Helen Vaccaro...

So you think you want to be a NASA co-op?? Good choice!!

Getting HERE

I grew up in Houston, TX just across town from the Johnson Space Center. Since I grew up so close to NASA, I have known that I wanted to work here as long as I can remember. When I was applying to college, I decided I wanted to go to a good school for engineering that was far away... and I wanted snow! Knowing that, I choose the beautiful Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania. I am currently a junior in Aerospace Engineering there. I was initially going to try to obtain a co-op at NASA in the spring of 2006, but I got an email 4 weeks before I was to start my fall 2005 classes from JSC saying that they wanted to interview me for a fall co-op. I interviewed on a Thursday and that next Monday I got the job!

Workin'

My first rotation was in the Orbit Flight Dynamics group of the Mission Operations Directorate. I work with the Orbit Flight Dynamics Officers (FDO’s), the people who man one of the consoles in “the trench” of Mission Control. The FDO’s are responsible for the trajectory and maneuvers of the Space Shuttle. For my project, I automated one of the applications they use on the Mission Control computers that determines when the Space Shuttle can launch (liftoff time) and its associated phase angle. I had to learn a new computer language, Tcl Tk, and the Unix/Linux operating systems. It was fun to learn about the NASA computer system and work with the applications that the FDO’s use on console during missions. This rotation has been awesome because I got to know the people who work the missions, and spend quality time in Mission Control watching simulations and working on my project.

My second rotation was with flight controllers in the Propulsion Systems group. The Propulsion Systems group is responsible for monitoring the Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) and Reaction Control System (RCS) of the Space Shuttle during missions. The OMS and RCS consist of engines and jets that allow the orbiter to maneuver in space to a desired location. The majority of my time this rotation was spent training to be a back-room flight controller in Mission Control!! I read a bunch of manuals, completed several Single Systems Trainer’s (where you get to sit in a room that has a model of the Space Shuttle cockpit and flip switches like you are the astronaut) and watched/participated in many simulations in Mission Control. Some of my side tasks included writing up Post-Flight reports, which are written after each mission and creating helpful excel spreadsheets for my group. This rotation was very exciting because I was able to see what it really takes to be a flight controller and work in Houston Mission Control.

My next rotation will be in the new CEV (the spacecraft that will be replacing the Space Shuttle) Project office. I will be working in the Test & Verification Office where they will be developing the new systems to test the CEV. Hopefully this rotation will be as exciting and informative as my first two!

Fun

One of the most exciting things I got to do this fall was.skydiving!!! The co-ops have scheduled activities almost every night, never leaving a dull moment. Even at work there are several tours and lectures each week to participate in. We had lectures from people like Chris Kraft (the first flight director) to Wayne Hale (Deputy Space Shuttle Program Director) and even Gene Kranz! Seeing moon rocks, flying the space shuttle simulator, and learning about new carbon nano tube technology were just some of the great tours I attended this semester.

Co-oping at NASA has been one of the best experiences I have ever had... and I have only done one rotation so far! I look forward to several more rotations of learning and fun. So, now that you know how fun it is to co-op at NASA, come join us! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at hmv110@psu.edu.