A reminder never hurts…

Sixteen some odd years ago, I stepped into the Mission Control Center (MCC) viewing room, as an impressionable eight year old. I vividly recall peering in through the looking glass, awed and amazed at the sight before me. I went home from that trip and declared to my mother that I was going to one day work in Mission Control and be an astronaut – lofty ambitions for a mere child of eight.

Throughout middle and high school, my list of potential careers was exhaustive. At one point, I adamantly stated I’d never be a doctor, lawyer, or an engineer, though all three eventually found their way onto this list. My interest in astronomy and (after that fateful MCC visit) manned spaceflight never waned, however; and when I found out about an education program for high school students at the Johnson Space Center (JSC), I applied immediately. A few months later, a little over seven years after I so freely declared my devotion to the space program, I embarked upon a journey that has provided me with the most awe-inspiring experiences, for which I am truly, truly grateful.

Subsequent years found me participating in every JSC education program I qualified for, beginning and completing a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, and accepting my first full-time employment opportunity: on St. Patrick’s Day of this year, I drove in through the gates of JSC, prepared for my very first day of work in the Station Robotics Training group.

Today, sixteen years after my first visit to JSC, eight years after my first involvement with NASA, and just about five years after I started working at JSC as a co-op student, I was able to add one more amazing opportunity to this list. Shortly after the 11 o’clock hour this morning, I stepped outside of my office, walked across campus towards the edge of an open field, and stood in the frigid cold, gazing upwards in hopes of catching my first glimpse of the very heart of the space program that I fell in absolute love with so many years ago. A short time later, a friend pointed towards the western skies, and there, gliding towards me was one of the most incredible sights I’ve ever laid my eyes upon: the Space Shuttle Endeavour, mounted atop a modified 747 aircraft, being ferried across the length of the United States on its trip back to its home in Florida.

As I watched the pair of skyward travelers make their collective way across the skies, I thought back to that fateful day in the MCC viewing room. I thought back to that day I sat in my high school physics class and first heard about the High School Aerospace Scholars Program. I thought about that day I answered my phone and found out I had a job offer from my current group. I thought about that day I flew on the KC-135, conducting an experiment on 12-lead electrocardiography. I thought about that day I saw the hardware I oversaw design and fabrication of used in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory. I thought about that day I met Chris Kraft, and that day I met Gene Kranz, and that day I first me an astronaut, and then that day I first met an Apollo astronaut. I thought about that day I first taught a crew lesson. Then, I thought about what I’d just seen.

The space program has afforded me a great number of amazing opportunities, ones I never could have imagined those sixteen some odd years ago. I saw today, tangible evidence of the impact of my contributions to the space program and saw the excitement that the mere sighting gave to countless individuals across the JSC campus. It was evident from their willingness to brave the crisp winter breeze, their excited chatter, and the intermittent bursts of applause that we are all here for the same reason: our passion for human spaceflight.

Driving through the gates of work each morning, I pass the colossal Saturn V rocket, parked at the entrance of JSC. It is just a small token of the passion, dedication, inspiration, expertise, and effort that created and molded the NASA we see today. I am truly honored to work in an organization that covets the value of the impossible, achieves what others only dream about, and inspires the next generation to pursue their ambitions with the same fervor and brilliance that leaders of the past have provided as examples.

I walked back to my office, absolutely giddy with excitement, prepared to tackle the challenges before me with renewed passion, inspiration, and excitement. I supposed I didn’t need so many words to say what I’ve known for quite some time: I sure do love my job.