VOLUME 17 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2015

Glenn Teams on Tools for Improving Flight Safety

Did you know there are approximately 

1,500 active volcanoes around the globe? 

Over the past 15 years, more than 80 incidents of aircraft encounters with volcanic 

ash have disrupted air traffic worldwide. 

A major aircraft subsystem affected by volcanic ash is the engine. Because of this, th ere 

is strong interest among military and civil 

aviation authorities to understand the degradation caused to aircraft engine components when volcanic ash is ingested.

Continued on page 2 Photo courtesy of NASA AFRC Volcanic ash is sprayed into a F–117 engine of a C–17 aircraft. 

Researchers Aid Firefighter Safety

Over the next 3 years, Glenn smartsensors technology experts will be collaborating on a project to design and 

test sensors aimed at protecting firefighters from respiratory damage and 

illnesses. Their goal is to develop sensors that will alert structural and wildland firefighters to hazardous particulates or toxins in the air during both 

firefighting and cleanup phases.

The Department of Homeland Security 

and Federal Emergency Management 

Agency have awarded a group of researchers from Glenn, Case Western 

Reserve University (CWRU) and Makel 

Engineering, Chico, California, a $1.5 

million Assistance to Firefighters/Fire 

Prevention and Safety Grant to develop 

a prototype. The project involves Glenn 

researchers and collaborators who 

have received several R&D 100 Awards 

and NASA recognition for development 

directly related to sensor technologies.

Dr. Paul Greenberg, an expert in advanced particulate sensors for spacecraft early warning fire detection, and 

Dr. Gary Hunter, an expert in chemical 

sensors, lead Glenn’s participation. 

“Paul and I have worked for a significant period of time in developing the 

core technologies that can enable this 

type of system,” Hunter said. 

Team leader Dr. Fumiaki Takahashi, 

CWRU, previously worked with Greenberg and was a co-investigator on several Glenn-developed International 

Space Station (ISS) experiments. He 

seeks to expand on NASA’s compact 

particulate and gas sensors, to include 

alerts for toxic gases such as formaldehyde and acrolein. These gases cause 

eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, 

and potentially cause cancer with 

long-term exposure. They are found 

in building materials, fungicides and 

Continued on page 2

2015 CFC Underway!

GRC-2015-C-6034 Photo by Chris Lynch

Sera Nelson from W. A.G.S. 4 Kids was 

one of several Combined Federal 

Campaign (CFC)-sponsored charities 

showcased during the CFC Agency 

Fair. See page 3 for upcoming events. 

In This Issue

Director’s Safety Corner .............. 2

Students Build Test Bed ................ 2

Moving Out NASA Technology ..... 3

CFC Events on Horizon ................. 3

2015 Softball Champs .................. 6

Cyber Security Awareness ......... 7
Let's Commit to Our Egress and House Cleaning Initiative 

An important take-away message from our recent Safety and Health Awareness 

Day is that safety awareness and a commitment to following safety practices 

prevent mishaps. Toward that goal, our center kicks off the Egress and Housekeeping Cleaning Initiative this month. Facilitated by the Safety and Health 

Awareness Committee, comprised of representatives from each directorate, 

along with a committed management team, this initiative will help us identify 

ways to eliminate excess clutter that can turn into potential hazards. I am asking the Glenn community for your time and attentiveness to help us achieve 

a safer and cleaner workplace—as we prepare for Glenn’s 75th Anniversary 

celebration. 

I strongly support the cleaning initiative. Please join me in this commitment to safety. 

 —Jim

Tools for Flight Safety 

Continued from page 1

Glenn was one of four NASA centers, 

working with military and industry partners, to test and evaluate new engine 

health management (EHM) technologies 

under NASA’s Vehicle Integrated Propulsion Research (VIPR) project. This includes the test and evaluation of new sensors and diagnostics to monitor engine 

health. The team recently completed the 

third and final phase of VIPR testing and 

evaluation.

“These sensors allow us to monitor performance, and operations in normal operations, but also during unexpected events 

such ingesting volcanic ash plume, a 

bird strike, a component failure, or responding real-time to changing conditions,” explained John Lekki, Glenn’s 

VIPR principal investigator. “The process 

also helps develop prognosis tools to 

predict how certain levels of debris will 

impact performance.”

This summer, team members performed 

a series of ground tests ingesting volcanic 

ash into a Pratt & Whitney F–117 highbypass military turbofan engine on a 

government C–17 aircraft. They used a 

range of sensors and Model-Based Gas 

Path Diagnostics to gather data and measure engine changes, which included 

a vibration sensor; a fiber optic temperature sensor; a thin film sensor and 

pressure sensor with accompanying 

electronics; a microwave sensor; and an 

emissions sensor. Once the testing data 

is analyzed, the results will be shared 

with other aeronautics researchers.

By S. Jenise Veris

Firefighter Safety

2

Continued from page 1

industrial disinfectants that are released 

during forest fires when lumber, tobacco, 

gasoline, methane or oil is burned. 

Makel Engineering’s researchers will 

integrate the toxic gas sensor with 

NASA’s compact sensors in a small 

and light unit that can be hand-held 

or worn outside protective gear. They 

will test the units in CWRU and NASA 

labs. The Cleveland Division of Fire, 

Tualatin Fire and Rescue in Greater 

Portland, Oregon, and the U.S. Forest 

Service will then test in the field.

The U.S. Department of Interior has 

been working on a cohesive strategy to 

help firefighters safely and effectively 

extinguish wildfires across the country. 

The Fire Protection Research Foundation in Quincy, Massachusetts, will help 

to form a balanced and diverse technical panel to provide external evaluation 

and guidance on this project.

By S. Jenise Veris

Students, Glenn 

Build Test bed

Students from the EHOVE (Erie Huron 

Ottawa Vocational Educational) Career 

Center in Milan, Ohio, with help from 

NASA Glenn engineers and technicians, have teamed up to build a mobile solar power plant. NASA plans 

to use this system as a test bed and a 

source of power for a variety of tests. 

Mounted on a 16-foot trailer, the power 

plant can produce 3 kilowatts of power. 

Its solar panel arrays, when deployed, 

span 512 square feet and can be retracted for transport. It shares the 

same technology used in Glenn’s 

1-kilowatt system, originally designed 

for moon-based applications such as 

the NASA Desert RATS (Research and 

Technology Studies) project.

Continued on page 8

Photo by Marvin Smith

As part of the partnership, EHOVE students 

visited Lewis Field to learn more about 

welding from Glenn’s Tom Dixon, right.

GRC-2015-C-1847
OCTOBER 2015

NASA Glenn Technologies Moving Out Beyond NASA

NASA Glenn technologies are typically 

developed to solve a very specific 

problem—whether it’s making something faster, lighter, smaller or more 

efficient. Whatever the motivation, 

it’s crucial to remember that NASA’s 

challenges aren’t necessarily unique. 

Companies in the private sector have 

much to gain from faster, lighter, 

smaller and more efficient technologies as well. 

Take aerogels, for instance. Their remarkable characteristics—low density, light-weight and unmatched insulating capability—provided NASA 

a means to achieve cryogenic insulation for space shuttle and space exploration mission applications. Now 

NASA Glenn’s polyimide aerogels 

have been licensed to a U.S. company 

for commercialization, where they 

will be tested in the private sector 

for use in construction, refrigeration, 

pipe insulation and cold weather 

sports equipment. 

Glenn’s Technology Transfer Office 

(TTO) has a mandate to find new uses 

for NASA’s innovative technologies. 

When Glenn technologies get into 

the hands of American businesses, it 

sparks job growth and results in new 

products and services that improve 

our lives.

So how can you get involved in moving Glenn technologies outside of our 

gates? It all starts with filing a New 

Technology Report (NTR) on new 

innovations that you are developing. 

Once you submit an NTR, the TTO 

works with our patent attorney to 

seek patent protection for the inventions when appropriate. Glenn’s TTO 

then evaluates the technology’s commercialization potential and maps out 

industry segments that would stand 

to benefit most. It’s okay if your technology is in the early development 

stage. Any improvement—no matter 

how big or small—should be reported as an NTR. 

“In FY2015 alone, Glenn’s TTO has 

secured 8 licenses and we plan to 

build on that momentum in FY2016, 

making even broader impacts with 

NASA Glenn’s outstanding technologies,” said TTO Chief Kim DalgleishMiller. “To learn more, check out 

our new website, http://technology.

grc.nasa.gov, follow us on Twitter, 

@NASAGlennBiz, and stop by and see 

us on the first floor of Building 77. 

We’d love to help your technology 

move out beyond NASA.”

The TTO has three types of licenses 

that can be used to engage with our 

commercial partners.

Evaluation License: Enables companies to “test drive” the commercial 

viability of NASA technologies with 

minimal risk and up-front commitment; well suited for early technology 

readiness level technologies that need 

additional investment.

Commercial License: Allows companies to make and sell products based on 

NASA technologies; requires detailed commercialization plans and financial status documentation.

QuickLaunch License: Streamlined path for organizations to obtain commercial 

licenses on select NASA technologies; minimal turnaround time because fees 

and standard license terms are published, not negotiated.

NASA Glenn celebrated the signing of an 

exclusive license agreement with FLEXcon, 

Inc. of Spencer, Massachusetts, Sept. 3. FLEXcon 

will manufacture and market Glenn’s 

patent pending polyimide aerogels using 

a process that will enable this technology 

to reach a mass audience. Pictured: Center 

Director Jim Free, left, and President and 

CEO of FLEXcon Neil McDonough shake 

hands after signing. 

GRC-2015-C-5773 Photo by Marvin Smith

Combined Federal Campaign Upcoming Events

Mark Your Calendar for These Fun Activities!

Tailgate & Chili Cook-Off

Friday, Oct. 9, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Cafe Dining Room

Basket Raffle

Friday, Oct. 23, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.

Cafe Dining Room

Plum Brook CFC Festival

Friday, Nov. 6, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Engineering Bldg.

Pacesetter 

Campaign 

Ends Oct. 9!

3
News and Events

Exercise Focuses on Continuity of Operations

GRC-2015-C-4247 Photo by Marvin Smith 

Glenn’s Emergency Management Office (EMO) staff, in conjunction with the Safety 

and Health Division, conducted a Closed Point of Dispensing exercise in the MIC 

Auditorium, July 21. The exercise allowed Glenn’s EMO staff to review the center’s response during a pandemic situation, as well as identify any areas in need 

of improvement. More than 200 employees participated in the exercise, which 

was evaluated by the Center for Disease Control, U.S. Health and Human Services 

and NASA Headquarters Emergency Management. Pictured: Occupational Health 

Branch Chief Luz Jeziorowski, in green vest, aides a participant through the process 

during the exercise. 

PBS Employees Enjoy Appreciation Lunch

Glenn’s Plum Brook Station staff took a well-deserved break to attend an Employee 

Appreciation gathering, Sept. 2. The event included a cookout with all the fix‘ins, 

games and socializing with coworkers. Senior managers, including Center Director 

Jim Free and Plum Brook Station Director David Stringer, mingled with staff. 

Photo by Larry Opper

Center Golf Outing 

Scores Fun

GRC-2015-C-4647

GRC-2015-C-4730 Photos by Chris Lynch

Glenn employees and guests participated in the 6th Annual Glenn Golf 

Outing at Mallard Creek Club in Columbia Station, July 31. A total of 240 

golfers participated in the four-person 

scramble. Nice day. Nice scores. This 

year’s winners at 14 under par (68) 

on the Blue 18 were Doug Bride, Greg 

Murray, Chich Ruggeri and John Zima. 

Taking the title for the Red 18 at 8 

under par (56) were Jonathan Burris,

Pasquale Daltorio, Kevin Meredith and 

Brian McConnell. After the scramble, 

participants gathered for a meal and 

conversation with fellow golfers. 

Check the Today@Glenn archives for 

the scores. Pictured, top, left to right: 

Eric Mindek, Bob Azzardi, Dennis 

Brown and Kim Glatzer team for high 

fun and low scores. Pictured, bottom: 

Glenn’s Ed Becks, far right, gives a 

thumbs up as he enjoys the buffet after a great day on the course. 

4
OCTOBER 2015

News and Events

Legislators and Staff Visit During Recess

Photo by Andy Swaim

Center Director Jim Free hosted 8 

visits by members of Ohio’s U.S. Congressional Delegation, Ohio (State) 

General Assembly, and/or their legislative staff during the month of August. 

During the visits, coordinated by Dr. 

Kim Veris, Glenn’s legislative affairs 

officer, the guests toured Lewis Field 

and Plum Brook Station facilities to 

learn about current and planned research and technology development, 

which support NASA missions. 

Elected officials visiting the center 

included: Congressmen David Joyce 

and Michael Turner; State Representatives Rick Perales, Marlene Anielski, 

Andrew Brenner, Stephen Hambley; 

and Emilia Strong Sykes. Also welcomed were legislative staff representing U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, 

Congressional Reps. John Boehner; 

Marcy Kaptur, Jim Jordan, Bob Gibbs, 

and Bob Latta; and staff from the Ohio 

General Assembly.

Among the facilities toured were Lewis Field’s Aircraft Operations Facility 

(hangar), Propulsion Systems Laboratory, Electric Propulsion Laboratory 

(EPL), and the Spacecraft Fire Experiment (Saffire) assembly area. At the 

EPL, guests received an overview of 

solar electric propulsion (SEP) work 

and its importance to the agency’s 

Asteroid Redirect Mission and future 

deep space missions.

GRC-2015-C-5230 Photo by Marvin Smith

Left: Glenn pilot Kurt Blankenship gives 

State Rep. Perales, center, and staff a tour of 

the hangar and highlights of Glenn’s algal 

bloom efforts. Above: Congressman Joyce, 

far right, and OSU shadowing student 

Erik Smith, receive an overview from 

Dr. Gary Ruff, left, and his Saffire team. 

“The Martian” Fiction 

and NASA Facts 

“ T h e M a r t i a n ” 

movie merges science fiction and 

factual narratives 

about Mars, building upon the work 

NASA and others 

have done exploring Mars and moving it forward into 

the 2030s. The script centers on an 

astronaut stranded on the planet, and 

includes nine real NASA technologies, 

including Glenn’s contributions, that 

were part of his experience. To learn 

more about those technologies, visit 

http://www.nasa.gov/feature/ninereal-nasa-technologies-in-the-martian.

Latin Culture Promoted Through Media Outlets

Myra Rosario, president of Latino 

Cleveland Media Group, and Executive Producer/Host of “Yo Soy (I am) 

Latino Cleveland,” shared her passion 

to bring positive change to Northeast 

Ohio’s Latin communities during 

Glenn’s National Hispanic Heritage 

Month Observance, Sept. 16. Rosario 

shared how she uses her marketing 

tools to highlight Latin culture and 

businesses that can help energize our 

nation’s diversity. Her weekly variety 

show, which airs on WKYC Channel 3, is attracting more than 89,000 

viewers in its first year of production. 

The Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity and Glenn’s Hispanic Advisory Group (HAG) sponsored the event. 

Pictured, right, Rosario fields questions following her presentation, while moderator Dr. Diana Santiago-DeJesus, HAG chair, observes. 

GRC-2015-C-5977 Photo by Rami Daud

5
Welcome to the NASA Family

Glenn welcomed four new employees and trainees to the workforce in July: They 

include: Eric Combs, Office of Protective Services; Charles Harris, Accounting & Financial Analysis Division; Noble Jones, Fluid Physics and Transport Processes 

Branch; and David Reagan, Manufacturing Engineering & Process Branch. We welcomed six more in August: Mark Archual, 

Data Systems Branch; Laura Farrell, Aero, Education & Reimbursables Support Branch; Harmony Myers (not pictured), 

Technical Excellence Office; Mason Rawson, Photovoltaic and 

Electrochemical Systems Branch; Urszula Szenfeld, Human 

Capital Consultant Division; and Yolanda White, Human Capital Consultant Division. In September, Glenn welcomed aboard 

three more: Sean Beckman, Quality Engineering and Assurance 

Branch; Andrew Chrysler, Advanced High Frequency Branch; 

and Douglas Cooper, Data Systems Branch. Brandon Cook is a 

new trainee for NASA Ames.

Combs

GRC-2015-C-6050 Photo by Marvin Smith

Left to right, front: Beckman and Chrysler; 

back: Cook and Cooper

GRC-2015-C-4883

Left to right: Rawson and Archual.

GRC-2015-C-4383

Left to right: Farrell, Szenfeld and White

GRC-2015-C-3451

Left to right: Reagan, Harris and Jones

Awards and Honors

Robert Reid, Human Capital Development Division, earned second place 

honors in both the Table Topics and 

Humorous Speech categories during the Aerospace Toastmasters Club 

(ATC) annual competition, July 30. 

Glenn’s ATC is affiliated with Toastmasters International, an educational 

nonprofit organization that focuses 

on developing good communicators. 

Members learn to improve their communication skills by participating in 

weekly club meetings and completing workbooks on communication 

and leadership. Contact Dale Force, 

3–3520, for more information. Pictured: 

Reid, center, with Judith Majher, left, 

who earned first place in the Humorous 

Speech category and Miguelina Muniz, 

right, who earned first place in the Table Topics category.

Photo by Doreen Zudell

2015 NASA Softball League Tournament Champions

The 2015 NASA Softball League season 

ended with the undefeated Hit Squad 

earning the title of tournament champions. The final score was Hit Squad 22 

and Dark Side 7. This was the second 

year in a row the Hit Squad earned this 

title. Pictured, front row, left to right: 

Anthony Wilford, Anthony Manco, 

Nick DiEgidio and Austin Manco. 

Back row, left to right: Bill Cherry 

Sr., Billy Cherry Jr., Antonio Davis, 

Larry Davidson, Scott Manco, Cory 

Tuley, Darrell Williams, Joe Sorok, Sal 

Olsen and John Mangdan. 

6
OCTOBER 2015

More Than a Memory

Dr. David J. Brinker, 63, a 2013 retiree with 32 years of NASA 

service, died Aug. 23. Early in his career, he performed solar 

cell measurements and calibration and conducted research 

that led to establishing the Organo Metallic Chemical Vapor 

Deposition Laboratory. These efforts provided a foundation for 

the Photovoltaic and Power Technologies Branch and the development of spaceflight experiments, including the Advanced 

Photovoltaic Experiment (APEX). He also contributed to remote sensing for aircraft icing that enabled progress toward 

aircraft safety.

Elmer Broz, 86, a 1987 retiree with 33 years of NASA service, died June 8. Broz 

was an U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the center’s 

Research Instrumentation Team that provided instrumentation hardware fabrication, installation, checkout, calibration and maintenance, which contributed significantly to the objectives and success of NASA Lewis programs. He also supported 

the 1970 launch of the SERT II, (Space Electric Rocket Test) demonstrating the first 

orbital test of electron-bombardment of ion engines.

Dr. Robert G. Deissler, 94, a 1994 retiree with 46 years of 

NASA service, died Aug. 16. Deissler was a Navy veteran of 

World War II, who joined the NACA/NASA workforce in 1948. 

He was world renown for his contributions to the theory of 

statistical turbulence and an analytical model of turbulent heat 

transfer in tubes and channels. Deissler was recently inducted 

posthumously into the GRC Hall of Fame as one of the most 

influential heat transfer researchers in the center’s history.

Thomas F. Lakatos, 74, a 1994 retiree with 27 years of NASA service, died August 14. 

Lakatos was a U.S. Army veteran. He graduated from the NASA Apprentice Program 

as a research laboratory mechanic in 1971. Lakatos was a member of the hangar 

crew that modified the F–106. He later served on the Turbine Engine Hot Section 

Technology (HOST) Team that helped improve analytical and experimental tools 

for jet engine design and hardware of the 1990s.

Dr. Brinker

Dr. Deissler

Cyber Security 

Awareness Month

Travel Personal/Work: 

Is Information Secure?

Wed., Oct. 14, 12–1 p.m.

Ad. Bldg. Auditorium

Is Your Use of IT Putting 

NASA at Risk?

Mon., Oct. 19, 12–1 p.m.

Ad. Bldg. Auditorium 

Cyber Security Awareness Day

Wed., Oct. 21, 

8:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m.

MIC Auditorium

Vendor Day: Latest IT Security

Thurs., Oct. 22, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Glenn Cafeteria

Cyber Defense Supply 

Chain Assurance

Wed., Oct. 28, 12–1 p.m.

MIC, Room 130

Want more information? 

Go to Glenn’s Office of Chief

Information Officer website: 

ocio.grc.nasa.gov

STOP. THINK. CONNECT

Calendar

IFPTE LOCAL 28, LESA MEETING: LESA 

will hold its next membership meeting, 

Wednesday, Oct. 14, noon, in the Glenn 

Employee Center’s Small Dining Room.

DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH: 

The Disability Awareness Advisory 

Group will hold its annual observance, 

Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., 

Ad. Bldg. Aud. Dr. Maricela Lizcano, 

Materials Chemistry and Physics Branch, 

is the speaker. This year’s theme is “My 

Disability is One Part of Who I Am.” POC: 

Kathy Clark, 3–8354.

FEDERAL EMPLOYEE HEALTH FAIR: 

The National Active and Retired Federal 

Employees (NARFE), Chapter 470, in 

collaboration with other NARFE Chapters 

across Northeast Ohio, will present an 

Open Season Health Fair. FEHB health, 

dental and vision plans representatives 

will be present. Representatives from 

the Ohio Senior Health Insurance

Information Program, Pro Seniors and 

the Cuyahoga County Veterans Service 

Commission will attend. The fair will be 

held Friday, Nov. 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. at 

the North Olmsted Community Cabin, 

28114 Lorain Road, North Olmsted. All 

current and retired federal employees 

are invited to attend.

NASA RETIRED WOMEN'S LUNCHEON: 

The next luncheon will be held Thursday, 

Nov. 19, 1 p.m. at Don's Lighthouse, 8905 

Lake Avenue, Cleveland. Please contact 

Gerry Ziemba, 330–273–4850 or email 

gto64gerry@yahoo.com to reserve your 

space. 

In Appreciation

Thank you to everyone at NASA who 

offered their prayers, condolences, 

cards, emails and other expressions of 

kindness on the recent passing of my 

mother, Margaret Handschuh. It has 

been a real blessing to be surrounded 

by such wonderful, caring people during this difficult time. 

 —Bob Handschuh

Emergency and Inclement Weather Lines 

Lewis Field: 216–433–9328 (WEAT) 

Plum Brook Station: 419–621–3333

Connect with Glenn

7
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field

21000 Brookpark Road 

Cleveland, Ohio 44135

www.nasa.gov

AeroSpace Frontiers is an official publication of Glenn Research 

Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It is 

published the second Friday of each month by the Office of 

Communications & External Relations in the interest of the Glenn 

workforce, retirees, government officials, business leaders and 

the general public. Submit short articles and calendar items via 

e-mail to the editor: doreen.b.zudell@nasa.gov or 216–433–5317. 

November 2015 Calendar section deadline: Oct. 23, noon

News and feature stories require additional time

Editor: Doreen B. Zudell, SGT, Inc.

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

Managing Editor: Kelly R. DiFrancesco

Read AeroSpace Frontiers online at http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/news/AF/index.html

Glenn, EHOVE Build Mobile Power Plant

Continued from page 1

The EHOVE project was made possible 

through a NASA Space Act Agreement 

and funding from the Technology 

Transfer Office (TTO). Carol Tolbert, a 

NASA project manager, undertook this 

joint community outreach opportunity 

to collaborate with the students from 

Ohio’s Erie County.

Working closely with Glenn’s Senior 

Research Engineer Tony Colozza,

Tolbert initiated discussions with the 

EHOVE administration to move ahead 

with building the solar power plant. 

“We saw that it would be a good fit if 

we could produce the design, supply 

the hardware and have EHOVE put it 

together and get it working,” Colozza 

said. “This partnership would help us 

complete the test bed and give the students a chance to work on technology 

with real-life applications.”

Students in EHOVE’s electrical technology, industrial technology, and collision and refinishing classes, trained 

by Glenn technicians, worked on the 

project at both the career center and 

at Lewis Field. These students installed 

wiring and electrical boxes, welded 

sections of the solar frame and painted 

the trailer. Additionally, three students 

worked with Glenn’s Manufacturing 

Division to earn welding certification 

using NASA specifications. 

Last month, the mobile solar plant 

proved its worth when it was used 

with the Glenn-developed Scarab 

Rover demonstration. The mobile test 

bed will soon travel to the NASA Johnson Space Flight Center where it will 

be used as a power source for a spacecraft power system controls test bed. 

Tolbert commented, “The Glenn staff 

was eager to share their time and talents with the students as this is a great 

example of our ability to advance a 

highly skilled, competent and diverse 

workforce.”

By Doreen B. Zudell

Above: The mobile solar power plant 

mounted on a trailer. When solar array 

panels are deployed, they span 512 feet.

GRC-2015-C-5798 Photo by Rami Daud

The mobile solar plant, pictured in background, was used with the successful Glenndeveloped Scarab Rover demonstration at 

Lewis Field in September.