NASA ARC Internal memo: Message from the Center Director: LCROSS Impact Night Events
Subject: LCROSS Impact Night Events
From: Centerwide Announcement
Date: Friday, October 2, 2009
Message from the Center Director: LCROSS Impact Night Events
The world will be watching on October 9, 2009, as LCROSS completes its final objective – impacting Cabeus crater, a permanently shadowed crater at the lunar South Pole to determine the presence of water ice. Recent reports that other orbiting spacecraft have found evidence of water molecules on the moon’s poles have only served to increase the public’s interest in what LCROSS will find – and Ames is the prime site for following the mission’s progress. Ames employees, families and friends are invited to join members of the public at an all-night event (October 8 and 9) to share in this unique experience.
The LCROSS Impact event will be held outdoors on the Shenandoah Plaza parade ground in front of Building 17, from 5:30 p.m. Thursday, October 8, through 6:30 a.m. Friday, October 9, with impact occurring at 4:30 a.m. October 9. The special night of programming includes guest speakers, feature films, a special live performance by Kenji Williams, and live mission coverage on a large, outdoor screen. For the full schedule, and for schedule updates, please visit the Ames events page at: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/events/
The event is free and open to employees and the public; however, all guests, including Ames employees, who wish to stay overnight on the parade ground must register in advance and get a ticket for a reserved space in the overnight area ( https://ails.arc.nasa.gov/impactnight/index.htm ). Tickets are mandatory for the reserved overnight area.
Even if you do not plan to stay overnight, please complete the attendance survey also located on the event page. This will help planning efforts by giving us an early indication of interest in the event.
The parade ground is the only location for viewing mission coverage at Ames. Building 943A and the Main Auditorium (N201) will not be open to the public or employees during event hours.
To assure a safe and enjoyable event for everyone, please make note of the following:
The Ellis and Mark Avenue gates will be open all night for hard-badged (civil servant and contract) employees only. To alleviate congestion on Moffett Boulevard, please avoid using the Main Gate where the public will be entering the center.
All traffic exiting the center during and immediately after event hours (through 7:30 a.m. October 9) will be routed through the Ellis Gate. Follow traffic route signs and do not exit through the main gate.
Please comply with all traffic directions, road closures and posted speed limit and parking signs – and be alert for pedestrians.
Employees may park in either the designated event parking lots or on the Ames campus. Hard-badged employees wishing to park on the Ames campus may bring their families in their cars through the Mark gate and then walk over to the parade ground.
Please use caution when walking in the dark to and from the event location, and while on the parade grounds where surfaces are uneven. Be alert for vehicles and other hazards that may cause trips and falls.
Please note that capacity at the event is limited. Once capacity is reached the event will be closed. Ames employees will be able to access their duty station, but they will no longer be able to escort families onto the center.
Everyone must vacate the parade grounds with all their belongings by 6:30 a.m. October 9.
The Barcelona Cafe in Building 3 will be open all night, serving hot beverages and snacks. Full breakfast service will begin at 6 a.m. at both the Barcelona and Megabites Cafes. There will be other food vendors overnight on the parade ground.
Building 240/240A will be closed to all but mission essential personnel beginning at 5:30 p.m. October 8 through 6:30 a.m. October 9.
I look forward to seeing you at this opportunity to witness a real-time moment in space exploration history.
S. Pete Worden
Center Director
If you would like to respond to this memo electronically, you may do so by clicking on the following: mailto:laura.lewis@nasa.gov
