VOLUME 24 • ISSUE 4 • APRIL 2022

Testing Safe 

Materials on Station

Page 5

Students Link to 

Space Station

Page 6–7

Virtually Explore

Glenn’s Facilities

Page 9

Astro to the

Rescue!

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

Design: Rhys Sampson, ATS

Managing Editor: Kelly R. DiFrancesco

Organizational Silence

I hope you took the opportunity to 

fully engage in the recent SATERN 

training on Organizational Silence. 

Combating organizational silence is 

truly critical to our continued mission 

success. 

I encourage you to practice the 

following actions: reverse your 

thinking; change your emotions; be 

present; invite dialogue; intentionally 

include; and create a positive and safe 

environment. 

We need to be open and fully engaged 

as we implement our key mission 

priorities with safety and excellence. 

DIRECTOR’S

SAFETY CORNER Robotic Dog Helps Prevent 

Hearing Loss

Employees are discovering that a 

dog—even a robotic one—can be a 

co-worker’s best friend. 

Astro assists with equipment inspections in building 64.

GRC-2022-C-00207 Photo by Jef Janis
view what Astro sees via camera. This keeps employees out of 

harm’s way while machines are running.

During inspections, Astro evaluates equipment function and 

alerts the staff if it discovers potential issues or abnormalities 

that need to be corrected. The robot also collects and stores 

high sample rate data for future analysis. Astro “sees” in 

infrared with 40 times zoom, utilizes thermography and a 

microphone, and maps its surroundings.

Once Wi-Fi capabilities are enhanced in building 64, operators 

plan to utilize web-based applications and additional 

programming to allow Astro to capture even more types of data. 

If the robot continues to effectively execute its duties, Astro 

may soon have a pal in the Engine Research Building.

By Adam Schabel

The Central Air Equipment Building, 64, provides central 

air service to aeronautics and aerospace test facilities at 

Lewis Field. When large motors and compressors inside the 

building are running, they make a lot of noise. This is harmful 

to employees’ hearing, even when utilizing double hearing 

protection.

A robotic dog named “Astro” is working to reduce those risks.

“We worked with Glenn’s Safety and Mission Assurance 

Directorate to discover methods to reduce noise levels, but 

many of the options would be costly and require too much time 

to implement,” said John DeGreen, chief, Systems Management 

and Operations Branch. 

Glenn discovered an affordable and time-saving alternative. A 

robotic dog was purchased from Boston Dynamics to assist 

with noise mitigation efforts. Astro serves as the eyes and 

ears for employees when conducting inspections in building 

64. The robot is operated by staff via remote control, can 

work autonomously, and is controllable over three levels of the 

facility.

Despite the noise, Astro can spend as much time as necessary 

inside the facility, which allows for thorough inspections of 

equipment. Robot operators remain in the control room and 

APRIL 2022

3

On the Cover: 

Central Process Operator Dan Loeffler 

demonstrates Astro near an exhauster in the 

Central Air Equipment Building.

Photo by Marvin Smith

Project Coordinator/Engineering Technician LePreece Thomas was 

responsible for coordinating the acquisition of the robot. She also 

came up with the name Astro.

Astro traverses the stairs in building 64.

GRC-2022-C-00216 Photo by Jef Janis

GRC-2022-C-00944

GRC-2022-C-00946 Photo by Marvin Smith
4

In mid-March, agency and center leaders held town hall 

meetings with the workforce to discuss NASA’s Return to 

On-Site Work and Future of Work activities. Starting in April, 

all centers are able to increase their on-site population from 

50% to 75% occupancy. 

In addition to the increase in occupancy level, the discussions 

also shared many themes, such as revisiting an individual’s 

work schedule, so it provides flexibility, but also supports 

the mission and the agency’s needs. Leaders reminded 

employees of the importance of being vigilant and “in the 

moment” when returning on-site, to avoid mishaps and 

ensure a safe working environment for all. 

In May, NASA Glenn will begin the Experimentation Phase of 

its Future of Work Pilot, which will allow employees to try out 

the center’s hybrid work model and hoteling, or desk sharing, 

activity. Organizations will also use this time to establish and 

communicate organizational meeting norms with their teams 

and assess property management needs, moving forward.

Visit the agency’s Future of Work website for guidance and 

information about NASA’s new hybrid work environment and 

Glenn’s website for center-specific details.

Dr. Debbie A. Augustin has been selected as deputy director of the Human 

Resources Office (HRO). She is responsible for helping manage the day-today operations of HRO. 

Before joining Glenn, Augustin worked at NASA Headquarters for four years. 

She managed several agencywide leadership and organization development 

programs. 

She then went on to serve in independent contributor and supervisory 

positions within HRO for 10 years at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. 

Augustin had oversight for a broad range of human resource management 

and development functions. 

Augustin previously held management, consulting, and training positions with 

organizations such as Kaiser Permanente and the Center for Rehabilitation 

Research and Education at The George Washington University (GWU). 

She earned a Master of Arts degree in education and human development 

with a concentration in rehabilitation counseling and a doctorate in human 

resources development with a focus in leadership development and 

organizational effectiveness from GWU.

Dr. Augustin

Dr. Augustin Named

Human Resources Deputy

NASA’s Future of Work: People First.

Mission Always.
5

Do you wonder how engineers will design fire-safe homes for 

the Moon, where only 12 people have walked, or Mars, where 

no human has even visited? How will they study flammability in 

these little-known environments?

The Solid Fuel Ignition and Extinction (SoFIE) project, a set of 

experiments that recently launched aboard Northrop Grumman’s 

17th cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station, 

could light the way to a deeper understanding of fire in space. 

SoFIE will run in the station’s Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR), 

which features a chamber where experiments can burn safely. 

CIR was designed and built at Glenn.

SoFIE consists of five investigations to study the flammability

of plexiglass, cotton-based fabrics, and other materials 

commonly used in spaceflight.

“With NASA planning outposts on other planetary bodies like 

the Moon and Mars, we need to be able to live there with 

minimal risk,” said Glenn’s Paul Ferkul, SoFIE project scientist. 

“Understanding how flames spread and how materials burn 

in different environments is crucial for the safety of future 

astronauts.”

The station’s unique microgravity environment enables 

scientists to study the true nature of flames isolated and 

unaltered by gravity. Data from SoFIE will help NASA select 

APRIL 2022

To demonstrate flame growth, decay, and extinction in space, a 

preliminary test called Burning and Suppression of Solids burned a 

synthetic resin on the space station several years ago. The top row 

shows the flame growing, while the bottom row shows it going out. 

Humans in Space

Flammability Project Will Help Select 

Safe Materials for Moon, Mars

GRC-2022-CN-00022 Photo by NASA

Dr. Goldsby Nowden

Promotions

Dr. Jon C. Goldsby has been selected chief, Ceramic and Polymer 

Composites Branch, Materials and Structures Division for the 

Research and Engineering Directorate. Throughout his career, 

Goldsby has provided expertise and leadership on a wide range 

of ceramic-based materials technologies using both experimental 

and computational methods.

Terrian Nowden has been selected chief, Power Architecture and 

Analysis Branch, Power Division for the Research and Engineering 

Directorate. She recently served as deputy discipline lead for the 

Human Landing System Power System team. Nowden also served 

as deputy project manager for the Orion Ascent Abort Acoustic 

Test at the Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility. Prior to that, she was a 

mechanical engineering technician.

materials and designs for spacesuits, cabins, and habitats. 

The experiments also will help NASA identify the best ways to 

put out fires or smoldering materials in space as it prepares 

to go farther and stay longer. 

Although SoFIE’s purpose is to study spacecraft fire safety, 

data from the experiments could help improve fire safety on 

Earth. The data will add to the existing body of knowledge 

that could improve screening tests to evaluate fire-safe 

materials for the home, office, aircraft, or other uses.

To learn more about SoFIE and each of its experiments, visit 

https://go.nasa.gov/3LHgSrh.
6

NASA Glenn’s Office of Communications and Office 

of STEM (OSTEM) Engagement, in partnership with 

Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC), provided a unique 

learning experience for more than 1,300 local students 

in grades kindergarten through 12 on March 2. The 

event featured a downlink between students and 

astronauts on the space station with participating 

schools and students on-site at GLSC. Glenn’s Abigail 

Rodriguez emceed the event.

Center Director Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis welcomed 

students and educators. She talked about Glenn’s 

roles in Artemis, including the Orion Spacecraft, Space 

Launch System rocket, and Gateway outpost. 

“Without a doubt, the journey to the Moon and Mars 

goes through Ohio!” she said.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, and Cleveland Mayor 

Justin Bibb also welcomed students with prerecorded 

remarks.

During the live downlink from NASA’s Johnson Space 

Center, Expedition 66 astronauts Raja Chari and 

Thomas Marshburn answered students’ questions 

centering on living and working in space. Questions 

ranged from “What is your favorite experiment?” to 

“Can you dance in space?” More than 3,600 people 

viewed the broadcast live while over 1,800 others have 

viewed replays posted to NASA YouTube accounts.

Ohio senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman 

provided prerecorded remarks that affirmed the value of 

NASA’s research and STEM-related education.

When the downlink concluded, an astronaut here 

on Earth, Stephanie Wilson, participated in a virtual 

discussion with students about the future roles for 

Artemis astronauts. 

A STEMonstration video titled “Five Senses” led into 

interactive hands-on activities facilitated by OSTEM 

staff for participants at the schools and GLSC.

By Doreen B. Zudell

Local Students Talk 

With Space Station 

Astronauts

Down on Earth, astronaut Stephanie Wilson from NASA’s 

Johnson Space Center talks live with students after the 

downlink.

Tracy Milan of Warrensville Elementary School was one 

of several students who asked space station astronauts 

prerecorded and live questions. 

GRC-2022-C-00341 Photo by Bridget Caswell GRC-2022-C-00356 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Can you dance in space?

6

It was anything but a typical day for students from several Northeast Ohio 

schools when they connected with astronauts aboard the International 

Space Station.
APRIL 2022

7

APRIL 2022

Astronauts Raja Chari, left, and Thomas Marshburn answer students’ questions during the downlink.

GRC-2022-C-00342 Photo by Bridget Caswell

If you had to live on the space station 

for the rest of your life, what three 

items would you bring with you?

What is the most interesting 

experience you’ve had in space?

High school students from the Cleveland Metropolitan School 

District traveled to GLSC to participate in the event.

GRC-2022-CN-00020 Courtesy of Great Lakes Science Center

How do you get fresh water 

to drink in space? How do 

you stay clean?

What is your favorite 

experiment on the 

International Space Station?
8

NEWS AND EVENTS

Earth Day is Friday, April 22. Glenn’s Environmental 

Management Office will kick off its Earth Day 2022 

celebrations with a prerecorded guest speaker. 

Throughout the year, it will share presentations that 

focus on various sustainability topics. 

This year’s theme is “The Benefits of Trees.” Visit 

Glenn’s Sustainability webpage: https://www.grc.nasa.

gov/f/fe/sustainability/ for up-to-date information. 

Looking for sustainability activities in your local area? 

Visit https://www.earthday.org to find the latest event 

happenings.

GRC-2022-C-00263 Photo by Jef Janis

Glenn’s Office of STEM Engagement hosted a virtual “University Day” 

on Feb. 17. The event provided an opportunity for 290 graduate and 

undergraduate students from 66 colleges and universities across the 

country to learn about NASA’s internship programs, facilities, and 

how to apply for internship opportunities. Students engaged in a 

“How to Apply” live workshop, took part in conversations with a panel 

comprising current interns and mentors, and participated in virtual 

tours of the SLOPE Laboratory and Icing Research Tunnel.

University Day 

Promotes NASA 

Internships

Earth Day 2022
APRIL 2022

9

Do you want to reconnect with NASA Glenn and its world-class 

facilities? From April to June and September to November, join 

Glenn’s Office of Communications to explore the unique facilities 

nestled inside Glenn’s gates. 

Learn more about Glenn’s facilities and research that support 

programs like Artemis—where NASA will land the first woman 

and first person of color on the Moon to explore more of the lunar 

surface than ever before. 

Register to explore Glenn through a virtual facility walk-through and 

go behind the scenes with experts to learn how the journey back to 

the Moon and on to Mars goes through Cleveland.

New this year is a Glenn overview tour along with a live 

Q&A session. 

The six virtual facility tours will be offered at 1 p.m. ET on the 

following dates:

• April 13—Simulated Lunar Operations Laboratory)

• May 18—8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel

• June 15—Space Environments Complex

• Sept. 14—Ballistic Impact Laboratory

• Oct. 12—Electric Propulsion and Power Laboratory

• Nov. 9—NASA’s Glenn Research Center Overview

Guests will receive a confirmation email with additional information 

and details regarding their designated virtual tour, including login 

information. To register for a tour, visit https://www.nasa.gov/

glennvirtualtours. For a list of frequently asked questions, visit 

https://go.nasa.gov/3MQr3dL.

GRC-2020-C-01311 Photo by Marvin Smith

GRC-2021-C-00487

GRC-2017-C-00904 Photo by Quentin Schwinn

Photo by Bridget Caswell

Tell Your Friends and Family!

Glenn’s Virtual Tours Return

9

Ballistic Impact Lab

Simulated Lunar Operations Laboratory

Space Environments Complex
10

Carek Owens

Retirements

David Carek, Chief Engineer Office, Research and Engineering 

Directorate, retired March 31, 2022, with 34 years of NASA service. 

Rick Manella, chief engineer, Chief Engineer Office, Research and 

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

NASA service.

Jeannette Owens, Office of Communications, Center Operations 

Directorate, retired March 11, 2022, with 31 years of NASA service.

Gagat

More Than A Memory

Anthony “Tony” Gagat, 98, a 1978 

retiree with 32 years of NACA/

NASA service, died Oct. 24, 2021. 

He was appointed the center’s 

Fire Protection Engineer in 1974. 

Gagat retired as head of the 

Equipment Engineering Section of 

the Engineering Design Division. He 

was an instructor in the Apprentice 

Program as well as a member of 

the Speakers Bureau and 

Supervisors Club.

Items in this trophy case in the Employee Center 

at Lewis Field are looking for a home. 

Calling Former Club and 

Sport Team Members!

Building 15 will soon be a memory and the center is looking to rehome 

the collection of sports and club trophies with former members. Trophies 

and plaques from softball, golf, tennis, and chess are among those 

available. Items will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you are interested in claiming one of these mementos, please contact 

Alan Hewston at 216–433–3556 or alan.w.hewston@nasa.gov, or Anne 

Mills at anne.mills@nasa.gov for more information. Current employees 

can also reach Hewston or Mills via Teams chat.

Award

Sorrells

Mark R. Sorrells, Science and 

Space Technology Systems Branch, 

received a Science Spectrum 

Trailblazers Award during the 2022 

Black Engineer of the Year Awards 

(BEYA) Science, Technology, 

Engineering, and Math Conference 

in February. The award recognizes 

outstanding achievement in 

developing innovation. Nominees 

are reviewed and recommended 

for this award by a panel of leaders 

from industry, government, and academia.

GRC-2022-CN-00006
APRIL 2022

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Century Federal Credit Union Back On-Site!

The credit union has opened a brand-new branch office, located in 

the new Research Support Building, Room 115. The hours are 8 a.m 

to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visit the new office while onsite at Lewis Field for all your banking needs.

Century

Federal Credit Union

Correction

The photo credit in the BOOM...Thump article on page 5 in the March AeroSpace 

Frontiers was incorrectly identified. The photo was taken by Jonathon Ponder.

For more information on upcoming events,

visit https://nasa.sharepoint.com/sites/grc/SitePages/calendar.aspx

Deadline for the next calendar

section is Wednesday, April 20,

noon. News and feature stories 

require additional time.

Each month the Glenn Library hosts 

Information Café, a forum to highlight 

a library or information resource. Join 

them on the third Wednesday of each 

month from 11–11:45 a.m. The April 

20 discussion will showcase the new 

Glenn library collection materials, both 

electronic and physical. It will include 

a virtual tour of the physical library and 

a discussion on how the Glenn library 

can support the “now” of work! Check 

Inside Glenn for the link. 

POC: robin.n.pertz@nasa.gov

INFORMATION CAFÉ

Emergency Management Office staff 

will conduct a mass notification voice 

test at building 87 on Wednesday, May 

4, at Lewis Field. An audible siren test 

on the “shelter and aid stations” tone 

will be conducted on Saturday, May 7.

POC: allen.r.turner@nasa.gov

OUTDOOR SIREN TESTING

Do You Know This Person?

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!

GRC-1990-C-08508

GRC-1990-C-10088

Attention Employees and Retirees!

Where are “My Submissions”?

With the migration of WING to Inside 

Glenn, employees and organizations 

may now submit announcements and 

events using NASA Community. In 

Community, you can see news articles 

that you have submitted by clicking 

this link.

INSIDE GLENN TIPS
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

It is paramount that the data generated from NASA Glenn’s research 

is accurate. Glenn’s Calibration Laboratory (Cal Lab), operated 

by Alcyon Technical Services, is responsible for minimizing any 

measurement uncertainty and ensuring the accuracy of test 

equipment. The Cal Lab has continued to perform this vital function 

throughout the various stages of NASA’s Framework for Return to 

On-site Work (RTOW). 

At the beginning of the pandemic, the Cal Lab focused its efforts on 

electronic data initiatives and enhanced capabilities by launching a 

user data portal. This allowed user access into the data stored in 

the lab’s operating system and electronic signature signoff. 

When center leadership began approving on-site mission critical 

projects, a portion of the Cal Lab staff returned to provide services 

for those projects. As the number of on-site mission critical projects 

grew, staff increased to meet the growing volume of customers. 

To ensure test equipment was verified for the appropriate project, 

the lab adjusted its automated equipment maintenance notification 

system. Instead of identifying equipment with a specific employee, 

equipment was tagged by project. This way employees associated 

with approved projects were sent reminders and serviced first. 

To adhere to COVID–19 safety protocols, staff utilized barriers, wore 

masks, and maintained social distancing. They were assigned to 

various workstations to reinforce the protocols and meet customer 

needs.

The Cal Lab thanks its customers for their patience and cooperation 

in adapting to adjustments in scheduling and prioritization.

Keeping the Center Moving Forward

While many employees transitioned to telework due to the pandemic, others remained 

on-site to ensure a safe and secure environment at the center. This column highlights 

these services. 

Right: Ron Pecora, front, and Jim Gentry work on data acquisition 

calibration. They are two of the Cal Lab’s staff members who have helped 

ensure work continued in a safe and efficient manner over the 

past two years. 

GRC-2022-C-00939 Photo by Marvin Smith