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Hello to our early arriving Space Team Online chat participants! Today's Space Team Online chat with Diane McMahon from NASA Johnson Space Center will begin at 11:00 a.m., Pacific Standard Time. Be sure you have read Diane's autobiography at http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/space/team/mcmahon.html before joining this chat. Once the chat begins, Diane will attempt to answer as many of your questions as she can, but please be patient. We may use moderation throughout or at different times during the chat if Diane falls behind with our questions. This means that only a few questions will be posted to the chat room at a time. Don't worry if your questions do not appear on your screen immediately. They will be posted as Diane answers those ahead of you.

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As a reminder, remember to enter "Your Handle" in the box provided, before posting questions to the chat room. Once you've done this, please let us know that you have logged on for today's chat.

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At the conclusion of today's chat, we ask that you take a few minutes to let us know what you thought about it. For your convenience, you may use our online feedback forms at http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/qchats/qchat-surveys. We look forward to hearing from you!

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 7 - 10:55:42 ]
RE: [Neil-Techclass/BibbCountyBOE] Hi! I have a group of educators from Bibb County Public Schools in Macon, GA who will be joining the chat today. They are taking part in a class on Internet Resources for grades 3-6 and this will be their first online "chat" ever:-)
Hello and welcome to today's Space Team Online chat with Diane McMahon from NASA Johnson Space Center. Diane communicates science information between scientists who have experiments flying on space shuttle missions, and NASA. She works with a group that makes sure that all requirements are met for flying experiments so that a successful science mission will be flown. On the recent Neurolab mission, Diane worked closely with the co-investigator for the French ball catch experiment and was responsible for training the crew to perform the experiment. Additionally, Diane was involved in training U.S. astronauts for the Phase I program, which was a series of seven joint American and Russian missions to the Russian space station Mir.

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And now, here is Diane McMahon to answer your questions.

[ DianeMcMahon/JSC - 9 - 10:56:18 ]
RE: [Neil-Techclass/BibbCountyBOE] Hi! I have a group of educators from Bibb County Public Schools in Macon, GA who will be joining the chat today. They are taking part in a class on Internet Resources for grades 3-6 and this will be their first online "chat" ever:-)
Glad to hear from you! This is my first-ever chat, so we'll learn together.

[ DianeMcMahon/JSC - 12 - 11:03:07 ]
RE: [Oran/NASAChatHost] Neil and educators, what questions do you have for Diane today?
I can think of questions for Neil and educators - are the kids getting excited about the approaching holidays? We're getting excited here about the launch of the first US component of the International Space Station (ISS, which is scheduled for Thursday.

[ DianeMcMahon/JSC - 15 - 11:07:48 ]
RE: [Oran/NASAChatHost] Diane, while we're waiting for questions, perhaps you can share with us some of the more difficult aspects of integrating science experiments into the space shuttle flow.
The whole activity of integrating science experiments into a mission is very detailed. We have to ascertain all resources (crew time, power, etc.), define all of the science requirements, and train the crew to perform the experiment in space. For human life science experiments, we also do pre- and post-flight baseline data collections on the crew so that we can measure the changes that occur in space.

[ Doris-Techclass/BibbCountyBOE - 16 - 11:08:39 ]
Do you think elementary students who are interested in space should attend a special school?

[ DianeMcMahon/JSC - 24 - 11:16:12 ]
A student focused on space should study as much science and math as possible. These seem to be the major disciplines necessary for participation in the space program. I don't know if a special school would be advisable or not. Sometimes kids are "late bloomers" so I'd hate to have anyone miss out because they weren't targeted early. Remember Einstein!!

[ DianeMcMahon/JSC - 20 - 11:10:16 ]
RE: [Jane-Techclass/BibbCountyBOE] Diane, what will your next training mission involve?
Hi, Jane - Yesterday, I started a new position at Unitd Space Alliance as a payload integration manager. Up until last week, I could have said that my next mission would have beenlaunching in March, 2000 (the next millenium!).

[ DianeMcMahon/JSC - 22 - 11:13:51 ]
RE: [ChristineJudy-Techclass/BibbCountyBOE] Regarding the growing of food in space, could this be done as a class science experiment? Are there many opportunities for women in the space program?
I love your questions! Food and opportunities for women are two of my favorite topics. There have already been some experiments that involve growing food in space. I know there were some tomato plants, among other things. As a science fair judge, I've seen one or two high school projects that used "space seeds." I think we're only seeing the beginning of food experiments. For a long-term mission in space, we'll have to be able to produce our own food. There are many opportunities for women in the space program. Women do anything that men traditionally have done, and I've worked with women in all capacities here.

[ DianeMcMahon/JSC - 25 - 11:18:00 ]
RE: [SueAnn-Techclass/BibbCountyBOE] Diane, What would you say is the most memorable experience you've had working with NASA.
It has been the total experience of being involved in the space program. I was lucky to have a job at the heart of it; I got to work with astronauts, travel to landing sites, and work console support at JSC during missions. It has all been so interesting and fun!

[ DianeMcMahon/JSC - 27 - 11:21:51 ]
RE: [MargaretandKaren-Techclass/BibbCountyBOE] What benefits do you see in regard to health issues and John Glenn's mission?
Our population is aging. Because of this, Senator Glenn's mission may provide us with greater insight and understanding of how "older" people respond to space. In general, there have been huge benefits in health and medicine from the space program - Holter monitors (my own Mom uses one periodically), miniaturized surgical technology to name only a couple.

[ DianeMcMahon/JSC - 28 - 11:22:35 ]
RE: [Jane-Techclass/BibbCountyBOE] I work at an elementary school named after Sonny Carter. Did you know him?
No, I didn't know Sonny Carter. Here at the JSC complex, there is a neutral buoyance facility that is named after him.

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We'd like to remind you to visit our QuestChat feedback site after today's chat. You can find the site at http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/qchats/qchat-surveys.

[ DianeMcMahon/JSC - 30 - 11:26:25 ]
RE: [ChristineJudy-Techclass/BibbCountyBOE] What are the chances that mankind will actually set foot on Mars?
There is no doubt in my mind that humans will walk on Mars. I think the mission to accomplish this will occur in about 10 years. I'm not sure what the longer-term objectives with Mars are, once we've landed there. (Sorry to delay your answer - the screen scrolled by me.)

[ DianeMcMahon/JSC - 34 - 11:33:14 ]
RE: [Neil-Techclass/BibbCountyBOE] When do you hope to return to the Appalachian Trail?
My husband and I talk about it frequently. When we'll actually do it is another matter! I loved the experience and would recommend it to everyone. Is Macon near the AT?

[ Neil-Techclass/BibbCountyBOE - 38 - 11:36:50 ]
We are about 200 miles south of the "start" of the Trail. Macon is located in the center (or as we love to call it...the HEART) of Georgia!!!

[ DianeMcMahon/JSC - 37 - 11:35:39 ]
RE: [Fiona-Techclass/BibbCountyBOE] Hi, Diane! Do you do a lot of traveling? If so, what comforts/ necessities do you bring with you to remind you of home?
There have been times when I've done alot of traveling. I don't carry anything with me to remind me of home - it's in my head! I like to brag about being able to travel with only one small pull-along piece of luggage. In the summer of 1997, I took this piece of luggage for a 10-day trip that included 3 different climate areas: Washington, D.C.; Nordwiick, The Netherlands; and New Orleans. A formidable packing achievement, wouldn't you say?!!

[ DianeMcMahon/JSC - 40 - 11:41:01 ]
RE: [Neil-Techclass/BibbCountyBOE] I loved your advice to young people in your bio:-) Do you have any other "words of wisdom" that we can pass along to our students who hope to someday have a career in the space industry?
At the risk of sounding trite, DREAM BIG and STUDY HARD. NASA attracts very accomplished people, and our young folks must be prepared with good skills. It's so important that the kids believe in themselves. Once they're focused, there's almost nothing they can accomplish. You teachers are in a position of great trust and responsibility; you're molding the future!

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 41 - 11:41:01 ]
For those of you interested in learning about other chats with NASA experts, be sure to visit our schedule of events page at http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/common/events after today's chat.

[ DianeMcMahon/JSC - 44 - 11:46:04 ]
RE: [Fiona-Techclass/BibbCountyBOE] From your bio and reading about your trip on the AT, I figured you could be a no nonesense traveller. I, myself ,take everything and the kitchen sink. I am dreading packing for a trip to Scotland for two weeks.
My husband and I took went to bicycle Scotland for a month and had a terrific time. You'll love the Scots!! Be sure to pack rain gear; you'll need it!

[ DianeMcMahon/JSC - 46 - 11:50:23 ]
RE: [Neil-Techclass/BibbCountyBOE] What are your feelings on the Internet and the rapid developments in technology?
I think the Internet is wonderful. This is an example of the opportunity to meet new people and expand our horizons. We use it at home to get all kinds of information and to stay in touch with family that is all over the U.S. It's an integral tool in doing my job. Regarding the rapid technological developments, I can't begin to stay up with them! The kids do a much better job of it than I ever could!

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 48 - 11:56:20 ]
EVERYONE, as we near the end of today's chat, we'd like to once again remind you to share your thoughts about today's chat with us at http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/qchats/qchat-surveys.

[ Neil-Techclass/BibbCountyBOE - 49 - 11:57:05 ]
Diane, Thanks SO MUCH for taking the time to answer our questions today!!!! We hope now to take the advice you have given to us and share it with our students! I also hope that the teachers taking part in this class today will take part in more online projects and chats with their students! Thanks again:-)

[ Oran/NASAChatHost - 50 - 11:57:55 ]
At this time, we would like to thank everyone for joining us today, and offer a special thanks to Diane McMahon for sharing her time, personal experiences, and valuable expertise with us online today.

[ DianeMcMahon/JSC - 52 - 12:01:03 ]
RE: [Oran/NASAChatHost] EVERYONE, as we near the end of today's chat, we'd like to once again remind you to share your thoughts about today's chat with us at http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/qchats/qchat-surveys.
I'm logging off now. I've enjoyed the opportunity to "chat" with you today. Have a great holiday season!