Meet: Frederick Smith

Advanced Life Support Systems Engineer
NASA Johnson Space Center

Who I Am and What I Do
I am the lead for the life support (providing air and water) on the International Space Station (ISS). I work on a project now that will deliver a place for the crew to sleep in and have their own personal space, kind of like a bedroom inside the ISS U.S. Lab module that is scheduled to launch in February. I have to provide air to their room so that they can keep breathing without any problems. I also participated as a primary crewmember for the Lunar-Mars Life Support Test Project Phase IIA 60 day test.

My job specialties are Water Recovery Urine Treatment Subsystems and Vapor Compression Distillation Subsystem (VCDS). The technologies that I have worked on include: Reverse Osmosis (RO) spiral wound membrane, Photocatalytic Water Post Treatment, Thermoelectric Integrated Membrane Evaporation Subsystem (TIMES), Vapor Compression Distillation (VCD), Russian Mir Potable Water Processor, Electrochemical Ozone/UV Water Post Treatment, and biological systems such as plant growth chambers and Zeoponic soil substrate production facility.

What I like best about my job is the fact that I'm actually working on technology that will go into space, or someday may help us go to another planet for extended periods of time (such as Mars). There is no other job like this one. Even when there are aspects of the job that are not so great I can still say, "I'm working on technology and projects that no one else is working on and it involves space". What I like least about my job is the paper work that you sometimes have to do, which becomes tedious at times.

You can find out a little more about what I'm working on by visiting our web site: NASA JSC ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT.

Career Journey and Education
I graduated from Sumner Academy of Arts and Science High School in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1983. I then attended University of Kansas, where I earned my bachelor of science degree in psychology, graduating in 1988. My emphasis was in experimental psychology. I also earned a second bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Prairie View A & M University, in 1992.

I have worked with physicochemical, as well as biological regenerative life support technology, since 1990 -- first as a participant in the NASA cooperative education program, and then as a permanent employee in June 1992.

Growing Up
I went to kindergarten in Kansas City, Missouri. Then I attended Hazel Grove Elementary School, in Kansas City, Kansas, from first to sixth grade. Up until the 5th or 6th grade, I wanted to be a basketball player; then around the 6th grade I wanted to become an astronaut and work in the space industry. What caused my change I'm not totally sure, but it was probably a combination of things from visiting the Kennedy Space Center to enjoying Sci-Fi movies such as Star Wars (and yes even comic books).

I primarily liked to read science fiction books -- Star Wars related story lines, 2001 - a Space Odyssey, Dune trilogy, etc. Also, again, I did read some comic books that had space related themes.

Personal
Family always has probably been my greatest influence, along with the support of my church. There have been some teachers/professors that have also influenced me throughout the years, in getting my education. When I was in the 6th grade, I got a great deal of satisfaction in tutoring a younger student and seeing them do better as a result. I would say one of my most recent accomplishments here at NASA was participating as a crewmember in the Lunar Mars Life Support Test Project chamber studies, the 60-day test in particular.

I enjoy scuba diving, swimming, singing, basketball, science fiction, going to Houston Rockets basketball games, and community volunteer work. I was born in Kansas City, Missouri. My parents are Robert and Lora. I am single, and live in Houston, Texas.

Future Goals
I still want to become an astronaut, and maybe go on a mission to Mars!