National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Volume 55 Number 7 September 2013 Dream Chaser near free flight NASA partner Sierra Nevada systems were tested. The landing Corporation, or SNC, of Louisville, gear and nose skid also were Colo., successfully completed a deployed during flight. captive-carry test of the Dream “Today is the first time we have Chaser spacecraft Aug. 22, at Dryden. flown a fully functional Dream During the two-hour test, an Chaser flight vehicle, and we are Erickson Air-Crane helicopter very pleased with the results,” said picked up a test version of the Dream Mark Sirangelo, corporate vice Chaser flight vehicle and flew it president and head of SNC’s Space over a dry lake bed at Edwards Air Systems. “Our team represents the Force Base at a maximum altitude very best in collaboration between of approximately 12,400 feet. The industry and government. We spacecraft followed the projected have worked closely with NASA, path it will fly during future approach Dryden and the Air Force to reach and landing tests at Dryden. Dream this important milestone in our ED13-0300-003 NASA/Kenneth E. Ulbrich Chaser’s flight computer, along with NASA partner Sierra Nevada Corporation of Louisville, Colo., performs a its guidance, navigation and control Dream Chaser, page 8 captive-carry test of the Dream Chaser spacecraft at Dryden. MUTT has a good first flight

The X-56A Multi-Utility Technology Testbed takes off on its inaugural flight July 26 at , Calif. The un- manned aircraft is designed to study active aeroelastic con- trol technologies Salute such as active flutter suppres- Gordon Fullerton, a former NASA sion and gust astronaut and Dryden research load alleviation. pilot, passed Aug. 21 at age 76. Coverage begins on page 4. ED13-0253-031 NASA/Kenneth E. Ulbrich www..gov/ X-Press September 2013 NASA honors Dryden employees

The NASA Honor Awards for Exceptional Public Dryden employees was Aug.6 and Achievement Medal included 21 individual awards and Russell Billings one group award. For outstanding innovation Outstanding Leadership and leadership in Science, Medal Technology, Thomas P. Jones Engineering and For exceptional Mathematics leadership of the (STEM) Education NASA Dryden Programs. Flight Research Center Supersonics and High Speed Exceptional Engineering project teams. Achievement Medal Benjamin J. Pearson Exceptional Service Medal For the groundbreaking Laura J. Fobel ED13-0011-74-41 NASA/Tom Tschida development and For outstanding Kevin Rohrer, center, represents the Dryden Shuttle Delivery, Media, and programming of technical leadership Family Day Team he led. Gwen Holm, left, and David McBride, right, the Android-based and sustained present the NASA Group Achievement Award to Rohrer. Ground Collision performance Avoidance through Matthew E. Redifer performance over his NASA career Application contributions to For sustained of 30 years. Software on the NASA’s Mission exceptional SUAV/GCAS project. in the areas of engineering Information Technology and and leadership Timothy L. Williams Russell W. James Systems Engineering. contributions For sustained For exceptional to aeronautics exceptional engineering Christopher D. Jennison research, service as Aviation Safety Officer achievement For exemplary science, and space and Research Test in designing service to the exploration. Pilot. and developing Airborne Science highly specialized Program which John A. Saltzman mission support has resulted in For sustained systems for NASA extraordinary excellence Exceptional Public Service Dryden’s Western Aeronautical Test scientific progress in System Medal Range (WATR). in NASA Earth Engineering that Michael Venti Science. has contributed For exceptional to the success Exceptional Achievement commitment, Medal Jerry C. McKee of Center and dedication For exceptional Agency level and partnering Dana D. Purifoy service over the projects and efforts towards For exemplary past 29 years at activities. innovative leadership skills DFRC where he approaches in to the Center contributed to Steven L. Wildes establishing a new and the Agency mission success In appreciation generation of propulsion research while leading the in the technical for outstanding at NASA. Subsonic Research infrastructure and professional Aircraft Testbed mission support dedication and modification areas. commitment team. to safety and sustained NASA Awards, page 7 X-Press September 2013 FOSS makes R&D 100 News By Sam Smith Dryden Public Affairs and at NASA Gray Creech Dryden Public Affairs Dryden’s patented fiber optic Stofan is sensor system, or FOSS, technology has been named the winner of an new chief R&D 100 Award, which R&D Magazine touts as the “Oscars of Innovation.” scientist The fiber optic sensors offer Planetary geologist Ellen Stofan unparalleled options for high- became NASA’s chief scientist resolution sensing in applications Aug. 25. that require a unique combination Stofan is NASA Administrator of high-powered processing and Charlie Bolden’s principal advisor lightweight, flexible and robust on the agency’s science programs sensors. The technology had been and science-related strategic flight-tested several years ago on planning and investments. Dryden’s modified MQ-9 Predator ED13-0237-44 NASA/Tom Tschida Prior to her appointment, B aircraft named “Ikhana” to Stofan was vice president of measure the change in the aircraft’s Dryden’s fiber optic team, including, from left, optics engineer Hon “Patrick” Proxemy Research in Laytonsville, wing shape real time in flight. The Chan, structures engineer Lance Richards, electrical engineer Allen Parker and Md., and honorary professor in effort represented one of the first instrumentation specialist Anthony “Nino” Piazza won the R&D100 award for the department of Earth sciences comprehensive flight validations of their work. at University College London in fiber optic sensor technology. England. “It’s a prestigious award, and it back the strain and shape of the said Dryden structures engineer The appointment marks Stofan’s took a team working diligently for structure to a computer. The result Lance Richards, who co-authored return to NASA. From 1991 years to get us to this point,” said is a complete, as-it-happens look at the patent application with Dryden’s through 2000, she had a number Allen Parker, a research engineer every twist and turn of the structure William Ko. “The applications of of senior scientist positions at on the fiber optics project. “It’s an from literally hundreds of sensors this technology are mind-boggling,” NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory honor and humbling to be among along a single strand of optical fiber he added. in Pasadena, Calif., including st the companies and research groups attached to it. The 51 annual R&D Top 100 chief scientist for NASA’s New receiving this award.” “In addition to aerospace awards recognize the innovation as Millennium Program, deputy In application, a long, hair-thin applications like some we’ve tested, one of the top 100 revolutionary project scientist for the fiber optic strand is attached to a the sensors can also be used to look technologies of the year. Winning Mission to , and experiment structure, like the Ikhana’s wings. at the stress of other structures, like technologies also include an electron scientist for SIR-C, an instrument Every quarter inch along the fiber, bridges and dams, and possibilities that provided radar images of Earth Award, page 7 a sensor instantaneously feeds extend to biomedical uses as well,” on two shuttle flights in 1994. Stofan conducts research on the geology of Venus, , Saturn’s In the moon , and Earth. Stofan is an associate member of the Cassini Mission to Saturn Radar next Team and a co-investigator on the Mars Express Mission’s MARSIS sounder. She also was principal investigator on the Titan Mare X-Press Explorer, a proposed mission to The Stratospheric Observatory for send a floating lander to a sea on Infrared Astronomy team returned Titan. from its first deployment to the Stofan has master and doctorate Southern Hemisphere in August. degrees in geological sciences from The next X-Press will include articles in Providence, on the science of SOFIA, the aircraft R.I., and a bachelor’s degree from and the key components of the New the College of William and Mary Zealand missions. ED13-0220-246 NASA/Carla Thomas in Williamsburg, Va. X-Press September 2013 X-Press September 2013 We will miss you, Gordo By Jay Levine X-Press editor Dryden employees, family and friends celebrated a life well lived Aug. 26 as they honored the late NASA astronaut and research pilot Gordon Fullerton – or to those who knew him, Gordo – at a celebration of Fullerton’s life. Family and friends described Fullerton as a humble family man, who was very kind, unflappable, smart and who had a great sense of humor. He died Aug. 21 at age 76. Fullerton had flown in 135 different aircraft and logged more than 16,000 flight hours. His resume also included two space shuttle missions, including one as NASA Photo a commander. Above, Gordon Fullerton works during STS-3, the only shuttle mission to Dryden Center Director David ED13-0070-48 NASA/Tom Tschida land at the White Sands Missile Range, N.M. Below, Fullerton receives the McBride said Fullerton inspired U.S. Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal from then-President people to pursue careers in science, . technology, engineering and mathematics with his work on programs like Apollo, the space shuttle and accomplishments as an Air Force test pilot and a NASA Dryden research pilot. EC77-8142 NASA “Those activities were accomplished by great Enterprise and the host NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft crewmembers included, from left, Fitz Fulton, Gordon engineering,” McBride said. “They Fullerton, Vic Horton, Fred Haise, Vincent Alvarez and Tom McMurtry. were accomplished by courageous and very skilled crews and Gordo to NASA and our nation’s space and later and the first flight was rough airplanes, Fullerton worked to boost was one of those who made it work. aeronautics programs.” for the first-time flier. their knowledge. One flight made Gordo was one of those few who Jim Ross, Dryden photo chief, “The first person in the locker Ross anxious. EC98-44749 NASA/Jim Ross took the risk that inspired the next recalled flying with Fullerton. room after my flight was Gordo. “I am having a heart attack, grab generation. Thank you, Gordo.” “Every flight with Gordo was a He was excited and asked how the the stick and fly,” Fullerton told In 1998 Gordon Fullerton became one of just two American pilots to fly the In addition, McBride once in a lifetime opportunity,” he flight went. I had my back toward Ross: “You fly with old pilots so this Russian supersonic Tu-144 during a series of test flights at the Zhukovsky Air read statements from NASA said. “I had 57 once-in-a-lifetime him and he could tell when I could really happen.” Development Center outside of Moscow, Russia. He is seen above in the Tu- Administrator Charlie Bolden opportunities with him.” turned around that it didn’t go “It felt like I was the one having 144 cockpit. Photo courtesy of Marie Fullerton about Fullerton. Ross recalled his first flight. He well. It took two months before a heart attack,” Ross recalled, “but I “Gordo was a mainstay of was in a G-suit and feeling like Tom I flew again. Consensus of all had a great time flying with Gordo.” unflappable during jungle survival The two men went deep into Bobko said. “If he was here, I’d active with family and friends until NASA for many years. His Cruise in Top Gun. the pilots was you can’t base your Karl “Bo” Bobko, who served as training. the river to escape the whirlpool wish him 17,000 mph (the speed a stroke a few years into retirement support of the Apollo program, “Gordo had this puzzled look ability to fly from one flight. All an astronaut with Fullerton in the In a potentially life-threatening and lived to tell the tale, Bobko required to achieve orbit). Now challenged him. The challenges were the shuttle program and his on his face and then he said, ‘We of them encouraged me and I U.S. Air Force Manned Orbiting position following a thunderstorm said. that he’s on the other side, I wish great, but so too was Fullerton’s accomplishments in breaking new don’t use a G-suit in the T-38.’ I eventually flew with Gordo.” Laboratory program in 1966 and that made a river swell and a “Gordo would have told you him Godspeed.” spirit. He didn’t feel sorry for ground in aeronautics will not be embarrassed myself. I had no idea Because Ross and camera later became a space shuttle astronaut whirlpool form and threatened that story, but he wouldn’t tell you Larry Schilling, former Dryden himself and worked hard to regain forgotten. He will be missed, but how the whole thing worked,” Ross colleagues Carla Thomas and with NASA, shared recollections of them, Fullerton looked at him and about his mission on Space Shuttle associate center director for his body and mind. His sense of his legacy will continue to thrive. explained. Lori Losey didn’t have a broad Fullerton. said, “I don’t think this is survival Challenger when it lost one engine operations, offered another view of We will build on all that he gave He didn’t fly with Fullerton until base of experience with pilots and For example, Fullerton was training anymore.” on launch, but made it to orbit,” Fullerton, who after retirement was See Gordo, page 6 X-Press September 2013

Gordo... from page 5 humor returned and he enjoyed his grandchildren and frequent visits from friends. Unfortunately, that progress slowed and his condition worsened. But still, Fullerton maintained his sense of humor calling the Schillings “the Pesos” when he began to study Spanish. “That shows real depth of character after the stroke to fight to recover. He loved his family and ED13-0300-003 NASA/Jim Ross they loved him,” Schilling said Many will remember Fullerton Above, Gordon Fullerton is pictured in as a hero, a family man and a great the SR-71 cockpit. At left, Fullerton, pilot. Aviation Week writer Guy right, stands with some of his fellow Norris explained that Fullerton also X-43 team members. From left are was down to Earth. Brian Minnick of Orbital Sciences, “He was a nice guy who always Brad Neal, Frank Batteas and had time for a chat with me at Fullerton. Society of Experimental Test Pilot EC04-0324-127 NASA/Tony Landis meetings. He was the first astronaut I ever talked to who could truly describe the awesome experience of space flight in an accessible way,” he said. Former Center Director Ken Szalai said Fullerton was “one of the best of the best.” As such, he instantly gave credibility to projects he supported. One example Szalai sited was the Convair 990 work at EC04-0233-08 NASA/Tom Tschida Dryden that dealt with excessive brake and tire wear on the shuttles Above, Fullerton signs a bobblehead of himself that resulted in changes that for a young fan at an Aerospace Appreciation benefited the program. Night. At right, Marie and Gordon Fullerton Other examples including the attend the unveiling of a painting featuring Propulsion Controlled Aircraft that Gordo that commemorated his induction into the Aerospace Walk of Honor in Lancaster. looked at using only propulsion EC03-0195-23 NASA/Tom Tschida to compensate for damaged aerodynamic controls on an aircraft Fullerton widow Marie Fullerton, he came home and something on The event fittingly ended with a and supersonic transport work that spoke best of the man who was the plane didn’t work, he knew it flyby and “missing man” pull-up of involved working with the Russians, her greatest love and best friend would be OK and safe to fly (when an F-15 aircraft. becoming one of just two Americans as she was his through 45 years of he returned to the cockpit). He If you heard a sonic boom on to ever fly the Russian supersonic marriage. had only kind things to say about Aug. 21 and didn’t see a plane, that Tu-144. She recalled the day they met at Dryden and the environment here. was him. Runway 22 in heaven was “He was kind, humble and smart. a party. She was a nurse and he was You were his other family,” she preparing for his arrival – once he He was top tier at everything he a test pilot who drove a Porsche, said. finished some supersonic barrel did. You don’t replace a Gordon which she said she didn’t know Gordon Fullerton also was rolls, of course. Fullerton,” he said. what that was then. “You must be a believer in education, Marie Video highlights of Fullerton’s Fullerton’s son Andy and Gordy,” she said. “Gordon is the Fullerton added. career is located at: daughter Molly Mansubi attended name,” he replied. They dated every “He loved to talk about space http://youtu.be/Hpvml6wXFE4 the event. day after that first meeting and later and flying. He never turned down A full biography of Fullerton is Molly said the best advice Dad married in Ohio. an opportunity to talk to children available online at: gave her about careers was, “Love “He loved his 17 years at Johnson unless he really couldn’t make it,” http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ what you do and never work a day Space Center and he loved and she said. dryden/news/Biographies/Pilots/bd- in your life,” she recalled. respected all of you here. When She also expressed gratitude. dfrc-p004.html X-Press September 2013 Rutan recalls record flight By Sam Smith of the globe Also, the flight arguablyopening to answer the question he Dryden Public Affairs from Dec. 14 to Dec. 23, 1986, to deserved an award for being the said he is often asked first – how did Nearly 26 years ago a nine- Dryden employees at a recent event. worst date in history. Rutan shared you go to the bathroom? day, three-minute and 44-second “I got to really hate this airplane. the bathtub-sized cockpit for a Despite the challenges and around-the-world flight of theI felt not only was it not going to week and a half with his then- dangers of flying the Voyager, Voyager aircraft – without stopping work, but I would probably die in girlfriend . She was Rutan said the flight “was arguably or refueling – landed at Edwards Air it,” Rutan said of the Voyager, the not related to Brig. Gen. Charles aviation’s last milestone.” Force Base. The flight of the one-of- aircraft Dick’s brother E. “Chuck” Yeager, who was the During his presentation, Rutan a-kind aircraft set a world record designed. “Yes, it had terrible flying first to pierce the sound barrier in also showed a video of the Voyager’s that remains unchallenged. qualities, but it had to make it the experimental, rocket-powered take off for the historic flight. The Dick Rutan, the pilot of this around the world. Burt knew that X-1 on Oct. 14, 1947. approximately two-minute video historic flight, recounted theit must have major compromises to Rutan even brought a small Voyager’s almost 25,000-mile make it around the world.” plastic bag with an adhesive, circular Rutan, page 8

NASA Awards... from page 2 Employees Michael C. Nesel Early Career Achievement of over 100 facility repairs, For the successful Medal modifications, and upgrades. collect food transition to the Jonathan (Brett) Swanson for charity Consolidated For unusual and Exceptional Bravery Medal Information significant legal Denis F. Steele Dryden employees came Technology contributions through big during the annual Center, ensuring For exceptional in support of Feds Feed Families Food Drive. uninterrupted bravery in NASA’s programs Employees donated 1,187 service to the recovering an and activities. pounds of food during the 2013 Center, its employees, and its ER-2 after an campaign. customers. oxygen system malfunction. The donated food will be dis- David B. Spivey tributed by the Grace Resource Laurie A. Grindle For outstanding Center in Lancaster to help fami- For exemplary lies throughout the community. innovative Silver Achievement Medal leadership skills contributions to to the Center NASA Dryden Lisa Jackson and the Agency Simulation For Award... from page 3 outstanding while leading capability microscope capable of recording achievement the G-III resulting in movies, a device that harnesses in excellence significant power from viruses, a robotic glove DRE Lessons and teamwork cost savings and substantial and an underwater vehicle that can Learned Team. in support improvements of key simulation operate both with and without a of NASA’s equipment. human crew. Past winners include Unmanned Equal Employment the fax machine, halogen lamps and Aircraft Systems Integration in the Opportunity Medal high-definition television. Andrew L. Boykin National Airspace Systems Project. Kurt G. Sanner For unusual The company 4DSP, an For outstanding and significant abbreviation for “For Digital Signal achievement performance Group Achievement Award Processing,” has a licensing agreement in Equal during the first Dryden Shuttle Delivery, with Dryden to commercialize the Employment 2 years of his Media, and Family Day Team fiber optic sensors for industries as Opportunity NASA career Team Leader – Kevin Rohrer diverse as automotive, aerospace, oil efforts by creating by managing For exceptional team performance and gas, medical devices and wind and promoting several electrical supporting the Endeavour Media energy. an environment infrastructure and Family Day viewing of the R&D Magazine will present its that is accessible and welcoming to improvements, and helping his orbiter and the successful delivery Top 100 awards to the Dryden FOSS employees with disabilities. peers with the electrical scope of Endeavour to the California team at ceremonies in Orlando, Fla., Science Center. on Nov. 1, 2013. X-Press September 2013

Dream Chaser... from page 1 flight test program. We look forward with NASA. “It’s great to see real American- steering performance. The company to seeing Dream Chaser land on the SNC is working with NASA to made hardware taking flightheld a thorough flight test readiness same runway as the space shuttle develop Dream Chaser, planned right here in the U.S.,” said Ed review with engineers, technical orbiters once did as we move to launch atop a United Launch Mango, NASA’s Commercial experts and representatives from forward in the development of the Alliance Atlas V rocket, through Crew Program manager. “This is NASA and the U.S. Air Force. next-generation crew transportation the agency’s Commercial Crew just the start of an exciting flight SNC’s CCDev2 Space Act vehicle.” Development Round 2, or test campaign for SNC’s Dream Agreement with NASA is set to This was the second captive-carry CCDev2, and Commercial Crew Chaser at Dryden.” culminate with an upcoming test of the Dream Chaser flight Integrated Capability, or CCiCap, Work leading up to the approach-and-landing free-flight vehicle and its first captive-carry initiatives. New commercial captive-carry test included an test at Dryden. SNC also is on at Dryden. Data obtained from spaceflight capabilities beingevaluation of the performance track to complete all 12 of its the test will provide SNC valuable developed by NASA partners of Dream Chaser’s braking and CCiCap milestones by the summer information about the Dream Chaser through these initiatives eventually landing systems, during ground of 2014. All of NASA’s industry hardware and ground operations. could provide launch services to tow tests, at increasing speeds. partners, including SNC, continue The test paves the way for upcoming transport NASA astronauts to the SNC engineers also verified the to meet their established milestones free-flight tests at Dryden this fall as International Space Station from spacecraft’s computer and software in developing commercial crew part of the company’s agreements U.S. soil. systems, instrumentation and transportation capabilities. Rutan... from page 7 Aircraft have starts with the lightweight aircraft taking almost the entire length of right of way one of the world’s longest runways to Aircraft have movement right take to the skies. The video ends with of way over vehicles or foot traf- the chase plane flown by Burt Rutan fic. All drivers that encounter an following the Voyager for the first leg aircraft taxying or being towed of the flight before Burt turned back. are required to stop and allow “They got 100 knots,” Rutan the aircraft passage, said Dryden flightline and safety officials. said quoting Burt. “I did not think Officials also ask employees they’d make it.” that they need to be alert in sev- When the Voyager returned to eral areas. For example, vehicle Edwards Air Force Base, Rutan said access to the road south of Han- he expected to land and park in a gar 4802 between the EMCOR/ remote corner of the flight line. Kay and Associates entrance and He was surprised to find tens of the flight line entrance North thousands waiting for his return. ED13-00294-28 NASA/Ken Ulbrich of Hangar 4802, officials said. “That dry lake bed is sacred Those areas can present safety Dick Rutan, the pilot of the Voyager flight, recounted the almost 25,000-mile ground,” Rutan said of Rogers Dry challenges, as they are congested circumnavigation to employees at Dryden. The Voyager is seen flying at left, Lakebed. “Maybe when I die they and there can be a lot of activity. center, in this painting by the late aerospace artist Robert McCall. can spread my ashes out there.”

National Aeronautics and The X-Press is published the first Friday of each month for civil servants, contractors and Space Administration retirees of the Dryden Flight Research Center. Dryden Flight Research Center P.O. Box 273 Address: P.O. Box 273, Building 4839 Edwards, CA 93523-0273 Edwards, CA 93523-0273 Official Business Phone: 661-276-3449 Penalty for Private Use, $300 FAX: 661-276-3566

Editor: Jay Levine, Jacobs/Tybrin, ext. 3459

Managing Editor: Steve Lighthill, NASA

Chief, Strategic Communications: Kevin Rohrer