G.R.A.A.

Goddard Retirees and Alumni Association

P.O. Box 163, Seabrook, MD 20703-0163

MARCH 2007 http://graa.gsfc.nasa.gov 23rd Year of Publication

IMPORTANT DATES:

March 13	Mark your calendar for the GRAA Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Ms. Diane Williams, Associate Center Director, has agreed to be our speaker. As we went to press she had not yet announced her presentation topic; however, we expect she will at least touch on significant changes made at Goddard during recent years as well as those on the horizon. Reservations are required, so please call Alberta Moran at 301-937-7762 no later than noon on Friday, March 9^th.
April 10	Mark your calendar for the GRAA Luncheon at 11:30 a.m.
May 8	Mark your calendar for the GRAA Luncheon at 11:30 a.m.

COMMENTS FROM RON BROWNING, GRAA PRESIDENT: Ms. Candace Carlisle, Deputy Project Manager of the Space Technology 5 (ST5) Project, treated February luncheon attendees to an enlightening slide show on the project and its interesting results. The ST5 Project was part of the New Millennium Project, which was created to identify, develop, build, and test innovative technologies and concepts for infusion into future missions. Specifically, the ST5 Project advanced the technology of miniaturizing smart and powerful electronic gadgets by building and testing three small satellites, also known as micro-sats, that were launched separately from a Pegasus XL rocket. Although the project only lasted about 90 days and was a very low-budget program, it obtained valuable information in several areas, including new information about the magnetism of the Earth’s surface. For more information about the ST5 Project, go to http://nmp.nasa.gov/st5.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Bob Wigand reports that generous donations were received from the following members: Richard Baker, William Bryant, Douglas Burritt, John Degnan, John Donley, John Gates, Glenn Harris, John Hraster, Elizabeth Jay, Pat and Bob Mackey, Robert Miller, Bernard Peavey, George Roach, John Roberts, Chet Shaddeau, William Skillman, and John Strekel.

ENVELOPE STUFFERS FOR FEBRUARY: Envelope stuffers for February included the following: Marge Gustafson, Barbara Hamilton, Elaine Montgomery, Dave Moulton, Ewald Schmidt, Bill Shields, Agnes Smith, and Frank Wrigley. A few days later, the following retirees volunteered to place stamps on the envelopes: Marj Gallagher, Marge Gustafson, Barbara Hamilton, Elaine Montgomery, Dave Moulton, Bill Shields, Bob Wigand, and Frank Wrigley

GRAA NEWSLETTER MAILINGS: If you no longer wish to receive GRAA mailings, please send a note to our Seabrook address or an e-mail to Dave Moulton at davidlmoulton@comcast.net. If you have moved or want to make corrections to the address appearing on your mailing label, simply write to our Seabrook address or send an e-mail to Strat Laios at stratlaios@comcast.net.

FROM THE GODDARD ARCHIVES - IT HAPPENED IN MARCH:

§ March 31, 1971: Delta launched the International Satellites for Ionospheric Studies (ISIS) 2 or B, a cooperative project of NASA and the Canadian Defense Research Board to continue and expand ionospheric experiments of the Alouette 1 topside sounder satellite.

§ March 1, 1984: Delta launched Landsat 5, an experimental earth resources monitoring system with powerful remote-sensing capabilities of a thematic mapper. The spacecraft and attendant sensors were operated through the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS).

§ March 13, 1989: Shuttle Discovery launched TDRS D, the third successful launch of the TDRS series and used in combination with other TDRS spacecraft and a ground communications system to form the TDRSS, the objective of which was to provide and maintain improved tracking and data acquisition services to spacecraft in low-Earth orbit.

NO GODDARD VIEW THIS MONTH: Due to GRAA’s continuing budget woes, you will not receive a copy of Goddard View this month. Copies of Goddard View may be viewed or downloaded (just click on the issue you desire) at the following web site: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/news/gnews_detail.html.

RECENT RETIREE: James R. Dolan

REMEMBERING OUR FORMER COLLEAGUES:

§ James E. Graalman, of Annapolis, MD, passed away on January 21^st. Although not a Goddard retiree, he retired from NASA in 1987 after working 30 years as a procurement manager.

§ Charles Edward Henley, Jr., of Twin Falls, ID, passed away on December 25, 2006. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1942 and was assigned to Eye, England, during World War II. After the war, he went to work as an Aerospace Engineer, ultimately retiring from Goddard in 1971. At Goddard he worked on the vibration testing of satellites.

§ Daniel M. Pendleton, of Crofton, MD, passed away on February 23^rd. He was a Section Head in the Transportation Branch at Goddard during the 1960’s and 1970’s.

§ William C. “Bill” Withgott, of Bowie, MD, passed away from a 15-month bout with cancer on February 14^th. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1957 in radio electronics. Before retiring in 1996, he worked 24 years at Goddard in both the Information Processing Division and the Mission Operations and Systems Development Division.

LETTERS, WE GET LETTERS:

§ Douglas Burritt wrote, “Enclosed is a small check for a big job you guys are doing. Thanks to all.”

§ John Degnan wrote, “Thanks for the great job you do in keeping us all informed of what’s been happening with our former colleagues and friends.”

§ John Hraster wrote, “Thanks for the newsletter – a good way to keep up.”

§ Elizabeth Jay wrote, “I’ve been retired since December 2003, but enjoy receiving the monthly newsletter to keep up-to-date with what’s going on at Goddard. Enclosed is a small contribution toward postage and other expenses. My ambition at retirement was to do nothing at all, but somehow I can’t find the time to do as much nothing as I want.”

§ Chet Shaddeau wrote, “My thanks for continuing hard work – it is appreciated, and I hope this [enclosed check] will help with keeping the newsletter on the road. I’m going to have lunch with Hugh Turnbull – he and Ralph Strobel hired me in 1963!”

§ John Strekel wrote, “Here’s a few bucks for postage.”

§ George Roach wrote, “I just want to thank you folks for all your hard work keeping us retirees informed. I really appreciate your effort.”

§ Carl Roberts wrote, “The enclosed donation is to help defray expenses for publication of the newsletter. I’m still enjoying retirement. Skiing, traveling, and volunteering work at the ‘Ocean City’ of western Maryland – Deep Creek Lake – keeps me active.”

§ Bernard Peavey wrote, “Please find enclosed my contribution toward the production and mailing of the GRAA Newsletter expenses. Now that I have moved to the Boston area, I continue to value the newsletter even more than before.”

§ Pat and Bob Mackey wrote, “We enjoy the newsletter and want it to continue. Enclosed is our contribution.”

§ William Skillman wrote, “I can’t thank you enough for the good work keeping us all connected and hope the enclosed check helps with the budget crunch. I still remember walking on planks laid on mud getting into buildings on GSFC in 1962. Thanks again, as what you do can’t be repaid except by long distance gratitude.”

§ Robert Miller wrote, “Enclosed please find my check for use in keeping the newsletter coming. I have been retired since the first Space Shuttle flew and look forward to the newsletter’s arrival. Thanks to Bob Wigand for his long service as GRAA Treasurer.”

SENIOR SOFTBALL TEAM: If you consider yourself a senior, the Senior Softball Team in the Maryland suburbs is still looking to recruit potential players for the 2007 season. If you are interested, even remotely, in showing your stuff in or around the diamond, please call Ray Reed, Manager, at 301-568-6977.

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH: By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.

GRAA CONSTITUTION AMENDED: We notified you in the January issue that we applied for tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). They responded to our application by suggesting that we amend the GRAA Constitution by including additional items. The clarifying information, which was actually provided by the IRS, deals with what the public typically expects in a non-profit organization (e.g., its purpose, net earnings not to be distributed to members or officers, no substantial activities intended to influence legislation or political candidates, asset distribution for exempt purposes on dissolution). Our response was due back to the IRS by February 19th, so after considering the proposed amendment, GRAA attendees at the February luncheon unanimously approved the amendment. The amendment can be read on the GRAA web site (http://graa.gsfc.nasa.gov) by clicking on Activities, which appears a few lines below Newsletter.

YET EVEN MORE GRAA MEMBERS MEDAL IN THE SENIOR OLYMPICS: Ye Ed received notification that Stan and Judy Corwin won a total of five medals in bowling events last December in the Florida Senior Games. Stan won a gold medal in the men’s doubles, a gold medal in the men’s singles, and a silver medal in the men’s singles. Judy won a gold medal in the women’s doubles and a silver medal in the mixed doubles. They are excited about qualifying for the 2007 National Senior Olympics, have made arrangements to be in Louisville, KY, to represent the State of Florida and GRAA in the bowling events, and look forward to visiting with GRAA compatriots in bringing home some more medals.