Aerospace Frontiers
October 2006
Ares I Design and Development Underway at Glenn
Glenn is leading several major activities in support of the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle -- the rocket that will carry a new generation of space explorers into orbit. Image right: The Ares I crew launch vehicle is on a path to make its first test flight in 2009 and its first crewed mission to the International Space Station in 2014.
Glenn's efforts will focus on three areas of the Ares I crew launch vehicle: design of upper stage subsystems, design and fabrication of simulators for the first Ares I-1 flight test and thermal vacuum testing of the J-2X engine. This article highlights the first of these three areas, the design of the subsystems. Future articles will cover the other two areas in greater detail.
"What sets this work apart from the other Constellation activities -- and really excites and motivates the NASA workforce -- is the fact that the upper stage is a NASA-led design effort through Critical Design Review," said Scott Graham, chief of Glenn's Launch Systems Projects Office. "We are designing a key part of America’s next human space transportation system that will fly for decades to come."
Within the Constellation Program, Ares I is a two-stage vehicle that launches the crew aboard Orion to low-earth orbit. Glenn is contributing its skills and experience in the following areas (managed by Glenn's Launch Systems Projects Office):
Thrust Vector Control System
Glenn is leading the design, development and testing of the Upper Stage Thrust Vector Control (TVC) subsystem. This involves design, development and testing of the TVC subsystem that is used to support the Upper Stage J-2 engine in a horizontal plane during its flight to keep the vehicle on its proper trajectory. The center's Engineering Systems Division is performing the majority of the work, while Glenn's Safety and Mission Assurance organization, Marshall Space Flight Center and Kennedy Space Center support the TVC team.
Electrical Power and Power Distribution System
Glenn is leading the design of the upper stage electrical power system, which will involve designing of the battery and power distribution and control system that provides the primary source of electrical power to the rocket's entire upper stage. The Advanced Electrical Systems Branch performs the majority of the work, with support from other Glenn organizations and Marshall Space Flight Center engineering.
Flight Instrumentation Package
Glenn also is leading the design efforts for the Development Flight Instrumentation (DFI) package for the upper stage. The DFI package is the set of sensors and instrumentation that will fly on the Ares I and Orion test flights to gather additional engineering data during these important development flights. The majority of the DFI work at Glenn is performed within the Engineering Systems Division.
Leak Detection Sensors and Sensor Data
Glenn is developing a miniature hydrogen/oxygen leak detection sensor that will be used throughout the upper stage to detect propellant leaks that might develop prior to launch or during the mission. Glenn also is responsible for sensor data qualification. The Instrumentation and Controls Division performs the majority of the work.
Purge System
Glenn is designing the purge system that will flush out the various compartments associated with the upper stage such as the interstage adapter and the forward instrument unit. The Thermal and Fluids Systems Branch conducts this work.
Hazardous Gas Detection System
Glenn is responsible for designing the hazardous gas detection system for the upper stage, which is used to detect leaks prior to launch. The Engineering and Technical Services Directorate is performing this work.
Upper Stage Systems Engineering and Integration
Glenn provides systems engineering support to both the overall Ares I vehicle as well as the upper stage. This support work includes mission design and analysis led by the Space Propulsion and Mission Analysis Office, as well as several independent verification and validation tasks and other systems engineering and integration tasks performed by the Engineering and Technical Service Directorate and other Glenn organizations.
"Glenn expects most of these current Ares I roles and responsibilities to continue on to the Ares V Cargo Launch Vehicle and its Earth Departure Stage," said Graham.
For more information on NASA’s Constellation Program, visit www.nasa.gov
For more information on NASA’s Ares Launch Vehicles, visit www.nasa.gov/ares
FEATURES
Glenn Revises Parking and Traffic Rules
Following nearly two years of hard work and collaboration, this month the Facilities Division, the Safety, Health and Environmental Division and the Security Management and Safeguards Office will implement new parking and traffic procedures.Image right: Handicap parking is designated by signs and outlined in blue on the ground. Credit: NASA/Eli Abumeri
Glenn has revised its policy and procedures based on recommendations from a DuPont Safety Services audit and a Glenn Parking Committee Report, which was commissioned by the Safety, Health and Environmental Board (SHEB). The new policy is in full compliance with Ohio's traffic laws and ensures a safe "line of sight" for both motorists and pedestrians.
Chapter 19 of the Glenn Safety Manual includes a full description of the safety and parking policy recommendations. The following are important changes to the center's revised parking policy:
Image left: "No Parking" zones are clearly labeled by a sign and red paint on curbsides. Credit: NASA/Eli Abumeri1. There are no longer yellow "No Parking" zones at the Center.
2. Blue zones are for handicap parking. This applies to parking lot as well as curbside parking.
3. Areas in red paint are "No Parking" zones due to personnel and facility safety requirements. Red areas include the ambulance area on the south side of the Employee Center, and those in front of fire hydrants and on either side of a crosswalk.
All drivers should note that all curb areas at the entrance/exit of parking areas, driveways or street intersections are considered "No Parking" zones. To aid drivers during this transition process, "No Parking" signs were installed throughout the center to designate prohibited areas. Starting this month, any vehicle that is parked in a red zone will be towed at the driver's expense.
To view Glenn's current policy and procedures for Vehicle and Pedestrian Safety, go to http://smad-ext.grc.nasa.gov/gso/manual/chapter_index.shtml. A map defining the center's parking areas is located at this Web site.
 | Off The Clock Ever wonder what your coworkers do in their spare time? |
Feldhake’s "Wild" Hobby
What mammal is considered a cousin to the whale, weighs an average of 4,000 to 6,000 pounds and can run nearly 20 miles an hour? Just ask Glenn's own hippopotamus expert Glenn Feldhake.
Image left: Feldhake working with Happy the Hippo at the Smithsonian's National Zoo Park. Credit: Susan StoneFeldhake, an electrical engineer based at Glenn who supports the Office of Spectrum Management at Headquarters, has spent the past nine years compiling data on the little-known hippo. What began as a weekend pastime volunteering as a keeper's aide at Smithsonian's National Zoological Park in Washington, DC, has developed into a passion.
Earlier this year, Feldhake published a 60-page book, appropriately titled, "Hippos." It features everything you ever wanted to know about hippos as well as photos taken by Feldhake and his wife, Susan, in zoos and in the wild. Feldhake also consulted on an in-depth program on hippos that aired recently on National Geographic.
As a senior spectrum engineer for NASA activities in the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Feldhake travels extensively. He is responsible for reviewing U.S. policy and international agreements related to ensuring transmissions from NASA spacecraft operate without interference to or from other countries' communications satellites and ground stations. The ITU is an organization within the United Nations whose 180+ member countries coordinate global telecommunication networks and services utilized by their government and the private sector.
"I look forward to my annual trip to Africa, where I'm now doing hippo work with safari guides and wildlife managers," Feldhake said. "My association with the Smithsonian and the World Conservation Union has enabled me to meet with top hippo researchers and get behind-the-scenes tours of new, multi-million dollar hippo exhibits in zoos around the world."
Feldhake loves sharing his passion for hippos. To learn more about hippos and Feldhake's conservation activities on behalf of hippos, visit www.hippobook.com
Glenn Engages Public at Air Shows
This summer, Glenn showcased NASA research in aeronautics and space at nine air shows in the Great Lakes region. The events were conducted with the support of Headquarters Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate and other field centers, to engage and inform more than one million aviation enthusiasts and the general public to the full spectrum of NASA missions.
 Image above: AFEAA/CEV model at AirVenture, Oshkosh, Wisc. Credit: NASA/David DeFelice |
 Image above: NASA Educational Programs staff and Slider at Wings of Wonder, Cleveland. Credit: NASA/Jim Fitzgerald |
 Image above: Inflatable shuttle featured at Scott AirFest, Ill. Credit: NASA/David DeFelice |
 Image above: Glenn Twin Otter at MAPS, Akron. Credit: NASA/Mack Thomas |
 Image above: NASA Astronaut Dave Wolf, hometown hero, at Indianapolis Air Show, Ind. Credit: NASA/Mack Thomas |
 Image above: Cleveland National Air Show. Credit: NASA/Mack Thomas |
Glenn's Community and Media Relations Office with employees throughout the center staffed exhibits supporting the following air shows:
- Military Aircraft Preservation Society (MAPS) Aero Expo, Akron, June 17 and 18
- Duluth Air and Aviation Expo, Minn., July 7 to 9
- Kids in Flight™, Wings of Wonder at Burke Lakefront Airport, Cleveland, July 22
- Experimental Aircraft Aviation (EAA) AirVenture, Oshkosh, Wisc., July 24 to 30
- Dayton Air Show, Dayton, July 29 to 30
- Scott AirFest 2006 at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., August 12 and 13
- Indianapolis Air Show, Indianapolis, Ind., August 26 and 27
- Cleveland National Air Show, Cleveland, September 2 to 4
- Oneida Air Show, Oriskany, NY, September 16 and 17.
Improving Shuttle Safety
This is the fourth in a series of articles highlighting Glenn's research and test efforts in improving space shuttle safety.
Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels
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| Image above: NASA Kevlar COPV shuttle helium tank. Credit: NASA |
Team: Dr. Pappu Murthy and John Thesken, Life Prediction Branch; Dr. James Sutter, Polymers Branch; Duane Revilock, Structural Mechanics and Dynamics Branch; Dr. Jeff Eldridge, Durability and Protective Coatings Branch; and Dr. Frances Hurwitz, Ceramics Branch
NEWS FOR EMPLOYEES
A Message From CFC Chairperson Eric Overton
Those who contribute to the Combined Federal Campaign help us help others. Thank you for your contributions and support to our community.
-- Center Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr.
The 2006 Glenn Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) Committee takes this opportunity, once again, to thank those of you who annually support CFC and encourage others to join us this year as we "Light the Way" for those in need.
The CFC Kickoff and Agency Fair, held from September 26 to 27, was a great opportunity to enlighten employees on the myriad of organizations that provide services through CFC. Now it's time for you to show your generosity and support by donating to these worthwhile organizations.Glenn exceeded last year's campaign goal by about 2 percent, despite economic distress shared across the nation from natural disasters and the overseas conflict. This year, our goal is set at $360,000.
Over the years, the CFC team has worked hard to make it fun and convenient to make tax-deductible donations, and this year is no exception. Vice-chairperson Linda McMillen, the 26 core committee chairs and their keyworkers will join me in hosting two CFC events: a Car Show and Ice Cream Social, on October 26, followed by the Basket Raffle on November 2.
These special events will provide an entertaining and convenient way to make a CFC donation. Civil servants can also make online pledges through payroll deductions by clicking the CFC logo button on their timesheet and following instructions. Retirees and contractors may also contribute to the CFC by contacting Blanche Preusser at 216-433-2528.
Dr. Steinetz Named Senior Technologist
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| Dr. Steinetz |
Steinetz oversees a $3 million+ budget and directs NASA's 14-member Seals Research Team in the conceptualization, analysis and development of advanced seals. Their work focuses on seal development for: (a) military (general and classified) and commercial aircraft engines including hypersonic propulsion systems; (b) thermal barriers for solid rocket motors (e.g., space shuttle and Atlas V) and heat shields (e.g., Crew Exploration Vehicle/Ares I; (c) control surfaces for re-entry vehicles; and (d) pressure vessels for the shuttle main landing gear doors and the Crew Exploration Vehicle advanced docking and berthing systems.
Since joining NASA 23 years ago, Steinetz has become widely published and respected as one of only two engineers in NASA's history to earn the agency's Invention of the Year Award twice. In addition to a host of other significant NASA awards, Steinetz holds ten U.S. patents and is a two-time winner of the prestigious R&D 100 award.
Steinetz's expertise in seal technology and tribology for extreme environments of aeronautics and space has not only benefited major national programs but also established Glenn as an internationally-recognized Center of Excellence for seal technology.
Team Named One NASA Center Best
The NASA Ballistic Impact Test Team has earned the 2006 Center Best Award from among the center’s One NASA individual and team recipients. The team was chosen by a center panel based on its relationship to a strategic goal, ability to utilize a One NASA concept and involvement of more than one center and/or Mission Directorate.
Image left: The Ballistic Impact Test Team with Center Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow, Jr.: bottom row to top rows, left to right, Hemmel, Samorezov, Padula, Lerch, Whitlow; second row, Murphy, Goldberg, Bodis, Carney; third row, Schwinn, Lavelle, Revilock, Missing Name; top row, Pereira, Ubienski, Tenteris, and Melis. Credit: NASA/Marvin SmithThe Ballistic Impact Test Team was recognized for the contributions they have made to fly the shuttle as safely as possible.
The team members, listed in alphabetical order according to division, include Kelly Carney, Robert Goldberg, Brad Lerch, Matt Melis (lead), Santo Padula, Mike Pereira and Duane Revilock, Materials Structures Division; Sergey Samorezov, ZINT/Exploration Systems Division; Dave Brinkman (SLI), Jeff Hammel (JVS), Joe Lavelle (GLCR), Gary Novotnak (JVS) and Tim Ubienski (SLI), Research Testing Division; Mike Capelety, Tim Gaydos, Bruce Jackson (SAIC) and Anita Tenteris (SAIC) Assurance and Risk Management; Mark Grills, Michelle Murphy, Vince Reich, Quentin Schwinn and Peter Tate, RSIS/Logistics and Technical Information Division; Jim Bodis, Laura Cosgriff and Rich Martin, Cleveland State University.
One NASA Peer Award Applicants Wanted
Do your colleagues deserve more recognition? The One NASA Peer Award Program is designed to reward achievements supporting NASA’s Strategic goals that utilize a One NASA approach. Employees can easily nominate individuals or teams from anywhere across the agency, including both contractors and civil servants.
The award program consists of three award levels, with increasing levels of recognition.
- Individual/Team Awards – selected and awarded continuously through the year as nominations are received.
- Center Best Awards – selected annually from each Center’s list of individual/team recipients.
- Agency Best of the Best Award – selected annually from the 11 Center Best recipients.
DEPARTMENTS
SE&I Will Help Us Accomplish The Mission
Last month, my column focused on a retraining initiative that will help us retrain our work force to meet the agency's new mission requirements. One of those training areas identified the need for more systems engineering specialists. As NASA progresses in making the Vision for Space Exploration a reality, it is utilizing an essential tool -- Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I) -- to ensure safe, sustained and affordable human and robotic exploration. Since SE&I is so important, I want to give you an idea of how we are incorporating this approach into our work at Glenn.
Image right: Rick Wiedenmannot, Systems Engineering and Integration Branch, and Dave Nawrocki, Mechanical Design Branch, brief Dr. Whitlow on the complexity of the Glenn-designed Vehicle Motion Simulator. Credit: NASA/Marvin SmithSE&I is a logical systems approach performed by multidisciplinary teams to engineer and integrate NASA's systems. Implementing SE&I effectively will enhance NASA's core engineering, management and scientific capabilities and processes to ensure safety and mission success, increase performance and reduce costs.
SE&I is embedded in all levels of the agency's Constellation work, and Glenn has involvement in all of these levels. Level 0, the agency, and Level 1, the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, set the program goals. They answer the questions: What do we want to do? What are the products (flight hardware) that we want to produce?
We have supported SE&I at the agency level through participation in the Exploration Systems Architecture Study. We continue our involvement as members of the Lunar Architecture Team to develop products such as top-level requirements and design reference missions (the technical specifications of an exploration mission that the architecture must achieve).
We work closely with the Constellation Program Office, Level II, at Johnson Space Center. This level provides the technical definition of the program. The Constellation Program Office answers the questions: How do we achieve the goals? How do we get there, and what do we do when we get there? At this level, Glenn is responsible for technical engineering to define program standards, specifications and requirements. Our center has SE&I leadership roles in power and communications.
SE&I is a vital part of our Level III project work in the Orion crew exploration vehicle and the Ares I Launch Vehicle. This level works with Level II to develop the system requirements and interface requirements and deploys those through all lower levels of the system. So, ultimately, there is a complete technical definition of requirements, and later, specifications for all parts of the system. They answer the questions: What must each part, component, subsystem and element do? How must they work together? What are their physical characteristics/limitations?
Among the many SE&I tasks being performed for Orion, Glenn is leading the development of the System Requirements Document, which defines what the vehicle designed by the prime contractor must do.
Glenn personnel are performing integrated design analysis for Ares I, including trajectory analysis and mission design support. In addition, we lead several independent verification and validation tasks in support of Ares I, including guidance, navigation and control, control stability, structural sizing, reliability for risk-based design and structural dynamics.
Because the new era of Exploration requires complex vehicles and infrastructure, a myriad of elements must come together to produce a tangible product. NASA will utilize SE&I to identify each of the elements, define and set system requirements and ensure integration throughout the product lines.
SE&I will help us to accomplish the Agency’s mission -- continuing our center’s long tradition of excellence in developing space flight systems.
News Briefs
Cyclist Friendly Community
On August 7, Glenn received the Cyclist Friendly Communities Award from the Ohio Bicycle Federation for the center's activities that promote safe, effective cycling. Glenn's Organization for Bicycle Information, Knowledge and Expertise (GO-BIKE) provides educational information for employees to use the best and safest cycling practices. This award recognizes Glenn's long-lasting effort in teaching and encouraging cyclist safety. One of center's most recent significant improvements was marking traffic light detectors so they can be activated by cyclists. Pictured, left to right, GO-BIKE Advisor Manuel Dominguez, chief, Safety, Health and Environmental Division chief; GO-BIKE President Fred Oswald, Mechanical Components Branch; and Bill Wessel, director, Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate.
Mock Drill
On September 16, Glenn's West Area was the site of a mock disaster drill for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport's Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Department (ARFF), the team who would respond if Glenn had an actual emergency. The event provided a scenario for ARFF and many other agencies to address the aftermath of an aircraft crash. More than 200 area adults and children volunteered as casualties. NASA's Center Operations Directorate, including the center’s Incident Operation Center, assisted in the simulation. This event further strengthened Glenn's partnership with the Airport Fire Rescue Department. Pictured, emergency response personnel assist in the simulation.
Exercise in Space
On August 23, local media learned about the Enhanced Zero-gravity Locomotion Simulator (eZLS) project, a study to improve the effectiveness and comfort of exercise in space. Glenn, in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute's Biomedical Engineering Department, designed and built the eZLS to simulate how astronauts exercise during space travel. Media representatives viewed a demonstration of the eZLS with a test subject walking and running while horizontally strapped into a harness suspended from the ceiling by cables.Pictured is John Mangels of The Plain Dealer with test subject Beth Lewandowski, Bio Science and Technology Branch, at the media event.
Industry Day
On September 21, more than 200 representatives of 150 companies, in addition to local government and congressional representatives, participated in Glenn’s Industry Day-Small Business Forum held at the Ohio Aerospace Institute. The forum, co-sponsored by Glenn’s Small Business Office and Launch Systems Project Office, provided prime and vendor contractors, including small businesses, an opportunity to learn more about Glenn-managed exploration projects under NASA’s Constellation Program and to discuss the various aspects of procurements totaling more than $250 million over the next several years. Forum presentations and a final list of attendees are available for review at http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/Procure/Industry_Day.htmlPictured is Carl Silski, Procurement Division, welcoming the attendees as co-chair for the event.
Calendar of Events
LESA MEETING: LESA/IFPTE, Local 28, will hold its next monthly membership meeting on Wednesday, October 11, at noon in the Employee Center.
SAFETY AWARENESS DAY: Glenn will hold its annual Safety Awareness Day on Thursday, October 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Ad Building Auditorium.
THIRD SATURDAY AT THE VC: On Saturday, October 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Glenn's Visitor Center (VC) will celebrate National Chemistry Week with a hands-on chemistry event, "Its Your Home: It’s All Built on Chemistry." Learn how chemistry makes it possible to construct a house. At 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Glenn chemist Dorothy Lukco will assist children in grades 2 through 5 to discover how chemistry is used to make the materials used to build and maintain houses. For reservations, call 216–433–9653. For details on this and other Glenn events, log on to glennevents.grc.nasa.gov.
DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH OBSERVANCE: Glenn's Disability Awareness event will be held on Wednesday, October 25, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Ad Building Auditorium. Paralympic Champion Al Mead will give the keynote address entitled "Americans with Disabilities: Ready for the Global Workforce."
AFGE MEETING: AFGE Local 2182 will hold its next monthly membership meeting on November 1, at 5 p.m. at Denny's Restaurant, 25912 Lorain Road, North Olmsted.
YOUNG ASTRONAUT DAY: A full day of activities is planned for the 14th Annual Young Astronaut Day, Saturday, November 4. Age-appropriate activities simulating real-life space missions will excite and inspire students to consider careers in math, science and engineering. POC: Mary Jo Long-Davis, 216–433–8708
WOMEN RETIREE LUNCHEON: The next luncheon for the Lewis/Glenn female retirees will be Thursday, November 16, noon, at Tony K's, 841 West Bagley Road, Berea. For reservations, contact Betty Callaghan, 440–268–9662.
People
Awards/Honors
Robert "Bud" Schutte, chief of aircraft maintenance, Aircraft Operations Office, was presented the General Services Administration (GSA) "Professional of the Year Award," managerial/support category, during the annual Federal Aviation Awards ceremony held September 21. Schutte was recognized for outstanding management of maintenance and modifications to Glenn’s research aircraft. The GSA sponsors this award to honor the safest and most effective and efficient federal aviation programs.Image right: Schutte at the Federal Aviation Awards ceremony. Credit: NASA
 Dr. Freed |
 Dr. Morales |
Image right: Trailblazer honorees, pictured left to right, Christiansen, Johnson, Gordon and Blankson. Credit: NASAScience Spectrum magazine honored four Glenn employees as 2006 “Trailblazers” on September 16. The award honors outstanding Hispanic, Asian, Native and African-American professionals whose leadership and innovative thinking on the job extends throughout the community and beyond their industry. Glenn’s Trailblazer honorees include Dr. Isaiah Blankson, senior scientist Research and Technology Directorate; Richard Christiansen, deputy director; Robyn Gordon, chief, Diversity Management Office; and Dr. Dexter Johnson, chief, Structural Systems Dynamics Branch.
In Appreciation
My heartfelt thanks goes out to all my NASA friends for their expressions of sympathy after the death of my mother. It has been a great source of comfort. I also appreciate the scheduling flexibility of RSIS and NASA, which enabled me to support both of my parents in their declining health. That long-term "caring" will never be forgotten.
-- Bob Perry
In Memory
Paul R. Auerhamer, 81, who retired in September 1981 with 19 years of NASA service, has died. Auerhamer served as an electronics lab technician at Plum Brook Station. He also served 5 years in the military with the U.S. Navy.
Gilbert M. Boyd, who retired in March 1995 after 40 years of NASA service, has died. Boyd served the agency as a technician in the Chemistry Lab, Office of Environmental Programs. He was very active as mentor for numerous students throughout his career. Boyd also served three years in the military with the Air Corps of Engineers.
Russel Gemeiner, 68, who retired in February 2001 after 39 years of NASA service, has died. Gemeiner served the agency as a mechanical engineering technician.
Lawrence A. Mueller, 84, who retired in September 1983 with 21 years of NASA service, has died. He served as an aerospace engineer in the area of shuttle systems and Quality and Reliability Assurance. Mueller also served two years in the military with the Army Air Force Reserves.
Bruce Viergutz, 55, who retired in March 2005 after 31 years of NASA service, has died. Viergutz served as an electrical technician. He also served four years in the military with the Air Force.
Kenneth Yass, 89, who retired in May 1988 after 38 years of NASA service, has died. Yass served in the area of Optical Physics developing instrumentation. Yass also served three years in the Air Corps during WWII where he earned the rank of Lieutenant and was a B17 pilot.