Monday, August 17, 2009

Endeavour's Engine Removals

I've been primarily assigned to support Endeavour since its successful return and this afternoon the engines were removed for post-flight servicing. The engines are processed through Pratt & Whitney's Rocketdyne group.





I'm pursuing a 2nd Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering through North Carolina State University. Tomorrow is the first day of lecture and I will be taking Fluid Dynamics of Combustion I. Can't wait to get back into coursework. (I'm one of those people who thinks school is fun. I love learning and a good challenge!)

6 comments:

Jim said...

Excellent pictures of Endeavours engines. I can't help looking at the hardware a little closer as I am reading a new book on the Saturn V F-1 engines and it definitely is going into lots of details on the hardware. For example, did you know that the F-1's were dressed in thermal insulation during flight and don't look like the engines we see in museums without that insulation? I certainly didn't know that and I'm one of those Apollo Geeks.... ;-)

Great to hear that you're continuing your education. Are you taking classes remotely or on campus?

Jim.

heroineworshipper said...

Wonder how math intensive those aerospace programs are. The graduate level aerodynamics courses at MIT are very intimidating while other courses like systems engineering are fun.

Unknown said...

What totally cool photos, your so luck to be able to get so close to those engine's, if it was me I possibility get totally in the way and end up with an engine on my head lol.

And good luck when your classes start again not that you need it, sounds like your driven to succeed at what ever you do.

Thanks for sharing your blog and pictures :)

Unknown said...

hi Damaris. going 4 a 2nd masters? gud 4 u. & lisen, i wrote u a mail. plz chek.

Dima said...

Hey Damaris,
How are you taking classes up in North Carolina State U if you all the way in Florida (I assume so lol). Is there a NCSU campus in Florida state?

Damaris Sarria Toepel said...

Hi Dima, a lot of universities have Distance Education degrees. NCSU's Aerospace Engineering degree is one of many that you can take online. Basically, they video record the in-class lecture then post it online right after the class for me to watch. I take notes during the lectures and complete homework just like the student in-classroom. My exams are sent to a proctor who administers the exam to me with all of the guidelines as the students have. I really enjoy distance education just because I can manage it around my work schedule.