November 2017 issue of Ames' newsletter, the Astrogram
NASA Showcases Science and Technology Advancements at Supercomputing Conference
by Kimberly Minafra
Scientists and engineers from four NASA centers and partner organizations across the U.S. presented their latest research results enabled by agency supercomputers, along with new computational services and innovative tools, at SC17, the international high-performance computing conference, Nov. 13 to 16, 2017 in Denver, Colorado.
NASA’s exhibit showcased more than 35 mission projects that benefit from the agency’s high-performance computing resources. These include the following:
- Complex aerodynamic flow simulations of multi-rotor unmanned air vehicles of the future, commonly called drones.
- Ultra-high-resolution simulations to improve prediction of Earth’s global weather and climate patterns.
- New high-fidelity simulation capabilities to accurately predict shock waves and potential damage from meteoroids entering Earth’s atmosphere.
Attendees learned about interactive visualizations that provide deeper insights into the Sun’s magnetic field cycle and cutting-edge modeling and simulation capabilities for designing new heat shields that will protect astronauts on future space missions to Mars and beyond.
For full feature story, see: Supercomputing Conference
Inside EcAMSat, NASA’s Orbiting Mini-Lab for Bacteria
by Frank Tavaras
This experiment, called EcAMSat – the E. coli Anti-Microbial Satellite – is a small satellite containing a miniature biology lab, developed and constructed at NASA Ames. EcAMSat is taking E. coli into low-Earth orbit to conduct a science investigation aimed at improving astronaut health.
This science is made possible by EcAMSat’s robust design. The system as a whole is built upon a legacy of CubeSats spanning decades, featuring components originally designed for GeneSat and PharmaSat, previous Ames small satellites that flew in 2006 and 2009. The result is an economical device, capable of running its complex science experiment autonomously.
For full feature story, see: Inside EcAMSat
And also see: SendingE.ColiToSpace
Researchers Explore Aircraft Landing Gear Aerodynamics Through Supercomputer Simulations
by Kimberly Minafra
NASA Ames Hands-on Exhibits Draw Hundreds at Bay Area Science Festival 2017
Ames Veteran’s Group Celebrates Veteran’s Day at Moffett History Museum
In Memoriam …
Program Operations Assistant, Ames Icon and Cat Rescue Lead, Iris Lubitz, Passes
Iris Ann Lubitz, passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 16, 2017. She was a couple months shy of her 80th birthday. Iris was born in Brooklyn, NY on Jan. 7, 1938 to Theodore and Mae Lubitz. She graduated from Hunter College in 1960 with a degree in psychology.
In the summer of 1962, she left the state of New York and headed west to California. She spent almost a decade in the Los Angeles area working on several medical research projects. After relocating to the Bay Area in 1968, she continued assisting in medical research, specifically in family planning.
In 1974, the federal funding to medical research projects was cut and Iris became unemployed. Having a three year old child who was diagnosed as hyperactive and described by the doctors as “ten kids rolled into one,” Iris did the only next logical step: run a licensed daycare. For the next decade, Iris ran a daycare out of her home initially, and then was able to coordinate space at an elementary school offering after school care.
In 1986, she obtained a job with the federal government at Onizuka Air Force Base in Sunnyvale and later NASA Ames. She worked up until the day she died. Iris became an invaluable resource of knowledge and several departments relied on her.
When not working, Iris also coordinated a cat rescue group that helps catch, fix and vaccinate feral and abandoned cats at NASA. They actively foster and adopt out as many cats as possible. Her third joy in life was spending time with her grandson, Nicholson. She loved spending time with him, especially going out to Jake’s in Sunnyvale for pizza.
Iris is survived by her two brothers, Allen and Bruce, her son, Josh, her grandson, Nicholson and her three cats: Shilo, Mars, and Shaman.
A celebration of life is scheduled for Dec. 10, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Neutra House Conference Center, 181 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos. In lieu of flowers, Iris would want donations made to any cat rescue organization.
A poem in honor of Iris …
“Make sure you” …
“No, that’s not right” …
“Remember to”…
From her point of view
“Get in your supply orders”
“Confirm your tagged machine”
“You need an SR for that”
“Get it to me by Friday please”
Her brusque Brooklyn way
Of making one reply with “Oh, ok!”
Meticulous and on point
With her work every day
Finding homes for felines
Throughout the many years
Checking in at Alta View each day
To ensure the cats were cleared
She fought against new bus lanes
Proposed on El Camino Real
And protested against removing
Redwood trees in Mountain View as well
Stubborn, smart, strong and independent
She’d tell you exactly what’s on her mind
No filters, pretty words or nonsense
But she was actually quite kind
I’ll miss her quick wit and our chats
Her helpful tips about my cats
She’s up there now, keeping those folks in line
Iris Lubitz, she was an icon at Ames there’s no denying
— Astrid Albaugh
Former NASA Ames Scientist Peter Gaspers Dies
Former NASA Ames scientist, Peter, “Pete,” A. Gaspers, Jr. , aged 81, passed away on Oct. 18, 2017 at The Villages Hospice House in the Villages, Florida. His death resulted from complications following hip surgery and pneumonIa.
Pete was born in Chicago, Illinois to parents Peter A. Gaspers and Mary C. Parmele, and was the first of four children. He attended schools in Chicago, Rushville, Nebraska and high school in Irrigon, Oregon. He went on to graduate from Oregon State University in 1959 with a degree in physics and also did post graduate work at Stanford University. After two years in the army stationed at White Sands, New Mexico, he joined NASA Ames and worked there until he retired in 1994.
Pete enjoyed hiking, tennis, running, gardening and world traveling. Upon retiring from Ames, he moved to Reno, Nevada. Through his participation in Sierra Club activities he met and married Marsha J. Rouse in 2005. They resided in Reno and The Villages, Florida.
Pete is survived by his wife, Marsha, step daughters Jennifer and Wendy and their children Anna Rose, Claire and Jolie and siblings, Meg, Michael and Joe. His family will hold his memory in their hearts forever.
Federal Employees Health Benefits Fair Provides Wealth of Information
Domestic Violence Awareness & Support for Employees Training Held
Employees Enjoy Traditional Thanksgiving Lunch at Mega Bites
Vibrantly Colored Trees Leading up to the Space Shuttle Model at Moffett
Statistical Summary of Activities of the Protective Service Division’s Security/Law Enforcement and Fire Protection Services Units for Period Ending October 2017
