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A Reston Communications Publication © Copyright 1996-2001 All Rights Reserved WARNING! This is not a NASA Website. You might learn something.  Note: This is an editorial cartoon and parody of the old and new NASA logos and is not meant to imply or assert any NASA Affilliation with NASA Watch - or Worm Watch - as if anyone in their right mind would ever make such a silly assumption! |
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NASA WATCH WORM WATCH Yes, this whole thing is silly. That's the point, Dan. |
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 Worm Sightings [photos of worms sighted at NASA] |
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Introduction: Dan's Worm Eradication Program |
Editor's note: Dan Goldin seems to be obsessed with eradicating any evidence of the old NASA - as symbolized by the worm logo. I have received eyewitness reports of Dan's visible anger at seeing the worm still in place in some parts of NASA. The most notable was an all-out tempter tantrum thrown by Dan at KSC when a NASA van sporting the worm logo pulled up to the runway to greet Dan just after his private jet touched down. In early 1997, NASA Watch learned that KSC was under an emergency worm eradication action per direction from Dan. A recent visit to KSC brought FIRM orders to (then) KSC center director Honeycutt to immediately remove all traces of the old NASA worm logo. In the weeks to follow we uncovered many examples of the old NASA worm logo still in place at NASA. Some of these sightings resulted in the pesky worms being eradicated. Others have resisted Dan's relentless assault. What follows is a collection of NASA worm logos, many of which were sent to NASA Watch by a faithful team of worm watchers spread out across NASA.
This is getting to be a bit like Captain Ahab and the whale, isn't it Dan? Just what are you trying to erase anyway? |
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Worms in the News |
 Editor's note: I have gotten several dozen emails asking me why I haven't made note of prominent NASA imagery of the HST showing its large (but peeling) NASA worm logo. So here it is. Somehow, 'worm watching' isn't as much fun now that Dan is gone. Of course, when the HST is returned to Earth it will end up in the Smithsonian. At that point I am certain the peeling worm will be returned to its former glory.
"The Texas Cavaliers, Miss Texas, a model NASA shuttle from Houston and mariachi players helped put the Lone Star state front and center in President Bush's inaugural parade Saturday." Editor's note: The space shuttle float was covered with NASA Worm Logos ....
Editor's note: If you visit the official website for this James Garner/Clint Eastwood/Tommy Lee Jones/Donald Sutherland geezernaut flick you'll see the worm logo rather prominenty placed. Based upon the image gallery on this site, the worm seems to make regular appearances throughout the movie. I guess Dan Goldin won't be at the premiere...
"1) The TDRSS Rocket was on the pad this past week and looked like a NASCAR. We got some crapola on this end. The bottom line is that the Meatball should be the only symbol on the rocket along with maybe a typed name (such as exists on the Shuttle). Please remember that program and project logo markings should not be on vehicles or spacecraft at all. (See Peggy Wilhide's logo policy from May 3 below just to reiterate.)" Editor's note: C'mon Dan, this is just plain wacko. Lighten up. Let your people worry about more important things (i.e. the rockets) than this logo obsession of yours.
Editor's Note: included in this email is the full text of NASA PAO's official logo policy which includes:
"1) Astronaut mission logos are an important part of NASA activities. They should continue to be used as they have been, since they are an established form of visual identification for a particular mission. However, in terms of media awareness and overall visibility to the public, the use of the "meatball" should take precedence over the use of mission logos.Editor's note: NASA has a rich, 40+ year tradition of creating mission and project specific logos, patches, and other visual identifiers. They are a mark of pride for all involved. The public loves them too. Telling employees that they cannot use these emblems in a prominent fashion is the wrong thing to do. Very wrong. It is also just plain stupid since it will never be adhered to. Alas, since the worm logos are now almost gone, we now have a new time wasting task for NASA's logo police. It is one thing to try and stiffle the use of one specific old agency logo (the worm). It is quite another to institute a meatball-only policy which seeks to snuff out the prominent use of mission and project logos - one I predict is doomed to fail. Curiously, just as the traditional NASA mission logos are being ordered to disappear, Dreamtime logos are starting to appear all over the place alongside the NASA meatball ....
"2) Regarding Center logos, program logos and project logos on web pages, web pages deal with Agency-wide issues and are also very important in getting info out to the public. The web is also not considered Center specific. Therefore, webpages should have the Meatball on them and not a Center logo, program logo or project logo. Center Logos were never officially recognized and, in fact, the upper echelons of NASA wanted to get rid of Center Logos, program logos and project logos entirely. I know that this is a tough one to swallow but we have to stick to the new policy." Editor's note: Oh c'mon Dan! First the worm logo - now Center logos? What's next? Mission patches?
Editor's note: Word has it from the KSC ELV office that Dan has instructed that mission patches will no longer be permitted on the sides or payload fairings of rockets. Instead, the Meatball is to be the ONLY decal used on rockets launching NASA spacecraft. The exception will be GOES satellites where the NOAA logo will be used (which has been the case for several years anyway).
"Thought you might like to know that the worm infested Australia a number of years ago and is still today proving to be a resistant little thing. What makes the one on the Fire Station worse (apart from the faded paint) is that its companion is the logo of the Australia Space Office, an agency that ceased to exist in June 1997! These two examples are from the Canberra Deep Space Network Station in Australia."
"The Space Shuttle Discovery Crew was fortunate enough to witness one of the brighter full moon's from orbit two weeks ago during their mission to fix the Hubble Space Telescope. Pictured on the left, the horizon of the Earth is visible below this full Moon, which is below the edge of the Hubble Space Telescope. " Editor's note: guess what logo happens to be on the edge of the HST....
Editor's note: Those of you walking at the West end of NASA HQ may notice that there's a new first floor tenant: space.com. They are setting up their new Washington Office (to be headed by former NASA Code Z AA Al Ladwig) a short elevator ride away from Dan's 9th floor office suite.
Goldin then apologized for having gone ballistic and said that he did not intend this to be a reflection on the work of Code F. None the less, several Associate Administrators present at this meeting have let it be known to others that they feel that Goldin's behavior was inappropriate and totally uncalled for. To heighten the absurd atmosphere of the meeting, toward the end, Goldin noted that a lot of people at NASA Headquarters were stressed out and ordered senior management to do something to stop this. Echoes of Captains Bligh, Queeg, and Ahab anyone?
Editor's note: Word has it that Code F presented a video at the Senior Management Committee Meeting last Friday. In the background was a NASA worm logo. Upon seeing the worm, Dan stopped the video, kicked the Code F people out of the meeting, and then went on a tirade. C'mon Dan, lighten up.
Hey Dan, more worms to eradicate:
Editor's note: Now I know why an otherwise obvious choice such as Carolyn Griner didn't get the job as MSFC Center Director: she has no logo sensibility whatsoever!
According to the Graphics Standards WWW manual website: "The NASA Logo has been retired since 1992. It is reserved for special use (such as for commercial merchandising purposes) and must be approved by the visual identity coordinator at NASA Headquarters. The NASA logo should never be used with the NASA Insignia" Editor's note: Who is the "visual identity coordinator"? Shouldn't she/he be working on eradicating the sole remaining large worm on the outside of NASA HQ?
Curiously, the only thing they seem to have omitted is the fusion of the worm logo and the meatball - the so-called "wormball" often presented on NASA Watch as an editorial parody. Update: an ever alert worm watcher has found the clause that officaly bans the worm ball! If you go to the "modify" page and mouse over "never replace the NASA letter style in the insignia with a font or the NASA logo." Oh well. Now the wormball is also officially banned.
"The NASA Gift Shop will be featuring a sale in the Ames Cafe on Wednesday, September 8, 1999 (11 am - 1 pm) and Thursday, September 9, 1999 (11 am - 1 pm). The Gift Shop will be drastically marking down all merchandise before inventory. This very special sale will feature the end of the "worm" logo at the Gift Shop."
Editor's note: Memos are circulating at MSFC asking that all vehicles and equipment bearing the NASA worm logo must be identified and covered up in time for Dan's visit to MSFC on Saturday. Meanwhile, a recent visitor to the MSFC gift shop reports that the manager of the store was boxing up every item in the shop that had a worm on it. T-shirts, caps, decals, and even toy shuttles and astronauts. When attempts to purchase worm-bearing items were made, potential buyers were informed that no worm merchandise will be sold. The store manager was reportedly told to box up everything with a worm on it because of Dan Goldin's visit to MSFC and his attendance at the annual picnic on Saturday. Meanwhile, someone@msfc.nasa.gov writes: "With Goldin coming for the MSFC Picnic, and to see Buzz Aldrin's feet placed in cement Saturday, the last great worm eradication effort is underway. The best so far: the other night night I walked across the high bay of Bldg. 4705 to get a Coke. On his hands and knees was a facility tech. He was tasked with removing the worm logo from the bottom of an OLD display by the front door. The display has badly worn edges, torn pictures, and lots of tape holding it together. Apparently Dan may come by this area Saturday and the worms have got to go. They will most likely throw the display away later this summer, but for now, the worm is history. Second runner-up: an old rusted electric cart that has not run for years had a worm on it. It now has a big square of white tape over the worm."
"Space Online poll: Should shuttle Columbia retain its historic look?
Once Columbia, the first space shuttle orbiter, completes its July mission to deploy the Chandra x-ray telescope, NASA is considering some changes. As part of the spaceship's regular maintenance, officials want to re-paint the orbiter to remove the original STS-1 markings. NASA is considering adding the exact markings now on shuttles Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour. The NASA "worm" logo also could be removed from Columbia's cargo bay doors. Should NASA make these changes or retain Columbia's unique look in a bow to history and the first space shuttle flight?" Editor's note: The poll seems to be holding at:
13.9% - Make the changes. All orbiters should look the same. I would be curious to see what Dan does when the National Air and Space Museum Annex opens in a few years - with the worm-infested Enterprise as a key exhibit.
"AC/Ladwig: Mr. Ladwig reported that Mr. Goldin has asked Peggy Wilhide and him to review NASA policies and procedures regarding the use of the NASA logo on spacecraft, equipment, and information products. When Ms. Wilhide returns from travel, they will meet to arrange a review plan and report back to the Senior Management on implementation."
"This is a reminder that tabs bearing the "worm" cannot be used."
"In closing, Mr. Goldin indicated that he continues to see the
NASA "worm" logo. He is frustrated that the phase-out and conversion process
is not yet complete, as it has been 7 years since he directed the
reinstatement of the NASA "meatball" insignia."
Editor's Note: Word has it that the SRTM Worm is now gone. I wonder how much that cost, Dan.
Editor's note: Word has it that Dan Goldin was at KSC on Saturday and was furious upon spotting the old (and officially forbidden) NASA worm logo on an upcoming payload, STS-99/SRTM. The MLI on the canister that contains the boom has the logos and acronyms of all the agencies involved. Either a change order for the worm will be issued or you won't see many photos of the Shuttle's cargo bay during this mission.
Hey
"Sunday, May 23, CBS stations (check local listings for time).
Plan to tune in for this episode that was developed with
extensive participation by NASA. The story focuses on an
astronaut (Sherry Stringfield) on her first Shuttle launch and
includes a guest appearance by Dr. Sally Ride. For details, see
http://touched.com/upcoming.html"
Editor's review: Vapid new age plot - despite all of the gratitous NASA footage. A better title for the episode might have been "George's Angels". Technical nit: according to the patch on the right shoulder of the main character's pressure suit, she flew on STS-2 with Engle and Truly.
NASA Watch Reader update: "During last night's episode, there were several Worm sightings, including EVA suits, the Hubble Space Telescope, and a hat with the meatball on the front and Worm on the side."
Gee, I hope Dan wasn't watching ...
Editor's note: Dan was at JPL today. As some of you may know, there's a big stone 1985-vintage sign at the entrance to JPL that has "Jet Propulsion Laboratory" in large letters, then "California Institute of Technology" on one side, and the NASA worm on the other. Funny thing: just yesterday, a placard appeared covering over the worm, sporting a full-color NASA meatball.The placard is just the right size to hide the worm. Gee, what a coincidence. I wonder: is the meatball temporary or permanent?
From someone@nasa.gov: A stainless steel worm greets arriving visitors at the Goddard Space Flight Center
VC Bldg.88. Located on the entrance wall, this worm glistens in the
morning sun welcoming the unsuspecting of it's historic demise."
Editor's note: Will someone at GSFC let NASA Watch know when this worm has been eradicated? A photo would be nice too. I guess this leaves the large worm on the corner of the NASA HQ building as the sole remaining large worm at NASA. For more worm eradication silliness check out Worm Watch.
Editor's note: In case you missed it, Worm Watch was featured in the 10 January 1999 issue of the New York Times magazine.
In this article, NASA PAO protests the characterizations made on NASA Watch (in Worm Watch) that Dan Goldin is obsessed with the NASA worm logo's eradication. With regard to the perception that Dan is obsessed with this, Dan himself is quoted as saying "if people think it is and it helps to stimulate positive change, I'm all for it."
Here are the items referred to in this article.
If you visit the NASA web page for ISS flight 2R you'll see that the commander, Bill Shepherd, proudly wears a worm logo on his flight suit. As a matter of fact, he has two of them!
Oh yes - another nit - when Sergei Krikalev flies on 2R he will be making his fifth spaceflight (not his fourth as stated on this webpage). It would seem that the web folks forgot that he was in space for the past week and a half on STS-88.
From someone@gsfc.nasa.gov:
"Someone from facilities just (11:30) came through Building 3 for the express purpose of placing NASA Meatballs over the NASA Worm logos on all the big white recycling boxes. In a related note, someone has been removing the duct tape covering the NASA Worm logos in front of the Building 21 sign for the library, and the Building 3 sign for the STOCC.
Doormats which formerly had a NASA worm logo on it have been altered: someone used a carpet cutter to remove the offending 3 inches along the edge that had the Worm logo on it. Also, the Hubble model in Building 3 has had its black NASA worm covered over in silver tape for quite a while. But, the silver tape does not match the silver of the Hubble model body, so instead of a black NASA worm logo, it has a silver NASA Worm logo. "
Update: A memo dated 9 December 1998 is circulating at GSFC warning everyone to remove worm logos in advance of a Goldin visit on 17 December. Alert: additional worms have been sighted on various small utility trucks around the center
and on some containers in the Building 29/10/7 complex.
C'mon folks, drop the important work and get after these worms before Dan shows up!
This time it is MSFC PAO who's paranoia is amply demonstrated.
Last week the folks at HQ/OSF showed their paranoia as well.
This is nuts! What are you people afraid of?
Let's get rid of all the worms! Here's another one - this time its at LeRC inside a rather nice movie (located on the big hangar toward the end of the flyover). Here's another at ARC. Meanwhile, at JSC, it looks like they've spent a lot of time at the Engineering Directorate trying to figure out where to place logos on Node 1. Have you looked closely at the ED logo on this page? Yup. There's a worm on it - something we highlighted on Worm Watch.
Then there's all those official astronaut photos at JSC with worm logos clearly visible on their flight suits: Apt, Chilton, Culbertson, Linenger, Newman, Oswald, Shepherd, Veach - and many, many more!
There are many more worm locations waiting in the NASA Watch archives ....
Have a look at the SOHO image Gallery. Notice the background image? Yup - it has a NASA worm logo on it!
Looks like that T-38 on the Code JP website needs a tail job.
Coming soon: has anyone taken a close look at the NASA ARC photo on the cover of the "Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View & Sunnyvale" Pacific Bell Yellow pages recently? The book says "keep until May 1998" Grrrr... Dan is scheduled to visit ARC on 20 September ..... more California worms to follow.
We've been saving this one ... Check out
the NASA HQ website
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If you go to the portion of the Graphics Standards website dealing with "
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