Happy Holiday

Gatherings

Pages 6–7

Celebrating 

Our Inventors

Page 8

Outreach Team 

Engages

Thousands

Pages 11–12

Glenn Earns Two R&D 100 

Awards for Excellence in 

Innovative Technology

Pages 2–3

VOLUME 20 • ISSUE 1 • JANUARY 2018
2

NASA Remembers

As we prepare for the next challenging 

step of human space exploration, we are 

reminded once again of the sacrifices of 

the Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia 

crews. They were committed to an 

inspirational cause—explore space for 

the good of all. Human exploration is 

a risky venture. Our job is to provide a 

robust and reliable vehicle that will allow 

the crew to explore, return scientific 

knowledge and return safely to Earth. 

Please consider these hard-won lessons in 

the design, development and verification 

of our next vehicle to help assure mission 

success for the next phase of human 

exploration. Our emissaries to space are 

counting on us!

Looking forward to a continued 

commitment to safety practices in 2018. 

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

Glenn Research Teams 

Win R&D 100 Awards!

Two teams of Glenn researchers were honored with R&D 100 

Awards in November 2017, bringing the center’s total number of this 

prestigious award to 123. The annual competition for excellence in 

innovative technology is sponsored by R&D Magazine.

The 2017 awards are for a pioneering shape memory alloy rock 

splitter to split apart rock formations without explosives or hydraulics 

and RTM370, a resin transfer molding for 

high-temperature applications.

SMARS is a device that generates large forces without any demolition damage to the surrounding environment. It is cost effective, reliable, and easy to 

set up and activate. Team SMARS inventors are Dr. Othmane Benafan and 

Dr. Ronald D. Noebe in Glenn’s High Temperature and Smart Alloys Branch, 

and Timothy J. Halsmer, a Jacobs Technology employee supporting the 

Aerospace Test Branch. 

“NASA Glenn’s materials innovations are enabling disruptive new technologies with a broad range of applications,” said Joyce Dever, deputy chief of 

Glenn’s Materials and Structures Division. “SMARS is putting new alloys to 

work, providing groundbreaking force in a lightweight device.” 

SMARS can be used in oil drilling; hydraulic fracturing; mining—particularly 

gemstone and precious metal mining; offshore exploration; tensioning and 

lifting; civil engineering; paleontological projects, including fossil collection; 

archaeological digs; search-and-rescue operations; and the space industry. 

On the cover: left, to right, Timothy Halsmer, Dr. Ronald Noebe and 

Dr. Othmane Benafan with SMARS in Glenn’s Simulated Lunar Operations Lab.

GRC-2017-C-10181 Photo by Marvin Smith

Shape Memory Alloy Rock Splitters (SMARS)
3

To learn more about NASA Glenn’s Technology Transfer Office, visit

https://technology.grc.nasa.gov/.

Dr. Chuang creates RTM370 in her lab.

GRC-2017-CN-00076

Photo by Technology Transfer Office 

RTM370 for high temperatures is a solvent-free process that simplifies high-temperature resin production and streamlines 

the fabrication of high-performing RTM370-based polymer composites. Dr. Chun-Hua “Kathy” Chuang, Materials Chemistry 

and Physics Branch, accepted the R&D 100 Award for RTM. 

“RTM370 enables more complex and high-performing composite parts with less complex processing,” Dever said. “The 

benefits of RTM370 resin are significant weight and cost savings to the aerospace, electrical, oil drilling and specialty 

automotive industries.”

Potential RTM370 applications include injection molding of parts, such as trim, structural support, plastics and gears; hightemperature engine components, such as bushings and bearings; composite ducts and tubes; self-lubricating parts; and 3-D 

printing of high-temperature composite parts by laser sintering.

By Jeannette Owens

Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) 370
4

NEWS AND EVENTS

Choose Your Cause...Show Some Love

Glenn’s 2017 Combined Federal 

Campaign (CFC) Committee held 

its 2017 Charitable Agency Fair, 

Dec. 13, in the MIC Auditorium 

at Lewis Field.

Employees had opportunities to 

meet and talk with representatives 

from some of the charities that will 

benefit from this year’s campaign. 

Light refreshments, appreciation 

gifts and prizes rounded out 

the event. GRC-2017-C-09994 Photo by Rami Daud

Glenn Teams With MAGNET on Manufacturing Day 

Beaumont students examine a part produced in the Glenn Fabrication Shop.

Glenn’s Office of Education and Manufacturing Facility personnel partnered with 

the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET) to host the 2017 

Manufacturing Day, Nov. 17, at Lewis Field. Facilities, Test and Manufacturing 

Director Tom Hartline welcomed 95 high school students from manufacturingoriented career programs at Beaumont, Benedictine, St. Edward, Max Hayes 

and Parma Senior high schools.

The day included a career panel discussion, a comprehensive tour of the 

Manufacturing Facility including hands-on activities and demonstrations, and 

additional tour stops designed to increase the students’ understanding of 

manufacturing-related careers and work performed at Glenn.

GRC-2017-C-09745

Photo by Bridget Caswell
JANUARY 2018

5

Shadowing Day Encourages 

Internships, Careers

Dave Stark, far right, describes features of the 8- by 6-Foot 

Supersonic Wind Tunnel to students during Glenn’s 

High School Shadowing Program, Nov. 30. The Office of 

Education sponsored the program for juniors and seniors 

interested in science, technology, engineering, mathematics 

and professional administrative careers. During the event, 

current interns spoke about their responsibilities and the 

benefits of interning at NASA. A panel of subject matter 

experts discussed their positions, how they arrived at 

NASA, their educational backgrounds and careers in their 

work areas. Students then spent time with mentors 

in their areas of interest and toured two facilities. 

Glenn Supports ISS 

Demonstrations on the Hill

Glenn’s Justin Funk (ZINT), pictured, and Gail Perusek 

represented NASA’s Human Research Program’s 

support to the International Space Station (ISS) during 

ISS Day on the Hill in Washington, DC, Nov. 2. They 

staffed a display on the progression of exercise in 

space from Skylab to the ISS and future missions. 

The display also featured the Glenn-developed Hybrid 

Ultimate Lifting Kit exercise device, a ground prototype 

and precursor to the ISS Advanced Twin Lifting and 

Aerobic System (ATLAS). 

Congressional members/staff and over 450 guests 

participated in hands-on demonstrations and 

discussions that answered questions centering 

on how ISS is being used to enable exploration. 

Chief Technologist Touts 

Glenn’s Impact to Ohio 

Acting NASA Chief Technologist Dr. Douglas Terrier educated some and 

motivated others about NASA missions and Glenn’s capabilities and impact 

on Ohio’s economy during an official visit. As keynote speaker at Ohio 

Aerospace Day in Columbus on Nov. 28, Terrier spoke to over 150 industry 

officials, Ohio legislators and staff, and representatives of industry and 

university officials. He also joined Center Director Dr. Janet Kavandi 

on a panel focusing on “Ohio Aerospace, Our Present and Future.” The 

next day, Terrier was hosted by Glenn’s Office of Technology Incubation 

and Innovation. He toured several facilities and conducted a town hall to 

present “OCT101,” an overview of NASA technology policy and programs 

and the strategic direction for the agency’s space technology programs. Dr. Terrier fields questions during the town hall.

GRC-2017-C-00282 Photo by Bridget Caswell

GRC-2017-CN-00075

Photo by Gail Perusek

GRC-2017-C-09882 Photo by Bridget Caswell
Center Director Dr. Janet Kavandi and Glenn’s senior leadership team hosted the 2017 Holiday Gathering 

for employees across the center, Dec. 7. Held in the MIC Auditorium at Lewis Field, the gathering 

offered entertainment, refreshments and time to extend holiday greetings to co-workers. 

Emcee Dr. Betterson with talent 

winner George Scott Crawford. 

GRC-2017-C-09957

Kavandi welcomed employees and thanked them for their hard work throughout the 

year. She later introduced a 2017 Center Accomplishments video that reinforced 

the center’s outstanding contributions to NASA’s mission. 

Members of the U. S. Marine Corps picked up 12 boxes of employee-donated 

toys for their Toys for Tots campaign. Glenn’s Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) 

Chairman Dale Hopkins gave an update on the 2017 CFC, and thanked employees 

for their generosity thus far. 

A highlight of the event, Glenn’s Holiday Stars Talent Show—enthusiastically 

emceed by Dr. John Betterson—spotlighted the talents of three employees. The 

audience joined in on the excitement by voting for their favorite contestant using 

the Conferences i/o Audience Response System. George Scott Crawford took the 

trophy for performing a country song that he wrote called “My Hometown.” Fellow 

competitors included Morgan Miller playing “The First Noel” on the Theremin, and 

Rich Kurak reciting “The Chright Before Nistmas” using spoonerisms. 

The Gingerbread Structure contest attracted a lot of attention as well. Betterson 

asked contestants to talk about creative processes and experiences building the 

edible structures. Samantha Brinkman’s “Frosty Ever After” garnered the most 

votes. Creations by contestants Monica Guzik’s “Christmas on the Moon” 

and Jennifer Maupin’s “Would it Help if I Got Out and Pushed” spaceship 

made it a difficult choice. 

The talented Lewis Ensemble provided a festive backdrop by playing 

a variety of holiday songs. 

By Doreen B. Zudell

Dr. Kavandi welcomes and thanks 

employees for a successful year. 

Employees gather to exchange holiday cheer. 

GRC-2017-C-09928 GRC-2017-C-09904

Members of the U.S. Marine Corps thanked 

employees for their generous donation to the 

Toys for Tots campaign.

GRC-2017-C-09919 Photos by Marvin Smith

Fun and Fellowship Abound 

at Holiday Gathering
JANUARY 2018

7

Lewis Little Folks 

Celebrate the Holidays

Music and merriment was in the air at the Lewis 

Little Folks Child Development Center, Dec. 8. In the 

morning, the Lewis Ensemble played a selection 

of holiday music for the children to enjoy and sing 

along. Later that day, the NASA Costumed Character 

Brigade continued the tradition that began back in 

the early 1960s with the yearly NASA Holiday Show, 

by visiting with the students. 

The Costumed Character Brigade, minus Santa Claus.

GRC-2017-CN-00072

Children enjoy time with the characters.

GRC-2017-CN-00073

The Lewis Ensemble plays a selection of holiday songs.

GRC-2017-CN-00074 Photo by Doreen B. Zudell

Gingerbread structure winner: 

“Frosty Ever After”

GRC-2017-C-09898

Gingerbread structure contestants with Dr. Betterson, left to right: Guzik, 

Maupin and Meghan Ganss (accepting for winner Brinkman).

GRC--2017-C-09966

Kurak recites using spoonerisms.

GRC-2017-C-09943

Miller performs on the Theremin.

GRC-2017-C-09937
Weiland Earns NESC Award

The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) presented their 2017 Leadership Award 

to Dr. Karen Weiland, Science and Space Technology Systems Branch, Nov. 14, during 

a ceremony at NASA’s Langley Research Center. She was recognized for exceptional 

leadership in the planning and implementation of the NASA Model-Based Systems 

Engineering Pathfinder.

Dr. Weiland

Glenn Celebrates the Creativity of Its Inventors 

The Technology Transfer Office (TTO) honored its inventors 

and other fiscal year 2016 (FY16) award recipients, 

Nov. 8, during its Third Annual Glenn Inventor Recognition 

Ceremony. Twenty-five inventors were recognized for their 

patent applications, 34 inventors for their patents issued, 

18 inventors for their software releases, and numerous 

inventors for submitting new technology reports.

Deputy Director Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis and Director of 

Technology Incubation and Innovation Dr. John Sankovic 

welcomed attendees. Chief of the Technology Transfer Office 

Harvey Schabes shared FY16 organizational highlights. 

Keynote speaker, Dr. Félix Miranda, Glenn’s Communications 

and Intelligent Systems Division deputy chief and awardwinning technologist, shared tips from George Heilmeier’s 

“Critical Questions for Research Proposals” to answer the 

objectives of your invention—Is your approach new? 

How will it make a difference?

Miranda stressed the value of working closely with the TTO 

staff. He said they provide excellent support to inventors—

from reviewing a technology report and assisting in the 

patent process, to developing awareness and generating 

resources to facilitate the application of their technologies. 

Dr. Stephen Steiner, president and founder of Aerogel 

Technologies LLC, served as guest speaker. His company 

has licensed a suite of aerogel technologies from Glenn 

patents. He gave an overview of aerogel technologies and 

their applications and provided a business perspective on 

the win-win relationship he has with the TTO staff and 

Glenn inventors. 

For a complete list of the awardees, visit 

https://events.grc.nasa.gov/inventors/.

By NASA Glenn Technology Transfer Office

A group of inventors that filed a new technology report in FY16. GRC-2017-C-08782 Photo by Marvin Smith

8
JANUARY 2018

Crain’s Cleveland Business magazine recently recognized two Glenn employees.

Chief Financial Officer Larry Sivic was named one of Crain’s 2017 Northeast Ohio top C-Suite executives for his 

contributions, community commitments and outstanding professional performance. 

Science and Space Technology Systems Branch Chief Dr. Lynn Capadona was named one of Crain’s 2017 Class 

of Forty Under 40 rising stars. She is recognized for her technical achievement, leadership and ability to positively 

impact the region throughout her career. 

Crain’s Honors Two Glenn Employees

Multimedia Feature Highlights Superelastic Spring Tire for Mars 

Sivic, center, with his wife Ingrid, left, and 

Glenn Associate Director Janet Watkins 

during the C-Suite Gala.

GRC-2017-CN-00069

Dr. Capadona, center, is presented her award by, left to right, 

Julie DiBiasio with Weatherhead School of Management and 

Elizabeth McIntyre, publisher and editor of Crain’s Cleveland Business.

GRC-2017-CN-00070 Photo by Every Angle Photography

Engineers at NASA Glenn and the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company have developed 

a revolutionary new tire that has been gaining a lot of attention across the nation. 

The Superelastic Spring Tire, which consists of hundreds of nickel titanium (NiTi) 

springs woven into a flexible mesh, is the product of two of Glenn’s areas of 

expertise—tire development and shape memory alloy research—coming 

together. The most recent iteration of this tire was designed with future 

Martian roving vehicle missions in mind, though the technology has applications on the moon and Earth as well.

Because of the superelastic characteristics of the shape memory 

alloy NiTi, as well as the unique tire structure, the tire is capable of 

supporting high loads and undergoing severe levels of deformation 

without damage. This allows for greatly improved traction and durability compared to the current state of Martian wheel technology.

Glenn’s Digital Communications Team, in conjunction with the 

Imaging Technology Center, has produced an online multimedia 

piece that highlights the development of this tire. Check it out at 

https://www.nasa.gov/specials/wheels/. 

GRC-2017-C-08431

Photo by Rami Daud
10

Milo D. Dahl, Acoustics Branch, Propulsion 

Division, retired Dec. 31, 2017, with 34 years 

of service.

Michael Ernst, Aircraft Operations Office, 

Facilities, Test & Manufacturing Directorate, 

retired Jan. 3, 2018, with 34 years of service.

Debra M. Findley, Aeronautics Mission 

Office, Aeronautics Directorate, retired 

Jan. 3, 2018, with 38 years of service. 

Michael W. Goin Sr., Cleveland Federal 

Executive Board, retired Dec. 31, 2017, with 

34 years of service.

Thomas A. Griffin, Wind Tunnel Test Branch, 

Testing Division, retired Dec. 25, 2017, with 

34 years of federal service, including 8 with 

NASA.

Michael J. Kinkelaar, Research and Space 

Operations Branch, Procurement Division, 

retired Jan. 3, 2018, with 36 years of service.

Randall R. Kwasny, Maintenance 

Management Branch, Facilities Infrastructure 

Division, retired Jan. 3, 2018, with 40 1⁄2 

years of service.

Richard C. Miller, Occupational Health 

Branch, Safety and Health Division, retired 

Dec. 31, 2017, with 35 years of service.

Joyce S. Wanhainen, European Service 

Module Integration Office, Space Flight 

Systems Directorate, retired Dec. 29, 2017, 

with 34 1⁄2 years of service. 

RETIREMENTS

Goin Sr.

Kwasny

Griffin

Miller

MORE THAN A MEMORY

William “Bill” M. Ratvasky, 86, a 1994 retiree with 42 

years of NACA/NASA service, died Nov. 20. Ratvasky 

was an instrument technician who served predominately 

in the Test Installation Division. He was a member of the 

Optical Measurement Section supporting research and 

development goals in Schlieren systems, solar simulation, 

laser and fiber optic technology, holography and more. 

He also won several Innovative/Suggestion awards, 

including one for a special high-temperature insulation 

for anodes used in the solar simulator in the Space Power 

Facility. His son, Tom Ratvasky, is a member of Glenn’s 

Icing Branch.

Ratvasky

Gati

Mullins

Frank Gati has been promoted from deputy chief to 

chief of the Exploration Systems Project Office. He 

oversees Glenn tasks supporting human launch and 

crewed systems. This includes the Space Launch System 

and Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Programs, Advanced 

Exploration Systems technology development and 

Commercial Crew activities. 

James Mullins has been selected Facility Manager 

for the Chemical Propulsion Research Complex, Creek 

Road Cryogenic Complex, Fuel Cell Testing Facility and 

the Glenn Extreme Environments Rig in the Test Facility 

Management Branch. He previously provided mechanical 

test engineering support across multiple facilities in 

Glenn’s Test Division.

PROMOTIONS

A special thank you to those of you who took the time to complete the online 

AeroSpace Frontiers customer survey! The editorial team will be working to 

incorporate your suggestions into the newsletter over the coming months. 
11

Upcoming Center Events

Deadline for next calendar section 

is Jan. 19, noon. News and feature 

stories require additional time.

IFPTE LOCAL 28, LESA MEETING

LESA will hold its next membership 

meeting, Wednesday, Feb. 14, noon, 

in the Glenn Employee Center’s Small 

Dining Room.

The Emergency Management Office 

staff will conduct an audible siren 

test on the “severe thunderstorm” 

tone on Saturday, Feb. 3, at Lewis 

Field. A mass notification “voice” 

test will be conducted at building 6 

on Wednesday, Feb. 7. 

POC: Allen Turner, 3–6826

FEBRUARY OUTDOOR SIREN TESTING

This observance reflects on 

the sacrifice of those who lost 

their lives supporting NASA’s 

mission of exploration. 

Stay tuned to Today@Glenn

for details.

NASA Day of Remembrance

Thursday, Jan. 25

NASA Glenn Employees: For more calendar information, 

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

Glenn’s Community Relations Team brought NASA’s mission to more than 700,000 people at festivals, air shows, conferences and 

events in 2017! The team packed up NASA artifacts and exhibits and traveled near and far to support over 50 outreach events last year.

Continued on Back Page

Outreach Team Engages Thousands in 2017

Glenn staff accommodate crowds at the total eclipse event at Edgewater Park, Cleveland.

GRC-2017-C-05561

Photo by Quentin Schwinn
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

• Solar eclipse activities: Jefferson City, Missouri, and three local events (total attendance over 45K)

• Duluth Airshow: Minnesota (total attendance over 30K)

• Hidden Figures events in the local area: (total attendance from five events over 3K)

• Armstrong Space Symposium and Chair Installation: Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 

(total attendance over 400 including 250 high-level industry and government leaders from across the world) 

• AirVenture: Oshkosh, Wisconsin (over 30K reached at NASA pavilion—total event attendance over 560K)

• National Scout Jamboree: Mount Hope, West Virginia 

(Journey To Tomorrow (JTT) traveling exhibit appearance—total event attendance over 30K)

• National Girl Scout Convention: Columbus, Ohio (total attendance over 10K)

• Cleveland Mini Maker Faire: Cleveland, Ohio (JTT first appearance at this event—total attendance over 2K)

To learn more about future staffing opportunities, visit http://outreach.grc.nasa.gov, or contact David DeFelice at 3–6186.

Here are just a few examples of high-impact events the team covered with the help of employees across the center:

Outreach Team Engages Thousands in 2017 (continued)

The team is looking for employees to help share the NASA story in 2018.

Students admire exhibits at the Hidden Figures event at Tri-C in Cleveland.

GRC-2017-C-00335 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Glenn staffed the JTT Trailer at the National Scout Jamboree.

GRC-2017-C-05255 Photo by Rami Daud