VOLUME 17 ISSUE 8 AUGUST 2015

Test Facility Helping Solve the Mysteries of Venus

Solar System and Beyond

The Glenn Extreme Environments Rig (GEER) is opening doors to a new field of 

research. This one-of-a-kind test facility at Lewis Field can simulate planetary environments with extremely high temperatures and pressures, and multicomponent 

chemistry—such as those found on the surface of Venus. 

On Venus, there are clouds of sulfuric acid; surface temperatures exceeding 900 

degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to melt lead; and an atmospheric pressure 100 

times that of Earth. Consequently, there is little data to predict how long materials 

will survive on Venus’ surface. 

GEER was created to test hardware and science experiments for proposed missions, which are intended to reveal basic information about the planet. The GEER 

team has demonstrated the ability to reach and operate at Venus surface conditions 

for 24 days. Continued on page 3

Right: John Doehne and Leah Nakley load the GEER vessel with samples that will be 

exposed to the Venus atmosphere. GRC-2015-C-4138 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Orion Hardware Arrives for Testing

A test version of the 

Crew Module Adapter 

for Orion’s service 

module arrived at 

Plum Brook Station 

in July. The adapter, 

built by Lockheed 

Martin, connects the 

European Space 

Agency’s (ESA) service module to the 

Orion crew module. 

A structural representation of the ESA 

service module will 

arrive in October. 

Both will be tested in 

Plum Brook Station’s 

Space Power Facility, 

which will simulate 

launch and ascent 

acoustics and mechanical vibrations.

GRC-2015-C-3488 Photo by Chris Lynch

NIAC Advances 

Glenn Proposal

The agency has selected a Glenn 

technology proposal for continued 

study under Phase II of the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) 

Program. The program aims to turn 

science fiction into science fact 

through the development of pioneering technologies. 

Last year, “Titan Submarine: Exploring the Depths of Kraken Mare,” submitted by Glenn’s Steve Oleson and 

Continued on page 2

In This Issue

Director's Safety Corner .............. 2

NACA Employee Profile ................. 3

Glenn, Ohio U. Team Up ................ 5

Institute Fuels Leaders ................ 6

Celebrating Voyage to Pluto .......... 8
Clear Hallways, Safe Egress Are Priority 

Maintaining unobstructed hallways and clear egress routes to the outside 

of a building to permit safe exit in an emergency isn’t just to comply with 

the Ohio Fire Code, it’s a priority that will help keep us safe. Too often, 

we’ve allowed property and supplies to accumulate in hallways, which can 

restrict pathways and exits. Some buildings allow for placement of certain 

items along one side of the hallway. But it’s important to ensure these items 

are stable and will not accidently fall, causing a tripping hazard or blocking 

access. Hallway clutter isn’t just unattractive; it’s unsafe. Let’s clean up our 

hallways to ensure a safe, professional environment.

Mark your calendar for Safety and Health Awareness Day, Sept. 23.

 —Jim

NIAC Advancing Glenn Proposal

Continued from page 1

his colleagues on the COMPASS (Collaborative Modeling for Parametric 

Assessment of Space Systems) Team 

received $100,000 from NIAC for a 

Phase I, 9-month study. The concept 

centered around a basic design of a 

submersible autonomous vehicle to 

probe the depths of Kraken Mare, the 

largest northern sea of Titan—Saturn’s 

largest moon. 

Demonstrating the feasibility and benefit of the concept, the Titan Submarine team was chosen to receive NIAC 

Phase II funding, worth as much as 

$500,000 for a 2-year study. Phase II 

funding allows proposers to further 

develop their concepts from previously selected Phase I studies and refine their designs and explore aspects 

of implementing the new technology.

Oleson said Phase II of the “Titan 

Submarine: Exploring the Kraken 

Mare” effort will focus on advancing 

the technology readiness level of the 

concept to a 2–3 level: (1) by retiring risks of operating a submarine in 

a cryogenic sea identified in Phase I; 

(2) gathering new Kraken Sea observations by Cassini, which will better define the sea’s depths and constituents; 

and (3) by further defining science 

goals and instruments to fulfill them. 

Each of these tasks will feed into two 

COMPASS design sessions, which will 

determine how to deliver the submarine, refine the design and look at 

alternative concepts.

“Public response to the concept has 

been huge,” Oleson said. “We’ve received more than half a million hits 

on our YouTube video and 20-plus 

Internet news articles. And the coup 

de grace—a spot in an upcoming British 

Broadcasting Corporation Horizon film 

on extraterrestrial seas!”

View the YouTube video at 

https://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=NnKxbdpLP5E.

By Doreen B. Zudell

Phase I concept of the submarine. 

NACA On Instagram 

Learn how NACA research influenced 

today’s science at Glenn in a series of 

social media shareables this month. 

Visit the @NASAglenn Instagram every 

Thursday. #tbt, #NACA100

New Proposal Earns 

NIAC Funding 

Steve Oleson and his colleagues on 

the COMPASS (Collaborative Modeling for Parametric Assessment of 

Space Systems) team continue combining imagination and knowledge. 

The NASA Innovative Advanced

Concepts (NIAC) Program chose

the COMPASS team’s new proposal,

“Triton Hopper: Exploring Neptune’s Captured Belt Object” for a

Phase I award. The proposal centers

on a hopper vehicle using in situ

frozen nitrogen propellant gathered

from the surface and radioisotope

power to make tens of kilometer

hops to explore Neptune’s moon

Triton, which is thought to be a captured Kuiper Belt Object.

2
AUGUST 2015

A century of aerospace achievement

What was it like to work here when NASA 

was NACA? Over the past 5 months, we 

have shared a few memories of NACA 

employees still working at the center. 

Our final profile is Robert Hendricks, 

who serves in the Propulsion Division, 

Research and Engineering Directorate. 

He is also one of Glenn’s esteemed Senior 

Technologists. 

Robert Hendricks

Q. How did you begin your career at 

NACA?

A. After interning summers with North 

American Aviation and Rocketdyne, 

I was recruited for NACA’s Rocket 

Branch in 1957. I accepted after graduating from college, prior to my U.S. Air 

Force commitment. It has been and 

continues to be a stimulating career.

Q. What do you remember most about 

the workforce culture of the early years? 

Hendricks

A. Back then, colleagues could offer 

their assistance, right away, with no delay due to WBS guidelines. We always 

had great technicians, mechanics and 

mentors, such as Dr. R.W. Graham. And 

as for finances, one person handled it all. 

Q. As NASA has evolved through the 

years, what has stayed the same?

A. Despite the constraints that sometimes reduce initiative in a large organization, there are still people around 

here who will support you no matter what. Without their assistance, I 

would have accomplished nothing.

Q. Who stands out among those you 

have mentored over your career?

A. How does one pick favorites among 

his kids? I have been blessed with many 

and have published much with them.

In this 1976 photo, Hendricks reviews an 

upgrade to a 30 Tesla magnet configuration 

for the Liquid Hydrogen Test System. 

GRC-1976-C-2806

Q. What do you feel is the most important contribution you have made to 

NASA’s mission?

A. Some may say enabling upper stage 

propulsion systems, secondary engine 

systems flows, alternate fueled combustion or alternate energy. It’s a most difficult question that only time may resolve.

By S. Jenise Veris

Mysteries of Venus

Continued from page 1

During a fellowship at NASA Glenn, 

Case Western University’s professor 

Ralph Harvey has been working with 

the GEER team to prepare and conduct a series of tests to determine how 

Venus surface minerals interact with 

its atmosphere. “GEER offers an unparalleled capability to simulate this 

extreme environment,” Harvey said. 

Glenn’s Extreme Environments Manager Dan Vento, Space Science Project 

Office, said that word of the incredible 24-cubic-foot chamber is catching 

on in the scientific community. “We 

are constantly getting inquiries from 

potential users inside and outside of 

NASA,” he said. “GEER will be a very 

busy place.”

For GEER, the team has been able to 

leverage Glenn’s capabilities in hightemperature materials and electronics 

and in mitigating high-temperature 

corrosion. This expertise was developed mainly for the aeronautics 

program but has direct applications to 

operating in a Venus-like environment.

By Doreen B. Zudell

GRC-1976-C-4134 Photo by Bridget Caswell

The GEER team of engineers, technicians and interns, pictured, left to right: A. J. Almy, Austin Flint, 

J. Michael Newman, Joe Rymut, Leah Nakley, Marcus Tarver, John Doehne and Dan Vento.

3
News and Events

Advisory Group Advocates Safe, Inclusive Workplace

NASA Glenn’s Rainbow Alliance, formerly known as the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Advisory 

Group, hosted its inaugural event with 

an open house and brown bag lunch at 

the Guerin House, June 10. The event 

focused on sharing the advisory group’s 

objectives and introducing group

members comprised of employees and 

Glenn’s Office of Diversity and Equal 

Opportunity (ODEO) staff. 

Center Director Jim Free provided 

opening remarks. He pledged his support and applauded members of the 

advisory group for their contributions 

toward creating an environment free 

from discrimination and harassment. 

“It’s important to me that everyone feel 

comfortable and happy driving through 

the gate,” Free said. “We bring our 

whole self to work, so we have to bring 

our whole self to the NASA mission.” 

Thomas Roese, artist and long-time 

member of Parents, Families and 

Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) 

in Cleveland, gave the keynote address. 

He shared information on PFLAG’s efforts to foster understanding and acceptance within families, and education 

and advocacy within the Greater Cleveland community. 

Rainbow Alliance Advisory Group members, who call themselves LGBT allies, 

include: Luis Beltran (co-chair), Kelly 

Gilkey, Larry Liou, Christine Paulsen, 

Amy Stalker, William Sikora (new executive sponsor), Avis Hudson-Burnette 

(ODEO advisor) and Di-meta Hughes 

(volunteer). The advisory group is currently accepting new members and volunteers. Please contact Hudson-Burnette 

if interested in learning more about membership or volunteer opportunities.

GRC-2015-C-3666 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Local artist and long-time member of PFLAG, 

Roese, related examples of LGBT struggles in 

the workplace. 

Glenn Empowers 

Girls in STEM 

Glenn’s Office of Education kicked off its 

inaugural “Girls in STEM” event, July 13, 

to inspire STEM career choices. More 

than 70 students across Northeast Ohio 

attended the event that featured activities, tours and science demonstrations. 

A panel of NASA women discussed their 

journey to pursuing a job in the STEM 

field and offered advice on lessons 

learned. Towards the same goal, Glenn 

staffed a NASA tent and the Journey to 

Tomorrow trailer at the American Heritage 

Girls National Convention in Anderson,

Indiana, June 24–27. Pictured above, left, 

Dennis Stocker demonstrates the physics 

of microgravity at the American Heritage Girls event. Right: Girls discover 

the possibilities of pursuing a STEM 

career at the Glenn event.

Photo by Carlos Gomez

GRC-2015-C-3982 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Local Government Channel Host Visits Glenn

Leah Haslage, producer and host of TV20’s “Listen Up Cleveland” program, visited Glenn to learn about the center’s advanced solar electric propulsion (SEP) 

work. Haslage interviewed Center Director Jim Free in Glenn’s Electric Propulsion Laboratory’s Vacuum Chamber 5, which is used to simulate the space environment desired for SEP research supporting NASA’s Asteroid Redirect Mission. 

They also discussed Glenn’s local partnerships, Ohio astronauts and support 

to astronaut training and safety. Haslage and cameraman, Henry Pikturna, later 

toured several facilities. They are pictured here during filming.

Photo by S. Jenise Veris

4
AUGUST 2015

Glenn Increases "Awesome Factor" 

for International Space University

More than 100 engineers, scientists 

and other professionals from 30 countries traveled to NASA Glenn, July 7–8, 

eager to have another incredible experience through the International 

Space University’s 2015 Space Studies Program (SSP15). During the visit, 

they toured Lewis Field and Plum 

Brook Station facilities and engaged in 

lively discussions with Glenn’s science 

and engineering experts supporting 

academic activities based at Ohio 

University (OU).

Over the past 5 years, NASA has been 

a primary sponsor of the SSP, an intense 9-week program that covers all 

aspects of space and its enterprises. 

The program features core lecturers, departmental activities and team 

projects that allow participants to 

produce new perspectives on current 

space topics by combining their international, interdisciplinary and intercultural backgrounds. 

As a NASA-sponsoring center, Glenn 

has committed several experts to conduct lectures, hands-on experiments 

and other activities on behalf of the program. They include standard-bearers, 

Dr. Sheila Bailey, Dr. Geoff Landis and 

NASA retiree Dr. Dan Glover, who 

have served multiple years. Bailey cochairs the SSP15 Space Engineering 

Department.

“The experience has been well worth 

my time and NASA’s investment,” 

Bailey affirmed. “These are the people 

who will lead space exploration into 

the future.”

More recently, Glenn’s Nancy Hall, 

Kurt Sacksteder and OU alumnus of 

the College of Engineering, Bryan 

Smith, joined the education team supporting SSP15. Additionally, Glenn’s 

Cynthia Calhoun, also an OU engineering alumna, coordinated two educational outreach opportunities for 

SSP15 students.

Smith, Glenn’s Space Flight Systems director, presented a theme-day lecture 

that focused on NASA’s planned Asteroid Redirect Mission. He encouraged 

students to comment and discuss their 

views about Solar Electric Propulsion, 

which is key to the mission.

“I’m impressed with the level of knowledge the international community has 

about NASA missions. They are astutely 

aware of the need for collaborations,” 

Smith said. “The SSP brings recognition to 

the diverse international contributions to 

exploration and leverage that it brings. I 

hope their visit to Glenn leaves an impression on how we can be a key contributor.”

To learn more about Glenn activities 

with the International Space University, 

visit http://www.nasa.gov/feature/isu-educates-future-space-leaders.

By S. Jenise Veris

Above: Bailey, far right, inserted the igniters and cheered participating teams at the 

Rocket Launch at Ohio University. Right: 

Robin Brown took the SSP15 group on a 

tour of Plum Brook's Reverberant Acoustic 

Test Facility. The facility can simulate noise 

levels during a space vehicle launch and 

supersonic ascent. 

GRC-2015-C-4202 Photos by Bridget Caswell

News and Events

Fresh Summer Fare!

To promote healthy living, Glenn’s 

Fitness Center hosted a Summer 

Farmers Market, July 7, at the Picnic 

Grounds. More than 250 employees 

who attended chose from an array 

of fresh produce, pastas, dips, homemade goods and more—all presented 

by local vendors. Pictured: Employees 

choose from a cornucopia of produce 

from local vendor Morningside Farm.

Mark your calendar for the next Farmers 

Market: Tuesday, Aug. 18, 10:30 a.m. to 

2 p.m. at the Picnic Grounds. Photo by Doreen B. Zudell

5
Institute Fuels Federal 

Leaders of Tomorrow

Photo by Ron Petransky, VHACLE

Pictured are NASA Glenn’s 2015 CFLCI graduates and center personnel who provided 

CFCLI support. They include, left to right: Mike Goin, Kelly DiFrancesco, Jessica Reinert, 

Kelly Ison, Candace Johnson, Karen Gilliam, Nola Bland, Nikki Welch, retiree Robert 

Allen, Lisa Hicks and Janet Clark.

The 2015 Cleveland Federal Community Leadership Institute (CFCLI) 

awarded a certificate of graduation to 

five Glenn employees, June 23. 

The 9-month program is designed to 

develop leaders committed to advancing cooperation among federal agencies in the Greater Cleveland area, 

while strengthening community partnerships. Completing a community 

service project, in one of five targeted 

areas, was a condition of graduation. 

The graduates and their projects 

include:

Candace Johnson, Housing Group, 

partnered with the Veterans Affairs 

(VA) Canteen Service and VA Women’s 

Clinic on the “Pink Bag Project” to 

help homeless women veterans residing in the VA Domiciliary at Wade 

Park accelerate their transition to 

independence. 

Kelly DiFrancesco and Kelly Ison, 

Seniors Group, partnered with the 

City of Brecksville’s Human Services 

staff to establish “Senior Tech Saturdays,” 

2-hour workshops for senior citizens 

that focused on how to search the 

Web and use email, navigate popular 

social media channels and operate a 

smart phone. 

Jessica Reinert, Veterans Group, collaborated with the Veterans of Foreign 

Wars, VA Outpatient Clinic and the 

Community Resource and Referral 

Center to aid Northeast Ohio veterans. 

They agreed to establish semiannual 

consumable drives and collect independent donations in conjunction 

with their Memorial Day and Veterans 

Day holiday observances. 

Nikki Welch, At-Risk Youth Group, 

partnered with Ohio Means Jobs 

and the Ohio State Bar Foundation 

on “Suits for Success” clothing drive 

and professional development, for 

transitional foster youth in Cuyahoga 

County. By S. Jenise Veris

Awards & Honors

The National Technical Association 

(NTA), Cleveland Chapter, honored 

two NASA Glenn employees during 

its 13th Annual Nsorma Awards, held 

June 2 at the Ohio Aerospace Institute. 

Nsorma honorees are women and men 

of color, in the fields of science, technology and education, who demonstrate 

outstanding character, personal accomplishment, professional fortitude and 

community impact. 

Sell James Jr., who retired from NASA Glenn’s Reliability and System Safety Engineering Branch in April, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. He was recognized for a long career of technical contributions, most notably in the field of 

aerospace engineering. He was also lauded for his commitment to community 

outreach and tutoring. 

Fransua Thomas, Mechanisms and Tribology Branch, received the Prince (rising 

star) Award. He is recognized for his technical contributions in the areas of communications and materials. He was also applauded for his community outreach 

and tutoring. 

James Jr. Thomas

Crain’s Cleveland

Business magazine 

recognized Dr. Marla

Pérez-Davis as one 

ofNortheast Ohio’s

“brilliant female leaders” at the annual 

Women of Note

Summit & Awards 

Luncheon, July 23. Dr. Pérez-Davis

Pérez-Davis joined 

the NASA workforce after graduating 

from the University of Puerto Rico in 

1983. Since then, she has matriculated 

the ranks as a researcher, project manager, branch chief and office director 

to become deputy director of NASA 

Glenn’s Research and Engineering

Directorate.

6
AUGUST 2015

More Than a Memory

Miles, A Ready Resource on Noise

Dr. Jeffrey H. Miles, 74, a member of NASA Glenn’s Acoustics 

Branch, who served the agency for nearly 50 years, died June 

23 after a brief illness. Miles conducted research in the area of 

engine core noise. He had been working with a NASA-industry 

team of researchers with the Advanced Air Transport Technology 

(AATT) Project, which focused on reducing the environmental 

impact of commercial aviation. 

Miles was an honored associate fellow of the American Institute 

of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He authored/co-authored more than 75 journal articles and technical reports on the subject of diagnostics of turbine engine noise, 

propulsion and power. More recently, he received a patent for signal processing 

techniques for the study of combustion noise and emissions for modern propulsion 

systems.

Acoustics Branch Chief, Brian Fite, said Miles was an avid reader across the sciences. 

“Jeffrey assembled an extensive library of NASA reports and conference publications 

over the years, which made him a knowledgeable resource on historical projects,” 

Fite said. “His ready recall—in considerable detail—for work completed decades 

ago was useful to all of us, but especially to younger members of our branch. He 

will be sorely missed.”

James P. Cusick, 81, a 1981 retiree and U.S. Army veteran with 25 years of federal service, died July 12. Cusick was a physicist in photovoltaics for the Market 

Development Section, funded by the Department of Energy. His group introduced 

solar cells to recreational vehicles and developed a portable solar-powered medical refrigerator for use in high-altitude regions requested by an international health 

care agency. Cusick served on the Lewis Social Activities Committee for nearly a 

decade. He retired from the Solar and Electrochemistry Division.

Charles A. Wasserbauer, 86, a 1999 retiree with nearly 50 years 

of service, died June 22. Early in his career, Wasserbauer was an 

aerospace engineer in the Fluid System Components Division. 

He earned two Tech Brief Awards for developing performance 

prediction computer programs for radial inflow turbines. He

retired from the Aeropropulsion Facilities and Experiments

Wasserbauer

Tuesday, Sept. 1, in 

. (Supervisors only)

ESA MEETING: LESA 

embership meeting, 

, noon, in the Glenn 

 Small Dining Room.

S AT LEWIS FIELD:

Division, working as a mechanical design and operating engineer. Wasserbauer was the founder and NASA Activities Council board representative for the NASA Lewis Aviation History

Buff Club.

Dr. Miles

LERCIP Intern Made 

Notable Contributions

Chr istopher A. 

Grabowski, 37, a 

NASA Glenn LERCIP 

intern supporting 

Paragon TEC in 

Glenn’s Information and Applications Office, died 

unexpectedly,

July 12. 

Grabowski was an Army veteran of the 

Iraq Conflict. He was serving in the 

Army National Guard, while attending 

the Indiana University of Pennsylvania 

where he majored in computer science. 

According to Glenn mentor Justin Gray, 

Grabowski was contributing to the 

Open MDAO effort, building a visualization tool displaying the structure of 

complex system models. He performed 

web programming and 3D graphics, 

and authored several Java Script libraries on the topic. 

“Chris was a hardworking, energetic 

man,” Gray added, “I wish we could 

have collaborated longer.”

Sgt. Grabowski

Connect with Glenn

Emergency and Inclement Weather Lines 

Lewis Field: 216–433–9328 (WEAT) 

Plum Brook Station: 419–621–3333

Calendar

RETIRED NASA WOMEN’S LUNCHEON: 

The next luncheon will be Thursday, 

August 20, at 1 p.m. at Thyme2 

Restaurant, 113 W. Smith Rd., Medina. 

Please make your reservation with 

Gerry Ziemba at 330–273–4850 or 

gto64gerry@yahoo.com.

LEADERSHIP FOCUS SERIES: Further 

develop your leadership potential 

through these workshops. Each one 

runs from 10 a.m. to noon. The next 

workshop in the series focuses on 

organization. “Leading Across Silos: A 

Case Study on How to Work Through 

Dilemma” will be 

the MIC Auditorium

IFPTE LOCAL 28, L

will hold its next m

Wednesday, Sept. 9

Employee Center’s

SATURDAY TOUR

Glenn offers free tours of its world-class 

facilities at Lewis Field one Saturday a 

month through October. Tour buses 

depart from the Main Gate every hour 

starting at 10 a.m. One-hour tours 

begin with a multimedia presentation 

in the Briefing Center Auditorium. The 

Sept. 12 tour will showcase Glenn’s 

Extreme Environments Rig. For more 

information and a complete schedule, 

visit http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/

events/tours.html.

NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE 

MONTH: America celebrates National 

Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15 to 

October 15. Stay tuned for Today@Glenn

for Glenn’s observance date and time. 

SAFETY AND HEALTH AWARENESS 

DAY: Mark your calendar for Sept. 23. 

See Today@Glenn for details.

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. 

September 2015 Calendar section deadline: Aug. 21, noon

News and feature stories require additional time

Editor: Doreen B. Zudell, SGT, Inc.

Assistant Editor: S. Jenise Veris, SGT, Inc.

Managing Editor: Kelly R. DiFrancesco

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

First Voyage to Pluto Enters New Realm

Glenn celebrates with local museum

After a decade-long journey through our solar system, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft made its closest approach to Pluto, July 14, about 7,750 miles above the surface. 

This made it the farthest-reaching space mission to explore a primary destination 

so far from Earth—some 3 billion miles away.

The New Horizons mission is helping us understand worlds at the edge of our solar 

system by making the first reconnaissance of the Pluto system. The spacecraft is 

venturing deeper into the distant, mysterious Kuiper Belt—a relic of solar system 

formation. 

New Horizons launched on Jan. 19, 2006, on an Atlas V rocket with its Centaur 

upper stage (originally developed by NASA Glenn). It swung past Jupiter for a gravity assist and scientific studies in February 2007, and then began a 6-month-long 

reconnaissance flyby study of Pluto and its moons. The spacecraft is powered by a 

radioisotope power system being managed by Glenn.

On July 15, NASA Glenn teamed up with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History to celebrate the success of the New Horizons spacecraft mission to the dwarf 

planet Pluto. The event, “Plutopalooza,” featured presentations by Glenn staff. 

Guests enjoyed several outdoor demonstrations of rocketry and power systems. Glenn employees staffed NASA 

exhibits, including a model of the 

New Horizons spacecraft and the latest 

images, as well. 

At 9:04 p.m., guests at the museum, as 

well as an estimated 4,000 people attending Wade Oval Wednesday across 

the street, marked “Pluto Time.” This 

is a moment near dawn and dusk each 

day when the illumination on Earth 

matches that of noon on Pluto.

By Doreen B. Zudell

Above: An artist rendering of NASA's New 

Horizons spacecraft. Below, left: Dan Vento, 

front left, assisted by Dwayne Hunt, demonstrate a soda bottle rocket on the stage 

of Wade Oval Wednesday. Below, right: 

Kristin Spear gives young visitors handson experiences with alternative energy 

demonstrations.

GRC-2015-C-4061 GRC-2015-C-4052 Photos by Chris Lynch

8