Meghan Daley...

I take it you are interested in working at the best place on earth.NASA! Let me tell you, it is an experience of a lifetime.

In the White Flight Control Room

About Me

Well, I grew up in North Kingstown, Rhode Island and yes for all of you wondering it is the smallest state in the US! Now I live in HAPPY VALLEY also known as State College, Pennsylvania. I am currently a junior at Penn State University majoring in Computer Science and a minor in Mathematics. WE ARE PENN STATE! At school I am involved with the Women and Engineering Program (WEP) and also the Blue and White Society. I love sports (GO PATRIOTS! GO SOX!) so I have taken up intramurals as well.

How I got to NASA

I remember the day like it was yesterday. It was September 22, 2004, the day of Penn State's annual Fall Career Fair for technical co-ops, internships and full-time jobs. I knew this was my chance to land the job of a lifetime, the job I wanted ever since I was a little girl, my dream. I walked over to the NASA/Johnson Space Center booth and soon after talking with one of the recruiters, I received an interview for the following day. After the interview, I received a phone call while walking College Avenue that changed my life. I started my job as a NASA co-op on January 10, 2005. Awww tear..

With Gene Kranz

Co-op Life

Once you become a co-op, there are still many interesting and amazing things to learn and become part of. There are always lectures to attend given by astronauts or former mission control specialists such as Gene Kranz, Chris Kraft, Sy Liebergot, etc. Tours of different facilities are also given throughout the semester such as Mission Control Center, Space Station Mockups, Robonaut, Space Food Lab, Shuttle Simulators, Neutral Buoyancy Lab, etc. The co-op program also has different committees to join, such as a housing committee where co-ops go off and look for housing for perspective co-ops, a social committee that organizes fun activities to do throughout the week, and many others. There are many different chances for co-ops to become involved.

My First Tour

During my first tour I worked in the Engineering Directorate, Avionic Systems Division, Electromagnetic Systems Branch. Few, that's a lot to say. In this branch I was able to work on multiple projects, but my main project was working with wireless sensor networks. I investigated a new wireless standard know as ZigBee. In order to become familiar with the wireless motes and embedded software, I traveled to San Jose, California to attend a training seminar. Yes I got to travel, I couldn't believe it! I learned a new programming language called nesC, developed by University of California at Berkley. Later, I created and tested wireless sensor networks in a multipath environment. They were set up in a shielded metal room to see if they would still transmit data and later they will be tested in a vacuum for future use in space.

Visitng Texas A&M for an Aggie baseball game	Broomball

My Second Tour

For my second tour I worked in the Command and Data Handling Group in the Systems Division. There is a console position in the Mission Control Center called ODIN (Onboard Data Interfaces and Networks). ODIN operates and maintains the hardware and software used to collect data from onboard systems, such as the computer systems, and payloads onboard the International Space Station. Once you enter the world of flight controllers, many training classes follow. Don't get me wrong, the training classes are a lot of fun. I was able to learn more about the International Space Station as well as the Command and Data Handling system. I was also able to participate in OJTs (on the job training) where you listen in on simulations on console and learn the procedures and actions the flight controllers take during failures. I was also able to send some commands during a sim!! My main project consisted of a new real-time software configuration management website. I started to develop a website using C# and Visual Studio .Net that will insert, pull and display information from a SQL database. This website will eventually pull the information automatically from the database.

My Third Tour

During my third tour I worked in the Robotics Technology Branch. One of the main robots built by this branch is Robonaut. Robonaut can be run autonomously or tele-operated by a human. My main project was to improve the cyberglove software worn by the tele-operator. In doing so, I was a tele-operator for Robonaut Unit B where I performed the task of hooking that tether hook to the hand rail. This task is often performed by astronauts during an EVA. In order for the Robot to go to space, there has to be some way to simulate earth to moon communication between the Robot, the astronaut, and the tele-operator. I developed and designed a GUI for that reason. The GUI displays all the tasks the Robot can carry out as well as the tasks that were sent to the Robot. This way, the astronaut and the tele-operator can see what the Robot is currently doing and they can interject tasks or delete tasks as necessary. In addition to working with Robonaut, I created a model of a Bobcat construction loader using Enigma to facilitate a simulation. The Bobcat will be used to clear space on the moon and mars for a safe landing spot.

Social Life

Yea, yea, yea, so NASA has a bunch of engineers, but we are exciting people! Every weekend and every day of the week there is always something going on. During the week, co-op students go rock climbing, watch movies, have game nights, go to dinner, and many other activities. On the weekends we have taken trips to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Texas A&M, Austin, the beaches or we hang out here in Houston! There is always something planned for everyone and you meet many new and interesting people. There is never a dull moment here at JSC. Everything gets more and more fascinating each semester so I cannot wait for my next tour!

Co-oping at NASA is a great experience and I have loved every minutes of it. If you have any questions about co-oping or Penn State you can contact me at meghan.e.daley@nasa.gov or med230@psu.edu .