Shuttle Update
At Pad A Wednesday the Space Station Remote Manipulator System replacement wrist joint was brought on board Endeavour for the scheduled mission STS-111 on May 30. Preparations for hypergolic loading are in work and scheduled to begin next week. Processing work continues on Columbia in the OPF for the STS-107 microgravity research mission. As leak checks were being completed on Freon Coolant Loop No. 2, technicians noticed that several seals needed to be replaced and additional leak checks completed before servicing begins. Installation of window No. 5 is in work. Processing of Atlantis in the OPF for the August launch to the International Space Station continues on schedule. Removal of the Forward Reaction Control System is planned for tomorrow and checkout of the Orbital Maneuvering System is in work.

ELV Update
A TitanII/G-14 launch from Vandenberg AFB June 24 will place a NOAA-M Polar Orbiter spacecraft into orbit. The polar-orbiting satellites monitor the entire Earth, tracking atmospheric variables and providing atmospheric data and cloud images. They track global weather patterns affecting the weather and climate of the United States. The satellites provide visible and infrared radiometer data for imaging purposes, radiation measurements, and temperature and moisture profiles. The polar orbiters' ultraviolet sensors also measure ozone levels in the atmosphere and are able to detect the ozone hole over Antarctica from mid-September to mid-November. Each day, these satellites send global measurements to NOAA's Command and Data Acquisition station computers, adding vital information to forecasting models, especially over the oceans, where conventional data is lacking.

Once on orbit NOAA-M will be renamed NOAA-17 and will provide measurements of the Earth's surface and atmosphere that will be input into NOAA's weather fore-casting models and used for other environmental studies.

NASA Science
Brilliant Venus is at the heart of a planetary gathering this month in the western evening sky. Millions of people are watching. If you're one of them, and something about Venus doesn't seem quite right, you may have spotted a rare Venus pillar. Or better yet... a Venus dog! Read the full story at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2002/06may_pillar.htm?list550276

Education Update
The Florida Space Institute's summer courses schedule for 2002 are available at the Academic Office in the Center for Space Education (CSE) next to the KSC Visitor Complex. Courses included are Mechatronics, the Space Environment, and Space Systems Technology (undergraduate course) beginning June 19.

Also the schedule for the Florida Engineering Education Delivery System (FEEDS) is also available in the office. For more information, please contact Bob Petty or Carol Cox at (321) 452-9834, or visit the Web site http://fsi.ucf.edu .

Did You Know?
May is National High Blood Pressure Month -- On-site blood pressure checks will be conducted May 9, CIF Lobby, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.;
May 15, HQ Lobby, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.; May 16, OSB, noon - 5 p.m.; May 17, O&C Fitness Center, noon - 5 p.m.; May 22, SSPF Cafeteria, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.; May 23, CCAFS Cafeteria, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.; May 29, O&C Exercise Facility, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.; May 30, OSB Lobby, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.