Space Team Online QuestChat

Date: May 14, 1998

Featuring: Michael Lopez-Alegria
Mission Specialist
NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 3 - 11:00:22 ]
Bienvenidos and welcome to today's Space Team Online bilingual chat with Michael Lopez-Alegria from NASA Johnson Space Center! Michael became an astronaut in 1993. From October 20 to November 5, 1995, he served as a mission specialist and flight engineer aboard Space Shuttle Columbia on STS-73, which was the second U.S. mission analyzing the effects of microgravity. He was also the flight engineer during ascent, entry and on orbit shifting phases of the mission. He is currently assigned as a mission specialist on STS-92, scheduled for launch in January 1999.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 4 - 11:00:50 ]
And now, here is Michael Lopez-Alegria to answer your questions.

[ LA - 6 - 11:06:02 ]
RE: [ Oran/NASAChatHost]
Michael, while we're waiting for our participants to join us, here is an e-mail question from Veronica: My name is Veronica Ann Zabala and I am currently attending a community college in Arizona. I am a single mother of three of the most beautiful babies you could lay your eyes on. My dream (since I was four years old) is to become an Astrogeologist. I love science and I love to study rocks and minerals (one look at my house and you would see for yourself). I understand that NASA collects the finest people to go up into space every seven years. I know that most people who would be picked would be someone who is in the military and has had a tremendous amount of knowledge in their chosen profession. I am not in the military but I am planning to take flying lessons next Spring. Since I am not Ph.D. material yet either...what are my chances for being one of the chosen few to go up into space? My goal is to be the first person on Mars...HONEST! Do you have any advice for me? And nothing like,"Just keep your goals focused", or "the road will be long and hard but it is the fact that once you (I) get there is what's important". I need hard core advice. I have alot of strikes against me, one of them being a single mother but I am not a person who gives up to easily, ask anyone who knows me. Well, I will let you go for now. You take care of yourselves up there and I will wait for your reply.
Veronica - Wow! That's quite a resume! I wouldn't be so quick to consider that you're a single mother a strike against you; remember, it's not just the talent that people posess that interests NASA, it's also what kind of person you are. My advice would be to study what interests you (astrogeology), do well, and try to broaden your horizons as much as possible. Flying lessons is a good idea. If scuba interests you, that too would be something favorable. My sense is that NASA is starting to steer away slightly from the PhD/laboratory scientist, and more toward someone with operational experience (like flying, diving, etc.). Good luck, and don't forget your biggest responsibility and challenge - your kids! L-A

[ LA - 10 - 11:11:57 ]
RE: [Oran/NASAChatHost] Michael, here is another e-mail question for you from James: Hi there Michael, First of all, having overcome so many challenges so far in life, what's the secret to your accomplishments ? Also, Having watched the STS-90 mission through my internet connection , one question sprung to mind during landing ... The commentator mentioned speeds of mach10 and below , with Columbia's approach 7 times steeper than a commercial airliner . With this alarming descent rate , what would happen if the shuttle had to perform a missed approach ? Is it able to fire up the boosters to continue it's journey ?
James - Let me answer the second (and easier!) question first. There is NO go-around capability with the shuttle. It's a glider from the time it fires its engines for the deorbit burn (about 45 minutes before landing) until touchdown. No second chances! As far as a secret to accomplishments - I don't think I have one. I've been fortunate enough to manage to climb the ladder through the Navy, flight school, test pilot school, etc. to get this great job. It helps a lot to truly like what you're doing - it makes it easier to do well if you like it! L-A

[ LA - 12 - 11:16:25 ]
RE: [John/CurtisMiddleSchool] Mr.Lopez we Wanto Ask you a question, how does it feel to be a austronaut?
Hello John! There are lots of ways to answer your question. I'll tell you how it feels in space - GREAT!!! The almost nine minute ride to orbit starts out pretty rough, with lots of noise and vibrations. After the first two minutes, when the solid rocket boosters are spent and jettisoned, the ride becomes a lot smoother, like someone gently pushing you in the back (from the acceleration). When the engines cut off, it's kind of like stomping on the brakes; everything and everybody lunges forward. From that moment on, you are weightless. Floating around is a great sensation - like being in a swimming pool (only you don't have to ever come up for air!). Lastly, the view out the window of our planet earth is great! L-A

[ LA - 14 - 11:19:43 ]
RE: [Patti/CJHS] Su biografía dice que nació en Madrid. ¿Cuánto tiempo pasó allá y qué le trajo a los EEUU?
Patti - Buenos días! Tienes razon; nací en Madrid, pero mi familia vino a los EEUU cuando yo tenía menos de dos años. Así que aprendí hablar Español en el colegio (por supuesto mi padre - que es español - me ayudó mucho). Mi madre era Americana, y era por eso que vinimos a vivir aquí.

[ LA - 15 - 11:20:53 ]
RE: [John/CurtisMiddleSchool] How many times have you been out of space and how many days?
John - I've made one space flight; STS-73 aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in October/November 95. We spend 16 days doing microgravity research in space. L-A

[ LA - 18 - 11:26:38 ]
RE: [Oran/NASAChatHost] Michael, here is another e-mail question from Manuel Perez:
Como te sientes al ser el primer astronauta espanol ? (Por cierto me gusto mucho el programa de Cronicas Marcianas en el que estuviste con Javier Sarda.
Por supuesto, me siento muy orgulloso! También creo que es bueno para España y los Españoles poder decir que hay un astronauta español. Por cierto, vamos a tener otro pronto; Pedro Duque (que además de nacer en España, tiene la nacionalidad española) volará en octubre en la misión STS-95 (con el primer Americano que ha sido en la orbita, John Glenn). Va a ser un otro momento estupendo para nosotros. L-A

[ LA - 22 - 11:30:07 ]
RE: [Oran/NASAChatHost] Michael, here is yet another e-mail question from Lelsie: The Endeavor launch was scheduled to be July 8th or 9th, 1998. It is now listed "TBD". Will there be a launch that week of July 6-10. I will be vacationing with my family in Florida and we planned on coming to see the launch. Please let me know what happened?
Leslie - Unfortunately, I don't think you'll be able to see a launch on your vacation. The flight of Endeavor, while still officially scheduled for that week, will actually launch later in the year. I think we should have an official announcement to that effect soon. Take another vacation to Florida during the launch - it's well worth it! L-A

[ LA - 24 - 11:35:21 ]
RE: [Patti/CJHS] En enero del año entrante, cuando vuela el STS-92 ¿cuáles son los trabajos de un mission specialist que va a desarrollar en esa misión?
Patti - Nuestro trabajo en la misión incluye la instalación de dos elementos (que se llaman "Z1" y "PMA3") con el brazo robótico en el nodo "Unity." Después, mis tres compañeros y yo haremos cuatro "paseos espaciales" (EVA) para conectar cables de electricidad, datos y fluidos entre los nuevos elementos y Unity. Va a ser una misión muy interesante y muy intensa. A lo mejor, el vuelo no tendrá lugar antes de junio del año que viene. Pero puedo esperar! L-A

[ LA - 27 - 11:41:29 ]
RE: [Oran/NASAChatHost] Michael, perhaps you can discuss your experience in becoming an astronaut. What was that like for you?
I first decided to try to become an astronaut in 1983, when I was 25. At that time I was a Navy pilot on my way to my first operational squadron. I was reading a magazine article about the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. A sidebar talked about graduates of USNTPS who had gone on to become astronauts (Shephard, Glenn, Schirra, Young, Armstrong, Hauck - it's a long list). That inspired me. From that point, I just kept doing what I enjoyed, and doing what I needed to do to become qualified to apply to NASA (luckily, they were often the same thing!) - I went to test pilot school, graduate school to get an MS in Aeronautical Engineering, and became a test pilot and program manager. From that point, it was a matter of applying to NASA and keeping my fingers crossed. I was interviewed after my first application, but not selected. The second time was the charm for me; and I started training in August 92. No regrets! L-A

[ LA - 31 - 11:46:59 ]
RE: [Patti/CJHS] ¿Va a ser la primera vez que Ud. pasea en la espacia?
Sí. Para el primer vuelo, hice el entrenamiento para un EVA en caso de urgencia. Pero nada sucedió, y no salimos. Los EVAs son uns parte importantísima de la próxima misión. Los cuatro tripulantes de EVA haremos dos EVA (en parejas de dos) cada uno. Yo participaré en el segundo y el cuarto. Por supuesto, también tenemos prevista la posibilidad de tener que salir otra vez en caso de urgencia, y por eso tenemos los equipos necesarios para hacerlo. L-A

[ LA - 33 - 11:49:36 ]
RE: [Oran/NASAChatHost] Michael, do you travel to Spain frequently? If you do, how easily do you "tranistion" into the environment/culture there, having lived a significant amount of time in the United States?
I travel to Spain several times a year, mostly to give conferences to the public. I take advantage of the time there also to see my father, who lives in Madrid, and the rest of my family, who live in Sevilla and Badajoz. I find it easy to transition to the lifestyle and culture there; a bit harder to make the change back to the American way of life. You're right; I've lived essentially my whole life here in the U.S.; must be in the blood! L-A

[ LA - 36 - 11:53:24 ]
RE: [Patti/CJHS] En su experiencia en Rusia, ¿tuvo que aprender a hablar ruso? Noté que en el último vuelo, los astronautas rusos no quisieron hablar much inglés.
Patti - En mi trabajo, no era imprescindible hablar ruso. Siempre teníamos interpretes para las reuniones. Sin embargo, yo lo aprendí. Creo que me ayudó mucho, por que puedes establecer relaciones personales y profesionales mejores cuando puedes hablar en el idioma de ellos. Como has visto; hay poca gente allá que hable inglés! L-A

[ LA - 37 - 11:56:11 ]
RE: [Jose/UniversidadedeAveiro] Hello Michael, I am from Portugal and I practise scuba diving. My question is about scuba, space and unponderability. Does unponderability cause the same sensations, in the water as in space ? Thank you.
Jose - Si y no. The sensation of floating is quite similar in certain respects. However, even underwater, you feel gravity. If you spend a lot of time with your head down and your feet up underwater, the blood in your body still goes toward your head (down), making it quite uncomfortable (not to mention water getting in your nose!). L-A

[ LA - 39 - 12:00:53 ]
RE: [Oran/NASAChatHost] Michael, here is our last question from Heather: Have you learned alot from your experience in space?
Heather - The philisophical questions are always the hard ones. Aside from all of the technical things one learns preparing for and executing a space mission, there are some personal and, let's say almost spiritual, things that we each learn. Of course it's different for everyone. My view of the Earth from 150 nautical miles made me realize how it is at once immense and fragile, and how truly "small" we individuals are in it. Put into perspective how small our Earth is in the grand scheme of things, and you really begin to realize that we as individuals are not small, but tiny. Nonetheless, our problems are real problems, and they still need to be dealt with. Coming back to Earth is like coming back to reality after a vacation. You are glad to have had the chance to go, but life goes on. L-A

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 40 - 12:02:45 ]
Thank you to everyone for joining us for today's bilingual caht with Michael Lopez-Alegria from NASA Johnson Space Center! A VERY special thanks to Michael for his time with us today.

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 42 - 12:35:04 ]
We would also like to thank Lonnie Moffit from NASA Johnson Space Center for his assistance with today's chat. Please join us on May 19 and 20 for our Space Day chats with NASA experts. More information is available at http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/common/spaceday.html.