NASA Quest Services Space Team Online

QuestChat Date: April 11, 2001

Featuring Steven Cain

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 7 - 09:57:24 ]
Hello everyone! We are fixing to begin the webchat with Steven Cain from KSC. I hope you have your questions ready and have read Steven's bio online.

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 8 - 09:58:49 ]
Steven Cain is now online and is ready to chat!!

[ StevenCain/KSC - 9 - 09:59:17 ]
Welcome everyone, My name is Steve Cain, and welcome the opportunity to chat with you all about the International Space Station.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 16 - 10:02:02 ]
RE: [Michael] When will the space station be finished
Michael, The Space Station is planned to be complete in the Year 2006. At that time, the Space Station will be able to have a permanent crew of 7 astronauts on board.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 18 - 10:04:53 ]
RE: [Marius] What is the purpose of the International Space Station?
Marius, That is a great question. Most people believe the reason for space station is to build it. The main reason for station is to do reasearch. The Space station is the next step to learning how to live in space so we can travel to different planets. Also to develop new materials and medicines. It is the next step to living beyond the bounds of earth.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 20 - 10:07:12 ]
RE: [phillipsmith] how long do you stay in space
Phillip, Astronauts can be considered to spend two different times in space. First are those who go into space on one mission and come back down on the same mission. These usually last for 10-14 days. The other astronauts are the ones who stay on the Space Station for long periods of time. This is usually 3-4 months. They go up on one mission, and come back on a later mission.

[ Isaacmillennium - 24 - 10:09:29 ]
Hi. My name is Isaac. Thank You for takig the time to chat with!! I am in sanford Florida and go to Millennium middle school.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 26 - 10:09:36 ]
RE: [mike] IS IT NICE TO WORK AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER.
Mike, I like to work at Kennedy Space Center. I started working there out of High School on scholarship. It has been rewarding to work on the Space Shuttle, and have the opportunity to go in the payload bay and the Crew Compartment. I also work on the Space Station, which is the future. Thanks for asking.

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 27 - 10:10:10 ]
RE: [murray] how do astronauts go to the bathroom in space?
Murray -- you can read more about this at: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/team/journals/keith/05-25-98.html

[ StevenCain/KSC - 28 - 10:11:17 ]
RE: [Rose] Do the countries that contribute these peices or modules also have astronuats going up to ISS?
Rose, The countries who contribute elements to space station also have the opportunity to send astronauts to space. They can be sent up on the shuttle, or by the russians. All of the astronauts have to go thru a lot of training before they get to go to space.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 31 - 10:14:56 ]
RE: [HannahMillennium] Why are you working with ESA instead of NASA if you are an American?
Hannah, The Space Station is an international,multi nation space station. Many countries are donating elements/parts for the spacestation. We need to work with the other countries and show them how NASA does business. Also we need to understand how they are building their elements. My job is to help the European Space Agency in understanding how we work. It is really fun to learn how they work and live.

[ HannahMillennium - 32 - 10:14:59 ]
Hi my name is Hannah. Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! I am in Sanford, Florida and go to Millennium Middle School.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 36 - 10:18:04 ]
RE: [Thomas] What are some of the cooler things youve done at Nasa?
Thomas, What are some of the cooler things I have done? I have been inside the shuttle, Sat where the astronauts sit in the cockpit. I have been inside the payload bay. I get to work and test Flight Hardware (Shuttle Elements). I get to work with interesting people. I get to do something which will benefit mankind for many years to come. I now get to work with people from other countries and learn from them, as well as teach them.

[ ChrisMillennium - 37 - 10:18:32 ]
Hi my name is Chris and I am from Millennium!

[ Katiemillennium - 38 - 10:19:30 ]
Hi my name is Katie...thanx for taking time to talk to me! :)

[ StevenCain/KSC - 40 - 10:20:07 ]
RE: [MsHeinemannsclass] Wil you ever go up to the International Space Station.
No, I will never get the chance to go to space, but I hope my children will be able to go to space. For now, I am happy to work on items going into space.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 41 - 10:21:20 ]
RE: [Jeffrey] What other languages do you speak?
Jeffrey, I took spanish and German in school. I don't speak any of them fluently, but they do help me alot when I work and have to go to the other countries and work with them.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 42 - 10:23:51 ]
RE: [Danielle] What inspired you to join the Space Station Program?
Danielle and others, I joined the ISS team around seven years ago. I have worked on many parts of the space station and tools to help test the elements. I joined because when I was in college, I always wanted to work on the space station when it was only an idea in the early 1980's. It has been a lot of fun so far, and it will be a lot of fun in the future.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 43 - 10:26:35 ]
RE: [ChrisMillennium] Hi my name is Chris and I am from Millennium!
Chris, Katie, and others frm Millenium school. It is great to talk to you all. Thank your teacher for being a part of this chat, and others. It is a great way to learn, and I wish I had been able to do this when I was learning. You will remember this for a long time. Thank you all again. This goes for all of those who are doing this chat. Thank you!

[ StevenCain/KSC - 44 - 10:29:51 ]
RE: [Isaacmillennium] So what is it like being in the ESA program
Isaac, I work for NASA, I work with the ESA agency.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 57 - 10:34:20 ]
RE: [kendramillennium] hi i just wanted to know how many windows you put in on the international space station?
Many windows questions. There are a few windows on some of the elements going up on space station, but not many. The reason is they can get broke by meteorides, and get scratched easily. The main set of windows is the Cupola which will be launched in 2004. It has 7 windows for looking out. Why was I chosen to work windows, Because it is being developed by ESA in Italy.

[ ashtonmillennium - 68 - 10:35:16 ]
sorry to have not introduce my self mr.cain but as u may know, my name is ashton olivia yakira gaines. i am 12 years old. i got to millennium middle school. iam in the 6th grade and i love my science class bcause i simply love space.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 69 - 10:35:45 ]
RE: [Isaacmillennium] What material makes it so when you take off the windows don't break
The windows are very thick. They are about 2 inches thick, and mounted in brackets. They are tested before they are launched.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 70 - 10:38:40 ]
RE: [Diegomillennium] Hi my name is Diego and i go to millennium middle school and I'm going to ask some qusetions The frist one is if a person could be what you are without a bachelor degree.
Diego, I have a Bachelors degree in Engineering at UCF, and a Masters degree in Engineering Management. I could not get hired by NASA without a Masters degree. I also Co-oped with UCF and worked at NASA as a coop before I graduated. I needed only a 4 year engineering degree to get in with NASA.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 72 - 10:40:22 ]
RE: [ashtonmillennium] mr. cain, may i ask u how did your 1st intrest in space begin?
Ashton, I grew up in Brevard county and watched rockets go up all of my life. I have always been facinated with rockets, and had the opportunity to work for NASA right after high school. I have enjoyed it ever since.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 75 - 10:41:41 ]
RE: [samanthamillennium] If the windows brake in Space,is it going to affect your career, like are they going to blame you for it?And has it ever happened before?
Samantha, no, I don't get blamed if they break on orbit. We send up a spare/replacement window, and continue.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 80 - 10:43:35 ]
RE: [Rousseau] Did you want to work at NASA when you were growing up?
I never thought about it. I always liked math and science. I found a job I liked and kept doing it.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 81 - 10:45:20 ]
RE: [HannahMillennium] Is it hard for you to work in Europe when your family lives in Florida? Do you miss them while in Eurpoe?
Yes, it is difficult. I go over to Europe for usually 1 week. I talk to them on the phone, and by E-Mail. When I get back they really miss me.

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 82 - 10:45:24 ]
We have about 15 minutes left for our chat with Mr. Cain today. You have all sent in some great questions! Rememeber, don't put your questions in more than once. Even though you can't see them, they are there :-)

[ StevenCain/KSC - 83 - 10:46:39 ]
RE: [KatieMmillennium] Is it true that the ISS is as long as one football feild?
Katie, Yes it will be as long as a football field. It can be seen from earth now sometimes at dawn and at dusk. in about a year or two, it will be as big as a football field, and really be able to be seen. I think that is really cool.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 84 - 10:48:06 ]
RE: [HannahMillennium] Why did you choose to work for a space administration instead of another job?
Hannah, I work for NASA and don't do another job because I am rewarded with happiness and satisfaction with a good job. I am doing something I really like to do, with a lot of good people from around the world.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 85 - 10:49:17 ]
RE: [Diegomillennium] What was your first job at Nasa
Diego, My first job as a coop was to work with Sr NASA engineers in working on S/W. I didn't know much, but was learning. My first job after graduating from College was to to work in the Payload Space Station. What this means is to test the cabling/wires which connect the payload(TDRSS,Spacelab other) to the orbiter/Space Shuttle. I learned a lot.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 86 - 10:51:01 ]
RE: [Katiemillennium] Do the windows in the space station fog up. You know, like how the sun is on one side and not on the other. Would it fog up.
Katie, I don't think so. They are heated from the inside to keep them from fogging up. It will also be very hot inside the Cupola because it will have direct sunlight going into it without the earth's atmosphere blocking some of the light.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 87 - 10:52:13 ]
RE: [AndrewMillennium] how bad was your 1st Malfuction
Diego, Interesting question. I haven't messed up anything too bad. usually we work together as a team, and someone catches the problem. It is important to work well with others.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 88 - 10:52:59 ]
RE: [StevenCain/KSC] Diego, Interesting question. I haven't messed up anything too bad. usually we work together as a team, and someone catches the problem. It is important to work well with others.
Sorry, I called you the wrong name. I guess this was another malfunction.

[ kendramillennium - 91 - 10:53:23 ]
hi my name is kendra, thankyou for chatting with us!

[ kimMillennium - 94 - 10:53:24 ]
Hi my name is Kimberly and thank's for taking the time to talk.

[ susanmillennium - 101 - 10:53:24 ]
Thank you for chatting!

[ Katieymillennnium - 102 - 10:53:24 ]
Hi my name is katie, thanx u for chatting with us today.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 103 - 10:54:53 ]
RE: [ChrisMillennium] Is it hard to do Bunniess with the Russion's?
Chris, I don't work with the russians, but someone I work with does. I hear it is very difficult. different language which is hard to understand. Their alphabet is different from ours. Also their Culture is very different from ours.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 104 - 10:57:23 ]
RE: [Isaacmillennium] is it interesting working with so many differant cultures
Isaac, It is very interesting to work with the different cultures. I work with the Italians, Germans, and Work in Holland. It is really interesting. The biggest thing to keep in mind is there are different ways to do things. Learn from others. They are professionals. Keep you mind open, and learn. I am still learning today, and hope to keep learning in the future.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 105 - 10:59:43 ]
RE: [DeannaMillennium] Hi my name is Deanna!Thanks for coming to chat with us today.I have a few Questions to ask you. How many people is it taking to make the ISS? How long have they been working on the ISS?
Deanna, It is taking literally thousands to work on the Space Station. From all across america including KSC, Huntsville Alabama, Texas, and California among others. Additionally from around the world, Italy, Germany, Russia, Japan, Canada, Brazil, and many others. It is the largest peace time effort EVER.

[ StevenCain/KSC - 106 - 11:00:10 ]
RE: [KatieMmillennium] Will the ISS be doing anything else besides resurching?
not yet, a few more questions

[ StevenCain/KSC - 107 - 11:01:31 ]
RE: [KatieMmillennium] Will the ISS be doing anything else besides resurching?
Katie, sorry, the ISS is teaching us how to work in space. It will also teach us how to live in space. It help us to go to other planets and learn from there. Just to mention a few

[ Lori/NASAChatHost - 108 - 11:07:00 ]
Thanks everybody for joining us today! There were so many questions, Mr. Cain couldn't have possibly answered them all. You all asked some great questions! Unfortuantely, Mr. Cain can't stay any longer today, but we will definitely have him back to chat with us again. Have a great day!! :-)

[ StevenCain/KSC - 109 - 11:07:09 ]
All, Thank you for the great questions. I learned as much from this as you all. I'm sorry I didn't get to all of your questions, but I can only type so fast. Thank you again for the opportunity to spend an hour with you all. Keep learning, and follow your dreams. You are the future.