Hello from Johnson Space Center,

Still here, still learning, and thus begins week three.

Early Monday morning we met up with the pre-collegiate interns to board the shuttle bus that would take us around town to see the major sites of Johnson Space Center.  Our VIP tour began with a stop at Ellington Field, the airfield of JCS.  We began by viewing several reduced gravity projects developed by teams from various colleges around the nation, as they prepared to conduct experiments in the Weightless Wonder.  The Weightless Wonder is an airplane that flies in parabolas and simulates no gravity for periods of about 20 seconds.  The Reduced Gravity projects illustrated the possibilities that are abundant for us to utilize in our future.  Some of the teams spoke with us explaining their projects; from Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach's fuel slosh experiments to Purdue's tests on the energy released from boiling water in micro-gravity.  We were lucky enough to not only see the Weightless Wonder in person, but also able to go aboard and tour the magnificent plane.  Prior to leaving, we also saw the WB-57F, one of two "long winged" planes in the world.

The next stop on our journey was to the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, where astronauts spend hours training for their missions in space.  This pool, which is 4 stories high, is the closest simulation on Earth we can get to working in space.  The astronauts are neutrally buoyant and thus don't float or sink to the bottom.  We were fortunate enough to be taken on a tour of the entire building by two NBL divers.  While touring we were able to watch not just one, but TWO astronauts training for the STS-133 and the International Space Station.  To ensure the astronauts are well prepared for future tasks, they spend about ten hours training for every one hour they will spend working in space.  The divers also have to undergo rigorous training and testing in order to be able work in the NBL; if an astronaut depressurizes, he/she will start sinking, and the divers must come to the rescue.  Before leaving the NBL we toured the control room that monitored the astronauts' work and simulations.

      

As everyone can attest to, food is always very important.  Our next stop on our tour was the awesome Food Lab where a kind food scientist explained what problems scientist face in preparing food for space.  We learned about the meticulous planning, preparing, and packing required to feed our astronauts.  Several difficulties exist in preparing the food so it would last for a long time without spoiling, and being prepared and consumed in space.  Sodium is another challenge in packaging food, as scientists now believe that the abundance of sodium in an astronaut's diet can augment numerous health problems such as vision and muscle loss.  The food scientist concluded by discussing the ongoing research and development to improve current products as well as developing new entrees.  We can now tell Forrest Gump one more way of preparing shrimp: freeze-drying.  One interesting fact is that the most requested food in space is shrimp cocktail.  The most requested item upon return from space is fresh fruit.  Upon leaving the food lab we were able to view numerous food items and entrees.

Next we went to building 30, which houses the Mission Control Center.  First, our group toured the Shuttle Mission Control.  There weren't many people working because there is not a current shuttle mission.  However, they were preparing for a simulation so it started to hop close to the time we left.  Next we went to the mission control for the International Space Station.  We actually got to view a live feed of two astronauts working on the space station.  One awesome thing we saw was an astronaut drinking from a container we had just learned about at the Food Lab.  There was also a live video of Earth spinning under the space station.  Our last stop was Historic Mission Control, which was the actual control room that directed the first shuttle launching and all Apollo missions following our first trip to the moon.

The next stop on our tour was Building 9, the JSC mockup facility.  The first thing we viewed inside was Robonaut and Spidernaut.  Robonaut was created to perform humanoid tasks without risking human life.  Once perfected Robonaut will be able to complete repairs on the ISS as well as space walks and other functions to benefit the crew.  The reason Robonaut is humanoid is because the scientists don't want to make new tools but enable the robot to use existing tools.  Spidernaut is a robot designed to walk while carrying large loads.  Another project being manufactured by the robotic engineers is the CEV, Crew Exploration Vehicle.  The CEV is modular enabling it to be easily transported.  The CEV will serve as a RV for the astronauts in space.  Also housed in Building 9 are all the various mockups including the shuttle, ISS, and SOYUZ, the Russian crew module.  An engineer who works on the ISS took us on a tour and gave a lecture on all the individual components and tasks involved in creating and maintaining the ISS.

The final stop on our tour was the Saturn V and Rocket Park.  The Saturn V was built to be launched into space but was never used.  It was impressive to be able to view a real rocket up close, as no pictures can truly convey how extremely large it is in real life.  We were able to walk around and see all of the various stages up close.  Overall, our tour was extremely impressive and educational.  It was very enlightening to see an overview of all the integral parts of JSC and how they worked together to make a mission possible.

Following our tour we had a very busy week at work.  Here is an update on our internships and current projects.

Brian and Kevin continue to work on their Mass Estimation Program.  They are finishing up finding functions of the masses of the individual parts of a Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle, and have started writing the model and program to bring everything together.  Using the type of orbit and final velocity required, the mass of the whole rocket and fuel needed can be found and calculated, which is what they are working on and building a computer model of.

Hollie and Christopher made much progress this week as they made and perfected their Project Approval Presentation for building the scale mock-up of the Apollo 17 Landing Site.  Although their idea going into the meeting was well thought out, their superiors had other ideas.  It was no-worries because this sort of changing is normal for all engineering presentations as change is key to innovation.  Thanks to their enlightening mentors, they have found a way to cut costs and weight, but yet include a higher detail.  The next step for them is first to rethink some aspects of the planning and design and then create a small-scale model of the large-scale mock-up.

Shelby and Kelsey were excited to finally meet their mentor, John Clack, on Tuesday.  They were ecstatic to finally be assigned a project.  They will be working on a project proposal that will implement new collaboration software throughout the Mission Operations Directorate.  They will be evaluating the previous use of Windows Sharepoint Services and the possible implementation of Microsoft Sharepoint Server.  They have been working diligently on research and have enjoyed attending new meetings all week long.  They are both looking forward to starting the new phase of their project this coming week.

As every human knows, all work and no play makes for a dull day.  Here is our weekly activity review.  Through the intersection and through the gate, to the park we went.  While there, some flew a kite although flying might be better replaced with kite crashing due to lack of wind.  Others aggressively played tennis and even managed to hit the ball boy, Christopher.  Before departing for the evening, most played soccer and accidently hit Shelby square in the face. 

 

On Wednesdays, we have the awesome weekly Wii Night!  Our favorite is the Karaoke Wii game because we all know how to really rock out.  According to our classy chaperone, Joline, you should "look for us on American Idol next season".  Like we said, we ROCK!  

On Friday night, we decided to participate in a basic pastime: bowling.  We took advantage of the price deal and bowled for two eventful hours.  During those hours, Kelsey managed to have her bowling ball rejected and roll back to her, halting halfway back and coming to a complete stop in the gutter.  Also, Shelby greatly improved and managed to triple her score from the first game to the third.  

Saturday we were able to travel to Galveston Island and attend the Flight Museum and Schlitterbahn Waterpark.  The Flight Museum was very interesting due to all the painstaking hours put in to restoring several models of antique warplanes.  After that, we walked to the water park, Schlitterbahn, to splish and splash until eight o'clock.  This was fabulous as we got our fill of slides, tubes, and sun.  Needless to say, we all are sporting a sweet tan line.  Also, Kevin got hit with a walkie-talkie falling from the sky, which was weird because he was standing 4 stories up underneath a canopy.  At the end of Saturday night, we found ourselves in heaven: Landry's Seafood.  The food was beyond words!  Following the delicious seafood entrees we all ordered and shared desserts, which included: Banana Foster, Crème Brule, Cheesecake and our favorite, Chocolate Sin.  

Today is Sunday and we find ourselves writing our riveting weekly blog.  Prior to blogging, the boys showed off their killer cooking skills for lunch.  The boys went shopping early this morning and picked up all the fixings for a cookout and prepared an awesome spread for lunch.  Kevin manned the grill and served some of the biggest burgers we have ever seen. 

Tonight, we are looking forward to going to the Fun House after the completion of all our errands and laundry.  While there we will be able to enjoy laser tag, rock climbing, bumper boats, putt-putt, and arcade.  Luckily, there aren't any evil clowns at the Fun House.  

   

We guess this is all for now.  Whoop whoop! And, frankly, "Houston, we do NOT have a problem."