A Six-Week Session at the NASA Ames Vertical Motion Simulator (VMS)

Twice a year, NASA Johnson Space Center conducts a six-week session at the NASA Ames Vertical Motion Simulator (VMS) and this is our second session this year. When we come to the VMS from Johnson Space Center, we do so with many engineers who conduct three weeks of engineering studies to see how the shuttle will react during landings under differing conditions. For example, because of the space station and some of the possible loads we may be required to land with, the center of gravity (CG) on the shuttle has the potential of being more forward than we are used to during a landing. Knowing where the CG is in a normal aircraft is important for landing, otherwise the aircraft could fall like a rock.

Serving as a Facilitator

While at Ames Research Center (ARC), my job is primarily in the VMS serving as what I refer to as a facilitator. At ARC, I'm not so much into the engineering and research portions of the session. I do assist the astronaut in charge of the simulation with whatever he needs to get the job accomplished. Then, as the flight crews come in to Ames and need different things, I make sure they have what they need.

Christopher "Gus" Loria is the astronaut who is in charge due to the fact that Scott "Scooter" Altman had to go back to Houston for a short period of time. As the various crews come in to train on the VMS, I am at flight operations to meet them as they arrive in their T-38s and assist them as they are getting ready to leave. I also work closely with Trudy Schlaich in flight operations to make sure the astronauts have ground transportation and accommodations if they are staying overnight. I consider my work to be very interesting and a lot of fun. Sometimes we work between 12 and 13 hours per day, but it is worth it.