VOLUME 20 • ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2018

Powering Future

Space Exploration

Pages 2–4

All Hands Meeting 

Covers Timely 

Topics

Page 5

State of NASA 

Gets Up Close

Pages 6–7

Folding Wings 

in Flight

Page 12
2

Spring Forward 

With Safety in Mind

Because of the strong commitment 

from the Glenn workforce, the 2017 

post-Safety Day walkthroughs were 

a tremendous success. We completed 

100 percent of the walkthroughs 

before the end of the year, and 

achieved 98 percent of the cleanups 

by February 2018. It is a pleasure 

to walk around the center and see 

clean and organized workspaces, 

labs and facilities. As we look forward 

to spring, remember to continue to 

keep escape routes clear and 

minimize hazards!

Thank you for your continued 

commitment to a clean and safe 

work environment.

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

GRC-2017-C-06832

NASA Testing 

Kilopower for Future 

Space Exploration 

Left to right, Glenn’s Jessie Walker, Marc Gibson, Tom Godfroy (NASA Marshall) 

and Jim Sanzi (behind Godfroy) take measurements to center the 

instrument core on the test stand during the dry run in the Glenn Hangar.
MARCH 2018

3

For more information about the Kilopower project, visit 

https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/kilopower.

A reliable and efficient power system will be essential for day-to-day necessities, such as lighting, water and oxygen, and for 

mission objectives, like running experiments and producing fuel for the long journey home. That’s why NASA is conducting 

experiments on Kilopower, a new power source that could provide safe, efficient and plentiful energy for future robotic and human 

space exploration missions. 

This pioneering space fission power system could provide up to 10 kilowatts of electrical power—enough to run two average 

households—continuously for at least 10 years. Four Kilopower units would provide enough power to establish an outpost.

About the Experiment 

The prototype power system was designed and developed by Glenn in collaboration with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in 

Huntsville, Alabama, and the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The reactor core was provided by the Y12 National Security Complex. 

Glenn shipped the prototype power system from Cleveland to the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) in late September.

The team at the NNSS recently began tests on the reactor core. According to Glenn’s Marc Gibson, Kilopower lead engineer, the 

experiments should conclude with a full-power test lasting approximately 28 hours in late March.

The Kilopower Advantage 

Fission power can provide abundant energy anywhere we want humans or robots to go. On Mars, the sun’s power varies widely 

throughout the seasons, and periodic dust storms can last for months. On the moon, the cold lunar night lingers for 14 days.

“We want a power source that can handle extreme environments,” said Glenn’s Lee Mason, NASA’s principal technologist for 

power and energy storage. “Kilopower opens up the full surface of Mars, including the northern latitudes where water may 

reside. On the moon, Kilopower could be deployed to help search for resources in permanently shadowed craters.”

In these challenging environments, power generation from sunlight is difficult and fuel supply is limited. Kilopower is lightweight, 

reliable and efficient, which makes it just right for the job.

By Jan Wittry

On the Cover:

Tom Godfroy, left, and Marc Gibson 

ensure the test stand and prototype 

power system are ready to be 

shipped from Cleveland to Nevada 

in September 2017.

GRC-2017-C-06838

Photos by Rami Daud

When astronauts someday venture to the moon, Mars and other destinations, 

one of the first and most important resources they will need is power.

Left:

Close-up view of the Kilopower 

prototype power system.

GRC-2017-C-06805
GRC-2018-CN-00097 Photos by Nevada National Security Site

GRC-2018-CN-00092

NASA and its partners hosted a news 

conference, Jan. 18, at the National Atomic 

Testing Museum in Las Vegas, to discuss 

a recent experiment involving a new power 

source: Kilopower. This source could provide 

the safe, efficient and plentiful energy 

needed for future robotic and human space 

exploration missions.

Representatives from NASA and the 

National Nuclear Security Administration’s 

Los Alamos National Laboratory and 

Nevada National Security Site discussed 

the experiment and answered questions on 

Kilopower. The Kilopower project aims to 

demonstrate space fission power systems 

technology that has the potential to enable 

future crewed surface missions to the 

moon, Mars and beyond. Testing began in 

November 2017 and is expected to continue 

through March 2018.

NASA, Partners 

Discuss Kilopower 

4

Top Right:

Left to right, Glenn’s Director of Space Flight 

Systems Bryan Smith; Associate Administrator 

of the Space Technology Mission Directorate 

(STMD) Stephen Jurczyk; Glenn’s Kilopower Lead 

Engineer Marc Gibson; and STMD Chief of Staff 

Mike Green examine the prototype power system. 

Right:

Center Director Dr. Janet Kavandi delivers opening 

remarks during a Kilopower press conference 

hosted by NASA and the Department of Energy at 

the National Atomic Testing Museum, Jan. 18. 

Learn how NASA technologies are contributing to your quality of life—from 

lifesaving technology, to better running shoes, and everything in between.

NASA Spinoff 2018 Is Out!

Read online or download the latest edition of NASA Spinoff at 

https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2018/index.html.
All Hands Covered Topics From Space 

Corridor to Workforce Transformation 

During her All Hands Meeting, Jan. 23, Center Director 

Dr. Janet Kavandi updated the workforce on a number of 

timely topics. 

She discussed Gateway, a concept for a crew-tended lunar 

orbital platform led by NASA and our international partners. 

She said Glenn secured an important role to provide the 

first element of Gateway—a Power and Propulsion Element 

(PPE)—which will supply solar electric propulsion and 

communication to the new platform. The PPE is expected to 

be launched into cislunar orbit in the early 2020s. 

Kavandi also announced that Glenn has identified a route to 

move large hardware between Mansfield Regional Airport 

and Plum Brook Station. She said that power and communication lines along the 41-mile route will be either raised or 

buried to accommodate the transport of large diameter test 

articles. The Orion Exploration Mission 1 (EM–1) vehicle, 

which includes the integrated crew and service modules, 

requires the route for testing at the Space Environmental 

Complex. Once finished, the “Space Corridor” will bring 

additional testing opportunities to Plum Brook Station.

In the area of Early Career Workforce Transformation, 

Kavandi reported that Glenn is progressing well in its 

efforts to secure a workforce that can meet the future mission needs of the agency. She said with attrition and new 

hires, the average age of center employees is starting to 

come down. “When we give ourselves [Glenn] a goal, we go 

after it,” she said. “These efforts will ensure a sustaining 

group of people for years to come.”

Deputy Center Director Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis gave an overview on the Mission Support Future Architecture Program 

(MAP). She explained the differences between MAP and the 

Business Services Assessment (BSA). She described how 

MAP will implement a phased plan to transform all mission 

support functional areas from their current state to an 

enterprise architecture.

The Office of Chief Financial Officer, Office of Human 

Capital Management and Office of Legislative and 

Intergovernmental Affairs are the first phase of projects 

under MAP. Additional functional areas will fall within 

subsequent phases with the goal of having all MAP projects 

reach implementation by fiscal year 2023. For more 

information on MAP, visit https://inside.nasa.gov/msd/map.

Chief Information Officer Sean Gallagher gave an update on cybersecurity. He said unauthorized access and malicious code were the 

top cybersecurity issues in 2017, and the agency is taking countermeasures to secure NASA data. Gallagher shared several examples 

of countermeasures, including revamping training so it is more user 

friendly and increasing federal and agency coordination. 

“You can help,” Gallagher said. “Know your information...involve 

cyber risk management early in a project...stay vigilant...separate 

personal and work accounts...support system owners.” Gallagher’s 

full presentation is available on the Director’s Corner page on WING, 

under Presentations. 

Office of Human Capital Management Chief Lori Pietravoia then 

provided a brief overview of Glenn’s current Voluntary Separation 

Incentive (buyout) and Early Out Authority Implementation Plan. 

Employees who meet the criteria and are accepted will need to 

separate from the agency by April 3. 

Employees had the opportunity to ask questions after the presentations. The briefing concluded with a video highlighting 2017 center 

activities, and Kavandi thanked employees for their many contributions throughout the year.

By Doreen B. Zudell

Center Director Dr. Kavandi talks about Glenn’s strides in 

Early Career Workforce Transformation during her All Hands. 

GRC-2018-C-00237 Photo by Marvin Smith

MARCH 2018

5
State of NASA Event Gives ‘In-Person’ Experience 

Glenn’s Digital Communications Team, Office of Communications 

and External Relations, welcomed a group of 21 social media influencers to Lewis Field for a NASA Social. Following a welcome from 

Digital Communications Lead Nikki Welch, Center Deputy Director 

Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis presented a video highlighting Glenn’s work 

and gave a center overview. 

“This event is an opportunity for you, our social media fans and 

friends, to get an exclusive look at the center,” Welch said. “It 

serves as an opportunity for us to highlight the work we do, and 

specifically the work that is enabled by the FY 2019 budget 

proposal.”

Concurrently, Glenn News Chief Jan Wittry and her Media Relations 

Team, welcomed members of the local media to gain details on the 

budget request for the agency and for Glenn. 

Media representatives settled in the Administration Building and 

social media guests gathered at the Mission Integration Center to 

watch NASA Acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot deliver the State 

of NASA address via NASA Television. 

In his address, Lightfoot presented President Trump’s FY 2019 

budget request of $19.9 billion for NASA. He addressed the progress made and the exciting work ahead on the agency’s exploration 

initiative that secures America’s leadership in space.

“It [budget] reflects the Administration’s confidence that through 

NASA leadership, America will lead the way back to the moon and 

take the next giant leap from where we made that first small step 

nearly 50 years ago,” Lightfoot said. For details about the FY 2019 

budget, visit http://www.nasa.gov/budget.

Immediately following Lightfoot’s presentation, Center Director 

Dr. Janet Kavandi and Chief Financial Officer Larry Sivic met with 

the media. They discussed Glenn’s role in the nation’s aeronautics 

and space exploration program as well as the center’s portion 

of the proposed budget. WKYC Channel 3, Fox 8 News, the 

Columbus Dispatch, Cleveland Plain Dealer, WKSU 89.7 FM and 

WCPN 90.3 FM covered the event.

The FY 2019 budget proposes $712 million in spending at Glenn, 

which is $57 million more than in FY 2017. (Our FY 2018 Omnibus 

allocations are awaiting approval.) If approved, Sivic said this would 

be Glenn’s largest budget in 7 years. 

The budget proposal provides funds to begin building the in-space 

infrastructure for long-term exploration and development of our 

nearest neighbor, the moon. The agency will build an “outpost” near 

the moon, called the Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway, which will 

be assembled in lunar orbit. It will be used as a staging point for 

missions to, near and beyond the moon.

“NASA Glenn, with our extensive in-space propulsion experience, 

is leading development of the Gateway’s Power and Propulsion 

Element, or PPE,” Kavandi said. PPE will provide transportation 

and controls for lunar orbital operations and power to future lunar 

orbiting elements and communications. 

After the briefing, media were invited to tour the Electric Propulsion 

Laboratory and 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel. Social media 

guests also toured those locations, as well as the Graphics & 

Visualization (GVIS) Lab. Glenn subject matter experts provided 

facility highlights. 

By Doreen B. Zudell

NASA Glenn opened its doors to members of the media and social media, Feb. 12, for 

a “State of NASA” event featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the center’s work. The event 

coincided with President Trump’s fiscal year (FY) 2019 budget proposal delivery to Congress. 

through NASA leadership, America 

Guests of the NASA Social view Lightfoot’s State of NASA presentation. GRC-2018-C-00456 Photo by Rami Daud
MARCH 2018

will lead the way back to the moon

Social media followers 

on tour in the 8- by 6-Foot 

Supersonic Wind Tunnel. 

GRC-2018-C-00489

Photo by Rami Daud

WKSU’s Jeff St. Clair asks Dr. Kavandi follow-up questions after the news conference. 

Pictured, left to right, Kavandi, Sivic, St. Clair, The Plain Dealer’s Grant Segall 

and Columbus Dispatch’s Marion Renault. 

GRC-2018-C-00435 Photo by Marvin Smith

A NASA Social guest enjoys virtual reality 

in the GVIS Lab.

GRC-2018-C-00481 Photo by Rami Daud

Members of the media and senior leaders watch Lightfoot’s address from the Building 3 Auditorium. GRC-2018-C-00416 Photo by Marvin Smith
8

NEWS AND EVENTS

Center Remembers Fallen Heroes With Musical Tribute

Glenn’s Day of Remembrance observance, Jan. 25, acknowledged the passion and commitment of the Apollo 1, Challenger 

and Columbia crews, other NASA family members and cosmonauts who have lost their lives furthering the cause of 

exploration and discovery. The program included personal remarks by Center Director Dr. Janet Kavandi and a presentation 

by Jeff Woytach, Science and Space Technology Systems Branch. Musical selections by the Glenn Band—with vocals by 

Ann Heyward and Laura King-Steen—honored the fallen heroes.

GRC-2018-C-00265

Photo by Marvin Smith

Kavandi Presents 

at Museum’s 

Explorer Series 

Center Director Dr. Janet Kavandi gave 

a lecture on the Evolution of Spaceflight 

to a capacity crowd attending the 

Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s 

Explorer Series, Jan. 26. 

Kavandi recounted the intense training 

and preparation as an astronaut of three 

space shuttle missions, how spaceflight 

has evolved from Sputnik through shuttle 

highlighting Glenn contributions, and the 

possibilities of future space exploration.

GRC-2017-CN-00096

Photo by Lori Manthey

Dr. Kavandi speaks on the Evolution of Spaceflight.
9

Two Employees Step Up to NASA@work Challenges

Johnson and Litt Honored as AIAA Associate Fellows

John Ford and Bruce Banks received awards for their 

solution/feedback to NASA@work challenges, an agencywide 

platform designed to increase innovation and access to ideas 

and knowledge from within the NASA community. Participants 

engage in interactive discussions on solutions to a challenger’s 

topic or situation, with an opportunity to win an award. 

Ford, V2Tech/OCIO Mission Support Office, was rewarded for 

his solution “Incorporate Active Tintable Electronic Coatings 

in Next Generation Space Suit Visor.” Ford gave the challenger 

information on electrochromatic technology that could quickly 

and seamlessly change the tinting of an astronaut’s helmet to 

protect their eyes and a contact to test the product. 

Banks, SAIC/Environmental Effects and Coatings Branch, 

submitted a narrative about alternative corrections made in 

developing Hydroforming Ion Optics for Ion Thrusters for the 

challenge “Failure on the Path to Progress.” Bank’s lessons 

learned have now been successfully applied to 21 spacecraft. 

For more information on NASA@work challenges, visit 

https://nasa.innocentive.com. 

By S. Jenise Veris

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) inducted Dr. Dexter Johnson and Jonathan Litt

into the Class of 2018 Associate Fellows during its Recognition Ceremony, Jan. 8. Johnson is chief of the Structural 

Dynamics Branch and Litt is a member of the Intelligent Control and Autonomy Branch. 

AIAA describes Associate Fellows as people “who have accomplished or been in charge of important engineering or 

scientific work, who have done original work of outstanding merit, or otherwise made outstanding contributions to 

the arts, sciences, or technology of aeronautics or astronautics.”

AIAA President James Maser joined Regions/Sections Activities Division Chief Laura Richard in presentations 

to Dr. Johnson, left center, and Litt, right center, at the Associate Fellows induction ceremony. 

GRC-2017-CN-00093 GRC-2017-CN-00094 Photos by AIAA Honors and Awards

Center Director Dr. Janet Kavandi presents Ford his 

certificate and pin at a DSM meeting in October.

GRC-2017-C-08104 Photo by Marvin Smith

Banks

MARCH 2018
10

NASA’s new and improved Learning Management System, SATERN, 

will go live on March 15. The agency is giving SATERN a face-lift that 

includes a more modern interface and several enhanced features, such 

as a new way to browse the course catalog.

In preparation for the 1-week migration downtime necessary to upgrade 

the new SATERN system, employees were directed to complete all 

SF–182 requests and training, with deadlines prior to March 30, by the 

end of February. Training requests not completed with this accelerated 

deadline, did not migrate to the new system and will have to be reentered. In addition, there will be no Individual Development Plan (IDP) 

functionality in the new SATERN. However, a new agencywide IDP 

template is available on the Human Resources Portal.

“Keep in mind, the current continuing resolution (CR) only funds the 

federal government through March 23, 2018. Therefore, our office 

cannot process any requests beyond the start date of March 23, 

unless a CR is passed,” said Marlena Hudson, Sr. Organization and 

Development Consultant in Glenn’s Office of Human Capital Management.

For those who may have missed the centerwide briefing on the 

SATERN upgrade, hosted by the Human Capital Development Division on 

Feb. 15, you can direct your training questions related to IDPs to Robert 

Reid at 3–2121. For all other training questions, contact the Training 

Coordination Office at 3–2310.

SATERN Upgrade Coming— 

What You Need to Know! 

Marsha Mencl Nall, ISS Research and 

Human Health Office, Space Operations 

Project Office, retired Feb. 3, 2018, with 

35 years of service.

Paul Bartolotta, Inlets and Nozzles 

Branch, Propulsion Division, retired 

Jan. 31, 2018, with 33 years of service. 

Nall

RETIREMENTS

MORE THAN A MEMORY

Frank G. Pollack, 92, a 1988 retiree with 

26 years of NASA service, died Feb. 15. 

Pollack was a U.S. Army veteran of World 

War II. He retired from the Instrumentation 

and Control Technology Office, where 

he was recognized for superior work 

developing turbine blade temperature 

measurement techniques. He employed 

radiation pyrometry principles and 

imaging methods like photography and 

photoelectric scanning to make accurate 

measurements for the life prediction of 

turbine airfoils, crucial to managing and 

sustaining aircraft jet engines.

Dr. Harold R. Kaufman, 91, a 1974 retiree 

with 23 years of NASA service, died Jan. 4. 

Kaufman was a physicist and NASA Glenn 

Hall of Fame inductee who invented the 

electron bombardment ion thruster. This 

experimental spaceflight hardware system, 

first flown in 1964, is the basis for new 

generations of thrusters powering spacecraft today. The “Kaufman ion source” 

is a variant of the duoplasmatron for the 

purpose of spacecraft propulsion systems, a center core technology. Kaufman 

continued advancing ion technology, in 

retirement, as a full-scale manufacturer 

of commercial ion sources at Kaufman & 

Robinson (KRI®). 

Kaufman

Pollack
11

tume contest, and experience 

the museum after dark! 

Money raised from Yuri’s 

Night helps fund the Science 

Center’s STEM education 

initiatives. For information, 

visit http://greatscience.com/

explore/events-programs/

yuris-night-2018.

Yuri’s Night

Hosted by The Great Lakes Science Center

Saturday, May 19

7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

In conjunction with the Ohio Aerospace Institute, the 

NASA Glenn Chapter of Business and Professional 

Women’s Club (BPW) invites you to a Golden Jubilee event.

BPW Golden Jubilee

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

Upcoming Center Events

Deadline for next calendar section 

is March 21, noon. News and feature 

stories require additional time.

GSEL MOBILE LIBRARIAN

The Glenn Science and Engineering 

Library (GSEL) Mobile Librarian will be 

visiting Building 54 through March 15. A 

Glenn reference librarian will be ready to 

assist employees with subject searches, 

finding specific books and articles and 

other information needs on the spot.

POC: Robin Pertz, 3–5776

IFPTE LOCAL 28, LESA MEETING

LESA will hold its next membership 

meeting, Wednesday, April 11, noon, 

in the Glenn Employee Center’s Small 

Dining Room.

The Emergency Management Office 

staff will conduct an outdoor “voice” 

test at Building 39, Lewis Field on 

Wednesday, April 4. An audible mass 

notification test on the “emergency 

condition” tone will be conducted on 

Saturday, April 7. 

POC: Allen Turner, 3–6826 

APRIL OUTDOOR SIREN TESTING

Mary Roberts, OAI (registration)

440–962–3025 • maryroberts@oai.org

Nan vonDeak, Glenn (general)

216–433–2999 • amanda.l.vondeak@nasa.gov

Wednesday, March 28

8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Ohio Aerospace Institute Sunroom

Keynote Speaker 

Center Director Dr. Janet Kavandi

To register, visit https://go.nasa.gov/2swOsMb.

Volunteers are still needed in various 

positions for the FIRST Robotics Buckeye 

Regional Competition, March 29–31, 

Cleveland State University’s Wolstein 

Center. Come join the crew for this fun 

event! For more information and to 

register, visit http://www.oai.org/

firstbuckeye/volunteers.html. 

POC: Stephanie Brown-Houston, 3–8006

FIRST ROBOTICS

BUCKEYE REGIONAL COMPETITION

Come dressed to impress in your best outer space/science fiction-themed 

costume and compete for prizes in the costume contest. Experience the museum 

after dark—including the NASA Glenn Visitor Center! Adults 21 and over.

Buy your tickets early and save! See website for details. 

http://greatscience.com/explore/events-programs/yuris-night-2018

Hosted by the Great Lakes Science Center

Saturday, May 19

7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Yuri’s Night: 

Space Party

MARCH 2018
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

NASA Tests New Alloy to Fold Wings in Flight

NASA has successfully applied a new materials technology developed at Glenn that would allow pilots to fold 

aircraft wings to different angles for aerodynamic benefit. The wings were folded during a recent test flight 

series at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, as part of the Spanwise Adaptive Wing project, 

or SAW.

SAW aims to validate use of an innovative actuation system that uses a lightweight material called shape 

memory alloy to fold the outer portions of aircraft wings and their control surfaces for optimal in-flight benefits, 

both subsonic and supersonic. 

The project is a joint effort between NASA’s Armstrong, Glenn and Langley field centers, and Boeing 

Research & Technology in St. Louis and Seattle, and Area-I Inc. in Kennesaw, Georgia. 

More details on the recent flight tests and the potential benefits of folded wings is available at 

https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/feature/nasa-tests-new-alloy-to-fold-wings-in-flight.html.

The wings were folded on PTERA, a flight testbed 

designed and built by Area-I, using a thermally 

triggered shape memory alloy, developed at 

Glenn and integrated into an actuator at Boeing 

Research & Technology.

GRC-2017-CN-00099 Photo by NASA/Ken Ulbrich