NASA Watch

NASA Education Cut Update

2013-05-23T19:04:07Z

American Astronomical Society Statement: Proposed Elimination of NASA Science Education & Public Outreach

The American Astronomical Society (AAS) has issued a statement addressing the potential elimination of the education and public outreach (EPO) activities in NASA's Science Mission Directorate, as called for in President Obama's fiscal year (FY) 2014 budget proposal. The AAS enthusiastically supports the Administration's goals to increase the impact of federal education investments and to increase the numbers of teachers and graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM. But, according to the AAS, the proposed cuts "would dismantle some of the nation's most inspiring and successful STEM education assets."

- NASA EPO Cuts Continue, earlier post
- NAC Committee Is Against NASA EPO Changes, earlier post
- Bolden Is Happy About NASA Education Cuts, earlier post
- Details on The Gutting of NASA Education, earlier post

Defending That Whole Go-to-Asteroid Thing

2013-05-23T15:20:18Z

NASA Associate Administrator Robert Lightfoot defends asteroid mission in Alabama visit, Huntsville Times

"NASA Associate Administrator Robert Lightfoot knows about the debate over where America should go next in space while it develops the technologies needed for a Mars landing. Should astronauts go back to the moon and build a base there, visit an asteroid, or simply go somewhere else in the space between Earth and the moon? On a visit to Huntsville's Marshall Space Flight Center to see Orion space capsule hardware in development, Lightfoot nodded when asked if he was familiar with the debate over destinations held during a congressional hearing Tuesday afternoon."

- Where Do We Go Next In Space?, earlier post
- NASA Asteroid Capture Mission: First Real Step in Utilizing Extraterrestrial Resources, earlier post

Off-World Copyright Protection

2013-05-23T15:12:58Z

How does copyright work in space?, Economist

"The song "Space Oddity" is under copyright protection in most countries, and the rights to it belong to Mr Bowie. But compulsory-licensing rights in many nations mean that any composition that has been released to the public (free or commercially) as an audio recording may be recorded again and sold by others for a statutorily defined fee, although it must be substantively the same music and lyrics as the original. But with the ISS circling the globe, which jurisdiction was Commander Hadfield in when he recorded the song and video?"

- Space Oddity, YouTube (over 14,000,000 views)

NASA FISO Telecon Organizers Are Confused

2013-05-23T05:05:44Z

Keith's note: The Future In-Space Operations Working Group (FISOWG), overtly run by NASA civil servants, using NASA resources (their paid work time), discusses lots of interesting things. A lot of their stuff is vastly more interesting than the dumbed down drivel PAO often releases. But no one knows that FISO exists - except for an elite few who want to keep things secret - as stealth telecons. As such, the people (many of them NASA employees) who run FISO telecons seem to be clueless as to several important issues - where their websites point, who owns the intellectual content, and who is qualified to listen in on the presentations.

This is the latest presentation from the FISO telecon: "Environmental Control and Life Support Systems: Current Status and Future Development" by Robert Bagdigian & Robyn Carrasquillo NASA MSFC

According to FISO "The content of these FISOWG telecon presentations are considered the intellectual property of the person who gave that presentation." I'm sorry but NASA charts, with NASA.gov on them produced by two people openly identified as NASA employees regarding topics they are paid as civil servants to produce, is in the public domain. To state otherwise is outright deception and is contrary to agency policy. The NASA presenters do not own this material. The taxpayers who paid for it are the ones who own it.

One of the goofiest things that Dan Webster and Harley Thronson at FISO have posted is this: "Presentations, papers, visualizations, and graphics produces by the FISOWG and collaborators were archived here -- http://www.futureinspaceoperations.com/ , when Jack Frassanito ran the site for us. But he's retired as of a few months ago, and he seems to have let the site go. But do go there to help with physical attractiveness! Except it's not our advice anymore. Keith Cowing seems to like it, though ..."

I have to imagine that neither Harley Thronson or Dan Lester have never actually visited this website. Why do they point to it? If you go to http://www.futureinspaceoperations.com/ it redirects to http://futureinspaceoperations.com/ which currently has a top posting "Skin Lightening Options For Those On A Budget" So, Harley and Dan: is skin lightening a FISO topic these days? I see no FISO presentations posted at this website. Are you that lazy - that you can't fix a bad link?

Moreover they state this absurd caveat: "Note: This is NOT a public telecon. You may share this link only with qualified participants." This is just elitist nonsense - the sort of stuff written by people who do not understand who pays the bills. When NASA employees discuss their work it should be made available to anyone who is interested in listening. Everyone is a "qualified participant". Also, if this is not a "pubilc telecon" then why is all the dial-in info available on a publicly accessible website? The FISO policy regarding access to their telecons flies in the face of Open Data and transparency policies established by the White House for all agencies - including NASA.

- Future In-Space Operations (FISO): a working group and community engagement, Space Review
- Stealth Future In-Space Operations (FISO) Working Group Telecons, earlier post
- This Week's Stealth Future In-Space Operations Working Group Telecons, earlier post

International Space Apps Challenge Global Best in Class

2013-05-22T20:13:20Z

NASA Announces Global Best in Class Winners for the International Space Apps Challenge

"A panel of international judges from NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and other partner organizations has selected five "best in class" solutions as winners of the 2013 International Space Apps Challenge. The challenge, in which participants developed software, hardware, data visualization, and mobile or Web applications that contribute to space exploration missions and help improve life on Earth, took place at 83 locations around the world April 20-21."

See also Global Award Winners for the 2013 International Space Apps Challenge for more detail, videos, etc.

NASA's Latest Stealth Spinoff

2013-05-22T17:21:07Z

WCUI's Psoria-Shield(R) Announces Sales Roll-Out of Psoria-Light(R) to Key Markets

"The device was developed by Mr. Scot Johnson, President and CEO of Psoria-Shield, and his team of engineers who together have developed over 30 FDA-cleared, CE marked devices sold worldwide. The Deep UV LEDs utilized by Psoria-Light were created in parts by DARPA, NASA and the ESA (European Space Agency) for use in space. Psoria-Light's adaptation of them for targeted UV phototherapy has earned it an exclusive distinction from the Space Foundation as a Certified Space Technology (http://www.spacecertification.org/certified-products/psoria-light). The light generated by these LEDs has been demonstrated in previous clinical papers to be both more therapeutic and carry fewer side effects than other conventional UV light sources."

Keith's note: Yet another example of a NASA spinoff that NASA either knows nothing about or (if it does) doesn't seem to be interested in telling anyone about. Hundreds of millions of dollars are being poured into NASA's new space tech directorate and they can't even stay on top of the news? In this case, its old news. I did a search at NASA.gov, Technology.nasa.gov and at NASA Rech Briefs. None of these searches resulted in any results about this product. Yet Space Foundation has certainly been paying attention. This is a baffling behavior pattern at NASA given that this is one case where there are potential benefits to a large number of taxpayers (patients).

- Another NASA Technology Data Dump No One Will Know About

Earlier posts

Some Good News For Kepler

2013-05-22T16:12:51Z

Kepler Mission Manager Update

"The operations staff at Ball Aerospace did a wonderful job at developing and implementing PRS. As a result, the spacecraft is not in an emergency condition, and work can be conducted at a more deliberate pace. For the next week or so, we will contact the spacecraft on a daily basis to ensure PRS continues to operate as expected."

Where Do We Go Next In Space?

2013-05-21T23:11:46Z

Subcommittee Examines Next Steps for U.S. Human Space Exploration

"A human mission to Mars is not attainable without significant scientific, technological, and operational progress and preparation. One or more interim destinations have often been suggested as the logical path for developing and demonstrating those capabilities needed in advance of the more distant and risky venture of sending humans to Mars. An interim destination could also serve as an important focal point and organizing mechanism for the human exploration program, as well as providing a vision and inspiring goal for the nation's future in space. Over past Administrations and the current Administration, the goal for an interim destination has changed."

Witnesses Debate Strategic Stepping Stones to Mars

"There are several compelling reasons for using the Moon as a training ground to prepare for more complex missions. Landing on the Moon would develop technical capabilities for landing on and launching from a large celestial body, something NASA has not done for more than four decades. Establishing a semi-permanent or permanent presence on the Moon would give astronauts an opportunity to work and live in an environment radically different from Earth."

Prepared statements: Witnesses: Douglas Cooke, Steven Squyres, Paul Spudis, Louis Friedman

Prepared statements: members: Rep. Steven Palazzo,
Rep. Lamar Smith, Rep. Donna Edwards, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnsons

FAA Closer to Allowing Orion To Return to Earth

2013-05-21T15:18:24Z

FAA Reentry License to Lockheed Martin Corp. for Reentry of Orion MPCV From Earth Orbit to a Location in the Pacific

"In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA; 42 United States Code 4321 et seq.), Council on Environmental Quality NEPA implementing regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations parts 1500 to 1508), and FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, the FAA is announcing the availability of the ROD to issue a reentry license to Lockheed Martin Corporation for the reentry of the Orion MPCV from Earth orbit to a location in the Pacific Ocean."

FAA Requirements for Crew and Space Flight Participants

2013-05-21T15:17:34Z

FAA: Human Space Flight Requirements for Crew and Space Flight Participants

"The FAA has established requirements for human space flight of crew and space flight participants as required by the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004. The information collected is used by the FAA, a licensee or permittee, a space flight participant, or a crew member. The FAA uses the information related to public safety to ensure that a launch or reentry operation involving a human on board a vehicle will meet the risk criteria and requirements with regard to ensuring public safety."

Remembering - and Honoring - Sally Ride

2013-05-21T00:19:24Z

Sally Ride National Tribute at Kennedy Center Tonight

"NASA and Sally Ride Science are inviting journalists to tonight's "Sally Ride: A Lifetime of Accomplishment, A Champion of Science Literacy," a national tribute to America's first woman in space. The special event will be held at the Concert Hall of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts."

President Obama Announces Sally Ride as a Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom

"Today, President Barack Obama announced he will award a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom to Dr. Sally Ride, the first American female astronaut to travel to space. The Medal of Freedom is the Nation's highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."

NASA and The White House Pay Tribute to Sally Ride

"The president announced Monday afternoon Ride will be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony at the White House later this year. The Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."

Dealing With Pluto's Debris

2013-05-20T23:33:40Z

The PI's Perspective: Encounter Planning Accelerates, JHUAPL

"We've now largely completed that work and presented the results to both an independent, NASA-appointed technical review team, led by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Keyur Patel, and then to senior executives at NASA Headquarters. Both groups have concurred with our findings..."

Keith's note: I would have posted this news earlier but both SwRI and JHUAPL simply refuse to place me on their media distribution lists (yes, I have asked more than once). In addition, NASA SMD has not issued anything on this either. That is not surprising given their foot dragging in response to my last request on this topic.

NASA Finally Responds To Simple Questions About the New Horizons Mission to Pluto (January 2013) earlier post

"Three months ago I asked the NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) some simple questions regarding possible changes to the New Horizons encounter with Pluto based on recent data indicating debris in the region. I was told that I'd get a prompt reply. SMD PAO finally got around to responding to me today after three months of silence. One would think that these answers would be simple to provide - and based on standard mission operating procedures. Guess not."

Will NASA Have To 'Bail Out' On Close Pluto Encounter?, (October 2012)

Another NASA Technology Data Dump No One Will Know About

2013-05-20T15:16:01Z

Keith's note: NASA just loves to tell everyone about its spinoffs, commercial applications, tech transfer, and the ways that the private sector uses things developed at NASA. As such, you'd think that they'd tell people as soon as they learn of yet another spinoff or tech transfer opportunity. Not at all. NASA's Patent Counsel, Office of the Chief Counsel sits on these things and issues them all at once in one big batch via the Federal Register.

Have a look at what they dumped into the Federal Register for 20 May 2013 (below). How long has some of this stuff gathered dust in someone's in box waiting for a stamp of approval? NASA now has hundreds of millions of dollars proposed for the Space Technology Mission Directorate. Maybe they can speed this process up a bit? Is there going to be any mention at their home page? Doubtful. At NASA Tech Briefs Doubtful. I forget: what is it that they do anyway?. Do the Space Tech guys ever tweet about these notices? Send out a newsletter? An email?

Several of these notices make mention of http://technology.nasa.gov/ (NASA Technology Transfer Portal) the vast majority of these notices do not even bother to mention a link to NASA. This portal makes no mention of these Federal Register notices. http://www.nasa.gov/topics/technology/ doesn't mention things such as these Federal Register notices either. And the Langley -hosted Technology Gateway is totally out of date in addition to making no mention of things like this. Of course, it is also confusing to have so many places at NASA.gov purporting to do the same thing - but that is standard procedure at NASA.

- Uncoordinated Technology Transfer at NASA, earlier post
- Dysfunctional Technology Efforts at Langley (Update), earlier post
- More Stealth NASA Spinoffs (2nd Update), earlier post
- Stealth NASA Spinoff Day on the Hill

Keith's note: Federal Register Notice postings below:

New Technology highlighted in red.

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 97 (Monday, May 20, 2013)] [Notices] [Page 29390] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2013-11937]

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice (13-045)]

Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive License.

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Grant Exclusive License.

SUMMARY: This notice is issued in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209(e) and 37 CFR 404.7(a)(1)(i). NASA hereby gives notice of its intent to grant an exclusive, license in the United States to practice the invention described and claimed in U.S. Patent Application No. 13/827,457; NASA Case No. KSC-13265-CIP entitled ``Inductive Position Sensor,'' to Juntura Group Inc., having its principal place of business at 5326 Tattinger Lane, Oviedo, FL 32765. The patent rights in this invention have been assigned to the United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The prospective exclusive license will comply with the terms and conditions of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7.

DATES: The prospective exclusive license may be granted unless, within fifteen (15) days from the date of this published notice, NASA receives written objections including evidence and argument that establish that the grant of the license would not be consistent with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7. Competing applications completed and received by NASA within fifteen (15) days of the date of this published notice will also be treated as objections to the grant of the contemplated exclusive license.

Objections submitted in response to this notice will not be made available to the public for inspection and, to the extent permitted by law, will not be released under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552.

ADDRESSES: Objections relating to the prospective license may be submitted to Patent Counsel, Office of the Chief Counsel, Mail Code CC- A, NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899. Telephone: 321-867-7214; Facsimile: 321-867-1817.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Randall M. Heald, Patent Counsel, Office of the Chief Counsel, Mail Code CC-A, NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899. Telephone: 321-867-7214; Facsimile: 321-867-1817. Information about other NASA inventions available for licensing can be found online at http://technology.nasa.gov/.

Sumara M. Thompson-King, Deputy General Counsel. [FR Doc. 2013-11937 Filed 5-17-13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7510-13-P

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 97 (Monday, May 20, 2013)] [Notices] [Pages 29389-29390] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2013-11936]

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice (13-044)]

Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive License

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Grant Exclusive License.

SUMMARY: This notice is issued in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209(e) and 37 CFR 404.7(a)(1)(i). NASA hereby gives notice of its intent to grant an exclusive, license in the United States to practice the invention described and claimed in U.S. Patent Application No. 12/961,344; NASA Case No. KSC-13265 entitled ``Inductive Position Sensor,'' to Juntura Group Inc., having its principal place of business at 5326 Tattinger Lane, Oviedo, FL 32765. The patent rights in this invention have been assigned to the United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The prospective exclusive license will comply with the terms and conditions of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7.

Sumara M. Thompson-King, Deputy General Counsel. [FR Doc. 2013-11936 Filed 5-17-13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7510-13-P

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 97 (Monday, May 20, 2013)] [Notices] [Page 29389] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2013-11938]

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice (13-046)]

Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive License

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Grant Exclusive License.

SUMMARY: This notice is issued in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209(e) and 37 CFR 404.7(a)(1)(i). NASA hereby gives notice of its intent to grant an exclusive, license in the United States to practice the invention described and claimed in U.S. Patent Application No. 61/781,222; NASA Case No. KSC-13771 entitled ``Inductive Position Sensor Assemblies,'' to Juntura Group Inc., having its principal place of business at 5326 Tattinger Lane, Oviedo, FL 32765. The patent rights in this invention have been assigned to the United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The prospective exclusive license will comply with the terms and conditions of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7.

Sumara M. Thompson-King, Deputy General Counsel. [FR Doc. 2013-11938 Filed 5-17-13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7510-13-P

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 97 (Monday, May 20, 2013)] [Notices] [Pages 29388-29389] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2013-11947]

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice (13-059)]

Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive License

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Grant Exclusive License.

SUMMARY: This notice is issued in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209(e) and 37 CFR 404.7(a)(1)(i). NASA hereby gives notice of its intent to grant an exclusive license in the United States to practice the inventions described and claimed in USPN 8,338,114, Engineering Human Broncho- Epithelial Tissue-Like Assemblies, NASA Case No. MSC-24164-1; US Patent Application Serial Number 12/899,815, Modifying the Genetic Regulation of Bone and Cartilage Cells and Associated Tissue by EMF Stimulation Fields and Uses Thereof, NASA Case No. MSC-24541-1; and US Patent Application Serial Number 13/859,180, Alternating Ionic Magnetic Resonance (AIMR) Multiple-Chambered Culture Apparatus, NASA Case No. MSC-25545-1; and US Patent Application Serial Number 13/859,206, Methods for Culturing Cells in an Alternating Ionic Magnetic Resonance (AIMR) Multiple-Chambered Culture Apparatus, NASA Case No. MSC-25633-1, to GRoK Technologies, LLC, having its principal place of business in Houston, Texas. The patent rights in these inventions have been assigned to the United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The prospective exclusive license will comply with the terms and conditions of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7.

DATES: The prospective exclusive license may be granted unless within fifteen (15) days from the date of this published notice, NASA receives written objections including evidence and argument that establish that the grant of the license would not be consistent with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7. Competing applications completed and received by NASA within fifteen (15) days of the date of this published notice will also be treated as objections to the grant of the contemplated exclusive license.

ADDRESSES: Objections relating to the prospective license may be submitted to Patent Counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, NASA Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Texas 77058, Mail Code AL; Phone (281) 483-3021; Fax (281) 483-6936.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ted Ro, Intellectual Property Attorney, Office of Chief Counsel, NASA Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Texas 77058, Mail Code AL; Phone (281) 244-7148; Fax (281) 483-6936. Information about other NASA inventions available for licensing can be found online at http://technology.nasa.gov/.

Sumara M. Thompson-King, Deputy General Counsel. [FR Doc. 2013-11947 Filed 5-17-13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7510-13-P

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 97 (Monday, May 20, 2013)] [Notices] [Page 29388] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2013-11942]

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice (13-054)]

Government-Owned Inventions, Available for Licensing

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Inventions for Licensing.

SUMMARY: Patent applications on the inventions listed below assigned to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, have been filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and are available for licensing.

DATES: May 20, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan A. Geurts, Patent Counsel, Goddard Space Flight Center, Mail Code 140.1, Greenbelt, MD 20771-0001; telephone (301) 286-7351; fax (301) 286-9502.

- NASA Case No.: GSC-16301-1: Impedance Matched to Vacuum, Invisible-Edge Diffraction Suppressed Mirror.

Sumara M. Thompson-King, Deputy General Counsel. [FR Doc. 2013-11942 Filed 5-17-13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7510-13-P

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 97 (Monday, May 20, 2013)] [Notices] [Page 29388] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2013-11939]

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice (13-047)]

Government-Owned Inventions, Available for Licensing

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Inventions for Licensing.

SUMMARY: The inventions listed below assigned to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, have been filed in the United States Patent and Trademark office, and are available for licensing.

DATES: May 20, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward K. Fein, Patent Counsel, Johnson Space Center, Mail Code AL, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058, (281) 483-4871; (281) 483-6936 [Facsimile].

- NASA Case No.: MSC-23988-2: Micro-Organ Device.

Sumara M. Thompson-King, Deputy General Counsel. [FR Doc. 2013-11939 Filed 5-17-13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7510-13-P

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 97 (Monday, May 20, 2013)] [Notices] [Page 29388] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2013-11940]

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice (13-052)]

Government-Owned Inventions, Available for Licensing

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Inventions for Licensing. SUMMARY: Patent applications on the inventions listed below assigned to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, have been filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and are available for licensing.

DATES: May 20, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert M. Padilla, Patent Counsel, Ames Research Center, Code 202A-4, Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000; telephone (650) 604-5104; fax (650) 604-2767.

- NASA Case No.: ARC-16833-1: Flight Deck Predictive Weather Display and Decision Support Interface;

- NASA Case No.: ARC-16337-1: Method and Device for Biometric Subject Verification and Identification Based Upon Electrocardiographic Signals;

- NASA Case No.: ARC 16812-1: Graphene Composite Materials for Supercapacitor Electrodes;

- NASA Case No.: ARC 16372-1: Inexpensive Cooling Systems for Devices;

- NASA Case No.: ARC 16732-1: NanoSat Launch Adapter System (NLAS).

Sumara M. Thompson-King, Deputy General Counsel. [FR Doc. 2013-11940 Filed 5-17-13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7510-13-P

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 97 (Monday, May 20, 2013)] [Notices] [Pages 29387-29388] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2013-11945]

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice (13-057)]

Government-Owned Inventions, Available for Licensing

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Inventions for Licensing.

DATES: May 20, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robin W. Edwards, Patent Counsel, Langley Research Center, Mail Stop 30, Hampton, VA 23681-2199; telephone (757) 864-3230; fax (757) 864-9190.

- NASA Case No.: LAR-18246-1: Tethered Vehicle Control and Tracking System;

- NASA Case No.: LAR-17848-1: Method of Mapping Anomalies in Homogenous Material;

- NASA Case No.: LAR-18090-1: Fluidic Oscillator Having Decoupled Frequency and Amplitude Control;

- NASA Case No.: LAR-18301-1: Flap Edge Noise Reduction Fins;

- NASA Case No.: LAR-17636-1: Space Vehicle Heat Shield Having Edgewise Strips of Ablative Material;

- NASA Case No.: LAR-18166-1: Reactive Orthotropic Lattice Diffuser for Noise Reduction;

- NASA Case No.: LAR-17317-2: Extreme Low Frequency Acoustic Measurement System;

-NASA Case No.: LAR-18204-1: Quasi-Static Electric Field Generator;

- NASA Case No.: LAR-18131-1: Puncture-Healing Thermoplastic Resin Carbon-Fiber Reinforced Composites;

- NASA Case No.: LAR-18089-1: Fluidic Oscillator Array for Synchronized Oscillating Jet Generation;

- NASA Case No.: LAR-18217-1: A Graphical Acoustic Liner Design and Analysis Tool;

- NASA Case No.: LAR-18267-1: Method and System for Physiologically Modulating Action Role-playing Open World Video Games and Simulations Which Use Gesture and Body Image Sensing Control Input Devices;

- NASA Case No.: LAR-18211-1: A Statistically Based Approach to Broadband Liner Design and Assessment;

- NASA Case No.: LAR-18183-1: Height Control and Deposition Measurement for the Electron Beam Free Form Fabrication (EBF3) Process;

- NASA Case No.: LAR-17887-1: Ultrasonic Device for Assessing the Quality of a Wire Crimp;

- NASA Case No.: LAR-17947-1: Linear Fresnel Spectrometer Chip with Gradient Line Grating;

- NASA Case No.: LAR-18144-1: Method and System for Physiologically Modulating Videogames and Simulations Which Use Gesture and Body Image Sensing Control Input Devices;

- NASA Case No.: LAR-18179-1: Processing Device for High-Speed Execution of an xRISC Computer Program.

Sumara M. Thompson-King, Deputy General Counsel. [FR Doc. 2013-11945 Filed 5-17-13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7510-13-P

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 97 (Monday, May 20, 2013)] [Notices] [Page 29387] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2013-11943]

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice (13-055)]

Government-Owned Inventions, Available for Licensing

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Inventions for Licensing.

DATES: May 20, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark W. Homer, Patent Counsel, NASA Management Office--JPL, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Mail Stop 180-200, Pasadena, CA 91109; telephone (818) 354-7770.

- NASA Case No.: NPO-48413-1: Multi-Gb/s Laser Communications Terminal for Mini-Spacecraft;

- NASA Case No.: NPO-48539-1: Neutral Mounting of Whispering Gallery Mode Resonators for Suppression of Acceleration-Induced Frequency Fluctuations;

- NASA Case No.: DRC-012-011: System and Method for Air Launch From a Towed Aircraft;

- NASA Case No.: DRC-012-005: Method and Apparatus of Multiplexing and Acquiring Data from Multiple Optical Fibers using a Single Data Channel of an Optical Frequency-Domain Reflectrometry (OFDR) System;

- NASA Case No.: DRC-012-006: Cryogenic Liquid Level Sensor Apparatus and Method;

- NASA Case No.: DRC-011-002: Magneto-Optic Field Coupling in Optical Fiber Bragg Gratings.

Sumara M. Thompson-King, Deputy General Counsel. [FR Doc. 2013-11943 Filed 5-17-13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7510-13-P

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 97 (Monday, May 20, 2013)] [Notices] [Page 29387] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2013-11944]

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice (13-056)]

Government-Owned Inventions, Available for Licensing

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Inventions for Licensing.

SUMMARY: The inventions listed below assigned to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, has been filed in the United States Patent and Trademark office, and are available for licensing.

DATES: May 20, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward K. Fein, Patent Counsel, Johnson Space Center, Mail Code AL, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058, (281)483-4871; (281) 483-6936 [Facsimile].

- NASA Case No.: MSC-24798-1: Soft Decision Analyzer and Method;

- NASA Case No.: MSC-24919-1: Systems and Methods for RFID-Enables Information Collection;

- NASA Case No.: MSC-25632-1: Robot Task Commander with Extensible Programming Environment;

- NASA Case No.: MSC-25604-1: Systems and Methods for RFID-Enabled Dispenser;

- NASA Case No.: MSC-25313-1: Hydrostatic Hyperbaric Apparatus and Method;

- NASA Case No.: MSC-25265-1: Device and Method and for Digital-to-Analog Transformation and Reconstruction of Multi-channel Electrocardiograms;

- NASA Case No.: MSC-24813-1: Preparation System and Method;

- NASA Case No: MSC-25590-1: Systems and Methods for RFID-Enabled Pressure Sensing Apparatus;

- NASA Case No.: MSC-25605-1: Switch Using Radio Frequency Identification.

Sumara M. Thompson-King, Deputy General Counsel. [FR Doc. 2013-11944 Filed 5-17-13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7510-13-P

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 97 (Monday, May 20, 2013)] [Notices] [Pages 29386-29387] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2013-11941]

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice (13-053)]

Government-Owned Inventions, Available for Licensing

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Inventions for Licensing.

DATES: May 20, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert H. Earp, III, Patent Attorney, Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field, Code 21-14, Cleveland, OH 44135; telephone (216) 433-5754; fax (216) 433-6790.

- NASA Case No.: LEW-18789-1: Method to Increase Performance of Foil Bearings Through Passive Thermal Management;

- NASA Case No.: LEW-18636-2: A Source Coupled N Channel JFET Based Digital Logic Gate Structure Using Resistive Level Shifters and Having Direct Application to High Temperature Silicon Carbide Electronics;

- NASA Case No.: LEW-18789-PCT: Method to Increase Performance of Foil Bearings Through Passive Thermal Management;

- NASA Case No.: LEW-18942-1: Adaptive Phase Delay Generator;

- NASA Case No.: LEW-18887-1: Fuzzy Neuron: Method and Hardware Realization;

- NASA Case No.: LEW-18816-1: High Speed Edge Detecting Circuit for Use with Linear Image Sensor;

- NASA Case No.: LEW-18717-2: A Novel Wideband GaN MMIC Distributed Amplifier Based Microwave Power Module for Space Communications, Navigation, and Radar;

- NASA Case No.: LEW-18594-2: Thermomechanical Methodology for Stabilizing Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Response;

- NASA Case No.: LEW-18768-1: Processing of Nanosensors Using a Sacrificial Template Approach.

Sumara M. Thompson-King, Deputy General Counsel. [FR Doc. 2013-11941 Filed 5-17-13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7510-13-P

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 97 (Monday, May 20, 2013)] [Notices] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2013-11946]

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice (13-058)]

Government-Owned Inventions, Available for Licensing

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Inventions for Licensing.

DATES: May 20, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James J. McGroary, Patent Counsel, Marshall Space Flight Center, Mail Code LS01, Huntsville, AL 35812; telephone (256) 544-0013; fax (256) 544-0258.

- NASA Case No.: MFS-32612-1-CIP: Safety System for Controlling Fluid Flow Into a Suction Line;

- NASA Case No.: MFS-32830-1-DIV: Friction and Wear Modifiers Using Solvent Partitioning of Hydrophilic Surface-Interactive Chemicals Contained in Boundary Layer-Targeted Emulsions;

- NASA Case No.: MFS-32744-1: Interconnect Device and Assemblies Made Therewith.

Sumara M. Thompson-King, Deputy General Counsel. [FR Doc. 2013-11946 Filed 5-17-13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7510-13-P

Senate Hearing on Partnerships to Advance the Business of Space

2013-05-19T17:08:10Z

Prepared Statement by Wayne Hale

"Poised on the cusp of these new systems, we run the risk of being penny wise and pound foolish as we make the same mistake that doomed the space shuttle to much higher cost operations: starving a spacecraft development program in the name of saving a few pennies for today's budget bottom line resulting in the compromised systems that, if they fly at all, will not be cheap enough to enable business in space."

- Prepared Statement by Steven Collicott
- Prepared Statement by Patti Grace Smith
- Prepared Statement by Michael Lopez-Alegria

NLRB Rules Against JPL on HSPD-12 Actions

2013-05-18T03:54:47Z

Caltech Faulted for Unfair Labor Practices at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

"National Labor Relations Board Administrative Law Judge William G. Kocol has found the California Institute of Technology engaged in unfair labor practices at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA. Caltech administers JPL under contract with NASA. In 2011, Caltech issued letters of highest level disciplinary reprimand to five JPL employees because they used JPL's internal email system to discuss the implications of a recent Supreme Court ruling on the working conditions at JPL. The five employees had been plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case."

Full NLRB decision (worth reading by all NASA employees)

"I reject JPL's contention that it had no choice but to comply with NASA's directives. I start by pointing out that HSPD 12 was not specific as to how the Government was to implement the directive. Other departments in the Government, according to the employees, implemented it a manner less invasive of the privacy of their employees. And the NASA badging requirements morphed and evolved, apparently in response to the concerns voiced by 30 the employees. Finally, there is no evidence that JPL itself could not have sought to influence NASA to address some of the concerns of its employees. NASA and JPL chose the manner in which they implemented HSPD 12 and some employees concertedly complained and sought to change it. The employees have a Section 7 right to do so."

"By issuing written warnings to Robert Nelson, Dennis Byrnes, Scott Maxwell, Larry D'Addario, and William Bruce Banerdt because they engaged in protected, concerted activities, the Respondent has engaged in unfair labor practices affecting commerce within the meaning of Section 8(a)(1) and Section 2(6) and (7) of the Act. Having found that the Respondent has engaged in certain unfair labor practices, I shall order it to cease and desist therefrom and to take certain affirmative action designed to effectuate the policies of the Act."

Keith's note: Of course NASA and JPL will appeal this decision. It would be interesting to see how much they will pay the lawyers (and who pays for those lawyers) who seek to oppose the rights of employees.

Previous postings on HSPD-12