Houston Section 

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Table of Contents

• AIAA Houston Section Leadership List
• Chairman's Corner
• Nominating Leadership
• Dennis M. Bushnell
• Around the World in a Balloon
• Space Settlement Design Competition
• CALL FOR PAPERS
• Notes of Interest
• Annual Technical Symposium
• TransHab
• Antarctica
• Cranium Cruncher

• Russ Filler - Chairman
• Phil Mongan - Chairman-Elect
• Dr. George Nield - Past Chairman
• Bill Hartwell - Acting Vice-Chairman, Operations
• John Vollmer - Vice-Chairman, Technical
• Steve King - Secretary
• Dave Parrish - Treasurer
• Bill Atwell - Councilor
• Bonnie Cooper - Councilor
• Winston Goodrich - Councilor
• Bill Hartwell - Councilor
• Nick Johnson - Councilor
• Bill Langdoc - Councilor
• Mike Lisano - Councilor
• Karen Loftin - Councilor
• Joe Mayer - Councilor
• Merri Sanchez - Councilor

The Houston Section is now seventy-five percent of the way through the 1998-99 AIAA year. The Section officers and leaders have been hard at work since July and the culmination of a lot of those efforts is evident by the fine events coming up.

· My final Region IV Activities Committee meeting will be held April 17 in conjunction with the Student Paper Conference in Albuquerque, NM, hosted by the University of New Mexico on April 15-17.

· The Houston Section is sponsoring its first international conference at the Nassau Bay Hilton. The International Space Station Service Vehicle Conference will be held April 25- 28.

· The Annual Technical Symposium (ATS) will be held Friday, May 28, at the Radission Hobby inconjunction with the National Space Society International Space Development Conference. There are still opportunities to contribute and help make these events a success. It takes the efforts of many people to make these events occur. Additional help is still needed to make these events go smoothly and professionally.

         · We can use volunteers to help conduct the ISS Service Vehicle Conference. This is a major undertaking by
         the Section and support in conference logistics is important to making this a financial success for the
         Section.

         · Consider giving a paper at the Annual Technical Symposium and encourage others to develop a paper
         also. Support the Section by helping with the ATS such as a session chair, conference session support, etc.

· The Student Paper Conference: We encourage our student members to give papers. The purpose of the SPC is to provide a forum for AIAA Student Members at colleges and universities within the region to present technical papers in public competition.

         The Annual Technical Symposium (ATS): The Section needs to salute the ATS Planning and Organization
         Committee also.

         We just need to encourage papers for the conference.

         The audience will be even more diverse this year since this symposium is in conjunction with the annual
         National Space Society International Space Development Conference. This offers an excellent opportunity to
         show space enthusiasts from around the world the fine work we are doing here at JSC.

         The theme for the symposium is "Developing Space Operations, Technology and Utilization." Six sessions
         are planned for papers. As with the national AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting, we hope to have papers to
         recognize the Mir-Phase One results. Papers are needed to show the numerous efforts underway at JSC as
         we get ready for station operations and utilization.

         MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND THE NSS ISDC, AS WELL AS THE ATS.

         Our Section has arranged for James Harford, AIAA Distinguished Lecturer, to be the luncheon speaker. He
         will speak on "How the Russians Beat us to the Moon," based on information in his recent book.

         The evening banquet will host the Apollo 10 Reunion, including the crew - Stafford, Young, and Cernan -
         as well as the flight control team involved in the mission. The NASA Alumni League has been hard at work
         supporting the NSS ISDC planning committee in making this reunion a night to remember.

         The NSS has lined up some fine speakers and programs, as well, including NSS Chairman and Apollo 11
         astronaut Buzz Aldrin, former chief astronaut Dan Brandenstein, Mars expert and author Robert Zubrin,
         plus many more over the course of the five day conference. I encourage our Houston Section members to
         give papers or to encourage others to participate in this important event.

         International Activities: International participation has become a fundamental part of aerospace projects
         now. This is evident in the projects underway here at JSC. International participation is also an important
         part of AIAA's mission. AIAA offers each of us the opportunity to develop our international working skills,
         cultural understanding, and most important development of our international professional relationships.

         We are involved in nurturing the growth of the Australian section. We are having a Russian speaker and
         program this month. The Section is hosting the ISS Service Vehicle Conference with participants from all
         around the world.

         Last month, the call went out for someone to follow Past-Chairman Jim McLane in supporting our AIAA
         China Sister Section. This partnership has been going on for many years. The Section is still looking for
         someone to serve as the Lead Coordinator for our China Sister Section. Our AIAA China Sister Section is
         based around the Shanghai, China Astronomical Society, which is a part of the Chinese Society of
         Astronautics. Let's keep this partnership going.

         Congressional Visit Day: CVD was held March 8-9 and it was a huge success again. I suspect the name will
         have to be reconsidered as the AIAA also visits the Executive Branch and it is taking more than one day
         now. The common message was they welcome our thoughts and concerns and encourage us to have an
         ongoing dialogue. Many of the Congressional offices now know who we are and it allows us to head right
         into our message. As we prepared for our visit this year, it was interesting to note that Congress addressed
         several of the items we had in our message last year. Hopefully, next year as we look back, this year's
         efforts will be productive. We could have done without the winter snow blizzard this year, which reduced
         the attendance at the reception our final evening there. But AIAA is improving its message and expanding
         its efforts every year.

         Looking ahead: I hope you are benefiting from the efforts and activities of the AIAA this year. Leading
         such a dynamic and motivated organization is interesting, gratifying, and satisfying. I have received
         excellent support from my company, United Space Alliance, and my management, both at USA and NASA.
         I sense that professional development is important to them as well. I have learned a lot about managing
         projects , about planning and organizing events, but what stands out the most is all the fine people I have
         had a chance to work with.

         It is that time of year again to begin to identify and establish the team that will carry on the efforts of the
         Section. I joined the Executive Council again 3 years ago. I have gained a lot. I also recognize that each of
         us serves on the Council for a short time. Yes, it does seem like a short time because it has been fascinating
         and beneficial to me. Six of the twelve councilor's terms end this June. Many of our officers have moved on
         to new jobs or opportunities this year. We need fresh faces and energetic people to take advantage of
         leading the Section.

         My time to be the leading force in the Section is quickly approaching the finish line. I will continue to
         support the Section as Past-Chair, hopefully serving as well and reliably as our immediate Past-Chair, Dr.
         George Nield. If you have not been a part of the Executive Council the past few years or ever, I encourage
         you to take advantage of the opportunity.

         You get the most out of AIAA by being involved. AIAA is about professional development. That is more
         important than ever before in our industry. "Better, faster, cheaper" requires each of us to develop and
         work more efficiently, productively, and requires us to keep pace with the emerging technologies, processes
         and concepts. AIAA provides those opportunities - if you take advantage of them. However, someone has to
         encourage and organize those efforts, projects and programs. That someone could be you.

         Talk to someone on the Executive Council about how you can become more involved. Everyone has some
         special talent that can utilized and helpful to the Section. If you want to help, be sure to contact someone on
         the Executive Council and we can help match your time, talent, and energy to the needs of the Section.

         There are some exciting things happening in the Section. If you are not involved yet, you are missing some
         great opportunities. The Section can only do these things with the help and support of its members.

         Looking forward to seeing you at AIAA this year and in the future.
 

Russ Filler
Chairman 1998-99
AIAA Houston Section

It is that time of year again to begin thinking about the leadership for the Section next year.  The following have agreed and have been appointed to the nominating committee:

• Chairman, Dr. Mike Lisano (281-483-7144)
• Winston Goodrich (281-244-0122)
• Neil Johnson (281-228-5462)
• Garland Baugh (281-483-1309)
• Elizabeth Bains (281 483-1551)

         The elected officers are Chair Person, Chair-Elect,
         Vice-Chair Operations and Vice-Chair Technical,
         Treasurer, Secretary, plus 5 councilors (one that
         must be a young member (below the age of 32)).
         Other non-elective positions will also be filled.
         Check the Section website to see the other positions.

         I have enjoyed and benefited from the time I have
         spent on the Executive Council. This is not a full
         time job. You contribute what time and interest you
         can invest. Being on the Executive Council is the
         best way to find out what is going on, to influence
         what is going on, and to receive visibility as a
         person interested in professional development and
         advancement of the aerospace industry.

         The Section can not function or be successful
         without interested and motivated leaders.

         I encourage you to consider what role you can serve. 

Dennis M. Bushnell to Speak

Dennis M. Bushnell to speak to Houston Section April 20th.
The program for April features Dryden Lecturer
Dennis M. Bushnell, Chief Scientist, NASA -
Langley Research Center. He will give an update to
the Dryden Lecture "Frontiers of the'Responsibly
Imaginable' in Aerospace."

This Dryden Lectureship in Research was named in
honor of Dr. Hugh L. Dryden in 1967, succeeding
the Research Award established in 1960. The lecture
emphasizes the great importance of basic research to
the advancement in aeronautics and astronautics
and is a salute to research scientists and engineers.
The lecture is presented annually at the AIAA
Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit.

Dennis Bushnell received his Bachelor's and
Master's degrees in mechanical engineering from the
University of Connecticut, where he was a University
Scholar, and the University of Virginia, respectively.
He has given more than 100 invited seminars and
presentations and is the author of over 200 papers.

He received the AIAA Sperry, Fluid and Plasma
Dynamics awards, and the NASA Exceptional
Scientific Achievement Medal. Bushnell has also
delivered the ICAS Guggenheim lecture and the
Royal Aeronautical Society Lanchester lecture. He
began his career at Langley 33 years ago as an
aerospace engineer, served as Section, Branch, and
Associate Division Chief in Fluid Mechanics, and is
currently the Center Senior (Chief) Scientist.

         I heard Dennis Bushnell speak at the AIAA
         Aerospace Sciences Meeting in Reno, NV, in
         January 1998. I knew I wanted him to deliver his
         message to the Houston Section. His delivery is
         excellent and he is an exhilarating speaker. His
         enthusiasm for challenging conventional design
         practices in order to break new ground and bring
         on new technologies and concepts is evident. His
         drive to keep the United States a leader in aerospace
         is catching. His speed of delivery equals that of the
         hypersonic vehicles whose design he influences. You
         will definitely not dose during his talks. His
         delivery leaves you breathless, but ready and
         anxious to tackle the most difficult design
         challenges. I am glad we were able to arrange for
         him to speak to the Houston Section.
 

On the threshold of the 21st century, a non-stop
round-the-world balloon flight, representing the last
remaining aeronautical record, has been achieved.
They flew for nearly three weeks in a cramped cabin
high above the Earth's surface not a space shuttle
crew, but a pair of adventurers trying to accomplish
something never done before. They were successful.

Their balloon, the Breitling Orbiter 3, was built in
Bristol (UK) by Cameron Balloons, the world's
largest hot-air balloon manufacturer. The Breitling
Orbiter 3 stood 180 feet high about the height of the
Leaning Tower of Pisa and was filled with a volume
of gas and hot air equivalent to that of the water
in seven Olympic-size swimming pools. Cameron
Balloons has built many long-distance balloons,
including those flown by various competitors in
recent round-the-world attempts. All these balloons
were Roziers hybrid balloons lifted by separate
compartments containing helium and hot air, which
is generated by propane burners. (Such balloons are
named for their inventor, Jean Pilatre de Rozier,
whose hydrogen-and-hot-air balloon exploded in
1785, making him the first person in history to die in
an air accident.)

In the final minutes of their odyssey, the Breitling
Orbiter 3 tear-drop-shaped balloon floated
gracefully lower and lower to the sand dunes and
rugged hills of the desert near the Dakhla oasis in
Egypt. The balloon bounced a couple of times
before the pilots managed to bring it to a halt. They
then cut the balloon to stop it dragging them away.
During the days and nights they spent in flight,
they worked in shifts, tried to fight off the cold, and
listened to music from Les Miserables and Eric
Clapton compact discs.

Speaking to reporters in the oasis town of Dakhla,
Jones said the flight "was the most amazing
experience." Both men appeared elated by their
achievement, yet drained by the effort and the
endurance it took to claim the elusive prize of having
circled the world in a balloon. "As far as the best
part of the journey is concerned, I guess it has to be
the finish line. It is just a surreal feeling. I really
haven't quite come to terms with it," Jones said.

"If you ask me now whether I'd do it again, I'd say
no," Jones said. "But ask me later."

         Jones said the worst thing was enduring the cold.
         "All of our water froze at night, so we waited till
         day to fill the kettles," he said. "It was very, very
         cold up there."

         Piccard added, speaking of the trials and
         tribulations of the flight: "It was not a matter of
         setting records; it was a fabulous metaphor of life.
         To try is the only way to survive."

         "We are not heroes," Jones said. "We just proved
         that dreams could come true."

         Now let's see who will win the X-Prize!!

         Publisher's Note: When things have been
         unsuccessfully attempted you may have to do things
         differently to succeed. Jones and Piccard did. First,
         their route was chosen not to be the quickest but to
         be the route with the highest probability of good
         weather. And they also got permission to fly over
         China. Second, their balloon was constructed with a
         layer of foam insulation to keep it warmer and thus
         use less fuel. Both factors contributed to their
         success. Bill Best, Publications Chair

The Houston Section supported the first Space
Settlement Design Competition held at JSC during
the weekend of February 19-21. The competition has
been ongoing in the Orange County section since
1984 under the guidance of Anita Gale and Dick
Edwards. Houston Section AIAA members served as
Chief Executive Officers, Technical Experts, and
Keynote Speakers.

         This event drew about 80 students from Houston
         area high schools. The students were organized into
         four design teams. The teams are given a request for
         proposal. The teams must respond to the RFP
         developing a proposed concept for colonizing Mars
         and present their concept to a panel of judges. Each
         team had a professional serve as the Chief Executive
         Officer. Each student had a specific responsibility.
         The students on the teams elected officers such as
         President, Vice President of Engineering, etc. A
         diverse group of engineers, scientists, and managers
         from around JSC served as Technical Experts on
         Saturday to help answer questions,ensure RFP
         requirements were met, and to provide technical
         guidance.

This is an excellent opportunity for students to
work in a design team, understand how projects
develop, learn how to establish schedules, develop
costs, find solutions to technical problems, develop
technical skills, and, most important, work together as a
design team. I attended each day and served as an
Operations Technical Expert on Saturday. I found
the challenges they faced to be common with those
that professionals actually experience.

JSC plans to sponsor a competition next year again.
This has the full support of Center Director George
Abbey and Assistant Director for University
Research and Affairs, Dr. Bonnie Dunbar. I found
this event to be a rewarding experience. Looking
through the vast collection of material in the
competition library alone was worth the time
invested. Many of the students learned of AIAA
through this event and want to be involved. Several
indicated an interest to attend our monthly
programs. This event was a valuable experience for
the students. This is an important event for the
Section to support.

From the AIAA mission statement:

"Supporting the educational process that brings into
being future generations of aviation and space
professionals by nurturing interest among students
...."

From the Purpose of AIAA, the institute is to
"improve public understanding of the profession and
its contributions, foster education in engineering and
science..."

This event certainly meets and exceeds the intent. I
encourage members of the Section to support this
even more fully in the future. It is an excellent way
to encourage students to consider aerospace as a
career.

Theme: "Space: The Next Millennium"

What:1999 Annual Technical Symposium

When: Friday, May 28, 1999, 8am-4pm

Where: Houston Hobby Radisson Hotel

Abstracts and short biography due no later than April 21, 1999.

Submit in Microsoft Word format to: aiaa@ghg.com

THEME: "DEVELOPING SPACE OPERATIONS,

TECHNOLOGY, & UTILIZATION"

Technical Session Categories Include:

• International Space Station: The Era Has Begun - Assembly & Operations
• Robotics, Nano & Structures: New Technology Developments
• Space Transportation: Vehicles, Operations, & Technology
• Planetary Science and Operations: Innovative Ideas
• Earth Science: New Opportunities & Knowledge
• Space & Life Sciences: Humans in Space

AIAA Distinguished Lecturer, James J. Harford

Topic: "How the Russians Beat Us To the Moon"

Evening Dinner:

Apollo 10 Thirtieth Anniversary Reunion

For abstract submittal and registration information, visit:

http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/aiaa/

or contact

Neil Johnson AIAA ATS 1999 Session Chair
Phone: (281) 228-5462
Fax: (281) 228-5546

email: njohnson@oss.oceaneering.com

Houston Section member, Dr. Wendell Mendell, has
an article in the March/April issue of Ad Astra, the
magazine of the National Space Society. This issue's
theme is "Commercializing Space" and his piece is
"Commercializing The Moon: Don't Wait For Apollo
2." Bill Best, Publications Chair

         The DEADLINE has been extended !!

         The Houston Section AIAA Annual Technical
         Symposium is an opportunity to show people the
         great work we are doing.

         PAPERS ARE NOT REQUIRED!!!

         We accept and encourage presenters to do papers
         and to meet the AIAA conference paper format.
         However, it is more important for us to promote the
         great work we are doing.

         A simple talk with viewgraphs as necessary is
         adequate.

         The main thrust of the ATS to allow individuals to
         promote the work, research or studies they or their
         group are doing. The sessions are short - 15 minutes
         with 5 minutes of questions. Occasionally, we
         provide double sessions (30 minute talk and 10
         minutes for questions) for special topics requiring
         more time or of special interest. Request a double
         session if you feel you need one. You do not have to
         be inventing a warp drive engine or discovering the
         proof that life exists on other planets. Everyone here
         has an important role as part of the JSC team. Tell
         us about the work you have accomplished in the last
         year or the challenges your area is facing.

Some individuals are giving papers for the first time
in a professional forum; others are seasoned veterans
authoring hundreds of papers all over the world. It is
a rare opportunity to find a conference with such
diversity. If it is your first time, we encourage you to
take advantage of this so you can begin to prepare
for national or international conferences. If you are
an experienced world traveling author we welcome
you to share with us locally and to help others
understand the quality, style, and format that comes
from national or international conferences.

It is important for the Section to help demonstrate
the type of work we are doing here in Houston. Our
initial call for papers did not get the response we
had hoped for.

We understand that "Better, Faster, Cheaper"
means everyone is busy and finding they have more
to do. The premise of the Symposium is that it
supports information exchange that helps each
person perform their given tasks more efficiently,
knowledgeably, and timely. It provides professional
development, broadens our area of program
knowledge, and helps us better understand the total
scope of activities.

Our Annual Technical Symposium is being held in
conjunction with the National Space Society's
International Space Development Conference
Theme: "Space: The Next Millennium." This
provides a forum of space enthusiasts that are eager
to learn more about what we do in the industry.

Our ATS Technical Session Categories Include:

• International Space Station: The Era Has Begun - Assembly & Operations
• Robotics, Nano & Structures: New Technology Developments
• Space Transportation: Vehicles, Operations, & Technology
• Planetary Science and Operations: Innovative Ideas
• Earth Science: New Opportunities & Knowledge
• Space & Life Sciences: Humans in Space

         Again the conference is

         ON: Friday, May 28, 1999, 8am-4pm

         AT: Houston Hobby Radisson Hotel

         Abstracts and short biography due no later than
         April 21, 1999.

         Submit in Microsoft Word format to: aiaa@ghg.com

         For abstract submittal and registration information,
         visit:

         http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/aiaa/

         or contact

Neil Johnson AIAA ATS 1999 Session Chair
Phone: (281) 228-5462
Fax: (281) 228-5546

email: njohnson@oss.oceaneering.com

         In addition, for the Symposium speakers, we have
         arranged a great Luncheon Speaker:

         AIAA Distinguished Lecturer, James J. Harford.
         His talk is titled "How the Russians Beat Us To the
         Moon," and is based on his recent book. The
         evening features a the Apollo 10 Thirtieth
         Anniversary Reunion.

         Now let's prepare some papers and/or talks.

         Encourage others in your organization to do the
         same. They do not have to be AIAA members to give a
         paper or talk - if they are not, we can help them find
         membership information afterwards!

         Those of us in the AIAA Houston Section who
         didn't know what a 'TransHab' was got an
         education, Thursday evening, February 18th at the
         Gilruth Center. Donna Fender, JSC Program
         Manager for the TransHab Project Office gave an
         excellent description and history of 'TransHab',
         which was followed by a trip to Building 32 where a
         full scale mockup was on display.

         Most people, when they learn that TransHab is an
         inflatable structure which can be used in space,
         have a mental concept of some sort of balloon.
         TransHab is not a balloon. When Donna was asked
         to head up the project in July of 1997 she too had
         no idea of what it was. After Dr. Schneider, the
         previous project head, explained 'TransHab', she
         thought, "This is a cool idea!" Her enthusiasm
         showed throughout her presentation. Originally the
         idea was to provide a space habitat for a manned
         mission to Mars, but now NASA is deciding if the
         concept can be used for the US habitation module
         on the ISS.

         NASA has been toying with the idea of inflatable
         structures for a long time (think Apollo) but never
         seriously addressed the concept. When a manned
         mission to Mars became a possibility the idea was
         looked at again since these structures are lightweight
         and compact - two desirable properties. Dr.
         Schnieder developed the concept which is the basis
         for the current TransHab.

There are two parts to the module. The first is the
central core structure constructed of composites. The
core module is the attach point for the outer shell
and is the load bearing structure for the launch
phase. The second is the shell (one foot plus thick),
which is composed of many layers, each of which
has a function. From the inside out, the first layer is
a 'scuff' layer, which serves to protect the innermost
of the three airtight bladders from daily living mis-
haps. Beyond the bladders is the restraint layer,
which is the 'structure' for the inflatable shell and
is load bearing. It is composed of layers of one inch
kevlar webbing woven in a basket-like
(perpendicular, not diagonal) way. Beyond this are
layers of nextel separated by foam for meteorite
protection (tested for 1.7 cm particles at 7 km/sec).
The concept of the meteor shield is to allow the
nextel to break up the particle and absorb energy.
The foam separates the layers of nextel for optimum
energy absorption.

For launch the shell is 'vacuum packed' to a 14 ft.
diameter with a restraining corset. All the furniture
and other hardware is packaged in the core
structure. Once in orbit and deployed, the corset is
released, the shell inflated, and the TransHab
becomes a 3 story-27 ft. diameter structure. After
initial checks the crew can then arrange furniture,
exercise equipment, etc., in the module. At present
the top level is the health and exercise (with a
window for the treadmill) area; the second level is
the crew quarters (for six); the core at this level is
surrounded by a water jacket for radiation
protection, even though the shell provides some
protection. For the bottom level the crew wanted
some space, so the 'ceiling' of one half of the
module was removed to provide this. This level has
the ward-room with a table large enough for both
the shuttle and ISS crews to sit at (a Mike Foale
suggestion), the galley, and another window. If
adapted for the ISS, TransHab will double the
available stowage capacity.

The structure was solid. Simultaneously the hyper
velocity impact lab was testing the impact resistance
as mentioned above.

A test program hampered by lack of money, time,
and people nevertheless proved the basic concepts. It
was demonstrated the restraint layer would handle
loads as it was tested to 4 atmospheres in the NBL
using a scaled-down version. A full-scale Transhab
was built (remarkably, it took only three weeks) with
all the layers and a boiler plate core structure. This
version was used to develop methods for weaving,
folding, applying the meteorite protection layers, etc.
A clevis arrangement is used at the bulkheads to
secure the restraint to the core structure. This allows
some movement of the kevlar strap structure to
insure equal load sharing. Tests show one quarter
psi is sufficient to inflate the structure, which means
very little compressed air needs to be carried into
orbit. At the moment TransHab is well under the
38,000 pound design maximum. A decision should
be forthcoming soon on whether to proceed with the
construction of a TransHab for the ISS.

         On Wednesday, March 10 the Life Sciences TC
         sponsored a presentation, "Antarctica: What Can
         We Learn in a Space Analogue Environment." The
         presentation by Dr. JoAnna Wood of the Baylor
         College of Medicine, was well attended and most
         informative. Dr. Wood is supported by the NASA
         National Space Biomedical Research Institute and
         her group studies the behavior of 15-20 people who
         are sent to experience winter in the Antarctic every
         year. The Australian Antarctic experience has been
         supported by the Australian government for about
         30 years.

         These mixed gender groups of scientists,
         maintenance workers, and others spend the
         Antarctic winter in real isolation. When the ship
         leaves them at the end of summer they are on their
         own for the next 8 months. There is no rescue.

         The scientists are responsible for gathering data on
         glaciers, weather, astro-physics, life forms, etc.
         Others have to maintain their living quarters and
         any scientific equipment. Each team has real work
         to do. The environment presents real danger in the
         form of cold, fire, and possible loss of supplies.
         Their situation is much like a possible manned
         mission to Mars, and, thus, an ideal test for
         developing knowledge about group dynamics,
         leadership attributes, selection criteria, etc.

Dr. Wood has devised a scoring system to determine
how well a team is doing with a graphic display in
the form of a five-axis 'star'. The form measures 1)
relations with management in Australia, 2) absence
of group tensions, 3) leadership effectiveness, 4)
average emotional well-being, and 5) ratings of
team's work life. Scoring well covers more area as
scores move away from the origin so problems can
be seen at a glance. Leadership, as would be
expected, played a vital role in the success of a
group. Dr. Wood told many anecdotes about
life in this world to illustrate
various points. One aspect that has changed over
the years is expectations. In the early years people
were generally 'rugged individualists', whereas now
the people expect life to be more like home with
reminders of and communication with families and
other comforts.

Have we learned enough to be able to select people
for a mission such as a manned mission for Mars?
No. Using lesson learned, a military team would
probably, but not necessarily, do better than a
civilian one, primarily because of the disciplined
structure. However, we are just beginning to learn
about the human aspects of operating for long
periods of time in a hostile environment.

Please join us for our next "Lunch and Learn" in
Life Sciences, Space Processes, and Human Factors
in June. Thanks to everyone who attended and Dr.
Wood for presenting the results of her fascinating
study.

Come and join us in May for the next "Lunch 'n'
Learn" with Constance Adams, who will present a
habitability study for architectural designs.

If you have a topic to share with the JSC
community, please contact Karin Loftin at
kloftin@ems.jsc.nasa.gov.

I'm really glad I extended the deadline for the Tree puzzle, in which I gave you a 6 x 6 letter matrix and
asked you to find the names of as many trees as you could. Last month at press time I had only received one input, but the extra time allowed several more of you to work on it and send me a response.

• Nanette Cerna
• Joy Conrad
• Ronald Chichester
• James Harder
• Lance Mushung
• Andy Petro
• John Selmarten
• Edwin Smythe

         Apple; Beech; Cedar; Elm; Fig; Fir; Genip; Kola; Larch; Maple; Nipa; Oak; Palm; Peach; Pear; Pine;
         Plum; Spruce; Sumac; Ule; Willow. (Yep, check the dictionary!).

         Last month, as an extra added attraction (no prize to be given) I asked you to dust off your basic algebra
         skills and see if you could tell me the values of the integers "a" and "b" to satisfy the relationship

                                   (ab) = 3(a+b)

         I didn't specify anything other than "a" and "b" were whole integers. So there are three possible answers
         to the relationship: the number set (4, 12) satisfies the equation. If the integers don't have to be different,
         the number set (6,6) also satisfies it. And if the integers don't have to be positive, the set (2, -6) also works.

         I got answers fro the following mathematicians!

• Ronny Baccus
• Nanette Cerna
• Steve King
• Mike Lounge
• Lance Mushung
• James Walker (the only entrant to identify all three possibilities).

         Now try this one for your April challenge.

         VEGETABLE SOUP

         Five people each bought 15 cans of vegetables at the supermarket to enter a vegetable soup-making contest.
         There were five vegetables to choose from, and each of the entrants bought some cans of each type of
         vegetable, but different numbers of cans of each type - i.e. each bought 5 cans of one vegetable, four cans
         of a second vegetable, three cans of a third vegetable, two cans of a fourth vegetable, and one can of a fifth
         vegetable. In addition, no individual vegetable was bought in the same quantity by any of the people in the
         contest. Given all that, can you figure out, from the following clues, how many cans of vegetables of each
         type that each contestant bought, and how much the purchases cost? Here are your clues.

              1. The person who spent $6.43 bought 5 cans of asparagus and 3 cans
              of beans.
              2. Lily spent the least amount of money, $1.66 less than T-Bone. She
              bought 3 cans of carrots, 5 cans of peas, and 1 can of corn.
              3. Benny spent $1.20 on asparagus and $1.55 for corn and peas
              combined.
              4. Joshua bought 2 cans of peas and spent $4.52 for his corn and
              carrots combined.
              5. The person who won the contest, Slim, bought 1 can of carrots and
              spent $7.42 total, $0.99 more than Benny.
              6. T-Bone spent the most. He bought 5 cans of corn, 4 cans of beans,
              and 1 can of asparagus.
              7. The available vegetables and their prices are as follows: Corn is
              $0.58 per can; peas are $0.39 a can; carrots are $0.44 per can;
              asparagus is $0.24 a can; and beans are $0.64 per can.

         You are allowed to make soup to research this puzzle if you'd like! Good luck, and send me you answers via
         e-mail or paper mail. The winner, as always, will get a free meal at a future AIAA event.

         Norman Chaffee
         NASA-JSC, Mail Code AP2
         Houston, TX 77058

         norman.h.chaffee1@jsc.nasa.gov