Official Nasa Communication 05-044 Nasa Honors

October 26, 2005 Katherine K. Martin Media Relations Office 216-433-2406 [email protected] RELEASE: 05-044 NASA HONORS AERONAUTICS INNOVATORS A sensor-based fire alarm system, critical propulsion technologies for aircraft, futuristic communications capabilities and a mobile education lab have received top recognition at a NASA ceremony held last night at Cleveland's Great Lakes Science Center. Teams led by NASA's Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, won four of the eight awards recognized by the agency's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate at this year's Turning Goals Into Reality (TGIR) awards ceremony. The False Alarm Resistant Fire Detection for Remote Cargo Components Team received the Associate Administrator's Choice Award. The team developed a Micro Electric Mechanical Systems sensor-based system to address the high rate of false fire alarms from remote under-floor cargo compartments, a critical concern of air carriers. These false alarms result in unnecessary emergency procedures that compromise flight safety and air traffic management. The Federal Aviation Administration controlled testing of the system yielded a zero false alarm rate, resulting in a new commercial product, the Multi-Parameter, MicroSensor-Based, Low False Alarm Fire Detection System. In helping to keep our skies cleaner, the Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology Project Component Demonstrations Team won the award in the Protect the Environment category. The team developed, matured and demonstrated many critical propulsion technologies that will enable a fleet of environmentally-friendly future generation aircraft. In partnership with industry, key technologies were tested, including low emissions combustors, high-performance turbomachinery, materials and structures, intelligent propulsion controls, propulsion airframe integration and system integration. This suite of technologies successfully achieved the project goals of 70-percent nitrogen oxide reduction and 10-percent carbon dioxide reduction for a subsonic aircraft system.

Playing a part to help secure our nation's security, the Virtual Mission Operations Center Demonstration Team garnered the top award in the area of Partnerships for National Security. Partnering with the Department of Defense (DoD), this team identified common communication requirements. Mobile network technologies were demonstrated in a low-earth orbit satellite environment with state-of-the-art protocols and applications. Along with meeting DoD security and survivability requirements of a complex, battlefield environment, the system supports NASA's Next Generation Air Transportation System for secure, real-time access to aviation information. The TGIR Goal of Inspiring Students and Engaging the Public merited The Mobile Aerospace Education Laboratory (MAEL) Team the top award for educational outreach efforts. This unique mobile laboratory showcases NASA's aerospace programs to students and the general public, with special emphasis on encouraging underserved students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. During the past year, MAEL traveled to 24 sites and provided over 20,000 students, teachers, parents and the general public with a unique look at NASA's efforts in aeronautics and space. For a complete listing of this year's TGIR awardees, visit: http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/tgir/2005/award_listing.htm

For more information on NASA Glenn on the Web, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/glenn -end-