G.R.A.A.
Goddard Retirees and Alumni Association
P.O. Box 163, Lanham, MD 20703-0163

IMPORTANT DATES: 

COMMENTS FROM RON BROWNING, GRAA PRESIDENT: Dr. Rosemary Killen, Deputy Project Manager for the Dynamic Response of the Environment at the Moon (DREAM) Project in the Solar System Exploration Division spoke at our November luncheon about NASA's plans to build upon and utilize the Moon in its Exploration Program. The lunar exploration program will require a manned presence in facilities, including launch sites.Dr. Killen explained that there is much to learn about the Moon that will impact NASA’s planning, especially from the neutral gas atmosphere surrounding the exterior of the Moon, the adjacent charged-particle plasma, and the dust on the Moon's surface. When an object disturbs the surface of the Moon, the debris (including dust) is studied to learn of its components, including water in different forms, and the structure and elements of the dust and debris. The dust has been super-heated from the Sun's radiation and some has turned to microscopic bits of glass-like material that could kill an astronaut if he/she breathed it. The research on the Moon's structured atmosphere, the lack of magnetic fields near the Moon, difference in gravity, and the lack of significant reserves of water found to date pose strong challenges for effective use and cost-benefits for future NASA programs and projects.

As we close out the celebration of Goddard's 50^th Anniversary, this is our last newsletter of 2009 and the first for 2010. May you have a joyous Holiday Season and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

This is a most appropriate time to recognize the many volunteers whose efforts keep GRAA a vibrant organization. The team that labels and sorts the monthly mailing consists of: Jody Fillmann (on occasion, when not in FL), Marj Gallagher, Jackie Gasch (usually, but keep in mind she retired from NASA Headquarters), Marge Gustafson, Barbara Hamilton, Aleta Johnson (on occasion, when not in FL), Rose McChesney, Dave Moulton, Hugh O'Donnell, Ewald Schmidt, Bill Shields, Agnes Smith, Mary Alice Smith, Eloise Tarter, Bob Wigand, and Frank Wrigley. This effort would only take at the most two hours of your time each month, so you're more than welcome to join the labeling team. The more the merrier, so just send a note to the GRAA address or an e-mail to arkabee@verizon.net and let me know of your interest in signing up to do your part.

Alberta Moran continues to handle our luncheon reservations, check-in (ably assisted by Barbara Hamilton and her older sister, Jackie Gasch) and coordination of our continuing trips to hither and yon (see a later item about a possible trip next spring).

The GRAA Board of Directors (consisting of Dick Baker, Charlie Boyle, Ron Browning, Barbara Hamilton, Strat Laios, Dave Moulton, and Bob Wigand) provide the “glue” that holds the organization together. However you, the members, are GRAA's most valuable assets, and your tax-deductible contributions are what keeps the newsletter in print.

Next spring we’ll have added printing and mailing costs when we distribute our updated Membership Directory to all members. It is important for planning purposes to have your current address, telephone number (if you wish to share it), and e-mail address (if you already receive or wish to receive the newsletter electronically) on file by next March to be able to publish an accurate directory.

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH: Did you ever notice that the people who are late are often much jollier than the people who have to wait for them?

FROM THE GODDARD ARCHIVES – IT HAPPENED IN DECEMBER OR JANUARY:

December 2, 1995 :   An Atlas rocket launched the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), a collaborative mission between the European Space Agency and NASA to study the Sun from its deep core to the outer corona and the solar wind.

January 28, 1986 :  The Space Shuttle Challenger was carrying the second Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-B) when it disintegrated 73 seconds after launch due to an o-ring failure in one of its solid rocket boosters.

REMEMBERING OUR FORMER COLLEAGUES:

•     Engmin J. (Jim) Chern, of Columbia, MD, passed away on December 1^st while on travel in West Virginia to attend a meeting. Still employed at the time of his passing, he was Goddard's Infusion Point-of-Contact for NASA's Small Business Innovation Research Program.

•    William D. Hoggard II , of Berwyn Heights, MD, passed away suddenly from a cerebral hemorrhage on October 26^th. He was one of the first to join Goddard after its inception, was an Aerospace Engineer at Goddard, and was distinguished as the Delta Launch Operations Manager for the Cosmic Background Explorer.

•    Robert B. Morgan , of Accokeek, MD, passed away on November 24^th. He was a Technical Information Specialist at Goddard for 36 years before his retirement.

•    Peter E. O'Neill, Jr. , of Lanham, MD, passed away on December 7^th from cancer. An Engineer, among other assignments, Peter was Project Manager of the Satellite Servicing Project in 1994.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Bob Wigand reports tax-deductible contributions were received from the following members and friends:  Hon. James A. Baker III in memory of Bill Hoggard, Renate Bever, Dave Douds, Ellen Herring, Paul Karpiscak, Estelle O'Kane in memory of Bill Hoggard, Carmen Peavler, and Ray Sumser.

POSSIBLE TRIP TO WALLOPS FLIGHT FACILITY: There have been many interesting initiatives developed at the Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) over the past few years. Alberta Moran is considering a trip to WFF next spring that will include a tour and presentation of the new work there (and of course a seafood dinner on the way back to Greenbelt). If interested in such an excursion, drop Alberta a note to our Lanham address or send her an e-mail (alberta49@verizon.net). If there is sufficient interest, she'll arrange a trip.

HELPING GRAA'S BOTTOM LINE: You still have a couple of weeks to send in a contribution to help keep GRAA “in the black” and deduct it from your 2009 federal income tax. Simply send us whatever you believe is fair.

GRAA MAILINGS: If you no longer wish to receive the GRAA Newsletter for some inexplicable reason, send a note to our Lanham address or an e-mail to Dave Moulton (davidlmoulton@comcast.net). If you've moved or want to make corrections to the address on your mailing label, write us or send an e-mail to Strat Laios (stratlaios@verizon.net). If you're interested in receiving the newsletter via e-mail, which will help GRAA's finances tremendously, simply drop Strat or Dave a note and they'll make it happen.