Glenn Research Center
Coordinates: 41 ° 24 ′ 46.2 " N , 81 ° 51 ′ 44.6" W.
The Glenn Research Center ( GRC ) is a NASA research center based in Brook Park near Cleveland , Ohio . It is located between the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and the Rocky River Reservation (part of the Cleveland Metroparks ). The current director is Ramon Lugo. The designated successor is his deputy James Free.
The research center mainly deals with the development of new technologies for the aerospace industry. One of the best-known developments is the J-2 rocket motor powered by liquid hydrogen , which Wernher von Braun described as the key technology for the Apollo lunar program . A new type of propulsion system for spacecraft was also developed here with the ion propulsion system.
history
The Glenn Research Center was founded in 1942 as part of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and was later incorporated into NASA as a laboratory for research on aircraft engines.
The original name, after funding approval was given in June 1940, was Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory . It was first renamed Flight Propulsion Research Laboratory in 1947 , which became the Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory in 1948 and was finally called the NASA Lewis Research Center in 1958.
On March 1, 1999, the Lewis Research Center was officially renamed the NASA John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field after John Glenn ( American fighter pilot, astronaut and politician ) and George W. Lewis (head of the NACA from 1919 to 1947). Within NASA, the Glenn Research Center is often referred to by the abbreviation GRC (not to be confused with the GSFC, the Goddard Space Flight Center ).
Since 2004, NASA began to shift its focus towards the Vision for Space Exploration program . The future of many regional research centers such as the Glenn Research Center thus became relatively uncertain.
On May 13, 2006, NASA announced that the Glenn Research Center would take over management of the Orion spacecraft's service module .
Individual evidence
- ^ NASA Announces Leadership Changes at Glenn and Johnson. In: NASA Press Release 12-398. NASA, November 16, 2012, accessed November 19, 2012 .
Web links
- Glenn Research Center (English)
- Engines and Innovation: Lewis Laboratory and American Propulsion Technology (English) - A whole book, including photos and diagrams. (click on the "Table of Contents" link).