Hey folks!
So today was kind of cool. We started the day out with several tours of the NASA facilities. We got to see a lot of very cool things. Things like training modules for the station and the shuttle. Both physical units (actual things that we got to touch and sit in) and simulation units (basically physical units with computer programs running them). It was really cool. The most interesting part of the whole thing is that it gave us a true to life perspective of what it is that we are working on. So when we, as flight controllers, give commands to our respective units (shuttle or station) we will know what it means. Also, when we ask the astronauts to do something we can have a clue what that will entail. Really cool. Once we were done with all that, we went back and had our "graduation" ceremony. Basically, we got to listen to Milt Heflin (Deputy Director, Mission Operations Directorate) talk about what Mission Control is all about. Basically, the point that he tried to impress upon us was that at any point in our careers we may be called upon to do something that has the ultimate consequences. He then went on to talk about several instances which brought these out. One was a story about a guy who was working on Apollo 12 who ended up saving the mission, possibly the lives of the people in the crew, and possibly the entire space program. It was great to hear about. It is also very daunting. We all have that to live up to. And if we can't get to that point, we aren't going to be good in the MOD. Anyway, after that we had our presentation of certificates. After that, we went on another tour. This time, it was the astronaut preparation facility. We got to see where they get all their stuff packed, where they make their ACES suits (Orange Launch Suits), the EMU suits (EVA), and where they do the food preparation for the flights. After that, I went out to buy a frame for the certificate and then came home. And, as luck would have it...I just got off the phone with the poeople who are delivering my desk and confirmed that they are coming tomorrow evening.
That's all for now!
So today was kind of cool. We started the day out with several tours of the NASA facilities. We got to see a lot of very cool things. Things like training modules for the station and the shuttle. Both physical units (actual things that we got to touch and sit in) and simulation units (basically physical units with computer programs running them). It was really cool. The most interesting part of the whole thing is that it gave us a true to life perspective of what it is that we are working on. So when we, as flight controllers, give commands to our respective units (shuttle or station) we will know what it means. Also, when we ask the astronauts to do something we can have a clue what that will entail. Really cool. Once we were done with all that, we went back and had our "graduation" ceremony. Basically, we got to listen to Milt Heflin (Deputy Director, Mission Operations Directorate) talk about what Mission Control is all about. Basically, the point that he tried to impress upon us was that at any point in our careers we may be called upon to do something that has the ultimate consequences. He then went on to talk about several instances which brought these out. One was a story about a guy who was working on Apollo 12 who ended up saving the mission, possibly the lives of the people in the crew, and possibly the entire space program. It was great to hear about. It is also very daunting. We all have that to live up to. And if we can't get to that point, we aren't going to be good in the MOD. Anyway, after that we had our presentation of certificates. After that, we went on another tour. This time, it was the astronaut preparation facility. We got to see where they get all their stuff packed, where they make their ACES suits (Orange Launch Suits), the EMU suits (EVA), and where they do the food preparation for the flights. After that, I went out to buy a frame for the certificate and then came home. And, as luck would have it...I just got off the phone with the poeople who are delivering my desk and confirmed that they are coming tomorrow evening.
That's all for now!
posted by Greg at 19:14
2 Comments:
Greg, I feel like I am on a fablous jourey with you. You are so fortunate to have the incredible life you have. Hard work does pay off. I am so proud of you little cousin!! I hope you continue to blogg frequently- it is nice to live the excitement vicariously through you! keep making us proud! Love and kisses your big cousin Jeanie
I got to your blog, but Rich had to help me. He sets up all these new things and assumes I have recorded them in my head. My head is full of 74 years of stuff and its folders need reorganizing. Some what like downloading the info fron several harddrives. love, Gram N.
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