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03-039
For Release: June 18, 2003

Katherine K. Martin
Media Relations Office
216/433-2406
katherine.martin{at}nasa.gov

New Technologies Developed By NASA Recognized by NorTech

Two diverse technologies--one that demonstrates Internet connectivity
between moving vehicles and the other a high-temperature thermal
barrier/seal--were recently awarded a 2003 NorTech Innovation Award.

The innovative technologies were developed at NASA's Glenn Research
Center, Cleveland.

Mobile Internet Protocol Router technology was developed in
partnership with Cisco Systems and Western Datacom. The new
technology possesses the ability to communicate through an encrypted,
mobile network allowing instantaneous and continuous Internet
connectivity. The mobile networking technology will make space
communications in low-earth-orbiting research vehicles as easy as we
now have Internet access here on Earth. Other than NASA's use for
space communications and orbiting spacecraft, the technology could
also be used by the military for keeping troops in the field
informed, or for emergency management services, railroad and shipping
systems, the automotive industry and travelers.

Glenn employees Will Ivancic, Satellite Networks and Architectures
Branch, and Phil Paulsen, Project Management Branch of the Space
Communications Office, worked with a team of engineers from five
other companies in the development of the mobile networking
technology. 

A high-temperature thermal barrier/seal was developed to prevent hot
gases from reaching temperature-sensitive nozzle O-rings in solid
rocket motors for heavy-lift space launch vehicles including the
Space Shuttle. The new braided carbon-fiber thermal barrier is
capable of reducing the temperature of the 5500 degree F rocket
combustion gas to permit only relatively cool (<200 degree F) gas to
reach the O-rings. This new technology also enables the solid rocket
motor nozzle joints to be assembled in one-sixth of the time of
previous approaches. In addition to playing an important role in the
nation's space program, potential industrial applications for the new
thermal barrier/seal include sealing furnace doors to prevent escape
of super-heated gases and sealing processing equipment in the
chemical industry.

rD. Bruce M. Steinetz and Pat Dunlap, both in the Mechanical
Components Branch at Glenn, developed the new high temperature
thermal barrier/seal. 

NorTech Innovation awards, formerly known as the EDI Innovation
Awards, are named for the Northeast Ohio Technology Coalition
(NorTech), the technology affiliate of Cleveland Tomorrow. The awards
honor innovators and companies for creating some of the best new
products in Northeast Ohio. 

The awards program is sponsored by Key Bank, Ernst & Young, Squire
Sanders & Dempsey LLP, the Ohio Department of Development, Case
Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management and its
subsidiary Enterprise Development, Inc.

Note To Local Editors: Ivancic resides in Westlake, Paulsen in Avon,
Steinetz in Westlake, and Dunlap in Wickliffe.

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