VOLUME 23 • ISSUE 7 • JULY 2021

Administrator

Presents State

of NASA 

Page 4

 Probing Questions 

of Flight

Page 6

Navigating the

Pandemic 

Page 7

Continuing John 

Glenn’s Legacy 

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

Safely Transitioning 

to Stage 2

Due to the improving local conditions 

and evolving federal guidance, I recently 

announced we will be transitioning to Stage 2 

of the NASA Framework for Return to Onsite 

Work. I would like to reiterate, transitioning 

to Stage 2 will be a process that takes time. 

Throughout the transition process, we will 

continue to prioritize the health and safety 

of our workforce. The center is preparing for 

an increased number of employees onsite 

by enhancing safety measures, frequently 

cleaning, and providing timely updated 

guidance through regular communication. 

Please continue to consult Glenn’s coronavirus 

website, the WING page, and regularly 

communicate with your supervisor for 

information about the measures put in place 

to ensure your safety at work. Remember, we 

are all in this together. The continued success 

of our center and agency relies on each of us 

taking personal responsibility to ensure a safe 

and healthy environment.

Expanding Horizons, Opening Frontiers

Carrying On John Glenn’s 

Legacy

DIRECTOR’S

SAFETY CORNER

On the Cover: 

John Glenn addresses summer interns and 

early career employees during a visit to Lewis 

Field in 2005.

GRC-2005-C-00979

Photo by Marvin Smith

GRC-1989-C-05310 Photo by NASA

Glenn trains on the Multiple-Axis Space Test Inertia Facility (gimbal rig) during 

one of his earliest visits to the center in 1960. The gimbal rig simulated 

tumble recovery maneuvers that might be encountered in spaceflight.

One hundred years after his birth on July 18, 1921, John H. Glenn Jr. 

continues to inspire and motivate humankind. Glenn served the people 

of this nation well as a military combat and test pilot, astronaut, and 

U.S. senator from Ohio. This year, as we commemorate the 80th 

birthday of the Glenn Research Center, we reflect on this American 

hero and humble servant for whom our center is named.

During the center’s official renaming celebration in May 1999, Glenn 

expressed his pride at being associated with the center, not only for 

its historic contributions but for its bright future. Indicating the words 

displayed on one of the parade floats—Expanding Horizons, Opening 

Frontiers—he noted, “That just about says it for the lab here.” 

That day, he challenged the men and women of NASA Glenn to 

continue working to make that mission a reality for our future 

explorers—in air and space. 
JULY 2021

3

GRC-1984-C-02636 Photo by Don Huebler

Sen. Glenn (center) views an aircraft engine model, part of the Advanced 

Turboprop Program, during a tour at the center in 1984. Right: U.S. 

congressman Louis Stokes and Center Director Andrew Stofan look on.

In a later interview, Glenn said that although the center’s renaming 

was a great honor to him, the main benefit was the opportunity to 

highlight the important work the center was doing: “I was proud of 

the fact that we were calling attention to some of these advances in 

research and engineering that had come from the center and which 

make a big difference for our country.” 

Glenn’s personal desire to explore propelled him to become the first 

American to orbit Earth on Feb. 20, 1962. In fact, one of his first 

trips to NASA Glenn (then NASA Lewis Research Center) was in 

preparation for that historic flight. In 1960, he trained on the center’s 

Multiple-Axis Space Test Inertia Facility (gimbal rig). 

In later years, Glenn would return to the center as a U.S. senator 

intent on staying abreast of the latest technology. “I visited the center 

many times to keep up with the scientific advances,” he noted.

His pioneering spirit and futuristic view would earn Glenn, at the age 

of 77, the distinction of being the oldest person to venture into space 

as he flew onboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998. During that 

STS–95 mission, Glenn performed research to learn about the effects 

of microgravity on older humans. 

In 2019, the American Astronautical Society, in association with 

NASA Glenn, held its inaugural John Glenn Memorial Symposium 

in Cleveland. The annual symposium continues to serve as a hub 

to showcase the latest information on advancements in aerospace 

and aeronautic technology—a fitting tribute to a man whose career 

reflects a lifelong commitment to the science of flight. 

“This month we celebrate the 100th birthday of a true space pioneer 

and a devoted public servant, Sen. John Glenn,” said Center Director 

Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis. “Though we lost the senator a few short years 

ago, we continue his legacy of exploration, inspiration, and discovery 

at the center bearing his name, and we strive to embody his legacy 

each day as we make lasting contributions to our nation.”

 By Doreen B. Zudell

GRC-1999-C-01153 Photo by Hugh Aylward

Glenn and his wife Annie during the center renaming event in 1999.

GRC-2019-C-05398 Photo by Rami Daud

The first John Glenn Symposium held in Cleveland in 2019. Center Director 

Dr. Janet Kavandi (far right) participates in a panel discussion.
4

Budget Request Supports

Glenn’s Progress in Key Areas

The President’s fiscal year 2022 proposed budget for NASA 

includes $795.7 million in spending for Glenn. This would support 

continued progress in the following areas:

 • Leading the development of the Power and Propulsion Element 

(PPE), the first element to be launched as part of Gateway, NASA’s 

orbiting lunar outpost. The PPE will use solar electric propulsion to 

maneuver and provide power to Gateway. 

• Demonstrating fission surface power, solar electric propulsion, 

and cryogenic fluid management technologies for future deep 

space exploration missions. 

• Leading the formulation of the Communications Services Project, 

an effort to enable commercial communications providers for nearEarth NASA operations. 

• Supporting NASA’s strategic vision for aeronautics by leading 

the development of hybrid-electric propulsion systems, which will 

reduce fuel consumption, noise, and emissions and enable the U.S. 

aviation industry to maintain global leadership. 

• Inspiring the next generation of scientists, technologists, 

engineers, mathematicians, and explorers by supporting the 

agency’s STEM engagement efforts. 

• Driving economic growth through our Small Business Innovative 

Research and Technology Transfer programs.

• Sustaining our staffing and maintaining our world-class test 

facilities, including NASA’s Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility, where 

we expose spacecraft to the extreme environments of space. 

“NASA Glenn’s workforce made amazing progress under the most 

difficult circumstances this year,” said Center Director Dr. Marla 

Pérez-Davis. “We look forward to continuing to advance aviation, 

technology, and humanity’s future in space during fiscal year 2022.”

Newly Appointed NASA Administrator 

Presents State of NASA 

On May 28, the Biden-Harris administration released the full budget 

proposal for fiscal year 2022, with a request for $24.8 billion for 

NASA. This is an increase of more than 6% over what the agency 

received the previous year. It includes $795.7 million in spending 

for NASA Glenn. 

NASA Administrator Sen. Bill Nelson spoke to agency employees 

during his first State of NASA event from NASA Headquarters 

on June 2. He reflected on his long history with the agency and 

NASA’s unique responsibility “to all come together as we push the 

frontier.” 

Nelson saluted the workforce and laid out plans for the future. He 

discussed the agency’s plans for future Earth-focused missions 

to address climate change and a robotic and human return to the 

Moon through the Artemis program. He also announced two new 

planetary science missions to Venus—VERITAS and DAVINCI+.

“Thank you for all the amazing work you’ve done throughout the 

year,” he said. “NASA is only as good as its people, and we’re lucky 

to have the best of the best.”

For more information on NASA’s budget, visit https://www.nasa.

gov/news/budget/index.html. 

To view Sen. Nelson’s full State of NASA address, visit https://www.

youtube.com/watch?v=nDem528iNF0.

By Doreen B. Zudell

AS16-113-18339 Photo by Bill Ingalls

Sen. Bill Nelson gives his first State of NASA address.
In the early days of cellphone use, each user was limited to their 

chosen provider’s network and service capabilities. Restricting 

customers to service within one network led to high prices for 

out-of-network calls and limited value for customers. Cellphone 

providers long ago adopted roaming, allowing devices to jump from 

network to network without interrupting service and increasing 

competition across the industry and value to consumers.

Roaming is not available in space, so network access is an issue 

as satellites and spacecraft orbit the Earth. This will soon change 

as NASA develops a new Wideband Ka-band communications 

terminal, which is a transceiver that operates over government and 

commercial Ka-band spectrum allocations (17.7 to 31 GHz). This 

roaming function will give spacecraft the ability to seamlessly 

connect to various communications networks and allow for multiaccess points of services, lower latency, and lower costs.

“This is a first for a Ka-band user terminal,” said Nang Pham, 

Wideband project manager at Glenn. “The versatile capabilities 

demonstrated by the terminal bring us a step closer to space 

communications interoperability for future NASA near-Earth 

missions.”

The new terminal will support NASA’s plans to rely exclusively on 

commercial providers for near-Earth space communications and 

navigation operations by the mid-2030s. This further fosters an 

affordable and robust space commercialization path in the U.S.

For almost 40 years, NASA has relied on its Tracking and Data Relay 

Satellite (TDRS) system to provide near-constant communication 

links between the ground and satellites in low-Earth orbit. However, 

the infrastructure was not originally designed for interoperability 

between networks.

This new Wideband Ka terminal prototype will allow satellites to 

connect with multiple space relay networks, including TDRSs, 

enabling NASA’s transition from government to commercial space 

communications services.

“This terminal will allow missions to reduce risk and costs by offering 

competitive choices for where they get their commercial satellite 

service,” said Marie Piasecki, Wideband project principal investigator 

at Glenn. “A high Technology Readiness Level terminal capable of 

operating on a wide assortment of networks truly takes advantage of 

commercial investments in space.”

NASA recently concluded a month of trailblazing tests that 

successfully demonstrated communications over-the-air with 

the Wideband Ka terminal prototype for the very first time. A 

groundbreaking roaming experiment was the highlight of testing, 

where services switched in real time between NASA’s TDRS system 

and Inmarsat’s Global Xpress satellite.

This successful demonstration provides proof of initial roaming 

capabilities and confidence that commercial services can one day 

support future space users. The Wideband Ka terminal prototype 

is at a sufficiently high technology readiness level that the next 

technology transitional phase will be to demonstrate in a space 

environment.

The Wideband terminal prototype will now undergo additional 

ground testing and demonstrations with various commercial service 

providers. NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation program 

is planning a flight demonstration, currently targeted for 2025, to 

evaluate in-orbit roaming capabilities across multiple government 

and commercial networks.

By Molly Kearns

JULY 2021

5

Roaming! NASA’s Space 

Communications Terminal

GRC-2021-CN-00045 Photo by NASA

The Wideband Ka Terminal Antenna assembled at Lewis Field conducts an 

over-the-air demonstration of roaming capabilities.
6

A Probing Question: How Do You Fly 

the X–59 Accurately?

Technician Cory LeHotan makes adjustments to the metal shaft that holds the X–59 Probe for testing.

The X–59 QueSST’s air data probe is mounted inside the

8- by- 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel.

GRC-2021-C-01294

GRC-2021-C-01219

Photos by Bridget Caswell

6

Mountains of data will be required if NASA’s X–59 Quiet SuperSonic 

Technology (QueSST) airplane is going to help change the future of 

commercial supersonic flight over land, and a sophisticated suite of 

instruments is needed in the air and on the ground to collect it.

On the aircraft, these instruments are known as the air data system. 

A computer takes input from probes, sensors, and other devices 

and feeds that information—like altitude, airspeed, air pressure, 

and temperature—to the pilot and flight control computer to ensure 

safe and accurate flying.

In an effort to perfect the X–59’s air data system, engineers from 

across the agency visited the 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel 

at NASA Glenn. There, they evaluated the air data probe, which is 

installed at the tip of the aircraft’s nose and is used to measure key 

flight parameters, as well as the aircraft’s attitude while flying.

“As the aircraft flies, it is critical that we have the most accurate 

flight data available for safety and the supersonic research 

mission,” said Jeff Flamm, the X–59 lead aerodynamics engineer at 

NASA Langley. “Wind tunnels give us a controlled environment to 

precisely calibrate the aircraft’s probes and sensors, and the data 

we collect at Glenn will inform the decisions we make to set us up 

for success during our initial flights.”

While in the tunnel, the probe was subjected to various flight 

conditions, including runs at takeoff, transonic, and supersonic 

speeds, to fine tune and verify successful hardware and software 

operation. The wind tunnel data will be used during initial flight 

testing, while the team uses the real flight data from the early 

flights to further calibrate the air data system to adjust for any 

conditions not presented during testing.

“We are able to simulate specific flight conditions and speeds in our 

wind tunnel, which has made it a destination for the X–59 team,” 

said David Friedlander, research engineer at NASA Glenn. “An 

aircraft like the X–59 will cover a multitude of flight scenarios and 

different ambient environments, so the tunnel data we produce is 

critical to its success.”

The air data probe is now on its way to Lockheed Martin Skunk 

Works to be installed on the X–59. NASA is planning to start its test 

flight series in 2022.

The X–59 team will return to the tunnel at NASA Glenn later 

this year to complete a sonic boom test. Using a small model—

measuring about a foot and a half in length—this test will produce 

pressure, or “shock wave,” data to compare with computer 

modeling and better predict actual sonic booms and sonic thumps 

during flights. After leaving Glenn, the team will travel to Japan for 

additional testing with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). 

The outcome of both tests will validate the unique airframe design 

technologies NASA believes will allow future supersonic planes to 

fly quietly.

Once the X–59’s airworthiness has been proven in wind tunnel and 

flight testing, NASA will begin community overflights in 2024 to 

gauge the public’s perception of the sonic thump. Data from these 

flights will be presented to regulators in the U.S. and abroad with 

the potential to lift the ban on commercial supersonic flight over 

land.

By Jimi Russell
JULY 2021

7

Event Provides

Tips To Thrive

During Difficult Times

The pandemic brought with it high levels of stress 

and anxiety for people across the country. With 

U.S. infection rates in decline, new challenges 

are emerging as we cautiously begin to transition 

back to pre-pandemic life.

NASA’s Glenn, Langley, and the Space 

Technology Mission Directorate teamed up to 

provide a resource for charting your course 

through pandemic life. The “Navigating the 

Pandemic: From Surviving to Thriving” two-part 

virtual event on May 26 offered tips on how to set 

aside fear and frustration, while also helping to 

reduce anxiety. 

Mike Verano, a licensed therapist and boardcertified telemental health professional, kicked 

off the event with a discussion centering on 

social connection. He emphasized that a lack 

of social connection can be detrimental to an 

individual’s health. 

According to Verano, connecting with others 

can increase happiness, lower levels of anxiety 

and depression, and increase self-esteem. 

While Verano encouraged social connection, he 

stressed the importance of the relationships we 

create.

“When it comes to connections, it’s not about 

how many we have–it’s the depth of them,” said 

Verano.

Patrick Runnels, M.D., MBA, chief medical 

officer, Population Health and Behavioral Health 

at University Hospitals, explained how during 

the pandemic, people’s routines atrophied. He 

added that as the country begins to get back to a 

somewhat normal routine, this can cause anxiety 

levels to rise.

7

JULY 2021

“You’re not alone,” said Runnels. “Even the most 

well put-together person is dealing with their own 

challenges, too.”

To combat an increase of anxiety, Runnels 

encouraged people to brighten their outlook, 

which can benefit physical health and emotional 

wellness. He touched on ways to reduce stress 

by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, 

setting priorities, thinking positively, relaxing, and 

being deliberate about social media use.

Runnels also emphasized the importance of 

strengthening social connections and being 

mindful. Mindfulness is being aware of all that’s 

going on inside of you and all that is happening 

around you in a nonjudgmental way.

The first portion of the program concluded with 

a brief workout session led by Emily Harrison, 

fitness director at Langley Research Center.

Sarah Wilcox, a business consultant, author, and 

executive coach, led off the afternoon portion of 

the event. She offered what she called tips on 

how to “regain sanity” with the use of stability, 

organization, reflection, gratitude, and laughter, 

among others. 

“It’s time to lift our heads up and lighten the load 

now that we have the opportunity to do that,” 

said Wilcox. 

Employee Assistance Program counselors 

Susan Wilcox (Glenn) and Dr. Sophia Sills-Tailor 

(Langley) closed out the event by answering 

participants’ questions.

By Adam Schabel
The way we view television on-site at Glenn is now a lot clearer due 

to UNITE TV, a new high-definition Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) 

hybrid broadcast system. 

Now available at NASA’s Lewis Field and Neil A. Armstrong Test 

Facility, UNITE TV is a next-generation broadcasting service 

that replaces the previous broadcasting system known as Lewis 

Information Network, or LINK. The new system is a collaboration of 

the Enterprise Video Content Delivery Network and Glenn’s existing 

cable network.

Three years ago, Glenn’s Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) 

began developing a new broadcasting system to replace the outdated 

LINK system. 

“This system allows us at Glenn to bring our technology up to date,” 

said Shanton Bland, Mission Support Office, and project manager for 

UNITE TV. “Glenn is coming up to speed with the use of this type of 

next-generation technology.”

Glenn’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO) offers four different ways 

to license a NASA technology: Commercial, Research, Government 

Use, and the Startup NASA License. After TTO and the company have 

mutually agreed on the appropriate technology, the ideal license type 

is pursued. 

The Government Use license is a nonexclusive, no-cost license with 

a term limited to the contract period of performance. The license is 

available to those under active contracts with the U.S. government. 

Businesses are able to use NASA technologies that could help 

them to meet their contractual requirements. This opportunity 

leverages taxpayer-funded innovation to have a greater impact for 

the government, while at the same time supporting the business with 

new NASA-developed technologies. 

Glenn signed a Government Use license with Goodman Technologies 

in 2020, which has six Small Business Innovation Research licenses, 

for the silicon carbide (SiC) fiber-reinforced SiC ceramic matrix 

composites (SiC/SiC CMCs). Goodman Technologies plans to use 

the Glenn technology in additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping, 

thermal protection systems, and ballistic impact systems. The SiC/

SiC CMCs will be used with agencies like NASA, the Air Force, and 

the Department of Defense.

The Government Use license is just one way that TTO can help to 

further the relationship between industry and NASA technologies, 

promoting collaboration and future innovation. 

TTO will be sharing more information about the different types 

of licenses in future issues of AeroSpace Frontiers. For more 

information on NASA Glenn’s technologies available for licensing, visit 

https://technology.grc.nasa.gov.

By Lauren Simmers

UNITE TV boasts several features that were absent from LINK. The 

video quality is drastically improved over what was previously offered. 

Additionally, the new broadcasting system displays content from 

other NASA centers as well as local television channels such as ABC, 

NBC, CBS, and FOX. UNITE TV also allows for advertisements, digital 

signage, and emergency broadcast bulletins to be shown on the 

system.

“We can now broadcast center events, inclement weather updates, 

and anything that needs to be communicated,” said Dominic 

Giordano, (SAIC) NASA Integrated Communications Services program 

manager, OCIO Mission Support Office. “When you’re more informed 

as an organization, you’re going to perform at a higher level.”

When more individuals return to on-site work, Bland is looking 

forward to using the new service to fine-tune communication 

throughout the center, and across the agency.

“UNITE TV is at the ground level and will improve exponentially as the 

workforce becomes more aware of its capabilities,” said Bland. “This 

will develop into a common technology used throughout the center.”

UNITE TV can be accessed on-site by visiting video.nasa.gov on a 

computer, or on a monitor that is set up to broadcast the network. 

Please visit Today@Glenn or contact Bland at shanton.v.bland@nasa.

gov for more information about UNITE TV.

By Adam Schabel

Glenn Debuts Next-Generation

Broadcast System

Technology Transfer License Highlight:

Government Use License

8

GRC-2021-CN-00038 Graphic by Bryan Boyd
JULY 2021

9

NEWS AND EVENTS

Saffire IV Team

Earns SFA Award 

Followers Learn How Glenn Supports the Agency

NASA recognized Glenn’s Saffire-IV team with a prestigious 

Space Flight Awareness (SFA) Flight Safety Award during a virtual 

ceremony on June 7.

The team concluded the fourth Saffire experiment, conducted on 

the Cygnus NG–13 resupply mission, under extremely challenging 

circumstances during the COVID–19 pandemic. This work resulted 

in more than twice the data collection expected and set a new 

record for data collection for a Saffire experiment. The experiment 

demonstrated that turning off the airflow is not sufficient to 

ensure that a low-gravity flame is extinguished. Its data will be 

used in future spacecraft designs to enhance fire safety, including 

improved methods for fire protection, detection, and suppression.

Dr. Alotta Taylor, SFA program manager in the Human Exploration 

and Operations Mission Directorate, moderated the event. Special 

guest speakers included Kathy Lueders, Human Exploration and 

Operations Mission Directorate manager and Russ DeLoach, NASA 

Safety and Mission Assurance chief. During a video message, 

astronaut Chris Cassidy thanked the team and affirmed that the 

efforts of the Saffire IV team directly impacted the astronauts’ 

safety and success.

Team members include: 

NASA: Gary Ruff (team lead), Thomas Acquaviva, Martin Bradish, 

David Carek, Kyle Gee, Kelly Hall, Lisa Lambert, Mark Lefebvre, 

Jose Lombay-Gonzalez, Brian Loucks, Sandra Olson, Joseph 

Ponyik, George Santosuosso, William Schoren, David Urban, Lisa 

VanderAar.

HSX LLC: Yishi An, John Snead, David Stainbrook, Joseph Staudt.

Case Western Reserve: John Easton.

Universities Space Research Association: Paul Ferkul, Jay Owens.

Northrup Grumman: Danelle Fogle.

ZIN Technologies: David Anderson, Eric Anderson, Christopher 

Bodzioney, Joey Bostick, Charles Bunnel, William Dial, Kevin 

Driscoll, Gregory Funk, Nathan Funk, Pete Galant, Raymond Margie, 

Mark Morris, Ruth Morris, Annie Poulose, Rowan Rodgers, Kenneth 

Smith, Dave VanZant.

KBRWyle Technology Solutions: Michael Carozzoni.

Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc.: Richard Verbus.

Peerless Technologies Corp.: Kathleen Kelly. 

By Doreen B. Zudell

GRC-2021-CN-00042 Photo by Nikki Welch

On June 2, NASA Administrator Sen. Bill Nelson presented the 

State of NASA and shared updates about the agency’s work 

to improve life on Earth and explore our solar system. The 

following day, Glenn’s Digital Communications team invited the 

public to learn more about how our center in Cleveland, Ohio, 

supports NASA’s progress on electric aircraft, and exploring 

the Moon, Mars, and beyond. They released a new “Year of 

Innovation” video and followed it up with an online questionand-answer opportunity on our digital platforms. Social media 

users submitted questions to us, and our technical experts 

answered them online.

View the video at https://go.nasa.gov/3iHFCnf. 
10

Lifting Safely Doesn’t Have To Be Extreme

PROMOTION

Dr. Benjamin B. Choi, Rotating and Drive System Branch, Materials and 

Structures Division, Research and Engineering Directorate, retired on 

May 31, 2021, with 31 years of NASA service.

Dennis L. Huff, Acoustics Branch, Propulsion Division, Research and 

Engineering Directorate, retired June 18, 2021, with 36 years of NASA 

service. 

Dave Huntsman, Office of Technology Incubation and Innovation, retired 

June 3, 2021, with 46 years of NASA service.

Joshua E. Freeh has been selected chief, Human Exploration and Space Operations Project Office for 

the Space Flight Systems Directorate. He most recently served as deputy manager for the European 

Service Module Integration Office for the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle.

There is no NASA award for the strongest man or woman. There is no prize for lifting something alone 

instead of using a buddy lift or lifting aid. Lifting doesn’t have to be extreme, and more importantly, it 

should not be. Even light loads can lead to injury when not lifted correctly. Potential injuries can be avoided 

with the use of proper lifting techniques, buddy lifts, and lifting aids.

The NASA Safety Center recently added new products to the Lifting Safety page. These helpful resources, 

along with many more, provide tips to prevent lifting injuries both at work and at home.

Visit https://go.nasa.gov/3dTopmV for more information.

Robert E. Alexovich, 92, a 1985 retiree with 33 years of service, died March 30. His early work 

focused on instrument research and development. When NACA became NASA, Alexovich was assigned 

to space-related research. Those activities included design and development of automatic control 

systems for rocket test operations, space flight experiment data systems, and launch vehicle electrical 

systems management. Alexovich worked on the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite 

system and received an Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal (1976). He retired as deputy chief of 

Technology in the Space Communications Division.

Alexovich

Freeh

Dr. Choi Huff

MORE THAN A MEMORY

RETIREMENTS
JULY 2021

11

NASA Glenn Employees: For more calendar information,

visit https://wing.grc.nasa.gov/event-calendar/.

Deadline for the next calendar

section is Wednesday, July 21,

noon. News and feature stories 

require additional time.

On Wednesday, July 21, from 11-11:45 

a.m., the Library will host a mini lesson 

about “Successful Searching Tips” using 

Boolean search techniques that can be 

used across most library databases (and 

even Google) to optimize and refine the 

search process. Check Today@Glenn for 

the link. 

POC: Robin Pertz, 3–5776

INFORMATION CAFÉ

Emergency Management Office staff 

will conduct a mass notification voice 

test at Building 6 on Wednesday,

Aug. 4, at Lewis Field. An audible 

siren test will be conducted on the 

“lock-down” tone on Saturday, Aug. 7. 

POC: Allen Turner, 3–6826

OUTDOOR SIREN TESTING

Agencywide Lean Six Sigma (LSS) 

Virtual Green Belt Training will take 

place from Aug. 2 through 5, from 

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. With this training 

comes the expectation to achieve 

Green Belt certification by passing the 

Green Belt exam and completing one 

LSS event or project. Register through 

SATERN at https://satern.nasa.gov.

POC: Peggy Raines, 3–2337

LSS VIRTUAL TRAINING

Employees showed off their creative side during the Glenn Research 

Center Historic Photo Re-Creation Contest. The contest, presented 

by Glenn’s 80th Anniversary planning team, encouraged employees 

to enter an artistic re-creation of selected photos from NASA’s 

image gallery. More than 200 employees viewed and voted to select 

the winners. 

Congratulations to the 80th Anniversary Photo Re-Creation Contest 

winners: 

• Digitally Re-Created Image: Graceful Discoveries by Carlos Gomez 

• Physically Re-Created Image: Henry the Great Pyrenees 

 by Jenny Boone.

Gomez and Boone each won a $25 gift code to use at the online 

Exchange Store.

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 

tour is Aug. 19, Flight Research Building. 

Registration opens 1 month before the 

tour date and space is limited. Tell your 

friends and family! 

POC: Debbie Lockhart, 3–8655

VIRTUAL FACILITY TOURS 

Employees Get 

Creative in Historic 

Photo Re-Creation 

Contest
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 https://www.nasa.gov/glenn/aerospacefrontiers.

Emergency and Inclement Weather Lines 

Lewis Field: 216–433–9328 (WEAT) 

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

Connect With Glenn

S81-30463 Photo by NASA

A new era in spaceflight began with the April 12, 1981, liftoff of the 

space shuttle Columbia. Astronauts John Young and Robert Crippen 

opened a highway to space traveled by space shuttle crews for more 

than 30 years.

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 Shuttle Era Begins: 1980s

NASA Lewis goes for major roles in mainstream 

programs. New programs include the space 

station power system, the Shuttle/Centaur upperstage vehicle, and the Advanced Communications 

Technology Satellite (ACTS).