Atlantis leaves for the VAB!

This morning at 7:04 am, Atlantis left for the VAB in preparation of assembling the shuttle stack!

Videos from today at the Shuttle Landing Facility

Day 1 of the 2007 World Space Expo

I have been volunteering some of my time in preparation of the events of World Space Expo and today was the first day of the spectacular event! Below are some of the highlights of my day. I can't wait for tomorrow's aerial Salute to 50 Years in Space.

I met Lt. Col. Kevin Robbins who is the commander/leader of the USAF Thunderbirds! Below is a photo of him with his F-16 Thunderbird "parked" at the Shuttle Landing Facility. Then there were the two F-22 Raptors. My favorite!!! I got to get upclose to the aircraft and meet the pilots!! There was a major cool factor seeing the aircraft at the Shuttle Landing Facility and I know the pilots are excited about flight over Kennedy Space Center. I will upload some videos later tonight of some of the aircraft coming in on the runway.

Discovery Launch Video

STS-120 launches!!!!

My day at the KSC Press Site

Today I was interviewed by various reporters. I was able to show some TPS materials and share what I do as an engineer in the Thermal Protection Systems group.
















Below is a layout of the TPS materials I displayed and talked about.


















The highlight of my day was meeting the young students that named that US Space Station Module 'Harmony'. Harmony is the US module that will serve as the attachment point for new European and Japanese laboratories. Naming the module was a nationawide student competition. The schools that selected 'Harmony' were:

Paul Cummins' 8th grade class at Browne Academy, Alexandria, Va.

Sue Wilson's 3rd grade class at Buchanan Elementary School, Baton Rouge, La.

Brigette Berry's 8th grade class at League City Intermediate School, League City, Texas

Bradley Neu's 9th grade science class at Lubbock High School, Lubbock, Texas

Yocum Russell's 3rd grade class at West Navarre Intermediate School, Navarre, Fla.

David Dexheimer's students at the World Group Home School, Monona, Wis.


Below are some pictures on me showing the students the TPS of the Space Shuttle Orbiter!

1 day until launch!

Let's just hope the weather at KSC will be in our favor!

I miei nuovi amici italiani!!!

Tonight I met my new friends from Italy that are anxiously awaiting the STS-120 launch on Tuesday. We went to dinner at the Italian Courtyard in Cocoa Beach. We all had a great time tonight conversing and they graciously presented me with a gift that was very much appreciated (below). Along with the wall clock was a card signed by them all that said "...cause an astronaut cannot be late on her launch day..."

I am humbled by the people who believe in me and motivate me in pursuing my dream in becoming an astronaut. I will be submitting my application in April...so we'll see. :)

Grazie!!!

3 days until launch!

I have many great things to look forward to this coming week!

A group from Italy is here to see the STS-120 launch and show their support to the crew and especially ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli. The group is associated with http://www.forumastronautico.it/. Back in June, I was interviewed by Marco Zambianchi and a webcast was made available at http://astronauticast.forumastronautico.it/?p=9. Well, they are here in Cape Canaveral and I will be meeting them for dinner tomorrow night. I am very excited to talk to them and meet them!

This week I completed one more class for my master's program which leaves only my research to complete. I decided to take a little more time in revising certain chapters and will officially enroll in my last class in December, which means being complete with the Master's program in April 2008.

Monday I will be interviewed by various television networks about the work I do in the Thermal Protection Systems group. The interviews will take place at the KSC press site. So who knows, you may see me on t.v!

As soon as Discovery takes off from KSC, I will be taking off to Houston to support on-orbit imagery inspections for Discovery's RCC and wing leading edge. This will be my first mission in supporting that group. Then, I should be getting back just in time for Atlantis to roll over to the VAB. Processing on Atlantis continues and we're really down to crunch time in getting things done in time.

What a week to look forward too!!!

Space Shuttle Discovery at the pad!

I've been working on a paper for school and I'm almost complete! My paper is on the available on-orbit repair methods, how they came about, and the applicability for each one.

Space shuttle Discovery arrived at Launch Pad 39A this afternoon (by ~1:15 p.m.). The shuttle began its slow 3.4-mile journey from the VAB to the pad on top of the crawler transporter at 6:47 a.m.














Something you'd want to check out is http://www.worldspaceexpo.com/. World Space Expo will be coming to Kennedy Space Center on November 1 - 4, 2007. It's going to be an awesome event that will be celebrating our 50 years in space. Check out the website and try to make it out to this event as a lot of great participants will be there! Next week I will start contributing to the team that is making this event even possible! So expect updates!!

I won't be supporting mission imagery for the next mission (STS-120), but next week I will be traveling to Houston for an imagery simulation for the LESS/RCC group. During Atlantis's STS-122 mission, I will be in Houston supporting imagery inspections of the wing leading edge, nose cap, and the foward External Tank attachment point. The simulation will get me aquainted with the procedures of documenting anything we find that is different from pre-flight images. What we look for during every mission are damages/discrepancies that could potentially effect the Thermal Protection System. Below is an example of an image that was downlinked during STS-121. Now what you see here in this picture is not a damage, but bird poop that was very noticeable. :) (Bird poop burns up during re-entry)

Will I be applying? OF COURSE!

So I have been asked if I am going to be applying for the astronaut candidate slot....well of course! I'd like to personally thank those who left inspiring comments for me to apply. I encourage those who are contemplating on applying to just do it!

So get this....the required standing height minimum is 62 inches. I am 62.5. I was close on that one. Phew!!! During my senior year of college, I was thinking about going into the Navy or the Air Force to become a pilot. I couldn't go into the Navy because I didn't have the perfect 20/20 vision. The Air Force wouldn't take me because I was 0.5 inch short of the standing and sitting height requirement. Oh well..at least I am okay to apply for the astronaut candidate position.

I am projecting on getting my application and paperwork in by mid February. The cutoff for applications is July 1, 2008.

I do have some good news. I have finals coming up in about two weeks for a class I am currently taking, which leaves only my research to be completed. During my last school term, I wrote my proposal for my graduate research project. Once your proposal is approved, you have to search for two board members to support your research. When I wrote my proposal, I was little disappointed in the direction my research topic was going. I had my topic in mind but had to change based on comments from the class and professor. The topic I had last term was comparing the public affairs methods used to inform the public by NASA and various military branches. It just wasn't the way I really wanted to go. My main concern was to evaluate how NASA was communicating to the public, not the military. After talking to a previous professor, it sounds like my original intentions were right on track. He and another colleague of his will be supporting my research!!! Now, I will be soley researching NASA's Public Affairs methods on communicating the importance of space exploration and how effective they are to the public. The term to complete my research will begin November 7, 2007, which means I will be complete with my Masters February 19, 2008!!!

After talking to my manager, I will not be going to Houston to support on-orbit imagery inspection for STS-120. As vehicle lead, I will need to stay to help process Atlantis (OV-104) get ready for transfer to the VAB. I will however, get to go out to Houston for STS-122 (launch December 6th)!!!

I actually have butterflies in my stomach.......!!!!

Sept. 18, 2007

NASA OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR NEW ASTRONAUT CLASS

HOUSTON - NASA is accepting applications for the 2009 Astronaut Candidate Class. Those selected could fly to space for long-duration stays on the International Space Station and missions to the moon.

"We look forward to gathering applications and then being able to select from the largest pool possible," said Ellen Ochoa, NASA's chief of Flight Crew Operations at the Johnson Space Center.
"Continuing our impressive record in successfully carrying out challenging human spaceflight missions depends on maintaining a talented and diverse astronaut corps."

To be considered, a bachelor's degree in engineering, science or math and three years of relevant professional experience are required.
Typically, successful applicants have significant qualifications in engineering or science, or extensive experience flying high-performance jet aircraft.

Teaching experience, including work at the kindergarten through 12th grade level, is considered qualifying. Educators with the appropriate educational background are encouraged to apply.

After a six-month period of evaluation and interviews, NASA will announce final selections in early 2009. Astronaut candidates will report to Johnson in the summer of 2009 to begin the basic training program to prepare them for future spaceflight assignments.

NASA will accept applications through July 1, 2008. To apply visit:

http://www.usajobs.gov

Additional information about the Astronaut Candidate Program is available by calling the Astronaut Selection Office at 281-483-5907 or by visiting:

http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/recruit.html

Meeting Day

Today, the Coalition for Space Exploration held the annual board meeting. It was the first meeting that I have been able since I was given the position to serve on the board. Many great representatives of the board were in attendance at the meeting. Currently, the Coalition for Space Exploration collaborates with a marketing group that helps them with ways to engage the public on the importance of space exploration. The marketing group presented the 2008 proposal with fresh ideas that could be incorporated into the coalition. The discussion we had was great because we recieved insight from the Gen Y members, educators, and the government affairs officers. As a Gen Y member, we really came into play during the topic of utilizing certain social medias such as YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, Second Life, etc.

After the meeting ended, I was thinking about changing my flight to leave that night. But I thought to myself 'why would I want to rush myself, get to the airport, then drive home around midnight'? So I ended up going running on Mt. Vernon Trail again, got a couple snapshots along the trail, and headed home fully rested the next morning. :)

With some of the Gen Y Board Members

As soon as I landed in Virginia, I was jealous of the beautiful weather. I made sure I packed my running gear, because rain or shine, I was making myself get out there today. It was gorgeous outside, breezy and no humidity. I ended up running on Mt. Vernon Trail after I checked into the hotel. The trail is along the Potomac River and you can see the Washington Monument and Capital at a near distance.

Tonight, a reception was held where I met some of the Board of Advisors for the Coalition for Space Exploration. It was held in an awesome Lockheed Martin facility where they have mock ups of the certain projects such as the Stardust satellite, the Genesis probe, etc.

Below is a picture of myself with some of the Gen Y members.

Virginia, here I come...

Tomorrow I will be traveling to Arlington, VA. as the Coalition for Space Exploration will be holding their Annual Board of Advisors meeting. This is my first year of being on the board of advisors representing Gen Y. So far, I have had teleconferences, given insight, and new ideas to improve advocacy for space exploration.

At work I have been very busy as I am now vehicle lead for OV-104 (Orbiter Atlantis). Daily I am learning new things and am encountered with TPS issues I have to evaluate and use my engineering judgement on, along with the great expertise from others in my group to help me evaluate issues outside of my realm. Roll over to the VAB is still scheduled for October!!!

I'll be sure to update during the board meeting trip and post some pictures. I am excited to meet the rest of the board members for the first time.

During landing last week....

Last week I was given the opportunity to tour James Haven (Angelina Jolie's brother) and friend, Shawn B. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were actually scheduled to come for a tour on the day Endeavour landed, but between filming and other commitments, they were unable to break free. Instead, I showed James and Shawn around the OPF where Atlantis is currently "parked" and around the Thermal Protection Systems Facility (where they fabricate all the tiles, blankets, and gap fillers). They were both very intrigued and impressed by all they saw that day.


The resemblence in the pictures below is clear to see who is Angelina Jolie's brother. :)

STS-118 returns to KSC safely

Well, it's good that we decided to not repair the tile gouge in the lower surface because the post re-renty photo does not look bad at all! No further damage seems to have been caused during re-entry. I'm glad the crew and vehicle made it home to KSC safely and I am proud to be working with such a devoted and experienced team.

Endeavour has landed!!!!!

Lockheed's Material Testing Lab in Denver

This is the robotic chamber where we tested the STA-54 on the tile test article.

Back to JSC

Well, I just arrived from Denver where we were applying the STA-54 in the test article at Lockheed's Materials Testing Lab. We encountered a couple hiccups during the test, but were able to bring it back so we can do some further testing in JSC's arcjet facility. I took a couple pictures of the robotic chamber, but forgot my camera USB adapter, so I'll upload the pictures tomorrow.

However, it's been made public that the Mission Management Team has decided to fly back with the repair in the as-is condition based on all the results of the models, tests in the arcjet, and various analyses.

Since this decision was made, Team 4 is no longer on alert for repair methods. I get to go home tomorrow and return to KSC and continue to help with getting Atlantis ready for an October roll over.

...and I finished my final today!! yey! 1 and a 1/2 classes left! :)

From Houston to Denver

Team 4 created an oversized tile array with the exact configuration of the damage that is currently being assessed. The Lockheed Martin facilities in Denver have a very nice robotic chamber big enough for us to test putting the STA-54 down into the damage. So that's what I just got back from doing. (and it's 5am..and I've been up since 8am the previous day). A team of us arrived with the test articles via the NASA jet (which was very cool to ride in for the first time!) this afternoon and we successfully put the STA-54 in the cavity. We have to wait for 24 hours for STA-54 to cure. So around 4am on Friday, we'll be heading back to JSC with the test article so it can be tested in the arcjet.

However, later today the Debris Assessment Team will be revealing the final tests results they'll be running in the arcjet (high-temperature furnace) to verify computer models accurately reflect the re-entry environment. Currently, we're 80-90% ok with returning in the as-is condition. So, we're still pressing on with testing of the repair (damage primed with emmitance wash and then STA-54 packed in the gap), until we hear the results from the Mission Management Team.

Ok, I need rest as sometime tomorrow I have to make time to take a 3-hr online final!!!

Flight Day 6

We've been busy here at JSC. I'm part of Team 4. Team 4 is a team of operators, spacewalk experts, crew members, and engineering team members that stand by on every flight to work any problems like the tile damage of concern at the moment.

The tile damage is from foam debris and measures 3.48-inch long and 2.31 inches wide at the base of the 1.12-inch thick tile. Today Team 4 met to discuss three repair options. We have the black emittance wash, which will keep heat from building up in the cavity. Another option is a gun that ejects a heat-resistant, caulk-like material into the cavity. The third repair option is the overlay, which is a 15" x 24" sheet of silicon carbide that gets augered into the tiles to cover up the damage.

Tomorrow morning we have a early morning meeting to start testing and viewing some more analysis results. Schedules and timelines in all groups are affected so you can imagine this is a very big group effort. However, if the analyst can prove that there will be no structural damage to the Orbiter upon re-entry, then we may fly in the as-is condition and it would be safe for the crew to return. However, if we do have to perform a repair option, it would require a two-person crew spacewalk, and be rather lengthy because of the location of the damage on the Orbiter.

I expect tomorrow to be a long day, but it's well worth it when I am working with dedicated engineers and analysts. Seriously, people are working so hard and it's great to see their passion for the space program and the crew. I love coming to Houston to support the mission because you never know what to expect and when an issue comes up, great minds collaborate and IT'S GREAT!

So here's a picture of the damage we're mostly concerned about.

Flight Day 3 - Imagery Inspection

I'm currently in Houston and will be supporting on-orbit imagery inspection this afternoon. The Expedition 15 crew onboard the ISS will be taking images of Endeavour's Thermal Protection System (TPS); tiles, blankets, gapfillers, and RCC. There are Regions Of Interest that we will be focusing on during the inspection:

"One OMS Pod is noted to have a blanket pulled back with some slight protrusion. Although the wording is similar to that noted for Atlantis' OMS Pod blanket issue during STS-117 - which required a spacewalk to pin back into place - Endeavour's OMS Pod blanket protrusion is not as 'obvious' to the naked eye, and is unlikely to require any action at this stage.

The other ROI relates to the adjacent OMS Pod, which is deemed to have a protruding gap filler. Both Pods will receive further evaluation before - and after - the upcoming RPM.

Other ROIs already noted include the need for more imagery of horsecollar gap fillers on the lower starboard panel and on the starboard RCC panel (number 22)."

We'll be able to view these areas once the ISS crew downlinks the images to us. Endeavour is expected to dock with the International Space Station at 1:53pm.

...And we're ready for launch!

The astronauts just arrived at the launch pad and are preparing to enter Space Shuttle Endeavour at the 195-ft level!!! So far, we're GO for launch!

Here comes the AstroVan!

Launching tomorrow!

I am very excited for this launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour. Astronaut Barbara Morgan will be flying in the same seat position during launch as Christa McAuliffe was during Challenger's launch in 1986, and the crew will be working hard to install a solar array segment and other hardware to the International Space Station. We're scheduled to launch at 6:36pm tomorrow. It didn't rain in the evening today so I am hoping the weather will be in our favor tomorrow. The heat, however, is something that I know we won't be able to dodge. Seriously, it's been disgustingly hot in Florida. :(

...and our team name was "Whose Idea Was This Anyways?"

What I've been up to...

Work has been going well. I have mostly been providing engineering support specifically for Atlantis. Some of my work duties recently changed, and I am learning a whole lot more. Endeavour is still looking to launch on August 7th and I just hope we do not get rained out. Lately we have been getting a lot of evening thunderstorms.

I am wrapping up an Aviation/Aerospace Systems Saftey class and will be taking the final in about another week. I am in the middle of another class which I will be complete with in September. After these two classes, I have only my final research to complete. (Yey!) I'm trying to get ahead in the classes right now as I will be taking a little weekend trip to Seattle this weekend. I am in a wedding and will also be visiting my sister and nieces.

On Saturday I participated in my first triathalon! I swam, biked, and ran in the 3rd annual Astronaut Family Challenge Triathalon. I figured I would try out a triathalon for the first time and make it my "warm-up" for other upcoming races. I definitely learned that swimming is not my strongest. I am more of a runner than a swimmer and my legs were certainly feeling a little weak as I had to transition from swimming to biking. I'm glad I gave the triathalon a try and I would participate in another one, but I need to improve my swimming. Here are some pictures from Saturday.

Coalition for Space Exploration - Gen Y Board Member

It has been announced that I am on the Board of Advisors for the Coalition for Space Exploration to represent Generation Y. The Coalition for Space Exploration is a collaboration of space industry businesses and advocacy groups whose mission is to educate and inform the public on the value and benefits of space exploration. I hope to bring new ideas and effective ways of communication about space exploration to younger generations of Americans.

The story was published in:

Texas A&M school newspaper: The Batt

Embry-Riddle school newspaper: The Avion

SpaceRef.ca: article

A View from the VAB

Atlantis makes it home to KSC!

Endeavour heads over to the VAB!!!

Busy Busy Busy at KSC

Space Shuttle Atlantis is in Nebraska and will be coming back soon to KSC.












Space Shuttle Endeavour is currently getting ready to pull out of the Orbiter Processing Facility 2 to roll over to the Vehicle Assembly Building! :)