Another award...

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you as a recipient of a 2002 NASA Space Act Award. I am pleased to tell you that the The Information Sciences and Technology Directorate management and employee staff would like to honor you at an awards ceremony on Thursday, June 6...

Recognition is nice, although they've taken their time about this one... and the award check won't hurt, either, although it will probably only be a few hundred this time.

Otherwise, back to proposal-writing for a new Astrobiology program... I am writing a drilling automation proposal as the PI, and also have fingers in two other proposals (Mars analog sites, Mars helicopter rover).

The latter is a baby of mine... I'm not the lead, but it was my original idea 5 years ago within NASA, when everyone else was contemplating a "Mars airplane" or ground rovers. A rotorcraft can hover, pick up specimens, and return to a platform for recharging and multiple sorties. My idea was pooh-poohed at the time as aerodynamically unlikely, but the helicopter research guys here jumped on the idea and 5 years later now have a viable concept and working prototypes.

Happy smile...

After several phone calls and a talk with Pat, all is clear for Nancy to visit here this weekend (while Pat is out of town)! I'm excited :-). I'm planning to take her to eeyore74's party on Saturday, hang out with the kids during the day on Saturday and Sunday, and together while the kids are in school Monday. For Friday night I need suggestions... aah. (big grin)

Of course, now I'll have to frantically houseclean...

Otherwise, I have a new employee L, who began work today... lots of introduction and orientation. L and I will have to share a smallish office for the next 2 weeks. This should be interesting...