Who I Am and What I Do

I work on the International Space Station computer systems as an electrical engineer. The computers that I work on control all of the subsystems on the International Space Station. There are 46 computers and almost 500 other electronic devices used to keep the Space Station working in space!

Examples of these subsystems would be environmental systems that maintain the environment the crew lives in, thermal systems to heat and cool the interior and exterior of the space station, navigation subsystems, emergency shutdown sequencing, and video, voice and data communications systems. It might surprise you to know that many of these systems are based on 386 processors and the computer that you are using now may be more powerful in comparison! These systems are quite sufficient because we do not have the need for processing graphics or other functions that slow down the computers resources.

My job requires me to check the design of these systems and validate that they will work together with the equipment they control. I think up good ways to test these computers and the equipment they control. Sometimes I get to think up ways to trick the equipment into acting as it would in space and see if it works ok. After I write down my test ideas (called test requirements), some very skilled engineers go do the tests. Then we all make sure it works before it goes to space. This summer and fall (1998) we will be conducting a multi-element integration test (MEIT) right here at the SSPF. During this test we will have a large portion of the International Space Station here at KSC and will be able to test individual elements as well as testing the elements collectively to make sure that they all function together, as planned. These components are scheduled to be delivered to their new home in space on assembly flights 3,4,5 and 6.

My Career Journey

I graduated from Colonial High School in Orlando, Florida in 1983. I worked as a tour guide at Disney World during my high school years and all the way through college. I began school at the University of Central Florida (UCF) that same year and completed my teaching degree for secondary and high school physics in 1986. That same summer I began working on my electrical engineering degree and graduated in 1989. I participated in the co-op program beginning in 1986, while attending school at UCF. I began working with NASA during the "Return to Flight" effort which followed the Challenger disaster in 1986. I got to work on the space shuttle main engine controllers, which are really cool! Those engines are BIG and the computers that control them are very complex. They have to work perfectly every time to keep the shuttle flying. Then I started working with the Spacelab program in 1990, specifically working on the computer systems. All of the software was written in France, and that made it hard for me to read the software code documentation since I don't know French!. I got to work on the first flight with new computers for Spacelab and I am happy to say that they worked flawlessly! Then in 1991 I went to work on the space station, which was called Space Station Freedom then. It got a new name later, and is now called the International Space Station.

Influences

My dad was a major influence in my life. He always encouraged me to do whatever I wanted to do. I had planned on being an astronomer and I remember that he thought that was wonderful! I remember making a constellation maker with him by poking holes in an old coffee can, placing a light in it and looking at the constellations on the walls. He always encouraged me to learn all that I could about math and science.

My 5th grade teacher, Mr. Bowles was also a major influence in my life. He always had something for our class to explore and to learn about. He would have items that we could take apart and experiment with, such as clocks, radios and TVs. He helped us to learn by allowing us to play!

Personal Information

My husband, Chris, also works at Kennedy Space Center. I am originally from Georgia and have lived in Florida since I was four years old. We currently live in Titusville, Florida and have two sons. Tim is two years and six months old and Matt is six months old. We are very active in our church and I teach Sunday School. My hobbies include running and sewing but most importantly I love spending time with my children!

Likes and Dislikes About Career

There are many things I like about my job. What I enjoy most is the unique problem solving that is involved! Most of my problem solving involves finding problems before they happen. I have to anticipate problems that may be associated with these systems, find ways to test them and of course find solutions. That's hard sometimes, but that's what I like about it!

Future Plans and Goals

I am very happy with my present job! I look forward to seeing the space station elements get launched and assembled, and of course to work. My future plans include helping kids in school learn more about space, math and science, and to spend lots of time with Tim and Matt.

Advice

Don't be afraid to do something just because it is hard. Many times, the hard things in life turn out to be the most rewarding things in life. And sometimes, they turn out to be not so hard after all!

Learn More From My Chats

• November 5, 1998
• May 20, 1998