VOLUME 19 ISSUE 4 APRIL 2017

Glenn Tests X-Plane Design 

for a Quieter Supersonic Jet

Supersonic passenger airplanes are another step closer to reality 

as NASA and Lockheed Martin begin the first high-speed wind 

tunnel tests for the Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST) 

X-plane preliminary design at NASA Glenn.

The agency is testing a 9 percent scale model of Lockheed 

Martin’s X-plane design in Glenn’s 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic 

Wind Tunnel (SWT). During the next 8 weeks, engineers 

will expose the model to wind speeds ranging from Mach 

0.3 to 1.6 (approximately 150 to 950 mph) to understand 

the aerodynamics of the X-plane design as well as aspects of 

the propulsion system. NASA expects the QueSST X-plane to 

pave the way for supersonic flight over land in the not too 

distant future.

Continued on page 2

GRC-2017-C-01023 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Mechanical technician Dan Pitts prepares a 9 percent scale 

model of Lockheed Martin’s Quiet Supersonic Technology 

(QueSST) X-plane preliminary design for testing in Glenn’s 

8- by 6-Foot SWT.

..............

Orion Test Article Leaves 

Plum Brook Station

The European Space Agency Structural Test Article team bid farewell to the European Service Module (ESM), which 

left Plum Brook Station on a wide load truck, March 6, bound for Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Over the past 16 

months, test engineers from around the world conducted a series of tests on the full-size test version of the ESM in the 

Space Power Facility. Tests verified the structural integrity of the hardware to withstand the dynamic environment of 

launch into space atop the agency’s Space Launch System rocket. 

In This Issue

Director’s Safety Corner 2

Hartline: Federal Engineer ........... 2

Water Hack Challenge ................. 3

Friendship 7’s 55th ....................... 3

Empowering Women .................... 4

Water Purification .......................... 8

GRC-2017-CN-00003 Photo by Larry Opper
2016—A Great Year for the European Service 

Module Testing at Plum Brook Station

I want to commend everyone involved in the delivery, assembly and testing of the European Service Module Structural Test Article at Plum Brook 

Station’s Space Power Facility. You delivered amazing results, all while 

keeping safety at the forefront. You are to be congratulated not only for 

your record in regards to hardware integrity, but also for your diligence 

in monitoring human safety factors during this long campaign. In addition to the Orion Program, our partners Lockheed Martin, the European 

Space Agency and Airbus Defense and Space all applauded our constant 

attention to safety. 

NASA Glenn employees are world-class, and I am confident that we will 

apply the same rigor to the Exploration Mission-1 testing. Thank you 

for being such good role models for the agency! 

 —Janet

Hartline is NASA’s 

2017 Federal Engineer

Hartline

The National Society of Professional 

Engineers (NSPE) has selected Thomas 

Hartline, director of Facilities, Test and 

Manufacturing, as NASA’s Federal Engineer of the Year. Hartline received his 

award at the 2017 Federal Engineer of 

the Year ceremony in Washington, DC, 

Feb. 17. Hartline was recognized for 

significant engineering management 

responsibility and executive leadership. 

The Federal Engineer of the Year Award, 

sponsored by the Professional Engineers 

in Government Group of the NSPE, honors engineers who work at a federal 

agency that employs at least 50 engineers worldwide.

Quieter Supersonic Jet

Continued from page 1

“We’ll be measuring the lift, drag and 

side forces on the model at different 

angles of attack to verify that it performs as expected,” said aerospace

engineer Ray Castner, who leads propulsion testing for NASA’s QueSST

effort. “We also want to make sure 

the air flows smoothly into the engine 

under all operating conditions.”

The Glenn wind tunnel is uniquely

suited for the test because of its size 

and ability to create a wide range of 

wind speeds.

“We need to see how the design performs from just after takeoff, up to 

cruising at supersonic speed, and back 

to the start of the landing approach,” 

said David Stark, the facility manager. 

“The 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind

Tunnel allows us to test that sweet-spot 

range of speeds all in one wind tunnel.”

Recent research has shown it is possible 

for a supersonic airplane to be shaped 

in such a way that the shock waves 

it forms, when flying faster than the 

speed of sound, can generate a sound 

at ground level so quiet it will hardly be 

noticed by the public, if at all.

“Our unique aircraft design is shaped 

to separate the shocks and expansions associated with supersonic flight, 

dramatically reducing the aircraft’s 

loudness,” said Peter Iosifidis, QueSST 

program manager at Lockheed Martin 

Skunk Works. “Our design reduces the 

airplane’s noise signature to more of 

a ‘heartbeat’ instead of the traditional 

sonic boom that’s associated with current supersonic aircraft in flight today.”

According to Dave Richwine, NASA’s 

QueSST preliminary design project 

manager, “This test is an important step 

along the path to the development of an 

X-plane that will be a key capability for 

the collection of community response 

data required to change the rules for 

supersonic overland flight.”

NASA awarded Lockheed Martin a contract in February 2016 for the preliminary design of a supersonic X-plane 

flight demonstrator. This design phase 

has matured the details of the aircraft 

shape, performance and flight systems. 

Wind tunnel testing and analysis is 

expected to continue until mid-2017. 

Assuming funding is approved, the 

agency expects to compete and 

award another contract for the final 

design, fabrication and testing of the 

low-boom flight demonstration aircraft.

The QueSST design is one of a series 

of X-planes envisioned in NASA’s New 

Aviation Horizons (NAH) initiative, 

which aims to reduce fuel use, emissions and noise through innovations 

in aircraft design that depart from the 

conventional tube-and-wing aircraft 

shape. The design and build phases 

for the NAH aircraft will be staggered 

over several years, with the low boom 

flight demonstrator starting its flight 

campaign around 2020, then other 

NAH X-planes will follow in subsequent 

years, depending on funding.

By Jan Wittry

2
APRIL 2017

Glenn Partners to Solve Lake Erie Challenges

Did you know that the five Great 

Lakes—Erie, Huron, Michigan, Ontario 

and Superior (along with nearby Lake 

St. Clair and the St. Lawrence River)—

contain 20 percent of the world's freshwater supply? NASA Glenn’s desire to 

help protect and improve the water 

systems for neighboring communities adjacent to Lake Erie has led to a 

partnership with the Cleveland Water 

Alliance (CWA).

For the past 2 years, Laurie Stauber, 

senior program specialist on Glenn’s 

Regional Economic Development (RED) 

team, has worked with CWA toward 

that goal. In November 2015, the

alliance co-sponsored an Ohio Water 

Summit where Glenn subject matter 

experts discussed technology related 

to water capabilities. Their collaboration led to a Space Act Agreement 

signed January 2017 to focus on

sponsoring Erie Hack 2017. 

Erie Hack 2017 is a tech-driven international water innovation competition 

and accelerator program. It unites coders, developers, engineers and water 

experts to generate enduring solutions 

to Lake Erie’s biggest challenges—from 

invasive species to algal blooms and 

toxic agricultural waste. The event

is similar to Aqua Hacking, hosted 

last year by the Gaspe Beaubien

Foundation in Montreal.

Challenge statements for Erie Hack 

2017 were captured in a series of 

ideation sessions conducted by Stauber 

and Rebecca Kwiat (ATS) of the NASA 

Creativity and Innovation Team. They 

held sessions in Cleveland, Toledo, 

Buffalo and Detroit, all cities adjacent 

to Lake Erie with an interest in freshwater. Other cities involved include 

Windsor and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 

“NASA’s bottom line in this initiative 

is to share our intellect, technologies 

and other capabilities for freshwater 

solutions for Lake Erie, the Great Lakes 

and the whole world,” said Stauber. 

“Ultimately, the goal of Erie Hack is to 

encourage new industry and create jobs 

to improve the regional economy and 

return value to the taxpayer.” 

As lead for NASA’s Water Initiative, 

Stauber is assembling a portfolio of 

agency capabilities and technologies 

with applications for the water industry.

February 23 marked the kickoff to Erie 

Hack 2017, where teams ranging from 

high school students to seasoned professionals selected a challenge statement 

and the corresponding toolkit assembled by their regional research partner. 

They are competing for $100,000 in 

prizes for the most creative and effective hacks. Mentors from sponsoring 

organizations are available to help 

teams construct data-driven solutions 

to present at the April 13 challenge 

in Detroit, where a panel of experts 

will select eight teams to advance to 

Cleveland for the May 2 and 3 Erie Hack 

Innovation Summit.

By S. Jenise Veris

Program Celebrates John Glenn’s Heroic Flight

NASA Glenn and the Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) celebrated the 55th 

anniversary of John Glenn’s historic flight aboard Friendship 7 with a special day 

of activities, Feb. 20, at the GLSC. John Glenn, who passed away in December, 

was the first American to orbit the Earth on Feb. 20, 1962.

The event featured remarks by Deputy Director Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis, and a presentation by former astronaut Dr. Donald Thomas, a crew member on four space 

shuttle missions and Cleveland native. 

NASA Glenn Visitor Center galleries were included in the activities, along with 

displays featuring Glenn and Friendship 7, science-based demonstrations, hands-on 

activities and displays telling the story of the women behind the “Hidden Figures” 

movie that depicts Glenn’s heroic flight. Women currently working at NASA Glenn 

also shared their stories during a Modern Figures panel discussion.

GRC-2017-C-00823 Photo by Rami Daud

Former astronaut Don Thomas and 

a future explorer give a thumbs-up for 

Deputy Director Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis addresses the crowd at the GLSC. John Glenn and exploration. 

GRC-2017-C-00844 Photo by Rami Daud

3
News and Events

Participants Reflect and Rejuvenate at Women IGNITE!

NASA Glenn’s Human Capital Development Division hosted its 2nd Annual Women IGNITE event, March 8, with the theme “Readiness, 

Resilience and Results.” The workshop encouraged women to build new skills, open their minds to different perspectives and make

lasting connections. Robyn Gordon, director of Center Operations, a 2016 Crain’s Women of Note awardee, delivered the keynote 

address. Several speakers led discussions on the topics of “Traits of Emotionally Resilient People,” “Implicit Bias,” and “Crafting Your 

Personal Brand: How to Remain True to Who You Are.”

During the event, Glenn’s Women’s Advisory Group announced the 2017 Federal Women’s Program Award recipients. L. Nicole 

Smith, project manager, Orion Testing at Plum Brook Station, and L. Danielle Koch, an aerospace research engineer in the Acoustics Branch, earned Non-Supervisory Awards. Smith was nominated by Bryan Smith, chief, Space Flight Systems, and Amy Stalker, 

Structural Mechanics Branch. Koch was nominated by Paula Dempsey, Aeronautics Mission Office. This award recognizes civil service 

employee contributions to the advancement of women at Glenn, leadership, mentoring and participation in community service. 

GRC-2017-C-01117 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Gordon delivers keynote address.

Smith Koch GRC-2017-C-01137 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Participants discuss topic questions and share recommendations.

Observance Focused 

on Education

Three respected educators addressed the 

theme “The Crisis in Black Education,” 

during the 2017 Black History Month 

Observance, Feb. 15. Pictured, left to right: 

Aaron Jeter, educator, Solon High School; 

Dr. Patricia Ackerman, executive director, Chalkdust Education Foundation; and 

Dr. Gregory Hutchings, superintendent, 

Shaker Heights High School, participated 

in a panel discussion that centered on the 

crucial role of education in the history 

of African-Americans. Glenn’s Office of 

Diversity and Equal Opportunity and 

African Heritage Advisory Group hosted 

the event, in collaboration with the Human 

Capital Development Division and Office 

of Communications and External Relations. GRC-2017-C-00757 Photo by Marvin Smith

4
APRIL 2017

News and Events

TechExpo Highlights Latest Technology

More than 150 employees gathered at the upper level of Lewis Field’s Main Café to learn 

about the latest emerging technologies during NASA Glenn’s Technology Exposition, 

March 2. Hosted by the Office of the Chief Information Officer and the Procurement 

Division’s Office of Small Business, the event offered demonstrations and presentations 

from a variety of companies and networking with industry experts. Employees also 

gathered for information-sharing sessions on topics such as Secure Cloud Computing, 

Cybersecurity and Radio Frequency Testing.

GRC-2017-CN-0004 Photo by Robert Piccus

Hidden Figures Author Shares Insight to Movie

Employees across the agency participated via a live-stream broadcast of Margot Shetterly, 

author of the book that inspired the movie “Hidden Figures,” March 7. NASA Langley 

sponsored the event as part of Women’s History Month and Langley’s ongoing celebration of its 100th anniversary. Shetterly shared what she described as the “Director’s 

Cut,” a view behind the scenes on the effort devoted to ensuring an accurate account of 

the important role of NASA’s “human computers” and how they persevered. Following 

Shetterly’s presentation, Glenn held a panel discussion with several of our own Modern 

Figures who shared their NASA journeys.

GRC-2017-C-01047 Photo by Rami Daud

Three of Glenn’s Modern Figures, left to right, Quynhgia Nguyen, Carol Tolbert and Lizalyn 

Smith participate in panel discussion moderated by Nola Bland (background).

Upcoming 

Sustainability 

Events

Greening NASA Glenn 

One Event at a Time

Annual Garlic Mustard Pull

Thursday, April 13, 11:30 a.m. to 

12:30 p.m, weather pending

Lewis Field: Near Abram Creek, 

at the bottom of Duct Bank Road

Come help combat invasive species.

Gloves and trash bags provided; 

dress in boots, hats, sunglasses, etc.

POC: Bethany Eppig, 3–3726

Northeast Ohio Earth Day 

Coalition’s Earth Fest 2017 

Celebrating the Year of Vibrant 

Green Space

Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds

NASA Glenn will support this event 

with various displays.

POC: David Smith, 3–5109

Sustainability Fair

Wednesday, May 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

MIC Auditorium, Lewis Field 

Learn about opportunities to protect 

the environment and peruse items 

from local vendors. 

POC: David Smith, 3–5109

5
Retirements

St. Onge

Timothy Bencic, Optics and Photonics Branch, 

Communications and Intelligent Systems Division, retired 

Feb. 2, 2017, with 33 1⁄2 years of NASA service.

Avis Hudson-Burnette, Office of Diversity and Equal 

Opportunity, retired March 31, 2017, with 30 years of 

NASA service. 

Thomas H. St. Onge, Space Operations Project Office chief, 

Space Flight Systems Directorate, retired March 31, 2017, 

with 40 years of federal service, including 30 with NASA.

Dr. Timothy Tyburski, Exploration Systems Project Office, Space Flight Systems 

Directorate, retired March 17, 2017, with 27 years of NASA service. 

Promotions

Dr. Brian Motil has been selected chief of 

the Thermal Systems Branch in the Propulsion 

Division. Motil previously served as deputy chief 

of the Fluid Physics and Transport Processes 

Branch, where he was responsible for implementing the science content for NASA-led microgravity 

research in Fluid Physics and Complex Fluids. 

Dr. Motil

Harvey L. Schabes has been selected chief of the 

Technology Transfer Office (TTO) in the Office of 

Technology Incubation and Innovation. Schabes 

previously served as TTO’s senior strategy manager 

and has held numerous senior positions in project 

management and research across the center.

Schabes

Jan Wittry has been selected news chief in the 

Communications and External Relations Office of 

the Center Operations Directorate. She previously 

served as public affairs specialist in the office, and 

prior to that with the NASA Safety Center. 

Wittry

Connect With Glenn Emergency and Inclement 

Weather Lines 

Lewis Field: 216–433–9328 (WEAT) 

Plum Brook Station: 419–621–3333

Calendar

MAY OUTDOOR SIREN TESTING:

The Emergency Management Office staff 

will conduct an outdoor “voice” test at 

Building 87 on Wednesday, May 3, at 

Lewis Field. An audible siren test focusing on the “shelter and aid stations” tone 

will be conducted on Saturday, May 6. 

POC: Allen Turner, 3–6826

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER 

OBSERVANCE:

The NASA Prayer Group invites all 

members of the Glenn community to 

join them for a Christian observance 

of this special day, May 4. This year’s 

theme is “For Your Great Name’s 

Sake!” Observances will be held at 

7:30 and 11:30 a.m. See Today@Glenn 

or type “Prayer” in the WING Transporter for locations and details. POC: 

Dale Mortensen, 3–6823

IFPTE LOCAL 28, LESA MEETING:

LESA will hold its next membership 

meeting, Wednesday, May 10, noon, 

in the Glenn Employee Center’s Small 

Dining Room.

ASTRONAUT BRIEFING IN MAY:

Expedition 48 Commander Jeff Williams 

will present a post-flight briefing for 

employees at Lewis Field on May 11. 

Look for upcoming Today@Glenn 

postings for time and location. POC: 

Zachary Lucas, 3–3812

SPACE APPS CHALLENGE:

Space Apps Challenge 2017 is 

coming to Glenn April 28 to 30. 

Students, professionals, engineers 

and more come from across the 

region to participate. WE NEED 

YOUR HELP! Subject matter 

experts and logistics assistance is 

needed. Contact Herb Schilling at 

hschilling@nasa.gov to assist.

6
APRIL 2017

More Than a Memory

Hoder, A Valued Member of Communications Research 

Douglas Hoder, 62, an electrical engineer in the Advanced High Frequency Branch, died suddenly, 

Feb. 3. Hoder earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering and a Master of Science degree in 

mathematics from Cleveland State University. He also earned a Master of Science degree in electrical 

engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Hoder’s work over his 27-year career at NASA was largely in the communications field beginning with the 

Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) project and later in the areas of digital, aero and 

mobile, and radiofrequency (RF) communications. He authored/co-authored nearly a dozen research reports. Hoder

“Doug made many contributions in RF communications supporting diverse projects, including most recently Unmanned Aircraft 

Systems in the National Airspace System. He was a valuable member of the Communications and Intelligent Systems Division 

and will be greatly missed,” said Dr. Félix Miranda, deputy chief. 

Hoder also served as chief steward for the NASA Glenn chapter of the International Federation of Professional & Technical 

Engineers.

Ivanov

Ivanov Brought 

Skill and Enthusiasm

Nedyelko “Ned” Ivanov, 58, a ZIN 

Technologies (ZINT) employee supporting Glenn’s Power Management 

and Distribution Branch, died unexpectedly Feb. 27. Ivanov immigrated 

from Bulgaria to Northeast Ohio at 

the age of 14. He earned a Bachelor 

of Science in applied physics and 

a Master of Science in electrical 

engineering, both from Case Western 

Reserve University. 

“Ned was well-known for being 

hardworking, positive, enthusiastic and always willing to help out 

less experienced engineers,” said 

Ivanov’s supervisor Alan Richard, 

ZINT. “Ned used his knowledge of 

power supply systems and electric 

motors to further the development 

of compact efficient motor controllers. His expertise was also valuable 

in developing a power integration 

testbed in support of various Solar 

Electric Propulsion missions. Ned, 

with his cheery disposition, will be 

greatly missed.”

Albergottie

Clyde “Al” Albergottie, 85, a 1995 retiree with 34 years of 

federal service, died Sept. 19, 2016. Albergottie was a retired 

U.S. Navy submariner who brought his expertise in electrical/ 

electronics to NASA in 1961. He served as a manager of several 

organizations within the Test Installations Division and was 

president of the Lewis Supervisor’s Club. He retired as chief 

of the Engine Research Branch. Albergottie is survived by his 

wife, Erma, a retired NASA Lewis contractor.

Posta

Stephen J. Posta, 90, a 1989 retiree with 26 years of service, 

died Feb. 10. Posta was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. 

He spent most of his career in the Research Installations 

Branch performing instrumentation work. Significant projects 

include the Weightlessness Analysis Sounding Probe, one of 

the early studies of liquid hydrogen behavior in microgravity; 

and the second Space Electric Rocket Test analyzing an ion 

engine’s reliability and endurance. He contributed 10 technical reports prior to retiring from the Structures Division. 

Taylor

Sylvia C. Taylor, 88, a 1990 retiree with 39 years of NASA 

service, died Dec. 3, 2016. Taylor retired as chief of the Editorial Branch in the Technical Information Services Division. She 

was active in the Llama Club, predecessor to the Aerospace 

Toastmasters, and supported the East Tech/Lewis Project 

for Tomorrow mentorship program. Taylor was a dedicated 

member of the Lewis Shoe Fund for 20 years.

Zatroch

Adella “Del” Zatroch, 96, a 2006 retiree with 45 1⁄2 years of 

federal service, died Feb. 27. She joined NASA in 1961 as an 

administrative assistant and was promoted to executive secretary, a position she held prior to retiring from the Engineering Development Division. Zatroch was well-known for her 

involvement in center organizations, including the Speaker’s 

Bureau, Business & Professional Women’s Foundation and as 

a union representative. She earned numerous awards, but her 

most significant legacy is author of “An Oral History of NASA 

Lewis Research Center.” The book was based on dozens of 

interviews Zatroch conducted with NASA luminaries.

7
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field

21000 Brookpark Road 

Cleveland, Ohio 44135

www.nasa.gov

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 via 

e-mail to the editor: doreen.b.zudell@nasa.gov or 216–433–5317. 

May 2017 Calendar section deadline: April 21, noon

News and feature stories require additional time

Editor: Doreen B. Zudell, ATS

Assistant Editor: S. Jenise Veris, ATS

Managing Editor: Kelly R. DiFrancesco

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

Glenn Celebrates Partnership on Water Purification Technology 

NASA Glenn and SageGuard Solutions 

of Westlake, Ohio, conducted a signing ceremony March 8, celebrating a 

commercial license for Glenn’s highvoltage water purification technology. 

The technology relies on electricity 

to remove contaminants—such as 

bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, 

algae, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers and 

biowaste—from water without chemicals or filters.

“Water is the new gold. With NASA’s 

plasma technology, we can realize the 

economic benefits of processing new, 

life-sustaining water for every person 

on this planet and perhaps beyond,” 

stated Ray Erker, CEO of SageGuard 

Solutions LLC. He also expressed appreciation to Glenn for the overwhelming 

ease of working through this process.

The high-voltage water purification 

method was discovered while performing NASA aeronautics research. Looking 

for a way to improve hypersonic flight 

using plasma to increase combustion 

efficiency, Dr. Isaiah M. Blankson, along 

with colleagues Dr. Grigory Adamovsky 

of Glenn and Dr. John E. Foster of 

the University of Michigan, made the 

discovery. Technical support was provided by Bertram Floyd of HX5 Sierra.

“We are delighted to enter into this 

commercial licensing agreement with 

SageGuard Solutions,” said Dr. John 

Sankovic, Glenn’s Office of Technology 

Incubation and Innovation director. 

“The agreement enables SageGuard to 

pursue opportunities to treat and purify 

Earth’s most precious resource for a 

wide variety of applications.”

Sankovic added that NASA has a mandate to make technology more broadly 

available to entrepreneurs who can turn 

it into new products and industry that 

can help build the economy nationally 

and regionally. “NASA technology has 

already solved some of this century’s 

most challenging technical problems,” 

he said, “and these solutions are now 

being used by others in ways never 

envisioned.” 

For more information about technologies 

available for licensing at NASA Glenn, 

visit: http://technology.grc.nasa.gov.

By S. Jenise Veris

GRC-2017-C-00997 Photo by Rami Daud

Left to right: Dr. Sankovic officiates the ceremony as Glenn’s 

Deputy Center Director Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis and SageGuard 

CEO Ray Erker sign license agreement.

GRC-2017-CN-00005 Photo by Robin Thomson (InnoVector Tech)

Left to right: SageGuard engineer Tony Piunno, Dr. Blankson, 

SageGuard CEO Erker, Floyd and Dr. Adamovsky tour Glenn’s 

Instrument Research Laboratory.