I Had The Awesome Opportunity To Have Coffee With Johnson Space Center (JSC) Director Ellen Ochoa And
I had the awesome opportunity to have coffee with Johnson Space Center (JSC) Director Ellen Ochoa and Deputy Director Mark Geyer. Above I am pictured to the left of Ochoa in a red blazer and I look pretty serious writing notes. JSC leaders have been striving to hear voices from employees up high, in the trenches, wise, and new. Recently JSC Center and Deputy Directors have hosted coffees to share their goals for JSC and listen to concerns. Ochoa and Geyer shared their vision of JSC 2.016, how NASA can do more with less resources and deliver what is expected and beyond on current missions. Out of all NASA contractors and civil servants I was randomly selected to share my perspective and concerns as a Co-Op.
JSC 2.016
It's no secret that NASA's budget is far less than it was during the Apollo Era. NASA's budget was over 4% of the federal budget during the Space Race to the Moon and now below 1% despite NASA's goals to journey to Mars. Keeping realistic in funds and resources JSC 2.016 is a mantra adopted by NASA employees to do more with the resources they have. At the coffee Ochoa shared that the goals of JSC 2.016 is to ensure our work is pushing forward NASA's current missions, enabling change by listening to and adopting new ideas, removing obstacles that hinder progress, and share NASA's missions with communities.
Concerns
Before attending the coffee I polled JSC interns and Co-Ops to see if they had concerns and questions to share. Within moments of the coffee starting Ochoa and Geyer shared essential insights on how NASA’s mission is evolving in a five, ten and beyond year sense - it was very Carl Sagan Cosmos-esk. Once I was brought to this level of long-term thinking my key concern broadened from specifics. During my opportunity to talk I mentioned the concern about the vagueness of the Journey to Mars mission compared to the solidity of Space Launch System, Orion, Space Station and Commercial Crew missions. I was surprised to hear that fluidity of our Journey to Mars is actually intended. Discoveries and knowledge from Space Launch System, Orion, Space Station and Commercial Crew missions are necessary before solidifying the Journey to Mars. During those missions we will collect a lot of data on the vehicles that will be carrying our astronauts, learn new things we didn’t plan to learn and test the waters with deep space collaboration with private industries and international partners. Fluidity is the nature of NASA’s long-term impact on humanity which is unique to all other forces in the world advocating for short term instant gratification (short term can even mean one year, eight years and even decades compared to humanity as a whole). NASA must deliver what is expected of us and beyond on these current solid missions to ensure more solidified Mars related mission in the future.
We Still Need NASA
With all the SpaceX, Lockheed Martin and general private space industry hype some may have the impression that we no longer need NASA for space exploration. Articles titled "U.S. government should fund private space companies, not NASA" paint false claims of competition between government space missions and private industry. During this coffee this misconception of competition was expunged and I was re-energized about why we still need NASA. NASA, as a subset of the US Government, awards contracts to private space companies that would otherwise not be able to pursue these aerospace endeavors because they do not bring in a profit. The government can risk to make these long-term investments without certainty of short-term instant gratification like profit. There is a tendency to forget that NASA has been contracting work to private companies since the 1960s. Grumman Aircraft was contracted to build the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) in 1962. Being a government agency, NASA can foster a unique relationship between other countries space agencies such as ROSCOSMOS, JAXA and ESA. Through decades NASA is the government agency that has lead the cohesiveness and steady beat of the drum of space exploration progress.
More Posts from Ourtech and Others
My first NASA internship was at @nasa‘s Glenn Research Center so the news of John Glenn's passing hits hard. Glenn was the 1st American to orbit Earth and 5th human in space. He also served in the Korean War, was one of the "Mercury Seven" (NASA Military test pilot) and was a US Senator from Ohio. Glenn has done tremendous things for the advancement of human spaceflight. Thanks for your service John Glenn!
(via GIPHY)
For #GivingTuesday I am sharing my top 9 favorite organizations, foundations and groups to give to today (not in any particular order). If I forgot any or if you have feels about any listed let me know! 1) Team Rubicon USA - "international non-profit disaster response organization that unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy disaster response teams, free of charge to communities affected by disasters across the country. Team Rubicon currently maintains a roster of 35,000+ volunteers able to deploy throughout the United States." Bethany Watson first told me about this group, how they have positively impacted communities, how it has transformed her and her fellow Rubicon responders: https://teamrubiconusa.org/
2) FIRST ROBOTICS FIRST - For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology - Programs from preK to 12th grade engage students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math challenges. PreK to 8th graders participate in a form of Lego Robotics. 9th to 12th grade can participate in FIRST Tech Challenge building a 12inx 12inx 12in robots that compete tasks. Alternatively 9th to 12th grade can participate in FIRST Robotics Competition building 120lb robots that play games like soccer, basketball and frisbee. Dozens of NASA interns/ Co-Ops I have meet have been a part of this career changing program: https://give.firstinspires.org/checkout/donation If you want to give to a local team look them up here: http://www.firstinspires.org/team-event-search#type=teams&sort=name&programs=FLLJR,FLL,FTC,FRC&year=2016 They will likely have a team webpage that can route you to donation instructions.
3) World Wildlife Fund - "WWF’s work has evolved from saving species and landscapes to addressing the larger global threats and forces that impact them. Recognizing that the problems facing our planet are increasingly more complex and urgent...puts people at the center and organizes our work around six key areas: forests, marine, freshwater, wildlife, food and climate." This group doesn't just care about saving the cute endangered animals but the ugly helpful ones too. You can symbolically donate a critical animal here: https://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/Species-Adoptions.aspx
4) Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) - "A Ronald McDonald House is that “home-away-from-home” for families so they can stay close by their hospitalized child at little or no cost... At every House, families can enjoy: Home-cooked meals, Private bedrooms and Playrooms for children." Personal friends have stayed at these houses during cancer treatment.http://support.rmhc.org/site/PageNavigator/pw/Donation_Landing.html
5) The Mars Generation - Send students to space camp and get youth hooked on Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM)! These are the folks that put out the challenge to only eat potatoes for 24 hours. https://themarsgeneration.org/donate/
6) CHUM - "CHUM provides Emergency Shelter services for Duluth residents. The Congregate Shelter provides dormitory-style shelter for single adults. The Family Shelter offers small apartments to a maximum of 6 families at a time.Length of stay in either shelter is dependent upon the needs and cooperation of the guest. Each shelter resident is required to meet regularly with a Housing Advocate to work toward a resolution of their housing situation." Powerfull and local organization in Duluth, Minnesota: https://www.givemn.org/organization/Churches-United-In-Ministry
7) YWCA GirlPower Duluth - "After school, lunch, and summer day camp program dedicated to cultivating future leaders. YWCA Duluth uses nationally accredited Girls Inc. leadership curriculum, STEM (science technology engineering math) activities and experiments, race and gender justice activities, economic and media literacy education, field trips, academic support." What makes this program stands out is that it's 100% free so all sorts of girls can learn and grow: http://www.ywcaduluth.org/donate/
8) National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) - "working to increase girls' and women's participation in technology and computing. NCWIT helps organizations recruit, retain, and advance women from K-12 and higher education through industry and entrepreneurial careers by providing support, evidence, and action. NCWIT is the only national organization focused on women's participation in computing across the entire ecosystem: K-12 through college education, and academic to corporate and entrepreneurial careers." Being an NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Award recipent has impacted my career trajectory continuing interests in computer science: https://www.ncwit.org/donate
9) UMD's Women's Resource & Action Center - WRAC - "provide all women support and encouragement on the University of Minnesota-Duluth campus. The Center works to empower women, both individually and collectively, through the provision of a wide variety of services and resources... Drop-in center- Campus outreach and educational services for classes or student groups, Library with extensive subject files for academic or personal purposes, Events and programs and events including: Take Back the Night, Clothesline Project, Women's History Month, Mock Rape Trial, International Women's Day, Nursing Parents Room, KSC 260 and Library 143" http://www.d.umn.edu/mlrc/ocd/donate/ https://makingagift.umn.edu/onlinegiving/enterArea.do?ownerCode=O_UMD&areaCode=A_UMD164
While adorned in Christmas decorations Mission Control is working fast to instruct astronauts on an unexpected space walk. Year in space astronaut Scott Kelly and newly arrived Tim Kopra are performing an Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) while first time astronaut Tim Peake is declared the commander of Space Station. Kelly and Kopra are assisting in moving the Mobile Transporter rail car a few inches to a worksite on the station’s truss where it can be latched in place. The rail car was stuck and needed to be moved so a Russian ships could be captured this week. In addition they are checking off items from previous EVA Honey Do list. From the perspective of someone who has developed astronaut training, this last minute EVA is extremely impressive! It takes months to develop an EVA's schedule, hours of training in the largest pool in the world with station mock ups - Neutral Buoyancy Lab, and development of hours of training videos. It takes a whole day just to get the suit on! My mentor said who ever pulled this space walk planning off is going to get a big award. WATCH LIVE NOW: www.ustream.tv/NASAHDTV
Looking Forward to NASA
Recently I received, and accepted, the gracious opportunity to intern at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas this summer. Using my skills in HTML and Java programming I will be assisting in the Flight Deck of the Future Project. With a team of engineers and fellow intern we will create a user interface for astronauts on board a habitat. I will be blogging about my internship throughout the summer! I had a fantastic experience interning at NASA's Glenn Research Center the summer following my high school graduation. At Johnson Space I hope to meet other peers who share the same passion in aerospace, learn about NASA's latest and greatest endeavors, and maybe even shake hands with a few astronauts.
While captaining my high school's FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition for Science and Technology) robotics team I got hooked on engineering and aerospace research. During a robotics Kick Off event NASA’s Jon Grunsfeld, remarked that FIRST robotics is similar to "how we design, built, and tested the NASA Mars Curiosity rover”. This encouraged me to apply to a NASA internship even as a high school student. I interned at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio and built a circuit board for a solar array regulator on board a deep space habitat. My circuit board will ensure the habitat is powered by solar panels or batteries at all times. Some of the things I enjoyed at Glenn that I hope to experience again at Johnson Space is the ample hands on meaningful work I did and presentations interns got to attend highlighting NASA's new innovations.
How you can get involved...
High School to College: There are internship opportunities in the fall, spring, and summer in a wide variety of disciplines. There are some interns this summer studying medicine, graphic arts, and journalism. There is something for everyone! Contact me if you need help with the application. Apply on OSSI (one stop shopping initiative) here: https://intern.nasa.gov/ossi/web/public/main/
Elementary to Middle School: There are a ton of programs for students, even a chance to train as a junior astronaut at space centers. Here are a list of programs: http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/descriptions/Students-rd.html
Everyone: Honestly I get most of my NASA updates from twitter and you can follow here: https://twitter.com/NASA They post lots of beautiful pictures too.
People Who Want to be Astronauts (I want to be one too): NASA gets the "how do I become an astronaut?" question a lot and they complied a helpful guide to how you can become one! http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/outreach/jobsinfo/astronaut101.html
Robotics Engineering Challenge Recycle Rush
Around the world FIRST Robotics teams huddled around screens big and small to watch their newest engineering mission be unveiled. Some in awe, shock, and disappointment students reacted to their newest challenge Recycle Rush. By February 17th, just six weeks, teams must create a robot that race to stack totes, lift containers, and herd pool noodles.
In Recycle Rush, two alliances of three teams race against the clock to stack as many objects a possible in two and a half minutes. This is a unique game for FIRST Robotics since each alliance will be separated by a six inch barrier, there will no longer be a need for defense. Although some students are disappointed in the lack of defensive plays and butting heads with the opposing alliance this gives them an opportunity to focus on intricate game piece manipulation rather than protecting their robot. Coopertition, coined by professor and co-founder Woodie Flowers, is a unique characteristic of Recycle Rush as well. For double the points alliances can cooperate with their opposing alliance to stack totes in the middle of the field.
Recycle Rush Game Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTyCIYZQ_1s
How I'm Helping Out: During build season I will be mentoring the Duluth East Daredevils Robotics Team's media department. We are joining forces with a rival team and Duluth News Tribune to do reporting on the build season and FIRST robotics regional competition February 26th-28th in Duluth, MN. Here is what was published previous seasons: http://www.daredevils2512.org/media/bluedevil-press/
How You Can Help Out: FIRST Robotics competitions around the globe are in need of volunteers. To be a volunteer and help the cause there are both technical and nontechnical positions. Check it out! http://www.usfirst.org/community/volunteers
Mars Dust into Thrust: NASA Co-Op #2 Week One
You would think pursuing a double major in electrical engineering and computer science would provide enough breadth to remain confident at a Co-Op... wrong. As I start my second Co-Op tour at NASA Johnson's Propulsion & Energy Conversion team I am finding that the more you learn the less you know. This summer I will be LabVIEW programming for In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) a system that turns Mars dust into fuel. ISRU is a rover payload that takes in mars atmosphere and soil and turns it into liquid methane and oxygen (fuel options). Other capabilities is getting O2 to breathe and excavating drinkable water. One of my projects is to control with a National Instruments compact cRIO an oxygen liquefier and a new water concentration sensor. The sensor I am testing uses spectroscopy to eliminate sensor erosion from corrosive Mars materials. These tasks are very chemical engineering heavy which require understanding a system and how to control it safely. I am excited to tackle this learning curve, understand more about Mars mission energy systems, and become more comfortable with chemical engineering concepts. WAYS TO GET INVOLVED Watch what NASA is up to: https://youtu.be/p_snvjghMJg Learn how to program with LabVIEW: https://youtu.be/IOkoyuikj5Q?list=PLdNp0fxltzmPvvK_yjX-XyYgfVW8WK4tu Read about our journey to Mars: http://www.nasa.gov/topics/journeytomars/index.html ISRU in more depth: https://youtu.be/M3HbD1S_H5U
High School Women - Aspirations In Computing Award
Due November 7th!
High school women, check out the questions for the NCWIT Aspirations In Computing award, your qualification may surprise you! Seriously gals, apply. You will get internships/ job shadowing opportunities, access to college $$$ and most importantly meet peers with similar interests. This award made me look at computer science as a serious major, awarded me a new iPad and CAD software, gave me the opportunity to visit the white house to advocate for project based learning during a Champions of Change Event and encouraged me to attend Grace Hopper Computing Conference. At least look at the questions because you qualify more than you think, I promise. I talked on WDIO's Good Morning Northland about NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Award for high school women which may provide some insight. Teachers, relatives and friends of HS women, please encourage them to apply.
Astronaut Scott Kelly returns to Earth after a year on the International Space Station Thursday March 1st 10:27pmCT. You can watch here: www.ustream.tv/NASAHDTV Prior to Kelly’s return I will post about what I personally think his top moments from his year in space is, including whatever this green blob thing is.
-
coletechinc-blog liked this · 8 years ago -
gameraramen reblogged this · 8 years ago -
markwateneymemorialcrater reblogged this · 8 years ago -
markwateneymemorialcrater liked this · 8 years ago
-
ourtech reblogged this · 8 years ago
