Jan 13 2011
From The Space Library
NASA Updates Shuttle Target Launch Dates For Two Flights
WASHINGTON -- NASA is targeting 4:50 p.m. EST on Thursday, Feb. 24, for the launch of space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 mission to the International Space Station. The liftoff of shuttle Endeavour's STS-134 flight is planned for 7:48 p.m. EDT on April 19, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The target dates were selected Thursday during the Space Shuttle Program's weekly Program Requirements Control Board meeting.
NASA Announces Backup Commander For STS-134 Mission
WASHINGTON -- NASA announced Thursday that astronaut Rick Sturckow will serve as a backup commander for the STS-134 space shuttle mission to facilitate continued training for the crew and support teams during STS-134 Commander Mark Kelly's absence. Kelly's wife, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, was critically wounded in a shooting on Jan. 8 in Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly remains commander of the mission, which is targeted for launch on April 19 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
"I recommended to my management that we take steps now to prepare to complete the mission in my absence, if necessary," Kelly said. "I am very hopeful that I will be in a position to rejoin my STS-134 crew members to finish our training."
"Mark is still the commander of STS-134," said Peggy Whitson, chief of the Astronaut Office. "He is facing many uncertainties now as he supports Gabrielle, and our goal is to allow him to keep his undistracted attention on his family while allowing preparations for the mission to progress. Designating a backup allows the crew and support team to continue training, and enables Mark to focus on his wife's care."
Sturckow will begin training next week at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston with the rest of the STS-134 crew, which includes Pilot Gregory H. Johnson, Michael Fincke, Roberto Vittori, Andrew Feustel and Greg Chamitoff. The 14-day mission to the International Space Station will deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer and spare parts that include two S-band communications antennas, a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for the Dextre robot and micrometeoroid debris shields.
NASA Announces New Deputy Chief Information Officer for IT Security
WASHINGTON -- NASA's Chief Information Officer (CIO) Linda Cureton has announced the appointment of Valarie Burks as the deputy CIO for Information Technology Security.
Burks served as the associate CIO for Cyber and Privacy Policy and Oversight at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) since 2009. She managed Federal Information Security Management Act reporting, governance, risk and crisis management, strategic oversight and compliance.
Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel Releases Annual Report
WASHINGTON -- The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, or ASAP, released its 2010 annual report. The panel examines NASA's safety performance during the past year and alerts agency and government leaders to issues and concerns.
Congress established the ASAP in 1968 after the Apollo 1 fire to provide advice and make recommendations to the NASA administrator on safety matters. The panel holds quarterly fact-finding and public meetings and makes one or more visits annually to NASA centers and related sites. This year's report advises NASA on issues that have significant potential to impact human spaceflight.
"The panel's first and foremost concern is the lack of clarity and constancy of purpose among NASA, Congress, and the administration," panel Chairman Joseph W. Dyer said. "We believe this increases the likelihood that essential knowledge and competencies in the contractor or government workforce, such as those involving safety considerations, lessons learned, and past experience will not be present to effectively reduce risk in the future."
Some of the panel's critical safety issues or concerns in the 18-page report include:
-- Human spaceflight acquisition strategy and safety approach -- FAA/NASA relationship -- Workforce and safety culture -- International Space Station challenges
