Aug 12 2011
From The Space Library
RELEASE: 11-259 NASA UNVEILS NEW BATCH OF SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM ARTIFACTS
WASHINGTON -- The final space shuttle landing July 21 opened new prospects for eligible education institutions, museums and other organizations to receive a piece of spaceflight history. On Monday, Aug. 15, the eighth batch of artifacts from NASA's space programs will be available on a website that the agency and the General Services Administration (GSA) developed. The artifacts are not only from the shuttle era, but also from the Apollo, Mercury, Hubble Space Telescope programs. The approximately 2,000 items include: -- the Scott Carpenter Space Analog Station, an underwater habitat that was used to demonstrate space life support system ideas for use on space stations -- shuttle heat shield tiles used to test problems experienced during missions -- parts of Apollo and shuttle era spacesuits, including hard upper torso garments to protect astronauts from extreme temperatures Each artifact will be available for 42 days. For the first 21 days, internal organizations such as NASA visitor centers, agency exhibit managers and the Smithsonian Institution may request artifacts. External organizations, including museums, schools, universities, libraries, and planetariums may request artifacts during the following 21 days. After the screening period and completion of the request process, organizations will be notified about the status of their application. Artifacts are released incrementally when NASA no longer needs them, in accordance with export control laws and regulations. They are provided free of charge, but requesting organizations must pay for shipping and any special handling costs. To date, approximately 29,000 items of historic significance have been offered, mainly from the shuttle, with contributions from the Hubble, Apollo, Mercury, Gemini, and International Space Station programs. Approximately 3,000 artifacts have been requested. The remainder will be considered for federal and state reuse and then offered to the general public for sale.
RELEASE: 11-264 NASA CREATES HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS DIRECTORATE
WASHINGTON -- NASA has announced the creation of the Human Exploration and Operations (HEO) Mission Directorate. The new organization, which combines the Space Operations and Exploration Systems mission directorates, will focus on International Space Station operations and human exploration beyond low Earth orbit. "America is opening a bold new chapter in human space exploration," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. "By combining the resources of Space Operations and Exploration Systems, and creating the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, we are recommitting ourselves to American leadership in space for years to come." The new organization combines the talents, skills and experiences of the two previous directorates. It more fully integrates the operation of NASA's in-space assets and current capabilities with planning for the agency's future, including the size and type of the work force, facilities and contracts. While the transition and personnel assignments will take several weeks to finalize, the HEO Mission Directorate already is supporting space station operations. The directorate also will manage commercial crew and cargo developmental programs; construction of the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, a spacecraft designed to travel beyond low Earth orbit; development of a new heavy lift rocket, known as the Space Launch System; and other programs within the directorates. Associate Administrator Bill Gerstenmaier will head the new organization. He previously served as the associate administrator for Space Operations.
RELEASE: 11-117 NASA RELEASES SCORECARD ON ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY GOALS
WASHINGTON -- NASA has released its fiscal year 2010 scorecard on sustainability and energy performance. The agency exceeded the 5 percent target on renewable energy use for federal agencies last year. The scorecard measures federal agency progress in a number of areas related to energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions and waste reduction. This is the first year federal agencies have published their scorecards. President Obama in 2009 directed federal agencies to lead by example in energy efficiency and renewable energy use, and meet a range of related goals. Out of seven benchmarks, NASA received five green ratings and two yellow. A green rating indicates the benchmark has been met. Yellow indicates that progress is being made. "During the last 15 years, NASA has moved consistently toward sustainable and efficient operations at each of its field centers," said Olga Dominguez, NASA's assistant administrator for the Office of Strategic Infrastructure. "Sustainability reduces risk to NASA's mission and frees up resources. This scorecard is an important tool that will help NASA in meeting our sustainability goals." In fiscal year 2011, NASA will exceed one million square feet of sustainable facilities through new construction and building rehabilitation. Using this scorecard as a benchmark, NASA will identify, monitor, and assess its efforts to reduce pollution, improve efficiency, and cut costs. The agency will update its Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan by June 2011 and post the plan on its website.
CONTRACT RELEASE: C11-019 NASA AWARDS FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION, ENGINEERING AND TECH SERVICES GREENBELT, Md. --
NASA has selected Parsons Infrastructure and Technology Group Inc. in Washington, D.C., for award of the Facilities Construction, Engineering and Technical Services (FaCETS) contract. The firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract has a maximum ordering value of $85 million. The effective ordering period is five years. Under the FaCETS contract, Parsons' work at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., includes performance and management of various new construction, modification, and rehabilitation projects; architect and engineering services for projects with a construction value under $500,000; engineering studies, surveys and investigations; information resources services; and work management and control services.
