Julie Allen...

Julie flying the shuttle landing simulator

Hi! My name is Julie Allen and I am a mechanical engineering and German student at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. I know, I know.that's a pretty weird combo of majors, but I love them both! I chose mechanical engineering after being more than halfway finished with my German degree. So what prompted me to do that? The desire to work for NASA! I knew at the time that I chose to add on mechanical engineering that it would be a tough load to carry, especially for someone who is not very naturally gifted when it comes to math and science. However, I knew that it was the right decision for me and that I wanted to participate in the NASA Co-op Program, so I pushed the throttle all the way and went for it.and here I am!!!

What Have I Been Doing Here?

For my first co-op tour here at JSC, and I was assigned to the Flight Planning Branch in the Mission Operations Directorate (MOD). The Flight Planning Branch is basically responsible for planning what the crew does onboard the Station or the Shuttle from day to day. My job involved both office work and work in the Mission Control Center (MCC).

For my office tasks, I mainly went through our Ground Rules and Constraints for the International Space Station (ISS), as well as other planning-related documents, and compiled them into a concise resource that planners can use to reference all of the rules they need to prepare their flight plans.

As far as the MCC is concerned, being in the Flight Planning Branch allowed me to have more time in the MCC than a lot of other co-ops get to have. My assignment in the MCC was to sit with all of our various front and backroom flight controllers and learn the basics of what they do so that I could fill out evaluations of how they communicate with one another. This was cool because it allowed me to see what it is like to be a real flight controller!

I also got to help plan the first Flight Planning Branch Reunion. This is not a usual assignment for an engineering co-op, but it was really awesome! I got the chance to meet really cool people from the history of the space program like Gene Kranz, Randy Stone, John O'Neill, and Tommy Holloway!

Receiving an award from (L to R) Randy Stone, Tommy Holloway, John O'Neill, and Gene Kranz at the Flight Planning Branch Reunion

I am now on my second co-op tour and am working in the EVA and Spacesuit Systems Branch of the Engineering Directorate. The group I am in is working on spacesuits and EVA tools for the future missions to the moon and Mars! It's really awesome to be working in a branch where the word "Mars" is used in everyday conversation! At this time as I'm writing this bio, I've only been here for 1 week and I've already gotten to participate in suit fit checks for astronauts Rex Walheim and Mike Fincke. It's a blast working here, and I'm looking forward to a great co-op tour.

One REALLY Awesome Thing About Being a Co-op...

.is attending the tours and lectures! We've had so many cool opportunities to see things that are going on around JSC and to hear really cool people speak!! As for tours, we've seen mockups of the ISS and the Shuttle, Shuttle simulators, the robotic arm simulator, Robonaut, the huge vacuum chambers, the old Apollo Mission Control Center, and the lunar rock sample lab, just to name a few. We've heard lectures by Paul Dye (Flight Director), Chris Kraft, Sy Liebergot, and Gene Kranz, as well as astronauts Karen Nyberg, Shannon Lucid, and Mike Fincke, to name a few. Also, here at JSC, you never know when you may have the chance to work with or talk with real people who worked during the Apollo program.

Julie with Robonaut Julie faking like she's in a T-38! (She's not actually IN the cockpit).

Being a Co-op is Tons of Fun

I've also gotten to do awesome things outside of work! I've gone to a Houston Rockets game, an Astros game, gone latin dancing, played on the co-op softball team, had tons of fun with my friends from church, sung in my church choir, and practiced with my band. Also, since co-ops don't have homework, we have time to take trips on the weekends!

So, You're Dying to be a Co-op, Right?

Well, I don't blame you! My advice to prospective co-ops is this: DON'T GIVE UP!!! When the going gets tough in your classes, get tougher with it. Develop true enthusiasm for the space program. Get great letters of reference, particularly from people who work for NASA, if possible. Even if you apply and get turned down the first time, APPLY AGAIN, and try harder. If you have any questions, you can contact me at cosmos2015@yahoo.com. Good luck!!