Last night I helped out with Astronomy Night at Mims Elementary. Radio Disney was there "DJing" and we had an educator from the Orlando Science Center come out and talk to the kids about the planets and moons. We set up a bunch of different stations in the cafeteria that were related to space for the kids to visit. My station was teaching kids about comets.
As the night progressed and it became darker, the Brevard and Kennedy Space Center Astronomical Society set up their awesome telescopes and the kids got to view Saturn, the brightest star Sirius, the star Betelgeuse which is the second brightest star in the Orion constellation, the planet Venus, and so much more!! Everyone had such a great time!
While working out here in Houston, I had a chance to try out the Space Shuttle Flight Simulator and it was AMAZING!! The flight simulator is what the astronauts use as part of their training for launch, reentry, and landing scenarios.
The simulator positioned us on our backs to feel like we were in the 90 degree launch position. We then felt the launch sequence of liftoff, solid rocket booster separation, external tank jettison, and main engine cutoff.
The most awesome part was when I got to sit in the commander's seat and land the orbiter. I wasn't to shabby in the simulator!! :)
After landing the orbiter, I even got a "report card" rating me on my landing! :)
Ever wonder what the "bathroom" onboard the orbiter looks like?? Well here ya go!! Can you imagine trying to hold on to those handle bars in the microgravity environment?
We spent the afternoon and night reviewing imagery of the thermal protection system. Overall the vehicle looked in great condition! There are a couple of anomalies that we detected, but nothing off-nominal. We're complete for tonight and will be meeting early in the morning to continue our assessment.
Today, Discovery will do a rendezvous pitch maneuver (RPM) or "orbiter backflip" before it docks with the International Space Station. The crew on board the ISS will take high res photos and downlink them to us for review. We will be identifying and debris impacts, protruding gap fillers, or anomalies with the thermal protection system. So far we have heard there are no major issues with the Orbiter. Discovery will be docking with the ISS a little after 5pm EDT!
Over night, the astronauts used Discovery's 50-foot-long boom on the end of the robot arm to perform laser scans and get high-res imagery of the nose cap and wing leading edge panels. The other half of our group is looking for any signs of impact damage as well.
Overall, there were no obvious signs of debris or damage seen in video downlinked from the shuttle during launch, but we will be verifiying that over the next couple of days in here in Houston as we perform a detailed assessment on the imagery.
What a spectacular and beautiful launch! I am so glad we launched today and were able to overcome the hardware challenges. I am now headed to pack my bags and head to Houston to support the STS-119 imagery team. We will be inspecting Discovery's Thermal Protection System (TPS) and look for any anomalies that could be an issue for reentry of the vehicle.
I'm not sure if any of you were able to see my interview on spaceflightnow.com with Miles O'Brien and former astronaut Leroy Chiao. Below are a couple of pictures from today. The interview went very well and I received some encouraging words from the former astronaut. A 'thank you' to Miles O'Brien as well for mentioning the blog!
While at the press site, I was also able to visit the press briefing room!
I'm heading out to the press site right now as I will be interviewed. The live broadcast has already started and I should be on spaceflightnow.com around 5:30pm EDT. Hope you get a chance to check it out!
The Mission Management Team has completed its pre-fueling meeting and given the launch team approval to begin filling space shuttle Discovery's external tank with its cryogenic propellants as planned this morning.
There are currently no issues and we're still "go" for a 7:43 pm EDT launch.
A NASA spokesman says today's launch attempt has been scrubbed due to the hydrogen leak.
NASA engineers say it will be Sunday at the earliest before shuttle Discovery could be readied for another launch attempt, pending work to resolve the leak problem. The space station residents were informed that launch would likely slip to Sunday or Monday.
Officials are facing a Monday deadline for getting the shuttle launched before the upcoming Soyuz crew exchange mission. Otherwise, Discovery would have to wait til around April 7 to launch.
The seven astronauts will be awakened at 11 a.m. to begin their launch day routine.
Filling of the external fuel tank will begin around 12:00pm. The astronauts will then suit up shortly before 5 p.m. and depart from the crew quarters at 5:30 p.m.
Arrival at the launch pad should occur by 6 p.m. to start strapping aboard Space Shuttle Discovery. The crew hatch door is scheduled to be closed for flight a little after 7 p.m. EDT.
I am very optimistic that we will have a successful launch tomorrow night! STS-119 will be the 125th space shuttle flight and the 28th flight to the International Space Station. Discovery and its crew will deliver the final set of large power-generating solar array wings and integrated truss structure, S6, to the space station. The mission includes four spacewalks. Launch is still scheduled for 9:20 p.m EDT tomorrow!!
Tomorrow I will be on site at Kennedy Space Center not only go to work, but to also be interviewed during a live broadcast for STS-119 mission coverage. There may be some TV networks I'll be on, but I won't know which ones until tomorrow. I am scheduled to air on spaceflightnow.com around 7:45pm EDT. (see below)
Spaceflight Now and the Coalition for Space Exploration invite you to tune in to a live five-hour video Web cast of the Space Shuttle Discovery launch on Wednesday, March 11, from Spaceflight Now's Mission Status Center at the Kennedy Space Center. The shuttle launch is scheduled for 9:20 p.m. EDT. The Web cast will start at 4:30 p.m. EDT at http://www.spaceflightnow.com
This revolutionary approach for bringing up-to-the-minute coverage to your computer and hand-held device will feature veteran broadcaster Miles O'Brien and David Waters. Special guest appearances include:
Astronaut Leroy Chiao, who flew four times to space and commanded the 10th expedition to the International Space Station
Damaris Sarria, Coalition Advisory Board Member and aspiring astronaut
Tune in at www.spaceflightnow.com between the hours of 4:30 and 9:45 p.m. Follow the broadcasters, and ask questions, live via Twitter during the Web cast!
The Space Shuttle Program Program Requirements Control Board (PRCB) ended their meeting this evening with a thorough review of the flow control valve issue. After a tremendous amount of testing, analysis, and inspection, the program will continue forward with the Flight Readiness Review (FRR) this Friday (3/6). The targeted launch date is March 11th at 9:20 pm EDT.
Today I took a day excursion with some friends to the Wekiva Marina to do some kayaking on the river since it was a gorgeous day. It was the perfect day to be outdoors and get a good arm workout too!
I even encountered an alligator but made sure to paddle right past him and not disturb him. On the way back to the marina, I managed to get a close up photo of him. :)
Voting will be open until March 20th, 2009. NASA will announce the winning name in April 2009.
NASA wants your opinion in naming the International Space Station’s Node 3 – a connecting module and its cupola – before the two segments travel to space and are installed on the orbiting laboratory. The name should reflect the spirit of exploration and cooperation embodied by the space station, and follow in the tradition set by Node 1- Unity- and Node 2- Harmony.
Space shuttle Endeavour will deliver the Node 3 components during the STS-130 mission targeted for December 2009 (but most likely early 2010 with the current delay impacts). Once the cupola is attached to one of the module’s six ports, it will offer astronauts a spectacular view of both their home planet and their home in space.
On Saturday I volunteered as a judge for SECME. Students registered in competitions for bottle rockets, gliders, bridges, posters, mousetrap race cars, posters and essays. SECME's (Science, Engineering, Communication, Mathematics, and Enrichment) goal is to renew and strengthen the professional capacity of K-12 educators, motivate and mentor students, and empower parents so that all students can learn and achieve at higher levels. This year's theme was Thinking Out of the Box.
The FIRST LEGO League State Competition Judging was held in Melbourne, FL. at the Florida Institute of Technology. FLL is a competition for teams of up to 10 students ages 9-14 years old. The competition consists of table matches (where their LEGO robot runs) and judging on the design and construction of the robot and software as well as how effective they operate as a team. In addition, they are required to conduct research on a topic related to the theme designated for the year (this year was Climate) and are judged on a presentation of their research.
The robots are constructed from LEGO Robotics kits and are programmed using either the LEGO Mindstorms software or Robolab software which is based on Labview. Software judges have the teams walk through their software and have them talk about the design and how effective their software is. Hardware judges have the teams demonstrate how their robot accomplishes the mission objectives and talk with the team members about how their robot is designed, why they made specific design decisions, etc.
This year I judged the teams on teamwork. They were given 5 minutes to complete 3 puzzles within their team. As judges, we observed the teams working together to solve the problems and then we asked them questions based on teamwork.
This week was National Engineer’s Week (Feb. 16 – Feb 20). The purpose of celebrating National Engineers Week is to promote engineering principles and innovative ways to teach math and science to students of all ages. Also, companies host events for employees as well! On Wednesday Boeing held a Bottle Rocket Contest for employees. I didn’t have string at home for my parachute so I used dental floss which held up really well (Minty smell too!!)!! We all had a lot of fun with the construction of the rockets as well as the launching!
Yesterday I got to see something a little different. Atlantis' external fuel tank and solid rocket booster (SRB) stack on the mobile launcher platform (MLP).....without the orbiter, of course!
Since the delay of Atlantis' STS-125 flight (now moved to May 12), the Orbiter was removed from the rest of the stack and returned to the Orbiter Processing Facility to continue additional work and modifications while the flight was pushed back. The rest of the stack stayed in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB).
These pictures were taken as the stack was moved to another bay within the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) making room for the preparations of Endeavour's stack for STS-127.
In Florida, we would never be able to make a snow shuttle, but I had to mention the Beta Sigma Theta fraternity from Michigan Tech who had some time on their hands for the 2009 Winter Carnival. :)
Yesterday afternoon I was able to sit in the crew cabin of Atlantis. I entered through the mid-deck where the astronauts spend a majority of their time before they get to the ISS as there is a little more space.
During a launch, the flight deck seats the commander (where I happen to be sitting for this picture) and pilot, with two mission specialists behind them. The mid-deck, which is below the flight deck, has three more seats for the rest of the crew members. The galley (or kitchen area), toilet, sleep locations, storage lockers, and the side hatch for entering/exiting the vehicle are also located on the mid-deck, as is the airlock hatch. The airlock has another hatch into the payload bay (bottom picture). It allows two astronauts, wearing their Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) space suits, to depressurize before a space walk.
I had never been in the orbiter's crew cabin, and after I got out, I couldn't wipe the ear-to-ear grin off my face. It was amazing!!! (Thanks for the tour Theo)
Before it gets to space, a moon buggy will make history by being the first to boogie along an inaugural parade. NASA will participate in President-elect Barack Obama’s inaugural parade with the crew of the latest shuttle mission and a small pressurized rover that is the current design for a mission to the moon in about 12 years. It will be driven by astronaut Michael Gernhardt. NASA hasn't chosen a final rover design yet, but the one in the parade is the leading prototype at the moment, succeeding wildly on a three-day desert trek in Arizona in October. It is different from the Apollo era open top rovers. It is sealed like a car, allowing two astronauts to sit in it without wearing bulky spacesuits.
Yesterday, Discovery began its rollout at 5:17 a.m. EST to pad 39A. The mobile launch platform was lowered onto the pad pedestals at 12:16 p.m. EST, marking the official time for Discovery's arrival at the pad.
Launch is scheduled for Feb. 12 at 7:32 a.m. EST.
Discovery will launch the $300 million Starboard 6 solar array truss, the fourth and final power module for the international space station. The 15.5-ton girder will be connected to the station's backbone by spacewalking astronauts during the mission.
Led by commander Lee Archambault, the Discovery crew includes pilot Tony Antonelli, mission specialists Joe Acaba, Steve Swanson, Ricky Arnold, John Phillips and station-bound astronaut Koichi Wakata who will remain in orbit to replace Expedition flight engineer Sandy Magnus. She will return to Earth on Discovery after more than three-and-a-half months living on the station.
Yesterday, Discovery was towed over to the Vehicle Assembly Buidling in preparations for the next launch on Feb. 12th. In the Vehicle Assembly Building, Discovery will be assembled with the external tank and solid rocket boosters. Launch is currently scheduled for 7:32 A.M EST.
I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and I hope 2009 is productive for what you set out to accomplish and is safe for you all. I am currently in Boston spending New Year's and it is very cold. We had some snow fall yesterday and today it is sunny (still 8 degrees F) but still a great day to walk around to see some highlights of the city.
Thanks to all those who read my blog and for your encouraging comments. Here's to 2009!!! Cheers from Boston!
I have been a little out of touch lately and that's because I have been doing a little bit of traveling to visit family for the holidays. I flew down to Seattle last week (so much snow!!) and then drove down to California where I am right now to spend surprise some more family.
According to the Astronaut Selection Office, everyone should have been contacted by the end of November and invited for interviews or asked to get medical evaluations. I did not get contacted so here's to next time!! :) I'm not down or anything about, but I will continue my graduate studies and explore new space opportunities!
I hope everyone has a great holiday! I return to Florida next week...but then head to visit Boston for New Years!!
Endeavour flew in to KSC piggybacked on the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), or a modified Boeing 747.
It left Edwards Air Force Base on Wednesday. It stopped at Biggs Army Airfield in El Paso, Texas to refuel. Then stayed overnight in Fort Worth, Texas at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base. The next overnight stop was in Barksdale Air Force Base near Shreveport, Louisiana on Thursday.
Landing today was on Runway 33, and occurred around 2:45 p.m. EST.
I started this blog to document the actions I am taking in trying to become an astronaut. It's my ultimate goal, my dream. Every week or so I post a new update to recap the week or add interesting pictures. I hope you enjoy the site and remember to follow your dreams no matter what others may think of them.
Welcome to my blog! I grew up in California and later attended Texas A&M University to earn a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering. I also hold a Master's degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
I previously worked at Kennedy Space Center for Boeing on the Space Shuttle Orbiter's Thermal Protection System. I transitioned to an engineering position with the MIT Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA.
I applied for the 2009 astronaut candidate program, but unfortunately did not get a call back. I applied again in early 2011 so fingers crossed! I currently am working on continuing my advanced education, involvement with space advocacy, and continuing to do all that I love in life!
