G.R.A.A.
Goddard Retirees and Alumni Association
P.O. Box 163, Lanham, MD 20703-0163
| FEBRUARY 2009 | http://graa.gsfc.nasa.gov | 25th Year of Publication |
IMPORTANT DATES:
|
February 10
|
Mark your calendar for the GRAA Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Christopher Meaney, Goddard Animator, will introduce attendees to the “Goddard Preservation Society” and showcase its goal of preserving Goddard's history by collecting and refurbishing scale models of spacecraft, compiling living histories, etc., for the benefit of future generations. Reservations are required, so please call Alberta Moran at 301-890-0544 no later than noon on Friday, February 6th |
| March 10 | Mark your calendar for the GRAA Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. |
COMMENTS FROM RON BROWNING, GRAA PRESIDENT: Andre Dress, Deputy Project Manager for the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) Project, provided January luncheon attendees an informative overview of the project's spacecraft and operations. He used models of both the current operating satellites (GOES I-M, built by Loral) and the next generation (GOES N-P, built by Boeing) for purposes of comparison. Although the instruments are essentially the same on both series, stellar versus earth sensors greatly enhance the stabilization control on GOES N, O, and P. GOES are the prime source of daily weather forecasts seen on television and each satellite operates on orbit typically for ten or more years. Andre illustrated several orbit anomalies, their analyses, and the fixes implemented on future spacecraft. GOES-O is in final preparation for launch this spring and will use the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System for the first time to relay telemetry from lift-off to geostationary orbit.
GODDARD'S
50th ANNIVERSARY
: Planning is underway for celebrating
Goddard's 50th Anniversary this year, with
a focus on past accomplishments and future endeavors. Ron Browning and Ron
Muller, members of the celebration's “History Team”, are seeking
members to assist in reviewing and vetting Goddard's achievements during the
years and ensuring they will be duly recognized. They are also seeking
“war stories” based on personal experiences and/or writers
interested in helping compile and format “war stories” received
from colleagues for posting to a web site. Volunteers
are also needed during the March through August timeframe to participate in
“brown bag” seminars/colloquia to narrate the “war
stories”. There will also be a panel assembled to discuss GSFC's early
days (from inception in May 1959 to formal dedication in March 1961), so if you
were at Goddard during that period and are willing to participate in the panel
discussion or can recommend a colleague, please let them know. On another topic,
models of Goddard spacecraft are being gathered for a special exhibit. If you
have any scale models of spacecraft you would be willing to either donate to
the Goddard Preservation Society or loan to the Center for the exhibit, please
identify the satellites and how arrangements can be made to obtain them from
you. Lastly, a “Golden Anniversary Gala” is
planned for May that will no doubt be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to
celebrate Goddard's 50 years of “turning yesterday's vision into
tomorrow's reality.” The plan is to transform the mall into an elegant
ballroom, with a feast fit for a king or queen. All employees and retirees will
be invited at an anticipated cost of less than $50, so let them know if you
would consider attending this historic celebration. Help out our “History
Team” by sending your input as soon as possible to our Lanham address or
via e-mail to either Ron Browning (arkabee@verizon.net) or Ron Muller
FROM THE GODDARD ARCHIVES – IT HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY: On February 17, 1959, a Vanguard rocket launched Vanguard 2, a satellite designed to measure cloud-cover distribution over the daylight portion of its orbit. Although the mission lasted just 19 days, the satellite has an orbital lifetime of 300 years. Congratulations are in order for the 50th Anniversary of Vanguard 2!
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH: The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for!
RECENT RETIREES: Laurey A. Adkison, Alan R. Centa, Julia C. Chan, Stanley Y. Chan, Lisa G. Early, Richard J. Fedorchak, Brantley E. Furness, Linda J. Garufi, Harold B. Goldberg, Sheila A. Hall, Benjamin C. Harris, Sr., Andre A. Jackson, Pilar T. Joy, Ronald E. Kolecki, Sr., William B. Krabill, Carol A. Krueger, Robert L. Lane, Sr., Richard J. Lawrence, Hans G. Mayr, Reginald S. Mitchell, Robert A. OÆBrien, Jr., Nancy B. Patton, John C. Pearl, Betty A. Pettus, Edward Powell, James L. Rash, Dennis E. Reed, Dwight A. Roberts, Barbara L. Sally, Lois J. Scaglione, Robert K. Schwenk, Richard A. Shafer, David E. Smith, James D. Spinhirne, Richard W. Stewart, Yogesh C. Sud, Diane M. Teets, Vigdor L. Teplitz, Joanne M. Uber, Thomas W. Vollmer, Edward J. Walsh, Charles L. Wolff, and Steven W. Wood. We extend an apology to Wanamaker Lawrence, who we misidentified as Lawrence Wanamaker in the Holiday issue.
TREASURER'S REPORT : Bob Wigand reports that tax-deductible contributions were received from the following members: Mary Adkins, Ron Browning, Mike Calabrese, Dave Cleveland, Dave Douds, Archie Fitzkee, Jim Gatlin, Ray Hartenstein, Alton Jones, Elbert Jones, John Lahzun, Bob Langley, John Millman, Jim Morakis, Tom Page, George and Barbara Pieper, Herb Richard, Chet Shaddeau, Roberta Valonis, Carl Wagner, and Tom White.
REMEMBERING OUR FORMER COLLEAGUES:
• Paul J. Alfonsi , of Salisbury, MD, passed away December 30th. Paul was an Aerospace Engineer at Goddard's Wallops Flight Facility (WFF).
• Thomas S. Ashton, of Silver Spring, MD, passed away on December 3rd. Tom came to Goddard in 1960 and worked in the Aeronautics and Meteorology Branch.
• Harry F. Bloxom, of Onancock, VA, passed away on December 1st. Harry was an Aeronautics Technician and Launchpad Supervisor at Goddard's WFF.
• Carl E. (Gus) Gustafson, of Laurel, MD, passed away on January 1st. Gus transferred to Goddard from the Naval Ordnance Laboratory as an Engineer who became the “go to” guy for virtually any project that needed something accomplished. Following retirement in 1987, he continued working as a contractor for several years.
• Jeanette Q. (Jay) Hines, Annapolis, MD, passed away on December 24th. Jay was a Secretary at Goddard.
• William J. Kaifer, Sr., of Clemmons, NC, passed away on December 27th. Bill was a Financial Manager at Goddard.
• James P. Mitchell, of Joppa, MD, passed away December 12th. Jim was an Assurance Manager at Goddard.
• James W. Quillen, of Chincoteague, VA, passed away on December 22nd. Jim was an Airport Manager at Goddard's WFF.
• Charles V. Ross, of Silver Spring, MD, passed away on January 4th. Charles was a Financial Manager at Goddard.
COPIES OF “READ YOU LOUD AND CLEAR!” STILL AVAILABLE: We still have copies of the Story of NASA's Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network. If you want to be sent a copy, send a check for $5.00 (to cover postage) to our Lanham address. If you want to pick up a copy at the February luncheon, send an e-mail to Strat Laios (stratlaios@verizon.net) and ask him to reserve a copy for you.