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Meet: Harry Johnson
Environment Control and Life Support Systems Engineer
(NASA) Kennedy Space Center
Who I am and what I do
Hi, my name is Harry Johnson Jr..I am an Environment Control and Life
Support Systems Engineer at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), where I have been
working for the past 15 years. My primary responsibilities are to make
sure, while in space, the astronauts have safe air to breath, and water
to drink. The temperature is also important, it is monitored carefully,
and if the heat generated on board the Space Shuttle gets to hot, it is
properly and effectively rejected into space. Here in my department we
do a lot of testing and retesting to ensure that before the shuttle goes
into space, all of the equipment designed to provide a habitable living
environment for the astronauts is 100% operational and ready to support
the rigors of space flight. The men and women aboard the shuttle or the
International Space Station (ISS) are fortunate to have these precautions
that will ensure their safety.
How Did I Get Here
I graduated from Central High School in Miami, Florida in 1977. Soon after
I went on to Dade Community College in Miami, Florida, where I graduated
in1980 with an Associate In Arts degree in Engineering. After my two year
stay I went to the University of Florida and received my Bachelor of Science
degree in Aerospace Engineering in1983. Before graduating I attended a
meeting with a KSC recruiter. The interview lasted about 45 minutes. Although
I had a really good rapport with the interviewer I really didn't think
much would come from that meeting, because of the sheer numbers applying
for a position. But it did, and two months later I got an offer to work
at the Logistics branch at KSC. This department dealt with the shuttle
parts that were needed before a launch. I worked in Shuttle Logistics
for about a year, and then a good friend of mine told me about a position
that was opening up in The Environmental Control and Life Support Systems
branch. I interviewed, took the position, and I have been here ever since.
Personal Information
I was born in Miami. My Father's name is the same as mine (without the
Jr. of course). He was born in Lemont, IL in 1906. His passion and career
was flying airplanes. He started flying planes not long after the Wright
Brothers had their first successful flight back in 1908. You could say
he witnessed the entire development, evolution, and history of aviation
throughout his life. From the crude biplanes of the Wright Brother's era,
all the way to the cutting edge avionics of today's Space Shuttle. My
father was so proud that I worked at the Kennedy Space Center. He told
any and everyone what an important role I had in assuring the (what he
considered) "ultimate flying machine" was safe, capable, and ready to
support each mission's objectives.
My mother's name is Maria de Los Angeles Johnson.
She was born in a small town in Cuba. I learned my work ethic from my
mother as she was always 'moving', doing this and doing that. My mother
really loves people and probably would have been an actress had she been
born in another place and another time. Even so, she worked in radio for
many years in Miami, and was (and still is) an accomplished poet, in demand
for many Spanish speaking engagements throughout the city of Miami. I'm
proud of what she has accomplished. Especially considering where she came
from...a tiny farming town in Cuba where she was born. Most people there
lived their entire lives in that small village and never dreamed of going
or doing anything else. Not my mother! No, she dreamed of bigger and better
things for herself and her mother, brothers and sisters, and brought them
all over to America. There she met my father in Miami and the rest, as
they say, is history.
Influences
The Space Program has been a big influence in my life. When I was a boy
I remember watching the impressive Saturn V rockets rumble to life on
the launch pads and witnessing what looked like the brightest star making
its way up, up, higher and faster, until finally out of sight I would
think, "Wow, what a cool job it would be to work at the Kennedy Space
Center." Little did I know as a young boy that I WOULD be working here,
at the same center that landed men on the moon, many years later.
Another big influence in my life was my father.
As a pilot he instilled in me a love of flying machines. Many weekends
were spent flying in the small plane he owned, traveling to air shows
and seeing the incredible flying machines on display there. I thank him
for igniting the spark to pursue my dream that "maybe it was possible
to someday really be able to work at the Kennedy Space Center." I followed
that dream throughout school and finally achieved what I worked so hard
for.
Goals and Future Plans
I love working here at Kennedy Space Center, and plan on staying here
for a long time to come. My main goal is to stay involved with the technical
hardware and assure we continue having safe and productive Space Shuttle
missions for many years to come.
Advice
My advice to students is to find a career that you love and have the most
interest in. Then never give up on attaining your goals and dreams...no
matter what! Don't worry about the money, which will come if you're passionate
and love the things you do. And above all else, stay focused and follow
what is best for YOU. In the long run it will pay off!
Learn More From My Chats
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