Jul 28
One morning this week on the way to work, I saw a truck with a “failure is not an option” bumper sticker. It got me thinking about the role of failure in my own life and at NASA. After all, I don’t know that there are many other phrases as closely associated with our organization! I appreciate the sentiment behind the statement, but I wonder if it is really such a good thing for a perspective like this to permeate our organization.
Personally, I’m on the verge of taking on a new role as a supervisor at work. I know that what I want to do is to lead people; yet, a change like this is pretty scary! I’m basically abandoning many of the technical skills that I’ve learned through four years of aerospace engineering education and six years of experience at NASA. I’m taking on a new challenge in my life, and there’s a chance I might fail. I’m very clear, however, that I can’t grow and develop as an individual if I’m not willing to take on new challenges that stretch my abilities. In the process of stretching myself, I am also keenly aware that I am going to fail, at least every once in a while. I understand that it is in those failures where true learning takes place.
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Jul 26
The young professionals’ panel at the 2008 International Civil Service Commission conference was a truly remarkable event. Nick, Garret, and I met with our UN counterparts at United Nations Plaza 2, one of their main office buildings, to go over final preparations and introduce everyone face-to-face for the first time.
We then crossed the street to enter the UN Headquarters grounds. It’s hard for me to put in words even now the sense of honor and amazement I felt at being an invited guest there. After we passed through security and were given our access passes, the group made its way to the Secretariat building for the conference session.
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Jul 23
Last night (7/22/08), the JSC 20 Year Vision Team held a forum for all the JSC co-ops and interns (CS and contractors).
For those who were able to make it…Thanks for coming! We really enjoyed sharing the Vision with you and hearing all of your thoughts, comments, feedback, and concerns.
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Jul 13
For those of you who don’t know, you can actually go to the LEGO website and design custom LEGO creations. Cool, huh? Well, someone on the Lunar Reconnsaissance Orbiter (LRO) project made one for LRO, which you can order here: http://tinyurl.com/legolro
I think this is really cool - I now have a LEGO version of “my” spacecraft! This seems like it could be another pretty cool way for us to engage the public! Anyone out there want to make a LEGO version of your spacecraft?
Jul 06
I wrote an article on the vehicles of the Constellation Program for the June 2008 issue of the Houston AIAA chapter’s monthly newsletter and our sister section in Toulouse, France. If you aren’t familiar with the Orion crew vehicle, the Ares launch vehicles, and the Altair lander, feel free to take a look!
You can find it in PDF format at the Horizons website.
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