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VOL. 41 NO. 12 LYNDON B. JOHNSON SPACE CENTER HOUST ON, TEXAS DECEMBER 2002

NASA JSC 2002e38910 photo by Robert Markowitz

Several new JSC technologies were given a trial run in the fifth Remote Field Site Test in September. During this test, JSC`s Dr. Dean Eppler evaluates the walking mobility of the MK III suit while being monitored by a `Bio-vest ' developed by Stanford University. See more

images from the tests on pages 4 and 5.


FROM THE DESK OF LT. GEN. JEFFERSON D. HOWELL JR.

George W. S. Abbey announces retirement
eorge W.S. Abbey recently announced his retirement from NASA, ending a distinguished federal service career that spanned a half-century. His retirement will be effective Jan. 3, 2003. Abbey leaves the Agency after a highly decorated aerospace career, which included the Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award, for his role on the Apollo 13 Mission Operations Team. In February 2001, Abbey left his post as JSC Center Director when he became the Senior Assistant for International Issues reporting to the NASA Administrator. Subsequently, he was appointed as a Senior Visiting Fellow at the James Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University. "George helped to shape some of NASA's most difficult programs and missions as a true innovator and pioneer," Administrator Sean O'Keefe said. "Throughout his eminent career, George distinguished both himself and the Agency. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence and dedication that the hardworking people of NASA will follow for years to come." Born in Seattle, Abbey received his bachelor's degree in general science from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., in 1954, and a master's degree in electrical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, in 1959. A pilot in the U.S. Air Force, Abbey had more than 4,000 hours in various types of aircraft before being detailed to NASA. This year, he was selected as a Distinguished Alumnus of the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology. Abbey joined NASA in 1964 as an Air Force Captain assigned to the Apollo Program. In December 1967 he left the Air Force and was named technical assistant to the JSC Center Director. In January 1976, he was named Director of Flight Operations, where he was responsible for operational planning and for the overall direction and management of flight crew and flight control activities for all human spaceflight missions. In 1983, he became Director of the Flight Crew Operations Directorate, where he continued to be responsible for all space shuttle flight crews and Center aircraft operations. Abbey was appointed Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Flight at NASA Headquarters in Washington in March 1988. In July 1990, he was selected as Deputy for Operations and senior NASA representative to the Synthesis Group. He was charged with defining strategies for returning to the Moon and landing on Mars. In July 1991, Abbey was appointed Senior Director for Civil Space Policy for the National Space Council in the Executive Office of the President. In 1992 he was named Special Assistant to the NASA Administrator. Then in 1994 Abbey was named Deputy Director of JSC and was subsequently selected as the JSC Center Director in 1996. "George Abbey dedicated himself to serving his country," said JSC Director Lt. Gen. Jefferson D. Howell, Jr. "He devoted 44 years to this nation's space program, serving at JSC since 1964, and helped strengthen ties between JSC and the local community. He leaves us with a legacy that spans Apollo to shuttle to the space station. We salute his commitment to duty as we continue to reap the benefits of his vision and hard work."

WHAT REALLY COUNTS!
I think that the holiday season is a great opportunity to reflect on what is really important in our lives. The reasons for having these holidays certainly give us a good starting point for this type of review. In my own life, I have experienced occasional setbacks, which, at the time, made me feel like a miserable failure. However, these experiences forced me to take stock of my situation and realize all the wonderful blessings I enjoyed even during a time of great personal trauma. I realized that "fame, fortune and professional success" are very fleeting, and gave me only temporary satisfaction and very little fulfillment. I found out that what really counted for me was having a wonderful wife and two children who loved me dearly. What really counted was having loyal friends who would remain so in bad times as well as good. What really counted was being able to look in the mirror and know that I had given my best effort and had kept my honor clean. When I think about what really counts in my life I realize how incredibly blessed I am. If you give it the same thought I believe you will draw similar conclusions.

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
Abbey's numerous honors and awards include the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, three NASA Distinguished Service Medals and the 1970 Medal of Freedom, which was presented by President Richard M. Nixon, for his distinguished civilian service in peacetime. In addition, he was the recipient of the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement in 1997. "George is a demanding leader who rarely accepts compromise," O'Keefe said. "His ability to motivate and inspire his staff to work harder and smarter helped NASA write much of its human spaceflight history. His devotion to the success of America's space program is unquestionable and I wish him the best."

NASA JSC S-69-33873

George Abbey receives an award from then-Center Director Robert Gilruth in 1969. NASA JSC S84-26245 George Abbey prepares to fly a T-38 in1984.

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By Cheerie R. Patneaude

A stellar career adds another star
Meanwhile, Space Shuttle Atlantis was being prepared for ames Graver, an Aerospace Quality Specialist at White STS-110. An exhaustive search of engine assembly documentation Sands Test Facility, has been awarded three NASA and physical inspection of the shuttle's engines found that the Group Achievement Awards, two commendations incorrect bolts were indeed installed in both engines of the shuttle. and three achievement awards, and his name was A team of engineers and technicians at WSTF developed and flown to the Moon by Apollo 11 astronauts. demonstrated a technique for sequentially replacing the discrepant Recently, the Washington International Group contractor added bolts without compromising the integrity of the seal. This meant the another prestigious honor to his list. Graver was presented NASA's bolts could be replaced without removing the engines or conducting Mission Accomplished Xtraordinaire (MAX) award and the Star high-pressure leak checks. Such procedures would have meant a award from the Space Shuttle Program. significant delay in the mission. NASA bestows the MAX award upon Safety, Reliability and Technicians at KSC were then able to replace Atlantis' bolts right Quality Assurance (SR&QA) professionals who have made significant on the launch pad, and the engines were cleared for flight. All other contributions leading to the success of a recent human spaceflight OMS engines throughout the shuttle fleet, including spares, were also mission. Johnson Space Center Director Lt. Gen. Jefferson D. Howell, inspected. Assembly drawings were updated to ensure that a similar Jr., and Deputy Director Randy Stone select and award this honor to problem did not occur again. only one individual per mission. "You just can't top the experienced worker," said Raul Estrada, a The Space Shuttle Program Office presents the Star awards to Honeywell Test Cell Technician in the WSTF Propulsion individuals who have exhibited initiative and dedication in ensuring Department. "I respect Jim very much." successful spaceflight. Recognizable performance is not restricted to Graver takes the recognition in stride. However, his stellar crew safety and shuttle operations, but also includes payload activity, 40-year career speaks volumes. He began in 1962 with Grumman extravehicular activity and International Space Station assembly. Aerospace in New York. Graver worked on the Apollo Lunar Module So what did Graver do that landed him the awards? and several military aircraft programs ­ including the Navy A-6 When asked, the soft-spoken Graver said, "I'm just trying to do Intruder, F-14 Tomcat and E-2C Hawkeye, as well as the Army OV-1 my job." But in the course of doing his job, he spotted and helped Mohawk ­ before he arrived at WSTF in 1975. His first job at the correct a major problem with an Orbital Maneuvering Subsystem test facility was with the Propulsion Test Department. (OMS) engine. Graver worked on the Shuttle OMS Engine and Forward "I noticed a problem during routine reassembly of the engine," Reaction Control Subsystem. He also worked in the Space Shuttle Graver said. "Bolts in the propellant feedline flanges at several Depot for maintaining and repairing Primary/Vernier Reaction locations on the engine were being tightened but, during the final Control Subsystem Thrusters. This varied experience created a wealth torque sequence, a bolt snapped off." of knowledge to apply to his current responsibilities. "That was alarming by itself," he said. "But when a second bolt When Graver isn't taking care of rocket engines on the space was inserted and it too broke when being tightened, it immediately shuttle, he spends time with his wife Mary Ann, three daughters sent up a red flag." and six grandchildren. Graver halted the assembly "Jim's extensive aerospace process to make sure that proper experience gives him the documentation of the anomaly outstanding ability to identify was initiated. He then reported problems in critical items, the problem to Debra Chowning, processes and tests by asking a WSTF Quality Engineer. the right questions when "Jim's confidence in his something doesn't seem right to awareness of the system and him," said Richard Cummings, the problem was invaluable in JSC/Washington Group looking at inspection from an International Manager. independent perspective," Joseph Fries, NASA WSTF Chowning said. "Although there Manager, said, "Jim is an was a shuttle ready to fly within outstanding employee who is two weeks (STS-110), we knew being recognized for his that the problem had to be fixed. contributions to the Space Even if the launch date was Shuttle Program. I am proud impacted, we felt that the shuttle of the work that he has done would be safer and more reliable over the years." afterwards. The NASA Problem Graver believes the key to Action Center agreed with us." his success has been simply An intensive investigation sticking to the basics. "It takes revealed the cause of the anomaly a lot of dedication to really learn that Graver had spotted. It turned a job," he said. "Concentrate out that, during a redesign of NASA JSC 2002e 48096 on your job and be the best the propellant-joint seals a few James Graver, left, accepts his Mission Accomplished Xtraordinaire at what you do. Take the years ago, a new high-strength (MAX) award from John Casper, former Director of Safety, opportunity to learn and, precision bolt was tightened to a Reliability & Quality Assurance. when you learn something higher torque value than the old new, share it with your coworkers. I enjoy passing on my ones. Then, an assembly-drawing mix-up caused the wrong bolts to knowledge to them." be assigned the wrong torque values. The bolts became over-stressed and, as Graver witnessed, snapped off.

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