NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

At NASA's Glenn Research Center, in partnership with U.S. industry, universities, and other government institutions, we develop critical systems technologies and capabilities that address national priorities. Our world-class research, technology, and capability development efforts are keys to advancing exploration of our solar system and beyond while maintaining global leadership in aeronautics.

Image right: NASA Glenn in the evening, as viewed from Brookpark Road entrance. Credit: NASA

Glenn is distinguished by its unique blend of aeronautics and spaceflight experience. As we move toward a greater focus on spaceflight hardware development, we are benefiting from our diverse accomplishments and expertise in aeronautics. Our work is focused on technological advancements in spaceflight systems development, aeropropulsion, space propulsion, power systems, nuclear systems, communications and human research.

Facilities
Glenn's main campus is situated on 350 acres adjacent to the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. It has more than 140 buildings that include 24 major facilities and over 500 specialized research and test facilities. In addition, Plum Brook Station, located 50 miles west of Cleveland, offers four large, world-class facilities for space technology and capability development on a 6,400-acre installation. All center capabilities are available for government and industry programs through interagency or Space Act agreements.

People
The Glenn team consists of more than 3,000 civil service employees and support service contractor personnel. Scientists and engineers comprise more than half of our workforce, while technical specialists, skilled workers, and an administrative staff support them. We aggressively strive for technical excellence through continuing education, increased diversity in our workforce, and continuous improvement in our management and business practices so that we can expand the boundaries of space, science and aeronautics technology.

Major Responsibilities
The center's activities support all NASA missions and the major programs of our agency. In support of the Constellation Program, NASA Glenn is the lead for managing the Orion service module and spacecraft adapter development and integration, providing oversight and independent analysis of the prime contractor's development of these segments. Glenn is also leading the Crew Exploration Vehicle Requirements and Interfaces Management Office in addition to providing engineering support for the Pad Abort-1 and Ascent Abort-1 flight test and the Crew Module. At Plum Brook Station, preparations are underway to conduct major Orion environmental testing in the Space Power Facility.

Image left: A mechanical technician makes final adjustments to a mock-up of an early Orion service module design concept. NASA's new spaceship Orion will carry astronauts to the moon. Credit: NASA

Glenn also has lead responsibility for the design and development of several Ares launch vehicle upper-stage systems. Glenn's launch vehicle responsibilities include designing the upper-stage thrust vector control, electrical power and development flight instrumentation package. Glenn is also responsible for building the upper-stage simulator for the first Ares test flight.

We continue to contribute to economic growth and national security by developing technology for safe, superior, and environmentally compatible U.S. aircraft propulsion systems.

Glenn leads NASA's research in the fields of fluids, combustion, and reacting flow systems, including gravity variation. Glenn also leads in the testing and evaluation of materials and structures for atmospheric and space environments by utilizing our first-rate facilities and world-class scientists and engineers.

Almost every space shuttle science mission has had an experiment managed by Glenn, and we have conducted a wide array of experiments on the International Space Station. Glenn's role in spaceflight, science, and aeronautics research and development continues to support our agency's strategy and our nation.

Awards
NASA Glenn has won many awards and honors for its state-of-the-art technology development and cutting-edge research. They include 98 R&D 100 Awards since 1966, four NASA Software of the Year Awards, two Collier Trophies and an Emmy Award. We have reported more than 2,000 invention disclosures since 1991 and won an average of nine awards per year from the NASA Inventions and Contributions Board.

07/08

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