Plum Brook Hosts 

Appreciation Lunch

Page 12

Fun Abounds 

at Center Picnic

Pages 6–7

Security Day: 

Developing Good 

Decision Making

Page 9

VOLUME 19 • ISSUE 9 • SEPTEMBER 2017

Marveling on

Our Solar Eclipse

Pages 2–3
2

Ogive Test Campaign 

by the Numbers

Our Orion team continues to perform 

well, rising to the occasion once again 

by successfully completing the Launch 

Abort System Hatch acoustic testing 

in the Reverberant Acoustic Test 

Facility at Plum Brook Station. Four 

Ogive panels were subjected to 

acoustic evaluation, achieving an 

impressive 161.4 dB under prelaunch, 

launch and abort conditions. The 

overall testing took 8 days with zero 

incidents! The test campaign was 

successful in part because of the high 

standards and commitment we place 

on our safety processes and reviews. 

The team worked cohesively with 

one another and with our partners 

throughout the rigorous schedule. 

Thank you all for recognizing that 

safety is key to success. 

AeroSpace Frontiers

is an official publication of Glenn Research 

Center, National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration. It is published the second 

Friday of each month by the Office of 

Communications & External Relations 

in the interest of the Glenn workforce, 

retirees, government officials, business 

leaders and the general public. 

Submit short articles and calendar items 

to the editor at doreen.b.zudell@nasa.gov. 

Editor: Doreen B. Zudell, ATS, 

 216–433–5317

Assistant Editor: S. Jenise Veris, ATS

Design: Jami Drost, ATS

Managing Editor: Kelly R. DiFrancesco

Circulation: Angela Williams, ATS, 

 216–433–8921

Employee event at the Lewis Field Picnic Grounds.

GRC-2017-C-05400

GRC-2017-C-05591

Photo by John Aylward

Photo by Rami Daud

Marveling on 

Our Solar Eclipse 

On Aug. 21, a total solar eclipse crossed the United 

States from coast-to-coast for the first time in 99 years. 

Moving from west to east—from Oregon to South 

Carolina across a 70-mile-wide path—the moon’s 

shadow shrouded 14 states in darkness for more than 

2 minutes in the middle of the day.
Employee event at the

Lewis Field Picnic Grounds.

Dr. Pérez-Davis with Sen. Portman.

GRC-2017-C-05402 Photo by John Aylward GRC-2017-C-05383

Geauga County Park District event.

GRC-2017-C-05746 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Dr. Kavandi, right, at Capital Eclipse event in Missouri.

Photo by Marvin Smith GRC-2017-C-05700 Photo by Rami Daud

On the Cover: Center Director Dr. Janet Kavandi, right, 

views a complete solar eclipse in Jefferson City, Missouri. 

She joins University of Missouri’s School of Natural Resources 

Meteorologist Eric Alderich, left, and renown space weather 

forecaster Dr. Tamitha Skov on stage. 

GRC-2017-C-05679 Photo by Rami Daud

To celebrate this rare event, NASA Glenn supported multiple viewing events in the local 

community and at Lewis Field to share a seamless view of the eclipse, via NASA’s live 

broadcasts from various locations along the path of totality. 

Deputy Center Director Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis provided welcoming remarks to Glenn 

staff and their families gathered at the center’s solar eclipse viewing event at the 

Lewis Field Picnic Grounds. Glenn’s Dr. Rafat Ansari’s presentation included engaging 

information on cultural taboos and traditions related to eclipses. Sen. Rob Portman 

also participated in the event during a scheduled visit to the center with his staff.

From 1 to 4 p.m. EDT, NASA provided live feeds from NASA aircraft, balloons and 

the International Space Station—as well as presentations from NASA experts along 

the path of totality. Live from the Capital Eclipse event in Jefferson City, Missouri, 

observers also heard Glenn’s Center Director and Missouri native Dr. Janet Kavandi 

discuss the potential impact of the data accumulated by scientists beneficial to the 

health and safety of humans going to space. 

In Northeast Ohio, Glenn staff participated in public viewing events at Edgewater 

Park and the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, and the Geauga County Park 

District’s Nassau Observatory in Montville Township.

By S. Jenise Veris

Great Lakes Science Center event.

GRC-2017-C-05535 Photo by Andrew Dolph

SEPTEMBER 2017

3

Cleveland Metropark’s Edgewater Park event.

GRC-2017-C-05581 Photo by Quentin Schwinn
4

INDYCAR driver Scott Dixon, 

right, and Zach Lucas, Office of 

Communications and External 

Relations, take a ride in Glenn’s 

MOVE (Mobile Orion Vehicle 

Explorer) during Dixon’s trip 

to Cleveland, July 27. Dixon 

requested a visit to the center to 

learn more about NASA Glenn’s 

work in advancing aeronautics 

and space flight systems 

research. He toured several 

facilities, including the Simulated 

Lunar Operations Laboratory, 

where he examined prototype 

tires for lunar vehicles. His visit 

concluded with an autograph 

session for employees. 

GRC-2017-C-05206 Photo by Rami Daud

INDYCAR Driver 

Makes a Pit Stop 

at Lewis Field

GRC-2017-CN-00056 Photo by Jason Melvin, ASRC Analytical

NEWS AND EVENTS

NASA Showcased to 

County Governments

Glenn’s Deputy Director Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis, right, joined 

Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Director Todd May, 

center, in a panel discussion moderated by Mobile County, 

Alabama, Commissioner Merceria Ludgood, at the 82nd Annual 

Conference of the National Association of Counties hosted in 

Columbus, July 22. They highlighted each center’s capabilities 

in support of NASA missions and explained how their center 

fosters next-generation development in STEM-related 

careers, creates good paying jobs, and pushes economies 

forward through NASA solutions that advance innovation. 

The conference draws a cross section of elected officials and 

county staff from across the country with the goal of improving 

residents’ lives and efficiency in county government. 
SEPTEMBER 2017

5

Glenn’s Office of Protective Services (OPS) hosted the 

Cleveland Police Foundation Law Enforcement Career Pipeline 

Program for an event held on July 11. OPS Chief Christi 

Tomaro moderated a NASA panel featuring, left to right: 

George Crawford, special agent, Office of Counterintelligence/

Counterterrorism; John Hild, Kevin Hogan and Lt. Darrell 

Williams, NASA special agents; and Mark Zielinski, resident 

agent-in-charge, Office of Inspector General. The panelists 

engaged in a discussion on the unique aspects of law 

enforcement at NASA. Students participated in tours and 

demonstrations of the Glenn emergency management 

equipment and use of force training equipment. The Career 

Pipeline Program is aimed at increasing the number of 

qualified minorities and women in law enforcement who are 

committed to making a difference in their community.

Dennis Stocker, right, challenged youth with a NASA-related electronic trivia game in NASA’s Reaching New Heights’ tent at 

the 2017 National Scout Jamboree, July 19–28, in Mount Hope, West Virginia. The Boy Scouts of America (BSA), with help 

from a NASA team organized by Glenn, engaged 40,000 Scouts in a 14,000-acre, STEM-focused classroom. Glenn staff also 

prepared Scouts for the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse, and showcased its Journey to Tomorrow traveling exhibit during the event. 

Former astronauts Mike E. Fossum and Gregory H. Johnson participated in the event. Johnson received BSA’s Distinguished 

Eagle Scout Award. 

Encouraging 

Law Enforcement 

Careers at NASA

Glenn Helps Scouts Reach New Heights at Jamboree

Photo by Angela Bennett, Cleveland Police Foundation

GRC-2017-CN-00055

GRC-2017-C-05235 Photo by Rami Daud
2017 Center Picnic

NASA Glenn held its 2017 Center Picnic, July 19, at the Lewis Field 

Picnic Grounds. More than 1,200 civil servants, contractors and retirees 

enjoyed music, games, food, sunshine and much-deserved downtime. 

GRC-2017-C-05045 Photos by Marvin Smith

GRC-2017-C-05073 

GRC-2017-C-05038

GRC-2017-C-04998 

6

Thanks to everyone 

who supported this year’s 

Center Picnic!
GRC-2017-C-05070

GRC-2017-C-05092

GRC-2017-C-05146

GRC-2017-C-05119

GRC-2017-C-05038

SEPTEMBER 2017
8

NEWS AND EVENTS

Center Director Dr. Janet Kavandi (second from right), along with other aeronautics research center directors, participated 

in a NASA New Aviation Horizons panel discussion, July 29, at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s 2017 AirVenture 

in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The panel discussed the future of NASA X-planes, new aero technologies and unmanned aircraft 

systems. During the weeklong air show, more than 30,000 people visited the NASA exhibit to learn about aeronautics, 

space flight, Solar Eclipse 2017 and more. 

NASA Front and Center at AirVenture

GRC-2017-CN-00047 Photo by Jimi Russell

Daniel Sutliff, Acoustics Branch, briefs Aimee Bogner, 

Avionics Branch, right, and her niece, Abigail Rochford, 

about a new turbofan engine to be tested in Glenn’s 

Aero-Acoustic Propulsion Laboratory. Rochford was 

one of 262 children who attended Glenn’s Take Our 

Children to Work Day, July 26. The day included 

presentations, demonstrations, facility tours and 

hands-on activities. Center Director Dr. Janet Kavandi 

highlighted what it is like to live and work in space and 

later signed autographs. Glenn’s Office of Diversity and 

Equal Opportunity organized the event with assistance 

from employees throughout the center. 

Helping Kids Discover 

Their Passions

GRC-2017-C-04043 Photo by Marvin Smith
NASA Glenn’s Office of Protective Services hosted Security Day 2017 at 

Lewis Field, Aug. 1. Forty-seven external agency representatives joined Glenn 

employees and summer interns for speakers, breakout sessions and vendor 

demonstrations that addressed a variety of timely security-related issues. 

During the opening session, keynote speakers—retired fire chief and noted author Dr. Richard 

Gasaway and Navy SEAL Adam Newbold—shared their perspectives on the importance of 

situational awareness and how it applies to everyone. 

“Situational awareness is the foundation for good decision making, especially for high-risk/

high-consequence decisions,” Gasaway explained. “It’s about developing and maintaining 

your ability to perceive and understand your surroundings so you can predict and prevent 

a potentially bad situation.”

Newbold emphasized the critical importance of developing situational awareness 

in high-stress situations. He presented video highlights of the training Navy 

SEALS undergo to develop skills and heighten senses to anticipate, prevent 

or affect change in a potentially dangerous situation. 

 Following a question and answer session, 

attendees chose from several breakout 

sessions: Flawed Situational Awareness: 

Lightning Round; Accepting Responsibility, 

 Mindset, and Reflexive Reaction; Identity 

 Theft: What You Should Know; or Game of 

 Pawns: Do Spies Really Exist? 

By S. Jenise Veris

Security Day 2017

Developing Good Decision Making

Versus Relying on “Good Luck” 

Straub Leads Procurement Division

Kurt A. Straub was appointed to the Senior Executive Service position of Procurement Officer in NASA Glenn’s 

Procurement Division, effective July 23. Prior to this appointment, Straub served as chief of Research and Space 

Operations in the Procurement Division. 

Straub has more than 30 years of NASA experience in contracting, leadership and management, including several 

contracting officer positions of increasing visibility and responsibility. He served as NASA’s Contracting Officer for 

NASA’s Contract Management Software and as a functional expert for NASA’s Contract Management Module software 

implementation. He was an advisor to the Small Business Innovation Research Program, a Source Evaluation Committee 

chairperson, and a primary interface to the Integrated Enterprise Management Program Competency Center.

Straub

Dr. Gasaway

GRC-2017-C-05313 Photos by Marvin Smith

Navy SEAL Newbold

GRC-2017-C-05322

OPS Special Agent Darrell Williams

discusses tactics of espionage.

GRC 2017-C-05337

SEPTEMBER 2017

9
10

Marinaro

Thomas J. Kascak, 81, a 1994 retiree with 28 years of 

service, died Aug. 5. Kascak was an aerospace physicist 

with notable research on thermionic direct energy 

conversion devices; contract management of guidance 

equipment for the NASA Atlas/Centaur launch vehicle 

systems; and various aspects of microwave and millimeter 

wave solid-state devices and circuits. His work on a 

monolithic 20-GHz transmit module earned him a 1985 

R&D Magazine IR–100 Award. Kascak retired from the 

Space Electronics Division. His nephews, Anthony Iannetti 

and Peter Kascak, work at Glenn. His brothers, Albert and 

Joseph Kascak are NASA retirees. 

Dr. Albert “Bert” C. Antoine, 92, a 1983 retiree with 42 

years of NACA/NASA service, died Aug. 5. Antoine was a 

U.S. Army veteran of World War II, selected to study civil 

engineering during war time. He later earned a doctorate 

in chemistry at The Ohio State University prior to serving 

NASA 29 years as a research scientist, and 13 more 

years as a contracting senior research associate through 

NASA’s partnership with Cleveland State University. 

Antoine’s research focused on fuel efficiency for aircraft, 

alternate hydrocarbon fuels, alternative fuels and 

renewable energy sources. 

MORE THAN A MEMORY

John Marinaro, NASA Safety Center, retired Aug. 31, 

2017, with 25 years of service.

Attention Retirees! To electronically 

subscribe to AeroSpace Frontiers, email 

grc-aerospacefrontiers-subscribe@lists.nasa.gov.

RETIREMENTS

Dr. Antoine

Kascak

Salah Ahmed, chief, Program Management and 

Planning Office

Lori Arnett, chief, Space Combustion and 

Materials Branch

John DeGreen, chief, Systems Management and 

Operations Branch

James Demers, chief, Aircraft Operations Office

James (Tony) Doglio, chief, Project Management 

Branch

Ransook Evanina, chief, Environmental Office

Sue Gaudreau, deputy chief, Facilities Division

Dr. Roshanak Hakimzadeh, deputy chief, 

Planning and Integration Office

John Leone, deputy chief, Testing Division

Mary Lobo, chief, Facility Management and 

Planning Office

Renee Palyo, chief, Facilities Division

Jared Reed, chief, Engineering Management Branch

Gary (Scott) Williamson, chief, Wind Tunnels 

Test Branch

The following management selections were made 

within the Facilities, Test and Manufacturing 

Directorate as a result of recent attrition. These new 

leaders will help ensure successful management 

of the institutional and test facilities, systems and 

infrastructure for NASA Glenn.

Code F Directorate Reinforces 

Its Managerial Ranks 

Ahmed Arnett

DeGreen Demers

Dr. Hakimzadeh Lobo

Andrew “Andy” Johnson, 37, an HX5 Sierra employee 

who worked in NASA Glenn’s Manufacturing Division 

as a journeyman machine tool repairman, lost his life in 

a motorcycle accident on July 14. Johnson supported 

the division, under the TFOME contract, in the layout, 

installation, repair and maintenance of major machine 

tooling equipment. 

Johnson Maintained Machines 

for Mission Success

“Andy’s steadfast effort to keep the equipment fully operational to meet the demands 

of an assignment were remarkable to say the least,” said Jeffrey Smith, TFOME 

manager. “He will be remembered by so many here at NASA as not only a dedicated 

employee with outstanding technical abilities, but also as a kind-hearted person who 

was always willing to give a helping hand. Andy will be sorely missed by all those he 

touched in so many different ways.”

Johnson
11 NASA Glenn Employees: For more calendar information, visit https://wing.grc.nasa.gov/event-calendar/.

Upcoming Center Events

Deadline for next calendar section 

is Sept. 22, noon. News and feature 

stories require additional time.

OCTOBER OUTDOOR SIREN TESTING 

The Emergency Management Office 

staff will conduct an outdoor “voice” 

test at Building 39 on Wednesday, 

Oct. 4, at Lewis Field. An audible 

siren test focusing on the “severe 

thunderstorm” tone will be conducted 

on Saturday, Oct. 7. 

POC: Allen Turner, 3–6826 

GRC CONNECTIONS

The next GRC CONNECTIONS is 

scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 21, 

10 to 11 a.m. in the Briefing Center, 

Building 8. Check Today@Glenn for 

details on the speaker. 

POC: Stephanie Black, 3–7097

WOMEN IN STEM GRADUATION

The Women in STEM Leadership 

Development Program will be hosting 

its graduation, Thursday, Sept. 21, 

1:30 to 3:30 p.m., at the Guerin 

Management Center. All are invited to 

hear from the participants regarding 

their program experience and 

celebrate their graduation.

POC: Rochelle Gallagher, 3–2060

LESA will hold its next membership 

meeting, Wednesday, Oct. 11, noon, 

in the Glenn Employee Center’s Small 

Dining Room.

IFPTE LOCAL 28, LESA MEETING

CYBER SECURITY DAY

Thursday, Oct. 19

POC: Sherri Lippus, 3–6907

Registration starts Sept. 25.

Visit https://events.grc.nasa.gov/CSAME to register.

Sponsored by the Office of the Chief Information Officer

VENDOR DAY

Thursday, Oct. 26

October is NASA Glenn Cyber 

Security Awareness Month

SEPTEMBER 2017
National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration

John H. Glenn Research Center 

Lewis Field

21000 Brookpark Road 

Cleveland, Ohio 44135

Plum Brook Station

3597 E. Scheid Road

Sandusky, Ohio 44870

www.nasa.gov

Read AeroSpace Frontiers online at http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/news/AF/index.html

Emergency and Inclement Weather Lines 

Lewis Field: 216–433–9328 (WEAT) 

Plum Brook Station: 419–621–3333

Connect With Glenn

Employees at Plum Brook Station gathered in the Engineering Building to enjoy 

great food and fellowship during their annual Station Appreciation Picnic, Aug. 10. 

Plum Brook Employees 

Gather for Appreciation Picnic

GRC-2017-CN-00049 Photos by Doreen B. Zudell

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GRC-2017-CN-00050 GRC-2017-CN-00053