Minutes of Senior Staff and Center Directors’ Meeting 07-17-2000

The following documents the discussions addressed at the Senior Staff and
Center Directors’ Meeting on July 17, 2000. Mr. Goldin did not attend the
meeting. Action assignments have been placed in brackets [ ] for easy
identification.

1. AA Reports

W/Gross: Ms. Gross reported that Raymond Torricelli, aka “rolex,” the head
of a hacker group known as “#conflict,” was arrested last week by a NASA
Office of Inspector General (OIG) agent for allegedly breaking into two
computers owned and maintained by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL),
located in Pasadena, CA, and using one of those computers to host an
Internet chat room devoted to hacking. NASA agents had previously
conducted a search of his residence and conducted a media analysis. The
complaint alleged that Torricelli gained unauthorized access to NASA
computers from his personal computer, located at his home, used other
computers to which he had illegally gained access to send unsolicited
advertisements over the Internet to large numbers of computer users (a
practice know as “spamming”), which promoted a pornographic Web site, as
well as to intercept passwords and usernames traversing the networks of
computers owned and maintained by Georgia Southern University and San Jose
State University. The complaint also alleges that Torricelli stole
password files from other computers and used his computer to decrypt those
passwords. The NASA computer, used by the Agency, performs satellite
design and mission analysis concerning future space missions. Also, a
computer used by JPL’s Communications Ground Systems Section was used as an
e-mail and internal Web server. After gaining this unauthorized access,
Torricelli installed a program on the first computer which enabled him,
under his alias “rolex,” to engage in chat-room discussions with other
members in “#conflict.” Torricelli allegedly used his computer to gain
unauthorized access to a total of over 800 computers, according to the
Complaint. Torricelli also used computers to which he illegally gained
access to earn money “spamming” for a pornographic Web site, it was
charged. The Complaint alleges that Torricelli earned approximately
$300-400 per week from this spamming. The investigation was conducted by
NASA’s OIG, Computer Crimes Division, assisted by the New Rochelle, NY,
Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The
investigation is continuing.

I/Schumacher: Mr. Schumacher thanked everyone for the wonderful launch of
the Russian Service Module. The Heads of Agencies meeting went well also.

AS/Olsen: Dr. Olsen reported that the Science Council meeting will be held
on Thursday, July 20, from 1 to 3 p.m. to highlight Code U’s research goals
and future directions.

U/Olsen: Dr. Olsen reported that NASA’s Biomedical Research and Counter-
measures Program, supporting researchers at the University of
California-Irvine, has reported results in the July issue of the Journal of
Applied Physiology that may resolve phnomenon of fainting after extended
bed rest or space flight. The study is the first to identify the molecule
nitric oxide, the active ingredient in nitroglycerin, as a factor in
controlling blood pressure in different parts of the body when adapting to
Earth’s gravity. If the findings work in humans, they could result in
improved treatments for fainting spells that are often experienced by
patients after long periods of bed rest and by astronauts returning from
space. Drs. Vaziri, Ding, Sangha, and Purdy found that rats that had
adapted to an environment that simulated low gravity produced significantly
more of the enzyme that makes nitric oxide than did rats in a normal
gravity environment. Since nitric oxide dilates blood vessels, the
research suggests that the additional amounts of nitric oxide dilated
vessels in the lower body, lowering pressure in the head, which made
acclimation to a standing position more difficult and led to fainting.

S/Huckins: Dr. Huckins reported on the following: 1) NASA spacecraft
detected a major Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) on the Sun. This CME produced
the largest proton event since October 1989. No permanent spacecraft
effects are predicted. 2) Early Sunday, July 16, ESA successfully launched
the first two of four Cluster-II spacecraft from Baikonur on a Soyuz Fregat
launch vehicle. NASA provided instruments for the cooperative project.

Q/Gregory: Mr. Gregory thanked DFRC for hosting the Safety and Mission
Assurance Conference last week.

P/Wilhide: Ms. Wilhide reported on the following: 1) The NASA Art Program
is visiting the South Bronx this week to help school children paint a mural
called “Living on Mars.” The mural will be displayed in a park in the
South Bronx. 2) Code P will issue a news release on Thursday, July 20, on
ice flow changes in Greenland.

Y/Asrar: Dr. Asrar reported on the following: 1) The cooperative mission
CHAMP (CHAllenging Minisatellite Payload) was successfully launched on
Saturday aboard a Russian COSMOS launch vehicle from the Plesetsk
Cosmodrome. The CHAMP mission focus is on geoscientific and atmospheric
research and applications and is carrying a NASA-provided Global
Positioning System Blackjack Flight receiver built by JPL. Additional
background information on the mission can be found at
http://op.gfz-potsdam.de/champ/index CHAMP.html. 2) Last week, the ESE
“For Kids Only” site was nominated for the “Best-of-the-Net for
Back-to-School” voting sponsored by BIC Pens. Sites will be posted in
August on http://www.bicworldusa.com, and winners will be selected in
September. Since publication of the Code Y kid’s page in 1998, NASA has
had the privilege of being recognized by educational consortia, news media,
publishers, and other Government agencies. Recognition has included
Popular Science Magazine, USA Today, PBS, the University of California-San
Diego, University of Ontario, Louisiana State Department of Education, and
the U.S. Department of Education.

AO/Nelson: Dr. Nelson reported that, as reported in the Wall Street
Journal last Friday, July 14, several NASA Centers are experiencing
coordinated attacks over the Internet that originate from within the
“Excite @ Home” domain. This domain includes about 1.5 million subscribers
who use cable modems to access the Internet. After repeated attempts to
contact “@ Home” management, several Centers have blocked “@ Home” to ward
off the attacks. This has the unfortunate consequence that “@ Home”
subscribers cannot access NASA Web pages. We are continuing to resolve
this with “@ Home” so that we can lift these blocks as soon as possible.

AE/Keegan: Mr. Keegan reported that, as mentioned last week, an assessment
of Center maintenance practices on test facilities supporting program
activities, with emphasis on application of Reliability Centered
Maintenance, is under the sponsorship of the Chief Engineer with
involvement by Codes J and Q and the Institutional Program Offices (IPO).
The review group will be led by Pete Allen of MSFC. Guidance to the
Centers on the scope of the review will be forthcoming by August 1. They
will be looking for an actual review of the Center’s approach at a central
meeting in mid-September, followed by onsite visits. The Review Team’s
recommendations will be iterated with each Center soon thereafter. The
Report status and outstanding issues, if any, will be presented to the
Chief Engineer and IPO’s by mid-December.

M/Rothenberg: Mr. Rothenberg congratulated the International Space Station
program on the successful launch of the Service Module.

2. AI/Dr. Mulville

Dr. Mulville reported on the following: 1) The Capital Investment Council
will meet on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 18 and 19, to discuss budgetary
action items and issues. 2) While 2 weeks ago we met our 10-percent goal
on overdue actions, this week, we have a rate of over 30 percent. The AA’s
are requested to please give these activities priority. If you need an
extension, please contact Code CIC or my Executive Officer. 3) An update
of the Headquarters Softball Tournament is as follows:

Results from last week-On July 11, at the 4:50 game, Code C defeated Code F
– 18 to 7; at the 6 p.m. game, Codes ABG defeated Codes PZK – 14 to 12.

On July 13, at the 4:50 game, Code M defeated Codes YI – 19 to 9; at the 6
p.m. game, Code C defeated Codes ABG – 16 to 15.

Upcoming Games for July 18 at 4:50 will be Codes YI vs. Code C. On July 20
at 4:50 will be the Championship Game with Code M vs. either Codes YI or C.
The NASA Exchange Council will sponsor a cookout to be held during that game.

3. Center Reports

ARC/McDonald: Dr. McDonald reported that the FAA and the Los Angeles
International Airport will be using ARC’s Future Flight Central Facility to
study and simulate airport runway incursions on a reimbursable basis.

DFRC/Petersen: Mr. Petersen reported the following: 1) The Center
appreciated the opportunity to host the Safety and Mission Assurance
Director’s meeting last week. He is glad that Fred Gregory and his team
had a productive meeting. 2) The Center received the third X-38 vehicle –
131R – and expect to prepare this vehicle for a captive flight in August
and a free flight later this fall.

JSC/Abbey: Mr. Abbey reported on the following: 1) The Shuttle program is
working toward a September launch date. 2) The Center is working to close
out issues regarding the oxygen contamination of EVA suits. 3) The Service
Module is doing well on orbit, and the Center is working to resolve
difficulties with one of the three star trackers onboard. 4) There is a
Service Module docking test tonight at 11 p.m. CDT, with docking scheduled
for July 25, 7:45 p.m. CDT.

LeRC/Creedon: Dr. Creedon reported that Charles McClinton is to receive
the AIAA Air Breathing Propulsion Award for 2000 at its 36th conference on
Tuesday, July 18, in Huntsville, AL. The citation reads “for his
outstanding leadership and technical achievements in the development of
hypersonic air breathing propulsion systems.

MSFC/Rogacki: Dr. Rogacki reported that the Center is cohosting the 36th
AIAA Joint Propulsion Conference this week. Mr. Stephenson is the keynote
speaker on Tuesday, July 18. They are expecting approximately 1500
attendees from all over the world. Huntsville is the “propulsion center of
the universe” this week.

SSC/Estess: Mr. Estess reported on the first test of the pintle design
engine for TRW–a 2-second duration with longer tests being conducted soon.
The thrust is 1 1/2 times as big as the Shuttle engine.

NOTE: ACTION ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE TRANSMITTED UNDER SEPARATE COVER AND
TRACKED BY THE HEADQUARTERS CORRESPONDENCE MANAGEMENT OFFICE. SPECIFIC
QUESTIONS MAY BE ADDRESSED TO JILL HOOVER @ (202) 358-0905.

Officials-in-Charge of NASA Headquarters Offices:

AA/Mr. Heffernan

AI/Dr. Mulville

AB/Ms. Tagg

AC/Gen. Armstrong

AE/Mr. Keegan

AJ/Mr. Tam

AM/Dr. Nicogossian

AO/Mr. Holcomb

AS/Dr. Olsen

B/Mr. Holz

C/Mr. Christensen

E/Mr. Reese

F/Ms. Novak

G/Mr. Frankle

H/Mr. Luedtke

I/Mr. Schumacher

J/Mr. Sutton

K/Mr. Thomas

L/Mr. Heffernan

M/Mr. Rothenberg

P/Ms. Wilhide

Q/Mr. Gregory

R/Mr. Venneri

S/Dr. Weiler

U/Dr. Olsen (Acting)

W/Ms. Gross

Y/Dr. Asrar

Z/Ms. Garver

Directors, NASA Centers:

ARC/Dr. McDonald

DFRC/Mr. Petersen

GRC/Mr. Campbell

GSFC/Mr. Diaz

JSC/Mr. Abbey

KSC/Mr. Bridges

LaRC/Dr. Creedon

MSFC/Mr. Stephenson

SSC/Mr. Estess

Director, Jet Propulsion Laboratory:

Dr. Stone

cc:

A/Ms. Stewart

AA/Ms. Saldana

AC/Ms. Landrus

AE/Ms. Moore

AI/Ms. Blinebury

AI/Ms. Shaeffer

AI/Ms. Soper

AJ/Ms. Bloxon

AO/Ms. Wissinger

AM/Ms. Barnes

AS/Ms. Simms

CIC/Analysts