VOLUME 18 ISSUE 3 MARCH 2016

Center Recreates Historic Anniversary Groundbreaking

NASA Glenn kicked off its diamond anniversary the way it began 75 years ago. 

On Jan. 25, 2016, Glenn leadership and 

local dignitaries gathered at Lewis Field 

to reenact the Jan. 23, 1941, center 

groundbreaking. 

Center Director Jim Free welcomed employees and guests, leading a series of 

speakers that included Facilities, Test 

and Manufacturing Director Tom Hartline; Brook Park Mayor Tom Coyne; 

Chief of Regional Development for the 

City of Cleveland Edward Rybka; and 

Glenn History Officer Anne Mills. NASA

Administrator Charles Bolden and NASA 

Glenn’s namesake, former astronaut and 

U.S. Senator John Glenn, provided heartfelt congratulatory video messages.

Hartline, who oversees the management 

of NASA Glenn’s institutional and test 

facilities, systems and infrastructure, assured the audience of the center’s vitality. “It takes a lot of care and feeding to 

keep a center running for 75 years,” he 

said, “and for a 75-year-old, our center is 

pretty healthy and vibrant!”

Free affirmed the center’s vitality by providing past and current examples of accomplishments and contributions to the 

nation. “Over the past 75 years, NASA 

Glenn has helped our nation maintain 

its leadership in aeronautics achievements and space exploration,” he said, 

“while continuing to push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe 

around us for the benefit of all.”

Coyne echoed these sentiments. He 

noted NASA’s “affinity for dreaming,” 

and pledged his continued support to 

NASA Glenn. “Everything begins here,” 

he said. 

In an engaging look back at the center’s 

history, Mills compared NASA Glenn to 

a quality diamond. “It takes two things 

to make a diamond: time and pressure,” 

she said. “We’ve had a steady stream of 

that here. We have been called on time 

and time again to do the impossible.”

Continued on page 3

GRC-2016-C-330 Photo by Marvin Smith

75th Groundbreaking Reenactment: Left to right: Edward Rybka, chief of Regional 

Development, City of Cleveland; Fred Szabo, commissioner, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport; Joseph Roman, president and chief executive officer, Greater Cleveland 

Partnership; Thomas Hartline, director of Facilities Test and Manufacturing; James Free,

center director; Dr. Richard Fingers, acting deputy, Aerospace Systems Directorate, Air 

Force Research Laboratory; Therese Griebel, director of Aeronautics; Dr. Marla PerezDavis, deputy director of Research and Engineering; George Lewis, grandson of Lewis 

Field namesake; Thomas Coyne, mayor of Brook Park.

Plum Brook Station Hosts “State of NASA”

Path to Mars Comes Through Here

NASA Glenn opened the doors at its

Plum Brook Station to media and social media representatives, Feb. 9, for

a “State of NASA” event. Participants

were treated to a behind-the-scenes

look at the center’s work in NASA’s 

mission to send astronauts into deep 

space. The event included media tours 

and presentations of the Space Power

Facility—where engineers are currently 

Continued on page 3

In This Issue

Director’s Safety Corner .......................2

HQ Leaders Visit ..................................2

75th Anniversary Highlight ...................5

Tech Transfer .......................................6

CFC Awards .........................................7

Balloon Development ............................8
Safety Plan Enables Transport of Rare Artifact

As we celebrate NASA Glenn’s 75th anniversary, we are looking back to one 

of the proud moments this center has played in NASA history, our key role in 

the Centaur Program. I’m excited that we’ll have the opportunity to display an 

actual Centaur G-Prime rocket at Lewis Field. Getting the 6,600-pound rocket 

and its 6,000-pound integrated support system to Cleveland from Huntsville, 

Alabama, however, is no easy feat. The relocation of the hardware requires 

adherence to stringent OSHA regulations and NASA-specific requirements. 

Many thanks to our Safety and Mission Assurance; Center Operations; and 

Facilities, Test and Manufacturing Directorate staffs for coordinating plans to 

assure safe and secure transport and installation of the rocket in front of the 

Administration Building. This majestic artifact will serve as a reminder of our 

contribution and rich tradition in space development.

Let’s celebrate our aerospace heritage where mission success is enabled by 

teamwork and excellence! —Jim 

Glenn’s 75th Anniversary

Public Open Houses

Lewis Field

May 21 and 22

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Plum Brook Station

June 11 and 12

10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Mark your calendar and bring your 

family and friends. Look for details in 

the April AeroSpace Frontiers

on how you can be part of the 

festivities.

www.nasa.gov/glenn75

#NASAglenn75

Headquarters Leaders Talk About New Operating Model

On Jan. 21, NASA Associate Administrator Robert Lightfoot Jr. and Deputy Associate Administrator Lesa Roe, traveled 

to Glenn to update employees on the 

agency’s efforts to develop a new operating model.

Their visit started with a tour of Plum 

Brook Station facilities in the morning, 

followed by an All Hands meeting at 

Lewis Field. 

Center Director Jim Free kicked off 

the All Hands by highlighting several 

of Glenn’s technological accomplishments over the past year. Lightfoot applauded those efforts and noted NASA 

earning “Best Places to Work” honors 

in the large agency category from the 

Partnership for Public Service. 

“I appreciate the work you’ve done in 

2015 and what you’re going to do in 

2016,” Lightfoot said. 

The Headquarters’ visitors then shared 

examples of how the agency is analyzing areas such as program/project 

planning, agency integration, strategic 

workforce planning and competition 

practices to determine a new operating model. These activities have engaged leadership across the agency in 

examining current practices and determining new ways of working that can 

enable the agency to maintain critical 

capabilities and meet current and future mission needs. Details and updates on these efforts can be found at

https://nbat.hq.nasa.gov/bsa/aa_communications_and_briefings. (internal)

Lightfoot stressed that these efforts are 

not all about reductions but about investments in NASA’s future. 

“These challenges can become opportunities to do things differently,” Roe 

affirmed.

The visitors addressed several questions 

from the audience as well as questions 

posted earlier and during the meeting 

via a new online tool. The Conference 

i/o tool allows employees to post questions and vote on which questions they 

feel are most important. Those questions then rise to the top of the list. 

During their visit, Lightfoot and Roe 

also met with senior leadership, shared 

lunch with some of Glenn’s early career 

employees and talked with employees 

in NASA’s FIRST (Foundations of Influence, Relationships, Success and Teamwork) program.

By Doreen B. Zudell

GRC-2016-C-599 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Lightfoot, left, and Roe provide updates on 

the agency’s new operating model.

2
MARCH 2016

Historic Groundbreaking

Continued from page 1

Wielding the original nickel-plated pick and shovel, participants gathered to assume 

the roles of their original counterparts in the reenactment. The event concluded with 

a short reception that featured 75th anniversary cakes and light refreshments.

Glenn Historian, Mills, takes a look back to the original groundbreaking. To her left is the 

original nickel-plated pick and shovel.

GRC-2016-C-323 Photo by Marvin Smith

GRC-2016-C-298 Photo by Marvin Smith

George Lewis, left, grandson of his namesake, and Harvey Lewis, right, great grandson of the original George Lewis, attended 

the event.

“State of NASA”

Continued from page 1

evaluating a test version of the Orion

European Service Module—and the

Spacecraft Propulsion Research Facility. 

The tour also highlighted some of Plum 

Brook’s efforts to be good stewards of 

the environment. 

Center Director Jim Free welcomed

guests and noted the center’s 75th anniversary. “This is a special year for us to 

celebrate our accomplishments and our 

people,” he said.

Free stressed Glenn’s technical expertise 

and commitment to maintaining its role 

as a leader in aeropropulsion research. 

These capabilities will enable the center 

to develop critical technologies needed 

to get to Mars. “The path to Mars comes 

through here,” he said.

Additionally, the media connected remotely with NASA Administrator Charles 

Bolden from NASA’s Langley Research

Center in Hampton, Virginia, via NASA 

Television. Bolden addressed the agency’s scientific and technological achievements and cutting-edge future work. His 

presentation, titled “The State of NASA 

is Strong,” included the announcement 

of President Obama’s 2017 budget proposal of $19 billion for the agency. Included in the proposal is $598 million

for Glenn.

“This $19 billion budget allows us to

continue the progress we’ve been making over the past several years on our 

journey to Mars,” Bolden said, “while 

launching a new initiative to accelerate 

aviation energy efficiency, transform

propulsion systems and enable major improvements in safety and mobility.”

Deputy Director Dr. Janet Kavandi was 

available to answer questions, and the 

event concluded with a briefing by NASA’s Chief Financial Officer David Radzanowski on the agency’s 2017 budget 

proposal. Glenn’s Chief Financial Officer 

Larry Sivic then responded to reporters and social media queries on Glennspecific allocations. The budget request 

must make its way through Congress for 

final approval. 

For details on NASA’s 2017 budget request, visit http://www.nasa.gov/news/

budget/index.html#.VO7CIUjNeBM.

By Doreen B. Zudell

GRC-2016-C-668 Photo by Rami Daud

Social media participants tweet during 

their visit in the Space Power Facility.

Photo by Rami Daud

Glenn’s Nicole Smith, center, briefs participants on Orion hardware.

GRC-2016-C-684

3
News and Events

Glenn Invites Stakeholders to Partner in Anniversary Celebration

After the 75th Anniversary Groundbreaking Reenactment, Jan. 25, several Glenn 

key stakeholders/partners gathered in the Briefing Center to learn more about the 

anniversary. Center Director Jim Free shared information on upcoming events 

and encouraged partnering opportunities throughout the celebratory year. Center 

Operations Director Robyn Gordon provided opening remarks and 75th Anniversary 

Project Manager David DeFelice gave a project overview. Tours offered VIPs a 

glimpse of facilities scheduled for viewing during the May 21–22 Lewis Field Open 

House. Pictured: While on tour, Mike Heil, OAI president and CEO, examines a mesh 

wheel in the Simulated Lunar Operations (SLOPE) facility as WKYC meteorologist 

Greg Dee and others look on.

GRC-2016-C-356 Photo by Marvin Smith

Exhibit Honors Legacy of Exploration

NASA held its annual Day of Remembrance, Jan. 28, to pay tribute to colleagues who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and 

discovery. Center Director Jim Free led 

the observance at Lewis Field, acknowledging the 30th anniversary of the Challenger accident. That same day, NASA 

Glenn personnel joined the South Shore 

Convention Center and Visitors Authority and the Challenger Learning Center 

of Northwest Indiana in presenting a 

NASA Traveling Exhibit, “Inspiring the 

Future: The Legacy of Exploration.” The 

exhibit opened with a presentation by 

retired astronaut Gregory J. Harbaugh, 

pictured, who honored the fallen astronauts and reaffirmed America's commitment to exploration. The event was 

held at the Indiana Welcome Center in 

Hammond, Indiana. The exhibit runs 

through March 27.

Photo by David DeFelice

New SCaN Exhibit Making the Rounds

Glenn’s Visitor Center at the Great Lakes Science Center

is showcasing the Space Communications and Navigation

(SCaN) Program’s new interactive exhibit, the PufferSphere, 

through the end of March. The 360-degree, multitouch and 

interactive system can display video, photos, motion graphics, 

text and other visual resources and communicates the

message of “Connecting the Universe” in a new, interactive 

way. Representatives from Glenn’s Space Communications

and Spectrum Management Office will then take the 2-foot 

sphere exhibit to the Westin Cleveland for the Consultative 

Committee for Space Data Systems Spring Meeting in April 

and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History through midMay. Pictured: The PufferSphere attracts people of all ages. 

Photo by Lindsey Hill

4
MARCH 2016

News and Events

Dr. Kavandi Connects With Students During National Engineers Week

In celebration of National Engineers Week, Deputy Director and astronaut Dr. Janet Kavandi addressed students and 

teachers via satellite through Glenn’s Digital Learning Network, Feb. 18. With guidance from Glenn engineer-mentor, 

Danielle Koch, the eighth grade students from St. Ambrose 

School, Brunswick, took honors in the engineering-based 

2015–16 Future City Competition. During the broadcast, 

Kavandi highlighted her role in the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission and encouraged the students to use their unique 

talents to help others. Rob LaSalvia and Roger Storm from 

Glenn’s Office of Education also learned more about this 

program from Deborah Morgan, Future City Competition Regional Coordinator. Pictured: Deputy Kavandi answers questions from St. Ambrose students during the broadcast.

GRC-2016-C-739 Photo by Rami Daud

Celebrating a 75-Year Legacy

This is the second in a monthly series of historical highlights commemorating Glenn’s 75th anniversary and extraordinary technical 

accomplishments that reach across 7 decades. 

Looking Back: 1950s

Heat transfer, the movement of heat

from one entity to another, is a critical

element of aerospace engineering that

addresses a broad range of issues. Since

its inception, Glenn has been involved

in heat transfer applied to issues such as

engine cooling, high-strength materials,

turbomachinery design, regenerative

nozzle cooling, cryogenic propellants

utilization and fuel cell development.

In the 1950s, the center possessed a

corps of world-renowned heat transfer

experts that literally wrote the textbooks that trained generations of engineers, while performing research of

enduring importance. This included:

Simon Ostrach’s investigation of flow

stemming from fluids of different densities and discovery that buoyancy

was not solely tied to gravity; Robert

Deissler’s simplification of complex

calculations that facilitated computer

modelling and physical heat transfer experiments; and Robert Siegel’s study of

heat transfer issues related to the space

program’s boiling in microgravity and

thermal radiation.

These men and their colleagues enjoyed long careers at NASA and in academia, publishing seminal papers and 

books while earning numerous awards 

and reputations as the “Giants of Heat 

Transfer.” In 2015, Ostrach, Deissler, 

and Siegel were among the initial class 

of inductees into Glenn’s Hall of Fame.

Courtesy of NASA Glenn History Office

Much of the center's heat transfer work in 

the 1950s related to nuclear propulsion. 

Pictured is a research engineer working 

with a high-temperature heat transfer 

rig as part of a study on the use of liquid 

hydrogen in nuclear rocket systems.

GRC-1959-C-52076

Technician monitors the high-pressure heat transfer test section and rig in CE-11 of the 

Engine Research Building.

GRC-1952-C-31593

5
Retirements

Senior Leaders on the Move

Three of Glenn’s senior leaders bid farewell to NASA Glenn 

after many years of dedicated service:

Director, Venture and Partnerships, Dr. Robert “Joe” Shaw, 

Office of the Director, retired Jan. 1, with 45 years of NASA 

service. 

Associate Director of Strategy, Dr. Howard Ross, Office of the 

Director, retired Feb. 2, with 36 years of Federal service, including 30 with NASA. 

Diversity Management Officer, Lynda Glover, left Glenn Feb. 6, to take a position with the Department of Interior. She had 

19 years of NASA service.

Dr. Shaw Dr. Ross Glover

Trending With Tech Transfer

Sleep Center Licenses Glenn Monitoring Technology

NASA Glenn has signed an evaluation licensing agreement with the

Massachusetts-based Marlborough Center for Sleep Disorders. This license allows the Center to use the Portable

Unit for Metabolic Analysis (PUMA)—a

mask-like monitoring system originally

designed to monitor astronauts’ oxygen 

consumption in space—in its sleep disorder research.

The Marlborough Center is a multidisciplinary facility for the evaluation and 

treatment of sleep disorders. It offers

care from on-site, board-certified specialists in sleep medicine, pulmonary

medicine, respiratory care and nutrition. 

Marlborough plans to use PUMA in metabolic studies to help people suffering 

from sleep apnea, diabetes, obesity and 

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 

(COPD). 

“The PUMA device gives us a small, portable, patient-friendly device that allows 

us to study metabolic function—wake,

exercise, sleep—in several clinical situations,” said Medical Director Dr. Clifford 

Risk. “We can then follow these results 

prospectively to adjust and optimize

our patients’ medical management.”

Marlborough is currently writing the

protocols for its first set of studies using 

PUMA. 

If you want to learn more about licensing, or if you’re working on a technology with potential applications beyond 

a NASA mission, please contact Karen

Bartos, ttp@grc.nasa.gov. 

Submitted by Glenn’s Technology Transfer Office

Calendar

BUCKEYE FIRST REGIONAL: The 15th 

annual Buckeye Regional FIRST Robotics 

Competition will be held March 17–19 at 

the Cleveland State University Wolstein 

Center. POC: Stephanie Brown-Houston, 

3–8006.

DR. SHIN TO SPEAK: NASA Associate 

Administrator, Aeronautics Research 

Mission Directorate (ARMD), Dr. Jaiwon 

Shin, and his team will host an ARMD 

Town Hall, March 24, from 10 a.m. to 

noon in the Briefing Center Auditorium. 

The event will include an awards 

ceremony, budget rollout and an outlook 

for aeronautics, followed by a question 

and answer session. All are encouraged 

to attend. POC: Lisa O’Connor, 3–8018. 

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD

DRIVE: You can help save a life! The 

American Red Cross staff will be in the 

Ad Building Auditorium, March 23–24, 

from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please

consider donating. POC: Rhonda Billick, 

3–6286.

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. 

In Appreciation

Thank you to all my co-workers

and friends who stopped by for my 

retirement celebration. It meant a great 

deal to me. A very special thanks to my 

Office of Human Capital Management 

family for the terrific send off. Although 

I will miss seeing my NASA family, please 

know that you will remain in my heart 

and memories forever!

 —Anita Arnold

Connect With Glenn

6
MARCH 2016

Welcome to the NASA Family

On Jan. 25, the following 

Glenn new hires reported for 

duty/orientation: Gabriel F. 

Benavides, Electric Propulsion Systems Branch; Krzysztof W. Bzdyk, Chemical and 

Thermal Propulsion Systems 

Branch; Adam M. Gannon, 

Architectures, Networks and 

System Integration Branch; 

Charles A. Hoff, Knowledge 

Management Systems Office; 

and Clint A. Messner and 

Mark C. Wilson, Engineering 

Management Branch.

On Feb. 8, the following

employees reported for

duty/orientation: Jennifer R. 

Amador, Operational Safety Branch; Donald W. Hange 

Jr., Program Management Office; Benjamin A. Kowalski, 

Environmental Effects and

Coatings Branch; and Steven 

L. McCarty, Mission Architecture and Analysis Branch.

GRC-2016-C-413 Photo by Marvin Smith

Seated, left to right: Gannon and Wilson; and standing, left to right: Benavides, Hoff, Messner and Bzdyk.

GRC-2016-C-621 Photo by Rami Daud

Front: left to right: Amador, McCarty, Kowalski and 

Hange. 

CFC 2015 Team Achieves 

Goal, Earns Awards

Team members and supporters of 

Glenn’s 2015 Combine Federal Campaign (CFC) gathered on Feb. 2 to celebrate a successful campaign. The center 

exceeded its goal of $425,000, with a 

total of $426,740! Additionally, the center earned several awards:

Directorate Awards

Highest Percentage of Participation

• Office of Chief Counsel (100 percent)

Highest Donations per Capita

• $817

Highest Percentage of Pacesetters

• 62 percent (Office of the Director)

Directorate Chairperson of the Year

• Jeff Csank

Keyworkers of the Year

• Brittany Schmidt and MaryAnn Sours

North Coast CFC (NCCFC) Campaign 

Awards

Chairperson’s (Eagle) Award

Director’s Award for Outstanding 

Leadership

Appreciation Award for Achieving 

100 Percent of Goal

Above and Beyond Award

• CFC Chair Andrea Bonesteel and 

 Co-Chair Mary Jo Long-Davis 

Chairperson of the Year Award

• Andrea Bonesteel

GRC-2016-C-629 Photo by Marvin Smith

Left to right: Long-Davis, CFC co-chair; 

Carol McClain, North Coast CFC (NCCFC) 

campaign manager; Bonesteel, CFC chair; 

and Free hold the big check that will make 

a big difference in the lives of those in need. 

More Than a Memory

Mike Chopich, 90, a 1982 NASA retiree and World War II Army Air Corps veteran with 

more than 20 years of federal service, died Dec. 18, 2015. Chopich began his NASA 

career as a mechanical engineer in the Plant Protection Section. He later transferred 

to the Facilities Operation Division’s Engine Research Building Operations where he 

retired after supporting a variety of projects and missions. 

Floyd B. Garrett, 95, a 1980 retiree with more than 40 years of 

service, died Dec. 9, 2015. Garrett retired as chief of the Materials 

Characterization and Operations Branch. He was the Area 6-Safety 

Board Committee representative responsible for coordinating 

training activities and disposal of hazardous materials. Garrett 

also served as chairman of the Lewis Christmas Club, a charitable 

organization that raised funds for children with special needs.

Jack G. McArdle, 89, a 1994 retiree and U.S. veteran with 44 

years of federal service, died Dec. 27, 2015. McArdle was an 

aerospace engineer who made significant contributions to 

several high-profile projects as lead for the engineering research 

team in the Propulsion Systems Division. Two notable projects 

centered on advancing flight experiments, and a “convertible” 

gas turbine engine concept that enabled a new breed of civil and 

military high-speed rotorcraft that can operate efficiently from 

hover to transonic speeds. 

Garrett

McArdle

Emergency and Inclement Weather Lines 

Lewis Field: 216–433–9328 (WEAT) 

Plum Brook Station: 419–621–3333

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. 

April 2016 Calendar section deadline: March 17, 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 Leads Planetary Science Balloon Platform Development

NASA Glenn is leading a multi-center 

team to develop the capability to answer critical questions posed in NASA’s 

Planetary Science Decadal Survey, using 

a low-cost, balloon-borne observatory 

with a 1-meter telescope. The project, 

Gondola for High-Altitude Planetary Science (GHAPS) recently passed a critical 

mission concept review/systems requirement review (MCR/SRR). 

GHAPS builds on Glenn’s experience 

with the Balloon Rapid Response for 

ISON (BRRISON) in 2013 and Balloon 

Observation Platform for Planetary Science (BOPPS) in 2014 balloon projects, 

expanding the offering for planetary 

scientists to include long-duration missions. GHAPS is designed for a minimum of five flights, up to 100 days in 

duration, with minimal maintenance 

between flights.

“A competitive process will be used to 

select investigators based primarily on 

proposed science. The platform will be 

designed to provide room for secondary payloads to test future technologies 

and instruments,” said Monica Hoffmann, Glenn’s GHAPS project manager.

With completion of the MCR/SRR, the 

team is pursuing further analysis and refinements in readiness of a preliminary 

design review later this year. Hoffmann 

said the plan is to use the Plum Brook 

Station B–2 Thermal Vacuum Facility

to test the 19-foot-tall gondola prior to 

flight. The GHAPS team also is developing a visual balloon simulation tool 

that enables dynamic mission planning 

by tracking the observatory power and 

data storage relative to mission targets 

and communication links. 

“We’re on the cusp of new technology in balloons that will be applicable 

across a broad range of missions,”

Hoffmann said. “The first flight is 

planned to launch fall 2019 from Fort 

Sumner, New Mexico.”

NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, 

Goddard Space Flight Center, Wallops 

Flight Facility and Balloon Program Office are collaborators on the project.

By S. Jenise Veris