A critical role

Jose Paul Corona

While the astronauts at Cape Canaveral, Fla., were preparing for the

launch of the space shuttle Endeavour, another group of astronauts was in

Huntington Beach.

The astronaut crew from the space shuttle Atlantis, which flew to the

International Space Stations in April, were at the Boeing plant in

Huntington Beach last week, thanking the defense contractor’s employees

for all of their hard work.

The Atlantis crew’s mission involved installing a critical piece of

hardware called a truss structure to the International Space Station.

The truss structure, which serves as a type of railway that is used to

transport and move other systems, was designed and built at Boeing’s

Huntington Beach plant and was prepared for launch in Florida, said

Boeing spokesman Larry Salazar.

NASA mission specialists Rex J. Walheim described it as a “huge

portion of hardware,” when he addressed the employees who had gathered to

hear him and the rest of the crew speak.

All seven crew members from mission STS-110 addressed a large group of

Boeing employee and discussed the mission. Boeing employees were also

able to ask the astronauts questions about their mission.

After the morning reception Walheim and mission specialists Ellen

Ochoa addressed a smaller group of employees and presented them with the

Silver Snoopy Awards. A total of three groups were presented with awards.

The Silver Snoopy Awards are given to teams of employees and

individuals for their outstanding efforts that contributed to the success

of human space flight missions.

Management and co-workers submit nominations.

Peanuts creator Charles Schulz drew the image of Snoopy on the Silver

Snoopy Award himself. The award given is in the form of a small pin that

has actually traveled in the space shuttle with the flight crew before it

is given to the recipient.

Award recipients are also given a framed certificate and letter of

commendation that is personally signed by an astronaut.

Sheldon S. Lee was one award recipient that wasn’t very surprised when

his name was called.

“I had some idea [I was getting an award],” Lee said.

Prior to the meeting, Lee noticed that his co-workers were acting very

strangely and they made sure to emphasize that he had to be at the

meeting.

Lee’s wife and 5-year-old son clapped excitedly when Walheim called

out his name.

Mark Sisson a senior principal engineer also received an award and he

was equally honored but also not surprised.

Sisson said that he will soon be transferring to Boeing’s Anaheim

office.

* JOSE PAUL CORONA covers City Hall and education. He can be reached

at (714) 965-7173 or by e-mail at o7 jose.cororna@latimes.com.f7