National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration

Glenn’s Shining

VOLUME 25 | ISSUE 1 | JANUARY 2023
AeroSpace Frontiers

is an official publication of NASA’s Glenn 

Research Center. 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

Design: Rhys Sampson, ATS

Managing Editor: Kelly R. DiFrancesco

Happy New Year and 

welcome back! I am 

looking forward to an 

exciting 2023 as we pursue 

our center priorities in 

aeronautics, space, mission 

support, and external 

partnerships. As we 

move forward, let us not 

forget those who made 

the ultimate sacrifice in 

the pursuit of exploration 

and discovery, including 

the crews of Apollo 1, 

Challenger, and Columbia. 

Let us honor them by 

integrating the tough 

lessons learned through 

their sacrifice in all that we 

do with a culture of safety 

and excellence. 

DIRECTOR’S

SAFETY CORNER

A New Year of 

Remembrance

“An Evening With the Stars,” held Nov. 30 at Windows on the River on 

Cleveland’s historic waterfront, provided a fitting forum to highlight 

this year’s theme “From Beginning to Beyond.” The event featured 

presentations by Glenn subject matter experts and a networking reception.

The Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) organized the event that attracted 

sponsors and guests from more than 50 companies, universities, and 

organizations. OAI President John Sankovic opened the program, 

followed by Glenn Center Director Dr. Jimmy Kenyon. He provided 

welcoming remarks and highlights of Glenn’s technological efforts, 

including the Artemis I launch. 

“It’s great to see you all here tonight—especially so soon after making 

history with the launch of Artemis I. NASA’s Glenn Research Center has 

been critical to the Artemis I mission from the very beginning,” Kenyon 

said. “It’s thanks to the support from our employees, our partnerships 

with government and international partners, American industry and 

academia, and our local community that we were able to achieve this.”

Kenyon then introduced the presenters—the stars of the evening—and 

their topics. 

Celebrating

Glenn’s Beginnings 

and Beyond

GRC-2022-C-11030 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Mills told the story of how the center came to be the thriving organization it is today.
JANUARY 2023

3

GRC-2022-C-11098

GRC-2022-C-11019

GRC-2022-C-11056 Photo by Jef Janis

Photo by Jef Janis

Hamley shared the history of space exploration at Glenn and 

how the road to the Moon has always gone through Ohio. 

Dr. Kenyon welcomed sponsors and guests.

Wadel revealed how some of our nation’s most significant 

accomplishments in aeronautics have come from Glenn.

NASA Glenn started from humble beginnings. Anne Mills, records 

manager and former history officer, discussed Glenn’s history 

and told the story of how the center came to be the thriving 

organization it is today. 

Often when you think of NASA, you imagine launching rockets, 

exploring distant planets, and colonizing the Moon. “Aeronautics” 

is the first “A” in NASA, and our work impacts you every time you 

fly. Mary Wadel, acting director of Technology Incubation and 

Innovation, revealed how some of our nation’s most significant 

accomplishments in aeronautics have come from our center, 

which has created an incredible legacy. 

NASA Glenn has a storied history of contributions to the agency’s 

most successful space exploration missions, from Mercury and 

Apollo to Perseverance and Artemis. John Hamley, associate 

director of Facilities, Test, and Manufacturing, shared the history 

of space exploration at Glenn and explained how the road to the 

Moon has always gone through Ohio. 

In his closing remarks, Kenyon said, “Tonight, you’ve seen 

merely a glimpse of the incredible past, present, and future of 

NASA Glenn. We are proud of where we’ve come from and eager 

to see where we’re going—whether that be to the Moon, to 

Mars, or beyond.”

By Doreen B. Zudell

On the cover:

Glenn’s shining stars and An Evening With the Stars presenters, left to right:

John Hamley, Anne Mills, and Mary Wadel at the scenic Windows on the River. 

Photo by Bridget Caswell GRC-2022-C-10862

Photo by Bridget Caswell
New Research Aircraft Comes Aboard 

4

When researchers test communications 

technology for the national airspace, they will 

be using a newly acquired tool at NASA Glenn. A 

Pilatus PC–12 aircraft will take on a key role in 

the agency’s investigation of how to manage the 

emerging advanced air mobility ecosystem.

After retiring two aging aircraft in the last year, 

Glenn’s flight operations experts conducted a 

detailed study to find the perfect replacement.

“We needed an aircraft that had the ability to 

fly at high and low altitudes, was fuel efficient 

and had the cargo capacity to carry researchers 

and monitoring equipment,” said James Demers, 

manager of Glenn’s Flight Operations. “It also 

needed to take off and land in a variety of 

challenging airport situations.”

The new PC-12 offers the versatility NASA

Glenn needed. This 2008 turboprop

 has a pressurized cabin and can fly

 at altitudes from 4,000 to

 30,000 feet for long

 flights at a 

The Pilatus PC–12 aircraft will help researchers evaluate 

communications systems for the emerging advanced air 

mobility ecosystem.

GRC-2022-C-05921

Photo by Bridget Caswell

cruising speed of 322 miles per hour. This 

allows it to go long distances for testing in 

many environments. 

The PC–12 can land on short, unpaved runways 

if necessary. It is so versatile that the Royal 

Flying Doctor Service of Australia uses it in the 

punishing extremes of the Outback.

After NASA makes modifications to the interior 

to accommodate teams of researchers and their 

equipment, the aircraft will be used for a variety 

of aeronautic research missions.

Initially, the aircraft’s primary research 

will evaluate commercial communications 

technologies that will allow highly automated 

transportation systems to operate and move 

passengers or cargo at lower altitudes within 

urban and suburban areas.

“We plan to evaluate the performance of a 

NASA partner prototype radio system, cellular 

services, and satellite technologies for critical 

information exchanges between aircraft and air 

traffic service providers during flight in an urban 

environment,” said Rafael Apaza, associate 

project manager for the Air Traffic Management 

eXploration (ATM–X) project. “The PC–12 allows 

4
Glenn Unveils

PC–12 Aircraft

Local media received an up-close view of 

NASA Glenn’s Pilatus PC–12 research aircraft 

during a briefing in the center’s aircraft 

hangar on Nov. 22. 

Glenn’s Bryan Smith, director of Facilities, 

Test, and Manufacturing; Tim McCartney, 

Director of Aeronautics; James “JD” 

Demers, chief of Flight Operations; and 

Kurt Blankenship, research pilot who flies 

our new PC–12 aircraft, provided remarks 

and answered questions. Smith discussed 

the importance of modernizing Glenn’s fleet, 

and McCartney delved into the Advanced Air 

Mobility mission. Demers and Blankenship 

spoke to the plane’s specifications and 

research mission. 

Reporters had the opportunity to step inside 

the PC–12 aircraft with Blankenship. 

Demers, chief of flight operations at NASA Glenn, looks 

over the PC–12 aircraft when it arrives at the center.

Blankenship, left, highlighted the significance 

of the new research aircraft, while, left to right, 

Demers, McCartney, and Smith look on.

GRC-2022-C-05914 

GRC-2022-C-05490 

Photo by Bridget Caswell

Photo by Bridget Caswell

us to put these technologies through good, 

rigorous tests in optimal locations and 

at altitudes where new urban vehicles will 

likely operate.”

Apaza and his team will mount commercially 

manufactured antenna designs to the belly of 

the aircraft to evaluate configurations and 

data transfer rates and exchanges to radio 

ground systems.

“Flight research trials take concepts out of 

the lab and into the national airspace to 

help us make great strides toward a better 

understanding of communications technology 

for future flight,” said Apaza.

This work supports the NASA Advanced Air 

Mobility plan to map out a safe, accessible, 

and affordable new air transportation system 

alongside industry and community partners 

and the Federal Aviation Administration. These 

new capabilities would allow passengers 

and cargo to travel on-demand in innovative, 

automated aircraft across town, between 

neighboring cities, or to other locations typically 

accessed today by car.

“Adding this new aircraft to our fleet will allow 

us to tackle a vast array of aeronautics research 

programs for NASA,” said Demers. “We are 

excited to provide those opportunities for many 

years to come.”

By Nancy Smith Kilkenny

JANUARY 2023

5

JANUARY 2023
Charities and Chili Inspire Giving

Congresswoman, Cleveland Mayor Visit

Glenn employees learned about important causes from 

representatives of 14 local charitable organizations, 

while enjoying free chili during the Combined Federal 

Campaign’s Agency Fair and Chili Cookoff in the 

MIC Auditorium on Nov. 9. Many employees also 

participated virtually, as the Agency Fair program was 

streamed to the workforce. Acting Deputy Director 

Dawn Schaible and Ohio CFC Regional Manager 

Michelle Wooddell participated in the event. Fifteen 

employees entered the cookoff. First place went to 

Tyler Holdsworth’s “Smokehouse Chili,” and Anabel 

Falcon took second place with her “Out of Our 

League” recipe. 

Visit https://nasa.sharepoint.com/sites/grc-cfc/ for a 

complete list of charities, the weekly cause, directorate 

representatives, keyworkers, and how to give.

Glenn’s Phil Abel and Erin Rezich briefed 

Congresswoman Shontel Brown and Mayor 

Justin Bibb on work in the Simulated Lunar 

Operations Laboratory (SLOPE), including lunar 

tire research, during a visit to NASA Glenn 

on Nov. 10. The tour and center overview 

provided them key information on Glenn’s 

mission and technology. Pictured, left to right: 

Center Director Dr. Jimmy Kenyon, Rezich, 

Brown, Abel, and Bibb. Background: Glenn 

Protocol Officer Kathy Zona.

Holdsworth, back left, and his Smokehouse Chili took 

first place among many tasty chili choices.

Schaible joined other employees who talked with 

representatives from local organizations.

GRC-2022-C-10030

GRC_2022-C-09944

Photos by Bridget Caswell GRC-2022-C-10069

Photo by Marvin Smith

6
7

Glenn Teams Earn NASA Awards

The Excellence in Resilience or Climate Change Adaptation 

Award was presented to the Glenn Fleet Management 

and Transportation Team for the management of Glenn’s 

sustainable fleet by strategically including underground 

infrastructure for electric vehicle charging stations during 

construction of facilities projects. This reduces the 

installation costs of charging stations as Glenn moves 

toward electrifying its fleet. 

Excellence in Resilience or Climate Change Adaptation Team 

Award winners, left to right: Charlotte Bertrand; Denise 

Thaller; Andrew Deenanauth, Glenn’s Vehicle Fleet Operations 

Officer; and Dr. Joel Carney. A large team of employees 

across Center Operations, Facilities, Test and Manufacturing, 

and Armstrong Test Facility participated in this project.

Director’s Award winners, left to right: Charlotte 

Bertrand; Denise Thaller; Tina Norwood; Glenn’s June 

Zakrajsek (retired) and Bethany Eppig; and Dr. Joel 

Carney. Not pictured: Peter McCallum (AERO).

GRC-2022-CN-00060 Photo by NASA GRC-2022-CN-00059 Photo by NASA

Retirements

Kurak

Woodling

Shaw

Richard Kurak, Office of Chief Information Officer, retired 

Dec. 30, 2022, with 38 1⁄2 years of NASA service. 

Heidi D. Shaw, Management Support and Integration 

Office, retired Dec. 2, 2022, with 43 years of NASA service. 

Mark A. Woodling, Facility Project Management Branch, 

retired Nov. 3, 2022, with 41 years of NASA service. 

Look for more retirements in

the February AeroSpace Frontiers!

Congratulations to Glenn recipients of the prestigious 

NASA Blue Marble Awards. These awards, presented 

by the Environmental Management Division of NASA’s 

Office of Strategic Infrastructure, recognize excellence 

in environmental and energy management in support 

of NASA’s mission. 

The Director’s Award was presented to the Glenn-led 

Radioisotope Power Systems National Environmental Policy 

Act Improvement Team for improving processes resulting in 

significant cost and schedule savings to missions. 

JANUARY 2023

7
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

Celebrating

the holidays

GRC-2022-C-11189 

GRC-2022-C-11362

Photo by Marvin Smith

GRC-2022-C-11247 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Photo by Bridget Caswell

GRC-2022-C-11393

Photo by Marvin Smith

Glenn’s MIC Auditorium transformed into Lew-ville on 

Dec. 12, packed with holiday music, cheer, and more 

during the 2022 Center Holiday Gathering. The event was 

hosted by the Office of the Director and sponsored by the 

NASA Glenn Exchange.