VOLUME 18 ISSUE 4 APRIL 2016

Glenn Team Celebrates Saffire Launch!

The Glenn team bids farewell to Saffire hardware prior to shipment to NASA Kennedy 

Space Center for launch.

GRC-2015-C-06652 Photo by Rami Daud

On March 22, a NASA Glenn-developed Spacecraft Fire Experiment, known as Saffire, 

successfully launched aboard an Orbital ATK Cygnus cargo resupply mission to the 

International Space Station. Saffire is a series of experiments to investigate how fire 

spreads on a variety of combustible materials in a microgravity environment. Each of 

the experiments will be conducted remotely, at no risk to the astronauts or space station, inside a 3- by 5-foot module. The experiment will remain aboard Cygnus and run 

autonomously for a few hours after the spacecraft pulls away from the space station 

(planned in May). Data will be transmitted to Orbital ATK and relayed to Glenn before 

Cygnus incinerates upon reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. Pictured is the Glenn team 

bidding farewell to the hardware prior to shipment to NASA Kennedy Space Center 

for launch. To learn more about the experiment, visit http://www.nasa.gov/feature/

fire-in-the-hole-studying-how-flames-grow-in-space.

Kavandi Succeeds 

Free as Director

Dr. Kavandi Free

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden has 

named former astronaut Dr. Janet Kavandi 

director of NASA Glenn. Kavandi has been 

serving as deputy director since February 

2015. She succeeds Jim Free, who was 

named deputy associate administrator for 

technical in the agency’s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate 

in Washington. 

Kavandi was selected as an astronaut 

in December 1994. During her time in 

the Astronaut Office at NASA’s Johnson

Space Flight Center, she supported space 

station payload integration, capsule communications, robotics, and served as 

deputy chief of the Astronaut Office. She 

is a veteran of three spaceflights.

For more information on the assignment, 

visit http://go.nasa.gov/1RKwc1C.

Orion Solar Array Wing Deployment Test Success!

On Monday, Feb. 29, an international 

team of engineers successfully deployed an Orion solar array wing inside 

the Space Power Facility (SPF) at Plum 

Brook Station.

The deployment of the 24-foot wing 

qualification model was an important 

first step to verify Orion’s power system 

for Exploration Mission-1, the spacecraft’s first flight atop the agency’s 

Space Launch System rocket. 

The solar array is based on the European Space Agency (ESA) Automated 

Continued on page 2

In This Issue

75th Open House Info ..........................2

Technology and Broken Hearts ............3

Focus on Women .................................3

Reliving the ’60s .................................5

Sustainability Events Ahead .................5

Master Plan Update .............................8
Let’s Celebrate Our First ESM Test Success

Congratulations to everyone involved in the first major milestone for the 

European Space Agency Service Module (ESM) structural test in Plum Brook 

Station’s Space Power Facility! The ESM international team, working with 

NASA and Lockheed Martin personnel, successfully deployed the ESM solar 

array wing. A highly committed Area 9 Safety Committee that conducted 

hazard reviews, and an outstanding safety team that assured critical lifts and 

procedures, played key roles in the safe deployment. As we proceed with a 

demanding series of acoustic and vibration tests in the coming months, we 

need to remember that mission success is not only achieved through our technical merits but also by our commitment to the health and well-being of all 

team members.

Success and Safety Work Hand in Hand!

 —Janet

Orion Solar Array

Continued from page 1

Transfer Vehicle’s X-shaped array of four panels. It will generate about 11 kilowatts 

of power and span about 63 feet when extended. It is a component of Orion’s service module, which is being provided by ESA and built by Airbus Defence and Space 

to supply Orion’s power, propulsion, air and water. 

The first of two wing deployments to take place in SPF this year, the test confirmed the 

array unfurled properly and locked into place, and that all of the mechanical parts 

functioned as expected. 

For more information about the test, visit http://www.nasa.gov/feature/orion-solararray-wing-deployment-test-is-a-success-0.

One of Orion’s solar arrays was successfully deployed in a Feb. 29 test at Plum Brook Station 

to ensure it can properly unfurl.

GRC-2016-C-903 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Glenn’s Public 

Open Houses

Come Join the Fun!

Plans are underway for public open 

houses at NASA Glenn's Lewis Field in 

Cleveland on May 21 and 22 and Plum 

Brook Station in Sandusky on June 11 

and 12. The hours for each day of the 

two events will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Employees, contractors and retirees are 

needed to staff a variety of positions. 

On-site personnel should visit http://

events.grc.nasa.gov/OpenHouseVol (internal only) for information and to register. Retirees should call 216–433–5555 

to express interest in staffing.

Glenn’s open houses will offer a fun 

and exciting way to engage, inform and 

inspire the public. All events are free. 

Among the things to do and see:

• Tour research facilities at Lewis Field

and Plum Brook Station used to develop and verify cutting-edge technologies for use in aeronautics, aerospace

and space.

• Talk to and ask questions of the engineers, scientists and technical staff

to learn about NASA’s exciting work

being done right here in Ohio.

• See NASA aircraft used for flight research involving solar cell calibration,

sensor development, aircraft icing

and environmental research.

• Take part in hands-on educational

activities for children.

All employees, retirees, U.S. citizens 

and lawful permanent residents are invited to attend. Visit www.nasa.gov/

glenn75 for important details on attending this year’s public open houses. Visitors, vehicles and personal belongings 

are subject to inspection.

These free events are part of a year-long 

celebration following Glenn’s 75th anniversary on Jan. 23, 2016. They will look 

back at 75 years of scientific and technological excellence and look forward to a 

promising new era of discovery.

Connect With Glenn

2
APRIL 2016

Glenn Technology Pumps Hope Into Broken Hearts

Bi-conical heart.

GRC-2015-C-3301 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Members of the Glenn team working on 

the bi-conical heart. Pictured: back row, 

left to right: Dr. Kirsten Duffy, Paul Passe, 

Ralph Jansen and Tyler Burba. Second row 

from back, left to right: Dr. Peter Kascak, 

David Avanesian and Brian Tomko. Third 

row from the back, left to right: Beth Arent, 

Yaritza De Jesus-Arce and Eric Anderson. 

Front: Irebert Delgado.

GRC-2015-C-3299 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Advanced motor technology originally 

developed for flywheel applications 

may find its way into the hearts of thousands of children who are born with a 

missing heart ventricle. 

By having half a heart, the body is missing half of its pumping ability to oxygenate blood and circulate it to stay 

alive. Dr. Mark Rodefeld, a pediatric 

heart surgeon at Indiana University, has 

spent decades repairing these heart defects through transplants and a partial 

fix called the Fontan procedure. 

While the Fontan procedure helps children survive, Rodefeld said it is only a 

temporary fix. “Eventually, inefficiency 

in circulation due to the low pumping 

pressure catches up with them in their 

early adulthood when the remaining 

part of the heart gets worn out from 

doing all the work,” he explained.

So Rodefeld reached out to NASA Glenn 

to help him develop a small conical 

pump, driven by an electrical motor, 

into an existing Fontan network. This 

pump would reproduce the pressures 

and flow coming from the body and 

head, reducing the wear and tear on the 

single remaining ventricle and extend 

the life of the patient. 

“I knew I wanted to put a bi-conical 

motor into the cross section of the network, but I needed experts in flywheel 

technology at NASA Glenn to design 

and scale it to size,” he said. 

A team of Glenn engineers spent 

two years designing, building and testing 

a bi-conical heart pump for Rodefeld. 

Eventually they completed a functional 

prototype of the pump to allow for 

raditional motor operation as well as 

evitation operation.

Continued on page 5

t

l

Center Celebrates 

Women’s Potential

GRC-2016-C-1082 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Featured panelists at Women IGNITE, left to right: Dr. Kathleen Buse, Weatherhead School of 

Business adjunct professor; Wendy Grant, City of Bedford Heights council at large; and Kellie 

Rotunno, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District chief operating officer.

In conjunction with Women’s History 

Month, NASA Glenn recently sponsored 

events to motivate, connect and celebrate women.

Discussion on work life integration, navigating a male-dominated work environment and building a broader network 

were some of the topics explored during 

an onsite Women IGNITE Workshop, 

March 9. It featured speakers from Glenn 

and the greater Cleveland community. 

“This workshop was an opportunity to 

reflect, rejuvenate and connect with 

other fabulous women from inside 

and out of Glenn, and to help develop 

future leaders throughout the center,” 

explained Glenn’s Marlena Hudson, 

Office of Human Capital Development. 

During the workshop, the center premiered the Women@GRC 2015 video. 

The video provides a glimpse of the 

nominees and their inspirational 

messages, which offer encouragement 

to women and girls who are considering a career at NASA. This video also 

features historic pictures of women 

celebrating the 75th Anniversary of 

NASA Glenn. The Women@GRC 2015 

video is available on YouTube at https://

youtu.be/EUwmzvXxWls.

Congratulations to Janette Briones, 

Karen Meinert and Tonya Mitchell, 

NASA Glenn nominees forwarded to 

Headquarters for the agency’s Women@

NASA 2015 video. The other inspiring 

Glenn women nominated include

Saundra Gage, Natalie Henrich, 

Maria Kuczmarski, Lauren Clayman, 

Jacquelynne Houts, Jean Roberts and 

Ashlie Flegel. 

3

The Office of Human Capital Management kicked off Glenn’s Women of 

STEM Leadership Development Pilot 

Program, March 7. The program entails 

modules intended to provide professional and leadership development for 

women of all stages in their careers. 

The March module “Ideal Self, Women in 

STEM” focused on unconscious habits 

and opportunities; intentional change 

model; values; personal vision; and 

participation in the IGNITE event. Additional modules will occur in May, July 

and September.

By Doreen B. Zudell
News and Events

Developing a Diverse Workforce Ensures Success for All

GRC-2016-0797 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Pictured left to right: Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr. (2005–2010), Dr. Julian Earls (2003–2005) 

and NASA Glenn’s first African-American Center Director Donald Campbell (1994–2003).

Three of NASA Glenn’s former center 

directors shared some of their challenges, 

accomplishments and insights into 

working successfully in a diverse 

workplace during this year’s Black 

History Month Observance, Feb 17. 

The African Heritage Advisory Group 

sponsored the event focused on the 

theme “Our Past, Our Present, Your 

Future: Celebrating the Triumphs 

and Exploring the Future of AfricanAmericans at NASA Glenn.” Robyn 

Gordon, director of Glenn’s Center 

Operations, moderated the panel.

GRC-2016-C-759 Photo by Rami Daud

Aviation Week Editor 

Tours Glenn Campuses

At the invitation of Center Director Jim 

Free, Frank Morring, Aviation Week & 

Space Technology magazine’s Senior 

Editor on Space, visited Plum Brook Station and Lewis Field, Feb. 19. Morring, 

accompanied by Deputy Director Dr. Janet 

Kavandi and Spaceflight Systems Director Bryan Smith, toured several facilities 

to gain information for articles, some 

of which were recently published on 

Glenn’s aerospace research.

Thomas Kacpura, left, and Daniel Raible, 

right, brief Morring, center, on Integrated 

Radio and Optical Communications 

technology.

Kelly Returns Home After One Year, Worked With Glenn Experiments on ISS

Astronaut and Expedition 46 Commander Scott Kelly and his Russian counterpart 

Mikhail Kornienko returned to Earth March 1 after a historic 340-day mission aboard 

the International Space Station (ISS).

During his mission, Kelly performed maintenance on NASA Glenn’s microgravity 

science hardware and supported three Glenn experiments:

• Flame Extinguishment Experiment-2 (FLEX–2) and FLEX–2J

• Advanced Colloids Experiment Heated-1 (ACE–H1)

• Observation and Analysis of Smectic Islands In Space (OASIS)

Kelly’s record-breaking mission will help advance deep space exploration and 

America’s Journey to Mars.

For more information about the Glenn experiments, visit http://go.nasa.gov/21KyIg0. Astronaut Scott Kelly. Photo courtesy of NASA

4
APRIL 2016

Celebrating a 75-Year Legacy

This is the third in a monthly series of historical highlights commemorating Glenn’s 75th anniversary 

and extraordinary technical accomplishments that reach across seven decades. 

Looking Back: 1960s

NASA has relied on liquid hydrogen to 

fuel its upper-stage rockets for decades. 

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Glenn 

was instrumental in demonstrating that 

the temperamental high-energy fuel 

could be successfully utilized in propulsion systems. 

Early rocket pioneers recognized the 

potential of liquid hydrogen as a propellant, but the difficulties liquefying 

the gas, maintaining the required cryogenic temperature and storing the lightweight liquid prevented its use. 

In the mid-1950s, Glenn researchers 

were the first to test liquid hydrogen in 

substantially sized rocket engines and 

fly a hydrogen-powered aircraft. This 

experimental work was a significant 

factor in the selection of liquid hydrogen for Centaur, the Saturn S–II and 

S–IVB in the 1960s.

By the 1960s Glenn researchers were 

conducting extensive investigations 

with its 2.2 Second Drop Tower, research aircraft and sounding rockets 

to determine fluid behavior in the low 

gravity of space. 

Improved understanding of liquid hydrogen's capabilities enabled researchers to 

make significant progress in the development of systems critical to our ability 

to safely reach low-orbit. These systems 

include: high-speed turbopump systems 

to drive the low-density fluid from the 

tank to the engine; regenerative cooling

systems to prevent nozzle disintegration; 

and complex insulation and storage

systems to prevent the cryogenic fluid 

from sloshing and evaporating. Liquid 

hydrogen has since powered the space 

shuttle’s main engines and continues to 

fuel Centaur and Ariane vehicles.

A technician runs a test on a hydrogen 

rocket engine in the Lewis Rocket Engine 

Test Facility.

Courtesy of NASA Glenn History Office

GRC-1961-C-57686

Technology Pumps Heart

Continued from page 3

“Unlike conventional motors, the outside rotor of this pump spins around 

the inside, which allows for complex 

fluid pump shapes to be created on the 

surface of the rotor,” said David Avanesian, Diagnostics and Electromagnetics Branch. “Those shapes then ‘grab’ 

blood coming from the body and head, 

mix it, and then direct it to the lungs for 

oxygenation.”

The Glenn team’s extensive design, 

build and testing led to successful results proving the feasibility of Rodefeld’s original idea. While the size of 

the motor has been scaled down significantly, engineers need to make it 

even smaller to fit into the Fontan circulation architecture. Further development would help scale the motor down 

to the required diameter the size of a 

nickel. 

Over the next few years Rodefeld hopes 

to engage Glenn engineers in additional 

development and testing, with the goal 

of advancing this life-saving technology 

in young patients.

To see a multimedia video simulating 

the bi-conical heart pump, visit http://

go.nasa.gov/1RqGjZs. 

Glenn’s Design, Build and Test Team

David Avanesian Tyler Burba

Ralph Jansen Peter Kascak

Eric Anderson (VPL) Paul Passe (VPL)

Upcoming Earth Month and Sustainability Events

Northeast Ohio Earth Day Coalition’s 

EarthFest 2016—Celebrating the Year 

of Clean Transportation

Sunday, April 17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds

NASA Glenn will support 

this event with displays and 

sustainable transportation 

activities. POC: David 

Smith, 3–5109

Garlic Mustard Pull

Friday, April 22, Noon to 1 p.m.

Near Abrams Creek, at the bottom of 

Duct Bank Road

Learn to identify and combat invasive 

species. POC: Bethany Eppig, 3–3726 

Sustainability Fair

Tuesday, May 5, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

MIC Auditorium, Lewis Field 

Learn about opportunities to protect the 

environment while also perusing items 

from local vendors who keep sustainability as a top priority in their products.

POC: David Smith, 3–5109

Rain Barrel Workshop

Tuesday, June 7, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Picnic Grounds

Lean more about rainwater harvesting

and build a rain barrel to take home.

POC: Stacey Yanetta, 3–6468

5
Dr. Shyam Earns Presidential Early Career Award

President Obama

named NASA Glenn’s 

Dr. Vikram Shyam

among six NASA

researchers who

will receive the

2016 Presidential

Early Career Award

for Scientists and

Dr. Shyam Engineers (PECASE). 

The PECASE award recognizes recipients’ exceptional potential for leadership 

l

at the frontiers of scientific knowledge 

and commitment to community service 

as demonstrated through professional 

eadership, education or community 

outreach.

Shyam, a propulsion flow dynamist in 

the Turbomachinery and Turboelectric 

Systems Branch, leads Glenn’s turbine 

technology development to reduce fuel 

burn and emissions for future generation aircraft engines. He leads Glenn’s 

biomimicry group (VIBE—Virtual Institute for Bio-inspired Exploration) that 

seeks sustainable solutions to NASA 

technical and institutional challenges 

by emulating nature’s patterns and 

strategies. The group is currently working on aerospace applications of harbor 

seal whiskers. Shyam is also a member 

of Glenn’s Creativity and Innovation 

team.

By S. Jenise Veris

Employees Recognized for Promoting the Pursuit 

of Engineering Excellence

The Ohio Academy of Science has selected five NASA Glenn employees and contractors as Believe in Ohio STEM Exemplars. The honorees are Ohio-educated and 

employed STEM careerists, recognized for their success at various Ohio STEM-related 

industries, businesses and institutions and for their mentorship. 

Believe in Ohio is a student STEM education program that integrates entrepreneurship. The program is developed by the Ohio Academy of Science and Entrepreneurial 

Engagement Ohio and funded by the Ohio Board of Regents. Glenn recipients include:

Dr. Paula J. Dempsey, a researcher in Glenn’s Rotating and Drive System Branch, 

helps develop diagnostic and prognostic tools to assess the health and useful life of 

mechanical components in aeropropulsion systems. Dempsey graduated from three 

different Ohio universities: Youngstown State University, Cleveland State University 

and the University of Toledo. 

Ann Heyward, executive vice president at the Ohio Aerospace Institute, leads the 

programs and service lines in research and technology development; industry, university and government partnerships; and workforce development and education. She is 

a founding member and chair for 10 years of the Buckeye Regional FIRST Robotics 

Competition Planning Committee. She attended Case Western Reserve University. 

Gary Lanik, Zin Technologies, supports the Guess 3 contract as an electrical controls 

systems engineer in Glenn’s Engineering Facilities Group. Lanik oversees upgrades 

and repairs to the Air Central Process System, the backbone of the center, and other 

critical controls projects in buildings across the Lewis Field and Plum Brook Station 

campuses. He attended the University of Akron. 

Jonathan Litt, an engineer in the Communications and Intelligent Systems Division, 

works primarily in the areas of control and health management of turbine engines. 

Litt attended Cleveland Heights High School and Case Western Reserve University. He 

authored/co-authored more than 75 technical papers and managed the development 

of two NASA Software of the Year nominees. 

Nicole Smith, project manager for Orion Testing at Plum Brook Station, manages the 

facility readiness and testing for the Orion Program. Smith is an AIAA Associate Fellow 

and a member of HHW Ohio’s Board of Directors. She graduated from Miami University and the University of Cincinnati.

By S. Jenise Veris

Dr. Dempsey Heyward

Lanik Litt

Smith

Calling All Innovators

Let the Technology Transfer Office 

help you report your new technology. 

Watch Today@Glenn for upcoming 

dates, times and locations in May for 

New Technology Report (NTR) input 

sessions. For more information, contact Irene Cierchacki, 3–6036.

6
APRIL 2016

Retirements

Kaustinen Moran

Gene Addy, Icing Branch, Division, retired

Feb. 29, 2016, with 33 years of service.

Brad Kaustinen, Planning and Integration Office, Facilities Division, retired

March 31, 2016, with 29 years of federal service, including 25 with NASA.

Matthew Moran, Office of the Director,

retired March 19, 2016, with 31 years

of service. 

Welcome to the NASA Family

GRC-C–2016-413 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Left to right: Zupanchick and Rhodes.

Glenn welcomed two new hires that reported for orientation March 7. They 

include Bryan A. Rhodes, Space Communications & Spectrum Management 

Office; and Anthony J. Zupanchick, Program Management Office.

More Than a Memory

Cook Supported Multiple Customers, Projects

Karen Lee Cook, 56, an onsite contractor for Wichita Tribal 

Enterprises (WTE), died Feb. 24. Cook worked as a financial 

analyst supporting Advanced Exploration and Space Launch 

Systems, Office of the Chief Financial Officer. 

During 28 years at the center, Cook supported multiple 

organizations and projects. She began her NASA career 

as a computer programmer in 1986. In addition to other 

Cook responsibilities, she enjoyed training employees on Purchase 

Requisition and Travel courses. 

“Karen will be remembered for her smile, famous cookies and caring personality,” 

said James Kubera, WTE’s program manager at Glenn.

James A. Bova, 80, a 1990 NASA retiree with 30 years of federal 

service, died Feb. 18. Bova served in the U.S. Marine Corps 

before entering NASA’s Apprentice class of 1965. He graduated 

as an aerospace mechanic and joined the Test Installation 

Division’s Engine Research and Space Power Service Section. 

He helped build, check or modify a wide variety of components 

to aid aerospace research testing across eight divisions.

Leonard A. Zmijewski, 86, a 1980 NASA retiree with 20 years Bova of federal service, died Dec. 4, 2015. Zmijewski was a U.S. Air 

Force veteran. He served as a mechanical technician supporting the Test Installations 

Division at the Materials Processing Lab for most of his NASA career. Zmijewski 

received a 1970 Group Achievement Award for superior job performance in the 

installation of a transducer.

In Appreciation

I wanted to thank all those who 

offered condolences on the passing of 

my mother. You provided comfort to 

my family during a difficult time.

—Gus Martzaklis

Emergency and Inclement 

Weather Lines 

Lewis Field: 216–433–9328 (WEAT) 

Plum Brook Station: 419–621–3333

Calendar

IFPTE LOCAL 28, LESA MEETING: LESA 

will hold its next membership meeting, 

Wednesday, April 13, noon, in the 

Glenn Employee Center’s Small Dining 

Room.

GRC CONNECTIONS: April 15, 9 a.m., 

Baldwin Wallace University Honors 

Business students will present market 

study and focus group results on 

problem-solving in education, virtual 

reality and augmented reality. 

April 21, 10 a.m.: Mark Mykleby, codirector of the Case Western Reserve 

University (CWRU) Strategic Innovation 

Lab, will highlight CWRU work on 

developing a new grand strategy for the 

21st century. Both sessions will be held 

in the Briefing Center, Building 8.

YURI’S WEEKEND: Celebrate the first 

man in space with hands-on activities 

and shows at the Great Lakes Science 

Center, April 16 and 17. For details, visit 

GreatScience.com. 

NASA SPACE APPS CHALLENGE: Glenn 

once again will host the Cleveland site 

for the 2016 Space Apps Challenge, April 

22–24. To register, visit https://2016.

spaceappschallenge.org/locations/

cleveland-oh-usa.

HARVEST FOR HUNGER: Glenn’s 2016 

Harvest for Hunger Campaign runs 

through Friday, April 29. The items most 

needed are: canned soup, tuna and stew; 

peanut butter; and cereal. Name brands 

are not required. Donation boxes are 

located throughout the center. Items 

help support local residents who are in 

need. POC: Robbie Reed, 3–2121.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER: Join the 

Glenn community for a Christian 

observance, Thursday, May 5. This 

year’s theme is “Wake Up America.” 

Observances will be 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.

RETIRED WOMEN’S LUNCHEON: The

next NASA Retired Women's Luncheon is Thursday, May 19, 1 p.m., at 

Coppertop Restaurant, 5740 Center Rd. 

(Rt. 303), Valley City. Please notify Gerry 

Ziemba, 330–273–4850 or gto64gerry@

yahoo.com to reserve your place.

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 2016 Calendar section deadline: Apr. 20, 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

Next Master Plan Building to Create Campus Center

Progress on Glenn’s Master Plan continues to unfold with approval of the design concept for the Research Support 

Building (RSB). The new building will 

sit adjacent to the Mission Integration 

Center (MIC) with an enclosed walkway linking the two facilities. These 

two buildings are key to creating a 

Campus Center at Lewis Field, a central 

destination envisioned to create excitement, promote innovation and serve 

as a gathering location for the Glenn 

community.

The 75,000-square-foot RSB will provide office space for 240 permanent 

occupants (workstations and closed 

offices). Space will also be dedicated to 

public areas, which will include a cafeteria, Exchange Store, ATM, hoteling 

spaces, informal seating, meeting and 

training rooms and more. 

“Office areas will offer flexibility and 

adaptability, with spaces to enable collaboration. Large window walls will allow 

ample natural light to enter the workspace,” explained Project Manager Tim 

Wardlow, Project Management Branch. 

“Public spaces will provide a central location for community gathering.” 

The area between the MIC and RSB will 

be transformed into a campus commons 

to accommodate outdoor events. The 

RSB’s elevated gateway architecture 

will promote this area as a desired destination for Glenn staff and visitors alike.

This Construction of Facilities (CoF) 

Recapitalization Project includes the 

demolition of Building 21 during the 

2017–2018 timeframe. Construction of 

the new building is scheduled to begin 

in summer 2018 with full occupancy 

expected in 2020. The demolition of 

the north section (cafeteria wing) of 

Building 15 is also included and will 

take place after RSB occupancy, with 

its footprint being converted to green 

space.

By Doreen B. Zudell

This artist rendering shows an aerial view of the new RSB with MIC to create a Campus 

Center at Lewis Field.