Final Weeks with NASA

The summer is coming to a close, and with that ended an incredible internship experience with NASA. Amidst flying to Florida’s Space Coast, attending the AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum, and white-water rafting, the most valuable takeaway was the perspective gained about NASA as an agency. While that is not something to add to a resume or a new physical skill gained, the insight about how NASA operates, how they handle projects, and how they work with contractors, Congress, and commercial space was the most important element I’ll take with me moving forward. That perspective will impact how I research in grad school, apply for future jobs, and perform my professional duties whether it be with NASA, a contractor, private company, or another organization altogether.

The final weeks of work consisted primarily of concluding our project work. The group I was in was unusual in that we had two projects throughout the 10 weeks. We began working on a propellant delivery system for a 100lb green monopropellant thruster and gathering data by means of cold flow testing to characterize the system’s flowmeters and other instrumentation. When it was apparent that a hotfire would not take place for several more months, our project work shifted to a post-launch pressurization system (PLPS) as a means to pressurize SmallSat propulsion systems after launch. Currently, SmallSats must rideshare with other larger and more expensive payloads, and this increases the cost of pre-launch loading procedures, among other complications because of high propellant tank pressures. The notion of pressurizing those tanks after launch would mitigate risks and drive down launch costs for secondary payloads. This project involved a lot of design, prototyping, and testing which was unique. However, we were unable to replicate the results that previous interns had done, so we were set back several weeks to solve issues they allegedly didn’t have. It was a positive experience although frustrating at times because the actual pressurization is achieved by a decomposition reaction of azodicarbonamide, which became tedious to work with after dozens of samples. Our team was able to move forward and ensure the issues we had at the beginning would not be repeated. While the project as a whole was interesting, I didn’t have the chance to learn new skills or software programs. The very final week I did some work on a mill and lathe, so that was exciting to have done that, even if it was in the final days of the internship.

Green Monopropellant Team: myself, Fabian, McKynzie, and Bailey

Outside of work, we had networking opportunities with large and small businesses in Huntsville, lectures about solar sails and career advice, and watched an intern Q&A with NASA’s new administrator, Jim Bridenstine. He answered questions about SLS, ISS, commercial crew programs, and even the Space Force. His explanation regarding the Space Force was that currently the world’s communications, surveillance, GPS, and scientific satellites are not protected from foreign attack. These satellites represent billions of dollars in critical services provided to us on Earth and are inadequately protected. This was a take I hadn’t yet heard, but it will take some time before others take it seriously. When the question on the Space Force was asked, the entire audience burst into laughter.

SLS Inter Stage Testing

SLS Vibrational Test Stand

Atop the SLS Vibrational Test Stand

On the final weekends, I learned to white-water raft, knee board, and wake surf. This adds to my growing list of new experiences this summer on top of surfing and paddle boarding. During the final days, my parents came to pick me up, and we spent a few days in Huntsville exploring the Botanical Gardens, the US Space and Rocket Center, and Monte Sano State Park. I’m back at home in Little Rock this week to catch up on doctor’s appointments and reconnect with friends before returning to Stillwater.

White water rafting on the Ocoee River in Tennessee

My summer weeks in Huntsville were truly exceptional in numerous ways. I can only imagine where I’ll end up next summer, and I’m already starting to think about those adventures. Thank you to the Oklahoma Space Grant Consortium for making this whole opportunity possible. 

2018 Propulsion Academy Interns