VOLUME 17 ISSUE 11 NOVEMBER 2015

Center Establishes Hall of Fame; Inducts First Class

Easley Pinkel Sharp

Dr. Silverstein Dr. Deissler Dr. Ostrach Dr. Siegel

Lundin Modarelli

In recognition of those who built exemplary careers and contributed to NASA 

Glenn’s success, six individuals and one 

group of researchers were inducted into 

the center’s new Hall of Fame, Sept. 25. 

The event was held at Lewis Field and 

featured remarks by Center Director 

Jim Free and NASA Chief Historian

Dr. William Barry. WKYC meteorologist 

Greg Dee served as master of ceremonies. 

“This inaugural induction opens the 

doors to what will be a monument of 

the highest honor to the pioneers, trailblazers and champions who have come 

before us,” said Free. 

Continued on page 3

Glenn Prepares for 

75th Anniversary

NASA Glenn will celebrate its 75th 

anniversary beginning in January 

2016. To commemorate the occasion, 

the center recently announced open 

house dates and unveiled its 75th anniversary logo. 

The center will host multiple events 

throughout its anniversary year, including two open houses. Lewis Field 

campus will open to the public May 21 

and 22, and Plum Brook Station will 

hold its open house June 11 and 12.

Continued on page 2

Safety and Health Awareness Day 

The sky was blue and the weather ideal for employees to participate in the Health 

Walk at Lewis Field. See page 8 for more Safety and Health Awareness Day highlights.

GRC-2015-C-6199 Photo by Rami Daud

In This Issue

Director’s Safety Corne

SFA Trailblazers Named ................ 2

Can-Do Spirit Aids Families .......... 4

Focus on Ohio Aerospace............. 4

FIRST Mentor Gives Back ........... 5

Trending With Tech Transfer ...... 5
SAFFIRE Completes System Acceptance Review!

Please join me in congratulating the SAFFIRE (Spacecraft Fire Safety Demonstration Experiment) team for successfully completing the SAFFIRE I, II and III System

Acceptance Review. SAFFIRE will provide critical flight data for developing spacet

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craft fire safety strategies for future exploration vehicles. This accomplishmen

reflects the hard work of a dedicated cross-organizational team to enhance the

safety of humans on future exploration missions. It also demonstrates the ef

fectiveness of applying a lean development approach with the use of tailored

requirements while assuring safety and mission success. This is an excellen

example of how safety of the crew for future exploration is the cornerstone o

our mission. 

I look forward to a successful mission. —Jim

Combined Federal Campaign Upcoming Events

Campaign Ends Friday, Dec. 4

International Food Fair

Friday, Nov. 20, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Ad Bldg. Foyer

Art Show & Pie The Manager

Friday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

MIC Auditorium and Foyer

Glenn Prepares for 

75th Anniversary

Continued from page 1

The logo features an image of the 

center’s distinctive hangar, a symbolic 

orbital trajectory, and the message, 

“Our Past. Our Present. Your Future.” 

Graphic artist Terry Condrich, ATS/

Logistics and Technical Information 

Division, designed the anniversary logo. 

“Throughout our history, Glenn has 

been leading aerospace development 

for the nation and industry. Almost 

every aircraft and spacecraft today 

contains Glenn technology,” said 

Center Director Jim Free. “The anniversary logo is a fitting image to 

represent our 75 years of aeronautics 

and space accomplishments.”

Three Honored as 

SFA Trailblazers

This fall three Glenn employees 

received NASA Space Flight Awareness Trailblazer Awards. The awards 

recognize employees who are in the 

early stages of their career and demonstrate outstanding work ethic and 

creative, innovative thinking in support of human spaceflight. Glenn 

honorees include:

Maxwell H. Briggs, Thermal Energy 

Conversion Branch, was recognized 

for advancing the technology readiness of space fission power systems 

through high-fidelity system demonstration tests and reduced gravity 

flight experiments that pave the way 

for nuclear power on future human 

exploration missions. 

Kyle A. Johnson, Mechanisms and 

Tribology Branch, was recognized

for consistently demonstrating highly 

creative approaches to advancing the 

development of future space flight 

hardware and innovative new robotics designs; and maintaining a vision 

of innovative team contributions to 

new concepts and mechanisms.

Steven M. Korn, Power Architecture 

and Analysis Branch, was recognized 

for mastering and continuing the 

development of the NASA premier 

space electrical power system simulation code, System Power Analysis for 

Capability Evaluation (SPACE) and its 

application to collaboratively support 

NASA’s human space flight missions. 

Photo by S. Jenise Veris

Left to right: SFA Trailblazers—

Korn, Briggs and Johnson.

2
NOVEMBER 2015

Hall of Fame

Continued from page 1

The first induction was held in celebration of the 100th anniversary

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of the National Advisory Committe

for Aeronautics (NACA), which be

came NASA in 1958. The ceremon

included video tributes to each in

ductee and a presentation of plaque

to honorees or a representative. 

Kelly Gilkey, Fluid Physics and Trans

port Processes Branch, proudl

watched inductee Dr. Simon Ostrac

receive his recognition. 

“This is a wonderful way to honor ind

viduals who have truly left their mar

on NASA and in their respective field

of study,” said Gilkey. “Dr. Ostrac

served as a mentor to me during m

days as a student at Case Western Re

serve University and he continues t

be an inspiration. He and his fellow

‘Giants of Heat Transfer’ revolution

ized our understanding of fluid flow

and heat transfer in microgravity.”

Prior to the inductee ceremony, 3

NACA retirees and their guests gath

ered at the Mission Integration Cen

ter (MIC) to attend a NACA reunion

Center Director Free welcomed th

attendees and kicked off the event

which included speakers who pro

vided overviews of aeronautics researc

and the Center’s Master Plan, and a tou

of the MIC. Barry presented a “NACA a

100” overview and Anne Mills, Glen

history officer, previewed the center’s 

upcoming 75th anniversary celebration activities. 

Mills, on detail in the Office of Communications and External Relations 

(CP), was deputy project manager 

for Glenn’s planning and execution 

of this year’s NACA centennial and 

the center’s 75th anniversary celebrations. She coordinated this event with 

assistance from CP and Logistics and 

Technical Information Division staff 

members. 

The next Glenn Hall of Fame induction is planned for 2016 during 

 

Glenn’s 75th anniversary. Subsequent 

ceremonies will take place on milestone anniversaries.

By Doreen B. Zudell

GRC-2015-C-6129 Photo by Bridget Caswell

lelwas Ctgedir By botohP

Accepting on behalf of the inductees: standing, left to right: Don Pinkel (Pinkel); James 

Modarelli, III (Modarelli); David Silverstein (Dr. Silverstein); Robert Deissler (Dr. Deissler); Larry Ross (Lundin); sitting, left to right: Irene Geye (Sharp); Dr. Siegel (himself); 

Dr. Ostrach (himself); and June Bahan-Szucs (Easley).

2015 Inductees

Annie J. Easley, computer programmer and equal opportunity 

pioneer

Bruce T. Lundin, former center director and advocate for the 

NACA evolution as a space agency

James J. Modarelli, designer of 

the NASA insignia and outreach 

program

I. Irving Pinkel, leader in aerospace safety research

Edward “Ray” Sharp, first center 

director and champion of early 

center advocacy and growth

Dr. Abraham “Abe” Silverstein, 

former center director and architect of the early space program

“The Giants of Heat Transfer,” 

Dr. Robert Deissler, Dr. Simon 

Ostrach and Dr. Robert Siegel, 

world-renown researchers whose 

theories transformed the body of 

knowledge of heat transfer.

For more information, visit

http://go.nasa.gov/1GweHOg.

GRC-2015-C-6073 Photo by Quentin Schwinn

Several NACA retirees gathered in the MIC prior to the ceremony for a NACA reunion.

3
News and Events

Center Observance Honors POW/MIAs

Glenn’s Veterans Awareness Committee (VAC) held its annual National 

Prisoner of War, Missing in Action

(POW/MIA) Recognition Day, Sept. 17, 

to honor those who were POWs and 

those who are still MIA. Major Derek M. 

Pottinger, a U.S. Army chaplain (active 

duty and reserves) gave the keynote address. Lorain High School’s Army Junior

Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (pictured) presented and retrieved colors, 

and presented the Missing Man Table. 

Amanda Shalkhauser, LEI/Occupational 

Health Branch, performed taps. 

GRC-2015-C-5918 Photo by Rami Daud

Federal “Can-do” Spirit Helps Fight Hunger

Many lives throughout Northeast Ohio will benefit from Glenn employees’ selfless 

giving during this year’s Feds Feed Families campaign, Aug. 17 to Sept. 25. The center surpassed its goal of 6,000 pounds 

in donations to raise a total of 13,070 

pounds of food, beverage and personal 

items. The Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) led all Glenn directorates in total donations and received 

the most votes for their sculpture, 

themed “Etch out Hunger,” during the 

CanStruction competition. Pictured: 

Christina Sullivan, with OCFO’s NASA 

Etch-a-Sketch, constructed with Beth 

Polansky, Julie Scheneman, Cory Smith 

and Dan Coyne.

Photo by S. Jenise Veris

Win It Wednesdays:

Fun and Fellowship

GRC-2015-C-6165 Photo by Rami Daud

Center Director Jim Free hosted

the inaugural Win It Wednesday

event, held at the Lewis Field Picnic

Grounds, Sept. 2. Participants vied

for prizes in a scavenger hunt, where

they searched for historic information

on Glenn, and tried to kick a soccer

ball past a manager to score a goal.

Free, Samantha Brinkman and Tom

Hartline (pictured) won the coveted

Scavenger Hunt trophy. Sean Gallagher, who fended off the most goals,

earned the Beat the Manager Penalty

Kick trophy. The next Win It Wednesday will take place in January. Watch

Today@Glenn for more details. 

Dr. Kavandi Participates in Event Focusing on Ohio's Aerospace Capabilities

Deputy Director Dr. Janet Kavandi

represented NASA Glenn at this year’s

Ohio Aerospace Day, held at the Statehouse in Columbus, Oct. 6. She served

as a panelist for a discussion on “Commercialization and Its Importance to

the Air Force and NASA Missions and

Ohio’s Supply Base.” Kavandi’s presentation and the NASA exhibit showcased

Glenn’s capabilities and technology

transfer and commercialization-related

partnership opportunities. Industry

and university officials, state legislators and legislative staff attended the 

event. Photo by Kim Veris

Kavandi, third from left, with panelists from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Ohio 

General Assembly, Boeing Corporation and Ohio Aerospace & Aviation Council. 

4
NOVEMBER 2015

Johnson Shows How FIRST Mentoring Can Make a Difference

Kyle Johnson, Mechanisms and Tribology Branch, can attest to the value of 

mentoring. 

As a junior at Midpark High School 

in 2003, Johnson became involved in 

the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics program. Under the direction of 

NASA Glenn mentors Kathleen Tacina 

and John Wolter, Johnson learned 

not only about robotics but also about 

project management and teamwork.

Two years later, he changed roles and 

became a FIRST Robotics mentor, overseeing two robotics teams over a 5-year 

period. He did this while pursuing a 

mechanical engineering degree at The 

Ohio State University.

Johnson started as a NASA co-op in 

2008 before becoming a full-time employee in 2010. He continues to mentor the Berea-Midpark High School 

team, along with Wolter.

“FIRST is very special because it helps 

give students a leg up working with 

professionals who provide technical 

support and counsel,” he said. “As a 

mentor, I’m sharing not only engineering skills but important life skills, 

such as better organization and communication skills that have helped me 

on the job and in my outreach.”

Stephanie Brown-Houston, FIRST project manager, Glenn’s Office of Education, said Johnson is a wonderful 

example of how mentoring can mold 

a career. She and Tim Dedula, along 

with other veteran mentors and volunteer staff, are working to attract 

and retain similar mentors to support 

FIRST teams among the Cleveland 

Public Schools. 

FIRST involves working with high 

school students to design, build, test, 

and operate a remote-controlled robot 

to compete in the local Buckeye Regional FIRST Robotics Competition, 

March 16–19, 2016, www.firstbuckeye.

org/. If you are willing to donate about 

4 hours a week, January through March, 

please contact Stephanie Brown-Houston, 

3–8006 or Tim Dedula 3–3668.

By S. Jenise Veris

Photo by Carol Kerslake

Johnson, top center, with members of the Midpark High School FIRST Robotics team.

Trending With Tech Transfer 

Nickel-Titanium Alloys Expand 

NASA Glenn has signed a partially 

exclusive, term-licensing agreement 

with Puris LLC, a Bruceton Mills, West 

Virginia-based company, to produce 

nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloys for commercial use. 

Puris’ additive manufacturing techniques enable the company to produce these alloys more efficiently 

and with fewer defective parts. Puris’ 

ability to manufacture these alloys to 

near-net-shape production allows the 

NiTi alloys to reach a market that can 

greatly benefit from the alloys’ unique 

properties. The technology will primarily be used for bearings in wind 

turbines, turbochargers and aircraft 

engines, as well as applications requiring precision bearings, such as timepieces, machine spindles and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. 

The licensing agreement permits Puris 

to sell small samples of NiTi alloys to 

better assess the market and pricing 

for this product.

Puris previously partnered with Glenn 

in producing and manufacturing metal 

powders, including NiTi alloys, for 

NASA mission work. One such alloy, 

NiTiNOL 60, is used for bearings in 

the International Space Station’s urine 

processors.

To learn more about licensing, or finding applications for your technology 

beyond the space program, contact Amy 

Hiltabidel (amy.hiltabidel@nasa.gov).

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Awards and Honors

Maria Arredondo, Office of Education

received a Women of Color (WOC

Technology Rising Star Award during

the 20th annual Women of Color STEM

Conference, Oct. 16. The award is on

of the outstanding achievement award

presented by the Career Commun

cations Group, publisher of Women

of Color magazine, and based on em

ployer recommendations for young

women helping to shape technolog

for the future. Arredondo was honored

for “innovative use of technology and

dynamic regional and national partnership to advance high-quality STEM education opportunities for students.”

Photo courtesy of Career Communications Group

Arredondo, second right, accepts her award 

at the WOC STEM Conference. 

The Girl Scouts of North East Ohio 

(GSNEO) recognized NASA Glenn with 

the Advancing Women Award at their 

annual Women of Distinction event, 

Sept. 25. Glenn was cited for “exemplary leadership and outstanding dedication to mentoring and empowering 

women in the workplace and nurturing our future female leaders through 

community programs and volunteerism.” Associate Director Janet Watkins,

center—with a group of Glenn employees committed to advancing women and 

inspiring girls—accepted the award. 

Interested in participating in NASA/

Girl Scout outreach events? Contact 

Dennis Stocker, 3–2166. 

Photo courtesy of GSNEO

Watkins (front, center)with Glenn supporters 

of women empowering programming. 

Promotions 

Vannuyen Buettner

Glenn’s Facilities, Test and Manufacturing Directorate announces the following promotions:

Thomas Vannuyen has been named 

chief of the Machining Branch in the 

Manufacturing Division, effective 

Sept. 20. He began his NASA career as 

an apprentice in the Machine Shop in 

1985 and has worked in a variety of 

aeronautics and spaceflight projects. 

Prior to this selection, Vannuyen was 

pyrotechnics lead for the Orion Service Module. 

Sandra Buettner has been named deputy of the Wind Tunnel and Propulsion Branch in the Testing Division, 

effective Sept. 28. She has 18 years of 

experience at Glenn and has served 

in many roles in the Testing Division. 

Some of these include tactical team 

electrician, electrical test engineer, 

facility manager and electrical technical 

lead engineer. 

Welcome to the NASA Family

Left to right: Peery and Williams.

GRC-2015-C-6535

Left to right: Myers, Fausnaugh and Robinson.

GRC-2015-C-6534 Photos by Bridget Caswell

Glenn welcomed five new employees who recently reported for orientation. They 

include Andrew Fausnaugh, Space Combustion and Materials Branch; Harmony 

Myers, Technical Excellence Office; Brandon Peery, Engineering Management 

Branch; Jeffery Robinson, Wind Tunnel and Propulsion Test Branch; and Darrell 

Williams, Office of Protective Services. 

Emergency and Inclement Weather Lines 

Lewis Field: 216–433–9328 (WEAT) 

Plum Brook Station: 419–621–3333

Connect With Glenn

6
NOVEMBER 2015

More Than a Memory

Kerslake Mealey Dr. Weiss Gabel

Terry W. Gabel, 68, a 2005 retiree with 14 years NASA service, died Oct. 8. Gabel 

was an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War, who joined the NASA workforce in 

1991 as an engineering technician. He worked in the Central Air Dispatch supporting research and development relative to Central Process Systems.

William “Bill” R. Kerslake, 85, a 1985 retiree with 33 years of service, died Sept. 29. 

Kerslake was a 3-time Olympic wrestler and chemical engineer who joined the center (NACA-Lewis) in 1951 after graduating from Case Institute of Technology. He 

continued to compete through 1960 while pursuing research in chemical scram-jet 

and rocket propulsion at NASA-Lewis. Later, Kerslake transferred to the Electromagnetic Propulsion Division to work on developing the first successful ion engine 

to operate in space and finished his career researching rail accelerators. His NASA 

legacy continues through his son, Tom Kerslake; daughter Ann (Kerslake) Over; and 

grandson, Kyle Johnson.

Charles “Chuck” Mealey, 80, a 1986 retiree with 31 years of NACA/NASA service, 

died April 30. Mealey was an electrical engineer who spent most of his career in 

the Data Processing Branch, which today is the Computer Services Division (CSD). 

In 1984, he was appointed head of CSD’s Systems Hardware Section and retired as 

head of CSD’s Micro/Mini Computer Systems Branch. Mealey was also a pilot.

Dr. Solomon “Sol” Weiss, 92, a 1980 retiree with 32 years of NASA service, died 

Oct. 13. He was an Army/Air Force Purple Heart veteran and a POW of World War II, 

who joined NACA in 1948 after graduating the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. 

The former B–24 pilot was recruited for the Crash Fire Program performing flight 

tests and investigating fire versus toxic gases related to fatalities in the aircraft; then 

Project Bee, testing liquid hydrogen-fueled aircraft. Weiss also headed the Nuclear 

Technology Office and managed the Aerospace Safety Research and Data Institute.

Retirements 

Dr. James A. DiCarlo, Materials and Structures Division, Research and Engineering 

Directorate, retired Oct. 3, 2015, with 48 years of service. 

Saundra R. Gage, Exploration Systems Branch, Procurement Division, retired 

Oct. 31, 2015, with 30 years of federal service, including 28 years with NASA.

John D. Taylor, Systems Engineering and Architecture Division, Research and 

sEngineering Directorate, retired Oct. 31, 2015, with 33 years of service. 

Retiring soon?

Be sure to fill out 

a GRC431 form. It 

ensures your retirement is placed in the 

newsletter and secures home-delivery 

of the newsletter. 

Dr. DiCarlo Gage Taylor

Calendar

FEHB HEALTH FAIR: The Federal 

Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) 

Open Season Health Fair will be held 

Monday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

in the upper level of the Cafeteria, 

bldg. 15. 

WINTER HEALTH FAIR: Glenn’s 

Fitness Center staff is hosting a Winter 

Health Fair, Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Cafeteria, bldg. 

15. Get a Free 5-minute chair message, 

take a 1.5-mile walk, view wellness 

demonstrations, talk to vendors, enter 

prize drawings and more! POC: Bianca 

Gatto, 3–6313.

NASA RETIRED WOMEN’S LUNCHEON: 

The next luncheon will be held 

Thursday, Nov. 19, 1 p.m. at Don’s 

Lighthouse, 8905 Lake Ave., Cleveland. 

Please contact Gerry Ziemba, 330–

273–4850 or email gto64gerry@

yahoo.com to reserve your space. 

LEADERSHIP FOCUS SERIES: The 

Office of Human Capital Management’s 

Human Capital Development Division 

wraps up its Leadership Focus series 

with two interactive workshops. The 

series takes participants through a 

journey of self-discovery and both 

team leadership and organizational 

excellence. The final events focus on 

Team: “The Power of Trust” (GRC8G1517), Nov. 19; “Manager as a 

Coach” (supervisors only): Dec. 8. Both 

workshops are 2 hours long (10 a.m. 

to noon) in the MIC Auditorium. POC: 

Becky Paserk, 3–5580.

IFPTE LOCAL 28, LESA MEETING: 

LESA will hold its next membership 

meeting, Wednesday, Dec. 9, noon, 

in the Glenn Employee Center’s Small 

Dining Room.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING: Save time and 

money this holiday season by shopping 

at NASA’s Exchange Store, located 

in the Employee Center, bldg. 15. 

Find a variety of NASA-related items 

such as apparel, glassware, toys and 

freeze-dried ice cream. Store hours are 

Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 

3 p.m. POC: Connie Carrol, 3–5535.

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. 

December 2015 Calendar section deadline: Nov. 20, noon

News and feature stories require additional time

Editor: Doreen B. Zudell, ATS

Assistant Editor: S. Jenise Veris, ATS

Managing Editor: Kelly R. DiFrancesco

, 

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

Safety and Health Awareness Day: We Choose Safety

Glenn’s Safety and Mission Assurance

Directorate (SMAD) Director Anita

Liang gave the opening remarks and

announced the theme, “We Choose

Safety,” to kick off this year’s Safety and

Health Awareness Day, Sept. 23. Liang

and the SMAD staff hosted the annual

event featuring a captivating group of

agency and industry speakers, information booths, a health walk and a mishap

panel that focused on employees making safety a personal choice.

During welcoming remarks, Associate

Director Janet Watkins asked for employees’ full support for the Safety Egress and

Housekeeping Initiative. The goal is to

spruce up the center and ensure a safe

and welcoming environment when we

open our doors and allow the public inside to glimpse our world-class facilities

and technology next year.

Keynote speaker astronaut Terry Wilcutt

NASA’s SMAD chief, presented “Yes-If”

coins to Jeff Swan, deputy chief of the

Testing Division; and Bill Schoren, Reliability and System Safety Office. The coin

is given to individuals that exemplify the

spirit of ingenuity, creativity and commitment to safety with a “Yes-If” approach

to getting things done. Swan received the

coin for his leadership to the Area 4 Safety

Committee, while Schoren received it for

tailoring the requirements and processes

for the Spacecraft Fire Safety Demonstration Project. Wilcutt suggested reading

excerpts of the Challenger and Columbia 

Mishap reports annually as a reminder of 

the importance of speaking up despite majority opinion, and emphasized dissenting 

opinion process. 

Presentations by industry consultant 

Carl Potter of Potter and Associates; as 

well as NASA Marshall’s Bruce Tiller, 

Space Launch Systems Booster deputy 

manager, and Steve Cash, MSFC SMA 

Director, followed. Their presentations 

advocated taking personal responsibility that goes beyond routine safety 

measures to identify areas of potential 

workplace hazards. The afternoon Mishap Panel discussion provided insight 

into lessons learned about a C4 Compressor mishap and the Antares Rocket 

mishap, last year.

By S. Jenise Veris

GRC-2015-C-6218 Photo by Rami Daud

Keynote speaker Terry Wilcutt

Photo by David Tabayoyon

A little rain didn't detour PBS walkers.

GRC-2015-C-6236 Photo by Rami Daud

Mishap panelists, left to right: Glenn’s Lauren Chance, Paul Raitano and James Smith.