Columbia investigation continues
A fifth shipment of debris arrived at KSC's RLV Hangar on Tuesday for examination and possible reconstruction. According to CAIB member Roger Tetrault of the material analysis group, 22,563 pieces of debris have been found and 16,063 identified. Collectively the pieces weigh 32,100 pounds, about 13.7 percent of Columbia's original weight. For photos of the shipments and a look at the floor grid in the hangar (see below), go to the KSC Home Page (ksc.nasa.gov) and select Multimedia Gallery . A link to "Columbia Investigation" photos is in the right column.

ELV Update
Mars Exploration Rover 2 (MER-2) and flight hardware for MER-1 arrived at KSC last week. Each rover, aeroshell and lander will undergo a full mission simulation while at KSC. All flight elements will then be integrated. After spin balance testing, each spacecraft will be mated to a solid propellant upper stage booster that will propel it out of Earth orbit. The rovers will be launched aboard a Delta 7925 rocket and Delta II Heavy rocket respectively.

40th Space Congress Looking For Volunteers
The 40th Space Congress, April 28 through May 2003, is looking for volunteers to staff the Exhibits and the Educational/ Science Fair areas. Duties will include greeting the guests at the main entrance, counting attendees at entrance, watching emergency exits for unauthorized entrants, providing information in Science Fair exhibit, staffing and answering phones at the exhibit command post, and escorting any groups of children that attend the Exhibit and Science Fair areas. Shifts are scheduled for the Monday night VIP recep-tion (April 27) from 5:30 - 8 p.m.; Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and 2:30 - 7 p.m.; Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and 2:30 - 6 p.m.; and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - Noon. and12 - 3 p.m. Official Space Congress shirts will be provided to volunteers. To volunteer for one or more of the shifts, please contact Dianne Wood, Exhibits Co-Chair, at 638-1414 or send e-mail to Dianne@fsec.ucf.edu.

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