Aerospace Frontiers
February 2007
NASA Announces Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Request
President George W. Bush announced his fiscal year 2008 budget request for the federal government on February 5, which includes a $17.3 billion request for NASA. This is a 3.1 percent increase over the President's fiscal year 2007 request for the agency.
Image right: Seated at table, left to right, Associate Director Vernon "Bill" Wessel, Christiansen, Dr. Whitlow and Acting Chief Financial Officer Debra Watson, listen as Associate Director of Space Exploration Harry Cikanek shares highlights in the area of Exploration. Credit: NASA/Doreen Zudell"This is a carefully considered, balanced request formulated over many months with the White House," said NASA Administrator Mike Griffin. "I believe that the FY 2008 budget request for NASA demonstrates the President's commitment to our nation's leadership in space and aeronautics research."
During a NASA budget briefing from Headquarters that afternoon, Griffin said there are no major strategic changes in the FY 2008 budget request as compared to last year. "Overall, I believe that we are heading in the right direction, that we have made great strides this past year, and that we are on track and making progress in carrying out the tasks before us," he said.
He cited four areas of significant effort that will be made in fiscal year 2008. They include:
- Three space shuttle missions last year, and four to five planned in 2007 to continue International Space Station assembly. Carefully considered shuttle transition to Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) is underway.
- Orion CEV contract awarded last August. Plan to release Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV) upper stage RFP in February.
- Aeronautics Research aligned with the recent President's policy, with projects, programs and a robust budget profile that will advance U.S. technological leadership in aeronautics.
- Science continues to develop world-class missions and research results, based on the priorities from the National Academy of Sciences surveys. During FY 2008, NASA plans to launch ten new missions, with over 50 Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science and Astrophysics missions in operations. Most of these missions involve international partners and other U.S. government agencies.
Griffin acknowledged that the impact of the FY 2007 Continuing Resolution on NASA's multi-year programs, including those funded in the FY 2008 President's budget request, is not yet known. The House version of the 2007 appropriation is approximately $545 million less than the President's FY 2007 request. The Administrator promised that once the FY 2007 appropriation is enacted, the agency would keep stakeholders informed of the impacts through a FY 2007 operating plan.
Focus on Glenn
Following the Headquarters briefing, Glenn Center Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr. and center leadership held a news briefing for the local media. Under the FY 2008 budget request, Glenn would receive an estimated $556 million.
"The future looks bright for Glenn Research Center," Whitlow said. "Although there was some uncertainty with potential budget reductions last year, we [Glenn] have a stable, enduring role in the Vision for Space Exploration." He attributes this belief to a well-defined mission, the agency's Strategic Management Council's commitment to 10 healthy centers and Glenn's ability to apply its expertise to the current and future needs of the agency.
Whitlow noted that avenues such as buyouts, transfers and retraining have enabled the center to shift the skills of its workforce to meet these needs, thus avoiding a reduction in workforce. The center will continue to support all four of NASA's mission directorates.
"In some cases there's been a shift in emphasis from basic research to applying that research to practical applications for the International Space Station and future spacecraft," Deputy Director Richard Christiansen said. "But the strengths and capabilities of our workforce to do both still exist."
Whitlow and Christiansen stressed that although much of the new work at Glenn has been dedicated toward Exploration efforts, Aeronautics is still a vital part of the center's portfolio.
"NASA Glenn has always been a balanced, hybrid center of research and development," Whitlow explained. "We cannot be a strong and healthy center without aeronautics."
After a question and answer period, Glenn representatives in the areas of Aeronautics, Space Operations and Exploration briefed reporters on some of the current and expanding roles of this center within the agency.
Doreen Zudell
FEATURES
Glenn Helps Draft the Agency's New Educational Framework
Recognizing that today's youth is tomorrow's workforce, NASA has developed a new framework for evaluating and improving its education portfolio -- programs, projects and activities -- to create a pipeline of highly-skilled workers who are ready to meet the challenges of the Vision for Exploration.
Image left: Hairston stays in touch with the future workforce. He is pictured here presenting a scaled version of the neighborhood mural, "Determined Wings," an innovative Glenn educational partnership created to commemorate the 100th anniversary of flight. Credit: NASA"A lot of 'education programs' began to emerge that hadn't been evaluated through the proper checks and balances," explained John Hairston, Glenn's External Programs director. "Effective education programs are designed to inspire, or promote public awareness; engage individuals to interact with NASA's content; educate a targeted population using NASA-relevant resources; and employ agency-trained staff in disciplines needed to achieve NASA missions and strategic goals."
Over the past year, Hairston, who served as Acting Assistant Administrator for Education at Headquarters from May to November, and JoAnn Charleston, chief of Glenn's Office of Education Programs, helped develop the framework for this new education portfolio as members of the Education Coordination Committee (ECC). The 23-member ECC is comprised of representation from the agency's hi-level managers who can make decisions on behalf of their organizations and authorize funding.
The ECC was divided into four working groups and tasked with assessing NASA's education programs and funding. Hairston co-chaired the portfolio group that gathered data on education investments across the agency. Charleston co-chaired the group charged with creating an agencywide database for depositing, tracking and reviewing the pool of NASA-educated students and faculty as potential hires. The other two working groups, Performance Evaluation and Infrastructure Review, were charged with identifying a computation tool capable of accurately assessing individual data for a group decision, and identifying and eliminating duplication to enable new investments.
Image right: SEMAA high school students prepare an experiment to launch onboard the International Space Station. Image courtesy of Paragon TEC, Inc. The ECC's efforts resulted in a document entitled "NASA Education Strategic Coordination Framework: A Portfolio Approach." The framework was distributed to the academic community in August. It identifies NASA goals and objectives, NASA personnel, facilities and the guidelines and requirements for NASA to pursue educational partnerships with academia, industry and informal educators to foster increased studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The ECC will continue to monitor and assess NASA's education portfolio with the help of Expert Choice 11, a software application that will enable members to submit their opinions and supporting data, onsite or remotely, evaluate and prioritize educational investment. The software will be installed at Education Offices at NASA's field centers and at Headquarters for ECC members to use and train selected staff. Although Glenn does not yet have the software, the center has already realigned its education programs to follow the new framework, and plans to schedule annual performance evaluations so that the portfolio's objectives can be effectively measured.
Hairston explained that Glenn's success with SEMAA (Science and Engineering Mathematics Aerospace Academy), as well as other innovative education programs, has made the center a key partner for demonstrating NASA education goals and objectives. Furthermore, Glenn's education successes have earned the center lead responsibility for two programs: NASA Explorer Schools and Motivating Undergraduates in Science and Technology (MUST), along with SEMAA.
"Being part of this process was a great opportunity for me personally and for this center," Hairston said. "At Glenn, we're committed to casting the widest net and closing any gaps in our education programs to ensure a steady supply of STEM-educated youth is available to ultimately join the NASA workforce."
Additional information on NASA's education portfolio, and a copy of the NASA Education Strategic Coordination Framework: A Portfolio Approach, is available at http://education.nasa.gov/pdf/
S. Jenise Veris
Alternative Fuel Research Addresses Nation's Energy Independence
Glenn is leading a NASA research effort to convert some of the nation's natural energy sources -- coal, natural gas (methane), biomass and shale oil -- into a cleaner and more economical alternative to traditional commercial jet fuel.
Image right: Outside the Heated Tube Facility housing the Alternative Fuels Lab. Credit: NASA/S. Jenise VerisGlenn scientists and researchers will conduct this research in a new onsite Alternative Fuel Research Laboratory currently under construction and housed within the center's recently remodeled Heated Tube Facility (HTF). The new laboratory is critical to Glenn's ability to conduct alternative fuel research utilizing the Fisher-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis kinetics process. F-T is the best known catalytic process for converting synthesis gas derived from non-petroleum feed stocks such as coal, biomass and natural gas into a wide variety of hydrocarbon-based transportation chemicals and fuels, including cleaner burning jet fuel and diesel.
"Glenn will focus on understanding the Fisher-Tropsch process to acquire data for reducing emissions and increasing engine efficiency and performance," explained Dr. Chi-Ming Lee, chief of the Combustion Branch. "Although NASA is not in the business of producing fuel, based on our findings we can stimulate F-T catalyst development and reactor design technology to reduce costs and added flexibility towards jet fuel production."
This research is funded under the Fundamental Aeronautics Research Program and aligns with the agency's continuing investment in advanced technology and non-petroleum-based aviation fuels for subsonic propulsion and combustion systems. Data derived from the new laboratory will be shared with government and industry partners to produce synthetic substitutes for petroleum or improve upon current blends for lower emissions. Fuel performance emissions studies are underway in Glenn's Advanced Subsonic Combustion Rig.
Partners in this effort include the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, General Electric, Pratt-Whitney, Boeing and the University of Kentucky's Center for Applied Research.Image left: Tony Skaff, SLI/Research Testing Division, F-T reactor systems engineering project manager, is pictured with the Hot Liquid Process Simulator. Credit: NASA/S. Jenise Veris
Energy combinations under investigation will include liquid fuels derived from coal and natural gas as a mix blend with conventional kerosene for near-term alternative fuel. Synthetic fuels converted from coal, natural gas or shale is a less-expensive option for the United States thanks to large natural gas and coal reserves. Biomass and shale oil resources are targeted as a mid-term alternative and methane and hydrogen as a far-term alternative.
Testing will begin in early fiscal year 2008. "The first series of tests will involve thermal stability screening of several aviation fuels including JP-8, synthetic Jet-A (FT-derived), bio-diesel and variations of blended and potential surrogate fuels," said Thomas Tomsik, technical lead, Propellant Systems Branch. "A Hot Liquid Process Simulator was recently installed in the HTF as part of the hardware buildup for this portion of the analytical research."
Additional goals over the life of the program include creating computational tools that can predict the regenerative fuel composition and the recommended optimum operating conditions for F-T synthesis.
"Alternative Fuels is an exciting area of research that addresses the goals of improving our nation's energy independence," said Dr. Jih-Fen Lei, Glenn's Research and Technology director. "This is a great opportunity for Glenn to be involved in a growing area of research and one that will undoubtedly continue to expand as technology breakthroughs are made."
S. Jenise Veris
Celebration Recognizes Dr. King's Principles
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| Image above: Center Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow, center, joins OEOP staff and keynote speaker Dr. Earls in congratulating MLK essay contestants. Left to right: Hudson, Earls, Brown, Moss, Renee Batts, acting chief for OEOP, Bailey, Pereira, Phillips and DeLaCruz. Not pictured: Cavicchi. Credit: NASA/Marvin Smith |
Earls said that "although we can't be Dr. King, we can be more like him," if we (1) speak out when witnessing examples of injustice or inequality -- staying silent/neutral only benefits the oppressor, never the victim; (2) avoid clicks or barriers that inhibit working together to make things happen; and (3) seek the truth rather than settle for what you think is the truth or what has always been.
"Living by these principles ensures that everyone has an opportunity, not just the best and brightest," Earls stressed.
Glenn's MLK celebration also featured the second annual MLK Equality Recognition essay contestants and included updates from six of the Equal Opportunity (EO) advisory groups: African Heritage Advisory Council, Asian Pacific Islanders Advisory Council, Disability Awareness Advisory Group, Hispanic Advisory Council, Native American Advisory Council and Women's Adivsory Group. The event was sponsored by the Office of Equal Opporturnity Programs (OEOP).
Antoine Moss, a graduate student intern in the Logistics and Technical Information Division, took first place honors in the centerwide essay contest. Moss and seven other contestants were recognized for expressing their thoughts on the topic, "Celebrating Unity While Embracing Diversity." They were each presented a plaque of appreciation for their participation. Contestants included Dawn Brown, MTI/CROME Administration Office, second place; Dr. Sheila Bailey, Photovoltaic and Space Environments Branch, third place; and honorable mention recipients Cynthia Phillips, SGT/Metrology Services; Dr. Michael Pereira, Structural Dynamics and Aeroelasticity Branch; Richard Cavicchi, Inlet and Nozzle Branch; Betsy DeLaCruz, Community and Media Relations Office.
The EO Committee is comprised of eight advisory groups, EO counselors and union representatives. This year was the first time annual reports from the advisory groups were part of the celebration. The activities and outreach, chronicled by representatives from each of the advisory groups, offered a glimpse of the group's efforts to address and improve the diversity and inclusion needs of center employees and targeted underserved communities.
"The diversity of membership in the advisory groups, and employees' support for these events, reflects Dr. King's vision to one day see people of all races and colors united by a common good. It's an affirmation that we at NASA Glenn embrace Dr. King's dream," said Avis Hudson, OEOP advisory group program manager and event chairperson.
S. Jenise Veris
 | Off The Clock Ever wonder what your coworkers do in their spare time? |
Lady Apollo: One Push for Womankind
Although Michelle Murphy, RSIS/Imaging Technology Center, was taught that shoving is "not ladylike," she has discovered that it can be a lot of fun. As a member of the Burning River Roller Girls (BRRG) roller derby league, Murphy breaks the rules of etiquette on a regular basis.Image right: Murphy heats up the track as Lady Apollo. Credit: NASA/Marvin Smith
Murphy tried out for the BRRG last November and earned the status of "rookie." She practices with the league about six hours a week at United Skates of America in Wickliffe with the goal of achieving a permanent spot on one of four BRRG teams. In addition, she participates with the league in fundraising events for community causes.
"Roller derby is unlike any other women's sport because it blends physical activity, creativity, socialization and community outreach," Murphy explained. "It's an opportunity for women to spend time in a constructive manner rather than simply getting together to socialize or vent -- and it's a lot of fun."
Known as "Lady Apollo" on the track, Murphy's "alter ego" is based on her deep respect for female astronauts and her desire to see a woman on the moon. To promote this vision, she skates in a flight-suit she revamped to reflect a strong and gutsy female. Sixty other skaters, who exhibit their spunk and creativity through names such as Ivanna Destroya, Lethal Barbie and Pretty Scarrie, round out the league.
"One of the most rewarding aspects of the league is our diverse membership, which ranges from dentists to designers to military personnel, who all enrich their careers through a fun, exhilarating sport," Murphy said.
BRRG, Cleveland's first all-female, skater-owned, flat-track derby league, will officially begin competing in North Olmsted in April. To learn more about the league and Murphy's role, visit www.burningriverrollergirls.com.
Doreen Zudell
MORE NEWS
NASA Visitor Center Remembers Fallen Astronauts
On January 27, the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 1 fire in which three astronauts lost their lives pursuing the exploration of space, Glenn's Visitor Center held an astronaut memorial presentation. Image left: Wendy Bergant, a teacher at Reeducation/Access School, Mentor, Ohio, explains features of the Mission Support Center console to student Jesse Moses. Credit: NASA/S. Jenise Veris
In addition to remembering the Apollo 1 crew, the memorial honored the astronauts who perished in the Space Shuttle Columbia and Challenger accidents, as well as all other members of the NASA family who have lost their lives in the pursuit of knowledge.
During the event, Jeffrey Woytach, Programs and Projects Directorate, gave a presentation entitled "Space Heroes" that highlighted the roles these crews played in expanding America's reach beyond the confines of Earth in the exploration of the moon and in our quest for scientific knowledge.
Image right: Nancy Koenig, a 5th grade teacher at Parkview Intermediate School, Fairview Park, Ohio, explains the significance of the memorial honoring fallen astronauts. Credit: NASA/S. Jenise VerisThroughout the day, visitors were invited to view the astronaut memorial wall in the lobby of the Visitor Center. Visitors were also encouraged to spend time in the human spaceflight gallery where the Combustion Module-2 Crew Trainer and the "Mission Support Center" console are located. The trainer, used by the Columbia crew, has been dedicated to their memory, and the console includes an STS-107 post-flight multimedia presentation on "Explorations in Microgravity."
Employee Ideas Pay Off
Do your ideas really count? Center Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow, Jr. thinks so. He recently acknowledged the ingenuity of three employees whose ideas were adopted under Glenn's Employee Suggestion Award Program.
Glenn has awarded thousands of dollars to employees (civil servants and support service contractors) who have submitted ideas aimed at improving productivity and/or customer satisfaction, reducing costs and fulfilling center or agency goals through the Employee Suggestion Award Program since 1993.
"Employees often underestimate the value of their ideas," said Deputy Director of Center Operations, Harvey Schabes, who chairs the Employee Suggestion Award Committee. "There are ways of improving processes that could save the center both time and money, and our committee is eager to reward employees as efficiently and as generously as possible for those ideas."
Image right: Pictured, left to right, Dr. Whitlow, Globokar, and acting Chief Financial Officer Debra Watson. Credit: NASA/Marvin SmithThe following employees were recently awarded for their suggestions:
Mary Ann Globokar
Resources Analysis and Management Office
Suggestion Title: SAP Purchasing Request (PR) Information Form
Globokar designed a form that serves as a communication tool for employees who are requesting a purchase. The form standardizes the information needed in SAP, making the data entry process easier for the PR preparer and improving the efficiency of the PR initiation process.
QuynhGiao NguyenDurability and Protective Coatings Branch
Suggestion Title: Library Electronic Journal Subscription
Nguyen suggested listing all NASA available journal subscription titles (paper or electronic) through the Glenn Technical Library Web site with the appropriate hyperlinks to direct users to the databases that contain the electronic articles.
Image left: Pictured, left to right, Director of Research and Technology Dr. Jih-Fen Lei; Nguyen, and Dr. Whitlow. Credit: NASA/Marvin Smith
Peter Wheeler
Office of Chief Information Officer
Suggestion Title: Computer Disk Defragmenting Maintenance
Wheeler suggested providing a centrally managed configuration to perform automated computer disk defragmentation on desktop computers.
Schabes encourages employees to log onto the Employee Suggestion Award Web site at http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/OHR/Suggestion to learn tips and guidelines for submitting ideas.
Ask the Administrator on the InsideNASA Web Site
A new "Ask a Question" feature is now available to NASA employees in the "Administrator's Corner" on the InsideNASA Web site.
Employees are invited to use the new online feature to submit a question regarding the agency and its programs to Administrator Griffin. He will see all questions and make every effort to answer as many questions as possible, but time constraints may preclude answering every question. Current plans call for posting questions and the administrator¹s responses at a regular interval, depending on the volume of questions asked. The new feature is part of an effort to improve dialogue and communications within the agency by allowing individual employees across the agency to share their questions and concerns directly with senior management.
To submit your question, visit the "Administrator's Corner" at: http://insidenasa.nasa.gov. Click on the "Ask a Question" link and complete the online form. Please note: The InsideNASA site will preserve the anonymity of all submitters unless they choose to provide their name.
While all submittals are appreciated, due to the expected volume, the administrator will not be able to answer all the questions submitted to the site.
DEPARTMENTS
Preserving Our Technical Excellence in Research Publication
Image right: Dr. Porter and Dr. Whitlow discussed the importance of publishing technical publications during an all hands meeting. Credit: NASA/Marvin SmithFor over 90 years -- since the formation of our agency's predecessor, the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics, and then NASA -- our reputation as the world's leader in aeronautics research and development was largely due to the ability to publish quality technical publications. Thousands of researchers, both inside and outside of NASA, have relied on these publications, many of which are still available through the NASA Aeronautics and Space Database, to advance their research.
During a visit to Glenn in December, Associate Administrator for the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, Dr. Lisa Porter, affirmed the importance of publishing our research and disseminating it for peer review. Agency leadership also expressed this view during a recent meeting of the Strategic Management Council. Shortly after Dr. Porter's visit, Glenn representatives attended a workshop at Headquarters that Dr. Porter hosted to address the process for producing excellent technical publications. The workshop provided a starting point for the Office of the Chief Engineer to establish standards, and a robust process for ensuring technical excellence in NASA technical publications.
An important aspect of the meeting focused on how we can ensure that NASA's publications, including conference papers, are of the highest technical quality, and how we ensure the rigor and veracity of our peer review process.
NASA Glenn will fully support this agency initiative to enhance the quality of our technical publications with the objective of sharing our knowledge with our stakeholders and the general public. We will ensure that all publications undergo the rigorous review process outlined in NASA Procedural Requirement 2200.2B.
Managers will play a key role in this initiative. They must ensure that all publications meet the standards of technical excellence. Managers also have a responsibility to make sure there are new ideas, concepts or results that are worthy of reporting. Simply put, the proposed content should be relevant, important and credible. Conference presentations should be reviewed by means of an oral presentation to the supervising branch chief and other technical experts. The goal is to preserve NASA's integrity in everything we report to the public.
To aid in this objective, our center has made technical writing and presentation training courses available, which also cover export control and International Traffic in Arms regulations. We have mentorship programs in place to help develop the research and writing process for younger employees. I would encourage everyone to take full advantage of these learning opportunities. We will continue to recognize and award technical publication excellence through such avenues as the Distinguished Publication Award.
It is good to share research, orally and written, at conferences and workshops. However, it is vital that we formally preserve our research as journal articles and make our research results available to current and future researchers through official NASA publications, archived through the NASA Scientific and Technical Information (STI) Program (http://www.sti.nasa.gov). We must convey to the world that performing first-class research is still a very important part of this agency's mission. Documenting and sharing our research with the professionalism the world has known and relied on for decades is a responsibility we cannot take lightly.
News Briefs
Elected Officials Tour Research Facilities
Image right: Pictured inside the Space Propulsion Facility are, left to right, Dr. Rickey Shyne, Glenn's deputy director of the Engineering and Technical Services Directorate; Frank Berkopec, Lockheed Martin Human Space Flight representative; Dr. Whitlow, Brigadier General (Ret.) David Stringer, Plum Brook Station manager; Sen. Voinovich; Pat McKenzie, Lockheed Martin Business Development manager of Orion Project; Carol Caruso, senior vice president of Advocacy for the Greater Cleveland Partnership; and Ohio Lt. Gov. Fisher. Credit: NASA/Marvin Smith 
Image left: Center Director Whitlow, far right, shares details on an artist rendering of the Orion Service Module with Lt. Gov. Fisher, left, and Sen. Voinovich. Credit: NASA/Marvin Smith 
Image right: Ohio Gov. Strickland, right, meets with Center Director Whitlow to discuss some of Glenn's research capabilities. Credit: NASA/Marvin SmithSenator George Voinovich and Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, along with representatives from the Greater Cleveland Partnership and Lockheed Martin, visited Plum Brook Station (PBS) on January 29. The visitors toured several facilities and met with Center Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr. to discuss present and potential uses of PBS test capabilities under the Constellation Program.
The following day, Ohio's new governor Ted Strickland and staff had an introductory meeting with Center Director Whitlow to learn about some of the center’s research capabilities. They discussed the governer's interest in alternative energy. The governor toured a research site where efforts are underway to derive alternative fuels from coal. Gov. Strickland talked with Glenn's management team to discuss how the State's needs and interests in alternative energy might intersect with Glenn's mission capabilities.
Click here to read more about alternative fuel research underway at Glenn: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/news/AF/2007/Feb07_AltFuel.html
Kudos for Constellation Program System Requirements Review
Image left: Hardcastle is pictured, third from left, with, left to right, Glenn's Sina Javidi, Brian Willis, Pat George, Jeff Woytach, Scott Thomas, James Wott and Rich Kunath looking into the Space Environmental Simulation Chamber of the B-2 Altitude Propulsion Test Facility at Plum Brook Station. Credit: NASAOn January 19, Chris Hardcastle, director of Constellation Program Systems Engineering and Integration Office, visited Glenn to personally thank Constellation Team members for their outstanding contributions to the recent Constellation Program System Requirements Review. During an informal recognition breakfast, Glenn employees interacted with Hardcastle and shared their thoughts on the Constellation Program. Tour stops included Glenn's Ares I assembly area and Power System Simulation facilities, as well as Plum Brook Station. Hardcastle's visit encouraged open communications and technical interactions throughout the day.
2007 FIRST Competition Challenge Begins
Image right: Identical kits of hardware and game manuals were distributed at Cuyahoga Community College, and to all the 1,300 teams from across the United States and six other countries. NASA/S. Jenise VerisNASA Glenn mentors and over 250 students from 27 high schools attended the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotic Competition 2007 season kickoff at the Cuyahoga Community College's Unified Technology Center on January 6. During a live broadcast by NASA Television via satellite from the FIRST Headquarters in Manchester, N.H., Dean Kamen, FIRST founder, revealed the rules for this year's game challenge, Rack 'N Roll. Immediately after the event, the clock began ticking on a six-week deadline for students, working side-by-side with their mentors, to design, build and test a robot for the FIRST Buckeye Regional Competition set for March 22-23 at the Cleveland State University Wolstein Center. Glenn, along with local corporations and academic and nonprofit organizations, sponsor the regional event.
Calendar of Events
LESA MEETING: LESA/IFPTE, Local 28, will hold its next monthly membership meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 14, at noon in the Employee Center.
WOMEN'S RETIREMENT LUNCHEON: The next luncheon for Glenn female retirees will be Thursday, Feb. 15, noon at the new Bucci's Restaurant, J. Bella, at 12201 Pearl Road, Strongsville. For further information, contact Kathy Dorsey, 440-234-3935.
NESC ACADEMY KNOWLEDGE-SHARING COURSE: The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) Academy is accepting applications for its next knowledge-sharing course,"Software as an Engineering Discipline: Learning From the Past and Looking to the Future," to be presented March 13-15. The course will examine the evolution of computer programs and software engineering in space exploration, highlighting valuable lessons learned. NASA engineers and scientists can register for the software course and learn more about the NESC Academy by logging onto http://www.nescacademy.org.
NASA'S NEW SPACESHIP: The Vision for Space Exploration calls for humans to return to the moon by the end of the next decade, paving the way for eventual journeys to Mars and beyond. Hear the latest news about the unique vehicles NASA is building to fulfill this vision and find out about NASA Glenn's role in designing and testing them during February's Third Saturday Event on February 17 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Glenn's Visitor Center. Special presentations take place at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The event will also feature free souvenir photos at the "Picture Yourself in Space" digital photo booth, "make and take" crafts for children and take-home handouts on out-of-this-world topics. For reservations, call 216-433-9653. For details on this and other Glenn events, log onto http://glennevents.grc.nasa.gov.
AFGE MEETING: AFGE Local 2182 will hold its next monthly membership meeting on March 7 at 5 p.m. at Denny's Restaurant, 25912 Lorain Road, North Olmsted.
NASA COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND CALL: The NASA College Scholarship Fund, Inc. is now accepting applications. This fund is a nonprofit organization that awards undergraduate scholarships to NASA dependents pursuing a course of study in science or engineering fields. Up to six scholarships will be awarded this year. The application deadline date is March 20, 2007. For additional application information, refer to the Web site, http://nasapeople.nasa.gov/nasascholarship/index.htm, or call Lynne Sammon at 216-433-3952.
Awards
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| Dr. Potapczuk |
Retirements
Timothy Debth, Logistics and Technical Information Division, retired on January 31, 2007, with 21 ½ years of NASA service.
Ernest Flowers, Engineering and Technical Services Directorate, retired on January 3, 2007, with 40 ½ years of NASA service.
Robert Freedman, Engineering and Technical Services Directorate, retired on January 3, 2007, with 39 ½ years of NASA service.
Gary Weegmann, Enterprise Environments Branch, retired on January 3, 2007, with 39 ½ years of NASA service.
In Appreciation
Jim and I wish to express our sincere gratitude to our NASA friends for the kindnesses shown at the death of my mother. Your cards, phone calls, flowers and visits were greatly appreciated and will always be remembered. Thank you so much. We miss you.
-- Joyce and Jim Bergstrom
My family and I would like to thank our friends and co-workers here at Glenn for your cards, letters and donations to the ALS Foundation and especially for your kind words following the passing of my dad. Your heartfelt support and generosity is treasured.
-- Bob Thomas
To my friends and colleagues at NASA Glenn: My family and I thank you for your expressions of condolence following the death of my father. The kind words, cards and flowers helped us through a difficult time. Your generous donations to The Bedford Lions Club will be put to good use in my father's memory.
--Chuck Trefny and Family
In Memory
Charles W. Casterline, 89, who retired from NASA in May 1982 with 20 years of service, has died. Casterline served as a metallurgical technician at Lewis Field. He also served two years in U.S. Army during World War II.
Edward Ducsay, 87, who retired from NASA in June 1974 with 17 years of service, has died. Ducsay was an electrician at Plum Brook Station. He also served 3 ½ years in the Air Force during World War II.
Edmund J. Karecki, 86, who retired from NASA in January 1984 with 20 years of service, has died. Karecki was a pipefitter and welder prior to retiring to devote his life to serving the St. Augustine Church community as a deacon.
Dean W. Sheibley, 71, who retired from NASA in May 1994 with 35 years of service, has died. Sheibley served as Radio Chemistry Section Head for the Nuclear Support Branch of the Instrument Development and Engineering Section at Plum Brook Station (PBS), before transferring to the Cleveland Laboratory where he was the project manager for the power generation and energy storage system of the International Space Station. Sheibley served the past 10 years as a part-time consultant on the Decommissioning Project for the PBS reactor.
Lewis E. Wallner, 83, who retired from NASA in May 1971 with 25 years of service, has died. Wallner began his Lewis-Glenn career as an aeronautical engineer conducting research on turbojet engine propulsion. Prior to retirement, Wallner worked on rocket propulsion and radiation shielding systems.