TPE: A New Focus -- It is Awesome!!

In my previous journal I discussed what an eventful summer I had. Well, so far the fall has proven to be just as exciting. With both a career advancement for me and a very busy shuttle processing schedule, things are likely to stay this way for some time.

Well, my focus out here at the Cape has now changed. I have recently been accepted to become a test project engineer, or TPE as we're called. Previously I had been working as a fuel cells system engineer.

You might say I went from a "nuts and bolts" type of guy to a "big picture" kind of guy. The TPE group, also known as Integration, is responsible for the entire space shuttle vehicle, from all the systems on the orbiter to the full compliment of systems on both the external tank and the solid rocket boosters. Fuel Cells Engineering is solely dedicated to that system onboard the orbiter. I learned a lot in this system and will always consider my time there as a great experience.

Test project engineers have several primary responsibilities. First, they serve as the technical contacts in the Firing Room. This means they monitor all of the systems as they are testing and resolve any conflicts between systems testing that may arise. Also TPEs provide any technical or engineering assistance that a systems engineer may ask for. It is quite possible that a test one system is running may in some way impact that of another. Therefore, someone keeping "the big picture" in mind is very important.

Secondly, the TPE console ensures the vehicle is in the proper configuration to power up in the morning and perform the scheduled testing. Soon the TPEs will perform the majority of power up and power down activities. They also play a role in the resolution of problems that occur during testing.

Outside of the Firing Room, TPEs have a wide variety of other responsibilities. They support vehicle testing in the Orbiter Processing Facilities, Vehicle Assembly Building and Launch Pads. Also they provide input to a variety of scheduling and engineering meetings on a daily basis. Management briefings both here at the Cape and at Johnson Space Center in Houston also are carried out.

Prior to every launch, the group conducts what are called L-1 briefings. It is at these meetings that they brief the astronauts on the engineering status of the space shuttle and answer any of the questions the flight crew might have. They are one of the principal interfaces between systems engineers and the astronauts. TPEs also review and approve testing to be conducted on the vehicle, approve troubleshooting plans, and conduct testing on items such as the extra-vehicular mobility unit (EMU), or "space suit."

Another exciting area of this group is its involvement in Advanced Projects. They support a wide variety of shuttle upgrades along with the next generation launch vehicle studies. Currently, they are contributing to the upgrades being planned for the shuttle, including the new "glass cockpit" and the liquid flyback booster projects. Contributions to the Space Station Program and X-33 along with additional future launch vehicles are ongoing.

In addition to all the tasks I have described above, there are a wide array of additional ones we are responsible for. We definitely keep busy. I guess you can say the TPE group "is where it all comes together."

A TPE is constantly in a state of learning. There are many systems he must be familiar with and there is always something new to learn. However, this is one of the things that makes it real exciting. Everyday brings a new and interesting experience. The group has produced many award winners, program managers, and astronauts. They have quite a reputation here at the Kennedy Space Center and that is something I am very aware of.

As I start the next challenge in my career I am really excited. I have a lot of studying and learning to do. However, the team that I will learn from is a very talented group. Some of them even had the opportunity to help launch our astronauts to the moon in the Apollo Program. The other day someone asked me how it felt to be given the opportunity to join this group. My answer was simple and clear: "IT IS AWESOME !!"