VOLUME 23 • ISSUE 5 • MAY 2021

Team Supports 

Green Run Tests

Page 5

 Event Planning 

Made Easy

Page 6

Greening Your 

“Space” 

Page 7

Growing Plants 

in Space

Pages 2–3
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: Adam Schabel, ATS, 

 216–433–2888

Design: Rhys Sampson, ATS

Managing Editor: Kelly R. DiFrancesco

Circulation: Angela Williams, ATS, 

 216–433–8921

Supporting One Another

At the Center Update Town Hall 

last month, we celebrated our key 

accomplishments over the past quarter 

across the space and aeronautics 

missions, the institution, and our 

partnerships and collaborations. 

While I am truly proud of your hard 

work, I am aware that many of you 

continue to experience hardships 

during this enduring pandemic. May 

is Mental Health Awareness Month, 

and I encourage you to stay connected 

with your family, friends, supervisor, 

and co-workers for support. Please 

do not hesitate to reach out to the 

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 

resources, if needed, https://www.grc.

nasa.gov/smad/employee-assistance/.

Project Examines 

How To Water

Plants in Space 

Ensuring that plants receive the nourishment they need through proper 

irrigation is an age-old challenge for farmers here on Earth. It is also a 

challenge in space. NASA is one step closer to determining the most effective 

way to provide adequate hydration and aeration for plants to grow in space 

after completing Glenn’s Plant Water Management (PWM) project. 

“In the past, NASA has shown that plant growth in space is feasible as a food 

source,” said PWM Project Scientist Tyler Hatch, Low-Gravity Exploration 

Technology Branch. “From a gardening perspective, it’s possible.”

In prior projects, researchers found that providing adequate hydration and 

aeration to the root zone of the plant in zero gravity is an issue. Roots grow 

differently in space compared to on Earth due to the difference in gravity. 

That’s where the PWM project came in.

The team consists of Hatch; Project Manager Kelly Bailey, ISS and Human 

Health Office; Principal Investigator and former Glenn employee Dr. 

Mark Weislogel from Portland State University; and engineers from ZIN 

Technologies, Inc. They worked with plant biologists at NASA’s Kennedy 

Space Center to determine the needs of plants and issues that arise when 

attempting to grow vegetation on the International Space Station.

“The goal was to discover how to get the right amount of water to the roots of 

the plants,” said Bailey.

PWM concentrated on the delivery of water throughout the entire life cycle 

of the plant. The team looked at two main ways water can reach the plant’s 

root zone. The first focused on the traditional manner with the use of soil. 

The second method involved the use of hydroponics. In this method, no soil is 

present, and the plant sits directly in water.

The team developed artificial, or simulated, plants for use during the project. 

Using live plants would pose a challenge, mostly for shelf-life purposes. 

They used felt, foam, and sponges to develop simulated plants that closely 

resemble real plants. The goal was to create a simulated plant that mirrored 

the root system and evaporation rate of a live plant, among other physical 

DIRECTOR’S

SAFETY CORNER

On the Cover: 

Astronaut Michael Hopkins works with Glenn’s 

Plant Water Management hydroponics test cell 

on the International Space Station.

iss064e030009

Photo by NASA
characteristics. This way, the team did not have to 

match the biology of working with a real plant.

When running the experiment, fruit punch was 

used in lieu of water. The juice contained nutrients 

and sugar, which helped simulate more Earth-like 

conditions for a plant. Additionally, the color of the 

juice could be easily seen during plant absorption. 

Data collection centered mainly on visual aspects 

of the experiment and how quickly the plants 

absorbed the fruit punch. Cameras were used 

to capture video of the PWM process on the 

space station, which was then relayed to Glenn 

researchers.

The PWM project completed the first set of space 

station operations at the end of February and its 

final iteration in early April. The team gathered 

valuable data and hopes to run more tests in the 

future. 

“As an early-career researcher, it was rewarding to 

work on an experiment that went into space,” said 

Hatch. “Running the experiment and obtaining 

the data within a year or two was an amazing 

opportunity.”

By Adam Schabel

MAY 2021

3

GRC-2021-CN-00026 Photo by NASA

Researchers used the PWM hydroponics test cell to determine the most effective way to 

provide adequate hydration and aeration for plants to grow in space. The PWM project 

completed its final iteration in early April.

GRC-2021-CN-00031 Photo by Emily Griffin

Hatch gathers data at the Telescience Support Center at Lewis Field.
4

We’re Fired Up!

Gateway’s Propulsion 

System Passes

First Test

Great Minds Through Time Think Alike

GRC-2021-CN-00033

GRC-2021-C-01097

Photo courtesy of Busek Company

Photos by Marvin Smith

Engineers from NASA, Maxar Technologies, and Busek Co. in March successfully 

completed a test of the 6-kW solar electric propulsion subsystem destined for 

Gateway’s Power and Propulsion Element.

Top row: Panelists Dominguez and Young. Bottom row: Catherine Graves, Office of STEM 

Engagement; and panelist Benson (Orville Wright). 

The thruster system that will propel NASA’s Gateway around the Moon 

was recently fired up for the first of many ground tests to ensure the 

Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) is ready for flight.

NASA, along with Maxar Technologies and Busek Co., successfully 

completed a test of the 6-kilowatt (kW) solar electric propulsion (SEP) 

subsystem destined for the PPE. The hot fire tests were funded by NASA’s 

Space Technology Mission Directorate, which helps foster the development 

of commercial space capabilities. The test included multiple startups and 

shutdowns and other flight-like scenarios to demonstrate the system is 

ready for the transit to the Moon and extended operations there.

“This is an exciting first step toward proving the PPE’s propulsion system 

will meet Gateway’s requirements,” said Mike Barrett, Glenn’s PPE 

manager, Power and Propulsion Project Office. “These thrusters will be 

critical in delivering the first elements of Gateway to lunar orbit and will 

help us create a dynamic exploration platform over Gateway’s 15-year 

lifespan.”

This SEP thruster is about 30% more powerful than anything Maxar or 

Busek have previously flown. Several of these 6-kW thrusters will later 

be combined with other higher-power thrusters to complete the PPE’s 

50-kW electric propulsion system. In total, the PPE will be the most 

Can innovators who lived 100 years apart share a 

common distinction? During the “Wright Brothers 

and Ingenuity: Great Minds Think Alike” program 

on April 16, NASA looked back and ahead in 

time. Glenn joined NASA’s Aeronautics Mission 

Directorate and NASA’s Ames Research Center 

(ARC) in presenting the virtual program that featured 

panelists who provided the links between the Wright 

Brothers’ first aircraft and the Ingenuity Helicopter 

on Mars. Panelists included Orville Wright, portrayed 

by Glenn’s Roger Storm (Paragon TEC), education 

specialist in the Office of STEM Engagement; 

and ARC’s Larry Young, aerospace engineer, and 

Michelle Dominguez, Engineering Pathways intern. 

Center Director Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis welcomed 

students—across six states and Washington D.C.—

from Shades of Blue and Experimental Aircraft 

Association Young Eagles. 

powerful electric propulsion spacecraft ever flown, and it will maneuver 

Gateway around the Moon, opening up more of the lunar surface for 

exploration than ever before.

A critical part of NASA’s Artemis program, Gateway is an orbiting lunar 

outpost, providing vital support for sustainable, long-term human and 

robotic exploration. The Gateway’s foundational components—the PPE 

and the Habitation and Logistics Outpost—will be joined together on 

Earth before launching on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy.

By Jimi Russell
NASA achieved a critical milestone along the path to the Artemis I

pad on March 18 when it completed the hot fire portion of the 

Space Launch System (SLS) Green Run test. This is the final check 

of the rocket’s core stage before launch. The rocket successfully 

fired its four RS–25 engines for 8 minutes and 19 seconds, at 

NASA’s Stennis Space Center. 

Members of Glenn’s SLS Mission and Fault Management (M&FM) 

team supported the tests, which verified that the core stage 

systems performed exactly as they should during launch. This 

milestone ensures the core stage is ready to be assembled with the 

other parts of the rocket in preparation for the first integrated flight 

of SLS and the Orion spacecraft on Artemis I later this year.

“Our team’s support of the hot fire test was the culmination of over 

10 years of flight software algorithm development and analysis,” 

said Edmond Wong, team lead, Intelligent Control and Autonomy 

Branch. “This test demonstrated that our algorithm designs will 

perform as intended to help keep the vehicle safe and contribute to 

a successful mission.”

During the tests, the Glenn team conducted console operation and 

engineering analysis as an integrated part of the SLS M&FM team 

operating in the Vehicle Management Support Center at NASA’s 

Marshall Space Flight Center. They monitored real-time telemetry 

data and provided the status and observations of the Thrust Vector 

Control (TVC) and the Sensor Data Qualification and Consolidation 

(SDQC) algorithms. Due to the current telework requirements, the 

team performed console operations remotely from their homes. 

Leading up to the tests, the team defined performance objectives 

and success criteria related to the Glenn-developed algorithms. 

They designed the specialized display software used to monitor the 

live-streamed test data and status. Later, they performed analysis 

MAY 2021

5

GRC-2021-CN-00028

GRC-2021-CN-00029

Wong assesses the performance of the SDQC algorithms, which ensure flightcritical sensor data is acceptable for use by the flight software’s mission and 

safety functions.

Maul operates the specialized console display software, which he 

helped develop to monitor live-streamed sensor measurements and 

status from the TVC subsystem.

GRC-2021-CN-00030

Mackin monitors the status of the TVC subsystem and evaluates the 

algorithms developed to manage the nominal and off-nominal operations 

of this component of the core stage.

of the test data to identify, assess, and resolve anomalies, and 

supported recommendations for improvements in flight software 

parameters. 

“Green Run gave us invaluable experience, which will be used when 

we provide console operation and engineering analysis for the 

Artemis I launch,” said Wong.

In addition to Wong, HX5 LLC employees, Michael Mackin and 

William Maul, Intelligent Control and Autonomy Branch; and Laurie 

Levinson, Multiscale and Multiphysics Modeling Branch, round out 

Glenn’s M&FM team.

By Doreen B. Zudell

Glenn Team Helps Mega Moon 

Rocket Pass Key Readiness Test 

Photo by Edmond Wong

Photo by Lenore Maul Photo by Laura Mackin
6

Planning an Event? Relax. LTID’s Got This!

Through the years, Glenn’s Logistics and Technical Information 

Division (LTID) has successfully supported their customers’ 

activities. When the center moved into a predominantly telework 

environment last year, LTID rolled with the changes—both to help 

customers now with virtual event planning and to plan ahead for 

on-site and hybrid events.

Prior to telework, LTID had formed an Event Planning Team 

consisting of representatives from each functional area within 

the division to address the event planning process. With the 

assistance of Glenn’s Lean Six Sigma program, the team was able 

to streamline and simplify the process for the convenience of their 

customers. 

“Our team was very happy with the new processes, but we 

understood that our customers had been launched into an 

unfamiliar environment,” said Betsy Lavelle, Event Planning Team 

lead. “We took that to heart and reviewed our processes to see 

what we could do to address this new style of work and anticipate 

the needs of the future.”

The team’s efforts resulted in a streamlined, customer-focused 

process and a user-friendly tool that clarifies and centralizes that 

process: the LTID In-Person and Virtual Event Planning Guide. This 

brand-new customer checklist walks users through all the steps 

needed to plan meetings and events—from room scheduling, 

audiovisual support, and photography to janitorial services, move 

operations, publishing, and transportation. The guide also provides 

links to event planning partners such as the Office of Protective 

Services and Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate..

Customers can also link directly to the appropriate GRC forms for 

acquiring services, most notably the GRC130 series for reserving 

various center facilities and the GRC879 LTID Event/Meeting 

Services Request. These forms have been evaluated and revised 

to address virtual, in-person, and hybrid events. 

This new process enabled LTID to closely partner with the Office 

of the Chief Information Officer to help customers plan their virtual 

events. They teamed up to publish a flyer for customers with stepby-step instructions for requesting event broadcast support from 

the Enterprise Service Desk and identify other event services from 

LTID.

“In LTID, we’re happy when our customers are happy,” said Lavelle. 

“We want everyone to know that we’re not just here for in-person 

activities. We’re here for all of it! Whenever you’re planning any 

kind of event, reach out—we’ll help you.”

As workplace dynamics continue to evolve over the coming 

months and year, the new planning guide and updated forms will 

serve as valuable tools to assist Glenn employees in carrying out 

NASA’s mission. 

By Doreen B. Zudell and Sandy Mason

Many elements go into conducting an event. LTID helps customers determine what they need and how to get it. 

6

Art by Jami Drost

Betsy Lavelle will lead a virtual training session on the new process this month. 

Watch Today@Glenn for details on registration and rollout of the new products.

GRC 130 08/20 (2.1) 

Page 3 of 3

 PREVIOUS EDITIONS ARE OBSOLETE.

National 

Aeronautics and 

Space 

Administration

Picnic Grounds Scheduling Request

1. Location of Event

2. Purpose of Activity/Meeting

available for use May 1 

Picnic Grounds are 

through October 15.

3. Activity Date(s)

Start Time

End Time

remove row

Add or 

+

+

-

-

Access to Picnic 

earlier than 9:00am

Grounds is no 

4. Event Sponsors: 

 Organization Sponsor (Group name)

Requester/Responsible Contact

Last:

First:

Alternate Contact(If applicable)

6. Transportation (Indicate if other than private conveyance; e.g. bus, helicopter, etc.)

5. Number of Attendees

Glenn 

Employees

Immediate 

Family

Resident 

Personnel

Immediate 

Family

Other 

Guests

Number

Total 

 7. Alcohol Use No Yes

 8. Requester Certification

I have reviewed a copy of GLPD 1590.2, Social, Recreational, and Non-NASA Activities. My committee and I agree to abide by the rules pertaining 

to conduct, admission, and the use and maintenance of the facility.

Name

Last:

First:

Org Code/ 

Company

Mail 

Stop

Telephone 

Number

Date Signature Requester

 8a. Approval (Immediate Supervisor, COR, Club President or Presiding Officer/Official)

Signature Supervisor Title

First:

Last:

Approval Name

Signature Richard M. Flaisig

 Approval (Logistics and Technical Information Division)

Richard M. Flaisig

Title 

 

 

 

Chief, Logistics and Technical Information Division

1. Requester email form to supervisor for approval. 

2. Supervisor please complete section 8a, sign electronically, and then email form to LTID for approval.

Internal Office Use Only

Copy to:

Facility Manager

Security (Main gate)

In-House

Outside

Page 1 of 4

Janitorial

PREVIOUS EDITIONS ARE OBSOLETE. GRC 879 03/21 (3.32)

National 

Aeronautics and 

Space 

Administration

LTID Event/Meeting Services Request

OFFICE USE ONLY

Request number

LTID – 10689

The use of this form is to request Logistics and Technical Information Division (LTID) event and meeting services. Select the 

required service(s) below and a representative from LTID will contact you to further define event requirements. Contact the LTID Event 

Coordinator at 3–3198 for immediate assistance.

Important: Submitting this form 48 hours before an event does not constitute LTID notification. You must submit this form and contact 

the service area directly. Service area points of contact can be found at the LTID Web site, 

EVENT DETAILS

https://ltidportal.grc.nasa.gov/

Last name First name Telephone no. Org. code WBS no. Date

Alternate Point of Contact (POC) Telephone no. No. of internal attendees

No. of external attendees

Name of event

Purpose of Event/Meeting

Event start date Event end date Event start time Event end time

Location Setup date Teardown date Setup time Teardown time

NOTES: To reserve the Guerin Management Center, Small Dining/Conference Room, Mission Integration Center (Building 162—Room 302 or Auditorium), 

Briefing Center and the Picnic Grounds, please contact the Scheduler at 3-9642. 

Contact Work Control at 3–4948 for electrical services (power cords, etc.). Please give 30-day notice. 

Computers are not provided in the Guerin Management Center and the Building 15 Small Dining Room. Customers may use 

their own laptops or contact ACES at 3-4848 for support.

 TO ADD ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, INSTRUCTIONS, OR DETAILS 

TRANSPORTATION SETUP & DESIGN

Parking attendants

Bus service

Installation of signage

Handicap transportation

Portable restrooms

Stanchions

Tour Maps

Chairs

Tables

Tablecloths/linens

Layout

Tents

Other

JANITORIAL & WASTE MANAGEMENT

Will food be served? Yes No

Will beverages be served? Yes No

Will you need access to the MIC kitchen for staging 

or use of any of the following: refrigerator, counter 

space, ice, sink, freezer, coffee pot, beverage cart, 

etc.?

No Yes

PLEASE NOTE: Payment for janitorial services requires a WBS, a Fund 

Code, and Cost Center information. You will receive the cost for the event 

and a GRC543 form (Janitorial Services Contract Work Request) from the 

COR/ACOR for you to complete Section B. 

IMAGING TECHNOLOGY CENTER (ITC)

Still photography Yes No

Location(s) Single Multiple

Broadcast to

Lewis Field Neil Armstrong 

Test Facility

Sound support Yes No

Handheld

Podium

Lapel

Panel

Record program/event Yes No

Yes No

Staging Yes No

Video DVD Yes No

Event technician support

Yes No Req'd hrs

Web/telecom Yes No

(Requester must contact GNOC/

ACES for network connections.)

PUBLISHING 

Agenda

Autotags

Banners

Bookmarks

Brochures

Certificates

Conference binder/folder

Directional signs

Display/exhibit graphics

Document duplication

Handouts/flyers

Invitations

Maps

Memo pads

Nametags

NASA bags

Posters

Presentation design

Program booklet

Registration on-line tool

Tent cards

Other

Hologram Display No Yes

Welcome/Title Screen

Bldg. 8 Competency Monitors

Volunteer training

Radios

Reserved parking

NASA insignia (meatball) stickers

Other

Reserved Parking signs

https://esd.nasa.gov/esdportal

(ITC no longer provides laptop 

connecting and PowerPoint startup)

Production and Post-Production Add-ons

Yes No

(Create Animation elements, Concept 

development and Script writing for video 

productions and events, Teleprompting, or 

Storyboarding)

April 2021

LTID IN-PERSON AND 

VIRTUAL EVENT PLANNING GUIDE

Customer Checklist

LT I D IN EXCELLENCE

YOUR PARTNERS 

CENTER OPERATIONS

Getting Started

In-Person Virtual

1. Visit the Logistics and Technical Information Division (LTID) webpage to learn about available 

 conference locations.

2. Contact the Scheduler, 433–9642, to verify venue availability and reserve a location.

 3. Complete the appropriate GRC130 form. Visit the NASA Electronic Forms portal and enter “130” 

 in the search bar to see a complete list of venue forms.

 4. Complete a GRC879 form, LTID Event/Meeting Services Request, to view and select event 

 services and products. Additional information for each area is provided below.

 Contact the Scheduler, 433–9642, or the LTID Event Coordinator, 433–3198, with questions 

 regarding the event planning process or the GRC879 and GRC130 forms.

Imaging Technology Center (ITC)

1. Audiovisual and Video Support

 Provide the event agenda, if available.

 Provide a list of presenters, if applicable.

 Discuss the number of speakers or panel discussion setup.

 Discuss external presenter requirements.

 Discuss special presentation requirements or accommodations that may be needed.

 Discuss communications requirements (e.g., call-in attendees and two-way communication).

 Discuss the room configuration (e.g., classroom style, theater style, round tables, etc.).

 Request recording for the event, if needed (e.g., distributed format). 

 Note: Consent/release forms (GRC3065) for any and all minors will be required for video. 

 Points of contact: Audiovisual Technician: Matt Murray, 433–5635, or Lee Fanning, 433–5642

 2. Photography

 Provide the event agenda, if available.

 Discuss group photo(s) (e.g., number of people and planned location).

 Discuss photos of key speakers or award presentations, as needed.

 Discuss tours and the need for photography during this time.

 Note: Consent/release forms (GRC3065) for any and all minors will be required for photography.

 Point of contact: Marv Smith, 433–5981

LTID IN-PERSON AND 

VIRTUAL EVENT PLANNING GUIDE
MAY 2021

7

How do you Green Your Space? In recognition of Earth Day on 

April 22, Glenn’s Sustainability Working Group invited employees 

to share photos of themselves doing something great for the 

planet. A collage of all the photos was shared with the Glenn 

community on Earth Day. Here is a selection of those photos.

Employees Green 

Their Space

Dr. Christopher Dellacorte gardens with all-natural fertilizer and heirloom seeds.

Brianne DeMattia uses environmentally friendly 

cleaning products with reusable glass bottles.

Christie Myers uses all-electric 

heating and cooling.

David Smith aerates his backyard 

compost pile.

Jeff Cronin composts food scraps to use 

for gardening and mulch.

David DeFelice plants an evergreen 

tree to green his environment.

Peggy Cornell bikes whenever possible 

instead of driving.

GRC-2021-C-01054

GRC-2021-C-01065 GRC-2021-C-01063 GRC-2021-C-01058

GRC-2021-C-01066

GRC-2021-C-01061

GRC-2021-C-01060

7

MAY 2021
Glenn’s Office of Technology Incubation and Innovation 

is committed to sharing information on technologies and 

engagement opportunities by connecting NASA’s researchers 

and program managers with academia and industry. 

On March 19, Glenn teamed up with the University of 

Cincinnati (UC) to explore collaborations and opportunities in 

support of NASA’s goals in evolving aeronautics areas. The 

event “The Future of Aeronautics: Connecting UC, NASA, 

and Industry in Ohio” drew nearly 400 attendees, including 

faculty and students from UC and other Ohio universities and 

representatives from the aeronautics industry.

“Working in collaboration with Glenn’s Aeronautics Directorate, 

we focused on Ohio’s strength in aeronautics and highlighted 

research development efforts in traditional aviation and the 

emerging market of advanced air mobility,” said Mary Lobo, 

director, Office of Technology Incubation and Innovation.

Center Director Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis joined UC leaders in 

welcoming participants. NASA Acting Administrator Steve 

Jurczyk shared his support and enthusiasm for the event in a 

prerecorded video message. Aeronautics Research Mission 

Directorate (ARMD) Associate Administrator Robert Pearce 

provided the keynote address. 

U.S. Representatives Anthony Gonzalez and Tim Ryan, U.S. 

Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, and Lt. Gov. Jon 

Husted supported the event through live talks and videos. 

Glenn Connects With UC, Ohio Industry

on Aeronautics’ Evolving Future

8

In addition to Lobo, several members of Glenn staff 

participated as presenters or moderators: Harvey Schabes, 

chief, Technology Transfer Office; Deborah Waters, chief, 

Test Facility Management Branch; Dr. Kenneth Suder, senior 

technologist, Propulsion Division; Dr. Ajay Misra, deputy 

director, Research and Engineering Directorate; and Rick 

Bozak, Propulsion Systems Laboratory facility manager.

The coordination team included Lobo; Matt Deans, Innovation 

and Integration Office; Lisa O’Connor, Aeronautics Directorate; 

and Jeannette Owens, Office of Communications. 

The event with UC is part of a series of collaborative efforts 

with universities across Ohio. Last September, Glenn 

connected with the University of Toledo in the virtual program 

“Connecting to Space Technology Through the NASA Glenn 

Research Center.”

By Doreen B. Zudell

Photo by NASA

Photo by Marvin Smith

GRC-2021-C-00994

GRC-2021-C-00982 

Pearce provides the keynote address.
MAY 2021

9

Online Exchange

Store Supports 

Employee Morale

Marc J. Abadie has been selected chief, Chemical and Thermal Propulsion 

Systems Branch, Propulsion Division for the Research and Engineering 

Directorate. He has held several roles over his 20 years of service at NASA. 

Most recently, Abadie served as the deputy manager for NASA’s Radioisotope 

Power Systems Program.

James A. (Tony) Doglio has been selected deputy chief, Testing Division for 

the Facilities, Test and Manufacturing Directorate. He previously served as 

chief of the Project Management Branch, as well as chief of the Operational 

Safety Branch, Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate.

Are you looking for that perfect gift? Or just looking to show 

off your NASA pride? Look no further than the online Glenn 

Exchange Store, a one-stop shop where you can find NASA 

apparel and accessories. From sweatshirts to drinkware, 

the Exchange Store is a great place to find that NASAthemed item. The store is open 24/7 to employees and 

the general public.

Along with traditional items, the site offers brand-name 

apparel from The North Face, Eddie Bauer, Nike, and Under 

Armour. You will find an array of hats, T-shirts, polo shirts, 

sweatshirts, and jackets. 

For those looking for items that commemorate Glenn’s 80th 

Anniversary, the Exchange Store has merchandise featuring 

the anniversary logo. It can be seen on T-shirts, polo shirts, 

and long-sleeved shirts.

Be on the lookout for emails from the Glenn 

Exchange that highlight specific items to help 

you show your NASA pride.

Abadie Doglio

News You 

Can Use

PROMOTIONS

“We’ve been selling a lot of shirts and jackets,” said Lori 

Manthey, Exchange Operations manager. “Merchandise 

celebrating NASA Glenn’s 80th Anniversary is also 

selling well.”

Manthey said shopping at the store aids the Glenn 

community. “Buying from the store benefits the NASA 

Exchange, which ultimately benefits employees,” said 

Manthey. “The Exchange supports center picnics, annual 

holiday events, and other employee activities. By supporting 

the store, you are also supporting employee morale 

activities.”

Visit the Exchange Store at www.NASAShop.com to get 

coveted NASA-themed apparel and accessories.

By Adam Schabel
10

RETIREMENTS

John F.X. Leone, Testing Division chief, Facilities, Test and Manufacturing Directorate, retired April 30, 

2021, with 38 years of NASA service. 

James F. Soeder, Power Division, Research and Engineering Directorate, retired April 30, 2021, with

46 1⁄2 years of NASA service. 

Jack Telesman, High-Temperature and Smart Alloys Branch, Materials and Structures Division, 

Research and Engineering Directorate, retired April 28, 2021, with 38 years of NASA service.

Soeder

Ben T. Ebihara, 92, a 1995 retiree with 36 years of service, died March 29. A 

Korean War veteran and mechanical engineer, Ebihara was part of a team that 

provided technical assistance for two traveling-wave-tube amplifiers, which 

were used on NASA’s Cassini spacecraft. He received several notable awards, 

including an Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal (1993), a Space Act 

Award (1987), and a Sustained Superior Performance Award (1987). He retired 

from the Electron Beam Technology Branch of the Space Communications 

Division. In his later years, Ebihara advocated for racial equality.

Frank P. Savel Jr., 83, a 1995 retiree with 36 years of NASA service and an 

Army veteran, died April 2. As a pipefitter in the Facilities Operation Division, 

Savel supported many projects at the center’s high pressure and chemical 

facilities. In the Mechanical Support Branch in the 1990s, Savel contributed to 

the construction of the Space Experiments Laboratory and the rehabilitation of 

the Propulsion Systems Laboratory cooler. He received a Special Achievement 

Award (1973) and a Special Act Award (1991).

Bobby W. Sanders, 81, a 1996 retiree with 33 years of service, died Aug. 29,

2020. As a designer and experimental researcher, Sanders spent most of his 

career working on supersonic aircraft inlet research and development. He 

helped author 60 publications and eight patents. Sanders received several 

awards, including an Exceptional Service Medal (1991), a Steven V. Szabo 

Engineering Excellence Award (2005), and a Distinguished Publication Award 

(2009). After retirement, he continued to conceive and develop inlet concepts 

for NASA and Air Force-sponsored research programs for more than 20 years.

Leonard K. Tower, 97, a 1979 retiree with 35 years of federal service, died 

March 27. He served in the Air Corps Enlisted Reserve and joined NACA in 1944. 

After retirement, Tower returned to Glenn as a support service contractor for 

8 years before concluding his career with 20 more years as a distinguished 

research associate in 2016. He worked on developing fuels for jet engines and 

completed testing for a variation of a buzz bomb engine used by Germany in 

World War II. Tower authored at least 50 publications, primarily as first author, 

successfully expanding our knowledge in the critical fields of power systems for 

aeronautics and space applications.

Ebihara

Savel

Sanders

Tower

MORE THAN A MEMORY
MAY 2021

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

New Assistant Editor Joins

AeroSpace Frontiers

Earth Day 2021

On Wednesday, May 19, from 

11-11:45 a.m., the Library will host 

a mini lesson about “Data Literacy 101 

With Records Management.” Check 

Today@Glenn for the link. 

POC: Robin Pertz, 3–5776

Deadline for the next calendar

section is Wednesday, May 19,

noon. News and feature stories 

require additional time.

Glenn is hosting a virtual public tour 

season, featuring seven world-class 

facilities, through October. To learn 

more about the featured facilities, visit 

https://www.nasa.gov/nasaglenntours. 

The next two tours include: May 19, 

Ballistics Impact Laboratory; June 22, 

Space Environments Complex at Neil 

A. Armstrong Test Facility. Registration 

opens 1 month before the tour date. 

Space is limited. Tell your friends and 

family!

POC: Debbie Lockhart, 3-8655 

VIRTUAL FACILITY TOURS

Emergency Management Office staff 

will conduct a mass notification voice 

test at Buildings 100 and 302 on 

Wednesday, June 2, at Lewis Field. An 

audible siren test will be conducted 

on the “HAZMAT” tone on Saturday, 

June 5.

POC: Allen Turner, 3–6826

OUTDOOR SIREN TESTING

NASA Aeronautics’ New Earth Day Video

Learn how NASA Aeronautics is expanding climate change 

research and testing new automation tools for greener 

airspace operations and sustainable energy options for aircraft 

propulsion. Watch this video to learn more! https://www.

youtube.com/watch?v=Tb2j_Ndhq-8

Glenn’s AeroSpace Frontiers staff 

welcomed Adam Schabel (ATS) to the 

newsletter team as assistant editor 

on March 22. Schabel graduated from 

Cleveland State University with a 

Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism 

and Promotional Communication. He 

previously worked at The Morning 

Journal in Lorain. 

Schabel succeeds S. Jenise Veris 

(ATS), who retired in December. Veris’ 

career at Glenn spanned 28 years, 

with 26 of them supporting the Office 

of Communications as AeroSpace 

Frontiers assistant editor.

Schabel

Veris

Memorial Day

May 31

Remembering

our Fallen Heroes

INFORMATION CAFÉ
National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration

John H. Glenn Research Center 

Lewis Field

21000 Brookpark Road 

Cleveland, Ohio 44135

Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility

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) 

Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility: 419–621–3333

Connect With Glenn

GRC-1960-C-52742 Photo by NASA

In 1960, Mercury astronaut John Glenn prepares for a test in the Multi-Axis 

Space Test Inertia Facility (MASTIF) inside the Altitude Wind Tunnel at the 

NASA Lewis Research Center.

Celebrating 80 Years

Looking Back Through the Decades

NASA Glenn was originally established in 1941 as the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory (AERL), part of the 

National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). The laboratory became a national resource for innovations in 

aircraft engine technology that transformed commercial and military propulsion systems. 

Over the decades, NASA’s Cleveland-based scientists and engineers advanced technology in both aviation and 

space exploration, propelling the U.S. into a leading role in the aerospace industry. 

The Space Program: 1960s

The center contributed to the space 

program with a series of tests for Project 

Mercury, an intensive study into the 

storage and handling of liquid hydrogen, 

and management of the Centaur upperstage rocket. By the late 1960s, the 

center was again shifting back toward 

aeronautics.