Liftoff!
With a break in the weather, Space Shuttle Endeavour lifted off yesterday at 5:22 p.m. EDT on mis-sion STS-111. This mission marks the 14th Shuttle flight to the International Space Station and the third Shuttle mission this year. Mission STS-111 is the 18th flight of the orbiter Endeavour and the 110th flight overall in NASA's Space Shuttle program.

ELV Update
The next NASA launch is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) spacecraft from Vandenberg AFB. NOAA-M is another in a series of polar-orbiting Earth environmental observation satellites that provide global data to NOAA's short- and long-range weather forecasting systems. Launch aboard a Titan II rocket from Launch Complex 4W is scheduled for June 24, 2002.

New Light Guidelines for Turtle Nesting
Sea turtle nesting season runs from May 1 through October 31 of each year. The NASA Environmental Program Branch (EPB) has developed guidelines for KSC Exterior Lighting to minimize the effect of artificial light on threatened and endangered sea turtles. The guidelines, updated on May 28, are now posted under the Natural Resources link http://environmental.ksc.nasa.gov/natural/lighting.htm of the EPB (TA-C3) Home Page. The guidelines should be followed when planning for new exterior lighting projects or modifications/re-lamping of existing light fixtures. Variation from these guidelines will require approval of the EPB and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. In addition, a temporary Light Management Plan for Launch Complexes 39A/B has also been completed (see http://environmental.ksc.nasa.gov/natural/docs/TempLightMgmtPlan.doc ).

Bonds Campaign
All federal employees are encouraged to consider the great opportunity for Federal employees during the 2002 U.S. Savings Bonds campaign. This year, government employees have the opportunity to sub-scribe to the inflation-protected I-Bonds or Series EE bonds by filling out an enrollment card or using Employee Express. Please contact the savings bond canvasser in your organization today to learn how you can help your country while guaranteeing your future. Need to know who your canvasser is? Contact Christina Brown at 867-8463.

Did You Know?
On Monday, June 10, 2002, something extraordinary will happen to the setting Sun over North America. You can read the full story at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2002/03jun_sunset.htm?list550276.