Ares Quarterly Progress Report Team Earns NASA Group Achievement Award

The small steps and giant leaps leading to the next chapters in America’s space exploration are being carefully documented nationwide on High-Definition Television, scripted into concise programs, and packaged into multimedia presentations. Called Ares Quarterly Progress Reports, the programs highlight accomplishments made by NASA’s Ares Projects Office, which is developing the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle and is designing the Ares V Cargo Launch Vehicle.

The fifth episode in this ongoing series of progress reports was released this past summer, and on November 30th, the team responsible garnered a prestigious NASA Group Achievement Award.

NASA Group Achievement Award Winners Shown are some of the team members who earned a NASA Group Achievement Award for their work on the fifth episode of the Ares Quarterly Progress Report.  From left-to-right are  Christopher “Dusty” Hood, George Baker, Sarah Milligan, Greg Trent, Rachel Evans, Dawn Lyons, Anthony Orton, Debbie Solomon, NASA presenter Bob Armstrong, Shari Edwards, Camille Sevier, Carver Myhand, Lee Erickson, James Bilbrey, Alvin Lowery, and Robert Moder.

In part, the award reads, “for superior teamwork in the creation of the Ares Quarterly Progress Report #5.”

The commendation was signed September 12, 2007, by Marshall Space Flight Center Director David King, and was presented at a ceremony on Friday, November 30, by Marshall’s Ares Projects Office Director Steve Cook.

“I think this is a very outstanding group of people,” said the Ares Projects Office’s Bob Armstrong, who initiated the award for the production team.

“They took a very complex process, and made, not just one, but two very compelling video products. One is a five minute, narrated video for the general public. The other was used by Steve Cook in his presentation to the Exploration Systems Missions Directorate quarterly review. These videos are showing that we are doing a lot to make the future of space exploration happen. We are now doing real testing with real hardware,” said Armstrong.

The Marshall Space Flight Center’s UNITeS contract and the Office of Strategic Analysis and Communications teamed up for the project. The individuals involved include: George Baker, James Bilbrey, Martin Burkey, Tyson Eason, Shari Edwards, Lee Erickson, Dusty Hood, Bart Leahy , Alvin Lowery, Dawn Lyons, Tracy McMahan, Sarah Milligan, Robert Moder, Carver Myhand, Anthony Orton, Bruce Shelton, Jason Shoemate, Camille Sevier, Holly Snow, Debbie Solomon, Sherrie Super, Greg Trent, and Terry White.

The sixth episode in the Ares Quarterly Progress Report series has already been completed, and the seventh installment is currently in production.

“As for the quality, they just keep getting better all of the time,” said Armstrong.

November 30, 2007

Marshall TV Broadcasts ISS Crew Visit

International Space Station astronauts Michael Lopez-Alegria and Sunita Williams are two of a very select few people who have ever lived and worked in space for months at a time. The chance to hear them share their experiences and adventures filled Morris Auditorium with members of the Marshall Community and busloads of students. For those who could not attend in person, Marshall Television broadcast the event LIVE Centerwide.

International Space Station astronauts Michael Lopez-Alegria and Sunita Williams speak at Marshall’s Morris Auditorium. (Photo by David Higginbotham / UNITeS)

The astronauts narrated a video of mission highlights, and took questions from the audience. A majority of those questions came from mesmerized students.

One wide-eyed, ten year old asked Williams to comment about the future of space flight. Williams told the girl she just may have the opportunity to go to the Moon. That possibility may be more likely for youngsters today than it has been in generations.

During the broadcast of the astronaut visit, Marshall TV’s Alvin Lowery operates one of the cameras at the event, while Mick Speer serves as floor director. (Photo by David Higginbotham / UNITeS)

Marshall TV’s Bill Hubscher produced the broadcast. The production team included Lee Erickson, Rachel Evans, Alvin Lowery, Carver Myhand, Mick Speer, Dusty Hood, Gerald Shelley, Robert Drake, and Christina Douglas. 

For more information about these astronauts and their missions:

- Astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria Bio
http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/lopez-al.html

- Astronaut Sunita Williams Bio
http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/williams-s.html

October 23, 2007

Marshall TV Shines With Trio of High-Profile Projects On Same (Red Letter) Day

Monday, October 22nd, 2007 was a red letter day (and night) for Marshall Television Services as they supported three major, and extremely high-profile events.

NASA Administrator Mike Griffin gives the keynote address at the 2007 Wernher von Braun Awards Dinner. This was one of three separate high-profile events supported by Marshall Television Services on the same day. (Photo by David Higginbotham / UNITeS)

It began with an All-Hands meeting during which NASA Administrator Mike Griffin and Marshall Center Director Dave King answered a variety of questions from the Marshall community. The event was carried LIVE Centerwide by Marshall Television Services.

Marshall TV’s Camille Sevier produced the multi-camera coverage, which went off without a hitch. The production team included Lee Erickson, Sarah Milligan, Dusty Hood, Gerald Shelley, and Richard McWhorter.

At about the same time, Marshall TV documented a presentation at the National Space Science and Technology Center as part of the Distinguished Lecturer Series.

The speaker was Dr. Andrew Steele of the Carnegie Institution in Washington, D.C.  Dr. Steele’s lecture was titled “From the Artic, to the Space Station, To Mars – Science and Exploration – The Journey Has Just Begun”. Dr. Steele is a key member of the NASA astrobiology and solar system exploration community and an internationally recognized expert in the detection of microbial life.
Videographer Alvin Lowery single-handedly documented the ninety minute presentation.

That evening, the Marshall TV team supported the 2007 Annual Von Braun Awards. CNN anchor/reporter Miles O’Brien served as master of ceremonies, and NASA Administrator Mike Griffin was the keynote speaker. The awards recipients were X-Prize CEO Dr. Peter Diamandis (Von Braun Space Flight Trophy,) film legend George Lucas (Media Award,) U.S. Space & Rocket Center founder and author Ed Buckbee (Community Award,) the Gravity Probe-B Team (Engineering Award,) and Hokes Bluff, Alabama teacher Suzette Tommie (Aerospace Educator Award.)

Marshall TV’s Robert Moder led the production team which included Curtis Bishop, James Bilbrey, Tyson Eason, Rachel Evans, Alvin Lowery, and Lee Erickson. Using Marshall TV’s production truck, the team documented the multi-camera event, and integrated pre-produced videos into the ceremony.

Preparation for the awards event began weeks before as the TV team researched, wrote,  produced, and edited five two-minute videos introducing the various winners. Although George Lucas did not attend, Marshall TV worked closely with LucasFilms, Ltd. to secure needed photos and clips from “Star Wars.” LucasFilms, Ltd., previewed the script and the finished video, and replied: “It looks great!”

Rachel Evans, Robert Moder, Mike Arrington, and Shari Edwards worked on the introductory videos project.

“I am always impressed with the fact that this team consistently excels when they are really put to the test,” said Marshall Television Services manager George Baker. “That was a very challenging day, and the team’s performance was outstanding!”

Despite the extremely eventful and successful day that spanned about 14 hours, there was no time for the team to rest on their laurels. The following morning heralded the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on the STS-120 mission, and several other major projects were scheduled for later that same week.

September 12, 2007

Marshall TV Provides Live Centerwide Coverage of Congressional Visit

Two U.S. Representatives who are strong advocates for America’s space program visited Marshall on September 12, 2007, and brought an update that dealt with steady progress, and potential challenges in the years ahead.

The All-Hands update came from Huntsville’s own 5th District U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer, and U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon of Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District.

The address took place in Marshall’s Morris Auditorium, and was broadcast LIVE to the Center by Marshall Television Services.

Camille Sevier produced the one hour program. She praised the TV team for their “outstanding professionalism.” That team included Carver Myhand, Gerald Shelley, Lee Erickson, Mick Speer, Alvin Lowery, and Robert Drake.

U.S. Representatives (left to right) Bart Gordon (TN) and Bud Cramer (AL) address Marshall employees. (Photo by Emmett Given)

June 28, 2007

HTSI’s Marshall Space Flight Center Television, Imaging & Test Area Teams Earn Prestigious NASA Award

The Honeywell Technical Solutions, Inc. (HTSI) team working on the UNITeS contract at the Marshall Space Flight Center garnered three annual NASA awards for their Television, Imaging, and Test Area support.

Marshall Television Services earned the prestigious honor for producing the “Focus on Marshall” broadcast and streaming video series. Debuting in April, 2006, the monthly show informs the Marshall and NASA communities about important capabilities here. The team has also produced program segments at the Kennedy Space Center and the Michoud Assembly Facility.

Members of three HTSI teams at the Marshall Space Flight Center garnered NASA Group Achievement Awards. Among those were Marshall Television Services' "Focus on Marshall" team. Shown here (left-to-right) are Bob Moder, George Baker, Bill Hubscher, Lee Erickson, and Christopher Hood. (Photo by David Higginbotham, UNITeS/HTSI)

The Marshall TV team members included in the award are George Baker, Robert Moder, Bill Hubscher, Carver Myhand, Tyson Eason, Lee Erickson, Christopher Hood, and Robert Drake.

“It is great to get an award for something you enjoy so much,” said Moder. “It really is fun to produce this program, and to work with such a great team. We’ve consistently gotten great comments from our clients.”

Imaging Services photographer David Higginbotham was named in another NASA Group Achievement Award for his photographic support of the April 19th,2006 Open House at the Michoud Assembly Facility. The event highlighted the value -- to NASA, Louisiana and the nation -- of the Michoud complex, where contractors manufacture, assemble and process the space shuttle External Tank. Elements of the Constellation program are also slated to be built at the Michoud Facility.

"I am very proud of all of these award recipients," said manager George Baker. "The awards are indicative of their overall professionalism, and dedication to customer satisfaction.”

In addition to the group achievement Awards, UNITeS/HTSI Data Administrator Sherry Martin received individual honors for her support of Marshall’s Liquid Engine & Main Propulsion System Branch

The commendation read: “For outstanding dedication, personal sacrifice, technical contributions and leadership as the sole interface to all of the propulsion data system customers, both on-site and off-site, ensuring the real time and post test/flight data system and the real-time video/audio systems are operating flawlessly in support of all propulsion ground tests and flight. She provides all data system users with the data and software necessary to analyze the performance of propulsion systems ranging from small component tests to engine acceptance for flight. She ensures the data is available and is always on call to address issues.”

All of the awards were officially presented at the Marshall Center’s Honors Awards Ceremony on June 28th.