National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Volume 61 Number 2 March 2019 NASA, center budgets solid Bridenstine mentions X-57, X-59 in opening remarks By Jay Levine biggest portions: $129.8 million, X-Press editor $62.6 million and $69 million, The Trump Administration’s respectively. Rounding out the proposed 2020 NASA budget was budget are $3.9 million for released March 11 and it’s good news Exploration Technology, $0.8 for the agency and for Armstrong. million for Deep Space Exploration “At $21 billion, this budget Systems, $0.2 million for Low Earth represents a nearly 6 percent increase Orbit and Spaceflight Operations over last year’s request and comes at a and $27.4 million for Construction time of constrained resources across and Environmental Compliance the federal government,” said NASA and Restoration. Administrator Jim Bridenstine. “It The Science funding supports also is a huge vote of confidence for extended operations for the all of the agency’s hard work and airborne Stratospheric Observatory dedication.” for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), “We will go to the Moon with AFRC2019-0047-16 NASA/Lauren Hughes a partnership with the German innovative new technologies and Armstrong Deputy Director Patrick Stoliker discusses the center’s proposed Aerospace Center. Armstrong systems to explore more locations budget. operates the airborne astronomical across the lunar surface than ever observatory that is capable before,” he said. “This time, when and the launch of the James pushing technology and regulatory of observing a wide variety we go to the Moon, we will stay. We Webb Space Telescope. Planning boundaries. The X-59 could lead of astronomical objects and will use what we learn as we move and developing the first round- to commercial supersonic travel, phenomena. forward to the Moon to take the trip mission to Mars with a currently prohibited by law, that The Science budget also supports next giant leap – sending astronauts sample return also is under way. could greatly reduce travel times for center Airborne Science platforms to Mars.” Closer to Earth, the Aeronautics coast-to-coast travel, while the X-57 that are set to support the Earth NASA also will continue ushering proposed budget is $667 million, could reduce noise, emissions and Venture Suborbitals-3 mission. in a new era of human spaceflight up more than $31 million. Included regional travel costs to open new Armstrong operates a fleet of as American astronauts are is funding for the X-57 distributed economic possibilities. scientific aircraft supporting remote launched on American rockets from electric propulsion aircraft and Armstrong’s proposed 2020 sensing observations for Earth American soil for the first time since construction of the experimental budget is $293.7 million, which science. 2011. The Space Launch System, supersonic X-59 aircraft. Theis up from last year overall, and Deep Space Exploration Systems Orion spacecraft, and Gateway will budget also accelerates research in employment and the center’s core include the Ascent Abort-2 Flight continue to be the base for deep urban air mobility and completes work are stable, said Patrick Stoliker, Test in 2019 and Exploration space exploration. technology demonstrations to Armstrong deputy director. Technology funding is stable. That Additional goals include NASA integrate larger UAS into the NAS. Of the proposed $293.7 million area includes Armstrong’s role as the studying the Earth and the Sun, In fact, Bridenstine began his Armstrong budget, Aeronautics, Level 2 Program Office for the Flight revealing the unknown with presentation with mentions of Science and Safety, Security and missions to Jupiter’s moon Europa the agency’s two new X-planes Mission Services comprise the Budget, page 4 www.nasa.gov/ X-Press March 2019 Air shows return in 2020 First the good news: there will will showcase this amazing location be two air shows in the Antelope as the primary place on the planet Valley in 2020. Now the bad news: for aerospace expertise, innovation no air shows in 2019. and partnerships,” Teichert said. The Los Angeles County Air “It will also provide an incredible Show (LACAS) Board of Directors opportunity to inspire, encourage and Edwards Air Force Base senior and educate adults and children leadership are working to complete alike while demonstrating what we a multi-year partnership to have air at Edwards provide to the warfighter. shows within the Aerospace Valley. We are proud to be a key part of the The partnership includes resuming Aerospace Valley and to work with air shows at Edwards Air Force Base the superb team at the LACAS.” in 2020, which have not occurred Los Angeles County Air Show since 2009. Inc. will host key community The October 2019 air show dates events this year, including a large for the LACAS Gen. William J. Fox interactive Aerospace Valley STEM AFRC2018-0056-062 NASA/Ken Ulbrich Air Field in Lancaster moved to exhibition at the Antelope Valley March 2020 to accommodate the Armstrong pilots Stu Broce, Greg Nelson and Tim Williams sign autographs at Fair Aug. 16-25. schedeule of the U.S. Navy Blue the 2018 Los Angeles County Air Show at the Gen. William J. Fox Airfield. “Our commitment to inspire and Angels flight demonstration team. connect our local youth to STEM An air show is set for Edwards Air stakeholders.” • Oct. 14-16, 2022 at Edwards has not wavered,” said VanKirk. Force Base in October 2020 featuring The air show dates for 2020 are: Air Force Base “In 2019, along with many of our the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. • March 21-22, 2020, at Fox “Team Edwards is very excited air show partners, we will host an “The Blue Angels communicated Airfield, Lancaster, featuring theto move forward with our LACAS impressive, interactive Aerospace their desire to kick off their 2020 U.S. Navy Blue Angels partners to bring an air show back Valley STEM event that is second season at the LACAS at Fox • Oct. 10-11, 2020, at Edwards to Edwards Air Force Base – the to none at this year’s Antelope Valley Field in Lancaster,” said Mike Air Force Base featuring the U.S. center of the aerospace testing Fair. This will be a great way to VanKirk, LACAS president. “After Air Force Thunderbirds. universe,” said Brig. Gen. E. engage both young and seasoned air careful consideration, the LACAS The future plan is to rotate bi- John Teichert, 412th Test Wing show fans. Having the opportunity board of directors agreed that annual shows starting in 2021 with commander. to have an impressive footprint at accommodating the Blue Angels the following preliminary dates: “Our partnership will establish an iconic event like the AV Fair is schedule is in the best interest of • Oct. 15-17, 2021 at Fox a one-of-a-kind, world-class invaluable to raise awareness for our our air show, our fans and our key Airfield, Lancaster. Aerospace Valley Air Show that future shows.” Super Guppy visits for its maintenance By Kate Squires Armstrong Public Affairs NASA’s B-377SGT Super Guppy Turbine cargo aircraft, operated by NASA’s Johnson Space Center, arrived at Armstrong’s Building 703 in Palmdale, April 1 to continue its phase maintenance period requiring hangar support. The whale-like aircraft transports oversized parts, such as International Space Station modules, Orion heat shields, Orion crew modules, the Space Launch System Service Module Adapter, and other oversized aerospace hardware across the U.S. for the agency. Phase maintenance checks are periodic inspections that have to be performed on all commercial and civil aircraft after a certain amount of time or usage. While the Super Guppy normally undergoes such maintenance at Ellington Field near the Johnson Space Flight Center facilities in Houston and the El Paso Forward Operating Location at El Paso International AFRC2019-0062-01 NASA/Ken Ulbrich Super Guppy, page 3 NASA’s Super Guppy aircraft arrives for maintenance at Building 703. X-Press March 2019 News at NASA ISS research looking at Parkinson’s Parkinson’s disease affects more than 5 million people on Earth. Research on the International Space Station could provide insight into this chronic neurodegenerative disease and help scientists find ways to treat and prevent it. The investigation, Crystallization of LRRK2 Under Microgravity Conditions-2 (CASIS PCG 16), grows protein crystals of Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) on the space station. A kinase is an enzyme NASA/David C. Bowman that adds phosphate groups to other molecules as part of the DAWN readied for DC-8 mission body’s metabolic processes. People with Parkinson’s disease Electronics technician Anna Noe makes final checks to the Doppler Aerosol Wind Lidar (DAWN) before it begins a experience increased function cross-country road trip for use in an upcoming airborne science campaign. Noe is pictured here from the underside of of LRRK2, and genetic studies the instrument looking through the exit optical window. Developed at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia, link mutations in the LRRK2 DAWN uses laser pulses to take highly accurate measurements of vector wind speed and direction. In the upcoming gene to an increased risk of campaign, which will be based from Armstrong, scientists will use DAWN to validate measurements from Atmospheric developing Parkinson’s disease. Dynamics Mission Aeolus (ADM-Aeolus), a European Space Agency satellite that profiles wind speeds across the globe. Medications that inhibit LRRK2 ADM-Aeolus launched in August 2018. Researchers believe data from the satellite will help improve the accuracy of are in development, but without weather forecasts. Validation flights aboard the Armstrong DC-8 flying laboratory are scheduled to begin April 15. knowing the precise structure of Langley scientist Michael Kavaya is the principal investigator for DAWN. Langley atmospheric scientist Kristopher this enzyme, such work is like Bedka is the mission lead for the flight campaign. making a key without knowing the shape of the keyhole it must fit. Super Guppy... from page 2 Growing LRRK2 crystals on Earth is difficult and does Airport, those facilities did not not produce samples with high have large enough hangar space enough quality for researchers to available, bringing the Super determine the protein’s shape and Guppy to the Antelope Valley. structure – the keyhole. Protein The aircraft has made previous crystals grow larger and more uniformly in space, though. visits to Armstrong and Building Scientists can analyze the larger 703 for a landing gear change and space-grown crystals to get a other routine maintenance better idea of how the disease checks. Although Armstrong works and develop drugs – or has expertise in maintaining its keys – that target the condition own fleet of aircraft, the center more effectively and with fewer is only providing a “home side effects. away from home” for the Super This space station research may Guppy’s own maintenance team bring those working to treat and to perform all of the necessary prevent Parkinson’s disease one AFRC2019-0062-03 NASA/Ken Ulbrich checks and work on this one-of- step closer to finding the right key. a-kind aircraft. This Super Guppy side view shows how it can carry such large payloads. X-Press March 2019

AFRC2019-0047-7 NASA/Lauren Hughes AFRC2019-0047-32 NASA/Lauren Hughes Christian Gelzer, Armstrong chief historian, discusses some previous center Media and social media representatives attending a budget event at Armstrong projects now in the U.S. Air Force Museum on Edwards Air Force Base. also toured Flight Opportunities program’s partner Masten Space Systems.

Budget... from page 1

Opportunities program. The center Operations and Crew Program into the environment from past major contribution of the center to also provides technical oversight for Management. activities. Also included are minor the vehicle that first landed on the Small Business Innovation Research The Construction andrevitalization and construction Moon, watched the budget briefing, and Small Business Technology Environmental Compliance and projects that include repair of the were welcomed by Stoliker, learned Transfer. Restoration budget includes fire suppression system. about Flight Opportunities, saw Deep Space Exploration Systems $9.7 million for repairs and A NASA Social was hosted some of the aircraft used in research, and Low Earth Spaceflight operations improvements to renew and at each of the centers following observed the control room and includes work on the Space Launch sustain tests facilities including Bridenstine’s presentation. headed to the Mojave Air & Space System and the Orion crew vehicle, capital repairs and improvements Media and social media Port to learn about NASA partners support of the International to NASA infrastructure and representatives saw the Lunar Masten Space Systems and Virgin Space Station and Mission cleans up pollutants released Landing Research Vehicle, a Galactic. Noffz, Flight Opportunities program chief engineer, dies Greg Noffz, Armstrong Flight accurate measurement of thermal Hypersonic Experiment. Theand pressure measurements at high Opportunities program chief dynamics and was sought after for project involved a “glove” attached speeds and altitudes. Another part engineer, died March 22. He was 53. his expertise. Noffz’s diligence is to a Pegasus rocket booster and of the mission was to launch a small He began at the center as a student said to have saved the government flown underwing of an L-1011 satellite into space intern more than three decades resources by identifying potential aircraft from the Kennedy Space People who knew Noffz said ago and became an experienced project overlap. Center in 1998. The hypersonic he enjoyed the outdoors, was thermal dynamics measurement test One of the experiments he experiment provided information intelligent, a perceptive and creative engineer. He was very focused on the was involved in was the Pegasus about heat transfer, temperature engineer and detail oriented.

The X-Press is published the first Friday of National Aeronautics and each month for civil servants, contractors Space Administration and retirees of the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center Address: P.O. Box 273, P.O. Box 273 Building 4800, MS 1422 Edwards, California, 93523-0273 Edwards, California, 93523-0273 Phone: 661-276-3449 Official Business FAX: 661-276-3167 Penalty for Private Use, $300 Editor: Jay Levine, Logical Innovations, ext. 3459

Managing Editor: Steve Lighthill, NASA

Chief, Strategic Communications: Kevin Rohrer, NASA