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TRAVELING TO IDEA CENTER Use the following driving directions and parking instructions for visits to Idea Center.
General driving directions to Idea Center
From the south, take Interstate 71 North to downtown Cleveland where it becomes Interstate 90 East; follow I-90 to the E. 22nd St. exit (stay left). Take E. 22nd (north) to Euclid Avenue and then turn left (west). Idea Center is located on the north side of Euclid at the intersection of E.14 and Euclid. When leaving: From Euclid Ave., take E.14th Street south. Follow signs to entrance ramp for Interstate 71 South.
From the south, take Interstate 77 North to downtown Cleveland, to the E. 14th Street exit and stay left. Take E. 14th (north) to Euclid Avenue. Idea Center is located on the north side of Euclid at the intersection of E.14 and Euclid. When leaving, take Euclid Avenue to E. 14th Street south; Follow signs to entrance ramp for Interstate 77 South.
From the east, take Interstate 480 West to Interstate 77 North to the E. 14th Street exit and stay left. Take E. 14th (north) to Euclid Avenue. Idea Center is located on the north side of Euclid at the intersection of E.14 and Euclid. When leaving: From Euclid Ave., take E.14th Street south. Follow signs to entrance ramp for Interstate 77 South.
From the east, take Interstate 80 West (Ohio Turnpike) to Interstate 480 West to Interstate 77 north to the E. 14th Street exit and stay left. Take E. 14th (north) to Euclid Avenue. Idea Center is located on the north side of Euclid at the intersection of E.14 and Euclid. When leaving: From Euclid Ave., take E.14th Street south. Follow signs to entrance ramp for Interstate 77 South.
From the east, take Interstate 90 west to State Route 2 west to E. 9th Street exit and turn left (south). Take E. 9th to St. Clair Avenue and turn left (east); take St. Clair Avenue to E. 17th Street and turn right (south); take E. 17th Street to Euclid Avenue and turn right (west). Idea Center is located on the north side of Euclid at the intersection of E.14 and Euclid. When leaving, take Euclid Avenue west to E. 13th Street and turn right (north), take E. 13th Street to St. Clair Ave. and turn left (west). Take St. Clair to E. 9th Street and turn right (north). Follow signs to State Route 2 East.
From the west, take interstates 80/90 East (Ohio Turnpike) to interstate 90 East to Interstate 71 north to E. 22nd Street exit (stay left). Take E. 22nd (north) to Euclid Avenue and turn left (west). Idea Center is located on the north side of Euclid at the intersection of E.14 and Euclid. When leaving: From Euclid Ave., take E.14th Street south. Follow signs to entrance ramp for Interstate 71 South, and Interstate 90 West.
Passenger drop off and parking for Idea Center
(From Euclid Ave. and E. 13th Street)
Take 13th street north. The second street (on right/east side) is Dodge Court.
Turn right on Dodge Court. Halfway down block, Idea Center entrance is on the right (south side). Use this entrance as convenient drop off point, and proceed to Playhouse Square parking garage (east on Dodge Court and left to parking garage entrance). Note level where you have parked, and take elevator (or stairs) at southeast corner of parking garage to ground level. From door at ground level, walk across Dodge Court to entrance of Idea Center. Idea Center security desk (at Dodge Court entrance) is occupied 24/7.
(From Chester and E. 13th. Street)
Take 13th Street south, one block to Dodge Court. Turn left (east) on Dodge Court. Halfway down block, Idea Center entrance is on the right (south side). Use this entrance as convenient drop off point, and proceed to Playhouse Square parking garage (east on Dodge Court and left to parking garage entrance). Note the level where you have parked, and take elevator (or stairs) at southeast corner of parking garage to ground level. From door at ground level, walk across Dodge Court to entrance of Idea Center. Idea Center security desk (at Dodge Court entrance) is occupied 24/7.
November 2007 Meeting
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Young Members Night
5:30-6:00 Explore the Idea Center, participate in learning activities and meet engineers and scientists
6:00-7:00 Buffet Dinner
7:00-8:00 Guest Lecture: Matthew Melis “The Columbia Accident Investigation and Returning NASA’s Space Shuttle to Flight”
The Columbia Accident Investigation and Returning NASA’s Space Shuttle to Flight
Matthew Melis
NASA Glenn Research Center
Cleveland, Ohio
On February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart during reentry, resulting in loss of the vehicle and its seven crewmembers. For the next several months, an extensive investigation of the accident ensued involving a nationwide team of experts from NASA, industry, and academia, spanning dozens of technical disciplines. The Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB), a group of experts assembled to conduct an investigation independent of NASA, concluded in August, 2003 that the most likely cause of the loss of Columbia and its crew was a breach in the left wing leading edge Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) thermal protection system initiated by the impact of thermal insulating foam that had separated from the orbiters external fuel tank 81 seconds into the mission's launch. During reentry, this breach allowed superheated air to penetrate behind the leading edge and erode the aluminum structure of left wing, which ultimately led to the breakup of the orbiter. The findings of the CAIB were supported by ballistic impact tests, which simulated the physics of External Tank Foam impact on the RCC wing leading edge material. These tests ranged from fundamental material characterization tests to full-scale Orbiter Wing Leading Edge tests.
Following the accident investigation, NASA spent the next 18 months focused on returning the shuttle safely to flight. In order to fully evaluate all potential impact threats from the many debris sources on the Space Shuttle during ascent, NASA instituted a significant impact testing program. The results from
these tests led to the validation of high-fidelity computer models, capable of predicting actual or potential Shuttle impact events, were used in the certification of STS-114, NASA’s Return to Flight Mission, as safe to fly.
Mr. Melis will provide a look into the inner workings of the Space Shuttle and a behind the scenes perspective on the impact analysis and testing done for the Columbia Accident Investigation and NASA's Return to Flight programs. In addition, highlights from recent Shuttle missions are presented.
Matt Melis received both a BS in Civil Engineering and an MS in Engineering Mechanics from Michigan State University. He has worked at the Glenn Research Center for twenty five years. His primary area of focus is in advanced finite element modeling and analysis methods including nonlinear and dynamic impact loading. His research is being used to predict ballistic impact response of jet engine fan containment concepts subjected to fan blade and debris strikes in support of national aviation safety initiatives. Since the tragedy of Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003, Matt has been dedicated full time to working on the Columbia Accident Investigation, and for the Space Shuttle Program in the area of debris impact assessment.
