VOLUME 20 • ISSUE 9 • SEPTEMBER 2018

Orion Test 

Hardware Arrives

Pages 2–3

Accelerating 

Aeronautics 

Outreach 

Page 4

Your Role

in Security 

Page 8

Breaking Down 

Ice Crystals 

Page 12
2

Plum Brook Performs 

Acoustics Test on 

Orion Crew Module

In late August, the team at Plum Brook Station’s Space 

Environments Complex (SEC)—formerly the Space Power 

Facility—welcomed a test version of the Orion crew module. 

This crew capsule will be used during an in-flight, full-stress test 

in April 2019, known as Ascent Abort-2 (AA-2). The flight test 

will verify the Orion spacecraft’s launch abort system can 

pull the crew to safety in the event of an emergency. 

AeroSpace Frontiers

is an official publication of Glenn Research 

Center, National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration. It is published the second 

Friday of each month by the Office of 

Communications & External Relations 

in the interest of the Glenn workforce, 

retirees, government officials, business 

leaders and the general public. 

Submit short articles and calendar items 

to the editor at doreen.b.zudell@nasa.gov. 

Editor: Doreen B. Zudell, ATS, 

 216–433–5317

Assistant Editor: S. Jenise Veris, ATS

Design: Jami Drost, ATS

Managing Editor: Kelly R. DiFrancesco

Circulation: Angela Williams, ATS, 

 216–433–8921

Congratulations on a 

Successful Safety Audit

The Glenn Research Center was 

recently reviewed in a comprehensive, 6-day institutional, facility and 

operational safety audit, and we did 

very well! The results were encouraging, as we significantly reduced 

our noncompliance findings and 

we had no catastrophic or critical 

discoveries. We made progress in 

the areas of explosive safety, facility 

system safety and lifting devices 

while, once again, demonstrating 

sound practices in mishap reporting, pressure vessel verification and 

fire protection.

Thanks to the entire Glenn team for 

creating a healthy safety culture.
Facebook Viewers 

Step Inside the 

Reverberant Acoustic 

Test Facility

Glenn’s Digital Communications team took 

Facebook Live users inside the world’s 

most powerful spacecraft acoustic test 

chamber, as NASA prepared to test a fullscale test version of the Orion spacecraft 

crew capsule. 

On Aug. 21, Digital Communications Lead 

Nikki Welch joined Nicole Smith, project 

manager for Orion testing at Plum Brook, 

in the Reverberant Acoustic Test Facility 

within the Space Environments Complex 

(SEC) at Plum Brook Station. Smith shared 

details about the facility and its role in 

verifying that Orion’s launch abort system 

operates as predicted in the event of an 

emergency. This crew capsule will be used 

during an in-flight, full-stress test in April 

2019, known as Ascent Abort-2 (AA-2).

“Live social media events are extremely 

beneficial to helping us educate people 

about Glenn’s work,” said Welch. “We can 

reach thousands of people, located around 

the world, and answer their questions in 

real time.”

Explore more of the SEC in this 360-degree 

virtual tour, nasa.gov/specials/sec360/.

The primary goal of the acoustics test at SEC’s Reverberant Acoustics Test Facility 

was to provide the flight test team with structural response data and check out 

the developmental flight instrumentation within a realistic acoustic environment. 

“During the test, we applied a known external acoustic field—which gradually 

increased throughout the test, eventually peaking at 155 decibels—to measure 

the response of the vehicle’s structure and components,” said Nicole Smith, 

project manager for Orion testing at Plum Brook. “The test verified the crew 

module’s workmanship and avionics, while confirming there were no off-nominal 

issues.” 

Following a post-test inspection of vehicle and its avionics systems, the test 

module returned to Johnson Space Center for further preflight preparations before 

it heads to Kennedy Space Center for launch. 

Prior to the start of testing, NASA and Lockheed Martin personnel met with 

several local media members at SEC to discuss the Orion program’s AA-2 

acoustic test and future milestones as NASA approaches the launch of 

Exploration Mission-1. 

Smith, along with NASA Glenn’s Joel Kearns, deputy director of Space Flight 

Systems; Jon Olansen, from NASA Johnson’s Flight Test Management Office; and 

Lockheed Martin’s Larry Price, Orion deputy program manager, discussed the 

importance of the prelaunch tests conducted at Plum Brook. 

“Plum Brook is a specialized space facility that was built to do this,” Kearns said. 

“Tests are performed here on the ground to see if large spacecraft hardware is 

designed properly before putting it in space.”

To learn more about the AA-2 test of Orion’s Launch Abort System, visit 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HK9G7feXEk.

By Jimi Russell and Doreen Zudell

Smith, left, and Welch bring Facebook viewers 

up close with the world’s largest test chamber. 

On the Cover: 

Technicians make final 

adjustments before lifting 

the test version of the 

Orion Ascent Abort-2 

crew capsule at Plum 

Brook Station’s Space 

Environments Complex. 

GRC-2018-C-05455

Photos by Rami Daud

Glenn’s Deputy Director of Space Flight Systems Joel Kearns briefs the media 

prior to the acoustic test of the Orion Ascent Abort-2 crew module. 

Left to right, NASA Johnson’s Jon Olansen, Glenn’s Nicole Smith and 

Lockheed Martin’s Larry Price were also on hand to speak with the media.

GRC-2018-C-05523

At left: 

After unwrapping the 

test module from its 

packaging, engineers 

and technicians prepare 

to move the Orion Ascent 

Abort-2 test article into 

the Reverberant Acoustic 

Test Facility.

SEPTEMBER 2018

3

GRC-2018-C-05564

Photo by Bridget Caswell

GRC-2018-C-05581

Photo by Bridget Caswell
4

NEWS AND EVENTS

Parents Show and Tell for a Special Group of Visitors

Glenn staff had the opportunity to talk about some of the exciting work they do with a special group of visitors—their 

children and grandchildren! The 2018 Take Our Children to Work Day event, July 13, kicked off with presentations, 

followed by hands-on activities and facility tours in the afternoon. This event allowed parents to show their children the 

work they do, share information about NASA’s research and expose young minds to STEM careers. Glenn’s Office of 

Diversity and Equal Opportunity sponsored the event with help from employees across the center. 

Delivering Exceptional 

Aeronautics Outreach

NASA had a strong presence at AirVenture 2018, the Experimental 

Aircraft Association’s Fly-In Convention in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. As 

the agency lead, Glenn’s Office of Communications and External 

Relations played a major role in exhibit management, performing 

the design, fabrication, logistics and operational support of NASA’s 

largest annual aeronautics exhibit. Carlos Gomez and John Oldham 

led this effort, while several of Glenn’s subject matter experts 

delivered presentations on their research. Aeronautics Research 

Director Dr. Rubén Del Rosario participated in a NASA Aeronautics 

panel discussion and completed a Spanish-language live Periscope 

on Twitter for NASA’s Hispanic social media account. Senior Public 

Affairs Specialist Jimi Russell and Chief Pilot Jim Demers did a 

Facebook Live about Glenn’s S–3B Viking research aircraft. Finally, 

Robin Pertz, from Glenn’s Science and Engineering Library, distributed books from the History Office. Glenn staff also participated in 

several media interviews highlighting NASA’s presence at the event 

and Glenn’s aeronautics projects, including aircraft icing, electric 

aircraft propulsion and supersonics research.

Glenn staff, Peter Struk and Christopher Porter, 

highlighted research in Glenn’s Icing Research Tunnel.

GRC-2018-CN-00035 Photo by Andrew Carlsen, NASA HQ

GRC-2018-C-04163 

Photos by Bridget Caswell

GRC-2018-C-04209 
SEPTEMBER 2018

5

The Facilities, Test and Manufacturing Directorate invited summer 

interns, Pathway interns and technician apprentices across the 

directorate to participate in an immersive student challenge, July 

23 through Aug. 3. As part of the directorates’ Summer Student 

Challenge, three teams competed to characterize a wind tunnel, 

which included designing, fabricating, testing and presenting their 

results for a ram air turbine prototype. The teams were given 

a standard suite of hardware, access to 3D printers and clear 

success criteria. Project Coordinator Lori Arnett, chief of the Data 

and Systems Branch, said the challenge provided an opportunity 

for students to network, collaborate, gain hands-on experience and 

develop a test bed for training new personnel. Sean Currie, an early 

career NASA employee, and Eric Insana, a Pathways intern, served 

as the day-to-day technical advisors during the challenge. 

Students Immerse in Project Challenge 

Two hundred forty golfers endured 

a little afternoon rain and thunder 

but had a lot of fun at the 9th 

Annual GRC Golf Outing at Mallard 

Creek Golf Course on Aug. 10. Fourperson scramble participants ended 

the day with BBQ chicken and steak 

and great conversation about their 

successes and near misses. At left 

are this year’s winning teams.

GRC Golf Outing: Rain and Shine

Gerry Todorovidch, Bud Todorovidch, Ray 

Barnett and Ron Rubal shot 61 (11 under).

David Plachta, Keith Gaydosh, Tim Ruffner 

and Rob Button shot 57 (15 under).

GRC-2018-C-05057

GRC-2018-C-05058

Photos by Quentin Schwinn

GRC-2018-C-04702

Photos by Marvin Smith

GRC-2018-C-04715
New Names for 

Plum Brook Facilities 

Employees Gather for 

Appreciation Social 

at Plum Brook 

Civil servant and support service contract employees from 

across Plum Brook Station (PBS) took a well-deserved break 

to enjoy good food and conversation during their annual lunch 

gathering on Aug. 9. PBS Director Dave Stringer and TFOME 

PBS Site Manager Tom Mears kicked off the feast by thanking 

employees for their dedication throughout the year. GRC-2018-CN-00041 6

Space Environments Complex

The Space Propulsion Facility at Plum Brook Station in Sandusky has 

been renamed. Now known as the Space Environments Complex (SEC) 

it continues to house the largest and most powerful space environment 

simulation facilities in the world. 

• Within the SEC, the Space Power Facility name will continue to describe 

the thermal vacuum chamber part of the complex. This chamber, 

100 feet wide and 122 feet tall, also hosts the world’s largest electromagnetic effects test capability.

• The Reverberant Acoustic Test Facility is the world’s most powerful spacecraft acoustic test chamber, which can simulate the noise of a spacecraft 

launch up to 163 decibels or as loud as the thrust of 20 jet engines. 

• The Mechanical Vibration Facility is the world’s highest capacity and most 

powerful spacecraft shaker system, subjecting test articles to the rigorous 

conditions of launch. 

• To take a virtual tour of the SEC, visit the link below.

nasa.gov/specials/sec360/

In-Space Propulsion Facility

Formerly known as B–2, the In-Space Propulsion Facility (ISP) is still 

the world’s only facility capable of testing full-scale, upper-stage launch 

vehicles and rocket engines under simulated high-altitude conditions. 

Test articles can be exposed for indefinite periods to low ambient 

pressures, low-background temperatures and dynamic solar heating 

to simulate the environment of orbital or interplanetary travel.

“NASA Stennis Space Center

also has a facility named B–2, 

so by naming ours ISP, we 

avoid confusion.” 

“SEC is more than just 

a thermal vacuum chamber,” 

said PBS Director Dave Stringer. 

“The three combined capabilities 

make it that much more unique.”
Shape Memory Alloys

Fort Wayne Metals, Indiana, signed two evaluation licenses for NASA Glenn’s Shape 

Memory Alloy Training Stabilization Method and Training Apparatus. At the same time, they 

entered into a companion Space Act Agreement to transfer the technology for stabilizing 

shape memory alloy performance in conventional wire and structural forms. The Space Act 

Agreement allows a Glenn subject matter expert or researcher, to work directly with Fort 

Wayne Metals engineers to determine current material states for two of their product lines.

Radio Frequency and Advanced Communications

Glenn has awarded a startup license to FABAEARTH, a California-based company, for radio 

frequency and advanced communications technologies. This license includes technologies 

from NASA’s Glenn, Jet Propulsion Lab and Goddard. With the licensed technology, 

FABAEARTH will provide both national and regional wireless infrastructure. The company 

is designing a network of unmanned, high-altitude aircraft that will enable the wide-area 

transmission of telecommunications services at a very low cost. 

Trending With Tech Transfer

GRC-2018-CN-00044

Photos by Doreen Zudell

GRC-2018-CN-00043 GRC-2018-CN-00040

Center Director Dr. Janet Kavandi recently presented the 2018 Golden 

Shoe Award to the Director of the Office of Human Capital Management 

(OHCM), Lori Pietravoia, for OHCM’s most improved participation rate of 

11 percent. A team from the Facilities, Test and Manufacturing Directorate 

was a close runner up with a 10 percent increase in participation, followed 

by the Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate (SMAD). This year’s 

annual walk was held June 27 at Plum Brook Station, and June 28 at 

Lewis Field during Glenn’s Safety and Health Awareness event. Thanks 

to all who participated and supported the event!

OHCM Wins 2018 Golden Shoe

Pictured, left to right, SMAD Deputy Director, Gus Martzaklis; SMAD Director 

Anita Liang; Pietravoia; and Dr. Kavandi. GRC-2018-C-04613

Photo by Marvin Smith

SEPTEMBER 2018

7
Security Day 2018

Working Together To 

Protect Yourself and Others 

Everyone plays a role in security. To drive home this theme, NASA Glenn’s Office 

of Protective Services hosted its third annual Security Day at Lewis Field, Aug. 7. 

Local fire, law enforcement and emergency medical services personnel joined 

Glenn employees and summer interns for speaker presentations, breakout 

sessions and vendor demonstrations that addressed a variety of timely securityrelated issues. 

During her welcoming address, Chief of Protective Services Christi Tomaro 

thanked all those who helped make this event possible. “This enables us to 

continue to build and foster partnerships at the center and within the community.” 

During the opening session, former police officer and retired fire chief Rick Laskey 

used humor and compassion to convey the message of making a difference in 

the lives of those we serve. Former U.S. fire administrator and current National 

Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Regional Director Chief Greg Cade stressed the 

importance of coming together as a community to address hostile events under 

the NFPA 3000 Standard.

“Everyone here makes a difference,” Laskey told the audience. “Each day we 

need to ask ourselves: Who am I going to help today? How am I going to make 

a difference?” 

Tomaro recognized three individuals for their partnership in supporting NASA’s 

mission by assisting the Office of Protective Services during key events, such 

as the open house and solar eclipse. They include Mark Williams, Transportation 

Security Administration; Patrick Shaw, Department of Homeland Security; and 

Thomas Maund, Brook Park Fire Department.

After a break, participants had another opportunity to visit vendor booths. They 

then attended breakout sessions on the topics of managing change, active shooter 

and the opioid crisis in Northeast Ohio. Tours were provided to off-site participants. 

By Doreen B. Zudell

Laskey used humor and compassion to 

convey the message of making a difference 

in the lives of those we serve.

GRC-2018-C-05154 Photos by Bridget Caswell

Cade stressed the importance of coming 

together as a community to address hostile 

events under the NFPA 3000 Standard.

GRC-2018-C-05166

Williams, Transportation Security Administration, 

was one of three individuals from outside 

agencies who have supported Glenn’s Office of 

Protective Services during key outreach events. 

Pictured, left to right, Williams, Center Operations 

Director Robyn Gordon and Chief Tomaro.

GRC-2018-C-05170

8
DeRoche, a Pathways Intern in Glenn’s Procurement Division, received a $500 scholarship towards completing a bachelor’s 

degree in Business Administration at Kent State University. Her pursuit represents an opportunity for career advancement as a 

full-time NASA employee and the chance to be the first in her family to earn a college degree. 

Collins received a $250 scholarship to aid a career transition to nursing. An alumnus of John Carroll University, Collins has 

returned to college full time after working for the OSU Extension Service, Office of Sustainability, and the Cleveland Botanical 

Garden. Aiding her transition supports BPW’s mission to advocate and empower women to achieve their full potential. 

An induction ceremony for the 2018–2019 chapter officers followed the scholarship presentations. New officers include Amanda 

vonDeak, president; Nuha Nawash, vice president/programming; Jill Noble, vice president/membership; Annie Schaft, treasurer; 

and Erline Trsek, secretary. 

For more information on BPW, contact Amanda.L.vonDeak@nasa.gov or Jill.D.Noble@nasa.gov.

Glenn’s BPW Chapter Awards Two Scholarships

BPW’s scholarship chairperson, Jill Noble, far left, and President 

Nan vonDeak, far right, with scholarship winners, DeRoche and Collins. 

NASA Glenn’s chapter of the Business and 

Professional Women (BPW) organization 

presented a Career Advancement 

Scholarship to Sarah DeRoche and 

Hilary (Jill) Collins during its annual 

Scholarship Banquet, Aug. 15. The 

scholarships are an integral part of the 

BPW mission to positively impact working 

women—professionally, politically and 

personally.

Glenn’s Office of Education is partnering with several organizations in Cleveland to provide 

mentors and tutors for students who need extra help and encouragement to attain their 

full potential. Each of these programs is a little different in how they work and the time 

commitment required. Most programs are available to civil servants, support service 

contractors and retirees. Training is available and many have an established study plan. 

Whether you are a scientist or an office assistant, work in a technical or nontechnical field, 

you are sure to find a program that interests you. It’s fun and rewarding! 

The 2018–2019 school year has begun, so visit the link below to learn about the 

programs that help students from kindergarten through college level. Contact Tim Dedula, 

216–433–3668, for more information on how you can help a student launch a bright future.

https://www.grc.nasa.gov/grc-edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/96/Mentoring-TutoringGuide-August-2016.pdf

Help a Student Launch a Bright Future 

GRC-2018-CN-00036

Photo by Tom vonDeak

SEPTEMBER 2018

9
10

Sustainability Event:

ALTERNATIVE

TRANSPORTATION

MORE THAN A MEMORY

Richard R. Woollett, 95, a 1992 retiree with 40 years of 

NASA service, died July 21. Woollett was an aerospace 

engineer who retired from the Inlets Technology Branch, 

Propulsion Systems Division, where he helped improve 

propulsion systems for both subsonic and supersonic 

aircraft. He investigated compatibility of aircraft engines 

with the inlet and airframe, key to design and specifications by airframe and engine manufacturers. Woollett 

also served several terms as an area vice president of 

Woollett the Lewis Engineers and Scientists Association.

David Buchanan, Advanced High Frequency Branch, 

Communications and Intelligent Systems Division, 

retired Aug. 31, 2018, with 14 1⁄2 years of service. 

Roger D. Meredith, Smart Sensing and Electronics 

Systems Branch, Communications and Intelligent 

Systems Division, retired Aug. 3, 2018, with 35 years 

of service.

James Stegeman, Space Communications and 

Spectrum Management Office, Space Flight Systems 

Directorate, retired Aug. 31, 2018, with 31 1⁄2 years 

of service. 

Robin Strohacker, Procurement Division, Center 

Operations Directorate, retired Aug. 3, 2018, with 

40 years of service. 

Janelle L. Hood is Glenn’s new emergency management 

specialist in the Office of Protective Services, Center 

Operations Directorate. Hood brings over 25 years of 

experience in law enforcement, emergency medical 

services and emergency management. In this position, 

she will support Glenn’s emergency management 

program developing plans, training and exercises 

beneficial to mitigation, preparedness, response and 

recovery actions.

RETIREMENTS

NEW HIRES

Interested in learning more about 

alternative transportation options in 

your community? Come hear about 

sustainable transportation options 

and potential future projects in the 

Cleveland area from the Northeast 

Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency 

(NOACA). 

Beverly Burtzlaff, NOACA, will give 

a 1-hour presentation on this topic 

on Wednesday, Sept. 26.

Wednesday, Sept. 26

Noon to 1 p.m.

Small Dining Room, Building 15

Strohacker

Stegeman

Hood
SEPTEMBER 2018

11

The event is open to the public and 

will feature science demonstrations 

and an appearance by former astronaut Gregory H. (Box) Johnson. 

General admission rates to the 

Great Lakes Science Center will 

apply; however, NASA civil servant 

employees receive free general 

admission with ID badge.

NASA’s 60th Anniversary

Mark Your

Calendar!

Upcoming Center Events

The Emergency Management Office 

staff will conduct an outdoor mass 

notification “voice” test at building 39 

on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at Lewis Field. 

An audible siren test on the “severe 

thunderstorm” tone will be conducted 

on Saturday, Oct. 6, at Lewis Field.

POC: Allen Turner, 3–6826 

OUTDOOR SIREN TESTING

IFPTE LOCAL 28, LESA MEETING

LESA will hold its next membership 

meeting, Wednesday, Oct. 10, noon, 

in the Glenn Employee Center’s Small 

Dining Room.

GSEL MOBILE LIBRARIAN

The Glenn Science and Engineering 

Library (GSEL) Mobile Librarian will be 

visiting building 23 through Sept. 20; 

building 49 from Sept. 25 to Oct. 4; 

and building 54 from Oct. 9 to 18. A 

Glenn reference librarian will be ready 

to assist employees with subject 

searches, finding specific books and 

articles and other information needs 

on the spot. 

POC: Robin Pertz, 3–5776

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

Deadline for next calendar section is Sept. 19, noon. News and feature stories require additional time.

Federal employees are coming together once again for this year’s Feds Feed 

Families campaign, which runs through Oct. 18. Help NASA Glenn achieve 

our donation goal of 10,000 pounds of nonperishable food items! Donations 

will be collected in the building 15 cafeteria and various locations around the 

center. Stay tuned to Today@Glenn for more information! 

POC: Eliot Aretskin-Hariton, 3–2456, or eliot.d.aretskin-hariton@nasa.gov

Feds Feed Families Food Drive • Now through Oct. 18! •

NASA Glenn will host a special anniversary 

celebration in its Visitor Center at Great Lakes 

Science Center in downtown Cleveland.

Visit http://greatscience.com/ for more details. 

Saturday, Sept. 29

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Celebrate at 

Great Lakes Science Center
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

Breaking it Down: NASA Takes a New 

Approach to Ice Crystal Icing Research

NASA Glenn researchers are going back to basics to probe 

deeper into the physics of high-altitude ice crystal icing.

Measuring the conditions that lead to a buildup of ice 

crystals inside an engine has been a challenge, according 

to Peter Struk, Icing Branch.

“You can’t come in with probes to measure exact concentrations of water and ice particle sizes because you can’t block 

the airflow into the engine,” he said. “We wanted to figure 

out a way to do the same type of test, but expand it with a 

bigger area so we can better understand what is happening.”

The answer was to go back to the fundamentals and conduct 

a dedicated test to simulate the high-altitude ice crystal 

environment outside of the engine. 

“When you are trying to understand the physics of a problem, 

you need to break it down into the simplest possible fashion,” 

said Struk, who led the fundamental test this summer. 

A research wing was then exposed to an icing cloud 

simulating the in-flight conditions in a free jet, unattached 

configuration in NASA Glenn’s Propulsion Systems 

Laboratory. Multiple new instrument traversing systems 

allowed researchers to use various probes during the test 

to record particle size, water content and temperature.

Pressure and temperature were replicated with the data from 

computer models and measurements of previous aircraft 

engine tests. Computer simulations were then used to 

estimate airflow velocities.

“We’ve been able to vary conditions in the test to see 

how individual parameters affect icing,” said Struk. 

“Understanding this can lead to predicting icing patterns on 

future flights.”

Tests such as this will allow researchers to build databases 

with the various conditions and their possible ice formations. 

Glenn researchers are hopeful that these predictions can be 

used to design an engine model to reduce ice crystal icing 

during future flights.

Multiple new instrument traversing systems allowed researchers 

to use various probes during the test to record particle size, 

water content and temperature.

GRC-2018-C-03340 

Photo by Jordan Salkin

By Victoria Segovia