Aerospace Frontiers
January 2007
Center Master Plan Aligns Facilities With Mission
A team of Glenn employees representing several directorates has been working to envision the future of the center. New office buildings, an auditorium and conference area and a public outreach district are included in a draft Center Master Plan to ensure that Lewis Field and Plum Brook Station (PBS) facilities align with the center's mission.
"We need to create sustainable, affordable facilities that will enable us to transition for the Vision for Space Exploration while building on our aeronautics heritage," explained Joseph Morris, chief architect, Facilities Division. "The Center Master Planning process aligns our facilities and land to promote and fully utilize our resources."
A key feature of the Master Plan at Lewis Field calls for creating a campus center that would function as downtown Glenn. Members of the Director's Leadership Team and program management personnel would be in centrally located offices to better facilitate communications among the directorates, visitors from other NASA centers and industry partners. Along with new Administration and Integrated Team Project Office buildings, additional downtown buildings would house an auditorium, conference center, cafeteria and employee services.
The West Campus would provide opportunities for facilities supporting space flight development work, including the testing and verification of hardware before it is sent into space.
The North Campus, where the Developmental Engineering Building is currently located, would be transformed into a public outreach area. The centerpiece would be the Aerospace Education Center, housing the Visitor Center and classrooms for expanded educational programs. New office buildings for space flight contractors would also take advantage of this prime location.
"This is a very visible and accessible area to the public," Morris explained. "So we can utilize this site for public outreach while leveraging the value of this land for our space exploration partners."
A reconfiguration of the Lewis Field main gate, with a shipping and receiving facility, is also outlined in the plan. The new design will provide a greater degree of campus security and safety. Image right: The Center Master Plan Team members, pictured, left to right, are Seablom, Puzak, Doglio, Gaier, Linne, Morris, Vance, Johnson, Heryak, Riser, Main and O'Connor. Credit: NASA/Marvin Smith
The Center Master Plan calls for upgrading and augmenting current test facilities at PBS that will be vital in meeting the needs of the Vision for Space Exploration, Morris said. Modifications to the B-2 and Spacecraft Propulsion Facility (SPF) are already being designed.
Other PBS renovations include the relocation of the main gate and entrance roadway to accommodate the transport of large space flight hardware. A new regional airport runway near PBS is also envisioned to simplify the delivery of space flight hardware.
Additionally, underutilized land on the perimeter of PBS could be leased for commercial development under the Master Plan. "While we'll continue to preserve our natural buffer areas at Plum Brook, other areas of land can be made available to contractors and other partners."
Morris said that after the draft Center Master Plan is approved by Headquarters, it would roll out over a 20-year period. Within the first five years of the plan, employees would see construction of the Integrated Team Project Office, a new main gate and shipping and receiving facilities at Lewis Field. The SPF upgrades, main entrance and start of the regional airport runway should take shape at PBS during the first five years as well.
"Our team has developed an exciting plan that is a vital management tool to direct our planning efforts and ensure that we have the facilities we'll need for present and future missions," Morris said.
Members of the Center Master Plan Team include the following: Kirk Seablom, Office of Strategic Management; Lou Bernhardt, Dr. Ron Cull, Dr. Ruben DelRosario, Tony Doglio, Wei Hu, Les Main, Joe Morris, Renee Palyo, Bob Puzak, Larry Schroeder, Jeff Swan, Robert Wells, Jeff Brown and Jose Ayala, Engineering and Technical Services Directorate; Dr. Jim Gaier, Rob Jankovsky, Diane Linne, Mike Meyer, Robert Romanofsky and Dr. Rainee Simons, Research and Technology Directorate; Carol Vance and Richard Soppet, Center Operations Directorate; Mike Heryak, Office of Chief Information Officer; Clayton Meyers, Jim Mullins and Dan Vento, Programs and Projects Directorate; Ken O'Connor, Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate. Ed Johnson and Dale Riser, Master Planning Consultant, Johnson-McAdams Firm, Penn., facilitated the team.
Preliminary Lewis Field and Plum Brook Station concept plans may be viewed on the Facilities Division web site at http://fd.grc.nasa.gov/masterplan.cfm
Doreen Zudell
FEATURES
Glenn Technology To Aid New Space Suit Design
Venturing outside a spacecraft to conduct assembly, maintenance or emergency repairs is one of the most important activities that an astronaut performs. It is also one of the most dangerous. Astronauts must wear special clothing when executing extravehicular activities (EVA) to protect them from the harsh environment of space.
NASA Glenn's capability in space flight software, power and communications is being used to develop the communications, avionics, and informatics (CAI) and power subsystems for the next-generation space suit. This effort supports the Constellation Program's EVA Systems Project, which is led by Johnson Space Center and supported by Glenn, industry and academia. Image left: Carek inspects the CAI computer prior to a test run. Credit: NASA
"Glenn's capabilities in space flight software and avionics are a great match for the needs of EVA and the Constellation Program," said David Carek, Glenn's EVA Systems Engineering lead.
The purpose of the EVA Systems Project is to build a new space suit architecture that can be upgraded to meet future exploration mission requirements. The space suits currently used for space shuttle and International Space Station missions each weigh approximately 300 pounds and require 24 hours of preparation and maintenance time for every 8-hour period of EVA. Advancements over the current suit design are needed to provide improved functionality, reliability and productivity, while decreasing mass, astronaut workload and operating costs.
CAI Subsystems
Glenn is investigating new CAI subsystems that allow transmission and reception of voice and data communications among crew members, mission control and ground operations personnel. Subsystems being studied and/or developed at Glenn include computer and in-helmet electronic displays that provide data and procedures to the crew.
Suit avionics systems must manage and conserve the limited supply of consumable resources, such as oxygen, water and power. Glenn is now developing a tool called the Portable Unit for Metabolic Analysis (PUMA), which measures the metabolic rate of crew members during various EVA activities and allows researchers to evaluate the data.
Various studies are underway at Glenn to determine the requirements of more autonomous information systems that will allow the astronauts to manage their own work more efficiently.
Power Subsystems
To support an increase in the frequency and duration of EVAs for future exploration missions, power systems with long run time and fast recharge are necessary to ensure efficient performance. The power system needs advanced lightweight energy storage systems and must be capable of safely operating in the harsh environments of space by tolerating radiation, dust and large temperature variations.
Glenn's development of the Electrical Power Subsystem involves defining top-level power requirements and determining an appropriate power subsystem architecture for development. Trade studies are conducted as required to address specific issues and guide design technology selections. Near-term technology assessment efforts are focused on evaluating state-of-the-art battery cell and fuel cell hardware with the potential to meet EVA requirements.
"Glenn is very fortunate to be part of the next-generation space suit development," said Carek. "Performing EVAs is what space exploration is all about."
Emily Groh & Deborah Sedlak
Glenn-Led Technology Ensures Safety and Savings
One of the most challenging component design and certification requirements for commercial jet engines is to try and prevent a "blade-out" rotor failure event, which can result in catastrophic loss of aircraft and/or passengers. Engine blade-out occurs when a sudden change in speed causes a fluctuation in rotor spin resulting in a blade overstress condition, or when a blade, or group of blades, fatigues from repeated cyclic stresses.
Image right: Damaged engine case from blade-out testing. Credit: NASATesting rotor dynamics and blade-out conditions to ensure safe operation is extremely expensive, time consuming and labor intensive. An award-winning "tool kit" of simulation software developed by a Glenn-led team of industry, government and university researchers has the potential of saving aircraft engine companies as much as 10 percent in design and development costs per year. Companies may use the team-generated software to replace costly testing procedures with analytical simulations of the aircraft rotor dynamics system, as well as predict a situation where a transient blade-out might occur.
"Glenn provided technical expertise, project leadership and facilitated funding that enabled the long-term research and exchange of resources necessary to create a comprehensive simulation of a rotor dynamics system to enhance aerospace industry designs," explained team lead Dr. Charles Lawrence, Structures and Materials Division. "Our Engine-Air Frame Structural Simulation Team collaborated for more than four years to fully comprehend the structural needs and develop the rotor dynamics to develop new analysis models, computational algorithms and simulation software tools that would better predict the structural response of the complex engine-airframe rotor dynamics system."
The team's efforts culminated in technology demonstration, transfer and commercialization through sustained investment from NASA's Aviation Safety and Security Program, Space Act Agreements, grants and other partnerships. Prediction of engine blade-out improved by 50 percent, with a design cycle time reduction of 25 percent. The improved simulation tools also enable engine designers to consider a wider selection of design configurations.
Key partners of this technology include Boeing, GE Aircraft Engines, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls Royce, Honeywell, Livermore Software Technology Corp., the Ohio Aerospace Institute, The Ohio State University, the Federal Aviation Administration and MSC.Software. MSC.Software implemented the system software in the 2004 release of its finite element analysis (FEA) code, MSC.Nastran.
"In addition to aeropropulsion applications, the new code will better ensure the structural integrity and safety of rotating equipment used in microgravity experiments aboard the space shuttle and station and the KC-135 as it goes through simulated maneuvers," Lawrence noted. "The code was also employed in the design of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, which is scheduled to enter service in 2008. The design of this plane incorporates the advanced features of the enhanced code along with the most advanced materials and technologies available to airlines around the world."
With the support of NASA's Aviation Safety and Security Program, Glenn scientists and engineers continue to work with industry partners and academia to develop and apply advanced, affordable technologies to make air travel safer.
S. Jenise Veris
Presidential Rank Presented to Three Managers
 |
 |
 |
| Wessel | Gonzalez-Sanabria | Dr. Blankson |
Associate Director Vernon "Bill" Wessel has received the Presidential Rank of Distinguished Executive. Wessel was recognized by NASA Executive Management, including the Administrator and the Chief of NASA's Safety and Mission Assurance Office, as the model of leadership for Safety and Mission Assurance in NASA. His innovative ideas, continued implementation of quality and dedication to the development of world-class technical and management staff at NASA has been vital in developing, supporting and implementing agency initiatives throughout NASA.
Director of Engineering and Technical Services Olga Gonzalez-Sanabria and Senior Technologist, Dr. Isaiah Blankson, Research and Technology Directorate, have received the Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive.
Gonzalez-Sanabria has been recognized for planning, organizing and directing a full range of integrated services including engineering, fabrication, testing, facility management and aircraft services for Lewis Field and at Plum Brook Station. She is also recognized for her efforts in implementing the systems management flow-down process established in NASA's policies, guidance and Strategic Plan.
Blankson is an internationally recognized hypersonics expert, having authored and co-authored numerous cutting-edge technical papers in hypersonics and related fields. Prior to his current assignment, Blankson managed the agency's Generic Hypersonic Program at NASA Headquarters. During this time, he initiated a flight program that led to NASA's X-43 Hypersonic Scramjet-Engine successful flights at Mach 7 and 10.
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management administers the Presidential Rank Award Program, which is determined through a rigorous selection process with final approval by the President.
Retiree Spotlight
Fleming Promotes Communications Through Ham Radio
Retiree Norman Fleming, 89, is still forging new horizons. An amateur radio "ham" for 65 years, Fleming testifies that anyone can be a ham operator regardless of age, sex or physical ability.
"When you call out on a ham radio, the possibilities are endless," said Fleming, whose station call letters are W8PJ. "The person responding may be next door, across the globe or even an astronaut in outer space." Image left: Retiree Norm Fleming staffs the Amateur Radio Club Station at the NASA Glenn Visitor Center. Credit: NASA/Doreen Zudell
Fleming dedicated most of his 20-year career at Glenn as a technician in space communications. He helped build payloads with telemetry that launched on Nike Cajun, Nike Apache and Aerobee space probes from Wallops Island in the Atlantic Ocean. The research was aimed at understanding the characteristics of operating in the upper atmosphere. He traveled across the United States operating the portable small Earth terminal downlink station used in conjunction with the Communications Technology Satellite. This pioneered a new era in television communications across the world. He also worked on the telemetry for the Centaur Launch Vehicle.
Fleming attributes much of his career success to his ham radio hobby. "I built a lot of my own ham equipment and learned to improvise when something wasn't working," he explained.
Although he retired in 1980, Fleming stays connected with NASA through the Visitor Center, logging in over 4,000 volunteer hours, to date. On Tuesdays, Fleming operates the NASA Glenn Amateur Radio Club Station. He also uses this opportunity to explain to visitors the benefits of NASA programs such as the space shuttle and International Space Station. Fleming points out that several astronauts are hams and regularly use the amateur radio to talk with people down on Earth while in orbit.
Fleming encourages many of the visitors to get their Federal Communications Commission license so that they can operate ham radios. He feels that this is one of the most educational and worldwide hobbies available.
"A lot of young people I talk with don't feel that math, science and geography have practical applications in their lives," Fleming explained. "I show them how they can apply all these subjects in a fun, exciting way not only as ham operators, but in the design and building of their own antenna systems and equipment. Doing so can open up a brand new world of knowledge and friendship."
Doreen Zudell
MORE NEWS
Local Expertise Contributes to Space Station Power Up
Glenn engineers watched with pride as the most complex assembly sequence to date of the International Space Station (ISS) during Discovery STS-116's eight-day mission, which concluded Friday, December 22. Image right: Space Shuttle Discovery STS-116 crew in shuttle suits are: front row, left to right, astronauts William A. Oefelein, pilot; Joan E. Higginbotham, mission specialist; and Mark L. Polansky, commander. Back row, left to right, Robert L. Curbeam, Nicholas J.M. Patrick, Sunita L. Williams and the European Space Agency's Christer Fuglesangk, all mission specialists. Credit: NASA
Following safe docking and inspection of the orbiter, the STS-116 crew continued the on-orbit construction of the ISS on Dec. 12 by installing the P5 spacer truss that serves as a spacer connecting the larger P3/P4 and P6 truss segments -- the first of four spacewalks conducted during the mission. The next two spacewalks were devoted to major reconfiguration and activation of the ISS electrical and thermal control system powering station, along with delivery of Zvezda Service Module debris panels, which will increase ISS protection from potential impacts of micrometeorites and orbital debris. A fourth spacewalk was added to allow the crew to retract the two pairs of solar arrays on the P6 truss that folded improperly.
The station's electric power system consists of power generation, energy storage and power management and distribution equipment. Since 1998, the station has been running in a temporary configuration. The rewiring activities conducted during this mission enabled station's power system to switch to a new, permanent configuration.
Glenn managed the overall design and architecture of station's electric power system in the early 1990s. "Because we are well versed with station's power system capabilities and hardware configurations, members of Glenn's Electric Power System Management Team were available to consult on any issues that may have occurred," said Greg Schmitz, International Space Station Subsystem Management Team lead, Programs and Projects Directorate.
In partnership with NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Glenn's Electric Power System Management Team continues its responsibility for technical oversight of the station's power capability. "Turning on the power for station during this flight sets the stage for attachment of the European and Japanese research modules next year," said Tony Jannette, an electrical power system engineer, Power and Communications Systems Analysis Branch.
The P5's installation was not the only change station undergone during the STS-116 mission. Discovery also delivered Ohio native Sunita Williams, who replaces European Space Agency Astronaut Thomas Reiter on the Expedition 14 crew. Williams will serve as a flight engineer during her six-month tour of duty aboard the ISS.
For more information on Glenn's contributions to the International Space Station, visit http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/projects/issgrc.html. Additional information on STS-116, is available at http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
2006 Year in Review
 |
NASA's Deputy Administrator Shana Dale and a delegation of Constellation programmatic leadership joined Center Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow, Jr. in an All Hands Meeting on June 6 to provide details on Glenn's new assignments for the Constellation Program. + View Image Feature |
|
|
 |
|
On January 10, Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr. held his first All Hands Meeting as Glenn's center director to share his priorities, which were communicating center competencies and bringing meaningful work to the center. |
Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong, right, presented legendary astronaut and center namesake John H. Glenn NASA's Ambassador of Exploration Award. The ceremony was held on February 20, the 44th anniversary of his historic Mercury mission as the first American to orbit Earth. |
Glenn's Women's Advisory Group Chair, Gloria Richards, far left, assists in unveiling a commemorative poster with Gene Nora (Stumbough) Jessen, right, and Myrtle Cagle, two members of the famous Mercury 13. The nation's first lady astronaut trainees shared highlights of their experiences during Glenn's Women's History Month celebration in March. |
|
|
|
|
Members of the aerospace community viewed some of NASA's unique facilities and testing capabilities during an open house at Plum Brook Station in April. Pictured, left to right, are Charles Lucius and Christopher Pestak, Batelle, and Center Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr. |
NASA's Associate Administrator for Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate Dr. Lisa Porter visited Glenn twice in 2006, April and December, to update employees on NASA's progress in restructuring the Aeronautics Program and to tour center facilities. Pictured with Dr. Porter are Center Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow, Jr. and Dr. Shantaram Pai. |
Glenn's in-house construction of two full-scale mock-ups -- the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle, January 2005, and a portion of the Ares I-1 Upper Stage Vehicle, summer 2005 (pictured) -- showcased in-house talent and gave form to NASA's Vision for Space Exploration. |
|
|
|
|
Former Associate Director Robert "Bob" Fails, who was widely-respected for his knowledge and experience with accounting systems and management processes, retired on August 3 after 30 years of federal service. Center Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr., left, presented one of many gifts Fails, right, received during a retirement gathering. Deputy Director Rich Christiansen looks on. |
Glenn hosted NASA's new Space Mission Excellence Program orientation in October, a training program aimed at developing certified systems engineers to support current and future Exploration missions and space flight programs. |
Members of the STS-115 crew held an All Hands Meeting on November 2 to brief Glenn employees on the crew's experiences conducting space station assembly, particularly the photovoltaic power module (P3/P4) truss installation, which was developed with Glenn expertise. The visit also included center tours and Silver Snoopy Award presentations to 10 employees. |
DEPARTMENTS
We've Come a Long Way Since January
NASA Glenn has come a long way since last January. It's been a year of hard work and challenges, but there have been great rewards as well. Our ability to come together as a center and as a member of the NASA team has demonstrated our technical competence and our determination to support future mission requirements.
Image right: Center Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr. addressing employees during an All Hands meeting. Credit: NASA/Marvin SmithEarlier this year, we participated in the successful Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) Smart Buyer study that involved an eight-week agencywide design study of the CEV. This was followed by the in-house development of full-scale mockups of Orion and Ares I Pathfinder space flight hardware. In June, we earned the role of leading the CEV Service Module and Spacecraft Adapter integration, as well as the development of the Crew Launch Vehicle upper stage systems. Glenn researchers played a significant role in defining the new aeronautics program as well. This helped to maintain a healthy balance of aeronautics research and space flight development.
Image left: Dr. Whitlow and Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones stop by the office of Duane Revilock, Research and Technology Directorate, during a tour of NASA Glenn. Credit: NASA/Marvin SmithWith the help of an independent organizational readiness assessment earlier this year, we concluded that Glenn needed to create a Space Flight Systems Directorate and add senior management staff members with space flight experience to our skill mix. We are looking forward to further developing the directorate this year.
Next we conducted a workforce analysis that identified our civil servant employees' education, skill and experience levels. This exercise assisted us in identifying where we should focus our retraining efforts. Ultimately, we were able to fully deploy our current workforce to avoid a Reduction In Force.
Image right: Center Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow shakes hands with Angel Otero, Programs and Project Directorate. Credit: NASA/Marvin SmithWhen I held my first All Hands meeting as your director last January, I asked for your help and support in defining a role for this center in the agency's future to make it a healthy entity. Your response made this goal a reality.
Thank you for a great effort, a great attitude and a great year. Although we continue to have a challenging journey ahead of us, I'm confident we'll handle each milestone with the same determination that got us to where we are today. Let's keep going strong in 2007!
News Briefs
Dr. Porter Leads Aeronautics Update
Image left: Dr. Porter talks to employees during an All Hands address. Credit: NASA/Marvin SmithDuring her Dec. 12 All Hands Meeting at Glenn, Associate Administrator for the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, Dr. Lisa Porter updated employees on efforts to reshape NASA's Aeronautics Program. She congratulated center employees on the quality of their intercenter research proposals and reported that NASA will begin awarding contracts for aeronautics work in early 2007. Porter reiterated the four governing principles of aeronautics and answered questions related to those principles.
Center Leadership Spreads Holiday Cheer
Image right: DLT members Bill Sikora, chief counsel, and Ken Aguilar, director of Center Operations, serve refreshments. Credit: NASA/S. Jenise VerisCenter Director Woodrow Whitlow Jr. and Director Leadership Team (DLT) members spread good cheer among employees during the Center's Holiday Gathering on Dec. 12. Center leadership took turns serving punch and cookies while expressing their appreciation for the great work the center accomplished this past year.
Ceremony Recognizes All Veterans
Image left: Students from Puritas Community School and Tommie Perry, a member of Glenn's security force and veteran, carry a memorial wreath during the ceremony. Credit: NASA/Marvin Smith, RSISGlenn employees and guests from the local community showed their respect for all veterans during Glenn's Veterans Awareness Program and Recognition Ceremony on Nov. 9. Veterans Awareness Committee (VAC) member, Jim Giomini, Program and Policy Office, led the program that featured a wreath ceremony and guest speakers who expressed their gratitude for the personal sacrifices for the personal sacrifices made by those serving in the military. Among the speakers was Bill Wynne, a former NASA employee, who shared information on his efforts to construct a memorial for his dog, Smoky, and other animals whose performances boost morale during military conflicts. The VAC sponsored this special event.
Native American Innovation
Image right: NAAC advisor and co-chair Avis Hudson, left, presents a traditional star quilt to Connolly and an AISES award to Robert Lawrence (hidden), on behalf of the External Programs Directorate, and Stocker. Photo courtesy of NAACUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison's Director of the American Indian Studies Program and activist Ada Deer highlighted Glenn's 2006 Native American Observance on Nov. 16. Deer addressed the theme "Generations of Innovation" by citing freeze-drying foods and urban trading among many examples of Native American innovation. A traditional honor ceremony recognized Glenn employees Joseph Connolly, Controls and Dynamics Branch; Dennis Stocker and Nancy Hall, Microgravity Division; and several center organizations for their efforts on behalf of Native American summer interns through a NASA/American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) grant. Displays of Native American jewelry, art and food samples were also part of the festivities cosponsored by Glenn's Native American Advisory Council (NAAC) and the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs.
CFC Celebrates Successful Year
Image left: Center Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow, center, assists in passing the gavel from 2006 CFC Chair Overton to Vice Chair McMillen, who will lead the 2007 campaign. Credit: NASA/Michelle Murphy, RSISGlenn concluded another successful Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) by raising over $360,000 for local and worldwide nonprofit charities, which was 106 percent of this year's goal. During a Recognition and Awards Breakfast on Nov. 28, 2006, CFC Chair Eric Overton and Vice Chair Linda McMillen thanked the many employees who donated their time to the campaign. In addition to exceeding its monetary goal, the center's overall pledge participation increased from 49 to 54 percent. Overton attributed the success of the campaign to the support of center management, enthusiasm and creativity of committee members and the generosity of employees.
Visitor Center Volunteers Recognized
Image right: VC volunteers, family, friends and staff enjoy dinner at the Recognition Program. Credit: NASA/John OldhamThe External Programs Directorate thanked 58 volunteers for their dedication to the Visitor Center (VC) in 2006 during a Volunteer Recognition Program on Nov. 8. Each of the volunteers received a certificate of appreciation for supporting a wide range of activities that have aided the VC staff in presenting quality programming to the public. Norm Fleming, who operates the amateur radio exhibit, earned special recognition for donating more than 4,000 volunteer hours to the VC. A program highlight was the surprise certificate of appreciation presented by Lynette Maistros, Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) activity coordinator, to VC Volunteer Coordinator Monica Boyd, BTAS/Community and Media Relations, for "for 10 years of exemplary service supporting NASA's VC and the RSVP."
Young Astronaut Day Inspires the Next Generation
Image right: Astronaut Good greets the leader and students from Girl Scout Troop 1795 from Broadview Heights. Credit: NASA/Karen EdwardsGlenn held its 14th Annual Young Astronaut Day on November 4. The program, co-sponsored this year by NASA's Fundamental Aeronautics–Supersonics Project and the Northern Ohio Section of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, provided opportunities for teams of students to focus their energies on many different tasks related to engineering problem solving. More than 325 students (grades 3 through 12) from 22 different schools participated in the event. Following the keynote address by astronaut Michael T. Good (Colonel, USAF), the students competed in such activities as rocket car competitions, Mars parachute design event, space shuttle repair competition, bridge building event, space shuttle tile design competition and a space shuttle simulation event.
Health Care Journalists Visit
Image left: Dan Dietrich, center, principal investigator, gives an overview of the Portable Unit for Metabolic Analysis (PUMA), demonstrated by John Easton, left, to Kelly Morgan, Charleston, Va. Gazette. Credit: NASA/Katherine MartinAs part of the workshops available during the Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ) 2006 Regional Conference, forty health care journalists and students visited Glenn on Oct. 27. Hosted by Case Western Reserve University's School of Medicine, the event included a luncheon presentation on Glenn's Human Research Program; tours of the Exercise Countermeasures Lab and the GRUVE lab; and presentations on the Portable Unit for Metabolic Analysis (PUMA), BioWATCH and the "Eye as the Window to the Body." Sponsors included the Cleveland Clinic, The Plain Dealer, NASA Glenn, Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation and the MetroHealth System.
Calendar of Events
SEARCHING FOR LIFE BEYOND: Is there another Earth out there? Learn about NASA's exploration of the solar system in the quest for life beyond during January's Third Saturday Event on Jan. 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Glenn's Visitor Center. Special presentations will 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 on to http://glennevents.grc.nasa.gov.
MLK RECOGNITION OBSERVANCE: Former Glenn Director, Dr. Julian Earls, will address this year's Martin Luther King (MLK) Jr. Recognition Ceremony theme "One Dream, One World, One Community." The event will take place on Jan. 25 at 9:30 a.m. in the Developmental Engineering Building. Special presentations by each advisory group will highlight their accomplishments throughout the year. Equality Recognition Essay Contest winners will also be announced. For further information, contact Avis Hudson, 3-6072.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT (PM) CHALLENGE 2007 SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED: The speakers and topics for NASA PM Challenge 2007 are now online at http://pmchallenge.gsfc.nasa.gov/. PM Challenge 2007 is February 6-7, 2007 at the Moody Gardens Hotel & Convention Center in Galveston, Texas. Register today at http://pmchallenge.gsfc.nasa.gov/registration2007.htm.
AFGE MEETING: AFGE Local 2182 will hold its next monthly membership meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 5 p.m. at Denny's Restaurant, 25912 Lorain Road, North Olmsted.
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.
Awards
 |
 |
| Dr. Garg | Dr. Lerch |
The American Society of Materials (ASM) has inducted Dr. Anita Garg (UNT) and Dr. Brad Lerch, researchers in Glenn's Materials and Structures Division, as ASM Fellows. Garg was cited for her "outstanding contributions to the scientific and technological understanding of structure-property relationships in high-temperature and aerospace materials." Lerch was distinguished for his "outstanding contributions to the understanding of deformation and fatigue of metallic alloys and composites leading to improved materials and models." The induction ceremony took place during the Materials Science and Technology Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Oct. 16.
SAE Turbomachinery Award
 |
| Dr. Adamczyk |
Hathaway Brown/Glenn Collaboration Pays Off
Image right: Left to right, Rucker, Roberts and McCarthy with their poster at the Midwest Competition held at the University of Notre Dame. Photo courtesy of the Seimen Foundation.The Hathaway Brown High School (Shaker Heights, Ohio) team of Catherine McCarthy, Lily Roberts and Rochelle Rucker was recognized for their work with NASA during the 2006–07 Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology National Final on Dec. 3. The team won a $10,000 scholarship, medals, trophies, framed certificates and other prizes for their research analyzing polymer samples from NASA's Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE–2) to determine which materials perform best in low Earth orbit. The project was inspired by ongoing work with NASA Glenn mentors Kim de Groh and Bruce Banks of the Electro-Physics Branch. The girls will share $16,000 in scholarships that includes a $6,000 scholarship and prizes won earlier for the top team category at Siemen's Midwest Regional Competition in November. The team also won $4,000 for their school, totalling over $20,000 in scholarships and awards, in the nation's most prestigious high school science competition.
Visit the NASA portal for more information on the Hathaway Brown/Glenn Collaboration: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/science/siemens_award.html.
Retirements
 Herb |
Larry Kalb, Engineering and Technical Services Directorate, retired on January 3, 2007, with 34 1/2 years of federal service, including 32 1/2 with NASA.
Charles Putt, Office of Chief Information Officer, retired on January 3, 2007, with 45 years of federal service, including 44 years with NASA.
Dennis Vano, Business Systems Office, retired on January 3, 2007, with 32 years of federal service, including 23 1/2 with NASA.
Sherril White, Security Management and Safeguards Office, retired on January 3, 2007, with 41 years of NASA service.
In Appreciation
The family of Calvin Ball would like to express our appreciation to everyone at NASA for the cards, visits, calls and words of comfort during this difficult time. Just to know that, in countless ways, Cal was remembered and honored by so many NASA friends makes the way easier.
-- Thelma Ball
To all my Army and NASA colleagues: My wife and I would like to thank you for your generous gift of donated leave. My wife has been battling terminal cancer for two years, which requires many hospital stays and doctor visits. When I take her to the doctor, she always thanks me for being with her. I tell her not to thank me, but to thank my colleagues because they are the ones that make it possible. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
-- Chris and Annette Conrad
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone at NASA Glenn for your support after the passing of my father last month. I will always remember how your kindness and generosity made this difficult time easier.
-- Jennifer Sapienza
In Memory
Calvin L. Ball, 73, who retired in March 1995 after 36 years of NASA service, has died. Prior to retirement, Ball served as chief engineer for the Propulsion System Division in the Aeronautics Directorate where he coordinated research in turbine and intermittent combustion engines. He began his career at the Plum Brook Station and focused individual research and writings primarily on cryogenic pumps for rockets and advanced aircraft propulsion and space power systems, including extensive work on the Space Power Brayton Cycle System, Centaur's RL–10 engine and the Supersonic Through Flow Fan program. He was awarded NASA's Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal in 1986. Ball's government service included two years in the Army Corps of Engineers, 1957–59, onsite at Lewis Field.
Arthur D. Brenza, who retired from NASA in December 1988, has died. Brenza served as a supervisory electronics engineer prior to his retirement. His government service included four years in the U.S. Army.