VOLUME 17 ISSUE 12 DECEMBER 2015

“Evening With The Stars” Celebrates Past, Future

The Western Reserve Historical Society’s Crawford Auto Museum at the Cleveland 

History Center provided the perfect backdrop for the 2nd annual “Evening With 

the Stars” (EWTS) program, Oct. 20. The vintage automobiles and NASA exhibits 

created an ambiance ideal for the event theme: Celebrating NACA’s 100th Anniversary and a Century of Dreaming Big. 

The evening featured presentations by Glenn researchers and a network

reception aimed at raising the visibility of the center throughout Northeast O

More than 300 guests representing federal, state and local government, busines

academia and community-based organizations attended.

“Thanks to the Ohio Aerospace Institute’s (OAI’s) coordinated sponsorship along w

25 other companies, universities and organizations, and the high caliber of service by 

Glenn staff, the evening was a huge success,” said Dovie Lacy, EWTS program manager.

Continued on page 3

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Dr. Motil

Dr. Manzella

Around the Center

GRC-2015-C-7478 Photo by Rami Daud

NASA’s Super Guppy aircraft delivered Orion 

test hardware, Nov. 2. See page 5.

GRC-2015-C-7340 Photo by Marvin Smith

Glenn unveiled its new main gate at Plum 

Brook Station, Nov. 4. See page 8.

GRC-2015-C-6521 Photo by Rami Daud

Employees learned about phishing during 

Cyber Security Awareness Month. See page 2.

In This Issue

Director’s Safety Corner .............. 2

Partnership Produces Power ........ 4

Golden Shoe Winners .................... 4

Astronaut Briefing .......................... 5

Silver Snoopy Awards .................. 6

Susan Motil Named to SES ........ 7
Keep Up Your Holiday Safety Guard

With the excitement of the holidays in the air, it’s easy to get caught up in 

the frenzy and festivities of the season. Don’t let your safety guard down! 

Pay attention to fire safety guidelines related to decorating, lighting fireplaces 

and baking or frying that turkey. Exercise caution while driving and walking 

on slick surfaces. Research healthy ways to manage increased demands on 

your time. My holiday wish is that you’ll spend some much-deserved time 

with your co-workers, family and friends in ways that are comforting, memorable—and safe. 

Thank you for putting safety first in and outside of our gates in 2015!

 

 —Jim

Glenn Cyber Security Awareness Day 2015

Educating Employees on Best Practices

Glenn’s Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) conducted a Cyber 

Security Awareness Day Program and 

Training, Oct. 21, in the Mission Integration Center (MIC) Auditorium. The 

event was one of several OCIO events 

held throughout October, including 

an Information Technology (IT) Vendor’s Day, in observance of National 

Cyber Security Awareness Month. 

The program included guest speakers 

from the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) at Wright-Patterson Air 

Force Base and the NASA Security 

Operations Center, along with several 

speakers from Glenn’s OCIO, Export 

Control, and Counter Intelligence

offices. Each took a turn providing 

updates on major cyber threats and 

best practices to minimize the vulnerabilities. 

Topics included Cyber Defense; Protecting Your Mobile Device; Phishing; 

Identity Theft; Protecting Data on 

Personal/Work Travel; and Counter 

Intelligence Awareness. A trivia game 

was incorporated into this year’s training to evoke audience participation 

and comprehension of the various topics throughout the 4-hour program. 

In his key address, “Why Does Cyber 

Security Matter?” Matt Dever, associate 

director at AFIT’s Center for Cyberspace Research, delivered sobering 

news. He spoke about growing threats 

to infrastructure and transportation 

due to advances in technology that 

enable criminals to act remotely.

Sherri Lippus, OCIO’s Incident 

Response manager, coordinated this 

year’s cyber security program with 

the goal of covering topics that touch 

virtually every segment of the public 

and private sectors. 

“Glenn’s OCIO is committed to informing and training employees on 

the latest IT solutions,” Lippus said. 

“Periodically, we offer Lunch & Learn 

sessions to raise awareness and augment the center’s annual cyber security training. Watch Today@Glenn 

for the schedule.”

By S. Jenise Veris

GRC-2015-C-6470

CIO Sean Gallagher welcomes the audience.

GRC-2015-C-6483

The audience participates in trivia questions.

GRC-2015-C-6508 Photos by Rami Daud

Keynote speaker Dever gives an update on 

focused efforts to protect our nation.

 

Mark your calendar!

Tuesday, Dec. 15

1 to 3 p.m.

MIC Auditorium 

2
DECEMBER 2015

Evening With 

The Stars

Continued from page 1

Kelly Falcone-Hall, CEO, Cleveland 

History Center; Mike Heil, president 

and CEO of the Ohio Aerospace Institute; and Carlos Grodsinsky, chairman and Ohio Aerospace and Aviation 

Council/Chief Operating Officer, ZIN 

Technologies, offered congratulatory 

remarks. NASA Administrator Charlie 

Bolden welcomed guests through a 

video message.

Center Director Jim Free thanked the 

sponsors and guests for their support. 

He acknowledged the foresight of 

Frederick C. Crawford, the museum 

namesake, for influencing NACA’s

decision to bring the Aircraft Engine 

Research Laboratory (Glenn’s predecessor) to Cleveland nearly 75 years 

ago. The lab proved invaluable to the 

research and development that aided 

the World War II allied victory.

Free said the work of the evening’s 

presenters—Dr. Brian Motil, Dr. David 

Manzella and Dr. Daniel Raible—builds 

on the NACA legacy by expanding the 

boundaries of human exploration.

“NASA’s Orion spacecraft figures prominently in our journey to Mars,” Free said, 

“and that journey passes right through 

Northeast Ohio with testing of the European Crew Service Module set to begin over the next few months at Plum 

Brook Station in Sandusky.”

Each of the speakers, aided by a

captivating multimedia presentation, 

shared what they are doing to make 

NASA’s goals a reality. 

Dr. Brian Motil, deputy chief of the 

Fluid Physics and Transport Processes 

Branch, explained why microgravity research is important to our understand3

ing of how to live safely in space. He 

provided examples of Glenn fluids 

and combustion experiments currently operating on the International 

Space Station.

Dr. David Manzella, chief engineer 

for the Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) 

Technology Demonstration Project, 

reviewed Glenn’s historic leadership 

in ion propulsion. He shared current 

developments in SEP research for 

potential use as we prepare for the 

journey to Mars.

Dr. Daniel Raible, Optics and Photonics Branch, explained his research 

and development of optical devices 

and precision navigation systems. He 

illustrated how these systems will 

allow future astronauts to communicate to Earth more efficiently despite 

delays, disruptions or disconnections 

over the vastness of space.

Free reminded the audience that 

the center’s accomplishments, since 

breaking ground on Jan. 23, 1941, 

were made possible through NASA’s 

most valuable resource—its people. 

People like the presenters.

Free concluded by unveiling the

official logo for NASA Glenn’s 

upcoming 75th Anniversary activities and encouraged the support and 

participation of the entire community in celebrating this milestone. In 

a brief video message, Senator John 

Glenn echoed Free’s appreciation 

and invitation to 75th activities. 

By S. Jenise Veris

GRC-2015-C-6761 Photo by Marvin Smith

Dr. Raible speaks on his satellite research in space communications, one of Glenn's core 

competencies.

GRC-2015-C-6664 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Guests mingle throughout the museum.

GRC-2015-C-6772 Photo by Marvin Smith

A timeline of NACA/NASA accomplishments greets guests as they enter the museum.
News and Events

Student-Mentor Partnership Collaborates to Produce Power

U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur participated 

in a ceremony at Lewis Field, Oct. 30, 

recognizing a successful pilot partnership between NASA Glenn and the 

Erie, Huron, Ottawa Vocational Education (EHOVE) Career Center in Milan. Glenn engineers and technicians 

teamed with students in EHOVE’s electrical and industrial technologies and 

collision and refinishing trades to build 

a mobile solar power system. Mounted 

on a 16-foot trailer, the power system 

produces 3 kilowatts of power. The 

congresswoman joined Center Director 

Jim Free and EHOVE Assistant Director 

Matthew Ehrhardt in congratulating 

the team members. More information 

on the partnership is available in the 

October 2015 AeroSpace Frontiers at 

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

news/AF/index.html. GRC-2015-C-6787 Photo by Rami Daud

During the ceremony, Center Director Free, left, and Congresswoman Kaptur power up 

an electric car using the mobile solar power system. 

Healthy Steps Earn Golden Shoe Award

Glenn’s Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate (SMAD) has announced the 

winners of the 2015 Golden Shoe Competition. Team 1—comprising the Office 

of the Director, Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity, and Office of Chief 

Counsel—captured first place with 57 percent participation. Team 4—comprising 

five areas within the Facilities, Test and Manufacturing Directorate (FO, FB, FM, 

FA, and FE)—was second with 43 percent participation. The SMAD took third 

with 40 percent participation. Pictured, second from left, SMAD Director Anita 

Liang, presents the trophy to winning team representatives—Bill Sikora, Lynda 

Glover and Jim Free. 

Disability Awareness 

Photo by Dick Woodward

Dr. Maricela Lizcano, Materials Chemistry and Physics Branch, pictured, 

was the featured speaker for this year’s 

Disability Awareness Observance event, 

Oct. 28. Lizcano shared her personal 

visual impairment story and the challenges she and others with disabilities 

face as members of a diverse workforce. Lizcano has Stargardt’s disease, 

a hereditary type of macular degenerative eye disorder. Glenn welcomed 

back talented special needs children 

from the O’Connor Dance Studio under the instruction of SGT retiree, Pat 

Kons, for repeat performances.

4
DECEMBER 2015

News and Events

Post-Flight Briefing

GRC-2015-C-6612 Photo by Marvin Smith

Glenn welcomed Expedition 41 Flight 

Engineer/Expedition 42 Commander 

Butch Wilmore for a post-flight mission 

briefing to employees, Oct. 21. Wilmore 

shared behind-the-scenes footage on 

preparing for a Russian launch compared to a U.S.; logistics for preparation and execution of spacewalks; and 

space station daily operations, such as 

maintenance of the regenerative life 

support system. Pictured: Wilmore 

demonstrates the constraints of Russian Soyuz compared to U.S. shuttles.

Experiment Expands Communications Frequencies

Glenn and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) have teamed to fabricate and 

install a communications experiment at the University of New Mexico (UNM), 

Albuquerque, New Mexico. The experiment, which characterizes atmospheric 

effects on radiowave propagation at 72 and 84 GHz—the first measurements at 

these frequencies—could lead to the development of next-generation satellites. 

The transmitter is located at the crest of the Sandia Mountains with the receivers installed on the roof of a UNM research building. The experiment is expected

to operate primarily autonomously for a minimum of 2 years. Pictured, left to 

right, Robert Richard (AFRL), with Glenn’s James Nessel (lead), Nicholas Varaljay, 

Jacquelynne Houts and Michael Zemba.

Orion Test Hardware Arrives in Ohio; Bound for Plum Brook Station!

NASA’s Super Guppy aircraft delivered 

Orion’s service module stack assembly 

fixture with an interface ring, along with 

tooling to Mansfield’s Lahm Regional 

Airport, Nov. 2. Seven days later, a 

full-size version of the European Space 

Agency’s service module and other 

Orion test hardware were delivered on 

an Antonov An–124 to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The test 

hardware was transported by truck 

to Plum Brook Station where it will 

be tested for its ability to withstand 

the punishing space launch environment as NASA takes the next step in 

the Journey to Mars. Pictured: huge 

test hardware is unloaded from an 

Antonov An–124 aircraft and placed 

on a trailer. GRC-2015-C-7100 Photo by Bridget Caswell

5
Employees Merit 

Silver Snoopy

GRC-2015-C-07263 Photo by Rami Daud

Glenn Snoopy honorees with presenters, left to right: Wong, Darpel, Astronaut Morgan, Bleisath, 

Wolff, Deputy Director Kavandi, Storck, Bontempo, Krauss and Rogers.

Eight Glenn employees received the 

recognition and admiration of astronauts Dr. Andrew Morgan, Lt. Col., 

U.S. Army, and Glenn Deputy Director 

Janet Kavandi during a Silver Snoopy 

Awards ceremony, Nov. 2, in the Ad 

Building Auditorium.

The Silver Snoopy is the astronauts’ 

personal award, presented to less than 

1 percent of the NASA workforce for 

significant contributions in every phase 

of space flight enhancing the probability of mission success. Morgan and 

Kavandi presented the award to the 

following honorees:

Scott A. Bleisath, Human Space Flight 

Systems Branch, for dedication to astronaut safety through development 

of new space suit technologies and development of power, avionics and software for the Advanced Extra-vehicular 

Mobility Unit.

James J. Bontempo, ZINT/ISS and Human Health Office, for delivering the 

highest quality service troubleshooting 

all the electrical board designs to ensure the electrical system supporting 

the Observation and Analysis of Smectic 

Islands in Space (OASIS) experiment 

was completed on time.

Scott E. Darpel, Program and Project 

Assurance Division, for dedication and 

technical excellence in safety and mission assurance leadership to ensure risk 

reduction of Glenn flight hardware 

and software test and development 

for International Space Station (ISS) research and human research projects.

Amber S. Krauss, ZINT/Space Operations Project Office, for serving 

as lead mission planner for the ISS 

Fluid Integrated Rack (FIR) and Light 

Microscopy Module, along with supporting the ISS mission operations at 

Glenn for the FIR and Combustion 

Integration Rack.

Christopher R. Rogers, ZINT/ISS and 

Human Health Office, for leading the 

ZIN Technologies ISS Mission Integration and Planning Team supporting 

overall payload integration and project interactions with the ISS Program 

Office, particularly the final human 

factor inspections to ensure crew 

safety.

Jennifer L. Storck, ZINT/Space Operations Project Office, for outstanding service as systems/integration/operations 

lead engineer on the OASIS Project 

discovering a power line location 

issue that saved hardware rework, 

coordinating with the principal investigator’s team to define the science 

test matrix, and training a Russian

cosmonaut.

Frederick J. Wolff, Power Management 

and Distribution Branch, for technical prowess, leadership and commitment to excellence that has made a 

significant impact on the design, development, test and verification of the 

Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle 

(MPCV) electrical power system.

Edmond Wong, Intelligent Control and 

Autonomy Branch, for contributions 

to the Space Launch System (SLS) Program as the Sensor Data Qualification 

and Consolidation Team lead and lead 

developer of flight computer algorithms that validate flight-critical sensors for safe operation of Core Stage 

and Booster Stage subsystems.

By S. Jenise Veris

Calendar

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.

SPACE SATURDAY: Visit NASA

Glenn’s Visitor Center at the Great 

Lakes Science Center, Dec. 19, for 

the Space Saturday program, “Meeting 

Up in Orbit: Spaceship Rendezvous 

and Docking.” Glenn engineer David 

Fuller recounts how 50 years ago, this 

month, two crewed Gemini spacecraft 

rendezvoused in space for the first time.

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 Carroll, 3–5535.

Emergency and Inclement Weather Lines 

Lewis Field: 216–433–9328 (WEAT) 

Plum Brook Station: 419–621–3333

Connect With Glenn

6
DECEMBER 2015

Motil Named To Senior Executive Service

Susan M. Motil has been appointed 

to the Senior Executive Service (SES) 

position of manager, European Service Module (ESM) Integration Office, 

Space Flight Systems Directorate, effective Nov. 15.

Motil has more than 26 years of project management experience across 

numerous space flight development 

projects at Glenn. Prior to this selection, she served as the Cryogenic Propellant Storage and Transfer project 

manager, where she oversaw design 

and development and established an 

international partnership. Other notable experiences include management 

of new environmental test capabilities at Plum 

Brook; as well

as multiple space 

flight experiments 

on the International Space Station and shuttle.

Motil received her bachelor degree in 

industrial engineering from Cleveland 

State University. She has received 

numerous awards, including NASA’s 

Silver Snoopy and an Outstanding 

Leadership Medal. 

Motil

More Than a Memory

Kenneth J. Bowles, 84, a 2001 retiree with 42 years of NASA service, died Oct. 17. 

Bowles retired from the Materials Division where he was a senior materials research 

engineer. He developed several patents during his career, including one recognized as 

an R&D 100 magazine award winner in 1991. He co-authored, with Carl E. Lowell, a 

patent for the development of a processing method called the Inert Gas Post Cured 

Crosslinked Polymer.

Louis Gedeon Jr., 89, a 1982 retiree with 33 years of federal service, died Oct. 14. 

Gedeon was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, who served NASA as a research 

engineer. He provided thermal data for the TEP (transmitter experiment package) 

launched aboard the Communications Technology Satellite, a joint program between 

the United States and Canada. Gedeon was active on several NASA sports teams. 

John W. Gibb, 80, a 1994 retiree with 38 years of NASA service, 

died Oct. 13. Early in his career, Gibb served in the Rocket 

Systems Division at Plum Brook Station, where he was part 

of the team that conducted the first hot firing tests of the Centaur’s twin rocket engines. Gibb was later appointed director 

of the Reliability and Quality Assurance Office at Lewis Field. 

He became manager of the Atlas/Centaur Project Office that 

oversaw the design, development and operations to launch a 

variety of commercial satellites.

Wilbur D. Knapp, 86, a 1996 retiree with 36 years of NASA service, died July 24. 

Knapp was a U.S. Army Medical Corp veteran of World War II. He retired from the 

Aerospace Technology Facilities Division, where he served as a research operations 

engineer. Knapp initially served in the Chemical Rocket Division’s Test Evaluation 

Branch, and later in the Photovoltaic Technology Branch, supporting test operations for solar cell research for the space station power system. Knapp received two 

NASA Group Achievement Awards. 

Daniel F. Wills, 87, a 1986 retiree with 22 years of NASA service, died Aug. 13. Wills 

was a U.S Army veteran, who became a member of the center’s Plant Engineering 

Branch. The staff consulted on troubleshooting, maintenance planning and rehabilitation of project designs for the center’s process systems. This included distribution 

systems for electrical power, compressed air, altitude exhaust, fuels, refrigerants, 

water and steam.

Gibb

Awards and Honors

Photo courtesy of UT

The University of Toledo (UT) College 

of Engineering has named Glenn’s 

Director of Research and Engineering, Dr. Rickey Shyne, its 2015 Distinguished Alumnus. Shyne received 

his master’s degree in Mechanical 

Engineering and doctorate in Engineering Science from the UT College 

of Engineering. At the request of the 

school, he delivered a lecture for 

engineering students, faculty and staff 

following the Distinguished Alumnus 

reception, Oct. 9. His lecture addressed 

the far reaches of NASA-developed 

technology. Pictured, left to right: UT 

President Dr. Sharon Gaver, Dr. Shyne, 

and UT College of Engineering Dean 

Dr. Nagi Naganathan.

Welcome to the 

NASA Family

Brandenberg Washington

Glenn welcomed two new employees 

to the workforce in November. They 

include Brian A. Brandenberg, Fabrication and Instrumentation Branch, and 

Daniel J. Washington, Aviation Environments Technical Branch.

Retiring Soon? 

Be sure to fill out a GRC431 form. It ensures your retirement announcement is 

published in the newsletter and secures 

home-delivery of the newsletter. 

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. 

January 2016 Calendar section deadline: Dec. 14, 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

NASA Unveils New Main Gate at Plum Brook Station

NASA Glenn leaders and staff, joined 

by state and local elected officials/representatives, celebrated the completion 

of Plum Brook Station’s (PBS) new main 

gate, Nov. 4. Located on Scheid Road, 

the new gate improves security and 

reduces traffic through the residential 

area outside the former main gate on 

Taylor Road. 

In opening remarks, Plum Brook Director Dave Stringer shared resolutions 

from both the Ohio Senate and the 

Ohio House of Representatives. The 

resolutions commended Glenn on the 

excellence of the main gate project. 

Deputy Director Dr. Janet Kavandi 

recognized the exemplary efforts of 

the Office of Protective Services and 

Facilities Division in designing the 

4,200-square-foot facility and gate 

entry. “This new building not only 

changes the primary entry point into 

Plum Brook, but also accommodates 

the many security changes for federal 

entry points since 9/11,” she said. 

Kevin Stiles, Facilities Division, served 

as project manager. He said the new 

facility significantly improves the security staff’s ability to safely and efficiently handle vehicle traffic, including 

visitors and materials transported in for 

construction and research needs. Also, 

the new facility reduces PBS’s vulnerability to outside threats. The project 

also helps improve the safety of traffic patterns while improving NASA’s 

visibility and community presence. 

Construction of the $6.9 million facility began in the summer of 2013. It is 

the latest facility to be completed under Glenn’s Master Plan for its PBS and 

Lewis Field campuses. 

The facility achieved Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building 

Council’s Leadership in Energy and 

Environmental Design (LEED). LEED 

is a third-party certification program 

and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and 

operation of high-performance green 

buildings. The building features 

water-efficient fixtures, ENERGY STAR 

equipment and a state-of-the-art heating and cooling system.

The gate is expected to open in spring.

By Doreen B. Zudell

GRC-2015-C-7357 Photo by Marvin Smith

Ribbon cutting participants, included, left to right: Erie County Commissioner Bill Monaghan, 

Deputy Director Dr. Janet Kavandi, State Representative Steve Arndt, Erie County Commissioner 

Patrick Shenigo and Erie County Commissioner Tom Ferrell.