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30 Years Ago: STS-63, First Shuttle and Mir Rendezvous Mission

por admin | 3 febrero, 2025 - 12:04 pm |3 febrero, 2025 Astronomy

30 Years Ago: STS-63, First Shuttle and Mir Rendezvous Mission

The first shuttle mission of 1995, STS-63 included several historic firsts. As part of Phase 1 of the International Space Station program, space shuttle Discovery’s 20^th flight conducted the first shuttle rendezvous with the Mir space station, in preparation for future dockings. The six-person crew included Commander James Wetherbee, Pilot Eileen Collins – the first woman to pilot a space shuttle mission – Payload Commander Bernard Harris, and Mission Specialists Michael Foale, Janice Voss, and Vladimir Titov. The spacewalk conducted during the mission included the first African American and the first British born astronauts to walk in space. The crew conducted 20 science and technology experiments aboard the third flight of the Spacehab module. The astronauts deployed and retrieved the SPARTAN-204 satellite that during its two-day free flight carried out observations of galactic objects using an ultraviolet instrument.

Mostly round mission patch showing a partial Mir space station and a nearby space shuttle, a US and Russian flag at the bottom and the names of the 6 astronauts around the edge of the patch. — The STS-63 crew patch.

A group photo of six astronauts, four in the front row wearing orange space suits and two in the back row in white spacewalking spacesuits — The STS-63 crew of Janice Voss, front row left, Eileen Collins, James Wetherbee, and Vladimir Titov; Bernard Harris, back row left, and Michael Foale.

A round patch showing a partial Earth at the bottom and a shuttle docked with the Mir space station. — The Shuttle-Mir program patch.

NASA announced the six-person STS-63 crew in September 1993 for a mission then expected to fly in May 1994. Wetherbee, selected by NASA in 1984, had already flown twice in space, as pilot on STS-32 and commander of STS-52. For Collins, selected in the class of 1990 as the first woman shuttle pilot, STS-63 marked her first spaceflight. Also selected in 1990, Harris had flown previously on STS-55 and Voss on STS-57. Foale, selected as an astronaut in 1987, had flown previously on STS-45 and STS-56. Titov, selected as a cosmonaut in 1976, had flown two previous spaceflights – a two-day aborted docking mission to Salyut-7 and the first year-long mission to Mir – and survived a launch pad abort. He served as backup to Sergei Krikalev on STS-60, who now served as Titov’s backup.

Image of a space shuttle stack rolling out to its launch pad along the crawlerway. — Space shuttle Discovery rolls out to Launch Pad 39B.

Group photo of six astronauts wearing blue flight suits. — The STS-63 crew during the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test in the White Room of Launch Pad 39B.

Group photo of six astronauts wearing orange spacesuits walking in front of a silver van. — The STS-63 astronauts walk out of crew quarters for the van ride out to the launch pad.

Space shuttle Discovery arrived back at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sept. 27, 1994, after a ferry flight from California following its previous mission, STS-64. Workers towed it to the Orbiter Processing Facility the next day. Following installation of the Spacehab, SPARTAN, and other payloads, on Jan. 5, 1995, workers rolled Discovery from the processing facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building for mating with an external tank and twin solid rocket boosters. Rollout to Launch Pad 39B took place on Jan. 10. On Jan. 17-18, teams conducted the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, a dress rehearsal for the countdown to launch planned for Feb. 2, with the astronaut crew participating in the final few hours as they would on launch day. They returned to Kennedy on Jan. 29 for final pre-launch preparations. On Feb. 2, launch teams called a 24-hour scrub to allow time to replace a failed inertial measurement unit aboard Discovery.

Image of a space shuttle taking off on a pillar of flame at night. — Launch of space shuttle Discovery on mission STS-63.

View of a male astronaut sitting in the commander's seat of the space shuttle in orbit. — STS-63 Commander James Wetherbee on Discovery’s flight deck.

Image of a female astronaut sitting in the space shuttle's pilot seat in orbit. — STS-63 Pilot Eileen Collins on Discovery’s flight deck.

On Feb. 3, Discovery and its six-person crew lifted off from Launch Pad 39B at 12:22 a.m. EST, the time dictated by orbital mechanics – Discovery had to launch into the plane of Mir’s orbit. Within 8.5 minutes, Discovery had reached orbit, for the first time in shuttle history at an inclination of 51.6 degrees, again to match Mir’s trajectory. Early in the mission, one of Discovery’s 44 attitude control thrusters failed and two others developed minor but persistent leaks, threatening the Mir rendezvous.

Image of the tail of a space shuttle and the top half of a white flat topped module in its payload bay. — View of the Spacehab module in Discovery’s payload bay.

Image of a box-shaped gold and blue satellite, grappled by a robotic arm, suspended in front of the tail of the space shuttle. — The SPARTAN-204 satellite attached to the remote manipulator system or robotic arm during the flight day two operations.

On the mission’s first day in space, Harris and Titov activated the Spacehab module and several of its experiments. Wetherbee and Collins performed the first of five maneuvers to bring Discovery within 46 miles of Mir for the final rendezvous on flight day four. Teams on the ground worked with the astronauts to resolve the troublesome thruster problems to ensure a safe approach to the planned 33 feet. On flight day 2, as those activities continued, Titov grappled the SPARTAN satellite with the shuttle’s robotic arm and lifted it out of the payload bay. Scientists used the ultraviolet instrument aboard SPARTAN to investigate the ultraviolet glow around the orbiter and the aftereffects of thruster firings. The tests complete, Titov placed SPARTAN back in the payload bay.

Image of a module space station (Mir) against the blackness of space. — The Mir space station as seen from Discovery during the rendezvous.

Image of a space shuttle against a black sky, with parts of another spacecraft (Mir) visible in foreground. — Space shuttle Discovery as seen from Mir during the rendezvous.

Image of a module space station (Mir) against the blue and white background of the Earth below. — Mir during Discovery’s flyaround.

On flight day three, the astronauts continued working on science experiments while Wetherbee and Collins completed several more burns for the rendezvous on flight day four, the thruster issues resolved to allow the close approach to 33 feet. Flying Discovery manually from the aft flight deck, and assisted by his crew mates, Wetherbee slowly brought the shuttle to within 33 feet of the Kristall module of the space station. The STS-63 crew communicated with the Mir-17 crew of Aleksandr Viktorenko, Elena Kondakova, and Valeri Polyakov via VHF radio, and the crews could see each other through their respective spacecraft windows. After station-keeping for about 10 minutes, Wetherbee slowly backed Discovery away from Mir to a distance of 450 feet. He flew a complete circle around Mir before conducting a final separation maneuver.

A blue and gold box-shaped satellite floating free against the blackness of space, with the limb of the Earth visible below. — The SPARTAN-204 satellite as it begins its free flight on flight day five.

Image of a male astronaut working on an experiment in a module crowded with experiment hardware. — STS-63 crew member Vladimir Titov works on an experiment in the Spacehab module.

On the mission’s fifth day, Titov once again grappled SPARTAN with the robotic arm, but this time after raising it above the payload bay, he released the satellite to begin its two-day free flight. Wetherbee steered Discovery away from the departing satellite. During its free flight, the far ultraviolet imaging spectrograph aboard SPARTAN recorded about 40 hours of observations of galactic dust clouds. During this time, the astronauts aboard the shuttle continued work on the 20 experiments in Spacehab and prepared for the upcoming spacewalk.

Image of a female astronaut wearing a pink and blue striped polo shirt operating equipment on the space shuttle's flight deck. — STS-63 crew member Janice Voss operates the remote manipulator system during the retrieval of the SPARTAN-204 satellite.

Image shows two astronauts in spacesuits in the payload bay of the space shuttle during a spacewalk. — STS-63 astronauts Bernard Harris, left, and Michael Foale at the start of their spacewalk.

Wetherbee and the crew flew the second rendezvous of the mission on flight day seven to retrieve SPARTAN. Voss operated the robotic arm to capture and stow the satellite in the payload bay following its 43-hour free flight. Meanwhile, Foale and Harris suited up in the shuttle’s airlock and spent four hours breathing pure oxygen to rid their bodies of nitrogen to prevent decompression sickness, also known as the bends, when they reduced their spacesuit pressures for the spacewalk.

Image of two spacewalking astronauts in white spacesuits against the blackness of space. — Astronauts Bernard Harris, left, and Michael Foale during the spacesuit thermal testing part of their spacewalk.

Image of two spacewalking astronauts wearing white spacesuits, one standing vertically the other held horizontally by the shuttle's robotic arm. They and the tail of the shuttle are silhouetted against the blackness of space. — Foale, left, and Harris during the mass handling part of their spacewalk.

Foale and Harris exited the airlock minutes after Voss safely stowed SPARTAN. With Titov operating the robotic arm, Harris and Foale climbed aboard its foot restraint to begin the first phase of the spacewalk, testing modifications to the spacesuits for their thermal characteristics. Titov lifted them well above the payload bay and the two spacewalkers stopped moving for about 15 minutes, until their hands and feet got cold. The spacewalk then continued into its second portion, the mass handling activity. Titov steered Foale above the SPARTAN where he lifted the satellite up and handed it off to Harris anchored in the payload bay. Harris then moved it around in different directions to characterize handling of the 2,600-pound satellite. Foale and Harris returned to the airlock after a spacewalk lasting 4 hours 39 minutes.

A group photo of six astronauts, four men and two women, taken on the shuttle's flight deck. — The STS-63 astronauts pose for their inflight crew photo.

Image of a space shuttle touching down after its mission. — Discovery makes a successful landing at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The day following the spacewalk, the STS-63 crew finished the science experiments, closed down the Spacehab module, and held a news conference with reporters on the ground. Wetherbee and Collins tested Discovery’s thrusters and aerodynamic surfaces in preparation for the following day’s reentry and landing. The next day, on Feb. 11, they closed Discovery’s payload bay doors and put on their launch and entry suits. Wetherbee guided Discovery to a smooth landing on Kennedy’s Shuttle Landing Facility, ending the historic mission after eight days, six hours, and 28 minutes. They orbited the Earth 129 times. The mission paved the way for nine shuttle dockings with Mir beginning with STS-71, and 37 with the International Space Station. Workers at Kennedy towed Discovery to the processing facility to prepare it for its next mission, STS-70 in July 1995.

Over the next three years, Wetherbee, Collins, Foale, and Titov all returned to Mir during visiting shuttle flights, with Foale staying aboard as the NASA-5 long-duration crew member. Between 2001 and 2005, Wetherbee, Collins, and Foale also visited the International Space Station. Wetherbee commanded two assembly flights, Collins commanded the return to flight mission after the Columbia accident, and Foale commanded Expedition 8.

Enjoy the crew narrate a video about their STS-63 mission.

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John J. Uri

Lagniappe for February 2025

por admin | 3 febrero, 2025 - 12:02 pm |3 febrero, 2025 Astronomy

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Lagniappe for February 2025

3 Min Read

Lagniappe for February 2025

view of gate entrance to Stennis Space Center with freshly fallen snow

Explore the February 2025 issue, highlighting historic snow at NASA Stennis and more!

Explore Lagniappe for February 2025 featuring:

NASA Stennis Becomes Winter Wonderland

Gator Speaks

Gator, a fictional character, is shown on a purple glitter background with Mardi Gras beads

Gator Speaks

NASA/Stennis

Welcome to February, folks!

The shortest month of the year is here, but do not let its number of days fool you.

The month is full of energy and is welcomed with great enthusiasm.

We have dusted ourselves off from a historic snowfall in January.

The Super Bowl will be played in nearby New Orleans this month.

Mardi Gras season is here, which means King Cake for all! What is not to love about that?

The same kind of enthusiasm welcoming February is like the energy Gator felt when reading this month’s NASA Stennis employee feature story. I invite you to read it as well.

It is a reminder that bringing energy into what you do is all about genuine passion and commitment. The “get-it-done attitude” at NASA Stennis is that kind of energy.

The NASA Stennis culture of meeting any challenge head-on is what has helped power space dreams for six decades and counting in Mississippi.

It helps fuel the NASA Stennis federal city, where skilled people daily support the space agency and various commercial test customers that conduct work onsite.

When people come together, whether it is for the Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, or to power space dreams at NASA Stennis, something extraordinary can happen.

When you combine a “get-it-done attitude” and a skilled workforce like the one at NASA Stennis, it leads to being a part of something great.

Enjoy the month of February, and if, in the small chance you have an extra slice, pass this Gator some King Cake!

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NASA Stennis Top News

NASA Stennis Becomes Winter Wonderland

view of security gate at Stennis Space Center as snow covered the area — A series of cell phone and stationary camera images record recent snowfall at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, on Jan. 21. NASA Stennis near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, the nation’s largest propulsion test site, is known for its “shake, rattle, and roar” rocket stage and engine hot fires that have helped power the nation’s space dreams since the first humans stepped foot on the Moon. However, like much of the Deep South, NASA Stennis turned into a winter wonderland Jan. 21 when it received a historic amount of snow across the unique federal city. Hancock County, where NASA Stennis is located, received five to seven inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. It marked the most snow the county has received in 61 years. A December 31, 1963, weather event holds the record at 10 inches of snow for Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

NASA/Stennis

tanks at Stennis Space Center fade into background at snow continues to fall — A series of cell phone and stationary camera images record recent snowfall at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, on Jan. 21. NASA Stennis near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, the nation’s largest propulsion test site, is known for its “shake, rattle, and roar” rocket stage and engine hot fires that have helped power the nation’s space dreams since the first humans stepped foot on the Moon. However, like much of the Deep South, NASA Stennis turned into a winter wonderland Jan. 21 when it received a historic amount of snow across the unique federal city. Hancock County, where NASA Stennis is located, received five to seven inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. It marked the most snow the county has received in 61 years. A December 31, 1963, weather event holds the record at 10 inches of snow for Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

NASA/Stennis

Building 1100 at Stennis Space Center is shown covered in snow — A series of cell phone and stationary camera images record recent snowfall at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, on Jan. 21. NASA Stennis near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, the nation’s largest propulsion test site, is known for its “shake, rattle, and roar” rocket stage and engine hot fires that have helped power the nation’s space dreams since the first humans stepped foot on the Moon. However, like much of the Deep South, NASA Stennis turned into a winter wonderland Jan. 21 when it received a historic amount of snow across the unique federal city. Hancock County, where NASA Stennis is located, received five to seven inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. It marked the most snow the county has received in 61 years. A December 31, 1963, weather event holds the record at 10 inches of snow for Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

NASA/Stennis

a security gate covered in snow at Stennis Space Center — A series of cell phone and stationary camera images record recent snowfall at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, on Jan. 21. NASA Stennis near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, the nation’s largest propulsion test site, is known for its “shake, rattle, and roar” rocket stage and engine hot fires that have helped power the nation’s space dreams since the first humans stepped foot on the Moon. However, like much of the Deep South, NASA Stennis turned into a winter wonderland Jan. 21 when it received a historic amount of snow across the unique federal city. Hancock County, where NASA Stennis is located, received five to seven inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. It marked the most snow the county has received in 61 years. A December 31, 1963, weather event holds the record at 10 inches of snow for Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

NASA/Stennis

cars covered in snow at Stennis Space Center — A series of cell phone and stationary camera images record recent snowfall at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, on Jan. 21. NASA Stennis near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, the nation’s largest propulsion test site, is known for its “shake, rattle, and roar” rocket stage and engine hot fires that have helped power the nation’s space dreams since the first humans stepped foot on the Moon. However, like much of the Deep South, NASA Stennis turned into a winter wonderland Jan. 21 when it received a historic amount of snow across the unique federal city. Hancock County, where NASA Stennis is located, received five to seven inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. It marked the most snow the county has received in 61 years. A December 31, 1963, weather event holds the record at 10 inches of snow for Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

NASA/Stennis

The Little Red Schoolhouse is covered in snow at Stennis Space Center — A series of cell phone and stationary camera images record recent snowfall at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, on Jan. 21. NASA Stennis near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, the nation’s largest propulsion test site, is known for its “shake, rattle, and roar” rocket stage and engine hot fires that have helped power the nation’s space dreams since the first humans stepped foot on the Moon. However, like much of the Deep South, NASA Stennis turned into a winter wonderland Jan. 21 when it received a historic amount of snow across the unique federal city. Hancock County, where NASA Stennis is located, received five to seven inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. It marked the most snow the county has received in 61 years. A December 31, 1963, weather event holds the record at 10 inches of snow for Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

NASA/Stennis

a tug boat is seen in the distance covered in snow at Stennis Space Center — A series of cell phone and stationary camera images record recent snowfall at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, on Jan. 21. NASA Stennis near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, the nation’s largest propulsion test site, is known for its “shake, rattle, and roar” rocket stage and engine hot fires that have helped power the nation’s space dreams since the first humans stepped foot on the Moon. However, like much of the Deep South, NASA Stennis turned into a winter wonderland Jan. 21 when it received a historic amount of snow across the unique federal city. Hancock County, where NASA Stennis is located, received five to seven inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. It marked the most snow the county has received in 61 years. A December 31, 1963, weather event holds the record at 10 inches of snow for Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

NASA/Stennis

the top of Fred Haise Test Stand covered in snow — A series of cell phone and stationary camera images record recent snowfall at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, on Jan. 21. NASA Stennis near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, the nation’s largest propulsion test site, is known for its “shake, rattle, and roar” rocket stage and engine hot fires that have helped power the nation’s space dreams since the first humans stepped foot on the Moon. However, like much of the Deep South, NASA Stennis turned into a winter wonderland Jan. 21 when it received a historic amount of snow across the unique federal city. Hancock County, where NASA Stennis is located, received five to seven inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. It marked the most snow the county has received in 61 years. A December 31, 1963, weather event holds the record at 10 inches of snow for Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

NASA/Stennis

a test stand is shown in the background across a field of fresh snow — A series of cell phone and stationary camera images record recent snowfall at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, on Jan. 21. NASA Stennis near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, the nation’s largest propulsion test site, is known for its “shake, rattle, and roar” rocket stage and engine hot fires that have helped power the nation’s space dreams since the first humans stepped foot on the Moon. However, like much of the Deep South, NASA Stennis turned into a winter wonderland Jan. 21 when it received a historic amount of snow across the unique federal city. Hancock County, where NASA Stennis is located, received five to seven inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. It marked the most snow the county has received in 61 years. A December 31, 1963, weather event holds the record at 10 inches of snow for Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

NASA/Stennis

a test stand at Stennis Space Center lightly covered in snow — A series of cell phone and stationary camera images record recent snowfall at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, on Jan. 21. NASA Stennis near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, the nation’s largest propulsion test site, is known for its “shake, rattle, and roar” rocket stage and engine hot fires that have helped power the nation’s space dreams since the first humans stepped foot on the Moon. However, like much of the Deep South, NASA Stennis turned into a winter wonderland Jan. 21 when it received a historic amount of snow across the unique federal city. Hancock County, where NASA Stennis is located, received five to seven inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. It marked the most snow the county has received in 61 years. A December 31, 1963, weather event holds the record at 10 inches of snow for Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

NASA/Stennis

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Center Activities

NASA Stennis Attends SpaceCom

NASA Stennis Deputy Director Christine Powell participates in a NASA discussion panel session entitled, “Doing What We’ve Never Done to Do What We’ve Never Done” during SpaceCom in Orlando, Florida, on Jan. 30. The conference and exposition focused on advancing the commercial space industry, produced in partnership with the 51st Space Congress.

NASA/Troy Frisbie

NASA Attends FAN EXPO New Orleans

NASA reached out to inspire members of the Artemis Generation on Jan. 10-12, joining one of the largest comic con producers in the world to host an outreach booth at the 2025 FAN EXPO in New Orleans.

NASA ASTRO CAMP® Hosts FIRST Robotics Kickoff Event

Joe Schuyler greets attendees at FIRST Robotics Kickoff Event — The NASA ASTRO CAMP® Community Partners (ACCP) program hosted a FIRST® Robotics Competition 2025 season kickoff event Jan. 4 at INFINITY Science Center, the official visitor center of NASA’s Stennis Space Center. NASA representatives welcomed competition teams as the event revealed the challenge for the new season. Teams will use engineering skills during the REEFSCAPE℠ challenge to strengthen one of the ocean’s most diverse habitats to build a better world. The third annual FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Magnolia Regional, a NASA-sponsored event, is scheduled for March 13-15 in Laurel, Mississippi, at the South Mississippi Fairgrounds. The regional competition will serve as a championship-qualifying event for teams to compete in Houston in the world championship event in April. FIRST Robotics is described as the ultimate sport of the mind as teams concentrate and share in the excitement of success.

NASA ASTRO CAMP

volunteers smile for a photo while working the FIRST Robotics Kickoff event — The NASA ASTRO CAMP® Community Partners (ACCP) program hosted a FIRST® Robotics Competition 2025 season kickoff event Jan. 4 at INFINITY Science Center, the official visitor center of NASA’s Stennis Space Center. NASA representatives welcomed competition teams as the event revealed the challenge for the new season. Teams will use engineering skills during the REEFSCAPE℠ challenge to strengthen one of the ocean’s most diverse habitats to build a better world. The third annual FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Magnolia Regional, a NASA-sponsored event, is scheduled for March 13-15 in Laurel, Mississippi, at the South Mississippi Fairgrounds. The regional competition will serve as a championship-qualifying event for teams to compete in Houston in the world championship event in April. FIRST Robotics is described as the ultimate sport of the mind as teams concentrate and share in the excitement of success.

NASA ASTRO CAMP

two ACCP volunteers pose for a photo while attending the FIRST Robotics Kickoff event — The NASA ASTRO CAMP® Community Partners (ACCP) program hosted a FIRST® Robotics Competition 2025 season kickoff event Jan. 4 at INFINITY Science Center, the official visitor center of NASA’s Stennis Space Center. NASA representatives welcomed competition teams as the event revealed the challenge for the new season. Teams will use engineering skills during the REEFSCAPE℠ challenge to strengthen one of the ocean’s most diverse habitats to build a better world. The third annual FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Magnolia Regional, a NASA-sponsored event, is scheduled for March 13-15 in Laurel, Mississippi, at the South Mississippi Fairgrounds. The regional competition will serve as a championship-qualifying event for teams to compete in Houston in the world championship event in April. FIRST Robotics is described as the ultimate sport of the mind as teams concentrate and share in the excitement of success.

NASA ASTRO CAMP

FIRST Robotics Kickoff event attendees pose for a group photo — The NASA ASTRO CAMP® Community Partners (ACCP) program hosted a FIRST® Robotics Competition 2025 season kickoff event Jan. 4 at INFINITY Science Center, the official visitor center of NASA’s Stennis Space Center. NASA representatives welcomed competition teams as the event revealed the challenge for the new season. Teams will use engineering skills during the REEFSCAPE℠ challenge to strengthen one of the ocean’s most diverse habitats to build a better world. The third annual FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Magnolia Regional, a NASA-sponsored event, is scheduled for March 13-15 in Laurel, Mississippi, at the South Mississippi Fairgrounds. The regional competition will serve as a championship-qualifying event for teams to compete in Houston in the world championship event in April. FIRST Robotics is described as the ultimate sport of the mind as teams concentrate and share in the excitement of success.

NASA ASTRO CAMP

NASA Stennis Employee Receives Service Leadership Award

Tim Pierce sits for an official NASA portrait

NASA’s Stennis Space Center employee Tim Pierce received the Roy S. Estess Service Leadership Award on Jan. 8 during a retirement ceremony honoring his NASA career. Pierce retired Jan. 11. The award, established and named in memory of the NASA Stennis director who led the center from 1989 to 2002, recognizes NASA civil servants whose career achievements demonstrate business and/or technical leadership leading to significant advancement of NASA’s mission and whose record of volunteerism reflects a profound commitment to surrounding communities. Pierce received the award for more than 25 years of sustained business and technical leadership supporting the NASA Stennis mission and a record of volunteerism supporting the city of Long Beach, Mississippi. Pierce served in multiple NASA Stennis positions, including as a senior accountant, budget integration lead, lead of the center’s facility planning and utilization efforts, and chief of the Planning and Development Division for the NASA Stennis Center Operations Directorate. He provided strategic leadership in such areas as tenant agreements, financial planning, sitewide master planning, and strategic federal city development, providing innovative and ongoing contributions to the future of the center. Within the community, Pierce served in school board and city public service roles for more than 20 years, gaining a reputation as a leader, collaborator, and innovator.

NASA/Stennis

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NASA in the News

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Employee Profile: Tim Stiglets

Tim Stiglet stands for a portrait wearing a gray pullover; A Stennis utility facility is shown in the background

Tim Stiglets’ work at NASA’s Stennis Space Center gives him a front-row seat to the growth and opportunity potential of NASA Stennis. His work ranges from managing data for how a test stand is configured to tracking the configuration of NASA Stennis buildings and utilities systems that make up the infrastructure for America’s largest rocket propulsion test site.

NASA/Danny Nowlin

Two words come to Tim Stiglets’ mind when he thinks about NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi – growth and opportunity.

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Looking Back

A 1977 photo shows a space shuttle fuel tank arriving at the Thad Cochran Test Stand (B-1/B-2) at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, then known as National Space Technology Laboratories, as NASA prepared to test its space shuttle main propulsion test article (MPTA). The MPTA testing involved installing a shuttle fuel tank, a mockup of the shuttle orbiter, and the vehicle’s three-engine configuration on the stand, then firing all three engines simultaneously, as would be done during an actual launch.

NASA/Stennis

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Additional Resources

Good Things with Rebecca Turner – SuperTalk Mississippi (interview with NASA Stennis Director John Bailey)

Subscription Info

Lagniappe is published monthly by the Office of Communications at NASA’s Stennis Space Center. The NASA Stennis office may be contacted by at 228-688-3333 (phone); ssc-office-of-communications@mail.nasa.gov (email); or NASA OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS, Attn: LAGNIAPPE, Mail code IA00, Building 1111 Room 173, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 (mail).

The Lagniappe staff includes: Managing Editor Lacy Thompson, Editor Bo Black, and photographer Danny Nowlin.

To subscribe to the monthly publication, please email the following to ssc-office-of-communications@mail.nasa.gov – name, location (city/state), email address.

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LaToya Dean

NASA Attends FAN EXPO New Orleans

por admin | 3 febrero, 2025 - 12:02 pm |3 febrero, 2025 Astronomy

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NASA Attends FAN EXPO New Orleans

Stennis representative Dawn Davis, left, interacts with people at 2025 FAN EXPO

NASA Stennis representative Dawn Davis, left, interacts with people at the NASA booth during the 2025 FAN EXPO event hosted in New Orleans Jan. 10-12.

NASA/Troy Frisbie

NASA reached out to inspire members of the Artemis Generation on Jan. 10-12, joining one of the largest comic con producers in the world to host an outreach booth at the 2025 FAN EXPO in New Orleans.

Thousands of fans celebrating the best in pop culture such as movies, comics, and video gaming learned about NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, and its role to power space dreams.

Stennis representatives Patricia White, left, and Robert Smith with droid character during the 2025 FAN EXPO — NASA Stennis representatives Patricia White, left, and Robert Smith are visited by a functional mock-up of R5-D4, a droid character from the Star Wars film series, during the 2025 FAN EXPO event hosted in New Orleans Jan. 10-12.

NASA/Troy Frisbie

Stennis representative Troy Frisbie, left, is pictured with Colleen Cooper, daughter of L Gordon Cooper Jr., one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts, during the 2025 FAN EXPO — NASA Stennis representative Troy Frisbie, left, is pictured with Colleen Cooper, daughter of L. Gordon Cooper Jr., one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts, during the 2025 FAN EXPO event hosted in New Orleans Jan. 10-12. Cooper Jr., selected as a Mercury astronaut in 1959, piloted the “Faith 7” spacecraft in 1963, which concluded the operational phase of Project Mercury.

NASA/Patricia White

Stennis representative Matt Sappington engages with a comic con fan the 2025 FAN EXPO — NASA Stennis representative Matt Sappington engages with a comic con fan at the NASA booth during the 2025 FAN EXPO event hosted in New Orleans Jan. 10-12.

NASA/Troy Frisbie

NASA Stennis representatives Patricia White, left, and Robert Smith have a conversation with NASA booth visitors during the 2025 FAN EXPO event hosted in New Orleans Jan. 10-12.

NASA/Troy Frisbie

A comic con attendee experiences being on the International Space Station with the immersive virtual reality headset at the NASA booth during the 2025 FAN EXPO event hosted in New Orleans Jan. 10-12.

NASA/Troy Frisbie

Fans of all ages learn about NASA during the 2025 FAN EXPO event hosted in New Orleans Jan. 10-12.

NASA/Troy Frisbie

Attendees learn about the ways people come together in various career fields to achieve mission success at NASA during the 2025 FAN EXPO event hosted in New Orleans Jan. 10-12.

NASA/Troy Frisbie

The south Mississippi NASA center operates as NASA’s primary, and America’s largest, rocket propulsion test site. NASA Stennis serves the nation and commercial aerospace sector with its unique capabilities and expertise. In addition to testing rocket engines and stages to power future Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond, NASA Stennis provides a unique location and specialized assets to support the individual missions and work of about 50 federal, state, academic, commercial, and technology-based companies, and organizations.

In addition to testing rocket engines and stages to power future Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond, NASA Stennis provides a unique location and specialized assets to support the individual missions and work of about 50 federal, state, academic, commercial, and technology-based companies, and organizations.

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Cheryl A. Nelson

The Drive for Better Fuels NASA Employee

por admin | 3 febrero, 2025 - 12:02 pm |3 febrero, 2025 Astronomy

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The Drive for Better Fuels NASA Employee

4 min read

Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)

NASA/Danny Nowlin

Two words come to Tim Stiglets’ mind when he thinks about NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi – growth and opportunity.

The Waveland, Mississippi, resident has experienced both in his career at the south Mississippi NASA center.

He started as a summer intern onsite with Lockheed Martin in 2002. When The University of Southern Mississippi graduate joined the NASA team in 2019, he really started to understand how much activity happens at the unique federal city.

NASA Stennis is home to more than 50 companies and organizations sharing in site operating costs.

As a management and program analyst in the NASA Stennis Engineering and Test Directorate, Stiglets serves as the manager of the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Program. He describes the program as a one-stop shop for engineering data.

Product lifecycle management (PLM) consists of technology, people, processes, and tools to track a product throughout its lifecycle.

Think of it in terms of building a LEGO set. From the time one gets the idea of building the set, to when it is finished, played with, and taken apart, there is a lot to track.

Stiglets’ work involves much bigger pieces, ranging from managing data for how a test stand is configured to tracking the configuration of NASA Stennis buildings and utilities systems that make up the infrastructure for America’s largest rocket propulsion test site. NASA Stennis facilities are valued at more than $2 billion.

His work gives him a front-row seat to the growth and opportunity potential of NASA Stennis.

“The cool thing about PLM is I get to be involved, in some small way, with NASA’s Artemis work, commercial test customers and all the Center Operations projects that support the federal city,” he said.

The center tests rocket engines and stages to power future Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond. NASA Stennis also works with such commercial test customers as Relativity Space, Blue Origin, Rolls-Royce, Evolution Space, and Vast (formerly Launcher Space).

“PLM is a center capability that we have evolved, so it does not matter if it is a water system, a test stand or building that is involved. It all kind of relies on, and ultimately somewhere down the line, hits the PLM system that has the drawings and engineering data needed for the project. That is probably the coolest thing about my work. I get to see a lot of different things that are going on in different areas.”

Stiglets said it feels like every time he turns around, there is someone leasing a new building or joining the NASA Stennis federal city. The center has lease agreements for use of land and infrastructure with Relativity Space, Rocket Lab, and Evolution Space.

“We have a get-it-done kind of attitude,” Stiglets said. “We are going to do whatever it takes to get the job done. If it is testing engines or anything else, we are going to get it done. From a propulsion testing standpoint, commercial companies that lease areas onsite can come in and have access to contract support and to the NASA folks who have decades worth of knowledge. The companies can leverage all of that expertise and tap into the knowledge.”

The Long Beach, Mississippi, native speaks with enthusiasm when describing his time at NASA Stennis, where growth and opportunity continue forward.

“How cool is it to work for NASA, even coming in as a contractor,” Stiglets said. “You get to be involved with something bigger and much beyond south Mississippi. The excitement of being involved with NASA so many years ago was very cool for me, especially being a college student. I still have that same excitement. Many years have passed, and day-to-day work changes, but ultimately, you are still looking to achieve big goals.”

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LaToya Dean

Station Nation: Meet Tandra Gill Spain, Computer Resources Senior Project Manager in the Avionics and Software Office

por admin | 3 febrero, 2025 - 12:01 pm |3 febrero, 2025 Astronomy

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Station Nation: Meet Tandra Gill Spain, Computer Resources Senior Project Manager in the Avionics and Software Office

For astronauts aboard the International Space Station, staying connected to loved ones and maintaining a sense of normalcy is critical. That is where Tandra Gill Spain, a computer resources senior project manager in NASA’s Avionics and Software Office, comes in. Spain leads the integration of applications on Apple devices and the hardware integration on the Joint Station Local Area Network, which connects the systems from various space agencies on the International Space Station. She also provides technical lead support to the Systems Engineering and Space Operations Computing teams and certifies hardware for use on the orbiting laboratory.

Spain shares about her career with NASA and more. Read on to learn about her story, her favorite project, and the advice she has for the next generation of explorers.

Tandra Spain’s official NASA portrait.

NASA

Where are you from?

I am from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Tell us about your role at NASA.

I am the Apple subsystem manager where I lead the integration of applications on Apple devices as well as the hardware integration on the Joint Station Local Area Network. We use a variety of different software but I work specifically with our Apple products. I also provide technical lead support to the Systems Engineering and Space Operations Computing teams. In addition, I select and oversee the certification of hardware for use on the International Space Station, and I research commonly used technology and assess applicability to space operations.

How would you describe your job to family or friends who may not be familiar with NASA?

I normalize living and working in space by providing the comforts and conveniences of living on Earth.

Tandra spain

Computer Resources Senior Project Manager

I get the opportunity to provide the iPads and associated applications that give astronauts the resources to access the internet. Having access to the internet affords them the opportunity to stay as connected as they desire with what is going on back home on Earth (e.g., stream media content, stay in touch with family and friends, and even pay bills). I also provide hardware such as Bluetooth speakers, AirPods, video projectors, and screens.

How long have you been working for NASA?

I have been with the agency for 30 years, including 22 years as a contractor.

What advice would you give to young individuals aspiring to work in the space industry or at NASA?

I have found that there is a place for just about everyone at NASA, therefore, follow your passion. Although many of us are, you don’t have to be a scientist or engineer to work at NASA. Yearn to learn. Pause and listen to those around you. You don’t know what you don’t know, and you will be amazed what gems you’ll learn in the most unexpected situations.

Additionally, be flexible and find gratitude in every experience. Many of the roles that I’ve had over the years didn’t come from a well-crafted, laid-out plan that I executed, but came from taking advantage of the opportunities that presented themselves and doing them to the best of my ability.

Three people are standing together, smiling. Behind them is a poster featuring the International Space Station and several international flags.

Tandra Spain and her husband, Ivan, with NASA astronaut and Flight Director TJ Creamer when she was awarded the Silver Snoopy Award.

What was your path to NASA?

I moved to Houston to work at NASA’s Johnson Space Center immediately upon graduating from college.

Is there someone in the space, aerospace, or science industry that has motivated or inspired you to work for the space program? Or someone you discovered while working for NASA who inspires you?

I spent over half of my career in the Astronaut Office, and I’ve been influenced in different ways by different people, so it wouldn’t be fair to pick just one!

What is your favorite NASA memory?

I’ve worked on so many meaningful projects, but there are two recent projects that stand out.

Humans were not created to be alone, and connection is extremely important. I was able to provide a telehealth platform for astronauts to autonomously video conference with friends and family whenever an internet connection is available. Prior to having this capability, crew were limited to one scheduled video conference a week. It makes me emotional to think that we have moms and dads orbiting the Earth on the space station and they can see their babies before they go to bed, when they wake up in the morning, or even in the middle of the night if needed.

In addition, since iPads are used for work as well as personal activities on station, it is important for my team to be able to efficiently keep the applications and security patches up to date. We completed the software integration and are in the process of wrapping up the certification of the Mac Mini to provide this capability. This will allow us to keep up with all software updates that Apple releases on a regular basis and minimize the amount of crew and flight controller team time associated with the task by approximately 85%.

Tandra Spain, her mother, Marva Herndon, and her daughter, Sasha, at her daughter’s high school graduation in 2024.

What do you love sharing about station? What’s important to get across to general audiences to help them understand the benefits to life on Earth?

When I speak to the public about the space station, I like to compare our everyday lives on Earth to life on the station and highlight the use of technology to maintain the connection to those on Earth. For example, most people have a phone. Besides making a phone call, what do you use your phone for? It is amazing to know that the same capabilities exist on station, such as using apps, participating in parent teacher conferences, and more.

If you could have dinner with any astronaut, past or present, who would it be?

I would have dinner with NASA astronaut Ron McNair. He graduated from the same university as I did, and I’ve heard great stories about him.

Do you have a favorite space-related memory or moment that stands out to you?

As I mentioned previously, human connection is extremely important. As an engineer in the Astronaut Office, I worked on a project that provided more frequent email updates when Ku-Band communication was available. Previously, email was synced two to three times a day, and less on the weekend. When the capability went active, I sent the first email exchange.

What are some of the key projects you’ve worked on during your time at NASA? What have been your favorite?

There have been so many projects over the past 30 years that I don’t think I could select just one. There is something however, that I’ve done on many occasions that has brought me pure joy, which is attending outreach events as Johnson’s “Cosmo” mascot, especially Houston Astros games.

Tandra Spain representing NASA as “Cosmo” the astronaut mascot at a Houston Astros baseball game.

What are your hobbies/things you enjoy outside of work?

I enjoy crafting, traveling, mentoring students in Pearland Independent School District, spending time with family, and my Rooted Together community.

Day launch or night launch?

Night launch!

Favorite space movie?

Star Wars (the original version)

NASA “worm” or “meatball” logo?

Meatball

Every day, we’re conducting exciting research aboard our orbiting laboratory that will help us explore further into space and bring benefits back to people on Earth. You can keep up with the latest news, videos, and pictures about space station science on the Station Research & Technology news page. It’s a curated hub of space station research digital media from Johnson and other centers and space agencies.

Follow updates on social media at @ISS_Research on Twitter, and on the space station accounts on Facebook and Instagram.

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Sumer Loggins

Archivo de la etiqueta: Astronomy

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