Aerospace Frontiers
April 2007
NSSC First Anniversary
Glenn and NSSC: Building a Good Relationship
After one year of successful operation, the NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC) continues to project an annual agency savings of $6 to $8 million, which will free resources that can be redirected to NASA's Vision for Space Exploration.
The announcement was part of an update on NSSC operations and transitions NSSC Executive Director Rick Arbuthnot and his senior staff presented to the Director's Leadership Team during a recent visit to Glenn.Image right: Duly hands out literature to Bonnie Hassel, Facilities Division, in front of the NSSC bulletin board in the Employee Center. Credit: NASA/S. Jenise Veris
"While shared services is a common practice of resource management among 70 percent of the Fortune 500 companies--it is just now catching on in government," Arbuthnot explained. "NASA is the only agency that is implementing a multiphase, multifunctional consolidation."
Guided by an Implementation Plan, the NSSC began operations on the grounds of Stennis Space Center, Mississippi, on March 1, 2006. Since that time, 34 out of 55 high-volume, transactional and administrative services, previously conducted at each of the 10 centers, have been consolidated and transitioned to the NSSC across four functional areas--Financial Management (FM), Human Resources (HR), Information Technology (IT) and Procurement (PR).
Payroll, Time and Attendance (FM), Registration/Reimbursement for Training (HR) and Grants and Cooperative Agreements (PR) are among the services transitioned in the NSSC's first year of operation. Eleven more are expected to transition by the end of fiscal year 2007, in addition to the six that were transferred between October 2006 and January 2007.
The shared services approach is critical to NASA's strategy to streamline and realign its workforce to focus on center competencies. It enables the centers to transition selected service processing, unaffected by location, yet maintain access on a "fee-for-service basis." The NSSC assumes responsibility for establishing consistency and standards in providing those services while utilizing the best practices and processes identified across the agency.
Image left: Charles Scales, NSSC board chairman and associate adminstrator of Institutions & Management, Headquarters, with Arbuthnot and Wessel at a recent Board of Directors meeting. Credit: NASA/NSSCArbuthnot and the NSSC staff have committed to providing accurate, high-quality, cost-effective and customer-focused support to all centers. The services provided and the projected costs to the centers are codified in a Service Level Agreement (SLA) that is drafted and signed annually. NSSC center liaisons assigned to each center facilitate signing of the SLA and address centers' concern for face-to-face representation, locally.
Diane Duly, NSSC's lead center liaison assigned to Glenn, explained that the liaison's presence at each center is an important part of building and maintaining good customer relations between the NSSC and the centers.
"We're advocates for both the NSSC and our assigned center. We communicate change, educate employees and promote capabilities and services," Duly said. "We want to get you connected to and confident in NSSC personnel providing each service."
The NSSC Customer Contact Center is the primary hub for directing and connecting customers to a team of experts who can help resolve work-related issues. Customers can call, e-mail or submit a request online that will generate a work ticket that is tracked from initial contact through fruition to allow timely follow-up and feedback of potentially outstanding issues. The NSSC Web site also provides a wealth of information via "Frequently Asked Questions" developed for each of the functional areas.
Image right: NSSC Center liaisons at the March workgroup meeting, seated left to right: Chris Canary (SSC), Cathy Fletcher (MSFC), Bob Monson (KSC), Linwood "Smitty" Smith (LaRC), Veronica Stubbs (GSFC), Elena Martinez (ARC), Linda LaPradd (JSC), Joe Lanasa (HQ) and Duly. Credit: NASA/NSSCArbuthnot expressed his appreciation of Glenn's "rich history" in bringing the NSSC online. He noted how Bob Fails, Glenn's former associate director and chief financial officer, played a key role in gathering the financial data for the Implementation Report and more recently, the current Associate Director Bill Wessel's service on the NSSC Board of Directors.
"I've been very encouraged by Glenn's level of support and their ability to help us," Arbuthnot said. "Glenn subteam members were actively involved throughout the planning and implementing stages. Many of their lessons learned, along with those of other centers, have been the basis for changes made in processes adopted for NSSC operations."
In the fall, Glenn will be one of four centers to model the first wave of the Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable/SF224 transition, considered one of the most challenging to date. This service will require a lot of coordination--three waves--and the involvement of the Chief Financial Officer at each center.
"With change, often comes opportunity and challenge, and the NSSC is one of the directions the agency has chosen," Wessel said. "I believe the NSSC will help NASA realize its vision by providing a level of shared service excellence that other agencies are benchmarking."
By S. Jenise Veris
Glenn Names Space Flight Systems Director
Robert Moorehead has been appointed director of Glenn's Space Flight Systems Directorate. He will oversee the organization's responsibility to manage, conceptualize, develop and integrate flight and ground systems in support of NASA's exploration and science objectives.
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| Moorehead |
From 1989 to 1993, Moorehead served as the Space Station Freedom program manager where he managed and implemented the program's technical content, spending plan and schedule. He also served as the Space Shuttle Program Engineering Integration manager from 1986 to1989 where he managed the system engineering and integration organization to ensure the credibility of the program's return to flight effort following the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
Moorehead served as the chief investigator for the orbiter after the Challenger Accident in 1986. He also led the effort that identified more than 500 hardware and software updates for the space shuttle system.
"Bob is an excellent and welcome addition to the senior staff at Glenn," said Director Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr. "He is recognized for leading organizations noted for their performance in meeting commitments and exceeding customer expectations. His unique experience and exceptional executive qualities are invaluable and required for this position."
Moorehead received numerous honors and awards during his NASA career, including two NASA Certificates of Commendation for Apollo Lunar Surface Experiment Package and Space Shuttle Approach and Landing Test; two NASA Exceptional Service Medals for Space Shuttle First Flight and Space Station Freedom Program Management; and two NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals for Space Shuttle Post Challenger Accident Recovery and Space Station Freedom Management.
Moorehead received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Mississippi State University and a master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California.
New Traveling Exhibit Offers Interactive Environment
NASA on wheels? Glenn's newest traveling exhibit, a 53-foot trailer packed with interactive stations, gives the public a chance to experience the excitement of exploration in air and space while remaining close to home. The new exhibit, entitled Journey to Tomorrow, utilizes the trailer that was formerly the Mobile Aerospace Education Laboratory (which completed its NASA mission in 2006). This traveling unit will help promote the proposed Aerospace Education Center at Glenn, which will be designed to help ensure a sufficient talent pool to preserve U.S. leadership in aeronautical technology and space science.
Image right: Dawn Jenkins, Power and Electric Propulsion Division, assembles blocks in the glovebox activity of the Astronaut Challenge II module during an employee preview day. Credit: NASA/Doreen B. Zudell
The trailer has been reconfigured to house eight computer-based kiosks that provide a variety of NASA-developed programming. Examples include "Celebrating 100 Years of Flight," highlighting NASA's contributions to the first 100 years of powered flight, and "Brain Bites," explaining common questions about air and space travel. Additional workstations include glovebox activities, a planetary gravity demonstrator and a solar system scale where visitors discover how much they would weigh on each of the planets.
A display case can feature models of various NASA X-Planes, the space shuttle or new Ares rockets. An actual moon rock, returned from one of the Apollo lunar landings, rounds out the experience. The facility is wheelchair accessible and stations are adjustable to user height.
"The trailer is intended to provide a fun, interactive environment for people in areas that don't have a NASA center nearby or the buildings to house large displays," explained David DeFelice, Community and Media Relations Office (CMRO). "This traveling exhibit gives us the flexibility to bring the excitement of NASA to them."
CMRO will offer a special preview day on April 20 for employees to try out some of the activities in the trailer. The exhibit premiers to the general public during the Visitor Center's Third Saturday "Star Gazing" event on April 21.
Staffing the trailer with employee volunteers who can answer questions and assist at the stations is an important aspect of traveling exhibits, said DeFelice. Employees interested in learning more about staffing opportunities can contact DeFelice at 216-433-6186.
By Doreen Zudell
Earth Day 2007
Glenn Promotes Environmental Awareness
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| Image top, left: Glenn's 2007 Earth Day logo. Image top, right: McKean, designer of the winning logo. Image bottom: Forth presents a gift certicate to Power for her winning slogan. Credit: NASA/Eli Abumeri | |
In a centerwide vote of more than 50 entries, "There's No Place Like Earth" was the clear winner of the slogan contest. Anne Power, History Office, Logistics and Technical Information Division, submitted the winning entry. Alysia McKean, SHS/Fitness Center, Safety, Health and Environment Division, won the logo contest with her colorful depiction of the four elements of the environment: fire, air, water and earth. The slogan and logo will be used for the Committee's Earth Day promotional materials and a children's activity book.
With Earth Day 2007, the Committee continues a 15-year tradition of onsite and offsite activities designed to educate Glenn employees and the general public on environmental awareness programs and concerns at Glenn and throughout the country. This year's schedule of activities include:
Center Earth Week Activities
(limited to Glenn personnel)
- Tuesday, April 17, 9 - 11 a.m. and 1 - 3 p.m., Lewis Little Folks Day Care Activities - Kid's craft table.
- Wednesday, April 18 and Thursday, April 19, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., the Main Cafeteria, upper level and alcove - displays by Go-Bike, Adopt-A-Hwy, Good Nature Organic Lawn Care, Green Energy Ohio (GEO) and others. Fletcher Miller, GEO vice president and scientist at the National Center for Microgravity Research, will speak on current wind resources in Ohio. There will also be continuous reeling of the movies "Inconvenient Truth," the 2007 Oscar-winning documentary on global warming, and "Water Planet," a film focused on the importance of water to human activities.
- Additional activities planned throughout the week include Bike-to-Work and Clean-the-Creek (Abram).
- Wednesday, April 18, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Youngstown State University Earth Day Festival
- Friday, April 20, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Engineering Building Cafeteria, Plum Brook Station, Sandusky
- Sunday, April 22, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Earth Day Coalitions' 2007 EARTHFest at Cleveland Metro Park Zoo - Displays on renewable energy work conducted at Glenn and Solar Tour 2007, the Aerospace Bus and demonstrations of GoBot.
- Saturday, May 5, Noon - 4 p.m, Earth Day at Lakewood Park, 14532 Lake Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio
For information about Glenn's Earth Day Committee activities and latest update on Earth Day 2007, visit http://earthday.grc.nasa.gov/
By S. Jenise Veris
 | Off The Clock Ever wonder what your coworkers do in their spare time? |
Power Carries on Expressive Tradition
Anne Power, who preserves NASA's history as Assistant Records Manager and History Officer in the Logistics and Technical Information Division, stays connected with her own cultural history as well. As an Irish step dancer, Power carries on a tradition that offers both physical and creative opportunities.
Image left: Power performs in traditional Irish step dance costume. Credit: Charles Burke"I was first exposed to Irish dance when my friends in elementary school practiced their dances on the school playground. Although I often joined in, I became involved in sports instead," Power said. "When I graduated from high school and no longer had the sports activities, I decided to begin formal training for the dance that I've always considered a beautiful part of my culture."
Power explained that while tap and ballet centers on routines and recitals, Irish dance focuses on training for competition. There are several types of dances--the reel, jig, treble jig and hornpipe--that require both skill and artistic expression for dancers to advance through competitive levels.
A member of the McCarthy-Ryan Academy of Dance in Rocky River, Power dedicates about five hours a week to practicing Irish dance. She has participated in numerous local competitions, called Feisanna, and the annual regional championship, called the Oireachtas. She currently competes at the preliminary champion level. She also shares her talents with audiences at nursing homes, festivals and weddings, to name a few.
In addition to competing, Power helps coach dance students between the ages of 5 and 16. She is currently studying to become an Irish dance instructor. This intense, three-day test requires candidates to demonstrate proficiency in teaching, dancing and music. When she achieves this certification, Power is considered a professional and is no longer eligible to compete.
"Although I'll miss the excitement and glamour of competing, teaching can be equally rewarding," Power said. "It's an opportunity to be a positive role model to others who find value in expressing themselves through this beautiful tradition."
By Doreen Zudell
FIRST Buckeye Regional Teams Technology with Sport
March Madness at Cleveland State University's Wolstein Center was not limited to college women's basketball this year. From March 22 - 24, robots "Rack 'n Rolled" to thumping music and high-pitched cheers during the sixth annual FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Buckeye Regional Robotics Competition.
Image right:Head referee Richard Manco, BTAS/Community and Media Relations, oversees the final match.While the FIRST competition may not be considered your typical sporting event, it involves all the elements of a traditional sports team: dexterity, skill, strategy and working as a team. Hundreds of high school students -- representing 58 teams from Greater Cleveland and around Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and Canada -- worked side-by-side with professional mentors to design and build robots.
"FIRST combines the excitement of sports with a real-life application of science, technology, engineering and math to demonstrate how careers in these fields can be fun and rewarding, but most importantly, beneficial to society," explained John Hairston, director of External Programs.
FIRST is supported by a strong network of national corporations, educational institutions and professional institutions. Locally, over 28 sponsors representing business, industry, academia and foundations joined NASA Glenn in making the Buckeye Regional possible. NASA's support of FIRST is part of its goal to inspire the next generation of explorers to take up the Vision for Space Exploration.
During this year's competition, participants learned how FIRST has partnered with FirstFuelCell.com to develop an exciting new competition for high school students, the Green Machine. FirstFuelCells.com, a distributor of practical hydrogen fuel cells for personal and educational use, wants young minds to be aware of fuel cells as new tools to help ensure a cleaner environment for tomorrow. This year, 30 FIRST teams from 20 states participated in the pilot program to demonstrate fuel cells in competitive robots.
Below are some of the sights and scenes of the 2007 FIRST Buckeye Regional. To learn more about participating teams, sponsors and awards visit www.firstbuckeye.org or the FIRST Web site, www.usfirst.org, click on the map icon at the top of the page; and then select Ohio on the map. See a related FIRST story on the Glenn portal: http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/technologies/first_buckeye.html
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| Joyce Winterton, NASA assistant administrator for Education, shared her enthusiasm and the agency's support of FIRST. Credit: NASA/Quentin Schwinn. | Cleveland's SuccessTech Academy team fields questions from Buckeye Regional judge. |
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| Referees huddle for consensus on a tough call. | The Champion High School (Warren, Ohio) Safety Trooper was one of many mascots supporting the event. |
Photos Credits: NASA/Tim Dedula
By S. Jenise Veris
Nine Earn Metalworking Skills Through Private-Public Partnership
Nine adult students, who graduated from the NASA/City of Cleveland/Towards Employment Pre-Apprentice Machining Program on March 9, have already begun their careers in the machine trades with local industry. Image right: Graduates include, standing on floor, left to right, Harris, Crow, Boone, Johnson and Minyard. Standing on stairs, left to right, Grimes, Casarez, Headen Jr. and Brooks. Credit: NASA/Michelle Murphy
"This innovative training program, created through Glenn's partnership with Towards Employment, Inc., helps adults develop the skills necessary to obtain sustainable careers as manufacturing technicians," explained Richard Reames, program development, Engineering Systems Division.
The 32-week onsite course at Glenn includes classroom sessions on mathematics, shop theory, blueprint reading and life skills. However, primary emphasis is on acquiring shop floor skills in benchwork, lathe and milling operations, surface grinding and drill press operation. Completing the program is the first step in becoming a machine operator, a precision machinist or a tool and die maker. This year's students were the first to train on a computer numerical-controlled milling machine. Graduates also earn certification from the National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc. (NIMS).
During the graduation ceremony at OAI, Cleveland Councilwoman (Ward 1) Nina Turner provided the keynote address, applauding students for persistence in achieving their goals. Director of Engineering and Technical Services Olga Gonzalez-Sanabria, NIMS Executive Director Stephen Mandes and Towards Employment Executive Director Jill Rizika provided congratulatory remarks as well.
The graduating class included Jeremiah Boone, Paki Ayinde Brooks, Jason Allen Casarez, Keith Crow, Vincent Grimes, Alan Harris, Brian Headen Jr., Robert Johnson and Brandon Minyard.
"For the past eight years, this public-private partnership has helped many adults, who might not otherwise have the opportunity to obtain high-tech, high-wage manufacturing jobs," Reames said. "Their skills are critical for U.S. manufacturing companies to compete in the future."
By Doreen Zudell
Tour Glenn Facilities This Summer
Visitors will have the chance to see where Glenn develops and tests cutting-edge air and space technology through a series of tours this summer. The public tours, which premiered this month and continue through October, highlight research facilities on the first Saturday of each month. Image right: Visitors will view such facilities as the 10-by 10 Supersonic Wind Tunnel. Credit: NASA/Marvin Smith
Tours Schedule
| April 7: | Engine Research Building |
| May 5: | Supersonic Wind Tunnel |
| June 2: | Electric Propulsion Laboratory |
| July 7: | Power Systems Facility |
| August 4: | Aero-Acoustic Propulsion Laboratory |
| September 1: | Zero Gravity Research Facility |
| October 6: | Icing Research Tunnel |
One-hour tours begin at the Visitor Center (VC) Auditorium at the following times: 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Please note the following important guidelines:
- Advanced registration guarantees admission to the tour that begins at the VC. Call 216–433–9653 to register.
- Access to the VC is limited to U.S. citizens. All adult visitors are required to present government-issued photo identification.
- NASA reserves the right to limit the use of cameras and cell phones during the tour.
We Do It Safely. We Do It Right.
Our lead roles in the Constellation Program demonstrate the confidence that agency leadership has in the capabilities of Glenn Research Center. These responsibilities, along with other key work assignments we are undertaking, provide outstanding opportunities for us to help make the Vision for Space Exploration a reality. Image right: Left to right, Dr. Whitlow, Associate Administrator Rex Geveden, and Casey Blaze, Engineering Systems Division, discuss the manufacturing challenges of the Pathfinder 1 hardware for the Ares I-X program. Credit: NASA/Marvin Smith
Our center’s reputation in designing, building, and testing space flight hardware; software; and power systems for crewed and uncrewed launch vehicles is a key factor in our ability to secure Exploration-related work. Simply put, we have demonstrated that we deliver on our commitments.
As we reach toward the goals of Moon, Mars and Beyond, we must continue to employ all of our resources to ensure that we do what we say we are going to do, we do it safely, and we do it right. Our Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate (SMAD), with the help of the System Safety, Quality and Reliability Division, is critical to helping us define, evaluate, and reduce program risk so that we can achieve our goals. SMAD utilizes state-of-the-art techniques to manage and reduce risk resulting in program safety and mission success.
SMAD is currently supporting the Orion and Ares Constellation Programs in many different ways. For Ares 1–X, our SMAD folks have performed a hazard analysis and a probabilistic risk assessment that was used to help identify the minimum acceptance criteria for our welding operations. They are working to ensure the integrity of all our manufacturing operations as we move to complete this challenging in-house build. SMAD is providing similar safety, reliability, materials and quality engineering support to the Upper Stage Electrical Power System, the Thrust Vector Control System and the Hazard Gas Purge System.
For the Orion, SMAD has completed a reliability trade study for the Gimbal versus Non-Gimbal Service Module Main Engine, which provides an initial validation of fault tolerance requirements impact on the Crew Launch Vehicle’s Attitude Control System Design. SMAD also is conducting a Service Module Main Engine failure modes and effect analysis to identify primary risk drivers.
As our role in the Vision for Space Exploration evolves, it is vital that we ensure safety, reliability and quality performance risks are significantly mitigated. Knowing and planning for potential programmatic and technical impacts helps us manage our projects and resources in the best possible manner.
News Briefs
Headquarters Personnel Visit
Image left: Pictured, center, Geveden, Johnson, and Dr. Whitlow view the capabilities of the K-Site vacuum chamber at Plum Brook Station. Credit: NASA/Marvin SmithNASA Associate Administrator Rex Geveden and Assistant Associate Administrator Christyl Johnson visited Lewis Field and Plum Brook Station on March 13 to become familiar with the facilities. During their visit, Geveden and Johnson viewed the Space Power Facility, which is the world's largest space environment simulation chamber, the Spacecraft Propulsion Research Facility (B - 2), the Cryogenic Propellant Tank Research Facility (K-site), the Exercise Countermeasures Lab and the fabrication of the Ares I-X hardware in the Fabrication Shop.
Agency Communicators Gather at Glenn
Image right: Hopkins briefs attendees on NASA's Strategic Communications Framework. Credit: NASA/Kelly DiFrancescoDuring the week of March 5, NASA Glenn served as the host site for the Office of Communications Planning's Conference for Exhibits, Speakers Bureau and Communications Material Review. Throughout the week, over 60 communications professionals from around the agency collaborated with one another and participated in workshops specific to their areas of expertise. On Wednesday, plenary sessions were held for all workshop attendees, including a presentation on the new Strategic Communications Framework by Robert Hopkins, assistant administrator of the Office of Communications Planning. The Strategic Communications Framework is a plan to implement strategic communications throughout the agency that involves identifying key messages, target audiences, new outreach mechanisms and strategies for implementation.
Local Students Contact ISS
Image left: Tom Somsak, HTSI/Logistics and Technical Information Division, operates the radio while Robert Morgan, University School Shaker Campus Technical coordinator, holds the microphone for a student who waits to speak with Williams. Credit: NASAMembers of NASA Glenn's Amateur Radio Club (NGARC) helped students at University School, Shaker Heights, contact the International Space Station (ISS) through Amateur Radio transmission on March 19. Expedition 14 Astronaut, Sunita Williams, who requested the linkup with University School, answered students' questions from her perspective on the ISS. During the event, NGARC members served as control operators and ensured a successful contact with NA1SS, the space station call sign.
Aviation Safety Review
Image right: Ames' Ashok Srivastava, project manager for Integrated Vehicle Health Management, with Schlickenmaier during Q&A session. Credit: NASA/S. Jenise VerisHerb Schlickenmaier, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) program director for the Aviation Safety Program (AvSP), NASA Headquarters, presented an overview of the program during an All Hands–ARMD meeting held March 8. The AvSP supports research focused on developing principles, guidelines, concepts, tools, methods and technologies to improve the safety of current and future aircraft in the National Airspace System. Schlickenmaier was accompanied by project managers from Ames and Langley who briefed the audience on current research pursued under four AvSP project areas: Aircraft Aging and Durability, Integrated Intelligent Flight Deck Technologies, Integrated Vehicle Health Management and Integrated Resilient Aircraft Control. The conversion of the S-3 aircraft for Icing Research at Glenn was among the AvSP technical accomplishments highlighted for the past year.
HAC hosts FIRST Team
Image left: Vincente Suarez, Propulsion Structures and Thermal Systems Division, far left, explains the electrodynamic shaker's use in flight readiness during the tour of the Structural Dynamics Laboratory. Credit: NASA/S. Jenise VerisGlenn's Hispanic Advisory Committee (HAC) hosted 11 members of the Colegio San Ignacio FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) team from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on March 21. Glenn was part of the team's mainland itinerary, which included the FIRST Boilermaker Regional at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. and Dayton University, Ohio, prior to the Buckeye Regional at Cleveland State University. HAC members coordinated a luncheon and several tours with presentations, including the Structural Dynamics Laboratory, Icing Research and the Glenn Reconfigurable User Interface and Virtual Reality Exploration Laboratory.
People
Dr. Hung Receives Patent
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Calendar of Events
STAR GAZING AT THE VC: Don't miss the 4th annual astronomy event in collaboration with the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, Schuele Planetarium and the Cuyahoga Astronomical Society on April 21 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Visitor Center (VC). This April Third Saturday event features a variety of activities from toddlers to teens to adults. Lectures will be presented throughout the day. Learn about the stars and identifying the constellations in the Star Lab Dome (time tickets available). Telescopes will be set up for solar and night telescope viewing (weather permitting). "Journey to Tomorrow," Glenn's newest traveling exhibit, will be open for visitors. The event will also feature free souvenir photos at the "Picture Yourself in Space" digital photo booth, "make and take" crafts for children and take-home handouts on out-of-this-world topics. Space is limited, so visitors should arrive early to get seats for featured programs. For further information and a detailed listing on activities, call 216-433-9653 or log onto http://glennevents.grc.nasa.gov.
MARY LOU GUTHRIE RETIREMENT: Mary Lou Guthrie is retiring on April 30 with 27 years of NASA service in Procurement and Finance. There will be a retirement luncheon for Guthrie on April 24 at the Donauschwaben German-American Cultural Center, 7370 Columbia Road in Olmsted Falls. The cost is $16. Contact Jackie Barbetta at 216-433-3069 or Adele Szuhai at 216-433-8784 for details. There will also be a cake and coffee celebration on April 27 at 1 p.m. in the Development Engineering Building, room 3102.
AFGE MEETING: AFGE Local 2182 will hold its next monthly membership meeting on May 2 at 5 p.m. at Denny's Restaurant, 25912 Lorain Road, North Olmsted.
LESA MEETING: LESA/IFPTE, Local 28, will hold its next monthly membership meeting on Wednesday, May 9, at noon in the Employee Center.
WOMEN'S RETIREMENT LUNCHEON: The next luncheon for Glenn female retirees will be Thursday, May 17, noon, at Mahle's Restaurant, 63 Pearl Road in Brunswick. For further information, contact Ruth Tesar, 330-273-1445.
Awards
Grants Specialist of the Year
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Distinguished Alumnus Award
Image left: Dr. Miranda, center, accepts a plaque from Dr. Gladys Escalona De Motta, chancellor, and Dr. Brad Weiner, dean of the College of Natural Sciences. Credit: University of Puerto Rico-Rio PiedrasDr. Felix Miranda, chief, Antenna, Microwave and Optical Systems Branch, was one of five alumnus honored during the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Distinguished Alumni award ceremony held in the College of Natural Sciences, March 11. Miranda, who earned a B.S. in physics at the university in 1983, was recognized for his dedication, scientific and social commitment to others through his research and educational endeavors.
NTA Nsoroma Awards
Image right: NTA Nosorma honorees, left to right, Smith; Dr. Kankam; Dr. Angela Graves-Wescott, DDS, Case School of Dental Medicine; Johns; Vickie Turner for Carilynn Bouie, Cuyahoga Community College; Monica Workman, Lincoln Electric Company; and Dr. Charles Modlin, M.D., Cleveland Clinic. Not pictured is Dr. Kwaku Dayie, Ph.D., Cleveland Clinic. Credit: NASA/Linda Dukes-CampbellThe Cleveland Chapter of the National Technical Association (NTA) recognized three Glenn employees, Albert Johns, Dr. David Kankam, Ph.D., and Lizalyn Smith, during the 6th Annual Nsoroma Awards Program held March 24. Nsoroma is derived from the Akan language (Ghana) symbolizing a person of exemplary character and outstanding personal attributes. The award honors women and men of color in science, technology or education based on industry-specific achievement, personal and professional fortitude and community involvement and impact.
Johns, Propulsion Systems Division and founding member of the Cleveland Chapter of NTA, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for advancing state-of-the-art inlets and nozzles for aircraft engines and other aerospace applications, and for outreach activities through Glenn's African Heritage Advisory Committee and in the local community. Kankam, Research and Technology Directorate, received one of two Education Awards for managing the Center's University Programs Office that oversees the research community collaborations with academia supporting Glenn research programs, and for widespread mentorship of Faculty Felllows and Student Interns. Smith, Applied Structural Mechanics Branch, received the Nsoroma Princess Award as a rising star for her contributions to engineering in structural health monitoring as well as outreach through the Footprints for Girls program and several professional organizations.
In Memory
Bluell Brought Enthusiasm and Excellence
Denise Bluell, 50, a building management specialist in the Operations Management Branch, Facilities Division, passed away on March 10. Bluell had 33 years of federal service, including 29 with NASA.
Image right: Bluell at the console of the Mobile Production Television Van. Credit: NASA/Chris LynchBluell began her career as a secretary with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory at Glenn before she was accepted into NASA's apprenticeship program in 1978 as an electronic systems mechanic. In 1987, she earned a position in the Telecommunications and Networking Branch as an electronic technician and a reputation for diligence in accomplishing all tasks assigned. Always looking towards the next challenge, she was said to have operated in one gear -- fast forward.
"Denise was a thorough, outstanding technician who stood her ground in a male-dominated field," said Cal Ramos, former deputy of the Telecommunications and Networking Branch. "She was pleasant to work with professionally and personally; and I won't forget her hearty laugh."
Image left: Bluell with Debeers, her 3-year-old horse that she raised, trained and showed. Credit: Shane ShifletBluell's enthusiasm for her work merited over 11 career awards while supporting such notable projects as the Mobile Aeronautics Education Laboratory for the External Programs Directorate and the Mobile Production Television Van for the Logistics and Technical Information Division.
Bluell was equally passionate about projects she pursued after hours, the greatest of which was transformation of an old farm property into a country estate and horse farm, called Rosemont. Coworkers, family and friends will remember sharing the joy she found in breeding, training and showing her American Saddlebred horses.
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Milner was well known for his leadership in demonstrating the capabilities of parallel computers and workstation clusters to perform turbomachinery and engine simulation codes at a fraction of the cost of the larger, more costly supercomputers. His efforts led to the procurement of the first large-scale, commercial parallel computers at Glenn. His expertise was also utilized by Cray Research, Inc., the supercomputer company, who recognized him for helping to debug its first massively parallel computer, the T3D.
Milner also developed a more effective memory-testing algorithm for computer systems. His work contributed to the Numerical Propulsion System Simulation, an award-winning propulsion system simulation tool developed by NASA Glenn and industry partners. He developed a number of computer simulations to support the Altitude Wind Tunnel Project and several jet engine controls development programs.
Retirements
Robert Bickford, Aviation Environments Technical Branch, retired on March 31, 2007, with 34 years of federal service, including 28 1/2 years with NASA.
Robert Houk, Engineering Management Branch, retired on March 31, 2007, with 23 years of NASA service.
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Marjorie Trujillo, Office of the Director, retired on March 31, 2007, with 31 1/2 years of federal service, including 30 1/2 years with NASA.