My NASA experience
22 January-16 February
April, 2001
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In January 1998, I was posted to Air Force Recruiting - Brisbane, to occupy the position of Senior Career Adviser (FSGT position). From here I 'recruited' myself for the Airman Access to the Academy scheme. I gained my commission on 21 August 1998 and completed Officer Training School in December 1998. In January 1999 I commenced my tertiary studies at ADFA undertaking a Bachelor of Technology (Aeronautical Engineering), which is a three-year program closely aligned to that of a Bachelor of Engineering (Aeronautical). This allows for matriculation at a later stage to a full engineering degree with 18 months further study. I am now in my third year of the degree and expect to graduate in December 2001.
NASA - John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) adventure
You might well ask how a junior officer with the RAAF managed to receive
work experience placement with the world's leading agency when it comes
to aerospace research and manned space flight? Without the help of the
School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at ADFA and 'tracking'
down the 'right contact' within NASA, it would not have been possible.
That 'right contact' was John (Jay) Gurecki III, a NASA engineer of 10
years within the International Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF),
who was willing to assist me with my goal of completing my tertiary career
experience with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at
KSC.
Jay has an electrical engineering background and played a key part with the team who designed and built the 'heart, lungs and nervous system' of the International Space Station (ISS) - the U.S. Lab Destiny. As part of my degree program at University College - ADFA, it is a requirement that I undertake four weeks' work experience with an aeronautical/aerospace-related employer. I was fortunate enough to track down Jay to help lay the foundations for this amazing experience.
The trouble with writing a report such as this, is not actually 'where to start', but how much do I include? In the four short weeks I was with NASA, I learnt enough about Launch and Payload Processing, the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station program to only further fuel my desire to one day be a part of a space flight program here in Australia. To coin a popular phrase I encountered whilst at NASA, the knowledge and experience I gained 'was like drinking from a fire hose'.
During my tenure, I discovered there is no such thing as a routine day at Cape Canaveral. For instance on my first day I received an escorted tour (courtesy of Jay) of the SSPF with some visiting dignitaries where I was able to observe the next instalments of space flight hardware destined for the ISS. The ISS program has 16 partner nations and participants (UK, Brazil, France, Spain, The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, USA, Japan, Canada, Italy, Russia, Norway, Sweden and Germany). To give the reader an idea of the eventual completed size of the ISS, it will measure 111m (365 feet) wide, orbit above the earth at 354km (220 miles), accommodate a crew of up to seven, have a mass of about 456 metric tons (over 1 million pounds) and have a pressurised (1 atm/14.7 psi same as here on earth) livable workspace volume equivalent to the passenger area of two 747 aircraft … remember, this is only my first day.
I was also fortunate enough that launch for Space Shuttle Atlantis was scheduled to occur during my time at KSC, in addition, the payload it would be carrying was none other than the US Lab module Destiny for the ISS. Contrary to popular belief, a shuttle launch is not a routine event as some media might have you believe. Each launch is an intricate web of detail such that a slight inconsistency or problem with any of the space vehicle components or payload can easily result in a delayed launch. It is the behind the scenes work of United Space Alliance (USA) and Boeing technicians (USA is the major Space Shuttle contractor, whilst Boeing is the major International Space Station contractor) and NASA engineers that is the 'make or break' of any launch.
At this stage I am still in my first week, and I could quite happily continue with a run-down of all the significant events I encountered in my first and second week. Suffice to say, I was actually there to learn and did in fact receive a great deal of information regarding all systems aboard the space shuttle from the Space Shuttle Main Engines to the Guidance and Navigation systems aboard the space shuttle.
In fact it was my interest in the communications, guidance and navigation equipment which allowed me to venture aboard the space shuttle Endeavour with Jay and a very helpful Bruce Ledford. So here I was, receiving a first class run-down on all the main shuttle inertial, communications and radar systems from within the space shuttle 'Endeavour'. I had nothing but sheer admiration for the men and women who helped design, build and fly the space shuttle throughout the years, especially as I took in the information from the space shuttle Commander's seat. It was hard to believe I was seated in a machine that cost $1.7 billion (US) to build.
Of course, most readers would have seen or read about the most recent shuttle launch of Discovery with Australia's own astronaut and mission specialist aboard, Andy Thomas. Obviously I was not present for this launch, however I was able to view the spectacular launch of Atlantis with the US Lab - Destiny aboard.
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With a launch window consisting of less than five minutes, it was a perfect launch occurring perfectly within the window of opportunity. The requirement to dock with the ISS is the main reason for such a narrow window, especially when you may consider that the ISS is orbiting the earth every 90 minutes at a speed of approximately 28 000 km/h (17,500 mph) the exact speed depends on the orbital altitude of the shuttle.
From my position at the Launch Control Center, I was approximately three miles from the launch pad which is as close as you can get to a launch without being part of the Fire and Rescue crew or an astronaut of course. From my vantage point it was a sensory overload, as first the three main engines are sequentially ignited and stabilised, followed 6.6s later by the SRBs which is T-0 for launch. By the time the SRBs are ignited the sound that is generated is 'pinging' of the surrounding buildings and seems to pass right through you. As the launch occurred right on dusk, the pictures developed show the refractive effects of sunlight passing through the exhaust plume, coincidentally pointing directly towards another celestial body, the moon.
After the launch, there is the traditional celebration of 'hot beans and corn bread' by the Launch crew, Launch Director and Kennedy Space Center Director including other VIPs and a large majority of NASA, USA and Boeing personnel. It was at this gathering that Jay and I were fortunate enough to be introduced to the Administrator of NASA, Mr Dan Goldin. As I was only one of the few military personnel in uniform for the launch, I explained my background about being at KSC and I was able to sincerely inform Mr Goldin about my observations during my time at KSC. I told him he had the most professional team of personnel I had ever encountered in my military career, to which he replied 'that NASA personnel were the most professional team in the world'. I would tend to agree.
Footnotes:
Many thanks to the following people, without whom my experience would
not have been possible:
J.J. 'Tip' Talone Jr. - Director of ISS/Processing
Jay Gurecki - (Command and Data Handling)
· This trip was entirely self-funded as part of my tertiary studies
· This story is only a 'snap-shot' of my four weeks at KSC, further
stories could be written if required of a more technical/diverse nature
· All technical information is correct and has been verified through
my studies at KSC
By PLTOFF Glen Gallagher