Thilini Rangedera...

Hey guys!

My first co-op tour was Spring of 2004. However, I have been involved with NASA since high school. I have worked here before through Texas Aerospace Scholars, Summer High School Apprenticeship Research Program (SHARP), and an Independent Study Project with the Orbit Flight Dynamics Officers. For my first co-op tour, I worked with my mentor from my independent study project. I worked in the International Space Station Trajectory Operations and Planning group. They are known as the TOPOs. They plan all the maneuvers that ISS will have and monitor its’ trajectory. I’m created a report describing historical trends as well as statistical analysis of trajectory deviations.

My second tour was with the International Space Station (ISS) Electrical Power System (EPS) and Thermal Contol System (TCS) Training group during Spring 2005. They are responsible for training astronauts and flight controllers about the electrical and thermal systems. I became certified to teach two EPS classes. I even got to teach flight directors! During simulations, the group comes up with cases to stump the flight controllers. I also had the chance to create some cases for the EPS side which was a lot of fun.

My third tour was with the Shuttle Booster Systems group during the Summer 2005. They are flight controllers responsible for monitoring the Space Shuttle main engines, solid rocket boosters, and the external tank. The shuttle world is a lot faster paced, especially the ascent side so it was amazing to work with them. I started training to become a Main Propulsion System flight controller. I loved training for this position because I got to use many of the things I learned in school.

Co-op group from Spring 05	With Gene Kranz

For my fourth tour in Spring 2006, I returned to ISS EPS and TCS Training. I recertified in the two lessons I taught before and then I certified in two more. I did more simulation training to come up with more cases to stump flight controllers. This was an interesting tour because I got to come back to a group that I already had some experience in so they gave me a lot of freedom and responsibility in what I did day to day. I am graduating in May 2007 and hope to come back to work full time at NASA.

Like I mentioned before, I’m from Houston and I live about 10 minutes away from JSC so I didn’t really have a problem finding a place to live! There is so much to do in Houston and you will have a lot of fun hanging out with the other co-ops. We have parties, go out to lunch/dinner, go to concerts, go to sporting events, and even more!! If you want to do something, you can find another co-op that wants to do it with you!!

So now that you’re excited about working at JSC, how do you get started?? Well, I found out that Bob, the co-op manager, would be coming to my school for interviews frshman year. I talked to my co-op advisor and she set up an interview for me. A month later, I found out that I had a job at JSC!!! If you really want to work here, start early! Contact Bob, get involved with school, and of course…keep your grades up!!

First Party
	Engineering Career Expo 2004

Softball team from Spring 2004

If you have any questions about co-oping or GEORGIA TECH!, please feel free to email me at thilini.p.rangedera@nasa.gov or gtg912f@mail.gatech.edu while I'm at school.