ELV Update
The launch of the ICESat and CHIPSat polar-orbiting satellites for NASA aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket from Vandenberg AFB was postponed from its Dec. 19 launch date. A review of test data uncovered a problem within an ordnance box. The difficulty was associated with the signal the unit provides for launch vehicle devices to unlatch and separate the payload fairing. The removal and replacement of this unit, and the associated retest, was expected to take about two weeks. The new launch date has been targeted for Friday, Jan. 10. The 45-minute launch window extends from 7:45 to 8:30 p.m. EST.

STS-114 Crew Completes CEIT
Kicking off the new year, the international crew for mission STS-114 spent last weekend at KSC taking part in Crew Equipment Interface Test activities. The crew comprises Commander Eileen Collins, Pilot James Kelly, and Mission Specialists Soichi Noguchi and Stephen Robinson. Noguchi represents NASDA, the Japanese space agency. The mission is a Utilization and Logistics Flight (ULF-1), carrying the MPLM Raffaello, with supplies and equipment, and the External Stowage Platform (ESP-2) to the station.

FEW Scholarships
The Space Coast Chapter of Federally Employed Women (FEW) is awarding scholarships for high school and/or college students who are currently attending college or enrolling in the fall semester 2003. Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be considered. Applications should be received by March 14, 2003. For additional information or an application, please contact Jane Eitel, 867-7952; Maxine Johnson, 867-7770; or Karin Biega, 867-6382.

Education Update
The University of Florida will be holding public information sessions in Cape Canaveral and Melbourne to present information about the Outreach Engineering Management Program (OEM). The Cape Canaveral meeting will be held at the Radisson Resort at the Port (8701 Astronaut Blvd.) on Wednesday, Jan. 15, and the Melbourne meeting will be held at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto (200 Rialto Place) on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Sessions last from 5:30 to 8 p.m. with a formal presentation beginning at 6:30 p.m. OEM features live instruction and awards an engineering master's degree in 20 months. Classes meet only one weekend a month and are taught by UF's engineering and business faculty. UF representatives and current OEM students will be present to explain the program and answer questions. All interested individuals are invited to attend. For more information about the meetings or about the program in general, contact Patsy Messinger (800-321-0199/e-mail messingr@ise.ufl.edu), or visit the OEM web site http://www.ise.ufl.edu/oem .