ELV Update
The High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (HESSI) is currently on schedule to launch Tuesday, Feb. 5, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The launch vehicle is the Pegasus XL, which is carried underneath the Orbital Sciences L-1011 aircraft to approximately 39,000 feet over open ocean, where it is released. The primary mission objective is to explore the basic physics of particle acceleration and energy release in solar flares. More specifically, it will explore 1) impulsive energy release in the corona of the Sun; 2) acceleration of electrons, protons, and ions; 3) plasma heating to tens of millions of degrees; and 4) energy and particle transport and dissipation. Below is the aircraft and the Pegasus after its arrival at CCAFS in June 2001.

Mission Update
The STS-109 crew arrived Tuesday evening for Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities. Today's activities include an orbiter/pay-load systems briefing and emergency egress training at the pad. The three-day TCDT concludes with a simulated countdown at the pad.

Instructors Needed
Webster University needs instructors with an M. S. degree in computer science and prior college teaching experience to teach in their Master of Science in Computer Science program. For consideration, please submit a resume to: Webster University, 150 North Sykes Creek Parkway, Suite 200, Merritt Island, FL 32953. For information, call 321-449-4500.

Reminder
Nominations For CCTS Engineer Of The Year Awards are due Feb. 8. The Canaveral Council of Technical Societies is soliciting nominations for the 2002 Engineer of the Year Award and 2002 Engineer Achievement Award. Nominations are being solicited from engineering companies, government agencies and technical organizations. Nomination forms and award criteria are available at http://canaveralcts.org/Activities.htm . For more information, please contact Susan Hutchison, Awards chair, at 867-5828 or e-mail Susan.Hutchison-1@.ksc.nasa.gov.