VOLUME 24 • ISSUE 12 • DECEMBER 2022

Dr. Kenyon Takes 

Glenn Helm

Page 4

CFC Kicks Off

Page 5

Fall Fun Fest 

Welcomes All

Page 8

LunarLiTES Take 

on the Moon

Page 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

It’s an honor to have been 

selected as your center director 

at Glenn. My family and I are 

excited about becoming a part 

of the Cleveland community. 

This time of year, with winter 

on our doorstep, many of us 

connect with loved ones while 

we reflect on the year ahead. 

As you consider your plans, 

please be safe, whether you’re 

traveling for the holidays or 

just clearing your driveway or 

sidewalk. Give yourself time 

to get where you’re going and 

take your time to make sure 

you arrive safely. Our families 

need us, and we need you 

here at Glenn to accomplish 

the important work ahead. 

Thank you for your great work 

in 2022 and best wishes for a 

safe holiday season.

DIRECTOR’S

SAFETY CORNER

We Want You Safe

GRC-2022-CN-00064

A NASA engineer works on the prototype of a large, multi-wheeled, pressurized lunar rover 

at the Desert Rats Media Day event. 

Since smartphones entered the market in the late 2000s, users have grown 

accustomed to the speed and convenience of using cellular networks to connect 

to the internet. The 4G and 5G networks are now familiar forms of wireless 

technology that provide millions of users with high-speed mobile internet 

connections to hand-held devices. 

The same networking technology that keeps us connected on Earth could soon 

be used by Artemis astronauts to communicate on the lunar surface. 

While these systems are well understood on Earth, their deployment on the 

Moon is expected to be more challenging due to the harsh rocky environment of 

the lunar surface. NASA is developing a capability to overcome these obstacles 

brought on by the terrain through accurately predicting how communication 

signals will propagate across the lunar surface. 

“Regolith [Moon dust] holds static charge and stays suspended above the ground, 

which can interfere with communication signals in surprising ways,” said Aaron 

Yingling, Lunar LTE Studies project manager at NASA Glenn. “Finding ways to 

overcome the terrain and develop 4G and 5G networks on the Moon will allow 

astronauts and robotic missions to maintain clear reliable communications as 

they explore the extreme conditions found at the lunar South Pole.” 

The Lunar LTE Studies project, or LunarLiTES, is a Space Communications and 

Navigation (SCaN) technology initiative supporting NASA’s efforts to bring 4G 

Glenn Engineers Test 

Lunar Communications 

in Lava Field 
DECEMBER 2022

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GRC-2022-CN-00063

GRC-2022-CN-00065 

Glenn engineers Cameron Seidl, left, and Kerry Johnson conduct 

lunar communications testing at Black Point Lava Flow. 

Glenn engineers test lunar communications equipment at Black Point Lava Flow.

and 5G networking to the Moon. The LunarLiTES capability 

tests how communication signals will spread across the terrain 

of the lunar South Pole, in an emulated environment at Glenn. 

Findings from the LunarLiTES project will help NASA determine 

the best path forward in using 4G and 5G networking for 

Artemis communications.

LunarLiTES recently concluded two weeks of testing in the harsh 

depths of the Arizona desert, where groundbreaking 4G LTE 

communications data was captured in an environment similar to 

the lunar South Pole. Data collected during field testing will be 

used to improve future emulation models.

“Field testing is an invaluable opportunity for us to validate our 

modeling with real-world data,” said Mike Zemba, principal 

investigator for the LunarLiTES project. “It allows us to 

confidently predict performance of communications systems 

on the lunar surface and develop a robust communications 

infrastructure that can support the needs of Artemis.” 

The dry, rocky craters that make up the unusual land of Black 

Point Lava Flow, a 2-mile stretch of hardened lava located 

40 miles north of Flagstaff, Arizona, closely resemble the 

severe landscape that Artemis astronauts are anticipated to 

encounter on the Moon. This makes it a valuable destination 

for lunar testing. 

Once utilized as a training site for Apollo astronauts, Black Point 

Lava Flow is the current location of NASA’s Desert Research and 

Technology Studies (DesertRATS) program, where missions can 

test new technologies in a simulated lunar environment. 

On Oct. 24, DesertRATS hosted an educational media day event 

to share NASA’s cutting-edge lunar technology with the public. 

The LunarLiTES team concluded two weeks of field testing by 

representing SCaN at the event, where they educated the public 

on Glenn’s lunar communication efforts.

By Molly Kearns

ON THE COVER: Glenn Engineers Cameron Seidl, Taylor Pember, and Kerry 

Johnson test lunar communications at Black Point Lava Flow in Arizona.
Ohio Delegation

Staffers Visit

Dr. Jimmy Kenyon Named Center Director

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Glenn’s Lee Mason, pictured front, provides a briefing on 

surface power technology to Ohio delegation staffers. NASA 

Glenn recently hosted members of the Ohio delegation for 

staffers at the center. Nearly 30 congressional staffers 

and the governor’s cabinet-level aerospace advisor visited 

to learn more about Glenn’s wide range of missions and 

facilities at Lewis Field and Armstrong Test Facility. They 

met Glenn staff and discussed the benefits NASA Glenn 

brings locally and regionally.

GRC-2022-C-08669

Photo by Marvin Smith

NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for 

Business Operations Casey Swails joined 

Glenn’s Town Hall on Nov. 7 to announce the 

appointment of Dr. Jimmy Kenyon as center 

director. Kenyon was named acting center 

director and Dawn Schaible acting deputy 

director in June. 

“We wanted to bring in two leaders [Kenyon 

and Schaible] with fresh perspectives and 

new ideas,” said Swails. “The foundation and 

relationships they’ve taken months to nurture 

will continue.” 

The search for a permanent deputy director is 

underway. Until that time, Schaible will continue 

as acting deputy director. 

Dr. Kenyon took the podium to graciously accept 

the position as center director. “I’m thrilled and 

humbled to be here. This is truly an honor of a 

lifetime,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed getting to know 

so many of you and especially learning about 

the great work you do every day.”

He then recognized individual employees who 

were nominated by their organizations for their 

outstanding work.

Before leading the question-and-answer 

session, Associate Director Larry Sivic shared 

his pleasure in working with Kenyon over the 

past months and welcomed him aboard in a 

permanent capacity. Sivic also said to be on the 

lookout for information on the cafeteria opening 

and a collaborative social time in the Research 

Support Building. 

The question-and-answer session included several 

subjects, some of which centered on the Future 

of Work, attrition and hiring, competencies and 

expertise, center priorities, vision for the future, 

and Employee Viewpoint Survey.

To learn more about Glenn’s new center director, 

visit https://go.nasa.gov/3zZxLtb.

By Doreen B. Zudell

Dr. Kenyon, right, addresses employees’ questions at the town hall. 

Swails looks on. 

GRC-2022-C-09848 Photo by Bridget Caswell

4
CFC Kicks Off

Film Tells

Oppy’s Story 

NASA Glenn kicked off its annual Combined Federal 

Campaign (CFC) with a hybrid event on Oct. 20. This year’s 

theme “You Can Make a Difference” empowers federal 

employees and retirees to help improve the quality of life in 

our neighborhoods and around the world through the CFC. 

This year’s monetary goal is $265,000.

During the kickoff, Glenn’s Lori Manthey, Ohio LFCC Zone 

28 committee chair, welcomed employees and special 

guests Glenn Acting Deputy Director Dawn Schaible and 

Ohio CFC Regional Manager Michelle Wooddell. 

Schaible talked about the importance of giving what you can, 

and that your pledge truly does make a meaningful difference 

to individuals in need. “Giving, even small amounts, will make 

a difference when we give together,” she said.

Wooddell echoed those sentiments and shared a video that 

provided ways to give. “There are more than 5,000 charities 

that do amazing work out there in our region,” she said. 

Manthey introduced 2022 co-chairs Glenn’s Firas Asfoor, 

Wylyn McCullough, and Thomas Ozoroski. Each shared 

a video of a CFC charity dear to them. This year’s Glenn 

campaign chair, Tonya Mitchell, was unable to attend the 

event. 

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

complete list of charities, the weekly cause, directorate 

representatives, keyworkers, and how to give. 

By Doreen B. Zudell

Great Lakes Science Center’s (GLSC’S) Dome Theater 

hosted a screening of Amazon’s Good Night Oppy 

exclusively for Glenn employees, support service 

contractors, and science center members, Nov. 2. 

Good Night Oppy tells the inspirational story of NASA’s 

Opportunity rover, which was sent to Mars for a 

90-day mission but ended up surviving for 15 years. 

Glenn Acting Deputy Director Dawn Schaible, center, 

introduced the film, and scientist Geoffrey Landis, left, 

gave a presentation, and answered audience questions. 

GLSC’s JonDarr Bradshaw, right, assisted. The film is 

now on Amazon Prime Video.

GRC-2022-CN-00061 Photo by Jan Wittry

Inspiring Girls’ Moonshot 

Glenn’s Office of STEM Engagement and the Lakewood Public Library recently 

hosted the Million Girls Moonshot event, a national effort to inspire a million 

girls to join the engineering field by 2025. K–12 students and their families 

enjoyed an in-person watch party of a downlink with NASA astronaut Jessica 

Watkins and actress Keke Palmer, a question-and-answer session with a panel 

of NASA subject matter experts, and a hands-on engineering design challenge. 

Glenn’s Dr. Jamesa Stokes, left, and Greg Marsh, guide a student participant in 

constructing paper rockets for testing.

GRC-2022-C-08746 Photo by Marvin Smith

DECEMBER 2022

5
More Than a Memory

Dr. Nelson

Slywczak

Dr. Nelson Delivered Wide-Ranging Expertise

Dr. Emily S. Nelson, 65, a research engineer in the Low-Gravity Exploration 

Technology Branch, died Oct. 24. Dr. Nelson began her 31-year NASA career 

in 1991 in the Materials Division after working for one year at Sverdrup. She 

began supporting the Microgravity Science Division in 1996, moving to the 

Human Research Program in 2004. Nelson’s expertise included fluid physics 

computational modeling, metadata analysis, and model validation. She developed 

a probabilistic model of bone fracture prediction and a lumped parameter model 

of the human eye, deriving a mathematical relationship between intraocular 

pressure and posture. She co-edited the book Green Aviation (2020).

“Emily was a self-professed Star Trek geek who loved to travel, crafted beautiful 

scarves, made unique jewelry, and had a hive of bees that created amazing honey,” said 

her supervisor, David Urban. “She will be greatly missed by her co-workers.”

Nelson received an Exceptional Service medal (2011) and a Silver Snoopy (1995).

Slywczak Dedicated to Safety and Mission Assurance

Richard A. Slywczak, 55, chief of Glenn’s Management Integration Office in the 

Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate (SMAD), died Oct. 25. 

Slywczak began his NASA career at Goddard Space Flight Center in 1996 and 

transferred to Glenn in 2001. He previously served as branch chief in the Reliability 

and System Safety Engineering Branch and Mission Assurance manager for the 

Program and Project Assurance Division, as well as acting branch chief in several 

other areas. He was a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and 

Astronautics and senior member of the Civil Air Patrol. Slywczak received the 

Supervisor Award (2020).

“Rich was an outstanding supervisor and employee, but most of all, he was dedicated to his family,” 

said SMAD Director Gus Martzaklis. “He also had a great sense of humor. We will miss him dearly.”

Earl O. Boyer, 89, a 1994 retiree with 32 years of NASA service, died Oct. 21. Boyer began his career 

with NASA as a research pilot. His flight research projects included testing advanced inlets and 

nozzles on the F–106 Delta Dart, flying the Gulfstream II outfitted with Advanced Turboprop, and flying 

microgravity and solar cell calibration flights in the Learjet. In 1972, he earned qualification to fly 

helicopters. He also served as deputy chief of Aircraft Operations from 1991 to 1994 before retiring. 

He earned several achievement awards.

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For more information on upcoming events,

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

Save at the Exchange Store!

Come In Out 

of the Cold

Looking for last-minute holiday gifts for your family and 

colleagues? Stop by the Glenn Exchange Store located in the 

Research Support Building 164. The store is open 

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 

 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., or shop online 

 at NASAShop.com. 

Winter weather challenging 

your workout?

Join Glenn’s Fitness Center, 

in person at building 341, or 

virtually via Microsoft Teams. 

The fitness center offers group 

classes, exercise equipment, 

personal training, fitness 

evaluations, and more! Contact 

robert.c.laws@nasa.gov, call 

216–433–6313, or visit https://

www.grc.nasa.gov/smad/

medical-fitness/. 

MIC Auditorium

Monday, Dec. 12

1 to 3 p.m.

See Inside Glenn

for details!

Information Café: Inside Glenn

The next Information Café will feature Kelly DiFrancesco from 

Glenn’s Office of Communications. She will offer tips on how to

navigate the Inside Glenn site, share updated features, and answer 

questions. Join the Library staff on Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 11–

11:45 a.m., room 108, or on Teams. Check Inside Glenn for the link. 

POC: robin.n.pertz@nasa.gov. 

10% off through Dec. 15!

DECEMBER 2022

7
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

John H. Glenn Research Center 

Lewis Field Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility 

3597 E. Scheid Road 

Sandusky, Ohio 44870

21000 Brookpark Road 

Cleveland, Ohio 44135 

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

GRC-2022-C-08969 

Photos by Marvin Smith

Center Director Dr. Jimmy Kenyon and Glenn’s senior leadership team 

invited employees to celebrate the fall season and NASA’s amazing 

accomplishments during the Fall Fun Fest and Building 3 Open House

 on Oct. 31. Each directorate hosted a table

 featuring a fall treat and showed off their best

 seasonal decorations. Employees voted for the

 best-dressed table after the 

 event. See Inside Glenn for the 

 winners and more

photos.

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GRC-2022-C-9013 

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GRC-2022-C-08974 

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