VOLUME 17 ISSUE 7 JULY 2015

NASA Innovations Make An Impact In the Marketplace

Aerogels Set For Manufacturing, 

Flywheel Technology Goes For A Spin 

NASA Glenn’s Technology Transfer 

Office (TTO) recently negotiated two 

patent pending, exclusive license 

agreements. 

TTO officials negotiated with FLEXcon 

of Spencer, Massachusetts, an exclusive license to develop Glenn aerogel 

technology. The agreement allows 

FLEXcon and its affiliate, Blueshift 

International Materials Inc., to manufacture and market Glenn’s patent 

pending polyimide aerogels for many 

aerospace applications. They include 

such products as insulation for cryotanks and spacesuits, as well as more 

down-to-Earth uses in construction, 

refrigeration and pipe insulation.

“We are delighted to secure this 

licensing agreement for Glenn’s

technology,” said Center Director 

Jim Free. “We have hundreds of technologies available for licensing at 

Glenn, and it is extremely gratifying 

when the private sector adapts NASA 

innovations so they can make an impact in the marketplace. By licensing 

the polyimide aerogel technology to 

FLEXcon, Glenn gains a commercialization partner.”

Flywheels Go to Market

NASA Glenn has also signed an exclusive 

pre-patent license agreement with Power 

Tree Corp. of Miami, Florida to use and 

commercialize Glenn’s patent-pending 

Continued on page 2

Above: Award-winning aerogel technology; 

and right: The G2 flywheel, developed for 

space application, is the foundation for a 

new G6 technology. 

GRC-2011-3586 Photo by Marvin Smith

GRC-2011-3682 Photo by Michelle Murphy

Center "Best In Class" For Inclusion 

The Greater Cleveland Partnership Commission on Economic Inclusion has selected 

Glenn as the 2014 Best In Class winner in the category of supplier diversity, nonprofit/government organization. The Greater Cleveland Partnership presented the 

award to Center Director Jim Free at their annual meeting, June 17. 

The award is based on survey results from commission 

members who participated in the Commission for Economic Inclusion’s 2014 Employers Survey on Diversity. 

The survey measures three critical aspects—CEO commitment, managers’ accountability and business outcomes—of a successful diversity and inclusion strategy. 

In This Issue

Director's Safety Corner .............. 2

Deputy SMA Named .................... 2

Center Picnic Set! ........................... 2 

NACA Employee Profile ................. 3

Spotlight on Energy Savings ......... 3

Events Around the Center ...... 4-5

New WING Page Launched .......... 5

NASA Lauds Glenn Invention ...... 6
Caution: Orange Barrels Abound 

Construction season is upon us—on our nation’s roadways and on our Glenn 

campuses. It’s an indication of the agency’s commitment to improve our infrastructure and invest in a safe work environment. According to OSHA, construction is also one of the most hazardous industries in our nation. Incidents 

involving speeding, backing up and accidents, in general, increase during 

orange barrel season. Our best defense against these incidents is to observe 

the barricades and slow down while traveling through construction zones at 

the center. Cautious, courteous driving and walking are crucial to the safety 

of those who conduct the work and those who benefit from it.

Enjoy another active summer, be patient and safe traveling! 

 —Jim

Schubert Named SMA Deputy Director 

Kathleen Schubert has been selected as deputy director of 

the Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA) Directorate, effective May 20. She is a key member of the SMA Directorate that 

is responsible for establishing and assuring compliance with 

NASA’s safety and mission assurance strategies, policies and 

standards. 

Schubert previously served in major leadership roles at both 

NASA Glenn and NASA’s Johnson Space Center for the management and development of the Orion Crew and Service Module. Schubert She led the development of the international implementing arrangement with the European Space Agency for the provision of the European 

Service Module. In addition, Schubert has served in multiple supervisory positions, 

most recently as the deputy chief for the Exploration Systems Project Office.

“Kathy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in supervision and space 

flight development and management,” said SMA Director Anita Liang. “She’s built 

successful collaborations within complex and diverse technical teams across the 

project management, SMA and engineering communities at NASA, as well as with 

NASA’s industrial and international partners.”

2015 Center Picnic Enjoy lively music, 

picnic fare and Celebrating US: 

activities to Standing on the Shoulders of NACA celebrate Wednesday, Aug. 5 NACA and NASA’s 

100 years of 11 a.m.–2 p.m. 

achievements. Lewis Field Picnic Grounds 

Rain Date: Thursday, Aug. 6 

(same time and location) 

Attention Employees: Watch Today@Glenn for registration details

POC: Betsy Lavelle, 216–433–3198

Attention Retirees: You are invited to this year's picnic, so spread the word;

 See enclosed flyer for registration details

2

Innovations to 

Marketplace 

Continued from page 1

G6 flywheel design. The agreement allows design, build and operation for a 

variety of power management applications in the electric power industry. 

Glenn researchers developed the 

next-generation flywheel system for 

power storage that operates without 

bearings and with increased performance and reliability for both spaceand Earth-based applications.

As an energy solutions provider, Power Tree will deploy the NASA flywheel 

technology for a variety of grid and 

industrial applications. These include 

demand-side management functions as 

well as voltage and frequency regulations, which are particularly vital for 

grid stability as more renewable energy sources come online.

Glenn’s Technology Transfer Office’s 

primary mission is to make NASA technologies available to the public for 

commercial applications.

“NASA Glenn has been advancing 

flywheel technologies for more than 

20 years,” said Kim Dalgleish-Miller, 

chief of Glenn’s Technology Transfer 

Office. “With Power Tree taking this 

concept to market, the entire nation 

benefits, as NASA technology adds

value to the power generation sector 

and ultimately helps to reduce our carbon footprint.”

For information on Glenn’s G6 flywheel design, visit http://go.nasa.

gov/1DHcmyl.

For more information about the polyimide aerogels technology developed 

at Glenn, visit: https://technology. grc.

nasa.gov/featured-tech/aerogels.shtm. 

More information about Glenn licensing opportunities is available at https://

technology.grc.nasa.gov/.
JULY 2015

A century of aerospace achievement

What was it like to work here when NASA 

was NACA? Over the coming months, 

we will share a few memories of NACA 

employees still working at the center. Our 

fourth profile is Erwin Zaretsky, who works 

as a Distinguished Research Associate in 

the Rotating and Drive Systems Branch, 

Materials and Structures Division. 

Erv Zaretsky

Q. How did you begin your career 

at NACA? 

A. I was “strongly encouraged” to 

attend a NACA interview arranged by 

my heat transfer professor, despite my 

plans to enter the Air Force and flight 

school to become a pilot. The recruiters persuaded me to work at NACA 

for the 6 weeks prior to reporting to 

active duty. They had suggested I go 

to flight school, then return to become 

one of NACA’s test pilots. Instead, I 

got immersed in lubrication/bearings 

research and the rest is history.

Q. What do you remember most 

about the workforce culture of the 

early years? 

A. What really amazed me was the 

esprit de corps that the staff had for 

the agency and camaraderie among 

their coworkers. 

Lights stayed on 

after 5 p.m., and 

people came in 

on weekends. 

Q. As NASA has 

evolved through 

the years, what has Zaretsky stayed the same?

A. The caliber and capability of the 

staff has remained very high. However, 

I believe they are less empowered to 

peruse pioneering research commensurate to NACA/NASA goals and 

missions due to monetary and organizational constraints.

Q. Who stands out among those you 

have mentored over your career?

A. The late Richard Parker, Stuart 

Loewenthal and Dr. John Coy, stand 

out from my early career. More recently, I would say Dr. Bruce Steinetz, 

who specialized in traction drives and 

seals, and Dr. David Lewicki, whose 

expertise is research in gearbox life 

and reliability impacting maintenance 

and durability of turboprop aircraft 

and helicopters. Also, recent retiree 

Fred Oswald, who led our work related to the Space Shuttle Return to 

Flight after the Columbia accident.

Q. What do you feel is the most important contribution you have made 

to NASA’s mission?

A. I have always worked collaboratively with individual researchers 

both within and outside the agency or 

as a member of a research team. From 

inception to retirement of the Space 

Shuttle Program, I provided technical 

analysis and solutions. I worked with 

Fred Dolan of NASA’s Marshall Space 

Flight Center on a turbopump bearing problem on the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Later, I was a 

member of the NASA Engineering & 

Safety Center/Glenn/Marshall team 

assembled after the Space Shuttle 

Columbia loss in 2003. We identified 

a potential wear and lubrication problem internal to shuttle actuators that 

could impact the reliability and safety 

of the remaining shuttle fleet. 

By S. Jenise Veris

GRC-1966-C-02713 Photo by Martin Brown

Zaretsky, above, left, with colleagues William 

Anderson and Richard Parker and their 

award-winning ball bearing research in 1966.

New Lighting Offers Safety, Energy Efficiency

How do you correct a dimly lit area outside, when no outlets are available? You 

get creative! Read on to learn how Glenn’s Facilities Division has provided an economic and energy-efficient solution to exterior lighting challenges. 

Parking Lots

Inadequate lighting in several parking lots posed safety issues at Lewis Field and 

Plum Brook Station. With no available external power to connect the new lights, 

installing or “trenching” new power would be a costly endeavor. 

“After a lighting analysis, we determined that solar light poles could be installed 

in parking lots of buildings where there is no available power,” said Robert Puzak, 

chief, Systems Management Branch. “These poles provide the needed light and 

avoids the cost of trenching.” Continued on page 8

Solar lighting, pictured right, in Lewis Field and Plum Brook parking lots provide needed 

light while saving utility and maintenance costs. GRC-2015-C-3468 Photo by Michelle Murphy

3
News and Events

Employees Acknowledge Ultimate Sacrifice

GRC-2015-C-2996 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Glenn’s Veterans Awareness Committee (VAC) hosted a Memorial Day Observance, May 21, to remember U.S. Armed Forces men and women who have given 

their lives serving our country. Employees gathered at the Lewis Field Flag Pole 

as VAC Advisor Tom Hartline reflected on the fallen heroes. Emma Hicks, 11-yearold daughter of U.S. Army veteran and employee Lisa Hicks, sang the National 

Anthem. VAC members presented the colors and an honorary wreath. 

Visiting Panel Focuses on Safety Performance 

GRC-2015-C-3227 Photo by Marvin Smith

The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP), which provides independent assessments of NASA’s safety performance and advises the agency on processes for improvement, visited Glenn, June 2 and 3. Panel members, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Claude 

M. Bolton Jr. and Dr. Patricia Sanders, toured Lewis Field and Plum Brook Station 

and received briefings on the broad range of the center’s research and projects. 

Harmony Myers, NASA Headquarters ASAP executive director, and Paula Frankel, 

ASAP technical writer, accompanied them. Pictured: Dr. David Manzella, front 

left, highlights the Electric Propulsion Laboratory for, left to right, Dave Irimies, 

Kurt Hack, Bolton, Sanders, Frankel and Myers. 

Local Mini Maker Faire 

Focused on Innovations 

Photo by Carlos Gomez

A team from NASA Glenn supported 

the 3rd annual Cleveland Mini Maker 

Faire, held at the Cleveland Public Library’s 

Main Branch, June 6. They engaged 

hundreds of local “do-it-yourself” enthusiasts eager to learn about NASA’s 

cutting-edge, maker-style technology 

such as additive manufacturing. Pictured: Robert Carter, High Temperature 

and Smart Alloys Branch, displayed 

prototype NASA hardware made by

additive manufacturing (3–D printing)

using advanced materials such as 

Glenn-developed chopped carbon fiber 

polymers.

Basic Conflict 

Management Training

Conflict is a product that appears 

when emotions become heightened in any situation. However, 

there are proven ways that can 

mitigate and eliminate the negative 

feelings that arise from conflict.

Katey Forskett of Curtis Lewis & 

Associates will provide onsite

Basic Conflict Management Training: 

Managers and supervisors: July 29 

Employees: July 30

See Today@Glenn 

to register by July 22. 

4
JULY 2015

News and Events

It's Here...WING 2.0!

The center’s new internal website, Web IntraNet @ Glenn (WING), was released 

on July 1. WING is now supported by the WordPress Content Management 

System, and provides several overall site enhancements that enable employees to:

• View WING content on ACES-managed smartphones and tablets

• Search information across all WING and Today@Glenn content

• Find Glenn event information on the WING homepage

Employees will also notice improvements to the center’s daily news bulletin, 

Today@Glenn. New features such as a date selector and a “My Submissions” 

link make it easier to navigate the news bulletin and see messages submitted for 

posting. Employees are encouraged to report bugs and provide feedback via the 

“Bug Report,” and the “Questions” and “Survey” links at the bottom of the page. 

Glenn Heightens Interest in Science

Glenn scientists and engineers, aided

by NASA displays and exhibits, created

a science laboratory at Cedar Point

Amusement Park during “Physics,

Science and Math Week,” May 11–15.

They talked with participating students and the general public about

Glenn’s contributions to International

Space Station research, Orion/Space

Launch System/Commercial Crew and

NASA’s aeronautics and science missions. They also conducted demonstrations related to rocket propulsion,

alternative energy and microgravity

science. Left: Nick Schifer, Thermal

Energy Conversion Branch left, exPhoto by Nancy Hall plains his demonstration.

Event Promotes Employee Outreach Staffing 

A significant part of the NASA presence 

in the community is employees staffing 

exhibits and conducting demonstrations 

during public events. In preparation 

for the 2015 outreach schedule, the 

Office of Communications and External Relations conducted a staffing fair, 

May 28. The event provided potential 

staffers opportunities for training on 

demonstration carts, the photo booth, 

the inflatable astronaut costume and 

other exhibits/models used to create 

a NASA presence at outreach events. 

Pictured: Kristin Spear, Radioisotope 

Power Systems Program, (left) conducts training on the Alternative Energy 

demo cart. For a list of outreach staffing opportunities, visit

http://outreach.grc.nasa.gov/. Photo by S. Jenise Veris

Observances Accentuate 

Strengths in Differences

Photo by Wayne Wong

5

Glenn employees participated in Asian 

American and Pacific Islander Heritage 

Month festivities throughout the month 

of May. They also staffed NASA exhibits 

at the 6th Annual Cleveland Asian Festival, May 16−17. Glenn’s Asian/Pacific 

Islanders Advisory Group sponsored 

its annual Asian Heritage Month Observance, May 27. Ben Ebihara, a NASA 

retiree now with Vantage Partners, 

pictured, gave a poignant account of 

how his family overcame hatred and 

racism as Japanese Americans living in 

internment camps during World War II. 

Instrumental performances by Rosa 

Lee and Janice Liu and Sufi dancing by 

Denys Morgan enhanced the event.
NASA Recognizes Glenn Technology Among Inventions

The team comprising Senior Technologist Dr. James DiCarlo, Materials and Structures Division, and Dr. HeeMann Yun, GE Aviation, received runner up for NASA’s 

Government Invention of the Year (IOY). 

Their invention, “Methods for Producing High-Performance Silicon Carbide (SiC) 

Fibers, Architectural Preforms and High-Temperature Composite Structures,” 

significantly improves the properties of commercial high-performance SiC fibers 

that use boron or boron-containing compounds in their production (U.S. Patents 

7,687,016 and 8,894,918). Fibers produced using this new process display higher 

strength retention, reduced fiber creep, and increased resistance to rupturing, 

even after exposure to high temperatures, mechanical stresses and severe environmental conditions. This advancement helps pave the way for the use of lightweight ceramic matrix composites reinforced by these SiC fibers in gas turbine 

hot-section components, where heat tolerance and durability for higher than metallic alloys are needed. 

NASA’s IOY program annually recognizes government and commercial inventions 

that have significantly contributed to NASA programs, or that exemplify NASA’s 

mission to transfer cutting-edge technology to the U.S. industry. 

Dr. Y un and Dr. DiCarlo analyze a ceramic 

composite tube fabricated with the invented 

SiC fibers.

Image credit: NASA

Promotions and Awards

Mark Kowaleski has been named chief of the Safety and Health 

Division (SHeD) of the Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate, effective May 31. Kowaleski previously served as the System 

Safety Discipline lead at the NASA Safety Center. He brings extensive safety experience as Headquarters’ Safety and Mission 

Assurance manager for the Space Shuttle Program; executive 

director of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel; and systems 

engineer for the Earth Observing System at NASA Goddard. 

Kowaleski

Darlene Walker has been named deputy chief of the Office

of Education (OE) in the Center Operations Directorate,

effective May 17. Walker previously served as the agency’s

Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Aerospace Academy 

(SEMAA) project manager as well as the OE K–12 Education

Team lead. She was responsible for the integration of a variety of local and national Science, Technology, Engineering

and Mathematics (STEM) programs. Walker

Dr. Paula Dempsey, Rotating and 

Drive Systems Branch, received the 

Best Paper Award for the 69th Meeting of the Society of Machinery Failure 

Prevention Technology (MFPT), held 

in Huntsville, Ala., in May. This award 

is presented to the conference paper 

with the highest level of excellence in 

technical content, clarity, originality 

and technical value. The paper, “Detection of Spiral Bevel Gear Damage 

Modes Using Oil Debris Particle Distributions,” presented results of damage 

progression tests performed in Glenn’s 

Spiral Bevel Gear Fatigue Test Rig. 

Dr. Dempsey, center, with MFPT Executive

Director Chris Pomfret, left, and Chairman, 

MFPT Board of Directors John Lucero. 

Retirements

Luann Keys, Facilities Division, retired

June 3, 2015, with

33 years of service. 

Bruce A. Wright,

Aviation Environments

Technical Branch, retired June 30, 2014,

with 35 years of service. Keys

In Appreciation

Thank you to my friends and colleagues 

who signed my retirement book, card 

and poster or attended my retirement 

party. The gifts are all greatly appreciated as are your well-wishes as Vickie 

and I start our next adventure. 

 —Neil T. Van Dresar

Emergency and Inclement Weather Lines

Lewis Field: 216–433–9328 (WEAT)

Plum Brook Station: 419–621–3333

Connect with Glenn

6
JULY 2015

More Than a Memory

Richard D. Heath, 83, a 1988 retiree 

with 26 years of NASA service, died 

June 10. Heath was a Navy veteran of 

the Korean War with a long and distinguished career in various engineering and leadership roles at NASA, the 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration and industry. Heath

worked primarily at Plum Brook 

Station supporting the Rocket Systems 

Area and Space Power Facility Division. He served on the center’s Incentive Awards 

Committee and was a recipient for his “Use of High-Pressure Gas Storage Cylinders” 

suggestion.

Richard B. Lancashire, 78, a 1995 retiree with 37 years of service, died Aug. 9, 2014. 

Lancashire was a mechanical engineer who developed technical and managerial 

expertise in diverse areas such as ramjet combustion, high-powered lasers and 

advanced ceramic materials for heat engines. He earned NASA’s Exceptional Service 

Medal (1990) for contributions that helped the center gain leading roles in programs such as the Space Station Freedom and the Human Exploration Initiative. 

He was deputy chief, Office of Advanced Space Analysis, when he retired.

Floyd Z. Smith, 92, a 1989 retiree with 31 years of federal service, died June 12. 

Smith was an Army veteran of World War II, who joined the NASA workforce as a 

licensed mechanical engineer in 1961. He served as branch manager of the Atlas/

Centaur Structural Systems Branch for more than 50 NASA launches, including Surveyor, Intelsat, Mars Observer, GOES, Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), 

Cassini, Viking, High Energy Astrophysical Observatories (HEAO), Voyager, PioneerVenus, Mariner and Helios. His son, Brian Smith/VPL, supports Glenn’s Management 

Support and Integration Office.

Lancashire Smith

Calendar

CENTER GOLF OUTING: Glenn will hold 

the 6th Annual GRC Open Golf Outing, 

Friday, July 31, at Mallard Creek Golf 

Course. The four-person scramble is 

open to NASA employees, contractors, 

retirees, friends and family members. 

Shotgun start at 9 a.m. Cost is $65 

per person and includes golf, prizes, 

cart, donuts, beverages and dinner. See 

Today@Glenn for details. POC: Jeff

Swan, 216–433–5434.

SATURDAY TOURS AT LEWIS FIELD:

Glenn offers free tours of its world-class 

facilities at Lewis Field one Saturday a 

month through October. Tour buses 

depart from the Main Gate every hour 

starting at 10 a.m. One-hour tours begin 

with a multimedia presentation in the 

Briefing Center Auditorium. The Aug. 1 

tour will showcase the Graphics and 

Visualization and the Reconfigurable 

User-interface with Virtual Reality

Exploration laboratories. For more 

information and a complete schedule, 

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

events/tours.html.

IFPTE LOCAL 28, LESA MEETING: 

LESA will hold its next membership 

meeting, Wednesday, Aug. 12, noon, 

in the Glenn Employee Center’s Small 

Dining Room.

2015 HONOR AWARDS CEREMONY: 

Celebrate with Agency Honor Award 

and other Agency-Level Award recipients 

Friday, Aug. 14, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

in the MIC Auditorium (bldg. 162). POC: 

Jasmine Coad 3–8631.

RETIRED NASA WOMEN’S LUNCHEON: 

The next luncheon will be Thursday, 

August 20, at 1 p.m. at Thyme2 

Restaurant, 113 W. Smith Rd., Medina. 

Please make your reservation with 

Gerry Ziemba at 330–273–4850 or 

gto64gerry@yahoo.com.

Glenn Recognized for

Communications Efforts

Two professional organizations recognized employees in Glenn’s Office 

of Communications and External Relations for their work in the areas of 

social media and print communications.

Glenn’s Web Portal Team of Nancy Smith 

Kilkenny (SGT), Kelly Heidman (Peerless) and Kathy Zona

won an APEX Award 

of Excellence for their 

work in establishing

and creating content

for NASA Glenn’s Instagram Social Media 

Account. APEX awards are based on 

excellence in graphic design, editorial content and the ability to achieve 

overall communications excellence in 

electronic media and print.

The Academy of Interactive & Visual 

Arts awarded the AeroSpace Frontiers 

newsletter and staff, 

Kelly DiFrancesco, 

Doreen Zudell (SGT) 

and S. Jenise Veris 

(SGT), with a 2015 

C o m m u n i c a t o r 

Award. The Communicator Award is the leading international awards program recognizing big 

ideas in marketing and communications.

In receiving the awards, the newsletter and social media teams acknowledge the efforts of Glenn’s Imaging 

Technology Center and Publishing

Services staff. Their photography services and graphic design are crucial 

to producing quality communications 

products. 

New Leadership Focus

Speaker Series

Further develop your leadership potential 

through these 2-hour interactive workshops!

“Emotionally Intelligent Leader:

Applying the Concepts”

Dr. Scott Allen, John Carroll University

First session: Wednesday, July 15

10 a.m. to noon • Briefing Center

Register on SATERN–GR-8G1514

 See Today@Glenn for details.

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. 

August 2015 Calendar section deadline: July 24, noon

News and feature stories require additional time

Editor: Doreen B. Zudell, SGT, Inc.

Assistant Editor: S. Jenise Veris, SGT, Inc.

Managing Editor: Kelly R. DiFrancesco

New Lighting Offers Savings, Energy Efficiency 

Continued from page 3

Additionally, the solar light saves 

maintenance and avoids utility costs. 

The lighting poles use 36-W lightemitting diode (LED) lamps, which 

consume about 1/3 less energy and 

last 4 times longer than standard highintensity discharge (HID) lamps. Motion sensors and 15-percent dimming 

features also enhance savings. 

While solar lighting is not practical in 

heavily shaded or in readily powered 

available locations, to date, 8 solar 

poles have been installed at building 

60 since 2012. Additionally, 24 of 

the newer poles have been installed 

at Lewis Field and 8 are scheduled to 

be installed at Plum Brook Station. 

A lighting analysis and design for solar poles in the Space Power Facility 

parking lot is underway. 

Exterior, High and Low Bay Areas

To address federal mandates aimed 

at increasing energy efficiency, LED 

lighting is now a requirement in new 

exterior design and in interior high 

and low bay areas. The Facilities Division 

is replacing HID bulbs with LED lighting 

in these areas. This helps reduce energy 

and also reduce maintenance costs. 

Puzak reports that LED lighting has 

been installed in the high bay of three 

Lewis Field buildings (50, 64, and 

301). Plans call for installing LED lighting at Plum Brook Station’s Spacecraft 

Propulsion Facility (B–2). 

One of the most notably visible energy 

savings projects is the external lighting 

on the NASA sign at the Lewis Field 

Hangar. Previously, this sign had nineteen 400-W HID light fixtures for a total 

of 7,600 W and a rated lamp life of 15,000 

hours. By replacing those light fixtures 

with 23, 80-W LED light fixtures—four 

additional to light up the words “Lewis 

Field”—the total wattage decreased 

to 1,840 with a rated lamp life of 

100,000 hours.

“These replacement bulbs offer a significant savings,” Puzak said. “The 

LED bulbs use 1⁄4 the energy of the 

previous bulbs and offer a lamp life 6 

times longer than the HID.” 

Editor’s note: The lighting projects 

are funded through Headquarters under the NASA Energy Fund.

By Doreen B. Zudell

GRC-2015-C-3471 Photo by Michelle Murphy

The Lewis Field hangar now sports 23, 80-W LED light fixtures—4 additional to light 

up the words “Lewis Field.” The total wattage decreased to 1,840, with a rated lamp life 

of 100,000 hours.