Director of NASA Glenn Research Center Shares Insights on Future of Space Flight

The NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland develops critical systems technologies and capabilities that address national priorities in partnership with U.S. industry, universities, and other government institutions. World-class research, technology, and capability development efforts are keys to advancing space exploration of the solar system and beyond, while maintaining global leadership in aeronautics. NASA Glenn is distinguished by its unique blend of aeronautics and space flight expertise and experience. The Center’s work is focused on technological advancements in space flight systems development, aeropropulsion, space propulsion, power systems, nuclear systems, communications, and human-related systems.

hiVelocity, an online magazine highlighting the people and businesses that are helping to transition Ohio’s economy for future generations, recently interviewed the director of NASA's Glenn, Ray Lugo. Ray has been around America's space program since he was a kid -- and now he could be at the epicenter of changes within the space agency as President Obama has proposed a redirection of NASA priorities. That shift in focus could propel the Glenn Center to the top of the agency's research centers, leading the development of new technologies that will be the foundation of future space flight, and feeding millions of science and technology dollars into Ohio's economy.

Ohio’s complete spectrum of aerospace, aviation and advanced propulsion technologies - both military and commercial – make the state attractive to businesses and executives in the aerospace industry. Ohio is home to 24 astronauts including Neil Armstrong, one of the three members of the Apollo 11 crew. Apollo 11 was the first manned mission to land on the Moon. Ohioan Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took the first steps on the moon on July 20, 1969.

Click here to read hiVelocity's interview with Ray.

Ohio Center Stage for National Aviation Hall of Fame Inductees

Four American visionaries of flight are to be honored for their contributions to aviation on July 17 at the 49th annual Enshrinement Dinner & Ceremony at the National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) in Dayton, Ohio, the birthplace of flight and a national leader in the aerospace industry. The 2010 NAHF inductees are Capt. Alan Bean, USN (Ret.); Warren G. Grimes; Clay Lacy and Noel Wien. For more information about their achievements in aviation click here.

Ohio is the nation's leader in advanced propulsion and derivative power technology, providing a world-class research environment that includes two dedicated federal aerospace laboratories – Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton and NASA Glenn in Cleveland – and ten aerospace related doctoral programs at Ohio universities. Graduates of these institutions provide a cluster of highly skilled and educated workers. Ohio's aerospace industry is supported by the state's Ohio Third Frontier, a $1.6 billion initiative to help catalyze connections between companies and academia.

Tickets to the enshrinement reception are still available for purchase. For information or to order tickets, please call 937-256-0944 at extension 10.

Ohio: National Leader in Aerospace

By: Marlon Cheatham, Brand Manager, Ohio Business Development Coalition

It all started with the engineering and creative energy of the Wright Brothers in Dayton, Ohio. From the birthplace of aviation, Ohio is now a national leader in aerospace. No state can match Ohio’s capabilities in aerospace propulsion and power – from basic and advanced research, to technology development, to systems development, to sourcing of component suppliers, and final product testing – all critical phases of aerospace propulsion and power development take place in Ohio. The industry has at least a $4.5 billion economic impact on the state of Ohio.

Ohio's aerospace economy is leading the way for the advancement of new aerospace technologies in a wide variety of applications in aviation, space, near-space, lighter-than-air, hypersonics, propulsion, sensors, instrumentation, communications, advanced materials, human effectiveness and others.

Only Ohio boasts two federal laboratories, ten leading universities with dedicated doctoral level research and education programs in aerospace-related disciplines, more than 450 aerospace manufacturers and suppliers, and the Ohio Aerospace Institute all working in collaboration to develop innovative solutions for the nation’s aerospace needs.

These entities, along with Ohio’s internationally renowned federal aerospace research centers, attract the industry’s top talent to provide limitless opportunities in aeropropulsion and power research and development, manufacturing innovation and commercialization of aerospace components and products.

Statewide, Ohio has more than 100,000 employees at nearly 1,200 companies in the aerospace and defense industry. That’s more than double the national average!

What state?

• Has the 2nd largest FAA control center workforce in nation, plus 172 airports spread across the state, and over 80 flight schools?
• Is the home of Wright Patterson Air Force Base and the Air Force Research Laboratory, a national leader in development of new aerospace technology?
• Is the home of the NASA Glenn Research Center, a national leader in aerospace technology and the only NASA Center in the Northern U.S.?
• Has an extensive integrated aerospace supply chain, with major suppliers such as GE Aviation, Goodrich Corporation, Parker Hannifin, Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation, The Boeing Company, Delphi Automotive Systems, GrafTech International Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., Orbital Research, Inc, The Timken Company, and over 600 others?
• Offers ten university PhD degrees in aerospace-related engineering and research?

Ohio. This all adds up to an unbeatable location for companies within the aerospace industry to call home. And, it just so happens that Ohio is an unbeatable place to live as well.