Safety and Health 

Awareness Day

Pages 4–5

Inventions

Recognized

Page 3

Central Process

System

Maintenance

Shutdown

Page 12

VOLUME 19 • ISSUE 7 • JULY 2017

Glenn’s First

Facebook Live Virtual Tour

Page 2
2

Pictured Above: 

Dave Irimies, left, explains the significance of solar electric propulsion for deep-space missions 

to Web and Social Media Team Lead, Nikki Welch, and thousands of Facebook viewers. 

On the Cover:

Glenn’s Web and Social Media Team Lead Nikki Welch, right, interviews Mike McVetta inside a 

vacuum chamber in the Electric Propulsion Laboratory at Lewis Field. Glenn kicked off the series 

of live virtual tours of NASA’s 10 centers as part of the fiscal year 2018 Budget Proposal Briefing.

Photo by Bridget Caswell

Photo by Bridget Caswell

GRC-2017-C-02905

GRC-2017-C-02895

Agency Held Live Events to 

Highlight FY18 Budget Request 

Mishap Investigation 

Delivers Valuable Lessons

Last September, a fire occurred 

after hours in a test cell at Lewis 

Field during an unattended laser 

operation. This fire did not result in 

personnel injury, but it uncovered a 

vulnerability that we are working to 

correct. I remain proud of Glenn’s 

safety record and our safety culture. 

When we have an incident or mishap, 

we report it, thoroughly investigate it, 

and ensure we learn from it. I would 

like to thank the Building 24 Test 

Cell Fire Mishap Investigation Team 

for their in-depth examination of the 

root causes of the fire. The findings 

help us gain situational awareness, 

improve our approaches and become 

more attentive. 

Successful research engages safety 

and delivers quality. 

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

NASA held a series of events May 23, highlighting the agency’s fiscal year 2018 

budget proposal, including a televised State of NASA address and Facebook Live 

virtual tours of NASA’s 10 field centers.

Acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot presented the live State of NASA to employees 

across the agency. He talked about the President’s budget and NASA’s scientific 

and technological achievements and cutting-edge future work. “We are pleased by 

our top line number of $19.1 billion, which reflects the President’s confidence in our 

direction and the importance of everything we’ve been achieving,” Lightfoot said. 

Immediately following Lightfoot’s remarks, Center Director Dr. Janet Kavandi and 

Chief Information Officer Larry Sivic led an all-hands meeting with employees. 

They discussed the local impacts of the fiscal 2018 budget request and took 

questions from employees. 

The fiscal 2018 budget proposes $677.4 million in spending at NASA Glenn, which 

is $52 million more than in fiscal 2016. (Our fiscal 2017 omnibus allocations are 

awaiting approval.)

That same day, the agency’s social media teams took visitors behind the scenes for 

virtual tours at NASA centers to highlight work enabled by the budget. NASA Glenn’s 

Web and Social Media team, with assistance from Imaging Technology Center staff, 

kicked off the live events by hosting a 20-minute tour of the Electric Propulsion 

Laboratory (EPL). 

Glenn experts Mike McVetta and Dave Irimies told Facebook fans about the EPL, 

where the agency tests solar propulsion technologies that are critical to powering 

spacecraft for NASA’s deep-space missions. The event concluded with questions 

from Facebook users. The tour generated more than 100,000 views, reaching 

690,000 people. By Doreen B. Zudell
JULY 2017

3

Two of NASA Glenn’s technologies received honorable mention in the 2017 NASA Invention of the Year (IOY) Award. 

These two technologies exemplify some of the cutting-edge research that continues to be performed at our center. 

Hall Thruster Life Extension

The invention increases the operational lifetime of a space propulsion engine called a Hall Effect Thruster by a factor of 

five or more. This increase is accomplished by utilizing an innovative magnetic field configuration to eliminate interactions 

between the high-energy xenon plasma produced by the thruster and the ceramic chamber that contains it. Hall thruster 

life extension, through magnetic shielding, is the key to unlocking the benefits of high-performance electric propulsion 

and fundamentally changes how we do solar electric propulsion. Developers of this technology include Dr. Dave Manzella, 

Dr. David Jacobson, Robert Jankovsky, Richard Hofer (JPL) and Peter Peterson (VPL).

2017 Invention of the Year

Glenn Nominees Received Honorable Mention

NASA’s Invention and Contribution Board (ICB) annually nominates Government and Commercial Inventions of the Year, 

which have significantly contributed to NASA programs or that exemplify NASA’s mission to transfer cutting-edge 

technology to U.S. industry.

By Glenn’s Technology Transfer Office

Schottky Diode Hydrogen and Hydrocarbon Gas Sensors

This suite of sensors overcame significant limitations in state-of-the-art sensing 

technology, including the need for hydration or oxygen, the reliance on lowertemperature materials, and nonselective detection of species. The developers 

successfully surmounted such limitations by increasing the range and durability of 

sensing applications, while providing sensitive quantitative readings of the targeted 

species, i.e., hydrogen and hydrocarbon gases. The developers of this technology 

include Dr. Gary W. Hunter, Dr. Jennifer C. Xu and Dorothy Lukco (VPL).

Pictured: “Lick and Stick” Smart Sensor System including a SiC hydrocarbon sensor. Photo by Makel Engineering, Inc.

GRC-2017-CN-00038

Photo by Christopher Lynch

GRC-2015-C-01191

Magnetically Shielded Hall Thruster

GRC-2017-CN-00040 Photo by NASA

Unshielded Hall Thruster

Plasma magnetically shielded

from discharge chamber walls
NASA Glenn held its annual Safety and Health Awareness Day, June 13, where speakers, panelists and exhibitors 

addressed the theme “Safe and Sound—Your Voice Matters.” 

The morning program featured three speakers who took turns reinforcing our individual responsibility for safety 

and taking risks for the right reasons. The presentations were aired live on Glenn TV Channel 13 and shown in the 

Engineering Building at Plum Brook Station. 

Center Director Dr. Janet Kavandi cautioned listeners to thoughtfully trade the gain versus risk of daily tasks, 

such as aggressive or distracted driving. Oftentimes, she said, the gain is minimal compared to the risk. She also 

addressed justified risks, based on the significance of gains derived, such as those for human spaceflight and for 

national defense. 

“We (NASA) weigh the potential risks, and we test to ensure that the risks are minimized,” Kavandi explained. 

Wayne Hale, director of Human Spaceflight, Special Aerospace Services, LLC, discussed lessons learned from 

NASA’s past accidents. He cautioned pinning failure to any single person because vigilance by everyone is the price 

for safety. He offered the following suggestions to reduce/eliminate error chains: 

• Employ imagination when identifying risks

• Seek lessons learned

• Don’t simplify conclusions

• Communicate 

• Commit to resilience; no shortcuts to good work

Assuming Our Responsibility 

to Keep One Another Safe

Safety and Health Awareness Day, 2017

Lewis Field employees on Health Walk

GRC-2017-C-03004

Hale discusses lessons learned.

GRC-2017-C-02945

4
Dr. Andrew Eckel has been named chief of 

the Program and Project Assurance Division. 

Dr. Eckel has served in several leadership 

positions in science, research and technology, 

as well as center and agency-level project 

and program management.

Konstantinos (Gus) Martzaklis has been 

named Glenn’s deputy director of the Safety 

and Mission Assurance Directorate (SMAD). 

Martzaklis has been a member of the SMAD 

management team for over the past 5 years, 

most recently as chief of the Program and 

Project Assurance Division.

Eckel Martzaklis

PROMOTIONS

The Fitness Center’s 2017 Slimathon 

concluded with impressive figures—

77 percent of 269 participants lost body 

fat, while 11.6 percent managed to maintain 

without any gain. During the 12-week program, 

regular exercise and body fat measurement 

helped encourage a healthier lifestyle. 

The following individuals and teams achieved 

the highest rate of change:

“These are the best results we’ve seen in a 

long time,” said Fitness Center Director Bob 

Laws. “Everyone who completed the program 

deserves to be recognized as amazing people 

and athletes and for not giving up!” 

INDIVIDUAL MEN

Doug Astler

Eric Hendricks

Daniel Sutliff

TEAMS

Hidden Figures

The Slimsons

Leave the Cannoli

INDIVIDUAL WOMEN

Candice McDonald

Thuy Truong 

Kate Dunlap

Slimathon Participants 

Speed Up, Slim Down

5

Center personnel stood ready at a variety of booths outside the MIC Auditorium 

to inform employees of the latest safety, health, security and operational 

guidelines and technologies.

After lunch, employees were encouraged to return for the Mishap Case Study 

Panel presentation on lessons learned from Glenn mishap statistics and two 

case studies: Building 24 Test Cell fire and battery safety. 

On June 14, Lewis Field employees put on their walking shoes to participate 

in the Center Health Walk and compete for the coveted Golden Shoe Award. 

Plum Brook Station held their walk on June 13.

Martin gave an account of an industry 

safety failure that left him hospitalized 

for over 5 months, enduring burns to 

75 percent of his body. He risked his 

own safety and that of a fellow employee 

by ignoring personal safety equipment 

and undertaking a task with minimal 

knowledge. This incident impacted many 

people’s lives, including family, friends 

and co-workers.

Employees also heard from John Martin, the founder and counselor for Martin 

Safety Solutions, who shared a personal experience on how taking shortcuts 

led to a horrific accident.

The Mishap Study panelists, left to right: Jim Smith, Dr. Brad Lerch and Michael Milbert.

GRC-2017-C-02981 Photos by Jordan Salkin 

Martin shares his personal story.

GRC-2017-C-02961

By S. Jenise Veris
6

NEWS AND EVENTS

The Office of Education welcomed interns and faculty 

from across the nation on June 5 and June 12. On June 5, 

their orientations kicked off with a welcome address 

from Director of Center Operations Robyn Gordon and a 

presentation on Glenn’s Core Competencies from Director 

of Engineering and Research Dr. Rickey Shyne. Deputy 

Director of Center Operations Seth Harbaugh provided the 

welcome on June 12. Briefings and/or training from other 

center representatives followed. A total of 240 students 

and faculty left the briefings ready to hit the ground running 

and begin learning and working in a variety of Glenn core 

competency-based areas. Pictured is a group of NASA 

Internship Project participants.

Glenn’s Interns Are Ready to Take Off

NASA Glenn has officially launched its 2017 summer internship program!

Attention Interns! To view all the orientation group photos, visit the NASA Internships at Glenn-Interns Yammer site.

GRC-2017-C-02858 Photo by Marvin Smith

Indebted to Them All

Employees gathered at the Briefing Center for the 2017 Memorial Day Ceremony, 

hosted by the Veterans Awareness Committee. Thomas Hartline, director of Facilities, 

Test and Manufacturing and Veterans Awareness Committee trustee, addressed the 

crowd. He reminded everyone that although we do not know them all, we are indebted 

to the military members and families who made the ultimate sacrifice and to those 

who continue to serve. Guest singer Marie Daniels delivered a powerful a cappella 

performance of “Wind Beneath My Wings” in tribute to the fallen heroes. 

GRC-2017-C-02816 Photo by Marvin Smith

Columbus Clippers 

Fans Catch a Glimpse 

of Space Exploration

GRC-2017-CN-00019 Photo by Carlos Gomez

Native Ohioian and former astronaut 

Tom Henricks took to the field for Space 

Day weekend activities hosted by the 

Columbus (Ohio) Clippers minor-league 

baseball team, May 6-7. Henricks, who 

flew on four space shuttle missions, 

threw out the first pitch on Saturday 

and signed autographs for fans on 

Sunday. Glenn’s Community Relations 

team showcased models of NASA’s 

new Space Launch System rocket and 

Orion crew vehicle. Spacesuits, aircraft 

models and graphics representing 

Glenn’s latest research and technology 

activities were also on display.
JULY 2017

7

GRC-2017-CN-00029 Photo by Richard Woodard

Celebrating Arts for All

Glenn’s Associate Director for Strategy, Therese Griebel, left, applies 

a NASA tattoo to an aspiring artist, during Arts for All, May 4. Glenn’s 

Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity and the Disability Awareness 

Advisory Group supported the annual outreach event at the Cuyahoga 

County Fairgrounds. The Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental 

Disabilities sponsors the event to ensure individuals with disabilities have 

equal opportunities to participate in arts programs. Glenn employees 

staffed hands-on activities highlighting STEM-related concepts, and the 

NASA photo booth. Eva the Astronaut stopped by for a visit. Hundreds of 

young people from Cuyahoga County attended. 

Maintaining John 

Glenn Highway

A group of Glenn employees and 

retirees recently supported the local 

community by joining the Glennsponsored Adopt-A-Highway cleanup 

by removing unsightly trash along the 

Grayton Road and I–480 interchange. 

Participants must watch a brief 

safety video and sign a Department of 

Transportation release. Stay tuned to 

Today@Glenn for future cleanup dates.

Contact Christine Staschiak, 3–6662, 

if you can help.

GRC-2017-CN-00037 Photo by Fred Kohl

In recognition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender 

(LGBT) Pride Month, Glenn’s Rainbow Alliance Advisory Group 

(RAAG) held its third annual Open House and Brown Bag Lunch, 

June 15. The gathering centered on the video “Anyone Can Be 

An Ally.” The video dispels misconceptions and encourages 

communications towards the goal of creating a comfortable and 

respectful work environment. Members of the group facilitated 

an informal discussion based on the video and the importance 

of becoming allies who speak up for respect and inclusion. 

Pictured are Kelly Gilkey, RAAG co-chair; Aretha Carr, executive 

sponsor for Rainbow Alliance and Brown Bag co-facilitator; 

Christine Paulsen, RAAG co-chair; and Tamika Laldee, 

Brown Bag co-facilitator.

Allies Speak Up

for Respect, Inclusion

C-2017-GRC-03032 Photo by Rami Daud
8

Glenn’s Office of Chief Counsel 

Recognized for Service 

Glenn Newsletter

Recognized for Quality

Three members of Glenn’s Office of the Chief Counsel (OCC) were recognized 

for their outstanding service at NASA’s Office of General Counsel’s Annual 

Conference Awards Dinner, May 12. 

Callista Puchmeyer received the Attorney of the Year Award for assuming a 

critical leadership role while the center’s OCC was undergoing major changes, 

including the retirement of former Chief Counsel William Sikora and five of six 

attorneys serving in new roles.

Glenn attorneys Jay Jackson and Tamika Laldee received Teamwork 

Awards for their contributions to the Knowledge Information Sharing 

System (KISS) Team. The agencywide team developed a Knowledge 

Management System for the NASA Legal community. 

Jackson was recognized as a member of the KISS 

Tools Team and Laldee for the KISS Culture Team.

The Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts awarded the 

AeroSpace Frontiers newsletter and staff with a 2017 

Communicator Award. The 2017 Communicator Awards 

featured more than 6,000 entries, making it the largest and 

most prestigious award of its kind.

In receiving this award, the newsletter staff acknowledges the 

efforts of Glenn’s Imaging Technology Center and Publishing 

Services staff. Their imaging services and graphic design are 

crucial to producing a quality communications product.

GRC-2017-CN-00041 Photo by Amy Xenofos, NASA Johnson Space Center

Glenn OCC award winners celebrate with staff, left to right: Jaclyn Facinelli, Laldee, 

Laura Henry, Puchmeyer, Jackson, MacAllister West, James Burke and Linda Hastings.

GRC-2017-CN-00042 Photo by NTA Cleveland Chapter

Cheston, center, accepts the Lifetime Achievement 

plaque presented by left, Dr. Bilal Bomani, NTA 

vice president, and Dr. Lateef Saforre, 

NTA president.

Cheston and Lucas 

Receive 2017 NTA 

Nsoroma Awards 

The National Technical Association, Cleveland 

Chapter, honored Glenn’s Derrick Cheston 

and Zachary Lucas during the 15th Annual 

Nsoroma Technical Symposium and Awards 

Program, hosted at the Ohio Aerospace 

Institute, June 2. 

Cheston, who leads NASA Glenn’s Systems 

Engineering and Architecture Division, 

received the Nsoroma Lifetime Achievement 

Award and served as the keynote speaker 

for this year’s event. He was recognized for 

his leadership and mentorship with FIRST 

robotics, summer interns and as a member 

of the Speakers Bureau.

Lucas received the Nsoroma award in the 

category of Prince, symbolizing a young man 

of exemplary character and outstanding 

personal attributes at home, on the job and 

in the community. Lucas is the resources 

manager and community relations specialist 

in the Office of Communications and External 

Relations. 

Lucas
9

Glenn Hosts Design Challenge Winners

During the 4-month challenge, teams were encouraged to think 

of out-of-the-box approaches to integrating aeronautics into 

commuter travel in metropolitan areas, focusing on one or more 

of Glenn’s Core Competencies.

At the culminating event, the winning teams met Glenn mentors 

Jeff Berton, Sydney Schnulo and Jonathan Seidel, whose 

research project was adopted for the USDC; Office of Education 

representatives; and Glenn senior staff. Deputy Center Director 

Dr. Marla Perez-Davis and Aeronautics Director Dr. Ruben Del 

Rosario attended and presented certificates during an awards 

ceremony. Team presentations of their UDSC designs and facility 

tours followed.

Both teams presented their designs to the mentors’ Propulsion 

Systems Analysis Branch. The first-place team included: Raghav 

Handa, Michael Pham, Alexander Callahan, Gabriela Lopez and the 

faculty advisor Dr. Donald Edberg. They developed a fully electric, 

Glenn welcomed the winners of NASA’s first University Student Design Challenge (USDC), June 12, for 

a culminating event sponsored by Glenn’s Office of Education. The first- and second-place winners, respectively, 

are teams from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and The Ohio State University in Columbus.

short takeoff and landing aircraft concept capable of carrying six 

passengers and operate in the greater Los Angeles area. This team 

was also invited to present their design to the Director’s Senior 

Management Team.

Members of the second-place team included: Brennan Barrington, 

Dennis Scott, Jake Brandon, Colin Trussa and Austin Petsche, 

minus their faculty advisor Ken Gordon. Their focus was a fully 

electric lighter-than-air concept, similar in appearance to a subway 

car, to transport 192 passengers to and from Honolulu, Hawaii. 

The competition was open to teams of full-time, sophomorethrough-senior year undergraduate students in accredited U.S. 

academic institutions. The teams were composed mostly of 

students studying science, technology, engineering, arts and 

mathematics (STEAM), but also included students of economics, 

marketing and other disciplines that could aid in the success 

of an idea. 

GRC-2017-C-03056 Photo by Rami Daud

Scientific and Technical Information (STI) is one of the most valuable assets NASA creates. The Glenn STI 

Program is committed to helping authors share their research while also protecting NASA’s interests. A short 

video explains the STI process, why it is important and the author requirements for clearing STI for release. 

Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkKrvFIAE5U to watch the video and learn more.

Successful Path to STI Clearance

Deputy Center Director Dr. Perez-Davis, center, poses with left to right: USDC winners Cal Poly Pomona, Dr. Edberg, Pham, 

Lopez, Callahan and Handa; and second place, Ohio State’s Barrington, Petsche, Brandon, Scott and Trussa.
10

James Free, deputy associate 

administrator for Technical in the 

Human Exploration and Operations 

Mission Directorate at Headquarters, 

retired May 12, 2017, with 27 years 

of service. He served as Glenn’s 

Deputy Center Director from 2010 

through 2012 and as Center Director 

from Jan. 2013 to April 2016. 

Mark Hoberecht, Photovoltaic and 

Electrochemical Systems Branch, Power 

Division, retired January 3, 2017, with 39 

years of service. 

Lawrence Schroeder, Systems and 

Operations Management Branch, Facilities 

Division, retired June 26, 2017, with 50 

years of service.

Gene L. Stygles, Facilities Division 

chief, Facilities, Test & Manufacturing 

Directorate, retired June 30, 2017, with 

33 years of service.

Debra Zamostny, Engineering Managing 

Branch, Facilities Division, retired June 

30, 2017, with 26 1⁄2 years of service. 

Hoberecht

Free

Stygles Zamostny

Schroeder

RETIREMENTS

Attention Retirees! To electronically subscribe to AeroSpace Frontiers, 

email grc-aerospacefrontiers-subscribe@lists.nasa.gov.

Claudette J. Wlasuk, 72, a 2007 retiree with 21 years of NASA service, died June 8. Wlasuk retired from 

the Office of Human Capital Management. She was a member of the first team of government workers in 

the nation to pursue a Habitat for Humanity project spearheaded by the Cleveland Federal Executive Board. 

Wlasuk was also a charter member of Glenn’s Veterans Awareness Committee (VAC) and continued to 

support VAC programing as the government affairs liaison for Rolling Thunder, Inc. Chapter 1, after retiring.

Selby Made Significant Contributions in Facility Design and Construction

John A. Selby, 71, chief of the Project Management Branch, Facilities Division, died June 3. Selby served as 

the project manager for the relocation of NASA facilities during the expansion of Cleveland Hopkins International 

Airport and also for the Construction of the Space Experimental Testing facilities at the Space Power Facility, 

Plum Brook Station. His architecture career spanned over 40 years and included projects in the government, 

corporate, healthcare, justice, science and sports sectors. He has been a Leadership in Energy and Environmental 

Design (LEED) Accredited Professional since 2000 and an active participant in the design and construction of 

several high-performance buildings. Selby held a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Oklahoma State University. 

He was a retired U.S. Navy officer, and earned several medals for his contributions. 

“John was a devoted husband and father and never took anything or anyone for granted,” said Facilities Division 

Chief Gene Stygles. “He was always mindful of how blessed he was to live in a beautiful and supportive community, work with incredible people and have good and caring friends and family. John was profoundly touched by the 

generous support and ‘unity’ of his colleagues, and he was thankful for all the prayers that came his way during 

his illness.” 

MORE THAN A MEMORY

IN APPRECIATION

Wlasuk

Selby

Thanks to all my friends and co-workers that shared their time to help me celebrate my retirement. 

It has been a fantastic 50 years working for NASA! Many of you signed my retirement book, 

which I will read often—to help me remember! Thank you most sincerely! — Larry Schroeder
11 NASA Glenn Employees: For more calendar information, visit https://wing.grc.nasa.gov/event-calendar/.

Friday, Aug. 4

The 8th Annual Glenn Center Open Golf Outing 

is Friday, Aug. 4, at Mallard Creek Golf Course in 

Columbia Station. The format will be a four-person 

scramble. NASA employees, contractors, retirees, 

friends and family are invited to attend. 

POC: Sandra Doehne, 3–8636

Centerwide Golf Outing

Upcoming Center Events

Deadline for next calendar section 

is July 21, noon. News and feature 

stories require additional time.

Identity Theft—What You Should Know

Tuesday, Aug. 1

A representative from the Ohio 

Attorney General’s Office will facilitate 

a breakout session on identity theft. 

Advanced registration by July 24 is 

required. Visit, https://events.grc.

nasa.gov/securityday/ for full details. 

POC: Candice McDonald, 3–5424

NASA Glenn Security Day

Clip-and-save format! Cut along the dashed line to keep this calendar for your reference. 

CENTER PICNIC REMINDER

Come join the fun at the 2017 Center 

Picnic, Wednesday, July 19, from 

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lewis Field 

Picnic Grounds. Enjoy picnic food, 

lively music and fun activities with 

your co-workers and retirees. 

In the event of inclement weather, the 

Center Picnic will be held Thursday, 

July 20 (same time and location). 

POC: Betsy Lavelle, 3–3198

AUGUST OUTDOOR SIREN TESTING 

The Emergency Management Office 

staff will conduct an outdoor “voice” 

test at Building 6 on Wednesday, 

Aug. 2. An audible siren test focusing 

on the “lock-down” tone will be 

conducted on Saturday, Aug. 5, at 

Lewis Field. 

POC: Allen Turner, 3–6826 

RETIRED WOMEN’S LUNCHEON

The next luncheon is Thursday, Aug. 17, 

at 1 p.m. at Don’s Pomeroy House, 

13664 Pearl Road, Strongsville. 

Please reserve your place with Gerry 

Ziemba at goto64gerry@yahoo.com

or 330–273–4850. 

LESA will hold its next membership 

meeting, Wednesday, Aug. 9, noon, 

in the Glenn Employee Center’s Small 

Dining Room. 

IFPTE LOCAL 28, LESA MEETING

UPCOMING FARMERS MARKET DATES: Mark your calendar for Wednesday, 

July 26; Tuesday, Aug. 29; and Tuesday, Sept. 12, for Glenn’s 2017 Summer 

Farmers Market. A variety of vendors will offer fresh produce, homemade 

goods and more. Stay tuned to Today@Glenn for specific details on each 

market date. Hosted by the Fitness Center, the markets take place at the 

Picnic Grounds from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. POC: Gabby Albrigo, 3–6313

SOLAR ECLIPSE: On Monday, Aug. 21, all of North America will be treated to 

an eclipse of the sun. To learn more about the eclipse and NASA-sponsored 

events, visit https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/. 

NASA HONOR AND CENTER AWARDS: Mark your calendar for 

Wednesday, Aug. 23, for the 2017 NASA Honor and Center 

Awards Program. Stay tuned to Today@Glenn for details.

SAVE THE DATE

JULY 2017
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

Central Process Systems Maintenance 

Shutdown Underway

Huge altitude exhaust equipment within the Central Air Equipment Building is shut down for maintenance. 

GRC-2003-C-01692 Photo by Marvin Smith

Lewis Field’s subsonic, supersonic and icing wind tunnels, along with jet engine test facilities, support a robust schedule of testing 

throughout the year. These facilities rely heavily on Glenn’s Lewis Field Central Process Systems (CPS), especially the Combustion Air System 

and the Altitude Exhaust System. These two systems comprise over 9 miles of piping and more than 730 remotely controlled valves.

To ensure the reliability of these systems—with compressors and exhausters that can date back 60 years—Glenn’s Facilities Maintenance 

Branch oversees an Annual CPS Maintenance Shutdown. The 2017 shutdown began July 10 and runs through Aug. 21.

“During the shutdown, crews execute lockout/tagout procedures to ensure personnel safety, physically enter the systems to inspect 

the integrity of piping and valves, and make the necessary repairs,” said Facilities Maintenance Branch Chief Mark Woodling.

In addition to the Combustion Air and Altitude Exhaust Systems, the Variable Frequency System and two Cooling Tower Water Systems are 

scheduled to be shut down for inspection and repairs. During this time, other on-site maintenance contractors also inspect and repair items 

within their realm of responsibility. 

Woodling said the annual shutdown is a massive undertaking that requires months of meetings with multiple personnel to plan and 

coordinate the activities. He said the 6-week period is designated to ensure not only the integrity of the equipment but also the safety 

of the personnel who perform the maintenance. By Doreen B. Zudell