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- Written by: Jim Cawley
Before NASA’s mighty Space Launch System, or SLS, rocket can blast off from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center to send the Orion spacecraft into lunar orbit, teams across the country conduct extensive testing on all parts of the system.
Guiding that effort at the Florida spaceport are NASA test directors, or NTDs.
NTDs within the Exploration Ground Systems program are in charge of flight and ground hardware testing in Kennedy’s Launch Control Center firing rooms 1 and 2, where activities involved with preparing rockets, spacecraft and payloads for space can be controlled from computer terminals. They are responsible for emergency management actions, helping lead the launch team during all facets of testing, launch and recovery.
NASA’s Artemis missions will land American astronauts on the Moon by 2024, beginning with Artemis I, the uncrewed flight test of SLS and Orion.
“It’s certainly an amazing feeling to be responsible for setting up the building blocks of a new program which will eventually take us to the Moon, Mars and beyond,” said Senior NASA Test Director Danny Zeno.
Zeno is leading the development of test plans and procedures that are essential to flight and ground hardware for the Artemis missions.
This includes proving the functionality of flight and ground systems for the assembled launch vehicle configuration, verifying the mobile launcher arms and umbilicals operate as expected at launch, and performing a simulated launch countdown with the integrated vehicle in the Vehicle Assembly Building.
The 14-year NTD veteran relishes his hands-on role in successfully testing and launching SLS — the most powerful rocket NASA has ever built.
“It’s very fulfilling,” Zeno said. “What excites me about the future is that the work I’m doing today is contributing to someday having humans living and working on other planets.”
There are 18 people in the NTD office — all of whom must undergo rigorous certification training in the management and leadership of test operations, systems engineering and emergency response. They are in charge of the people, hardware and schedule during active firing room testing.
“The NTD office is at the center of testing operations, which will ensure that we are ready to fly the Artemis missions,” said Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson. “As we lay the foundation for exploring our solar system, the NASA test directors are on the front lines of making it happen.”
An NTD works from a console in the firing room during integrated or hazardous testing, guiding the team through any contingency or emergency operations.
They lead critical testing on Launch Pad 39B and the mobile launcher, the 370-foot-tall, 11 million-pound steel structure that will launch the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft on Artemis missions to the Moon and on to Mars.
This includes sound suppression, fire suppression and cryogenic fluid flow tests, as well as testing the crew access arm and umbilicals — connections that will provide communications, coolant and fuel up until launch.
While the majority of work for the ground and flight systems is pre-liftoff, the job certainly doesn’t end there.
“It culminates in a two-day launch countdown in which all of the groups, teams and assets are required to function together in an almost flawless performance to get us to launch,” said Senior NASA Test Director Jeff Spaulding.
Spaulding has nearly three decades of experience in the Test, Launch and Recovery Office. For Artemis I, he is leading the launch control team and support teams during the launch countdown for Blackwell-Thompson, who will oversee the countdown and liftoff of SLS.
Just over three miles from the launch pad, on launch day, Spaulding will be in the firing room running the final portion of cryogenic loading through launch. During this time, supercool propellants — called cryogenics — are loaded into the vehicle's tanks. He will perform the same tasks for the wet dress rehearsal, which is a full practice countdown about two months before launch that includes fueling the tanks and replicating everything done for launch prior to main engine start.
At the end of the mission, part of the team will lead the recovery efforts aboard a Navy vessel after Orion splashdown.
The NASA recovery director and supporting NTDs are responsible for planning and carrying out all operations to recover the Orion capsule onto a U.S. Navy ship.
This includes working closely with the Department of Defense to ensure that teams coordinate recovery plans, meet requirements, and follow timelines and procedures to bring our heroes and spacecraft home quickly and safely.
“We are supported by numerous teams at Kennedy and elsewhere around the country that are helping us with our historic first flight as we blaze a path toward landing astronauts on the Moon in 2024,” Spaulding said.
Jim Cawley works for NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
On Thursday, Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace issued an addendum to his shelter in place order that allowed individuals and certain businesses to resume “some relatively low-risk activities while observing social distancing, and gathering in groups no larger than two.”
The wording of that order led to some confusion. It went into effect on April 23 and said it expires on June 1, leading some community members to conclude the entire shelter in place order had been extended.
Pace said in a Friday clarification that the shelter in place order’s expiration date remains May 3.
However, he added, “An extension of the order and/or updated orders will be forthcoming. The term of the order and its restrictions will depend on modifications that the governor makes to the state orders, and will also be based on the trajectory of the infection in Lake and neighboring counties.”
As of Friday night, Lake’s confirmed COVID-19 cases remained at six, while neighboring Mendocino County had seen its cases rise to 11 – more than doubling – over the previous day.
Other neighboring counties reported the following totals: Colusa, three; Glenn, five; Napa, 58 cases, two deaths; Sonoma, 217 cases, two deaths; and Yolo County, 157 cases, 13 deaths.
Statewide, more than 41,000 cases and 1,600 deaths were confirmed as of Friday by county departments.
On Friday Pace issued another addendum that also clarified the status of boating and fishing in Lake County.
The Friday addendum gives limited permissions for boating and fishing that apply to all city and county public waterways in Lake County.
Pace said fishing is allowed from the shoreline only – no fishing from boats is permitted – and swimming in waterways also is not permitted.
“We understand the orders have severely affected people and businesses, and have sought to take reasonable, evidence-based action to promote public health throughout the COVID-19 crisis,” Pace said Friday. “We will continue to monitor all available indicators of COVID-19 activity, and consider reintroduction of further activities, as appropriate. Again, activities will be reintroduced gradually, in the interest of public health.”
Neighboring counties update shelter in place orders
Pace has so far not required facial coverings but said that could be a requirement in the future.
Other counties around the region have taken different approaches to the question of facial coverings and also have varying end dates for their shelter in place orders.
Sonoma County instituted a requirement for people to wear facial coverings in public beginning on April 17, as Lake County News has reported.
Sonoma’s shelter in place order, like Lake’s, is in effect until May 3.
On Wednesday, Napa County issued an updated shelter in place order that is in effect until further action by the Public Health officer.
It included a “strong recommendation” that community members wear face coverings when in public or in shared spaces but didn’t make them mandatory.
That order loosened some restrictions, allowing for construction activities, real estate agent-client residential viewings, drive-in religious services with proper physical distancing, landscaping and gardening maintenance, and the use of golf courses and driving ranges.
On Thursday, Yolo County issued a new health order that requires everyone to wear a nonmedical facial covering in public, beginning on April 27.
Yolo’s shelter in place order continues through May 1.
On Friday, Mendocino County Health Officer Dr. Noemi Doohan issued a fourth revised shelter in place order that will remain in effect until May 10.
As part of that order, a new rule will begin at noon on May 1 that requires the use of facial coverings when in public as an additional measure to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Mendocino County. Exceptions are for children under 2 and those for whom it is not advised for health-related reasons. Facial coverings are recommended but optional for children ages 2 to 12.
“Facial covering orders are being widely adopted across California to help protect against asymptomatic spread of COVID-19,” Doohan said. “Wearing facial coverings in public combined with social distancing practices and sheltering in place are powerful weapons against COVID-19 and are helping prepare our community for limited reopening of activities in May.”
The new order also lessens some restrictions, including allowing for outdoor recreation to be initiated from within a 20-mile drive of one’s residence and permitting live-streaming of events that include singing and similar activities provided that venues take protective measures to mitigate COVID-19 transmission.
Colusa County’s shelter in place order remains in effect through May 8 and Glenn has implemented the state’s stay at home order, which so far doesn’t have a timeline for ending.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
042420 Lake County amended ... by LakeCoNews on Scribd
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Those new cases made for six additional cases in Mendocino County in a 24-hour period, and on overall doubling in Mendocino County’s caseload, which as of Friday night stood at 11.
Of Mendocino County’s 11 cases, four have recovered, none have required hospitalization and there have been no deaths, Public Health officials said.
Health officials said the latest testing was performed at Round Valley Indian Health Center and the health care workers used proper personal protective equipment.
Following protocol, the Round Valley Indian Health Center reported the three new positive cases to Mendocino County Public Health, which initiated a contact tracing investigation and is working with Round Valley Indian Health Center on additional testing of individuals potentially exposed to the individuals that have tested positive.
Public Health said the individuals are in stable condition, in isolation at home with active public health monitoring and did not require hospitalization. Asymptomatic close contacts of the cases are in quarantine.
Mendocino County Health Officer Dr. Noemi Doohan, Round Valley Indian Health Center and Round Valley Indian Tribal Council urge residents to follow the health officer’s shelter-in-place order and stay home unless essential travel is required for groceries, medicine or other necessary items.
Officials also urged community members to wash hands with soap and water; clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily; avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands; cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or the inner elbow; avoid close contact with people who are sick; do not go to work if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough; and wear facial coverings when leaving home.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Cal Expo said the decision was made in accordance with the directives issued by the governor and California Department of Public Health.
This year’s state fair had been scheduled for July 17 to Aug. 2.
“While we had remained hopeful the California State Fair would be able to continue our 166-year tradition of showcasing the best of California and entertaining the state’s residents and families, it’s clear the impact of COVID-19 will continue to be felt for the foreseeable future and that large gatherings should be postponed at this time,” said Cal Expo General Manager and CEO Rick Pickering.
“The health and safety of the community, our guests, and staff is our number one priority. Canceling this summer’s California State Fair is the right thing to do, and is in line with the measured, scientific approach that’s been implemented by the governor and health officials to fight COVID-19. California Exposition and State Fair is a proud member of the statewide community and we will continue to do our part to combat COVID-19,” said Pickering.
Pickering said Cal Expo is playing a regional role in the effort to combat the virus, including serving as a drive-through testing site, as well as a temporary emergency isolation trailer facility for homeless individuals who have been exposed or infected.
He said canceling the state fair and many of the 200 year-round events hosted at Cal Expo is having a significant economic impact on Cal Expo and the region.
“We are sensitive to the fact Cal Expo is a regional, economic engine that generates sales tax revenue and employs over 800 seasonal workers. Our staff is working diligently on a strategy to safely reopen when appropriate and we look forward to the time when we can all gather again safely to celebrate the great things Californians have done and will do in the future,” Pickering said.