G.R.A.A.

Goddard Retirees and Alumni Association

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

OCTOBER 2008 http://graa.gsfc.nasa.gov 24th Year of Publication

IMPORTANT DATES:

October 14 October 22 (Wednesday) November 12 December 11 (Thursday)

Mark your calendar for the GRAA Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Dr. Steven Ritz, Project Scientist for the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (formerly known as the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope) launched on June 11th, will describe the mission and early results from this new astronomy observatory. Reservations are required, so please call Alberta Moran at 301-890-0544 no later than noon on Friday, October 10^th. Mark your calendar for a “Walk Thru History” at Antietam Battlefield and Harpers Ferry. Starting at 9:00 a.m. from the GSFC Visitor Center for the all-inclusive price of $75 per person (payable at the time of reservation), the trip will include bus fare and driver tip; light refreshments on the bus; guided tour of the Antietam Battlefield by John Baniszewski, GRAA member and registered battlefield guide (including battlefield admittance and guide fees); mid-afternoon buffet dinner at the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown, WV; stop for shopping on High Street in Harper’s Ferry, WV; and return to the Visitor Center around 7:30 p.m. Only 40 tickets are available, so sign up soon. Call Alberta at 301-890-0544 (or on her cell phone at 301-910-0177) for more information and to make reservations. Mark your calendar for the GRAA Luncheon at 11:30. Please note that the luncheon will be held on Wednesday due to Veterans Day being celebrated on Tuesday. Mark your calendar for the annual “Magic of a Musical Christmas” trip to Lancaster, PA. Included in the trip will be opportunities for holiday shopping at the more than 100 outlets at Rockvale Square, the 2008 Christmas Show (first and second row seating) at the American Music Theatre, and the delicious Prime Rib Buffet at Arthur’s Restaurant. Tickets are only $99 per person (payable at the time of reservation). Only 40 tickets are available, so sign up soon. Call Alberta at 301-890-0544 (or on her cell phone at 301-910-0177) for more information and to make reservations.

COMMENTS FROM RON BROWNING, GRAA PRESIDENT: As noted above, our speaker for the October luncheon will be Dr. Steven Ritz, Astrophysicist and Project Scientist for the recently-deployed Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. When the first images from the telescope were unveiled in August, the spacecraft formerly known as GLAST was renamed in honor of Enrico Fermi (1901-1954), a pioneer in high-energy physics. With Fermi, astronomers will have a superior tool to study black holes and physicists will be able to study subatomic particles at energies far greater than those seen in ground-based particle accelerators.

We expect to have a treat for the November luncheon. Steamed shrimp will be served in addition to the normal lunch fare. The cost will be $11 per person. Bring your spouse and enjoy a special afternoon with fellow retirees.

I always enjoy hearing from members and solicit your help in preparing our newsletter feature, From the Goddard Archives. If you can provide me with dates of events (e.g., launches, engineering or scientific discoveries, or major organizational changes that you consider significant enough to recognize), I will include them in future editions on the appropriate anniversary month. Please e-mail your input to me at arkabee@verizon.net or send them to our Lanham address.

RECENT RETIREES: Jose M. Florez, Linda M. Letellier, Dianne L. Lim, Curtis A. Schroeder, and Donna Simonds.

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH: When I was young, all I wanted were my two front teeth. As soon as I was old enough to drive, all I wanted was a BMW. Now that I’m retired, I no longer care about the W.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Bob Wigand reports that tax-deductible contributions were received from the following members: John Adolphsen, Earl Angelo, Ron Britner, John Donley, Dave Douds, Lillian Fleenor, Jim Heppner, Alton and Mary Jones, James Keene, Bob Langley, Harry Newbury, Carl Roberts, Barbara Shavatt, Bob Smylie, Bob Wettingfeld, Charles White, Bill Witt, and John Wolsh.

GRAA MAILINGS: If you no longer wish to receive GRAA mailings, please send a note to our Lanham address or an e-mail to Dave Moulton at davidlmoulton@comcast.net. If you have moved or want to make corrections to the address on your mailing label, write us or send an e-mail to Strat Laios at stratlaios@verizon.net. If you already receive your newsletter via e-mail, please let Strat know when your e-mail address changes. If you are interested in receiving the newsletter by e-mail, simply notify Strat.

ROAD CLEANUP: Portions of Soil Conservation and Good Luck Roads along Goddard’s eastern boundary were cleaned up by Kathie Jarva (who was accompanied by a non-member volunteer), Hal Maurer, Paul Rall, Ralph Welsh, and Bob Wigand on the day following the luncheon.

FROM THE GODDARD ARCHIVES – IT HAPPENED IN OCTOBER: On October 4, 1964, Delta launched Explorer 21/IMP 2. The spacecraft achieved less than half the expected apogee, resulting in intermittent data transmission throughout the mission. The final transmission occurred on October 13, 1965.

REMEMBERING OUR FORMER COLLEAGUES:

§ Elihu A. Boldt, of Greenbelt, MD, passed away on September 12^th. Dr. Boldt oversaw the X-ray astrophysics group in the Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics from 1965 to 1995, and worked another decade as a senior scientist on ultra-high energy cosmic rays with post-doctoral fellows and visiting scientists.

§ James S. Burcham, Sr., of Davidsonville, MD, passed away after a year-long illness on September 21^st. He was an Engineering Designer during his Goddard career.

§ Michael A. Cartwright, III, of Capitol Heights, MD, passed away on September 9^th. While at Goddard, his engineering talents and technical expertise found him working in the Tracking Systems Division and the Network Simulations Branch, among other related organizations.

§ Joseph C. Modlin, of Laurel, MD, passed away on April 26^th.

§ Joseph J. Ryan, of Punta Gorda, FL, passed away on September 12, 2007. He worked on various projects that took him to Kennedy Space Center, Wallops Island, VA, and Palestine, TX, prior to his retirement in 1994.

§ Larry L. Smith, of Longmont, CO, passed away on May 8^th. He was a Test Engineer for the Hubble Space Telescope at Ball Brothers in Colorado, and was a Goddard representative at other contractor facilities during his career.

COPIES OF “READ YOU LOUD AND CLEAR!” STILL AVAILABLE: We have received more 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 October luncheon, send us a note or e-mail Strat Laios (stratlaios@verizon.net) and ask him to reserve a copy for you.