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NASA Ames Astrogram – July 2019

The headshot image of Astrid Albaugh

Astrid Albaugh

Jul 31, 2019
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Math Invented for Moon Landing Helps Your Flight Arrive on Time

by Abigail Tabor

They say the computers on board the Apollo spacecraft were not even as powerful as your smartphone. So, how did they travel all that way, perform complex maneuvers in space and return through Earth’s atmosphere at just the right angle to splash down in the Pacific Ocean?

Greg Schmidt knows an important part of the answer is based in math. He heard all about it from his father, Stanley Schmidt, who developed powerful computational techniques at NASA Ames, even before the Apollo program was ramping up. After a childhood steeped in this history, Greg grew up to become the director of NASA’s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute, based at Ames.

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For full story, see: MoonMath

Ames Hosts NASA in Silicon Valley Live Special Apollo 50th Anniversary Show

On July 20, 1969, humans took their first steps on the Moon. In the episode streamed on July 18, 2019, we spoke about this historic achievement and our future plans to go to the Moon and on to Mars.

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Credit: NASA Ames

NASA Searches for Life from the Moon in Recently Rediscovered Historic Footage

by Frank Tavares

NASA has released rare, never-before-seen footage of researchers looking for signs of life in the samples brought back by the Apollo 11 astronauts in 1969. The footage shows biologists and chemists at NASA Ames working in a specially designed clean room and applying the most sophisticated analytical techniques of the time to search for life.

Staff at Ames had been searching the center’s archives for unique Apollo artifacts to showcase as the agency prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo Moon landing on July 20. The footage was recorded on an obsolete 16-mm film format and was digitized and remastered for public release.

This footage from 1969 shows researchers at NASA’s Ames Research Center examining samples of Moon rocks and soil that astronauts brought back from the Apollo 11 mission. The researchers are looking for signs of life endemic to the Moon, as well as organic compounds that are the basic building blocks of life. Of course, no lunar life was found in these samples, and we now know that the Moon does not harbor life. Nevertheless, these tests became the first time that NASA retrieved samples from another world to look for life on that world.

Credit: NASA Ames

For full story, see: HistoricFootage

Ames Participates in USS Hornet Commemorative Splashdown 50 Celebration

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The Ames Office of Communications’ Public Engagement team hosted a booth on the USS Hornet in Alameda, California for their Splashdown 50 Celebration on July 24, 2019. NASA scientists and astronauts were present at the event to discuss the past, present and future of lunar exploration and space travel. Posters and other information were passed out to visitors. Astronaut and geologist Harrison Schmitt was at the event and posed for a photo with one of the moon rocks he had collected on his Apollo 17 mission.
Credit: photos by Astrid Albaugh

Exploration Science Forum Features Exploration Discussions about the Moon, Mars and Asteroids

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Apollo 17 Astronaut Harrison Schmitt speaks at the recent 2019 Exploration Science Forum held July 23 – 25, 2019 at Ames. In addition to the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, this year’s forum featured scientific discussions of human exploration targets of interest (the Moon, near-Earth asteroids and the moons of Mars). It was hosted by the Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI).
Credit: NASA Ames/Don Richey

Brown Discusses How the Apollo Missions Were a Monumental Achievement for Humanity

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“Inside Apollo: Forgotten Stories and Important Lessons” was presented by Dr. Brandon Brown, on July 30, 2019 at Ames. The Apollo missions success rested on the efforts of some 400,000 people who worked tirelessly for 11 years to make the Moon landing a reality. Brown discussed some of the tremendous engineering achievements, people and stories of the Apollo era. He is a professor of physics and astronomy at the University of San Francisco. His research includes work on superconductivity and sensory biophysics.
Credit: NASA Ames/Don Richey

Using a ‘Cave Rover,’ NASA Learns to Search for Life Underground

Scientists test out new methods of discovering life in California lava tubes that could one day be used on other worlds

by Frank Tavares

Imagine descending into a cave carved out by lava to work alongside a rover about the size of Spirit and Opportunity on Mars, watching the pristine wilderness of a national park transition into tall pillars and stalactites, all in a search for subterranean microbes.

Rover in a cave with two engineers.
NASA’s robotics team drives the test rover, CaveR, into Valentine Cave at Lava Beds National Monument. The science instruments, visible in the box-like structure pointing to one wall of the cave, will begin testing further downstream in the cave. One of the CaveR engineers is perched on a lava ledge, a marker of one of the lava flows in the cave.
Credit: NASA

That was a typical day for NASA’s Biologic and Resource Analog Investigations in Low Light Environments project, also known as BRAILLE, while on deployment. Operated out of NASA Ames, the BRAILLE team is developing the capability to detect life on the walls of volcanic caves from afar. To do this, they’re venturing into North America’s largest network of lava tubes, with the goal of advancing efforts to search for life elsewhere in the universe.

For full story, see: CaveRover

NASA Ames Welcomes USGS, Catalyzing Study of Earth from Orbit to Core

This summer, 220 employees of the U.S. Geological Survey, or USGS, are set to move in at NASA Ames. The two federal agencies, which will now have co-located teams, share a mandate to observe, study and understand our home planet.

It’s a short move, as the crow flies – the USGS teams will head just a few miles south from their former campus in Menlo Park – but their presence at Ames will significantly expand scientific cooperation.

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A ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 10, 2019 marked the official arrival of the U.S. Geological Survey to its new home, co-locating in California’s Silicon Valley with NASA Ames. Pictured, from left to right, are: Colin Williams, USGS Geology, Minerals, Energy and Geophysics Science Center Director; Carol Carroll, Deputy Center Director, NASA Ames; Mark Sogge, USGS Southwest Regional Director; Dan R. Brown, Regional Commissioner, Public Buildings Service, U.S. General Services Administration; and Baltazar Lopez, senior field representative for the Honorable Anna Eshoo. Credit: NASA Ames/Don Richey

For full story, see: USGSMovestoAmes

Employees Join San Francisco Pride 2019 Celebration

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June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, held annually to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riots. About 30 Ames employees participated in the San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade on Sunday, June 30, 2019, making this NASA Ames’ fifth official pride parade. The parade traveled down Market Street for about 1.5 miles. In the past, the parade has drawn up to four million viewers along the parade route and is televised throughout the Bay Area.

Ames’ David Smith Receives Presidential Early Career Award

President Trump has named 18 NASA researchers as recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). These recipients, and 296 other federal researchers, will receive their awards later this year at a ceremony in Washington.

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David Smith, recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) for excellence in microbial research in the stratosphere and on the International Space Station.
Credit: NASA

The PECASE Award is the highest honor given by the U.S. government to scientists and engineers who are beginning their research careers. The award recognizes recipients’ potential to advance the frontiers of scientific knowledge and their commitment to community service, as demonstrated through professional leadership, education or community outreach.

“These PECASE winners represent some of the brightest early career researchers that NASA supports,” said James Green, NASA chief scientist. “They were selected for what they have already accomplished, but more importantly, we expect they will reach even higher goals in the future. They are shining stars.”

The following 2019 NASA recipients were nominated by the agency’s Science, Human Exploration and Operations, Space Technology, and Aeronautics Research mission directorates, Office of the Chief Engineer, and Office of the Chief Technologist:

  • Giada Arney, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland – for far-reaching influence in predicting, observing, and communicating about habitability and the potential for life beyond Earth
  • Laura Barge, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, California – for innovative fuel-cell based research
  • Jennifer Barrila, Arizona State University, Tempe – for advancing understanding of infectious disease with innovated space-based investigations
  • Mark Blenner – Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina – for pioneering use of synthetic biology
  • Lynn Carter, University of Arizona, Tucson – for innovative radar polarimetry and remote sensing
  • Shawn Domagal-Goldman, Goddard – for physical models of exoplanets
  • Erika Hamden, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena – for innovative leadership in studies of the universe
  • Rebecca Kramer, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana – for groundbreaking research on adaptive robots and embedded intelligence
  • Gioia Massa, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida – for food cultivation for the International Space Station
  • Richard Moore, NASA’s Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia – for innovative contributions to aerosol-cloud-climate interactions
  • Evan Pineda, NASA’s Glenn Research Center, Cleveland – for state-of-the-art, multiscale failure analysis code
  • John Reager, JPL – for analysis of terrestrial global water cycles
  • Jonathan Sauder, JPL – for demonstrating innovative technologies to enable a new class of space missions
  • Yolanda Shea, Langley – for pioneering shortwave spectral measurements
  • David Smith, NASA’s Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California – for excellence in microbial research in the stratosphere and on the International Space Station  
  • Kelly Stephani, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – for contributions in fundamental high-temperature aerodynamics
  • Jennifer Stern, Goddard – for Mars habitability and life detection
  • Abigail Vieregg, University of Chicago – for inventing and implementing innovative techniques in neutrino astronomy

The PECASE awards were created to highlight the importance of science and technology for America’s future. These early career awards foster innovative developments in science and technology, increase awareness of careers in science and engineering, provide recognition to the scientific missions of participating agencies, and enhance connections between research and challenges facing the nation. For a complete list of award winners, visit:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-announces-recipients-presidential-early-career-award-scientists-engineers/

For information about NASA programs, projects, and activities visit: https://www.nasa.gov

Retaliation – How Your Ombudsman Can Help

As Ombudsman, we hear from people who believe they have experienced some form of retaliation or reprisal.  Retribution can come in the form of absence of support, veiled threats, public humiliation, social ostracism, performance evaluation or termination.

There are many challenges for the individual and the Ombudsman when potential reprisal exist.  Climates of fear, calculated actions by individuals who exhibit retalitory acts, cover-ups through paperwork, emotions and conflicting stories make these situations complicated for individuals in the midst of this conflict.  We first need to define retaliation.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws state that a manager may not fire, demote, harass or otherwise “retaliate” against an individual for filing a complaint of discrimination, participating in a discrimination proceeding or otherwise opposing discrimination.  The same laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability and genetic information also prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose unlawful discrimination or participate in an employment discrimination proceeding.

According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), retaliation is the most frequently alleged basis of discrimination in the federal sector and the most common discrimination finding in federal sector cases.  For example, it is unlawful to retaliate against employees for:

  • Filing or being a witness in an EEO charge, complaint, investigation or lawsuit.
  • Communicating with a manager about employment discrimination, including harassment.
  • Answering questions during an employer investigation of alleged harassment.
  • Refusing to follow orders that would result in discrimination.
  • Resisting sexual advances or intervening to protect others.

Employees who perceive they are the target of reprisal or are reluctant to address openly a legitimate concern in fear that a manager will retaliate in some way may contact their local NASA ombudsman. The ombudsman is an independent, impartial, confidential and informal resource who is available to listen, provide information, coach and help develop a range of responsible options. 

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Ombuds for NASA Ames, from left to right, Philip Fluegemann, Ed Harmon and Heather Hawley.
Credit: NASA

The NASA ombudsman serves a very valuable function simply by listening to and hearing a visitor’s description of actual reprisal or fear of reprisal.  The ombudsman may help the visitor make the distinction between reprisal and what is considered acceptable, normal practice of the organization in similar circumstances.  After identifying normal, acceptable practices, the ombudsman may help the visitor reframe the remaining issues to provide a better focus on the actions (or lack of action) that might actually be reprisal.  As a result of listening and reframing the issues, the ombudsman may explore certain aspects of the perceived reprisal informally.  If the ombudsman is not in the best position to address the issues presented by the visitor, the ombudsman may refer the visitor to another appropriate person who may enable the visitor to carry the issue forward. 

It is NASA’s policy to provide civil servants, Center contractor workforce and other individuals (e.g., partners, customers) who are working on or on a NASA-controlled facility with an informal, independent, confidential and neutral channel to communicate and facilitate resolution of issues and concerns related to safety, organizational performance or mission success without fear of retaliation.

Information in this article came from: https://www.eeoc.gov

To schedule a confidential visit with one of the Ames Ombuds, it is best to call for an appointment. Phil Fluegemann can be reached at ext. 4-5302,  Heather Hawley can be reached at ext. 4-1022 and Ed Harmon can be reached at ext. 4-1648.  To learn more about the program, visit the NASA Ombudsman website at:  https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/ombuds/index.html

Engaging in the Community at the Mountain View Tech Showcase

Ames Office of Communication at the July 2019 Mountain View Tech Showcase.
Engaging in the Community at the Mountain View Tech Showcase As 2019 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of NASA Ames Research Center, the Ames Office of Communication is celebrating this milestone by participating in 80 outreach events in the Bay Area and beyond. On July 16, 2019, the center participated in the Mountain View Tech Showcase which is an annual outdoor event that highlights innovation in the Mountain View community. It took place at the Civic Center Plaza in downtown Mountain View. The event attracts local technology enthusiasts, business and community members and provides NASA in Silicon Valley a venue to highlight the various programs and projects that will contribute to NASA’s return to the moon in 2024 and the Artemis program.
Credit: photos by Astrid Albaugh

Cell Sciences – Studying How Life Changes in Space

by Abigail Tabor

Some aspects of life function differently in space, and biologists can learn a lot about how it impacts human health by studying cells grown in the microgravity environment, or weightlessness, of the International Space Station. The Bioculture System, developed at NASA Ames, is a new research facility for the orbiting laboratory that will let scientists carry out long-term cell biology studies, on a broad range of subjects and diverse cell and tissue types. This new cell and tissue culture hardware now allows for real-time, remote monitoring of cell cultures and finer control over the conditions in which they grow.

Interior view of an incubator Cassette from the Bioculture System
Interior view of an incubator Cassette from the Bioculture System.
Credit: NASA Ames/Dominic Hart

For full story, see:CellScience

Neil Armstrong: Before the Fireworks, Presented by Cam Martin

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Neil A. Armstrong became legendary because of his role as an astronaut on the successful Apollo 11 mission; less well known is his service as an experimental test pilot. Armstrong joined the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA) at Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory in 1955 and transferred to the NACA’s High-Speed Flight Station (today, NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center) at Edwards Air Force Base in California. He served as an aeronautical research scientist and then as a pilot, until selected an astronaut in 1962. Martin’s presentation outlined Armstrong’s contributions to the flight research community through his piloting of test aircraft including the X-1B, the X-5 and the X-15. Martin’s NASA career spanned 30 years at Armstrong Flight Research Center and Langley Research Center as communications director and congressional liaison. He was a technical advisor for the feature film “First Man” (Universal Pictures) for the opening scenes of Neil Armstrong’s 1962 X-15 mission. He also served as a research consultant for the “First Flights” A&E series hosted by Neil Armstrong. He serves on AIAA’s Public Policy Committee and is past chair of the AIAA History Technical Committee.
Credit: NASA Ames/Dominic Hart

Lim Discusses NASA’s Multi-Year Analog Programs

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We are still in the infancy of human space exploration. While we have mastered Low Earth Orbit Human spaceflight and have been to our closest neighbor, the Moon, we have yet to achieve regular human expeditions to planetary bodies. NASA is committed to developing the next phase of human exploration of the Moon and to putting boots on the ground of Mars. Analogs on Earth are critical to prepare for and reduce risk to these missions. These analogs, in part, help inform life support, operations and science requirements. On July 16, 2019, Darlene Lim presented, “Designing and Developing Mission Elements for Human Scientific Exploration of the Moon, Deep Space and Mars.” She discussed NASA’s multi-year analog programs that conduct field research on concepts of operations and the supporting capabilities needed for human and robotic exploration of the Moon, Mars and beyond. Lim leads several NASA-funded research programs that are focused on blending field science research with the development of capabilities and concepts for future human spaceflight into deep space and Mars. She is the PI (Principal Investigator) of the NASA-funded SUBSEA, BASALT and Pavilion Lake research programs, and the Deputy PI of the NASA SSERVI FINESSE research program.
Credit: NASA Ames/Dominic Hart

Wilmoth Shares Elements on How to Create a Successful Work Environment

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NASA is a world renowned leader in research, technology and exploration. Our success is due, in part, to our ability to attract, recruit and inspire the best and brightest. With such a wide range of expertise and experiences, achieving a sense of belonging is critical for effective teamwork. On July 18, 2019, Krisstina Wilmoth presented, “Essential Elements of a Successful Center: Fully Included Learners, Respected Experts and True Belonging” and discussed the elements creating a successful environment. Wilmoth is Dean of Students for NASA Ames and the project manager for the NASA International Internships. She works with students and mentors from around the world to find NASA projects of mutual interest. She served as the executive officer to the Associate Center Director for 10 years before moving into her current role. Wilmoth was a professor with Colorado State University and California State University Fresno before joining NASA in 2001.
Credit: NASA Ames/Don Richey

Co-founder of SpaceIL Discusses its Achievements, Challenges and Technologies

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Space exploration isn’t driven solely by governments anymore. The private industry is increasingly involved in activities in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and beyond, which will result in increased accessibility and reduced costs. A few months ago, a private company, SpaceIL, was the first non-government entity to reach and orbit the Moon. Yonatan Winetraub, co-founder of SpaceIL, presented this new accomplishment for private space exploration in a presentation entitled, “SpaceIL: Journey to the Moon” on July 10, 2019.
Credit: NASA Ames/Dominic Hart

Identifying Space Objects and Uncertainty Quantification for Space Traffic Management Discussed

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Orbiting satellites and debris can pose a danger to space missions. There are thousands of objects orbiting the Earth at high speeds, representing a dangerous collision threat. In order to avoid such hazards, it is critical to track and estimate the trajectories of these objects. As part of the Summer Series Seminar talks, on June 18, 2019, Dr. Moriba Jah presented his research on identifying and tracking these potentially harmful objects with his talk entitled, “Advanced Methods in Resident Space Object Characterization and Uncertainty Quantification for Space Traffic Management.” Jah is the director for Computational Astronautical Sciences and Technologies (CAST), a group within the Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences (ICES) at The University of Texas at Austin
Credit: NASA Ames/Dominic Hart

Fekete Discusses the Algorithmic Approach for the Configuration of Swarms

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“From Nano to Mega: Coordinating Swarms of Objects at Extreme Dimensions,” was presented by Dr. Sándor Fekete, on June 25, 2019. Nature often inspires technology. Swarm behavior is a proven evolutionary approach for survival of a collective. Robotics seeks to apply swarming as a method, in part, to increase efficiency, reduce risk, increase redundancy in completing tasks in fields such as remote sensing measurements and space mission operations. However, reproducing swarm behavior represents multiple control challenges, including self-organization and environmental feedback. To address these challenges, mathematical models, automation and computation advancements are necessary. Fekete presented his research on the algorithmic approach for the configuration of swarms. Fekete holds the chair for Algorithmics in the Department of Computer Science at the Braunschweig University of Technology in Germany. He is also director of the interdisciplinary Research Center for Informatics, Information Technologies and Digitalization (TUBS.digital).
Credit: NASA Ames/Dominic Hart

Mehrotra Explains How Ames’ Pleides Supercomputer Supports NASA’s Mission

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“HPC Matters! How Supercomputing Supports NASA’s Mission” was presented by Dr. Piyush Mehrotra on June 26, 2019 as part of the Summer Series Seminar talks. High Performance Computing (HPC) capabilities are critical for big data and complex problem applications. NASA Ames is home to one of the fastest civilian supercomputers in the world, Pleiades. Its computational capacity is essential for advancing NASA’s goals. Mehrotra, division chief of the NASA Advanced Supercomputing, presented the supercomputing resources provided by the division and how they support the NASA Mission.
Credit: NASA Ames/Dominic Hart

Ames Staff Celebrates 4th of July with Fun Run/Walk/Roll

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Happy 4th of July! The Ames Fitness Center invited employees to celebrate our country’s independence at this year’s 4th of July Fun Run/Walk/Roll on June 26, 2019. The Ames Fitness Center is committed to fostering an inclusive community and encourages everyone, regardless of fitness level, experience or capability, to participate in these festive events. Invite your colleagues and come join the fun in the future. To recognize participants, finishing times are posted on the Fitness Center’s bulletin board.
Credit: NASA Ames/Don RIchey

Statistical Summary of Activities of the Protective Service Division’s Security/Law Enforcement and Fire Protection Services Units for Period Ending June 2019

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