Shuttle Update

Last week flight engineer Peggy Whitson was named NASA ISS science officer during a space-to-ground conversation with NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe, speaking with her from the ISS Flight Control Room in the Mission Control Center. O'Keefe said it was time to increase the Station's main mission, scientific research. Earlier, Whitson, with help from ISS Commander Valery Korzun, repaired the Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) in the U.S. laboratory Destiny. The device, which scrubs carbon dioxide from the space station's atmosphere, had not functioned at full capacity since its launch aboard Destiny in February 2001. The problem was an elusive leak and initial reports have indicated the repair was a success. On Thursday flight controllers at Houston activated the device for a 24-hour run. Friday morning they said telemetry indicated it is capable of functioning on both its sorbent beds for the first time since it arrived on the Station.

KSC Fitness Centers' Intercenter Walk/Run
The KSC Fitness Centers will be sponsoring the Intercenter Walk/Run on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the Shuttle Landing Facility, at 5 p.m. The 2-mile walk/run, 5K and 10K runs are free for all KSC/CCAFS employees. Stop by either Fitness Center by Oct. 25 to preregister -- late registration takes place at the race. T-shirts may be ordered at any NASA Exchange store. The order deadline is Oct. 10, for shirts to be delivered Monday, Oct. 21, before the race. The last day to order t-shirts is the day of the race. If you are interested in being a volunteer, please call 867-7829.

The Cape Canaveral Spaceport Hispanic Heritage Luncheon
. . . is being held Sept. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Debus Center, will feature a delicious menu of Latin food selected by the Hispanic Employment Program Working Group committee. The featured guest speaker Orlando Figueroa, Mars Program director, will provide an insight to the future of the program. Live mariachi entertainment will enhance your appetite. Act soon and purchase your tickets from the following individuals, or call Ken Aguilar, at 867-9175.

Ticket representatives: Pedro Carrion, HQ/3257D, 7-0845; Wanda Petty, HQ/2545, 7-9165/75; Lydia Del Rio, HQ/2223A, 7-2575; Rosaly Santos-Ebaugh, O&C/3035, 7-8402; Joe Tellado, SSPF/3002Q, 7-6064; Luis Moctezuma, SSPF/3082E, 7-6595; Pete Rosado, OSB/5203B, 1-3648; Henry Bursian, OSB/5101S, 1-3870; Luis Saucedo, OSB/6403R1, 1-5969; Lina Rosado, Center of Space, Exploration/Rm.1000, 7-2959; Jose Lopez, CCAFS/JPMO, Hangar I Annex Rm.220, 476-4052.