QUESTION:
I was wondering who desings moon bases, mars bases, and biosphere-type
living habitats for other planets?  And are they hiring?

ANSWER from Andrew Petro on December 1, 1997:
The NASA Johnson Space Center has the primary responsibility within the US
space program for designing space habitats.  Right now there are some people
spending some of their time designing moon bases, Mars bases, etc. here at
JSC.  That is part of what I do in my job.  Also at JSC we have a group
working on advanced life support for space habitats.  Right now there are
four people in a closed chamber conducting a 90-day test of the system.
(Check out the JSC web site if you can.)

The NASA Johnson Space Center (or some other NASA Center) would be one place
you might try to work.  NASA does not hire very many people each year but
there are some opportunities.  If you are a college student you should check
out the Co-op program at JSC or another NASA Center.  Also the Lockheed
Martin Company (at their Houston location) has some engineers working with
JSC on this type of work.  The University of Houston School of Architecture
has a special program in Space Architecture and they might be able to
provide some useful information about training and job opportunities.  Also,
the International Space University includes habitiat design as part of their
program and they may be a good source of additional information.  You might
check out their web site (http://www.isunet.edu).  Another approach might be
to look into related fields like habitats for underwater or Antarctic bases.

If you are interested in working as a space habitat designer, I hope that
you will be persistent in reaching that goal.  And if you have more
questions, send them in.

Andrew Petro
Johnson Space Center