ELV Update
In preparation for the repair necessary to the Gravity Probe B spacecraft, the payload attach fitting and solar arrays have been removed. A decision has been made that the cryogenic helium will not need to be offloaded from the spacecraft to remove the Experiment Control Unit (ECU), which is expected to occur Dec. 9. The return to the factory of the ECU is expected Thursday, Dec. 11. Meanwhile, at Space Launch Complex 2, the Boeing Delta II rocket remains at the pad, enclosed within the gantry-like mobile service tower, until the GP-B spacecraft arrives. While no new launch date has been established, a Flight Planning Board meeting is planned for mid-December, and the outcome could de-termine a possible target date or at least a new launch time frame.

Reminder
Center Director Jim Kennedy will hold an all hands meeting, Friday, Dec.12, at 9:30 a.m. in the Training Auditorium. Seating is limited, so arrangements have been made to broadcast the meeting on NASA TV. Lt. Gen. Eugene L. Tattini (USAF, Retired), deputy director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a guest. Also, representatives from the KSC Expendable Launch Vehicle program and contractor team will be on hand to discuss the KSC and JPL partnership/teamwork and successes. Kennedy will also address a few other items that affect the entire workforce, including feedback on Safety and Mission Success Week. Please mark the day and time on your calendar. More information on attendance will come through your administrative offices.

EEAW Poster Contest 2004
Commemorate Earth Day by participating in the EEAW 2004 poster contest. Design your poster around the winning slogan, “Today’s Conservation Defines Tomorrow’s Future.” The contest is being held from Dec. 1 through Jan. 31. Contest is open to all KSC civil service and contractor employees. You can use Photo Shop, Powerpoint, Word, and/or hand sketches. Size requirement: 8-1/2” x 11”. Only one entry per person, and please put your name, mail code and phone number on your entry. The winner will be notified in February. The concept will be implemented with the overall 30” x 40” poster design produced by Graphics. Submit your hard copy to TA-C3/Gail McLean. Gail can be reached at 861-7383.

Annual KSC Holiday Coffee Dec. 11
The Center Director’s Annual Holiday is being held in the KSC Headquarters Building from 8 a.m. to noon. Stop by to exchange greetings with your friends, coworkers and former coworkers. Refreshments will be provided on every floor. As parking may be limited, shuttle buses will provide continuous transportation, every 30 minutes, from 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from the LC-39 Area (old Saturn V tour stop in front of the OSB and the Logistics Facility) and the Industrial Area (SSPF, O&C, and Headquarters Bldg.).

NASA-sponsored blood drive with the Florida’s Blood Centers (formerly Space Coast Blood Bank)
The Blood Donor Drive is scheduled on Wednesday, Dec. 10. The Florida’s Blood Center will be accepting donations on Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Bloodmobile located behind the Headquarters Building Courtyard. To schedule an appointment, please contact Zidi Gleman, zgleman@floridasbloodcenters.org.