon Goss
Dale Green
Patrick Guidry
Timothy Gwinn
Leslie Hanna
Josh Hansell
Charles Hariel
Scott Hariel
David Harriel
Kenneth Hawkins AR-1 Subscale Preburner/Main Injector and AR-1 Full Scale Preburner Test Projects TeamPage 12 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
AWARDS
Continued from Page 11
Julian Ulloa
Terry Wactor
James Wahl
Curtis Watkins
Jason Wheat
Cleveland Whitfield
Charles Wilder
Raymond Williams
Ryan Williams
Anita Wilson
Donald Wilson
Samuel Wright
Rickie Zerkus
B-2/Space Launch System
Green Run Core Facility Contract Funding Process Integration and Automation Team
Construction Team Matthew Ladner Contractor Support
NASA Jesse Lamonte Anita Anthony
Katie Kopcso Lester Langford David Armbruster
Elizabeth Calantoni Aaron Mannion Jeff Barros
Nicholas Cenci Travis Martin James Bennett
Jasper Cook Bryon Maynard Brett Bossier
Dawn Davis Nicholas Nugent Mark Bridenbeck
Jason Edge Richard Rauch Jason Brooks
Alex Elliot Ryan Roberts Terrence Burrel
Daniel Goad Barry Robinson Cheley Carpenter
Juan Gomez Mark Robinson Chris Carter
Christine Grapusa Debra Rushing Christopher Carter
Mark Hancock Claude Sanders Anna Carver
Phillip Hebert Karma Snyder Christopher Cloutet
Charles Heim Mark Turowskil Buford Cooper
Andrew Henken Darrel Varner Joseph Costa
Jason Hopper Casey Wheeler John Davis
Kanokwan Kooamphorn Burnley Wigley Randy Dedeaux
Douglas Dike
Anthony Dilorenzo
Bradley Favre
Brandon Fleming
Carl Flettrich
Kristie Foster
Kerry Gallagher
Charles Gillis
Eric Goller
Dale Green
Ruth Hextall
Gerald Howard
Curtis Hyatt
Timothy Jarrell
Erica Jones
Micah Jones
William Jones
James Jordan
Byron Ladner
B-2/Space Launch System Green Run Core Facility Construction Team See AWARDS, Page 13Page 13 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
AWARDS
Continued from Page 12
Chadwick Ladner
Gergory Ladner
Lisa Ladner
Richard Ladner
Melissa Lathem
Angela Lee
Harlie Lee
Joseph LeSieur
Daniel Levens
Curtis Lockwood
Hannah Lynch
Gary Marshall
Andrew “Sandy” Martin
Benjamin McGrath
Gregory McVay
Jimmy Miles Pressure System U&R Stamp Certification Team
Jerry Miller
Stephen Mugg Frances Songy David Keith
Nicole Narvaez Jonathan Spence Leslie Ladner
Tuan Ngo Jonathan Strickland Karen Seals
Chad Nicholas Daniel Tarter Steven Taylor
David Olson Dale Tutor
Kevin Parker Rodney Valdes Contractor Support
Ty Proffitt Sutha Vallipuram Angela Cuevas
Alvin Richard Perry Waller Alison Dardar
William Ritchie Benjamin Wiesel Richard Marshall
Rodney Sampson Sheena Weyenberg Shellie Martinez
Tina Schultz Jason Wheat Desiaralle Mendel
Michael Shaw Rodney Wilkinson Jennifer Rolison
John Shupe Jennifer Stevenson
Michael Slade Contract Funding Process Sara Stuart
Billy Smith Integration and Automation Team
Donald Smith NASA ISO 9001:2015
Robert Smith Kimberly Driebergen Transition Audit Team
Ronald Snyder Angela Hall NASA
Anita Douglas
Donna Dubuisson
Rachel Harrison-Woodard
Jesse Lamonte
Karen Patton
Carmen Ramirez-Pagan
Delton Rodriguez
James Ryan
Robert Simmers
Robert Southers
Karen Vander
Contractor Support
Jeffrey Barros
Robert Cales
Kevin Cognevich
Stephen Ivanyisky
Bertha Jackson
Rhonda Lavigne
ISO 9001:2015 Transition Audit Team See AWARDS, Page 14Page 14 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
AWARDS
Continued from Page 13
James Mirandy
Todd Sandeman
Pressure System U&R Stamp
Certification Team
NASA
Son Le
Contractor Support
Barbara Andres
Glen Beech
Jeffrey Blevins
Jennifer Cardinal
Steven Costello
Scott Curet
William Davis Regionalized Multiple Award Construction Contract Two (MACC-II) Source Evaluation Board
Richard Ferrill
Dale Heintzelman Regionalized Multiple William Miltier
Wilmon Henderson Award Construction Scott Olive
Robert Jones Contract Two (MACC-II) Todd Pryor (JSC)
Stephen Koch Source Evaluation Jeffrey Renshaw
Jackie Ladner Board Team Michael Rewis
Robin Ladner NASA Claude Sanders
Jeremy Lebouef Ronald Bald Thad Stripling (MSFC)
Benjamin McGrath Keith Britton (KSC)
Jacob McKinley Christopher Carmichael Systems Engineering/Project
Dennis Necaise David Christani Management (SEPM)
James Necaise Kay Doane Advocate Team
Aaron Pearson Kimberly Driebergen NASA
Nettie Ryan Jason Edge Cabrina Bell
George Smith Charles Heim Gary Benton
Timothy Smith Heather Hendrix Anita Douglas
Donal Snyder Veronica Lansey (HQ) Robert Gargiulo
Michael Theriot Deborah Lyon (HQ, Retired) Charles Liberto
Travis Martin
Scott Olive
Christine Powell
Thomas Rich
Joseph Schuyler
Gary Taylor
Liquid Hydrogen Barge
Vaporizer Repair
NASA
Henry Bakker
Craig Chandler
Rachel Harrison-Woodard
Tiffany Hawkins
Son Le
Harry Ryan
Richard Wear
Robert Williams
Systems Engineering/Project Management (SEPM) Advocate Team See AWARDS, Page 15Page 15 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
AWARDS
Continued from Page 14
Contractor Support
Roy Ard
Marvis Burkett
Terrence Burrel
Louis Carrier
Billy Davis
Benjamin Gill
Philip Kopfinger
Benjamin McGrath
Mark Powe
Stacey Smith
Stennis Space Center
Office of Education
NASA
Michele Beisler
Christopher Copelan Liquid Hydrogen Barge Vaporizer Repair Team
Katrina Emery
Mitchell Krell Marci Rogers Space Flight Awareness
Kelly Martin-Rivers Stacy Schmidt Management Award
Joy Smith Marquez Singleton Harry M. Ryan
Nathan Sovik Louis Thompson Dawn M. Davis
William Trest
Contractor Support Headquarters
Yolanda Anderson Office of the
Rebekah Blair Special Recognition Awards Chief Financial Officer Award
Kristy Brunfield Michele Campbell
Stephen Culivan Peer Award
Sabrina Edmondson for Diversity Enhancement ACES Reasonable
Breeana Fortenberry Anthony J. Goretski Equitable Adjustment
Seth Johnson (REA) Team
Maria Lott Peer Award Mary S. Horne
April McIntosh for Professional Achievement Joseph D. Ladner
Jordan McQueen Michael J. Vallan Monica M. Watts
Agency Agreements
Business Process Design and
Documentation Team
Edwad J. Toomey
Kelly E. Sullivan
Office of the
General Counsel
Teamwork Award
Michael J. Vallan
Ronald J. Bald
Women of Color
STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics)
Professional Achievement
in Government
Award
Stennis Space Center Office of Education Dawn M. DavisPage 16 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
Federal
official
tours
Stennis
Lisa August (white
jacket), a budget
examiner in the U.S
Office of Management
and Budget stands atop
the B-1/B-2 Test Stand
during a visit to Stennis
Space Center on July 26.
In addition the B stand,
August toured various
site facilities, including
the A-1 Test Stand, E
Test Complex and NASA
Shared Services Center.
The Office of Manage-
ment and Budget serves
the president of the
United States in oversee-
ing implementation of
his vision across the
Executive Branch.
Boeing managers visit Stennis
Stennis director
honors site retiree
Center Director Rick Gilbrech presents Gail Mitchell with
a director’s Certificate of Appreciation at her retirement
reception July 31. Mitchell retired after 29 years of
service at Stennis, including 25 of those years working
Boeing senior managers participating in the company’s Program Management Develop
in the site’s Conference Center. “It’s been great being
Program visited Stennis Space Center on July 27 to learn about ongoing work at the site
out here,” Mitchell said. “You’re all my friends. I love this
and tour facilities. The group toured the Aerojet Rocketdyne Engine Assembly Facility,
place and promote it everywhere I go.”
as well as the B-2 Test Stand, which is being prepared to test the core stage of NASA’s
new Space Launch System rocket.Page 17 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
New NASA resource puts world at one’s fingertips
A new NASA web resource designed by the Ad-
vanced Technology and Technology Transfer
Branch at Stennis Space Center places the world
at one’s fingertips – in very real fashion.
Once the data and tools were collected and a toolkit
design determined, Stennis personnel worked with the
NASA Technology Transfer System programmers at
NASA’s Ames Research Center in Mountain View, Cali-
fornia, to build the system. The resulting toolkit already
The new NASA Remote Sensing Toolkit puts a myriad of has garnered praise.
Earth science data sets and tools in the hands of users,
including industry, government and academia. The federal General Services Administration (GSA) has
featured the toolkit on its Performance.gov website,
“NASA collects a lot of Earth science data and builds which showcases ways to deliver “smarter, leaner and
specialized software tools to analyze it,” explained Duane more effective government.”
Armstrong, chief of the Stennis Advanced Technol-
ogy and Technology Transfer Branch. “However, these The GSA identified the Remote Sensing Toolkit as “an
are not always example of
easy to find. how a better ap-
The toolkit is proach to gov-
designed to help ernment data
people find the can help drive
data and tools more effective
they need.” government
and help grow
The user- innovation and
friendly toolkit the economy.”
is designed like
popular web- The GSA as-
based tax return sessment falls
services. Once in line with
accessed, a Armstrong’s
simple interface hope that the
helps guide the new toolkit
user to sources approach
of data or tools. becomes a
blueprint for
NASA’s Tech- organizing
nology Transfer information and
Program execu- tools in other
tive asked Sten- areas as well.
nis to design the “The potential
toolkit. Stennis benefit of this
technology staff is not limited
searched NASA’s Software Catalog, software reposito- to remote sensing,” he said. “This is an example of how
ries and hundreds of websites to identify various remote we can adapt and organize data for maximum benefit in
sensing data sets and tools. Stennis also devised and built other areas.”
a framework to organize the diverse information in a way
that required only a handful of simple questions to iden- The toolkit approach enhances NASA’s ability to share
tify the resources for users. information and provide value to a range of users,
Armstrong said. He noted that more than 1,000 people
“Stennis is no longer involved in remote sensing, but already have signed up for upcoming webinars to learn
Stennis’ remote sensing tools are part of the new kit,” what the toolkit offers and how best to access its data and
Armstrong noted. tools.
The Stennis-developed tools include such applications To access the new NASARemote Sensing Toolkit, visit:
as ForWarn, a satellite-based monitoring and assessment https://software.nasa.gov/remotesensing/
tool to track changes in forest vegetation across the coun-
try; and the coastal salinity and temperature application For more information regarding the Stennis Advanced
that provides daily access to ocean salinity and tempera- Technology and Technology Transfer Branch, visit:
ture information. https://technology.ssc.nasa.gov/Page 18 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
Astro Camp participants enjoy ‘out of this world’ visit with NASA astronaut
Participants in the NASA Astro Camp® program
sponsored by NASA Stennis Space Center enjoyed
an “out of this world” treat July 19, speaking live
with astronaut Ricky Arnold aboard the International
Space Station. Students from the INFINITY Science
Center Astro Camp and 50+ other Human Exploration
and Operations-sponsored Astro Camps located in
Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas engaged
in a 20-minute call to the space station as part of
NASA’s Year of Education on Station, which features
Arnold and fellow educator/astronaut Joe Acaba
during their stays aboard the orbiting space station.
Arnold is a member of the Expedition 55 crew that
launched to the ISS earlier this year. Acaba served as
a member of the Expedition 53/54 crew last fall and
early this year. Linking students directly to astronauts
aboard the space station provides unique, authentic
experiences designed to enhance student learning,
performance and interest in science, technology, engi-
neering and mathematics (STEM). Astronauts living
in space on the orbiting laboratory communicate with
NASA’s Mission Control Center on Earth 24 hours a
day through the Space Network’s Tracking and Data
Relay satellites. Twenty students at INFINITY asked
Arnold questions submitted by all camps, which
included topics such as use of robotics, physical
adjustments to zero gravity, what food he missed
the most and whether he “had ever made a mistake
in space.” Stennis Safety and Mission Assur¬ance
Director Freddie Douglas (top right) spoke to students
at INFINITY following the call.Page 19 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
Bastion focused on Stennis pressure systems safety
Note: The following is part of a regular focus on safety and health tion personnel perform engineering analysis, participate
at Stennis Space Center. It was written by Jim Mirandy of Bastion in audits, perform surveillance, review non-destructive
Technologies. evaluations and provide certification reports and docu-
S
mentation packages.
tennis Space Center works under pressure. Specifi-
cally, pressure vessels and systems play a significant This system information is shared with NASA and the
part in our rocket engine test program. test and facilities contractor to ensure it accurately re-
flects the overall health of the system.
Stennis operations use a variety of inert, cryogenic and
flammable commodities, each having their own set of The Bastion Technologies Engineers and Inspectors
risks and dangers when stored under pressure. For many are subject matter experts who maintain an expertise in
of these systems, pressure system
there are miles technology that
and miles of pip- supports Stennis’
ing, tubing, tanks pressure system
and systems that certifications,
have to be evalu- re-certifications,
ated and main- repairs, alterations
tained. and re-ratings.
Keeping these The Bastion
extensive pressure pressure vessel
systems safe and system team also
operating correctly is a big job and takes a great team. works with other NASA centers to share information and
As part of that team, Bastion Technologies supports methods to ensure best practices are being used within
the NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate by the NASA community.
providing engineers and inspectors with over 40 years of
combined experience who look at the various pressure Maintenance and reliability of the pressure systems at
systems throughout the site. Stennis is of paramount importance to the center’s and
surrounding community’s safety. The Bastion Technolo-
In this role, they maintain, and contribute to the sitewide gies team is proud to help contribute to the effort of
piping and pressure vessel certification program. Bas- keeping Stennis safe for everyone.
An engaged safety culture keeps Stennis Space Center rocketing forward!
To contribute to this page, contact:
Kamili Shaw at kamili.j.shaw@nasa.gov or Karen Patton at karen.patton@nasa.gov
Carefulness costs you nothing. Carelessness may cost you your life.
Safety starts with awareness. Awareness starts with you.
Knowing safety is not enough. Practice it!
Hail & Farewell
NASA bids farewell to the following:
Jason Hopper AST, Mechanical Experimental Equipment Engineering and Test Directorate
NASA welcomes the following:
Hooper LaVigne AST, Electrical Experimental Equipment Engineering and Test DirectoratePage 20 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
1971 – Space shuttle testing comes to Mississippi
Note: For more than 50 years, NASA’s John test assignment – Jerry Hlass. He was working on his
C. Stennis Space Center has played a pivotal role master’s thesis at George Washington University. It was
in the success of the nation’s space program. This titled “Search for a Role for a Large Government Facil-
month’s Lagniappe provides a glimpse into the ity,” with the focus on the Space Shuttle Program and the
history of the south Mississippi rocket engine test use of MTF.
center.
T
Hlass, who later led the Mississippi facility as director,
he Mississippi Test Facility (MTF) was built on had the ear of the NASA Site Evaluation Board. When
rocket testing, and a new program was forming asked his opinion, he gave his case for MTF.
– to build
a reusable space After consideration,
shuttle. Roy Estess, on March 1, 1971,
then working as the Mississippi Test
an engineer, was Facility officially
assigned to put was selected for the
together a presenta- “sea-level testing of
tion to convince the rocket engines
NASA to select to power the space
MTF to perform shuttle.” The roar
tests on the space of rocket engines
shuttle main en- would be heard
gines. again throughout
south Mississippi.
In December
1970, Estess had Work began on
the presentation modifying the test
ready for NASA stands for the new
Headquarters. He endeavor. The
gave the presenta- space shuttle main
tion to a board of engine test project
NASA managers. officially began on
He spoke of the May 19, 1975. The
low cost for facility so-called “burp”
modifications that test did not include
would be needed full ignition of the
for the space engine. The first
shuttle main engine full ignition space
tests, the test expe- shuttle main engine
rience already at the test occurred on
south Mississippi June 12, 1975.
facility as a result Twelve days later,
of Apollo testing on June 24, 1975,
and the local com- An in-stand camera offers a look at a 1981 space shuttle main engine test. the first full-dura-
munities’ willing- tion space shuttle
ness to support the program. main engine test was conducted.
The board was very impressed with Estess and his With single-engine testing under way, attention at the
knowledge of the program. One board member told him newly-renamed National Space Technologies Labora-
that his presentation was “the best we’ve had out of all tory squarely turned to the shuttle’s main propulsion test
three places” seeking the testing assignment. article (MPTA), the three liquid-fueled engines, external
fuel tank and simulated orbiter structure to be tested
Unknown to Estess, a now-familiar name was in the before the shuttle launched from Kennedy Space Center
camp for MTF to be selected for the space shuttle engine in Florida.Page 21 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity
Mississippi and the woman suffrage amendment
I n the 20th century, Mississippi legislators were called
on to act on two U.S. constitutional amendments that
had major implications for women. The first was the
woman suffrage amendment, ratified in 1920 to become
the 19th Amendment. The second was the Equal Rights
forced to flee to Chicago because her life was in jeop-
ardy. There, she became active in suffrage activities and is
recognized for her courage in expanding opportunities for
women of color in the suffrage movement.
Amendment (ERA), submitted to the states in 1972 but There was one major state suffrage campaign in 1914 that
left unratified when the deadline expired in 1982. failed, and by 1915, many Mississippi suffragists had con-
cluded the state was unlikely to act on its own. They be-
The woman suffrage movement in America began in lieved they would only get the vote if an amendment was
1848 after women were left out when the 14th and 15th added to the U. S. Constitution. Kearney and Somerville
amendments extended the right to vote to African-Ameri- joined with other southern women who tried to convince
can men. In the 1870s, suffragists sought the right to vote fellow southerners that suffrage by federal amendment
through an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as was not a threat. Somerville accepted a vice presidency in
through a proposed 16th Amendment. All efforts failed. NAWSA and was highly influential in convincing south-
National suffrage leaders reluctantly concluded that they ern suffrage leaders to support the proposed amendment.
would have to focus on state suffrage amendments.
National suffrage leaders organized the final push for
By 1890, national leaders, united in a large suffrage congressional approval of the amendment. They urged
organization called the National American Woman Suf- suffragists from “hopeless” states like Mississippi not
frage Association (NAWSA), realized that to achieve all to campaign for state suffrage amendments since they
this they would have to “bring in the South.” They were would probably fail and make the federal amendment
all too aware this might be hard. Many white southern- seem unpopular. Suffragists in some southern states were
ers were hostile to the movement because it was an furious, but Somerville and other Mississippi suffragists
outgrowth of the antebellum effort to end slavery. They followed the lead without protest.
also took pride in women remaining in traditional role as
“southern ladies” – which meant staying out of politics When Congress sent the woman suffrage amendment to
except to encourage men to rule wisely for their sakes. the states for ratification in June 1919, the state’s rights
Yet, a growing number of women in the South were eager issue was an additional and powerful obstacle to its suc-
to have the vote, both to improve legal, educational and cess. Many southern politicians feared that if the woman
employment opportunities for women and to promote suffrage amendment was approved, the federal govern-
needed reforms. But they were getting nowhere. ment would then enforce the 14th and 15th Amendments
requiring the states to allow black men to vote.
Nellie Nugent Somerville of Greenville, Mississippi, was
active in the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, a Nevertheless, Mississippi suffragists formed a Ratification
national organization that had endorsed woman suffrage. Committee and opened a headquarters in Jackson, the
Somerville accepted the presidency of the Mississippi state capital. By this time, the amendment had been rati-
Woman Suffrage Association, lending the social and po- fied by 22 states. The suffragists were aided by national
litical reputation of her family, plus her own considerable Democratic Party leaders, including President Woodrow
organizing skills, to this movement. Wilson, who thought American women were on the
verge of gaining the vote and was eager to win their
In 1906, Belle Kearney of Madison County, Mississippi, favor. Mississippi did not ratify the amendment, but in
a traveling professional speaker, returned home long August 1920, it was at last added to the Constitution after
enough to bring the woman suffrage association back to Tennessee became the 36th and final state to ratify. It had
life – but soon left it again in the hands of Somerville. taken almost 75 years for suffragists to win this victory.
Gradually, the suffragists built support. They established
chapters in many towns, made speeches, sponsored By the 1970s, when Mississippi was debating the proposed
booths at the state fair and won over a few newspaper Equal Rights Amendment, many regarded the state’s fail-
editors and political leaders. However, they never won ure to ratify the 19th Amendment as an embarrassment
over the vast majority of state legislators. since Mississippi was the only state that had never done
so. Thus, on March 22, 1984, the Mississippi Legislature –
Most Mississippi women working for woman suffrage on a day when few legislators were listening and with no
were white, except for Ida B. Wells of Holly Springs. Wells opposition – finally ratified the 19th Amendment.
was an African American activist/suffragist known for her
relentless work on behalf of the anti-lynching movement. Information for this article came from the Mississippi Historical
Wells wrote editorials exposing lynching activities and was Society and suffrage100ma.org.Page 22 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
Stennis hosts Take Our Children to Work Day
Nearly 200 children of Stennis employees visited the site July 19 to take enjoyed presentations and an opportunity to visit site facilities and learn
part in the annual Take Our Children to Work Day activities. Participants about the work performed at Stennis.
NASA selects technology projects for development
N ASA has selected 20 research and technology
proposals – valued at $15 million – from 19
American small businesses. Each is partner-
ing with research institutions for Phase II of NASA’s
competitive Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
• Through Wall Wireless Intelligent Sensor and
Health monitoring (Twall-ISHM) System), devel-
oped by American GNC Corporation of Simi Valley,
California; and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy,
New York.
program. The selections include two projects monitored
by supporting Stennis Space Center. • High Performance Simulation Tool for Multiphys-
ics Propulsion Using Fidelity-Adaptive Combus-
STTR supports NASA’s future missions into deep space tion Modeling, developed by Streamline Numerics,
and benefits the U.S. economy. Selected proposals will Inc. of Gainesville, Florida; and Stanford University of
support the development of technologies in the areas of Stanford, California.
aeronautics, science, human exploration and operations,
and space technology. The awards are for small compa- Small businesses have created approximately 55 percent
nies partnering with research institutions from across the of all jobs in the United States since the 1970s. The
country. STTR program encourages small businesses and research
institutions to develop innovative ideas that meet the
“Our STTR program focuses both entrepreneurs and specific research and development needs of the federal
leading research institutions on NASA’s long-term goals, government.
bringing the latest in aerospace research to our pro-
grams,” said Jim Reuter, acting associate administrator For a complete list of the 2017 STTR selections, visit:
for the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate https://sbir.nasa.gov/prg_selection/node/60150
(STMD) in Washington. “We are excited to see the results
of these latest awardees.” For more about the Stennis Space Center Advanced
Technology and Technology Transfer Branch, visit:
The two projects supporting Stennis Space Center are: https://technology.ssc.nasa.gov/Page 23 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
Faces of Stennis
Each month, Lagniappe will feature employees at Stennis Space Center
whose work enables the center to fulfill its mission as the nation’s
largest rocket engine test center. This month’s employee
is highlighted on the following page.Page 24 LAGNIAPPE August 2018
Marc Shoemaker
When it comes to space, Marc Shoemaker has two early controls engineering lead for seven years, supporting
memories, both from grade school in Birmingham, Ala- a number of engine test projects. Shoemaker now is
bama. One involves the loss of the space shuttle Chal- moving to become the electrical operations lead for the
lenger. The other came when his school set up a mock E-3 Test Stand. He also will provide help with control
space shuttle, and Shoemaker was chosen to command systems buildup and activation on the B-2 Test Stand.
a crew mission. “I was in the mock cockpit, and we had “The best thing (about Stennis) is that we get to closely
monitors, control panels and headsets that we used witness and be a part of so many different pieces of the
while we simulated a mission launch through flight and process of going to space,” Shoemaker says, noting
landing,” Shoemaker recalls. “It was a great interactive everything from engine development testing to facility
way to learn about a lot of different roles and responsi- modification and activation to flight certification hot fires.
bilities that went into manned space flight.” Years later, He likens the entire process to “building the first steps of
Shoemaker lives in New Orleans and fills one of those a stairway to the stars.” Shoemaker is proud to be part of
space flight roles as a NASA electrical engineer at Sten- the work, which he hopes will inspire future generations
nis Space Center. He worked as a contractor at Kennedy and build momentum for even bigger and bolder space
Space Center in Florida before relocating to Stennis in missions. “It is exciting to think that Stennis is – and will
2011. At Stennis, he has served as the A Test Complex continue to be – a big part of that,” he says.You can also read
