Transcripts from NCAS NASA
•Download as PPTX, PDF•
1 like•343 views
Andrea Pearson-Haas earned an Aerospace Scholars Certificate from NASA in 2011/2012 for researching how to land a rover on Mars and proposing a human mission called T.R.I.G.S.M. The document also includes transcripts of conversations with four other individuals - Cody Kelly, Sara Malloy, Laura Sarmiento, and Crawford - discussing topics like advanced spacesuit development, microgravity experiments that can be done on Earth, sleeping arrangements and research on the International Space Station, and the evolution of spaceships to modern appliances.
More Related Content
Viewers also liked
Viewers also liked (10)
More from Andrea Pearson-Haas
More from Andrea Pearson-Haas (15)
Transcripts from NCAS NASA
- 1. Transcripts from NCAS Aerospace Scholars Certificate NASA Andrea E. Pearson-Haas
- 2. Hartnett Transcripts • Full transcripts recorded in the notes section • Researched how to land a rover on Mars • I proposed T.R.I.G.S.M. for a human mission • Certificate awarded in 2011/2012 • Following are Kelly, Malloy, Sarmiento, Crawford in other PP slides
- 3. Kelly • Cody Kelly, an Advanced PLSS development engineer at NASA/JSC • Conversations were through the NCAS course for compeition • A certificate was awarded & funding was cut in half at time of trip • Conversation listed in notes
- 4. Malloy • Conversation and transcripts in notes • Sara Malloy • Contains information of how to do microgravity on earth • Promised to do a proposal for Sara • Completed proposal T.R.I.G.S.M. graded at 93.8%
- 5. Laura Sarmiento • Life Sciences on International Space Station • Contractor work • Medical • Went over sleeping arrangements and principal investigators • Food Scientists & photographers • Spaceships to vacuum cleaners
- 6. Crawford
Editor's Notes
- Notes of the transcripts are listed beneath each slide
- <Andrew - NASA> I'm actually in florida working for Morpheus <Sassan K. Darian> Morpheus is a vertical test bed demonstrating new green propellant propulsion systems and autonomous landing and hazard detection technology. Designed, developed, manufactured and operated in-house by engineers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the Morpheus Project represents not only a vehicle to advance technologies, but also an opportunity to try out “lean development” engineering practices. <Sassan K. Darian> http://morpheuslander.jsc.nasa.gov/ <Andrew - NASA> but I'll be back in 1 min <A.E. Pearson Haas> Alright <Chris Hockenberry> do you believe in the Matrix andrew? red pill or blue? <Faheem Ali> lol <Libby Norcross> Sassan - nice work! You beat me to posting the link :) <Andrew - NASA> OK hello everyone <Olivia McAuley> I love the humor. <Amy Glazier> Hello! <Faheem Ali> WE ARE ALMOST DONE! <Jeannette Briggs> Hello! <Elyse Conley> Hello! <Andrew - NASA> hopefully you all are here for the 8 o'clock chat session <Olivia McAuley> Hello <A.E. Pearson Haas> Yes we are! <Andrew - NASA> I'm Andrew, and I'm an engineer at NASA Johnson Space Ceneter <Faheem Ali> of course we are:D <Andrew - NASA> Center* <Braulio Reyes> Hello! <Andrew Branham Dyer> HELLO! <Chris Hockenberry> I thought this was a shoe sale... <Sassan K. Darian> We are all one :) <Andrew - NASA> However, I'm actually at the Kennedy Space Center right now <Faheem Ali> nice nice <Andrew - NASA> if you are not here to talk about awesome things, we have six exits <Andrew - NASA> here, there, and over there <Jennifer Weir> Hello! <Sassan K. Darian> :) <A.E. Pearson Haas> How did the Computer Engineering system help with our Mars mission? <A.E. Pearson Haas> Like did we get any advances in it? <Andrew - NASA> man, questions already about real thigns <Andrew - NASA> I see <A.E. Pearson Haas> Are we testing new theories> <Chris Hockenberry> Hey - I was just there... went on the first public tour of complex 39A <A.E. Pearson Haas> SORRY! <Andrew - NASA> so, computer engineering is a tricky thing to talk about <Faheem Ali> before answering that <Faheem Ali> tell us a bit about yourself <Andrew - NASA> A E pearson...I saw you int he earlier chat =P <Jeannette Briggs> yes! <Andrew - NASA> anyway, let me get a few things stated right off the bad <Andrew - NASA> bat* <Chris Hockenberry> what language do you use? <Jennifer Weir> What are your favorite programming languages to work with, and what do you use most often at NASA? <A.E. Pearson Haas> I know I am looking good in this chat I am so Albert Einstein as a chicka d <Andrew - NASA> I will try my best to answer questions I see come up <Andrew - NASA> however, it can be very easy for me to miss questions <Andrew - NASA> so don't be afraid to re ask questions <Andrew - NASA> if I dont answer it, it's nto because I dont want to answer it <Andrew - NASA> secondly, I have a favor to ask all of you <A.E. Pearson Haas> We are here for your favor, what is it>? <Chris Hockenberry> do you guys use a managed language, witha custom garbage collector, or do the engineers still manage their own pointers and stack/heap allocations? <Andrew - NASA> because my plan is to answer questions as rapidly as I can, someone that isn't typing furiously, I would appreciate it if you would every10-15 min make a copy of the convo, and put it into wor <Andrew - NASA> d <Steven Vickers> I am obligated to grant a favor on this, the day of my daughter's wedding <Andrew - NASA> that way I can then send that word doc to the person in charge to send it to anyone that missed the convo <Amy Glazier> I can do that. <A.E. Pearson Haas> Copied <Amy Glazier> Or Andrea can beat me to it. :) <Jennifer Weir> @Steven LOL! <Andrew - NASA> next, I am a computer engineer from Purdue Univeristy. I graduted in 2009 after being in the co-op program from 2006-2009. I have been a full-time employee since jan of 2010 <Andrew - NASA> and have been working on moprheus since oct of 2010 <Andrew - NASA> so, that is the background stuff. <A.E. Pearson Haas> I think I have Purdue on my facebook I love education from all sorts of institutions <Andrew - NASA> Ok Amy, you were the first to respond? You will systematically copy the chat into a word doc every 10-15 min? then afterwards email it to me? <Andrew Branham Dyer> Tell us more about Morpheus <Amy Glazier> Yes, I can do that. <A.E. Pearson Haas> So then I do not need to? <Andrew - NASA> ok, great, I'm gonna try to start at the begining of the chat with questions and then work my way down <Andrew - NASA> pearson, you are not required to. You can feel free to do that for your own benefit if you wish. <A.E. Pearson Haas> Where do we get the email? <Andrew - NASA> 1st question. No I do not believe in the matrix. But philosophy is indeed a very fun topic to talk about. How do we even really know that we are feeling anything our brain is telling us? It could definitely all be a lie <Laure Strom> Is Morpheus available on tours when you visit the Kennedy Space Center? <Sassan K. Darian> He's a scientist, of course he wouldn't believe in the matrix <Sassan K. Darian> :) <Andrew - NASA> so, AE pearson, I do not know of the advances curiosity has made. I am sure they pushed boundaries, but I do not know which. I am sure that if you email someone at JPL that has worked on curiosity, they would love to forward your well-thought out questions to the appropriate people <Andrew - NASA> but a fun thing about computers in space <Chris Hockenberry> the spoon isn't real <Andrew - NASA> on earth, we dont have to worry much about radiation, heat (well we do, but in different ways) or many other things <Andrew - NASA> in space, all these things are much more important <Faheem ALi> right <Andrew - NASA> in space, there's no air. So heat just stays wherever it is generated <Chris Hockenberry> what do you do to make the memory radiation retardant <Andrew - NASA> unless you specifically move it somewhere else <Andrew - NASA> radiation is a very tricky problem <Andrew - NASA> theres many ways to try to tackle it, and no single way fully fixes it. <Faheem ALi> right Mars has no magnetic field protecting it <Andrew - NASA> you can have a "voting system" where you have 3 computers basically all running the same code <Amy Glazier> (Andrew, one slight problem: The chat window reset just before you told me to copy, so I do not have anything above this line: <Andrew - NASA> and have been working on moprheus since oct of 2010) <Andrew - NASA> then if 1 of them comes back with something else, you know its wrong <A.E. Pearson Haas> So radiation has to be moved from or with the energy from the computer engineering being viable? <Jordan Grace> That is the single most interesting thing I've learned all day. <Andrew - NASA> there's basically many variations of that. You can implement the voting system at many different levels, the transitor, logic, computer, system levels <Amy Glazier> (If you have the text above that, I'm afraid you need to save it before it goes.) <Andrew Branham Dyer> Given the conservative estimate of stars in our known Universe (25 Sextillion) and knowing that planet formation is very common, what is the general consensus of NASA as to wether or not Extraterrestrial Biological Entities exist. <Andrew - NASA> ok, I'm moving on to the next question for now, sorry! I can come back to it later <Libby Norcross> Amy Glazier - I have everything up to this point! <Jeannette Briggs> What are some of the ways that NASA has worked aournd the radiation problem? <Elyse Conley> Amy- I got a screen capture and I will send it to you. <Andrew - NASA> so next question about which languages I use. EVen though I am a computer engineer, I don't do much programming nowadays <Andrew - NASA> I mostly design printed circuit boards <Andrew - NASA> but I love python <Andrew - NASA> and I use it at every opportunity pretty much <Andrew - NASA> I have used it whenever I need a program to quickly make my job easier <Andrew - NASA> it's not always the right asnwer for the job though, and I recognize that when making suggestions to other people <Faheem ALi> Can you tell us a little bit about the engineering process?Steps like design to completion <Chris Hockenberry> Why python and not perl? > What software do you use to design printed circuit boards? <Andrew - NASA> next question, which is very specific - about if we use our own garbage collection process and such. I do not know what the "real" programmers use <Chris Hockenberry> What cad program is used to design the circuit boards, or is it proprietary? <Amy Glazier> (Thanks, Libby and Elyse!) <Andrew - NASA> I know a lot of times we use core flight software, which was developed I believe at goddard <Andrew - NASA> and you should be able to look it up even ont he web <Andrew - NASA> and frequently we use VxWorks as our operating system, which is a real-time operating system <A.E. Pearson Haas> Are super computers used in the Mars Curiosity experiment? <carl finkbeiner> Ms Hutchins already said she is making a copy of dialogue <Andrew - NASA> though I am on a project trying to push the use of RTEMS, because its more free than VxWorks <Andrew - NASA> ms hutchins is making a copy of the dialogue from the word document I send her =) > I saw that Curiosity used VxWorks in its descent. <Andrew - NASA> so frequently, the engineers are probably still using C/C++/Java and their pointers/heap allocations <Andrew - NASA> VxWorks is based in C i believe <A.E. Pearson Haas> C like C++? <Jennifer Weir> Morpheus uses oxygen and methane, the latter of course being present on Mars. Any plans to use this technology in future Mars missions? <Andrew - NASA> ok, so next I will tell you more about morpheus <Andrew - NASA> like some others I believe have mentioned, it is a vertical test bed <Andrew - NASA> it has a world of possibilities <Andrew - NASA> we may primarily use it as a test bed for ALHAT <Andrew - NASA> (autonomoust landing and hazard technology) <Andrew - NASA> or we may eventually be able to turn it into a mars/moon lander <Andrew - NASA> it all depends on how many things go for us <Andrew - NASA> right now we're tryign to develop it in such a way that we can transition into a space certified vehicle if necessary, but we are not right now <Andrew - NASA> we are still in early "phases" of our project <Andrew - NASA> where we're testing out theories and ideas <Chris Hockenberry> To A.E. C++ is built ontop of C, and it extends the original language to add support for OOP including multiple inheritance, polymorphism, encapsulation of objects. Better type safety. Templates <Andrew - NASA> we may change our avionics system a lot (which is what I work on). We may change our software a lot <Chris Hockenberry> memory memory management <Andrew - NASA> we may change almost nothing at all <Andrew - NASA> it all depends <Andrew - NASA> right now morpheus is not available for tours at KSC <Andrew - NASA> we basically only travel out here for a couple of weeks at a time and then we go back to JSC <Andrew - NASA> and while we're here, we're working a crazy test schedule. <Andrew - NASA> I probably worked close to 12 hour days most of last week trying to help prep for free flight this week <Andrew - NASA> PS check out morpheuslander.jsc.nasa.gov <Andrew - NASA> especially either thurs/fri <Andrew - NASA> we should be doing a free flight one of those days <Andrew - NASA> we attempted to today, but our software triggered a soft abort due to a faulty connection on the vehicle <Andrew - NASA> which is actually a good thing - the vehicle recognzied somethign was wrong and decided via software to not take off! <Andrew - NASA> thats really quite incredible. <Andrew - NASA> but we've identified the problem and solution, and why we didnt see it during tether tests preparing for free flight <Laure Strom> Is the solution time-consuming to implement? <Andrew - NASA> @chris, the radiaton problem is a very complex thing. Basically there's two ways to solve it. Put multiple copies of it and compare, or use older technology less suspectible to radiation upsets <Chris Hockenberry> Andrew - were you part of NCAS when you were a student? <Angelina Burnett> Can you tell us about the "green propellant propulsion" on Morpheus? <carl finkbeiner> BAE says it is radiation hardened, what does that mean? <Andrew - NASA> @Andrew Dyer - I am not able to officially answer for NASA about extra terrestrial life. and I dont even have near the capacity to answer that with any sort of reason, knoweledge, for informed hypothetical reasoning <Andrew - NASA> my <i>guess</i> is that with how many other systems there are out there, there is bound to be life somewhere at some time in the history of our universe(s) that has had life besides us. Intelligent life though? I dont know <Andrew - NASA> it's so hard to guess <Andrew - NASA> we've had so much life on our planet, and only our species has seemed to become cognizant of bigger things <Andrew - NASA> besides just having babies <Andrew Branham Dyer> So how did the first ever free flight for Morpheus go today? <Andrew Branham Dyer> Sorry just viewed website and posted before i read <Andrew - NASA> @cHRIS, I just haven't used perl. I've heard that it is even easier to get away with poor syntax though, and its not easy to read other peoples PERL code <A.E. Pearson Haas> My rover design is for a cognitive robot to assist with a manned mission, how would I go about putting Neurons ontop of neurons in a computer enginereing format? <Andrew - NASA> I like python because it can be self documenting <Andrew - NASA> which is awesome > I was getting a sense of deja vu when I glanced at the Morpheau blog page. Then, I saw that Armadillo Aerospace is a design partner. That's great! <Andrew - NASA> I use altium to design PCBs. It is single handedly, the most amazing piece of software I have ever used <Andrew - NASA> going from schematic to circuit board design is incredibly easy <Andrew - NASA> and the things you can do with it are incredible <Andrew - NASA> that being said, you'll never use it at a school =P <Andrew - NASA> haha <Andrew - NASA> I've used some other programs, and you can do most all the same thigns, it just atkes more thought <Andrew - NASA> sorry for my typing all, I'm trying to get as many thoughts out as I can <Andrew - NASA> and I'm still lagging so far behind all of what you're asking! <A.E. Pearson Haas> That is alright <A.E. Pearson Haas> we are being patient! <Angelina Burnett> :) > When I first went to engineering school 16 years ago, the school was using a version of SPICE. <Andrew - NASA> AE pearson, I can almost gaurantee super computers are not used anywhere outside of land based computations <Andrew - NASA> they are incredibly large (think the size of rooms or buildings) <Andrew - NASA> but they may be used to process data from curiosity! <Andrew - NASA> I dont know though <Chris Hockenberry> Have you ever played with arduino components in your copius amouns of free time? <Andrew - NASA> they also take insanes amount of cooling and energy <A.E. Pearson Haas> A chinese friend of mine told me we needed them for my experiement for having the type of robot I purposed <Andrew - NASA> things that rovers need to be conservative about its use <A.E. Pearson Haas> Mine is part Humanoid <A.E. Pearson Haas> in responsed to some of the technologies in Japan, as I speak Japanese. So.... <A.E. Pearson Haas> How could we go about constructing cognitive behavior into a computer? From a computer engineering standpoint? <Andrew - NASA> to the person that pointed out morpheus uses methane, yes! thats part of the reason we are exploring methane as a fuel source - its availability on other planets <Andrew - NASA> part of the biggest problem of any sample return or human mission is the return trip <Andrew - NASA> to take enough fuel somewhere to get home and back is just insane! <Chris Hockenberry> http://www.arduino.cc/ <Andrew - NASA> if we can gather fuel at the destination than that is awesome <A.E. Pearson Haas> Could we use perchlorate or something that converts the chemicals as rocket fuel? If it is readiily available on Mars? <Andrew - NASA> so the moon at least (maybe mars too? I dont know) have the potential of being methane re-fueling sites! Good noticing on yoru part! <A.E. Pearson Haas> Lke use the moons at Mars? <Andrew - NASA> @Laure - I'm sorry, I'm not sure what solution you're asking is time consuming to implement <Andrew - NASA> @Chris, I was not part of NCAS <Andrew Branham Dyer> What about just taking hydrogen and producing methane with water and oxygen as by product to fuel return in an in situ production. <Andrew - NASA> I did nothing with NASA until I was a co-op in college, but I grew up in Ohio and always knew I wanted to work at NASA > or CO2 <Andrew - NASA> I did anything I could think of to improve my odds of doing that. <A.E. Pearson Haas> What would you suggest we do to improve our odds? <Laure Strom> You identified the problem with the free fall test and the solution and why the problem was not noticed before the test began... I was just wondering if the solution for the faulty connection for Morpheus free fall test was quick and painless... <Andrew - NASA> @Angelina, the green propellant prop is the fact that we're using liquiod oxygen and basically liquid natural gas <Andrew - NASA> the same kind of stuff pumped into some peoples home for their stoves and heating and such! <Wendy Nessl> Would it be possible to make a hybrid shuttle? Like a hybrid car? <A.E. Pearson Haas> That is a great idea Wendy! <Andrew - NASA> @Carl, radiation hardened typically just means that it's older technology- the transistors are bigger and less likely to single event upsets (SEUs) <Andrew - NASA> so as thigns get smaller and smaller and smaller, and faster and faster, a single radiation blip can cause bigger problems <Andrew - NASA> but radiation hardened, could also mean that the logic/transistors used on the chip are all triplicated and they use the voting system completely external to the programmer even doing anythign about it <Andrew - NASA> which means that every time you essentially do 2+2, the chip does it 3 times to make sure that at least 2 of the 3 times it equals 4 <Andrew - NASA> and then that way if one of them comes up withs oemthing like 8, it knows that the correct answer is 4, because two sets of cirucuits computed 4 > Do you use a lot of gallium technology, as opposed to silicon, for circuitry? <Chris Hockenberry> What challenges would and environment like Titan, which is covered in Liquid methane, rains methane, has frozen methane lakes, and methane cryocanos, pose to a lander such as yours? <Amy Glazier> I just had a thought, about methane on other planets and sample return -- I think I remember that Saturn's moon Titan has oceans of methane and other hydrocarbons. How feasible would it be to do a sample return mission from Titan, considering that there's fuel there? <Andrew - NASA> @Andrew -i hope I answered your morpheus question earlier about our first free flight attempt <Amy Glazier> Augh, Chris beat me to it! <Andrew - NASA> if not, check out our facebook/twitter! <Libby Norcross> Comment: I love the @MorpheusLander twitter account :) It has quite a personality sometimes! <Andrew - NASA> @ Ae, I'm not sure what you mean by your questiona bout neurons on top of neurons. @Richard, we did our first set of avionics on their pixel spacecraft! <Andrew - NASA> I went up to dallas a couple of years ago when they did a free flight with our stuff on it <Andrew - NASA> so even though it looks superficially similar, they're actually quite different in design, software, avionics, engine, etc > I was present when they qualified for the XPrize in Caddo Mills. I was just out there a week ago, but nobody was home. <Andrew - NASA> @Richard, my school (purdue) used spice and orcad <Andrew - NASA> they pale in comparison =) <Andrew - NASA> @Chris RE: to free time hahahahhahahahahahhaha <Andrew - NASA> I have used arduino though <Andrew - NASA> they are fun, and we used one for an experiment once <Andrew - NASA> I mentored some interns programming the arduino that interfaced to an accelermoter that was looking for a free fall <Chris Hockenberry> I love arduino - I use Netduino - which lets you design the setup and program the system in Microsoft's .NET <Andrew - NASA> that would then initiate another system <Chris Hockenberry> that is awesome <A.E. Pearson Haas> So how could we collect all of the data from our Missions to Mars to construct it is working memory in a computer, kind of like building neurons on top of neurons when you are putting together tissue <A.E. Pearson Haas> (for the brain) <Andrew - NASA> @ AE replicating human congitive behaviour is a whole field of study that I can't even being to approach tonight <A.E. Pearson Haas> Ok <Andrew - NASA> it's a complicated field, with complicated questions and complicated answers <Andrew - NASA> but the brain is essentially a giant computer <Andrew - NASA> but we have robots that can do what humans do, but the robots don't "behave" like humans do <Andrew - NASA> and they're entirely seperate processes <Olivia McAuley> My calculus teacher would love that quote <A.E. Pearson Haas> Yes I know <Andrew - NASA> So @Andrew and @AE, convering something into something else inherently has a loss of efficientcy <A.E. Pearson Haas> To make their behavior more like humans to serve as a purpose of companionship and keeping data aligned for a manned mission was my purpose <A.E. Pearson Haas> So it is the same with human language and computer language processing, the culture is lost <A.E. Pearson Haas> the original meaning <Andrew - NASA> ok, hang on, getting lost momenetarily while I read up on questions <Andrew - NASA> so we're looking at in situ resource utilization (look up ISRU, they're actually gonna be in hawaii soon) and they're lookg at what is reasonable to convert from one element to another <Andrew - NASA> and if they're by products are useful or wasteful <Sassan K. Darian> When can HAL join us in a space journey? <Andrew - NASA> @Laure, the free flight fix is relatively painless, but not necessarily quick <Andrew - NASA> we may try to free flight on thurs, or it may take longer, we wont go until we're ready <Laure Strom> Understood. Well best of wishes to the fix and a second free flight test soon! <Andrew - NASA> in RE: to a hyrbrid shuttle - the problem is always getting enough thrust for the amount of weight you want to life <Andrew - NASA> lift* <Chris Hockenberry> Are you in any of the pictures here on flickr? <Andrew - NASA> morpheus is trying to use fuels that are more readily available, and I think that every planet/moon would likely have it's own "green" propellent <A.E. Pearson Haas> Thank you so much for your time. I have asked enough questions in this chat! I do not want you to get lost answering mine. I will put my thoughts on hold (I also have a reception for a japanese event we are having exchange students come over) THANK YOU GUYS! Let me know what I missed. <Andrew - NASA> ok we have 4 min left, I will try to answer as many of the remaining questions as I can, but you can email me at andrew.hartnett.1@gmail.com and I will try to asnwer them if they are super important to you <Andrew Branham Dyer> Thank you so much for your decidely brilliant commentary, interacting with us, and most of all for this wonderful opportunity for the whole team. Many thanks for really making a positive difference. <Andrew - NASA> I make no promises though, especially over the next several weeks as we test morpheus <Andrew - NASA> i wish I could spend more time trying to answer everything, but its so tough to answer all of your intellegent rapid fire questions <Andrew - NASA> I will keep on answering though until I see another NASA person come in (i think there's another chat tonight) <Andrew - NASA> and if I help out NCAS during you're week, I'll take questions then <Elyse Conley> We appreciate you spending the time you already have! <Angelina Burnett> Thanks so much :) <Faheem ALi> I love you Andrew! <Steven Vickers> Thank you very much, i've enjoyed reading all the questions and answers that are way over my head! <Jennifer Weir> Andrew, thank you so much for your time and extremely thoughtful answers. <Libby Norcross> Yes, thanks for answering so many of these rapid questions as quickly as you can! I'm impressed :) P.S. do you want me to use the above email address to send you the Word doc with this chat convo in it? <carl finkbeiner> yes yes thanks **************************** <Chris Hockenberry> What challenges would and environment like Titan, which is covered in Liquid methane, rains methane, has frozen methane lakes, and methane cryocanos, pose to a lander like yours? <Andrew - NASA> ok, a couple of wrap up comments from the remaining questions I see <Andrew - NASA> 1) Amy, please email me a copy of the email chat if you can =) <Andrew - NASA> 2) there are huuuuge complications in doing sample return missions <Andrew - NASA> we should probably start small (think moon/mars, work out the kinks) <Andrew - NASA> but who know?!?!?! <Andrew - NASA> there are tons of itneresting things to learn from other moons/planets as well <Andrew - NASA> 3) please please please check out the morpheus web page <Sassan K. Darian> How about HAL? <Andrew - NASA> I would love for our ustream to crash on thurs/fri b/c we have so many viewers =) <Andrew - NASA> I may or may not be in pictures on that site -I dont know yet <Amy Glazier> Andrew--Libby was able to get the initial messages that cleared out too quickly for me, she will probably be the one to send you the transcript--she has all of it from the beginning onward. Thanks again for being here! <Andrew - NASA> I've seen people taking pictures, but I havent paid attention <Andrew - NASA> oh no! I've lost all my previous chat =( > Yeah, mine reset a few inches ago. > But, I have copies of almost everything. <Amy Glazier> It does that at random! Between me and Libby, we have all of it, though. I promise, it's not lost forever! <Andrew - NASA> ok, so whoever has documentation of the chat, please send it to my email andrew.hartnett.1@gmail.com <Andrew Branham Dyer> Thanks Again <Amy Glazier> And Richard has it, too! We will be sure to get it to you. <Chris Hockenberry> thank you Andrew <Andrew - NASA> I hope you all have a great time at NCAS <Sassan K. Darian> thx :) <Andrew - NASA> it's a great experience, young or old <Olivia McAuley> Thanks. :) <Amy Glazier> Thank you! It's been awesome to be part of it for far. :) <Elyse Conley> Thanks again! <Andrew - NASA> last time I mentored it, I had people that were much older on my team that came in thinking it was silly for them to be there <Laure Strom> You have one more subscriber to the Ustream site to view the test! Thanks for everything and have a good night! <Andrew - NASA> by the end they felt like they had gained some knoweldge tehy couldnt have gained anyway else, despite working with people less experienced then themselves <Elyse Conley> And did they think that at the end of the program still? haha! <Andrew - NASA> its definitely a unique experience to work with motivated folks <Andrew - NASA> and you get to ask questions to very bright folks <Robert White> Andrew Can I get you contact information one more time? <Andrew - NASA> I hope to meet some of you during NCAS <Andrew - NASA> my email is andrew.hartnett.1@gmail.com <Andrew Branham Dyer> I hope to see you there> <carl finkbeiner> I'll be there thursday with friends, no pressure ;-))) <Andrew - NASA> feel free to send questions/documentation there <Robert White> Thank You Very much. <Andrew - NASA> haha, well maybe I wont be around, I'll be at KSC until the 17th! <Andrew - NASA> wish me and the morpheus crew good luck <Olivia McAuley> Good luck!! <Andrew - NASA> thank oyou all, have a good night! > Thank you, Andrew. I hope your test goes well! <Chris Hockenberry> Good Luck!!!! <Olivia McAuley> And thanks again for this informing conversation. <Angelina Burnett> good luck <John Michael Roberso> Good luck and thank you! :) <Chris Hockenberry> I think you were the last one scheduled for the evening sir <Andrew - NASA> you must be right <Andrew - NASA> havent seen anyone else come in yet > Hopefully, you have the keys so you don't have to wait to lock up! <Amy Glazier> I just checked the schedule Ms. Hutchings had sent us. You are indeed the last person. <Andrew - NASA> lol
- <Elyse Conley> I saw that. It seems very informative, though I've only had time to skim it. > Hey guys! <Amy Glazier> Hello! <Elyse Conley> Hello! > I'm Cody, an Advanced PLSS development engineer here at NASA/JSC > I'm a tad early <Robert White> Hello Cody Kelly <Jennifer Weir> Hi Cody! <Joshua Meier> Hello! <Elyse Conley> Early is good. We like early. <Jennifer Weir> "Life Support Engineering" sounds very specialized. What was your major in school? > I heard you guys have worked on developing a mission to mars, right? <Jennifer Weir> Yes, and it's been fascinating so far! > Jennifer, life support engineering is pretty specialized, but really covers a lot of different disciplines > I majored in Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M (WHOOP!) but a lot of what I've done with suits and life support has been mechanical enigneering and also instrumentation <Elyse Conley> Are you the same Cody Kelly who worked as a mentor for NCAS a few years ago? <A.E. Pearson Haas> Yes be our mentor! <A.E. Pearson Haas> @ Elyse @ Cody kelly <Jennifer Weir> Love the Aggies. You must be psyched about their moving to SEC. But that's off-topic I guess... > I was a mentor in '09 for CAS, but not NCAS yet. I hope to eventually mentor for NCAS though. > What are some of the issues you guys have been working on for your Mars mission? <Chris Hockenberry> Hello everyone!!! <Robert White> How will the spacesuits differ when utilized on Mars? <Jennifer Weir> It's mostly been science objectives, timeline, budget, and rover specifications. > @ Robert <A.E. Pearson Haas> My issue is everyone is telling me I am a martian LOL <Chris Hockenberry> Landing location, technical specs, etc... <A.E. Pearson Haas> they have ACES on now <A.E. Pearson Haas> NASA channel > In response to the suit question, itll be a little different because we've never had a suit thats designed for an EVA in a partial pressure environment <A.E. Pearson Haas> nm <Jennifer Weir> I was wondering in regards to the suits, why pure oxygen? Why not compressed air? > Mars has a little bit of an atmosphere, so we're working on systems that can work not just in low earth orbit (LEO), but also on Mars <Elyse Conley> All of our projects (or at least I believe all of them) are unmaned. But I think there are a few of us who are thinking about our missions as precursors to manned missions to mars. I found that I got very confused when I spent some time looking into launch dates and trajectories for manned missions. There seems to be so many differing views on which is the best way to go about it! > and the ACES is my favorite suit, I worked on the Altered ACES as a coop <A.E. Pearson Haas> Cool!~ <Amy Glazier> Precisely what Elyse said -- I designed an unmanned mission, but it's because I want to find out whether life ever existed on Mars *before* we send people there, so I'm using rovers to look for microfossils. <A.E. Pearson Haas> What kind of material or deisng would be lighter and prevet bone loss or muscle loss? What is life support engineer? Is it same as the alternative form of Space Suit? <A.E. Pearson Haas> My rover needs to make rocket fuel out of perchlorate if need be > Jennifer - The suit uses pure oxygen because the suits operate at low pressure (4.3-8.0 PSI) so its more effective to pack oxygen than air, because the body can't extract as much oxygen at lower pressures > thats why fighter pilots wear masks for high altitude flight, etc <Chris Hockenberry> Cody - I have a question that is tangentially related to life support - my mission is a precursor to a manned mission (life a scouting mission) that investigates landing sites and greenhouse construstion sites (soil composition) how feasible is it to enclose a habitat for the astronauts to live in that is fed oxygen my imported seeds? would the martian soil work or would we have to import soil as well? <Robert White> What is the proceedure for re-entering the ISS from a spacewalk, and how does the different environments affect the suit? > A.E Pearson - I would google In-Situ Resourse Utilization (ISRU) <A.E. Pearson Haas> Thanks! <Jennifer Weir> Wow, interesting, thanks! <Elyse Conley> By the way... is anyone recording this chat for the students who couldn't make it today? > I am <Elyse Conley> Excellent! Just thought I should check. > Chris, I'm not sure about the soil stuff...let me think about it for a bit <A.E. Pearson Haas> Did you get to wear asuit you worked on? <Amy Glazier> I have a question -- I know one difficulty about sending people to Mars is that fine Martian dust could potentially shred spacesuits. Is there any material we have that can withstand barrages of dust, or is this a problem we can't solve yet? <Chris Hockenberry> Can a jumpsuit be built for the inhabitant of the ISS to wear that would provide a haptic feedback to the limbs continuosly, causing involuntary muscle reactions and reduce muscle and bone loss for long term residents? <Elyse Conley> So what do you think is the greatest hurdle for manned missions to mars, from a life support perspective? > Robert, the procedure for re-entering the ISS from an EVA (nasa acronym for spacewalk) is pretty similar to when they go outside. They enter the airlock and attach their suits to an umbilical and get oxygen/power/water from the ISS, then begin to repressurize the airlock. The spacesuit (EMU) senses the changes and begins to deflate. The airlock equilizes and they can take off the suit > thats the really simple version > And yes, I've worn the ACES > and the Mark III, but both unpressurized > and I've used EVA gloves in NASA's vaccuum pressure glovebox <A.E. Pearson Haas> We sent WALL E to MARS! <A.E. Pearson Haas> (Sorry you brought up EVA) LOL > Amy - as for dust, thats something we work on ALL THE TIME! the biggest problem is how dust can grind away at the suit glove disconnects and all the metal parts <Robert White> Interesting... Please explain the electronics involved in the spacesuit, are they controlled by the astronaut or networked or both? <A.E. Pearson Haas> So you can't get like dust eating cleaner that doesn't ruin the suit? > Chris - the jumpsuit idea sounds pretty interesting / cool. I'm sure that the technology will evolve to enable something like that > A.E. Pearson - that's one idea, another is using static electricity to clean the suits, kind of like a swiffer. Just remember that you dont want all that dust in the cabin, if it shreds metal, think of how it will affect your lungs <Amy Glazier> Actually, Andrea just gave me an idea -- could some kind of electrostatic effect be used to repel dust so it never touches the suit, or to attract dust and direct it away from the joints? <Amy Glazier> ...oops, I was typing and didn't see your answer. Sorry. <Jennifer Weir> In addition to space suits, do you also work on life support in spacecraft, like nutrition, hygiene, water, etc.? > Elyse - from a life support perspective, i would say CO2 removal and generating your own oxygen would be some of the chief hurdles <Braulio Reyes> Refering to the suit idea couldn't you have an airlock the would suck up the dust and then taken back to be researched? <Chris Hockenberry> Personal question - what things do you enjoy in your free time > AND JUST TO GET EVERYONE'S ATTENTION - if you haven't asked a question, make sure you do, I want to include everyone!!! <Michael Rose> What did you study in school? > Jennifer - my work is primarily spacesuit related, but I did an internship in the space food lab in 2007 when I was a Texas Aerospace Scholars intern <Elyse Conley> Did you always want to work for NASA then? > Michael - I studied Aerospace Engineering, and I have a graduate certification in Advanced International Affairs <Jennifer Weir> What would you say is the better nutrition plan for a lengthy mission, considering weight, cost, and nutrition: "yoghurt box," "salad machine," or "sushi maker"? > Yea...IVE ALWAYS WANTED TO WORK FOR NASA!!!!! <A.E. Pearson Haas> Cool! I live in Texas! I hope I get to venture out to Alabama, Huntsville > especially spacesuits <Amy Glazier> I just have to ask -- is space food delicious? :) > space food is pretty AWESOME. and I've gotten to try a ton of different types <A.E. Pearson Haas> Yeah can we design our own space food for what we want to eat? <Andrew Branham Dyer> Sorry, just got here. If you haven't discussed it yet can you please tell me what sort of studies there are currently monitoring the enviroment of space. > Back to the dust - keep in mind that any static electricity can damage the electronics of the life support system > and sucking out the dust is hard because it's literally sticky! <Chris Hockenberry> would a faraday cage around computer compnents help protect them from the static? <Braulio Reyes> What about something more like a car wash or something were you try to wash it off then filter it somewhere else? > I imagine it would, I know there are people at Glenn Research Center (GRC) that are experts in that type of stuff that are working on it <Joshua Meier> What material is the window/viewing glass on space suit helmets made of? <Chris Hockenberry> what about the worry that any microbrial life in the dust could come in contact with us, and we would not be immune to it? <Amy Glazier> I just did a quick Google of "is Mars dust magnetic?", and it appears the answer is mostly yes. So I wonder...could we use magnets to clean off suits, similarly to cleaning lint off dark clothing with an adhesive roller? <Amy Glazier> (Or is the magnetic dust not actually the problem and it's the non-magnetic stuff that we have to worry about?) <Jeannette Briggs> In my rover design, I use the dust as a substrate to form Bucky tubes...if the suit could be made of a material that could shed, then the shedded portions with dust could be used as a substrate for Bucky tibes which could then be used to produce various materials. > And someone asked what I do for fun, I love running when I have the time, I'm a pilot too, and I'm actually really involved in keeping up with my technical field, I hope to eventually teach spacesuit-type topics at the US Airforce Academy <Jeannette Briggs> *tibes = tubes <A.E. Pearson Haas> Where can I get a design or cheap materials to make myself and my poodle a suit to teach my son and his friends about outer space? <Elyse Conley> Have you seen the spacesuit collection at the smithsonian? I would love to see that some day... <A.E. Pearson Haas> I would love to get my pilot license. My grandfather served in WWII in the Air Force > Jeannette - thats a pretty cool idea! How will you make sure that you can produce the bucky tubes? Are they hard to manufacture? > Elyse - I really hope to see the smithsonian suit collection. When you guys come to JSC, hopefully you will get to see the collection we have right here in my building <Elyse Conley> So cool! <Michael Rose> How much time is spent conceptualizing new imaginative approaches to issues like spacesuits- as opposed to improving upon existing technologies? <A.E. Pearson Haas> That is a very neat idea Jeannette talk about recycling! > Michael - I'd say its about half and half, I've worked on both the advanced development team and the crew survival team, and its a totally different approach in each. Some teams really look to think outside the box, and others focus on using existing technologies in new ways, and honestly, both ways are great > and just to let you know, if you guys have any questions after the chat, my NASA email is cody.kelly-1@nasa.gov <A.E. Pearson Haas> Do they have a design program to test how the suits will react before production? <Jennifer Weir> How long does it take to get in and out of a space suit? <A.E. Pearson Haas> I have been to Kelly Air Force base in San Antonio! <A.E. Pearson Haas> Sorry the thought occurred > Jennifer, it all depends on the suit. The ACES is a quick-don suit, so it took me about 5-10 minutes from the time I put on the longjohns (underwear) to putting on the helmet <Jeannette Briggs> Condense the CO2 from the atmosphere (or ice), split off the O2 (that can be sued for something else), use graphite that is remaining as a substrate and then run it through a SSP-345 module (developed by NASA) to create carbon nanotubes on the substratre (ot by itself). The you can create replacement parts, or build a frame of a rover so less needs to be send from Earth...can make solar panels, cicutry, H-storage...lots of stuff <Jeannette Briggs> It's part of my rover desogn > the EMU on the space station take about an hour to get ready for a space walk, plus you do an overnight campout in the airlock to purge the nitrogen from your blood > Jeannette-----> HOLY COW thats a well thought out and researched approach <Jeannette Briggs> Thank you! > Clelia! How are you tonight, have you asked any questions? > Howdy Steven! > How many of you would want to go into the NASA engineering field? <Steven Vickers> Hello <A.E. Pearson Haas> I would love to go into it <Jennifer Weir> I'm studying materials engineering; I know NASA does some of that. <Andrew Branham Dyer> When do I leave! <Robert White> Sounds like an awsome field. I would like to fit in somewhere. > The thing I love about JSC in particular is that we cover all the elements of manned spaceflight, from concept, design, and then finally execute the missions > Jennifer, we do a ton of materials engineering, from the stuff I work on, to the development of stuff like Aerogel <Elyse Conley> I'd love to! <Jennifer Weir> That's awesome! <Robert White> I am doing Computer Science and would like to do embedding > Robert, thats some of the stuff I've done too, using a lot of Labview > So where is everyone from / going to school? <Andrew Branham Dyer> Yes to NASA Engineering field please..... <Chris Hockenberry> I am a computer science major - been a programmer for 25 years - I would gladly sell a child to ge to work for NASA <Robert White> Red Rocks Community College, Lakewood Colorado <Steven Vickers> Mobile, AL, Faulkner State, headed to Auburn University <Braulio Reyes> San Antonio College! San Antonio Texas! Engineering major <Robert White> Transfering to CSU in the spring <Amy Glazier> I'm at Collin College up in North texas. I'm majoring in astrophysics, but right now I've studied more calculus than physics. > San Antonio! What What!!! I'm from Bandera <Elyse Conley> Do you think that NASA is in any danger from the expansion of the private sector? It seems that NASA's situation is precariously dependent upon shifting governmental tides and public opinion... I wonder about how this will effect the future of space exploration. <Jennifer Weir> I live in NJ, have lived here all my life. I'm a non-traditional student (my first degree was in Political Science), and due to financial aid constraints associated with that, I will most likely stay in-state for the second degree, probably Rutgers or Rowan. I had thought to put in applications to Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, U Wisconsin, A&M, and Purdue, but I'm not so sure I could afford to go, so I'm rethinking that. > Boom...Elyse with the question we are all wondering <Andrew Branham Dyer> Wilmington, NC on the Cape Fear River and beaches. Cape Fear Community College, currently enrolled as a transfer student to University of North Carolina at Wilmington. <Amy Glazier> I'd love to work for NASA, but I am not sure how useful an astrophysicist would be to have around as compared to an actual engineer.... <Michael Rose> From Kennebunk, ME, going to school at ABTech in Asheville, NC. Not sure where or for what I'm going to transfer. I was thinking about statistics. Does NASA hire statisticians? <Robert White> I believe with the proper security NASA will be fine. <Chris Hockenberry> Collin College - transfering to UT in the fall Amy... :) <A.E. Pearson Haas> I grew up in San Antonio for a while. Bandera is pretty. I thought NASA was going to partnership with the provate sector throught the new commercialization program <Andrew Branham Dyer> Props to Jeannette for the concept mentioned earlier ... you go girl! > I think that NASA will benefit from the expansion of the private sector, just in the fact that we can now focus on getting back to advanced development <A.E. Pearson Haas> Props to Jeannette for being able to do a well thought out concept that ould become action! <Chris Hockenberry> Born in San Antonio Cody :) - Andrews Air Frce base <Jennifer Weir> Are there opportunities for public-private partnerships to ease some of the funding constraints and allow for more expensive missions? <Amy Glazier> Jeanette's concept has left me in such awe that I am speechless. :) <Olivia McAuley> Question for Cody: In order to make a space suit, what environmental factors must be considered? <Andrew Branham Dyer> I mean, ... what she said! > from a budget standpoint, NASA in my opinion will need to continue to be at the forefront of space exploration in order to maintain our relevance <Robert White> Now advanced development will be something i would like to do. <Jeannette Briggs> Durham, NC area at Peidmont Community College majoring in Computer Science. I just got a job as a C# developer but was a molecular biologist for many years. I can't descide where to transfer to...it's either UNC - Chapel Hill or Duke. <A.E. Pearson Haas> Yes I agree Cody <Andrew Branham Dyer> I concur Cody. > Olivia: we look at the thermal environment, the radiation environment, even if there is dust/micrometeoroids <Joshua Meier> Live in Wilson, NC and I attend Beaufort County Community College. Majoring in Electrical Engineering Technologies <A.E. Pearson Haas> How do you think the new developments with the Higgs Boson from CERN are going to play out in our expansion of the space program? <Jeannette Briggs> Thank you for the compliments! <Jennifer Weir> Right, I forgot to mention my current school, County College of Morris. <Andrew Branham Dyer> I understand that heat does not dissipate in space. Is that correct? <A.E. Pearson Haas> You are welcome Jeannette <A.E. Pearson Haas> Yes how do you move heat around <Braulio Reyes> Thats awesome that your from Bandera! <Elyse Conley> Right, that's what I worry about. I don't see how NASA can manage the budget that will allow it to continue to remain on the cutting edge... It almost seems that we need another cold war to rally people into believing in American innovation and exploration again. <Jennifer Weir> @Jeannette - I'd like to echo all of those compliments; you've put SO much thought into your proposal. <Elyse Conley> Then again, with the collapse of STEM in America, how can we remain competitive internationally? > Heat does dissipate, but not from like convection, its all based on radiative heat transfer, thats why the suit is white <Olivia McAuley> What type of materials are used for the space suits? And are any other materials being looked at to make the suits feel lighter? <Shane Taylor> I'm in Kansas City , MO attending MCC-Longview and majoring in Computer Science. > Well...Elyse...you guys are the future of STEM, just like me, I'm only 25 and living my dream. We have to go out and inspire our peers and other generations into taking on these challenges <A.E. Pearson Haas> We bring it from STEM to STEAM like Will.i.am proposed <A.E. Pearson Haas> put some arts in there <A.E. Pearson Haas> Oh my bad WE ARE THE FUTURE OF STEM!!! YAY! <Chris Hockenberry> How do you monitor an astronaut during and EVA to ensure hypoxemia has not set it from low oxygen processing capabilities of the blood? > Olivia - the suit has multiple layers, with white kevlar-based fabric on the outside, all the way to neoprene infused nylon to hold pressure in > GREAT QUESTION CHRIS > We monitor the biomed stuff on an astronaut through looking at oxygen consumption and CO2 levels in the suit, plus all the data sent back from their biomed sensors > but a lot of times the signals on the biomed sensors cut out, so we mainly watch O2 consumption rates/remaining 02 and the the C02 <Andrew Branham Dyer> What is the temperature of space. <Jeannette Briggs> Why do the biomed sensors cut out? <Olivia McAuley> After what Chris asked, what would be the suggestion if the astronaut goes into hypoxemia? <Chris Hockenberry> Do you keep a second astronaut prepped for an evac eva incase the astronaut on the eva becomes dioriented? > one of my coworkers just said we get EKG data too > we always do EVAs in pairs > never alone <Chris Hockenberry> awesome > all about that buddy system guys! <Elyse Conley> Are there any systems for sharing life support, like the way divers share their masks? > on apollo EVAs we even had a system where on guy could plug into his buddy's suit and share oxygen <Elyse Conley> Haha! Chris, after spending the last four years as a waitress, that makes me feel a lot better about my chances in life! I'll have to look it up! > Well, I grew up in Bandera, both my parents were blue-collar workers, my mom was a stay-at-home mom and my dad was a utility lineman. I grew up really poor and my parents always pushed us to look at education as a gift. <Andrew Branham Dyer> What happens to perspiration in the suits. <A.E. Pearson Haas> Someone actually told me about the interveiew <A.E. Pearson Haas> @ Chris <A.E. Pearson Haas> I did not get my high school degree or GED but I have an associates <A.E. Pearson Haas> and love my work <Andrew Branham Dyer> hey Laura <A.E. Pearson Haas> I went to more than one high school and decided to start college at 17 <Chris Hockenberry> That is awesome Cody!! I feel sometimes like my children have it too good, and a little hardship will help them appreciate the opportunities they have and view education asa gift > I knew I wanted to work for NASA when I was 5, and I pretty much fell in love with someday working on manned spaceflight. I was lucky enough to be a High School Aerospace Scholar (the high school version of your program) and eventually was able to become a TAS intern, then coop, and now full timer <Andrew Branham Dyer> Thanks for the responses Cody, Hope to meet you one day! <Jeannette Briggs> I think doing the NCAS projects is a great example for everyine with kids. <A.E. Pearson Haas> Yeah I am with Cody we were doing NASA assignments in TAG about 8 or so <Angelina Burnett> Cody thank you so much for chatting with us, I have really enjoyed it :) > so treat this program as a unique opportunity, I have a close friend that is now a coop that was a CAS student <A.E. Pearson Haas> I loved it <Chris Hockenberry> How does NASA's salaries compare to the private sector Cody?
- <A.E. Pearson Haas> Hello Sara <Sara Malloy - NASA> Good afternoon! Glad to see everyone here. We'll get started in just a few minutes <A.E. Pearson Haas> Thank you Sara <Amy Glazier> Thank you for being here, Ms. Malloy! <Sara Malloy - NASA> Ok. Well I have 5:00pm on my clock so let's get started <Sara Malloy - NASA> My name is Sara Malloy and I am the Lead Program Coordinator for the Reduced Gravity Education Flight Program <Sara Malloy - NASA> I know that is a very long title, but I have the coolest job! I work with researchers, students and educcators in working experiments in microgravity <A.E. Pearson Haas> Does redecued gravity include zero gravity? <Steven Vickers> Pleasure to meet you, sounds like an incredible job. What are some examples of microgravity research that you have conducted? <Robert White> Sara Malloy> What types of modifications must be made to turbines in order to be productive in a reduced gravity state? <Sara Malloy - NASA> There are a few ways we conduct microgravity research on earth. One way is the drop towers...which can give your 5.2-2.2 seconds of microgravity or zero gravity. This depends on the height of the drop tower <Sara Malloy - NASA> NASA has two drop towers at Glenn Research Center in Cleveland Ohio <Sassan K. Darian> Hello <Sara Malloy - NASA> The platform we use at Johnson Space Center is the microgravity aircraft, which flies in a series of parabolas. A flight parabola is a maneuver performed by the plane where the flyer experiences different levels of gravity. <Sara Malloy - NASA> Depending on the angle of the parabola, we can achieve Lunar, Martian and of course, zero gravity <Braulio Reyes> Ms. Malloy I've researched the Reduced Gravity Education Flight Program and I was wondering if you've ever been on a flight? and also why is micro gravity testing done? <Sara Malloy - NASA> This platform provides 15-25 seconds of microgravity during each parabola. <Sara Malloy - NASA> I have flown almost 450 parabolas and it is truly an environment like no other <A.E. Pearson Haas> So then we can write proposals to conduct experiements with ourselves as humans to be the test subjects for a microgravity experience? <A.E. Pearson Haas> Essentially sign up and apply to experience this environment? <Sara Malloy - NASA> OK - let me see if I can answer some questions we have already had <Olivia McAuley> How does it feel to be on the flight? <Andrew Branham Dyer> After researching the zero gravity experiment opportunities for students, I wondered how much it would cost to conduct an experiment. <J Bentley> Is it more cost effective to do these experiments during the parabola flights, or on the ISS? <Sara Malloy - NASA> At A.E. Pearson - yes, reduced gravity includes zero gravity and other partial gravities such as Lunar or Martian <Andrew Branham Dyer> > After researching the zero gravity experiment opportunities for students, I wondered how much it would cost to conduct an experiment. <Sassan K. Darian> My question: how difficult is it to keep the body healthy in environments without earth-like gravity. Do the supplemental exercises really provide enough support? And are there any drawings to create artificial gravity in a space-type environment as envisioned by Arthur C. Clarke in his science fiction novels? <Steve Martinez> Ms Malloy, What are the requierments to conduct an experiment in the reducedi gravity program? <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Steven - I have seen a lot of microgravity research in my time, everything from welding to CubeSat. Engineering to science and physics. A good resource is the program archive found at http://microgravityuniversity.jsc.nasa.gov/theArchives/index.cfm <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Robert - The modifications to the aircraft are mainly to the cabin. Seats are removed to make an open area for research hardware <Chris Hockenberry> What materials have we been able to discover and produce in zero-g, like that on the ISS, that we are unable to produce here? <Robert White> Thank You Sara. :) <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Braulio - Yes, I have been on several flights. Microgravity research is conducted for several reasons - one of the main reasons is as a test bed to try our hardware, procedures before they go to space <Sara Malloy - NASA> It is very expensive to go to space and the International Space Station, so it is nice to test things out before getting to that stage <A.E. Pearson Haas> I would love to teach space in space, is that possible in the future to have programs that do so? <A.E. Pearson Haas> Thank you for earlier question <Sara Malloy - NASA> At A.E. Pearson - You have it right. Students from colleges and universities write a technical proposal to fly an experiment in the microgravity aircraft. The proposals go through a technical review and if selected, teams then build, test and bring their hardware to Houston <Chris Hockenberry> Other than the first time you experienced it, what is your most memorable moment from your microgravity adventures? <Sara Malloy - NASA> At A.E. Pearson - It is not a joy ride, this is a research environment and we expect that you will be gathering data during the flight. <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Olivia - <Joshua Baum> What research is being done about the health issues that seem to occur with increasing frequency in reduced gravity environments especially considering the desire to pursue a manned mission to Mars whch involves close to two years of almost continuous time in a reduced gravity environment? <Sassan K. Darian> Are there proposals planned for the future to create an artificial space environment in which the full force of Earth-like gravity is replicated? <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Olivia - It is an experience like nothing yes. At the start of the parabola, you feel hypergravity (about 1.8gs) and you feel very heavy. it is difficult to lift your arms or do much of anything. Once the aircraft begins to nose-over the top, you gently begin to float. I have worked in this program for many years and the only adjective I can use here is awesome. You can do things that are amazing. When the aircraft pulls out of the free-fall, gravity gently comes back and you experience a mix we call dirty air <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Olivia - then you get to experience all over again. Our typical profile is for 30 0g, 1 Lunar and 1 Martian <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Andrew - the best answer I can give you is that the cost depends on the experiment <Braulio Reyes> Thank you! I was wondering if you had any advice for when it comes to making proposals for the program? <Sara Malloy - NASA> At J Bentley - the aircraft environment is cheaper than putting an experiment on the ISS <Amy Glazier> I am curious -- how does Martian microgravity affect rovers? I have seen interesting concepts of Mars rovers with inflatable wheels; would a rover with inflatable wheels be subject to more bounce and/or instability in reduced gravity, or does gravity not matter all that much for something like this? <Chris Hockenberry> Have you been involved with any experiments trying to assess the affects and feasiblity of a kinemassic field generator that would involve simulating a 0g environment, and then activating the devices to reverse the affects? <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Sassan - Those are good questions that are more related to extended time in microgravity. There are tons of resources available that talk about long-term effects to muscle and bone mass while in microgravity <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Steven - Please visit the program website at http://microgravityuniversity.jsc.nasa.gov/ for proposal requirements. My best advice is do your research and really understand why microgravity is needed for testing <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Chris - material science is a great field of interest in reduced gravity because elements bond differently. A lot of research is being done on how things can be printed (like on a 3-D printer) or made in microgravity. <Shane Taylor> How long does each of the gravity stages (0g, Lunar, and Martian) last in just one of the 30 cycles? <A.E. Pearson Haas> 1. So we can simulate for testing a martian environment for an extended period of time to work with a rover with people as well? 2. How would you rate some of your experiences as the effects on the bone and muscles to be similar to? <Richard Bennett 2> Do you know what types of 3d printing have been attempted? Selective laser sintering, Fused deposition modeling, etc....? <Sara Malloy - NASA> At A.E. Pearson - There are already programs that do that. We have 3 educator astronauts (as well as others on ISS) that use their time to teach and do educational segments from the ISS. My program also has a K12 educator program <Sassan K. Darian> Since the Martian year is about 1.88 Earth years and since the effects of gravity differ on Mars, does this mean that time operates at a different ratio on Mars than on Earth? Are the effects simply negligible or are they measurable? <A.E. Pearson Haas> Yes that is wonderful! Thank you. I am surprised there are only 3 educator astronauts. <Laure Strom> How many pilots and aircraft do you have in the fleet that do these parabolic flight maneuvers? And do the pilots essentially use a g-meter to determine how/when they have reached 0gs or Lunar/Martian gravity? <Olivia McAuley> What type of training is needed in order for someone to be on the flight? <Sara Malloy - NASA> Hi Chris - My favorite memories from zero g are the looks on everyones' face during the first parabola and when they have that "ah-ha" moment. It is priceless to see my flight teams achieve their goals and complete their research in such an enviroment. My personal favorite was when I was on a flight that Astronaut Clay Anderson was on. Clay spent 6 months on ISS and he knows how to do what he wants in the environment. He floated past me and turn to sit right as gravity was returning. It was amazing to see such control and I will always remember that moment <Chris Hockenberry> When the elements bond differently, do those bonds tend to be weaker, stronger, or the same in microgravity, or are the results varying? <Steve Martinez> Can we contact you with any future questions regarding participating in the reduced gravity program? <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Joshua - The answer is a lot of research is being done on long-term exposure to microgravity. One example is a bed-rest study that is being done with a local hospital where they measure the effects and recovery time of patients. It is definitely an area of interest as we start planning longer duration missions <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Sassan - Not to my knowledge <Andrew Branham Dyer> You mentioned earlier about elements bonding together differently in zero gravity. Is there currently any research being conducted in zero gravity for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) to enhance the yield of intended reorganizations. <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Braulio - my best advice for the proposals is do your research, start early and understand why microgravity is needed. <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Amy - I am not a rover expert, but I would say from experiencing Martian gravity that there is enough gravity to hold you down to the ground <Richard Bennett 2> What types of 3d printing have been attempted in microgravity, and how has the microgravity affected the final outcome? <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Chris - Not specifically, but that sounds like a good idea to research for a proposal. I remember a team that used a electric current to create an artificial orbit. It was pretty cool <Sassan K. Darian> What was the feasibility of the results of that experiment in which a team used an electric current to create an artificial orbit? <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Shane - It depends on the pilots since all the parabolas are flown manually. Hyperg lasts about 45 seconds on both ends. Zero g is 15-25 seconds, Lunar is about 40 seconds and Martian is about 30 seconds <Sara Malloy - NASA> At AE Pearson - in the aircraft environment, testing has to happen in about 30 seconds at a time and then you have the complication of hypergravity to factor out. This environment is not really suited for long-term type studies <Sara Malloy - NASA> At AE Pearson - My experiences have not been long enough to compare with the bone and muscle mass loss that astronauts experience on their ISS missions <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Richard - I have seen several attempts at 3D printing in the microgravity aircraft. I would suggest you look at the Made In Space company since they have been fairly successful in this area <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Sassan - To my undderstanding, there are measurable differences on Mars. For example, the communication lag between Mars and Earth. Not sure if that really answers your question <Sassan K. Darian> I mean, do the aging of spacecraft and the such differ within these different environments? <Richard Bennett 2> great, thanks for the info on made in space. <A.E. Pearson Haas> Did you have to take anything for motion sickness for your experiences? Or does it not really have that much of an impact because the time constraints are so short? <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Laure - There is only one aircraft in the United States that flies parabolic on a regular bases, and we usually have a pilot, co-pilot and a flight engineer on board - and I know there are several that can rotate in as needed, but I don't have an exact number. Since the parabolas are flown manually, the parabola is a balance between the pilot and co-pilot and they use the horizon and can feel it. There are also accelometers on board <Andrew Branham Dyer> Given the opportunities in privatization of space travel, have you seen an increase in corporate entities beginning to conduct experiments. <A.E. Pearson Haas> Thank you for answering all my questions! I am watching on of your videos online. <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Olivia - To be cleared for flight, there is a medical questionnaire and a 2-hours physiological training course that we arrange during the flight week. The course includes spatial disorientation, what happens to your body at altitude and what emergency equipment is on board <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Chris - it depends. I think that is a good area for you to research <A.E. Pearson Haas> Good question Chris! <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Steven - Yes, you can contact me at jsc-reducedgravity@nasa.gov with any questions related to the Reduced Gravity Education Flight Program <Sassan K. Darian> Does NASA employ psychologists and the such to be permanent employees of NASA? I am studying psychology/psychopathology and am planning to get my Ph.D. in neuroscience; is there a related field of psychology that NASA employs? <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Andrew - Not that I am aware of, but NASA is a big place - so there could be <Steve Martinez> thankyou!!! <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Sassan - I would have to dig out their report, I don't remember off the top of my head. It was several years ago and we see hundreds of people every year <Sara Malloy - NASA> At AE Pearson - There are optional medications that are made available to participants. It is scopolamine. Everyone experiences the environment different and there is no way to tell how it will effect you. <Andrew Branham Dyer> As a Final question, what are the opportunities for student internships and or employment in your field. Thank you for all the great info. <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Andrew - Not in my program specifically. However, there are companies that work with our Flight Opportunity Program <Sara Malloy - NASA> Definitely check out this video!! http://youtu.be/nJdWUifhkbE <A.E. Pearson Haas> @ an extension of Sassan's question, sort of.... under the neuroscience. I have been thinking of changing my major, I just got accepted for a Neuroscience program. I was wondering.... can we write a proposal to study the brain in microgravity by bringing a portable Emotiv device and test it before and after? Or would we have to change our majors to participate in Microgravity? <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Sassan - yes, there are psychologists that are employed here <Andrew Branham Dyer> AWESOME VIDEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <Amy Glazier> I have another question, if it's not too late -- what have we learned about creating artificial gravity from experiments in zero-/microgravity? I know it's possible to mimic gravity using a centrifuge-type effect, but I was wondering what other research has been done on this. <Sassan K. Darian> Great question/comment by Andrea Pearson Haas <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Andrew - We normally have 1 intern during the spring semester and 1 intern during the summer. But there are a lot of great internship opportunities at NASA. Definitely check out http://intern.nasa.gov/ <Laure Strom> That makes sense--stable plane and pilots to fly the parabolic path and create the negative-g (Earth) environment. <Sara Malloy - NASA> You don't have to change your major specifically for this program since majors are not a determining factor for participation. You must be 18 or older, a US Citizen and a full-time undergrad student <Sara Malloy - NASA> However, in my program, there is a policy of no testing on vertebrate animals. Please see http://microgravityuniversity.jsc.nasa.gov/theProposal/index.cfm for more information <Sassan K. Darian> I think I missed the beginning of the chat where you mentioned this. But where do we go to apply for the program? <Chris Hockenberry> Does my little brother count as a vertabrate animal? I mean... he has the animal part down pat and is spineless in most situations... <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Amy - that is a great area to research. Unforunately since the periods of microgravity are short, it may be difficult to test in this program. I have seen centrifuge-type experiements done on a small scale <Amy Glazier> Thank you! <Sassan K. Darian> Thank you so much for your time today! <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Sassan - http://microgravityuniversity.jsc.nasa.gov/ <Steven Vickers> Thank you so much Sara!!!! <A.E. Pearson Haas> Thank you! <Sara Malloy - NASA> At Chris - yes, your little brother would count as a vertabrate <Olivia McAuley> Thank you Sara for all of the information that you gave us today. <Jeannette Briggs> Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! <Andrew Branham Dyer> Thanks so much for making a difference!!! Your leadership and work are greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!! <Libby Norcross> Thanks Sara! <Sassan K. Darian> Unbelievable and unique opportunity <Sassan K. Darian> Who else would answer such questions? Thanks again :) <Robert White> Thank You Sara! <A.E. Pearson Haas> Hope to get to work with you in the future! <Chris Hockenberry> thank you Ma'am!!!! <Amy Glazier> We really can't thank you enough -- this has been awesome. Thanks, Sara! <Sara Malloy - NASA> Thank you all for your great questions. Thank you for your interest in this program and hanging in there while I was trying to answer everyone. \I look forward to hearing from you and seeing the proposals you come up with. <J Bentley> Thank you for your time with us this was very informational I'm glad I got to be a part of it. :) <A.E. Pearson Haas> I promise to work on a proposal for you Sara :)
- > Hi folks! My name is Laura Sarmiento and I currently work as a contractor for Johnson Space Center with a project called the International Space Station Medical Project <Andrew Branham Dyer> Later dude...hold it down for us untill we get there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <A.E. Pearson Haas> YAY@ Laura <Olivia McAuley> Hi Laura <Jeannette Briggs> Hi! > I work with the life science experiments that fly on the ISS. <A.E. Pearson Haas> Yes give us a big hug when we get to where you are <Braulio Reyes> Hey Laura! <Jennifer Weir> Hi Laura! Are you by any chance related to Dr. Jorge Sarmiento, Calculus teacher at County College of Morris? <Angelina Burnett> Hi Laura! <Amy Glazier> Hello Laura! > I too was a High School Aerospace Scholar in high school and cant stress enough how great the aerospace scholars programs are <Robert White> Hello Laura Sarmiento. :) > Jennifer, nope, but Sarmiento is actually a fairly common name <Elyse Conley> Wow! It's so great to meet another person who's been through the program! <Andrew Branham Dyer> What sorts of species can continue hibernation and perhaps more importantly, awaken from it in space? <Jennifer Weir> What is your educational background? > Andrew thats a good question, but I am not sure on that answer. I work on experiments where the astronauts are our test subjects <A.E. Pearson Haas> Would the ISS be a suitable return medical briefing point for an astronaut returning from Mars? > I recieved a BS in Neurobiology from The University of Texas at Austin <Amy Glazier> What kinds of tests do you run on them? <Amy Glazier> (The astronauts, that is.) <A.E. Pearson Haas> How long will we have the ISS before docking? <Elyse Conley> You also work with science payloads? Is that for rovers or manned missions? <Robert White> How is phlebotomy practiced at the ISS? > A.E. That sounds like a good use of ISS to me. But dont know if thats in the plan or not. <A.E. Pearson Haas> How do we select experiments to travel to the ISS, human or non. What is the longest someone has stayed at ISS? What is a Science Paylod? > Amy, we have many different tests for them to choose from. We are looking at muscle atrophy, nutrition, sleep habits, anthropometric changes (height/weight), exercise, etc. > A.E by docking do you mean how long is the ISS planned to be in orbit? <A.E. Pearson Haas> How do we put in if we would like to be test subjects for a human experiement on ISS, specifically the use of an Emotiv portable device to monitor brainwave activities, and so forth? <Chris Hockenberry> Are you guys investigating the chemical make up ofthe cells of the pringleophaga caterpillar from antartica that produces a natural for of antifreeze tp prevent cellular rupture from the ice crystals, as a way to place humans in cryo hibernation to endure the long trek between planets? <Jennifer Weir> What is done to keep astronauts moving, and to prevent things like embolisms, clotting, pneumonia and muscle atrophy? > Elyse, I work with the science for manned missions. As a co-op student at JSC I did work with different soil analysis techniques that could be used on the moon or Mars <A.E. Pearson Haas> Yes when will it need to be done with orbit or can we repair and build onto it? > Robert, the astronauts recieve phlebotomy training since they do take blood samples for medical and research purposes. <Elyse Conley> What sort of projects does that entail? Is it life support related, or more about environmental experimentation? <Olivia McAuley> Laura, have you visited the ISS? If you have can you tell us a little bit about what it looks like? <Amy Glazier> Do we know of any health benefits to being in space, or are there only hazards? > A.E. NASA puts out a request for experiments based on what questions they want answered. Things like, how does nutrition change in space. When NASA selects the experiment it comes to my group for implementation. this means we train the astronauts on the experiment, we have a back room in mission control to support while the experiment is being conducted and are the liason between the Principal Investigator and NASA <A.E. Pearson Haas> @ Amy, some astronauts report that they sleep better in space due to no gravity, light and the intensity of travel, may also be a factor, so I have heard > The ISS missions are about 6 months long. <Robert White> Does the lack of gravity separate the white cells from the red cells or is the centrifuge used in that envirnment as well > Payload is a term used for the science experiments <Chris Hockenberry> What affect does 0g have on the microbial life in the human digestive system? > A.E. there is a call for test subjects some time to do bed rest studies. Bed rest involves staying in bed with you head tilted down slightly for a period of time. This simulates similar things that happen in microgravity <Chris Hockenberry> sign me up > Chris, I am not sure, but that sounds like interesting research! <Michael Rose> What's the most challenging part of your job? <Chris Hockenberry> oh oh oh pick me pick me pick me... mr carter... pick me <A.E. Pearson Haas> @ Chris LOL > Jennifer, the astronauts exercise about 2 hours a day on station. There is a treadmill, a bike, and a load bearing machine they use <Chris Hockenberry> Is the treadmill rally name after steven colbert or is that just a load of bs? > A.E. I believe the life of ISS for now is until 2020, but I believe there is talk of extending that date > Elyse, the research done on ISS that I work with involves investigating what is happening to the body in space and investigating different techniques to counter act what is happening <A.E. Pearson Haas> So if we have a proposal for these experiments we have discussed here to night, can we develop them, and send them to you to request advice? > For example, studies were done awhile ago about muscle atrpohy so we know they lose muscle mass. There are experiments that are looking at different types of exercise to see which reduces the amount of loss <A.E. Pearson Haas> Are there a lot of experiments with medicine that has gone through the stages of testing to be FDA approved for earth that is used in an ISS environment as well? > Olivia, no I havent been to ISS (International Space Station if I didnt spell it out earlier-sorry we love our acronyms at NASA) but maybe one day. Only astronauts and cosmonauts get that privilage <Chris Hockenberry> How cool is it to work for NASA - knowing that millions of boys, girls, men, and women envy your every waking moment? <A.E. Pearson Haas> Can we be an astronaut cosmonaut :) ? <Elyse Conley> So then do spaceship designs which provide artificial gravity provide internal health benefits? Other than solving some of the problems of muscle atrophy? > Amy, thats a good question. And I am not really sure of the answer. I bet there are some benefits, but the human body works best in 1G on earth so takes a lot to adapt to microgravity > Robert, yes we have a centrifuge for the studies that collect blood and require that. There is also a freezer to store the samples <Chris Hockenberry> I asked the previous speaker this - but you sound like you might know as well - has an work been done in creating a jumpsuit for the astronauts to wear on the ISS that would provide a haptic feedback to the limbs causing involuntary muscle activity as a way to prevent muscle mass loss for long term ISS inhabitants? <Robert White> Thank You Laura <Amy Glazier> Thanks! It got me thinking when you mentioned all the things you test, and I couldn't help wondering.... <Elyse Conley> I'm thinking of the proposals for tethered space ship designs... Actually, do we have any ships in the works that could provide artificial gravity? > Chris, I am not sure of the exact answer on that but there have been studies looking into it. If you search science or experiments on nasa.gov you can find a plethora of information (I will try to answer what I can though!) <A.E. Pearson Haas> @ THANK YOU for answering all of my earlier questions, sorry if I ask so much I put the ISS in my proposal for a manned mission to mars > Sorry guys if I get behind, trying not to miss a question! <Amy Glazier> You're fine! We have time to think of more while you answer the previous questions. :) <Steven Vickers> I know i'm late to the conversation, so this may have already been answered, but are there any plans to attempt to create a full or near 1G environment in space in order to slow the effects of bone and muscle loss? <Elyse Conley> Haha! Yeah, this way we can ask so many questions, you'll never be able to get throught them! <Jennifer Weir2> My internet went down for a bit and I had to disconnect and reconnect my router. Now that I'm back in, all previous comments are gone! :( <Elyse Conley> Sorry we're not more organized with our questions! > Michael, I love my job, but it can be challenging. I work on several different experiments so sometimes juggling them can be intesnse. Also, when we support operations, the ISS runs on GMT time so their 8AM is about our 2AM so I go into work in the middle of the night. It can mess with your sleep scheule but I like supporting because it is great to see the astronauts doing something you taught them to do. <Elyse Conley> Jennifer, I'll send it to you. <Robert White> how would you deal with a flu illness in space or would that not happen there <Chris Hockenberry> Has any work been done to investigate the creation of a kinemassic field to simulate gravity in smallareas on the ISS, such as the dining facilities? <A.E. Pearson Haas> That is very interesting Laura <Jennifer Weir2> Thanks, Elyse! > Chris, the treadmill is indeed named after Stephen Colbert > A.E. sure, I can look at them. <A.E. Pearson Haas> Thank you Laura > A.E. yes, there are some experiments that study different pharmaceuticals. We also have different diagnostic techniques. For example we have an ultrasound machine on ISS > Chris, it is definitely cool to work at NASA :) I have been a space nerd my whole life so it is a dream come true job. I started similarly to yall and absolutely loved my experience. I wouldnt be where I am today without the aerospace scholars program. So I love being able to share with yall my story and hopefully help yall with yours <Angelina Burnett> I know we are a long way from this but what are your thoughts on what basic psychological or physical criteria would factor into a generational voyage across space? <Amy Glazier> What are the most surprising things you've learned about living in zero-G through your experiments? > Elyse, yes, artificial gravity would definitely help. there are some ground studies people are doing looking at different ways to do that. <Chris Hockenberry> yall? you from the south as well laura??? (Born in San Antonio and live in DAllas) <A.E. Pearson Haas> @ Chris me too :) YALL! I am from TEXAS YALL > Chris, I am not sure of something specifically on ISS, but I have heard of similar devices on fighter pilots that can give tactile feedback of their directin so if they are in a spin or cant see, they can still have a sense of what up and down is <Amy Glazier> I think you have made all of us Texans very happy by using the word "yall." :) <Jennifer Weir2> Is there anything in place to send an astronaut home if he/she gets very sick? To what extent is medical treatment available in space? > Elyse, most studies on artificial gravity looking at some type of centrifuge technology <Andrew Branham Dyer> What is the protocol for the dissemination of scientific observations made to cooperative international partners. <Olivia McAuley> Ya'll is definitely a Southern word. :) Us North Carolinians use it all the time <Laura-NASA> Steven, did i get your question answered on artificial gravity? <Steven Vickers> Yes, you did. Thank you very much. <Angelina Burnett> I use ya'll too and I'm from Michigan :0 <Laura-NASA> Jennifer, I believe they will post these chats afterwards so you can go back and look <Laura-NASA> Robert, actually some viruses are more virulent in space. The astronauts are trained in some medical scenarios and their flight doctors are on call for any support that may be needed if that were to happen <Laura-NASA> Chris, not really sure on that one. I am sure there have been though. Might have to have google help with that one :) <Robert White> thank you laura:) <Andrew Branham Dyer> What causes them to be more virulent. there abillity to move freely? <Steven Vickers> Do you know how plants react to the lack of gravity? Do they have difficulties transporting water and minerals? <Andrew Branham Dyer> Stev, I was wondering how they knew which way was up? <Jeannette Briggs> What have the effects of spending time on the ISS, or any of the longer missions like the shuttle missions, had on DNA replication? I know studies have been performed on C. elegans (basically, a worm) but have data been collected from astronauts at all? <Laura-NASA> Angelina, interesting question. We are a long way from this but its something interesting to think about. For long distances, like to Mars, it is better to send astronauts who are a bit older. There is quite a bit of radiation exposure. Figuring out the best way to minimize radiation will greatly increase the number and range of ages of people traveling through space <Chris Hockenberry> How likely or realistic an and andromeda strain situation? <A.E. PH> Got disconnected. Did you get my can Neurobiology build Neurons on top of Neurons to help construct computers, artificial intelligence, and repair brain injuries? <A.E. PH> My dad says I cannot bring over anyone with an Andromeda strain <Steven Vickers> Andrew, that's more or less what i'm asking. Plants use gravity to assist in mineral collection and transportation. Without it, can they still function properly? <Angelina Burnett> Andrew, maybe it has something to do with the closed environment and the psychology of being sick in space <Laura-NASA> Amy, its amazing to me that we have been flying in space for 50 years and we are still discovering thigns. one thing a lot of people dont know is that you grow in space. The curvature of your spine straightens out and the spaces between your intervertebral discs widen. Unfortunately for some folks, you dont stay taller when you come back to earth <Amy Glazier> That is *cool.* <Andrew Branham Dyer> Good question Jeannette, tha twould serve as an excellent zero gravity experiment <Angelina Burnett> no doubt <A.E. PH> I did not know that you could grow in space I was told you could not and that is why they feel like it is bad parenting to get kids who want to go in space or fly <Laura-NASA> Chris, yes I am a native Texan. Yall is one of my favorite words! :) <Amy Glazier> I know you're a ways away from this question, but do you think it might be possible someday to use space for physical therapy for people who have spine conditions? I wonder if it could help to correct nerve impingment, spondyolisthesis, and other conditions. <A.E. PH> I got logged out earlier yall can you read me!? <A.E. PH> My name is up there twice <Jennifer Weir2> Andrea, we read you. <Jeannette Briggs> @Amy - I've been sitting here wondering about spines..I have 4 fusions, 2 laminectomies and myasthenia gravis. I've been thinking about this a lot :-) <A.E. PH> Yay! <Amy Glazier> I can read you, Andrea! You're only under A.E. PH now. <A.E. PH> I am a woman Alber Einstein with a pH balance <Angelina Burnett> If you spend too much time in space or are born in space with really low gravity would you be able to go to Earth? <Jennifer Weir2> And I had the 2 names thing for a bit; eventually the original name just went away. There is only the clone now, mwahahahaha! <Laura-NASA> Jennifer, yes, the Soyuz capsule that the crew fly up to ISS in stays with the station until they come home. Its about an 8 hour journey back to Earth once undocking from ISS so if someone needed to get back they could. There are resources on station, such as the ultrasound machine and medical supplies to help in a lot of cases <Amy Glazier> Jeanette -- I have been too, but because my parents both have similar conditions to yours and it seems to run in my family. Not sure if it's genetics, too much hard work, or both. Yikes! I hope you're doing well despite all of it. I know from empathy that it's hard to deal with that kind of stuff. <Laura-NASA> Andrew, great question. The international partners also have their own experiments and the astrnauts, be they American, Japanese, European, Canadian or Russian participate in all types and from all countries <Angelina Burnett> Jennifer-LOL <Jeannette Briggs> @Amy - as long as my brain works, I'm a happy camper. <Laura-NASA> Andrew, I am not sure why they are more virulent in space. Havent read that paper from that study. But its an interesting question <Andrew Branham Dyer> Angelina, with all the evidence of species clasified as plants responding to sound waves, perhaps we might encourage the plants to seek beneficial sound waves as a way to re direct there direction of growth, sort of like a homing device saying come home to mamma <Chris Hockenberry> Does it not concern anyone else that the soyuz capsules in essence crash land in a field for re-entry? <A.E. PH> I would like to be an MD and be able to go to the ISS and come down if I need to diagnose someone for their brain and be able to perform experiments in space that would help with rebuilding neurons and tissues <Laura-NASA> Steven, I dont work with the plant experiments but they have them on ISS. they do grow differently and they are experimenting with different techniques to get them to grow <Steven Vickers> Thanks!! <Laura-NASA> Jeannette, I am not sure on that one. I believe some of the studies have looked at that but I am not sure on the result. would be interesting though <Robert White> concerning stem cell research >has there been studys on this in a space envirnment <A.E. PH> Great question Rovert! <A.E. PH> I mean Robert :) <Chris Hockenberry> I like rovert <Laura-NASA> Chris, there are tons of different environmental monitoring and cleaning activities on station to reduce threats from viruses or bacteria <Amy Glazier> Rovert could be his alter-ego as an autonomous robotic Mars vehicle. ;) <A.E. PH> YEEHAW ROVERT! & No kissy chrissy :P <Jennifer Weir2> Or he could name his rover Rovert. <Laura-NASA> A.E. Not sure on the neuro question <Laura-NASA> yall are stumping me! :) <A.E. PH> Cool! <Angelina Burnett> LOL Amy <Robert White> yea rovert love it <Jennifer Weir2> Amy beat me to it. <A.E. PH> I realy hope you do not get irritated with me Robert, it really was a clerical error and I had to let it through <Olivia McAuley> @Amy lol <Jeannette Briggs> @Robert - I was wodnering about this, too...I was wondering if stem cells could help with some of the negative effects like muscle atrophy or bone loss...maybe not so much to replace the tissues but as added tissues to produce proteins to help stimulate them biochemically to not atrophy/waste. <Laura-NASA> Amy, thats a good question and maybe. But the lack of the normal compression you get on earth of loading and unloading the spine can cause issues such as back pain in space <Chris Hockenberry> We should get investors to fund to first chiropractor in outter space amy... <Amy Glazier> Thanks! It hadn't occurred to me that it could work both ways, causing pain by lack of compression or relieving it by lack of compression. That's interesting.... <Robert White> i totally agree cause if virus ore more virulent maybe organ and tissue growth can be accelerated <Jennifer Weir2> What medical advancements have come out of ISSMP experiments? <Laura-NASA> Angelina, that is a great question and something I dont think we know the answer too. Coming back from space the astronauts usually start slow with their exercise routines to get them back. Depending on how long you are up there it could take longer to adapt back. Being born in space though poses a different question that would be very interesting to know the answer. But we are a long way from that <Amy Glazier> Chris -- I am envisioning a space hospital. Give me a decade or two to work out the technical parts. ;) <Laura-NASA> Chris, yes, the Soyuz landings can be a little rough <Chris Hockenberry> laura - how does 0g affect the diffusion of materials across a semi permiable mem berane, such as that of a cell wal? <Laura-NASA> Robert, I am not sure. There are cell studies on ISS, but I am not sure of their specific objectives <Angelina Burnett> What about mice that go to ISS, do they ever come back to Earth? If they are in space for a long time do they have problems when they get back? <Robert White> thank you very much laura <Chris Hockenberry> We can sell space condos for people with back pain Amy... <Chris Hockenberry> the venture capital ideas just keep flowing :) <A.E. PH> (I am taking my Rovert for a walk down the block) Has anyone done a study on Sally Ride about whether or not her flights in space contributed or helped stop the cell division in the cncer? <Jennifer Weir2> @Chris, that's some pretty expensive real estate. <Jennifer Weir2> Seller's market and such. <Chris Hockenberry> The real estate is not what will break your bank - its the cost for the trip there :) <Amy Glazier> Another question -- you mentioned earlier that it's better to send older astronauts on long-term missions that involve more radiation exposure. Unfortunately, the chat window reset so I don't have much before that for context. Why is it better for the astronauts to be older? Is it because their cells replicate DNA more slowly, so fewer chances for radiation damage to accumulate? <Laura-NASA> Jennifer, also a great question. Some of the technology we use or the techniques, like remote guiding for ultrasound, can be used in remote areas that dont have access to hospitals. Or some techniques that help relieve back pain in space can be useful on earth <Laura-NASA> sorry guys my screen just refreshed, the last question I saw was Jennifers about earth benefits <Joshua Meier> What are some of the effects of 0-g on the brain and neurological systems? <Angelina Burnett> What about mice that go to ISS, do they ever come back to Earth? If they are in space for a long time do they have problems when they get back? <Amy Glazier> I can still see most everything. I can work on reposting questions that were missed. <Jennifer Weir2> Wow, fascinating, thank you! <Laura-NASA> Amy, the thought with older astronauts I believe is that they have already done things like have children where radiation woudl be a factor <Amy Glazier> Okay, that makes sense too. Thanks! <Chris Hockenberry> laura - how does 0g affect the diffusion of materials across a semi permiable mem berane, such as that of a cell wall? <Laura-NASA> Joshua, there are some studies looking at that. Mostly studying reaction time. Could be due to factors such as stress and fatigue but being in space definitely is a different environment <Chris Hockenberry> ack - can't spell tonight - membrane - not mem berane <Laura-NASA> Angelina, yes I believe the mice they have sent come back. I havent worked with those experiments but again I am sure the research is out there on some of the effects <Laura-NASA> Thank you Amy, it usually doesnt refresh that fast on me! <Sassan K. Darian> Hi all :) I hope the transcript goes up for the chats tonight :) <Amy Glazier> Well, I would repost questions, but I think all of their respective askers have done it already. You guys are quick! <Amy Glazier> Oh wait, one: <A.E. PH> (I am taking my Rovert for a walk down the block) Has anyone done a study on Sally Ride about whether or not her flights in space contributed or helped stop the cell division in the cncer? <Sassan K. Darian> I know they claim that they have not tested sex with humans in space, but have they tested how reproduction would occur in other animals and a resulting pregnancy? <Chris Hockenberry> I like that sassan - they "Claimed" they have not <Laura-NASA> Chris, interesting question, particles do act differently in space. I am not sure of that specific question but if you search Don Pettit on you tube you can find some great videos. He is an astronaut who just flew for the second time on ISS. As a physist he did a lot of his own little experiments on different properties in space and has the you tube videos that show it. they are really great if you love that stuff <Chris Hockenberry> ;) <Angelina Burnett> I have to do story time with the kiddos but I wanted to say thank you so much Laura, I have really enjoyed this chat session! Night ya'll <Laura-NASA> Sassan, most of it should, I am trying to copy it all before it refreshes :) <A.E. PH> Yes Laura sorry guys my Rovert Squire Maguire needed to walk. Are they going to be doing tests on Sally Ride post morteum to determine whether or not her cancer was acceletrated or off put from division due to space cnditions? <Andrew Branham Dyer> OK .. So Laura... with all this cooperation from international partners, can I assume their is a global cognitive understanding of the enviroment within which our heavenly Earth is existing, with all the dangerous intricasies of space. Should not a greater sense of sentience and urgency exist with these partners to protect humanities truth, jutice, and way of life. This will be my last question and I graciously thank you for your zoetic inspiration. Hope to meet you someday <Sassan K. Darian> :) <Jennifer Weir2> Good night Angelina! <Laura-NASA> A.E. you mean was spaceflight a factor in her cancer? I am not sure. The astronauts do get more radiation on ISS then we do here on earth. but whether or not it was a factor is hard to say <Amy Glazier> On the note of Don Pettit being a physicist, I've been wanting to ask -- what kinds of scientists does NASA employ? I only really know of scientists in biology- and engineering-related fields. I personally am studying astrophysics. I'd love to work with NASA, but I'm not sure that they actually have any use for an astrophysicist.... I'd appreciate any insight you have on being a scientist with NASA, Laura. <Robert White> have there been studies on the female monthy cycle and and effects on that <Laura-NASA> Sassan, good question, and I am not sure on the answer. Some of the mice studies might have some of that information <A.E. PH> Why do they get more radiation from the heat in the travelling at those speeds? <Laura-NASA> Night Angelina! <Chris Hockenberry> Does the ISS need a Computer Scientist? I mean if there is a bug, who better to fix it than the programmer who is on site :-D <Sassan K. Darian> How many years in advance are most of these projects on the drawing board for? <Amy Glazier> (Also, Laura -- if you need, I just copied everything after "<Andrew Branham Dyer> What is the protocol for the dissemination of scientific observations made to cooperative international partners." I can send you at least part of the transcript in a Word document if you would like it to cross-check what you have to make sure there aren't any gaps.) <Andrew Branham Dyer> Sassan, so glad you are here my brother. How about MSL finding the fertile aluvial plane of Gale Crater upon touchdown. I wonder if they wuill find any Sumerian Clay Cones. <Chris Hockenberry> of course we will need your email address to send you anything ;) <Laura-NASA> Andrew, thougt provoking question. I personally think moving outward in space and learning more about our universe gives the opportunity to have a greater appreciation of Earth <A.E. PH> Do you think we could eventually have class rooms in outer space? Or teachers with students to work on their thesis or dissertations? <Chris Hockenberry> Are excited about the james Webb Space Telescope Laura? <A.E. PH> Or do they have that now? & not including the 3 teachers for NASA but like partnerships with the commercial program with NASA <Laura-NASA> Amy, fantastic question. Yes, astrophysists work at NASA. The great thing about NASA is whatever passion you have there is likely a way to apply it at NASA. We have food scientists working on the food that goes on ISS, photographers that train the crew on the cameras and help with the imagery, there are engineers bulding everything from spaceships to vacuum cleaners for space and everything in between <Laura-NASA> remember too that there are 10 NASA centers around the country that each work in many different areas. <Amy Glazier> (Andrew -- I just caught up and read your question. I'm glad I'm not the only student who loves science partly because of the philosophical implications of it all. :) ) <Sassan K. Darian> What kind of psychologists/neuroscientists do you employ? <Laura-NASA> Robert, I am not sure, but again, would be interesting research <Amy Glazier> Thank you, Laura! That's awesome to know. I actually do nature photography in my spare time...completely different I know, but the point is that I understand cameras, and it's cool to know that I could even use that knowledge in a career with NASA! <A.E. PH> Thank you Laura! <A.E. PH> You are awesome! <Elyse Conley> Thanks so much! <Robert White> thank you laura <Laura-NASA> A.E. the ISS flys in low earth orbit about 200 miles above the surface of the earth. Earths atmosphere does a great job of blocking a lot of radiation in space. You get more on ISS and even more radiation exposure as you move beyond low earth orbit <Jennifer Weir2> Thank you so much Laura, for your time and patience with all of our rapid-fire questions. You've been so informative. <Steven Vickers> Thank you for your time, Laura. You have been very helpful. I know I am personally even more inspired to continue my goal of working for NASA. Keep up the good work! <Laura-NASA> Chris, defintiely a good skill to have on ISS. And there are many computer scientists on the ground working on all the different systems on ISS <Jeannette Briggs> Laura - Thank you so much for the chat! <Amy Glazier> Thank you so much for answering our infinite questions, Laura! It's been awesome talking with you. <Olivia McAuley> Laura, thanks for your time and the information you have given us. It was enlightening <Chris Hockenberry> Yes - thank you Laura <Laura-NASA> Sassan, how long an experiment is in work depends on the experiment, most of them is a process that takes a few years <Robert White> thank you very much for answering all my questions <Joshua Meier> Thank you! <Sassan K. Darian> I echo everyone, thank you so much :) <Laura-NASA> Amy thank you, yes a word doc would be good. Yall can send me questions to laura.sarmiento@lmco.com please put NCAS in the subject so it doesnt go to junk! <Amy Glazier> Alright! I'll stay here until I'm sure there are no more messages, then I'll send it off to you posthaste. <Laura-NASA> A.E. I hope so! Classrooms, living spaces, laboratories and more would be great in space <Andrew Branham Dyer> Good Call Chris. Remember Dr. Stephen Beckwith , and I salute JWST. <A.E. PH> Thanks Laura! <Andrew Branham Dyer> What is the construction of the space craft walls please!!!!!!!!! <Laura-NASA> Thank you guys, I hope I answered at least some of yall's questions. With your NCAS experience, take in every moment, ask questions and learn as much as you can. I also co-oped with JSC so if you have any questions about that let me know. Yall are a smart group and definintely excited. I wish each of yall the best in your future and hope you continue to have a thirst for knowledge! <Michael Rose> Thank you <Sassan K. Darian> Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 <Sassan K. Darian> !!!!!!!!!!! * <Chris Hockenberry> paper mache Andrew - they make new walls during arts and crafts time in the evennings after dinner <Robert White> thank you <Amy Glazier> Thank you! You have been both enlightening and encouraging! <Sassan K. Darian> Have a great night. <Laura-NASA> Yall have a great night too
- TRANSCRIPTS <A.E. Pearson Haas> COOL! <Chris Hockenberry> Awesome! <Libby Norcross> Can't wait! <Olivia McAuley> That's very amazing to hear. :) <Andrew Branham Dyer> CHA-CHING!!!!!! <Amy Glazier> Oh wow, that's amazing! <A.E. Pearson Haas> Hi Andrew! (Did he come back)? <Steven Vickers> Awesome <J Bentley> Wow!! > Hello everybody! Thanks so much for having me! <Andrew Branham Dyer> WELCOME <Jeannette Briggs> Hello! > I was so lucky to have Sara as a Mentor and she rocked! <Richard Bennett 2> Hello <Jennifer Weir> Hi! > How are all your projects and proposals coming along? <Amy Glazier> Thank you for being here! I know we're going to have a million questions.... <Andrew Branham Dyer> I understand you are involved in the Curiosity Mission. <Richard Bennett 2> Almost done with my Img. <A.E. Pearson Haas> I am cleaning up mine. Mine is for an intelligent robot rover to assist with a manned mission > Ha, fire away! we just landed on Mars so everybody is fired up! <Olivia McAuley> The projects are coming along fine for me. <A.E. Pearson Haas> Drawing is much harder because I am not great at 3D in Paint <Libby Norcross> Oh my goodness. So, Andrew, what's your role in the Curiosity MSL mission? <Andrew Branham Dyer> Ready for takeoff and sample return. <Jennifer Weir> <Jennifer Weir> I just submitted by final assignment earlier today, so excited. <Libby Norcross> That was a spectacular landing, btw ;) <Laure Strom> I am doing okay as well. <Richard Bennett 2> Fired up in Delaware! I didn't sleep the other night. <Chris Hockenberry> Mine is for a scout rover mission to asses landing areas and grow conditions for a manned mission to follow <Amy Glazier> It's been coming along fantastically! I've been inspired a lot by Curiosity for my project. <Braulio Reyes> What role did you have in the mission? > I work with the DSN (Deep Space Network), which is responsible for all the commands, signals, navigation, and telelmetry associated with spacecraft, and most recently, our baby Curiosity! <Sassan K. Darian> Hi! Thanks so much for coming <Sassan K. Darian> You must be so happy that the Mars 7-minutes of terror went off flawlessly :) <Amy Glazier> I think we were all collectively on the edge of our seats here when she landed! <Amy Glazier> "Awesome" must be an understatement to describe actually participating in it! <Libby Norcross> Question for Andrew: how did you get to your current position with DSN? > This is my second year at JPL, and my first job when i got here was go to the GoldStone DSN base, put on climbing gear, and climb 200 feet straight up to make sure that those very antennas, aimed at Mars and the cuise stage, were working ok! <Richard Bennett 2> Do you know how much power the TEG on Curiosity generates at any given time? <Olivia McAuley> How does one go about presenting a proposal to NASA? <Chris Hockenberry> I had the police called out to my house... I ended up with 37 other people crammed into my living room and game room watching it live on xBox, and when it landed we exploded into cheering and yelling --- bunch of 35-45 year old people acting like grade schoolers. Neighbor called the police for rowdy noise <Jeannette Briggs> What sort of background do you have? <Sassan K. Darian> Question: Will Curiosity be able to only detect the "elements" of life or will it actually be able to drill underground for microfossils or even micro-life as we know it? There seems to have been a confusion with this in the media <Sassan K. Darian> And also, since the landing site was so far away from the methane sources identified on Mars, will being able to detect the methane gas in the environment itself be sufficient for identifying the root source of the methane? > Then, when we got back to JPL after 2 weeks at the military base, we focused on making sure all the antennas were in good working order! <Andrew Branham Dyer> Since Curiosity landed on Mars when it was at one of its furthest possible distances (0.7AU), Is there really a significant advantage to scheduling missions when it would be closer say in the 2018 or 2020 timeline. > Per Libby, I applied to NASA through SOLAR for internships, and my current mentor saw my app and thought I would fit right in! <Libby Norcross> Andrew: that's fantastic! I've looked at SOLAR. Question: What's your schooling background? <Jordan Grace> How often do you get to travel for work? > I'm finishing up my mechanical/aerospace engineering degree at Montana State University, and intern with NASA in the summers. <Jeannette Briggs> <Jeannette Briggs> When you say "mentor"... is this person someone we will meet when we make it to the next round? > Per Jeannette, I'm a non-traditional student, as I was a pro snowboarder for 10 years, traveling with Shaun White doing the x games, then went back to school because I loved engineering! <Sassan K. Darian> wow.. <A.E. Pearson Haas> I love skateboards! Cory just got a city to pass a skate park <A.E. Pearson Haas> I have 3 boards <Libby Norcross> OMGosh, that is so cool! <Olivia McAuley> Once the history of the water is discovered and understood, what will the next step be? <Richard Bennett 2> Do you know how much power the TEG on Curiosity generates at any given time? <Braulio Reyes> My next question was going to be if you were the pro snowboarder ha > I have always loved NASA, and JPL gave me my own blog to talk about how awesome it is, and how to get there. Here is the link that might answer some questions for you, my last couple guests built the rover and drive her on Mars! <Libby Norcross> Comment for Andrew: I am so glad to hear a non-traditional student is successfully interning at NASA. That's me and my goal. Thanks for being an example to us! > Here's the Link for my JPL Blog: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/education/index.cfm?page=282 > Per Richard, I do not know that off hand, but let me see if I can find someone that does? <Richard Bennett 2> Thank you! > I did the same program as you all are doing right now, and that's what got me here!!! I was an NCAS alum, and Sara helped my team win and get us the 1st place in Houston! <Andrew Branham Dyer> Nice website <Jennifer Weir> There are teams? I had no idea what kind of format the workshop would have. <Chris Hockenberry> Andrew, can you provide insight into the process for the projects we are working on? <Elyse Conley> What did you gain the most from during the course of your program with NCAS? What would you do to prepare for the on-site visit? > I applied for the Mars mission that you all are doing, and after I went to Houston, I think that really helped with my application for SOLAR and helped get me my JPL internship. <Steven Vickers> That's great Andrew, i'm glad things have worked out for you. Like many of those here, I am a non-traditional student wanting an intern and hopefully full time employment. Thank you for your insight and advice. <Chris Hockenberry> For example - I am not an artist, so my drawing do not look like this: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/Drawing-of-the-Mars-Science_Laboratory.png <Chris Hockenberry> how artistic do the drawing have to be? <Jennifer Weir> Andrew, has Curiosity sent any data over the DSN other than photographs? Have any tests been done yet? <Amy Glazier> I am curious -- do you still remember what your proposal was for NCAS? It's been fun to see how many fantastic and completely different ideas everyone has come up with in this given the exact same starting point. <A.E. Pearson Haas> Do you get to work on your proposal at NASA now? > Per Elyse, I think I gained the most from understand mission architecutre, all the pieces that fit togetehr, and how to make a mission work. Then when you get to JSC, they put you into groups and you get to do another competition > PS. Sorry about the spelling, i'm trying to type fast <A.E. Pearson Haas> JSL <Laure Strom> Have you been to Marshall Space Center in Huntsville, AL? > Per Jennifer, Yes, Curiosity is sending all kinds of data on her health, systems, and remember, she hasen't even unfolded her good cameras yet, they all still have dust shields on, so they will be much better! <Jeannette Briggs> I have a question that is not scientific at all but is a burning question...when was the tune that Will.i.am wrote for Curiosity played? Was is the tones? I'm not an air head...just curious. LOL > Per Chris, not being a good artist if fine, neither am I, they more are looking for creativity. I did mine on Google Sketchup <Elyse Conley> Is there anything you would have done to prepare for the on site competition? Is there any reading that you would recomend? Or is it better to just relax? Haha! <Olivia McAuley> How many people went when you were in the NCAS program? > PerAmy, I have my proposal Framed at Home!!! It was one of my proudest moments. I worked on it all summer, had blood sweat and tears, and got a 100%. you can do it!