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LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER

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NASA is on a reinvigorated “path of exploration, innovation and technological development leading to an array of challenging destinations and missions. ­— Charles Bolden” NASA Administrator

Director’s Message ...... 2-3 Exploration Developing a New Launch Crew Vehicle...... 4-5 Aeronautics Forging Tomorrow’s Flight Today ...... 6 NASA Tests Biofuels for Commercial Jets ...... 7 Science Tracking Dynamic Change ...... 8 Airborne Air-Quality Campaign Created a Buzz...... 9 Systems Analysis Making the Complex Work ...... 10 Partnerships Collaborating to Transition NASA Technologies ...... 12-13 We Have Liftoff Two Launches Carried Langley Instruments into Space ...... 14-15 A Tribute ...... 16-17 Economics ...... 18-19 Langley People ...... 20-21 Outreach & Education ...... 22-23 Awards & Patents ...... 24-26 Contacts/Leadership ...... 27 Air & Space Center ...... 27

(Inside cover) Splashdown of a crew A conference room in Langley’s new headquarters capsule mockup in Langley’s new Hydro building uses sections of fan blade from a Impact Basin during a drop test. to highlight the ceiling and honor our legacy.

Langley Research Center | 2011 3 Photos: NASA/Sean Smith director’s message

Clockwise from right: Langley’s new Clockwise from left: the next building in headquarters building; artist’s concept of the New Town project; a test model in the a supersonic ; a handful of biochar, 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel; deconstruction a soil supplement; a Langley materials of the 16-Foot; artist’s concept of an experiment on the space station; testing Earth-observing satellite; drop test of a futuristic concept in the 30x60-Foot an crew capsule test article; Tunnel; deconstruction of the 30x60. drawing of an inflatable heat shield.

he Langley Research Center landscape has seen some significant culminating with the launch of our CERES instrument and preparing our Tchanges this year – both literally and figuratively. Staff and visitors SAGE III instrument for the International Space Station. In Aeronautics, are immediately drawn to the newly constructed headquarters building we are investing in the next-generation air transportation system and just past the main gate. The ribbon cutting in June for this first building increasing performance by reducing fuel consumption, emissions, and in our New Town initiative was a grand ceremony and it punctuated the airport noise. In Exploration, we are leading the development of the Launch beginning of a renewed Langley, a center focused on what we do best: Abort System and supporting the Space Launch System and in the innovation, collaboration and continual revitalization. critical areas of navigation, guidance, control and landing systems. New Town is a multiyear project that will ultimately result in six new However, we don’t do this alone. Langley collaborates with our diverse buildings and the phased removal of deteriorated and underused build- network of partners ranging from small startup firms and academia to ings and facilities. As a tribute to our past, we incorporated fan blades large corporations and other government agencies. Together we are from the 16-Foot Tunnel into the ceiling system in the new Langley head- driving advances in science, aeronautics and exploration. Accelerating quarters and a complete fan hub assembly from the Full-Scale Tunnel these collaborations is an important part of our center strategy to ensure will be on permanent display at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space we have the right capabilities for the opportunities of the future. Museum in the “Milestones of Flight” exhibit. I believe Langley’s best days are ahead of us. Our core competencies We are making significant changes not only to address reduced budgets, are critical to the vitality of our nation. A continually revitalized Langley but to also ensure that our center’s technical capabilities, facilities and will ensure we maintain our tradition of technical excellence, develop infrastructure are poised to meet the grand challenges that will enable innovative technologies and solve some of the world’s toughest problems. NASA to fulfill its mission. One of the most obvious additions to our tech- We are reaching for new heights and revealing knowledge that will benefit nical resources is the Hydro Impact Basin opened in July. After facility all humanity. checkout, testing of the Orion crew capsule began in October. This is a Lesa B. Roe critical step to ensure safe water landings for who will venture Director into space aboard Orion. We are investing in capabilities and technologies that will fuel the innovation of our talented employees. It’s been an extremely busy year in Science

Langley Research Center | 2011 4 Langley Research Center | 2011 5 exploration exploration

Developing a New Launch and Crew Vehicle

ineteenth century Ameri- composite materials, will improve • HYTHIRM or Hypersonic Ther- Ncan pioneers trekking west launch vehicle performance. modynamic Infrared Measure- to new homes in covered wagons ments, which imaged shuttle reen- likely didn’t anticipate the details of Living and Working tries to learn more about heating 21st century solar system explora- Beyond Earth effects on the and for tion. They were focused on getting Langley continues to develop use in hypersonics research. from here to there, and they needed game-changing, innovative tech- • STORRM or Sensor Test for Ori- transportation. nologies to efficiently access space on RelNav Risk Mitigation, which So, too, will NASA’s deep-space and to enable people to live and uses sensor technologies that astronauts. Propelling them on their work beyond Earth’s orbit, includ- would make it easier for space ve- ing: hicles to dock to the International journeys will be NASA’s Heavy Lift Artist’s concept of an inflatable heat shield. Space Launch System (SLS) and • Lightweight structures, such as Space Station. the Orion crew capsule, enabling withstand multiple drops. Each test deployable solar arrays and inflat- Supporting Commercial trips to near-Earth objects like as- has a different drop velocity to rep- able structures Spaceflight teroids, to the moon, perhaps even resent possible crew capsule entry one day to . • Nanotechnology advances to As the conditions during water landings. achieve significant reductions in drew to a close in 2011, Langley Drawing upon a unique expertise In addition, discipline-specific ex- mass continued to provide mission- in computational analysis and an pertise from Langley is used to as- • Advanced sensors and controls specific insights to shuttle teams extensive complex of wind tun- sess crew capsule aerodynamic for safe landings working on mission management, nels, Langley, in collaboration with and aerothermodynamic perfor- damage assessment and impact • Systems and tools for predicting Marshall Space Flight Center, is mance, guidance, navigation and dynamics. Additionally, in the radiation hazards and protecting overseeing SLS aerodynamics. The control, flight software design and aftermath of cessation of shuttle crews and spacecraft from them center’s critical design-process testing, and for structural analyses. flights, Langley is now supporting contributions include collecting, The center continues to conduct • Entry, descent, and landing ad- commercial spaceflight companies analyzing, and documenting aero- studies to understand how the use vances including hypersonic inflat- that will soon begin to ferry cargo dynamic data to support rocket de- of advanced technologies, such as able aerodynamic decelerators, and astronauts to the International velopment. lightweight metallics and advanced known as HIADs Space Station. Langley continues to play a central role in the Orion crew capsule, in- cluding managing development of Orion’s Launch Abort System that will fly crews to safety in the event of rocket malfunction or other emer- gency. The center also leads testing of Orion crew capsule landing sys- tems, both on land and in water. Orion Drop Testing In July 2011, engineers began drop testing the 22,000-pound Orion crew capsule mockup into Lang- ley’s new Hydro Impact Basin, which is located at the west end of Langley’s historic Landing and Im- pact Research Facility, where Apol- lo astronauts trained for landing on the moon. The crew capsule test item is simi- lar in size and shape to the Orion The Orion crew capsule mockup lands in the Hydro Impact Basin during a drop test at Langley. capsule, but is more rigid so it can Depiction of the entry into the Mars atmosphere of the , which was launched in November 2011.

Langley Research Center | 2011 6 Langley Research Center | 2011 7 aeronautics aeronautics

A concept of a futuristic aircraft that would fly NASA Tests Biofuels for Commercial Jets at supersonic speeds. n an RV nicknamed after an urban assault vehicle, Iscientists from NASA Langley traveled cross-country last year for an experiment with eco-friendly jet fuel. The team drove 2,600 miles from Hampton, Va., to meet up with other researchers at NASA’s Dryden Flight Forging Tomorrow’s Flight Today Research Center in California. ASA Langley researchers are helping to implement many people as a regional jet. These new concepts Researchers tested biofuel on a NASA DC-8 to mea- NAmerica’s next-generation air transportation reduce delays, emissions, and noise in the entire sure its performance and emissions as part of the system. Included in that effort is the development of airspace system, helping all travelers to more quickly Alternative Aviation Fuel Experiment II, or AAFEX II. The technologies, concepts, and procedures for improved reach their destinations. fuel is called Hydrotreated Renewable Jet Fuel. air traffic management and the energy-efficient, Langley is also working to develop advanced flight-deck “It’s made out of chicken fat, actually,” said Langley’s environmentally friendly aircraft that are the hallmark technologies to make runway landings more efficient. Bruce Anderson, AAFEX II project scientist. “The Air of NASA’s “green aviation” aeronautics research. Center researchers have conducted simulations to Force bought many thousands of gallons of this to burn In the of green aviation, center specialists are evaluate the ability of upgraded flight-deck software, in some of their jets and provided about 8,000 gallons evaluating technologies that would make transport displays and procedures to improve arrival operations to NASA for this experiment.” aircraft able to fly routinely beyond the speed of sound for airports with parallel runways. Anderson and his team tested a 50-50 mix of biofuel without posing noise or environmental threats. Langley Additionally under study are ways to help pilots to better and regular jet fuel, biofuel only, and jet fuel only. Fuel engineers and scientists are also studying concepts understand aircraft behavior in hazardous conditions, from beef tallow was also used. NASA/Sean Smith that would enable vehicles to fly hypersonically, or in boosting reliability and safety. Researchers are studying Research team from left: Bruce Anderson, Eddie Winstead, Andreas the speed range of Mach 5, about 3,500 miles per hour. The 32-foot van was dubbed “EM-50” by researchers, subscale transport aircraft to evaluate next-generation after the urban assault vehicle used in the 1981 com- Beyersdorf, Lee Thornhill, Bobby Martin, Luke Ziemba and Charles Hudgins. Green, Clean and Quiet integrated aircraft guidance and control concepts to edy “Stripes” with Bill Murray, and carried heavy equip- Agencywide, NASA has committed to developing a enhance aircraft controllability when emergencies ment needed for the campaign. The van, by the way, host of green technologies to significantly reduce the occur. uses regular gas, not biofuel. impact of commercial aircraft noise and emissions. Faster Than Fast “AAFEX II will provide essential gaseous and particu- Langley researchers are studying methods to lessen Another Langley research priority is hypersonics, a late emissions data as well as engine and aircraft sys- emissions by boosting airplane efficiency so that less discipline that explores technology approaches to tems performance data from operation of the DC-8 fuel per passenger is consumed. The center is also achieving atmospheric flight at many multiples of the on a fuel produced from a renewable resource,” said assisting in the formulation of cleaner-burning biofuels speed of sound: as fast as Mach 12, or between 8,000 Dan Bulzan, who leads clean energy and emissions re- that would help to create a sustainable, energy- and 9,000 miles per hour, depending on altitude. Center search in NASA’s Subsonic Fixed Wing Project. independent future for aviation. engineers continue a commitment to the development Testing is being done at a time when the U.S. military Technologies such as damage-arresting, unitized of new hypersonic air-breathing propulsion systems. has set a goal of eventually flying its aircraft using 50 composite structures show great promise for With a combined investment of $30 million over percent biofuel. The Air Force is currently engaged in construction of safer, lighter airplanes. Langley five years, NASA and the Air Force Office of Scientific certifying its fleet to operate on a 50-percent blend of engineers are assessing the promise of this approach, Research have jointly established the National the same fuel being tested in AAFEX II. Some military as well as new drag-reduction methods and noise- Center for Hypersonic Combined Cycle Propulsion at cargo and fighter planes already use alternative fuels. reduction strategies in and around airports. the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. It is one “The use of alternative fuels, including biofuels, in air- Rotorcraft, Runways and Reliability of three national centers of excellence in hypersonics craft is a key element for substantially reducing the Center researchers continue to investigate the benefits research. Generating a fundamental physical impact of aviation on the environment and for reduc- understanding and modeling capability for engine cycle of craft that take off and land vertically; such vehicles ing the dependency on foreign petroleum,” said Ruben NASA Dryden/Tom Tschida may make air travel faster. Also under consideration mode transitions and operation past Mach 6 are the Del Rosario, manager of NASA’s Subsonic Fixed Wing NASA’s DC-8 at Dryden Flight Research Center’s Aircraft Operations are next-generation rotorcraft capable of carrying as center’s major objectives. Project, which is conducting the tests. Facility in Palmdale, Calif.

Langley Research Center | 2011 8 Langley Research Center | 2011 9 science science

A NASA P-3B research aircraft is prepped for flight during a mission to study air quality.

Airborne Air-Quality Campaign Created a Buzz Checkout of the SAGE III-ISS instrument, which is planned for launch in 2014. SAGE stands for f you were driving in the Baltimore- Washington area aircraft gathered air-quality data for the mission called Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment. Ilast summer, you may have been buzzed by a NASA DISCOVER-AQ (Deriving Information on Surface With a Langley science instrument aboard, a Delta airplane. conditions from Column and Vertically Resolved II rocket carries an Earth-observing satellite into For a month ending July 30, the agency conducted a Observations Relevant to Air Quality). a polar orbit. field study to assess air quality over northeast Maryland. A second aircraft, a UC-12, used a lidar (laser) to take Two research airplanes – one flying high and the other “profiles” of particulate pollution in the atmosphere, low – completed 14 flight days sampling in coordination while a second instrument took measurements of with ground sites monitoring air quality. gaseous pollution beneath the aircraft flying at 26,000 Tracking Dynamic Change The flights sampled pollutants in the lower atmosphere feet. ASA Langley scientists measure, monitor and For a satellite that’s only five years old, NASA Langley’s over major interstates, densely populated areas, small The mission measured gaseous and particulate Nmodel Earth’s atmosphere, how it’s changing, and CALIPSO (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder towns, and the Chesapeake Bay. pollution over the populous region to better understand how that change affects everything from air travel to air Satellite Observations) mission has accomplished a lot. “These flights allowed us to gather an unprecedented how satellites can be used to improve air-quality quality to global . We develop instruments and Data from the satellite is helping scientists understand dataset for evaluating the factors governing air quality forecasts. measurement techniques for land, air and space. In so where particles in the air called aerosols block sunlight, over the Maryland-DC area,” said Jim Crawford, the By analyzing data from instruments on both airplanes, doing, we’ve amassed one of the world’s most compre- and under what conditions high ice clouds warm the mission’s principal investigator, who is based at NASA scientists hope to get a clearer picture of how satellites in hensive and precise collections of climate data. atmosphere and lower clouds cool the planet. Langley. “We look forward to sharing the data and space might be used to provide a broader geographical We are passionate about our quest to understand what In 2011, CALIPSO data contributed to a research results over the coming months.” view of air quality near the Earth’s surface beyond what is truly changing on Earth, so that the information we project revealing that aerosols in the upper layer of the One of the planes, a NASA P-3B, spiraled over six can be provided by ground sites. collect from the research we conduct, the missions that atmosphere have played a significant role in cooling the ground stations in Maryland, flying as low as 1,000 feet A challenge for satellites measuring air quality is to we run and the instruments that we fly in the air and climate in the past decade, despite being at persistently and gathering just over 250 soundings. The 117-foot distinguish between pollution high in the atmosphere in space can collectively be put to use for the greater low levels. Results from this research will help improve and that near the surface, where people live and good: a safer planet and a better tomorrow. climate simulations to create more accurate predictions breathe. of . Air Quality, Weather and Climate More DISCOVER-AQ deployments are planned Stratospheric Aerosols and Radiation MD. in coming years, with anticipated stops in Texas, The crux of climate change is energy. In 1984, NASA California, and a yet to be determined location. began measuring and keeping an accurate record of The next generation of the SAGE (Stratospheric Aerosol changes in Earth’s energy with a satellite instrument and Gas Experiment) mission underwent a battery of Major partners in the recent campaign included other known as ERBE (Earth Radiation Budget Experiment) tests in early 2011 after being stored for almost 10 years NASA field centers, the Maryland Department of and then its successor, CERES (Clouds and the Earth’s awaiting a ride to the International Space Station (ISS). the Environment, National Center for Atmospheric Radiant Energy System). SAGE III-ISS is scheduled to board one of NASA’s first Research, University of California-Berkeley, University commercial Space X flights in 2014 for a ride to the ISS. of Innsbruck, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Five satellites and 27 years later, not a single year has SAGE III-ISS will continue the legacy of SAGE ozone Penn State, Millersville University, Howard University, passed without a record of Earth’s energy. In October and University of Maryland. 2011, the climate-monitoring torch was passed to the monitoring instruments that 25 years ago helped DEL. NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP), a satellite carrying scientists realize that Earth’s protective ozone layer was thinning. Baltimore a copy of the CERES instrument. 95 The SAGE family of instruments was pivotal in making Map shows routes of NASA

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Langley Research Center | 2011 10 11 a

y systems analysis

Making the Complex Work s the nation continues a transition to the Next A Generation Air Transportation System, or NextGen, planners must gauge the impact of a dramatic increase in air traffic. Affected areas range from air traffic operations, to aviation safety, to on- ground congestion at airport metroplexes, even aircraft design. Each area features potentially revolutionary performance gains. Accordingly, in 2011, NextGen aeronautics research efforts were analyzed and assessed by Langley’s systems analysis experts. It was one among a number of systems analysis studies conducted in 2011 at Langley in support of NASA initiatives. Reviews ranged from NextGen assessments, Concept for fuel-efficient to potentially environmentally neutral aircraft, to new aircraft and a planetary spacecraft and remote-sensing systems. exploration roving habitat. Providing Unbiased Information Langley has a heritage of pulling together resources from other NASA centers, academia, and industry to conduct systems analysis to provide Because Langley leads hypersonic systems analysis unbiased information to decision makers. Evaluated for NASA, we also examined ways NASA is applying areas include mission architectures, advanced system air-breathing propulsion technology to high-speed at- concepts, system and technology trades, life-cycle cost mospheric flight, as well as highly reliable, responsive and risk analysis, system integration, and predecisional space access. sensitive information to enable informed technical, programmatic and budgetary decisions. Our engineers also evaluated ultra-high-bypass ratio engine-airframe integration concepts that would sub- At Langley, we focus on continuously acquiring and stantially reduce polluting emissions and noise while developing the personnel and advanced analysis and boosting engine fuel economy. Low-sonic-boom super- design tools required to excel, all the while considering sonic aircraft design studies were also conducted. budget constraints, as we capture the most advanced technology and costing methodology. We work to es- Reliable Architectures for Earth and Space tablish and actively maintain NASA center-to-center In 2011, the center’s systems analysts played a system-analyses alliances. We identify where and significant role in defining reliable space exploration how Langley and partners can realize NASA’s vision for architectures. Our analysts evaluated the feasibility, aeronautics and sustainable human and robotic explo- design, development and fabrication of potential ration of space. space vehicles and habitats, including the second- Langley’s systems analysis capabilities extend to generation Space Exploration Vehicle mockup cabin • Air transportation on earth that was designed and built at Langley and delivered • Earth-to-orbit space access to earlier in the year. • In-space transportation During 2011, we also analyzed development of • Exploration and science missions to other planets Near Earth Objects, human exploration “buildup” scenarios, and associated architectures to maximize 21st Century Aeronautics science return. During 2011, Langley systems analysis studies included Langley continues to provide systems analysis support Lockheed Martin assessments of the emerging class of aircraft known to the International Committee on Earth Observation Crew capsule and launch abort system undergoing acoustic and vibration tests. as hybrid wing bodies, and truss-braced wing/fuselage Satellites, evaluating the Earth-observing fleet of sat- designs and concepts. Both could one day lead to ellites in orbit. Our ultimate goal is to develop options major improvements in aerodynamic efficiencies and to ensure that requirements for performance and reli- significant reductions in harmful emissions. ability are met, and solutions are affordable and timely.

Langley Research Center | 2011 12 Langley Research Center | 2011 13 partnerships partnerships

Astronaut Chris Ferguson and Sesame Street’s Elmo at a NASA event in Manhattan.

Collaborating to Transition NASA Technologies

uccessfully transitioning technologies derived and reduce pressure on old-growth forests. Sfrom NASA research to commercial application Working with nearby Jefferson Laboratory and the Langley is working with requires collaboration with industry, academia and National Institute of Aerospace led to new patents for Sierra Nevada Corp. to develop an array of government groups. Langley’s Innovative boron nitride nanotubes, helping to advance the state , a spacecraft that would go back and forth to the International Space Station. Partnerships Office (IPO) is a leader in such efforts. of the art in radiation shielding and nuclear medicine. During the past year, IPO funded novel technology- IPO is also part of Innovate! , an activity development projects involving energy harvesting, that supports expansion of business growth in various virtual environments, solar sails, and amorphous industry clusters, such as aerospace, modeling and robots, among others. simulation, sensors, and energy. on Big Screen Plaza. Partners Local and Global Forums and Outreach In September, IPO organized the -Beam Free In 2011, through Space Act Agreements, IPO collabo- Form Fabrication Forum to discuss with potential In May, IPO organized and presented a NASA showcase partners this novel manufacturing process and related rated with a variety of partners, including Gulfstream of partnership and licensing opportunities to industry Aerospace, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Exxon technologies, as well as commercialization means and and academia, including an “open innovation” panel methods. Mobil, Sierra Nevada, Old Dominion University, the that featured NASA representatives. National Institute for Aerospace, the Federal Aviation Future Products Administration, and other government agencies. In August, Langley led a multi-disciplinary team that included NASA Headquarters and six NASA centers, To move Langley technologies from the lab to the IPO has also been leading efforts three nonprofit organizations, commercial marketplace, in 2011 IPO executed new to work with local partners such two small businesses, and one licenses for materials and software to pave the way for as the city of Hampton, on new university in partnership with a market products. Such is the case for BLR Aerospace, ventures that include next- hotel in New York City on a event Inc., which a number of years ago licensed a tailboom generation business develop- strake technology from Langley. Today, helicopters called “What’s Your Favorite A helicopter equipped with a Langley-developed technology. ment and “green” initiatives. IPO Space?” Subsequently, Langley with the boom strake are used by emergency medical staff members have been helping formed an ongoing collaboration services, firefighters, humanitarian organizations, the educate master gardeners from with the Manhattan-based off-shore oil industry, and the military. throughout the Hampton Roads and down-to-earth benefits. nonprofit organization known as Technology Fusion region on the advantages of the Big Screen Project, which Through partnerships, Langley can create new Langley develops technologies for space exploration, “biochar,” which can improve has incorporated NASA video technologies and relationships that are mutually advancing the understanding of Earth’s climate, and carbon capture and water into regular programming on its valuable in reducing research and development costs, quality, increase soil fertility, improving air transportation. Lou Gold 30-foot-by-16-foot video screen expanding capabilities, accelerating solutions to raise agricultural productivity A handful of biochar, a soil supplement. These technologies have many potential near-term technical challenges and creating new products.

Langley Research Center | 2011 14 Langley Research Center | 2011 15 we have liftoff

Two Launches Carried Langley Instruments into Space system science and applications ast October, an arc of light system for surviving and also re- supported by NASA, NOAA and illuminated a pre- sky in cording data during entry, descent L other agencies. California, as a Delta II rocket flaw- and landing on the red planet. Mars Heat Shield lessly launched with a science pay- CERES load from NASA Langley. A month Unlike earlier rovers, car- The CERES instrument is the lat- later, another Delta lifted off from ries equipment to gather samples 2011 marked the end of the space shuttle program. est in a series that has studied the Cape Canaveral in , sending of rocks and soil, process them Earth’s climate for nearly 30 years. another Langley payload into orbit. and distribute them to onboard test Previous CERES instruments have chambers inside analytical instru- Even as the space shuttle program returned data about the solar ener- ments. It’s also about twice as big was being dismantled, uncrewed gy reflected and absorbed by Earth, as any other . launch vehicles continued to de- the heat the planet emits and the liver a steady stream of satellites role of clouds in that process. Protecting Curiosity on the way in into space to study everything from was a heat shield carrying the Mars CERES is one of five instruments the solar system and beyond to our Science Laboratory Entry, Descent on NASA’s first next-generation own planet Earth. and Landing Instrumentation or Earth-observing satellite, which is MEDLI. It is made up of 14 sen- In Langley’s case, the October called NPP (NPOESS Preparatory sors that took measurements eight launch carried an instrument to Project). NPP is a critical first step times per second from about 10 study Earth’s atmosphere, called in preparing for the next-generation minutes before the vehicle entered CERES, or Clouds and Earth’s Ra- Joint Polar Satellite System that will the top of the Martian atmosphere diant Energy System. It is designed collect data on long-term climate to until after the parachute opened Artist’s concept of the Mars Science Laboratory landing. to get a better understanding of the change and short-term weather – about four minutes after entry. role of clouds and the energy cycle conditions, monitoring changes in in global climate change, and was the atmosphere, oceans, vegeta- The measurements will be analyzed one of five instruments launched tion, ice and solid Earth. for information about atmospheric Oct. 28 from Vandenberg Air Force conditions and performance of the Data from NPP will enable the Na- Base. entry vehicle. Experience gained tional Oceanic and Atmospheric with this mission will aid planning The second launch carried the Mars Administration to continue issuing for future missions that could be Science Laboratory, a car-size rover accurate forecasts and provide ad- even heavier and larger, such as named Curiosity, scheduled to land vance warning of severe weather. would be necessary for a human on Mars in August 2012. Langley’s NPP also will extend critical long- mission to Mars. role: help design a “beat the heat” term data sets that advance Earth

Curiosity, the rover scheduled to arrive at Mars in August 2012.

The heat shield for the Mars Science Laboratory launched in November carried a set of sensors developed with Langley’s help.

Left: The Mars Science Above: An Earth-observing satellite (left) with a Langley Laboratory blasts off instrument aboard takes off from Vandenberg Air Force from Cape Canaveral Base in California (right). Langley Research Center | 2011 in Florida. 16 space shuttle

An early shuttle design undergoing tests Langley engineers tested tires, brakes and sur- A scale model of the shuttle being tested in Langley’s in the Transonic Dynamics Tunnel in 1972. faces for the landing strip at NASA Kennedy. 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel. Launch of on April 12, 1981. making its, and the shuttle programs, final touchdown on July 21, 2011. STS-135: The Final Voyage Langley Contributions to the Shuttle Program ith a merging of technology and tears, the final The crew of four veteran astronauts aboard Atlantis -- uilding on its strong tradition of research into the Performed independent design, analyses and simulation Wchapter in the 30-year history of space shuttle Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, and Bperformance of winged flying vehicles as well as studies to solve problems on the Orbiter flight control and flights was written. Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim pioneering work on hypersonic gliders, the X-15 rocket guidance systems It was a hot July day on Florida’s Space Coast as — set off on the STS-135 mission to deliver a stockpile plane, and other types of “space planes,” Langley made Conducted landing tests on shuttle main and nose gear nearly a million spectators gathered along the of supplies and parts to the space station. vital contributions to NASA’s Space Shuttle program. tires and brake systems Langley: beaches, rivers and causeways to watch history Weather on landing day proved more predictable Conducted runway surface texture tests and in the making. The weather forecast was a than it was for launch, and Mission Control in Contributed to the technology base for a reusable space recommended Kennedy runway modifications daunting 70 percent “no-go” to start the day, gave astronauts the “go” for a de-orbit vehicle and developed preliminary shuttle designs yet the countdown proceeded smoothly. burn that would bring them home on their 200th Participated in the redesign of solid rocket booster Recommended modified delta wing for vehicle rather components “The space shuttle spreads its wings one final time orbit of Earth. than conventional straight wing Examined launch abort and crew bailout capabilities for the start of a sentimental journey into history,” At 5:57 a.m. on July 21, space shuttle Atlantis dropped Conducted wind tunnel tests (60,000 wind tunnel hours) said Ascent Commentator Rob Navias. As the shuttle out of the predawn darkness and landed at Kennedy’s and analysis; over one-half of the Aerodynamic Design achieved orbit, Navias added, “For the last time, the Runway 15. Caught in the last Data Book came from Langley wind tunnel test results space shuttle’s main engines have fallen silent as the seconds by the brilliant xenon lights, a space shuttle In addition to helping with development of the shuttle, shuttle slips into the final chapter of a storied 30-year rolled to a stop for the final time. Defined ascent aerodynamic wing loads Langley sent aloft numerous science payloads, primarily adventure.” instruments to orbit Earth and study the planet’s Conducted structures and materials tests to determine atmosphere. Langley also was instrumental in helping the requirements for various areas of the vehicle monitor and assess shuttle health from liftoff to landing. Investigated and certified the Thermal Protection System for launch environment

Seven of the more than 500 trained astronauts and mission specialists called Langley home one time in their NASA careers.

Roy D. Bridges, Jr. Frederick D. Gregory Kenneth D. Cameron Roger K. Crouch Stephen K. Robinson Charles J. Camarda Leland D. Melvin STS-51 1985 Pilot STS-51B 1985 STS-37 1991 Pilot STS-83 1997 STS-85 1997 STS-114 2005 STS-122 2008 STS-33 1989 Commander STS-56 1993 Commander STS-94 1997 Commander STS-95 1998 STS-129 2009 STS-44 1991 Commander STS-33 1995 Commander STS-114 2005 STS-130 2010

18 Langley Research Center | 2011 19 economics economics

NASA Fuels Virginia’s Economy WASH. MAINE. NASA’s two field centers in Virginia contributed nearly MONT. N.D. $3 billion in the past year to the local, state and national MINN. Glenn Research VT. ORE. Center economies. N.H. IDAHO WIS. MASS. S.D. N.Y. NASA Langley had a $2.1-billion impact nationally, while R.I. WYO. MICH. CONN. the on the state’s Eastern Shore $758 $740 $759 $786 $790 Ames CALIF. IOWA PA. N.J. $35 M Research NEB. MD. had a $618.7-million impact. $20 M $14 M $48 M $30 M Center NEV. DEL. UTAH OHIO Goddard Space Langley had a $793.3 million budget in fiscal year 2011, a ILL. IND. Flight Center COLO. W.VA. NASA Headquarters slight increase over the previous year. Dryden Flight KAN. MO. VA. Research Center KY. Wallops Flight Facility $738 $726 $711 $756 $755 Economic Impact of Langley Alone N.C. Marshall Space TENN. Langley Research Center • U.S.: $2.1 billion that supported 17,062 jobs Jet Propulsion ARIZ. OKLA. Flight Center Laboratory N.M. S.C. • Virginia: $1 million supporting 9,058 jobs ARK. ALA. GA. • Hampton Roads: $937.3 million supporting MISS. District ofof TEXAS LA. Kennedy Space CColumbiolumbiaa Center 8,839 jobs HAWAII FLA. Combined Impact of Langley and Wallops = NASA Center • U.S.: $2.7 billion supporting 21,839 jobs ALASKA Johnson Space Stennis Space • Virginia: $1.2 billion supporting 10,780 jobs Center Center • Hampton Roads: $937.3 million supporting 8,389 jobs 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Key to Direct State Funding Levels Appropriated Work for Source: NASA and Chimura Economics & Analytics report “The Economic Impact of NASA Virginia Operations for Fiscal Year 2011” Funds Others 0 - $100,000 $100,000 - 1 million $1-5 million $5 - 20 million $20 - 100 million + $100 million

Top Obligations to Business Contractors Top Obligations to Nonprofit and Education Institutions Jacobs Technology, Inc...... $ 79,067,260 National Institute Of Aerospace ...... $ 22,037,309 Science Systems and Applications, Inc...... 46,389,706 City of Hampton ...... 5,841,560 Patents translate into technologies that contribute to everyday life - and the economy. ATK Space Systems, Inc...... 44,237,051 Pennsylvania State University...... 5,175,517 SGT, Inc...... 26,750,641 Tech Research Corporation ...... 2,563,442 Tessada & Associates, Inc...... 18,684,417 Cal Poly Corporation ...... 1,334,520 Patent 8,020,805 B2 for a high altitude airship Lockheed Martin Corporation ...... 15,881,314 Regents of The University of Michigan ...... 1,319,584 configuration and power technology and method The Boeing Company ...... 11,941,230 The Aerospace Corporation ...... 1,282,578 for operation of same 146146 Science Applications International ...... 10,118,716 Number of invention Leland Stanford Junior University, ...... 1,000,000 disclosures for Langley Earth Resources Technology, Inc...... 9,910,090 Christopher Newport University ...... 745,050 (1,720 for Agency) Dominion Power Company ...... 9,652,197 Wheeling Jesuit University, Inc...... 700,000 Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc...... 9,160,478 University Corp. for Atmospheric Research ...... 673,494 Unisys Corporation ...... 7,316,069 Virginia Tech ...... 546,760 Safety & Quality Assurance Alliance ...... 6,453,793 University of Illinois ...... 545,647 Northrop Grumman Space & Mission Sys...... 5,995,251 City of Newport News ...... 540,275 Chugach Federal Solutions, Inc...... 4,718,884 Ohio University ...... 499,997 Number of patents CSC Applied Technologies, LLC ...... 4,406,733 Congressional District Programs, Inc...... 459,133 issued on applications Inuteq, LLC ...... 3,099,370 Old Dominion University Research Foundation ...... 441,384 filed by NASA for Langley ASRC Management Services, Inc...... 3,002,158 University of Tennessee ...... 431,837 (106 for Agency) Analytical Services & Materials, Inc...... 2,871,598 University of Arizona ...... 396,534 Modern Machine and Tool Company, Inc...... 2,659,277 Southern University and A&M College ...... 315,295 Science and Technology Corporation ...... 2,436,931 Research Foundation of CUNY ...... 306,616 Chugach Industries, Inc...... 2,105,142 Regents of the University of California ...... 283,475 Northwest Research Associates, Inc...... 1,493,929 The Trustees of Columbia University ...... 280,219 Intentional Leadership, Inc...... 1,475,300 University of Maryland Baltimore Co...... 257,059 Number of patent Research Triangle Institute ...... 1,448,913 North Carolina A&T State University ...... 252,920 applications filed by NASA for Langley (106 for Agency)

Langley Research Center | 2011 20 Langley Research Center | 2011 21 people people

Every child is different and any adopted child is going to have lingering effects from their past experiences, but you just keep moving forward A Profile of Langley’s People to give them the best opportunities that you can to have a great life. ver wonder what NASA Langley is as a Fourteen percent are technicians, the folks who E community? prepare for testing and keep the wind tunnels and other facilities running. Three percent are clerical. Sixty-one percent of the center’s roughly 1,940 civil servant employees are what most people would call In addition, 48 students in the co-op program were Langley Family Adopts 5 from Russia “rocket scientists” — engineers and scientists. Nine- classified as civil service employees. n 2008, after a mission trip to Russia and eight teen percent of the total number of employees hold In all, Langley employed 1,940 civil service positions months after their second biological child left for col- doctorates, while 31 percent have masters degrees and I and 1,750 contractors. lege, Stuart and Sally Johnson adopted three children 27 percent a bachelors. It takes a diverse group to run a complex organization from Russia. Sixteen percent have associate degrees and seven like Langley, and there are many interesting people sto- “We had been hosting two girls from Bellarus every percent have some college, an advanced study ries here … like the one on the next page. summer for the past six years, and then we went to certificate or high school. The 7% includes those who One way Langley employees learn new skills is through Russia and saw the older children in the orphanages,” have gone beyond high school, but not achieved an programs that combine science and engineering said Sally. “We learned that most of these older chil- associates degree. Less than 1% haven’t finished high with training. One such program is the DEVOTE dren in the orphanages had slim chances of being ad- school, while over 6.8% have high school or higher. (Development and Evaluation of Satellite Validation opted, and most would grow up and end up in crime.” Twenty-two percent of the staff is classified as Tools by Experimenters) project, a training initiative led Said Stuart: “We came to this gradual realization of administrative mission support — the people who work by a team of early career scientists and engineers who being called to adopt. In 2008, we adopted three kids in procurement, budget tracking, technology transfer are gaining mission experience and contributing to the from Russia, ages 8, 10, and 10.” and with educational programs. latest Earth science research through a field campaign. With an increase in the size of their family came the Stuart and Sally Johnson meet up with their five children on the play- need for a decrease in the responsibilities in their ca- ground outside of the Reid Conference Center. Deana is sitting in front. Occupation Distribution Education Distribution reers. “I had to give up my branch head position prior to From left to right, the children in the back are Andrei (red shirt), Alexei, adopting kids, because I was also working on a team. I Svetlana and Anya. Masters, Post Masters Bachelors, Course Work, Advanced Post Bachelors had to choose so I could fit it all in,” Sally said. Scientist & Engineer 61% Technician 14% Professional Degree 31% Course Work 27% Stuart and Sally have 30 years at NASA. Stuart does children adore them and cherish their visits and atten- advanced aircraft research, and Sally deals with avion- tion,” Sally said. ics and air traffic research. They are adoption veterans now, which should make This summer, their family grew when they adopted two the addition of two children less difficult. more children, ages 7 and 9, from Russia. “Every child is different and any adopted child is going “It was only supposed to be one, but then we found out to have lingering effects from their past experiences, High School, she had a sibling,” Stuart said. Advanced Study but you just keep moving forward to give them the Certificate, Besides their five adopted children, the Johnsons have best opportunities that you can to have a great life. Clerical 3% Some College 7% two older biological children. “Our biological children Progress is often measured in months and years, not Administrative Professional 22% are much older and do not live at home, but the adopted days,” Sally said. Associates, More than Doctorate, Education and occupation distribution numbers apply to 1,940 civil servants only. Data is not collected for contractors. Two Years College 16% Post Doctorate 19%

From left, Tremaine Wills, Marile Colon Robles, Rob Lorkiewicz, From left: Gary Wainwright, Upendra Singh, Nicole Vicki O’Neill, Glenn Hrinda, and Tiffany Hunter. Hintermeister, Patricia Pahlavani, and Mark Shuart. Photos: NASA/Sean Smith

22 23 outreach education

100th anniversary of a historic glider flight.

Around the country, agritourism farms celebrated NASA using space- theme designs in cornfields. Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Virginia Air & Space Center partnered for a Summer of Innovation program. Girls, Inc. and Langley presented a similar program to children of migratory farm workers in North Carolina and Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

Astronaut Roger Crouch at Langley with students in the Virginia Aerospace Science and Tweeps from around the country paid their own way Technology Scholars program. to Langley for a daylong tour and tweetup. Awesome! Inspiring All Generations of Explorers ASA informs the public about its research and of Space Farm. A NASA tent showcased exhibits, an Ninspires the next generation of explorers through astronaut picture , and a corn rocket craft. outreach. Center Director Lesa Roe spoke at MODSIM World Sixty-one students participated in DEVELOP, an 2011 in Virginia Beach. The conference explored the applied Earth sciences training program. The students’ possibilities of computer modeling and simulation. Astronauts Rex Walheim, Sandy Magnus, Chris Ferguson and Doug Langley put on another successful TEDxYouth@NASA. projects included a partnership with Wise County Educators received tools and sample lesson plans for Hurley hang with Sesame Street’s Elmo at NASA event in Manhattan. Va. The program demonstrates how NASA science bringing modsim to students. measurements and predictions can be used to address Cindy Jones, a Midlothian teacher wanted to excite kids local management and policy issues. about engineering. Collaboration with NASA Langley 4,600 alumni now work in the agency’s top programs. and practical exam. The students attended Thomas Three hundred Hampton Roads students participated resulted in an affordable engineering kit for middle and Recording artist Pharrell Williams and NASA Associate Nelson Community College and rotated through 15 in TEDxYouth@NASA, one of 100 TEDx events in 44 elementary school students. assignments in 23 facilities at Langley. countries. Administrator for Education and former astronaut About 500 Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Leland Melvin spoke with young people in Virginia At the CIAA basketball tournament NASA talked Over 40 “tweeps” attended Langley’s first tweetup, Scholars (VASTS) completed online assignments and Beach in April. NASA and Williams’ foundation, From about its education programs. At a breakfast forum including a Wisconsin physics student, an actor, a pilot, attended a one-week summer session at Langley. One Hand to Another partnered to inspire students in Charlotte, a group of educators, astronauts, North a kindergarten teacher and a museum official. The The high school students worked with NASA mentors about science, technology, engineering and math. Carolina legislators and NASA officials discussed tweetup included a daylong tour. to complete a mission to Mars challenge. Many students had participated in Langley’s Summer science, technology, engineering and math education Langley celebrated the 100th anniversary of Orville Virginia teachers also participated in the VASTS of Innovation camps. , a NASA with Administrator Charlie Bolden and Associate Wright’s historic glider flight in Kitty Hawk. Astronaut experience. About 25 teachers attended a summer trailblazer, spoke about her job as a “computer” at Administrator for Education Leland Melvin via spoke about the “Space Shuttle: World’s session and took back techniques for using science, Langley who calculated the trajectory of Alan Sheperd’s Skype. More than 200 teachers learned how to use Most Complex Glider.” technology, engineering and math jointly in lesson 1961 space flight. NASA missions and resources during workshops. Almost 2,000 middle school students from Belvedere Plantation in Fredericksburg, plans. This summer the Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Virginia Air and Space Center presented a Summer of across North Carolina met with Va., featured an 8-acre maze In August, the Eventi Hotel, NASA, the Intrepid Museum, college representatives. of a Mercury rocket as part and others presented “What’s Your Favorite Space?” at Innovation program. Girls Inc. and Langley worked with the Eventi plaza in New York City. The event featured children of migrant farm workers in North Carolina and the Atlantis crew from the final shuttle mission and a on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. NASA’s Associate Administrator Mars rover. Students gather around a robot at for Education Leland Melvin Ten co-op students earned the only nationally the annual Central Intercollegiate and recording artist The Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholars recognized certification for aerospace technicians. Athletic Association event Pharrell Williams. (LARSS) program celebrated 25 years. Some of its The SpaceTEC certification includes a written, oral, in Charlotte, N.C.

24 Photos: NASA/Sean Smith Langley Research Center | 2011 25 awards awards

Jack Fishman, Chemistry and Dynamics Ivatury Raju, NASA Technical Fellows Of- Sharon Jones, Aeronautics Systems Anal- Branch, was awarded the rank of Fellow by the fice, received a Lifetime Achievement Award ysis Branch, received a Research Leader- American Meteorological Society. at the 2011 International Conference on Com- ship Award at the Black Engineer of the Year putational & Experimental Engineering & Sci- Awards, Science, Technology, Engineering Patrick Minnis, Climate Science Branch, Jones Raju C. Harris Fishman ences. and Mathematics Global Competitiveness was awarded the rank of Fellow by the Ameri- Conference. can Meteorological Society and received the Phil Drummond, Distinguished Research Losey Atmospheric Sciences Award from the Associate in the Hypersonic Airbreathing Pro- Jill Prince, Atmospheric Flight & Entry Sys- American Institute of Aeronautics and Astro- pulsion Branch, received the Joint Army, Navy, tems Branch, received an achievement award Ponnampalam Balakumar and Michael for a 2011 Award for Excellence in Technology Gloria Hernandez, Chemistry & Dynamics nautics (AIAA). NASA, and Air Force Executive Committee for her work in development of autonomous Kegerise, Flow Physics & Control Branch, Transfer by the Federal Laboratory Consortium Branch, received an Outstanding Latina Award Lifetime Achievement Award at the 58th JAN- aerobraking from Women in Aerospace. Frank Batts, Test Technologies Branch, was received the 2011 Fluid Dynamics Best Paper for Technology Transfer for a Safe Wireless in Science and Technology at the Latinas and NAF Propulsion Meeting. installed as commander of the 29th Infantry Di- Martin Mlynczak, Climate Science Branch, Award for “Receptivity of Hypersonic Bound- Fluid-Level Measuring System. Power Symposium. vision of the Virginia Army National Guard and Christopher Rumsey, Computational Aero- received the Marcus O’Day Memorial Award. ary Layers to Acoustic and Vortical Distur- Stanley Woodard, Doug Taylor, and Ch- Debbie Martinez, Orion/Flight Test Article was promoted to the rank of Major General. sciences Branch, was elected a Fellow of the bances” at the 49th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Sara Wilson, Aeronautics Systems Engi- uantong Wang won a 2011 R&D 100 Award Project Office, was chosen as role model of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astro- Meeting. Clinton Cragg, NASA Engineering and Safe- neering Branch, received an early career grant for SansEC Temperature Sensor. the week April 17 to 23, 2011, for Great Minds nautics (AIAA). ty Center, received the National Security and from the American Society for Quality Statis- Jarvis Arthur III, Lawrence Prinzel, Steven in STEM, a gateway for Hispanics in Science, Thomasena H. Woods, Senior Aerospace International Affairs Medal from Partnership Ray Rhew, Aeronautics Systems Engineer- tics. Williams, Randall Bailey, Kevin Shelton and Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Education Specialist, Program STEM Educa- for Public Service as part of the team that as- ing Branch, was elected an Associate Fellow Mike Norman, received best paper of session and was honored at the YWCA Virginia Pen- Jonny Callahan, Aerospace Composite tion Advisor, was selected for the National sisted with the rescue of Chilean miners. of the AIAA. for “Enhanced/Synthetic Vision and Head- insula’s 2011 Women of Distinction Awards Model Development Section, earned national Science Teachers Association’s (NSTA) Distin- Worm Display Technologies for Terminal Ma- Ceremony in the Science and Technology cat- Roger Wagner, Ground Facilities Testing Joseph Morrison, Computational Aerosci- certification as an aerospace technician with a guished Service to Science Education Award. neuvering Area NextGen Operations” at the egory. Directorate, received a Legion of Merit Medal ences Branch, was elected Associate Fellow, SpaceTEC certification. Enhanced and Synthetic Vision Conference, Stewart Harris, Engineering Directorate, from the Air Force. AIAA. Julie Williams-Byrd, Space Mission Analy- Christopher Savage, Advanced Fabrica- SPIE. and Patricia Taylor, Dean of Engineering, Sci- sis Branch, received the Women of Color 2011 Bruce Wielicki and Norman Loeb, Climate Ferdinand Grosveld, Structural Acoustics tion Processes Section, earned national cer- ence & Allied Health at Thomas Nelson Com- Linda Kramer, Randall Bailey, Kyle Ellis, STEM Award in the field of Technology Innova- Science Branch, representing the CERES Sci- Branch, was named director, Northeast Re- tification as an aerospace technician with a munity College, received the 2011 Innovative Michael Norman, Steven Williams, Jar- tion-Government. ence Team, received the William T. Pecora gion (Region I), AIAA. SpaceTEC certification. Program Award in recognition of the NASA/ vis Arthur III, Kevin Shelton and Lawrence Award from the Department of Interior. TNCC Technician Cooperative Education Pro- Denisse Aranda, Mechanical Systems John Micol, Business Strategy Integration John Lin, Flow Physics & Control Branch, re- Prinzel, were awarded best paper of confer- gram. Branch, represented the Agency as guest Terry Morris, Safety-Critical Avionics Sys- Office, was elected president of the Super- ceived the AIAA sustained service award. ence for “Enhanced and Synthetic Vision for speaker for Latino Magazine’s AHORA Day tems Branch, received a Certificate of Public sonic Tunnel Association, International. Terminal Maneuvering Area NextGen Opera- Joel Levine, Science Directorate, and Ar- Michael Park, Computational Aerosciences Conference. Leadership, Brookings Institution and Extraor- lene Levine, Strategic Relationships Office, Ramon Paryz, Subsonic/Transonic Testing Branch, won the Laurence J. Bement Young tions” at the Enhanced and Synthetic Vision dinary Service Award for Volunteer Center of received the National Alliance of Black School Michelle Ferebee, Strategic Relationships Branch, was awarded member emeritus of the Professional Paper Competition, Hampton Conference. Virginia. Educators’ Presidential Award for the NASA/ Office, was recognized at the 16th Annual Supersonic Tunnel Association, International. Roads Section, AIAA. Foluso Ladeinde, Ken Alabi, Tayo La- NABSE lecture series in Planetary Science. Women of Color STEM Conference in Dallas, Raymon McAdaragh, Crew Systems & deinde, Douglas Davis, Matthew Satchell, Upendra Singh, Engineering Directorate, Eric Walker, Configuration Aerodynamics TX and was honored at the YWCA Virginia Aviation Operations Branch, certificate of ex- and Robert Baurle, received a Best Paper Joseph Ponthieux, Crew Systems & Avia- was elected a Fellow of the Optical Society of Branch, received the Peninsula Engineering Peninsula’s 2011 Women of Distinction Awards cellence, UAS Research & Development Matrix Award for “CFD Enhancements for Supersonic tion Operations Branch, received a certificate America. Council’s 2011 Doug Ensor Award recognizing Ceremony in the Government/Politics cat- Team from the Federal Aviation Administration, Combustion Simulation with VULCAN at the of appreciation from the Virginia Governor’s the young engineer of the year. egory. NextGen & Operations Planning. Fereidoun Farassat, Aeroacoustics Branch, 46th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Schools. was awarded the rank of Fellow of the Ameri- Amanda Cutright, Mechanical Systems Conference. Vernet Mull, Research Systems Integration Michael Kaszyca, Mission Services Con- Thomas McQuigg, National Institute of can Helicopter Society. Branch, received the Ed Payne Outstanding Branch, was honored at the YWCA Virginia tracting Branch, was one of the five finalists for Richard DeLoach, Aeronautics Systems Aerospace Graduate Student in the Structural Young Engineer of the Year Award from the Peninsula’s 2011 Women of Distinction Awards the Procurement Round Table 2011 Elmer B. Karen Jackson, Structural Dynamics Engineering Branch and John Micol, Ground Mechanics & Concepts Branch, received the Society of Allied Weight Engineers. Ceremony for her contributions to Religion. Staats Young Acquisition Professional Excel- Branch, was elected a Technical Fellow of the Facilities & Testing Directorate, received the first place award in the Ph.D. category of the lence Award, a government-wide award. American Helicopter Society. Jeremy Pinier, Configuration Aerodynamics AIAA 2011 Best Ground Testing Paper award Paul E. Torgersen Research Awards for Vir- Jessica Henegar, Research Directorate, Branch, received an activity award and certifi- ginia Tech College of Engineering graduate certificate of recognition for raising over one Clayton Turner, Office of the Director, re- Farzin Amzajerdian, Laser Remote Sensing for “Comparison of Resource Requirements cate of appreciation, Hampton Roads Section, students finishing their degree work in 2011 for thousand dollars for the American Cancer So- ceived the Monroe Community College Alumni Branch, was elected a Fellow of the SPIE, In- for a Wind Tunnel Test Designed with Con- AIAA. his research dissertation entitled “Compres- ciety. Hall of Fame Recognition. ternational Society for Optics and Photonics. ventional vs Modern Design of Experiments Methods.” sion after Impact Experiments and Analysis on Michael Madrid, Chief Counsel, received a NASA EDGE received two Bronze Telly Charles Harris, Director of Research, re- Jay Brandon, Flight Dynamics Branch, re- Honeycomb Core Sandwich Panels with Thin Patriot Award for employer support of the Na- Yuan Chen, Electronic Systems Branch, awards in online video: government relations ceived the Distinguished Career Award at the ceived the AIAA 2011 Engineer of the Year Facesheets.” tional Guard. category for video pod casts “NE @ Mercury Virginia Tech College of Engineering Academy award. presented an invited paper “Micro- and Nano- Andrew Willemsen, Graduate Student Mission Control” and NE Live @ Orion Pad of Engineering Excellence. Michael Chapman, Test Technologies Electronic Technologies and their Qualification Peter Parker, Aeronautics Systems Engi- Branch, received a Patriot Award for employer Methodology for Space Applications under Research Program, Advanced Materials & Abort One.” Joel Levine, Science Directorate, received neering Branch, received the 2011 National Harsh Environments” at the SPIE Defense, Processing Branch, received an outstanding support of the National Guard. NASA EDGE received a Pegasus Award for the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Society of Professional Engineer’s Federal En- student paper award for “Enhanced Noise and Security and Sensing Conference. Co-authors “NE Live@Lunabotics Mining Competition” Brooklyn College of the City University of New gineer of the Year Award. Eric Greenwood, Aeroacoustics Branch, Vibration Dissipation by Nanocomposite Poly- are Carissa Weber, NASA Ames, Mohammad video pod cast. York. received the best paper in the Acoustics ses- Sayata Ghose, Advanced Materials & Pro- Mojarradi and Elizabeth Kolawa, NASA JPL. urethane Foams Synthesized with Dispersed sion at the 67th American Helicopter Society Carbon Nanotubes at the 2011 Noise Confer- NASA Langley Research Center received Stephen Wilkinson, Flow Physics & Control cessing Branch, was awarded the 2011 Society Qamar Shams and Allan Zuckerwar, Aero- Annual Forum for “The Effects of Ambient ence OR. a 2010 Pretreatment Excellence and Pollu- Branch, received the Old Dominion University of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Outstand- nautics Systems Engineering Branch, were Conditions on Helicopter Rotor Source Noise tion Prevention Award and the 2010 Diamond Pioneer Award for his work in viscous drag re- ing Young Manufacturing Engineer Award. selected for a 2011 Award for Excellence in Sharon Otero, Crew Systems & Aviation Modeling.” Award for 10 years of consecutive perfect per- duction. Technology Transfer by the Federal Laboratory Operations Branch, the President’s Volunteer mit compliance at the 18th Annual Hampton Consortium for Technology Transfer for A Por- Service Award, Office of the President of the Roads Sanitation District Awards Ceremony. table Infrasonic Detection System. United States. NASA Langley Research Center earned and , Fran DeMarco, Office of Chief Information Levine Prince Martinez Brandon Stanley Woodard Bryant Taylor the Tree City USA certification sponsored by Electronic Systems Branch; , Officer, received a service award for her work Kathy Dezern the Arbor Day Foundation, U.S. Dept of Agri- Strategic Relationships Office; and with the American Red Cross, York-Poquoson Robin Ed- culture Forest Service and the National Asso- , Office of Chief Counsel, were selected Chapter. wards ciation of State Foresters.

Langley Research Center | 2011 Langley Research Center | 2011 27 patents

Joseph Zalameda, William Winfree, and Stephen Hales, Joel Alexa, Brian Jen- Jeffrey Jordan, David Schryer, Patricia William Yost received patent 7,855,368 B2 sen, Roberto Cano, and Erik Weiser re- Davis, Bradley Leighty, Anthony Watkins, for an air-coupled acoustic thermography for ceived patent 7,851,062 B2 a metal/fiber Jacqueline Schryer, Donald Oglesby, Lesa B. Roe Stephen G. Jurczyk Cynthia C. Lee in-situ evaluation. laminate and fabrication using a porous Suresh Gulati and Jerry Summers received Director Deputy Director Associate Director metal/fiber preform. patent 7,985,709 B2 for a methodology for Lisa Scott-Carnell, Ralph Stephens, the effective stabilization of tin-oxide-based Nancy Holloway, Caroline Rhim, Laura Stephen Hales, Joel Alexa, Brian Jen- oxidation/reduction catalysts. Niklason, Robert Clark, and Emilie Siochi sen, Roberto Cano, and Erik Weiser re- How to Contact Us: received patent 7,993,567 B2 for a method ceived patent 8,017,190 B2 a metal/fiber lam- Paul Pao and Khaled Abdol-Hamid re- and system for aligning fibers during electro- inate and fabrication using a porous metal/ ceived patent 7,991,595 B2 for adaptive re- Office of Strategic Communications spinning. fiber preform. finement tools for tetrahedral unstructured grids. and Education: 757 864-6300 Jae-Woo Kim, Cheol Park, Sang Choi, , Stephen Scotti, Pi- Peter Lillehei and Joycelyn Harrison re- eter Buning, Steven Bauer, Walter Enge- Noah Schiller and Randolph Cabell re- Government Relations: 757 864-2505 ceived patent 7,998,368 B2 for aqueous so- lund, and David Schuster received patent ceived patent 7,893,602 B1 for a dual-use lution dispersement of carbon nanotubes. 8,002,219 B2 for a multi-functional annular transducer for use with a boundary-stiffened Doing Business with Langley: 757 864-1178 fairing for coupling launch abort motor to panel and method of using the same. Qamar Shams, Michael Logan, Robert space vehicle. Web Site: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley Fox, John Ingham, Sean Laughter, Theo- Russell Thomas and Kevin Kinzle re- dore Kuhn III, James Adams and Walter Zoubeida Ounaies, Cheol Park, Joyce- ceived patent 8,015,819 B2 for a wet active Babel III received patent 7,962,252 B2 for lyn Harrison, Nancy Holloway, and Greg- chevron nozzle for controllable jet noise re- a self-contained avionics sensing and flight ory Draughon received patent 7,935,414 B2 duction. control system for small unmanned aerial for a multilayer electroactive polymer com- Andrew Hahn and David Kinney received vehicle. posite material. patent 7,883,052 B2 for an aircraft wing for Yeonjoon Park, Sang Choi, and Glen Norman Barnes, Brian Walsh and Don- over-the-wing mounting of engine nacelle. King received patent 7,906, 358 B2 for epi- ald Reichle, Jr. received patent 7,848,381 Stanley Woodard and Bryant Taylor re- taxial growth of cubic crystalline semicon- B2 for a multiple-wavelength tunable laser. ceived patent 7,902,815 B2 for a wireless ductor alloys on basal plane of trigonal or John Connell, Joseph Smith, Joyce- system and method for collecting motion hexagonal crystal. lyn Harrison, Cheol Park, Kent Watson and non-motion related data of a rotating Sang Choi, Yeonjoon Park, Glen King, and Zoubeida Ounaies received patent system. vasc and James Elliott received patent 8,018,815 7,906,043 B2 for electrically conductive, op- Luke Catella received patent 7,871,682 for B2 for a micro-fresnel zone plate optical de- tically transparent polymer/carbon nanotube a support assembly for composite laminate vices using densely accumulated ray points. composites and process for preparation materials during roll press processing. thereof. John Connell, Joseph Smith, Joyce- Stanley E. Woodard received patent lyn Harrison, Cheol Park, Kent Watson Russell Wincheski received patent 7,814, 786 for a wireless sensing system for and Zoubeida Ounaies received patent 7,901,611 B2 for a method for predicting and non-invasive monitoring of attributes of con- 7,972,536 B2 for electrically conducive, opti- optimizing system parameters for electros- tents in a container. cally transparent polymer/carbon nanotube pinning. composites. Erik Weiser, Theodorus J. Dingemans, John Cantrell and Sean Cantrell re- Terry L. St. Clair and Jeffrey A. Hinkley re- Neal Hass and Paul Schalhorn received ceived patent 7,845,215 B2 for a resonant ceived patent 7,964,698 for wholly aromatic patent 7,890,311 B2 for a method of simulat- difference-frequency atomic force ultrasonic liquid crystalline polyetherimide (lc-pei) res- ing flow-through area of a pressure regulator. microscope. ins. Martha Williams, Trent Smith, James William Doggett, Bruce King, Timothy Fesmire, Erik Weiser, and Jared Sass re- Collins and John Dorsey received patent NASA/Sean Smith ceived patent 7,977,411 B2 for foam/aerogel 7,878,348 B2 for a robotic-movement pay- composite materials for thermal and acous- load lifter and manipulator. tic insulation and cryogen storage. Norman Barnes, Brian Walsh and Don- Interested in Experiencing NASA? Sang Choi, James Elliott, Jr, Glen King, ald Reichle Jr. received patent 7.912,101 B2 Yeonjoon Park, Jae-Woo Kim, and Sang- for controlling second harmonic efficiency of isit the Virginia Air & Space Center, NASA You can launch a rocket, pilot a space shuttle, Hyon Chu received patent 8,020,805 B2 laser beam interactions. Langley’s official visitor center. program Mars rovers for a mission, become an for a high altitude airship configuration and V Mahyar Malekour received patent air traffic controller, fly an airplane, climb aboard power technology and method for operation 7,792,015 B2 for byzantine-fault tolerant self- Located in Hampton, Virginia, the birthplace of of same. a WWII bomber and experience a 3D IMAX film. stabilizing protocol for distributed clock syn- America’s space program, the center features in- Travis Turner, Roberto Cano, Richard chronization systems. teractive aviation exhibits spanning 100 years of See the 12 Command Module that went Silcox, Ralph Buehrle, Christopher Cagle, flight, more than 30 historic aircraft, a hands-on to the moon, a Mars meteorite, a three-billion- Jason Moore received patent 7,813,599 Randolph Cabell, and George Hilton re- space gallery, unique space flight artifacts, and year-old moon rock, a DC-9 passenger jet and a B2 for a method and apparatus for shape ceived patent 7,958,733 B2 for a jet engine and end position determination using an op- more. replica 1903 Wright Flyer. exhaust nozzle flow effector. tical fiber. To learn more, go to http://vasc.org/

Langley Research Center | 2011 28 Langley Research Center | 2011 29 ot enough can be said about these wind tunnels, Nsome of the most historically significant in our nation, or to the impacts made by the people who worked in them during their combined 150 years of service. ­— Lesa Roe, Director

A Curtis SB2C dive bomber is tested in the full-scale tunnel in 1939.

Bell X-1 model mounted in the slotted test section of the 16-Foot Tunnel, 1951.

Langley Research Center | 2011 30 A rare view of the fairing and turning vanes inside the venerable 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel. This view was exposed during deconstruction of the facility.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center Hampton, VA 23681

NP-2011-12-354-LaRC