Wed Oct 4 11:38:49 2000  The host's featured url: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/events/ksc/oct/joedelai.html

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 4 - 10:02:49 ]
It would be helpful if you would send one question per post so that Joe could efficiently respond.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 8 - 10:20:01 ]
RE: [chelsey/cms] Did you ever have a problem with a project that you thought you couldn't fix?
We have had many projects that takes a lot of people to solve. Team work is the "key" to a successful project.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 9 - 10:21:28 ]
RE: [Allie] How does it feel to be working with NASA?
I love working for NASA. I really feel that we are contributing to our country and the world. Our goal is to make life better for us on Earth!

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 12 - 10:22:39 ]
RE: [Eddie] If you were living in the space station, what would be your worst fear?
Great question! Most of the astronauts are so busy on ISS that they do not have a lot of time to think about this. My only fear would be that I would miss my family.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 15 - 10:24:40 ]
RE: [Roy] We're planning a trip to Advanced Space Academy, how similar to the real thing, or to the real training is camp?
The Space Academy has some realistic training that the astronauts go through. The only thing that is missing would be simulating zero-G. This can only be simualated in an airplane.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 19 - 10:25:22 ]
RE: [Austin] How long have you been working on the International Space Station and how long will it take to complete it?
I have been working on the ISS for six years. It should be complete by 2005

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 21 - 10:26:44 ]
RE: [Derrick] What is your favorite part about the Space Station or about working on the Space Station project?
My favorite part of working with the ISS is that I am contributing to a project that is the largest peace-time project this world has ever seen. Our objective is to make life better for ALL of us on Earth.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 23 - 10:27:53 ]
RE: [Alicia] How many more things do you have to install
Alicia. Right now we have three items installed in space. When Space Station is complete we will have around thirty items.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 25 - 10:29:00 ]
RE: [Pablo] We are 6th grade students from Sioux Center Middle School in Sioux Center, IA. We want to thank you for spending time with us. Will you ever get to go up to the International Space Station after spending so much time working at building it?
Hi Pablo! Glad to be here. I am very happy with my feet on the ground but thanks for asking!

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 27 - 10:30:02 ]
RE: [Autumn] How much is the space station going to weight?
Autumn the ISS will weigh 1 MILLION pounds!

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 30 - 10:31:50 ]
RE: [Emily/CMS] Does your work affect your life at home? If so, how? Does it affect it in a good way or a bad way?
Emily - As with any job that you enjoy it sometimes does take you away from your family but in the end it is all worth it. My family understands my passion for the station and I consider them to be a part of the team.

[ MrLynn/CMS - 34 - 10:33:48 ]
Good Morning Mr. Delai! Charleston Middle School is delighted to have the opportunity to ask you questions about your exciting career at NASA Kennedy Space Center. Questions from the students will follow immediately after my message. Thank you and have a great day!

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 23 - 10:27:53 ]
RE: [Mrs. Murphy] Hello Mr. Delai! I am a middle school teacher in California and am applying for a grant to build a simulator in our school. What aspects of the space station would be conducive to my project? Do you ever give lectures or lead discussions at schools? Does NASA get involved with projects like mine either through donations or grants? What resources are available to me that you know of? Will the space station be online to students? Thank you in advance! Mrs. Murphy
Hello Mrs. Murphy, Yes I do travel and give lectures on the ISS. Your best bet would be to contact the NASA education department in Washington, D.C. to discuss your project and any grants that would be available to you. Eventually there will be times that the ISS will be online for students.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 36 - 10:37:02 ]
RE: [Autumn] Do you get to meet and talk to the Astronauts? Martice P
Autumn, One of my jobs is to help coordinate and implement crew training on my flights. The next launch (hopefully tomorrow weather permitting)is flight 3A. On 3A we have a Truss segment and a tunnel, in which we spent many hours training the crew.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 37 - 10:38:07 ]
RE: [Emily/CMS] What do you work on with the space station?
Emily, My job is to integrate and test various components on the ISS. The Z-1 Truss and the PMA3 were my latest components.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 38 - 10:38:53 ]
RE: [Brandy] What is the most exspensive piece on the International Space Station?
Brandy, That is a good quesiton. At this time it is hard to know.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 40 - 10:40:11 ]
RE: [JeremyHuppe/CMS] Why did you go th the Austin Prepatory School for college?
Jeremy, Austin Prep is a private Catholic High-School in the Boston area. When I was in High-School I really didn't have a choice, but I enjoyed it!

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 41 - 10:41:28 ]
RE: [Emily/CMS] If you could change your job ANY job in the world, would you change it? If you would what would you change it to?
Emily, The key to being successful in any job is to be happy. I am VERY happy working for NASA.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 43 - 10:43:06 ]
RE: [Alex] When the people are on the space station, whose laws do they follow? And does being from different countries, going to make it hard on people?
On the ISS, it will like working in this country. The laws and rules would be the same.

[ Allie - 47 - 10:44:03 ]
hi!my name is Allie i am from millennium middle school in sanfod,Florida i want to thank you for chating with us today! ~Allie~

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 48 - 10:46:04 ]
RE: [MrsMurphy] Hello again. We have a reservation to watch the shuttle launch, live, tomorrow online. Is this launch connected to the space station in any way? My students are curious how the scientists living in the ISS receive supplies and would like to hear your answer versus mine! :> Thank you again!
Mrs. Murphy, this launch will bring the first truss segment to the ISS and the third transfer tunnel. It is the second major ISS integration flight for this country. Supplies will be brought-up via the shuttle and/or a ussian rocket.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 52 - 10:47:20 ]
RE: [Tashee] Is it true that when fully consructed, the Space Station will be visible to more than 90 percent of the world's population? BY TASHEE
Tashee, good question there will be times that you can see the ISS with the naked eye. It will look like a bright star going across the sky.

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 53 - 10:47:39 ]
Please remember Joe Delai has not been to space and by one of his answers above, it sounds like he'd prefer to stay on Earth.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 54 - 10:47:57 ]
RE: [Brittney] How long have you been working the International Space Station?
Brittney, I have ben working on the ISS for about 6 years.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 55 - 10:48:30 ]
RE: [Autumn] Have you ever discovered anything unusual while you have been working for NASA? Kayana M
Autumn, good question!! Nothing yet.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 56 - 10:48:56 ]
RE: [Randi] This is a long shot, but might you know my cousin who is an engineer for NASA? His name is Darby Vicker.
Randi, sorry I do not know your cousin.

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 61 - 10:50:16 ]
There are many good questions in the queue and a limited amount of time left. We will get to as many as we can.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 62 - 10:50:33 ]
RE: [Allie] how many people are going to be able to live in the space station?And what ages?
Allie, good question. Once the ISS is built, we hope to have around 7 astronauts on it. Most will be in their 40's.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 65 - 10:51:40 ]
RE: [Tashee] What kind of tools do they use to build the Space Shuttle? By Jamie
Jamie, when we work on the shuttle/ISS on earth, we use the same tools that most people use but they are tested and certified to very high standards.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 66 - 10:52:16 ]
RE: [Autumn] When is the new space station going to be open? Christina U
Autumn, the ISS is open now but will be complete by around 2005. (good question)

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 67 - 10:53:38 ]
RE: [Jared] How big will the International Space Station be when completed?
Jared, the ISS will be about 300 by 300 feet and weigh about 1 million pounds. It will be about 260 miles straight up and the working volume will be like 3 big airplanes.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 72 - 10:55:04 ]
RE: [TIM/millenniummiddleschool] who is the head leader of the space station(NASA)
Tim, The ISS is a cooperative project with 17 different counties. NASA in this country is taking the lead but we all will work together to complete the job.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 73 - 10:55:46 ]
RE: [Chierstan] What kind of courses did you have to take in college to become a mechanical engineer?
Most of our courses in school are physics and math.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 75 - 10:56:59 ]
RE: [Chierstan/cms] During your teenage years, what sparked your interest in the career Mechanical Engineering other than your father?
cms, I have always been interested in the field of aviation. After flying for years I decided it was time to work the math/physics behind the flying, and here I am.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 77 - 10:58:06 ]
RE: [Tyler] When you were a child what did you think you'd be doing as an adult?
Tyler, I always loved the aviation and space field. So I guess that this has been a dream of mine since I was a young boy.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 78 - 10:58:59 ]
RE: [Miles] How many and what kind of people do you work with?
Miles, I work with thousands of people from many different countries.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 80 - 11:01:01 ]
RE: [Tim/mms] who built the NASA?and who built the space station?
Tim, NASA is a federal agency in the this country started by President Kennedy. The ISS is being built by 17 different countries, including the USA.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 81 - 11:01:38 ]
RE: [Ben] how many pieces are there?
Ben, the ISS will have around 30 sections when it is completed. (good question)

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 85 - 11:03:12 ]
RE: [MsRand] Is there any way that we can print the whole list of ques. and answers? We just tried to print...only could print the last few questions. Thanks for the info.
Thanks for asking. There are two ways: When the chat is over, you can refresh using your browser and the top entry will resurface; or you can wait until the archive is online. That should be soon-by tomorrow!

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 86 - 11:04:17 ]
RE: [Diego] Has anything ever gone wrong while you were working for NASA? Can you give some examples?
Diego, we have had some problems in the past but they have been "typical" problems. Whenever you build something new, there will be mechanical/electrical/fluids/computer problems. But our job as engineers is to fix the problems on now so they don't occur in space.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 87 - 11:04:58 ]
RE: [Renell] How many miles is the spacestation going to be?
Renell, the ISS will be about 260 miles up. Good question.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 90 - 11:06:22 ]
RE: [Brittany] How did it feel to successfully build and send the componets of the ISS into orbit?
Brittany, the feeling is great. To actually see something that big in space and to know that you were/are part of it is a good feeling.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 92 - 11:07:28 ]
RE: [Donna] What are some of the countries you have worked with on the ISS?
Donna, GREAT question!! Italy, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Japan, just to mention a few of the 17 countries.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 94 - 11:08:53 ]
RE: [Austin] Since you work with a lot of people, are there people you don't know and/or don't get along with?
Austin, just like at school. Sometimes you work with people that you do not know, but most of the time we all get along. If team work is going to be succesful then the team members have to get along.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 95 - 11:09:49 ]
RE: [Ross] Since you work with people from other countries do you have to learn their languages or do they have to learn yours?
As of now, most of the people speak English. If not, we have a translator to help us. GREAT question!!

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 96 - 11:10:52 ]
Please remember to give us your feedback on this chat at: http://quest.nasa.gov/activities/chats

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 97 - 11:10:59 ]
RE: [harshav] I am from conncitcut and I have a question. My question is, do you know when people will be able to see the ISS from the ground?
Harshav, the best thing to do is look in the NASA web site during a launch. They will list the date/time to observe the ISS. Because it changes all the time.

[ Tim/mms - 98 - 11:11:24 ]
Mr. Delai, we had a great time chatting with you, thank you very much for taking the time to chat with us

[ stepanie/mms - 99 - 11:11:24 ]
thank you for taking with us it was fun by stephanie

[ Martice - 100 - 11:11:24 ]
Mr.Delai thank you for spending time to chat with us I'm from Millennium Middle School and thank you again Mr. Delai thanks bye bye

[ MrsShaw - 101 - 11:11:24 ]
I just want to take this opportunity to chat with my 6th graders here at Millennium Middle School. I teach a beginning computer class, and we have been studying the ISS and are creating newsletters. The students loved your video, and have LOVED this chat. Again, thank you VERY MUCH!

[ Jamie - 102 - 11:11:24 ]
We want to take this opportunity to thank you for your time. We felt honored that you were willing to spend this time with us. Thank you very much.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 105 - 11:12:11 ]
RE: [Tim/mms] Mr. Delai, we had a great time chatting with you, thank you very much for taking the time to chat with us
Tim, thank you!!!!!

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 106 - 11:14:34 ]
RE: [Michon] Do you ever feel stress when trying to meet deadlines? What do you do if you miss a deadline?
Michon, good question. As with life, "yes" work can be stressful but as a team, the team will works together to complete the job. If we are approaching a deadline, we work together to meet that deadline or a good work-around.

[ Tim - 107 - 11:14:42 ]
Hi, Mr. Dalai, thank you for taking the time to chat with us! I am from Millennium Middle School in Sanford Florida! We have been reading your biography.

[ Renell - 108 - 11:14:42 ]
Hi, my name is Renell. I am from Millennium Middle School. Thanks for chatting with us.

[ Tashee - 109 - 11:14:42 ]
Hi my name is Tashee, I'm from Millennium Middle School. I wan't to thank you for taking out the time to chat with us. By Tashee, of Sanford, Florida

[ Autumn - 110 - 11:14:42 ]
Hi, My name is Autumn Downs and I am from Millenium Middle School.I just wanted to thank you for taking your time and answering our questions!

[ Autumn - 111 - 11:14:42 ]
Hi my name is Autumn Downs and I am from Millenium Middle School in Sanford Florida. I just wanted to thank you for answering our questions and I also wanted to tell you that we watched your video.

[ Irene - 112 - 11:14:42 ]
Hi Mr.Delai. Thank you for taking your time to chat to Milliennum Middle school.

[ Alicia - 113 - 11:14:42 ]
Eric,Jon & Alicia are 6th grade students from East Hartford Glostonbury Magnet School! We are fasinted about Nasa's shuttles and. 7

[ Brittney - 114 - 11:14:42 ]
Hi my name is Brittney. I am from Millennium Middle school. Thanks for chatting with us.

[ MrsMarske - 115 - 11:15:58 ]
Thanks, but we have to leave now. My students thought this was very cool and interesting.

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 116 - 11:16:06 ]
RE: [Brittany] Are you responsible for keeping the equipment of ISS clean while building it and while in orbit and how do you do that?
Brittany, excellent question. On earth we have to keep everything clean. We have HUGE clean room to help us. Because any contamination on earth will be in space and we do not want that!

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 117 - 11:17:43 ]
RE: [Brittney] Hi my name is Brittney. I am from Millennium Middle school. Thanks for chatting with us.
Hi folks! I have enjoyed the questions and thank you for your participation. It is nice to see so many young folks interested in space.

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 118 - 11:17:45 ]
I want to personally thank Joe Delai for spending time with us. Please join us at the Live webcast from the launch. Although Joe will not be able to join us we will have him on tape. He will be in the LCC (Launch Control Center) during this launch. He will be co-hosting our "Under Construction series this year: http://quest.nasa.gov/space/events/ksc

[ JoeDelai/KSC - 119 - 11:18:26 ]
RE: [MrsMarske] Thanks, but we have to leave now. My students thought this was very cool and interesting.
thank you

[ Linda/NASAQuest - 120 - 11:19:39 ]
Thanks to all you students who joined us with your great questions. I know they did not all make it into the time-frame, but I hope you now have a better understanding of the International Space Station. Joe will be available to answer more questions during our live webcasts from behind the scenes at KSC!