VOLUME 22 • ISSUE 5 • MAY 2020

Stirling Converter 

Perseveres 

Page 4

Employees Keep

Center Going

Page 5

 Happy 30th

Anniversary Hubble!

Page 8 Testing New

Moon Rover

Pages 2–3
2

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 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: Rhys Sampson, ATS

Managing Editor: Kelly R. DiFrancesco

Circulation: Angela Williams, ATS, 

 216–433–8921

Demonstrating 

Resilience

During this uncertain time, I am 

proud of the resilience our workforce 

has demonstrated in executing our 

mission. Whether in adapting to the 

new virtual telework environment, 

continuing to work on-site for 

mission-critical duties or answering 

the agency’s COVID-19 call for 

innovative ideas, Glenn’s workforce is 

responding! Most importantly, I ask 

you to be resilient when it comes to 

your own personal health and safety. 

As our Administrator has said, “our 

people are our most mission-essential 

asset. Protecting our workforce is, and 

will continue to be, our top priority.”

DIRECTOR’S

SAFETY CORNER

Glenn recently tested an engineering model of the Volatiles 

Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, or VIPER, in the 

Simulated Lunar Operations Laboratory (SLOPE) at Lewis Field. 

About the size of a golf cart, VIPER is a mobile robot that will 

roam around the Moon’s south pole looking for water ice in the 

region. This is the same pole where the first woman and next 

man will land in 2024 under the Artemis program.

On the Cover: Glenn’s Erin Rezich, front, prepares 

soil in the SLOPE Lab’s tilt bed for a study to 

determine what angle the rover could no longer 

propel itself forward. NASA Johnson team 

members wait in the background. 

GRC-2020C-09926

NASA’s New Moon 

Rover Tested in Lunar 

Operations Lab

GRC-2020-C-09935

Photo by Bridget Caswell

The Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, or VIPER, in SLOPE.

Photos by Bridget Caswell
3

MAY 2020

GRC-2020-C-09956 

Glenn’s Andrew Ring, far left, Johnson’s Ivan Spain, center, and Ames’ Arno 

Rogg remotely operate cameras to track performance.

The large, adjustable soil bin contains lunar 

simulant and allows engineers to mimic 

the Moon’s terrain. Engineers from NASA’s 

Johnson Space Center in Houston, where the 

rover was designed and built, joined the Glenn 

team to complete the tests. Test data will be 

used to evaluate the traction of the vehicle and 

wheels, determine the power requirements for 

a variety of maneuvers and compare methods 

of traversing steep slopes. Respirators are 

worn by researchers to protect against the 

airborne silica that is present during testing. 

VIPER is a collaboration within and beyond 

the agency. NASA’s Ames Research Center 

in Moffett Field, California is managing the 

project, leading the mission’s science, systems 

engineering, real-time rover surface operations 

and software. Ames, NASA’s Kennedy Space 

Center in Florida and commercial partner, 

Honeybee Robotics in California, are providing 

the rover’s instruments. NASA’s Commercial 

Lunar Payload Services program will provide 

the spacecraft, lander and launch vehicle that 

will deliver VIPER to the surface of the Moon. 

GRC-2020-C-09915

Glenn’s Stephen Gerdts, front left with camera; Erin Rezich, far back center; and Fransua Thomas, far right; and 

Johnson team members prepare for testing.
4

Stirling convertors can teach us a lesson in the value of 

perseverance. On March 9, Glenn’s Technology Demonstration 

Convertor (TDC) #13, a free-piston Stirling power convertor, 

achieved a milestone of 14 years of maintenance-free operation in 

the Stirling Research Laboratory in building 301. This technology 

is proving our capability to power spacecraft on future longerduration scientific missions. 

The convertor previously set the record for the longest 

maintenance-free operation of a mechanical heat engine, when it 

reached 110,000 hours of operation in May 2018. 

Wong, left, and Scott Wilson, Dynamic Power Convertor technical lead, inspect TDC #13.

Photos by Bridget Caswell

GRC-2020-C-01395

The Stirling Research Lab Team in front of the TDC #13, left to right: Donguk Max Yang, Nissim Lugasy, Gina Dugala and Wong; back: Natasha Jackson, Sal Oriti, 

Scott Wilson, Nicholas Schifer and Mary Ellen Roth.

GRC-2020-C-00688 

Stirling Convertor Sets 14-Year 

Continuous Operation Milestone

“This new milestone is particularly significant,” said Wayne Wong, 

Thermal Energy Conversion Branch chief. “Previous flight projects 

determined the mission duration requirement for Radioisotope 

Power Systems (RPS) is 14 years, particularly for outer planetary 

missions with long cruise times.”

Wong explained that technological innovations such as noncontact 

seals and bearings enable maintenance-free moving mechanical 

devices that exhibit no wear. The RPS Program develops freepiston Stirling technology as a much higher efficiency alternative 

to thermoelectrics. 

The TDC #13 is the oldest of several convertors with 10 to 

14 years of operation on tests that have shown no signs of 

degradation. This unit began operation at Glenn in 2002 after it 

was delivered by Stirling Technology Company. 

The current Dynamic RPS Project has three contracts to develop 

next-generation power convertors. The AMSC has one of the 

contracts and is developing the Flexure Isotope Stirling Convertor 

(FISC), which is based on the TDC design with changes to 

improve robustness, reliability and performance. The FISC will 

undergo assembly and will be delivered to Glenn this year, where 

it will undergo rigorous testing to ensure that it can meet the 

demands of future RPS.

By Doreen B. Zudell
Employees Keep Center 

Operating Safely

While the majority of employees are settled in their home offices,

a contingent of workers pass through Plum Brook Station and 

Lewis Field gates each day to ensure equipment and facilities are 

safe and operating.

The following areas are considered “excepted work” during this 

mandatory telework period:

• Security

• Logistics (mail, fuels, shipping and receiving)

• Janitorial and Grounds Crew (sanitizing and maintenance)

• Central Processing Operations

• Emergency Response and Critical Repairs

• IT support (end user assistance supporting telework

• and data center)

• Labs—placing labs into a safe and secure state

• including performing critical maintenance

• Facilities—placing facilities into a safe and secure

• state including performing critical maintenance

• International Space Station Telescience Support Center 

• (limited staff)

• Onboarding new employees

• N95 Mask Sterilization Systems

Associate Director Larry Sivic said a limited number of 

employees are onsite on a daily basis.

“I’m proud of the employees who are working to ensure 

the protection of life and property at both Lewis Field and 

Plum Brook Station,” said Sivic. “Their dedication will better 

ensure a smooth transition when we all return.”

5

MAY 2020

To ensure timely communications with the 

workforce during mandatory telework, Center 

Director Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis and Associate 

Director Larry Sivic are hosting weekly virtual 

town hall meetings. The livestream broadcasts 

provide center updates on the NASA 

Framework relating to the coronavirus situation 

and enable employees to ask questions using 

the Conferences i/o Audio Response System, 

www.grc.cnf.io. Glenn’s senior leaders serve as 

subject matter experts, answering questions 

on topics ranging from mission-essential 

activities, excused leave and telework tools. In 

early April, the meetings expanded to add brief 

updates by agency-level leaders.

GRC-2020-C-01446, GRC-2020-C-01448, GRC-2020-C-01449, GRC-2020-C-01450 Photos by Marvin Smith

Virtual Town Halls Connect Glenn Family 

GRC–2020–C–01454 Photo by Marvin Smith

During a Virtual Town Hall, Center Director Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis recognized 

security personnel who are among the employees who keep our center safe and 

secure. Left to right: Sgt. Brett Bonifield-Gast, Rachel Pilar, Mike McDonald, Sgt. 

Jarrid Gentile, Lt. Nick Brill and Andrew Knepp.
6

Nancy R. Hall and William A. Fabanich recently completed 

the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Systems 

Engineering (SE) program. Their success strengthens a 

bridge between Glenn and Wright-Patterson Air Force 

Base (WPAFB) and promotes advanced training to 

maintain a world-class system engineering capability for 

future complex NASA missions.

“We previously worked with Wright-Patterson to 

establish the pilot for Glenn’s Rocket University, which 

provided Glenn’s early careerists hands-on experience 

to see a project through its full lifecycle,” explained 

Nola Bland, Glenn’s learning officer. “Reviving our 

partnership provided an opportunity to build on our 

competencies in systems engineering. The partnership 

was a collaboration with senior leaders from Code L and 

Code T, inspired by Center Director Dr. Marla PérezDavis, to adapt AFIT’s SE curriculum to reflect state 

of the field of systems engineering relevant to NASA’s 

needs,” she added.

Lieutenant Colonel Amy M. Cox, assistant professor 

in AFIT’s Department of Systems Engineering and 

Management, served as the participants primary point 

of contact throughout the program.

The AFIT’s SE program is a graduate-level engineering 

program that can be taken online. The primary targeted 

audiences are Glenn employees in technical fields with 

high potential of becoming chief engineers, group-level 

senior engineers and lead system engineers.

By S. Jenise Veris

Left to right: AFIT’s Cleveland liaison Al Thal, Hall, Fabanich, Lt. Col. Cox,

Dr. Pérez-Davis and Susan Whitfield, Glenn’s Human Resources director,

at the certificate presentation.

GRC-2020-C-00533 Photo by Marvin Smith

Glenn and WPAFB Strengthen

Systems Engineering 

NASA Celebrates Apollo:

50th Anniversary of Apollo 13

April 11 marked the 50th anniversary of the launch of 

the Apollo 13 mission. Just 2 days later, Commander Jim 

Lovell uttered the phase “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” 

An explosion crippled the primary spacecraft, but Lovell 

and fellow crewmembers Fred Haise and Jack Swigert 

returned safely to Earth thanks to the determined work of 

the ground crew at Mission Control. Although the mission 

never made it to the lunar suface, NASA deemed it a 

“successful failure.” Click here to see how NASA Glenn 

aided in the accident investigation.

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/glenn/2020/history/nasalewis-aided-apollo-13-investigation

Left to right: Apollo 13 crewmembers Fred Haise, Jim Lovell 

and Jack Swigert emerge safely from the recovery helicopter 

onboard the aircraft carrier USS Iwo Jima on April 17, 1970.

KSC-70PC-0130 Photo by NASA
7

MAY 2020

PROMOTIONS

GSEL TELEWORKING RESOURCES

The Glenn Science and Engineering 

Library (GSEL) is just a click away! 

To accompany in-house resources on 

the homepage, https://ltidportal.grc.

nasa.gov/Library.aspx, library staff has 

compiled a list of resources to use while 

teleworking. Reach out if you need 

assistance with anything! GRC-library@

mail.nasa.gov or GRC-learningcenter@

mail.nasa.gov.

POC: Robin Pertz, 3–5776

NASA Glenn Employees: For more calendar information, visit https://wing.grc.nasa.gov/event-calendar/.

Stay tuned to Today@Glenn for 

updates on these activities.

Deadline for the next calendar section 

is May 20, noon. News and feature 

stories require additional time.

IFPTE LOCAL 28, LESA MEETING

LESA will hold its next membership 

meeting, Wednesday, June 3, noon, 

in the Glenn Employee Center’s Small 

Dining Room. 

The Emergency Management Office 

staff will conduct a mass notification 

“voice” test at buildings 100 and 302 

on Wednesday, June 3, at Lewis Field. 

They will conduct an audible siren test 

on the “HAZMAT” tone on Saturday, 

June 6.

POC: Allen Turner, 3–6826

OUTDOOR SIREN TESTING

The Fitness Center is open—virtually! 

The staff has set up channels on 

MicroSoft Teams to serve the greater 

Glenn community. They provide live 

Teams classes, remote personal 

training, workout programs and 

general wellness advice. All are 

welcome to join. Search for Bob Laws, 

Heather Mueller or Kayla Kazanowski 

on Teams.

Visit https://www.grc.nasa.gov/smad/

fitness/ for details

VIRTUAL FITNESS

Robert F. LaSalvia has been selected the 

Strategic Partnership Manager, Office of STEM 

Engagement at NASA Headquarters. LaSalvia 

will remain physically located at NASA Glenn, 

where he most recently served as chief of 

Glenn’s Office of STEM Engagement. 

Nola L. Bland has been selected to the position 

of Chief Learning Officer in Glenn’s Office of 

Human Resources (OHR). She is responsible for 

the management, coordination and direction 

of comprehensive training and employee 

development programs. She previously 

served as a Human Resources Specialist for 

Development in OHR.

Franklin “Frank” Vergilii, 80, a 2010 retiree 

with 22 years of NASA service, died April 3.

A chemical engineer, Vergilii joined the 

Photovoltaic Power Module Division in 1988 

working on the Orbital Replacement Unit and 

the Sequential Shunt Unit. Virgilii joined the 

Space Experiments Division in 1994, where 

he contributed to a number of microgravity 

experiments conducted on the space shuttle 

and the International Space Station. He 

was project manager for the Turbulent GasJet Diffusion Flame and the Microgravity 

Smoldering Combustion experiments.

MORE THAN A MEMORY

LaSalvia

Bland

Vergilii

The FY2020 Cybersecurity and Sensitive Unclassified Information Awareness 

course (ITS-020-001) in SATERN must be completed by May 31, 2020, to 

retain access to the NASA network. This includes those on extended leaves 

of absence. To access SATERN, go to https://satern.nasa.gov/ (or type 

SATERN in the Wing Transporter). Go to “My Learning Assignments.” A home 

computer can be used to access SATERN by entering your Agency User ID and 

Launchpad password. You can obtain a Launchpad password reset if needed. 

The Launchpad password is not the NDC password.

IT Training Due By May 31
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

April 24 marked the 30th anniversary of the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope, which has delivered unprecedented views 

of the solar system and generated key information on the origins of the universe.

At critical times throughout Hubble’s history, NASA Lewis (now Glenn) experts played key roles in ensuring the telescope’s 

mission success and longevity. 

Shortly after Hubble was deployed in 1990, scientists discovered that the new telescope was producing blurry images and 

also had a thermal jitter, or shake problem. The first servicing mission (SM–1) in 1993, explored the use of thermal-shieldcovered solar arrays to eliminate the thermal jitter. 

In 1992, NASA turned to Glenn researchers in the Electro-Physics Branch to perform environmental testing of coated and 

uncoated thermal shields. The Hubble Thermal Shield Durability Evaluation Team included: Kim de Groh, Joyce Dever, Sharon 

Miller, Edward Sechkar, Curtis Stidham, Thomas Stueber, Deborah Waters and James Gaier, led by Branch Chief Bruce Banks. 

The researchers used Glenn’s specialized vacuum chambers to perform extensive thermal shield testing to simulate the harsh 

conditions Hubble would experience over a 5-year period. The team received a NASA Group Achievement Award in January 

1994 for their efforts, and subsequently, contributed to each of four follow-up servicing missions (SM–2, SM–3A, SM–3B and 

SM–4) between 1997 and 2009.

In January 2019, NASA estimated Hubble’s reliability to exceed 80 percent through 2025. This will secure a legacy of 

excellence and allow overlap of scientific operations with its imminent successor, the James Webb Space Telescope.

A more detailed account of Glenn contributions to Hubble’s service missions is available at https://www.nasa.gov/glenn/

feature/2020/lewis-experts-supported-a-critical-repair-on-hubble-in-the-1990s.

By S. Jenise Veris

GRC-2020-CN-00013 Hubble 

Celebrates 

Three 

Decades of 

Discovery

Astronauts perform one of several extravehicular activities (EVA) during Hubble’s first service mission, 

STS–61/Endeavour, in the shuttle’s cargo bay.