Lightfoot Holds 

All Hands Meeting

Page 5

Combined Federal 

Campaign Kicks Off

Page 9

Cyber Security 

Awareness

Page 12

VOLUME 19 • ISSUE 12 • DECEMBER 2017

Glenn Showcases 

Technology at Summit

Pages 2–3
2

Thank You for a Safe Year

From the successful completion of the 

Boundary Layer Ingestion and Low-Boom 

Supersonic tests, the 9- by 15-Foot LowSpeed Wind Tunnel acoustics upgrades, 

the Vacuum Facility 6 (VF–6) vacuum 

chamber modifications, the advanced 

electric propulsion thruster testing, the 

spacecraft environmental testing at Plum 

Brook Station, and many others, NASA 

Glenn has delivered on our commitments 

in a most impressive—and safe—way 

this year! The Glenn community has 

addressed close calls and collectively 

kept our workforce free from harm. Your 

attention to safety, as you worked hard 

and achieved these accomplishments, is 

noticed and appreciated. 

Thank you for continuing to honor 

this great agency with your dedication 

and professionalism! 

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

Dr. Ian Jakupca, right, conducts a demonstration for attendees on fuel cell technology.

GRC-2017-C-08340 Photos by Marvin Smith

On the Cover:

During a tour in the Simulated Lunar Operations Lab, 

Colin Creager, right, discusses the advantages of 

nonpneumatic tires to Meeting of the Minds attendees. 

GRC-2017-C-08358

Glenn Showcases 

Technology, Alliances 

at Summit
DECEMBER 2017

3

NASA Glenn participated in the Meeting of the Minds 2017 Annual Summit.

The event brought together urban sustainability and technology leaders to share knowledge 

and build alliances toward the goal of making more sustainable cities. 

The summit welcomed more than 

400 “opinion-shapers, policymakers, 

leading thinkers and innovators” from 

around the world to attend sessions at 

the Global Center for Health Innovation 

in downtown Cleveland, Oct. 23–25. 

Attendees represented the private, public 

and nonprofit sectors; elected officials; 

and academia. 

Along with activities at the Global Center 

for Health Innovation, the summit offered 

10 workshop tours at local innovative 

organizations. A group of delegates 

traveled to Glenn’s Lewis Field to see 

first-hand research, technology and 

innovative solutions being transferred out 

of NASA for real-world applications.

Glenn’s Office of Technology and 

Innovation hosted the workshop tour, 

which featured shape memory alloys, 

algal blooms and advanced energy 

technologies. Technology transfer booths 

provided information on three NASA 

programs that encourage partnerships: 

Regional Economic Development, Small 

Business Innovation Research/Small 

Business Technology Transfer, and 

Technology Transfer. 

The workshop tour also included a look 

at Glenn’s Icing Research Tunnel and 

the Simulated Lunar Operations (SLOPE) 

Laboratory.

By Doreen B. Zudell

Dr. John Sankovic, Office of Technology Incubation and Innovation director, 

informs attendees about the impacts of NASA technology. 

GRC-2017-C-08345

Eric Clark, front, left, discusses ROSA (Roll-Out Solar Array) technology. 

Back, right, Santo Padula discusses shape memory alloy technology. 

GRC-2017-C-08380
Eight Employees Honored With

Prestigious Silver Snoopy Awards 

Kurt Hack, Mission Architecture and Analysis Branch, for coordinating with multiple NASA and international partners to design and 

refine the human Mars architecture. His leadership with that team 

and with the Asteroid Redirect Mission helped develop the Power 

and Propulsion Element, a new spacecraft effort led by Glenn. 

Thomas Krivanek, Systems Engineering and Architecture Division, 

for his extensive expertise in spaceflight hardware development to 

design concepts, advance materials development, outline acquisition strategies and improve separation simulations for the Space 

Launch System’s (SLS’s) Universal Stage Adapter. Krivanek’s efforts 

ensured the required subsystems met all readiness, safety and cost 

requirements. 

Peter McCallum, Radioisotope Power Systems Program Office, 

for his expertise and guidance as chair of several pre-ship review 

boards in the completion of more than 30 different flight research 

investigations under the Space Flight Systems Directorate, all with 

varying degrees of technical complexity, safety considerations and 

scientific objectives. 

Dr. Marit Meyer, Combustion Physics and Reacting Processes 

Branch, for aiding the advancement of NASA’s understanding of 

spacecraft fire detection systems, dust management and air quality 

requirements. Through a variety of experiments and tests, which 

she personally developed, Meyer has enhanced crew safety and 

future development of spacecraft and habitats. 

Stephen Ryan, Aeronautics and Ground-Based Systems Branch, 

for his critical role in verifying mission and fault management 

(M&FM) algorithms, developing prototype code and associated 

modeling tools, and processes for the Space Launch System. 

Ultimately, Ryan was able to expedite Vehicle Management 

End-to-End Testbed deliverables far ahead of project deadlines. 

Benjamin Van Lear, Manufacturing Engineering & Process Branch, 

for providing the Orion Program Office invaluable insight on modeling and simulation for manufacturability, where he also serves as a 

NASA European Space Agency liaison responsible for maintaining 

collaborative integration with NASA’s European partners regarding 

Orion’s Service Module. 

Raymond Wade, Avionics Branch, for developing innovative, lightweight, low-power avionics packages, both ground and flight, for 

the Radio Frequency Mass Gauge payload supporting the Satellite 

Servicing Capabilities Office’s Robotic Refueling Mission–3. Wade 

used his expertise and innovative design techniques to retrofit 

existing commercial hardware that will be deployed to the ISS. 

Glenda Yee, Aeronautics and Ground-Based Systems Branch, 

for her critical role in the development of the Radio Frequency 

Mass Gauge system to be demonstrated on the Robotic Refueling 

Mission–3. Yee’s broad technical expertise and tailored approaches 

to system development enabled mentoring less experienced team 

members to ensure successful development of the flight system.

By Jimi Russell and S. Jenise Veris

Center Director Dr. Janet Kavandi joined astronaut Nicole Mann in presenting eight members of the 

Glenn workforce with the NASA Silver Snoopy Award during a ceremony at Lewis Field, Nov. 13.

Each year since 1968, the agency’s Astronaut Office awards the Silver Snoopy pin, a sanctioned symbol of spaceflight 

excellence, to less than 1 percent of the eligible workforce. The following Glenn employees were recognized for 

their outstanding performance and professional dedication to human spaceflight safety or mission success:

Pictured, left to right: 

Krivanek, Dr. Meyer, 

Van Lear, Dr. Kavandi, 

Astronaut Nicole 

Mann, Yee, Wade, 

Hack and McCallum. 

Not pictured: Ryan.

Photo by Bridget Caswell

4

GRC-2017-C-09331
Join NASA Glenn’s Speakers Bureau!

NASA Acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot, 

Acting Deputy Associate Administrator Krista 

Paquin and Center Director Janet Kavandi held 

an All Hands Meeting at Lewis Field, Oct. 24. 

During the meeting, Lightfoot provided an 

update on the new administration’s focus on 

NASA. “We’ve [NASA] had a lot of interest 

from the new administration,” Lightfoot said. 

“There’s been positive engagement with both 

the president and vice president.” 

Lightfoot shared the progress made on the 

Capability Leadership Model, Business Services 

Assessment and Mission Support Architecture 

aspects of the Agency’s Operating Model. For 

a number of years, NASA has been working 

to enhance the Agency’s Operating Model to 

support the success of its current and future 

missions. Various technical, programmatic and 

institutional assessments have been conducted 

to enable NASA to make strategic decisions 

regarding its core capabilities and advance the 

agency’s endeavors in aeronautics, science 

and space. 

Lightfoot explained that the process for creating 

the new Agency’s Operating Model is taking all 

the pieces and looking at a way to reorganize 

them. “It’s about working more efficiently to 

achieve the mission the best way we can.”

Following this discussion, Lightfoot and Paquin 

answered questions from the employees in 

the audience and through the Conferences i/o 

Audience Response System.

By Doreen B. Zudell

Lightfoot Visits, Holds 

All Hands Meeting 

With Employees

GRC-2017-C-08626 Photo by Rami Daud

Paquin, left, and Lightfoot address questions 

from employees during All Hands Meeting.

Want to share your enthusiasm for NASA and what you do with the public? 

Every year, NASA Glenn’s Speakers Bureau receives hundreds of requests for 

speakers to address groups of all sizes, ages and backgrounds. The success of this 

program relies on employees, like you, to further the NASA story and inform the 

public about what we do. 

“You don’t have to be a researcher or engineer to be in the Speakers Bureau,” 

explained Coordinator Wyatt Clark, LI-2/Office of Communications and External 

Relations. “Civil servant and support service contractor members serve in different 

capacities throughout the center. Sometimes you tell the NASA story and other 

times you share the story of your personal role at NASA. Retirees are also welcome!”

The Speakers Bureau is an agencywide program with Glenn employees responding 

primarily to requests from Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and 

Wisconsin, within the six-state region the center officially serves. Speakers address 

audiences—from preschoolers to senior citizens—at a variety of locations and 

with no set number of speaking engagements.

“Being a member of the Speakers Bureau enables me to share interesting and 

exciting NASA technology that often benefits the public in everyday life,” said 

member, Aimee Crane, MORI/Exploration Systems Project Office. “The topics and 

opportunities are endless. Every event has been a positive experience. People are 

so excited to talk with NASA Glenn employees!”

To find out more about the Speakers Bureau, contact Clark at 216–433–2003. 

By Doreen B. Zudell

Speakers Bureau Coordinator Clark, right, talks with new member 

Joe Sessa at an informal information session.

GRC-2017-CN-00063 Photo by David DeFelice

Speakers Bureau member 

Crane at a STEM event 

for Fredericktown Boys 

and Girls Scouts in 

Fredericktown, Ohio. 

GRC-2017-CN-00064
6

NEWS AND EVENTS

GRC CONNECTIONS Highlights Role in Cassini Mission

NASA Targets Top Native American Talent

Former and current Glenn employees discussed the center’s 

role—then Lewis Research Center—in the Cassini Mission 

during GRC CONNECTIONS, Oct. 17. John Sankovic, director of 

the Office of Technology Incubation and Innovation, moderated 

a panel that included, left to right, former Center Director 

Donald Campbell; former Deputy Center Director Jerry Barna; 

and Research and Engineering Directorate members Phillip 

Paulsen and Glen Horvat. Cassini-Huygens was a collaboration 

between NASA, the European Space Agency and the Italian 

Space Agency to explore Saturn and its complex systems of 

rings and moons. The spacecraft completed the final phase 

of its mission, Sept. 15.

See the AeroSpace Frontiers June 2017 issue for details on Glenn’s role in Cassini. 

https://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/news/AF/index.html

Six of NASA’s 10 field centers supported the 40th American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) 2017 National 

Conference, held in September. The 3-day event focused on developing top Native STEM talent and preparing the next 

generation of STEM Leadership. Considered the largest STEM career fair in Indian Country, it attracted 200 exhibitors and 

drew 1,900 attendees! Glenn personnel participated as career panelists, conducted mock interviews and identified several 

future Glenn interns and employees at the NASA Career Fair booth. The NASA outreach team also conducted preconference 

hands-on STEM activities (pictured) at the local Alameda Junior and Senior High School in Denver. 

GRC-2017-CN-00067

Photo by Torry Johnson, NASA/GSFC

GRC-2017-C-08062 Photo by Marvin Smith
DECEMBER 2017

7

Glenn Hosts 

University Day

More than 150 students and staff from 13 

universities across Ohio attended University Day 

(UD) at Glenn, Oct. 20. UD is a college internship 

awareness program designed to attract and 

increase a pool of underserved/underrepresented 

NASA interns. The Office of Education coordinated 

the event, which included facility tours and careerfocused presentations. A panel, representing 

diverse careers at the center, shared experiences 

and tips on preparing for an internship. 

Panelists, left to right, include Ashlie Flegel, 

Dr. Antoine Moss, Miguel Kortright (intern), 

GRC-2017-C-08293 Photo by Bridget Caswell Dr. Tiffany Williams and Calvin Robinson. 

Service Dogs Enable Independence

Glenn’s National Disability Employment Awareness Event, Oct. 31, focused on how service dogs enhance the lives 

of people with disabilities. Mandy Mueller, Northern Ohio Chapter of Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), 

explained the definition and qualifications of service dogs and service dog etiquette. She then led a demonstration 

with other CCI volunteers and their dogs. Kathy Corrigan, Propulsion Division, shared personal experiences about life 

in and outside of the workplace with her service dog Bailey. Glenn’s Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity and the 

Disability Awareness Advisory Group coordinated the event. 

CCI member and speaker Mueller, second from right, join other 

CCI volunteers and the dogs they are fostering.

Corrigan with her

service dog Bailey.

GRC-2017-C-08497 GRC-2017-C-08521 Photos by Marvin Smith
8

Inspiring Next-Gen Astronauts

at Young Astronaut Day

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams delivered the keynote address to 

inspire the next generation of astronauts at the 25th annual Young 

Astronaut Day, held at Lewis Field, Oct. 28. More than 400, firstthrough 12th-grade students competed in six design challenges 

applicable to living and working in space. They also designed and built 

a space shuttle replica made entirely of canned goods, which was 

later dismantled and donated to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.

Astronaut Sunita Williams chats with participants.

GRC-2017-C-08825

Students test the strength of their composite material 

developed for the “Space Material Challenge” guided by 

Glenn’s David Bremenour, left, and Emily Timko, seated.

GRC-2017-C-08793 Photos by Marvin Smith

Glenn’s Native American Month Observance, Nov. 9, centered 

on the importance of exposing Native American students to 

STEM-related fields. Keynote speaker and Ojibwe Indian, 

Mark Abotossaway, pictured, shared how his involvement in 

the First Nations Launch competition, sponsored by NASA 

and the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium, introduced him 

to high-powered rocketry and helped propel his engineering 

career with The Boeing Company. Abotossaway then joined 

Torry Johnson, NASA Goddard’s Minority University Research 

and Education Program, and Priscilla Mobley, Glenn Office of 

Education, on a panel discussing how educational outreach 

can help build a pipeline for Native American students 

into NASA. Glenn’s Advisory Group for Native Americans 

sponsored the event. 

“Traditional Knowledge, New Ideas, A Better World” 

Building a Pipeline for Native Americans

GRC-2017-CN-00066 Photo by Doreen Zudell
DECEMBER 2017

Gordon Honored for Advancing Women in Aerospace 

Women In Aerospace recently presented Director of Center Operations Robyn Gordon with 

the Aerospace Awareness Award. She was recognized for “excellence in public outreach and 

innovative approaches to increasing public understanding of aerospace development and 

activities; commitment to advancing and defining the roles of aerospace in society; commitment 

to professional growth; and serving as a role model to aid advancement of women in aerospace.”

Gordon

9

Glenn is now part of Ohio CFC Zone 28—see http://cfczone28.org/ for more information.

2017 Combined Federal Campaign

Chair: Dale Hopkins

Deputy Chair: Terri Rodgers

Loaned Executive: Quynhgiao Nguyen

Senior Executive: Janet Watkins

Campaign runs through January 12, 2018

Center Goal: $400,000

Charity Fair

Wednesday, December 13

11 a.m. to 1 p.m., MIC Auditorium

National Day of Service

Coming in January 2018 

New features for the 2017 CFC:

Participants can now also donate Volunteer Time.

Federal retirees can now also donate.

Several of Glenn’s 2017 CFC workers, along with guests from 

the Ohio CFC Zone 28 team and representatives from four 

local organizations, gathered at the kickoff. 

GRC-2017-C-08722 Photo by Rami Daud
10

MORE THAN A MEMORY

PROMOTIONS

Rudolph (Rudy) F. Kravanya, 104, a 1977 

retiree with 35 years of NACA/NASA service, 

died Oct. 30. Formerly head of Lewis’ Flight 

Operations Service Section of the Test 

Installations Division, Kravanya began his 

career as an aircraft mechanic who helped 

make operational the Engine Propeller 

Research Building of Cleveland’s Aircraft 

Engine Research Laboratory. He oversaw 

support to the Nozzle Flight Research Program 

conducted from Selfridge Air Force Base, 

Michigan, and later, fabrication of research 

pods flown on the F–106 supersonic jet for the 

NASA Global Atmospheric Sampling Program.

Frank A. Zelko, 88, a 1991 retiree with 37 

years of service, died Aug. 25. Zelko was a 

U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War who 

graduated from NASA’s Apprentice Program 

in 1958 as an instrument mechanic to serve 

in the Test Installation Division. He earned 

a group achievement award and several 

special act/service awards as a member of 

the Abe Silverstein 10- by 10-Foot Supersonic 

Wind Tunnel team supporting the Propulsion 

Research Program.

Kravanya Zelko

Joel Galofaro, 64, who served 

in Glenn’s Photovoltaic and 

Electrochemical Systems Branch as a 

physicist, died suddenly, Oct. 18. He 

earned numerous special act or service 

and group achievement awards over his 

35-year NASA career.

Early in his career, most of Galofaro’s 

work encompassed testing power 

system components, under a simulated space environment, 

in Glenn’s world-class Plasma Interaction Facility (PIF). He 

correlated flight test data to validate analytical models and 

accurately predict safe operation of space power systems. His 

research contributed to the electrical power system design and 

operation of the International Space Station (ISS) as well as 

the analysis of solar array arcing and failure events on various 

commercial spacecraft. Those guidelines and design practices 

are still used today. More recently, his work involved PIF testing 

of advanced solar array blanket designs for the operation of 

high-voltage photovoltaic systems to support high power and 

solar electrical propulsion missions.

“Joel’s family and colleagues will always remember him as being 

very passionate about his work at NASA,” said Michael Piszczor, 

a former branch chief. “He was also an amateur astronomer 

who loved exploring space in his own small way.” 

Galofaro Contributed to 

ISS Power System Design 

Galofaro

Kathryn (Katie) Oriti has been selected associate manager in the European 

Service Module (ESM) Integration Office, Space Flight Systems Directorate. 

She previously served as project manager and technical authority for the 

Advanced Electrical Bus CubeSat Project.

Adam M. Redding has been selected deputy branch chief, Aviation Test 

Branch, Test and Manufacturing Directorate, supporting the Aero-Acoustic 

Propulsion Laboratory, Engine Research Building (ERB) and Icing Research 

Tunnel test facilities. He previously supported turbomachinery and flow 

Oriti Redding physics research for Aeronautics in the ERB.
DECEMBER 2017

11

Upcoming Center Events

Deadline for next calendar section 

is Dec. 15, noon. News and feature 

stories require additional time.

IFPTE LOCAL 28, LESA MEETING

LESA will hold its next membership 

meeting, Wednesday, Jan. 10, noon, 

in the Glenn Employee Center’s Small 

Dining Room.

The Emergency Management Office 

staff will conduct an outdoor “voice” 

test at Lewis Field in building 3 on 

Wednesday, Jan. 3. An audible siren 

test focusing on the “tornado” tone 

will be conducted on Saturday, Jan. 6.

POC: Allen Turner, 3–6826

The Glenn Science and Engineering Library (GSEL) Mobile JANUARY OUTDOOR SIREN TESTING

Librarian will be making its way across the center in 2018. 

GSEL MOBILE LIBRARIAN

POC: Robin Pertz

3–5776

 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!

NASA Glenn Employees:

For more calendar information, visit 

https://wing.grc.nasa.gov/event-calendar/.

January 9 to 18

January 23 to February 1

February 6 to 15

February 20 to March 1

March 6 to 15 

April 10 to 19

April 24 to May 3

May 8 to 17 

June 5 to 14

June 19 to 28

(11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

BUILDING DATES

6

54

23

86

162

15

77

49

110

3

1 to 3 p.m.,

unless noted

HOURS
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

Glenn’s Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) coordinated a series of events 

to mark the 14th annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month. The event 

focused on raising employees’ information technology (IT) security awareness by 

reminding us to STOP, THINK and CONNECT safely when using the Internet. 

OCIO hosted more than 230 employees for its Cyber Security Awareness Day, 

Oct. 19, featuring guest speakers and video presentations, that afforded credit for 

fiscal year 2018 Cyber Security & Sensitive Unclassified Information Awareness 

Annual Training. Participants learned how cyber criminals use spyware, malware, 

spoofing, phishing and botnet techniques to gather personal information.

Keynote speaker Steven Allison, an international information security leader, 

shared scenarios from his 25-plus years of system security engineering and 

security leadership. He drew from varied assignments ranging from service as a cyber security architect of Symantec Corporation’s National 

Security Programs to U.S. Air Force Intelligence Operations at the Air Force Information Warfare Center. Allison joined a panel of Glenn security 

and communication managers to field questions on how to deter and detect threats to our cyber security at work and in the home. 

Glenn employees also had the benefit of OCIO posting weekly links to cyber security tips and resources to heighten awareness of potential 

pitfalls while maneuvering the Internet. In addition, a Vendor’s Day was held to acquaint employees with some of the technologies and processes 

developed to ensure the integrity of NASA data, as well as to protect personal information.

By S. Jenise Veris

Cyber Security Awareness 

Highlights Safe Internet Usage 

Allison joins George Crawford, 

Glenn’s lead Counterintelligence/

Counterterrorism special agent; 

Steve Fedor, Export Control 

manager; and Gilbert “Gib” Winter, 

Chief Information Security officer, 

in a question and answer session. 

Photos by Marvin Smith

GRC-2017-C-08150

Glenn’s deputy Chief Information Officer Louise Moroney 

engages one of the vendors.

GRC-2017-C-08249