OCTOBER 2005

YOU'VE GOT MAIL ................. 6New process helps NASAeffectively respond to the public

COMMUNITY BOUND .......... 9Glenn gets involved in localLabor Day celebrations

YOU ARE THE KEY .................. 12CFC activity continues throughOctober 28

Volume 7 Issue 9 October 2005

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New Hall thruster passesperformance testing

lenn researchers have successfully tested a new thruster that could make it easierand more cost effective to study our solar system.

The test involved a Hall thruster built under the High Voltage Hall Accelerator(HiVHAC) project. The HiVHAC thruster was designed and fabricated over the lastyear by a team from Glenn and Aerojet of Redmond, WA, to operate efficiently overa wide range of input power levels.

The HiVHAC thruster was tested in Glenn's Electric Propulsion Laboratory, VacuumFacility 12, which simulates the vacuum environment of space. The thruster operated

successfully with input powers between 200 and2900 watts at specific impulses (a measure ofpropellant fuel economy) between 1000 and2800 seconds.

"This thruster has met all of our initial objectives,"said Dave Manzella, HiVHAC principle invest-igator, Electric Propulsion Branch. "It has greatpotential to open the door to using solar electricpropulsion in deep space without adding signifi-cant weight or cost to the mission. Not only will itoperate efficiently with a range of input powersbut it is also significantly lighter, under 3 kilograms,and has fewer components than state-of-the-arttechnologies."

Hall thrusters generate thrust by acceleratingelectrically charged gas particles (ions). Ejectingthese particles at high velocities in a focused

direction pushes the spacecraft ahead. This propulsion technology will utilize the Sunfor its power. Solar energy for a given area decreases with distance from the Sun.Low-power operation is therefore important because it allows spacecraft to continuethrusting in space far from the sun, where there is little solar power available to beabsorbed by a craft's solar arrays.

The thrust generated by this propulsion technology is much smaller than currently usedchemical alternatives. It is comparable to the force exerted by a sheet of paper resting

Glenn news release

Continued on page 3

The prototype High Voltage Hallthruster was developed by Glennand the Aerojet Corporation.

New CenterDirector named ASA Administrator Michael Griffinhas named Dr. Woodrow Whitlow, Jr.,the next director of NASA Glenn.Whitlow, who has been servingas deputy directorof Kennedy SpaceCenter, succeedsDr. Julian Earls, whois retiring at the endof the year.

Whitlow returns toGlenn where heserved as director ofResearch and Technology for 5 yearsprior to his appointment to NASAKennedy in 2003. He joined the U.S.space program in 1979 as a researchscientist at Langley Research Center.He also has served as director of theCritical Technologies Division ofthe Office of Aeronautics at NASAHeadquarters and as deputy director ofthe Aeronautics Program Group,deputy director of the Airframe SystemsProgram Office, and chief of the Struc-tures Division at NASA Langley. ◆

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Dr. Whitlow

ATERN—the System for Administration,Training, and Educational Resources forNASA—is an Agencywide e-Trainingeffort now being implemented in a three-phased approach at each center. As ane-Government initiative, SATERN sup-ports the President's ManagementAgenda for improving the Government'sresponsiveness to citizens and efficiencyof operations. As such, NASA, as well asall Federal agencies, is required by theOffice of Management and Budget andthe Office of Personnel Management toparticipate in this initiative.

SATERN is expected to improve Agencyservices and save taxpayer dollars byconsolidating NASA's multiple learningsystems: AdminSTAR—the training admin-istration system, Site for On-line Learningand Resources (SOLAR)—the onlinecustom content software, and NASAOnline Registration System (NORS)—the automated registration and trackingsystem currently in use at NASA Marshalland NASA Kennedy.

SATERN will provide all NASA employ-ees with easy-to-use, one-stop, onlineaccess to training information. The sys-tem will enable employees to view coursecatalogs directly from their desktops,enroll in courses, schedule training, andview their individual training history. Inaddition, employees can launch onlinecourses and access customized and com-mercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) e-learningopportunities through SATERN.

"In addition to simplifying processes forNASA employees, the training and devel-opment community will benefit fromSATERN's centralized and automatedapproach to learning management," saidCynthia Forman, chief of Glenn's Organi-zation Development and Training Office."Over time, the system will standardizeprocesses, create efficiencies, and im-prove integration by providing new tools,functionality, and capabilities for careerdevelopment and training administration."

For further information, contact NolaBland, 3–9343, or Natalie Pastorin, 3–2234, or visit http://cfo.grc.nasa.gov/ifm/etraining/etraining.asp. ◆

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Research Highlights

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The following are a few recent Researchand Technology Directorate milestones.

e-Training initiativeconsolidates systems

Flexible thin film heat flux sensors advancedThe Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company recently tookdelivery of 15 thin film heat flux sensors designed bymembers of the Sensors and Electronics Branch andfabricated at Glenn in the Building 77 clean room.These sensors, which measure 1/4-inch square, aresmall enough to be mounted within the tread of apassenger car tire and will be used to measure treadtemperature and transient heat flux inside and outsidethe tread during dynamometer testing. The sensorsconsist of a thin film of platinum with half of aWheatstone bridge on each side of a film substrate.The substrate itself consists of 0.01-inch-thick Mylar, enabling a flexible sensor that canbend with the tire as it rolls. Knowledge gained in developing this flexible film sensortechnology is applicable to the next generation of space suits under development.(Point of contact: Gustave Fralick, 3–3645)

Intelligent retrofit architecture for engine controlAs part of the Propulsion 21 project, Glenn is developing a retrofit architecture forintelligent turbofan engine control and diagnostics that changes the outer-loop fan

speed reference signal to accommodate the fanspeed to thrust relationship. The typical engineinner-loop control architecture uses fuel flow tocontrol fan speed, which is assumed to becorrelated to engine thrust. As an engine ages, therelationship between fan speed and thrust changes,altering the thrust response to throttle input. If allengines on a multi-engine aircraft do not have thesame throttle-to-thrust relationship, it can result inthrust asymmetry, producing unwanted yaw, whichrequires pilot intervention to correct. The intelligentretrofit architecture successfully accommodateda thrust imbalance on a commercial aircraft enginesimulation in straight and level flight fixed-basepiloted flight simulator. This effort completes an

interim deliverable under the Adaptive Control element of the Propulsion 21 project.(Point of contact: Jonathan Litt, 3–3748).

Large Water Droplet Splash Dynamics InvestigationGlenn's Icing Branch and Wichita State University are collaborating on an effort tovisualize the splashing and breakup of large water drops on a simulated airfoil with icefor a better understanding of the droplet splash/breakup process for improved iceprediction computer codes. Wichita State University designed the specialized inlet andairfoil for a small wind tunnel facility in the Engine Research Building test cell CW-5A,outfitted to support this experimental investigation. This inlet was installed and initialflow quality and pressure instrumentation checks completed for the initial tests. Amonodispersed droplet generator shot a streamof large water droplets (100 to 300 µm) at anairfoil with simulated ice accretion on the leadingedge. A high-speed imaging system was used tosuccessfully capture and record the trajectory ofthe incoming droplets on approach as well as theimpact to the surface of the airfoil. NASA'sAviation Safety and Security Office supports thisactivity. (Point of contact: Dean Miller, 3–5349).

Glenn heat flux sensor insertedin Goodyear tire.

Litt at the engine control evaluation station

Laser beam imaging captures water droplets on airfoil.

OCTOBER 2005

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on the palm of your hand. However,unlike chemical systems that may onlyburn for a few minutes, a solar electricpropulsion engine can thrust continuouslyfor years. Using this propulsion tech-nology, velocities more than 10 timesthose possible with chemical systemscan be achieved by spacecraft accele-rating over a long period of time.

Thruster could make solar system travel easier, cost effectiveContinued from page 1

Dr. Shyne and Sanabria receive new appointments

"We believe that the HiVHAC thrusterwill be an invaluable part of future plan-etary missions," said Tibor Kremic,Glenn's In-Space Propulsion programmanager, Science Division. "While thereis more work to be done before thistechnology is ready to fly, we are alreadyexcited about the performance and costbenefits being projected."

The next step for this technology will beto design and demonstrate the thruster's

ability to achieve the long life necessaryto reach outer destinations. The flightsubsystems that support the thruster,such as the power-processing unit, willalso need to be developed.

The HiVHAC thruster was develop-ed through the In-Space Propulsion(ISP) technology development pro-gram. Marshall Space Flight Centermanages ISP on behalf of NASA'sScience Mission Directorate. ◆

Dr. Shyne Sanabria

r. Rickey Shyne, former deputy direc-tor of Safety and Mission Assurance, wasappointed to the Senior Executive Ser-vice. Effective August 21, Shyne becamedeputy director of the Engineering &Technical Services Directorate. RafaelSanabria has been appointed to replaceShyne in Safety and Mission Assurance.

Highly regarded for his aeronautical pro-pulsion expertise, Shyne brings to theposition significant experience on techni-cal and programmatic issues concerningother NASA centers, the Department ofDefense, industry, and academia.

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During more than 21 years of NASAservice, Shyne has gained extensiveexperience as a researcher, projectmanager, and manager of computationaland experimental research for aeronau-tics and space propulsion systems. Morerecently, he shared oversight of Glenn'ssafety and mission assurance functionsincluding risk, quality, safety, and envi-ronmental management for bothinstitutional and flight programs.

Sanabria formerly served as chief ofthe Computational EnvironmentsBranch, where he managed high-

performance computing resources ofthe Research Analysis Center and theEscort Data Acquisition Systems atGlenn's research facilities.

Since joining NASA nearly 26 years ago,Sanabria has amassed extensive experi-ence in fluid and thermal analysis forground and space-based systems, projectmanagement, information technologiesservices, and supervision. In addition, herecently completed an assignmentas a member of the NASA SharedServices Center Source EvaluationBoard at NASA Headquarters. ◆

Thanks to the NASA Family AssistanceFund and the Combined FederalCampaign, anyone can provide finan-cial assistance to those inside and outof the Agency who were affected byhurricane Katrina--all with the clickof a mouse. See NASA's public Website at www. nasa.gov/eoc for moreinformation.

Hurricane assistance Center Director Dr. JulianEarls, left, presents Dr.Lebaczq with a framedphotograph of NASA Glenn.

During his visit to the Center on September 1, Dr. J. Victor Lebacqz, NASAAssociate Administrator for Aeronautics, thanked Glenn employees for theirsupport and hard work. In addition to answering questions from employees,Lebacqz reflected on his previous visits to Glenn and stressed the value heholds for the NASA family.

Dr. Lebacqzvisits Glenn

Photo by Marvin SmithC-2005-1258

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NASA's largest annual aeronautics exhibit was agreat success at the Experimental AircraftAssociation "AirVenture 2005" held in Oshkosh,WI, this summer. Nearly 700,000 air and spaceenthusiasts attended. Pictured behind the desk,back to front, Chris Conrad (Army), Bob Everett,and Tracy Cantley, Prototype DevelopmentBranch, demonstrating the Rapid Prototypingmachine at the Craftsmanship booth.

Photo by Doreen Zudell

AirVenture 2005

Thunderbirds land

Glenn's Educational Programs Office (EPO) and some of its partners in the Science andMathematics Achievement Required for Tomorrow (SMART) Consortium and Ohio Mathand Science Coalition met with leadership from the Ohio Department of Education(ODE) to discuss strategies to improve math and science education for Ohio's K through12-grade students. Pictured, seated from left: Debbie Roshto, associate director, Science,ODE; Jane Ensign, director, Curriculum and Instruction, ODE; Jim Fitzgerald, aerospaceeducation specialist, NASA AESP; Jo Ann Charleston, chief, EPO; and Joan Leitzel,associate director, Math Initiatives, ODE. Pictured, standing from left: John Hairston,director, External Programs; George Viebranz, executive director, Ohio Math and ScienceCoalition; Rob LaSalvia educational programs specialist, EPO; and Terry Krivak, executivedirector, SMART Consortium.

Math andscience focus

Photo by Doreen Zudell

Tech ExpoPhoto by S. Jenise Veris

Glenn joined organizations worldwide that observed the first Global SecurityWeek, held the week of the September 11 anniversary, with activities designedto raise security awareness. Glenn's IT Security Awareness and Training Centersponsored activities focused on the topic of Identity Theft. Pictured, left toright, are ODIN representatives Stan Kusper and George Milbrandt LMIT/Information Systems Division, with Alecia Evar, SGTI/IT Security Awareness andTraining Center, who coordinated the installation of the latest version of anti-virus software on Government laptop computers.

Global security

Photo by S. Jenise Veris

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds were in town Labor Dayweekend for the Cleveland Air Show. On September 2,employees were invited to get a close-up view of theThunderbird airplanes, which were parked on Glenn's tarp.The Thunderbirds support U.S. Air Force recruiting andretention programs, reinforce public confidence in theU.S. Air Force, and project international goodwill.

Twenty-two companies set up exhibits demonstrating thelatest products and/or technology in mobile computingsystems, imaging solutions, data storage, and more duringthe Technology Expo held August 25 at OAI. More than290 employees interacted with vendors and enjoyedcomplimentary giveaways and refreshments. Pictured:Richard Hood, Carl Zeiss MicroImaging, Inc., assists AlJuhasz, Thermal Energy Conversion Branch, in astereomicroscope demonstration.

Photo by GlennExhibits Team

OCTOBER 2005

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LESA MEETING: LESA/IFPTE, Local 28,will hold its next monthly membershipmeeting on Wednesday, October 12, atnoon in the Employee Center, room 101.

THIRD SATURDAY AT VC: On Saturday,October 15, Glenn's Visitor Center (VC)will present "Chemistry—The Joy ofToys" in conjunction with NationalChemistry Week and the AmericanChemical Society, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.During 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. presentations,the VC auditorium will be transformedinto a junior chemistry laboratory.Other highlights include free photosavailable in the Picture Yourself in Spacephoto booth, kids make and take crafts,and plenty of handouts. For moreinformation and reservations for thepresentations, call 216–433–9653 orvisit http://visit.grc.nasa.gov.

NEW HOURS AT CREDIT UNION: Theonsite Century Federal Credit Union hasextended its hours. The facility now opensat 8 a.m. (instead of 8:30 a.m.) andremains open until 3:30 p.m. In additionto the new time, the credit union isoffering a rate of 4.25 percent for a 12-month certificate of deposit ($500minimum) that expires on October 17.

DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH:Motivational speaker Norbert "Nobby"Lewankowki will be the featured speakerfor the Disability Awareness Monthevent to be held October 25, from10:00 to 11:30 a.m., in the DEB Audito-rium. He will speak on the topic"Workers with Disability Ready forTomorrow's Jobs Today." Point of con-tact: Deborah Cotleur, 3–3904.

AFGE MEETING: AFGE Local 2128 willhold its next monthly membership meet-ing on Wednesday, November 2, at5 p.m., at Denny's Restaurant, 25912

Center Director's Message

Dr. Earls

Visitors of all ages are welcome to attend the annual Community InformationSession (CIS) on the Decommissioning of Plum Brook Station's closed ReactorFacility on Tuesday, October 18, from 7 to 9 p.m....., in the Cedar Point Center at theBowling Green State University-Firelands campus, One University Drive, Huron,OH..... View displays and listen to the update on the progress of decommissioningwork and other NASA activities at Plum Brook Station. The Aero Bus, a travelingexhibit on research and environmental programs at Glenn, will also be on site fortours. Light refreshments and limited seating will be available for viewing ofseveral segments of the documentary video on the Reactor Facility entitled,"Of Ashes and Atoms." The quarterly Workgroup meeting preceding this session,held at 5:30 p.m., is also open to the public. The Cedar Point Center is wheelchairaccessible. Point of contact: Sally Harrington, 216–433–2037.

Lorain Road, North Olmsted. Allmembers are encouraged to attend.

FACILITY TOUR: The Propulsion SystemsLaboratory, scheduled for November 5,is the last public tour of the 2005-2006season. Tours are conducted every hourbetween 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., requireregistration, and are only open toU.S. citizens. For further information andto register, call 216–433–9653, or visithttp://www.nasa.gov/centers/events/tours.html. (Monthly public tours willresume in spring 2006.)

Plum Brook Community Information Session

Continued on page 11

This message is one of transition. As I plan to retire from NASAafter over 40 years, I will remember you, my colleagues, withrespect and admiration. Through your efforts and involvement,NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has strengthened networks and partnershipsto solidify our future. These collaborations are with universities, community organiza-tions, business, industry, other Federal agencies, and other NASA centers. In addition,we can take pride in the confidence shown by local, state, and Federal legislators inour ability to serve NASA and the Nation. The Ohio delegation has been steadfastin support and advocacy for GRC.

Our role in the future of NASA is secure. Without question, we will be smaller innumber. However, we will emerge from this transition stronger due to our competen-cies and contributions. NASA Administrator Mike Griffin has stated he wants tenhealthy NASA centers. His actions validate his resolve to make that a reality. Thereare many questions yet to be answered. I leave a team in place capable of providingthose answers. Under the able Center leadership of your new Center Director,

Dr. Woodrow Whitlow, GRC will havea critical role in the mission of NASA.Woodrow's background and experi-ences will enhance our competitivenesswithout question.

As I prepare for the next phase of my lifeand career, I express my gratitude to youfor your support and dedication. I en-courage you to stay the course. Thereare no brighter nor more excellent em-ployees anywhere. You are a first-class,first-rate team. Because of you, I leaveNASA with a sense of comfort that thefuture of GRC is in excellent hands.

I shall remember you in the spirit ofteamwork you continue to exhibit tothe highest degree. I humbly thank youfor the opportunity to serve you and Ilook forward to working with youthrough the end of this calendar year.

Emerging strong through transition

he Integrated Financial ManagementProgram (IFMP) has been renamed theIntegrated Enterprise ManagementProgram (IEMP) to reflect the additionof program management and labordistribution.

During an IEMP Town Hall meeting heldin September, Glenn's Chief FinancialOfficer Bruce Ward stressed, "FinancialManagement is not just the responsibilityof the Office of the Chief Financial Officer.It is every employee's responsibility."

The following two new programinitiatives impact employees:

Project Management InformationImprovement (PMI2)This project will modify and standardizethe budget structure, capturing financialinformation and providing the followingbenefits:● Provide a consistent and standardizedtool for project management reportingand Earned Value Management (EVM)across the Agency● Allow program and project managersto view detailed costs and obligationsassociated with a project● Facilitate hierarchical project reporting

Since IEMP is standardizing the budgetstructure across the Agency, this willchange the composition of the work

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Integrated Financial ManagementProgram changes name

ou've got mail! While that may be awelcome announcement on your homecomputer, the flow of e-mails at workcan get overwhelming at times. If youget unsolicited e-mail from the public,help has arrived.

To ensure a responsive publiccommunications program and enhancethe perception of NASA, each center hasdesignated a Public Inquiries Officer(s)for managing communications fromthe general public, including letters,e-mails, faxes, and telephone calls.

"NASA has a responsibility to respond tothe public," said David DeFelice,Community and Media Relations Office."Designated officers and a central e-mailaddress will help us keep the public betterinformed of NASA's accomplishments."

DeFelice and Cheryl McCallum, BTAS/Community and Media RelationsOffice, are Glenn's designated PublicInquiries officers.

McCallum, who also coordinatesGlenn's Speakers Bureau andPublications Office, is well versed in re-sponding to public inquires. Almostdaily she receives what she calls"Dear NASA" letters from students andadults, asking for publications, litho-graphs, patches, and other items thatreflect NASA's vision and mission.Additionally, McCallum appreciates andrelies on employees with specificexpertise to assist with technical inquires.

"While the e-mail address, Public-Inquiries@grc.nasa.gov, is the suggestedclearinghouse for public inquiries andaligns with the e-Government initiative,this does not mean that employees cannotmaintain their own public contacts andanswer questions that are in their scopeof knowledge," McCallum explained."However, if you receive inquiries thatyou are unsure of how to handle, we askthat you forward the request to thisaddress to ensure that the inquiry ishandled quickly and accurately."

If employees choose to address the in-quiry they are qualified to answer, it wouldbe helpful to courtesy-copy the e-mailaddress for tracking and metrics purposes.If the inquiry does not appear to fallunder NASA's purview, simply forward thecommunication to notnasa@nasa.gov.E-mails sent to this account will be reviewedand then redirected to the proper agencyfor appropriate disposition. Remember,never open any e-mail with an attachmentfrom an unknown source.

As NASA plots its course to the Moon,Mars, and beyond, it is vital that theAgency's communications strategiesare in place. Glenn's Public Inquiriesofficers will aid in this mission.

Editor's note: Public inquiries received viaGlenn's public Web portal are answeredby the Public Portal Editor Kathy Zona. ◆

"Inquiring" minds want to know

YBY DOREEN B. ZUDELL

New process improves communications with the public

Continued on page 8

breakdown structures (WBS) currentlyused in the IEMP application. However,project managers and supervisors haveaccess to the new WBS numbers, as wellas the old WBS numbers for cross-reference purposes.

As stated in a letter from the Administrator,"The completion of all phases of PMI2

will significantly improve the ability ofour Agency to manage its programs andprojects along consistent and integratedlines of financial reporting."

Agency Labor Distribution System (ALDS)))))ALDS is the centralized system for allcenters for labor data and reporting,facilitating standardized Agency-levellabor distribution business processes. Thiswill enable consistency and improveddata integrity to support full-costaccounting. By fiscal year 2006, ALDSwill process labor reports, making themavailable in the Business Warehouse(BW) application and WorkforceIntegrated Management System (WIMS).

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OCTOBER 2005

NASA aids small business leap to productionBY S. JENISE VERIS

N ASA's Small Business Innovation Re-search (SBIR) and Small Business Tech-nology Transfer (STTR) programs have arich history of ensuring that the best andmost innovative concepts become partof Federal research and developmentefforts that benefit the Nation. Last year,President Bush issued an Executive Orderaffirming the importance of the SBIR/STTR programs as a source of Federalsupport to private sector manufacturing.

"Since inception, SBIR (1983) and STTR(1992), have provided hundreds of op-portunities for small, high-technologycompanies and research institutions toparticipate in Government-sponsoredresearch and development efforts in keytechnology areas," explained Dean Bitler,STTR program manager in the Technol-ogy Transfer and Partnership Office."Glenn is fortunate to employ scientistsand engineers who are experts in theirrespective fields, as evidenced by its leadin total number of awards and successstories across the Agency."

The SBIR/STTR programs involve a three-phase funding approach for a small busi-ness to adapt or apply their technologytowards a specific set of NASA mission-driven needs. The recent success of twoOhio-based companies, A&P Technology,Inc. (Cincinnati), and WebCore Tech-nologies, Inc. (Dayton), highlightsNASA's long-term commitment andGlenn's foresight to identify and supportthese manufacturing technologies.Both support the Aviation Safety goals ofNASA's Aeronautics Research missions.

A&P TechnologyDr. Gary Roberts, Polymers Branch, be-gan working with A&P on a Phase I SBIRcontract 4 years ago. "We were research-ing lightweight, affordable compositematerials for producing large fan casesin high-bypass jet engines. Compositesreinforced with triaxial braided carbonfiber were being considered as a possiblesolution," he explained. "A&P Technol-ogy had invested in new equipment forautomated braiding of large-diametercarbon fiber tubes, which could beadapted for our needs."

Progress through Phase I and II ofthe SBIR program enabled A&PTechnology to produce severalprototypes that weigh at least 30percent less than the metal casescurrently in service, with potentialfor reduced fuel consumption.Unique collaborations and in-kindcontributions between large and

small businesses, government, and uni-versities aided development and deliv-ery of prototype composite fan cases.Performance tests were conducted inGlenn facilities.

Advancements in the manufacturingprocess merited A&P Technology's recog-nition as an Ohio Emerging Technology(2004) and as a contributor to a TurningGoals Into Reality award for Glenn's JetEngine Containment Concepts and Blade-out Simulation Team. A&P Technology,currently in Phase III, is partnered withtwo U.S. engine manufacturers forpotential product applications. In addition,General Electric (GE) recently chose thistechnology for its GEnx engine fan case.

WebCore TechnologiesWebCore made a connection to the SBIRprogram through NASA's Regional Tech-nology Transfer Center, Great LakesIndustrial Technology Center. WebCorehad developed a reliable, damage-tolerant structural sandwich core mate-rial called TYCOR®. This fiber-reinforcedfoam composite material was deemedideal for "softwall" jet engine fan contain-ment systems.

"We began partnering on a Phase I con-tract for the Ultra-Safe Propulsion Projectunder NASA's Aeronautics Enterprise,"said Dale Hopkins, Structural Mechanicsand Dynamics Branch. "Since then,WebCore has advanced TYCOR® with a25-to 50-percent weight reduction overmetal fan containment systems, whileestablishing a twofold increase in retainedmechanical properties demonstrated ina subscale projectile impact test."

SBIR support to WebCore Technologieshas advanced fan case manufacturing.By developing this unique material,WebCore has opened the door to awider market for other damage-sensitiveapplications.

WebCore, like A&P Technology, hastransitioned to Phase III and has enjoyedconsiderable success by infusing technol-ogy not only into NASA missions but alsoother Government and non-Governmentapplications, leading to multiple and con-tinued funding sources. WebCore earnedOhio's Emerging Technology Award in2002 and received additional funding

Above: WebCore technicianinspects a Sandwich Panel SoftwallFan Case. Left: A&P TechnologyPresident Andy Head; ChuckRuggeri, University of Akron/LERCIP intern; Glenn's Dr. Roberts;Tim Averbeck, A&P; WieslawBinienda, University of Akron; andPam Schneider, A&P Vice President,Sales; with a braided compositefan case model.

Continued on page 11

Photo by Chris Lynch

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Photo by A&P Technology

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p g

Dual track treadmill incorporates virtual reality screen

ALDS will also impact the accounting for chargeback, comp/credit time, andannual leave. The future Glenn Labor Charging Policy Manual will establish theseguidelines. Because of the new PMI2 WBS, job order numbers and tasks that areused by the current system will be obsolete. All reporting will be done using thenew WBS numbers.

Overview training and job aides are available to all employees. There will also betargeted training for current and new BW users, purchase requisitioners andapprovers, and labor analysts. Check the IEMP Web site for more informationand available IEMP courses at http://cfo.grc.nasa.gov/ifm/.

"The investments we are making today in this Program [IEMP] are principally aimedat improving how we manage our investments and control the operating costs of theAgency; this new name captures the spirit of the developments now under way inthis effort," affirmed Administrator Griffin. ◆

Continued from page 6

IEMP incorporates programmanagement and labor distribution

ASA Glenn's Human Health and Per-formance Project Office has been devel-oping a virtual reality (VR) system to beused in conjunction with a dual tracktreadmill that will help astronauts main-tain balance and coordination afterspending time in space. For the past 4years, Glenn's project team also analyzeddata collected from two groups of humantest subjects.

The construction and testing of the dualtrack treadmill has been a collaborativeeffort between NASA Glenn, the JohnGlenn Bioengineering Consortium, andthe Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF).Susan D'Andrea, CCF, is the principalinvestigator (PI) and manages the pro-gram's research, design, construction, andprogramming. At Glenn, the developmentof the VR system was led by Co-PIDr. Jay Horowitz and computer graphicssoftware engineer Phil O'Connor, bothof the Computational Science Branch.

The treadmill design is unique becauseeach track can be independently con-trolled to vary speed, inclination, orheight so as to simulate uneven terrain,steps, or even going around corners.The VR system is synchronized with thetreadmill to display an environment thatcorresponds to the motion of the tracks.A computer interface connects to theVR system and the treadmill to maintaina digital communication link betweenall three devices.

Glenn's VR system is an essential part ofthe project because it coordinates whatyou see with what you feel. O'Connorcreated the software program thatgenerates the visual environment andcontrols the motion of the treadmill."I really enjoyed working through theproblem-solving challenges. Also, it wasa good opportunity to creatively applygraphics, artificial intelligence, andgaming technology to a scientific NASAapplication," notes O'Connor.

Research studies thus far have indicatedthat exercise countermeasures like thedual track treadmill will help improve anastronaut's health. During spaceflight,astronauts may experience motion sick-

N

Virtual reality system usedwith a dual track treadmillhelps astronauts maintainbalance.

ness, dizziness, impaired motorskills, and decreased muscle co-ordination. Along with provid-ing the typical cardiovascular andmusculoskeletal benefits oftreadmill exercise, the dual tracktreadmill hopes to improve anastronaut's coordination andsense of balance upon returningto Earth.

According toDr. Horowitz,an astronaut'sability to re-orient his orherself quicklyf o l l o w i n gspace travel iscritical to long-d u r a t i o nspaceflights to Mars and beyond. Forthis reason, "countermeasures havebecome a high priority for NASA infulfilling the Vision for Space Explora-tion," he said.

The initial testing phase with humansis now complete. The project team iscurrently analyzing data, and regularupdates are being made to the softwareand visual display screen. In the

future, researchers hope to add theVR system to the treadmill on theInternational Space Station and partnerwith CCF in more advanced exercisecountermeasures. ◆

This article was written by Emily Groh,ANLX/Exploration Systems Division.

OCTOBER 2005

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lenn's Community and Media Rela-tions Office (CMRO), with the supportof employees throughout the Center,made the most of opportunities to dem-onstrate NASA's relevance to the Nation'sinvestment in aeronautics and space dur-ing Labor Day weekend.

A record crowd of 115,000 at the Cleve-land National Air Show, held at BurkeLakefront Airport, had the chance to viewexhibits of current and developingtechnologies including Oil-Free Turbo-machinery and Icing Research, as well asaccomplishments surrounding theReturn to Flight (RTF) effort. NASA'seducation tent, featuring a variety ofhands-on activities, along with the MobileAeronautics Education Laboratory, theAeroSpace Environmental Bus, and Evathe Inflatable Astronaut, added to thefamily fun and excitement.

"The RTF exhibit was very well receivedwith many visitors expressing their sup-port for the Space Shuttle Program," saidOrlando Thompson, Sr., CMRO. "Thepublic learned a lot about NASA'saccomplishments, including its efforts inreturning the Space Shuttle to flight."

More than 70,000 people could exploreNASA in a different light during theinaugural Ingenuity Festivalof Art and Technology,which showcased the diverseand creative synergy of thearts and technology commu-nities in Cleveland. NASA'sRTF flight simulator worksta-tion and a unique "Feel theLift" interactive exhibit, com-plete with wings and fans,drew visitors in to experiencethe excitement of a spacelaunch and the forces of liftand drag in flight.

GNASA's contributions touted Labor Day weekend

In addition to staffing educational andinteractive exhibits, two NASA employ-ees joined "Confluence," a modern danceperformance that used wind, dance, andflowing fabric to demonstrate the aero-nautic states of balance and turbulence.NASA's Tom Benson, Engine SystemsBranch, and David DeFelice, Communityand Media Relations Office, assisted theDancEvert performers by operating insti-tutional shop fans and leaf blowers toanimate wind energies, as illustrated bythe flowing fabric.

NASA was also featured in the11th Congressional DistrictCaucus Labor Day Parade.Glenn staff distributed decalsand other NASA giveaways,while accompanying the NASA"Expanding Horizons and Open-ing Frontiers" shuttle-launchfloat. Nearly 3,000 residentsviewed the parade and latergreeted Cleveland Mayor JaneCampbell and CongresswomanStephanie Tubbs Jones atconcluding festivities inLuke Easter Park.

Eva the Inflatable Astronauttraveled to the Galleria toappear on behalf of Glenn

Top to bottom: (1) John Veneziano, SLI/ NuclearTechnology and Demonstration Projects Office, andDr. Mark Potapczuk, Icing Branch, demonstrate Icing SprayBar technology for visitors touring NASA exhibits at theCleveland Air Show. (2) Mayor Jane Campbell (left, center)admires NASA's shuttle float at the 11th CongressionalDistrict Caucus Labor Day Parade with Glenn staff: left toright, Harriet Daniels, Project Control and Support; GregorySchade, Space Power and Propulsion Technical Branch;Campbell; Robert L. Allen, Security Management andSafeguards Office; Cynthia Calhoun, Risk ManagementOffice; and Mack Thomas, Community and MediaRelations Office detailee. (3) The modern danceperformance, "Confluence," teaming the DancEvert Troupeand Glenn; and (4) Tom Benson, left, and David DeFelice,with dance lead, Susana Weingarten de Evert.

Photo by Quentin Schwinn

during the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystro-phy Association Labor Day Telethon.The downtown Cleveland mall was oneof the host sites for the annual event,which was largely attended by familieswith preschool-aged children. Participat-ing in the telethon provided NASA anopportunity to show support for thisimportant cause and the research neces-sary to find a cure. ◆

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AeroSpace Frontiers is an official publication ofGlenn Research Center, National Aeronauticsand Space Administration. It is published the firstFriday of each month by the Community andMedia Relations Office in the interest of theGlenn workforce, retirees, Government officials,business leaders, and the general public. Itscirculation is approximately 6700.

Editor.....................................Doreen B. Zudell SGT, Inc.

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

Managing Editor................Kelly R. DiFrancesco

DEADLINES: News items and briefannouncements for publication in the Novemberissue is noon, October 14. The deadline forthe December issue is noon, November 10.Submit contributions to the editor via e-mail,doreen.zudell@grc.nasa.gov, fax, 216–433–8143, phone 216–433–5317 or 216–433–2888,or MS 3–11. Ideas for newsstories are welcome but willbe published as space allows.View us online at http://AeroSpaceFrontiers.grc. nasa.gov.

Awards and Honors

Manzo Reid

Dr. Liou

Dr. May-Fun Liou, aerospace engineer in the Engine SystemsBranch, was selected winner of the Research Leadership Award tobe presented October 22 at the 2005 National Women of ColorConference in Atlanta. Liou was recognized for leadership andtechnical accomplishments in the areas of high-performancecomputing, computational fluid dynamics, and for proactivemanagement of a Small Business Innovative Research subtopicentitled, Revolutionary Technologies and Components forPropulsion Systems.

Glenn's Cocha Reid and Michelle Manzo,Electrochemistry Branch, joined coauthorMike Logan of Langley Research Centerin accepting the Society of AutomotiveEngineers' (SAE) 2004 Charles M. ManleyMemorial Medal for their paper entitled"Performance Characterization of a Lithium-Ion Gel Polymer Battery Power SupplySystem for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle."The Manley Medal is awarded to the bestpaper relating to the theory or practice in

the design or construction of—or research on—aerospace engines, their parts,components, or accessories presented at a SAE meeting. The award was presented onOctober 4 during the 2005 SAE AeroTech Congress & Exhibition awards luncheonheld at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center.

Coauthors Robert Button, Advanced Electrical Systems Branch, and Dr. Zhiqiang Gao,Cleveland State University (CSU), proudly joined Michael Gray, CSU research associate,in accepting the Best Student Paper Award for the 2004 International EnergyConversion Engineering Conference (IECEC) in Providence, RI. The American Instituteof Aeronautics and Astronautics' Aerospace Power Systems Technical Committeeselected the paper entitled, "Distributed, Masterless Control of Modular DC-DCConverters," whichdetails Gray's worksupporting devel-opment of NASA'sIntelligent PowerSystems under agrant with the formerEnergetics Program.

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)has selected Shawn Taylor, a member of the MechanicalComponents Branch's Seals Team, as the recipient of this year'sAIAA Abe M. Zarem Award for Distinguished Achievement inAstronautics. Taylor is recognized for his paper entitled"Evaluation of Material Substitution in Knitted Spring Tubes forAdvanced Structural Seals," presented at the AIAA Region IIIgraduate student paper and presentation competition in April. Inaddition to the Zarem medallion, which will be presented at the2006 Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit in Reno, NV, inJanuary, the award includes a travel-expense-free trip to

Fukuoka, Japan, compliments of AIAA, to present this research at the 56th InternationalAstronautical Federation Congress this month.

Button

Taylor

NASA TechnicalAdvocate of the Year

Clark

The Small and Disadvantaged BusinessUtilization Office at NASA Headquartersnamed Eric Clark, Photovoltaics and SpaceEnvironment Effects Branch, TechnicalAdvocate of the Year. The award waspresented during a ceremony honoringNASA's minority contractor, subcontrac-tor, and women-owned business of theyear held September 14.

NASA AdministratorMichael Griffin pre-sented Clark with oneof three ExceptionalAchievement medalsfor outstanding tech-nical advocacy withinthe Agency, noting hiscontributions and in-novative approacheswith minority and women-owned business.Jeffrey Jackson, Marshall Space FlightCenter , and Robert Medina, Dryden FlightResearch Center, received the medalfor Procurement and Small Businessadvocacy, respectively.

NASA's Minority Enterprise DevelopmentWeek observance and honors cap anexceptional year of small businessachievements in support of spaceexploration.

GrayDr. Gao10

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OCTOBER 2005

To all of you who were so supportiveduring my mother's illness and to all whogave me so many kind words, cards,messages, and calls after she passedaway, I want to say "thank you." Youladies and gentlemen are the truedefinition of the NASA Family. Godbless you and your families.

—Manuel Dominguez

Thank you all for the flowers, cards, andphone calls during my recovery after kneesurgery. Thanks also to those who cameto visit me in the hospital and at my home.I am so grateful for your thoughtfulnessand kindness during this time. It trulymeant a lot to me. —Sandra Foust

Thank you so very much to all whosupported me and my family duringthe passing of my mother. Your concern,kind words, prayers, flowers, donations,visits, and cards were truly a comfort andblessing to us. The people at NASA Glennare the best of the best. Thank you.

--Lori (and Mark) Manthey

WOMEN RETIREE LUNCHEON: Thenext luncheon for Glenn/Lewis femaleretirees will be Thursday, November 17,noon, at Mapleside Farms Restaurant,294 Pearl Road, Brunswick. For furtherinformation, please contact Kathy Webb,440–845–5286.

PM CHALLENGE SET: NASA's PM(Project Management) Challenge 2006,the Agency's third annual managementconference, will be held March 21 to 22,2006, in Galveston, TX, near the JohnsonSpace Center. As a mission-drivenorganization, NASA must continuouslystrive for improvement in programand project management practices. Bysharing ideas, project practitionersincrease their knowledge and enhancemission success with more effective,efficient, and innovative ways to manageprograms and projects. PM Challenge2006 is open to NASA employees andcontractors. Find out more at http://pmchallenge.gsfc.nasa.gov.

Continued from page 5

he Lewis Educational and ResearchCollaborative Internship Program(LERCIP) presented its 2005 Studentand Mentor of the Year awards duringbanquets held separately for collegeand high school interns.

Honorees nominated among 97 collegeinterns include Chris Gruber, Universityof Notre Dame, Inlet Branch; MichaelKasick, Carnegie Mellon University,Turbine Branch; and Chika Okoro,Florida A&M University, AdvancedMetallics Branch. College mentorwinners include Susan Oberc, Logisticsand Technical Information Division;Dr. Malcolm Stanford, Tribology andSurface Science Branch; and DennisStocker, Combustion and ReactingSystems Branch.

Student and mentor honorees fromamong 57 interns in LERCIP high

LERCIP Student and Mentors of the Yearschool programs include: 1)EngineeringTechnology—Aimee McConnell, TheodoreRoosevelt High School, Research TestingDivision; and Elizabeth McQuaid, R&DLabs Technical Branch; 2)NASA PLUS–Daniel Rudary, Independence HighSchool, Educational Programs Office; andKaprice Harris, Office of Chief Counsel;and 3) NASA SHARP–Renee Tischler,Parma High School, Electric PropulsionDivision; and Jeremy John, ElectricPropulsion Branch.

A special award went to Monica Okon,Cleveland Heights High School, andChristina Sulkowski, Holy Name HighSchool, nominated for a team project inthe Fluid Physics and Transport Branch.

The banquets concluded anothersuccessful summer internship programsponsored by Glenn's EducationalPrograms Office. ◆

Hubert Allen, 98, who retired in 1970 after 29 years of NACA/NASA service, recentlydied. Allen was a physicist engineer and worked on fuel systems for the Mercury SpaceProgram.

Herbert Heppler, 80, who retired in 1980 with 29 years of service, recently died.He worked as a supervisory aerospace engineer.

Wilbert Metzger, 81, who retired in 1980 after 31 years of Federalservice, including time served in the Navy, recently died. TheWWII veteran began his NACA/NASA career as an apprenticeand became a metal modelmaker serving in the FabricationDivision. Metzger worked on the Brayton Cycle and OrdanceEngine.

Raymond Palmer, 69, who retired in 1995, recently died. Heworked as an aerospace technologist. He received a NASAExceptional Service Medal in 1995.

SBIR successes show Federal support

through the State's Technology Action Fund and Third Frontier Programs. WebCoreTechnologies is a partner in the new Ohio Center for Advanced Power and Propulsioncreated under the Third Frontier Wright Center of Innovation. This collaboration isexpected to create 80,000 new jobs in the propulsion industry over the next 20 years.

To learn more about Glenn's SBIR/STTR Program and other success stories, visit http://sbir.grc.nasa.gov/. ◆

Continued from page 7

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Volume 7 Issue 9 October 2005

AeroSpace Frontiersis recyclable!

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

John H. Glenn Research CenterLewis Field21000 Brookpark RoadCleveland, Ohio 44135

I f you haven't yet contributed to Glenn's2005 Combined Federal Campaign(CFC), you might be asking yourself:"Why should I give? CFC doesn't affectme." Now ask yourself these three ques-tions: "Have my children or I been amember of the Boy or Girl Scouts ofAmerica? Do I or someone I know sufferfrom cancer, heart disease, or diabetes?Do I care about animals and children?"

If you answered yes to any of thesequestions, then the CFC has affectedyou. In fact, it is likely that over theyears you or someone close to you hasutilized the services of several of the2000 nonprofit agencies listed in theCFC Contributors Guide.

"The 2005 CFC theme, 'You Are the Key,'illustrates one of the great aspects of theCFC: you choose where your donationsgo by designating the agencies that youfeel strongly about," said CFC Chairper-son Bernice Beznoska, Project Controland Support Branch. "Last year, theNASA Glenn family gave $411,462 toagencies that provided a variety of ser-vices that improved the lives and renewed

the hope of millions of people in our cityand global community. I'm confidentthat this year we will exceed our goal of$372,590 and touch millions more livesin a positive way."

Beznoska said that employees arediscovering that donating to the 2005campaign is as easy as accessing theirtime sheets, thanks to the WebTADSthat conveniently includes a buttonfor pledging online. Simply click on theCFC logo on your timesheet and followthe online instructions. Employees canselect the agencies from the built-insearchable Contributors Guide.

"The response to online pledginghas been wonderful," she said, "and Iencourage employees to consider usingthis quick and easy method of giving."

Since the 2005 CFC kickoff on Septem-ber 21, employees and retirees haveenjoyed a number of activities,including the annual Agency Fair andthe popular Autorama/Picnic/IceCream Social. These events demon-strated to potential donors that the

CFC is a special way to show that Federalemployees care about others.

On October 20, the WAVE, 107.3, willhold its weekly Breakfast Break at Glenn,from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Building 15,to help celebrate the CFC Committee'ssecond annual basket raffle As employ-ees enjoy free coffee, doughnuts, andother giveaways, they can purchase tick-ets for such items as autographs sportsmemorabilia, hotel getaway specials,and dinner certificates.

"We encourage employees to come outand enjoy this fun and exciting event, andto make their donations no later thanOctober 28," Beznoska said. "Glenn isconsistently one of the top donors of theNortheast Ohio CFC, and we want tocontinue this fine tradition of giving." ◆

2005 Combined Federal Campaigncontinues through October 28