VOLUME 24 • ISSUE 1 • JANUARY 2022

Deputy Director

Bids Farewell

Page 4

Glenn Stars

Shine

Page 5

 Employees Commit 

to Astronaut Safety

Page 6–7

Glenn Debuts Future

of Work Pilot

Pages 2–3
NASA Glenn’s Office of Communications (OCOMM) and the Office

of the Chief Information Officer have officially transitioned

Today@Glenn and the Director’s Corner to the new Inside Glenn on 

the OneNASA Intranet! 

“The Inside Glenn transition is part of an agencywide effort to 

modernize and integrate intranet sites to better connect work and 

people across the agency, regardless of their location,” said Glenn’s 

Internal Communications team lead Kelly DiFrancesco.

In addition to a new look and feel to its content, the site now offers 

navigation bars for agency and center resources at the top of the 

page. It also offers an updated Director’s Corner, links to Glenn’s 

social media sites and NASA Live, the official stream of NASA TV. 

The OneNASA intranet also includes a robust Community feature 

that allows all NASA employees and employee groups to share 

information about their news and events.

Users are encouraged to click the link within the Welcome to Inside 

Glenn blue banner at the top of the page to access a brief training 

video, FAQs, a crosswalk doc, and a link to the Office 365 Support 

Portal at the bottom of the page.

A limited version of the WING site will be available until Jan. 31 if 

you would like to copy previous announcements you have posted. 

On Feb. 1, the WING site will be decommissioned and removed from 

service. See the FAQ for more details on how to access archived 

WING content. Please update your bookmarks or set your browser’s 

homepage to Inside Glenn.

OCOMM is planning to conduct an Inside Glenn information session 

this month; watch the Center News section for details on this event. 

It will be taped and shared for later viewing on Inside Glenn for those 

who are unable to attend. Training materials for SharePoint Online 

can be found on the Office 365 Support Portal.

Have a question or want to share feedback about our site with the 

Inside Glenn team? Click here to submit your ideas or comments.

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

Welcome 2022 

Welcome back and happy new year to 

all! Your dedication, commitment, and 

hard work are the reasons for our success. 

Despite the obstacles and challenges 

of 2021, we successfully completed key 

milestones and deliverables and continued 

testing in our world-class facilities in 

support of NASA missions. Building off 

our successes from last year, I am excited 

about 2022 and the significant milestones 

ahead of us, including the Artemis I 

launch, and progress toward all others 

from our 2022 GRC Top Priorities in space, 

aeronautics, the institution, and external 

partnerships. As we begin 2022, let us be 

mindful to maintain our focus on safety by 

continuing to follow COVID–19 guidance 

to keep your family and our workforce 

healthy. Thank you in advance for your 

part in executing our priorities with safety, 

excellence, and mission success in mind.

DIRECTOR’S

SAFETY CORNER

Inside Glenn Site

Launches on

OneNASA Intranet 
NASA Glenn has been hard at work on developing 

a hybrid work environment of flexibility, inclusion, 

and collaboration. 

A cross-directorate Core Team at Glenn has been 

working since March 2021 to develop the GRC 

Universe Future of Work Pilot that capitalizes on 

findings from the NASA Future of Work study 

generated by NASA Headquarters. A Virtual Town 

Hall with Center Director Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis 

last October, highlighted the GRC Universe Future 

of Work Pilot and Core Team’s activities to date.

Civil servant and support service contractor 

employees tuned in to the town hall to discover the strategies, objectives, and next steps for 

the pilot that is now underway. Champion Pérez-Davis, Sponsor Robyn Gordon, and Core Team 

members provided details on culture, engagement methods, benchmarking, workforce surveys, 

infrastructure, IT, and more.

Project Lead Michael Moxley explained that while all NASA centers are implementing pilot 

programs established from the Headquarters study, specifics may differ slightly based on each 

center’s needs. 

During Phase 1, the Formation phase, the Core Team focused on investigating potential 

hoteling space opportunities in the new Research Support Building (RSB) at Lewis Field, 

benchmarked other organizations’ best practices and processes for operating in a hybrid model, 

and conducted internal surveys to collect employee feedback.

During Phase 2, the Experimental phase, January–June 2022, the Core Team will sponsor 

several initiatives. The entire center will have an opportunity to engage in some part of the 

experimental phase. Some of these include working with directorates to establish meeting/

work room norms, updating telework agreements, and continuing to gather employee feedback. 

The center is planning to use the new RSB for a hoteling pilot during the experimental phase; 

however, some of the pilot activities may need to be adjusted to ensure compliance with all 

safety and health practices and center access requirements. 

“This is an exciting, long-term effort,” said Moxley, “where we will look for ways to continually 

improve the model.” 

To learn more about this initiative, visit https://nasa.sharepoint.com/sites/grcfutureofwork.

By Doreen B. Zudell

JANUARY 2022

3

Glenn’s Future of Work

Pilot Underway

On the Cover: 

The GRC Future of Work Core Team 

represents the diversity of our workforce—

people and organizations. 

Image by Daniel Frydl
4

Glenn’s Deputy Director Susan M. Motil retired on Dec. 31, 2021, with 32 

years of NASA service. Motil was named deputy director in June 2020. Prior to 

that appointment, she managed the Orion Program’s European Service Module 

Integration Office. 

Motil has successfully managed projects with diverse multidisciplinary teams, 

ranging from small to large multi-center teams throughout her career. Since 

joining Glenn in 1989, she managed several significant projects, including the 

Cryogenic Propellant Storage and Transfer Technology Demonstration Mission, 

Space Environmental Test Project at Armstrong Test Facility, the Cryogenic 

Fluid Management Technology Portfolio, and the Altair Project at Glenn. 

Motil has been recognized with many awards, including the Presidential Rank 

Award in 2019. 

“I’m excited for my next great adventure, but I will also miss my NASA family,” 

Motil said. “Thanks to each and every one of you, for your dedication to the 

NASA mission and making GRC a great place to work. I will be watching 

this very talented GRC workforce with pride, and all along knowing you will 

continue to do great things!”

Motil

Cynthia Calhoun has been selected as deputy director of the Safety 

and Mission Assurance Directorate, effective Jan. 2. 

Calhoun previously served as the deputy chief of the Program and 

Project Assurance Division where she supported the chief in assuring 

aerospace systems were of high quality and operated safely, ensuring 

mission success for NASA’s programs and projects.

Calhoun holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer 

Engineering from Ohio University, and is an alumnus of the Duquesne 

University Palumbo-Donahue School of Business. She is the recipient 

of the NASA Group Achievement Honor Award, the NASA Mission 

Manager’s Flight Commendation, the NASA Exceptional Service 

Medal, the NASA Equal Employment Opportunity Medal, and the NASA 

Administrator’s Gears of Government Initiative Award.

Calhoun

Calhoun Named Safety and Mission 

Assurance Deputy

Glenn Deputy Director

Bids Farewell
5

NASA Glenn celebrated “An Evening With the Stars” with the 

theme “80 Years of Pushing Boundaries and Breaking Barriers” 

at Cleveland State University on Oct. 27. The event featured 

presentations by Glenn researchers and a networking reception.

Sponsored by the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI), the event 

attracted sponsors and guests from more than 50 companies, 

universities, and organizations. OAI President John Sankovic 

opened the program, followed by Cleveland State University 

President Harlan Sands who provided welcoming remarks.

Center Director Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis acknowledged special 

guests, including David McBride, center director at NASA’s 

Armstrong Flight Research Center in California. 

“It is so good to see you all here tonight as we celebrate the 

accomplishments and 80th Anniversary of NASA Glenn,” 

said Pérez-Davis. “Some of our nation’s most significant 

accomplishments in aerospace have come from our center, and 

we are incredibly proud of that legacy.”

Pérez-Davis said that over the coming year, NASA will prepare to 

launch the first in a series of more complex missions to the Moon 

under Artemis. The agency is also working to change the way 

we fly through innovative engines, more electric propulsion, and 

advanced materials.

The evening featured three Glenn experts—our stars—who 

delved deeper into a few NASA projects and missions that are 

helping to make this future a reality.

For nearly 21 years, the International Space Station has been 

JANUARY 2022

continuously operating in low-Earth orbit, conducting important 

science and technology demonstrations. Dr. Daniel Dietrich, 

Low-Gravity Exploration Technology Branch, explained how Glenn 

is furthering our scientific understanding of the microgravity 

environment, including fluid and combustion physics.

Did you know we can train metals to do specific tasks like 

move parts of an aircraft’s wing, deploy solar arrays, or even 

create nearly indestructible tires? Dr. Othmane Benafan, High 

Temperature and Smart Alloys Branch, discussed some of Glenn’s 

recent advances with shape memory alloys, including testing on 

Boeing’s EcoDemonstrator aircraft and uses on the future Mars 

Sample Return Mission. 

NASA is working to cut air travel time in half, but before we can 

enjoy those reduced travel times, we must focus on quieting 

sonic booms. Ray Castner, Inlets and Nozzles Branch, plays a 

critical role on the agency’s X–59 QueSST, our low-boom flight 

demonstrator. This experimental aircraft will begin flying over 

communities in the United States in the coming years to prove we 

can quiet the boom and help usher in a new age of commercial 

supersonic flight.

“Tonight, you’ve seen merely a glimpse of all the incredible 

research and development going on at NASA Glenn,” said 

Pérez-Davis. “All three of our presenters are perfect examples of 

our best and brightest; a small part of our team at NASA Glenn 

developing cutting-edge technologies for the next 80 years of 

pushing boundaries and breaking barriers.”

By Doreen B. Zudell

Dr. Benafan explains advances with shape 

memory alloys.

Castner highlights the X–59 QueSST, our

low-boom flight demonstrator.

Dr. Dietrich discusses furthering our scientific 

understanding of the microgravity environment.

GRC-2021-C-04148 Photos by Marvin Smith GRC-2021-C-04188 GRC-2021-C-04222

Illuminates Cutting-Edge

Technologies
Employees Recognized for Roles in 

Human Spaceflight Safety

NASA’s Space Flight Awareness (SFA) Program has recognized Glenn employees for their roles 

in astronaut safety and mission success in the challenging task of flying humans in the hostile 

environment of space.

Two ceremonies were held virtually last November to acknowledge six Glenn SFA Teams and 

three Trailblazer award recipients. Former Glenn Deputy Center Director Susan Motil participated 

in both events. 

The SFA is a NASA-managed recognition program for NASA civil servants and contractors. These 

individuals have major responsibilities for human spaceflight safety and mission success.

Space Flight Awareness Team Awards

The Space Flight Awareness Team Award recognizes 

significant contributions made to human spaceflight 

through the collective efforts of the many teams within the 

entire NASA/industry community.

Orion Service Module T–0 Collet Stress 

Assessment Team 

This team was awarded for their critical analytical support 

of the Service Module T–0 Collet for successful flight 

readiness certification. The T–0 Collet is part of the T–0 

Umbilical separation mechanism that connects the Orion 

vehicle to the ground support system before launch. It is 

critical to ensure that this mechanism will operate reliably 

without any failures during launch. 

Team members: Matthew Appleby, Douglas Astler, 

Louis Ghosn, Jennifer Hayes (lead), Michael Politi, 

Elliot Schmidt, Linda Yoon (NASA); Robert Allen (HX5 

Sierra)

Config 7 Post Test Correlation Work Team 

This team was awarded for their critical support of 

the Service Module Structural Qualification Testing 

Campaign (Configuration 7) for Artemis I. The NASA 

Orion Service Module Structures Team assumed multiple 

in-line responsibilities, which enabled the success of 

an important vehicle assembly level test (known as 

Configuration 7 from the test campaign) that included 

national and international partners. 

Team members: Rula Coroneos, Louis Ghosn, Jennifer 

Hayes (lead), John Ramsey, Elliot Schmidt, Lizalyn 

Smith, John Thesken, Jerald Thompson and Linda 

Yoon (NASA); Robert Allen (HX5 Sierra); John Shaker 

(NovaTek Engineering) 

Space Launch System Mission and Fault 

Management Team 

This team was awarded for outstanding contributions 

toward the development of the Space Launch System 

(SLS) Mission and Fault Management flight computer 

algorithms, and operational and engineering analysis 

support of those algorithms during Green Run validation 

tests. These contributions were integral to test verification 

of the SLS Block 1 core stage for the Artemis I Mission. 

Team members: Edmond Wong (lead) (NASA); Michael 

A. Mackin and William A. Maul (HX5 LCC)

Medical Extensible Dynamic Probabilistic Risk 

Assessment Tool (MEDPRAT) Team 

This team was awarded for the development of a 

computational analysis tool to predict medical event 

occurrence and estimate resource utilization and 

performance impacts for human spaceflight missions. In 

adopting an Agile Development approach, this dedicated 

team provided customer-focused versions of the tool 

available for early use by the Human Research Program. 

Team members: Kyle Gee, Lauren McIntyre (lead), 

Jerry Myers (NASA); Lawrence Leinweber (ZIN 

Technologies)

6
Photovoltaic Investigation on the Lunar

Surface (PILS) Team 

This team was awarded for the successful design, 

build, and test of the PILS platform to be included on 

the first Commercial Lunar Payload Services lander 

to the lunar surface. The PILS platform will measure 

performance of advanced solar cells and measure 

electrical charge buildup on solar arrays on the lunar 

surface, helping to ensure safe and reliable future 

human exploration of the Moon. 

Team members: Kaiser Aguirre, Mathew Deminico, 

Susan Jansen, Michael Krasowski, Katherine 

McGinnis, Jeremiah McNatt (lead), Brian Morris, 

Timothy Peshek, Norman Prokop, Abigail 

Rodriguez, Amy Stalker, Greeta Thaikattil, Brian 

Tomko (NASA); Linda Nero (Alcyon Technical 

Services); Joseph Francz, John Heese, Lowell 

Wolfe (Vantage Systems Inc.); Trish Seaman 

(Bastion)

Realtime Optical Receiver (RealTOR) 

Optical Artemis II Orion O2O Space 

Modem Testing Team 

This team was recognized for the exceptional 

performance in the design and development of 

a field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based 

transmitter and simple receiver for use in testing the 

O2O space modem. Optical communications will be 

demonstrated on a human spaceflight for the first 

time with the O2O mission, which will be launched 

on Artemis II, the first crewed flight of Orion. 

Team members: Thomas Bizon, Jennifer Downey 

(lead), Nicholas Lantz, Michael Marsden, 

Mary Jo Shalkhauser, W. Peter Simon, Daniel 

Zeleznikar (NASA); Joseph Hickey (Vantage 

Systems Inc.)

Trailblazer 

Awards 

The Space Flight Awareness 

Trailblazer Award is an early-career 

recognition award for exemplary 

performance given within their first 

seven years. This award includes 

a shadowing opportunity with the 

executive of their choice. 

Glenn’s recipients include:

Spencer C. Furin

For selfless dedication and diplomatic 

ability to foster collaboration in 

support of preparing the Orion MultiPurpose Crew Vehicle for flight. 

Dr. Timothy Peshek

For significant contributions toward 

advancing photovoltaics and space 

power technologies to ensure 

successful NASA space missions. 

Jerald T. Thompson

For instrumental leadership in the 

structural certification of the Orion 

Pyramidal Separation Mechanism.

Furin

Dr. Peshek

Thompson

JANUARY 2022

7
8

NEWS AND EVENTS

Presentation Focuses on Native

American STEM Workforce

NASA’s Day of Remembrance Set

NASA Glenn’s Advisory Group for Native Americans and the Office of Diversity 

and Equal Opportunity hosted a virtual presentation on Nov. 16 celebrating Native 

American Heritage Month. The presentation featured Rick Stephens, emeritus chair 

of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society board of directors, who 

spoke on the theme “Together Towards Tomorrow.” Stephens highlighted what the 

future of the STEM workforce will look like as more Native American students enter 

STEM fields. He also described his ongoing work of engaging Native American 

students and encouraging them to pursue STEM education.

NASA Wins LinkedIn Diversity Award

NASA has been named the Diversity Champion winner of LinkedIn’s 

2021 Talent Awards. This award recognizes companies who initiated 

and inspired meaningful conversations around diversity, inclusion, 

belonging, and equity. Being named Diversity Champion not only 

acknowledges NASA for its efforts in attracting new talent, but for 

telling the story of the agency’s diverse workforce and culture. NASA 

was the only federal agency nominated for any category. Learn 

more about the awards here: https://business.linkedin.com/talentsolutions/events/21/05/talent-awards.

NASA will hold its 2022 Day of 

Remembrance on Thursday, Jan. 27, 

to honor members of the NASA family 

who lost their lives while furthering 

the cause of exploration. This includes 

the crews of Apollo 1, Space Shuttle 

Challenger, and Space Shuttle 

Columbia. Check Inside Glenn for 

details on this year’s observance.
9

JANUARY 2022

Senior Leaders

Dr. Christopher DellaCorte, Senior Technologist in Tribology and Rotating 

Machinery, Materials Division, Research and Engineering Directorate, retired Dec. 

31, 2021, with 34 years of NASA service.

Andrew J. Eckel, Program and Project Assurance Division chief, Safety and 

Mission Assurance Directorate, retired Dec. 31, 2021, with 34 years of NASA 

service. 

Randall B. Furnas, Power Division chief, Research and Engineering Directorate, 

retired Dec. 31, 2021, with 41 years of NASA service. 

James Zakrajsek, Materials and Structures Division chief, Research and 

Engineering Directorate, retired Dec. 31, 2021, with 34 years of NASA service.

Deborah Bizon, Program/Project Integration Office, Space Flight Systems 

Directorate, retired Jan. 31, 2021, with 40 years of NASA service.

Penni Dalton, Exploration Systems Office, Human Exploration and Space 

Operations Project Office, Space Flight Directorate, retired Dec. 31, 2021, with 34 

years of NASA service.

Terry L. Ferrier, Project Management Branch, Facilities Infrastructure Division, 

Facilities, Test and Manufacturing Directorate, retired Dec. 31, 2021, with 40 years 

of NASA service.

Brian Good, Environmental Effects and Coatings Branch, Materials and Structures 

Division, Research and Engineering Directorate, retired Dec. 31, 2021, with 38 

years of NASA service.

Daniel S. Gorman Jr., Aircraft Operations, Facilities, Test and Manufacturing 

Directorate, retired Dec. 31, 2021, with 41 years of federal service, including 33 

with NASA.

Dr. Joseph Grady, Ceramic and Polymer Composites Branch chief, Materials and 

Structures Division, Research and Engineering Directorate, retired Dec. 31, 2021, 

with 35 years of NASA service.

Earl Hanes, Ceramic and Polymer Composites Branch, Materials and Structures 

Division, Research and Engineering Directorate, retired Dec. 31, 2021, with 69 

years of NASA service.

Ethel McLaughlin, Management Support and Integration Office, Research and 

Engineering Directorate, retired Dec. 31, 2021, with 21 years of NASA service.

Dr. Brian J. Motil, Thermal Systems and Transport Processes Branch chief, Power 

Division, Research and Engineering Directorate, retired Dec. 31, 2021, with 32 

years of NASA service.

Jean Roberts, Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility, retired Dec. 31, 2021, with 35 years 

of NASA service.

Mark A. Stevens, Rotating and Drives Systems, Materials and Structures Division, 

Research and Engineering Directorate, retired Dec. 31, 2021, with 35 years of 

NASA service.

Orlando Thompson Sr., Office of STEM Education, Center Operations Directorate, 

retied Dec. 31, 2021, with 38 years of NASA service.

Barbara Wilson, Mission Support Office, Office of Chief Information Officer, retired 

Nov. 24, 2021, with 32 years of NASA service.

More retirements will be featured in the February AeroSpace Frontiers.

Retirements

Dr. DellaCorte

Furnas

Hanes

Dr. Motil

Thompson Sr.

Eckel

Ferrier

Wilson

Roberts

Zakrajsek
Timothy Ferlin has been selected chief, Program and Project 

Assurance Division for the Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA) 

Directorate. He most recently served a 1-year detail as the acting 

deputy director of the SMA Directorate. Previously, Ferlin served 

as the chief SMA officer for the Gateway Power and Propulsion 

Element.

Jason Hanna has been selected as the Center Export Control 

Administrator (CEA) in the Office of Technology Incubation and 

Innovation Directorate. He most recently served as the center’s 

software release manager and assistant CEA. Hanna supported the 

Technology Transfer Office for the past 20 years.

Ferlin Hanna

Dr. Isaiah M. Blankson, Glenn’s senior technologist for hypersonics in the Propulsion Division 

with 33 years of NASA service, died Nov. 19, 2021.

Blankson’s research covered many topics, including hypersonic waveriders, advanced combined 

cycle propulsion, sonic boom mitigation, biomimicry, and plasma-based water purification for 

terrestrial and spaceflight applications. He is credited with laying the foundation for the SWERVEPEGASUS program, which eventually became the X–43 aircraft. Blankson was a fellow of the 

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He received several awards for his service, 

including a Presidential Rank Award (2007) and an Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal 

(2018).

“Isaiah was renowned for his breakthrough technical contributions, extraordinary intelligence, and 

playful wit,” said George Schmidt, Blankson’s supervisor. “He was a beloved mentor to many 

Dr. Blankson engineers at Glenn and in the field of aeronautics. He will be sorely missed.”

Glenn retiree Gene Addy was honored with 

the Losey Atmospheric Sciences Award at 

the 2021 Aviation Forum of the American 

Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 

(AIAA). During his 33-year career at Glenn, 

Addy made major contributions to research 

in aircraft ice accretion. AIAA cited his 

“exceptional achievements and leadership in 

advancing aviation safety.”

Addy

Dr. Blankson Leaves Lasting Impact at Glenn

10

Promotions Awards

More Than a Memory
JANUARY 2022

11

For more information on upcoming events, visit https://nasa.sharepoint.com/sites/grc/SitePages/calendar.aspx

Deadline for the next calendar

section is Wednesday, Jan. 19,

noon. News and feature stories 

require additional time.

Glenn’s Library will continue hosting 

its popular Information Café series 

in 2022. Mark your calendar for 

Wednesday, Jan. 19, from 

11–11:45 a.m., for the first session 

of the new year. Topic to come. 

Check Inside Glenn for the link. 

POC: robin.n.pertz@nasa.gov

INFORMATION CAFÉ

The 2021 Combined Federal 

Campaign (CFC) concludes on 

Saturday, Jan. 15, with the goal 

of raising $275,000. For more 

information, visit Glenn’s CFC page 

at https://www.grc.nasa.gov/cfc/.

CFC DEADLINE

Emergency Management Office 

staff will conduct a mass 

notification voice test at 

building 6 on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 

at Lewis Field. An audible siren 

test will be conducted on the 

“severe thunderstorm” tone on 

Saturday, Feb. 5.

POC: allen.r.turner@nasa.gov

OUTDOOR SIREN TESTING

Glenn’s Logistics and Technical Information Division needs your help 

identifying people, places, and research from archived images. If you 

recognize a photo placed here, email GRC-ITC@mail.nasa.gov.

To ensure your email reaches the right individuals, please enter 

“DYKTP” into the subject line. Although we cannot respond to 

individual emails, please know your participation is appreciated!

Do You Know This Person?

GRC–1990–C–00619

GRC–1990–C–01823

Attention Employees and Retirees
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

Fission System to Power Moon Exploration

Fission surface power technologies will also help NASA 

mature nuclear propulsion systems that rely on reactors to 

generate power.

NASA and the DOE (through the Idaho National Laboratory 

operated by Battelle Energy Alliance) will select competing 

U.S. companies to develop initial designs over a 12-month 

period. The resulting designs will inform an industry 

solicitation for the final design and build of a flightqualified fission power system to send to the Moon on a 

demonstration mission.

NASA’s fission surface power project is managed by NASA 

Glenn. The technology development and demonstration 

are funded by the Space Technology Mission Directorate’s 

Technology Demonstration Missions program, which 

is hosted at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, 

Alabama.

By Nancy Smith Kilkenny

Exploration of the Moon and Mars requires the power of 

human imagination and vision. It also takes the power of 

electricity to bring science and technology to life when 

astronauts land and stay on the surface. 

NASA has plans for a robust presence on the Moon under 

Artemis and eventually Mars, including the development 

of a fission surface power system for safe, efficient, and 

reliable electrical power. Fission surface power—in 

conjunction with solar cells, batteries, and fuel cells—can 

provide the power to operate rovers, conduct experiments, 

and use the Moon’s resources to produce water, propellant, 

and other supplies for life support.

“Plentiful energy will be key to future space exploration,” 

said Jim Reuter, associate administrator for NASA’s Space 

Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) in Washington, 

which funds NASA’s fission surface power project. “I 

expect fission surface power systems to greatly benefit our 

plans for power architectures for the Moon and Mars and 

even drive innovation for uses here on Earth.”

NASA, in coordination with the Department of Energy 

(DOE), is asking American companies for design concepts 

for a fission surface power system that could be ready to 

launch within a decade for a demonstration on the Moon. 

The system should be capable of autonomous operation 

from the deck of a lunar lander or a lunar surface rover.

“NASA and the DOE are collaborating on this important and 

challenging development that, once completed, will be an 

incredible step towards long-term human exploration of 

the Moon and Mars,” said Fission Surface Power Project 

Manager Todd Tofil at Glenn. “We’ll take advantage of the 

unique capabilities of the government and private industry 

to provide reliable, continuous power that is independent 

of the lunar location.” 

Why fission? 

• It is reliable. Fission systems can operate continuously 

around the clock in shadowy craters and during the 

weeks-long lunar nights, when power generation from 

sunlight is difficult.

• It is powerful. The systems NASA is asking companies 

to design would provide at least 40 kilowatts of power, 

enough to continuously power 30 households for 10 years.

• It can be compact and lightweight. Systems like these 

could someday provide enough power to establish an 

outpost on Mars.