David Lantz
Hi, glad you clicked on my name! I’m assuming that since you’re
looking at co-op bios, you too are interested in becoming involved with Johnson
Space Center’s Co-op program. Let me start off by telling you about myself.
About
Me...
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GO STATE |
I’m a senior in Aerospace Engineering and Materials Engineering at Iowa
State University in Ames, Iowa (go Cyclones!). Why the double major you ask?
Well, I really couldn’t make up my mind! I’ve always had a knack
for math and science and knew that someday I would love to work in the aerospace
industry, but I also enjoy working with materials and understanding the theory
behind how they behave.
How I Got Here…
I was fortunate enough to notice during my sophomore year that JSC was going
to be present at our fall Career Fair at ISU. I quickly prepared my resume,
put on my best suit and began doing my background research on what JSC had
to offer. I quickly learned that not only did they have an awesome Mission
Operations Directorate (remember the line “Houston, we have a problem…”?),
but they had an equally impressive Engineering Directorate. I instantly knew
that JSC would be an awesome place for me to get the aerospace and work experience
that I wanted!
I was fortunate enough to land an interview at the Career Fair and sat down
the next day with a NASA engineer, who I enthusiastically explained to that
I wanted a job! During the nerve wracking weeks after the interview, I waited
to hear back from JSC. Later that semester, I left one of my classes to receive
a call and found out that I would be spending my spring in Houston!
On The Clock…
I started my first tour in the Materials and Processes Branch which is part
of the Engineering Structures Division in the spring of 2005. This was an outstanding
first branch for me to work in. I was assigned a mentor who made sure that
I was always confident and informed about the projects that I was working on.
While working for the M&P Branch, I was given a wide variety of projects
and responsibilities. I worked on failure analysis, pressure system certification,
non-destructive analysis, carbon nanotubes, and many other general projects.
The amount of work that I was given combined with the challenges that they
presented was perfect for inspiring me to excel. In addition to the work that
I was given, I also participated in several professional development workshops
and took a couple Russian language classes! Since I enjoyed my tour with the
M&P Branch so much, I ended up doing back to back tours with them.
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Me wearing a smock in the FCE lab with Class 1 flight hardware.
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My next work tour was a year later in the EVA Systems Group which is part
of EVA, Robotics & Crew Systems Operations Division, a smaller part of
JSC’s Mission Operations Directorate (MOD). This group was my first experience
in MOD. In this group I took many interesting classes pertaining to the
EVA
(Extravehicular Activities) EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) and learned
all about the systems that support spacewalks. This group was unique in the
MOD world in that not only did it train personnel (of course Astronauts!),
but it also participated actively in the EVA Mission Control. I was able
to sit on console several times and actively participate as an “Astronaut” during
some of the simulations that my group ran!
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One of the trainer EVA
EMUs.
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My last tour at JSC was with the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL), another
branch of the MOD. The NBL is one of the world’s largest indoor pools
and allows for NASA personnel to simulate EVA and other activities in a nearly
weightless environment! Because equipment and personnel are suspended or neutrally
buoyant in the water, they can train for when they’re actually in space!
While working at the NBL, I participated in many different projects from designing
hardware for use in the water, to planning out the logistics for upcoming dives.
The complexity of all the systems associated with the NBL is mind-boggling,
but amazing to see in action!
Off The Clock…
Not only do I get to have a blast at work, but I also make the most of my
time in Houston. Whether it’s taking a weekend trip to the Guadalupe
River, deep sea fishing, sky diving, playing softball, soccer, tennis or just
hanging out with some of the 100+ fellow co-ops, the experience as a JSC Co-op
is amazing! There are literally thousands of activities to participate in and
the real dilemma is trying to find the time to fit them all in!
Contact…
I’ve been pretty brief with explaining my awesome experience at JSC.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me! david.c.lantz@nasa.gov
Good Luck!
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| My co-op softball team, The Brew Crew. |
Hanging out on the beach |
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Co-ops playing broom ball |
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