Meet: Chris Borne
NBL Operations
Johnson Space Center
Pursue your sciences and
mathematics classes, and most importantly, DREAM!
Who I am and What I Do
I am the special assistant to the director at the
Neutral Buoyancy Lab (NBL), where we train astronauts for Extra-Vehicular
Activity (EVA), or space walking. We also conduct testing to validate
various EVA activity and hardware development. We do this for both the
shuttle and station programs. My expertise lies in diving operations.
I manage people and projects to meet the requirements of successful training
for flight.
I started diving over 20 years ago while living in
the Cayman Islands. I was young and adventurous enough to go for the dream
of doing something I wanted to do, and have ended up making a living at
it.
The best part of the job is interfacing with so many
different people. The part I like least would have to be that the NBL
is not in Florida.
Education and Career Path
I came to NASA almost six years ago when the transition
from the old Weightless Environment Training Facility (WETF) to the NBL
was being prepared. Before this I had been with the Aquarius habitat,
for almost 10 years, in St. Croix, North Carolina and Florida. I started
as a dive technician and ended up as director of operations.
My 6th grade math teacher, Mr. Stroud,
was actually an oceanographer, and used to show us old 8mm films of research
trips he would go on. I was fascinated by that type of work, and always
thought it would be pretty interesting. Ironically, the subject I hated
most was the catalyst for pursuing a career in diving and the underwater
world.
Growing Up
I grew up right here in Texas, about seven miles from
Johnson Space Center. I attended the Dickinson Independent School District.
I graduated in 1977, and attended Louisiana Tech University, where I studied
architecture and civil engineering.
The things I remember most (and have the fondest memories
of) are family camping trips, watching Neil Armstrong walking on the moon,
playing music with my father, getting my driver's license, my first guitar·
Personal
I live in Friendswood, Texas. I am married with three
sons. We share our home with a Weimaraner named Maximillian Von Silber
(the "silver Max"), a grossly overweight orange tabby cat named Mango,
and an albino Amazonian frog named Sparks. We like to watch movies and
go camping.
I have always loved to read. Unfortunately, most of
the reading I do now is technical and job related. Both my wife and I
have really promoted reading to our sons, and they too, love to read as
well.
I love music! I am an avid guitar player of 30+ years,
and have built my own guitar. I am in the process of building a second
one. My 14-year-old son is a talented musician, and we spend a lot of
time playing together. I also have a digital recording studio set up in
the house, and like to write and record music.
Future Plans and Goals
I want to do my best to be a positive influence on my kids.
I have three sons, age 14, 11, and 7. I have tried to impress upon them
that they need to work hard, respect others, and don't wonder about what
is over the horizon; don't be afraid to go and see for yourself.
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