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National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA

Communication for the Information Technology Age

November 2004

amesnews.arc.nasa.gov

NASA’s newest supercomputer,‘Columbia,’ has been named one of theworld’s most powerful productionsupercomputers by the TOP500 Projectat SC2004, the International Conference

of High Performance Computing, Net-working and Storage in Pittsburg.

Columbia, which achieved a bench-mark rating of 51.9 teraflops on 10,240processors, is ranked second on theTOP500 List, just behind Blue Gene,IBM’s supercomputer to be installed atthe Department of Energy's LawrenceLivermore National Laboratory.

"Large, integrated simulation envi-ronments like those we have at Amesare crucial to NASA’s missions, and Co-lumbia has provided a breakthroughincrease in our computational power,"said Ames Center Director G. ScottHubbard. "A high rating on the TOP500list is an impressive achievement, butfor NASA, the immediate availability toanalyze important issues like ‘Return toFlight’ for the space shuttle, space sci-ence, Earth modeling and aerospacevehicle design for exploration, is thetrue measure of success."

"Columbia allows NASA to performnumerical simulations at the cuttingedge of science and engineering," saidWalt Brooks, chief of the NASA Ad-vanced Supercomputing (NAS) Divisionat Ames. "As the largest example of animportant, high-end computing archi-tecture developed in the U.S., part ofthis system will be available to thenation’s best research teams. The swiftdesign and deployment of Columbiahas redefined the concept ofsupercomputer development."

With Columbia at its core, saidBrooks, the NAS facility provides anintegrated computing, visualization anddata storage environment to help NASA

meet its mission goals and the Vision forSpace Exploration.

Named to honor the crew of thespace shuttle Columbia lost Feb. 1, 2003,the new supercomputer is comprised ofan integrated cluster of 20 intercon-nected SGI® Altix® 512-processor sys-tems, for a total of 10,240 Intel®

Itanium® 2 processors. Columbia buildsupon the highly successful collabora-tion between NASA, Silicon GraphicsInc. (SGI) and Intel Corporation thatdeveloped the world's first 512-proces-sor Linux server. That server, the SGI®Altix® located at Ames, was named‘Kalpana,’ after Columbia astronaut andAmes' alumna Kalpana Chawla.

NASA unveiled its newestsupercomputer during a ribbon-cuttingceremony Oct. 26 at Ames. Columbiawas built and installed at the NASAAdvanced Supercomputing facility atAmes in less than 120 days.

Within days of completion of thesupercomputer’s installation, Columbiaachieved a Linpack benchmark ratingof 42.7 teraflops on just 16 nodes with an88 percent efficiency rating, exceedingthe previously best-reported perfor-mance by a significant margin. This wasfollowed almost immediately by the 51.7teraflop rating reported Nov. 8 for theentire system.

"What is most noteworthy is thatwe were able to post such a significantand efficient Linpack result in such ashort time," said Bob Ciotti, chief sys-tems engineer for the Columbia instal-lation project. "Not only was the systemdeployed in less than 120 days, but the

code used to achieve this result wasconceived and developed in that sametime frame, and is much more straight-forward than the traditional approach.Our simplified implementation, allowedby shared memory systems like the SGIAltix, translates directly into improvedeffectiveness for users of our systems."

The almostinstant produc-tivity of theC o l u m b i asupercomputerarchitecture andtechnology hasmade the systemavailable to abroad spectrumof NASA-spon-sored scientists.Feedback fromscientists is ex-tremely positive.

"The Colum-bia system is atremendous de-velopment forNASA and thenation. Simula-tion of the evolu-

tion of the Earth and planetary ecosys-tems with high fidelity has been beyondthe reach of Earth scientists for decades,"NASA's Deputy Associate Administra-tor of the Science Mission DirectorateGhassem Asrar said. "With Columbia,scientists are already seeing dramaticimprovements in the fidelity of simula-tions in such areas as global ocean circu-lation, prediction of large-scale struc-tures in the universe and the physics ofsupernova detonations," he said.

"This amazing new supercomputersystem dramatically increases NASA'scapabilities and revolutionizes our ca-pacity for conducting scientific researchand engineering design," Hubbard said."It will be one of the fastest, largest andmost productive supercomputers in theworld, providing an estimated 10-foldincrease in NASA's supercomputing ca-pacity. It is already having a major im-pact on NASA's science, aeronautics andexploration programs, in addition toplaying a critical role in preparing thespace shuttle for return to safe flight nextyear," Hubbard said.

"With SGI and Intel, we set out torevitalize NASA's computing capabili-ties, and the Columbia system has doneso in a spectacular way," said Brooks.

NASA unveils its newest, most powerful supercomputer

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‘See inside for special NASA Ames 65th Anniversary insert’

NASA’s new supercomputer ‘Columbia’ wasinstalled at Ames in less than 120 days.

Left to right: Walt Brooks, NAS division chief; Ronnie Kenneth, CEO, Voltaire;Ghassem Asrar, NASA HQ; Ames Center Director G. Scott Hubbard; RichardDracott, Intel; and Bob Bishop, CEO SGI, display recognition plaquespresented to them by Brooks.

Astrogram November 20042

"Not only were scientists doing real Earthand space analysis during the systembuild, but within days of the full instal-lation, we achieved a Linpack bench-mark rating of 42.7 teraflops on 16 nodeswith an 88 percent efficiency rating, ex-ceeding the current best reported num-

ber by a significant margin," he said."With the completion of the Colum-

bia system, NASA, SGI and Intel havecreated a powerful national resource,one that will serve scientists who striveto unlock the mysteries of this planetand the universe in which it dwells,"said SGI CEO Bob Bishop. "NASA shouldbe commended for the remarkable bold-ness that made the new Columbia com-puter happen. Our long-standing part-nership with the agency has triggered a

new age in scientific discovery, andbased on NASA's initial success, it seemslikely that we'll be discussing new scien-tific breakthroughs in the very near fu-ture," he said.

"The launching of the Columbia sys-tem shows what's possible when gov-

ernment and technology leaders worktogether toward a goal of truly nationalimportance," said Paul Otellini, presi-dent and COO of Intel Corporation."While this Itanium 2 processor-basedsystem will be one of the highest-per-forming computers ever created in theworld, the real value is how this systemwill accelerate scientific design and re-search faster than before for years tocome."

Immune system inspires machine-software fault detectorUsing the human immune system

as an inspiration, scientists at NASAAmes are developing software to findfaults in complex machines.

The software 'tool' - called an algo-rithm, or mathematical recipe - looks forabnormalities in a machine's hardwareand software. The mathematical recipe,which engineers may well someday put

in spacecraft as well as other complexsystems, is part of the Multi-level Im-mune Learning Detection (MILD) soft-ware 'tool,' under development at NASAAmes in the Computational SciencesDivision, Code TC.

"The human immune system doesn'ttry to identify what is good, only what isbad," said MILD principle investigatorKalmanje Krishnakumar, a scientist atAmes. "Similarly, MILD software onlytries to identify what is bad, and that'sone of the main ideas behind MILD,which is similar to biological immunesystems," Krishnakumar said. Co-inves-tigator on the MILD project is DipankarDasgupta of the University of Memphis,Tenn., who is spending a year as a visit-ing faculty member at NASA Ames.

"You can have identical MILD soft-ware recipes distributed throughout themachine that look at different potentialabnormalities," Krishnakumar ex-plained. "Typically, a problem will showup in more than one place in a machine,and comparisons of different parts ofthe machine help us to more accuratelyidentify problems early," he added.

MILD uses data from sensors inmachines to find patterns of system faultsand damage to clarify if systems areworking properly. In an aircraft, sen-sors may include gyroscopes and in-struments to measure acceleration.Spacecraft and other machines may havetemperature sensors, gas sensors andsimilar devices that report on the condi-tion of the machine or its environment.

"Another advantage of the MILDtool is its ability to associate detectors toknown and probable faults. This signa-

ture can then be used to identify futureoccurrences of similar faults. Similarly,the biological immune system quicklyrecognizes diseases to which it has beenexposed previously or has been 'immu-nized' to some known diseases,"Krishnakumar said.

"Another advantage of using theimmune system as an inspiration is thatwe can program the MILD software toolto recognize known faults that occur ina machine. Similarly, a biological im-mune system recognizes diseases towhich it has been exposed,"Krishnakumar said.

So far, scientists have tested theMILD software in a C-17 aircraft flightsimulator at NASA Ames to collect nor-mal and simulated airplane failures. "Weused the aircraft simulator as a proof-of-concept experiment to test how wellthe MILD algorithm worked,"Krishnakumar explained. The software

is still in the research phase. Later, scien-tists hope to modify it so it will work asstand-alone software.

In the near future, when engineersuse MILD software on another machine,they will need to set up the software soit will monitor data from that machine."However, we now are enhancing theMILD software 'tool' so it can more eas-ily be used for other machines,"Krishnakumar said. "Eventually, engi-neers could use MILD algorithms in anykind of software and hardware in ma-chine environments -- from machines ina shop to flying airplanes and space-craft," Krishnakumar ventured.

"We expect future machines to havetheir own immune systems so that theycould be used for long-duration spacemissions, or any other use where techni-cal support would be limited,"Krishnakumar said.

BY JOHN BLUCK

BY MICHAEL MEWHINNEY

NASA unveils powerful supercomputercontinued from front page

NASA photo by Tom Trower

Walt Brooks (left) chatswith NASA AdministratorSean O’Keefe (secondfrom left) and Chief ofStaff John Schumacher(third from left) whileAmes Center Director G.Scott Hubbard (third fromright) and other guestslook on.

3Astrogram November 2004

NASA Ames scientists have shownthat future fleets of spacecraft using 'col-lective intelligence' can send more data

to Earth faster and more efficiently thanever before.

Using insights from economics andphysics, Ames researchers have learnedhow to mix the separate, 'selfish' goals ofdistinct computer programs, robots andhuman beings to achieve larger, com-mon goals - a process known as collec-tive intelligence. Scientists use algo-rithms -- recipe-like procedures -- espe-cially designed to knit computer pro-grams together so they can achieve glo-bal goals.

"We have run computer simulationsthat verify that our recipes for collectiveintelligence work," said David Wolpert,a scientist in the Computational SciencesDivision, Code TC. He said that his groupmight well be the first team to writealgorithms based on collective intelli-gence that successfully integrate assortedcomputer programs.

"The Internet is a huge network ofcomputers relaying messages to oneanother," Wolpert explained. "We fig-ured out how to change the goals ofthose computers so messages arrived attheir ultimate destinations faster, withimprovements of up to five times incertain Internet-based experiments,"Wolpert said. The same type of collec-tive intelligence will enable spacecraftto send messages faster to Earth andreturn more data.

"Just as human beings can self-orga-nize into companies and achieve overallgoals, so can these selfish computers, oreven robots, self-organize to achieveoverall goals," he explained. Scientistsenvision using collective intelligence tocontrol any large group of robots orpeople. "If you have a whole bunch ofrovers that you want to create a humanhabitat on Mars, the global goal is con-

The Computational Sciences Division Collective Intelligence team members,left to right, Bill Macready, UARC contractor (UC Santa Cruz); DavidWolpert, Code TC; and Chris Henze (seated), Code TN.

structing that habitat," Wolpert said."We don't have to specify details of

the environment, or how the individualcomputer pro-grams go aboutachieving theirgoals. The indi-vidual robots canrun various arti-ficial intelligenceprograms toachieve theirgoals," Wolpertstated. The algo-rithm that knitsthe computer pro-grams togetherto achieve a goaldoes not dependon details ofthose programs,according toWolpert.

Just as eco-nomic policy

makers can use many different recipes,such as lower interest rates, changingregulations and reducing deficits, to im-prove the economy, NASA can use dif-

Leadership is all about conversa-tions you have with those you lead.Prior to and immediately following theissuing of the CAIB report, Ames hasbeen involved in a variety of initiativesto improve communications, specificallybetween management and employees.This includes ‘TeamTalks,’ an open Q&Aforum hosted monthly by the deputycenter director, a similar program ‘In-side the Director’s Studio’ hosted by thecenter director and KARC, a Web-radioformat.

These mechanisms have each pro-vided an opportuity for employees tomeet management in a personal andinformal way, to hear directly about themany changes happening within theagency and specifically at Ames and theprogress being made. In addition, theseforums have provided an opportunityto direct specific questions to manage-ment about the personal concerns ofattendees or, in the case of KARC, its‘listeners.’

Participants in both senior leadercommunication forums ‘Inside theDirector’s Studio’ and ‘TeamTalks’ cometogether in an informal setting over cof-fee and refreshments. Attendees arenominated by their directorates in orderto ensure a representational cross-sec-tion of the entire Center. These forumsare designed to encourage communica-tion between Ames senior management

Ames senior leaders reach out toemployees through many forums

ferent algorithms to solve bigger prob-lems, according to Wolpert.

Concerning the future of collectiveintelligence, Wolpert predicted that "thisis a method that someday could be usedto program very powerful artificialbrains made of nanoscale (miniature)components." Scientists measurenanoscale objects in nanometers, each ofwhich is one billionth of a meter (onebillionth of 3.3 feet).

These procedures also can help carryout other tasks such as programmingnano-computers, controlling unpilotedaerial vehicles (UAVs) and running thenational airspace where airliners fly,Wolpert ventured.

Scientists think that NASA-devel-oped collective intelligence could evenwork successfully in business to moti-vate a company's staff so that employ-ees would achieve corporate goals. Anexample of a business goal that collec-tive intelligence could attain is maxi-mizing a company's stock value.

"In the last year, we stumbled upona relationship between physics and eco-nomics that greatly advanced our un-

and employees at the Center.‘Inside the Director’s Studio’ is tar-

geted to all employees, including super-visors, managers, civil servants and con-tractors. Employees are encouraged toask questions of both a personal andprofessional nature. Questions are col-lected prior to the event, but time isreserved at each session to ask questionsin real time, as well.��

‘Team Talks’ is targeted to non-su-pervisory civil servant employees. At-tendees are given time to meet eachother, hear timely concerns of the deputydirector and engage in conversation withhim. Currently, deputy center directorStan Newberry addresses issued raisedand answers questions participants haveabout the current state of the Center.�

KARC is the Center’s new internal‘radio’ station. KARC broadcasts uniqueinterviews and points of view, new de-velopments at Ames and throughoutthe agency, and ‘hall talk’ – topics thatpeople are talking about or interestedin, but for which they may not otherwisebe able to get accurate information.

Employees interested in participat-ing in future ‘Team Talks’ or ‘Inside theDirector’s Studio’ sessions should con-tact their organizational directors. Ses-sions will be held approximately everysix to eight weeks for the foreseeablefuture.

BY GAIL JAMES

NASA 'Collective Intelligence' sends space messages faster

continued on back page


U.S./Russia cooperate to keep space exploration aliveAlthough many may think the U.S.

human space program has beengrounded since the loss of space shuttleColumbia in 2003, Americans continueto explore the cosmos with the assis-tance of Russia’s Federal Space Agency.

When a colleague at JSC’s PublicAffairs Office (PAO) called in late Sep-tember to ask if I would travel to Mos-

cow to support the agency’s public af-fairs efforts there during the Interna-tional Space Station crew exchange, Iwas only too happy to help out. So at 5a.m. on a Saturday morning, I left on myfifth trip to Moscow on behalf of NASA,and my first since 1999.

I reached my hotel in Moscowaround noon the following day. I wasfortunate to be in a ‘NASA room,’equipped with a U.S. phone line, a high-speed Internet connection and a laptopcomputer. Communications support ofNASA personnel in Moscow is providedby U.S. and Russian experts under thedirection of the Marshall Space FlightCenter.

Our base of operations was the Rus-sian Mission Control Center (MCC-M)in the city of Korolev, about a 40-minutedrive northeast of the Russian capital.Known as TsUP (often pronounced byAmericans as ‘soup’), the mission con-trol center is located in a brown buildingnear a small forested area. Within easywalking distance of the MCC-M are sev-eral small shops, including a bakery, asmall market and an ice cream shop.Korolev (population 161,200) is thecradle of the Russian space programand the center of the Russian aerospaceindustry. The city was named after re-nowned scientist Sergey P. Korolev, con-sidered the founder of the Soviet spaceprogram.

MCC-M is a sprawling, 5-storybuilding with wide hallways and lots ofmarble. A large marble bust of Vladimir

Lenin still looms over a first-floor meet-ing area; on the opposite wall is a largemural of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, gen-erally considered the father of rocketdynamics; Yurii Gagarin, the first hu-man to orbit the globe; and Korolev.

NASA offices are housed in an up-dated suite of rooms on the second floorof a 2-story wing of the TsUP, complete

with Internet con-nections, datalines, NASA tele-phones and faxmachines pro-vided by MSFC. Inaddition to an of-fice that housesNASA public af-fairs staff duringspace station crewexchanges, thearea also includesoffices for inter-preters, supportstaff, and mem-bers of the Hous-ton SupportGroup fromJohnson SpaceCenter, whomonitor various

ISS systems and payloads.Representatives from Headquarters

and Johnson Space Center led the Mos-cow public affairs efforts for the launchof the space station’s Expedition 10 crew(commander Leroy Chiao and flightengineer Shalizhan Sharipov) and thereturn of the Expedition 9 crew (com-mander Gennady Padalka and scienceofficer Mike Fincke). In addition, JSCpublic affairs officer Rob Navias, a U.S./Russian video team and NASA Head-quarters photographer Bill Ingalls cov-ered the launch and landing inKazakhstan.

I was there to provide additionalpublic affairs support, especially duringthe critical launch, docking and landingactivities. On those days, our staffworked long, busy days, coordinatingpublic affairs activities at TsUP, inKazakhstan and at JSC. On launch day,we headed to work at 3:45 a.m.

NASA Deputy Administrator FredGregory, Deputy Associate Administra-tor for Space Station and Space ShuttleMichael Kostelnik, space station pro-gram manager Bill Gerstenmaier, formerISS astronaut Ed Lu and many otherswere in attendance for the early morn-ing launch of the Soyuz TM-5 spacecraftfrom Baikonur, Kazakhstan.

While my headquarters colleague,Debbie Rahn, provided VIP and mediasupport upstairs before and duringlaunch, I remained in the PAO room,monitoring the latest information fromour interpreter as well as from the IMC,

a Web-based information system. CarlosFontanot of JSC served as technical liai-son and television producer, workingclosely with the video team at the launchsite and with the JSC television opera-tions team in Houston. Navias providedlive commentary from the launch site,while Ingalls photographed the activi-ties. Two days later, we left for work at3:30 a.m. to be in place for the docking ofthe Soyuz module with the space sta-tion. All went according to plan, and afew hours later, the Expedition 9 crewwelcomed its first visitors to the stationsince April.

On Sunday, Oct. 24, the NASA pub-lic affairs contingent headed to work at2:30 a.m. for the landing of the Expedi-tion 9 crew and Russian Space Forcescosmonaut Yuri Shargin in Kazakhstan’spre-dawn darkness. Shargin hadlaunched with Expedition 10, spent eightdays on the ISS and returned to Earthwith the Expedition 9 crew. Again, Rahnhandled the ‘upstairs’ activities and

VIPS, including NASA AdministratorSean O'Keefe, Assistant Administratorfor Public Affairs Glenn Mahone, Assis-tant Administrator for External Rela-tions Michael O'Brien, Associate Ad-ministrator for Space Operations Will-iam Readdy and others. I monitoredreports about the landing and recoveryoperations from our first-floor office.

Via videophone, we were able to seeFincke grinning from ear to ear as he satoutside the Soyuz spacecraft on a spe-cial couch, sipping hot liquids. His broadsmile told it all. Fincke had just com-pleted his first space flight -- 188 days,186 of them on the ISS. He had led theAmerican scientific research effort,working in the space station’s DestinyLaboratory module on continued stud-ies of the effects of weightlessness on thehuman body. Fincke also conductedmultiple experiments in the physicalsciences. Fincke’s wife watched her hus-band on videophone from Star City justnorth of Moscow. With her were theirtwo young children, one of whom wasborn while Fincke was on the ISS.

continued on next page

Members of the NASA public affairs team in Moscow recently, fromleft: Debbie Rahn (NASA HQ), Rob Navias (NASA JSC), VladimirSamsonov (consultant to Mission Control-Moscow), Carlos Fontanot(NASA JSC) and Ann Sullivan (NASA Ames).

Sign on the front of the building identifies itas the Flight Control Center.


Later, we were driven to Star City,and then to Chkalovsky Airfield, a mili-tary airfield just a few minutes' drivefrom Star City, to await the crew's ar-rival from Kazakhstan. Waiting to greetthe returning space travelers were theirfamilies, Russian dignitaries and NASArepresentatives who had viewed thelanding at MCC-M just a few hours ear-lier.

The Tupolev aircraft landed around12:30 p.m. under cool, cloudy, blusteryskies, but the rain had stopped. Digni-taries and visitors rushed toward theplane as soon as the steps were in place.First to appear was Padalka, followedby Fincke and Shargin. They were im-mediately surrounded by the crowd atthe foot of the stairs, Fincke had a briefopportunity to visit with his newborndaughter, and then the crew memberswere whisked away to the 'Prophy' orprophylactorium, for several weeks ofdebriefings and medical activities.

Our group, as well as the team thathad been in Kazakhstan for the landing,returned to Star City for another shashlyk(kebab) feast. Everyone was happy andrelieved to have the space travelers safelyback on Earth. Another mission wascomplete, with one crew safely back onEarth and another safely aboard the ISS.

In my free time, I enjoyed againexploring Red Square, the Kremlin,Lenin’s Tomb and St. Basil’s Cathedral.Just off Red Square is a short street thatis home to numerous old and very color-ful churches, and around the corner to-ward the Moscow River is part of theoriginal wall that surrounded the an-cient city. At the end of the block to theright is the Kremlin wall, with the gor-geous gold ‘onion domes’ of the Krem-lin cathedrals peeking over the wall.Ahead and to the left, across the river, isthe new Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.

Shopping along the fashionable ArbatStreet and at the large outdoor craftsmarket (Izmailovo) was enjoyable aswell.

Because I cancommunicate fairlywell in Russian, I al-ways enjoy tryingthe cuisine in Rus-sian cafes and chat-ting with local resi-dents. On the daythe Soyuz space-craft docked withthe ISS, we joined alarge group of as-tronauts, cosmo-nauts and spaceagency officials at ashashlyk party atStar City, where theISS crews undergotheir pre-flighttraining and post-flight physical reha-bilitation. As Iwalked around thelake near the astronauts’ cottages, I en-countered an elderly man with his son,grandson and spaniel. Soon the old manand I were talking about our dogs, andhe told me that during the Apollo-Soyuzmission he was the medical director ofthe facility where crews do their post-flight physical rehabilitation.

One of the highlights of my trip wasgetting to see Linda, an old black-and-white dog I had befriended in 1999.When Linda became very sick that sum-mer, I was able to arrange surgery totreat a life-threatening infection. On theway from work one day, we stopped atthe Volga apartment building where Ihad lived. Linda wasn't at the Volga, butMarat, one of the employees, remem-bered me as the person who had “saved”

On Oct. 3, 2004, Richard ‘Dick’ Ger-man was pronounced dead at a GrandJunction, Colo. hospital. He died from aheart attack while riding his mountainbike in Moab, Utah from where he wasairlifted. German was 58. He was bornon Dec. 16, 1945, at Fort Smith, Ark.

German worked his entire career atNASA Ames. He provided mechanicand supervisory skills to the wind tun-nels at Ames. He served in the US Army,completing two tours of duty in Viet-nam.

German was preceded in death byhis wife Barbara (1999). They were mar-ried for 30 years. His father, Leon, diedin March of 2004. German is survivedby his mother, Margaret German ofHemet, Calif.; his brother Ed Germanand wife Judy of Santa Ana, Calif., and

his brother Leon German Jr. and wifeJanet of Fountain Valley, Calif.; his sonDavid German and wife Michelle ofChandler, Ariz; his daughter DonnaHutcheson and her husband Will ofLivermore, Calif. German also had fourgrandchildren, Michael, Ashlyn, andKiersten Hutcheson and Andrew Ger-man.

No formal services will be con-ducted. In lieu of flowers, the family askthat you take your best friend to lunchand tell them how much you care forthem. That is what German would do. Ifyou would like to write the family aletter about German, you can contactthem at Dick German Memories, c/oWill and Donna Hutcheson, 4046Guilford Ave., Livermore, CA, 94550.

Former wind tunnel mechanic, Richard German, passes on

U.S./Russia cooperate to keep space exploration alivecontinued from previoius page

BY ANN SULLIVAN

Linda. He shook my hands very warmlyand explained that Linda usually ar-rived at the Volga around 10 p.m. Then,he led me down the street a few yards to

a pawn shop where Linda spends herdays.

And there was Linda, asleep on thelinoleum in a back room. Linda didn'tremember me, but just seeing her aliveand well, and well-cared for, wasenough. Marat guessed that Linda is atleast 15 years old. She is very stiff, andher front joints are swollen with arthri-tis. Marat told me that several peoplefeed her and take care of her. The chancesof a stray dog in Moscow living to be 15years old are practically nil, so I wasthrilled to see her.

As usual, I enjoyed my visit to Mos-cow, but it’s always great to get homeagain and be reunited with my owndogs.

Richard ‘Dick’ German

View of the flight control room in the Russian mission control center.


The editors of Science Spectrummagazine and US Black Engineer andInformation Technology magazine haveselected Vernol Battiste of Ames as oneof the ‘50 Most Important Blacks in Re-

search Science’ for 2004. Battiste is aprinciple investigator for advanced cock-pit display research at Ames as well asthe education outreach manager for theHuman Factors Research and Technol-ogy Division.

The award was presented at theEmerald Honors Conference in Nash-ville in September. The annual eventhonors excellence among minority andfemale workers in hard sciences; spaceand astrophysics; health science, phar-maceutical and human genome research;agricultural research, food science, tex-tile sciences; and climate and weatherresearch.

“This came as a real surprise to me,”said Battiste. “To be recognized by his-torically black colleges means a lot. It’svery important to me.” He hopes thatthis honor will afford him an opportu-nity to make more significant links be-tween colleges and NASA. “This willopen doors that will enable me to fosterand expand the quality of people tomeet NASA’s vision.”

Battiste served in the US Air Forcewhere he was a jet engine mechanic andlater an air traffic controller. Followinghis enlistment, he joined the FederalAviation Administration as an air trafficcontroller. As a research psychologyundergraduate student at CaliforniaState University, Hayward, Battiste cameto Ames under a grant to conduct re-search for input control devices. Hejoined Ames full time in 1984. He later

Ames’ Battiste honored with national recognitionearned an MA in psychology from SanJose State University.

He is co-lead of the flight-advancedsituation display research group thathas primary responsibilities for flight

deck human fac-tors researchand develop-ment in supportof the AdvancedAir Transporta-tion Technolo-gies (AATT)program. Thegroup’s focus ison the develop-ment of ad-

vanced display prin-ciples, concepts andrequirements for freeflight.

Battiste is veryexcited by the workhe does and he seesthe contribution inhuman factors re-search in aviation asa necessity. “Air traffic volume is goingto increase and this research is vital tobring about significant changes for pi-lots and air traffic controllers,” he said.He further commented that “futurespace vehicles will transition to aviationvehicles.”

Ames Center Director G. ScottHubbard congratulated Battiste on hisselection. “This truly is an honor for youand a wonderful reflection on NASAAmes Research Center’s diversity ef-forts to embrace the best of the best.”

While Battiste enjoys his research,he is also very proud of his other role aseducation outreach manager for theHuman Factors Research and Technol-ogy Division. He is the principle personresponsible for division educationaloutreach activities, and has formed apartnership between NASA Ames, theFoundation for a College Education(FCE) and San Jose State University.The focus of this partnership is to men-tor high school and college students andprovide them with positive work expe-riences in the research laboratory.�

Currently, the partnership has sup-ported and mentored six high schoolstudents: one is a high school senior,three are entering their college fresh-man year and two students who beganthe program as high school seniors arebeginning their sophomore year atAmherst and North Carolina A&T.Battiste is also an advisor to the board ofdirectors for FCE, a non-profit organiza-tion whose mission is to promote col-lege access for students traditionallyunderrepresented in higher education.

Battiste’s face lights up as he talksabout his students. The two sopho-mores, Ajayi Lawrence and Kevin Jones,were able to participate in the student

track program during the conference.Battiste, accompanied by his wife,Antoinette Renee, a board member ofFCE, and their son Henrí, co-sponsoredboth students. The students talked withresearchers and gained more insight intothe power of education.

Unlike some programs that offershort exposures to various aspects ofresearch, this program is designed tochallenge students for the long haul,and to inspire them to be creative, ratherthan be influenced by brief experiences.Battiste keeps track of his studentsweekly and encourages them to com-municate with each other throughouttheir academic years. His long-termgoals for the program are to expand itwith sponsorships and develop an on-site campus to link to remote campuses.

Battiste’s contributions to NASAand the community exemplify the spiritof NASA’s vision as an investment inAmerica’s future.

BY OLA MARRA COOK

Left to right: Ajayi Lawrence, Henri Battiste, Vernol Battiste and Kevin Jonesafter the ‘50 Most Important Blacks in Research Science’ awards luncheon inNashville, Tenn.

Vernol Battiste in the Flight Deck Research Display Lab in Bldg. N-262.


NASA’s 40-plus years of expertisein human factors research and technol-ogy was featured in the first annualAeronautics Research Mission Director-ate NASA Human Factors Symposiumhosted at NASA Ames on Oct. 18 to 21.The symposium was sponsored by the

Human Measures and Performance(HMP) Project and chaired by Dr. Rich-ard Mogford, HMP project manager.The event was organized with the assis-tance of the Human Factors Researchand Technology Division and the Aero-nautics Directorate. Over 150 partici-pants from NASA, other governmentagencies, academia and industry at-tended.

“The main purpose of the sympo-sium was to foster better collaborationbetween aeronautics human factors re-searchers within the agency,” saidPatricia Jones, acting chief of the Hu-man Factors Research and TechnologyDivision. “But we also had colleaguesfrom the FAA and Boeing here whowere quite excited to take a fresh look atwhat we are doing.”

Human factors is a cross-cuttingdiscipline that focuses on the study ofhuman performance issues in complexsystems, user interface design, human-centered automation, safety, trainingand fundamental research covering top-ics such as human perception, attentionand cognition. NASA’s human factorsresearchers have addressed human per-formance challenges in the air, in space,and on the ground for over 40 years.

The recent symposium offered at-tendees a rare opportunity to discoverhow this expertise is currently beingused to support NASA’s aeronautics andspace missions today and in the future.Attendees were welcomed by AmesCenter Director G. Scott Hubbard, andPatricia M. Jones, acting division chiefof the Human Factors Research andTechnology Division.

Chris Wickens, a nationally recog-nized human factors expert from theUniversity of Illinois Aviation ResearchLaboratory, gave the keynote address.Wickens offered his insight into the past,

Symposium demonstrates NASA’s human factors expertisepresent and future of aviation humanfactors research, identifying the needfor further work in the areas of automa-tion, advanced displays, modeling, train-ing, workload and attention manage-ment and other issues that affect humanperformance.

Wickens alsorecognized thevalue of the long-term contributionsof many NASAhuman factorsprojects such as theAviation Safety Re-porting System(ASRS), which wasestablished withthe FAA in 1976 asan independent,confidential andvoluntary aviationreporting system.After 28 years, theASRS receives anaverage of 2,900 re-ports a month andthe archive is considered a U.S. aviationsafety data national asset. Wickens rein-forced the value of the excellent workdone by NASA in the areas of subjectiveworkload assessment, strategic behav-ior, concurrent task management, train-ing and flight deck air traffic controldisplays and automation concepts.

Wickens also reinforced the valueof the excellent work of the Fatigue Coun-termeasures Group, established in 1980,whose most recent work includes fa-tigue countermeasures training for theMER mission surface operations teamand measuring their activity and sleep/wake cycles. These research results willbe used in shift schedule developmentto help minimize fatigue and maximizehuman performance and alertness forfuture Mars-related operations.

Three parallel tracks of presenta-tions, encompassing more than 40 pre-sentations, were given on areas of inter-est in the field of aeronautics and spacehuman factors, including: human per-formance issues in complex systems,user interface design and fundamentalresearch.

Conference attendees were intro-duced to a new flight deck, user-inter-face design in Vernal Battiste’s (et al.)talk ‘Human-centered decision supporttools for arrival merging and spacing,’which discussed the use of an advanced3-D cockpit display of traffic informa-tion (CDTI) display to improve the safetyof flight by increasing situational andtraffic awareness. Battiste offered “Thenew 3-D CDTI was tested in the recentDistributed Air/Ground Traffic Man-agement (DAG-TM) simulation of theDallas, Fort Worth airspace and wasfound to provide the flight crews with

accurate, timely and integrated infor-mation on the traffic situation.“

In the area of human performanceissues in complex systems, attendee DinoPiccione of the Federal Aviation Ad-ministration (FAA ) found the talk byPaul Lee (et al.) on the ‘Effect of in-

creased traffic on controller workload’to be quite significant. “I found Lee’stalk on controller workload to be quitevaluable. It made this symposium wellworth the trip from Washington,”Piccione stated.

Sandra Hart offered an example ofthe crosscutting nature of human per-formance issues in complex systems withher talk on the ‘Man-machine Integra-tion Design and Analysis System(MIDAS),’ which has been used for bothaeronautics and space applications.MIDAS is a comprehensive suite of com-putational tools for designing and ana-lyzing human-machine systems. Thetools include 3-D rapid prototyping,models of perception, cognition, re-sponse, real- and fast-time simulation,performance analysis and visualization.It has data collection mechanisms forgenerating runtime data that is graphi-cally displayed while the simulation runsand is saved for post-run analyses.

Recently, MIDAS was used to cre-ate a virtual rendition of the currentspace shuttle cockpit. It was used for asimulation of the first eight minutes ofnominal ascent in the shuttle and pro-vided quantitative measures of astro-naut workload, situation awareness, andtiming. MIDAS was recently portedfrom the Silicon Graphs to the PC plat-form.

The symposium also includedposter sessions, demos and two‘OneNASA’ human factors booths.Tours were provided of 10 human fac-tors labs and facilities at Ames.

For more information about humanfactors research, visit http://humanfactors.arc.nasa.gov.

BY GAYE GRAVES

Joel Miller (left) of the Spatial Auditory Displays Lab demonstrates SLAB(sound lab) software for one of the NASA Human Factors Symposium tours.

Chris Wickens offers his insight into the past,present and future of aviation human factorsresearch in the symposium keynote address.

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In collaboration with Boeing, Chi-cago, and NASA's Marshall Space FlightCenter, Huntsville, Ala., scientists atNASA Ames have designed and manu-factured two advanced habitat- holdingracks. The racks are about the size of asoda vending machine. They will holddifferent habitats, or payloads, housingplants, rodents, microorganisms andother biological specimens to be studiedin the microgravity environmentonboard the International Space Station.

"Holding racks are essentiallymicrogravity platforms in the life sci-ence research facility," said GeorgeSarver, project manager of the SpaceStation Biological Research Project atAmes. "They will provide support tothe payloads to ensure the right condi-tions for experiments."

Scheduled to fly to the space stationin the Multi Purpose Logistics Modulein 2006, both racks have been deliveredto the Kennedy Space Center in CapeCanveral, Fla., for design testing to en-sure that they are functioning properlyand that they fit into the module. As

Have you been hearing about theCode C realignment? Many peopleacross the Center have been hearinglots of things and now have questionsabout the impacts of this realignmenteffort. Ames is in the process of re-aligning financial resources in the fieldunder the CFO’s organization. Theeffort is aimed at creating better work-ing relationships across all programs,projects and functions and ensuringCFO visibility to all financial data suchthat the financial health of the Centeris assured.

This realignment will require atremendous effort and Code C is en-gaging experts from the field to lendtheir insight, ideas and assist in thework. For approximately 90 days,there will be no significant changes tothe jobs those in the field perform orthe function they are supporting. Thismeans that the employee reassignmentthat was effective Oct. 17 will have nodirect impact on people for about threemonths. This 90-day period will allowthe Code C management team andfield ‘experts’ to re-engineer theCenter’s budget and financial man-agement processes.��

The re-engineering effort will helpto ‘ready’ the Code C environment forthe reassigned employees. The intentis to take ideas and input from peopleacross the Center to streamline pro-cesses and establish clear and concise

NASA Ames develops and delivers sci-ence payloads, a team of engineers atKSC will integrate them into the racks inpreparation for their flight to the ISS.

Future Space Station Biological Re-search Project modules will contain vari-ous additional elements, including acentrifuge, glove box and other labora-tory equipment. These elements are es-sential to the fundamental space biol-ogy research being conducted by scien-tists at NASA Ames and their collabora-tors in the scientific community. Thefloating space laboratory will enableunique, long-term experiments address-ing critical questions related to the health,safety and performance of astronauts atEarth, moon and Mars gravity levels.�

"Studying microgravity’s impact onhuman health and performance is cru-cial for NASA's successful implementa-tion of the Vision for Space Explora-tion," said Bonnie Dalton, NASA Amesdeputy director of science. "In order forus to return to the moon and send hu-man missions to Mars, we must ensureastronauts' health, well being and safety.

Housing for living organisms in space

Code C’s realignmentstandards for conducting business.The avenue for this input is a processre-engineering team. The process re-engineering teams are made up ofexpert financial people from the field,from the RMO and the Financial Man-agement Division. Currently, thereare five process re-engineering teamseither underway or being formulated;G&A and ASPs, workforce, DSPs, pro-grams and projects and reimbursables.Membership for all of these groupshas not been finalized, so it remains agood opportunity to get involved! Ifyou’re interested in ‘out-of-the-boxthinking’ and want to influence thefinancial environment, consider join-ing a process re-engineering team.

The approach to this realignmentactivity is a little different than most.Yes, we want the business processesof the Center to be more efficient andeffective and easier to perform, butthe main goal during this change is toinvolve those who are directly affected.With this model, anyone interested inparticipating has an opportunity tohelp craft his or her new work envi-ronment!

So, interested in participating? Areyou an out of the box thinker? Havemore questions? Call Deb Feng at ext.4-0256 to schedule a briefing for yourorganization or any member of theCode C management team to help youfind a way to participate.

That will be accomplished through useof various biological models and equip-ment housed in these racks, which canlend to our knowledge of future astro-naut health."

The capabilities provided by thehabitat holding racks will help astro-nauts conduct experiments by provid-ing data, video and command and con-trol functions. Researchers on theground will also benefit by having theability and flexibility to monitor andcontrol the environment and experimen-tal parameters of their research projects.

"Habitat holding racks provide thefunctional support to the payloads toensure the right conditions for experi-ments, which leads to better science,"said Sarver.

BY VICTORIA STEINER

NASA Ames celebrated HispanicHeritage Month by hosting the 3rdannual Hispanic Heritage Golf Tour-nament. The event was held on Oct.

15 at the Moffett golf course. Manyattended and had an excellent time.

The tournament was hosted bythe Center's Hispanic Advisory Com-mittee for Employees (HACE). HACEis focused on supporting Hispanicyouth in education and community.

The winners of the tournamentwere Eric Kristich, David Lagman,Ricardo Lagman and Lucio De Anda.

Hispanic Heritagetolf tournament held


The NASA Explorer Schools (NES)program is working. This is a bold state-ment with few quantifiable metrics, butif you saw the faces of the hundreds ofstudents in the NES schools Ames is

responsible for, the 'bang for the buck'question would become a moot point.

Each year, the NASA ExplorerSchools program establishes a three-yearpartnership between NASA and 50school teams, consisting of teachers andeducation administrators from diversecommunities across the country. NASAAmes is responsible for 11 school teamslocated in Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Mon-tana, Washington, Nevada, Oregon,Utah and Northern California.

In the months of September andOctober, NASA Ames coordinated fiveNES kick-off events. At each event, aNASA official and an astronaut spoke tothe students about NASA and the fu-ture. The NASA officials were respon-sible for presenting the Vision for SpaceExploration and how the students andadults can participate in making the vi-sion a reality. The astronauts presentedtheir experiences as part of the astro-naut corps.

"It’s awesome," said a student atKey Peninsula Middle School inLakebay, Wash. "It gives us more op-portunities to learn more things."

"I thought it was so cool that we gotto meet an astronaut," said a secondgrade student at Whittier CommunitySchool in Whittier, Alaska.

"I never thought about working forNASA until today," said a fifth gradestudent at Kenneth Carberry Intermedi-ate School. "They made me feel that I cando anything I want to."

"The lesson plan in the afternoonwas shot," said a teacher at BarnardWhite Middle School in Union City, 22miles east of NASA Ames across theDumbarton Bridge. "The studentscouldn't stop, all they wanted to talkabout was the event."

These types of comments and reac-tions are what the NASA ExplorerSchools program is looking for. ManyNASA employees can trace back to a

Ames’ Daniel Reda and RogerRemington were selected by the AmesScience and Technology Council asAmes Associate Fellows for this year.

This is one of the most prestigiousawards given by the Center. The awardcarries a personal honorarium as wellas a research and travel stipend. Thecriteria for selection are (1) sustainedinnovative and creative contributionsto progress in the nominee's field ofactivity; (2) recognition by a nominee'speers of the quality and significance ofhis/her work: and (3) actual and po-tential impact on NASA's science andmission goals.

Reda was selected for his pioneer-ing research in the field of hypersonicboundary layer transition and for for-mulating a new methodology for theaerothermodynamic testing of reentry

NASA Ames inspires students to reach for their dreamsNASA experience that helped sway theirdecision to eventually work for NASA.

"Every manand woman whoworks at NASAstarted like you,"started StanNewberry, NASAAmes deputy cen-ter director, duringhis presentation atKey PeninsulaMiddle School.

To build addi-tional excitement,each of the AmesNES schools heldschool-wide con-tests to determinewhich studentswould ask ques-tions during theprogram and have lunch with the astro-naut. Students submitted short essays,drawing or designed aliens to be consid-ered. The contest winners were treatedto 45 to 60 minutes of face-to-face inter-action with the astronaut and the NASAofficial.

NASA Explorer Schools, educationand public affairs personnel and aero-space education specialists at Ames will

work with the schools to continue theexcitement generated at the kick-off

events. The three-year partnerships willinclude additional school events, teacherin-service training and technology sup-port.

Next school year, NASA Ames willget an additional five or six schools. Formore information about the NASA Ex-plorer Schools Program, visit http://explorerschools.nasa.gov/

Astronaut Rex Williams (left) and Chief Financial Officer for NASA GwenSykes (center) answer questions from the students in Whittier, Alaska.

Astronaut Steven Swanson ‘high fives’ studentsafter a rocket launch at Kenneth Intermediateschool in Idaho.

Reda, Remington named Ames Fellowsvehicle nosetips in ballistic ranges. Hedeveloped a roughness-induced tran-sition model that was instrumental inselecting the correct heat shield thick-ness for the Galileo probe used to probethe atmosphere of Jupiter. His workhas had a major impact on both

hypersonics and planetary entry.Remington was selected for his

significant research contributions tothe control of attention, neurophysi-ology and decision science. He hascontributed to a number of appliedprojects including rotorcraft displaydesign, decision-support and intelli-gent control systems for the space sta-tion, innovative concepts for launchoperations, modeling of human errorin aviation systems and informationflow and display concepts for ad-vanced air traffic control.

BY JONAS DINO

Daniel Reda

Roger Remington

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Do you know someone who….• Is a champion ‘green purchaser’?• Recycles like crazy?• Goes out of the way to save energy?• Helps others understand environmental issues?The Environmental Services Office

(Code QE) wants nominations for the2004 Ames Sustainability Award (for-

merly called the Pollution PreventionAward). Code QE sponsors an annualaward to recognize employees who at-tempt to improve the environmentthrough their day-to-day activities, andis looking for specific accomplishments,preferably in the last year or so, but canbe at any time.

Nominations are due by Dec. 31.The award winner(s) will be selectedand awards issued by March 1, 2005.Nomination forms and rules are on theAmes pollution prevention web site athttp://q/qe/p2.

What is sustainability? If thePolynesians who inhabited Easter Is-land understood sustainability, theirsociety might be here today. Scientistshave discovered that Easter was a para-dise with an abundance of natural re-sources, a subtropical forest of trees andwoody bushes that towered over aground layer of shrubs, herbs, ferns andgrasses. In the forest grew an abundant

Hosted by the NASA Ames Hu-man-Computer Interaction (HCI) group,the Carnegie Mellon Masters of HCIstudent team reached completion on anine-month long capstone project thissummer. The project culminated in thedevelopment and testing of a prototyperepresenting a next-generation versionof the Science Activity Planner (SAP)application used on the MER mission.

The final deliverable was a runningVisual Basic prototype and design speci-fication the JPL SAP group can use tocode. At the end of the summer, theteam gave a final presentation to SAPdevelopers from JPL, Ames stakehold-ers and the students' faculty advisors.

After completing her capstone mas-ters project and receiving her degree,one of the students, Jenica Rangos, washired by the HCI Group, and startedwork in September. During the sum-

The Mars Exploration Rover (MER)Collaborative Information Portal (CIP)leads -- Joan Walton and John Schreiner-- and the Mixed-initiative Activity PlanGenerator (MAPGEN) lead, KannaRajan, all from Code TC, recently re-ceived the NASA Exceptional ServiceMedal for their work.

The MER mission project managernominated the three Ames researchersfor the medals, which were awardedduring a ceremony at the Jet PropulsionLaboratory (JPL), Pasadena, Calif.

"Code IC (now TC) is very proud ofthe work of these leaders and theirteams," said TC division chief DaveKorsmeyer. "They have made a majorimpact on the MER mission. According

Ames scientists receive Exceptional Service Medalto mission managers, they have contrib-uted to an increase in science productiv-ity of over 20 percent."

MAPGEN is a ground-based, auto-mated planning and scheduling tool thatMER scientists use to build and editscience activity plans for the rovers basedon the scientists' 'wish list' of observa-tions and the rovers' available resources.

"MAPGEN's unique 'mixed-initia-tive' planning capability permits tacti-cal activity planners to tune their plansfor the rover," Korsmeyer said.

CIP is the primary time-manage-ment tool for operations and science forthe MER missions. It is the latest in aseries of applications to support dataretrieval, analysis and understanding

for various NASA missions. For MER,CIP helped scientists and engineers per-form time-critical tasks.

Both the CIP and MAPGEN sys-tems are still in use in support of ex-tended operations of the MER mission.

The CIP and MAPGEN teams alsowon other accolades including NASAAmes Group Achievement HonorAwards and the NASA HeadquartersCode R ‘Turning Goals into Reality’(TIGR) award. In addition, JPL presentedthe NASA Group Achievement Awardfor Contributions to the MER GroundData System Team’ to the combinedAmes team.

Sustainability Award call for 2004species of palm that would have beenideal for making structures to transportand erect the massive stone statues(called moai) found around the islandand for constructing large canoes to fishdeep off the coast.

When Dutch explorer JacobRoggeveen discovered the island onEaster, April 5, 1722, he described theland as “wasted” and “a singular pov-erty and barrenness.” The inhabitantshad depleted the abundant palms andwildlife after years of unsustainable har-vesting. This transformation from para-dise to wasteland occurred over 12 cen-turies between 400 A.D. and 1600 A.D.The process was so gradual, the inhabit-ants may not have even noticed the gen-erational differences in their land andway of life.

Like in the Easter society, sustain-ing our resources and communities is a BY MARK LACY

BY JOHN BLUCK

reality of our society today on a largerscale, yet is not really understood. Asustainable society balances materialresources, the economy and the stan-dard of living. Each is dependent on theother. Recycling more, conserving more,and preventing more pollution withoutchanging how we operate is not neces-sarily sustainable. Changing how wemanufacture, design buildings, pur-chase products, travel, and grow crops,to name a few examples, to make moreeffective use of resources is an integralpart of becoming sustainable.

Easter Island should be our lesson,not our destination, unless you are plan-ning a vacation.

Questions about the sustainabilityaward? Contact Christel VanArsdale atext. 4-1175, or the author at ext. 4-1406.

mer, Rangos also completed an inde-pendent study on anomaly resolution inthe context of the Gravity Probe B mis-sion.

CMU Masters students discuss the nextgeneration version of the Science ActivityPlanner (SAP) application used on the MERmission. Left to right: Alesha Jordan, DarinWonn, Ben Glenn and Jenica Rangos.

CMU project leads to new NASA career

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‘Moia’ Easter Island statues.


A NASA mission to study the prop-erties of cirrus clouds found that forestfire smoke, containing pollution-levelconcentrations of trace gases, travels

several thousand miles away at higher-than-expected altitudes.

The CRYSTAL-FACE (Cirrus Re-gional Study of Tropical Anvils and Cir-rus Layers – Florida Area Cirrus Experi-ment) Mission, conducted during thesummer of 2002, used six aircraft, in-cluding two NASA research airplanes,to sample clouds in the Florida Keys andsubsequently collected concentrationsof carbon monoxide five times higherthan expected. The cause was tracedback to multiple fires across Canada.The mission explored an area betweenapproximately 47,000 feet and 58,000feet, an area known as the tropopauseregion.

To discover the cause of the unex-pected result, co-investigators KatjaDrdla, Max Loewenstein and Paul Bui,scientists from NASA Ames, back-tracked the origins of the pollutant par-ticles. Satellite images and data from theCanadian Forest Service indicated thatheavy smoke plumes from forest fires inSaskatchewan, Canada, were the cause.�

“The plume went straight up andthen traveled,” said Drdla. Most exist-ing circulation models assume that thelower-level air enters into the strato-sphere, 12 to 16 miles high, only in thetropics. This is the first time in-situobservations of a carbon monoxide- andparticle-enriched plume can be traced toemissions from a forest fire thousandsof miles away.” Drdla said “If the plumewas two to three kilometers lower itwould mix with other gases. At thishigher altitude, it is anticipated to staythere for an average of five to six years.”At low levels, the forest fire smoke wouldmix to create ozone, which is a danger-ous pollutant and the main ingredient ofsmog. At higher altitudes, however,ozone is naturally present and benefi-cial, because it protects the Earth from

Famed world-class navigator Stan Honeyspeaks about his transoceanic exploits atthe Ames Sailing Club meeting in October.

Satellite image (from Terra MODIS) showing the large cloud of smokeproduced by the forest fires that were examined in this study.

Navigatorspeaks at Ames

BY OLA COOK

Cloud study finds fire pollutants travel higher and fartherharmful ultraviolet rays. The effect ofinjecting smog pollutants into the ozonelayer is unknown. “The key question ishow the chemistry of these two systems

will combine,” saidDrdla.

NASA’s JetPropulsion Labora-tory (JPL), the Na-tional Oceanic andAtmospheric Ad-m i n i s t r a t i o n(NOAA) and sev-eral universitieswere collaboratingwith Ames. Thefindings were pub-lished in the Ameri-can GeophysicalUnion (AGU) Geo-physical ResearchLetters last month."This looked like

polluted air,” said Dr. Hans-Jurg Jost,lead author and principal investigatorwith the Bay Area Environmental Re-search Institute, working in collabora-tion with NASA. “At these altitudes weusually find pristine air.”

The key support that forest fires arethe combustion source of the carbonmonoxide was the comparison with datafrom that of a previously measured,known fire plume two hours old. Thesimilarity in the particle data impliesthat the plume observed over Floridaoriginated from biomass burning.�

“We tracked the area of the plumethat the aircraft encountered back intime for the 10 days prior to the mea-surements,” said Jost. It was discoveredthat the air had come from Canada, ex-tending from Hudson Bay down to southof Lake Huron. A research satellite ob-served enhanced aerosol extinction more

than one mile above the tropopause overJames Bay.��

CRYSTAL-FACE is one of theunique experiments that unites sevenNASA centers, NOAA, National ScienceFoundation, Department of Energy, Of-fice of Naval Research, U.S. WeatherResearch Program, universities andother government weather researchersto study how cirrus clouds in our atmo-sphere will be affected by greenhousewarming, caused by human emissionsof carbon dioxide. This mission wasprimarily funded by NASA’s RadiationSciences Program.

“These results show that there couldbe an impact to ozone in the strato-sphere from particles originally thoughtto be only in the troposphere,” said Jost.The smoke was injected to high alti-tudes by a strong convective cloud sys-tem that formed over the forest fires.Satellite pictures of the clouds confirmedthat the cloud tops were very cold, -65°C(-85°F), indicating that the system hadthe potential to penetrate into the strato-sphere. Such convective systems havepreviously been observed to form overforest fires, but were believed to onlyinject air into the upper troposphere orlowest levels of the stratosphere. Thissystem was able to inject air severalkilometers higher.

According to Drdla, further researchis necessary to determine the dynamicsresponsible for injecting forest fire smoketo such high altitudes and to determinehow common these events are.� “This isa wide open field for research,” she said.�

For more information visithttp://geo.arc.nasa.gov/sgp/aero s o l / a e r o c l o u d 6 . h t m l , h t t p : / /www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2004/2003GL019253.shtml or http://www.espo.nasa.gov/crystalface

Question: When is a person con-sidered a ‘foreign national?’

Answer: A foreign national is acitizen of a country other than theUnited States. The International Traf-fic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) speci-fies that a citizen of the United Statesis (amazingly) called a U.S. person.However, the ITAR also considerslawful permanent residents (i.e.‘green card holders’) to be U.S. per-sons. So for export purposes, a greencard holder is not a foreign national.

Do you have a question for theexport expert? Send it care [email protected]. And, visitthe Web at http://jp.arc.nasa.gov/EC/EC.html.

Ask the‘export expert’

NASA photo by Tom Trower


With the more than 18 years thatseparates us from the Challenger acci-dent, it is easier to see all the good thathas come from the disaster. Despite theloss of the seven heroic astronauts, they

continue to inspire people. Most re-cently, Christa McAuliffe, the teacherfrom New Hampshire, was honored asthe namesake of a new school in Stock-ton, Calif.

The Christa McAuliffe MiddleSchool was officially dedicated in Sep-tember at a ceremony held at the freshlyfinished campus. Along with approxi-mately 800 students, in attendance wereseveral school administrators, local gov-ernment officials, a representative fromGovernor Schwarzenegger’s office andMcAuliffe’s mother, Grace Corrigan.

“This is a beautiful, beautiful, beau-tiful school,” said Corrigan. In refer-ence to the dedication day sharingMcAuliffe’s birthday date, Corrigancalled the event a “fabulous birthdaypresent.” Corrigan, who concluded thededication ceremony by unveiling alarge portrait of McAuliffe to be hung inthe foyer of the school, delivered aninspiring presentation that urged thestudents to “take every single advan-tage you have, enjoy [the] school, anddo the best you can.”

NASA also showed its support dur-ing the dedication. Robert Smith, once ateacher himself, has worked with NASAfor more than 15 years to promote posi-tive outcomes of the Challenger acci-dent, such as the Challenger learningcenters. At the ceremony, Smith gave aspeech and presented the school’s prin-cipal, Darla Briggs, with a framed photoof Challenger lifting off and with anSTS-51L patch.

Under the Ames Safety AwardsProgram (ASAP) II, Ames recognized12 employees for their outstanding ac-complishments in improving healthand safety. ASAP II was established torecognize employee actions, behaviorand/or job performance that result inimproved health and safety conditionsat the Center.

There are four levels of awards,with tier four being the highest level ofachievement. The ASAP II board evalu-ates each nomination and selects thetier level that best represents the ac-tions and accomplishments of thatnomination.

A group of two individuals fromPAI Corporation received thistrimester’s highest team award. Theywere recognized for their outreach ef-forts by hosting the hazardous wastecollection presentations in a locationconvenient for their research audience.

Tier Level 3 – Individual awardsBernadette LunaKevin Kalinowski

Tier Level 2 – Individual awardsValerie Stone-ReeveJay Nuez

ASAP II 3rd trimester awards presentedMathew LintonGail JamesRobert ShipleyCheryl Orth

Tier Level 1 – Team awardsOutreach Presentationsfor the ResearchersErik Rockwell

Stacy St. Louis

Tier Level 1 – Individual awardsMathew LintonDoreen Cohen

Each of these employees and teamswas nominated by their colleagues fortheir outstanding actions and accom-plishments in improving health andsafety conditions at Ames.

If you know of an individual or ateam that deserves recognition, nomi-nate them for an ASAP II award.

The nomination form can be re-trieved in Microsoft Word by clickingon the ASAP II link at http://q.arc.nasa.gov. The nomination formcan be completed and submitted toShelleen Lomas at Mail Stop 221-10 ore-mail [email protected].

Christa McAuliffe’s mother and brother duringthe recent dedication of the Christa McAuliffeMiddle School in Stockton.

Challenger victim honored with school dedication

The Christa McAuliffe Middle School official dedication was held inSeptember. Attending from left to right: Darla Briggs, Christa McAuliffeMiddle School principal; Nick Nguyen, student body president; GraceCorrigan, McAuliffe's mother; Steven Corrigan, McAuliffe’s brother andhis wife.

The ChristaMcAuliffe MiddleSchool uniquely in-corporates spaceinto its curriculum.Besides holdingspace missionsimulations and of-fering a class spe-cifically on all as-pects of space sci-ences each year asan extra incentivefor good atten-dance, several stu-dents are sent toHunstville, Ala., toparticipate inSpace Camp.

BY ARIANE CORNELL


Louisa R. Beck, a senior researchscientist with Ames’ Ecosystem Scienceand Technology Branch (Code SGE),passed away on Oct. 16. She was 52. In

2001, Beck was diagnosed with ovariancancer. Her courage and resolve in bat-tling this disease was an inspiration forall who knew her.

Beck began her career in remotesensing while she was a graduate stu-dent at U.C. Berkeley’s Department ofGeography. She came to NASA Amesin the late 1970s to work on theAgRISTARS program, which used sat-ellite data in identifying crops and fieldestimates.

From 1986 to 1989, Beck was a re-search associate at the Arizona RemoteSensing Center at the University of Ari-zona at Tucson. Here, Beck’s affinitywith the desert landscape was fulfilled.For her, the sun, sand and open spacesrepresented all that was unassailable innature and in life.

Beck returned to NASA Ames in1990 as a contractor with TechnicolorGovernment Services (later JohnsonControls World Services) to work on theGlobal Monitoring and Human Health(GMHH) program. This interagencycollaborative program used NASA sci-ence and technologies to model mos-quito habitat distribution for use inmodels of malaria transmission risk.With Byron Wood, Beck transferred theknowledge gained from the GMHH pro-gram into the formation of the Centerfor Health Applications of AerospaceRelated Technologies (CHAART) atAmes in 1995. CHAART’s purpose wasto expand disease modeling to othervector-borne maladies such as Lymedisease, leishmaniasis, filariasis andschistosomiasis. In the course of herwork with CHAART, Beck traveled ex-tensively throughout the world.

Beck was a pioneer in the area ofpublic health and landscape epidemiol-

ogy. For nearly 20 years, she collabo-rated with many international partnersand organizations in the field of publichealth research. As a co-founder ofCHAART, she had much influence onNASA Headquarters programs in bothCode U (biological and physical re-search) and Code Y (Earth science). Herpublications were well respected andoften cited. In recent years, her workwas acknowledged in journals such asEmerging Infectious Diseases, Journalof the American Mosquito Control As-sociation, and Journal of Medical Ento-mology to support the application of herideas in Asia, Africa and South America.She was especially proud of and com-mitted to inspiring the next generationof public health researchers through stu-dent collaboration and mentorship. Vis-iting researchers and students whotrained at the CHAART facility receivedher attention both in and out of the lab.Beck often served as a tour guide to localpoints of interest or to favorite restau-rants. Most visitors were transported inher battered but beloved yellow VWBug to and from Ames, to San Franciscoor a nearby art festival, or simply to runerrands. For Beck, these tasks were notjust part of the job: by assisting thefacility’s students and visitors, Beck as-sured their inclusion into the extendedCHAART family.

In the past year, Beck received twowell-deserved awards in recognition ofher work: the Presidential Rank andNASA Honor Award for ExceptionalAchievement and an Ames HonorAward for Excellence in the category ofscientist/researcher.

Beck was an avid gardener. Com-pleting the master gardener’s programout of U.C. Extension, she identifiedmost plants by their botanical names.Pedestrian terms like ‘daisy’ or ‘mari-gold’ were not part of her vocabulary,nor were such plants a part of her gar-den. She was particularly fond of salviasand her backyard was a display of themany varieties of this hardy plant. Sheappreciated their durability and adapt-ability in the local landscape, as well astheir beneficence to hummingbirds. Forbees and butterflies there was a fair rep-resentation of native plants and, as areminder of the desert, there was a vastarray of cacti and succulents. She wasan avid bird watcher, both in her backyard as well as at Ames. A pair ofbinoculars sat on her desk, ready to iden-tify a possible red tail hawk or even agolden eagle as it flew outside her officewindow. Her love of wildlife includedher championing several causes for theprotection and well being of animals. Athome, she loved and cared for her suc-cession of cats, beginning with Mr. Spotand Sonia, and later Rajah and Moses.

Beck is survived by her brother,Stephan Beck and his family and a sister.The memorial service for Beck will beheld on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 2:00 p.m. atthe Fernwood Cemetary in Mill Valley.In lieu of flowers, donations may bemade to The Nature Conservancy, Attn:Treasury, 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite100, Arlington, VA 22203, (800) 628-6820.Beck will be deeply missed by her manyfriends and colleagues here and aroundthe world.

Senior research scientist, Louisa Beck, passes on

Louisa Beck

BY GAILYNNE BOURET

Are you using two or more moni-tors and keyboards at your desk? If so,beware. Extra wires, cables and powercords dangling from the desk causeadditional floor clutter that may be-come entangled around feet or chairwheels and cause a fall. Additionally,if you are using more than one systemat your desk, you probably cannot sitstraight in front of both systems. Thismay result in eye, back, wrist or otherbodily strains resulting in ergonomicinjuries.

An inexpensive $25 hardwaredevice called a ‘Keyboard, VideoMonitor, Mouse’ (KVM) switch en-ables the computer user to select onekeyboard, video monitor and mouse

that can control one or more comput-ers at one time. This allows the com-puter user to work with the monitor,keyboard and mouse at the optimumergonomic position, reducing repeti-tive stress injuries, cumulative traumadisorders and eye strain. Further-more, using only one monitor also willsave money and energy costs.

There are several different modelsof KVMs including a wireless model aswell as models that can control morethan two computers. Employees inter-ested in learning more about KVMsmay contact Paul Grams at [email protected] for further in-formation.

Safety Corner

BY PAUL GRAMS


Events Calendar

A statistical summary of activitiesof the Protective Services Division'sSecurity/Law Enforcement and Fire

Protective Services monthly activity

Security/Law Enforcement Activity Fire Protection Activity

Protection Services units for themonth of October 2004 is shown be-low.

Ames Amateur Radio Club, third Thursday of eachmonth, 12 noon, N-T28 (across from N-255). POC:Michael Wright, KG6BFK, at ext. 4-6262.

Ames Ballroom Dance Club. Classes on Tuesdays.Beginning classes meet at 5:15 p.m. Higher-level classmeets at 5:50 p.m. Held in Bldg. 944, the Rec. Center.POC: Helen Hwang at [email protected], ext. 4-1368.

Ames Bowling League, Palo Alto Bowl on Tuesdaynights. Seeking full-time bowlers and substitutes.Questions to sign up: Mike Liu at ext. 4-1132.

Ames Child Care Center Board of Directors Mtg,every other Thursday (check Web site for meeting dates:http://accc.arc.nasa.gov), 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., N-210,Rm. 205. POC: Cheryl Quinn, ext 4-5793.

Ames Contractor Council Mtg, first Wednesdayeach month, 11 a.m., N-200, Comm. Rm. POC: AnitaFogtman, ext. 4-4432.

Ames Diabetics (AAD), 1st & 3rd Weds, 12 noonto 1 p.m., at Ames Mega Bites, Sun room. Supportgroup discusses news affecting diabetics. POC: Bob

Mohlenhoff, ext. 4-2523/e-mail at:[email protected].

Ames Federal Employees Union (AFEU) Mtg,third Wednesday of ea. month, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Bldg.221, Rm 104. Guests welcome. Info at: http://www.afeu.org. POC: Marianne Mosher, ext. 4-4055.

Ames Mac Support Group Mtg, third Tuesday ofea. month, 11:30 a.m.to 1 p.m., Bldg. N262, Rm 180.POC: Julie ext. 4-4694 or Tony ext. 4-0340.

Ames Model Aircraft Club, flying radio-controlledaircraft at the north end of Parsons Ave. on weekendmornings. POC: Mark Sumich, ext. 4-6193.

Ames Sailing Club Mtg, second Thursday of ea.month (Feb through Nov), from 11.30 a.m. -1 p.m. inthe special events room in the Ames Visitor Center in N-223. All are welcome. POC: Jeff Smith, ext. 4-2586.

Environmental, Health and Safety InformationForum, first Thursday of each month, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30a.m., Bldg. 221/Rm 155. URL: http://q.arc.nasa.gov/qe/events/EHSseries/ POC: Stacy St. Louis at ext. 4-6810.

The Hispanic Advisory Committee forExcellence HACE Mtg, first Thurs of month in N255room 101C from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. POC: EricKristich at ext. 4-5137 and Mark Leon at ext. 4-6498.

Jetstream Toastmasters, Mondays, 12 p.m. to 1p.m., N-269/Rm.179. POC: Becky Brondos at ext. 4-1959, [email protected] or Bob Hilton atext. 4-1500, [email protected].

Nat'l Association of Retired Federal Employees,(NARFE). Former and current federal employees. Youronly contact with Congress. Join to protect yourfederal retirement. In December, the meeting is atHarry’s Hofbrau, Santa Clara, for the Annual GALAChristmas lunch and program. Chptr #50 will thenmeet on the first Fri. of each month at HomeTownBuffet, 2670 El Camino (at Kiely), S. Clara, 11 a.m.lunch. POC Earl Keener (408) 241-4459 or NARFE 1-800-627-3394.

Native American Advisory Committee Mtg,fourth Tues each month, 12 noon to 1 p.m., Bldg. 19,Rm 1096. POC: Mike Liu at ext. 4-1132.

The annual Halloween costume con-test occured at Ames on Oct. 29, held inthe Mega Bites cafeteria. Many employ-

ees participated, wearing all sorts ofinteresting, unique and fancy costumes.The Ames Exchange sponsored theevents, also providing free refreshments.

The Ames Childcare Center alsoheld a Halloween parade (see photos

Spooky folks haunt Ames

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NASA photo by Dominic Hart

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rttop right) for itsyoungsters on Oct. 29.


Ames ClassifiedsAds for the next issue should be sent to

[email protected] and must be resubmitted foreach issue. Ads must involve personal needs or items; (nocommercial/third-party ads) and will run on a space-available basis only. First-time ads are given priority. Adsmust include home phone numbers; Ames extensions andemail addresses will be accepted for carpool and lost andfound ads only. Due to the volume of material received,we are unable to verify the accuracy of the statementsmade in the ads. Caveat emptor!

Housing

Exchange InformationExchange InformationExchange InformationExchange InformationExchange Information

Beyond GalileoBeyond GalileoBeyond GalileoBeyond GalileoBeyond Galileo N-235 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)N-235 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)N-235 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)N-235 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)N-235 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)ext. 4-6873ext. 4-6873ext. 4-6873ext. 4-6873ext. 4-6873

Ask about NASA customized gifts for specialoccasions. Make your reservations for Chase Park

Mega Bites Mega Bites Mega Bites Mega Bites Mega Bites N-235 (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.)N-235 (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.)N-235 (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.)N-235 (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.)N-235 (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.)ext. 4-5969ext. 4-5969ext. 4-5969ext. 4-5969ext. 4-5969

Visitor Center Gift ShopVisitor Center Gift ShopVisitor Center Gift ShopVisitor Center Gift ShopVisitor Center Gift Shop N-943 N-943 N-943 N-943 N-943(10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) ext. 4-5412(10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) ext. 4-5412(10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) ext. 4-5412(10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) ext. 4-5412(10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) ext. 4-5412

NASA logo merchandise, souvenirs, toys, gifts andeducational items.

Open 7 days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. Ratesfrom $40 - $50.

Vacation OpportunitiesVacation OpportunitiesVacation OpportunitiesVacation OpportunitiesVacation Opportunities

Check web site for discounts to local attractions,http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov and click on tickets.

Information about products, services andopportunities provided to the employee and contractorcommunity by the Ames Exchange Council. Visit theweb site at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov

NASA LodgeNASA LodgeNASA LodgeNASA LodgeNASA Lodge (N-19) 603-7100 (N-19) 603-7100 (N-19) 603-7100 (N-19) 603-7100 (N-19) 603-7100

Tickets, etc...Tickets, etc...Tickets, etc...Tickets, etc...Tickets, etc...(N-235, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)(N-235, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)(N-235, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)(N-235, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)(N-235, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)ext. 4-6873ext. 4-6873ext. 4-6873ext. 4-6873ext. 4-6873

See daily menu at: http://exchange.arc.nasa.gov

To hear the centerwide statusrecording, call (650) 604-9999 forinformation announcements andemergency instructions for Amesemployees. You can also listen to1700 KHz AM radio for the sameinformation.

Ames emergencyannouncements

All Ames employees are invited to submitarticles relating to Ames projects and activities forpublication in the Astrogram. When submittingstories or ads for publication, submit your mate-rial, along with any questions, in MS word by e-mail to: [email protected] on or be-fore the deadline.

Astrogram deadlines

Safety Data

MiscellaneousThe Ames Cat Network needs help finding homes for

cats trapped at Moffett. They range from feral toabandoned/lost pets. Tested, altered and inoculated. CallIris at ext. 4-5824 if you or someone you know areinterested in fostering or adopting a cat.

Lake Tahoe-Squaw Valley Townhse, 3bd/2ba,View of slopes, close to lifts. Per night: $250, twonight minimum. Includes linens, cleaning, propanefireplace, fully equipped. Call (650) 968-4155,[email protected]

South Lake Tahoe cottage w/wood fireplace,hot tub. Rates $50 to $130 per night. Call (650)967-7659 or (650) 704-7732.

Vacation rental, Bass Lake, 4 mls south ofYosemite. 3bd/1.5 ba, TV, VCR, MW, frplc, BBQ,priv. boat dock. Sleeps 8. $1,050/wk. Call (559)642-3600 or (650) 390-9668.

Big Sur vacation rental, secluded 4bd/2bahouse in canyon setting. Fully eqpd kitchen. Accessto priv. beach. Tub in patio gdn. Halfway betweenCarmel and Big Sur. $175/night for 2; $225 for 4and $250 for more, plus $150 cleaning dep. Call(650) 328-4427.

Tahoe Donner vacation home, 2 bd/2ba. trees,deck. Access to pools, spa, golf, horseback riding,$280 wkend, $650 week. Call (408) 739-9134.

Pine Mountain Lake vacation home. Access togolf, tennis, lake, swimming, horseback riding, walkto beach. Three bedrooms/sleeps 10. $100/night.Call (408) 799-4052 or (831) 623-4054.

Incline Village: Forest Pines, Lake Tahoe condo,3 bd/2ba, sleeps 8. Fireplace, TV/VCR/DVD, MW,W/D, jacuzzi, sauna, pool. Walk to Lake, close to skiareas. Visit Web page for pictures: http://www.ACruiseStore.com. $120/night low season,$155/night high season (holidays higher) plus $156cleaning fee and 12% Nevada room tax. Charlie(650) 355-1873.

Disneyland area vacation rental home, 2 bd/1ba. Nearing completion completely remodeled w/new furniture. Sleeps 6 (queen bed, bunk beds,sleeper sofa). Air hockey and football tables.Introductory rate $600/wk, once completed rate willbe $1000/wk. Security deposit and $100 cleaningfee required. Call (925) 846-2781.

Ski Park City Utah, NASA Ski Week XIV, Feb 5 -12, 2005. Space limited. E-mail Steve at [email protected] or call (408) 432-0135.

New York, 5th Ave. One fully furnishedbedroom in 24 hour security bldg. overlookingWashington Square Park, $1,000/wk or $3,000/mo.negotiable. Call (650) 349-0238.

Paris/France: Fully furnished studio, 5th Arr,Latin Quarter, Notre Dame and Ile-St. Louis.$1,400/wk. negotiable Call (650) 349-0238.

For rent: Mtn. View. Upstairs rental, 2b/1 ba.,hardwood floors, garage, patio and priv. laundry room.$1,375 mo. Call (650) 967-0420 or (650) 302-7550.

For rent: Mtn. View. house, 2bd/1 ba, attachedgarage, large fenced backyard, hardwood floors, stove,refrig, W/D. Pets OK. $1,575 mo. Call (650) 967-0420 or(650) 302-7550.

Shared housing room for rent in excellent, Los Altosarea near Ames. Share w/prof'l males/females. Largehouse, yard w/gardener. W/D, partly furnished, N/S, pets,$540/mo plus dep. and 1/4 utils. Call (650) 964-2913 or(408) 243-7750.

For rent: Mtn. View house. 1,200 sq ft, 3 bd/2 ba.Landscaped bk and frnt yard (gardener incl), patio area.Two-car garage, W/D, D/W, new over-range micro-convection oven. Located 2 mls from Ames near Shorelineand Central Expressway (10 min. bike ride to Ames).$2,400/mo. Call (650) 283-9060.

Looking for house to rent in Mtn. View in Jan/Feb, 3bdrm, w/fenced yard (for dog), and garage, in safe area fortwo children. Also have cats. Can afford $1,700 permonth. I work at Ames. [email protected]

Ready to fly Xtra Easy 2 (XE2) gas model airplane.Flown twice; never wrecked! Includes airplane and allequipment needed to fly it: 5 channel multi-data computercontroller; man'l fuel pump; 1.2v NiCad glow plug batteryw/AC adpter; 12v pwr starter; 12v battery and charger;field box for equipmnt/tool storage. $350 or B/O. Call(408) 422-1572.

Bicycle, 1997 Vision Recumbent, model VR42, 21speed, rear rack, wheel size 20î front and 26î rear, $650 orB/O. Call (408) 863-0835.

'Crate & Barrel' pine kitchen table with fold-down sides& four chairs with wicker seats. Call for pics. Greatcondition. $200. Call (408) 295-2160.

Ethan Allen maple headboard and footboard and Calking mattress and springs, exc. condition. Paid $2,500 forboth. Asking $500 or B/O. Ann (408) 248-1985 or [email protected]

Refrigerator: whirlpool, almond xcllnt condition. $150or B/O; double futon mattress xcllnt cond. $35 or B/[email protected] Call (408) 255-2301.

Computer desk, two file drawers, tower storage, pullout keyboard holder, medium brown, exc. condition, $100.Call (408) 732-7080.

Artificial Christmas tree, 8', fir, green, very full andlifelike. Stand included. Orig price $200., asking $75. Call(925) 427-4146

Michelin Symmetry premium all-season radial tires, size225/60TR16, load index: 98T. Used only 800 miles, perfectcond. Set of 4, $260. Call (510) 489-6030.

Peg Perego dual stroller. Top of the line! Excellentcondition, no stains or tears. $175. Call (510) 489-6030.

Transportation‘79 Volvo 242, 2 dr, brick red in color, volvo w/stndrd

4 spd, sun-rf. About 128K mls, in decent shape; veryreliable w/some modificatins: Boge gas struts and loweringsprings, after market 15" mag wheels, Blaupunkt stereo(am/fm, cass.) w/six spker system. Recent clutchreplacement. $900 or B/O. Kevin (408) 723-2115.

‘92 Honda Accord LX Sedan 4D, 109K mls,automatic, air, pwr doors and windows, completerecord of scheduled maintenance w/dealer, orig.owner, well maintained, gd cond., Kelley Blue Bookprice $3,500 or B/O. Call (650) 996-9851.

‘92 Mercedes 190E, 2.6L-6cyl, 4D (white),144,336 mls, automatic, A/C, pwr steering, pwr locks,seats and windows, AM/FM/cassette, 4-wheel ABS,sunroof, leather, allow wheels. $3,800. Call (925) 455-4580.

‘02 Ford F150 long bed pickup (white), 4,800miles!, automatic, V8-4.6 liter, 2 wheel drive, A/C, 4-wheel ABS, AM/FM/cassette, running boards.Immaculate condition. $13,500. Call (925) 455-4580.

Civil Contractors ServantsNot recordablefirst aid cases 0 2

Recordable nolost time cases 0 3

Lost time cases* 0 1

Restricted duty days 0 0

Lost work days 0 2

Data above is as of 10/28/04. Maybe subject to slight adjustment in theevent of a new case or new inform-ation regarding an existing case.

Note: Under new OSHA rules, lost timeis defined as lost work days, restrictedduty or job transfer.

Deadline: Publication:Nov. 30 Dec 2004Dec. 31 Jan. 2005


National Aeronautics and Space Ad-ministration

Ames Research CenterMoffett Field, CA 94035-1000

Official BusinessPenalty for Private Use

PLEASE RECYCLEPrinted on recycled and recyclable paper with vegetable-based ink.

FIRST CLASS MAILPOSTAGE & FEES PAID

NASAPermit No. G-27

The Ames Astrogram is an official publication ofAmes Research Center, National Aeronautics andSpace Administration.

Editor-in-Chief..............................David Morse

Managing Editor..........................Ann Sullivan

Editor, Layout and Design...........Astrid Terlep

You can reach the Astrogram Office at:[email protected] or by phone at(650) 604-3347.

The eleventh reunion for indi-viduals employed by the federal gov-ernment in the National AdvisoryCommittee for Aeronautics (NACA)

is scheduled to be hosted by NASAAmes in the Fall of 2005 on Sept. 30,Oct. 1 and 2.

If you are a member of this groupand have not received the letter ofinvitation mailed in late September

NACA Reunion XIof this year, then you should contactthe NACA Reunion XI organizingcommittee either by e-mail [email protected], by tele-phone at ext. 4-1032 or by letter to thefollowing address and the informa-tion will be provided to you:

NACA Reunion XINASA Ames Research CenterMail Stop 207-1Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000

The committee looks forward toseeing you at this gathering to cel-ebrate the 47th anniversary of the tran-sition from the NACA to NASA.

derstanding of collective intelligence,"Wolpert said. "In economics, you havemany, many individuals with separategoals. In a physics system like a gas youhave many, many molecules, which canbe viewed as if they all have separategoals. The commonalities of how youcontrol an economy and how you con-trol a gas -- that commonality is the fieldof collective intelligence," he explained.

The collective intelligence develop-ment effort includes NASA Ames,Stanford University, Stanford, Calif., andOxford University, Oxford, United King-dom.

Collective Intelligence

BY JOHN BLUCK

continued from page 3

Ames’ Chris McKay speaks recently at theCenter about human exploration, biologyand the future of Mars. He also exploredthe biological issues that concern the newhuman exploration mission.

McKay speaks on human exploration

NASA photo by Dominic Hart

Food and Toy DriveNov 29 thru Dec 10

All non-perishable food itemsand unwrapped toys may bedropped off at the Ames Cafe dur-ing the period of Nov. 29 throughDec. 10.

Your support is greatly ap-preciated. Fo r additional info con-tact Angela Ortega at ext. 4-1733

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